Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight. Ah… my lovely Garret…
Pairings: None romantically
Characters: Esme and Bella
WARNING: Breaking Dawn Spoilers. If you haven't read it yet, I suggest coming back to this one later.
Daughter
No. Bella and Esme are not in love or implied. I can almost feel some of your disappointment. However, someone requested this to me, and he didn't want them in love. I'd feel bad if I screwed up Esme and Carlisle anyway.
Esme had to admit, no matter how much she wanted Bella to continue the pregnancy; it pained her to have to watch Bella be hurt by in the infant inside. She wanted to help Bella, to stop her from being in pain, but that would mean ending the child's life. Esme never wanted to see and unborn child die. Fortunately, she wasn't alone. Rosalie and Bella were also insistent on keeping the child. Esme didn't feel like a complete monster when she jumped on their ship.
It was now dark, almost midnight as Esme finished up cleaning up the kitchen. She smiled when Seth Clearwater and Jacob Black commented on how good the meal was for someone who didn't eat human food. Finished, she walked upstairs to check on Bella.
Esme stopped in front of Edward's room and peeked through the crack of the door. The light in Edward's room was on and Bella was lying on the bed, reading Wuthering Heights.
Bella happened to glance up, a smile forming on her lips. "Esme," she said quietly. "Is everything okay? Edward and Rose didn't kill each other, did they?" she asked almost jokingly.
Esme shook her head. "Mm… no. They're still out hunting." She assured gently as she walked in. She took a seat on the edge of the bed and placed her hand over Bella's. "Is everything okay with you?"
Wuthering Heights fell into Bella's lap and she placed her free hand over her bulging stomach. "I-No we are doing fine."
Esme nodded. "That's wonderful," she responded softly. "Have you thought of any names?"
"EJ. After Edward's father…" Bella trailed off. Esme could already tell the other reason behind the naming.
"And if it's a girl?"
Bella hesitated for a moment, her mouth open slightly. "Renesmee." She finally said, looking up into Esme's eyes hopefully.
If Esme were able to cry, she would have been in tears this very moment.
"Oh, Bella…" she murmured, pulling her daughter-in-law into a gentle embrace. Sure it was a mix of Renée and Esme, but still, it was pleasing to have someone named after her.
Bella returned the hug. "You've been so good to me, you welcomed me into your family with open arms. You're like another mother to me." She smiled brightly. "Thank you, mom."
Esme smiled herself and pulled away. "Your daughter is going to be absolutely beautiful!" she proclaimed as she was looking down at Bella's stomach.
"Ah, you want it to be a girl?" Bella grinned. "I think it's going to be a boy."
Esme chuckled. "Mother knows best."
It felt weird watching Bella. Bella reminded Esme of herself, pregnant and all. A sharp pain hit her, hard, as her eyes glanced down at Bella's stomach again. Esme longed to feel the joy of motherhood; a child of her very own, but that was impossible now. Even five children she had gained over the years never made up for it. Unlike a human child, they didn't need to rely on her to help them through crisis.
In a strange way, Esme was almost jealous.
Bella's grin faded as she studied Esme's face. "I'm sorry…" She whispered, unable to meet Esme's eyes. "I can only imagine…"
"No. It's all right, Bella. I've… I have gotten over it. I'm happy right now, that's the only thing I could ever ask for." Esme stated, meeting Bella's brown eyes. "I'm happy for you, as well. I'm happy that you're keeping her."
Bella smiled weakly. "Edward isn't…"
"Edward will come around, eventually. Once he understands how much this child is going to mean to you, he will. Edward will make a great father."
Bella nodded. "I hope he does. He just doesn't understand now," Bella reassured herself while stroking her belly. "But, if I do happen to die… Esme." She swallowed the lump in her throat.
"Isabella Marie Cullen! You will not die. Carlisle will make sure of it." Esme scolded. "I could only imagine the pain a child would feel if the lost their mother."
"But-."
"No buts. You will not die. Edward, Carlisle, everyone in this house will make sure of it. I couldn't stand losing another child."
Bella stopped and laid her head against the pillow. After a moment, she giggled to herself. When Esme looked at her strangely, she just giggled even more. "Cullen, huh?"
"Well, of course. You're family. And last time I checked, you married my son." Esme smiled brightly herself. "And now, you're my daughter."
Bella beamed at Esme. "I'm looking forward to being your daughter." She glanced down at her belly again. "As well as being a mother."
Esme nodded, placing her hand on Bella's softly. "I can't wait."
I want to explore her a little more. This piece was cute, at best. Was it too boring maybe? I don't really feel right about this one. Sorry, Neo. Well, review and give your opinion. Perhaps later I'll come back and touch this one up a bit.
I'm thinking the next one is going to be about Maggie, from the Irish coven. I loved her in Breaking Dawn, though we saw little of her. I could only imagine how annoying that little ability of hers is. A friend of mine whom I just spent a majority of the weekend and beginning of the week with asked for a little tribute to Maggie. I can't really refuse her... she's scary.
