The Next Chapter

Babies and Beef

Okay, we're starting the sequel for A Fresh Start. This will probably be slow going as I want to make sure I tell Marie's story well and appropriately. I'd like to thank all of my readers from A Fresh Start and their stories about their children with Autism. Your recollections will help me tremendously in Marie's story. I'm an educator and I'm familiar with the educational ramifications of Autism, but not living with a child with Autism on a day to day basis.

Anyhow, Twilight is not mine. Never will be mine. Ever. *WAAAH!* David, Lizzie and Marie are mine in a literary sense. Ren, too.

I do apologize with the sporadic updates with this one. I struggle with this story and finding the momentum is tough. With that being said, please be patient with me on this one. I do intend to finish it. It'll probably take time.

Up next will be some transitional stuff...we need to find out how Rose, Jacob and the rest of the crew are doing. I'm probably going to move up the timeline (closer to 'spring break' for the teachers). Also, what's happening with Renee? Did she get help? Tell me your thoughts! Leave me some! *Hugs!*

Chapter Eighteen: Babies and Beef

"God, I'm as big as a house," Rose grumbled as she waddled to the couch. "Last baby, I swear."

"You say that now," Alice snickered.

"Oh, no, I mean it," Rose snapped, flopping down onto the couch and groaning as she fell backwards. "This baby is already roughly seven pounds and I'm not due for another month. Emmett and his huge genes."

"Do you know if you're having a boy or a girl?" I asked as I sat down next to her, putting a pillow behind her back.

"We were going to keep it a secret but fuck it," Rose snorted. "We're having a girl."

"Can I throw you a shower?" Alice squealed.

"Alice, Evan is still in his diapers, I can use his stuff. Plus, you and Bella can outfit our baby girl for years with the amount of girl's clothes you two have," Rose said. "No shower."

"I'll ask Edward to pull out the girl's baby clothes. You can have whatever you want, Rose," I said.

"No shower?" Alice frowned.

"Nope. I'm okay with that," Rose said as she put her hand on her belly. "Oh, jeez. She's going to be a soccer player or something. She keeps bruising me from the inside."

"Can I feel?" I asked. I never really felt the triplets move during the third trimester. They were too squished in my belly. Rose nodded and put my hand on her stomach. I got a hard kick on my palm. "Oh my! How often does she do that?"

"All day. All night. All the frickin' time," Rose grumbled. "I've taken to sleeping with my belly against Emmett's back so he can feel what his sperm is doing to me."

"How's he taking that?" I asked.

"He hates me. He keeps bitching that I'm disturbing his beauty sleep. Um, hello! I haven't had a full-night's sleep since Christmas. Either I'm getting attacked from the inside out OR I'm up every fifteen minutes to pee. I love having children but the trauma it puts on my body is too much. So, like I said, last baby. I swear."

I plastered on a fake smile, trying to find some sympathy for Rose. I understood her complaints. I dealt with them, too. But, she could easily have more children. Edward and I, we couldn't. Well, not naturally. If we wanted more children, we'd have to adopt.

"Wasn't Jacob supposed to come, too?" Alice asked as she sipped her coffee.

"He sent a text. Claire was having a tantrum and wouldn't stay with Daddy Ren. Jacob is trying to calm her," I explained. "He'll be here as soon as he can. Speaking of Jacob, how's he doing?"