Esme was driving up to the pet store in Seattle today. She had agreed to watch the puppy and help us train in while we were both busy during the day. I suspect she likes the idea of having a pet around for a while, as long as she isn't stuck with it for the next 12 years. When we arrived, Edward led me into the store. The man working there smiled, "Can I help you two with something today?" I agreed, "Yes, please. We're looking for a male puppy." Females were too much trouble for beginners, we have read online. The man took us over to a room full of cages and informed us, "Males are on the left side of this wall. When you're ready, or if you have any questions, feel free to find one of the employee's."

So we completely skipped all the large breeds, and Edward knelt down to look at the fluffy little Papillion puppies. I browsed the beagle puppies, and a pudgy little basset hound, but none of them seemed to fit. There was an adorable little Pomeranian puppy, a black little fluff ball. But it wasn't right. I was going to suggest maybe the female dogs; and then I saw him. The most awkward and adorable looking thing I have ever seen. I squealed, "Edward, let's get this one!"

He came over to my side and peered over me shoulder. I demanded, "What breed is it?" He pondered for a moment before deciding, "I have no clue, maybe it's a mutt?" I poked my finger through the cage and he licked it. Edward laughed, "I'll go and find an employee." He returned a second later with a woman from the back. I asked, "What can you tell us about this dog?" She glanced at it, "This is a Pembroke Welsh Corgi. They get over weight easily, and they usually have a high energy level. This particular little guy is very attentive and alert, and really sweet! He's going to be eight weeks old in three days."

I glanced at Edward hopefully, and he smiled, "I like him." The lady asked, "Are you buying him, then?" We both nodded. Three minuets later I was holding him as I walked beside Edward; who was loading a cart with dog supplies. We have little ceramic bowls that had a bone pattern around them; we had a medium-dog size dog kennel and a dog pillow; and we were just entering the accessory isle. Edward asked, "What kind of toys and treats are the best?" I was browsing the treats and decided, "Not those squeaky toys, he'll digest the stuffing and die."

We settled on a Frisbee, a tennis ball, a tog-o-war rope, and one of those Kong rubber bones. I added some mini Dingo bones and a package of pig ears to the cart. Edward asked me skeptically, "Is he going to like those?" I frowned, "I think so, they're all natural. Why wouldn't he like it?" He shrugged and we, lastly, picked up a bag of Science Diet Puppy Healthy Development Original puppy food. Once we were checked out and loaded I found the little camouflage collar of his and clipped it on. I asked, "What's his name?" His answer came after just a half second thought, "Little Eddie."

I furrowed my brow, staring at the wiggling little creature in my hands. Esme laughed and suggested, "I don't think that quite fits him, Edward." It was true, it didn't. I asked Esme, "What do you think?" She shrugged unhelpfully. I suggested, "I like Thor." Edward gave me the 'are you crazy' look and I laughed, "Or not." He glanced out the window, looking at a motorcycle. He mused, "What about Harley?" Hm…. In my silence Edward glanced at me, and we both smiled. "Harley it is!"

The puppy was just the start of our family.

Two years later, I was pregnant.

Nine months after that…

The date is December 9th, and today Everett Anthony Cullen was born. Everyone was in the living room of our new two-bedroom apartment to come and see the baby. Edward was sitting next to me, beaming proudly as our family came into the house. The natural hierarchy unconsciously came into play as everyone came forward to see the baby, rather then all at one time. First were Alice and Jasper, my sister and my best friend. Jasper was holding his second son, Jagger Elliot. He had his father's blonde hair, and blue eyes. The boy was only a year and a half, but he leaned forward to try to pet baby Everett. I smiled gently at my nephew.

Alice sighed, "Oh Bella, he's so beautiful." I grinned, "I know he is, isn't he?" His whole head of hair was already showing to have gentle curls like Edward, though it was the same deep brown as my own. (We find out in a few months that his eyes are hazel, though they are currently blue.) After those two were done admiring the baby, they hung back so Rosalie and Emmett could come and see.

Rose sat beside me on the couch, propping her eight-month-old daughter Skylar Avery Cullen on her knee. Skylar was an adorable little girl. She had sandy brown hair, and Emmett's brown eyes, but she had Rose's face. Honestly, in a black and white baby photo it would be hard to tell them apart! Rose smiled, "Look at your cousin, Skylar!" Of course, the little one didn't understand, and only gazed curiously at the wiggling body I had in my arms. Emmett sat on the floor in front of us, "Can I hold him?" I carefully handed him his very first nephew. He smiled and played with his hair, "God, he has so much already!"

Alice had been watching us, but her attention was always half on her kids. She suddenly snapped, "Landon no!" Too late, five-year-old Landon poured a glass of water on top of Jagger's head. The toddler started wailing, and Jasper growled, "Why did you do that to your brother?" Wide eyed he took a step back and protested, "He said 'hot', I was only trying to help cool him off." Picking up her soggy son Alice sighed, "Lanny he only knows a few words, he didn't mean it!"

Jasper chased Landon down the hall and he squeaked, "I didn't know!" Alice peered around the corner and warned, "Jasper, don't be too hard on him!" Rosalie started laughed and sympathized; "You two never had a dull moment with those boys, do you?" Alice sighed and wiped Jagger off with a dishcloth. "Never, but that's what makes it fun." Jasper yelped suddenly and roared, "You don't bite people, Landon!" I stifled a laugh as Landon came barreling into the room, hiding behind Alice as Jasper scrambled after him. Landon started crying, "I'm sorry daddy I didn't mean to!"

Looking nothing less then furious Jasper threatened, "We can talk about this at home." He stomped into the kitchen to get his arm to stop bleeding. Landon whimpered and Alice patted his head, promising quietly, "Daddy's not going to hurt you, baby, don't worry." With two crying children, I slipped away from the couch to help my sister. I picked Landon up and bounced him a little. "Aww, what's the matter honey, why are you crying?" He wiped his eyes and pouted at me. He never was much of a talker, like his dad. I smiled and kissed his nose, "You can tell Aunty Bella, Lanny."

He smiled a little bit and sniffled, curling his arms around my neck. He mumbled, "I made daddy mad at me." I patted his back and promised, loud enough for Jasper to hear and take a hint, "He's not mad at you, I can tell!" I carried him into the kitchen and glared daggers at Jasper, "Right, daddy?" Sticking a band-aid onto his arm he sighed and took his son from me. He nuzzled his cheek and, much gentler then before, assured the kindergartner, "Of course I'm not mad at you. But you know you can't bite people. And no pouring water on your brother!" Landon nodded quickly and asked, "Can I see Everett now?" Jasper teased, "I don't know, you have to ask uncle Edward." Setting him down I watched the five-year-old blast off into the living room.

We returned to the living room and I settled in beside Edward, who wrapped his arms around me. Landon was sitting on Alice while holding Everett, his eyes wide and semi-terrified of being trusted with such a precious thing. Jagger and Skylar were on the floor, looking at a picture book together, Harley lying close by, ever protective and alert of the little ones. Edward mused out loud, "It looks like we have a third generation of Cullen/Hale friendship to look forward to." I smiled at him and agreed, "The kids are going to love growing up in Forks."