A/N: Phew. We made it!

This is the last chapter, but there will be an epilogue. It will likely be short.

Edward had to remind himself he had much to be grateful for. He should not complain about what was, in reality, a minor inconvenience.

He'd had exactly five minutes to sit with Bella. She was exhausted, and occasionally winced in pain, but she was glowing. The sight of his wife cradling their newborn daughter in her arms, her sweat-damped hair flowing loose all around her and her face alight with happiness was possibly the most beautiful sight his eyes had ever beheld.

Over their baby's head, she covered his face in kisses, crying because she'd been terrified for him. Of course. She'd just given birth to a breech baby, and it was him she was concerned for.

He kissed her forehead, kissed his daughter, and declared himself the luckiest man alive before a scream from downstairs interrupted their reunion. A few of the servants who arrived earliest had come in to find James's body.

Since then, there had been no shortage of people trying to get on his last nerve.

Latest was Robert Banner's son, Eli. The man, a police officer, was doing his level best to trap Edward into admitting some sort of involvement or premeditation in James's death.

Suffice to say, James wasn't alone in finding Edward's choices disgusting. Edward didn't mind that certain members of his class looked down their nose at him. He did mind when they let that disdain cloud their judgment, endeavoring to separate him - or Alice - from his family.

"Eli Banner, that's quite enough." Doctor Gerandy, who had been checking Alice over again to ensure her concussion was not worsening, shook his head in Banner's direction. "This man's father brought you into this world, saving your mother in the process. You owe him a degree of respect for that if nothing else."

"Be that as it may, Doctor, if he's committed a crime-"

"Oh, for goddsakes, boy. Look at this poor girl's face," the doctor said, gesturing at Alice who ducked her head. "Do you think she did this to herself? Mr. Hunter was found here in Mr. Cullen's house. What is it you think? While his wife labored away without the benefit of a doctor through a breech birth Mr. Cullen was what? Luring Mr. Hunter here to shoot him through the neck? And for what reason? Mr. Hunter had motive.

"So enough with your witch hunt. Mr. Cullen's daughter doesn't even have a name yet, for pity's sake. Let this family be." The doctor huffed and turned back to Alice, shaking his head.

Edward had to stop himself from bursting into applause. Dr. Gerandy was quickly becoming his hero. The only measure of comfort he'd had in more than an hour was the doctor's assurance that Bella and the baby were both sleeping peacefully. It soothed his itch to be at their side, albeit only slightly. Between delivering his daughter safely and now defending him to the officer, Edward was ready to nominate the man for sainthood.

Before another word could be spoken, the front door came open. Edward hoped it might be the undertaker come to be bear the body away so he would not have to look at it and his mother could be released from where she'd been sequestered upstairs.

"Let me by! That's my family!"

Edward was never so relieved to hear his elder brother's voice. He looked up to see Emmett brush by the police guard, followed closely by a frantic looking Jasper.

"Alice?" Jasper asked. He raced to her side, dropping to his knees in front of her, his hands gingerly touching her battered face. "Sweet Christ. What happened to you?" Taking her hands, he brought them to his lips, kissing them fervently. "I was so scared you were dead."

"Me? No. No, not me," Alice said, her tone incredulous.

"We came as soon as we heard. Rumors are rampant. One person's truth is different than another's," Emmett said, his eyes darting around, still frantic. "Where's Mother? And Bella?"

"Both upstairs," Edward said quickly. A smile spread over his face before he could stop it. "With my daughter."

Emmett and Jasper both first looked shocked, then pleased.

Distinctly uncomfortable, Banner stood then. He didn't look happy, but he nodded in Edward's direction. "You'll be available if you're needed." It was an order, not a question.

Edward bristled but worked hard to answer without snapping. "Of course," he agreed.

"What was that about?" Emmett asked when Banner was gone.

"James Hunter is dead," Edward said quietly.

"Is he the one who did this?" Jasper asked, his fingers again skimming Alice's cheek tenderly. The doctor was glaring, but if he noticed, Jasper was ignoring it.

"He did," Edward confirmed and quickly recounted a truncated version of what had happened.

"Chin up, Mr. Whitlock," the doctor interjected when Edward had finished his tale and Jasper looked stricken. "Your young lady will be quite alright. Her ribs are bruised, but not broken, I believe." He patted Alice's hand. "I'll be by to check on you and Mrs. Cullen very soon, my dear."

Gerandy stood, looking to Edward. "Mr. Cullen?"

Edward pushed up off the couch, nodding at another officer who brought the undertaker by as he and the doctor found a private place to talk.

"Your wife is doing well," the doctor said with a smile. "It concerns me though, that you haven't had time to bring the wet nurse, so-"

"Doctor." Edward held his hand up to stop the doctor's speech. "Would it be ill-advised to her health to nurse the baby herself?"

Gerandy made a face before he could help it, the expression one of disgust.

"I know you find it distasteful, but it's what Bella wants. Right now, I will give my wife whatever she wants. I'm sure you understand that," Edward said quickly before he could be lectured.

The doctor's white moustache twitched, but he nodded. "I'm not sure I do understand, Mr. Cullen. If it was my wife..." He cleared his throat. "But no, it would do no harm to her physically to nurse the child."

"And you're sure. They're both well?" Edward asked, suddenly anxious.

This brought back the doctor's smile. "Both your wife and baby are very strong and healthy. Rest easy, son. Now that your brother is here, perhaps leave him to run the house for a moment and you may go see for yourself."

Gerandy put his hand on Edward's shoulder. "I hope I don't overstep my place. Your father isn't here, but I feel that I should tell you. He would have been very proud of you today - you and your sister."

Edward let out a long, slow breath. He hadn't realized until that moment how desperately he craved a father's approval. He was running on fumes at that point, having been awake for too long without sleeping. He was riddled with guilt because it was his fault James has targeted his family, and still so terrified, it was all he could do to keep his trembling at bay.

The doctor repeated his promise that he would be there in the morning and was gone.

Now that the idea had been put in his head, Edward could no longer stave off his desire to be back at Bella's side, to hold his daughter in his arms again. He moved quickly back into the house.

To his surprise, he found Emmett and Jasper on either side of Alice. His little sister was sobbing inconsolably as James's covered body was borne out of the house.

When he got close enough, he could hear what she babbled under her breath. "I've done murder. I've done murder. Oh God."

"Alice," he said, kneeling in front of her. He put his hands on her knees, squeezing gently. "It's fine."

"It's not fine!" she cried and winced. She had to be in pain, the way she was gasping for breath.

He grabbed her hands, pulling them down away from her face. "You did the right thing, little sister."

"How?" she demanded. "If I had not told James Bella's time had come, he-"

"He was hurting you to get to me. He gave you no choice, Alice." Edward breathed deep, reminding himself that the bastard was dead and would not hurt his family ever again.

"Edward's right," Emmett said, bumping her shoulder gently. "Really, Ally girl. I've never been prouder to be your big brother."

"You saved Bella's life. And my daughter's," Edward said fervently. "Honestly, you saved all our lives. You think James would have let us live after what he'd done?"

Alice's smile was small, but present. She sniffled. "It still feels terrible, what I've done."

"Sweet girl," Jasper whispered, brushing her cheek. "It never feels right to take a life, not unless you're a monster, as James so obviously was. But he left you no choice."

Emmett and Edward exchanged a glance as Alice rested her head on Jasper's shoulder. The blond man didn't look up for their approval, but wrapped his arms around her carefully, gently.

It was clear that Jasper would give her everything she needed regardless of the consequences.

Emmett's expression was grudging, but Edward knew he'd arrived at the same conclusion: Jasper would be a good husband to Alice. When Jasper came again to ask for her hand, Edward knew he would say yes without hesitation or misgiving.

He pushed that thought to the back of his mind, standing. "Emmett?"

His brother cocked his head.

"I'm sorry to ask this of you, but I haven't seen Bella or my daughter for hours now, and-"

Emmett waved his good arm. "Go. Of course. We'll be fine here." His customary grin appeared for the first time that morning. "Bring my niece down when you can. I'd like to meet her."

Edward couldn't help his smile. "She is the most beautiful baby in the world."

"I'm sure you're not biased at all." His brother laughed, the booming sound almost unnatural - but so welcome - given the chaos around them. "You should see yourself, brother. You're puffed up like a peacock."

Above them, the baby started to wail, and Emmett laughed again. "Obviously, Daddy's been gone too long. Go on then, and give Bella our congratulations."

"And congratulations to you, my friend," Jasper added, his smile genuine as he rested his head on top of Alice's.

Edward took the stairs two at a time.

Just as he reached the master bedroom, his mother was coming out. She looked tired and wary, but there was a smile tugging at her lips. When she saw him, she wrapped him in a tight hug.

"My boy. I've been worried. What's going on down there? Is Alice-"

"Everything is fine. There are still officers downstairs and newsmen on the lawn, but we're all fine," he assured his mother. "Emmett is here. There is blood in the sitting room," he said slowly, watching to make sure his mother wasn't upset by his words. "But the body is gone, if you'd like to go downstairs."

Esme's smile was tight. "That man threatened my family. Perhaps it is unchristian of me, but I'm glad he's dead." Pushing up onto her tiptoes, she kissed his forehead as she had when he was a little boy. "Go. Your family is waiting."

His family.

Edward's heart began to pound hard against his chest as he pushed the door open. For a horrible moment, he was terrified they wouldn't be there, that he was dreaming and he really had lost everything.

But he was greeted by the sweet sight of his beautiful wife holding their daughter to her breast.

"Edward!" The look on Bella's face brightened when she saw him. "Thank God. Please come here to me," she entreated, holding her free hand out.

Pushing the door closed and locking it, Edward was never happier to comply with his wife's request. He crossed to her and sat beside her carefully, wrapping his arm around her shoulders and burying his nose at her neck.

He breathed her in once, twice, assuring himself that this was no dream.

"I've been so worried," she murmured against the top of his head. "I was so worried when I woke and it had been hours and you weren't here."

"I'm so sorry," he said raising his head. "But I'm here now." He kissed the side of her hair tenderly.

"Will you tell me what's happening?"

"Please don't be concerned. We're all fine, and that's what matters now. Emmett, Jasper, and Mother are with Alice."

He was distracted by a grunt and smiled as he looked down at his daughter, watching her suckle, her tiny hands flailing randomly against Bella's skin.

"I want to forget about all that for a moment," he said quietly, catching the baby's hand with a finger. She squeezed instinctively, and Edward's breath caught in his throat. "She's so completely perfect, Bella."

"She is," Bella agreed.

The baby's eyes were drooping even as she nursed.

"Tell me what I missed," Edward begged.

Bella glanced at him, her tired expression amused. "You were not gone so terribly long."

"All the same. Tell me."

The baby came away from Bella's nipple with a little pop, wriggling a little toward her mother's warmth. Bella shifted her carefully, pulling up the nightgown she'd shrugged down her shoulder.

"Some people say that new babies have no personality, but I don't think that's so," she began quietly. "Perhaps it's silly to say as her eyes aren't focused, but there is something very regal in the way she looks at you."

"Regal, hmm?" Edward stroked his daughter's cheek reverently, awed by the softness under his finger. "She does need a name. Perhaps a name fit for a queen, then?"

"A queen's name," Bella repeated. "I do like that."

"Margaret? Anne? Elizabeth?"

Bella hummed, but didn't comment on those specifically.

"Mary?" he tried. "Eleanor?"

At this last name, the tiny girl hiccuped wetly, a small bit of off-white liquid suddenly appearing on her lips, dribbling down her chin. Edward was startled, but Bella just shushed the baby's sudden whimpers, cleaning her with a soft cloth and rocking her. She settled quickly enough, falling back to sleep.

The tenderness he felt for his wife just then was almost too much for his heart to handle. He loved her. By God, he loved her more than he knew how to explain. Seeing her with their child did things to him he could not yet define.

Bella looked to him and smiled wryly. "I think she likes Eleanor."

"Are you an Eleanor, little love?" Edward whispered to the sleeping baby.

"Eleanor Frances?" Bella asked.

"Why Frances?"

"No reason, really. It's just pretty."

"A pretty name for my beautiful girl," Edward murmured. "Welcome to the world, Miss Eleanor Frances Cullen. Such as it is."

Minutes passed, and Edward could not tear his eyes from his daughter except to press the occasional kiss to Bella's hair.

"Emmett and Jasper want to meet Ellie," he murmured. As he truly began to accept that his family was there in his arms and in no immediate danger, tiredness began to overtake the adrenaline that had been his only energy for hours.

"She is sleeping," Bella mumbled. "And you look ready to fall over as well. Put her in her cradle, and come sleep with me."

Edward was more than happy to comply. Unwinding his arms from around Bella, he stood and went to her side of the bed. She pressed a soft, adoring kiss to Eleanor's forehead before she passed her carefully into his arms.

For a moment, Edward held the child, taking in her slight weight in his arms and the way her baby heat radiated against his skin. He could never have imagined what a joy it was to be a father.

A memory tugged at his consciousness: James wrinkling his nose as if he found being a father to a daughter distasteful.

Quickly, Edward shut any thought of James out of his head. The man was a fool. Edward was not. He was nothing but ecstatic to hold his little girl in his arms. She would always know she was treasured and adored by her father. Always.

"I promise," he whispered to her, bringing her close for a kiss before he settled her in the cradle by the bed.

When he was sure the baby would stay asleep, he lay down beside Bella, wrapping her in his arms. They lay on their sides, her back against his chest, watching their daughter take even breaths. Their fingers were tangled together.

For long, quiet minutes, Edward marveled.

He had seen the worst of the world: war, death, and the evil that lay in the hearts of some men. And yet, for all the challenges, all the twists, all the darkness, the world could be such a fantastically beautiful place.

There was this woman he held in his arms. Once, when they were children, he hadn't dared to think this day should come to pass. How could it, when they were so different, when the world endeavored to keep them on different sides of a chasm too wide to cross?

But here she was, filling his days with her bright spirit, her beautiful smile, and her quiet strength. More, the gift she'd given him, the beautiful child of their bodies and hearts, was a miracle he thought, in the worst times of war, he'd never live to see.

There was so much left to do, so many challenges yet to be faced, but right then, holding Bella close to him, watching his newborn daughter sleep away the first day of her life, all was right in Edward's world, and he would face tomorrow with his family by his side.

A/N: Thank you to GinnyW for beta work and barburella. This baby was named by jfka06 for two of my most favorite people.

I am participating in a pledge-a-thon to raise money for schools. For $5 you can receive a private outtake from me. I'll also be doing a live chat/interview on June 30. It's for a great cause and I'm quite proud to be a part of it. Find out more here: bit . ly/ptblkris