Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight
A Question Of Friendship 33 – A Doctor's Mind
"Are you sure you're al right Edward?" Carlisle Cullen eyed his son with a doctor's mind. Although he'd not eaten in almost 24 hours, Edward had barely touched the porridge in front of him. Only swirling his spoon around in a constant loop.
"Huh?" Edward snapped out of his daze mid stir.
"What's going on." He commanded leaning closer to study his son. Although he had always been a quiet boy, Edward's mind had always been grounded "Your eyes are unfocused which means something is troubling you."
He blinked but didn't meet his father's gaze instead let out a long sigh "I'm dying."
"Edward-"
"Dr Earnest has put me on end of life. Painkillers, oxygen tanks even a nurse on speed dial." He spoke in almost a whisper lifting the plastic spoon again, hoping to distract himself. As a child he hated his father's medical mind, knowing his bluff on test day when he hadn't revised or less sympathy when he had fallen over. Now he was grateful for it, no awkward silence to suffer; Carlisle processed the information almost instantly.
"He's expecting a few months." Carlisle confirmed calmly; another thing Edward was thankful for as he lifted his gaze to his father.
"Don't tell Bella." It was almost a beg "I've hidden the equipment and gotten up for the post before she wakes up." His father's mouth opened to speak but he spoke again first "She's just had the twins it's my last bit of happiness."
Uncharacteristically, Carlisle remained silent. The conversation, he noted, was becoming almost similar to one they'd shared only a few month previous in that very hospital cafeteria. Edward had stopped stirring instead resting his head on the plastic table. Tentatively he reached over to lay a hand on his son's shoulder squeezing gently.
"Ok." He promised "But I'll be checking you over every day."
"Thank you." Edward mumbled moving into the touch subconsciously.
"But one funny turn, no matter how small and I'm telling her."
Bella chuckled watching the little o her son's mouth made as he yawned. Much like his sister, baby boy Cullen had latched on straight away but instantly feeding greedily. Now as she lifted him up to rest under her chin, he was already falling asleep.
"Edward was just like that in his first month." Esme smiled laying her granddaughter down in one of two plastic cribs before pushing it slowly toward Bella's side "Eat and sleep."
"Really?" She asked stroking her tiny daughter's face with her free hand "Carlisle said he was a constant crier."
"No that was Jasper; a mother can always tell the two apart." Her soon to be mother-in-law rolled her eyes "It took Carlisle months to work out which one was which. I had to start colour coding their clothes!" Both women chuckled quietly so not to wake the babies.
"Beth has more hair so Edward should be fine." Bella smiled placing a kiss to her son's head "Let's get you to bed." Without a word Esme moved to fetch the second cot but spotted her husband poking his head around the door. Spying her, Carlisle inclined his head towards the exit sign.
"Bella we're leaving now but we'll be back in a few hours. Is there anything you want us to bring?"
"No thanks Esme I think we're fine. Just send Edward in if he's out there."
"Will do." She blew a kiss in reply before heading out. Bella sat alone barely a moment before Edward stepped into the room.
"Hello love." He whispered knowing his children to already be asleep by their gentle breathing. Almost silently, he pushed the second cot in line with the first "You're you feeling?"
"A little sore but mostly ok." Bella smiled passing their son over.
He's moves almost instinctively She mused as he placed his son down, checking both children were sufficiently swaddled and kissing their heads. Both babies moved into his touch like they recognised him immediately. Bella worried her bottom lip; did the twins recognise her too this early?
"That sounds normal. Are you hungry?"
"Not at the moment."
"Just let me know when you are." A gentle kiss pressed behind her ear as Edward slipped onto the bed with her. Their fingers entwined as his arm slid around her waist hugging her to him "Do you want to sleep?"
Bella shook her head "I want to sit up and watch them sleep for a couple of hours. Everything's still a bit surreal you know?" She felt him nod against her shoulder "And anyway you've got to name our little boy."
"Well in keeping with the old names our little family is going for, I like the name Theo. Edward, Bella, Beth and Theo. What do you think?"
"Are you definitely ok with Beth?" She asked worriedly over her shoulder. Although he gave a simple nod she could see his eyes had brightened "Beth and Theo it is then."
Edward pulled the blanket up over Bella and himself "I heard that we should sleep when they sleep. It gives us some hours to recharge our batteries too." His arm around Bella's waist tightened; bringing her closer. Suddenly she found her eye lids weighed tons and started to slide close.
"Goodnight love."
"Goodnight Edward…Welcome to the world Beth and Theo Cullen."