DISCLAIMER: The characters do not belong to me…they are all the creation of the wonderful Stephenie Meyer.
It's Time
Edward's POV
Bella and I sat in her old rocking chair in our son's nursery, looking over all of the hard work our family and I had done to get this room ready. It had taken us awhile, but we finally had all of the shower gifts in their proper places, and we'd picked the best spot for the baby's crib. Bella had decided it should go right in the middle of the room so that the baby would see us as soon as we entered. My old blanket was draped across the side of the crib, ready and waiting for our little boy.
"Your mom says the blank wall above his crib is for his letters," Bella said, drawing my attention back to her. "She's just waiting for us to choose a name and then the room will be completely finished."
"It really is a great room," I replied. "The baby's going to be very happy in here."
"Alice really is a great decorator. Although, I have to admit, I'm still a little annoyed with her. She never once got morning sickness and she has so much more energy than I've ever had."
"Oh, I don't know about that. You were pretty spry for the sixth and seventh months," I teased, kissing along her neck.
"Yeah, well horny and energized aren't exactly the same thing. And I'm too huge now to feel either."
"You're not that big," I argued, moving my hands on top of her bulging belly. "And you know you're going to miss it as soon as it's gone."
"I know," she sighed, letting her head rest against my shoulder. "I'm just ready to meet him."
"Three more weeks, give or take."
"That's so long," she pouted.
"Sorry, Love," I replied, trying not to chuckle. With the end of her pregnancy quickly approaching, the end of her patience seemed to be coming much faster than before. She was tired and uncomfortable, and more than a little anxious to meet and hold our son. The thirty-seventh week was not a favorite for my Bella.
I closed my eyes, thinking back on the last nine months of our life together. We'd handled hormones, short tempers, James, and an overly exuberant Alice. We hadn't come out completely unscathed, especially Bella, but we were still together and we still loved each other hopelessly.
And in three weeks, we would be parents, and our lives would be changing once again, adapting to fit in this little person that was part Bella and part me. It was thrilling and terrifying in equal measure, but with Bella there to help me, I was sure I'd at least manage to be a bearable father.
"Is it time to leave for our lunch date with Alice and Jasper?" Bella asked, perking up a little.
I opened my eyes and looked down at my watch, surprised that so much time had passed. "Yes, actually."
"Good because I'm starving."
"Sylvia won't get any work done with both you and Alice in the restaurant," I chuckled.
"It's okay. It's her perk since she's the owner," Bella giggled as I helped her to her feet. "I have to use the bathroom first, though."
I helped her across the hall and into our room. Bella was truly "waddling" around at this point and she wasn't really able to walk without help since her clumsiness was at an all time high. I was so happy the end of her pregnancy had fallen in line with the summer break because there was no way I would have been able to let her work without my hair turning gray from worry.
While Bella was busy, I looked through my CDs, wanting to find something relaxing for her to listen to on our way to the restaurant. She was too uncomfortable to do her baby yoga anymore so we were finding new ways to help her relax, like soaking in the tub and listening to classical music.
"Edward?" Bella called, sounding a bit odd. "I think you better come in here."
I headed into the bathroom, figuring she needed help getting up. "You don't have to make it sound like a reason to panic, Love. It's understandable that you need help at this stage."
"This isn't a case of me being stubborn," she assured me, her brown eyes wide and excited. "And with any luck, you won't panic."
"Why would I panic?"
"Because my water just broke," she said with a big smile. "You were right, Edward. I can't possibly mistake this for anything else."
Understanding, fear, elation, and panic all settled into my heart at the exact same time. "Your suitcase! I have to get that and put it into the car."
Bella laughed loudly at me and it echoed in the bathroom. "Edward, you have to get me off the toilet first."
"Sure. Right. That should be first. And then your suitcase."
"No," she chuckled. "Then you call Dr. Johnson as you help me down the stairs and out to the car."
I got her onto her feet and just stood there like an idiot, feeling more confused than I ever had in my life. "When do I get your suitcase?"
Bella laughed at me once again, patting my cheek. "You put it in the car a week ago."
"Oh. Right."
"Edward, we should move out of the bathroom and toward the car now."
"Sure. The car," I agreed, taking hold of her arm and leading her out of the room.
"Call the doctor, Edward."
I took one of my arms away from her and fumbled the phone out of my pocket, dropping back into my pocket twice before finally getting a good grip on it.
"Do you need me to handle that?" Bella asked. Her face was red from her suppressed laughter.
"No, I've got this," I assured her, as we climbed down the stairs.
I finally got the doctor onto the phone and told him Bella was in labor. He told me to calm down and to drive her to the hospital where he would meet us. Once I had Bella safely tucked into the car, and we were on our way to the hospital, I then began the task of contacting all of our family members. I called Jasper and Alice first since they would be on the way to the restaurant and would have to turn around to get to the hospital. Emmett and Rose were next, just to get Bella to stop reminding me to call her brother. And then I spoke with my mother and my father's secretary. My dad was in surgery, but the girl would get him the message as soon as he came out.
"Do we have time to run through the drive-thru?" Bella asked suddenly. "I want something cold to drink."
"Do we?" I asked, cringing a little from the sound of my own voice. No one could toss me into a state of panic quite like my wife. She was in labor and she was worried about a drink! I really would never understand her.
"My contractions aren't that close yet. It'll only take a second," she assured me.
When your wife is pregnant, her water has burst, and you're supposed to be on your way to the hospital, never, ever, ever listen to her when she says "it'll only take a second". There are forces in this world listening closely, waiting for those words to drop from innocent lips to make you sure that second turns into a ridiculous amount of minutes.
"Bella, please," I begged once more. "I'll get you a drink at the hospital. As soon as you're in a room and in a bed."
"That's going to take too long. I'm thirsty now. Besides, you already paid for this drink."
"The entire family is going to be there before we get there," I groaned.
"Doubtful with the way you drive," she laughed. Yes, that's right. She had the nerve to laugh at her poor, panicked husband.
"Isabella, I'm begging you," I pleaded.
"Here's your drink, Sir. Sorry about the wait," a young teenage girl said, holding a large cup out.
"How can one drink take fifteen minutes?" I snapped.
"The carbonation ran out and then the ice machine wouldn't work right, so we had to use the one in the dining room. We're swamped in there and this was the first chance we got. Sorry," the poor girl explained.
"Thank you," Bella said sweetly, leaning over and taking the cup. Luckily for us both, I also had a hand on it because Bella suddenly let go and grabbed her stomach instead. "I think we better get going," she panted, looking up at me.
I shook my head and bit the inside of my cheek, knowing I would someday laugh about this situation, but too panicked right now to consider it remotely funny. "I wonder if your mother did this to your father."
Bella nodded her head as she took a sip of her drink. "They were at a restaurant. She made him finish his fish dinner first."
"Of course," I sighed.
"Are you annoyed with me?" Bella asked, sniffling a little.
"No, Sweetheart," I replied, lifting her hand and kissing the back of it. "Just a little anxious to get you to the hospital."
"But there's no hurry. My blood pressure has been excellent the last three weeks, not a single spike."
"Still, I'd feel better to have you in your bed with Dr. Johnson checking over you and the baby."
"Should we be worried since I'm technically three weeks early?"
"Not as long as his lungs are developed. Which is something only Dr. Johnson can tell us."
"They will be. He's going to be perfectly fine. I just know it."
I smiled, pleased that she was so happy and confident. And then I pressed down on the accelerator, wanting to get that hospital as soon as possible. The last thing I wanted for my wife was to have her deliver in my car—she deserved the best medical attention possible and to be as comfortable as she could be. The backseat of a Volvo would not accomplish those things. I looked up into the rearview mirror, making sure the roads were clear of police officers as I sped along the highway. I caught sight of the carseat in back and smiled even wider…Our little man was on the way and would be here soon.
BabyBoy—BabyBoy—BabyBoy—BabyBoy—BabyBoy—BabyBoy—BabyBoy
Alice's POV
"I'm craving breadsticks like there's no tomorrow. And the very idea of Chicken Parmesan has my mouth watering," I said as Jasper drove us toward the little Italian restaurant Edward and Bella loved. "Do you think they'll have fried zucchini there? Oh, I would love some of that."
"I'm not sure, Ali. We'll find out when we get there. And not to tell you your business, Sweetheart, but you really shouldn't have the breadsticks and the fried appetizer," Jasper replied. The man really thought his smile and the caring tone of his voice was going to work for him.
"Jasper, I'm eating for three. Unless my doctor says otherwise, the three of us are going to eat whatever the hell we want."
"Yes, Dear," Jasper sighed as my phone rang loudly in the car.
I flipped it open and answered. "We should be there soon, Edward."
"Not anymore," my brother chuckled. "Turn around and head for the hospital. Bella's water broke."
"Oh my God!" I squealed, bouncing in my seat. "Jasper, turn the car around. The baby's coming."
"What baby?" Jasper yelled, looking panicked.
"Edward's baby, you big ninny," I laughed. "Our babies are going to come together, but not anytime soon."
"Bella is ordering me to tell you to tell Jasper to have pillows for you," Edward said. "If you love me at all, Ali, make sure Jasper has pillows," he added, speaking so low I barely heard him.
"You'll be safe, little brother," I chuckled.
"I have to call Emmett now before Bella tells me to do it for the hundredth time," Edward sighed. He didn't even wait for a response before hanging the phone up on me. He was lucky his wife was in labor or else he'd get an earful when I got to that hospital.
"Let's go welcome our nephew into the world," I chirped as Jasper pulled back into traffic, having turned the car toward the hospital.
BabyBoy—BabyBoy—BabyBoy—BabyBoy—BabyBoy—BabyBoy—BabyBoy
Emmett's POV
"What are you doing?" I yelled, stomping over to one of my players. I grabbed his facemask and pulled him closer. "Was that supposed to be a block? Where was the blocking? Do you even know what the word 'block' means? Because I can guarantee you it doesn't mean let his ass waltz past you and score a touchdown!"
"Sorry, Coach Swan," he muttered, staring down at his feet.
"I don't want hear 'sorry', Tucker. I want to hear how you plan to correct this."
"I'm going to hold my position."
"What? You're going to stay in one spot and watch him pass you?"
"No, Sir! I'm going to hold the line and when he gets close enough, I'm going to tackle him. I'm going to stay on him."
"Then let's see it," I said, slapping his shoulder pads hard. As I headed for the sideline, my phone started ringing. "The man better be dying," I grumbled, listening to Edward's ringtone as I fumbled the phone out of my pocket. "What?" I spat out.
"I'm on the way to the hospital with Bella. She's in labor, Em. This is the real deal," Edward said in a rush. His panicked tone would have been amusing if Bella wasn't my baby sister.
"I'm gonna swing by to grab Rose and the baby and we'll be there soon," I promised. "Tell Squirt I love her, will you?"
"Sure thing. See you soon, Emmett," Edward said. "Bella, he's coming—" I heard before the call ended.
"Hot damn, boys! I'm going to be an uncle!" I yelled out with a laugh. "Jones, can you take over for me?" I asked, tossing him my clipboard.
"Sure thing, Emmett. You tell that sister of yours congratulations for us," he replied.
"Will do!" I called out, already running for the parking lot. I hit Rosie's speed dial number and she picked up on the third ring. "Baby, pack a bag and get the princess ready. Squirt's in labor and on the way to the hospital."
"Is she doing okay?" Rose asked.
"Hard to say. Edward's voice sounded like a squeaky teenager's," I chuckled.
"You panicked, too," Rose reminded me.
"Yeah, I did," I agreed. "But I still got you to the hospital on time. And it was the right one!" We'd had a practice run the week before and I'd driven us to the wrong hospital on the opposite end of town. Rose loved to remind me of my error, but she'd been sweet enough to keep it just between us so far.
"We'll be ready, Baby. You just be careful driving and try not to speed too much."
"Love you, Rosie."
"I love you, Em."
"Be there soon," I promised, starting up the Jeep's engine. I dropped the phone into my pocket and tore out of the parking lot. "Watch over her, Mom and Dad," I said to the empty car. "Keep my little sister and nephew safe for me." But that was too serious for me, so I threw in a joke to lighten the mood. "Who knows what kind of trouble I could get myself into without the Squirt around to give me a hard time? I know neither of you want to explain to God why I was left without supervision," I chuckled.
BabyBoy—BabyBoy—BabyBoy—BabyBoy—BabyBoy—BabyBoy—BabyBoy
Carlisle's POV
"Dr. Cullen, I have a message," Jennifer said as I tried to make it into my office without anyone noticing. I'd just finished a grueling surgery and wanted to relax for just five little minutes.
"Can't it wait?" I sighed, stopping in the doorway and turning toward my secretary.
"Babies don't normally do that, Sir," she said with a smirk.
"What babies?" I asked, trying to panic as I thought of Alice. She was only twenty-five weeks into her pregnancy, giving the babies only a fifty percent chance at survival outside of the womb.
"Edward's baby," she clarified. "He should be here in the hospital by now. You were right in the middle of your surgery when he called."
"Has Esme been notified?" I asked, smiling wide with relief.
"Of course I have," Esme answered as she walked into the room. "Now change out of those scrubs as quickly as you can and let's go welcome our grandson into the world."
"Hello, Dear," I chuckled, kissing her cheek.
"Thirty-seven weeks is safe, right?" Esme asked, her eyes pleading for a positive answer.
"Yes, it is," I assured her.
"I worry, Carlisle. She's had such a rough pregnancy. So much about it has reminded me of the troubles we had with Edward."
"Bella is just as strong and stubborn as you are, my love. I'm sure she and the baby will be just fine."
"I hate to admit it, but I'm so glad Edward wasn't able to finish the house in time. I'm so looking forward to having them with us for three more months."
"Just remember to let them go when the three months are over," I chuckled. "He's all grown up, Esme. No more excuses for keeping him at home."
"Except that I love him," she sighed.
"And he will visit," I promised.
"You're right," she said, giving me a smile. "You know I get emotional for births. Hurry and go change so we can head downstairs."
"I'll be as quick as I can," I assured her, heading into my office. I quickly changed into one of the extra sets of clothes I kept in here, excited to meet my son's son. Having Emmett, Bella, Rosalie, and Jasper join us had completed us and given Esme the large family she'd always dreamed of. I smiled, thinking of just how lucky I was to have such a large and wonderful family. And we were going to grow just a little bit bigger today with the addition of a very special little boy. We were definitely blessed.
So Bella is in labor and on her way to the hospital! And, of course, it couldn't be just a simple little task for Edward to get her there. What fun would that be? I know this chapter was shorter than what you guys are used to, but they will get longer again after the birth. We'll mostly see things from Bella's POV this time since we got Edward's in LLC. Yeah for babies!!
Thanks to George for her help!!