Bella

I checked my watch as I was pulling on my coat. "Edward," I shouted up the stairs. "Hurry up. Your parents are expecting us in about 20 minutes."

I heard the shower cut off as I picked up the bag full of presents and headed out to the car with them. Mom and Dad and Katie had gone on ahead of us so the parents could all spend some time visiting and Katie could get to know her great-grandparents. I loaded the presents into the back of the car and headed back into the house and upstairs to light a fire under Edward's ass.

He was coming out of the bathroom, a towel slung low on his hips, water running down his chest. He grinned and waggled his eyebrows.

"Time for a quickie?"

I raised my eyebrows.

"No, and no amount of sexy will make me give in, hurry it up."

He grinned and headed towards his closet. "I'll be ready in five."

"You've got two."

"Time me. I'll bet I can do it."

I laughed and nodded, heading into the bathroom. I hadn't been feeling just on top of my game, a little tired and run down. I figured it was some small bug from the tension and exhaustion of the past few weeks.

I washed my hands and came back into the bedroom. "Ready?"

He nodded. "I can put my shoes and socks on in the car if you'll drive."

"Deal. Hurry it up." I smacked him on the rear and headed to the car.

Edward was right behind me, running barefoot through the snow to the car. I laughed as he hopped in, brushing snow off his feet.

"Shit," he muttered. "My feet are numb."

"Should have been faster."

"Shut up, someone had an emergency."

"Someone always has an emergency, Edward. That's why it's called the Emergency Room."

"Wow, smart and snarky. I like it."

I winked at him and pulled out of the driveway carefully.

Christmas brunch was amazing. I had no idea why Esme cooked enough food for at least three times the number of people present, or the number of people and Emmett, but everything was wonderful. Once we were done, we women washed up quickly while the men got everything ready for the gifts. We were all aware of the necessity of speed so that Edward could get a bit of a rest before heading back in this evening.

Katie, of course, was a huge hit with her great-grandparents. She curled up on the couch with the Cullens and listened raptly to the stories the older Edward was telling.

"So are you going to see Jasper and Alice while they're here?" asked Esme, handing me a glass of water and settling on the arm of the love seat Edward and I were on.

"I'm going to a movie with Alice tonight," I answered, taking a sip. "Jasper and his parents are going to keep the boys and Mom and Dad want to spend some time with Katie."

"That'll be nice, the two of you getting some time to yourselves."

I nodded in agreement and lightly nudged Edward's ribs with my elbow. "Yeah, that's what I think. I'd like some alone time with this one but he's working so much."

He tickled me lightly. "Oh you shut up. You know you can come have alone time at the hospital with me if you want."

I snorted. "I'm not having sex with you in the on-call room, Edward."

"Don't knock it 'til you've tried it," winked Esme. She patted my knee. "Once Edward's schedule returns to normal, we'd be happy to take Katie for a night or even a full weekend so you two can be alone."

"Thanks, Mom, that'd be awesome."

I nodded. "Yes, thanks."

"Presents!" announced older Ed. "I wanna see what I got!"

"Oh, hush you," laughed Sue. "Christmas is for the kids."

"I wanna see what I got too, though," laughed Edward.

Katie jumped up and beamed up at Carlisle. "You told me I could be your helper."

"That I did. Places everyone."

We all settled into our seats around the living room. Edward and I were on the love seat like always, the couch reserved for the grandparents and an armchair for Esme. Carlisle had brought in another loveseat from somewhere and Mom and Dad were on that. Katie was bouncing around from person to person, looking at their gifts until she got one, then she dropped onto the floor in front of Edward and I and started tearing into it.

I got a couple of gift cards from the grandparents, some books, CD's and clothing and a small video camera. The best gift, though, was from Edward.

I tore into the pretty blue paper and stopped when I saw the jewelry box.

"Edward, we said no expensive gifts," I began.

He rolled his eyes. "Whatever, Bella. I know the leather jacket and book you got me weren't cheap."

My cheeks flared as I remembered just how expensive they had been, but I knew he'd love them. He needed a new jacket after his got stolen out of his locker at the hospital and the antique descriptions of medical practices was fascinating to me so I knew he'd love it.

I opened the box and stopped, a smile on my face. It held a beautiful earring and jewelry set, diamonds and emeralds set in a white metal.

"It's beautiful," I said softly, leaning over and kissing him softly.

"There's more. Look under the jewelry."

I frowned and pulled up the little leather pillow. Underneath was a piece of paper folded up small. I unfolded it and grinned.

IOU a weekend away as thanks for being the best wife a guy could ask for. Thanks for putting up with my shit and I hope you want to keep doing it forever. E.

I grinned. "I accept."

"I thought you would. I want you to wear the jewelry our first night."

"Oh definitely. I'll have to figure out what to wear with it. I don't have a lot of green."

"Just the jewelry, B. That's all I want on you. Well, other than me."

I flushed and grinned. "Deal, E."

He kissed me again and then settled back on the loveseat, pulling me against his chest. We watched as Katie opened the pile of presents from the four sets of grandparents. She got books, toys, clothes, movies, cds, just about anything a 7 year old girl could possibly need or want. It was going to take several trips just to get all her stuff into the car.

"This is all for me?" she asked in amazement.

"All of it," grinned Dad, his new fishing hat sitting proudly askew on his head.

She looked around the room, her eyes bright. "Thanks. I never got so many toys before."

We sat and chatted for a while, the warmth of the room and the fullness of my stomach making me sleepy. Plus, I was incredibly comfortable lying on Edward like this. For all his hard planes and lean muscles he was incredibly comfy.

"Bella, it's after 4."

I grunted my displeasure.

"I can take one car and go if you want to stay a while."

I sighed and shook my head. "No, I'm tired. I want to take a nap so I think I'll come with you."

"You ok?" he looked at me with concern. I rarely napped.

"Yeah, fine, just tired. Christmas and school and everything."

He nodded but didn't look convinced.

"I'm fine, Edward. Really."

He sighed and nodded. "Right. Well, let's get this stuff loaded up so we can head home."

Edward and I loaded up the car with everyone's help. Mom and Dad decided to stay behind for more visiting and Katie wanted to stay with them. She kept out a few of her gifts to have something to do. Edward and I hugged everyone good bye and then headed out. Even though it was after 4, I knew Edward needed some sleep before work.

He helped me carry everything in and then crashed. I crawled into the bed next to Edward, toeing my shoes off onto the floor. He pulled me close and sighed into my hair.

"You know how you asked me to get some milk?"

"Mmm."

"I forgot. I'm sorry. Want me to bring it tomorrow?"

I grunted. "No, I'll get it. We were going to do brownies tonight and Dad likes milk with his brownies."

"Shit. I'm sorry, babe."

"Don't worry about it. I'm just glad you stayed awake through brunch."

He laughed softly and kissed my temple, drifting off to sleep shortly after.

Edward

I sighed as I moved the red eight onto the black nine. The night was dragging on. It was only 9. I was starting to hate working overnight. Either real crazies came in or nothing happened. There were always the drunk idiots, but even tonight was quiet.

"Exhilarating night, huh?"

I looked up and grinned at Bridget. "You know it. When are you off?"

"Couple hours. I'll be back at 3, though. I'm picking up an extra shift. I'll just be sleeping in the on-call room. If I go home, there's no way I'll drag my ass out of bed and back up here, not in this weather."

I nodded and looked out the doors. The snow was picking up. Most people would be staying inside where it was warm so our job was going to get even more boring.

"When are you off?"

I sighed and sat back, stretching my arms behind my back. "Six in the morning. Gotta love the overnights."

She smiled at me. "So we'll be together most of the night. I like that."

I rolled my eyes as she sauntered away. I clicked out of my solitaire game and pulled up the internet to check email. Bella usually emailed me at work as long as she was awake. She was apparently busy with her parents and Katie because there was nothing new from the last hour or so.

I clicked out of it and stood up, stretching again. I really wanted to call her but wasn't sure if that would be alright. I decided to do a few paces around the desk. There were a couple patients behind curtains but nothing else was going on. I was tempted to go lay down in the lounge, sleep on the couch, but if I did I'd get another crick in my neck.

I heard sirens approaching and the ER sprang to life. I grabbed some sterile robes and Bridget did the same. Brent started getting the first trauma room ready. Bridget winked at me as she headed outside.

"Looks like at least something exciting is going to happen."

I grinned at her. "Finally."

A few moments later they came running through the doors. I couldn't tell who was strapped to the gurney, only that it was female. She looked beat to hell. Her face was caked in blood from a head wound and her arms were cut up and bruises were beginning to form.

"Come learn something," Bridget hollered over her shoulder as she ran alongside the gurney. I rolled my eyes but followed anyway. If anything, I'd teach her something.

"What happened?" Bridget was asking as I entered the trauma room.

"Car accident. There was another woman in the car and she's right behind us."

"Any identification?"

"She had a purse." The EMT pulled a small black leather purse out of the tangle of machinery on the gurney. My heart stopped when he tossed it to me. "Check for ID," he instructed. I caught the purse and stared at it, then at the body on the bed.

"Bella?" I whispered.

Bridget's head shot up and she looked at me. "You know her?"

I was shaking. I rummaged around in the purse and pulled out the familiar red wallet. My hands trembled as I opened it. There it was. Her face smiled back at me from her driver's license. I looked back at the body on the bed. I could see Bella in there now, though just barely. Her hair was matted with blood and her clothes were bloody, but I recognized the white silk blouse she'd been wearing earlier, a birthday present from her mom. I saw the familiar black nail polish on her fingers and toes.

"Edward?" shouted Bridget. "Do you know her?"

I nodded, numb. "She's my wife."

She stared at me for a moment, and then looked down at Bella. "Are you sure?"

I held up the ID wordlessly. She swore under her breath and a moment later Brent was dragging me out of the room.

"Call someone."

"Edward!"

I turned, numb, and saw Alice running for me. She had blood running down her face and staining her clothes. She threw her arms around me, sobbing. "Oh shit, is she ok?"

"I don't know," I was still numb, staring through the window at Bridget and the others working on Bella's body.

"You need attention, ma'am," Brent was saying. He had a firm grasp on Alice's arm but she wrenched it away from him.

"Don't you fucking touch me. That's my best friend in there."

He looked to me for help but I couldn't help him. I couldn't help anyone. I just wanted to be in there, holding Bella's hand.

"We should at least call someone," Brent persisted.

Alice huffed and dug her phone out of her purse, aggressively punching in Jasper's number. She laced her fingers in mine.

I stepped forward, not letting go, and watched. Her heartbeat was steady and she was breathing. She was just unconscious. As I watched, though, she seemed to regain consciousness and I felt a huge wave of relief wash over me.

"Edward." Alice was speaking to me. "Jasper's on his way. He's calling the parents to let them know what's going on." She stopped and closed her eyes, stumbling slightly.

"You need to get your head looked at," I said immediately, wrapping my arm around her to steady her.

She shook her head adamantly. "No, not until I know Bella's ok."

"She's breathing and her heartbeat is good and she's awake. Go. She'll need you, Alice."

She bit her lip but finally nodded, letting Brent lead her away. "I'll be right back, ok?"

I nodded and turned back to the scene in front of me.

About ten minutes and a lifetime later, Bridget came out, her robes smeared with Bella's blood. She rubbed her face but smiled. "She's going to be fine, Edward, I promise."

I nodded and looked past her at Bella. "How long do you need her here?"

"Probably just overnight. It's a flesh wound on her head, you know how they bleed. She's actually really ok. Just banged up. We've sent off for some labs to check everything but she'll be good as new in no time."

My legs gave out and I dropped to my knees there in the middle of the emergency room. Bridget knelt with me and wrapped her arms around me.

"I know I've been crazy inappropriate, but Edward, I never for one second thought you would take me up on it. I haven't ever had a good guy friend and I guess I'm not sure how to act around you."

I looked up at her, confused. "What?"

She sighed and smoothed my hair. "I'm sorry for all the stupid come-ons. I feel terrible about it now that I've sort of met Bella."

I shook my head. "Whatever, Bridget. I don't really care at the moment."

"Right. Sorry. Anyway, she's asking for you. We're going to run her upstairs in a bit for some x-rays, we're just waiting for some tests to come back."

I nodded and stood up, shakily walking through the doors into the trauma room.

"Bella."

She turned her head and relief flooded her features. "Edward, thank god. Is Alice ok?"

I chuckled softly and sat on the edge of the bed, taking her hand in mine. "She's fine. Yelling at everyone and demanding to know about you."

She smiled and closed her eyes, relaxing slightly against the bed. Her skin was paler than usual and her hair was matted. "That sounds about right."

I reached up and gently smoothed it back. "Bridget says you're going to be fine, you're just a little banged up and a possible concussion."

She nodded but didn't open her eyes. "I didn't even see the car coming," she sighed. "I was going to the store after the movie for the milk and we had a green light and he just hit us."

I groaned internally. If I'd gotten the damn milk she wouldn't have been out.

"I'm so sorry about the milk."

She laughed softly. "I guess we're fair. I totaled your car."

"I'd buy a million cars, Bella, but there's only one you."

"Hey, sorry to interrupt."

We looked up as Bridget came in then, a chart in her hand. "We can't do the x-ray but I want to do a sonogram to make sure the baby is ok."

We stared at her. "Baby? What baby?" I asked, standing up.

Bridget looked surprised. "Your baby, I'd assume. You didn't know Bella's pregnant?"

Bella's jaw dropped. "Pregnant?"

"Yes."

Bella started to cry then and I felt a few tears come into my eyes myself. "A baby."

Bridget shifted, obviously uncomfortable. "Let's check then, make sure everything's good."

I held tightly to Bella's hand, my heart pounding as it seemed to take forever for Bridget to get the sonogram machine wheeled in. Bella's shirt was lifted and the cold gel squirted onto her stomach. She flinched slightly but didn't say a word. We all stared at the screen as Bridget started to probe Bella's belly.

It was all black and white, nothing really showing. Bella was squeezing my hand so tightly her hand was white. And then…a small flicker on the screen. We could see an amorphous blob around the flicker and I reached forward and touched it lightly.

"Looks good," smiled Bridget. "You can't hear it yet, but that flicker" she outlined it with her finger "is your baby's heartbeat, Bella."

Bella sagged against the bed in relief.

"Looks like you're only a few weeks along, I'm amazed we can see as much as we do, actually." She clicked a few buttons, then started the cleaning up process.

"Can I take Bella home?" I asked quietly. "I know she'd like to sleep in her own bed tonight."

"Well, legally, I can't keep you here, but I'd like her to stay."

I looked at Bella. "Wanna break some rules and sign out AMA?"

"You'll be my at-home doctor?" she smiled up at me.

"Hell yeah. I'll take you home and clean you up and put you to bed. Take the best damn care of you."

"You are a good nurse."

I grinned and turned to Bridget. "Start the paperwork. I'm taking her home. Also, you should call someone in to finish my shift and cover me tomorrow because I'm not coming in."

She nodded and stood up, leaving us in private.

Bella squeezed my hand again and closed her eyes. "A baby."

0000

AN: And that's all she wrote. I imagine Bella and Edward going on to lead a full and happy life with lots of kids. They have ups and downs but they soldier through it all, both too stubborn to give up on their marriage. No one cheats, no one leaves, at least not permanently, and they are each other's rocks. Hope you enjoyed this abbreviated sequel and don't hate me too much for ending somewhat abruptly. ;-)