A/N: Heey guys, here is another chapter. I loved most of the reviews I got from you. Thank you for them. I just want to say one thing that has been bothering me. I don't mind when I get some criticism about my story, I think it's good that you give it. But don't tell me that Bella is a b*tch and that she needs to die because of the date with Mike. It's my story and I'll promise you that everything will work out between Edward and Bella. It's just gonna take some time.
A big thank you to Katie13 Cullen13 for beta-ing my story. All characters belong to Stephenie Meyer and little Tess belongs to me!
Enjoy!

EPOV
I was such an ass to Bella. I lay in my bed and I thought about today. I was pissed off that the hospital paged me, but I'm a doctor and it's the most unpredictable job I think. There had been an accident and they needed my help. Everything was okay with them, but I had some paperwork to attend too.

When Bella called I thought something was wrong. I was so into my work, that at first I didn't hear my phone. I was in time and Bella acted cute on the phone. She told me her dilemma and I suggested we'd all go to the park tonight. She liked the idea and I did too. Some more time with Bella is always alright.

But what was I disappointed when I got home. Tess was screaming at Bella and she stood there not knowing what to do. When Tess yelled at Bella about hating her, I stepped in. I couldn't look at it anymore and send Tess to her room. I don't know what was the matter with her. A few weeks ago when she didn't get what she wanted she said to me that she hated me and that she wished she could have another daddy. That hurt like hell, I would do anything for that little girl and this is how she reacts. I had a conversation with her then, that you shouldn't tell people that you hate them. Hate is a strong word and she doesn't get to call that to people, because she has no idea what she's talking about.

Bella looked surprised that I was there. She looked so helpless and I was glad that I could leave the hospital on time. I don't know how Bella would handle this. It was good of her to tell Tess to lower her voice. She could really talk loud and I hated that. That was a thing she got from her mom. The loud talking and thinking that with screaming you'll get what you want. But it doesn't work that way.

I apologized to Bella for Tess' behavior, but she thought it was her fault. I needed to make sure that wasn't the case. Sometimes plans change and Tess can't always get her way. I told her that she would learn in time. Hell, even now I had some trouble with not knowing what to do. I guess that's what being a parent is all about. You just have to learn as you go with it.

I told her how Tess shouted to me that she hated me and how I got her, that that could hurt your feelings. You'll try your best for that girl and I know it was her first day, but that doesn't mean that words like that hurt you.

She looked so sad and I wanted to give her a hug and tell her that everything would be okay. I mean, that was allowed right? When I had my arms around her, she started crying and I held her even tighter. It felt really good to have her in my arms and it wasn't something sexual right now. She started to calm down some minutes later and I told her I needed to talk to Tess. I suggested she'd clean up, her make-up was all over her face, but even then she still looked like the most beautiful woman on this planet.

I walked to Tess' room and I could hear her sniffling. She was crying, but maybe she would learn now that you just don't tell people that.

I opened the door and she sat on her bed. Her face was red because of the crying and tears came again when she saw me.

"Come here, I want to talk to you," I said to her and she sat on my lap.

"Do you remember our talk we had the other day? About hate?" I asked her and I wanted her to remember. She nodded.

"Will you tell me what you remember of it?" I asked her and she looked at me embarrassed. I guess, she remembered all of it.

"You told me that I'm not allowed to tell people that I hate them," she said guilty.

"So why did you say it to Bella?" I asked her.

"She was being mean, she told me we would go to the park this afternoon but then we didn't go," she started and she was really mad at Bella. That surprised me a bit.

"And what did Bella tell you?"

"She told me that she didn't know where the park was and that we would all go tonight. But I don't want you to come with us, I want Bella all alone," wow, this girl had some attitude. It scared me a bit how she started to look like her mom more and more every day, and that wasn't something positive.

"You can go with Bella alone some other time, but you really hurt Bella by saying what you said to her," she needed to understand that she couldn't talk like that.

"It really hurts someone when you tell them you hate them. Bella really tried and she explained to you why we couldn't go. You need to learn that things don't always go your way. Things come up and plans change. Did you know that Bella was crying because of what you said to her?" it wasn't that smart to say, but it was time for Tess to see what her words did to people.

"Was she really crying?" she asked surprised.

"Yes, she was. Adults cry all the time too because someone hurt them. I hugged her and she was really crying,"

"But I don't want Bella to cry. I didn't mean those words," and then she started crying herself.

"If you didn't mean them, why did you say them?"

"Because I was mad, but I don't want Bella to cry," she said and I guess she finally realized what her words did.

"I'm mad too sometimes, but I don't tell people that I hate them. You just count to 10 and feel calm again," I advised her. I guess, she had her temper from me.I was proud of Tess at how she apologized to Bella. She told Bella that she was sorry and that she didn't want her gone. They looked so perfect like that together and I wished Bella would be a couple years older. It's totally legal now, I know that, but it still feels weird. Eighteen sounds really young and people would think that you were a perv or something.

"I want to say sorry to Bella. Is she still crying?" Tess asked with tears on her face.
"She's in her room I think,"

"Can you come with me?" she asked me and we walked over to Bella's room.

Dinner was fun. Tess wanted to help Bella and they looked like a good team. The lasagna that Bella made was delicious and Bella could cook any day for me if it was always like this. It was heaven and Emmett should try this too. He would want to hire Bella as his personal cook, but that wasn't going to happen. She was totally mine and that thought didn't even scare me. Maybe it was time to make a move on Bella. Just a small one to see if she was interested. It was a long time for me too, but I thought I still had it in me.

But then Tess talked about Mike, our neighbor downstairs. I hated the guy, he thinks he's funny when he's really not. Tess asked me what it meant if I guy winked at a girl. Bella turned really red and I didn't even want to know, but Tess couldn't keep her mouth shut. The little fucker from downstairs winked at my Bella. Yes, I referred her as mine now and I was pissed off.

At the park she apologized for Mike, but it wasn't her fault and I told her that. I even told her that she was pretty, but that wasn't the case. Bella was a beautiful woman, but she didn't realize that. She was a classic beauty and of course guys would notice that. I told her to date if she wanted that, it was fine by me. She didn't need to flaunt it, I told her because of Tess, but I really didn't want to see her and some guy. I might punch him and lock Bella forever away in my room.

It was quiet between us and it was awkward this time. That never happened before and it was all Mike's fault. It's a good thing that I didn't see him today, but I needed to have a little chat with him. Bella was special and she didn't need someone who would be after her because he wanted sex. Bella needed to be treated very special and when Tess and I rode the elevator a plan formed in my head. I would ask Bella out for dinner as a way to celebrate her first week with us.

But then that little fucker messed with me again. Bella came back upstairs with a big smile on her face. I was confused, because she only went to her car to get something. It wasn't something really special right?

I asked her about Saturday night, but Mike beat me to it. She had a freaking date with Mike. I wanted to walk over there and kill him with my bare hands. I was cruel to Bella about it, but I had it with everything. The world was against me and I just felt like crap.

It was too late to call Alice now, but we could do dinner Saturday if she wasn't too busy. My mom would love it if Tess came over for a sleepover. It was her only granddaughter and it was no secret that she wanted more. Emmett once told me that they were working on it, but they had some problems with it. Rosalie just needs to be a mom, that was destined, but I felt guilty around them. Tanya became pregnant easily and she didn't even want Tess, but I keep in mind that Tess is loved and Rosalie doesn't hold a grudge. Not to me anyway, if she ever saw Tanya, she would have a problem.

It was a good thing that I had a day shift tomorrow at the hospital. I didn't need to see Bella at the moment. I would be long gone before she would wake up and maybe I can do some paperwork at the hospital, so I wouldn't be home for dinner. I knew immediately that it wasn't fair to Tess, but I just needed some time away from Bella. She wasn't even here for a week and I was already making excuses to get away from her.

The next day flew by and I avoided Bella like the plague. I was home just in time so that I could bring Tess to bed. She said she missed me today, but she had fun with Bella. She thinks Bella is a lot nicer than Alex was and I was glad about that. It seems that I have made the right decision now.

I heard noises in the kitchen and Bella was there, standing beside the microwave.

"I just heated some dinner for you. I hope you like it," Bella said as she grabbed the plate out of the microwave. It looked really good and I felt guilty. She did her best and this is how I repay her?

"Thank you, you didn't have to do that," I told her and I meant that.

"I know, I just wanted to do it," she said and she took a seat by the kitchen island. She stayed with me as I ate my dinner.

"It's delicious Bella. You really know how to keep a man satisfied," I said to her without thinking and Bella looked as red as a tomato. It was meant as something innocent to say, but it sounded so wrong.

"Thank you. How was your day at work?" she asked me and I had to get used to this. Someone was interested in my day and that hadn't happened in a long time. Even Tanya didn't bother to ask anymore when we were together.

"It was a good day today. Lost no one, so that was a good thing," I said to her and she smiled at me.

"Tess and I had fun today. She had fun at school and told me all about it and then we had a tea party," she said with a smile.

"You had the famous tea party. What did you think of it?" I asked her.

"It was fun and totally different as I thought it was. I never played it when I was young, but we definitely will do it again," she said.

"Tess will be happy with that," I said and then it became quiet again between us, another awkward silence.

"I need to call my sister and my mother so I'm just going to my room," I said to her and she wanted to clean up after me.

"I can go to my room if you want some privacy," she said and washed my plate. It really felt great that someone did that for you.

"No, that's okay. You don't even have a television in your room so you go to the living room and maybe I'll join you after I'm done,"

"Maybe we can watch a movie together?" she asked me a bit shy.

"Sure, you can pick one out. I don't know how long it's gonna take," I said to her and I really had no idea. Alice was a chatty person and my mother wanted a detailed conversation about how Bella did with Tess.

I called Alice first to ask about Saturday. I hoped she had time, because we really needed to talk about some things.

"Hello," Jasper answered and then I realized I haven't seen him in a while.

"Hey man, what's up?"

"Doing good. How about you? That nanny bothering you already," he said with his accent.

"I'm doing fine and no she isn't. Is your lovely wife around there? I need to talk to her" I asked him.

"Wow, you really know how to make a guy feel loved Eddie. She's around here, just a minute," he said to me and I didn't like him at the moment. He and Emmett decided to call me Eddie and I couldn't get them to stop. It was annoying and I told them many times to stop, but they just kept going. I didn't even say something about it anymore.

"Hey brother, why are you calling your favorite sister?" Alice asked me and I had to laugh.

"Honey, you are my only sister. And I wanted to call about that dinner that we should do. Can you do Saturday evening?" I asked her and I had my fingers crossed. I could always talk to her about my feelings and she wouldn't judge me and I really needed her at the moment.

"Sure, don't have anything planned. Just the two of us?"

"Yes, just the two of us," and she made a suggestion for a restaurant. She would call for reservations and then she hung up. She was busy with her clothing line and it was beginning to become a success.

Now that was taken care of, I needed to call my mother. She called before Bella came and told me I'd better call her about how Bella was doing with Tess and I needed a babysitter for Saturday evening. It wasn't a big deal if she couldn't, I always had Jasper or Rosalie and Emmett.

"Hello, Esme Cullen speaking," she always answered the phone like that and it made me smile.

"Hey mom," I started, but she started talking again.

"I was expecting your phone call yesterday already," she said with a tone of disappointment in her voice. I always hated it when she did that.

"Bella had her fist day with Tess alone today and you wanted to know about that,"
"You could have called sooner,"

"Everything went fine today. I can't tell the same thing about yesterday," I said and I could really talk about that with my mom. I often asked her for advice and she was happy to give it to me.

"What happened then? Did Bella screw up?" she asked and I was surprised by my mother's language. She never talked like that.

"No, she didn't. Why would you think that? Is that because you think she's too young for this?" my mom still had some problems with Bella's age and I already told her that I didn't appreciate it when she talked about Bella like that.

"No, not because of her age, but because of her experience,"

"It wasn't like that. Tess wanted to go to the park, but Bella didn't know where it was so I told her we could all go that night. Tess didn't like the answer and said to Bella that she hates her and that she wants her gone," I told my mom and she gasped.

"The hate word again?" she said surprised.

"Yep, it seems that I didn't make an impression when I had the conversation with her the other time,"

"Wow, how did Bella react to it? That poor girl, that's not fun to hear at all," I think my mother felt sorry for Bella and that surprised me.

"I just came home so I send Tess to her room, but Bella was pretty upset. They are fine now and I had another chat with Tess. She promised me she wouldn't say it again, but I don't know about that," I told her and I felt a little like a failure.

"Don't beat yourself up over this Edward. When Tess comes here I will have another chat with her and maybe she gets it then. I had the conversation with all of you and you never said it to me ever again. But besides that, everything went fine?"

"Yes, everything went fine. Bella and Tess have fun together and I think I made a good choice now," I said to her.

"I think you did too Edward. She's a bit young, but she seems like a nice girl," my mother was full of surprises.

"So I have a question; Alice and I are going out for dinner on Saturday and I thought that maybe you could have a sleepover with Tess?" I asked her carefully.

"Oh Edward, that sounds wonderful. I missed my girl. Maybe you and Bella can come over for dinner on Sunday when you pick Tess up. I can invite the rest and we can have a family dinner. This is perfect," she started planning the whole dinner already, but I needed to ask Bella first if she wanted to do that.

"I'll ask Bella first and I'll let you know alright? I'll bring Tess over in the afternoon so you can have some fun," I said to her and we hung up the phone.

That was taken care of and now I could enjoy an evening with Bella.
When I looked at the alarm clock I realized that it took me longer than I expected. It was already 10 o'clock and it was probably too late to start a movie.

I walked to the living room and there lay Bella on the couch. She had fallen asleep with a movie in her hand. I felt guilty, because she was waiting for me all that time. She looked like she was in a deep sleep and I didn't want her to lie on the couch the whole night. I decided to carry her to her room. I picked her up and Bella moved in my arms. She put her hand on my chest and it felt wonderful. She felt like a feather in my arms and she looked beautiful when she was asleep.

I laid her down on her bed and she was murmuring something. I couldn't understand it, but when I stood by the door I could hear it.

"Oh Edward, I think you're gorgeous and I would love it if you kissed me,"

Oh no, did she mean that? What the hell was she dreaming? At least it wasn't about Mike. I heard her say my name loud and clear and I was really surprised. She thought I was gorgeous and she wanted me to kiss her while she was going out with Mike on Saturday?

I went to bed and let it rest. It was too awkward for her to bring that up, but at least I knew it. Didn't people who sleep talk always tell the truth?
Before I knew it, it was Saturday and it was Bella's big day. The week flew by and Tess had fun with Bella. She told me that yesterday before she went to bed. She hoped that Bella would stay with us forever and I hoped that she would too. I didn't say that to Tess, but I said it in my mind. I told Alice to make our reservations late, so I could be here when Mike picked up Bella. It was time for a little chat between Mike and me…

A/N: So what did you think? I'm thankful for every review that I get and I'm addicted to them. Don't know when I'll update again. I'm busy with school and I have some tests in a few weeks that need a lot of my attention. Already started writing the next chapter, but it needs some more attention.
Can't wait to read what you think of this chapter!
Thanks,
Kirsten