AN: I do apogize to those of you that have subscribed to this story. I am trying to get the hang of posting new chapters on FF. I actually blame the cold medicine I am on. Hopefully this one comes out right. I know I stated I was going to post on Saturdays, but I couldn't wait to post the next chapter.

As always, Stephanie Meyers owns Twilight. Not me.

Chapter 2

After dropping the boys off at the Ms. Cope's Day Care (yes, that is right, Ms. Cope resigned from Forks High and opened her own day care), I made my way into the shop. It is actually a boutique where I sell antiques and my home made stuff. I mainly make jewelry, hand poured candles and bath and body products. I travel often around the state going to different craft fairs and bizarres. It's quite surprising but I do make a decent living at it. I have even branched out and started a website which does really good. I also designed a fancy upscale line of candles and bath products to sale in Alice's boutique. It's an exclusive line and the sales are great on them. I walked into my studio and started my first pot of coffee. Yes, I did say first pot. As in I consume several pots of coffee throughout the day.

That morning my sales girl had the day off since her family was coming in and had to go to Seattle to pick them up at the airport. I have to man the sales floor. However, I also had a bizarre coming up in a few weeks. This bizarre normally profits quite nicely for me so I was torn between working the sales floor and pouring candles. I decided since it was not all that busy, OK, so it was dead, I could venture in my work room to pour. I don't like to be interrupted during batches because making candles is science. If you get distracted and do one thing wrong then the whole candle is messed up. Not only that, but if I don't notice the candle is bad and someone buys it, then if their house catches on fire, I am liable for that. I couldn't live with my conscience if someone was hurt, killed, or lost their home due to one of my candles. Needless to say, I'm meticulous when it comes to my candles.

I was in the middle of a batch when I heard the bell over the door ring. "I'll be right with you in a moment." The velvety voice kind of shook me a little at first. He yelled back, "Take your time." Yes, it was the one and only, Edward Masen. Once I got the wax to the point I could remove it from the heat, I turned off the stove and put the pour pot to the side. I made sure all was secure before I walked out to greet him. I saw him looking around at some of the antiques. All I can say is that he was HOTT. He was in his uniform. Let me tell you, a man in uniform does wonders to my who-ha. As soon as he noticed me ogling him, yes I was caught, he of course had to be cocky and ask, and "Do ya see something ya like?" I couldn't even think coherently. Come on the man was completely covered. He was wearing a pair of slacks and a tee-shirt that says FFD a crossed the front. It's not like he was wearing a pair of turn out pants with suspenders and no shirt in all his sweaty glory. Hmm, I wondered if I could coheirs him into that get up. He waited patiently for a reply. He probably thought I'm retarded or something. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to stare. You kind of caught me off guard. What can I do for you? Seeing that you are in uniform, I'm thinking this is not a social visit?"

"No, it's fine, don't be sorry. I kind of like the fact that you like the goods." He said with a smirk, I might add. He smirked for God's sake. "Yes, I am here on official business. I am here to do your fire code inspection."

"Do you need me to show you around? I have a batch of wax that I need to pour real quick. I have a big bizarre coming up in a few weeks that I'm trying to prepare for."

"No, don't worry about it. We normally walk around administering the inspection and then we consult with you. So take your time. Your shop is kind of neat. It's totally not what I expected it to be. I just got done over there with Alice and her shop was all high end woman's clothing. I thought it would be more chic or whatever she called it, like hers. I like the home atmosphere you have here."

"Well, thank you. I am a little more down to earth than my sister. I'll leave you to it. If you need me, I will be right in here."

In fact when it comes right down to it, Alice, whom is my twin sister, and I are polar opposites. I don't know how our mom survived the pregnancy. We get along wonderfully and I love her dearly, she just gets on my nerves a bit. See, she is the morning person who doesn't need coffee to get her going unlike my three pots. In fact, if she does have a cup, look out because she is bouncing off the walls and ceiling quite literally. Jasper and Alice is the perfect couple. His calmness over powers her energy and pulls her back down to earth with the rest of us. I on the other hand am very down to earth. I get along with just about anyone, unless they mess with my family or with my business. She likes to shop for clothes and talk about fashion all the time. I on the other hand prefer my t-shirts and jeans. Don't get her started on my chucks. Then there is the fact that I can't walk a crossed a flat surface without falling flat on my face. She is the most graceful creature I have seen. She even took ballet and jazz step as a child. I only wear makeup when she hog ties me down to a chair whereas she will not walk out to the mail box without it on. My dad claims it's because I am a natural beauty. He's a little biased since I'm the spitting image of my father. Alice is the spitting image of my mother. I'm about 5'4". OK so I'm not tall, but next to her 4'11" I look like a giant. With us standing next to each other, you would not think we were sisters let alone twins. However we do have that weird twin ESP voodoo going on.

Right then my phone rang. It was the Pixie herself. "Hi Pixie, how are you this fine morning?"

"Wow, either you already broke out your second pot or a certain hot fire fighter is there to inspect your shop. Am I right? You know I am. I passed with flying colors. You shouldn't have a problem. You're anal like that," she said all in one breath.

"Hold on their Ali. You are talking too fast again. But anyways yes he is here inspecting my shop. Do you need anything in particular? I am trying to pour a batch of candles and I keep getting interrupted although, the first interruption wasn't as annoying as this one." I was then interrupted by a throat clearing. I looked up to see Edward with his signature panty dropping crooked smile. Yes, I am now a deep crimson color due to my blush. "I'm going to get off here Ali. I'll talk to you later."

"Before you hang up, I needed to make sure we were on for shopping tonight. Jazz said him and Emmett were going to watch all the kids. Rose is going as well. So meet at my house at 5:00. OK

"Is it a good idea to leave all the kids with the two bigger kids? I mean, can they handle six kids, two of which are still in diapers?" I couldn't comprehend what they are about to venture themselves into. "Do we care, we get a girl's night out. How often does that happen, Bella? I will see you at 5. Don't' screw me out of my night" Then she hung up on me before I can say anything else.

"I'm sorry about that. It's hard to get Alice to shut up."

"No problem. I have noticed Alice likes to talk a lot. It can be annoying at times. How does Jasper do it?"

"I have often wondered that question myself. Like a lot. I think he might secretly add tranquilizers to her morning smoothies. She's a lot milder than she used to be."

"That's a little drastic, but needed to be done. Maybe she should go into the military. I'm sure she would be able to end the war on her own," Edward teasing mocked my sister.

"I'm going to have to tell that one to Jazz, he'll like that one. Now she's telling me that her, Rose and I are going out shopping and we are leaving all the kids with Emmett and Jasper. I don't know if that is a good idea or not. I mean their mentality is not that much higher than all the kid's. It could get scary over there. But she said she didn't care what happened because she is going out."

"Sounds like you are going to have fun." He said kind of disappointed.

"Not really, she is forcing me to the mall to go clothes shopping. They will drag me into every shop and make me try on every outfit. That is not my idea of the perfect night out."

"Wow, I've never met a girl that didn't like to go shopping before. It's refreshing."

"So did you need something for the inspection?" I had to ask. Our conversation hadn't even touched the inspection yet. "Sorry, you distracted me. Yes, I needed to take a look at this room here and then I will be done, if that will be OK?" I distracted him. Wow, I don't think I ever distracted anyone before. "Yes that will be fine. Just be careful, the stove is a little hot. The top should be hot. I just finished a batch of candles." Hmm, maybe I should have followed him around during his inspection. The view of his back side, when he bends and even when he stretches up while he is inspecting the equipment, is distracting in itself.

"All done. Your place is immaculate. I can't believe the precautionary measures you have taken with all of this. Your place was even better then Alice's. But don't tell her I said that." Like, I'm going to keep that little tidbit to myself. "Thank you for making the inspection enjoyable. The last inspection Emmett did. He made fun of me the whole time because I tripped over an 'invisible rock'. He even made a mention to my 'invisible rock' in the report." I even used air quotes for invisible rock. Edward actually doubled over turning red, laughing. I didn't think it was that funny. "He did not write that in there did he? I can't believe it. There is something wrong with my cousin's head. I think Aunt Esme may have dropped him on his head when he was a baby." OK so then I was doubled over laughing. "O that explains so much."

"I'll be heading out now. What are you doing on Saturday evening?" Hmm, who would I like to do? So I was horny. Sue me. This dry spell really was affecting me badly. "I don't know Edward. I really don't know you all that well."

With a smirk he stated, "How can you get to know me if you don't hang out with me from time to time?" He had a point.

"Touche, Well, you got me there. OK, let's make a deal. How about we keep talking on the phone throughout the week and then Saturday, I will let you take me out to dinner if I'm able to get a sitter?"

"That would be wonderful. Bella, please try to get a sitter. I think Emmett and Jasper's babysitting agency might be able to watch them. I really want to get to know you better. Call me later, OK?" he said while I walked him out the door. Yes I was shameless and watched him walk down the street. Of course, Ali happened to be changing clothes on her mannequins in the front windows when she noticed me watching the view. Yep I was busted. But does it look like I care? Not the least bit, well until she ribbed me about it later and she waited for Rose to be there too.

Even with my many distractions of the day, I was able to get a lot accomplished around the shop. I decided to leave a bit early to pick my little men up. Since I would be dropping them off with the guys, I felt a little guilty. That is why I decided to take them to the park. We had a blast. Jayme had fun going down the slide. He thinks he's the man because he doesn't need me to catch him no more. It kind of breaks my heart because he is growing up so fast. After all, I want him to be my little guy forever. Ian had fun with me pushing him in the baby swing. He thought it was a hoot because I was standing in front of him pushing. Every time the swing moved forward he hit mommy. He was giggling so much. It made me happy to see my boys having so much fun. Alice had to call to remind me to go to her house. "Mommy, do we weally have to leave the park?" Jayme asked me with a pout. "Of course, don't you want to see all the kids and Unky Em and Jazzy?" I responded to his question with a question of my own. "Weaalllly?" He asked. "Yep," I said popping the "P."

As I pulled up, I was greeted with a very unhappy Pixie. An unhappy Pixie is not a welcome sight. "Can you ever be on time?" the Pixie growled while tapping her foot. Hold the phone. The Pixie actually growled at me. "Look, Pi—Alice, I am a single mom of two boys. I not only have to be the mom but the dad too. Every little moment I have with my boys is precious. I decided to leave early to take them to the park since I won't have any time with them tonight. I would not trade that for anything in the world. So you can back off and stop growling. You are so unattractive when you growl anyways," I all but yelled while stepping down from my soap box. "I-I'm sorry, Bellla," she stuttered. "It's just that we are so used to you being late. We didn't think you would have a good excuse as the one you got. You know you don't have to feel guilty about spending time away from the boys?" she retorted with, with a sheepish grin.

Walking in the house Jayme screamed, "Unky Emmy, Unky Jazzy, EWWARR!" Wait a minute. Edward is here? I tried to ask Alice why Edward was here, but he interrupted me first. "I'm sorry to surprise you, Bella. Rose invited Layla to go to the mall with you ladies. So Emmett asked if I would stay to help him and Jazz. I hope that is OK and that you feel comfortable with me being around the boys," he said nervously. "Of course Edward, I don't mind. It looks like Jayme just adores you. Not only that, but you are also Emmett's cousin and I know Emmett would throttle you if you ever did anything to hurt any of the kids. So I'm OK with it." He answered my retort with his panty soaking crooked smile. Will it ever cease to soak my panties?

Ali, Rose and Layla dragged me into one store right after the other. Yes, I did say Layla too. Who knew she was such a Diva. I figured she would have been a tom boy since she had a single dad. Nope, she is keeping right up with the evil Pixie I call a sister. Rose and I, was a few steps behind the real twins when Rose blurted, "I heard you were checking out a certain fireman today?" Damn it, the evil Pixie struck again. "Rose, not in front of his daughter. Geez. And so what if I was checking him out," I said a little lower so Layla and Ali couldn't hear.

"He's a little bit of eye candy, is he not?" Rose asked me.

"Of course he is. He asked me out on Saturday night. Are you all still playing cards like you normally do? Can you all watch the boys for me?" I sheepishly asked Rose.

"Of course we will. Now I know why you felt so guilty tonight. You don't need to feel guilty. You are entitled "Adult time" as well. Who knows, maybe Edward will be the one. So what are you wearing and do not say jeans and a t-shirt," Rose responded.

"That is why we are here!"

Twenty dressing rooms and fifty outfits later, we had decided on a simple navy blue nee length dress. It has thin straps. It has a V-neckline and a satin motif type of design below the breast above the empire waist seam. Alice decided on a pair of death trap shoes. I can't even walk a crossed a flat surface bare foot what makes her think I can walk in these shoes. They are a 4" tall evening strappy sandal in silver. Don't get me wrong, they are beautiful, but not the shoes for my feet. They ended the ensemble with a simple silver clutch made by Calvin Klein. The clutch cost more than the shoes and the dress combined.

Since we got the dress down, they decided to go to Victoria Secrets. I did not feel comfortable shopping Vickie Secrets with my date's daughter. Rose assured me that she goes in that store with her and Esme all the time. So of course I relented some. I found it awkward that Layla was showing me pieces that her dad would love to see me in. Clearly, this is not a conversation I wanted to have. But any who, we decided on a lacy navy blue strapless bra to make it easier for the straps of the dress and a pair of matching hiphuggers. I would not go with a thong. Alice and Rose would not let me leave without buying several new sets of bras and panties along with a couple of nighties in hopes that this relationship will work out and also because I quote, "my granny panties leave nothing to be desired."

Before leaving, Layla picked out a number that she said her daddy would love on me. It was a deep crimson red sleeveless satin corset that tied up in the back. It came with an itty bitty string they call a thong. I have to say, it would be pretty but I would never have enough courage to wear something so racy. Not only that, but I didn't want Layla picking out my lingerie. It just felt wrong. To pour salt in my wounds, Rose said she already owns it. I could only imagine. Rose is about 5'9" and has long blonde hair and blue eyes. She is so beautiful that a girl's self-esteem takes a hit just by taking one look at her. Yep, I'm defiantly not buying that one. My face matched the color of the corset.

It was 9:30 before we made it home that evening. For the most part we had a great time. Layla was a blast to have around. At dinner, she told me that she hoped I get to stick around because she thinks me and her dad would be perfect together. It made me feel a lot better knowing I had the seal of approval from his daughter. The best part is I knew he had the seal of approval from the boys. On the way home, Jayme would not stop talking about Edward. Edward this, Edward that. "Ewwarrr, taught me to throw a baseball," he squealed out. "That is wonderful, little man." I love the fact that Edward is so good with him. It warmed my heart to see Jayme happy again. It did scare me a little though. How would he react if this thing with Edward didn't work out? I don't know if it was a good idea to let him meet Edward first; although, I really didn't have the power to stop that. I decided I couldn't keep focusing on the negative, so I am going to focus on the sexiest fireman around.

Before I went to bed that night, Edward sent me a text message stating:

B: thnx 4 tking Layla w/ u. she wnt stp tlking abt u. E

E: u wcm. Jayme wnt stp tlking abt u either. Thnx 4 teaching him 2 thro bsebll. B

B: no prblm. I enjyd it. I alwys wntd a boy. I hd fun w/ lil man. Hpe I get 2 do agn soon. E

E: I hpe u do 2. Good nite Edward. B

B: sweet dreams Bella E

I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Hopefully I will have a picture of Bella's dress posted on my profile in a few.