Author's note: I wanted to move things along, so Charlie knows about the marriage and adoption. If I get five review with an tag on the end they want to see Charlie finding out; I'll throw in a deleted scene after the last chapter. This is not the last chapter.
Glancing down at the blanket that covered Mercy; it was amazing to feel her eating happily away. When the milk had first came it surprised me... Waiting for Mercy to be ready I had to pump with Esme help since I was shy to let anyone else help me. Now Mercy was a good solid three pounds and gaining every day like a trooper. Today I would be meeting the social worker since Edward had taken care of the home visit while I stayed here.
"Mrs. Cullen," came a voice making look up to see a woman in her early thirties maybe.
"Bella, please," I smiled trying to stay calm not wanting to bother Mercy.
"I'm Emma Rose. Mind if I sit with you a little," Emma asked pointing to the chair next to the rocker.
"Please sit," I nodded slightly.
Taking a deep breath I watched her sitting down while I wondered what she'd ask me.
"This awkward I know... You seem to never leave her side, and I've met the Cullens and Mr. Swan. Is there any chance I'd get to met your mother," Emma asked in a round about way.
"Renee is traveling with my stepdad who is a baseball player," I answered simply.
"You just turned eighteen and you are a newly wed," Emma start to say.
"Can I be honest with you?" I asked eying her.
"Sure," Emma nodded eying me.
"Most of my life I've lived with my mother who I took care of instead of the other way around. Until she remarried I took care of the bills, groceries, and anything and everything else. Don't get me wrong I love my mother. This is my choice I'm making here. Before I met Edward I had no desire to have a child or fall in love. Coming here was to make it easy for Renee to go on the road... First day I went to school I saw him, and I didn't know that he was the one yet. Slowly we got together... I got scared and ran home... He came after me... And I came back... We have had our ups and downs, but we always come together like something is pulling us together. Also I'm lucky to have an large extended family," I explained where I was coming from.
"I think I have everything I need for my report. She seems to everything a child could ever want," Emma smiled warmly at me.
"Thank you," I nodded slightly.
Smiling I felt as Mercy was falling asleep where she sat, so I got up placing in a bassinet that had replaced the isolette. Hearing footsteps I turned to see Carlisle coming down the hallway to make me go eat.
"I need to go eat. Want to come along," I looked to Emma who was now standing.
"That would be good. I've got some paperwork for you to fill out," Emma nodded pulling out a pile of papers.
Sipping on my coffee I signed everything Emma pointed to while she asked more questions; I almost felt like I was on trail for murder or something. The sweetness seemed to been drained from her as soon as we left NICU. At the moment she was getting on my last nerve. I just wanted her to leave already before I did something I regretted, and something told me she wanted me to do just that.
"Excuse me, I need Bella... Carlisle wants her to have a check up," came Jasper's voice make both Emma and myself look.
"That's fine... We're finished," Emma smiled as she gathered her papers.
Getting up I left my coffee on the table, and followed Jasper out into the halls away from her. Once a ways down the hall I finally stopped to take a breath. "Thanks for saving back there," I whispered leaning against the wall.
"I could tell you were about to ring her neck," Jasper smirked as he was only loud enough for me to hear.
"She seemed so nice, and then she turned on me," I snapped barely whispering. "Carlisle is waiting for us in his office," Jasper motioned with his head.
"Okay," I said after taking a deep breathe.
Walking down the halls I kept in step with Jasper; wanting nothing more than to get back to Mercy in her little room. Walking into Jasper since I was keeping my head down was like running into a wall, but at least he caught me before I could fall backwards.
"Stay vertical," Jasper smirked as he opened the door letting me go first.
Going inside I found Carlisle sitting behind his desk waiting for us.
"There you two are. Couch," Carlisle pointed as he looked up from his paperwork.
"Can't I," I started to say...
"No, your blood pressure is high," Carlisle cut me off and pointed to the couch.
Crossing my arms I went to the couch plopping down growling a little under my breath.
"Settle, Cub," Jasper laughed lightly.
"Just wait, I'll be able take you soon enough," I teased though clenched teeth.
"You're not going anywhere till you calm down. Jasper, go on home," Carlisle spoke keeping his voice even.
Relenting I laid down as Jasper left as I tried to calm down, but the thought of that woman made my blood boil.
"You have no ideal what it was like. She treated me like some kind of criminal. It was like I was being taken out to be shot for some horrible crime," I snapped in a low whisper.
Looking over to Carlisle I watched as he got up and came over taking a seat next to me. Keeping my eyes on him I saw him take a deep breath which I knew he didn't really need.
"There are always going to be people who treat you that way no matter what good you do or try to do," Carlisle sighed with a sympathetic look.
Rocking back and forth I watched as Mercy slept peacefully which I was more than thankful for. The more rest she got meant she was closer to coming home. Bring her home would be the end of living in this hospital, and I could breathe a sigh of relief. Although I knew she was doing everything she needed to come home; my heart was unable to except it until she was in the crib Edward got her.
"How are my favorite girls," came Edward's voice making me look to my left to see him knelt at my side.
"We're good. I think Mercy had a better day so far," I whispered trying to smile.
"I'm sorry I wasn't here with you. She works in the hospital a lot, and likes to flirt with Carlisle. Her anger was about him not returning," Edward trailing off at the end.
"I was just glad to get away from her," I sighed as Mercy started to whimper.
I started to get up but Edward stopped me, and held his hand up for me to wait. Watching him as he picked her up she calmed down in his arms almost instantly. The way he walked her back and forth was so natural; which shouldn't be surprising since he's good at everything. Sitting there staring at them together I could almost see them in the nursery. The mobile about the crib playing the lullaby he was humming right now. In the doorway I stand just wanting, and he would catch me of course.
"Where were you just now," Edward asked breaking through.
"At home watching you and Mercy in the nursery," I smiled with pure joy.
"We'll be home together soon," Edward promised as he laid a sleeping Mercy in my arms.
"Soon," Edward repeated as he kissed me gently on the lips.
"Soon," I agreed with a slight nod.
"Tonight I'm taking you home to sleep. You need to relax before Carlisle steps in even more," Edward warned me know I wouldn't want to.
"I'll go home..." I relented knowing I need to really sleep.
Plus I didn't want to push Carlisle who had been nothing but great. I owed him for this bundle here in my arms more than words could say. When we got home I'd owe him more for those midnight calls for every sniffle or noise.
"Thank you," Edward smiled as he kissed me again.
Leaning my forehead against his; I can't help but smile. There is this comfortable silence between us that is perfect. It doesn't last long before Mercy started to whimper getting louder and louder making her presence known.
"She hungry," I laugh a little along with Edward.
"If I didn't know better I'd say she was related to Emmett. Both get cranky when hungry," Edward teased as he went and grabbed the blanket for me.
"Mercy, your daddy didn't mean what he said," I cooed taking the blanket from him.
Walking into the main house I was glad we weren't going home tonight. I really didn't want to be alone tonight even though Edward was there. Tonight I needed to be around my family, and to feel close to them especially now. Edward led me to the kitchen where Esme was waiting for us, and had a plate of bacon mac and cheese and a glass of milk for me. Taking a seat I picked up the fork taking a few bites; as Esme took the seat next to me while Edward left us.
"Carlisle says Mercy is almost ready to come home," Esme smile warmly my way.
"I can't wait," I said between bites.
"If you want I could stay with you guys the first few days," Esme asked carefully.
"Please," I nodded putting my fork down, and then hugging Esme.
"Okay," Esme replied hugging me back.
"Thank you," I whispered as I let go blushing a little.
"Anything for you," Esme replied letting too.
"As it gets closer I feel scared... What if I do it wrong... I could really mess her up like Renee," I trailed of at the end like I had admitted some huge secret.
"Every new mother is nervous to bring her baby home. You'll be fine I promise, and Edward will be there along with me," Esme tried to reassure me.
Picking up the glass of milk I downed it fast like I was doing shots.
"I know... Excuse me," I said putting the glass down and get up leaving the table.
Walking out of the kitchen I head to the stairs going up know exactly where I was heading. I need some peace and quiet away from everything... Making it half away up I just stopped, and sat down where I was on the stairs. Playing with the bracelet Charlie had sent me when I was sixteen; I could remember how mad Renee had been when she saw it. The next day I told her I threw it out with the morning trash. "Hiding," came Alice voice causing me to look up.
"A little," I shrugged as she sat down next to me.
"You are going to bring Mercy home in a few days, and it is going to be amazing just you wait," Alice smiled taking me by the hand.
"You see all that," I said softly.
"Yes, I do. Plus I know you too well," Alice replied being serious.
"I guess you do," I agreed with a light chuckle.
"That's cute," Alice bubbled as she grabbed my wrist gently to get a better look at the bracelet.
"Charlie sent it to me for my sixteenth. The butterfly charms were surprise," I smiled holding it up taking a closer look.
"Charlie didn't get that," Alice spoke zoned as her eyes went wide.
"What," I asked confused.
"Huh? I got to go," Alice mumbled confused as she got up walking away.
...
I think I threw everyone off when I posted ch8, so if you go there at the bottom is a contest. To be fair I'm given eveyone who wants to enter until 5-18-12 and will draw between ones with the right answers 5-21-12. Picture links are on my profile, and one quest you'll have to see the picture for the answer.
