Chapter 20: You are NOT the Father!

Chapter 20

BPOV

10 months old…

“Ethan, I said no.” I huffed, grabbing my little crawler away from the stove. Although it wasn’t on, I didn’t want to take any chances. It was amazing to see how fast these little rascals could move once they had gotten the hang of crawling. One minute I had left him, lying on his stomach with his brothers watching the television while I made a quick run to the kitchen to get a wet rag.

I should have expected it really. Since they all learned to crawl, the babies all followed Edward and I wherever we went.

I found it incredibly endearing, but also frustrating considering I almost stepped on my poor babies with every step I made. It was only a matter of time before they started walking, since they could sit up and then I would really have to baby proof the house.

“Bluggh.” Ethan gurgled as I steered him back towards he living room. He just kept babbling as if nothing was wrong.

“Squoosh guh!!” “Auden babbled. Huh. I had forgotten she was on my hip. I pressed a kiss to her little fuzzy head and followed in Ethan’s steps back into the living room. I sat Auden down on the floor where she crawled over to her brothers who were playing with the mass of toys on the floor. I flopped down on the couch and closed my eyes.

I was exhausted. Both physically and mentally.

My back ached, my breasts were leaking, and the house was a mess. I was slowly but surely beginning to lose my mind. As much as I loved my children and I will forever will, I needed a few moments from them.

I felt myself relaxing against the back of the couch and thought that I could finally get a bit peace when I was broken from my trance to the sound of my babies fighting over a stuffed Elmo toy.` After breaking them all apart and two and a half hours of play time, I settled them down for a nap. Once I was finished, I fell down ungracefully onto the couch. I closed my eyes again.

I really just wanted a moment to myself. Edward was at work again, no surprise there and everyone was busy handling off their own lives.

I felt something furry scurry by my feet. I look down into the warm brown eyes of Jerry; my poor neglected little dog. With the babies around and their grabby little hands he often stayed behind the gate, meaning I hardly paid any attention to him. Edward usually took him out, walked him, you name it.

I leaned forward and scooped him onto my lap where he greeted me with his slobbery kisses. Guess he had no hard feelings after all.

“Hey Buddy.” I cooed, planting a kiss to his head. He was after all my first “baby”, he deserved that much. I began rubbing behind his ears where he grunted and barked in response. That’s when I got a whiff of him. “Geeze Jerry, you stink!” He barked back at me in offense

“Shh Jer, you have to be quiet.” I chastised. “Go.” I pointed to the stairs. He hopped around happily knowing I was going to give him a bath.  Jerry quickly scurried up the stairs towards the bathroom. At least someone was getting clean. I grudgingly pulled myself off the couch and headed towards the stairs picking up miscellaneous things along the way.  I clipped the baby monitor to my hip and sighed. My house was just so crowded. You couldn’t take a step without stepping on something. Toys were everywhere, the dishes were piled in the sink, and I smelled like dried breast milk and baby barf, not appealing at all.

Where was my help when I needed it? Oh at work. Jerry barked impatiently from upstairs.

“Shh!” I breathed harshly. As much as I love Jerry, he was going to spend the night outside if he woke up the six infants downstairs that I so ever patiently settled down for a nap. By the time I got to the top of the stairs I was winded. I definitely needed to get into shape.

I walked into the bathroom where Jerry was waiting in the bathroom.

“Someone’s eager to take a… Ahh!” I screeched as I caught my reflection in the bathroom mirror.

I looked absolutely horrific. My hair was a tangled mess in a bun, looking sweaty and grimy. I had dark circles under my eyes that made my already pale skin look even paler. I was dressed in one of my nursing tanks that flaunted my mush pouch of a stomach and a pair of Edward’s shorts, revealing my slightly hairy legs and chipped finger and toenails.

No wonder Edward seemed to work a lot. I wouldn’t want to come home to me either.

I braced myself against the sink. I had let myself go, but wouldn’t you if you barely had time to treat yourself without the demands of your friends and family?

I closed the toilet seat down and flopped down on it. Jerry looked at me with curious brown eyes.

“Jerry, mommy needs a much needed break. And a bath. And a nap. And a shave.” I grimaced fingering the soft hairs on my leg. I could only imagine what was going on down under. Jerry barked in agreement.

“I need some reinforcements, eh?” he barked again. I started advising my plan and got off the toilet to go get my phone. Jerry barked nosily and scurried about my feet.

“Fine, fine. I’ll give you your bath first.”

…………………

“So you called in the big guns huh booger?” Liam asked kissing my cheek.

“God yes. Li, I love my babies to death, but I need a break. I admit, I suffered a little separation anxiety at first and probably still do just a bit, but I need a couple of hours to myself. Take a bath, a nap, maybe even do a little grocery shopping by myself.”

“Oh I understand. You’re just lucky you caught me before I went home and did my facial cleansing.” he chirped.

“Oh the irony, that my brother can get a facial but I can’t.” I snarled. He laughed and picked up Danny off the floor.

“Trust me booger, skin like this doesn’t come easily.” Liam cheered, planting sloppy kisses to his cheek, to which he squealed in delight.

“My skin is soft, huh Danster?” My little man just babbled in response. “Uh huh, I’m your favorite uncle aren’t I?” I rolled my eyes.

“Li, you’re his only uncle.” I replied, hearing the slam of a car door outside.

“Who else did you get to help you?” he asked.

“Bella?” Esme’s voice called out. Liam looked at me.

“You actually invited her over? I’m surprised.”

“Well she is their grandmother after all. We may have our differences but I really need her help right now.” I answered. I walked into the living room where Esme was standing by the door. Esme and I had a little talk, a couple of weeks ago, about her butting in on my parenting skills.  She apologized for her antics but still affirmed that she knew better than I did when it came to my kids. We agreed to disagree and came to impasse of sorts.

I let her see and play her grandkids and she keeps her mouth shut about my parenting.

“You needed my help?” she asks.

“Yeah I do. I need a couple of hours to myself; run a couple of errands. You, Liam, and another friend of mine are going to watch the tuplets for a couple of hours or at least until Edward gets home.”

“Okay, I don’t mind, but who’s the other friend? Don’t want them bringing in germs or anything.” She prodded intrusively. I gave her a look.

“Esme, who invite to see my kids is my business. But if you must know, its Edward’s investor mother, Dora Volt.” I huffed. Esme muttered to herself and I heard another car door outside.

“That must be her right now.” I walked over to the door to let her in, where she was being dropped off by a taxi.

‘’Dora! So nice to see you again.” I gave her a hug and kiss to her cheek.

“Likewise, but dear you look like my bingo buddy Bertha on one of her good nights and that’s saying something.” She laughed. I put her purse and coat away and gestured her into the living room where Esme and Liam were playing with my six squirming nuggets on the floor.

“Esme, Li, this Mrs. Dora Volt. Dora, this is my mother in law Esme Cullen and my brother Liam Swan.” I introduced.

“Nice to meet you all. And who are these sweet little angels?” She cooed, slowly sitting down on the floor beside Liam.

“These are my babies; Ethan, Auden, Noah, Daniel, Gavin, and the one crawling over to you is Brayden.”

“Well aren’t you the cutest little thing.” She pressed a kiss to his cheek.

“Well I see that you guys are all settled. I’m going to go upstairs and shower before I go. Baby bibs, spit up and clothes are in that bin over there, baby food and puffs are in the kitchen. Formula is in the fridge and make sure Daniel gets his special blend with my breast milk, since he still can’t really stomach baby food yet. Toys are pretty much everywhere. If Auden or Gavin need a diaper change, make sure you put that cream on their behinds since they both have a little redness there. Jerry is in the back, and you can let him out if you want. He’s not a danger to the babies, although they alike to tug on his ears so watch out for him. His food is on the bottom shelf, just add some water.” I rambled out in one breath. They all blinked at me.

“Uh okay…” Liam said.

“Li…”I started. “ Chill booger, we have it under control. Go take a bath young lady and shave those legs, they’re hairier than mine.” He laughed.

“No they are not.” He raised his pant leg revealing his light haired leg.

“Jerk.” I muttered running up the stairs.

I quickly headed into the bathroom and filled the bath tub with the hottest water I could handle. I slipped in a few bath oils and stripped off my clothes before getting it in.

 As soon as I got in, I could feel all my bones sighing in relief, as the hot water eased over them. I closed my eyes and relaxed a bit. This was just so peaceful. I washed and cleaned my hair thoroughly, softly rubbing some conditioner in my hair. I thought about cutting it to save myself the trouble, but changed my mind, considering my babies loved my hair as it was. Rinsing my hair out, I scrubbed and cleaned myself, saving my hairy bits for last. I used one of my disposable razors to shave my legs until there wasn’t a hair in sight. I then grabbed another razor for my other “lady bit”.  I quickly trimmed myself up, before draining the tub.

I wrapped a fluffy white towel around my body and headed into what used to be Edward and mine’s old bedroom.  I threw on a pair of old boyfriend jeans and one of Edward’s old sweatshirts. I pulled my damp hair into a ponytail and tied on my trainers. I looked over at the full length mirror, glad to see that I looked better.

I was still tired, but at least I was clean. I grabbed my purse and car keys where I could hear chatter coming from the living room.

“Well don’t you clean up nice? Doesn’t she buddy?” Liam cheered, letting Danny crawl over to me. I picked up my smallest little guy, who snuggled against my chest. Oh boy. He wasn’t going to let me go now. I kissed his now reddish color hair.

“I’m about to head to the store, I’ll be back in a couple of hours.” I stated, trying to hand Danny back to Liam. Just as I thought, Danny began screaming bloody murder. No matter who I passed him off to, he began wailing unless he was in my arms.

I should have known when I picked him up, that he wasn’t going to let me go. I really needed to go to the store and he wasn’t letting me out of his sight any time soon. I guess he was just going to come with me. I quickly changed his diaper and clothes into a cute blue shirt and jeans, with little baby converse on his feet. I grabbed his baby bag and headed outside. I quickly settled him in the backseat, making sure the baby mirror in the back gave me a clear look of him at all times. I took the truck this time knowing that I was going to make a lot of groceries to help feed and care for a family of eight.

We drove to Wal-Mart and I settled my little man in the top of the basket in his carrier. I shopped for about an hour and a half, getting various foods and miscellaneous things. By the time I had gotten out of there, with three baskets and four hundred and fifty dollars’ worth of groceries, I began my way home.

I was feeling hungry and decided to stop over at Taco Bell to get a snack. It wasn’t the healthiest choice by any means, but I was hungry and it was just something about those damn Mexican pizzas that had my mouth watering. I got one for myself and two tacos when I realized I would be passing by Edward’s office on the way back. I decided I would surprise him with some lunch. I bought another Mexican pizza and taco before heading his way.

The security guard let me in right away. I parked beside his car and grabbed our food and Danny’s baby bag. I decided I would just carry Danny in my arms since it was much easier that way. Once again he snuggled against my chest and I headed inside.

I didn’t even make it up to Edward’s floor yet, before I was stopped by his various coworkers oohing and awing over Daniel. At first it was sweet, but after the ninth or tenth person, I was ready to go.

I quickly made it up to Edward’s floor. I spoke a little bit with Gianna, his secretary who fawned over him just as everybody else had. She told me he was in his office with a few others and that I could just come in.

I pushed the door open with my foot and walked in.

“Well isn’t this a surprise. Hey love, what are you doing here?” Edward greeted kissing me on the lips.

“Did a little grocery shopping and figured I’d bring you some lunch. If I’d known you all were here, I would have brought you all something.” I apologized, they waved me off.

“And how is my little guy?” Edward asked. He took Daniel off my shoulder and brought him to his chest.  Daniel grabbed onto his tie and I saw the ladies in the room visibly swoon.

“Didn’t want to let me out of his sight. Now I doubt he’ll let you get out of his.”  I answered, lounging back in his vacant seat. I saw the others leave the room.”

“So who’s watching the kids?” he asked taking the seat beside me settling Danny on his lap.

“Liam, your mom, and Mrs. Volt. I needed all the help I can get. Took a nice relaxing bath and everything.” I began passing out our food.

“Well no wonder you smell good.” Edward grinned. I stuffed my face with a bite of the pizza.

“Jerk.” I muttered.

“Uh oh, Mommy said a bad word.” I fed him a bite of his taco.

“Oh coming from Daddy Potty mouth over here.”

“Touché.” He huffed. We kept eating and I could feel myself getting weary. Two to three hours of sleep would do that to a person. I smiled lazily at Danny trying to grab a piece of his taco. Once he realized he couldn’t have any, he began whimpering signaling he was not pleased. I grabbed one of the bottles, and warmed it slightly in his microwave. I handed the bottle back over to Edward and sat back down in my seat. He quickly latched on and began suckling quietly making a few grunting noises ever so often.  

I felt my eyes begin to drift downward.

“You look tired.” Edward stated. “You should take a nap, I got him.”

“I am tired, but I need to get back on the road.” I tried to get up but my body seemed to disagree with me. Edward grabbed my arm with his free hand and led me over to the couch in the corner of the room. He laid me down and rested his suit jacket over me.

“But…” I mumbled sleepily.

“Rest.” He voice drifted off as I fell asleep.

……………..

 Maury: “And today on the Maury show, I’m here with Isabella Cullen, who demands to prove the paternity of not one, not two, not even three, but six of her children!”

(Audience oohs in response)

Bella: “Yep it’s a shame really. After everything, it really came down to this. Look at my angels.” (Sniffles)(Cameras shoots to monitor where the image of six sleeping infants cover the screen. Audience awes in response)

Maury: “Six kids, really? That’s a lot to handle.”

Bella:  “Trust me I know. It’s a hassle every single day. I don’t even know why we’re here considering I know who my babies’ daddy is.”

Maury: “And who might that be?”

Bella: “That man right there. My husband Edward Cullen.” (Screen shoots to the monitor. Audience screams and shouts in response.)

Maury: “Your husband? He’s denying that he is the father of these kids?”

Bella: “No Maury. Edward is a great father and he loves his kids. I would never cheat on him. It’s his mother that’s the problem.” (She screams and the camera focuses back on the monitor where she is standing beside her son.

Esme: “Those are not his kids!!! They are freaky looking mother *bleep*. She’s a *bleep* whore.” (Audience protests)

Bella: “My babies, look just like him. Look at those eyes and hair. They damn sure didn’t get it from me!”

Esme: “He is not the father!! You open your legs to everybody!”

Bella: “Unless you been between my legs, I don’t think so, so back off Grandma and I mean GRANDMA!”

Maury: “His mother?”
Bella: Yeah, Edward is a mama’s boy and she loves to interfere with his business. But she needs to realize that he is a GROWN man!”

(Audience cheers)

Maury: “Let’s hear what Edward has to say about this. Edward come on out.” (Audience boos) (Edward takes the seat beside Bella and grabs her hand.)

“Welcome to the show Edward, how are you feeling?”
Edward: “I’m doing well. I want to prove to my mama, that these are my kids.”

Maury: Do you love Bella?”

Edward: “With all of my heart, she’s the mother of my children and my soul mate.” (Audience awes and Bella kisses his hand)

Maury: “So if that’s the case, why do you believe your mother doesn’t believe that these are her children?” (Edward shrugs his shoulders.)

Bella: “Because she has no life!” (Audience cheers)

Maury: “Well let’s see what she has to say, Esme come on out.” (Audience boos loudly. She takes the seat beside Edward.”

“So Esme, why do you believe that these are your grandchildren?”

Esme: “I just know. Besides, she’s nasty. I got people coming up to me stating that they saw her with different guys. I’m 1000 percent sure that these aren’t his kids.”

Bella: “What guys? You are so delusional. You need to mind your own business. I’m a million percent sure he’s the father.”

Esme: “He is my business.”

Maury: “Well we won’t have to wait any longer because the results are in!” (Audience cheers)

“In the case of ten month old sextuplets, Ethan, Auden, Noah, Gavin, Daniel, and Brayden, Edward you are…”

Bella: “the father!!”

Maury: “NOT THE FATHER!” (Audience breaks out into screams and profanities. Edward drops her hand)

Esme: *bleep* bleep* “I told you she was a *bleeppppppppppppppp*” (Edward cowers to his mother’s side as he walks off stage. Bella drops to the ground crying while Esme taunts her.)

Maury: “Do you know any of the other possibilities of the father?”

Bella: “There are no other possibilities. He’s the only guy I slept with.”

Esme: “Not the father, not the father, not the father!”

Bella: “He is the father.”

“He is the father.”

“He is the father.”  “Who’s the father?”

“He is the father.”  “Who’s the father? Bella wake up?”

“Not the father. He’s the father.” I mumble sleepily. I open my eyes to see Edward crouched in front of me with amused eyes.

“Where’s Danny?”

“Asleep. I settled him over on the other couch.”

“Kay.” I mumbled sleepily.

“Bella?”

“Hmmm…”

“Should I be worried?” he asked.

“Worried about what?”

“If I’m the father or not?” Edward asks and I shoot off the couch so quick that I nearly tackle Edward. I land on the carpet with a thud panicked when I see the amused look on his face.

“Not funny.” He barks out a laugh while I pick myself off the floor.

Stupid Taco bell and their Mexican Pizzas.

Chapter 19: One down,five to go

Chapter 19

Late June-early July…

BPOV

I was seriously going to kill Esme. Knock her right over her little judgmental head and bury her in her backyard, right next to her beloved rosebushes. Because of her and her big mouth, I now had about six or seven reporters and their crew and their cameras in my front yard. I could only imagine what the neighbors were thinking right about now. I swear I was going to become blind from the constant flashes of the cameras.

“Mrs. Cullen! Over here!” a petite redhead hollered. “Liz Fields from channel 7 news.” She hollered, trying to shove her microphone in my face.

“No Mrs. Cullen, over here!” A Tall blonde haired man screamed. “Mark Daniels, channel 5. Are you going to sue your doctor for malpractice? How does it feel raising so many babies on your own?” he screamed, as a cacophony of other voices blurted out questions filled with complete and utter nonsense. The cameras were beginning to make me disoriented and I was just about to give the reporters a piece of my mind, when I realized I had six little people waiting on me in the kitchen.

“Get off my lawn, or I’m going to call the cops assholes!” I screamed, abruptly walking back inside and slamming the door behind me. I hurried to the kitchen and stopped in the doorway to check on my children. They were all babbling happily, seemingly talking to each other in their own little baby language. They all looked over at me and gave me a gummy smile. After checking to see that they were all still secure in their chairs, I quietly crept over towards the kitchen window, to sneak a peek outside through the blinds.

Most of them had left, but I could still see a few stray reporters lingering around, hoping to get a glimpse inside. See this is what I wanted to avoid. I knew I was lucky to have avoided attention this long, but this was just ridiculous. Women have children every single day, and for people to constantly badgering mothers and their families for information and exploitation of their children were just sickening. I knew it was going to come out eventually. I knew it wasn’t every day that a woman had multiples, let alone for the man who had now one of the top pharmaceutical companies in the country. I was no different than any other mother, I just had six times that amount, but you don’t see them getting screamed at about their personal life.

That reminded me, I needed to call Edward and tell him that he needs to have a little conversation with his overbearing mother about invasion of privacy or I was going to and it wasn’t going to be pretty. You see, Edward is sort of a Mama’s boy and does anything to please her, but I’m his wife and he should put my concerns before hers. I love her to death, but enough is enough.

I grabbed my cell and dialed Edward’s number and waited for him to answer.

“Hello…”

“Edward,” I trailed off, realizing I had caught the answering machine.

“…. you’ve reached Edward Cullen. I’m sorry I can’t come to the phone right now, but leave a message and I’ll get back to you.” Beep

I sighed and ended the call. No point in leaving a message when I knew he wasn’t going to call me back. I settled my phone onto the kitchen counter and rubbed my temples. I was on the verge of a migraine.

Unavailable and missing as usual.

Maybe it wasn’t Esme I needed to have a conversation with, but Edward instead.

……………..

“Come on Bells.” Liam whined, pulling on my arm.

“But…” I cried, frozen in place.

“They’ll be fine. We’ll only be gone a couple hours at most, maybe not even an hour and a half, sans the drive over.”

“But they’ll need me.” I replied, fighting his hold on my arm. Today my mother, Liam, and I were going to pay our respects to a family friend who had recently passed away. It was my mom’s best friend Jane who had recently lost her battle with brain cancer. I closed my eyes. I knew I was being dramatic and knew the funeral wasn’t even going to be that long. She had asked to be cremated and her family was holding a small wake.

The only thing that bothered me was that this was going to be the first time; I was away from my babies for an extended period of time. They hadn’t been out of my sight since I had finally gotten them all home and it was killing me.

“It’s okay sweetie, you don’t have to go if you don’t want to.” My mother croaked patting my hand. I closed my eyes.

Jane had been my mother’s best friend since college and I knew that she needed my support.

“Nah, I’m already dressed.” I joked. “Besides, I knew it had to happen sooner or later.” I said smoothing down the edge of my black blouse. I slipped on my flats and headed downstairs into the living where Edward, Carlisle, and my father were playing with the babies on the floor.

“You okay?” Edward asked, giving me a one armed hug, while holding a squirming Danny with the other.

“Yeah.” I lied, quickly grabbing Danny from his arms and pressing him to my chest. He was getting so big and I couldn’t believe how fast they were all growing up. I could feel my voice get caught in my throat and my eyes begin to water. Now I knew how Alice felt when she left ax for the first time. Liam looked at me for a second before grabbing Danny out of my arms and giving him back to Edward.

“Oh no booger, we need to go now. We already have a thirty minute drive ahead of us.” My annoying brother said grabbing my arm and guiding me over towards the door where our mother stood. Danny obviously feeling saddened by my departure began wailing loudly. I turned around and nearly ran to him and saw that Edward was bouncing up and down, kissing the side of his head.

“See? Edward’s got it, let’s go. Mom needs us.” Liam whispered in my ear and I nodded my head and followed the two of them out the door.

I could still faintly hear Danny’s wailing as we walked over to Liam’s car and it was taking everything I had not to run back inside and kiss his little head until he calmed down. His pain was mine.

Tears fell down from my eyes as I sat down in the backseat next to my mother, who was shedding her own tears. I looked down at my lap and grabbed her hand.

“I’m sorry. I’m supposed to be supporting you today and here I am bawling my eyes out.” I apologized laying my head on her shoulder. She kissed my temple.

“It’s okay sweetie. I was the exact same way. Your father had to physically carry me out of your grandparent’s house the first time I left the both of you overnight. You were just fine, happily cooing away in Grandpa Swan’s lap, while your brother over here screamed bloody murder that Gran had to call me just so he could hear my voice.” She chuckled. I rolled my eyes.

“Mama’s boy.” I muttered, earning a playful wink in the rearview mirror from Liam.

“You know it. Now let’s roll!” He beamed heading for the interstate.

I closed my eyes and laid my head back down on her shoulder.

I was going to be alright. I just know it.

……………………

6 weeks later…. Seven months, 2 weeks……

“So what’s going on with you girls?” I asked Rose and Alice as we all sipped or coffees in the park. The kids were at home with their respective fathers and I admit I was a little afraid to leave Edward alone by himself but he seemed to be handling it well, and so was I considering it was my third trip leaving them without breaking into tears.

“Nothing much. Same old things as usual. Jazzy and I have our fun time as usual by ourselves while Max stays with our parents and then we spend some time with him doing various things. I couldn’t be happier. It’s just me and my little men. What about you Bella? How are my little god children? Auntie Alice misses them.” Alice said.

“Becoming little terrors.” I grinned. “I usually settle them on the floor on their stomachs with me so we can have a little mommy and me time, but its so hard keeping up with all of them. They’re at the stage where they put everything in their mouths and I mean everything. If it’s not my hair, Edward’s nose, their baby toys, they try to “maul” off Jerry’s ear with their gums.”

“Jerry’s ear?” Alice questioned, I nodded my head.

Yep. I was worried at first having him around, because I thought he would get jealous, but he’s so gentle with them. He’s the sweetest little dog and doesn’t bark at them or anything. I thought he was going to be trouble but it seems like it’s the kids this time. The babies seem to be fascinated with his ears. It’s not like they can even really crawl yet, besides the occasional but scoot, but that doesn’t count. I swear whenever he’s near, they grab for his ears. Especially Auden. She stretches out her little chubby hand and grabs on for dear life to get him near her mouth. I think the poor dog is traumatized. I had to put Jerry in the laundry room until I’m sure he won’t become baby food.” I sighed.

“And Edward?” Alice questioned.

“Edward….well he and I… I don’t know what to say about him. All he does is work lately. It’s hardly like I even see him anymore. If he’s not asleep, or playing with babies, there isn’t any time for us. There is no time just to be Edward and Bella.” I answered, my eyes beginning to water at the fact that I missed my husband. Despite living in the same house and even the same bed, I actually missed my husband.  Alice grabbed my hand to reassure me.

“Don’t worry Bella. I’m sure he has his reasons for working so hard lately. You know he loves you. He’ll talk to you soon, I just know he will, and if not, there’s always Jasper. The two of them gossip like old ladies. He’ll tell me and I’ll get the information out of him. If he doesn’t tell me, let’s just say that I have my ways of getting info out of him, if you know what I mean.” She wagged her eyebrows suggestively.

“Gross Alice.” We both laughed and suddenly my attention was drawn to Rosalie who had been mysterious quiet the whole time. Rose always had something to say and for her to just sitting here not even drinking her hot chocolate was very unusual. She was just staring out into space mindlessly twirling the straw in her drink.

“”Rose, Rose?” I called out but she didn’t answer me. I looked over at Alice who looked just as lost as I did.

“Rosa-” Alice started, but was abruptly cut off my Rosalie’s monotone response.

“Emmett and I are getting a divorce.” She whispered.

“What?” I breathed. She cleared her throat and spoke a little louder.

“I said, Emmett and I are getting a divorce.” She repeated and I noticed how cold and distant her blue eyes seemed to be.

“When did all of this happen?” I asked. Rosalie looked down at her hands.

“About three months ago.”

“Three months ago!” Alice squeaked. “Three months ago? Why didn’t you tell you tell us sooner?” She asked accusingly.

“Well it’s not like the two of you have been around much lately. Bella has kids of her own to worry about all under the age of one, and you with your job and little family bubble, I just had no one to talk to and I guess I never found the time to tell someone really.”

“May I ask what happened?” she took a deep breath and looked back down on her hands.

“Remember when I had the hysterectomy a while back?” She whispered. I nodded my head while Alice just looked lost. I shook my head at her and gestured for Rose to continue.

“Well you know I was afraid to tell Emmett. I was so scared about his reaction and I waited awhile, so you can only imagine how Emmett felt when I told him.”

“How long are we talking here? A couple of days? Weeks?” Alice asked.

“Months. Two actually.” Rose whispered.

“What the hell Rose? How could you do that to him?” I blurted out. She threw me and angry glare.

“You don’t think I know that? I was scared and for once I wanted to put my feelings first before I told him.” She responded angrily.

“Please continue.” Alice urged.

“Anyway, when he did find out, he was livid of course. He wasn’t really mad at me for having one, just the fact that I withheld it from him so long. I mean I wanted him to be in my position. I love kids. Hell Emmett and I were talking a little ways back about baby number two on the way and here I come with cysts in my ovaries. I was just so ashamed that I couldn’t give him what he wanted; what I wanted.” Rosalie rambled.

“After that, Emmett became distant from me. No more sweet kisses, no more cuddles, hugs, or anything. Of course he was a good father to Marley, but to me it was like I didn’t exist. I could tell he was hurting, but I was hurting too and I didn’t mean to do what I did, but it just happened.”

My breathing hitched at what she was implying. “Rose you didn’t.” She nodded her head.

“He caught me too. I didn’t want to do it, but he practically drove me away into the arms of another man. I just wanted to feel something after I had the operation; something to make me feel like I wasn’t less of a woman. I wanted that love back, I yearned for it, and then he caught me. Oh god, he caught me and I will never be able to remove the look of anguish on his face and I knew it. I knew I had crossed the line. Lying is one thing, but cheating took it to a completely different level. He gave me the papers less than a week later. I’ve been staying with my parents ever since.” She whispered before breaking into heartbreaking sobs. Alice and I wrapped our arms around her as she gripped onto our clothes for dear life. I closed my eyes and made a silent prayer to whoever was up there that Rosalie would be fine and that I never ended up in her position.

EPOV

“Bluuu!!” I looked over to see my daughter nearly mauling Jerry with her little chubby hand.

“Auden no.” I told her, and she turned her little head at me in wonder. She, along with her brothers Noah and Gavin were situated on their stomachs by my legs on a blanket while Brayden, Danny, and Ethan lounged in their swings sound asleep. I was playing Baby Einstein in the background, but none of them seemed to be paying attention. The three of them were gurgling happily playing with the random baby toys strewn across the floor.

After making sure, they were all okay, with Auden trying to figure out what my sock was made of, I turned back to my laptop. I was working on a major deal. Ever since merging with Mr. Volt and his company, business had been booming. Money was coming in and we were slowly but surely gaining back the income that we had lost. The only downside to it all was that I had to work long hours and by the time I got home, I was exhausted. You would think that since I was one of the owners I could have a little downtime, but sadly not. I had to work just as hard as my other employees.

It was all worth it though. We needed this money. I saw the way our house was slowly falling apart. The overflowing clothes baskets, or the toys and bottles constantly scattered across the floor. Every step you made in this house, whether you were on the top or bottom floor was filled with some sort of clutter. This house just wasn’t meant to support eight people and a dog. It was honestly the only thing that kept me going.

I knew Bella was getting worried with the extensive hours I was working and I knew I was wearing a very thin line between the both of us, but this was all for my family. I needed to do this and if I had to suffer a couple of headaches and backache to do, then so be it. I quickly closed my laptop and seeing that Auden was beginning to fall asleep, I carefully picked her up and settled her into her own swinging chair, before sitting back down on the floor next to my boys.

I played with Noah and Gavin a for a while until I saw that they were getting tired. I was getting a little drowsy myself and decided I would settle on the couch with the both of them and take a little nap. I quickly took my glasses off, knowing they were a magnet for grubby hands and settled them each against a side of my chest and watched as they snuggled against the bare skin of my chest. It wasn’t long before they both fell asleep and I took the time to study them.

They were both taking after me it seemed. The two of them had my wild reddish hair, square face and nose. The only difference it would seem to distinguish them when they got older would be their eye color. Noah still had his eye patch and was constantly irritated by it, but his eyes were getting stronger. In that department he seemed to be taking after Bella. One of his eyes were a dark bluish brown that was getting darker every day,  while his patched eye rivaled between turning green or staying its bluish hue. Despite that little difference, they were carbon copies of one another and if it weren’t for that, I would be embarrassed to say that I couldn’t tell my children apart.

I stroked their little faces with the pad of my thumb for a bit, before I found myself slowly drifting off to sleep. I snuggled closer to the couch, making sure the both of them were safe against my chest before soundly falling asleep.

I woke a couple of hours later feeling groggy but well rested. I looked down at my chest to see Gavin and Noah still soundly sleeping when I noticed a shadow nearby the couch. Bella was sitting with her knees against her chest watching the three of us curiously. She had a camera resting in her hand, and I had no doubt in my mind that she had taken a picture of us while we were asleep.

I noticed that her arms were red rimmed and I knew that she had been crying and that something on her mind. She had been out with the girls earlier and I suddenly wondered if something had gone wrong. I carefully got up with both of them in my arms and walked over to the swings and laid them down. They both huffed a bit at being roused but quickly fell back asleep. The others were still sleeping and I knew that once they did wake up, they were going to be hungry.

I looked back over at Bella, who still looked conflicted as she watched me from her perch on the couch.

I quickly walked over to her and pulled her to come lay with me on the couch. I quietly took off her tennis shoes and pulled her with me as I lay down on my back. She quickly molded herself to my body, her warm breath tickling the hairs on my chest as she pulled herself even closer. I heard her take in a few deep breaths and I knew that she was breathing me in; something she told me soothed her.

She stared up at me with watery blue and brown eyes and suddenly I was reminded of the days when we first met. The moments were we would constantly hold silent conversations through our prolonged stares and instantly know whatever was going on with the other person.

Bella looked so conflicted. I could see the want and anguish in her eyes, but also some fear?

I pulled her even closer if that was even possible and rubbed my nose against her neck. Her scent did things to me that drove me wild and I understood how that whole scent thing was mutual. I heard her sniffles get louder until she was silently crying against my chest.  I quickly began consoling her until her crying had begun to cease. I could hear her soft breathing in my ear and I knew she was falling asleep. Crying always took a lot out of her and knew she must have been exhausted.

When she finally succumbed to her exhaustion against my chest, I stayed awake. I wondered what had happened to make her break down like that. Bella was one of the strongest people I knew and for her to cry like that and I was seriously worried.

Despite those circumstances, I was glad to have her close to me. I missed the intimacy between us and desperately wanted it back.

I guess time would tell.

……….

“Come on, come to daddy.” I cooed to Ethan who was looking at me like I was crazy. Ethan so far was the only one who seemed like he was ready to crawl. He was currently about 5 meters away from me and I was trying to do anything in my power to have him crawl to me, but nothing seemed to be working.  All of the babies could hold their heads up and were scooting around but none of them seemed like they wanted to crawl. I knew babies developed at different stages so luckily I had nothing to worry about, at least not right now.

Ethan made a grunting noise and looked like he wanted to come in my direction, but flopped back down on his stomach. He gave me a look of defeat.

“It’s okay baby boy. You can do it.” Bella cooed. She had Brayden and Auden in her lap and was currently feeding them some veggie puffs that instantly dissolved in their mouths. That’s when an idea struck me.

“Hey love, pass me that can of baby puffs will you?” I asked. She passed me the canister and gave me a bewildered expression.

“Edward what are you up to?” she asked. I shook my head at her.

“Just testing a theory.” I answered. I then poured a few of the puffs in my hand before arranging them in a straight line against the blanket on the floor. I kept a couple in my hand, before calling out to Ethan once more.

“Ethan? Come here son?” I smiled, as I caught his attention and grinned as he gave me a gummy smile.

“He is not a dog Edward. I can’t believe you’re trying to get him to come to you by using food as bait.”

“You never know until you try.” I turned back to my son and called his name once more. He lifted his head and got on his hands and knees. His eyes instantly were drawn to the food on the floor and he cautiously crawled forward to the first puff in front of him.

“There you go. That’s my boy. Come on, come to daddy.” I cooed, as I watched my son crawl to the next puff and another and watched as he continued until he was right in front of me. I picked him up and pressed kisses to his face, earning a couple of squeals from him.

“Love, did you see that?” I beamed. I looked over to see Bella holding her video camera.

“Did you get that all on tape?” I asked. She nodded her head.

“I’m so proud of you E.” I grinned, raising him above my head, where he happily drooled down on my face.

“Eww…” I acted disgusted, which only caused him to drool some more.

I quickly wiped my face and settle him back on the floor where he began crawling round the floor.

“Looks like we need to baby proof the house.” I grinned as I watched his newfound curiosity spread now that he was mobile.

“I’ll get some baby gates tomorrow at the store.” Bella replied.

“Oh and get about fours cans of these.” I picked up the baby puff can and waved it at her.

“Why four?” She asked. I gestured to Ethan who was crawling over to his mother.

Because we have one down and five to go.