Disclaimer: All the Twilight stuff belongs to Stephenie Meyer. No copyright infringement is intended. I'm just playing in her sandbox.

Chapter 28 Isle Esme, Family

I couldn't tell Bella what she had said, I could not even speak. How the hell was I ever going to get through this and how would Bella really feel if we took the baby to save her.

I sat on the floor, once again a statue with Bella's arms around me and her soft voice trying to comfort me as we heard a boat approach and the sound of people out on the dock.

Esme POV

"Hey if you wanted warning, you should have answered your phone!"

Emmett yelled toward the house. There was no need, Edward would have heard if he had spoken normally but Emmett was Emmett and though I had spent the better part of a century trying to teach him a more quiet, well mannered way to behave, I have to admit there is a soft spot in my heart for his boisterous mannerisms.

The ride over to the island had been wonderful. Carlisle and I had discussed it in advance, of course, and made all but the final arrangements. We had gone to the docks and finalized the documents before meeting the children at the hotel. The yacht we purchased had staterooms that would accommodate four couples and plenty of space on deck, yet it was small enough not to attract too much attention here in Rio. We had arranged for a caretaker and a permanent dock on the mainland thinking that the kids would have developed a fondness for the island and we would need a larger boat to transport all of us back and forth if we started coming here more often now that Bella was a part of the family. She was a sun worshipper and I hoped that she would fall in love with the island as I had years ago when Carlisle had given it to me.

I was anxious to see Bella. She was the final link in our family, the daughter we so desperately wanted and the mate Edward so desperately needed, though he would have never admitted it. Bella was everything I would have asked for in a mate for Edward: headstrong, opinionated and fearless. She had a natural ability to know exactly what he needed when no one else did . . . and to give it to him. She completed him as he did her.

I suppose all the pain they went through happened for a reason, I have to believe that. I know the pain it caused the rest of the family led us to value the positives more dearly and not to take our time together for granted as so easily happens when you believe you have forever. We had all missed Edward so during the time he was separated from Bella, even when he had been with us. He was a vibrant part of my family and it had hurt us all to see him in such pain . . . so tormented over his decision to leave Forks and leave Bella behind.

We understood, of course, and we had gone along with his decision. In hind site, I don't think I would have allowed him that choice again, but maybe he needed that . . . we needed that pain to realize just how important she was to us all.

Looking toward the house from the bow of the yacht, I saw them standing on the deck, arm in arm. Bella looked radiant but there was a pained expression on Edward's face. We had passed the cleaning crew heading back to Rio as we approached and I wondered if there was a problem with them or with the house.

"Well, you did bother to put clothes on!", Emmett called out as we approached the deck where they stood.

"Only because the cleaning crew was just here, Emmett, otherwise you would have had quite a view, surprising us like this after we told you it was a naked vacation", Bella told him as he hugged her and swung her round and round.

"Emmett!", Carlisle, Edward and I all shouted at the same time.

"Oh, sorry! I'm not squeezing my little sister too hard, I'm just excited to see her!"

Alice, Rose and Jasper all exchanged hugs with Bella and Edward as Carlisle and I said hello as well.

"I love the sundress on you! Do you like the rest of the outfits", Alice whispered "and the nighties?"

"I haven't seen many of them, Alice. I only opened our suitcases this morning because the cleaning crew was coming", Bella said noticing Alices obvious pout, "But I can't wait to wear them now that you're here!"

"Bella, you look wonderful, dear", I told her as I held her hands out to look at her, "You are positively glowing!"

"Yes, you really are", Carlisle offered," You look the picture of health."

"Well, coming from both my physician and father-in-law, I appreciate that", she answered as she smiled and returned her arm to its home around Edward's waist.

"Mom, Dad, glad you could make it", Edward greeted us. There was something unsaid going on, something Carlisle wanted Edward to know but then they were always having silent conversations. I simply waited patiently until Carlisle explained.

"New ride?", Edward asked, nodding to the yacht at the end of the dock.

"We thought it would be more comfortable bringing us all over, now that the family is expanding", I said looking at Bella's belly.

"Well, let's have a look at you while the others unload a bit, shall we?", Carlisle said as he gestured towards the living room.

My husband took out his unneeded stethoscope and listened to both Bella's heart and I suppose the babies. I didn't need to be a doctor to know that she was absolutely fine and happy.

"You and the baby seem to be fine at this point", Carlisle told her, "Have there been any problems?'

"Just the nausea and throwing up occasionally and I seem to be really really tired, but I feel great, better than normal most of the time", Bella told him.

"She has some scrapes and cuts on her rear, Dad, from sliding a bit but other than that she has been great", Edward added. "Edward!", Bella yelled as she swatted him playfully, "You didn't need to mention that!" "What?", Edward asked acting all innocent, ":He's the doctor, he needs to know!"

"Bella . . . he needs to know", Edward prodded her.

"Fine", she spat as she turned redder than could be healthy, especially around a house full of vampires! "I seem to be having some hormone issues", Bella said as she looked at Carlisle. Everyone was silent for a long minute as if contemplating what exactly that meant and no one knowing for sure. Edward spoke up to answer the unasked question on Carlisles' face. "Bella seems to want to have sex all the time. All the time", he said with a smile.

"You go little sister! Congratulations Eddie!", Emmett yelled from upstairs in the form of cheering them on.

"Really Emmett!", I reprimanded. "You shouldn't worry about that, dear", I sat beside Bella on the couch and took her hand in mine to sooth her, "I felt the same way when I was pregnant. Just could not get enough from my husband. Of course, back then ladies were not encouraged to express such things but even as a human, once or twice a day just was never enough."

Edward and Carlisle both looked at me as though they were seeing a two headed monster they had never seen before. Apparently the times had not changed that much and my admitting to have not gotten sex often enough had them speechless. I thought I would go with it a bit, just for fun.

"Of course now, as a vampire", I said as I gave Carlisle a sideways glance, "All day is sometimes not enough."

My husband cleared his throat, bringing his fist to politely cover his mouth and turning his head away as he always did when he was uncomfortable or embarrassed.

"Esme has a valid point, Bella", Carlisle offered, "Hormones during pregnancy can get out of hand. Nothing to worry about and having sex should cause no harm for the baby, as long as Edward is careful. I would wait to try anything . . . new however, until after the child is born."

There was a moment . . . Edward was listening to Carlisles unspoken words and Bella and I both noticed. Before either of us could say anything, Edward did.

"Dad, I appreciate your candor but Bella knows already. I explained the legend of the baby killing its mother in its effort to get out", he sat on Bella's other side and took her hand, "I want no secrets. Bella can take it, she needs to know and we will face whatever it is together."

I had never been more proud of my son. He had come along way from the overprotective make all the decisions himself boy that he had been all these years. The man that now sat beside Bella was willing to share in the decision making and obviously placed her opinions and abilities in high regard. They had grown strong together and I was overcome with a sense of pride.

"There is nothing new to discuss. Other than the legend you seem to have already told her, Edward, I have found nothing new. Actually, the legends here in Brazil seem to be the most active and show the most promise", Carlisle told them.

"And the baby?", Edward asked. "Any more information on what it is we have created, Carlisle?"

"Well, it seems to be progressing about a third faster than a human child. I can detect a heartbeat already and the size of Bella's uterus tells me that she is already about three months, though she has only been pregnant for two months or so. We were lucky in that the ultrasound seems to work showing us images of the baby. The amniotic sac must be thin enough to allow it, our normal vampire bodies allow no resolution with an ultrasound. This is good, it means I can keep a close eye on its development. As long as we take the baby before it feels it's time to come out, Bella should be fine. I'd like to take it one week at a time, of course, and I imagine we will all look for any changes or symptoms. You must tell me immediately if anything changes, even the current need for sex, Bella, as it tells me there is a hormone change going on that might be important, okay?", Carlisle asked.

"Yes, very okay Carlisle, and thank you for worrying so much about us and taking care of the baby. Edward and I discussed it and we would like to try and have this baby, just as you and I talked about back at home. The only difference is that we have agreed that since we cannot survive without each other", she said looking into Edward's eyes, "we will not risk loosing us in order to have the baby. If at some point we decide that you need to take it, you need to know that I'm alright with that. Only if there is no other way, though. I think we both already love the baby very much. We had agreed that I would join your world after Christmas with my family this year, but obviously we are postponing that until after the baby is born."

"Well, now that all of that is settled, has anyone asked Alice what she has seen, or do you want to know if it's a girl or a boy?", I asked.

"Alice. Of course. We didn't even think of that", Bella said.

"I see, never the thought to the one who keeps you from embarrassing yourself in public with the way you dress", Alice said as she and the others came downstairs, finished with the unpacking they were doing.

"Alice, what have you seen?", Carlisle asked.

"Well, how much do you want to know? Do you want to know whether to decorate in blue or pink, or leave it as a surprise?", she asked with a twinkle in her eye.

"We want to know", Edward said looking into Bella's eyes as she nodded her head yes.

"Well, I can't see him while you carry him, or him at all on his own, but I can see Edward playing with a small boy with the same coppery mess of hair on his head and green eyes. He looks like more than just human, but I can't really see anything else very clearly. The vision I have has all of us smiling in it, especially you, brother, and the little boy is big enough to run and play ball in the yard, maybe the size of a four year old?", Alice told Edward.

"Oh My God, Edward. We're having a little boy! You get to have a son and I get to see you grow up through him!", Bella exclaimed while tears rolled down her face.

Edward was more reserved, having seen the vision in Alice's head. "Alice, Bella was not in that vision. Have you seen her in the future?", Edward asked with a fearful expression on his face.

"Edward, really. Do you think you would be smiling if Bella were not there with you?", Alice scoffed as she flitted off to the boat to get yet another suitcase.

"She's excited about this, too. I love the gift I have when the main emotion I'm feeling is contentment, love and lust", Jasper said with a smile as he followed Alice out the door.

"Bella, I'm so happy for you! I have been thinking about what you said about needing help with the baby and I have some idea for the nursery, especially now that we know it's a boy!", Rosalie said.

It was happening, my family was finally whole and pulling together as we always had in the past. Bella was the glue this time, she had brought Edward to life and taken the edge off of Rose's grating personality by asking her for help with the baby. Alice would have someone else to shop for that actually changed sizes and needed new clothes and I could design a new room at my house for when the baby visited. Carlisle had an infinite amount of research to do with the pregnancy and he would pour over all the details and fresh information with the same amazing enthusiasm he always showed for new knowledge. I was elated. It wasn't my little boy, the one I had lost, but at least there would finally be a child in my life.

We all sat and talked till late in the evening when Bella became sleepy. All the talk of Jaguars and hunting wild boar had made Edward realize how thirsty he was and he and the boys were going for a quick hunt on the mainland in the morning. Edward retired to their room after agreeing to meet at the boat around midnight to go to the mainland.

~oooOooo~

BPOV

Morning came uneventfully, except of course that Edward's arms weren't around me. He needed to hunt, and I knew that. I had to practically peel him off of me last night to get hm to go when midnight came. We were still awake, having made love for several hours prior to his leaving. He just kept trying to fit in one more time. He had actually 'one more timed' me to death before I convinced him to go. I went to sleep feeling completely satiated for the first time in quite awhile.

The sun looked to have been up just a bit and I was smelling coffee and bacon. I threw on some shorts and a t shirt over my bikini and headed downstairs. Alice was waiting at the foot of the stairs for me, bounding up and down and Rose was reclined on the sofa flipping through what was probably a baby magazine at this point.

It was Esme that had my attention though, as the food smell was coming from where she was in the kitchen.

"Good morning, dear. Are you hungry?", Esme asked.

"Esme, it seems like I am always either hungry or . . . well, it seems I am always hungry for something", I said as my face turned red.

"I totally understand, sweetheart. Since Edward isn't here right now, how about breakfast?", Esme offered.

I settled into a plate of steaming hot eggs, bacon and toast with my coffee, orange juice and a cup of fresh fruit. She was spoiling me.

"Esme, you really don't need to fuss over me like this", I said as I washed and dried my plate,"I can cook for myself and I don't want to be any trouble!"

She turned to me and put her arms around me to pull me into a hug. "Bella, Please let me do this for you! I have such a relatively short period of time that I can cook for you. It's not like I can serve up a mountain lion on a plate to feed the others! Let me do this, please?", she asked.

"If you really want to, I love your cooking! Just don't make so much that I end up weighing three hundred pounds by the time I have the baby!", I laughed.

"Well, before you gain all that weight you are planning on, let's go upstairs and let me show you what we got for you while we were shopping in Rio!", Alice exclaimed.

What could I say. The little spiky haired pixie would not be thwarted, and we all headed upstairs to see the new treasures she had found.

"Just meet me in your room, Bella", Alice called out down the hallway as she disappeared into one of the other rooms.

Esme, Rosalie and I went into mine and Edwards room to sit and wait for the fashion show to begin, but as I entered my room, I realized Rosalie was sitting on the side of the bed staring at the headboard and smiling at Esme who was standing behind her.

Alice rounded the doorway and broke out laughing as she placed a suitcase full of shopping bags on the foot of the bed.

"Well! No wonder my brother didn't want me looking while you were here on the island!", she said as she stared at the chunks of thick wood missing from the headboard. Who am I kidding, there was very little headboard left on the left side. Apparently Edward liked to grab things with his left hand.

"I'm so sorry about that, Esme", I said as I turned bright red, "We will replace the bed frame, of course. I hope it wasn't sentimental or anything."

"Dear, this is Edward's room and I would think that headboard is too sentimental now to ever get rid of!", she said as she smiled and giggled like teenagers with the rest of her daughters.

"I just have to say this, Bella", Rose quietly said as she stared into my eyes, "I had no idea he even had it in him! My brother . . . Mr. Prim and proper straight laced Edward must have fucking come unglued to have done this and from the looks of it . . . repeatedly!"

"Rose! Language!", Esme reprimanded.

"Well, we were in the master bedroom till we had a pillow fight. Did you know that down feathers are almost impossible to clean up once they fly all over the place? Anyway, while we waited for the cleaning crew to bring new pillows and clean up, we moved to this room and decided to limit the destruction to just one room from now on hoping we might be invited back someday!", I told them.

"You have an open invitation to come here anytime either of you want, Bella", Esme offered, "with or without Edward or the rest of the family!

"What is it you want my wife to do without me?", Edward said, leaning against the doorway with his arms crossed. He sauntered over to me and put his arms around my waist and his chin on my shoulder while he stared with me at his mom.

"Edward, you shouldn't eavesdrop! I was just offering the use of the island to Bella anytime she wanted, with or without you, that's all. She needs to know that she is also a member of this family, independent from you, sweetheart", Esme told him.

"We were just about to look at the clothes Alice got for us, want to watch?", I asked him.

He turned me around to kiss me, pulling away after a long moment to tell me that he would be downstairs playing video games with his brothers whenever I was finished here.

As he turned to leave, Rose called after him, "Nice job tearing the place apart, brother! Way to control yourself!"

"What's Edward controlling?", Emmets' booming voice called out from the hall as he came into the room with us. He spied the headboard.

"Damn Eddie! Way to go man, I didn't think you had it in you!"

He looked at Edward who only shrugged his shoulders, his hands in his jean pockets. I couldn't resist, "Actually, Emmett. He had it in me!"

Holy shit did I just say that with his mother in the room! Edward doubled over on the floor laughing.

"Holy shit little sister, you rock!", Emmett said as he gave me a fist bump. His sisters and mother stared at each other, then at him with their mouths open and their eyes wide. Esme was so shocked she forgot to correct him for language!

"Well, anyone want to look at clothes?", Alice chimed in as Edward finally got a hold of himself and the boys left the room.

We sat and looked for several hours at all the things Rose and Alice had bought in Rio, then at the things that were already in my suitcase that I had not seen yet.

"You were serious about 'naked vacation', weren't you!", Alice asked in amazement.

"Yes, today is the first clothed day we have had. Edward carried me in and when we woke up the next morning, he started to go get the suitcases. When he reached for his jeans, I told him it was a 'naked vacation', and we didn't open a suitcase till this morning. Of course, there are some bad sticker bushes on the east side of the island, and I sat and scratched my rear on them, but other than that, it has gone really well", I told them.

"Bella, I'm just so very glad he found you. Welcome to the family, little sister!", Rose said as she, Alice and Esme all hugged me at the same time.

We spent a long weekend together, all of us, swimming and playing in the surf, The vampires flaunted their ability to go without oxygen, thereby cheating on the swimming under water contests, but I should have known they would. Esme took really good care of me by preparing three meals a day for me, she wouldn't even let Edward fix any of it. She said it was her turn to spoil me for a little while, and she meant it.

~oooOooo~

We were scheduled to fly to Jacksonville for Thanksgiving with my mom on Wednesday, but Alice saw that it would be a sunny day and the flight landed in the middle of the morning, so we had to make other arrangements. The rest of the Cullens were going to take the yacht up the coast to the Amazon so that Emmett could have his wish and hunt Anacondas. It would take them several days to get there on the yacht and Edward made flight arrangements for us out of Rio Grande so that we could spend a couple of days on the boat with them and enjoy the ocean and the new boat. The large cabin on top of the boat had tinted windows, allowing them to be up there even on the sunniest of days and escape the notice of passing boats!

"Hey, if Eddie here is coming with us, he has to promise not to rip the boat apart like he did that headboard!", Emmett teased as he brought the last of the luggage on board.

"Emmett!", Carlisle and Esme both yelled at the same time.

"I'm just saying . . . you know the boat will sink with holes in it like that!"

Edward tackled him as he said it. Luckily we were on the deck of the boat and they both went over the side and into the water, continuing their wrestling match as they ran ashore and into the trees.

"Do not tear up my trees or the cliffs!", Esme yelled to them. They probably heard her, but they were well out of sight by then.

We were all packed and ready to go and instead of waiting on them as I was patiently doing, Carlisle started the boat and pulled away from the dock, Jasper in the smaller boat accompanying us to take it back to its dock in Rio de Janierio.

"We're leaving them?", I panicked, "Wait, we can't just leave them!"

I started to cry. Stupid hormones.

"Bella", Alice said as she put her arm around me, "Look there!"

She pointed to a small movement way at the other end of the island that we were now a few football fields away from. In a matter of just a few minutes, the specks got larger and I could see that it was the boys apparently swimming out to the boat. I was so relieved when Edward jumped into the lower level of the boat that I ran to him, tears still in my eyes.

"Baby, what's wrong?", he asked as I got all wet hugging myself to him, "Nothing now. I just sometimes forget you're you, sweetheart."

It was going to be an emotional few months ahead of me, but my new family seemed to be more than willing to be there for me and along with Edward and I, they were excited about the newest member we were about to add to the Cullen family.

Authors Note: Just one more chapter of semi fluff, Thanksgiving with Renee in Jacksonville, then we have action coming back - so enjoy the simple life while it lasts!