A/N

As always, Stephenie Meyer wrote a story that inspired me.

Thanks to the hard work that lambcullen and irishtwisisters put into beta-ing RS. I couldn't do it without you two and I owe you more than any author's note can describe.

Sunfeathers. I love you. Like. A lot.

Song for the epilogue:
I Will Follow You Into the Dark: Deathcab for Cuteh

BPOV

Chicago summers could be sweltering, even in the cushy 'burbs it was still crazy hot in July. I had the AC turned up full blast, but still couldn't get comfy.

I ended up wearing the only comfortable piece of clothing I had: a thin cotton sundress. I was on permanent bed rest, doctor's orders. So I settled on the bed, and could smell Edward's scent from the sheets. I smiled and relaxed against the pillow.

I wondered how soon Maury would be on. It was a guilty pleasure aside from reading raunchy romance novels during my enforced convalescence.

I put the remote on my distended belly and watched as the baby kicked at the controller.

"I'm not changing the channel. Mommy likes Maury, kiddo. Deal."

I'd been having little pains since last night, but I figured it was all the weirdo crap I had been eating.

I had a jar of pickles near the bed which I munched on during the day. They were chilled and refreshingly sour. I spent the rest of the midday snoozing and watching Jerry Springer antagonize drag queens and the sugar daddies who love them. I closed my eyes during the final thoughts...

I woke up with a jolt, a pain tearing through my middle.

Well that was sore.

I heard the front door open and close downstairs.

"Bella?"

Edward had come home on his lunch break to check on me. He had a thriving business with Tanya in the city restoring old cars and performing customized jobs on cars. The two of them worked so well together and he came home happy at the end of the day, telling me about this car and that part. He knew Car and Driver was not my forte' but his excitement was always infectious.

He came upstairs just as another pain jolted through me. He was inside the doorway, looking too sexy for words.

I got up slowly, clutching my stomach, wondering if this was still indigestion.

"What the fuck, Bella? You're not supposed to be out of bed!" His hands were at my sides, helping me.

"I just need to get up and walk around for a bit, Edward. My back is kinda stiff and sore."

He walked me around the bedroom back and forth, his green eyes etched with worry.

I took another pain and grabbed at my back.

"What the fuck is that, Bella?"

At his words, I felt a warmth gush between my legs and I looked up at him in surprise.

I tried to school my features and in a calm voice I said, "Edward, I need you to get my overnight bag and help me down the stairs. You are going to need to drive me to hospital, I think. I need to change first, though."

"Are you ok? You're not due for two weeks!"

I took a deep breath, "Well, it looks like we're running ahead of schedule."

His eyes widened with panic and his hands grasped my belly.

"Oh fuck. Oh shit. Oh fuck. Fuck, Bella. Ok. I'll take the bag out to the car. Do not try the stairs without me," he ordered.

He grabbed the case that I had packed last week from the closet and was gone. I quickly changed into a pair of sweats and a t-shirt.

Edward helped me down the stairs and we were driving through the traffic in the Maserati, breaking speed limits.

"Edward Cullen, don't you dare run that red light!"

He slowed down and hit the brakes. Shoving his hand through his hair, he tried to calm himself down.

"Deep breaths, Edward. You can do this."

We arrived at Cook County hospital and I was wheel chaired and checked in. They set me up in a ward, and doctors and nurses came in to check on me.

I'd never had so many random people stare down there in my life. I could tell it was making Edward edgy and he was squeezing my hand, his leg bouncing all over the place. He was still dressed in his work clothes which consisted of his logo tee for his garage and his greasy work jeans. He smelled of cars, tobacco and his own fresh cologne.

"Why don't you call Esme. She'll want to be here as soon as. And the rest of the family." I could tell he would need to go out and smoke soon. If they still allowed smoking in the office he would have made it through the first pack by now.

His face was pale as another pain took over and I tried to breathe through it.

"Ok." He stepped out to make his phone calls, a cigarette already between his lips.

He returned a little more calm, his face a better color. He leaned over me in my hospital gown and kissed my lips.

"I love you, sweetheart. You're beautiful even in hospital pink."

I blushed and tried a smile, "Thanks, baby. I love you too."

We had planned the baby to be born over the summer so I wouldn't have to take too much time off from teaching at the local high school. The Cullens were to arrive over the next couple of weeks to help with the baby and celebrate the new addition to the clan.

Edward and I sat in silence and it stretched on until the pains became closer together. I was dilated enough to be taken through to delivery. They gave Edward scrubs to change into before entering the room.

There was something about seeing my husband in blue scrubs, his green eyes alight over the mask, his flame tattoos licking up his forearms towards the short sleeves. I licked my lips and he raised an eyebrow at me.

"Really, Bella?"

"You look good," I pulled him down to whisper in his ear, "I think we'll be stealing some of those for future use."

But I didn't hear his answer as the pain poured through me. The drugs were just starting to take effect and the bright lights emphasized the people in the room with me, their scrubs varying pinks, greens, and patterns. It all swam before me, sensory overload.

Edward held my hand through the next few hours, apologizing to me and shouting at the doctor whenever I seemed in pain. He smoothed my hair away from my forehead and told me he loved me.

***

At 5:23 AM, Charlie Renee Cullen was born. Her father was filled with pride as he presented her tiny swaddled form to her very tired mother. Her mother was not too tired to hold her little girl and they both marvelled at tiny hands and feet.

Little Charlie was loved by her Grandma and Grandpa Cullen, who baked cookies and gave piggy back rides respectively. Her Aunt Alice and Uncle Jasper spoiled her rotten with clothes and a pocketful of candy anytime they visited. Auntie Tanya braided hair and told the best bedtime stories. Aunt Rose painted toenails and Uncle Emmett tickled mercilessly.

Bella and Edward grew old together, and watched as their daughter grew up safe and secure in their loving home.

But there comes a time when all good things come to an end, and sadly they did for Bella in the twilight of her years.

Edward followed her soon after.

If there's no one beside you, when your soul embarks, I will follow you into the dark.

The End

~thank you~