|| You, Me and Penny Green ||

| Chapter Nineteen |

"We're going to need a bigger house if we're going to be hosting the whole family from now on," Iris complained as she maneuvered around Emmett's massive frame to get to the kitchen. She disposed of the dirty rags soaked in black paint, grumbling under her breath.

Edward grunted in agreement as he tried to wipe up the spilt ink off the small dining table. It was where they decided to stamp Penelope's feet while she was still very much tiny. Oh how awry the plan went, when the strawberry blonde kicked her foot out and splashed all the dark fluid over the hardwood table. At least they got half the set of feet from her. 

"Little wiggly thing has so much energy, don't you Pea?" Rosalie cooed as she held the little girl away from her perfectly polished outfit. She kicked and laughed, clapping her hands like she accomplished the greatest challenege. Making a bigger mess than before.

"Maybe it's best if we clean her off," Carlisle mused as he spotted the traces of inky splatting around. Rose nodded, handing the hyper sprite to her grandfather's open arms. He grinned at the minx, finding it truly fascinating how one tiny child could bring such life to a coven of the undead. There was nothing like the joys of parenting an offspring. The personal growth because of it was uncomparable.

Carlisle held Penny close to his chest, not caring about the sweater he was wearing as he took her to the bathroom to clean up. From the kitchen, Iris could hear the giggles and splashing of a recently drawn bath in the back room. A smile lit up her face as she thought of Carlisle bonding with his granddaughter.

"You finish this, yeah? I'll get Pea another set of clothes." Edward replied shortly, focusing all his attention on the stain covering their dining table. The boys poked fun at his expense, but Alice and Bella decided to lend a helping hand.

Iris held Penny's Minnie Mouse pajamas in her arms as she walked into the bathroom. Her undead heart fluttered as she laid eyes on Carlisle wiping the bubbles off of Penelope's face. The ginger was pretty sure her daughter did that herself.

"Where did you get all this baby experience, you're a natural." Carlisle glanced up at his daughter in-law, his lips tugging lightly at the corners into a half smile.

"I wouldn't call myself an expert however, books are an excellent way to edify the mind." Iris tsked, going down on her knees beside him to brush Pea's curls into two piggy tails. It was best to work with her hair while it was wet, otherwise she'd get screaming tears for a whole thirty minutes.

"Well I don't think a book could tell you that once you pulled them out of the tub, to wrangle them down. If you don't they got sprinting off butt naked into the hallway," Carlisle chuckled, taking her advice as he readied the soft pink towel in his awaiting hands.

"Yes, children are a handfull. But nonetheless fullfilling, I'm sure."

"Oh of course, there's not a moment when I feel like I got the bitter end of the stick. Luck played out for me, I guess." Iris washed the remaining suds from her daughter before lifting her from the warm water. Penelope's wiggly form couldn't hold still, so Iris gave Carlisle a warning glance to prepare him. Once she set her down, Penny was off, trying to crawl out of the room with her bare bum on display.

Carlisle swiftly caught the child, drying her off quickly as she squirmed around, fussing. Iris started the routine she made with Edward; rubbing her chubby legs with soothing lotions in a rush whilst also securing her diaper on. Once that was in place, Carlisle and her tag teamed – the Immortal Doctor slipping on the strawberry blondes top while Iris tugged pants onto her kicking legs. Before Penelope could rush off Iris threw some socks to keep her warm, a tired sigh escaping her lips once they were done.

Even Carlisle looked out of breath although he didn't need any. They made exasperated eye contact, Iris lifting her hand for a high five. Carlisle met her hand in a clap of accomplishment, gently helping her up from the floor. Penelope was already down the hall, most likely scooped up by Rosalie once again.

"Not bad Grandpa, not bad at all." Carlisle chuckled, following the ginger back into the living room to see everyone crowded around the television. 

It seemed to be stationed on CNN. A female news reporter standing in the middle of the street as she focused on the camera shooting her. Iris took her place beside Edward, his arm automatically wrapping around her waist as she lent her head on his shoulder.

"Hey, turn that up would ya?" Colton pipes up as he secured his arms around his mate, leaning over her shoulder with narrowed eyes. Jasper obliged, turning up the television although everyone in the room could hear it clearly.

"Police are baffled by the escalating murder and disappearances. Theories range from a vicious new gang to a wildly active serial killer... Reporting live, Dawn Chubai. CNN."

"It's getting worse. We're going to have to do something," Carlisle breathes with disdain. He was a man who hated violence and wouldn't do something if it wasn't absolutely necessary. Iris felt sent her sympathy towards the noble man.

"It takes more than one of our kind to cause the damage they're reporting. Quite a few more. They're undisciplined, conspicuous..."

"Newborns," Edward spoke what Jasper was painting, his jaw setting dangerously.

"What, like new vampires?" Iris playfully rolled her eyes at her bestfriend, making an obvious face when the brunette turned to her.

"As we know in their first few months after the change –"

"That's when we're at our most uncontrollable, vicious, insane with thirst."

"Hey! I'm right here y'know," Iris glared at the side of Jasper's head to which his lips quirked into a knowing smirk. Edward rubbed her shoulders to sooth her temper, further proving Jasper's point of being unsatiable. He lent down to her ear from behind, "You're a different species of New born, my love."

"No one has trained these newborns, but this isn't random."

Carlisle brows rose, his form somewhat buffy up as he crossed his arms. "Someone's creating an army." This, of course, makes Emmett excited, his large build standing up proudly as he claps his hands together. "Oh, now we're definitely going to Seattle."

"We're the only clan close to Seattle," Iris bit down on her bottom lip, sagely. If she were human she was sure her stomach would be rolling with swarms of nerves. The thought of going to war with a so-called newborn army of vampires was intimidating. She still didn't know much of her own gift, let alone how to fight someone to defend herself. Sure she was a newborn herself, so she was incredibly strong – yet that wouldn't mean anything against fighting technique.

"Regardless, of who they are, if we don't put a stop to them, the Volturi will. I'm surprised they've let it go on this long."

"Maybe they're behind it. In Italy, I read Aro's mind... He wants Alice, Iris and I to join him... Our gifts would shore up his power. He knows we wouldn't choose him as long as our family is still alive. An army could solve that for him." Iris shook her head in denial – there was no way she would get anywhere near Aro's guard. They were cold and heartless people, surely on her first day there, they would make sure the compassion within her would be drained dry. However, if there was a moment when it was either her families survival or giving herself to the Volturi, she'd do it in a heart beat.

A shiver went down her spine at  just the thought.

"So we make a proper treaty with the wolves. Despite your obvious dislike for one another, the alliance would prove effective." Iris propositioned it smartly, folding her arms over her chest. She wasn't saying they should join the battle, of course not, but she was stating that the reservation should know what's coming. The repercussions would effect both sides of Forks, so why shouldn't they be informed of the risks?

The silence was deafening however, no one objected and Iris took that as a win.

Suddenly, there was an obnoxious knocking on her front door. Iris furrowed her eyebrows, not expecting anymore company tonight. Despite that, she peeled away from Edward's embrace and padded towards the door. When she opened it, an exasperated Ava stood there, frowning deeply.

"Listen gorgeous, I'm glad you're home. Can you tell your doggo to leave me the hell alone? I swear he's like a dunny rat – Oi, you've got a party goin'... Uh, hello." Ava came storming in with a flushed face and wild hair, eyes bright and wild as she rant and raved. Seeing the group of Cullen's already present, she waved shyly – wiggling her fingers as she grinned tightly.

"Good evening Ava," Edward greeted in amusement, hearing her blaring thoughts as she eyed every golden pair of eyes.

"Edwardo, pleasure." She rocked on her heels, stuffing the tips of her fingers into her tight and weathered shorts. There was an awkward silence a moment later, making Ava whistle lowly before diverting her gaze to Iris. "Uh, well. Breakfast, in the morning ya?"

Iris laughed lightly, nodding her head in agreement. "Yes, it's a date."

"Good onya," Ava clapped Iris's shoulder, running a rough hand through her springy mane before waving good bye. "I'll uh, catch you sparkly bloaks later. Edward, we'll get a drink. Well not a real drink type of drink, I love animals too much. But, uh... Nevermind, goodday!" Iris closed the door just as the blonde ran out, her feet carrying her up a tree and out of sight.

As soon as she was gone, every broke out into laughter. Ava was an interesting character, that was for sure. Iris walked over to Edward and leaned close to his ear, whispering, "What was she talking about?"

Edward hid a smile within Iris bright locks, chuckling lowly to himself. "Jacob kissed her and she punched him." Iris went gob smacked before a mischievously grin crawled onto her dazzling face. Who knew Jacob Black had game? And the second on her mind was... ouch, hope he has an ice pack.

Unedited.

Thoughs of you who wanted the moment with Carlisle and Penny, you're welcome lol! Also, I love the little snippets of Ava and Jacobs blossoming relationships in this book. They will have they're own book soon, so we'll get to see all the moments we've missed and more with them during this time.

I have posted a "Plan Penny's Upcoming Birthday Party w/ me" on my profile! Thank you to those who have participated so far, I have taken notes on your ideas and I'm getting excited. If you haven't checked it out, I recommend because your ideas for Penelope's birthday could go in the upcoming chapter! Don't miss out.

What did you think of the chapter? Let me know, Xx