Chapter 25 – A Week!

ChPOV

I was worried about Bells and apparently so was everyone else. I was glad Carlisle was around and planning on getting answers. The moment I heard she was with child and the child was prophesied, I wanted answers. Malcolm and I had spoken at length on several occasions over the past three months and he never mentioned anything to me.

I was drawn back into the conversation when she announced she was still dizzy. Oh, this could not be good. She had collapsed at the grave site over two hours ago and said then she was dizzy. I looked to Carlisle hoping he had some answer. All he did was hand her a bottle of water. Dehydration? Was it possible? Heck I didn't know. Edward seemed just as shocked as me.

We need answers, Edward.

He looked at me and nodded. "I'll send for her once Bella settled upstairs. I want Bella to try and sleep," Edward said as he gathered Bells up into his arms and headed out of the Great Hall with Carlisle following.

"Who is he going to send for?" I asked as the door shut.

"The clan midwife," Alice answered, giving me a concerned look. "Are you alright, Charlie?"

"I'm just worried." I wrinkled my forehead. "The clan doesn't have a midwife."

"Bella was speaking with her yesterday," Emmett retorted, jumping to his feet.

Esme put out a hand and stopped him from rushing out of the room.

Emmett scowled at her hand.

"This can't be good. Alice, dear, do you see anything?" Jasper asked.

"Not at the moment. I did get the impression the midwife meant no harm. She was concerned about Bella and the baby."

"If she meant to harm Bella she would have followed us out of the council chamber. She was still speaking with several women when I returned to the room," Emmett said, running a hand on the back of his neck. He seemed calmer.

BPOV

It took me a day and a half to realize the clan hadn't employed a midwife in centuries. As the realization hit me, dizziness hit me full force again. I swayed as everything around me went fuzzy and spun. I could no longer keep silent that I was not feeling well.

The sensation did not leave me as Edward carried me to our chambers. It was a thousand times worse when I shut my eyes. The blackness swirled and my stomach churned. Bile rose and I swallowed hard to prevent from bringing up what little I ate.

I heard the door opened and soon I was sitting on the bed. Carlisle handed me a glass of water.

Lifting the glass to my lips, I drank. I disconcerting dizziness eased but didn't cease. I didn't think it would completely go away no matter how much water I drank.

"Try and get some sleep," Edward said quietly, kissing my cheek.

I said nothing as a laid down and closed my eyes. Sleep would not come readily. Until yesterday, I had not tried to sleep not knowing if I could force myself. Perhaps I was wrong in my assessment and could choose when I slept instead of waiting for all my energy to be expended and crashing hard, sleeping like the dead. Although, it could be the growing child inside of me sapping my energy.

When I next opened my eyes, I was alone or so I thought. "Ah, Isabella."

I shot up on the bed when I recognized the voice of the supposed midwife.

"You be waking."

"I didn't think I was asleep," I remarked, my gaze wondering around the room. No one but this woman was watching over me.

She stood and moved closer to the bed, a slight smile marring her face. "You be having questions for me. Out with them?"

I stared at her for a moment, not saying anything. Where in the hell was Edward?

"Your husband be out in the hall with his father. No need for them to be present at the moment."

"Who are you?" I asked. It came out unsteady.

"The clan's midwife. Constance me name."

"The clan has no midwife."

"No and it hasn't for many a year now, but here I be to help you."

"Carlisle is more than enough help."

"That he might but I be wagering a guess he has questions for me, too."

"He said he did before I was brought up here," I stated, before continuing with my next question. This strange conversation was not easing my fears. "Why are you here?"

"I be having the answers to all your questions about what you became and the bairn you carry."

My eyes went wide. She knew I was part vampire. None in the clan has even guessed or questioned the slight but noticeable changes in me. Then again, the clan has always been accepting of those who are different.

"Of course I know," she said with a laugh. "Just as I be knowing what your soul mate is. I might be old but certainly not daft."

"So, if you have the answers you should know the questions."

"Aye, I do. But first things first there be another reason I am her beside me having your answers. You be the new lairdess and need to be knowing some things about me. This you should have been told ages ago by the last lairdess."

Grandmother? I thought back to the last time I saw her. She said there was something she needed to tell me but it could wait until the later. The visit ended and she never told me and she had passed away without warning. I stared at Constance, pleading with my eyes for her to continue.

"I be not of this time nor of this space. I be appearing only when needed and not all can see me unless I be wanting them too or need to be see me." She paused looking at me.

I took a deep breath and released it before motioning for her to go on.

"I be doing no harm when I do appear. My only job be aiding in the birthing of special bairns."

"Special," I said, touching my belly.

She smiled. "Aye, just as you were special."

"You delivered me," I said shocked.

"Aye, that I did and I be knowing then I be seeing you again one day."

"Why is the bairn special?"

"First bairn ever to be born from the human, vampire, and magically worlds," she explained with a flick of her hand. "I thought you be knowing that mere fact, Isabella."

"It crossed my mind briefly."

"Though I be knowing what you don't know." Not waiting she barreled on, "That being when the bairn will be born."

"February," I stated quickly doing the math.

"Nay, much sooner," she said, looking down her nose at me. It didn't feel like berating me. It was more like she was making sure I understood.

"How much sooner?" I heard Edward ask?

Constance turned, looking at him up and down before moving her head slightly toward the door. She was dismissing him.

"I'm staying," he added, crossing his arms over his chest.

"Tell us," I said, holding out a hand for Edward and at the same time letting Constance know I wanted him here.

"Seven days hence," she said.

Edward stiffened next to me and I probed his mind to find out what he was thinking.

A week. How? That's a dumb question? Magic that's how. Vampire growth is fast and Carlisle was thinking a couple of months.

"Then there is much to do to prepare. Answer Carlisle's questions, I want him to assist in the delivery," I said, taking charge of the situation.

"Certainly," she said, leaving the room.

"Do you think Alice knew?" I asked, turning to look at Edward once I was sure we were alone.

"If she did, she kept it a guarded secret."

"Wait," I said. "Why did you come in? I cast a spell before asking my first question."

"I know," he answered, looking away. "I didn't trust her to be alone with you and when I couldn't hear anything…" He shrugged, not finishing.

I smiled. "You know something," I paused, waiting until he looked at me questioningly. "I think I just fell further in love with you."

Edward wrapped his arms around me, kissing me deeply.

"I didn't feel safe with her. I not sure if I fully trust her. Only Jasper would be able to tell us certain if she means us no harm," I said, slightly breathless.

"He's near and will let us know. Are you feeling better?"

"Much. Was I out long?"

"About an hour. I don't know if we can avoid Alice much longer."

I knew exactly what he was thinking. Once Alice found out, she would want to start decorating the nursery here and planning for the one in Forks.

"I know." There was one question I knew I had to ask him first. "How are we going to explain to our friends in Forks? They are going to assume you knocked me up months ago and I left for that reason."

"They already think that. I didn't deny or confirm the rumors. All that matters is we know the truth. Though we can always tell them you found out, told me," he started.

"You asked me to marry you, I freaked out leaving not letting anyone know where I was until recently," I added.

"I rushed here to Scotland, talked sense into you and married you."

"Won't pan out, the invitation was sent out over a week ago," I started.

"And school has been out for three weeks."

"I hadn't realized."

Someone chose that moment to knock, before Alice popped her head in. I groaned, she knew and there was not dissuading her now.

###

"What can I expect?" Edward asked me as we finished dressing, he in the Cullen colors and me in the McCullough colors, much like we were a week ago.

"You read what there was about the ceremony and know just as much as me," I said, looking over at me after picking up our son, who had been born two days ago. "I'm glad the clan has experienced other magical births, and know how to handle questions."

"And though we never have," Rosalie said with the rest following her into our freshly redecorated chambers, the Laird's chambers. Esme had finished four days ago. "We definitely know how to keep a secret." We all laughed at the truth behind that fact. "Give me my nephew and I'll dress him."

I kissed his cheek before passing him to Rosalie. He was such a cutie and looks mostly like Edward but has my dark chocolate tresses.

"Now, Bells," Dad started, "are you sure you don't want to wait until tomorrow?"

Edward and I had this very discussion early this morning. Everyone thought I should remain in bed another day. "Positive," I replied. "It has to be today since we have leave by mid-morning tomorrow for Forks."

"I'm just checking. Have you given any other thoughts to the other ceremony?"

Edward turned to look at me, "What other ceremony?"

"A Wiccaning," I said in answer, glaring at my dad. "And no, I haven't thought about it or even discussed it with Edward."

"You know the council will ask before you go into the Great Hall for the naming."

"Explain the ceremony," Jasper suggested.

"It is much like the naming ceremony with slight differences."

"Such as," Emmett probed.

"The guests are deceased for one and are those in the McCullough family with magical abilities. I would call forth spirits and they would in turn bless our son," I said, looking at Edward with a smile.

He had risen an eyebrow, so I added just for him, It harmless and can be done at any time in the first three years.

He shook his head with a laugh. Had I misread his face? "I never thought it would be harmful, Bella. I guess you didn't go beyond my look. I was just wondering if there was any reason we should wait. It sounds like a wonderful and beautiful ceremony to me."

"Oh, from the ones I have witnessed, they are beautiful."

"That's going to get annoying," Jasper lamented, referring to the private conversation.

I saw Esme shake her head. "So, are you going to share the name you choose?"

"You're just going to have to wait," Edward said, snatching our son from Rosalie, cradling him against his chest before walking out of the room.

I just smiled at everyone before taking the blanket Alice held out to me following.

After a brief conversation with the council and the priest, they left Edward and I to take their places at the front of the Great Hall.

"Are you ready for this?" I asked, rewrapping the blanket around our son.

"As ready as I'll ever be," he replied, taking our son from me and walking towards the guarded doors, which were opened for us.

Walking straight down the middle of the Great Hall side by side, we approached the priest. Smiles greeted us everywhere we looked. I almost stumbled seeing Garrett with his family among the gathered guests. He smiled warmly at me bowing his head as we passed next to him was the girl he was caught with. She curtsied as Edward and I passed. I had personally sent his family the announcement that informed that not only I had married in a private ceremony, but that Grandfather had died and I had given birth to a son. A personal message of forgiveness was included for Garrett. I was happy he and his family and future bride were able to attend. Friendships were hard to forge when you are in positions of power. The Gilpatrick's and McCullough's were always close and to let a friendship be ruined over a case of falling in love with someone else was… well, it wasn't going to happen.

Returning my thoughts and focus to the day's event, Edward and I came to a stop in front of the priest.

"What a blessing it be to greet a new member of the McCullough clan," he said, reading from the ceremony book. "A bairn of the Laird and Lady and a son at that."

I stifled the urged to giggle. It didn't matter that we had a son, not with how heir-ship would continue to be handed down.

The priest held out his hand and Edward passed our child to him. The priest recited an ancient Gaelic blessing and prayer. "By what name shall this bairn be called?" he asked looking at me.

I looked to Edward. We had two names picked out. Edward was leaving it to me to make the final decision, telling me that both fit. I smiled at him before, turning back and told the priest loudly enough for all present to hear, "Our son will henceforth be named Malcolm Ewan Cullen."

I heard the collective murmur from the guests. They approved and thought it a fitting way to remember Grandfather.

"I present for all to see Malcolm Ewan Cullen," the priest held up our son, after stepping between us.

Edward wrapped his arm around me as I accepted our son back.

"He is an angel," I priest whispered quietly to the both of us.

Hours later, after a wonderful feast, Edward and I walked into the library were the rest of the family waited.

"Your grandfather would be honored," Dad said, giving me a hugged after Jasper stole Malcolm away from me.

I started lighting the candles Alice and Rose had arranged around the room. Once I was finished I opened the ancestry spellbook to the Wiccaning ceremony. I didn't have to ask, all were ready and waiting in anticipation.

"I call forth from space and time, Matriarchs and Patriarchs of the McCullough Line – Mothers, Fathers, Daughters, Sons, Sisters, Brothers, Friends – Our family spirit without end; to gather now, in this sacred place and help us bring this child to grace." Silently I added to the spell asking for Edward and Elizabeth Masen to be granted passage also.

"Bring the child forth," Grandmother said, appearing with a smile on her face with Maribella and Ewan standing next to her.

Edward stepped forward. "I give you Malcolm Ewan Cullen," he said.

"An honor," Ewan said, brushing his hand gently over our son's had, "to have the child named after me."

"And what a beautiful grandson, Edward," a lovely and beautiful woman said, stepping forward. This could only be Elizabeth.

EPOV

I started, looking up at who had spoken, "Mom," he said.

"Who else would it be, Son," a voice I thought I would never hear again said from next to me.

"Dad."

Thank you, Bella, I thought as I hugged both my long deceased parents.

"You have found a wonderful and talented wife," Dad whispered in my ear. "Take good care of her and your son."

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