AN: Thank you to Mykaela and Heather for helping me with this. And thanks to everyone who has helped me with this story along the way. What an incredible journey for a first fic.

The Boy in the Backyard

Epilogue:

"Are we going again, Uncle E?" Peter yelled, making his way back up the slope. The voice was a distance away, causing Edward to push up his snow visor. He peered down at the light crowd. The small girl at his feet caught wind of what he was doing as she pushed her little snow visor up. He sighed, giving up his task of searching for his nephew, and knelt in front of her.

His knees had hit the snow by the time her jacket was halfway undone. He reached up, tightening the little girls' coat. She giggled playfully, putting her small hands over his large ones in an attempt to prevent him from zipping her back up. Her laugh was a chime in the wind of the snowy hill. Every beat made Edward's smile grow wider.

"Come on, Bails. You're not going to be so giggly when you freeze." He laughed, successfully pulling up the coat on the quirky three-year-old. Bailey continued entertaining herself by pulling the front visor of the small helmet up and down over her eyes.

"No, let me see those pretty brown eyes." He asked gently.

The little girl laughed again, pulling the pink visor up one final time, smiling wildly. Loose auburn curls blew freely in the wind, framing her chubby face. The cold air created a light flush on her cheeks.

"Bailey, do you want it up or down? This is our last time going down. Charlotte is going stir crazy at the bottom." Edward asked the little girl, brushing her hair back, attempting to tuck it into the side of her helmet.

"Up, daddy. We see snow!" Bailey chirped happily, clicking her baby skis together. She was attempting to wiggle her way forward but was unsuccessful. She began to tumble forward before Edward's hands caught her around the waist. She squirmed away as another round of giggles escaped her soft pink lips.

"We are going to see snow, baby." Edward laughed, standing up straight. He pressed a light kiss to his daughter's head on the way up. He adjusted his skis, grabbing Bailey's hands as they prepared to glide down the small slope. Another skier, a tall boy nearing Edward's height, stopped next to them. He lifted his visor as he turned towards Edward and the standing girl between his legs.

They decided early on not to take Bailey on the larger hills. Instead, they chose the bunny slope for the duration of the afternoon, letting her get her bearings. He'd allowed Peter to stay on the more advanced hills, but the young teen opted to stay nearby. The rest of their family was supposed to be arriving the next day. Edward and Bella had taken an extra day off to give Peter more time at the lodge for his birthday celebration weekend.

"There you are. Hey, this is the last one, Pete. Char is getting grouchy and wants to head back to the lodge." He chuckled as the boy rolled his eyes.

"Are you sure that doesn't mean Bella is getting cranky?" Peter smirked, trailing his eyes down to the base of the run.

"It means happy wife, happy life. Remember that." Edward smirked, thinking back to the text message Bella had sent him. Charlotte was getting tired too. Keyword: too.

"But you're not wrong."

As more skiers passed them, Bailey squealed in excitement.

"Not all of us can be baby snow angels, isn't that right, Bailey?" Peter laughed, sliding closer to where his uncle and the little girl were standing. She laughed harder, letting go of her father's hand to smack the arm of Peter's coat.

"No, bad brother Peter!" She squealed.

"You know, it's 1 out of 3, so I'd say we got lucky." Edward laughed, "she's going to be a legend by the time she's Charlotte's age. I'm putting money on it that she'll be doing double blacks."

"Since when do you gamble? Are we hitting up the casino later? Does that mean I can gamble?" Peter asked inquisitively, a curious gleam in his eye. Just how much would his Uncle E let him get away with on this birthday?

Edward snorted, pulling his visor down, "sure when you're not 14."

"On that note, I'll be 15 tomorrow."

"Good point…in that case, the answer is still no."

Peter scoffed.

"Can we still try the triple this weekend?"

"If you and Jake can get down all the doubles tomorrow, we will try it on Sunday in the morning before we have to head out, sound good?" Edward said, peering at the bottom of the slope.

"Duh!" Peter exclaimed. He joined the ski-club once he entered high school, but as he is only in his first year, he had yet to experience too many ski trips. For his fifteenth birthday, his wish was simple: for everyone that made him happy to be in a place that made him happy. When Bella and Edward had gotten wind of this, they set out right away to plan a trip northeast to Smuggler's Notch.

"Don't get too excited. You have to make it down this bunny hill first." Edward joked as he clasped Bailey's hands, "now enough chit chat, let's go!"

"Enough chit chat!" Bailey echoed, smacking her hands against Edwards impatiently.

The laughter faded as they started to glide, setting off into the snow.

Bella and Charlotte were waiting patiently on the large lodge deck by the time they headed towards the wooden stairs. Cheeks reddened from the wind of the run, they unmounted their skis and tossed them casually over their shoulders. Bailey nuzzled her head farther into the crevice of warm fabric lining the inside of her father's coat. He'd undone the top so she could burrow her face in an attempt to combat the dropping temperature. He readjusted his grip on her, hoping the uneven terrain of the snow path wouldn't disturb her short nap.

The girls sat quietly on a seat, bundled from head to snow in winter attire. Charlotte's plum purple hat was pulled so far down it nearly covered her eyes. The fuzzy ball at the top drooped lazily towards the side of her face as she leaned over a fat book. Bella sat similarly; her dark hair braided. She focused on the screen of her smartphone, snickering quietly to herself.

"I hear we have to wrap it up for the day because you're a grouch," Peter said antagonistically as they approached. He angled his skis away from his body before bending to whack the top of Charlotte's puffy hat.

"Peter! That's not very nice! Mom!" Charlotte whined, huffing lightly at the tall boy. She slammed her book shut and sat up straight. Peter grinned as she shot him a death glare.

"Oh, Char, he's just playing with you." Bella laughed, tucking her phone in her pocket. She got up, stretching her jean-clad legs. The blanket of snow crunched beneath her boots as she made her way to her husband and Bailey.

"Is she out?" She asked as she neared. Bella reached out her arms eagerly.

"Like a light. She did well. Those new skis were a good idea." Edward replied, glancing down at the curly mass below his chin. She'd stretched in the time they'd been walking to latch her arms around his neck. He stopped in front of Bella, allowing her to capture the small child in her arms.

The transfer woke Bailey. She peered drowsily at her surroundings before curling back up into her mother's neck. Edward moved to kiss his wife gently, ignoring the mocking noises the other two children made at them.

"So, what excuse did you use to get him here?" Bella asked curiously, peering over her shoulder after Edward stepped away from her.

"I told him Charlotte was having a fit," Edward answered casually. If anything would get Peter anywhere, it was his little sister. Despite their age difference, their close bond had remained static throughout the years. Adding Bailey into the mix had only strengthened it.

Charlotte barely had time to pick her jaw up off the floor. Her grandfather finally came through on his promise. If she went along with the move and wasn't too upset about leaving the old, yellow playhouse behind, he would surprise her with something on her eighth birthday.

And surprise her, he did.

It was massive, grander than anything she'd ever seen before as she tilted her head back to stare at the tan shingled roof. It was two stories tall with a large white silo complete with wide windows connected to the left side. The bright red paint of the barn still smelled fresh. She squealed in excitement, picturing herself, tearing open the full dutch doors at the front and sliding down the slinky yellow slide attached to the silo.

"Do you like it?" Charlie asked innocently, hiding his grin underneath his mustache.

"I love it, Grandpa!" Charlotte squealed again, running to throw herself into his arms.

"And it's bigger than the old one, you can have more friends in it," Charlie explained, looking down at his granddaughter latched tightly to his waist.

"Peter, there's room for both of us!" Charlotte called from across the yard. Her honorary older brother laughed, exchanging a glance with Edward. They were settled on the porch, leaning lazily against the wooden beams.

"Mom! Look at it! It's amazing!" Charlotte yelled again. She turned around, eager to run towards the house to grab her mother and show her just how amazing it was.

"It does look amazing!" Bella agreed, giggling at her daughter's joy, "but Charlotte, we need to ask you a question."

"What?" The now eight-year-old asked impatiently. She tossed another longing glance over her shoulder at the playhouse.

"You too, Peter," Edward said, shifting his position to move closer towards his girlfriend.

"Me too?"

"It's enormous, Charlotte. How big do you think it is?"

"It's like a castle. Big enough for me, big enough for Peter, big enough for all my friends…" Charlotte started, listing the endless options on her small fingers.

"Big enough for a little brother?"

"Or a sister," Edward added, smiling sheepishly.

"A sister? Or a brother?" I'm getting another one?" She asked, glancing at Peter curiously.

"You're both getting another one." Edward corrected, tossing a look at Bella.

"Wow, cool. Can I read to him?" Charlotte asked hurriedly.

"Of course, you can." Bella answered softly, "are you alright with that, Char?"

She nodded eagerly. Bella couldn't miss the longing in her daughter's eyes.

"And you want to go back to the playhouse, don't you?"

"I'm sorry, Mommy! But aren't they in your tummy for like five years? I have a lot of time to be excited about that!" Charlotte cried, raising her arms to exhibit the masterpiece behind her.

"Oh my god, child. Go!" Bella laughed, smacking her daughter on the butt as she shot back across the yard.

"5 years? Good Lord, I hope not." Bella added, feigning fright. She looked over at the two boys.

Peter was still dazed at her words.

"Wait, you guys are having a baby?" He asked, confused.

"Yeah, Pete. We are. Are you alright with that?" Edward asked, laying a hand on his shoulder.

Peter thought for a moment, looking at Bella. A grin spread slowly across his face as he turned back to face his uncle.

"Yeah, I'm alright with that."

"Naturally, he understood right away," Edward added, catching the stink eye Charlotte threw his way. He stuck his tongue out at her, causing a traitor giggle to escape her lips.

"Is everyone here?" Edward whispered as they began to walk down the path to the condo they rented.

Schedules worked out better than ever, allowing them to orchestrate one more gift for Peter. Everyone coming had been able to make their way towards the cozy ski lodge a day early than planned.

"Yep. We've got our condo, and your parents rented the neighbor suite as well." Bella smirked.

Edward smiled.

"Think it's going to be worth it?" Bella asked casually, taking his hand with her free one.

"Of course," Edward sighed, watching his nephew walk side by side with Charlotte.

They chatted about other things the rest of the way, both too anxious for Peter's reaction to their surprise. The walk wasn't long but seemed to be taking its jolly old time this trek. After what could have been miles, they came to a stop in front of their large rental home.

"Peter, do you still have the keys?" Edward asked curiously. He feigned digging around his snowsuit.

"Uh…no," Peter said, confused. He turned around to stare, perplexed at Edward.

"That's okay. I don't think we need them." Bella remedied as the door ripped open.

"Are you cold, son?" His grandfather called from inside the foyer of the house, "why don't you guys come in to warm up?" He smiled keenly at Peter, whose eyes bugged out of his head as he whipped around.

"Grandpa! You're here early!"

"What can I say, my grandson only turns 15 once."

"You say that every year."

"Well, I got the age right, didn't I?"

"Only thanks to me," said Esme coming up to wrap an arm around her husband's shoulder.

"Grandma!" Peter exclaimed.

They all filed into the house. What was once a lot of space was crammed tight full of boisterous chatter and family members.

Rosalie, Emmett, and Jacob had managed to make it that afternoon. Charlie hitched a ride with them. Renee and Phil were seated at the table, sticking a few more candles on an already monstrous birthday cake.

Peter was thrilled, a grin pinned to his face as he was passed around to family member after family member.

"You guys weren't supposed to be here till tomorrow!" Peter yelled, staring at the cake.

"Well, Pete, if you want us all to leave, I'm sure we could just—" A lean man with cropped hair sat in the corner chair. He smiled seriously.

"You made it?"

"I did, kid. I'm working only a few hours from here. Couldn't miss it."

Peter smiled softly. It wasn't as wide as the grin he gave others, but it was a grin, nonetheless. He strolled towards the corner catching the man in a light hug.

"Well, I'm glad you could come," Peter answered truthfully.

Garrett smiled timidly but nodded his head.

The relationship between father and son was far from mended. And they weren't sure it would ever be. All that mattered was that they were both going to try. Garrett had begun to gain Peter's trust by completing his rehab and vowing to the path of sobriety for the rest of his life. So far, he'd been able to keep his end of the bargain successfully. He worked all over the United States as a contractor, claiming the constant go was the choice for him. It was easier to experience new things and not be tempted by his old stomping grounds in Illinois.

"No other aunt and uncle?" Peter said sadly, looking up at Edward. They had sung an off-key Happy Birthday and were slicing pieces of Peter's cake. Bailey clapped eagerly from Renee's lap, fingers covered in frosting. Edward smiled at her, turning towards his nephew.

"Sorry, kid. I don't think they're going to-" Edward started. His words were cut off by the sound of a car pulling onto the gravel surrounding the house. He turned back towards with eyes full of mirth, "or maybe, they will."

Peter ran out of the house like lightning. Charlotte was hot on his heels.

"Uncle Jasper!" he called happily, "I thought you couldn't make it!"

"And miss the coolest kid on the block turning 15? I don't think so, Pete!" Jasper said excitedly as he shut the car door. He strolled to the backdoor, pulling it open and bending to unfasten the baby carrier. The woman in the passenger seat strode out of the vehicle, stopping on the other side of the car. She began to dig around the backseat for a duffle bag, a diaper bag, and a gift bag.

"Aunt Maria! You made it too?" Peter said as the woman slammed the door behind her. The statuesque brunette offered him a wide grin.

"Of course! I couldn't let this boso get you something awful for your birthday." Maria laughed, setting the bags down on the ground as Peter made his way into her arms.

"And you brought Anthony!" Charlotte called from behind. She looked dreamily at the carrier Jasper clutched tightly in his hand.

"Well, we were gonna leave him at home, but we figured he'd eat all the good snacks," Jasper said playfully.

"I'm really glad you could make it, Uncle J," Peter said, releasing Maria and making his way toward the tall blonde.

"Me too! I can't believe how tall you're getting." Jasper hugged his nephew with one arm. Happiness looked good on his Uncle J. It had been a rough few months after things came out about Alice. In the year afterward, Jasper found himself living an almost entirely different life.

Esme stood on the porch, smiling enthusiastically to Jasper and Maria. Bailey was waving wildly from her perch in her other grandmother's arms.

"Or how cute your little sis' is getting. Sorry, she got ya' beat, Pete." Jasper chuckled. He hugged Peter, clapping his free hand on his back.

"Trust me, I know."

The new visitors made their way to the porch, climbing the staircase towards the house.

"You guys can just put your bags on the porch. We have to take suitcases over to the other condo."

"She says 'other condo' so casually." Jasper responded with sarcasm evident in his voice, "wonderful to see you, Esme."

He smiled at her.

Despite everything, he was glad to have maintained a strong relationship with the Cullens. He'd been a part of their life for a long time and after everything that occurred with his now-ex-wife, the potential to lose them had been the only sour part of the deal.

Tea with her mother was a weekly standing date for Alice Cullen. It was their time to catch up, hear the latest gossip, and bond. Part of her was nervous. She hadn't seen her mother since she heard about the accident. And now, nearly a month later, she's talked to her all of one time.

Tne time being her invitation to this tea date.

Her breath was ragged as she sat in their regular corner café. But she didn't have a reason to be scared, did she? They wouldn't even know…

Alice wasn't sure what had happened. She didn't know where Kate was. And to be frank, she didn't care. She sincerely hoped the family didn't think she had anything to do with Edward getting hurt.

"You weren't responsible, whatever it was that happened, it wasn't your fault." She told herself, a reminder to keep calm.

Despite the old eighties music playing from a worn-looking speaker system, there wasn't a sound in the world that clicked louder than the bottom of Esme's heeled shoes. The taps punctuated the agonizingly slow breaths slipping out of her daughter's mouth. Her usually taut lips were thin and expressionless, petrified in dread as the clicks grew closer.

Her mother was on a mission.

A deadly mission.

The sliding of the chair was like nails on a chalkboard.

"Alice." Her mother greeted. Esme's voice wasn't cold or warm. It was distanced and far away.

"Mother." She said, staring down at the table, "how are you?"

"How am I? I'm alright. You're brother's alright too. Not that you bothered to call." Esme Cullen wasn't about beating around the bush. The past few weeks had made her seriously rearrange her outlook on life. Carlisle had suggested they take an extended vacation, away from their life in Chicago while Edward recovered. It was something she didn't know she needed. In her ongoing battle for the picture-perfect family, online and in the local community, she'd lost what that meant to be a family.

Family stuck by one another.

Family stitches one another's wounds.

Family didn't cause them.

Family acknowledged faults.

"Do you hate me? Everyone else seems too. I don't know why I did what I did. She…just got to me!" Alice started, turning her head to look out the window. She trailed off her words, letting the words dangle in the air. Her mother was her only option. If she told the truth, surely her mother would rescue her. She always did.

"No, Alice. I don't hate you. You're my daughter. I could never hate you." Esme started, taking a deep breath. "But this…all of this has opened me up to a world of things going on here that I knew nothing about. I paid more attention to things…I nearly missed my grandson being…" Esme bit her lip to fight back the storm of tears that were brewing behind her tightly clenched eyelids.

She shook her head.

"And it's opened me up to the fact that my daughter is greedy and selfish."

Alice's eyes widened as if she was going to protest. Her mother held up a sharp finger, daring her to continue.

"Selfish enough that you didn't stop in your tracks to think about anyone other than yourself. Selfish in a decision that could have costed someone their life…that someone being your brother or your nephew or Bella's daughter."

"And I know, I know. You probably didn't know he was going to get hurt, but what the hell were you thinking? I have to know what was going through your head. You knew Kate was sour, you knew everything that was going on. You knew what happened with Garrett! Alice, you were at the damn court hearings!" Esme slammed her fist on the table. She took another breath, ignoring the looks from other bystanders.

"I need you to tell me that this is a misunderstanding…that you didn't know what you were doing, that maybe you messed up that you didn't do this because you wanted Edward to lose Peter…"

Alice shifted her legs, nudging them gently against the wooden legs of the table. Her eyes studied anything in her path as they turn to avoid the chilling stare of her mother. Her spine was as slick as an ice cube when she finally settled on studying the chipped rim of the teacup.

"I didn't know Edward was going to get hurt."

"But you still did it? You knew she was going there to get Peter. You told her their address. Did you know Bella's little girl got hurt too? Did you think about her? You met her last time were there."

Alice bit her lip as the image of the young brown-haired girl skipped into her head. She had forgotten about her.

"The little girl got hurt?"

"Yes, but she's fine. Thanks to Edward." Esme added icily, "Alice, I'm just trying to understand you."

"If you want me to tell you it's a misunderstanding…I'm not sure I can. I didn't know he'd get hurt, but she convinced me…Mom, you know how she is! She started talking about a life with Peter, and it just got to me. And then I started feeling angry again about things in the past…She was supposed to get Peter and come back."

"Exactly, Alice! I know exactly how Katherine is. You wanted your brother to get hurt? You wanted your nephew to get hurt? Or be subjected to God knows what? After everything that Garrett and Peter told not to only you, but a court? You know they want to press charges, right?"

"They won't do anything, though, right? Mom, you can't let them!" Alice whined, her eyebrows crushing together.

Esme was quiet.

"Mom…you can't be seriously…what if I talk to him? I'll get on the next flight. Jasper will go with me…we can…" Alice started, frantically trying to find the right answer to wipe the resigned expression off her mother's face.

"No, you're not going there. Your brother was almost killed, Alice. They had to re-inflate his lung. Kate threw you under the bus. He doesn't want you anywhere near there. Neither does Bella."

"I'm not sure what they're going to do. They need to wait for certain things. Is there any proof of anything? Conversations between you and Kate? How did she even get in contact with you?"

"She sent me a private message on Facebook, asking me to meet for coffee. I just...wanted to help her, I guess. I wasn't thinking."

Esme stared her daughter down. She was on her last nerve.

"I need to know one thing. Answer me, honestly. You wanted your brother to get hurt? Whether it be a bullet in his chest or Peter going to live with someone else?"

"Yes."

"That's all I needed to know."

Esme stood up from the table, set a bill underneath the placemat. Her heels clicked again as she stepped back, pushing her chair. She slung her purse over her shoulder, giving her daughter one repentant look before strolling out of the restaurant.

"Jasper, you have to do something! Talk to my mom, talk to…anyone!" Alice pleaded, looking at her husband through the smudged glass barrier between them. Her chipped black nail polish highlighted her tight grip on the phone. The grey jumpsuit was too long on her narrow arms.

"I can't do that, Alice. Your parents…I'm not sure how much they can help. Aro can't even help…he's on their side, with them. I think they're trying to set you up with someone else, Jenks probably, but Alice, you should know they're trying not to get involved. Aro reckons you will be able to pull some type of deal…" Jasper said somberly.

The weight of something else was bearing down on his shoulders.

"A deal? What the fuck kind of deal am I going to get? They're talking accessory to attempted manslaughter, child endangerment…all kinds of things. What if I have to go against her in court? She's batshit crazy!" Alice cried. She raised a delicate hand to the glass, attempting to plead with him.

Jasper was the only thing she had left.

"Why are you here, Jasper? You obviously didn't come to bring me any news about how the fuck I am going to get out of here."

"No, Al, I came because I have other news."

"What other news?"

"These papers came to the house." Jasper said, holding up various yellow envelopes, "one is a notice, the other is something you need to sign." He got up quickly, moving toward the guard. He spoke to the uniformed man for a moment, handing him two envelopes. A few nods of the head and review of the contents inside later, the guard bit his lip, trying to hide his smirk. Jasper went back to his seat and watched as the guard entered a room leading to the other side of the barrier. The man handed the documents to Alice gently before heading back to his post.

Confused as hell, Alice put the phone down. She ripped the first envelope open, eyes scanning the first of many pieces of paper. Her brows furrowed together tightly, wondering what absolute nonsense this could be.

"What is this?"

"Exactly what you think it is."

"They're fucking disowning me? Are my parents cutting me out of the will? They can't just do that!" Alice screeched, "What the hell are they going to do with it? Give it to that stupid…" She trailed off, biting her lip in an attempt to stop her mouth from getting her into more trouble. She shot a stink eye at the guard, "What about Garrett? If they're cutting one problem child out, they should be cutting the rest!"

"Actually, they're cutting all of you out."

"Everyone?" She yelled.

"All of the kids, yes."

"Well, I wonder how the fucking prince of the family is taking that one."

"Fairly well since he helped Carlisle and Esme come to that conclusion. They're using it to set up trusts for the grandkids. Garrett agreed to it too." Jasper explained dully.

"And you're just okay with this? Jasper! That's our store money, how we live…"

"No, Alice, that's how you live."

"What do you mean, you've been with me through everything."

"And that's where we come to the next set of documents. You have your problems, Alice. And I have stuck by you through everything…all of it. I love you, and probably will always love you, but I just don't think I can do this anymore. This just crossed a line I didn't know existed until it happened." Jasper spoke, using his to reference the unopened envelope.

"Jazz, what do you mean? You're not…" Alice said, feeling a trickle of fear fall down her back. She took her time with the second envelope, unlatching it carefully. She bit her lip once more to maintain her composure as she looked over its contents. Tears welled in the corner of her eyes.

"Jazz…"

"I'm sorry, I really am. I just can't be a part of this. We haven't been a team for so long, Alice. And I think it's time for me to be on my own." Jasper looked up into her glistening eyes, "Jenks is going to take care of it. He'll probably get in contact with you soon." He minced his words, biting the bullet instead. This was already decided for him.

There wasn't anything to argue about, no convincing him to stay.

"I think it's time for me to go, Alice." He mumbled quietly.

"Jasper, please!" She cried, tears flowing freely down her face.

"Goodbye, Al." Jasper gave her a small smile.

He picked up his coat, tossed it over his shoulder, and didn't look back.

He'd met Maria at a rodeo in Texas. After the divorce finalized and the trial was over, he'd sought comfort in his southern roots. She'd beaten his time on a mechanical bull, and he'd be putty in her hands ever since.

Thanks to Jenks, his ex-wife had been offered a deal. She pled guilty to minor charges in an attempt to help the DA hit Kate for more substantial crimes. She'd been sentenced to two years in prison and five years of probation. Jasper didn't keep tabs on Alice anymore but often checked in with Esme about her whereabouts.

Not that Esme kept hard tabs either.

She'd gotten the better deal legally, but that didn't mean things were alright with her family.

Until her daughter could get help and prove herself, things were tense in that department. She hadn't spoken to Edward or Peter in nearly two years since her release. She tried, oh, how she tried.

Alice came into town, basking in the fresh air of Forks. The past two years in prison had been rough on her, and she wanted to make amends. She'd been in contact with her younger brother.

Short, unbothered text conversations.

The texts were few and in-between, giving her the inclination that her brother's new wife didn't know what he was doing.

His sister tapped on the door, expecting to meet forest green eyes identical to her own. She was shocked to meet rigid brown ones instead.

"Bella," she said faintly. Her eyes were wide. Alice reached to brush a long strand of dark hair behind her ear.

The brown eyes of Bella's face were still stone.

"Bella…I was just…" She started.

"Meeting Edward? Coming to apologize?" Bella cut her off. Her expression was murderous.

"Yeah. Where is he? I need to talk to him." Alice finished, brashness dripping into her voice.

"You need to?" Bella asked again. Her words were ice chips.

"Yes." She nodded, "now tell me where he is."

"Edward doesn't know you're here, Alice. He's at work. The kids are at school."

"What do you mean Edward doesn't know I'm here? He's been texting me!" Alice argued.

Puzzlement crossed her stale features.

The soft giggle of a baby came from around the corner.

"Oh, by the way, you're an aunt again," Bella said.

"I'm confused, Bella. Why doesn't he know I'm here?" She didn't miss Alice's look of curiosity towards the other side of the wall where Bailey's playpen stood.

"Because he wasn't the one texting you, Alice."

"It was you." This wasn't a question.

"Of course, it was me. I have a message for you that you needed to hear in person." Bella spat angrily, "and it sure as hell wasn't going to be on my dime."

"Um…that's fucking weird, Bella. I flew all the way out here. Does Edward know what you've been up to? I might as well just wait for them." Alice moved to enter the house.

Bella laughed, using her foot to block the door.

"He doesn't. And he's not doing to find out. People warned me not to do this, but I think I'm going to let the chips fall where they may because I need to say my piece," Bella said casually.

She stepped forward and shut the door behind her.

"You think you can just…come here? With a clean conscience? Oh, two years in prison. Boo-fucking-hoo. I was hoping they were going to make you rot. You are sure as hell deserve it. Remember this, Alice. It wasn't Edward's house you sent Kate to in search of Peter. No, it was mine. Are you so shocked to find yourself at my door again?" Bella was seething, barreling at Alice like a canon. She raised her finger in a threatening motion as Alice edged backward down the porch steps.

"And my daughter's home. My daughter, who almost died. Did you forget about her? Forget to warn Kate about her?" She continued, getting into her beloved sister-in-law's face.

"No, you didn't think. And then I had to deal with a seven-year-old who would freeze up in a panic every time she entered her own damn kitchen. Or can't hear a loud sound without thinking of the closest thing she's ever had to a father is bleeding out on the ground."

"No, Alice, let me tell you what you might as well do. You can fuck off with your attempted apologies. You can fuck off out of his life, out of my life, out of Charlotte's life, and especially out of Peter's life. You can fuck out of Bailey's life, whom you're never going to know."

"If you think about coming here again, I will call the police."

"And Alice, if you come near my children again? I might not be able to after Kate since she's spending the rest of her prime in a prison cell, but I can come after you."

To this day, Jasper was the only one who knew about Bella's little soiree with his ex-wife because Alice called him in tears afterward. He chuckled to himself when he saw Bella laughing wildly with her parents and her youngest daughter.

Mama Bear indeed.

"How's Al?" Jasper managed to slip to Esme over the weekend.

"Not sure. Last I knew, she was in California." Esme said dully, scrubbing a dish.

It was the end of the weekend when Peter's voice came spiraling into the kitchen.

"Hey, Uncle J! Are you coming?"

"Where we headed?" Jasper asked, following the voice to the porch.

"Uncle E is taking me to attempt the triple black. You have to come!"

"Triple black? You sure you're ready for that?" Jasper let out a low whistle as he assessed Peter's ski collection spread out amongst the porch.

"I'd rather try and fall than not be able to say I tried at all." Peter retorted, lacing up his boots.

"You know what? You're right, Pete."

And try they did.

AN: Thank you for your readership! I hope you enjoyed this one.

Check out my FB group "Mariescullen Fanfiction and Graphics" for teasers, pictures, etc. of future stories. My next projects to finish up are Behind the Screen and The Simulation.

Happy Reading,

Sarah