Getting closer to the end on this one, chapter 24 is the last one, so we'll be finishing right around the end of the month! Catch you next week.
Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.
Chapter 20
Edward ran as fast as he could, the time it would take to get the horses ready was not time he had. He made it to the Clearwater farm and banged loudly on the front door. Seth opened it, and upon seeing the healer's husband, he moved to get their cart ready. It wasn't the first time a father-to-be hadn't thought about how to get the midwife to their home.
Sue called for him to enter as she packed the necessary belongings into her bag.
"My wife is in labor, Mrs. Clearwater."
"I've gathered that, Edward. Let me just get my bag together while Seth readies the cart and we'll be on our way. How far along is Mrs. Masen?"
It was rare to hear someone refer to his wife so formally, and he couldn't keep the smile off his face. "Her pains began mid-morning and her waters just broke a short while ago."
"Very good, is she in the spare bedroom that we'd prepared for the birth?"
"She was when I left her," he answered.
With a final pouch tucked into her bag, she closed it and looked at Edward. "Then everything is well in hand. With any luck, you'll be holding a pair of babies by morning."
"Morning?" Edward exclaimed his question.
"First births can take a while, and there are two babies to deliver. We should go out to Seth and get on our way."
Edward followed Sue dumbly as she made her way to the road where her son had the cart ready. "Seth, I'll call when I'm ready to come home."
It was at that moment that Edward realized he could have called Sue instead of running to the farm.
"You aren't the first expectant father to do it, and I daresay you won't be the last. Now, climb up."
Edward did as he was told and soon they were on their way to the house. When they arrived, Edward helped Sue down and took her bag as he let them inside.
"Edward, boil me some water and then bring a basin of cold water and a cloth. I'll need both."
He did as he was told as Sue took her bag and made her way up the stairs to her charge. He set the water to boil and then turned on the tap to get water as cold as he could. With a bowl full and a clean cloth, he went upstairs to deliver the first item he was asked for. When Sue asked about her other request, he told her it was on the burner and she nodded.
"Good boy, that should take a little bit, so why don't you support Isabella by sitting behind her while I do my first exam."
Edward did as he was told, holding his wife as she breathed through the pain. Sue looked under her nightgown and told them everything looked fine.
For the next few hours, Edward was given a long list of jobs to do whenever he got restless. Sue assured that there wasn't anything wrong, but babies took a while to be born.
"We're getting closer, Isabella. You're doing great," she encouraged as Edward returned from refreshing the water bowl.
More time passed and Edward did everything he could to make his wife comfortable. It was the only thing he could do, so he would do it well.
"Have you fed Argus?" she asked at one point.
"He's got enough hay and carrots to last him three days. I also got him fresh water while I was changing out the cool water for you."
"All right, Isabella, everything is going according to plan. Now, on this next contraction, I want you to push."
A moment later, Isabella was bearing down on Edward's hands as she cried out with the exertion. She continued until Sue told her to stop and she took a brief break before they began again.
It felt like hours to Edward, but in reality it was little less than one when Sue looked up at Isabella. "I can see the baby's head, just a few more pushes and they'll be born."
True to her word, within minutes Sue was telling Isabella to rest while Edward let her lay back long enough to take the baby from Sue. He held their son close to Isabella's chest and she cradled him for a moment before the next pain came. "Put Flynn in the bassinet, Edward."
Edward put their son in his bed and returned to his wife. "Althea is ready to meet her mommy, let's bring her into the world."
Their baby names had been decided early, but it still felt surreal to use them like this. It wasn't an abstract idea anymore. Their children were in the room with them.
Althea was born a little easier than her brother, and soon she was in Isabella's arms.
Sue took Flynn to clean him up and check him over before she dressed and swaddled him. Just as she returned, Isabella told her she felt like she had to push again.
"That's the afterbirth, Isabella. You're almost done." Sue checked to make sure everything looked alright and with a warm smile, she told Isabella she'd be right back.
True to her word, she had Althea all wrapped up and in her bassinet and began coaching Isabella through her final moments of childbirth. Sue asked Edward to step out for a few moments so she could help Isabella clean up and told him they'd be in the master bedroom shortly.
Edward carried the bassinets into their bedroom and waited patiently until Sue walked in, supporting Isabella's weight.
"Is she okay?" Edward asked, concerned.
"Other than being exhausted from giving birth, she's fine. We're going to get her settled into bed and then she can feed the babies. After that, I'll clean up the room and I'm going to get some rest myself. Once the babies fall back asleep, I would suggest you do the same."
Edward nodded and helped Sue get Isabella comfortable. Althea whined first, so Edward brought her over to Isabella and watched in awe as she instinctively knew what to do. It became a little more challenging when Flynn made his annoyance known at being ignored, but with a few adjustments, they were both able to feed.
"Sue said they'll bring us goat milk to supplement what I can't produce."
"Will they be okay until she can get it?"
Isabella nodded. "They'll be fine for tonight. She'll call Seth in the morning and he'll deliver it to us first thing until we don't need it anymore."
"Thank goodness we had Sue to get us through this," Edward told Isabella. "I love you, Bre. Thank you for giving me two perfect children."
"You had a hand in it," she said and then laughed.
"Let me get them settled into bed and then we should do the same. Tomorrow will come quickly."
Just as he said, the morning did come quickly. Isabella and Edward had a week alone with their children for her confinement before those closest to them came to visit.
Emmett cooed over his nephew and niece, while the king and queen came on slightly more official business. They brought a priest with them, and due to Isabella's recent birth, he performed the christening for all three children. The ceremony ended with the godparents being officially named and with a signature from each of them, it was on the record.
Sue came and checked on the trio and saw nothing wrong. "You have a beautiful family, Edward. Just give Isabella some time before you think of adding to it."
"I wasn't … I mean, I hadn't—"
"Edward," Sue said, ending his sputtering. "I'm mostly teasing, though she will need time to heal, so wait until she's ready to restart relations."
"Yes, Ma'am." he responded.
Once they had their house to themselves again, they tried to relax and enjoy this quiet time, but they knew it wouldn't be for long.
Eighteen days after their birth and four days before Edward's twenty-first birthday, they got the call they'd been dreading.
"Alice?"
"Bella, they'll be here in two days. There are only a half-dozen of them, but they're from the original bloodline. They've been dormant for as long as Edward was. I can't see the battle, but I can tell they're powerful. Come the morning of the eighteenth and we'll close me and the children into the hidden room until you return."
"Alice, what if I'm not ready?" Isabella asked her friend.
"You have to be. For the sake of us all."