Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight or anything else you recognize.
Thank you to obsessedmom for editing and being a lovely beta.


Chapter Two
PG Rated

I sat on one of the high stools at my kitchen counter top, looking over all the resumes in the large pile. I had interviewed every one of these people over the last month and no one was good enough. I needed perfection in every aspect for my daughter. There was no question to it. And everyone just seemed... off for some reason.

Running my fingers through my hair, I sighed and closed my eyes. I was tired and worn out from my long day, but I knew that even if I went to bed early, I'd stare at the ceiling like every other night.

"What's wrong?" Ivy asked from behind me as she entered the kitchen.

"Oh, hey... Nothing's wrong." I lied, pushing the papers away from me and watching Ivy open the fridge to get a bottle of water. She was ready for bed in her pink pajamas.

"You still can't find me a nanny?" she asked. "It's okay, Dad. I like after school care." I knew she did. She and Bella had become close, but I just didn't want her in school so much every single day.

"I know you don't mind, but I don't want you in school as much as you are. It really isn't healthy," I told her. I loved how smart my daughter was. I knew she understood what I meant.

"Okay, then you should just ask Bella to be my nanny. She's pretty much the only reason I like after school care so much." Ivy smiled sweetly and made me raise an eyebrow.

"Really? I should just ask her, out of the blue?" I questioned with amusement. The idea was truly a great one. I would feel very comfortable having Bella looking after Ivy. Over the last month, I had seen how warm and caring Bella truly was toward Ivy. They shared a connection that Ivy didn't have with anyone else.

But, seriously, could I really handle sexy Bella in the other room while fanaticizing about her?

And besides, Ivy's suggestion would never work. Bella wasn't in search of a new job. A full-time-move-in-and-live-with-us job to add to it.

"Don't worry, Dad. I got this." She patted my arm and walked back out of the kitchen.

I smiled at her, wondering what she was up to this time. She always had some kind of plan. I was sure she'd be a handful when she reached her teenage years.

I decided to not question this much further. I made my way into Ivy's bedroom, tucking her in and making sure she was snug before leaving her to sleep.

The day had been long and my mind couldn't focus all too well on what Ivy might be planning, so it soon left my mind altogether. I began my sleepless night early, waiting for morning.

The next day moved along just like all the others; make breakfast, eat with Ivy, get ready and take her to school, come to work and perform some surgeries, take a short lunch break, sneaking in a cigarette around back instead of having actual food.

I only had to take Ivy to the first after school care day, all the rest she could go alone, seeing as how it was inside the school. So, I didn't get to see her the whole day. It was torture.

But the time finally came. I changed into some normal clothes and made my way to the school, standing by the wooden door, knowing my daughter and the woman who entered my mind all too much for my own good would be on the other side.

I finally knocked and entered. Ivy and Bella were alone and seemed to be putting some books away.

"Hey, Dad!" Ivy smiled, running over and into my arms.

I hugged her tightly and closed my eyes, finally happy today. We were together again. The day was too long.

"I missed you, baby," I told her, kissing the top of her head before she pulled back.

"I'm sorry that I'm late," I told Bella, looking over at her.

She put the final book away and shook her head. "It's no problem. I don't mind," she told me sweetly.

She wore skinny leg jeans again, this time with a long sleeved blue top. How was it possible that she seemed to become more beautiful every week - no; everyday?

"Well, thank you," I said.

"Bella?" Ivy said, going back over.

"Yes, honey?" Bella asked, stroking Ivy's hair back gently.

"Would you come with Dad and me to the park? Please, please, please? We always get roasted almonds and walk around on Tuesdays. I want to show you my favorite spot." Ivy was practically begging.

"I don't know, honey. You and your father should go, spend some time together. I'd only be intruding," Bella replied, giving me a quick glance before looking down at Ivy again.

"Awe, no. Please, Bella? Please come?" Ivy whined, making me smile with the desperation that she made seem so thick. I now knew what she was up to.

Her plan was to take Bella to our spot in Central Park; the Alice in Wonderland statue, and leave us alone while she played, probably hoping that I'd ask Bella if she'd come work for me.

In this moment, seeing how much Ivy wanted this, I decided I would at least ask and see what Bella said. She would probably say no, of course, but what the hell. Why not ask the woman I'm sure I could so easily fall for, if I let myself, to come live with us?

Ha!

"No, Bella. We would love for you to come if you have nothing else to do right now," I finally spoke up making both of them look my way.

Ivy gave me a wink and big smile. "Please come?" she asked Bella one final time.

Bella gave me another look and I nodded to assure her it was alright. She smiled down at Ivy. "Okay, I'd love to see your favorite spot," she told her.

I watched Bella grab her purse and then take Ivy's hand. I threw Ivy's book bag over my shoulder and walked out with them. Ivy continued to hold Bella's hand instead of mine.

"So, Bella. Do you enjoy working here at the school?" I willed myself to form some sort of normal conversation with her. I was rude enough, hardly ever talking to her when I picked Ivy up at the end of each day.

"I love it. I actually go to college part time. I want to be a teacher, so this job really helps." She spoke with passion and determination, "Of course, I just assist the two teachers, but I still love it." She smiled and winked down at Ivy.

"Well, Ivy seems to like you very much. I'm sure you'll be a wonderful teacher," I said, truly meaning it.

"Thank you." She spoke more shyly now.

"Dad, almonds. Come on," Ivy said, taking my hand with her free one and dragging both Bella and I over to the stand.

I got both Bella and Ivy a small bag of the roasted almonds and paid the man. Bella thanked me and popped one into her mouth.

I swallowed at the sight of her full pink lips and the way her tongue came out to lick the top one - which by the way, was slightly fuller than the bottom. I was amazed by how extremely beautiful this young woman was. I don't even think she realized it.

That's because she's not a perverted monster like you.

I was admiring her good looks, knowing how wrong it was of me. I tried to keep my mind PG rated as she ate a few more nuts.

What the hell was wrong with me?

How about; everything?

We approached a Starbucks while on our walk. Thank god. I needed coffee.

"Can I buy you a coffee?" I offered.

"Please. I've been dying for one since this morning," Bella answered, seeming thankful.

The three of us walked in and I ordered the two of us coffee and a hot chocolate for Ivy. After fixing our coffees the way we liked them, we continued down to the park.

Ivy talked about a new book she was reading while Bella and I both listened. I realized I was having a great time with the two of them. It felt so comfortable to be around Bella, besides for the fact that I wanted to attack her neck and make her mine.

Damn it! PG, remember?

We finally made it down into the park and walked over to the Alice in Wonderland statue. Ivy walked ahead of us while Bella and I followed.

"So, when did you move to New York?" Bella asked, looking at me with her deep brown eyes and making me swallow, yet again. I had seen many beautiful women before, why did she, out of all the rest, have such an affect on me?

It was like everything pointed to her whenever she was around. She was calming and inviting.

"A few of months ago, after I got offered a job here. Ivy and I like it very much. I was a little worried at first," I admitted, "but she made friends in no time and got adjusted just fine."

"And what about you?" Bella questioned. "Are you used to it here yet? I mean, I know being a neurological surgeon - very impressive by the way - must take up a lot of your time, but have you had any free time to explore the city?" she asked.

I smiled and looked down for a second. "How do you know what I do?" I question, taking another sip of coffee.

"Well, Ivy is the newest student at the school, and you're an attractive single father - the women like to talk," she laughed, shaking her head.

I was starting to get a sense of her personality, and I liked it. Not liking the fact that she seemed beautiful on the inside as well as out - that made it so much harder not to be attracted to her.

"Oh, I see," I chuckled, finding it amusing that I was someone people talked about.

I decided to continue onto the question at hand, "I've been here before and I have to say, I did see more of the city then than I do now that I live here. Like you said; I don't have too much free time," I explained.

Ivy turned back to us every once in awhile, smiling.

"How long have you lived here?" I asked.

"I was born here, never left. I just can't bring myself to." She shrugged again then took a sip of her coffee. "I love it here," she told me.

"Yes, it sure is beautiful." You sure are beautiful.

Bella nodded in agreement as we approached our destination.

"Here it is, Bella." Ivy turned to us as she stood in front of it.

"I love it here too, Ivy. It's so beautiful," Bella said, leaving my side and going over to Ivy.

I watched her and Ivy talk as Ivy climbed up onto a mushroom. It was later in the day, so not many people were around. I walked on over to them in time to catch what Bella was saying; She was telling Ivy how she came here often as a child.

Ivy looked over at me and then quickly spoke to Bella, "You and Dad can continue talking. You don't need to climb up here with me." I smiled at her lack of cool.

Bella looked to me with questioning, but then came to sit with me on the cement bench.

"I get the sense that Ivy is planning something," Bella told me with clear amusement in her tone.

I shook my head and sighed, "My daughter, she's very subtle," I said with sarcasm.

"Very." Bella laughed sweetly, making my breath catch in my throat. Even her laughter was beautiful.

"So, what's this about?" she asked, cutting right to it as she watched Ivy.

"Well, you know how Ivy will only be in after school care until I find a new nanny?" She must know, right?

"Yes, I'm going to miss her. She's my favorite." Bella looked to me with a smile.

"Ivy actually suggested I ask you. She says you're the only reason she likes after school care so much. I know it's ridiculous of me to ask, you have a job and you have school and the job entails that the nanny moves in and takes care of her whenever I can't, which is very often. But I figured I'd ask anyway, for Ivy's sake. I know she'd never forgive me if I didn't."

"Oh..." Bella seemed surprised and didn't go on.

"If it makes any difference, I pay well and I would work around your school schedule should you choose to accept," I added.

"Why me?" Her brow creased as she looked at me as if in deep thought.

"Ivy already feels a connection to you. And before moving here, my mother took care of her back in DC. I just can't seem to find someone who I feel will look after my daughter while truly caring, but I see it so clearly in you," I admitted.

I wanted the best for my daughter, which was why I was putting all my thoughts aside on the matter and only thinking of what was best for Ivy; Bella was best. I knew that.

"So if you don't accept, I guess you will continue seeing Ivy in after school care, considering I feel like I've gone through all the nannies in New York City." I laughed slightly at the truth in that.

"This is really strange," she finally said, getting me ready for rejection no doubt.

"Why is that?"

"My room mate is moving out and I can't afford to the pay the rent alone. I mean, I can hardly afford it now and I've been looking for a second job."

I cut in before she could say more, "Trust me, you wont need to hold two jobs." I would pay her well, and living with us in my apartment meant there would be no rent or bills, besides whatever luxuries she kept.

I knew she was thinking about it, looking from Ivy to me.

"It would make Ivy happy and give me peace of mind that she's with someone I trust everyday."

"It actually sounds pretty nice, Edward," Ah, I loved when she said my name.

If you're like this now, how will you be when she's in your home?

"So, will you at least think about it? I can answer any questions you might have before you decide," I told her, hopefully.

"I guess I want to know everything." At least she seemed interested.

From there, I told her everything. How much I'd be paying, the fact that she would have no bills to pay in my home, how her job would be to take Ivy to school and bring her home, cook for her and look after anything she needed to be looked after. Whenever I was home, she could do as she wished, and when she needed a certain day off she could simply inform me as soon as possible.

Bella told me she loved to cook and that she attended two afternoon classes a week. I could see if my work schedule could be changed for those days or maybe see if Alice could help out. I'm sure she would love some extra time spent with her niece.

I understood if she didn't want to take the offer. After all, she was working on being a teacher and the in at Ivy's school would help, but Bella told me either way she'd have to have two jobs or find one that paid more, and here it was; one that paid more.

After awhile of talking about it, Ivy finally came over to us.

"So, are you going to be my nanny?" she asked. The girl was really anything but shy today.

I held my breath as I looked at Bella. I had never been so torn over a business deal. I wanted her to accept for Ivy's sake, but for my own; not so much. It would be extremely hard living with her.

Yes, hard.

Fuck!

"I was just going to tell your father that I'd love to." Bella winked at Ivy, knowing she'd be happy.

"Oh my god. Really? Really!?" I laughed as I watched Ivy scream and launch herself into Bella's arms.

Bella's laugh filled my head again, mesmerizing me for a short while. The girls hugged, and Bella stroked Ivy's hair back the way I noticed her doing before.

"Yeah, I get to spend all this time with you. It's going to be so much fun!" Bella replied just as happy as Ivy was.

This would work out. I could have Bella in my home and have it not faze me. I would be a very professional boss.

Yeah, 'cause every boss fantasizes about their employees before even hiring them.

Shit! I'm so fucking screwed.


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