"Edward, this is a bad idea."

"Trust me."

"But –"

"Shh. No more arguments on this. Please."

"I'm not arguing, I'm just –"

"– making a point. You've said that about seven hundred times since last week."

She sighs.

"Bella," I say in the gentlest tone I can manage, "just try. Please. For me."

"It's too soon!"

"How is it too soon? We've been together for more than two years now."

Her voice is small. "Yeah, but…it scares me."

"Oh, sweetheart, why? You were the one telling me how badly you want to meet her."

"Yes, but not on her birthday. I'm still just a stranger to her. Why would she want me there at her birthday party? And lest we forget – your ex–wife will also be there. And your parents. This has disaster written allover it."

"Bella, sooner or later we'll have to go through this."

"I know."

We stay silent for a few heartbeats.

"Fine," I say. "Her birthday is on Monday. Meet her on Saturday first. I promised to take her to the aquarium as a pre–birthday present. Come with us."

"Um…"

"Bella."

"How about…I just meet you there? That way it won't look like I'm intruding on the father–daughter time. You can pretend to be surprised to see me or whatever."

"That makes sense."

"Okay."

"Okay."

"Edward?"

"Hmm?"

"I'm so sleepy."

I chuckle. "Then sleep."

"But I wanna keep talking to you."

"Me too."

"I'm beginning to hate school."

"This conversation is reminding me of my high–school days."

"I wish we'd been in high school together. So many things would've been different."

"That's a what–if I don't like to think of."

"Why not?" she asks, yawning.

"Because it's very open ended. I like certainty. I like knowing for sure that I have you in my life. I mean, who knows where we would've ended up if things would've been different. All that matters to me now is that I'm here, and you're here, and I love you, and by some miracle you love me back. Yeah, it was a shitty way to get here and we both chose the wrong paths and made mistakes but it all turned out well, didn't it?"

"Hmm."

"And now we don't have to hide anymore because you've made your amends and I've made mine. You're no longer doing what you did and I'm no longer married to the wrong woman. Now it's just you, me and Sophie, baby. We have a whole life ahead of us. A blank page."

"Mm–hmm."

"We never celebrated that, by the way. We should. We should go somewhere for a weekend. Just the two of us. We haven't had a lot of free time lately. I can't wait for your semester to end so you can have a couple of weeks off. I want you all to myself before I have to share you with Sophie. I know how childish that sounds, but god, I miss you. I'll have to convince Sophie to…" I pause. "Bella?"

I listen to her slow breathing. I laugh softly. "Goodnight, Bella."

––x––

I feel someone shaking my arm.

"Daddy?"

My brows furrow.

"Daddy, wake up!"

I force my eyes open and sit up. One look at her teary face and I'm wide awake. She holds out her arms and I help her on to the bed. I rub my face as worry balls up in my stomach. "What's wrong? Are you alright? Why are you crying? Did you fall from the bed? Do you hurt anywhere?" I feel her forehead. No fever. I hold her face in my hand and look for any injuries.

She hiccoughs. "I had a bad dream."

Oh. "Oh. I'm sorry about that. Come here."

She settles against my chest and I run my hand through her hair. "I got scared," she sobs.

I kiss her hair and rock her back and forth. "Don't be scared anymore. You're safe here. It was just a bad dream. It wasn't real."

She sniffles and wipes her nose on my t–shirt sleeve. We stay like that for a few minutes till her tears subside.

"Daddy, are you sure there's no monster under the bed?"

"Yes, I'm sure. I checked twice."

"And no witches outside the window like in that movie?"

"What movie? And no, there's no such as witches. Or monsters."

"That movie we saw!"

"Who is 'we', sweetheart? When?"

"Miss Lisbeth and me!"

"Miss Lisbeth made you watch a movie with witches in it?" I need to have a few words with that woman.

"Yeah! On Disney today. But she fell asleep before the movie ended. I don't think she liked it."

"Sweetheart, you're not supposed to watch TV. Didn't we discuss this? Movie time is with me. That's our special time. On Saturdays."

She pouts. "But I was bored."

"Which is why you have so many toys to entertain you!"

"But I like watching TV!"

"And look what happens when you watch it. You get nightmares. No more TV. Okay?"

"Okaaaaaaay."

I put on the sternest voice. "I mean it, Sophie. Pinky–promise?"

She lets out a long, suffering sigh like I just kicked her puppy. But she pinky–swears.

I yawn and relax back against the pillows, still holding her close.

"Daddy?"

"Hmm?"

"Can we have a tea party?"

"Okay. Tomorrow."

"Noooo, now."

"Now?"

"Uh–huh."

"You want us to pretend to be drinking tea in the middle of the night."

"I'm bored."

I palm my face. "How about we try this other little game instead?"

"Ooooh, what game?"

"It's a game called 'let's see who falls asleep first.'"

She giggles. "Daddy, that's not a game."

"Sure it is. I used to play that a lot when I was as little as you."

Apparently I'm extremely amusing while half asleep because she laughs so hard her entire body shakes.

"Come on, I'm serious. I challenge you. I bet I can sleep first." I totally can. God, I'm tired.

"No, I can do it!"

"Pfft. I don't believe you."

"I've already closed my eyes! I'm already almost asleep!"

"You're still talking."

"Oh, sorry. Shhhh," she whispers. To herself. I laugh to myself and kiss her forehead.

I wait till she's fast asleep before closing my eyes.

––x––

"Yes, Mom, I'll take her to Tanya's parents' house on Monday morning. They want to have their own little celebration with Sophie. Tanya won't be there though. Anyway, you guys can set up the whole thing then."

"Are you sure she'll like it, Edward? I hope she'll like it."

"You're more anxious about this than you should be. What kid doesn't like a playground? It's a goddamn playground, Ma! She'll be thrilled."

"You don't think it's too much?"

I sigh. "Since when has that stopped you and Dad?"

"Good point."

"And let's not forget, Alice."

"Oh, don't worry; I made her promise that she won't do anything extravagant."

"And since when has that stopped her?"

"Touché."

"I still haven't told Sophie that Alice will be coming."

"Good. Alice wants to surprise her."

"I know. I'm looking forward to it. And don't tell her – but I kind of miss her too."

"Aw, you."

I watch as Sophie comes running into the dining room and just as quickly runs out of it, with Elizabeth – our new housekeeper – chasing her. It's not easy for her. Arthritis. I really should've hired someone younger. But an unemployed widow without any family needed something to live for again and she happened to know my mom, so here we are now. "This is not funny anymore, Sophie. Get here so I…Sophie, your hair will get tangled!"

"Edward?"

"Yeah, yeah, mom. Sorry, I got distracted."

"I asked if Bella would be there."

"At the party? Yeah, she will be."

"Oh, good."

"Dad better apologize to her."

"Don't hold your breath. I'm not the one you get your pigheadedness from."

I sigh. "Touché."

"Listen, I better go and finish making dinner. I'll talk to you later, okay?"

"Yeah, me too. Goodnight, Mom."

"Goodnight."

I put the phone on the counter and go back to stirring the noodles just as Sophie comes running in again.

"Car tackle, Daddy! Vrooooooom!"

"Ah, no no no! No tackles in the kitchen! Danger zone."

She halts in her tracks. "Whoops."

"Exactly."

"Daddy, did you know, I'm the best car ever!"

"Yes, I know."

"I'm even better than McQueen! And faster!"

She's been a little obsessed since we watched Cars in the afternoon. Work was slow, so I took half a day off to show her a movie that did not involve witches.

"There you are!" Elizabeth. "Now come here so I can fix your hair!"

"No."

"Sophie," I warn. "Is that a way to talk to elders?"

"Daddy, I don't want to get my hair did!"

"Done. Not 'did.'"

"Okay."

"Now, go and get your hair done. And please, remember your manners."

"But Miss Lisbeth pulls my hair too hard, and it hurts!"

"Now, it's not my fault you keep running around and getting your hair tangled, Missy!"

Sophie glowers at her and then looks at me. I bend a little and playfully grab her nose.

"Just remember that we have to go to the aquarium tomorrow and if your hair looks like a bird's nest, then a bird might actually make it its home."

She crinkles her nose. "Ew. If it makes my hair home, then it might poop in there."

I laugh. "Yes, it might."

Her shoulders sag in defeat. "Oh–kay, Miss Lisbeth."

Elizabeth smiles and holds out her hand. "I promise I'll try to be gentle."

Just like every night since the past two weeks, they sit on the couch and from the kitchen, I watch carefully as Elizabeth braids Sophie's hair. Someday. Someday I'll get the hang of it.

––x––

"It's so eerie to watch you with her."

"What?"

"Yeah. It is. She's so much like you, it's crazy. The gestures, the facial expressions, the tone…"

"Um, I don't know if you noticed, and I'm sorry if this surprises you, but…she's my kid, Bella."

Bella rolls her eyes. "Ha ha ha."

I laugh and pull her to me. I kiss her cheek.

"Are you sure you should be kissing me while Sophie is less than ten feet away?" she whispers.

"She won't notice. Just look at her. Totally engrossed. This is her version of Disneyland. She's been begging me to bring her here for months."

"I'm amazed at how quiet she is. Like, shouldn't she be running around all hyper and excited and like you fed her too much sugar?"

"She's always been this way. Her excitement is in her face. Subtle, but there. If you bend down and look her in the eye, she'll make this face where her eyes are wide and her fingers will reach out slowly to point to something she desperately wants to touch. And then she'll whisper 'Daddy, it's so perfect!'… It's a beautiful thing."

She looks at me like I have two heads.

"What?"

"Just…the way you said that."

I feel all self–conscious now. "Well, what about it?"

"Daddy! Daddy, look, come here!"

I give Bella a small smile, remove my arm from around her and walk over to where Sophie's face is all squished up against the glass. Her hands cover the sides of her face. I bend down on my knees beside her and copy her.

"What are we looking at?"

"Water."

I try not to laugh. "Baby, I know that. But there's a lot of water here. Why are we looking at this particular place?" My words condense on the glass.

"Look closer. There's a blue fish here! With stripes. It's so pretty!"

I look closer. I don't see it. I tell her so. She pulls me by my shirt to where she was standing and makes me look again. "Do you see it? It's right near that rock." There are way too many rocks here. "Daddy, do you see? Can we have a fish like that at home? Please?"

I turn my head and look at her with narrowed eyes. "But you're already getting a gift for your birthday."

She bounces a little on her toes. "But can we get this instead?"

"How can we get this instead? I already bought your presents!"

She does that wide–eyed thing again. "Presents? More than one?"

Dammit. That was supposed to be a surprise. I sigh. "Yes."

"Ooooh, what all am I getting?"

"That, I won't tell. It's a surprise."

She pouts. Before she can pull the puppy–dog face, I hold up a finger. "Just one day. Between today, and your birthday, there's just one more day. You'll find out soon enough."

"But Daddyyyyyyy –"

"Uh–uh–uh. No whining. We talked about this, didn't we?"

Her face falls. "Yeah, we did."

I reach for her and kiss her cheek. "Good. Now be nice and I'll let you sit on my shoulders so you can see the fishes up there closely."

Her smile is back and breathing is easier. "Okay! But first can we see the yellow ones? They're there!" She points somewhere.

"Okay," I say.

"Bella, don't you like fish?" Sophie asks. Bella specifically asked Sophie to not call her 'Miss Bella.'

I look at her as her hands find their way into her hoodie pockets. Her nervousness makes her do this. "Um, I love fish."

"But you didn't see any!"

She smiles. "I did! I just didn't see them up close like you did."

"Oh. But they're really pretty up close." And before Bella can reply, "I'll show you. I know the best ones."

My shirt collar is conveniently discarded for Bella's hand. I get back up and watch as Sophie pulls Bella in whichever direction she was talking about. I watch as Bella turns her head around for just a second, and her shy smile takes my breath away. I watch as my two favorite girls talk about fish names. I watch Sophie's awe over how much Bella knows about fishes. I watch Bella's memories written allover her face when she explains how she used to go fishing with her Dad when she was little. I stand behind them and watch in wonder and don't interrupt.

Two hands held together have never looked more perfect.

––x––

"What is that?"

We're in the store–room while Sophie gets ready for her birthday party. She wants to wear a specific dress and Elizabeth is helping her look for it. My parents and Alice have finished setting up the slide, swing and sandbox, and Alice is currently 'hiding' in the kitchen till Sophie comes downstairs. It's all very juvenile and I couldn't love my family more.

A few of Sophie's school friends are also here, playing a game of hide–and–seek. Bella is playing with them, too. It's just that she's hiding…here, away from my family, with all the presents. And I just stole her away for a minute.

"That," I tell her as I point to the rather large gift–wrapped box, "is a toy car. With pedals so she can 'drive' it around the house. She already has a bike, but she's been obsessed with cars ever since we watched that movie, so…"

"That's…wow."

I rub a hand at the back of my neck. "You think it's too much? The car, the backyard–turned–playground, plus who knows what all Alice has brought in those…" I wave a hand around to similar (though smaller) boxes in the left corner. Six boxes.

She shrugs. "Does it matter what I think? You're the parent."

"Bella, we wouldn't be standing here and having this conversation if it didn't matter. Of course your opinion matters. You're going to be an important part of Sophie's life too."

She kisses my cheek. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to sound so rude about this."

"Well?"

"You Cullens go a little overboard, yes. But as long as you let her know that this comes with duties and responsibilities, you should be good."

I put my arms around Bella's waist and rest my chin on her shoulders. She leans against me and we stand like this for a few seconds.

"She's been having nightmares lately. Three out of the past four nights, she has woken up in the middle of the night, crying and scared."

"Aw, poor baby."

"Yeah. I was – am – worried. She tries too hard to keep me happy. Gets really scared if I even show hints of being upset with her…"

"Separation anxiety?"

"I think so. She's clingy and wants all of my time, gets upset when I work overtime…she may not verbalize it, but I can see how she's scared that I'll leave too." I just hold Bella tighter. "I just want to make her happy," I whisper. "If that means going overboard, so be it."

She turns around and hugs me. "Edward…you are making her happy. You're doing your best. You're a wonderful father," she says to my shoulder.

"Everyone says I should take her to a child psychologist – her teacher, my parents, fuck, even Tanya."

"That might be a good idea. Most kids from broken families need some kind of psychological help, Edward."

I sigh into her hair. "I don't think it's that bad in her case. I mean, she is a happy kid, you know. Just…a little scared sometimes. No matter how much I reassure her."

She strokes my hair. "Better safe than sorry. Give her the chance to cope up with Tanya's absence. You can't fill that gap with gifts, sweetheart. These are only means for short term happiness."

"Yeah. I know."

"But Edward?"

"Hmm?"

She whispers against my lips, "I totally bought her a blue fish with stripes."

And just like that, I love Bella allover again.

––x––

"Where is my birthday girl?"

"I'm here, I'm here!" she calls from inside the closet.

"What's taking you so long, sweetheart? Your friends are waiting!" I say as I open the door.

"Daddy, look!" she squeals, gesturing to her shoes. Her sparkly, sliver shoes.

"Well, they look amazing! Look at you! You're the prettiest."

She smiles so wide that I wonder if her cheeks hurt. I kiss her forehead.

"I finally found the dress I wanted to wear. Miss Lisbeth helped me."

"Did you thank her?"

She nods fervently. "I even told her that she can have the flower part of the cake."

I hear Elizabeth chuckle from behind me, as she puts back all the scattered clothes.

"Daddy, do you like my white dress? Me and Mom got it when we went to the mall. She said I looked like a princess!"

I tuck her hair behind her ears. "'Mom and I,' not 'me and mom,' and I think your dress is lovely. As are you."

"I wore it especially for Mom."

"I think your Mom will love it too."

She beams like I've just made her day.

I wriggle my eyebrows. "Are you ready for your surprise?"

She nods.

"Are you suuuuuure?"

"YES!" she laughs.

"Okay, then. Off we go downstairs."

I'm about to lift her into my arms when she says, "Can I please walk? I'm a big girl now! I'm six!"

My smile slips but I remind myself to act my age and not throw a tantrum, as much as I want to. I let her walk in front of me and I smile again when she stops to take my hand.

Just as we make it downstairs, she is passed around from one hug to another. She squeals when Carlisle twirls her around, laughs when Esme warns Carlisle about his back, smiles her perfect smile when her friends hand her the gifts.

I look around and spot Bella standing in the kitchen with Alice, engaged in what seems to be an entertaining conversation, if their smiles are anything to go by. Happiness settles on my chest when I see my sister hug Bella, as if they've been friends for life. I can see how taken aback Bella is, but I also see the relief on her face.

I walk towards them and am startled when I hear Sophie squeal louder than ever. "Aunt Alice! You came!" she exclaims and runs straight into Alice's arms.

"Surprise!" Alice squeals right back.

They hug and kiss and laugh and shriek, and talk faster than I can keep up with them, as Bella stands there with the most precious smile on her face. I have never felt more complete. All the people I love are under the same roof, all happy and content. I just stand there against the kitchen counter and bask in it.

Until my phone rings.

And dread bursts my happy bubble as Tanya's name flashes on the screen. I quickly walk off and shut myself in the guest room next to the kitchen.

"Please tell me you're not calling for what I think you're calling for," I say by way of greeting.

I hear her sigh. "Edward…"

"No. You tell me right now that you'll be here in the next few minutes."

"Edward, I –"

"Goddammit."

"Hear me out! God! I'm not in town."

"What the hell?"

"I had to go out of town for this new deal that I've been working on –"

"What new deal? What are you even talking about?"

"– and it was kind of an unexpected, last minute call. I had to go – the interior designing thing, Edward, that's what I'm talking about. My company. My dream. I had to go and I had every intention of coming back by today, but the meeting got postponed because this guy –"

"I can't even…You're about to break her heart, I hope you know that," I grit out, wanting nothing more than to throw this phone in the pool and pretend that this conversation never happened.

"You think I don't know that? You think I don't care? Edward, I'm not the best mother but I am a mom. I had no idea this would happen."

I don't even bother replying.

"Just give her the phone; I'll talk to her."

I bang my head against the closed door, before walking back out and asking Sophie to come here. I catch Bella's eye and I think she knows, because as soon as she looks at me, her face falls too.

I close the door again and hand Sophie the phone. "It's Mom," is all I say. Her face lights up and I hate, hate, hate Tanya because she is about to wipe off that smile.

"Mom! I got a lot of presents, and Dad says he has two more surprises and Mom, Aunt Alice is also here and Miss Lisbeth helped me find that dress you got me, and we're gonna cut the cake really soon! Where are you?"

I watch the smile I love disappear. I watch the happy eyes blurring with unshed tears.

"But Mom, it's my birthday! You promised!"

She listens carefully to whatever Tanya has to say, and without a word hands me the phone. I put it to my ear and catch the last of Tanya's sentence, "– day after tomorrow, Sophie, I promise."

"Goodbye, Tanya," I whisper, and end the call, feeling angry and sad and just…defeated. Sophie walks to the middle of the room, climbs up the bed, buries her face in the pillow and stabs my heart over and over with her sobs.

I go to her and stroke her hair, till she finally lifts up her head, only to bury it in my shirt.

"Shhh, sweetheart. I'm so sorry."

"Daddy, she – she promised!" she hiccoughs.

"I know, I know." I rock her back and forth for a while, trying not to cry right along.

"But I even wore her favorite dress!"

And my heart breaks right along with hers.

We sit like that for a long while, with her crying against my chest, as I search my brain for words of comfort, and fail to find any. What words can put together a broken heart?

I look up when there's a knock on the door.

"Hi there," Bella says. "Is it okay if I come in?"

I nudge Sophie, and am surprised to see her still awake and with silent tears still streaming down her face. She nods a little and only then does Bella walk in, closing the door behind her.

"Where is everyone?" I ask. "It's too quiet out there."

"Your parents took the kids to the…backyard," she says meaningfully as she sits beside us. "They were getting a little cranky, waiting for the birthday girl to cut the cake. Hey, birthday girl," she runs a finger down Sophie's cheek, wiping a tear, "don't you wanna cut the cake?"

Sophie shakes her head. "I'm sad," she croaks out, and I could just cry at how hoarse her voice is.

"We're all sad sometimes," Bella says gently. "You know, at one of my birthdays, I was very sad, too."

"You were?"

"Mm–hmm. And you know who made me happy again?"

She shakes her head.

"Your Dad. He can make everyone happy. And he buys the best presents too!"

Sophie smiles a little and looks up at me. "Daddy, what did you get me for my birthday?"

"I can't just tell you; you'll have to unwrap it yourself!"

"Can you bring it here?" she asks Bella.

"Nope. I can't even lift it; it's so big!"

I finally see a spark of excitement in Sophie's eyes. "Where is it?"

"In the store–room," I tell her.

"Can we go there now, Daddy?"

"Um," Bella speaks up, "I think you should first thank your friends for coming. You have lovely friends, Sophie! I wish I had friends like that."

"Are they swimming in the backyard?"

"No, I think they are playing in the sandbox," I say with a smile.

Her eyes go wide. "Sandbox?"

"Mm–hmm."

"In the backyard?"

"You bet."

"Is that also my present?"

"There is also a swing set and a slide, from what your Dad told me." Bella's smile mirrors mine.

Suddenly Sophie is an excited five – six – year old again. "Let's go, Daddy! I wanna play in the sandbox, too! Remember, you made that best castle once, remember? And it doesn't matter if my dress gets dirty 'cause Mom's not here!" And as soon as she says that, her face dims again.

I quickly speak up. "And you can even cover your entire face with the yummiest chocolate cake ever! Grandma brought your favorite food, too. Oh, and did I tell you about the presents Alice got you?"

"But Daddy, I don't wanna cut my cake."

I kiss the top of her head. "Why not, sweetheart?"

"Because Mom can't see."

I look to Bella for help.

"Uh…" Bella looks at Sophie. "How about…you cut the cake with your Dad, and I'll record the whole thing on video, and then we can send that video to your Mom?"

Sophie sits up and moves closer to Bella. "Can you do that?" she asks in awe.

"Of course," Bella smiles. "Anything for the birthday girl."

"Thank you, Bella! You're the best!" she says, and just about tackles Bella with a hug.

I look at Bella's surprised face, and then look down at her clenched fists against Sophie's back. Her knuckles are white. I reach out with my own hand, and gently place it over Bella's fists. I rub my thumb back and forth over her knuckles, till she relaxes her hand and twines her fingers with mine. I kiss the top of Sophie's head, and she removes one arm from around Bella's shoulders to include me in the hug.

When I place an arm around both of them, and Bella's head leans on my shoulder, I know that we'll be okay.

––x––