2brown-eyes rocks!

No song so…

There's Nothing Holdin' Me Back—Shawn Mendes

August 2017

Forks, Washington

"I'd like to take a minute to say some things, if that's okay?" Carlisle murmurs to Edward.

"Anything to embarrass the kid," my husband says, huffing a laugh before raising his voice. "I'd like to get everyone's attention." He motions for Bailey to join him and Carlisle on the patio. Our eldest, who's matured a lot over the past few years, hides his red cheeks as he joins them, and Edward raises his glass. "Before I pass this off to my father, I'd like to say publicly that you've made me one proud father."

Bailey chuckles, his grin crooked just like his father's. "It's on record now, so you can't ever take it back."

Edward pulls him into a side hug. "Doesn't mean I won't try."

"Enough of that," Carlisle says, shaking his head at their silliness. "While my son thinks it's worth joking over, I do not. To see a fourth-generation Cullen headed to Dartmouth means more than I can express." He eyes Bailey, the string lights making our yard look almost magical. "And even though this one is breaking the mold, I'm positive he'll make the coolest engineer on the planet. I love you, kid, and you've made this old man one proud Grandpa."

Bailey gets a little glassy-eyed as he goes in for a big hug with his grandfather. As a Mother, nothing is better than watching lifetime bonds stretch and form as the family expands. Close by my son's side is his girlfriend of ten months, who'll be in Forks another year. I'm so glad I was able to be there for her when she doubted if they would make it.

And maybe they still won't.

But she's not being dumb like I was.

"It's times like these when I miss your father most," Mom says as she comes up and puts her arm around me. "Another celebration he won't be a part of. He would've loved this so much."

I lay my head on her shoulder. "Who knows? Maybe he's watching us right now."

"Maybe," she says.

Just then a laughing seven-year-old races by with his twelve-year-old brother hot on his heels. For the record, the older one is raging mad, which means that Rosalie is following behind to make sure one of her six boys doesn't kill the other.

Emmett's quite pleased with himself because he somehow thinks it's due to his mad testosterone levels or something crazy. I will give him a smidge of credit, though, since the town soccer team wouldn't exist if it weren't for his three eldest boys.

"I love that Joseph is going to have family with him in Hanover this year," Alice says, joining my mother and me. Because yes, her oldest son by four minutes is headed into his third year at Dartmouth. "Though I do worry Bailey is going to drag him into the frat scene."

I huff a laugh. "I make no promises. My son has his father's swagger."

"Don't I know it?" Alice snorts, shaking her head. "Do you really think he's going to stay with this girl through the year?"

"Of course, he is," Mom says, admonishing Alice. "Just like his father, Bailey isn't a player."

I widen my eyes at my lifelong BFF before tempering my mom's expectations. "He's also not a saint, but I'm proud of him for deciding to give it a shot."

"I don't know," Alice says wistfully. "I always hoped he and Megan would've developed something."

Megan Whitlock is nestled right between Bailey and Morgan, meaning she's headed to twelfth grade this year much like Sophia, Bailey's current girlfriend. As best friends for life, I can get behind this sentiment—to have two of our kids fall in love and marry—but it's not something we intend to push.

"Maybe it won't be them," I say thoughtfully. "Maybe Morgan will end up running into Jackson in California in five years or something and they'll hit it off."

Jackson is Joseph's twin, and they're four years older than Morgan, but I've always had a feeling she's harboring a crush. At sixteen, I'd have Edward kick his twenty-year-old ass, but at twenty-four, it wouldn't be such a scary thought.

Alice pans her wide gaze to mine. "That is something to hope for."

Rose joins us then, three-year-old Ross, in her arms. Her long blonde hair is pulled up messily with a clip holding it in place, she has on barely a stitch of makeup, and stains dot her shirt. If there was ever a picture-perfect image of a stressed-out boy Mom, Rosalie fits the bill to a T.

"Did I miss anything juicy?" The poor thing looks like she's dying for some gossip.

"Only if you're into best friends wishing their kids would marry," Mom says before she sashays off to chat with Esme.

Rose barks a laugh, shifting her eyes between Alice and me. "Pretty sure the odds are in my favor to nab one of Bella's daughters as an in-law."

Alice's eyes widen, and we burst out laughing at the absurdity of the conversation. The truth is, though, this is Forks, and the circles are small. I want my children to spread their wings and fly, but I also want them to always think of here as home.

"Once it starts, they'll all be gone in a blink," Alice says, looking at me, then Rosalie, before her eyes settle on Ross. "Oh, well, at least by the time he's gone, you'll have grandkids to pick up the slack."

Rose's face goes white. "What?"

"I said—"

"I heard you," she snaps. "Excuse me."

Alice and I watch as she marches across the yard and shoves Ross into Emmett's arms, and then her finger into his face. I can't make out what she's saying, but I don't need to.

The gist is obvious.

I look to my best friend.

And we burst out laughing.

Payback is a bitch.

Gahhhhh

Wahhhhhh

See ya one more time :'(

(Since we didn't fit in a Bree or Mase mention, let me prophesize for them… Mase is happily married to his British love (Marie) and every now and then when one or the other is visiting their continent, they still get together. Jasper and Mase formed a lifelong friendship that summer of '93. As for Bree, she ended up in DC and is married to a senator. She hopes to one day become first lady)