Surviving the Teenage Dream

A New Normal

They survived falling in love and having four (count 'em, FOUR) children. Now, Geekward and Nerdella are parents of teenagers. Say a prayer for them for they are in for a bumpy ride. Kyra is being a brat, displaying actions akin to her uncle who is nearing the end of his life on death row. Owen is a geek, like his dad. Then there is Mia and Masen, the twins. They're still cute and adorable. Well, as cute and adorable as twelve year olds can be.

Let's not forget Alice, Jasper, Adam, and Gianna (the Whitlock's), Justin, Alex and Demetri (the Volturis), Esme andMarcus (the Volturis), Tim, Rose, Ava and Lucas (the Napletons) and our antagonist, Jacob Black. Emmett will also make a brief appearance in this story, too. But he's not causing drama. His final goodbye, as it were.

Anyhow, we've got about four or five chapters left of the story before the epilogue. We have to deal with some of the aftermath, which will be another combo chapter (BPOV and EPOV). That will be happening next. We also have the premier of The Charmed Ones, including some Edward and Bella bonding time. So, yeah ... we're getting close to the end.

Chapter Twenty-Three: A New Normal

BPOV

"He flew with me to the hospital," Edward said, kissing my forehead and tightening his hold on me.

"Flew?" I asked.

"We took the newly-acquired Whitlock Technologies helicopter," Edward blushed. "It's a prototype for the police force with enhanced radar, night-vision ..."

"You just wanted a new toy," I quipped.

"I wanted to get to my family," he whispered, running his fingers along my bruised cheek. "A car was going to take too long."He kissed me gingerly, sighing contentedly. "Come on. We've got to fly home. Jasper and Gianna will go with the MedEvachelicopter."

"All I want is to shower and to sleep in my own bed," Kyra said. I smiled, kissing her cheek. Thankfully, she had not seen any of the carnage from the showdown in the cornfield. Neither did Gianna. They were traumatized enough without having seen Henry, Alice and Jacob being shot at.

"You're not the only one," I sighed. Edward hugged us close, walking us to the roof of the parking garage. It had been cleared of every car and sitting in the center of the parking lot was a sleek, black helicopter with the Whitlock Technologies logo on the tail. Leaning against the helicopter was Steve and Ricky. Kyra took off when she saw Steve and threw her arms around his neck. Heeagerly responded, lifting her off the ground and hugging her tightly. Edward stiffened, wanting to break them apart. "Don't. It was because of him that we're okay."

"You're right," Edward grumbled, tightening his hold around my waist. "Though, that doesn't mean I have to like it."

We all clambered into the helicopter. Steve, as it would seem, was also a licensed pilot. We took off and flew back to our home in Wheaton. Well, a parking lot that had been cleared for landing before Steve flew the helicopter back to the city. Edward drove us back to the house. Owen, Mia and Masen were all waiting in the front lawn with a huge banner across garage welcoming us home. Johnny was with them, a look of relief on his face. We got out of the car and were immediately swarmed by our family. Kyra welcomed it, but I felt stifled and afraid. Edward must have recognized how I felt since I stiffened in his arms. He gently pulled us away.

"Why don't we give Kyra and your mother some breathing room?" he suggested, holding me close to his strong body. "They went through a harrowing ordeal and probably want to get some rest."

A choruses of 'okay' and 'I love you's' resounded in the yard as Edward led us up the stairs. Kyra went to her bathroom. Edward guided me to our bedroom and into our bathroom. He turned on the shower, letting the water warm up as he gently removed my clothes along with his. I picked them up, tossing them into the garbage can. The smell from the house, sulfur from the gun and Jacob's disgusting scent were buried deep in the fabric of my clothing. I could never wash it out. I would never wear those clothes again. Why save them?