Summary: After hearing her son's birthday wish, Bella decides to contact her ex-boss whom she had a short affair with before quitting, to let him know that he has a son. Edward loved Bella since the first moment he saw her, despite her young age and position he sought her out on many occasions, to merely be rejected in turn. Now that she has returned he hopes they can make things work and finally be together. Rated M!
Disclaimer: All character's belong to Stephenie Meyer, so no copy right is intended. I was just having a bit of fun .
EPOV:…..Enjoy!
What does one where to meet there son for the first time? I feel completely ridiculous, this is the third outfit I have tried on and I still am yet to be satisfied. When have I ever cared this much about what I was wearing? Perhaps my senior high school prom? I'm not even sure if I was that invested in my appearance then.
Perhaps a nice button up and jeans would be a good choice. Would Bella like that? I feel more like seventeen than forty. This is ridiculous, pick something Cullen! Selecting a dark blue button up and jeans from my closet, I quickly get dressed, knowing that soon I would have to be on my way to pick up Bella and our son. Our son, it still seems so surreal. All week I have been looking at the photos of Anthony and imagining what my son is like.
Is he into sports, or is he bookish like his mother? What movies does he like to watch? Does he enjoy Star Wars as much as I did when I was a kid? And the most pressing question that runs through my head, will I have anything in common with him? I want him to like me, but I know that it can't be forced; it has to come about naturally. I wonder if he is shy, Bella was so shy when I first met her, but I found her shyness endearing. I found everything about her endearing.
Wanting to arrive at Bella's apartment early, I slide into a comfortable pair of shoes, grabbed my wallet and keys and headed for the new car. My Audi R8 wasn't exactly a child friendly car and I wanted to make a good impression with Bella when I picked her up. To copy my brother, I purchased a S60 Cross Country Volvo, a great car for a family without being a minivan.
Typing Bella's address into my GPS, I started up the new vehicle and connected to Spotify. As Bob Dylan came through my speakers, I smiled and backed out of my large driveway. The relaxing music calmed my nerves as I sped across the highway. I didn't want to come across as tense around Anthony, I wanted him to feel relaxed and welcomed around me. But this was an odd situation; I would be spending the day with Anthony as "Bella's friend" and not his father. But it's probably for the best; I want Anthony to like me without being prompted to.
I heard my phone buzz, and I looked to my car's screen so see I received a text from Bella.
We still on for 9:30?
I smiled and hit the speaker button on my steering wheel to reply.
Yes. On my way now.
I wonder what they are doing as they wait. Is Anthony very excited? Looking at the time, I press my speaker button once more to send another message.
You mind if I am a little early? The traffic is not as bad as I thought.
In truth I was driving 90 mph in the fast lane, but she didn't need to know how eager I was to see them.
No that's fine. We are excited to see you!
I smile at her response. They are excited to see me. Well, at least Bella is excited to see me, Anthony doesn't know me yet. But at least he is excited to spend the day at the zoo, and then maybe eventually he will be excited to see me as well. I quickly respond,
I am as well. Nervous, but excited.
I get a quick response from Bella.
Don't be! Today will be great.
Bella's assessment calms me. My GPS indicates that my exit is coming up and I quickly cross to the first lane of the highway. Should I slow down? I don't want to be too early. Slowing down to 60 mph, I exit, turning onto a small street. I have never been to this town before; it's tiny compared to Seattle. I pass by a school, library, a few restaurants, and a movie theatre and wonder what Bella and Anthony do for fun around here.
My GPS takes me to a small apartment building. It's gated, but the buildings look rather weathered, as if these apartments have been around for decades. Perhaps they have, with their coloring they could easily be from the 1970s. Putting that thought aside, I park near to, what looks like, Bella's Jeep, sending her a quick text to inform her that I'm here.
Scanning threw the songs on my playlist, I look up to see Bella and a very little boy retrieving a car seat from the Jeep. It's now or never Cullen. Checking my appearance in the rearview mirror, I quickly smooth my hair and step out of the car. Bella looks absolutely gorgeous, and much to my amusement I notice we match.
I am at a loss for words when I look at my son. As I look upon him I try to memorize every detail, as if he were not real. Tears misted in my eyes as the fact that that little boy is mine hit me in full force. I have yet to speak to him and I already feel such an overwhelming love for him. I remember what Emmett had said when he saw his daughter for the first time, "When first got to hold her man, it was like everything in my life took a backseat. I never thought I would be capable of loving anything that much."
"You Edward," Anthony asked as he ran toward me.
I stared at him for a moment, dealing with the emotions that ran through me after hearing his voice for the first time.
Kneeling beside him, I smiled and said, "You must be Anthony?"
His face broke into a huge grin and he nodded, "That my mom," he stated proudly, pointing to the beautiful woman behind him.
"That beautiful girl is your mom," I asked in mock surprise, smirking at the beautiful Bella who was blushing in response.
"Yep," Anthony said proudly, "she the best!"
Her eye's teared up at her son's words and a happy smile broke out on her heart-shaped face.
"Are you excited for the zoo Anthony," I asked, standing to my full height to greet Bella.
"Yea," Anthony laughed, reaching his hands up toward me.
My mind was instantly reeling. Does he want me to pick him up? Already? Reaching down, I picked Anthony's light frame up off the ground and into my arms. I can't believe he is so comfortable with me so soon. I looked up to see Bella holding the car seat and smiling at us. Unlocking the car door, I open it for Bella to put the car seat in.
Looking back to the little boy in my arms, I see him staring at me with open curiosity, "What's your favorite animal Anthony," I asked as I placed him in his car seat.
"Monkey and elephant," Anthony said excitedly, pointing to the cartoon elephants on his shirt.
Chuckling at his response and buckling him in, I respond, "Well those are my favorite too."
His face lit up at my response and I smiled back and shut his car door. "Hey," I smile at Bella as I walk with her to her side of the car to open the passage side door for her.
"Hey yourself," she blushed, "it seems he likes you already."
I smile at her assessment and open her door for her. I couldn't ignore the electricity that was in the air around us, it was as if her body had a magnetic pull. She was completely disarming. Leaving me intoxicated as I walked back to the driver's side of the vehicle.
As I turned the car on and lowered the volume on my music, I looked at my son in the rearview mirror and asked, "So Anthony, your mom was telling me you have been to the zoo a few times before?"
Anthony perked up in his car seat and said, "Yea I seen lions and da birds."
I chuckled at his enthusiasm, responding, "Are lions another one of your favorite animals Anthony?"
"Yep," he said, popping the "p" and giving me a large toothy grin.
"His favorite movie is The Lion King," Bella explained, "and since he saw that, he has been obsessed with looking at the lion exhibit. Especially since they had the cubs, he named one of the Simba."
"I want one," Anthony exclaimed.
"You want a lion cub for a pet? You must be a really brave boy Anthony," I teased, enjoying the sound of Bella giggling softly beside me. I could get used to this.
"Name it Simba," Anthony giggled, limbs fidgeting in his seat. He is so much like Bella.
"Well maybe one of these days you can get a dog and name it Simba," Bella teased him.
"Mom," Anthony whined, "I not get stuff."
I chuckled at him saying, "Anthony, dogs are very cool. I had a dog when I was your age. Plus, you can't expect the king of the jungle to stay locked up in your apartment can you?"
"Dog is fine," Anthony agreed, causing me and Bella to both laugh quietly.
Anthony perked up immediately when the zoo was in sight. As we finally made it into the parking lot Anthony was desperately trying to undo his seat belt and get out of his car seat. I hurried to park, choosing a spot with few cars surrounding it for the sake of my paint job.
Bella hurried out of the passenger side to get a hold of her impatient son, quickly riding him of his constraints and picking him up into her arms to keep him from running throughout the parking lot.
"I want down," Anthony said, squirming in her arms.
"If you want to walk, you have to hold my hand Anthony," Bella said, her cute voice full of authority.
"Alright," Anthony, mumbled, excited to be let down.
He reached to take his mother's hand before looking up at me expectedly and reaching to take mine. It felt so natural holding his hand, it felt like something I have done all of his life and I only just met him. I can't believe I have been missing this.
Looking up from my son I couldn't help but be captivated by the loving smile on Bella's face. Her brown eyes were bright and her beautiful features animated, I don't remember the last time I saw her so relaxed. I would do anything to see her at ease and beautiful all of the time.
As we reached the ticket booth I pulled out my wallet, to watch Bella do the same.
"I can pay for me and Anthony," she explained.
Does she want to immaculate me?
"It's fine Bella, I would love to pay," I chuckled, handing my credit card to the young lady behind the counter, "plus, I invited you guys."
"I'll pay for food if you want," Bella suggested with an attractive blush.
"Bella, let the man pay," I teased.
"Alright," she finally agreed, smiling shyly at me.
Why did all of her smiles go straight to my groin?
As we made it past the zoo's gates, Bella kneeled down next to our son and said, "You can't run from us okay Anthony? No matter how excited you get, we can't have you getting lost."
"I not mommy," Anthony said, putting his hand on his mother's face and smiling at her.
"What should we see first," I asked.
Anthony reached for my hand and exclaimed, "Elephants!"
Bella giggled at his response and looked up at me with her beautiful brown eyes misted with tears. She looked pleased. Hopefully she was pleased with me and my new role in this family. She was all smiles, bringing the feelings I've had for her for years to the surface.
Pulling me from my contemplations, Anthony gripped my hand tightly and screamed, "Look! Elephants," before tugging on our hands to move faster.
When we got close to the fence, Anthony let go of our hands to shimmy his way through the crowd to better see the lions. Because he was in my line of sight, I said nothing. Being six foot four definitely had its privileges.
"I really appreciate this Edward. He is having so much fun today because of you," Bella smiled at me, moving her body closer to mine.
"I'm really happy he is happy," I smiled, "I'm really happy you're happy Bella. I love being here with you."
I love you in general. Don't go there Cullen, it's much too soon.
I grinned at her, feeling like a love sick and hormonal teenager. She blushed at me in return. I wanted to hold her, just a simple hug would suffice until I had some time alone with her. Before I could think about Bella's proximity too much, I saw Anthony coming back toward us.
"You not looking," he exclaimed, reaching out with both hands to pull us forward.
"I'm sorry little man, I didn't realize we were being so rude," I apologized.
"S'okay," he answered with a shrug.
Anthony pulled us closer to the exhibit, but he was still far too short to see anything besides the legs of the many adults.
"Sit on you," Anthony asked, pointing to a little girl who was sitting on her father's shoulder to demonstrate what he was talking about.
I nodded, easily pulling him off the ground and placing him on my broad shoulders. Bella smiled at us, and pulled out her phone to take a quick photo.
"Do you guys mind," she asked, holding up her phone.
I shook my head and smiled as she snapped a photo.
"You two look practically identical," Bella smirked, showing me the photo she took.
She was right, not that I hadn't seen it before. We had the same copper hair, although my hair was slightly greying do to stress at work. He had some of my features, although his were not developed. But my favorite feature of his, were his big brown eyes that were identical to his mother.
"Can you send me that," I asked, giving Bella back her phone.
"Of course," Bella smiled, reaching up to tickle our son.
"Want to check out the other animals now Anthony," I asked, placing Anthony safely back on the ground.
Anthony nodded happily before taking each of our hands and leading the way. At each exhibit Anthony would "Ooh," and "ah," at every animal. I would read facts about the animals displayed by the exhibit and Anthony would look extremely fascinated, although I knew he didn't really know what I was talking about. What Anthony was most excited about was the dolphin exhibit, so excited that he allowed Bella to take photos of him, which she explained was rare.
As Bella snapped a few photos of Anthony by the dolphins, an older woman came up to her and asked if she would like a family photo.
"You are all so precious," the woman said, as she insisted we both get in the picture with our son.
I picked up Anthony and put my other arm around Bella's waist, pulling her close to my side. I smiled as the woman took a few photos of us on Bella's phone, barely able to contain how happy the smile gesture made me. These are the first photos of us as a family.
"Thanks so much for doing that," Bella said to the woman, taking her phone back with a kind smile.
"It was no problem," the woman said, smiling at me, "It's rare that I get to see such a happy family these days. You guys are perfect."
Bella smiled, and thanked the woman awkwardly. Obviously she didn't want to give this nice stranger the low down on our interesting relationship. I was happy that we appeared like the perfect family to others, mainly because I hoped that one day we truly would be.
After another hour of looking at animal exhibits, I finally suggested we sat down and had some lunch, "Would you like to eat at the Safari Pizza or the Underwater Café?"
Anthony immediately said Safari Pizza, pointing out it was closest to the gift shop. Chuckling at my son's motive's I asked Bella, who quickly agreed that pizza by the gift shop was fine with her. Ordering a large cheese pizza and sodas for the tables, we sat down to eat and listen to Anthony give us a play-by-play of the day.
"Den saw fishes, den dolphins, den monkeys again," Anthony rambled, sipping on his soda between his short sentences.
When the pizza came, Anthony's speech stopped and his brown eyes grew wide with excitement.
"Mommy, me have piece," he asked, holding up his little plate covered with pictures of zoo animals.
"One piece at a time," Bella said, placing a generous slice of cheese on his plate.
"Cheese my favorite," he explained, before taking a huge bite.
"Anthony you have to slow down," Bella said, stopping him after he tried to fit another bite of pizza in his mouth before fully swallowing the first.
I chuckled and began eating, eyeing Bella from across the table as she nibbled on her first slice of pizza. She was so beautiful and so patient with our son. I couldn't ask for a better mother for my child. Bella was amazing in every way.
"Can I see toys," Anthony asked after we finished up our food.
"Sorry he always likes to check out the gift shop," Bella whispered into my ear.
"You don't say," I chuckled, "Yea Anthony we can look at the toys."
Anthony led us to the gift shop, instantly letting go of our hands to grab and assess each toy as soon as we got inside.
"Is it okay if I buy him something," I ask Bella, wanting her permission.
"Of course, he already loves you already so it's not like you are buying his affection," she teased, winking at me.
I wonder if I have captured her heart as well.
I moved toward my son, finding that he had selected a stuffed lion cub.
"I name Simba," he said, holding the toy toward me for me to look at.
"Simba? That's a great name buddy. Why don't we buy two? One for you and one for your mommy," I suggested, earning a smile and look of approval from my son.
"Mommy like that," he said, selecting one more lion cub for me to purchase.
After purchasing the items, Anthony insisted on carrying his out, leaving me to give the bag to Bella.
"I got you something as well," I smiled, watching her face lit up in a pretty smile when she looked in the bag to find a stuffed animal for herself.
"Thank you Edward," she blushed, "you didn't have to do that."
"I didn't have to, I wanted to," I said, capturing her hand and bringing it toward my lips for a quick kiss.
"What do you say to Edward, Anthony," Bella asked our son.
He smiled and ran toward me to capture my left leg in a hug, "Tank you Edward," he said, doing his best with the pronunciation of my name.
"No thank you buddy! Thanks for letting me spend the day with you and your mom," I smiled down at him.
"No problem. Me like you," he beamed up at me, hugging my leg tighter.
A/N: I hoped you like getting to read this chapter for EPOV. Anthony is just too cute! Thanks for reading and for your guy's support it definitely means the world to me! Please review
