As the holidays passed, my anxiety about the upcoming birth grew stronger. The prospect of the unknown and the potential dangers left me feeling vulnerable. I was a nervous wreck, pacing in the house while Edward tried to soothe me with his music.

"Come here, Bella!" Rosalie ordered as she placed her fashion magazines on the coffee table, stood from the sofa and held the front door open for me. "We will go for a hunt. Now."

I hesitated for a moment but then nodded and followed her.

She matched her speed to mine as we ran through the snowy woods. The air was crisp, the snow crunched under our boots and I felt the tension fall off me. We chased each other, weaving between the trees and climbing up mountain sides. As we reached one of the mountain peaks above the clouds I halted.

Taking deep breaths I turned to Rosalie. "I needed this. Thank you."

Her eyes filled with understanding. "Of course, Bella." She smiled. "I will always help you to the best of my abilities."

"Thank you." I told her again. "It's just- I'm so scared, Rosalie. I don't know what to expect."

"What scares you?"

"The idea of the pain, I suppose. I do not want Edward to see me like that. He will be so worried and pained. I know it. But I also need him with me." I said. "And then there is the potential danger after my child is born. It terrifies me. The Volturi- I'm afraid of what they might do if they find out about our child. I can't bear the thought. Its safe and sound in within me, but what will happen once it is out in this harsh world? There are so many things that could happen. And I fear them all."

Rosalie's expression softened as she reached out and took my hand. "I understand, Bella." She smiled at me. "But Bella, all those fears are natural. You can not help but worry about your child's safety. We can only be grateful that the child will not be as breakable as a human child. And the Volturi, yes they are a formidable threat, but we'll do everything we can to protect you and your family. You're part of our family, and we'll stand together against any danger that comes our way."

"I think I know that. Rationally I do. But I am still- It's so overwhelming. And then there is Dr. Cullen…"

"Carlisle is dedicated to keeping our family safe. He'll do everything he can to ensure your well-being and that of your child. Trust may take time, but he is one of us, and he has proven his loyalty to me. He saved my Emmett for me when I was not strong enough."

"Would you be there?" I asked her. "Would you be by my side for the birth?"

"If you want me to be there I will be there. Of course, Bella."

I squeezed her hand. "Thank you, Rose. I appreciate it more than I can ever hope to express."

"We're in this together, Bella." Rosalie's smile was warm. "I know both Edward and I will not leave your side. We will keep you and the baby safe. I promise you."

I took another deep breath and nodded to myself. "I suppose I am ready for it then."

"It will be fine. You will see."

When we returned to the house the family had made extensive preparations. As soon as I laid eyes on Dr. Cullen the tension returned to me but I refused to turn around and run. This needed to happen.

Rosalie and Edward stood on either side of me, offering their unwavering support. Carmen had made way and sat to the side. A spectator to my coming pain.

My body was trembling. Fear coursed through my veins like freezing cold blood. The anticipation of the agony that lay before me was overwhelming.

As the pain surged through me as Dr. Cullen's teeth came down on my stomach, I clung desperately to Edward. He was my lifeline. My refuge from the pain. My antidote in a pit of vipers.

His teeth against my skin created a horrible sound. Like metal being shredded. Like a glacier breaking apart. It was the tearing sound of my body breaking.

I could not help but scream.

Edward breathed with me. Pushed the hair from my face.

He made me feel stronger.

He build me up when I was but a ruin.

His touch helped me stay sane and dulled some of the pain. Because he had faith in me. Despite the anguish his golden eyes reflected, he whispered words of encouragement and love and his unwavering presence grounded me in the midst of the torment.

The room seemed to blur as the pain intensified.

Dr. Cullen was focused and determined. He paid me no mind. Rosalie's presence was an additional source of strength and support. She held my other hand, offering her reassurance and comfort.

I gritted my teeth and clenched my eyes shut. Trying to endure the excruciating pain.

There was another crack followed by more pain and I cried out. My body was broken.

I could not breathe.

But I feel every movement, every incision, and every pull. Tearing. Breaking. Shattering. The pain was almost unbearable, but I knew I had to endure it for the sake of our child.

I lost focus for moments at a time. Seconds seemed lost to me.

Edward's eyes were desperate.

There was another shrieking crack. It was too loud in my ears and I could see Edward cringe at the sound.

Ripping.

And then, finally, there was a cry.

Loud. Strong. And so very beautiful.

I was overwhelmed with relief and love. The pain numbed. I couldn't feel it anymore. My heart was too full to feel the pain. I wanted to cry. I wanted to laugh.

I wanted to sleep.

Edward leaned down to kiss my forehead, his relief evident in his eyes. "You did it, Bella. You were incredible, love."

Rosalie took our child from Dr. Cullen, cradling its head and wrapping it in a soft blanket. "It's a girl." She announced and leaned over to place my daughter on my chest.

I ran my shaking hands through the mahogany tuft of hair stuck to her head.

My arms were growing too heavy. I dropped my hand but I took in every millimeter of the beautiful child before me. Venom still glistened on her skin.

"So beautiful." Edward whispered, leaning his head to mine as he study our daughter.

And she truly was beautiful. Porcelain skin and striking green eyes. "She has your eyes." I whispered.

"And your beautiful lips." Edwards' finger wandered over her face, as if he had to touch her to understand that she was real.

My eyelids grew heavy. My finger twitched involuntarily.

I was so very tired.

Another ocean of pain opened up before me as Dr Cullen dribbled venom onto the fractures in my abdominal wall.

My body was growing numb. And I realized that I was unable to speak. My body was limp. My eyes closed at their own accord and I slipped into a soothing darkness.

Away from the pain. But also away from my two reasons to live.

I did not want to leave. I wanted to stay. I wanted to cradle my daughter in my arms. I wanted to kiss Edward. Touch him. I wanted to watch my child grow older. I wanted to see her fall in love. I wanted to see her marry. I wanted to see her just as happy as I was with her father.

But my will alone was not enough. The wave of unconsciousness was too strong. It swept me away.

I kept drifting in and out of consciousness.

Sometimes there was pain. Deep agonizing pain. Burning my bones to a crisp. The same pain that had given me my second life in 1918. The voice of an angel tried to pull me there.

And sometimes there was only black. Dark nothingness.

I wanted to stay conscious. I fought for it. With teeth and nails. Scratching. Clawing.

But I always lost eventually.

Even when I was conscious I could not understand what the angel said to me. His voice was like music. Soft as velvet. Sweet as honey. But the words did not register in my mind. It was as if he spoke another language. A strange language I had no way of knowing. Except I knew this language. It was the most frustrating thing. But the pain always distracted me from understanding.

Like Sisyphus endlessly tried to roll a huge boulder up the steep hill of Tartarus I tried to push away the blackness. But just like Sisyphus boulder kept rolling away from him before he reached the top, the blackness always found a way to push me back into deep unconsciousness.

Away from my angle.

But, the black never managed to swallow me whole. I always endured.

Recuperated my strength and fought again.

And with time my memory started to return. No, not return. I had once again access to that part of my mind.

Where before the pain overwrote any and all other thoughts I could now recall Edward. My Edward. The love of my life. The love of my existence. The mate to my soul.

And I remembered why I fought. For him. And for my daughter.

They were reason enough to endure any pain. They were worth the tortured. Because I knew that being separated from them would be even more painful. I remembered what that felt like. And even as my whole body felt charred I knew that the pain was nothing against the agony that loss could be.

And I also remembered the happiness that love could bring. There was nothing like it. I had not known true joy before Edward stepped into my life.

"Please, Bella. Bella, I love you so much." It took me entirely too long to realize that I was Bella and that he talked to me. I now could understand the angel's words. "You need to wake up. Our daughter needs you. I need you!" His voice broke and I could hear the desperation. And I wanted to comfort him. Run my hand through his hair, kiss away any sadness. "You need to wake up. Please, love. I can not do this without you. I am not strong enough. I need you back by my side. Please, Bella, wake up."

I wanted to respond. I wanted to sit up and comfort him. But my body was still locked. My eyes glued shut. My jaw clenched. My fingers stiff.

"Love, she is so beautiful. She has your beautiful hair. Her smile is just like yours. It lights up my entire world, it is so bright already. I am sure she will be just as intelligent as you. And I am sure you will teach her your love for books. But you need to wake up, please."

"You can calm down, Edward. She will be up in a minute." A voice promised. I was relieved to hear it. "You have seen it yourself."

A minute was not long. Only sixty seconds until I could see my daughter. Only sixty seconds until I could kiss the desperation from Edward's face.

I never knew how long sixty seconds could feel like.

"Thank you, Alice." Edward said. "Should I-"

He was cut off by Alice. "No, don't. Bella would be angry with you if you did."

I heard Edward chuckle and then a door closed.

And then I could feel his hand in mine, squeezing softly. The simple fact that I could feel him again pushed back the last wisps of darkness. My eyes slowly fluttered open, and I found myself lying in the comfortable bed in Edward and mine's room.

I glanced around, I saw Edward sitting in a chair beside the bed. A tiny bundle in his arms. Our sleeping daughter, I realized. His golden eyes burned with relief, love, awe, and pure joy as he gazed down at me. His eyes captivated me. I couldn't tear my gaze away from him.

His smile was radiant as the sun. He shifted her tiny body and carefully cradled her head against his chest as he sat up to press a gentle kiss against the back of my hand. "How are you feeling, love?" he asked.

"Like I have found my way out of hell to find myself in heaven."

He furrowed his brows for an instant. But when a little gurgling sound came from the tiny angle in his arms he looked down at her and his face relaxed instantaneously. "Would you like to hold her?" he asked me quietly.

"Yes, please." I nodded enthusiastically. "Could you just place her on my chest? I feel like my body is still too weak to hold her. I fear I will drop her."

"As you wish, love."

He gently released one of her tiny hands from his shirt and turned her so that she could rest on my body. She stirred slightly in her sleep but quickly settled again, and I couldn't help but be captivated by every little movement and sound.

"She's so perfect, Bella," he whispered, his voice filled with love and wonder as he joined me on the bed and gazed down at her sleeping form. "What should we name her?" he asked softly.

"I have been pondering that question for so long. But nothing I thought of seems to suit her now that she is in my arms." I pierced my lips. "It's the dawn of a new life, what do you think of Aurora?" I asked quietly.

Edward's eyes sparkled and he nodded. "It's a beautiful name, just like her."

"When you feel able to, I'd like to announce her name to the family and take you on a quick hunt. You've been through a lot, first the pregnancy itself and then the venom loss. I want to ensure you're well fed." He brushed his finger over my undereyes. "Your eyes are black."

I nodded reluctantly even though I understood the necessity of a hunt. "Then let's get it over with."

"Are you strong enough to walk?" Edward asked me cautiously.

"Yes." I answered with more certainty than I truly believed. "But- Will you carry her?"

He nodded and gently lifted her back up before helping me from the bed.

As we descended the stairs together, Edwards' family gathered in anticipation. "They have not seen her yet." Edward leaned in to explain. "I banished Rosalie, Carmen and Carlisle from our room as soon as you were stable."

I smiled nervously and spoke. "We'd like to introduce our daughter to you. Meet Aurora Elizabeth Renée Masen."