Chapter 17

Esme managed her way up the stairs. This was by far the biggest physical struggle since entering her life as a vampire. She was strong enough to handle it, but the proportioned weight in front of her, and how rapidly it got there, was still a challenge. She found herself wondering how a fragile, human body could handle such a thing. Although she had experienced that in her past, it was so long ago that Esme's memory must have blocked that part out.

Emmett saw her struggling and jumped from the couch, carrying her the rest of the way to her room. Esme laughed, "Thanks, Emmett."

"No problem fatty," he joked, then added, "Just kidding."

She swatted him on the arm and he went back downstairs.

Esme laid down on the bed, that had gotten more use in the past several weeks than it had ever before. She found herself constantly laying down and resting on the soft pillows. Her hands rested on the now massive bump on her stomach.

The clock next to the bed read 7:00 p.m. Carlisle was most likely on his way home from work, or about to be. Aside from Emmett, the house was empty.

Pains increased on the lower portion of her stomach and Esme moved in discomfort. She sucked in the cool air that was let in by a slightly open window to the left of the headboard. This didn't seem to help, and she began to worry, sitting upright on the edge of the bed.

Before she could control her thoughts, her son's name escaped her mouth, "Emmett!"

He ran up the stairs, recognizing the slight panic in her voice. "What is it?"

"I'm not sure," she gripped her stomach and winced.

Panic now covered Emmett's face, for the first time in possibly forever. Nothing usually scared Emmett, at least not to the point where he'd let it show. He looked down at his mother and pulled a cell phone from his pocket.

"I'm calling Carlisle," he scrolled through and quickly found the number.

Esme breathed in, starting to feel like maybe it was just a quick feeling passing her by. The pains had stopped momentarily.

"Emmett, I think I'm fine," she told him.

The phone connected at the same time, "Carlisle," he said, "Yeah it's Emmett."

"I'm okay," Esme continued, "Tell him-"

A pain shot through Esme's entire body and she again, winced from the pain, trying be as less dramatic as possible.

Emmett's face lit up again, "You need to come here right now. I think Esme's going to have the baby."

She heard Carlisle's frantic voice on the other line before Emmett hung up.

"He's about halfway here."

On the road, Carlisle's foot pinned the gas pedal to the floor. He swerved in and out of the windy roads that lead up to their hidden estate in the woods. He nearly jumped out of the car without putting it in park before sprinting into the house.

Emmett had gotten Esme comfortable while waiting for Carlisle to arrive. Rosalie was now at his side, eager to provide any help necessary.

Carlisle burst into the room and rushed to Esme's side, immediately grabbing her hand, "I love you."

She said it back and squeezed his hand gently. Carlisle got the room prepared to deliver the baby.

Rosalie called the rest of her siblings, as well as Jacob, knowing he was with Renesme. Emmett watched in utter shock and respect at how calm and professional Carlisle was, despite the overwhelming circumstances.

Carlisle never looked up, but gave a quick but meaningful "thank you" to Emmett.

"Are you comfortable?" Carlisle asked Esme when he had everything prepared.

She nodded, "As comfortable as I can be."

The door opened downstairs as Jacob and Renesme came home.

"Hey guys, keep them downstairs for now," Carlisle instructed. Emmett nodded and went downstairs to greet them. As the rest of the family filled the house, he asked of them the same thing. Rosalie stayed in the room to aide him with whatever he needed. She couldn't bring herself to leave, especially after being unable to contain herself during the birth of Renesme. Carlisle seemed eager to have her stay, for some reason above anyone else at that moment.

Rosalie tenderly brushed the top of Esme's head, as the birth moment was getting closer. She could see the pain in her face and wanted to do anything possible to help.

"You're doing great, love." Carlisle told his wife, "When I count to three, I'm going to need you to really push."

Esme nodded slightly.

"One-two-three."

Esme pushed and Rosalie gripped her hand.

"Doing great," Carlisle repeated, "Again. Ready?"

Esme didn't wait for him to count, she pushed again.

"Almost there," Carlisle encouraged.

Esme waited for his count this time, anticipating what she imagined would be the worst pain of the entire ordeal.

"One-two-three."

Esme gave another powerful push, though at that moment she felt no pain. It was as if she never had in the first place. Confusion filled her mind, then the sound of crying filled her ears. All she could see was Carlisle's eyes, which were filled with a look she had never seen before. He looked down before standing up with such a serious, happy expression that Esme wanted to cry. In his arms was the most precious baby boy she had ever seen. She reached her arms out.

Carlisle handed their son to his wife, "Here's your Mommy."

Esme smiled as her baby's warm body touched her skin for the first time. He continued to cry as she gently touched every inch of his tiny body, paying special attention to his hands and feet.

Rosalie stood by her in awe, placing a hand on his head. All three of them looked as if they could cry at any moment.

Esme cherished her first moments with him, unable to take her eyes away from his heart warming face. The little hair he had, or more like peach fuzz, was the lightest blonde she had ever seen, and much to her pleasure, his beautiful eyes were a mix of gold and amber. She was finally able to look away from their miracle baby to meet Carlisle's identical golden eyes, who stared down at their son adoringly. His eyes raised and fixed on hers, before he cupped her face in his hands and kissed her several times.

Rosalie watched them as hope filled her heart that one day she and Emmett could experience such a moment. She was so happy for her parents, moreso than ever before in the moment. She gave Esme a cover and called for the rest of the family.

They eagerly paraded into the room, each taking turns talking welcoming the latest addition to the family into the world. No one wanted to give him up to the next person.

"His eyes," Edward stated, "They're golden."

Carlisle smiled, unable to speak.

"So whats the final verdict?" Alice asked, "What's his name?"

"Masen," Carlisle and Esme said at the same time.

Alice turned to Edward, then back to them, "That's perfect."

"Masen Carlisle Cullen." Esme finished.