AN: *Another tissue warning and a little Esme and Edward time!*
Beta´d and pre-read by the DreamTeamª
DISCLAIMER: I OWN NUTHIN!
That´s What Little Girls Are Made Of...
Chapter Twenty-Seven
EPOV
"Edward, you need to eat something," my sister pleaded for the tenth time in as many minutes. "You're no good to her if you don't take better care of yourself, Sweetie." The feel of her fingers massaging my scalp was a welcomed distraction.
Es always knew just how to calm me.
Looking up into her deep hazel eyes, I saw sadness for the little girl whose world had been turned upside down, as well as remembrance for the little boy who also suffered the same fate when he was only nine years old.
It didn't matter that Esme had lost her parents as well. She was determined to put her feelings of grief and despair aside to become whatever I needed at the time, and, now that history was repeating itself, she would do the same thing for Isabella.
We all would!
"How did you do it, Es," I asked earnestly, returning my gaze to the beautiful sleeping child tucked tightly in my arms and gently stroked her hair.
Lately, we'd not been separated for any length of time; it had been that way since Deputy Mark stopped by three days ago.
I wouldn´t have it any other way!
Knowing exactly what I meant, Esme replied softly. "Easy, I loved you."
"Loved?" I quirked a brow in mock agitation at her use of the past tense
"Silly boy," Es slapped my arm playfully, "you know what I meant." Taking on a more serious look, Esme continued, "Edward, from the very first moment Mama placed you in my arms; you were the most important person in my world. So, it was never a question of what to do, but how to go about doing it. I would have died before I let anyone take you from me."
She made it sound so cut and dry, so black and white when it was anything but.
I wasn't the only one who suffered, Es lost her parents too!
It was my fault that her childhood was cut short.
Sensing where my train of thought was headed, Esme was quick to head me off at the self-deprecating path. My feelings have never been a secret, I´ve always felt that Es gave up her life and put her dreams on hold to take care of me; it was the reason I was such an over achiever.
Speaking softly, Esme´s eyes locked with mine. "Edward, losing Mama and Daddy nearly killed me! On the inside, I was a complete mess, but, on the outside, I had to be strong...for you." Cupping my cheek, Esme´s eyes softened, "When I saw the fear that I felt mimicked in your big green eyes, I knew it was my responsibility to take care of you, to make you feel safe again. I owed it to Mama and Daddy to keep you on the right path." Looking down at my sleeping angel, "And that´s exactly what we'll all do for Bella." My grip tightened in reassurance when Bella whimpered in her sleep, and instantly she relaxed under my touch.
Es´s eyes filled with tears; the nightmares were beginning to take a toll on us all.
Smoothing Bella's hair absentmindedly, with a faraway look in her eyes Esme continued to speak. "Edward, for years I believed that God hated me, and therefore, he'd deemed me unworthy of having children. But raising you, and then having Bella literally fall into my life, I now know, this" waving a hand between Isabella and me, "is what my life was meant to be. I was destined to mother two beautiful and lost little children who needed me."
Giving up her crusade to get me to eat, Esme went downstairs in search of her husband.
Content with where I was; I buried my face in Izzy´s hair, inhaling deeply, I let her soft cherry blossom and almond scents lull me to sleep.
Tomorrow was going to be a very trying day for all of us, but especially for Isabella.
Tomorrow, we would all say good-bye to Chief Charles Matthew Swan.
A hero…
A protector…
A friend…
Most importantly...a little girl's father!
Leave me some love! See you guys tomorrow!
Krazi
xoxo