38
The Hunk
Rosalie is a month away from her supposed due date when Esme descends.
She arrives with supplies and plans for a grandbaby shower, only to find out that her stubborn mule of a daughter has chosen to forgo that time-honored tradition for many reasons. The debate lasts days as both parties argue back and forth. Esme has decided to play the victim, claiming that she's just excited for her first grandbaby and wants to celebrate accordingly. She almost wins the sympathy vote until Rose finally puts her foot down.
"Who am I going to invite? The only people I knew when I moved here were Emmett's friends and family. I highly doubt Irina's roommates or The Bakery's suppliers would be interested in outlandish diaper cakes and shower games.
"And Bella is just starting to dip her toe back into things. I don't want to overwhelm her with an unnecessary party."
Edward agrees with this wholeheartedly. Just last week, Bella managed to make it through half a shift at The Bakery, and then a successful trip to Walmart after midnight in celebration.
While she hasn't made it back into work, that's only because of Esme's arrival and their bonding time. Edward is still so proud of his girl. Their late-night trips to various twenty-four-hour businesses still continue, and she isn't scared to leave the porch during the day anymore.
Communication is key, and they've done a lot of talking.
"Fine," Esme finally relents. "I guess we can fill out registries for our relatives who live out of town and have a small thing here. Just us."
While Edward and Rose are at work, Bella and their mother organize a perfect little get-together and put the final touches on the nursery to prepare for Kat's arrival.
Rosalie's "baby shower" is co-ed, and Carlisle manages to catch a flight to visit for the day. He spoils his unborn granddaughter with clever doctor grandpa related clothes and toys.
Kat won't be able to play with the children's doctor bag until she's much older, but the sentiment hits home, and there isn't a dry eye as the girls fawn over it.
Carlise's gift is much appreciated a lot more than the shirts and onesies that Edward secretly had commissioned because if Bella knew his plan, she would have put a stop to it.
"You're out of your goddamn mind if you think my kid is going to wear any of this," Rosalie grits out. "Seriously, you totally wasted your money." She throws the small shirt with the word "fucktastic" embroidered across the front at her brother.
"Who's to say what Kat will wear when I'm babysitting and doing my hardest to corrupt her little mind."
Rosalie bursts into tears, and Bella gives Edward an uncharacteristic slap in the back of his head.
"Ouch. What the hell?" he cries.
"Rose is starting to obsess over Kat's health and well being. It's part of the nesting phase. You can't talk like that," Bella explains softly.
Edward apologizes profusely while Irina tries to console her emotional girlfriend, and his parents just shake their heads.
"I'm sorry, Ro. You know I didn't mean anything by it."
Bella and Esme decide to lighten the mood and present a massive cake far too big for their small gathering.
Rosalie seems appeased for the moment.
Edward feels guilty and offers to do the cleanup while Esme drives Carlisle back to the airport.
Irina and Bella work together to build the rocking horse a relative sent. They also insist on installing the car seat bases in everyone's cars, just in case. Because you can never be too prepared when it comes to an impending arrival.
"With our luck, Kat's going to decide to take after her mother and make a grand entrance." Bella laughs. "Let's just hope that she waits a little while longer."
She kisses Edward's lips softly and follows Irina out.
Edward knows that Kat's health is the most important thing and that she needs a little more time. He also knows that Bella is trying very hard to be a part of the delivery. While Rosalie will have Esme, who plans on staying until the baby arrives and for a while afterward to help everyone settle, she has also mentioned her wish that Bella will be in the delivery room.
Bella questioned why Rose didn't want Irina in the room, and his sister replied that she didn't want her girlfriend to witness something so traumatic happening downstairs.
Bella and Edward have been secretly working on getting Bella acquainted with the hustle and bustle of the local hospital, and she's talked it over with Zafrina, who thinks it's possible as long as Kat holds off for a little while longer and that Bella is prepared for a surprise, just in case.
Edward is confident, and Bella thinks that if it came down to it, Rosalie's needs would trump the anxiety. They haven't said anything because they'd hate to get Rosalie's hopes up just in case, for some reason, Bella can't manage it.
"What are you doing, Ed?" Rosalie asks, bringing his attention back to the present. "You've been staring at the wall for ages."
Edward laughs. "Just thinking about how many things are going to change when Kat gets here, that's all." He side-eyes his sister. "What about you? Are you okay?"
Rosalie's eyes well up with tears. "Honestly? No. I'm scared and paranoid."
"Why? You have the greatest support system. Mom, Bella, and me. Don't forget Irina."
Rosalie's bottom lip wobbles. "I love her, and I'm afraid that once the baby gets here, she's going to get overwhelmed and leave."
Edward sighs. He knows first hand what his sister is going through. The doubt and fear are the same things Bella experienced and still does on occasion.
"The only thing you can do is let her prove that she loves you and that she'll love Kat by association. Ro, she knew going in that she was coming into a ready-made family."
Rosalie throws herself at her brother with a sob. "What if she changes her mind like he did?"
Edward softly curses. He knows Emmett still haunts Rosalie's dreams. His ex-brother-in-law hasn't attempted to make any contact since before their divorce was finalized. Their lawyers covered the custody agreement without their presence being necessary. Emmett didn't hesitate to sign his rights over. Rosalie never got closure.
Edward wants to promise that Irina only has good intentions with his sister, but he'd never lie to Rosalie. "If, and it's a big if, that happens, you'll have me and Bella in any capacity you need." He pulls back with a scowl. "Aside from anything romantic. You aren't going to steal my girlfriend."
Speaking of girlfriend. Bella and Irina stumble into the house sporting matching smiles.
Rosalie pulls out of Edward's embrace and turns away in an effort to get control of herself.
"Everything is set. We'll have to visit a fire station to make sure we did it correctly." Her eyes settle on Rosalie's back. "Is everything okay in here?"
"Yeah, baby hormones are surging," Rosalie insists. "Edward was getting all sentimental."
Irina wraps Rosalie up in her arms and whispers softly. "Your mom won't be back for a while. Do you think we can have a little us time before she returns?"
Bella leads Edward out of the house and toward his car. "Let's go for a drive to the hospital, and you can tell me what Irina and I interrupted."
Edward agrees.
The hospital is close by so the drive is quick. He waits to explain everything until they've parked close to the entrance.
Bella gives a sad sigh when he's finished. "I can see why she's worried. Emmett did a number on her. I still have my moments of doubt. You're perfect and have done nothing to make me feel that way. It takes time, and I don't know Irina that well, but she doesn't seem like the kind of person who would waste her time or Rose's."
Edward notices that Bella's eyes never leave the automatic doors as they swing open and shut.
"No matter what, your sister will never question my loyalty and support." She points to the hospital. "I'm going to be ready, and I'm going to be in that delivery room to help her bring Kat into a world full of nothing but love and happiness."
Edward kisses Bella's hand. "And I'll be in the waiting room with the most ridiculous thing I can find in the gift shop."
"You'll have Irina to keep you company," Bella reminds him. "Everything will work out, Honey. Rose deserves something good after all the hell she's been through."
Edward smiles because the old Bella, the one he met so long ago, would never be this optimistic. Edward will happily take some credit for that.
