Monday, October 24th, 2005:

My Baby,

It's only been eight days since last I wrote to you, and yet so much has happened. A lot of it… I'd sooner not talk about. I wish, actually, that most of it would fade into the obscurity of time and nobody would remember it. Except, well, you know, I can't forget.

Our trip to Chicago was horrible. Your mother and I told your Uncle Em and Auntie Rose a bit about it, and the subject is permanently closed. I never intend to go back to the house where I grew up again. It was good to be back at Dartmouth. I really like Hanover. Our little house is a good place. A happy place. You'll see.

Another bad thing happened and I'm not going to give you the details, but it made me feel sorry for the Kwoli Ute who imprint. It's not like our mate bonding. And that got me thinking about my bond with your mother, which got me wondering what your future might hold.

It was necessary for Bella and me to be apart from one another for a few days. It was actually painful. And some nomads –who turned out to be enemies of Caius, named Zafrina, Kachiri and Senna-caught me and scared the devil out of all of us. Fortunately, our cavalry rode in. Literally. Jasper, Em, your mother and Rose came with the Wolves and your mom quickly seized control of the whole situation and had the Amazons bowing to her. I've never seen anything so wonderful as a snarling, pregnant vampire-human hybrid knocking the stuffing out of a very bewildered Dona twice her size.

Um, that is not me giving you permission to fight. We should resolve our differences peacefully whenever possible. I just happened to be lying on a bed of hot coals at the time and your mother freaked.

Yeah, it was great. Don't tell Bella I said so. That's between you and me.

So… bonding. I don't know if it will happen to you someday, but I expect it will. I really hope you fall for someone who's kind-hearted, generous and good. And I hope you'll never have to be apart a single day. But don't leave me too soon, okay? This old man's been waiting forever for you. If a mate turns up too soon, "Somebody's gonna get hurt realbad." (Can you see my finger waggling? Hey, I promise not to pull a Charlie and clean my gun when he comes over.)

Okay, I can get a bit nuts sometimes. You should be happy about that. It means we'll probably get along because I still do teenage stuff. Or maybe, you'll be an old soul and forever telling me to grow up. I'm sure your uncles and I will knock each other through a wall at some point or other. It's inevitable.

You females will all close ranks against us, then! I can just see you all with your hands on your hips, telling us silly males to quit it. Shaking your head when I give your grandfather a noogie and he calmly sets me on my backside. Trust me, it is the best feeling when I wreck his perfectly-smoothed hair. He hates that.

This will be the first time in decades that males will be outnumbered by females in the Cullen Clan. The last time that happened was before Em joined us. Rosalie… Well, she and I are friends now. We were even playing piano duets this week! But back then, had I not been a gentleman, I might have said there was too much estrogen in the house. I wouldn't say it now. I don't think I'll mind having your mother in charge.

Hah! Just joshing. Carlisle keeps saying Bella's going to take over. Don't tell him I said so, but if afforded the opportunity, she just might!

It's down to three weeks now until you're due. That's the equivalent of thirty-four weeks of gestation. Bella looks huge. (Oh, jeez, why am I using pen?! I can't erase!). She looks absolutely beautiful. Like a princess. Tell her I said that. In fact, here's a photo. Yeah, this is our bedroom in the cottage in Forks. I'm not sure how much time we'll be spending here after you're born. Hopefully, you will be old enough to remember it. We'll have to move on, soon. We've been here a long time.

I digress. I know your mother's having a harder time getting comfortable because her sleep is restless. She sleeps less often, but when she does, it's normally for at least twelve hours. Still, it's not as deep as it once was. You don't flip around as much anymore, but you still kick like Pele.

As for you, a normal human fetus weighs about five pounds and is 45 cm long. When you have your eyes open, I can See that your arms and legs are starting to round a bit. By the time you're born, you'll be a bit plumper. Your fingernails and toenails are looking a bit long. Don't worry. I see many Spa Days in your future.

Do you know what's really cool? If I speak to you, you turn your head towards me. I can say for a fact that my daughter listens to what I say. At least for now.

It's so cool!

I love you, Tigger. See you soon.

Hugs and kisses,

Daddy

XOOX