Chapter Two

Edward and I decided from an early stage that we were going to have a home birth. So after Carlisle examined me and determined that I as soon as I hit four centimeters dilated, I would be in labor, we headed back home to the mansion. Of course, it wouldn't hurt as much as it did with Mason, but there would be some degree of pain that I would go through. But nothing could be worse than the pain of changing. That brought some comfort to me.

When we opened the door, the whole family was circled around us, waiting to hear some news and see the pictures of the baby. I had nothing in my hands; neither did Edward or Carlisle, and when they saw his, their faces dropped.

"You didn't get any pictures?" Rosalie asked, a frown making its way upon her beautiful red lips. "You promised up pictures."

"Rosalie," I heard Carlisle say. "I want you to go upstairs to the spare room and change the sheets on the bed. There should be some sheets with one side that it plastic in the hall closet- use them. Bella will be up shortly, as she should be going into labor within the next hour or so."

Everyone's jaw dropped, and before I had a chance to say anything, Rosalie had disappeared up the stairs, Alice hot on her heels, wanting to help. I bit my lip and gripped my stomach, caressing it softly. Emmett walked over to me then, and leaned down to hug me, and then back up to hug Edward.

"Are you ready for this, bro?" he asked, giving Edward a playful nudge on the shoulder. Edward chuckles and poked his bulging biceps.

"Ready as I'll ever be." He reached down and intertwined our fingers together. It was then that I felt this awkward pain in my stomach that made me scrunch my face. It was in the same place where I had felt the contractions with Mason- just below my bellybutton.

"Bella," I heard Edward say. "Are you alright? Are you okay?"

I bit my lip a little harder and closed my eyes. "Contractions. Can I go upstairs?"

Edward nodded and put his hand on the small of my back, leading me towards the stairs. "Rosalie and Alice should be done making the bed now."

And they were. When we walked into the spare bedroom, with its walls so rosy pink and calming, Rosalie and Alice quickly pulled back the sheets and fluffed the pillows as Edward helped lay me down in bed. It wasn't that I really needed his help, but if it made him feel a little better, then so be it.

"Can I get you anything?" Edward asked in a silky, seductive voice as I lay in bed, my head propped up on pillows, my hands on my stomach. I thought for a minute before nodding my head.

"Blood," I stated. "I feed very thirsty." Carlisle had said that this was going to happen while I entered the first stage of labor. My body was working hard to make sure the baby was strong and prepared enough to be delivered, therefore taking all the energy I maintained from the blood to help the baby.

The dry itch in my throat worsened as Edward went downstairs to get me some blood. It was like an aching pain that burned the lining of my throat, making it throb and itch until it was quenched.

When Edward returned with two large glasses of hot, fresh blood, I felt the venom in my mouth double, and I swallowed it back as I reached for the glass and thanked Edward for being so kind.

The blood was runny, yet thick as it made its way down my throat, quenching the burn that was once there. I chugged both glasses, then looked at Edward and said, "Thanks. That was just what I needed. I feel much better now."

"I'm glad you're feeling better," he said as he crawled onto the bed and lay down next to me. "The time's getting close."

"It won't be long now," I told him, just as he brought his hand to rest on my stomach. "I wasn't in labor with Mason for very long- just a few hours."

He closed his eyes and sighed. "I still can't believe I missed it. What am I suppose to tell him when he gets older? That I abandoned his mother to deal with school, pregnancy, and child birth by herself?"

I ran my hand through his bronze hair. "Don't worry about it. Mason loves you, and he'll understand your reason for leaving. It was to save me. If you hadn't of left, there is a great chance that myself and Mason wouldn't be here right now."

He looked up at me, his eyes serious. "I made the choice's I made for a reason. To protect- like you said. I love you too much to let anything bad ever happen to you."

Another contraction hit, and I crumpled my face. The pain wasn't unbearable, but it pinched and twisted my insides. I tried to do what I had done while in labor with Mason- breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth. But I didn't need to breathe, so it didn't help and my idea was short lived.

"Should I get Carlisle?" Edward was on his feet now, his thumb pointing towards the door. But before I had the chance to answer, he was gone out the door.

Only a few short seconds later, Edward was standing with Carlisle at the foot of my bed. Carlisle held a blue gown in his hands, and I immediately recognized it as the same kind of gown that they had at the hospital. He looked at me, and when I didn't say anything, he handed the gown to Edward and sat on the bed.

"Are you feeling alright?" he asked as he pat my leg with his hand.

I rubbed my swollen stomach. "Fine. Contraction pains every now and then. But they don't last long. Just a couple minutes, and they aren't nearly as powerful as before."

"Okay. Well, I want you to get out of your clothes and put this gown on. I'm going to examine you and see how many more centimeters you've become dilated. Your progress will go much more faster this time around, so I'm expecting to deliver this baby tonight."

I gulped.

I wasn't really that surprised because I know it was bound to happen sooner or later. But being here and having Carlisle confirm it made it real, and almost made me anxious to have this baby out into the world and into my arms.

"I'll wait out by the door and let you change," he said. "Edward, can I talk to you?" Edward nodded and then smiled at me before following Carlisle out the door, closing it behind them. I got off the bed and grabbed the gown, then took off my shirt and jeans and underwear, and put them all in the hamper. Then I put the gown on and got back in bed.

Edward walked in first with Carlisle hot on his heels. "Alice and Rose called your dad. He's going to run by the diner and get something to eat, then come here and wait downstairs with the rest of us."

I nodded briskly. "Sounds good."

Carlisle examined me after that, and after a few minutes he came to the conclusion that I was about nine centimeters dilated. I was progressing very quickly now, much quicker than before. It wouldn't be too long now and I would have my new, beautiful baby girl or boy in my arms.

"Okay, Bella, this baby wants out now. Can you get ready to push?" Carlisle asked. I nodded and looked at Edward, who was standing up next to me, holding my hand. I looked at Carlisle, waiting for him to count to three, and when he did, I bared down with all my energy (which was a lot) and pushed. It wasn't as painful, but there was still this awkward burn.

"Good, Bella. Can you do that again for me?" Carlisle asked.

I pushed again.

"You're doing so well, love."

"The baby's crowning," I heard Carlisle say. "And again, Bella. Come on, another big push!"

I pushed.

And I pushed again.

And again.

And then finally, the cries of a newborn baby filled the air.

"It's a boy!" I heard Carlisle say as he took the liquid out of the baby's mouth with a blue suction device. I threw my head back on the pillow and closed my eyes, a large grin spreading upon my lips as I waited for Carlisle to wrap the baby.

"A boy…" Edward said, his voice holding love and admiration. It was then that Carlisle handed a small bundle into my arms, and I looked at the baby's face with a grin. He has dark hair, like mine, and his eyes were brown, like mine. I leaned down and kissed his delicate little forehead, and I knew that if I were able to cry, tears would be flowing down my cheeks like a rabid waterfall.

Edward ran his finger over the baby's hair. "That was… the most extraordinary thing I have ever witnessed. He's beautiful, Bella. He's got your eyes, you know."

I was going to answer, but the sound of Carlisle's voice cut me short. "And what will you be naming him?" he asked with a smile, holding a clipboard and pen in front of him.

I looked down at the baby, then back up at Carlisle. "His name is Parker Bentley Cullen."

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A/N- Here you go! I don't really know how I feel about this chapter… I'm happy because they have the baby, but kind of mad at myself for making it go by so quickly. Oh, and what do you think of the baby's name and gender? I hope you like it! Feel free to PM me! Please review!