HE LEFT ME!!

Allie

"Can I come with?" Alice begged Bella in her sweetest voice.

Alice danced along side of us as I carried Bella to her truck. Although Bella was perfectly capable of walking, as she had pointed out many times in protest, I was unable to let her go. I was so happy to have Bella back in my arms yet again. Her skin was warm against mine, her weight comforting - how did I ever have enough strength to give this up?

"Sure, if you want to," Bella said with a small grin, incapable of saying no to Alice. I bent down to kiss her forehead, smiling as her wide and warm brown eyes moved to stare at me.

"Oh, this is great, Bella!" Alice cheered and her dance continued. With the lighter atmosphere Alice created, it was hard to remember that we were going to see Bella's daughter. Mike's daughter. Mike, the man who had been abusing Bella for the past four years. My happy expression turned grim.

"What is it, Edward?" I had forgotten that Bella was watching me.

"It's nothing, Bella," I assured her, flashing her a crooked grin. I watched as her eyes glazed over with the love that I had missed. "I just can't believe how much has changed..."

A sad smile found its way onto her lips. She knew exactly what I was talking about. "I know. I never expected to see any of you again. I expected to die in that hell alone."

I grimaced, reminded again of the horrible situation I had left Bella in. "I will never forgive myself for leaving you," I promised, "Not if I live a thousand years. Not if I live an eternity."

"Don't say that," she said this with a contented smile, turning the nuzzle her face against my chest. Her lips mumbled softly against the fabric of my shirt, "I've forgiven you. You're forgiven, Edward."

"Just don't do it again," Alice warned, sending me a meaningful look.

"I'm a fast learner, Alice."

"Allie is going to love you," Bella said, a yawn pulling out of her mouth.

"Didn't sleep well?" I asked.

"No. I had nightmares," her eyes were closed now, but I still noticed the frown that played on her lips.

"Well, I'm here now," I reminded her, pulling her closer against my chest. She was so warm. So perfect, "I'll keep the nightmares away."

Bella sighed happily in my arms, the sweet breath a release of all the pain that had plagued her body for the four years that I had left her. She looked truly happy now – nearly as happy as I felt. Her eyes still closed, her breathing began to slow into a gentle rhythm. How I had missed watching her dream.

"Allie is going to love us," Alice responded to Bella's previous statement with confidence. She had no doubt 'seen' this. I was too focused on Bella to pay attention to any other thoughts.

"Well, we find out soon," I said, kissing Bella's forehead once again. She was asleep. "Bella, love, we're here."

Her eyes opened slowly and she stretched within my arms. I chuckled, sliding her into the passenger seat of the truck with me. I encircled her with my arms and her head fell back upon my chest as she drifted into the same slumber she had been in only moments before. Alice took the wheel, already knowing the location of the daycare.

"Will Bella need to pick up Allie soon?" I asked as quietly as I could. Possibly too quiet for Bella to hear, even at this close proximity.

"Bella needs to pick up Allie in approximately 19 minutes," she flashed me a grin, "We'll be there with time to spare."

"Of course."

"You want to ask me something." Alice prompted. It wasn't a question.

I smirked. She knew everything.