The Promise
by Laura Spudzmom
Chapter 18:
Jasper walked into the kitchen and smiled at his wife as she stepped forward to hug him. “You see Jazz? Everything’s gonna be fine.”
He’d just laid his head against his wife’s silky hair when she stiffened and gasped. “Damn it,” she whispered. “He sure has crap timing…”
Jasper sighed, dreading to ask but asking, nonetheless. “What did ya see darlin’?”
She backed away and rubbed her forehead before glancing up at him. “Edward—He just got the message Carlisle left about us coming back here. He’s on his way and I’m not sure how he’s gonna handle all of this.”
Rose and Emmett walked in and leaned against the counter as Emmett shook his head. “Put it this way Alice, I can barely wrap my head around what you guys told us and I wasn’t supposedly in love with the girl.” He smirked, “Boy’s gonna flip many shits.”
Rose smirked maliciously. “God, I can’t wait to see his face when he not only hears the story, but then sees the fact that the girl he left a little over a month ago is now ready to give birth.” She giggled and leaned into her smirking husband as Alice frowned at her.
“That’s incredibly cold of you Rose. While it’s now obvious they aren’t mates, he did love her and this is going to hurt him deeply. He’s going to need us all to be there for him to get past it.”
Emmett slung an arm around his wife as she sneered and muttered “Boo-hoo”.
“Nah Alice,” Emmett disagreed, “what he’s gonna need most is all of us keeping him from throwing a tizzy and doing something stupid.”
Alice frowned at her husband as he nodded in agreement and he shrugged at her. “He is a bit of a teen drama queen Ali and I can tell ya, if Pete shows up and Edward does or says somethin’ stupid… let’s just say it ain’t gonna be pretty.”
She looked around at Rose, Em and her husband with determination. “We’ve come too far in this to have it turn into a damn circus now so we’re all gonna have to keep an eye on him and keep him from screwing things up until he finally comes to terms with it all.” She pinned Rose and Em with a steely gaze. “Can you both avoid baiting him with words or thoughts, at least until he’s cooled off for a few days?”
Emmett shrugged and Rose studied her nails, finally throwing up a hand when Alice continued staring at her. “Fine! I can’t promise that I won’t piss him off with a stray thought here and there, but I won’t do it deliberately. Satisfied?”
She settled back against Jasper with a sigh as he wrapped her in his arms. “It’ll have to do.”
“Jasper!”
They all froze at the distressed cry from Bella and Alice stepped away and patted his arm. “She’s kinda freaking out Jazz.”
He nodded. “Yeah, I can feel her panic from here.” He ran a hand through his hair. “Damn, never thought I’d have to comfort a pregnant woman.”
He looked over at Emmett when he spoke. “Ya know, Rosie and I could go to Pete’s place and get a message to him. We’ll probably have better luck with this Charlotte person.”
Just then, Esme walked in. “Jasper, Bella is terrified and asking for you.”
He walked over to the entrance of the kitchen and turned back to Emmett. “I say it’s worth a try.” He glanced at Alice and she waved to him.
“Go baby, I’ll give them the address and make the arrangements. Just take care of Bella.”
He headed upstairs and tried to block out the waves of anxiety that Bella was throwing out. ‘Good lord,’ he thought. ‘You’d think she was waitin’ to get a leg amputated with as scared as she is!’
He smiled to himself when he considered that she hadn’t even been this scared when James was after her. ‘I ain’t never gonna understand this girl,’ he thought with a rueful chuckle.
Esme opened the door just as he got to it and ushered him inside to see Carlisle sitting on the side of the bed with a trembling Bella hugged close. “A little help would be most appreciated son.”
Carlisle laid her back against the pillows as Jasper sat in the chair Esme had placed by the bed, immediately concentrating on calming and relaxing her. She reached over and grabbed his hand. “I can’t do this Jasper.”
He cocked a brow at her and grinned. “It’s a little late to back out now ain’t it darlin’? I mean, I’m no doctor, but I’m pretty damn sure ya can’t stay this way.”
She glared at him. “Ha, ha, you’re very funny.” Within seconds though her glare dropped and she looked scared again. “Ive never been touched by anyone but Pete! I don’t wanna do this!” She looked at Carlisle. “Can’t you just—I don’t know—sort of catch when it’s time? Can’t we skip all this other stuff?”
Jasper pressed his lips together and fought off his amusement as he glanced at a smiling Carlisle who shook his head. “I’m afraid not Bella.”
She whimpered and covered her face with both hands and Carlisle took that moment to speak to Jasper too low for Bella to hear. “Knock her out for a few moments son. I need to move things along.”
Jasper nodded and Bella slumped back on the pillows as he increased his influence.
Carlisle examined her quickly and nodded at Jasper as he peeled off the gloves and tossed them in the trash. “You can wake her up. I’m sure she’ll want to see the ultrasound.”
Bella woke and looked a bit confused as Carlisle moved the machine to the bedside. “What happened?”
Carlisle answered as he pulled her gown above her belly, took off the monitoring strap and adjusted the sheet at her hips for modesty. “You’re dilated to two but the baby’s head is still a bit high, so, depending on what the ultrasound shows us, I still have the option to stop your labor if needs be.” He squirted some warmed gel on her belly and grabbed the transducer. “Now, what do you say we get a look at that baby?”
Bella was transfixed as she watched her baby appear bit by bit on the screen. Carlisle was wonderful with pointing everything out and explaining what he was doing and why and soon, her cheeks were wet with tears, some of joy but also some of sorrow when she thought of Pete and how he should be here.
“Well Bella, your baby looks healthy and is the average size of a forty week gestation. Do you want to know the sex?” Carlisle asked with a smile.
She smiled sadly. “It’s a boy isn’t it?”
Carlisle wiped the gel from her skin, replaced the monitor strap and pulled the gown down. “Yes, you have a son.” He glanced at her. “Just a guess?”
She dried her eyes with a tissue and shook her head. “No, Pete insisted we were having a boy. He said he just knew.”
Jasper shook his head. “So he had that irritatin’ gift when he was human too then.”
“Interesting,” Carlisle said as he cleaned and put away the equipment. “So, my theory holds merit,” he said with a pleased smile.
“Yeah, I reckon it does Carlisle,” Jasper said.
Bella smirked at Jasper. “I guess that means you were a cocky asshat as a human as well then.”
He mock glared at her. “Be nice to me baby girl,” he pointed at himself, “Uncle Morphine, remember?”
Carlisle laughed. “Apt indeed!” He grabbed a bag of IV fluids and walked to the bed. “Another fun part my dear. I need to start an IV to keep you hydrated. Due to the baby’s measurements, I’m going to let labor progress.”
“Oh god, needles…” She shot a pleading look at Jasper and he smirked.
“I feel so used,” he joked as he put her to sleep.
Carlisle shot him a concerned look. “Will you be all right with all of this Jasper? If not, then she may have to deal with traditional pain relief if she needs it.”
He crossed his arms over his chest. “I’ll be fine Carlisle.”
Carlisle studied him for a moment and nodded. “All right son. I trust you.”
He started the IV quickly and cleaned everything up as Bella woke from her Jasper-induced mini-nap. “I need to use the restroom,” she mumbled as she slid over to the side of the bed.
Carlisle handed her the IV bag. “Do you need any help Bella?”
She narrowed her eyes at a smirking Jasper and grumbled, “Nah, I’ve been practicing and I think I’ve got it down now. Even stuck the landing the last few times”
Carlisle raised a brow at her and she instantly felt like an ass. “I’m sorry Carlisle. I guess I’m just a bit testy not to mention Smirky McAsshat over here doesn’t help matters any.” She shot said vampire a dark look and he grinned as she made her way to the bathroom.
Esme walked in a few minutes later, helped Bella back into the bed, replaced the monitor strap and took a seat. “You survived!” she said to Bella with a grin.
Bella ran a hand through her hair. “Yeah, I suppose I did. Sleeping through the bad parts does wonders for my cooperation, apparently,” she grumbled.
Esme patted her leg. “Trust me, as labor progresses, you’ll find you’re not quite so shy anymore.”
Carlisle walked over and looked at the trace sheet for the contractions. “You’re labor seems to have stalled a bit. We’ll watch you for a while and see what happens. You’re still contracting, but they’re not very strong.” He smiled at her. “This would be a good time to get some sleep, but I believe your father just pulled up outside. I’ll leave you to your visitor, but as soon as he leaves, you need to sleep.”
She saluted and he chuckled. “Call if you need anything.” With that, he left the room and she could hear him speaking to Charlie just before a knock came at the door and her father poked his head in. “Is it safe?”
She smiled. “Yeah Dad, come on in.”
Jasper stood and stepped around the chair with a nod at Charlie. “Bella, I’ll give y’all some time to yourselves. I’m gonna go grab a book. Just call if ya need me.”
She gave a nod. “Will do, thanks.”
Charlie looked around and whistled lowly as he took the chair by the bed. “Wow. This is… quite the set up.” He pinned her with that certain cop gaze and asked, “Why couldn’t he just attend you at the hospital? Why all of this?” He gestured around the room with a hand and she shrugged.
“You really wanna know about all of the odd stuff in my life Charlie? Or would you rather stay blissfully ignorant?”
He stared at her for a moment and then shook his head. “You’re right Bells, I probably don’t wanna know.”
She groaned and rubbed her lower belly. “Oh gods, here we go again…” She sat up and started rocking as she clenched the blankets and Charlie went a bit pale as he cleared his throat.
“Damn, this is, uh, this is really happening…”
She shot him a dark look. “Yeah Dad, it REALLY is,” she grouched at him and he held up both hands.
“Sorry kid, I just haven’t had much time to get used to the idea.”
The pain peaked and she cried out and glared at him. “Well, get used to it,” she snarled and his eyes went wide.
“Okay then, well…” he glanced at his watch and stood. “Look at the time! I gotta get going. I’m working a night shift since I didn’t make it to work today. I just wanted to stop by and see how you were.
She nodded with her head down and shooed him away with a hand and as soon as he’d left she called for Jasper.
He walked in with his book and set it on the nightstand.
“Pains are back, huh?”
She laid back just as it eased. “Yeah,” she said as a tear ran down her cheek. He smoothed back her hair and lowered the head of her bed. “Time to go to sleep darlin’,” he murmured as he filled her with lethargy and watched as her eyes slowly closed and her breathing deepened.
Taking the chair next to the bed, he grabbed his book and flipped to the front, hoping to lose himself in the pages. He’d chosen a long book, but he had a feeling he’d need it.
A couple hours later, Carlisle entered and went to the monitor to look at the trace strip.
“How’s she doin’?”
Carlisle glanced up and smiled. “Very well according to the trace. She’s lucky to have you. Her contractions for the last hour have been 4 minutes apart and lasting about a minute each. Just by the trace, I’d say she’s well into active labor.”
“Good, so it shouldn’t be much longer then?” he asked and Carlisle chuckled.
“It could still be several hours.” He grabbed some gloves and stretched them on. “I’ll know more after I check her cervix.”
Jasper sat back. “I’m gonna take a guess and say I shouldn’t wake her for this.”
Carlisle smirked and lifted the blankets. “You’re quite right son.”
He replaced the blankets and stripped off the gloves when he finished and Jasper sat forward. “Well?”
He tossed the gloves in the trash and faced Jasper. “She’s moving along nicely. She’s dilated to 5 now. Seems keeping her so relaxed is helping things move along.”
He sat back and nodded. “Good, at least I can do this for her.”
Carlisle stepped over and gave his shoulder a squeeze. “Don’t be so hard on yourself all the time son. You’re not that person any more and haven’t been in a long time. Give yourself some credit and stop dwelling on the past.”
Jasper scoffed lightly. “Just wait ‘till Pete gets here. Boy’d rather kill me as to look at me.”
Carlisle patted his shoulder and moved toward the door. “I’d say he’ll have quite the worthy distraction when he arrives, wouldn’t you?”
He opened the door and walked out and Jasper rubbed his eyes. “I reckon he will.”
Grabbing his book, he’d just settled back to read again when Alice came in and sat in his lap. “Hello my handsome husband. I thought to come and keep you company for a while.”
She kissed his neck and he smiled and set the book on the nightstand as he wrapped her in his arms and soaked up the love coming from her. “My sweet Ali, what would I do without ya darlin’?”
She drew him down into a kiss and whispered against his lips, “You’ll never have to find out.”
He smiled and held her and they stayed that way for the next couple of hours; sometimes quiet and other times whispering to each other but in either case, it seemed to pass the time quickly for Jasper was surprised when Carlisle came back in to check on Bella again.
When he was through, Alice was the one to ask. “How is she doing Carlisle?”
He tossed the gloves and walked over to the monitor to check the trace as he answered. “She’s about to go into what’s called the transition phase.” He glanced at Jasper. “You might find that she begins to wake through these contractions son. They tend to be more intense, last longer and come closer together. She might even get sick. Thankfully, this part doesn’t tend to last very long. At the end of this phase, she should be fully dilated and ready to push. She’ll need to be fully awake for that.”
Alice shuddered. “If there was ever a time to be grateful for being a vampire, it’s now. I can’t even imagine going through that.”
Esme walked in and went to her husband’s side. “Oh Alice,” she said, her tone one of awe, “It’s a miracle happening here. New life! There’s no greater privilege than to give birth! It’s amazing. You’ll see.”
Alice didn’t look convinced. “I get what you’re saying Esme, but…” she shuddered again, “…it just seems so painful and humiliating and—messy. I’m more than happy to leave it to someone else, thanks.” She wrinkled her nose and Carlisle laughed softly.
Bella moaned and curled onto her side as she clutched at the blankets and Carlisle checked the monitor strip again just as the sound of the front door closing caught their attention.
Alice quickly cut her gaze to Carlisle. “It’s Edward.
Seconds later, the door opened wide and there he stood, looking livid, his eyes black as night and hands clenched into fists at his sides. “What’s going on and why is Bella here?”
She cried out then in her pained, semi-conscious state. “Pete! Hurts! Ahhhh,” she moaned as she thrashed.
Carlisle raised the sides of the bed. “Jasper, I think maybe it’s best to let her wake fully now. Esme, stay with her in case she gets sick. Edward and I need to have a quick chat. Call me immediately if she feels the need to push.”
Edward’s eyes went wide as he took in the equipment in the room. “The need to… What the hell is going on!
Carlisle began pushing him out the door as Esme glared. “Edward Cullen! Keep your voice down,” she hissed.
Jasper pulled back the lethargy even more and Bella’s eyes flew open as she cried out again. “Oh gods, it hurts! It hurts!”
Esme placed a cool hand on her forehead. “Shh, sweetie, it’s almost time to push. This part will be over soon. Shh.”
Bella panted as she looked around wildly. “Why isn’t the pain letting up? Oh god, I can’t do this! I can’t do this! Make it stop!” She reached out a hand. “Jasper! Please make it stop!” She was sobbing now and he sat back in the chair and took her hand, thanking god, probably for the first time, that he was a vampire, therefore she couldn’t crush his hand.
“I’m trying to dull the pain sugar, but that’s all I can do. I’m sorry baby doll. Carlisle says you need to be awake for this part.”
She sobbed in despair for a few moments and then snarled in one of the most frightening tones any of them had ever heard, “Oh yeah? Where is he? We need to talk!” then promptly went back to sobbing.
Jasper looked at his wife and Esme whose expressions of disbelief matched his own, he was sure. Carlisle never said she’d resemble something straight out of The Exorcist for fucks sake! “Uh, Esme? Perhaps ya should go get Carlisle. Please?”
She nodded and zipped out of the room.
Bella looked at him with pleading eyes. “Isn’t there anything you can do?”
He sighed. “Maybe darlin’ but ya said ya didn’t wanna feel goofy…”
She cut him off. “I don’t care anymore! Just help me, please! It hurts so bad!”
Alice handed him a cool cloth and he adjusted the bed so she was sitting up a little more. “Okay sugar,” he soothed as he bathed her sweaty face. “How’s that? Any better?”
She nodded and clenched her eyes shut. “Yeah, it still hurts, but not as bad. Thank you.”
He smoothed her hair back. “Just try to relax and think about somethin’ else. Think about your weddin’ day. Tell me about it sugar. How did Pete look that day?”
He and Alice watched as her breathing calmed and a tiny smile curved her lips. “God, he was so handsome… Well he always is, but that was the first time I’d seen him all dressed up.” Her nose wrinkled. “Except for his hair. It was all slicked back and I like it loose, but other than that… god he was the most beautiful man I’d ever seen. And when he’d look at me with those gorgeous hazel eyes… he always made me feel beautiful too.”
She sighed and now she looked serene as Carlisle and Esme rushed in with a stupefied looking Edward trailing behind.
Carlisle grabbed some gloves and spoke as he stretched them on. “Bella, I need to check you my dear.
Her eyes snapped open and she squeezed Jasper’s hand but gave a reluctant nod.
He moved the blankets aside and she turned her face as far into the pillow as she could as he checked her. He smiled. “You’re complete. It’s time to have a baby.”
Her eyes went wide as he removed the end of the bed and set the leg supports in place. “Jasper, raise the head of the bed all the way,” Carlisle directed as he pulled the instrument tray over.
Donning fresh gloves, he opened the sterile instruments and then helped situate Bella for pushing. He then draped her lap in a sterile sheet and took up his place at the end of the bed. “All right Bella, you’re going to push with the next contraction. You push to a count of ten, take a deep breath and then push again until the contraction ends.” His gaze caught Jasper’s. “Can you help her with that son?” he asked as he tied on a mask.
Jasper nodded mutely as Carlisle’s gaze cut to the monitor. “All right, here we go Bella, deep breath in, and push.”
Jasper counted to ten, reminded her to take a breath and counted again. Carlisle looked up with a smile in his eyes as she relaxed back, breathing heavily. “You’re doing well Bella. Keep that up and he’ll be here in no time.”
“Did ya hear that baby doll?” Jasper asked as he wiped her face with a cool cloth. “You’re kickin’ ass sugar.”
Tears fell from her eyes and he had to stifle a cringe at the sorrow he felt from her. “Pete should be here,” she murmured tiredly.
Jasper glanced at Alice and she winked causing him to freeze for a second. “Does that wink mean what I think it means darlin’?” he asked too low for Bella to hear.
She grinned and Carlisle’s voice caught their attention again. “Time to push again Bella. Deep breath, and push! Jasper counted for her and she clenched her jaw and screamed when he reached ten.
“Once more sweetheart, deep breath and push!”
As he counted, Jasper watched his wife leave the room from the corner of his eye. He strained to hear anything from downstairs, but Bella’s screams made it impossible.
Seconds later she came back in and she wasn’t alone.
She moved away from the door…
… and Peter Whitlock stepped in.
Jasper walked into the kitchen and smiled at his wife as she stepped forward to hug him. “You see Jazz? Everything’s gonna be fine.”
He’d just laid his head against his wife’s silky hair when she stiffened and gasped. “Damn it,” she whispered. “He sure has crap timing…”
Jasper sighed, dreading to ask but asking, nonetheless. “What did ya see darlin’?”
She backed away and rubbed her forehead before glancing up at him. “Edward—He just got the message Carlisle left about us coming back here. He’s on his way and I’m not sure how he’s gonna handle all of this.”
Rose and Emmett walked in and leaned against the counter as Emmett shook his head. “Put it this way Alice, I can barely wrap my head around what you guys told us and I wasn’t supposedly in love with the girl.” He smirked, “Boy’s gonna flip many shits.”
Rose smirked maliciously. “God, I can’t wait to see his face when he not only hears the story, but then sees the fact that the girl he left a little over a month ago is now ready to give birth.” She giggled and leaned into her smirking husband as Alice frowned at her.
“That’s incredibly cold of you Rose. While it’s now obvious they aren’t mates, he did love her and this is going to hurt him deeply. He’s going to need us all to be there for him to get past it.”
Emmett slung an arm around his wife as she sneered and muttered “Boo-hoo”.
“Nah Alice,” Emmett disagreed, “what he’s gonna need most is all of us keeping him from throwing a tizzy and doing something stupid.”
Alice frowned at her husband as he nodded in agreement and he shrugged at her. “He is a bit of a teen drama queen Ali and I can tell ya, if Pete shows up and Edward does or says somethin’ stupid… let’s just say it ain’t gonna be pretty.”
She looked around at Rose, Em and her husband with determination. “We’ve come too far in this to have it turn into a damn circus now so we’re all gonna have to keep an eye on him and keep him from screwing things up until he finally comes to terms with it all.” She pinned Rose and Em with a steely gaze. “Can you both avoid baiting him with words or thoughts, at least until he’s cooled off for a few days?”
Emmett shrugged and Rose studied her nails, finally throwing up a hand when Alice continued staring at her. “Fine! I can’t promise that I won’t piss him off with a stray thought here and there, but I won’t do it deliberately. Satisfied?”
She settled back against Jasper with a sigh as he wrapped her in his arms. “It’ll have to do.”
“Jasper!”
They all froze at the distressed cry from Bella and Alice stepped away and patted his arm. “She’s kinda freaking out Jazz.”
He nodded. “Yeah, I can feel her panic from here.” He ran a hand through his hair. “Damn, never thought I’d have to comfort a pregnant woman.”
He looked over at Emmett when he spoke. “Ya know, Rosie and I could go to Pete’s place and get a message to him. We’ll probably have better luck with this Charlotte person.”
Just then, Esme walked in. “Jasper, Bella is terrified and asking for you.”
He walked over to the entrance of the kitchen and turned back to Emmett. “I say it’s worth a try.” He glanced at Alice and she waved to him.
“Go baby, I’ll give them the address and make the arrangements. Just take care of Bella.”
He headed upstairs and tried to block out the waves of anxiety that Bella was throwing out. ‘Good lord,’ he thought. ‘You’d think she was waitin’ to get a leg amputated with as scared as she is!’
He smiled to himself when he considered that she hadn’t even been this scared when James was after her. ‘I ain’t never gonna understand this girl,’ he thought with a rueful chuckle.
Esme opened the door just as he got to it and ushered him inside to see Carlisle sitting on the side of the bed with a trembling Bella hugged close. “A little help would be most appreciated son.”
Carlisle laid her back against the pillows as Jasper sat in the chair Esme had placed by the bed, immediately concentrating on calming and relaxing her. She reached over and grabbed his hand. “I can’t do this Jasper.”
He cocked a brow at her and grinned. “It’s a little late to back out now ain’t it darlin’? I mean, I’m no doctor, but I’m pretty damn sure ya can’t stay this way.”
She glared at him. “Ha, ha, you’re very funny.” Within seconds though her glare dropped and she looked scared again. “Ive never been touched by anyone but Pete! I don’t wanna do this!” She looked at Carlisle. “Can’t you just—I don’t know—sort of catch when it’s time? Can’t we skip all this other stuff?”
Jasper pressed his lips together and fought off his amusement as he glanced at a smiling Carlisle who shook his head. “I’m afraid not Bella.”
She whimpered and covered her face with both hands and Carlisle took that moment to speak to Jasper too low for Bella to hear. “Knock her out for a few moments son. I need to move things along.”
Jasper nodded and Bella slumped back on the pillows as he increased his influence.
Carlisle examined her quickly and nodded at Jasper as he peeled off the gloves and tossed them in the trash. “You can wake her up. I’m sure she’ll want to see the ultrasound.”
Bella woke and looked a bit confused as Carlisle moved the machine to the bedside. “What happened?”
Carlisle answered as he pulled her gown above her belly, took off the monitoring strap and adjusted the sheet at her hips for modesty. “You’re dilated to two but the baby’s head is still a bit high, so, depending on what the ultrasound shows us, I still have the option to stop your labor if needs be.” He squirted some warmed gel on her belly and grabbed the transducer. “Now, what do you say we get a look at that baby?”
Bella was transfixed as she watched her baby appear bit by bit on the screen. Carlisle was wonderful with pointing everything out and explaining what he was doing and why and soon, her cheeks were wet with tears, some of joy but also some of sorrow when she thought of Pete and how he should be here.
“Well Bella, your baby looks healthy and is the average size of a forty week gestation. Do you want to know the sex?” Carlisle asked with a smile.
She smiled sadly. “It’s a boy isn’t it?”
Carlisle wiped the gel from her skin, replaced the monitor strap and pulled the gown down. “Yes, you have a son.” He glanced at her. “Just a guess?”
She dried her eyes with a tissue and shook her head. “No, Pete insisted we were having a boy. He said he just knew.”
Jasper shook his head. “So he had that irritatin’ gift when he was human too then.”
“Interesting,” Carlisle said as he cleaned and put away the equipment. “So, my theory holds merit,” he said with a pleased smile.
“Yeah, I reckon it does Carlisle,” Jasper said.
Bella smirked at Jasper. “I guess that means you were a cocky asshat as a human as well then.”
He mock glared at her. “Be nice to me baby girl,” he pointed at himself, “Uncle Morphine, remember?”
Carlisle laughed. “Apt indeed!” He grabbed a bag of IV fluids and walked to the bed. “Another fun part my dear. I need to start an IV to keep you hydrated. Due to the baby’s measurements, I’m going to let labor progress.”
“Oh god, needles…” She shot a pleading look at Jasper and he smirked.
“I feel so used,” he joked as he put her to sleep.
Carlisle shot him a concerned look. “Will you be all right with all of this Jasper? If not, then she may have to deal with traditional pain relief if she needs it.”
He crossed his arms over his chest. “I’ll be fine Carlisle.”
Carlisle studied him for a moment and nodded. “All right son. I trust you.”
He started the IV quickly and cleaned everything up as Bella woke from her Jasper-induced mini-nap. “I need to use the restroom,” she mumbled as she slid over to the side of the bed.
Carlisle handed her the IV bag. “Do you need any help Bella?”
She narrowed her eyes at a smirking Jasper and grumbled, “Nah, I’ve been practicing and I think I’ve got it down now. Even stuck the landing the last few times”
Carlisle raised a brow at her and she instantly felt like an ass. “I’m sorry Carlisle. I guess I’m just a bit testy not to mention Smirky McAsshat over here doesn’t help matters any.” She shot said vampire a dark look and he grinned as she made her way to the bathroom.
Esme walked in a few minutes later, helped Bella back into the bed, replaced the monitor strap and took a seat. “You survived!” she said to Bella with a grin.
Bella ran a hand through her hair. “Yeah, I suppose I did. Sleeping through the bad parts does wonders for my cooperation, apparently,” she grumbled.
Esme patted her leg. “Trust me, as labor progresses, you’ll find you’re not quite so shy anymore.”
Carlisle walked over and looked at the trace sheet for the contractions. “You’re labor seems to have stalled a bit. We’ll watch you for a while and see what happens. You’re still contracting, but they’re not very strong.” He smiled at her. “This would be a good time to get some sleep, but I believe your father just pulled up outside. I’ll leave you to your visitor, but as soon as he leaves, you need to sleep.”
She saluted and he chuckled. “Call if you need anything.” With that, he left the room and she could hear him speaking to Charlie just before a knock came at the door and her father poked his head in. “Is it safe?”
She smiled. “Yeah Dad, come on in.”
Jasper stood and stepped around the chair with a nod at Charlie. “Bella, I’ll give y’all some time to yourselves. I’m gonna go grab a book. Just call if ya need me.”
She gave a nod. “Will do, thanks.”
Charlie looked around and whistled lowly as he took the chair by the bed. “Wow. This is… quite the set up.” He pinned her with that certain cop gaze and asked, “Why couldn’t he just attend you at the hospital? Why all of this?” He gestured around the room with a hand and she shrugged.
“You really wanna know about all of the odd stuff in my life Charlie? Or would you rather stay blissfully ignorant?”
He stared at her for a moment and then shook his head. “You’re right Bells, I probably don’t wanna know.”
She groaned and rubbed her lower belly. “Oh gods, here we go again…” She sat up and started rocking as she clenched the blankets and Charlie went a bit pale as he cleared his throat.
“Damn, this is, uh, this is really happening…”
She shot him a dark look. “Yeah Dad, it REALLY is,” she grouched at him and he held up both hands.
“Sorry kid, I just haven’t had much time to get used to the idea.”
The pain peaked and she cried out and glared at him. “Well, get used to it,” she snarled and his eyes went wide.
“Okay then, well…” he glanced at his watch and stood. “Look at the time! I gotta get going. I’m working a night shift since I didn’t make it to work today. I just wanted to stop by and see how you were.
She nodded with her head down and shooed him away with a hand and as soon as he’d left she called for Jasper.
He walked in with his book and set it on the nightstand.
“Pains are back, huh?”
She laid back just as it eased. “Yeah,” she said as a tear ran down her cheek. He smoothed back her hair and lowered the head of her bed. “Time to go to sleep darlin’,” he murmured as he filled her with lethargy and watched as her eyes slowly closed and her breathing deepened.
Taking the chair next to the bed, he grabbed his book and flipped to the front, hoping to lose himself in the pages. He’d chosen a long book, but he had a feeling he’d need it.
A couple hours later, Carlisle entered and went to the monitor to look at the trace strip.
“How’s she doin’?”
Carlisle glanced up and smiled. “Very well according to the trace. She’s lucky to have you. Her contractions for the last hour have been 4 minutes apart and lasting about a minute each. Just by the trace, I’d say she’s well into active labor.”
“Good, so it shouldn’t be much longer then?” he asked and Carlisle chuckled.
“It could still be several hours.” He grabbed some gloves and stretched them on. “I’ll know more after I check her cervix.”
Jasper sat back. “I’m gonna take a guess and say I shouldn’t wake her for this.”
Carlisle smirked and lifted the blankets. “You’re quite right son.”
He replaced the blankets and stripped off the gloves when he finished and Jasper sat forward. “Well?”
He tossed the gloves in the trash and faced Jasper. “She’s moving along nicely. She’s dilated to 5 now. Seems keeping her so relaxed is helping things move along.”
He sat back and nodded. “Good, at least I can do this for her.”
Carlisle stepped over and gave his shoulder a squeeze. “Don’t be so hard on yourself all the time son. You’re not that person any more and haven’t been in a long time. Give yourself some credit and stop dwelling on the past.”
Jasper scoffed lightly. “Just wait ‘till Pete gets here. Boy’d rather kill me as to look at me.”
Carlisle patted his shoulder and moved toward the door. “I’d say he’ll have quite the worthy distraction when he arrives, wouldn’t you?”
He opened the door and walked out and Jasper rubbed his eyes. “I reckon he will.”
Grabbing his book, he’d just settled back to read again when Alice came in and sat in his lap. “Hello my handsome husband. I thought to come and keep you company for a while.”
She kissed his neck and he smiled and set the book on the nightstand as he wrapped her in his arms and soaked up the love coming from her. “My sweet Ali, what would I do without ya darlin’?”
She drew him down into a kiss and whispered against his lips, “You’ll never have to find out.”
He smiled and held her and they stayed that way for the next couple of hours; sometimes quiet and other times whispering to each other but in either case, it seemed to pass the time quickly for Jasper was surprised when Carlisle came back in to check on Bella again.
When he was through, Alice was the one to ask. “How is she doing Carlisle?”
He tossed the gloves and walked over to the monitor to check the trace as he answered. “She’s about to go into what’s called the transition phase.” He glanced at Jasper. “You might find that she begins to wake through these contractions son. They tend to be more intense, last longer and come closer together. She might even get sick. Thankfully, this part doesn’t tend to last very long. At the end of this phase, she should be fully dilated and ready to push. She’ll need to be fully awake for that.”
Alice shuddered. “If there was ever a time to be grateful for being a vampire, it’s now. I can’t even imagine going through that.”
Esme walked in and went to her husband’s side. “Oh Alice,” she said, her tone one of awe, “It’s a miracle happening here. New life! There’s no greater privilege than to give birth! It’s amazing. You’ll see.”
Alice didn’t look convinced. “I get what you’re saying Esme, but…” she shuddered again, “…it just seems so painful and humiliating and—messy. I’m more than happy to leave it to someone else, thanks.” She wrinkled her nose and Carlisle laughed softly.
Bella moaned and curled onto her side as she clutched at the blankets and Carlisle checked the monitor strip again just as the sound of the front door closing caught their attention.
Alice quickly cut her gaze to Carlisle. “It’s Edward.
Seconds later, the door opened wide and there he stood, looking livid, his eyes black as night and hands clenched into fists at his sides. “What’s going on and why is Bella here?”
She cried out then in her pained, semi-conscious state. “Pete! Hurts! Ahhhh,” she moaned as she thrashed.
Carlisle raised the sides of the bed. “Jasper, I think maybe it’s best to let her wake fully now. Esme, stay with her in case she gets sick. Edward and I need to have a quick chat. Call me immediately if she feels the need to push.”
Edward’s eyes went wide as he took in the equipment in the room. “The need to… What the hell is going on!
Carlisle began pushing him out the door as Esme glared. “Edward Cullen! Keep your voice down,” she hissed.
Jasper pulled back the lethargy even more and Bella’s eyes flew open as she cried out again. “Oh gods, it hurts! It hurts!”
Esme placed a cool hand on her forehead. “Shh, sweetie, it’s almost time to push. This part will be over soon. Shh.”
Bella panted as she looked around wildly. “Why isn’t the pain letting up? Oh god, I can’t do this! I can’t do this! Make it stop!” She reached out a hand. “Jasper! Please make it stop!” She was sobbing now and he sat back in the chair and took her hand, thanking god, probably for the first time, that he was a vampire, therefore she couldn’t crush his hand.
“I’m trying to dull the pain sugar, but that’s all I can do. I’m sorry baby doll. Carlisle says you need to be awake for this part.”
She sobbed in despair for a few moments and then snarled in one of the most frightening tones any of them had ever heard, “Oh yeah? Where is he? We need to talk!” then promptly went back to sobbing.
Jasper looked at his wife and Esme whose expressions of disbelief matched his own, he was sure. Carlisle never said she’d resemble something straight out of The Exorcist for fucks sake! “Uh, Esme? Perhaps ya should go get Carlisle. Please?”
She nodded and zipped out of the room.
Bella looked at him with pleading eyes. “Isn’t there anything you can do?”
He sighed. “Maybe darlin’ but ya said ya didn’t wanna feel goofy…”
She cut him off. “I don’t care anymore! Just help me, please! It hurts so bad!”
Alice handed him a cool cloth and he adjusted the bed so she was sitting up a little more. “Okay sugar,” he soothed as he bathed her sweaty face. “How’s that? Any better?”
She nodded and clenched her eyes shut. “Yeah, it still hurts, but not as bad. Thank you.”
He smoothed her hair back. “Just try to relax and think about somethin’ else. Think about your weddin’ day. Tell me about it sugar. How did Pete look that day?”
He and Alice watched as her breathing calmed and a tiny smile curved her lips. “God, he was so handsome… Well he always is, but that was the first time I’d seen him all dressed up.” Her nose wrinkled. “Except for his hair. It was all slicked back and I like it loose, but other than that… god he was the most beautiful man I’d ever seen. And when he’d look at me with those gorgeous hazel eyes… he always made me feel beautiful too.”
She sighed and now she looked serene as Carlisle and Esme rushed in with a stupefied looking Edward trailing behind.
Carlisle grabbed some gloves and spoke as he stretched them on. “Bella, I need to check you my dear.
Her eyes snapped open and she squeezed Jasper’s hand but gave a reluctant nod.
He moved the blankets aside and she turned her face as far into the pillow as she could as he checked her. He smiled. “You’re complete. It’s time to have a baby.”
Her eyes went wide as he removed the end of the bed and set the leg supports in place. “Jasper, raise the head of the bed all the way,” Carlisle directed as he pulled the instrument tray over.
Donning fresh gloves, he opened the sterile instruments and then helped situate Bella for pushing. He then draped her lap in a sterile sheet and took up his place at the end of the bed. “All right Bella, you’re going to push with the next contraction. You push to a count of ten, take a deep breath and then push again until the contraction ends.” His gaze caught Jasper’s. “Can you help her with that son?” he asked as he tied on a mask.
Jasper nodded mutely as Carlisle’s gaze cut to the monitor. “All right, here we go Bella, deep breath in, and push.”
Jasper counted to ten, reminded her to take a breath and counted again. Carlisle looked up with a smile in his eyes as she relaxed back, breathing heavily. “You’re doing well Bella. Keep that up and he’ll be here in no time.”
“Did ya hear that baby doll?” Jasper asked as he wiped her face with a cool cloth. “You’re kickin’ ass sugar.”
Tears fell from her eyes and he had to stifle a cringe at the sorrow he felt from her. “Pete should be here,” she murmured tiredly.
Jasper glanced at Alice and she winked causing him to freeze for a second. “Does that wink mean what I think it means darlin’?” he asked too low for Bella to hear.
She grinned and Carlisle’s voice caught their attention again. “Time to push again Bella. Deep breath, and push! Jasper counted for her and she clenched her jaw and screamed when he reached ten.
“Once more sweetheart, deep breath and push!”
As he counted, Jasper watched his wife leave the room from the corner of his eye. He strained to hear anything from downstairs, but Bella’s screams made it impossible.
Seconds later she came back in and she wasn’t alone.
She moved away from the door…
… and Peter Whitlock stepped in.
DISCLAIMER: Twilight and its inclusive material is copyright to Stephenie Meyer. Original creation, including but not limited to plot and characters, is copyright to the respective authors of each story. No copyright infringement is intended.