Nothing belongs to me, well the plot does and the OCs, but everything else belongs to the wonderful Stephenie Meyer and I am not her and I am making NO money with this story.

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Chapter 36

Bella hated heat.

Well, not normally but this year wasn't a normal year and because of her added weight and larger than normal proportions she started sweating rather easily these days. Together with her hormones and everything else this was the worst summer Bella had lived through and Edward had to suffer with her. And all of her family and friends. During the hot days Bella only wore the bare necessities and avoided leaving the house or going anywhere she would have to dress. No one cared about that and only smiled when Bella once again bemoaned the fact that she was heavily pregnant during the summer months.

Autumn couldn't come soon enough this year and Bella counted the days until it would get colder and the due date was near. Luckily the nursery was ready for the child and the soon-to-be parents had bought enough clothes for their little princess.

It was August and Bella was ready to pop. She didn't walk anymore, no, she was waddling. And she had huge problems with getting her shoes on because of all the water in her hands and feet. She couldn't wear most of her shoes anymore and had to take off her wedding ring. Something that bothered Bella more than she could put into words.

Today was once again a hot day and Bella had an appointment with Dr Summer, and that meant that she would have to wear nice clothes and, urgh!, a bra.

"Bella, are you ready? Garrett is already waiting for us. We need to hurry," Edward called from downstairs where he was waiting for his wife.

Bella growled under breath and threw the hairbrush aside. There was no way that she would look anywhere near pretty. "I'm coming."

Edward was nervously checking his watch when Bella came downstairs. "Finally!"

The glare Bella shot him, told Edward that he would be subjected to one of Bella's rants any second now. "Well, excuse me for not being able to move as fast as normally. You might have missed it but since the beginning of this pregnancy I've gained twenty-three pounds and therefore have a little trouble moving. And don't forget the huge belly that hosts your child. That also makes it harder to move," Bella snapped as she grabbed her purse and stalked outside without waiting for her husband.

Garrett saw Bella leaving the house and immediately went to open the car for her. He also noticed the angry look on her face and decided to keep his mouth shut as much as he could. "Hello, Bella."

"Hello, Garrett, it's nice to see that some men aren't insensitive assholes like my husband," Bella said as she got into the car. Garrett looked at Edward and raised a questioning eyebrow but Edward just shook his head and quickly got int the car.

The drive to the practice was mostly silent as Bella continued to fume and glare at everything in sight. As soon as they were at the practice, Edward jumped out of the car and opened Bella's door. He offered her his hand and after another fierce glare Bella took it and let her husband walk her into the practice. Luckily, they didn't have to wait and were immediately shown to the exam room. It didn't help that Bella had to get onto a scale which deepened her glare. Edward decided to make himself as small and silent as possible while they waited for the good doctor.

Dr Summer arrived eight minutes later and was surprised by the tense air in the room. Edward gave her a sheepish smile as he greeted her while Bella tried to soften her face but succeeded only marginally. "Well," Dr Summer said after she'd checked Bella's data. "Everything looks good from here. How do you feel, Bella?"

"Like shit," Bella snapped. Edward hid his face behind his hands as he heard her answer and tone but Dr Summer just laughed.

"Yes, I guess that the heat isn't agreeing with you, right?"

Bella sighed deeply and the dark expression finally left her face. "That's putting it lightly. I'm sweating like a pig and I fell disgusting. Moving is becoming a shore. I want this pregnancy to be over!" The last part was wailed and Edward decided that it was safe to touch Bella and grabbed her hand before he pressed a gentle kiss onto her cheek.

Dr Summer nodded. "Sadly, that's normal. But on the positive side you won't have to deal with this for much longer. Now, please loose your clothes so that I can check on the baby and have a look at the cervix."

Bella nodded and quickly got ready. She hoped that Dr Summer would tell her that the baby would be born soon. It didn't matter to her that she still had three weeks until her due date. Bella wanted her baby. Now!

First Dr Summer did an ultrasound and checked on the baby, which was very well developed, before she asked Bella to put her feet up. By now, Bella didn't really care about this humiliating position any longer. Bella and Edward looked at each other while Dr Summer did her job between Bella's legs.

"Well," the doctor announced after a few minutes. "Everything looks as it should and you will be pleased to hear that your cervix starting to open. I doubt that you'll make it to your due date. If I were to bet, I would say that this baby will be here in a week."

"Really?" Bella cried out. She hadn't dared to really hope but now that Dr Summer had said it, she was smiling in anticipation.

"Yes, it looks like baby Cullen will make her grand entrance sometime this week."

Dr Summer talked to them for a few minutes and told them everything they needed to be prepared for. Before they left the practice Dr Summer handed them her personal number, just in case.

The mood on the drive back couldn't have been more different. Both Bella and Edward were smiling from ear to ear and couldn't keep their hands from each other. The news that their baby would be there in just a week was thrilling.

"Are you happy that the baby will be with us soon?" Edward asked Bella and rubbed her belly.

"Yes, especially because there isn't anything that needs to be done. The nursery is perfect and car seat and pram are also at home. All we need to do is making sure that Cullen Corp. won't selfdestruct while your taking some time off."

Edward nodded and promised to talk with everyone the next day. He and Bella had decided that Edward would stay with Bella for the first two weeks after the baby was born and after that time he would only work a few hours a day for a while. Emmett and two very competent employees would make sure that everything would be running smoothly. Edward trusted them and knew that there wouldn't be any problems.

Bella had talked with Ben and Angela a few months ago and they had agreed that Bella wouldn't work for the first six months and after that she would mostly work from home but they would still meet to discuss the numbers and to decide which books they would publish.

They were prepared for everything and ready for their daughter to be born. Nothing could go wrong.

MaoC

The excitement over the imminent birth of her daughter died a swift death when Bella realized that Edward had made sure that she wouldn't be left alone for longer than an hour. Either a friend or family member or Kate and Garrett were there to look after her. At first Bella found it sweet but after the third day she was ready to throw something heavy at someone. It got so bad that she did throw a huge tantrum and screamed at Edward and promised to cut his balls off if he didn't give her some breathing space.

She also may have thrown a shoe at him. But it was a light shoe and didn't really hurt Edward when it hit him. It really didn't.

The shoe-throwing must have convinced him that it was better for him to tone it down. From then on it was enough for Edward to know that Kate or Garrett were nearby and that Bella would call them should she need them.

Sadly, that didn't mean that Bella felt more comfortable in her own skin. It was still unbearably hot and even doing nothing made her sweat. She refused to wear anything but a panty and a huge T-shirt.

"Why is it soo hot?" Bella moaned while they sat in the shadows of their garden with a cold drink.

"I'm sure that it'll be colder soon," Edward tried to sooth her. "It should rain sometime during the next two days."

"Hopefully, because otherwise I'm going to melt. Why did I have to be pregnant during the summer months?"

Edward didn't answer that question because Bella asked it nearly everyday, and on some days even more than once. So Edward asked a different question. "Do you have your bag for the hospital packed?"

Bella turned her head to him and gave him a look that made Edward feel really stupid. "Of course, it is and has been in the closet near the front door for three weeks now. I'm no fool and well prepared."

Sensing that he had somehow insulted her, he immediately back paddled. "I didn't mean that you weren't well prepared or anything of the sort, I'm just a little nervous."

Apparently, that had been the right thing to say because Bella smiled and kissed him. "I know and I'm just as nervous but there's nothing to worry about. Everything will be fine, you'll see."

"I'm sure you're right," Edward said.

They stayed a few more hours outside before it got too hot and they went inside where Bella immediately grabbed her tablet and checked the website of the weather forecast. She was surprised to see that there was a severe thunderstorm alert for their region. To be sure she looked at a few different sites and watched the news. Just as Bella was about to call to Edward, they heard a knock from the back door and turned to see Garrett and Kate entering the house.

"Hello, you two," Bella greeted them and offered them something to drink.

"Thanks, Bella," Garrett said. "But we're here because of the thunderstorm alert."

Edward looked confused but Bella nodded. "Ah yes, I was just about to tell Edward. Sounds serious."

Garrett nodded. "Yes, it does. Kate and I already secured out own home and came here to help you."

"That's nice," Bella said with a smile. She was thankful that Edward wouldn't have to do this on his own as she couldn't help him.

Edward thought so too and quickly went outside where they brought their outside furniture into the pool house, and the potted plants, too. Inside Kate and Bella searched for some candles and flashlights. Just in case there would be a blackout. It wouldn't be the first time and Bella wouldn't be surprised if they would spent the evening and night in the dark. After everything was taken care of, Kate and Garrett went back home and Bella quickly prepared some light lunch and also dinner. Potato salad and meatballs was something that they could eat cold if they had to.

During the day they kept checking the weather forecast and the forecast only seemed to get worse. Thunderstorm, heavy rain and wind. Neither could believe that it would become that bad but from one moment to the other the sky darkened and the wind picked up. Not fifteen minutes later they heard the first thunder and it started raining. Well, raining was putting it a little too lightly. It was as if someone had started the shower.

"Wow," Bella breathed as she watched the spectacle from the living room windows. "I didn't expect it to be that bad. Or to be so sudden."

She felt Edward stand behind her before she heard him. "I know, this looks like the end of the world."

She giggled lightly. "Edward, don't be so dramatic. I'm sure it won't be the end...argh!" A sudden pain flashed through her stomach and she felt it harden.

"Bella? What's wrong?"

Bella heard Edward but ignored him in favor of breathing calmly through the pain. As sudden as it had started the pain ended. "Huh, nothing is wrong, Edward. Just a cramp or something like that. Nothing to worry about."

Edward wasn't sure about that and hoped that this hadn't been her first contraction. It would be difficult to get Bella to the hospital in this weather.

Neither Edward nor Bella wanted to read and decided to watch a movie, it was impossible to watch TV because of the storm, and from time to time they looked outside where they could see branches and leaves flying around.

"This is the worst thunderstorm I've witnessed in my life and, if the forecast is correct, then it'll get worse still," Bella said quietly as she stared out of the window and into the garden where the beautiful garden was being destroyed.

"Hm, that's true."

Bella was just about to say something when a strong cramp made her wince. "Ow ow ow."

Edward was immediately by her side and rubbed her back. After about 20 seconds it was over and Bela breathed a sigh in relief.

"Phew, that hurt."

"Do you think that maybe these "cramps" could be contractions?" Edward asked.

"I don't think so," Bella commented. It wasn't the first time that she'd had cramps or contraction like pains. And until these pains became regular she wouldn't start worrying. "But we'll just have to wait and see. If they are contractions then we'll know soon enough."

"Maybe but don't you think it would be better to go to the hospital as soon as possible? It won't be easy to get through the storm."

That wasn't something Bella had thought about yet and glanced outside with an uneasy feeling. "That may be right but I don't think it matters much when we drive. They said that it would be dangerous to be outside. It would be best to call an ambulance."

"True, let's just hope that we won't.."

BAMM!

A loud thunder made them jump and then the lights went out.

"Shit!" Edward cursed and hurried to the breaker box but there was nothing he could do. Bella looked out of windows and saw that Kate and Garrett's house was also dark.

"The other house is also dark. Must be a blackout."

"Yes," Edward agreed grudgingly. "Luckily we have enough candles and flashlights."

Even though it was unpractical that they didn't have any power, Bella thought it was somehow nice to sit in the dark with only a few candles. "Well, it won't be that ..urgh!"

Bella felt like she'd peed herself and quickly looked down.

"Bella? What's the matter?"

"Um...I think I just lost some of my water ...or I peed myself, so really I hope it's the first," Bella whispered and stared at Edward with huge, shocked eyes.

Edward stared back, his eyes even wider and fear clearly visible in his green orbs. "Oh God. The baby's coming. My daughter. Shit, fuck, what do we do? We need to go to the hospital. NOW!"

Bella watched as her husband panicked and ran around looking for a phone. "Um, Edward? The land line won't work because of the blackout, you'll have to try your smart phone."

"Yes, of course, the phone," he muttered under his breath and left the room.

While Edward searched his phone, Bella decided it was a good idea to take her wet and really uncomfortable underwear off. Before she could go upstairs to grab an under-sheet so she wouldn't ruin the furniture, Edward returned and he looked just as panicked as before.

"I've got no service," he wailed and grabbed his hair in agitation. "What do we do now?"

Bella took a speed breath as she felt another contraction (by now she was sure that they were contractions) and waited for it to be over before she looked at Edward. "Grab a rain cloak and go to Garrett's. Bring him and Kate here. We're going to need their help," she snapped. Really, would she have to think of everything on her own?

Edward nodded and nearly ran out of the room.

It was amazing how someone, who was normally so collected, could be so useless when people counted on him. It pissed Bella off but it also gave her something to focus on which help her in turn to stay calm. And it wasn't as if she couldn't understand why he was to nervous.

About five minutes later Edward returned with Garrett and Kate, who immediately went to Bella's side.

"How are you feeling?"

"Well, it hurts but nothing I can't handle. I already lost some of the water, though."

Garrett didn't look pleased as he heard that. "That's not good."

Edward turned to him and asked what Bella was thinking. "Why? Is something wrong?"

Garrett shook his head but still looked tense. "No, but I fear we won't be able to get Bella to a hospital in time."

That caught Bella's attention and she demanded to know why.

"You see, Bella, for one we won't be able to get an Ambulance because the phones aren't working and because of the weather. Some streets are flooded or blocked by trees. It seems that we'll have to deliver this baby here."

"What!" Bella screamed and reached for her husband who seemed to be just as unhappy about this development.

"I know that this isn't something you want to deal with now, but I think it's too dangerous to drive on our own. Especially when Bella is already loosing her water."

"I don't care," Bella snapped. "I want a hospital and Dr Summer. I don't want to get my baby here. It shouldn't happen this way, I demand that you drive to a hospital this insta..Oh."

Bella's surprised expression and the sound of water hitting the floor, made everyone look down and they saw Bella standing in a rather huge puddle.

"Well," Kate said after an uncomfortable pause. "It's definitely too late to move her now. Edward come with me and help me gather everything we're going to need for the birth." She didn't wait for Edward to react. Kate just dragged him with her and left Garrett alone with a shell shocked Bella.

"Do you want to sit down?" he asked her and put a comforting hand on her shoulder.

Still dazed, Bella nodded. "Yes, that might be a good idea. I need something to clean up this mess though, and myself."

"Don't worry about that. I'm sure that Kate will bring something with her. This isn't the first time she's present at a home birth. I'm sure she knows what we're going to need."

Finally the shocked expression left her face and Bella relaxed. "That's good. I never researched home births and have no idea what we should need. Why does Kate know this though? I wasn't aware that she had some medical training."

Garrett was pleased that Bella wasn't panicking and was instead distracting herself. "Because of my job as a soldier I had some medical training. Can be quiet handy, you know, and Kate decided that it would be a good idea to take some courses herself, especially when her cousin got pregnant and decided to deliver her baby at home."

"I'm thankful that at least someone has an inkling what we should do. Argh!" A new, stronger contraction hit her and she quickly grabbed Garrett's hand to support herself. This time it lasted longer and Bella wished she'd laid down but eventually it was over and Bella let go of the hand.

Garrett stretched his fingers and gave Bella an appraising glance. "For such a small and slender person you're very strong. Ouch!"

Bella laughed. "Don't be a baby."

"Okay, Bella, we have everything we should need," Kate announced when they returned and Bella was surprised to see that Kate must have left the house because her clothes were a little wet. At Bella's questioning look, she explained, "I'd had to grab a few things from home."

After that Kate and Garrett prepared the ottoman for Bella and the moment she laid down another contraction hit her. And this time Bella screamed.

"Ahhh! Fuck, that hurts!"

"I know Bella and I need to look how far dilated you are, okay?" Kate said.

Bella grimaced at that. It now dawned her that Kate would see her vagina up close, it wasn't a pleasant thought but someone had to and she knew that Edward wouldn't be able to deal with it. "Okay," she agreed and opened her legs to give Kate a better view. Urgh!

"Hmm, well, it seems that you're body is in quiet a hurry to get your baby out. You're already halfway there. That's really fast. Uncommon."

"But not bad, right?" Edward asked from his position next to Bella.

"No, but I think this will hurt a lot. At least that's what I was told. The birth should be quick but painful. And Bella won't be able to take something against it," Kate explained and smiled.

"I'm not sure that I like the sound of that," Bella commented. It was nice that the birth wouldn't take as long as she'd feared but she was no fan of pain.

Well, I guess it doesn't matter what I want.

MaoC

Three hours. It took three more hours before Bella was fully dilated and she'd hated every minute of it. At first it had only hurt a bit and only for a few moments but after the first hour she'd felt like something was trying to rip herself apart.

They had been unable to contact anyone as they still didn't have any power and the cellphones weren't working. And because of the still ongoing storm it was too dangerous to leave the house.

And that meant that the four had to do the job alone. Never had Bella been so thankful that Garrett was an ex-soldier and therefore very hard to ruffle. Without him Edward would have made Bella crazy but Garrett knew just when to take him away for a little moment and when to tell him to man up. Kate was also a god-sent. She monitored the situation as good as she could and distracted Bella whenever the pain became too much.

But now not even the best stories were be able to calm Bella.

"Okay, Bella, you're ready to start pushing. It's going to hurt like hell but think of your little baby," Kate instructed. A few seconds later another contraction hit Bella and Kate ordered her to push.

The first three times she managed to stay silent but she did her best to crush Edward's hand. He was crying.

"Ow! Fuck, Bella! I didn't know you had that much strength."

"Shut up, Edward! How would you feel if you were trying to push an orange out of your cock!" Bella snapped with a menacing glare and enjoyed to see both men wince. Garrett's hand twitched to his little soldier and Bella sneered at them. Chicken!

"Honestly, you two," Kate complained. "You should be lucky that women have to give birth, or mankind would have died out long ago. So much for being the stronger sex."

Bella managed to smile before she had to push again. "ARGH! That hurts so fucking much." She couldn't remember one sane reason why she'd wanted to have a baby or why any women would be wiling to put herself through this ordeal. And some not just once but several times. "Just so you know, Edward, this is going to be our only child. Or we'll have to find a way for you to carry it!"

Edward didn't mention the impossibility of the second option because he was too focused on Bella and on suffering with her. Of course, he'd known that childbirth was painful but to know something and to see something with your own eyes was something completely different and he was just thankful that he couldn't see between Bella's legs. Once this is over I'm going to apologize to Emmett, Edward promised silently and winched when Bella grabbed his hand especially hard.

"You're doing so well, Bella," Kate said from between her legs. "Just a few more and your baby should be here. Garrett, take Bella's other hand and both you and Edward should give her legs some leverage."

"How?" Garrett asked as he grabbed Bella's hand and she immediately tried to squash his.

"Either let her put her feet against you or grab her tights," Kate explained distractedly.

Edward and Garrett shared an uncomfortable look but neither man would say anything against either woman at the moment and just did as they were told to. They grabbed her legs not one second too early. Bella used that extra hold when the strongest contraction hit her to push the head of the baby out.

"The head is there, Bella. Just one more time and you'll be a mother."

Bella didn't give any indication that she'd heard Kate, she just pushed with all her remaining strength. And then..

"Stop, Bella," Kate yelled and suddenly the first cry of the newest Cullen member was heard.

Bella collapsed back as she heard that and happy tears filled her eyes as she listened to Kate announce that her daughter was there. Edward was asked to cut the cord, which he did with trembling fingers, before he grabbed Bella's face and kissed first her cheeks and then her smiling lips

"Our baby is here, Bella, and she's so beautiful," Edward whispered.

"Really?"

"Of course," Kate said and handed her the still screaming baby. "Congratulations."

"Thanks," Bella said but she had only eyes for her little princess. "Hello Ella, I'm your mummy and I love you so much."

Neither parent noticed that Garrett was taking pictures of the first moments as a family. Bella also didn't feel Kate cleaning her up and covering her with a light blanket. There were more important things to care about.

But the happy bubble burst when Bella felt belly contracting. "Kate, I feel another contraction," Bella said and looked at her friend with growing panic but Kate seemed completely calm.

"That's okay," Kate said. "Did you forget that you also had to push out the afterbirth?"

Bella grimaced. Yes, she had. Pouting, she handed Edward her daughter, who was to clean her and to get her dresses. Edward blanched but did turn towards a small table where they'd set up a changing area for the baby. Garrett went with him to help while Kate took care of Bella.

MaoC

Half an hour later Bella and Ella were cleaned up and resting. Edward laid beside his wife and stared at his daughter in wonder. He just wanted to settle down for a quick nap himself when Garrett came to him.

"I just tried calling the hospital from my cellphone and it worked. Dr Summer said that they would be here as soon as possible but that it would take some time."

"Well, there's no hurry now. But I think I should try calling my family."

Garrett smiled and handed him his phone. "Good idea."

Edward dialed the number of his father's phone and waited. Carlisle answered after the second ring. "Edward?" The reception was bad but good enough to have quick conversation.

"Hey dad, is Mom with you?"

"Yes, and most of the others. Are you okay? The storm is terrible and I was unable to reach you. Your mother and I were worried."

Edward smiled at his father's concern. "We're alright but please put me on speaker phone. I have to tell you all something."

"Okay," Carlisle said. It was obvious that this request confused him but he did it without hesitating. "Everyone can hear you know."

"Hello everyone," Edward greeted his family with a smile on his. "I just wanted to tell you that there's one more Cullen now. An hour ago Bella gave birth to our wonderful daughter Ella Luise."

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Welcome Ella Luise, with me. I named her after my great-grandmother who was an awesome women and I loved her very much. My most prized possession is a family photo were she's still a young girl. It's from the early 1900's.

Soooo, how did you like it?

Love, Nini