HE LEFT ME!!

perfect

Edward

I watched in silence as Allie slept in my arms, my dead heart swelling with an affection I'd never felt before. Fatherly affection. Her tiny little body cradled in my arms felt right. It felt as though this was the way things should be. I knelt down to place a cool kiss on her forehead, knowing she wouldn't awake. Her thoughts were all jumbled in a mix of dreams. Peaceful, fully at ease dreams that only a child could have.

"She doesn't look a thing like Mike, does she?" Alice asked. I could hear the smile in her voice, but I didn't want to tear my eyes away from Allie.

"No," I whispered. My voice was too low to disturb Bella or Allie, but I knew Alice would hear me, "No, not at all. She has Bella written all over her."

"I can't believe that Bella had a daughter," Alice whispered. My eyes drifted over to my sleeping angel then.

Her head was resting against my arm, her eyes closed in a peaceful sleep. Her face was so smooth and calm that the bruises were hardly even noticeable in the dim light. A growl rumbled low in my chest before I could stop it. I could kill Mike for what he had done to her. In truth, I probably would. If it weren't for Allie, I would kill Mike before he even knew I was in the same room with him. Then we could leave. Allie, Bella, my family and me. I could make them happy. I would make them happy.

"I'm glad she does," I whispered, my eyes turning back to Allie. "It makes getting her out of this situation a little more complicated, but Allie..."

"I know," Alice whispered, keeping the same tone. Our efforts were probably futile. They were sleeping so soundly that normal volume wouldn't wake them, "She's there for Bella. She's the only real joy Bella's had in her life for four years."

I grimaced. It was true. I had left Bella to endure four years of pain.

"I'll never be able to forgive myself for doing this to her," my voice broke twice.

"You don't need to. You're not the one that needs to give forgiveness," Alice's voice was very matter-of-fact, "She is."

"I know."

"And after today, you should know she's forgiven you," Alice turned to smile at me.

"I don't know," I whispered, my gaze meeting Alice's, "I don't know how she could possibly forgive me for all of this. She was broken by me, broken by Jake, beaten by Mike... all because I left."

"Please, Edward," Alice's voice became harsh, "Do not blame yourself for the mistakes of Jake and Mike. You left to protect her, although it only hurt her more. She can forgive you for that. It was Jake's choice to leave her. You could have done nothing about that."

"I could have stayed," I mumbled.

"Yes, you could have. That doesn't give Mike the right to beat her," she continued, "And that doesn't make it your fault."

"You're going to wake them, Alice," I whispered. Her voice had grown loud in her attempt to convince me. Although her attempt was futile, I appreciated her efforts. "You know me, Alice. I won't forgive myself for this. But, if Bella forgives me..."

"I do," her melodic voice came out in a soft whisper.

"We woke you?" I asked, shooting a look to Alice. Alice grinned and shrugged before turning her eyes back to the road.

"No, I was ready to get up," Bella spoke through a yawn, sitting up to look at me. A small smile touched her lips, "I was scared to wake up. I thought this would be a dream."

I leaned towards her to place a soft kiss against her lips, trying my best not to disturb Allie in her sleep. When I pulled away, I saw that Bella's cheeks were flushed with the beautiful red I had missed so much. "No dream, just me."