Adventures In An Alternate Dimension Book 2

Chapter 10 - Unexpected Turns and Unconditional Love

Ashlynn's POV

The scent of cinnamon rolls hung heavy in the air, a familiar comfort on this chilly Forks evening. My house buzzed with the excited chatter of family, spilling out from the living room to the kitchen and even the porch. Laughter echoed, punctuated by the gurgling coos of Jade and Ava nestled in their bouncy chairs. My heart swelled with love, a feeling as warm and comforting as the rolls themselves.

Tonight was special. All of Bella's family, from Carlisle and Esme to the youngest grandchildren, Grace and Rose, had descended upon Forks for a weekend reunion. Even Charlie and Sue, along with Billy Black, had come – a testament to the deep bond that had formed between our families over the years. It was a chaotic, joyous mess, but it was perfect.

I sat perched on the edge of the sofa, Skylar leaning against me with his arm wrapped around my waist. Thor and Emmett occupied the other end, their playful banter drawing amused snorts from Bella and Edward, who sat next to them.

My gaze drifted over to Bella's children, scattered across the floor like colorful puzzle pieces. Renesmee, a woman now, was engrossed in a whispered conversation with Emmett. Vannessa and Eric, the picture of married bliss, were attempting to teach Grace the finer points of playing peek-a-boo with a giggling Rose. Hunter and Amber argued good-naturedly over a video game controller, while Connor and Raven sat on the love seat, whispering sweet nothings and stealing glances at each other. Even the younger ones, Hope, Tristan, Irissa, and Daniel, weren't causing too much mayhem, content to play a board game spread out on the coffee table.

A sudden silence fell, drawing everyone's attention. I took a deep breath, my heart hammering against my ribs.

"There's something we need to tell everyone," I announced, my voice barely above a whisper.

All eyes turned towards me. A curious wrinkle formed between Skylar's brows. Bella's smile faltered, replaced by a worried frown. The playful bickering had ceased, replaced by a tense anticipation.

I swallowed, my throat suddenly dry. Taking Skylar's hand in mine, I squeezed it reassuringly. He offered a gentle smile, his eyes filled with unwavering support.

"Skylar, Thor, Emmett, Jake, and I..." I began, my voice trailing off.

"Ashlynn, honey, what's wrong?" Sue's voice broke through the silence, her concern evident.

I forced a smile. "There's nothing wrong, Sue. Everything's wonderful, in fact."

Taking another deep breath, I met the worried gazes of my family. "We're going to be parents again." The words tumbled out, a weight lifted off my chest.

A stunned silence followed my announcement. Then, a collective gasp ripped through the room. Wide eyes and open mouths filled my vision.

The first to react was Jade. She let out a delighted gurgle, clapping her tiny hands together. Ava, not to be outdone, echoed her sister's enthusiasm with a joyful coo.

Bella was the next to break the silence. Her face split into a radiant grin, her eyes shining with unshed tears. "Oh, Ashlynn!" she exclaimed, throwing her arms around me in a tight hug. "That's fantastic news!"

Behind me, Skylar chuckled. "Looks like we'll be outnumbered even more, boys," he said, his voice thick with amusement.

"We knew there was a reason you were craving pickles and ice cream all the time," Emmett teased.

A light blush dusted my cheeks. Skylar chuckled, his fingers brushing against mine.

Charlie, who had been staring at me open-mouthed, finally found his voice. "Well, I'll be darned," he muttered, a wide grin spreading across his face. "Four dads and more little ones on the way. Forks just keeps getting more interesting."