EPOV
I sat alone on the beach, staring out at the waves. Bella was in the house, feeding the twins and visiting with Leah again. My brain was frazzled with all the thoughts running through it. There was so much going on I just wanted to press the stop button so I could sit back and enjoy some time with Bella and our children. Seriously I wanted to take Bella and our children away and just exist as the two of us for a while.
I didn't want to deal with the werewolves, especially Jacob who thinks he's in love with my newborn daughter.
I didn't want to listen for Laurent's thoughts. The vacant space where they should have been was too much for me.
I didn't want to deal with Bella's suddenly vampire father no matter how good his control was.
I didn't want to deal with the Denali's, although I was glad they had helped us but they had wants and needs... And apparently they wanted beds to sate them in. The current arrangements were not good enough apparently.
I didn't want to keep reading Athenodora's thoughts to ensure the safety of those around us.
I wanted to take my mate and my children somewhere that we can just be and I didn't need to be able to read Bella's mind to know that she felt the same way.
"Edward?" Alice said, interrupting my vampire pity party.
"What's up Pix?" I asked my favorite sister.
"I have something for you," she said, grinning from ear to ear.
"Alice! I'm not in the mood," I said to her. I had tried listening to her thoughts only to find her blocking them by singing 'The Song That Doesn't End'.
"Edward. I know what you need and I have the solution," she said in a sing song voice.
"Please, Alice! No games," I said. "If you have something... Just, please."
She handed me a packet of papers and then ran up the beach as fast as she could.''I glanced down at the papers and smiled a genuine smile.
It was just what we needed.
I stood up and dashed towards the house. Bella and I were getting out of here, and I was going to take advantage of every second of it.
When I got back to the house, Bella was standing on the porch with the twins in her arms. Now, I have seen sunrises and sunsets all over the world. I have seen the Taj Mahal, the great pyramids, the Eiffel Tower, and the Grand Canyon. I have seen every description of beauty that has ever been written. But never have I seen anything more beautiful, more pleasing to my eyes and my soul then the sight before me now.
My Love and my children, standing waiting for me. Bella's whole face was lit up with her feelings. She knew what was going on and was just as anxious for it as I was.
"Bella," I said as I scooped her up bridal style, the twins still nestled into her arms.
"Hello," she said, blushing slightly. Her eyes danced mischievously as she looked at me.
"Are you ready?" I asked her.
"Apparently everything we'll need is in the car," Bella said, pointing to the Mercedes.
"Is this what you want, Bella?" I asked, giving her the choice.
"With all my heart, Edward," she replied, pressing her lips softly to mine.
I reluctantly pulled away causing her to sigh.
"Is that a good sigh or a bad sigh?" I asked her.
"Good, all good," she said, smiling softly. "All I need and want is right here."
"I agree completely," I said, kissing her again.
I finally put her down next to the car and took my sleeping daughter from her arms. I ran around to the far side of the car and reached in to buckle Arriel into her car seat. Bella buckled Jace into his seat on the passenger side. She smiled at me over the back seat and we raced into our seats in the front. I grinned at her and started the car. I planned to make the most of our time away.
BPOV
Seriously, Alice rocks!
With so much going on I honestly felt I needed to be split into ten different people. Leah's friend Bella, who was always there when she needed me. Charlie's daughter Bella, the reason he died and the reason he had agreed to be a vampire. Mommy Bella to my two children, no explanation needed. Edward's Bella, my mate, my fiance, the man that completed me, the father of our children. Protective Bella, guarding everyone, ensuring their safety. Vampire Bella, Sister Bella, Friend Bella, Daughter-n-law Bella, I want to get to know you Bella.....
Everyone seemed to be vying for my attention and the one that I wanted the most was dealing with the same things. I would meet his eyes across the room and everything else would cease to matter, just for a few moments before one or the other of us was swept into something else.
Edward and my relationship seemed to always get put on the back burner, and I hated it. I hated being pulled in so many directions at once when every fiber of my being was screaming Edward's name.
Than Alice, in all her pixie wisdom, announced that I was to get myself and the twins ready.
"Why, Alice? Where am I going?" I asked her.
"You and Edward need some time away from all this," she said motioning everywhere.
"But how?" I asked, not arguing the fact that it was needed, just the method in which it was supposed to occur.
"Just get ready to go. Edward will have all the details. Just have you and my niece and nephew on the front porch in ten minutes," she said, dancing over to kiss the babies who were lying on the bed ready for a diaper change.
She said nothing else before she danced out of the room. I was never so glad for vampire speed. I quickly changed the babies, putting them both in new diapers and new outfits. Then I dashed to the bathroom as they slept on the bed and stripped out of my clothes, putting my hair up in a bun. I had a quick shower with my strawberry body wash, jumped out, dried off and dashed back to the bedroom where the twins were to grab something to wear. I opened the closet to find a bag that said 'WEAR ME' on it, it Alice's handwriting.
I grabbed the bag and opened it. The lingerie inside was sinful at best and probably illegal in many places. That small black scrap of fabric couldn't be construed as underwear could it?
I knew better than to argue with Alice, even if she wasn't in the room. If I tried to put anything else on, I could guarantee she'd be back in the room in seconds.... Granted, with the twins right here she wouldn't necessarily see anything.... I smiled at my devious thoughts and dressed quickly and left the little pink bag on the bed. As soon as my clothes were on I went to the mirror and released my hair from it's messy bun and ran a brush through it. It was mostly for show, as my hair was perfect, unless there were twigs and leaves in it. It never knotted or snarled as it had when I was human.
In nine minutes and forty seconds I was on the front porch, just in time to see Edward running towards the house. I couldn't help the grin that spread across my face as my Love ran towards me. He had my favorite crooked smile plastered on his face and I realized that he felt the exact same way as I did.
He was by my side in an instant and swept the three of us up into his arms. After a few words and a sensual kiss, we headed for the car.
It didn't even take us a minute to get to the car, get the twins buckled and get on the road. I didn't know where we were going, and to be perfectly honest I didn't care. I was with Edward and imprinting werewolves, vampire families, my mother's grief and my father's upcoming funeral were a distant memory.
"Aren't you going to ask where we're going?" Edward asked, breaking the comfortable silence in the car.
"No," I said, grabbing his hand in mine. "As long as I'm with you it doesn't matter."
"Human Bella would have been going nuts by now," he said with a chuckle.
"Human Bella didn't like the disparity between us. I didn't like you giving me things that I didn't feel I deserved," I said.
"You deserved the world, Bella. I didn't give you even half of what you deserved. I should have...." he started.
"Should have, could have, would have... None of those matter anymore... We're here together now. Forever!" I said, interrupting his ramblings. "Edward we both did things wrong. But..."
"What did you do wrong, Bella? My stupidity is what brought all this upon us..." he said, taking all the blame like always.
"No," I said. "It wasn't just you. Edward I doubted you, right from the start. I never felt worthy of you. I knew that you couldn't love me the way I loved you because I was.... I was wrong, so wrong, but I doubted myself and therefore I didn't feel worthy of anything. I didn't deserve to be loved by you. I saw your perfection and I couldn't compare."
"Bella..." he started.
"Just listen, please," I begged him.
"Okay," he sighed, running his fingers through his hair. This was obviously not how he planned for this day to go.
"It's not all bad," I told him, smiling. "If I had more faith in us, a lot of things would have been different. But I doubted me and I doubted you and I let myself believe that you left because I wasn't enough."
"But, don't you see that's on me. I didn't tell you enough or show you enough," he said.
"You did. I couldn't believe you because of my own image issues. I didn't believe that you could truly love me. You told me how many times that you did but my first thought when you left was that it wasn't true because I wasn't good enough," I said.
"Bella you can't blame yourself for this," he said.
"But I do, Edward. I do," I said. "Does it make sense to blame myself... Maybe not. But it doesn't make sense for you to either. You freaked out and ran away from the problem. I did the same damn thing. I freaked out when I found out I was pregnant and instead of trying to get ahold of Carlisle or Esme or Emmett or anyone, I ran away. I knew Charlie would freak out. I knew I couldn't explain this to him... But I was wrong. And I hurt Charlie and I hurt you and the family too."
He pinched the bridge of his nose.
"We both did things wrong," he finally admitted. "But we can't change the past and we need to just move on with our future."
"And we will. I may not be Alice but I foresee a great future for us," I said with a cheeky smile. Our serious conversation behind us.
"Me too," he said, smiling at me.
"Do you know I have everything I could ever want?" I said to him. "I got more than that even. I got everything I never knew I wanted."
"I know what you mean. I never expected to be a father but I can't imagine a life without them anymore," he said.
"I never wanted kids. My parents were enough for me," I said. "But everything about our children is just so.... Perfect."
"Just like their mother," he said.
"That was cheesy, Cullen," I said, shaking my head.
He just laughed in response. It was a sound I vowed to hear more often.
"When are we going to rectify that?" he asked.
"Rectify what?" I asked.
"Your name," he said, picking up the hand that sported my engagement ring.
"My dress is gone," I said sadly, thinking of my wedding dress that had been hanging up at Charlie's. Everything was being taken care of at the house by Renee and Phil, with the help of the Clearwaters and Billy Black.
"Actually, your dress was saved by Sue Clearwater. Truthfully, Renee had a fit when she saw it according to Sue and Sue said it was Leah's and just stored there so that Paul wouldn't see it. I believe Alice has purveyed it and is having it cleaned or something like that," he said.
"Really?" I asked, my spirits perking up at that.
"Truly," he responded.
"Then let's do it! The sooner the better. You have your ring on my finger, but I don't have one on yours yet.... And with all these vampire ladies around..." I said, teasing but not completely.
"You have always been the only one for me. Human or vampire, you have my heart. That said I can't wait to wear your ring... Hopefully the church is still all set and waiting for us," he said.
"I'd like that. And now Charlie will be there to walk me down the aisle. It's perfect," I said, my eyes starting to tear up.
He smiled and wiped a tear that had strayed down my cheek away. Why did I have to be the world's only crying, blushing and lactating vampire?
"We'll talk to Alice when we get back," he said. "Because as much as I want to marry you, I want this time more."
"Me too," I said, looking forward to the time away from all the stresses.
We drove through Forks and on through Port Angeles to a small town called, Sequim where we turned off. I looked over at Edward, who was smiling secretively.
"Sequim?" I asked.
"It's actually pronounced SKWIM," he said. "But we aren't staying here."
"Okay," I said, refusing to ask anymore questions I knew he wouldn't answer anyway.
We drove through the small town, that was still bigger than Forks, and onto a dirt road. We travelled in for about twenty miles when the jostling of the car on the well worn road woke Jace. He let his displeasure be known, crying loudly.
That was one thing I had never really heard, and it had obviously shocked Edward too.
"Hold on, Little Man," he said, soothing our son. "We'll be there soon."
Edward's words soothed Jace immediately and I smiled at him, loving his concern for our son. He began to hum quietly to him before he began to sing.
To be honest, I had never truly heard Edward sing. He had hummed for me many times, but to hear his voice singing to our son, filled my heart in ways I could never have dreamed possible.
"Hush, little baby, don't say a word,Daddy's gonna buy you a mockingbird.
And if that mockingbird won't sing,Daddy's gonna buy you a diamond ring.
And if that diamond ring turns to brass, Daddy's gonna buy you a looking glass.
And if that looking glass gets broke, Daddy's gonna buy you a billy goat.
And if that billy goat won't pull, Daddy's gonna buy you a cart and bull.
And if that cart and bull turn over, Daddy's gonna buy you a dog named Rover.
And if that dog named Rover won't bark, Daddy's gonna buy you a horse and cart.
And if that horse and cart fall down, You'll still be the sweetest little baby in town."
"Are you crying?" he asked, as he finished out his song.
"No," I sniffled, causing him to laugh softly.
"I seem to be causing you to cry a lot," he said, smiling at him.
"It was beautiful. I've never heard you sing before. I've heard you whisper the lyrics in my ear, and hum... But never sing. I liked it a lot," I said.
"I think Jace did too. It sounds like he's asleep again," he said.
"He is," I said, peering into the backseat.
"I never expected to be a Daddy... Saying it in relation to myself is almost surreal," he said, grabbing my hand and kissing the back of it.
"Just think of how it will sound coming from them," I said, smiling at him.
"I can't wait for that... And for you to be called Mommy," he said.
"I can't wait," I said, firmly believing it.
I looked out the window at the trees that engulfed both sides of the road, looking for any sign of our destination.
It was only moments later that I could make out what seemed to be a small clearing.
"Is that where we're going?" I asked.
"Yes," he smiled. "Ultimate privacy."
"I like the sound of that," I said.
We pulled in front of a small log cabin. The rough logs were aged but the roof had been newly updated.
"How long has this cabin been here?" I asked.
"Esme found it when we were first in the area. It had been in rough shape at the time and she fixed it up and has maintained it as a rental property for years. There is a stream behind the house that is perfect for fishing and lots of wildlife around for hunting," he said.
"I love it," I said. "Can we go inside?"
"Of course," he said. "Lead the way and I will follow you."
The cabin was not decorated in typical Cullen fashion. In fact, it was decorated more like a typical hunting lodge than anything. There were bear skin rugs on the floor and various taxidermist's dreams mounted on the wall.
"This was all Emmett's idea," he said following me into the house, with each baby's car seat in one hand.
"He went though a taxidermy course the first time we came to Forks, so...." he said.
"So he had lunch and went to work?" I asked.
"Yes," he laughed, putting the car seats down and wrapping his arms around me.
I sighed in relief as I felt his arms engulf me and relaxed into him.
"Do you think they'll sleep long?" he asked, nuzzling my neck.
"If they are in their bassinet together they will," I replied.
His arms were gone instantly and I heard the trunk open and close. I hadn't even turned and he was back, loaded down with everything Alice had packed. The bassinet was on the top.
He put everything down in the living room and I grabbed the bassinet, moving to the back, where I assumed the bedroom was.
I set it up and turned to get the babies. I didn't need to, Edward was there with them, apparently just as anxious as I was to enjoy some couple time. I quickly unbuckled Jace from his car seat and laid him down in his bassinet before doing the same for Arriel. As soon as they were side by side, they reached for each other in their sleep. As soon as their little hands met, they were still. Their breathing indicating the fact that they were fast asleep.
We quickly left the room, closing the door behind us and went to the living room. Edward was quick to light the fire in the fireplace and I sat down in one of the overstuffed chairs to watch him. Watching him move was more than sexy. The way his body set about the most meaningless task was graceful and powerful. I loved it.
"Are you checking me out?" he asked cheekily from his position next to the fireplace.
"Maybe," I responded, feeling my cheeks responding to his teasing.
He was by my side in an instant, his fingers caressing my cheeks.
"I love that you can still blush," he said, before using the fingers that were caressing my cheek to move my face up so our lips could meet.
And meet they did. The first touch might have been tentative but our bodies craved each other so much, it didn't last long. The kiss deepened to fiery in an instant and my hands went to the back of his head, tangling into his hair while his went to my waist, pulling my body flush against his.
Our lips never ceased their fiery dance. Oxygen was not even a consideration. All I needed was him. We sank our bodies o the bearskin rug in front of the fireplace and our clothes began to be shed.
Since our lips were unwilling to part from each other, none of the clothes we had been wearing lasted. Hopefully Alice packed some more, if not we would get creative... At a later point.
Our joining was fiercely passionate feeding our desires for each other to new heights. With neither of us needing rest, our climaxes seemed to blend one into another, with each one pulling us closer together. As the hours passed I briefly considered the fact that we could stay here, doing this for weeks without stop. That thought, however, was interrupted by two tiny wails.
We slowed our movements and caught our breath. Edward was first to move, grabbing one of the bags from where we had deposited them and opening it. He tossed me one of his button up shirts while he slid on a pair of dark wash jeans. I did not fail to notice the lack of boxers under those jeans.
Though it had only been seconds since the cries started, we found ourselves assaulted with images of both babies nursing.
I grabbed the throw from the couch and slid on the shirt, not bothering with the buttons, while Edward went to get our children. When he returned I grabbed the diaper bag and we each set to changing one of the babies. Once they were dry I pulled them onto my lap and they set to work nursing. Edward moved in behind me, one leg on each side of me and I leaned against him. We cuddled each other and our children in front of the fire long after they were finished nursing. Both babies were awake and content to study us, and we were more than content to study them.
Watching them both fight sleep was adorable. Their little eyelids would droop but they would wiggle and open them bright again. Finally Arriel decided that it was enough and put her hand on my arm, showing me an image of Edward rocking them both while singing. I felt, rather than saw, him smile beside me. He stood up from his current position and reached down to take our children from my arms. I willingly relinquished them to him and he began to rock them as in Arriel's vision and began to sing a modified version of a classic lullaby.
"Babies mine, don't you cry,
Babies mine, dry your eyes.
Rest your heads close to my heart,
Never to part, babies of mine.
Little ones when you play,
Don't you mind what you say.
Let those eyes sparkle and shine,
Never a tear, babies of mine.
From your heads to your toes,
You're so sweet, goodness knows.
You're so precious to me,
Cute as can be, babies of mine."
Both of them were fast asleep by the time he was done singing and he moved to the bedroom, putting both children in their bassinet. When he came back to the living room, he put another log on the fire and snuggled in behind me again.
We sat like that for along time before he sighed and said, "I guess we should talk, now that we have some alone time."
"I don't want to," I said, snuggling into him tighter.
"No?" he asked, caressing the my stomach beneath his shirt.
"No," I said.
That was the last word I said until we were disturbed again by our children. As before I slipped into his shirt and he into his jeans and retrieved our children. Once they were clean and fed, we placed them on the bearskin rug between us and enjoyed watching them. When they were ready to sleep, Arriel sent out a request for singing again, this time for us both to do it. We left them laying on the soft rug, and Edward started.
"Come stop your crying, it will be all right.
Just take my hand, hold it tight.
We will protect you from all around you
We will be here don't you cry," he sang.
I continued, "For ones so small, you seem so strong,
Our arms will hold you keep you safe and warm.
This bond between us cant be broken,
We will be here don't you cry."
We sang the rest together, our voices melding together seamlessly.
"And you'll be in our hearts,
Yes, you'll be in our hearts.
From this day on
Now and forever more.
You'll be in our hearts,
No matter what they say.
You'll be here in our hearts,
Always."
They were asleep by the time our song was finished and I picked them both up and brought them back to their bassinet. Once again the snuggled in, holding each other's hand in their sleep. I closed the door and returned to Edward's arms in front of the fire.
"You have a beautiful voice, Love," he said.
"You too," I said.
I snuggled in, nothing sexual, even in our state of semi dress and he wrapped his arms tightly around me.
"When are we going to get married?" he asked.
"Tomorrow?" I asked.
"Works for me, but we won't be separated before the wedding this time. I don't care what Alice says," he vowed.
"I agree," I said snuggling deeper into his arms.
We laid together, him in only his jeans, and me in only his shirt for a long time, basking in the togetherness. I could honestly spend forever like this.
We talked some but more often than not we just were. There was no awkward silences, both content to be together so it shocked me when I heard Edward growl.
"What?" I asked. Feeling afraid suddenly I searched for what made him upset. The scent hit me then. One of the wolves was here.
"Jacob!" Edward snarled under his breath, pulling away from me and going to his suitcase to pull out a T-shirt.
I grabbed jeans and a shirt from my case just as quickly. I may be the newborn but I have more control than Edward when it comes to the werewolf and our baby daughter. I was dressed and at the door by the time Edward had it open and I grabbed his hand before he could even step outside.
"Jacob," I greeted as he stepped out of the woods in human form.
"You left," he accused.
"For the night," I said. "But if we had wanted to, we could have gone longer."
"You didn't say anything and nobody would tell me where you had gone. I had to track your scent," he accused again.
Edward was tense and I could hear him grinding his teeth together.
"We owe you nothing Jacob," I said.
"You said we'd talk," he said.
"That was the plan, but we needed a get away. We needed to be together without all the craziness... And you are a big part of it," I said.
"So what we can't speak?" he asked.
"You are taking away from my time with my wife," Edward snarled.
"You aren't married yet. Last I checked, she jumped out of..." Jacob fired back.
"Jacob!" I snarled. "You would do well not to antagonize the parents of the baby you are in love with. God!! That is the most demented thing I have ever said!"
"It's not like that Bella!" he said.
"Whatever!" I fired back. "You say that you only have Arriel's best interests at heart. Antagonizing her father isn't in her best interest. Showing up now, when we are trying to have a little time together as a family, is not in her best interest. You claim to love my daughter yet the animosity is rolling off you in waves. That is still not in her best interest! How can we believe this and consider allowing you to spend any time with her when you counteract everything you say time and time again?"
"It's true, Bella. I'm sorry. I just... When you guys were gone... I thought you were taking her away from me forever. I couldn't handle that. I have never even held her or...." he said.
"And you won't. She is our baby. How do you think she will feel as she grows knowing her future is already decided? You seem so sure of the fact that you and she will end up together that it doesn't feel like she has a choice," I seethed. "I cannot tolerate that, Jacob."
"She would have a choice. But why would she choose against someone who only wants what's best for her?" he asked.
"Jacob," Edward said. "I will never restrict my daughter's choices, when she is of age, BUT you seem to think it would be an obvious choice. You don't know that it is. And I won't let you make it that. We don't know what the future has in store for them. Are they immortal? Or will they have a human lifetime and that's it? Or a mix between the two? We don't know what their diet will be. Will they hunt like us or eat a regular human diet? We don't know these answers Jacob. How can you decide what's best when you have even less of a clue than we do?"
"I don't know." he almost shouted. "All I do know is that I feel complete when she is near. Think of how I feel! First I'm a normal guy with no real worries in life. I meet a great girl who I would love to have a chance with but before I can make any real move she falls for someone else. There is some weirdness around and my dad is constantly saying cryptic shit about Bella's boyfriend but I have a good life. Then the fever. For three days I feel hot and ill. My dad hovers over me like I'm the most interesting thing in the world. Finally I can't take it anymore and I get mad. Snapping at him for his over attentiveness. He starts to justify it, which makes me even madder and the next thing I know I have paws and fur. And I get to hear that this happened because of you. You and your family caused our changes. The proximity of vampires to our home causes Teenage Mutant Werewolves! So excuse me for not thinking you guys are great and wonderful! Then I find out what you really are and I worry for my friend, this human girl who is dating a vampire. That is so messed up! Before I can even try to warn this girl I am censored by my Alpha. No possible way to break that command and I have to sit back and wait to see you screw up and hurt her or kill her or turn her into a vamp."
"Jacob..." I started but he put his hand up to stop me and continued.
"And I couldn't wait! I hoped that she'd figure out what you were and run away," he said.
"I knew from the beginning, Jake. Remember, you told me. You were the one who finally put the pieces of the puzzle together for me. But it didn't matter, I think I've loved him since I met him. He's always been it for me," I said.
"Yeah, I figured that out. Then you were gone, Bella. And I knew those vamps had something to do with it. But Charlie wouldn't believe me. Then, after a few days he hoped you were with them. At least you would be safe. There was no trace of you. Even your room smelled different so I had no scent to follow but I tried for days and days. Then Sam ordered me back to LaPush, it seems your vampires were back in town and looking for you. Sam figured you had finally gotten smart and run away from them and that I shouldn't interfere, but we kept watch on the Cullens. They were almost frantic looking for you so we waited, ready to help if you came back and needed it. The next thing I know, there you are, and a vampire to boot. The only girl I had ever wanted, was now my mortal enemy. I was mad, ready to kill the Cullens for their roll in it, and you with them. But the babies. I don't know what it was about them at the time. I don't think I ever even saw them but I couldn't... So we let you go with the threat to burn down the house. I don't know if we would have done it. Ransacked maybe, but it was satisfying watching it burn none the less. Now I am the Alpha, top dog, number 1 go to guy, and I feel more like the seventeen year old that I am than ever before. Then we get the call from the Cullens. They need our help. Or more precisely we need theirs or an entire vampire army will descend on Forks, and probably LaPush too. We had no choice. Then we find that you are in the middle of this again. When we finally find you, the sensation hits me. And I realized I had imprinted and I thought it was you... But when you stepped away from Arriel and the feeling didn't follow you, I knew that Arriel was it for me," he said.
"How is this supposed to work Jacob?" I asked.
"What do you see us doing here?" I asked.
"I don't know, Bella. I don't!" he answered, truly looking torn.
"I am not willing for this to be the determining factor in my daughter's life. She isn't even a month old. I am not ready for you to stake a claim to her when we have barely claimed her ourselves," I said.
"So what does this mean for me? You'll never let me see her? I'll never have a chance?" he asked.
"Sounds good to me," Edward muttered.
"No. That isn't what I am saying at all. But you will have no contact with Arriel, now. None at all. When she's older, old enough for boyfriends and dating, then and only then can you approach her. And you will not tell her about imprinting or soul mates or destinies or any of that crap until she has agreed to be yours, white dress and all. In turn, none of the family will do anything to prejudice her against you or any wolf. We will send you pictures and updates twice a year from where ever we are. We will also share any knowledge we have about what kind of future Arriel can look forward to. Nothing more," I said, spouting the details that Edward and I had discussed together.
"So I get nothing now?" he asked. "I'm expected to wait?"
"I would prefer you didn't," Edward said quietly.
"What I do expect, is for you to respect our wishes. If you don't stay clear of her all together, I will allow Rosalie and everyone else to prejudice her all they want. No more letters and certainly no support of you at all. Edward and the rest of the family would be all to pleased for a chance to rip you to shreds if you break this. I will not allow my daughter to have this hanging over her head for the rest of her life," I said.
"I have a question," Edward said.
"I know how I felt about Bella. What will you do if Arriel doesn't choose you?" he asked.
"I'll get by, as long as it's what's best for her," he said. "As long as she is happy that is. And if she isn't happy, I'll fight for her."
"Fair enough," Edward said. "Now Jacob, I am asking you to leave. I only have a few more hours of solitude with Bella and our children and I would appreciate it if you left."
Jacob nodded his assent before turning into the trees. I heard the distinct ripping of fabric as he phased and the sound of his running paws heading away.
I turned to Edward and smiled.
"One obstacle down. Next Charlie's funeral... And then about fifty more," I said.
"As long as we're together it doesn't matter," he said.
"I like the sound of that," I said, smiling at him. "Can we start on the together now?"
"I like the way you think, My Love," he said, pulling me back inside.