First of all, oh my god. I got SO much feedback on the last chapter. I'm not even kidding. I have almost ninety emails all from you guys with reviews, story alerts, author alerts… can you say insane? I also went up by more than twenty reviews! THANK YOU!
It's raining outside, I'm listening to 'scary' music, and I'm ready to write this chapter… which will be very suspenseful. ;)
BPOV
Two months later…
The school bell echoed through the hallways, followed by a mountain of kids running out of the classroom doors. Papers through all over and people cheered loudly, banging their fists against the lockers, and talking.
I rolled my eyes.
It wasn't even summer vacation; it was fall break!
The school year had been going by faster than I had hoped. Before I even had time to blink, the leaves on the trees were falling in beautiful colors of orange, red, and brown. The weather had turned from warm to cold overnight, and now we were done with the first nine weeks of school!
My grades had kept up though, and I was still currently the Valedictorian, even if it was by the skim of my teeth. Lauren was so close to stealing it that it was almost as if she was on my back. It freaked me out. And it didn't help that she had appeared in some of my nightmares… the one where the doctor tries to operate and kill me. I shuddered.
I didn't have to wait for Lauren to finish primping at our locker today because she hadn't shown up. Not that I cared. As long as she was here tomorrow was all that really mattered.
Tomorrow was the day that I destined myself to be alone with Lauren in the woods. I had yet to tell Edward, who was leaving tonight for his cross country trip, and wasn't going to. He had begged me not to go, and I didn't have the heart to tell him that I was going anyway. Knowing him, he would have followed me, refusing to leave my side.
It was a serious risk that I was taking. It was already a stretch that I was still going to school. My doctor, and Edward, had suggested - no, begged - against me going everyday, but, once again, I had stubbornly refused.
Being the Valedictorian might be the only thing that gets me into college. I'm bound to get at least one full ride scholarship to the same university Edward wants to go to. It would save us time and money in the long run.
I put my notebook into my locker and shut it, only to find Edward standing on the other side, smiling my favorite crooked smile.
"Hey." He said, chuckling at my startled reaction to him.
"You scared me." I said, breathlessly.
He winked and walked towards me, pulling me into his arms. I rested my head against his shoulder and closed my eyes, lightly gripping onto his shoulder. He smelt so good, and his body felt warm against mine. I pulled myself closer to him and smiled as he slowly swayed back and forth.
"How was your day?" He whispered softly in my ear, tucking a strand of hair behind it as he spoke.
"Pretty boring… until now."
Edward's green eyes sparkled with happiness, and he pressed his sweet lips against mine, enticing my inner emotions. I stood on my tiptoes and ran my fingers through his bronze, rain darkened hair.
He was perfect and he was mine.
Someone behind me cleared their throat. Edward, with his arms still around me, rolled his eyes. I turned my head to the side and saw a very impatient Alice standing with her arms crossed, tapping her foot.
"Edward." She said.
"Alice." Edward replied.
"Can you two please stop having a moment in the hallway so that I can get home?" She asked. "Believe it or not, I wouldn't like to spend my fall break at school."
"Sure, sure, we'll meet you at the car."
"But I've been waiting there for fifteen minutes!"
Edward sighed heavily and rolled his eyes. He gave me a look that said, 'we'll do this later', and I nodded in agreement. He the locked his hand with mine and we followed Alice - who was very irritable now- to the car. I slumped into the backseat and tried to relax on the car ride home.
Once the car was parked, Alice ran into the house, her phone glued to her ear.
"What's she up to?"
"I believe she's doing something with Jasper tonight, but," he shrugged his shoulders, "how should I know?"
The two of us went upstairs and straight to his room to start packing for his cross country trip. Edward pulled out a small, black bag and started grabbing clothes before he tossed them in. I helped him pick out a few things, and even folded all of the clothes properly into the bag.
I grabbed some other things for him - toothbrush, toothpaste, and socks - and put them in the smaller pouch of the bag.
"Thanks for helping." He said, pulling on the zipper until it was shut tight. "I really appreciate it." He continued, walking over to me.
"Mhm…" I said, holding back the guilt in my voice as he left a trail of kisses down my jaw line, and put his hand on the small of my back, exposing my pale skin.
He was being too sweet to me when I really didn't deserve it. I was going behind his back and doing something that we both know is a bad idea. If anything, he should yell at me. He should threaten me with something or use something against me… anything! I couldn't have him being adorably sweet. Every kiss was oozing with guilt.
I shook my head slowly and wrapped my arms around my neck. Edward raised one eyebrow and took a step back.
"What?"
"No, nothing." I lied convincingly. "I just feel achy."
"I can fix that." Edward offered. I tried to object but before I could, he was rubbing his thumbs deeply into my shoulders. I closed my eyes and was instantly mesmerized by the amazing relief of tension. He kissed the back of my neck as he massaged me, and the hair on my arms rose at the sudden emotion.
He would be the death of me, I swear.
"Don't you need to get going?" I whispered.
"I can be running a little late…"
"No, Edward…" I scolded him, softly. He chuckled at my dazed state, but dropped his hands to his side. I turned to face him and smiled.
"Alright, I probably should get going." He admitted, grabbing the bag and slinging it over his shoulder. He then turned to me and held me in his arms once again. I let him hold me, and embraced his sweet smell and soft, warm skin.
No, I didn't deserve his affection, but it was impossible to ignore when he was showering me with affection.
"I'll be back next Saturday." He told me. "Please stay safe; for you and the baby."
I nodded slowly.
Edward caressed me, holding my face in his hands. He pressed lips against mine once, twice, and then again. He looked at me for another moment, smiled, and walked out of the room leaving me all alone.
I fell on the bed and pulled a pillow to my chest, burying my face into it and letting the tears fall.
What had I gotten myself into?
Everything was set and ready to go.
I had woken up at the crack of dawn this morning to pack my bag. In went everything from clothes to blankets to food. I had silently crept down the stairs and out the front door, into the early morning light.
Alice was the only person who knew the truth. I had practically begged her to cover for me, and after days of hard thinking, she had agreed. What she had planned was beyond me, but if it works, it works.
I jumped into my beat up, old truck and turned the car on.
It had been ages since I had driven my truck. The faint smell of dampness and tobacco still filled the small car, and as much as I had hated it before, I had never realized how much I had missed it.
Being used to the smooth ride of Edward's Volvo, it took me a minute to adjust to the bumpiness of my truck. It didn't take corners very well, and it was a danger zone to go faster then sixty, but it was my truck, and I loved it.
I drove straight to the school, blasting music to drown out my thoughts.
Once I had arrived, there were two other cars in the parking lot. I pulled up right next to them and saw none other than Lauren sitting on her car, huddling with a blanket, with her bags right next to her.
I got out of my car and slammed the car door behind me before joining her.
"How long have you been here?"
"What took you so long?" She snapped, her teeth chattering. "I've been out here for God knows how long. Can we just go to the cabin? I'm freezing."
"Shouldn't be wait for Mr. Bradbury?"
"No." She said. "He told me to go straight there when you get here… which I thought would have sooner. We'll have to drive down there - " Lauren pointed to a small path just big enough for a car to fit through. "Park, then walk some." She looked over at my truck then scrunched her nose. "We can use my car."
I shook my head, already annoyed by her bad attitude. The two of us got into her car, throwing our stuff in the backseat. She immediately cranked the heat and tried to warm her shaking fingers over the small vent.
"Do you want me to drive?"
Lauren didn't answer. She simply threw her long, blonde hair over her shoulder and slowly drove the car towards the narrowed path. She drove until it was absolutely impossible for her to drive any further - and would be impossible to get out by the looks of it - and slumped back in her chair.
It was cozy and warm inside of the car. I didn't want to leave.
I knew that if I didn't get out now, there was no chance I would leave fifteen minutes from now. Reluctantly, I snatched my stuff from the backseat and got out of the car. In the sky, a patch of black clouds were beginning to roll in. I tried not to look at it and hurried into the abandon cabin.
I looked for a light switch so I could get a better look of the room, but there was none; only small candles scattered throughout the room. I went around lighting each of them with a lighter I had found in the room until I could finally get a better view of everything.
There were two beds, one on the right side, the other on the left side, alone with window by each bed. At the end of the room was another door - a bathroom, I presumed. It was absolutely freezing in the cabin. I shivered and dropped my stuff on the bed on the right side of the room, then searched for a thermostat, which was nonexistent.
No electricity, no heat.
Perfect.
Lauren ran in moments later, all bundles up in her purple parka. Her cheeks were bright red, as was her nose. She sniffled and set her stuff on the other empty bed.
"Why did you light candles? This is not some goddamn - "
"There's no electricity." I interrupted her.
"What do you mean there's no electricity?" She cried, running around the room for some kind of light. "No, no, no… I need power. How am I supposed to do my hair?"
I pulled out a book from my backpack and slumped on the bed, snugglingin the blanket. "You don't."
Lauren stomped her foot on the ground and ran over to her bed, rummaging through her bag for something. I rolled my eyes at her girlish temper tantrum then got back to my book. It should be easy to ignore her complaining for the next few days.
The entire day was excessively boring.
Not only was the cell phone service out from the bad weather, but it was freezing cold inside of the cabin, and the fact that it was pouring down rain outside wasn't helping. I had tried reading and even listening to music to distract myself from the cold, but it was no use. My whole body was shaking and I was almost positive that my toes were about to fall off.
I grabbed a pair of socks and a hoodie, Edward's hoodie, from my bag and put them both on. I always pulled out the blanket I had brought and added it to the blanket I had already.
I ate some of the food I had brought from home, even though there was food in some of the cabinet's in the cabin. I quickly munched on a few granola bars and tea, that was now cold.
After my stomach was full, I lay back down and cuddled with my blankets. Lauren was sitting on her bed painting her nails, finally settling down after her numerous fits. The only sound was the sound of the rain pelting against the ground. I closed my eyes and thought of Edward.
Within moments, I was out.
I shot up in bed, panting.
Damn nightmares.
Lightning flashed brightly in the sky, lightning up the gloominess. Thunder clapped in the dark, storming sky of which black and gray clouds covered like a blanket, hugging away every ounce of sunlight.
I instantly hugged onto my pillows and wrapped myself into my blankets. I wished Edward was here. He always held me when I had a nightmare. I could almost feel his soft lips against my clammy skin, and his warm body protecting me from the raging storm.
Lauren looked up at me from her magazine and raised her eyebrow.
"What time is it?" I mumbled.
"I don't know. Half past midnight, I think." She looked back down at her magazine and flipped through the flimsy pages. Even in the dim light, I could see her; her blonde hair in a ponytail, her long sleeved pants and shirt, the hot pink nail polish on her nails.
Everything felt so vivid and real.
"You okay…?" She asked. "You look kind of pale… or paler than usual. You should try tanning someday."
"No, I just had a nightmare." I told her, ignoring her comment about my pale skin. I looked over at my phone and reached for it. Edward might not be here next to me, but it doesn't meant that I can't call him, even if it is the dead of the night.
"Don't bother. There's still no cell service."
As I reached over to grab my phone, I felt a sudden pain shoot straight to my abdomen. I gasped and dropped my hand to my stomach, trying to find the source of the unfamiliar pain; it was unlike anything I had ever felt before. I squeezed my eyes shut and clutched tighter and tighter onto my protruding stomach, gasping for breath.
Lauren stared at me and dropped her magazine on her bed.
"Oh my god." I breathed heavily.
"Bella?" She said, stepping up from her bed, looking at me with a worried look in her blue eyes. She slowly walked towards me, an obvious sign of hesitation in each step.
"Something's wrong…" I managed to spit out between breaths.
"What is it? Bella, you're scaring me…"
"I think… it's… time." I told her slowly. "The baby… is… coming."
Lauren opened her mouth, as if to say something, but was quickly cut off by the lights immediately switching off. I sat in the dark, panting, and clutching onto the sheets underneath me. The pain in my stomach was slowly spreading to my back, and was only getting worse.
"Shit."
Tears immediately flooded my eyes.
Here I was, alone, in the middle of the goddamn woods with no electricity, no phone service, in the middle of the night, my boyfriend was miles away from home, and my baby was on the way.
This was a horrible idea. I should have listened to Edward. I should have followed my instincts. But there was no turning back now. What was done, was done, and Lauren and I were in a heap of trouble.
I heard Lauren stumble around the room. There was a small light coming from the other side of the room, and I recognized it as her cell phone. She held it up in the air, walking around in panicked circles.
"Please work, please, please, please!" She cried. "Oh my god, please."
I whimpered loudly.
She looked over at me for a split second, then to the door. She ran over and flung it open, revealing the pitch black night. Rain immediately pelted the wooden floors, and a gust of strong, cold wind flew into the room, spraying a mist of the rain in my direction.
Lauren then ran over to me, her footsteps thudding against the creaky floorboards.
"Bella, we have to get you out of here."
"But the car is…" I breathed deeply, my hand going limp on my stomach. "Far away."
"I know, but you can't have the baby here. You just can't. I don't know how to deliver a baby!" Lauren whispered, tugging on my arm. "Come on, Bella."
I sat up and slowly turned so that my legs were dangling off of the bed. Lauren then grabbed a hold of both of my hands and gently brought me to my feet. The throbbing in my stomach only deepened as I stood. I fell to my knees, bringing Lauren down to the ground with me.
She shook her head and gripped tightly onto my hands now, forcing me back up. I gasped quietly at the sudden, harsh contraction, and looked over at Lauren - though she couldn't see me - with painful eyes.
Lauren draped my arm around her shoulder, and her arm around my waist. Now with almost all of my weight on her, she headed for the door. We both dragged our feet simultaneously; like a rhythm that danced along with the pounding rainstorm.
When we reached the door, she kicked open with the door, revealing the darkness once again.
This time, she took no moment to hesitate. She stood up straight, repositioned my arm on her shoulder and walked straight outside.
We were instantly drenched by the rain that beat down on our skin. As if we couldn't see before, it was only worse now. The rain destroyed what little vision we had. Now we were walking what seemed like aimlessly through the woods. The wind blew strongly in my face, whipping my cheeks. I could hear the trees swaying back and forth, and the whooshing sound as it circled the empty woods.
I whimpered again.
What if I didn't make it to the car in time? What if I had the baby right now, in the middle of the woods? She would surely die if that happened, and I would never be able to forgive myself if it did. I don't think Edward would either - he would blame it all on me, just like I would.
I couldn't tell if I was crying or not; the rain that was dripping down my face hid my tears amongst them.
No. I refused to let that happen.
Strongly and painfully, I continued to walk through my horror movie. Lauren stood silently by my side, pushing the both of us through this. I would grip tighter onto her as each contraction worsened, and she would force me to take another painful step.
Suddenly, Lauren stopped. I felt her arm leave me waist, and she was pushing me forward with harsh hands. I was about to scream, until I realized that the rain had suddenly stopped and I was inside of our protection… the car.
She slammed the door and ran over to the other side, pulling herself in. She fumbled with her keys before she shoved them into the ignition and turned them. The car quickly roared to life and she flung it into reverse.
I could hear the mud splashing against her window as she tried to back up. Her tires had sunk into the mud making it impossible to back up.
Lauren cursed and put the car drive.
"What are you doing?" I screeched. "You're going to hit a tree!"
"I know what I'm doing." She growled, gripping onto the steering wheel with her perfectly filed, pink nails.
She carefully inched the car by the forest, coming so close to the trees that I could reach out and touch it. My heart thudded in my chest as she continued to slowly drive. Then, she all of a sudden slammed her foot on the accelerator and we were off.
I sat back in my car and closed my eyes, gripping onto the arm seats for supports.
Inhale.
Exhale.
Inhale.
Exhale.
A little while down the road, Lauren snatched up her phone and dialed in a number. She held it to her ear, still staring at the road with intent eyes. It was hard for me to see past the intense rain. The only source of light were the sudden flickers of lightning.
"My friend is in labor." Lauren said into the phone, sounding just as panicked and scared as I did. "We're on our way… very close… no… yes… alright." She shut her phone and dropped it in her seat. Her foot pushed down on the accelerator and drove even faster.
Another contraction hit me, and I let out a muffled scream, silenced by my lips.
"I'm driving as fast as I can, Bella." Lauren reassured me. "It's okay, it's okay."
"I… want… Edward…" I sobbed.
Edward would be devastated if he didn't get here in time for the baby, and I would too. He needed to be here. I wanted him here helping me through this. I wanted to see his face when our baby was first born; see the happiness in his eyes; his reaction to finally being a father.
She didn't answer me. She reached out and grabbed my hand from the arm rest and gave it a gentle squeeze. I tightened my grip on her hand, probably stopping the blood flow, but, for once, she didn't snarl at me like she normally would. She just drove and held my hand.
When we had finally reached the hospital, Lauren slammed her breaks in front of the emergency room entrance, where a few nurses with wheelchairs sat. She jumped out of the car and opened my door.
The nurses were immediately by my side. They helped me out of the car and into the wheelchair. The rain continued to pelt down on me, and they moved quickly to get me inside.
"Wait!" I cried, when I realized Lauren wasn't following. "Aren't you coming?"
She shook her head. "I'm going to the Cullen's to get Mrs. Cullen. You're going to need someone here with you."
"But you're here! Don't leave me here alone!" I said, tears streaming down my face.
Lauren smiled at me. "I'll be right back."
I didn't have time to object. She was already back in her car, driving away into the raining night. The nurses wheeled my wheelchair into the hospital, and I instantly shivered. The air conditioning seemed to be cranking and my dripping wet clothes weren't helping.
They brought me into a small room and handed me a pair of light blue hospital scrubs and left me alone to get changed. I walked into the small bathroom and dried myself off with one of the towels before I pulled the hideous, cloak over my head. Alice would surely disapprove.
I sat down in the bed and took slowly breaths, trying to ease the pain.
A different nurse walked in moment later and told me that we were required for Dr. Askew to be here before they began any procedures, which included any pain medication. I groaned as she spoke and turned on my side, shoving a pillow into my face.
I don't know how much time had gone by. All I knew was that the storm wasn't dying down, I was here all alone, the contractions were just as painful as they were to begin, and I still wanted Edward here. Multiple times I had tried to call him, but there was no cell phone service. The hospital did have phones, but not in the rooms.
At one point, when I was trying different positions to die down the pain, there was a small knock on the door.
"Come in." I said.
Esme stood in the doorway. She dropped her bags to the ground and walked straight over to me. She hovered over me, pulling me into her arms tightly, and kissing my forehead. I couldn't help but cry as she held me in her arms, rocking me back and forth slowly.
"Oh, Bella!" She said, sitting by the edge of my bed and putting her hand on my leg. "I'm so sorry I wasn't here earlier!"
"It's okay. Lauren could only get there so fast… where is she by the way? Did she go home?"
"Lauren?" She raised one eyebrow.
"She said she was coming to get you…" I told her. "Did she not?
Esme shook her head. "Carlisle called me from the hospital. We actually haven't lost power yet… why were you with Lauren? Alice said you were with Angela."
Sheepishly, I explained everything that had happened. The principal threatening the both of us with our titles, being stuck with Lauren, how she helped me get back to the car… I couldn't help but wonder where she was. If she didn't go to the Cullen's, then where did she go?
"I'm going to file a complaint against that man! Leaving two young girls alone in the woods… how irresponsible!"
"I'm so sorry… I shouldn't have lied to you…"" I cried, bursting into tears.
She looked at me sympathetically and pulled me back into her arms. "Oh, sweetheart, I'm not mad at you. I'm mad at the principal. It's not your fault. He's the one who pressured the two of you into this!"
"I'm… so… selfish!"
"Isabella Swan, don't you ever say that." Esme said very seriously. "You are not selfish. You are bringing a child into the world despite the fact that everyone else disapproves. That is not selfish. That's love, darling. You are so strong, and I am so proud of you."
I hiccupped. "Really?"
She nodded her head and smiled at me. "Yes."
We sat in silence for a moment, listening to the rain pelting against the window. The contractions were beginning to lighten up, which was something I didn't think was supposed to happen. Not that I was complaining; the pain was gone.
"I want Edward."
"As soon as Carlisle called, I managed to get a hold of him. He's on his way right now." She reassured me. "Let's just hope this baby holds out until he gets here!"
With Esme here, Edward on his way, and the pain slowly easing up, I was beginning to feel safe and reassured. But, for some reason, I didn't. Maybe once Edward was here I would feel better.
Moments later, there was another knock on the door.
"It's Dr. Askew. Can I come in, Bella?"
"Yes." I said, slightly disappointed that it wasn't Edward.
She walked in looking just like she normally did; doctor's coat, dark hair, perfect makeup. She smiled at me and grabbed the spinning chair by the computer desk, bringing to my bedside. She took a seat.
"How do you feel?"
"A lot better, actually." I admitted. "Are contractions supposed to go away entirely? I haven't had one for a while now."
"Ah." She said loudly. "Braxton Hicks."
"Excuse me?"
"You were experiencing Braxton Hicks contractions; false labor. Which means that the baby isn't on the way." She explained. "Sometimes a pregnant woman experiences them. It's fairly common."
So, all of that chaos for nothing! My silly baby was just messing with me. She wasn't really on the way. I felt relived. As much as I wanted her here, right now was not the right time.
Dr. Askew stood up and wheeled the familiar ultrasound machine my way.
"If I'm not in labor, then why are you doing an ultrasound?"
"Just to see how the baby is doing." She said. "If something is wrong, we can do an emergency cesarean section."
Now I really wished Edward was here. What if something was wrong? What if I did have the baby tonight? I nodded slowly and looked over at Esme worriedly. She put her hand on my shoulder and rubbed it.
Dr. Askew lifted up the hospital gown and covered the lower half of my body with the thin, white sheet on the bed. She then squirted the cold, blue gel onto my stomach and rubbed the handheld tool, which I learned was called a Fetal Doppler, on my skin.
She stared at the small, black and white screen.
I looked for any signs of something that might be wrong, but I couldn't find anything. To me, it just looked like my precious baby.
"Is everything okay?" I found myself asking.
"Yes! More than okay." Dr. Askew smiled. "The baby flipped."
A rush of relief instantly shot through me. My hand went to my heart, and I squeezed my eyes shut, salty tears escaping through my closed eyelids. Esme, who still stood loyally by my side, grabbed my hand and gave it a gentle squeeze.
My baby was okay. She was more than okay. She had flipped.
So, those crazy exercises Edward and I had made sure to do every day had worked. Here I sat, months after the first round of the insanity, and our darling baby girl had turned around. Laura wasn't crazy. And thankfully neither were we for going through with them.
"I'll leave you two alone." Dr. Askew said, excusing herself from the room. She pushed all of the equipment back to where it belonged and walked out, looking down at a clipboard in her hands.
Esme smiled at me. Though through her smile, I could see her tired eyes. She had been up for God knows how long just for me. I instantly felt horrible for waking her up and making her rush over to the hospital just for my sake.
I pulled my hand away from hers and sat up in bed.
I felt tiny little flutters inside of my stomach; my baby kicking. I cradled my stomach and rubbed it slowly, continuing to feel her tiny little feet against my skin. I couldn't help but smile. Of course she would be trying to get my attention; she had already tricked me into thinking I was going into labor. Maybe she would be just as silly as Emmett.
Or maybe a shopohalic like Alice; caring like Esme. A hard worker like Carlisle, or as loving as Edward. Maybe, possibly, she'd be like me: the overachiever who loves to read and knows exactly what she wants.
Whoever she turns out to be, I know that she'll be wonderful. I know that she'll be strong, independent, and beautiful. She'll be my little girl and no one can ever take that away from me.
"Esme… you can go home if you want to." I told her. "I'll be fine by myself…"
"No." She shook her head. "I'm not leaving you here alone! I'm going to stay right by your side until Edward shows up."
"Thank you." I whispered softly.
She sat up straight on the end of bed and smiled. "So, what baby names were you and Edward thinking? Knowing the two of you, I'm sure it's something creative."
I laughed. "We've been talking about it for a while now, and we both really love the name Aveline - either for a first or a middle - as well as Isla and Iris."
Esme rubbed her chin for a moment, thinking over our choice in baby names. "Iris Aveline… Isla Aveline…" She murmured.
I shrugged my shoulders. "I just want something that's perfect."
"The names are all beautiful, that's for sure." She admitted. "They're very unique and feminine."
That was the kind of name I had wanted for her. Something that nobody else in the world would have, but nothing that was too weird. Soft and old fashioned; simply beautiful. The kind of name that heroines in romance novels would have. Or the European girl on the cover of Vogue.
It was just a matter of which name to choose!
I felt emotionally attached to the name Isla, why I'm not too sure. I was also drawn to Aveline for it's unique nature, but Iris had a story and meaning to it.
"I really like Aveline." Esme told me.
I nodded. "Me too. That was Edward's pick."
"Well, you two better pick something soon! That little girl will be here in a matter of days." She winked.
Just then, my phone vibrated on the bedside table. I jumped, not expecting it (mainly because I thought that the cell phone service was still out). I looked at the caller ID and saw that it was Edward who was calling. I showed Esme the phone and nodded, then walked out of the room to give me some privacy.
He was going to be beyond pissed at me.
"… hello?" I asked, stretching out my words.
"Bella!" Edward called out. "Are you alright? Please don't tell me that I missed anything important… I knew I shouldn't have gone to California. I'm so stupid! Oh God."
"Edward, calm down." I told him. "You're not stupid. I'm the stupid one. I'm the one who went to that damn thing with Lauren. I'm just lucky that nothing happened…"
"Nothing happened?" He barked back. "Bella, you're in labor!"
I let him rant for a minute, holding the phone away from my ear. He went back and forth, practically talking to himself. His voice soon faded, and I could hear was his distressed breathing on the line. Only then did I explain what had happened; how Lauren had helped me, but in the end, it was only Braxton Hicks.
"She helped you?" He asked, confused.
"I know… weird, right?"
"Very." He agreed. "Where is she now? We should thank her."
"I'm really not sure. She said that she went to go and get Esme, but when Esme got here she said Lauren hadn't come to the house. It was Carlisle who called her and told her to come down here… so, I'm really not sure…"
"She probably went home. It's been a long night for the both of you."
"It really has." I sighed. "When will you be here? I miss you."
"I'm about half an hour away from the hospital. I'm driving as fast as I can, love, but the rain is terrible and the roads are very slippery. You don't want me driving into a0 tree, do you?"
I laughed uneasily.
"Well, I don't want to talk on the phone in this weather. I'll see you soon. I love you."
"Love you too."
As promised, Edward burst through the doors thirty minutes later. He pulled me into his arms and held me, kissing my forehead, and whispering into my ear. I held onto him, my fingers digging into his back.
Edward here, and that was exactly what I wanted the entire time. Our baby was alright, and I was going to get to go home in the morning. Everything was back to normal, and I should have felt happy… but I wasn't. I couldn't help but feel like something terrible had happened.
Did you think Bella was seriously going to have the baby? I'm such a tease sometimes… ;)
I hope that you liked it! This chapter took a while to write; it was really long. So, it'd be amazing if you could review (and don't forget to give me your suggestions for baby names!).