After Charlie is checked out and I'm moved from recovery to our room, I refuse to let her go. I can't help but continue to count her ten little fingers and toes and kiss her sweet head. She's fucking perfect, and I'm the luckiest woman in the world to have this tiny human.

There's a knock on the door, and Edward comes in with Dad. I grin at my father, lifting little Charlie up some.

"She's perfect, Dad."

He looks awestruck, and a smile forms on his lips as he steps closer. "She's so little," he whispers, reaching out and touching her small hand. "Hi there, little one."

"This is Charlie Theodora."

His eyes shoot to mine as his brow lifts. "Charlie?"

I nod. "I named her after my hero."

"Bells, … I-I'm honored."

I smile. "Do you want to hold her?"

He nods with tears in his eyes, and I gently lift her up, passing her to him. She makes a small cry but quickly settles back into her nap as he sways with her. Edward comes around to the other side of the bed I'm in, pressing a kiss to my forehead.

"You did amazing, beautiful," he says.

I laugh, and it aches. "You did all the hard work, handsome. I just laid there."

He shakes his head. "You were a rockstar patient."

"God, she's beautiful, Bells. Just the sweetest thing. How much does she weigh?"

"Six pounds and two ounces," Edward says. "You can hardly tell she's early. She's a strong little one."

"Just like her momma. How can I help? Do you need anything, Bella?"

"I need my bag from the house," I say, realizing how far off my birth plan went. I had a whole playlist ready, all kinds of birthing aids, and my bag packed and ready with our clothes. "Oh shit, Edward, your car."

"My parents are here with it. They kind of followed the ambulance, but they won't come in until you're ready for visitors."

"I met them, Bells. They're a real nice couple, and I'll go get your stuff so Edward doesn't have to leave. You need the car seat too, don't you?"

"We're keeping Bella until her blood pressure is back in a normal range, which might take a week or longer. She's still at risk of eclampsia. I can grab the car seat once we know when she'll be released because Charlie will stay with her."

He nods. "All right, just the bag then."

"And food!" I say, realizing I'm starving. "Please?"

He chuckles. "Whatever you want, baby girl. Here's my princess back."

I take my daughter, letting her burrow against my chest again. "I think she's hungry too."

"Well, that's my cue to leave," Dad says. "I love you, Bells."

He leans down, hugging me ever so gently. "I love you too, Daddy. Thank you for everything you've done for me. I get it now."

"It's an all-consuming love, isn't it?"

I nod, and then he quietly leaves Edward and me alone after taking my food order. Edward unsnaps my gown, acting like a friggin' pro at breastfeeding. He knows exactly how to get her to latch, and she takes the boob like a champ.

"You're doing a great job, beautiful. I'm in awe of you."

"You see this everyday."

He shakes his head. "No, I've never seen the love of my life do this. And that's what you are to me. You're my everything. The two of you are my life now."

I smile, tilting my head so he can capture my lips. "You're a dad, and I'm a mom."

He nods. "Speaking of which, I think you should list me as the father on the birth certificate. As long as you're sure Riley won't contest it. I don't want to put you through a fight."

"I'm not even going to tell him that she's been born, and I think he'd prefer it that way. You don't understand just how opposed he was to being a father. He's never going to change his mind. He'd probably thank you."

"He's a …" He covers Charlie's ears, "Fucking idiot."

I laugh. "She can't understand you."

"It felt wrong cursing in front of her." He chuckles. "But back to my proposal. I want to be her father in every way, Bella."

I nod. "Then I'll list you as long as you're sure you want to sign."

"I absolutely do, beautiful. I want us to be a real family in every way. I want to marry you and give this little girl my last name."

My eyes go wide as his words hit me. "Did you just propose?"

He blinks. "I … I think I did. I want to marry you. I don't have a ring or some big speech, but I'm speaking from the heart. I want us to walk out of here as a family. So, yes, I'm asking you to marry me. This is me proposing—terribly, mind you, but it's what I want. I've screwed this all up, haven't I?"

My lips curl into the biggest smile as I press a hand to his face. "I'll marry you, Edward. I want nothing more than to be your wife."

"Really?" He grins.

I nod. "And I want her to have your name too."

I'm completely blindsided, and this is so fast, but I don't care. I'm going to marry this man, and he's already the father to my daughter. He brought her into this world and has been by my side for months through all the ups and downs of pregnancy.

"I love you so much," he says, pressing a kiss to my lips. "I'll buy you whatever ring you want; I promise."

"I don't care about a ring," I say as Charlie pulls away, smacking her little lips together. "All I need is us."

He caresses our tiny human's cheek, smiling. "Us is all that matters."

. . . . .

I have Edward get his parents since Charlie is full, and I feel bad for making them wait so long. The few minutes I have alone with my daughter are precious. She's already so full of expressions, but so far, she hasn't cried much—only when I put her down in the bassinet. She fits so perfectly in my arms, and I never want to let her go, but Edward has barely held her. My body is a complete disaster, but I don't care; the pain is worth it for her.

I was so scared to have her so soon, but now that she's here, I can't imagine a second of wanting her back inside of me.

Her blue eyes stare up at me, and I'm so completely overwhelmed with love. I kiss her little forehead and take in her amazing smell.

"I love you, tiny human."

She coos, and it melts my heart.

There's a knock on my door, and I make sure all my bits are covered before saying, "Come in."

Edward enters with his parents behind him, and they're both grinning. I wonder if he's told them we're technically engaged.

"I can't believe you guys followed us here," I say as Esme steps forward first, awwing at the little baby in my arms.

"Oh, Bella, she's beautiful!" she says. "Carlisle, look at her."

Carlisle smiles at me, and then focuses on Charlie. "Son, you have a beautiful daughter. And apparently, I'm a grandpa."

"I can't believe he asked you without a ring, Bella," Esme says. "But I'm so happy you said yes. May I hold her?"

I nod, lifting her up. "This is your grandma, Charlie."

"Oh, how long I've wanted that title," she says, carefully taking her from me. "Hello, sweet girl. Aren't you just the most precious thing? Carlisle?"

"I'd love to hold her—as long as it's okay with Bella."

I nod. "Please, but be quick. My arms are getting cold," I tease with a soft giggle.

He takes her ever so carefully, running a finger over her cheek as she coos. "Hello, pretty girl."

"So, when's the wedding?" Esme asks, laughing. "I'm excellent at event planning—just so you know."

"Let me buy a ring first, Mom," Edward says. "But I'm thinking soon. I want to make you my wife whenever you're ready, beautiful."

"Let my head stop spinning," I joke. "But a spring wedding would be nice."

"You could do it at our house," Esme says. "We have a beautiful backyard and plenty of room."

I nod. "I just want something small."

Charlie lets out a cry, and Carlisle quickly hands her back to me. She settles down once she's back in my arms and nestles close to me, closing her eyes.

"I guess it's nap time." I yawn too, and they all laugh.

"For both of you," Carlisle says. "We'll leave you to get some rest, sweetheart. Congratulations on both your engagement and the birth of your child. She's a doll."

"Thank you, sir."

He chuckles. "It's Carlisle. We're family now."

Esme leans in, gently embracing me. "I can't wait to get to know you better, Bella. If you ever need a babysitter … I'm really good at it."

I smile. "I'll remember that. Thank you both for coming."

"Of course, we did," Esme says. "This is our first grandchild, after all. Make sure to get some rest when she does. That's the key to not losing your mind."

I laugh, and the pain in my stomach grows. "Will do. Goodbye."

They both wave bye, and then leave Edward and me alone as the blood pressure cuff around my arm tightens. He stares at the monitor, waiting for the number to come up. It's still high, but nowhere near as bad as it was.

"At what reading do I get to go home?"

"When it's normal for a few days. Leah will make the decision, but for now, you're stuck here. The only reason your pressure is down is because of the medication we're giving you."

"But she gets to stay with me, right?"

He nods. "We won't separate you two."

"She's going to need more clothes than I packed then. Tomorrow, can you do that for me? I have all the newborn clothes in the dresser sorted."

"We'll deal with all of that tomorrow. For now, you should rest until your dad gets back with some food. I can hold her."

I nod and gently lift her up. "She likes skin though."

He takes his scrub top off without a word, and then carefully takes her from me, holding her close. "Hi there, precious girl. I'm your daddy."

I love the sound of that.

I don't own Twilight.

Thank you, Ashley for prereading and Alice's White Rabbit for beta'ing!