Chapter 8

Edward's POV;

"You're a gorgeous little boy you know. You really are. And you're so playful and adorable. Look at that little smile. I love it and look it's for me. Am I making you smile Ollie? That's what Evie calls you, Ollie. I think it suits you." Oliver gurgled at me and I nodded at him. "I'm glad you agree. I'm going to start calling you Ollie too."

I brought Oliver up to my shoulder and whispered to him. "Little Ollie." I inhaled the scent that all babies seemed to have and closed my eyes, rocking with him a little. He was heavier than Evie had been but still small, delicate and he looked so much like Bella. His eyes were exactly the same shade of chocolate brown and his little nose and lips were the same shape. His hair was a few shades darker than hers but his soft curls probably came from her.

I looked over at Bella who was talking quietly with Evie and my heart ached a little. Evie looked so happy curled in Bella's lap. Bella was almost cradling her, her arm supporting Evie's head which was tilted back as she spoke animatedly about her favourite Disney films and why. Bella would agree and interject her own opinions and Evie would nod enthusiastically.

I moved Ollie from my shoulder to the cradle of my arms so that I could look at his little face. His eyes were wide open and flying around the room trying to take it all in. When they rested on me he smiled widely and brought his little hands together while kicking his feet. I chuckled and tickled his belly which earned me more smiles and laughter. I had to laugh with him, his cute little chuckle was so infectious.

"Are you laughing at me little man? Is that funny?" I lifted him and blew a raspberry on his cheek before freezing and looking over to Bella. Shit, maybe she didn't want me touching her baby like that. I met her eyes and didn't see disgust or anger, she was watching my exchange with Ollie with longing. I warmed at her gaze and looked away before I did something stupid. Like lean over and kiss her.

I really wanted to kiss her.

In fact if I wasn't holding her son and she wasn't holding my daughter I would have kissed her by now.

I had already decided that I couldn't be with Bella because my daughter was smitten with her, there was no point in torturing myself. We both deserved more than what I was willing to offer and we were building relationships with each other and our children. It wasn't fair to start something unless it was serious and I was way too chicken shit to start anything serious.

I lifted Ollie above my head and leaned back into the sofa, making 'whoosh' sounds as I gently moved him around. He gurgled and smiled at me and my heart melted. I allowed myself to imagine for a moment that I was capable of being with someone. In mind's eye I could see it. The four of us together and happy, living in this cottage. Oliver calling me Daddy and Evie calling Bella Mummy.

No.

There was no point in thinking about things that couldn't happen. I wouldn't torture myself with an impossible happy ending with Bella because I couldn't be the man she deserved. I couldn't trust her. I would just enjoy these moments now, holding Oliver and fantasising about being a family with Bella in my head.

Ollie started drifting off in my arms and I couldn't help but watch as his eyes fluttered closed and his thumb entered his mouth. His other fist wrapped around the forefinger of my right hand and I wished I could read his mind and watch his dreams. I looked up at the clock and realised it was almost 6 and I hadn't fed Evie or Bella yet. I was about to order pizza when I caught a movement from the corner of my eye.

Bella and Evie were both asleep with Bella's arms curled protectively around Evie and Evie snuggled into Bella's chest. Bella had her legs crossed on the sofa with Evie sat on them and they were both leaning into the other arm of the sofa. The movement I had seen was Bella tightening her hold on Evie. I had been so engrossed in Oliver that I hadn't realised them go quiet. I smiled at the pair and moved slightly to pull the blanket from the back of the sofa over us.

I switched Oliver from my left arm to my right and rested it on the arm of the sofa next to me before leaning back and snuggling into the warmth of the blanket. Oliver wriggled a little in my arms before snuggling into my chest and falling back into a deep sleep. I rested my head against the back of the sofa and sighed in contentment and frustration.

I was trying so hard to avoid developing romantic feelings for Bella when we were literally having a family night in. The only thing missing were the rings on our fingers. I was content because I felt immensely relaxed and happy and frustrated because I was so content. What the hell happened to putting Evie first?

But that was the thing, I tried to ignored it but I was putting Evie's needs first. As much as her Nana helped with filling to role of mother to her it wasn't her job and Evie was starting to realise that other children had two parents and she only had one. Hell her own father had two parents and she only had one. My kid was a perceptive one. And then Bella and Ollie had come along and started slowly filling the empty space in both Evie and my life. The space I had known Evie had but was only just realising that I had too.

It was an indescribable feeling. It was a mixture of being terrified and elated. Spending time with Ollie and Bella was making me feel the way I did three years ago, when Tanya was pregnant with Evie and I wanted to commit to a woman. The thought of having Bella for one night was sickening to me. I wanted to try with her because with Bella to positives outweighed the bad. Yeah there was a risk that she'd leave and break my heart if I began a romantic relationship with her. But if she didn't leave, if she stayed with me I'd be able to watch Oliver grow up, maybe he'd even call me Daddy. And Evie would grow up in a secure family unit and maybe call Bella Mummy. We could even have a child or two together, with my green eyes and her brown curls.

Shit, I had to snap out of this. Torturing myself wasn't helping anyone.

I leaned back and moved Oliver so that he was lying on my chest before wrapping an arm around him. The rhythmic movement of his chest against mine calmed me and I matched my breathing to his, letting my mind drift.

I woke with a start at the feeling of Oliver stretching his little body on top of mine and sat up quickly, keeping my hand on Oliver's back so that he didn't fall when I moved. He yawned and opened his little eyes before regarding me curiously and smiling. I smiled back and looked over at Bella and Evie. They had moved in the time that I had been asleep. Bella was lay along the sofa with her back against the back against it. Evie was lay facing Bella's chest and Bella had wrapped her arms around Evie. I smiled and checked the time.

Shit. It was already half past seven, freezing and pitch black outside. I needed to wake Bella so that I could get her and Oliver home safely. I cradled Oliver with my right arm and gently shook Bella with my left. She groaned and clutched Evie closer before opening one eye and looking over at me. Her gaze softened and she smiled sleepily at me.

"You look so sweet holding my baby like that." She told me sleepily before closing her eyes again. "I wish Jacob could have cared" She muttered so quietly beneath her breath that I barely caught it. I tucked the piece of information away for me to analyse microscopically later before shaking her again gently.

"Bella it's after 7. We all fell asleep, I'm sorry." She bolted up and brought Evie with her, accidentally causing Evie to stir. She looked guilty down at Evie before rocking her gently and humming a song to her. Evie drifted back off to sleep in Bella's arms and I couldn't help the pounding of my heart at the smile that graced Bella's beautiful face as she looked down at my sleeping daughter.

"I'll carry her to her crib if you want? And then Oliver and I will get out of your hair." She chuckled awkwardly and refused to meet my gaze. I groaned inwardly and sighed. She thought I wanted to get rid of her? It's not that I didn't want her to stay but it was all so much so quickly.

"Bella, it's not that I want you to go, in fact I would love for you to stay. It's dark, cold and dangerous outside. I'll make up the spare bedroom for you, come upstairs with me and I can show you Evie's room so you can put her to bed." I smiled and started making my way upstairs holding a gurgling Oliver.

Oh shit what the hell had I gotten myself into. I knew as I was offering my spare bedroom that this would be a bad idea but I couldn't help myself. The thought of Bella and Oliver having breakfast with Evie and I was just too great to pass on.

Bella walked into the spare bedroom where I was sat on the freshly made double bed with Oliver lying next to me. I looked up from Oliver and smiled at her with my hand resting on his belly to keep him on the bed. She looked worried and I raised my eyebrow.

"What's wrong Bella?" She blushed and looked down.

"I have nothing to sleep in. Could I borrow a T-shirt?" I nodded and pretended that I wasn't imagining Bella in one of my shirts and nothing else.

"Sure, I'll go get you one. I'll get you Evie's old bassinet as well." I moved Oliver into the centre of the bed before standing up and walking past her, inhaling her scent as I passed.

I breathed a sigh of relief when I entered my room and put some space between me and her.

What the hell had I gotten myself into?

So yeah. That happened. Don't hate me.

Oh and a quick shout out to pinklady34 who has followed and supported this story and my others, always giving me advice and praise through reviews and pms. Thanks boo!