Stephenie has it all. I just decided to play with her characters and add some of mine. I don't own anything you might recognize.
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Outtake 8 and 9 are posted if you didn't know and they takes place around this time.
In the first week of April we finally bought the crib. Assembling it took even longer than assembling the bed because Edward was stubborn and I wasn't allowed to help until he almost hammered his finger. I pushed him away and put the crib together in under half an hour. Edward stormed out of the room, muttering under his breath.
The week between the end of the season and the play-offs, Edward decided we should do something knowing he'd be busy again. We hadn't seen Sylvia in a few months and I suggested we go to the forest since it was so nice outside. He reminded me of Marcus's advice of being close to the hospital because I was in my last month, but I really wanted to go out.
So, on April twenty-second, we went to the forest with Sylvia. It was the first time she met Cody and after five minutes of aw-ing and woo-ing, she decided he was crazy when he started running around her legs and attempting to crawl up her pant leg. She hadn't seen anything yet. With us, he had become familiar and wasn't as jumpy as he used to be, but he still didn't like our neighbor's dog.
Once at the forest, I took Cody for a walk, while Edward played badminton with Sylvia. When we returned with a few twigs for the grill, I was surprised to find out that Edward was losing. There was something he was rubbish at; it had taken me years to find something he wasn't good at.
Of course, he had forgotten the picnic table and we had to eat on the blanket, lucky I had grabbed three of them. The chicken breasts were better than anything I'd eaten in a long time. Edward would have to use the grill home too, but I didn't tell him that because I saw how he had figured out what to do as he cooked. Practice makes perfect, though.
We talked for hours and Sylvia told us about the time she had that thing with the patient, but as time passed she realized her mistake and promised herself to never ever attach to someone else. We played cards and I won a few times.
As the hours passed, I felt more kicks than usual from the baby, but thought that he was agitated because of the long walk I had taken before eating. Maybe I shouldn't have done it. When we left, it was dark outside and as we were passing the lake nearby, the car stopped. It had never done such a thing. It worked flawlessly.
While Edward popped the hood and went to see what was wrong, I tried to start it myself and realized why it wasn't working. We were out of gas. Edward looked shocked when I told him, but said he'd call the service.
"How can he be so stupid?" I moaned.
"It happens," Sylvia assured. "Don't stress yourself over such a mundane thing."
"Mundane? He knew we were coming here, so many miles away. He should have been more careful! Ouch!" I gasped at a brutal kick.
"Are you okay?" she asked worried.
"Uh, I don't know… ow."
"How far away are the contractions?" Sylvia whispered knowingly.
I kept denying it. Still. This couldn't be happening here in the middle of nowhere. But a small part of my brain had counted. "Now…fifteen minutes, I guess."
"Bella!" she shouted. "You know what that means?"
I couldn't answer as the worst pain yet hit me and I yelled.
"Bella?" Edward's panicked face appeared at the driver's window, peeking inside. Then he looked at my hand that was clutching my stomach and he turned white.
Don't let him faint, I prayed to myself.
He disappeared to call an ambulance. He couldn't get a signal to call the service and he'd get one for the ambulance? I hoped he would because I wasn't ready for this without Marcus by my side. I needed him.
Sylvia reclined my seat and kneeled between my legs, touching my stomach. "Bella, it's less than five minutes apart. And…" She looked down then at me. "Your water just broke."
I moaned, falling backwards. No. I refused to let the thought settle in my brain. I couldn't have the baby here. I had to be in the hospital.
Edward returned a few minutes later and told me that an ambulance was on the way. Sylvia told him to be helpful, and I would have laughed at how lost he looked if I wasn't in so much pain. He brought the blankets from the trunk and once I was sitting on one and one was between my legs, Sylvia made sure I was dilated enough while Edward settled behind me, hugging me. He was more scared than me.
I thought of all the times we joked about this, but all our scenarios happened in a hospital not in the car. I didn't even have my bag with me.
When Sylvia told me to start pushing, I was aware I was squeezing Edward's hand too tightly but I needed to feel him close. I had never been in such pain. The period's cramps didn't compare to this, not even close – this was like being torn apart from the inside. The movies about giving birth weren't exaggerating. I yelled, cried, sweated, threatened Edward and screamed some more. The pills he had given me were effective for a total of fifteen minutes, then it was hurting all over again.
Edward took the pain I was inflicting on his hand like a pro, whispering encouraging words in my ear and how much he loved me. I felt a lot better once the head was out and he started crying, but then I had to push again. I should have known that the shoulders were wider. By the time all the baby was out, the ambulance had arrived, but I wasn't paying attention to anything. I felt lifeless. All I saw was Sylvia wrapping the baby in a blanket and going to the ambulance then an EMT told me to push again to eliminate the afterbirth.
I was so tired that I didn't remember being carried to the ambulance, but when I heard Edward yelling at someone to let him in; I had enough strength to extend my hand and probably smile, though I wasn't sure.
He went to the two women that were hunched over our little baby, confirming that he was the father. I was shocked to hear he was a girl. I had been so sure it was a boy, but it didn't matter. Unless Edward decided to give me hell about not knowing what I had been carrying for the past nine months.
"Well, I'm happy to announce you that you have a healthy little girl. She's eight lbs and thirteen oz and seventeen inches. The Apgar score is ten," the EMT woman announced us with a wide smile.
I tried in vain to keep the tears in my eyes when I saw Edward holding her. I had been right, he was proud he had won the bet, and since he knew all along what we were having, I allowed him to choose the name. I hadn't even looked at girl names, but I knew that the middle name was going to be Sylvia. She had been an angel.
"Abigail," he told me and she seemed to like it because a small sound came from the baby.
I still couldn't take my eyes off her. I had carried that small person in me for so long and imagined she was a boy. Poor girl, I almost felt bad for all the times I called her a he when I had talked to my stomach.
I took her from him and for a second, it looked like Edward didn't want to let go. She was small and warm and I wanted to squeeze her tightly. I never thought a child would make me feel like this, but I should have listened to Mom. Until it was mine, I didn't know anything about being a mother and she was right. I already loved Abigail.
At the hospital we were separated and I missed her warmth. I wished Edward had come with one of us, but he was sent away. After being poked and prodded, Marcus appeared next to me and I hadn't been so happy to see him in all the months I knew him.
"Well, you had a full night, I hear," he joked.
"Don't remind me. How is she?" I asked, searching his eyes.
"Perfect. What really happened?"
We talked for a few minutes and when I told him that Sylvia was there, he grinned and told me that she was one of the best nurses they had. Some time later, I was reunited with my little angel but she was sleeping and after being installed in a hospital room, Marcus sent someone to find Edward.
I tried to keep my eyes open, but I had no memory of Edward coming inside the room. A loud and long wail woke me up. I jumped almost a mile in the air and when my heart settled, I realized what was going on. The baby's cot seemed so far away and everything hurt. As I shuffled there, I saw Edward on the couch, sleeping deeply. How could he sleep? Her wail could wake the dead.
"Shh," I whispered, picking her up carefully. Marcus had told me what I had to do, and I was glad I was sort of alone. I wasn't sure if I wanted anyone to witness the feeding process. As Abby clung to my breast, I realized she was wearing some clothes the hospital had provided. I had to call Sylvia to bring me my bag. I had everything in there.
The only missing thing was my phone and I had no idea who to ask. I'd take Edward's but I didn't want to wake him, so I settled on the bed and once she detached from my nipple, I rearranged my top. I really wanted my bag. I hated those hospital clothes.
The door opened slowly just as I was getting familiarized with my little Abby. Light was coming from the window, which meant it was dawn. Turning my head to the door, I found Liz and Ed there.
"Hello," I whispered in a hoarse voice.
"Good morning, sweetie." Liz smiled, sitting next to me. "We arrived earlier, but you were sleeping so we waited outside."
"Until we heard the crying," Ed said chuckling. "Some old lady from a few rooms away stepped into the hallway demanding she needed her beauty sleep."
I giggled and kissed Abby's head. "Apparently you can set off a bomb near Edward and he wouldn't hear a thing," I commented, nodding to the couch.
"Should we wake him?" Ed asked.
"Well, that would be a good idea."
After about five fruitless minutes and Edward nearly falling on the floor, Ed gave up and returned to my side.
The next couple of hours flew by and Liz offered to put Abby back in her cot once she was asleep. Reluctantly, I agreed.
At one point, Edward turned around and started snoring making us laugh.
"He's been sleeping for hours now," I said amused.
"He's probably really tired," Liz said softly. Why would he be tired? I gave birth, not him!
"He looks passed out," I said laughing. One arm was above his head and his mouth was open.
"Maybe we should slap him awake," Ed joked.
"Maybe water?" I hinted, probably more harshly than I should have. But really? I couldn't think of Ed slapping Edward, not even as a joke.
"Or maybe you could just let me sleep," Edward mumbled on a hoarse voice.
Before I knew it, the whole family was there, from Edward's side. Dad couldn't come since he had gotten a nasty cold and Edward forgot to call Renee – that was just perfect. How could he forget about his mother in law? When Sylvia appeared with my much needed bag, everyone clapped and congratulated her. I hadn't seen her blushing so hard in my life.
That night only Edward stayed over and actually woke up when Abby started crying.
I stayed in the hospital for another few days and when I was allowed to go home, Esme decided to stay over and help me. I was grateful, but I didn't want to keep her away from her house. She told me that Carlisle was going to work and she'd be alone again. My Mom had taken the first plane to Chicago when I called her, but she couldn't stay because she had opened a new business. I assured her that I wasn't upset and Esme would be there, helping us.
When we got home, Esme told me to stay with the family while she took care of Abby.
"I ordered pizza," Emmett said as soon as I stepped into the living room.
"Oh, great. I just wanted to say I don't even feel like cooking," I said, breathing in relief.
The house had never been this full. It was weird to see them snuggled on the couch because we hadn't thought to buy an armchair.
Just as I was about to ask where Edward was, the front door opened and Cody zoomed inside and started jumping and barking at my legs. I crouched and hugged him, petting his head.
"Hey, little guy." That got me a lick on my face.
"Guys, this is Cody. Cody…our insane family," Edward made the introductions taking him to the couch.
I went to wash my hands and could hear them laughing and talking all the way to our bathroom. On my way to them, I stopped in Abby's room where Esme was at the window with her, telling her about what was outside. I left quietly, although I was sure Esme knew I had been there.
"Bella, can I put them to a nap somewhere?" Rose asked me, gesturing to her kids that were almost asleep.
"Sure. The guest room," I said, feeling proud it was done.
Once they were sleeping, it was just us. Esme joined us for pizza and it was like the good old times.
"Oh, you owe me some money," Edward said with a cheeky smile, looking at the girls and his mother.
Reluctantly, Alice and Rose took out fifty bucks each. Esme gave him a pointed look to which he shrugged.
"What? You were on my side until Bella bribed you. It's not my fault you caved, Mom," he said seriously.
"Oh, the baby shower," Esme moaned. "I completely forgot about it!"
"No, no. It's okay," I assured her, secretly happy.
"We can give you our presents now," Rose decided.
We were swamped in boxes and baby stuff by the time they finished giving us the presents. Edward was sprawled on his bean bag, playing with a stuffed bear while I was on the couch with the girls.
"That's not for you!" Emmett admonished him.
"Like she knows this is a bear." Edward rolled his eyes, hugging the bear to his chest and making it erupt in a lame song startling him. As if on cue, Abby's wail was heard from the other room and Esme brought her to me before I could move.
"Make that thing shut up!" she hissed at her son.
"I don't know how!" Edward moaned, turning the bear in his arms.
"Shh, it's okay," I whispered, hugging Abby to my chest. "Edward, really!"
"It won't shut up." Just as he finished talking, the bear quitted, along with Abby.
I could feel her heart beating rapidly against her ribcage. She had been scared, I was sure. Poor thing.
"I think she needs a change," Rosalie whispered, leaning over my shoulder.
"How do you know?" I asked confused. I'd only once changed her, the other times I watched Esme or the nurse do it.
"Uh, I can smell it from here," Emmett pointed out, sitting next to Edward and snatching the bear from his hands.
"You can?" I felt awful. How would I do this if I didn't even know when my own baby needed a change? I felt something sliding down my cheek and reached to wipe it when I realized it was a tear.
"Everyone learns, Bella. Don't worry," Esme told me softly.
I nodded, sniffing and walking to Abby's room to change her. She watched me curiously from her spot on the change table as I frowned at the diaper bag. It worked like a tampon, I guess…but when I put it on her, I realized how hard it actually was.
"Do you need help?" Rose asked from the doorway.
I nodded, biting my lip to keep from bursting in tears.
"Don't worry, Bella. You should have seen me the first time I changed Rick." She laughed. "And he's a boy…"
"So? Doesn't it work the same way?" I asked, wiping under my eyes.
"Not quite. He can pee on us. You're lucky to have a girl."
"Huh," I mumbled and watched her put the diaper on. It looked so easy.
"Hey, is everything okay?" Edward asked from the doorway, leaning on then jamb, hands in his pockets.
"You should learn how to do this too," Rose murmured, scooping Abby up and pressing her to my arms. I immediately hugged her tightly to my chest, kissing her head. "After a few weeks, you'd know when she cries because she's hungry or needs a change or can't sleep or…anything else."
I gave her a doubtful look, still being freaked out by this whole thing. I wasn't sure I could take care of a baby. I didn't want to think of the moment they left and it was just the three of us.
Edward met my eyes and I could see the same fear reflected in his eyes, but he shrugged and came to hug me and implicitly, Abby. "It's gonna be okay," he whispered in my ear.
"Nice shirt," Rose commented with a giggle.
"Uh, thanks?" Edward answered uncertain. "It's an old thing, I'm sure you've seen it before."
"Oh, that explains the hole," she said laughing.
"What hole?" Edward asked confused, grasping the end of his shirt and looking at it. Sure enough there was a little hole. "Oh, I wear it in house and it's not like it's big or anything," he mumbled, fingering it and making the material tear further.
"Now, it's a lot bigger." I laughed, patting his arm before putting Abby back in her crib.
"So what?" Edward said petulantly. "Bella'll sew it." He gave me a smile.
"Uh, Bella won't," I hissed.
"No, please, don't start talking in third person! You started it the last time and we kept at it for days," Rose moaned making us laugh.
We shared an amused look and when Edward opened his mouth, Rose rushed out of the room, probably running to announce the others we had gone mad.
"Ah, alone. Finally," Edward whispered, slipping his arms around my waist and leaning down to kiss me. I wrapped my arms around his neck, grasping the hair at the base of his neck, moaning into his mouth. How was it possible to still want him, knowing that sex turned into something like Abby…and the pain to bring her to the world? I cringed, ending the kiss.
"Remember how I told you some time ago that I wanted to take the pills?" I said against his neck.
"What pills?"
"Contraceptive pills. I'll have a talk with Marcus soon."
Edward's face fell but he quickly arranged it in a happy face. "That sounds great. I hate the condoms."
"You don't look really happy," I hinted.
"Well, I was hoping…I'd see you pregnant and barefoot more often," he joked, kissing my brow.
"First, I just gave birth to Abby. Second, are you fucking insane? Next time this happens, we're gonna really want this and be ready. If it happens," I added under my breath.
"It will. One isn't enough. I want at least a couple more."
My eyes widened. "Are you insane? Edward…"
He pressed his finger to my lips, smiling crookedly. Like that was going to make me forget about this. Slowly, Edward cupped my cheeks and started kissing me again.
"Hey, we're just…. Oh, fuck! Why is it always me that finds you sucking faces?" Jasper groaned from the doorway.
"Maybe you were a voyeur in another life," Edward snickered making me slap his arm. "Hey!" he shouted, narrowing his eyes at me. "Oh, crap," he moaned when Abby started crying.
"Why don't you calm her since you seem to be the cause of her crying?" I asked, stepping away. "You were saying?" I asked Jasper, keeping my eyes on Edward.
"We're leaving for the airport. It's been a great few days, but we're headed home."
"Oh, already?" Edward whispered.
"It's six and the plane is at eight," Jasper explained.
"I'll drive you."
"We won't fit in your car, besides Rose already called for a cab van."
"Oh, I completely forgot!" I exclaimed as quiet as I could. "How's the house going?"
"Why don't you ask Rose and Emmett? We still have a few more minutes left."
I hurried to the living room and by the time the cab had arrived, I learnt that the house Emmett had bought was almost ready to be lived in. Alice and Jasper were finally having the flat for themselves. And Emmett and Rose needed more space and their own place.
When they left, it was so quiet that I knew I'd miss them more than anything until we met again. Those reunions seemed to be short and far in between.
HOLY SHIT! Chapter 77... when did this happen? There are at least a dozen chapters left and a shit load of outtakes. Please, go, read and review them. ;)
Personally I prefer EPOV for this part. I hope you'll find it highly amusing if you try it. That in outtake 9.