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Chapter 33
Birthday Wishes
Bella
That night I had my nightmare again. Edward held me and hummed until I fell asleep again. When I woke up, Edward was still there.
"Good morning, sugar," he whispered softly as I opened my eyes and kissed my forehead.
"Hi ... Why aren't you at work?", I asked, confused.
"Saturday?" he asked back.
"Oh sorry, I guess my senses are still a little confused," I sighed.
He kissed my face in different places and he smelled so good doing it, hmm ...
I always returned his kisses where I caught skin.
"Will you reveal something to me?" he asked.
"What?", I asked.
He leaned back, but kept me in his arms.
"This Jake kidnaps you, almost kills you, and then is acquitted of you without punishment. And Alec? With him ... do you want us to kill him?" he asked, sounding interested.
Oh yes, my last words the night before came back to me.
"So you've been racking your brains about this all night?" I asked.
"Yes, and James, too. It amazes us," he said.
I nodded.
"But that's the way it is. In principle, Jake meant me no harm. He messed up, but I only got so sick because I refused everything. Jake didn't mean to hurt me on purpose. Alec's situation is different. He wants to kill me. I'm sure of it. I can feel it, Edward. He won't stop until I'm dead. Since I'm innocent, I can't let that happen. He's a murderer. It's not right to repay like with like, but in this case it's about my life and now also about the life of the baby inside me. When someone murders like you or Jasper and Emmett, it's because you need it to live. As I understand it, you don't do it for pleasure and almost always manage to kill the seriously ill or criminals. I'm sure that's cruel, but I can live with that because I'm so selfish to love you. But Alec murders for lust, vengeance, greed, and hate. Those are base motives. Also, to my mind, just like his father, he is also mentally disturbed. He will never change. Never have insight. Therefore, my only chance is his death."
Edward was silent.
James had stepped closer to listen. He looked at me lovingly.
I smiled back.
Edward looked at him.
"Isabella, James had also immediately considered last night that we kill Alec. Demetri and he would support me immediately because they want to protect you. In principle, I agree, but there are many things we would have to consider. First, it must not be obvious that James, Demetri or I are involved in the murder. If we kill Alec, we kill a Volturi guard and are therefore condemned to death ourselves. Should we manage to kill him secretly, secondly, Aro will be left. He won't rest until you're dead either. Third, after that, there is Jane, who is guaranteed to stand behind her father and brother. She would not hesitate to kill you either. In plain English, that means it wouldn't be enough to just destroy Alec. We would have to kill all three of them and do it in such a way that no one would know it was us. If we got caught, that would be a death sentence for James and me. You know that we would both give our lives for you. But we also know that you need and love both of us. We've become the most important creatures in your life, haven't we?"
I nodded.
"Of course."
"Do you understand my concern? It's a dichotomy. I'm also afraid of Alec, but equally afraid of the backlash. And I love you. I want to be with you and hold our child in my hands someday," he said, gently stroking my belly.
God, how he loved me. That was such a beautiful feeling.
"You're more deliberate than I am, and you're more deliberate than James, and you're right," I sighed.
"James?" asked Edward.
"Yes, Sir, you are right. I hadn't thought about that, and I'm sure Demetri hadn't either," he said hesitantly, because he was visibly displeased with the situation.
Edward nodded.
"We will keep our eyes open to protect the Princess and wait to see if a situation arises where we can act without harm."
"Yes, my Prince," James nodded in understanding.
"I'm hungry," I said, and Edward immediately let go of me.
"Go for it, then, my love," he said, gently pushing me out of bed.
I went to the bathroom, got dressed and ate breakfast, with Edward keeping me company.
While we were talking and I was eating, Nanny came rushing in.
"Oh Isabella, I just found out. How are you?" she asked anxiously, kneeling down next to me and taking my hand in a caring way.
"Much better again, Nanny," I said, and she was visibly relieved.
"Are you okay now?" she asked, putting one hand on my belly, keeping my hand in her other hand and closing her eyes. "The baby is restless and you don't feel well," she stated shortly after, looking at me seriously.
"I have a headache and feel very weak," I said quietly.
Edward was immediately concerned and James brought my blood because I hadn't drunk it yet.
"You should lie back down, dear," Nanny said, and it wasn't a request, but a command.
Edward waited until I had finished drinking and simply lifted me up.
"I'll lay you back down," he said.
"Please on the sofa, yes, I don't want to go to bed," I asked and he nodded.
Gently, as if I were made of glass, he placed me on the sofa, knelt in front of me and kissed my hands and belly.
James brought a glass of water and set it down in front of me.
"Would you like to read?" asked Edward.
I shook my head.
That would not work with the headaches.
Nanny sat down at my feet.
"She needs rest. I think her head is pounding," she said.
I was once again amazed at how well she could empathize with me.
I just closed my eyes and fell asleep after a while.
When I awoke again, Edward was still sitting on the floor in front of me with one hand in mine and one hand on my stomach. Nanny was sitting at my feet and Carlisle and Esmé in armchairs.
"Oh ...", I said.
"Slept in?", Edward asked me lovingly.
"Yes," I said, and drank the water.
"Are you feeling better?" asked Nanny.
"Something," I said, noticing that the headache had subsided. "But I feel so powerless," I noted.
"May I listen to you again, my dear?" asked Carlisle.
"Yes, please," I said and he came to me.
Edward slid next to my head.
"I was so worried about you," Esmé said, swallowing.
"I'm better, I'm sure of it," I said reassuringly, and she nodded.
"Is there anything I can do for you?" she asked.
"No, it's all good," I said, smiling.
So I was taken care of all day and felt a little better in the evening.
Edward played me something on the grand piano and I enjoyed the quiet because the visitors had finally left.
Of course, Edward's brothers and wives had also been there, and even Demetri had anxiously inquired about my condition.
I closed my eyes and listened to Edward's piano playing. (Yiruma - If I could see you again)
It was so beautiful.
I put my hands on my belly and thought about our baby.
Would it be a boy or a girl? Hope. The image of Edward, the big guy, holding it in his huge hands came to mind and it touched me. He would be an enthusiastic father, I knew that.
Edward turned on a CD and cuddled up next to me. He put his hands over my hands and gently we stroked my belly together. (Yiruma - Till I find you)
"I love you, baby," he whispered.
I smiled at him.
It was so nice how he was looking forward to the baby.
He moved higher and kissed me tenderly.
"It's your birthday soon," he whispered in my ear.
"I know," I sighed.
"And it troubles you?" he asked.
"I just don't need it. Why is there such a fuss about birthdays?", I asked.
Edward laughed.
"Because one loves each other and enjoys pleasing each other. I like to celebrate the day you were born," he said, kissing me tenderly on the top of my head. "Is there anything you wish for?" he then asked.
"Yes. You. The baby. James. Your family and mine. Health and peace. Music and love," I said.
He smirked.
"There must be something I could give you, something special you've always wanted," he tried again.
"Edward, I have one wish. It's the only one I have. It is important to me," I said.
He was immediately interested and turned us so he could look at me.
"The wish would be what?" he asked.
"Who owns James, Edward?", I asked.
Irritated, he looked at me.
James came a little closer, I saw that out of the corner of my eye.
"How ... who does James belong to?" asked Edward.
"He's basically a slave to the family, isn't he?", I asked.
"Yes," Edward sighed.
"Well, whose property is it?", I asked persistently.
"Hmm ... I think it's my dad's and he provided him to me and you," Edward said.
"That's what I thought," I said. "Edward, my only wish is that I get him. I want him to be my gift. I don't want him just provided to me, I want him to be mine. Absolutely mine, so that I can determine what he does, what he doesn't do, and at all!"
My husband eyed me intensely and I withstood his gaze.
"And after that, you do what you want with him?" he asked.
"Yes, exactly!", I said.
Edward nodded. Then he smiled.
"Okay, I'll see what I can do!"
"Really?", I asked excitedly.
"Yes, what else can I do if it is your dearest wish," said Edward.
"Oh thank you," I said, pressing against him and kissing him.
He laughed.
"You'd be really happy," he stated.
"Yes, Edward. That would be the nicest thing you could do for me," I said and he nodded understandingly.
I looked at James. He silently studied my face. I smiled at him. Hesitantly he smiled back.
"Will you send me away then, my Princess?" he asked quietly.
I pushed Edward away and stood up. I quickly went to James and took his hands in mine.
"No, James, I would never send you away. Never would I want to do without you again. I need you."
He looked at me with a very serious expression.
"James, I would give you your freedom, but you could stay with me if you wanted to. But as a free man, with a salary and the right to days off or vacations," I said.
He was still looking at me, but I sensed that he could hardly believe what I was saying.
"You would do that for me, my Princess?" he asked incredulously.
"James, I would do anything in my power for you, because I know you would do anything for me, too. You are my best friend."
He swallowed.
"And that would be Your Highness' birthday wish. No jewelry, no books, no music, chocolates and chocolates, but to give me freedom?" he asked.
He still looking, somehow ... hmm ... shaken.
"Yes, James, that would be the fulfillment of my dreams."
He kept silent and pulled me to him, hugging me tightly but carefully. I returned the embrace.
"Thank you," he breathed. "Even if it doesn't work, because the king might not release me - the thought alone that you, my dear Princess, would think of such a thing, it just blows my mind. I knew you liked me and trusted me, but this ..."
He seemed to be at a loss for words.
I withdrew from his arms and looked at him. He was totally touched and looked at me so lovingly. I pulled his face down to me and kissed him left and right on the cheeks.
"I love you, James ... different from my husband. But I love you, and I'm happy to do anything I can to change your situation. Even if it's only on paper."
He kissed me on the forehead.
"Thank you, my loveliness," he breathed.
I smiled at him and went back to Edward.
"I hope you understand and aren't mad," I asked, looking at him tenderly.
He eyed me and gently brushed a curl from my face, pushed the hair over my shoulder and stroked my face.
"I understand. I have to confess that it wouldn't be that important to me, but I feel how important it is to you and I admire you, your assertiveness, your clarity, your commitment to others and your love. And I am happy that I can have the biggest share of that love," he said.
I smiled at him.
"Yes, this is yours. My heart belongs to you, and my life. You are my life. I love you," I said and kissed him tenderly on his beautiful mouth.
He opened his lips slightly and I entered his mouth, our tongues caressed and slowly Edward lowered himself back to the sofa and pulled me on top of him without breaking the kiss.
I stroked through his soft hair and enjoyed his touch on my back.
His hands rubbed lightly over my back and buttocks.
James left the room.
After a while I broke the kiss to breathe.
"I want to be loved by you now, my Prince," I whispered in his ear, running my tongue gently over the shell of his ear.
He jerked excitedly and whispered, "I'll love you, Mrs. Volturi, until you scream with happiness!"
"That's what I need right now," I whispered back and he spun me around, onto my back and gently began to remove my clothes.
I helped him do this and also undressed him, with him helping me.
Then he kissed my face, every millimeter, the corners of my mouth, my cheeks, my eyes.
He looked so good, had smooth skin, muscles that drew big bumps on his upper arms and chest.
I put my hands on his chest.
My husband, I thought proudly. So beautiful.
Edward slid lower, licked my nipples firmly and stroked his hands along both sides of my sides - from armpit to thigh. He stroked firmly, with pressure, with two fingers, and that didn't make it tickle. It turned me on. He slid lower again, gently spread my legs, kissed my vagina and began to circle my most intimate places with his tongue, twisting, sucking and I just moaned.
It was so beautiful. He was so tender, would never hurt me and I trusted him so much.
"I love you," I breathed and stroked his head.
"I love you more than anything in the world, Isabella," he said tenderly.
He kissed his way back over my stomach and chest up to my mouth. I felt his excitement between my legs. Very slowly he pushed into me, very tenderly.
It felt so good.
He paused and enjoyed the moment himself. We found a gentle, not so eager rhythm as usually often, so it was quite different, more sensual. He looked me in the eyes the whole time.
I saw his love, his feelings, his lust - it was a look, unforgettable.
I felt myself coming. My belly contracted, I moaned and closed my eyes.
"Yes," Edward whispered, placing his face next to my ear.
He focused only on what he was doing and my movements. I cried out loudly and winced. And he came too.
I felt him pouring himself into me at the same time. A great feeling of unity.
He groaned, growled, and paused.
I was still twitching.
We kissed and he spun us around so I was on top of him and he was still inside me.
He stroked my back, my bottom.
I just stayed put and tried to get my heart rate and breathing down.
"That was very nice, thank you!", I whispered after a while.
"For me, too. You are so erotic, thank you too," he whispered.
I sighed with happiness.
I had to go to the bathroom again and then went to bed. We cuddled and I fell asleep, feeling better overall, but still floppy.
The next day Carlisle came once again to check on me and the worried Nanny had also joined him right away.
We were sitting in the living room and were playing chess.
"Good morning, my favorite Princess," Carlisle said, sitting down next to me.
"Good morning, Bella," Nanny said, and they both greeted Edward briefly.
"I think if you guys keep this up, my husband will get frustrated because you barely pay attention to him and are constantly sheltering me!", I stated.
Nanny laughed, sat on the arm of Edward's chair and put an arm around him.
"You may go ahead and pamper her, Nanny," Edward then said with a smirk, stroking her back.
"I'd like to listen to you again," Carlisle said, "and also the abdomen. I have a new stethoscope, and I hope I can do a better job with it now."
"Okay," I said.
I leaned back and opened my blouse, pushing the skirt down a bit.
Carlisle listened to me first.
"It's all good," he said, and then let the thing slide onto my belly bump, which had already grown again.
He listened for a long time and listened to different parts.
"I know it will surprise you, but it doesn't seem to be the device. I hear two heartbeats in your belly. I think you're having twins!" he said.
"Twins?" asked Edward with wide eyes and I was speechless with surprise.
His father nodded.
"Twins!"
Edward stood up, came to me, knelt down and put his ear on my naked belly. He closed his eyes and I gently put my hand on his head.
"In fact, I hear it too. Wow ...!" He looked at me and pulled me to him. "Bella, there are two of them," he said joyfully.
I laughed and couldn't believe it.
"What risks does this entail for my Princess?" Edward then immediately asked his father.
The joy was gone. He worried about me again right away.
"Well, when a woman is expecting twins, her belly grows faster, gets thicker. She needs more blood in our case, I think, more rest and sparing, because she will be exhausted even faster," he considered aloud, eyeing me. "The important thing is to keep the kids in the womb as long as possible. Twins have less space than a singleton and are often smaller as a result. Every day is therefore important for growth and size, because the less the children weigh at birth, the more difficult their start in life will be. Let's hope for strong babies," he said.
Edward sat down next to me and buttoned my blouse again.
I had completely forgotten that from all the excitement.
I looked at him gratefully. He returned the look and I saw in his eyes a mixture of joy and concern.
"We can do this," I said, beaming at him.
"Yes," he said quietly and pulled me into his arms.
"Now we have to find two boys' names and two girls' names!", I stated.
"Well, we already have a girl's name," he said, stroking my arm.
His dad eyed us curiously.
"It won't be revealed, Dad," Edward said.
"Okay," he said, laughing. "Oh, it's great. There will be life in the palace. I'm glad!" he said, eyeing us happily. "What do you want for your birthday, Isabella?" he asked me suddenly.
Oh ... the day was probably already palace talk, I sighed in my mind.
"Two wheeled cradles so I can pull the kids behind me, a comfy nursing pillow, well ... and a nursery so the little Princes or Princesses can get all their stuff housed," I said.
Nanny laughed.
"But these are all wishes for the children. What do you wish for?" she asked.
"Healthy children and something else. Edward will talk to Dad about that?", I said and looked at Edward, who immediately nodded.
"Yes, I will, I promise," he said.
"Thank you," I said, and Carlisle frowned again.
"You get wrinkles when you think so hard, Gramps," I said cheekily, and Edward burst out laughing.
Nanny joined in and Carlisle looked at me in complete irritation.
"Gramps," he sighed, and then laughed too. "Well, I already am with Grace, but now if I add two more. I'm really old, huh?"
I smiled at him.
"Yeah, damn you're old!"
He nodded.
"But you both manage to make me really happy in my old age!" he said, stood up, kissed us both on the forehead and left.
Nanny looked after him.
"I've rarely seen him so overcome with emotion. I do think it's special for him to be a grandpa now, because Edward is just more to him than Emmett and Jasper - even if he'd never admit it."
Edward nodded.
"Yeah, I think so too, Nanny. It's just a little more intimate. They'll be his biological grandchildren." He put both hands on my belly. "Two," he said, shaking his head. "You don't do things by halves, hmm ...?" he asked me, kissing me tenderly and then caressing my belly again.
The next days and weeks passed very peacefully.
My belly was growing daily and rounding so much that I was starting to get scared.
Hopefully, this all went away again. My bosom also grew, which Edward took daily benevolent note. So typical man ...
Alice had gotten me maternity clothes.
I had no desire to leave the palace to go shopping. Since Alice was very picky, I had gotten a lot of things that were guaranteed to have been sewn especially for me, because I couldn't imagine where else she had found lingerie in all colors for pregnant women or exactly the kind of clothes I liked to wear ... in my favorite colors and fabrics. I was infinitely grateful to her.
Edward worked, I studied, learned, lay around a lot with the books or sat in the garden. I visited Grace, Rose, Esmé - and Alice me sometimes after her work.
I especially enjoyed the Princess-bathhouse, there the belly was nice and light and not exhausting.
Nanny and Carlisle visited me almost daily, watching me and the twins and prescribing more blood.
I now also drank a cup in the evening and actually felt better with it. I almost never saw Alec. He avoided me and I avoided him. Thank God for that. James was always by my side, wordlessly handing me what I needed and usually before I said it. He was irreplaceable to me and I fervently hoped that if he were free, he would truly stay with me. I couldn't live without him. Edward was my heart and balm to my soul and James my light and sun.
Finally, my father's wedding was approaching.
We had bought a gift and would leave this afternoon.
I was really looking forward to it and was all jittery. I had actually found an evening dress for pregnant women. For the evening I had it made in black, for the wedding in blue and was very happy with it.
James had packed our bags and prepared everything and Edward took the afternoon off. So we left after lunch.
I was wearing a pink maternity dress that accentuated my beautiful new large breasts and had of course been chosen by James.
Edward immediately breathed to me, "But I'll take that off myself later, darling," and I immediately got goosebumps from excitement.
This man was my downfall. At least my moral one.
We had ordered a black Mercedes limousine and Edward wanted to drive himself because he didn't want to take a chauffeur as well.
So Demetri sat with him in front and I with James in the back. Already after a few minutes I was getting tired. I leaned my head against the window.
But that was hard and unpleasant.
"Lean on me quietly, my Princess, hmm...?" asked James caringly and I snuggled into his arm and immediately fell asleep
When I woke up, my head was on James' lap and he had loosely placed a hand on my side.
"We are almost there, Your Royal Highness," he said, trying to wake me up.
Startled, I pulled up.
"Relax, everything's okay," he smiled gently.
"Oh ... I was completely out of it," I groaned, needing to really wake up.
Edward looked back through the rearview mirror with amusement.
"Little sleepyhead, hmm ...?" he asked.
"That's your babies' fault," I said.
James wordlessly handed me a bottle of water and I drank a little, fixing my dress and hair. I sucked a peppermint candy and looked out the window. We were driving through Forks.
I knew that one could not see into the car and looked out.
My old home. That was a strange feeling.
I averted my eyes again and looked at my hands in my lap.
Somehow it was too much for me.
"Is everything all right, my Princess," James asked anxiously.
"Yes," I said softly and gave him a smile.
Edward immediately became alert and looked around anxiously for me.
"Too many memories?" he asked.
"Yep ...", I said.
He nodded.
"We'll be right there," he said.
I looked out for a moment.
"I know," I said. "Can you stop there, up ahead on the forest road?", I asked when I saw where we were.
"Of course," he said, and pulled over.
"I have something to show you," I said and got out.
My three men immediately got out as well and somehow it was funny and I had to laugh.
Nobody understood why, but I didn't care. I think they sometimes thought I was nuts anyway.
I grabbed Edward's hand and pulled him into the forest. Silently he walked beside me and I inhaled the scent of the forest. Everything was in a rich summer green.
I loved this time of year. It was humid here, as always, and smelled slightly musty, but somehow also like home. I felt at home here. How often had I walked through here as a child - even with Jake.
"What's going on in that beautiful head of yours?" asked Edward gently.
"I feel comfortable here. It smells like the old days and I love the summer and this forest," I explained.
"Have you been here a lot?" he asked.
"Yes, almost every day," I said.
The forest thinned out and I could already see the rocks.
We walked towards it. I tasted the salt of the sea on my tongue and a gentle breeze caught my dress and hair. We stepped out of the trees and up to the edge of the rocks.
"Wow ..." said Demetri.
"Stunningly beautiful," James said.
Edward pulled me in front of his chest and we looked down from the rocks.
The sea lay before us, an endless expanse. Foamy waves beat against the rocks below us. The spray splashed up to our feet and the sound of the breaking rushing waves filled the air.
"And this is where my wife used to sit as a child, looking out to sea and reading?" Edward asked, embracing me tightly.
"Yes, exactly. This was my sanctuary. Here I was alone. Here was my peace and quiet. Behind me my forest, in front of me my sea. I sat here for hours and pondered about God and the world," I said.
"It's a very peaceful wonderful place," my husband said, impressed.
"Wait a minute," I said, pulling away from his embrace.
I walked along the edge of the cliff for a bit.
James immediately took an audible worried breath because he was afraid I might fall off.
"Don't worry, James, I won't fall down," I said.
When I was in the right place, I got down on my knees and crawled to the edge.
"For heaven's sake, Your Majesty, what are you doing?" asked James in horror, walking up behind me.
"I'll get something. Don't worry, I know what I'm doing," I said, reaching over the edge.
I felt my way along the rock a bit with my hand and then I had found the crack and reached in.
It was still there, I thought, and rejoiced.
I pulled it out.
It was a small leather bag. Binoculars were in it and my elf stone.
I pulled both out of my bag.
Edward stood next to me and asked with interest, "What is that?"
"My elf stone," I laughed, looking at it.
Edward knelt down to me and also looked at him with interest.
"What is its significance?" he asked.
"There's a poem about it:
Elf stone
Quietly puts the night with shadows
our day's work to rest.
Only the moon casts a dull
silver-ray to the earth.
.
Under starshine and moonlight,
little delicate elven-creatures -
they come into your view,
there, where nothing was before.
.
Cheerfully they float and softly,
singing - each one clear and pure,
they dance their melody
but all around the one stone!
.
If YOU find it, you're lucky,
it glitters colorfully in the pale light,
always brings peace back to you,
the stone of the elves - it is yours.
.
You only have to hold it in your hands
and forget all pain while doing so,
then you will feel it, the cold one,
but warm will be your heart.
.
Whoever possesses it can give peace,
has love gently in abundance.
So share it out and let it live,
for you are now the elf's-kiss."
I put it in Edward's hands and he looked at me.
"Are you laughing at me now?", I asked.
"No," he said seriously, feeling the stone. "You have love in abundance and spread peace," he said softly, looking out to sea.
We were silent.
James and Demetri stood awestruck behind us.
After a while, I repacked the binoculars and returned them to the crevice.
Edward watched me.
"And your stone?" he asked, holding it out to me.
"We'll take that one with us. I don't think I'll get here again so soon and I think we'll still need it," I said quietly.
"You are very scared, hmm ...?" he asked, hugging me.
"Yes, Edward, very big," I whispered.
He gently pressed me against his body.
"We will do everything possible to protect you from him," he said softly.
"I know. But even that is sometimes not enough. So far we've been very lucky and I hope it stays with us," I said.
"It will, Isabella, it must," he said firmly.
"Let's go back before Dad sends a police escort to meet us," I said, and we stood up.
He tried to give me the stone, but I slipped it into his pocket.
Silently, we walked back to the car.
Edward continued driving.
"May I ask Your Royal Highness a question," Demetri asked, turning to me.
"Of course," I said.
"Where did Your Highness get this elf stone?" he asked.
"I found him in the woods when I was eight or so. Why?" I asked back.
"Because it's fascinating. It so suits you, Royal Highness. Then where did you get the poem...or did you have it before?" he then asked.
"When I found the stone, I showed it to Sue because she knows a lot about stones. Sue is the woman my dad is going to marry tomorrow. She sat next to my dad at my wedding. I don't know if you remember that?", I asked.
"Yes, Your Highness, I do," he said.
"Sue excitedly explained that I had found an elf stone and gave me the poem. As a child, it fascinated me. Later I smiled at it and wondered if she had put the stone in my path on purpose, but she denied it," I said, smiling.
"An interesting story, Your Royal Highness, thank you," Demetri said, lapsing back into his usual silence.
Finally, we drove through La Push and stopped in front of Sue's house.
Sue and Dad immediately came out to meet us.
I got out and ran to Dad. He took me in his arms and I hugged him tightly.
"Hello, little one," he said and hugged me back tightly too.
"Oh ... not so tight, Daddy, you're squeezing your grandchildren flat!", I said with a laugh.
"My grandchildren?" he asked in amazement.
He pushed me away from him a bit, but kept his hands on my shoulders and looked at my stomach.
"You're pregnant!" he stated in surprise.
I nodded with a smile.
"I thought it was too impersonal to tell you over the phone, and since I knew we'd be seeing each other soon ..."
"But then you must have been pregnant for a long time. That's already a really proud baby bump?" he asked in amazement.
"No, Dad, I only got pregnant at the end of the honeymoon, about five weeks ago, a few days before I called you. But they're hybrids, only half human, and the pregnancy will only last until November. We also managed to conceive twins right away, so you'll be a grandpa twice over!" I said with a smile.
"Oh Bella-child," Dad said, pulling me to him once more. "Are you okay, too?" he asked.
"Yes, Dad, very good," I said, but he looked quite worried.
"She looks good, too," Sue said, "Now can I finally have her, too, Charlie?"
I laughed and Dad let go of me. Sue hugged me too and asked if she could touch the belly once.
I took her hand and put it on my stomach.
"This is so fantastic, Bella, a small miracle, a double miracle," she said in awe.
"Yes, Sue, it is," I nodded.
Edward had come closer and Dad gave him a quick hug, too.
"Edward, glad you're here, son, and thanks for everything. She looks good!" he said with a smile.
"I have to thank you, Charlie. You gave it to me," Edward said.
Sue hugged Edward, too.
Dad greeted James with a handshake.
"How are you doing, James?" he asked.
"Very good, Sir. Will the Princess spend the night here?" asked James.
"Yes, you can bring the suitcases into the house," Dad said.
Edward introduced Demetri to my parents and explained what his job was.
Dad greeted him too and Sue invited us in.
"I have to go to the bathroom first," I said.
"Go upstairs, Bella. Seth moved over to Jake's for the weekend. Leah moved out for good, so I've got the whole upstairs ready for you," Sue said.
"Oh, this is great. I feel much more comfortable here than in the hotel," I said and went upstairs with James.
We had two bedrooms, a living room and a bathroom up here and James distributed the luggage while I disappeared into the bathroom. Then I headed back downstairs.
Dad and Edward were sitting in the living room, Demetri was standing at the front door.
"Please come in, Demetri," I said politely.
"No, Your Royal Highness, I will stay here," he said kindly and bowed.
I nodded at him doubtfully, but I knew it would be useless to argue with him.
"Are you in the kitchen, Sue?", I asked louder.
"Yes, come to me, little one," she called cheerfully, and so I went to her.
James just came back down the stairs as well and followed me.
I went into the kitchen and James stopped in the doorway.
Sue looked up briefly - she was dishwashing.
"Sit down. Would you like some tea?" asked Sue.
"Yes, with pleasure. But I'll help you," I said and stood next to her, taking a dish towel and drying off.
James cleared his throat in horror.
Irritated, I looked at him.
"The Prince will not approve, Your Royal Highness," he said softly.
"What?", I asked in amazement while drying a cup.
Sue began to laugh.
"Well, the Princess is drying dishes," she said, chuckling, and I understood and laughed along with her.
"James, you wouldn't believe how I've missed something as normal as drying off and I don't care what my husband thinks," I said, still laughing.
"But I could do that, Princess," he suggested, coming closer.
I looked at him in disbelief and Sue also looked up.
"You'd rather keep drying for me just so I don't do it?" I asked and he nodded with an desperate look on his face.
Unbelievable!
"James, no one has ever died from honest work and I'm going to keep doing this and you're going to leave me alone, okay?", I said and he fell silent, affected.
I didn't want to offend him, but that really went too far.
Sue grinned to herself and I enjoyed standing next to her like this.
"Tell me about yourself. What do you do all day, dear. Doesn't the ceiling fall on your head?" she asked worriedly.
"It works. Sometimes a bit when Edward is not there. But because I have to study, I sit at the PC a lot, I have to read a lot, and I often do that in the park outside. I have the harp and the grand piano, so I play a lot. We have the bathhouse downstairs, where only we women are allowed to swim together. That's very nice, so I often meet the other women. When Edward is there, we usually talk. Our topics are inexhaustible, it's really fascinating. Or we play chess, watch a movie, go for a walk together. The other day we went to a concert with his brothers and wives," I said.
"That sounds quite good filled out," Sue said, eyeing me from the side. "You look exhausted," she then observed.
I nodded.
"Since I've been pregnant, I've been tired a lot and I feel so ... hmm ... powerless most of the time," I said quietly. "But please don't mention it with Edward around. He'll worry if you do!", I asked in a whisper.
"Okay, don't worry," she whispered, kissing my cheek.
And I felt a piercing worried look from James on my back.
We were done. I still wiped the sink dry while Sue put the dishes in the cupboard. Then she took me in her arms.
"I'll make you some tea and then I'll give you something else for that lack of strength, hmm ...?" she asked, stroking my shoulders.
I nodded.
"Sit down now, Bella, before your James dies of worry," Sue said, and I sat down and looked around the kitchen.
It was so homey and comfortably furnished. I felt comfortable here.
Sue prepared tea and put a cup down for both of us. Then she took a box from the cupboard, opened the wooden lid and pulled out various sachets.
I watched with interest and James with skepticism.
She unerringly took some sachets and poured certain amounts of them into a wooden tin. After that, she shook the tin to mix the various powders, then took half a spoonful of powder from the tin with a teaspoon and stirred it into my tea.
Then she closed the can, gave it to James and said, "Put this in a cup of tea for her every day, please, half a teaspoon," she said to him in a commanding tone and cleared her box up and away.
"What's that, ma'am?" asked James uncertainly.
"Grated herbs, absolutely healthy and harmless to the babies and they will help her, Sir. You don't think I meant to harm her, do you?" she asked, looking at him reproachfully.
"No, ma'am," he said, and he clearly had respect for her.
"Thanks, Sue," I said. "How are you guys doing, you and Dad and Seth? Tell me about you guys," I demanded.
"Oh, we're doing great. Your father works and is here then. Your old house is empty, unfortunately. We feel more comfortable here, and often go for walks on the beach in the evening. He is very kind to me and also a grateful man, is happy about everything I cook and do and is always friendly and funny. I have never felt so appreciated and loved - not even by the father of my children," she said seriously.
I stroked her hand.
"That sounds really good and I'm happy for you both," I said.
"Yes, thank you. Seth is doing well, too. The wolves have little to do at the moment to protect us, and so he can do his apprenticeship. He wants to become a car mechanic and so he screws around with everything he can find or just helps Jake in his workshop," she explained.
I nodded and drank.
"Do you have a wedding dress?", I then asked with a smile.
"Well sure, do you want to see it?" she asked excitedly like a twenty year old.
"Sure thing," I laughed.
We finished our tea and went into Sue's bedroom, where she shut the door in James' face.
"Sorry, James, only women are allowed in here," she said.
Poor James has been completely done in here, I thought with a grin.
Sue's dress was beautiful, made of light brown fabric, because she didn't want to get married in white. The fabric shone like silk and was set off with lace - it looked really great.
"Wonderful, Sue. I can't wait to see how you look in it," I said.
She was happy and beaming.
Afterwards we went to our men in the living room. Both pulled us next to them with a hug and we chatted for a while.
Dad wanted to know everything in detail, as always. From our police encounter at the airport to the babies.
Suddenly Sue said, "We have to change. The reception starts in an hour!"
So I went upstairs with Edward and James and put on the black dress.
James helped me put my hair up. Then he brought me a hand cream and insisted on putting lotion on my hands so that they wouldn't be damaged by the rinse water.
I was so speechless that I let it wash over me. Unbelievable, this man.
Edward put on a black suit and so, after kissing each other profusely once more, we went back to the living room.
Dad also wore a black suit and Sue a dark red dress.
"Where do we even have to go, Dad?", I asked.
"We can walk. We celebrate in the community hall, ordered food there," said Dad.
So I took Edward by the hand and we walked, with James and Demetri following, to the hall.
"Will Jacob Black be there?" asked Edward of my father.
"Yes, Edward," Dad said. "We had to invite him. You know how close I am to him. But he promised not to go near Bella!"
Edward nodded and glanced at Demetri.
He was worried about my safety. But I wasn't afraid of Jake.
The banquet hall quickly filled with the Quileute and I saw many familiar faces.
We stood around and talked.
My men were eyed suspiciously, but I was greeted personally by many people and I felt that all Dad had promised to treat my husband with respect.
Then Jake pushed Billy in the wheelchair inside and Seth was there too. They first greeted Dad and Sue warmly. Then Billy looked around and when he saw me, he whispered something to the two young men and they both looked briefly at me. Then Jake went to join his friends and Seth pushed Billy toward me.
Edward pulled me closer, Demetri was suddenly standing next to me, and I felt James behind me. My goodness, why were they so panicked?
When Billy arrived in front of me, he eyed me kindly and held out his hand.
"Bella-child, come here," he said, and I bent down to hug him. He gave me a gentle squeeze. "I'm sorry, Bella. I was selfish and should not have supported Jake's act. I want to ask for your forgiveness. You know what you are for me and what you mean to me?"
I nodded, touched.
"Yes, Billy, I know. Don't worry about it, I forgive you. I know you never meant for anything to happen to me!"
"That's right. I was shocked when I heard how bad you were. I'm so sorry," he whispered, tears glistening in his eyes.
I hugged him again.
"It's all good, for sure!", I said, smiling kindly at him.
"Thank you," he said.
Then Seth still greeted us and hugged me too.
I liked him.
Dad took the floor and asked us to take a seat.
There were name cards on the tables. So we looked for our place.
Our table was in the middle of it. At the head sat Dad and Sue. They had seated me and Edward right next to Sue and next to us Leah with her husband and Seth. Next to Dad Billy took a seat and next to him Jake.
Edward exhaled deeply and I grabbed his hand under the table and stroked it soothingly. Edward looked at me and his look was full of love and concern. He stroked my fingers and smiled at me briefly.
When everyone was seated, Dad rose and greeted his guests. After that, everyone toasted the bride and groom together and then they ate.
Afterwards a band played. You could dance and it was really nice.
Dad definitely wanted to dance with me once and Edward danced with Sue at the same time.
I sat with Billy for a while and talked with him and also with Quil and Embry, Jake's best friends.
I knew them well. They had often been with Jake when I was there.
Jake continued to stay well-behaved out of my way.
In between, he was asked to sing and play guitar and he immediately went to the band and grabbed a guitar. (James Blunt - I really want you)
Every now and then our eyes met.
Edward pulled me tightly to him.
I think he was not only worried, but also jealous.
So I always returned his advances instantly to reassure him.
"He's singing it just for you," Edward whispered in my ear.
"I'm not even listening," I whispered back, kissing Edward deeply and for a long time.
That calmed him down and clearly marked his territory, I thought with a grin.
At 11:00 p.m. I became very tired.
"Edward, I'd like to leave, please," I said, and he immediately rose and led me to Dad so we could say goodbye.
When we stood on the street and I smelled the sea ... hmm ... it made my heart feel so homey.
"Edward, please let's go to the beach for a little while," I asked.
"Isn't that too much for you?" he asked worriedly.
"Hmm ... if you do, will you just carry me home quickly?", I asked.
"Okay," he smiled.
And I knew he was hoping he would get to carry me.
"Was it bearable for you?", I asked.
"Yes," he said.
"What did Jake think? Was it very bad for you?", I asked curiously.
"Do you really want to know?" he asked.
"Yes," I said.
"Well, he thought you looked adorable, that your dress was sexy. Oh God, she's pregnant by that guy, he thought too, and he suffered. But he wasn't as mad at me as he was then. Because he also saw that you are doing well and, above all, how I look at and treat you and how you treat me. It filled him with pain and joy at the same time. So he tried to restrain his thoughts and was sincerely happy that you were doing well," Edward said.
"Yet it annoyed or hurt you?", I asked gently.
He nodded.
"I hate him, Bella, and that will never change. He hurt the most precious thing I own and I can't forgive that."
We had arrived at the beach and walked closer to the water.
Edward stopped and pulled me to his chest.
"You are mine, Isabella. I love you and no one is allowed to hurt you. I'm not as big-hearted as you and I'm not so quick to forgive. I'm sorry!" he said and kissed my forehead.
I put my hands on his cheeks and looked at him.
His face was so beautiful, the smooth cool skin under my fingers felt heavenly, the moon made him shimmer pale and the wind ruffled his tangled hair even more than usual.
"You're a stubborn one, Edward," I whispered, "but a lovable one!"
Then I kissed him tenderly.
When we broke away from each other, we looked at the sea for a while.
And I realized how my life had changed completely in a few months. But I regretted almost not a second.