46. Secrets, Symbols & Sparkles

EPOV

"I want this one."


"Why that one?"


"B'cuz I want this one," she insisted, shoving the book in my face.


"Angel, how about we watch a movie," I suggested, trying to find a way out of having to read the Night Huntress series to my five year old.


She shook her head. "Mm-mm," she muttered decisively.


I took the small book from her outstretched hand and sighed in defeat. "Okay baby love, c'mere…" I said invitingly, and patted my lap.


She rubbed her tired eyes with a tiny fist, and crawled up onto the bed to snuggle in my lap.


It was 6:05 in the morning, and she was awake again. She had woken up ten minutes ago, needing to use the bathroom, and when she was done, she told me that the 'itchy-hotts' were bothering her again. I nodded, and told her to lay down on the bed to get ready for some more medicine. She did as she was told, sucking that little thumb the whole time, while I applied some more external cream for her. We had just got done washing our hands when she told me that she wanted it to be story time. I agreed, but never knew that she would end up picking this book. I guess it's my own fault though. I should have thought to buy a few children's books while we were in Port Angeles last week, buying her toys.


I kissed her hair constantly and softly murmured the words on the page to her, keeping my sleepy girl in a comforting embrace. I was about four pages in, when there was a soft knock on the door.


I kissed Isabella's temple and paused my reading. "Come in," I called out quietly.


Carlisle entered the room then, being sure to give Isabella a reassuring smile as soon as he made his presence known. It was time for my Bella's anti-depressant, so he had the Prozac in his hand, as well as a sippy cup full of chocolate milk for my little girl. He and Esme had picked it up for her while they were away on their hunting trip. It was white with three Disney princesses decorating the cup, and it had a sparkly pink top. Isabella popped her thumb out of her mouth and gazed at the new cup curiously.


"My princesses…" she whispered softly. Longingly.


I smiled. "Carlisle and Esme got that for you, sweetheart. It's your very own princess cup," I stated, pointing out the obvious.


She turned to me with a soft giggle, then immediately looked back at her new favorite cup. "Edward, look-it, my princesses…" she told me, pointing a small finger to where Ariel, Jasmine, and Belle took different poses around the cup.


"Mm-hmm…" I hummed in agreement.


She tore her gaze away from the cup and shyly looked up to Carlisle with guarded eyes. He smiled down at her. She furrowed her thin brow at him.


"Isabella, it's time for you to take some medicine," he explained.


Isabella looked away and yawned.


"Can you show us that you're a big girl again?" Carlisle asked.


"Ummm…" she sighed then, seeming to think about her answer.


"Big girls get to have princess cups," he informed her in a persuading tone.


That seemed to make up her mind for her. She immediately nodded and held out her hand, eyeing the sippy-cup intently.


"Good girl," I whispered in her ear.


He placed the tiny pill in her upturned palm, and she popped it in her mouth, putting her palm to her lips, then eagerly leaned forward to reach for the cup in Carlisle's hand. He handed it over willingly, and after takes a few sips from the cup's special spout, she smiled up at him.


To any one else, it would have been a simple and small gesture, but for Isabella, it was a big step. She didn't smile at just anybody, and Carlisle knew that. His thoughts said that he was grateful for the progress that a simple cup seemed to inspire.


Not wanting to push his luck with my skittish and temperamental little girl, he gave Isabella one last parting smile, and left with a friendly, "Have a good morning, dear."


"Edward?"


"Hm?"


"I got chocolate milk in my pretty princess cup," she told me as the door to our bedroom softly clicked shut.


I kissed her hair again, hugging her to me, while she tipped the cup back for another drink. She was so soft and warm, especially first thing in the morning, when she's fresh out the blankets.


"I know it, baby."


"Your Mommy and Daddy got it for me, huh?" she asked, lightly running her small fingertips along the smooth, pink top, decorated with silver sparkles.


"Yes."


"Edward?"


I stuck my nose in her hair and inhaled her scent again. "Yeah?"


"I can be a big girl with a princess sippy-cup," she informed me with a little nod.


I smiled, remembering our conversation at the store the other day. She had reasoned that bottles and sippy-cups were for babies, and that thumbs and pacifiers were for big girls. Looks like she's had a slight change of heart. It was obvious that she was trying to convince herself of her big-girl status with that little statement, more than she was me.


I kissed her cheek, deciding to play along. "Yes you can, baby girl."


"Mm-hmm," she hummed brightly, then took another drink and snuggled back into my side. She held onto the cup with one hand, and popped her little thumb back in her mouth. "Story time, Edwaaard…" she requested with a slight whine.


She was still tired.


I nodded. "Okay, honey," I acquiesced, starting back up on page five. I lightly trailed my fingertips along her side, and kept my voice soft and quiet while I read to her.


With every word I spoke, my regret on reading this book to her grew more exponential. It was the first in one of my Bella's book series, and it was about a young girl who was a vampire hunter, but she was a half-breed hybrid mix, herself; her mother was a human, her father was a vampire. This girl inadvertently ends up in a very adult relationship with a vampire, despite her mother's wishes, and the pair of them proceed to hunt down the 'bad vampires'.


How ironically inappropriate…


"Edward?" she interrupted.


I sighed in relief, glad for the interruption. "Hmm?"


She gulped down another drink. "What' a vampire?" she asked, gazing at me curiously.


Damn it.


I tensed as I scanned my brain on any plausible answer, not wanting to have this particular conversation with her right now. She didn't know that she was living with a coven of vampires yet, and I wasn't too sure how she'd take this information, so as of right now, I only wanted to placate, not explain.


"The people in this book…" I hedged.


"Marie says you too, Edward…" she mumbled tiredly.


I exhaled sharply, trying to stave off my sudden panic at her unexpected declaration. "What?" I muttered quickly.


Damn it, Marie.


"She says you…you, too."


I looked to the ceiling and sighed in resignation then, not really seeing the point in lying to her now. I was planning on telling her eventually, anyway. She'd find out sooner or later, anyway.


I'd rather it be later, not sooner.


I looked back at Isabella then, and kissed her forehead, holding her curious chocolate gaze with my evil gold one. I tightened my hold on her, irrationally afraid that she would get scared and want to run. I lightly blew my venom-tainted breath onto her face to take the edge off any upcoming anxiety that she might feel.


I squared my shoulders and nodded slowly, keeping the vital eye contact. "Mm-hmmm…" I hummed in agreement.


"How come?" she asked, bringing a tiny fist up and tiredly rubbing her right eye.


Huh?


"How come what, baby doll?"


"How come? But what am I?" she asked softly, perplexed.


I nodded. "You're human," I informed her.


"What's that?"


Uhmm…


I subtly shrugged. "What you are."


She huffed. "But how come I can't be like you?" she asked with a small whine.


I quirked a slight smile at her statement. Would all facets of my Bella long to be like me? An undead, bloodsucking monster?


Apparently.


"Maybe one day, angel…maybe you will be," I placated her.


She nodded. "Kay."


I squinted my eyes at Isabella then, gazing at her curiously. "Do you know what that means, baby girl? Do you know what 'vampire' means?"


She slowly shook her head and caught her bottom lip with her teeth. "Nooo…is it b'cuz your blankie don't work, and you don't like peanut butter and jellies?" she asked then.


I chuckled softly at her statement and nodded. "Yes, baby…that's why I'm cold and I don't like peanut butter and jelly sandwiches."


She nodded. "Kay…but Edward?"


"Hmm?"


"I like my peanut butter and jellies…" she mumbled.


I nodded. "I know, baby."


"Edward?"


"Yes?"


"Marie says…" she trailed off.


I stared at her expectantly, but she fell quiet then, staring at the collar of my shirt. After seven seconds, she furrowed her brow and looked back into my eyes.


"Hmm…Edward?"


"Hmm…?"


"Marie says you're like us," she said in a whisper.


Now it was my turn to furrow my brow. "What do you mean?"


"You can't grow up?" she asked in a small, uncertain voice.


My eyes widened a bit at that odd similarity, as I slowly shook my head. "No, baby…I can't," I confirmed.


She gave me a bright smile then, and giggled. "See, my Edward? We're gonna have fun with the lost boys b'cuz we're just like them, huh? Wanna play Never Never Land with me, Edward? You can be Peter Pan and I can be Tinker Bell."


I smiled softly at my little girl, loving her imagination and so relieved that she was reacting like this. Of course she would try to relate my odd qualities with one of her favorite fairytales. I considered taking her to our meadow to play this game and running with her on my back…she'd think we were flying.


Perfect.


I leaned forward fractionally, just enough for the tips of our noses to touch. She giggled at the contact, and softly rubbed her nose against mine in a famous Eskimo kiss.


"Maybe we can play Never Never Land later, hmm? It's still story time, love," I pointed out gently.


She sighed, nodding, then took another drink and pointed back to the page. I kissed her cheek, then continued reading, starting on page nine now. She began to twirl strands of her hair and I only got two more pages in before she spoke again.


"Hey, Edward?"


I smiled. "Yes?"


"What's wrong with the goods?" Marie asked, gesturing down to her crotch.


I nodded. "You have an infection, sweetheart," I informed her.


"Bummer."


"Yes, bummer."


She sighed, then handed me Isabella's sippy-cup. I set it down on the nightstand and Marie reached for the TV remote. She turned the flat screen on, and changed the channel to VH1, obviously wanting to watch the early morning music videos, so I put the book down and held Marie to me while she hummed along with the songs. Every once in a while, she would tiredly rub her eyes, but she seemed determined to stay awake.


"Edwaaard…"


I furrowed my brow. "What is it baby?" I asked softly in her ear.


"It's my story time," Isabella reminded me, taking the remote that lay on the bed, and turning the TV off.


"Okay, but maybe we can pick out another book? Hmm, angel?"


She shook her head and I sighed, deciding right then and there that I would pick up some more appropriate books the next time we went out.


Three sentences in, and she grabbed the remote, then turned the TV back on.


"It's my music time…" Marie muttered under her breath.


I widened my eyes a bit at the abrupt change again, but just nodded, setting the book back down. I watched two more music videos with Marie, before Isabella took the remote with a whine, and shut the TV off.


"Nooo…storrry tiiime…" she insisted with a pout.


I subtly shook my head in disbelief at what seemed to be Isabella and Marie's current argument, then just picked the book back up and started where I had left off.


Isabella smiled at me, glad that she was getting her way, and stuck her thumb back in her mouth, always staying snuggled into my side. I managed to get through two paragraphs this time, before she shoved the hand holding the book away, and went for that remote again.


"Edward, what the fuck did I just tell you? It's my music video time, damn it, and that's just how it's gon' be," she told me, her voice dripping with finality and frustration.


I didn't respond, not really caring whether I read, or watched TV now, just as long as I was keeping my girls happy.


Marie leaned back into me, keeping the remote in her hand this time, and kissed my jaw, before fixing her gaze back onto the flat screen. I wrapped my arm around her midsection, keeping her held to me, while I listened to her soft, lilting hums. I had just finished kissing her forehead, when she began to cry.


"Edwaaard, Marie won't let me have my storrry tiiime," Isabella whined, clearly trying to 'tell on her'.


I shook my head at the ridiculousness of it all. "Baby girl, don't cry," I told her.


She sniffled. "B-but it's not faaair…" she insisted.


I squinted my eyes a bit, looking her over. "Hmm…I think you're still sleepy, pretty girl," I told her, observing her constant eye-rubbing and whiny tone.


She shook her head, her barely-there cries quieting down now. "Mm-mm, I'm not," she lied.


I softly patted the outside of her bare thigh a few times. "Mm-mm baby girl, don't lie to me," I murmured in her ear, but even I could hear the undercurrent of a warning in my tone.


Her only response was another sniffle as she lay her head down on my shoulder and pointed to the book that lay forgotten on the gold comforter. I sighed and picked it back up, starting where I had left off, once again. I hadn't gotten four words in, before she shoved herself off my chest and yanked the book out of my hand.


"No," Marie scolded.


I raised my eyebrows at her and reached for the book. "Marie, stop it."


"No. I'm not a fuckin baby, Edward. I don't need you to read to me. I don't want a story time, goddamn it."


I nodded in understanding and set the book aside. "I know. The story book is for Isabella. She wants it. But you can turn your music back on now, sweetheart."


She nodded with a muttered, "Kay," then pressed the power button on the remote again, and settled back against my chest to continue with her 'music video time'.


After a minute, she slid out of my lap and opened the nightstand drawer to retrieve my Bella's Nintendo DS and power that on, as well. She turned the TV's volume up, then went and settled into the rocking recliner in the corner of the room, choosing to sit by herself for now.


I watched as she played MarioKart and sang along to her music videos while rocking the chair back and forth enthusiastically. Sometimes, she would pause her singing to curse the tiny video game before her, but she would always return back to her songs and sing along with perfection, completely in tune, and word for word.


I started making the bed, and wondered if my little girl would come back around to protest the music anytime soon. I grabbed the book off the nightstand and tucked it away, back in it's spot on my Bella's bookshelf, hoping that this particular 'story time' was over. I don't want to read those books to my baby anymore. I'll just have to pick up some fairytales and Dr. Seuss, or something, for her today.


Marie seemed pretty occupied with her music and video game, so I went next door to the weight room and started wiping down the new work-out machines. I made sure all the machines were put on the lowest resistance settings, and organized the little barbell weights in their designated cubby-hole shelves. I was just getting ready to put the boxing gloves away, when I heard Alice's thoughts.


Edward, get her off of there Alice thought to me.


I furrowed my brow and went back to my bedroom. Marie was standing on the extra-large recliner now, using the balls of her feet to control the still-rocking motion, and shaking her little hips from side to side, dancing to the music coming from the TV. Her face was turned down to the Nintendo toy in her hand, as she was completely focused on it.


"Marie, sit down."


"No," she muttered distractedly.


"You're going to fall."


"No I'm not," she mumbled without looking up at me.


I walked over to her, and wrapped both of my hands around her thin waist, then quickly lifted her off the recliner and set her down on her feet in front of me. She noticed the sudden movement, and tore her gaze away from her toy to scowl up at me.


I simply shrugged and said, "Don't tell me no."


When she glared at me, I raised my eyebrows at her and took my Bella's Nintendo DS out of her hand, then shut it closed with a small snap.


Marie gasped, "Hey!" then stomped her foot.


I rolled my eyes. "Marie, it's really too early for tantrums, don't you think?" I asked casually.


She crossed her arms over her chest. "But I was playing with that! I was winning, and my fuckawesome Peach was so badass, you should'a seen-"


I shook my head. "Not anymore, she's not."


She made that familiar whining noise in the back of her throat then, reminding me very much of Isabella. I ignored it, though.


"It's time for breakfast, love," I informed her, then placed a gentle, cool kiss to her pursed, warm lips.


She kept her lips tight and sighed through her little button nose, then muttered a defeated, "Fine," before stomping off down the stairs.


I subtly shook my head at her retreating form, then put my Bella's DS back in the nightstand drawer. I shut the TV off, then grabbed Isabella's new sippy-cup and took it down to the kitchen sink.


After I joined my girl in the dining room, I noted that we both still needed to get dressed. Marie sat down at the table, barely dressed in that little blue night gown, and I still remained in a black wife beater and pajama pants.


Marie's eyes danced excitedly around the plate of food that Esme had placed in front of her, and her voice lilted with her indecision. "Yummy sweet strawberrieees…fuckawesome French toast…yummy sweet strawberrieees….mmm, fuckawesome French toast…and yummy sweet straw-"


"Marie, sweetheart, just pick one and eat it," I told her.


She nodded and grabbed her fork, cutting into a slice of French toast. "I'm gonna eat you..." she told it.


I rolled my eyes and fought a smile as she giggled out, "Get in'ma belly!" in an authentic Scottish accent.


She stuffed a big piece of syrupy bread into her small mouth then. I saw a little trickle of maple syrup trailing down her lower lip when she smiled over at me. She continued to chew, her mouth completely overstuffed, and her delicate jaw line constantly moving with her effort. When she deliberately crossed her eyes at me and started to subtly bounce in place on her seat, I lost my battle with that smile and let my grin break free.


"You're so cute," I commented before I could stop myself.


She nodded, and when she finally swallowed, she remarked cheekily with a smile, "It's whyyy ya love me."


I chuckled softly. "Yes. That and many other things…" I trailed off.


Marie's pink tongue peeked out as she licked the syrup from her bottom lip. "Mom makes yummy food that's always mmm-mmm good, Edward. I fuckin love it," she told me, then popped a strawberry half in her mouth.


I nodded. "I'm glad you like it, sweetheart."


She swallowed. "I do!" she exclaimed brightly, then took another bite of her French toast.


I sighed contentedly and watched my mate consume the high calorie food. With every bite of butter-covered-syrup-soaked bread that she swallowed, my anxiety at her underweight issue lessened a little more.


Marie swallowed. "Edward, my Bell's upset. Why?" she asked, suddenly switching the relaxed atmosphere in the room to a slightly tense and somber one. She wasn't smiling anymore as she put her fork down and chewed another bite of her food.


I furrowed my brow. "I don't know, sweetheart…" I hedged quietly.


I did know, but I wasn't sure what the protocol was for discussing my Bella's breakdown with her alternates, especially since they weren't aware of said breakdown, in the first place.


"Edward?"


"What baby?"


"Wanna play outside," Isabella informed me.


I nodded. "You can after breakfast, and after you get dressed, sweetheart."


"What am I gonna get dressed in today?" she asked, stabbing a piece of strawberry with her fork and bringing it to her mouth.


I sighed. "Well pretty girl, it's really nice outside today, so how about some shorts instead of jeans?" I suggested.


She nodded, smiling at the sweetness of her fruit. "Edward?"


"Yes?"


"I can dress my baby dolly after breakfast too, huh…"


"Yes."


"Edward?"


"Yeah?"


"I can have my princess cup too, huh…"


"Maybe later, baby. It's in the sink right now…needs to be washed."


"At bedtime?"


"Sure."


She scooted a piece of French toast around her plate with her fork. "Edward?"


"Hmm?"


Her chocolate eyes flicked away from her plate, and up to mine. "Story time over?"


I nodded slowly. "Yes it is, baby."


"Edward?"


"Yes?"


"I'm full."


She set the fork down next to her plate and I immediately scanned what food was left, not being able to trust Isabella at all when she says that she's 'full'. After I saw that only two pieces of strawberry and one bite of French toast was left, I relented and nodded at her.


"Okay baby, breakfast can be over. Go on upstairs…I'll be up in a minute."


Isabella nodded and passed both of my parents on her way up the stairs, while I took her breakfast dishes to the sink. Esme stayed in the front room, but Carlisle came to join me in the kitchen.


"Hey…depending on what happens today, I might need you to keep an eye on Isabella for me later on," I informed Carlisle.


"Oh?"


I nodded. "Yeah…I need to go out and get some children's books today because she seems to want a 'story time' now, but we don't have any suitable books for a five year old. This morning, I had to read one of Bella's adult books to her, and I do not want to be put in that situation again. The romance and violence in those books are not appropriate for my little girl. At all," I told him.


He nodded. "And you don't want her to come with you?"


I subtly shook my head. "I…I don't want to make it an all-day trip. I just want to grab a few books and go, and I know that if she comes along, then she'll be indecisive and we'll end up staying there for at least a few hours," I offered lamely.


He nodded again, but I could hear the skepticism in his thoughts.


I rolled my eyes and growled in frustration. "Of course I don't want to leave her here, but you guys aren't going to get off my back until I can comfortably leave her at the house every once in a while. I just…look, I'm going to go out on a limb here, and trust you with my mate again. I know it's important to my Bella that I let you all help out, so I'm putting forth all these efforts to make her happy, and her alone."


"Right…"


"Just…can you promise me something?"


"Of course."


"Don't let her leave, and don't confine her," I pleaded.


He nodded.


"I…I won't be able to leave her here again if I come home to what I've had to deal with the last two times I tried this. This is it. Three strikes, and you're out. Got it?"


He nodded, "Son, you shouldn't worry so much…we care about her too-"


"Not as much as I do," I abruptly cut him off with a tone of finality.


I left him standing there in the kitchen, and went up the steps to my bedroom, eager to be in my mate's presence again. I focused on her constant heartbeat, and when I reached the third story landing, I saw that Isabella was standing in the entrance to our bedroom, staring at me with worried chocolate eyes. I furrowed my brow in concern and noticed how she was lightly bouncing from one foot to the other, making a soft whimpering noise.


I walked up to her, stopping just inches away. "What is it, baby?" I asked softly.


"Gotta pottyyy…" she told me with a whine.


I nodded. "Go potty."


"Kay," her voice rushed out, as she turned and ran to our bathroom, slamming the door shut behind her.


I sighed and made my way over to the closet, wondering how to broach that particular subject with her. She didn't need my permission to use the bathroom…ever.


I changed my clothes while she was in there, and had begun picking her outfit out when I heard the faucet turn on so that she could wash her hands. After I picked out some jean shorts and a little white camisole top, I laid them on top of the dresser and opened the panty drawer, grabbing a pair of pink cotton ones.


Isabella came out of the bathroom just as I was putting a small panty liner on the pink pair of panties. I didn't think she needed to wear a pad anymore today, so I was using the thin panty liner that I had set aside last night for today's use.


"Edward, hold me…" Isabella requested in a shy voice from behind me.


I nodded and turned to pick her up. I held her against my chest, smiling at one of my favorite hugs, then used my free hand to quickly grab the panties and external cream off the dresser.


I walked us over to the bed and gently laid her down in the middle of it. She whimpered when she figured out that I wasn't laying down with her. When I straightened back up, she reached for me and pouted.


"Shhh, my baby love…" I cooed to her, lightly trailing my fingertips along her bare knee, and silently asking my brother for his help on this matter again.


Jasper agreed and Isabella huffed.


"Edward, I wanna go play," she told me, sucking on her bottom lip.


"After some more medicine, and after you get dressed, baby girl."


She whined, but I ignored it, hooking my fingers into the sides of her panties instead. "Lift up for me, angel," I told her.


"Nooo…" she whined.


I unhooked one finger and lightly patted her bare thigh. "Lift up your bottom, Isabella," I said in a firmer tone.


She started to cry then, but lifted up, nonetheless.


I hesitated, furrowing my brow at her cries, but still slipped her panties down her smooth legs. I took the used pad off and walked over to the closet to throw the panties in the hamper. I dropped a cool kiss to Isabella's forehead as I passed by her on my way to the bathroom, needing to throw the pad away and grab a few feminine wipes.


When I was done in the bathroom and came back to the foot of the bed, Isabella was still crying. I sighed and set the wipes and small tube of external cream down, off to the side, then leaned over her, placing both my hands on either side of her small hips.


"Hey…baby girl, what's wrong?" I asked softly, worried that the trust was somehow broken now, and she was suddenly afraid of me, for some reason.


She stared up at my concerned face with watery chocolate eyes. She gasped in a breath, then said, "Wanna go plaaay…" in a shaky voice.


I raised my eyebrows at her incredulously.


You have got to be fucking kidding me.


"Are you throwing a fit?"


She exhaled a shaky breath and clenched her eyes shut, crying some more and not bothering to answer me. I squinted my eyes at her, angry now that she had made me worry like that.


"I think you are…" I trailed off, cocking my head to the side.


She opened her eyes to gaze back up at my face.


I glared at her. "Do you want a spankin, Isabella?"


"Nooo…" she cried, shaking her head.


"Then, stop it," I firmly demanded.


She nodded and sucked on her bottom lip, swallowing back a sob and trying to comply with my demand. I watched as she calmed herself, and after a minute, she had successfully quieted down, so I softened my gaze and kissed her forehead.


"It's okay, baby…I'll be done in a second," I murmured softly against her skin.


She sniffled. "S'itchy-hott, Edward," she told me in a small voice that cracked.


I nodded and straightened back up. "I know angel, and that's why you need more medicine before you can go play outside," I told her.


She nodded, so I handed her a tissue and her Fuzzy bear, then picked up a wipe and wiped the sensitive skin of her bare folds. Her color was almost back to normal now, only faintly tinged a soft pink, as opposed to last night's brightly lit pink/almost red color. I threw the wipe away, then grabbed the soiled tissue that Isabella was holding out to me, and threw that away, as well. I picked up the tube of external cream then, and after placing some along my fingertip, I lowered my hand back down to her exposed sex.


"Cold finger," I reminded her, then carefully ran my finger up and down her little pink slit, trying to thoroughly rub the medicine in for her.


When I was done, I used the last feminine wipe to wipe off my finger, and gazed down into Isabella wary eyes. I grabbed her panties and showed them to her.


"Time for new panties, angel."


She softened her gaze and nodded. "They're pink like my pretty twinkle toes…" she told me, holding her foot up for me to see.


I caught her dainty ankle with my free hand and lightly tickled her heel with my cool fingers. Her laughter and giggles filled the space of our large bedroom. I smiled down at her and placed a quick kiss to her pedicured big toe, then gently laid her leg back down on the bed.


"Very pretty toes," I agreed lightly, as I began slipping her feet through the designated holes of her new panties.


She smiled brightly up at me. "Pretty twinkle toes…" she emphasized.


I nodded. "Yes, twinkle toes. My baby has very pretty twinkle toes…" I softly sang to her as I continued slipping the tiny piece of fabric up her smooth legs.


She smiled as she lifted up her bottom for me one last time, then sat up, leaving her Fuzzy bear at her side and reaching for me.


I lifted her up and hugged her to my chest, then asked if she wanted to wash her hands with me. She shook her head because she had just got done washing hers, so I set her back down and told her to get dressed while I was in the bathroom.


I took my time washing my hands, wanting to allow my little girl some privacy to get dressed. I listened closely to the sound of soft fabric sliding over delicate skin with ease.


I noticed then, that Alice, Esme and Carlisle were outside in the backyard. Carlisle and Esme were sitting on the porch swing, and Alice was setting out Isabella's play-doh and sidewalk chalk. She also had some of her own art supplies from school out there…markers, little paints, and things of that nature.


I smiled, knowing that my little girl would enjoy herself and be very occupied when I decided to leave so that I could buy some books for her story times.


When the faint swish noises of clothing stopped, I grabbed the hair brush off the counter and walked back into the bedroom.


"Sit down, baby," I told her, motioning to the rocking recliner.


She shook her head and stomped her foot. "But I wanna go play!"


Seriously. It's too fucking early for tantrums.


I was getting fed up. Both Marie and Isabella had had their freebie this morning. One more step out of line from either of them, and they'd be taking a trip over my knee.


"Isabella, if you don't quit with that attitude, you're not going to be playing outside at all today, young lady," I warned.


She huffed, so I tried again. "I need to brush your hair, angel, and then you can go play."


She nodded, with a muttered, "Kay," and skipped her way over to me, stopping when we were just inches apart, then turned her back to me.


I sighed, knowing that this was the best I could expect from her at the moment. She was so excited to get outside and play, that she just simply couldn't sit still right now.


I gently ran the brush through her hair, trying to work out the tangles that had occurred overnight, while Isabella hummed 'Ring Around the Rosy' and rocked up onto her tippy toes a dozen times. When all of her hair was thoroughly brushed and tangle-free, I told her that she could go play now, to which she nodded and grabbed my hand, dragging me down the stairs with her.


"Edward?"


I turned and lifted her in my arms. Her skipping was making me nervous.


"Hmm?"


She clung to me as I descended down the steps to the first floor. "We can jump on my jump-a-lene, and swing on my swing, and draw with my chalk, and ride Marie's bike, and squeeze my sparkly play-doh, and make muddy pies, and play with the ball, and climb up the trees, and run, huh?" she suggested in one long breath.


Wow.


I nodded. "Yes."


She leaned away from my chest, keeping both her hands clasped behind my neck, and sagged back to smile brightly up at me.


I smiled back. "You're silly," I commented, to which she giggled.


I pressed my hand to the small of her back and brought her chest back to mine. She complied, hugging herself to me, and stayed that way as I walked the rest of the way down the steps.


When we reached the back door, I opened it, then set my vibrant little girl down on her bare feet in front of me on the patio. She turned away from me, and I watched closely as she ran across the green lawn, all the way over to the large trampoline. She placed both her hands on the side of it, then hopped, using her hands to push herself up and climb onto that death trap. When she crawled to the center and started jumping, I turned to face my family.


Jasper stepped through the back door and shut it behind him, then. He walked around my still form silently, and went to stand beside Alice.


"She knows what we are?" he inquired quietly.


I nodded. "Yes…I'm sure that you all heard the conversation this morning, so you know that she's completely fine with it. She finds it fascinating and she relates some of our traits to that Peter Pan movie. She wants to play a game called, 'Never Never Land' with me, and she's very happy that I'm just like her, in the sense that I can't grow up. It's what we can expect from a five year old," I concluded.


He nodded. "Makes sense…"


Carlisle and Esme remained quiet, having already heard the conversation between me and my little girl this morning.


Alice beamed up at me, glad that we didn't have to keep the secret from Isabella anymore, but before she could start with her excited squeaks and squeals, I began the very important discussion that I needed to have with my family.


I had to make them understand my position in this particular matter.


"I'm going to be leaving soon. Isabella is apparently interested in having a story time now, so I need some good children's books to accommodate her wishes. I will be gone for an hour, at the most. Please…please, take care of her. I know that you all heard the talk that I had with Carlisle this morning…" I hedged.


They nodded, so I continued. "Like I said, I cannot keep putting my trust in you, just to come home and see that my mate is frantic, or fucking missing. Yes, we are all allowed to make mistakes, but this is not a trial and error situation. This is my mate we're talking about here, and there is no room for mistakes when it comes to her. So…there will be no confining in an effort to discipline her, and she is not allowed to leave. I don't care who calls, or what movie is showing."


I raised my eyebrows and looked to each of them to make sure I still had their attention before I carried on. "She is allowed to play on the trampoline, but if she gets within two feet of that blue padded material, then she needs to get off immediately and serve a five minute time-out in one of the lawn chairs out here. She is allowed to play on the swing, but both of her hands need to remain on the ropes while it's in motion. If she fails to comply, then there will be no more swinging, and I will deal with her when I get home. She can draw and run, she can play with the balls, and play with her play-doh…whatever, but she is not allowed to ride Marie's bike. And if she climbs up one of the trees, then I want one of you up there with her. Is that clear?"


They all nodded, but before any of them could speak, I reiterated, "This is the last time I'm going to do this. If I come home to chaos, I will not entrust my mate's welfare into your hands again. Bella will just have to understand that and fucking deal with it, and the only times that I will leave her here with you, will be so that I can travel a few hours away to go hunt," I stated with finality.


"She'll be fine, dear," Esme assured me.


"Son, like I said before…you shouldn't worry so much. The turmoil from these last two times were based on misunderstandings and bad decisions. Nothing was purposefully done to hurt her…" Carlisle reasoned before a hyper pixie cut him off.


"Edward!" Alice exclaimed, exasperated. "Seriously, she'll be fine with me, because I'm her best friend," she stated with finality. "Look…" she trailed off, gesturing to the table, "I got all this neat stuff out for Isabella to play with, and maybe she'll be more comfortable with me if I share her interests, yeah? I can draw and color with her…"


I nodded, giving my sister a small smile. "She'll have fun with you, Alice."


Isabella would definitely love playing with all the art supplies Alice had set out, especially the sparkly stuff. I saw the sidewalk chalk bucket on the pavement by the basketball hoop and the six pack of neon colored sparkle play-doh sitting on the shaded metal table, just waiting to be played with.


"Don't worry, brother. I can ease her anxiety when you leave and persuade her to behave while your gone," Jasper informed me with a wink.


I smiled, feeling Jasper's talented calm wash over me. "Yeah, you're right Jazz…she'll be fine," I reasoned, basking in the glow of my newfound care-free attitude.


I turned to go in the direction of a bouncing Isabella then, but Carlisle stopped me before I could get too far.


He looked down at his wrist watch. "Be sure to hurry back, son. It's about ten o'clock now, so if you're back in an hour, then you can spend a few hours with her before her therapy session begins this afternoon. If Bella hasn't made an appearance by then, then I'm going to try a session with Isabella instead…or Marie; whichever one is aware at the time."


I nodded. "Okay…"


"And if you get held up anywhere, and you don't think that you're going to be able to return before noon, then please call your mother. She'll want to be sure to make the child some lunch."


"Yeah, that's fine," I replied, turning to give Esme a small smile of appreciation.


He nodded thoughtfully then. "I'm going to remain out here and observe her behavior…her attitude. I want to see if the Prozac is having any negative effects on her system."


"I'm sure she's fine," I told him. "She's been acting like herself…both of them have," I pointed out.


"Right, but Bella hasn't been around, so we won't necessarily know how well her mind is taking it, until we've actually talked to her about it…but…" he hedged, trailing off.


He was blocking his thoughts from me.


"But, what?" I asked, somewhat impatiently.


"Well, son, with Bella's recent breakdown, I have no idea when she'll be returning to help me figure out the positive and negative effects of the anti-depressant," he informed me.


I shrugged and sighed, already knowing that my Bella might be gone for a while, then turned my attention back to my little girl. I caught sight of Isabella in mid-air, doing a quick front flip, then landing on her back…her limp form bouncing against the black stretchy material, and peals of giggling laughter dancing on her beautiful lips the entire time.


I smiled. "Bella will come back around when Bella is ready. There's no rush…" I told him over my shoulder, then walked off the patio and started in the direction of my baby girl.


I approached the side of the trampoline, and when Isabella's laughter had died down, she turned her face to the side to peer at me with an adorable smile. She sat up, then got up on all fours and lithely crawled her way over to where I was standing. She quietly giggled as she sat down Indian style in front of me, then covered her chocolate eyes.


"Edward?"


"Yeah?"


"Peek-a-boo!" she exclaimed, uncovering her eyes and smiling brightly at me.


I smiled and took her warm hands in my own, then kissed that little button nose. "Hey, pretty girl…?" I trailed off softly with a smile.


"Yeah?" she squeaked.


I squinted my eyes a bit in thought. "What type of books do you like, sweetheart?" I asked curiously.


Her bottom teeth caught her top lip and she sucked on it for a few seconds, seeming to think about her answer. "Where's Waldo, and the velvety bunny rabbit, and the curious georgey monkey, and my princess fairies tales, and the green eggs in ham, and-"


I chuckled softly, cutting her off. "Okay, baby…I think I have a pretty good idea of what you would like," I told her.


She slightly cocked her head to the side and gazed at me curiously. "Why?"


"I'm going to go get you some books for your story times," I told her.


She smiled. "Can we go now?" she asked excitedly.


Instead of telling her 'no', I stepped a few inches to the side and let her get a good look at what was behind me.


"Wow, baby girl…look at that," I whispered to her.


She gasped, wanting to be in on the secret. "Look-it at what?" she whispered back.


"Look at all those sparkly, pretty things that Alice set out for you to play with…" I trailed off softly.


She smiled when she caught sight of all the art supplies, her play-doh and chalk included. I let her scan at the items and waited until her hesitant gaze turned to an excited one under Jasper's influence, before I spoke again.


"Do you wanna go play with her?" I asked then.


Isabella nodded and reached for me, so I hooked my hands under her shoulders and took her off the trampoline, then hugged her small form to my chest. I knew that I would miss her terribly and that I would be ridden with anxiety while I went into town to buy a few books for her.


I hated this. I wanted to bring her with me.


But, if what everyone, my Bella included, was saying was true…then, this is 'for the best'.


This…this fucking testing of my strength and will to separate myself from her, so that, maybe, one day, I can stay gone hunting long enough to feed until I am truly satisfied. And, maybe, in the process, I can also give my mate the opportunity to reestablish her relationship with my family members, without my constant interference.


It's still bullshit.


I took Isabella over to the patio, where Alice was waiting, and set her down on her bare feet. Isabella dropped down to her knees, kneeling by her chalk bucket, and immediately opened it. She pulled out a piece of red chalk, and her eager little hand began tracing the chalk along the pavement's rough surface.


I squatted down beside her and softly rubbed my hand up and down her back, getting her attention. "Isabella, baby…I'll be back soon, okay?"


"Edward…" she trailed off softly.


"Yes, angel?"


"I wanna go with you," she told me then, turning her sad gaze to look at me.


I nodded. "I know honey, but I'm going to get you some surprise books…and you have to stay here and play with your toys, if you want them to be a surprise," I reasoned.


"Surprise?" she squeaked curiously, her expression no longer sad.


I nodded and gave her a reassuring smile. "Mm-hmm…books that you haven't read yet, but that you're going to like a lot," I clarified for her.


"But what about the ones I like already?"


"I'm getting those too, baby girl," I assured her.


"Edward?"


"Yeah?"


"I love you…" she trailed off softly, then dropped the chalk, and scooted herself onto my lap.


I sat down on the pavement then, relaxing out of my squatting position, and keeping my little girl held to me for a cuddle. "I love you, too," I told her, placing a cool kiss to her temple.


"When will you come back to me?" she asked.


"In a little bit. Probably an hour, or so…" I trailed off, lightly skimming my fingertips along her bare arm.


I marveled at the goose bumps that it had ignited on her creamy flesh while Isabella slowly nodded.


"You're going to have so much fun playing with your toys, angel. You get to jump on your trampoline, and swing on your swing, and color with Alice…" I trailed off encouragingly.


I knew then that Jasper was actively trying to influence my girl's tempered emotions to ones of excitement and happiness.


"Yah-huh…I'm gonna have fun," she agreed softly.


"Isabella, do you want to color with me?" Alice asked from her seat at the umbrella-shaded table.


Isabella gazed at Alice curiously from her spot on my lap and smiled shyly at her. I sighed and kissed her soft temple one last time, the patted her bottom, encouraging her to get up off my lap.


Isabella turned her head to stare at me then, her eyes filled with apprehension and uncertainty, but at my reassuring smile and encouraging nod, she finally stood from my lap and slowly walked over to the table, then took a seat across from my sister.


I stood from the ground and walked over to where my two favorite girls were sitting at the moment. I stepped up behind Isabella and bent down to whisper in her ear, taking the opportunity to inhale the sweetest aroma in the whole wide world.


"I'll be back soon, angel," I murmured my assurance.


"Kay…" she whispered back, never taking her shy gaze away from the pretty pixie before her.


I saw how Alice smiled at Isabella and offered her a purple marker, before I turned and made my way to the garage.

**********

I wanted to stay close by. My past experiences of leaving my mate behind only cemented that decision, so I just ended up going to the small family-owned bookstore here in Forks.


It was a fairly new place, having only opened up a few months ago, and even though they didn't have a huge selection like the Borders in Port Angeles, I knew that they would have what I was looking for. I just needed to pick up about a dozen children's books, then I could be on my way back home to my mate.


As I stood in my position as third in the check-out line, carrying some books under my arm, I noticed the brightly lit parking lot outside. My eyes widened as I backed out of the line, under the façade that I had changed my mind on a few of my selections, and still needed to browse the store. When I made it to an empty aisle in the far corner of the small building, I pulled out my cell phone and dialed Alice's number.


*RING*


"She's fine," my sister greeted dryly.


I rolled my eyes. "Alice, when am I going to be able to leave this store?" I hissed under my breath.


She was quiet for a moment before she answered, "Um…in about…eight minutes."


I nodded to myself, relieved. "Alright. So…um-"


"She's fiiine," Alice's melodic voice sang lightly in my ear, already guessing what I was about to ask.


"I know that, Alice…but, what is she doing? Is she coloring…jumping…swinging? Is she having fun? Did she cry-"


"And it's sparkly!!" Isabella's voice exclaimed in the back round of Alice's phone then, interrupting my inquiry.


I chuckled softly, my anxiety at missing her dissipating with the sound of her adorable child-like voice. "Alice, let me talk to her."


"Okay, just a sec," she told me.


I stood in the empty aisle and leaned my back against the wall, double checking my choices on the books I had picked out for my little girl. I had a huge volume full of classic fairytales, The Velveteen Rabbit, a few Where's Waldo books, The Little Princess, Goodnight Moon, I Love You Forever, Curious George, a couple Dr. Seuss books, the Precious Moments collection of Bedtime stories and Through-The-Day stories, Magic Treehouse, and The Secret Garden. I nodded, satisfied that this would be enough.


Little giggles sounded over the phone then.


"Isabella…" I called softly, getting her attention.


"Edward?"


"Yes?"


"Hi!" she squeaked.


Adorable.


I chuckled. "Hi baby…what are you doing?"


"I was swingin on my fun tree swing and now I'm playin in the sparklies. What are you doooin?"


"I'm picking out the surprise books for you."


"Edward?"


"What baby?"


"Do you sparkle too?"


My eyes widened a bit.


Uhmm…


"What do you mean, angel?"


"Your sissy sparkles, and your daddy and mommy sparkle…do you sparkle too?"


I realized then, that the sun wasn't just shining down on the parking lot outside. It was also shining in my backyard.


I sighed. "Yes, baby…" I trailed off quietly.


"Me too!"


I furrowed my brow. "What?"


"I got sparklies on me too, Edward. Alice is lettin me use the soft brush to put the sparklies on my arm," she told me.


She painting on herself?


Great.


"Well, that's great, honey…" I said, fighting a grimace and imagining the mess that either my Bella, or myself, was going to have to clean up.


"Edward?"


"Yes, angel?"


"I love you."


I smiled. "I love you too, sweetheart."


"You're mine, huh?"


"Yes."


"Edward?"


"Hmm?"


"I been a good girl," she told me.


"That's good."


"Yah-huh, and your mommy got me a pop for bein good and listenin when it was time to wash my haaands…"


"Why did you have to wash your hands?"


"B'cuz they got dirty in the chalk bucket. My hands were pretty like shiny rainbows, Edward, but your mommy said that I gotta wash the chalkies off if I wanted to have a pop."


I nodded. "Well, I'm glad you're being a good girl while I'm away."


"Yah-huh, and Edward?"


"What is it, baby love?"


"I gotta potty," she whispered into the phone then.


I chuckled. "Isabella…you don't have to ask to go potty. Just go, honey. No one is going to stop you," I assured her.


"But why?"


"Why what, angel?"


"How come I don't gotta ask?"


"You just don't, sweetie. Go inside and go potty," I told her.


"But Edward?"


"What baby?"


"When I get done pottyin, can I come back outside and play?"


"Yes."


"Promise?"


"I promise."


"Kay, I gotta potty."


I smiled. "Alright love, give the phone back to Alice and go potty," I told her.


"Kay, and Edward?"


"Hmm?"


"I love you."


"Love you too, sweetheart."


"Kay, good bye-bye."


"Bye, baby."


"Hey," Alice chirped over the line then.


"Hey…is she going to the bathroom?" I asked uncertainly.


"Yes. It's so weird how she thinks she needs your permission…" she trailed off.


I nodded. "Yes…it is. I have to work on that with her. So, what's up with the 'sparklies' on her arm, Alice?" I interrogated.


"Oh!" she chirped. "Yeah…the sun suddenly decided to fucking shine, giving me no notice whatsoever, so the three of us were caught off guard by that. Isabella was on the swing when she gasped in amazement at how 'sparkly' we all were. She wanted to sparkle too, so I'm placating her with these paints. Don't worry, Edward…they're totally washable. I wouldn't have brought them out here for the five year old, if they weren't non-toxic and easy to wash off skin."


I sighed. "Alright…as long as she's having fun," I conceded quietly.


"She is."


"Well, I'm going to pay for these books, then I'll be on my way home."


"Be sure to take your time dawdling in that line Edward. You still have four minutes before you can walk out to your car," she warned me.


I rolled my eyes. "I know, Alice."


"Okay, well bye."


"Bye," I said before flipping my phone closed.


I sighed, then slowly walked up to the front of the store to take my place back in line. I lucked out in the time department, because it took three whole minutes for the cashier to get through the person in front of me, then ring up my purchase. After I paid the $110 bill, I grabbed the plastic bag full of my little girl's brand new story time books, then walked outside, glad for the returning cloud cover.


I listened to my Ipod in the car ride back home, imagining Marie in the seat next to be, singing her little heart out. I missed Marie, and I hoped that she would come back around to hang out some more today.


About half way home, my phone rang. I saw Carlisle's number on the caller ID before I answered it.


I flipped my phone open and held it to my ear. "Yeah?"


"Son, how far away are you?"


"About ten minutes, why?" I asked, hearing Isabella's voice faintly in the back round.


"Well…Isabella is being…um, difficult."


"What is she doing?"


He lightly chuckled then. "She's up in a tree, and she won't come down. Not even for a tootsie pop. One of us could always make her come down, but I don't think we need to take such drastic measures as of yet. She's in no danger. I just think she's upset because Alice took her marker away and Jasper told her she had to wash a…um, picture, off of her skin," he told me.


"What picture?"


"Well, she was drawing on herself, which is nothing unusual, but the picture that she drew is quite offensive, Edward. It's a swastika."


Fucking Jim.


I exhaled sharply. "You tell her that if she doesn't get down from that tree right fucking now, then she's going to be in trouble when I get home. I want her down now, Carlisle. I don't like her climbing those damn trees anyway, and she should be listening to you, but she's not. Tell her that I said she needs to listen."


"Isabella…" he called out then. "Your Edward said that you need to start listening, sweetheart. Now, it's time to come down…"


"Nooo…" I heard Isabella whine, to which I rolled my eyes.


"Damn it," I grumbled under my breath.


"Yes, dear…now, come on down. Be a big girl, Isabella, and do as your told," Carlisle said.


"No b'cuz you're gonna take my pretties away and I want my Edwaaard…" Isabella's voice trailed off.


"Carlisle," I said, getting his attention.


"Yes?"


I pressed harder on the gas pedal, accelerating my speed. "I'll be home in a minute. If you can get her down, then have her sit in one of the lawn chairs to stay and wait for me," I said grimly, before I flipped my phone closed.

**********

When I arrived home, I left the bag of books in the living room, and paused at the back door to take in the scene before me. My family knew of my presence, but Isabella didn't. I had to fight a smile at her appearance.


She was pouting adorably, sitting on the lawn chair with her sparkly arms crossed over her chest. I could see the thin coat of sparkle paint covering her bare arms and legs. Her small white camisole top was riding up a bit, allowing me a peek at the small pink marker heart on her little hip bone.


The picture in question though, was large and it was on her left forearm, drawn in bold with black marker. It was an ugly symbol marring her beautiful perfection. My eyes squinted into a glare, zeroing in on the wretched swastika ruining my mate's creamy white flesh. I had to get it off of her.


Now.


"If you would have listened, then you wouldn't be in a time-out right now, little darlin," Jasper informed my little girl.


She glared up at him, but her pursed lips kept her quiet for now.


I stayed standing on this side of the glass door as I listened to my family's thoughts. I wanted to know what had happened while I was gone. I didn't want to hear it, I wanted to see it.


Apparently, Isabella had come down from the tree when Carlisle told her that if she didn't start listening, she would be in trouble with me when I got home. When she dropped down from the low branch, he told her to sit in the lawn chair to wait for me. She glared at him, then protectively palmed the swastika on her left forearm and stomped past the four vampires to take her seat at the patio.


When Alice tried to persuade Isabella to let her wash the black marker off her skin, Isabella started going on about "This is my daddy's pretty" and "He lets me color it on all the time" and "He'll kill you if I tell that you took it off of me". After those remarks, they decided to leave the subject alone and let me handle this situation as I saw fit.


I sighed, seeing a difficult discussion looming up ahead. Isabella didn't believe that Jim was dead, and she obviously thought that he was going to show up to get her anytime now.


I silently stepped out onto the patio just as Isabella piped up to Jasper, "You can't make me take my pretties off, b'cuz my Daddy likes it."


"Isabella," I called her name firmly.


Her head whipped around in my direction and she smiled at me. I gave her a small smile in return as she stood from her chair and came over to me. She wrapped her arms around my waist for a hug, and after cradling her to my chest for seven seconds, I whispered in her ear that we needed to talk.


She nodded. "Edward?"


I loosened my hold on her and stepped back. "What?"


She showed me her arm. "I got my glitters on, so I can sparkle 'n shine just like you, huh…and I got my daddy's pretty on, too," she told me.


I gripped her thin arm in my cold hand, and traced the picture. "Isabella, this is not a 'pretty', this is an 'ugly'. Anything that has to do with your daddy is bad, sweetheart. This needs to come off, and it needs to come off now."


Isabella furrowed her brow up at me and tried to pull her arm out of my grasp.


I shook my head. "No…" I trailed off firmly.


"But my daddy, Edwa-"


"Is not here. He will never be here, and he's not coming back, because he's dead."


Her eyes started to water and she sniffled. "I don't believe you."


I continued on, as if she hadn't spoken. "And if I ever hear you telling people how your daddy is going to 'kill them', then you're going to be in a lot of trouble, young lady. You're daddy won't be killing anything because he is dead," I said with finality.


"So, this picture…" I trailed off, gesturing to the symbol on her arm, "needs to go away and never come back. Just like your daddy."


She whimpered then. "But what about my other pretties…?" she asked hesitantly.


I softened my gaze and let go of her arm. I hooked my hands underneath her shoulders and picked her up, holding her to my chest. As I turned and made my way back inside the house, I said, "Your marker heart and your sparklies are very pretty, baby, but unfortunately, they're going to come off in the bath, too."


"Nooo…I don't want a bath," she whined, and pushed her fists against my chest.


"Too bad," I replied, heading for the stairs.


"Nooo…" she whined again, then whimpered and began to cry.


I sighed. "Stop it, Isabella."


She didn't respond, just cried louder and kicked her legs out at nothing, throwing a fit. After I swatted her ass for it, she laid her head on my shoulder and began mumbling that she didn't want a bath…that she wanted to sparkle forever, just like me. She cried and begged me not to take away her 'pretties'.


I almost gave in, but caught sight of that black abomination on her arm, and it served to steel my resolve.


I walked into our bathroom, then shut and locked the door behind me, before setting Isabella down on her feet. She was still crying, so I kissed her forehead and grabbed her hand, holding it up in between us.


"Hey…pretty girl, look at me," I instructed softly.


She turned her watery gaze up at me, so I pointed to her manicured fingernails. "These are pretty…these sparkle n' shine, love. You'll still sparkle, baby girl, just not on your skin…" I pointed out gently.


She sniffled and stopped her sobs as she turned her gaze to focus intently on her glittery pastel pink fingernails. "Yeah-huh…" her voice cracked as she quieted her cries. She sniffled again. "And my pretty twinkle toes, Edwaaard," she said, lifting her small foot a bit for emphasis. "They sparkle, too."


I nodded. "Yes they do, baby," I agreed.


She sniffled again, asking for a tissue, so I grabbed a few squares of toilet paper and handed them to her, before I turned the tub's faucet on. I plugged the drain and told Isabella to undress and get in the tub.


There would be no bubbles or toys. This wasn't a regular bath time, this was about scrubbing the paint and marker off her skin. I would have to negate her bath time rule for this too.


Fucking hell.


I quickly left the room to grab a clean pair of panties for Isabella to put on once I washed all that crap off her skin. She could redress in the clothes she had been wearing, though…they were still clean, she didn't need a new outfit.


When I entered the bathroom and shut the door behind me, once again, I noticed that Isabella was naked and obediently sitting in the middle of the big white tub while warm water continued to rush out of the faucet. I applied a new panty liner to the clean pair of blue cotton panties while I waited for the water to finish filling the tub.


"Edward?"


I grabbed a wash cloth and sat down on the tub's ledge. "Hmm?"


"Not sposta be nakey in front of people…" she mumbled with a shake of her head.


I nodded and gave her a small smile, feeling Jasper withdraw my lustful emotions at the sight of her perfect breasts.


"Good girl," I complimented.


She smiled up at me as I poured some body wash onto the wet wash cloth in my hand.


"I know my rules, huh…" she trailed off, a bit smug.


"Yes, that's very good, angel. But right now, your bath time rule can take a little break because you need help scrubbing off all the glitter and marker mess, lovey."


"No spankins?" she asked curiously with a small shake of her head.


"None," I confirmed.


"Kay," she subtly nodded and made circles in the water with her finger tip as I grabbed the arm closest to me and started scrubbing Alice's paint off.


And so it began. I scrubbed her arms and legs, and did a general quick wash over her belly and back, as the only mark on that area of her skin, was the small pink heart on her hip bone. She hummed a song to me, telling me that it was from Snow White and that we needed to "whistle while we worked". I kissed her cheek and adorable button nose when she made the occasional comment that she loved me.


I was wringing warm water out of the wash cloth onto the black swastika when she made a comment about Jim again.


"Edward?"


I gently grasped her elbow and started a vigorous scrubbing motion with the sudsy washcloth over her marred flesh. "Hmm?"


"Daddy's gonna be mad…" she trailed off in a tone of warning.


I risked a glance at her before I focused back on my task. "Your daddy is dead, Isabella," I said flatly.


"Don't believe you…"


"I'm not lying," I promised.


She exhaled sharply. "Edward…"


My head snapped up to look at her face. "Bella?"


She furrowed her brow, her eyes quickly flicking around, taking in her surroundings. "What are you doing?" she asked.


I showed her the black swastika on her arm. "Scrubbing this shit off your arm."


"What…how-" she cut herself off, clenching her jaw, then sighed.


She flicked her chocolate eyes up to the ceiling then. "Edward?"


I widened my eyes, pausing my hand's scrubbing motion. "What baby?"


"When I'm all done with the soapies, can I have a lolly?"


I slowly commenced scrubbing her arm again, marveling at my Bella's quick appearance. Would she come back soon?


I hope so.


"Maybe, angel…we'll see. It's almost lunch time," I told Isabella.


Isabella nodded, then sang, "I can have my lollies for dessert…lollies, lollies, yummy lollies…" her soft voice lilted, echoing in the large bathroom.


"Mm-hmm," I hummed in agreement, focusing on the progress this washcloth was making on the black marker. I knew it was working because the white piece of cloth was slowly beginning to turn black with the marker's residue.


Isabella took advantage of distraction and suddenly leaned forward to kiss me on the lips then, catching me completely off guard.


My eyes widened a bit in surprise as I backed my face away, "Woah…"


She smirked. "You look so fuckin sexy like that...go ahead and scrub me alllll clean, babe…I've been a dirty, dirty girl…" Marie trailed off in a sultry voice, giving me a wink.


I blinked, dumbfounded, as she leaned forward again and caught my lips with hers in a heated kiss.


It took me a few seconds, but I found the will to break away. I subtly shook my head in disbelief, not wanting to escalate anything to a sexual level with her right now. My Bella's awareness habits were obviously unstable at the moment, and I would not risk Isabella making an appearance while I had my fucking face in between her legs.


"M-Marie, sweetheart, I'm trying to clean your arm, and-"


"Edward, I gotta get my baby dolly dressed for the new day after my soapies are done, huh?" Isabella asked.


I sighed and dropped the washcloth in the tub. "Yes, angel."


She noticed the discarded rag and asked, "Are the soapies done now?"


I nodded, then cupped some warm bath water in my hand, and brought it up to run over her forearm. After she dunked it and rubbed her palm against the skin a few times, the black soap rinsed off completely and her creamy skin was no longer tainted.


After making sure the 'itchy-hotts' weren't bothering her anymore, I unplugged the tub's drain, then instructed Isabella to dry off and get dressed in here while I went to the bedroom. She nodded with a muttered, "Kay," so I left the bathroom to let her get dressed while I ran downstairs to grab the bag of new books from the living room.


Upon my return to the bedroom, I made quick work of stuffing the several children's books in my Bella's bookshelf, giving them their own section on the bottom shelf. I listened to Isabella dress as I grabbed her doll, along with it's accessory bag, from it's basinet on the floor, and put them on the bed for her. After I selected Alvin and the Chipmunks for her to watch, I loaded it up on the flat screen and placed her pink MagnaDoodle on the bed, as well.


Isabella came out of the bathroom then, dressed in the same clothes that she wore when she went in there; jean shorts and a white camisole top. She saw her toys laying on the bed and beamed up at me in appreciation, then climbed up onto the bed, heading straight for her baby doll.


I pressed PLAY on the remote and went over to the bedside where Isabella sat.


"Sweetheart, what would you like for lunch?"


She reached a curious hand in her doll's accessory bag, then muttered, "Fruity Pebbles…"


"Nope."


She pulled out some doll clothes. "Lollies…"


"Uh-uh, baby girl, lunch not breakfast or dessert," I clarified.


She grabbed her doll and set it on her lap. "Teddy crackers…"


"Hmm…what else?"


She began to undress her doll. "My peanut butter and jellies," she mumbled.


I nodded. "And…carrot sticks?" I suggested.


She nodded and looked over at the doll clothes that she had just laid out on the bed, trying to pick a new outfit. "Yeah, the baby ones, Edward…"


"With some ranch dip?"


"Mm-hmm," she hummed and nodded at me again, focusing on her task of being 'a good mommy', by dressing her doll.


I smiled softly at her concentration, then leaned forward to place a cool kiss on her forehead. "Okay, sweetness, you stay here and dress your dolly. Alvin and the Chipmunks are coming on the TV, so you can watch them while I go make your lunch. Okay, angel?"


She tore her gaze away from her doll to smile up at me. "Kay."


"I'll be downstairs, baby girl," I reiterated.


She nodded. "M'kaaay…" she trailed off, starting to dress her naked doll in it's new outfit now.


I turned and made my downstairs to the kitchen, then. I made the usual unusual sandwich, by placing peanut butter on one slice of bread, and strawberry jam on the other. I smashed the two slices together, just like I had done before. After putting a small handful of cinnamon teddy grahams on Isabella's plate, I grabbed five baby carrot sticks from their small package in the fridge, then poured some ranch dressing next to the cold vegetables.


I smiled down at the quick and complete meal, then left the plate on the counter to go extract my little girl from her toys in the bedroom. As I traveled up the steps, I gave a slight pause at the sounds of her heartbeat, then raced up the stairs, not wanting to believe, but knowing, that it was true…my little girl had fallen asleep for her afternoon nap.


Without eating her lunch first.


I sighed at the sight of her still, peaceful form, curled around Fuzzy bear on the gold comforter in the middle of the bed. Her pink lips were wrapped around the small thumb in her mouth, and her chest continued to rise and fall at a slow and steady pace with her even breaths.


Looks like lunch will have to wait.


I silently walked to the closet and retrieved her pink microplush blankie, then tucked it around her small body. I turned the TV's volume down, then went back downstairs to place her plate of food in the fridge to wait until after she was done with her nap.


When I returned to the bedroom, I carefully laid down next to my sleeping beauty and softly trailed my fingers through her soft, silky hair, all the while, quietly humming her lullaby in her ear.


Well, this morning was…eventful, to say the least. And after another hour or two, my mate is going to wake up, and we'll get to do this all over again.


Well, at least my days aren't boring anymore...


I rolled my eyes at my internal thoughts. No…my days are definitely not boring anymore. Far from it, actually.


I can only hope that my Bella will make an appearance for her therapy session this afternoon. I know that it's not likely, but she did peek out for a second in the bathtub…but I also know that that doesn't necessarily mean anything. I don't know when she'll be back. It's clear that after her emotional breakdown, her mind is actively trying to shield her from certain things right now, sending Marie and Isabella to take over, until my Bella feels safe enough to be aware again.


As my girl, Marie, would say…'that's all fine and fucking dandy', but I'm not sure how my baby Isabella would handle a therapy session with my father right now. I'm sure that Marie would be fine, but…I don't know about my skittish little girl. She seems to be very unpredictable, not to mention, temperamental.


I sighed then, missing my Bella, and concentrating on her relaxed facial features. She was just so damn beautiful.


My Bella.


Yes, I miss her, but this was okay, too. I could take care of my baby and hang out with my girl until my Bella can come back to me. I could do this for as long as she needs me to….be anything she needs me to be. I've proven that I can alter myself to be many things for my mate; vampire, human, boyfriend, parent, and a lover.


I am clearly multi-talented and awesome.


And I will always cater to her needs, and her needs, alone, because I am hopelessly devoted and completely obsessed with her.


She is mine, so whether she's sucking her thumb, smoking a joint, or cumming on my face, I will always be what she needs me to be.


"Mine…"


The soft whisper fell from her lips, as her little thumb slipped out of her mouth, making me smile.


Yes.


You are mine.