Thank you, as always, for all of your wonderful reviews. There will be a couple more chapters, and I am going to try and finish them up as quickly as I can and get them all posted. As of right now, I have no plans for any outtakes or future-takes, but I won't say that they will never happen. If I decide to make some, I will be sure to let you all know.
My goodness. What are these crazy kids up to these days?
The Diligently Faithful Chapter Playlist:
Jar of Hearts by Christina Perri
Enchanted by Owl City
Without a Light by Plushgun
Halo/Walking On Sunshine by the Glee cast
Thanks to Wendy for pre-reading!
…
BPOV
"Mommy! Mommy, help me!" Liam screeched, running towards me with his arms stretched wide. "Daddy's going to get me!" He threw himself into my arms, tucking his head into the crook of my neck.
Edward grinned as he turned around the corner, his hands tucked in his pockets. "You got away this time, Liam. You may not be so lucky next time around."
Liam turned around in my arms, laughing happily. "Mommy will protect me," he said confidently, and I couldn't help but hug him tighter. It had only been a few days since Edward and I learned that I was pregnant, but I was already feeling more emotional than ever. I wanted to make sure that Liam didn't get left out because of all the new additions to our family with Jasper's son, Rosalie's daughter, and now our new baby. In fact, Edward and I had decided that now was the time to tell Liam about his new sibling, who would be arriving in about five months.
I glanced up at Edward meaningfully, and he nodded.
"Liam, your dad and I kind of wanted to talk to you about something," I said, adjusting Liam on my lap as Edward sat down next to me on the couch.
Liam's head shot up, his eyes wide. "Am I in trouble?"
Edward laughed, shaking his head. "No, Liam, you're not in trouble. We just have something that we want to tell you. It's good news, don't worry," he assured Liam, and we shared a smile. This pregnancy had been a secret between Edward and me for the past few days, and while it felt good to keep it to ourselves, it was also very exciting that we could begin sharing the good news with the rest of our family as well.
"Your dad and I are going to have another baby," I announced, a huge smile on my face. There was a split moment when I wondered if Liam would take the news as well as we had thought, but any trace of doubt instantly vanished as Liam whooped loudly and jump off my lap, clapping his hands together.
"Really? A new baby? Like Luca and Parker, but my own baby brother?"
"Or sister," Edward corrected him, putting his arm around my shoulders. "But yes, like Luca and Parker. In about five months, your mom will have the baby and then we get to have a new baby in the house."
Liam could hardly contain his excitement, and he clamored back onto my lap. "I'll be a good big brother, Mommy. Don't worry." He hugged me sweetly. "Daddy, we'll have to take real good care of my mommy while we wait for my baby to come," he said sternly, causing Edward to laugh.
"Yeah, we will," Edward promised, playfully tousling Liam's curls with his hand. "Why don't we start right now? Let's go get your mom something to drink. She's been working hard in the garden all morning."
Liam quickly agreed, and I watched happily as my two boys walked hand in hand into the kitchen, talking quietly together. I ghosted my hand over my stomach, smiling yet again. I had been searching for happiness all along, and now I had my own little pieces of heaven.
…
"Let me hold her now." I eagerly reached out for little Luca, longing to hug her and kiss her and cradle her in my arms, but my mom turned away slightly, holding the precious baby girl closer to her.
"No," she pouted and smiled down at her granddaughter. "She's too cute…"
I huffed, rolling my eyes impatiently. "Come on, Mom, let me hold her! You've had her here all day while Emmet and Rosalie are at work, and now it's my turn."
She sighed but relented, and I happily took my niece into my arms and smiled down at her. Luca was two months old, and growing in leaps and bounds. Her hair was still scarce and wispy, but so dark that it was almost black. Her eyes, too, were extremely dark, and it was very obvious that she wouldn't be taking after her blued eyed, blonde haired mother.
But she had the sweetest temperament, and she was so tiny and vulnerable.
Edward had taken Liam to the zoo today- it was Liam's last week before school started up again, and they were trying to have some father-son alone time. So after puttering around at home for a little while, I had decided to go and visit my mom and had been pleased to find that she was also babysitting Luca.
"What's new in your life, Bella?" My mom asked, pouring me another cup of tea.
I shrugged, my eyes glued to Luca's face. "Not much. Liam is getting excited to go back to school, and Edward has couple of jobs lined up…"
"And what about you?" She looked at me with that look that only your mother can give you, and I knew that she had an idea about what was going on. I just grinned, and she returned my smile happily. "Oh, honey…this is so wonderful." My mom stood up and hugged me lovingly, mindful of the baby I held in my arms. "How far along are you, sweetheart?"
"Only about four months," I said, letting my happiness show. "Edward and I just told Liam, and we are all very excited."
She kissed my forehead, and I felt so at peace as the familiar scent of her sweet perfume filled my nostrils. "Congratulations. When are you going to be telling the rest of the family?"
I shrugged, taking a sip of my tea as my mom sat back down in her chair. "I don't. I think I'd like to wait just a little bit longer to tell everyone else, and we'll probably tell Edward's parents first- only because they don't have any other grandchildren or immediate family members."
My mom nodded, her eyes glued to Luca, who had fallen asleep in my arms. "That's understandable. I'm just happy for you, Bella. Ever since you told me what happened between you and Edward…I just want you to be happy. And the two of you are obviously happy." She smiled sweetly at me, taking another drink of her tea. "What did Liam think of the whole thing when you told him?"
"He was very excited, and I think he's already started wishing for a little brother. I think Edward wants another boy too, but I'm secretly wishing for a little girl…" I looked down longingly at my niece, who had little pink headband on. "I love Liam- he's the sweetest boy I could have ever asked for, but now I really want a baby girl I can dress up in pink and everything."
"I know what you mean. Jasper was a wonderful baby, but when you were born I was ecstatic that I finally had a baby girl."
I smiled. "I loved having an older brother, too. Jasper was always so protective of me. And even when he bullied me, it was nice to have a big brother around."
Even though I knew that there was no way things could be completely perfect, but I felt like we were pretty damn close to perfection.
…
Edward's parents were a little formal and stuffy, but they were still loving and welcoming.
We were having dinner at their house, getting ready to tell them about the news of my pregnancy. Liam hadn't come along with Edward and I- he was spending the night at my parent's house instead. The Cullen's really were nice people, and they had always accepted Liam and me into their family with open arms. I knew that they would be excited about the new baby as well.
"So, tell me, what's new?" Esme Cullen smiled toothily at me, a glass of red wine in her hand. I had declined her offer for a drink, and now I was trying to ignore her knowing smile.
"I have a couple jobs lined up in Port Angeles over the next month," Edward volunteered. "And I won't have to travel out of state again until sometime in November."
Esme pursed her lips, exchanging a glance with her husband. Carlisle just smiled back at her, relaxed and at ease for once.
"That's wonderful," Esme finally said, and Edward nodding, giving me a sly look.
"Yes, it's pretty great," I said quickly. "I really wanted Edward to be home even more often over the next few months, with the new baby coming and everything."
I waited for a moment and watched as Esme absorbed the information, and then grinned. "You're pregnant!" She asked excitedly, nudging Carlisle in the arm. "How far along are you, Bella? And when are you due?"
Edward nodded, wrapping his arm around my waist as I spoke. "Yes, I'm pregnant. I'm only about four months along and due in the middle of January."
"That's wonderful!" Esme exclaimed, getting up out of her chair and coming over to Edward and I, giving us each a kiss on the cheek and a hug. "I'm so excited for a second grandchild!"
"Congratulations, you two," Carlisle said, raising his glass of scotch to us in a toast. "Is Liam happy about his new sibling?"
"Yes," Edward said, taking a small drink of his own scotch. "Liam is pretty happy- he's looking forward for a new sibling to play with. But I think that by the time the baby is born, he might be a little sick of babies. Bella's sister in law just had a baby in April, and her sister just had a baby two months ago. I think he's kind of overwhelmed right now."
"But he is excited," I interjected, squeezing Edward's hand. "We all are."
…
One Month Later:
I pulled my shirt up over my rounded belly, shivering as the cold ultrasound gel touched my stomach.
"Sorry." The ultrasound technician smiled apologetically, and Edward squeezed my hand gently. "Alright, now let's see what we've got here…" she pressed the wand down on my stomach and glanced at the screen to my right, her eyes searching.
I heard the comforting sound of my child's heartbeat, which made me exhale in relief. Even though I knew deep down that everything was okay and I did have faith, it was still wonderful to have that reassurance.
"The heartbeat is strong, that's good," the technician remarked. "And everything else looks good…" she trailed off, and then glanced at Edward and me. "Would the two of you like to learn the sex of your baby today? If not, you're going to want to turn away, because I think I'll be able to get a pretty good visual."
"We decided that we would like to know," Edward said, and I nodded in agreement.
"Alright, then look right here…" she trailed off again, and then pointed to the screen. "See that there? Your baby is definitely a girl. Congratulations."
"Oh my God…" I breathed, my eyes glued to the screen. Our baby looked so real, albeit very tiny. And I already loved her so much. "A girl." I squeezed Edward's hand tightly, tears flooding my eyes. "Edward, I get to have a beautiful baby girl…" I hesitated, looking into Edward's eyes. "You weren't hoping for another boy, were you?"
Edward laughed, touching his lips to my forehead. "Bella, why would I be wishing for a boy when I'm getting a girl?"
…
I am in dire need of a break. So tired.
Please review, let me know what's on your mind.
Xoxo- Melodyella aka Mellie
