Chapter 14

I woke the next morning to a knocking at the door. Natalie stirred next to me and whimpered quietly. Fortunately she was still sleeping. I climbed out of the bed and padded to the door. I peeked into the peep hole and there stood a handsome police officer in his uniform. I rolled my eyes and shook my head as I opened the door.

"Edward, why are you still awake?" I said with a laugh.

"I had to see you. How about breakfast?" he said holding up a bag brimming with food.

I moved out of the way and gestured for him to enter. I have to admit I ogled him as he walked past me. I couldn't help it; he was just too attractive.

"Where's my girl?" he asked playfully and kind of loudly so I shushed him.

"She's still sleeping. Please don't wake her yet," I pleaded.

"Oh, sorry. Did I wake you too?" he asked, waving at my messy hair.

I tried to straighten it out but he just laughed and pulled me into a hug. "I like it messy," he whispered. Chills ran down my spine and that's when I realized that I really needed a shower and to brush my teeth.

"Yes, well on that note, I am going to get cleaned up. Once I'm done we can wake her up and eat together. I guess I have to tell her about her mom this morning," I pulled away and started to back away from him but he pulled me back.

"I'll get the food ready, unless you want some company," he said with a wink.

"Hmmm, as tempting as that is, I think it would be a good idea to be alone when that time comes."

"True."

"Okay, well, I'll be back in a few," I said as I kissed his cheek.

I stood under the hot water in the shower and thought about how much I needed a bit of time to myself. I of course felt incredibly guilty for feeling like that but it was true. I could really use a day to focus on me and then I'd really like a night out with Edward. Maybe once we get settled I can make that happen.

That thought led to me thinking about finding a place to live and the upcoming school year for Natalie. I suddenly felt the panic of trying to raise her alone hit me like a truck. Could I do this? Other than babysitting I had never had any real contact with kids. Natalie and I just sort of clicked so I knew we would be okay but the fear of raising her was strong. I had to find a house in a good school district. I wanted her to just be a kid now that she wouldn't have all the problems of her past. I wanted to find a neighborhood full of kids and a house with a big yard.

First I had to tell her about her mom and plan a funeral for a woman I barely knew. Thank God, Edward was here.

I finished my shower and stepped out into the steamy bathroom. I had been in there a while so I hurried through drying off and getting dressed. I quickly brushed my teeth and hair. When I walked back into the main part of the room, I found Edward dozing on the breakfast bar with his head in his hand. It warmed my heart that he came here before going home even though he was so tired.

I walked over and kissed his cheek. He sighed and smiled. He wrapped his arm around my waist and pulled me into his lap. "Can I kiss you now?" he asked.

I answered by pressing my lips to his. I'd like to say that all my worry melted away with that kiss but it didn't. I felt amazing in his arms so I broke the kiss and leaned my head back on his shoulder. "You are just what I needed this morning. Thank you for coming over and for bringing breakfast."

"I had a feeling you would need some support after last night. I hate to break her heart," he said looking towards where Natalie was sleeping.

"Yeah, me too but you know, she seemed to be at peace with losing her last night. This may be a sort of closure or something to her."

As if we had just called out to her, Natalie entered the room from the bedroom rubbing her eyes. "You guys are loud," she said yawning.

"Oh really, what were we talking about?" I asked, hoping she hadn't heard our conversation.

"I couldn't tell what you were saying; I could only hear your voices."

I sighed in relief. "Edward brought us breakfast. Are you hungry?"

"Oh, my gosh, yes! What did you bring?" she asked nearly running to the breakfast bar.

"I got some juice and bagels, some doughnuts and fruit. I also grabbed a gallon of chocolate milk," he said proudly and then ducking his head. "I might have been a little hungry when I went to the store."

I laughed because that much was obvious. There was enough food to feed twelve people.

"Well let's dig in," I announce.

We ate in mostly silence as we were all quite hungry. Natalie put away two doughnuts and a whole plate of fruit. I was hoping she would gain a little weight now.

Once we had all filled up and cleaned up; tension filled the room. Natalie could tell something was up so she started to keep busy coloring. I let her get comfortable and Edward and I sat on either side of her. We watched her color for a few minutes but she is way too perceptive so she interrupted the silence. "My mom died, didn't she?" she asked, stunning Edward but I had a feeling she knew already.

"Yeah honey, last night," I said quietly.

"I dreamed that she was gone," she said with a faint smile on her lips. "She was floating away on a cloud. She actually looked really pretty and happy. Do you think she's happy now?"

"You know honey; I think she just may be. All her worries are gone and she is perfect now. I sure hope she is. Does it help you to think that she is happy now?" I asked her.

"Yeah, she was always so stressed out and sad. I hope she's very happy now."

"Well then we'll just assume that she is the happiest she has ever been. How does that sound?" Edward said. Natalie just smiled at him and tucked her hair behind her ear.

"What happens now? Do I get to stay with you, Bella? I don't want to go anywhere else," she said sounding a little bit panicked.

"Of course you get to stay with me. We have to plan a funeral for your mom and then we can start all the adoption papers. We also need to move out of this hotel."

"Back to the apartment?" Natalie asked.

"No. I don't think that's a good idea; how about we look for a house in the suburbs?" I asked.

Edward's eyes opened wide and he smiled over Natalie's head. "I think that sounds like a great idea," he said.

"Like with a yard and other kids and stuff?" Natalie questioned.

"Yeah, just like that. Would you like that?" I asked and she beamed at me. I took that as a yes.

"Ok well we'll start that process today then. First I have to call the hospital and see if the social worker will help me plan the funeral."

Edward yawned and that reminded me that he really needed to get some sleep. "Hey, why don't we make Edward leave so he can go to bed," I said to Natalie. She looked up to him and smiled.

"Yeah Edward, go home, you are tired. We have stuff to do today."

"Okay, okay, I guess I'll go home. How about I meet you ladies for dinner?"

She nodded and I smiled. "Of course, you call me when you wake up and we'll make plans then."

"Okay. I'll probably sleep till five or so," he said sleepily.

"Alright kiddo, go hit the shower and I'll show him out."

Natalie hopped up and gave Edward a hug before running off to the bathroom.

"Well that went better that I was expecting," he said rubbing his temple.

"I told you she said good-bye last night. Come on," I said pulling him up from the couch. He acted like he was sleeping and fell against me, my body supporting his heavy frame. It had to look pretty silly since he is five or six inches taller than me. "You keep this up and we'll be on the floor. You are heavy!"

"I am not," he said indignantly. I just laughed and stood him up.

"Um, yes you are!"

We walked to the door. He was obviously getting slap happy because he was pretty handsy all the way there. "I can't wait to have some alone time with you," he said while pinching my butt. I shook my head. This was a side to him I hadn't seen yet. It was cute and kind of annoying at the same time.

"Me either but I really like my men awake when I try to seduce them."

"Ooh, are you going to seduce me soon?" he said raising his eyebrows at me.

"Oh god, not if you do that again!" I laugh and smack his arm.

"What?" he said, raising his eyebrows again. I just shook my head.

"Kiss me and then get the heck out of here," I said tipping my head back and puckering my lips.

"Gladly," he whispered against my lips before capturing them in a playful kiss. I felt him backing me up against the door and went willingly. He deepened the kiss so I wrapped my arms around him. Once we were both breathless he broke away and leaned his head against mine.

"I'll see you tonight," he whispered.

"Dream of me," I answered.

"Every time I close my eyes," he replied, looking deeply into mine.

I gasped at the intensity. Then he pecked my lips and smiled.

I moved and let him out, closing the door behind him and leaning against it.

I was falling so hard for that man.