Thanks to M&M for all their reading prowess! Cece is the inspo!

"Careful," Edward says, taking my hand and guiding me off the transport. "These steps can be tricky."

Flamingo pink gratitude exudes through our bond as I allow him to help me make sure both feet are planted firmly on the ground before I pause and look around. The building atop the tall wooden platform is small and humble, resembling a house more than a doctor's office.

"Are you sure we're at the right place?" I meet his eyes, pink darkening as uncertainty fills me. "You didn't demand a home visit, did you?"

He huffs a laugh, but then pink turns blue as sadness filters through our connection. "There was a time when birthing centers were bustling with expectant mothers and their equally excited fathers, but that's no longer the case." He stares at the near-empty parking lot before bringing his eyes to mine. "Now, we're lucky if fifty cubs a year are born. It's the only reason we reached out to the human population at all."

My brows furrow, my heart hurting for the females who've been unable to produce children in this kingdom. "Considering your history, I'm surprised you chose humans."

"Touché." He tilts his head. "I wasn't thrilled with it either, but a good king listens to those most knowledgeable among us, and our scientists insisted that hybrid cubs with humans would give us the best chance at success."

A cacophony of emotions swirls through the force that binds us, painting a clear picture of the turmoil this choice caused before a flash of brilliant yellow washes it all away and is then replaced by a deep pulsing red.

Love.

His love for his mate.

Me.

That simple wordless exchange paints a stunning portrait of loss, agony, and then hope. Me. These babies. We're a bright spot in what could've been the desolate demise of the Cullenite race.

"Edward," a woman says, her topaz eyes standing out against her buttery skin. "I was so happy to receive your message."

"Of course, Angela," he says, smiling at her as he takes my hand and pulls me forward to stand beside him. "Bella, Angela is the kingdom midwife and owner of the only open birthing center remaining in Kingdom Cullen." He cuts his gaze back to the tall, slender female. "I trust you implicitly with the care of my wife, Princess Isabella Swan."

Angela bows, and my cheeks burn red. "Please don't."

"Of, course, ma'am." She nods at me as she straightens. "I'm honored to meet you, Princess. You can't imagine how thrilled I am to be chosen to officially confirm this pregnancy."

I touch my protruding stomach, huffing a laugh. "Oh, it's already confirmed."

"I see that." Her gaze is trained on my round stomach before lifting it to Edward, excitement bubbling over. "I can't wait to see how the development is progressing compared to the average Cullenite."

Edward chuckles, nodding. "I'm also curious. Bella and I both felt the moment our twins came into existence."

"Fascinating," she says, glee dancing in her eyes. "Please, let's go up to the center."

There's an elevator in the platform, and it takes us up the two stories to the building itself. We enter into a large, inviting area with benches and chairs scattered into sections that would allow several families to occupy the space while still feeling secluded from everyone else.

"As you can see," Angela says, motioning across the empty room, "you're the only couple in today."

Edward's brows dip down. "Is this by design or circumstance?"

"Circumstance, I'm afraid," she replies. "There is currently only one other pregnancy in our kingdom and Jessica is in her final month."

"And how many months would that be?" So far, Edward and I have avoided discussing the details of this pregnancy, or any Cullen pregnancy, and I'm curious as hell.

"Ah." Angela bobs her head. "I bet you have so many questions."

"Only about a million." I laugh uncomfortably.

"Let's move to an exam room and get you settled, and I'll answer a few of those before we even start. How does that sound?"

"Wonderful," I reply, already at ease.

We're led down a short hallway behind a swinging door and into the second room on the right. Much like the outer waiting area, this room oozes comfort and serenity. A leather chaise provides a place for me, the patient, to sit, and a wingback chair sits off to the right near a large open window where the greenery of the trees provides the serenity of nature.

"We'll be performing an imaging session, but that can wait," Angela says, lifting my wrist and placing her fingertips on my pulse. "Your heartbeat is strong and within what we expect. Please have a seat and relax so we can talk." She motions for Edward to take the chair before pulling a footstool from under the desk against the wall and settling on it. "I'd like to dive right in, if that's okay?"

"The floor is yours," Edward says as I nod. "I want Bella to feel comfortable when we leave here today."

Angela nods at him once before focusing on me. "To answer your first question, the average Cullenite pregnancy is twenty-five weeks."

Shock pulses through our bond, and Edward responds with the soothing green that represents the lives within me. "Our scientists have assured us that your human body can handle the change," he says softly, confidently. "You are the most remarkable woman, Bella, and you will do magnificently."

The faith he has in me is sexy, and green gets swarmed with amorous purple, even though the timing is the least appropriate.

Edward barks a loud laugh, his chest rumbling in that sexy way that does nothing to cool my temperature. "All in good time, love."

"Why do I feel as if I'm intruding on a personal moment?" Angela asks, her gaze shifting between us.

"I'm sorry," I say, shrugging. "My hormones are out of control right now."

"Ahh, yes." She smiles softly. "It's a common affliction among pregnant Cullenite women, so there's no reason it would be much different in a human."

"I wouldn't call it an affliction," Edward says, the tuft of his tail grazing up and down my arm.

I meet his gaze, the green so dark it's nearly black, and his chest rises and falls heavily. My heart hammers, slamming against my ribcage. I press my lids closed to break the connection and take several deep, calming breaths.

When I reopen them, I focus solely on Angela. "I apologize. This appointment is very important to me. There are so many things I don't know about this pregnancy."

She places her hand on mine, the velvety pad of her palm soothing me in unexpected ways. "I understand, Princess. I promise your every worry will be addressed."

I smile, the soothing green once again dominating my bond with Edward. "Thank you."

More pregnancy appt nxt chapter.

I'll post a teaser on Fyrebyrd Fics!

See you Monday