SM OWNS IT ALL.

A/N: The top half of this chapter has been added.

Bottom half: Time has passed since Edward's first meeting with Sophia.

Again, all mistakes are mine :/

Edward and I set up a routine for Sophie. Every Sunday, without fail, he takes us out to spend the day together—usually at the park, per Sophie's request. We mostly focus on her and I never get into any deep discussions with him when it's "Sophie time."

I have to attend these outings whether I like it or not because, 1) she gets nervous when she's alone with Edward and 2) she doesn't let anyone else take her to the bathroom, besides me or Alice. I'm okay with that.

I've told Edward not to take it to heart when she cries for me when I leave the room. We've been trying to get her used to him being around, but I don't make her play with him or sit with him if she doesn't want to. I want her to come to him on her own…and by him being there with us, she gets to see the type of person that he is. Most of the time, he has us all laughing and having a good time—Sophie warms up to him and always ends up on his lap, making "fishy lips" with him.

Even Alice likes it when he comes over now. She still has her reservations about him and me getting together, but other than that she gets along with him.

During the week, Edward's able to come by maybe once or twice. Usually it's after we've had dinner and he helps me read Sophie a story and tuck her in. Then he's on his way.

I hate seeing him leave, but it's for the best. I want his and Sophie's relationship to grow before I could ever do anything more with him. Sometimes he'll hint and I'm putty in his hands—forehead kisses last longer than appropriate, hands try to roam…pure want in his eyes. It takes all my strength to tell him, 'behave.'

We're not ready.

Sometimes as we walk at the park with Sophie in between us, I feel like this is it. This is what I've been waiting for—for my family to be complete. Edward catches me looking at him and he gives me a side-grin.

"You're picturing me naked, aren't you?" He whispers and waggles his eyebrows.

My face turns red because now I am!

"Shut up." I punch him in the arm and he laughs.

Two months of our routine has made an impact on the way I feel around him—almost carefree. Almost.

I feel myself wanting to let go, but another huge part of me is scared shitless to even go down that road. Just because he's been here for Sophia, trying to be a Dad, doesn't mean he can give me what I want.

I don't forget that he had a life away from us and that life is still a big mystery to me.

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.

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Temper tantrum of a toddler: Whining, screaming, kicking, biting, crying, hitting…with no sign of an end in the immediate future. The noise alone grates on your nerves and you have to restrain yourself from getting physical with the small child that clearly wants your attention. Or does she?

Sophie kicks and screams; tears running down her face. I don't know what's wrong, but whoever does? The more I talk to her the more she screams.

"Okay, Sophia, since you can't tell me what you want with words…" I pick her up, dodging punches but still taking a few in the upper chest. I sit her in a chair. "You're gonna sit here in timeout until you calm down or tell me what you want. I'll wait." I sit across from her and fold my arms, pretty damn proud of myself for not losing my shit the last five minutes.

From what I've read, kids deal with stress, anger, and fear through tantrums. As they grow up, they learn to vocalize what they want, but in the meantime you kind of have to ride them out. Fuck!

Three minutes later, the doorbell rings and I look at Sophie. It didn't faze her. She's determined to drive me crazy.

I open the door for Edward wearing a huge fake smile. We're expecting him. So like I said, I don't know what her problem is.

"You're just in time! Sophia's going for the world record for longest tantrum. Come on in!" I wave him in eagerly. He looks scared and I think he almost bolts back to his car.

**kidshealth dot org for more info on tantrums or Google. Please don't beat yo kids. Just throwing my opinion out there. I'm not opening up a discussion on corporal punishment.**

Oh man, if i was Edward i'd run! hahaha

The other part to this coming up shortly.