Chapter 10: Going Home
EPOV
I did not take Renee's threat to return lightly. It appeared that she enjoyed making my Bella miserable. Like everytime Bella found happiness, it was her job to destroy it in some fashion. A mother was not supposed to act that way. But I was powerless to stop it.
Anthony was now four days old, and we were waiting to be discharged. Bella was walking with some pain, but her scar was healing fine. The doctor was sure everything was going as it should be. Therefore, Bella and Anthony were dressed and ready to go.
Bella was sitting on the rocking arm chair in the corner feeding Anthony. While most newborns had trouble adjusting to being fed, Anthony was a natural. She stunned even the lactation specialist with his ease. I really wanted to get them both home. I knew Bella was uncomfortable in the hospital setting, and she longed to be back at home in our bed. But even that seemed impossible, stairs were out of the question for at least another week or two. We would have to figure something out downstairs.
"Can I burp him?" I asked Bella just as she was finished. I felt kind of jealous that Bella was able to share that physical closeness with Anthony. I would never be able to feed him the way she did. But I was looking forward for when she was able to pump. I wanted to try to feed him with a bottle.
"You don't have to ask, Edward." She replied as I took Anthony propping him on my shoulder to burp him.
"I just want to have you both home," I sighed as she nodded.
"I want to go home and relax. Hospitals keep me on the edge." She shuddered. I handed Anthony back to her giving her a kiss.
"It's just about time, love." I assured her.
"I hate to say it, but Alice was right about the clothes." She mentioned with a grin. Alice had brought at least ten outfits for Anthony, but he had not been able to wear them. The hospital wanted him to stay in the hospital issued clothes. But since we were leaving Anthony had been changed. He was wearing a white onesie with a baby blue ducky, baby blue pants and a white cloth hat with same blue ducky. He looked adorable.
"Alice is rarely wrong." I replied as she laughed holding a now sleeping Anthony. Bella was a great mother, and was definitely doing a great job adjusting.
"Come in." I said as I heard a knock on the door. I was hoping that it was Dr. Stanley with the discharge papers.
"Bella, Edward." Phil said stepping inside. I instantly looked for Renee relieved not to find her.
"Phil, where's Renee? Is she alright?" Bella asked full of concern. She still loved her mother even after everything she had done, and was genuinely concerned.
"She's fine, she's back in Forks. I just wanted to come and apologize for the way she's been acting. I've tried to talk to her, but she doesn't listen." He added with a distraught look. I could tell he was at a total loss over what to do with his wife.
"You don't have to do that, Phil. My mom knows what she's doing." Bella sighed, her eyes full of sadness.
"Bella, your mom is going through a lot right now. She should be the one to tell you, but she doesn't want to." He started to explain.
"Is something wrong with her?" I inquired seeing the concern written all over Bella's face.
"Not exactly." Phil sighed. "Renee and I were trying to have a baby. She has you and Emmett, but she wanted to give me a child. We've been trying for a long time almost two years before we found out she can't. She must've found out maybe a week before you told her you were pregnant. As much as I tried to deny it, but I think she's jealous."
"I didn't know." Bella said with tears in her eyes. "Why didn't she tell me? Why should she be jealous?"
"She should've said something, instead of treating Bella like crap." I said my heart breaking as Bella began to shed tears.
"I think she was trying to convince herself that she didn't want a baby. My only guess is that if you gave up yours, she'll realize its not worth it. She doesn't talk about things, so I can only guess." He explained with a sigh.
"Thank you, Phil. I just wish my mom would get help." Bella added. "Take Anthony please, Edward."
I walked to Bella picking up my son as she slowly got up. I notice her cringe in pain as I steadied her with one arm "I'm fine." She assured me walking towards her stepfather. I knew I felt better about having an explanation even though it still didn't justify her actions.
BPOV
"I am really thankful that you came all the way here to try to explain my mom." I said smiling weakly. "If you ever need anything, Phil, we're here. And I love my mom very much. I just wish she would allow all of us in."
"I understand, Bella. Your mom loves you and Emmett very deeply. She's just not herself, she'll get through it." He said giving me a hug. "Congratulations, both of you. Your son is beautiful."
"Thank you, Phil." Edward replied moving off to the side.
"I am sorry." I added squeezing his hand. "Let me know if you need anything."
"I will, and I will try to keep Renee under control. I think she needs a new project of some sort." He mused as I nodded. Renee lost focus quickly jumping from thing to thing, hopefully this would all blow over.
I smiled at him as he waved leaving us alone again. I wanted nothing more than to be there for my mom, and help her through her hardship. The last thing any woman, wanting to get pregnant, wanted to hear was that she was no longer fertile. It had to hurt badly. But I knew my mom, she would just push further away and continue being hurtful. I had to wait until she came to me.
"Love, are you alright?" Edward asked putting his arms around me. I hadn't even noticed when he had placed Anthony in the small crib. I nodded weakly as he kissed my temple. I couldn't speak.
He held me for a long time until the doctor arrived. After assuring him everything was fine, he began to go into my discharge details. "I know this the part all new mothers despise. The part I have to tell you everything you can and cannot do." He briefed as Edward and I nodded.
"This is all written in the discharge papers I have given you, but I must tell you anyway. First of all, no heavy carrying. Do not carry anything heavier than your baby, when in doubt don't try. Avoid stairs as they would put pressure on your wound and could be rather painful." He continued droning on and on with all my restrictions. From getting rest to the baby feeding cycle I should establish.
"Lastly, no sex until you are cleared by me." He stated looking pointedly at Edward. "We want you fully healed before you resume normalcy in that area. Are there any questions?"
"Thank you, Doctor." I said with a smile as the nurse entered with a wheelchair.
"Edward, you should bring your car around front. I trust the car seat has been installed?" The doctor said as we nodded. It had taken Emmett, Jasper, and Edward all day until Rose had stepped in and taken over. She had successfully installed it in five minutes.
EPOV
Bella sat in the back with Anthony as we drove home. I couldn't stop looking at her through the rearview mirror. Every once in a while she would look up at me with a smile before turning her attention to Anthony. He was taking his first car ride in stride. He hadn't even fussed when we settled him in the car seat.
"Why didn't the family come?" Bella asked. She had expected everyone to help in bringing our new miracle home. But Alice and Rose had decided to have a welcome home party for Bella and Anthony. It was a surprise.
"They wanted to give us time alone." I replied. I wasn't actually telling the truth, but it was close enough. Besides Bella would forgive me for that small lie.
"I just want to relax. I just wish I could go upstairs to our bedroom." She sighed. "The downstairs one are beautiful, but its not ours."
"Don't worry, Bella. It's only for a week or so." I assured her.
"I know I just was just looking forward to seeing the nursery." She added as I chuckled. Even though she had picked out the majority of the furniture, decorations, and paint, she hadn't seen the completed project.
"Anthony isn't going to really use it now. At night he'll be in our room." I added as she nodded. We both had agreed that it was best to keep him nearby for the late night feedings and changing.
"I know, but he can be in there during the day." She pointed out as I laughed.
"You made your point, love." I answered as we neared the house.
BPOV
The drive up to the house was covered in blue and white streamers and balloons. Everything seemed to scream "It's a Boy!" I couldn't help but smile. My family hadn't come pick us up, because they were too busy preparing all of this.
I felt my tears began to fall as I spotted a huge sign on the porch. "Welcome Home Anthony!" Everyone was waiting by the sign as Edward pulled up.
I waved happily as we came to a stop before unbuckling myself and staring at Anthony's buckles. Why were there so many? I didn't know where to start?
"Confusing isn't?" Edward mentioned as he opened the opposite door and showing me how to unbuckle him.
"It is." I agreed as I noticed that Emmett had opened my door to help me out.
"How does my little sister feel?" He asked with a dumb grin.
"Sore." I said honestly as he helped me into the house and onto the couch. The inside of the house had just as many decorations. "Thank you for all of this it wasn't necessary."
"When do you know us to turn down an occasion for a party?" Rose asked from beside Edward. She was entranced by Anthony though she was afraid to carry him.
"Hold him, Rose." I urged as she looked at me wide eyed.
"He's to small, Bella. I'm afraid I'll break him." She explained.
"I didn't!" Emmett replied proudly. Emmett had actually been pretty good about holding his nephew.
"You won't break him, Rosalie. Just remember to support the head." Carlisle added.
"When he's bigger." Rose said as Anthony began to fuss.
"I think he needs to be changed." I said to Edward who was looking kind of lost.
"Can I do it, dear?" Esme asked as I nodded. She was a wonderful attentive grandmother and she was beaming with pride as she held her grandson taking him to the other room to change him.
"Dad told us you can't use stairs for a week or so." Alice mentioned sitting next to me. "So we all brought down some of your stuff to the guest room, and hopefully it's more comfortable."
"You guys didn't" I began before Alice hit my arm.
"No complaining!" She demanded.
"We wanted to do this, Bella." Jasper assured me.
Edward helped me into the room where Esme was changing Anthony. They had brought down our mattress and Anthony's bassinet. Even some of my books were on the nightstand. They had done everything they could to make it feel homey and comfortable.
"Thank you!" I whispered turning to Alice and giving her a hug.
"There's no need to thank me!" Alice replied returning the hug.
"Bella needs her rest, and I'm sure Anthony is due for a feeding." Carlisle nodded as Esme placed Anthony back in my arms. Anthony immediately curling towards me.
"Thank you for everything." I said moving to the bed to feed Anthony. It was just over two hours since his last feeding.
Everyone smiled before filing out leaving Edward standing by the door. "Sit with me." I said as he nodded sitting beside me.
"I love you, Bella." He answered kissing my now bare shoulder.
"I love you too." I replied glad to be back at home.
A/N: How many of you expected Renee to have a reason behind her behavior? Nobody is that psycho without a reason.
The next couple of chapters will be mostly happy bonding time. The drama is coming though. It is all very well planned out.
I feel the need to address something a reviewer said to me. They commented on the fact that most of my stories have premarital sex, and that particular reviewer didn't agree with that. First of all, I'm am not trying to be offensive to anyone's beliefs. We all have our own, and while some are the same others are different. Bella and Edward are intimate before getting married, but I don't see that as a big deal. It's how the story writes itself out, it fits and so it is. There is no explanation to my reasoning except that they are in love, and they want to express their love physically.
Next Chapter: Against Doctor's Orders (Take your mind out of the Gutter)
Muggleinlove
