A/N: HI! Thank you for reading!

Thanks Ashley for getting so excited when you preread and for loving these characters. Kelley, thank you for not only pre-reading but fact checking, too. You two are such great cheerleaders!

Thank you, thank you Mel for finding time to beta this for me! I truly appreciate it!

Any mistakes are all mine but the characters belong to SM.

The Beginning of Us

Chapter 3

"Edward, this is your very pregnant and worried wife. Please call me when you get this." I hang up the phone and try not to let my imagination get the best of me. It's a gift when I'm writing, but when my husband is an hour late my mind goes wild thinking he wrecked his car, was flung over a guide rail, and lays bleeding to death in a ravine.

He had a feeling he would be hired as an attending soon. I'm hoping that's what is holding him up. Maybe he turned his phone off to not be rude. If it was a patient keeping him, he would have texted me by now.

I sit on the couch, stare at my phone, and try to get my back to relax. The muscles in my lower back have ached all day, and no matter what I do it only seems to get worse. I can't seem to time anything so I don't think it's labor, but it would be nice to have my doctor husband reassure me.

Maybe Esme knows where he is. He calls his mom every day and stops in to see her almost as often, now that we live so close. We have to drive past his parents house to reach our cabin. I wasn't sure if it would work at first. Would they show up all the time and judge me for last nights dishes still in the sink? Or would Esme want to come hang out with me every time Edward left for work? So far it's been wonderful, though. They always call before stopping in and Esme loves what we've done with the place. New paint and carpet made it feel like ours. We tried to bring some of the beach into our home with lots of blue and cream colors.

Ouch my back is getting unbearable.

"Hello, Cullen residence."

"Hi, Esme. It's Bella. Have you heard from Edward?"

"No, dear, I haven't. Are you okay? You are breathing awfully heavy."

"Ugh, my back really hurts, and he isn't home yet." I try so hard not to cry. No grown woman should call her mother-in-law to cry.

"I'll be there in one minute. I'm calling Carlisle to find Edward the second we hang up. You just stay calm, dear, you aren't alone."

I lose it and start to bawl at the sound of her concern. She's always been like a mother to me and there is something about it that fills me with such relief I can't help but cry. "Thank you, Esme."

"You're welcome, dear. I'm on my way."

Not even five minutes later she walks through my front door while talking on her phone. "Carlisle Cullen, call me back immediately. I'm calling Jane to find you and your idiot son!"

She presses the end button and while scrolling through her contacts tells me, "Don't worry, Bella. Jane is an administrator at the hospital. She always knows where everyone is or can find out in minutes. Lord, the women is scary, but I learned how to stay on her good side and she owes me a favor."

"Jane! Hello, it's Esme Cullen. So sorry to bother you, but would you happen to know the whereabouts of my husband or son by chance?" Her lips are in a straight line and her eyes are narrowing. I haven't seen her this mad in a long time. I'm reminded why her kids and I always listen to her.

"I see. Could you please do me the biggest favor and have Carlisle call me immediately. Thank you, Jane. You're a life saver!"

Esme places her phone on the table, takes a deep cleansing breath and looks at me.

"Well, the good news is Edward was offered the attending position today. The bad news is his moronic father decided to take him for a drink to celebrate."

"Fuck." I clamp my mouth shut with both hands. I can't believe I just swore in front of her. Edward isn't good at having one or two drinks, he goes for a beer and drinks a dozen.

"Oh honey. The exact same word went through my mind and you aren't a child. You can say whatever you want."

"Esme, I don't know if Carlisle has changed, but from what I can remember he doesn't hold his liquor very well."

"That's him alright! That man gets into my bourbon and he's giggling-like-a-schoolgirl-fall-down-drunk." She looks at me then as I wince in pain and rub my back. "I think you're in labor, Bella. Is your bag packed?"

"Yeah, it's in the nursery. Are you sure? I mean, maybe I just slept wrong or…"

"I'm pretty sure, but why don't you get a nice warm shower and see if it helps. Sometimes changing positions helps if it's a strain. Hopefully the boys will call soon."

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EPOV

"Dad, Bella could go into labor any day now. I can't drink. I should go call her, actually."

"Son, you studied and worked all your life to get this position. You deserve a drink with your old man." He wraps his arm around my shoulders and I can't say no.

"Okay, but just one."

"That's my boy!"

Dad leads the way to a bar frequented by the hospital staff. He tells the bartender to put a round for the bar on his tab in honor of me. I'm fucked! Once you buy a round everyone buys you a drink in thanks. Good thing it's the middle of the day and not too busy. I order a beer but dad insists on scotch because, "It's a doctor's drink."

Dad is drinking a ton and is lit in no time. He doesn't even notice when I ditch the scotch for a beer. One of us is going to have to drive home.

I interrupt his conversation with another doctor from the hospital to tell him I need to call Bella. My phone is back at the hospital in my locker. I had just gotten changed out of my scrubs when the chief pulled me aside. Then dad dragged me here. I like knowing she can always get in touch with me and this is making me nervous.

"Here, son, use mine." He hands me his phone but there is no reception. I stand to go outside but stop when I see Jane approaching. Rumor is Jane caught her husband cheating and tortured him until he killed himself. We call her the black widow.

"Carlisle. I've been trying to reach you. Your dear Esme called. Best not upset her, she is such a lovely woman." Jane forms her mouth into a smile but the menacing look in her eyes makes us both squirm. I think she would love nothing more than to punish us by making us writhe in pain. She smirks, turns on her high black heels, and saunters out — as though making us uneasy was her goal.

"Thank you, Ms. Volturi. My apologies for the interruption," dad calls out as she leaves. Then turning to me me says, "What a bitch. Your mother must be madder than hell. There's no other reason she'd call Jane." He shivers from head to toe and finishes his drink in large gulps. Like getting drunker will help.

"Dad, I'm going outside to call mom. Maybe you should lay off the scotch."

Dad starts to giggle. "No way, Hosea! If she's going to kill me, I'd rather not feel it." He orders another and laughs some more.

I chuckle as I make my way through the mostly empty tables of the bar to the sidewalk. His phone starts beeping with missed calls and voicemails, but I ignore them and call Bella.

"Hello. Carlisle?"

"No, mom. It's Edward. Why are you answering Bella's phone?"

"Because you didn't answer yours! I think she's in labor. You and your asshole father have some explaining to do, but right now just get home!" Mom lets out an exasperated sigh and I feel like a sixteen-year-old who kept the car out past curfew. "That is if you can drive. Drinking when your wife is this pregnant. I thought I raised you better."

"Whoa! I only had one and was coming outside to call Bella. My father on the other hand..." I shake my head. I don't want to get him in more trouble, he only wanted to celebrate. "Wait! You think she's in labor?"

"Yes. She's had a lot if back pain, that to me, seems rhythmic. Bella is getting a shower to try and relax."

"Okay. I'm on my way now. If it's really labor the shower won't help, but I'm guessing you knew that."

"Yes, Edward. It will keep her busy for a little while and hopefully take her mind off of her missing husband. If it is labor, changing positions might help move things along."

"Thank you, mom. I'm sorry I messed up, but I'm glad we have you to help us."

"You're welcome. Get your father, and get your asses home. Now."

She hangs up the phone and I go back in the bar for dad.

I pull the bartender aside to settle his tab and then get dad out to the car by saying,"Hey, we gotta go. Bella might be in labor, grandpa."

It's great to see him so excited to be a grandfather. He smiles and starts to tear up. "I'm so happy for you, son. So happy." Then he claps his hand together and realizes we need to leave. "Oooh! Bye, everyone, I'm going to be a grandpa!"

I wrap my arm around him so it looks like were doing a manly side hug as we go back to the hospital to get my car, but I'm actually making sure his drunk ass doesn't fall over.

We get in the car and dad talks the entire way home. I now understand why mom hides her key to her liquor cabinet. Maybe I should have left him at the bar. I'm too worried about Bella to think straight and I drive straight to my house without dropping him off. Dammit.

Walking through the front door I'm greeted by my mom. This isn't good. She's wringing her hands together and looks nervous as hell.

"Baby, you better go in your bedroom. I tried to get Bella to let me drive her to the hospital but she says it hurts too much to move." I immediately go to her and mom follows. "Edward, I'm afraid she may be too far along. You won't make it there in time."

Turning to mom I kiss her cheek and hug her tight. "It'll be okay, mom. Thank you for being here."

I open the door and see my Bella, wearing one of my t-shirts, kneeling on the floor beside our bed as if in prayer. She's doing her Lamaze breathing and whimpering in pain.

I kneel beside her and the lightly start rubbing her back. "Hey. I'm here now. I'm so, so sorry, Bella."

"Get your hands off me, brush your fucking teeth, and give me drugs."

I pull back and look at mom who is smirking at me. She loves that I'm in trouble with my wife.

I brush my teeth twice and gargle mouth wash to get rid of my scotch and beer breath. I wash my hands and grab a pair of the sterile gloves I keep at home for emergencies.

Back in our room I ask mom to give us a minute and send her to check on dad, who's still in my car. "Bella, please let me check and see how far along you are. I don't have any drugs here. We'll have to go to the hospital, honey."

She looks over at me. Her eyes are drooped, large creases mark her forehead, and her lips are open and pouting. Seeing her in such pain spears me right through the heart. "Do...ouch...whatever you have to...but...ow...I'm not moving. It hurts...too much to lay down. Ugh." Her mouth closes and her jaw goes tight as another contraction wracks through her. They're lasting nearly a minute and seem to be only two or three minutes apart. Fuck. I had no intention of delivering our first baby at home.

"It's okay. I won't make you move. You're going to have to open your legs for me though."

She moans as she moves her knees apart and smiles. "That's what...got us in this mess." I chuckle and kiss her forehead. She's still my Bella.

"Deep breathes, love. I know it hurts but try to relax." Her water hasn't broken but she's one-hundred percent effaced and about eight centimeters dilated. I don't think we'll make it.

I check the babies heart rate with the fetal monitor I borrowed from the hospital last month when Bella noticed the baby moving less. It helped ease both our worries. "His heart sounds perfect. I'm going to need to check during your next couple contractions to be sure though. Bella, I think you're going to have this baby very soon." I take the gloves off so I can hold her cheek and brush her tears away. "You don't have to move. I need to go get mom though so she can get things ready. I'll be right back." I kiss her cheek and run outside yelling for mom.

I tell her to get everything we need that I can think of and grab my bag out of the car. Dad is sitting on the front porch drinking coffee and grinning from ear to ear. "Son. I'm here for you. I'll keep your mom calm." Mom shakes her head and tells him to stay quiet. He grabs her ass as he stands to follow me in the house. "I need to use the little boys room."

"Okay. Leave Bella alone, though. She needs everyone to stay calm and not scare her."

"Of course. Of course." He nods and pushes past me to run-walk to the bathroom.

I go to Bella who is struggling to stand up. "I have to pee. Help."

Once she's on her feet, her moaning gets louder, and she seems ready to pass out.

"I'm not letting go, Bella. Let me help you. We'll get through this and meet our baby today."

"Please. Stop. Talking." She moves a couple feet forward and stops to breath again. "I'm trying not to be mean. Honest."

I look into her eyes and nod so she knows I heard her and I'll shut up. I have a new respect for OB/GYNs. My natural urge as a doctor is to reassure my patient and explain what is happening. Bella is in pain, though, and doesn't want reassured. She wants me to keep quiet and make it better.

Bella kisses my cheek and says she loves me. I kiss her back and point to the bathroom. We need to stay on task. I reach for the handle as the door opens, revealing my father. He nearly walks into us and as I step back Bella says, "Ah Fuck!"

I turn and see a puddle at her feet. My father giggles. "Oh Bella. You should have knocked on the door so I would hurry up. I'm sorry you peed yourself."

"My water broke! I still have to pee so move it!"

"Are you sure, Bella?" I ask.

She turns to me. "Yes. I'm in labor. Not fucking stupid. Move!"

"Sorry. I need to come in with you. I don't want you alone."

She mumbles obscenities the whole time, but manages to finish up in the bathroom with me there. I hear mom and hope she found everything we're going to need.

"We need to get you settled. This baby could be here soon." I take deep breaths and try not to think of everything that could go wrong. I've delivered babies in the ER. Mom was an OB nurse for years. I can do this and she'll be here to help me.

She shakes her head and says, "more like now. I think I need to push."

"Ma! Get the bed ready and get everything in there. Ma!" My wife can hardly walk and it's clear to me she isn't going to make it down the short hallway. I pick her up and even though she screams out louder, I carry her to our room and lie her on top of the extra blankets mom has there.

"Ouch! I can't lay here, Edward! It fucking hurts." I try to help her move a pillow and am met by her slapping me in the arm with all the energy she has left. "Do. . Me!" As the words leave her mouth her eyes close and she starts to cry. "I'm sorry." I'm lost. I need to see how far dilated she is and get her ready to deliver and check the babies heart rate and...

"Edward, get out." Are not the words I expected to hear from my mom. She gives me a sad knowing smile and shuts the door behind me.

I stand with my back to the door, pure terror running through my veins. My palms sweat, my heart races, my lungs can't seem to fill with air and then I hear my mom talking in a sweet reassuring voice.

"Bella, dear. Don't apologize. You can do this. Take some deep breaths and lets get you ready to push. This will be over soon. Can I rub your back?"

"Please."

"It's okay. Let's get Edward in here and meet this baby. Okay?"

"I'm scared."

"There isn't a mother alive who wasn't. You can do this."

Listening to them gave me time to calm down and collect myself. I've never been so thankful for my mom. "Edward. We're ready. Have your dad put some clean towels in the dryer."

I give dad his orders and go to Bella. She's sitting up on the bed with mom behind her — where I should be. I see now that I was being her doctor, but what she needed was support. "I'm sorry, Edward. I know you're only doing what's best for me and our baby," she says in a rushed panic.

She's sweating, crying, and looks terrified. "I'm not upset, love. No more apologizing. Let me take care of you, okay?" I kiss her temple as she nods her head and closes her eyes.

I put gloves on and check her. "You're ready. When you feel the next contraction I need you to bear down and push. You can do this."

Her brow creases in pain and mom helps her hold her legs. "Big breath. Push." My heart hammers in my chest so loud I can barely hear mom counting. Bella doesn't take long to catch on. By her second contraction I see the baby's hair. Dark brown like hers. I want to cry I'm so excited but she's running out of energy and needs a break. "He's so close. You're perfect, Bella, perfect. You'll get to hold him soon, love. So soon. Don't push for a minute. Catch your breath."

She nods as she cries. "Can you call my dad?"

"Of course. I need a couple things from the hospital, too. We'll put that cruiser to work." I smile at her and yell for dad.

I give him my list and have him call the chief while he waits for word to get us the towels. Mom wipes the sweat off Bella's brow and gets her ready to push again. She nods to me, knowing it's time.

A few more pushes and I help guide the baby out through my tears. "It's a boy! You were right!" I lay him on Bella's chest to clear his airway and wipe him off. His cries are the most wonderful thing I've ever heard. Mom gets the towels, helps me tie the cord and then hands me scissors from my bag.

"Dad. I think this job is yours."

I cut the cord. We get our son wrapped up and in Bella's waiting arms. "Hi, Anthony. I'm your mom." She wipes her tears and smiles at me. "And that is your daddy," she tells him. "Oh, Edward. He's so beautiful."

"He's perfect." I go to her side and wrap my arms around her. Looking down at our son is unreal. I kiss Bella's temple and say, "thank you," over and over.

"Edward, let's finish up and then we'll get everyone settled." I nod and go back to being a doctor. Mom steps out to get wash cloths to clean everyone and comes back in with my father, who seems to be nearly sober.

"Can I get a peek at my grandbaby?"

Bella nods and says, "of course." He walks over to where I was and gazes down.

"Good job, Bella. I'm so proud of you two. Proudest and happiest man alive right here." He turns to mom as his eyes fill with tears. "Es. Es, it's real. We have a grandson. Can you believe it?"

Mom shakes her head and starts to cry. "It's amazing. My heart is full. So, so full of love."

"What's his name?" Dad asks.

"Anthony Charles Cullen. I wanted him named after each of my fathers and his own." Bella smiles. She wanted an Edward junior but I said no. It's too confusing. I wanted our son to have his own name.

I hear the front door open and the Chief say, "Hello!"

"Back here!" I say, unwilling to step away from my family.

"Are they okay? Is everyone okay?" I can't remember ever seeing my father-in-law look so scared. He's always the picture of calm and collected.

Bella nods and answers him. "Yeah, Dad. We're good. Come meet Anthony Charles." Charlie's eyes water as he steps into the room and sees Bella holding our baby.

"Wow. He's got your hair, Bells. He's one handsome little man." Charlie composes himself and turns to me. "Thank you, son, for taking such good care of her. I...I can't tell you how glad I am that my little girl has you."

I shake his hand and say, "Thank you. It's an honor."

"Enough emotional crap! Lets get Charlie's fish scale and weigh the little guy!"

We all laugh at my father. He's right, though. There is a lot to be done. Bella is starting to contract again and needs to deliver the placenta. Thankfully, it goes well and everything looks normal. We can stay home tonight and go to the hospital in the morning, once we've all gotten some sleep, so they can both be checked.

Mom and I get the room, Bella, and the baby cleaned up. We get Anthony weighed and have her start breastfeeding.

Seeing her nursing him stops me in my tracks, it's so naturally beautiful. We have her holding him skin to skin, to keep his temperature regulated. She's talking in a soft voice and smiling down at him. Her thumb is caressing his chubby little cheek to keep him alert enough to nurse. She's been through so much today, but you'd never know it. Pure joy radiates from her.

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By the time everything is cleaned up and we all eat, it's the middle of the night. Charlie drops my dad off at home on his way out, leaving Esme with us just in case we need her. Anthony is swaddled tight in the blanket Bella made him and is sleeping in his bassinet next to our bed. For the first time today I have my wife all to myself.

"Oh, honey. I just remembered. Congratulations on getting attending!" She kisses me and holds my hand.

"Thank you. I couldn't have done it without you. Hey, I'll never forget my hire date."

We giggle for a second and enjoy the quiet that surely won't last long.

Bella falls asleep in minutes but I can't force my eyes closed. I'm in awe of her and our son. I sit and watch them sleep for what feels like hours. They say 'Life happens while you're making plans'. They're right but I wouldn't want it any other way.

The End

Thank you so very much for reading and taking this little journey with me!

Love,

J