Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight or its characters. I am making no money…

Special thanks to Jayeliwood for your support and ideas, but most of all for your help with commas. She is the best beta a writer could ask for. I must also thank ObsessingOverEdward and TheSpoiltOne for all their contribution. All three of you rock!

Epilogue

Bella Cullen

I leaned back against the comfy armchair, closing my eyes. I was almost nine months pregnant and I was completely exhausted. I had forgotten just how draining a pregnancy really was, and I was literally counting down the time to my due date. I had exactly eleven days to go.

"Mom, can I go with Alex and Alexia to walk Brownie?" Matt asked as he ran into the living room. Alex and Alexia were Jasper and Alice's six year old twins and Matt's little shadows. Even though Matt was seven years older than them he absolutely loved his two small cousins. Brownie was our brown Labrador puppy and Matt's absolute best friend.

"Make sure to stay on the sidewalk and don't cross any streets." I shifted slightly in the chair. My back had been hurting constantly since I had gone to the Chicago Cubs game the day before. "And make sure Alex and Alexia ask their parents."

"Thanks mom," Matt rushed out of the living room in search of his cousins.

I still found it hard to believe that my little boy was now almost thirteen. In a few months he would officially be a teenager. Time had really flown by over the past six years. Edward and I had been married five years and would soon be welcoming a little bundle of joy into our family. I had also managed to graduate with honors from the University of Chicago with my Law Degree and had been working for Cullen's ever since.

"I made you some lemonade," Alice said happily as she walked in carrying a pitcher.

"I'm not really thirsty." I had not found a comfortable position on the chair. I hated the fact that Edward had insisted that I stayed with Alice and Jasper while he finished up a case in Seattle. All I really wanted was my own bed.

"Bella, you don't look to good," Alice commented as she took a seat on the couch.

"I'm fine," I assured her even though the ache in my back wasn't getting any better. It was actually getting stronger. "I'm just tired. Yesterday's game really drained me."

"I don't know why you went, Bella. I would have stayed with Matt." I had gone simply because I was tired of staying home. I wanted a change of scenery and since we all had season tickets it seemed like a good idea.

"I just need some rest," I answered as a sharp pain shot through me causing me to gasp.

"Bella, what's wrong?" Alice shot up from the couch and rushed to my side. She looked extremely concerned.

"My back is killing me," I admitted as I gripped the armrests of the chair. "The pain is getting worse."

I tried to breathe through the intense pain, conscious of the fact that Alice had taken my hand in hers. "We should take you to the hospital," she stated as I gripped her hand tighter.

"No, Alice. I'm fine." I took deep breaths trying to remain calm. "The baby can't come yet. Edward isn't here."

"Honey, I don't think the baby is waiting for him," she pointed out just as I felt liquid seeping down my pants and onto the chair and rug.

"I ruined your chair," I cried as Alice yelled for Jasper to come in.

"We'll buy a new one. What's important is to get you to a hospital." Jasper ran down the stairs looking at us in shock. "She's in labor. Get her bag and the car keys."

"Call Edward and Matt," I said as the pain began to get stronger and more constant. "I'm not having the baby without Edward."

"I'm on it," Jasper said before running, upstairs to get my bag and his car keys.

I was going to have a baby.

Edward Cullen

I was working on a Saturday only because I was dying to get home back to Bella, Matt, and my unborn baby. I had left only because Bella's doctor had assured us that Bella was not likely to go into labor yet. Plus, I didn't want to leave Bella once the baby came.

"Edward, did you go home last night?" my father asked as he entered my office. I still kept an office in the Seattle firm even though I worked almost exclusively out of Chicago.

"I didn't get the chance." I dropped my pen and leaned back on the chair. "I want to leave tonight or early tomorrow. I hate not being by Bella's side."

"If you work yourself to the ground, you're not going to be much help to Bella when you get back home," he answered causing me to shrug.

"I'll sleep on the plane." I reasoned I had enough time just as my phone began to ring. "Hey, Jasper, what's up?"

"Edward you need to get on a plane and get here now. Bella is in labor," Jasper said not even bothering to say hello.

"What do you mean?" It was too soon. She couldn't be having the baby yet. "She's not due for another eleven days."

"The baby is coming, Edward. Her water broke and we're on our way to the hospital," he explained as I heard Bella's moans of pain in the background.

"Put her on, please," I said to Jasper before turning to my dad. "Bella is in labor. Get the jet ready and have everyone meet us at the airport."

"Edward, where are you?" Bella asked softly causing my heart to break.

"I'm leaving the office, love. Hold on, I'll be there as fast as I can." I stood walking out of my office as Carlisle followed me to the elevator. Why was the elevator taking so long?

"I need you here," she said as I tried to steady my own nerves. I had to make it. I couldn't miss my child's birth. What kind of father would I be if I did?

"I'm on my way. Be strong and breathe." I was desperately trying to remember what we had learned in the child birthing classes.

"Hurry," she said in a groan as I got into the elevator.

"I will, Bella, I will. I love you," I said before we hung up.

"Everyone is meeting us at the airport. The jet should be ready by the time we get there," Carlisle assured me as I paced up and down the elevator. I felt like a caged animal.

"I can't miss this, dad." We rushed out of the elevator towards the parking lot. I had gone to every doctor's appointment and had been with Bella every step of the way. How was I going to miss the most important part? I just had to be there.

"We'll do our best," he stated as we got into his car.

What if that wasn't enough?

Bella Cullen

Where was Edward? Why couldn't our baby have waited just one more day? "You have to wait," I said softly to my stomach. "Daddy is almost here."

"Are you okay, mom?" Matt asked as he came inside the hospital room.

"I'm alright." Matt neared the bed studying me carefully. "You can sit down."

"I don't want to hurt you," he said fearfully as I patted the empty space by me. My contractions were still about four minutes apart since I was just about five centimeters dilated.

"You won't hurt me," I assured him as he sat down.

"How long do we have to wait?" he questioned. I shrugged in response. I wished I knew.

"It should be a few hours." I really wanted to hold out until Edward arrived. "It took twelve hours for you, but this one should be faster. I just hope the baby waits long enough for Edward to get here."

"Alice is talking to him," he informed me just as Alice walked in.

"They should be here in four hours or so." Alice gave me an encouraging smile. "The plane has already taken off."

"I wish they'd hurry," I sighed as I felt another contraction building.

"Matt, why don't you get your mom some ice chips? There's a machine across the hall," Alice suggested as she took my hand.

"I'll be back, mom," he said bravely before going in search of the ice.

"I'm here, Bella." I gripped Alice's hand, waiting for the pain to pass. I knew we were moving along as the contractions were getting more painful and lasting longer.

"I want Edward," I said as Matt returned closely followed by the nurse.

"I brought the ice," he said proudly as he placed the pink container on the table.

"Thanks, sweetie." I took another deep breath conserving as much energy as possible.

"How are you feeling, Bella?" Nurse Jackie asked.

"I've been better," I answered. I noticed that Matt was biting his lip nervously.

"Let me go ahead and check your progress. I don't think it'll be too long now," she informed me as Matt suddenly seemed extremely interested in the painting on the wall.

"Matt, why don't you go play with Alex and Alexia," I suggested. I didn't want him to think he was forced to stay in the room with me.

"You can help Jasper," Alice added, giving him an encouraging smile. "I'll stay with Bella."

"Are you sure, mom?" he inquired, looking torn. I knew he wanted to be brave, but he didn't have to stay.

"I'm sure." Matt kissed my forehead softly before leaving the room.

"He seems like a good boy," the nurse commented as she checked on my progress.

"Do we have time to wait for Edward? He should be here in a few hours," I inquired, hoping that we did. I couldn't do this without him.

"You're almost at eight centimeters. You probably have about an hour, but I don't think much more than that," she answered causing tears to well up in my eyes.

"We have to wait," I stated as another contraction hit. "I need Edward."

"He'll make it," Alice said soothingly. But, I didn't think he would.

Edward Cullen

When you want time to move faster it seems to slow down. We had been flying for almost two hours, but it seemed like we had been flying for two months. I couldn't sit down and relax when I knew Bella was in the hospital. She was giving birth without me.

"I can't believe I'm missing this," I commented as I ran my fingers through my hair.

"Honey, pacing is not going to make things any better," my mom said causing me to shrug.

"I know, but I can't sit still." I was frustrated. "I feel useless. I can't believe I'm not there for Bella when she needs me."

"We still have time," Emmett reasoned causing me to shake my head.

"Last I spoke to Alice she was about eight centimeters along. It'll take a miracle for me to get there in time," I explained, checking my watch. I hadn't heard from Alice in almost an hour. Had she already had the baby? Why hadn't they called?

"Uncle Edward, the phone is ringing," Ethan announced, picking up the plane's phone before handing it to me.

"What's happening, Alice?" I inquired the minute I picked up the phone.

"You have to talk some sense into Bella." Alice seemed frazzled and frustared.

"What's going on?" I questioned as a million scenarios flooded my mind. Was something wrong?

"She refuses to push. She won't push until you get here. But, the doctor and the nurse say its time." I took a deep breath realizing I was going to miss this.

"Put her on," I replied, trying to figure out what to say to her. I wanted her to hold off until I got there, but I knew it was impossible.

"Edward, why aren't you here?" she questioned as she cried. "You're missing this."

"I know, love, I'm sorry. But, you have to be strong. And, you have to listen to the doctor." I hoped my words would encourage her.

"We'll wait for you," she answered stubbornly. I could clearly hear the pain in her voice.

"Bella, you're going to hurt the baby and yourself if you don't push," I replied as I gripped the back of one of the chairs for support.

"I want you to be here," she protested causing my heart to break. Why had I left in the first place?

"I want to be there too." I had to think of something. She had to push. "What if I stay on the phone?"

"Would you?" she asked softly.

"I'll be on the phone with Alice," I assured her before Alice took the phone.

"She's going to start pushing," Alice informed me as I heard the doctors talking and coaching Bella on what to do. I felt like a complete failure as a father. I was going to miss the birth of my child.

"What's happening, Edward?" My mom inquired as I sat down next to her.

"She's going to start pushing," I announced to my family as everyone gathered around us to see what was happening.

The next few minutes passed by in a blur. I hated the fact that I was missing the entire thing and felt extremely guilty. I had been the one that caused Bella to be in so much pain. I wanted to take it away from her.

Yet, all thoughts and all worries left the moment I heard my baby begin to cry. I didn't even hear when the doctor announced what it was. The only thought that consumed me as I heard the baby's cries was: I was a father.

"I'm a dad," I said softly after a minute of silence.

"What is it?" Rose asked as I stared off into space.

"Congratulations, Edward," Alice said happily into the receiver.

"Is it a boy or a girl?" I inquired in total shock.

"Should I tell you? Maybe you should wait?" Alice teased with a laugh.

"Alice, please," I begged, wanting to know.

"Hold on, the new mommy wants to talk to you," Alice replied, still not answering my question.

"Edward," Bella said weakly as she took the phone from Alice.

"You did incredible, love. I'm so sorry I missed it." I wished I could have been there.

"We have a baby girl, Edward. She's beautiful," she said causing my heart soar. I had a baby girl.

"Are you serious? A girl?" I questioned in utter disbelief. I couldn't believe that it had really happened.

"We have a baby girl," she repeated, making me smile. I was officially a father.

Bella Cullen

I looked down at my baby girl and couldn't help the tears that fell from my eyes. She was absolutely perfect. She had ten fingers and ten toes, a head full of hair, and bright pink lips. She was absolutely beautiful. All the pain and discomfort had been completely worth it.

"She's so small," Matt commented as he looked down at his baby sister.

"You were that small once." I looked at my son smiling at him. "I still remember it all as if it were yesterday."

"That was a long time ago," he stated making me laugh.

"Not that long ago," I replied with a sad smile. Kids grew up way too fast.

I heard the door suddenly open and couldn't help the smile that appeared on my face. "Hi, daddy," I said as he stared at us in awe. "I think your daughter wants to meet you."

"She's really here," Edward stated as he walked towards us, his eyes not leaving the pink bundle I held in my arms.

"What did we finally name her?" he inquired as he reached the bed and continued to stare.

"Carlie Alice Cullen," I said proudly. We had decided on the name Carlie a month before, but we had yet to pick a middle name. I had gone ahead and chosen Alice, because she had coached me through everything.

"She's gorgeous," he said as tears welled up in his eyes. "Can I hold her?"

I nodded before he carefully took her from my arms. "I'm your daddy, Carlie," he whispered softly as I wrapped my arms around Matt.

I watched Edward as he held Carlie against him. I felt as if I was falling in love with him again as I saw him interact with her. I had everything I could ever hope for. I had two wonderful children and a loving husband. What more could I possibly ask for?

A/N: This is really the end. I can't believe that I have finally finished this story. I feel as if it was yesterday that I had first had the idea for this story. But, now it has come to an end.

To my readers, you are all amazing. The constant reviews have been amazing. You really know how to make my day better. I have read them all and will continue to read them. I can't thank you enough for your support.

I will continue to post Taking Chances every Tuesday night. And, I will post my new story, Vendetta at Twilight, sometime in August. Make sure to add me to Author Alert to receive that update.

If you have any lingering questions about the story please head over to the Twilighted thread. I will try to answer them all there.

Thank you all once again!

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