|| You, Me and Penny Green ||

| Chapter Eleven |

When the girls woke up again, breakfast was already on the table. Safe to say, Edward had to help Iris grab a few things from the lower and higher cabinets because she grew even more since yesterday. It seemed she popped over night, her somewhat small bump was now fully round and protruding, hindering her from doing certain motions. She officially wobbled around like her pregnancy with Penelope, to which she hated now. She was a penguin once again.

Morgan and Penelope sat together at the table, the younger of the two, sat on her booster seat so she could reach the table. Penny refused to sit in her highchair now, seeing Morgan sit at the table without too much help being the main influence of that.

Iris wasn't sure what Morgan's eating habits were, so she went out of her way to make Edward buy meat for the first time that morning. The ginger almost puked when she cooked it. The smell alone revolted her. Yet, there were no lengths Iris wouldn't go to make Morgan more than comfortable here.

Morgan waved her sausage around like it was flying as Penny clapped her hands, completely entertained. It made Edward smirk a little as he scrubbed the dirty pans whilst Iris ate. The ginger munched on a slice of toast as she quickly grabbed Penny's sippy cup just before it hit the floor. "Don't play with your food, girls or they'll turn around and play with you." She tutted, watching the girls giggle at the images floating in their heads of animated sausages dancing around.

The sound of the front door being unlocked drew the couples attention. Colton and Bella came through the door with bright, but also nervous smiles on their faces. Iris nudged Morgan gently, smiling playfully, "Look who's here."

Morgan glanced towards the entrance and jumped from her seat instantly. Iris didn't expect this reaction, neither did anyone else as she ran towards Colton with a wide, toothy smile. "Riz says you a superhero who fought bad guys for her! Do you have a cape and magical powers?"

Colton's eyes widened as he gaped at his sister. Iris winked and his incredulous expression melted to an appreciative smile.

He arched an eyebrow at Morgan mischeavously, "Why, yes I am and yes I do but you have to keep it a secret," He waved his finger in front of his lips and shushed. Morgan giggled as she mimicked his movements, looking around to make sure no one heard them.

"Who's that, lady?" She pointed her tiny finger towards Isabella after leaning up to Colton's ear to whisper. He glanced towards the love of his life, amusement swirling in her gaze as she leaned against the piano. "She's my wife, Bella."

"She's very pretty," Colton chuckled as he stood to his full height and nudged his head to the side.

"Why don't you say hi. She's also very nice. And don't tell anyone, but she's my sidekick," Morgan grinned before bounding towards the brunette. The group realized quickly that Morgan wasn't a shy little girl at all. She might have her moments, but she was very straight forward when she wanted to be. Morgan was much more like Colton than they previously thought.

"Yeah right, more like the other way around." Bella teased before Morgan pulled her closer to tell a story of her own.

The girls talked for a long time, Morgan doing most of it as she touched Bella's chocolate, long hair. It wasn't hard for them to bond to which the Swan was grateful for. The Roe child could chat for extended periods of time without running out of something to say. She told her about the night she had at Auntie Riz's and the elephant Iris gave her. The vegetarian pizza they had for dinner and the amount of toys Penelope had in her room. Isabella didn't know the color of paint of Pea's walls could be so interesting until Morgan revealed to her how it matched the sky in the early mornings.

"Did you set up the house?" Iris asked as Colton walked towards the dining table and kissed Penny on the head as he stopped behind her chair.

"Yeah, she's in the empty room down the hall. Who knew toddlers needed so much stuff," He huffed as he rubbed his forehead. Edward turned off the faucet, wiping his hands on the dish rag before throwing it over his shoulder. His golden orbs held amusement and that all too knowing glint. "Uh, we did. We have one with another on the way, remember? Your just lucky you didn't have to change her dirty diapers or bath her after she spit up on herself, Ah the memories."

Iris chuckled lowly, rolling her eyes at him although his words couldn't be anymore spot on. "Or the late nights and interruptions. The teething and crawling over to things they have no business being in." She listed after him, subconsiously rubbing her stomach as baby Masen kicked.

"How do you guys do it?" Colton looked utterly confused and helpless, much like a small puppy. Iris thought it was adorable. Her older brother was asking her for advice for once. It felt good.

"Love and devotion. If we didn't love Pea with everything we are, there was no chance we would've survived or gone through all the trouble for her sake." Iris sipped the last of her orange juice as she leant back in her seat. Edward nodded in agreement, running his fingers through her vibrant hair as he watched Pea with the utmost admiration.

"W'all done!" Penelope cheered as she finished the last of her eggs. Iris could've melted on the spot, her smile warm as she congratulated her daughter.

"Good job, you can play now." The strawberry blonde needed a little help getting down from the chair but after Colton assisted her, she took off. Running towards Morgan eagerly for another round of imagination play time.

"I don't think I'll have any problems loving her," He said as he watched with heart eyes as Bella bent down to the carpet to play with the girls upon their request. "I missed out on so much already. She's so smart and independent. I just wish I could've been there when she was born and thereafter."

...

"Alright Iris, lift your arms for me." Carlisle pulled out that infuriating tape measure and wrapped it around the ginger's mid section like usual. Except this time, they were at the Cullen's main residence, in a room Carlisle dedicated for Iris's upcoming birth.

Baby Masen was kicking up a storm recently, so much so, the elemental had to sit down often. The doctor of the family gathered that it meant the fetus was more active, and would most likely be delivered soon. It worried the couple because the pack had made it known just how against they were about this new species. But it also excited them, they wanted to meet their new addition. Hold him or her in their arms. It was a pressing time.

"We're going to need more blood if we're going to deliver this baby. The animal supply is gone and Iris, even though it's fine now, she can't get used to drinking human blood or she'll have issues denying herself around the towns people. Carlisle, you need to feed to be at your strongest for her." The Cullen leader looked up from his clipboard to his wife, a pained yet thoughtful expression marring his flawless features.

Iris laid back on the hospital bed, rubbing her round stomach soothingly. She had been substituting animal blood for the real deal, for the sake of the baby she couldn't starve herself. Iris had to make due with what she had available although it made her feel like a savage either way. Her progress to turn her eyes to a golden hue had been put on hold and now she found herself gazing at the main artery on humans more often than usual. Esme was right, but leaving the land would be a death wish right now.

Edward came through the door with a determined glint in his eyes. Jacob, someone she didn't plan to see, followed after him. The two seemed to be in cahoots, that much Iris could tell. Edward made his way right towards his wife's side, brushing the hair away from Iris's face before setting his attention on his father. "If you go out there now, you'll be slaughtered. Sam Uley is going to take any shot he has... however, Jacob has thought of a way to distract them."

Iris bit down on her bottom lip stop herself from objecting as Jake laid out his plan to the group. By the time Alpha Jake was finished, the whole clan of Cullens had sifted themselves in the room. She never wanted anyone to put themselves in danger. Maybe it was the mother in her that worried for the others all the time. Or maybe it was just her personality that yearned to protect those she cared for. Now, she was the one being taken care of and she didn't know how to handle it. Even with her first pregnancy, she was pretty self-sufficient. This was all new territory and she was way unprepared.

Oh, the sacrifices they've made for family.

Once again Iris awoke in the middle of the night. The bed creaked as she shifted herself on her elbow to look around the dark room. It was dead silent, something opposite to a couple days ago, but somehow all the more unsettling.

She tugged on the cover and set her feet on the floor, trying to heave her very pregnant form off the bed. With some effort, she padded out of their shared bedroom and down the hallway. Picture frames of Penelope's tiny feet and spring portraits Alice took hung along the walls. A lone picture of Donna made her take a double look, she missed the elder more everyday.

Iris peered around the corner of the hallway and spotted the very one she was looking for. Edward sat hunched over in the armchair. Hands roughing his hair as his elbows sat on his knees. He appeared troubled, stressed and frustrated as he sat there like a marble statue. She waited by the wall for a while until he glanced towards her with sullen eyes.

A sympathetic gaze surrounded by long eyelashes and a pouted lip. Her silk, light blue night gown hugged her maternal figure, emphasizing her wide rounded stomach in the most adorable way. It only made him feel worse that he woke her up with his absence. "Eddie..." Iris breathed in worry as she moved to his side. Her smooth hands grasped either side of his angular face, adjusting his attention on her.

All Iris saw in his eyes were guilt.

"Eddie, what's the matter? What's wrong?" She mused as she sat on the coffee table in front of him.

"I'm so sorry, Riz. I wish I could do more... to protect you, take care of you like I promised on our wedding day but it seems I can't do anything. I'm supposed to protect you, keep you safe and I can't even do that -" Iris cupped her hand over his mouth, her face softening as a small smile tugged at her lips.

"That's what you're so guilty about, why you won't come to bed?" She shook her head, finding it almost laughable at how wrong he is. In a way, her shoulders relaxed. She was worried he changed his mind about their baby, but this - she could handle. Iris giggled as she pecked his lips, running her hand through the front of his hair to push it out of his brooding face. "Darling, you've done so much to keep Penelope and I safe before we were ever officially together. I know you remember driving me to and from everywhere when I was pregnant with her. Checking up on me in the hospital room after saving me from a potential, life threatening car accident? Hell, even the time you promised Donna you'd do whatever it took to keep me happy... even if it meant leaving me. You didn't think I knew about that, did you? Well I did and I want you to know I appreciate everything you do for us, intentional or not. And just because you're not the one distracting Sam's pack tomorrow, doesn't mean I've forgotten all you've done before then or think any less of you because of it. You're my man, and a damn well tough one at that."

Edward arched an eyebrow as he fought a smile tugging to his lips. He intertwined their hands, gently pulling her closer to himself. The smoldering glow in his eyes set butterflies off in her stomach and made her throat incredibly dry. A feeling she'll never get used to as long as the sun rose every morning and set every night. His voice was lower than usual, silky smooth and incredibly arousing.

"What'd I tell you about cursing," Iris chuckled as he mouthed the words against her cheek. She felt like a giddy fifteen year old after having their first kiss. And it only intensified as he kissed her lips languidly, adoringly and with impossible slowness. Iris felt loved, worshiped even when he parted from her. She had to calm herself because she was left breathless. "Thank you, for that."

"Anytime, my love."

Unedited.

That Morgan moment made me weak, just saying. Also, stuff is going down next chapter... just so you know to be prepared. Get cha popcorn!