Howdy ya'll! I have the last chapter (yay!) and I'm very happy with how it turned out. But of course with the closing of this story I've opened another and am now working on it. But before continuing; a little thanks.
First thanks to my readers for sticking with me till the end, I love ya'll.
Thanks also to Sobriquett for being an awesome beta even though time is short lived.
Thanks to ace1219 and Shadman for their help with these last chapters.
Disclaimer; SM, as always, owns all things Twilight.
Chapter 27: Over the next six months
The following week after Alicen's birthday I went to Dr Uley and she agreed with Alicen, we were having twins, a boy and a girl.
Jasper was excited. The moment we got home he stuck the sonograms on the fridge and stood behind me as we both looked at them, his arms wrapped around me, resting his hands on my stomach.
We stayed like that until Alicen came bouncing up to us. "Whatcha doin?"
Jasper bent to pick her up, hoisting her on his hip. "We're lookin' at your little brother and sister."
"Where?"
Jasper pointed to the sonogram.
"I don't see anything Daddy."
"Look baby," I said pointing to the white spot outlining the head, "that is one of the babies head and this one is the other."
She looked at it again. "Momma, that's a bunch of dots."
Jasper and I chuckled.
"Well you'll be able to see them better when we get them done again."
She shrugged. "Whatever."
I narrowed my eyes a little as that one familiar word came out of her mouth. "Sounds like someone has been hanging around Auntie Rose and Uncle Emmett a lot." That was what Emmett always said when Rose would suggest something, meaning that he didn't care or if he did it wouldn't matter anyway. I started tickling her in Jasper's arms.
"Momma quit!" I heard in between giggles.
The next six months of pregnancy was an awesome experience of watching my belly grow and the insane cravings that Jasper was more than willing to abide by. Unfortunately with the good things came the bad, like hormonal moodiness.
I was five and a half months when things changed. Jasper had to go into work to fix a mess up his CEO had made and it kept him away for a while. I thought I could handle Alicen on my own like I always had before I met him, but I wasn't pregnant then and simple things were harder, like bending over.
He came home from work after I put Alicen to bed. I was cleaning up the mess Alicen had made when he walked into the playroom.
"Hey darlin' how was your day?" he asked like he had done for weeks.
"How was my day?" I asked, irritated. "Let's see, it was normal until Alicen accidentally spilled her drink all over the tile. I cleaned it up as best as I could because it's so damn hard to breathe bending over. Then I asked her three times to pick up her mess in this room, which obviously she didn't. But all that wasn't so bad until she was running through the house after I told her not to and she slipped and fell sliding into the stand that was holding a vase that incidentally fell over her and shattered and at that moment I snapped. Luckily she didn't have any cuts on her because I sent her to her room to clean up the mess and now here I am cleaning her other mess. So how do you think my day was Jasper? I was busy all day while you were doing whatever the hell you were doing." I hadn't realized my voice was getting louder. I cleared my throat and looked away from his stare. "I just put her to bed if you want to say goodnight," I said quietly.
He didn't move. He just stood in the doorway, watching me.
The guilt from my attack came over me when he didn't leave. I knew I was lashing out and instead of walking away like most men I knew did, he stood his ground. After a couple of minutes I looked back into his calm blue stare. "I'm sorry," I whispered, "I didn't mean to snap at you."
At that moment he walked in and enveloped me in his arms and for whatever reason I started crying.
"I'm sorry, this is not your fault and I don't know why I'm crying. I just really miss you and I realize I take you for granted but its hard being pregnant and trying to clean up after our daughter. Thank you for being so patient with everything, I just-"
He kissed me, effectively stopping my babble. "I missed you too darlin'. Believe me if I didn't have to go I wouldn't. I'd rather be here with you. I love you."
I sighed and rested my head on his chest, listening to his heartbeat. "I love you too." We stayed like that for a while until a thought popped in my head. "You're my rock."
He chuckled. "I'm sorry?"
I looked up into his deep blue eyes and smiled. "You are my rock. You keep me grounded; help keep me, well me. I don't know what I'd do without you."
"Probably the same you were before I came along."
I shook my head. "After you showed me what real love is, I can't go back to what my life was. You made my life amazing starting with Alicen and with our kids it'll be better. Our little Whitlock clan means everything."
"I couldn't agree more." He turned me toward the door and led me out into the hall towards our room.
"So how was your day?" I asked.
"Not as important as yours my love."
We walked into our room and laid on the bed, just holding one another until the day's exhaustion took over.
At six months along, I had gotten too big for any of my clothes to fit. It was Jackson's birthday and I tried on almost everything in my closet. I groaned and laid on the bed.
Jasper who was in the shower, walked into the bedroom and over to the bed, leaning over my face, a smile playing on his lips. "What're you doin'?"
I sighed. "I can't find anything to wear. All of my clothes are too small and Alice's maternity stuff wouldn't fit me anyways because she was so damn tiny to begin with."
"I'm sure whatever you wear will be fine. Are you sure nothin' fits?"
"Well one dress does."
"Then just wear that."
"It's not that simple babe."
"Why not?"
"Because it just isn't."
"Bella?"
"What?"
"What's the problem?"
I sighed. "I look so damn fat right now."
"Bella you're not fat. You are beautiful," he said as he sat beside me on the bed.
"You have to say that, you're my husband."
"Doesn't mean it ain't true darlin'. You are beautiful and you always will be to me." He placed his hand on my stomach and one of the babies kicked making Jasper smile.
"What are you thinking?"
He looked into my eyes and there was softness to them, a different kind than I've seen before. "Knowing that these are my children growing inside the woman that I love, there're no words to express how happy I am, it means the world to me. I could die a happy man."
"Well don't die yet baby; I'll need your help with our children."
"I wasn't plannin' on it." He kissed my belly and then kissed me. When he pulled back he just looked at me, his hand rested against my cheek. "I love you."
"I love you too."
He leaned down to kiss me again when Alicen knocked on the door.
"Yes?" he called.
"Are we goin' to Auntie Rose's?"
"Yes we are, we'll be leaving in a few minutes, sweetie." I replied. I turned to Jasper. "Help me up?"
He chuckled and lifted me up to sit on the bed.
I grabbed the only dress that fit and put it on, sliding on flip flops before Jasper and I headed downstairs.
Alicen was in the living room playing with her dolls. She looked up when we walked in
"Ready?" I asked.
She nodded and led us out the door to the car.
We arrived a few minutes later and walked up to the door as it flew open, revealing a grinning Emmett on the other side.
"Took you long enough."
"Waiting on us?"
"Nope just walked by the door and saw you," he said as Alicen ran past him and into the house.
He stepped to the side and let us walk in. Once he shut the door he gave me a big bear hug and shook Jaspers hand.
"So," he said standing in front of us, hands on his hips, "got any pictures of my niece and nephew?"
"Yes, but can we do the party first? I'll show off after."
"Fine."
He didn't move out of the way.
"Can I help you?"
"Depends. Will you let me touch your belly?"
I groaned. I've had a lot of people touch my stomach, some complete strangers and it got to the point I didn't want anyone touching my babies but me or my husband. "Fine, you can, just don't go overboard."
He smiled mischievously and placed both hands on my protruding stomach… and talked baby talk to it.
"Like that," I said, rolling my eyes.
"Aw that's okay babies, Mommy is just cranky isn't she? Yes she is."
"Emmett!" I complained. "Get off you big oaf."
"Love you too sis." He said grinning, completely happy with himself. He finally stepped away and led us to the living room where the rest of my family was.
"Bella!" Rose exclaimed coming over and giving me a hug. After releasing me she just stood there smiling.
"Oh fine you can touch it."
"Thank you," she said as she placed her hand on my stomach, at least she didn't do the baby talk.
"I feel like I'm some kind of charm, just rub my stomach for luck." I grumbled.
I felt familiar strong arms wrap around me and I instantly relaxed. Oh the effect he had on me. He kissed my temple and led me to the loveseat.
We ate and sang happy birthday when the cake was cut followed by the presents. Once the presents were all opened Alicen and Jackson disappeared into his room, leaving everyone else to talk about the main topic on their minds; our little additions. I passed around the recent sonogram and told the story of Alicen commenting that the babies don't have any room and how glad she was that they were no longer dots.
Jasper was massaging my neck lazily and it was a bit distracting but the constant touch was comforting.
Soon we got on the topic of names for the babies and honestly we hadn't had much thought on that.
"I've always liked Emma for a little girl," Rosalie said.
"Why? Is it because it's so much like Emmett?" I asked and looked over to my grinning brother.
"No I just always liked it. That and Brooke."
"Brooke's pretty." I agreed.
"You could keep the names rhyming or keep the first letter the same, like if you named the girl Brooke then the boy Bryan or something." Esme said.
"Yeah, but I don't really like that. I don't know, when it comes time we'll figure it out. I just know I want them named after me and Jasper."
"So you are going to name your twins Jasper and Isabella? I don't like it." Emmett said.
I laughed. "No dummy, that sounds like we would be incredibly conceited."
"Well if the shoe fits."
I chucked a pillow at him and Jasper chuckled beside me.
"I think what she means is that whatever we decide on the names to be, they're gonna keep our middle names. Is that right darlin'?"
I nodded.
"Okay so the girl is gonna be something Marie. What's your middle name Jazz?" Emmett asked.
"Lee."
"Well that's easy. And a little country."
I laughed a little. "Shut up. You name yours, we'll name ours. I think it fits, I like it."
"So for the baby shower next month do you just want the invite saying baby girl and baby boy Whitlock?"
I nodded. "That's all that's really needed isn't it? I didn't name Alicen until she was born and I want to do the same when I see these."
"Yeah but Alicen was a different case sweetie." Esme said.
"But it doesn't really change things though does it? Aly didn't have a name for her either; she wanted to wait until she saw her. Which she never did." A sudden inkling of fear ran through me. What if I never saw my babies? What if what happened to Alice happened to me? She saw it was coming but I would never know until it was too late.
Tears started welling in my eyes making it hard to see the concerned looks of those around me immediately coming closer to surround me. Jasper pulled me closer to him and I felt a hand on each of my knees as well as on my arm. I had to blink a couple of times to see that Rose and Emmett were touching my knees and Esme was sitting on the armrest, her hand on my shoulder while Carlisle was standing behind me, his hand just below Esme's.
"Bella that would never happen darlin', nothin' could take you away from me." Jasper said, conviction lacing his tone.
"It could happen, it did with Alice."
"The doctor said everything was clear didn't she?" Rose asked.
I nodded. "But the same thing was said with Aly remember?"
"Bella?" I looked up to see my strong big brother's face was completely serious. "Alicen would have seen it wouldn't she? She would have told you if she thought she was losing you."
"That's true." Esme said. "And your pregnancy is different than hers. Everyone's is different from others."
"You're not going anywhere sis, I wont let you." Emmett said gruffly.
I reached over and squeezed his hand. "You know I love ya'll right?"
"And we love you too darlin'." Jasper said kissing my temple.
"No more talking about this okay? Everything will go smoothly." Carlisle said.
I nodded and leaned forward to hug Em and Rose. Then kissed Carlisle and Esme's hand.
"Ya'll?" Emmett asked. "Wow you're becoming more country everyday. Jazz is a bad influence, corrupting my poor sweet little sister like that."
I laughed and slugged him in the arm like he taught me when I was younger effectively making him wince. I really did love my family, they supported me, lifted me when I fell and helped me stand up to those that try to bring me down.
A month later I was in my living room with my family, coworkers and friends. After cake, some games and presents everyone left except for my brother and sister along with Angela and Ben.
Rose decided that the guys should be there for the heavy lifting and the putting together of the furniture. So once the presents were open, Emmett, Jasper and Ben were in the babies' room while Rosalie, Angela, and I were folding the baby clothes. Alicen and Jackson were in the game room down the hall.
Upstairs we could hear rock music and some hammering followed by some shouting. A few minutes later the guys came downstairs for beer.
"Are you done baby?" Rose asked, grinning at Angela and me.
Emmett grumbled something under his breath.
"I'm sorry what was that?"
"Yeah we're done." Jasper said before laughing. "Ben almost didn't make it out."
"Why?" Angela and I asked.
When no answer came we stood and walked into the kitchen to see Emmett glaring at Ben, who was smiling smugly and Jasper in between them having a hard time controlling his laughter.
"What happened?" I asked.
"Well, see, Emmett was putting one of the cribs together and Ben was doing the other. So then it turned into a race of who was gonna finish it first."
"Well who won?" Angela asked, looking over at Ben.
"Emmett did."
"So why is Emmett mad?" Rose asked.
"Because Ben pointed out that he didn't put it together right by the instructions and that it wasn't gonna hold. We tried it out and put a couple of Alicen's dolls in there and it fell apart making Ben win by default."
"What kind of dude follows the damn instructions anyway?" Emmett grumbled.
We all laughed and Rose gave Em a kiss.
After that they went back up and finished putting everything together. I thanked them and Ben, Angela, Rose and Em left, leaving Jackson for Alicen to play with.
I went back into the baby room to put clothes and other things away while Jasper took a shower.
After a few minutes to myself, Alicen and Jackson came in wanting to help. I let them for a little while until they started throwing things at each other. Telling them to stop didn't do anything and after a while I was stressing out and about to yell at them to stop pestering me and leave when Jasper came walking in. He took one look at me and the kids and then the new mess on the floor before taking a breath and escorted them out. I smiled at him thanking him for the help.
A few minutes later he came walking back in and wrapped his arms around me and kissed my neck.
"Thank you," I murmured.
"You're welcome."
He released me and picked up the things on the floor and helped me put them away.
I sat down in one of the rocking chairs and he knelt down in front of me, holding one of my hands and placing the other over mine that was setting on top of our twins sleeping peacefully in my womb. He gave them a kiss and told them that we were ready for them and he couldn't wait to meet them.
Nearing my due date we had talked with Rose to take Alicen for the week. We didn't know if I was going to go into early labor but Dr. Uley said it was very likely given me having twins.
We had our "go" bag near the door in case it was time. Jasper was excited, he kept asking if it was time to go to the hospital every time I paused or went to the bathroom.
After my fifth time in the bathroom that evening, I walked out to see Jasper sitting on the bed. "No babe, it's not time."
He sighed. "Okay. Well the babies room is done, Alicen is packed, we're packed, so what do we do?"
"Movie?"
He nodded and grabbed my hand as we headed downstairs.
The doorbell rang so we took a little detour from the living room, me waddling after my husband.
"Hey Rose," Jasper said, letting her in.
"Hey, I just came by to check on you," she said walking past Jasper. "You guys ready?"
I laughed. "That's an understatement." I said before shifting the uncomfortable weight again.
"Where's Em and the kids?" Jasper asked.
Rose's eyes stayed on me as she answered him. "Emmett is picking them up from Esme and Carlisle's. Bella are you pacing?"
I nodded. "I have been off and on all evening."
"Has your water broken?"
I shook my head.
"It might soon. I was pacing before my water broke on both my kids."
"Well until it does I'm thirsty. Anybody want anything?" I asked, waddling toward the kitchen.
"No thanks," they both answered.
Once in the kitchen I opened the fridge and bent to grab a water bottle. I turned to walk back to the living room when my water broke.
"Crap," I said setting the bottle on the counter.
"Bella? Are you okay?" Rose asked as she walked in the kitchen, Jasper following her.
"Yeah, I'm okay. My water just broke though."
"'Kay well then its time to go to the hospital." Jasper said.
"Who's gonna clean up this mess?"
"I'll do it. You two leave, go to the hospital and have my niece and nephew. I'll clean this up, take Alicen with me and call the family on the way. All you need to worry about is getting to the hospital." Rose said.
"Okay we'll be leaving then." I waddled out to the truck, Jasper following with the bag.
"Ow! Shit!"
"You okay darlin'?"
"No I'm not okay. Where's the doctor?" I was taken into the labor and delivery room and the contractions are strong. Sadly the epidural isn't doing much.
"Sweetie the nurse said you're fully dilated, Dr. Uley should be in any minute now," Esme said. I was glad they allowed both her and Jasper to come in for this, I would need them. They were in scrubs and ready for action.
"Could she get here any second now? It's time to deliver. Right now. I'll push without her."
"Bella no you wouldn't." The nurse said as she walked in.
"Wanna bet? Babe, get down there and be ready to catch them as they pop out."
Jasper chuckled a little. "Honey its not that easy. How 'bout we let the professionals handle deliverin' our babies."
I huffed. "Fine. Dr. Uley! Paging Dr. Uley, get in here now and help deliver please!" I yelled out to the hall hoping she'd hear.
Esme started laughing. "Bella, I'm sure she's busy."
"Yeah, well, so am I. Been doing most the work here and I'm exhausted!"
Jasper kissed my forehead and started rubbing my neck. "I know darlin' just a few more minutes."
Just then Dr. Uley walked in the door, drying her hands.
"Dr. Uley, thank God! C'mon lets get this done." I said as I straightened up.
She smiled and came over to the side of the bed. "Hi Bella, sorry I took so long. I heard you were gonna have Jasper here deliver?" she asked pointing to my husband.
"I was, give him a few more minutes and he'd probably come around."
Jasper shook his head. "Ain't gonna happen honey."
I glared at him while Dr. Uley chuckled at us. "Well give me a few seconds to scrub up and we'll start."
She walked out of the room and a couple seconds came back in, fully ready to get down to business.
When I got here the nurses did a sonogram of the babies and estimated how big they are. After considering the risks and talking to my husband and me about it, we all agreed it would be safer for me and the twins that we should do a caesarian section.
Dr. Uley numbed me up and Jasper sat down right next to my head telling me he loved me and he was proud of me as I felt the pressure of the scalpel cutting my stomach open. Esme watched and told me what was going on since the drape blocked my view over my belly.
I felt some pressure as Esme informed me that Dr. Uley was pulling the first baby out.
"It's a boy!" Dr. Uley exclaimed. I heard some crying as she handed him off to the nurse and instantly I was crying happy tears. My son was here.
"She's getting the girl baby," Esme said, tears running down her face.
I felt more pressure.
"Here she comes," Esme said.
"It's a girl!" Dr. Uley said.
But as she handed her off to the nurse I didn't hear her cry.
I turned to Jasper. "Why isn't she crying?"
His eyes widened and he opened his mouth before shrugging and looking at Esme.
I turned to her too. "Mom, why isn't she crying?"
"Hang on sweetie, they're cleaning her."
Then suddenly the sweetest sound I heard echoed through the room; my daughter crying.
Jasper and I sighed in relief.
"She's getting the placenta out before she sews you up." Esme told me as the nurse hands her one of my babies.
Once the other is cleaned as best as possible, the nurse hands it to Jasper. I look at both of them. "They are so beautiful."
I was settled into my room awaiting my family to walk in with Jasper. Esme was sitting beside me on my bed holding my daughter and I had my son in my lap.
"What are you gonna name them? We know the middle names, so what is it gonna be Mommy?" Esme asked as she stroked my hair.
I opened my mouth to answer, but was interrupted when the door opened and my family came in following Jasper, who was holding Alicen.
"Hi Momma!" Alicen said, grinning from ear to ear.
"Hi baby."
Rose and Emmett came over and kissed me on my cheek followed by Carlisle and Jackson, once Emmett lifted him up to do so. Anabella was perched on Rose's hips, focused on the babies in front of me.
"Oh Bella they are precious." Rose said.
I smiled. "Thanks."
"So..." Emmett said.
"Names?" I guessed.
He nodded, grinning.
I looked around at all the faces surrounding my bed before looking back down at my son in my arms. "Well this little man here is Noah Lee Whitlock. And this," I said pointing at my daughter, "is Emma Marie Whitlock."
Rose gasped. "Why did you pick Emma?"
"Because she's strong like her uncle, and her aunt loved the name, and it just fit her."
"And Noah?" Carlisle asked.
"I liked Noah because I love the story and I looked it up and it means comfort. He seems like he'll be laid back like his Daddy." I smiled at Jasper.
"Can I hold one?" Emmett asked. I nodded and handed him Noah while Carlisle grabbed Emma from Esme.
I looked at Alicen who was still in Jaspers arms, a weird expression on her face.
"Alicen come here."
Jasper set her on the bed next to me.
"What's going on sweetie?"
"Are you gonna love them more than me?"
"What? No honey. We'll love you all the same. You are my first born and their older sister, they will look up to you."
She nods and then looks at me again.
"What Alicen?"
"I had a dream."
"About?"
"When the babies are older. You know that real pretty vase on the kitchen table?"
I nod. It's the vase my grandmother gave me, it was my great grandmothers; beautiful and priceless.
"I didn't break it."
I nod and made a mental note to put the vase away until the kids are much older.
Alicen jumped off the bed and examined her new siblings before Jasper handed Emma back to me.
I look into her beautiful blue eyes before I look around to all my loved ones surrounding me. A couple of years ago I wouldn't have thought it'd happen; that I'd be married to a great patient man and that we would have our beautiful little family. That I would be holding my son and daughter and be completely happy. But here we are. And all of this wouldn't have happened if it wasn't for Alice. Her guiding me through everything she knew that would happen to me. I wouldn't be me without her or any of the people around me.
In a second I went from being a girl in a complicated relationship to a single mother with only her family to turn to. Then all of a sudden I was falling in love with the man of my dreams who happened to fit into my life perfectly and then we were married, followed by the instant I was pregnant and the arrival of our own little miracles. All these changes that happen in seconds, instantly altering life, making it worth living more and more. And when all these things happen, you think of one thing; that it's funny how life can change in an instant.
So what did you think? Review and let me know what ya'll thought please and thanks.
Also look for Indian Summer. I'm working as diligently as I can before classes start back up and hopefully I'll have a lot for ya'll.
Thanks,
Amanda