Hello! Sorry for the delays in both of my stories, but this couple of months have been a nightmare in real life, between work, school, and a little of bad luck spell I had for a few days... I wasn't in the right state of mind to right lol!

Also, I wanted to warn you... this story might get too angsty at some point and probably a little sad but I promise a HEA, you had your doubts on OMC and I still managed to give you your HEA so don't lose faith in me!

Anyways, here it is!

SM owns everything!

Chapter 5: From Where You Are

"From Where You Are" – Lifehouse

So far away from where you are
Standing underneath the stars
And I wish you were here

I miss the years that were erased
I miss the way the sunshine would light up your face
I miss all the little things
I never thought that they'd mean everything to me
Yeah, I miss you
And I wish you were here

I feel the beating of your heart
I see the shadows of your face
Just know that wherever you are
Yeah, I miss you
And I wish you were here

"I'm sorry." I tell her softly "I'm so sorry."

I kiss her forehead and go back to watching her sleep as Alice quietly leaves the room too. I stand up and walk to a human pace upstairs to her room so she would be more comfortable instead of being in my cold hard arms and I lay us together in her bed as I refuse to let go of her. The pull and need to make sure she is Ok kept me from leaving her.

I play with a few strands of her hair as I hear her light snores and even breathing.

She really looked like an angel, so sweet and innocent and beautiful. I brush her hair away from her face, marveling at everything she is. She is my daughter, as impossible as it might seem, she is mine… and hers… the product of our love no matter the circumstances.

So it's while I'm watching Elizabeth sleep in my arms, that I finally understand the pull I had for her. It was more than just a connection, it was way more than that.

I loved her.

The realization makes some warmth spread slowly through my chest warming my cold heart. She was my daughter, a true miracle and I would go back to my change a thousand times for her if I had to. I would give my life for her, I had known her for two days and I've never heard her speak but I could almost feel my heart beating again every time I saw her sweet face and lovely eyes.

It was as if instead of dividing my heart in two it had expanded, big enough to love both of them. Elizabeth was my life, Bella was my soul… Elizabeth was this little angel sent to me from heaven, meant to save us and it was because of this that I had come to the conclusion that no matter what Bella had asked for in her letter, I was going to find her. She didn't deserve this, and even if she didn't want to be with me I was going to save her if she'd let me, she deserved to see our daughter grow, she deserved to be surrounded with people that truly cared for her. My little angel needed her mommy, and almost two days ago when I met her I had vowed to her that I wasn't going to let anything hurt her and her mother's death would surely hurt her.

I can't let that happen.

I'm going to find her… whatever it takes.

Two weeks later…

Elizabeth is fast asleep on her bed in her room I can hear her even breathing while I help Carlisle research more on human and vampire hybrids in his study. She's fast growing –subtle to human eyes but worrisome for other reasons- we can also tell she's weakening at an alarming rate and that's scaring the hell out of me the most. She mostly eats apples and Esme has managed to make her eat full meals two times a day but somehow it doesn't seem enough. She is paler and the glow on her skin is fading, she's sleeping more and Carlisle fears she's coming down with something, Jasper says she is depressed and that maybe that's the reason she is not eating but that something else is bugging her too but he can't point out what.

I'm desperate, I don't know what to do… she is still not speaking and is always staring at me expectantly as if I should know what to do, and because I don't know what to do I always end up messing things and making her cry. Like the other day, Esme had put a plate with food in front of her and I had noticed her frown so I took the plate away and asked her what she wanted instead as she didn't seem to like the steak Esme had prepared for her. Rosalie had argued she needed protein and we ended up in a fight which scared the hell out of her and of course ended up crying, which sent me on an emotional breakdown too.

Carlisle says it must be the father-daughter bond thing, I don't know but the only thing I know is that when she is in pain, I'm in pain too and I can't stand her cries. They rip at me it's as if I'm suffocating which is a strange feeling since I don't need air. Whatever it is, it has me emotionally drained and moody. I need to help her, but I don't how. Carlisle tried to make her some blood tests to see if she was sick, but what a surprise when we found out her skin is impenetrable so Carlisle couldn't draw her blood and we have no reference to know how her pressures is since her heartbeat is not normal like humans, it's quicker.

Of course, between throwing tantrums by myself and searching in old legends and ancient books for any kind of information regarding Elizabeth, I've been looking for my angel as well. I tried her phone, the one I picked out from Mark's mind but it's off. I tried her old house in Forks too but a new family lives there. She sold the house three years ago after Charlie's death, I don't have to think hard to know why she must had needed the money for. After that, there is no record of her whereabouts until almost two years ago when she bought her little apartment in Seattle when she started her treatment and things get stranger after that with every new piece of information I find.

Elizabeth's birth certificate says she was born on December 5th 2007, I get why the year is different so she would pass as a 5 year old but if the date is real, that means Elizabeth was born a little more than three months after I left… is that possible? Well, by now I shouldn't be surprised. I had punched a hole through the wall when I had pictured my pregnant angel all by her own in what must had been a difficult pregnancy.

But what bugs me the most is that where the hell Bella was during this time? There's no clue or trace about her whereabouts. Charlie died a couple of weeks after I left, Bella sold the house immediately but where did she go? Who helped her? She didn't give birth in the hospital in Forks either, as well of any other hospitals in the towns nearby. Which I'm glad since doctors would have immediately noticed something different in Elizabeth and maybe put her in danger. But where did she go? Was she safe?

Angel, please… where are you?

I'm afraid to ask Elizabeth if she knows where her mom is, I don't want to upset her again. I'm torn, I'm torn between shaking the answers out of her and the urge to protect her from any pain.

So this is the only thing I've been doing these past weeks… research, research, research, look, look, look. I even sent Emmet and Alice out to Seattle last week -as I didn't dare to part from Elizabeth- in search of her but came out empty handed, they even went to Forks but once Bella sold her house years ago she never came back.

I tried Rene too, of course she didn't know it was me and I'm sure she wouldn't even recognize my voice as I had only met her that time after James when Bella was in the hospital. Rene had no idea of the whereabouts of her daughter either, it made me so angry. This woman had tried to convince Bella to kill my child, and now… I'm sure she doesn't even know she was sick. I heard a little bit of guilt on her voice about not hearing from her daughter in years and I know I'm no one to judge but still it made me mad she had given her back to her own daughter when she needed her the most.

I hear Elizabeth stir, and as I was used by now I was out of my seat before I heard her cries. I entered her room and sat next to her on her bed, gently waking her up.

"Shh… shh… it's Ok… it's Ok… just a nightmare…" I caressed her cheek until finally she opened her teary eyes. Her chin was quivering and I immediately lay next to her cradling her against my chest as she let her tears fall freely, immediately I felt my chest lose is tightness as she also calmed down. I heard Rose and Esme pace outside the door and I quietly told them to leave us alone.

"Tell me if you need anything." Esme thought.

"I'll make her breakfast." Rosalie thought to herself. "Wonder if I can make pancakes this time."

Elizabeth hiccupped and I kissed her forehead before meeting her eyes.

"Are you better now?" I ask softly but she only stares back at me, expectantly.

…

…

…

It's at time like this, when I wonder how much she is aware of. Does she know why she is here? Does she know what I am?

"Wonder what's going through that pretty head of yours." I tell her softly.

She blinks away her tears.

"I wish I could read your mind you know?… so I knew how to make things better." I whispered brushing her hair away from her face and she looked down.

It made me sad every time she avoided my gaze, I knew she was still unsure about me and I knew this was as new to her as to me but I wish she trusted me enough to be herself around me, and more importantly to tell me what was bugging her, what her nightmares were about, to maybe answer some questions… but I still had to win her trust. To her I was just a random guy, a stranger.

"You can talk to me you know?" I whisper "I know you can talk… I see it in your eyes…" I insist, tracing my index finger down her perfect nose.

…

…

…

Nothing.

"Elizabeth…" I started to say but she frowned and I chuckled softly "Sorry, Lizzie…" she had made clear last week she preferred Lizzie "you can trust me… I-I'm your fa-father... I'm here to protect you… tell me what you need angel… I don't want you to suffer."

Her eyes watered again so I kiss her tears away.

"Don't cry little angel… I don't want you to cry…" I tell her honestly "I just want you to be happy, I want to only see you smile… I'm so-orry for everything you've been through… I'm sorry… but please tell me what you want." I cried desperately as more tears fell down her eyes. "You want your mommy?" My voice broke at referring to Bella as mommy. "Is that why you are sad?" I ask, trying to get a glimpse at her thoughts.

She nods, shutting her eyes closed and I bring her closer to my chest, rocking us on her bed.

"So help me baby… I want her here too… you know where she is?" I ask, giving up to my own desires at finding her too.

She shook her head crying harder and I closed my eyes at the waves of pain. I sense Jasper's help, but it wasn't enough.

Angel… where are you.

I miss you.

We need you. Please.

My siblings are out to school, and only Esme and I are in the house with Elizabeth as she sleeps. She woke up four times during the night so she must be tired even though it's almost noon, therefore after she woke up crying this morning she went back to sleep.

I dropped out of college and quitted at the clinic, not having time to keep up the façade, Elizabeth was my priority and I have every intention at keeping an eye close 24/7 especially since she doesn't seem to be getting better. That and that I know I'm running out of time… Mark said three months, and two weeks have passed already and I still had found nothing on Bella.

I'm hacking into every hospital in Seattle for any trace of her, checking if she got herself checked in on some other hospital when my phone rings. Thinking it might be Carlisle with news I answer without looking.

"Hello."

"Hi Edward." Tanya says softly and I suppress a groan.

"I'm busy."

"I know, Carlisle called… he told us everything after cancelling our plans two weeks ago, are you Ok?"

"I'm fine." I say looking back to my laptop.

"I was just calling to see if you needed anything, we are still amazed by the news…"

"Yeah, it was a shock for everyone."

"I can imagine… I'm here Edward, as a friend if you need me."

"Thank you Tanya, that's very kind of you but I don't need your help."

"Are you sure? I'd love to help you Edward, I know it must be hard what you are going through."

"Yes, ehmm listen I gotta go Lizzie is waking up." I lied not wanting to be held up longer and discuss my feelings with Tanya. Time was precious to me now, something I never thought possible since I literally had all the time in the world.

"Sure… see you this weekend then." She said a little disappointed.

"What?" I ask in surprise.

"Oh, didn't you know? We are coming this Friday, we want to meet your daughter… Laurent is pretty interested since he knew Bella."

I wince at the mention of her name, but as my mind registered what she said something tugs at my mind, call it instinct but I'm suddenly wary.

"Laurent is still with you?"

"Yes, he and Irina are official now… he's a nice guy."

"I guess… anyway feed before you come here, she doesn't smell like human but blood still runs through her system and I don't want to risk her." I insist.

"Of course Edward, we mean no harm to your daughter… god, it's really weird to say that."

"I know… Ok, I really have to go now Tanya."

"Alright, I'll leave you alone… seriously, call if you need anything."

"Thanks."

And with that I hung up.

I take in an unnecessary breath.

I'm not sure about the Denali's coming, I know they mean no harm but Lizzie is already having a hard time adjusting with everything I don't want to throw more people into the mix. I can tell she is warming up a little towards Emmet I caught her smile the other night when Emmet was having a tantrum about Jasper beating him at some chess game.

I stand up from the desk deciding I need some distractions before going back to hack into dozens of databases at the same time. Esme is upstairs going through some recipes with apples for Lizzie and I walk into the living room where my grand piano is. I sit on the bench and start a soft melody that has been playing in my head, but since I'm not in the mood to compose I switch to more familiar stuff. It's not long before I'm playing my angel's lullaby.

Suddenly I hear light footsteps and I don't have to turn around to know who it is. I'm so attuned to her heartbeat I know I can hear it from a great distance. She comes to a stop behind me, and I continue with my composition. When I'm done I take an encouraging breath and turn to her.

"Hi." I say smiling a little, she is wearing her pink pajamas and holding her blankie with both hands, her hair a complete chaos.

She looks so cute.

"Are you hungry?" I ask her and she shakes her head, then I see her eyes scan the grand piano.

"You like music?" I inquire, curious as ever and trying to find something more about her and she nods. Making me wonder what type of music she likes, I could play forever if it meant she was happy.

"You want me to play again?" I ask and she nods a little too eagerly before sitting on the floor by the door making me chuckle.

"Don't you prefer to sit in a more comfortable place?" She shakes her head and I see a small glint in her eyes, as if she is hiding something amusing to her.

"Ok." I say "Do you have any preference?" she immediately points at me. "You want the lullaby I was playing before?" She nods frantically and my heart swells, I haven't seen her eyes this bright since she got here. "Ok." I say before turning back around and start again with the piece.

As I start to play the familiar melody, I hear her heart rate quicken. I look at her through the reflection in the window in alarm and for the first time she seems at ease, she even has a faraway look. When I'm done with the piece a few minutes later, I'm suddenly startled to see her sitting on the floor next to me instead at by the door where she had been. I didn't hear her move, much less notice her.

I look at her strangely and she just stares back at me with her bright knowing eyes.

"When did you move?" I ask but she just shrugs.

I'm about to ask something else, but in that moment Esme walks into the room with a bowl with oatmeal, Elizabeth makes a face and my interest spikes.

"You don't like oatmeal either?" I ask and she shakes her head at me hopefully.

"What do you like honey?" Esme caresses her face "We can't keep throwing food away… maybe you can come with us to the grocery store and show us what you like?"

She shakes her head and takes a spoonful of oatmeal.

I watch her curiously as she chews and swallows her food, and if she doesn't like it I can't really blame her. That stuff smells disgusting but Carlisle suggested it so she could win some of her strength back. When she's done she looks back at the piano longingly.

"You want me to play again?" I offer and she looks at me hopefully. I smile warmly at her and scoot over in my seat motioning her to sit next to me. Slowly she stands up, clutching her blanket with both hands and I help her up.

"You want me to play something new?" I say going through all the happy songs I know in my head but she shakes her head.

I hear my siblings arrive in the background but I ignore them.

"So, the same one?"

She nods.

"Alright." I say before starting my angel's lullaby again.

It hurts to play this song since it makes me think of her, but at the same time it makes me happy that Lizzie seems to like it and relax when she hears it. So no matter how much it hurts me, I'll keep playing until she asks me to stop.

Anything for my little angel.

"Did she eat already?" Rosalie asks as soon as she steps into the house and I hear Esme stop her from coming to look for Lizzie.

"Yes, she is with Edward… let them be for a while she'll be fine." She answers gently.

"What is she wearing? It's cold outside, humans get cold easily… let me go grab her a blanket or something." She insists.

I understand where Rosalie is coming from, and I'm grateful for her concern and her worry about Lizzie, but somehow having someone else trying to play the mother role for Elizabeth doesn't sit well with me. I'm really grateful for her help, but Alice has been as helpful and she is not pretending to be someone she is not. Lizzie had her mother, and no one would ever take her place. I need Rosalie to know this but I don't want to start another fight again right now.

"Rosalie…" Esme warns "Let them be alone for a while… and she has her blankie so I'm sure she is fine. Besides, I know Edward won't let her be cold. He can do it alone."

"I'm turning on the heater just in case."

I hear Lizzie huff quietly and I turned to her amused by her unusual gesture.

"Am I boring you?" I ask and her eyes shot back to me "Want us to do something else?"

She thinks for a moment before she stands up and walks back to the stairs, I follow her quietly until we reach her room. She goes into her small backpack by the foot of her bed, the one she had with her when we picked her up at the airport and produces a DVD and hands it to me.

Shrek.

"You want to watch this?"

She nods frantically.

"Alright princess." I kiss her forehead and carry her on my hip walking downstairs at a human pace, we all have been careful about our speed in front of her not wanting to scare her with our abilities. Although I'm sure that by now she must know I read minds, she's is too smart and perhaps Bella told her anyway.

I walk into the living room and sit her in the middle of the couch before kneeling in front of the TV and setting everything up, when I'm done I press play and go back to sit next to her just as Emmet walks into the room.

"What are we watching?" He asks happily as her throws himself into the single couch.

"Shrek." I answer as the movie starts.

"I freaking love that movie!" He booms and Lizzie smiles a little. "You like it too Izzybizzy?" He turns to my daughter with a wide smile and Lizzie nods.

"Awesome, I knew I liked you for a reason!" he says good naturedly "I bet you are more fun than your old man."

I roll my eyes at him.

"I'll be back in a moment." I say standing up to look for my laptop so I can continue with my search. I run into Alice on the hallway while she is carrying a basket with hair supplies and a dress in her other hand.

"She is not a doll you know?" I tease and she smiles.

"She is a Cullen, and as every Cullen she must be dressed to the nines!"

"Can't you wait till she finishes her movie? She is so peaceful right now." I plead.

She frowns.

"Alright… I guess I can wait a little."

She went to put the things next to Elizabeth before placing her silver comb on top of the stuff before going back upstairs. Elizabeth frowns when she sees all the stuff Alice has brought and I chuckle quietly before I go back to Carlisle's study for my laptop leaving Emmet and Lizzie alone in the living room for a minute. When I'm back I go into the kitchen, cut and apple in thin slices and go to sit back next to Lizzie handing her the bowl with her snack.

I try to concentrate on my research, but Emmet's laughs through the movie are hard to ignore, but all the extra effort is worth it when I see Lizzie smile a little every now and then. At some point Jasper and Rosalie join us in the living room so I put the laptop on the floor and relax, trying to enjoy the family time and trying to learn more about my daughter.

I feel my heart about to come out of my chest when Lizzie moves to rest her head on my lap. The gesture making me so happy and warm in the inside, she is obviously still wary about us but it makes me so happy she starting to feel comfortable around me.

You would think she'll use her blankie to cover herself, but I've never seen her actually do it. She is always just holding it, most of the time with both hands like now, hugging it to her chest. I wonder what that is about.

My thoughts are cut short when a new vision hits Alice making her gasp on the second floor. I tense and Lizzie senses it looking up at me as the rest of my siblings.

Bella is throwing up on the floor in what looks like a bathroom, barely making it to the toilet. Her hair is so thin and lifeless in a messy pony tail, her cries becoming louder with every heave.

"Alice." I choke out.

"I'm sorry… I still can't tell where she is." She cries.

I look away, not wanting Lizzie to see my face and thankfully Rosalie calls for her attention.

"Lizzie, sweetie are you comfortable? Do you need a pillow?"

My daughter shakes her head, and I see her staring back at me through the reflection of the windows.

She tugs at my shirt and I look down to see her staring questioningly at me.

Can she feel my pain too as I feel hers?

I trace my fingers down her soft hair and her eyes water again.

"It's Ok." I try to reassure her but I know she can see the lie in my eyes. "Watch your movie." She frowns before pulling away from me and turning her eyes back to the TV screen, I sigh and open my laptop again.

Bella is getting worse and I fear I won't have those three months… well, two and a half months now. She was throwing up, probably in reaction to her medicine and it pains me to see her go through it all on her own. Why is she refusing our help? If she doesn't want me near then I'm sure Alice or Esme will be more than willing to help her.

She is so stubborn!

After a while, the movie is over and as soon as the credits are rolling Alice walks into the room.

"Lizzie, time to get you ready for the day!" Alice sings happily and Lizzie stiffens next to me.

"Alice, is this really necessary? She is not going out anyways." I say sensing her distress.

"Shut up now… let's start with your hair sunshine…" Alice goes to look into the basket she left on the living room with her stuff when I had gone for my laptop. Then she frowns confusingly "Hey, where is my comb?" She asks.

"You comb?" Jasper enters into the room.

"Yes, my silver comb I'm sure I left it here…"

"Maybe you left it in your room." He suggests.

"No, I'm sure I put it on top… Emmet! Where did you hid it?!" Alice glares but Emmet just looked at her confusedly.

"What are you talking about?"

"It's not funny! Where's my comb?!"

"I swear I don't know what you are talking about!" He says defensively.

"You are paying for this! It's my favorite comb!"

Alice stomps out of the room angrily with Jasper following her. Then I feel Lizzie tug at my shirt again, when I look back at her she points at the TV screen.

"You want to watch it again?" I ask incredulous and she nods. "Alright." I say, doing what she asked for.

"Elizabeth, it's a little past noon… maybe you can try to eat something again?" Rosalie begs worriedly "She is looking paler by the minute."

"Aunt Rosalie is right… I'll put the movie again but only if you try something to eat." I bargain, Lizzie seems to think for a moment before nodding and Rose runs to the kitchen to make some chicken soup.

Where is Alice's comb? Where the heck Bella was when she was pregnant? Why isn't Lizzie talking?

Can't wait to hear your thoughts!

Saludos!

tpec