Good afternoon everyone. I hope all is well. I'm off for today, which I am glad. I've been having such a tough time at my job it's ridiculous. The stress has kind of taken a toll on me, which, is good for you guys because the more I stress and struggle, the more I write. I'd be a wonderful author if I was stressed 100% of the time. Which, these days, now I am. *Looong Sigh.* Anyhow, please enjoy this very long and exciting chapter of Outerra!

Chapter Sixteen

I stared furiously down at the note. Who wrote this? Why would they write this? I growled and crumbled the note, tossing it in the trashcan.

I stormed out of my office to the front desk.

"Tanya, do you know who left a note in my office?" I demanded.

Her eyes widened, "No, Miss Bella."

I nodded, "If you find out who did, please let me know."

She nodded quickly, my snappy tone probably frightening her. I walked back into my office, shutting the door a little harder than necessary. I sat back at my desk and sighed heavily. I guess cattiness was universal.

I had only missed a couple patient appointments, I called each one, apologizing and promising to see them first thing next week. They were all more than understanding.

When I finished catching up for the day, I stopped by Edward's office. He was still working at his desk.

"Hey," I said, leaning in his doorway, "Are you leaving?"

He sighed, "No, I'm going to finish up some work. I slacked off too much today," he said, looking up and smiling.

I smiled back, "Okay, I had fun though. Thanks for taking me."

His smile widened, "I had a great time too."

I lingered in his doorway, wanting to ask him about Alice's wedding, but, to shy to ask.

"Is everything okay?" Edward asked.

I nodded, "Yes, I um, I was just wondering…" I sighed, "Have you heard that Jasper and Alice are having a coming together ceremony."

"Oh, yes I did," he smiled, "They moved rather, fast didn't they?"

I nodded, "I was wondering if by Outerrian standards did they move fast. But, they certainly seem to love one another."

"Well, usually Outerrian's take time with their partners, but there are some who move fast. I guess the traditional time length is a few outings, then, one of partners makes a large gesture to express their feelings for the other."

"Mm, sounds like dating back on earth," I said, "Well, I'll leave you to finish your work. Have a good night."

I left for the night. The whole way home I kept kicking myself; I should've asked Edward if he wanted to go to Alice and Jasper's ceremony together. But I was too chicken. So pathetic.

Later That Night

I awoke to the sound of someone pounding on my door. I jumped out of bed, startled by the knocking. I put my housecoat on and walked down the stairs. I looked through the peephole before opening it.

"Edward, is everything okay?" I asked.

"Emily is in an emergency labor. She needs us to help her until an emergency transport can get here." Edward grabbed my arm and pulled me out of the house, running full force to Emily and Sam's house.

Sam, Emily, and Jacob were outside. Emily was laying on a blanket.

"Why is she outside?" I asked.

"For when the emergency transport gets here. It'll be easier for them to carry her to the hospital." Edward said as he kneeled.

"Okay," I said, immediately going into nursing mode, "How far dilated is she?"

"She's only six centimeters dialed, but the baby's feet are pushing against her cervix."

"The baby is breached. Is there any way to turn it?"

"I can't turn it I don't have the proper medical supplies with me. It could kill Emily and the baby. But, the baby is coming full force, I can't slow it down." Edward said.

I kneeled beside Emily, who was sobbing and taking short breaths.

"Emily, you're panicking, I know it's scary, but you need to control your breathing. In and out, just like this," I breathed with her, holding her hand, "focus your breathing. The more you panic the faster the baby is going to come out."

She nodded and closed her eyes, focusing on her breathing.

"Emily, the baby is coming, I can't stop it. You're going to need to start pushing." Edward said.

"But it's too early!" Emily cried.

"It's going to be okay Emily," Edward said, "I need you to start pushing."

I grabbed Emily's leg and held it back; helping the birthing process move faster. Emily pushed only a few times before the baby was out. I was shocked at how quick it was.

"It's not breathing," Edward said, laying the baby on the ground, "Bella, assist Emily with the afterbirth, I'm going to begin L.S.B."

Edward and I switched places. The afterbirth took longer for her to push out. I kept looking up at Edward, hoping the baby would start breathing. In the distance, the sounds of sirens started echoing through the trees.

"There's the medical transport. Edward, do you need me to take over?" I asked.

"I'm fine," He said continuing to breath into the baby's mouth, "Someone go flag down the emergency transit and lead them here."

Sam ran off down the path, Jacob stayed in the same place he had been since I got here. His eyes were wide, and he seemed paler than usual. I moved to his side.

"It's okay, Jake. Your mom will be okay." I told him as I put my arm around his shoulder.

"B-But what about my baby sister?" He asked, a few tears rolling down his cheeks.

"I'm not sure, Jake," I told him, "But the medical staff is well trained and will do their best to make sure she is okay."

He nodded, trying to wipe his tears away. Sam ran back, the medical team running behind him.

"The baby's pulse is faint, she's only taking sip breaths." The medical team took Edward's place and placed the baby on the small stretcher. They hooked her up to several portable machines. Once the baby was set, they helped Emily to onto a bigger stretcher.

Sam picked up Jake, trying to walk onto the medical transit, but, a medical personal stopped them.

"I'm sorry, but children can't come in to the medical facility until visiting hours." He said.

"I can't leave my son home alone, and I won't leave my wife alone."

"I'll keep him, Sam," I said, "It's okay, he can stay with me until Emily is better."

Sam nodded and passed Jake off to me, "Thank you Bella."

I faltered a little under Jake's weight, Edward walked beside me and took Jake. We watched the medical transit leave down the road.

"Jake, let's go back to my house and have a snack." I said.

He nodded, keeping his face pressed into Edward's chest. We walked back to my house. The door was still wide open from where Edward pulled me out. I turned the light on and helped Jacob to his feet.

"Come on, you haven't been over to see my new place." I said.

I put my hand in Jacob's and lead him to the living room. He sat on the couch, looking uninterested in anything I had to show him.

"Jake, would you like a snack?" I asked.

He shook his head, "I'm not hungry, can I just lay down?"

"Of course," I retrieved blankets from the linen closet and a pillow from my bed. I made sure he was settled before I left the living room.

"Your mom is going to be okay, Jake," I told him as I stroked his black hair away from his face, "She's very strong. We'll go visit her tomorrow."

"What about my baby sister?" He asked.

"Well, Jake, I don't know what's going to happen with her. I don't want to get your hopes up and then you be disappointed. But, I know Hyaris will be with her," I told him, "Tomorrow, when visiting hours are open, we'll go see your mom."

"Okay, goodnight Bella." He said.

"Night, Jake."

I turned the living room light off and slide the thin paper-like doors closed so I wouldn't disturb him. Edward was sitting at my kitchen table.

"You did really good tonight," I told him, "Would you like something to drink?"

"Please," He ran his hand through his hair, "I was about to tell you how impressed I was with your work tonight. I know it was a big surprise."

I shrugged, "I go into nursing mode in emergency situations."

I poured him a glass of water with malum and aurantiaco slices in it. It was a calming drink when mixed with the two fruits. I poured myself one.

I handed him his drink and sat across from him.

"So, why do you think she went into labor so early?"

He shrugged and took a long sip, "It doesn't happen often, it's pretty rare in fact. We've never found the cause of premature labor."

"Is the hospital equipped to handle such a premature baby?"

He sighed, "Since it is so rare, the hospital doesn't prepare for such situations. They'll put the best people on the job, but, chances of premature babies living long is low."

I felt my gut twist, "I hate this part of nursing."

"What is that?"

"Where, you've done everything you can to save someone, but nature always takes its course," I sighed, "I wish I could heal everyone with just a touch."

He nodded, "I agree with you," he took another sip, "But, we've done everything we possibly could. Now it's time for Moheia to decide the baby's fate."

I rubbed my tempers, "Well, I'll say a little prayer for the baby. Jacob is very worried."

"He was very excited for his mother to give birth. He came with her to all the checkups."

"I didn't know they were patients of yours," I said, "But, I'm going to take the day off tomorrow to take Jake to see his mom."

Edward nodded, "Take as many days as you need. Jacob will need someone to care for him while his parents are away."

"Thank you, Edward," I said, reaching across the table and grabbing his hand. He looked down at our conjoined hands and smiled.

"Bella, I—," he started then sighed, "I should get going."

He reluctantly released my hand and stood. I smiled at him before he left.

I sighed to myself; why couldn't either one of us get on the same page?

The Next Morning

I awoke at my usual time, creeping down the stairs to check on Jake. He was sleeping like a log on my couch, his eyes red and puffy. He must've been crying most of the night, then, finally succumbed to his exhaustion.

I'll let him sleep. Visiting hours weren't until late morning.

I went into my kitchen and made myself a cup of Anozoa to wake me up. I sat at my table sipping my cup when Jake walked in, rubbing his eyes.

"Good morning," I said, "I didn't think you'd be up so soon."

"I always get up this early to help dad with the garden." he said.

I smiled, "Well, would you like something to eat? I can fix you anything you'd like?"

"Do you have Tanyernia eggs? And porcus?" He asked as he sat at the table.

"I do," I smiled as I stood, "I'm glad you're not shy about eating."

"Why would I be shy about eating?" He asked confused.

"Oh, well, it's just something people would say on earth about people who didn't like to eat in front of others."

"That's weird. Why would anyone be shy about eating? Everyone eats."

I chuckled as I started preparing the food, "Humans are weird."

"What was your life like on earth?" He asked; he was most likely trying to distract himself.

"Well, it was very different from Outerra. We had millions of cities across the entire planet. Our air, water, and soil were all polluted with the waste we had put into it. Planet earth is considered a dying planet to the galactic government." I said.

"Like planet Gounov. Did your planet explode?" He asked.

"Exactly like Gounov, dirty, trillions of years old, and untaken care of by the inhabitants. Luckily, we found your planet and your government has been helping us restore planet earth. Last I heard of planet earth, we had restored our air and water supplies. But, they're having a hard time salvaging the soil. So, your planet has been sending resources to help the earthlings survive. But, I think earth will be just fine, thanks to you Outerrians."

He smiled, "Why did you guys come to Outerra?"

"Because Outerra was having a population problem, and since humans and Outerrian's are genetic matches."

"Oh, okay," he said, "When are you going to have a baby with someone?"

"Um, well, I just haven't met anyone yet." I coughed a little.

"You should have a baby with Doctor Edward. He likes you." Jake said.

I spun around, "He likes me? How do you know that?"

"Because of his tail." He said as a matter-of-factly.

"His tail puffs up when he talks to you. And it wags the whole-time you guys talk," He said, "My dad's tail does the same thing when he and my mom have talk sometimes. It's weird. My tail does it when I talk to this girl in my class. It feels weird. But, my dad says when I get older, I won't notice it so much."

"Huh, I didn't know that about your tails," I said, "Hey, so, what does it mean if someone else touches your tail?"

He blushed and smiled bashfully, "Oh, I'm not allowed to talk about that yet. But I've overhead my dad talk about it with his friends."

I chuckled, "Sorry, I didn't know it meant something like that."

"It's okay," he chuckled, still blushing.

"Here you go," I said as I gave him a plate with generous amounts of food on it.

He dug in, stuffing as much food in his mouth as possible. He finished in a matter of minutes then asked for more. I watched in wonderment as he downed three large platefuls of food.

"Lord, you were really hungry huh?" I said.

"Mom says I'm going through a growth spurt, so, I eat a lot more." He said.

"Ah, gotcha," I checked the time, "It's almost visiting hours at the hospital. Why don't you bathe before we go? My bathroom is upstairs."

He jumped up and walked up my stairs. As I was washing the dishes, someone knocked on my door. I leaned out of my kitchen window.

"Come in!" The front door opened, and Edward walked in. He was dressed in his work clothes.

"Hey, I just wanted to check on things," He said, "How's Jacob doing?"

I looked at his tail, watching it continuously move back and forth, it was puffier than usual. I smiled.

"He's doing good. He just ate. A ton I might add. But, he's upstairs bathing. We're going to go visit his mom." I said.

Edward nodded, "Sounds good. I just wanted to check in, make sure everything was okay."

I smiled, "We're good. Thank you for stopping by." I reached up and hugged him tightly. He stiffened for a moment before putting an arm around my back.

When I pulled away he was staring at me strangely, "What… why did you do that?"

"Hug you? Because it was sweet of you to come check on Jake." I said.

He nodded, "Ah, well, you two have a good day."

I smiled as I watched him leave, his tail puffing out even more and wagging harder. It was wagging so hard that it knocked over a plant as he walked by. He blushed.

"I'm sorry," He said, scrabbling to pick the plant up, his tail wrapping around his leg, "Uh, goodbye." He said, briefly turning around to me before practically running out of my house.

I couldn't help but chuckle at his bashful demeanor.

So, the original word doc was lost. Usually when that happens, I'll most likely take the story down and try to rewrite it. But, Outerra is my most popular story, and I thought, 'That'd be pretty shitty.' So, I just rewrote a new word doc. The reason I said this, was because in previous chapters I've mentioned about gods and goddesses and I know somewhere I had a specific goddess who took care of children and pregnant women. I couldn't find the goddess's name. Sorry about that, but, if you find it, just know what I meant.

I think you can all guess what tail touching means by now huh? Thanks little Jake for the info. And I know I'm moving a little slow with Edward and Bella's relationship, but, it's going to start progressing. They both like each other, but, they're both really shy. I mean, I imagine two different galactic species who come from two different worlds with different body languages would have a hard time communicating with one another how they felt.