Don't Let Me Stop You
Epilogue
EPOV
We had been trying for the past six months to conceive another child and I was getting frustrated as was Bella.
I think it was due to the high stress levels in both our lives, she was beginning a short book tour that took her away from Charlie and I and I was actually pulling more hours at the hospital, so my mom was actually raising Charlie for us over the next few months, I know she didn't mind, but it stressed Bella and we were arguing over the phone and whenever we were together, this latest one was no different. "I don't see why you can't take a fucking weekend off and bring Charlie with you and come with me to San Francisco. You've worked 48 hour shifts for the past two fucking months. Is there someone there more interesting than me?" Bella yelled into the phone and I knew she was in the airport, the buzz around her was unmistakable. "Bella, calm down, I'm working all these hours so I can get a good position so I don't have to pull these crap hours anymore, no there isn't anyone here more interesting than you. Don't be stupid." I snapped. And she hung up not calling me for 2 days, knowing when I was sleeping, leaving a brief message or a text of I love you, but that's it. She talked to my mom everyday, I slept at my parents house so I could see Charlie and Noche and my mom reamed me for calling Bella stupid, she'd obviously told my mom what I'd said.
She arrived home on Monday, not coming by the hospital as usual to let me know she was home safely, still surely pissed at me, she'd picked Charlie up and already had him in bed, I'd went for drinks with the guys, not knowing she was home so early, only knowing she'd be home tonight sometime, hoping for alone time, that was shot to hell by our upcoming fight. "So, you frequent bars when I'm gone now, huh?" she snapped. "No, this is only like the second time I went with the guys." I replied. "It's midnight Edward. You should have picked up Charlie and had him home, that's uncalled for." she yelled. "I was NOT expecting you home until around 2a.m., like your original schedule said, BELLA! I was planning some quiet time for just US! But, I guess that doesn't count in your fucking world now does it!" I yelled back and ended up waking Charlie. "Nice, fucking perfect! Take your drunk ass somewhere else because I don't want it in my house!" she snapped. I turned on my heel. "Whose house? I do believe this is our house and I will stay and in my own room!" he stomped off toward our room and I heard the shower turn on, I rushed to Charlie's room where he was still whimpering, I pulled him out and rocked him back to sleep, slowly placing him back in his crib, I walked out, closed his door and I walked into the guest room. Turned on the intercom to hear Charlie's room, locked my door and went to sleep, I was awoke by a banging on my door. "Open the damn door Bella." I heard him shouting. I looked at the clock and it was 7a.m., he was leaving for work. I opened it. "What?" I asked still pissed. "Oh, we're still playing this game?" he asked. "No games here Edward." I leaned against the door jam and crossed my arms, rolling my eyes. "You know what. Tonight, I won't be home. If you need me, call me. I don't know where I'll be, maybe an extra shift." he turned and I heard the front door slam.
I don't know how long I sat there on the floor crying, the next thing I know, Alice and Emmett are there, Emmett is picking me up and Alice has Charlie in her arms. "Bells, I'm calling Esme and taking Charlie there, you need rest, he's screaming, you're fucked up and we're worried. Edward called us to come check on you this morning." she replied. " What the fuck does he care. He's the one out drinking and flirting and having a good fucking time." I snapped. "Hey, that man loves you!" Emmett snapped at me. I glared at Emmett. "Don't!" I said and crawled into bed, crying myself to sleep.
I woke up in the middle of the night to see Emmett on the bed next to me.
I sat up and felt incredibly dizzy. "Em, don't feel so well." I shook him, no surprise, he was fast asleep. "Emmett!" I yelled. He sat up straight in bed "Bells, you O.K.? You didn't sleep well, you tossed and turned and cried for Edward all night in your sleep." he sighed and rubbed his face. "No, I don't feel so well, I'm dizzy and my stomach hurts, take me to Carlisle." I asked. "He's at the hospital, Esme said he's got midnights this week and Edward is there right now too." he grimaced at me. "Fine, I think something is off though, I just need to go. But call Carlisle, I only want to see him." I made a point to stress that. "Bells, how long are you going to fight with Edward? He loves you. I know you guys are just having a rough patch, everyone does, you both have busy schedules, something needs to give. I can't stand to see my friends like this. I don't like taking sides, but I will always take yours, you know that." he hugged me and helped me downstairs so I didn't fall.
He lifted me into his Jeep and called Carlisle on the way. Carlisle said to come straight to his office and he'd send Edward off in the opposite direction, as to not upset me right now.
We arrived in his office and he had everything for a blood workup and urine samples, I groaned and walked into the bathroom, he called a nurse in and she took them to the lab, he called and said he wanted these ran first and were top priority. He called the cafeteria after Emmett ratted me out on not eating for 2 days and had them bring up soup and sandwich for me and a Ginger Ale to settle my stomach. We waited for 2 hours for the results, right as the nurse walked in with my folder, Edward walked in behind her. "Bella are you O.K.? Is Charlie O.K.? Where is Charlie?" he was looking around frantically. "We're fine, I was just dizzy and feeling sick and had Emmett bring me in, Charlie is with Esme. That's all." I said coldly. "Um, Bella, you're not fine." Carlisle looked at me with concern and looked at Edward. "I'll let you two have some privacy." Emmett said. "No, it's O.K." I placed my hand on his, pulling him down. Edward sat on the arm of the couch, grabbing my other hand placing soft kisses on it. I didn't pull away because it honestly felt wonderful and it was the most loving thing he'd done in weeks.
I turned and looked him in the eyes and we were staring at each other, lost like the very first time.
We didn't even hear Carlisle "Bella, you're pregnant." We were lost in each others eyes, looking for the conformation that love was still there. "Bella!" Emmett shook me and I broke my gaze, "What?!?!" Emmett I snapped. "Carlisle has some really important news for you, pay attention." he turned my face towards Carlisle like a 5 year old. "I'm sorry Carlisle, that was rude, what was the diagnosis." I asked. "Well, you and Edward are going to be parents, you're pregnant!" he smiled. "But…" he started. "Bella!" Edward picked me up and hugged me kissing me all over, crying into my neck and laughing. "We've been trying and we're both so frustrated, thinking it wasn't going to happen and here it is, it happened. How far along dad?" he asked. "Well, we need to get an ultrasound, but from the blood and urine counts, she seems to be almost 3 to 4 months." he looked worried. "What?" Edward shouted. How can that be? We've taken tests, she's had periods. I don't understand." Edward looked as confused as me and he was a doctor.
"It happens sometimes son, but I'm worried because she's so small. She is not showing and she hasn't been taking care of herself. She is high-risk for a child with birth defects. She is healthy, so that is a plus and in general eats right, but these last few weeks haven't been good, she needs to take it easy and relax. No more book touring, Call your publisher and tell her tomorrow. We'll hire a nurse to come over everyday and check your vitals. We'll get you your first check up tomorrow, I'm putting you in here tonight, Esme and I will take care of Charlie, no worries. Edward, I'll put you on days, only if you're going to stay at home and take care of her. She's going to need you 100% over the next few weeks to get her strength up and put some weight on her. Emmett, you'll be responsible for helping with that. I want you cooking her a steak or something high in protein every night. Got it? It's a team effort!" he sighed. "What about Alice. You didn't give her a job, she'll be pissed." Emmett smiled. "Oh, she'll take over a room and make it into a nursery, no doubt." he laughed as we all did.
Carlisle called Esme once again and gave her the good news, she was so happy for us and we called Alice as well, she squealed and said she'd see me in 2 days to go over color schemes for the room.
Carlisle had me admitted and Emmett stayed with me, since Edward had to go back to work, but not before spending a few minutes alone. "Bella, I am so sorry for everything these last few weeks. I've been an ass, in turn, making you a bitch, I'm sorry. I just want us to be us again, I love you! You and Charlie and this one here, are my life." he leaned down and kissed my stomach. "I'll see you in the morning love." he kissed me passionately and then motioned for Emmett to come in. "So are you two good?" he asked. "Yeah we are. That was the entire reason behind our stress. We were trying so hard and blaming each other and here it was, we were pregnant. That's some crazy shit, huh?" I laughed. "Get some sleep Bells, you need it." Emmett laughed and turned off the light, stretching out in the reclining chair with the T.V. on low.
"Edward, wake up. Edward!" I yelled and shook him. I swear he slept like the dead lately.
"What Bella? I just fell back asleep. You don't need any more pickles, damn it!" he stressed and pulled me closer, then jumped. "SHIT! What the hell!" he jumped out of bed and looked at me in the soft light, before turning his on. "Bella, your water broke!" he snapped. "Why didn't you wake me!" I laughed and shook my head. "Why do you think I was shaking you? It wasn't for more pickles this time." I smiled up at him.
He ran into the bathroom and grabbed a towel and washcloth, pulled me to his side of the bed and pulled my clothes off, wiped me down and helped me redress, he was actually calm. He called everyone on the phone and told them we were leaving in a few minutes. Carlisle said him and Esme would stop by and get us, since they were on the way and he wouldn't have to handle Charlie too. Edward agreed and got everything to the door. I tried to walk but was having back labor. Edward told me to lay there while he got Charlie's things together.
Carlisle and Esme came in and helped Edward, Esme grabbed Charlie, Carlisle grabbed the bags and Edward picked me up. I still hadn't gotten very big and we didn't know what we were having, so we decided on a yellow and green nursery with Nursery Rhymes on the walls, it was all Laura Ashley bedding and so adorable, Alice outdid herself, there were giant kings and queens on the walls, a giant humpty dumpty, it was perfect. We were at the hospital in no time. Edward insisted on carrying me up to the room, Carlisle and Edward left to get scrubbed up and left the nurses to change me and get me all set. 2 hours later, we had a beautiful baby girl. She was very tiny, but perfect. She was 5 pounds even. 18 inches long. I was afraid to hold her, Edward scooped her up and cradled her and cooed to her. "We haven't even thought of names Bells." he looked at me. "How about Cherish Elise?" I asked Edward. "I like it. She will be cherished, that's for sure." he smiled. "Let's bring everyone in to meet our angel." I smiled at Edward.
A few minutes later our family and friends were in here meeting our baby girl.
EPOV
I can't believe my boy is graduating with honors.
I couldn't be prouder.
I was standing up clapping at the end of his speech along with my dad, like to proud peacocks. Bella was shaking her head and Cherish was ignoring everyone, with her iPod in and texting like crazy to someone. Bella slapped her hand and motioned to her brother, she rolled he eyes and went back to her phone. I knew Bella would be getting onto her when we got home.
Dinner was great, we had all our family and friends, Bella took Cherish aside and asked what her problem was, she was upset her girlfriend couldn't join us, yes, her girlfriend. Bella was still not happy about that fact and was still coming to grips with it. I had no problems as long as she was happy. I think Bella was just thinking out in the future. At least Charlie was a healthy male and liked woman and we'd get grandchildren from him, when the time was right, A LONG TIME DOWN THE ROAD!
Charlie was going to Yale to be a lawyer, I was upset at first, I wanted a doctor of course, but I guess he had his grandpa in him, he wanted to go the law route. We were happy as long as he was happy. Which, he was.
He was leaving in a week, to get settled in his dorm and take some summer classes to get the crap classes out of the way. Bella wasn't happy about him leaving so soon, but she was dealing with her baby leaving. She was even being nice and letting Cherish bring her girlfriend with us, if she wanted to, she was still undecided, I'm guessing she was thinking it was a trick, maybe it was, no one could ever read Bella.
The week went by fast and it was time to leave. We packed up the car and moving van. We'd gotten Charlie a private dorm, which he was very thankful for. Cherish decided against bringing her girlfriend, she wanted to spend family time, which she actually did. We all talked and laughed, it was nice. Emmett and Rose were driving the moving truck for us.
We arrived a few days later and got everything set up, we set up the dorm, while the girls walked the campus, they came back a few hours later and we were all drinking a beer, Bella gave me a nasty look and I shrugged, "at least it's with me and not behind my back, Bella." she rolled her eyes and Rose laughed "Ease up Bells." We left the next day to head home, Bella cried the first hour on the road, Rose had rode with us and Cherish rode with Emmett.
We made it back home and the first weekend back Cherish decided she was now into boys and was going to have a boyfriend next year at school. Bella smiled hugged her, saying she was very happy and it was time to go shopping for a car so she could get to and from school next year. I groaned, knowing I'd be the one to teach her to drive.
We went shopping and she settled on a Mazda 3 hatchback in blue, she was a great driver, a lot like Bella, very cautious, not like myself, so she was very easy to teach.
BPOV
My baby girl is going to Prom.
She's been dating Ross for 3 months and he seems like a nice guy.
He's the son of a doctor friends of Edwards, a very nice family and he and Edward played gold frequently. His wife was a little snobbier than most, but I just acted like my normal self.
Cherish was in the nursing program at school and would actually graduate with a nursing degree at graduation in a few months, I can't believe it, it seems like Charlie just graduated. She was upset she wasn't top of her class, but she at least was graduating with two degrees and they'd pay for her to continue her career should she choose to as well and she'd work with her dad and grandfather, Carlisle was actually training Edward to take over his spot as Chief of Staff on a few years.
Ross and his parents arrived and we began taking pictures. Edward hired a classic 1920's Phantom to drive them to the dance, as the theme was Roaring 20's and they were dressing in 20's vintage clothing, Cherish with her red flapper dress and hat and Ross with his pin stripped suit and fedora. They looked sharp. I hugged and kissed her and told her to have a good time and snapped a couple pictures of the car and by the car, a few for her brother with my phone as well.
Edward and I went to dinner with Ross' parents and then came home to enjoy some quiet time.
Around midnight the phone rang and I must have fallen asleep, I heard Edward growl into the phone, get up and kiss my head, telling me he'd be back in a few.
I got up and went to bed, thinking he got called into work.
About 20 minutes later I heard my door open and soft sobs coming closer. "Mommy." I heard. I sat up and turned on the light. "Cherish, what happened." I asked. "Dad is in the car, he said to get dressed, we need to go to the hospital." I jumped up and threw on a pair of sweatpants and sweatshirt and my flip flops, I looked at my daughter and she said not to touch her, per 'daddy', just to grab her something to wear after. My mind was swimming, I told her to go back to her father and I'd be there in a second. I got a few things together for her and quickly jumped in the car. "Edward?" I questioned. "Not now Bella. I can't." he stated. We drove in silence and arrived at the hospital, Edward took us in to the employee entrance. He went to the desk and paged a few doctors who were his friends, once I heard the last one, I knew what was going on and then he entered the room with a police officer. We sat there and listened to my baby girl recount being raped by this asshole Ross, all because he decided to drink and was horny. Edward called his parents and his dad came rushing in apologizing, he had no idea, his son hadn't come home yet. He said he'd been acting differently ever since he was accepted into Harvard. Edward believed the father had no idea and said he was going to press charges and the father fully expected him to. He said he'd take care of any costs for the hospital as well.
They gave Cherish the morning after pill even though she was on the pill, to be on the safe side, she didn't want to take any chances of being pregnant, she was in the hospital for 2 days to make sure everything was O.K. before coming home. She was amazingly resilient. She went back to the hospital and waited for the trial, they'd found Ross, she moved out on her own into a little loft apartment and she was going to therapy.
Edward and I were happy, both of our children were doing great and happy.
Charlie had found a nice girl and was bringing her home at Christmas time for us to meet.
Cherish was loving her job, she worked hard and enjoyed working with Edward as well, she had a close relationship with him and for that I was happy.
Edward and I were like high school kids again, we couldn't get enough of each other.
Things were going great and we had each other and that's all that mattered.
The End