Edward POV
Over a week has gone by since I painted the nursery and Paige and Emmalie tried to sneak out of the house. Emmett said that they won't be going anywhere for a while, and once again, I'm thankful that Abby didn't give in and try to go with them. I don't know what I would have done if she did go with them.
I have the day off, but Bella still has to go to work, so it's just Abby and I for the day. Even though I have the day off, I still have to go in to the hospital to pick something up from my office that I forgot, plus Abby and I need to run a few other errands.
Bella leaves for work at her usual 6:45 and I get in the shower right after she pulls out of the driveway. Abby is still asleep and I figure that she will be up soon. I stay in the shower an extra minute, letting the hot water warm me up. I step out and dry off, then wrap the towel around my waist and walk into our bedroom. I decide on a pair of jeans and a University of Washington shirt to wear. I pull my shirt over my head and walk back into the bathroom to brush my teeth.
Abby is in the kitchen when I walk downstairs. Milk and a box of cereal are on the counter and Abby is standing on a chair, trying to get a bowl from the cabinet. She stretches on her toes and has her tongue out in concentration. As cute as she looks, I have to stop her because either she's going to fall off of the chair, or a bowl is going to fall on her. Both of which I don't want to happen or explain to Bella. I grab her by the waist and set her on the floor. "Daddy, I want to get it by myself." she protests.
"I know, Abby, but I don't want you to fall and get hurt. If you want something you just have to ask."
I get her cereal ready and set it on the bar. I unload and reload the dishwasher as she eats. "Are we going to do anything today?" she asks.
"Yes. We have to go to daddy's work to pick something up and go to the grocery store for a few things and mommy took my car so that we can pick up the crib for the baby's room. We need to go to the bank, too."
After Abby finishes eating her breakfast, I send her upstairs to brush her teeth and comb her hair. I help her put her hair up, not doing as well as Bella would, but Abby doesn't really care that it's not perfect. She gets dressed and I let her watch TV for a little bit while I give Lucky some food and water and put some laundry in the dryer.
"Abby, get your shoes and coat on." I say and turn the TV off.
Abby and I get our shoes and coats on. I let Lucky back inside and take the keys to Bella's car. Abby goes out to the car in front of me and buckles herself into her booster seat. I back out of the driveway and head for the hospital as the first stop.
"Hello, Dr. Cullen." The older woman at the front desk greets me. "Here's your paycheck." She hands me an envelope with my name on it.
"Thank you, Beth." I say.
Beth looks over the counter and sees Abby. "Hi, Abby. How are you?"
"Hi." Abby says quietly. "I'm good."
"I heard that you're going to have a little sister. Is that right?"
"Yes. Daddy said that we have to buy her bed today."
"Well, I bet that's exciting. Edward, do you mind if she has a sucker? They're safe, I promise."
"Not at all. Abby do you want a sucker?"
Abby nods and goes around the corner to the other side of the desk. Beth holds a basket out and Abby very carefully picks out the sucker that she wants. After saying thank you, Abby and I take the elevator up to the third floor, where my office is. I unlock the door and Abby and I walk in. Abby sits in one of the chairs in front of the desk. I take a paper out of one of the desk drawers and start to fill it out. Dr. Collins sees that my door is slightly open and comes in to see why.
"Dr. Cullen, I thought today is your day off."
"Oh, it is. I just had to come in for a few minutes."
He nods. "And who is this beautiful young lady." he squats down to Abby's eye level.
"I'm Abby." she says.
"Well, Abby, your daddy talks about you all the time. You sure have grown since I saw you last. And you're still pretty, just like your mom."
"Thank you." she blushes. Yes, just like her mother.
"Actually, Edward, the patient in 279 won't talk to anyone but you. follow tried to tell her that you aren't here today, but she refuses to let me talk to her. I know it's your day off, but do you mind?"
"Yeah, I'll talk to her. I'll just go see if Beth can watch Abby for a few minutes."
I take Abby downstairs and ask Beth if she can watch her for a few minutes. I check on the patient, talking to her for a few minutes. After about a half hour goes by, I get Abby and we leave, heading off to get my check cashed. Then we go to the store to pick up the crib. A few men from the store load it into Bella's car and now that's one more thing that's done. I'll have to put it together before Bella gets home, because I told her that it will be done.
Our last stop is the grocery store before we go home. We buy the usual things- milk, apples, cereal, and the other things that we usually eat. Abby asks if she can get a candy bar, but the one she wants, and most of the other ones too, have peanuts in them so I have to tell her no. Plus she's already had a sucker and hasn't eaten lunch yet.
Bella calls me on her lunch break. She forgot to tell me that there is a meeting after school, so she won't be home until late. She also asks how the days has gone and I tell her that everything has gone fine. When I ask about her, she seems a little stressed, but that's not unusual this time of year when her students are starting on research papers. I let her get back to her lunch and continue shopping with Abby. Then I notice that it's almost 12:30 as we're getting ready to leave the store.
Abby keeps complaining that she's hungry so I know that lunch needs to be quick and easy. I boil some water in two pots to make hotdogs and macaroni and cheese. As it's cooking Abby sits at the bar and looks through one of the many books she has. It keeps her occupied and the house is silent for a little. Abby stares at her book and Lucky is somewhere upstairs, probably sleeping. Abby and I eat, talking about anything and everything that she can think of. After lunch I clean everything up and head up to put the crib together. Abby goes into her room to play. She wants to watch and help, but I don't want her around all of the small pieces of the crib.
I take out the instructions and everything else that's in the box. I make sure that everything is there before I start to assemble the crib. I get a good ways into it, almost half way, when the doorbell rings. I am confused and I have to think for a minute if I should be expecting anyone to come. Nothing comes to mind so I wonder if it might be a neighbor or something.
I walk downstairs and let the dog out of the back door first. I walk up to the front door and look out the window. There is no car in the driveway, but there is a small gold car parked on the street that I don't recognize. When I open the door I have to look twice to make sure that I'm seeing the right person.