Caught in the Flames Teaser

The next morning, I woke up with a note next to my pillow. Alice and Esme kidnapped me along with Marie. Something about a birthday makeover. We’ll be out all day. We’re supposed to meet at Clear Waters at eight. Your parents and my dad are watching Marie. Love you, B.

I wrinkled my nose. I wanted to spoil my fiancée, damn it! I wanted to treat her to breakfast in bed. Meddling little elf. I got up and decided to do some laundry, review some research for my major project. I was working on Community Health and I was reading a few abstracts, trying to narrow my study. As I was going to make some lunch, Emmett and Garrett came into the brownstone. “Do you guys ever believe in knocking? I could have been naked,” I quipped.

“You weren’t,” Garrett smirked. “We’re here to kidnap you.”

“What? No. I have shit I need to get done and don’t forget it’s Bella’s birthday this weekend,” I growled.

“We know. But, tonight, it’s your bachelor party!” Emmett boomed, pumping his fist. “Well, it’s a combo. You and Bella are VIPs at Clear Water’s tonight for your bachelor/bachelorette party. Alice and your mom are taking care of Bella while we’re handling you. Do you want to know what’s on 

tap?”

No. I don’t want a bachelor party. “Sure,” I shrugged.

“Try to contain your enthusiasm, Edward,” Garrett teased. 

The New Clear Waters

Caught in the Flames Update

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“For your next class, we’re going to be examining the wonders of the renal system,” crooned my gross anatomy professor. “Learn to love your kidneys! Don’t forget that your practical for the digestive system is the next day we have in the lab. See you next week. Have a great weekend.”

I packed up my belongings and slung my messenger bag over my shoulder. My lab partner, a guy who was a whiz kid, named Harold, ran up to me. “Hey, Edward. Do you want to get together tonight to review the parts of the digestive system? Dr. Ross is killer for his practical exams,” he said, pushing up his thick glasses.

“I can’t, Harold. I’ve got a physical therapy appointment and then I’ve got plans with my fiancée and daughter,” I shrugged. Not to mention, it’s Friday. I forgot how stressful it was to be a full-time student. I really am working for the weekend.

“You’re not going to do well on the test if you don’t study, Edward,” Harold chided.

I shot him a look. This twenty-two year old kid is giving me shit about studying? “I hate to burst your bubble but I’m getting the highest grades in the class, Harold. I’m doing just fine,” I snickered. 

“You’re right, but I’ve got other things going on this weekend. Lots of things.”
  

University of Chicago

Edward's new Volvo

Harold, the bane of Edward's existence

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I stayed in the ICU for two days. The spinal took forever to wear off. I couldn’t walk nor feel my legs for an entire day. Some people just have different reactions to the medications and obviously, mine was a bit more severe. When I was able to walk, I was as shaky as a newborn deer. I clung to Edward or my father, who had flown in from Forks to meet his granddaughter, walking on unsteady limbs. Once I was able to walk, I was released to the post-partum floor, right around the corner from the nursery and NICU.

I didn’t stay in my room for very long. I was assessed by Dr. Popper and changed into some loose-fitting clothing. Edward rolled us to the NICU. We washed our hands and Edward put a smock over our clothes before rolling us inside. The incubator that Marie was in was closest to a bank of windows. Esme and Charlie were hovering, watching our daughter. I felt guilty, not seeing her before this. Edward locked my wheelchair and I pushed myself up, hobbling closer.

“Here’s your momma, peanut,” Charlie whispered, his finger rubbing Marie’s belly. “She’s been sick and working like hell to see you.”

“Don’t curse in front of your granddaughter,” I chided, slipping my hands inside of the incubator. Charlie chuckled, his mustache twitching. “Hey, baby. It’s Mommy. I’m …” Tears slid down my cheeks as I broke down. “I’m so happy you’re okay.”

“Every moment she’s getting stronger,” Edward said, his arm supporting me. 

NICU

Baby Marie Felicity Cullen

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I was tossed onto a gurney and my dress was removed from my body. I was in so much pain. Dr. Popper was cursing loudly from between my legs and when she stood up, her hands were bloody. “Bella, I’m sorry, but we’re going to have perform an emergency C-section.”

“What? What’s wrong?”

“You are bleeding from your placenta, a placental abruption. If we don’t remove the baby and stop the bleeding you’ll die. Your baby will die,” Dr. Popper whispered, her eyes staring at me.

“How did this happen?” Edward asked, his face pale and drawn. His fingers threaded with mine. I never saw Edward look so scared. “Dr. Popper?”

“My guess is that when you fell, it caused you to go into early labor. The medications stopped it, but the placenta, somehow, is now separated from the fetus. We have to go. Bella, we’re going to put you under,” Dr. Popper said, soothing my hair back. “It’ll be easier on you and the baby.” She closed her eyes, blowing out a breath. “If there are complications, where we can’t stop the bleeding …”

“Do you want to perform a hysterectomy?” I asked, feeling sicker by the minute. Dr. Popper nodded, her lips set in a grim line. 

NICU

 

Marie Felicity Cullen, born on August 2nd, 2015

Caught in the Flames Teaser

I was tossed onto a gurney and my dress was removed from my body. I was in so much pain. Dr. Popper was cursing loudly from between my legs and when she stood up, her hands were bloody. “Bella, I’m sorry, but we’re going to have perform an emergency C-section.”

“What? What’s wrong?”

“You are bleeding from your placenta, a placental abruption. If we don’t remove the baby and stop the bleeding you’ll die. Your baby will die,” Dr. Popper whispered, her eyes staring at me.

“How did this happen?” Edward asked, his face pale and drawn. His fingers threaded with mine. I never saw Edward look so scared. “Dr. Popper?”

“My guess is that when you fell, it caused you to go into early labor. The medications stopped it, but the placenta, somehow, is now separated from the fetus. We have to go. Bella, we’re going to put you under,” Dr. Popper said, soothing my hair back. “It’ll be easier on you and the baby.” She closed her eyes, blowing out a breath. “If there are complications, where we can’t stop the bleeding …”

“Do you want to perform a hysterectomy?” I asked, feeling sicker by the minute. Dr. Popper nodded, her lips set in a grim line. 

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“Alice, I don’t understand why you’re putting make up on me,” I grumbled as her hands flew over my face deftly. “I’m in the hospital. On bedrest. For the foreseeable future. It’s not time for me to have a makeover.”

“Nonsense,” Alice said, waving her hand dismissively. “Every woman deserves to be pampered while she’s pregnant.”

“What are you scheming, Mary Alice?” I asked. I stopped her hands, glaring at her. “Tell. Me.”

“Nothing!” she sang, putting down her palette. She picked up a curling iron, working on my hair. I rolled my eyes, letting Alice do her thing. She was up to something. I knew it. The nurses and physicians were being all secretive and didn’t bat an eye when Alice came in with her bags of goodies. They also didn’t bitch when Alice dressed me in a simple dress. It felt weird to wear clothes, a bra, or panties. I’d been wearing nothing but a hospital gown and a fetal monitor since I’d arrived. I couldn’t wear underwear since every examination included a pelvic.

My hoo-ha was constantly on display. I hated it. 

Caught in the Flames Picture Teaser