A/N Happy National Rum Day! It's also National Bratwurst & National Roller Coaster Day. I wouldn't recommend combining all three of those at the same time, though. Could get messy :) Oh, and it's True Love Forever Day. Only fitting when we're dealing E&B, isn't it? That's one I hope we all celebrate (though I haven't met mine, yet).

It's the last couple of days for Meet the Mate entries! And we have 60 of them posted so far! So many good ones! How I'm supposed to pick just one fave is beyond me, when I have about ten or so. And even more that I want more from. It's also nearing time for the Fandom4LLC compilation! Support a great cause and get another look at Danny through Reed Girl's eyes at the same time! Win/win, right?

I have a couple true cat stories for you from this week. First, on Wednesday, I went down in the morning to feed the cats and such and noticed that the cat pooper scooper was inside the litter box. Think they were giving me a hint? Yeah. I know it was Logan. He's quite particular about the cleanliness of his box, but he's never been a smart ass about it until now. Then, on Friday, I took Lily and Logan to the vet for their annual shots and check-up. Dixon freaks out whenever any of them have been to the vet, to the point of hissing and spitting and being a general pain in the ass. I bring L&L back home and he catches the scent, but rather than carry on against his big bro and sis, both of whom will smack him around when they're irritated, he turns on poor Punkin, who was nowhere near the vet! Saturday morning she was crying and carrying on, clearly wanting me to follow her, so I did, downstairs to the sliding glass door. She wanted to run away because her favorite cat was being a bully dickhead! But I'm happy to say that things are back to normal now. Dixon's being sweet again and they're loving on each other as usual. Crazy little animals. hehe.

Football is back, and my Bucs are...not. haha Didn't look overly pretty last night, but I shan't let that diminish my excitement for the upcoming season. If they suck, as usual, I still have fantasy football. hehe Bright side every way you look! Newest team name: Watt's Luck Gotta Do W It? I'm quite fond of that one!

It looks like chapter 52 will be the epi/last chapter! I've written 51 now, which is sort of an epi as well. You're getting two, so there you go. haha Start thinking of any outtakes you'd like to see. If I can get to them, I will. In the meantime, how about a little daddy/daughter photo time? I know we'd all love to be flies on the wall for that one! Enjoy and I'll see you next week! Have a great one!

Getting Blitzed Chapter 49

"Why can't we go with you?"

I looked at Jasper, not remotely surprised that he was depressed about not getting to go to Dani's and my photo shoot.

"Seriously? Why in the hell would you go?"

I wasn't sure why I asked. I knew the answer to that. ESPN the Magazine had offered to come to us-in fact, they wanted to show us in our natural environment or some bullshit like that, but my house was enough of a fucking madhouse right now without a camera crew and reporter adding to the insanity. Also, I didn't want my family watching while I posed with my daughter. That was just fucking weird. I was already never going to live it down with Emmett. He didn't need to actually be there to see it happening.

"Because it would be fun. And I'm an athlete, too."

Fun, my ass. "Yes, but you don't have a kid, unless there's something you haven't told all of us. In which case, rest in peace; because Shorty is gonna kill your ass."

He laughed. "Nope. I'm just an uncle to the cutest little girl ever."

I couldn't deny that. "She is. And you'll see her when you get back. You guys are hitting New York today anyway."

He made a face. "The girls want to shop."

No shit. "So, take Em, Dad, and Charlie and do something else. See the Yankees or some shit." I didn't care what they did, so long as they did it far away from me. I was actually almost looking forward to going to the shoot just to get some time to ourselves, such as it was.

They were leaving soon. I kept reminding myself of that. It wasn't that I didn't enjoy having them here. I did, mostly. I hadn't had to change Dani's diaper since Mom had forced me to endure the poopy diaper. That kind of rocked. Jasper fucking loved showing off his diapering skills, probably because it made Shorty sigh and wish for a baby of their own. Or maybe because he knew he was better at it than I was. Yes, I really fucking hated that. Reed Girl reminded me that I would get plenty of experience once they were gone and I'd be better than him in no time. I wasn't sure if that was a good thing or not. It was pretty fucking confusing.

"I guess. Hard to believe we're going back in two days."

"You'll be so damn busy you won't miss us." Okay, so that wasn't true. "Practice starts up soon."

He smirked. "I know. And it's not so far off for you either. Are you looking forward to it?"

Yet another confusing thing in my life. "Yes and no. I look forward to the season starting. We're going to kick some ass. But I hate the amount of time I'm going to have to spend away from Reed Girl and Dani."

He nodded. "Yeah, I figured you'd have issues with that. At least you'll only be separated for a few days at a time rather than weeks like last year."

That was true. But last year there wasn't a baby in the mix-well, not completely anyway. She was already growing and changing almost every day, it seemed like. Realistically I knew I couldn't be with her twenty-four-seven, but that didn't mean I didn't want to.

"I know. It's still gonna suck."

He laughed. "I figured. But you can look as away games as a time to get some sleep."

I had to laugh. That was true. Dani was up constantly. I knew she'd get on a schedule at some point-the book assured me this was the case-but it wasn't fast enough for my liking.

"I guess. And Bella will have Dottie to keep her company when I'm away. I'll still miss them, though."

Jasper smirked. "Man, have you changed since freshman year."

Yeah. Maybe. "You've changed, too."

He shook his head. "Just in that I don't smoke up, yeah. But I'm still the same dude I've always been. You're virtually unrecognizable. I mean that as a compliment, though."

"Thanks, I think." I glanced in my mirror and ran the comb through my hair again.

Jasper grinned. "But not entirely. You're still the same in some ways."

I knew damn well he was calling me vain. What the fuck ever. I looked good, clearly. So good that a national magazine wanted my daughter and me to grace their pages. They were lucky to have us, too.

"I have to look good. I'm getting my picture taken."

He chuckled. "Yeah, but I'm sure they'll mess with you once you get there. You don't need to primp yourself."

I smirked. Perfect setup. "They can't improve on perfection, Jasper."

"Uh-huh."

"Come on. I've got pictures to take."

We headed downstairs and found everyone, as usual, gathered around Dani. Mom had her, and they were all cooing over the fact that she was wearing her little jersey with my number on it. I had to admit, it was cute as hell.

Reed Girl put a tiny little blue bow in her hair. Yeah, my daughter was totally going to outshine me at this photo shoot, and I was absolutely okay with that.

"Edward! Isn't she adorable?" My mom just fucking beamed at Dani. "I can't get over it."

Everyone else in the room was snapping pictures, including Jasper, who rushed over to get in on the action.

"You've got your own paparazzi, kiddo."

I took her from my mom and held her up. Her big blue eyes focused in on me, and I swear she smiled. "You're cute as hell, Dani."

"Language!" Mom admonished. At least she didn't smack me since I was holding Dani. Hmm, yet another way to use her against my mom if she got mad at me. Total win.

"It's nothing but the truth, Esme." Dad nodded. "She's the cutest."

"See? Dad agrees."

"Would someone get this crazy cat off of me?"

We all turned to Charlie, who was leaning back as Rainbow reached for his face. She was going for the stache again. She'd done it several times since he'd gotten here, once she'd relaxed about the others being around Dani.

Reed Girl stood up and scooped up Rainbow. "You can't get it off his face, silly girl. It's attached."

"Next time I come visit, I'm going to have to shave," Charlie muttered, getting to his feet.

"Might be for the best," I told him, amused as hell that Rainbow would never give up her quest to get his moustache. She was nothing if not persistent.

"We should be heading out. Are you sure you don't want us to go with you?" Emmett grinned at me. Yeah, he was enjoying the hell out of this.

"No, we're all good." I had to grin down at my daughter. She did look fucking cute. She was going to steal everyone's heart when they saw the pictures. Nobody could make fun of me when they saw her.

"Are you ready to go become a star, Dani?" Reed Girl kissed her back of her head.

Dani let out a little gurgle. "I take that as a yes. Let's do this."

She was going to be a star. My star. And it seemed only appropriate that her first photo shoot, and hopefully last if I had any say about it, would help Danny's charity. She was standing up for her namesake. We were going to rock it.

Xoxoxoxox

"Can you believe this is the first time we've been alone in nearly three weeks?" I asked Reed Girl as I navigated our way into the city.

It was our first family outing since we'd brought Dani home. She was turning us into homebodies, along with all our visitors. Luckily, we loved being in our home. And seriously, the amount of shit we had to bring with us when we did take her out was insane. The diaper bag was stuffed-probably with too much stuff, but Reed Girl wanted to have all her cutest outfits with us for the shoot.

"I know." Reed Girl slipped her hand into mine. "I love having everyone around, but I'm ready for them to go."

"Just two more days, baby." Charlie was leaving along with the others. Only my parents would remain, and I knew they were going to have to head out soon. At least Dad was. Mom might just move in forever. I wouldn't be remotely surprised.

My wife smiled. "I don't mind. Yeah, it's a little crazy right now, but the help we've gotten has sure been nice. I doubt we'd be as well-rested as we are right now if we didn't have so many helpers." She smirked. "You'd probably have to get some make-up to cover the bags under your eyes before they take your picture."

Ha! As if I could ever look bad. "Please. There will be no make-up. Like I told Jasper, you can't improve on perfection."

Reed Girl snickered. "I'm glad your ego is still healthy, Champ. Being a father hasn't diminished it at all."

Of course not. "After you told me what seeing me holding Dani does to you, did you really think that it could?"

When I didn't get a response, I glanced over at my wife.

She licked her lips. "Three more weeks."

Fuck. She didn't have to tell me. We'd joked about me marking off the days with little X's, but in reality, I had a countdown going on in my head.

"I can't wait, baby."

"Me either."

Something in her tone had me looking at her again. "What does that mean?"

She shrugged. "Nothing. I can't wait to be with you again."

I believed her, but there was more there. "You sound weird. Nervous or something."

"I'm not nervous, per se, it's just…"

I raised an eyebrow at her.

"I mean, my body's not going to be totally back to normal yet, if it ever is."

Ah. I should have known. She was still self-conscious about the baby weight. "You know I wanted you when you were eight months pregnant with Dani, Reed Girl. I want you right now. Just like you think I'm sexy when I'm holding our daughter, I feel the same way about you. When you feed her and you look down at her, and she up at you…it's fucking beautiful."

I winced automatically when the f-word slipped out. Mom made no bones about smacking the hell out of anyone of us who slipped, including Jasper, who wasn't her kid. It was kind of hilarious. She was training us like we were Pavlov's dogs or some shit.

Reed Girl laughed. "Did you just brace yourself for a blow?"

"Mom's lethal, baby. Don't tell on me."

She touched my cheek. "After what you just said to me? I would never tell on you."

I smiled. "I meant it. Every single word. If I could fuck you right now, I would." I glanced in the rearview mirror and saw Dani's car seat. "If our daughter wasn't here, that is."

"Yeah, I think our days of hopping in the backseat for a quickie are over."

It was hard to mind when Dani made a little sighing sound. "I'd rather take my time with you anyway."

Reed Girl took a deep breath. "Three more weeks."

I chuckled as I moved our joined hands onto her thigh and stroked her with my thumb. "Now who's counting down the days?"

She shifted under our touch. "Me. Well, both of us."

Damn right. "Let's hope those three weeks go as fast as these last ones have."

Seriously, time was flying. I couldn't believe we'd had our daughter home for three weeks already. It seemed like only yesterday she was born. Would I blink and Dani be all grown up, heading off for college? I hated the fucking thought of that.

"It's funny. I want it to go fast, but I also want to hold on to every single second."

Not for the first time, I wondered if my wife was a mind reader. "I was just picturing her leaving us to go to college."

Reed Girl laughed. "Now that's jumping ahead. We're a long way from that, thank God."

"Yeah, well, you know me."

"Yes, I do, Daddy. You want her to be little forever. But even when she's not so little, she'll still be your little girl."

She would. Always. "You never know how big it is, until she's actually here."

"I know. I loved her before she got here, but now, it's everything."

The awe in my wife's voice made me smile. "She's changed us."

"I'll say! I don't think I've ever seen you drive under the speed limit."

I glanced at the speedometer and, yeah. I was. I hadn't even done it consciously. "I have to be careful. My most precious cargo is on board."

Reed Girl gripped my hand tighter. "I love how you love her."

I brought our hands to my face and kissed hers. "I was referring to both of you."

"I know. Three more weeks."

At least she wasn't feeling apprehensive about me seeing her naked anymore. As if she could ever be anything other than perfect in my eyes. "Three more weeks."

Xoxoxoxox

We arrived at the ABC Sports studios and were ushered into a dressing room. Reed Girl popped out her tit and fed Dani while we waited for the wardrobe person.

"Edward Cullen?"

I turned to the lady who filled the doorway and was studying me like I was a specimen under a microscope. "Yes?"

"I'm Tasha. I'm here for hair and make-up."

Fuck. I hated that shit. "I don't need any-"

"Sure you don't. The lights are hot and can make your face shiny. Nobody's saying you're not gorgeous. Now sit your cute ass down and let me get to work."

"But-"

"Don't make me force you."

I sat before she tried. I was pretty sure I could take her, but she was a bit intimidating. Maybe we could sign her to block for me. Reed Girl giggled as Tasha started slapping shit on my face. Was that powder? Jesus fucking Christ.

"Are those eyelashes of yours God given?"

What? Like I'd wear fake ones?

She burst out laughing at the look on my face. "I was just speaking out loud. I can tell the real from the fake. It's my job. I was just saying God was sure kind when it came to putting you together."

I didn't even know what to do with that. My wife continued to laugh as Tasha put me through her version of torture. I was pretty sure she could kick major ass on the field.

She finally finished with the powder and then started fussing with some other shit before she got to work on my hair, which was already as perfect as the rest of me, thank you very much.

"Soft as silk. What product do you use on your hair?"

I shook my head, not wanting to go there, but my wife had no such qualms.

"It's called Kerastase Nutritive Bain Satin. It costs a small fortune, but that's what he just has to use."

Hey! "You use it too, woman!"

Reed Girl just grinned at me as she shifted Dani from one boob to the other. "Well, of course I do. I like what it does for your hair, so why wouldn't I use it on mine? Plus, it's there."

"Wise woman! It's working for both of you. In fact, your hair might be prettier than his."

Well, I should hope so. My hair wasn't pretty. It was manly and sexy and stuff.

"And I see your little one has her daddy's hair. You don't need any work at all, do you, gorgeous?" And Tasha was off, cooing at Dani. "She's adorable, truly."

Reed Girl beamed at her. "Thank you! We think so."

Tasha laughed. "So do the powers that be! They've been salivating over this photo shoot since they saw the picture of those two together. Be prepared to reenact that one, big guy."

Fuck. I knew it. They were going to make me do the shirtless dad pose.

She patted my chest before heading to the door. "Don't do anything to mess up my work, or I'll break out the blush and bronzer."

"I'll be good."

She swept out as quickly as she swooped in.

Reed Girl smirked at me. "I do believe she terrified you. I don't think I've ever seen that before."

I laughed and sat next to her. "You most certainly have. The last month of your pregnancy, you were pretty fucking terrifying, baby."

She shook her head. "I didn't mean to be."

I kissed her and then the top of Dani's head. "I know. It was the hormones. Hell, baby, I was just grateful you were pretty low maintenance before this one came along. Can you imagine Blondie or Shorty pregnant? Thank fuck they're miles and miles away from us. I feel for my brother and Jasper, sort of." Though, really, they had it coming. They knew what they were getting into with those two.

Reed Girl laughed. "Emmett might not survive."

"Not a doubt in my mind that he won't, baby. I sure as hell won't be there to protect him." Let him fend for himself. "Speaking of protecting, where were you when Tasha was torturing me? All you did was laugh and give her my hair-product information."

My wife batted her eyes at me. "I was just letting the professional do her job. Plus, she was full of compliments for you. I thought you'd be eating that up."

Maybe if she weren't caking my face in crap, I would have. "You broke your vow, baby. You should have saved me. Instead, you've thrown me to the wolves."

She laughed again, handing me Dani and a burping cloth before she tucked herself back into her shirt. I put my daughter over my shoulder and did the patting and rubbing that she liked. She snuggled right into me now. She knew her daddy had her and would help her get her burp out.

"I could hardly step in and stop her when this whole thing was my idea."

I scowled at her. "Huge vow betrayal. You're going to have to make it up to me."

She smiled and kissed me quickly. "I will. In three more weeks."

Three more weeks. They couldn't come soon enough.

Xoxoxoxox

"There's our star!" The photographer came at me with a big grin on his face. I started to greet him, but he stopped beside me and touched Dani's cheek. "Hi, pretty girl. I can't wait to take your picture."

I had to laugh. If I was going to play second fiddle to anyone, I was okay with it being my daughter. I was getting rather used to it these days, and how could I mind, when everyone who saw her was completely dazzled by how cute she was?

"Hi. I'm Saxon." He shifted his attention to me. "What we're going to do is take a bunch of candids while Kate interviews you. I'll tell you to hold your little one a certain way, but don't focus on me. If I need you to shift, I'll let you know. Just relax and be yourself while I do my thing."

I could do that. "Okay." I shifted Dani so I could see her face. "You good with that, baby? No fussing or dirtying your diaper while our pictures are getting taken. The poop face is your least attractive face."

I saw a flash go off in the corner of my eye, but I did as requested and didn't look his way.

Reed Girl chuckled and reached out to fix Dani's bow. The camera kept flashing.

"I see Saxon's already getting gold. I'm Kate Garrison, and I'll be interviewing you while he works his magic."

I turned and took in the grinning strawberry-blonde. Like me, she was dressed casually in jeans and a nice shirt.

"Nice to meet you. I'm Edward, this is my wife Bella, and this is Dani."

Reed Girl said hello and shook her hand.

"You're a beautiful family," Kate said with a smile.

"My camera loves them," Saxon agreed.

I shot Reed Girl a smirk, and she just shrugged. "Of course it does. You two are gorgeous."

"All of you are," Saxon said, snapping more pictures.

I raised a brow at my wife. "Told you." I turned to Saxon. "Hey, could you maybe take some pictures of the three of us between clothing changes and stuff? I want some pictures for our house. I'll pay you."

He grinned and waved his hand. "No problem. I'll hook you up with some great ones."

Good. Reed Girl just rolled her eyes, but she wasn't going to argue with me. We needed our first professional family photo. I was determined to have a good one.

Kate turned on a recorder and started recording. "Let's get going. What's it like, being a new dad?"

Christ. Like I knew how to put it into words? I looked at Reed Girl, and she gave me an encouraging smile. Okay, I could do this.

"It's exciting and exhausting and exhilarating."

Kate laughed. "Tell me about it."

"Well, she sleeps a lot, but not so much at night, when I want her to. That leads to the exhaustion I mentioned. But I also don't want her to sleep that much, because just having her look at me makes me feel good inside. She smiles at me, even though everyone tells me it's too early for her to do so, and it's everything. The most important thing I'll ever do."

Saxon ordered me to sit and turn Dani facing the camera, so I did that, knowing he was getting us in our matching number sevens. I couldn't help but smile at the picture we made, and Reed Girl's grin couldn't get any bigger.

"Speaking of important… You're the most important person on the football team. How do fatherhood and football compare?"

I started to laugh that off, but as I thought about it, I realized there were some similarities. "When I'm out on the field, I have to be prepared for everything. I sort of do that now, with Dani."

"How so?" Kate asked.

"Well, I'm always thinking of what ifs. What if she chokes? What if she gets a fever? What if my mom kidnaps her and takes her to Florida when she goes home? I try to anticipate every little thing, so if it happens, I can deal with it."

"So you're preparing for contingencies at all times."

"Exactly. And my team is dependent on me to make the right decisions, to not drop the ball. I want Dani to depend on me as well. I don't want to let my team down, and I certainly don't want to let her down."

Kate smiled. "I think anyone as determined as you are to do it right will get it done."

I smiled when Dani gurgled. "I plan on it."

The first wardrobe change came, and they left me in my jeans but threw on a white cotton shirt. Dani wore the same and we posed on a bed, her propped up on a pillow but wrapped in my arm, me smiling down at her, her watching me with those big blue eyes. She handled it like a champ, only crying a couple of times when a loud noise startled her or a flash surprised her.

Kate asked about my fears, my hopes for Dani, all that kind of shit. I answered it all. I grinned and bore it though the shirtless portion, where I was lying on the bed with Dani in nothing but a diaper on my chest. She fell asleep during those shots, and I stroked her soft hair.

When Saxon was done with that set of photos, he directed Reed Girl into bed with us. She lay next to me, her head on my shoulder, both of us looking down at our sleeping daughter. From the noises Saxon was making, I knew we had our winner. Although the ones he took of all three of us in jerseys were probably going to be epic, too. Well, we had a lot of walls.

The last set of photos found me dressed up in a black suit and red tie, for reasons unknown, and Dani in a frilly red dress with some red band with a flower around her head. Admittedly, she looked cute as hell, and she wore tiny little shiny black shoes with it that had Reed Girl squealing in delight.

"You look like you're going on a date!" Reed Girl clapped her hands. She had been taking her own pictures with her phone and sending that shit to my mom and everyone else. Of course she fired off more when she saw us all dressed up.

"That was the point." Saxon went to work, directing me this way and that, finishing with Dani's forehead touching my neck, cuddled into me. "Perfect."

"Yes, it is." Reed Girl gave me a smacking kiss before taking Dani off to feed once more before we went home.

I loosened my tie and checked with Kate to make sure we were done and could head home. It had been a quick few hours, but I was ready to get out of there.

"Are we all set?"

She smiled. "Yes. I have to tell you, this was by far one of my favorite interviews. Dani is such a good baby."

I grinned. "She is. She's obviously got her mother's temperament. Thank God for that."

Kate laughed. "You were a hellion, huh?"

"According to my mom, though nobody was worse than my brother. I'm lucky she even had me after dealing with him for a couple years."

She smiled. "Are you two planning on having any more?"

Without a doubt. "Yeah, but not for a couple years. We want to have some quality time with Dani before we add to the family."

"That sounds good." Kate glanced around. "You know, before you got here, I was contemplating whether I'd make a move on you or if you'd make one on me."

What? Fuck that noise. I immediately took a step back. "Listen…"

She shook her head. "Don't worry. I'm not hitting on you."

Thank fuck.

"I knew you were a new husband and father, of course, but that doesn't stop some men." She shrugged. "I don't judge. But the instant I saw the way you looked at your wife, I knew that there wouldn't be any hitting of any kind. And to be honest, attractive as you are, I'm really glad. You guys give me faith that love is real."

"Thanks." My wife walked in with our daughter and smiled at me, and yeah, I got what she was saying. The odds might be against a lot of people our age but not against us. We'd gambled and won. Of course we had. We were Cullens.