Disclaimer : I don't own Twilight! I don't wanna!

CHAPTER TWELVE

"He needs somebody to hold to
His love is strong and so true
His arrows aiming for you
And he's the one that you were born to love."

~Christina Perri

A particularly hard kick thumps against my swollen stomach, drawing a wince from me as my hand flies down to the area where a bruise is sure to form. The baby grows stronger everyday and I know I am only feeling it because of my human-nature – the skin of my stomach, once pale and smooth is now riddled with yellowing, faint bruises from my child.

I'm almost certain it's a boy.

I pat my stomach and laugh quietly, more like a breathless sigh. "I know," I tell the swollen bump, so large that my feet are virtual strangers. "You want out. Soon."

Part of me is hoping my pregnancy will be shorter than the already speedy Leumian gestations. But logic – my own logic – rules that, because of my human side, the pregnancy might be longer. And that's fine with me; I don't know how I will feel once my child is out in the world, being shared with everyone else.

But I don't know how much longer my body can hold on.

Aside from the bruising and the constant need to empty my bladder, the baby has grown so large on my small frame that the Leumian Healers are worried about natural birth. They think they might have to defy their traditions in order to save my life when it is time for my labor.

I want the natural birth, more than anything. The Queen has been recounting both of her pregnancies to me, smiling fondly as the tiny tales spill from her mouth. In a very short time, the Queen, Esme, had become a reminder of my own mother – a figure in the flesh that I had come to rely on for information and companionship and advice.

Two and a half months, I've been pregnant. And for two and a half months, Edward has grown increasingly over protective. I can't complain about it now, as with the baby's weight added to my small body, I can hardly walk, instead waddling back and forth from the waste room. Edward does not allow to be waddle further – he carries me and when I am too tired to be carried, he orders food in and stays with me. And when his Prince duties pull him away and Jasper is left to guard me, he leaves Jasper with the orders to carry be where ever I need to go.

It is almost over the top but I can hardly argue against it, even as Edward is carefully placing me into our bed, his lips grazing my forehead. "Did he kick again?"

Edward thought the baby might be a boy, too, though his reasoning was backed by Leumian medical facts – boys were bigger in the womb than girls and it showed.

I nod, once again rubbing my stomach, trying to stave off the frown from the tenderness of my newest bruise. "He's strong," I confirm, while hoping he doesn't get too much stronger.

He might break me.

"Are you tired?"

"Exhausted."

Edward laughs, a sort of rumbling chuckle from deep within his chest. "I'll get your he'ast tea."

"Thank you," I murmur as he hurries to brew to foul smelling concoction that the Leumian healers prescribed for me. Since two weeks ago, it had become a nightly routine and though I absolutely loathed the tea, it really did help with the soreness of my body and I woke up slightly refreshed.

I shudder to think of what a mess I might be without that horrible tea.

Edward positions himself behind me as I drink, his nimble fingers massaging my back, tracing the dark dots on my back. Three weeks into the pregnancy, those faint freckles had tripled in size and now even I could make out a distinguishable pattern between the paces of pale skin.

Edward's breath hits the back of my neck in one quick puff and I know he has news for me – news that he didn't particularly want to share. I had suspected as much earlier, before dinner, when there was a certain tightening in his eyes and a small frown on his lips. I didn't say anything because I knew I wouldn't have to.

Edward isn't very good at keeping secrets.

"What is it?" I prod, slurping the thicker-than-milk substance and swallowing as quickly as possible.

"I have to go to the Southern Lands tomorrow."

I had been to the Southern Lands, part of a brief tour that Edward had had planned since before the pregnancy. We had to make the trip fairly quick since Edward didn't want me exposed to too many elements – but he also didn't want me to miss out on the Leumian landscapes. The trip was a compromise.

The Southern Lands are not as lush as the Northern, where the mountain palace is located. Instead, the Southern Lands are heavy with dry foliage and rough rocks and cold desert arid air. The Leumian's who live in the Southern Land also appear more rugged than the Northern, Eastern and Western Leumian's – the skin slightly more weathered, more rich in pigment and their bodies built with more bulk.

But I loved the Leumian's there, the certain lilt of their speech, their hospitality. "Is there a problem?"

Edward's arms move around my body and tighten. "No, I just need to visit for a routine check-in. I would not go, but since you are so close to delivery, I want to get all of my duties taken care of."

"I'll miss you," I tell him, glancing at his symmetrical face from over my shoulder.

He eagerly presses his lips against mine, only pulling away when our baby kicks near my ribs and I pant out a pained gasp.

Edward shifts, moving down on the bed so he is level with my stomach. "Be nice to your Mol'a. We do not want her hurt."

The baby seems to hear Edward and settles in my womb. I smile thankfully and finish my tea, slurring a good-night parting to my Edward before my eyes shut.

The morning is very busy, several servants shuffling through the room, assisting Edward and bringing me different dishes designed specifically for pregnant females. My appetite is voracious and I eat most of the food offered, smiling sheepishly at the stunned staff.

I had never been a big eater and, from my first weeks here, the staff knew that. I'm sure they were shocked at the change, though Edward seemed to find it amusing, muttering something about strong boys.

Jasper arrives just as Edward is leaving, his tiny mate pushing past both large males and jumping beside me on the bed, the fabrics in her arms flying around us with her bouncing movements. "We have so much to talk about!" Alice trills.

Edward laughs, kisses my stomach and my lips and leaves with a serious nod to Jasper, who is looking upon the scene in calm amusement.

Alice hardly notices, instead shoving various fabrics at me – shiny, furry, soft, smooth and all in various cool jewel tones of rich emerald, amethyst and sapphire.

I finger the fabrics. "What is all of this for?"

I couldn't imagine Alice making any more clothes; she'd been making clothes for me during the entire pregnancy and making clothes for the after-pregnancy too.

"This is for your son!"

My hand freezes and I look at Alice with my brows raised. "Son?"

"I'm certain you and Edward are having a little Prince. That's why I picked these colors. Princesses usually wear warmer colors. But little Princes? They wear cool tones. It's a Leumian tradition."

That would explain why Edward wore blacks, blues, and greens more often than not.

But my mind is drawn back to her comment – everyone is so sure that my baby will be a boy.

And I find that the thought of a little Prince sits well with me. I rub my stomach, wanting to meet him.

As if answering my thought, a kick thumps against my stomach, light enough to not cause another bruise.

Alice continues talking, eagerly relaying information in a high trill. "All Leumian babies wear the same kind of clothing, a simple sheath. But since the little Prince is a Prince, his clothing will have to be in these colors and they must be more stylized. And that's where you come in."

"I do?"

"You do! Of course you should have say in the little Prince's clothes!"

And so, with an uncharacteristic squeal, I dove into the project, inputting my opinions into the designs and delighting in the traditional sheaths that emerged.

Several times, my eyes watered, disturbing my vision with happy tears.

My baby would wear these clothes.

I knew I was being entirely too sentimental, but I couldn't help it. Alice snickered at my quivering lips, giggling something to Jasper that I don't hear.

By the time she leaves to continue working on the clothing, several servants bring in my food, already approved by Edward and Jasper to be free of harmful substances. Thankfully, that hadn't been a problem during my pregnancy.

There is a regular maid by the name of Renata who had been on my chamber's duty during my bed rest. I couldn't help but feel paranoid around her – something in the way she glanced at me, kept her head down and refused to speak put me on edge. Jasper could tell and was always quick to hurry her out of the room.

I had also fleetingly found it odd that she was only ever attending to me when Edward was gone. I filed that detail away, distracted as a rather sharp pain shot through my spine.

"Ow!"

Jasper rushes to my side after securing the code on the door. "What's wrong?"

As quickly as the pain had appeared, it vanished. Brows furrowed, I wave him off. "Can you help me up?"

Jasper steps back. "You're on bed rest, Princess."

I raise my brows at him. "I need to move, Jasper. Help me or don't, I don't care. But I need to stretch."

Jasper looks away, his face pensive, before he nods and mutters, "Edward will kill me if he finds out about this."

"He won't," I hurry to assure him, excitement rushing through my limbs

Edward was very hesitant to let me move but I had always been mobile and sitting still for several hours a day did not agree with my body. Five minuets on my feet wouldn't kill me.

I waddle a slow circuit around the room, my hands supporting my lower back. The movement feels good and soon I forget about the shocking pain that had raced through my spine.

After my walk, Jasper encourages me to eat and I do, favoring one of the odd Leumian fruits that taste like strawberries, but appear to be some mix of a hard coconut shell and the size and coloring of a mango.

Soon after, though, boredom grasps me and the lormaline around my neck appears fascinating. So fascinating, that before I even realize it, my mind is grasping onto the essence of the stone, easily hovering it above my head.

Jasper looks on with a stone face, displeased but unable to do anything about it. I had already sworn him to secrecy and even he couldn't argue that I needed to learn how to control the lormaline.

I had surpassed his skill some time ago, not needing to use my hands or even look at the gem when the essence was in my grasp. Not even the Elders could boast so much, according to Jasper. Leumian's simply didn't see the point in mastering control like I do.

But that practice is engrained in me from years on Earth honing my gifts.

Even now, so pregnant, I didn't let that habit falter. I knew I could push myself to control the lormaline and another metal at the same time.

Without closing my eyes I find another heavy metal and, instead of gaining a hold on the molecular structure, I zero in on the essence of the metal. That alternative method made controlling the metals much easier than it had ever been and I wondered why I hadn't ever thought of it before.

"Princess…"

"I'm fine," I insist, watching now as several metals revolve around the lormaline above my head. The image is comforting, like a child who has a hanging mobile above their heads and soon I am drifting into sleep, the metals finding their previous locations.

A short while later, I wake on my side to another sharp pain, this time the muscles of my back cramping up suddenly and then releasing tension. I know the time must be in the early afternoon because the sun is still high in the clear sky and Jasper is still leaning next to the entrance.

The King is also in the room, staring out the window.

Over the course of my pregnancy, as much as the Queen had become a mother figure, so had the King become a father figure – he filled a place my own father never bothered to reach.

I learned that the King, who now insisted I call him Carlisle though it was very hard for me, was primarily a historian for Leumin. He presided over the Elders who kept the history of Leumin safe, as well as preserving Leumin treasures and traditions.

He had taken to visiting me once a day and telling me stories about the planet and the people and even the Skye clan, before and after their rule turned horrendous.

I struggle to sit up, my stomach too round and heavy. Carlisle turns and hurriedly assists me with gentle hands.

"How is the young one today?"

I rub my stomach affectionately. "He's strong," I say, smiling widely when Carlisle chuckles.

"That runs in the family."

"It does?"

This was one of the few things Carlisle had yet to share with me.

"Oh, yes. When Esme was pregnant with Edward, she had been so tired all the time. He was a very hyperactive baby."

I smiled at the thought of a baby Edward – I'm sure he was absolutely adorable.

"I remember one time, Edward almost broke one of her ribs. But you see how large Edward is. He's taller than me."

"Well, this one has only bruised me. No broken bones."

"I'm happy to hear that," the King smiles. "How are you today?"

"I'm tired," I confess. "The baby has been waking me up all night and he keeps moving. I think he wants out."

Carlisle nods, his hand moving under his chin. "You are due soon. I wouldn't be surprised if he came early."

I move my hands over my swollen stomach. "I'm not sure I'm ready for that."

"When he's ready, it won't matter if you are or not," Carlisle says wisely. "Now, what do you want to hear about today?"

I ponder that for a second. There was much I knew about Leumin and the Leumian people but it was information about lormaline that my mind thirsted for. "Tell me more about lormaline," I request, shifting on the bed as an echo of that painful cramp traces along my lower back. "Where do you mine it?"

Carlisle sits back, crossing one leg over the other. "Lormaline is very rich on the planet and can be found in three main places. The smallest mine is actually in this mountain, on the southern side near the entrance to the valley. That store of lormaline is actually why this location was chosen for a palace. My father thought the lormaline would help protect the people and so far, it has. Another mine is far up north, in the frozen cap mountains. You have not been there but soon, after the baby is born, I'm sure Edward will take you to visit. Babies are often dipped in lormaline rich waters in the north. Edward was and so will your child."

"You dip the babies in frozen water?" I ask, my eyes wide and I'm sure my voice sounded half as terrified as I felt. If frozen water was anything like frozen water on Earth, then I didn't want my baby anywhere near it.

"Leumian's are strong, Bella," Carlisle says calmly. "We hardly feel the cold."

I press my lips together and nod, accepting this as a fact. The King was very open in his knowledge now. I trusted him.

"What's the last one?"

"The Southern mine," he says. "Edward is near it today. We-"

The King stops short, pressing his lips into a thin line.

He's keeping something from me.

"What is it?"

Carlisle levels me with an appraising glance, seeming to make his mind up about something.

After a moment, he sighs. "Some lormaline has gone missing."

"Missing?"

Nodding, Carlisle continues. "We keep very close track of the lormaline, so this is a very big problem, regardless of the small amount that cannot be found."

"Did a Leumian steal it?"

Carlisle shakes his head, rubbing his hands across his eyes. "It's not likely that a Leumian stole lormaline, as it is very important to our culture. But, then again, only a Leumian would have access to the mine."

"You think a Leumian betrayed Leumin," I say, confident in my surmise.

Tiredly, Carlisle nods. "I don't want to trouble you with this."

"It's my planet, too."

I believed this wholeheartedly and just as I was about to continue, a strong cramp races up my lower back and I cry out.

Instantly, Carlisle and Jasper are by my side, leaning over the bed, but it is Carlisle who's face dawns with understanding.

He turns to Jasper and, with the calm authority only a King has, he barks out his orders. "Call the Queen and Rosalie immediately. Send out word to Edward that he is to come home now. Go!"

Jasper hurries to do as he was told, moving methodically and quickly.

My body calms, as if the pain had never happened but, by the look on Carlisle's face, I knew another jolting cramp would come.

"What's happening?"

"Labor," he tells me calmly.

My eyes widen.

No.

No, Edward was supposed to be here for this.

And it was too soon.

"Too soon," I whimper, pressing my hands onto my stomach as if I can keep my baby inside by sheer willpower alone.

"It is never too soon," Carlisle assures me.

I want to disagree with him.

But I can't.

Warmth floods the bed underneath me and, at first, I panic, thinking I've had an accident.

The panic washes out though.

I know what that is.

My water just broke.

Jasper rushes back to us.

"Where's Edward?" I demand, my body breaking out into a light sweat.

He promised to be here.

He had to be here.

"He's on his way."

I nod and shift on the bed, stunned with another cramp – another contraction – squeezes down on my lower back and my sides. I grit my teeth against the cry of pain that threatens to come out of my mouth.

Esme enters with a frantic Rosalie behind her.

They push Carlisle to the side.

Esme takes control of the situation, instructing Rosalie and Jasper to gather warm water, cloths and blankets.

"Isn't there some Leumian tea that helps with this?"

I never thought I would ever beg for one of those horrible concoctions, but the pain is crawling up my side, my spine and I want more than anything to be safe and pain free in Edward's arms.

Esme shakes her head, pushing my hair away from my warm forehead. "I'm afraid not."

"No drugs?" I ask, looking up at her with wide eyes as she adjusts the pillows beside and behind me, creating a sort of soft nest that did nothing to comfort me. "At all?"

"You'll be okay, darling. Leumian females are strong."

"I'm half human!"

Esme smiles, joy in her eyes. "You are also Leumian."

She is right about that.

But I can hardly find comfort in that fact.

It feels like hours pass between steady contractions, long cramps and short periods of calm.

But the sun only barely moves in the sky and I know that my mind is playing tricks on me.

Time is not passing any quicker.

I try to tell myself that it's a good thing – Edward might make it on time.

But then another contraction hits and that thought flies out the window.

And eventually, I am looking at the bump of my swollen stomach I horror.

This baby is huge.

And I am not.

"He won't come out!" I yell in panic and pain as another contraction hits.

Rosalie and Alice have been steadily cooling my body with lukewarm water and cloths. Rosalie pats the hand that is squeezing her forearm tightly, hard enough to leave a deep bruise though she doesn't so much as flinch. "You'll be fine."

She doesn't speak from experience but I take her words for truth.

Rosalie had never lied to me.

Some time later, the Healer is checking my dilation during one of the stronger contractions. "It's almost time."

I glance around the room, the one face I want to see missing.

I feel like crying.

He isn't here yet.

But just as I think it, the doors slide open with astounding force and Edward is panting on the other side, crazed vibrant eyes seeking me out.

I sigh in relief.

He made it.

I tense with another contraction as Edward moves to replace the pillows behind me, taking his place, his position and holding my close, his lips pressed into the crown of my head.

And then another contraction hits.

And the Healer and Esme are telling me to push.

I do.

And I do again.

And again.

And again

And again.

Over and over, pain searing through the lower half of my body.

And then the last push, which comes quicker than I hoped.

I watch with exhausted half-lidded eyes as the Healer cradles a cloudy-clear sac in his arms, the shape of my baby visible through the membrane.

There is a short umbilical cord that Edward cuts off with his sharp claws.

When did he move from behind me?

The baby is moved into Edward's arms.

Edward carefully runs a single claw over the thin membrane, breaking it and quickly moving the soft shell off the baby's face.

"It's a boy," he murmurs, bringing our baby closer to me.

I gaze at the flush pink body and lock sight with large, round, dark eyes.

He's beautiful.

Perfect.

His hair is matted down to his head, but is dark with a reddish tint.

His bone structure is distinctively Leumian, his soft face slightly angular.

"What will you name him?" Alice asks as I bring my baby closer to my chest.

My baby nuzzles my chest and Edward holds us both close.

I smile.

A/N: This is where I ask all you lovelies to help me name the baby! Seriously, I was writing, writing, writing and then I was like "Uh…I didn't plan a name!". So yeah, I need help! Gimme all the names you think are good and either the name that comes up the most or that I like the most will be the baby's name!

Alright, on to my awesome reviwers and new readers and amazing favorite-story/author peoples….

CrimsonRed-ink1792 – I loved your review and, as a new reader, welcome! I feel I'm more romance than Sci-Fi, but it is aliens sooo….lol

handsdowntoo – Charlie is a bit whack in the head!

maysnrs – welcome! You made me giggle! But I hope you wont ever nearly miss your shift again!
telaviv – I kind of imagine Bella has a beach ball stuck under her dresses lol The kid is huge!
james3142 – SAT's were…boring? I dunno lol Lom'tsu looks super cool in my head so I want to be able to experience it but…I made it up so it makes me sad! I'd watch out for Charlie more than Carlisle!
RPattSinner – I know! Damn you, Charlie! Why you have to be so evil?

twivampchick – If you know anyone that wants to make a movie….lol

MissMartha – Yes, please, hate more on Charlie! I love it! Now if only this Edward really existed….

PanteraFenix Negra – I could never forget about my readers! You guys are so vital!
Sprite007 – Carlisle totally deserves a hug for this chapter, right?

Cici G – Absolutely right! The metal is very very important!

Twilight Rocker 12 – you're just too sweet! I love your current name and the pending one! Please don't fall down any stairs – that will make me sad! Uhm, this week is…..Y words!
YesMyRealNameIsBella – hmm…who is the informant? Use your psychic powers! And help me name this kid!
shar76 – I cannot tell a lie. I'm Abe Lincoln.

And big shout out to the first review of the last chapter, DoubleFate. I totally imagine the same thing! They're all from Hogwarts! XD

As always, be brutally honest. I can take it.

~ cupcakeriot