Twilight is not mine. Obviously.

To A Jasper For Me, love lots to you. ;D

To EBS, thank you.

I have one more chapter before this concludes.


Chapter 7 – Sky's the limit

I was staring at her face all crunched up and sweaty from the exertion of pushing. She had been in labor for over six hours now and I had been here with her all that time.

The doctor started to make her push harder because the baby was coming. My worry tripled but at the same time the excitement brewed inside me.

I felt Bella's grip on my hand tighten as she pushed long and hard. After that agonizing minute, she slumped back and I knew my son had arrived.

Leaving Bella's side, I peeked at the small creature Dr. Hale was holding. I stood there amazed and transfixed on the very tiny baby being cleaned and checked thoroughly.

Just then he cried and I worried again. Was he okay? I almost snatched him away from the nurse that was now holding him. My expression might have been one of alarm because Dr. Hale started explaining that he was in no danger. It was just a routine procedure.

My immediate protectiveness surprised me, but it didn't scare me any longer. I even relished on the feeling.

I went back to check on my Bella when I was certain that the baby was well. She looked exhausted but her eyes were twinkling and her face was glowing. She never looked more beautiful than this moment, the moment she had given me a son.

I kissed her forehead and wiped the sweat from her face. She was dying to see our baby, so I got him for her. Once my son was in her arms, I could see the happiness radiating from her and I knew I was blessed in more ways than one.

She was whispering some things to the baby I couldn't hear, and I was fascinated at the picture they painted. Seeing the only family I needed in front of me gave me the contentment and peace I had never felt.

When she raised her eyes, the love reflected there couldn't be denied. She held her hand to mine and whispered, "I love you."

My answer was a kiss on her lips.

She was all I needed. The baby was just another wonderful gift from her.

"Anthony," she said so softly as she caressed the baby's cheek so tenderly. "I want his name to be Anthony." She raised her eyes to me again, as if seeking confirmation. "I want him to have your name, baby."

That simple gesture made my heart swell and I was afraid I would cry. I blinked my eyes, willing the tears to go away.

"Thank you." It was all I could say, but it was a good summation of what I felt.

"No, thank you. You gave him to me," she said, and I couldn't stop the tears from falling even if I tried. I wiped them, as I bent over to kiss her again.

~i!~

"You can't do this, Edward!" My mother was angry and I couldn't blame her, but she wasn't my priority any longer. Almost my entire life was dedicated to appeasing her. I had tried to make it up to her for taking the love of her life away by doing every thing she had asked of me. I still had some guilt but it wasn't the driving force to my life any longer.

"Mother, I'm sorry, but this is for the best," I said, trying so hard not to snap at her. She looked angry, but her eyes depicted her sadness. I pitied her. I was unhappy with what I had done with my life, but I still had time to rectify it, while she didn't. She was miserable and I couldn't help her be happy anymore. She needed to do it herself.

I had tendered my resignation and I was holding a copy of that letter. She was infuriated and it was okay. There was nothing she could do to change my mind.

"Edward, you can't leave. I need you," she whined and I felt sad.

"I'm not leaving you, Mother. I just need to do this," I supplied, putting the letter on the table next to me. "You have to give this to me."

With that, I turned away. I didn't hear any sound and I was surprised, but I didn't turn around, afraid I would see something that would change my mind.

~i!~

It had been a month since Bella accepted me back. It had been two weeks since we had our son.

I had a much more simple life now, maybe because I didn't have a job so demanding. I wasn't in any rush to get to the office because there was a meeting I have to appear at, nor did I have a business deal to close. It was simple, but it didn't mean I was less happy.

Nothing could compare to the serenity my little family had brought me. I was jobless but I planned to rectify that as soon as I could. However, I had the money to live comfortably for the rest of our lives, even if I didn't work another day in my life.

There was something missing to the puzzle that would make it complete though. Not that I didn't relish the time I spent with Bella and Anthony, but I wanted to pursue one of my other passions.

I started scouting places to buy. Jasper Whitlock, an old friend since high school, had suggested we partner in starting a recording studio. It was a very interesting offer and eventually I had agreed. He was already well known in the music business and he would be in charge of that, while I would handle the financial aspect of the business. I was a part of what we hoped would be a good venture for us, and that excited me. It was something I had wanted ever since I had learned how to play the piano when I was five. I knew I was far from where I truly wanted for my career, but it didn't matter. I was on that path, the path I should have taken long ago. I was getting there and that was the important thing.

Bella was supportive as ever. She listened to my plans, my frustrations and my fears. I couldn't thank her enough.

She was my inspiration to do better, to strive harder and most especially, to be just me.

One day, when this was all settled, I would ask her again for her hand. This time around she would have the wedding she had always dreamed of - small and intimate.

A fresh start, just like she wanted.


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