Where the Streets Have No Name
Chapter 86
Edward realized that his mother hadn't made full disclosure to the interviewees, leaving it up to him to decide how much he wanted to share about his personal life with the potential candidates.
"My... my wife won't... she isn't available," he said, fumbling with his words as he rubbed his eyes with the heel of his palm, something he was doing quite frequently these days, either to ward off exhaustion or reality. But the person who was going to be in charge of Ella's care, and in all likelihood was about to become a part of his household, needed to know the truth.
"My wife, Ella's mother, is in the hospital. She is in coma. It's uncertain when she'll wake up, if at all." He paused, allowing Renee to digest the information. "That is why I need a full time caregiver for my daughter."
Renee's face contorted in predictable sympathy. "Oh, I'm so sorry to hear that, Dr. Cullen. I didn't mean to bring up-"
"You didn't know. It's okay." Edward interrupted her apology. "If you accept the job then you'd need to know about all this. So, don't worry about it.
"As for Ella, she's sleeping now," he said as he pointed to the baby monitor on the coffee table. "She usually doesn't lay low for more than an hour or two at a time. But you're welcome to take a peek."
"I'd like that, thanks," she said.
Edward led her up the stairs to Ella's nursery, gesturing for her to be stealthy.
"She is so precious!" Renee whispered as she leaned into the crib where Ella lay in slumber.
Edward nodded. Yes, Ella was precious indeed. At least to him.
"She's gorgeous!" Renee Swan gushed once they tiptoed out of the nursery. "Does she take after her mother? Your wife must be a very beautiful woman."
Edward contemplated the question. Yes, Ella did take after Carmen as far as physical attributes went. She had the same olive skin-tone and the same smoky, dark eyes. While it was still too early to predict, the angles of her face also belied her connection to Carmen.
He hated to admit it, but he always felt a tinge of envy that he would lose out so sorely in the genetic game of dice.
"I shouldn't have said that. I'm really sorry. This must be such a painful topic for you," Renee hastily said, misjudging his momentary silence.
"That's okay. Yes, Ella gets her looks from her mother. It's nothing to be upset about, don't worry."
"You've picked a lovely name for her, by the way," Renee said, smiling. "When my daughter was little, I used to make up silly rhymes and songs for her. It just occurred to me that I just need to drop one letter to make it fit for Ella. You see, my daughter's nickname is very similar."
"Oh, really? What's your daughter's name?" he asked.
"Her name is Isabella. But we always called her Bella."
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