Chapter 6: Pains in Growing Up

Flashback:

I sighed sharply, knowing that I was losing the battle. I merely nodded my head crossly. Esme smiled apologetically before turning back into the house. As furious as I was, I knew that she was right. It was only fair that Bella would get to see the world. It wasn't fair for her to be cooped up with vampires all day, where she would constantly be put in danger.

I looked at Bella who was still happily playing in the pool. Once again, I came to question on why I was so overprotective towards her. Could it truly be possible that I was starting to fall in love with a baby?

End of Flashback

Edward's POV

It was a cloudy day, a perfect whether to go outside and take an afternoon walk. Bella and I had taken a short walk and were now on our way back up to the house. I turned around to see that Bella was a bit behind, bent over a yellow flower that had sprouted near a couple bushes. She gently picked the flower and twirled it around her little fingers, smiling brightly.

I chuckled "Bella, catch up!"

Bella perked her head and giggled "Mustard!" she squealed as she bounded towards me. I bent down just as she ran into my arms, picking her up.

"Isn't it pretty?" Bella asked, holding out the flower.

"It is quite pretty, but I wouldn't say it were pretty with you in comparison" I said smiling. Bella giggled loudly.

"But it's still pretty" she insisted, inspecting the flower. "I picked it for you" she added, holding it out.

"Why thank you Bella" I said chucking, receiving the flower from her small hand. Bella was now four years old, time had passed quickly. She was growing, both in her size and her intelligence. There was always something new that she learned everyday and always something more that she wanted to know more about.

"Do your legs still hurt?" I asked Bella. Bella nodded, she had been experiencing some 'growing pains' lately.

"Can I take tylenool when I get home?" she asked. I nodded and she smiled as we reached back up to the house.

"Mommmyy" she squealed, scampering into the kitchen as soon as I put her down.

"What it is baby?" I heard Esme say from the kitchen.

"Where is the ty-tylenool?"

Esme laughed softly. I chuckled and went upstairs to my room, slouching onto my bed. One word kept on lingering in my head school…I groaned inwardly at the thought of having to go to school again and Bella having to go also. Her first day and our first day would be a week from today; one short week. During the week, I was planning to be with Bella as often as possible. My thoughts were interrupted when I heard a clattering sound.

I looked over to the open door and saw Bella standing with the bottle of Tylenol she dropped on the ground.

"Why can't I open it?" she cried in frustration, picking up the bottle again and trying to pry it open.

I laughed at her frustration "It's a childproof cap Bella" I said

Bella's eyes widened and she stared at the bottle "How does it know it's me?" she asked in disbelief.

I chuckled and stood, taking the bottle from Bella's hands and opening it for her. Her eyes widened even more.

"How does it know it's you?" she squealed.

"That's a good question Bella" I said smirking.

We suddenly heard Emmet hooting with laughter who was leaning against the doorway. Bella looked at both of us with a confused expression on her face.

"What's so funny?" she demanded, a smile also playing on her face.

"Nothing Bella" Emmet said stifling another laugh. "Kids..…grow up too fast" he muttered as he walked away. I couldn't help but agree with him. Bella's baby days seemed to fly by and she was becoming smarter by the second.

Alice and Rosalie insisted that they try and teach the alphabet to Bella…this early. It was always quite a sight: Rosalie and Alice posting alphabet posters everywhere and singing ABCs non-stop. Once Bella had mastered memorizing it, they even tried having her write a couple letters. It was just yesterday when I sat with her in the kitchen while she was trying to write something.

"Do you need any help Bella?" I asked.

Instead of answering, Bella kept her perplexed expression on her face, trying to concentrate. "My head is trying to show me" she would say, concentrating again.

When she finally gave up she gave a big sigh "Edward, how do you make an 'elameno'?" (LMNO) she asked seriously.

I still chuckled to myself at the memory. Poor Bella…

"Bella?" we heard a call from downstairs, most likely Alice. She had just come back from shopping. Bella and I went downstairs only to see Alice holding up a little princess backpack. It was blue, because Bella insisted that she wouldn't take any more pink.

"YAY!" Bella squealed, running up to Alice and hugging her.

"Wanna try it on Bells?" Alice asked beaming. Bella nodded her head vigorously and Alice helped Bella put her backpack on.

"Mommmy?" Bella called, running into the kitchen to find Esme.

"Aww, Bella dear, you look so grown up now don't you?" Esme said. Esme and Bella appeared around the corner.

"Are you excited for school Bella?" Alice asked.

"Kind of…" Bella said.

"Why don't you have a backpack Edward?" she asked me.

I chuckled, "I have an old one somewhere" I said.

"An old one? You went to school before too?" Bella asked.

"Way too many times" I said, groaning inwardly at the thought of having to go to school.

"Edward doesn't like school" Alice said smirking.

"Why not?" Bella said confused.

"Because it's a pain in the head" I answered smiling.

"Oh…" Bella started "then take some Tylenoool!" she squealed.

Alice and Esme laughed. "If only that could help" I said smiling.

"Aren't you hungry Bella? Your dinner is ready" Esme said. Bella nodded and happily followed Esme to the dining room.

"It's been quite awhile since we've gone to school." Alice perked up.

I groaned "Tell me about it…"

"I hope Carslie will let me be a senior this time" Alice said.

I rolled my eyes "I highly doubt it. Besides, I already called senior" I said smirking.

"Ugh, of course you would!" Alice huffed before heading to the living room to join Jasper. I chuckled before heading to the dining room. Bella was settled in a chair, who was feasting on a ham sandwich.

"Edward, where does ham come from?" Bella asked when she saw me enter the kitchen. I smiled before sitting down next to her.

"Where do you think it comes from?" I asked.

"Hmm…well chicken comes from chickens; turkey comes from turkeys…so ham comes from hamsters?" Bella squealed. I broke out laughing, Bella giggling in response.

"That is a very plausible theory Bella, but ham comes from pigs" I said chuckling.

"Ohh…" Bella said, biting into her sandwich again before making a face. "I do not like tomatoes" she said, pulling out a slice of tomato from her sandwich.

"Let's keep our negative comments to ourselves Bella" Carlisle said, entering the dining room.

"Oh…ok then…I do not like tomatoes, Bella" Bella answered giggling.

"Now that's more like it!" Carlisle said smiling before lightly patting Bella on the head and leaving.

"Ok I'm done!" Bella said, referring to her plate with a half eaten slice of tomato left on it.

"What do you want for dessert?" I asked her.

"Mmm…I would like a hug for dessert!" Bella squealed, opening her mouth and laughing.

I chuckled "I'll do just that, but I do have one condition" I said smirking.

"a condition?" Bella asked confused.

I nodded "You have to finish that tomato on your plate before I give you one" I said.

"Noooo…" Bella whined.

"Fine, then you can give me a condition too" I said smiling.

Bella giggled "Hmm…then I get seconds for dessert." she said.

"Deal." I said.

Bella turned back to her plate, her bottom lip stuck out slightly in a pucker. She picked up the tomato with her fingers and wrinkled her nose.

"You'd better hurry up before the dessert leaves" I said teasingly.

Bella made a face before eating the tomato and swallowing. "Yuck!" she said. But her expression quickly changed as she turned towards me.

"Dessert?" she perked. I chuckled before I gave her a warm hug.

"Did you want seconds now or later?" I asked smiling.

"Later" Bella giggled before scampering off her chair. Rosalie entered the room moments later.

"Did you want to play in the yard with Emmet?" Rosalie asked smiling at Bella.

"YAY!" Bella squealed before bounding out of the room, Rosalie following close behind her.

I laughed to myself. It seemed as if everyone wanted to spend some time with Bella before we would all head back to school. I was fairly comfortable with going to school, now that I had convinced Carlisle to make me a senior this year. I was feeling quite triumphant despite the fact that Rosalie was furious.

I knew that she had taken Bella to Emmet just so she could keep her away from me. That wouldn't be very likely in the future years to come. I felt very smug to be honest, knowing that I would only be in school for once short year while the others would have to suffer for much longer.

I walked into the living room, quite bored since Bella was playing with Emmet. I knew that Rosalie would be enraged if I decided to join them, so I decided to stay in place instead. I smiled at the fact, knowing that Bella would insist having me tuck her in tonight. She would never forget about the seconds to the 'dessert' I owed her.

Alice and Jasper were already seated together on a couch staring blankly at the plasma TV which was turned on. Jasper was flicking through channels, obviously bored while Alice seemed content to be snuggled close to Jasper. Rose took her again? She thought. I nodded in response, rolling my eyes as I did so.

Don't worry, Bella will ask you to help her get ready for bed. I chuckled. "I know" I said aloud. Jasper didn't seem to care about our little conversation; he was quite used to it. We were all silent after that, staring blankly at the TV, quite boring. Bella had been the center of our attention these past years. Not having her presence seemed to make everything dull and slow. We all stared at the TV for quite awhile before we all heard a slam from the door.

Within moments, Bella scampered into the living room, suddenly brightening up the motionless room. Rosalie and Emmet where smiling as they entered the living room, but Rosalie's smiled wiped off when she saw me seated there.

"Bella, let's go get ready for bed" Rosalie said when she saw Bella making her way towards me.

Bella turned around before saying, "It's ok Rosa-lie, Edward owes me seconds!" she squealed.

Alice, Jasper, and Emmet broke out laughing while Rosalie merely plastered on a fake smile. "Thank you for playing with me" Bella added. The blonde's eyes quickly turned warm before she left the living room.

"Ready for bed Bella?" I questioned the little four year old. She quickly turned back around before giggling a "yes".

I walked up the stairs with Bella at my heels. We soon were in front of the bathroom only to find Esme standing.

"You need a bath Bella" Esme said smiling "You've been playing outside all day today" Bella made a face before walking with Esme into the bathroom.

"Be right back!" Bella said smiling. I smiled back at her as Esme closed the bathroom door.

I sighed…more waiting. I groaned inwardly, wondering how I would be able to make it through the periods of class before being able to see Bella at the end of the day. I snapped out of my thoughts when I saw Emmet standing in front of me.

"Mind if I hog her for a couple minutes" he asked. I rolled my eyes took a couple steps from the door.

"Go ahead" I said. The door opened just then. (I know, quick bath :D) Bella was in her PJs, her bouncing curls all damp. Esme smiled when she saw both of us standing in front of the bathroom door.

"Take turns" she muttered quietly before leaving the bathroom and heading back downstairs.

Emmet entered the bathroom "Edward says it's alright if I get to help you a bit get ready for bed. You up for that?" Emmet said grinning his silly grin.

"Ok" Bella giggled.

I stood watching in front of the door as Emmet grabbed Bella's hair brush and started to brush her tangly hair. He accidently brushed her hair a bit too forcefully, emitting a small squeak from Bella. I always almost about to snap at Emmet when Bella said,

"Emmet, do not be so rough. I'm a girl. We're different than boys. Don't you know that?" she said seriously.

Emmet laughed quietly, aware of my tension and said "Sorry Bella, I'll be more careful next time"

I rolled my eyes…next time? We would see about that. Emmet continued his task, using gentler strokes until he was finished. Bella scampered out of the bathroom before stopping in front of me, a smile spread on her face.

"Good night Bella" Emmet said.

"Good night Emmet!" Bella said back, waving him goodbye as he went back downstairs.

I chuckled and swooped Bella up into my arms. Bella squealed as I swung my arms back and forth. We reached her room, which was starting to lose its pinkness. Although her pink wardrobe and princess wallpaper were still there, the rest were all either blue or white. Esme decided to step in and change the color theme a bit.

"Here we are" I said as I plopped giggling Bella onto her bed.

"That was fun!" she said. I chuckled and sat down next to her. "Will I be strong like you when I grow up?" she asked.

"Maybe…" I said smiling.

"Will I be as tall as Emmet?" she asked

"Maybe" I answered.

"Can I you buy me a horse tomorrow" she asked.

I laughed "Maybe"

"I think 'maybe' means 'no' in grown-up language" Bella said pouting. I chuckled.

"Maybe some dessert will cheer you up" I said, opening my arms out.

Bella giggled before jumping into my arms, wrapping her small arms around my neck. I then settled her in under her covers.

"Good night Bella" I said.

"Good night Edward" she said back, grinning widely. I chucked and watched as she slowly drifted off to sleep.

Aww! I loved writing this chapter :D hoped yall loved it too. I tried to make this chapter a lot longer. I'm kind of running short on ideas so please help me out! I'd love everyone's thoughts, comments, and ideas! Also, I've been thinking of having different POVs pretty soon so tell me what you think of that too! Please review!

I also have a new story posted up. It's called "Love At All Costs" Please check that out too :D

Hannah