Oh well, this is the longest chapter that I have ever done. (Even though I know for some authors here, it's still short.)

Thank you so much for the reviews!

Hope you enjoy this chap!

R & R

Disclaimer: Stephenie Meyer owns Twilight, no copyright infringement intended.

Where Are You Now

Chapter 12 – Start

(BPOV)

How are we going to answer this question? How will I tell her that I am really her mother? How will she take it?

"Edward, I think we should tell her," I whispered to Edward.

"I think so," he agreed.

Emerald's eyes were still waiting for an answer. She doesn't have to wait long, we will answer it soon.

Edward paid the clothes, and then we had lunch. After eating lunch, I bought Emerald ice cream and we went back to their house.

This girl has a high stamina. She should be all tired now because of too much walking that we have done, but she's not. She still keeps on babbling random things, and she even asked me if I could watch and hear her play the piano. Of course, I said yes. That would be surely adorable. She's too young to play, and I'm sure that Edward taught her since Edward is a pianist. She's also too smart for her age. I'm even thinking that she could go to school already.

After dinner, we went to their music room. Edward promised me that he is going to tell Emerald that I am her real mother after she has played for us. He promised that he will do everything that he can to make Emerald believe and understand.

"Is Emerald good at playing?" I asked Edward.

"Yes, but she can only play few things, and most of them are nursery rhymes," he answered.

Emerald ran to the smaller piano beside the grand piano. Oh, he even bought her, her own. Maybe someday, I could be a proud mother of a musician. That would be great, and I can imagine Emerald playing in front of many people and they are applauding at her because she is so good.

I watched as her small fingers touched the piano keys. Her fingers moved and pressed gracefully as she plays the familiar tune of 'Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.' She is quite good. And I must say that she has a talent. She's really a bright girl. She got the talent from her father.

When she's done playing, she giggled to herself. "I didn't make mistakes!" She cheered.

Edward and I clapped our hands for her, and she blushed. Her blush…it's like mine.

"Daddy, you promised to teach me more, when Twinkle was perfect. When are you going to teach me daddy? And can Bella watch me again?" She asked adorably.

"Soon, I promise. But Bella and I have something to tell you. Baby, do you promise to listen," Edward said intently.

She nodded, "Yes daddy."

"Em, Bella is your real mommy," he said gently to her.

"Bella...my mommy?" she asked confusedly.

"Yes, baby. I have to leave you for a while so that I could study. Your daddy and Camilla found you, and then they took care of you. But I'm back now, and we're going to be together again. I missed you so much," I answered and explained.

Then the room was filled with silence.

"Mommy is not my real mommy," she said, it's like she had a small realization.

"Yes," Edward said.

I hope she won't ask us this question: Daddy, if Bella is my mommy, then why are you two not together?"

Gladly, she didn't.

She jumped to me, and hugged me tightly. I kissed her hair, and I let myself relax in her touch.

Edward left us for a while so we could have some sort of privacy.

"You won't leave me right…just like Mommy Camilla," she asked sadly.

"Of course not baby," I answered surely to her.

"I love you mommy," she said lovingly to me.

I cried out of happiness. I can't help it.

It was just yesterday when I met her, and she learned to love me already.

I heard her whimpered softly. Oh no, I made her cry for the second time.

"Shh…baby, don't cry. I'm not sad, I'm happy. You know, sometimes, when people are so happy, they cry. It's called tears of happiness," I explained to her as I caressed her hair soothingly.

"I love you so much," whispered to her hair.

I carried her and rocked her gently. It has been three years already since I have carried her like this. She's heavier now, but I don't mind.

I can feel her relax on me, and she laid her head on my shoulder. Her breathing became even, and she fell asleep in my arms.

I sighed contently. I love this closeness to her. I feel peace and contentment.

My arms were killing me, so I brought her to her room. I tucked her on her bed, I kissed her forehead, and I went out to find Edward.

He's not in the kitchen and in the living room, so maybe he is inside his room.

I knocked three times on his door, and after a minute, he opened it.

"Hey," he said fuzzily.

Oh, I have interrupted his sleep.

"I'm so sorry; I didn't mean to wake you up. I just wanted to say thank you…and talk about Alice," I said and blushed.

"No, it's fine. Come inside, so we can talk," he offered.

So, I came in without thinking that it would be only the two of us alone inside his room. But I can careless now. I'm done with Emerald, now I just need to straighten up things with Alice.

We sat on the couch beside his door, and I feel awkward again. The couch is pretty small, and our knees our touching.

My heart started beating fast because of the contact. There's no time to feel this! I didn't come here to be with him.

"Um…Alice…so is she close to Camilla?" I asked nervously, even though there is nothing to be nervous about.

"Yes, they are inseparable. They are so close. Alice was always bullied at school, and Camilla was always the one who protects her. They have been sisters and best friends. The girl's heart broke when she knew about Camilla's cancer. Because of that, they even got closer," he answered.

"Oh, maybe that's why she has that reaction to me. Maybe, she can't accept that I am her real sister, and maybe she won't ever. I can understand her," I said hopelessly.

"No, Alice is not that kind of person. You just have to talk to her intently, and she would understand. And maybe if she doesn't take it that good, you need to wait. That girl has a pure heart, she doesn't have vendetta on people."

"Really, so...um…I know it's late, can you drive me to their house?"

"Sure, it's part of my mission."

"Great, thank you so much."

Before leaving, we made sure that Emerald is deeply asleep. We made sure that all the doors were locked, so that nobody could break in.

Edward drove so fast, and it's almost like I'm in a roller coaster.

"I'm sorry, if I'm this fast. I just don't want Emerald alone in the house," he explained.

I just nodded, and closed my eyes. I waited until the car stopped. I opened my eyes, and I found a gigantic mansion in front of us.

Oh my gosh, it's almost like a palace. It's so big.

The gates opened automatically for us, and Edward drove me inside.

When we were in front of the front door, he opened the door of the car for me, and helped me to get out.

"I'll have to go now, just say hi for me to mom and dad. I'm going to bring Emerald here tomorrow. See you," he said before handing my bag to the maid who was behind me.

"Bye, thank you so much. You have done a big thing for me. Someday, I'll have to make it up," I said gratefully.

"No need for that," he assured.

He was about to go inside his car, but I grabbed his wrist.

"Wait," I said, and then I kissed him on the cheek.

He stared at me, and I blushed.

"That was just a thank you gift. Bye," I mumbled.

"Bye."

He went inside his car, and he sped away.

I got my things from the maid.

"Ma'am, let me carry that please," she said persistently.

"No need, I can manage, it's not heavy anyway," I insisted.

"But ma—"

"Let her," dad interrupted her.

I walked towards my father, and I hugged him.

"It's nice seeing you," he said.

"Me too dad."

I pulled away from him. He told me that mom was already asleep, and that the maid will show me my room.

He gave me one quick hug and a kiss on the forehead before letting me go.

…

The next morning, I was waken up my another maid.

She said that breakfast would be in twenty minutes.

I didn't sleep well because I was thinking too much of Emerald.

I'm glad that there is a bathroom inside my room. I don't want to get lost in here by searching for one.

I showered quickly. After that, I wore a blue tank top and white shorts. I blow dried my hair, I slipped on my flip-flops, and I went out.

Outside were maids waiting for me. They are so many in the house.

They led me to the massive dining room. The room was decorated elegantly.

The dining table is so long, and there are only few chairs.

Dad is sitting with mom, and Alice is across them.

I don't know where to sit. So I stood there like a statue.

"Dear, sit beside Alice," mom said.

I followed her and sat beside Alice.

Alice huffed, but I ignored her.

"Good morning," I said shyly.

"Good morning," mom and dad said in unison.

Alice didn't even say a word.

The food was served by two maids with their carts.

The foods were so many for just the four of us.

I'm afraid that the leftovers would just be wasted. This is too lavish. If they just know how important food is to other people.

"Mom, isn't too much for just the four of us?" I pointed at the foods.

"No dear, we have visitors," she said as Edward entered who is carrying a crying Emerald.

I stood up instinctively, I walked to Edward and I checked on Emerald.

"Why is she crying?" I asked Edward.

"She thought you left her. She's been crying since she woke up," he answered.

I took Emerald from him. Emerald clutched on my top tightly, and she looked at me with her teary eyes.

"Mommy."

"Shh...stop crying already. I'm here now," I said soothingly at her.

She stopped crying, but she still cling to me.

I sat on the chair with her on my lap.

She rested her head on my chest.

Edward sat beside me.

My parents looked at us. I assume they already know. I'm sure that Alice has already told them.

"Bella, how did it happen? How did you and Edward had a child…did you two have an affair before?" Mom asked before drinking her coffee.

"No. It was a one night thing, he was drunk and I was drunk," I answered simply.

"Oh," Alice said sarcastically.

"It's true. Yesterday was just the second time that I saw her. I didn't know that I have a real daughter until when we talked about it and she told me," Edward explained further.

Dad cleared his throat, and quickly changed the topic.

"So where do you live? Do you have a boyfriend?" I blushed at dad's second question.

"I live in Forks, Washington right now, and I am engaged," I answered truthfully.

"Engaged?" Mom snapped.

"Yes, for six months now. The wedding would be next month. I hope you could all come."

"Of course, we wouldn't miss it." Mom smiled genuinely.

The rest of the breakfast time flowed seamlessly.

I fed Emerald and myself. She's a little bit clingy right now.

She's not talking too much like she always does. And she never let go of me.

I brought her to my bedroom since she looks sleepy. Edward said that he has to do some work, and he is leaving Emerald with me with for the rest of the week. He said that Emerald have clothes here so he didn't bring any with him.

I laid Emerald on the bed beside me.

She snuggled to me, and I ran my fingers through her hair.

She closed her eyes, and eventually she fell asleep.

I kissed her cheeks before leaving her for a while.

I need to talk to Alice right now before we become more distant to one another.

I went out of the room. I don't know where Alice's room is.

Suddenly, I saw two maids walking.

I waited for them to be near me before asking them.

"Uh...can you tell me where Alice's room is?"

"Yes, ma'am."

They led me to Alice's room which was seven rooms farther from my room.

I thanked them and then they continued to do their chores.

I knocked at Alice's door.

After three minutes, she opened it.

"Can I come in?" I asked nervously.

"Why? What do you need?" She asked impatiently.

"I just want to talk to you," I answered as nicely as I can even though she irritates me by the way she talks.

"We have nothing to talk to, impostor. You're stealing everything that Camilla has. You stole our parents and her daughter. Tell me, are you really Emerald's mother? Or you're just pretending for the money that you can get from this family. Tell me how did you convince Edward to introduce you to my parents as their real daughter? And wait what—I mean who are you going to get next? Is it Edward?" She glared at me, and smiled infectiously.

I tried my best not to slap her cheek. This isn't right anymore. Even though she is my sister, I won't let her treat me like this.

"Oh, we're talking about, me, stealing Camilla's life?" I said with the voice that's full of sarcasm.

"Yes, is it that hard to comprehend?" She used the same tone that I used in her.

"No, it's so easy. I want you to know, that I'm not the one who stole a life. It is Camilla. She stole the life that I should've had.

"Did you know how much I have struggled with my life? Did you know how complicated my life was? Imagine if Camilla didn't steal my life, I should've had an easier life. Did you know that I barely have money before?

"I stopped college because I have no money. I experienced hunger and being homeless. And the hardest thing that I have ever done, leaving Emerald in the orphanage. If I just have money to support her, I would never leave her there. I missed three years of her life already, and I'm not planning to miss more years. And our parents...I never knew that I have until Edward came to my doorstep yesterday.

"Do you how it feels to have no parents? Do you know lost I felt? How empty? Of course you don't because you get to spend your whole life with them. How about me? I just met them. I've lost, I've been stolen, I've lived my life alone, and I've been betrayed. Now, tell me, who has stolen a life?" There was so much emotion that I am feeling right now. Tears are flowing freely on my cheeks. I can't even breathe properly.

I'm not ready for more now, so I left Alice there. Her eyes were full of shock and exasperation.

I ran back to my room. Emerald was still sleeping.

I went beside her, and I wrapped my arms around her.

She slightly stirred, but she remained asleep.

I let myself feel the peace that she is bringing me. I let myself drown into unconsciousness with her.

...

I woke up, and my bed is shaking.

I can hear sweet cute giggles.

I opened my eyes, and Emerald is jumping on the bed.

"Mommy!" she squealed.

Great, she's back to normal again.

"Baby, please don't jump like that, it makes me dizzy," I complained.

She stopped, and she jumped at me.

She got on top of me, and she started placing small kisses on my face. That's too sweet. I giggled as she kissed me.

But someone's stomach growled.

"Baby, looks like we missed lunch. Let's go out?" I offered.

She shook her head.

"Why? Do you want to starve?" I asked confusedly.

She shook her head again.

What is she planning to do?

She grabbed a wireless phone from the nightstand. Wait-what? Is she going to order food outside? I'm sure there's no need for that.

"Emerald, who are you calling?"

"Mommy, I'm calling Aunt Dianne. She will bring us food here."

I'm still confused. I watched as she dials random numbers. Oh, so she could read numbers. How smart.

She placed the phone on her ear.

"Aunt Dianne, it's me Emerald. Can you pwease get me and my mommy lunch and bring it to our room? Thank you! ...Bye!"

Great, with just one phone call, you can have food. I wonder what else is possible in this house.

After fifteen minutes, the food came to our room.

An old maid is the one who is pushing the cart.

Again, there are way too many foods. For goodness sake, we are only two.

"Thank you," I said to the old woman.

"Thank you Aunt Dianne!" Emerald said cheerfully.

"You're welcome little miss. Just call me when you need anything...wait, she's your mother?"

"Yes. Isn't she's so pretty?" She said proudly.

I blushed so deep, that I have to hide my face from them so I won't be embarrassed.

Dianne laughed softly. "It's nice meeting you Miss Bella. I hope the other maids are treating you well. I'm Dianne, and I'm the head maid here," she said nicely, her voice was so deep because of her age.

"It's nice meeting you too. I hope you don't mind that I ask this, how did you know my name?"

"Your mother told me about you," she answered.

"Oh, so all of the other maids know that I'm their daughter?"

"Yes. That is necessary. The people here need to know who you are, so they could give you the right treatment."

Treatment? What the hell? I have never loved special treatments. I hate it when you ask other people things that you can do yourself. That's just laziness.

"No, I don't want that special treatment. Please treat me just like how you treat the other people here except my family. You can even call me when you need help."

"I'm afraid that wouldn't be possible. You are our boss."

"Okay, I'm your boss, I'm telling you to treat me like an ordinary person. Please tell that to the other maids. Thanks." I said before I let her leave.

Emerald and I ate on the small table in front of the window.

This room is very spacious. It's actually as big as my house in Forks, or maybe bigger. It's like a condo unit. It will actually look a house if there's a kitchen in here. The thing that I love the most here is the 4 feet tall bookshelf. It has lots of books that I could read.

...

Four days have passed already since I have been here. Alice and I didn't even say a word to each other. I'm afraid that what I have done just made the situation more complicated.

Every morning Emerald and I would sneak up in the kitchen so I could cook the breakfast. This is so fun, and sneaking in is so easy. All we have to do is come there early, and when we're there already we can start making magic on the food. The chef always caught us, but with my persuading powers I can manage to let him allow me in the kitchen.

I always cook dishes for forty people so also the workers here could eat.

I'm sure that if my parents knew this, they won't like it. But this is just so fun, because I love cooking.

But today, Alice accidentally saw us, and I'm afraid our parents will know. I have no doubt that she will say it to them. Our kitchen adventure will stop soon, and our mornings would be boring.

So when its breakfast time already, Emerald and I entered the dining room and they are already waiting on the table as usual.

The breakfast was served, and we all ate silently.

"The chef has been doing a great job this week. All the foods that he is cooking are so good," mom complimented.

"It's not the chef, its Bella," Alice mumbled.

"It's Bella? But how, I told the maids that she is not to do any chore here," Mom said annoyingly.

"Mom, I just love to cook, there's no need to be angry at them," I insisted.

"She's right, and she cooks well anyway," Alice agreed.

Whoa, Alice just agreed on me? Does this mean, she's not angry at me anymore?

I looked at her, and she smiled genuinely.

I smiled back of course.

"Thanks," I said to her.

"No problem, can we go shopping later? I think you need a new wardrobe," she offered.

Did she just ask me to go shopping with her? Isn't it's the most important thing to her and she just asked me to be a part of it.

I hate shopping, but I'll do whatever it takes to be close with her.

Hmm...there's only one problem left, Bella's fiance.

Sorry for the errors.

Thanks for reading!

-ishi :)