Super thanks to M&M for keeping up!

"This turned out so different than anything I imagined when I decided to apply for the position here," Rose says, her finger trailing along the sleek blonde wood of one of the twins' beds. "I thought this would be me, only different."

A pang of sadness fills me, and I'm instantly encompassed in a soothing pale pink as the force between Edward and me pulses with his love and confidence. His strength and compassion are now mine.

"I'm sorry," I say, cradling my stomach. "As much as I feel dismayed by everything that's happened, I wouldn't, couldn't, change it if I wanted to. Prince Edward is my life."

"Oh, sweetie." She moves toward me, pulling me into a tight embrace. "We both know this happening is the only reason I'm still here at all. Don't ever feel like you've taken something from me because that isn't true. My freedom depends entirely on my relationship with you."

Tears prick my eyes when I remember the news I need to share. It's the main reason I asked Rose to help me with the twins' room today.

We need to talk.

I've kept it from her for too long already.

As I pull away, I divert my eyes, afraid she'll see my expression and think the worst. Wringing my hands, I look through the large double window and out over the kingdom as I say, "You know we'll do everything in our power to keep that disgusting man from ever touching you again."

"I never doubted that," she says, but then she falls silent for a long minute. I don't dare even breathe. "Bella?"

A tear rolls down my cheek, and waves of love wrap me in a soft, red blanket. "Yeah?"

"Is something wrong?" The room is dead silent, and the pale yellows and mint greens are shrouded by the sadness that permeates the air.

"Not yet," I say truthfully, turning to meet her questioning gaze. "But Forks is contesting our position to the Supreme Council."

"Your marriage?" Her brows furrow.

I tilt my head in acquiescence. "That is the root of the complaint." Several emotions filter over her face, and when I realize she doesn't understand what I'm getting at, I blurt it out. "The purpose of contesting my marriage has nothing to do with … Edward and me."

"It's me." Awareness lights her eyes, and tears fill them. "Royce wants me."

"Well, he's not getting you," I say definitively, moving toward her. "Kingdom Cullen is prepared to go to war for you."

"No." She palms her chest, backing away. "There has to be another way."

"For now, yes." Bitterness creeps into my heart, and the resulting dark gray smothers the light in our bond. "But that insipid brute isn't likely to back down."

"Oh my god." Rose uses the rocker arm to steady herself before she sinks into the sturdy wooden structure. "You can't let it come to that, Bella. This kingdom, you, your babies, are more important than me. I'm but a lone woman, and if I have to sacrifice for you to flourish, I will. In a fucking heartbeat."

I shake my head. "I won't allow it."

"Bella…"

I lift my chin, my stubbornness shining bright like the artificial sunlight that allows us to enjoy daytime hours. "No, Rose, this is non-negotiable. The Cullens have demanded a summit with the outlying kingdoms to drum up support. It's the best we can do, for now."

"So many lives at stake…" She trails off, her voice cracking. "I'm not worth that much effort."

I go to her, dropping down to my knees. "You're my best friend, and I refuse to give you up to the likes of Royce King."

She shivers, unable to hide her fear of that very thing happening. "I'll accept that, for now, but promise me you'll reconsider under threat of imminent war."

I brush away the tear tracks on her cheeks. "I will reconsider if the situation turns that dire, but I make no promises that I'll change my mind."

"I love you, Bella," she says, pulling me to my feet as she stands and encloses me in a tight hug. "This princess thing suits you beautifully."

I laugh, wiping away my own tears as I pull back. "I feel those words, and it's really weird. I chalk it up to my connection with Edward. The bond is so strong that it's like his authority has leaked into me."

She huffs a laugh, and it's lighter, freer. "Whatever works." Brushing her hands together, as if to wash away the conversation, she looks around the room. "So what else needs to get done in here?"

I open my mouth to say something more but decide against it. Enough heavy. If she can push the conversation away and move forward, so can I. My gaze pans the room where my twins will start their lives. Two pale wooden cribs sit in opposing corners, and across the room, matching rockers with light yellow cushions are nestled beside cute little bookshelves.

"I have a wallpaper mural that needs installing on that wall," I say, pointing to the back wall, "and I have a bookshelf and books that go over there."

"Do you want to work on any of it today?" She looks between the impersonal white wall and me.

"I was hoping I could talk Edward into forcing someone more qualified to do it." I shrug, holding back a smile.

"You rang?"

I nearly jump out of my skin when I realize he's leaning in the doorway with a smug grin. I'm not sure how he snuck up on me, and I don't care. I love Rose to the moon and back, but after the tough conversation we just had, only one person has the tools to soothe me.

"Edward," I murmur, mint green weaving through our bond to surround me in calm.

He kicks off the door frame and struts across the room. Green turns purple as desire overwhelms me. My husband is utterly irresistible, and I fall into his embrace, momentarily forgetting that Rose is in the room.

He's a mixture of hard muscles and soft palms, wet kisses and warm hugs, slick fur and silky mane. You'd think being pregnant would slow us down, but if it's possible, I'm even more desperate for him.

A low purr vibrates from his chest, and after a beat, it turns into a soft rumbling laugh. "As much as I want to take you here in our cubs' room, I don't think Rose would appreciate bearing witness to such an act."

Heat flushes up my chest and settles in my cheeks as I lean over to look past him. "Sorry."

Her arms are crossed, but there's a twinkle in her eye as she throws up her hands. "No need to stop on my account. I was just leaving." She points toward the door as she backs away. "I had a thing. Forgot all about it."

"You don—"

"I'm out." She pauses, motioning to the wall. "Save this, though. I think it'd be a fun project for us to try."

"I probably wouldn't be able to help much," I say, thinking of the tall ceilings and my growing belly.

"Rose could do the lion's share," Edward says, smirking at his joke. "It could help keep your mind off the summit while I'm gone."

"I don't want to think about that." Muddy brown dread clogs our connection.

Edward grips my cheek, his soft palm cocooning my face like a precious gift. Bright, warm yellow overwhelms the dullness, and I suddenly feel more rational about his trip.

It's annoying.

But adorable.

And I love him for caring.

"When do you leave?" Rose asks softly, careful not to intrude too forcefully.

Edward holds my gaze as he answers her. "Day after tomorrow. My parents are loading into a transport as we speak."

"I feel so guilty," she whispers.

"Don't," Edward says, looking away from me to catch my best friend's gaze. "Bella is the future of our race, so what's important to her is important to us. You're family, Rose."

She nods, teary-eyed and grateful. "Thank you, Edward. But please make sure Bella discusses with you our conversation from today."

Edward watches her leave before his stern brows knit together and he trains his gaze on me. "What was that about?"

I grip his thick mane with my fists and pull his face down to mine. "I'll fill you in later. Right now, I need you to remind me that everything is going to be okay."

A low growl reverberates through the room as he swoops me into his arms and bounds out the door.

I'm working on something else.

Maybe I can have it ready for a Tuesday debut? We shall see.

See ya here Monday :)