Growing a Baby

The following day, Bella was going to the local OB/GYN, to begin her prenatal appointments. Edward decided to come along for her first visit. The technology was not what Bella was used to, but she and Edward could add their modern knowledge to the outdated advice she would be receiving. Carlisle also had lots of information in the notes he had received from his later self, and Edward had some hands-on experience from his medical training as well.

The appointment was set for 10 a.m. on Tuesday. Walking into the building Edward was overly attentive to his wife, holding her close and caressing her shoulder affectionately. The gynecologist's name was Dr. Jim Parker, and he was acquainted with Carlisle. So, there were good feelings between them all. His exam was swift and thorough. The initial exam revealed that Bella might be further along than they thought. When the doctor applied his stethoscope to Bella's belly, he furrowed his brow in confusion.

Edward was concerned when he saw the doctor's expression, but held his breath to hear what he would say. Bella winced, "Ow Edward! You're hurting my hand!" Edward relaxed his grip, and apologized to his wife, "Sorry Bella...I'm just a little nervous, babe." She smiled, and they both turned back to see what the doctor had determined.

To their surprise, the doctor was chuckling as he stood up and draped his stethoscope across his neck. "Well," he spoke, "It looks like we have a little surprise. Congratulations you two. You are having twins."

Bella and Edward were shocked speechless, and stared at the doctor with their mouths agape. "Twins?" squeaked Bella. Edward was glowing with excitement. He looked like he would burst with joy. He pulled Bella into his arms, and hugged her ecstatically. "Wow, babe! I've hit a double!" Bella laughed and rolled her eyes at her silly baseball-minded husband.

On the way home, they stopped at the hospital to share the news with Carlisle. He smiled, and responded, "So THAT's why the heartbeat sounded so strange to my vampire ears. I just thought it was a really fast heartbeat - I didn't realize there were two babies in there." He invited the couple to his home that evening, so they could celebrate with Esme. Bella and Edward left the office, then went out to enjoy a meal together before going to the Cullen home.

Esme was thrilled, of course. She couldn't wait to be a "grandmother" to two little ones. The evening was spent discussing child care, and how they would be preparing the babies to understand the vampire world in addition to normal human life. Their future promised to be an interesting one.

Since they now had two babies to prepare for, and Bella would soon be unable to travel, Edward immediately scheduled a piano tour in Germany the following month. He wanted to store up some funds for the twins, and he wanted to have Bella along for the tour. Their travel to Germany was time-consuming and laborious. Bella and Edward looked forward to the advent of air travel. Going by train and boat was romantic, but that was the only thing going for it.

As Edward performed his concerts, Bella would either relax backstage, or sit in the audience on the front row. Edward always introduced her, letting everyone know about the upcoming birth of the twins. His popularity as a performer was increased, as fans all over the world learned the news. Would the two children inherit his talent?

After the Germany tour ended, the Masens took their long journey home, enjoying the kind attentive care and well-wishes from everyone. Late at night, Edward could often be found begging the staff for Bella's latest cravings. Bella was growing larger and more uncomfortable as the days wore on. She was looking forward to getting back home.

Back in Chicago, Edward focused on working at the hospital, then coming home to attend to his wife. He proved his love to her by giving her back rubs, foot rubs, baths, caresses, and gently making love. Bella's new shape required some creativity for both of them, which added a level of excitement and mystery to their mating. "Whoa, babe," Edward moaned, plunging into her, while gripping her hips from behind, "you are so much tighter than you used to be. I think I could get used to this." His mouth feel into a grimace of ecstasy as he reached a powerful climax, "Bella!" he screamed, holding still as he poured into her.

Bella smiled, and relaxed her face and shoulders into the bed, feeling her strong husband tremble behind her. She loved him so much, and always enjoyed hearing him find pleasure with her body. Gently, he pulled out, and helped her lie down on her side again. He gathered together several pillows, and helped her prop up comfortably. She was reaching the end of her pregnancy term, and they both knew that sex would probably have to be ended for a while. So, they took advantage of the remaining time now, to enjoy their physical pursuits as long as possible.

When Bella was comfortable, Edward stepped into the bathroom to clean up. He came back in to the room with a warm washcloth, placing it between Bella's legs to clean away the gathering moisture. He noticed that her clitoris was swollen, which was just too much of a temptation to resist. Wiping the cloth away, he leaned in to wrap his lips around her little bud, and soothed her lovingly with his tongue.

Bella moaned deliciously, and fell into a glorious state of euphoria from his attentions. Her belly tightened with a very long, intense orgasm, as Edward continued to lick her. She moaned in pleasure, and thanked him. But, he wasn't finished. He kept his mouth on her, carrying her through two more orgasms.

When she begged him to stop, he gently kissed her, then pulled up to lie down behind her. Resting his hand on the side of her belly, he felt the familiar kicking of his children inside her. The babies were awake now, seeming to be fighting with each other. Bella and Edward laughed as they felt and observed Bella's belly moving around.

It had been a long day of work and sex for Edward, so he soon fell asleep. Bella, however was wide awake, since her babies would not be still inside her. She kept her hands on her belly, and listened to her husband's deep breaths at the back of her neck. This was such bliss, comfort, and peace. How could life be any more perfect?

The Next Day…

Bella was now too large to go anywhere. She was housebound, so Edward told her to invite Pamela over for a visit. The two ladies enjoyed talking, reading magazines, and having meals together. It was a wonderful day of reconnecting. When Edward finally came home that night, Bella was in bed. This was a surprise, because she normally greeted him at the door. He ran upstairs to see his wife, concern on his face.

He looked into their room, and found her propped up on pillows, breathing in her sleep. There was a full moon, and shafts of light were coming through the window, making her glow like an angel. He sat on the edge of the bed, and stroked her hair. She was so beautiful. Leaning in for a kiss, he smelled her lovely scent, and was reminded of long ago, when he would watch her sleep in her tiny bed in Forks. He moved his head down to rest it gently on her belly, so he could try to listen to the babies.

Laughing at himself, he said, "Well, since I don't have vampire ears anymore, I guess I'll have to lean on technology. He stepped into the closet, looked in his medical bag, and pulled out his stethoscope. Coming back to the bed, he placed it on her belly, and listened closely. He heard her normal body sounds - digestion, gas, and blood flow. Moving the stethoscope around, he found one of the two distinct heartbeats. Smiling, he leaned in and spoke loving words to his babies. He leaned back, and moved the stethoscope around again, and found the other heartbeat, and his eyes opened wide with concern.

This heartbeat was much faster than the other. He didn't think that sounded right. He ran downstairs and called Dr. Parker. The doctor agreed that this sounded ominous, so Edward ran upstairs to wake Bella, trying not to frighten her. When she woke up, she could see his concern, and asked what was wrong. He told her that she had been talking in her sleep, and he noticed the babies were a little agitated. She thought this sounded odd, and she noticed the stethoscope on the bedside table.

"Edward, what are you not telling me?" she asked.

Edward let out a deep breath, and admitted his concern. "I just didn't want to frighten you, love. Let's go to the hospital."

As quickly as they could manage, with Bella's large belly, they made it down the stairs, and out to Edward's car. Soon, they arrived at the hospital entrance, and Bella was quickly escorted inside. Carlisle was notified, and Esme came with him to wait in the hospital lobby. She contacted Edward's parents as well. Elizabeth, Edward Sr, and Esme talked to the nurses and drank coffee, while Edward and Carlisle pressed themselves into the service in the operating room. Bella needed a cesarean section delivery.