Hello, Loves! Welcome back!

I was STUNNED to see how many people have come back to reread this one. You all are the best and I want to cry thinking about how many of you have been around reading my writing for 13 years now! I love you so much!

I can't remember if I mentioned it last time, but in my original story, each chapter held a BPOV and EPOV. This time, I'm splitting it up so that each has their own chapter, which yes, means the story will be much longer. lol.

My decision to post without a beta lasted about ten seconds, lol, so this one is beta'd by Fran S. Sunflower, my beta extraordinaire!

Chapter Two: Edward

When I'd brought my girls out to Bumbershoot, I'd expected it to be a day full of them trying to get away from me or at the very least ignore me. I knew Emma was at a stage where even my presence in her life was embarrassing, and while Jodi wasn't quite there, she wasn't far from it either.

I'd been working so much lately that I'd barely had any time to see my girls. I finally had a day off, and I'd been determined to spend it with my daughters.

Of course, family quality time had lasted about one hour before Emma and Jodi were off, wanting to do their own thing. I was sad they were so disinterested in me, though I knew developmentally, it was appropriate. I'd never known any teenage girl who wanted to hang out with their dad.

Thankfully, my sweet little angel still adored me, and I was more than happy to spoil her with attention. I would have been happy to follow her around all day, giving her whatever her little heart desired. Okay, so maybe I was trying to overcompensate because I felt bad for working so much, but if it got my little girl to smile at me, I didn't care. I lived for those little dimples.

I hadn't paid much attention to Bella and Luke when we'd climbed onto the Ferris wheel, though as soon as we'd taken off, I couldn't keep my eyes off her. She looked deathly afraid, and she kept trying to wrangle a child who looked almost bigger than her. She was so small that at first, I'd thought she had to be his babysitter. But when he'd called her Mama, I'd taken another look at her. The first thing I noticed about her was how beautiful she was. It was a shallow thought, but I couldn't help it. Her brown hair was swept off her shoulders in a ponytail, and her lightly tan skin was beautiful in contrast to the khaki shorts and white tank top she wore. Even when she told me her son was six, I had a hard time estimating her age. She looked like she could barely be older than twenty-one, but I figured it was likely closer to twenty-five because of her son's age.

When she told me she had a fifteen-year-old, she couldn't have surprised me more than if she'd sprouted wings and had flown down from the ride.

Not only was she beautiful, but she was sweet and patient. Watching her with her son and then when Clara went to talk to her had pulled on my heart. I knew I had to pump the brakes—there was no way a woman this gorgeous was walking around single—but hell, it had been a long time since I'd been so attracted to anyone.

When she invited us to lunch, I couldn't have been more thrilled. Of course, my girls had to choose today to act out and work each other—and me—up, but Bella had taken it all in stride. Of course, when I'd met her silent sons, I understood. She had her own teenage drama to deal with.

Since she'd dropped a hint—God, please let it have been a hint—that she was single, I'd been trying to come up with some way, some excuse to see her again. I knew I couldn't just walk away from her, not so soon. Clara was already obsessed with her, I could see it on my little angel's face, and Jodi didn't seem to mind getting to know her either, though Jodi was a little oblivious if I was being truthful.

Emma and Bella's two oldest boys eventually came to join us at the table, and Bella smiled at them. Her middle boy handed her some change, which she stuffed into her purse without putting it in her wallet. I smiled at her as she picked up her hotdog again, happily taking a bite.

"So, I imagine you are all going to be starting school soon, right?" I asked, looking up at the boys. Jason, the oldest, ignored me, but her middle boy nodded.

"Week after next," he said, pushing his glasses up his nose. I smiled at him.

"What school are you going to?"

He looked at Bella, and she smiled at him. "Simon and Luke are going to Salmon Bay, and Jason is headed to Ballard high," she said, mussing Luke's hair. His cheeks were puffed out with hotdog, and I smiled at him.

"Emma is at Ballard," I said, motioning my head to her. She looked up at the sound of her name, then rolled her eyes. "And Jodi is at Salmon Bay. Clara is starting there this year, also," I said, smiling at my angel. She grinned at me; her own little cheeks smothered in ketchup as she wiggled closer to Bella. Bella laughed, looking down at her and gently wiping her mouth.

"Wow, what are the odds," Bella said, shaking her head. I shrugged. The schools were basically across the street from each other and a much easier drop-off than driving across town, so considering the neighborhood we both lived in, I'd say surprisingly good. I didn't mention that, though, as Bella focused on cleaning up Clara's face. "Well, I'm glad my boys will at least know some people when they start school," she said, bopping Clara's nose with her napkin. My baby grinned up at her.

"Dad, can I get another hotdog?" Jodi asked. I looked at her. She still had a streak of ketchup on her cheek, and I wiped it off for her. She'd been eating like crazy lately, and it would worry me if I didn't know she was probably burning more calories than she could consume right now. Not only was she in the midst of a growth spurt, but she'd spent the whole summer playing soccer and running miles every day.

"Sure, baby," I said, pulling out my wallet. I gave her a little cash, and she got up to get in line. I kept an eye on her as Bella spoke.

"What should we do after lunch?" she asked. I glanced at her, smiling when she was looking at the little ones expectantly. Both the kiddos had full mouths and tried to talk through them, making us laugh. I turned my attention to Bella's other boys. Jason was clearly going to ignore me, but maybe I could try to get to know Simon.

"What do you do for fun, Simon?" I asked him. He looked up at me in surprise. He had his mother's dark brown eyes, though his hair was lighter than hers. He pushed his curly hair out of his eyes and nudged his glasses up his nose.

"Uh, science?" he asked, seeming baffled by my question. Bella laughed, shaking her head at her son.

"Simon is really into astronomy," she said, glancing at me. "Tell him what else, baby."

Simon pushed his glasses up again. It looked like a nervous habit. "Well, I'm trying to build my own telescope," he said quietly. I stared at him.

"Really?" Wasn't he ten? "That's really impressive," I said, nodding. He blushed and looked down at his food. Bella smiled at him and reached out past the little kids to rub the back of his head affectionately.

"He loves astronomy. Just you wait; he's going to be working for NASA one day," she said proudly. Simon blushed further, and I smiled. I glanced back to see Jodi ordering her hotdog.

Bella glanced at me before clearing her throat. "What about you, Emma? What are you interested in?"

Emma flat out ignored her, and I scowled.

"Emma," I growled. She rolled her eyes and glanced at me. She was throwing major attitude around, and she knew better, especially in front of someone we didn't know. I gave her a hard look, and she sat up, scowling at her barely touched salad. I was glad she was making good food choices, but I also knew how precarious food could be for teenagers. I needed to make sure she ate her food. I couldn't have her developing an eating disorder.

"I don't know; I just do stuff," Emma huffed, looking down at her phone. I shook my head and let out a heavy breath. Bella reached out across the table and put her hand over mine. I jerked in surprise and looked at her. She gave me a soft smile, encouraging me to let it go. I hated that my daughter was so rude, but if Bella wasn't taking personal offense to it, I guess I could let it go until we got home.

Jodi came back with her hotdog and licked her lips as she bit into it.

"Dad, can I go?" Emma asked. I looked at her over Jodi's head, frowning. Emma was pleading with me with those green eyes that looked just like mine. I sighed. "Jo, do you want to go with her?"

Emma was shaking her head frantically, but Jo ignored her. "No, she's boring," she said, chomping into her hotdog. I sighed and looked at Emma.

"I don't want you to go off alone," I growled. Emma stared at me in disbelief. At that moment, Jason sat back from his empty plate and balled up a napkin.

"I'll go," he said gruffly. Emma frowned at him, and Bella rolled her eyes. I looked at Em, but she wasn't looking at me.

"Em," I said, getting her attention. She looked at me. "Don't leave the grounds, keep your phone on you, and," I paused. I wanted to tell her not to ditch Jason the moment she found her friends because she seemed likely to do that, but I didn't want to embarrass him. I looked back at my daughter and shook my head. "Behave," I said finally. Emma rolled her eyes as she stood from the table. Jason stood with her.

"Jase!" Bella called to him. He turned to her mutely. "Same rules apply!"

He rolled his eyes and turned back around. I watched as he and Emma took off, walking an awkward distance apart. I shook my head, looking at Bella. I'd just met this woman, but there was something about her that was just so… easy and familiar. I felt like I could trust her with my kids, which really was saying something because I barely trusted them to my brother most days. Bella smiled at me, looking at the remaining kids at the table. "Well, who wants to go hunt down some ice cream?"

…

It took Bella approximately ten minutes to completely win over Jodi as well as Clara. She was a natural mother, and the girls were drawn to her fun energy. We cleaned up our lunch before getting up and walking around in search of dessert. Bella treated us this time, and the kids each walked away with a barbeque skewer loaded with extravagant marshmallows and chocolate-covered strawberries.

We wandered around some of the outdoor art exhibits while we munched our snacks. Soon, the kids were hyped up on their sugar, and Bella and I took them over to burn out some energy on the long slides. We sat down on a bench as the kids raced up the steps, Jodi outrunning everyone despite the boys having longer legs than her. Clara and Luke stumbled up behind them, giggling as they tried to hurry but kept tripping on the steps.

Bella settled on the bench next to me, and I smiled at her. "I'm really glad we met today, Bella," I told her. She looked at me, smiling brightly.

"Me too, Edward. I haven't seen my boys so nice and playful in so long," she shook her head, looking back up at the kids. Simon and Jodi had gone back to help the little ones up the stairs. "It's good to see them happy." She sighed.

I looked at her. "Bella, I don't want to overstep or anything, but" I paused, reaching up to scratch the back of my neck. "Well, I'd like to see you again if you're up for that. For the kids, but for me as well," I said, wanting to be clear. Bella smiled, and it lit up her whole face.

"I'd really like that, Edward."

I smiled, pulling my phone out of my pocket. "Can I get your number?" I asked her. She nodded, accepting my phone and putting her number in. My heart was hammering in my chest so hard; it felt like I was going to puke. I couldn't believe how nervous I'd been to ask her that. I hadn't been nervous about a girl since college.

She handed me her phone, and I smiled, sending her a text. Her phone buzzed in her pocket, and she pulled it out, saving my contact. "I don't even know your last name," she said, laughing. I grinned.

"Cullen," I told her. She nodded, adding it in.

"Dr. Cullen?" she asked, glancing at me. Okay, so people called me that daily, but something happened to me when Bella said it. I shifted a little on my seat, and Bella smirked, a wicked gleam in her eyes. "That name actually sounds familiar," she said, turning her attention back to her phone. I let out a breath.

"Yeah, well, we Dr. Cullens are a dime a dozen," I said, shaking my head. She laughed and finished putting my contact in her phone. She put her phone in her pocket and looked back at me.

"Thank you, Edward," she said softly. I frowned at her. She glanced back up at the slide where the kids were pulling themselves into sacks. "I was so worried about moving them up here, not really knowing anyone. I feel like you just brought me so much peace of mind, knowing my boys won't be going into this school year completely blind."

I smiled when she turned back to look at me. "It can't be easy," I said, shaking my head. "Moving like that. If there is anything my girls or I can do to help, just let me know."

Bella smiled and reached out, her hand squeezing mine. My heart flipped anxiously in my chest. Bella turned back to the slides smiling when the kids let go at the top. We could hear their giggles and screams as they flew down the slide. Simon landed first, Jodi shortly behind him. It took Luke and Clara longer, but both were beside themselves, giggling by the time they got to the bottom. I smiled. Meeting Bella and her boys hadn't just been good for them. I couldn't remember the last time I'd seen my girls laugh like that.

I glanced at Bella, unable to keep my eyes from her for long. I hadn't dated anyone since my divorce right after Clara had been born. I'd gone on a couple of dates, but nothing had panned out, and to be honest, I'd just had no interest. I had convinced myself I'd be alone for a long time, and then Bella had appeared in my life, and I found myself wondering if I really was okay being alone.

I needed to be cautious, not only to protect myself but to protect my girls. But I could already tell that Bella would be one of those people who was just so easy to love and let into your life. It was terrifying as it was thrilling, knowing there was a possibility of that for me again. The kids came over, talking over each other about the slide, and Bella listened to all of them, beaming. They took off a moment later, going up the slide again, and Bella sighed as she watched them go, warmth spilling across her face. I smiled to myself, shaking my head. I had one hell of an opportunity in front of me, and no way was I going to let it slip through my fingers.

Originally, this fic was pretty fluffy. It's going to retain a lot of that, though I'm trying to develop a few things a bit more. Still, this story is mostly cotton candy goodness.

See you next time!