Chapter 25 Teaser

“That wasn’t your first contraction was it?”

Bella chewed on her lip and shook her head. “I had two this morning before I lay on the couch.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Because, we’ve had so many false alarms this week I didn’t want to say anything until I was sure.”

“Bella…” he was stopped when Bella’s face contorted in pain.

He dropped his fork and scurried quickly to her. He started rubbing her back gently and a few minutes later she was breathing normally again.

“That was only 18 minutes from the last one. They’re closer together,” she said and as she started to stand, she felt liquid moving down her leg.

Edward followed her eyes and breathed in deeply. “We’re leaving!”

Bella only nodded as she sat back down. Edward darted into the bedroom and she could hear him on the phone as he came back out with her bag. He hung up and pocketed it before gingerly helping her up. His expression was determined as he led her to her car and helped her in. As much as he wanted to speed all the way to the hospital he knew that wasn’t necessary. They had time. At least that’s what he hoped. By the time they got to the hospital Bella was already starting to have another contraction.

“How far apart?”

“Eighteen minutes and her water just broke.”

The doctor nodded and they escorted them upstairs to the OB/GYN floor. After they checked her into her room Dr. Johnson came in and examined her.

“You’re dilated to five,” he said, looking between them. “That means the baby should be here sometime within the next 24 hours.”

Bella gripped Edward’s hand and he looked down at her. “Today.”

“Today!” she smiled.

Chapter 24: Overjoyed

It's the big day for Helios and Bella and Jasper and Alice. Yep Wedding time!

 This is how the alter is set up but with more chairs and white rose petals strewn on the carpet.

 This is Bella's dress. We all know Bella is pretty laid back, nothing fancy. Plus, she is pregnant and didn't want anything tight around her tummy *wink wink*

 This is Alice's dress. It's more form fitting with a little extra bling. Alice toned it down for Bella's sake as the girls wanted to be coordinated to a certain extent.

      

 These are Jasper and Alice's matching Trinity Knot engagement ring/wedding bands. They are all 14k White Gold. The engagement ring has a .25 princess cut diamond and the wedding band has a total of 10ct diamonds in it.

These are Edward and Bella's wedding bands. They didn't want anything fancy as she already has a very distinct engagement ring that her beloved designed for her. These are 14k yellow and white gold bands with a .10 princess cut diamond in his ring.

Mr. and Mrs. Masen *swoon*

This is their wedding cake. Imagine that the flowers on the second tier are rearranged so that the toppers can be placed there.

 Seriously, how could I NOT go with this wedding topper for our Helios and Bella???

And of course this is our sweet Jasper and Alice.

And if you want, we'll share this life

Anytime you need a friend I'm gonna be by your side

When nobody understands you, well, I do

Overjoyed

Matchbox Twenty

North (2012)

Chapter 24 Teaser

Edward set their bags down and approached her. He smirked before taking her hands in his and pulling her against him. Their lips touched and he kissed her so intently that Bella’s knees actually felt weak. Bella was perfectly content to just strip off her clothes and jump into the bed but then she wouldn't be able to use the sexy lingerie she had bought for the occasion. 

“I want to freshen up, Helios,” she murmured. 

“Me too,” he replied, pecking her forehead and then stepping away from her. 

Bella stared at him dumbfounded as she watched him dig into his suitcase for a bag and walk into the bathroom with it. She didn't contemplate it any further as she began rummaging through her own bag, grabbing the negligée she had picked out for the first night of their honeymoon. 

"He's gonna love this!" she smiled happily.

Bella now sat on the edge of the bed having already changed. She glanced at the bathroom door, her hand running over the silky smooth material covering her stomach. Edward had been in the bathroom for more than fifteen minutes. Chewing her lip she walked over to the bathroom. 

“Helios,” Bella knocked on the bathroom door. “I thought it was customary for the chick to take all night in the bathroom,” she giggled nervously. 

Edward stared at himself in the mirror. “This is ridiculous!” he mumbled. 

“Helios, come out, come out, wherever you are,” she tapped on the door again. 

“Just a second,” Edward replied and blew out a breath. 

“Okay, I’ll, umm, just hang out on the bed, waiting for my husband to join me.” 

Bella giggled and turned again, heading to the bed. She quickly gathered the pillows and leaned back on them, striking a sexy pose. When the door opened she leaned up on her elbows slightly and gasped. Sexy pose, gone and done with. She stumbled to the edge of the bed as he started walking towards her. 

“Fuck me,” Bella muttered.

Chapter 23: Karma is a ...

So lets take a moment to say farewell and good riddance to the not so dearly departed Senator Scumbag (aka Michael Newton, Sr.)... You got what was coming to you!

Chapter 23 Teaser

The day had been long. He had been in meetings with his lawyers, trying to determine his best course of action. With Martine gone he was basically free. There was nothing but circumstantial evidence against him. Nothing that could be proven legally beyond a reasonable doubt. Unfortunately, that didn't matter for his constituencies. He had been told that there were inquiries being made from his district about removing him from office. He knew that legally that wouldn't happen but he also recognized the implications of it all. He would not be re-elected which meant he would not become governor which in turn meant that his bid to an eventual presidency was now null and void. 

Senator Newton glanced out the window briefly and washed his hand over his face as the realization of his circumstances hit him like a sledgehammer. This is Whitlock’s doing. Whitlock! Every time he thought of either of them his blood boiled. It was because of them that all of this was happening. He needed retribution. They would not go unpunished. Before he could contemplate this further his town car screeched to a stop.

“What’s going on? Why are we stopping?” Newton asked his driver.

“We…”

The driver wasn't able to finish his sentence as a gun shot was fired and he fell to the side. Soon the driver's window was broken with the butt of a gun. He heard the lock click up and the passenger door was opening. Two men slid inside the vehicle. One in the backseat and one in the front seat. A large man in dark jeans and t-shirt, with a knitted cap on his head, slipped into the backseat. He had an assault rifle in his hand that was pointed directly at him. The man in the front seat was slim, also in a dark shirt and knitted cap. He leaned over the back of the front seat and smiled at him. It was a peculiar smile and out of place considering the circumstances. Why aren't they wearing masks? He wondered.

“I have money,” Newton said arrogantly.

The man in the front seat laughed and nodded his head. “Let’s go for a ride, Senator.”

Chapter 22: All of Me

The Los Angeles County Museum of Modern Art

Since its inception in 1965, LACMA has been devoted to collecting works of art that span both history and geography and represent Los Angeles's uniquely diverse population. Today, the museum features particularly strong collections of Asian, Latin American, European, and American art, as well as a contemporary museum on its campus. With this expanded space for contemporary art, innovative collaborations with artists, and an ongoing Transformation project, LACMA is creating a truly modern lens through which to view its rich encyclopedic collection.

source: LACMA Facebook Page

 This is actually another exhibit but its how I pictured the "Healing from Within: Using Art to Rebuild the Mind and Soul" exhibit.

I couldn't resist throwing this picture in here. This was when Robert attended the LACMA Art & Film Gala on October 27, 2012

What would I do without your smart mouth?

Drawing me in, and you kicking me out

You've got my head spinning, no kidding, I can't pin you down

What's going on in that beautiful mind

I'm on your magical mystery ride

And I'm so dizzy, don't know what hit me, but I'll be alright

All of Me

John Legend

Chapter 22 Teaser

“Shhh,” Alice said to Claire who had a bad case of the giggles.

“Okay, okay,” she stated, muffling her mouth.

Both girls tiptoed out into the aisle and carefully moved down, trying to steer clear of Jasper and Seth. They had all wanted some fresh air and decided to hang around the Urban Light exhibit out front, at least for a little bit. The next thing they knew the girls had kicked off their heels and they were all chasing one another through the exhibit and now Seth and Jasper were hiding, somewhere.

“Got ya,” Seth yelled, jumping out and grabbing Claire’s waist.

Claire screamed and dropped her shoes, while Seth laughed and proceeded to tickle her. Alice grinned and tried to sneak around another light posts but ran right into Jasper. He picked her up and kissed her on the cheek. 

“Got ya, too,” he said with a smirk.

Alice laughed and held him tightly. They had had a wonderful evening so far. She smiled and nestled her head in the crook of his neck, thinking how this would be perfect if Edward and Bella were with them at that very moment.

“I think we should go back inside and check on Edward and Bella,” Jasper suggested as he set her down.

“Did you see how many people kept going back to his paintings?” Alice asked. "They loved them." She smiled, extremely proud of her friend.

Seth and Claire walked up to them, hand in hand. “That’s ‘cause everyone knows that Edward’s bad ass with some serious talent.” 

Seth dropped Claire's hand so she could put her shoes back on. He was having fun but he wanted to go back inside so they could all hang with Edward and Bella. Alice also started putting her shoes back on.

“Looks like you all are having fun?” a voice said, coming up to them.

Jasper turned abruptly, recognizing the voice. “Why the fuck are you here?”

Chapter 21 Teaser

“You’ll wrap it up real good?” Edward asked with a raised brow.

Jasper rolled his eyes and nodded, “Yes, dad.”

Edward crossed his arms and Jasper laughed.

“You know, you have that scolding look down, Edward. Now all you need to do is knock Bella up and you’ll be all set.”

Edward laughed. “Well, I am trying,” he replied with a smirk.

“I’m sure you are,” Jasper winked. “Three, four, five times a day. Ya know, whatever it takes,” Jasper replied, readjusting his coveralls.

“Was that the key, Jasper, ‘cause you sure got Alice knocked up right away.”

“I’m surprised she didn’t have triplets with the amount of seed I was planting,” Jasper said, wagging his brows.

“I’m shocked I have any semen left after the amount of fucking Bella and I are doing.”

“I can’t believe you guys are talking about this,” Seth shook his head.

“Edward, don’t be so vile around Seth,” Jasper mocked, covering Seth’s ears. “His delicate nature can’t handle it.”

Seth laughed and pushed him away. “Fuck you. I can handle it just fine. I just never heard two dudes talking about knocking girls up. I thought only women talked about shit like that.”

“Oh really?” Edward said standing up.

“So you’re calling us women?” Jasper asked trying to look angry but not pulling it off.

Seth looked between the two of them as they started to approach him. He raised his hands in surrender.

“I’m not saying it’s bad, just you know… shit!”

Seth darted out of the way as Edward and Jasper leaped at him. He started running around the bikes and then was corned by Edward and Jasper.

“Come on man, we got bikes to finish,” Seth yelled, once again raising his hands.

“We own the joint,” Jasper smiled.

“Which means we can take a break and fuck you up,” Edward finished.

“Wait! Wait! Wait!” Seth couldn't stop grinning.

Seth tried to bob and weave away from them but they were too fast for him. All three were laughing incredible hard, so much so that Seth was actually bent over out of breath. Jasper seeing an opportunity came at him and brought him to the ground like an MMA prize fighter. Edward grinned as Seth screamed out. He pounced on his legs while Seth wiggled underneath them both, trying his best to get loose, all the while laughing and screaming that he was going to piss himself. Before things got too carried away the bell to the garage went off. All three of them stopped horsing around and turned towards the door. A short woman with graying hair stepped inside and Edward smiled.

“Holy shit!” Edward said getting to his feet and brushing his hair back.