Chapter 4: Bella's POV

Saturday morning:

My eyes pop open. I look at the clock. "It's 9:45…Holy cow!" I run to the shower and quickly clean myself up. Still wrapped in my soft fluffy towel, I run to my closet. Thinking about some things I learned about Edward in the past few days. In conversations with Edward, Esme, and Nessie, I was bombarded with little bits of info.

Edward told me about Maria and several of the other ladies he'd been dodging over the years. "Maria is so very off-putting. She just doesn't stop. When I spoke to her about not honking the horn in the mornings, she called me Eddie instead of Edward. She and her friends dress like sluts… They wear such low-cut necklines and short skirts… They're so persistent in their pursuit of me, that every summer, for the past 5 years, I've had a big party and invited all the single men that my family and I know, but this year that's out of the question. My single friends and cousins have assimilated to couples life." When I asked, he had proceeded to tell me a few of his many strategies in doing this. Sometimes he'd gotten them to agree to meet him somewhere and conveniently 'gotten lost' trying to find the place. He even admitted to pretending to be gay for a year or 2 just to get some of them off his back.

Hours later, Nessie had shown me a picture that she'd drawn. "Look, Bella, I drew this for art and got an A! It's my daddy and me and we're in front of our house but I colored the house blue because it's his favorite color…and I'm in a dress because Dad likes when girls are fenimine and stuff!" I'd mildly corrected her, asking if she had meant to say 'feminine' and she nodded and ran off, leaving me confused. Edward told me later that she wasn't upset by me correcting her; she just needed to write something down for a school vocabulary project.

The day after those tid-bits, I ran into Esme in the grocery store. We were speaking about cosmetics and she mentioned something interesting. "You know, Bella, one of the things Edward was so happy about with our Nessie is that she got my mother's curls and natural beauty, because when she grows up she won't need lots of make-up and other 'improvements'."

In light of all that, I'd decided to wear a ruffled blue blouse and denim jeans. I also knew that I wouldn't need to go overboard with make-up and I'd make my normally straight hair into waves instead. I was glad, because I hate to wear make-up anyway.

So at 11:43, wearing my flowy blue blouse, denim jeans, and a pair of ballet flats, with just a touch of concealer, blush, and lip gloss, I walk slowly toward the front door of the house next to mine.

Edward's POV

Over the past few days I've spoken to Bella a number of times. I'm glad Bella's fully settled in at her home. I'm also glad that Nessie has pushed for us to get together. When we were moving the furniture, I'd spoken to Jimmy.

He was happy to see younger people moving into the neighborhood. "It'll bring new life into the place. You'll see, Edward."

I'd been relieved to learn that she was older than I'd originally thought. If we did get together, at least I wouldn't be accused of 'robbing the cradle'. When I went home that day, I'd gotten to the front door just in time to let Nessie and Annie in.

"Annie's staying for a while daddy. Her mom has to go grocery shopping and we have something to do for school." She said running past me and then stopping short. "Did you ask her Dad? Did you?"

"Sort of; she's joining us on Saturday." I told her.

She frowned. "…for our usual lunch and a movie? But, I thought…"

"Is that ok, honey? What's wrong?" I asked. "Oh, Ness, I should've asked you first before I brought her in on our special day…"

She shrugged. "No, Dad, that's not it. I just thought a date is supposed to be just the girl and the boy. So, why include me?"

I sighed. "Nessie…Look, neither of us has done the dating thing in a while. I thought it would be less awkward if you were there."

"What's awkward?" She asked then.

"You tell me. Go find our thesaurus, and look it up." I suggested.

Her eyes flew wide and she said, "That works perfectly! The thing I'm supposed to do with Annie for school is to expand our vocal library…no that's not right…vocabulary!" She ran to my office and found the right book then asked me to spell it. Annie had a pencil and her notebook open and I saw her write down everything Nessie said next. "The word 'awkward' means uncomfortable or embarrassing."

"Right, I didn't want us to be uncomfortable, so I invited Bella for lunch and a movie so you and I can get to know her together." I explained. "Maybe we'll have some one-on-one time after the movie. Ok, honey?"

She'd expressed her approval of my plan and over the next few days I caught Nessie and my mom having private conversations with Bella. I couldn't help but wonder what they were talking about.

Now it's Saturday morning and I'm getting antsy. I've been up and dressed since 10 and I'm pacing the hallway. She's late… Is she coming? She said she'd come… Why isn't she here? It's not like she can get lost; she lives right next door. I start to open the door to go look for her, when Nessie grabs my hand.

"Daddy, relax." Nessie says making me sigh. "She's probably still getting ready. Why don't we get the take-out menus and she'll get here soon. It's only 11:35 anyway."

"Ok, Ness. Hey, why are you all dressy? Should I change?" I ask, seeing my daughter in one of her best skirts and a pretty top with a ruffle on the neckline.

"I'm just wearing my denim skirt and a girly top, daddy. This is called casual." She rolls her eyes at me. "…and no, you look great …for a REGULAR Saturday. Just change the shirt. You're more dad then boyfriend, right now. You need something in the middle."

I look at myself in the mirror. I'm wearing a pair of light-wash jeans with a navy blue polo that Nessie had bought me for Father's Day last year; it has the silhouette of Tinkerbell on the left shoulder and under that it says 'Dad'. I guess she's right. I run to the bedroom and take out a light blue dress shirt just as the doorbell rings. My mind begins to race. Bella's here! Oh, my gosh; she's here. What do I do? I throw the shirt on and start to button it.

"Dad…! Bella's here! We're in the living-room, looking at the menus!" Nessie yells.

I finish buttoning and run down the hall. "Hi, Bella; how's everything?" I ask.

She looks up and I see her eyes as she giggles a little.

Nessie sighs and trudges over to me. "Dad, can't you do anything?" She pushes me into the hall again and re-buttons my shirt for me.

Apparently, I'd done it a little out of sequence, but I didn't care because Bella's here and she looks amazing. She's wearing jeans and a blouse… but the blouse is blue. Did she know that blue's my favorite color? Her face, as she'd looked at me, was so pretty; I don't think she'd used much make-up today. I wonder if she ever uses a lot of make-up. The waves in her hair are framing her face so beautifully that I want to reach out and touch them. I never thought I'd experience this feeling again…not this strongly, but that must be what this is… I don't even think it was like this with Nancy. Speaking of which, I haven't heard her commenting in my head since the day I met Emmett and decided to help Bella finish up with the house. Nancy is the mother of my child…I shouldn't feel like this about someone else so easily, dang it all!

"Edward, are you alright?" I hear Bella ask. "Nessie's worried, tell me you're ok, or I'm calling your mother."

I shake myself out of my daze. "No, I'm ok…I just got a little nervous and confused. Ness, baby, come here."

My poor daughter looks up at me with tears in her eyes. "I'm so sorry for pushing! I'm sorry you're feeling nervous and stuff. You don't have to do this if you don't want to! I just want you to be happy!" She starts to cry.

"What's she talking about?" Bella asks.

"I have to talk to Nessie for a minute, Bella." I say cradling my little girl. "I'll explain in a minute. I promise."

"Do you want me to leave?" She asks, understanding.

"NO!" I say, in a panicked voice. "No, please, can you call my mom? The number is on the pad there. Nessie will need her in a bit." I point to it and take my daughter to the other room. "Ness, listen… I'm ok. I was feeling some weird feelings and they scared me. It wasn't your fault, baby."

She sniffs. "Are you sure?" When I nod, she asks, "What would scare you, Daddy?"

"Lots of things scare me, Ness." I sigh. "I think what I felt when I saw Bella just then, was close to what I felt for Mommy… It made me nervous, Ness. I never thought I could feel that way again and it confused me. Do you understand?"

She nods and holds me tighter. "I love you, Daddy! I was just so scared because you stood there and didn't say anything while I was talking to you and then Bella came in and you…"

"Hush, now honey, you're alright… We're all just fine. Nana's coming and you'll sit here with her while Bella and I talk. Are you ok with that?" I reassure her.

She nods and dabs at her eyes.

"Nana said to tell you she's on her way, sweetie." Bella says. "Edward, I'll be on the front porch."

Moments later, I hear my mother join us. I tell her what happened and then I tell them both about the thoughts that have been going around in my head. "Edward, just explain things to Bella. I'm sure she'll understand, honey."

"I hope it's that easy…" I say grabbing a framed picture of Nancy as I walk through the hall on my way out to meet her.

Bella's POV

I walk out onto the porch and sit on the rocking chair. Esme pulls up and runs into the house, barely noticing me.

Minutes later, Edward comes out to join me. He sits on the footstool in front of me. "Bella, I'm sorry about all this."

"It's alright, Edward. You got nervous and confused about something; your daughter needs you. We can do this another time." I tell him as I place my hand on his shoulder. We both gasp. My fingers tingle as I continue to stare at him.

"Please don't go…?" He says as he holds something out to me.

I take it and look down into the hazel eyes of a woman I've never met. "Is this Nancy?" I ask.

He nods. "Yes… She was the only woman I've ever felt an emotional attachment to. She was a beautiful person, inside and out. I loved her from the moment I met her." He sighs. "Bella, I know we haven't known each other for long, but when I saw you and Nessie in the living-room, before… I was overwhelmingly drawn to you. I wanted to…"

"You wanted to…what…?" I ask softly.

Edward takes a deep breath. "I wanted to run my fingers through your hair. I wanted to touch your face and even kiss you."

I can't speak. I'm thoroughly shocked. We've only known one another for less than a week. How can his feelings truly be this strong? Yet, how can his motives be anything but pure when he has a daughter to think about? Speaking of Nessie… "What did Nessie mean when she said 'I'm so sorry for pushing you'?" I ask.

He chuckles, awkwardly. "In case you hadn't noticed, my little angel has been trying to set us up."

I feel my lips twitch as I hold back a giggle. "How could I miss it when she walked right up to me, introduced herself and asked me to date her father; all in one breath?"

"Oh God…She didn't!" He winces.

I just smile and nod my head. "She's a sweet kid, Edward…and I love her. Listen, you're a great guy, and I can totally see that anyone would be lucky to have a man like you in their lives, but I got out of an unsatisfying relationship a little while ago and I just want someone who is going to put me first. I don't think you can do that. I also have some things that will be complicating my life soon. I don't think that you and Nessie want to deal with that." I get up to leave.

His hand stops me as he cups my face. "Why don't you let me and Nessie decide what we want to deal with? I like you Bella. I like you alot. I may not be able to put you first, but I want you to be one of the most important people in my life. Please stay…?"

What should I say? What does a person say to that? I mean, I want to stay…but should I? Will he freak out again if I do? If I say no, how can I continue to live here? He's a sweet and friendly guy who has a delightful daughter… Besides, he did promise to feed me and he has yet to deliver!


Thanks to hnwhitlock2000 for being my beta! I'd like to let you all know, that I'm a judge in a new contest and I created a C2.

Please be 18 or older if you are going to read the stories or enter the contest. Remove the ()

Dommella's Dungeon:
http:/www(.)fanfiction(.)net/u/2523629/

Twilight- Femme Domme :
http:/www(.)fanfiction(.)net/community/Twilight_Femme_Domme/85151/