A/N: Everyone who reviewed and continue to review regularly, thank you very much. Everyone else, thank you for reading, but I truly wish you would let me know what you think. I am enrolled full-time in university. With life catching up to me, it's hard to stay motivated to post in a timely manner if I haven't the foggiest if anyone's actually enjoying this, or hating it, or something. I'm assuming people don't absolutely despise it because I haven't received anything resembling a flame except for one "I hate Bella" rant. Do let me know if you have the chance. Anonymous reviews are enabled.
Disclaimer: I never have and never will own anything mentioned in SM's Twilight. I am but a poor student. She is a God. Enjoy.
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Chapter Eighteen: Fairytale
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The sunshine streaming through the windows felt delightfully warm against my bare skin. Edward's skin only felt a few degrees cooler than mine after a night of cuddling against his chest and a morning of basking in the sunlight. Slowly, I became aware of his feather-light touch drifting up and down my spine.
"Good morning," I sighed against his chest. If the world were to end now, I think I would be perfectly happy. Lying in Edward's arms was a pleasure reserved for heaven in my mind. It took several more moments of Edward's continued silence for me to open my eyes and look up at him. A carefully controlled expression of neutrality covered my love's face. The blankness, above the silence and absolute stillness aside from his feathery caresses, pulled me out of my euphoria.
"What's the matter, Edward?"
"…Did I hurt you?"
"Do I look or sound hurt?" I half laughed, half groaned in exasperation. To my pleasure, Edward's face lit up in a triumphant smile.
"Aside from a little bruising, no. But you were rather… vocal. I was too caught up to comprehend whether it was a positive utterance or not," Edward muttered, his smile crumpling into worry as his fingertips traced from my temple to my chin and back up.
"It feels no different than it used to, unless it's even better. Actually, I'm very sure it is," I nearly giggled. It was ridiculously difficult to keep a straight face while talking to my angel. Finally Edward's beautiful lips broke into a smile once more.
"Well, Mrs. Masen. It sounds as if you enjoyed our evening's activities nearly as much as I. I know for a fact that I have never experienced such a pleasure. How would you feel if we attempted to top it?"
The laugh bubbled past my lips before I could stop it and Edward's answering chuckle made the sheets tremble against my skin. The lovely sensation of Egyptian cotton against my sun-kissed nerve endings did such interesting things to me that the conversation effectively ended there.
Much later in the afternoon, Edward carefully lifted me into a bath before joining me. The hot bath felt delightful, and Edward's cooler skin against my back felt comfortable. Normal. It was strange to think so, but it was as if nothing had changed. He was still my Edward. His body felt the same beneath my fingertips, against my flesh, even if it yielded much less than before. His kisses, which were far gentler now than before, still burned me to my core. His feathery caresses sent trails of heat to my center and left me longing. And here, in the claw-footed tub with my husband running his hands through my wet locks, I felt more at home than I had since my dear son's birth.
As always, the thought of my boy sent a pang of pain through me. Edward's immediate response was to kiss my throat and pull me closer to his strong chest. He knew words would not ease the ache. He felt it too – perhaps as acutely as I. For a moment I wished that we could have that potential, still. Another child would not ease the loss of my Eddie… but it would help heal Edward. The pointless desire opened a new wound in my heart and I had to push hard to keep the wish from the forefront of my mind. Sharing such a thing would only cause him more pain. The soft touch of lips on my earlobe brought me from my musings.
"You know, it's incredibly frustrating to not know what you're thinking. More so than I could have ever imagined before. You're torturing me, Bella."
"Oh? How am I doing such a thing, Edward?" I asked as nonchalantly as I could while turning to face him. The milky white water swirled around me as I straddled his lap. Edward froze as our bodies touched in a different way and I could not help the smirk on my lips. A little ruefully I admitted that no longer was I a weak-kneed virgin of sixteen. It gave me incredible satisfaction to have the ability to distract him, quickly followed by annoyance at my age.
"In several ways, Bella," growled Edward in a tone that made me shiver. Too much more of this and we would never leave my new rooms. Before I could change my mind, I slipped from Edward's loose embrace and pulled a fluffy towel about me. Edward gave me a hungry glare from the tub but allowed me to leave the bathroom, grumbling so low that I could not distinguish the words.
"It would be quite poor of me to disregard Esme and Dr. Cullen's hospitality by staying in the room all day," I called as I wrapped my hair in the towel and walked to the armoire. I vaguely recalled Edward saying something about Esme stocking it while I was sleeping during one of the brief intermissions in our lovemaking. Ten years of abstinence after nearly nightly affection apparently made a woman insatiable. I wondered with a smile how immortality – and endless stamina – would affect that aspect of our married life.
"What are you smirking about now?" whispered my love. The proximity of his voice startled me a little. I cringed and frowned.
"Why don't you make any sound when you move? You were already too graceful before. Don't tell me you've reached the point where you float with gracefulness."
"You're absurd, Bella," Edward said while rolling his eyes. I could not help but feel comforted by the familiarity of the gesture.
"Whether I'm absurd or not, the vast gap between yourself and I is still ridiculous," I grumped while pulling on panty hose and garters. "You, frozen forever at glorious seventeen and I, aging older every blasted day. My waist pudgy, my eyes starting to wrinkle in the corners… I'm verifiably middle aged! I could be your mother!"
My hands were shaking too much for me to clasp the garter to my stocking now. My fingertips slipped against the metal once more before Edward's hand joined mine and made quick work of the undergarment. His fingers trailed from my wrist to my elbow, then caught my waist to turn me to face him.
"You're still my wife. And no one is allowed to criticize my wife. Even if you weren't the goddess you are, I would love you Bella. Please, not another word. For me?" begged Edward, his beautiful amber eyes smoldering through his thick, dark lashes. Damned Adonis…
"…"
"Please."
"… You'll be pleased to know your son got whatever he wanted when he used that look, too."
Edward's pout spread into a triumphant grin and I could not help but smile as well. Who wouldn't in the presence of such beauty?
"Finish dressing and I'll take you to lunch. The town is lovely. It will take a couple of weeks for Carlisle to prepare for your renovations, so I want to show you around. We'll do whatever you like. There's a library, as well, though it doesn't quite compare to Chicago's," Edward gushed.
"That'd be lovely. I feel as if I haven't been outdoors in a week."
Edward chuckled.
After I was dressed, brushed, perfumed, and pinned into place, Edward served me breakfast, led me through the beautiful house and showed me to the garage. He held open the door of a butter-yellow Oldsmobile while I slipped in, mindful of my lovely chiffon, drop-waist gown. Along the way I had to ask Edward to slow down several times as he careened around sharp curves. Greenery whizzed past us rapidly, reaching from ground to sky so completely that I felt tiny in comparison. All in all the ride was disconcerting, but Edward took it all in stride, laughing and smiling all the way.
Finally, the forest and graveled road gave way to cobblestones. La Crosse was a lovely little village on a lake, and the quaintness of it reminded me of my first home. Edward parked the car at a coffee shop. The passerby paused and stared at his glamorous automobile. I blushed a little as Edward opened my door for me and helped me out. Some women tittered disapprovingly from the other side of the street and it took all my effort not to ask to go home.
"Hm… I suppose we'll have to think of something," sighed Edward casually. I frowned, confused at the random remark.
"In regard to what, exactly?"
"Your relation to me. Unfortunately it would seem strange of me to show up with a wife or fiancée without any preamble. Carlisle is the doctor for this town so they would have expected to hear something in the way of an announcement. So what are we to say? I am Esme's brother in public. Perhaps you shall be our sister?"
"Your elder sister, you mean?"
"Bella," Edward sighed in exasperation.
"Esme hardly looks a day over twenty."
"Neither do you," Edward laughed.
"Now look who's saying absurd things…"
"I really wish you could hear what I hear, Bella. The men we've passed so far agree with my assessment," said Edward more than a little ruefully. I raised an eyebrow but chose not to respond, as we walked into a grocery.
"Hello, Mr. Masen," greeted the gray-haired clerk. He wiped his tanned hands on his apron before coming around the counter to shake Edward's hand. I smiled politely, glad that at least this person did not stare as if we were an exhibit in a zoo.
"Good afternoon, Mr. Jones. How are you doing today? How are Molly and the children?"
"Oh, fine, fine. Jessie finally has a hang of his arithmetic thanks to your sister. And who is this lovely young lady?" Mr. Jones turned toward me. I blushed and smiled at the compliment. Edward's smile shone with pride as he guided me forward lightly by my elbow. I extended my gloved hand while Edward made the introduction.
"This, Mr. Jones, is my gorgeous cousin from Illinois. Miss Bella Masen, Mr. Jones. Mr. Jones is town grocer and the finest carpenter this side of the Rockies," Edward added with a mischievous smile. Jones smiled and gave Edward a good-natured pat on the shoulder.
"I hope you know, Miss Bella, that Mr. Masen here is the biggest flatterer this side of the Rockies. Don't let him fool you for an instant."
"Oh, I know, Mr. Jones. I'm very aware of my dear cousin's flattery."
"Now, that's not to say he's not a good young man. Why, he helped my son apply to university before he left for school himself."
"Careful, Mr. Jones. You'll inflate his ego… But yes, he is mildly tolerable most times."
The older man chuckled and patted my hand.
"Anyway," said Edward, smiling at the polite banter. "Would you be so kind as to supply us with whatever Bella likes? Esme's decided that Bella should have the absolute best of everything while she's visiting."
"Of course, Mr. Masen!"
"Thanks, Mr. Jones. You can have your delivery boy load up the Oldsmobile by the deli whenever everything's wrapped up."
"Of course, Mr. Masen. Now, Miss Bella, what would you like?"
It took several minutes of persuasion by both Edward and Mr. Jones before I would pick out all the foodstuffs and treats I'd be dining on for the next week. It was times like these that I was excessively grateful for certain modern amenities, such as iceboxes.
After we placed our order, Edward escorted me from the lovely little grocery to the street. He led me from store to store to look into windows and displays. Finally he pulled me into a dressmaker's salon to order more clothing for me. I was tempted to argue but by now I knew it would do little good. The pesky vampire would just return without me and purchase every little thing I had so much as glanced at let alone admired.
"What are you thinking?" Edward asked for the millionth time that day, as we were making our way back to the car.
"It's strange… how much things haven't changed, though everything's different now."
"How do you mean, Bella?" Edward asked with an adorable tilt of his head.
"How I feel. How I think about things. Those things are different, yet all else…. The way you treat me, the way we are. That's just the same as it's always been. It's almost as if the last ten years didn't happen… But then I feel like I should be shot for thinking such things. My Eddie… I really am not sure how to behave," I finished in a whisper. By now we had reached the side of the yellow Oldsmobile. Edward paused with his hand on the door, his brow furrowed.
"As my wife… For as long as we both shall live, Bella. That will never change," Edward said so vehemently that I nearly cried.
"Well… In that case you should take your wife home," I whispered, my lips brushing Edward's cheek as I leaned toward him over the stick shift. "It's a poor husband that allows his wife to languor in longing."
It was in love, and in laughter that the week passed. Edward filled my days with music, laughter, car rides, stories, canoe cruises, picnics, and walks through the lush forest. Our nights were spent in each other's arms, without restraint on my part and (I suspect) much restraint on his. It took longer than it should have for me to realize that the doctor and his wife had been gone longer than Edward had expected. And despite the wonderful dream I found myself living, I prayed that Carlisle and Esme would return quickly and change me so that he would not have to feel so afraid of his nature. Every other night Edward would leave me in the early hours of the day to sate his thirst, and I would remain in bed missing him until his return. On such nights, I tried not to sleep in the hours of his absence. It was during these brief hours that the nightmares returned.
Or the nightmare. The only one.
The first night Edward had to leave me, the night that he decided he would leave more often so as to be gone for shorter periods, I woke in tears.
Imprinted in my minds eye, my Eddie stood before me, covered in his own blood, a tiny child grasped in his arms. The baby cries, it's soft, chubby hands clutching desperately at my Eddie's soaked shirt. Then Eddie crumples and the baby curls against his chest. The beautiful little thing ceases its whimpers and the light leaves my Eddie's eyes.
I was still screaming when I woke, with Edward rubbing soothing circles into my back. The following discussion had been concluded in the agreement that he would not leave me for so long. I would not be given the chance to slip into a nightmare because I would not have time to miss him.
Belatedly, I was surprised to realize that I had not had a nightmare since arriving in La Crosse (excepting the one occurrence of the nightmare). The only conclusion was that Edward's comforting presence kept the terrors away. When I asked, Edward told me that I had been sleeping like the dead, without uttering a single word.
I was so incredibly happy I felt as if I was caught in a lovely dream. Edward even went so far as to cook for me so that I could better enjoy my brief interlude with him. My birthday, which had terrified me, came and went without incident. It was with great surprise that I realized my sense of disappointment upon Edward's announcement that Carlisle and Esme were returning from wherever they had been.
"When should they arrive?" I asked after swallowing yet another mouthful of the ridiculously large ham, green onion, tomato, and cheese omelet before me.
"Later this evening. Esme's telegram said that Carlisle's prepared everything in way of documents for you, and we'll transport you while you're changing. Carlisle's brought morphine too, in hopes that you'll be spared the pain."
"Ah…" I answered lightly. I thought desperately for a distraction. Edward's lips were tightened in dissatisfaction, as they always were when we discussed the necessities of my renovation. "This is delicious, by the way. I never did ask, but when did you learn to cook like this?"
"Watching you and Mother, mostly… I got to practice a bit before I left Carlisle. I sometimes helped prepare lunch and supper for the chapel in Arlington.
"Ah… how very Christianly of you, darling," I laughed softly. It really was typical of my husband.
"I thought perhaps if I could not save my soul, I might help those who could."
"What are you saying, Edward?" I nearly growled with a narrowed glare. I could hear self-deprecation lacing the bitter words.
"This existence is soulless, Bella. We're shells. Nothing more… I will be the most selfish, damned being on earth the day I allow your soul to be taken as well," Edward said so softly that I strained to hear him from across the small, elegantly appointed wrought-iron table. I inhaled deeply, attempting to keep my temper at bay as I carefully laid my knife and fork aside and patted my lips with my napkin. As soon as my hands left the table my fingernails dug into my palms. I had to address my plate in order to keep from shouting.
"Edward, I'm going to say this just once. I never – and I mean never – want to hear you say anything of that nature ever again," I ground out with careful enunciation. My hands trembled as I looked up at Edward's startled face. "I survived for ten years without you, thinking you were dead or had abandoned me. I raised our boy, on my own. I had to convince our son that he had a father he could be proud of! And now you sit before me trying to convince me that you're what? Damned? How could you love me if you lacked a soul? How could you still be my Edward, my husband, if you…" I could say no more. Waves of anger, pure and unadulterated, washed over me so strongly that I could not speak. It settled hot and heavy in the pit of my stomach and in the back of my mind, I recognized that there was little sense in the intensity of my reaction.
I knew very well Edward's tendency to take up the mantle of blame, shoulder the world's fault, and belittle himself into nonexistence if allowed. I had dealt with it before – whenever he lost a case, the first time a debt collector showed up on our door. After one of the few arguments we had shared. The logical side of my mind knew all of this very well, while the rest of me was battling the sickening sensations tearing at my heart. Finally I could stand it no longer. The sudden clenching of my stomach sent me wheeling toward the bathroom with a hand held over my mouth.
My knees hit the tiled floor of the bathroom just as I felt the world spin around me, and the nausea built and overcame me. The sound of my retching and the smell started a new wave of illness. A cool touch at my throat, pulling my hair back, alerted me to Edward's presence. He ignored my feeble waves to leave me alone and the embarrassment of him seeing me so indisposed added new tears to my confusion. The flux of emotions left me floundering when I finally stopped emptying my stomach of its contents. Edward pulled the flush chain while I stood shakily to rinse my mouth.
It was in silence that my lover carefully lifted me and carried me to a sitting room, pressing his cool fingers to my forehead. Though I was far from feeling anything but confusion at this point, the tears kept coming. Worry, and the sense that I should know the vital bit of information to make it all come together in a sensible explanation, ruled my jumbled thoughts. Several moments of Edward whispering sweet nonsense into my hair while rocking me finally soothed the tears (though I logically could not find a reason for them) and calmed the tremors.
"Are you alright, love?" he finally queried against the too-warm flesh of my throat.
"I think so."
"Do you think you're coming down with something? We have been spending too much time outdoors in the evening and it's getting cooler. It's already October seventeenth. I should have found you a better coat! I'm sorry, Bella…"
And Edward continued the apologies and self-belittling examination of absolutely everything we had done since arriving in La Crosse. But my mind had frozen on the date. It was October seventeenth. Over a month since we had come, since we had begun… I gasped, my eyes widening, my lips mouthing numbers as I held up fingers. I counted once, twice, three times. Somewhere inside my head I registered the tense silence emanating from my husband. Nearly six days since it should have showed up. I turned to my love with wide eyes, my lips parted while I prepared to explain the news that had me nearing happy tears.
"Edward! Bella darling? Are you in?"
The bell tones ringing through the floor were unmistakable, though I had only heard them briefly before. Esme and Carlisle were home.
"Edward?" Carlisle's voice sounded more restrained. Perhaps his super sense of scent had registered what Esme's excitement had dulled. Again I felt embarrassed for my moment of illness.
"Carlisle! In here. Bella's ill!"
"No, Edward, I'm-"
"Bella's ill? Oh no…" Esme fussed, pushing open the door with Carlisle at her heels. The golden-haired doctor frowned slightly upon entering before staring at me in open surprise and understanding. Ah. Doctor Carlisle would know immediately what ailed me. Hadn't Edward mentioned Carlisle's sense of smell as an asset in his practice? 'He can even distinguish between adult, child, man, woman, ill, pregnant, and sterile just with his heightened sense of smell combined with his experience,' Edward had told me. But the expression the doctor now wore was frightening. The pain in his eyes coupled with the hard set of his lips tore at my heart.
"Edward, she's not ill," said Carlisle in a pinched, grave voice that matched his face. I wanted to hide from his penetrating gaze.
"What do you mean, she's not ill? You can smell the bile! She was retching not five minutes ago! The poor girl's caught something while on one of our excursions! I, in my stupidity-"
"Hush, Edward. What do you mean, dear? I can smell it as well… The poor darling isn't used to the mountain weather yet. We should have been more thoughtful when we left. Perhaps we should have offered something located in warmer climes. Or-"
"I am perfectly alright!" I finally managed, becoming quickly flustered with the worried energy and Carlisle's frightening expression. It was high time to put an end to it. I put a finger to Edward's lips as he began to protest.
"Edward, I think I'm… We… There's no other logical explanation than… Edward I think I'm with child," I whispered the last word almost reverently. How glorious! I could not doubt my conclusion. Carlisle's words (though I refused to recognize their frightening accompaniment) confirmed my suspicion. If a body could transform from one species of being to another in merely three days, then it would be logical to assume any life born of my lover's frozen state would grow at a similar rate. I nearly laughed at the beauty of it, but Edward had not moved. He stared into space for a moment more before his stilled features dissolved into the same agony that Carlisle expressed in his eyes and the set of his mouth.
Again, I chose to ignore the disturbing reaction, instead focusing on Esme's lovely smile. She understood. She had lost as I had. She could share in my joy.
"Oh, darling!" she cried before embracing me. The hope in her eyes made my heart soar with delight. "Is it possible?" she asked her husband while holding my right hand gently. My left was cradling my previously flat abdomen. Since when had there been a curve? I suppose I had noticed the gentle swell in passing and assumed it to be a result of my extraordinary appetite.
Before I could answer Esme, I felt a nudge against my palm.
"Oh!"
Another little nudge. Edward was at my side in an instant, cradling my face.
"What happened? Did it hurt you? What's wrong?" Edward demanded.
"Hurt?" I said with a frown. His tone confused me. Why was he sound so angry? I would have thought Edward would be overjoyed with such news. I chose to smile at Esme instead and press her palm against my abdomen. My little nudger kicked again and Esme's lovely face lit up.
"Shh… It's alright little one," Esme whispered adoringly to the bump. I smiled, feeling ecstatic that I had another woman to experience this with. Edward and Carlisle's reactions still frightened me, but Esme's obvious pleasure gave me hope. I looked up into my husband's face and frowned at his shared glance with Carlisle.
"Bella," Carlisle began heavily, "I think we should talk."
Esme stiffened and shot her husband a wary glance before taking me by the hand and leading me to one of the many parlors in the gargantuan manor. Edward sat on my other side and Carlisle stood, facing us with a grave expression on his godly features. Worry twisted in my gut and my little nudger pushed against my navel once more.
"Bella, I'm sorry, but we need to take care of it as soon as possible."
"What do you mean take care of it, Carlisle?" Esme said dangerously, her eyes gleaming amber slits as she regarded her husband. Carlisle twisted his wedding band about his ring finger as he expelled a sigh.
"There isn't any option, Esme," Carlisle said harshly, and I shrank against Edward at this first example of aggression from the man. Edward rubbed my arm soothingly, but when I looked in his face I saw the same dark determination as I saw on Carlisle's.
"Edward?" I questioned shakily, my eyes wide. No. No. They wanted to destroy my happy little baby? My perfect baby – my little girl or boy with my Edward's bronze locks? I squeezed Edward's hand, willing him to answer.
He would not look at me.
"I'm sorry, Bella," he said with such coldness that I shook his arm off of my shoulders. He allowed me to pull away and I glared at both he and Carlisle in horror. Esme reached for me but I jerkedaway.
"You want me to allow you to murder my baby?" I whispered, fighting back tears as my fists shook in anger. I would not let them. They could not.
"You don't understand, Bella," Edward supplicated, his eyes flat, staring at a spot above my head. "It's just like me, as I am now. It will kill you, Bella."
"No, Edward, you will kill me!" I gasped, wrapping my arms around myself as my little nudger twisted inside me, disturbed by my racing heart and lungs.
"Bella, calm down, please," Edward begged me, his eyes finally warming and looking into mine. Pain lurked beneath the surface there, and I knew I would soon give him cause for more. I did not allow myself to linger on that – I had to save my nudger.
"Edward, if you take our child from me, I'll die. I can't… I can't lose another. I cannot…" I whimpered, dissolving into tears. I hated myself for hurting him with the admission, but the alternative would have induced far more than self-loathing.
Edward's jaw clenched and his eyes widened as agony swept across his face. He hung his head in defeat and looked to Carlisle almost pleadingly.
"I won't without your consent, Edward," said Carlisle with sympathy.
"I still do not understand," sighed Esme from her place on the sofa. She held her arms out for me again and I readily sank into them, glad for a mother's embrace. "How could you even consider that?" Esme almost scolded, glaring between her husband and surrogate son.
"Because, Esme, it's unprecedented and dangerous. Surely you realize that the time frame between our departure and now is such that it should not even show, yet… At such a growth rate, the child will outgrow Bella before she's even able to birth it," Carlisle explained. "And considering you can both feel it moving at – I am guessing – an equivalent of three months, the issue of the child's strength at full term is…"
"Bella, it's a monster," Edward said harshly. I immediately folded my hands over my abdomen, sending my husband the coldest look I could manage.
"If it is a question of my safety, plenty of mothers die giving birth normally. As for being able to carry our baby to term, Edward," I added stubbornly, allowing my own pain to show at his coldness, "We already planned on my… renovations. If it comes to that, you can change me immediately."
"It's not a bad plan," Carlisle finally admitted, his brow furrowed. "The only problem I can foresee is dietary and the availability of a midwife. I've never personally treated a pregnant woman."
"Then perhaps you should spend the next few weeks reading and studying with one as much as you can," said Esme dismissively. I was a little happy that she seemed furious on my behalf for suggesting such an atrocity.
"Are you mad, Carlisle? It won't matter! The thing will kill her before we can even get to that point!" Edward shouted. My little one nudged my palm and I rubbed little circles over my stomach to sooth it. I hoped for a girl. What would I call her? Renee, in honor of my mother? Kate? I had considered the name "Katherine" for my darling maid… But Esme had so suddenly become my advocate. If it was a boy, what then? Charles, for my father? I would not name my baby Edward. My EJ had passed and I was determined not to make this child a replacement, but a healing balm to my husband's and my pain. Perhaps Anthony…
"What do you suggest I do, Edward? Hold her down and abort it and estrange myself from my wife, son and daughter? Have some sense! We don't have to go into this blindly. Bella and you are unique but there could be others… The legend of the Incubus has grounded origins somewhere in history… All our legends do."
I could not help but laugh at the terminology. My Edward? An Incubus? Three pairs of honey eyes stared at me as if I had suddenly gone mad. The revelations caused me to chuckle for a moment more before regaining my control.
"You all are being ridiculous. Surely this is simple… If I'm not ready to deliver, Carlisle can perform a cesarean. As far as my dietary needs… It's half of both Edward and I, is it not? And if vampire is so removed from human being as far as bodily functions go, we can assume that the baby's needs will be met by a mix of human and vampire diet," I reasoned. It made perfect sense. The midwife, nurse, and doctor during Eddie's delivery had all said this or that "is good for the baby." And I had eaten a fair share of things I disliked during my pregnancy for the baby's sake. Disgusting things. Like Brussels sprouts.
"I agree with Bella. We can handle this. Carlisle, you are an excellent surgeon and doctor. Edward is well-read in the theory… Surely together you can manage."
"I don't like it," Edward said darkly, glaring at my abdomen. It really was strange how often the sensation of déjà vu crept up on me lately. It was as if our marriage had never seen its interval of ten years. All this time and Edward still managed to be stubborn and annoying to the extent of causing an argument.
"Edward, I am having this child and you cannot do anything about it. Now are you going to support your wife of over a decade or aren't you?" I demanded as I rubbed soothing circles over my stomach. Edward's lips twitched at my outburst and I fought my own urge to smile. He would be happy. He had to be. But it seemed the silence stretched uncomfortably as he searched my determined face.
"Of course I support you, Bella," he finally sighed, running a hand through his messy hair. He always had to comb it before going in public. I loved it like it was, though. I held my arms out for him, and Edward was there in an instant, his head resting on my lap, his arms around my waist, his head nestled against my stomach. I held him while Esme quietly rose and led Carlisle from the room. I smiled at her appreciatively before she shut the door.
"I'm terrified, Bella," Edward whispered so softly I had to strain to hear.
"I know, Edward."
"I can't lose you."
"You won't. I promise. Soon, you'll see. We'll be the proud parents of a little boy or girl again, and it'll be just like a dream. You can teach our child sports, music… I'll teach them how to draw… We'll go on picnics with Esme and Carlisle. They'll be the most spoiled child alive and have the most loving and safe family in history."
"You're ridiculous, Bella."
"If you mean I'm right, then sure. You have to admit, if it's a girl we're going to encounter problems when it comes to dating."
"The fetus isn't even born yet and you're talking to me about dating," Edward grumbled. "And if anyone ever tried anything with a daughter of mine, I'd destroy him utterly," he added on after a moment of silence.
And the admittance that my little nudger was now accepted as ours, and that he would defend it so vehemently, finally made me break into happy tears and laughter. It was as if I had landed firmly in a dream. The joy, the smile he now wore in response to my laughter, the happiness felt – I absolutely refused to wake up. I had found my personal fairytale, and I would never, ever let go.
. . . . . . . .
A/N: Thank you everyone who read and reviewed and waited patiently. Yaaay!
Now, to address some questions I am sure exist:
Q: Why does Bella have dietary plan in place already?
A: She's had a baby before and by the First World War nutritional knowledge had been firmly established. By the mid-twenties, we had refrigerators (ice boxes), processed foods, canned foods, nutritionists, and knowledge of vitamins. In BD, Bella had 0 access to her own mother as far as babies went and Esme had carried and lost her baby without the assistance of a true doctor, so she would not have known as much. Men, traditionally, did not deliver babies until the late 50's. Midwives did. Unless a cesarean was determined as necessary, they just didn't. So that's my reasoning there.
Q: Edward is happy about the baby?
A: He hasn't had 90 years to angst over being a monster. He is also mourning his lost son. With the joy of having Bella again, I don't think he'd be able to resist being happy about something she loved for long. Especially since a new baby would allow him to fulfill his desire to be a real daddy.
Another note, this is maybe the third or second to last chapter. I am in the slow process of rereading and editing, but, if anyone with knack for grammar and writing could assist, I find myself in need of a Beta. I plan to continue writing fiction for my and others' enjoyment. Let me know through your signed review. So until my next update-
Love,
-Forensica X
