A Far Cry Of Hope

Chapter 9: Sunny Nessie's Goodmornings

Bella POV

Shit, shit shit! I knew it! I knew it was him the moment I opened the door. I sensed it was him and I was paranoid he'd reconize me from the years apart. Yet, he didn't know. I sighed and got out of bed. I was to sort the Edward problem as soon as possible.

He looked more sexy and alluring in the pouring rain, dripping head-to-foot in water. Being the nice person I was, I allowed him to stay the night, offering him my guest bedroom and ectera. I even had washed him clothes for him.

I couldn't let him see Nessie. She would ask questions, smart questions as she wasn't a stupid or dull child. When situations like this came, she knew just what to ask and sadly, her mummy had to tell her. I decided to put that aside.

I got changed in a red and white pokka dot summer dress (a/n: link on profile) and mini white heels. I brushed my hair out, so it was all shiny and smooth running down my back. I did curls for the two front side bits. I closed my bedroom door and knocked on Nessie's door.

"Nessie, sweetheat?" she murmurmed in her sleep, a habit she caught from me. I shoke her slighty, she stirred and opened her dark chocolate eyes - just like mine. She beamed up at me. "C'ome - you have to get ready for school, Nessie. Hope across the hall for a wash and I'll fetch your uniform ok?" she nodded, gave me a hug and ran out.

I found her clothes and laid them on her bed. Her uniform was dark blue, making it cream and pale across her skin. She ran into her room, all clean, her breath fresh and jumped up and down.

"Calm down sweetie." I chuckled as I pulled her nighty off and her school top on her little body. She giggled as I my hands tickled her. I got her changed with her white tights, black school schools with starps. She also wore a medium sized skirt and a soft green cardigan.

She ran out of my room and I was just making her bed when I heard a "Sorry! Mummy!!" I came out of the room with an alarmed look. Edward had walked out of his room and Nessie had pannicked. I knelt down to Nessie and shhed. "Calm down, this is mummy's friend. He's not a burgular or anything sweetheart. Go downstairs, Auntie Rose will be here to pick you up soon." she nodded gave me a hug and ran down the stairs.

"Renesmee Swan!! No RUNNING down the stairs!" I yelled. I turned towards Edward and he was grinning. "Sorry baout frightening your daughter." he aplogized. I shoke my head "Nah, she was just a bit scared. I warned her about starnge men who appear out of thin air into your life without meaning."

He raised his eyebrows and I winked. I turned towards the stairs and I heard him follow. I walked downstairs and walked into the kitchen to find Nessie eating some Cheerios. I chuckled and kissed her forehead. Edward turned to me. "Thanks for letting me stay here last night Bella. I appreciate it. Thank you." he whispered. I smiled warmly.

"It was the least I could do Edward. You can stay for breakfast if you want." he shock his head and smiled sadly. "I'd better be going." I nodded, sad at his early departure. I nodded and he exited the down the stairs, leaving me in wonder.

Then i couldn't stand it. I ran after him and caught him struggling with the lock. I acted like I'd walked rather than run down the stairs and unlocked the door for him and opened it for him. He looked upset?

But before we could move, Nessie came down the stairs and asked "Mummy, where is Auntie Rossie and Uncle Emmy?" I chuckled, Edward remained in the doorway. "Nessie, darling, your as impacient as you were yesterday. They come at half past eight to collect you ok. Its barely even eight. Go upstairs and finnish that English homework you have."

She nodded and turned, but then she turned rounf and held out her hand to Edward. "I'm Nessie Swan - Very nice to meet you!" she sang, while I watched her with pride.

Edward looked at me and I winked. He slowly held out his hand and shoke Nessie's slowly. "I'm Edward, Nessie, nice to meet you too." Then he turned to me.

"How far away do you live?" I asked. He grinned "I live on Greenway Hill. It's about 2 miles to walk and the drive takes me about 5 minutes." I nodded. Why had I asked where he lived?

"Do you play piano?" Nessie suddenly asked. I glared at her, but she didn't notice. I'd told her that her father played piano but noooo she had to ask.

Edward repiled "Yes, I do. Do you?" she nodded. "But we have no piano as mummy cannot afford one." I hissed "Renesmee! Don't go annouching stuff like that to guests or strangers! What did anutie Rose teach you?"

She smiled "Sorry Mummmy!" and ran off. "Sorry about that." I said, sighing. "She's desprate, even at an early age to have a father - yet she's only seven, well nearly seven."

He looked confused. "Why does she want a dad? Aren't you a single parent?" I nodded. "But her Uncle Emmy seems like a father-figure to her in my eyes sometimes. He's the only man apart from you who has walked into that living room up there." I sighed again.

He just had no CLUE that he was in fact Nessie's dad, no mention that I was "Izzybelle" and the "Izzy" he'd slept with all thoose years ago and run away - only to discover I'd been pregnant. Seven years on, he finds me and sees Nessie - his daughter.

Edward smiled and said "Well .... I'd better find a taxi to take me home. Thank you again for letting me stay here."

"The pleasure was all mine" I whispered and he smiled. He kissed me on the cheek and walked out of the door and alond the street. I watched as he turned, saw me watching and waved. i waved back and he went round the corner.

I slumped to the ground behind the front door and tried to control my breathing.

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Half an hour later, after I'd given Nessie the 'No-more-telling-everyone-about-us-ectera' speach, Rose and Emmett walked through the bakery door soon after I'd opened up at half past. They gave me a hug na dcalled Nessie.

Rose turned to em and noticed something different about me. "When I come back - girly talk and I want all the details."

I sighed. Nessie would explain half of it.

"Ok - catch you later then." I said and continued screwing the lid of a jam jar on and put it on a shelf. I sat down on my stool and waited...