A/N: Let me say that you guys are AWESOME! Most reviews ever! Love it. Thank you all so much for reading and reviewing! And you guys will get a little piece of me in this chapter...

Disclaimer: Stephenie Meyer owns all things twilight, I just own my copies of the books. No copyright infringement is intended anywhere.

Bonding

BPOV

Carlisle had just finished up and suggested that I try to feed the baby in the next little bit before she got sleepy. I looked down at the sweet little bundle in my arms and couldn't help the tears. Edward was snuggled up next to me on the bed softly stroking our little girls cheek.

"She's so tiny, so fragile," he said in awe. He turned his face to me and smiled, the tears running unabashedly down his cheeks as well. "I love you Bella Masen. I love you so much."

"I love you too Edward," I said half laughing half crying. I was so overcome with emotion I didn't know what feeling would come out next.

"What shall we call her?" He asked me.

"I really don't know. I had lots of names for boys picked out, but I hadn't really thought about names for a girl."

"How about Evelyn? We could call her Evie for short?"

I rolled that name around in my head, it was beautiful and timeless and elegant, but what for a middle name? "Evelyn Grace Masen. How does that sound?" I looked at him hopefully.

"It's perfect, just like she is."

I passed little Evie to her father and took a deep breath. I was going to have to figure out how to help this little baby nurse and I was a bit nervous. I slowly undid the buttons on the front of my night dress and Edward handed the baby back to me. I looked down into her cloudy dark blue eyes and smiled. She had the shape of my face except for the chin, her chin was strong like her pappa's chin was. I rubbed a finger over her cheek and immediately she turned to my touch as if looking for something.

I brought her close to my breast and tickled her cheek again. She immediately turned and opened her mouth. I moved her closer in and she began to suckle but it didn't feel right.

"Ouch! My goodness you are strong little one."

"What's wrong Love?" Edward looked on concerned.

"She just has a really strong suck and I wasn't expecting it." I slipped my finger in between her mouth and my breast, it was just too painful. "Let's try that again little one." We repeated the procedure a couple of times. Finally I tried to help her open her mouth wider by pressing down on her chin. When she began to suckle again it wasn't painful but still strong. I held her close and watched in awe as she took her nourishment from me.

EPOV

I looked on in utter amazement as Bella began to nurse our child. It was so instinctual and natural and yet another thing that I could never do. I stared down at the sweet little tuft of light brown hair on Evie's head. She was just perfect. Carlisle and Angela had taken care to clean up everything, for which I was grateful. Bella was advised to stay in bed for at least a week, just to make sure she was healing properly.

I was so relieved that she and the baby had come out unharmed. It would've ended my world to lose Bella. She was my whole life and now our sweet little Evelyn joined her in that position. My family. They were the most important thing to me.

"I'm going downstairs to talk to Carlisle, I'll be back in a little bit." She nodded and continued to look on our baby with so much love and adoration. It was truly a miracle.

I plodded downstairs, just now starting to feel the fatigue of the previous night. We'd been awake for a good 24 hours now. I ran my fingers through my hair and scrubbed my face with the palm of my hand.

"How is she Edward?" Angela asked.

"She's doing well, tired but she seems fine," I smiled, "thank you again Angela for all of your help. It has been truly invaluable." She returned the smile and nodded.

"I'm going to get these linens and such hung up on the drying line, then I think I'll take a bit of a nap if you don't mind." I nodded and moved over to Carlisle. He was sitting in one of the chairs next to the fire with his eyes closed. I rested my hand on his should and his eyes fluttered open.

"Thank you, Grampa." He broke into a big grin and said, "I think I like the sound of that. How is Bella doing?"

"She is tired, that goes without saying, but I think she's alright."

"Is the baby feeding?"

"Yes it took a couple of tries, but she's nursing right now."

"That's good, the sooner the better. It will be vital that she have a good suck in order for her to thrive."

"I don't think there's any doubt about that, Bella was surprised at how strong she was."

"Good, good. So have you chosen a name for her?"

I smiled and nodded, "Evelyn Grace, Evie for short."

"Wonderful. That's a beautiful name. You're going to be a great father Edward. I am sure your parents would be so proud right now."

I felt for the first time in a very long time a genuine disappointment that my parents could not be here to celebrate this moment with me.

"I know they would be Carlisle. I can remember bits and pieces of how much they loved me and all that they did, but really, I hope that I can be as good a Father as you have been to me." We were both getting a bit choked up now and tried to cope by grabbing each other into a big bear hug, clapping hard on one another's backs. I wiped the wetness from my eyes and took hold of his hand. "You and Esme have been and will be the best parents a child could hope for."

"Thank you son," was all he could muster. After a few moments he continued, "Esme will be thrilled to know all went well."

"Speaking of Esme, you should get back to her. I'm sure she's dying for news, and I'm sure she misses you too."

Carlisle stood up and gathered his things. I pulled on my coat and followed him out on to the porch. We shook hands and Carlisle departed with a promise to return the next day to check on Bella. I quickly tended the animals, gathered up a load of wood and headed back inside. I added fuel to the fire and fixed some bread and jam for Bella.

As I cracked the door of our room open there was my beautiful wife peacefully asleep with our daughter resting on her chest. I opened the chimney vent to let a bit more warmth into the room and took off my boots. I quietly climbed into bed next to Bella and admired the two most beautiful women in the world. I placed a soft kiss on Evie's head and one on Bella's cheek and allowed myself to drift off to sleep as well.

o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o

BPOV

November 9, 1863

It has been 3 days since our sweet little Evelyn Grace was born. She is as beautiful a child as I have ever seen. She has a soft sweetheart face and pouty pink lips, her eyes are a dark blue, but I imagine they will change color as she gets older. She has an adorable shock of fuzzy brown hair on her head, I wonder if she will keep that color as well.

Thus far her temperament has been fairly easygoing. She cries when she is hungry or wet, she does sleep quite a bit, which is fine with me right now, I'm sleeping quite a bit too. I'm able to move around much easier now, though I'm still under orders to stay in bed. It just feels good to be able to walk around with a bit more ease.

Edward has been nothing if not attentive and helpful. He wakes at night to bring me the baby to feed, he's even changed her diaper a few times, though I think it makes him extraordinarily uncomfortable to do so, probably because she's a girl.

When I woke this morning I made an interesting discovery. Edward had already gone out to do his chores and I rolled over only to find my chest very painful. I looked down and nearly passed out. I guess the pre-milk that Evie has been getting has made the change to full milk and my breasts have nearly doubled in size. I was shocked to say the least. When I nursed, Evie was so overwhelmed with the abundance of liquid, she spluttered and coughed for a while until she became used to the freely flowing milk. Unfortunately, the unused breast thought it time to release as well so my night shirt ended up soaked.

I wonder what Edward will think of this new development. My poor husband. Already I can tell he is yearning for attentions I cannot give him. I do hope he can be patient.

Well, Angela will be returning back to her home in a few short days. It has been so wonderful to have her help, I don't know what I would've done without her.

Just as I closed my journal Angela popped her head in the bedroom. She smiled at little Evelyn asleep in her cradle.

"May I hold her Bella?"

"Of course Angela, please." She leaned over and scooped up the baby and made her way to the rocking chair we'd brought into our room. After a few grunts and squeaks, Evie quieted and returned to a deep sleep.

"Bella, she is absolutely precious. What a gift, what a blessing."

"She really is. That's partly why I chose Grace for her middle name." Angela nodded and continued to gaze at my sleeping child.

"Are you ready to do this all by yourself? Well not all by yourself, you have Edward, but you understand what I mean right?"

"Yes, I understand, and I think so? I think I can do it. Of course it will be difficult, but I think I can manage."

"I'll miss being here, it's been fun to be with my sister."

"I know what you mean. I do hope you can convince Ben to build a homestead up here. It would be so nice to be able to visit more often. For our children to play together, whenever you and Ben get around to..." I winked at her and smiled as she blushed and looked sideways.

"Alright, you get back into bed and I'll fix up something to eat. Any preferences?" She placed the stirring babe in my arms.

"No, anything is fine. Thank you again Ange." I settled into the rocker, armed with an extra towel to protect my clothing this time, and began to nurse my daughter.

o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o

It was now the beginning of December. Our baby was almost a month old and our first anniversary was right around the corner. As I had predicted, Edward became quite enamored with my new physique.

He would sneak up behind me in the kitchen and encircle my waist, making plays toward my chest. Often I'd have to smack his hand with a wooden spoon and remind him that they didn't belong to him anymore. Until Evie's nursing was better established, it would have to be hands off.

It always elicited a groan or a sigh when I would thwart his advances. "Patience, Edward," I would chide. We did manage to enjoy our fair share of passionate kisses, which invariably left him feeling frustrated, but he was always the one to start it, and I had to end things before they got out of hand. I was still healing from the trauma of birth and wasn't ready for any more attention.

Laundry was almost a daily chore, with diapers being the bulk of the wash. It was amazing what such a tiny person can do. I shook my head as I hung up diaper after diaper on the drying line. I was also starting to take over some of the outside chores I used to do. Since Rosalie was in the same boat as me, I didn't have to milk her, Daisy Bell did that job perfectly well. We'd probably have the calf until next spring when we'd either sell her or give her to Carlisle and Esme.

Edward was just finishing the chores outside, I was getting things prepared to go into town, we were going to be getting our Christmas presents and I wanted to get something special for Edward for our anniversary, but I had no idea what to get for him. I also wanted to see if there were any corsets that could accommodate nursing, because my current system was not working.

I had just finished feeding Evie and was putting myself back together. I was upset I had to let out the strings on my corset, I was still struggling to get my figure back. Edward came in and swooped me up into a strong embrace. I giggled as he planted cold kisses all over my cheeks and neck.

"Is everything ready to go?" I asked.

"The wagon is hitched and Alice is itching to take us for a ride. Do you need anything else for the baby?"

"No I think I have everything. Maybe you could fetch another quilt and put it in the wagon, just in case." Edward marched up the stairs to retrieve the blanket while I made sure Evelyn was dry and properly bundled up.

o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o

We made it into town and I was able to find a suitable corset that would allow me to nurse the baby more easily. We also checked in at the post office but there was still no word from the publishing companies. I was a little disappointed about that, but Edward reminded me that mail would probably be traveling slower since it was winter, and it was on the other side of the country. I nodded and continued toward the general store when Evelyn started to fuss.

"I wonder if Angela is home, Evie is getting hungry and I need a place to feed her."

"Let's go pay a visit to the good sheriff and his wife then shall we?"

We made our way across the street and into the office. Ben glanced up and then stood to shake our hands.

"Well, well, if it isn't the Masen's. How are you doing? How's the little one?"

"Fine fine, how goes it with you Ben?" Edward was making small talk meanwhile Evie was getting more and more impatient. I threw an elbow into his ribs to remind him why we were here. "Right, so Bella was wondering if Angela was home, she uh needs a little bit of privacy to feed the baby."

"Sure, sure let's go on up, I'm sure she'll be happy to see you." We headed up the stairs to the apartment above the jail and Ben let us inside. We found Angela reading on a comfortable sofa and Ben explained why we were there.

The men returned downstairs while I made use of my brand new corset. It was so much easier for the baby to feed and I didn't need to practically undress myself to accomplish the task. We chatted and Angela mentioned that she was wearing down Ben's defenses and she thought perhaps she could have him convinced to move to the country in the spring.

"Bella, there's something else," she looked up nervously, "I'm going to have a baby!"

"Oh Angela, I'm so happy for you! When will it come?"

"In the spring or early summer. Oh, Bella, I'm so glad you let me help you, I know better now what to expect. I was really scared at first, but seeing you was all I needed to feel better."

"I'm so glad Angela. Now you have to move up closer to us. I couldn't bear to have you so far away."

I finished feeding the baby and gathered myself up. I wanted to try and sneak over to the general store and get Edward's present. Angela offered to watch Evelyn while I did my errands, but I assured her Bonnie would scalp me if I didn't come show off the little dear. When I got down to Ben's office, Edward was nowhere to be found.

"Ben, where's Edward?"

"Oh, uh he...um...he had to go pick something up. Said he'd be right back."

"Uh huh. And I'm the queen of England. I know he's sneaking off to spend too much money on me, so you never mind. I'm going to do the same thing."

I walked out the door and shivered against the chill in the air. I hustled across the street to Tyler and Bonnie's store and quickly scanned around the room for Edward. Good, he wasn't in there. That would make my plans much easier.

"Bella!" Squealed Bonnie. "Ohhhhh let me see that baby! What's the name?"

"Evelyn Grace, she's just shy of a month old now."

"She's beautiful. Tyler, look how sweet this baby is."

Tyler peeked over my shoulder and grunted a quiet approval. "Masen did good." I snickered and Bonnie glared at her husbands lack of enthusiasm.

"Bonnie, I need a portfolio with clean paper. I'm going to make Edward some music composition sheets for our anniversary."

"Oh, he's just going to love that. I have just what you need."

"You always do Bonnie. You always do."

She quickly found what I'd asked for and a few other items including Christmas presents for Carlisle and Esme. She wrapped them all up for me and Tyler carried them out to the wagon for me. Lo and behold, there was Edward loading his own packages into the wagon.

"What do you have there Mr. Masen?" I crooned.

"These? Oh nothing of consequence. Just some of this and that." I winked at him letting him see I knew he was up to his sneaky surprises. Edward went inside and settled our account with Tyler, then we were headed back home.

"How's my sweetheart?" Edward asked looking sideways at our sleeping little girl.

"Just fine, full, dry and happy."

"And how's my dearest Love?"

"Just fine, full dry and happy," I teased. Edward nudged my shoulder. "I'm good Edward, really good." I smiled and leaned up to kiss him. I was really looking forward to our anniversary.

"Let's get you ladies home to a nice warm house."

A/N: So a little bit o' family time. Esme and Carlisle are coming up and please no raggin' on the name of the baby. That's the piece of me in this chapter. We're going to be naming our little baby due in feb Evelyn Grace after a grandma, great grandma and great-great grandma. So be nice please :) And I probably won't have anything new until after Thanksgiving, so if you're in the states, then Happy Thanksgiving, if you're outside of the US, hope you have a great rest of the week!