AN:

I am in no way affiliated with Stephanie Meyers. Most characters belong to her except for those I have made up.

This is my first fanfic. All human. Bella is a single mom to two boys. Edward is a single dad to a ten yearold girl. Will Edward be able to help Bella and her boys get over the heartbreak of her husband and their father walking out on them? What will happen when the said father finds out there is a new man trying to encroach on his territory? What will happen when he decides to return to is family? How will Bella an Edward cope?

Chapter 1

My life changed drastically in the past six months. If you told me that I would be standing here at the justice of the peace waiting to get married, I would have told you that you were on crack. For the simple fact I do not date. At least normally I do not date. Now here I am, getting all dolled up to be hitched for what would be the second time to this man. I decided to forgo the traditional wedding gown since my last one was drenched with Edward's blood. Yeah, it is a long story. I am wearing a baby blue sun dress instead. My long mahogany hair is pulled up in a French twist. Alice did my makeup soft. She made my brown eyes pop out. My life is anything but conventional. This is my story. Our story of how we became our family.

It all started when my twin sister Alice and our best friend Rosalie decided I was going to go on a blind date with Edward Masen, because and I quote, "Bella, you need laid drastically!" No one ever claimed them to hold any shame. "I do not date. I have two boys at home that need me. They don't need mommy being a floozy sleeping around," I argued back with them. It was a losing battle. "You can go out and have fun without being a floozy," Rosalie countered. "I just need to focus on us for the moment. Besides, I'm still married. Yeah the prick left us, but that doesn't mean I have free reign to just go out and date and that is final," I ended the argument once and for all. Or at least I thought I did. They let it drop for a few days. I should have known they were up to something.

It was a Saturday afternoon and I was invited to Rosalie and Emmett's house for a barbecue and a swim party. Little did I know, the two bitches were conniving behind my back. However, this time around, they have Emmett in on the program. At first glance, most people are intimidated of Emmett. His 6'6", 280 pound frame reminds you of a grizzly bear. But once his mouth opens, you get to see that he is just one, big teddy bear that likes to gossip more than a hen at the fence in the back yard. Emmett's hair is dark and curly about shoulder length. His eyes are a beautiful blue. What I love most about Emmett is his great big dimples when he smiles. They are too cute and make him look innocent of which he is not.

On our way, Jayme asked me about his daddy again. I really didn't know what to say to him about where his daddy was. Heck I didn't even know where his daddy was. I told him he has problems that he needs to work out before he comes back. I hate lying to him and making his dad look better but I didn't want him to have negative feelings neither. Jayme looks just like his daddy. He has his daddy shoulder length wavy blonde hair and the most beautiful blue eyes. Whereas, James tried to claim Ian was not his. Ian is six months old and looks like me. He has curly brown hair with my brown eyes. I don't know how anyone could deny this child. He is too perfect.

We arrived at their house late as usual. As soon as I pulled up, Jayme, my oldest son flew out the car to go find the other kids. Between the three of us, we have six kids and Rosalie is four months pregnant. Alice has a boy and a girl. Her daughter's name is Ashleigh and is three years old. She looks so much like Alice it's pathetic. She has long black hair with baby blue eyes. Jackson looks like his daddy with his long wavy blonde hair and blue/gray eyes. Roosevelt is not only Rosalie and Emmett's oldest but he is the oldest in the bunch making him the ring leader of munchkin land. He has long curly brown hair and blue eyes. He also inherited his daddy's big dimples. Emmallie is three years old and has long blonde hair and blue eyes. Rosalie and Emmett decided to have the new baby be a surprise.

While I was bent over getting Ian out of the car, Emmett snuck up on me and scared the living day lights out of me. He does it every time. He gets his kicks from it. As he grabbed Ian out of my hand he started tossing him in the air saying, "Wow, I haven't seen him in so long. He is getting so big." It has not been awhile. Not only is Emmett a gossip but he also over exaggerates everything. "Wow, Em, it's only been two days since you seen him last. He's not that much bigger. Sorry I'm late, again. Is Rose mad?" I just had to ask. I really do not care if she is or not. "Nope," he said popping the P, "you're actually right on time for once in your life. See, Rosie dearest, told you the wrong time so you would be on time for once in your life. Sneaky isn't she?" I really should be irritated at her for it, but Rosalie is not a force to challenge.

"Bella, if you don't get your hot little ass in this house I'm coming out there after you! Emmett get back to the grill before the food burns," Rosalie yelled from the screen door. We both replied with a "yes dear" and went our separate ways. Once inside, I put Ian in the play yard next to Jack.

"Bella, will you please make your wonderful green bean casserole?" Rose said sweetly while placing the can of green beans in my hand. "It's only wonderful because you don't know how to make it. It looks like I arrived right on time, you're burning everything. Move, can you make a salad without burning it?" I teased her. "Bitch please, I just open a bag. Even the dumbest person could do that," she countered back. "Rose, can we go five minutes with tearing each others heads off?" I just had to ask. "You know you want me," she retorted. "Oh yes, too bad Emmett swooped your pretty ass up before I got to admit my true feelings," I chuckled, probably a little too loudly.

At that moment, Jasper walked in the house. "Hello Bellarina, how have you been?" he drawled with the nick name he knew I hated. They all nick named me Bellarina because I'm a klutz. Yeah, I can't walk barefoot a crossed a flat surface without finding something to stumble on. "I'm doing ok, Jazzie Poo. Jayme keeps asking about his daddy. I just don't know what to do. Do I tell him the truth or do I keep pretending his daddy has issues to work out? It kills me to make that prick look good."

Jasper is a counselor for Forks High School and all the female students have issues considering they all have a crush on him. They are in love with his 6'2" lanky frame. He has shoulder length blonde wavy hair and the most mesmerizing blue eyes. He would never even think of doing anything with any of them anyways. He's totally devoted to my sister and not into the underage thing. Whenever I have questions such as these, I always ask him. He always has the best advice and he gives me the counseling for free which is an added benefit. Not only that, but out of all my friends, Jasper is the only serious one out of the bunch.

"Sometimes I think you only use me Bella. But that is ok, I like helping out pretty damsels in distress," he drawled in his southern accent with a smirk, "but anyways, just keep what you are doing. If you tell him all the negative stuff then he may grow to resent you. He places his daddy on a tall pedestal which is totally natural for a three year old. However, in time, he will come to find out how his father really is. He may even ask you later on."

"Alice is lucky to have you Jasper. Thank you for your advice," I was really thankful. There is so much insight in those blue grey eyes. "You're totally welcome and by the way, I think I may have to make a tip can just like Lucy from Peanuts has," he joked back. "I could see you behind the homemade stand now. I'm going to go broke even at five cents a pop. Just don't pull the football away. I don't need any help meeting the ground," I joked back. "Will do, will do," with that he went out to the grill where Emmett and some tall guy was standing.

"Ok you bitches, what's going on? Who is that outside next to Emmett and Jazz?" I snapped at them knowing damn well what was going on. They decided to trick me and take matters into their own hands hoping sparks would fly between the two of us. I wasn't stupid.

"His name is Edward. He is Emmett's cousin that actually grew up like his brother. Nothing is going on. Why do you want it to be because I can totally get you the hook up?" Rose asked all defensively, "You really should because he is a fireman, too. I know from experience firemen are good lays," she said while wagging her eyebrows up and down.

"So you didn't set this up to set us up? By the way, why does everything always come back to sex with you?"

"Why would we do that? We would have waited until both of you had sitters. Come on you know us better than that or at least give us some credit. You know why everything comes back to sex with me. I like it, I like it a lot. Now take these hot dogs out to my adolescent husband," she demanded. Did she really think I'm that dumb? Of course he was there so she can set us up. Geez, I wished they would just lay off.

"Here Emmett….." I trailed off once I seen Edward. He was about 6'4" tall. He wasn't as skinny as Jasper but he wasn't as stalky as Emmett either. He was just right. His hair was the most unique bronze colored and going every which direction like he just rolled out of bed after a night of hot sex. Hmmm, what I wouldn't give to be the one that messed that sex hair up I thought. It was hard to focus when the most piercing set of emerald green eyes was staring as if he was looking straight to my soul. His nose was perfectly straight his jaw line was well defined and strong. His smile was crooked and pretty much soaked my panties. He was beautiful.

"……is Edward," Emmett said. Wait a minute, when did Emmett start talking. "I'm sorry, Em, what did you…." Emmett interrupted me with his laugh and said, "Hey Bells, distracted much? This is my cousin Edward. He just moved back from Chicago." Emmett always thought he was a regular joker. I just looked at him like he was an idiot. Edward extended his hand as we shook there was an electrical jolt that went from my finger tips all the way up to my shoulder. What the hell was that? I knew he felt it too. "Hi Bella, it's nice to meet you. I met your son, Jayme when he ran right into me. He's a cute kid," Edward greeted me. "Thank you so much, he did after all inherit my relationship with gravity or the lack there of," I stated. Emmett mouthed so true, so true while trying to catch his breath from laughing so hard.

"You can't be that bad. Can you?"

"I cannot walk a crossed a flat surface bare foot without finding something to trip over," I stated but continued before Emmett could break out with Bellarina stories, "so how's the rain treating you?"

"You're asking me about the weather? Well it's not that bad. I have a hard time sleeping with the rain hitting the roof almost every night. It is better than the cold wind in Chicago. The wind seemed to go straight through me."

"Bella, get that sweet ass back in this house. The food is burning," Rose yelled out the window.

"Em, why does your wife have an obsession with my ass?" I asked Emmett, I heard Edward gasp. "I better go in there if we want our food to be edible," I said as I was walking back into the house. I turned around to look at Edward and noticed him staring at my retreating form. When he noticed my gaze, he smiled his panty soaking smile.

I had made green bean casserole, potato salad, macaroni and cheese, and corn on the cob. Emmett grilled steaks and hot dogs. For desert I made two apple pies. I was flanked by both Emmett and Jasper at the table. On the opposite of me was Edward flanked by Rosalie and Alice. There was also a little girl that I had never met. She looked to be about ten and had long bronze colored hair and green eyes. "Bella, this is my daughter Layla." So she was his daughter. I should have known. She looks just like him. "It's nice to meet you Miss Bella, dinner taste's exquisite," she complimented my cooking. "It's nice to meet you too, Layla. Edward, your daughter is so polite." He beamed at me when I complimented his daughter. It looks like Layla has her daddy wrapped around her little finger.

By the time I was finished feeding Ian, my food was starting to get cold. Emmett took Ian for me so I could eat. Emmett abruptly gave Ian back to me saying, "pew wee, someone dropped Bellarina a surprise." This does not surprise me one bit. I haven't had a warm meal in three years. James saw to that. "I'll be right back." I went in the house so I could change Ian. I was surprised Edward followed me in the house. "You haven't even had a chance to eat your dinner yet. You did a wonderful job on it by the way." He looked all bashful like he was nervous to say something. "Thank you Edward. I haven't really had a warm meal in about three years. Their father saw to that. Now since he's nowhere to be found, it's even harder. But I manage." He didn't look at me in pity like most people do. No he looked like he was in awe. "I know what it's like being a single parent, Bella. It is hard. I only have the one child and thankfully she is very well behaved. I couldn't imagine more than the one. I got to say you are doing a wonderful job from what I see."

Once dinner was done, we got the kids ready to go swimming. I gave Jayme his swim trunks and told him to go into the bath room to change. He proved he inherited his father's selective listening skills. He started stripping right there in the living room. I guess at least he was only three. I took a picture for his scrapbook. Some day this photo could be used as a very good means of black mail when it comes to showing it to his girlfriends. Once I walked outside with kids in tow, I noticed Edward first. He was wearing a pair of green plaid board shorts that sat dangerously low on his hips. His chest was well defined it was actually nicely sculpted. He noticed me ogling him and gave me his crooked smile. The problem is Rosalie and Alice both seen me ogling him too. We were in the shallow end with Jackson, Ian and Jayme. "Whatcha staring at Bella?" Alice asked me. "Shut up bitch. What I can't look? Just because I'm depriving myself doesn't mean I can't look," I spat back at the evil bitches.

"Mommy I want to go in the deep end with the other kids," Jayme brought us out of our bantering. "I'm sorry baby, but I can't keep a hold of both you and Ian in the deep end. Maybe in a little while Rose will take Ian and I can take you out there," I said as he started pouting. I hate making him sad. It seems all I do anymore is put that frown on his face. Edward swam up and grabbed Jayme from behind. "If you don't mind Bella, I can take Jayme out with the others." Jayme started to giggle and said pwease mommy with his puppy dog face. Then Edward was mimicking his puppy dog face. How can I deny both of them at the same time? "Thank you Edward. You don't have to, but I appreciate it," I said. It's been a while since I have seen Jayme giggle. "It's no problem Bella, It'll be my pleasure," he stated.

"Uh hu, I don't have to have your twin ESP like Alice to know Bella wants a fireman! Doo dah, doo dah, all live long day!" Rosalie sang out. "Or more like night!"

"Yes, I think he's hot ok, but I don't have time for a relationship. I have to think about my boys. I can't parade guys in and out of their lives. It's not right. Alice you remember what it felt like every time we visited Renee and there was always a new guy in the picture?" Our mom wasn't a floozy. She was just a little flighty. She felt as if she needed a man in her life that she couldn't survive without one. I on the other hand am independent. I don't need a man to take care of me. I take care of myself.

"It was hard, I'll give you that. But there is a difference. We're just talking about one guy here. Look how he is with Jayme," she demanded. "I have never seen Jayme laughing like that with any other man, not with dad, Jasper, Emmett or even his own father. You have to take that into consideration."

"I know. It's been awhile since I've seen him happy like that," I pointed to the two of them playing in the water, "but even if it is what Jayme and I wanted, what makes you think it's what Edward wants?"

"I seen the way he was looking at you throughout dinner Bella. Hell, I even seen the way he looked at you when you walked out the door in your bikini. He's interested in you, Bella. I know that look. He wants you too," Rose retorted.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

"Mommy, do we have to leave?" Jayme questioned me while I was buckling him into his car seat.

"Yes sweetie we do. It's almost your bedtime and it's past Ian's bedtime. Besides, Papaw Charlie is picking you up tomorrow to take you to La Push to go fishing with him, Billy and Jake. So you need to get lots and lots of rest for that."

"Yay, I can't wait. Thank you for playing with me, Ewarr," he said looking over my shoulder. When did Edward walk up? I turned around. I noticed Edward's intense gaze. "Hi, Edward, you kind of startled me," I said while looking at my feet. He grabbed a hold of my chin and tilted it up so he could look in my eyes. "I'm sorry I startled you. It wasn't nice. But I wanted to come say bye and ask if maybe you would want to get together sometime. I could maybe take you to dinner or something," he said all this while looking really nervous. Was Edward Masen nervous of me? That doesn't make any sense to me. This man is like sex on legs. Why would he be nervous around plain old me?

I took a few steps away from the car so the boys couldn't hear me. "I don't know Edward. I don't know if I'm ready for that step yet," I said. Why am I not ready for that step? The prick left me not the other way around. I think I'm scared to let another man into my life and the boys' life as well. I'm afraid we'll get hurt.

"I'm sorry Bella. I just thought maybe, well, I like you a lot. Emmett is always talking about you and how proud he is of you for the way you are handling things, I just wanted to have a chance to get to know you a little better that is all," he stated sheepishly. He took a step forward and leaned into the car, "you are very welcomed little man. I had a blast playing with you in the pool." After saying that, he turned around and started to walk away with his head down. Did I just hurt Edward? I didn't want to hurt Edward. I just don't think I'm ready. Stupid insecurities. Stupid prick husband for causing said stupid insecurities.

"Edward wait…" I trailed off saying. He turned around with a frown on his face. I hated being the one to cause that look on his face. "Maybe we can trade numbers and talk. After all, we're both single parents, you probably understand my issues a little more than the rest of our friends. It might make me more comfortable if I got to know you a little better before we take the next step," I can't believe I calmly got that out of my mouth. He walked over to me and handed me his phone. I added my number and hit send so that way I would have his number too. With his patented panty soaking smile he said, "Thanks Bella that will be great. If you need anything or if you ever need to talk, call me. I will always make time for you and your boys for that matter. It's rough being a single parent but it's easier if you have someone that knows what you are going through to help."

I hope you like it. I will update every Saturday. I will try no to leave with a cliffie but you know that can't really be promise. Please, Review and tell me what you think.