AN – internet = fail. For all you aussies out there who know what I'm on about, GOD DAMNED TESLTRA! *throws spears* I swear to god. They are the most annoying inefficient company in the history of the universe. Anyhow. I finally got the internet up long enough to load this chapter. I hop you like it, and internet is MEANT TO BE being fixed tomorrow or the next day, so we'll see.

Best review for last chapter definitely goes to Wake-up Soon for her positive review, and also some amazing advice on how to get past writers block. I tried it and it worked! So thank you. Everyone else's reviews were amazing too, and I hope you like this chapter as well!

Bella's POV

Esme and I lay on my bed, laughing at stories about when Edward was a baby. I had agreed to her helping me, and was already starting to feel a tiny bit better. Esme really was amazing. Edward had brought Charlotte back in here about half an hour ago, and left Esme and I to talk. All the new found confidence was suddenly ripped away from me though, when Charlotte let out a shrill cry. I picked up Charlotte gingerly, and held her. I tried to put the pacifier in her mouth, but she spat it out again. I rocked her gently, but she continued to cry. I pulled my top down, and undid my bra, and tried to tempt Charlotte into feeding. But nothing happened. She just continued to cry. I felt my own tears stinging my eyes, and I wanted to scream at her. Why wouldn't she just stop crying?

I felt Esme's hand on my shoulder, and I let the tears roll down.

"I can't do it, Esme. She just won't stop crying!"

"Shh...Bella it's ok. You have to try to stay calm. Charlotte will be more likely to be calm when you are. They can sense how you're feeling. You're tense, dear. Do you think you can try to relax?"

I took a deep breathe and nodded, and Esme took Charlotte for a moment. I breathed in and out slowly, wiping the tears, and reminding myself that I could do it.

After a few minutes I opened my eyes, and looked at Esme.

"Ok. I'm ready." I went to get up, but Esme placed a hand on my shoulder, and picked up Charlotte, and placed her in my arms.

Charlotte continued to cry.

"Try holding her close to you, and talking gently to her."

I held Charlotte closer to my chest, and stroked a finger gently across her red cheek.

"Shh...Charlotte. It's ok. Mommy's here... shh..." I softened my voice even more and starting to sing gently "the rain pounds harsh against the glass, like an unwanted stranger. I am here tonight." Charlotte began to quiet at little, and I continued in a different verse "someday you'll know, that nature is so. The same rain that draws you near me, falls on rivers and lands. On forests and sand."

Charlotte stopped crying, and was looking up at me. Tears fell from my eyes, and a small smile came over my face.

"She's stopped..."

"That she has. See, Bella. You can do it. You just have to remember to relax. And sometimes Charlotte will be crying for the sake of crying, and there will be nothing you can do. That's when you throw Edward, or myself, or even anyone else in this family in this room, and go downstairs and make yourself a cup of tea. When you come back, she'll most likely have cried herself to sleep."

I stood and placed Charlotte gently in her crib, rocking it slowly until her eyes fell shut.

"And now, young miss. You are going to go have a shower, and get changed while I take this little beauty downstairs and watch her. You parents will be here for dinner in 2 hours. The turkey is in the oven, but I left making desert to you, if you want to..."

My smile widened, and I pulled Esme into a tight hug.

"I would love to make desert. I'll be downstairs in half an hour."

Esme picked up Charlotte again, and started to walk toward to door.

"Oh, and Esme?"

Esme turned around to look at me.

"Thank you."

"That's alright dear. You'll be fine. I promise."

"Yeah... I think I will."

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"Where is my beautiful granddaughter?" my mother all but bowled me over to get to Charlotte, who was in her rocker by the lounge.

"Right there..." I mumbled, as I walked over to say hi to dad.

"Sorry about that Bells. She wouldn't shut up all the way from the airport. She's just excited k? Don't take it personally..."

I just nodded.

"How you been Char- dad?"

Old habits die hard. I'm not sure I'll ever call him dad without thinking about it first.

"Pretty good. Went fishing with Billy the other day."

I suppressed the eye roll that was threatening to make an appearance. He and Billy went fishing twice a week, so it wasn't surprising that they went the other day.

"And how have you been Bella? You look tired..."

"Well, yeah. I have a 3 day old daughter. I'm tired, and sore. But I think I'm good."

Charlie pulled me into an awkward hug. I was thanking my lucky stars that Edward chose that moment to walk into the room.

"Dinner's going to be ready in a few minutes," Edward grinned at me, motioning for me to follow him.

I leaned against the wall when we got out of the lounge room. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath before opening them against to look at Edward.

"You look better."

I grinned again.

"Yeah... I'm feeling a bit better actually." I paused. "But I'd like to talk to you about a few things, after dinner, if that's ok?"

Edward stepped toward me, and brushed a strand of hair out of my face.

"Bella, love. You never have to ask to talk to me about something. Anything you want to discuss, I am all ears."

I smiled at him.

"Come on. We have to get back in there before my mother runs off with Charlotte."

We walked back into the lounge room just as everyone was filing out to go to the dining room. Alice and Rosalie were spending Christmas Eve with their families. Jasper and Emmett were already at the table. It seemed so quiet. I was waiting for Charlotte to cry, but other than that, it was almost peaceful.

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Dinner passed with strained conversation and awkward silences. Esme and Renee were the only two who never had a moment of silence. They were talking between themselves about various baby items they'd seen. About half way through Charlotte had cried out for a feed, and thankfully she hadn't cried for long.

Edward and I walked upstairs at about nine, with a sleeping Charlotte in my arms. I placed Charlotte in her crib, and pulled the small baby blanket over her, tucking it in tight at the sides. I did a double check to make sure there was nothing in her crib that she could choke on or could end up cover her face, and when I was finally satisfied, I turned to see Edward just inches behind me.

He pulled me tight against his chest and whispered "are you ready to talk, love?"

AN – ok. So I battled with myself over where to end it. I decided on there. I will write the conversation next chapter. I didn't want to make this one too long, and I think the conversation and Edward's reaction need to be in a chapter of their own. So tell me what you think.

Don't forget there is a Twilighted forum where I will give teasers and such if people are over there. The link is at the top of my profile.

Please review!