SM OWNS ALL THINGS TWILIGHT.
AN; There will be some angst in this chapter and a lemon, but basically we are building up to the births of the two new members of the Cullen family. Ellinor, I wish you had an ff account, so I could anser your reviews and talk to you properly. Doctors aren't always right you know!
C POV
"Merry Christmas Carlisle…" I chuckled softly to myself in the darkness. The last six months had been intense, crazy, exciting and terrifying. But it was in the last three weeks, that I felt I was really living for the first time. I had a life, a future to plan for and enjoy with the woman I loved and our baby. I was fifty years old and I was being blessed with the gift of a second chance. A second chance to love, nurture and protect my family, I wasn't going to mess it up this time. After all, I was also going to be a grandfather as well and grandfather's are supposed to set an example. I laughed again, causing Esme, who was laying with her head on my chest, her leg thrown over my hip, to stir slightly. I lightly ran my hand down her bare back.
"Do you have any idea how much I love you?" I said quietly into the darkness. I didn't have all the answers, or the wisdom that grandfathers, or fathers or that matter are supposed to have. I, like a lot of parents made it up as I went along. But, I wasn't alone now. I had the beautiful, loving, wonderful woman lying in my arms to share the good times, the bad and any worries or fears I had and I had several.
I wasn't worried about supporting Esme and the baby financially. The clinic was doing well and I had the money that Elizabeth left me. I would always love Elizabeth and our bond would never be broken whilst Edward, Emmett, Alice and our forthcoming grandchildren were around. But, I had to focus on Esme and the baby now. I hoped, prayed that Elizabeth could understand that. Physically, I was at an age when embarrassing and sometimes serious illnesses could strike, added to that, I would always bare the scars and the slight weakness caused by my injuries from the club collapse. I didn't want Esme or the baby embarrassed or turned into my carer's as I grew older.
Despite the amazing, intense feelings that Esme had awakened in me, I was still set in my ways, could be distant and downright antisocial when I was lost in my work. And Esme and the baby deserved better than that. We had both insisted that although we couldn't make it official, we were married where it mattered, in our hearts. But tonight, Esme's beautiful, passionate, loving words and the physical symbol of our love she had given me, had made our commitment feel all the more real.
It had also confirmed how mentally in synch we were. After everything that had happened between us, we both had realized that we needed a more physical symbol. I still raged when I thought of how Esme had been treated by Siobhan. And although the pleasure of being mistaken for Esme's husband had been ruined by the doctor's assumption that I had been the one to cause Esme's miscarriage and bruises, it had made me realize how much I wanted, needed other people to see that Esme, the baby and I were family.
Esme had been worried that I would be embarrassed by the ring and her gesture. And, although there was a little part of me that was disappointed that I hadn't got to ask her, it was overwhelmed by the larger part of me that felt so completely loved by her.
"You know son, you and I got really lucky with your mom." I said quietly stroking her stomach.
"He, could still be a she you know." Esme said, her voice heavy with sleep as she shifted, resting her chin on my chest and looking up at me smiling.
"We'll see." I teased. I don't know what made me so sure, but I was convinced that the baby was a boy. Holding up my hand, I twisted it so that my ring caught the moonlight streaming through the gap in the curtain. Lord, I thought that Esme was supposed to be the hormonal one!
"Shouldn't I be the one doing that?" Esme teased as she dropped a kiss on my chest.
"Nope, you're the one who changed things around…it's not every day a boy gets proposed to you know." I laughed. She chuckled softly, before laying a hot open mouthed kiss on my collar bone and rolling her hips against me. I moaned softly, letting my hand fall to stroke her spine and knead the cheek of her ass. Our earlier love making had been fast and as passionate as we both could manage. We hadn't bothered to dress for sleep after and the feel of her hot, wet, core against my leg was amazing. Esme moaned against my throat, pregnancy was making her even more sensitive to my touch.
"Kiss me." She said, her tone was almost begging. I drug my hand back up along her spine and twisted it in her hair, pulling her face towards me. Esme wriggled to get as close to me as she could with her now rounded stomach. Our kiss was passionate and tender and Esme whimpered against me as my tounge stroked hers.
"Esme, what's wrong?" I asked pulling away.
"I've changed my mind…I don't like changing things…I want you to make love to me Carlisle…tell me you love me."Esme said, her voice catching with emotion. Hormones could crash as soon they rose.
I moved quicker than I expected, settling between Esme's parted legs, resting my weight on my arms. The heat from her core was almost scorching as I moved my length against her lips, coating myself in her.
"Car…lisle.." Esme moaned ,arching herself toward me and hitching her leg as far as she could over my hip to draw me closer.
"Oh God Esme…" I moaned into her neck as her movement drew the tip of my now almost painful arousal further into her heat. "I don't love you Esme…I adore you…worship you…" I breathed, laving the soft skin of the swell of her breast with my mouth and tounge. "Your skin…even softer…so sweet…"
"More…need more…need you…" Esme breathed arching towards me again, I couldn't stop myself from taking her hard, swollen and even more sensitive nipple into my mouth and sucking gently.
"OH!" Esme screamed, her hand which had been caressing and gently kneading my ass cheeks, was now trying to push me further into her. I ran my hand along her thigh, before hitching her leg higher up my hip.
"I give you this ring…as a sign…of…our love…" I rasped, thrusting all the way inside her. The friction and the angle we were in caused us both to moan.
"So hot, so wet…" I gasped as I held still for a moment.
"Carlisle please…don't stop…" Esme begged. As I let the feel of her heat and her silken walls clenching round me overtake me, I could barely remember my name, let alone wedding vows, but I didn't think that she minded they came out a little jumbled.
"All that I have, I give to you…" I said pulling almost all the way out of her, before thrusting into her again slowly. "All that I am…is…yours…" I said thrusting again. "With my body…I honour…protect…worship…you…" I managed to ground out between thrusts. Finally, Esme grabbed my face between her hands and pulled it down to her for a kiss. We were both close to falling apart. I just hoped that my back would allow us to both get there.
"Faster…" Esme breathed round the edge of our kiss. Added speed and the angle we were at, meant that it took only a few more thrusts before I felt the coil of need in my stomach and lower back begin to unwind. Esme had one hand round my neck and the other fisting the sheet as she began to let go, calling my name and telling me how much she loved me.
"I love you too baby…never forget that…" I moaned. Esme's orgasm began to crash over her with an intensity that surprised us both, her walls began to clench down almost painfully around me. It was Esme giving a few tiny little thrusts against me as she spasmed that sent me over the edge.
"ESSSSMEEE!" I roared, as the intense pleasure and warmth crashed through me in larger and larger waves as I spilled my load inside her. But Esme didn't hear me, she was writhing beneath me, a high pitched keening sound escaping her. Suddenly, her eyes, that had been closed flew open and although they were slightly unfocused, there was a slight look of fear there. I could feel that she was still coming around me, on me, but the intensity and length of her orgasm was frightening her. I felt the muscles in my arms shaking and my back was aching, but I held myself, leaning forward and thrusting into her gently.
"Don't fight it Esme…come for me baby…I'm here…I love you." I said.
"Carlisle…" she whimpered, before finally stilling. With the last of my strength, I rolled onto my back and pulled her across my chest. I did not want to risk collapsing on her. We both lay still for long moments catching our breath.
"That was…" I said finally.
"Incredible…okay so is making love always this good when you're pregnant, or is it just us?" she was smiling, but there was a hint of seriousness to her tone.
"Well considering, I've never been pregnant and it's been thirty years since I made love to a pregnant woman…I'm going to go with it being us." I said. I was touched and also full of male pride at her question.
"Me too…I did tell you I love you right?" she asked seriously, her lips brushing mine.
"Once or twice…" I teased. She nodded pleased, before kissing me softly.
"Are you okay love? Your back…" Esme asked the concern and love in her eyes made my heart clench. God, I loved this woman.
"I'm fine baby…are you okay?" I said stroking the hair from her face. "You got all emotional on me there for a minute…what happened?" I asked.
"Don't know…I just needed you…needed to hear you…feel you tell me you loved me. I felt a bit vulnerable I guess." She said softly.
"Well, I love you…more than I can ever find the words to say, especially since you used all the best words first…" I chuckled. She grinned, before holding up her own hand to look at her ring.
"I have my moments and I meant every word I said. But right at this moment, this vulnerable, hormonal pregnant lady, needs to fall asleep in the arms of her old fashioned, loving fiancée." Esme said giving me a final kiss, before rolling away from me onto her side. I quickly pressed my body against hers, wrapping an arm round her and pulling her back tightly against my chest.
"Better?" I whispered in her ear, she entwined our fingers and rested them on her stomach.
"Much…if this is what Christmas…is like in the Cullen house…can't wait for New Year…" she yawned.
The New Year fireworks were to start earlier than midnight however. During the week between Christmas and New Year, Edward and I, had seen the usual post Christmas, winter coughs, sneezes and sore throats. It was mundane work, but I was loving every minute of being able to treat patients again. What I didn't love however, was the decision I was forced to make, when several patients reported to the clinic with severe gastric flu like symptoms. I could not, would not allow Esme and the baby to be exposed to germs like that.
"What do you mean it's not safe, for me to work at the clinic anymore?" Esme had demanded the morning of New Years Eve. She span round from where she had been replacing the milk in the fridge, to glare at me in my seat at the breakfast bar.
"Esme, it's winter. Every germ known to man and a few that are specific only to Forks will be walking through the doors of the clinic. This gastric flu that is going around is proving to be especially nasty. I don't want to risk the baby's health…"
Oh Shit! Esme's narrowed eyes and flared nostrils told me, that that had sooo come out the wrong way.
"You think I do. You, really think that I would risk our babies health?" she asked. Her voice was low, but anger and shit tears, were making it all the more menacing.
"No, Esme…that's not what I…" I began, but it was hopeless. Her anger at my words had been intensified by her hormones.
"I know I'm not a doctor and that I don't have your wealth of experience when it comes to parenting babies…" she spat. Esme's last words had struck me with the force of a slap to the face. She knew that I hadn't been around as much as I would like to have been when the children were younger and how guilty I felt about it. I sucked in a breath, letting the spoon I had been using to stir my coffee clatter to the plate. "But, I think I have just enough intelligence to know what is good enough for me and my baby." She continued.
'Well obviously you don't, or else, you would know that getting stressed over something so trivial, is not good for you, or the baby." I replied icily. Shut up Carlisle! I knew I was just making things worse by goading her, but I was hurt by what she had just said. Esme gasped in shock at my words and my tone. I hated myself, but there was a tiny part of me, that was glad that I had hurt her as much as she hurt me with her words.
"Okay, so I don't work at the clinic anymore. That won't stop me from being in contact with these nasty germs will it? Unless you plan on giving up work and joining me in the little bubble, you seem determined to put me in for the next five months!" She sneered.
"Now you're just being ridiculous!" I huffed.
"So I'm ridiculous now, as well as stupid and an unfit mother!" Esme raged, her voice shrill. I stood up and rounded the breakfast bar towards her.
"Esme…ENOUGH!" I snapped. "Sit down, calm down and let's discuss this rationally. Your hormones…"
"Don't, you patronize me! And you still haven't explained how I won't catch the germs at the clinic from you or Edward! No, don't bother…I probably wouldn't be able to understand anyway. Why don't I just go back to my cottage and seal myself in there for the next five months."!
With a final blazing look, Esme turned on her heel and stormed from the kitchen, pushing past Alice and Emmett who were leaving tomorrow after the big New Year's party at La Push tonight. I went to go after Esme, but Emmett placed a restraining hand on my shoulder.
"Dad, trust me…let her cool down." He said somberly.
"But…" I began.
"But nothing. Dad, I know pregnancy hormones are probably a lot stronger than menstrual ones, but the principles of dealing with them are the same." Alice intoned in her best medical voice. Over the years, Alice, Bella and Rose had given me first hand experience of hormonal women. Bella had suffered pain, Alice became hyper and emotional whilst Rose veered towards evil. Suddenly, we heard a car peel of down the drive.
"I have to talk to her."
"And carry on the argument…you need to go play doctor with Edward. I'll look after mo…Esme and my baby sister." Alice said.
"It's a boy." I huffed, running a hand through my hair.
"We'll see…" Alice sang as she skipped away.
Was there something the women in my family knew about the sex of my baby that I didn't?
The clinic was open for a few hours on the morning of New Years Eve, but my mind wasn't really on my work and I was glad when we closed. I was sat behind my desk, making a mess of some paper work when there was a knock at the door.
"Esme…?"
The door opened, it was Edward.
"Oh. What do you want?" I huffed.
"Happy New Year to you too." Edward sniggered. " I just wondered if you still have my pharmacy desk guide. I'm trying to find a new antibiotic for Harry Chambers."
Harry Chambers was a baby that had been born prematurely and suffered quite badly with his lungs ever since.
"Another infection?" I asked, my professional attention caught.
Edward nodded. He looked worried.
"Edward, I don't like this…"
"I know, I know…I've booked him in for some tests at the hospital next week." Edward said quietly.
"What are you thinking?" I had an idea.
"Cystic Fibrosis." He hissed. I sucked in a deep breath. Cystic Fibrosis was an acute, terminal condition that attacked the lungs, causing them to fill with mucus and effectively make the sufferer feel like they were drowning. It also affected the way the sufferer absorbed food. The life expectancy was still quite short. Edward saw the book on my desk, he snatched it up and turned to leave. I knew he was stressed and needed to think, but I also knew from experience, that Edward could brood so much, that he could lose focus. I decided to take his mind of things for a moment.
"Edward, I know you're busy…but do you think you could spare your old man five minutes for a consult."
He turned, frowning as he folded himself into the chair in front of my desk.
"Who's the patient?"
"Me!"
Edward's eyebrows rose.
"Can I ask you how Bella's hormones are treating you?"
Edward shifted uncomfortably and he blushed. Oh god, maybe this wasn't such a good idea.
"No! Not in that sense. I mean…in terms of her temper. Esme and I had a fight this morning." I sighed, leaning my elbows on my desk and my chin on my hands. Edward chuckled darkly.
"We've had words…Bella didn't want anyone to know about the baby until she had had her twelve week scan, but Rose overheard our conversation."
I must have looked confused.
"I had left the door to our room open, so Rose had overheard, Emmett then of course wanted to know what had upset Rose, then Alice wanted to know what was upsetting Bella and Emmett and then, when she finally got it out of Emmett, she went hyper…" Edward said quickly. "Sooo, it was of course my fault, for leaving the door open." He explained. "So, what did you do?" Edward chuckled.
"I told her, I didn't want her working here anymore, especially with the stomach flu that's going round."
Edward sucked in a deep breath and winced.
"Did you talk to her about it or, did you just tell her?"
"I simply said, that I did not want her and the baby exposed to those germs."
"Did you use your I'm-a-doctor-and-I-know-better-than-you voice?"
"I don't have a voice like that." I huffed.
Edward chuckled. "Dad, where do you think I got mine from?"
ES POV
Stupid, old fashioned, over protective, patronizing man!
What he was saying was right, sensible and caring about me and the baby. But it was the way, he said it. He hadn't discussed it with me. He'd just told me in that dismissive, patronizing doctor voice. As if, I would do anything that would endanger the baby. I was still terrified that something would happen to take the baby away and thanked god profusely every morning that I woke up to see and feel my swelling stomach.
I bought the car to a halt and it took me a few minutes to realize that I had really driven to the cottage. I had only been here once, since that night with Charles to collect some of my clothes and things, and that was with half the family in tow and with me unable to go up to the bedroom. I had had some good times in the cottage and I had developed the sense of independence and confidence that I needed to, but I knew I could build on those feelings, whilst being surrounded by the love and support that the baby and I needed at the main house. However, I hadn't expected to have one of the main things that gave me my confidence taken away. I loved my job and was good at it.
With a groan, I let my head fall onto the steering wheel. I could feel tears pricking my eyes. Shivering slightly, I got out of the car and hurried into the cottage. It had been cleaned up since that night, but something still felt wrong, the peace and calm I usually felt in the air when I came home was gone. It even smelt wrong. But I wasn't going to let Charles have the satisfaction of leaving me too scared to even set foot in what had been my home. Without thinking, I raced up the stairs to the bedroom on the mezzanine level. I gripped the railing for a moment as images of that night assaulted me, but they quickly passed to be replaced by the images of Carlisle's cold angry face this morning.
"Oh baby…your mommy is such an idiot!" I groaned as I flung myself down on the side of the bed and wrapped my arms around my stomach. Carlisle had just been trying in his own old fashioned, clumsy way to protect me and the baby. He was after all as new to this as I was. Oh god! I had been such a bitch, throwing his behavior when Elizabeth was pregnant and the children were young in his face. I had regretted what I had said, almost as soon as the words had left my mouth, I had seen the hurt look on Carlisle's face, but I had just carried on. And Carlisle had hit right back at me. That had stung. But if I was honest, part of me had carried on the fight, not just because he had hurt me, but because for once, I could react to being questioned on my decisions, fight my corner, without fear of being hit. Damn it Charles, I will not let your shit do this to me and Carlisle…not now! I was so lost in my rambling thoughts, I almost missed it, a slight shift, a fluttering deep inside.
"Is that you baby?" I whispered.
I wasn't frightened, just shocked and a little excited. Carlisle had persuaded me to look over a few baby books, even though he knew how scared I was that something would go wrong. Even now I was almost four months pregnant, past the initial "danger" zone, I was still scared. I had read that I would begin to feel slight movements around now, although it would be a little longer before the movements would be strong enough for Carlisle to feel. There was another flutter.
"I'm sorry baby…am I giving you a headache too?" I whispered rubbing my stomach.
"Esme…are you okay?" Alice asked her face creased with concern. I hadn't heard her come in. But here she was standing at the top of the stairs.
"Alllicccee!" I hissed, raising one hand to my pounding heart.
'Sorry, I did knock…now answer me…are you and bubba okay?" she demanded, dropping to her knees in front of me.
"Yes…no…oh Alice…the baby moved, just a little movement, but she moved." I said excitedly. Alice grinned.
"Dad says he, you say she…"
"Well whatever bubba is, I think they've got a headache after what happened this morning." I said sadly.
"Don't worry bubs, parents think they know best, but sometimes, it's us kids that have to talk sense into them…" Alice said. She looked at me for permission, before patting my stomach gently. She sat Indian style infront of me.
"Did your Dad tell you what happened?" I asked.
"No…just that you had a fight. He wanted to come after you, but Emmett and I figured you could do with some time to cool down."
I must have looked surprised when she mentioned Emmett.
"Rose can be a real bitch during her time of the month." Alice explained.
"She has her reasons." I replied. As well as the usual hormonal chaos, Rose had to deal with the bitterness of seeing another failed chance to have the baby she so desperately wanted.
"I know…but enough about Rose…"
I explained the basic information of our fight.
"It wasn't what he said so much…as the way he had said it. It reminded me…no…never mind…" I said.
"Go on…" Alice urged.
"The way he dismissed what I was saying and just told me what was going to happen…it reminded me of Charles…" I said quickly. I dropped my head to my chest ashamed. Alice didn't reply and I was too nervous to look up. I had just insulted her father after all.
"Esme, I don't need to tell you that Dad, is as far away from Charles as you can get. And I've told you before that Dad can be very old fashioned and set in his ways. I think, even if you weren't pregnant and hormonal, you would have had a fight like this at some stage about something. You guys have been through in six months, shit that couples that have been married for years haven't gone through. But really, you two have just reached that part of a relationship where you start to notice the bad things about each other as well as the good."
She was right. Carlisle and I did passion and drama really well, but we were still trying to get a handle on the small things about each other.
"So young, but so wise." I teased.
"I had good teachers, Dad, Jazz, Edward, Bells, Emmett on occasion and both my moms…" she sighed. I noticed her eyes glaze over slightly as she mentioned her mothers.
"Alice…tell me to shut up if it's too personal. But the night I was hurt…what were you seeing?" I asked gently. Alice looked a little shocked, before running her hand over her short spikes and letting out a noisy sigh.
"My own never ending nightmare made real. Jim…my birth father, he died on impact. But my mom, she was still alive, hurt bad…but still alive. For two hours whilst we were waiting to be rescued, she kept talking to me…telling me that she loved me, that we would be okay. I wanted to try and crawl out the window, make the help come faster…but she made me promise not to move, not to leave her alone. I promised. Even when she die…fell asleep…I kept promising her and when the rescue team did turn up and cut me from the car…I screamed, kicked, I think I even bit one of them. They didn't understand…I had promised my mommy…and I was a good girl…" Alice's voice was thick with emotion, tears were coursing down her cheeks and her slight frame was shaking, but I didn't stop her. She needed to talk. "When I saw you hurt and being put on that gurney, it gave me a chance to keep my promise. I wasn't going to leave my mommy alone…and…the closer we got to the…hospital…the more I began to snap out of it and…realize it was you and…not her…but…it…didn't stop the way…I felt…I had…to look after my mommy…" Alice broke down at that point, rising up on her knees, flinging her arms around me and burying her head in my neck as she sobbed. I held her tightly, rocking her gently.
"And you did baby…you looked after me…you looked after her as well…"
"I love you mom…" Alice sobbed into my neck.
"And I love you…my beautiful…brave girl." I crooned.
After my fight with Carlisle and my heartbreakingly emotional moment with Alice I was exhausted. Once we had both calmed down enough, I left Alice preparing her beauty parlour. She was using the cottage to get herself, Rose, Bella and some of the girls from the reservation ready tonight. Alice had agreed "just this once" to let me get myself ready. But all I did when I got home was crawl into bed and sleep. I was too tired even to be very upset that Carlisle wasn't there.
I woke, god knows how much later to the feel of Carlisle stroking my face.
"Hi." I whispered.
"Hi." He replied softly.
"I was a bitch."
"Yes, but I deserved it…well some of it."
"It's not what you said…just the way you said it. Carlisle I've spent years having someone talk down to me…not value my intelligence, my opinion. And as scared as I am about the baby…I do have opinions, thoughts, feelings." I said, grabbing his hand and entwining our fingers.
"I know and I'm sorry for acting like your doctor, rather than your partner."
"I'm sorry for what I said about your parenting experience…that was out of line…this is new to both of us…the good bits and the bad."
"Thank you." He replied, leaning down and kissing me softly. "Although, I hear you had your own parenting experience with Alice." He said after he broke away.
"She told you".
He nodded. "She wanted to know if, I minded her calling you mom?"
"Do you?" I asked nervously.
"Not really. Elizabeth raised the children, but Alice and Emmett are the type of people who are overflowing with love to give. And when they find someone to give it too…it's all or nothing. They need the security of having a "mom" in their lives. You do realize that you know have an adopted son, as well as a daughter." Carlisle chuckled.
"Emmett doesn't mind?"
"Hell no, he's been thanking me for giving him such a good looking stepmother." Carlisle laughed.
"Oh, talking of our children…" I loved the way that sounded. "Our youngest, decided to make their presence felt today. I felt movement…just a little…but I felt it." I said excitedly. Carlisle's face was alive with excitement, his eyes soft with love.
"That's wonderful love…I wish I could feel too…but it won't be long…will it son?" Carlisle said, stroking my stomach.
"Carlisle…this poor baby girl will be so confused." I teased.
Carlisle growled playfully. "We've just made up from one fight…"
"Have we? Then you touch must be slipping honey…coz I don't remember any hot make up sex." I purred. Carlisle's eyes darkened.
"Oh you will." He growled.
Twenty minutes later, the only thing I could remember was Carlisle's name as I sat astride him, riding him to another breathtaking climax.
"Kiss me." Carlisle moaned. I leant forward to kiss him and the slight change of angle caused Carlisle to hit my already sensitive sweet spot in just the way to send me flying over the edge again. This time Carlisle caught my moan in his mouth as we kissed. Spent, I collapsed down on his chest for a moment. I knew this was probably one of the last times we would be able to be in this position for awhile and I wanted to enjoy it.
"I still say, I have never seen a more beautiful sight than you riding me, except perhaps, you riding me wearing those damn shoes…" he growled. He was talking about the Loubitons that Alice had bought me for Christmas.
"You said that you couldn't handle seeing me in those shoes…" I teased.
"I gave myself a second opinion." I sat up and looked at him.
"I won't be able to walk very far…" I had only managed to stumble round the furniture in the bedroom when I had practiced. Carlisle's face was priceless as he realized what I was saying.
"Won't need to." He moaned.
"Shut your eyes."
I disentangled myself from Carlisle and on rubbery legs, collected the shoes from the closet and headed into the bathroom. If I was going to do it, I might as well do it right. If nothing else, we would have a giggle.
"Right, turn on your side facing the bathroom." I called. I gave him a minute and heard the sheets rustle as he moved. What was I doing.
"Are your eyes still shut?" I called.
"Yes."
"Better be." I tottered to the bathroom door, I didn't go out however. I held onto the door, balanced carefully then, stuck my leg out round the door in what I hoped was a sexy way.
"Open your eyes." I said.
There was no sound for a moment, I wiggled my leg.
"Get out here…wicked woman…" Carlisle groaned. He wasn't laughing, he liked it. Carefully I tottered out and stood a little way from the bed. Thank god I had insisted on the flattering light bulbs in the lamp that was lighting the room. Carlisle was lying on his side, eyes hooded with lust as they crawled up my body. And when I saw his obvious arousal beginning to tent the sheet round his waist, I didn't feel silly anymore, I felt sexy.
"C'mere." Carlisle almost begged. Slowly, I walked the few steps to the bed, raising one foot so it rested right infront of Carlisle, giving him a full view of my leg and naked body.
"Lord have mercy." Carlisle moaned as he slowly ran his hand up my calf and thigh, before he began gently squeezing my ass.
"You like?"
"Like…like…" Carlisle breathed as he rose up on his knees "I don't like…I fucking love!" he growled. I didn't have chance to think about the fact that Carlisle had spun me round, pushed me down on the bed and was hovering above me, wrapping one leg round his hip. Carlisle had swore, I had made Carlisle swear!
At that moment, both our cell phones were ringing as was the rarely used landline. It was New Year's Eve, we were supposed to be at the party. And we would get there, but not until Carlisle and I had created a few more fireworks of our own.
We arrived at the party just after ten. Emmett, who had obviously had enough to drink to make him merry rather than drunk, came and wrapped a large arm round my shoulder.
"Heh Mom! Do you think you'll be able to write me a note to explain to my captain why I'm not able to go to work tomorrow." He teased. I had forgotten that Emmett was starting back at work tomorrow.
"How are you feeling about that?" I asked.
"Bit nervous…it's a bit like first day back at school…" he said.
"Well if any of those big boys start giving you trouble, they'll have me to answer to." I said sternly. Emmett locked shocked for a moment, before booming with laughter and kissing the top of my head.
Alice was the next to find me.
"It was the shoes." I whispered. She laughed and then pulled a face.
"Okay enough, there are some things that a girl, really doesn't need to know about her parents." She laughed. I pulled her to me and gave her a hug and a kiss. I still couldn't believe how much love I felt, how happy I was.
The party was spilling across several houses on the reservation. Carlisle went to find Charlie, Billy and some of the others. I headed to Charlie and Sue's house where the women were gathering. On the way, I bumped into Edward.
"Edward, how do you feel about Emmett and Alice calling me mom?" I asked hesitantly. It had been something that was bothering me. He thought for a moment, even in the moonlight, I could see his green eyes flashing.
"Esme, you know how much I love and care for you, and I'd love for you to think of me as a son, but Elizabeth is the only woman that I will ever feel comfortable calling mom…do you mind?" he asked nervously.
"Of course not…she's a very lucky woman. I just hope, that I can do half as good a job raising this baby as she did you."
"Anyone who willingly takes on Alice and Emmett is already supermom in my book." He teased.
"So, what are you going to do?" Julie asked with a huff. I had just told her, Claire, Angela and Sue that I wouldn't be coming back to the clinic. I had been touched by their genuinely sad reactions.
"Apart from have another slice of cake…I'm eating for two…" I pleaded as I saw their jealous glares.
"It all tastes good now…but six months from now, when you're struggling fit your ass in your clothes…you'll be cursing…" Claire muttered darkly. Sue punched her in the shoulder.
"I thought, that I might as well take the extra classes needed to get my skills up scratch and get my accreditation back. I think I can do it in three months rather than the year I was planning."
"Don't push yourself too hard." Julie said.
"I won't, but I really need something to get my teeth into and the plans for the recreation centre seem perfect. I really want to help." I said. It was true, now I had time to calm down and think. Not being at the clinic could be a good thing. I really wanted to get back into designing, but I was so nervous, I really didn't think I would have done it, if I had the excuse of working at the clinic.
"Well as much as we want you to help and as excited we are at what you have planned. We will understand if you want to take a bit of extra time designing junior's nursery." Sue said. Some of the nerves and fears I still had about the baby making it, must have shown on my face.
"Esme…every mother goes through what you are feeling…but honey, you've had your share of the shitty part of life. Now, you have to get ready for the good stuff…get ready for your baby." Sue said dropping a kiss on the top of my head as she passed my chair. I reached out and gave her a squeeze round the middle. If Alice had found a mother figure in me, I think I had found one in Sue Swan.
New Year was chaotic in the Cullen house. As well as me starting my classes, Edward and Bella left the main house and moved into their own house. Between us, Bella and I supervised workman, deliverymen and Carlisle and Edward making the finishing touches. Unfortunately, Bella had had to take early maternity leave, as she suffered all day sickness, anaemia and some of the other negative pregnancy side effects. We were getting closer as we discussed the various changes to our bodies, our proposed birth plans and all our hopes and fears. I even apologized about having such an easy time. But, both she and Carlisle gently pointed out to me however, that whilst she could have further, easier pregnancies, this was likely to be my only chance. Whereas Bella's nature and her lack of energy meant that she hadn't been thrilled at the thought of shopping for maternity clothes, I was ecstatic. Being that big to me, meant that the baby was getting stronger, hanging in there, getting one step closer to being in my arms.
"Esme!" Carlisle called one afternoon when he came home from the clinic. I was upstairs in the bedroom. I had classes in the morning three days a week. In the afternoon, I had a nap. Sometimes, like today when he had a light patient load, Carlisle came home to join me.
"Up here!" I sang happily. I had just changed into a pair of yoga pants and one of Carlisle's T-shirts. He came in to find me sitting amongst a pile of my clothes.
"Nothing fits properly…not a thing!" I sang happily.
"And this is a good thing." Carlisle clarified.
"Yup!" I said popping the p. "It means that the baby is still here…growing…aren't you bubs?" I said softly, rubbing my stomach. That was when I felt it, a definite kick against my hand.
"Esme?" Carlisle queried as he saw the shock on my face.
"Come here…" I said holding out my hand. Carlisle came and sat down beside me. "Bubs, say hello to Daddy." I said, rubbing my stomach again, before placing Carlisle's hand over the spot. It took a moment, but then the baby kicked again. It wasn't so much that I had felt it, more that I had seen the look of wonder on Carlisle's face.
"Esme." He breathed.
"Say something" I laughed. Carlisle gently tugged the hem of my T-shirt up and placed his large, warm hand on the same spot rubbing gently.
"Hello baby…I'm your daddy…and I can't wait to meet you." He said.
"Seems like the feelings mutual." I said as the baby kicked again. We were both crying as we kissed.
"Do you have any idea how much I love you…both."Carlisle said against my lips.
"Almost as much as we love you." I replied.
I was becoming a restless sleeper, but that didn't stop me dreaming. And my dreams were focusing more and more on a little girl with Carlisle's bright green eyes. This time the whole family was playing baseball. She was about four and wearing a little baseball uniform complete with cap. Alice had pitched to her and she'd hit the ball quite a way for someone so small. But before Edward could throw the ball he'd caught back to Alice and call her out. Carlisle had shoulder charged him causing him to drop the ball.
"Run baby!" Carlisle had called and our little girl had taken off until I had blown my whistle to halt the game. Why was I the bitch? Carlisle and our little girl came over to remonstrate with me. She stood, hands on hips, head cocked lips pouting.
"Carlisle, you're shameless! Encouraging her to cheat!"
I hated the fact I couldn't give her a name. I wanted to, but there was still that little fear that she would be taken away from me. Suddenly, I felt Carlisle stroking my face and calling me back to consciousness. I opened my eyes, to see the room bathed in early morning sunlight and Carlisle sitting on the side of the bed, bare-chested, a towel round his shoulders and a half shaved face.
"I hated to wake you. But you were telling me off pretty badly and loudly!" He chuckled. "Who was I encouraging to cheat?"
"Our little girl…playing baseball…shameless cheat…" I said sleepily. Carlisle's eyes softened as he gazed down at me. I hissed and shifted as the baby gave a particularly sharp move.
"Seems, like she doesn't like being told off either." I said.
Carlisle placed a hand on my stomach.
"Behave little one. Don't argue with your mother." He said. His voice was low and gravely. The baby gave a tiny little move before stilling.
"Well at least she listens to one of us."
Carlisle chuckled as he went back to the bathroom. He still wouldn't change his mind that the baby was a boy. Even when I found the little baseball outfit and cap he tried to hide in his office.
I was taking postgraduate courses at USW, they were challenging, but I was enjoying myself. And even though I was one of the oldest people in the class, I still made some good friends, including a few guys from Emmett's old fraternity. Bella's health had improved and our doctor's, the official ones and the ones we lived with, agreed we could take up some light exercise. Bella and I decided on the aqua classes for pregnant women being held in the pool at USW. Carlisle enjoyed helping me chose a swimsuit and we, had fun reliving the last time he had seen me in a swimsuit. The class was fun, but we were both tired and starving when we finished. We stopped off for takeout, but in the time it took for the order to be filled, it had surprise, surprise started to rain. We waddled as quickly as we could to the car, but in our hurry to get into the dry, Bella dropped the keys…down the grate of a drain. We could see them resting on the ledge, but neither of us could kneel in our condition and we had both left our cell phones in the car.
"Esme…Esme, is that you? What are you doing out in this…in your condition?"
I spun round to see Sam, one of the guys in my practical construction class.
"Having a shower I snapped."
Sam chuckled. He had told me during one of our study group sessions that he was the eldest of eight children. He knew all about pregnant women. He and several of the other guys, who as well as loving me for my help with their homework, thought I was cool for being Emmett the legends "mom", had become very protective of me. Bella and I explained about the keys. Sam shepherded us back towards the bar he had come out of. After Bella and I dried off as best we could in the ladies room, the boys round the table leapt up and settled us in a booth, insisting that we have a drink. Sam and one of the other guys improvised a hook and retrieved our keys quite quickly. But Bella and I, stayed for another drink and to watch a pool game.
When we finally got back in the car, we were surprised to find that there were no anxious messages from the boys. And when we got home, nearly an hour and a half late, we find out why.
"But this one has easy touch handling…"
"This one though has anti lock brakes."
"Cars! We are nearly an hour and half late and they don't even notice, because their talking about CARS!" Bella hissed as we followed the sound of their voices in the lounge.
"We're home Carlisle…" I said, sitting down next to him on the sofa.
"Hi honey." Carlisle said, patting my knee, but not looking away from the brochures on the table.
"I really enjoyed the class." Bella purred, stroking Edward's arm.
"Good baby…I'm really glad…" Edward said, dropping a kiss on her forehead. Annoyed, I snatched at one of the brochures on the table.
"Baby strollers! You're looking at baby strollers!" I said trying to keep my voice level.
"Uh huh! There are so many to choose from, so many things to take into consideration." Carlisle said seriously. Bella and I let out a strangled cry.
"Bells, would you like to grab a shower here…I still feel damp from the rain and I want to get rid of the smell of the BAR." I said, emphasizing the last word. Still no response.
"No thanks Esme…I'll wait till I get home, but remind me to give you Chris' hoody back."
"Yeah, sweet boy Chris…he liked you. He was hanging on your every word."
"Well that Caius REALLY liked you. I saw him checking out your ass by the pool table." Bella laughed.
Carlisle and Edward had now stopped talking. Carlisle looked at the clock. "You're a bit late honey…was everything okay?"
"Well, we stopped for takeout…but Bella dropped her keys down the drain. Luckily, one of the boys from my class saw us. We hung out in the K Bar whilst he got the keys for us."
"They were really nice guys…full of it…" Bella said.
"Oh, I don't know…I think we both are, going to be MILF's." I said off handedly. Carlisle's eyes had narrowed and darkened.
"What did you say?"Edward asked.
"The boys thought we are going to MILF's, you know sweety…Mommies, I'd love to…" Bella began.
"When is your next class honey?" Edward asked sweetly.
"Next Thursday."
"Oh that's handy…I was planning on seeing Eleazar then." Carlisle said.
"I think I might join you." Edward said.
Bella laughed and I swore I heard her say "thought you might".
As it turned out, Carlisle really did need to see Eleazar but it wasn't until we were getting ready for bed later that night that he told me why. I was tired from my class, but Carlisle was a little wound up and I pushed him to tell me what was wrong. He sat on the side of the bed with a folder of paperwork.
"Esme…I don't want you to get upset…this was just something that I needed to do for my peace of mind and yours.."
I flicked open the folder he handed me. It was Carlisle's will, signed and witnessed by Eleazar. As well as splitting his not inconsiderable estate between me and all the children including the baby. He had left me $500,000 and a trust fund for the baby for the same amount. I couldn't help the tears that stung my eyes.
"Heh…now, no tears…I'm not planning on going anywhere for a VERY long time…my medicals all came back clear. The only things bothering me are the usual old man complaints." I chuckled.
"You'll be my old man…and you can complain as much as you like." I said roughly, pulling his face to me and kissing him.
My classes had flown by and I was expected to pass with distinction. Carlisle couldn't help but gloat that he had done me and the architectural world a favour by making me focus on my classes. All I had to do was sit one more theory exam and prepare a presentation and model of one of my structures. I decided to bring the ideas I had for the recreation centre on the reservation to life. It seemed to be perfect timing as Billy and the council had decided to really push ahead with the process. They could have done it earlier, using another architect limited funds or not, but they wanted to wait for me, which was daunting and flattering in equal measures. I loved the little town of Forks and the friends I had down on the rez, I really wanted to give something back.
I ended up spending quite a bit of time down on the reservation. Any romantic feelings that Billy may have had for me, had now been replaced with protective friendship. Billy had met a woman named Fi, from a reservation in Canada.
"Esme!" Carlisle called.
"Dining room!" I hissed.
Carlisle entered to find me placing the last piece onto my model.
"Do not…even breathe." I hissed again, not looking up. It had taken three weeks of work and as much as I had grumbled, I was proud of it. The council had decided to place the centre at the top of one of the cliff paths that wound up from La Push beach. I had tried to encompass the traditional feel of the reservations wooden buildings, with some more modern touches, like large windows, that would make the most of the breath taking views.
"Esme…it's beautiful." Carlisle breathed.
"You're biased." I huffed.
"Maybe, I don't know much about architecture. But, I do know how lucky I am to have such a beautiful, loving…talented woman in my life." Carlisle said as he came to stand behind my chair resting his hands on my shoulders. I tilted my head back to look at him, squeezing one of his hands. He leant down and kissed me.
"Are you ready to go and see our baby?" he asked pulling away.
My breath caught. I had decided to work on the model as a way to take my mind off my nerves. It had worked.
As excited as I was about the baby moving and what it meant, it wasn't until today when we had the scan that allowed us to know the sex of the baby, that I would finally allowed myself to relax a little more. Carlisle and I had thought about not knowing the sex of the baby, saving it as surprise, but when we were honest, we both admitted that we really wanted to know. And there was of course the rather large pot from the pool, the children and it appeared half the reservation, were running on the sex of both mine and Bella's babies. The scan was one of the more advanced 3D ones and Rachel Black would be using it alongside a very through battery of other tests to check the baby for any serious illnesses and defects. As an older mother, I was more at risk of developing problems, there were more detailed tests available however, they were highly invasive and held more of a risk of miscarriage. Carlisle and I had talked, rather than argued over the issue and although the doctor in him found it hard, the father in Carlisle found the thought of losing the child we already both loved harder.
Neither of spoke, we were both totally captivated by the 3-D image on the screen. Rachel went through the important measurements and checked the development of the baby's head, heart and limbs. Everything was so clear. It was so strange when I felt a movement and then saw it on screen.
"Baby's having a stretch and…yep…waving." Rachel said softly.
I squeezed Carlisle's hand. He was beaming as he raised his free hand and waved his fingers."Hi". he whispered before kissing my hand.
"Right, so we definitely want to know the sex." Rachel clarified. We looked at each other once more before nodding. Rachel moved the probe around.
"Any ideas?"
"Boy." Carlisle said firmly.
"Girl." I said. Rachel took another minute.
"In this case momma knows best…my Dad'll be pleased, he's got money in the pot."
"It's a girl." Carlisle sighed.
"Sorry doc."
"I was so sure."
"I knew it!" I squealed. As sure as Carlisle was the baby was a boy, I had always had a strong feeling it was a girl. Rachel left us for a few minutes and Carlisle carried on the scan.
"She's got your nose." I said, reaching out my hand toward the screen.
"And she's got your legs…that does it…I don't care if I'm on a zimmer frame, in a wheel chair on life support, she is not leaving the house till she is 35!" Carlisle growled.
"What's wrong honey, are you worried, she'll meet a sexy doctor with a cute ass, dazzling bedside manner and a liking for long legs." I teased.
As if to argue, the baby gave a sudden movement and we saw on the screen, her throw out her arms.
"You can argue all you like young lady…it's 35, not a day sooner." Carlisle whispered his eyes fixed on the screen. I chuckled softly to myself. She wasn't born yet, but she already had Carlisle wrapped round her little finger.
Even the dogs of Seattle could hear the squeal that came from Alice when we told her. Emmett grumbled about having another loud, noisy, sister, but he was happy. Rose was quiet but happy and Bella was glad that what a scan revealed to be her and Edward's son, would have a little girl to play with.
I was spending the afternoon with Sue.
"At least now I can start planning my knitting properly." She said. "I've done all the neutral colours…I'd like to do some proper blue boy things." She said, needles flying.
"Do you think you'd have time to do a couple of things in pink?" I asked quietly. Sue stopped and looked at me.
"If you like."
"Sue…I know technically you are going to be grandma to Bella and Edward's baby…but I was wondering…Carlisle too…but mainly me…would you mind taking on a granddaughter as well. I mean both mine and Carlisle's parents are dead… but Carlisle has the children, Carmen, Eleazar, even Aro to offer the baby as extended family. I…I don't have anyone." I stammered. I hadn't wanted to cry, but here I was blubbing. Sue stood up from her chair and came to sit beside me on the sofa. She pulled me into her arms and let me weep on her shoulder.
"If this little girl is anything like her wonderful mother…I would be honoured to have her as a granddaughter. And you know Charlie will be tickled…he has a pretty big soft spot for you you know. Esme, you may not have extended family on your side…well not official family…but it doesn't matter…you are going to give this little girl so much love…she's not going to know what to do with it." Sue said. "Now, get on the end of that wool woman!"
Billy and Charlie decided to take Carlisle and Edward out to "wet the baby's heads." With their winnings from the pool. Charlie had been convinced all along Bella would have a boy. The two men took the chance to tease Carlisle about getting it wrong.
It was after one when I heard noise downstairs. Billy and Charlie were helping a very drunk Carlisle and Edward into the house.
"I thought the idea was to wet the baby's head, not drown it!"
"Esssmeee…my lovvvellly Esssmmee…we're having a baby." Carlisle informed me.
"I had noticed." I replied. I couldn't stay cross. He looked so sweet.
Carlisle staggered towards me, he slipped an arm as far round my waist as he could.
"You're havvviiing myyyy bayyybbeee…what a wunnerrful way too sayyy youuu loooveee meee!" he sang. I was trying to keep my face straight, but I was desperate to laugh. I wish I had a camera. To see Carlisle so relaxed, so happy…so drunk.
"Well your baby is wondering what the hell that horrible noise is." I said. Carlisle's face fell. His hands and eyes fell to my stomach.
"Oh baby…I'mmm sorry…daddy…I'm gonna be a daddy Essmmee…daddy was jus beein silly baaaby…don't be sc…scared." He slurred, patting my stomach.
We left Edward who was slurring pretty much the same things down the phone to Bella on the sofa and I managed to get Carlisle to bed. The next morning, I was in the kitchen when Carlisle staggered in looking awful. He collapsed onto a stool at the breakfast bar.
"Good morning." I said.
"Okay, I know your mad…but there's no need to shout." He hissed.
"Breakfast?" I asked, trying to keep a straight face.
"No!" he snapped before holding his head. "I think I'm developing a phantom pregnancy…I have morning sickness." He said somberly. I snorted at this.
"Well far be it from me to question your diagnosis doctor Cullen, but I think there could be another cause for your symptoms." I said.
"Oh?"
"Like the amount of alcohol you almost drowned our baby in last night."
Carlisle's reply was cut off by Edward staggering into the kitchen, his already unruly hair looking as if he'd been electrocuted.
"Have you seen Bella?" he asked from the fridge.
"Not this morning no." I replied.
"Any idea where she is?" he asked, draining the milk straight from the carton. I snatched it away.
"Yes, she's probably in the kitchen of YOUR house…"
"Oh…OH!" Edward said, eyes widening as he realized where he was. He called a goodbye over his shoulder as he ran out the back door. Carlisle laughed. I glared. He got up.
"I'm just going to go and die quietly in the other room." He mumbled.
"You do that." I replied before bursting into silent giggles.
With my classes finished, I as Sue and the girls thought I might, began nesting and planning the nursery. I wanted the baby close. The suite on the third floor had the open plan, but that was too far up. I wanted to stay in Carlisle's…our room. So I contacted the contractor's that Bella and Edward had used on their house. Carlisle grumbled at having to move his office into the bedroom that I had first used at the end of the hall. But before long, I was happily watching as the wall came down. Bella's blood pressure had begun to climb again and as a precaution she was put on bed rest. Edward was understandably worried, but his fussing was driving Bella mad. So one weekend, with Alice's help, we sent him out with Carlisle and Jasper to look at the strollers they had been drooling over in brochures for real. This left us girls free to shop on line and drool over other baby things. Rose and Emmett had said they were too busy to come down that weekend. It wasn't the first time this had happened and whilst we understood that Rose and Emmett were busy, both Bella and I hoped that it was our oversensitive hormones that were making us feel that Rose was avoiding us. We had done everything not to flaunt things in her face.
Bella and I couldn't drink, so as we finished shopping and settled down to drool over Patrick Swayze in Dirty Dancing, Alice drank on our behalf.
"Bella, you do realize that you're growing a little penis in there." Alice slurred.
"Alice, you're supposed to set a good example for your little sister." I scolded whilst trying not to laugh.
"Sorryy baaaybbee girl…." Alice slurred patting my bump.
"Yeah Al, you shouldn't lie to children. If junior is anything like his father…it won't be little." Bella said seriously. The boys came home to find us all cackling with laughter.
"Having fun ladies."Edward asked.
"Uh huh, but I won't be in a minute if someone doesn't help me up. Bubs is laughing, whilst tap dancing on my bladder." I wailed.
Edward helped me up and was waiting when I came out.
"Thanks Esme…Bella looks a lot more relaxed."
"That's Alice, not me…"
"Thanks anyway." He said giving me a squeeze.
Two weeks later, I found out why Rose and Emmett had not been coming back to Forks. Carlisle led me up to the baby's room before insisting I cover my eyes.
"Open em." He said finally.
I opened them, to see a beautiful rocking chair in the corner of the room.
"Carlisle it's beautiful." I breathed running my hand over the smooth wood and admired the intricate carving on the spindles. "Where did you get it?"
"Emmett made it…he made one for Bella as well."
"You're not going to cry are you? Bella just almost drowned me." I heard Emmett say from behind me. I spun round. He looked anxious.
"Come here." I said roughly. He stepped forward and bent down. I hugged him fiercely.
"Okay …jeez…I think I prefer crying…Esme…can't breathe." Emmett croaked.
Rose joined me in the kitchen later.
"He's so talented." I said.
"Yep…he's been working on them for ages…that's why we haven't been down."
I nodded.
"You thought it was because I didn't want to see you." Rose said quietly. I hung my head as I nodded. Rose came to stand in front of me.
"I've told you both…I'm okay with this…especially now that things are moving for me and Em."
My head snapped up.
"We're heading off to use our Christmas present after the party to celebrate Seth and Jake coming home and Carlisle's birthday. The week after we get back…we start our first course of IVF. That's another reason we haven't been down…we've been having councelling."
"Rose!" I managed to say before I launched myself at her.
She laughed for a minute.
"God Em was right…Esme…need to breathe."
"I'm so happy for you."
Rose held up her hand. "It's early days…but we might as well go into all as relaxed as we can…even if inside…we're scared to death."
Bella's health problems meant that baby Adam Carlisle Cullen or "ACE" was born by emergency caesarian two weeks early. He was a beautiful, healthy baby who already had Edward's unruly hair and pianist hands. It was too soon to tell if he would have Bella's brown eyes, but he already had a lot of her facial features. Bella had an extended case of the baby blues due to all the trauma. But we were all there for her and she asked for some help from a postpartum specialist that Carmen knew.
My due date came and went. I was tired, cranky and uncomfortable, especially as the weather was extremely hot for Forks. I wanted to hold my baby. Over the days following my due date, I ate the spicy food, drank the teas, took the warm baths, went for long walks with Carlisle. I even let Emmett take me for a ride down a bumpy track in his jeep.
"The little madam is not planning on moving. She's enjoying herself." I huffed to Emmett. He laughed.
"Come on out little sis…it's much more fun when you can see the mud flying and the trees looming towards you!"
As Emmett lifted me down as if I weighed nothing, he gave me a strange look.
"I can't wait for the day when I'm doing all this for my Rosie." He said softly. Emmett was usually happy go lucky, but when he did show emotion, it was so deep that it made your heart ache for him. And I knew how much a baby meant to him as well as Rose. He would be a wonderful father.
"I'll remind you of this conversation when you're moaning about rubbing her swollen feet and going out in the middle of the night for some weird craving." I said.
Emmett's booming laugh vibrated through my body and the baby. I suddenly felt a sharp spasm. I hissed and gripped Emmett's hand. I started contractions, but after three hours they stopped and I was sent home.
"Carlisle tell her! You're her father, she listens to you! I don't want to be pregnant anymore!" I wailed. Carlisle humoured me and tried.
"Nope, knew it…none of my children listen to me for very long." He sighed.
"We can't keep calling the baby her…" I huffed later as I flicked through a baby name book.
"We could call her after where she was conceived."
"I am not calling my daughter Como Cullen." I snapped.
"How about Lake?" he suggested.
"Are you trying to be funny?"
"Yes…but it's not working is it?"
"No…"
For the next hour we went through names.
"I know it's a bit corny…but how about Eve…Evie Cullen? We have an Adam…how about an Eve?" I yawned.
"Evie Cullen…" Carlisle rolled the name round his tounge thoughtfully. "I like it." He said. And judging by the way she chose that moment to turn, so did she.
The day of the party came. I woke with back ache, but I put it down to my sciatica. I spent most of the day helping out where I could. Bella was coming for an hour with Adam. She ended up staying two and for the entire time she was there, I don't think she held Adam once, Grandpa Charlie even changed a dirty diaper. It was a great party and everyone was thrilled to see Jake and Seth back in one peace. The weather which had been extremely warm in Forks remained warm until Carlisle and I decided to take a walk along the beach before we went home. My back was playing up and I was getting niggly little pains as the baby shifted. I really wanted this special little moment with Carlisle. I didn't want to ruin it for another false alarm. I cuddled as close to him as I could as I heard the thunder coming closer. I always hated thunder.
I had given Carlisle a watch for his birthday, but I wanted to recreate the moment I had given him another, more special present on his birthday last year.
"Now I know you're getting on a bit…" I teased.
"Is that any way to talk to me on my birthday." He growled tickling me gently.
"But…" I said finally catching my breath. "Do you remember the present I gave you last year?"
"A pen and a record wasn't it…" he teased.
"Very good…but for the star prize…can you remember the third present." I drawled. Carlisle pretended to think for a moment.
"Nope…you'll have to remind me."
"With pleasure."
Our lips met softly at first, but soon increased their intensity. Carlisle twisted his hand in my hair to hold me to him. I moaned as I tilted my head to deepen the kiss. And then, just as I had a year before, just as I felt Carlisle trace my lip with his tounge begging for entrance, I pulled away. But this time, it wasn't the pain of the past that stopped me this time. It was the future. I felt an intense spasm then a gush of water between my legs.
"Esme?"
"Seems like Evie wants to join the party." I gasped.
Carlisle looked stunned for a minute.
"Okay…don't panic." He said.
"I'm not." I replied with more conviction than I felt.
"Oh Esme." Carlisle breathed softly. Even in the darkness, I could see the love shining in his eyes. "I love you." He said, brushing his lips against my forehead.
"I love you too…this is really happening." I said, fisting his shirt.
"Yes…but not here."
We managed to get back to the main party. Rachel Black was there and said she'd follow us to the hospital. But we hadn't got far when the heavens opened. Rain thundered against the roof of the car and bounced off the road. It was only nine thirty, but the heavy cloud and icy sheets of rain made visibility almost nil. Carlisle called Rachel on the hands free and it was decided to get me home. I hadn't really wanted to give birth in a hospital, I had seen too many of them and it all seemed so clinical. But right at this moment it felt like a good idea.
We got home and Rose who had followed us home with Emmett, helped me change and get into bed. Emmett ran down to Edward and Bella's. Edward came back carrying a birthing kit and everything we would need for the birth. I had never been more glad than I was at this moment, that Edward was a paediatrician. Alice and Jasper had been struck down with food poisoning after a dinner at the university and hadn't been able to make the party, but I could hear her squealing at Emmett through the phone. In the end, he left her on speaker and I had to admit that her excited babble did take my mind off things for awhile.
Rachel checked me over. Those niggles I was having were not false alarms, but the real thing. Within 90 minutes, I was almost ready to start pushing. I was in agony, but it was too late to move me now, even if the paramedics could make it through the frightening rain and thunder.
"It's my fault…I should have said something…what if I've hurt her…" I wailed.
"Esme…ESME!" Rachel said sharply grabbing my attention.
"I promise you…from what we can hear and what I can feel…baby is doing really well…it's you I'm worried about…I wish I could give you something for the pain."
"No…I deserve it…my fault. I'm sorry Carlisle" I groaned. Carlisle held me tightly, his eyes fierce.
"Esme, yes maybe you should have said something, but even if you had, there was a chance it could have been another false alarm…and don't you think I know…that you would rather die than hurt our child." He said roughly.
The agony continued or another hour before I started pushing. I was exhausted and it was showing.
"I can't…I'm too tired…"
"Esme…Esme look at me baby." Carlisle said smoothing the sweat soaked hair from my face. I looked at him.
"Sweetheart, I am so proud of you…you've been so brave…but you have to hang in there a bit longer. You've looked after Evie all these months…kept her safe…she needs you to do this one last thing…get her safely into the world…you can do this…I know you can." Carlisle said, tears streaming down his face.
"I love you…but you are still NEVER coming near me again." I grunted.
Ten minutes later, my scream at the burning sensation of Evie's head and shoulders,quickly followed by the rest of her being delivered, was replaced by Evie Cullen's first indignant wail.
I had waited nine months and eight days for this moment. Oh who the hell was I kidding? I had waited a lifetime for this moment, to hold my baby in my arms, whilst the man I adored, told me how much he loved and adored us both.
"We did it." I said resting my forehead against his.
"Yes we did…" Carlisle whispered as we both gazed down in awe at the beautiful, peaceful, sleeping face of our little girl.
AN; So, there she is. Evie Cullen. I know, I know Adam and Eve! I've taken liberties with the pregnancy process sorry. Corny as it is, I had always planned that the baby would be born on as near as damn it to Carlisle's birthday. I'm sorry if anyone thinks I went a bit far with the whole Alice thing. It's just I do believe my Alice and Emmett, are the type who need a mom in their life and need the stability and normality of calling her mom, even it's only in jest.
Okay, so if you feel the need to show Carlisle, Esme, baby Evie or anyone else for that matter some love. I'm not going to stop you. Not when you do it so well and say the sweetest things! Lolx
What I said about baby Harry and the possible CF, the symptoms I read. I know there are treatments and new research, but experience in the family has shown me what a cruel disease it is and how devastating a diagnosis can be. So please don't shout at me over that.