The Prelude

It was like this:

Edward Cullen had not been to Forks, Washington in almost ten years. Well exactly a year away from being ten. So nine years. He had not been in Forks in nine years. Not since he broke up with the woman he loved. Or she would have been a woman. If she hadn't been dead for those nine years. Shortly after he and his family left, the love of his life Isabella Swan, committed suicide by jumping off a cliff.

He hadn't fully recovered for that loss.

None in his family had either. Alice hadn't really been as peppy, and Jasper had locked himself in his private study most of the time. Emmett and Rosalie hadn't been in the house for almost four years now. They visited but neither of them wanted to be around Edward. Emmett had almost dismembered him when he learned that Bella had killed herself. Rosalie had been just angry.

She might have liked Bella for being so naive but that didn't mean she wanted her dead. Esme and Carlisle hadn't really been as peppy either. Edward himself had not been able to play or even listen to music.

So when Alice decided that they were going to go back to Forks one day, simply to see Charlie and see how he was doing, Edward had not been pleased. He might not have been able to cry but if he could, he would.

He only hoped he could stand to be there after so long.

:::

Bella fell back onto the bed, her hair fanning out against the pillow. Her breathing was rather ragged but she couldn't help the smile on her face. She felt giggles bubble up in her chest and before she knew it, she was laughing. The sheet rustled beneath her and she kept giggled as her body was covered by her lover's.

"Seriously Bells, I give you a mind-shattering orgasm and all you can do is giggle?" Jace Herondale snorted as he stared down into chocolate eyes, his own tawny colored ones filled with mischief. Bella rolled her eyes and kissed his lips. "Mmm, I'm not sure if you're doing this to apologize or thank me."

"I'm actually asking for another round," Bella said.

Jace looked appalled. "Am I dreaming? Is my girlfriend really asking me for another round? Who are you and what have you done with my mundie Bella?"

"So because I actually want fifth,"

"Sixth."

"Sixth round of sex, you want to assume I'm not human anymore?"

"Bella we are in Forks, Washington." Jace said in a matter of fact tone.

"And your point is?"

Jace laughed and kissed her nose. "How did I get you again?"

"You knocked me up five years ago at a party. Congrats, you're stuck with me."

Jace sighed as he moved into a sitting position. "You know, even if you hadn't been pregnant, I would have stayed with you."

Bella looked at him. "Really?"

"Really," he said and turned towards her, pecking her lips. "Now get your ass out of bed, Swan. You've got a day of daughter-father things to do while I play world's best dad."

"Play?"

"Yes."

"No woods," Bella warned. "I don't trust them. Jake said they never found Victoria."

"Yea well, hopefully we don't. Besides, it will me, Alec and Jonathon."

"Alec I trust."

Jace kissed her again. "I know."

:::

Alice and Edward were walking up the driveway to Charlie's house. The door opened then and a five year old boy came tumbling down the stairs. Behind him was an aging Charlie Swan. Another pair stepped out, two men. One had black hair and blue eyes, dressed in black. The other man, a silver blonde with green eyes with flecks of black stood beside him, also dressed in black. Both wore different sets of tattoos though they moved in sync.

"Come on you two!" cried the blonde impatiently. "The woods are waiting!"

"Calm down, Jonathon." Alec said.

"Why?" grumbled Jonathon.

The little boy with Charlie sighed. "Papa come on!"

"I'm coming runt!" cried a voice from inside.

"Jace, if your son is telling you to come on, I think I know where his impatience came from." Said the black haired man.

"Alec," said another blonde male as he walked out the door. "I'd say blow me, but I think we've passed this stage in our lives. I mean, I have a son and a girlfriend to prove it. You, you've got a demon."

Jonathon snorted. "I'm right here, little brother."

"Adopted and really why do you-ow!" Jace cried and looked at the short brunette that had smacked him. Alice and Edward stilled at the sight.

"Bella?"

Six pairs of eyes landed on them and for the first time in a long time, Edward Cullen felt fear spread through him.