Edward had ended up asleep on the bed with Abby as I took the couch. Neither one of us felt comfortable leaving her alone after everything she had been through. I hadn't gotten much sleep on the uncomfortable couch, and had used the time to think. I didn't know where Abby left us, I knew I wanted to be with him. Abby didn't change that, but I knew things would be different.
I looked at their sleeping form and I couldn't help but smile. They looked so cute together, so alike, like father and daughter. Part of me longed to be part of the family. I knew it was too soon, we had been together for a month. But I knew, I wanted to be his wife and a mother to Abby.
"Bella?" I heard Abby's soft voice call.
"Yes, princess." I said going to her side. "Daddy's arm is heavy." She complained as I laughed lifting Edward's arm off her.
"Is that better?" I asked.
"Much better." She replied reaching for her teddy bear that had ended up at the foot of the bed. "Can you comb my hair?"
"If you want me to." I answered picking her off the bed and sitting her on the small couch. I went to purse finding a small brush and a hair tie.
"Bella? What's my daddy like?" She inquired as my heart broke. No child should have to ask about her father, because they are supposed to be a part of their lives.
"He's really fun and funny." I answered stopping myself from crying. I would not cry in front of her.
"Do you two have kids together?" She asked as I laughed.
"No Abby, we don't have kids. We're not even married." I protested just as I had finished her braid.
"You don't have to be married to have kids. You just have to write to the stork." She said matter of factly as I laughed.
"You do!" I said in surprise as she nodded eagerly.
"You write to the stork and they bring you a seed that you drink it like a pill. And then the baby grows in your stomach." She explained pointing to my stomach.
"Like a tree?" I questioned with a shocked expression.
"Like a tree." She nodded furiously as I laughed. "You didn't know?"
"No, I didn't." I replied as she giggled.
"You're silly, Bella." She commented giving me a hug. "Can we watch cartoons?"
"What do you want to watch?" I asked getting the remote control.
"Spongebob!" She exclaimed climbing on my lap. I flipped through the channels and thankfully found Spongebob on TV.
EPOV
I pretended to be asleep as I observed Bella and Abby interact. They interacted easily, as if they had always been best friends. Bella was great with kids, and it made me happy. Things would change once we got back to Vegas. I would need to get a house, because Abby couldn't live in a hotel. Plus there was no room for Abby and I in Bella's place.
I felt my heart soar as I heard her refer to me as daddy. She was such a bubbly child, and I loved her more than anything in the world. I wanted to make sure that she would never hurt again.
"Daddy are you awake?" She asked climbing off from Bella and running to me.
"I'm awake, princess." I assured her as she gave me a hug and a kiss.
"Good morning, Edward, Bella, Abby." James said walking in.
"Good morning." I said sitting up with Abby in my arms.
"Can we speak privately?" He asked me as I nodded.
"Where you going, daddy?" Abby asked as I kissed her forehead.
"I'm going outside to talk to Mr. James. I'll be right back." I replied as she looked up at me with fear.
"You're not leaving again. Right?" She questioned as I shook my head.
"Abby, I'm not going anywhere." I assured her as she gave me a tight hug before walking towards Bella and climbing back on her lap.
"I'm so happy that she has you. There aren't many happy endings in my line of work." He sighed as I nodded. "We got the paternity test results a bit early, we pulled some strings at the lab. I don't see a reason for Abby to stay in the hospital."
"So am I?" I asked silently praying that I was. I wouldn't want Abby to end up in a foster home all by herself. It just wasn't fair.
"You are the father, Edward." He said handing me a manila envelope.
"Thank you." I said with a smile taking a deep breath. "What happens now?"
"Well, we will contact your lawyer with custody papers and after a few signatures, she's legally yours." He explained. "Can she leave the state during that process?"
"She can. Her nearest relatives from her mother's side is an Aunt that live in Georgia. They have arranged for Jessica's body to be buried next to her parents in Georgia." He explained as I nodded. "Her aunt will not fight for custody."
"Thank you, Mr. Henderson." I said shaking his hand.
"The doctor should discharge Abby by this afternoon. I have arranged for you to be taken to her house to collect her belongings." He added before leaving down the hall.
I walked back inside finding the two women of my life enjoying an episode of Spongebob Squarepants. "This is my favorite, daddy!" Abby called motioning me to her as I joined them on the couch.
BPOV
I walked across the street from the hospital to a small mall where I hoped to buy Abby some clothes to wear out of the hospital. The clothes she had been wearing during the accident had been ruined, and she wasn't going to leave the hospital in one of their nightgowns.
As I looked through the little girl section I heard my phone begin to ring. "Hey, Alice!" I answered.
"What's new in Chicago?" She asked as I laughed. "What are you up to?"
"If I told you, you wouldn't believe me." I replied picking out a pair of jeans with pink flowers and a white shirt with a pink butterfly.
"Try me." She urged.
"I'm shopping." I admitted as I heard total silence on the line. "Are you there?"
"Shopping without me!" Alice shrieked.
"I'm shopping for Abby. She needs clothes to leave the hospital in." I explained as I heard a mumble on the other line.
"Try Gap Kids." Alice suggested as I laughed. I had finally gotten something right.
"That's exactly where I am." I replied.
"So tell me about Abby." She continued as I found myself smiling.
"She's adorable, Alice. She has Edward's green eyes and bronze colored hair. As soon I saw her I knew she was his, she's beautiful. She's incredibly sweet too, she's even calling him daddy already. The two of them melt my heart." I explained as Alice giggled.
"Mommy Bella." Alice teased as I shrugged. It really didn't sound bad, but I wouldn't over step my bounds.
"I wish, but I don't want her to think I'm replacing her mother. After all is said and done, she's still her mother." I answered as Alice agreed.
I spent the rest of the morning buying her a few things. I bought her a few outfits and a couple of toys. I wanted to make her feel loved and protected, even through all the drama she had faced.
EPOV
Abby had fallen asleep for a nap, and I found myself contemplating how to go about things. I wanted to buy a house in Las Vegas, and I wanted to live with Abby and Bella. I knew things were moving fast with Bella, but I felt like it was right. I felt a strong connection to her. It was almost like we belonged.
"Hi, mom." I whispered when I felt the phone vibrate in my pocket.
"Can I speak to Abby, Edward? I just want to say hello." My mom asked. She was excited to have a granddaughter, and couldn't wait to meet her.
"She just fell asleep, mom." I answered as my mom sighed. "Don't worry we should be in Vegas by tomorrow."
"How is she?" She inquired.
"She's calling me daddy, and she gets along great with Bella. Honestly, I don't think she understands what happened. She's afraid of being left alone though." I explained.
"That's normal, she lost her mother in a traumatic fashion. But you're right she's very young." My mom agreed as we talked for a little bit.
"Mom, I was thinking of getting a house in Vegas. I don't think Abby should be living in a hotel." I said all of a sudden.
"I agree, darling. But you're not one to stay in one place." She cautiously replied.
"I know, but I like Vegas." I stated honestly. "And I want to be with Bella."
"Edward, that's a big commitment." My mom warned. "Bella is a great girl, but you've only known her for a month."
"I know, but I love her mom.' I admitted out loud for the first time a smile appearing on my face. It felt great to say out loud.
"That's wonderful," My mom added.
"I want to ask her to move in with Abby and me," I continued. "I want us to be a family."
"You need to discuss this with her, Edward. It's a big step, but it might be the right step. You also need to take into account Abby." My mom interjected.
I knew she was right, but I knew that's what I wanted. I wanted to have the family I always dreamed off. I wanted to live with Bella and Abby, and one day make our family bigger. But the question remained: Did Bella want the same thing?
A/N: Edward has vocalized his feelings! Who's happy? I know I am, but I know what's coming.
Next Chapter: Edward, Bella, and Abby Talk
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