We'll Be A Family

C19: Early Birds, or are They?

Standard Disclaimer: I don't own any of the recognizable characters

Bella's POV

During my last month of pregnancy Rosalie had become extremely protective of me, and the only ones who could be near me were Esme and Sulpicia, and on occasion Alice, Jane and Heidi, it truly depended on the day, or even the time of day.

Emmett, Jasper and Alec had under the guidance of Victoria built us a beautiful nursery and that was something that seemed to have settled her inner beast immensely, because the end result was fit for Princesses.

Because of her over protectiveness, she was never far from my side, and she was blind to see how much her hovering annoyed me. "Rosie baby, please, you need to go hunt. It's been weeks. The girls and I are literally the safest humans in existence right now." I said softly.

She smiled at me. "I know it's been a while love, but I can't in good conscience leave you right now. My inner vampire needs to keep you close at all times." She said softly.

"Rosalie Lilian Hale, you know that nothing can happen to Bella while we are here and it is at least another week before she goes into labor, your sister informed you of that, so please for the love of all that is holy, go hunt. We'll keep your mate company while you are away. "Sulpicia said with a little bit of an annoyed look on her face.

Rosalie sighed softly and nodded. "Okay mother." She said softly before turning to me. "I'll be back within an hour love."

"Take your time baby, we don't need you snapping at Dr. Bors like you did at our last appointment. It will be safer for everyone if you have fed properly." I said softly.

She nodded, albeit reluctantly before giving me a passionate kiss and then going to our balcony before jumping down, and of course Esme and Sulpicia were right there next to me. "It'll be okay once she has fed sweetie. Her instincts are running wild with you so close to your due date, and that makes her a bit irrational." Esme said sweetly.

"I know, but this was getting ridiculous. I get her being protective, but keeping me locked up in a tower isn't going to help anyone." I said with a slight pout, mostly out of frustration.

Esme smiled and pulled me into her lap. "She knows that sweetheart, but when our protective urges kick in, vampires usually lose all forms of rationality, it's something we cannot control."

I smiled and nodded. "I know, I've seen it happen, but never to this degree. I'm just going a bit stir crazy being in the room all day."

Sulpicia smiled at me and scooped me up into her arms while Esme gathered up my pillows and blanket. "We can understand that sweetie, and we think when she comes back Rosalie will understand too. I think your siblings will be happy to see you again too."

"I've missed them too mother, and I really hope Rose will be a bit more lucid when she comes back and not see everyone as a threat." I said with a slight blush as Sulpicia carried me downstairs.

She smiled and pressed a kiss to my cheek. "We'll make sure that she hunts plenty sweetie. I'm sure she realizes that she had been isolating you a bit, and I must ask you not to hold that against her. It is a new situation for her too after all, and I don't think she realized just how much her instincts were going to overwhelm her, but now that she does, I am sure that she will do everything in her power to avoid it from happening again."

I smiled as she placed me onto the couch, where Esme was immediately placing my pillows in the exact way I liked it and tucked me in under my blanket, her usual warm smile on her face while she did.

"Mom, could you two sit with me for a bit. You're both so comfortable to lie against." I asked softly.

They nodded and arranged themselves around me, so that I was lying back against Esme while Sulpicia pulled my legs into her lap, and I was pretty sure that I now resembled a burrito lying between my mothers. "Are you okay sweetie?" Esme asked softly.

I nodded and smiled at her. "I am now. I missed just lying with you without Rosalie watching our every move. Even a teenage daughter should be able to cuddle with her mothers every once in a while without anyone questioning us on it."

They both smiled at me. "We're all running a bit high on instincts because you're so close to your due date sweetie, most of us are just old enough not to let you see that, but everyone in this house is in overprotective mode at the moment. You just notice Rosalie's over-protectiveness more because of the mate bond, and it is also the reason we are the only ones who can be near you, because of the maternal bond we share." Sulpicia said with a loving smile.

"I'm still so happy that aunt Didyme was able to confirm that for us. I felt from the moment I met you that we would be as close as I am with Mom, and you've proven to be such a warm and loving woman that I can't help but smile and resist the urge to hug you two every time I see you, and I say resist the urge because of my current state." I said with a soft smile.

She smiled and pressed a kiss to the top of my head. "I had my suspicions when I met you, and you proved to be every bit Esme's daughter, because you two share a very big heart and compassion for others, the latter being something that I need to lack due to the pressure of my position."

"I understand mother, being a Queen comes with expectations and I know you can't afford to show weakness. I don't think Mom minds having to act as your voice of reason." I said with a soft smile.

Sulpicia smiled at me. "That she always has been, much to the appreciation of my sisters. I was a bit of a bitch before I met my love."

Esme smiled at that. "You know I don't mind being your voice of reason when the after effect of your in Queen mode leads to such… pleasurable things afterwards."

I blushed darkly at that. "Mom, could you not. Nearly everything turns me on at this point and while you two are both very beautiful, I would rather not picture you two getting busy. That would be a bit difficult to explain to Rose."

They both smiled and pressed a kiss to my cheek as Esme pulled me closer to her, none of us moving for quite a while, not even when the others nearly trampled down the door when they came back.

Rosalie's POV

By the time I had made my way back to the mansion, my head felt a lot clearer, and I knew I had a lot to apologize for, and I hoped that Bella wouldn't hold this against me too much, even though I was willing to do anything to make sure she forgave me.

The moment I entered the house, my jaw almost hit the floor, mostly because I had never seen Bella lie like that with Esme and Sulpicia together, with the rest of the family all surrounding them while they were watching a movie, looking like the perfect family.

Bella smiled brightly when she saw me walk into the living room. "Hey love. Did you have a good hunt?"

I nodded and smiled at her. "Yes love, and I'm sorry for how I've been acting over the last few weeks. I know it couldn't have been easy on you."

She smiled and patted the seat next to her. "It's okay love. I was a bit annoyed at how you were acting, but I understand now. You don't have to apologize, as long as you promise to take care of yourself too. Our girls need their Mommy to be at one hundred percent."

I smiled and kissed her before sitting down next to her. "I promise, love. I've learned my lesson. I will go hunting every two days until they are born to make sure I'm up to the task."

Bella smiled and kissed me softly. "I'm glad to hear you have your rational mind back love… ugh. Would you two settle down, Mommy is chastising Momma."

"Are you okay love?" I asked softly.

"I don't know, it feels so weird, and my legs feel sticky too." She said softly.

I smiled brightly at her. "Baby, I think it's time. I think our girls are on the way." I said softly.

When I said that, the room exploded into action. "Alright calm down everyone. We don't need to add stress to Bella right now. Alice, go get her bag. Victoria and Heidi, get some clean clothes for your sisters, and Jane and Victoria, please get the cars ready. Jasper, please stay close should we need you to calm Bella, and the others please get to the car. We'll be there shortly." Sulpicia said with authority.

Everyone nodded and flitted every which way, which had an instant effect on Bella, who calmed down considerably. "Thank you mother. That really helps a lot."

"Anytime dear. While I don't know what it's like, I do know that it will be a stressful time. I want to make sure that you will be comfortable. We'll phone your doctor on the way." Sulpicia said with a soft smile.

I nodded at her and smiled as everyone was ready within minutes. "You can all come to the hospital, but we can only have two people in the room with us, which will be Esme and Sulpicia. You're more than welcome to stay in the waiting room though."

"We don't want to miss this for the world Rosalie. We'll wait as long as we need to." Jasper said with a smile.

I smiled at him as I scooped Bella up into my arms. "We'll let you all know as soon as they're ready to receive visitors of course, but we can't have everyone there. It might be a bit much, plus I don't want to anyone to see my mate in that state, because I don't know how I will react."

Everyone nodded and followed us to the garage as I carried Bella to the car. "At least we have a blanket to protect the seats love." Bella said as I gently put her in the car.

I smiled and pressed a kiss to her forehead. "As long as you remember your breathing exercises, I don't care if I have to put a new seat in or even buy a new car. All that matters is you and our daughters."

Bella giggled a little at that. "Calm down love, I'm okay. I swear you all are more nervous about this than I am, and that is not how this is supposed to go. It'll all be fine."

I smiled at her as I made sure she was buckled in okay. "I know, but this is as new for me as it is for you. I can't help but be nervous. It's a week early."

"I think Dr. Bors might have been a bit off with my due date. It'll be okay love, but may I suggest going, otherwise I might give birth in the car." Bella said with a smile.

I smiled at that. "I don't think it'll happen that fast baby, but we'll get going anyway. I was merely waiting for our mothers and for Alice to put our bag in the trunk."

She smiled at me as tried to relax and get her breathing under control at the same time, which honestly was a funny sight, but I knew better than to poke the pregnant girl. It wouldn't be the first time she chastised me because of it in the last few weeks after all, and I would rather avoid that.

Bella's POV

The drive to the hospital was rather uneventful but all of that changed when Rosalie parked the car and rushed inside to get a wheelchair, which honestly I thought was a bit too much. I could still walk fine, but even Esme and Sulpicia insisted on it, and I couldn't say no to them.

When she came back Rosalie helped into it, and if I was honest, I understood why she got a wheelchair for me, because the girls started to fuss inside of me as a contraction hit me, and I couldn't help but groan as I tried to breathe through it.

"We'll get you situated love. Dr. Bors is on her way." She said softly as she wheeled me inside.

I smiled at her, despite being in pain and I could only nod as I tried to get my breathing under control.

"Ah Bella, it seems your girls decided that they don't want to wait to meet you and Rosalie anymore. Come, we'll get you situated." Dr. Bors said with a smile as she came around the corner.

I smiled at her. "To be honest I'm glad that we already get to meet them. But isn't it a bit early?" I asked softly.

Dr. Bors smiled at me. "Given the delicate situation of everything surrounding your pregnancy, I may have been a bit off with my initial due date, but we'll check them over once they are born to make sure they are fully grown and healthy."

I smiled and nodded. "That's good, is it okay if my mothers will be in the room with me?" I asked softly.

"Of course Bella. I expected this given how you have spoken about them in recent months. It's nice to meet you both. I'll make sure your granddaughters will be brought into the world safe and sound." Dr. Bors said with a smile as she shook Esme and Sulpicia's hands.

The two women smiled at her. "I'm more than sure of that. My daughter has said nothing but positive things about you so we are not worried. We are merely worried for Bella, as we have been since this all started."

Dr. Bors smiled at them as Rosalie wheeled me into a large room with a single bed and a couple of chairs. "This will be your room for the next hours Bella. I don't know how long it might take, but I don't expect this to be an extremely long labor, but I want you to be prepared just in case I'm wrong. Some women in labor can take up to thirty six hours to give birth. It'll all depend on you and your daughters."

I paled a little at that as Rosalie easily but carefully lifted me out of the wheelchair. "Thirty six hours? I don't know if I could handle that. Let's just hope they're not as stubborn as their mother then." I said softly.

"And who of us would that be Bella?" Rosalie asked with a soft smile.

I smiled at her. "Me of course. You've said numerous times that I am one of the most stubborn women you've ever met, but of course I'm not going to dispute you if you think you are just as if not more stubborn than me."

She stuck her tongue out at me. "Why don't we get you changed first Bella while I talk some things through with Rosalie."

I nodded and with Esme's help I waddled to behind the screen, for once very glad that I had lost my shyness around her a long time ago and thus didn't have an issue with her helping me undress and put on the scrubs. "Are you okay sweetie?" Esme asked softly.

I smiled and nodded. "A little bit nervous, but mostly excited to meet our daughters."

Esme smiled at me. "So are we sweetie, and I do apologize if we become a bit overbearing today. It's our instincts and we can't stop it from happening."

"I know Mom, and it's okay. We'll play it off as being a nervous first time grandmother." I said softly as I gave her a hug.

She smiled and pressed a kiss to the top of my head as she gave me a wink and led me back into the room, Rosalie smiling brightly at me as I waddled up to her. "I know I've said it before, but I'll say it again, you look cute in scrubs."

I glared at her. "Don't say that. I certainly am not adorable in scrubs, and I think if Alice was here, she would agree with me."

"Don't taunt your pregnant fiancee Rosalie. It is not fit for a young mother." Sulpicia said as she and Esme helped me into the bed.

"Sorry mother. It won't happen again." Rosalie said a bit contrite.

The two smiled at her and Sulpicia gave me wink, to which I only smiled. "Could you put your legs in the braces Bella so I can check how far along you are?"

I nodded and did as I was told, and I couldn't help the blush that crept onto my face as Dr. Bors draped a sheet over my legs and then ducked under it.

"Good news Bella, you're a third of the way there. If this keeps up, we might be looking at a couple of hours, but of course that is only an educated guess. I'll come back in an hour to check on you."

I nodded and smiled as she left us to our own devices for a while. "Now the wait begins I suppose. Could you get me a glass of water or something Rosie? I'm thirsty."

The blonde nodded and pressed a kiss to my cheek before flitting out of the room, returning within seconds with a glass of water and with a straw. "Is there anything else my Princess needs?" She asked softly.

I smiled and shook my head. "Not yet, but as we get further along, I might need those cold hands of yours, because I've read that chances of me getting hot from all the exertion are pretty high."

"Gladly love. It will all be worth it in the end, but now that we have a moment, we might want to make our final decision on names." Rosalie said softly.

"I know, but I really can't decide. We have such an extensive list that I just can't choose." I said with a soft smile.

Rosalie smiled and kissed me softly as she took a seat next to me, pulling up the list of names in her phone, and the next hour was spent us trying to decide on the names for our daughters.

…

Over the next couple of hours Dr. Bors kept coming in to check on me, and seeming pleased with the progress every time she came in, and I personally was starting to like this less and less, mostly because my legs started to cramp from being in this position for so long. I didn't even know how long it had been, and Rosalie didn't really want to tell me.

Esme and Sulpicia were sitting quietly in a corner sorting through the clothes Alice had packed for the girls, ultimately settling on the two dresses we had picked out together for them to come home in.

Rosalie was holding my hand through every single twinge in my stomach. "Only a little while longer love. You're doing great so far."

I smiled at her and gave her hand a loving squeeze. "Thanks baby, I'm so glad you're here with me right now."

She smiled and kissed my forehead. "There is no place I would rather be than right here my love. I made you a promise and I will keep that no matter what happens." She said honestly.

I smiled at that before another contraction hit me and I squeezed her hand is I tried to breathe through it. "Ugh, how long is this going to take. I don't know how much more of these I can take."

"I know it's difficult baby, but please try to hang on for a little while longer. I'm sure it won't be long." She said softly.

"It hurts so much Rosie. I don't know if I'll be able to do this without an epidural." I said softly.

She smiled and pressed a kiss to my sweaty forehead. "Then when Dr. Bors comes back we'll ask her if that's possible at this point."

I smiled and kissed her properly. We'll see baby, I think I'll be able to do this if you're here with me."

Rosalie smiled at me as Dr. Bors walked back into the room. "Hello ladies, shall we see how you've progressed in the last hour?"

I nodded at her as she once again ducked under the sheet, and while I was used to that by now, I still couldn't help but blush. "It's looking good Bella. I think we'll be wheeling you into the delivery room within the hour. Is there anything you need in the meantime?"

"Is it too late for me to get an epidural?" I asked softly.

Dr. Bors smiled at me. "We'll get you an epidural once we get you in the delivery room Bella, otherwise it will have worn off by the time the real pain begins. I can see if we can give you something to make the dealing with the contractions a bit easier. Would you like that?"

I nodded and smiled at her. "Please, I seriously underestimated the pain these contractions are putting me through."

"That is completely normal for first time mothers, Bella, especially when they're as young as you are, but fortunately you have a very good support system and you are a lot more mature than other girls your age." Dr. Bors said with a kind smile.

I smiled at her as I squeezed Rosalie's hand. "That has a lot to do with my birth mother, who basically forced me to be an adult at six years old, and when I met Rosalie, her mothers basically adopted me as one of her own, and since then I haven't really looked back. I consider myself their daughter and I am pretty sure that suits my birth mother fine as well."

Dr. Bors smiled sweetly at that. "I'm glad you have found such a loving family. Most people in your situation would be a lot more jaded. The fact that you're such a caring young woman speaks highly of you."

I only smiled at her as she went to get my pain medication, and I couldn't help but smile brighter when Rosalie purred softly next to me. "She's right though love. You're way more caring than any woman I have ever met who has been through what you have been through in your young life."

I smiled and kissed her softly. "I wouldn't have lived through my recent trauma if I didn't have you or the rest of the family with me. Renee was easy enough to get over, but what happened with those assholes is something I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have survived if it hadn't been for you, Mom and Alice."

Rosalie smiled and kissed me softly as Dr. Bors came back with a couple of pills and a glass of water, which I took gracefully from her. "Thank you doctor."

"Don't mention it dear. I'll take another look while I'm here. Perhaps your daughters have decided that they don't want to wait anymore." She said before once again taking a quick look under the sheet. "It seems I was right too, I think we should get you to the delivery room, you're at nine centimeters, so I think you'll be ready to give birth within the hour."

I smiled at her and Rosalie gave my hand a loving squeeze. "Ready to meet our daughters love?"

"I've been ready to meet them ever since my water broke this afternoon, and I think I am far from the only one who wants to meet them."

Rosalie smiled at me as she, Esme and Sulpicia followed me out of the room and into the next where I was quickly prepared with an epidural, after which the wait was on.

It also wasn't a moment too soon because when the next contraction hit, it felt a lot more serious all of a sudden., and within a minute the room was filled with doctors and my lower half was entirely obscured, while Rosalie was standing next to me, my hand firmly grasped in hers. "Squeeze if it hurts too much baby."

I nodded and kissed her softly. "I will, it's not like I can hurt you. I'm more likely to hurt myself."

Rosalie only smiled and kissed me softly as the wait for our daughters begun, and that thought was more than enough to make us both smile the entire time, despite the pain I was in.