A/N: This is it everyone. I'll keep it short here because we have a super long author note at the end. Muah!

Disclaimer: SM owns the original, but we own Fireward, and because of that we have some really kick ass readers who totally own us! *Muah*

I woke up to a soft breeze blowing through the room. The light from the sun streamed in through the sheer curtains that covered the French doors that we had left open all night. I could hear the crashing of the waves outside that combined with everything else, caused a hypnotizing calmness to run through every ounce of my body. I was wrapped in soft sheets and my wife. The latter being the better of the two.

Yes, we had finally done it. We made it official and Bella and I got married. It was now the second week of October. Bella and I had gotten married this past weekend and we were now enjoying our honeymoon in St. Lucia. We had debated over several different honeymoon locations, different cities in Europe being some of them, but we knew that would mean tons of sightseeing, and the only sightseeing I wanted to be doing this week was looking at my wife…naked…a lot.

So ultimately we decided to go somewhere that was warm, tropical, and gave us time to just relax and enjoy alone time together. It was now Tuesday morning, and we had arrived here Sunday.

I turned over gently, as to not wake Bella, and I propped my head onto my hand as I watched her sleep. She was lying on her stomach, her head turned facing me, and I took her in. The first thing that caught my eye was her hand that was lying flat against the pillow beside her head. I smiled to myself at the sight of her engagement ring nestled right up against her wedding band. I lifted my own hand to reveal my wedding band as well. Bella and I had picked them out together, so they were a similar style. I looked at her hand again and felt a surge of happiness rush through me. She was mine…all mine, and no one but me would ever have her again. Maybe that sounded possessive, but I didn't give a shit. She was my wife and I would make sure no other fucker would ever doubt that.

The word wife still blew my mind. When we were riding in the limo on the way to the church for my wedding, Emmett and Jasper had told me that they were still getting used to the term themselves, which was understanding for Jasper, since him and Alice were only a few months into being married, but Emmett and Rosalie had been married for over a year, and were now parents.

Yes, Rosalie had given birth to a little baby boy. Riley Jasper McCarty was born on the 14th of May, weighing in at eight pounds and six ounces. He really was an adorable baby. He had blonde hair just like Rosalie, but he had Emmett's blue eyes and dimples. Jasper and Alice were the Godparents, which is why they honored Jasper by giving the baby his name as a middle name.

As I lay in bed my mind started to drift back to a few days ago…the day of our wedding.

Little Riley had even played a role in our wedding day. He was the ring bearer. He was only six months old, so he obviously couldn't walk down the aisle by himself, but he was carried down by his parents, with our rings in a little satchel around his neck. Along with Emmett and Rosalie in our wedding party, we also had Alice and Jasper, my best friend from Chicago, Dave, and the daughter of Bella's father's longtime girlfriend, Leah.

When I had pulled up at the little chapel this past Saturday, October 8, 2011, everything looked picturesque. All the surrounding trees had already changed colors and the foliage was filled with oranges, yellows and reds. We all stepped out of the limo where I was ushered in quickly because the driver told us the girls weren't far behind us.

When I walked into the church my nerves had started taking over. I wasn't nervous about getting married, but I guess part of me always worried that something would go wrong, seeing that our path to this point had not always gone smoothly. I also wasn't allowed to spend the night with Bella, so I hadn't seen her since our rehearsal dinner yesterday evening, and I really needed to see her. She was the only person who could calm me.

I walked up the aisle by myself, while the rest of the guys waited outside for the girls to arrive. I smiled at guests as I passed stopping to hug my parents, Charlie's girlfriend Sue, as well as Renee and Phil. I stepped up in front of the altar and wiped the sweat from my brow as anxiety threatened to rip through me. I greeted the priest and then took my place. I only waited a few minutes before the music started to play.

First down the aisle was Emmett, Rosalie and Riley. Everyone giggled and ooh'd and ahh'd when they saw Riley in his little man tuxedo. I couldn't help but chuckle to myself at how Emmett had managed to get Riley a tux that matched the rest of ours exactly.

Rosalie was wearing a long, one-shouldered, satin dress that was a dark red color. I remembered how stressed out Bella was when she and the girls were trying to decide on dresses and colors, and all that other crap that guys have no clue about, but against the backdrop of the foliage that I could see through the chapel windows, I knew that the girls did a great job in selecting for an Autumn wedding.

Next down the aisle was Dave and Leah, and then Jasper and Alice. When Alice got to the front she walked over to me quickly and hugged me. I squeezed her tightly as I heard her whisper in my ear. "Wait until you see her, she's gonna take your breath away."

"She always does," I responded before she pulled back and smiled, wiping a tear from her eye.

As soon as Alice was in line on the other side of the altar with the other girls, the music stopped and everyone stood up and faced towards the back of the chapel. The music started again and the back doors were pulled open…revealing to me for the very first time my bride.

Alice had been right. The breath had been knocked right out of me, and as soon as our eyes met my anxiety and nerves had disappeared. I immediately felt a calm peace spread through me, but that did nothing to stop the moisture that pooled in the corners of my eyes.

There were very few things in my life that had led me to cry, but I wasn't ashamed to admit that the sight of Bella walking down the aisle on the arm of her father was one that brought this grown man to lose some of his macho self-control. Her dress looked stunning on her. It was a strapless, satin dress with a full skirt and some type of sparkle detail around the waist. I'm not good with naming colors like girls are, but I guess I would say her dress had a hint of a champagne color to it, rather than a stark white shade. As she made her way down the aisle towards me, neither of us ever taking our eyes off of the other, I could see her eyes were wet as well, but through her tears she gave me the most beautiful smile…one I was sure I would never forget, even years from now when I was an old man sitting on a porch somewhere with her.

When she finally made her way to the front, she hugged her father before turning to link her arm through mine. We both stepped forward towards the priest, Bella handed her flowers to Alice, and as soon as she turned towards me we both reached up instinctively at the same time and wiped each other's tears away.

The automatic pull we had to immediately comfort each other made us both laugh, and right before I dropped my hands from her face, I cupped her cheek and said, "You're stunning."

She smiled and gave me a little hint of that blush that I loved so much on her, before whispering back, "You are too."

The rest of the ceremony went off without a hitch and we joined our guests for an intimate reception following at a local hotel banquet hall. At around midnight, when it was time for us to leave the reception, we were both surprised to see that the guys I worked with had brought over one of the fire trucks. They had the back decorated with streamers and balloons, and even a 'Just Married' sign on the back. I carefully helped Bella on, and with the lights and sirens all blaring, we drove off into the night, waving goodbye to all our guests.

I brought myself back to the here and now, lying in St. Lucia with my wife at my side.

The sheet was pulled up only to her waist, her back bare as her hair cascaded out over her pillow. I felt drawn to reach my hand out and caress the skin on her back so I could wake her up and devour her, but I restrained myself because it was still early and we'd had a long couple of nights…if you catch my drift…so I wanted to let her sleep.

My good intentions didn't help my hardening erection when she rolled over onto her back, allowing me a pretty fucking delectable view of her tits. I swear to god my mouth started to water and I may have even growled. What the fuck kind of human being growls? Well, apparently I did. But in an effort to let her rest I decided that the only thing I could do to help this situation would be to get out of bed and go for a swim.

I slid out of bed quietly and walked over to the dresser, pulling out my swim trunks and putting them on. I walked across the room and out the doors onto our patio that was set right on the beach. We had our own little pool, but I bypassed it, opting for the ocean instead. It was about eight o'clock in the morning but it was already pretty hot outside. I reveled in the way the white sand felt in between my toes, and as I made my way out into the clear turquoise water, I thanked anything out there that would listen, for my beautiful girl who was sleeping peacefully inside.

*BPOV*

My mind slowly started to creep towards consciousness. My senses were immediately assaulted with the crisp smell of ocean air, and the breeze across my skin felt glorious. Before I opened my eyes I reached my arm out to find the warm body, the only body, I ever wanted to wake to; when I felt nothing my eyes snapped open immediately to find that I was alone.

Well this is not how I wanted to wake up on my honeymoon.

I sat up and looked around the room. "Edward?" I called out. Nothing.

The wind blew, causing the sheer curtains to billow inwards toward the center of the room. I scooted myself off the bed, pulling the sheet off with me so I could wrap it around myself. I walked over to the door and looked outside. Immediately a smile spread across my face as I saw my husband…I know! It's blowing my mind to refer to him as that…diving into the waves. In between each wave he would stand still, the water only up to his waist, with his back to me. I watched in awe as the sun glistened off the drops of water clinging to his torso. Each muscle in his well toned back and arms would ripple as he dove into the next wave.

Without another thought I dropped the sheet and ran over to the dresser, pulling out one of my bikinis so I could join him. After I was dressed I made my way outside and onto the beach. I was half way to the water when he turned his head, looking back over his shoulder, and saw me. I could only see half of his face, but the dangerously hot smile he flashed me sent chills through my overheated body. He slowly turned around so he was facing me now, still waist deep in the surf.

"Hey sexy," he said as he opened his arms to me.

"How come you didn't wake me?" I asked, as I jutted out my bottom lip with over-exaggerated poutiness.

"I wanted to let you sleep in a little bit," he said as I finally made it to where he was and he wrapped his arms around me, pulling me flush against him.

"Well…for as long as we are here…if you are awake, I want to be awake. Okay? Deal?"

Edward laughed. "Okay, deal," he said before leaning down and kissing me. What started out as just a 'good morning kiss' quickly turned steamy. Edward led me a little further out while we were still kissing, so that the water was now to the middle of my back. His hands immediately slid down my back, over the swell of my ass, where he palmed me and gave me a squeeze. He then brought his hands back up a bit and slid them into my bikini bottoms, squeezing my ass again.

"Edward!" I yelped into his mouth. I pulled away slightly and looked back over my shoulder. "Someone could see us." The resort we were staying at was fairly private, but there were other villas along the beach where ours was, so it wasn't uncommon to see another couple lounging about fifty yards away, or walking hand in hand for a stroll down the beach.

He laughed, keeping his hands where they were but pulling me in closer to him. "Don't worry, I'm not going to fuck you here…yet," he said as he leaned in and whispered into my ear. "I've just been dying to touch you since I woke up, and now that you are awake…I just can't keep my hands off you."

I smiled and pulled his face back down to mine so I could continue to kiss him. He rubbed my butt for a bit before I felt his hands start to move around to my front. I wasn't sure what he was planning on doing with those hands, but when I felt his fingers tracing over the skin right between my hip and pelvis bones, I knew what he was doing.

"You really like it?" I asked him as I pulled away so I could look at him.

"Are you kidding me, Bella? I fucking love it!" He said as he leaned back and pulled the material of my bikini bottoms to the side so he could take a look.

A few months back I had been racking my brain over what I should get Edward as a wedding gift. Everyone was giving me suggestions of jewelry and such, but Edward wasn't a big jewelry wearer. Plus I was giving him a wedding band…that was the only piece of jewelry I needed to see him wear. So about a month before our wedding I was out shopping with Alice when we passed a tattoo shop. I never had any desire to get a tattoo. I wasn't the type to get one just to get one, it would have to mean something to me if I did, but as soon as I saw the shop it hit me. I knew what I wanted to do for Edward's wedding gift from me.

I went inside and talked to the guy, telling him what I wanted. He said he would draw something up and that I should come back the next day and he would do it. The following day Alice and I went back and I got it. It was small, something that could only be seen if I were naked…something only for Edward. It was his initials, but the lettering and coloring was done in a way that it looked like flames.

I had no idea how I was going to keep it a secret from him until our wedding night, so Alice came up with the idea that I would tell him I wanted to wait to have sex again until our wedding night. Well…to say that Edward was not happy about that little bomb I dropped on him that night would be putting it mildly, but he was still respectful and didn't push. The harder part was making sure he didn't see me naked since he had the habit of popping into the shower with me, or even just looking in to it when we were talking and I was in the shower alone, but when I told him that I wanted to wait and have sex, he avoided seeing me naked like the plague, and although it me laugh, it also saved me from cluing him into the fact that I was hiding something.

So on our wedding night, when he finally stripped me out of my wedding dress, I stood in front of him in my lingerie and told him I had a surprise for him, and that it was the real reason why I had wanted to wait to have sex. He had cocked his head to the side, looking at me questioningly, before I told him to undress me if he wanted to unwrap his gift. After he had everything off me except my panties, and I was lying in the middle of the bed at the hotel suite we were staying in for the night, he hooked his fingers in my panties, pulling them down slowly, and when my tattoo was revealed to him he froze.

At first I was scared that he didn't like it because he just stared at it silently for a moment. He finally reached out and gently traced the letters with the tip of his finger.

"Bella…" he whispered.

"Do you like it?" I stuttered out nervously.

He stilled before his eyes slowly looked up and met mine. Without taking his eyes off of me he poked his tongue out between his luscious lips and traced the letters of my tattoo with the tip, ending with a kiss right over it. "I fucking love it, Baby," he said before that tongue of his continued on, and did wonders on other parts of my body that night.

"I'm glad you like it. I got it just for you," I told him as the water splashed around us.

"Damn straight, woman! With the placement of it, no one else better ever see it but me," he said with a teasing tone. Well…sort of teasing.

"Are you excited about going house hunting when we get back?" he asked.

"Yes! I'm so excited," I told him as I wound my arms around his neck, squinting as I looked up at him since the sun was directly behind him.

Edward and I had been saving our money over the last year and finally had enough saved up to be able to put a down payment down on a home. We met with a realtor a few weeks ago and were going to meet with her as soon as we got back to Seattle to start looking at different houses. We wanted to stay very close to the city since we both worked in Seattle, but we decided to move to the suburbs since we wanted to start trying for a family right away, and a yard where children could play was a top priority. Rosalie and Emmett had actually sold Rose's condo after Riley was born and had just bought a house in the suburbs too, so we were going to look somewhere near them since we really liked the area.

I was snapped out of my thoughts by my hot ass boyfr…I mean husband when he started kissing my neck. He bent down slightly, putting his hands back on my ass, and lifted me up. I squealed as I wrapped my legs around his waist and he started to walk us out of the water and back towards the villa.

"Come on Mrs. Cullen. Since we are going to look for a house in the 'burbs next week, let's go start trying to make some babies to fill it up with."

July 21, 2013 started out like any other Sunday with a lazy morning resting in bed, usually with the most adoring, handsome as hell husband ever. Whenever Edward didn't have to work on a Sunday, it was our little ritual to spend most of the day lounging around, wrapped up in one another either watching movies or making love, sometimes both. We would turn off our cell phones and set the house phone answering machine to pick up after one ring, to make sure we wouldn't be disturbed. However, Edward did always leave his pager on so he could hear all the fire calls dispatched in case he had to make an appearance at the firehouse or if they needed him to come in. After being married for almost two years, our appetite for one another was still insatiable. Unfortunately, Edward was still working an overnight shift, so I was resting in bed trying to be patient waiting for his return home.

A lot had happened since we were married. After we had returned from our incredible honeymoon in St. Lucia, we met with our realtor, who showed us about a dozen houses in the price range we were looking for. They all turned out to be a bust and two of the houses were in questionable neighborhoods where the schools weren't as highly rated as I would have liked. Since I was an employee of the Seattle Public School System, I was privy to all kinds of information and write ups about each and every school in the area. Jasper and I were fortunate enough to have been working in a great district where our elementary school was consistently ranked as one of the top five schools in the Seattle area, earning the title of a 'Blue Ribbon' school. It was only natural for me to want my husband and me to live in an area of Seattle where the schools were more than subpar if we planned on raising our children here.

Since we wanted to live close to our friends, we had decided to wait and hold out for a house that spoke to us, instead of jumping into buying something our hearts felt like we were settling on. We knew a house would come someday and since we had a beautiful apartment anyway, we weren't too upset that one just didn't pop up on our radar right away. Well, that was until about a month later when we were shown the most quaint, Victorian style home just two blocks away from Alice and Jasper…four from Rosalie and Emmett. I say quaint because it was so deceiving from the outside, but the inside was a different story altogether. It was an old home, but the people who lived here before had done some pretty impressive renovations, including a finished basement complete with a built in bar and built into the wall was the biggest projection screen television I had ever seen.

That basement was love at first sight for Edward, and it was hysterical how he tried to remain calm and composed while walking through the rest of the house. That's when Edward had to continually squeeze my hand to remind me to reign in my excitement. Between the Viking stove in the kitchen, the four bedrooms, two and a half bathrooms, and a small library room in which I could totally see myself getting lost in a book while lounged in a plushy, oversized chair, my face was unable to break the smile that had permanently seared across my face.

The homeowners, whose children had long since moved away, wanted to retire somewhere warm, so they were making a cross country move to South Carolina. Wanting a quick sale, they were extremely eager to get to the place they had built along the water. They took one look at Edward and me and were convinced that their old home would be in caring, new hands. Since the owners didn't want for money, our first offer was accepted, which Edward and I were over the moon about, considering it was about twenty-five thousand less than the asking price. A risk, we knew, but our realtor advised us to come in under their asking price since they seemed in a rush to get out of Seattle. In the end, it worked and the house was ours after a quick closing.

Luckily, the Super in our building had found a few newly graduated college girls to lease our place. They were very reminiscent of Alice, Rose, and I, which made my heart clench with such wonderful memories, I almost didn't want to part with the place. How could this apartment not hold a special spot in my heart? It's where I suffered my first horrific heartbreak, it's where I picked up the shattered pieces of my life and trudged on with the support of my friends, it's where I had regained my strength and faith in myself and toughened me up a bit, and it's where I found my life, my soul…my Edward.

Now that we had found our house, we needed to make it a home for the family we wanted to create.

Family. Our children.

I desperately wanted to hear the pitter pattering of feet along the hardwood floors, so we kicked the baby making mode into high gear. Though we were blessed with finding our dream house so quickly, we weren't so fortunate with getting pregnant in a timely manner. Then again, nothing always came easy for Edward and me; our relationship was proof of that. Good things come to those who wait, right?

We had what you would call a 'Honeymoon baby.' A month after we got back from St. Lucia, I never got my period. I had always been on a regular cycle since I had first gotten my period at age thirteen, so when I was a week late, I took a pregnancy test to confirm my suspicion. To say that Edward was elated was a gross understatement. I didn't keep taking the test from him and for the five minutes we were waiting for the test results to appear, he was professing his love for me and our future children, promising he would be the ideal father complete with coaching the tee ball or soccer team for them and all.

When a bright pink plus sign glared at us like a big neon sign, no one could remove the joyous looks cemented to our faces. The next day after we found out I was carrying a baby, Edward had gone out to the local baby clothing store and proceeded to buy the most adorable baseball outfit. Of course it was a little baby boy's outfit, but he assured me that his little girl could wear it, too. He was so sweet and so excited to be a father that it just plain melted my heart. We were so happy.

Then we had gotten our house so quickly and we took that as a sign that the house was meant for us. Well, the house was meant for us to buy, but the baby was not meant to exist. How could something so exciting and life changing like buying your first home coupled with having your first baby turn into such a gut wrenchingly heartbreaking experience?

A miscarriage.

Sadly, I suffered a miscarriage the December after we were married. I was teaching at the time and I had been in the middle of teaching a lesson when I was experiencing these really painful cramps, which right away I knew it wasn't a very good sign. When I was able to get coverage for my class so I could go to the bathroom, that was when I found that I was bleeding a little too much for my liking. My heart was pounding out of my chest and I was in so much freaking pain that I actually cried out in agony, falling to the floor in panting breaths. Luckily Angela was on a prep period and had walked into the bathroom when she did because I was going to pass out from the pain…and seeing the tiny blood stains on my underwear.

Not a day goes by where I don't think of my baby that could have lived to term, who could have fallen asleep in my arms or Edward's arms, who could have been that baseball player my husband so desperately wanted. I had felt like such a failure and a disappointment the moment Edward's face drained from all color and how hollow it looked when the doctor was telling him the news after he arrived at the hospital. I was crying hysterically. I couldn't even tell him that we had lost our baby.

It wasn't easy trying to forget what could have been, but the doctor assured me that nothing was technically wrong with me, but that the fetus didn't properly attach itself to my uterus. Disheartened to say the least, it was actually worse hearing that I was a healthy woman gynecologically and that 'these things do sometimes happen.' Needless to say, I was depressed and even more so when we were advised to not try again for another baby for months, that we should practice safe sex for a while. Safe sex? I scoffed at that considering I didn't think Edward ever wore a condom since we had been sexually active, since I had been on the pill.

I had definitely spent numerous hours in therapy trying to work through the heartache and pain I felt. After our discussion in Chicago, after he had proposed to me, I had found an excellent psychologist and started my therapy right away and I still saw my therapist once a month instead of weekly, which is how I started out. Between being literally abandoned by Jake suddenly, my mother not being around so much in times when I needed her most, feeling second best against Tanya's ghost, and the accidents Edward and I had suffered, I had a slew of issues to overcome. Thankfully, my therapist Siobhan, clicked with me right from the start as I found talking with her so effortless and actually really enlightening. I never realized just how many things I had swallowed down and buried deep with my sub-conscious that I never fully processed anything that had happened to me. Rather, I shoved it away in the back of my head, causing whatever residual anger, sadness, or fear I felt to come through in various ways like, snapping for no reason or opting to take the stairs instead of an elevator. Siobhan's third party insight was just the outside perspective I needed and she definitely gave it to me straight whenever she thought I was able to emotionally let something go.

A month later at one of our Saturday night dinners with our friends, Alice and Jasper announced that they were expecting a baby and they were due in early October. I remembered having to make sure that I was smiling at all times that night because I knew that all eyes were on Edward and me once they shared their wonderful news. I was happy for Alice and Jasper, I truly was, but I couldn't help but think about our baby that could have been best friends with Alice's baby since they would have been so close in age. Edward and I didn't say much after we arrived home that night, but once we had climbed into bed, with my back facing him, I just started to sob uncontrollably. I'll never forget how comforting Edward was…how he immediately pulled me against him, wrapped his strong arms around me, and stroked my hair while whispering words filled with love and encouragement.

"Shh, please don't cry, Baby. There's a reason why this is happening to us, I know it. Soon, my love. Soon, it will be our time to have a baby and it's going to be amazing. You are so strong, Bella. I promise it'll be alright; we just have to have a little patience and a little faith," Edward had said to me. He was so incredibly strong for the both of us that night. I knew their news was killing him inside, too, but he was masking it the way most men do, swallowing his pain down deep, to tend to my emotional needs. How I got to be so lucky to have ended up with him, I'd never know.

Edward's words paid off because on our first anniversary, I ended up giving him the ultimate gift…a second chance.

Once we began to actively try for a baby again, I was hesitant to take a test when I was a week late, so I waited another week…then another. Finally, on the day of our one year anniversary, I decided to take a home pregnancy test…alone this time. When the test read that I was indeed pregnant, I wasn't sure how to react. My first instinct was to run into the street screaming 'Hallelujah!' but I knew that wouldn't be too appropriate. So, I simply looked at my reflection in the mirror as a contented smile slowly spread across my face.

I'll never forget Edward's reaction when I told him that he was going to be a father.

I had prepared a wonderful home cooked meal. Instead of setting things up in the kitchen, where we normally ate, I opted to create a romantic scene in our dining room, complete with candles and our fine bone china, which was a gift from Esme for my wedding shower. I even had a special bottle of something chilling in the ice bucket near my place setting. When Edward burst through the front door holding a bottle of champagne and a beautiful bouquet of wildflowers, I practically mauled him before he could even set down the items in his hands.

With my heart ready to leap out of my chest, my pulse thumping from just about every pressure point, I led him to his seat and proceeded to serve him dinner. He wanted to toast to our first married year, so Edward popped open the champagne and poured us each a glass. We raised our glasses and he gave the most tearfully heartfelt toast to which we clinked our glasses. While he took a hearty sip, I gently set my champagne flute down, hoping he would notice my move, and he did.

"What's the matter, Baby? Do you not like this brand of champagne? I know we normally don't drink this stuff but I figured since it was a special occasion, so why not?" he stated, a little hurt pout donned his features.

"I can't drink this, Edward," I said quietly, biting the inside of my cheek so as not to smile gleefully at him.

"But this is the same stuff from St. Lucia," he protested softly, turning the front of the bottle my way so I could inspect the label. "See. You loved this brand, Babe."

"I know that, but I still can't drink it, Honey. It was very thoughtful of you and I love you even more for getting the same brand and all, but I actually picked out something that I think you are going to love to try." I shot him a quick wink and with my mouth forming into a sly smirk. I turned slightly and grabbed the bottle and the two wine glasses I had sitting off to the side of the table. Getting up slowly and gliding over to where my adorably clueless husband was, I began to pour the mystery drink in both wine glasses and handed him one and remained standing before him.

Leaning over the table, Edward reached for the bottle in question to peer at the label.

"Sparkling apple cider, Bella?" He said questioningly. God, he was so cute.

I took a sip of the cider and sat down on his lap. "Yes, my adorable husband, sparkling apple cider. I mean, what kind of mother would I be if I was allowing our child to drink any type of alcohol at such an early age?" I questioned slyly, taking another sip, allowing my words to sink in his head. Our eyes never left one another's gaze.

"I don't understand. That would mean…Bella?" Edward's face was so hopeful with his gorgeous green eyes popping out. I wished I had videotaped this moment to watch over and over again.

"Yes, Edward?"

"Baby, are you…are we going to have…a baby?" He practically whispered as though he couldn't believe he was actually uttering those words from his lips.

I nodded, giving him a big, toothy smile. "Yes! I'm pregnant, Edward. You're going to be a daddy."

"Holy shit! I'm going to be a father? God, I love you so fucking much, Bella!" Edward shouted, taking my glass from me and setting both of ours down on the table so he could envelop me in a tight embrace.

I nuzzled my face in the crook of his neck, giving him little wet kisses along the side of his throat. Edward took my face between the palms of his hands and raised it tenderly, capturing my eyes with his own. The moment I saw his sea green eyes twinkle with tears, I immediately became so overcome with emotion that a small sob crept up my throat. He swiped at the tears that were falling on my cheeks with the pads of his thumbs softly as he spoke to me.

"Baby, I couldn't love you even more than I do right at this very moment. You are my life, my everything…and now…well, now I get to tell our child just how fucking amazing you are. He or she will get to see how beautiful you are and feel the love and warmth you fill me with each day. That is my baby in there, right?" he joked, nudging my belly with his forefinger.

"Edward! Of course it is!" I laughed, slapping his shoulder playfully. "Goofball!"

He shifted his legs and let go of me, a sign for me to get up. I was just about to turn and start clearing the table when he planted his hands on either side of my waist and twisted me so that my stomach was right in front of him. He slipped his fingers right under the hem of my shirt, caressing the sliver of skin below my belly button. Immediately, my fingers gently raked through his hair, encouraging him to continue his soft stokes along my flat belly. Then, in a move that made my heart swell three sizes larger I thought it was going to burst from my ribcage, Edward scooted to the edge of his chair, lifted my shirt to expose my belly and brushed his lips back and forth from hipbone to hipbone.

"Hi, my baby," he began. "This is your daddy talking to you. I can't wait to meet you and hold you in my arms. You're in a very good body, so please stay there in your mommy and make yourself at home. Your mommy is a very special woman and it's gonna take some getting used to sharing her, but I'll be more than happy to share her with you. So, please try to take it easy on your mommy and not have her get too sick. I already love you so fucking much; my heart actually hurts right now."

"Language, Babe," I sniffled, giggling that he was having a conversation with our child.

"Oh, sorry, Baby," he relented, beaming at me before focusing his attention back to my belly.

"Now, I want you to be aware that I curse…a lot, and I will try to tone it down for you. But if you ever hear those words from my mouth, you are not to repeat them, okay? So, just please stay with us, baby Cullen. It would make your mommy and daddy so happy if you grow and develop so you can be born and we can spoil you. I love you very much and we'll talk soon, okay?" Edward finished by placing another kiss in the center of my stomach before lowering my shirt down to its original position.

Later that night while we were snuggling in bed, Edward had mentioned that he wanted me to quit my job and not work now that we were starting a family. It had always been his dream for his wife to not have to work once kids started to enter the picture.

"Edward, I can't quit just yet. I went through too much schooling to just up and leave because I'm pregnant. The baby's not even here yet for goodness sake."

"I'm scared, Beautiful. I don't want to lose another child, and I just want for you to be able to take it easy and sleep the whole day in bed if you felt like it, rather than rush off to work."

"I'm scared, too. Believe me, there's nothing I would love more than to stop working, but I want to wait until this baby is born so we can save as much money as we can. I don't want you to have to constantly work overtime throughout this pregnancy. I want you to be there for me, with me while our baby grows inside me."

He sighed, his lips grazing my forehead. "Alright. But Bella, please promise me you'll quit working once you feel like it's taking a toll on you emotionally and physically. Stress isn't good for our baby or you…and if anything were to ever happen to you or this baby, I don't know what I would do." Edward wrapped his arms around me and crashed his lips to mine.

"I promise I will, Babe. You have my word," I breathed against his lips. "Now make love to me already," I commanded, hooking my leg around his waist and pulling him so he would climb on top of me.

"With pleasure," he growled playfully.

I was lying on my side facing the windows, a pillow resting between my legs and one under my huge, bulbous belly to support our child, since that was the only position comfortable for me as of late, when I heard the door creak open. A smirk graced my features as I felt his presence sidle up next to me in the bed, but I didn't let on that I was actually awake. Wrapping his deliciously muscular arms around my ever growing form, Edward splayed his hands across the span of my stomach that had been exposed due to my tank top riding up.

His fingers were dancing along my tight skin as he hummed in delight while caressing his lips against my shoulder, leaving a trail of hot desire. My appetite for him had grown with each month I was pregnant and Edward definitely felt like the luckiest guy on the planet whose pregnant wife allowed sex throughout the pregnancy. Poor Emmett and Jasper had suffered the same fate when Rosalie and Alice had cut them off sexually around month six, claiming discomfort, especially Alice considering she was carrying twins. As for myself, I wanted Edward whenever and however. God graced me with a fairly easy pregnancy and thankfully there were no complications with me or the baby. Sadly, about five weeks ago, Edward had suggested that we should not have sex again until the baby was due. As much as I objected, Edward had this crazy vision of our child being emotionally scarred if he or she were to ever feel us being intimate.

How silly, right? Men.

Of course, my insecurities kicked into high gear, as the thoughts of me being too fat and unattractive for Edward's liking seeped into my conscious. He assured me that my body and what I looked like wasn't the issue, but how could I not feel so disgusting when my husband had suddenly withdrawn from me physically? Hence the reason why the slightest touch from Edward sent tingles right to the epicenter of my lust and want, making it throb in appreciation.

"Hey Beautiful, I'm home," he breathed his rich, velvety voice in my ear before licking the shell and sucking on my earlobe.

"Mmm…I'm glad you're home, Babe," I answered, shifting against him so my back was flush against him. I may have rubbed my ass into his groin, which I immediately found was hard.

"Tease," he muttered, holding me so I wouldn't move an inch.

"Oh stop. You love it," I smiled, hoping that my little wiggles were weakening his resolve. I knew mine had already left a month ago.

"Bella, I do love it, but it's a little difficult trying to concentrate on you and your comfort when your ass cheeks are strategically placed up against my dick, rubbing it the way you are. If I didn't know any better, I'd say that you were purposely doing it to rile me up…what with you wearing next to nothing. Do these even qualify as underwear?" He laughed lightly. I could tell his control was weakening considerably the way he grabbed at my silk panties, a couple of his fingers sneaking under the side elastic and tracing feather light circles on the lower part of my ass.

Ah…just a little lower, Edward.

"I'm not gonna wear those awful maternity panties. I want to still feel sexy. Plus, it's hot as hell outside, and even though the air conditioning is on, I'm still getting heat flashes," I huffed, trying to wiggle in hopes his fingers would somehow slip lower to where I was aching for him the most. My clit pulsed in agreement.

"You are sexy."

"No, I'm not. I'm huge."

"Huge? Please, Bella. No one can even tell you're pregnant looking from the back of you. It's only when you turn to your side and someone sees our kid sticking out that they realize you are carrying a baby."

"My ass is the size of Texas, Edward."

"No it's not. Stop being so silly."

"Yeah? You wanna see it?" I asked, batting my eyelashes and peering over my shoulder to gauge his reaction.

Loud sigh…check. Fingers pinching the bridge of his nose…check. Eyebrows creased together in frustration…check. Hopefully just a few more minutes until his control is obliterated.

"Ugh, Baby, don't tempt me," he sighed, pressing his forehead against mine.

I couldn't take this no sex rule anymore. I was tense, frustrated, and nine months fucking pregnant…just a couple of weeks away from giving birth. I wanted Edward. I needed to feel Edward inside me…I needed a god damned release!

"Edward, am I too unattractive to you now?" I blurted out honestly with a hint of annoyance, twisting my upper body a little more in his direction so I could face him somewhat. I just needed to know once in for all because it had been bothering the ever living crap out of me.

"What? Of course I'm attracted to you, you silly, oversensitive girl. Bella, you're carrying my child and very beautifully at that. In fact, I find you sexier now more than ever." He accentuated his point by trailing his hand down the length of my body, causing me to shiver. Edward then proceeded to lean his head down to devour my mouth to which I instantly reciprocated by opening my mouth, pulling his tongue in to dance with mine.

Once she moaned into my mouth and started to shift the rest of her body to face me, I had to pull away. Bella's face was hot and flushed and her eyes were the color of the darkest chocolate. My wife looked at me as though I was something to eat and it was sexy as fuck.

I bet her sweet pussy is soaking wet. Maybe just one little touch…fuck! Who the hell am I kidding? One touch is all it's going to take before absolutely ravish this beautiful creature and plow right into her.

"Bella," I started in panting breaths, "we shouldn't."

Not being able to look her in the eyes fully as her face was wilting with disappointment; I plopped onto my back and stared up at the ceiling trying to ease my heart rate back to a suitable level that wouldn't give me a heart attack.

"Why not?" she asked softly, the hurt evident in her voice. She retreated back to her original position facing the windows.

Letting out a deep breath and rolling over to cradle her from behind, I started to explain. "Because I'm so afraid of hurting you or our baby….or both. I want you so fucking badly, Bella, I ache for you. I don't think I could control myself and not feast on you like a damn buffet. I won't risk causing you or our child any discomfort. I'm sorry, baby. I don't want you to take what I am saying to mean that I think you are unappealing to me. You will always be so beautiful in my eyes."

My gorgeous wife tilted her head over her shoulder in my direction, the smoldering fiery look in her eyes a mere flicker now, as she flashed me a small smile. I felt like such an asshole because I knew she was hurt and disappointed, but she was trying to hide it.

"Thanks," was all she offered before she turned away.

"Hey," I kissed her shoulder. "I love you."

"I love you, too, Edward," she stated quietly into her pillow. "I'm just gonna take a nap before we have to get dressed and go to Alice and Jasper's block party."

"Shit, that's right. I forgot that we had to go to that. Are you sure you don't just wanna stay home?" I asked, massaging her shoulder.

"Edward, don't even start with that. We promised our friends we would be there. Plus, I would like to spend time with Riley, Peter, and Charlotte before I can't give them my full attention for a while. I miss them. Besides, I think it would do me some good to get out of the house," she responded with a little bite to her attitude. Fuck, she was really pissed that I turned her down for sex.

"Okay, Baby, we'll go. It was just a quick thought. I'm going to go get something to drink. You want anything?" I was trying to keep the peace.

"Nope. I'm good." Her voice was so short and clipped and she didn't even turn to look at me.

"Alright, I'll just let you rest then," I conceded, getting up from the bed and heading towards the door.

"Sounds super," she mumbled.

What the fuck is wrong with me? I berated myself internally while taking a swig of orange juice. I shook my head at my sheer stupidity.

Why did I ever think not having sex towards the end of Bella's pregnancy was a good thing…a safe thing to do? I was just as wound up as she was. This wasn't doing us any good by not being intimate at all. I should be reassuring that sexy woman upstairs that she looked beautiful…for Christ's sake she fucking does! Ugh, I was a stupid, stupid man who did nothing but fuck this up even more. The last thing I ever wanted to do was to hurt my Bella.

Then make it right, asshole. Go upstairs and show her that you love her and think she's sexy as fuck. Damn, even my sub-conscious hated me…and I deserved it. Nothing would happen to her or the baby; that shit was all in my head. I guess I was the typical guy thinking that if I had sex with my pregnant wife now, the head of my dick would be poking my child's skull.

You're an idiot.

Yes, I was a straight up, number one dickhead who needed to make things right. With new resolve, I slammed down the rest of my drink and made my way back upstairs. I opened the door quietly and stepped in the room, taking off the sport shorts and boxers I had on. I peeled out of my t-shirt and slipped back into bed, easing my way over to Bella so I wouldn't startle her. She was so fucking beautiful that my whole body burned for her…and always would. I wrapped my arms around her and started to massage her belly, our child nudging a little in response.

Lifting my hand, I swiped the hair away from her neck and pushed it over her other shoulder, allowing me access to nibble and lick on that sweet spot below her ear. Bella sighed and melted into me, but she wasn't wiggling her luscious ass like she usually did to goad me. I needed to step up my game.

"Mmm…that feels good, babe," Bella breathed, raking her fingers over my forearm.

I loved the slightest of touches from this woman. My cock was already hard as fuck and standing at attention against her lower back. She had to have felt it.

"Oh yeah? I'm glad, but do you know what would feel even better?" I whispered huskily into her ear while smirking. "Me being inside you."

I could have sworn Bella stopped breathing for a few seconds before she started speaking.

"Wh…What? But I thought that…" she stuttered, trying to turn to face me. However, I stopped her from moving, tightening my arms around her.

"No. Don't turn around. I'm so sorry for before, Beautiful. I'll never stop wanting you and I love you so fucking much that I want to show you just how much. Just relax and enjoy." I licked my way up the side of the neck and took her earlobe right in my ear and bit on it playfully, earning a giggle from Bella.

Ah…there's my girl.

"Well thank the dear lord you finally came to your damn senses…you ass," she laughed as she playfully wiggled that cute ass right on my cock, that was ready to fall off if it didn't get inside my wife already.

I started teasing her with my fingers, making them travel from her shoulders down to her knees and back. I did this a few times to loosen her up and help her relax. With each new journey, Bella would moan and writhe as my hand would creep closer to where I knew she wanted me the most and up around her breasts, barely grazing her nipples.

My wife was so full of want and need, that she couldn't take it anymore. She laced her fingers with mine and slowly dragged them towards her heat. Our breaths hitched together as we found our way to her slick core. I wasted no time in taking over and gliding our fingers between her folds.

"Sweet Jesus, Baby, you are so fucking wet. I love how wet I make you." I said, making slow, torturous circles around her clit.

"Only you can do this to me. I love you so much," Bella whimpered as she reached around and took hold of my cock and started to tug at it, twisting her hand in the most pleasurable of ways.

"Fuck," I panted. "Baby, I don't know how much longer I can hold on before I just cum right on the spot."

"Then stop stalling and make love to me already," she moaned sexily as she started to shift her legs, pulling one back far enough so I could slide right into her. She squeezed and rubbed even harder, the friction causing my blood to boil with such feral desire for this woman.

That's when I let myself go and positioned myself in a way that gave me a better angle to push into her slowly. As I sank into her I let out a loud moan that I was sure the neighbors heard. I didn't fucking care one bit because I was finally home, buried deep within my beautiful girl, fully enjoying my reunion with her body.

"God, I missed this. I missed you…so much… it…it hurt, Edward," Bella struggled to say between moans.

All I could do was grunt in response as I pushed deeper into her, our hips moving in tandem, giving and taking, pushing and pulling.

"Me, too, baby," was all I could muster up.

Bella reached up and grabbed a fistful of my hair, forcing my head down so she could crash her lips into mine. We wasted no time with little pecks and shit. My girl's tongue was out of her mouth, hypnotizing mine…tasting mine before our lips were fully touching. It was utterly erotic and it made me work harder on her clit so she could have her release because I was certainly desperate for mine.

Every time Bella moaned, it sent shock waves right to my dick, making it damn near impossible for me to control my movements. I sped my thrusts up a bit, hoping it would satisfy the hard fucker until Bella was ready to fully let go. After a few more swirls around her slick heat, I felt her inner walls tighten. We didn't stop kissing and touching and before we knew it, Bella was writhing uncontrollably, her inner walls throbbing and thumping against my dick. It felt so fucking good.

"Oh…yes…yes…yes!" Bella screamed as she rode her orgasm out for all that it was worth.

"Fuck, I'm gonna cum, baby. Ungh…so…fucking…good!" I grunted, thrusting up with each word until I stilled, spilling inside of her in a few hot gushes.

After a few minutes of us just laying there, our legs wrapped up like a pretzel, I slipped out of Bella, both of us groaning at the loss of connection, I slid out of bed to clean myself up in the bathroom and got a warm washcloth for my fully spent wife. I crouched down on the floor by her side of the bed and carefully cleaned between her legs, paying careful attention to that sweetest area of hers as she hummed in delight, a lazy smile gracing her gorgeous face.

"Edward?" Bella rubbed my shoulder with her pointer finger.

"Yeah, Baby?" I responded, her eyes hypnotizing mine.

"Let's never go that long without each other like that again. I love you so much and I don't ever want to feel so disconnected from you like that."

Lifting my arm, I cupped her cheek with my hand, making her lean into it. "I know exactly what you mean. I love you, Bella. Never, baby. Never again."

Hours later, I was enjoying the summer weather with great friends, good food and beer. Jasper and Alice's block party was in full swing. Since some of the guys from my and Emmett's fire company lived on the same block, they made sure the street was blocked off by a couple of small fire engines and one EMS truck.

The neighbors had all pitched in and rented some blow up water slides for the kids. I smiled watching Emmett playing with Riley and got a real kick out of him barreling down the water slide with his son between his legs. I couldn't wait to do that with my own kid and was starting to get anxious for the baby to be born already. Bella had a couple more weeks to go and we were so fucking excited to meet our little bundle of joy. I didn't even care if it was going to be a boy or a girl; just as long as the baby was happy and healthy was all that mattered to me…and Bella, too.

Alice and Jasper's little ones, Peter and Charlotte were equally adorable. They were like a little mini Jasper and Alice, each gaining a part of their parent's unique personality. Peter was just like Jasper to a fucking tee when he was quiet and contemplative while Charlotte loved getting all up in everyone's business just like my darling cousin. It still blew my mind that we were all happily married and parents. Normally I wasn't a really religious guy but I thanked God every day for bringing these people into my life, especially Bella. After all the shit we had been through and experienced during our time together, Bella and I were truly content. I was so happy that Bella had agreed to therapy a few years ago.

Just knowing that she had thought that she could never stand up to Tanya's ghost and that she felt she was going to be second best still tore at my heart a bit. How could she ever think that I would love her less because she wasn't who she thought she should be? Christ, we had come so far. It seemed like such a lifetime ago. I had made some pretty great strides in my therapy, as well. I was able to overcome the guilt I felt over many things like Tanya's death, my accident, and the events that led Bella to being trapped in the fire at Alice's studio.

Yeah, everything happens for a reason and is as it should be.

Now if only our baby would come. Then, life would be truly perfect.

"This is the life, huh, guys?" Jasper asked, leaning back on a lounge chair, opening up another bottle of beer.

"This is awesome, Jas," Emmett agreed, leaning his head back to catch the rays of the sun. As if he needed to be any more tan.

I was just about to say something when a figure whizzed by in my peripheral vision. When it came into view, I realized it was Riley and he was bounding right for me, his arms flailing about and a huge Emmett-like toothy smile plaster across his face.

"Unco Eddie! Hewwo!" Riley screamed and then proceeded to leap in the air, his hands headed directly for my…

"Unf!" I grunted, immediately extracting Riley's hands from his little hold on my balls.

Fuck, that hurt!

Jasper spit out his beer and Emmett lost it, doubling over in a fit of hysterics.

"Dada...I found Unco Eddie's tig and bewries!" Emmett's spawn of Satan exclaimed. He was cute but holy hell…what a fucking grip on that toddler! I gave my balls a little rub of comfort.

"Way to go, Buddy. But you shouldn't hurt Uncle Eddie like that," Emmett pitifully tried to scold his child.

Riley turned, a sad little frown on his chubby face. "I sawry, Unco Eddie. I no touch your tig and bewries no more."

"It's okay, little man," I chuckled, letting him get off my lap.

His attention was immediately diverted by the sound of the screen door loudly squeaking open. His face lit up like a Christmas tree as soon as he saw that it was Bella who opened the door. Riley had a little baby crush on Bella and she ate that shit up with a spoon. They were like two little peas in a pod.

"Dada. I go see Auntie Bel. She go to get me somfing to dwink," Riley mumbled, already waddling his way towards my waddling wife. When she spotted Riley coming towards her, she extended her hand and he snatched it up right away, pulling her back inside, no doubt demanding that she get him something to drink.

"That little guy is too freakin' cute, but damn, Em, what the hell are you and Rosie feeding Riley? He's already like his grizzly bear father," Jasper joked, slapping a proud looking Emmett on the back.

"And what's with the 'twig and berries' talk?" I laughed.

"Shit, man. You got the least of it. My little dude loves to poke at my balls, too! He's been fascinated with penises ever since he realized he pisses out of one. Rose and I are potty training Riley and she keeps calling it a 'wee wee' to him," Emmett scrunched his face. "And since I can't have him call his little manhood a 'cock' or dick,' twig and berries seemed to fit. Rose hates it," he snickered, like some sneaky little kid.

"Em…that's just…well, there are no words." I shook my head at him. However, I was smirking because it was just like Emmett to teach his son something like that.

"Oh, whatever, dude. Just you wait until Bella pops your kid out. It could be a boy and then you will have to deal with Bella having your son prance around saying 'wee wee' like one of the fucking three little piggies."

Now it was my turn to laugh along with Jasper.

Emmett smiled, resting his head back again and putting his feet up on a cooler.

"Ha! Go ahead and laugh now, motherfucker," he chuckled darkly, his stare right on Jasper. "But you sure as shit know that Alice is going to do the same thing as my sweet Rosie…and you too, fucker," he grinned in my direction.

Just when the three of us were getting back to talking about manly shit like sports instead of 'wee wee's,' Riley darted out the side door of Jasper's house, screaming for me with a look of desperation across his little features.

"Unco Eddie…Unco Eddie! Hey!" he panted, finally reaching me. I immediately lifted him into my arms and stood up.

"What's up, little guy?" I questioned, wondering why he looked so panicked.

"Auntie Bel…she gots an axeeedent! She pee peed all over Auntie Awice's foor! It look yucky!" Riley pursed his lips, his eyes wide like a damn deer in headlights. I really didn't have time to process all that Riley had said before Jasper and Emmett shot up as though their asses were on fire. Emmett grabbed Riley out of my arms quick as a flash, startling the crap out of me.

"Geez, Emmett! What the hell is wrong with you?" My arms were still posed like they were holding his child.

"Edward, I don't want to get you in a panic, but what Riley is so eloquently trying to state is that Bella's water just broke…and apparently on my kitchen floor," Jasper calmly chimed in, smiling from ear to ear.

That's when things got a bit foggy. My head started to spin and I instantly started to move like a chicken without a head. For a guy, a husband who had sat reading 'What to Expect When You're Expecting' religiously with his wife, I suddenly had no fucking clue what I should be doing.

"Holy shit! I'm gonna be a fucking father!" I screeched, not moving an inch. "What the fuck do I do? I don't know what to do!"

"First off, you have to try to remain calm," Jasper started, putting his hand on my shoulder. "Bella's the one who's going to be delivering the baby and she's probably a little scared."

All I did was stare at my friend. I was unable to even speak.

"Uh, Edward? I think right about now should be the time that you go to Bella to see how she's doing. She may be having contractions and you may have to call her doctor," Emmett advised, comforting Riley, who looked just as clueless as I felt right at this moment.

"Shit, yeah. You're right. Thanks!" I waved, hauling ass inside the house to find my wife.

The first person I saw was my cousin, who was cleaning the floor by the refrigerator. The liquid looked all cloudy and discolored with a tint of red. My face must have immediately shown the petrified look on my face because Alice dropped the bunched up paper towels in her hand and shot up to be by my side.

"It's okay, Edward. It's supposed to look like that," she pointed to the spot that I couldn't tear my eyes from. I was so nervous that something was wrong with my child, my wife.

Oh God, please let them be okay. I can't fucking live without them.

"Come on. She's in the bathroom sitting on the lid of the toilet. Rose and I cleaned her. Then I got a pair of maternity pants that I still like to lounge in to make her feel more comfortable. She's still…leaking…so we had to wrap a towel around her."

I found Bella and Rosalie in the bathroom talking quietly. Alice had gone to get Emmett and Jasper up to speed as to what was going on with Bella. Rose was putting Bella's hair in a pony tail while Bella was doing her Lamaze breathing that we had learned in the birthing class we took a while ago. I thought I was all prepared mentally, but I wasn't. Feeling so helpless, a few tears started to prick at the corner of my eyes. My baby was going to have our baby. I couldn't have been more proud of Bella. She looked so damn relaxed…so fucking at ease while my insides were twisted in knots over our impending arrival.

It felt like I was standing before them for an eternity because Bella was the one who spoke first.

"Hey, Babe. I…I think it's time. Rosalie already had me call my doctor and since I tested positive for the Step test, I have to go to the hospital soon so the nurses can get me started on an IV of antibiotics so nothing happens to the baby during delivery," she beamed, her twinkling eyes matching my own.

"But, we don't have your hospital bag! Maybe I should go…" I started to run out of the bathroom so I could fly at lightning speed a few blocks to our house to get her stuff for the hospital.

I ended up bumping bodies with Alice, effectively toppling over my own two feet and onto on my poor cousin. Pure adrenaline is what got me off that floor and off my cousin. My heart was racing up my throat it was constricting so much. I hated feeling like I had lost all control of my fucking brain.

"Edward, please relax!" Alice exclaimed. "You're only going to upset Bella if you keep carrying on like some imbecile. Jasper went to retrieve Bella's bag from your house. I gave him the spare key you had given me. Emmett has got Irina from the EMS on standby to drive you two in the truck to the hospital. Jasper is also going to call your parents and Bella's, informing them they are about to be grandparents. Everything's under control except for you. Why don't you try some of those Lamaze exercises?" Alice laughed, patting me on my back and steering me back towards my beautifully glowing wife.

Fifteen hours later, our son, Aidan Edward Cullen was born. The girls had escorted Bella to the ambulance while I had splashed some cold water on my face to wash off the awful trance I was under. I needed to be strong like Bella. I wanted to be fully there for her and for our baby. I was so fucking excited…and nervous as all hell.

Bella ended up requesting an epidural…and that's when I gave every woman who had ever had a baby and received one of those long assed, mother fucking needles in their spines, major respect and props. There was no doubt in my mind after that that women were definitely the stronger gender. Bella had hardly flinched whereas I was ready to pass out before the needle even came close to her skin. Shit, I had fought the mother of all fires, had the floor fall from under me…literally, thus making me lose my memory; but I couldn't hold it together when I witnessed all that my Bella had to go through in order to bring another being into this world. Women were such fascinating creatures.

I was currently holding my son…my son! Yeah, that's right. I was fucking elated when I saw that twig and those little berries. I was happy to have the Cullen name live on, as I knew my father would be. I was truly shocked at how natural parenting came as soon as Aidan came out of Bella and breathed his first real breath of life in the birthing room.

Thankfully, we were able to get a private room so I could sleep with my family.

Family. Bella and I had started a family and there weren't enough words I could conjure up in order to describe the most satisfyingly content feeling I felt. As I held Aidan in my arms, all swaddled up in his little blue hospital issued blanket, his eyes closed in peaceful slumber…just like his mommy was in the bed beside us.

Placing an ever so gentle kiss on his tiny head, my lips skimming the tuft of reddish brown hair that stood on end, I began to have a little talk with my newborn son.

"Hey, my little man. How ya holding up?" I started, smiling down at his sleeping form. "That good, huh? Listen, I just want you to know that you and your mommy are the most precious beings in my life and that daddy loves you very much. Now, you have to know that since you are the second man of the house, you must be protective of your mother. She's a feisty one," I chuckled, adjusting Aidan so he was lying on his belly, vertically on my chest while I reclined back a bit.

I crossed my legs and continued our little chat. "See, there will be times where you will get in trouble with your mommy. But I want you to know that it will most likely be for a good reason. You seem to have the same fiery colored hair like mine was when I was born, so that must mean that you will take after me. And if you are anything like me…you're going to get into a heap load of trouble…some of it fun, some of it not so fun. Maybe you'll grow up to be a fireman just like your daddy here. If that's the case, you're going to be putting out a lot of fires in your life…literally and figuratively. Even if you don't end up riding on a fire truck for a living, there are three things you should always know in life…

First, when you are in the middle of an argument with your girlfriend or wife, chances are you are in the wrong. Just go with it and work it out the best you can. Sometimes saying, 'You're right, baby' works really well.

Second, you are allowed to curse in front of me…once you're eighteen. Don't even go there with your mother. I have a feeling she would wash your mouth out with soap when you're thirty. Not the best idea to try cursing around her.

Third, where there's smoke, there's always fire. So live your life to the fullest, no matter how many bumps in the road you encounter…because everything always happens for a reason. And don't forget to love with the greatest amount of passion there is. I promise…you won't be disappointed."

We have to thank a few people…first, KeepingUpWithTheKids who was a beta for our dear friend Robicorn. She took us under her wing at the get-go and set us up with our beta SweetDulcinea, who literally had her hands full with us in the beginning. Neither of us had ever written anything more than maybe a college research paper, and had no idea how to write dialogue, inner monologues, use punctuation correctly (it is a lot harder than you think people!), and let's just say that our first few chapters, which were only about 8 pages each, took us about 2 hours to correct when we got them back from her because in the beginning there were so many mistakes. But little by little she taught us not only how to be better with grammar and punctuation, but also pushed us to be better writers and be more creative. So towards the end, when we were sending her 20 page chapters, it would only take us about 10 minutes to fix it up before we could post it for you all. So for that…we are forever grateful for having you in our lives, and teaching us everything you know, SD! xoxo

To our new beta, dolphin62598, who stepped in for us when SweetDulcinea's real life got super busy and needed some more time for herself (which was so well deserved), and fit right in with us. She continues to help us become better, and push us further than we even think we can sometimes…we say a super big thank you. xoxo

And last, but certainly not least, to all of you who have read, alerted, rec'd this story out…you are the sole reason why we do this. Some of you have been with us from day one, while others of you are new to our family, but each and every one of you have made this whole process worth it in the end…even during those times when we had writers block, or had things going on in our real lives that made it difficult to be able to concentrate on writing a work of fiction that we sometimes wished we could escape into. Every single review, Tweet, Facebook message we have received from you guys has been truly meaningful in a way we couldn't possibly express in words and for that we thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

We are going to be working on a new story, which we will start posting in a few months, while in the meantime focusing our attention on continuing Beautiful Stranger. So if you would like to be notified about that please put us on author alert if you haven't already done so. Plus, we may re-visit these two from time to time with outtakes (we just can't say goodbye to Fireward completely), so make sure you keep an eye out for those too.

Thanks again for everything! We love you all!

Holly & Pauline, aka NJNYTwiGals

*If you would like to see the dresses all the girls wore at the wedding, use the links below.
Bella: http:/i195(dot)photobucket(dot)com/albums/z55/PaulineAH/Bella-Bridecopy(dot)jpg
Bridesmaids: http:/i195(dot)photobucket(dot)com/albums/z55/PaulineAH/Alice-Bridesmaid(dot)jpg