Four months later…

I sat in the corner of the nursery rocking my son. Elizabeth came in with a pout on her face.

I smiled at her. "Princess, why are you pouting?"

"Aunty Alice told me that we weren't going to have piano lessons tonight."

"Come here," I waved her over. "We're having a party tonight; Grandma wants to introduce your brother to everyone."

She rolled her eyes. "Fine, let her have him, I don't see why it has to keep us from our piano."

I pulled her in and kissed her head. "We'll have piano time. I promise we'll do it first thing tomorrow morning."

Her face lit up. "Oh, can I skip my math lesson for piano?"

I let out a groan, "Oh, your mother is going to kill me."

"No she won't, she loves you."

"Yes, well, if you can just convince her of that."

Elizabeth rolled her eyes.

"Hey, shouldn't you be getting ready with the girls?"

She looked at me a little guilty and started sneaking out of my grasp.

"Trying to hide are you?"

She shrugged.

"Just stay in the house alright, princess?"

She smiled and slipped out of the room.

She really was her mother's daughter.

Bella

I stretched out on the massage table. "You know, Alice, this is almost worth the torture you put me through this morning."

"Oh, Bella, you'll come to love it and love these parties."

I laughed blackly. "What planet are you living on? Have you met me? Not going to happen, Alice."

"Oh, I don't know about that."

"The only good thing about this party is getting to see my parents and my friends again. I can do without the party. Luckily, I'm not the focus of the party this time."

"Yes, you are and you get to show off that body of yours."

"I showed it off last time, Alice; there was no hiding it. Well, except for under the bar." I giggled remembering and then Alice laughed with me.

"Oh, yes, I heard what you did to Eric and Tyler. Just so you know; Tyler is not invited this time."

"It's fine, Alice," I said quietly trying to push the anxiety from my mind.

I was dressed again in a stunning blue gown that was much more revealing than I would have liked. "People already think I'm a whore, Alice!" I snapped.

"Nonsense. And this dress does not make you look like a whore. It's a classic design with a modern twist."

"With a naked twist you mean."

Alice rolled her eyes. "Mine is much more revealing. I don't want Jazz to take his eyes off me tonight."

"I don't think that's a problem, Alice," we all giggled.

Esme walked in with the boxes and looked around for Rosalie. "Where's Ms. Hale?"

"She's in the bathroom again. I don't know what her problem is," Alice said annoyed. "It took longer than she planned to finish up her hair." When the words came out of Alice's mouth, something clicked in my mind. I jumped up and ran after Rose.

Rose was wiping her mouth when I opened the door. "Something wrong with your lipstick?" I asked.

Rose looked at me wide eyed. "Ah, yeah, I just didn't like that color."

"You or the baby?"

Rose smiled weakly at me. "I haven't seen him in a month; do you think he'll be upset? I don't want to tell him, what if he doesn't want it? I'm not giving up this baby, Bella." Rose was fighting tears.

"Does it matter? God, Rose, you're having a baby! I'm so thrilled for you, and if Emmett is an ass, I will so beat him bloody."

Rose hugged me tightly. "Thanks. I was going to see how he felt about your little one, see if he even liked kids."

"Rose, this is Emmett we're talking about, he's completely in love with you. I doubt he'll be anything but thrilled that you're carrying his demon spawn."

Rose shoved me smiling.

"Come on, Esme's waiting for us and you know what that means."

Once we donned our new jewelry, we lined up, ready for the entrance.

Alice entered with Elizabeth as she did before. Angela and Rose stood on either side of me.

My mother brought little Anthony to me and kissed my cheek. "Relax, Bella, you look beautiful."

I steeled my resolve and then listened for our names. I stepped toward the stairs, Rose and Angela each kept a hand on me to keep me steady.

My eyes found Edward twirling our daughter and I felt myself relax a little.

They met me at the bottom of the stairs and he wrapped an arm around me, kissing my cheek. "You're the most beautiful woman in the room, you know that?"

I just shook her head at him. "You, Sir, are a liar but a good one, so I won't call you out on it."

"My Bella, I'm hurt," he said in a mocking tone.

Esme and Carlisle came up, Esme stealing the baby and Carlisle taking Elizabeth for a dance.

Edward pulled me into his arms, nuzzling his face into my neck. "We're finally alone."

I giggled, "Edward, we're far from alone."

"Hmm, maybe, but we're not in the company of people that say 'Ew, gross!' when I do this." He kissed me softly and slowly and I felt it all the way down to my toes.

When he pulled away I looked around nervously. "Edward, people are staring."

Then I heard it.

"Ew, gross!" A hot hand landed on my shoulder and I knew immediately who it was.

"Jake!" I tried to control my excitement but failed.

He had called me and apologized profusely for what had happened and begged my forgiveness, and Edward's. We had both forgiven him on the condition that he never pulled something like that again upon penalty of castration.

Charlie had been a little harder sell, promising to make sure his body was never found should he ever do anything else inappropriate to me. "What are you doing here?"

He shrugged. "Well, turns out Edward and that pixie over there found out we've been talking for the past few months. Seems they thought you might like to have me here."

I turned to Edward and kissed him hard. "Thank you."

"Yes, but he better be on his best behavior," he warned Jake and Jake made a show of crossing his heart.

"May I have this dance?"

I looked to Edward and he rolled his eyes but handed me over to Jake. "Fine, but I want her back."

"Sure, sure." Jake led me to the dance floor and smiled down at me. "You clean up nice."

"Thanks, Jake, you do, too."

"Yeah, well the pixie wouldn't let me come unless I wore what she gave me."

"That sounds like Alice. She dressed me as well."

"Well, now I don't feel so bad."

"You look good, Jake, the tux suits you."

"Yeah, right. I feel like I should be getting married."

I smirked. "There are a few girls over there that are free, once they see your rippling chest I'm sure you can get one to accept your proposal."

"My rippling chest, huh?"

My hand ran over his chest and I smiled up at him. "Looks have never been your problem."

"What was?" His eyes looked a little sad.

"Nothing, Jake, you were always perfect." My hand went to his face and then ran through his hair, resting on his neck. "You've always been perfect. I just have always been broken, Jake, and Edward is the only one with the piece to fix me."

He pouted and I pulled him down and kissed his cheek. The song was over.

"Go find your pieces, Jake."

"You mind introducing me?"

I looked up at him and smiled. "I'm not sure of their names but I'm sure Edward wouldn't mind."

They were all surrounding Edward.

"He's a bit popular," Jake grumbled a little annoyed.

I shrugged. At least I knew whom he was going home with tonight.

We headed over so Jake could be introduced and I could hear them running me down to Edward before I even got near.

The one currently talking was a tall knock dead gorgeous red head with ample full breasts, long cascading ringlets of fiery locks down to her waist, flawless porcelain skin and strikingly aqua eyes. She was wearing a deep jewel teal silk designer gown that exposed her entire back and barely covered said breasts.

It was slit nearly to her hip and rouched on the side with a sparkling embellishment at the waist. My self esteem dropped by half just looking at her standing there eye fucking Edward.

"I don't see why you keep her around, Edward. I mean, the kid is out, you don't need her around anymore."

"That's where you're mistaken."

"God, Edward, you got her pregnant twice! If all you wanted was kids, I would have happily obliged, you didn't have to go slumming with some charity case."

"She's not a charity case, Victoria; she's a smart, successful business woman that's worth more on her own than you are even with your daddy's money." The woman sneered and rolled her eyes. "The only charity she's involved with is the one she founded."

"Whatever you want to believe, Edward." She slid her hand down his chest and he grabbed her wrist before it got to his pants. "Call me when you're done with her and ready for someone more suitable to your station."

All the girls but one trailed after her as she swayed away, looking smooth and seductive. Women like her turned my stomach.

The girl that remained was red faced. "I'm so sorry, Edward; I didn't know she would be so, so…"

"Victoria?" he said with a smile. "It's fine, Kate; it isn't like you can control your sister's behavior."

"No, but I could have drugged her and locked her in the closet before I left."

They both let out genuine laughs as Jake and I approached. Edward immediately pulled me from Jake's arm and wrapped himself around me. "Enough running off, please stay with me and help me ward off the banshees."

"Hey!" Kate said with mock offense.

"Not you, Kate. Bella Love, this is Kate Denali. Kate, this is my Bella."

Kate smiled at me, obviously amused with the way Edward was affected by me. "She's beautiful, Edward. I'm glad you finally found your heart."

"Speaking of hearts," I interrupted, "This is my friend, Jacob Black, and he's still looking for his."

Kate turned to Jake and her eyes visibly widened and her jaw dropped.

"See, Jake, I told you," I teased.

"Would you care to dance?" he asked Kate flashing his wide gleaming smile at her and she just nodded in response to the towering mass of gorgeous man before her.

"I like Kate; he isn't going to break her is he?" Edward asked teasingly as Jake wrapped an arm around Kate.

I just shook my head at him.

Rosalie

I passed little Anthony to Emmett and he smiled down at him. "Cute little monster, isn't he? Edward's a lucky man."

"You really think so?" I said tears threatening to spill.

"Hey, babe, what's wrong?" I shook my head at him, then took the baby and passed him to Esme. I led Emmett outside. "Answer me, Emmett; do you really think Edward is lucky?"

He shrugged. "Yeah, babe, he's got his girl and a family he seems to cherish, he finally has the life he wanted."

I pouted. "Is there a life you want?"

To my surprise Emmett blushed. "Um, yeah, babe."

I looked at him worried but he quickly pulled me into his arms. "Hey, you're the life I want, Rose."

I was still worried as I looked up at him. "What do you think of kids?"

"I like them, why? Do you want some?"

I frowned crooked. "Well, yes, is that going to be a problem?"

I was surprised when he crushed me to his body. "Oh, thank God, I want kids so bad but you're so hot and I didn't know if you were going to be against it, you know, not wanting to mess up your body or something, but God, you pregnant with my baby would be heaven."

"Emmett," I said in a little mumble.

"Oh, sorry. I didn't mean to jump the gun. I mean, I know you have your career and all, just knowing you're okay with it really makes my day." I burst into tears. "Hey, babe, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to upset you, if you don't want to have a baby we can adopt, I'm okay with whatever you want."

I shook my head at him, then pulled him down and kissed him. "I love you."

He smiled widely. "I love you, too."

"I'm going to know if you're lying about wanting kids in a minute here."

"What?" he asked confused.

"Emmy Bear," I took his hand and ran it down my side and then let it settle on my stomach, "Are you ready for heaven?" I said referring to his statement.

He looked at me and then his hand and then my face again. "Are you…is there…are we…?"

I smiled at his building excitement. "I'm pregnant, baby," I finally confirmed for him.

I wasn't ready for the explosion that followed. He let out a howl and jumped up and then grabbed me tightly, kissing me passionately. His hand ran over my stomach again. "A baby? You're having my baby?"

I smiled at him. "Yes, I am."

He shouted out again then ran over to the middle of the party. "Were having a baby! Rosie's having my baby!"

I stood mortified in the doorway.

He ran over lifting me off the ground, spinning me in a circle. "God, baby, I am in heaven," he said softly to me.

I smiled at him.

I couldn't fault him for his excitement; at least it was excitement and not something else.

His lips captured mine. "Heaven, baby," he whispered.

Bella

I was upset but I was trying to hide it. Ever since Anthony had been born, I was extremely emotional and every little thing seemed to set me off.

I listened to Edward defending me to these shallow, stuck up people, and it was pissing me off. Every time he did, he mentioned how successful I was, how I was independently wealthy. What if I wasn't a successful business woman? What if I had no money? Would we still be here at this party, me being paraded around like a prized heifer? Would he still even want me?

"I need a drink," I whispered. Edward felt me pulling away from him. He tightened his grip on me and seemed surprised when I purposely removed his hands from me. I took a seat at the bar, leaving a shocked Edward to trail slowly behind me.

I noticed the man next to me was Ben Cheney. "Mr. Cheney, how are the papers coming on Anthony?"

"Good. Actually, they're pretty much done, I was going to come by tomorrow. Anxious to get back to the states?"

I smiled weakly. "Yes, I suppose I am."

"Will you be returning to New York with Angela?"

"Um, I don't know yet. There are a few places I call home in the states."

Ben smiled. "You know you can consider here a home as well. The Cullen's definitely consider you family."

I looked away from him. "That's very kind of you." I took my drink and slipped away.

Edward trailed after me as I slipped through the crowd. He was stopped by a group, delaying him for a moment. I made my way over to where Jasper was standing alone watching the crowd. "What's the matter, Bella," Jasper asked, pulling me into his side. He was truly my brother and could always tell when something was bothering me.

"I…It's time for me to go home, Jasper. I don't belong here. Edward has his life here and the expectations for that life aren't something I'm likely to ever be able to live up to. I just want to go home," I sobbed. "I'm not really the woman he keeps telling everyone I am," I said somewhat bitterly. "I'm just Bella Swan, small town girl. I'm not a trust fund or a title or a bank account. I'm just me," I cried and Jasper pulled me into his chest, wiping away the tears from my cheeks and kissed my forehead.

"You're always welcome to come home, sweet Bella," Jasper said and I nodded then slipped out of the party.

I could hear Emmett's loud happy voice echo through the ballroom behind me and I smiled; she must have told him and his excitement was obvious. I was happy for Rose. She fit in this world. I did not.

Edward

I caught a quick glimpse of Bella as she slipped out of the ballroom after having spoken to jasper. I made my way over to him and he seemed to be glaring at me. "Is she okay?" My chest started to tighten, and panic started to set in as the look on his face told me all I needed to know.

I bolted out of the ballroom, determined to find my Bella. Something was very wrong.

I had lost her and I was cursing the damn house for being so big. I went to our room but she was not there. I sat down confused and worried. It was obvious she was upset with me but I didn't know why. Ever since the baby had been born, she hadn't seemed quite herself.

She was moody, cried at the drop of a hat, and she just didn't seem happy. I wished she would just tell me what I'd done and get it over with already. I would happily apologize for whatever it was and do everything in my power to fix it.

I decided to wait for her to return to our room.

I was surprised when Esme walked in with little Anthony and Elizabeth in tow. "Edward, have you seen Bella? It's getting late, I'm sure it's time to put the children to bed."

I stood up and took Anthony from my mother. "I don't know where she is. I was just waiting for her."

My mother gave me a worried look. "Is everything alright, Edward?"

"Yeah, I'm sure it'll be fine." My mother gave me a wary look.

"Alright, do you need help putting the children down?"

"No, we're fine." I smiled at a tired looking Elizabeth as she leaned into my side.

"Very well then, I should get back to our guests."

I wasn't sure where Bella had gone, but my gut told me that things were nowhere near fine.