Still In Bloom ↠ Twilight ✓

37 ; veran

Here's the thing: When Wallace had imagined his life, being a parent had never been apart of the plan. Mostly because Wallace didn't think he'd be in the outside world but instead he'd be behind bars.

He also hadn't ever imagined being a father because his own had been so shitty. Wallace hadn't wanted to continue the cycle of paternal figures and he had been sure that Daniel would slip-up one day and get a girl pregnant by mistake and the McAtee bloodline would continue that way.

It didn't help that growing up, Richard McAtee had been like wallpaper, silent and of singular use. And that had been before he'd even killed the one person that Wallace has adored more than anything else on the planet. Wallace's father had always been more of an understudy in Wallace's childhood than a starring role like his mom and siblings had been.

But now that Wallace has Veran, he couldn't imagine a life where he wasn't someone's dad. Being a dad seems so natural as he watches as Rosalie weaves down the stairs, a bushel of bronze hair leaning against her neck from the small head of a lounging baby. For a moment, Wallace is struck by how big Veran is, the small male looking more like he's a one-year-old than only a few weeks but there's no denying that he's perfect.

Bella makes a small sound beside Wallace, her body thrumming and beside the stairs, Wallace sees Jasper tighten his stance. Wallace, though he can't blame the blonde male, feels a sense of defensiveness for Bella's sake. This must appear across his face, as Jasper meets his eyes and gives a faint nod but he still doesn't relax his posture. Annoyance cloys in Wallace's throat, but it's pushed down faintly by the emotion of endearment he feels that Jasper is so protective of Veran, an infant that isn't even his.

Rosalie approaches and as she does, Wallace watches as a perfect cherub face lifts up from where it'd been leaning against her shoulder. The tiny head of curls moves faintly before bright brown eyes are lifting towards Wallace's direction, revealing a perfect face of pale skin, pink lips, and an upturned nose. Veran is a perfect mixture of Edward and Bella, if not a more extravagant version of both if Wallace were being honest.

In Veran, Wallace can see Bella's soft exterior, her pale smooth skin, and big warm brown eyes. Edward's genetics play in his son's bright reddish colored hair, the upturn of his small nose, and the way in which Veran seems to have an immortalized glow to him. Wallace for a moment likes to think that Veran's hair, which curls drastically around his tiny ears and atop his head, is what he added to his son's gene pool even if it's foolish.

"Mama!" This is Veran's first exclamation and Wallace can see Bella melt.

Rosalie is quick to push Veran into Bella's arms, the toddler wiggling impatiently with his arms outstretched in Bella's direction. Bella hesitates for a moment, seeming to calm herself before she's stepping forward and gently lifting her son from Rosalie's grip by his armpits. Veran, not unlike a koala, clings to Bella without hesitation. He seems unphased by Bella's cold skin on his small belly where his plaid shirt has ridden up, and instead just stares up at Bella's face, the expression on his face wonderous.

The feeling must be mutual as Bella clings to Veran tighter, pressing him into her chest in an undeniable act of maternal devotion as she gently presses a reverent kiss to her son's forehead. Veran giggles lightly at the sensation, the sound musical as it flows through the air and Wallace wants nothing more than to hear it for the rest of his life; and now that he's immortal, he will.

As Bella holds Veran, she turns herself away from the rest of the family and towards Edward and Wallace. It's then that Veran seems to look away from the orbit of his mother, and notices Wallace for the first time. A hot bolt of dread bolts down Wallace's spine as Veran's eyes connect with his red pupils, and for a moment Wallace thinks that Veran isn't going to know who he is.