Here is chapter 32. Sorry for the delay with the updating, I had finals and hopefully passed with an A. I will know in a few days. I hope you enjoy this chapter. Preciousfairymom80 and I had fun deciding the presents and our friend venomaddict (Miriam) makes her debut in this chapter. Also our friend Sasha_Marie_D (Magalay - Dr. Morales but not in real life) makes an entrance. If you wonder where I got the name for Dr. Shepherd, it is my bf's last name.
I want to remind you all that Second Chances was nominated for Best Collaboration in the Silent Tear Awards. The link is on my profile so please go vote. We will find out the results of the Sparkle Awards in a few days so I will update and let you know!
Sequel notice - Preciousfairymom80 and I were really wanting to write a sequel for this story but have decided at this time to not write it. While we love the faithful readers out there, the readers have dropped off significantly over the last 10 chapters or so. So, we are going to do this: we are putting the sequel on hold and putting a bit of a different ending on this story than was originally planned. If you guys want the sequel please get the word out for Second Chances. We would love to write it but are not going to at this time.
New story notice - Preciousfairymom80 and I will be working on a new story after this ends. It is called Stockholm Syndrome and is going to be full of angst and drama and pain and hurt and much much more! There will also be lemons but not at first.
Disclaimer: We don't own Twilight but we did go and see New Moon and midnight covered in spray glitter and we screamed and moaned and cheered with everyone else!
Read, Review, and Enjoy! Thanks!
Second Chances Chapter 32 – So this is Christmas…
BPOV
It was finally Christmas Eve. Edward and I were heading to La Push for Christmas there with Charlie, Sue, Jacob, Crystal, and Billy. Then we would have it with the Cullen's on Christmas Day since Charlie would be out fishing. I was getting bigger and bigger by the week so I resigned to a full blown maternity top and pants for the occasion.
We ate dinner at Billy's house. Sue cooked for everyone since Crystal was so big she couldn't reach the stove. Her belly kept knocking pots off the burners. Charlie, Billy, Jacob, and Edward were watching the 24 hours of A Christmas Story. I settled in to suffer through the movie and laughed when Crystal complained about the movie. Apparently she hated it after she had been freaked out by the Santa in the mall in the movie.
All through dinner Crystal kept having contractions but wouldn't go to the hospital saying that it was just pre-labor. We left that evening after making Jacob and Crystal promise to call if she went into labor. Charlie even offered to stay the night just in case they needed a police escort there. Charlie was turned away too so I didn't feel so bad.
We stepped outside with Charlie and headed to the car. Charlie stopped us and then handed us a large bag.
"What is this?" I asked.
"Just a little something from your mom, Phil, Sue, and me. We thought it might come in handy," Charlie said with a sheepish grin. Edward held the bag as I pulled out its contents. There was a digital camera, digital camcorder, and a web cam inside the bag. "This is for after you have the twins. We all know that you will be busy with them and we just wanted to give you two a way to record and share all of your memories with them."
"THANK YOU DAD!" I said as I pulled him into a hug.
"Thanks Charlie, we will definitely put these to use," Edward said and then hugged Charlie. Charlie quickly made some excuse about leaving something in the house and he ran back in.
We headed home and the only thing I wanted to do was shower and head to bed. I was exhausted and full of food. Also, baby Renesmee and baby Edward were kicking the hell out of me. It was beginning to feel like a full blown gymnastics meet in my womb. Edward got me a bedtime snack of chips and salsa and a big glass of milk while I showered. Then he fed me in bed before humming me to sleep with my lullaby. I woke up the next morning to Edward kissing my neck.
"Mmmm, what a way to wake up," I said with a sleepy smile.
"Merry Christmas love, our first together," Edward said before he kissed me on the lips. I tried to say Merry Christmas back but it was cut off by his lips and tongue. I wrapped my arms around his neck and deepened the kiss. I could definitely get used to Christmas's like this. Edward's hands started to wander down my sides and towards my legs. I parted them slightly for him and then screamed as the door flew open to the bedroom.
"WAKEY WAKEY!" Alice squealed as she flew into the room.
"What the hell Alice?!?" Edward demanded as he covered the two of us up. I was still trying to catch my breath from the scare.
"I had a little vision that told me if I let you two continue that it would be several hours before I get to see what you bought me and that isn't going to happen! I have known every gift I have ever gotten as a vampire until now and I'll be damned if you make me wait Edward Cullen!" Alice ranted like a 3 year old who had been denied candy.
"Wow Alice," I said shaking my head, "remind me to have Jacob around more often!"
"Isabella Cullen, you wouldn't…" Alice started.
"Try me," I said with a sweet smile. "You could have knocked."
"Well if you would have just let me see what you got for me I wouldn't have to result to such drastic measures!" Alice pouted.
"Ok, let us get dressed and we will be down in a few. Why don't you get us breakfast if you want to move this show along faster?" Edward suggested and Alice jumped in the air clapping before running from the room.
Edward and I got up and got dressed. I put on a pair of comfy maternity lounge pants and a long sleeve baseball style maternity shirt. Edward threw on jeans and a turtle neck and looked way too good in them. I wondered if I would ever look even halfway decent after being blown up to the size of a blimp.
We headed down stairs and Alice ushered us into the kitchen where she had made each of us a ham and cheese omelet and poured glasses of orange juice.
"HERE! EAT! HURRY!" Alice almost demanded. I smiled and very slowly started to cut a bite off of my omelet. All of a sudden my plate was gone and then returned, my omelet cut into bite size pieces. I looked up to see Alice standing in front of me with two knives. I burst out laughing and decided to end the torture by eating quickly. Edward and I swallowed our omelets and orange juice then headed into the living room. Everyone was waiting there for us except for Alice who was right behind us. She ushered us to one of the loveseats then took her place beside Jasper.
"It's time!" she squealed.
Alice started handing out gifts to everyone then settled down behind her pile.
"Ok, we all take turns remember?" Carlisle asked. "One person goes at a time and opens all of their presents then the next. That is the way it has always been done; AND NO CHEATING EMMETT! Alice you can go first since you know what you are getting anyways."
Alice started opening her presents at lightning speed. I saw some gift cards, shoes, plane tickets, and a few other things fly by before she was left with nothing in front of her.
"Not to complain guys, but where is your gift for me?" Alice said with a pout. There was a knock at the door and everyone's noses wrinkled up at the same time.
"It has just arrived," Edward said with a smile as he got up and let Seth inside. Seth was carrying a large box and he set it in front of Alice.
"OOOOO Edward, you play dirty!" Alice said with a scowl.
Alice took her time with this one and slowly opened it. She set the wrapping paper aside and then opened the top of the box. The squeal she let out when it was opened was high enough to break glass. Inside the box was the entire new line of Coach Purses with matching wallets. Alice flew across the room and hugged Edward and me tightly.
"OH THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!" Alice said over and over again.
"I take it you like?" I asked while trying not to laugh.
"YES!!!!!!!" Alice squealed then went back to her seat to start looking at each purse in detail.
"I hate to cut this short but I have to get back, my mom will send Leah after me and she bites hard," Seth said with a smile. Everyone laughed and Seth hugged me then shook hands with Edward.
"Thanks again Seth, I owe you one," Edward said.
"Remember me on my next birthday, by the way, it is March 18th," Seth said, grinning ear to ear.
"You have a deal," Edward said then walked Seth to the door before returning to his seat.
"Ok, Jasper next," Carlisle said.
Jasper started opening his presents and received some Civil War memorabilia, a pair of cowboy boots, a Ducati, and then he opened the gift from Edward and me. It was really a gift for him and Alice but we knew he would have fun with it too. As he opened it his eyes got bright. Alice had a confused look on her face and peeked into the box. Then a vision hit her. When she came out of it she ran back across the room to us squealing.
"A TRIP ACROSS EUROPE!!! FOR 6 MONTHS!!!!!!! I LOVE YOU!!!!" Alice squealed as she hugged us both. Jasper came over and hugged both of us too but in a more subdued manner. It was amazing how different they were.
Rosalie was next and received a private shopping trip at Christian Lacroix, Chanel, Givenchy, and Valentino. Those had been purchased by Alice and Alice made Rosalie promise to take her along on all of them. She got a new tool set and a few other automotive things that I had no clue what they were. Her last gift was a small box. It was the gift from Edward and me. She opened the box and looked at us questioningly before picking up a set of keys out of the box.
"Garage," was all Edward would say.
Rosalie sped out there and we could hear the screaming all the way in the living room. I think it could have been heard all the way in Forks too! Rosalie flew back in and tackled Edward to the floor hugging him and thanking him over and over again.
"Do you like it? I could always take it back," Edward started to say and Rosalie clamped her hand over his mouth.
"Don't even think of finishing that sentence," Rosalie warned and everyone burst out laughing. "WHAT?" Rosalie asked. "He was threatening to take my red Mercedes SL65 AMG Black Series away. He isn't getting anywhere near my new baby!"
Everyone laughed again and Rose got up and helped Edward up off of the floor. She thanked me with a big hug and a kiss on the cheek before returning to her seat beside Emmett.
Emmett was next and he dug into his presents like they would disappear. He got a lift kit for his Escalade and a new sound system and some huge tires for after the lift had been performed. Then he opened the gift from me and Edward. His eyes got big and his mouth dropped open as he looked in each envelope. There were a set of VIP box seat tickets in each one for the Stanley Cup, the Super Bowl, Final Four, and the World Series.
"Wait a sec, why is there only one tic for the World Series? Where is the other one?" Emmett asked.
"In my pocket!" Edward said as he patted his hip. "Here is the deal; you can take anyone you want to any of those events except for the World Series because I will be there with you for that one."
"Deal Bro!" Emmett said and got up to hug the both of us.
Emmett settled back into his seat beside Rosalie. And then it was Carlisle and Esme's turn to open their presents. They almost always got joint gifts from everyone. They started to open their gifts and Esme got a drafting table for her numerous blue prints, Carlisle got a new set of journals to record his research and vampire history in, they got an all expense paid trip to Ireland, a small castle in Ireland, and then they had two gifts left. It wasn't much but we both knew that they would love it. Esme opened the first one, the larger one, and then gasped. It was a hand painted canvas portrait of their original wedding picture. Edward had found it and had it blown up and recreated for them. I think Esme would have been crying if she could have.
Carlisle opened the second, smaller gift and I noticed his hands tremble slightly as he flipped the first page. Inside I had arranged photos of Edward and me from our baby portraits up until now. There were pictures from before the incident in the clearing and even one that had been taken while we were there. It was of Edward placing a baseball hat on my head and tucking my hair behind my ear. The next photos were of Edward's return and then our wedding. The next pictures were taken just a few days ago of me with my enormous belly and Edward was kneeling before it, his hands on both sides, and his lips pressed against it. Then, the final pictures were the ultrasound pictures of the twins that Carlisle had just taken the day before. I left the last few pages empty for Esme and Carlisle to add to. I knew that us being mortal meant that we wouldn't be around forever and I wanted them to have something of us that they could keep as long as they walked the earth.
Esme and Carlisle hugged us both deeply and thanked us for the wonderful presents. They sat back down after setting their gifts to the side carefully.
"Normally I would say ladies first but Edward, you and Bella now have to take turns on your presents. Edward, open the one from Rosalie first," Carlisle said with a smile. I started to worry about why I was being made to wait until last.
Edward opened his present and got two tickets to a symphony in Seattle. I was instructed to open Rosalie's present next and received several necklaces and bracelet from Tiffany's. Edward opened Jasper's present next and got a chess set. The pieces were made out of platinum and gold and the board was crystal. I opened Jasper's present to me and almost cried. Jasper had purchased every single one of my favorite novels in its first edition. I was almost afraid to touch them for fear of damaging them. Jasper assured me that they were in perfect condition to read and he expected me to make good use of them.
Alice's presents were next and she got Edward a laptop with a music mixing program on it. He had started composing again and this gave him a way to mix his own cd's. I tried to hide my groan when I opened Alice's present because it was clothes. Not just clothes, but designer clothes in a size I would probably never wear again. Alice assured me that she saw me wearing each piece in the future so I stopped complaining.
The next present I had to open first. It was from Edward. There were actually two from him. I opened the first one and it was a perfectly carved miniature grand piano. It was painted black and had a key sticking out of the side of it. I twisted the key and the top opened revealing a few pieces of jewelry including a diamond heart on a bracelet.
"It was my mothers," Edward said as he picked up the bracelet and fastened it onto my wrist. I was staring in awe at the diamond heart so I almost didn't notice the music playing from the jewelry box. It was my lullaby! "I had this made specially to play your song."
I kissed Edward with tears in my eyes. I had never received something so wonderful in my entire life. I couldn't see how anything could top this ever.
"Love, open your next present from me please," Edward said and then sat back a bit. I was immediately worried at the distance he put in between us. I opened the large, flat present and it was a picture of a lush tropical island. I glanced at Edward with a confused look on my face.
"That, love, is Isla Bella. It is yours just as Isle Esme is hers. It is located just north of Madagascar near Seychelles," Edward said softly.
I sat there in shock and awe at the magnitude of the gift. I just couldn't believe it.
"An island Edward? You bought me an island? A whole island?" I asked him incredulously.
"Yes, but…" Edward started but was cut off when I stood up and pointed at him with one hand on my hip.
"What were you thinking when you bought me an entire island? What are we going to do with it? A simple vacation home wasn't enough?"
"But Bel…"
"You don't have to buy my love, you know that right? I mean, I would be happy with just spending the rest of my life with you. Yet, you had to go buy me an island. How much did it cost?"
"I really can't…"
"Wait, no, don't tell me. I don't want to know. I just have one question for you."
"Yes?" Edward said skeptically.
I walked forward and sat in his lap, wrapping my arms around his neck. "When can we go?"
Jasper burst out laughing. He knew that I was pretending the entire time. He had felt my excitement not rage.
"You little turd!" Edward exclaimed before kissing me. "You really had me going there. Remember, payback is a…"
"Language Edward!" Esme scolded him then laughed with everyone else.
"Edward, it's your turn," Carlisle said, composing himself. "The one from Esme and I next please."
I moved back beside Edward as he opened a present that was the same shape and size as the one that had held my island. He opened the present and was looking at a picture of an Italian style Villa. It was lovely, 2 stories, beige, and had a tiled roof.
"What is this?" Edward asked.
"That is the home we are having built for the two of you on the island. I drew up the blueprints after Alice saw that you were purchasing Isla Bella. The house is already being built. You two just have to decide on the interior," Esme explained. My jaw hit the floor. I was overwhelmed with the gift.
"Thank you," was all I could manage to say.
"You are very welcome son," Carlisle said with a smile.
"Time for my gift!" Emmett boomed as he handed Edward a medium sized package.
Edward opened it and pulled out a set of keys with a float attached to them. Then he pulled out a pamphlet for a Larson Cabrio 350.
"You didn't…" was all Edward could say while Emmett stood there with a smug grin plastered on his face.
"I did!" Emmett said, nodding his head.
"OH MY GOD! YOU GOT ME A CABRIO 350!!!!!!!!!!!! HOLY SHIT EMMETT! Sorry Esme, but HOLY SHIT!" Edward screamed out. We were all laughing at his outburst. Edward jumped up and ran across the room to bear hug Emmett.
Once Edward had calmed down Carlisle had me open the gift from him and Esme. It was a small envelope and when I opened it I almost fainted.
"Is this for real?" I asked as Edward took the papers from my hand.
"Carlisle! Esme! What in the hell?" Edward asked.
"We just wanted to make sure that Renesmee and Little Edward would be taken care of no matter what. This will ensure that," Carlisle explained.
"But a $2 million trust fund for each of them???? Isn't that a bit excessive?" I asked.
"There is no such thing as excessive when it comes to my grandbabies," Esme simply stated. "Now, I will hear nothing more about it. You will take them and hold onto them until they are needed."
"Edward, it's ok. You have one gift left you know, it is from me," I said as I took his hand.
"Oh love, you didn't have to get me anything, you have given me more than enough already," Edward said.
"Nope, uh uh, that won't work on me. You won't let me use that on you so you can't use it on me," I said shaking my head.
"Ok," Edward said as he picked up his last present. It was another picture sized present and I knew he would enjoy it. He slowly unwrapped it and he turned to me with a big smile on his face. "Is this mine?"
"Yes, for the bedroom. I thought you could play for the babies during their naps or at night," I explained.
"I love you! You bought me a Yamaha Baby Grand? You have to be the most wonderful woman ever!" Edward said before he grabbed me and kissed me. I started to kiss him back, forgetting where we were, but was interrupted by Emmett clearing his throat.
"Look, Bella, you still have one present left, and it's from me. Now, OPEN!" Emmett ordered with a smile.
I picked up the last box and opened it up. Inside there was a collar, a leash, and a food and water bowl set. "What is all this for?" I asked with a puzzled expression.
"We're moving Seth in," Alice said with a smirk. I shot her a look but then smiled as she grinned at me.
"No, really, what is all this for?" I asked again looking back at Emmett, well, where Emmett had been standing but he was nowhere to be seen. He appeared suddenly and had something in his arms. It was huge and furry and moving!
"WHAT is that?" I asked as Emmett brought the small horse of a dog over to me and set it as my feet.
"This is your new puppy! He is a 4 month old English Mastiff. Now I have to warn you, he is going to get big," Emmett said.
"How big?" Edward asked.
"Oh, roughly the size of a pony," Emmett said while he demonstrated with his hands.
Edward stood up and pointed at the puppy. "That is not a puppy! That needs to go back to La Push with the rest of the pack."
"EDWARD! Don't talk about Grizzly that way!" I said.
"What is a 'Grizzly'?" Edward asked.
"He is Grizzly and he is staying! He is my present and this is half my house too!" I said as I wrapped my arms around my new baby. "I just have one question. Are you guys going to have him as a midnight snack if you get hungry?" I asked as I looked at the rest of my family. They all wore identical looks of shock and horror on their faces. Alice started to say something but I cut her off with a "gotcha!"
"You little evil human!" Alice said with a smile. "And where did you get the name Grizzly?"
"From my grizzly brother Emmett! They kinda look alike don't they?" I asked with a sly smile, holding the puppy up so everyone could compare. Rose spoke first.
"Yeah, now that you mention it, Emmett, is this your long lost little brother?"
"You little…" Emmett started to say but was soon flat on his back as Rose knocked him down and sprinted out of the house laughing. Emmett jumped up and chased out after her.
Carlisle and Esme started to gather up their gifts along with Alice and Jasper before heading upstairs with them. It was just Edward, Grizzly, and I left in the living room.
"Bella? Are you sure you want to keep the dog?" Edward asked while scratching his head behind the ear.
"Of course! Besides, Mastiffs are great with kids and are known as the gentle giants. Can you really see anyone messing with the babies when he is right there? Besides, in a year, they can ride him like a pony. Come on! He is really cute!" I said then pouted at Edward. I knew I had him when he looked away. He couldn't stand to see me pout.
"Ok! But he is getting crate trained starting tonight," Edward said as Grizzly jumped in his lap and started licking his face. "EWW!" I couldn't help but laugh.
Edward took everything upstairs including Grizzly and we settled into the day. We took him for a walk around the house and snapped some photos of him. Everyone else seemed to be enjoying him and loved teasing him by moving at vampire speed where he couldn't keep up. The day wound down and Edward and I settled onto the couch, Grizzly at our feet, and started watching "It's a Wonderful Life." I was starting to drift off to sleep when my phone started ringing.
I pulled it out of my pocket and saw it was Jacob.
"Hello? Jacob? Is it time?" I asked before he could say anything.
"Yes, Crystal and I are on the way to the hospital. Can you guys come up? She is asking for you two," Jacob said. I had to hold the phone away from my ear when Crystal started screaming.
"OH MY GOD!!! IT HURTS!!! THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT!!!" Crystal screamed out from the other end of the phone. Even Edward heard it.
"We are on our way, we will meet you there," I said. Jacob thanked us and hung up.
"Hey Carlisle! We are heading to the hospital, Crystal is in labor and Jacob sounds like he needs us there," Edward said in a normal tone, knowing that Carlisle would hear him. Carlisle was in the living room in a few seconds.
"Do you need me to come along?" Carlisle asked. "Dr. Morales is there tonight in Labor and Delivery. She is wonderful. Don't hesitate to call though if Crystal needs me."
"Thanks Carlisle. Oh, can you keep an eye on Grizzly?" I asked as I grabbed my coat.
"No problem Bella, remember, call if you need me," Carlisle said as we headed out the door.
We got to the hospital in about 20 minutes and parked. We headed inside and didn't even have to ask where Crystal was. We heard her in the lobby of Labor and Delivery.
"JACOB BLACK! It will be a cold day in hell before I ever let you put your paws on me again!" came floating down the hallway. The nurse let us through the door and we almost collided with Jacob and he was trying to run from the room.
"Oh thank god you guys are here. I don't know what to do! She hates me then she loves me then she hates me then she loves me! HELP!" Jacob said in a panic. I laughed and pushed past him into the room. Crystal was lying on the bed writhing around and moaning.
"!" Crystal moaned. "It hurts! Get Dr. Morales please! I want my drugs!"
"Hey, she'll be here soon. Jacob went to find her right now. I am sure she is on her way. Do you want me to go check?" I asked, speaking softly to her.
"No! Don't go! Oh god! Where is Jacob? I need my Jake!" Crystal moaned again. She really seemed in pain. I was beginning to get worried. I didn't think normal labors were like this. I was about to push the nurse call button when Jacob returned followed by Edward and a short young looking lady in a white coat. She had long dark hair and dark framed glasses.
"I am Dr. Morales, now let's see what is going on here," she said and started to check Crystal. A few minutes and a very embarrassed Jacob and Edward later Dr. Morales confirmed that Crystal was dilated to 5 cm and was 50% effaced. "I will get your epidural ordered now. Then you can try and get some rest before it's time."
Dr. Morales left the room and about 30 minutes later the anesthesiologist, Dr. Shepherd arrived. He was short and slightly stocky. He was pushing a machine and had a nurse with him who carried a tray of torture devices, aka needles and stuff. The time between Dr. Morales leaving and Dr. Shepherd arriving was filled with some great lines from Crystal.
We heard everything from "DOG HOUSE! Do you hear me? Dog HOUSE!!!!" to "How could you do this to me?" to "What was I thinking? Oh I know, I know, I saw the 8 pack and freaked out. It was all about the sexual healing! Well how about some sexual healing now minus the sex!" Then she started threatening Jacob with "I swear to god, you take one more step toward me I will chop IT off!" but when the contractions were especially painful we heard "Oh god baby, it hurts, where is your hand!!!!????!!!!" and "GET OVER HERE!" then she would yell "GO AWAY!"
She couldn't get comfortable so she yelled for Jacob some more. "Rub my back! No, not like that! Can't you do anything right other than get me pregnant?" then she immediately did a 180 turn with "Oh baby, I'm sorry I love you!" Finally, after about 25 minutes, we heard "I NEED DRUGS!!!" and "I can't do this! Take it out! Men should have to do this!" and even "I HATE YOU! Get out of her and go down to the street corner and find me something, anything! I NEED DRUGS! I love you! Bring me back something good!" That was when Dr. Shepherd arrived. Jacob had never looked so relieved in his life.
"Oh god, I can't stay in here for this," I said as I started to feel the nausea rise to the surface. Needles meant blood and blood meant my face connecting with the floor. "I am sorry Crystal, I can't," I said as I ran from the room.
Edward and I sat out in the waiting room. He tried to keep me calm but I was slightly panicked. What if my labor felt like this? I was having twins! It would be twice as bad! Oh god, I knew that I would be able to handle that at all.
"Calm down love," Edward murmured into my ear. "Carlisle is going to be the one to deliver the babies and Jasper will be there to help keep you calm. We have already discussed it. And in the event that something goes horribly wrong we have a contingency plan for that too."
"What kind of contingency plan?" I asked, suddenly more worried than before.
"Well, if it is a matter of you living and you dying, Carlisle will change you and I will remain human to care for the twins. Then, once you have control over yourself I will be changed too so that we can be together forever. Once the twins grow up we will give them the option of a normal human life or a life like us. But that is a worst case scenario plan," Edward explained.
I didn't know whether to be mad at him or madly in love with him for the thought put into the idea and the plan. I decided that madly in love with him would be best and I leaned in to kiss him deeply. He returned the kiss with passion I didn't know he was capable of in a public place. I was about to ask him to help me find an empty room when someone cleared their throat beside us. We broke apart and found Jacob standing there, a look of relief on his face.
"She is fine now. They gave her the epidural and some Demerol so that she can get some rest. Why don't you two head home, I will call you if anything changes," Jacob said.
"Nope! We aren't leaving! I will just sleep here," I said. There was no way I was missing this.
"Bella, you are 6 months pregnant, you don't need to sleep in a waiting room chair," Edward said.
"Well, Carlisle is the chief of staff here, get me a bed. It isn't like they are actually used by anyone other than me."
"I'll see what I can do. And Jacob, let me know if we need to call Carlisle for anything. He has offered his services in case anything should go wrong." Edward shook Jacob's hand and headed off to find me a more comfortable bed for the evening. Jacob hugged me and thanked me for being there then headed back down the hall to Crystal.
Edward returned and led me to a room further down Labor and Delivery. It had two beds in it so that we could both get some rest. He called Carlisle to fill him in then tucked me in. I was asleep before he was even settled into the bed next to mine.
A while later I was woken up by Edward talking in a hushed tone. I heard Jacob too but I couldn't see either of them. I got out of bed and found them in the hallway. Edward was on the phone and Jacob was heading back towards Crystal's room.
"Carlisle, can you get up here now? It's Crystal. The baby is breech and they are preparing her for a c-section. Jacob asked if you could come. Ok, thanks, bye." Edward hung up the phone and turned to see me there with tears streaming down my face.
"Will she be ok?" I asked.
"Don't worry, Dr. Morales and Carlisle will take wonderful care of her. He will be here in a few minutes," Edward assured me as he wrapped his arms around me and led me toward the waiting room. We had just passed Crystal's room when she was wheeled out and down the hall with a panicked Jacob following her.
By the time we got to the waiting room Carlisle was walking towards us. He assured us that she would be fine but hurried down the hall after Jacob. Edward and I sat in the waiting room, neither of us saying a word. After about 30 minutes Jacob walked in with tear stained cheeks and a smile on his face.
"Would you two like to see my daughter?" Jacob asked. We both jumped up and followed him to the nursery. We washed and headed inside. Jacob led us to one of the three occupied cribs and there was a cappuccino skinned beautiful baby girl with a head full of thick black hair. She was curled up and sleeping in her pink blanket. Jacob picked her up and sat down in the rocking chair, holding her as if she was the most delicate thing he had ever held. He looked down at her, not even acknowledging us in the room. Edward wrapped his arms around me and held me to his side.
"You know, we named her Miriam after Crystal's mother. Her mother died during child birth and we wanted to give our daughter her name. Little Miriam. My angel. I don't know what I would if anything ever happened to you. Your mom is going to be here soon I hope. She has to be. I can't do this alone. I don't know how to be a dad. I would mess up. I promise you that I will do all that I can to give you everything you ever want or need but I can't do it by myself. I need your mom there with me. She has to make it through. You will love her. She is stunning and beautiful and my whole life, well, until you. Little Miriam, I love you." Jacob kissed her head and softly then wiped some tears away as he continued to rock her and stare at her small sleeping form.
I wanted to go and comfort him but I felt like I would be intruding. I was stopped by Carlisle entering the nursery. Jacob seemed to feel him enter and looked up with tears running down his face.
"Doc? Is she going to be ok?" Jacob asked Carlisle.
"Yes, would you like to see her? She was just moved to recovery," Carlisle said. Jacob nodded and stood up, handing Miriam to me. I held the little girl in my arms as I took Jacob's place in the rocking chair. Edward came and stood behind me and placed his hands on my shoulders as I sat there and rocked Jacob and Crystal's daughter.
"Your mommy is going to be just fine. Your daddy just went to see her and will be back soon. Everything will be ok Miriam," I whispered softly.
I sat there quietly rocking the angel in my arms for almost an hour before Jacob returned. He was smiling and I handed Miriam back to him.
"Let's go see mommy," Jacob said as he carried Miriam down the hall. "You two coming?" he asked us.
We smiled and followed him down the hall, my hand in Edward's. We reached Crystal's room and walked in. Crystal was partially sitting up and smiled as we entered the room. Jacob went over to her and handed her Miriam.
"Here is our daughter. She is as beautiful as you are," Jacob said before kissing Crystal on the head. Crystal looked lovingly at Miriam before looking up at Edward and me.
"Bella, Edward, thank you for being here, for calling Carlisle. He saved my life. How can I ever repay the two of you?" Crystal asked.
"You don't have to do anything Crystal, we are just happy that you are ok," Edward said and I nodded my agreement.
"Well, there is one thing we would like to do, that is, if you two accept," Jacob said, smiling at the both of us.
"What would that be?" I asked, suddenly curious.
"Would you be Miriam's godparents?" Crystal and Jacob asked at the same time. "We kind of named her after you too Bella. Her name is Miriam Ella. Please say yes," Crystal added in.
Happy tears started to stream down my face as I nodded. Jacob came over and crushed Edward and I in a warm hug.
"Thank you both so much, for everything," Jacob whispered.
"You're welcome," Edward and I said in unison.
We visited for about another hour before heading home. It was nearly 6:00 am and I was dead on my feet. I fell asleep before we got home and barely remember a pair of cold arms carrying me inside and upstairs. I still am not sure who it was.
The next week passed with daily visits to the hospital to see Crystal, Jacob, and Miriam. I think Edward and I spent more time there than at home. It was finally New Years Eve and Edward and I decided to just stay at home and relax.
Emmett and Jasper had made a trip for some definitely illegal fireworks and gave us a show in the back yard. It was mall worthy. A few minutes after the stroke of midnight Edward and I made our way upstairs and fell asleep in each other's arms. I dreamt that night of the rest of our life and watching our children grow up as I stayed in the arms of the man of my dreams.
Well??? How was Christmas and the birth of Jacob's daughter? What did you think of the chapter? Do you want a sequel to Second Chances? Please review and tell all your friends about this story and we will get you the sequel you deserve!