Chapter Two-A Child is Born
A/N: For the record, this story is currently set in late 1948 about a year before the Cullens meet up with Alice and Jasper. I know this is too short, but it I like it the way it is. I thought about merging it with chapters one or three, but it didn't really work.
Disclaimer: Sulpicia might think that Bella is rightfully hers, but they (and everyone else in this story) belong to Stephenie Meyer.
Sulpicia's POV
Three days later I was broken from my reverie by the happiest sound I had ever heard - the screams of the nameless woman as my child clawed its way out of her toward me. Carlisle did what he could to ease the process, but it was messy all the same. Messy and bloody. Athenodora could hardly control herself, and even the guards were troubled. Only Carlisle and myself were unaffected; Carlisle through years of practice, and I being paralyzed with joy.
'I don't suppose you intend to change her?'
I hadn't thought there was anything that could upset my mood, but somehow Carlisle had managed it. 'Why!? Why should she live? When she would undoubtedly try to steal what is rightfully mine?'
'Calm down Sulpicia' hissed Athenodora, regaining her composure 'Your making a scene! This was folly from the start!'
I had never been so angry. I sank down into a crouch, readying myself to respond, when my attention was once again turned away by a cry. The cry of the most beautiful baby girl I had ever seen. I hurried over to take my precious, bloodied, squalling girl-child from Carlisle. Carefully, I swaddled her in the sleeves of my robe, concerned neither by the blood of her surrogate, nor the beat of her heart. The joy of finally being able to hold my treasure gave me strength. I whispered happily to her, crooning over the absolute perfection I held in my arms.
'Hello my child, my precious, darling Isabella. Welcome'