Disclaimer – Stephenie Meyers owns all things Twilight. No copyright infringement is intended.

A special thanks goes out to my beta, shelikesthesound.

Chapter 25

Meagan Elizabeth

BPOV

The people from the furniture store delivered the baby furniture the next weekend…right on schedule. Edward and I had been getting along well during the week he'd been home. We hadn't argued all week, and we were on cloud nine when the furniture arrived. We immediately started setting it up in the baby's room, putting each piece in its place. It was actually fun, and we laughed and kidded around as we set up each piece.

I had washed the bedding and her clothes, so we playfully argued as we found places to put up each type of clothing. Edward made her bed for the first time, because I couldn't reach the other side of it to tuck in the sheets. He really got a kick out of that little fact. He swore he wasn't calling me fat, but I didn't see it that way, and he got a knock in the back of the head for his mistake. He should've known better than to make fun of a pregnant me. I may not get over that so easily.

When the room was complete, we sat down in the den and watched a movie together. It meant so much to me that we were doing things together, that when he changed from movie mode to make out mode, I didn't stop him. In fact, I encouraged him. When he lay me down on the couch and started roaming with his hands, I not only encouraged him, I reciprocated. By the time the movie was over, we were nearly naked and ready to go to the bedroom. I stood up, and, grabbing his hand, I led him to our bed.

"I love you," I said.

"I love you, too," he said between kisses.

"Make love to me," I whispered, and he complied without hesitation. It had been so long since we had been together, that positioning was a bit problematic, but we managed all right. Afterwards, we snuggled with each other, and I fell asleep on my Edward's chest.

The next morning when I got up to go to church, my back was aching. I didn't think it was anything to be concerned about, figuring I'd slept wrong. We got dressed, and by the time we'd finished breakfast, even Edward could tell I was hurting. He rubbed my lower back, and it felt better. He asked me if I wanted to stay home, but I said I wanted to go to church. I wanted to let people see we were back together. I was so happy to be a couple again. So, we went to church.

During Sunday school, we sat in our classroom with the high schoolers, and Edward rubbed my back. When class was over, our teacher, Mrs. Buchanan, asked me if I was feeling all right. I told her my back was hurting ― that I slept wrong last night. She asked me if I was sure, and I told her I was pretty sure, and then we went to the sanctuary where Carlisle and Esme were sitting.

Edward again rubbed my back after we sat down, and Carlisle asked me if I was okay. I told him I thought I'd just slept wrong, and he asked me about my backache.

"I'm hurting in my lower back. It's just a steady aching," I said. "It's nothing."

"Well, I want to know if it continues," Carlisle said.

"Yes, Sir," I said.

When we went home, we ate a simple lunch, and I laid down for a little while, thinking my backache would feel better after lying down. Unfortunately, it only got worse, which only worried Edward more.

"I think we need to call Dad and ask him what we need to do," he said.

"It's just a backache, Edward. I'm sure it's just the way I slept last night," I told him. "Pregnant women have backaches."

"You would make me call him if it were me," he said.

"You would never be pregnant," I said.

"Don't be a smart ass. When I'm hurt or sick, you make me call. Payback is hell, Bella."

"Fine, call him. You'll see. It's just a backache."

"Fine." He picked up his cell phone and dialed Carlisle's number. "Hi, Dad. Bella's backache is worse. Is this anything we need to worry about?"

He listened to his dad talk for several minutes, and then he hung up the phone. "Get up. We're taking you to the emergency room."

"Why?" I asked.

"Well, Dad said you could be in early labor. We need to get you checked out. He's gonna meet us there."

"He's not gonna check, right?"

"No, I don't think so. I think he just wants to be there to support us."

"Okay, I'll go. Anything to protect our daughter." I got up and followed Edward to the car. He drove us to the emergency room. When we got there, I checked in telling them I was having lower back pain, and Carlisle wanted me to come in to rule out pre-term labor. They weren't busy, and they got me into a room right away. The nurse told me to undress all the way and to put on a gown. I did as I was told and had a seat on the table in the room. It was only a couple of minutes before the doctor came in to see me.

"Well, Mrs. Cullen, I hear you've had a backache. How long have you been hurting?"

"Since I woke up this morning."

"And where are you hurting?"

I pointed to my lower back.

"Are you having any abdominal pain at all?" the doctor asked.

"No, Sir."

"Have you had any leaking?"

"No, Sir."

"Well, why do you think that you may be in labor?"

"Dad said so," Edward said. "He told us to come in and get her checked. He's been worried about her since this morning. He said she looked a little swollen at church this morning."

"I see. And who is your father?"

"Dr. Carlisle Cullen. He usually works the ER. You're moonlighting here, aren't you?"

"Yes, this is my first time at this ER," the doctor said.

"I knew I didn't recognize you," Edward said.

"Well, it's nice to meet you," the doctor said.

"You, too," Edward said. "Now, back to Bella. She is a little swollen in the legs, and her face is a little swollen."

"I'm not that swollen," I said. "You're not being nice, Edward."

"Well, you're blood pressure is up. I want you to get me a urine sample. Can you do that?"

"I'm pregnant. I can always pee."

"You're seventeen," he asked.

"Yeah," I said.

"And this is your first pregnancy?" he asked.

"No, my second," I said.

"And your first pregnancy was full term?"

"No, pre-term," I said.

"Oh, how many weeks?"

"Twenty-six."

"May I ask what happened? Why did you have a twenty-six week delivery?"

"I had an abruption secondary to a fall. She was a stillborn."

"I'm so sorry."

"It's okay. It was almost two years ago, now."

"Okay, go and get me that urine."

I left the room and got the urine sample. I brought it back into the room, and the nurse came back to put the baby monitors on me. She explained one was to monitor the heartbeats, and the other one was to monitor me for contractions. As she was getting the monitors hooked up, Carlisle came into the room.

"How are you doing, Bella?" he asked.

"So far, so good," I said. "The doctor is new and didn't know who we were, so he asked a lot of questions."

"Well, that sometimes happens when we have the young docs come in to work overnight."

"I understand. It was just strange having to talk about Victoria again."

"I can see that," Carlisle said.

Carlisle walked over to the baby monitor and looked at the sheets that were printing out. "You're having contractions, Bella. They're not very strong, but you are contracting."

"Oh my God! Is the baby in danger?" Edward asked. "We're only thirty weeks."

"Thirty weeks is still seven weeks early, but contractions don't necessarily mean labor. You don't necessarily have to be dilating your cervix. Has he checked you, yet?"

"No, not yet," I said.

Someone came into the room with blood work equipment. "Hi, I'm MaryAnne. I need to draw some blood from you," she said. I held out my right arm, and she drew my blood. Before she was finished, the doctor came into the room.

"Hi, you must be Dr. Purvix. I'm Carlisle Cullen. This is my son and daughter-in-law."

"It's nice to meet you, Dr. Cullen. Call me Mike."

"Mike, how did her urine look? Any protein?"

"Yes, Sir. She has three to four plus protein, and her blood pressure is up. I'm gonna start an IV and start some magnesium."

"Without her LFT's. How high is her BP?"

"One forty over ninety-seven."

"Oh. Okay. Have you notified Dr. Bush?"

"Not yet. I was gonna check her strips and go from there."

"She's contracting. Low volume, but every six to eight minutes."

"Dad, English please," Edward asked.

"Sorry, Son. Bella is most likely suffering from something called pre-eclampsia. That is something that happens to young mothers. It is dangerous for both her and the baby. The only treatment is to deliver the baby, and she isn't ready to be delivered. She's pre-mature. What we're talking about is starting a medication to try to prevent Bella from having a seizure which can happen to women who have pre-eclampsia. We're not certain, yet, though. Not all of the lab work is back."

"I need to check your cervix, Mrs. Cullen. I need to see if you are dilating," Dr. Purvix said.

"I'm going to step outside and give you some privacy," Carlisle said. He walked outside into the hallway. Dr. Purvix stepped into the hallway and called for a nurse to come into the room with him. When she came in, she helped me into the stirrups and placed a sheet over me. Dr. Purvix came back into the room, and to my embarrassment, he checked my cervix to see if I was dilated. After he was finished, the nurse stepped into the hallway to get Carlisle, and he stepped back into the room.

"Mrs. Cullen, I'm afraid I have to tell you that you are starting to dilate. You are already to fingertip. You are in labor. I'm going to get you started on some fluids and see if that will help to stop the contractions. I'm also going to get in touch with your OB. You said that he is Dr. Bush?"

"She," I said.

"Excuse me?" Dr. Purvix asked.

"She. She is Dr. Bush," I said.

"I see," Dr. Purvix said. "I'm sorry. I didn't know. I'm going to call her right now."

"Okay," I said, and he walked out of the room.

"Carlisle, I'm scared," I said.

"I am, too," he said, "but Dr. Bush is a great doctor, and she'll take good care of you. Just lay back and rest."

Edward came to my side and took my hand. He leaned over me and kissed me. "I'm so sorry."

"Why are you sorry?"

"Because of last night. We shouldn't have made love last night. I knew it. This is my fault."

"No, Edward. This isn't your fault. It just happened."

"Bella is right, Edward. It isn't anyone's fault," Carlisle said. "This just happens to young mothers. It could have happened any time. It's just coincidental that you two made love last night."

"You're not just sayin' that, are you?" Edward asked.

"Of course not," Carlisle said. "I wouldn't sugar coat it."

"Thanks, Dad," Edward said.

Dr. Purvix came back into the room. "I've spoken with Dr. Bush. She was very nice. She agreed with the Magnesium Sulfate, and she's coming in to see you, Mrs. Cullen."

"Great! She's a wonderful doctor. She'll take good care of you, Bella," Edward said.

"I'm going to get you admitted to labor and delivery right now. Dr. Cullen, if you want to go over my orders, I'd appreciate it," Dr. Purvix said.

"I'd be happy to, Mike. Let's go look at them," Carlisle said.

They both walked out of the room, and I looked at Edward. "I'm scared. What if we have to deliver her early? What if she doesn't do well?"

"I know, Bella. I know. I'm scared, too, but Dr. Bush will be here soon, and she'll do everything that she needs to do to protect both you and the baby," he said. He leaned over and kissed me on the lips. I kissed him back with more passion than I should of in the hospital room. Luckily, nobody walked in on us. Maybe our luck was changing for the better. "You know, we haven't even discussed names for her."

"I haven't even thought of any names. I've been too distracted by our fighting to worry about baby names," I said.

"Me, too, but the chance she'll need to be delivered is real, at least according to Dad, so we'd better begin thinking of names pretty soon."

"Yeah, all right. What about Meagan? I've always liked that name."

"It's okay. I like it. What about Elizabeth for a middle name?"

"I think that Meagan Elizabeth sounds like a great name."

"It is pretty. I like it, but what about everybody else?"

"She's our daughter. We have to like it, not everybody else, Bella."

"Okay. Megan Elizabeth it is. Anything else?"
"Nope. Now that we've named her, she's ready."

"But she's not ready. She's at least seven weeks early. You heard your dad. She's not ready to be born, yet."

"Maybe the rest of the labwork will be better."

"We can only pray it will be."

Dr. Purvix and Carlisle walked into the room interrupting our conversation. Carlisle walked up to me and said the liver function testing and the other testing they did weren't as bad as they thought they were going to be, so they were going to put me on bedrest for the time being. The nurses had the orders and were about to move me to my room.

Once they got me settled, I asked Edward for my cell phone. I called Alice and told her what was happening. She wanted to come to the hospital, and I asked her to stop by the house and pick up our bookbags and Edward a change of clothes for school tomorrow. She agreed to do that for us, and she arrived about an hour later. We both thanked her, and she sat down, making sure not to bother me. Edward and I started our homework, and Carlisle came into the room.

"What do you think you're doing, Bella?" he asked.

"My homework," I said.

"That's not resting," he said.

"I have to get my homework done so Edward can take it in tomorrow," I said.

"You have to rest. Anything that is stimulating is bad for you right now. You are still contracting, and your blood pressure is still up. Do you have a headache or a stomachache?"

"My head hurts a little, but it's nothing bad."

"Then absolutely no homework. Put it up. Now. Edward, she's to have nothing but bedrest. I thought I made that clear."

"We thought bedrest meant she couldn't get out of bed. I haven't let her get out of bed, even to go to the bathroom. I've made her use the bedpan." Edward said.

"No, when I said 'bedrest,' I meant 'do nothing.'"

"Okay, I get it. Give me your books, Bella," Edward said.

"I need to get this homework that's due tomorrow done. Just that much," I said.

"NO! Bella, you'll be absent tomorrow. You don't have to turn in your homework," Carlisle said.

"Come on, Bella. This is for our daughter," Edward said.

"All right. Here you are," I said, giving Edward my books. I lay down in the bed curling up into a little ball facing Edward and Alice. "I feel stupid just lying here."

"It's important for your health and the baby's health, Bella," Carlisle said.

"I said, 'all right.'"

"Carlisle is right, Bella. No activities. I'm gonna check your cervix now, okay?" Dr. Bush said, coming into the room. I nodded, and Alice got up to leave the room behind Carlisle. Edward came to sit next to my head which I'd lowered after I gave him my books.

"Okay, you're still just fingertip. You're not progressing. That's good," Dr. Bush said as she pulled off her gloves and flung them into the trash can. She went to the door and told the others they could come back in. They followed her back in, and she repeated to them I hadn't progressed. "Bella, this condition is serious. Your blood pressure is still up, and your urine has protein in it. I'm going to give you some steroids to help mature the baby's lungs in case we have to deliver her in the next couple of days."

"The next couple of days? She's too early. We can't have her this early," I said.

"That's why it's so important that you're on complete bedrest. That's the only thing that will possibly prolong your pregnancy," Dr. Bush said. "Otherwise, get ready for me to go ahead and induce your labor. Your life is in danger, Bella, and I'll deliver this baby in order to save your life."

"It's that serious?" Edward asked, his eyes and mouth wide opened. "Don't worry, Dr. Bush. She'll be at complete bedrest. I didn't understand the risk to Bella or the baby. Bella won't lift her head. I'll see to it."

"Edward, I have to move. I can't lie perfectly still. I'll go crazy," I said.

"I'll hold you, Bella. I'll hold you in my arms, and we'll talk. I'll keep you entertained. You won't know you're on bedrest."

"You have to go to school and do your homework. Otherwise we'll fall way behind."

"You are my first priority, Bella. I love you. I'll do whatever it takes to take care of you."

"You need to go to school, Edward," Carlisle said. "Your education is too important. You have to bring Bella back the information."

"If you two aren't gonna let her study, what is the point of bringing her back the information?" he asked.

"I didn't say she wouldn't be able to work on it indefinitely. Just not right now when her blood pressure is up and while she has protein in her urine. It is possible in a few days she will be able to work on it. Only time will tell, Edward. I agree with your Dad and Bella. You should go to school. The nurses will watch after Bella while you are gone," Dr. Bush said.

"Quit ganging up on me. Bella is my wife, and I'll make the decision."

"That's right. I'm your wife, and I'm telling you to go to school. Your being valedictorian is too important for you to lose. Please Edward. For me."

"What about you being valedictorian? I don't want an unfair advantage over you. That's not fair."

"That's just not gonna happen, Edward. That's not gonna be possible for me, what with this illness and with the baby coming, but there's no reason why you still can't be. You need to at least try for it. If I can't be, I want you to be."

Dr. Bush, Carlisle, and I won. Edward went to school the next morning.