I do not own Twilight or its characters. Stephenie Meyer does.
Fran, thank you for taking your time to edit for me. Gabby, thank you for pre-reading. April, thank you double checking tags for me. Any mistake left are my own.
Ch. 3
I finished straightening up my classroom and glanced up at the clock. The preschoolers got out an hour before the elementary and middle school, so I had to wait to around if I wanted to go find Edward.
That's if I didn't chicken out — again.
All day I had been going back and forth in my mind about telling him I'd changed my mind. I just couldn't help but feel a bit awkward about going up to him and saying, 'Hey, I changed my mind about going out with you.'
Maybe I should ask him out instead. But I had never asked a guy out before so I was nervous about that too. I glanced at the clock one more time and then grabbed my coat and bag before leaving.
I left our building and walked to the middle school building at the other end of the parking lot. The hallways were filled with students heading to buses, cars, or after school activities.
I had a vague idea of where the music room was, so I started to head down the hall. I was just outside the door when I changed my mind and turned around. What was done was done. I missed out, and I should just accept that.
I paused when I heard the most beautiful piano music floating from the room. Out of curiosity, I peeked in the window, and saw Edward sitting at the piano. He was wearing a dark-green dress shirt that matched his eyes. A hat no longer covered his hair, and I could see now that the color was a beautiful brownish-red. He sure cleaned up nicely.
I let out a laugh when I saw his Peanuts' tie. Schroeder was playing the piano as Snoopy danced on top.
He glanced up when he heard me, his face breaking out into a huge smile as he stopped playing. "Bella, it's nice to see you, again. What are you doing here?"
"I heard you playing and decided to check it out."
As I stepped further inside, I saw that his room had rows of chairs without desks. In one corner, there was a bunch of music stands with a few instrument cases on the floor nearby. Behind Edward's desk was a filing cabinet and a guitar case.
"You could hear me playing in the other building?" He looked amused.
"Well, no, I was in the hallway when I heard you. I came to find you, to talk about something," I admitted and blushed.
"Come on in and take a seat. How's your ankle?" He gestured to the folding chairs.
"My ankle is fine, thank you." I took a seat and placed my bags down beside me.
He waited until I was sitting, before he moved to a chair next to me.
"What can I do for you?" He drummed his fingers on his knee. His lips curved into a crooked smile.
"I…I wanted to see if you would be available to come to the preschool maybe once or twice a month so we can add a bit of music appreciation into the curriculum. Ms. Bliss, contrary to her name, isn't a very friendly person to work with, and she refuses to help, stating that it isn't her job description. She claims she's only responsible for kindergarten to fourth grade." I chickened out on the real reason I was here.
"Oh…" Edward blinked in surprise. "I have met her once, and I understand what you mean. I'm sure we can work something out. I wouldn't mind giving up a free period to come. What would work better, mornings or afternoons?"
"Actually, it would be both times. We have a three-year-old class in the morning and four-year-old in the afternoon. I don't want to take up too much of your free time, though."
"I could do that once a week. We can switch every other week which class I visit." Edward shrugged not looking put out at all.
"That would be great, thank you." I smiled.
"You're welcome. Teaching music is what I'm here for, plus I get the added bonus of seeing you. Maybe, the more time you spend with me, you'll realize I'm a good guy, and you'll change your mind about that date?" He winked at me.
My face flushed. "I never thought you weren't a good guy. My reasons for not accepting had to more to do with my living situation."
"You don't need to explain. I'm sorry if I'm pushing you. What you're doing for your friend is very selfless. I have a bit of a confession to make," he interrupted me and ran his hand through his hair.
"Should I be worried?" I asked, shifting in my seat, putting a larger space between us.
"No, but I haven't been completely honest with you. The first time I saw you was before school started, you were in the parking lot walking to your car. I was with Ben Cheney at the time, and I asked him about you. He told me about your living situation."
"Well, that seems harmless." I shrugged.
However, I hoped that Ben kept his mouth shut about the twins' sperm donor. It wasn't his business to tell even if the whole town already knew.
"I'm glad you think so." Edward's shoulders relaxed.
"I guess I have a confession too," I admitted. "I didn't come here to ask about a music program for the preschool. I came here because the girls were curious about our conversation at the orchard. I told them that you asked me out, and I turned you down. We had a long talk, and they convinced me that I should give you a chance. So if that offer is still open, I would like to take you up on it."
A large smile broke out on Edward's face, and his eyes sparkled like emeralds. "Are you free Friday night?"
"I can be." I nodded.
"Then I would like to take you to dinner."
"I'd like that." I smiled back.
LIL
Friday after school, I rushed home and got the kids settled with a movie while I jumped into the shower. I knew Alice and Rose would be home shortly after me, so I wasn't worried about the twins getting into too much trouble.
I glanced in the mirror at the best outfit I could find. I usually didn't care too much, but tonight I wanted to look nice. Something seemed off, but I couldn't put my finger on it. I was just putting on the finishing touches when I heard Alice behind me.
"How's it going in here?" she asked. She hopped on my bed then crossed her legs underneath her.
"Good; I think I'm about ready," I said as I fluffed my hair.
I caught her eyeing me in the reflection of the mirror. Her head was tilted, her nose was wrinkled, and her mouth was in a thin line.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" She was making me self-conscious
"You look like a preschool teacher," she pointed out; she got off the bed and went to my closet.
"I am a preschool teacher." I looked down at my clothes and started to doubt my choice.
"I know, silly, and the outfit does look nice on you. However, it says I'm a teacher, not I'm on a date." Alice's voice floated out of my closet.
"I agree with Alice on this one. You have great legs; you should show them off by wearing a skirt." Rose came into my room.
"She doesn't have any that don't go to her ankles." Alice came out of my closet empty handed. "I can't wear short ones to school. I sit on the floor with the kids." I rolled my eyes.
"I'll be right back." Alice skipped out of the room, and nearly collided with Alicia, who appeared in the doorway.
Alicia climbed onto my bed and sat on her mother's lap. Rose gave her a hug and started to play with her hair.
"Are you nervous?" She looked at me over Alicia's head.
"A little bit. It's been forever since I've been on a date. What if we have nothing to say to one and another?"
"What's a date?" Alicia asked innocently.
"When two people go out together and do something fun. Like tonight, the guy who owned the wolf-dog from the apple orchard is taking Auntie Bella out to dinner," Rose explained.
"Like Lady and the Tramp? Are you going to share 'getti, and is he going to give you the meatball? Then are you going to eated the same piece of 'getti and kiss?" Alicia's eyes lit up as she giggled.
Her infectious laughter and reference to a Disney movie made me laugh, and I felt less nervous. If only a first date could be like a Disney movie.
"I'm sure they will eat from their own plates, Sweetie." Rose laughed.
"Who will eat from their own plates?" Alec came into my room, and started jumping up and down on my bed until Rose pulled him down.
"Stop jumping, please. Auntie Bella and her date, Edward. He's taking her out to dinner tonight," Rose answered.
"Where are we going to dinner?" he asked innocently.
"Not us, just Auntie Bella. We will have pizza here. I already ordered your favorite," Rose clarified.
Alec jumped off the bed and wrapped himself around my legs. "Please, don't go. I'll miss you." His lowered lip trembled, and I started to feel incredibly guilty.
"She'll be here when you wake up tomorrow. She's just going out for a few hours. It would be no different than if she went to go see Grampa Charlie." Rose got off the bed and knelt down so she was eye level with him.
Alec frowned. "Who's going to read my bedtime story?"
"Either Auntie Alice or I will," Rose promised.
"Speaking of Grampa Charlie, he said he was looking for a fishing buddy on Sunday. Would you like to go?" I hugged Alec as he still clung to me.
He nodded, but still didn't let me go. "Please, stay here."
"I…" I was about to tell him I'd cancel if that was what he really wanted.
Rose met my eyes and shook her head as if she was reading my mind.
"Alec, handsome, come here." Rose held open her arms.
He looked at her warily before letting me go. She pulled him into her arms and hugged him.
"You too, Alicia."
Alicia had been watching quietly from the bed. She slid off and walked slowly to Rose.
"There are going to be times that Auntie Bella and Auntie Alice may go out on dates. Maybe one day they might even get married and have babies of their own. Nevertheless, they will always love you, and will be there for you when you really need them. However, we need to let them go out on their own and be happy for them," Rose told them gently.
Alec broke away from her and scowled. "No!"
He ran toward the door and nearly plowed over Alice on her way in.
"Oaff. Are you okay, Alec? We're going to need a traffic light for Auntie Bella's bedroom," she joked.
She stopped laughing when he didn't answer her, and she stepped back out into the hall. "Alec?"
A door slammed and made us all jump.
"What did I miss?" Alice stepped into the room looking confused.
"He's not happy about my date. I'll go talk to him, maybe I should cancel." I started to follow Alec, but Rose grabbed my sleeve.
"You're not canceling. I'll go talk to him. He's going to have to learn to accept this at some point." Rose went after her son.
"Auntie Bella?" Alicia tugged on my hand and swung it lightly.
"Yes, Sweetie." I was curious to what she thought about all this.
"Can I be your flower girl?" She batted her eyelashes at me.
"Oh, I'm not getting married. This is just a first date," I answered hastily.
She giggled and shrugged. "When you do get married can I be one? I have the bestest, twirliest, prettiest dress to wear."
"When the time comes, I wouldn't have anyone else but you as my flower girl," I promised. Although, by the time I would be ready to get married, she might be too old.
"Yay!" Alicia cheered.
"All right, we need to hurry and pick out something for you to wear. I raided my closet as well as Rose's, and the results were horrifying. We need to go shopping if we're jumping back into the dating world." Alice started laying out clothes across my bed.
"Can I help?" Alicia skipped over and looked down at the different combinations.
"Absolutely, you're my best co-pilot when it comes to clothes." Alice winked at her.
"There isn't any, pink." Alicia frowned looking at the choices.
"I think blues, are very complimentary to her skin tone." Alice pointed to a beautiful, soft-looking blue sweater with a V-neck. "And I think it will go nicely with the dark charcoal gray skirt. It goes to my knees, so it should be few inches above on you. What do you think?"
"I like it." Alicia nodded then ran to my closet and started pulling out shoes.
"Bella, you're the one that will be wearing it and you should be comfortable; what do you think?" Alice looked for my approval.
"I think it will be great, thank you."
"Okay, well get changed, because he'll be here soon." Alice handed me the sweater.
The doorbell rang, and I froze. He was here, and I wasn't ready. I would hate to be one of those girls who left her date waiting.
"Relax, that should be the delivery guy. You have about a half-hour so get a move on." Alice sensed my panic and calmed me.
"Come on, Alicia, let's go get that pizza. Are you hungry, because I know I am?" Alice headed for the door.
"Is it pepperoni?" Alicia dropped a pair of heels at my feet and followed Alice.
Alice popped her head back in quickly. "Just leave the rest of the clothes there, and I'll put them away later."
Once I was alone, I closed my door and changed into my new outfit. I glanced back in the mirror and was happy with results. Thank God, for Alice. She was a wiz in the fashion area, even if she wasn't always practical.
With a few minutes left, I went to say my goodnight to the kids and the girls. I entered the kitchen to find three out of the four there.
"Where's Alec?" I frowned, placing my purse on the counter and taking a seat.
"He's in his room sulking." Rose sighed. "I'm sorry; I didn't think he'd take this so hard. I guess we should've prepared him better."
"Should I go talk to him?"
"Talk to him tomorrow, I think he's talking to Charlie about fishing. Plus, if you go in there now, he'll just try to guilt trip you. I'll make sure he knows that you said good-night," Rose promised.
"I think Alec may have a bit of a crush, too. That's why he's taking it so hard," Alice suggested.
"Oh dear, I hope you're wrong because that will make things complicated." Rose bit her lip frowning.
The doorbell rang, and my nerves came back, as butterflies fluttered around my stomach.
"I'll get it." Alicia shot out of her seat.
"Wait for one of us. Don't open the door and until you check who it is." Rose flew after her.
"Ready?" Alice smiled at me and handed me my purse.
I took a deep breath then nodded. She linked arms with me and pulled me from the room.
A/N: Hopefully the formatting is okay in this chapter. I am sorry if it's not. FF was giving me formatting issues when I loaded this chapter. Hopefully, it is all worked out.
Next chapter is their first date. We have one twin fully accepting Auntie Bella dating. While the other is having trouble with idea of change. Hopefully with time he will come around.
Maybe the girls should have warned the twins beforehand, but they are new to this as the twins. They are human and will make mistakes.
Thank You for all the love and reviews to my story!