I still do not own Twilight. Enjoy the "Meet Cute".

*****Chapter Two*****

It was a hazy fall afternoon and the day had started off cool and drizzly, very typical of Seattle. However, now the sun was trying earnestly to penetrate the gray cover. Twenty minutes after leaving my office we were buzzing down the 39 towards Wallingford when suddenly Noah looked at me through the rearview mirror and asked seriously, "Daddy, why does Riley have two moms?"

His question bowled me over nearly and I had no idea how to answer him.

"Well" I began stammering, "Why do you think he has two moms?" I glanced back at him through the mirror as he began to think hard about an answer.

"He has one pretty mommy who smiles real nice, and he has another mommy with crazy hair who is mean that Aunt Alice doesn't like much."

"Noah I am honestly not sure," I said simply deciding not to complicate things for him and just leave it at that. "If you want to, you can ask Aunt Alice about it tonight when we see her," I added.

"Alright," he answered seeming satisfied for the moment. A sense of relief washed over me and I made a note to myself to ask my sister who was also my sons kindergarten teacher about 'Riley's two mommy's' as Noah put it.

"You want some music Buddy?" I sighed trying to channel his thoughts somewhere else.

"Sure," he smiled brightly. "Play the one I like dad!" he commanded.

"What do you say?" I began fiddling with the car stereo.

"Please!" he yelled.

For some reason thankfully my son could not get enough of The Beatles, especially 'The White Album'. It bordered on obsessive. I smiled turning up the volume the way he liked it. Noah was not a kid who sang along. He was an observer; he would just sit back soaking in the lyrics and the nuances of each cord. It made my heart swell to think about the type of person he would become. All the things he would take from Tanya and I both, but more importantly the things that took shape in him on their own; the small likes and dislikes that were emerging in him, the sense of humor that was developing in his personality. It was an amazing gift to get to know the one person on the planet now that was half of me.

When Tanya had told me she was pregnant my first reaction had been fear. It had been all-consuming hanging over and swallowing up the joy I knew I should have felt. I had tried to be excited about it, for her sake, but the over whelming enormity of the entire situation and the sheer weight of it all had crushed me. Our lives had been barely hanging on as it was, we had been fighting all the time, and I had still been trying to establish myself in my practice. I had, had no idea how to be a father.

My own Father had been just what a Dad should be, and he was one of the best men I knew. How was I supposed to live up to the perfect example he had set?

My Dad's words came back to me now "Being a good Father is not about being perfect. It's about being real, being human, and having the grace and humility to over come your mistakes and imperfection."

My father had raised three children and practically adopted the men and women we had brought into the family, and to hear him say that it was all about grace and acceptance had changed everything for me.

I glanced back at my son now almost 5, his life had already been scarred by his mother and I mistakes, and yet here he was happy, safe, and well-adjusted. It was all about forgiveness and intentionality. I smiled inwardly at the messy white hair that sat on his head and the golden glint in his bright green eyes that reflected his quiet gentleness. I loved him more than my life. Unconditional and sacrificial love, that's what it had taken for me to finally understand life and become I hoped a man like my Father.

As I turned on to the street where the Scott's house should be my phone rang. I peered at the caller ID, it was Tanya, "Noah, it's mom" I said as I pressed the green answer button and handed the phone back to him so he could talk.

"Hi mommy", he greeted excitedly. I couldn't make out her exact words, but the sound of her muffled voice let me know that she was telling him something. "Yeah," he answered back, as I focussed my attention on finding the house. Noah laughed and then launched into recounting the day he had spent with Grandma Esmé to his mom.

I spotted the house Bella had described, and as I pulled up in front of it I could see that at one time it had been fairly nice. However years of neglect and poor care had left their mark. It was a two-story brick home with worn white shutters and a long winding walk way that lead up to a beaten wooden door.

"Okay Noah, we're here," I whispered to the back seat.

"Mom. I'm at Riley's, I have to see my friend now." he stated flatly.

I heard Tanya laugh and they said their goodbyes. He handed me the phone, undoing his safety belt excitedly and opening his door.

"Noah," I got his attention "I want you to be on best behaviors okay?"

"I will" he answered back dismissively.

He was on the sidewalk by the time I shut my door and I locked the car. "Come on Dad" he breathed out impatiently.

Just then the front door squeaked open and a boy Noah's size came tearing down the walkway. As I glanced up to the house I could see a man who looked to be older than I was standing in the doorway staring back at me with a strange mix of kindness and menacing.

"Noah!" the boy let out.

"Hey Riley" my son greeted him.

The two boy's began making their way up the path now and I followed them a few steps behind, "That's my dad", Noah through over his shoulder pointing at me by way of introduction. "Hello Riley" I said, but he didn't acknowledge me. They slipped in the house passed the man, as I stopped just in front of him extending my hand out in greeting, "Hello I'm Edward Cullen, Noah's dad."

"James" He answered shaking my hand and stepping to the side. "Come on in," he ushered me inside politely. As I was stepping through the doorway a woman rounded the corner slowly as if she were timid and did not expect to see anyone there. She smiled warmly and took a tentative step forward. As I was about to speak and introduce my self to her James edged from behind me and began talking drawing my attention from the girl who looked sheepishly from me to the ground and then into the din where the two boy's were already deep in conversation. She was small without being short, and a sweetness seemed to radiate from her. She moved by us quickly into the room and I could hear her welcome my son. James was asking me a question, but I had no idea what it was as I diverted my eyes from the girl back to the older man in front of me. As if he could read the question forming in my mind he let out simply "Oh, that's the maid."

I looked again at the young woman and her eyes briefly met mine. She looked slightly let down and there was a hint of self conciousness playing in her expression before she turned away back to the boy's.

"Riley," James commanded loudly "Show him your toy's." I knew it was meant in a way to encourage his son to be hospitable but it came off as condescending and over the top.

"Come on boy's," the girl smiled brightly herding them out another door. I watched her leave the room and immediately found my self wishing she had stayed. When I turned back to James there was a scowl in his eyes that he seemed to push under the surface and I could tell he was waiting for a response to his earlier question.

"I'm sorry what was that?"

"What do you do Edward" He indulged.

"Oh'" I grinned sheepishly, embarrassed at not being able to fallow the conversation. "I'm a lawyer. I am part of a practice that does mostly family law; down in Capitol Hill."

"Oh so like divorce and custody battle stuff?" James inferred.

"Well yes we do handle that sort of thing, but I prefer to focus on the more positive pats like adoption and guardianship cases."

He was walking into another room now and gestured for me to follow him.

"Have a seat," he motioned towards a couch that had clearly seen better days.

"James what do you do?" I returned pleasantly.

"I run a construction company. Scott building and repair, we do a lot more repair work than building these day's though."

"Yeah I could see"...I began but got cut off when James continued talking over me.

"We've been working on a new project restoring an older factory over in Tecoma."

"Oh you guy's get all the way over there?" I tried, attempting a back and forth conversation but was shut down again.

He launched into farther details on the restoration and I let my eyes wander the room. I noticed the dark-haired girl appear through a small window box that must see into the kitchen . She was busying her self at what I assumed was a sink, and I saw her glance out to where we sat. As she met my eyes she seemed to be surprised to catch me staring at her. She averted her eyes quickly turning back to her task, as a pink color flushed over her cheeks, and then she disappeared again.

A strange sensation of want erupted and shuttered through me, like something in me was loosened and set free, yet in the same moment it tighten and constricted. I swallowed hard, my mouth going dry. It felt as if the temperature had shot up at least 20 degrees in mere seconds and I found my self involuntarily loosening the tie I still wore around my neck. James was still talking taking no notice of the fact that I was not listening. I wasn't trying to be rude, I just could not seem to concentrate on anything but the crazy pumping of blood through my body. I wanted to take my jacket off desperately, my cloths beginning to feel as though they were strangling me. What the hell was wrong with me? Was I stroking out?

"Edward would you like something to drink?" James asked a peculiar tone in his voice. Was my discomfort that apparent?

"Yes that would be nice." I agreed,relief sloshing over me.

"Bella!" he beckoned loudly, "Bella" James bellowed once more. The beautiful brunette appeared, and then it clicked in my brain that this girl was the same one I had spoken with over the phone earlier.

"Get us some drinks would you?" He smiled trying to be nonchalant.

She nodded her head slightly. "What would you like?" She asked with composure, ignoring the fact that her employer was treating her like a servant.

"Water" he vaguely barked.

She turned to me now and all I could see were her dark eyes searching my face for something, kindness maybe?

"Water will be great" I murmured, swallowing hard again. She began to turn away and I groped for something to keep her here a moment longer. "Thank you" I added beaming what I hoped was a friendly grin.

She turned back to me returning the gesture her lips slightly curving up.

Oh shit, my heart stuttered and my stomach tightened.

It was silent and I took the opportunity to get James talking again.

"So, I hear your family is going on Vacation, where are you heading?"

He glowered at me a moment and then answered "I'm suprising them with a trip to Disney World."

"Wow," was all I could respond with.

He began telling me about what a great deal he had gotten on a hotel room and I started to tune out again.

I was so anxious my palms were starting to sweat.

Bella promptly returned carrying two glasses and handed the first to her boss. My gaze was transfixed as she moved gracefully towards me, her cream colored dress swaying delicately against her legs. I found my eyes traveling of their own accord up to her small waste and then to the milky skin of her neck, finally landing on her naturally deep pink tinged lips. They were turning up at me, and then they parted to say "Here you go."

I shook my self out of the trans I was in and reached out to take the glass she was offering. My fingers grazed over hers and a jolt of what felt like electricity sputtered through me. "Thank you" I murmured almost dropping the glass. She retrieved her hand hastily and for a moment I wondered if she had felt what I had. I took a large drink hoping it would ease my humming pulse, however it only seemed to intensify the agitation I felt.

Noah was leaning on my lap now and we both watched as Bella motioned for Riley to come over to her. She leaned down to whisper something in his ear, the dark curls of her hair tickling his cheek and then he smiled and ran into another room. Noah looked up to me unsure of whether or not he should fallow, but before I could answer Riley returned carrying a large decorative bag in his arms. Noah watched carefully as Riley placed the colorful package at his feet and then said "Happy Birthday Noah."

"Can I open it Dad?" he pleaded hope dancing in his eyes.

"Sure, go for it buddy!" I ruffled his hair a little as he immediately sat on the floor and dug into the bag. Riley sat close to him so he could see, just as excited as if it were his own present.

A hushed anticipation settled in and I quickly surveyed the rest of the room. Bella knelt on the floor amusement playing across her features, and James just looked board.

"Whoa!" Riley let out, as my son pulled a large box from the bag. It was a dinosaur Lego set and Noah looked to me his eyes filled with awe and eagerness. But there was still more in the package as he then pulled out two big Dino coloring books and an oversized crayon that had every color imaginable fused together to make a multi color when you used it.

"Wow, Noah, cool. What do you say?"

"Thank you," he said to Riley.

I looked to James to echo my sons thank you however from the lack of expression on his face I could see he had very little to do with it. It must have been Bella we had to thank for these wonderful gifts. When my eye's landed on her I was not prepared for the magnitude of the smile I found on her face. It lit up her entire being, and I could feel my self matching her, un-able to stop its infectious effect. Her deep chocolate eye's met mine and I nodded with appreciation, she tilted her head in slight recognition and then bit the bottom of her lip, averting her eye's innocently. A tingling sensation worked its way through my whole body and I took another drink of water in the hope's that it would distract me from the urge I was having to devour her. What an odd word choice, devour, yet it was the only word that I could come up with to describe the wonderful yet frightening feeling she was eliciting with in me. I had never been so instantly attracted to any woman, it was as if she were drawing me to her. I felt torn between wanting to do everything I could to be near her and wanting to run a million miles an hour in the opposite direction of her. The walls felt like they were closing in on me and would suffocate any moment.

This was ridiculous and irrational, and I had to get a grip, I hated not being in control. For a moment I hated Bella for making me feel how lonely I truly was and how badly I wanted someone; how badly I wanted her.

I chanced another glance at her, she was studying me intently and I felt somehow naked under her scrutiny. Blood boiled to my face and I could see confusion and pain in her soft expression. I needed to get out of here, I was over whelmed and I needed to catch my breath.

I checked my watch offhandedly, we would be meeting my sister soon.

"Noah, I think it's about time we get going, we need to get some dinner."

He began putting all his presents back in the gift bag and I turned to James with what I hoped was a sincere smile.

"James" I stood "It was really nice to meet you, and thank you so much for your hospitality."

He stood slowly meeting me and shook my hand again.

"Have a great vacation" I added trying to be friendly.

"I hope we will, thanks." he answered.

Noah was struggling to get the Lego box back into the bag and I took a step towards him to help, however Bella was already there gingerly placing it back inside. "Here let me help you Noah," she smiled at him and then handed him the sack.

"Riley can you tell Noah thanks for coming over?"

"Thanks for coming" Riley repeated.

"Noah it was very nice to see you again, thanks for coming and playing" Bella grinned and my son stared at her a moment blinking "Have a great Birthday!" she finished, and I wondered if Noah was as taken with her as I was.

I moved behind him and placed my hand calmly on his shoulder. "What do you say Noah?"

"Thank you" he finally let out.

With Noah and Riley between us as a shield of sorts i addressed Bella directly for the frist time.

"Bella" I tried hard to say her name as casually as possible, "Thank you for setting this all up."

She got to her feet with a smile and shook her head "It was nothing," she dismissed. "Thanks for coming by Mr. Cullen."

The flush of her cheeks burned pink and she tucked some hair behind her ear.

"Bye Riley" Noah waved.

"By Noah!" Riley yelled back.

I steered Noah towards the door and grabbed the gift bag from him, glancing one last time over my shoulder "It was really nice to meet you all", of course what I really meant was, it was nice to meet Bella. James was behind me now, putting himself between Bella and I. He smiled tightly and held the door open for us.

"Okay Riley let's go pack your suit case" I heard Bella say and then the two of them disappeared.

"Thanks again" I let out as I waked past him, through the thresh hold and onto the porch.

"Dad" Noah said as we pulled away from the Scott's house.

"Yeah Son?" I mumbled half heartedly giving him my attention.

"I like Riley's pretty mommy."

Suddenly his question from earlier made sence. He was talking about Bella, she was Riley's pretty mommy.

"You do?" I asked him looking in the rear view mirror.

"Yeah, I do," he nodded his head.

I smiled, "I do to buddy."