Yeah I know. Sorry for the long wait. I haven't been motivated, and I wasn't sure what to write. But I hope you enjoy it.

Chapter 26

School had started back up in full swing. Rose, Emmett and Jasper had all graduated in August and had started their life in the real world. Rose

was hired on at the law firm she had intern at over the summer while she started law school. Emmett was working for a friend of our dad's in White Plains that was an accountant. It was hard imagining Emmett working in an actual job that required him to be serious. Jasper got hired on at a PR firm, which made Alice happy since he would be staying in the city.

Bella was starting her junior year while Alcie and I are getting busy on our senior year. Alice is scheduled to graduate in May while I am suppose to in August, right before I start medical school. So far this semester had been crazy, but I made sure to make time for Bella, and my other favorite girl Sophee. Saturdays were always dedicated to her, whether it was a day at the park, zoo, or staying in and playing tea party. Yep, I was whipped by a three year old and I was ok with that.

This Saturday was different and I was a bit nervous. Bella had some test she had to take up at campus so I volunteered, without thinking, of taking Sophee out by myself.

Bella gave me a look. "Really?"

I shrugged. "Yeah. I don't want to miss our Saturday ritual."

Bella bit her lip. "Edward, you really don't have to...I mean its different when its with me...and..."

I shut her up with a kiss and she sighed against my lips. "Bella. I know I don't have to. I know this will be different, but please remember no one is forcing me to do this. I l...adore Sophee and you. You both mean the world to me."

Bella nodded. "Ok. Just be prepared...its much harder on your own."

I nodded. "I promise, she will be in good hands."

Bella kissed me lightly and smiled. "I know she will be."

"Eddie! Can I go play in the sandbox? Sophee asked me when we got to the park.

"Of course sweetie. Just be careful and come get me if you want to go some where else ok?"

She nodded and ran off the the playground. I sat on a bench near where she was at and watched her interact with the other kids. An older lady came and sat down on the same bench as me.

"Your daughter is beautiful."

I looked up at her. "Excuse me."

She pointed over to Sophee. "I saw you two walk in. Its so sweet to see a father and daughter together. She adores you."

I shifted in my seat and rubbed the back of my head. "Um, actually, she's not my daughter...I mean I almost see her that way...I mean...um. I'm dating her mother." I blushed over the fact I was stumbling over my words.

The lady looked at me, then to Sophee, and back to me. "Well, I'm surprised. I mean, she even looks a little like you. And just the little interaction I saw between the two of you...I'm sorry if I made you uncomfortable."

I shook my head. "No its fine. Its funny how the three of us have been out before and no one has said it, I guess they assumed. But you're the first one to call her my daughter." I looked down and smiled. "And I really like that."

She grinned at me. "Well, hopefully your girlfriend sees that and doesn't let you go."

"I won't let her get away. She's everything."

"Have you told her that?"

"Not in so many words."

She patted my hand. "Tell her soon. You never know what tomorrow brings."

And just like that I was reminded about how true that was. How easily I forgot how quickly I lost Natalie. And that in returned reminded me, I hadn't told Bella I loved her. I needed to tell her soon, and push past my fear.

Just then Sophee ran up to me. "Eddie, can I go play up on the playground. Allison and I want to go play princess!"

"Sure sweetie. Just be careful."

She leaned over to me and kissed me on the cheek and then ran off with her friend.

"Does she call you daddy?"

I shook my head. "No, she just says my name, Edward. Well, she says Eddie. She's the only one I let call me that."

"Oh, that's what she said. Eddie. It sounded like daddy."

I had never realized until she said that how much it did sound like daddy...I was really liking that.

I continued talking Lisa; I realized I didn't know her name till halfway through our conversation. As we were talking, a scream went through the park.

"EDDIE!"

My head jerked to where I had just seen Sophee. She wasn't there. I looked around and say her on the ground clutching her arm. I had never moved so fast in my life.

"Sophee, what happened baby?"

"I fell."

"How?"

"I so sorry. We were just playing. Don't be mad at me please?"

I began looking at her arm. "I'm not mad at you. Now, let me look at your arm." As I started to touch it, she screamed in pain. I scooped her up and ran to the car and gently put her in. I dialed Renee's number, praying she would pick up.

"Hello?"

"Renee. It's Edward. Sophee fell off the playground equipment and I think her arm is broken. I'm taking her to the hospital."

"Oh no! Have you called Bella?"

I winced, because honestly I was terrified to tell Bella. I had promised to take car of Sophee and she had gotten hurt.

"I wasn't sure if she was still testing."

"I'll text her and Charlie and I will meet you at the hospital.

We hung up and I began to navigate our way to the hospital.

"Sophee are you doing ok?"

She sniffed and just nodded her head. "It hurt Eddie."

"I know baby. Will get you to the doctor and he'll make you all better ok?"

She nodded and looked down.

As we pulled up, I grabbed Sophee and rushed in.

"I need to see a doctor now!" I screamed.

The nurse at the station just looked at me like I was an idiot.

"What's wrong?"

"I think her arm is broken."

"Ok, well you need to fill out these."

She handed me the forms and I just stared at them. "I...I don't know...I mean I don't know any of this information."

She raised her eyebrow. "And why not?"

"Her mom is my girlfriend. I'm not...not...I was watching her today."

She sighed. "Well we can't admit her without these forms being filled out and a parent consent to treat her..."

"But she needs to see someone now and get x-rayed..."

"Like I said sir...not until these are filled out and a parent or guardian is present."

I was about to lose it. Didn't this lady know that I had an amazing little girl in my arms, who was hurting and needed to be helped now! I then felt a hand on my shoulder and turned to see Charlie. "I got it Edward."

Renee ran over to Sophee and took her from me. Charlie led me to a chair and I collapsed. Renee and Charlie talked with the nurse and then Renee and Sophee disappeared behind a door. It was then I noticed something wet running down my face. I reached my hand up to my cheek, and wiped away the tears I didn't know I had cried. This was all so overwhelming. Charlie came and sat down beside me.

"Are you ok Edward?"

I shook my head. "I just, I mean I had just checked on her and not even two minutes later, she fell. And then they weren't going to see her here because I couldn't fill out her form and I'm not her dad and I know Bella is going to be so mad..."

"Whoa, calm down Edward. Accidents happen. Kids get hurt all the time. Some minor, some major. And Bella won't be mad. You did everything right. You got Sophee here as fast as you could. You kept your head clear...well until you got here, and almost went off on the nurse like any good father would do."

I looked up at him, shocked. "Don't give me that look Edward. Someone would have to be blind to not see the way you look at Sophee...and the way you look at Bella." She patted my on the back. "Don't worry. You'll have many more of these trips in the future."

I shook my head. "Hopefully, if this ever happens again, I'll be able to treat her."

Charlie smiled and we sat there for about five minutes until another nurse peeked her head out.

"Is Sophee's dad and uncle out here?"

I slumped in my seat while Charlie stood up.

"Is her dad not here? She keeps asking for her daddy."

I couldn't keep the smile that was forming on my face to stop. She had asked for me, well not by daddy, but Eddie. And that was fine with me. We walked back to where Sophee was and my heart about broke as I saw Sophee sitting on a table talking to Renee. She heard us approach and she reached for me with her good arm. I went over to her and kissed her head.

"It broken Eddie. I have to get a cast."

I pushed her hair back and smiled at her. "Did you get to pick your color?

She nodded. "I picked our favorite color. Blue!"

I laughed. "You did pick out favorite color. You know what you can do with your cast?"

"What?" she looked up at me.

"People can sign it, or draw pictures on it."

"Really?"

I nodded and she cuddled into my chest. I ran my hand through her hair, so thankful she wasn't hurt worse.

"I love you Eddie."

My breath caught in my throat. She looked up at me. She had causally said things about how she loved me or loved spending time with me, but she had never said 'I love you'.

I smiled and looked down at her. "I love you too sweetie."

As we were walking out of the hospital, Bella came running up.

"Mommy!" Sophee cried.

Bella turned to us and ran over to scoop Sophee in her arms.

"Oh Sophee, are you ok?"

"Yes. I got a blue cast." She held up her arm and I winced when I saw Bella's eyes fill with tears. I was just waiting for her to get mad at me.

"Eddie helped me mama. He took care of me."

Bella looked over at me and gave me a small smile. But she didn't say anything.

"Well, lets go home and I'll make us all a late lunch," Renee said.

We ate lunch quietly, well except for Sophee talking about who she was going to get to sign her cast. Bella hadn't said anything to me and I was terrified that this was the end. Yeah, I know, over dramatic, but this was about her daughter, who she loved, and was here before me. After lunch, Bella went to lay Sophee down for a nap and I followed. After she tucked her in, she came back out and walked to her room. I wasn't sure if I should follow her, but I did.

When I walked into her room, Bella's back was to me. I took a deep breath before I said anything.

"Bella, I am..."

Before I could finish, Bella turned to me, fresh tears streaming down her face and she flung herself into my arms.

"Thank you Edward."

I shook my head. "Its my fault. She got hurt under my watch. I told you she would be in good hands and I bring her back to you broken."

Bella shook her head and looked up at me. "Edward, she could have gotten hurt anytime. Honestly, I am so glad you were there. I don't know if I could have been as calm as you were. You knew exactly what to do and you did it quick. You took care of her as if she was yours...I couldn't...I mean..."

I kissed the top of her head. "You know I see her that way."

Bella nodded. "I know."

I led Bella over to her bed and we laid down. She laid her head on my chest and we relaxed. As we both began to fall asleep, Bella whispered, "I love you Edward."

A smile spread across my face. She loved me. She said it, and I believe it.

"I love you too Bella. So much."

She snuggled into my chest. Before I fell asleep, a thought came to my mind and I snickered.

"What?" Bella asked.

I rolled my eyes. "Why did both Swan girls beat me to saying I love you. Way to bruise a man's ego."

Bella laughed and slapped my chest. "What can I say. Us Swan girls have no filters. I promise I'll let you propose though." After the words came out of her mouth, she stiffened. I knew she hadn't meant to let that slip out, but I was glad it did.

I tightened my arms around her. "I'll hold you to that."