Hey I know it's been a couple of days but it was Thanksgiving. Most of you know where I am going with this and don't seem to be hating the predictability. I never said I was creative or original, Guys.

Edward glanced at the clock on the bedside table and sighed. She was late again. This was the third time in as many days. He knew exactly where she was. In the NICU watching over the baby.

She wasn't the only one. No, the little girl had captured the hearts of just about everyone to come in contact with her. Even James, Tanya, Jasper, Alice and Alec had been to visit. But Bella had been there almost constantly.

Oh, she told him she was just handling everything as an owner would, but he knew better and she knew he knew better. He didn't call her on it though, knowing instinctively that she needed this. He was concerned that this was going to break her in the long run. The fact was, the little girl would have to be placed. And that place was in the foster care system, a sometimes harsh and undesirable life for anyone especially an infant with the circumstances this child was born into.

He heard her key turn in the lock and sighed a little breath of relief. He always felt better when she was home safely. He heard her keys hit the side table and a clunk as her shoes hit the hardwood floor, probably in his way to where he would trip on them in the morning. He heard her trudge up the stairs, bone tired and drained.

He finally saw her slender form in the muted light in their doorway. He smiled softly at her, swallowing against the lump in his throat at the despair in her eyes. She tried to hide it and say she was fine, but again, he knew better.

"How was your night?" She asked, making conversation. A mindless task for her, her heart obviously not in it.

"Lonely." He said honestly.

Her eyes slowly met his and she nodded and bit her lip.

"Yeah, I had some things to do at work. Work things." She told him.

He slowly nodded.

"How is the baby?" He asked.

A smile spread across her face, instantly making her features brighter, happier.

"She has gained five ounces in three days and she is taking four ounces in her bottle. She is off all oxygen and let me tell you she has a healthy set of lungs. It scared me the first time she cried. Lily is going to be a heartbreaker." She said, almost bouncing on the bed in her excitement.

"Lily?" Edward asked.

She abruptly stopped bouncing and looked down at the floor. She moved to get up but he stopped her. She looked everywhere but at him until the silence became unbearable and she looked him in the eyes.

"Yeah. That is just what I call her, to myself. Jane Doe is too impersonal and I always liked that name." She whispered.

"Bella, what are you going to do when she has to go?" He asked her gently.

She glared at him and moved away towards the dresser. She grabbed some pajamas and slipped into the bathroom. Avoiding.

He heard her clothes rustle to the floor, her belt hitting the floor with clang. He heard the water in the sink come on as she brushed her teeth. He heard her spat into the sink, another rustle as she wiped her mouth on the hand towel hanging to the right of their sink. The door creaked open and the room suddenly was shrouded in darkness as she turned off the light. He felt her get into bed, pulling the covers up her neck and turning away from him.

He knew he should let it go, but he couldn't. It was already going to destroy her when the baby left, he wouldn't let it destroy them though.

"Bella?"

Silence.

"Bella, please. We need to talk about this."

Her throat cleared and then a distinctive sniffle and a muffled sob.

"Oh, Baby."

He pulled her to him and hugged her tight.

"Shhh… I know. Baby, I know."

She turned until her face was buried into his chest, her tears instantly soaking his soft blue shirt. He kissed her silken tresses and murmured soft words of comfort to her.

Her sobs slowly dwindled and her breathing evened out. In the next few minutes she would wipe her eyes and her nose on his shirt, apologize and fall into a troubled sleep.

He continued to hold her long after she disappeared into her dark sanctuary. He would continue to think of a way where she could be happy, because to him, nothing mattered more to him, then her happiness.

There had to be a way.

And he was going to find it.

That is why he found himself slipping into the NICU at five am. Up until now, he had resisted but he found himself wanting to see the tiny person who had the love of his life full of joy and despair at the same time.

He smiled at the nurse who winked at him knowingly and he approached the bassinet.

She was small and pink tinted, with dark blonde hair, long fingers, lips puckered into an adorable pout. Her skin was soft to the touch and her chest rose up and down with every minute breath she took. He let his finger trail over her cheek and he froze when she whimpered and rooted for his finger. She was hungry. She let out a little cry and he looked around for the nurse.

"Do you have a bottle ready for her?" He asked, purposefully keeping his voice soft so as not to startle her.

"Yes, Dr. Cullen." She got one out and handed it to him. He looked down at it, confused.

"You want me to feed her?" He asked.

"You don't have to, but I know you want to." She said wisely.

He cleared his throat and he pulled the rocking chair closer to her temporary bed. The nurse lifted the baby out and settled her into Edward's arms.

He gently placed the nipple at her mouth and she greedily took it, sucking it fiercely. Edward chuckled.

"You are a hungry little girl." He observed out loud.

He rocked them back and forth as she ate. He needed to think. He had to make Bella come out of this intact. He had to make her see reason. He had to make her distance herself from this situation.

All of those worried thoughts and plans went out of the metaphorical window the second she opened her eyes and locked them with his.

They were clear deep blue and even though her gaze was unfocused, they peered straight into his soul.

He gasped out loud, his mind reeling.

He started to make new plans in that very instance. Plans that included him, Bella and this child and the future that awaited them. He had to have this… person… this miracle.

He smiled down at the baby as she grasped his finger.

"Hello Lily. If I have my way, I am going to be your Daddy."

I do love me a Daddyward...

See y'all tomorrow.