Disclaimer: I do not own anything Twilight.

Author's Note: Thank you all for your patience! sassygirl156 thank you for reading through this and getting it back to me so quickly! And H.J. Lovers I do not have words for how much I appreciate you, honestly. I've had a rough couple of months and you reaching out to me, the way you have over the course of this story means a lot to me!

Chapter Twenty Two

No book or words of advice could have prepared me for what was currently happening. Throughout all the reading I had done I did not thoroughly read through the chapters about a C-section. I knew I should have, in hindsight, but I guess I never thought anything would go wrong. I immediately dressed in the sterile garb and cap the nurse had handed me before blindly following after her down the hallway. We had to wait for the incredibly slow elevator to come back up and then to take us down to the delivery room.

"Sir, you'll need to wash your hands before entering the room," she informed me.

She held the door open to a room with a large sink in front of a clear glass window. As I thoroughly scrubbed my hands I was able to see the commotion going on in the room as nurses and aides set up several different apparatuses and getting Bella in the proper position. After drying my hands the nurse held the door open to the delivery room and I wasted no time walking in, wanting some answer to what was going on. I took a deep breath in an attempt to calm my nerves before facing Bella—the last thing she needed was to see me worried.

Stepping around the bed I offered a soft smile and there was a small curve of her lips in return that did not quite reach her eyes as she reached her hand out for mine.

"I hate needles," she whispered. "I had the epidural…I had to."

"That's fine, it's fine," I placed a kiss to her forehead. "I'm so sorry I wasn't there, Bella. I'm here now, though. Everything is alright…our baby is going to be perfect."

A sheet of some sort was placed just above Bella's stomach as a nurse came to one of the machines surrounding the bed and jotted something down on her clipboard.

"Can you tell us what's happening?" I asked her.

"It's likely a result of your wife's preeclampsia. There isn't enough blood getting to the placenta and so the baby isn't getting enough oxygen. It's not uncommon, we just need to act quickly. Would you like us to set up the mirror?" She asked after her brief explanation. "The sheet blocks your view, but I know most women still want to be able to see their child as they enter the world."

Bella glanced at me and back to the nurse before silently nodding her head.

"We'll get that set up right away," the nurse said before she walked away.

"Are you scared?"

"As all hell," she replied, using her free hand to tug on the ends of my hair. "The most painful part was putting in the IV, thankfully. I'm ready. I want to meet my baby."

"Isabella?" We both looked towards the door as her doctor entered the room. "How are you feeling, my dear?"

"Anxious," she replied.

"As is to be expected. Do not fret," he said as he came to her side. "The baby's heart beat was slightly weaker and since he is not yet in the correct birthing position, we'll need to have this emergency procedure done. You're in good hands. All three of you."

He gave us a reassuring smile before walking to the edge of the bed.

A mirror was set up at an angle, allowing both of us to see what was happening on the other side of the sheet. I didn't know what to expect to see, and I imagine no amount of videos could truly prepare you to witness something like this in real life.

"We still haven't even picked a name," Bella said, her voice cracking slightly. "I thought we would have had more time."

I didn't have time to reply as the room almost instantly became quiet and the movement stopped. I looked up at the mirror to see the doctor taking a seat as he prepared to make the first incision. Her grip on my hand tightened as she watched as well, even though she couldn't feel it due to the epidural, it had to be a strange thing to see happen to your body.

How had eight months passed by so quickly? It didn't seem as if that much time had gone by, but so much had actually happened. I think Bella and I both grew up in ways we never even knew we had to. From her reconciliation with her father to me learning more about my parents and who I am as my own person. It was all for a greater good—a greater good that we would be meeting today.

A suction sound drew my attention back to the mirror. I didn't know exactly what the doctor was doing but it only lasted for a few minutes.

"You might feel some tugging, Isabella." Dr. Russo said. "Dad do you want to cut the cord?"

I placed a chaste kiss on her lips before standing up and going to stand next to the doctor. The sight in front of me caused my stomach to tighten—it looked fucking painful. Thank God for modern day medicine. If it weren't for that, Bella would have surely passed out long ago. It was something I knew I would never be able to unsee—the blood, the skin, and the curled up baby the doctor was about to extract. I couldn't describe it as beautiful, because the sight was actually kind of frightening, but it was amazing all the same. With a little adjusting and a pull, Dr. Russo pulled out a teeny, tiny little person still curled into the fetal position.

In that instant the room felt so silent, and I felt like I couldn't quite register what I was looking at.

"It's a boy!" The doctor exclaimed.

I heard a choked sob mixed with a laugh from Bella and I couldn't help but smile as I took the pair of scissors and allowed the nurse to guide my hand to make the cut. The scissors didn't feel strong enough to cut through the umbilical cord, but with a few repetitive snips they did. It was then that the crying began and I panicked. One nurse took the scissors from me as another carried the baby towards Bella. I went back to her bedside, watching as she looked at our son with tears in her eyes. A blanket was placed on top of her and he was lying on top of that, covered in some kind of bodily fluids and such a strange color that I couldn't accurately describe. I sat next to Bella, unable to take my eyes off of our baby in her arms as he wailed.

"We're going to get him cleaned up and weighed, sweetheart."

Bella nodded her head, letting the nurse take our son.

"Did you see him?" She asked as she looked over to me, unable to keep the emotion out of her voice. "I can't believe it."

"How are you feeling?"

"I miss him already," she replied, smiling.

I could only imagine what she was feeling at this moment. The baby that grew inside of her, that she had become so attached to was finally something she could hold and touch.

On the side of the room our son was being cleaned and given an Apgar test, then placed on a table to be weighed and measured.

"Is he okay?" she asked a nurse after a moment.

"His weight is as to be expected for a premature delivery. He's five pounds and seven ounces and sixteen inches long. You'll have him back in just a moment after the Apgar."

Bella looked at me nervously and I could only squeeze her hand in reassurance. I read the books and knew of the Apgar testing, that even if the first was passed, he would be given another in five minutes.

When our son was brought back another sob escaped Bella's lips and she looked so completely mesmerized by the sight of him.

"He's so little," she remarked, placing her finger in the palm of his hand and he grasped it. "My handsome boy…Elijah. Doesn't he look like a little Elijah?"

I leaned over her to get a closer look, some of his dark curled peeked out beneath the blue beanie they had placed on his head.

"Here, hold him," she said, lifting him to me.

I don't know why I felt a wave of nervousness washing over me. Probably because I'd never held a child before in my life. I awkwardly took him into my arms as Bella guided his head safely into the crook of my arms. He looked to be getting more of a natural color to his skin as his chest moved up and down rapidly. As I ran a finger along the side of his pristine, soft face he made a gurgling sound and opened his eyes.

I felt stunned at the sight. A bright green pair of eyes matching my own stared up at me. He was me…a part of me—he was mine. I don't know if it was possible, but it felt like he knew who I was.

"Elijah," I spoke aloud.

The sound of my voice must have startled him and he began to cry. On instinct I began to rock him in my arms before a nurse came to take him away for another Apgar. I knew it was necessary, but I didn't want to let him go.

"It feels like they took a part of your soul doesn't it?" Bella described what I was feeling perfectly.

"He has my eyes," I whispered, taking her hand in mine. "He's mine…I can't believe it…he's ours."

I watched as the nurse walked with our baby to the doctor, telling him something and he stopped what he was doing—sewing Bella back together—to look at our son. He said something back to the nurse and she nodded.

"Is everything okay?" Bella asked.

"Just fine, dear. He's passed his first two Apgar tests, not with flying colors as we would like, but given that he's a little early we want to keep a close eye on him over the next few days."

It wasn't worry that I felt in that moment—It was what could only be described as parental agony. I knew nothing substantial about the health of a child, or what exactly they would be monitoring.

Looking back to Bella I saw that she was chewing on her bottom lip as she always did when she was nervous. I cupped a finger under her chin and used my thumb to pull her lip away from her teeth.

"There was barely any tearing," the doctor began speaking again. "You'll be taken back to your room shortly and while there are quite a few things that need to be taken care of the most important thing is your recovery and ensuring your child's health. I know the nurses can tend to try and get things done rather quickly but if you're feeling overwhelmed don't be afraid to speak up." He offered a smile as he removed his gloves and placed them on a tray. "Have you thought of a name?"

"Elijah," we both said at the same time. I couldn't keep the smile from my face as I locked eyes with her. It was completely fitting.

"Elijah Ryan," Bella added.

"Elijah Ryan Cullen was born on this day, at 5:38 PM via cesarean and weighing five pounds, seven ounces. Congratulations."

"How are you feeling?" I asked when we were semi-alone—still waiting for Elijah to come back into my arms.

"I'm okay…I feel…tired, maybe a little drowsy?"

"Get some rest," I urged, fluffing her pillow slightly.

"I want my baby," she murmured, leaning towards my hand that was closest to her face.

"You'll have him soon enough," I replied, softly stroking her cheek as her eyes began to flutter shut.

"You want him all to yourself already," she grinned, opening an eye to peak out at me.

"You got me," I feigned a look of guilt. "Rest, Bella."

She may not have fallen asleep, but I was certain she should enjoy what few moments of rest she could get. The sleepless nights had finally arrived.

Once we relocated back to the room, our friends were allowed in to visit. Alice assured us Charlie was on the next flight out in an extremely off-handed manner as she gushed over my son in Bella's arms. His skin was starting to look a much more natural color rather than the red and purple hue he had when I first saw him. It was still a difficult concept to grasp—that he was mine. He was such a tiny little thing, but the doctor assured us he would fine and that he would be closely monitored throughout the next couple of days.

"He's much too handsome to be yours, Edward," Emmett joked as he peeked over Alice's shoulder.

"He looks just like his father, but hopefully he'll have your curls Bella," Alice spoke up, lightly playing with what little hair was on Elijah's head.

There was a knock at the door before it opened to reveal Carlisle and Esme. My mother rushed to the side of the bed where I stood, not so subtly pushing me out of the way to get a look.

"He's gorgeous! Congratulations, you two. You did so well, Bella honey. How are you feeling?"

"Exhausted," she shrugged her shoulders. "I think I'm coming down from the epidural, though."

"You'll get through it. Giving birth is only half the battle, though. You two are in for something you never even imagined," my dad said, clapping his hand on my shoulder. "Congratulations, son."

"Thanks, Dad."

I didn't want to seem selfish, watching as Elijah was passed to my mother, then over to Alice, and my dad even held him awkwardly before he was finally back in my arms.

"We're going to head out," Emmett spoke up. "You two could use some alone time. We'll be back tomorrow."

It had only been about an hour, but looking at Bella's face I knew she could use some rest.

We said our goodbyes and I almost didn't know what to do when the room was completely silent.

"Daddy's got you, little guy," I said to Elijah as I used my foot to move a chair closer to Bella's bedside. "We'll sit right here while mommy has a nap. If everything goes accordingly over the next couple of days you'll be coming home with us. You should see the room mommy and aunt Alice put together for you. It's gender neutral, don't worry."

I heard Bella's light laughter from my side and couldn't help but to lean over and kiss her. How had we created something so perfect?

"Wake me if he gets hungry?"

"Of course," I told her. "I'll wake you if he needs to be changed too…or call for a nurse…they didn't quite go over that in the baby books."

"You have so much to learn," she shook her head softly before shutting her eyes. I used my free hand to pull her blankets up to her chin before leaning back in the chair.

Elijah didn't keep his eyes open for very long, I imagine even the dim lighting in the room was quite a bit for him to take in compared to where he had just come from.

"You'll get used to it soon. It's a crazy world out here, but mommy and daddy will protect you. It doesn't hurt having someone like Uncle Emmett on your side, too." I reached out to stroke his face with my pointer finger—his skin was so soft. He turned his head towards my finger and I smiled…I don't know why but, fuck it. I didn't need a reason. I was holding my first born child, I could smile for no reason at all and no one could say a damn thing to change that.

I want to again thank you all for your patience. It's been a difficult couple of months for me, and though I'm still not quite where I want to be, I'm doing much better. I'm also hoping that my daughter will be out of her terrible two stage the day she turns three. It's unrealistic, but I still have hope. I cannot wait to say goodbye to these tantrums she has. -_- Anyways, I hope you all enjoyed the chapter, and I will try having the next one available for you this month. (: We're almost at the end, guys! There IS a light at the end of the tunnel!