I awoke the next morning. The pale light of the seeped through my window and I tried to shake myself awake. I looked at the clock before realising Bella would be leaving for work in an hour and I was taking care of Ben. I decided I was going to take him somewhere, even if somewhere was just a park before getting him to pick out some toys. I got changed into just jeans and a shirt before heading out to the kitchen. I didn't see anyone but I heard the shower on, I presumed that was Bella. I mixed together some pancake batter before frying them up, I ended up making about ten so I would probably have left overs but thats okay. Bella came out of her and Ben's room when I was boiling some water for tea.

"I made pancakes," I gestured to the pancakes on the table. "Would you like some english tea?"

"You drink english tea?" She sort of laughed as she sat down to eat some food. "Yeah I will actually, thanks,"

"Yeah, Carlisle spent a lot of time in England so he passed on the tradition, plus I drink too much coffee for work," I smiled at her before passing her the mug of hot water and an tea bag before joining her with my mug.

"How's Elisabeth?" Bella asked, I smiled at the thought of the girl.

"She pulled out of the surgery and was doing okay last I heard. Her parents flew in late last night," Bella nodded before tasting her tea and taking a couple bites of the pancake. "My cooking acceptable?"

"Of course," She laughed as I took ate some of my own pancake.

"Ready for a day with my lovely sister,"

"Your sister is very interesting," She smiled and I knew she didn't mean it in a bad way.

"She's energetic and a bit excitable but yeah she's good," I said, Alice was definitely interesting. "Jasper almost counter-balances her,"

"Jasper was very nice, he seemed to just understand me. I mean when I was talking to him, he asked how I met you and I didn't have to explain myself on some of the topics, he just understood," I knew what she meant, Jasper was so understanding and in tune with people emotions, it was truly amazing.

"Good, I'm glad you two get along," We then heard a shuffling in Bella's bedroom and little footsteps before a head poked out of their room.

"I'll be there in a second," Bella called to her son before finishing off her drink and going to help Ben. I decided where I was going to take Ben for the day, I just hope Bella approved. I put out some pancakes and milk for Ben while I waited. "Now go over there and eat your breakfast," Bella playfully commanded her son. He did as he was told, sitting in the seat that he could barely even cover half.

"How was your sleep little Ben?" I asked him smiling, he looked up at me looking a bit annoyed.

"I'm not little," He hissed at me, Bella gave him a glare. "But I slept okay, thanks for asking," He ate up all the pancakes as I finished off my tea. Bella checked the clock before standing up.

"I should get going, you'll be good right Ben?" She asked her son, he nodded confidently before Bella gave him a kiss on the forehead. "Don't be too crazy boys," She said before leaving the apartment, leaving me with her four year old son. I should've been nervous, I work with kids all the time. The difference was these kids, due to harsh conditions, were forced to grow up to quickly.

"Where are we going Edward?" Ben asked me as I began to put away some plates. I didn't know if I should tell him but I probably should so I can get his input on the location.

"How does the zoo sound to you?" A smile spread across his face, and I knew I chose correctly. I shot a quick text to Bella before we headed to the car to make sure the zoo was okay and her text confirmed that she was good with it. "So what animals do you want to see?" He thought for a little while as we began driving to the zoo, before his eyes lighting up.

"The tigers!" He exclaimed, I was happy he was excited. I knew what animal I wanted see again, the rare times I've been to the zoo, they were the only animals I looked forward to seeing. "We also need to get some photos of elephants for mommy! She loves elephants," Once we reached the zoo Ben skipped ahead to get in line for tickets as I chased after him. We waited in line for a few minutes, it wasn't too crowded considering it was a weekday. I asked for an adult ticket as well as a child's ticket the awkward moment was when the lady told Ben she hoped he had a good day with his father, as in me. Ben quickly yelled out.

"He isn't my father!" Of course the lady gave me weird look but I quickly walked away as Ben walked off without me. The kid was energetic to say the least, I chased him as he skipped off towards the entrance to the zoo.

"Ben wait up!" I called to him as he slowed down to wait for me. We walked in together, picking up a map and Ben was leading the way to the tigers. Ben was pretty quiet the whole way there, but when we got there his face lit up and he ran to the glass viewing area. We were on ground level to the tigers so you could see them walking around.

"There's even a cub Edward!" He said excited, he was right and the cub was only young but was cute.

"They are very pretty Ben! No wonder you picked them out," One of the zoo keepers were standing against the wall, she was smiling at Ben's excited posture, he was straining to see them.

"Can you guess how old he is?" The girl asked Ben, she was gesturing to the cub. Ben cocked his head at the cub for a second before answering her.

"A year and a half?" He guessed, she broke into a grin and came over to us.

"He is a year and 8 months, so you were very close,"

"What's his name?" Ben asked curiously.

"Rogers, he was born here at this zoo," The cub was making it way over to the left side of the viewing station and Ben walked over there to get closer, leaving me with the girl.

"Your son is very cute," I cringed at the girl's words, second person today to make that assumption not like I could blame them though.

"He isn't my son," I could tell she was waiting for the explanation. "A friend's son, his dad is out of the picture," I said cryptically, the girl gave a knowing look.

"Well his mother is very lucky to have you,"

"Now since you have finished your hotdog, where do you want to go last?" I asked Ben, we were about ready to leave the zoo soon. We had seen the elephants and taken a picture for Bella. We ventured into the bird cage which I wasn't too thrilled about.

"What about an animal you want to see?" Ben asked me as we stood to leave the small cafe.

"Okay I'll lead the way," I told him, I knew in which general direction they were in and signs helped too. We trudged along, passing the flamingos, which always managed to smell disgusting. Taking a left at the monkeys we arrived at the large ground-land enclosure.

"Where are they Ed?" Ben asked me as he strained to look around, then around the rock he walked out of his hiding spot. The city's only wolf. Wolves were always my favourite, at least behind enclosed walls. They were majestic and held themselves with such pride, despite mostly being solitary animals. With their beautiful coats, a mix of greys and whites. The wolf wasn't doing much, just wandering around his fake mountain pen. "He looks bored," Ben commented, of course he was right.

"He probably is Ben, the pen is just a bit small for him," I said my voice dropping at the words. A stood there for another minute or so before we began to leave, not saying much just walking. It was nearly one in the afternoon and Bella was getting home at four, we still had to go shopping for some toys for Ben. Ben waved bye to some of the staff at the gate and they smiled at him, everyone loved him. The little boy was a joy to be around, smart and fun. You could tell how similar he was to his mother, the big brown eyes. He needed a haircut soon if you asked me, his hair tickling his eyebrows. "You'll be going to daycare tomorrow, does that sound okay to you?" He looked deep in thought for a second.

"Yeah I can make some new friends! I only knew the kids from the park near my house," He remarked, he did look really happy though. I was glad he was looking forward to it. "How's the girl from the hospital?"

"Elisabeth? She's good last I heard, just had lung surgery," I told him, we were pulling out of the zoo now towards the local toy store. I got a text from Bella telling us when she was getting home. When we pulled up in the toy store Ben looked very excited, he was jumping in his seat before we got out. When I stopped the car he practically jumped out of the car, running towards the store. "Ben! Watched out for cars please,"

There was no stopping him now, I was jogging after him to make sure nothing happened to him. By the time I entered the store I lost sight of him. I walked quickly around the first aisle, seeing his brown hair disappearing down the corner, I headed in that direction unable to see him again. Mild panic ran through me, if Ben was to injure himself with me I don't think Bella would trust me anymore. I called out his name a few times but had no response. This kid will be the death of me. I searched the cars section, the princess section even the ninja turtle section as well, or whatever they were called. Then I heard his voice, I raced over to where his voice was. "Leave me alone," I heard him say my heart dropped, who was he talking to? He was standing in front of a man, with long black hair.

"Hey! Leave him alone," I barked at the man, knowing he looked like bad news. He looked familiar too. "Ben you okay?" I whispered to the boy, he nodded his expression angry.

"Edward Cullen, fancy seeing you here," The man hissed, I took a closer long. His long black hair, dark eyes and tanned skin. He was ripped, then I realised about the reserve. He was Jacob's friend. "It's Paul by the way," Paul, the same Paul that tried to fight with Emmett throughout high school.

"Nice to see you again,"

"I would say the same if it was true. To bad you are screwing Jacob's ex," I glanced at Ben but his expression didn't change, maybe he didn't understand.

"I'm not doing anything, now please we are leaving," I said simply. Paul looked smug but I could tell he wasn't going to let us leave.

"Why don't you leave Jacob's girl and kid alone then? He wasn't all too happy to be knocked out by you," Paul hissed, I glared at him again, Carlisle would not be proud if I clocked him in the face, self-control Edward.

"It is none of your business, now please leave us alone," I saw another man, quite a bit younger though coming towards. I sighed, I didn't need more trouble from these guys.

"Paul! What the fuck are you doing?" The man yelled at Paul, they both looked angry. "Get the hell out of here, I told you not to come to my work place. Sam will not be happy with you," I assumed he was referencing Sam Uley, the 'leader' of their little gang.

"Don't tell me what to do Seth," Paul however did head towards the door and Seth looked smug. When Paul finally left Seth turned to us.

"I'm so sorry about that, please let me help you out with some toys," He looked down at Ben smiling widely, Ben looked puzzled in response. "Remember me Benny? I used to bring Jake home sometimes," Ben smiled then, obviously recognising the man.

"Uncle Seth!" Ben gave him a hug, if Ben trusted him then so did I.

"I'm Edward Cullen," I stuck my hand out to him, he shook it firmly.

"I know who you are but I don't get involved with Jake's shit anymore. He went off the rails a long time ago, but I vowed to watch my brothers from the rez even if they were shit," Seth admitted to me, I wasn't interested in talking about Black anymore.

"Ben go get some toys, we need to head home soon before your mom comes home," I told him, he wandered off again but slower this time with Seth and I trailing him slowly. The silence grew between us too, I didn't want to bring up anything to do with Jacob so I said nothing.

"You and Bella?" Seth sort of began, unsure of what to ask.

"Nothing's going on between us, not really anyway. She's just staying at my place until she decides what she wants to do," I said offhandedly knowing that anything I say will be told to Jacob most probably. Finally Ben had picked out a few race cars and I paid for it at the register with Seth. He waved goodbye to Seth and I while we walked to my car, that was not a good end to our day together. Ben was silent and I realised he hadn't said much to me after the whole Paul situation. Maybe he did understand what Paul was saying about Bella and I, I hoped not. Finally when I stopped the car outside my building I turned to him. "Is something wrong?" He looked at me, there was no escaping now. "Was it something Paul said? You know you can ask me anything," He fiddled with his fingers refusing to look at me.

"Are you and my mom like?" He didn't know what word to use, and honestly neither did I. I knew this would happen after Paul's comments.

"Ben I'm being completely honest with you. I like your mom, quite a bit, but nothing is happening between us. We are just friends," I must have looked convincing because he nodded and I could tell he wanted to say something else so I waited.

"Do you want to be more than friends?"

"I'm not sure. I can wait until your mom decides what she wants, I can't make that decision for her," Just then I could see Alice's car pulling up behind us and Ben jumped out to greet his mother.

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