Thanks to SusanQ, Nicffwhisperer, Kikki7, Vampshavelaws, Pam, Julie, KittyVuitton, Stephanie, Jaime, Nolebucgrl, and Sydney Alice for all of their help pre-reading/betaing/supporting me. Special shout out to SueBee0619 for some insider doctor information. I'm always tinkering until right before posting and any mistakes are mine.

No Goodbyes

I was jolted awake in the middle of the night, my hands immediately covering my belly.

Edward's hand slid up to cover mine. "What is it?" he asked, his voice sleepy. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine." At least I thought so. My heart was racing, but I must have imagined the twinge I felt. "Go back to sleep."

I'd been having Braxton Hicks contractions for several weeks now, although what I thought I'd felt seemed stronger. When nothing happened again after several minutes, I brushed it off as my imagination.

Edward eventually dozed off again, but I couldn't get comfortable. I threw the covers off me and onto him, my body warm enough without any added layers. The baby wasn't really moving around, but I was restless.

And now I had a backache.

Ugh.

I managed to maneuver out of Edward's vice grip and waddled to the bathroom. After a warm shower, I felt somewhat better and fell asleep in the large reclining chair...which was almost more comfortable than the bed.

I must have slept quite soundly, because at some point during the night Edward had squeezed in under me. I woke up on his lap, both of us together on the chair.

It was hard not to laugh at him, even though he was the sweetest man alive.

"What are you giggling about?" His hands rubbed over my big belly.

"You." My head rested on his shoulder, and I turned to give him kisses under his scruffy jaw. "Did you bring a crane in to lift me up and somehow get under me last night?"

He laughed and buried his nose in my hair. "You were snoring so loud, you woke me up. I had to come over here and quiet you down."

"Whatever! I don't snore. You're the one who snores. You probably woke yourself up."

"Sure, sure." He hummed, hugging me tight.

Patronizing bastard.

"Why were you over here anyway?" he asked.

I shrugged. "I couldn't get comfortable, so I took a shower." I grunted, trying to sit up straight. "Your son's head is pressing down on my bladder."

He laughed again, helping me stand. "You only call him my son when he's doing something wrong."

I looked back at him on my way to the bathroom and grinned. "Exactly."

At thirty-seven weeks, I was both dreading and eager for our baby to be delivered. I was so accustomed now to carrying him, I wondered if I would be left with an empty feeling when he wasn't there anymore.

But then I realized I would have him in my arms, and that thought comforted me.

Since my release from the hospital, we had weekly appointments with Dr. Nash, our last one being the day before. I was already two centimeters dilated, and she suggested I could go into labor at any time.

I had worried it was too early, but she assured both me and Edward that our son was full-term and healthy. It was a difficult decision, but I had agreed to have a C-section. It was scheduled to happen in another week and half...if I didn't go into labor before that time.

When she explained the intracranial pressure from bearing down and possible complications from my recent concussion and ensuing brain swelling, Edward had pleaded with me to choose the surgery. I could actually feel the fear rolling off of him. The choice to go with the doctor's advice made sense on all fronts and calmed him down significantly, even if I was still a little nervous.

"I'd rather stay here today."

I kept brushing my teeth, my eyes meeting his in the mirror as I shook my head. I spit and rinsed, wincing a little from another cramp when I bent over.

"No, the DA wouldn't have asked to meet unless there was news." I dried off my hands and mouth. "Besides, today is supposed to be just us girls."

It was the day of my baby shower, and Edward was pouting about not being allowed to join. I didn't feel too guilty considering Esme had set up a day of home spa treatments, where all the girls would be treated to massages, wraps, manicures—the works—here at our house. It was difficult to imagine Edward enjoying being exfoliated and waxed.

"They could just talk to me over the fucking phone," he grumbled.

I rubbed his arm and laughed. "Don't be a grouch. We'll be here when you get back. And hopefully the Kate mess will be finished."

When the DA had called Edward the day before and set up a meeting, we assumed some kind of deal had been reached. They had requested I also attend this meeting, but I didn't want to go. Kate had already ruined enough of my days, and I wasn't going to let her ruin my baby shower too. I was a little nervous they were going to be too lenient with her, and that Edward would explode, but Carlisle and our lawyer were going with him.

Between the two of them, I hoped they would be able to keep him under control.

He finally stopped his whining after I threatened to make him eat finger sandwiches and get his toenails painted. With a final kiss goodbye, I eventually got him out the door and waited for my girls.

~~~*~~~NOP~~~*~~~

"This is the best baby shower ever," Alice said, lying flat on a table and getting her back massaged.

I nodded. Esme had really outdone herself. She had stations set up around the downstairs and employed at least five people for the day to take care of me, Alice, Rose and herself. Even Hannah was taking part, chattering away during her pedicure.

"Exactly," Rose chimed in. "We get cake and relaxation without the diaper towers and stupid games like baby bingo."

Esme laughed from her seat. "I figured since the baby already had everything he needs, it was mommy pampering time."

I couldn't have agreed more. Edward had us so oversupplied on baby items, we barely had enough room in both our residences to hold it all. But it had been fun shopping with him, both in the stores and online.

He was already the best father ever.

I loved that man.

"Have you and Edward decided on a name yet?" Alice asked.

My lips turned up in a smile. "I think we're getting close."

Despite Edward's tendency for the ridiculous.

Esme glanced over, her eyebrow raised. "As long as it's not Clove."

Everyone broke out into laughter, and I was helped to stand so I could rinse off my mask. A sharp pain pierced through me and I doubled over.

"Owww."

I had six sets of hands around me immediately, getting me back in a chair. All of them were talking at once, asking me if I was okay. I took a few deep breaths to calm down.

This pain was definitely not familiar. It was scary.

"I'm alright. But I don't think this is false labor. This is the real thing."

I knew it. It had to be. My baby was coming.

"We need to call Edward," Esme said.

I nodded and attempted to stand again, trying not to freak out. "Yes, can someone give me my phone? It's over there on the counter." Alice and Rose each had one of my arms. "I just need to get this gunk off my face. I can't go to the hospital looking like this."

I looked in one of the full mirrors set up and my face was painted a ridiculous green and my hair was wrapped up in foil.

"Oh my God. I can't have my baby with foil in my hair!" I almost started crying when the others laughed.

My emotions were all over the place. I was anxious, afraid, excited, happy. It was a bit overwhelming.

"Sweetheart, you have plenty of time. Let's get you rinsed off and then you can call Edward." Esme was trying to make me feel better, but I was a ball of nerves.

What if I didn't have enough time to get to the hospital? Was I going to end up having the baby on a massage table?

I whimpered, wondering if Alice was going to be forced to follow google directions on how to deliver a baby at home.

We moved as a group toward the bathroom, but just before we reached it, my water broke.

Now I was really a mess.

"I'm sorry, Hannah," I cried between sobs, not even sure why I was so upset.

She rubbed my back. "It's okay, honey. Just let the girls get you cleaned up. Everything is going to be fine."

Alice and Rose got me in the shower, helping me rinse everything off. Esme was there with towels and clothes as soon as the water was shut off.

I wrapped a towel around me, taking the phone Esme was holding out for me and hitting Edward's number.

"Bella?"

"Edward. I need you. My water broke."

"Fuck!"

"I'm sorry for making you leave." I sniffled and dabbed my eyes with a towel. "You should have been here. I'm sorry."

"It's okay. Everything's okay. I'm coming. Are you hurting?" Something crashed in the background, his breathing heavy.

"What are you doing?"

"I'm running to the car. I'll be there in fifteen minutes. Can you wait that long? I can call an ambulance or the police or the fire department."

"No. Don't do that. I can wait." I felt better that he was being crazier than me. Another contraction hit me then, and I groaned into the phone.

"Bella? What is it? Fuck!" A door slammed and he yelled at Felix. "I'm on my way. We'll be there soon."

I clenched my teeth and gripped the counter with my other hand. Rose and Alice were still trying to get me dried off. I handed the phone to Esme when it was time to put on clothes.

"Yes. Yes. She's okay." Esme sounded calm and put together as she spoke to him. "They're about ten minutes apart right now. She's getting dressed." She chuckled. "I'm not laughing at you. Well...maybe a little. Yes, call her. We'll meet you at the front door."

She rolled her eyes and smiled at me after ending the call. "He's a little excited."

"Is he calling Dr. Nash?"

She nodded and moved to pull my hair back into a ponytail. "Yes. It will all be taken care of, so take a deep breath and try to relax."

Relax?

A human being was about to come out of me. I couldn't relax.

Hannah stayed behind to take care of cleanup, while the rest of them took turns shuffling me toward the front door and getting dressed themselves. I made it to the foyer and into another chair without any further incident.

In fact, I was almost calm until the door burst open and a wild-eyed and frantic Edward ran in. He made a beeline straight for me, kneeling down on the floor and putting his hands on my belly.

"Are you okay?"

His hair was sticking up in all directions and I patted it down.

"I'm fine. Did you get a hold of Dr. Nash?"

"Yes. She's going to get you right in. Are you ready?"

Was I ready?

I had to be. It wasn't like I could turn back now.

I could do this.

Easy peasy lemon squeezy.

I nodded at him, smiling at the thought of our child being born very soon. "I'm ready."

He stood, leaned down, and kissed me. "I love you."

I put my arms around his neck, holding him tight and smelling his skin before kissing him back. "I love you more."

It was one of those moments I wanted to freeze-frame and keep locked in my memory forever. That brink of an edge where everything was wonderful and you knew your life was about to change in the best of ways.

Then another contraction hit, and I was cursing Edward and his sperm.

He had me in his arms and out to the car in a flash, the others piling in behind us.

"Squeeze my hand if it hurts. Breathe with me." Edward was holding me close, murmuring in my ear while the car zoomed through traffic.

"Where's your father?" Esme asked him.

He shrugged. "I don't know. Probably in a cab somewhere. I ran and didn't wait for them to catch up."

I giggled a little at Esme, who shook her head and pulled out her phone to call Carlisle. Then I remembered where he had been and turned to face him.

"What happened? What did they say?"

"She's out of our lives now."

"What does that mean?"

His eyes hardened and he frowned. "Let's concentrate on this now. I don't want you thinking about that nonsense."

I huffed. "Just tell me."

He looked around at everyone before meeting my gaze again. "Okay. They're pleading her out. Evidently Eleazar talked her out of going to trial, wanting to avoid the media circus it would be. She's agreed to plead guilty to first degree assault in exchange for a decreased prison sentence."

I knew they could have gone up to twenty-five years if she had been found guilty by a jury. But I couldn't deny the idea of not having to testify at a trial was very appealing to me.

"How many years?"

"Ten."

I rubbed my stomach and got lost in my thoughts, while Esme ranted about it not being enough and how it could end up being even shorter with good behavior.

Part of me was relieved it was over. Kate would be put away, and in the end, neither I or our baby were irreparably harmed. But another part of me didn't think ten years was enough justice served for her crime.

I leaned against Edward and tried to focus on the good part.

She would be behind bars and she couldn't touch me. Couldn't touch him.

Couldn't touch our child.

The mood of the car was dampened somewhat by the news, but it wasn't long before we were pulling up in front of the hospital and Kate was forgotten.

Carlisle was standing there with a smile and a wheelchair when Edward helped me out of the car.

"Thank you," I said as I sat down.

He kissed my cheek and handed the reins over to Edward, wishing us luck.

Dr. Nash wasn't kidding when she said she'd get me right in. In fact, it took barely any time at all before I was in a gown, lying in a bed, and hooked to monitors and an IV. She came into the room soon after, her smile bright.

"Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Cullen. It seems Baby Cullen can't wait to get out and see you both."

She was poking around between my legs before our responding greetings were out of our mouths. One thing I'd come to realize during my pregnancy was that modesty had to be thrown out the window. It seemed there was constantly someone looking or feeling around at my lady parts.

Edward had a lot of company in that department.

"How are the contractions?"

I squeezed Edward's hand. "Um...painful?"

She laughed and lifted her head, adjusting my gown back down. "Well, we're not going to wait much longer. The anesthesiologist will be here in a couple minutes to give you the spinal block and you should be seeing your boy in about twenty minutes."

"I'll be awake during it?"

She nodded. "Yes." Of course she'd already told me that before, but I wanted to make sure. "Are you both ready?"

I swallowed the lump in my throat and turned my head to find Edward's pale face watching me. He gave me a smile, his thumb rubbing over my knuckles.

"Yes," we answered at the same time.

After she left, another doctor and more nurses arrived to give me the sedatives, while Edward was shuffled out to change into sterile scrubs. I'd lost the feeling in the lower half of my body, but laughed at him in his little blue hat when he returned and sat at my side.

"Don't laugh at me."

"I can't help it. That hat is ridiculous." I looked around. "Where's the camera?"

He chuckled and shook his head. "Nope. If I'm not allowed to film you, then you can't get any pictures of me."

That was one thing I'd made him promise not to do. I didn't want any pictures during the birth, especially since they were cutting me open. I knew I'd pass out if I saw them. The videos we'd watched of cesarean and natural births had made me positively ill.

The room was mostly quiet, except for the beeping machines. I sighed and took a deep breath, hesitating with my next words.

"Everything will be fine," I started, squeezing his hand. "But if for some reason there are complications or something bad happens, I just want you to know I love you more than anything. You've given me everything I've ever wanted, and I've never been as happy in my life as I am with you."

He stood and leaned over me, our faces inches apart. His eyes were watery as he kissed me. "Don't you dare give me a goodbye."

"It wasn't a goodbye. It was a just in case."

"Either way." He kissed me again, his lips soft against mine. "Everything is going to be fine. It'll be great. I'm going to have the both of you in my arms before this day is out."

And he was right.

As nervous as I'd been for the surgery, it went by quickly and pain-free. Dr. Nash kept a constant stream of conversation with me, explaining what she was doing. I felt nothing, for the most part, except a slight tugging sensation when she pulled our baby out. She lifted him above the screen so I could see him, and Edward left me only to cut the cord.

He was immediately back afterward, tears in his eyes as he kissed my hand and we waited for our son to be cleaned and me to be stitched up.

Alexander Charles Cullen weighed in at seven pounds, two ounces, complete with a headful of dark hair which stuck out from under his little cap, reminding me of his father.

I didn't have the words to explain the feeling of holding him in my arms for the first time. Of smelling his baby smell. Or the first time he opened his eyes. Or the first time he let out a wail and bunched his fists. Or the first time he latched on and took milk from me.

It was precious. Overwhelming. My heart wanted to burst out of my chest as my eyes darted back and forth from Edward's glowing face to our son's.

As happy as I'd thought I was before didn't even compare to how I felt now.

~~~*~~~NOP~~~*~~~

It took four days in the hospital before we were back home again, and each day afterward was an adjustment. Edward and I muddled through developing a routine of changings, washings, feedings, and all the other things that went into taking care of a newborn. Although we had plenty of help and advice from our family and friends, it was best when the three of us were together alone.

It was tiring, messy, and at times frustrating, yet I wouldn't have traded a second of it for anything.

I made use of Edward's purchase of the breast pump, and the first time I got to watch him holding Xander in his arms and bottle-feed him made me cry. He was humming, swaying back and forth in the rocking chair, his face plastered with a peaceful smile as he looked down at his son. I ran and grabbed a camera, coming back to take a picture.

I couldn't wait to blow it up and frame it.

Edward's head turned at the flash, and he grinned at me. "Hey."

"Hey back."

"Thank you for this, Bella."

I nodded and put my hand over my heart, watching the two of them together. Xander always seemed to be happiest in his daddy's arms, and it felt amazing to be able to give Edward the opportunity to bond further with him this way.

"Come over here." He held out his arm for me after placing Xander's empty bottle on the table.

I walked over, surprised when he pulled me down on his lap. I snuggled in with my boys, the three of us rocking together.

Edward kissed my hair and squeezed me tight. "I love you."

I sighed and closed my eyes with a smile, savoring my happiness.

It was what I always wanted. A home. A family.

To belong.

A year ago, I had no idea what my future would hold. Back then, all I had was sadness and dreams of better things. It was strange the way life's twists and turns took you to places you never imagined. A scholarship mix-up, a crazy proposal, and a massive helping of faith in the love of another had all combined to make me complete.

My world wasn't normal. It wasn't ordinary.

But it was everything to me.

~~~*~~~The End~~~*~~~

AN: I'm crying a little as I press the complete button. This has been such a fun fic to write and I've loved every single minute with this crazy pair of characters. I hope you all have enjoyed this story as well.

There will be a short epilogue coming out in a few days and I plan to continue writing EPOV outtakes.

My next priority will be editing/finishing both Choices and Fated Love. I do have new stories in mind, but I have no planned dates or times on when they might be posted.

Thank you all so much for reading, reviewing, and letting me know your thoughts. Your support during this fic has been quite overwhelming, and I appreciate it more than I can say.

Find me on facebook at Twilover Seven-six or on twitter at twilover76

Fic Recs (sorry for the length, but I need to give my thanks):

All these recs are focused on the wonderful authors who helped/read/supported me during the last few months of writing NOP. I hope you check them out, if you haven't already, and leave these ladies some love.

VampiresHaveLaws…Evading Edward and Cracks in the Pavement. Nobody gives me the emo like you do, Kim. LOL! Thanks for sticking with me through laughs and tears and chats. May all the sour patch kids come your way.

Nolebucgrl…First and Ten, Sacrificial Lamb, Words with Friends, Sideline Collision, Taste of Innocence…so many of my favorites. Amy, you always make me smile and there is nobody as tireless as you are in appreciating all your readers. Thanks for always being there for me, when I want to laugh or rant or when I need a pick-me-up. Also, your love poems are the best.

SydneyAlice…Such Great Heights, Songbird, Forget Me Not…There are too many great stories to even list here. Thanks for all the day-long writing sessions and whip cracking, even if you are light on the whip. Haha.

Perry Maxwell…Unrequited…Thanks for your help getting this fic going. You were one of the first to read it and help me figure out the direction I wanted to take the characters.

Jaime Arkin (jarkin33 or collab name aftrnoondlight)…White Swan Lodge, Beneath the Undertow, Symmetry, Outbound…Thank you so much for making the pretty banner and your support for this story every week.

Kikki7…Theories of Bellativity…Nobody threads chocolate and fic together better than you do!

And to my non-author pre-readers Susan, Nic, Kitty, Julie, Pam, and Stephanie…I love you all. Susan, you have always been able to calm down my crazy. Nic, I don't know what I'd do without you. You've become one of my closest fic friends. Kitty, you always make me smile with your comments. Julie and Pam, two of my FF buddies, thanks for all the time and suggestions you've given me. And Stephanie, thank you for always taking so much time and pointing out things I should think about more or make clearer to the readers. Thank you ALL for your kindness, insight, and suggestions. This fic wouldn't have been the same without you.