GIVE ME A CHANCE

Disclaimer: The Cullens, the Swans, and most of the characters mentioned in the story that are known from Stephanie Meyer's beloved Twilight Saga, are all hers and hers alone. I neither have nor wish to pass them off as mine. I do appreciate the fact that she did bring them to life and allows us to play with them in our imaginations. The only thing I will claim is the current storyline

Of course, Edward didn't know how a child's mind works. Their attention span at times is not long, but, they don't forget, not really. Causing over the next few days Toni was bombarding a specific question per day at him along with ones he hadn't answered yet. Questions like, "where do babies come from?", "Did you and moma have fun making me?", "Is it hard to make a baby?", "Why do babies stay in a moma's tummy for so long?", "Does it really take a boy and a girl to make a baby?", "Do you know where I can find a boy to help make the baby?", "When are you and moma going to give me a baby?", and then the straw that really got him was, "Daddy, why did you not want me after helping make me?".

That was the question that brought him to his knees literally. The only thing he could tell her was that she was wrong, he did want, that he loved her and her mother more than life itself. But, if she would be patient, once moma got home they would sit down together and answer all of her questions the next time she asked them. That seemed to satisfy her for the moment.

Bella and Jasper arrived home on the fourteenth day since the book tour had been extended for another two days to find Alice and Edward both defeated and looking the worst for wear. What could have caused this change in the pair? Neither had it in them at the moment to even try to explain. Just wait until everyone has had a rest.

But, both Alice and Edward were suffering from heartache because of the final question of a four year old. How could they explain things without knowing what Bella had told her, or, without making Bella like bad? They all really needed to talk to get Toni beyond this.

CHAPTER 21:

As Jasper and Bella walked in the door, the scene that met them was one of sadness and misery. What could have caused the exuberant Alice and the stoic Edward to be acting in this manner? The first thought that flashed through Bella's mind was that something had happened to Toni. But, if that was the case them why were they here instead of with her? And hadn't they called her to let her know something was wrong? She and Jasper looked at one another and then back at the scene in front of them.

"What the hell is wrong with you two?" he asks.

"What's wrong with Toni?" Bella asked at the same time. Not sure if they heard her since Jasper seemed to be the louder one of the two of them.

"Nothing is wrong with Toni; it's the other way around. It's what she did to us and we don't know just yet how to fix it." Explains Alice.

"Okay. So, I get we have a problem that involves Toni, but, what I don't know is it deliberate or accidental."

"Just being a child asking questions."

"Hold it right there. This is going to take explanation and I want to get unpacked, a hot shower and comfortable followed by something to eat while you two tell me what happened. I want all the details from that point we can get things straightened out." Bella tells them. After that she turns to pick up her suitcase and marches up to her room to follow through with her stated intentions.

Jasper remained behind and waited to be updated as to what had occurred while they were gone. As Edward and then Alice filled him in his expression became more puzzled than anything else. He wanted to know why they didn't just answer her questions.

"Because I am not really sure what Bella has and hasn't told her. We're in the dark in that area. With that being said if the wrong answer had been given what effect do you think that would have had on all of our relationship with Toni?"

"I see your point. But, I don't think anything will be accomplished tonight. Bella has had a rough fourteen days. Shit! I never knew a book tour could be so intense and exhausting at the same time."

"This wasn't bad compared to what they have been in the past, cuz. But, it's good to be home." Responded Bella as she entered the kitchen. "Now, what seems to be the big problem with Toni that has to be taken care of immediately?

So once again Edward and Alice relay what they had told Jasper about the questions over the last few days. Informing her also of the reason why they hadn't answered some of them. Bella just looked at them for a moment like they were crazy and then laughed. "Toni knew why you were there. But, being a child she wanted to hear the same information from you. You have to remember she is only four years old and will not ask a question that is with adult logic behind it." She explained to them.

"Bella, will you please tell us what you have told Toni so I know how to deal with it the next time as I am sure it will come up again?"

"No, not tonight." As she says that everyone start to react to her statement, but, she holds up her hand for them to just wait as she isn't finished. "There is no point having to go over it time and time again. Just wait until tomorrow and you all can be present when I talk with Toni and hear for yourself what has been told to her and what will be said to her." And with that said she gets up heading for the stairs and her room to go to bed. After she is safely behind closed doors she melts towards the floor filled with the emotional upset she had been hiding from everyone downstairs. The thought of her baby girl wanting to know that about her father. While she would definitely handle that in the morning before anything else was done. It wasn't fair to Edward, Alice or anyone else for Toni to have thoughts and doubts like that. She finally crawls into bed and let exhaustion have its way.

It seem like she had just gotten to sleep when all of sudden a solid mass was on top of her, wet kisses raining on her face and the bed moving like a bouncy house. "Okay. Okay! Stop. Stop!" Bella grabs her rolling to the side with the wiggling bundle of joy while laughing at the same time.

"Moma, you home."

"Yes, baby, I'm home. Were you a good girl for Aunt Alice and daddy?"

"Yes ma'am. Just be myself as daddy tells me." She says and laughs as Bella starts tickling her.

"Okay, let me get a shower and dressed then we'll go get some breakfast together."

"K." So, Toni settles to watch cartoons in her mother's room while she is getting ready. It doesn't take Bella long in the shower or to get dressed. Shortly the bathroom door opens with Bella coming through to take Toni's hand and they head down for the kitchen and breakfast. Bella knows she needs to talk with Toni and that it needs to be done with everyone else around, but, she doesn't want it to seem like she is making a big deal out of the situation. That would create stress for the little one and could make her hesitant to talk with Bella or Edward about a problem in the future.

Once they are in the kitchen they find that Alice, Jasper and Edward are there waiting, but, each have a cup of coffee before them. They smile when Bella and Toni enter the room and Edward holds his arms open to receive his daughter to give her a good morning kiss and hug. Bella announces that she is staying home for the last couple of days so they can all do something as a family. Toni gets excited over the news and starts thinking of things they can do together while Bella is getting her breakfast ready.

She has prepared pancakes for whoever wants any along with bacon and scrambled eggs with juice and more coffee made. After serving Toni and herself she sits down at the table next to her daughter and begins to ask her what she did while Jasper and she were gone. Toni starts to tell her about all the things they did and where they went. Then she mentions the grocery store and about Edward spitting soda all over the front of the checkout lady. They both laughed about it and then Bella asked her what had happened to catch her daddy by such surprise.

"I don't know. I asked him about what some ladies were saying." She tells Bella.

"And what were the ladies saying, Toni?"

"They were talking about some lady being preygrow or preygrrr and I wanted to know what it means. Then they were talking about how someone spent the night with a boy and ended up with a baby. So, I asked daddy about that and bunch other stuff."

"Did daddy answer your questions for you?"

"No, he said wait til you home." She answers while she continues eating.

"Okay. Well, daddy and Aunt Alice told me about your questions last night when I got home and I am glad he waited until we could talk with you together.

"The ladies at the store are right, it does take a boy and a girl to have a baby, but, they have to be closer to mine and your daddy's age to be able to do this. It is not something you could do right now, okay? So, at this point just be friends with a boy and don't worry about a baby.

"Next, a baby stays in a moma's stomach for a long time because that is how long it takes it to grow. Just like you don't get to be as big as we are overnight, then a baby doesn't either.

"Do you understand so far? Any questions you want to ask about what I have said?" Bella gently asks her daughter.

"Okay, moma, if I too young and too little will you and daddy give me a baby?"

"Toni, do you remember back when moma started showing you pictures of the family?"

"Yes, ma'am."

"I explained to you then that daddy and I did not think the same way at times so we lived in different places, right?" Toni just nods her head yes.

"Okay, until there comes a time that we decided we can get along with each other without saying mean things to each other there will be no baby." Bella firmly, but still gently explains.

"But, I want-" "No, Antoinette Carlie Marie Cullen, it is not always about what you want. If moma and daddy are being mean to each other and you see or hear it, how does it make you feel?"

"Bad."

"Okay, so, if it makes you feel bad, how would it make a baby feel?"

"Bad."

"Do you really want a bad and you to feel bad like that?"

"No."

"Okay, then. Now, I am not saying that one day there will not be another baby. Just not possible now."

"Now, what about this question about your daddy making a baby with me and then not wanting you? Can you explain that to me?"

"At the park Aunt Alice takes me to most of the other kids have daddies and mommies together, but, I am just now getting my daddy. So, he left after making me and I thought it was because he didn't want me."

"That is not right. I explained this to you before, but, we will go over it again. Daddy was not there because he did not know that he had help make a baby. He and moma had said some really, really mean things to each other, so, I left. It wasn't until later that I was far away from daddy that I knew we had made you. So, I didn't tell daddy or any member of the family. I wasn't talking to them because I was upset about some things.

"But, stop and think, darling, how has everybody been treating you since I told them about you and they have met you?'

"They want me around, play with me and tell me they love me"

"That is correct. So, now that they know everything is okay. They would have been the same way if I had told them when you were made. Do you understand what I am explaining to you? Do you have any more questions?"

Toni looks around the table and then asks, "Is it true? Would you have loved me and not left if moma had told you?"

Edward gets up from the table and walks around to where Toni is seated, he goes down to be eyelevel with her and answers, "Baby girl, if daddy had known I have loved you the same as I do now. If the family had known, they would have still loved you the same as they do now. Daddy didn't leave because I had help make you, I just didn't know about you.

"I loved and still love your moma very much, just like if love you, but, daddy was mean to moma at that time for which I am forever sorry. That is why I didn't know and was not there. And because I had been so mean, moma wanted to keep you safe." He lovingly explains to her while he gently tucks a strain bit of hair behind her ear. Then he runs the back of his hand down her cheek. "I love you both so very much little one, please, never forget that and never doubt it again."

Toni puts her arms around his neck and hugs him tightly to her and says in a low voice, "I love you, daddy."

A/N: Well, Bella talked with Toni and tried to explain the things she was asking questions. Do you think Bella got the point across to her little girl? Do you think Toni understood what she was explaining to her? Charlie and Emmett are going to be having a big meet concerning what Edward told Emmett. What will be their next move? Of Demitri decided on another accident while Bella was away. Do you think it will work to draw the attention away from Bella's accident? Don't they need to inform the police of all they have discovered? Just what is Demitri Salvatore deciding to do next?

I hope that you do enjoy the story as it develops as much as you are enjoying my other stories.

I will try to update at least once a week and wish you good reading on this story and many others that are just divinely outstanding.

I welcome your comments of both good and bad as they show an interest. So, please, take a moment and review and I will answer back.