Bella's POV:
I spent most of the night trying to get Gracie to go to sleep, to no avail.
Finally, as I began to get frustrated I remembered a song that mother used to sing to us as we sat in the parlor reading.
The small whimpers that Gracie produced from crying all night, tugged at my heart. Figuring that it was worth a try if she went to sleep, I softly began to hum as I gently patted her back, while walking around the room.
As I reach the end of the song, I feel her soft even breathing on the side of my neck.
Even as she curls herself into a little ball in her bed while sucking her little thumb, I can't help but stare at her, admiringly as she sleeps soundlessly after I have laid her back in her crib.
Nights and days like these briefly remind me of those first nights when it was only me and her, scared.
In those first few nights, we both cried, a lot. Gracie for someone to hold her, and me for all the loss we both went through in such a short time. We both learned together after that.
I attempted to go back to bed after Gracie fell asleep, but I found that my mind simply wouldn't stop remembering the familiar devastation on Edward's handsome face. The devastated expression that appeared on his face as I revealed to him that his parents had indeed perished in the second wave of the Influenza.
The same devastation that I knew all too well. It was the same devastation I felt as I lost all of my family. Making me wish that I hadn't informed him of the truth.
I still felt it as I had felt the very moment of their departures. Even though so much time had already passed, the pain would never go away. It still felt as if it had just occurred.
My mother, father, and sister would always be missed. Nothing would change that. No matter how much time comes to pass.
Even as I showered and changed for the day, my mind could stop thinking of the pain that reflected in Edward's eyes. The colored same eyes that my Gracie had. Because after this year, that is what she had come to be, mine.
Even as I changed Gracie for the day, my mind wouldn't allow me to move onto a different topic, Edward and his pained expression yesterday afternoon.
I sigh, before pulling Gracie into my arms and walking out of the room to start our daily routine.
Quickly making my way down the stairs, before heading into the kitchen to make us a light breakfast.
"Gracie, my beautiful angel…" I sighed as I set her down in her chair.
She glanced up at me, with wide curious eyes as I fixed a ribbon on her hair.
The rest of the morning went by pleasantly. Chessie arrived just after eleven-thirty, allowing me to go to my meeting with Edward at the lawyer's office downtown.
"Are you sure you don't mind watching her for a while?" I asked, concerned, as I watched her pick up Gracie from the blanket and bounce her slightly in her arms.
"Of course, not mah-m, I can watch the lassie for a while. I doh'nt mind aht all." Chessie said, smiling at Gracie.
"Alright, if you're sure. I will try to come back as soon as possible. Thank you, Chessie." I replied, grabbing my coat, hat, and gloves, before kneeling and kissing Gracie's head. "I'll be back soon, sweet girl. Behave for Chessie." I whispered, kissing the soft curls on top of her head.
She gave me a toothless grin, before turning back to play with her teddy bear.
As soon as she turned back, I picked up my bag and walked towards the door. Sighing as I slowly made my way across town towards the lawyer's office, hoping this situation wouldn't turn into a complete disaster.