Author's Note: Sorry it's been a while. Between school and work and studying I don't have a minute to myself. I have all the inspiration in the world going though my head but I can't sit down long enough to get it out. I'm sure some of you feel my pain. Well anyway here it is. It's a little short but I just wanted to get it out there.
BPOV
It had been a month since Emma's birthday party and things were going back to some kind of normal. Kay had started pushing to move in but I was letting her down easy about it. I didn't think that we were all ready for that. She settled for showing up really early and coming over after work until I went to bed. It was nice that she was making such and effort but Emma still hadn't really taken to her and I was at a loss for what to do about that.
I saw Edward about once a week for lunch or he'd come over and play with Emma any night Kay had to work late. I was glad that his promise to stay friends wasn't an empty one. He had even gone so far as to baby sit Emma one day while I was at work and Vanessa had to go see her mother. When he dropped her off at my apartment I had to practically pry a screaming Emma off his leg. Luckily Kay wasn't there to witness that because even though she never said anything about Emma and Edward's relationship I saw hurt in her eyes when ever Emma talked about him or played with her doctor things.
I was cooking dinner one Tuesday when Kay called to say she was staying late to pick up some more hours and wouldn't make it for dinner. I told her it was ok and that I would see her in the morning as usual. My phone wasn't away from my ear for two minutes before it rang again. Edward.
"Hey you, what's up?"
"Not much what are you doing?"
"Just cooking dinner for me and Emma."
"That's cool. I just wanted to ask you a favor." His tone was totally casual so I knew it wasn't anything that huge.
"Shoot."
"There's a dinner for the doctors of the hospital and it's mostly a social thing, ya know an opportunity to suck up to the boss while he's drunk. Well anyway, my boss is always on my case about going stag to these things and I was wondering if you would go with me." He was still cool as a cucumber.
"Not like a date date right?" I had to have the clarification.
"No, not at all I just need someone charming to impress the boss."
"Now who's sucking up?" I said teasing.
"Oh please I'm Edward Cullen I don't need to suck up." He spoke in his rare, but not unheard of, cocky voice.
"Someone's full of themselves." We both laughed a little. "But if all you need is some arm candy I'm there for you."
"Thanks Bella this means a lot to me."
"I do what I can." I didn't really want to get off the phone with him so I ventured into a new topic. "So what are you plans for dinner?"
"Hadn't even thought about it yet. Order in probably."
"Well Kay is working late and I made enough for three. And I know Emma would love to see you. If you want to come over."
"Sounds great. I haven't a home cooked meal in forever."
"That's sad. But everything should be ready in about thirty minutes."
"I'll be there in a few."
I informed Emma that Edward was coming over for dinner and she ran around the living room screaming in excitement. Part of me laughed because it didn't seem out of the realm of possibility that Edward had the same reaction. Those two shared a bond that I didn't understand. He loved her and not in that, she's a great kid, kind of way but more of a, I would do absolutely anything for that little stinker way. It made me happy because I felt like if I could give Emma a parent in Kay and a male figure in Edward she would have the best of both worlds.
As I was setting the table Edward knocked on the door and Emma ran to open it. I heard a shriek followed by a 'Hello princess'. Edward had taken to calling her that and for a week after she tried to get everyone to call her Princess Emma; another thing that pissed off Kay.
"Dinners ready so come right in."
Edward waltzed into the kitchen with Emma in his arms. "What are we having?"
"Meatloaf."
"My fave!"
"Mine too." Emma called from his arms.
He set her down in her booster seat and took the seat next to her. I normally made Emma her plate knowing what to skip and what to load up on but Edward beat me to it. I watched in interest as he gave her a small piece of meatloaf, some shells and cheese, but knowingly skipped the green beans.
He looked up and caught me smiling at him. "What?" He asked.
"Nothing, I'm just surprised. I didn't think you knew that she absolutely refuses to eat green beans."
He just smirked at me and turned to place the plate in front of Emma. "It's hot sweetie so give it a second to cool down." She looked sad, she was probably really hungry. "Want me to help you blow on it?"
Emma's eyes lit up. "Yes!"
They both leaned into the plate and started blowing on the food. It really was cute to see Edward's face all scrunched up. After a few moments I figured they were both light headed because they stopped blowing and Emma dove in.
After Edward and I had loaded our plates we ate while the conversation easily flowed. We talked about work, family, music, the normal stuff I talked to Edward about. I loved how easy it was to talk to him. Sometimes I wondered how we got along so well. Our lives were so different. He had everything handed to him and I took the roughest road possible to get where I am today.
"So what day this week would be good for us to go get your dress?" Edward asked as we were finishing up dinner.
"My dress?" I was confused.
"The doctors dinner is very formal and you need a gown more or less. And since I invited you it's my responsibility to buy it for you."
"I can buy a dress Edward."
"Bella don't argue with me. You'll need an expensive dress and I wouldn't feel right about making you buy it yourself." I opened my mouth to argue but he cut me off. "Fine! Think of it as an early birthday present."
"Fine but nothing over three hundred."
"Bella, I said gown. We're talking a couple thousand."
"Fine!" I let out a breath to show my annoyance but Edward ignored it. "Tomorrow is good for me."
"Perfect I'm off tomorrow."
"Mommy can we play candy land?"
"Sure sweetie. Go grab the game and Edward and I will clean up dinner."
Edward lifted Emma out of her seat and she shot out of the room like a bat out of hell. After Edward and I had cleaned up the table and I sent him to play with Emma while I did the dishes. When I had finished I made my way into the living room to find Emma in her play scrubs with her doctor kit. Edward was lying on the couch with the fake thermometer in his mouth while Emma expertly maneuvered the fake stethoscope.
"What hurts?"
"My whole body hurts. And my nose is runny and I have a cough."
Emma took the thermometer out of Edward's mouth and looked at it with a concentrated look on her face. "You have a fever. I think you have a cold. You need to drink lots of orange juice and get plenty of rest.
Edward's face was beaming like a proud father whose child had just graduated top of their class at Harvard.
"What have you done to my daughter?" Both of their faces shot up to me and Edward's smile starched even wider.
"She asked me how to figure out what was wrong with someone and I thought a cold would be the easiest to explain." I just shook my head at him while losing my fight to not smile.
"Mommy can we play now?!?!"
"Yes sweetheart."
We all sat around the coffee table and started the toddler game. It was cute to see Emma explain to Edward how to play. He kept asking questions and she answered the best she could. The first game went by pretty uneventfully and of course Emma won. The second game went to Edward and both of them made fun of me for not having won one yet. It was past Emma's bed time but I agreed to one more game. We were half way through when I heard the door open behind me and Kay walked in.
Things were tense instantly. I gave her a nerves smile and she just glared at me. Edward's eyes went between our faces. Emma ignored Kay's presence all together.
"Edward it's your turn." Emma stated tugging on Edwards arm.
Edward drew his card and moved his piece while Kay and I just stared at each other.
"How was work?" I said trying to act casual. It was exactly moments like this that I wanted to avoid with Kay and Edward.
"Emma it's past your bed time go brush your teeth." Kay said trying to be parental.
Emma finally looked up at Kay and glowered at her. "We're playing a game."
"I said its bed time so get ready for bed."
I needed to defuse this situation quick. "Kay we're almost done she can go to bed when we're done."
Kay's eyes went from annoyed to pissed as she turned around and went back out the door. I turned to Edward and he gave me an apologetic smile. I returned it as I got up and headed to the door. I heard Edward tell Emma it was time to get ready for bed as I headed out the door and down to the street.
Kay was about half way down the block so I called her name and she turned around and started stalking toward me.
"What the hell was that? Why is he here?"
Since her return Kay and I hadn't argued about Edward. I knew they were uncomfortable with each other but neither said anything directly about it. I was shocked that she had decided right now to bring him up.
"He called and I invited him to dinner then we were playing with Emma. No big deal."
"So is that what you do? The second I'm gone you run to him." Whoa where did that come from?
"Excuse me? He's my friend, nothing more."
"I'm sick of him in my life. You need to stop seeing him."
"What? He's my friend. And he's in my life not yours."
"He is in mine through yours. I don't like the way he interacts with Emma. They're to close. She's getting too attached. He's going to leave her one day and it's going to break her heart."
I couldn't believe that we were having this conversation. How dare she. Now I'm pissed. "HE has never left her so I have no reason to think that he would now." I stressed the first word as much as possible to hurt her. I wasn't sure why I felt the need to bring that up but she was being ridiculous so I was going to be ridiculous too.
"What the fuck is that supposed to mean?" She didn't give me time to respond. "I can't fucking take this shit anymore. You and Emma. I can't fucking do this."
She turned around and walked away from me. I had no idea what she meant by that. Was she leaving? Was it over for good? My first reaction was to be relieved, at least it was over. But as soon as the thought came it left. What was I thinking? I didn't want this to be over I wanted her in my life for Emma. I was determined to make this work, wasn't I?
I figured Edward was putting Emma to bed so I stayed outside for a minute to clear my head. I grabbed the pack of cigarettes that I kept in my mail box just in case. I sat on the front stoop and thought.
What the fuck was I supposed to do? If Kay had actually left me, again, what would I do? This is what I had wanted for so long and now that I had it I didn't know what I wanted.
I was so engrossed in my thoughts that I didn't hear the door open behind me.
"Those are bad for you ya know." I turned to see Edward.
"Yeah I quit a while ago but sometimes when I'm stressed out I have one."
He sat down next to me and took the cigarette from my hand and brought it to his lips. I was shocked when he inhaled deeply and didn't even flinch.
"I'm sorry if I was the cause of any of that."
"No it's not your fault. She's just stressed about everything. Staying sober, getting back into my life, connecting with Emma."
"That last part doesn't seem to be going well." I could tell he was trying to be helpful.
"Yeah I don't know what's going on with that. I've tried everything but Emma just has no desire to even try with Kay."
"Kids are a great sense of character."
I turned to him and glared. "Not now Edward, please."
"Ok, I'm sorry." He handed be back my cigarette and stood. "I think I'm going to head out. I put Emma to bed. And I'll call you tomorrow morning about dress shopping."
I took the last drag and flicked the filter into the bushes. "Thanks for coming over. I had fun till…" I don't think either of us needed the last part said out loud.
He gave me a half a smile and a quick hug before he headed to his car. I watched him go before I made my way back inside. I wasn't quite ready for bed so I just turned on the TV and curled up on the couch with a throw blanket. I didn't know I was asleep until I heard the buzzer going off by the door. I got up and ran to it hoping to get there before Emma woke up.
"Who the hell is this?" I almost shouted into the box.
"It's Kay I need to talk to you." I looked at the clock and it was 2 am.
"Kay its two o'clock in the morning can't this wait till tomorrow?"
"No I need to talk to you now."
"Fine I'll be right down. Make this quick."
I grabbed my keys and headed out the door, locking it behind me. When I reached the front of the building I saw Kay at the bottom of the steps with her hands in her pockets. She was still wearing the close I had seen her in earlier so I assumed she hadn't gone home since we'd spoken last.
"What is it Kay?" She looked up from the ground and the sight of her eyes was all I needed. "Are you fucked up?"
