Bella POV-

I woke groggily, feeling like I'd been hit by a train. I could hear Seth and Paul speaking in hushed tones about Seth's imprint. That was right, he'd imprinted on my daughter. The thought brought me anger for a split second until I remembered what he'd done for us both. I knew that his imprint was like Quil's, that it wasn't romantic at all, and wouldn't be until she was ready. He was her protector, a big brother for now.

"It's okay, Seth," I said as I opened my eyes.

"B, are you okay? Do you need anything? Should we get the doc in here?" Paul asked quickly. I just shook my head.

"I'm alive. Where's my daughter?" I asked him, then turning to look at Seth, who was carefully holding my sweet baby girl. I held out my arms, which I then realized were full of IV's and motioned for him to hand her to me.

Seth stood up and gently laid her into my arms, making her stir. "I think she might be hungry…" Seth mentioned, seeing her tilting her head towards my breast, which started aching uncomfortably. I nodded and began to unbutton the hospital gown. The two wolves turned around, giving me privacy, even though they'd both seen practically everything at this point.

I held her to my nipple and was surprised when she latched right away and began suckling. I watched her for a minute in fascination before I turned my attention back to the boys. "Where is Embry? Is he okay? You can turn around, it's alright."

Both of them turned around, and Paul began to speak. "He'll be okay, B. He's still unconscious, but the doc said he will heal." The thought of my husband being in pain and me not being able to be with him hurt me deeply. I could even feel the pain, almost like a burning, lingering in my veins, as if I were feeling an echo of what he must be.

"E-Edward?" I asked them, terror and disgust painting my voice.

"Ashes to ashes, dust to dust." Paul replied. I nodded numbly, understanding. I didn't let myself think about that at the moment. It was done.

"So, how did I get here? How long has it been?" I asked quickly, changing the topic.

"It's only been about an hour and a half, maybe. The doc ran you here, and I followed. Seth carried the baby and rode on Sam's back. Jared carried Em home on two legs." Paul explained. I looked at him in concern when he said the doc ran me here. Surely he couldn't have meant Carlisle.

I was proven wrong when I saw Carlisle Cullen walking into the room. I immediately stiffened in fear, clutching my daughter tightly to my chest as she fed, grabbing Paul's arm with my other hand.

Carlisle held up his hands as he walked forward toward me. "I won't hurt you, Bella. I'm here to check on you." He said as he came forward.

"It's okay, B, he helped you and the baby." Paul said, resting his hand over mine that was still gripping his arm. "We'll be here the whole time."

I swallowed and removed my hand from Paul's arm, nodding cautiously. Carlisle walked over to me and I lifted my daughter from my chest, handing her to Paul after realizing she had finished feeding. He nodded slightly and took her.

Carlisle lifted my hospital gown from the bottom to check on me and Paul and Seth began to turn around to give me privacy, but I reached out and grabbed Paul's arm again, stilling him. I was still afraid. He sensed it, and stayed planted, holding my hand. I let tears fall, realizing this should have been Embry's job. I cried because of everything that had happened, and the fact that I visibly recoiled from the cold touch in fear.

"The bleeding has gone back to normal, the nurses will come in to massage your uterus more in a little while. You are very lucky that Seth was there, Bella. He saved both you and your daughter's lives." Carlisle told me and I just nodded. I knew what Seth had done for us.

"I understand, and thank you, but can you please go now? I am… uncomfortable." I asked, putting it as kindly as I could.

"Very well. I will inform Dr. Gerandy of your condition and be on my way back to Alaska. I wish you and your daughter the very best, and I apologize for the position my family has put you in. I do not blame you or your... companions for what has transpired today." Carlisle said as he threw away his gloves and walked out the door.

As soon as he was gone, I let my tears loose, crying my eyes out into Paul's side as he sat on my bed next to me, still holding my daughter. Seth resumed sitting back in the chair, but held my hand tightly in support.

I hadn't even realized Charlie had walked in when I heard him say, "Oh thank God, Bella."

I wiped my eyes and Paul moved to the side so that I could see my dad. "Hi, Dad." I said, unsure what to say.

"I already know everything, Bells, I'm just glad you're both alright." Charlie said, now sitting in the place Paul had been, wiping a tear from my cheek. "So, does my granddaughter have a name, or is it just 'Baby'?"

I couldn't believe I hadn't even thought to tell them. "Lily. Her name is Lily Phoenix Call." To be honest, we hadn't chosen a middle name before. I hadn't thought of it until I had just said it out loud. Lily meant 'pure' and phoenix's rose from ashes, which I felt was perfect for my little girl.

"Lily." Seth said, quietly as he looked over at the small bundle in Paul's arms.

"It's a beautiful name, Bells, and she's a beautiful baby. You did good, kid." Charlie said as he held her hand, not missing the bandages around Bella's wrists. "We'll get you back home on the res soon, baby girl. Sue said she's going to come sign you out under her care."

"Thank you, Dad." I said with more tears, touched that he understood where I really needed to be right now.

Sure enough, Sue came, and I was released from the hospital under her care. Thankfully, she had brought Lily's car seat and drove us back to the res. Seth rode with us, but Paul had phased and run back by himself.

I immediately relaxed when we crossed the treaty line and felt even better when we pulled into my driveway.

"I've already gotten your things ready in your room. Can you walk?" Sue asked as she opened my door.

"I'll get her, Sue. Seth, take Lily inside." I heard Paul say from outside of the car. He must've been waiting for us. He lifted me out of the car and carried me inside. I was still in a hospital gown, though I had a jacket on now.

Upon entering my room, I noticed that Embry was there, laying in our bed, looking like he was only asleep. "When did he get here? I thought you said he was at Sam's?" I asked quickly.

"Sam carried him over while you guys drove down. He figured it might help him to be close to you." Paul replied, laying me down on the padding that had been laid out on the bed. In any other situation, I would have been highly embarrassed, but after everything I'd gone through today, I knew without a shadow of a doubt that I trusted Seth and Paul with everything I had, nearly the same as I trusted Embry, and that we all had a bond that ran deeper than blood. The events of the day just deepening it even more.

"I'm going to go help Seth with the baby while Sue gets you and Em situated in here, alright?" Paul said and I immediately tensed, unsure about being left alone at the moment while Embry was still unconscious, but eventually nodding my head, knowing it was safe. I was safe here. I silently wondered if it was the effects of post-traumatic stress, and reasoned that it had to be. Being scared to be left alone, even with someone I knew and trusted present.

"Your body needs to heal, Bella. You lost more than half your blood today, and while you received a transfusion, it'll take a while for you to feel well again. We also can't forget that you birthed a child in less than hospitable conditions, under a great amount of fear and stress. I understand that you'll want to do certain things on your own very soon, but please, let the boys help. Your body will not heal itself if you push yourself too quickly. If I'm not mistaken, it seems as though my son has imprinted on your daughter?" Sue asked me once Paul was out of the room.

I nodded. "Your son saved our lives today. He delivered Lily by himself. She wasn't crying when she was born, so he turned her on her stomach and stimulated her. He even delivered the placenta and tied off her umbilical cord. He kept both of us warm with his own body heat, all at risk to his own life. Sue, I can never repay him for what he did for me today." I cried as I whispered it to her. I could see the tears in her eyes as well.

"I'm very proud of my son. Very proud. I'm also very proud of you, Bella. You made it through such a horrifying situation and a birth that was not only traumatic, but premature and dangerous as well, unmedicated, and terrified." Sue told me as she finished getting me set up. "I'm also very proud of Paul for taking care of you when Embry couldn't."

"I owe them both my life." I told her seriously before thinking of something and laughing. "Though I may have scarred Seth for life. I mean, he's only 15 and he delivered my child by himself…"

"I'm sure the only thing on his mind at the time was yours and the baby's health." She said, laughing along as well. I hoped that was the case. I worried that he might never be able to look me in the eyes again after witnessing what he did.

"Paul saw everything, too. I hope that doesn't put him off having kids with Rachel, I want my daughter to have friends to grow up with." I said with a laugh and a pout.

"Don't you worry about that, B." I heard Paul yell from the other room. I felt my face redden, having forgotten they could hear us.

"Seth, however, can wait a good… say, 30 years or more to have kids, isn't that right?" I said, directing it towards Seth.

"Ugh. I am not having this conversation yet, mama wolf. Feel free to remind me again in 18 years." Seth replied through the door. I made a mental note that he said that.

I looked over to Embry and carefully grabbed his hand. I could feel our bond humming in his presence, but I knew he wasn't ready to wake yet.

"I've given him morphine, but his body will burn it off fast. You're all set, so I'm going to head home for the night. The whole pack is outside waiting. Do you want me to send them in?" Sue asked.

I nodded before asking Seth to bring me Lily. He brought her in and laid her in my arms, now cleaned up, wearing a diaper and wrapped in a beautiful wolf blanket.

"Go get cleaned up, Seth. We'll still be here. You can use my shower and Embry's shorts if you want." I told him and he reluctantly looked down at himself, still covered in my blood, and nodded, grabbing a pair of shorts and walking out. I had to keep myself from calling him back into the room, because I felt a sudden jolt of fear pass through me when I realized I was essentially alone, with only my unconscious husband by my side.


A/N- Bella, baby Lily, and Embry are home! Even though Embry is still unconscious, he's out of the woods. What do you think of the baby's name? Thoughts?