Twilight belongs to the ridiculously talented Stephenie Meyer.
A Father's Hope belongs to me.
A HUGE thanks to twimom817 for beta'ing. This wouldn't be nearly as pretty without her.
Chapter Five
The morning after I met Bella, I sat down for coffee with my mom. She must have thought we were playing twenty questions. What does she look like? Where is she from? What does she do?
"She's really pretty, she's from Seattle, and she's an RN," Alice chirped as she pranced through the kitchen to pour her own coffee.
"Wait," I said. "You know Bella?"
"Yeah. Rosalie and I hang out and I've met Bella a few times. We've been trying to get her to meet you for a while. She's not quite as bitter about men as you are about women, but she comes close."
"Ouch, Alice. That hurts," I said as I covered my chest with my hand.
"I can't help if it's true, Edward. Bella is adorable and very sweet. You should give her a chance. I just hope she'll let you."
A few days later, I texted Bella from work to see if she'd meet me for drinks again that weekend. She texted back a few minutes later.
Sounds like a plan. Can we go somewhere a bit quieter this time? –B
Sure thing. Do you want to pick the place or should I? – E
Mariner's Landing? Friday night say 7ish? –B
Mariner's Landing at 7ish on Friday it is. See you then. –E
Can't wait. –B
Mariner's Landing was a quiet café in a small suburb of Seattle. I only knew of it because of my dad. It was a favorite hangout of some of the older cops – like my dad. I hadn't been there in years. When I arrived, I looked around but I saw that Bella hadn't arrived yet. I was relieved, thinking if anyone was late it was going to be me. I had gotten out of class late that day and then I ran home to take a shower and change before meeting Bella.
"Edward! Sorry I'm late," Bella apologized as she slid into the booth. "I just got off work and my phone is completely dead."
"That's okay. I wasn't sure if I'd be on time myself."
She looked adorable, her face flushed and looking all flustered. She was wearing royal blue scrub pants and a scrub shirt that had Cookie Monster all over it.
"I know, I'm a mess, but I didn't have time to go home and change or I would have been REALLY late."
"Stop, Bella. You look amazing, so don't even worry about it."
A beautiful blush crossed her face making her look so innocent and sweet.
We each ordered a beer and something to eat and we sat and talked for hours over the most mundane things. I told her how Emmett and I grew up with each other, and how close Emmett's little sister, Lauren and Alice were.
"I want that for my daughter, 'ya know? We were so close, I'd love for her and Katie to be close to one another."
Bella giggled.
"What?"
"I was wondering when you were going to mention your daughter," Bella said softly.
"Does it bother you that I have a daughter?"
"No, not at all. I love kids. That's why I work in a pediatrician's office."
"So why didn't you become a teacher or something along those lines?"
"And warp young minds?" She giggled. "I don't know. I always wanted to be a doctor until I realized how much school was involved. I even took the exam to get into Med school, but I decided to become an RN instead. There is such a demand for RN's right now. The only bad part of my job is that I have to be the meanie to stick kids with their shots, but then it's all good again when I give them a lollipop. It's like I'm their best friend."
She spoke with such reverence about her job that it was clear she loved what she did.
"Do you want kids of your own one day?" I asked, suddenly serious.
"Someday. If I meet the right person that is. I've been unfortunate enough to meet more wrong guys than potential right ones."
I chuckled.
"I hear ya there. Have you ever been married?"
"No. Although, I was engaged once. I was just smart enough to figure out that he wasn't someone worth marrying before I took the big plunge."
"I wish I had been that lucky."
Bella nodded.
"Rosalie told me a little bit about your ex. Don't worry though, I asked her not to tell me too much. It's your story to tell if and when you want to tell it."
"Thanks, Bella. I hope you don't mind but that's one subject I'd rather not think about."
I smiled apologetically hoping that she'd change the subject.
"So … how old is your daughter?"
She didn't fail me.
"She's five. She'll be six in November."
"What's her name?"
"Chloe Renee." I smiled.
"Renee is my mom's name," Bella mused.
"As long as you don't tell me your dad's name is Chloe, we're good."
Bella giggled again.
"Close … his name is Charlie. He knows your dad and uncle apparently. My dad's been a cop forever."
"Yeah, I think he does. My dad mentioned something about it the other day. I guess they've invited you and your parents to come over to our house for a BBQ on Sunday."
"Yeah, my mom mentioned that. I'm not sure what kind of company I'll be on Sunday. Tomorrow night we're taking Rosalie out for her bachelorette party, so we'll probably be nursing a few hangovers."
"No doubt," I laughed. "You guys call me if you need a ride. I'm not working tomorrow night."
"Sounds good."
Bella and I chatted for a while longer before she began to yawn. We'd both had a long day and decided to call it a night.
"See ya on Sunday." Bella smiled.
A small part of me hoped that Bella would call me while she was out with the girls and needed a ride. Instead what I got was a drunk text.
E .. I'm a lil tipsy but I wanted to say that I like you like a lot and I hope that you'll let me get to know you. –B
Maybe we'll talk when you're not tipsy ;) –E
Promise? – B
Yes. We'll talk, but I'd prefer for you to be sober. Are you all right? Are you going to need a ride tonight? – E
We're good. Back at Rose's already. Still drinking obviously. ;) See you tomorrow. –B
The next morning, my mom was bustling around the kitchen making all kinds of food for the BBQ later while my dad spent the morning hosing off all the lawn furniture outside.
Chloe had come bounding into my room wanting to know if we could go out in the backyard and play soccer. I pulled on some shorts and sneakers and tugged on her ponytail.
"Come on Chloebear … let's go."
We'd been kicking the ball around the yard for a while when I noticed that we had quite an audience watching. Both my mom and dad were sitting in their chairs sipping on ice tea watching us, as was Alice and Jasper. My aunt and uncle had even showed up, saying that Emmett and Rose would be along with Katie shortly.
Apparently Rosalie had a bit of trouble getting out of bed that morning according to Alice. Bella wasn't much better off.
"Big brother, if Bella comes today, go easy on her okay? She really likes you but she's afraid that you won't let her in. She knows that you've got this wall up, hell she does too, but she wants to take a chance on you. I told her that you're worth it but she's got to be patient."
"Ali … I appreciate what you're trying to do, but just let Bella and I figure it out okay? If it makes you feel better, I like her a lot too but it's not easy … it's not just me anymore. I've got Chloe to think about now too."
After my short chat with Alice, I went back outside to find Chloe kicking the soccer ball around with Katie as Emmett and Rosalie watched with everyone else from the sidelines. But it was the brunette sitting in the swing in the far corner of the yard that had really captured my attention.
Bella.
She was sitting with her legs curled up under her, and she sat gently swinging with her eyes closed. I quickly crossed the yard and made my way toward her.
"Hey."
"Hey, yourself," she said softly.
"Did you have fun last night?"
She grimaced and slid her sunglasses down from her head onto her nose.
"A little too much fun."
I chuckled.
"Don't laugh, Cullen. I'm sure you've done the same thing a time or two in your lifespan."
"I have," I chuckled again. "But it's entertaining watching you whine about it."
"Fuck you, Cullen," she giggled.
"I think it's a little early in our relationship for that don't you think, Swan?"
Bella glared at me but didn't say a word.
"Bella … look. This isn't easy for me. Yeah, I like you. I wish it was easier for me to fall into … something … with you. Irina really hurt me, like cut me to the core. It's not something I can just forget, or a feeling I can just brush off. That's not to say that I won't ever get over it. I'm sure I will, but the wounds are still fresh and it's going to take some time. Besides, I've got Chloe to think about. She's a huge part of my life and …"
"Edward … breathe. I know it's not easy for you, I don't expect it to be. Like I said, Rose told me a little bit about your past but I asked her not to tell me much. Beyond telling me that your ex-wife is a manipulative bitch and that she cheated on you I have no idea what else went on. I know that you have a beautiful little girl as a result of that relationship and I'm okay with that. If she wasn't a huge part of your life I would think that there is something wrong with you. She's your child it's supposed to be that way. She should be your first priority and taking care of yourself should be your second. I can't fault you for that. I won't fault you for that."
"How is it that you can be so accepting of all of this, Bella?" I asked.
This beautiful woman in front of me had basically told me that she didn't care. She understood that I was a little bit damaged and only time would heal my wounds. She understood that I had baggage and she shrugged it off.
"Because I'm human, Edward. I know that people aren't perfect and that includes you and me. I've been through a lot too, and I'm not saying that it's the same pain as what you've gone through, but I do know about pain, and I'm trying, Edward. I like you too, and while I see that you're hurting and it's not easy for you to trust, I'm willing to take a chance on you."
As she spoke, I watched Chloe and Katie running around the yard chasing Emmett.
"Are you sure? I don't want to disappoint you, Bella. I think you deserve better than that. I'm not sure what part of me I can give you."
Bella reached over and touched my hand with hers. Her touch was soft and reassuring.
"I'm here, Edward. Just keep that in mind, and I'll leave the ball in your court."
I squeezed her hand gently. "Thank you."
Our quiet conversation was quickly cut short by a bouncy five year old.
"Daddy … I'm hungry and Pop-pop said I had to wait for you. Who's this?" Chloe asked, changing gears quickly.
"This, Chloebear is Miss Bella. She's a friend of Daddy's. Bella, this is my daughter, Chloe."
Bella smiled widely at my baby girl.
"Like Mommy's friend, Felix?"
I frowned. I could only imagine how she characterized that relationship.
"Not exactly, baby. But I'm sure that you'll see a lot of her. She's going to be at Uncle Em's wedding, and Mom-mom and Pop-Pop are friends with Bella's mama and daddy."
"Miss Bella, will you be my friend too?" Chloe asked quietly.
"I'd love to, Chloe," Bella giggled.
Bella's giggle was amazing, such an innocent carefree sound that reminded me so much of Chloe herself. It was a sound that I relished and wouldn't mind hearing more of.
"Will you come with me and Daddy to get some hot dogs?"
Bella looked up at me questioningly and I nodded.
"Sure, sweetie. That sounds really good."
Chloe hopped off the swing and ran ahead of us to where my mom had set up all the food. Bella and I walked together toward the buffet.
"I'm sorry, Edward. I didn't mean to put you on the spot, I just didn't want to overstep any boundaries."
"No, Bella it's fine. Chloe is a lot like me, she's quiet and shy and it's not easy for her to make friends and trust people. I'm sure you've seen her running around the yard but she knows and is comfortable with everyone here, probably with the exception of you and your parents."
"That's a good thing, Edward. While I don't think kids should live in fear, they shouldn't just trust people because they're an adult. It's good that she has good instincts."
After we'd had our fill of BBQ and all the salads and goodies my mom had made, we resumed our soccer match from earlier, only this time it was Emmett, Rosalie and Katie against me, Bella and Chloe.
"Daddy! I wanna be goalie!" Chloe yelled.
Thankfully, Katie begged Emmett to be their goalie. Emmett tended to be a little rougher when the adults joined in to play.
"That's fine, baby. Just don't let them score, okay?"
"I won't, Daddy. I promise."
As it turned out, Bella was a pretty good soccer player and she was able to maneuver around Emmett to score a couple goals. Chloe cheered as even Rose high-fived Bella.
"Traitor!" Emmett hollered.
"Get over it Em!" Bella snipped. "You're just jealous because someone scored and it wasn't you."
I couldn't help the laugh that escaped me. There weren't too many people who would go head to head with Emmett. Rosalie would of course, but Em was a softie where she was concerned and he'd go easy on her more often than not. I wasn't sure that he'd afford Bella the same courtesy.
Em went to open his mouth and I just glared at him.
"I know what you're thinking, Em and don't even bother. That shit's not funny."
"Eddie …"
"Em, damnit it's not funny, okay?"
By then the sun had begun to set and it wouldn't be long before the fireworks would start over the sound. Chloe and Katie both wanted us to get out the sparklers so I handed some to each of the girls and sent them over to their pop-pop's. I grabbed a couple blankets and helped my mom and aunt with their chairs as we took them down to the bank of the sound. Once I'd spread out the blankets, I plopped down and thought about the conversation that Bella and I had earlier. I heard a soft voice beside me.
"Mind if I sit down?" Bella asked.
"Sure. I was just thinking about you, actually."
"Is that a good or bad thing?"
I chuckled.
"I was just thinking about our conversation earlier."
"Edward … I just wanted to say that I'm sorry for what I said to Emmett earlier. I just didn't think about it and how he could reply to it."
"Bella … it's fine. I don't want you to feel like you have to walk on eggshells around me thinking that every little thing is going to get under my skin. If the girls weren't there, I wouldn't have stopped Emmett. Chloe's just too inquisitive. Em tends to forget about that and lets his lack of verbal filter run away with him."
"She's beautiful, Edward and so very smart, especially for a five year old."
"Thank you. I'd like to take credit for that, but I can't. She's got my hair, eyes, quiet demeanor, and a little bit of my brains, but the rest is all Irina."
"Oh, Edward. I think there's a little bit more of you in her than you think." Bella smiled.
Eventually, Chloe came over and sat down between us, taking our hands in hers and grinning the entire time.
A/N: So I gave you guys a reprieve from Irina, but she'll be back! I just love quality time with Daddyward don't you? I think I just love guys who dote over their kids ... period hehe. As always, I'd love to hear what you think so leave me a review! =)