Chapter 14
I woke up in a cold sweat, assuming the sharp pain in my belly is what woke me up. I took a few deep breaths, trying to breathe through the pain. This was what everyone had warned me about, but their words couldn't compare to the feeling.
I looked at the clock and waited eight minutes before the next one started. I concentrated on my breathing again, deciding it's time to wake Edward. I grunted through the final bit and shook him, earning a groan.
"Edward, wake up. I think I'm in labor," I said quite loudly.
Edward moved around a little bit before I heard his snoring and sighed in annoyance. This man could sleep through a tornado picking him up and throwing him in a field miles away.
I was about to try again when I felt a wetness and turned on the bedside lamp. Did I pee myself? I looked down and gasped in surprise, my water had officially broken.
"Edward! My water broke!" I screamed.
That got his attention. His eyes flew open and he looked at me in panic. He jumped out of bed and grabbed our bag and reached for me.
"Let's get to the hospital. Go clean yourself up and I'll call people," he said hurriedly.
By the time I cleaned up, put new clothes on, Edward calling the families, and us getting to the hospital it was 2:15 in the morning. I was grateful I got some sleep before this started so I'd have the energy to push our little girl out.
"Welcome, Mrs. Cullen. Please follow me this way, Mr. Cullen," one of the nurses said after helping me into a wheelchair.
We made our way to labor and delivery. The nurse helped me get changed into a gown and into bed right when another contraction hit. Edward offered me his hand and regretted it rather quickly once he realized how hard I could squeeze it.
"There is no fucking way I'm ever having sex again," I mumbled in pain.
The nurse chuckled and look at my husband sympathetically.
"That's what they all say. Once she has that baby she'll be rearing to try to make another one," she explained with a wink.
I glared as she walked out of the room and tried to relax once the pain stopped. I hoped I would be able to get an epidural soon. I had no idea how women could do this naturally. They had to either be insane or not be able to feel pain.
"My mom just texted me that she's here. I'm going to meet her in the lobby and we'll be right back," he murmured while kissing my temple.
I waved him off and admired the view. I am one lucky girl for getting such a fine specimen of man.
Once Edward was gone I thought back to our wedding day, which had happened just a couple of weeks after we arrived back home.
"You know you don't have to do this. I don't want you to marry me just because you feel like you have to," he stated worriedly.
I switched my small bouquet of roses into my other hand and rested my now-free one on his cheek, smiling.
"I should have said yes when you first asked, Edward. It would have saved us a lot of heartache," I admitted.
He sighed and nuzzled my neck, causing Alice to clear her throat. She was glaring at me and I stuck my tongue out at her in response.
Edward had promised that we could have whatever kind of wedding I wanted, and we agreed on a courthouse wedding. Neither of us wanted to spend ridiculous amounts of money on the ceremony when we could save it for our honeymoon and the baby. Alice had been upset when she found out our decision.
We applied for the marriage license that night and began the planning. We decided to invite immediately family and a couple of close friends.
My mother and Phil came into town. If we hadn't been waiting for them we would have been married much sooner, but I couldn't deny my mom the ability to watch her daughter get married. She tried to convince me to let her stay until after the baby was born, but that was still a few months away. As much as I love my mother, I couldn't handle dealing with her for that long.
So, we agreed that she'd come back a week before my due date and I'm suddenly glad we did since I'm in labor three days early.
It was a nice ceremony. Emmett wolf whistled while Rosalie smacked him a few times to get him to shut up.
"By the power invested in me by the state of Washington, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride," the officiator said.
Edward placed one arm behind my back and the other behind my head, dipping me low and kissing me deeply. I kissed him back, keenly aware of our family members watching us. When he helped me get upright again I blushed brightly and everyone cheered.
"I can't wait to get you out of this dress later, Mrs. Cullen," Edward whispered in my ear, causing me to blush further.
"You'll have to be a very patient man, Mr. Cullen. You know how exhausted this baby of yours makes me," I replied and laughed at his disgruntled expression.
"Let's get back to the house before the caterers. They should be there soon," Esme interrupted our personal conversation.
I jumped and nodded, agreeing immediately. If Edward continued his dirty talk we'd end up consummating our marriage in a nearby closet.
Since we didn't have a large ceremony, Esme begged to let her do the reception afterwards. We agreed easily.
The baby was very active through the ceremony and even more so once I started eating the delicious food from the caterers. Esme had hired someone from Port Angeles that I had never heard of, but there were no complaints from anyone.
We kept the reception short and sweet as well. Once everyone had gone out on the dance floor, Edward and I made our escape.
Another contraction pulled back to reality and I grunted loudly, gripping the blankets. Holy shit, how was I going to get through this?
Right at the height of the contraction, Edward walked in with his parents and Esme immediately came to my side, taking one of my hands and running her fingers through my hair.
"You're doing a wonderful job, Bella. Just focus on the fact that this is what's leading you up to meeting your baby," she said so softly only I could hear.
I smiled once the pain subsided and pulled her close for a hug.
"It's wonderful to have you here, Esme. Thank you for coming."
"Of course, dear. You think I'd miss the birth of my first grandchild?"
I chuckled and shook my head. Carlisle wrapped an arm around his wife and winked at me.
"You are a strong woman, Bella. You can do this," he said encouragingly and I thanked him.
After the wedding, Edward had called a meeting between the four of us.
I sat down across from Carlisle and we shared the same confused looks at Edward. He crossed one leg over the other and glared at his father whilst simultaneously reaching for my hand.
"I know what you said to Bella in Florida, dad. While your intentions may have been admirable, I won't stand for you threatening my wife like that," he began.
Carlisle's eyes hardened and he intertwined his fingers, laying them on his lap.
"You will not tell me what I can and cannot do, Edward. She may be your wife but you are my son, which takes priority. Why don't you let sleeping dogs lie, eh?"
Edward straightened his back and met his father's steely gaze.
"If you do not apologize to Bella and take back everything you said, I will not hesitate to leave with my wife and child. I would hate to do something like that to mom and I know you don't want her upset like that, either. Normally I wouldn't go to such drastic measures, but I know how ruthless you can be."
I held my breath and looked slowly between Edward and his father. I had not expected this to happen. I held up my hands in surrender and was about to say something before Edward placed a hand on my knee.
"No, Bella. This needs to be said. He has to know that this is not okay."
Carlisle was silent for a long time and I shifted around uncomfortably while Edward stood his ground. Finally, Carlisle sighed and took his eyes off Edward and turned to me.
"Isabella, I apologize for what I said in Florida, but I will not apologize for what brought me to say them in the first place. I would like you to keep those words in mind, especially once you have your own daughter. Edward is right, though. We cannot continue as a family with something like this hanging over our heads," he said.
I was astonished. Not only had Edward come to my defense, but Carlisle even took his side. Never did I think this was even possible.
"I accept, Carlisle. I don't blame you for anything, though," I added.
Edward and Carlisle hugged and we made our way back to the apartment.
"Oh my God!" I yelled, laying a hand on my very large belly.
The doctor had just checked my cervix and announced I'm nine centimeters apart. I'd been in labor for two hours and the contractions were getting worse and worse. They had given me an epidural not long ago, but the doctor explained my labor was moving too quickly for it to take full effect.
"I believe we'll be ready to push within the next fifteen minutes. I'll go put my gown on and let the nurses prepare everything," Dr. Crow explained.
I laid my head back and groaned, scrubbing my face with my hands. My daughter was getting ready to enter the world and I am scared to death.
"Bella, breathe," Edward reminded me. I took a slow deep breath and another contraction hit. Esme held one of my hands while Edward held the other. The doctor came rushing back in and the nurses helped get my feet into the stirrups. Esme moved to leave but I gripped her hand tighter.
"You've been here for me through everything. I'd like to stay," I whispered.
Tears pooled in her eyes and she agreed.
"On your next contraction I need you to push as hard as you can, Bella," Dr. Crow commanded.
As soon as she finished her sentence I felt the contraction and pushed. After an hour of intense pushing I heard her cry and felt my own tears start to fall down my cheeks. The doctor placed her on my chest and I admired my tiny daughter. Who knew they could be so small?
"Welcome to the rest of your life," I murmured.
Edward wiped away a few of his own tears and Esme cleared her throat.
"What have you decided to name her?"
I grinned as the newborn wrapped her tiny fist around my pinky.
"Amelia Esme Cullen."
A/N Sorry it took me so long to update, guys. We've been having some internet issues and my school/work life has kept me busy. I predict this story will only be one or two more chapters and I'm so happy with the success. I can't do this without the support of you guys. Please read and review!