My love for Daddyward knows no bounds, and I just can't get enough of reading, or writing, about him. And since I didn't want to associate 'Rain' with what I would normally associate it with *no comment*, this was the next best thing. And naturally… Daddyward speaks to me. *sigh* Hope you enjoy.

Penname: kyla713
Creative Original or Derivative Fiction: Derivative

Rating/Warning(s): T

Disclaimer: All copyrighted, trademarked items, or recognizable characters, plots, etc. mentioned herein belong to their respective owners. No copying or reproduction of this work is permitted without their express written authorization.

Prompt: Rain

Bella watched as her little girl flitted around the patio, squealing in excitement as she took in the elaborate decorations for her birthday party set up for that day. She could feel her heart already sinking as she thought of what she had to explain to the five year old.

"Edward, how am I going to tell her that her daddy isn't going to be here for her birthday?" she asked sadly, as her own eyes began to moisten.

He sighed heavily in despair, and she could almost hear his hand running over his face. "I don't know, baby. The runways are completely flooded, and this rain is not letting up. Do you want me to try talking to her?"

"She's going to be heartbroken," she replied, swallowing hard.

"Just put her on the phone," he said softly.

"Alright," she breathed out heavily, bracing herself as she stood from the chair and opened the sliding glass door. "Maddie, Daddy's on the phone."

"Daddy!" she shrieked as she ran toward the house, her long bronze curls bouncing with the movement and her hand anxiously took the phone from her mother. "Hi Daddy! You need to hurry. My party's ready."

Bella knew the moment he began speaking as she watched her daughter's smile fade and a single tear fell down her little cheek.

"But Daddy, it's my birthday. You have to come home. You have to… You promised… you promised!" Her voice grew louder as she repeated her statement, the solitary tear now joined by a stream following. "You lied! I hate you!"

"Madeline Renee!" Bella exclaimed as the little girl threw the phone and ran into her bedroom, slamming the door behind her. She hesitantly walked to where the phone had landed and lifted it to her ear. "Edward?"

"Yea," he replied in a choked tone, clearing his throat in order to speak again. "I'm sorry."

"Baby, it's not your fault. I'll talk to her. She loves you, you know that," she reminded him in an attempt to console her husband and he sighed in response. "She does, she's just upset."

"I know. I'll see if I can rent a car and get home tomorrow. Have my dad pick me up," he replied, taking a deep shaky breath.

"Alright. Take your time and be careful, she'll be okay. And Edward?"

"Yea?"

"I love you."

"I love you too. Please let her know how sorry I am," he pleaded desperately.

"I will. Bye baby," she said softly and sighed after his brief 'bye' and the silence of the ended call that followed.

Taking a deep cleansing breath, she began down the hall, stopping briefly outside the room as she heard their little girl's muffled sobs from within. She opened the door to find Maddie on her bed with her face buried in her pillow, her little body trembling with her cries.

Gently lowering herself to sit on the edge of the bed, she ran her hand lightly over her curls. "He's really sorry. And that really hurt Daddy's feelings, Maddie."

"He promised. He said he'd be here," she continued to cry, hugging her pillow to her face. "I hate my stupid birthday."

"I know you're disappointed, sweetheart. But that was a very mean thing to say, and you don't hate your daddy, right?" she said softly, and Maddie's face turned to look at her. Her lips quivered and her eyes were reddened with tears, and as she sniffled, she shook her head. "Daddy was very sad. And you don't want Daddy to cry, do you?"

"Daddy's don't cry, they're boys," she replied with a soft hiccough, and Bella fought to restrain a chuckle.

"Let me tell you a little secret. They like to play tough, but when it comes right down to it, they are big babies. Especially when it comes to their baby girls," she said, tapping her nose lightly with her fingertip.

"I'm not a baby, Mommy," she grumbled into her pillow. "I'm a big girl. I'm five today."

"You're always your daddy's baby, Maddie," she replied and lifted her off the bed into her lap. "No matter how big you get. I'm still Grampa's baby."

Maddie's eyes lowered and she sighed heavily, leaning her head on her mother's shoulder. "Daddy's really mad at me, huh?"

Bella kissed her forehead and hugged her gently, her heart wrenching at the sad tone of her voice. "No, he's not mad. But I think he deserves an apology when he gets home tomorrow."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The next afternoon, a black Mercedes pulled into the driveway and Maddie stood by the window, biting her lip as she watched her father and grandfather step out of the car. She looked to her mother, who was standing by the open front door and she moved toward it, her steps hastening as walked outside. Breaking into a run, she jumped into his arms, squeezing him tightly around the neck.

"I'm sorry, Daddy," she cried into his shoulder as he held her, wrapping her legs around his waist as well. "I love you."

Bella's eyes began to well at the scene in front of her, as her father in law came to the door and wrapped his arm around her shoulder, giving his son and granddaughter a moment alone. Edward's lips were pressed firmly against his little girl's hair, hugging her against him securely and pinching his eyes closed. But the relief was evident on his face.

"God, I love you too. I'm so sorry I missed your birthday, baby," he replied emotionally, tears involuntarily trailing down his face.

"Don't cry, Daddy," Maddie said, placing her hand on his cheek as she pulled back to look at him. "Me and Mommy have a surprise for you."

He set her down on the ground as she began to wiggle free and she took his hand, leading him through the house and into the back yard. There he found all the decorations from her party still in place and three plates set around the table, with a small cake at the head chair.

"We can have our own party," she said proudly, hugging around his legs.

After his father said goodbye, Edward sat down at the table with Bella and their daughter, watching his wife light the large '5' candle in the middle of the cake.

Taking her father's hand, Maddie smiled. "Blow it out with me, Daddy. And don't forget to make a wish."

One… two… whoosh.