Well what do you know I have a chapter of MSG ready for you. I'm so sorry for the delay in this story and I assure you that chapters 23, 24 and the epilogue – chapter 25 will be posting soon. I am working on them now and once they are done they will post. To the many of you who PM'd us and asked, my daughter is okay but she does have something wrong with her internal female organs that is causing her an awful time. We're hoping the cause of treatment will help and things will get better. Thank you for all the well wishes and prayers.

Chapter 22

"What are you going to tell them?" Bella asks as we move into the living room.

Chuckling nervously, I pull my hair. "I'm not sure," I mumble as I think it over.

"They'll think we cheated, won't they?"

Shaking my head at her, I pull her down with me to sit on the couch.

"We'll explain that you and Emmett were pretending, so you could help each other out. Then we'll explain that somewhere down the line, I fell in love with you."

Bella smiles when I state I love her.

"I'm sure they'll understand how lucky I am you feel the same for me. They will see we are a perfect couple with two babies on the way." As I talk about our babies my hand goes to her tummy.

"You have no idea how good this feels to know there is a part of me—both of us—growing inside you."

Moving her top up, I rub my hand across the bare skin of her tummy. "I can't wait to feel them move," I blurt out.

Bella's hand covers mine still on her tummy and her thumb strokes my skin. "How was it when Angela was pregnant? Was it like this?"

Moving so my back is against the arm of the couch, I open my arms. Bella moves into my embrace and once she's comfortable, I place my hand back on her tummy.

"Yes and no. Back then I was scared shitless. It took until she was in her last trimester before I'd touch her tummy. It also didn't help that she was really uncomfortable being pregnant. She would shout or get aggravated if anyone got to close or fussed over her."

Bella frowns a little.

"I think she just wanted to not be pregnant, but she was always the kind of person who was very distant."

Bella hums a little turning more to her side hugging herself to me. "What was she like?"

Thinking back, I try to remember more about her. "She was tall, very tall, I think she was five-foot-eleven."

Bella tilts her head and I shrug.

"I think it's a combination of both of us as to why Emmett's so tall. She was slender, long brown hair and brown eyes. Where I'm pale, she had a natural light tan complexion. Personality wise, she was smart, career driven, and a little spoiled. She was always making a plan for her future and present day. She'd have a written list of what she was going to do each day, and she had to keep to it." Shaking my head as I think back to just how organized Angela was.

"How did she fall pregnant?"

Sighing, I close my eyes. "We were young and she was a virgin and I did the whole pull out thing, thinking it would mean that she wouldn't get pregnant."

Bella bites her lip and I kiss her head.

"It's okay, you can laugh, I know now how stupid I was to believe that. But when you're hanging out with guys and they tell you that some doctor told them that it works, and was a way to have safe sex, you believe them. I know it was stupid to think some guys knew more than what we were taught, but yeah, I was a horny teenaged boy."

Bella nods. "Do you regret sleeping with her?"

There is something in the tone of her question leading me to believe she's not asking about my time with Angela, but her.

"No, I would never change it. With Emmett, I wouldn't make myself any older or anything. When it comes to my time with you, I just wish I remembered it more. When you talk about the look in my eyes, it makes me feel like it was magic for you, and I just want the memory too."

"It was, and I wish you remembered it more too." Bella yawns closing her eyes.

"Do you want to nap a little before we have to start on dinner?" I ask her.

At first she shakes her head, but then nods. "Yeah that does sound good, and I now I feel even more tired because you've said the word nap."

Laughing, I kiss her head. "Okay, Mina, head up to my room. I'll give Tia a call to let her know about tonight, and then I will be up to lie down with you."

Getting up, I'm careful with Bella. After standing I help her up and walk her to the stairs. Kissing her lightly on the lips, before I watch her climb the steps, then head to my office. Moving to my desk chair, I sit and pick up the desk phone to call Tia.

"Hey Edward," she answers sounding cheerful.

"Hello," I say slowly but decide to find out what's going on with her later. "I'm calling to ask you to dinner? We decided to let Alice and Jasper in on what's going on."

"You mean before the whole town is talking about it?" she snarks out making me snort in response.

"Something like that, but would you like to come?"

"Can Garrett, come too?"

Frowning, I feel stupid when I have to ask. "Who is Garrett?"

"My boyfriend, good God, Edward, don't you listen to anything I say to you?" she reprimands me.

"Sorry, I do listen usually. Lately I've been so zoned out," I joke to her.

"Har, har, har," she snarks at me. "Can he come or not. He's already met Bella and I filled him in on what's going on."

"Sure but maybe keep that information from Alice?"

"Yeah, she's not going to be happy to find she's the last to know." Tia chuckles out and I bob my head even if she can't see me.

Hearing someone talking loudly in the background, I can't help but ask. "What's going on?"

"Oh that's just Newton being an asshole."

"What? Why are you around that fucking douchebag?" I yell standing up fishing out my car keys as I talk.

"Edward, calm down, I'm not alone with him. Look there's just a lot going on right now. I will fill you in when I get to your place tonight."

Pinching the bridge of my nose, I try my best to calm myself. "Fine, but I want to know—need to know—what in the hell is going on. Bella can't have anymore upheaval in her life."

"I know, Edward, go and spend time with her. We'll see you a little later," Tia says before hanging up.

"Hey, Dad, do you got a moment?" Emmett asks as he stands almost as if he's timid.

"Yeah, Em, come on in," I tell him as I sit back down.

"We're okay, right?" He asks as he looks at me with his chin tucked slightly.

"We're fine, Emmett," I say with a smile.

"But you're still hurt over what I did, aren't you?"

Letting out a deep breath, I run my hands through my hair. "Yes, in some ways I am, but we'll be okay. I really thought we had a good relationship, and I'm just disappointed in the fact it's not as true as I wanted it to be."

"It is true, Dad—"

Holding up my hand, I cut him off before he can go on. "Em, we've been through it all already. I do understand everything you told me. In the future I think we both need to talk at least once a week. We need to discuss how we're feeling about anything bothering us, and so on."

Emmett nods at me. "Sounds great, Dad, and then after that can we can do some guy stuff together?" He asks giving me a bodybuilder pose.

Guffawing at his silliness, I nod. "Sounds good, Em, we need to do more things together. So tell me, how are things with you and Rose?" I ask trying not to choke on the words.

"Great, she's amazing, Dad. For an older chick she keeps me on my toes," he says with a wink.

"Em," I say in warning tone, making him blush a little.

"Sorry, but I am little nervous because she's invited me to the benefit dinner next month."

My eyes widen as he talks and I rub my face and then squeeze my eyes shut.

"You're taking Bella, aren't you, Dad?"

Nodding at him, I open my eyes. "I still have to ask her, but yes I want her to come with me. Fuck," I hiss out as my brain plays out all the possible things that can and will go wrong.

"I guess it's a good way to announce us all to the general public," Emmett chortles un-amusingly. "Besides, I'm sure you and Bella will get less hate than Rose and I will. You know older guy, younger woman and all it's just more acceptable in society. Anyway, I'm going to head to Rose's place, we'll be back early to help with dinner."

"Em!" I yell as he walks out the door.

He pokes his head back in.

"How about you and me and our fishing rods next Saturday?"

Emmett grins widely as he nods in response.

"Good it's a plan then, Son."

"Sounds great, Dad."

Walking out of my office, I head up to my room with a smile. The smile on my face grows wider, as I see Bella sound asleep on my bed hugging both Mr. and Mrs. Cullen.

Stripping down to my t-shirt and boxers, I slide in behind her, pulling her close to me. Enjoying the feel of her in my arms, I close my eyes and relax into some much needed quiet time.

~MSG~

"Bella, Dad," Emmett yells as he walks into the kitchen.

"Hey," Rose says looking between Bella and I. "You're looking better, Bella," she carries on.

"I feel much better, thanks. How have you been?"

"I've been well," Rose says sounding a little awkward. "So what do need us to do?" she carries on as she washes her hands.

"We're only just starting, so if you can do the potatoes that would be helpful."

Rose bobs her head and starts to get to work. "I'll set the table," Emmett states as he moves to get the stuff.

With all four of us working together dinner is just about ready when Alice, Jasper, Tia and who I will assume is Garrett, walks in.

"Hi ..." Alice says dropping her tone level when she says the I part. Her eyes seem to be locked with my hand which is resting on Bella's lower hip. Swallowing, I move my thumb to stroke Bella's hip in reassurance while Alice lets it all sink in.

"Hey everyone this is my boyfriend Garrett. Garrett, you already know Bella, the handsome man handling her is her boyfriend Edward. The jolly adorkable giant is Edward's son Emmett, and his beautiful girlfriend Rose. The small pixie with her mouth open is Alice and the blond guy who is smirking is her husband Jasper."

"Hey," Garrett says and I give him a head nod.

"I'm sorry but I must have zoned out there ... Uh, yeah, I'm so confused," Alice says shaking her head. It's almost like she doesn't believe what she just heard. "Hello, Garrett," she carries on as everyone else just looks at her.

"Alice?" Rose say softly. "I have some news." Alice looks to Rose.

"I'm dating a guy, an amazing guy who I am in love with, one that I know that I will marry." Alice smile and her eyes go to mine.

"It's Emmett," Rose carries on and Alice turns and looks at her and then to Emmett who moves to hug Rose from behind. We all watch as he softly places a kiss on her head and whispers his love to her.

"I knew you would be a Cullen and you didn't believe me," Alice yells suddenly, making us all jump.

"You all owe me a hundred bucks!" she demands holding out her hand.

"Hey, you said Edward, I'm marrying Emmett, not Edward," Rose argues.

"No, I said I bet you will be a Cullen some day and I was right, so pay up!"

Rose chuckles shaking her head. "I'll get to you after dinner," Rose says as she let out a breath. It's clear she's glad Alice has taken the news this well.

"Alice, I'm in love too, but with Bella, and we're having twins," I tell her as I look down at Bella who's biting her lip.

"You're having a baby?" she asks looking at Bella, and then at me.

"No, not a baby, we're having two babies. So it looks like there's a lot to discuss. How about we plate up our dinner and talk while we eat?"

Alice gives me a nod, as Jasper looks at me curiously. Bella and I plate everything up and we all take our own plates and drinks to the table.

"Soooo?" Alice draws out before she takes her first bite.

"I never dated Bella, we ..." Emmett says as he looks at Bella. "I had been a real douche bag in school, mostly last year. I was picking on and bullying some of the students. Bella was one of them ..." Emmett stops and clears his throat. "Anyway this year we—Bella and I—became friends. Then I had a stupid idea that I would pretend to be her boyfriend. In my mind it would make it up to her by making her more popular and she could help me change my ways." Emmett snorts and shakes his head. "She helped me, but me I seemed to screw up my part."
The shame and guilt is clearly heard in his tone of voice as he talks about what he's done. My eyes move to the side as I feel Jasper's eyes almost drilling holes in my head.

"Alice, they weren't a couple and we—Bella and I—are a couple. The hows, whys, ways, or anything else aren't that important," I say softly knowing we need to move on.

"Okay, then how did you two come about?" she asks looking between Rose and Emmett.

"We spent some time together in early December, and then he was helping me fix up my house. We just fell in love," Rose says as if she's trying to defend herself.

"But he's so much younger than you! Rose, are you sure about this?"

"Alice!" Jasper gasps.

"I'm just worried, they will have to endure a lot of hatred, due to Rose being so much older than Emmett," Alice argues.

"Yes, Alice, you're right and she'll need you in her corner not up front with a pitch fork," I state.

Alice just looks at me. "You mean to tell me you're actually okay with this?" she asks waving her hand between Rose and Emmett.

"No, not at first, but I am getting there. I can see she loves him just as he loves her and because of that they have my support. Alice, we're all going to need your help."

"I know and you do have it, but I'm just worried about this. It's bad enough that you'll be seen shacked up with your son's girlfriend, but then to top it off your best friend is now dating your son? All this may just be too much for this little ass bigoted town," Alice says sadly at the end.

"Yes, I agree and that's why I'm thinking of selling this house and moving."

"What," Bella this time gasps and she look at me with so much worry. "This has been your family home, for thirty odd years."

Nodding at her, I let out a sigh.

"By doing this, we can have a new home, one that's our home. Bella, this could be a good thing. Besides if I—we—move I would be closer to my work. It also means I get to spend more time with you and the babies. I'll also be closer to where Emmett is attending college, so I'll see him more too." As I tell her all this, I make sure my voice is filled with confidence. Where I'm being truthful, I do know there's a part of me that will really miss this place.

"This town is just too narrow minded for me. After the way they allow and protect certain kids disturbs me. I've lost my patience with it all, and after what those brats did to both you and Emmett, they can stick it where the sun doesn't shine." Bella chuckles a little.

"Speaking of that, what exactly went on and happened to Newton?"

Everyone but Tia, looks at me confused. Quickly I give Alice, Jasper and Rose a rundown of what happened at the school, before Tia speaks.

"After he and his daughter were escorted off the school grounds, Mike was summoned to the main office of the Board of Education. When he got to the office in the city he was informed of several pending charges and investigations now ongoing. However, during his time at the Board of Education, here in town his daughter was being arrested by the police. During the arrest of Miss Newton, the State Police were also serving search and confiscate warrants on most of the belongings within the Newton home. Turns out Newton's wife Lauren has a shopping habit that was not being covered by his wages alone." Tia smirks. "Which means, I doubt she will be able to pay for his or his daughter's bail."

"What are the charges against them?" Bella asks.

"Kate's charges include, assault on six different people—if you choose to stand with them it will be seven—then there's the changing of grades, stalking, internet bullying and more pending. Newton, he's got a list as long as Emmett's arm, but the main ones are extortion. I know there are charges for aiding and abetting, misuse of confidential information, and more than two hundred counts of child endangerment. There are more things being investigated like, internet bullying, changing and giving unauthorized persons access to school grades and files, as well as tampering with state and federal school records. They are both in a lot of trouble."

"What about the others, it wasn't just Kate?" Bella says almost in a whisper.

Hoping to calm her down, I rub her back in a soothing manner.

"They all have been arrested and charged for their parts in it. As of now, all the information we have points to Kate being the ring leader. It looks as if she will face tougher actions, especially since most of the others are willing to turn states evidence." Tia winks at Bella at the end giving her a soft smile.

"They had this coming, Bella, they need to learn that some actions have consequences," Garrett adds.

Bella sighs as she pushes her mostly uneaten dinner away.

"Mina, just take a deep breath, I have some soup and fruit in the kitchen for you," I whisper to her knowing this stress is making her feel sick.

"The only thing I want to know is why you never told me Marcus was your father," Emmett blurts out as he stares at Tia as if he's interrogating her.

"Why would I tell you that?" she asks, while smiling at him.

Emmett lets out a hum and puts his fist under his chin, tilting his head slightly.

"No, wait," I say feeling like I am again out of the loop. "Why didn't I know your father was the superintendent of the school system here?"

"I knew that," Bella says laughing and I look down at her.

"Jesus, Edward, she has the same last name, and she told you that it was her dad who got her into teaching!" Bella sighs as she shakes her head.

"You did, when?" I ask making Bella close her eyes and Tia shake her head.

"Yes, I did, on our first date. When you were looking proudly at Bella when she said she liked English class, and it made her want to be a teacher while she's in it!" Tia says with a frustrated sigh.

"I'm sorry for that, I really didn't mean to take up all of his time," Bella says.

"Honey, that was all on him," Tia stops and chuckles. "Besides when he followed you to the bathroom because he thought the waiter was checking you out, that was the final nail in the coffin. It was then my brain figured it out that he," she points, at me, "was yours. The only thing I didn't get was why anyone thought you and Emmett were a couple. I mean goodness gracious, you behave more like his mom—well older sister—than a date."

"Fuck, Tia, you're right!" Alice says making us all turn to her. "How in the hell could I have missed that?" She asks looking around at us as if she expects us to answer.

"I'll take this," Garrett says and I tilt my head because I am unsure how he would know. "You wanted him," he says pointing at me, "and her," he says pointing at Rose, "to have some epic love, you were so into the idea that they loved each other you made yourself believe it. All the signs they showed of love to others, your mind computed it was for each other. They in a way became your real life little soap opera. Your mind only saw and thought good and happy fairytale things could happen. It was in a way, an escape for you, from the harsh world or your own life either personal, or work related that was not going the way you wanted it to. If you could see Bella and Emmett's relationship clearly then your brain would've noticed how Edward was around her, so you blocked it out."

Alice just looks at him confused.

"He means that your brain wanted to keep you happy in the belief that Edward and Rose would hook up. Because of that it didn't allow you to see any other signs," Jasper clarifies for her and she nods.

"Okay, well I guess all that's left to ask is how did your parents handle the news?"

Glancing at Bella, I can see she's lost her color again and I pull her closer and kiss her head. "I love you," I tell her hoping to calm her.

"Aw, they're so cute! I can't believe I am saying this but they make an even better couple than what I thought Rose and he would make," Alice cheers. "But what did I say to make her get upset?"

"My dad wanted me to abort my baby, well babies. They are away on a trip across America. They don't know that I kept the babies, and they definitely don't know about Edward."

The full time Bella speaks she avoids looking anyone in the eye.

"Bella, honey," Tia says making Bella look at her. "You have to stand tall, and tell them."

Bella shakes her head a little.

"Yes, you are not their care giver. If they get divorced that's on them, not because you stood up and said this happens to be my life and my choice. After all that happened with Edward, Emmett and you, it should have taught you that avoiding unpleasant talks because you are worried about the what if's doesn't change anything. Holding things in can only hurt you in the long run."

Bella looks up at Tia and wipes her tears away. "But what if I tell them and they hate me? What if this makes them pull more away, or doesn't change anything about how they treat me? Or like you said they could divorce and blame me and the babies for adding unwanted stress to their trip?" Bella bursts out in tears looking around the table.

"Mina, they have spent only a few weeks together for the past twenty years. If they separate it's because they don't know each other as well as they should and have found out that they can't live together long term. No matter what happens between them it's not your fault and not our babies fault. I agree with Tia, I think we should give them a call."

Bella looks at me like a deer caught in the headlights, and I cup her face giving her a smile. "Mina, I am here, Emmett, Tia, Rose, Garrett, Alice and Jasper, all of us are here. We're your family and we are not going anywhere."

Bella nods and kisses my lips. "Can we do this tomorrow?"

Smiling I kiss her back quickly. "Tomorrow," I say.

A/N: So who else is shocked that the OOC Alice did not realize what was going on, when everyone else had it figured out? What do you think of the talk they all had? Do you think moving is in their best interest?

I'm working on 23 tonight and hope to have it to the beta by tomorrow at the latest.