Edward POV
Alice had gone to talk to Bella, and refused to let me go with her. I felt restless as I waited for her to return with information on Bella. I sat in front of my piano, which I had not touched in 5 years. I began playing Bella's Lullaby, longing to hold her, kiss her, and take in her mesmerizing scent. The delicate notes flowed through the air as my fingers glided across the keys. I came to the end of the song just as Alice entered. I made my way into the living room where the family was gathering. The prognosis wasn't good, as Alice wore a grim look on her face.
"There are two things that you need to know" she said, looking around the room at everyone, her eyes stopping on mine.
"One, Bella has a daughter, no she isn't seeing anyone, so don't ask.. and two... Bella has a brain tumor that can't be removed. The doctor's have given her 6 months, maybe 8." Noone said anything; just gasped. I didn't wait for anyone to say anything. I bolted out the door and sped through the woods. I heard Esme call out to me, and Alice told her I was going to Bella's and that I would be home later.
It didn't take me long to find her house. I stood at the edge of the woods for a moment, and looked at the large victorian that she called home. It had a large, wrap around porch with a porch swing. It was perfect for Bella. Suddenly, I heard a crash from inside, and a chime-like voice scream "Mommy!". I didn't hesitate. I ran at vampire speed into the house, where Bella lay on the floor, holding her head, and crying in pain. I scooped her up, and hurried to the sofa where I lay her down.
"Edward....my pills....please....". I scanned the room looking for her pills and found them. Her daughter sat on the floor next to her mother, tears falling down her face. I came back with pain medicine and a glass of water. I helped her sit up so she could take it.
"Lizzie bug... close the curtians. I need it dark, baby." Lizzie stood up, and went around the room, drawing the curtains closed. She moved quite fast for a child, which confused me.
"Bella, love, are you
okay? Do you want to go lay down?" She nodded, and I carried her
upstairs. She pointed to her room, and I layed her in the bed, and
drew the covers up over her. She lay with her eyes closed, and was
slowly calming down.
"Don't go... please stay here... the
pills make me sleep, and Lizzie needs someone here. Don't let me
sleep long, please", she whispered.
"I'm not going anywhere." I whispered back. I kissed the top of her head, and stroked her long silky hair until she fell asleep.
I crept back downstairs, where Bella's daughter sat looking out the window, on a window seat. She turned around and looked at me as I sat down on the sofa. I had not noticed before, but she was a breathtakingly beautiful child. Her long hair was a mixture of bronze and Bella's chestnut brown, and was slightly curly at the ends. Her eyes were a shoking green color with topaz flecks, and her skin reminded me of a porcelain doll. Her cheeks had a hint of blush, and she had Bella's full lips. She got up and made her way towards the sofa. She sighed as she sat down, and pinched the bridge of her nose.
"I hope she's okay", the little girl said, in a worried tone.
"Does this happen alot?"
"Yes, but Mommy's headaches are getting worse. She won't tell me what the doctor said, but I think it's bad, because she cries alot when she thinks I am asleep. She misses my daddy." I tried to read her mind, but I couldn't, which didn't suprise me.
"Where is your daddy?" I asked.
"I don't know. But Mommy tells me about him. She says he dazzled her, and that his eyes looked like butterscotch candy. I love butterscotch candy. She said she hopes I meet him one day, and she said he would have no choice but to love me. I hope he does." Oh God. Is it possible? No, it couldn't be. She appeared to be the right age, though. And I cannot deny the fact that she looks like me. I have a daughter. I am a father. In my existence I never thought I would have a family of my own. I thought that dream had dissapeared long ago when I was changed. Yet, here, beside me, sits living, breathing proof that Bella and I created a life. I took a deep breath. She smelled neither human or vampire. She honestly smelled like a mixture of both of us. At that moment, my heart burst with joy at the thought that I was a father, and broke from the fact that the first 4 years of her life, I wasn't there. I didn't understand why Bella didn't write Alice when she found out she was prenant with my baby. I would have been back here as soon as I found out. I never would have wanted her to go through it alone. I would have wanted to be there for every doctor's appointment; to go out a 3 am to get her whatever she craved; to rub her feet when they hurt. I felt like dirt for leaving her, and knowing this made it worse.
"So..uh... did your mom say why he left?" I hoped that Lizzie would tell me more. Young children are notorious for repeating what their parents say.
"Well, she said he was stubborn, and thought she was in danger, so he left. Do you want to see something cool? Mommy doesn't want people to see, but don't tell her I showed you, okay?" She hopped up and I followed her into the back yard. The sun was peaking out through the clouds, and she turned and looked up at me. "You can't tell anybody, ok?" She stepped off the porch, and into the sun. Her skin shimmered, as if covered in glitter. Any doubt that she was my child vanished at that moment. I smiled, and she smiled too. She had my crooked smile.
"Well, Lizzie, I have a secret too, but you can't tell anyone, okay?" She nodded, and I stepped off the porch. I knelt next to her, and held my arm out next to hers. Her eyes grew wide, and her jaw dropped.
"You sparkle like me!" A look of realization washed over her face. She took in my features, and cocked her head to the side.
"Are YOU my daddy?" She asked, raising her eyebrows.
"Yes, Lizzie, I think I am." She threw herself into my arms, smiling.
"I knew it! I knew you were my daddy! I am so glad you're here, Daddy." She kissed me on the cheek, and I stood up with her in my arms. I took her back inside, where we sat down on the sofa. She clung to me tightly, as if she were afraid I might dissapear. It reminded me of Bella, which made me smile. After a few minutes, she pulled away, looking sad.
"What's wrong, honey?" She sighed, and ran her hand through her silky hair.
" I need to feed."
"Well, I can make you a sandwich." She winced, and looked at her lap.
"I don't want regular food."
"Well, my sweet, what would you like? I will get you anything you want." She sat staring at her lap nervously.
"You'll think I'm weird." I laughed at her comment. I could never think my child was weird.
"Sweetie, I will never think you are tell me what you want, and I will get it for you." She looked up at me, and somewhat suprised me when she told me what she wanted.
"I need to hunt,
Daddy." I felt proud to have my daughter ask me to take her
hunting.
"Okay, sweetie. But we need to let your mom know.
She would freak out if she woke up and we were gone." She
giggled, and nodded in agreement. I found a pen and a piece of paper,
and wrote out a note.
Bella,
Lizzie was thirsty. Took her hunting. No worries.... we'll talk when we get back.
Love, Edward
I took the not upstairs, and layed it on her nightstand so she would see it when she awoke. I headed downstairs, and took my daughter's hand in mine as we made our way into the forest.