My second attempt at fanfic... just a little idea that popped into my head during one of my many sleepless nights...

Kirsty... I promised you that the next story I wrote that i'd dedicate the first chapter to you... I'm living up to that promise right now... this one is just for you...

I hope you enjoy...

Silently I crept into the brightly lit bedroom, the rocket and planet stickers on the wall were waiting to glow in the dark. The thick blue carpet sank under my bare feet as I made my way over towards his bed. Picking up yet another toy and placing it in the royal blue painted wooden toy chest at the end of his bed I wondered how at 24 I coped as a single parent to a five year old boy.

Lying with his little leg hanging out of the side of the bed, I tucked it back in and pulled the comforter up over him, placed his teddy back next to his pillow, put the security blanket next to the wall for when he reached out for it in the night, kissed his forehead and told him I loved him, before switching on the nightlight sat on the end table next to him and turned out the main light, silently pulling the door to as I left his room.

*****

He is my life.

I wouldn't change what happened for the world. Well that's a lie. I'd change it so that he had both parents in his life; every child deserved that. No child should ever have to go through questioning why he was different from the other kids at school, why he didn't have a mommy and a daddy.

Every time he asked I just told him how much I loved him, and that nothing would ever change that. That we're two peas in a pod and no matter what happened in the future I'd always be there.

When I was left to look after him, my world crashed down around me; that was until I saw his beautiful face look up at me, opening his eyes for the first time and taking hold of my finger, holding it tight. I knew that I had to find the strength to make this work. I stopped wallowing, gave myself a mental slap and put the past behind me. Don't get me wrong, it was the hardest thing I'd ever had to do, but with the support of my friends and family, we coped just fine.

He looks just like me; he is intelligent, inquisitive, though a little shy at first. That is something I was sure he would get over as he grew up. I couldn't be a prouder parent and I couldn't wish for a better son. I just hoped that one day he'd be proud of me for doing this on my own.

*****

Walking up the stairs carrying a mug of hot tea, I made my way to my bedroom, placing the steaming liquid on the dresser, before heading to the en-suite bathroom. Removing my clothes and placing them straight in the hamper I turned on the shower and waited for the temperature to warm before entering.

Placing my hands on the cold white ceramic tiles to support myself, I stood under the spray, letting it take away all the aches and pains that had built up during the day. Quickly washing my body then lathering and rinsing my hair, I turned off the water, reached out and wrapped myself in a towel. Changing into a pair of comfortable pyjamas, I ran the towel over my hair before running my fingers through it.

Getting comfortable in bed, adjusting the pillows and placing my thin black rimmed glasses on, I reached for the dog eared paperback and found my place. My eyes skimmed the words effortlessly, I'd read this book numerous times, yet I couldn't seem to get enough of it as I sipped the tea. Feeling my eyes start to strain, I removed my glasses and placed them on top of the book, turned off the bedside lamp and rolled onto my side, one arm up under the pillow, the other bent in to my chest. It must have been merely seconds before I drifted into a dreamless slumber.

*****

There was no need to open my eyes to know he's standing there looking at me, I could sense his little body standing at the edge of the bed. I lifted the comforter and he crawled in, his head going straight to my chest as I cuddled him tightly in my arms and hummed to him until I felt his breathing even out.

The nightmares started following a day the day care facility when one of the older kids teased him for not having both parents. No matter how much I reassured him that I was never going to leave him, it still ended with him snuggled as tight as he could get to my body most nights of the week. Not that I minded him being close, just, well, I wish he didn't feel the insecurities he did.

Rolling back onto my side, he nuzzled down into the crease between my body and arm, and I got comfortable, knowing that in three hours I'd have to get up, get him ready and to school so I'd not be late for work. Thank the heavens above that they did an early morning drop off club at his school. It was his first week at school and my first week of work without him being there in day care. My heart strings tugged and I felt a lump in my throat.

Luckily for me, my friend Jacob managed to get me a position at his father's advertising company, they took a chance on me by offering me the position straight out of high school with no other qualifications other than my diploma and I worked my ass off to repay them for the opportunity. They also accommodated my need for flexibility around the school hours and in return I worked from home in the evenings if I ever had any outstanding work.

During the five years I'd been there I'd steadily worked my way up from the part time office run around to the top marketing assistant, I was in line for the next promotion to marketing executive, which was quite a feat for somebody my age, even if I did say so myself.

*****

The sound of the alarm blaring in my ear startled me and I reached out to hit the off button, hoping that it wouldn't wake my son up; he deserved the extra half hour of sleep whilst I prepared his breakfast and made his lunch. Pulling my hand over my face to try to wake myself up rubbing the bottom of my palms at my eyes before I threw my legs over the side of the bed and padded out of the room, down the hall into the kitchen.

Putting on the stainless steel kettle and opening the refrigerator I took out the few things left to make up our lunches. We always had the same, a sandwich on wholemeal bread, a box of juice and an apple. It was simple, but it was another tradition that I didn't like to change, we'd done it since he was old enough to eat solids and just because he was now going to be at school all day instead of being sat at the small table in the day care facilities at work we stuck to the routine like he asked.

"I don't want to go to school, we won't get to eat lunch together anymore." he frowned.

"I'll make a deal with you buddy, I'll eat my lunch at the same time you do at school, and it'll be like we still do, how's that sound?"

His response was a simple toothy grin and I knew we'd passed another obstacle that constantly seemed to plague our days recently.

Knowing that he was eating the same as me, at the same time, well, it made me smile, although we weren't together, we'd at least be doing it together. Sentimental… maybe? Unbelievably sweet… certainly… knowing he knew I love him just by doing this one simple thing… Priceless.

*****

Racing up the stairs to wake up my little monster and get him ready for school was one of my favourite parts of the day. Tiptoeing back into my room, I saw him lying there, mop of wavy hair in disarray, the top of pyjamas ridden up over his tummy where he'd fidgeted, and his arms were splayed out either side of his head. How a child can take up some much room whilst being so small never ceased to amazing me.

Kneeling down next to the bed I placed my lips on the exposed skin of his stomach as delicately as I could. Blowing down I blew raspberries until he giggled uncontrollably asking me to stop.

"Please… noooo moreeeeeee…. Stoppppppppppp" came out in little pants in between the giggles that filled the room with the sound of laughter that filled my heart with unconditional love.

"You gonna get dressed for me? We can't mess around today, I've got a big meeting at work I can't be late for, you understand right?"

"Yup."

"There's my good boy, once you're dressed I'll make you some oatmeal and we'll head out. We need to go pick up groceries straight from school, but if you're good, we'll get you some candy. Have I got myself a deal?"

He nodded before throwing himself out of the bed and running towards his room, I shook my head at how well behaved he was, he never threw a tantrum, and he did as his told without a question.

Making the most of the five minutes I had to get ready I selected my clothes for the day, got dressed quickly, checked myself in the mirror and ran my fingers through my hair trying to get to flatten down slightly not having time to style it.

Walking to the kitchen, I found him sat at the table, kicking his legs back and forth waiting patiently for his breakfast.

"Captain Crunch instead of oatmeal?"

"Really? But it's not the weekend!" he looked at me in amazement. He was a stickler for routine, what can I say, I guess I'd rubbed off on him.

"Well, if you would rather the oatmeal…" I leaned back towards the cabinet.

"Nooooooooooooooooooooo."

I poured the bowl of Captain Crunch, added just enough milk so it didn't go soggy and handed him a spoon, before doing exactly the same for myself. Pouring a glass of juice as I added cream to my coffee we ate in silence. After he finished I rinsed the bowls as he went to brush his teeth.

"Be careful you don't get toothpaste down your shirt!" I called out.

"I won't." came back garbled.

I joined him to brush my teeth, and looked down at him through the mirror, such a happy go lucky child; I'd never understand how I got so lucky. We spat, rinsed and wiped our mouths on the towel before heading to the door to put on our shoes.

"You put them on the wrong feet silly," I sighed before laughing, "Here, let me help you," I said as I lifted his feet up and changed the shoes over, "Oh and Anthony?"

"Yes daddy?"

"I love you."

So there you have it... the first chapter... how many of you thought that it was Bella telling the story huh? Did I throw any of you off course?

If you get a minute please let me know what you think... your messages make me smile like you wouldn't believe... plus I promise to reply to them all...

Oh and if you like this... I've also written an Alice/Jasper story... go check that out... there's a link on my profile page...

Pixie-Tinks x