Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight or the characters. Thanks a million to my beta, CrystalRaindrop!
A Child of the Night — Chapter Fifty
Previously ...
"He's so small. It's hard to imagine that I helped create him. That he's mine, and I get to care for him."
Jacob scoffed, and rolled his eyes. "Believe me, reality sets in very quickly once you get 'em home and the three AM feedings start." Jacob paused, and his eyebrows smashed together in concentration. "Every two hours. Oh, God, why did I agree to having another one again? Can I take her back?"
I laughed again, and shook my head. How could Teddy ever cease to be the amazing creature that he was? I couldn't imagine ever getting annoyed or upset at him!
"My baby boy," I whispered once more, still in awe as I reached out to press both hands against the glass once more. I grinned lopsidedly, and wished more than anything that I could hold him once more.
"Congrats, man," Jacob whispered, and he smiled as he clapped me on the shoulder. "You're a daddy."
And as Jacob whispered the words that hadn't seemed real before, reality suddenly came crashing in. The last few months had seemed like a dream, as all the while I had tried not to get to attached to the tiny being that might or might not live.
But now ...
I was a daddy.
Oh, God, what had I gotten myself into?
October 29th, Sunday - 9:15 AM - Bella POV
"There is, of course, still a possibility of a build-up of fluid in the brain," Dr. Kane said softly, and I bit my lip as I shifted my son's weight in my arms. But as I listened to my baby squeal happily as he kicked Edward once more, I smiled. We had been through so much, and my baby boy was healthy. There was no room for sorrow; I was overflowing with happiness and joy. We had come so far; we could do anything.
Dr. Kane continued to speak, his voice quiet and soft.
"And of course, since Spina Bifide effects the spine, lower body motion might have been damaged. We're hoping that we caught and repaired the defect early enough, but don't worry if Teddy hasn't started walking by sixteen months. Of course," Dr. Kane continued, and I could hear the smile in his voice now. "That's a long way off. And by the way this little man keeps kicking Daddy, I'm pretty sure he won't have problems with his legs."
I grinned as my baby squealed in agreement. He shifted in my arms, and kicked his legs forward again, to where I knew Edward was sitting, watching over me as I held our son.
"Thank you, Dr. Kane," I whispered, and I looked up to meet his gaze. Because even though I couldn't see his face, I needed him to be able to read in my tearful gaze the feelings that I couldn't express through words. "For everything."
"You're welcome, Bella," he murmured, and he brushed his hand gently against Teddy's forehead. He chuckled softly, and his chair scraped across the floor as he stood to his feet. "I'll leave you alone now. If you need anything, just hit the call button, all right?"
I tried to respond, but I couldn't; I was too wrapped up in my son to really do anything. Edward responded for me, however, and as I listened to the soft murmur of his voice, I turned to where I knew he was sitting.
He spoke before I could.
"How are you feeling, love?" he murmured, and he brushed his lips very tenderly against my forehead. "Are you still in pain?"
I shook my head; the pain had been numbed. I grinned, and reached out to touch Edward's face very gently. I splayed my fingers out, and he sighed happily as he leaned into my warm touch. My grin melted into a loving smile as I leaned into his chest. Teddy, however, didn't like not being the center of attention — he squealed, and I chuckled quietly as I turned my blind gaze back to where I knew he was resting quietly in my arms. I rested my warm hand on his bare tummy, and he patted my hand gently. I turned to Edward, my eyes filled with awe.
"Describe him again, please," I breathed, and Edward smiled against the skin of my neck as he reached his hand forward to place on top of mine. Together, we held our son close as he whispered the words that painted such a vivid picture in my mind.
"He has such wide, curious eyes. They look exactly like yours right now. They're so deep, so reflective. He's just a newborn, and yet his eyes carry the knowledge of so many years. His hair is a a fuzzy, bronze mess. Exactly like mine. Poor kid." I giggled breathlessly, and Edward chuckled as he kissed my cheek fleetingly. He continued to speak, his voice a quiet, husky murmur. "He has ten tiny toes, and ten tiny fingers. So small. His skin is still a little red; that'll fade, I know. He's so perfect, Bella. I wish more than anything that you could see him."
I smiled; I could see him. Because, through Edward's beautiful, vivid descriptions, I had painted a picture in my mind more beautiful than anything I'd ever seen. Except, of course, for the man beside me.
I breathed out deeply in surprise as realization hit.
My words were whispered, quiet.
"Describe yourself, Edward," I breathed. "Please."
I had seen him only once — in my dream, my vision ... whatever it had been. When I'd woken from the fever induced coma to be thrown immediately into the vision of Edward covered in blood — I shivered as I remembered once more that fateful day. But I'd never asked my husband to describe himself to me. I knew why, of course — I didn't love him for what he looked like. I loved him for who he was.
Edward stiffened beside me; I grinned.
"I know you're hot, Edward. No need to be embarrassed. I've 'seen' you plenty of times. I just ... want to hear ... you tell me."
He sighed, but he smiled against the skin of my neck as he kissed the warm skin softly.
"Only for you, my Bella. Only for you." He paused, and sighed again. I could feel the heat of his cheeks against my neck; it made me smile. Oh, my sweet, easily embarrassed husband. "My hair is a mess. It's a bronze, reddish color. I think I cursed our son — he'll never be able to brush it down. My eyes are a deep, emerald green. My mother has always told me that she can see into my very soul when she looks into my eyes. I have a very hot body — "
I giggled, and slapped his shoulder playfully. He chuckled, and buried his head in the crook of my neck as he lifted his hand from mine to brush Teddy's hair back softly.
"I love you, Bella. Soon, all right? Soon, you'll be able to see everything. I'll show you the world. The sun as it sets so beautifully at night, and the way the moon sparkles on the lake. I'll show you the ducks, and the cliffs that seem so beautifully dangerous. I'll show you me, and our son. I'll show you the beautiful, bright blue sky, and the way the stars sparkle just for you."
Edward paused, and moved both of his hands from the squirming body of our baby boy. His hands didn't remain in motion for long, though; they settled on either side of my face as his lips very gently brushed against mine, just barely touching, not lingering.
"I know this sounds horrible, but sometimes I'm ... I'm glad that you're blind. I want to be the one to show you the world, and all of the beauties it holds. I want to be the first one you see. I'm so selfish, but it's true. I love you so much."
I smiled a watery smile, and then hiccuped. Edward chuckled as he kissed me once more, this more firmly.
"I l-love you, too, Edward," I stuttered, hastily wiping away the tears that had gathered in my eyes. Edward's hand gently pushed mine out of the way, and he gently kissed each cheek as he brushed the tears away himself. He kissed my nose softly, and then each eyelid as my eyes fluttered closed once more.
"Forever, all right?" he murmured, and he moved then until I was seated somewhat more conveniently on his lap.
I smiled, and nodded as I held my son close. "Forever," I agreed.
And the words had never sounded more beautiful.
October 30th, Monday - 11:22 PM - Edward POV
"Hey, little man. How about you go to sleep now, so daddy can sleep, too?" I whispered, yawning as I rubbed Teddy's bare tummy. He squealed in protest, and tried to kick my hands away from him. His tiny fingers clasped onto mine, and he didn't let go. His bright blue eyes widened even further as he kicked his tiny legs back and forth desperately.
"Waaa!" he informed me, and I groaned as I scooped him into my arms. He immediately fell silent as he squirmed himself into a more comfortable position in the crook of my arm. His bright, curious eyes met mine, and he popped his fingers out of his mouth to wave at me. I couldn't help myself; I grinned brightly, and pressed a soft kiss to my son's head. He, of course, squealed in response as he slapped a tiny hand to his forehead, curious about the slobbery gift I'd given him.
"Sleep, baby," I murmured, but he just continued to stare at me as he curled his arms to his chest and his feet as closed to his little body as he could. He didn't yawn; he just stared without blinking for the longest time.
"Don't worry, Edward," a soft voice informed me. "You won't be getting anything even closely resembling sleep for a very long time."
I turned in surprise to glare at my father.
"Ha ha," I grumbled, and I stared at him through red, sleep deprived eyes. My father didn't smile, though, like I expected him to. Instead, he took a seat next to me, and held out his arms. I gratefully passed him Teddy, and rubbed my eyes tiredly.
"I'm serious, son. Bella had to deliver Teddy via c-section," my father said, and he frowned as Teddy began to immediately cry. "The recovery time for a c-section is much longer than for a natural birth — you're going to have to do a lot more of the work. She's not allowed to lift heavy objects, and she won't be able to move around for long. She needs to rest. She's going to be a lot more tired than usual, as well. You're going to have to step up to the plate, and take responsibility. I know things seemed ... unreal, for the first few months. But now you have a son to care for, and he's completely dependent on you. You, Edward."
I smiled, and sighed happily as I took my squirming, squealing son back from my father. He fell silent in my arms immediately, and my smile grew.
"He likes me," I whispered in awe, and my father chuckled.
"He loves you, Edward. You're his Daddy."
My grin fell, but it wasn't because I was sad, or disappointed. It just seemed so ... completely unreal, that I was a father. That this beautiful, tiny, perfect boy was mine. That it was me he would look up to, that he would depend on.
"Thanks, Dad," I whispered, and my father stood from his seat. He placed a comforting hand on my shoulder, and gave me a final, encouraging smile before he walked to the door.
I turned back to my son.
"So, what say we have a nap? I'll hold you, if that's what you want."
Teddy seemed fond of this idea; he yawned, and tucked his tiny head into the crook of my arm once more as I moved to the rocking chair in the corner of the bright blue hospital room.
I smiled, and leaned my head against the hard wood as I settled in for a long night.
"Love you, Teddy," I whispered, and my eyes finally fell closed.
November 3rd, Thursday - 7:10 PM
"Hurry up, Edward!" Bella urged me quietly. She tugged the sleeve of my shirt, and I chuckled as I continued to fill out the release papers, for both Bella and Teddy. "I want to go home!"
I smiled; home.
But then my smile faded, and my hand faltered. I pulled the pen away from the paper before I could ruin it; I bit my lip, and sighed. Bella's face fell, too, when she realized that I was no longer smiling. She frowned, and ran her fingers lightly across my lips. The light motion made my heart race, and my eyes fluttered closed under her warm touch.
"What's wrong, Edward?" she whispered, and I shook my head, smiling once more as I kissed her fingertips softly.
"Nothing, love," I whispered, and I turned back to the paper in front of me. But though a smile was pasted on my lips, my heart was still in turmoil.
I wanted, more than anything, to bring Bella to our new house — our home — ... but at the same time, I wanted to wait. I wanted her to seethe house. I wanted her to be able to see everything ... I wanted her to see Teddy's nursery. I wanted to see the beauty of the meadow. I wanted ... it to be special. I wanted to bring her home after her surgery. After she could see.
I wanted this to be special. Over the past few days, I had agonized about what I was going to do. But now I was out of time, and I was at a crossroad.
But as I stared into Bella's beautiful, blind eyes once more, I smiled.
Did it really matter? She was going to yell at me either way.
I chuckled quietly at the thought, and finished signing my name with a final stroke of the pen. I placed it down, and then turned to my love.
"Are you ready to go home?" I whispered, and as I whispered those words, nothing else seemed to matter. The trivial worries that had gone through my mind only moments before seemed stupid. The fact that Bella couldn't see had never concerned me before; why now? I wanted Bella and our son to live in the house that I'd built for them. I wanted them to never leave the place that was already filled with so much love. I smiled, and took Bella's hand tightly in mine. I carried our son — tucked warmly in the crook of my arm, sleeping silently — in the other.
"Let's go home," I whispered, and Bella nodded happily as she leaned into me. Her soft hair tickled my arm, and I smiled. It was dark outside, so Bella wouldn't have to hide her beautiful face behind the soft fabric that protected her from the sun.
"Let's," she agreed.
7:34 PM — Bella POV
I smiled as Edward's hand clasped mine tightly. But instead of helping me down, like I had assumed he would, he instead swept me tenderly into his arms and held me close to his chest. I giggled, and buried my face in his chest. But then he sighed, and I reached up to trace his lips with my fingers; he was frowning. Why?
"I just realized that I can't carry both my beautiful wife and my son at the same time."
I smiled, and held my arms out.
"Let me carry Teddy," I said, and Edward quickly agreed. He placed me down only long enough to help unbuckle Teddy from his bright blue, Dinosaur covered car-seat. Then, when our baby boy was tucked safely in the crook of my arm, Edward gently swept me into his warm embrace once more.
I giggled once more, and I was sure that my face was red.
"What are you doing, Edward?"
He grinned against the warm skin of my cheek as he kissed me fleetingly.
"I'm carrying my wife and son home. Is that so bad?"
I grinned widely, and shook my head, breathing a sigh of utter contentment as Edward began to move. I reached a hand out to brush against the wood of the door as Edward swiftly opened it. I frowned, though; the wood under my fingertips was amazingly smooth, not at all like it should be.
"Welcome home, love," Edward whispered, his voice quiet and light, and beautiful — like velvet — as he placed me gently on the ground. My feet — bare, for I had refused to put my shoes on — shuffled slowly across what seemed like a sea of cotton. I reached down, and brushed my fingers against the soft floor.
"Edward ... " I breathed, and my breath caught. Tears formed in my eyes, and my fingers shook. "Where ... are we?"
But I already knew.
The secret smiles, the late hours, the sawdust on his clothes that couldn't have possibly come from laying concrete. The all-consuming joy that I could hear in his voice when he talked about the project he was working on.
It all made sense now.
Welcome home.
Edward smiled as he pressed his lips against the skin right beneath my ear.
"It's not finished, but it's close. We're facing out toward the meadow; the trees are surrounding us, and the river flows right behind us. Before us is the bright, beautiful flow of our meadow." He paused, and breathed in deeply as his arms tightened around both me and our son. When he continued to speak, his voice was even quieter. "I know that finances are tight right now, but none of that matters. Please don't worry about anything, love. That's my job. Your job is to rest, and to heal, and to be happy here, in our new home. I love you," he added, and he chuckled quietly; I shivered as his warm breath cascaded over my comparatively cool skin. "Please don't yell at me. I wanted so badly to do this for you. I didn't build you this house to prove anything, Bella. I didn't do this simply to make myself feel better because of what I can't give you. I did this for you. I want us to raise our son in a place that we can always call home."
I took in a deep, shuddering breath, but I still couldn't speak. Edward's words, so beautiful, still resonating in my head.
"Bella?" he murmured, and I could hear the worry in his voice. "Please say something before I go insane."
I couldn't help it.
I giggled.
A slightly insane sound, actually. But as soon as that one giggle slipped past my lips — brought on by Edward's plea for me not to yell at him — everything came rushing forward. The tears flowed, and my whole body shook. A smile reached my lips, and my knees went weak. I was insanely grateful for Edward's strong, loving embrace in that moment — because if he hadn't been holding me, I was sure I would have collapsed.
"Bella?" he murmured softly, and he leaned his forehead against mine. Amazingly, Teddy was still sleeping, blissfully unaware of the world around him, in my arms. I smiled, and choked back yet another sob.
I was only able to force out two words. But they were the only words that were needed in that moment.
"T-thank y-you."
Edward smiled, and kissed me very softly. He let us sink slowly, carefully, to the ground as he coaxed my lips open with his own. His hands cupped my cheeks, and his body was warm against mine.
"I love you," I finally whispered, and Edward merely smiled against my forehead, where his lips now rested.
"I know," he whispered, and he wrapped me securely in his embrace. Neither of us moved for the longest time. Instead, we sat silently on the soft, cool carpet by the open door. The wind ruffled my hair, and the cool, night air made me shiver.
I smiled, and I let my eyes flutter closed.
Welcome home.
That seemed pretty final, eh? ... ... ... but don't worry. It's not the end. Just a liiiiitle but more to go. A few more loose ends to tie up. And a possible time skip. Don't worry; it'd just be a few weeks, or months. Our favorite Teddy Bear would still be a baby. ^_^
NOTE: THERE WILL NOT BE AN UPDATE UNTIL at least THURSDAY! Sorry, but I'm going away this weekend. _ And will not be able to write. At all. THe next chapter has exactly five words written, though. I will be able to write a little bit more before I leave, but not much. I just hope that this story is worth waiting for!
See you SOON!
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NEXT CHAPTER:
"Can I hold him? Can I? Can I? Can I? Pleeeeease!"
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