Hey guys! I'm so excited that you guys are so excited about this story! I didn't know that a tattooed daddyward was something that was really needed ;). This one is definitely addicting to write, which is good for you, because you will have plenty of updates coming!

Huge thanks to Paige and Sherry who have helped me out a ton with this story! You girls are incredible!

"When I left my home and my family

I was no more than a boy

In the company of strangers

In the quiet of the railway station

Running scared

Laying low, seeking out the poorer quarters

Where the ragged people go

Looking for the places only they would know"

-Simon & Garfunkel-

EPOV:

I feel different when I talk to Bella. She doesn't make me feel inferior. Of course, she doesn't know anything about my past and sees me as I am now. I couldn't stomach the thought of her seeing me last year. This sweet and innocent girl doesn't need to see me for what I am…or what I once was.

We talk about neutral things, and although she knows that I have recently moved here, and Charlie is not mine, she doesn't ask me about my past. I'm thankful for that. It is as if she knows somehow. I'm thankful for her, and happy that I have someone else to talk to in this town. Especially one as beautiful as Bella, I can imagine talking to her for hours, pretending what we have together is more.

After an hour of talking, Bella finally realizes she is still in her robe and laughs, commenting on how easy it is to get lost in conversation. I want to say that it is not always so easy, especially for me, but instead, I merely smile at her and tell her she is always welcomed over.

She hesitates before leaving, turning back to meet me with a small smile, "Would you and Charlie like to come over for dinner?"

I grin at the thought of a home cooked meal. How long has it been since I've had something other than a microwavable dinner? "I would really like that Bella," I say, enjoying the way her name sounds coming from my mouth.

"Is five o'clock too early?" she asks me with a pretty blush.

I shake my head and find myself flushing as well. I've never felt this way around a woman before. Of course, I've never met a woman who was anything like this one. As I shut the door behind her after she heads across the hall to her apartment, I look back with distaste on the women I have associated with over the years.

Most of my "relationships" were born out of loneliness, as terrible as that was. There were times where I felt lost and vulnerable, and I found comfort in women, who now, I can't even remember. Looking back on it, I can't help but feel incredibly ashamed. With the past I have, I'm lucky to even be friends with someone like Bella. That's why I can't do anything to mess that friendship up.

Charlie is growing restless in his crib, and I'm happy that he was able to sleep for a short hour since he barely got any sleep last night. "Hey Charlie," I smile at him, picking him up from his crib, "You sleep well buddy?"

Charlie begins to cry, and I run to grab the tube of Baby Orajel and use it just like Bella had taught me earlier. "I'm sorry buddy," I say, finding it hard to see him in pain.

I would do anything to take the pain from him and bear it on my own. But, I know all I can do is give him comfort. I rock him in my arms and try to soothe him. Tears stream down his face and he kicks his legs, becoming fussy in my arms. I give him my finger to grasp onto, and sit down on the rocking chair that sits in his room, with a sigh. The rocking helps calm him, and I meditate on what sort of things usually soothes a crying baby.

I remember mom singing to me. Well, I don't actually remember it from when I was a baby of course, but I do remember seeing an old video of it. If I hadn't seen the video, I wouldn't be able to believe it actually happened. Especially now, with her cold treatment of me it is hard to believe she used to hold me.

I begin to sing an old song I used to love, and it immediately grabs Charlie's attention. My voice is low and soothing to his ears and his tears stop falling as my song continues. I finish my song, and he smiles at me, urging me to begin a new one. I think of another old favorite and immediately begin singing.

"April come she will. When streams are ripe and swelled with rain; May, she will stay, resting in my arms again.

June, she'll change her tune, in restless walks she'll prowl the night; July, she will fly and give no warning to her flight.

August, die she must, the autumn winds blow chilly and cold; September I'll remember. A love once new has now grown old."

Charlie is crying again, but it is not because he is in pain. He is giving me a large, toothless, grin. "Did you like that song buddy?" I ask him, and he smiles even wider.

Now that Charlie is more agreeable, I give him a bath in the sink. I'm always careful, more than I probably need to be, because I am always paranoid that something might happen to him. I sing to him throughout his bath, which causes him to remain calm throughout. Charlie loves the water though, always giggling and splashing about when I bathe him.

"We have to get you nice and clean to see Bella later."

When I'm finished with his bath, I put him in his nicest onesie, wanting him to look good for dinner tonight. I put him in his baby gym, and take the quickest shower I can possibly manage. With a baby now, I think the longest shower I have had has been two minutes. As I get myself ready, I constantly check up on him, unable to leave him alone for long.

As I look through my clothes for something to wear, I'm embarrassed, realizing that I don't really have anything nice. The nicest thing I can find is a black button up long sleeve shirt with a hole in the armpit. I settle on a clean black t-shirt and a pair of jeans, making a mental note that I should eventually buy one or two nice things for myself. But every time I get a paycheck, I spend whatever little money I have left over on Charlie.

It doesn't feel right buying stuff for me, when I could be buying stuff for Charlie. What's a new pair of shoes for me, when a new toy could put such an amazing smile on Charlie's face? Walking back into my small living room, I find Charlie bouncing away in his baby gym. It's nice to see him happy; it calms my nerves about tonight.

I know that dinner tonight is not a date, but my nerves are still running wild. I don't want to mess anything up with this girl. Whether she is going to be mine or not, I still want to make a good first impression.

A/N: It's good that Bella seems willing to pursue Edward, since he doesn't have a ton of confidence right now. Also, the song he sings is one of my favorites! It's "April Come She Will" by Simon & Garfunkel, I had to add it because it's beautiful and one of my favorites. If you haven't heard it, look it up!

Song-"The Boxer" by Simon & Garfunkel