I wrote this ending weeks ago, sent it to my pre-readers and betas and then mentally shelved it. My beta sent it back to me today (with the nicest words ever, btw) and I went through to edit for posting. I have to say, I am sitting here in tears. Not only because it's over, but I realized how much I love these characters. I am going to miss this fic so much! I may have to come back at some point in time and add just a little glimpse into their future. Not a sequel, but maybe an outtake when the idea hits me. I hope you guys enjoy this ending as much as I enjoyed writing it.

And yeah, I didn't send out teasers because I decided to just post it instead of making you wait until Friday – I figured you guys would prefer that. Thanks for all of the reviews, though! I really do appreciate each one of them!

Thank you so much for all of the support throughout this whole ordeal. I know it was a rough ride. It was bumpy and scary. Thank you for hanging in there. For those of you who didn't like the insertion of the little one, I'm sorry, but it's just how I wanted to do it. I was warned by my betas that I should never try to conform to the masses, so I stuck with my idea regardless of what everyone else wanted. For those of you who love the baby idea – THANK YOU! I totally appreciate your support! I even managed to change a few opinions of people who were against the baby! YAY! Lol!

As for now, I am going to continue working on my AU fic. I'm not sure of any AH fics in my future, but I may wake up with a plot bunny staring me in the face, you never know!

Thank you to everyone! Every single one of you! Thank you for pimping me, rec'ing me, making me banners, videos, everything! I am truly honored by all of the support I have been given! I love you all!

Thank you one last time to my WC (Big soppy tears): Alitriona/Eila, Allysue08, Rags88, Revrag, Shereebedee, Spellboundagain, and the one who had to hold my hand more times than I can count: WhatObsession17 – I LOVE YOU GUYS! SO FREAKING MUCH THAT IT HURTS!

SM, thank you for loaning me your characters. I am giving them back, now. They are only slightly tortured and used up.

The Good, the Beautiful, and Everything In Between

March 9, 2010- 9 weeks

"Edward, I don't know… I think it's too soon. They just buried their son! They're already gonna hate me, shouldn't we wait at least a little bit before we shatter their world?" Yes, I was whining, and no, I didn't care. I hadn't even wanted to ever tell his parents, but it's not like this was something we could hide. Well, I mean, we could hide it, but morally we could never do such a thing.

I was pacing, so Edward grabbed me by the wrist and pulled me to him. "Ok, first of all, you need to quit getting stressed out; it's not good for the baby. Second of all, no one is gonna hate you, I swear to you! My family could never hate you. They adore you already. Trust me, there is nothing you could do to make them hate you. And last, but not least, we need to do this for a few different reasons. The faster we tell everyone, the faster you will be less stressed out, and also, Ma and Pop would rather know now than later, I promise you."

I grumbled, "Okay, fine. But…" I looked at him sternly. "We aren't telling them the full truth." Edward started to protest, but I stopped him. "I don't want your parents to know how Mace finagled and manipulated us. I don't want to taint his memory worse than it already is for them."

"How do you plan to go about that, then? How are you gonna explain the baby? I don't want to lie to them, Bella. I know we could pull it off, but I don't think that's the right way to go," he said, frowning.

"No, no, no. I would never lie to them, Edward. I'm just going to apologize and tell them that I made a mistake and I was with Mace when you and I broke up. I will tell them we used protection, because we honestly did, but –"

"Absolutely not! You are not making yourself look bad to save Mace's name. I won't have it. We will just tell them like it is." He rubbed my arms soothingly as he spoke.

"Edward, think about it this way; your parents would eventually get over what I've done, especially if you've forgiven me and accepted me, but with Mace… well, they could never get over what he did. He can never redeem himself. He can never defend himself. This is the best way, trust me."

Placing our foreheads together, he sighed. "I don't like it, Bella. You are my girlfriend. I don't want them to have any ill will toward you. Especially, when it's not your fault." He pouted.

"Edward, it will be okay. We'll get through this, remember?" I said, throwing his words back in his face.

"You don't play fair," he mumbled just before he touched my lips with his.

March 10, 2010

Edward and I had called his parents, telling them we needed to speak with them. I was fairly certain that they would know by just those words what we wanted, but Edward assured me they would be a bit too distracted to think in that direction. We pulled up in front of the Cullen's timeshare condo, beside Alice's bright Volkswagen.

I took a deep breath, still entirely unsure about what we had decided to do. Edward squeezed my knee. "We'll get through this, remember?" He flashed his signature smile.

Once inside, Esme offered us something to drink and snack on. I declined graciously. I didn't need to add anything to my already tumultuous stomach. Everyone was situated and patiently awaiting our reason for the meeting.

Deciding that Edward might back out at the last minute, I decided to begin. "I know this may be an awful time to bring this up, but Edward and I both agree that it's better for it to come out now rather than later." I quickly glanced from face to face, making brief eye contact, just because my teachers had instilled it in my brain for so long, I was unable to give a 'speech' without doing so. "I made a huge mistake. While Edward and I were separated, I… uh… well, I was with Mace. And, um… I mean with Mace. It was stupid, I know, and I'm so, so sorry. I –"

Alice shot up out of her seat. "Bull shit!"

Before she could continue, Esme stood abruptly as well, grabbing her by the shoulder and raising her voice. "Mary Alice! How dare you! Everyone makes mistakes, who are you to point fingers at this poor girl?"

Alice was already shaking her head. "No, Ma, you don't understand! Mace tricked her. I know the whole story!"

My eyes were as big as saucers and I was trying to convey the message to her to let this go, but she wasn't looking at me, so I spoke up. "Alice, please. Don't do this. Please?" I begged.

Alice turned toward me and started talking. "Bella, this isn't right. I'm not letting you take the blame. I know what you are doing. You are a wonderful person, and you are so considerate, but I can't let you do this. I know you think you are saving Ma and Pop from heartache, but trust me, they would rather you tell them the truth than to take the blame for their son. He was sick, Bella. We all understand. It was a horrible, unfortunate thing, but it's a sickness, Bella. I just can't sit here and let you take the –"

Tears streamed down my face as I spoke loudly over her. "I'm pregnant, Alice!" I sobbed. "I'm pregnant."

As I heard everyone in the room gasp, Edward squeezed my hip with the arm he had wrapped around me. He nuzzled my neck and mumbled that he loved me and everything would be alright.

Esme sank back down in her seat, tears welling up in her eyes as she covered her mouth with her hand. Carlisle wrapped his arm around her shoulder, comforting her and speaking sweetly in her ear.

Alice still stood in the exact same position, with her mouth gaping. Jasper reached for her, taking her by the hand and pulling her into his lap.

Everyone sat in silence for several minutes. Edward finally spoke up. "I know this is a lot to take in, but to be honest, I think the only people who are truly affected by this are Bella and me. Because, ultimately, it doesn't matter if that baby came from me or my brother, it will be related to each of you in the same manner. I have fully accepted the baby, and I expect each of you to do the same. That baby is part of Mace… part of our family. And, the other part Bella. Since Bella is my girlfriend – and hopefully more than that someday – I think of her as part of our family as well. That being said, that means this baby is one hundred percent part of our family. I expect each and every one of you to welcome this baby as if it had been conceived under the best circumstances, regardless of the truth."

Esme shook her head. "No, of course, Edward. We could never turn away a child, let alone one that…" A quiet sob escaped from her lips before she continued. "One that belongs to one of our children." She turned her head toward me. "Bella, if my son… if my sons love you, then I can't help but love you as well. I know I have only just met you, but I'd love to spend more time with you, especially since you seem to be such an important part of Edward's life. And now that you're carrying my grandchild. You will always be welcome in our family."

Carlisle nodded as he agreed. "Of course. That child is a Cullen, no matter the circumstances behind its conception, it is a Cullen, and it will be accepted like a Cullen. No ifs, ands, or buts about it."

Finally breaking from her trance, Alice jumped into action. She fluttered across the room, knelt down in front of me, and wrapped her arms around my waist, laying her cheek against my stomach. "Oh, Bella. I'm sorry, I didn't know. I still wouldn't have let you take the blame, but I'm sorry I cut you off and made you tell in an awkward manner." Alice then did the most peculiar thing. She turned her lips toward my belly and began speaking softly and sweetly. "Don't you worry, little one. You will be taken care of like no other child in the world. Auntie Alice will spoil you rotten, and Mamaw will, too." Tears began soaking my shirt, but Alice continued to speak. "It may not have been the best of situations, but every bursted bubble has a glory! Each abysmal failure makes a point! Every glowing path that goes astray, shows you how to find a better way. So every time you stumble never grumble.
Next time you'll bumble even less! For up from the ashes, grow the roses of success!"

Through the tears in my eyes I started giggling. "Alice, you just quoted Chitty, Chitty, Bang, Bang to my belly."

"Actually," she corrected, "I just quoted Chitty, Chitty, Bang, Bang to my niece or nephew that happens to reside in your belly. It's NEVER too early to learn the great Disney quotes! Ain't that right, baby?" Alice said just before she kissed my belly.

Everyone in the room snickered. Yes, Alice had a point. It's never too early to learn Disney.

March 15, 2010- 10 weeks

"Now, I hope you know this isn't going to go over as well as it did with your family, right? I really, really think it's a bad idea for you to come with me," I said as Edward grabbed my suitcases from just inside the door of my dorm room.

"I told you, Bella, everything is as a couple now. We do everything as a couple. Like it or not, you're stuck with me. And if you are stuck with me… well, I have to face your dad eventually, right? It's not like I can avoid him forever." Edward chuckled.

"Trust me, this is one meeting you should want to put off indefinitely. Hey! I know! I can tell my dad I did a science experiment and was accidentally inseminated artificially! We don't even know who the father is! And then I can tell him that you stepped up and decided to help me care for the baby." No, I would never even think about lying to my dad, but that idea sounded better and better every time I thought about it.

"I don't think so, Umbella. First of all, I don't think anyone is stupid enough to fall for that line, and second of all, I'm not just here to 'care for the baby' and you know it. I'm here because I love you and I will always love you. And this is our baby now, so I get to say how its story is told," he said smugly, sticking out his tongue for visual effect.

Pulling up in front of my father's house and stepping out of the car, I expected at any moment to hear someone shout, "Dead man walking!"

Edward looked at me and chuckled. "You know… if anyone here should be worried, it should be me, I would think. I'm fairly certain your father won't use one of his guns on you, you know."

I rolled my eyes at him and crossed my arms over my chest. "Did you ever think that I am scared FOR you smarty pants?"

We had agreed to keep our luggage in the rental until after our big reveal, just in case my dad tried to run Edward off with a shotgun. We both knew it wasn't feasible for him to take it out on Edward, but… well, he was a father, and fathers don't always think rationally when it comes to their daughters. Yeah, this probably won't end well.

In order to really butter him up, I started Dad's favorite meal within minutes of walking in the door. He begged me not to, claiming that I was his guest and he could order in. I then told him it was ridiculous, because I was his daughter, not a guest, and I knew the only 'ordering in' would be from the pizza place. Call me crazy, but I wanted a home cooked meal after all of the time living the dorm life. Once Edward and I both said we were starving and would prefer something homemade, he obliged and I got to work. Lucky for me, Sue kept his cupboards and refrigerator fully stocked, even if he wasn't much of a cooker himself.

As we sat down to eat the spaghetti bake and garlic bread, my Dad smiled, thanking me for a wonderful meal. However, just as I placed a bite of food in my mouth, he piped up. "So, Bells, what are you buttering me up for?"

I inhaled part of my bite of food and instantly started choking. Edward patted my back and my dad handed me a glass of water. Five minutes later, once I had regained my composure, my dad suggested we wait for any 'heavy conversations which require brown nosing' until after supper.

The remainder of the meal was quite nice. Dad seemed to warm up to Edward rather quickly, in part because he was so amenable to everything my dad threw his way. Dad talked sports, Edward quoted stats of players from his favorite teams. Dad talked fishing, Edward shared his favorite fishing spots. And this was how the entire meal went. Dad even tried to trick him a few times, catch him in a lie or something, I don't know… that's my dad for you.

After dinner, Edward offered to help me clean up, but I insisted he'd relax with my dad in front of the television. He started to help me anyway, but I literally shooed him out of the room. Looking like a reprimanded child, he hung his head and walked into the living room. I was sure he would have rather stayed with me in the kitchen, but dad REALLY needed to like Edward before we broke the news to him.

As I put the last dish in the cabinet, I took a deep breath and went to face the firing squad. Upon entering the living room, I found Edward sitting at the end of the couch nearest Dad's recliner. They were leaning in toward each other, both of them with grins on their faces. As I looked down to where their gaze was focused, I saw our photo album.

Oh God, no!

"DAD!" I screamed, causing both of them to jump in surprise.

Smirking, he calmly said, "What? I'm just showing him some photos."

"If that's the photo album, I will never forgive you Charles Phillip Swan!" I eyed him warningly.

Edward raised an eyebrow. "That's not very nice, Bella. If your dad has sentimental photos he should be allowed to share them, shouldn't he?" I could hear the smirk in his voice before it became apparent on his face.

"Daaaaad! It is! It so is the photo album, isn't it? How could you?" Okay, so I was only partially as upset as I let on. It was mortifying, yes, but considering that Edward had seen the adult version of me naked, I wasn't as worried about him seeing me standing on my mom's piano bench stark naked, spread eagle, with a smile on my face. But still… DAD didn't know Edward had seen me naked, so I had to act rightly humiliated until I spilled the beans.

"Oh, don't worry, Bells. You were only five. Besides… it was cute."

I rolled my eyes as I sat down beside Edward. "Whatever, Dad. That was wrong." I pouted, just for added effect.

"Well, let's just say it's payback for whatever you came here to tell me tonight."

Wait… what?

"Payback? What makes you think I'm gonna need paid back? It's Spring Break, Dad. I told you I'd be coming for Spring Break."

"Yeah, I know, kiddo, but the fact that you brought your boyfriend that I have heard very little about, and the fact that you made my favorite meal as soon as you walked in the door, and the fact that your left eye has been twitching – something that you only do when you are nervous – tells me that you did, in fact, come here for a reason other than to spend time with your dear ole dad."

I honestly planned to stall as much as possible, but Edward had other plans, apparently.

"Actually, sir, you're right. We do have something to tell you." I gasped and pinched Edward's side. He didn't even falter. "I can tell you are a man who just likes to cut to the chase, so I think it's best that we do that."

My dad pursed his lips and I knew he was getting angry. He always tried not to show anger in front of strangers, saying extreme calm is more intimidating than aggression or violence any day. He took a very deep breath and calmly, so eerily calmly, he said, "You knocked her up, didn't you?"

"Uhhh, well…"

I put my arm across Edward's chest as if to protect him from the rage that was sure to come and looked straight at my dad. "No, Dad, Edward did not 'knock me up' as you so eloquently put it."

I didn't even get to continue before he quirked an eyebrow and said, "So you aren't pregnant?"

"Well, um…"

Yet again, he cut me off, but this time he stood as he did so. His voice was raised and more aggressive as he said – looking right at Edward, instead of me – "So, you just don't like my choice of words, then, is that what you're saying? You're not denying that he impregnated you, though, right?"

Dad towered over Edward and looked as if he could burn right through Edward's head with his eyes.

Immediately, I stood between my dad and Edward. Edward stood as well, grabbing my shoulders, trying to pull me back. "Dad, if you will calm down, I will tell you that it's not what you think. At. All. Please. Just listen for a minute. Edward is here to support me, and I'd appreciate it if you wouldn't intimidate him and make him regret coming."

"I would never regret coming, Bella," he whispered.

"Shush, Edward. Dad. Sit. Would you like a beer? I'll get you a beer if you calm down."

Dad grunted as he sat down, never taking his heated gaze from Edward. I turned toward Edward and motioned for him to sit down as I headed to the kitchen.

I came back to a silent room with Dad staring down the top of Edward's head, because Edward was staring at his hands twisting in his lap. I glared at my dad as I handed him his beer. I mouthed, 'be nice' and sat next to Edward, putting my hand on top of his to calm him. I felt awful for his uneasiness; it wasn't fair that he should feel threatened for something he had no control over.

"Now, Dad, there's not really an easy way to say this, but I need you to understand that Edward is in no way at fault here. If anyone is, it's me." Edward started to disagree, but I held up my finger. "No, Edward, this is my bed, I need to lie in it. Dad, Edward has… had… a twin brother. Certain things happened and I was… for lack of a better word, tricked into sleeping with him. Before you flip out, I swear we used protection, Dad, I swear! You know I wouldn't lie to you. But, apparently I am one of the minute few with which the protection failed. Yes, I am pregnant, but please don't be angry at Edward. This has devastated him. It was his brother."

During my speech, I watched my dad's expressions morph from shock, to anger, to worry. "So, wait… I don't get it. Why is Edward here if it's his brother's baby? Where is he?"

This was the part I dreaded the most, but Edward squeezed my hand and took over from there. "Sir, my brother was… killed. He, um… well, he had some problems and he went a little overboard and, uh… well, he's gone now."

Dad's face had turned back concern. "So you're telling me that this baby will have no father? You have no one to help you raise it?"

"No, Dad," I started.

"Actually, sir, that's why I'm here." Edward cut in.

"So you mean to tell me that you're gonna help raise your brother's baby? Why? What's in it for you?" His brows were furrowed as he asked this question of Edward.

"Well, sir, I love Bella. I have since I met her. I would do anything for her. I will be there for her as long as she lets me."

"Hold on a minute. You have loved your brother's girl since you met her?" Dad asked, accusingly.

My eyes nearly popped out of my head. "No, Dad! Did you not hear me when I said I was basically tricked? Edward and I have been dating since September. His brother…" I took a deep breath to steel myself. "His brother, Mace, looked identical to him, and, he… well, he had an illness of some sort and he was… well, rather infatuated with me, I guess, and he… well, he knew Edward and I had plans to be together and he manipulated us and our circumstances so that he stepped in and took Edward's place. Edward is my boyfriend, Dad, not Mace. Edward is the one I love. It was an awful situation, it still is an awful situation, but do you remember what you told me after Mom died? You said, 'The greater the difficulty, the more glory in surmounting it. Skillful pilots gain their reputation from storms and tempests.'* I can get through this, but I would really appreciate your support, because your approval means so much to me, Dad. I hate that I'm putting you in this predicament, but this was a situation beyond my control."

He pursed his lips and then sighed loudly. "And you're willing to be there for her, and raise this kid that doesn't belong to you… no matter what? No matter how hard it is when you see that baby and know that it's not yours? And you can honestly say that you will never blame her, never take it out on her, and never disrespect her, in regards to this situation?"

Taking a deep breath, Edward nodded and said, "Yes, sir, I can promise you that I will never blame her. I made the mistake of blaming her in the beginning. I thought she should have known the difference between us, but I realized my fallacies, and have come back and promised her I will never leave her again, unless she wants me to leave. I am here for the long haul. Come hell or high water, I will be by her side. We all made mistakes in this situation, and the greatest mistake was not realizing that my brother needed help. It was a terrible thing, but I think we can rise above it. I honestly believe that Bella is my forever. And if it ever did come down to me having a hard time with the situation, I have researched support groups for those raising children conceived from traumatic circumstances. I'd be willing to go to counseling if necessary. I'm willing to do anything that Bella requires of me. I swear this to you, sir."

"Well, I respect that, Edward. Thank you. Thank you for being there for her. Thank you for accepting this difficult situation." Dad gave him a tight smile.

And that was that. No guns being pulled out. No screaming. No storming off. Complete and total calm. I was in shock.

April 14, 2010- 15 weeks

"I told you, I am fine with what you decide. If you want to know, we can know, if you don't we won't. It's all up to you, baby." Edward was flipping through Dr. Spock's Pregnancy Guide, for no reason other than to give his fingers something to do. He had already read it once, and we both knew he only had to read something once for it to be burned into his projection screen brain.

"You are no help, you know that? How can I decide if I want to if you are just up for anything? You're worthless!" I said, throwing a pair of socks at his face, which he deflected with no problem.

"It doesn't matter to me either way. I will love it no matter what sex it is, so I don't care. However, if you want to be prepared with colorful decorations and clothing," he said, rolling his eyes. "Then knowing the sex would be best. And you know Ma and Alice will be tickled pink if you can tell them the sex, but again, this is your decision."

"Our decision. But apparently, you are leaving all of the difficult decisions up to me, huh?" I stuck my tongue out as I pulled my hair up into a ponytail.

"Okay, fine. Let's find out. Who needs surprises? Life is full of enough of them." He grinned, pulling on his shoes.

I giggled. "Yay! I was hoping you wanted to, 'cause I so wanted to!"

Shaking his head, he said, "Then why didn't you just decide and say yes? You're so silly sometimes, Umbella." He chuckled and grabbed my hand as we walked out the door.

Upon finding out about my being pregnant, Edward bought a car, insisting that I shouldn't ever have to ride public transportation in 'my delicate condition'. I snorted, but when he gave me the death glare, I cowered and agreed. He had definitely taken then reins on taking care of me.

In the car ride, Edward was acting nervous. I chalked it up to the ultrasound we were heading to, but at the same time, he hadn't been the least bit nervous when we went to my first OB/GYN appointment.

"Bella… I, um… there's something I wanted to talk to you about." My heart sank. Conversations that begin with those words are never good. "It's um… well, I hope…" He sighed and ran his hand through his hair. "Ok, I'm just gonna throw it out there. I'd like us to move in together. I would pay all of the expenses. You would just be required to grace me with your presence every day." He laughed nervously.

That was so not what I was expecting. I kinda just sat there with my mouth opening and closing like a freaking carp.

"I'm sorry. I should have waited. It's just that… I feel very protective of you… and the baby. And I would feel so much better if you were near me all the time. I'm sorry, forget that I –"

"I'd love to, Edward," I said, without even realizing I had decided. "But, I'm not letting you pay all of the bills, that's not fair. Besides… you don't even have a job, how can you?"

Smirking, Edward answered, "Bella, one thing you will find out over time… I'm kinda… um… well off. You don't need to worry."

I looked at him speculatively. "How well off, Edward?" I asked, narrowing my eyes.

He bit his lip and cringed. "Like… um… well, you won't really have to work, even though I know you will still want to, which is fine, just not necessary." He chuckled nervously. "My grandpa died and left each of us a significant amount of money. Ma gave us each the option of what company we wanted to buy stock in, saying that she wasn't going to let us just squander all of our money. I was obsessed with computers and the internet, so I told her I wanted to buy stock in Google. And, well, you can see how Google has come over the last nine years. So, uh… yeah… I can pretty much get money when I need it. But, I haven't touched it as of yet. I promised Ma that I wouldn't until I graduated, but I have already talked to her about this and she agrees that I have a good enough reason to tap into it."

"And you hid this from me because you wanted to make sure I loved you for you and not your money, huh?" I asked chuckling. "Hey! That means that every time I search Google – which is almost every freaking day – I'm helping give you money! That's hilarious!" I laughed heartily.

Reaching across the console, he grabbed my hand and said, "See, this is why I love you, Umbella. Some girls might have freaked out about that. You really were meant for me." He squeezed my hand for emphasis.

"Would you like to know the sex?" the technician questioned after having showed us in depth every magnificent thing from the hands to the feet, to the head, to the heart. It was an incredible experience, watching the being inside me come to life on the screen.

At the very same moment, Edward and I both said, "Yes."

The lady smiled and answered, "It's a boy."

July 28, 2010- 30 weeks

"Edward, it's a baby shower, only women are supposed to be there!" I pushed him, chuckling.

"I'll be out of sight and out of mind, I swear. I just want to be in the vicinity in case you need me is all." He pulled out the big guns; his signature pout. The one I can't say no to.

"Fine, but you stay off in your 'library'," I said, complete with air quotes.

Edward had bought us a house less than a mile from campus. I begged him to only rent, but he said the real estate market is always a good investment, and once school was out we would sell and move to a better location.

The house we had picked out – more like, he suckered me into agreeing to – was way too elaborate for just the three of us, but he was adamant, saying that we needed a bigger house so that we weren't crammed together twenty-four, seven. He had also said it would be necessary for our many get-togethers that we would have as 'new parents'. He was so cute about the whole parenting thing. It was kind of adorable.

One of the rooms in our oversized house was what Edward referred to as his library. It was basically a game room. Yes, he had ample shelves of books, but in the center of the room was a giant screen TV and every game system and almost every game known to man. He and I both knew that he had no need for a library because once he read a book, it might as well be used for firewood. But not everyone knew his secret, so he had to keep up pretenses.

"Now, shoo! Get out, Alice will be here in about five minutes, and she will have a fit if you are still here!"

Three minutes later, Alice walked in. Yes, walked in. I learned quickly that hippies don't knock. Or maybe that's just Alice.

"Okay, Miss Bella. Today is your day, so you sit right there on your adequately proportioned derriere and you do absolutely nothing but be pampered, got it?"

Ever since I made the comment of how horribly fat I had gotten – to which she retorted angrily that pregnancy weight was not fat – she would always have something mean to say about my 'derriere' or my 'gluteus maximus'. But it was all in good fun, so I never let it bother me.

Guests started flowing in thirty minutes after Alice and Esme finished decorating. Surprisingly, it only took them forty-five minutes to completely transform my living room, dining room, front porch, and driveway. And we're talking super extravagant; the party looked like it was for the Queen of England, not for me.

People kept piling in, more people than I ever would have imagined. I had worried briefly about having enough drinks and appetizers for everyone, but Esme and Alice were pros; when stock would get low, more would miraculously appear. It reminded me of the Bible story where Jesus fed the five thousand. Except, well, I'm sure theirs wasn't a miracle or anything.

I ended up with enough items to take care of six babies for six months without ever having to go shopping. At least it seemed like it. It wasn't that I was ungrateful, but they really went overboard, and I felt bad.

"Okay, game time! Bella, you stay where you are, but everyone else needs to gather around her in a circle, while I go get Edward to control the CD player," Alice announced.

She came back ten minutes later with a Cabbage Patch doll and Edward trailing behind her.

"Alright, this is just like Hot Potato, but with a baby. I hope y'all don't think it's morbid, but it's just for fun. I'm sure you all know the rules. You pass the baby until the music stops. If the music stops and you have the baby, you're out. The last man standing gets the prize… or in your case, the last woman er… sitting." Alice giggled. "Oh, and don't forget. It's a BABY so no throwing or tossing! Be gentle."

The game started slowly, with everyone being super gentle with the baby. After five women were out, people started getting a bit more hectic with the baby. A couple of times it was dropped on its head and once it was thrown over the recipient's lap completely. Everyone was laughing to the point of tears by the time we were down to four players.

I had started to notice something suspicious. The music would stop just after or just before the baby came to me. It had been happening for quite some time. I was worried that Edward was trying to get me to win, so I made a comment once we were down to four people.

"Alice… I think your CD operator might be a bit partial. Maybe you should make him go around the corner so he can't see the room." I narrowed my eyes at Edward and he rolled his in return, shaking his head.

"Oh, pish, posh," Esme said. "Edward wouldn't cheat for you, Bella. He knows the prizes, and he could go out and buy you one of each right now." She giggled profusely.

No matter how long I held the baby or how quickly the other guests would release the baby, I still never ended up with it. Finally, it was down to me and Angela. She didn't even put up a fight.

"Man, you all are biased, aren't you? I shouldn't win at my own baby shower, that's not even right." I laughed.

"The prize is that cute little blue box beside the giant pink one," Alice chimed with a smile.

I slowly unwrapped the box, and inside was a smaller, velvet box. I looked at Alice curiously. Why would they be giving away jewelry as a gift for Hot Pota… um, Hot Baby?

Just before I opened the box, Edward was kneeling before me with a smile.

As I lifted the hinged lid, he spoke. "Umbella, would you do me the honors of being the Troi to my Riker**?"

I didn't even look at the ring; I wrapped my arms around his neck and ravished him with kisses. The room erupted with clapping and cheering.

Edward broke our kiss and chuckled as he said, "You didn't answer my question!"

Alice piped up. "Screw that! She didn't even look at the rock! LOOK AT THE ROCK, BELLA!" she screamed.

The ladies all laughed as Edward rolled his eyes and said, "I'm more important than the 'rock', obviously, Al."

I grabbed his face, and with the utmost sincerity I said, "Yes, Edward, yes! A million times yes!"

October 13, 2010- 5 days past due date

"Ma, Pop, Alice, Jasper… we'd like you to meet the newest member of the family, Benjamin Anthony Cullen," Edward announced.

A lot of thought had gone into the naming of the newest Cullen boy. I wasn't sure how Edward would feel about giving him a name that would be significant of Mace. I didn't necessarily want to call his name every day, but he was the source of conception, no matter how grim the circumstances were behind it.

Luckily, Edward had been thinking along the same lines as I. He had given me a very in-depth history of the names in his family. The most important were those belonging to his two grandfathers – Stregoni Benefici Cullen, and Edward Anthony Masen; Carlisle's and Esme's fathers, consecutively.

Edward had been named after his mother's father, obviously, and Mace had been named after the two – Masen Benefice.

Obviously, in this day and age, Benefice would not go over too well as a name, so we searched for similar names. Benjamin, which could be shortened to Ben, had been our final choice.

Carlisle nodded. "Benjamin – son of my right hand; the loved one."

Edward smiled, looking down at Ben, saying, "For you shall be greatly loved."

October 15, 2010

"You just relax, Bella. Jazz and I are here to help you. You need lots of rest, so let us do the work," Alice whined.

"Alice, you have to understand… I need to get used to sleeping when Ben's sleeping. You guys won't always be here for me, so I have to learn to do things on my own. I appreciate the help more than you will ever know, but I can't just sit on my butt and do nothing, because then I will get lazy." I laughed.

"Fine, but you aren't doing a lot of work. You can just help with the fun and easy stuff… like going through all of these adorable teeny baby clothes."

We both stood and headed toward the nursery, stopping abruptly when we could hear a guitar strumming inside the room. It was a quiet, gentle tune, but breathtakingly beautiful.

However, that was nothing in comparison once Jasper began singing slowly, softly, with a soulful, bluesy sound.

Little, beautiful, perfect/ Your life has made anew

Things that had been broken/ Your presence was the glue

United, undivided/ Family standing strong

Misunderstandings, Circumstances/ Righting what once was wrong

You are the light at the end of the tunnel/ The silver lining on the darkest cloud

Second chances, healings, / Parents standing proud

No longer looking back/ Filled only with remorse

Life drastically changed/ Taken a new course

Laughter replaces sorrow/ Smiles replace tears

Future full of hope/ Happiness for years

Little, beautiful, perfect/ Your life has made anew

Things that had been broken/ Your presence now the glue

Alice and I both had tears streaming down our cheeks as we walked into the room. She pounced him, hugging him and mumbling how perfect he was.

I smiled as I picked up my perfect man.

And he was. Perfect in every way.

December 7, 2011

I awoke to an empty bed, something I had become accustomed to over the last few months. Edward was always letting me sleep in, saying I needed the rest more than he did. No matter how much I argued that he was going to school full time and I was only going part time, he said being a mother was exhausting in itself.

As I started to get dressed, I could hear him over the baby monitor, and I stopped to eavesdrop. His morning conversations with Ben were always the sweetest words ever.

"Good morning, my little Benny Brown Eyes." I heard him shuffle around and then sit in the rocking chair and begin rocking. "I just wanted to tell you that in a few days you're no longer gonna be the baby in the house. But that doesn't mean we won't still love you. You have changed our life completely. I never knew I could love someone as much as I love you. You will always be my little man. I love you so much.

"I also need to tell you that it's gonna be your job to look out for your little sister. That's what big brothers do. She's gonna look up to you and want to be like you, so you need to set a good example. You need to be the perfect gentleman I know you can be. And I want you to come to me whenever you have problems. You can tell me anything. You never need to hide things from me or your mom. We will always be here for you. I love you so much, little man."

As I wiped away the tears, I heard Ben, in his sweet little voice, say, "Yub you Daddy."

I rubbed my bulging belly and whispered, "You are coming into a home full of love, my little Elizabeth Renee. You have an amazing father, and a wonderful big brother. You have wonderful grandparents and the sweetest aunt and uncle imaginable. You are a very lucky lady. We both are."

*Epictetus

For the non-Trekkies out there:

**Deanna Troi and William Riker, a couple who carried with it not only the chemistry, but also the sort of twisted, tangled history that makes for great romance. They had their share of obstacles, but their relationship always had a cosmically fateful feeling. They later married in Star Trek Nemesis.

You can see the ring on my profile if you so desire

I would love just one last time to hear what you think. It will make my day! Thanks again for reading!