What's Forever

Chapter 20

This one is very thin, with smaller features and dark hair that's cut short and pointing out in every direction. The cut and color should be harsh but it suits her. Next to her was a taller boy, guy probably, tall and lanky with honey blond, slightly curled hair.

"Let me figure this out, you're Alice and you're Jasper by default." I said, bouncing slightly with Ava.

"Yes. She's so gorgeous." Alice said and I'm guessing her voice or her bubbliness made Ava smile. "Oh! Look!" she squealed, making Ava laugh and everyone laughed with her.

"Rose . . ."

The woman who worried me, the statuesque model stood there watching us. She honestly belongs on the cover of all the magazines in the world. Her hair is much longer than Alice's and stark contrast in color, hers blonde against Alice's super black. The guy standing next to her pale as well, beautiful in a way that a man shouldn't be with short black hair as well. Tall the same as Rosalie, taller, as a matter of fact, possibly just as tall as Emmett which just makes me feel smaller in comparison.

"It's nice to meet you." I said, trying my best to breathe normally and keep my heart rate controlled.

"She's beautiful." Rosalie said, her voice soft and comforting.

Ava was quiet and just watching Rosalie.

"Thank you, I made her myself." I replied, making everyone laugh.

When I heard another car pull up I turned my head to the door. Another couple pulled in, this last one is obviously Edward. Tall and lanky like Jasper but he has more messy, bronzey colored hair, he looks younger than the others. Gives me high school student vibes but at the same time, he seems more serious and mature in the way that he carries himself. The girl with him is pale, but not as pale as the Cullen's by any means. Long dark hair that doesn't really do anything for her but it doesn't take away from her appeal either.

"Hello, Bella." Esme said, smiling.

"Hi . . ." the girl replied, stopping when she saw me.

"Hi, you must be Edward and Bella. I'm . . ."

"Valentina, we've heard a lot about you." Edward said, smiling softly.

"This is Ava Rae." I said, turning so that she could see the newcomers. "Hi, Bella."

"Hi." she said, looking at Ava.

"How old is she?" Rosalie asked, making me turn around.

"7 months, time is flying by." I said, looking at Ava when she started fussing again.

"Come in, come in, sit down." Esme smiled and there's just this light on her face, her happiness is shining through literally.

I walked into the main living room and sat on the sofa with Ava while Edward and Bella turned to talk to Alice. There is the nagging thought in my mind that Edward brought Bella so I wouldn't be the only human here. His sudden smile made me remember what his gift is and also ratted him out.

Thank you - I thought and smiled when he nodded his head.

"How are you feeling?" Esme asked as she sat in the armchair across from me.

"Not as nervous as I was on the way." I smiled, chuckling softly.

"She was pushing herself to a heart attack." Emmett laughed, sitting next to me.

"That's not funny." I complained, leaning back against him.

"It absolutely is."

Jasper came over and hovered around the room as we chatted. Edward and Bella were quick to go upstairs and Alice joined us. Rosalie and Jared came and went but her eyes always lingered on Ava Rae.

"I don't know how comfortable you'll feel about this but, can I hold her?" Alice asked.

I was just waiting for her to ask. She kept making funny faces and Ava had started fussing and reaching out to her.

"If you don't mind the blanket, have at it." I smiled, wrapping her up again and softly handing her over.

Ava kept reaching out to touch Alice's face and she allowed it, making more funny faces and noises to make Ava laugh. The smile and happiness radiating off of Alice was enough to make anyone smile. Ava was enjoying all of the attention just as much. They were all so happy that even Jasper was sticking around, which according to Emmett is odd when humans are involved.

"Carlisle says you have great potential to be a surgeon one day." Esme said.

"He's being generous and slightly biased. I think I'm the only woman that doesn't gawk, so he actually gets some work done when I'm around." I said.

"I really do get work done with her. I also know that you would be a great surgical resident if you wanted to." He insisted.

"That would be great but no time, grandma Morgan still works and I definitely don't have an on call nanny for the random shift or the 48-72 hour shifts. That's a dream for later, when she's older." I sighed, thinking about the possibilities.

It would mean more money which means I can put Ava in a good school and save up for her college but that also means crazy hours away from her and student loans out the wazoo. It's just not a plausible idea at the moment, but it is a dream.

"Oh! Well if you ever need a sitter you can always leave her here." Esme said.

"I . . . that's so nice of you to offer but I could never impose on anyone like that." I said, touched by the offer and equally embarrassed that I sounded so . . . needy, that she felt the need to offer.

"It wouldn't be imposing at all, we don't sleep, Val. The bad thing is she'd be super spoiled, I mean, who would ever want to put this beautiful baby down." Alice said.

"You're all so kind."

We spoke for a little longer until Ava Rae started fussing and I know exactly what it is, she's hungry.

"It's okay . . . calma la mia bambina." I muttered as I walked around with her.

"Alice said you might need to feed her, you can go to my room." Rose suddenly said, startling me.

"Oh, Jesus, I forget how quiet you can be. Emmett tends to make a lot of noise." I said.

"I'm sorry, did you want . . ."

"Yes, thank you."

I followed her upstairs and into a very grandiose room. It felt like something in a home decor magazine, all glitz and glam but somehow understated enough that her mate . . . man . . . boyfriend? I don't know, but understated enough that he wouldn't be off put by it. She held up the blanket for my modesty while I helped Ava latch on, then she stepped away.

"You don't like me very much, do you?" I asked.