The Voice of Reason

Disclaimer; all characters and copyright belong to SM.

A/N-well here we are guys at the end of another story. Thank you for all the reviews and kind feedback. This did start out as a comedy but turned into something else altogether. I hoped you enjoyed the ride.

Nikki :)

Epilogue

Bella switched on the laptop and waited for it to boot up. The one frustrating thing about living on the reservation was the erratic internet connection. While she was waiting Bella settled Rose onto her lap. Her daughter wriggled impatiently. She wasn't one for keeping still now she had learned to crawl. Rosalie Black had just turned six months old. Bella laughed as she smoothed down Rose's fine baby hair. "Don't you look pretty?" She cooed as she gazed into her daughter's big brown eyes.

Rose just gurgled in response. Bella glanced at the laptop. It was finally ready. She opened the Skype app and made the call. It connected at once. A stunning woman with flowing blonde hair filled the screen. "You're late."

"Sorry, Rosalie." Bella smiled sheepishly in apology.

"Where is she?" Rosalie Cullen's expression became eager as her golden brown eyes sought her namesake.

"Here she is." Bella held up her daughter so Rosalie could get a better look. "Say hi to your Aunt Rosalie, baby." Rose's lips parted and she blew a raspberry instead. She giggled and clapped her hands in delight. "Oops, that didn't go quite to plan." Bella hid her smile as she quickly grabbed a paper napkin and wiped her daughter's mouth.

"Like mother like daughter." Rosalie mused sardonically.

"More like father like daughter." Bella retorted cheerfully. "I remember Jake doing exactly the same thing when I first met him."

"That doesn't surprise me." Rosalie wrinkled her nose. "How is your wolf boy?"

"Working hard." Bella's expression turned tender as she thought about her husband. Right now he was outside working on the kitchen extension. The whole pack was involved in the operation. "I'll have a proper working kitchen soon and I won't have to rent premises anymore. It will save lots of money and means I will be at home more to keep an eye on our little raspberry blower here."

Bella had started her own confectionary business. The majority of it was on-line. Her lease was ending on the premises she was renting. She had one small shop on the reservation which sold a selection of her wares. She sourced some to the local stores too. Her reputation was growing and what had started as a small hobby was flourishing into a profitable business.

"Will you let me invest now?" Rosalie asked as she arched one perfectly manicured brow. She knew very well how Bella felt about accepting money. She called it charity while Rosalie called it a gift. She still hadn't managed to cure Bella's stubborn streak.

"As long as that is what it really is, an investment." Bella agreed warily. "I won't accept you throwing money at me."

"It is an investment." Rosalie refrained from rolling her eyes. She gazed at little Rose again. She was bouncing on her mother's lap eager for attention. Her expression softened. "You don't know how I long to hold her."

"When can you get here?" Bella asked. Originally Rosalie and Emmet had supposed to come for the birth but they hadn't been able to leave Italy. Things had been tense at the time. Since their return to Volterra five years ago the two vampires had subtly begun to change things for the better inside the Volturi stronghold. Rosalie had employed her gift to good use. Just like she had with Bella she had managed to infiltrate the Volturi leader's minds. She had started with the weakest, Marcus. He had never gotten involved with the day to day affairs of his realm, but with Rosalie acting as the voice of reason in his weary mind, with some gentle prodding and some sage advice, he had become more active. He began to call Aro out on some of his more dubious decisions and dampen down Cauis' hardnosed attitude to the outside world. Rosalie's long term goal was to bring the ancient trio into the twenty first century. Carlisle had brought his family back to live in Italy. Edward was among them. With the good doctor's help and genteel manner the former were beginning to see the benefits of adopting a new vegetarian lifestyle. Already it was gaining popularity amongst the younger generation of vampires. It would take a lot of tweaking before the older vampires accepted the change but Rosalie was confident that within a few decades it could happen.

"I am hoping by the end of the week." Rosalie confessed. "I know it is your five year anniversary."

"It is." Bella glanced down at her growing belly. She was pregnant with her second child. "We're planning a huge celebration."

"Am I allowed to bring gifts?" Rosalie questioned archly.

"As long as they are not expensive." Bella replied suspiciously.

Rosalie shook her blonde curls in disbelief. Why couldn't Bella accept a few luxuries? Well once they were given she couldn't give them back. "I promise you they were all cheap." She lied smoothly.

"Good." Bella said with a satisfied smile. "Everyone will be coming. You'll be able to hold Embry and Angela's baby. He's so cute Rose. He's so tiny still after being born premature but he's thriving none the less."

"They would let me hold their baby." Rosalie felt very emotional. She knew this was a big show of trust on everyone's part. "I look forward to it and of course being able to see and hold my little namesake." Her eyes glistened as she gazed at little Rose.

"I can't wait to see you." Bella sighed wistfully. She enjoyed their skype talks but it wasn't the same as seeing her friend in the flesh. So much had changed in the intervening years. Charlie was now dating Sue Clearwater. Bella hoped that her dad would pull his head out of his ass soon and propose to the Clearwater matriarch. Leah had left La Push and the pack behind. She needed the space; there were too many bitter memories. It had done the she-wolf a lot of good; she had just graduated from college and was dating a doctor. Like Rosalie she intended to come back to the reservation for Bella and Jacob's five year wedding anniversary.

"It won't be long now." Rosalie agreed. She sighed as someone called her name. She was being summoned. "I am afraid I have to go."

"Already?" Bella couldn't hide her disappointment.

"No rest for the wicked." Rosalie muttered.

"Don't you mean no rest for the good hearted." Bella corrected her.

"Give it a rest." Rosalie snapped irritably. "Next you'll be giving me your love."

"I love you, Rosalie." Bella said in amusement.

"Ugh." Rosalie grimaced before her expression smoothed out as she once again gazed at little Rose with affection. "Keep her safe for me." She pleaded.

"Always." Bella promised. "I'll see you soon."

"Goodbye, Bella." Rosalie waved at little Rose and blew her a kiss. Seconds later the screen went blank.

Bella sighed wistfully. She always felt melancholy after one of her brief chats with Rosalie but she was buoyed up by the fact that she would be seeing her soon. Bella dropped a kiss on top of her restless daughter's head. Little Rose was dying to be put down. Bella gently placed her on the floor and watched as Rose immediately crawled toward her toys. Bella stood up and cradled her rounded belly as she followed her firstborn child. She reflected on how different her life would have been if not for Rosalie acting as her voice of reason. Edward was with Tanya now. He had finally decided to give the feisty blonde what she wanted. They made an odd couple. Tanya was definitely the one in control. It gladdened Bella's heart that he wasn't going to be alone for eternity.

The front door swung open and Jacob came inside. He grinned when he saw his wife and daughter. He bent down and scooped little Rose up in one arm before putting the other across Bella's shoulders. "I love you, Bells."

"Love you, too." Bella said happily as she snuggled into his warm body and smiled.

A/N-thanks for reading!