Hi, I know it has been awhile and I apologize for that. Although I graduated from nursing school there was still a huge looming test I had to prepare for. I am happy to say that I passed boards a little over a week ago and I can happily focus more time on writing. This said there are times when I can't write not for the lack of time or want but because the creative juices are not flowing and the last thing I want to do it write something that I even have a hard time reading so please be patient and I will do my best to stay ontop of this story and devote more time to the other two that have been on the back shelf the last few months.
For those who review I do read them and I appreciate everything good and bad said. I will make an effort to respond.
Thanks again for reading. Enjoy.
Characters are owned my Stephenie Meyer.
The smile on my face slipped briefly as I passed Maggie. I wasn't sure what she had been doing sitting outside Professor Cullen's office because he clearly wasn't expecting here and from the looks of the closed and dark offices that lined the hall nobody else was either. I kept my eyes focused forward when I heard Professor Cullen close and lock his office behind me.
"Umm Professor Cullen I was hoping to catch you" Maggie's annoying high pitched voice rung out behind me. Being nosey my steps became smaller and slower hoping to catch part of their exchange.
"Miss. Grey, I though I was clear about setting up an appointment if you needed to speak with me. I am on the way out the door and am running late as it is. If you have questions about the syllabus please call my office number leave your question on my answer machine, if I cannot effectively answer over the phone I will call and set up a time when you can met me at the office and I will be glad to answer it there. Have a good day." His tone was polite but stern and I was dying to turn around and check out Skank Barbie's face now.
"I am sorry Professor Cullen I just heard you were looking for a nanny for your daughter and was coming to see if you have filled that position" she said. I didn't miss the seductive tone she was attempting to use nor did I miss the hand she placed on his arm as she spoke. Of course this is when I reached the end of the hall and had to turn. I had slowed my walking down so much I was practically crawling at this point but I was tempted to stop and pretend to tie my shoe that was not untied so I could hear his answer unfortunately that thought came to late and I was already stepping around the corner. I thought about hiding there and listening to the end of their conversation, but instead I figured I had eavesdropped enough that day and forced my feet to keep moving.
Shoving my arms into my coat and pulling my ugly per Alice hat out of my pocket and snuggly onto my head I pushed through the doors and braced myself for the harsh winds that had picked up since the morning. The wind and blowing snow slowed my walk from campus back to my apartment, but it gave me a little bit of time to think about what just happened with Maggie. Clearly I was not the only one that had been eavesdropping because there was no way she could know about Professor Cullen looking for a nanny since I had the completely intact flyer in my bag. I wondered if he would consider her, maybe she actually had experience with children that would make her more suitable for the job. I felt a little sick thinking that he may consider someone else and now I was kicking myself for not listening to the rest of their conversation.
By the time I made it back to the apartment I couldn't feel my feet, my face most likely was wind burnt and I couldn't stop thinking about how to make a five year old like me. I may have played up my past babysitting jobs a little. I had no real experience with kids for long periods of time. I did have a few babysitting jobs in high school but we lived in Forks most of the time when people went "out" it was to the diner and they were home within two hours.
Pulling my coat and hat off I threw them over the end of the couch before dropping my body on the cushion next to it. I closed my eyes replaying Professor Cullen and how his eyes had lingered on mine as I recited the poem. I heard the front door open, but chose to keep my eyes closed.
"Hey how was your first day?" Alice asked flopping her body next to me and trying to snuggle up under the cover I had pulled onto my lap.
"Good so far but I am going for wonderful this evening" I said.
"What is going to happen this evening that will make your day wonderful?" she asked waiting for the answer she knew I was going to give her, so I wasn't sure why she even asked. Even as kids there was no explaining how Alice seemed to know things before they happened. The first day we met in second grade I was sitting at my desk trying to read a book that my mother told me I was to young to read which only made me want to read it even more. I soon realized my mom was right when Alice came up and introduced herself and asked me what I was reading. "Oh it is my favorite book you probably haven't read it because it is for grown ups, but my mom says I can read as good as a fifth grader" I said holding the book protectively to my chest.
"That's cool what's it called?" Alice asked taking the small desk next to mine.
"Bella sweetie does your mom know you have her book with you at school" Ms. Martin my teacher asked.
Before I could answer Alice jumped in "That is Bella's book because she can read better than a fifth grader and she is going to be my best friend" Alice said with such convection that after that day we were inseparable.
Opening my eyes I glanced at the battered copy of "Wuthering Heights" that sat on the coffee table before glancing at my best friend that knew me better than I knew myself sometimes.
"Well let me say that I despise you and love you at the same time" I went on to tell her about me almost tripping and how Professor Cullen had caught me before I did any serious damage to myself and then went on to tell her how Professor Cullen saw the flyer fall out of my bag and given it back after telling me I must not of understood the purpose of the tabs at the bottom was to stop me from having to take the whole flyer. I had to stop my recap so Alice could pull herself together after laughing at my expense. I then told her about class and that Jacob was in class with me. I could tell she was getting antsy for me to get to the good parts to I skipped over telling her about my other classes and told her about my meeting with Professor Cullen in his office and how I was going to his house to meet his daughter and dinner.
"This is where I ask you if I can borrow your car?" I said hating that I had to rely on other people if I had to go further than a few miles from school.
"On one condition" she said. I saw that she was definitely planning something that I was sure I wasn't going to like.
"Fine what is it?" I sighed.
"I get to help you get ready."
"And by help you mean you get to put makeup on me, do my hair, and dictate what I wear. Right?" I said rising an eyebrow at her.
"That is exactly what it means, I am so happy we get each other" she said jumping up from the couch and running to my room most likely in search of the perfect outfit. I groaned before pushing myself of the couch and following her.
"Fine but I have veto power and no skirts, dresses, or anything else that is to revealing. I am going to meet his daughter and he said she has final say so unless five year old girls like cleavage try to keep it to a minimal. Plus I doubt she would like me much if the first time I meet her she thinks I am trying to take her mother's place" I said throwing myself across my bed as I watched Alice go through my closet with a scowl on her face. Having two middle class parents my dad being the chief of police of Forks and my mother being a forth grade teacher they didn't have a lot of money to not only pay my tuition and my rent but buy me new cloths and since they insisted I not work my closet had seen better days. After twenty minutes Alice gave up trying to find a shirt to go with the skinny jeans she was cradling in her arms. I couldn't help but laugh a little after she threw the pants at me and went to her room to find a shirt for me.
When she came back holding a dark blue shirt v neck shirt that was in my size I knew she had gone shopping for me again. It was something I had tried to get use to but still sometimes it was hard having friends that came from wealthy families. Since Alice and I had become friends whenever she bought herself something she would buy me something as well. I loved her for wanting me to have nice things but at times I felt like a charity case. That is why when my parents had told me about having to get a job when Alice and Rose had offered to lend me money and cover rent until we graduated I declined. I knew they were pretty much going to be covering the my portion of the rent anyways since I was going to hopefully be moving out into Professor Cullen's house and they told me they had no plans of finding a new roommate but it was different them paying while I lived there and them paying but keeping a room for me while I lived somewhere else. I am sure I was being stupid most people would love there friend's buying them things but I didn't want to be a burden or have them feel bad for me.
"Alice I thought I asked you to stop buying me things" I said sitting up and staring at her.
"I didn't buy this for you" she said thrusting the shirt at me.
"Alice it is in my size and still has the tags on it" I argued.
"I didn't say it wasn't new, I just said I didn't buy it for you. I was shopping with Rose last weekend and I must of grabbed the wrong size. You know how I hate returning things so it was just sitting in my closet and when I went to look the perfect shirt for you to wear I remember I had it and realized it was your size" she said turning her back to me to looking at the bottom of my closet for shoes.
"I might actually believe you Alice if I had never gone shopping with you. You try everything on and there have even been times you tried something on twice. So do you really expect me to believe that you just happen to grab the wrong size shirt for yourself but just so happens to be the perfect size for me" I said.
"I expect you to believe exactly that" she said walking over and putting a pair of knee-high black boots in front of me.
I wanted to argue but there was no point no matter what I said Alice was Alice and wasn't going to change. So instead I blew out a puff of air and started to change into the outfit Alice had picked out for me.
A few hours later I found myself sitting outside a two story brick house that was less than fifteen minutes from campus. After Alice begged and pleaded I caved and let her paint both my toes and finger nails. I agreed on a little eye makeup and lip gloss but argued when she started to mess with my hair. Since Alice's hair is short she tends to get a little crazy when she does mine. I don't know how many frat parties I have gone to with an up due fit for a wedding.
After a minute I climbed out of Alice's car and made my way up the few steps that lead to the front door. Knocking lightly I waited to be greeted my brilliant green eyes and messy hair and a handsome smile. I was a little surprised when the brilliant green eyes and messy hair was matched with a toothless smile of a five year old.
"Hi" the little girl sung, smiling brightly.
"Sweetie what have I told you about answering the door when I am not around" Professor Cullen said pulling the door open the rest of the way.
"Sorry daddy" the little girl said without taking her eyes off of me.
"You are pretty, what's your name?" she asked grabbing my hand and pulling me through the door. Briefly averting my eyes from the child that was now pulling me into the living room I caught Professor Cullen staring curiously at me with a small smile.
Once she stopped tugging my hand I dropped down to my knees so I was eye level with her.
"My name is Bella, what's yours" I asked.
"I am Kayson Elizabeth Cullen, and I am five years old" she said holding up one hand to show me just how old she was with her fingers.
"Well it is nice to meet you Kayson" I said smiling at the little girl that resembled her dad so much it was hard to believe that she had a mother.
"Did you bring the pizza with you?" she asked staring at me until I heard a chuckle behind me.
"Sweetie Bella is not a pizza delivery person, you know how I was telling you about someone staying with us since grandma hurt herself and how they were going to come over for dinner so you could meet them. That person is Bella." Professor Cullen said smiling at his daughter that had a questioning look on her face.
"Oh, maybe Bella can help you save dinner so we don't have to have pizza again" she said looking at her dad.
"Save dinner?" I asked trying to hide my smile as I stood back up.
"Yeah daddy was trying to make dinner again but he isn't very good. He burned it and then had to open the kitchen windows because I said I didn't like all the smoke" she said while Professor Cullen attempted to interrupt her before she could continue with her story.
"I can take a look and see if anything is salvageable Professor Cullen" I said directing my attention to the incredibly red faced man that stood before me.
"Bella if we agreed to me calling you by your first name I insist on you calling me by mine when we are outside of school. Please call me Edward. As far as what was suppose to be dinner I can guarantee that there is nothing to be saved at this point. I must say I did warn you about my cook abilities" he said attempting to hide his smile.
"Well I guess you are in luck Edward since neither of my parents were able to cook, so I took it upon myself to learn" I said flashing him a quick smile.
The doorbell rung once and Edward went to pay for the pizza as I sat down on the couch were Kayson then climbed up next to me and asked me to read her a book while we waited for Edward to return. I couldn't help but smile at the little girl that was slowly making her way onto my lap. She reminded me of myself when I was younger. I had a love for books any and all books, even ones that I couldn't read and had no pictures.
"So what are we reading" I asked as the little girl slide the book into my hands. I glanced down at the familiar cover of one of my all time favorite children's books.
"It's called Corduroy and it's my favoritist book ever" she said flashing me her gorgeous gapped tooth smile. "But I don't know how to read the big words yet so you will have to help" she said before focusing her attention back to the book.
We made it halfway through the book before Edward came back into the living room announcing that dinner was ready.
"But daddy Bella and me haven't finished reading the book yet" Kayson whined.
"Kayson it is Bella and I and I and I will finish reading the book after dinner" Edward said giving his daughter a look that said it was best not to argue.
"Fine but I want Bella to finish reading it, she does better girl voices than you" Kayson said before jumping off of my lap and running past her dad giggling.
"And here I thought I did a great girl voice" Edward said allowing his voice to become feminine and high pitched causing me to breakout in laughter.
"She must me a good actress if she had you believing that you did a good girl voice" I said standing from the couch and following the man of my dreams into the dinning room were hot pizza sat dished out on fancy looking plates.
"I hope you like pizza, I went with cheese since I didn't know if you had a preference" he said pulling the seat out to his left for me. Kayson was sitting to his right and across from me. She had already climbed into her booster chair and was working on her pizza.
"I am in college, of course I like pizza" I said sliding my seat forward. Once the words were out of my mouth I regretted them. I realized it would be best not to point out the fact that he is my teacher and is at least six or seven years older than me.
Dinner was nice we talked briefly about class, I was hoping he would mention what happened with Maggie in the hall this afternoon but he once the subject changed to Kayson I figured it wasn't going to be brought up. For a five year old Kayson was extremely intelligent and was able to keep her own conversation going about school, what she did in her creative arts class which was not at all what I thought it was. I assumed it was all about coloring and maybe finger painting but apparently Kayson was learning how to play the piano and the violin although she made it known that she preferred the piano. She also told me about the play that she was in and insisted that I come to.
"Sweetie the play is not for a couple more months and Bella is probably busy with school. Plus your grandma, grandpa, and uncle Jasper will be there and your mom said she was coming too" he said attempting to give me an out to say no.
"Mommy said she was going to be at the Christmas play too" Kayson said putting her fork down onto her plate before her bottom lip jutted out and her eyes filled with tears. Edward was out of his seat and cradling his daughter in his arms before I realized what was going on. It broke my heart to see such a young child disappointed by a parent. I made a mental note to call my parents and tell them thank you and tell them how much I love them on my way home. Alice was not as lucky as me, her parents had money yet they never seemed to have the time, at least the time to come see there only child graduate high school or celebrate Christmas. For some reason they thought the money, credit cards, and new car made up for their absence. Alice tried to pretend that it didn't bother her and she told me how much she loved spending Christmas morning with my family but I could see the disappointment and pain in her eyes when she watched my parents hug me and tell me how proud they were after graduation or when the insisted that they drive the four hours to help me move in to the dorms the first year of college.
I wasn't sure where to look, I felt I was being intrusive if I stared at Edward as he whispered how much he loved Kayson into her ear and hugged her tightly to his body but then I felt like this little girl needed to know how easy she was to love. I had only met her an hour ago and I loved her, I wasn't sure how anyone could not especially her own mother.
Not sure if it was the right move I slide out of my chair and moved toward Edward that was not sitting back in his chair still hugging Kayson. My movement caused him to pull his eyes away from his daughter and follow me as I moved toward them. I could see the question in his eyes as I crotched down next to his seat until I was eye level with the little girl that was cradle in his arms.
Bringing my hand up I rubbed small circles on her back. "Kayson" I said lightly waiting for the little girl to realize I was there. She pulled her blotchy red face from her father's chest and looked at me. "Nothing would make me happier than to come see you in your play. Even though we just met I can already tell you are a special little girl and I am honored that you want me there to see you."
"You really want to come see me in the play?" she hiccupped.
"Of course, in fact I was at your Christmas play too" I said realizing she was one of the little angels. One of Alice's design classes had to do the costumes and Alice got us tickets and then insisted that we all come. Now that I thought about it I recall seeing Edward there but he seemed preoccupied with something else and I never saw the opportunity nor had the guts to approach him.
"You were at my Christmas play?" she said sitting up a little more.
"I was, my best friend was the one that made you costume and I must say you were the prettiest Angle there" I said wiping the tears from her cheek.
"You know Alice" she said now scooting herself off of her dad's lap so she was standing in front of me.
"I do, we have known each other since we were a couple years older than you are" I said opening my arms to allow Kayson to crawl into them.
"She is really nice, can we finish reading my book now" she said laying her head onto my shoulder.
"Of course" I said standing up. Before I turned I caught Edward staring at us, I couldn't make out the look on his face. I hoped he wasn't mad that I stepped in, but it was too late now. Turning I walked back to the living room where Kayson and I sat for the next hour reading book after book. I was half way through Where the Wild Things are when I realized that her eyes were closed and her breathing had slowed.
Closing the book I adjusted her body so I would be able to lay her down on the couch and go search for Edward that I hadn't seen since dinner.
"I can take her" a velvety voice said behind me as I stood.
"Oh my gosh you cannot snick up on a girl like that" I said adjusting the tiny body in my arms that I had almost dropped when he scared me.
"Sorry, I thought you knew I was in here" he said taking Kayson into his arms.
"No I didn't see you, when did you come in here?" I asked curiously.
"Bella I came in right after I cleaned the dinning room over forty five minutes ago. I quite enjoyed listening to you read, you are by far a lot more animated than me when it comes to the voices. I can tell why Kayson prefers you to read to her. I am going to go put her in bed, can you stay a little longer so we can talk" he asked, I gave him a nod before the turned to the stairs and out of the room.
Once he was out of the room, I flopped down on his couch and wondered how I was going to be around this man all the time and not jump him. Maybe this was not a good idea.