2.

Wonderful News

"Lynnette!" Esme said into the phone, "I have the most wonderful news!"

"I know!" cried Lynnette. "I made Jackson tell me! I just knew he had a secret and I worked on him all morning until he finally cracked. I hope you don't mind! He said that Carlisle was going to tell you and I would find out soon anyway."

"No, I don't mind," Esme giggled. Lynnette could pry a secret out of the most devoted secret keeper in all of the state if given the time. She just couldn't stand not being in the 'know'.

"I am so excited for you, Essie! Its so good to hear you sound so happy."

"I am happy, Lynn! I haven't felt this giddy since I found out I was expecting Emmett! What have I ever done to be so blessed?"

"You are a saint among women, Esmerelda Cullen, and don't you ever forget that! You deserve every happiness you get! No one in this town can deny it, either! Is there one group or foundation that you have not either donated to or volunteered for? Have you missed an opportunity to help anyone in need? You are always there for others. It is about time that you were there for yourself! Besides, this baby needs you as much as you need her."

"Thank you, Lynn. You are a dear, dear friend. Can I send the boys over for a few hours? Carlisle and I have to go shopping. The baby is going to need so may things!"

"I would love to keep an eye on the Musketeers, Essie! After putting up with Rosie pouting all morning, those three should be a piece of cake."

Both ladies laughed affectionately and, after Esme told the boys to go on over by Lynnette, they said their good-byes.

Esme was so overwhelmed by excitement that she wasn't even sure what one needed for a newborn any more. She still had some of the boys' baby things, but she had never even gotten the chance to shop for her baby daughter. They only knew she was a girl after Esme had gone into labor just shy of her seventh month. She had been scheduled for an Ultrasound that week and they had both decided to find out the sex of the baby so they could shop and decorate accordingly.

"If its a girl", Carlisle had said, "I'll paint everything pink and we'll buy her enough clothes for ten little girls! And, if its a boy…" he had started, and Esme had interrupted him with, "I will love it just as much and you can paint everything blue!"

He had laughed and said that she was on.

She and Carlisle had taken turns holding the fragile little body after enduring hours of horrible, gut-wrenching contractions and mind-numbing grief. The doctor and nurses had tried everything they could to comfort her through the process but, the outcome was always going to be the same.

Kathy, her maternity nurse, had bathed the baby and dressed her in a hospital T-shirt that dwarfed her tiny form. She then wrapped her in a fuzzy pink blanket and brought her into the room. Carlisle and Esme had both agreed that they wanted, no, needed, to spend some time with their daughter before she was taken away forever.

Carlisle had held her for a few minutes before handing her to Esme. At first, Esme couldn't raise her hands to take the tiny bundle, but, once she cradled her in her arms, she knew she couldn't let her go. Tears streamed down her face as she lovingly gazed at the perfect features and translucent skin.

After a few minutes, Carlisle looked down at her in her hospital bed and asked her if she would like to be alone for a while. She had nodded and he said he'd be back shortly. She had heard him talking to one of the hospital staff in the hallway outside her room, but it was too low to make out what they were saying. He was concerned, she knew, but wouldn't any woman be as devastated as she was?

Esme had turned her face up to the ceiling. "Why? Why did you take her from me? You turned such joy into such sorrow. How will I ever get over this? What if I can't? How will I ever be a good mother to my boys if I cannot let go of this choking pain in my chest?

A half hour later, Carlisle returned and gently told Esme that it was time for her to let the baby go. Kathy came into the room to take the baby and Carlisle urged Esme to swallow the sleeping pill Kathy had brought for her.

Turning her tiny, perfect baby over to the nurse had been the hardest thing Esme had ever done. Coming home from the hospital a few days later, empty-handed, had been the second hardest thing she had ever done. She had wandered through the house not knowing where she was going or why, but she always ended up in the nursery. She hated that room now! As soon as she was able, she had turned it into a guest bedroom and only went in there to dust and vacuum it a couple times a month.

She would relish redecorating that room again, this time she'd make it into the perfect haven for a little girl! She clapped her hands at the possibilities and started making plans in her head. "Should they go with pink, or something a little less traditional? Should they buy matching furniture, or go with eclectic pieces?" Esme mused. "Oh! This was going to be so much fun! A little girl at last! Someone she could spend 'girly' time with. Someone to sew for, bake with, talk about movies and books with... clothes, make up, hair... a dream come true." Esme sighed happily and went to find her husband.

Carlisle and Esme had a wonderful time shopping for the new baby. They hit every baby store in town and filled the car with more than enough stuff to keep any baby happy and healthy! They had discussed paint colors, furniture and curtains. They argued over whether a baby wipe warmer was a necessity, or not, and they were both stumped as to what kind of bottles and nipples to choose from the dozens available. At the end of their trip, they wearily, but happily drove home in a comfortable silence, holding hands and exchanging warm, loving looks as they enjoyed their own visions of what the next few days would be like.