Chapter 10

I don't own Twilight. Unfortunately.

Edward's POV;

I was tossing and turning for an hour after I left Bella before I gave up on sleeping. I groaned and sat up in my bed, rubbing a hand along my face before stretching my arms above my head and easing the muscles in my back. I rolled my neck and slipped out of bed before quietly padding down the hall to check on my baby girl.

She was lying on her back with her blonde hair in tangles around her head and her thumb in her mouth. Her blankets had been kicked to the bottom of her cot and her head was at an odd angle that would probably give her a few issues in the morning. I gently moved Evie's head into a more comfortable position and eased her thumb out of her mouth before pulling her blankets up and covering her body. I stood by the cot for a few minutes, watching my baby sleep while stroking her soft cheek.

My little girl was growing up so fast. It felt like it was only yesterday that I was handed a squirming little pink bundle with big blue eyes. She was tiny, so small that my hand could encompass her head and back. She was a fussy baby too, she wouldn't let anyone but me and my family touch her for the first few months of her life and she still hides behind my legs when we meet anyone new. The only exception to the rule was Bella. I was amazed that Evie was completely at ease with her. She rejected treats and ignored compliments from other women but all Bella had to do was be herself and Evie was smitten.

I never let any of the women I dated meet Evie but women that come on to me in the street or in restaurants always try and interact with her and she always shoots them down. It's amusing to watch grown women trying hard to win the affections of my little one but she's hard to please and no one has ever made the cut in her eyes. Some of them are persistent though and I have to go all defensive papa bear on their asses. I mean really, if I toddler pulls their hand away from your grip and hides behind her Dads legs it's a clear sign to back off.

With one last brush of Evie's hair I kissed her forehead and left the room. I turned towards the stairs and closed my eyes, my head fighting the sudden flood of need within my traitorous body to check on Oliver and Bella. I glanced at the stairs before sighing and heading towards the spare room. I ducked my head in, almost expired at the sight of Bella and tore my gaze off her before I did something I would regret. I closed my eyes for a few seconds before opening them and searching for Oliver's small form in the dim light.

He was still sleeping, though his soft blue blanket was bunched in the bottom right corner of the bassinet. I crept over quietly and pulled the blanket over his little body before leaning back and watching him for a few moments. He was lying on his back with his little arms and legs bent and slightly curled towards him and head turned in my direction. I watched mesmerised as his little hand came up and his thumb went into his mouth. I chuckled at him and rubbed his belly a little, imagining what it would feel like if Oliver was here constantly. I allowed myself a few wistful seconds of daydreaming about what it would be like to see Bella and Oliver every day before banishing the thoughts from my mind. I ignored my longing and successfully fought the urge to place a soft kiss on Olivers head before taking a deep breath and looking back to his mother. I knew that what I would see would torture me but I couldn't help myself.

I had to see her again.

Bella was lying on her side, facing me. Her expression was serene, peaceful and there was even a hint of a smile on her full lips. The blankets were pushed down to her hips and she had stuck one leg out of the blankets and rolled, resulting in one of her sexy legs resting on top of them. She was slightly curled in on herself and her movements in the night had caused the t-shirt that she was wearing - my t-shirt I thought wistfully - to ride up to just above her hip and I could see her cotton covered ass and the entirety of the smooth, pale skin that covered her left leg; her wide hip, creamy thigh and shapely calf.

I sucked in a breath as I allowed my eyes to roam along her body. The cool air that she had exposed herself to had hardened her nipples that I could see clearly through the grey fabric of my t-shirt due to how tightly it was stretched over her body, the excess material trapped between her and the bed. I closed my eyes as I felt myself harden and took a deep calming breath. I had to get out of this room, put some distance between Bella and I.

Right now.

I slowly backed out of the room after giving Oliver another quick glance over and darted down the stairs. I dropped heavily onto the sofa and sighed wearily before fishing my phone off the coffee table and dialling Felix's number.

"Hello?" I bit back a chuckle at the grogginess of his voice.

"Hey Felix, its Edward. I need a background check on an Isabella Swan. ASAP."

"What? Why?"

"Just help me out? I'll explain later." I sighed. I needed to know about Olivers Dad and the background check would at least give me a full name.

"Okay, sure bro. I'll have it for you in the next couple of days alright?"

"Thanks man."

"Sure."

I hung up and slouched back in my seat, supressing my guilt at invading her privacy before finishing up a few reports to keep my mind off Bella. I finished up and stretched out along the length of the creamy leather sofa, thinking about the way Bella's eyes glassed over when I leaned in to kiss her. I closed my eyes and tried to relax, falling into a restful sleep.

I was shocked awake what felt like seconds later by a piercing wail my groggy mind identified as Olivers. I leapt into action immediately, rolling off the sofa and landing painfully on the floor before hastily getting to my feet and sprinting for the stairs. I rushed up the steps, taking them two at a time before clicking on the hall light, bursting through the mostly closed spare room door and bounding into the room. In hindsight I don't even know what I expected to find, I just panicked.

Bella let out a little startled scream from the bed where she was slowly waking up and looked up at me with her hand on her chest over her pounding heart. I smiled apologetically and she smiled back once she got over her fright. I stood awkwardly in the doorway, trying to figure out why Oliver's screaming had terrified me in the way it had. I looked unseeingly at Oliver and absentmindedly reached into the bassinet so I could place my hand on his belly to comfort him while I sorted through my thoughts. He quietened almost instantly, taking comfort from me as I took comfort in the fact that he was okay.

My right side was brushed with a warmth that startled me out of my musings and I looked up to see Bella stood next to me, her hair tousled and her face flushed from sleep. When she reached passed me and into the bassinet for Oliver it caused her breast to brush up against my arm. I closed my eyes and breathed deeply, trying to ignore how great her cotton covered nipple felt against the muscle of my arm. I opened my eyes a few minutes later, when Bella had moves and I had my breathing under control. I immediately sought Bella out.

She was sat cross-legged in the middle of the bed with a blanket around her hips, cradling Oliver to her chest as she hummed to him and traced her finger along his nose and around his mouth. I watched as she laid him gently on the bed before kneeling over him and unsnapping his vest. I grabbed the baby bag for her and took out the wipes, a new nappy and a scented bag, focusing on trying to see inside the bag for what Bella would need instead of looking at her sinfully decadent body. I placed the items on the bed and she whispered a thank you before I excused myself from the room.

I climbed into bed, relishing the cool sheets and noted that I only had about 3 hours until Evie would be up. I sighed and settled myself down, allowing my body to sink into the mattress as I dreamed about chocolate eyes and long luscious legs.

A few hours later, I woke to the sound of loud girlish giggling from Evie's bedroom and quickly got up to investigate. I stretched my arms above my head as I walked, savouring the relief of eased muscles as I smiled at the sound of Evie and Bella's laughter. I slowly pushed the door open to Evie's bedroom, my smile widening at the sight.

Bella was dressed –I was incredibly disappointed when I realised her legs were covered- in her jeans from yesterday and my t-shirt from last night. She was sat in the glider with Evie perched on one knee and Oliver resting on the other. One of her arms cradled a nursing Oliver while her other was wrapped around my pyjama clad daughter. Oliver had one hand clutched in his mother's bunched t-shirt with his other arm wrapped around his blanket. I looked away quickly, remembering Bella brushing against me a few hours ago and instead focused on my baby girl. Evie was squealing in delight as Bella blew raspberries on her cheek and neither of them had noticed that I had entered the room. I cleared my throat and they both looked up in alarm before their faces broke out into twin smiles.

"Daddy!" Evie squirmed to get down and Bella sat up so that she could lower Evie to the floor while continuing to nurse Oliver. She ran over to me and jumped into my open arms so that I could snuggle her to my chest.

"Morning Princess" I whispered to her, kissing her cheek and hugging her as close as I could without suffocating her.

I averted my eyes while Bella detached Oliver from her nipple and burped him, throwing Evie in the air a few times instead and blowing raspberries on her cheeks. Bella stood with Oliver cradled against her chest and made her way over to Evie and me.

"Daddy?"

"Yes baby?" She arched her eyebrow at me and I had to stifle a laugh at how much she looked like my Mum. She was spending way too much time at Nana Esme's house.

"Are we still going to the zoo today?" My eyes widened and I looked over her head to make eye contact with Bella. I got lost in the chocolate depths of her eyes before I arched my eyebrow in silent question. She looked down at her rumpled clothes from yesterday before shrugging to herself and nodding at me.

"I think so baby girl." She squealed and hugged me tight around my neck before reaching out to Bella and trapping her in a one armed hug.

"Who wants pancakes?" I smiled at the chorus of "I do" and lead the way downstairs into the kitchen.

As we all sat around the table I felt a weird pang. To an onlooker I could be a man enjoying breakfast with his wife and children. I shook my head as if I could dislodge the thought from my mind but it stayed there, as pesky as a weed, growing in the depths of my head. God I was glad that Bella couldn't read my mind.

I was sat across from Bella who had slung Oliver against her chest using his blanket. Evie was sat in between us in her highchair eating her pancakes with enthusiasm and covering herself in syrup. I had no idea how the girl did it, I barely gave her any of the sticky stuff!

"Edward?" I looked towards Bella, noticing how she was fidgeting a little and not making eye contact. My eyebrows furrowed but otherwise my confusion remained secret.

"Yes Bella?" She peaked up at me through her eyelashes before looking down quickly. What the hell?

"What time do we need to go to the zoo? Because I need to get both Oliver and me showered and changed before we go." She blushed a little and looked up at me, waiting for a response.

"I was thinking of setting off at 12 so you have plenty of time to go home Bella. Don't worry, we won't leave without you guys." I said the last sentence with a smile, almost laughing at the absurdity but caught Bella's sigh of relief and frowned a little.

What the hell was that?

Bella and Oliver left 20 minutes later much to Evie's and surprisingly my chagrin. We agreed to meet at the park again at 11 and I set about getting things ready for the day. Evie and I stood side by side in front of the mirror brushing our teeth before I gave Evie a bath. I pulled her out and wrapped her in a hooded Disney princess towel before teasing the tangles out of her curls and attempting a French braid. I gave up on my fifth try, tied it up into a high ponytail and prayed that it would stay in although I knew I would be re-tying it all day. I quickly dressed her in a pair of jeans and a purple t-shirt, waiting patiently as she took almost 10 minutes to choose her socks.

My child was something else.

I put Evie in her cot with a few toys and books to occupy her while I showered and dressed for the day. I threw a black t-shirt on and a pair of jeans before trying to tame my copper hair. I rolled my eyes and gave up after a few minutes. I checked the time and noted that we had half an hour before we had to meet Bella and Oliver.

I lifted Evie out of her crib and tossed her in the air, laughing as she squealed and giggled.

"Want to go to the park a little early so you can play before we go to the zoo?"

"Yes please Daddy!"

I smiled at her enthusiasm and carried her downstairs. I had already packed a bag with a few snacks and some juice for her so I let her play for a bit after I got her boots and coat on while I got her pram out. Evie balked at the sight of it but I gave her my sternest look and she sat down and let me strap her in. I pulled on my own boots and jacket before we set off towards the park.

As soon as we reached it Evie was squirming in her pram, trying to get loose from her restraints so she could play on the swings. I pulled her from the pram and walked over to the swings with her, letting her play while looking out for Bella.

I spotted her five minutes later. Her hair was in a high ponytail and she was a little flushed from the cold. I waved at her and she waved back before making her way over.

"Hi guys! Oh Evie you look so cute." Evie reached up to Bella and she lifted her immediately, while I went to Oliver and rested my hand on his belly. I watched Bella give Evie a long cuddle before she looked over at me.

"Hi Edward." My breath hitched at her smile that I instantaneously returned.

"Hi. We're getting the train to the zoo if that's okay with you. I hate driving over, there's never any parking spaces." She nodded and handed Evie over to me so I could strap her into her pram before we started walking to the nearest train station.

"What's your favourite animal Evie?" I chuckled as I watched my daughter ponder the question. She didn't answer till we got to the station 10 minutes later.

"A lion!" She said before roaring much to the delight of Oliver who started giggling. We all joined in as we waited for the train. When it pulled into the platform we managed to get a good place with space for both prams. We didn't bother getting the kids out of their prams because of the hassle of putting them both back when we got to the zoo and instead tried to keep Evie occupied and Oliver gurgling. Evie chattered about lions for the 20 minute journey to the zoo, before asking me if we'd see Simba there. Bella just watched her bemusedly.

We got off the train and walked the 5 minutes to the zoo in comfortable silence. Evie let out a squeal when the zoo came into view and I smiled at the delight on her face.

"Okay Evie, remember the rules. I'll let you out of the pram but you have to stay with us. If you want to go somewhere you ask first."

"Okay Daddy." I almost laughed at how solemn she looked before I unclipped her harness in the pram. She immediately stood between Bella and me, holding my hand and wrapping the fingers of her other hand around the handle of Oliver's pram.

"Lunch first though Daddy. My tummy wants chicken nuggets please." I chuckled at her as we walked to the food court and found a table. I went off to get burgers for Bella and me and chicken nuggets for Evie.

I walked back a few minutes later, weighed down by food. Evie was sat on Bella's knee as she French braided Evie's hair perfectly. Evie turned and hugged Bella who wrapped her arms around her and rubbed her back a little. When Bella's eyes raised mine connected with hers and I mouthed my thanks to her.

After lunch I steered everyone toward the gift shop and told Evie she could choose one teddy. She squealed and dragged Bella with her, leaving me with Oliver and two prams.

"Well little man, it's just you and me huh?" He gurgled in response, flashing me his gummy smile and kicking his legs. "Which teddy should we get for you little man? A lion? A polar bear? A penguin? A wolf?"

I pushed both prams with great effort and made it to the teddies without knocking something or someone over. I could see Evie warring over a plush elephant and a hippo with Bella crouching next to her. I picked out a fluffy polar bear for Oliver and called out to Bella.

"Have you two finished yet?" They nodded and Evie put the hippo down and cuddled the elephant to her chest.

I paid for the teddies, ignoring Bella's protests. Evie was handed her elephant and I tucked the bear next to Oliver in his pram. He immediately sucked an ear into his mouth.

"Okay, shall we go see the animals now Evie?" She nodded eagerly. Bella started pushing Evie's pram with Evie walking next to her, one hand in Bella's and the other clutching her elephant.

As I walked through the enclosures, listening as Evie named each animal we passed and asked Bella questions about them, I felt content. Evie predictably started to get tired and climbed into her pram willingly. She dropped off as soon as her little butt was in the seat, her arm wrapped tightly around her elephant. Bella strapped her in and we slowly made our way back to the train station. Oliver started fussing so I soothed him with a hand on his stomach while we walked, speaking to him softly.

When we climbed on the train I found us seats and lifted Oliver out of his pram as Bella pulled a bottle out of the baby bag.

"May I?" I reached for the bottle which Bella gave me after a few seconds of hesitation. I uncapped it and carefully offered it to Oliver who greedily latched onto the nipple. As he drank his eyes fluttered closed and I rocked him slowly. I looked up and saw Bella watching me. Our eyes met and there was an emotion in the chocolate depths that I couldn't identify.

I capped the bottle, burped Oliver and gently placed him back into his pram just before the train pulled into our station. We walked back to the park together before I took Evies pram and Bella took Olivers. We looked at each other for a few seconds before I gave into my desire to hold her and pulled her into a gentle hug, almost sighing in relief when she hugged me back. We parted and smiled before she began walking in the opposite direction to my house. I turned and walked towards the cottage, thinking about my last 24 hours.

As I relaxed on the sofa after I had carried Evie to her crib I reached for my phone and smiled happily when I saw a text alert from Bella.

I couldn't wait to see her again.

There will probably be a time jump after this chapter. In the next few chapters it's going to be Evie's birthday too! I made this one extra-long for you guys to show my appreciation for your patience. But now that my exams are over you can expect way more regular updates! Read, review and enjoy! xx