57Song Inspiration:
Falling Like the Stars by James Arthur
Here Comes the Sun by The Beatles
Chapter 5:
BPOV
The clear sky is a never-ending shade of blue, not a cloud to be seen. I feel the warmth of the sun soaking into my skin, and I'm glad I remembered to grab my sun hat as I walked out the door.
I hear them way before I can see them. I know their voices so well. They're homed in my heart, seared on my soul—always a part of me.
His deep, throaty laugh. Their high-pitched giggles. They make me smile, and my heart sings.
I stroll awkwardly along the path between the small dune that separates our cabin from the beach where they are, carrying a basket of snacks for us all.
Looking ahead, I see them. My loves; my life.
They're playing in the shallows, water breaking against their legs. They jump and skip over small waves. He quickly grabs a hand as the youngest stumbles backward. Always watching, always protective.
I see the umbrella and towels just ahead of me and place the basket there before I continue down to the shoreline.
I catch his eye. My Edward.
"Hey look, there's Mommy." He turns them and points my way.
"Mommy!" they call out excitedly. Two little faces grinning madly, hands waving frantically.
I slowly make my way to them, and they both talk to me at once, filling me in on their exciting adventures.
"Wow, sounds like you've had a great time," I say to them.
"We have, Mommy, just the bestest time," our eldest daughter delightedly tells me. She is my mini Edward. All wild reddish hair, bright green eyes, and a toothy smile that melts my heart. Margaret Marie, our Maggie.
"Da bettets," repeats our baby girl.
We often laugh that our youngest looks far more like Emmett and Rose's daughter than ours, or even Alice and Jasper's. She's fair haired with a mop of curls and huge blue eyes that seem as if they've been here before. Edward can't remember his biological parents, but from an old photo he has of them, you can tell there's a resemblance to our girl. Elizabeth Esme, our little Libby.
It's funny how the world works. It's like another piece of them has come back to join us in this journey. Carlisle explains it all scientifically, referring to DNA and genetics. I just call it fate.
"I thought you guys might be getting a bit hungry by now. I've brought some snacks," I tell them.
"Yay! Snacks!" is chorused back at me by all three of them.
The girls run off ahead. Maggie in the lead, Libby toddling behind as fast as her little legs can carry her, always following.
"Did you have a good rest?"
"I did. Thank you for bringing the girls down and giving me some quiet time," I acknowledge gratefully.
He leans forward and places a gentle kiss on my lips. "You're welcome."
"Mmmm … a salty welcome." I grin at him, licking the remaining salt from my own lips.
Edward takes my hand. "Come on, Mommy, we'd better get up there or else there will be juice all over the towels and fights over the goodies before we know it."
We join the girls under the umbrella and wipe the sand from their hands. I hand out juice packs and place a large platter of fruit and crackers between them to share.
Edward sits behind, pulling me tightly against his bare chest. I relax into his hold and lay my head back against his shoulder.
He wraps his arms around me, placing his hands on my stomach and nuzzles my neck.
Goosebumps form on my arms, and I shiver at his touch.
"You cold, Birdy?" he asks teasingly.
He knows I'm not cold.
I shake my head lazily and chuckle. "Nope, not cold."
"That's right, my Birdy is one hot mama," he teases, nibbling my earlobe.
I laugh loudly at that, and the girls both look over at us and laugh too.
"Maggie, show Mommy what we found on the beach earlier," Edward prompts.
She leans over and reaches for a small bucket placed by her side. "Look, Mommy. Look what we founded for you."
Her green eyes are bright as she brings a large white feather over to me and places it in my hand.
"We founded," Libby parrots.
My voice hitches, and I place a hand to my mouth to stop the sound that so desperately wants to spring out.
His hands tighten around me, holding me in place, holding me together.
"It's beautiful," I whisper, attempting a smile.
"Makes you sad, Mommy?" Maggie asks, a little frown now on her face.
"No, baby, it makes me very happy," I reassure her.
"Your daddy once found a feather just like this for me when we were little just like you; and your Grandpa Charlie also found one for me at a beach much like this a long, long time ago," I tell her.
They know about Grandpa Charlie, even though they never met him. We talk of him fondly and often. He's still a part of their lives, even though he's not with us.
She looks to Edward for reassurance, and I feel him nod his head from behind me.
"I told you Mommy would think it was special, Maggie Moo."
She's happy that her gift hasn't upset me, and she claps her hands. "That's good then." She smiles.
"Dat's good," our baby girl mimics. Her head nodding, and curls bouncing, in agreement.
"Everything is good," Edward whispers in my ear, rubbing my large, rounded belly.
And it is.
We enjoy this time together, just the four of us. Because soon there will be six of us.
And, tomorrow we'll be joined by the rest of our family, and there will be so many more here to enjoy this summertime holiday with us.
Uley's, Clearwater's, Whitlock's, and more Cullen's.
Grandma Sue and Nanna Esme will be taking charge, organising us all, feeding us all, continually counting heads and rounding up cheeky grandchildren and loving every single moment of it.
Poppy Car will be here to cheer them all on and to fix and kiss the boo-boos when needed.
I sigh contentedly, rubbing the feather lightly over my tummy.
"My boys misbehaving?" he asks, moving his hands to where a little foot can be seen, pushing out from within.
"Your boys?" I laugh. "You just might get more girls and be well and truly outnumbered, Dr. Cullen."
"We need to even the numbers." He's firm in his belief.
"We will be evening the numbers if we have more girls," I tell him cheekily. "After all, Emmett has four Cullen boys." That makes us both laugh because Emmett's boys are all so full of life, loud and wild, just like him.
"Well, maybe four girls wouldn't be such a bad thing," he counters. "That lot sounds like a herd of elephants."
That makes me smile. I lean my head back on him again. I am full of love and happiness.
I think back to a long-ago summer's day, much like this one. When a little girl was sitting quietly on her front porch and a herd of elephants descended right next door.
I bring the feather up and tickle his nose.
"I love elephants," I tell him.
"And I love you. My Birdy."
~oo000oo~
A/N: Birdy was written for KitsuShel with much love. To say that I was overwhelmed when I found out it was YOU I had to write my FAGE piece for is a massive understatement. I admire your writing and your words so much; they have been a gift to our fandom for many years. I hope you find some enjoyment in my words and my gift to you. Xx
If you've stuck with this to the end, I thank you for reading and, hopefully, reviewing. I hope you liked my first attempt at writing a multi-chapter story. I was extremely nervous, yet excited, to share it with you all.
Much gratitude goes to ghostreader24, Honeymoon Edward, and Alice's White Rabbit for all their help and assistance. Without them, these words would not be pretty.
To Deonne, our FAGE Mistress, a massive thank YOU! Without you holding my hand and cheering me on, I'm not sure I would have made it to the finish line.