A/N: I don't own this, we all know who does. If I did, Rpattz would be enjoying the ginger molasses cookies I bought while at lunch today. Oh yeah, I also bought my ticket for 8 hours of Rob on the biggest movie screen in Arizona. I love that theater...plus no waiting in line! It's awesome! And so much Edward...I can't wait! :D

This is unbeta'd, so any and all mistakes belong to me. I'm all hyped up on ginger molasses cookies! Paradise Bakery is lovely... If only they'd have GM cookies at the SAME TIME as Lemon Zester cookies. It's just not fair... :(

This is for my wifey, Mrs. Robward. I'm gonna start saving my pennies for next year's BD part 2 showing. We gotta see it together. I'm thinking she needs to come here... :)

Thanks to Luxure & EdwardsBloodType for prereading this. You should see the avi pic EBT has on her fanfic FB account. It's the funniest thing... :D I once read this silly o/s that went with that picture...I need to find it again. :D

**disclaimer **

This story is a bit taboo. Nice, right? :D

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… Chapter Thirty Six - Claire … Edward …

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I look past you to the voice of an angel. Standing there in a long white gown, is the most beautiful thing I've ever seen. I see me in her...but I see you. So much of you.

"Claire, what's wrong?" you ask, leaning forward and blocking my view.

Not on purpose, just out of a sense of duty to this small girl who is your world.

"I'm thirsty. I had some crackers before bed. I'm thirsty now, Mommy."

She bats her eyelashes, leans closer to you.

Holding up a pointer finger, she puckers her lips.

"Who's that man, Mommy?"

Reality slams into my chest like a wrecking ball. She doesn't even know me.

I don't even care if she recognizes me or not, but does she know she HAS a father? Does she know who he is?

Will she hate me?

You whisper to her, in her ear, and her eyes light up.

She walks toward me, between your legs and the table. Her hand reaches for my face, her soft fingers rubbing against my stubble.

"I know you," she says, smiling wide.

"Oh yeah?" I ask, challenging. She's so confident, but does she really?

"Yep, Daddy. I have a picture, you wanna see?" she says, turning and darting back into your bedroom.

I look at you. "Do you share a room with her?" I ask.

You look down, a bit sad. Embarrassed maybe. There's no reason to be.

"Yeah. That's what I could afford at first, and I just liked it here. We stayed. There's room for both our beds, so it works."

I think about my three bedroom apartment, how much space there is for a family.

Maybe our family, someday?

I can't see myself living here. We'd all be on top of each other constantly. That would never work.

You inch closer to the corner of the couch. I think I'm losing you. No need thinking about my apartment, we're no where near that. Yet.

"See?" she says, running in with a little wooden frame. Star stickers surround it.

The same picture I have in my drawer at home stares back at me. I smile.

I looked at this same picture just this afternoon. If I'd known...if I'd known I would be looking at the only other copy that exists in the world, with you and her, I never would have believed it.

But here I am. With both of you. And this picture, the picture I've stared at for years, is brand new. Brought to life all over again.

Memories flood my mind. I don't ever want it them to stop.

"That's you, huh, Daddy?" she says, pointing to me.

I nod, unable to speak.

She points to you. "And that's Mommy. But not Daddy's Mommy, she's my Mommy."

She's sweet, perfect, healthy, smart...everything I've been missing over the past six years.

I just never knew it until now.

And I realize...everything I will ever need in my life is in this room with me.

Now to convince you of that...

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A/N: There she is... I know the cutest little girl named Claire. She's one of my favorite girls at church, she's so cute. And spunky! :D Gotta love that. :D

Sandy at Southern FanFiction Review wrote an incredible review for this story. It made me cry... :) Go check it out and leave her some love. She is always so supportive of me and other authors and stories. I love that. :) I'll get it linked on my profile here so that you can see it. Easy access and all. :)

Reviews are better than soft fingers rubbing against stubble.

Leave one.