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Chapter 151

Merry Christmas


Bella


I felt ... I don't know. But the cool skin against which I snuggled was very familiar.

"Bella, dearest. It's too early to wake up," a musical voice rang through the silence.

I blinked and wanted to look up at the face.

Okay, now I had found a term. I felt completely finished. Somehow everything hurt me. From head to toe. And my right nipple noticeably throbbed?

Edward slid a little lower next to me when he noticed that I wanted to look at him, but could not lift my head to him. And I looked into a face that was full of love and affection. He smiled enchantingly and angelically.

"Sleep on, my heart."

"Where's our baby?" I asked instead.

"Most of the time he lies with us. Only when he gets restless do I bring him to Rose or Esmé. You need rest, my heart, and you need to recover from the strain. And you usually sleep best when you're in my arms. Otherwise, I would have taken care of our son myself. But nothing is more important right now than your rest," he explained, gently stroking over my cheek.

I became angry.

I was the mother. If my baby cried or wanted something, I had to be there for my baby. How could Edward deny me that? But I definitely felt too weak to argue. At least for the moment.

So I snuggled up to my angel and tried to sort out my memories from tonight a bit.

It had all hurt so incredibly. All the contractions. That's where my 'sore muscles' came from. Had it been worse than with the twins? I couldn't tell. Edward had been so great. He was with me. I had heard his voice almost continuously. Even if I had hardly understood the content of his words due to strain, his sound gave me a feeling of security. Without saying it, he had always done exactly the right thing. All the time. He holds me, sustains me, cools me. All the weeks before, a fear had accompanied me. What not everything could happen during the birth. I had prepared myself that I would wake up as a vampire. I had already secretly said goodbye to my humanity, although I was actually not yet ready. But all these worries were non-existent as long as Edward had been with me. I knew instinctively that everything would go well. Apparently, I was right about that.

I almost fell asleep again when I noticed Edward detach himself from me and leave the bed.

I listened as best I could.

The door of the room. A few indistinct words. The room door again.

I was almost startled when the bed moved under me again.

My angel could also be quiet!

I opened my eyes again ... and cried. I looked into the most adorable little face I had ever seen.

It was still dark outside, but a bedside lamp was on.

Despite the dim light, I could make out his fine contours. And these incredibly green eyes.

"Thank you, Bella. For our son!" Edward looked at me meaningfully and kissed me tenderly on the lips.

A kind of happy squeal punctuated this gesture. I looked down at the child lying between Edward and me, who seemed to be smiling truly happily.

How was that possible? With the twins, I had waited weeks for them to finally give me such a sweet face.

He held out a little hand to me. Just as I reached it with my fingers, Edward's hand came between them.

I looked at him without understanding.

"Don't be scared, dearest," he said, taking his fingers away again.

Scared? What was I supposed to be scared of? Ohh ... help, my own baby wants to touch me or how did he imagine that?

I made a small disdainful sound and handed my baby a finger, which - by his standards - he clutched quite tightly.

As well as one from Edwards ... And then I was scared.

I heard Edward's chuckle at that.

It was like the silent conversations I'd been having with my baby for the past few days. Only so much more intense and still definitely not my sensations. The indeterminate moods that I had perceived so far were now no longer indeterminate, but quite clear. In addition, I now no longer had a dark veil before my eyes, but clear images. Like those high-tech glasses into which transparent images could be projected.

I saw myself. Right after the birth. God, I looked done in there! Edward, too, as he sat behind me and just looked down beaming with joy over my shoulder at our little miracle. I also felt the warmth of my belly on which he lay. My hands that protected him. Edward's cool fingers, which likewise signaled safety to him. I felt nothing but happiness, harmony, and untouched love.

Thereby I could not tell whether it was his mood or mine after all.

Daddy can read minds and the son can communicate his thoughts? Was that right? Was this what I had been sensing the past few days and was now seeing in full glory? The thoughts of my son?

'I think so,' Edward said suddenly.

I lifted my gaze from our sweet baby to my angel, who looked at me with fascination and seemed to be scrutinizing me.

"Uh ... excuse me?" I asked, perplexed. I hadn't said anything. Or had I?

Edward smiled rapturously.

'But I hear your thoughts. And you - it seems - also mine.'

My mouth dropped open while Edwards actually hadn't moved a millimeter.

"What?" it slipped out of my mouth, I don't know - panicked, maybe.

He chuckled.

But whatever this meant, however it was possible, I was also curious. He knew the thoughts of just about every human being he met. Mine would probably not be particularly out of line. But could I really hear his thoughts?

I listened strained to see if I was actually hearing more than my reflections and my son's images and moods.

I noticed how I began to tremble as I very quietly perceived a flood of thoughts that rushed ever closer to my consciousness. It took me some time to meaningfully separate all that I was taking in at once. It was so much.

Edward's relatives were sitting in the library, diagonally across from this room. They sat together, talking quietly about us, rejoicing, speculating about the future, making little jokes and joking about how Edward would do as the father of an infant - especially Emmett - what the twins would say, or Charlie. The thoughts of each individual on this. Again and again the point of view changed. So quickly that I became a little woozy.

So I tried to divert my concentration to something else before I got a headache.

How could Edward stand it? And I still saw through these many strange images his amused smirk at this thought. Heartbeats. I didn't need to think about what I was hearing pounding evenly and yet wildly in confusion. Edward consciously paid attention to it and therefore knew what caused this noise. Three hearts were beating, a little further on another three. David's family. A little lower another two. Charlie and Sue. A little further away, I also heard the steady knocking. Stronger and more powerful than all the others together. At the same time, images lay over this rhythmic sound. Memories. Our twins. How they laughed, how Edward had woken them up some mornings, how they were offended or defiant, how they called him Dad and hugged him. The fascination for this curious situation. Edward heard my thoughts. Something that had always been denied him. Now it was so. But I also listened to his, thereby I was only a small insignificant human being. Edward considered in this regard that Ced united in himself his parents. Thus it was relatively comprehensible for Edward that his son could do something with thoughts. Passing on his own ability to the next generation. What it was exactly that Ced could do would probably only really become clear over time. But apparently Ced was able to create some kind of mental link. I thought that was kind of logical. Let's say, I could understand the thought. My son had shown me something that could only be his own thoughts. In addition, I heard Edward and Edward heard me. That Edward usually did not hear me, our little man simply bypassed. Because he had part of his gift from me? Did that possibly mean that I also had a gift? Or could he do it simply because I was his mother and my blood also flowed in his veins?

I already got a headache again, as fast as Edward was brooding about it and my own thoughts now flowed into it as well.

However, this moment - here and now - was the most impressive.

I felt the feelings that dominated Edward. Love! Unconditional. Consuming. Sacrificial. Omnipresent. And final. Forever. For Marcus and Becky. For the twins. For Ced. For me!

My eyes burned with emotion.

My heart rejoiced. I was dizzy with the force of the emotions, which were so strong that I could hardly comprehend it. But there was a little more. The joy that the twins were healthy and happy. That our son was well and also gave us this precious moment. That I was here. That I was still alive, that I didn't have to give up my humanity because I had no other choice. That he could look me in the big chocolate-colored eyes. To listen to my heart as it raced. Or how it got mixed up. Because of him! Deep and sincere gratitude. For the son I had given him in prolonged agony. For this life in the midst of our family, which he shared with us and to which he belonged. The man who looked so soulfully into my eyes could not be happier than right now.

I was so moved by the thoughts absorbed that I began to cry.

And I thought about what I had done to deserve this angel. The angel to whom my heart and my life belonged. Without whom I was nothing in this world. Whom I loved so much that it burned. Whether this happiness could have been foreseen at some point? But if Alice had prophesied this exact scene to me twenty years ago, I probably would have thought she was totally nuts.

The flood of thoughts that enveloped me faded. I felt the foreign thoughts leave me and immediately looked back at Ced with fear.

I was afraid that something was wrong with him.

But he just yawned heartily and his previously tight grip on my index finger weakened. He fell asleep.

I kissed the tiny little fingers.

"Sleep sweetly, my little one," I whispered, watching him for a moment longer. He was so cute. But then I lifted my gaze into soft golden eyes. "I love you, Edward!"

"I know," he just whispered and gave me a very long and very soulful kiss that took my mind away with its intensity. "Still, you should sleep," he teased me reprovingly afterwards.

But how could I think about sleep now after this experience?

"What time is it anyway?" I asked once.

"Not yet five o'clock ... In other words, you've slept just four hours! That's too little after all that effort," he explained sternly.

"But I'm wide awake!" I grumbled forwardly.

My angel chuckled and I snorted.

"You are impossible!" he accused me amusedly.

"I know," I simply replied.

"Since you are wide awake, what can I do for you, my angel? Are you hungry or thirsty? A massage? A bath? A kiss?" he asked, and it somehow sounded like he was teasing me.

"Yes!" I nodded decisively. "But breakfast can wait. I feel pretty dirty," I added, after first receiving the kiss.

He nodded.

"Rosalie," he then said, and I tilted my head.

What was he trying to tell me?

Then our room door opened, and Rosie entered.

Ahh ... That wasn't directed at me at all, he had merely called her. They had to listen to us well, if Edward had hardly raised his voice.

"Good morning, Bella. How are you feeling?" asked Rosie with a gentle smile on her lips, and sounding very caring as she sat down on the edge of the bed next to me.

She reached one hand out to our little angel, gently cuddled his little belly, but immediately looked back at me.

"Good, I think, except for the sore muscles," I indicated.

"Bella would like a bath," Edward said, and Rose nodded in understanding.

She left again.

"Now before you start bitching because I seem to be bossing my sister around, Rose is very grateful right now if she can do anything for you. Not only her. They are all in a very sacrificial and very sentimental mood right now because you gave them the most wonderful Christmas present. Our little angel," Edward explained to me.

As proof, Carlisle immediately came through the door. Also with such a dazzling smile. He wished me a good morning and also asked how I was.

I answered accordingly and hoped that not everyone would ask me that now.

Carlisle carefully palpated my belly.

Without a baby in it, I felt kind of empty. But nothing hurt directly. It was just that I still felt the effort, which is why it probably felt like my belly was an oven. As lively as I am now, I had definitely not been with the twins. Then I didn't want to get out of bed for two days because I just felt completely knocked out and everything hurt. At that time, however, I had also been in labor for a good sixteen hours.

"When one has already had children, it's often easier physically than when one first gives birth," Carlisle said before disappearing again.

Then came Emmett. With a plump 'honey cake dimpled smile'.

"How's the strongest woman I know?" he asked, and I rolled my eyes.

I guess everyone really wanted to ask me that then!

Emmett came to babysit while I would splash.

That's how he had expressed himself and I chuckled at that.

I had no worries about Em keeping the baby company on his own. I trusted him.

Edward gathered some clothes and helped me up from the bed. He asked if I preferred to be carried or go by myself. He was for the former.

"I'll see how far I can get," I specified, however, and strolled off at a leisurely pace, supported a bit by my angel. "Uhh ... where to?", I asked when I arrived at the first fork in the corridor.

"In Carlisle and Esmé's bathroom," he stated, and I gulped.

But the way was long. I was on the road for over five minutes, but I managed on my own. Nevertheless, I let myself fall exhausted on a lounger.

This bathroom was dreamy and gorgeous. It was actually a waste that it was never used in its entirety. Everything was in light natural stone and very bright and spacious. Okay, at this hour the brightness was more at the light switch. There was even a fireplace. In the bathroom! The bathtub was sunk into the floor and was located on a small platform with two steps leading up to it. Rose had lit a few candles and the light shone only indirectly. Towels lay within reach.

Edward carefully peeled me out of my clothes.

I was a little embarrassed when he got to my underwear. I was bleeding. More than when I got my period. But after all, he was a doctor. He had to know that my body would not regenerate overnight. Which, however, led me to another question.

"Can I actually bathe already? With the twins, I was told I couldn't take a bath until the flow was over, because of infections and stuff like that," I therefore asked. Of course, I felt the heat in my cheeks. I mean, hey, even if my fiancé was a doctor, I didn't like to talk about such things. No matter with whom.

"Yes, you may. That statement is a little outdated. Besides, Rose put special additives in the water that will help you heal," he explained to me expertly, without even a hint that he didn't take my question seriously, was grossed out by it, or anything else.

Gently he put me in the pleasantly hot water.

I could literally feel my body thanking me and my muscles relaxing.

Edward sat behind me and massaged my shoulders with soothing pressure. I sighed contentedly.

"You're all tense, dearest," he chuckled.

"I'm sure you would be, too, if you were in my place," I defied back.

He could have gladly given birth to the child! I was not necessarily torn about that part. But I was not really angry. That was the way of evolution and even though it had been quite painful, I was also proud to have done it. Edward would have taken it from me if it had been in his power.

"And I don't want to hear any apologies for that! Never!" I added as his arms gently wrapped around me.

He sighed.

Frustrated, probably.

"But I'll spend eternity making it up to you," he whispered, kissing my shoulder.

Typical Edward. But, well. There were worse things than him repenting. As long as he would not exaggerate with it.

He took a sponge and let the hot water run over my shoulders.

"Ouch," I startled when he accidentally brushed my nipple. "Why does that one hurt so much, anyway? And only that one?" I asked offended, when Edward's cool fingertips were already resting pleasantly on it. And how pleasantly ...

"That was our son, unfortunately. Remember you were going to let him drink?"

"Dark. Very dark," I admitted. Esmé had said something about it, but what happened after that? "But you weren't sitting behind me after that," I just remembered.

"You pushed him against your chest and Ced started drinking right away. I was still fascinated by the fact that he instinctively knew what to do. But then your head fell back, and you were unconscious. I knew something was wrong. That you did not just fall asleep from fatigue ... Our son is venomous. I got off the lounger and sucked out the venom. However, I don't know if his venom is strong enough to transform anyone."

"Ced bit me?" I asked perplexed, sitting up jerkily. That wasn't a good idea. Every muscle I had was rebelling inside me. Even the ones I didn't even know I had. "Ced has teeth already?" I added.

"Oh yeah. All thirty-two."

"Well, thank God!" I breathed a sigh of relief. One less problem.

Edward looked at me drolly confused.

"Then we will be spared the phase when our angel is teething. Jake was a very very sniveling baby and hardly let me sleep when his first teeth came in. And because he blared half the night, he infected Leah with it, too. I think that's when I started drinking coffee," I told him.

Edward laughed.

He would have liked to be there.

"And the fact that our son is venomous doesn't bother you?" he inquired, however, somewhat irritated.

I shrugged my shoulders.

"Ne ... Kind of not. I didn't even know that was up for debate," I meant lightly. For what reason would my son not be toxic either? That made no sense to me.

I casually leaned back against the bathtub and Edward followed me.

"So you've been nibbling from me again!" I stated teasingly.

"Can you forgive me?" he asked, smiling mischievously and sanctimoniously.

"Don't ask me, ask her," I urged him, pointing to the nipple that was really throbbing uncomfortably. As if I had recently jammed it in my zipper. Ouch! Just the thought of it hurt! But Edward's intoxicating coolness actually brought relief. Well. Today less intoxicating, but it did really good.

I enjoyed his gentle touches with closed eyes. How he circled her with his fingertips, kissed, played round with his cool tongue.

"Edward," I purred.

Immediately the cordial treatment stopped, and I raised my head in amazement at this.

Edward looked at me scrutinizingly. Suspiciously.

"If you tell me now that you want to sleep with me, I'll call Carlisle to forbid you!" he said seriously.

I laughed.

Nope, I probably wouldn't be in the physical condition for that for the next few days.

"I just wanted to say that I have two of them," I chuckled.

"But only the right one is injured!"

"But the other one feels disadvantaged!"

"How rude of me," he murmured, now caressing both sides in turn. Beautifully balanced and just. Until the water was no longer hot enough than it relaxed my muscles.

We also went briefly into the shower and then I was very carefully rubbed with an oil that Rosalie had put here for us.

It smelled good. Like almonds.

"What do you actually find more seductive? My blood or my body?" I asked, but already looked down at myself skeptically. My belly was still pretty fat, even though the baby was missing in it. I had quite nice bumps and stretch marks and everything kind of looked like jello. "So, we're talking about my body when it wasn't currently pregnant," I fleshed out, and Edward chuckled at my addition.

"Twenty years ago, I probably would have said draw."

"And today?"

"Your body! ... Drinking your blood would send me into raptures just once. But you and your body are so exciting! What your fingers alone are capable of doing to me, I can enjoy until the end of eternity, as long as I don't accidentally drink you up!" he stated while proving by kissing over my fingers. "And you're also gorgeous today!" he added.

A likely story! I rolled my eyes.

He was helping me with dressing.

Standing was really not my thing now after the hot bath. He also carried me back to our room. Not that it was medically necessary, but it calmed him, and I enjoyed the cool closeness.

But just before that, he stopped and set me down. He put an index finger over his lips and disappeared in a flash, but only for a moment. He came back with his camera. He again portends to me to be quiet and step by step we crept towards the door.

Okay, I sneaked. He walked normally. You usually didn't hear him anyway.

I already heard what was going on and pricked up my ears.

"... And then we'll go camping. Preferably up in Alaska. There are huge bears there that you can really piss off in the winter. That'll be fun! ..." Emmett tried to explain to our just - don't know exactly, five hours? - young infant.

We looked through the crack of the open door.

This was a truly magical image.

Ced lay on one of the pillows wrapped in his little sleeping bag, beaming and chortling at Emmett. And the bearish Emmett beamed back in equal measure as he lay prone on the bed, elbows propped up next to Ced, and he very gently held his little hands.

Through the gap, Edward took a few photos.

A happy sounding chortle from Ced then showed Em that we were back. He was almost startled.

"Oh, you're back already," he opined in amazement.

He was visibly a little embarrassed that we had seen him in such lively discourse. That didn't fit in with the 'good mood' bear who likes to talk big.

He left us alone again after trying to make a ghetto fist with Ced.

"I definitely understand now what you meant when you said everyone was in a very sacrificially sentimental mood right now," I stated dryly, but immediately chuckled.

I looked at the clock as I lay back to my baby.

Shortly after six in the morning.

My thought on this was spoken by Edward, who we watched very carefully as he got dressed properly. He had put on only a pair of boxer shorts in the bathroom, just as I also had on only underwear and a too large T-shirt of his.

"I'm sure Emma will be awake soon. Her little heart is already racing with excitement, even though she's still asleep," Edward chuckled.

"Then we should ..." I began, as there was a knock on the ajar door and Esmé was holding a tray with three cups and two baby bottles. "... wake up the kids," I finished, smiling gratefully at Esmé.

"Good morning, dear. I made some herbal tea for you. I hope that's all right?" she asked cautiously.

Actually, I finally felt like coffee again, but on an empty stomach I preferred tea.

"Yes. Thank you very much, Esmé," I said sincerely.

"I'll go wake up your siblings then," Edward said to Ced, giving him an affectionate kiss on the forehead, me on the lips.

Esmé still stayed and looked down at my son with shining eyes.

I thought it was incredible how much everyone rejoiced here.

We talked about how Ced had drank both milk and blood tonight.

Honestly, I had expected blood, after all, he had helped himself to me in this regard so far, but I still reached for the milk now. Ced did not complain about it, but drank greedily.

Then Esmé had something else to confess.

So she told me. She was uncomfortable and I wondered what the good-natured Esmé could have done wrong. But I had no idea.

She reached for Edward's camera, which was lying on the side of the table, tapped the buttons and handed it to me. The picture preview was on. A small tear rolled down my cheek as I recognized the image.

Esmé had taken pictures tonight. So I saw a shot of Ced lying naked and smeared on my belly while I was laughing and crying at the same time and Edward was sitting behind me beaming with joy.

"Look, Ced. That's you," I said, holding the camera lower, although my son could hardly understand me.

Apparently that was a mistake. Ced's hand had been on mine the whole time and now he was showing me his memory of that shot. The same thing he had shown me when I woke up. This was so incredible.


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