Chapter 25

—

1 Year Later

"Mac! Come give Daddy kisses."

I knew he called her that just to tease me. As much as I hated the nickname, I couldn't help but smile at the way our little girl lit up, squirming to get out of my arms when she saw Edward climb onto the bus. I put her down, watching as she toddled over to him, her chubby legs carrying her as fast as she could go.

"Da! Da!" she squealed as he lifted her up, blowing raspberries on her belly.

I sighed, rolling my eyes as I sat down on the couch. "You'll give her a complex, you know. She's gonna think she's supposed to drive an 18-wheeler when she grows up."

"So?" He shot me a grin before turning back to our daughter. "You want to drive a truck, Mac?" He tickled her belly again, causing her to giggle before she let out an enormous yawn that seemed too large for her little body. It was hours after her bedtime, but we only got a few weeks here and there with daddy during the months he toured.

It was more important to me that she spent time with Edward when she could than it was to follow a routine when we were on the road.

"How was the show?"

He sat down beside me, cradling Mackenzie against his chest while she laid her head on his shoulder, fighting sleep. It was moments like these that I knew all the stress and exhaustion of bringing a one-year-old on tour was worth it.

"It was great. They're digging the new music."

"I don't know why you ever doubted they would. You made it on the top 100 for a reason." I brushed a few curls out of his eyes before glancing down at our baby girl, taking in how much she looked like him, down to the way she pouted in her sleep. "Do you want me to take her so you can change?"

"No, I'm happy to hold her. How is Alice working out? Where is she?"

I smirked at him. "Alice has a bit of a crush. It's almost as if every other word out of her mouth is about Jasper. I may have sent her to meet him on their bus just so she'd stop. Otherwise, she's a Godsend."

—BtMO—

Just a few months ago, it was a nightmare to join Edward on the bus. He'd offered to hire a nanny, but I'd refused. The last thing I wanted was to become one of those moms, the ones who let a stranger raise their child so they never had to give up an ounce of freedom. I didn't want that. I'd never forgive myself if I missed her first words, her first steps, or any other first.

But I hadn't realized how hard it would be, or how I'd miss every show. I knew she'd most likely be fine with noise-canceling headphones, but I didn't want to risk it. Therefore, I'd only get to see him when he was on the bus, which was fine, but I also wanted to go out and explore the cities we stopped in. Edward wasn't always able to drop everything and go with me, and it was nearly impossible on my own.

I had to hire a car service, pack her diaper bag, lug her stroller around when I couldn't use it, all while juggling Mackenzie herself. After the first few outings, I gave up, and that was when he'd broached the subject of a nanny again.

I preferred to call Alice my helper or, better yet, my friend. It was much easier to juggle everything when I had another set of hands, and it made exploring new cities much more fun when I had someone to enjoy it with when Edward was unavailable. It was also nice to go to shows or on dates with my husband.

"You playing matchmaker, mama?"

"No," I huffed. "It's not matchmaking when both parties involved want to rip each other's clothes off."

"Speaking of ripping each other's clothes off…" He leaned over, making sure not to wake Mackenzie, and pressed a kiss to my lips. "I'm gonna go lay her down, and when I get back... I wanna play rockstar and groupie."

I threw my head back, laughing as I watched him walk away. I loved nights like that.

—BtMO—

I reached out, searching for Edward. All I found were cold sheets, so I sat up and glanced over at Mackenzie's playpen, also finding it empty.

That was when I heard Edward singing along to the soft strumming of his guitar while Mackenzie squealed. I hopped out of bed, padding into the other room.

"Did we wake you?" He looked up as I walked in.

"No, but I didn't expect to sleep so late."

He smiled and shrugged. "I thought you could use the break. You do a lot. You travel around the country with me for weeks at a time while taking care of a toddler, and then you do it all on your own when you're home. I know it's not much, but I figured I could take care of her this morning at the very least."

"Thank you." I plopped down on the floor next to him, opening my arms for Mackenzie to climb onto my lap. "What were you singing?"

"Oo-De-Lally." He smiled before he went back to strumming his guitar. It wasn't a surprise that he'd pick that song to sing with her. Robin Hood was his favorite movie when he was little, and he'd set out to make sure our daughter loved it too.

"Did she have breakfast?" I asked as she squirmed against me before escaping and toddling over to Edward.

"'Tar!" She pointed at his guitar, and he set it to the side so he could pull her onto his lap before picking his guitar back up and helping her pretend to strum. As I watched them together, I felt a stirring in my belly.

"M-hm, she had a piece of toast and some banana."

"I want to have another baby," I blurted out.

He stared at me for what was probably only a couple of seconds but felt like an eternity. "Yeah. Yeah, okay." He nodded.

"I know she's still so little, but I thought after the tour was over—"

He put both Mackenzie and his guitar down before pulling me close and kissing me deeply. "I said yes, Bella, you don't need to sell me on it. I think it's a great idea, and I really can't wait to get started on the trying."

Just one more chapter to go after this...

Also, if you're wanting to hear the song Edward is singing to Mac, or to see how I picture her, head over to my group, Stories by MissLiss15!