"You know that children are growing up when they start asking questions that have answers." – John J. Plomp
Bella Swan
Back to school lists are awful. Every parent trying to get the same thing because they think that tax free weekend is going to save them tons of money on pencils and paper. Not me though. Instead of being like every other parent, I'm going to go the weekend before tax free weekend.
"Tanner! Let's go!"
My baby boy was growing up so fast. It felt like yesterday that he was starting to walk. Now, we are going back to school shopping for 2nd grade. I shook off the sentimental feelings and grabbed my purse as I heard the thudding of steps come down the stairs. Once he hit the bottom step he started running towards me. Everything started moving in slow motion when he tripped over his shoelace. I took a step forward and caught him before he could hit the ground.
"Thanks mom," Tanner said and leaned over to tie his shoes.
"You're about as clumsy as me sometimes," I teased playfully.
He smiled up at me sheepishly. I helped him up and gave him a once over. Tanner was a bright boy but sometimes I wondered if he was color blind. His hair didn't look like it had been brushed. I smoothed down the brown hair that matched mine.
"Mom," he complained while pulling away.
I just smiled and ushered him out of the door to my red truck. We made our way to the nearby superstore and Tanner fumbled through my purse as I got a cart. We went up and down the school supply aisles, grabbing what we needed as we went. I also needed to get some more shampoo before I left so I told Tanner to pick out some school clothes while I went to get what I needed. Along the way I passed the make-up aisle where a little girl who looked no older than five was smearing some of the test make-up on her face. I looked around for her parents but couldn't find anyone. Instead of leaving her with the make-up, like I should have, I made my way toward her.
"Sweetheart, what are you doing?" I asked when I got close enough.
She stopped putting on the bright red lipstick and turned to look at me. She had straight, strawberry blonde hair that went to her elbows and past the make-up, all I could tell was that she had pretty green eyes.
"I wanted to look more prettier," she replied with a small voice.
I frowned at her reply.
"I'm sure you look even more beautiful without all this stuff on," I told her.
"But the ladies wear this stuff in commercials to make them look more prettier," she explained.
"More pretty," I corrected, "And you won't really understand this until you are old enough to wear make-up but, a little bit of make-up goes a long way. You don't need all of this stuff to make you pretty if you are already beautiful."
She nodded thoughtfully at what I said.
"Now, let's get this stuff off your face?"
She nodded and I pulled some baby wipes out of my purse. Yes, I carry baby wipes in my purse. You never know when you might need to clean something up. Carefully, I wiped off her face and pulled away when I was done. She was very pretty actually. The light freckles on her nose and the apples of her cheeks were the only thing that marked her milky skin. She thanked me softly then ran off to another aisle.
I quickly got what I needed then headed back to Tanner. He had picked out some stuff for the school year which included jeans and sweatshirts.
I felt bad because I had moved him away from his friends so we could return to Forks. Tanner had never experienced cold weather, so jeans and sweatshirts were new to him. But Charlie had been having issues with his health lately so I figured that moving up to Forks would give Tanner some more time with his Grandpa.
Edward Cullen
My baby girl was growing up too fast. The first day of pre-school was a big deal but it seems like nothing compared to kindergarten. I looked over the list and sighed. Really? Why would a kindergartner need all this shit! I shook my head at the list before I felt a little hand pulling at my pant leg.
"Daddy, can you tie my shoes?"
"Of course," I replied while lifting her up to sit on the counter.
"Remember, you have to make the bunny ears. Then the bunny goes around the tree and down the rabbit hole," I explained while tying the laces on her little tennis shoes.
"Thank you Daddy," she said while wrapping her arms around my neck.
Just then, my cell phone rang and from the ringtone I knew who it was.
"What can I do for my how so annoying sister?" I answered in a sing song voice that made Elizabeth giggle.
Actually, I don't want to talk to my oh so lame brother, Alice countered.
"Then who do you wish to talk to?"
My little Lizzie Beth. So, if you don't mind?
"I do mind actually," I replied and handed the cell phone to Elizabeth.
She started chattering to her Aunt Alice as I put the breakfast dishes away. You would think that since I'm a lawyer I wouldn't have such issues making something as simple as breakfast but hey, I'm a guy.
Once I finished, Lizzie said her farewells to Alice and closed the phone.
"So she didn't want to talk to me?" I asked.
"Nope," she answered, popping the "p".
I flashed her a look of faux tragedy that made her giggle.
"Let's go get this shopping done Lizzie Bug," I said while lifting her off the counter.
The drive to the superstore was short and we got all of her supplies, in girly colors of course. We got more school clothes, even though Alice had already taken care of that. While I looked at the new books out, Lizzie wandered off in some direction. I wasn't worried though. Everyone in town knew who we were.
I was caught up looking at the CDs when Lizzie sauntered over to me. We finished up with what we needed and headed off to check out. She seemed more upbeat for some reason and kept looking at her reflection in the mirror.
"Daddy, why isn't my hair the color of pennies like yours?" She asked while twirling some of her blonde hair in her fingertips.
Oh gosh, how do I explain this to her?
"Well, sweetie," I started and looked from the road at her in the rearview mirror, "your mother has blonde hair, so you got it from her."
Elizabeth contemplated the thought for a few moments while twirling the strand of hair in her fingers.
"Where is mother?"
Why is she so smart?
"Far away princess, far away…"
So…what do you all think of the first chapter rewrite? Reviewers will receive a preview of the next chapter. Next chapter will be posted on Sunday.
