I do not own Twilight

Chapter 2

BPOV

Shaking off the memories that were both unpleasant and freeing at the same time. I raised up from the couch to put Erin to bed. She was getting bigger by the day and in a few months I probably wouldn't be able to pick her up like this so I was cherishing my moments when I still got to baby her. I smiled softly at my thoughts she hated being babied. My little dynamo was all adventure and excitement and a hovering mom cramped her style. Placing her in the bed with a kiss to her forehead I watched her for a few moments and went to bed myself. Refusing to allow memories of heartbreak and rejection to penetrate my world. I'd long since given up hope for love and Erin was my main priority now.

I went to bed and willed the tears of loneliness not to fall. I was a mother. I had my daughter. She was enough. This was my reality, this was my life. Erin brought me unimaginable joy and I would be content and not be ungrateful.

I woke up the next morning to Erin curled into my side as she normally is most mornings from sneaking into my room in the middle of the night, not that I minded. Slipping from her little arms I went into the bathroom before heading to the kitchen to cook breakfast. Pancakes and fruit were her favorite.

"Mommy "I heard her voice still full of sleep call out for me. Seconds later she was climbing in her chair looking adorably rumpled.

"Good morning sweetheart." I kissed the top of her head. "After breakfast how about you and I pack a picnic lunch and go to the zoo for a couple of hours." She squealed in delight causing me to chuckle at her excitement.

"Mommy why was Zafrina's daddy so mad yesterday? Did he not like me?" She watched me wide eyed and innocent. I took a deep breath before answering knowing I had to be delicate with my answer but truthful. I had tried my best to shield her from the harshness of the world wanting her to have the best childhood imaginable but in some cases it wasn't always possible.

"No sweetheart his anger had absolutely nothing to do with you. He was angry with me." She frowned at my declaration as if that thought never occurred to her.

"But mommy you're nice to everyone why is he mad at you?" Her forehead was wrinkled at the thought of anyone not liking her mommy.

"Remember when that girl from your class didn't invite you to her birthday party and she told you her parents wouldn't let her invite you because of your race?" She shook her little head yes. That particular chain of events still infuriated me. Erin had point blank asked the little girl why she wasn't invited to her party and the girl told her exactly what her parents had said upsetting Erin. She was one of only fifteen African American students at her small school. I had a long conference with the principle who informed me while they could regulate behavior at school they couldn't cross over to at home beliefs unless it was a danger to the child. She did let me know she would speak to the parents and for some unknown reason the girl was transferred out less than a week later, but the damage was done and Erin and I had to have a hard conversation about race.

"Well Erin its almost the same reason Zafrina's father doesn't think I should be your mother because we have different skin." I told her in terms that a 6 year old could understand.

"But mommy you love me and tuck me in and feed me and love me. That's what mommies do and you do it the best." She declared vehemently. I pulled her up in my lap a squeezed her to me how could I not after that.

"Remember that ok always remember that mommy loves you and no matter what anyone says that is what matters ok sweetie. Zafrina's Dad just doesn't agree with that and that's ok but that doesn't mean he is right but we will respect his opinion and it's still ok to play with Zafrina." I had to throw that in after the birthday party fiasco Erin had completely ignored the little girl in question and never played with her again. A child is not responsible for their parent's prejudices and I wanted to make sure Erin understood that.

Erin looked skeptical about that I chuckled at my little protector. "Erin." I used my mom voice. I loved having a mom voice.

She rolled her eyes and mumbled "Ok ok." Lord what would I do with this child in her teenage years.

I sobered up a bit before asking her "Do you understand what I'm saying sweetie?"

"Yes Zafrina's daddy is stupid." She declared.

I gasped "Erin Swan you do not use those words."

"But mom," she whined "It is stupid for someone to not want me to have a good mommy. Sooo that makes him stupid. Auntie Tanya told me always tell it like it is. Uncle Metri says she is good at giving out pinions." I had to cover my mouth to keep from laughing out loud.

"Well having an opinion is ok but that doesn't mean we have to say what our opinion is, some things are not appropriate to say out loud and calling people stupid is one of them." I had to remind myself to kill my quirky lovable neighbors.

"Let's finish breakfast baby then we will clean up a bit and get ready for the zoo." Just as she started digging into her pancakes Tanya breezed through my back door, followed by Demetri. I sat their plates down on the table and glared at the two of them. Demetri grinned and shrugged, dark eyes twinkling knowing he was probably in trouble for some prank he had pulled with Erin.

Tanya and Demetri were the only two people here that knew about my past. They were the first real friends I made that didn't judge me. They were both so free spirited and accepting it was never an issue for them. Tanya was a beautiful ditzy strawberry blond with wide blue eyes and a body to die for. She was literally drop dead gorgeous she left men drooling in her path. And her soul was as beautiful as her outer appearance.

Demetri was her male counterpart in attractiveness totally hot with dark hair and eyes. His body was chiseled from his work as a physical therapist and time in the gym. He had a wicked sense of humor and he kept Erin in trouble. The two of them had actually stolen a neighbors garden gnomes and sent them on a wild goose chase to find them. That old lady loved those gnomes and we found out later they were antiques that her mother had left her before she died. Thank god they hadn't damaged them but I'm pretty sure that neighbor knew it was Erin and Demetri because she never spoke to me again. She also took her gnomes out of her garden.

They typically ate breakfast a dinner with Erin and I as Tanya couldn't cook to save her life. I attempted a few times to teach her and after she almost killed Demetri with food poisoning we decided they should just eat with us.

Erin loved her "Aunt" and "Uncle" who were actually her god parents, and in return and they dotted on her. She was a little spoiled as Tanya and Demetri had no children. At 26 they both had plenty of time to have their own but Tanya was reluctant to have children as her mother had Familial Alzheimer's disease and it could be passed down to close family members. She was scared to get tested for the gene not that I blame her. Knowing that one day you could no longer be yourself is not something to look forward to. To top that off you could continue to pass it to your children. For this reason she lived her life to the fullest, just in case. She documented, videoed, and facebooked everything. To others she seemed vain and as if she was oversharing but she wanted her memories to be stored somewhere that couldn't get lost or stolen and the internet wasn't going anywhere.

Erin swallowed a mouthful of pancakes before asking the question I knew was coming. "Mommy and I are going to the zoo today. We gonna picnic and everything are you coming too?" She turned her big hazel eyes on full force not that she needed to. Tanya worked from home with her job as a closer and she generally didn't work weekends and Demetri worked at a private clinic so he had regular hours unless it was a special case.

"Well yeah." Demetri exclaimed with a mouthful of food. I shook my head he was almost as excited as Erin, who was the six year old here.

After a loud boisterous breakfast Erin and I tidied up the house and I packed up a picnic lunch. I made chicken salad sandwiches made with croissants, crackers and cheese, sliced fruit assortment, chips, and a few water bottles.

Tanya and Demetri met us at my car and we were off.

After two hours of animal watching Tanya and I decided to grab a picnic area while Demetri carted Erin off to see the monkey exhibit.

We found a nice shaded area and I left to retrieve the basket from the car. On my way back in I got the feeling of being watched I looked about but no one seemed familiar so I shrugged it off. After being let back into the zoo Tanya and I spread out the blanket and set out the basket. Tanya text Demetri that we were ready for lunch and he was on his way.

Tanya wasted no time with her on going theme of let's set Bella up.

"So I have this coworker and he really wants to meet you. Handsome successful, very open minded. He is perfect." I sighed knowing she meant well but dating for me was a scary thing. I had to be careful as to who I told about my past. I wasn't ashamed not anymore but now I had Erin to think about.

"What do you mean by open minded?" I had an idea as to what she meant.

"Well he is bi-sexual so I'm sure he wouldn't mind your secret." She smiled slyly. "He is totally freaking hot too."

I cringed "Tanya the last bi-sexual guy you hooked me up with wanted to have a boyfriend as well as a girlfriend. I never even got around to telling him because it's obvious that a monogamous relationship wasn't in the cards for him. I know that's your answer to my perpetual singleness but I'm not sure that's necessarily the answer." I wasn't being a hypocrite but I didn't want to date someone just because they accepted me I wanted to feel that spark. I had given up finding that someone for me but Tanya wouldn't read the memo.

"Bella" she whined as she rolled her eyes Now I knew where Erin got it from. "You will never know unless you put yourself out there. You're a beautiful WOMAN" she said stressing the word. "any man should be proud to call you theirs. I just want you to be happy."

My eyes watered I knew she meant well but I couldn't allow myself that hope because the let down was so bad. She saw my watery eyes and pulled me into a hug. "Oh Bella don't cry I promise I will drop it…for now here comes double trouble." It was her very apt nickname for Erin and Demetri.

"Mommy mommy the monkeys were awesome! They were swinging and stuff!" She was running full speed and I caught her as she jumped in my arms almost causing me to tumble over. Yeah these days are almost over.

I laughed at her exuberance I saw Demetri cock his head to the side and glance at Tanya who just looked off. "Come on monkey lover lets go wash your hands so we can eat." She giggled and I lead her to the nearby restroom so she could clean her hands.

As she chatted away I once again felt someone watching me but I still didn't see anyone familiar. I made a mental note to tell Tanya and Demetri to keep an eye on Erin, you couldn't be too careful these days.

As we left the restroom area. Erin asked me excitedly "Mommy can we get a dog?"

It was my turn to roll my eyes I knew Demetri put her up to this. The two of them had been plotting on Tanya and I for weeks. Just as I was about to answer I looked up and locked eyes with a face from my past and stopped dead in my tracks.

She had hated me from the moment Edward introduced me to his family. She was the only person I had ever seen who rivaled Tanya in beauty. But she was always cold, cruel and condescending towards me. She even accused me of being after Edward for money and connections. I never knew exactly what I did deserve her ire. I'm positive she was overcome with joy when everything went down and I was cast aside.

Now her blue eyes watched me and my daughter curiously. Erin realizing I had stopped and looked from me to her before asking. "Mommy do you know the barbie lady?" I stiffened and my eyes searched for Tanya and Demetri I needed them, I was panicking.

The Barbie in question smiled at Erin, something I had never seen her do. Hell I didn't know her face was capable of anything other than bitch face I wanted to grab Erin and run screaming when she stooped down and said "Hi pretty girl my name is Rosalie what's yours."