A/H: I'm happy I got such good reactions to this story! Yes, yes I know it is very hard to believe anyone could ever forget Edward! But Bella was at a party casually drinking and never got to see him the next morning; so give her a break. Hope that cleared up that question; now enjoy! =)
Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight; that would be the fabulous Stephanie Meyer.
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BPOV
"Oh thank god; you're finally here!" Alice shrieked as we came into view.
"Sorry Alice; we ran into a little delay. Now what's the problem?" I cut right to the chase not wanting to listen to her complain that I took longer that she wanted. When Alice gets ranting nothing ever gets done, so I tend to avoid getting her upset as much as possible.
Alice proceeded to explain the problem that the man was claiming to have with his tickets. The fact that Alice didn't know how to handle it was not surprising to me; she was fairly new working here and the problems this customer was having were not ones that were common.
What irritated me was that Tanya and Lauren have worked here longer than I have and were currently sitting in the break room claiming they had no idea how to deal with the issue. This was not the first time it had occurred this way and to be honest I was getting really sick of doing their work and not getting paid for it. I guess not having to do anything and get paid for it is just one of the perks of the job when you come up close and personal with the boss' lower region.
"Alice, can you watch Aiden for me please while I go to the back to speak with the girls?" I ask trying to contain my anger in front of my four year old son.
"Sure, sure." She says, waving me off; now speaking on the phone to who I assume to be her boyfriend Jasper.
I love Alice to death, but sometimes her lack of attention to the job was as bad as the two twin-tramps currently converging in the back room.
I make my way to the back room, playing through my mind how I will address the two without them going to the boss and making me look horrible.
I step in to the back room to be met by the two of them sneering up at me from their seats. The strawberry-blonde bimbo officially known as Tanya decides to attack before her equally-evil counterpart.
"Oh Bella sweetie, what are you doing here? We thought we were like free of you today." Tanya asks with a way too sweet tone in her voice as she turns to Lauren and snickers.
"I am here to help fix the problem with Mr. Henderson's account that the two of you couldn't seem to handle. It's quite sad really; you both have worked here for what…two more years than I have?" I ask sarcastically.
"Yet, neither of you could do your job adequately and try to help Alice with a major client. I'm sure the boss would love to hear how you almost let one of our most frequent flyers drive to the airport near Port Angeles because you couldn't do your job for ten minutes and fix a rather simple issue." I snap out at them as I watch their faces turn to slight shock because of the fact that I am standing up to them. It's true though really; that man rides the plane so much it would probably be cheaper for him to buy himself one, and they can't stop filing their nails for five minutes to help him!
"So instead I have to bring my child with me here, to fix a mess that both of you should have been able to handle without too much trouble from your pea-sized little brains! I really appreciate that; thanks!" I say in an exasperated tone emphasizing my key points. Before either of them can retaliate and ruin my buzz from telling them off I leave the room and the two shocked skanks behind me.
I have to admit that it was rather liberating to finally get all that off my chest. If the boss calls me on it, so be it. I'm not the one in the wrong; I'm in fact doing their jobs on my damn day off!
It's not that I don't like bringing Aiden to work with me for awhile; it's just that - well like earlier with those kids trying to attack the homeless man, he doesn't need to see some of the things that happen here. Plus, it is so busy that I just feel better with him safe at home with a babysitter – moments like these I really wish he had a father around to watch him.
I walk back to the ticket counter to find Alice still on the phone. It's not very busy right now so she was able to not be too distracted from work. I look around for Aiden and can feel dread start to take over; please don't let this be real. In that moment only two thoughts cross my mind: I will kill Alice; and where is my baby!
"Alice," I say grabbing her shoulder and turning her abruptly in my direction. "Oh hey Bella!" she says like nothing is a matter.
"Alice; where in the hell is my son? I told you to watch him when I went to the back!" I say trying to keep as calm as possible but I start to snap at her towards the end.
"What?" She asks looking dumb-founded and horrified.
"Alice! You fucking said you would! Are you serious?! Oh my god where is my bab-y" my voice broke as I began to sob.
"Oh my gosh, oh my gosh. Um, we should call security! Yeah, that's what we should do. We could call his name over the loudspeaker to come to the counter; maybe he would know how to find you. Bella I am so sorry!" Alice began to break down.
"Yes you call security and explain what happened and I'm going to look in the surrounding areas." I tell her while exiting from behind the desk.
"Okay, you have your cell phone so call me if you find him so I can let security know." She tells me and I throw a nod in her direction while rushing to look for my little boy.
EPOV
As I watch them walking away I begin to feel a sense of loss that I had only felt once before. There was something about Bella that reminded me of something, I just couldn't remember what; I don't think I had ever met anyone called Bella before. I knew an Isabelle, Arabella, even an Annabella, and of course the one name I wouldn't even let myself think of; I flinch at the thought. Maybe she knew Emmett and I had met her in passing before or something.
Then there was Aiden; I'm not normally a big fan of children. I never even thought of them as a possibility; but that little boy changed my perspective.
The only children I've ever been near are mouthy little whine asses, but he was so different. Even when he whined to his mom to go get 'fren fries' he wasn't irritating, it was endearing.
Maybe someday I'll have that. I could have had that. But then that constant little voice reminded me: but you aren't good enough.
I sat in the alcove waiting for it to be time so I could leave. I wouldn't admit to myself that I was really hoping Bella and Aiden would walk by before it was time for me to go.
I was leaning back against the wall analyzing my day when out of the corner of my eye I seen a little boy with reddish-brown hair walking down the corridor by himself – Aiden.
I hadn't known Bella for any more than a fifteen minute conversation, but somehow I knew she wouldn't let him off by himself in a busy airport.
It was that knowledge - and the panicky feeling that I got when I thought of something happening to him, weird - that made me leave my alcove and follow him to make sure he was safe.
I watched as he made his way down the corridor into one of the more busier parts of the airport that held all of the eateries – ah guess he didn't want to wait for his Burger King.
My question is does Bella even know he is gone; and how does he expect to pay for the food? Well Edward he is probably only about five years old…he most likely hasn't thought it out that far ahead.
Well if he wants food so bad that he will leave without his mother knowing; I'll get him food and bring him back to her. Someone has to pay for the kid's meal I just heard him ask for; so once he gets that I'll walk him back to the ticket desk where Bella said she worked.
The worker brings his food to the counter and I walk up behind Aiden and hand her the cash from my wallet. When he sees that someone handed the lady money his head turned to me in a flash.
When he sees it's me his eyes widen and a smile breaks across his face; "Edward!" he exclaims excitedly. "Hey Aiden; now where is your mommy? Didn't I tell you to be good for her?" I question accusingly.
A frown makes its way across his features; "momma left me wif Awice when she went to yell at someone. But Awice was on the phone and wasn't payin attention and I was really hungry, and, and-" he starts to talk really fast and hiccup sobs rack through him - and I totally break down. What is it with me and this kid; he could ask me to buy him a car and I probably would.
"Hey, hey calm down buddy. We will take your food and I'll bring you back to your mom. She might be mad because you scared her but everything will be okay I promise." I tell him while scooping him up and grabbing his food off the counter.
I watch as he takes out a French fry and eats it; and he smiles. Him and his damn french fries.
"Thanks Edward; you're the bestest." He tells me through his remaining sniffles.
I walk as fast as I can to the ticket counter because I know how bad Bella must be freaking out. As the counter came into view I see Bella walking away from it in the other direction looking frantically for something.
"Bella!" I yell in her direction. She spins around and on seeing Aiden in my arms a look of complete relief encases her entire body.
"Oh my god, oh thank you, oh my god!" she sobs running over to us. I figured she would take him from my arms, but no she practically jumps into my arms and hugs us both tightly.
"Oh Edward thank you so much! Where was he; I didn't leave him on his own I'm not one of those mothers I swear! Alice was supp-" I cut her off with a finger over her mouth.
"Calm down; he is okay. I know you wouldn't do that. That was actually what made me follow him when I seen him walking down the corridor by himself. I figured he probably snuck away; he went to Burger King. I guess your friend – Alice is it? – wasn't paying attention when he told her he was hungry." I inform her and look down at Aiden who now adorns a look of complete innocence on his face while stuffing another French fry in his mouth and smiles a sheepish/apologetic smile at his mom. I look to Bella trying not to laugh, "See?" I say as a chuckle slips out.
Bella holds out her arms for him and I pass him over to her. She squeezes him tight and buries her face into his neck saying, "Baby you will never do that to me again do you understand! If you are hungry you wait until I bring you to get food; I've never let you starve before and I'm not going to let it happen now!"
After pulling away and brushing the hair from his face she grabs one of his fries from him and puts it in her mouth; after swallowing she looks at his exasperated face that basically screams 'how dare you eat one of my French fries.'
"As punishment I'm gonna eat all your fries!" she says making a move for the bag. "No, no! Edward help!" the little boy shrieks and wiggles trying to get out of her arms while bursting into a fit of giggles.
By this time Bella and I are both laughing; "Sorry pal I'm on her side! Maybe next time you will remember this and not run away!" I tell him and he pouts and then laughs.
"I sowwy momma; I was bad. But Edward helped me; he got me my kid meal and brought me back to you." He says with an apologetic smile towards his mother.
"Oh Edward you paid for this!" she says motioning towards the bag as a look of realization covers her features; I shrug and nod.
"Oh gosh you shouldn't have done that! Here come with me and I'll give you the money; I'm sure you have much more important things to buy with it." She tells me walking back towards the ticket desk.
I place a hand lightly on her shoulder to stop her and reply, "Bella, no it's fine; my treat." I tell her smiling.
"Well if you're going to be so stubborn then I'm at least replacing the meal. How about you come to our house for dinner tonight? What do you think Aiden; sound like a good idea?" she asks as they both look at me with matching pouts on their faces.
I watch as the little boy begins to bounce in her arms in excitement after a moment; "oh please Edward! It would be so much fun; I can show you all my toys; and momma is a realllyyyyyy good cook!" he tells me and then crooks his finger for me to come closer. "Some of it is even better then french fries from Burga King!" he tells me in a stage whisper.
Trying not to laugh I respond, "Well if its better then French fries how in the world could I pass up the opportunity to eat with the two of you and have a great dinner also?" I tell him exasperatedly.
Bella smile, "well that's simple, you don't pass it up! Are you busy at all for the rest of the day? I should be able to fix the problem in like five minutes and then we can go to our house; if you would like." I nod; I had nothing else planned for today.
She sets Aiden down and points in the direction of the desk. He walked over to a short little woman with spiky black hair – must be Alice. I watch as she wags her finger at him while telling him never to scare her like that again and then wraps him up into a rib crushing hug.
"Alice you better call Jasper and tell him everything is okay; he was freaking out pretty bad on the phone before you hung up on him." Bella informs the small woman; she nods and drags Aiden towards the phone; not once letting go of his hand.
"Oh is Jasper Aiden's father?" I ask curiously.
"Oh no, he is Alice's boyfriend. They were on the phone when this all happened. Aiden's father isn't in the picture. He doesn't even know about him actually." She tells me, as I visibly blanch.
"Why in the world would any sane man give up that phenomenal little boy; let alone a woman as great as you." I say mainly to myself but the sudden blush on Bella's face tells me she heard.
"How about I get this done quickly and I will tell you that story after dinner?" she bargains. "Deal;" I respond.
I sit in a chair off to the side and watch as Bella deals with a creepy business man with blonde hair that is unabashedly trying to pick Bella up while she fixes the problem with his tickets.
It shocks me when I realize that the emotion coursing through my veins is severe jealousy. I have only had feelings even remotely similar to this for one other woman; and that didn't work out so well.
As I'm sitting contemplating all of this Aiden walks over and climbs into my lap. I watch as he curls up and rests his head on my chest and mumbles something along the lines of 'tired' and 'nap.'
"Just go to sleep Aid we will get you home safe." I tell him and rub his back as he snuggles further into me.
After the creeper business man leaves, Bella comes over and smiles brightly at the sight of the two of us. I watch as a strange expression crosses her features but she shakes it off.
"Ready," she asks moving to grab Aiden. I nod and respond with, "I got him; he's comfy and I'm sure it's easier for me to lift him than it is for you." I say smiling at her.
She harrumphs at me and mutters what sounded like, "What are you talking about look at these muscles!" I chuckle lightly and she shoots me a small smile.
We make our way out to her car and get Aiden settled into his seat. As I make my way into the passenger seat I hear Bella sigh out, "You're so good with him;" which makes me smile.
Who would have thought in one day my whole outlook on children and women could change. I could really get used to these two.
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