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 .
BPOV:
Accessing my appearance in my floor length bedroom mirror, I feel completely lost. I never thought I would think this, but I truly wish Alice were here. She always knows what to wear for every situation and her input would be greatly appreciated in this matter.
I narrowed my options down to a blouse Alice bought me last year for my birthday and a slimming pair of jeans, or a modest blue cotton dress. It was a Sunday brunch, so perhaps a dress would be best? Gazing at the clock on my phone I saw Edward would be by any minute.
Pulling my curly hair up into a low ponytail, I decide to go for the dress. First impressions are always important, especially when I am meeting my son's extended family for the first time. I dressed Anthony in his best plaid button up shirt and my favorite OshKosh jeans. I know I am his mother, so I can be quite partial, but he looks extremely cute.
Slipping into a pair of Keds, I am finally ready to meet Edward's family. Have I ever been so nervous? I don't know why I am so worried. I've never given much thought to what others thought of me before.
"Mommy," Anthony squeals, jumping up from his seat in front of the television, "pretty," he smiles at me, reaching for my dress.
I pick him up in my arms and kiss his temple. He smells wonderful, like cotton and No More Tears soap. "Thanks baby! You look so handsome! Just like your daddy. Are you excited to meet your uncle, aunt, and cousin today?"
"Cited," Anthony giggles, clapping his little hands together in front of his face.
"I'm glad sweetie. Daddy will be here any minute," I tell him as I reach for my handbag.
"Daddy," Anthony exclaims, shaking with excitement in my arms.
Just on time, the doorbell rings and Anthony can barely contain himself. I open it to find Edward, looking devilishly handsome as usual. He looks recently showered, his wild hair tamer than usual due to his dampness. He is also wearing a plaid button up and jeans, matching our son exactly.
"Dadda here," Anthony exclaims, reaching his chubby arms toward Edward to be held.
"Hey buddy," Edward chuckles as he takes our excited two-year old into his arms, "you look nice today."
"Danks," Anthony giggles, wrapping his arms around Edward's neck.
"You two match," I smirk, happy that I choose this specific outfit for Anthony.
"Look at that buddy. We're wearing the same outfit," Edward says to our son, throwing me a teasing glance.
Ever since I had that very intimate moment in the Italian restaurant with Edward, it's hard to not just throw myself at him, especially when I see how amazing he is with our son. He's picked up on being a good father so quickly it still completely astonishes me.
"Dadda match," Anthony giggles, pulling his head back from his father's neck to access Edward's outfit.
"Yea buddy," Edward chuckles, his eyes looking with mine he says, "you look very radiant today Bella."
Blushing at his compliment I say bashfully, "So do you Edward, you look very handsome."
"Isn't mommy pretty buddy," Edward askes as he rubs Anthony back to coax a response from him.
Anthony is too busy playing with his father's hair to answer. I giggle at Edward's efforts and ask, "You ready to go to your brother's?"
"Of course," Edward grins handsomely, "You're going to love him Bella. He is super friendly."
I smile at Edward's assurance hoping that he is right. Edward leads us down my apartment stairs to his Volvo. I feel like a pervert, but I can't help but take notice of his perfectly shaped ass as he walks ahead of me. I smile at the direction of my thoughts, but what girl can really help herself with a man like Edward in front of her?
Anthony was oozing with excitement as soon as Edward placed him in his car seat, wildly swinging his legs all about to work off some of his access energy. Edward looks equally as excited, although of course, his excitement is better contained. I'm sure he is ecstatic about introducing our son to his uncle for the first time.
"So what's Emily like," I ask casually as I slide into the passenger seat.
Edward's face instantly takes on a proud smile as he thinks of his Goddaughter. "Emily is wonderful. Nice, funny, intelligent. She will be a great friend for Anthony."
"I'm sure of it," I smile, staring back at my happy son in the rearview mirror.
"She is very friendly, just like my brother Emmett. Her and Anthony will be fast friends," Edward assures me.
I'm so happy to hear it. The only kid Anthony ever sees is Pete. That is probably due to Anthony's shyness around kids his age. I've taken him to the park on several occasions only to have him stay close to my side the entire time, insisting that I play with him. He got intimidated I suppose, especially by groups of children. He was best with one on one interactions, where he can be free to be himself. I suppose he is like me in that way. I have always been so introverted. When I was young I thought of it as a curse, but now I am more than comfortable with it.
Rene always thought my behavior was something I would grow out of, but I always enjoyed keeping to myself. Perhaps it was because I had such an outgoing and extroverted mother. I was fine taking a step back while she had the spotlight on her. Growing up with a zany mother like her made me practically middle aged by the time I was fifteen. My mother always joked that I was born thirty-five, she said that I had an "old soul." Perhaps that was why I was so comfortable in the presence of a man Edward's age.
The drive to Emmett's was just under a half an hour, which was good because that is usually when I get to my limit off listening to Radio Disney. If not for Anthony cutely singing along with the familiar tunes, I don't know how I would handle it. Emmett's home was breathtaking. It was made up entirely of brick in different shades of red, with a roof of navy tiles. It had large windows with navy trim and a tall red door that sat comfortably on the home's porch which was adorned in vines and flowers.
"Rosalie is a decorator," Edward explains as he gazes at my impressed expression.
"This is wonderful," I say breathlessly, completely in awe.
This home looks like something I would have dreamt of for myself. I always imagined a brick house with a beautiful garden and a large backyard for Anthony to play. Edward reaches for my hand to bring to his lips, giving me a quick kiss of reassurance before he tends to Anthony.
Stepping out of the Volvo, I notice the rhododendrons that surround a gravel walkway leading to the house. This Rosalie woman has wonderful tastes. Edward walks to the front of the Volvo with Anthony comfortably in his arms. Reaching out with his free hand, he takes mine, holding my hand as he leads me to the front door.
"Are you ready for this," Edward asks, squeezing my hand in his much larger one.
"Of course," I say, slightly nervous.
"Are you ready buddy," Edward asks Anthony, kissing his temple.
"Yea dada," Anthony giggles.
I bit my lip nervously as Edward rings the doorbell. I can't help but fidget as I await the appearance Edward's family. I run my free hand through my hair to smooth any fly aways and gaze down at my cotton dress to make sure it looks as I remembered it.
"You're beautiful," Edward whispers in my ear as if he can sense my distress.
I give him a shy smile right before the door swings open to reveal a burly man with a welcoming smile. He is a bit shorter than Edward, with the broad shoulders of a linebacker.
"You must be Bella," the man smiles at me, "and you little guy must be Anthony!"
I smile at the huge man with little dimples and look to my son to find him tightly wrapped around his father. I should have known Anthony would be shy. He is always intimidated by the loud and outgoing type. He'll warm up to him. I know he will.
"And you must be Emmett," I giggle, a nervous habit.
"Yep! Edward has told me all about you!"
Emmett steps aside to invite us into his perfectly decorated house. This Rosalie woman sure knows what she is doing. The home is well furnished and welcoming. It looks like something I've seen from a catalog or a Better Homes and Gardens magazine.
"You want to say hi to my brother Emmett," Edward asks quietly, rubbing our son's back to comfort him.
Anthony's arms are wrapped tightly around his father's neck and his face is buried in Edward's hair. As Edward rubs his back, Anthony begins to disengage and looks up at the big man in front of him.
"Hi emmem," Anthony says quietly, trying his best to pronounce his new uncle's name.
Anthony's eyes lock with mine and he reaches for me, like he always does when he is feeling shy or unsure. I smile gently and bring my boy into my arms, rubbing his back and kissing his soft face.
"It's okay buddy," I say quietly to him, "It's just your uncle."
"Sorry," I apologize to Emmett, "he is just a little shy around strangers."
Well, all strangers besides Edward. He took to Edward instantly like he knew he was his father. It shocked me completely and even astounds me to this day.
"That's okay," Emmett smiles, completely unfazed, "It's nice to meet you buddy."
Anthony gives him a shy smile but says nothing.
"You guys are right on time for lunch," Emmett smiles as he ushers us down the hall, "I'll introduce you to my wife Rosalie and my daughter Emily."
"Edward's told me a lot about them," I smile as I gaze around the beautiful home.
"Good things I hope," Emmett winks at me.
As we enter a small dining room that is adorned with pastel modern paintings, I see a beautiful strawberry blonde holding a little girl with brown curly hair. The girl is adorable, wearing the cutest polka dot dress I remember seeing in a Gap Kids catalog.
"This is my beautiful wife Rosalie and my gorgeous little girl Emily," Emmett announces proudly.
"Edward, it's wonderful to see you," Rosalie says with a kind smile, stepping forward to kiss Edward's cheek.
"It's wonderful to see you too Rosalie. This is my son Anthony and my girlfriend Bella Swan."
Girlfriend? My heart skips a beat. He introduced me as his girlfriend? My insides are reeling and I am trying my best to contain my excitement. I feel a huge grin spread across my face and I want nothing more than to drag Edward into my arms and boldly kiss him in front of the eyes of his family.
I contain myself though and smile politely at Rosalie, who is silently accessing me. "It's wonderful to meet you," she says finally.
"And how old are you little guy," she asks Anthony in what I can tell is her version of a "mom voice."
Anthony shyly holds out two fingers and buries his face in my neck.
"Wow two years old," Rosalie says in exaggerated astonishment, "my little girl is three years old. I'm sure you two will be great friends."
I smile as the little girl waves at us and meekly says, "Hi, I Emily."
"Hey Emily, I'm Bella," I smile at her.
Emily gives me a big grin before she blushes and looks away.
"Well you guys ready to eat? I'm starved," Emmett says as he takes a seat at the head of the table.
Rosalie rolls her eyes and smiles at her husband, "When are you ever not hungry?"
"It's a compliment to your cooking baby," Emmett teases as he shovels some food on his plate.
"Sit wif you," Anthony says as I try to place him in a chair between me and Edward.
Taking him on my lap, I slide into a chair beside Edward, rocking my shy little son.
"Thanks for being here beautiful," Edward whispers into my ear before placing a chaste kiss on my cheek.
I blush and gaze around the room to see if anyone has noticed. Emmett is involved with his plate of food and Rosalie is helping make a plate for her daughter; I relax as I see that neither of them noticed. Of course, Edward did introduce me as his girlfriend, which I am still reeling from, so I'm not quite sure what I am worried about.
"So Bella, how did you and Edward meet," Rosalie asks as she helps her daughter eat.
"We, uh, we met at work," I stutter out, feeling completely embarrassed.
The last thing I want to do is talk about my short affair that led to an unplanned pregnancy.
"Bella was an extremely promising and talented assistant at my company, but she left to pursue her dreams of becoming an editor," Edward explains as he comforts me by rubbing small circles on my spin.
"That's awesome Bella," Emmett grins at me before shoveling more food into his mouth.
I'm thankful that Emmett and Rosalie don't ask many questions regarding Edward and I. I wonder if Edward had warned them off doing so. Or perhaps they already know our situation from Edward. I'm sure he has told them the gist of it. He is extremely close to his brother from what he has told me.
By the end of brunch, Anthony has warmed up to his new family members. After he got some warm food in his little belly he was back to the animated little boy I know and love. I'm so happy that they get to see this side of him. I was worried it would take several visits before Anthony felt comfortable to be himself around them.
"Emily, do you want to show Anthony your room? Maybe you can show him all of your toys," Rosalie suggests as she begins to stand and clean the table.
"Play wif me," Emily asks with a smile.
"Mommy come too," Anthony asks me, gazing up at me with wide brown eyes.
"I can come too baby if you want," I smile as I hug him tightly in my lap.
"Dada too," Anthony says with authority.
I giggle at him. He is turning into Edward already.
"I'll love to play with you two," Edward smiles, tousling our son's copper hair.
Emily's room is pink and decorated with all the girly furnishes from Pottery Barn Kids. She has a large case of picture books, a Barbie dream house, and a box full of toy horses. Anthony blanches immediately at the girly toys, obviously missing his toy cars and action figures.
"Girl stuff," he mummers under his breath in disappointment.
"Girl stuff is fun too baby," I tease as I take a seat on the floor with Anthony in my lap, "Mommy's a girl, you like playing with me."
"Look at the cool horses Anthony," Edward says in exaggerated excitement, picking one from the box and handing it to our son. "Aren't they really cool."
"Dat my pony," Emily laughs before picking a pony for herself.
Anthony looks at his father for reassurance, not sure what to do with a purple horse. Edward nods his head in encouragement and Anthony finally eases off my lap to play with the horses with Emily. I watch as they have a cute conversation, although I can barely make out what they are saying, they seem to understand their babbles.
"They are quite the pair," Edward smiles at me.
"They definitely are," I say, extremely pleased that my son now has another friend.
"Maybe when he gets more comfortable they can have playdates," Edward suggests, leaning closer to me, "That way I can take you on another date," Edward whispers against my cheek.
"I would love that," I say as my cheeks heat up under his stare.
"Well I'm looking forward to it Bella," Edward murmurs before closing the distance between us and bringing his lips to meet mine.
A/N: Thanks for all the reviews for this story! I love when I get to read a new review from you guys! What did you guys think about Rosalie, Emmett, and their daughter Emily? And what do you guys think of Rosalie's reception of Bella? Do you think she likes her? I know that Anthony is saying quite a bit less in this story compared to my original posting, but you guys were right when a few of you commented and said he sounded more like a five year old. He really did haha. Now I am trying to make him sound more his age haha. Also wanted to thank Ajfflady for complimenting my new pen name! What can I say, I've read quite a few romance novels and highlanderprincess felt perfect . Also, if you guys love the story please recommend it to a friend or another Twilight lover! The more readers and the more reviewers the better! I know some of you guys recommended this story on Facebook and just wanted to say you guys are super duper awesome! If I could hug you all I would haha. I'm going to be updating Chicago soon if you guys are reading that . I hope to update before Valentine's Day as my Valentine's Day gift to all of you .