I know its late and I'm the most awful person ever but I was having serious issues with this chapter and getting it up to scratch, major thanks to my Beta Isabelle for helping me and sticking with me while I was useless. On the plus side most of the next chapter is written and sorted so hopefully you wont wait long for it! :) Lemme know your thoughts. :)

Chapter 7

The next week Edward and I went to look at child care centers. We each took a personal day and after getting advice from a few parents at my school and writing up a shortlist we went looking.

"This one is called Butterflies Child Care. A lot of parents at school recommended this place," I said as we pulled into the parking lot. We hadn't liked the other centers we visited for one reason or another. I lifted a sleeping Sophia out of her car seat and into my arms. She nuzzled into my neck, getting comfy before falling back to sleep.

"Ready?" Edward asked. I nodded and he put his hand on the small of my back guiding me to the door. He rang the doorbell and a few seconds later an older woman with a kind face opened the door.

"The Cullen's I assume?" she asked.

"Yes that's us," Edward answered before I could correct her. I turned to look at him slightly and he winked with a smile.

"It's so nice to meet you guys. I'm Helen and I run Butterflies. Excuse me, where are my manners, please come in. I don't want any of you to catch a cold. I'm assuming that the little sleeping beauty is Sophia?"

"Yes ma'am. She should wake up soon."

"No worries. Let the little one sleep. Now if I remember correctly you want her to start a week from Monday correct?"

"Yes ma'am," Edward said to her.

"All right, well why don't I tell you a little about us," she said as she directed us to a sofa and sat down on an arm chair. "We are a little different from other child care centers in the area. Out baby numbers are smaller so each child gets more one on one with a worker. Now as Sophia is so little she will be one on one with her worker most of the time. There will only be five other babies in the room with three workers so the numbers are much lower than the typical three babies to one worker. This means her needs will be met better and she should in theory be happier."

"That's wonderful. We were hoping she would have just one person caring for her while she is here instead of two or more," I said.

"As I said, she will have just one person caring for her. If that were to change I would let you two know and you could decide on what you wish to do."

"Wonderful. Is your staff required to undergo background checks when they start here?" Edward asked.

"Yes Mr. Cullen they do. Not only do they have to have a clean background, they have to have a clean driving record, no arrests of any kind, they have to do a series of interviews, in which, they are given scenarios of many different situations that they must answer correctly. That way we know whether they can handle a problem if one ever develops. Lastly, they are given a trail run which lasts one week – so that the children do not get too used to them if something were to happen within that week—in that week they have to prove they can handle the job. Just because you pass the interview doesn't guarantee that you have the job. Anyone can pass an interview if you know what you are doing. You cannot, however, pass a trail run if you have no idea what you are doing."

"You are absolutely right Helen. I feel better knowing that my child is around people that know how to do their job and that she is safe while she is here. There is an alarm system installed here just to be safe?" Edward asked. He was beating me to all the questions

"We do have an alarm that is active while the children are inside. While they are outside playing we make sure to have at least four workers outside watching over them carefully."

"Now I'm really sure I want her to go here," I said.

"What hours were you two thinking?" Helen asked.

"Around 8:30am to 3:00pm," I replied.

"That's perfect. While she is here she will be kept on the schedule you have at home or one that you have written out. When you say she has to nap at a certain time she will, eat, play, etc. I do ask that if she is on formula that you make the bottles up in advance that way we are not responsible if it's not mixed correctly. It's also a time thing, our girls don't always have the time to be making bottles up, however, if it's made they just have to heat it in advance. She will have a shelf in the refrigerator that will hold her bottles and anything else she has that needs to be kept in there. When it's time for her to eat we will heat the bottle in the bottle warmer we have and feed her."

"Okay, we will make sure there is a copy of her schedule in her bag. Will she have her own crib or do we need to bring a pack-n-play?" Edward asked.

"She will have her own crib. We do ask that you bring some sheets from home to go over the mattress along with a few blankets. If she has a bouncy seat or a swing you would like for her to go in you can bring one in. If you wish to not provide any of those we can provide them for her."

"No, it's all right. We can bring all that stuff from home," I answered.

"All right then, let me show you the room she will be in," she said. I turned to Edward with a smile which said 'I like her' and he reflected the same smile.

"This is where the little ones go," she said leading us into a room on the ground floor. "Our toddlers are next door and the older children are upstairs," she added. We went into the room and she showed us all the different areas. The crib room where they slept which had blackout blinds and quiet music playing, the changing room for dealing with diapers and the kitchen where the bottles and stuff were kept. She also showed us the different areas within the room and explained what they were for as well as showing us the back yard in which the children have access to.

"I know I want her to go here," I whispered to Edward as Sophia work up and he took her into his arms.

"I do too love. I wanted her to go here the minute we started talking to Helen."

"Perfect," I whispered.

"This covers the center. Do either of you have any more questions?" Helen asked.

"No ma'am. You've answered them all for us," Edward replied.

"Delightful. Shall I go get the paperwork? Or do you wish to talk it over first?" she asked.

"We've already decided to send her here," I answered.

"Lovely. I can't wait to have her here. I'll just go grab everything you need," she said shuffling off.

"Oh Edward it's so lovely here. So much better than the others we looked at," I said.

"I agree one hundred percent," he uttered pulling me to him.

"All right, here we are. You can just bring that back some time tomorrow and we will get everything squared away. If you have any more questions feel free to call or ask me tomorrow," she said handing us the paperwork.

"Thank you Helen. We will see you tomorrow," I replied.

"I almost forgot. Tomorrow while you are here we will need to discuss a time for her to come in to get settled. You two can talk the time over and just let me know tomorrow. Does that work?" she asked.

"Yes ma'am we will let you know," Edward answered.

"Excellent. I look forward to seeing you tomorrow," she said. We said our goodbye's again and soon we were heading home.

When we got home it was almost Sophia's bedtime so Edward gave her a bath and got her ready for bed while I fixed us a quick dinner. After we finished our dinner which consisted of sausage and eggs, we sat in the living room to fill out the paperwork for Butterflies.

"You fill out the paperwork. Your handwriting is so much better than mine," I said to Edward.

"All right," he chuckled. It was the typical questions, name, age, date of birth, parents' information, etc.

"I'm assuming I'm putting you down?" he asked.

"Of course, you can. If that is what you want," I replied. He nodded and filled out my information in the second contact but paused when it asked for my relationship to Sophia.

"I don't know what to put," he uttered.

"Neither do I," I muttered.

"I know what I want to put but I don't know if you want that."

"I want that too," I said. He took a deep breath and after searching my eyes he turned back to the paper and scratched out the word Mother. We then carried on like normal as if nothing happened. He finished filling out the papers while I wrote out Sophia's schedule on a separate sheet of paper. We both signed consent forms for her to have her picture taken and for her to be allowed to go out on walks. He filled out the last bit and then threw the pen down and putting the paperwork back in the folder and chucking it on the table.

"There that's all of it. My hand is cramping from all that writing," he said rubbing his hand.

"I bet," I giggled out before letting out a yawn.

"Time for bed?" he asked. I nodded but made no attempt to move. He shifted me onto his lap before standing with me cradled to his chest. I snuggled closer and yawned, letting him carry me to bed. He laid me on the bed and pulled my jeans and shirt off before I decided I had to move to go and use the bathroom. I went back to the room and took off my bra –I can't stand sleeping in my bra— before slipping into bed in my panties. I pulled the covers over my body and turned onto my stomach to get comfortable. Edward came out of the bathroom a short while later and pulled me into his arms once he was settled. He groaned when he felt my bare breasts brush his side.

"Are you serious?"

"I'm more comfy this way. I can put my shirt on if you want?" I mumbled sleepily.

"No its fine but warn a guy next time," he said turning on his side and pulling me into him, tangling his legs with mine. I felt his hands slowly move down my back, towards my ass. He sighed when he encountered the lace covering the skin and I giggled.

"Maybe you should loose these too," he suggested.

"You can do it. I'm far too tired," I replied, snuggling closer to his warmth.

"Not tonight then," he conceded before kissing my forehead. I shrugged and after getting comfy I fell asleep surrounded by Edwards's warmth.

The next morning Edward dropped Sophia at his moms while I went to work. The children were well behaved and today we started on our thankful trees. The children loved getting messy making the handprints and the next day we would be able to write on the prints and make the actual tree but the prints needed to dry before we could do that. That afternoon once the children were gone I went and picked up Sophia before going to Butterflies.

"Bella, it's so nice to see you. Please come in," Helen said opening the door.

"Hello Helen," I replied. "I have the forms and the deposit."

"Perfect," she said taking them and gesturing for me to take a seat. She looked over everything before turning back to me. "Do you have a time in mind for her to get settled? Normally we suggest three sessions but it's up to you."

"I think two sessions will be enough."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes ma'am. I'm a kindergarten teacher and as part of my training I had to work in a variety of settings. I noticed that the younger the baby, the less time it took for them to settle."

"So you know what you are dealing with then," she said smiling.

"Yes ma'am," I replied.

"Okay, we can start off with two and if she needs more we can surely add those days," she said.

"Sounds wonderful. How about Friday morning and Monday afternoon? Does that work?" I asked.

"That works for us," she said looking at her planner.

"Great, it may be Esme Cullen dropping her off and picking her up as she tends to have Sophia while we work."

"That's fine is she on the forms?"

"Yes ma'am she is."

"As long as she has her ID then it will be fine," she added.

"All right so one of us will drop her off Friday morning then."

"Delightful, will she be awake?"

"Yes she will be," I told her.

"Wonderful. Make sure you bring enough formula for the session."

"I sure will. I'll see you Friday then," I said standing with Sophia. Helen quickly printed me off a receipt for the deposit I had paid and then Sophia and I left, going back home. We went to my house for a little while and after I had checked that the lesson plans were organized for the next week we went back to Edwards's house and I spent some time with Sophia, playing, feeding and napping.

"I'm back!" Edward called walking into the house.

"Mmm hi," I said sleepily from where I was laying on the sofa with Sophia.

"Hey baby," he said squatting next to us. I smiled sleepily and ran my fingers through his hair.

"How was your day?"

"Good but its better now I'm here," he said kissing me softly. Sophia stirred on my chest and I gently lifted her and sat up. Edward sat on the sofa next to me and pulled me into his arms before kissing Sophia's forehead.

"Hi princess," He cooed. She snuggled closer into me, yawning cutely.

We spoke about our days and I let him know about my trip to Butterflies. "I can pick her up on Friday and drop her off on Monday during my lunch break," he said.

"Sounds good to me, do you want to go bathe her while I cook dinner?" I asked.

"Sure baby. I'll be down in a bit," he said kissing me and taking Sophia from my arms. He took her upstairs to bathe her while I headed into the kitchen. I ended up making us a simple pasta dish –too tired to cook—and once it was done I put it in the oven to keep warm. A little while later Edward came down with Sophia dressed in a cute sleeper with her paci in her mouth.

"Hey gorgeous, did you have a nice bath?" I asked taking her into my arms. She nuzzled my neck and I kissed her forehead. "Dinner is in the oven. You get it out and I'll put this one in her bouncy." He nodded and went to get dinner while I grabbed Sophia's bouncer and put it on the floor beside the table. I put her in it before helping Edward bring the food to the table. We ate our dinner before I took Sophia up to bed. Once she was fed and in bed I decided to change into some pajamas before going down to Edward. He must have changed while I was putting Sophia down as he was in his pajama bottoms and a plain white shirt when I got downstairs.

"Come snuggle," he beckoned from the sofa. I climbed onto the sofa and cuddled into him.

"What are we doing for Thanksgiving?" I asked.

"Do you want to go see your mom and Mia?" he asked.

"I don't know. Would you want to do that?" I asked propping myself up on my elbow so I could see his face.

"It would be nice to meet your mother and sister," he admitted.

"I can ask her about it. Will your mother be upset?"

"No she has us for Christmas so she shouldn't be."

"Okay I'll mention it to mom next time we talk."

"Why don't you call her? I'm sure she's like to hear from you."

"Okay I will," I said. "tomorrow though." I added as I cuddled into his neck. He nodded and smoothed his hand up and down my back.

"This is ridiculous," I mumbled.

"What is?"

"It's not even eight and were practically asleep in bed like an old couple," I told him, gently kissing his neck.

"Well we have tiring jobs and a baby," he replied.

"Yeah but I feel we should at least have done something strenuous today," I replied. He quickly maneuvered us so I was underneath him.

"I can think of one thing we could do. So you don't feel bad about being tired," he said suggestively as he grinded his erection into me.

"You can huh? And what would that be?" I teased, rocking into him.

"I think you're teasing me," he groaned, slipping his hands under me to cup my ass.

"I think I am too," I grinned before pressing my lips to his. His hands groped and kneaded at the muscle as his tongue stroked mine. All of a sudden he sat up, pulling me into his lap letting my legs fall either side of his hips. His hands slipped under my shirt, pushing the material up as his fingers stroked over my skin.

"Let's go to bed baby," I whispered, pressing my lips to his ear before sucking the lobe into my mouth. He stood up, keeping me attached and I wrapped my legs around his waist, pressing soft kisses along his neck and jaw as he ran up the stairs. We went into the bedroom and he threw me on the bed before crawling up over me. My hands quickly ripped his shirt over his head, followed by mine. I had taken my bra off earlier so that was one less item of clothing and his mouth quickly latched onto my exposed nipple sucking it sharply as his fingers rolled the other one to a throbbing point.

A cry from the monitor stopped all movement. Edward groaned around my nipple before sucking it again. I pushed him gently and went to move.

"Wait a minute. See if she goes back to sleep alone," he said. After a few minutes she was still going strong so I pushed Edward off me and grabbed his shirt.

"I'll be right back," I said to him before going to the nursery. Sophia was lying on her back, red faced and screaming.

"Shh baby," I cooed lifting her up. She pressed her head to my neck and I could feel that her temperature was up. I laid her on the changing mat and stripped her of her onesie and checked her diaper, happy it was wet which meant she isn't dehydrated. I changed her into a clean diaper and then put her in a thin bodysuit before taking her into Edward.

"She has a temperature," I told him. His brow furrowed in concern and he reached out to take the unhappy baby. She wasn't crying but she defiantly wasn't happy.

"In the top drawer of the changing table there is a thermometer, can you grab it for me?" he asked. I nodded and went to the nursery and grabbed the thermometer and Sophia's blanket from her crib along with her paci. I went back into the bedroom and handed Edward the thermometer and he quickly popped it into her ear to get a reading.

"102.6," he murmured.

"Is that good or bad?"

"It's high but not dangerous. Can you go grab me my bag from downstairs?" he asked.

"Sure anything else?"

"Children's Tylenol," he added. "And a bottle," he said, readjusting Sophia on his chest. She was settling slightly but seemed to be irritated by her left ear, tugging on it and rubbing it against Edward's chest. My experience says an ear infection. I grabbed everything Edward had asked for and took it back upstairs. He was sat up with Sophia between his legs, lying on the bed.

"Here's your bag," I said setting the bag on the bed.

"Thank you baby," he replied. He rooted around in the bag and pulled out a piece of equipment and had a look in Sophia's ears, making her protest loudly.

"Shh baby, I know. Daddy is so sorry," he murmured looking closely. "It's an infection," he said putting the stuff back in his bag.

"I thought it might be," I said handing him the bottle and the medicine. He measured the correct amount of Tylenol and quickly gave it to her before following up with the formula. She greedily drank the bottle as I moved Edward's bag off the bed and put the medication on the bedside table before slipping into bed next to him. Sophia was sniffling around the bottle but carried on drinking.

"What will you do?" I asked.

"Take her into work with me and get Marcus to have a look. I can't prescribe antibiotics for her as she is my daughter so I'll get him to do it for me."

"Okay," I replied. "What about the center?"

"She can still go. They will have to give her the medication but she doesn't have to stay home."

"Well its only Wednesday so she will have a day of antibiotics already in her," I said. "and if she isn't feeling any better than one of us can always go pick her up early."

"True," he replied taking the bottle from a sleepy Sophia's mouth and lifting her to his shoulder to burp her.

"You don't mind if she sleeps with us do you?" he asked.

"Of course not," I replied grabbing her blanket from the bottom of the bed. We pulled the covers up and then laid Sophia on the top before covering her over with her blanket. Edward put her paci in her mouth and rubbed her tummy until she slipped off to sleep. We slept on either side of her with our foreheads pressed together above her and our hands twined and our legs tangled beneath her.

"Love you," Edward said gently kissing my lips before pulling back.

"I love you too," I murmured half asleep.

The next morning Marcus confirmed an ear infection and Edward opted to stay home with her while Marcus covered his appointments. Once I got home from work Edward and I chilled out with Sophia.

"I'm going to pack her bag for tomorrow," I told him after dinner.

"Okay baby," he said as he fed Sophia on the sofa. I kissed him gently before going upstairs and into the nursery. We had bought a cute little bag which had her name embroidered on the front. I grabbed it and put in some clothes, scarf, gloves, a hat, and a spare paci. I made sure to pack plenty of diapers and left some space to put her bottles and other things. In a separate bag I packed her bed sheets and some blankets. After making sure everything was in there I took the bags down to the kitchen where I could just grab them when I left in the morning.

"All packed?" Edward asked from where he was laying with Sophia. He had her sitting on his chest while he supported her back.

"Yep, we just need to add the bottles in the morning but that's it," I said.

"I'm going to bathe this one and give her the last dose of medicine," he said.

"Okay baby, I'm going to have a bath too. If your quick maybe you can join me," I told him.

"Wait for me baby. I'll be there as soon as I can," he replied, kissing me hard on the mouth. I giggled and nodded before going up to the bathroom in mine and Edward's room. He took Sophia into the other bathroom along the hallway. I quickly turned the knobs to fill up the tub letting the warm water flow into the Jacuzzi tub. I poured in some bubbles and bath salts before deciding to light the candles. I dimmed the lights and placed the candles around the room. Once the water was the right temperature and height I turned the water off and then after undressing I slipped into the warm water. I had piled my hair up on my head so it wouldn't get wet and rested my head back against the tub, closing my eyes and relaxing into the water. I could hear the bedroom door open before Edward appeared in the door way to the bathroom.

"Hi sexy. Want to join me?" I called. He smiled softly before walking over to where I was laying. He crouched next to me and leant over to press his lips to mine.

"I love you beautiful," he said softly. I gently cupped his face and pressed my lips to his again.

"I love you too Edward," I replied. He smiled devilishly before hopping over the edge of the tub, landing in the water, fully dressed. I squealed loudly and giggled as he kissed me again.

"Edward your clothes are soaked!" I giggled.

"Well help me out of them!" I reached for the buttons on his shirt and started slipping them through the holes before chucking the wet shirt on the floor with a splat. I giggled again and guided his face back to mine for another kiss. My hands slipped through the water to undo the buckle on his belt and then the buttons on his jeans before struggling to peel them down his thighs. My mouth broke away from his with a frustrated giggle and he stood to help me get them off. He pulled his black boxers down with them causing his cock to stand at my eye level. I licked my lips before leaning forward to press a kiss to the tip, causing Edward to groan loudly. I giggled lowly before opening my mouth and engulfing the tip, sucking gently on the head of his cock. His hands tentatively threaded into my hair as I slowly took in more and more of his cock. I got halfway down before I couldn't take in anymore and used my hands to compensate, twisting my hands around him, making his hands tighten in my hair.

"Bella, please," he whispered. I pulled him a little deeper into my mouth to try and encourage him to start thrusting, which he did gently. I sucked the head of his cock hard causing him to buck hard into my mouth.

A few minutes of sucking and stroking bought him swiftly to orgasm, him cuming down my throat in three long spurts. He went slack and I gently massaged his thighs while he caught his breath. A few minutes pasted and he dropped to his knees in front of me, kissing me deeply. His hands slid underneath me and cupped my ass to pull me into him; he stood lifting me with him and stepped out of the tub before heading straight into the bedroom.

"Towels," I gasped, pulling my mouth away from his.

"Don't need them," he grunted, dropping me onto the bed and climbing on top of me. I then understood why the towels weren't needed when he began sucking the water droplets from my skin, working his way down my body. He teasingly swirled his tongue around my belly button before working his way further down, before sucking my clit between his lips, causing me to grasp the blankets tightly in my fists, my back arching sharply at the pleasure. His fingers trailed between my lower lips, dragging the moisture around before thrusting two fingers inside of me and simultaneously sucking harder on my clit, making me cry out in pleasure. His fingers curled looking for that elusive spot and I was praying for him to find it.

"Please Edward…. Please…. Harder….," I was begging, although what for I didn't know. "Ugh…. Please…. Just there…," I begged, finally finding what I needed and letting my orgasm wash all over me, going slack in the sheets.

Edward crawled up over me with a satisfied grin, leaning down to press his lips to mine. I tiredly kissed him back, my orgasm having sapped me of any and all energy. Edwards's hands slid down my thighs to my knees and gently bent them so he could lie in the cradle of my thighs.

"You okay baby?" he asked softly, running the back of his finger over my cheek.

"Mmm, just feeling a little boneless," I giggled. He brightened up at my words, mischief obvious in his eyes. "Don't say it," I warned, leaning up to press my lips to his to take the sting out of my words. He smiled and kissed me back, rocking gently against me, his cock sliding against me –hard and hot against soft and wet.

He moved back a little and lined himself up before pushing forward, sheathing himself inside of me. He thrusted languidly, with no urgency as I reciprocated, both of us already having met our completion. This was less about getting off and more about being connected. His lips never left mine as we rocked together, eventually reaching a quiet but extremely satisfying orgasm together.

"Love you," he whispered.

"Love you too," I murmured extremely quietly. He chuckled lowly and pulled away from me, standing to head into the bathroom. I didn't even have the energy to protest him leaving me but he wasn't gone long and reappeared with a damp cloth, dressed in boxers. He lovingly and gently wiped me over with it before tossing it back into the bathroom and helping me under the covers.

"Sleep baby, I love you," he whispered. I nodded but slipped into sleep quickly. I heard Sophia stir at some point and Edward went to tend to her while I slept.

The next morning I dropped Sophia at off at Butterflies and after spending a little time with her I left and went to work. Thankfully she hadn't cried or I may not have left. I made sure to mention the medicine and the worker assured me it would be handled and she would get her medicine at the right times. I went to work and the children and I worked more on our Thanksgiving trees. I called Edward over lunch and he said that Sophia had been good at the center and didn't seem to mind it at all which was good. She settled well on Monday too and started fully on Tuesday. She seemed to love it which was good and once she was over the ear infection really started being our happy little baby again.