A/N: I know it has been a while and I had so many ideas I wanted to play out with this Fic. But, alas, life has caught up with me and it has fallen to the wayside. I am seriously concentrating on my health and have not had the time to write as much as I would like. That being said I didn't want to leave this chapter of Bella's life unfinished. So here is the last Chapter. I hope you enjoyed it so far. Maybe someday I'll post a sequel, but for now, I have no plans to. Thank you all for the kind words and encouragement. It's been fun!
The weeks that followed were busy but happy. Paul and I settled into a routine of warm days and even hotter nights. I had begun the countdown to my due date and by my seventh month, I was in full nesting mode. I had scoured our little house and begun creating a little haven for our little girl. I was beyond excited. When the time finally came it was like any other day. Paul had left to patrol and I was snuggled on the couch about to delve into a new novel. My back had been hurting all day and I was trying to take it easy. I knew from my many books and talks with Sue that the back pain could be a sign of early labor but I had yet to feel a contraction. So when I sat down and reached to the floor to pull the blanket that had fallen to my lap, I gasped at the sudden warm wetness I felt pooling underneath me soaking the couch. I was immediately wracked by a powerful contraction. I was unprepared for the amount of pain I felt that I cried out, curling into myself. This was it and Paul wasn't here. As soon as it passed I got up and placed the call to tell Sue that I was in labor. Just as I was trying to get up from the couch the front door burst open.
"What's wrong? Is it the baby?" Jacob was panting. "Your cry woke me and I rushed right over."
"Jacob, help me to the bedroom, I'm in labor. I've already called Sue." I gasped out recovering from my last contraction.
"Screw the bedroom I'm taking you to the hospital."
"No, we are having the baby here." Jacob looked at me like I was crazy but he carried me to the bedroom none the less. I instructed him to lay out the mattress protectors and a couple of towels while I paced the room, stopping to breath through my contractions which were coming even closer together and harder. When Sue finally arrived my contractions were about two minutes apart and so painful poor Jacobs hand was purple. I tried to convey my apologies, but Jacob just pointed to himself and said,
"Werewolf remember?"
"Ugh, you know how I hate that term. You are a badass Spirit warrior!" I gritted out through a contraction.
" Oh hell, shits getting real, Bella just cussed," Jacob said prompting me to laugh.
"Don't make me laugh it hurts too much."
"Bella, lie down honey I need to check your cervix," Sue said helping me to the bed.
"Jacob you might want to leave for this." I said trying to spare him Paul's anger if he gets an eyeful.
"No way am I leaving until Paul gets here. Which should be soon I sent a call out to Sam and he said he'll shift and let Paul know. I'll just make sure to stay by your head." After a short and uncomfortable examination, Sue let out a breath and said,
"Bella honey, don't freak out but you are ten centimeters and fully effaced. This little girl is ready to come out." I felt a pang in my heart.
"No, Paul's not here yet. Isn't it supposed to take longer than this?" I choked out through a sob.
"Not always everyone is different. Now, sweetie, I know you know that trying to keep her in will only harm her so I need you to push with your next contraction." I sobbed as I grabbed onto Jacob's hand and he bent over to shush me and smooth down my hair attempting to comfort me.
"You can do this Bells, I'm right here," he said.
With the next contraction, I pushed. I could feel a slight shifting and a burning low in my pelvis.
" That's it, Bella, she's crowning." Just then a loud noise and heavy footfalls could be heard in the hall. The door burst open and Paull stood there heaving.
"Did I miss it, am I too late?" He rasped. I cried out as another contraction seized me. Paul went white.
"Nah, man, get your ass over here and help your mate." Paul was at my side in a flash and I had Paul's hand on one side and Jacob's on the other.
"Okay, Bella this next one is gonna be hard. You remember how we talked about the ring of fire. I need you to give me one good long push and don't stop until you need to breath." Sue said from between my legs. Now that Paul was here I was determined to do this and with my next contraction I bore down heavily. The pain was excruciating, but I steeled my resolve and I pushed through to my next breath.
"Come on Bella, give me another good push!" Sue shouted and I bore down again. I suddenly felt a give and Sue gasped, followed by a baby's cry.
"She's out!" Sue said. "Jacob take that towel and hold her for a minute. Paul, come, cut the cord." I was overwhelmed with tears. I did it! She's finally here. The next thing I knew Grace was laid upon my chest and I got to see her little face. She was perfect. I cradled her to me and her little head began to root so I pulled down on my blouse and steered her to my nipple where she immediately began to suckle. In the background, I could hear Sue instructing Jacob to push down slightly on my abdomen. I felt a slight tug as Sue delivered my placenta. Jacob took one look at it and passed out. Paul and I were too busy fussing over Grace to notice anything that was going on. When I looked up to see why Sue was laughing so hard to see Jacob sprawled out on the floor I chuckled as well and said to Paul,
"I finally managed to put one of you Spirit Warriors on your back," I said laughing
"Babe, you put me on my back all the time," Paul said winking at me.
"Oh, you! You know that's not what I meant." I said lightly slapping his shoulder.
"Congrats, you too! As far as I can see she's perfect. You did well Bella." Sue said coming to gaze at Grace still feeding.
"Thank you, Sue. For everything!" I pulled her down into a one-armed hug. "Would you mind calling my dad?"
"Sure sweetie." Sue left to make the call and I looked up at Paul who was gently stroking Grace's head.
"We did it, Daddy," I said pulling him down to kiss him sweetly.
"You did it, Baby. I'm so proud of you!" I smiled and kissed him again.
As I sat staring at Grace I knew that no matter what our family faced I was strong enough to face it all and I would do anything to protect my little family.