Meeting in a Park

Five years later

I sat in on the same wooden bench, in the same park as I had done every Friday for the last year and a half. A book in hand, I watched my baby girl run round the playground. Looking back down at Romeo and Juliet, I absorbed myself into the story. Every now and then I'd look up to check my little girl was still there. New York could be a dangerous place. We'd been living in New York for a year and a half. I had gotten a job as an elementary teacher for grade 2. My daughter, as she's four, almost five is in kindergarten. We moved here as I wanted a new start for the both of us. Even though my mom tried to get me to stay with her and Phil, she could see that I was leaving no matter what. She's visited me once so far and so has Charlie. He was there when I gave birth to my little girl. I needed my parents there. I hadn't told anyone who the father was but I think Charlie knows. He's seen the resemblance. After talking to Alice two months after I left I hadn't had any contact with anyone in Forks apart from my dad. From what I was aware of no one knew about what had happened to me. It was going to stay that way.

"Bella?"

I looked up to see the man I'd dreamed of the past five years.

"Edward?"

He sat down next to me as I shifted to the side.

"How are you Bella?"

"I'm doing well. What about you Edward? What are you doing here?"

"I'm alright. I'm actually doing a law degree. What are you doing here Bella? I thought you were living with your mom."

"I was. I'm an elementary teacher now though."

"How long have you been here Bella?"

"A year and a half."

"Why did you leave Forks?"

I shifted uncomfortably as I glanced towards my baby.

"I couldn't stay there. I needed my mom."

"Why didn't you talk to me? I would have helped."

"You couldn't Edward."

Looking back to my baby, I saw her running over to me. I stood up and scooped her into my arms.

"Can we go home momma?"

"Okay Ellie. We'll go in a minute."

"Who's this Bella?"

I looked round at Edward to see him confused.

"Momma, who is that?"

"Why is she calling you her mom?"

"Edward, this is Elizabeth my daughter."

"You have a daughter?"

"Momma can we go?"

"Give me a minute baby."

Edward reached out and stroked Elizabeth's hair as she smiled up at him.

"She's beautiful Bella."

"I need to go Edward."

"Can I walk you home?"

"No, that's okay."

"Will I see you again Bella?"

"Not this weekend. On Tuesday, Ellie is going to her friend's house after school. There's only one week of school left before summer vacation. Why don't we meet here at four on Tuesday?"

"I'll be here. Here's my phone number Bella. Call me if you ever need anything. It was good seeing you again Bella."

"I liked seeing you too Edward. Bye."

"Bye Bella. Goodbye Elizabeth."

"Bye."

She gave him a small wave as I turned round and carried her away.

"Who was that momma?"

"That was Edward. He was an old friend of mine when I was in school."

"But you're still in school momma."

"I'm a teacher Ellie. I meant when I was a student. He was my best friend."

"You mean like Jenny is?"

"Yeah. Just like Jenny."

When we got home, I sat with Elizabeth on the couch as we watched some television before having our dinner. It wasn't until I was lying with her in bed that she started asking the questions I hoped she would never ask.

"Why don't I have a daddy?"

I looked down at her as I ran my fingers through her hair.

"You're daddy doesn't know that you were born Ellie."

"Do you love him?"

"I did baby. I still do."

"Why isn't he here then?"

"I was young when you were born Ellie. We weren't planning on having you but it happened and here you are. You're my beautiful little girl Ellie. I love you more than anything in the world. I couldn't tell your daddy that I was having a baby."

"Why not momma?"

"He would have had to give up a lot to help me look after you."

"Is that why we lived with Grandma Renee and Grandpa Phil?"

"That's right baby."

"Will I ever meet my daddy?"

"I don't know baby. I don't know."

"Can Edward be my daddy?"

"He can't Ellie. He's just an old friend."

"But he could be my daddy."

"Maybe one day baby. Go to sleep Ellie."

"Goodnight momma."

"Night baby. I love you."

"I love you too momma."

Pecking her forehead, I tucked her in before closing the door over behind me. After changing into some night clothes and brushing my teeth I lay down in bed. My life had changed so much in the last few hours that it was hard to believe. Edward had come back into my life. My Edward. But he isn't my Edward anymore. I lost him five years ago. He would just leave if he found out he was Elizabeth's father. I couldn't get close to him. It would only break my heart again. He couldn't ever know. As the tears ran down my face, I drifted off to sleep.