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Chapter 67

Realities


Bella


As soon as everyone was out of the house, Edward and I drove off. Even if we were only going to stay with him for a few hours today, I had packed some clothes just to be safe.

Edward then remembered that he had nothing to eat or drink in the house, so we stopped again on the way.

In addition to some food, I also got various things for the bathroom, so that I would not have to lug everything back and forth. I also took the most important things for Jake and Leah yet again and would leave it with Edward in the guest room. The two of them would certainly be here more often after Jake was so enthusiastic about his 'tutoring' on Tuesday night.

"Do you actually own any dishes? And cutlery?" I asked with a grin as we walked past the corresponding aisle in the supermarket.

But this concern was apparently unfounded.

Edward pointed out that the kitchen was equipped with everything except food.

My period was not quite over yet, but I hoped that it would pass today. And since we knew that we would be alone during the day today and would therefore have a lot of time, we had not showered together this morning.

I pushed the front door shut behind me, tossed my bag aside, and instantly jumped into Edward's arms and was already fumbling open the buttons of his shirt.

"Bella ... sweetheart. Take it easy. We have time!" he reprimanded me, gently holding my hands.

I contorted my face in offense.

What was that about my will and his will and who usually gets their way?

"I have two nights and two showers to make up for with you! I want to enjoy you!" he whispered beguilingly, lifting me on his hips and kissing me romantically on the way up.

He sat down on the edge of the huge bathtub and placed me between his legs. Without separating his lips from mine, he reached behind him and turned on the water.

"Hmmm ... we're taking a bath?" I asked.

"Objections?"

"Not at all!" I stated. As I did so, a thought occurred to me. "Does that mean you're going to show me now what Jake had planned to do with Becky in there?", I inquired, suppressing a slight tremor of anticipation.

"I have my own ideas about that," my angel kissed his way to my ear and gradually along my neck whereby he began to undo the buttons of my blouse. "Besides, Jake's thoughts were circling around the hot tub. Not about the bathtub," he filled me in with a smirk.

"Is there a difference?"

"Maybe a small one!" he stated, continuing to kiss.

Unfortunately, the flowing water reminded me of something else. Damn humanity!

"But I have to use the toilet first."

"I'll get your bag while you do," he nodded, gave me a kiss on the tip of my nose and got ready to leave.

"You don't have to leave."

"Doesn't that make you uncomfortable in front of me?" he asked.

"Basically, it already is, but it shouldn't be. You're a doctor and you know what I'm doing here. You're a vampire and you hear it anyway. But more importantly, you're going to be my husband. Nothing should make me uncomfortable in your presence," I said meaningfully, looking into his golden eyes.

He looked at me in complete surprise for a moment before pulling me back in with a gaze full of love.

"I don't know what to say to that, Bella. I love you," he whispered devotedly.

He nevertheless fetched my bag and the things bought for the bathroom.

Without inhibitions, however, he immediately re-entered the bathroom and sorted everything onto the shelf or into the mirror cabinet.

Exactly as I had also sorted my things at home in my bathroom. And without inhibitions I peed and removed my tampon.

Afterwards, when I finished washing my hands, he reached out and pulled me to him.

Sensually and slowly, one piece of clothing after the other, we undressed each other. I drove my hands over him.

His skin. So smooth and cool and still somehow velvety. His hair. Wildly tousled and silky soft. His eyes. Liquid caramel, over which slowly settled a dark, excited veil and who looked at me as if I were everything for him. As this angel was to me. His hands. They never left me untouched. So gentle that at times it resembled a breeze and so firm that it made me tremble with desire. His lips. Tender and playful that I thought I was in heaven. His smell. A forbidden sweetness that clouded my mind.

He lifted me from the floor and placed me in the hot water, while he himself remained squatting next to the huge bathtub, holding only my hand and kissing me stunningly.

"Aren't you coming into the water?" I asked.

"I will, but not just yet," he smirked.

He continued to kiss me until my body was heated by the hot water. Only then did his hand begin to travel over the edge of the tub over my body. With an elegant movement he came into the bathtub and his lips moved from my neck down to the tips of my toes. He covered my agitated and excited body more and more with his.

How this contrast felt. The hot water that enveloped me everywhere from head to toe. His coldness that surrounded me. Edward's touches felt even more intense on my skin and blew my mind.

Finally, I sat on him when I could not stand it anymore ...

The bathroom floor was full of water as Edward lay on top of me afterwards and we talked, continuing to gently caress and kiss over and over again. Edward would run the hot water intermittently when I started getting cold.

I would love to never leave this bathtub again.

"I haven't even told you what Jake and Leah did on Thursday," Edward suddenly said, smiling happily.

We hadn't had much time to talk since David arrived.

He told me, visibly touched, how the two of them had made sure that we had some time for each other and that they had been worried about us. Today, too, they had only thought of giving us togetherness and had therefore taken the children to the amusement park.

And they had called him Dad, which I had not expected in life. With David, I had understood it that time, but had tried in vain to explain it to them. They were small and saw no difference between David and me and any other parental couple they knew.

"They seem to be okay with you as a stepfather," I stated enthusiastically, kissing my fiancé.

I had already thought on Wednesday that they would have agreed with my choice by now. After all, my kids had picked out my engagement ring. But it did my soul good to have it confirmed so clearly. My children. How much I loved the both of them. And how quickly the two grew up. Much faster than I liked.

"What are you thinking about, dear?" asked Edward after a moment.

"That Leah and Jake are growing up more and more and maybe I should stop treating them like children," I explained sentimentally.

I considered waiving their evening curfew altogether. They were old enough by now, and since they were wolves, I should finally get a grip on my mother-induced excessive concern. There was only one being in this world that could really be dangerous to them and seven of this species stood behind them and would defend them with their lives.

"And how am I supposed to lie quietly in bed at night if I don't know where they're hanging out? God knows what can happen to them!" Edward complained, to my surprise.

He was completely serious!

I still chuckled and took his face in my hands.

"You sound like a wayward father!" I accused him gently, chuckling and giving him a kiss on the tip of his nose. His face was so droll. In a sentimental way, he appeared frightened. "Tell me if I'm wrong. But aren't you supposed to be much more convinced than I am that, as wolves, hardly anything can happen to the two of them anymore?" I digged deeper.

He looked a little embarrassed to the side.

"Maybe," he mumbled.

"You can ask them to inform you in detail about their plans! But don't exaggerate your concern," I suggested and kissed him.

Edward was only moderately satisfied with this.

"You should get out of the water soon. Your skin is getting all wrinkly," Edward finished the subject and kissed my fingers.

We got afterwards again quickly under the shower to wash our hair and to rinse off the water from us, which in the meantime was no longer quite so clean.


Dressed, but with a towel wrapped around my head, I explored the kitchen - or rather the coffee machine. After what felt like ages and annoying fumbling with the device, which had cost me a fingernail, I finally held the cup victoriously in my hand.

The machine would get to know me even better!

Edward chuckled behind me, leaning against the kitchen counter.

I had forbidden him any interference when I went 'hunting' in my own way.

We sat down in the living room.

Edward insisted on combing my hair.

I wasn't sure which prevailed. Combing, smelling me, or kissing my neck. But I didn't care, as long as the latter didn't come off too badly.

We were going to head over to Carlisle and Esmé as soon as my hair was dry, but the two beat us to it.

I greeted them warmly as Emmett and Rose showed up as well.

"Our little secret leaked out!" stated Edward as we all spread out on the couch.

I looked at him questioningly, but he headed for the door.

Before there was a knock, he opened and a cursing Alice pounded her fists on his chest and continued to come at me ranting.

Jasper also came, by the way, but considerably quieter than his wife, but he smiled happily.

He had given up trying to appease his wife, he explained. But we were finally to blame for it ourselves, he winked at me yet.

"You tried to hide this from me!" nagged Alice, scowling at both of us in turn.

"No, we made a bet on when you'd find out," Edward explained, chuckling.

"What's wrong?" inquired Esmé anxiously.

Edward pulled me into his arms and looked into my eyes in love.

"Bella is going to marry me!" he stated smiling happily and blew a kiss on my lips.

I felt like I had been taken back a few days. When I met them all again for the first time last Sunday. Now it was similar. Everyone jumped up, congratulated and rejoiced with us.

We told them about the proposal, me with some tears of joy.

"And who won?" asked Alice then, however.

"Me! I'm not stupid enough to bet against you!" I said, raising my eyebrow snootily as I looked to Edward. He had assumed she would never find out. He trusted that she would continue to be cut off from her visions by the twins.

Alice was reconciled with my answer again.

"How did you find out?" asked Edward.

"I saw Carlisle. He's been thinking about your wedding present," she squealed gleefully, and immediately asked how we had imagined our wedding.

She chattered non-stop. Dress, flowers, music, suit, bridesmaids, wedding cake, ...

At some point it must have occurred to her that neither Edward nor I had said anything, and she paused, intimidated.

"When do you guys want to get married anyway?" she asked cautiously.

Edward smiled at me over my shoulder.

We had not yet agreed on a date or a schedule in general. We both wanted to wait and see whether Alice found out, whereby we had planned a time limit of four weeks. Because we wanted to get married as soon as possible.

"How quickly can you get everything organized?" I asked Alice and a big fat smile appeared on her face.

She became frantic and seemingly started chattering from the beginning again.

"... guest list ...", I understood a little more precisely in between.

I slowed her down.

I could barely understand any of her chatter, but it sounded like a very long guest list.

"Alice. Only my closest friends. Only those to whom we can say something about ourselves," I said, and it became strangely quiet in the room for the fact that Alice was present.

"What do you mean by that? To whom you can say something?", Rosalie wanted to know more precisely.

"I could be Edward's mother! My own children are officially older than him," I explained.

"Oh ...!" she seemed to catch on now.

Edward and I told her of the societal consequences I had to fear, which none of them except Esmé and Carlisle had yet thought about.

We, however, already had. We would not show ourselves here together in public so as not to turn anyone against me.

We couldn't possibly keep it a secret from some people and with most I expected they would simply ignore it. David and Sonya knew and were fine with it. Peter had already told me his opinion on my birthday and Stan was just as tolerant as he was. I wanted to invite them both to dinner at our place next week to tell them. Earlier, it was not possible in terms of time with all their wedding stress. For me then were only two other people of importance: Zoey and Alex, whereby Zoey was, however, just on the road.

In addition, strictly speaking, there were also the friends of my twins, from whom we simply could not hide it in the long run. They were together too often for that. They would see us at my house or Jake and Leah would slip out some remark about Edward. However, I had very few concerns with them.

With their parents it already looked different. Apart from these people, I was not interested in any other opinions, but others would possibly be interested in our relationship.

We were definitely not breaking any laws. Edward had studied law and had read up on the regulations concerning the matter in this state. Still, I could be charged.

Seduction of a minor, abuse of a ward - due to the tutoring Cathlyn had noticed -, assault. No idea what others would come up with. But then a jury would decide about my fate and their verdict did not have to be in accordance with the law. In fact, the marriage certificate, which was issued to minors only after extensive examination with the involvement of their parents, could protect us from this. This would put our connection beyond any doubt from any charges.

And should I not be directly accused of a crime; however, one could annoy me socially if it was said that I would seduce minors. If my boss found out, he might fire me. Acquaintances might avoid me. A saleswoman in any store might refuse to serve me. Hairdresser, dentist, auto repair shop ... Jake and Leah could be affected as well. Just because they were my children. And Becky. Because she was together with Jake.

But it didn't stop there.

It wasn't just me and my children who might be affected by such things. Esmé and Carlisle were equally involved. They and their children were not only threatened by the same societal effects. In addition, they could be deprived of care for their adopted children or their own children. Because none of them was officially of age. In addition, it could generally draw attention to this family, which was already something to be avoided. If the people of this town were to be too mindful, the Stones might have to leave town.

As far as the wedding planning was concerned, we gave Alice a completely free hand.

I had no ideas at all. Back when I was first together with Edward, or with Jacob, I was too young. After that, I had never had a relationship where I thought about getting married. Renée had made it very clear to me that one should not rush into such a thing. Thirty was a good age for it.

Alice beamed.

Well, actually, we all beamed.

"Alice. It's not a royal coronation ceremony. Don't go overboard. That's all I'm asking," I said emphatically as Edward and I made our way back down the road ever so slowly.

It was already afternoon.

Sonya and David might already be home and the kids wouldn't be too long in coming either.


When we arrived home, we stood chuckling in the doorway to the living room.

Sonya and David were already there. Smooching, lying on top of each other.

Startled by us, they rolled off the sofa in fright.

"Please don't let us bother you!" I grinned at them both and turned to the stairs. I knew how rarely they had the opportunity to let themselves go like that with three children. Besides, the two of them seemed to have made up again. It had probably gone well with Daniel.

Leah kindly notified us that they were about to head home. Therefore, I went to the kitchen with Sonya to prepare dinner in time.

They had certainly not eaten anything nutritious today, but rather some sweet stuff.

"So, how was it?" I asked Sonya curiously.

"Terrible!" she replied in a far too serious tone that didn't suit her.

I chuckled.

I suspected what was bothering her.

"It's called puberty! And you've got three more times of that ahead of you!"

"I know ..." She slumped her shoulders sullenly. "... But Jake and Leah weren't as petulant, as Daniel was meanwhile," she combatively came up with a counter-argument.

"Of course they were. Here, the room doors were slammed if one just said 'good morning'!" I was still laughing. "Other than that?" I then asked more measuredly.

She had been unsure how to behave towards the child and Daniel apparently didn't know what to do with Sonya either. But the longer they were all together, the easier it probably had become. They were playing miniature golf. Daniel had shown them the boarding school and afterwards they had gone out for ice cream and go-karting. He was a little daredevil, but that was Daniel's nature. She liked the boy and found it sad that he basically hardly knew his mother. The way the grandparents told, she only came by once every few months, whereby she was hardly interested in her child. From Vanessa's parents Sonya was honestly impressed. They were now over sixty and had trouble keeping up with their grandchildren. But they tried. Daniel had grown up with the other three children as if they were his siblings, even if he knew they were not.

During dinner, Luces, Deacon, and Emma babbled incessantly about how great the day had been in an effort to beat the fatigue out of themselves.

Was apparently not so easy. Emma, changed into a cute cat with children's makeup, even almost fell asleep while eating, but we all kept her awake a bit yet. If the kids fell asleep too early, we would regret it in the morning.

After my kids were out of the house, David put his boys to bed. They slept in Jake's room again. And Emma was put to bed by Edward.

She insisted on it!


"Emma has never been shy yet, but the way she makes mooneyes at Edward is amazing," Sonya thought as I was just returning to the patio with a bottle of red wine, water, and glasses.

"I think that is mutual," I smiled.

Sonya nodded. She noticed that I had only brought three glasses and wanted to get another.

"Nope, let it go. Three is enough," I held her back.

She just shrugged her shoulders and sat down again.

Our men brought both of us blankets outside and then we talked.

First about the day and Daniel. But then the three of us had another topic in mind.

We wanted to introduce Sonya to the truth a little bit.

It was David's idea and now that Edward had gotten to know Sonya a little, he was also in favor of it. We said nothing about Jake and Leah. And as far as Edward and his family were concerned, we avoided any details that even came close to the direction of vampires. Only that which explained my love for Edward and Carlisle's undeniable expertise and experience as a physician. Their immortality. If only because this would be the last possibility of keeping Sonya eventually in this world after giving birth. David did not want to make this decision, if it would be necessary, completely over Sonya's head.

Edward must have told him very clearly what his own concerns were.

"Immortal?" Sonya then asked, lost in thought.

She was pale and reasonably scared.

"Only as a very last resort, and also only if it is your express wish," David emphasized as he stroked his wife's cheek. "Until that time comes, you'll have plenty of time to get to know Carlisle and Edward. Maybe also his family, so you get an idea of an immortal life. But Carlisle explained to me that it doesn't have to be as bad as it was with Emma. He has read through the reports of the other doctors. But he would like to examine you himself to form his own picture," he added meekly.

Sonya seemed to be considering.

"What if he's wrong?"

"With an immortal woman I can live ... I can't do it without you!" David whispered soulfully and looked Sonya seriously in the eyes.

I closed my eyes as I felt a little twinge in my heart at those words.

Edward had never said it in that way, but I knew he thought the same way. One day I would die. It was inevitable, because I was getting older every day. Edward did not want to kill me by the transformation, as was his conviction, but he would not live on after my death. He had said it himself to Jake. I didn't want immortality. Up to now. Because my life, as it was now, was very beautiful. I felt guilty at the thought of having Edward's death on my conscience if I held to that opinion. A world in which Edward did not exist could not be. It would be bleak and desolate. I couldn't really explain it, but somehow, I felt I needed my humanity for a while more. As if I were still waiting for something ... Maybe I was just waiting for my kids to be out of the house and no longer dependent on a mother who could leave the house in any weather.

I opened my eyes again, took Edward's hand and gazed into sad gold.

"You will not lose me," I whispered. "I will ask you for the change. But I'm not ready yet."


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