Wow...what a wild and long ride this has been to get to the end of this story. I want to thank all my readers who have been patient with me while I dealt with vet school and personal issues that delayed my writing. So, here we are...time to say goodbye to Harleyward and Bella. They have been a lot of fun for me to play with.

I couldn't have done any of this without the support and help of my wonderful beta GrayMatters Fanfiction. BB...you are not only one of my greatest friends, but you inspire me.

In the words of Aerosmith, Harleyward...tell me what it takes to let you go?

Twilight character names belong to Stephanie Meyer. No copyright infringement is intended. The intellectual property including but not limited to, all characterizations, plot lines, backgrounds and details belong to Iadorepugs. Plagiarism is theft so please no copying or reproduction of this work is permitted without express written authorization. Thank you.

Ride The Wind~Epilogue

BPOV

"Edward I need your help," I called out.

"What?" Edward came out of the kitchen rapidly, took one look at me and fought a laugh.

"Don't you start laughing, ass munch. Please help me up." I glared at him and held out my hand.

Edward came over with a grin on his face. "What do you say?"

"Will you please fucking help me up?"

Edward reached down and took my hands, helping me up off the couch. Once I was standing I smacked him hard on the shoulder.

"Hey, what was that for?" He rubbed his arm and tried to look innocent.

"No laughing or poking fun at the pregnant, and may I remind you, hormonal woman. You try carrying this around all the time." I pointed at my swollen belly.

"Sorry baby," Edward looked contrite. Rubbing my belly he smiled when he felt a kick under his hand, "And no thanks. There is a reason the women have the babies. Where are you going?"

"Take a nap." I gave him a kiss and walked slowly back to our bedroom. We didn't have much longer to go before two people would become three in this house. Laying on my side I thought back to the day I found out I was pregnant. We hadn't been trying, but we had decided to stop preventative measures. I'd been off the pill for about six months.

First I missed a period, which didn't instantly raise any flags since I'd been a little irregular coming off birth control. Then I noticed I was getting tired so easily, and felt icky when I first got up. The morning I threw up the minute I woke, I put two and two together. I managed to convince Edward it was just some virus and went back to bed. He had to go into the shop for an appointment even though it was a Saturday when he usually didn't schedule them. I basically forced him out the door with reassurances I'd be fine and I would call if I needed him. The moment he was gone I threw on some sweats and went to the drug store. I stood in that infamous aisle for a few moments debating before I picked a familiar name brand with two tests in the pack.

At home I sat on the bed for several minutes staring at the box. Did I wait for Edward to do this, or just go ahead? I decided just to go ahead. I could be wrong and he would just stress and pace waiting the five minutes for the results.

In the bathroom I followed the directions and then walked into the kitchen and set the oven timer. I didn't want to be in the bathroom staring at the stick that could change our world permanently.

Ten minutes felt like an eternity as I stood in the kitchen and bit my fingernails. My nausea was starting to return so I found a few saltines and nibbled on them while I waited. The buzzer went off, but I remained frozen in the kitchen for several seconds. "Come on Bella, it's not going to bite you. Go look," I muttered to myself.

I took a deep breath as I walked into our bathroom. I picked up the test and turned it. A plus sign. My hand started to tremble just a bit as I stared at the answer to my question. I was pregnant.

Still somewhat amazed, I carried the test into the bedroom and lay on the bed looking at it. I couldn't stop staring at the plus sign. Edward and I were going to have a baby. Tears slid down my cheeks as several emotions hit me simultaneously. Mostly happiness, some nervousness, and a sense of wonder.

That's where I was when Edward arrived home from the shop. I was curled up on my side and he peered in the door to check on me. When he saw I was awake he gave me his crooked smile. "Hey baby, are you feeling better?"

"Yeah, much better. Come," I patted the bed behind me, "snuggle with me for a moment."

Edward smiled. "I'll never turn down that request." He kicked his boots off and lay down behind me, wrapping his arms around me. He kissed the tattoo on the back of my neck before he rested his chin on my shoulder. "I'm glad you are feeling better."

I chuckled a little. "Well it'll probably happen again."

"Huh?" I could hear Edward's confusion at my comment. I had to see his face when I gave him the news, so I rolled just enough to be able to look at him.

Reaching behind me I grabbed the test from its hidden spot on the nightstand. "There is a very good chance I may throw up again for who knows how many more mornings to come." I handed him the test.

Edward's eyes grew bigger as he recognized what was in his hand. He looked at the test result, at me, the result, back to me, then down to where his hands happened to be resting on my belly. "You're….." He looked up at me again. "You're pregnant."

I could tell Edward was experiencing the same flux of emotions I had when I had first seen the result. It was all reflected in his eyes as he waited for my response.

"Yes. And you're the daddy." I kept my face as serious as I could, but giggles broke through anyway.

Edward laughed and pulled me into him. "Damn straight I'm the daddy." The moment the words crossed his lips he paused and then in awe said, "I'm going to be a daddy."

"Yes you are." I felt tears start in my eyes again and quickly swiped at the corners of my eyes. I couldn't help but ask the next question, "Are you…..happy about this?"

The grin that came over Edward's face could have lit up the room. "No I'm fucking ecstatic." Then a hint of concern came into his eyes. "Wait, are you okay about…?"

"Edward, I'm more than okay with this. Ecstatic is a good word for it."

Edward glanced down and rubbed his hand over my still normal tummy. "So under here…."

"Your son or daughter is currently residing, and making me nauseous and no doubt overly emotional soon."

Edward was still smiling as he ran his hand over me in a slow circle. "How pregnant are you?"

I shrugged. "I'm not positive. I'll have to go to the doctor."

Edward was quick to correct me, "We will have to go."

I nodded. "Sorry. We will have to go to the doctor. My guess is a couple months maybe."

Edward shifted until he was leaning over me, his hand still on my belly. He kissed me softly, "I love you."

"I love you too. I hope you will still love me when I cry for no reason, or get all moody, or ask you to get me ice cream at two am." I stretched up and kissed him again.

Edward tilted his head as he looked down at me. "Remember, I told you I didn't want to miss a thing."

And he hadn't. Edward had been an absolute trooper for the entire pregnancy. When we found out it was a girl, well his reaction surprised me the most.

EPOV

My leg was bouncing as I sat next to Bella at the obstetrician's office. She reached over and placed her hand on my knee. "You sure you want to learn our baby's sex today Edward?"

I had been vacillating on that decision for a couple weeks now. The traditionalist in me wanted the surprise, but my type A side wanted to be able to plan ahead. Bella was happy either way. "No I want to know. I am just on edge since this is the first view we get today." Of our child…..the idea just was still mind-boggling to me. Our first visit had been two weeks ago and we confirmed Bella was pregnant, and that she was actually three months along. That led to some interesting and funny discussions of when and how the conception had occurred.

Bella smiled and took my hand. "Okay sweetheart." She had actually been relatively mellow since we had learned she was pregnant. There had been definite moments of hormones though. I was beginning to be able to tell from the minute she woke up in the morning what kind of day we were going to have. Fortunately the morning sickness had been really inconsistent for her, and not an every day event. But if she woke up grumpy, I knew it was going to be more of a roller coaster day, and I was along for the ride.

"Bella?" A nurse in colorful scrubs called her name and we stood, following her back to the scale.

"I hate this part." Bella grumbled. I rubbed her back before she stepped up, refusing to look at the number and looking at me instead.

"Remember, it's for a good cause." Bella sighed and nodded. She actually hadn't really gained anything yet. The doctor told her last visit that would just be getting started in the second trimester. We went back with the nurse to the exam room and she took a few other vitals before leaving us so Bella could change.

Bella switched into the standard gown and got up on the table, pulling the paper cover over her lower half. I went and sat in the chair at her head and took her hand, kissing the back of it. "How's my baby mama feeling?"

Bella stuck her tongue out at me. "Ugh. Don't call me that Edward. It makes me feel like we're on the Jerry Springer show. I'm good thank you for asking."

Just then the doctor, Dr. Wallace came in with the nurse pushing a machine on a cart right behind her. "Morning everyone. Bella how are you feeling?"

"Good. Not too much morning sickness. Just tired more often."

"Are you napping when you need to?"

Bella nodded. "Yes, Edward has been the nap police," she pointed in my direction.

"Thank you Edward." Dr. Wallace smiled at me. "Alright, first ultrasound, and hopefully we can determine the sex today if you would like to know."

Bella glanced over at me to make sure before she answered. "We want to know."

"Well okay. We'll double check size and verify our predicted due date for you, plus in general just look and make sure everything looks fine."

Dr. Wallace slid the machine around to the other side of the table and readjusted Bella's gown up to expose her abdomen. "Sorry this will be a little cold." She proceeded to squirt gel on Bella's stomach and Bella jumped a bit. I squeezed her hand and she gave me a little smile.

Spreading the gel around Dr. Wallace switched a dial and suddenly we could hear the baby's heartbeat. I closed my eyes for a moment, just as overwhelmed as I had been hearing it for the first time at our last visit. It made everything so real. "Heartbeat is nice and strong."

Dr. Wallace turned the sound down and started scanning Bella with the instrument. "Alright baby Cullen, where are you…there you are."

Bella and I both stared at the screen, trying to understand what we were looking at. Dr. Wallace adjusted the machine and then froze the picture for a moment. "Okay we have a side profile right now, there's the head, you can see the spine curving down, as well as an arm and a leg. Let's see if we can get a better angle and find out the answer to the big question."

Bella already had tears in her eyes as she stared at the screen. I just couldn't believe what I was looking at. That was our baby. Dr. Wallace unfroze the screen and started probing from different angles.

"Is that the heart beating?" Bella whispered.

"Sure is, right there." Dr. Wallace pointed at the screen. "Looks good. Come on baby Cullen, we just need one good look…..there." She froze the screen again. "Alright guys, there is one leg, and there is the other, and in between?"

I stared at the screen, just amazed to be looking at our baby's legs. Bella peered closer. "I don't see anything."

"Exactly." Dr. Wallace smiled. "That's means you're having a girl." She unfroze the screen and our baby moved again on the screen, shoving out her little limbs as if she was trying to let us know she'd had enough.

"A girl." Bella turned and looked at me. "Edward?"

I was still fixated watching our baby move occasionally on the screen. That was my daughter in there. I was going to have a daughter. Already I hoped she looked just like Bella.

"Edward?" Bella shook my hand and broke my focus.

"Sorry." I turned to gaze at her.

"Did you hear that?" Bella looked at me with wide eyes.

"That we are having a girl? Of course I did." I smiled at Bella. Dr. Wallace and the nurse stepped out for a few minutes to give us some privacy.

Once the door was shut Bella asked, "You're okay with a girl?" I handed Bella a tissue since her tears were overflowing now.

"Baby, of course I am okay. I just wanted healthy, ten fingers, ten toes, you know, the standard request." I looked at the screen again. "I just can't believe I'll have a daughter. She better look exactly like you." I stroked one side of Bella's face.

"Well I hope she looks like you." Bella dabbed her eyes. "A girl. Guess we need to find a pink baby leather jacket."

I laughed. "I need to go buy a rifle."

Bella frowned. "A rifle?"

"I'll need to fend off the boys. Any guy tries anything funny with my daughter….." I narrowed my eyes.

Bella giggled. "Easy there…..we have some time to worry about that."

"Never too early to protect my girl. You've wrapped me around one little finger, now she has the other." I leaned over and kissed right over Bella's belly button. I heard Bella stifle a sob above me and I looked up panicked. "What? What is it?"

Bella shook her head and I sat her up so she could lean against my chest. "I just love you," she choked out. "And I'm glad you are happy."

I hugged her tightly to me. "Of course I am. I love you too. I love both my girls." Bella cried a few seconds more, her emotions and hormones wreaking havoc with her state of mind. "Okay now?" I kissed the top of her head.

Bella nodded. "Sorry."

"Don't apologize….it's all good."

"Your girls huh?" Bella grinned as she leaned back on the table again.

"Damn straight." I gave her a kiss.

From then on that was often how I greeted her when I arrived home. I'd give Bella a kiss, rub her belly and ask how my girls were. Watching Bella's body change with the pregnancy had been an amazing experience. As her belly grew, I had to increase my reassurances that she was still just as beautiful and sexy as ever to me, which she was. I even talked her into letting me take some pictures of her at her studio with her belly showing.

Things changed as she grew. Bella was a little put out when her belly was big enough that she had to always sleep with her back to my chest. I told her I liked it because I enjoyed wrapping my arm over her belly. That was how we both felt our daughter moving the first time. We were lying in bed at night, quietly chatting in the dark when there was movement under my arm. It had been an amazing moment, for both of us, making everything even more real.

Our sex life didn't really change either. In fact there were a few days I came home and was practically attacked at the door by Bella, as horny as I had ever seen her. I certainly didn't have any complaints on that, once I got over my initial worries of having sex with her when she was pregnant. Dr. Wallace had reassured us that as long as we weren't hanging from chandeliers, our sex life didn't have to change.

We had a couple weeks left now, and everything was as ready as it would ever be. Our daughter's room was completely outfitted, partially due to the enormous baby shower Alice had thrown Bella. I wandered in there now, looking around and wondering how I would ever figure all this out. Babies did not come with manuals. Although I had been reading a little here and there. Not as much as Bella though. She was reading at least two or three books on pregnancy and infants at the same time.

As I walked out I fingered the tiny pink leather jacket Bella had found somewhere online that was hanging by the door. I was definitely nervous about being a father, but I was excited too.

Bella was crashed on our bed so I went in and lay down next to her, wrapping my arm around her. Instinctively she nestled back into me with a little sigh. Our daughter shifted suddenly under my arm and Bella groaned. "Dang it Emma, stop putting your feet in my ribs."

"Emma trying to practice soccer again baby?" I rubbed her belly slowly.

"More like pilates or yoga." Bella shifted onto her back and looked at me. "She seems to think she can make more room by stretching out as much as possible."

"Not much longer Emma, and you'll have all the room you want."

Bella tried to roll to face me and I took her arm and helped her onto her other side. "I'm a little scared."

"About what, the birth?" We had been to the birthing classes, where I had learned the hard way that I had an aversion to seeing too much blood. Bella had kept her promise and not told anyone, especially Jasper, that I passed out. Fuck that little event was embarrassing. I didn't care if it was common among first time dads. Jasper would've never let me live it down.

"That, being a mom…the whole thing. What if I mess up?"

I reached around and started massaging her low back. Bella closed her eyes and groaned as I worked on her tired muscles there. "I'm afraid too baby, that's normal. And I can guarantee you, we are going to make a mistake here and there. But it will all be okay, I promise."

"Well if you say so." Bella chuckled and leaned her head into my shoulder. "When are you going to add her initial to your tattoo?"

"At some point after she's born. Tyler already knows and has worked out a design. We can make it a family trip."

"Sounds good to me." Bella had been talking one day after we had decided to name her Emma that her tattoo now had two meanings. That was when I told her I would be adding Emma's initial to the tattoo on my chest.

A week later Bella was sitting on the couch reading, a funny little frown on her face. I came over and sat down next to her, putting her legs across my lap. "What's the grumpy face for?"

"Oh my back is killing me," Bella sighed and set her book aside. "And Emma thinks I'm her own personal punching bag."

"Want a back rub?"

"God, yes please." I stood up and helped Bella off the couch. When she turned to walk to the bedroom I grabbed her arm and stopped her.

"Hold on. Baby your pants are wet." Her pink yoga pants were damp.

"Oh Jesus now I'm losing bladder control…..freaking….." Bella headed for the bathroom, I followed close behind. She slowly stripped off her pants and looked at them. "Wait a minute."

"What?" I stood in the doorway.

"Either I'm standing here still peeing and I don't know it, or my water is breaking?" Bella looked up at me with a little bit of fear in her eyes.

"WHAT?" I walked over to her.

"There is liquid still running down my legs. If I could bend over I'd look but I can feel it."

I knelt down and checked, noting a trickle of clear fluid running down her thighs. "Oh my God, you are right. Your water is breaking." I stood up, "I thought it was supposed to be some big gush."

Bella shook her head. "Not always. I guess it's time to call the doctor. And I bet my back ache isn't a back ache." Bella grabbed a towel and sat down on the toilet lid.

"It's time?" I felt my heart rate start to go up.

"Probably." Bella's voice was so calm as she grabbed her cell phone to call the doctor. I just stood there trying to figure out what was next because my mind had gone blank. I listened as she talked to the nurse, but not really hearing what was being said.

"Edward?" Bella hung up the phone and touched my arm. "Earth to Edward."

I shook my head. "Sorry. What did they say?"

"Since my water has broken they want me to come in to the hospital. They think I'm in very early labor." Bella stood and wandered over to the dresser to grab dry pants.

"Very early?"

Bella turned and took one look at my face. "Yes, early Edward. Breathe. I'm not going to drop Emma out on the floor right now. They might even just send us back home for awhile."

"Right." I chuckled a little. "Good thing your bag is packed." I went and pulled it out of the closet and took it to the front door. Bella followed me out, a towel in her hand.

I motioned at the towel silently. Bella smiled, "To sit on."

"Oh, yeah. Good idea." We wandered quietly down to the car and I took Bella's hand in mine. "I just can't believe it's finally here, I mean most likely we will meet Emma in the next twenty-four hours right?"

I helped Bella into the car and she squeezed my hand. "Yes, and it is unbelievable. It's also amazing."

I nodded, "It is that."

BPOV

Edward was deceptively calm as he drove us to the hospital, but I knew he was doing his best to hide his nerves from me. Funny enough I was doing the same thing. I felt the ache in my back increase and I groaned, shifting in the seat. Edward's eyes were instantly on me, "Okay?"

"Yeah." He offered me his hand and I took it, his thumb rubbing comforting circles on the back of my hand.

"We aren't calling anyone yet right?"

I shook my head. "No." Edward and I had already warned our friends we would call them after Emma was born. We wanted this moment to just be the two of us, well, three of us really.

Edward parked on the floor beneath the birthing center at Overlake Hospital. He helped me out of the car and we rode up the one floor to the lobby. Instantly a nurse came around from behind the desk. "Bella Cullen, I'm a patient of Dr. Wallace's, she knows I'm coming."

"Yes her nurse called down. Let's get you in a wheelchair." She and Edward eased me down into the chair and I shifted again, realizing that there was no way I was going to find a comfortable position at this point.

Another nurse from the floor came down. "Hi there! I'm Amy I'll be your nurse until tomorrow morning. So depending on how fast things go, I may be the nurse for the birth too."

I groaned. "I want fast."

Amy smiled as she began to push us down the hall. Edward kept his hand in mine. Once we were in our room she handed me the usual gown and helped me get changed and into the bed. Edward stood there, looking a little lost as he held my hand. I gave it a squeeze and he smiled down at me. "It's okay."

"I know, just nervous."

Amy smiled as she fastened on my hospital bracelet and started to fasten a contraction monitor around my belly. "Totally normal, for both of you. My job is to be here to answer any question, help you out in any way, and make this experience what you want."

Edward nodded, "Thank you."

Dr. Wallace came in and smiled. "Alright Bella, let's see what the contraction monitor tells us and then I'm going to have a look okay? How is your pain on a scale of one to ten?"

I rolled a little more onto my right hip. "My back is killing me, and my belly just feels, tight. I guess a four."

"Alright. You want to go the epidural route right?"

"Oh hell yes." I am not a glutton for punishment, and Edward was all for me in the least amount of pain as possible.

"Well speak up when things start to get to where you can't handle it and I will send in the anesthesiologist." Dr. Wallace looked over and watched the monitor for a moment. "Emma's heartbeat is strong and consistent. Your contractions are erratic but that's not unusual." She gently parted my legs and had me scoot down a little on the bed. She examined me, nodding as she did it. "You are already four centimeters dilated. Your cervix has thinned out about sixty percent. And Emma's head is down, but not completely into the canal yet." She pulled off her gloves and looked at the clock. "Three pm now….I will predict you will have your baby in about twelve hours. I'll be back to check on you in a couple hours."

"Thanks." Edward and I said simultaneously. Amy slid over a well padded reclining chair for Edward and he sat next to me. The décor in the room was as homey as possible. There was a rocking chair in the far corner and a bench seat where someone could lay down if they wanted to. Amy showed me where the nurse call button was and left for the moment.

"Want me to rub your back?"

"Please." I shifted a little and Edward started massaging my back gently. Oh hell that felt better.

"Helping?" Edward leaned over and kissed my shoulder.

"Yes."

"Good it gives me something to do, I feel a bit helpless here you know."

I looked over my shoulder. "Edward, you are here with me, holding my hand, you are doing fine."

Edward nodded. "Well if you need anything…"

"I promise to ask."

Edward moved over and kissed me gently. "Love you."

I smiled, "Love you too."

"Close your eyes, rest now while you can." That sounded like a really good idea so I did as Edward asked, falling into a light sleep as he rubbed my back.

An hour later I bolted awake when a cramp shot across my lower abdomen. Edward was instantly at my side. "What?"

"Contraction I think, a bigger one." I looked over at the readout and pointed at the spike. "See."

Edward nodded. I rolled onto my back and took a couple deep breaths. Edward held my hand and stared at the monitor. Things stayed quiet for several minutes and then another one shot through me.

"Shit." I grabbed Edward's hand tighter. Just then Amy walked in.

"I'm seeing some changes on the monitor out there, and looking at you, you're feeling them."

"Yeah, definitely. This is a lot stronger." Amy checked the readouts and my I.V.

"Your baby's heartbeat is still fine. How's your pain level?"

I started to answer when another contraction seized my belly. Amy rubbed my back. "Breathe deep, don't hold your breath." I focused on what she instructed until it passed. "Level?"

"Six…if they are staying like this I want an epidural soon."

"Let me check your dilation and then we can order that."

Edward's eyes were looking a bit worried again so I squeezed his hand. He looked over and I gave him a little grin. "I'm still okay."

"Okay," he nodded.

"Good progress." Amy nodded and smiled. You are already at six centimeters and your cervix is even more thinned out. Emma?" Edward and I nodded. "Pretty name. Emma is further down and almost engaged. You can definitely have that epidural."

I sighed with relief. I saw Edward relax a little out of the corner of my eye. I knew he would be as happy as I would be when I couldn't feel the pain.

Edward helped me breathe through the next few contractions, and I was beginning to think the epidural God was never going to show up. Just in time a young male doctor came in the room wheeling a tray. "I hear there is a request for a margarita in here."

I giggled a little. "Well not quite."

"I'm Dr. Lind. I'm fresh out of margaritas, but I can give you an epidural."

"Thank you, thank you, thank you."

Dr. Lind just chuckled. "I hear that a lot. Alright let's get you sitting up and swing your legs over towards your husband." Dr. Lind had me bend over and basically lean into Edward. Amy stood to the side and had one hand on my shoulder.

Dr. Lind talked me through each step as he scrubbed me and placed the catheter. Suddenly there was this flow of numb and the tightness in my belly was just gone. I let out a groan of relief.

"Bella?" Edward questioned.

"She's fine, I just bet she's feeling nothing now below the waist." I nodded into Edward's chest as Dr. Lind placed a bandage across my back.

They had me lay back again and I looked down at my legs. "Wow this feels funky."

Amy laughed. "But better right?"

"Oh God, much better. Thank you Dr. Lind." Edward sat next to me again looking more relaxed.

"My pleasure." He cleaned up his supplies and left with a wave. Amy checked my vitals again and then left with the advice to rest while I could.

Edward and I watched some television for awhile, and eventually I drifted off to sleep. Amy woke me later to check on me. Edward was crashed in the chair so we kept our voices at a whisper because I didn't want him to wake. My progress slowed for a little bit but Amy reassured me that wasn't abnormal after the epidural goes in.

It was ten pm when Dr. Wallace came back through. She'd been stuck in surgery but Amy had been keeping her posted on my progress. Her voice woke me and I looked over to see Edward reading one of his motorcycle magazines next to me, his hand resting over mine.

"Hey."

Edward smiled. "Hey sleepy. How are you feeling?"

"Okay, heavier though."

Dr. Wallace walked in. "Heavier? Like you are feeling pressure?"

I thought for a second. "Yeah I guess that's a good description. I just feel different."

Dr. Wallace gloved up to check me. "Well your contractions are every few minutes, but you probably didn't know that."

"No, I've been sleeping."

"Good." Dr. Wallace examined me and gave us a little smile. "You are completely dilated, cervix all thinned out, and I can feel a little bit of hair on Emma's head. Time to get ready to push."

Tears sprung to my eyes. "Really?"

"Really." Let us get a couple things set up. Amy will walk you through a few test pushes. I'll be back."

Edward dropped the magazine and stared at me. I could see the same nerves I was feeling in his gaze. "Ready for this?"

Edward chuckled. "It's a little too late to say no wouldn't you think?"

I laughed. "True. Well we are as ready as we will ever be."

Edward scooted closer. "The key word in that sentence is we."

"Absolutely." Edward leaned in and placed his forehead against mine. We just gazed into each other's eyes for a few moments, enjoying the closeness.

Amy reappeared and things moved more quickly. She adjusted my position in the bed, changing it to make it ready for delivery. A scale and place for Emma once she was born showed up.

Edward shifted to sit slightly behind me to help me sit up and took both my hands. "Squeeze as hard as you want baby," he whispered in my ear.

"No problem."

Amy coached me through a few pushes. Oh I hoped Emma didn't make me push for too long. This was hard work. I leaned back against Edward. Amy just patted my leg. "You are doing great Bella. You will have this baby out in no time at all."

"God I hope so, this isn't easy." I turned to Edward and said, "Don't you dare make a crack about that's why they call it labor."

Edward fought a smirk. "I wasn't going to say that."

I raised an eyebrow at him, "Bullshit Cullen." Then I smiled at him.

Dr. Wallace walked in and was helped into a gown and gloves by Amy, who had just finished draping me off. A mirror was placed so that I could see what was happening. Edward took one look and then looked down at my shoulder. I kissed the back of his hand. "You don't have to look, remember?"

"I remember." Knowing him he would try anyway.

Then the moment was upon us, time to push, really push. I took a deep breath and followed Dr. Wallace's instructions. When I would think to look I could see the slow progress of the top of Emma's head with its wet matted dark hair. Edward even looked a few times, his mouth open in amazement.

"Alright Bella, one more push and her head will be out. You're doing great."

Edward was murmuring encouragement in my ear as I sat forward and pushed again, trying to ignore the exhaustion creeping into my body.

"Head's out, breathe Bella, don't push. Look up," Dr. Wallace said.

Edward and I both looked and got our first glimpse of our daughter's face, scrunched up and red, and not looking particularly thrilled. She was beautiful.

A few more pushes and Dr. Wallace was lifting up our daughter and laying her on my belly. I felt tears start to fall as I reached out to touch her cheek. "Hi Emma." She opened her eyes for a moment before letting out a loud cry.

Edward's hand followed mine, touching her tiny hand. "Oh my God," he whispered. I glanced back at him, not at all surprised to see tears in his eyes.

"Edward do you want to cut the cord?" Dr. Wallace held out a pair of scissors. Edward shifted out from behind me and reached out to take them, his hand slightly shaking. He cut between the two clamps. "They need to clean her up and measure her Bella, she'll be right back." Amy lifted Emma off of me and I watched as Edward started to follow and then looked back at me.

"Go with our daughter Edward." He gave me a smile and kissed me.

"You are amazing. Love you."

I stroked his face, much like I had Emma's. "Love you."

Edward followed over to where they were cleaning Emma up, hovering like the protective father I knew he'd be. He pulled his camera out and took a couple pictures in between moments of being spellbound. Dr. Wallace was cleaning me up, and placing a couple sutures where I had a tiny tear.

"Bella…..she's seven pounds, seven ounces. And…eighteen inches long." Edward grinned over at me.

"Ten fingers and toes?"

He nodded at me with a huge smile and took another picture. I leaned back against the pillow and smiled to myself.

The nurse bundled Emma up and picked her up, offering her to Edward. He hesitated only a moment before taking her and slowing walking over to me, his eyes never leaving her face. He reached my side and slowly placed her in my arms. I shifted so he could sit with me again. "Wow." I murmured. "She's really here." Edward handed me a kleenex so I could wipe my eyes.

"Yes she is, and as beautiful as her mommy."

Dr. Wallace finished up her tasks, and after congratulating us she and Amy both left the room, giving us our privacy. The moment they were gone I unbundled Emma. Edward gave me a look but I just gave him one back. "I need to see all of her. I will wrap her back up."

Edward chuckled but nodded. I ran my fingers over her arms and legs, watching her clasp my finger. Edward reached up and let her grab his finger with her other hand. "She's strong," he whispered.

I just nodded, finding it hard to talk. Carefully I bundled her back up and peeked under her hat at her drying hair. It was dark brown, but I could see some hints of bronze showing up in places.

Emma opened her eyes and looked at us, the hazy blue trying to focus on us, figure us out.

Edward stroked the top of her head. "Hi there baby girl…we've been waiting for you Emma Andrea Cullen."

I cradled her closer to me and kissed her forehead. "Yes we have." Edward wrapped his other arm around me and I leaned into his chest. At the same time Emma and I yawned and Edward chuckled.

Just when I thought my life couldn't get better, it did.

EPOV

A cry woke me and I felt Bella shift next to me in bed. "I'll get her, stay put." We'd been home a week and already we were settled into somewhat of a routine. I did my best to help Bella out whenever I was home. Although my first few attempts at diaper changing proved that my hand eye skills for art didn't transfer to diapers. When Emma peed on me for the first time Bella collapsed in a fit of giggles. The next day she got peed on, so I just shook my finger at her and said, "Karma."

I leaned over Emma's bassinet which was near our bed, watching her flail her arms as she worked up a louder cry. We were starting to figure out what her different cries meant. This was definitely a hungry cry. Emma had no patience when it came to her appetite. "Easy there, I'm bringing you to the milk bar."

Bella groaned from the bed. She hated it when I called her the milk bar, but some of my other suggestions earned me a pillow thrown at my head. She sat up and I laid Emma in her arms. She parted her camisole and I watched, fascinated as Emma latched on and started nursing instantly. I moved to the other side and crawled back in next to Bella under the covers, watching the both of them in the glow of the nightlight, listening to the soft sucking sounds Emma was making. Bella looked over at me and gave me a tired smile.

"You doing alright baby?" I stroked her cheek and then rubbed the back of her neck.

Bella nodded. "I'm perfect." I stayed awake and we chatted as Emma nursed, sometimes about her, sometimes about totally inconsequential things. But it was our time, as a family, and I treasured it. Once Emma was sated, and had let out a burp that Bella said came from me, I settled her back down in the bassinet. Her eyes blinked sleepily at me before they closed shut and she drifted back off.

Bella snuggled into me the moment I was back in bed. I wrapped my arms around her, "Have I told you lately how much I love you?"

"Only every time you see me, but I still like hearing it."

"I love you."

"I love you too Edward."

Bella smiled up at me in the dim light. Almost a mischievous smile.

"What?"

She giggled. "I was just thinking it will be nice in five weeks when we can return to some of our favorite activities."

I raised an eyebrow at her, "Oh really Mrs. Cullen, counting the days are we?"

"And you aren't?" She pressed her body into mine. I was already amazed how similar she was to the way she was before she was pregnant. But I'd been very insistent she was not to rush to try to lose weight, that eating for Emma's benefit was more important. She had been too sore the last week post-delivery to exercise anyway, but I was still watching her.

"Oh I definitely am. But what about…?" I thumbed over my shoulder at Emma in her bassinet. "She can't be in here, that's just not right."

Bella chuckled. "I agree. Remember the baby monitor we have?"

"Ah yes, very good Mrs. Cullen."

"She needs to learn to sleep in her own room around then anyway, so starting a transition will be good for her."

At the thought of my daughter moving across the hall, I sighed. Already she was growing so fast that you could almost see it. Bella read my mind as usual. "She won't be far Edward. And it's important we get some time to ourselves in between moments of smothering our daughter with affection."

I nodded. "I know you are right Bella." Bella yawned and wrapped herself tighter into me. "It's just harder than I thought it would be."

Bella kissed the side of my neck. "I know, but just like me, she's not going anywhere."

For the millionth time, I thanked the stars that had graced me by bringing Bella into my world after that concert almost four years ago. I had a wife I loved more than I could say, a daughter I adored. There were no words for how fortunate I knew I was, and I would make sure every day I showed them. You never knew where life would take you, but I knew as I held Bella that I was perfectly content with my place in this world.

I hope everyone loves this epilogue, I love it regardless of what anyone thinks. I actually started writing it halfway through writing RTW...I knew where they were going, just had to get them there. Again thank you to all the people who have read and taken the time to review. Please leave me a last review for these too. I won't say you'll "never" see them again, maybe a one shot someday, but for now, I will just say they lived happily ever after. The End