Frozen in Time

By: phoenixhunter47

Prompts: DILF, flower, naughty

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A/N: Happy birthday Nina! Thanks for all you do and all the encouragement and support you provide.

Pairing: BxE

Beta'd by: piemaster47

Tiny snowflakes fell onto my eye lashes as I scanned the empty park. I had no idea why I had come today; the snow likely meant they wouldn't be here. Yet I had dressed in my warmest coat and my fur lined boots and had walked the eight blocks to sit at my picnic bench. Every day, for the last thirteen months, I sat here waiting for inspiration to grace me with its presence and every day I left with an empty notebook. They had been coming to the park for the last eight months and the more I watched them, the less I even thought about writing.

He was autumn personified. Copper red hair and deep set mossy green eyes with a breathy laugh that could strip the last of the leaves from almost bare branches. As attractive as he was, that wasn't what had captivated me. He never came alone; he always brought her with him. Only ever the two of them playing on the swing set or feeding ducks by the now frozen pond.

Her laughter had caught my attention first and drew my eyes to the swing she occupied. A tiny flurry of melodious giggles escaped as she called out, "Daddy, push me higher!" Her long auburn curls catching in the wind as her father pushed her high and higher. The smile on his face growing at his daughter's enjoyment; the rich sound of his own laughter mingled with hers. I couldn't help but smile at the memory.

The windy picked up and sent eddies of frost and snow spiraling through the air and I shivered as the ice crystals settled in my long brown hair. I hadn't even brought my notebook today, it was too wet to sit and write. I looked around the park in awe of its beauty. White frost covered the trees and undergrowth and as it sparkled in the sunlight it looked for all the world like it was dusted in diamonds. Chicago really was breathtaking in December. The irony wasn't lost on me that if my pen had been in my hand, my inspiration may have flourished.

A tentative tug on my coat pulled me from my daydream and I turned to see who craved my attention. Piercing blue eyes, large and wide, starred up at me from the edge of the bench and as they began to water, I felt my heart ache for the sad little girl in front of me.

"Hey, sweetheart. Don't cry, you're okay," I soothed as my eyes scanned the park looking for her father. "Where's your Daddy today?" I asked as I wiped her tears away with the pad of my thumb.

She snivelled and shrugged before she spoke, "I don't know," she whispered. Her bottom lip began to tremble as fresh tears spilled from her eyes.

I lifted her onto the bench next to me and snuggled her into my side, hoping the extra warmth would stop her from getting a chill. "My name is Bella. Why don't we just wait here for a few minutes and see if your Daddy comes by looking for you?"

She nodded her head and wiped at her nose with her mitten clad hand. "I'm Katie Cullen and I'm only five."

I smiled at the information, at least now I had a name to go with his mesmerizing face. Mr. Cullen was certainly better than Daddy, or as my sister Rose had stated "He's your D.I.L.F. Bella. You know, dad you'd like to –" I had known all too well what she was going to say and I didn't want to hear it.

In an attempt to distract myself from the slew of erotic thoughts running through my head, I asked "Do you think the park looks pretty today?"

Katie smiled up at me and pointed over to the tree line, "The droopy white flowers are my favorites." She pointed to the Snowdrops standing strong as they fought to survive in the wintry climate.

"They're my favorites too," I replied with a smile of my own.

We both jumped as the sound of the gate swung violently open. "Katie Elizabeth Cullen! How many times have I told you, not to wander off?" Her father came running towards us as he yelled but still embraced his daughter tightly and buried his face in her hair as he scooped her off the bench.

"Mr. Cullen, my name is Bella Swan –" I reached out my hand as he cut me off to continue reprimanding his daughter.

"You know that you aren't allowed to wander off, baby. You are so naughty, do you have any idea what could have happened?" As he spoke he peppered little kisses over her pink cheeks and across her forehead.

Feeling like I was intruding, I made to leave, swinging my legs over the bench and standing upright. Before I could take a step forward, I felt a hand on my shoulder and I found myself staring into warm green, inviting eyes. Katie's arms were wrapped around his neck, her head resting on his broad set shoulders, while her legs encircled his trim waist. "Thank you, Miss. Swan, and please call me Edward. I don't know what I would have done if a stranger had found her." The relief in his voice was clear.

I laughed at his comment. "Please, it's Bella. And don't I qualify as a stranger, Edward?" I teased.

"No, Daddy's seen you here before. The pretty girl with brown hair and the book." Katie squealed as he tickled her side.

"Don't you think you've caused enough trouble for one day, munchkin?" Edward's cheeks colored slightly as he spoke and I felt my own flush with embarrassment.

"I should be getting home. It was nice to meet you both." I was halfway to the gate when Edward's voice called out and stopped me.

"Bella, won't you join me for a coffee? As a thank you, I mean." He smiled sheepishly as he anticipated my response.

I dipped my head and watched the snow shimmer at my feet, "Sure, I'd love to."

***

That was six months ago. Now every day I sit at our picnic bench observing the world through new eyes. I seldom leave without having written something and although the seasons change, that day with Edward and Katie Cullen will always be frozen in time.