Iris began to fuss, and before I could get out of my chair, Esme flew out of hers, scooping up my daughter, rocking and soothing her.

I frowned into my plate. I wanted to be the one to pick her up.

Beside me, Bella chuckled. "Edward, you have her most of the time."

"I want her all the time."

"You're spoiling her. We've been home for three days, and I don't think you've put her down, except to eat and sleep."

Esme sat down, cooing at Iris and smiling. "She deserves spoiling."

Leaning over, I ran a finger over my daughter's soft little cheek. "You're right, Mom. She does."

Utter silence greeted me. I glanced up to see three sets of eyes staring at me. Esme's eyes were wide and glassy.

"You called me Mom."

I sucked in a deep breath. "I guess…it's how I think of you. If that's okay."

She didn't say anything.

I kept rambling. "I mean, you're Dad's wife. Iris's Grandmother. Bella calls you Mom. You treat me like your son. But if you don't want me to…"

Esme shook her head fast. "No," she insisted. "I would be honored."

I felt my cheeks flush. "Okay, then."

She stood up, handing Iris to me. "Excuse me."

My gaze followed her, and I looked at Carlisle. "Is she okay? Did I upset her?"

He rose out of his chair and sat beside me, placing his hand on my shoulder. "She's going to go into the bathroom, and have a little weep into the hand towel, I expect." He squeezed my arm. "You made her a very happy woman, Edward. Thank you."

"I meant what I said."

"I know. And if I may say this, I think Elizabeth would be thrilled to know you had someone like Esme in your life."

"I know she would be."

He stood up. "I'll go check on her. She always needs a hug when she gets emotional."

"I didn't mean…"

He held up his hand. "Believe me, son, this kind of emotional is good."

I looked over at Bella, who was watching me with a gentle expression on her face.

"What?"

"You are the sweetest man I know."

I ducked my head, nuzzling Iris's forehead. I hadn't meant to send Esme out of the room.

But I least I got my daughter back.

~o0o~

I pulled up in front of the house, grinning. Through my open window I could already hear the laughter coming from the backyard, and I knew the pool I had installed was being put to good use. Carlisle's car was there, and I heard Emmett's booming laugh. No doubt the barbeque was heating and some massive feast being prepared.

I loved Fridays—and especially today. Today had been a very good day and I had much to celebrate.

I hurried into the house, dropping my briefcase in my office and taking note of the all dishes I could see in the kitchen. Feast indeed.

I paused at the back door, taking in my family.

Emmett and Rose were a mainstay. Closer than friends, they were Auntie and Uncle to our children. Always there, always ready to help and ever eager to babysit. A task they often shared with Carlisle and Esme. I stepped onto the back deck, walking toward the laughing group. Iris spotted me, throwing her arms wide as she sped toward my direction.

"Daddy! Daddy!"

Laughing, I bent, scooping her up and swinging her around. Her delighted giggles filled the air as I lifted her high and blew raspberries on her tummy.

"There's my little flower." I beamed at her.

"We're having a bar-b-que!" she crowed.

"I see that."

"Unca Em said I can help!"

I grinned. She loved to help—she loved to do anything that involved activity and other people. At the age of five, she was a total handful. Outgoing, happy, and surrounded by love. Exactly the way she should be. She had Bella's dark hair and downy complexion, but her green eyes and wild curls were from me. She was tall and willowy, definitely getting her height from my side of the family. But her personality was her own. Not a shy bone in her body, she loved everything and everybody. She talked non-stop and loved to boss us all around.

"Grams and I made cake!"

I smiled over at Esme. Iris especially loved her. The two of them were incredibly close. Carlisle and Esme now lived here full-time. They went back to England to visit, but neither of them could bear to be away from us. And we would be lost without them. We had little to no contact with Bella's parents. I had met Charlie once—briefly. He was a quiet man who seemed to feel his loyalty and time belonged to his new family. He was nice enough, but it upset me that he had so easily left Bella behind. Her mother had never bothered to come visit, or responded to any of the invites, or letters Bella sent, and eventually she stopped trying. Esme and Carlisle were, for all intents and purposes, parents to us both.

Holding Iris close, I walked over to join the small group, hugging Carlisle, Esme, and Rose, and trying not to fall over from the slap on the back from Em.

Dad looked anxious. "How'd it go?"

"Better than I hoped."

He clapped me on the shoulder. "Great news. I want to hear all about it. We all do."

"Is Bella inside?"

Esme stood up, reaching for Iris. "She is. Go inside and share you news with her. Then we can hear all about it and celebrate." She paused. "We have something to celebrate, right?"

I bent down and kissed her cheek. "We do, indeed."

"I knew it!"

"Anyone else joining us?"

"The usual. Jasper and Alice will be here soon. Mike and Jess once she finishes work."

"Perfect."

"Go," she encouraged. "She's been on pins and needles."

She didn't have to tell me twice. I winked at them. "I'll be back. Get the champagne ready."

~o0o~

I hurried up the stairs and stopped in the doorway of the nursery, knowing that was where I would find the rest of my family. As we found out quickly after Iris was born, there were no complications from my surgery, and my "boys" worked just fine.

Bella was in the rocking chair, holding my son. Only a month old, Theodore Carlisle was perfectly content being held in his mother's arms. She cooed down at him, stroking her finger over his tiny, chubby cheek.

Beside her, curled on the floor, was her little shadow. Our middle child, Lily Esme, was rarely gone from her mother's side. If she was, she was with me. Not as outgoing as Iris was, my Lily-bell was quiet, timid, and endlessly sweet. Her hair was long and hung straight down her back in ripples of copper like mine—the rest of her was Bella. Tiny, with large dark eyes, and a whisper-quiet voice, she was doted on by everyone—including her older sister. She held back, letting Iris take the lead wherever we went. With only a year separating them, they were close, but Iris was, without a doubt, the protector, and the instigator. Lily preferred to follow in her sister's wake, a peaceful presence as opposed to Iris's take charge attitude.

Lily looked up, her adorable face breaking into a smile. "Daddy!" she whispered, closing the book she had clutched in her hands and clambering to her feet. She always had a book, and loved to read from an early age. She was far more advanced than Iris on that front. It amused me to see her sitting beside Iris, reading the simple words to her older sister, her little finger pointing them out on the page, teaching as she went. It never lasted very long. Iris always had worlds to conquer, and she would be up and going quickly, leaving Lily curled up, happy to be alone and to read in peace.

My favorite moments of my day were spent lying with them at night, reading to them until they fell asleep. It was the only time they were both still, and content to be so. Bella often came in to find me asleep between them, hating to leave them alone, even while they lay lost in their own dreams. She would rouse me, we would slip Iris into her own bed and both stare down at the miracles we had created.

I kneeled, feeling that sense of complete happiness bind around my heart as Lily wrapped her arms around me, snuggling close. Even her hugs were polar opposite to Iris's—she flung herself with wild abandon at people, whereas Lily eased into you, almost testing the waters. I pressed a kiss to her soft hair.

"How's my Lily-bell?" I murmured. "Were you keeping Mommy company while she fed Teddy?"

"Yes."

I kissed her again. "That's my good girl."

"Gramps bought me a new book." She offered up the small volume. "It has kittens."

I met Bella's glance with a wry grin. Lily wanted a kitten. Badly. Iris wanted a kitten. Badly. I had a feeling we weren't going to be able to hold out on either much longer. Especially with my father rooting for them both and dropping hints like this one.

"Is it a good book?"

She nodded and opened the cover. "Look, Daddy. You can touch the fur!"

Obligingly, I ran my finger over the soft fur.

"It has lots of feels," she told me, turning the pages so I could touch the scratching post and food bowl. With a small sigh, she leaned into my chest, staring up at me. "I like it."

I kissed her once more. She was far too adorable not to. "Are you going to swim with Uncle Em and Iris?"

She nodded.

"Why don't you go get your suit on—I'll come help you if you need."

"I can do it!"

"Okay."

"Are you coming?"

"Soon. I promise."

"Can I go in the pool?"

"As long as a grown up is there, yes. Uncle Em and Aunt Rose are waiting for you."

She stood up with a nod. "I'll put my book by my bed, so it won't get wet."

"That's a good idea."

She hesitated. "Mommy, are you coming?"

Bella nodded at her. "I'm going to get Teddy ready and then all of us will come, okay?"

A smile, like pure sunshine, broke out on Lily's face. Nothing made her happier than when we were all together.

"Okay!"

She hurried away, her new treasure clutched to her chest.

I crossed over to Bella, leaning down and cupping her cheek. I drew her face to mine, kissing her deeply.

"Hi, love."

"Hi."

I kneeled beside her. "Can I?"

With a gentle smile, she slid my son into my arms. I gazed down at him in awe. I still had no idea how I got so lucky to have my Bella and our family. When I thought back to my dark childhood, and the solitary life I led before I met Bella, I was astonished at how my world had changed.

"He is so perfect."

Bella laughed quietly. "Perfectly full. He ate well."

I nuzzled his head, inhaling the soft scent of baby.

"How are you feeling, love?"

"I'm fine, Edward."

"Your incision?"

She winked at me, tossing words I had uttered so long ago. "It tugs, but so worth it."

Bella had to have a C-section this time, due to some complications. Our son was big and stubborn, refusing to be born, and it got to the point, the matter became urgent. I was with her the whole time, terrified and trying to be strong, but Jasper was a calm influence, guiding and encouraging us both. I was beyond grateful when I was able to hold my son and knew my Bella was all right. It had been one of the deciding factors in my latest career decision. The need to spend more time with my family.

I stroked a curl back from her forehead. "Do you need to lie down for a while?"

"Really, I'm fine. Esme and Rose did all the cooking. Dad and Emmett kept the munchkins busy and I lazed around all day."

I rolled my eyes. I knew her idea of "lazing around" and that meant she had a nap—no doubt a short one.

She captured my hand, kissing the knuckles. "Honest. Ask Mom. I did have a quiet day. I wanted to be up with you all to celebrate…yes?" She added the question quietly.

Leaning forward, I brushed my mouth to hers. "Yes."

"They accepted?"

"Yes."

"Oh, Edward! I'm so proud of you!"

I stood up, carefully laying Teddy down in his crib. Turning, I helped Bella out of the rocking chair and wrapped her into my arms. I gazed down at her eyes—so filled with love and pride, my heart constricted. "I couldn't have done it without you. Any of it."

"You still don't give yourself enough credit. This is your design, Edward. It's all you."

I shook my head. "I designed it because for the first time in my life I had people who believed in me. And I had those people because of you." I held her a little tighter. "You are the center of everything, Bella. You were the day we met, and you still are."

She beamed up at me. I slipped a small box from my pocket and pressed it into her hand. "For you."

Her eyes grew wide with excitement. I still loved the fact she adored every gift I gave her—no matter how big or small, it was greeted with the same enthusiasm and wonder. She gasped as she opened the lid, seeing another stacking ring. I had given her a different one during each pregnancy to wear, but this one was special. All diamonds of different shapes it caught the light, shimmering in the velvet. I smiled at her. "Now you have the complete set—emeralds, rubies, sapphires and diamonds."

"I love it," she whispered.

"I love you."

She slipped it on her right hand with the other three delicate bands, twisting her hand this way and that, letting the colors reflect and bounce off the walls. With a sigh, she leaned into me. I cradled her head to my chest, enjoying the quiet moment with my wife.

The sounds of small feet coming from two directions met my ears, and we both started to chuckle. Lily would be ready to go down to the pool, and Iris would be her usual impatient self, wondering why we weren't already there. Any second they would both appear in the doorway, their demands the same, expressed entirely differently, but non-negotiable.

"I'll change and bring Teddy. You go with the girls."

Bella smiled. "Okay."

~o0o~

My dad lifted his glass. "To your new career path."

We all raised our glasses. Rose peered at me over the rim of hers. "Okay. Explain this again? You're leaving the hospital, but you're not."

I grinned. "They started talking about upgrading the patient file system a few years ago which I had been part of creating. They liked what we had but wanted it expanded. I started planning and working with a couple of the other programmers and we presented our idea. It allows the doctors easy access to the patients' files, not only at our hospital, but from other places that have the system, as well—other hospitals, doctors' offices, and the like. We have a smaller version of the software family doctors can afford and use."

"Okay. I get that."

"I did it on my own, with some help from the other programmers I hired. I own it. I'm leaving the hospital, but I will be hired by them to oversee and run the system. I'm going to be my own boss. I want the freedom to work from home, be here more. I've already hired the other programmers full-time and Dad found us some office space. We'll have a small place there, and I'll float."

Carlisle grinned. "I'm going to pitch in and help. User manuals, that sort of thing. I'm good with words."

I nodded. He had been amazing with smoothing out our words. The thought of working with him was exciting to me.

I didn't have to work anymore—but I wanted to. Thanks to Alec, I was a very wealthy man.

He had been eating dinner one night and choked on a piece of broccoli. He'd been found three days later, dead in a plate of take-out Chinese. His blood alcohol level was so high, it no doubt contributed to his demise. Even with all his threats, he had never changed his will, and I was the sole beneficiary. Carlisle had muttered something about the bastard thinking he was immortal, and I had to agree. Alec was so arrogant, he probably thought there was no way death could touch him, so the insignificant business of altering his will never registered high for him. I had flatly denied the money, until Bella suggested I should use it to fund my business and be successful. She had smirked when she pointed out he would have hated that more than anything else. After talking it over with Carlisle, I decided to do exactly that. Use the money in ways he would have despised.

I started a charity for abused woman and children which Esme helped to run. I paid off Carlisle's mortgage. We all went on a vacation together—including our friends—and Alec's money footed the bill for it all. And now, I opened my own company, doing what I liked to do—a successful job he had sneered at and insisted made me a failure.

I looked around the table at my family—both blood and those I chose to be part of my life—and I smiled. I was wealthy in far more ways than monetary. I had my father, my second mother Esme, good friends, and three healthy children.

And my Bella. My beautiful, extraordinary wife, who had shown me the meaning of love and happiness. I caught her eye, and leaned close, capturing her mouth, kissing her tenderly.

"I'm so glad I arrived late that day," I whispered against her lips. "I'm grateful you stayed after hours for me."

Her lips curled into that smile—the one she had only for me. Her eyes were unfocused for moment as she relived that night. Then she winked and kissed me back.

"I'm glad you came, too."

Then she giggled.

I tugged her close and laughed with her.

My Bella—still sweet, funny, and perfect.

Perfect for me.

And that, my friends, is a wrap. Edward is happy, content and no longer the sad, shy man he was. What a difference love can make to a person.

Thank you for reading. Thanks again to my wonderful team for all their help.

I have another story that will start posting in a few weeks. It is called Bus Stop, and the start was part of a compiliation last year-it is now expanded and complete. I hope you'll join me!

Until then...take care and be safe!