|| You, Me and Penny Green ||

| Chapter Eighteen |

Iris and Edward relaxed in bed together in the early hours of the morning. Constant clicking and page turning filled the room as sunlight filtered through the bay window. The ginger was typing away on her laptop, completing the rest of her composition assignment from the other day. Edward sat beside her, reading the newest book in his literary collection. A mystery story from Louisiana, of embezzlement and secret agents... Iris recommended it and it wasn't too bad so far.

Edward glanced towards his wife before flipping around page, crossing his legs at the ankle under the blanket. Nowadays, it was the calm atmosphere in the morning that meant the most to them as a couple. It was when they could take a breather from parenting and enjoy each other's presence, even if it meant silently doing things independently – together.

"When do you have to visit campus, again?" Iris briefly paused in her rapid typing before picking up again, biting her plush lip in thought.

"Mm, first of November... so Monday. Why?" Iris quickly noted that the first being Monday would be Halloween was in two days. She didn't really get to celebrate last year, seeing she wasn't in the social interacting mood. The ginger was actually excited about it this year. Cute costumes, trick-or-treating and mischief. All things she thrived on.

"Because I made those calls you wanted, those seven applicants, and their interviews are Monday." Iris stopped typing, her train of thought far passed the docking station.

"Wait. What time?" Edward and Iris had obviously discussed the expansion of Donna's Daisies with the speedy process of it's construction.

However, they also talked about possibly growing the flower shop to more than one state, shipping flowers throughout the states. It would prove to be beneficial seeing as they will continuously be moving from state to state, town to town in the future. Plus, it will share Donna's floral vision with the world. Though with these interviews, she didn't expect them to be so soon or on the same day she had a meeting with admissions.

Edward closed his book and set it aside, giving Iris his full attention. "It's up to you. I put down around one o'clock but you can change it how you see fit. You're the boss lady here," He smirked sensually, causing Iris to playfully roll her eyes. She'd didn't admit it but she liked the sound of that.

"And what does that make you, exactly?" Smoothly, Edward leaned towards her, moving the computer off her lap. Her skin tickled as he ghosted them over her creamy neck. Iris found her chest rising with anticipation and she felt him smirk against her sensitive flesh. 

"Didn't you know? I'm your humble servant who would do anything you desire." Iris liked the sound of that, especially coming from his lips. Her eyes fluttered shut as she felt him finally place a tender kiss to her neck, hitting her sweet spot instantly. "Really now, anything?"

He nodded, golden eyes hooded with lust as he suddenly captured her lips in a deep, nerve tingling kiss. His tongue lapped over hers and she marveled at how affected she still was just by a kiss from him. Iris hummed against the aggression he added, practically devouring her whole as she surrendered to his will.

Abruptly, he separated from her, leaving her mind fuzzy and dazed. A swarm of desire flared in her as she watched him slowly disappear.

... 

"Tell me why I'm allowing this messy little class you have going on to happen?" Iris assisted Bree as she placed small cups of multicolored paint on the tarp covered table in the Cullen's residence. Penelope, Morgan and Donny fidgeted in their seats in anticipation for the gooey paint they were going to play with. 

"Because, it's a good idea to let kids explore their creative side while young. Who knows, we might have a little artist in our mist."  Iris pursed her lips as she tore off many, many paper towels for the upcoming messy that would surely ensue from this project.

As you could guess, Bree wanted to paint with the kids this afternoon. The Cullen's dining room table was covered in a tarp, precaution by Esme who was more than wary when she left the room. Iris knew exactly how she felt and it wasn't even her house, thank the gods. Iris though I'd be nice to hang out with the teen today, seeing as she was always busy with the kids or school or even work. Maybe Bree could work at Donna's, she thought randomly.. 

"Alright girls, please try to keep the paint on the paper, hm?" Iris kissed Penelope's and Morgan's foreheads, the latter being with them because Colton and Bella were handling the official adoption papers with the city today.

"Yes, Ma'am." Morgan agreed in a adorable voice, eyeing the blue paint with wild interest. From that look, Iris knew that vow wouldn't last long at all.

"Donny?" Iris playfully warned, knowing as well that Don wouldn't even know what her question meant in the first place. However, the puppy eyes he sent her in response like he'd been caught doing something naughty made Bree and herself chuckle. "Paint!" He cheered with a goofy smile.

"Yes Donster, paint! Alright kids, have at it!" Bree conceded, sitting down to create her own masterpiece, Iris was sure.

"Oh I'm going to regret this," The ginger sighed as she watched the mini artists' go at it.

During the screams Penelope and Morgan made when they put their tiny fingers in the cold paint, and the numerous times Iris had to catch Donny's hand before he tried to put the colors in his mouth, it was a pretty decent turnout.

Only a mild amount of yellow paint ended up on the floor, to which Iris cleaned vigorously until it sparkled. Of course, that didn't exclude the children's clothes, which were covered in red and orange smudges and splotches. Although they got five different paintings out of it, each of the kids ended up in a large bath to wash off the globs behind their ears and neck crevices. Iris still wondered how in the world they got it on their backs.

At the end of the day, whilst Iris was dressing Penelope for bed before she could run off, Donny was exploring like usual. He grabbed hold of Penny's dresser nob and pulled himself up unstably, trying to reach the mini carousel on top of it. When it happened, Iris was tugging on Pea's pajama shorts. Too busy with the oldest to notice what was going on. However, when Donny clutched a lonesome hair bow that was hanging on the edge and wobbled on shaking legs towards Iris to give it to her, the ginger nearly screamed.

"Edward!" As soon as it came out of her mouth, he was there. His eyes wide with panic at her startled exclamation. Iris pointed towards Donny with a gobsmacked expression. The nine-month-old-appearing little boy was standing and not only that, but walking.

"Oh my god," Edward breathed, his lips flickering between a worried frown and a broad smile. And to put it plainly, that's exactly how Iris felt. She was ecstatic and overjoyed, yet troubled. It was bitter sweet to see this, but they were going to ruin Donny's moment. 

Instead, they cheered and Penelope soon caught on to do the same. They clapped excitedly, grinning towards their son. Donny squealed at the attention, copying his parents as he clapped his chubby hands with them. He fell on his bum a moment later, but Iris scooped him and Penelope up in Edward and her arms, kissing all over his face and wavy dark head.

"I love you guys, so much you know that?" Iris asked her kids rhetorically, resting her head on top of Penny's. Edward kissed her crown, washing away some of her worries as he murmured into her vibrant hair, "We'll be okay, darling. I promise."

However, what both of them knew Edward couldn't keep that promise, but they also knew he would fight tooth and nail to damn well try.

Unedited.

Donny is WALKING!? What!? Yes, he is and I'm sad. He's honestly growing up so fast that my heart hurts. And for my love bugs who missed some Edris lovin', here you go! I hope I'm doing these moments justice and you're enjoying it as much as I am. Next chapter will be a special holiday one and I have it all planned out! I'm so excited guys, you have no Idea. Let me know your thoughts in the comments as usual, Xx