First off, let me just say THANK YOU, THANK YOU THANK YOU to my extremely wonderful beta, MmcF! Without her, this chapter would've been very, very boring! After this, I strongly recommend that you visit her stories and send her some much appreciated love.

Sorry I didn't update Saturday like I should have. Between exams, beta-hunting, and end of the school year things, I've been super busy. But I'm back in full swing (thanks to MMcF) and I'm ready to get this show on the road. So without further ado, I bring you chapter nine!


Those Three Words

Chapter 9 – Name Game

I stared at the clock on my computer as I waited for Edward's call to Skype. It'll be noon here, and nine at night there when he calls. It was now 11:59 a.m.

At 12:05 p.m. I still had no answer. I knew I had no guarantees when it came to communicating with him, but today was special and I needed him to know. I heard footsteps behind me and then a hand on my shoulder. I looked down, touching my stomach.

"He'll call," Esme's soft voice said from behind me. "He wouldn't miss this for the world."

"I know," I replied, my voice thick.

"It's only seven minutes after. Give him some time, okay?"

I nodded and she left to give me some much appreciated privacy. The others were in the next room, also giving me privacy. I traced patterns on my stomach, needing some contact with my baby to keep me calm.

At ten minutes after twelve, he called. Smiling, I quickly answered and was greeted with the most beautiful face on the planet.

"Edward," I breathed, sighing in content.

"Sorry I was late. We just got off duty." He was still in uniform, dusty and dirty from work. He looked bigger from all of the equipment he was wearing.

"Don't worry about it," I told him. All of my worries washed away and I smiled.

"So how did it go?" he asked me, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly. "Is our baby okay?"

I nodded. "She's very healthy," I murmured, grinning wider.

He lifted his eyebrows. "She? As in…a girl?" I nodded as his smile turned into a full blown grin. "We're having a daughter?"

"Yes," I laughed, tears coming to my eyes. "We're having a little baby girl!"

"I told you so," he laughed.

I smirked. I didn't know what I expected him to say, but it wasn't that. I couldn't help but laugh anyway. "I guess you did," I told him. "Do you have any names in mind yet?"

"Actually, I do," he said. "I want to name her after you."

"Really?" I asked, shocked. I had never thought of that…

"Of course. I was thinking… Marie maybe?"

"Marie's a pretty name," I told him thoughtfully. "Maybe for her middle name. Like mine?"

He smiled. "I think that's perfect. What about a first name?"

"I'm not sure," I said truthfully. "I don't want to look through the book of baby names. I want to come up with this ourselves."

"Want to go through the alphabet?" He suggested, chuckling.

"Go for it," I laughed.

"Okay... 'A.' How about... Annabella? It's similar to Isabella. You two could have the same nickname?" he suggested.

"It's okay," I answered. "I'm not a big fan of it. But I like the idea of making it similar to my name. Or we could make it similar to other family names?" I thought out loud. "Okay, my turn. 'B'. Beth? After your aunt Elizabeth?"

"I like it, but I'm not sure if Beth Marie has the right ring to it," he replied.

"Bethany Marie?" I offered, wanting to hear how the name sounded out loud.

"That sounds better, I think. But let's keep going," Edward answered with a smile.

I could tell that he was having fun, and I wanted to do anything I could to help relieve him of his stress from the day. "Yes. I don't think we've found the one yet, but we can keep that one on the list."

Edward thought for a moment before speaking. "Hmm... 'C'. It's too bad we're not thinking up boy names. All that's coming to mind is Carlisle," he said with a chuckle.

"Or Charlie," I suggested.

Edward looked to the side off camera and spoke a word so quiet that I could barely hear him.

"What was that?" I asked.

He looked to me and said the name again. "Carlie?"

"Carlie," I repeated the name back to him.

We looked at each other and both smiled. I knew this was it. This was our daughter's name. And I could see in Edward's eyes that he felt the same.

"It's beautiful, Edward!" I told him as I placed my hand over my growing stomach.

"Carlie Marie Cullen." Edward was beaming as he spoke, already looking very much like a proud Daddy. "She's going to be so beautiful, Bella. Just like you."

"And you're going to be a wonderful father. I am so proud of you, Edward. And you've already given our daughter her first gift; her name," I told him as I wiped tears from my eyes.

"Thank you, Bella." Edward cleared his throat. "Is anyone there with you? I don't have much more time, and I'd like to say hello if I can."

"Yeah. Let me get them." I stood and walked to the door, opening it to let everyone know that Edward wanted to say hello. They all followed me back into the room.

"Well, did you guys decide on a name?" Alice asked excitedly.

"Carlie Marie," Edward answered her. His smile was so big that I think his happiness could be felt by everyone in the room. My family gathered around the computer as Edward began to converse with them all. I stood behind them, needing some space.

"Something the matter, kiddo?" my dad asked me. "You're awfully quiet."

I placed my hand on the spot where Carlie was kicking, and shook my head. "I just miss him so much, Daddy," I told him, staring at Edward who was smiling with everyone else.

My dad put an arm around my shoulder. "I know you do, Bells. We all do. But do you see how happy he is right now? You did that. You make his entire day. He's always a little more cheerful after talking to you. And to find out that he's having a daughter? All the more better."

I smiled, wiping a tear from my eye. "You're right."

"And in several months, he'll be back home for Christmas and everything will be okay."

Yes. It would be. I would just have to hold on until then.

Until Christmas.


And my story comes alive! All thanks to my genius beta! Seriously, I can't thank her enough! Do you like the name Carlie Marie? Let me know in the reviews!