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Chapter 25 (2237)

I groaned as I took Mia from Edward and held her to my chest where she started rooting around for her meal as I turned to face my sisters. "I've decided to breastfeed her and the only way to trigger my milk production is to have her breastfeed like normal." I told them as I headed for the back bedroom where I had sat the diaper bag and portable playpen when we had first arrived. My sisters followed me in curiosity.

"How does it work, Bella, you weren't pregnant?" Alice asked as she sat on the edge of the bed while I rummaged through the diaper bag to get the supplemental nursing system out and fill it with formula. It was just temporary until my milk started coming in in adequate amounts enough to fill her up.

I nodded in agreement as I hooked the nursing cover-up over my neck so that I could get her latched on and the tubing in her mouth before showing them. "I have to supplement with formula for the time being until my milk comes in. The lactation specialist that I talked to last Friday said that if I would pump or have her suckle like normal every few hours that it would trick my body into producing milk for her." I explained to them as I felt her latch on. My nipples were very sore these days but it would all be worth it when I could feed her completely from breast milk alone.

"Hmm… I wander if that could work for me when Emmett and I adopt a baby?" Rose said as I lifted up the blanket to show them how it worked.

"I don't know, Rose. I can give you the number to the lactation consultant whenever the time comes. She suggested going on hormone therapy first to trick my body into thinking it was pregnant but because Mia was already here she said this way would work better." I told them as I showed them the tubing that ran along either side of my nipple and into the corners of Mia's mouth. "As she sucks she pulls the milk through the tubes." I explained to them as I hooked the bottle on my other bra strap.

"How often does she eat?" Alice asked me curiously as she played with Mia's little sock covered feet.

I laughed lightly as I switched breasts and readjusted the bottle and tubing. "She feeds about every two hours or so but I nurse between each of her feedings to get my production started flowing pretty good. It's already there a little bit but I want to be able to feed her without the aid." I told them as she settled back down to finish eating.

"Does the pumping hurt?" Alice asked curiously.

I groaned and nodded. "You have no idea. I don't know if it is because I am pretty much forcing my body to lactate or what but yes it hurts so bad but it is so worth it." I told them with a smile on my face as I watched my daughter eat away.

"Are your boobs tender?" Rose asked as she leaned forward and stroked Mia's soft reddish curls.

I nodded. "They are and my nipples are super tender but again it is so worth it in the end."

They both nodded. "How often are you pumping if she feeds every couple of hours?" Alice asked curiously.

I laughed. "I feel like a milk cow these days because I am either feeding her or pumping every hour to hour and a half. I finally started to actually get some milk the day before yesterday and I got almost a full ounce last night." I told them excitedly because I had been warned that it could take up to a few months before my milk would come in. But I had been one of those 'rare' cases where my milk was coming in within the first week.

They both laughed at my milk cow reference. "That's great news. Isn't it?" Alice asked as curiously as Mia finished the bottle of formula. I pulled the tubing from her house and allowed her to still suckle for a few more minutes.

I nodded eagerly. "It's really amazing that my milk is coming in so soon. I hope to be able to lose the contraption within the next few weeks." I told them as I listened to Mia suckling at my breast.

"What about the pumping?"

I sighed. "I figure I will still need to pump for a while yet just to increase the milk flow. That also gives Edward an opportunity to feed her while I pump more out." I told them as I switched breasts with Mia.

"Rose will you get the pumping kit out of the bag please? I need to pump for at least ten minutes on each side once she is finished." I asked her since Edward was normally the one helping me but he was busy going through family stuff.

She nodded and pulled out the bluish green thing that had odd looking contraptions hooked up to it. "This thing looks scary." She said as she sat it on the bed beside me.

I just laughed and nodded in agreement. "I completely agree and this sucker has some suction power too." I told them as Mia released my nipple from her mouth and gave a contented sigh. "She's done." I told them as I laughed lightly. I pulled her from under the cover-up and handed her to Alice who was reaching for her.

I sighed as I placed each suction cup on each breast and pushed the button to turn them on. I placed the cover-up back over me and settled back against the wall. "You know this used to be Edward's bedroom when he was a teenager." I commented as I looked around the room and the memories ran through my mind.

Alice sighed. "I bet it was nice with Edward living so close by."

I shrugged my shoulders in indifference. "It was nice to have a place to escape to but this house saw a lot of sadness throughout the years also. Edward's parents died when he was eight and his grandparents were sick most of his high school years. It was nice but there were days that weren't so good either." I told them as I looked around the room again.

They both nodded and decided to change the subject all together. "I believe Emmett and I have found a prospective baby." Rose said quietly as she set up the portable play pen for Alice to lay a sleeping Mia in it.

"That's great, Rose. I didn't even know you guys were looking just yet." I told her as I turned off the machine and released their suction from my breasts before wiping them clean.

I pulled the containers out from under the cover-up and smiled at the amount in the bottles. I had about an ounce in each bottle and that was after she had nursed on me for about twenty minutes or so. It was improving. "Is that good?" Rose asked as she saw the smile on my face.

I nodded eagerly. "It's great!" I told them as I cleaned everything up and packed it back into the bag.

I was so engrossed in chattering with my sisters and cleaning out cupboards that the dinging from my phone caught me off guard an hour later.

"What's that?" Alice asked.

I groaned. "My alarm to let me know that I need to go pump again."

We spent the rest of the day cleaning out and hauling things to the Salvation Army until the house was spotless and we were all spent. "I'm so exhausted!" I whined to Edward as we collapsed on our couch with Mia asleep in her cradle at the end of the couch.

Edward just chuckled. "I think this breastfeeding this is wearing you out."

I nodded. "It is because I am having to get up every few hours to either pump or feed her. I'm not getting any good sleep right now but it will be well worth it in the end." I told him as I cuddled back into his chest.

He sighed and hummed in agreement because he knew how much this meant to me. "Well, hopefully after this weekend we won't have the cattle or my grandparent's house to have to deal with anymore."

"I know, I can't believe we are possibly going to have George Strait living in a house that holds so many memories for us." I told him as I tugged his arm around my waist and threaded my fingers through his.

He settled down behind me and snuggled into my back. "We will always have those memories, baby, just because the house is being leased out doesn't mean our memories will vanish. Wouldn't you rather that old house being lived in and creating new memories instead of sitting empty and collecting cobwebs?"

I nodded. "I would and so would your grandparent's-"

The doorbell rang interrupting my sentence and our conversation. I quickly jumped up and darted for the door before it woke Mia up. Just as I opened the door I heard a small cry from the cradle and groaned.

"Are we at the wrong house?" A sweet voice asked from the other side of the threshold.

I looked up and gasped because there stood the one and only George and Norma Strait in all their glory. "No, unfortunately I believe you are at the right house. Please come in. I'm Isabella Masen." I told them as I gestured for them to come on in the house.

They both laughed. "You have that new parent look all over your face, sweet girl." Norma said as she stepped into the house. "Should we take our shoes off?" She asked as she looked at the pile of shoes just inside the door.

I shrugged my shoulders. "You don't have to, it's just always been a tradition for us instilled by our mother." I told her as I shut the door behind them. "It is a pleasure to meet you." I told them as I shook each of their hands but a crying from behind me was gaining my attention. "Please excuse me." I told them as I quickly rounded the couch and took Mia from Edward and headed towards the bedroom without another word.

Forty five minutes later I walked back into the living room with a happy and contented Mia held in my arms. I was so embarrassed that I had just darted from the room when we had such grand company but it was what it was and my baby girl had been hungry. Again. I was stunned when I saw everybody relaxing in the living room.

George and Norma were curled together in one of the big chairs, Emmett and Rosalie were sat side by side with their girls asleep in their laps on the loveseat, Jasper and Alice were curled in the other big chair with Alyssa, her teddy bear and blanket in their laps while Brooklyn was curled up in Esme's lap as she and Carlisle sat on the couch. They all looked very comfortable and relaxed which I was grateful for. "Sorry about that. Mia demanded a snack." I told them as I settled down between Esme and Edward on the couch.

Norma is the one that broke the uncomfortable feeling in the room. "I remember those days when the baby ruled the roost."

I laughed because that was so very true. "I never would have realized how much a baby demanded until this little one came home with us."

We chatted for a little bit before the guys decided to go show George the equipment, cattle, and everything involved with the cattle ranching business while us women decided to go show Norma the house.

Later that evening over dinner we settled on prices for everything, terms of lease, length of lease, and everything that the leasing of the Masen's house and property, 500 acres of our land, and buying the cattle and everything that entailed. "I will type up a contract tonight that will take include everything we have talked about tonight and we can look over it again tomorrow. Will that be alright?" Edward asked as we walked George and Norma out to their truck.

George nodded and shook hands with Edward. "Sounds fine to me, Edward. Now if could just extract my wife from your daughter we will get out of your hair." I heard him say as Norma, Mia, and I trailed behind the guys.

Norma just laughed. "George you be quiet. You have been just as bad evening also." She said before kissing Mia on top of her head before handing her gently to me. "It was a pleasure to meet you, Bella. You and your entire family are amazing and so sweet." She said as she hugged me gently.

"Thanks, Norma, I wouldn't know what to do without any of them." I told her as Edward wrapped his arm around my shoulders and tugged me into his side.

We waved bye to them as they headed back down the driveway. "Wow. That was George Strait in our house, on our horses, sitting at our table, and holding our daughter."