My mother was one of a kind and I don't mean that in a good way. Being a single mother would make you think that she put her children first but for my mum, it was the complete opposite. She was so wrapped up in herself that she forgot that I exist. I always had to be her judge on what she wears and how she looks. It was definitely embarrassing walking around town with a mother who flaunted her stuff.

She never settled down until George was born. When my dad skipped out of our lives, my mom spent every waking hour earning enough money to pay the mortgage and buy groceries. She had given up her looks for an apron. I remember it was patterned with all things British from teapots to the palace guards. Sometimes I can still see her in that apron, arms wide, and a hug just a few steps away.

She never hugged me though. Not often.

She loved George more than she loved me. Why? I'm not sure. I guess he was the youngest child and rather charming too. He had dark and lustrous hair that reminded me of fine hardwood. But that comparison isn't entirely fair, I suppose. He hated his brown hair. It was boring to him. He thought it look like the color of dull mud. However, he was a sweet child ever since the day he was born. We could see the mighty goodness within him that branched out into all that he did. He was nature's child and mother's greatest honor to raise.

I can recall a lovely spring day back when we were just little kids. George sat on the barstool, head slumped onto his hands as he watched mother season the fish (that Philip caught). By the time she was done, each fish had a belly full of onions and herbs. My stomach had growled noisily and I had to swallow back a pool of saliva. We hadn't eaten in days and it was a miracle that Philip was able to catch something.

"What should we have for dessert?" Mother asked.

I frowned. "I thought we didn't have the money for dessert."

"Pie!" George exclaim.

Mother smiled at him and ruffled his hair. "Whatever you want my love."

"I don't really like pie," I said. "Can we have something else? Maybe a cake? Or sweet bread?"

Mother banged her wooden spoon on the counter. "That's enough! I am tired of hearing you complain! You selfish little brat! We will have pie and that's final! Do you understand?"

I nodded my head and swallowed. "Yes, ma'am."

She died three months afterward.

Death came to her with the slow rattling gasps. Her breathing stop for some time only to reemerge like a drowning victim coming up for one last breath. A few moments later, she had passed on, her earthly tether separated and her soul bound for the Lord.

I wish I had felt some type of remorse for her death. But I hadn't felt anything. Her life had little impact. She was just a person. A person I knew and loved and then she died. That was it.

I hope my children don't feel the same about me.

I am currently eight months pregnant and I feel like a bloated cow. I had to waddle to the shower this morning and that took so much out of me. I almost felt breathless.

The water dripped past my shoulders, through my flaxen hair, and continuing over my large stomach. It expanded out to prove that another being resided within me. Two heartbeats within one body. My back ached as my entire weight relied upon it. I glance down at the stretched skin with red vein-like tendrils seeping across the sides and reminding me of an eyeball. Soft white skin, red lines are drawn along it.

I dragged myself out of the shower and called out for Carlisle to help me. I couldn't get dried by myself.

He walked in with a towel. "You look so beautiful."

"I look like a whale."

He started to dry the water off my body. "A beautiful whale. Honestly, I can't believe how big you've gotten Es."

"I might explode if this goes on any longer," I said.

Carlisle chuckled. "Don't worry my love. It'll be over with soon."

I've always had my weight under control my whole life until pregnancy, then I've lost it big time. I craved food almost every minute of the day and of course, I didn't want anything healthy. I wouldn't normally eat after dinner, but now I found myself searching through the cupboards by 10:20 pm and snacking before bed. Renee had told me not to worry, breastfeeding would take care of the pounds. But I couldn't stand it any longer! I wanted this baby out of me and into my arms! I wanted to press a button and fast forward to the birth!

Carlisle leaned down and kissed my tummy. "Hello, little one. It's your daddy speaking. Mummy and I can't wait to meet you."

"You can come anytime. Hopefully soon." I added.

Carlisle rolled his eyes. "Take your time sweet baby. We want you to be big and healthy!"

"Oooh!" I felt the baby kick. "I think you've woken it up!"

"My apologies." He teased. "It loves the sound of my voice."

"It loves his or her daddy."

Carlisle stood up and kissed my lips. "And I love it so much."

He was perfect. Carlisle had adapted to parenthood well. He was some type of natural and children just loved him. Me, on the other hand, had been more anxious. The first child I've ever had resulted in a miscarriage and I didn't feel positive that this baby would come out healthy. I feared that any moment this precious gift would be taken from me. Carlisle ensured me that everything was going to be okay and our baby would be just fine, but I don't think I can believe it until it's here in my arms and I can see for myself that we created perfection.

"How do you feel?" He asked.

"I still feel ill and my body aches."

Carlisle nodded his head. "That's perfectly normal, love."

"I know." I sighed. "I just wish it would go away."

He helped me down the stairs and I took a seat at the breakfast table. Mrs. Uley prepared breakfast while Carlisle helps her set the table. I looked around and noticed that the children were actually up and wake. They've gotten a little lazy since I haven't been able to boss them around. I'm sure they were enjoying it.

Alice smiled and put her hands on my tummy. "How do you do?"

"Alice it can't hear you!" Emmett remarked.

Edward threw something at him. "You don't know that. I've heard that babies can hear things from the womb."

"And where did you hear that from?" I wondered.

"Aro! His father is a scientist!"

Jasper huffed. "Edward you can't believe everything that people say. The Volturi's are an odd family."

Alice giggled. "I one time watched Marcus Volturi lick a tree branch outside of school."

"Exactly." Jasper claim.

"Children," I said. "Stay out of other people's business. It's impolite."

Alice smirked. "So why did you ask Renne about Kate Denali?"

"None of your business!"

"I heard that she pregnant and that's why she getting married!" Emmett spoke.

I rubbed my forehead. "I don't know why I even try."

"Breakfast!" Mrs. Uley announced.

"Thank heavens," Edward muttered.

We ate our breakfast and shared stories around the table. Things have changed lately. Edward and Emmett were recovering well from the tragic loss of their parents. Edward has started to play music again and Emmett just snapped out of it one day. He came home from school and apologize for his actions. Carlisle made sure to spend more time with him. He takes him fishing and hunting every other weekend. Emmett had enjoyed doing the stuff that he once did with Edward Sr.

Alice and Jasper were falling madly in love. Alice admitted to me that she had feelings for Jasper, but she wasn't sure if he felt the same way. We talked a lot about relationships and what it meant to be physical with someone else. I made Alice promise me that she would save herself for marriage. She agreed and told me that she had no desire to have sex any time soon. She liked Jasper for who he is. Not his body or what his body could do. Plus they were so young that they wouldn't even know what to do.

I tried not to think about it too much…

Renee and Charlie's marriage was blossoming and I don't think I've seen Renee so happy. They're currently trying to give Bella a sibling and I'm hoping we'll have a baby announcement coming soon. Edward has also been quite smitten over Bella Swan. He made her the sweetest lullaby and he plays it often when she comes over. Edward hasn't said anything to me about it but… it's obvious that he has the biggest crush on the girl. Renee already warned me that she'll cut off his balls if he hurts her daughter. I told her that she had nothing to worry about.

Life was good, despite some of the negative aspects.

The war has finally ended and life was slowly returning back to normal. We bought a bigger house for all our children and it came with an added barn that was quite lovely. Buttercup enjoyed his new space and the hens finally had space to roam. We also bought some horses, sheep, and goats. It was a lot. But we were happy.

Well… as happy as we could be.

It took months before I stop receiving letters from Rosalie. It was difficult, but I decided to respect Gloria's wishes and I never responded to any of her letters. Carlisle tried reaching out to Oscar and he begged him to let Rose back in our lives. However, we never heard anything back and it was like Oscar Jones forgotten that he promise to repay us someday. We didn't want money. We just wanted to be able to watch Rosalie grow.

I was upset for the longest time. I wanted to travel to New York and choke Gloria Norman. How could she not give my baby a birthday party? What type of woman was she? And then when I learned that Oscar remarried… well, I was stunned! He had moved on so quickly! Nora didn't sound like the best mother figure either. She sounded very cold and I couldn't see Rosalie being nice to her.

Monkeys. They were all just a bunch of monkeys trying to raise a child. It was ridiculous!

But she wasn't ours anymore and there was nothing we could do about it. I just hope she would forgive us one day for not being there. It wasn't our choice.

After breakfast, Renee came over to go through some baby clothes. I had bought a few items over the last couple of weeks, but I still wasn't sure what I needed and what I didn't. I was just so lost!

"Esme why do you have so many overalls! You don't even know whether if it's a boy!" Renee exclaim.

I folded some nightgowns. "It's a boy. I can feel it."

"What if it's a girl?" She asked.

I shrugged my shoulders. "Then I guess she can wear overalls too. It might be cute."

"She a mess!" Mrs. Uley spat.

"I've never done this before!" I said. "I don't know what I'm doing!"

Renee patted my arm. "Calm down because I don't feel like dealing with your hormones today."

"Renee!" I shriek.

Mrs. Uley laughed. "Please tell me you've picked up some diapers."

"Lots! Thank you very much!" I cried.

We spent the rest of the afternoon sorting through baby clothes and cleaning the nursery. Carlisle had already built the crib and he bought me a wooden rocking chair as well. Everything was slowly coming together. It was strange that we were having a baby. It just didn't feel real.

I felt a pair of arms wrap around my waist. "We'll have a newborn sleeping in that crib soon."

I sighed. "I know. I can't believe the end is near."

"It's only the beginning," Carlisle spoke.

"Are you ready?"

"Are you ready?" He chuckled.

"No," I replied.

"I don't think anyone is truly ready." Carlisle rubbed my stomach. "That's alright though. We'll learn together and eventually, it'll feel like second nature."

"I hope so."

"I know so."

I turned around in his arms. "You think you're so funny."

"Correction, my love." He grinned. "I am funny."

I rolled my eyes. "I love you."

"And I love you."

That night I could barely sleep. I had felt a burning pain in my lower abdomen that shot through all my back. I twisted and turn in the bedsheets until the sun finally rose and I dragged myself out of bed. I made my way into the bathroom and I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror. I had been carrying a little bit lower than before. My tummy was big and round. I felt the baby move inside me while another shot of pain struck.

I groaned. "Oh, sweet baby. Please calm down."

And just then I felt it. A gush of water coming down from my legs and hitting the floor. I stood their shock for a few minutes until I look at the puddle of water that I was standing in. Impossible! I'm not due for another few weeks!

"Darling?" I heard Carlisle's voice.

"Honey come in here!" I shouted. "It's time!"

He rushed into the bathroom. "What happen-"

Carlisle stopped at the doorway and stared at the puddle of water. He was speechless!

"I think I'm in labor," I spoke.

"I believe so."

Hours later and the pain was never-ending. With each contraction came a pain that dominated my entire being. In these moments, for those seconds that stretched into infinity, there was nothing else. When the pain passed it was only for a minute or so and I breathed with closed eyes, unwilling to reengage with life outside of my own body. The room might as well have been empty because when anyone talks, touch or gain my attention, I found it all so hard. To reply, I had to find myself from the deepest recess of my mind and drag myself forward, to use my voice, or open my eyes.

It was hell.

"C-Carlisle." I whimpered. "If I-I don't make it-"

"Nonsense!" He said. "You will be perfectly fine. Sweetheart, you're doing so good!"

"I-It hurts!" I cried.

Carlisle kissed the top of my head. "You're almost there baby. You got this!"

Mrs. Uley checked me one more time. "Carlisle she ready."

"Ready?" My body started shaking.

Carlisle nodded his head. "Honey I need you to relax. I won't let anything bad happen to you. I promise my love. I love you so much Es."

He held my hand while Mrs. Uley instructed me to push. With a guttural grunt, I did so until she told me to stop. The pain was more intense than anything I ever imagined. Nothing could be more brutal, not whips or chains.

"That's right!" Carlisle held my hand tighter. "Good girl! You're doing great baby!"

I pushed again and then I felt the baby starting to crown, the hot stretching of flesh and I held my breath. Carlisle and Mrs. Uley switched places and I watched as the baby, without any further effort, slid into the hands of my husband. There was elation, a girl at last, and in seconds she was here, nascent eyes opening, mouth rooting for milk.

"We have a daughter!" Carlisle held her up so I could see.

I stifle a sob. "Hi, baby."

The newborn cries fill the room and Carlisle bursts into tears of relief and joy. Through my exhaustion, I smile and I let my eyes leave his face to the baby that was being placed on my bare skin. At that moment, I began to cry the sweetest tears and all the pain before melted away. She's only minutes old but the tiny girl begins to root, mouth wide, her instincts strong. I pulled my blouse down and started to nurse. I watched as the hungry newborn eagerly sucked.

"She perfect!" Mrs. Uley exclaim.

Carlisle sat right next to me and stroke the newborn head. "She beautiful just like her mummy."

"I can't believe she here!" I rubbed her tiny hand.

"You did it, baby! You did such a good job. I'm so proud of you!" Carlisle told me.

I smiled at him and kissed his lips. "We did it."

I nursed for a few more minutes until the baby was satisfied. Mrs. Uley helps Carlisle clean her up and dress her before returning the newborn to her mother. I couldn't help but just stare at her. She was the most beautiful baby I've ever seen! She had Carlisle's nose and lips. She shared the same color of my hair and I hope her eyes will stay blue. She just looks like a little angel!

"She ours." I choked.

Carlisle smiled. "We made that."

"Would you like the other children to come in now?" Mrs. Uley asked. "I don't think they can contain their excitement any longer."

Carlisle laughed. "Yes. Please let them in."

She opens the door and all four children rushed in. They crowded around the bed and I laid the baby down in front of me.

"She adorable!" Alice squealed.

Emmett tilted his head. "I thought she would be less fat."

"Emmett!" Edward hissed. "That's rude!"

Jasper touched the baby legs. "Does she have a name?"

Carlisle looked at me and I nodded my head. We had several names, but I think we've narrowed it down to just one. It felt right, especially at the moment. And I do not doubt that this baby will be as beautiful as her name.

"Do you want to tell them?" He said.

I grinned and turned to the children. "Her name is Evelyn Rose Cullen."

Mrs. Uley's eyes filled with tears. "Such a lovely name."

Evelyn Rose Cullen. Our sweet baby girl. I would never let this precious bundle go, no matter what came I would protect her. Even to the point of death. She was mine. All mine. And I had a feeling that we would finally live our happily ever after.

I leaned down and kissed the newborn on the forehead. "Welcome to the world little one."