This chapter actually ended up going through my own editing, so I apologize in advance if things are missing.

Remember, I don't own Twilight or these characters…but I do have a 'Be safe' tattoo.

EPOV

The day had been entirely too long since Rosalie had first come over to babysit. It started off with Kailey throwing a tantrum to my leaving. Taking a full hour to calm down my little girl was not a good way to start off the morning.

On top of being late to the office, I had two of my toughest clients of the day. My first client was going through a rather difficult divorce and trying to gain custody of her seven year old. The second I had was in a copyright lawsuit which had been going on for five years.

By lunch, I knew I needed to get out of the office as soon as humanly possible. The stress was starting to get to me, and I wasn't sure if it was because of Kailey's tantrum, my clients, or worrying about Kailey going to talk to someone.

Jessica was the receptionist at our office, and even when Irina was alive, she would hit on me. Today was no different. When she called up to my office to let me know my sister was on the phone, she flirted relentlessly.

"Thanks Jess, just transfer the call."

I thought I heard a mumbled 'well he could be a little nicer about it', but I brushed it off. I wasn't in the mood to deal with her nonsense.

"Edward, she's gone into two tantrums since you left. She won't listen to a thing I say, nor will she eat her lunch. I've been trying, and you know I love her, but this is ridiculous."

More tantrums, great. "Just put her on the phone. Once you take her to therapy you can go home."

I heard jostling, a scream of 'NO' on the other end and then sniffling.

"Bumble bee what's wrong?"

"Come home. I need you daddy. Please." The sadness behind her voice was palpable.

I was unsure of how to handle something like this over the phone, but I knew I would see her soon enough. "It will just be a little while longer. Daddy has to work. Auntie Rose is going to take you to talk with someone very nice today."

"I don't want to go. I want you home. I want daddy!"

Her voice had reached an almost piercing scream by the end and I heard the static of the phone. Before another word could be said, the line went dead. I knew it was only a matter of time before Rosalie either tried calling back, or she called in her reinforcement of Emmett.

Emmett may be big and brooding looking on the outside, but he's just a child at heart himself, and seemingly understands whatever it is that Kailey needs.

After not hearing from Rosalie for ten minutes, I went with my assumption. I'd see Kailey after her appointment was over, but for now I'd just have to get through with the remaining two and a half hours of work.

Time passed quickly enough, and before I knew it, I was headed off to the therapist's office to pick up my little girl. Fortunately, the building was not too far from my own so I simply walked.

Being that I was early, I ended up meeting the receptionist in this office. Her name was Angela, and she seemed very warm and compassionate. Taking a seat, I scrolled through my personal email on my phone. My mother had emailed a few times and wanted to know when I'd call. Making a mental note of it, I put my phone back in my pocket.

When I'd managed to glance up after putting my phone away, I saw Kailey standing at the door to Miss Swan's office. The instant she saw me, she barreled forward into my arms. Catching slight notice of her red eyes, I knew she'd cried while in that office.

"I'm here bug, look at me." She didn't look scared, but rather relieved to see me. "I missed you today. What happened that made you so upset?"

"I just wanted you daddy. I didn't want Rosie, she's not mommy." The small frown that appeared on Kailey's face was gut-wrenching. It seemed as though I'd have to figure out ways to deal with her that I wasn't expecting.

Giving Kailey a moment to just hug me, I chanced a look up toward the door that my little girl had come from. What I saw made me stop short for a moment. The brown pooling eyes I saw were full of something that looked like torment.

Why had I trusted my sister Alice to let my daughter go through with this appointment? Things had sounded like they might be okay from this woman's credentials, but her face told an entirely different story.

"Hi I'm Bella, you must be Edward?"

Her voice was so dainty and almost shy. Standing face to face with her though was nearly difficult. I couldn't deny that she was a beautiful woman. Putting my own hand out to shake hers, I nodded. "I must. And that makes me this little girl's father."

I sounded like such an idiot when I said it, but she must not have noticed.

"It was a pleasure getting to work with your daughter today. Given enough time, I'm sure things will change for her. "

This meant bringing Kailey back once a week, which I could handle if it weren't for her starting school so soon.

"Well I would love to say she'll definitely be coming back, but she does start school soon. I don't know how you would work around that since you're only here until three every day."

Bella looked contemplative, but didn't take very long to form an answer for me. When she spoke, it was with very high reasoning.

"Actually, once the school year starts, since many of my clients are within the same school, I've been given the option of coming to the school so that the children can keep their time. What school will she be attending?"

"She's actually going to be going to Meridian Park."

"Then it will work out perfectly. That's where most of my clients are. Since she's slotted in for Mondays, it will work out even better."

I looked at Kailey, who was looking at Bella with curious eyes. I knew she understood most of what was going on, but also feared that she would get scared of the situation that was presenting itself.

"I don't know. There are still a couple of weeks until school starts, and she'll need to adjust to being in school with other children."

"Edward, trust me when I say that I will work it out. Your daughter will be fine, and should any problems arise, I know your sister works at the school. I've been there for two years and after seeing her bring Kailey in, I recognized her."

Bella must have caught the look in my eyes when she said she knew my sister. Rosalie did work at Meridian, and that's how I'd chosen where to send Kailey. However, knowing Bella knew who Rosalie was gave me a slightly comfortable feeling.

"We'll see how the next couple of weeks go, and then decide. Does that sound reasonable?"

Nodding her head slightly, Bella looked at Kailey. "Kailey would you like to come back and talk to me next week? Or we can do what we did today. It's up to you."

Kailey looked slightly scared that she would be coming back, but I knew her answer before she even spoke it. "Daddy may I please?"

How could a father say no to that? There were manners wrapped into a very wisely formed question.

"Are you sure you want to?"

A small smile spread across Kailey's face as she looked at Bella. "Well I guess that's your answer. I have a feeling that it will be Rosalie bringing her back again next week."

"That's quite alright. If for any reason Kailey would ask to come see me early, please call. I always have time for each child I see."

"Thank you. Kailey can you say bye to Bella?"

Bella was the one to smile this time. However, Kailey was playing shy again but smiling as she looked to Bella. "Bye Miss Bella."

I didn't let Kailey down from my hip to walk for herself. Instead, I carried her all the way back to the parking garage behind my office. Once we were there, she yawned as I put her in the car.

"Tired bug?"

Kailey nodded sleepily. It was just after three, but I knew it would be an early night. I'd been under the impression after Rosalie's phone call that Kailey had not taken her normal afternoon nap. It would be nice to be able to get some work done for once.

As I got in the car and looked in the rearview, I saw that Kailey's eyes were already closed. Despite really needing to get her home, I stopped off first to get some coffee. If I was going to get any work done, I would need something strong. My skills were lacking when it came to pretty much anything in the kitchen.

When I'd stopped the car in front of my favorite coffee shop on the way back to Shoreline, Kailey woke up. Normally once she'd fallen asleep, she'd remain so even with a stop along the way. Getting her out of the car was pretty simple when I told her she could have a hot chocolate.

Stepping into the shop was refreshing. I could smell the coffee being brewed, and the first thing I saw when I was there was Jasper. Alice wasn't with him, but he was waiting in line. I told Kailey to look up since she was again hiding herself against me.

"Uncle Jazzy!"

Letting Kailey down wouldn't have been an option had it been around noon in this place, but as it was late afternoon, it was okay since there were only five customers. She ran to Jasper and as he leaned down to scoop her up, she threw her arms around him.

"Hey there doll, what are you doing here?"

Crying and tantrums aside from earlier, she perked right up when she was with Jasper. "Daddy said he'd get me hot chocolate."

"Oh did he now?"

Kailey nodded quickly and looked back at me. "Uh huh. How come Auntie Ali isn't with you?"

Jasper looked to me and rolled his eyes. I knew Alice was at home in her studio. The show was coming so close for her, and she needed to finish her line.

"Because I'm buying her some coffee so she can finish making her pretty dresses."

"Oh. Will she come see me tomorrow?"

Leave it up to Kailey to wonder where her Aunt was, and if she'd see her the next day. I knew I would be dropping Kailey off at Alice and Jasper's the next day since Alice had asked.

"You bet. You get to come over this time instead of Alice coming to your house. What do you think?"

Kailey was contemplative for about two seconds. She loved her Aunt Rosalie, but hated going to her house because she didn't have enough toys. Aunt Alice, on the other hand, had so many toys for Kailey that I was surprised when my little girl even came home after the first visit.

"Really? Will you play with me too when I come?"

"I'd be delighted to. I have to get back to your Aunt Alice though for now. We'll see you tomorrow okay?"

Kailey hugged Jasper tightly and came back to me when he got his coffee off the counter.

"Hey Jaz, have Alice give me a call later yea? I need to talk to her since I know she won't be very awake when I drop this little munchkin off."

"Of course. It might be late; she's been at it since ten this morning and hasn't stopped to take a breath."

"Thanks. See you in the morning."

Jasper smiled and walked off with his coffee.

I let Kailey order for herself and even allowed her to get a cookie. After we got our drinks, we got back in the car to head home. I only allowed the cookie on the basis she'd actually eat dinner.

"Daddy…how come I went to Miss Bella today?"

Explaining something such as this to a nearly five year old was going to be difficult. She kept her eyes focused on me as I tried to come up with something suitable.

"Well, you're going to be going to school very soon, and I'm not always going to be right there with you. What happened to you and mommy was very sad, and I think you need someone else to tell it to so they can help you. I know that probably doesn't make very much sense to you, but I hope it will someday."

Kailey didn't really say anything after I'd finished. She looked out her window as we drove the ten minutes back to the house.

When we arrived home, Kailey ran up to the door after I'd gotten her out of her car seat. Our discussion was clearly over, and it seemed she was okay with the thought of going to see Bella more often. Allowing her in the house, she ran to her room and brought out two dolls.

"Daddy, will you play with me?"

I couldn't deny her playing, but it was relatively nice outside so I looked toward the door.

"I guess this means you don't want me to push you on your swing today then?"

Kailey practically threw her dolls across the room and went to the back door, where she waited a few moments for me. Upon opening the door to the back yard, she ran to her swing-set that Irina and I had gotten her for her fourth birthday.

"Will you push me high if I ask?"

My little bumble bee was too cute, and when she acted as such, I couldn't deny her.

"Of course. You have to ask nicely though, or I may not do it."

The little frown that appeared on her face was a sight to behold. Everyone knew from the looks she gave that she was not just mine, but Irina's.

"Daddy will you please push me really high on the swing?" She smirked as she said it.

I didn't keep her waiting too long as I got behind her swing and started pushing. "If I push you really high, you have to wrap your left arm around the chain really tight and hold on really tight with your right hand. You know it's harder since you have that pretty little cast on."

I never wanted to make her feel bad about having her cast on, so I did what I could to let her know that it was pretty and a part of her.

"I will. When I'm done swinging can we make dinner?"

Kailey's thoughts never seemed to stay in one place at a time. She was quite intelligent for her age, but she always had so many thoughts going on, that she never finished one before she started another.

"Yes bug we can. Ready to fly high?"

A resounding giggle was heard and I pushed her as high as I felt was safe. She squealed and giggled the entire time, and watched the squirrels as they ran past in the yard.

Being able to make Kailey happy was something I looked forward to every single day. If I could do anything to make her not think about what had happened, or that Irina was no longer with us, it was a good day for both of us.

When I noticed my daughter yawn after half an hour of swinging, I knew it was time to get her fed, bathed, and into bed.

"Come on bumble bee…time to head inside."

Kailey looked at me and tried to whine a little before I gave her a stern look. She knew better then to whine when I said it was time to go in.

"What would you like to make for dinner?"

Her contemplative look was adorable, and even though she'd probably only eat half of whatever it was I'd make, I was okay with it.

"Can we make turkey and cheese sandwiches? And maybe I can have some puffs?"

I couldn't help but laugh when she asked. Every time she said puffs, she made a puffy face to go along with it.

"Do you want to share the sandwich or do you want a whole one all by yourself?"

"I can eat a big sandwich like you daddy! I'm really hungry. Can I have milk too?"

My daughter was very aware of how important drinking milk was, so for her to ask was nothing unusual. I got her princess cup out of the cupboard and poured her a glass so she could start drinking it before she ate.

"Would you like to share an apple with me too? I don't know if I can eat a whole one."

Kailey giggled. "Daddy! You can too. I've seen you eat a whole apple before."

I frowned slightly, trying to play it off that I couldn't do it. I knew Kailey was smart enough to realize I could, but I also wanted her to get fruit in her diet for the day. "But Kailey I don't know that I can. I think you should have half."

Seeing her roll her eyes was funny. It was very dramatic, and funny. She took her cup to the table and came back to help me make the sandwiches.

"Daddy…when I go to school, are you taking me every day?"

School was still two weeks away and already she was concerned. Rosalie had offered to pick Kailey up each morning, but seeing as it was going to be her first year going to school, I didn't want anyone but myself to take her. I couldn't really understand why she was asking so soon, but I didn't mind answering.

"If you want me to, I will. I am definitely taking you on your first day of school…and if you need me to stay for a little bit, I can."

When she frowned slightly, my heart stopped. I wasn't completely sure how much she'd want to go to school, or if she'd be comfortable with it. Kneeling down to her level, I pulled her close to me.

"You are going to have so much fun Kailey. And I know you're going to make a lot of friends, and Aunt Rosie's room is just down the hall from you."

Her eyes filled with tears and she started crying. We'd had so much fun not too long before, and for this to come about was so hard. Maybe the therapy was going to be good for her after all.

"I don't want to go. No one is going to like me. And I don't get to be with Auntie all day. Why can't you just stay home with me?"

"I can't stay home with you because I have to work so we can have money so we can keep living like mommy wanted us to. You know what mommy told me when I asked her about sending you to school this year?"

Kailey shook her head no and looked down.

"She told me that you are so smart, and you're so amazing that everyone is going to think you're the coolest kid ever. She knew you were going to have fun when you started. You, my sweet little bug, are going to love going to school."

I brought her in for a hug and let her cling onto me as I made us dinner. Since I didn't have to use a knife until I cut the apple, I decided I could do that at the table.

Dinner went by without any sadness, and Kailey did end up eating her entire sandwich, puffs and her half of the apple. I'd bought her the cookie earlier, and she asked me if I'd like to share. Once we finished, I took her upstairs to pick out a pair of pajamas.

Normally, my sister's had been great at giving Kailey a bath in the morning since she wasn't a child that liked to go out and get dirty. Today had been different, and she'd waited for me to give her one. I knew my little girl was exhausted, so I used some of the lavender bubble bath.

Once we'd finished with bath time, it was time for a story and bed. As usual, she picked Rapunzel, and I'd started where she'd fallen asleep before.

"Daddy, I love you."

"I love you too munchkin. Get some sleep okay? Tomorrow you're going to Auntie Alice's house. If you need me, I'll be right down the hall in my room."

Kailey gave me Eskimo kisses, laid down, and snuggled into her comforter. I kissed the top of her head before I left her room and headed to my own to get some work done. It was going to be a long two weeks before she started school.

When I'd finally managed to finish all the paper work I needed to do, I settled in and turned the TV on. I used to have Irina talking to me on the phone before I'd fall asleep since she was always at work, but now that she was gone, I needed a distraction.

One month had passed, and before today, I felt I'd probably never move on. Seeing Bella earlier had brought a new feeling into me. For the first time since the accident, I felt hope.

I hope you all enjoyed this chapter. It was probably one of the harder one's I'll have to write since it was mostly a detail of how a typical day goes by for Edward. I promise I'll get further into the accident, schooling and his love for Bella soon! But not too soon of course. ;)

Please feel free to leave your reviews!