2. Everlasting Moment

"I just need to know if it's possible for two people to stay happy together forever." - Juno

I was lying in a comfortable bed in my hospital ward. I felt exhausted. I had slept for a few hours after giving birth, it wore me out. It wasn't anything I wanted to go through again. But, it was worth it, I thought to myself, smiling. I had my daughter in my arms. She was covered in a soft, light pink blanket. She was sleeping. My eyes roamed her face, memorizing every detail. She seemed different from other newborns. She wasn't half bad looking, unlike most newborns that are usually ugly. But, of course, you pretend that you think they're beautiful, when you really think that they look like a spidermonkey. My daughter had pale skin and a brown tuft of hair growing. Her tiny nose was perfectly straight like her father's. Her father. I sighed contently. I never thought I would marry and have a child with that frightening, mysterious, bronze-haired Cullen boy that sat next to me in Biology. I laughed quietly to myself, not wanting to wake her.

"What is making you laugh, love?" asked a velvet voice. I looked up to find Edward leaning up against the doorframe. I smiled at him.

"I was just thinking about my first day in Biology," I whispered. He smirked, coming over to the bed. Lightly, he sat near me.

"Little did we know that we would come to this," he said, softly, taking a peice of my hair and started to twirl it with his fingers. "I'm glad it turned out this way." I blushed, my cheeks turning red.

"Me, too."

Edward looked down at his daughter with a loving grin. He let go of the strand of my hair and moved his hand towards her. He hesitated for some reason. Edward bit his lip, his hand close to her.

"What's wrong?" I asked with concern.

He didn't answer at first, a look of fustration now on his face.

"It is difficult...to be around her," Edward admitted, his voice hard. "It was torture when she finally arrived."

I didn't say anything, knowing he wasn't finished. He pinched the bridge of his noise, his eyes closed.

"I am...such a horrible father," said Edward. His topaz eyes were suddenly gazing into mine. "But you see, children's blood is so much more pure than adults...especially newborn blood. It's maddening."

I shuddered accidently and he noticed. A look of deep regret spread across his face. He ran his hand through his untidy hair.

"I'm so afraid that I will...that I will do something to her, to hurt her or possibly-" Edward didn't finish. He placed his hand on his forhead, closing his eyes.

"Kill her," I said for him. My voice sounded scared. I was frightened, but I wouldn't admit that out loud.

Edward growled quietly.

"Yes," he said, darkly. "I could very easily."

"Do you...want her?" I dared to ask.

Edward shot his head up, a loud growl erupting from his chest. He was angry. I gasped, feeling horrible for asking that. I knew that he loved her ever since the moment that we learned that I was going to have her. Our daughter began to stir slightly in my arms.

"Shh," I whispered softly, looking down at her. I began to brush my fingers through her brown hair. Edward immediantly looked apologetic. Carefully, he touched my forarm.

"Oh, Bella...Bella." He began to stroke my hair using his other hand. Our eyes met, his filled with regret. "Of course I want her...she is one of the best things that have ever happened to me, besides you." I felt myself blush when he said that. "I would never forgive myself if-"

"You're not going to hurt her, Edward."

Alice entered the room, dancing over to my bed. Jasper was standing at the entrance, keeping his distance. His hands were balled into fists, his knuckles tightening. It must be even harder for him, I thought. Like Edward said before, children's blood is more of a temptation. Jasper gave me a faint smile.

"She is very beautiful, Bella. Congratulations," he said in a soothing, dangerous voice.

"Thank you, Jasper." I smiled back at him..

He then looked over to Edward, his eyes as black as night. Edward nodded. Jasper was obviously telling him something through his thoughts, something that he didn't want me to hear. I knew that it was about our daughter, how her blood was too much for him at the moment. Jasper gave me another smile and then slowly walked away into the hallway, closing the door behind him.

"I'm not going to?" Edward asked Alice with a puzzling expression.

"No," she answered in her high soprano voice.

Edward had a hesitant look on his face as he turned his head to face me.

"May...may I?"

I was starting to get nervous, even though Alice said it was safe.

"If you think you can handle it," I breathed.

"Keep holding her still, please, love."

I obeyed as I watched his hand come closer. I felt my heart starting to race.

"I won't hurt you, darling," Edward whispered, his hand almost touching her cheek. "I won't hurt you..."

Edward slowly brushed his fingers on her cheek. I could sense his cautiousness as he continued to stroke her. He smiled crookedly, sighing with satisfaction.

"What is her scent?" I asked, curiously.

He smiled. "Fresh cut roses...it's a very nice aroma."

"You haven't named her yet," said Alice in the background.

"Hmmm," I began thinking of a name.

I started to think about the sister that I almost had. I felt Edward's fingers touch the back of my hand.

"What's wrong?" he asked, sensing that I was feeling upset.

"I was just thinking about the name Cecilia," I said.

"Why Cecilia?" he asked, seeming interested.

"A year after I was born, Renée got pregnant again," I began to explain. "It was going to be a girl. Her name was to be Cecilia. Renée had a miscarriage, and soon after this happend she started feeling detached from my dad. Cecilia is why Charlie can't let go of my mom..."

"I'm...I'm so sorry," Edward whispered, stroking the back of hand.

"Ever since Renée told me this I liked the name a lot," I said.

"Well, I think we should honor her memory by naming our daughter Cecilia," said Edward. "I would have loved to meet your sister," he added.

"Me, too," I said, giving him a small smile. A thought then popped into my head. "Her middle name can be Elizabeth, after your mother."

Edward smiled, touching my cheek. I glanced over to the left, noticing that Alice had left the room.

"It's your choice, my love," he said.

"Cecilia Elizabeth Cullen," I sighed, looking at my child that was cradled in my arms. She was still asleep.