Chapter Sixty-Nine: Edward
November 18, 2025
Seattle, Washington
"Come on, Duckling, we're running late," I say, picking her up to buckle her into her car seat.
"No, Daddy," she pleads. "I go wif you."
She gives me that sweet, pleading look Bella is so good at, and I feel myself starting to crack.
"Baby, I have to go to work."
"Peas!" she cries.
I glance at my watch. I have less than an hour to get Birdy to school and then get myself to the university. With traffic and the amount of time it takes to drop off Birdy, I don't think I'll make it on time.
I look at my daughter, who is absolutely melting me with the power of her pout.
"Okay," I say slowly. "You can come to work with me."
She cheers as I finish buckling her in. I don't know how this will go. I'd drop her off with Charlie, but he's back in Forks for the week with Sue for some sort of family thing with Sue's kids.
I climb in behind the wheel, starting the car. I turn on a disco playlist, and to my delight, Birdy starts dancing in her car seat.
Like father, like daughter.
I pull away from our house, heading toward campus. Thankfully, I have Birdy's lunch and blankie in her backpack, so she should be mostly content at work with me.
We get to campus quickly, and I park in my reserved spot. I climb out, helping Birdy out of her car seat. I make sure I have her backpack as well as mine before I head in toward campus.
A lot of people double-take when they see Birdy in my arms, but I don't slow down to explain to anyone. We have just enough time to get to my office and grab my lecture notes before we head to the first class of the morning.
I get to the room before anyone else, and I set Birdy up at my desk.
"Do you want to color?" I ask her.
"No, daddy!"
I set paper and crayons out anyway, just in case. She dives into her backpack, pulling out her duck stuffie and holding it to her chest. I nod, happy she's content, and turn my attention to setting up my presentation.
I teach a few classes, both upper and lower division. This morning is European History and it primarily consists of freshmen.
The room starts filling up, and for the most part, Birdy doesn't make a sound. She's quietly content behind my desk.
In fact, it isn't until the class is nearly full, that she makes her presence known.
"Daddy! Juice!"
I see a multitude of heads whip to the front of the class as Birdy pops up. The students break out into whispers as I get Birdy's cup out of her backpack. I set her up and turn to my class, clearing my throat. "Well class, we have a special guest lecturer here today," I say chucking. A few of the kids laugh with me. "This is Birdy Roe, my daughter. Birdy, do you want to say hi?"
She pops up again, turning to the room. She eyes everyone as she sucks down her juice. Finally, she stops drinking and lifts a small hand.
"Hi," she says, waving to everyone.
The class as a collective melts under her powers of cuteness. I chuckle and get her set up again behind my desk.
"All right, let's get into it."
Birdy does surprisingly well through most of my lectures. She's pretty self-entertained, and during one lecture she stays completely silent as she sleeps behind my desk.
All in all, Birdy has an amazing time, and I'm beyond impressed.
We get home before Bella, and while I start dinner, Birdy goes to play in the living room.
"Hey, I'm home!"
I look up at Bella as she comes into the kitchen.
"Hey," I say, kissing her as she passes me. "How was work?"
She nods. "It was good," she says heading into the living room. She scoops up Birdy, smothering her in kisses. Birdy shrieks in laughter before wiggling out of Bella's arms and returning to her toys.
"Birdy came to work with me," I tell Bella. She turns to look at me in surprise.
"Really? How did it go?"
I nod. "It was great. She was totally chill."
Bella smirks, coming over to wrap her arms around me.
"And how many ovaries did you decimate in class?"
I frown. "What are you talking about?"
Bella snickers, squeezing my ass. "You and Birdy are a potent combination. It's a miracle I'm not knocked up again just watching you two."
I let out a surprised laugh and Bella grins.
"I don't care what the students thought," I say, shaking my head. "It was nice to have Birdy there, and she did amazingly."
Bella nods, kissing my shoulder.
"I'm glad to hear it."
