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Chapter 2:

Edward Cullen had never seen a more beautiful creature in his entire life. And that was saying something. He had been voted "Most Attractive" and "Most Sought After", even if unofficially, in high school. There were always pretty girls around him, he seemed to draw them to him like moths to a candle flame. And he was equally as dangerous. But today he didn't seem to be in the mood for heartbreaking. In fact, he would have told you that the lovely woman could have broken his heart instead of the other way around.

It had all begun as he raced quickly into the school, he was running late due to horrible service by some giggling teenager at the local diner. And now he had to run to get to class on time. He didn't see the turned back until he nearly hit it.

"I am so sorry," he said respectfully to the back, which was still facing him.

The woman spun around and he gasped aloud at her beauty. She was wearing a beautiful green sundress with a sweater over it that made her pale skin glow and brought out the brown in her eyes. A warm, red blush spread over her cheeks, making her seem even sweeter. And her hair, Edward just wanted to run his hands through her long chestnut curls. She was an angel, he decided. Or a lost supermodel.

"Oh, I'm so clumsy!" she muttered to herself, coloring more.

"Can I help you?" Edward asked, looking down at her.

"Yes, I'm looking for a Mr. Cullen's first grade classroom," she said, looking more comfortable now.

Edward was convinced this was some kind of a joke. No woman that young or that beautiful could possibly have a first grader. It must be one of his friend Jasper's new jokes. Ever since Jazz and Alice, Edward's baby sister, got married Jazz had begun to step up the pranks. But this was over the top, even for his now brother-in-law. Jasper had to understand that back to school night was a sacred elementary school rite and that he wasn't to mess with it.

"Who's your kid?" Edward asked, eager to reveal the joke and move on.

"Melanie Swan," the angel replied. "I'm Bella Swan, her aunt and adoptive mother…it's…complicated."

"What about Mellie's mom?" Edward questioned, now knowing full well that his angel…er, Bella was no trick. "She's always talking about her. She's Melanie's hero."

"That would be me, I think," Bella replied. "Though I'm far from being a good role model…Oh, I'm so sorry Mr. Cullen. I'm afraid that I've been going on and on about personal problems that you don't really care anything about."

Edward was surprised by the fact that he did care about her problems, he'd care about anything that had to do with her.

"Well I'm afraid that as truly interesting as I think that this story is, I'm afraid that I have a whole classroom of parents awaiting me," Edward said, looking down at the tiny figure before him. She looked so alone and so sad. He couldn't stop himself from adding, "But if you want to get a cup of coffee afterwards I would love to help you."

Nodding, Bella followed him into the classroom and he felt a sense of relief. Relief that he was going to keep her by his side for another few hours before he had to send her home again.

Back to school night passed in a flash, just another round of tired faces of parents who were there to meet and judge their children's teacher and each other. He knew that Bella was making an interesting impression. She was young, hip and the total anti-mother compared to all those other soccer moms. Well, Bella was anything but a soccer mom.

"Hey," Edward said, coming to stand beside her in the classroom where she was examining Melanie's cubby and smiling to herself at the pink stickers that were plastered all over her nametag. "I was thinking that-um-if you don't mind…it might be best go just go in one car."

Bella seemed reluctant, but after a while she consented. Edward felt like jumping up and down and dancing in circles. All from one little "sure". He helped Bella into his beat-up old Toyota sedan and watched her carefully disguise her surprise at its neat interior. Smiling to himself, Edward got into the front seat and began to drive towards the Grist Mill, the local coffee shop.

"So," he said, when they finally settled into a booth with steaming cups of chai tea, just another love that they had in common, "Would you like to begin your story again? I'm a pretty good listener."

Bella stirred her tea thoughtfully and then began to speak. "It's complicated. I told you that before I think. You see, about six years ago my younger brother Emmett got his girlfriend Rosalie Hale pregnant. She didn't want to keep the baby, but she didn't think an abortion was right either. And she definitely didn't want to put it up for adoption. I was a senior in high school then and they were sophomores. So I told her that if her parents kept the baby then I would adopt it after I was able to support the two of us. I finished college and got this amazing job with a publishing company…and now here I am. I barely know what to do! It's been so crazy that now that things are settling down…I don't know what to do. Oh, Mr. Cullen! I'm only twenty four and I have to raise a kid!"

Edward looked at her sympathetically, but the first thing that came to his mind was how young she was. She's only twenty four, he thought. She's only two years younger than me and she has to raise a little girl, a decision she made when she was eighteen. He was intimidated by the extreme maturity she exhibited at such a young age when he was considering parties and dates. Bella had begun a family, essentially saving a little girl.

"Wow, Bella you're amazing!" he exclaimed, finally able to voice his opinion. "But please call my Edward, you make me feel like my dad."

Bella chuckled at his comment. "I'm far from amazing…I don't know what I'm supposed to do. Melanie is happy for now, but I'm not ready for a kid yet!"

"Relax, Bella. You've been doing great. The best thing you can do is get to know Mellie. She'll show you what she needs. But you can also set some rules, show her that there's going to be a system, an order to your home life."

"Oh, you have no idea Edward," Bella said, in a way that made Edward's heart flutter.

Wait, why was he turning into such a romantic sap? One of those "girls" who cried over romance novels and those silly romantic comedy movies. Edward Cullen was not one of those guys. He was a good teacher, who loved his kids dearly, but he also had a healthy love for more masculine activities. Like football games…and drinking beer with his friends. He could not believe that one woman could make him feel that way.

"How so?" he asked, in a way that he deemed casually flirtatious. "You'd be surprised at what I can understand."

"Well, I have a bit of OCD," Bella said, blushing deeply. "Our house is perfect, our papers are perfectly organized and if I have my way our lives will be too." She laughed, the most beautiful and musical laugh that Edward had ever heard.

Edward chuckled to himself, liking Bella's honest demeanor. She was a woman after his own heart. And the sap continues…he thought cynically to himself.

"Well then I'm sure you won't have any problems!" Edward said, entirely serious even though his voice had a joking quality. "But seriously, Bella, if there's anything I can ever do for you. Anything that you might need, please feel free to call me." He handed her a napkin that he had scrawled his phone number on. "Call anytime and about anything. I'll be glad to help you.

"Thanks, Edward," Bella said quietly, taking the napkin. "I really need to head home now, though. Our elderly neighbor is watching Mel, but if I don't get home soon, Mel will be watching her!"

Laughing, Edward helped her into her coat. And walked her outside. The little old man sitting in the corner of the coffee shop, unobtrusively people watching, thought what a handsome couple they made. A pretty girl and a dashing fellow. Nothing more fairytale or classic than that.

Helping Bella into the car, Edward was struck with a longing to see her again. Just talking to her was the most satisfying experience that he had had in years. Their short discussion was interesting and she was a woman made of so many facets that he felt as if he could talk to her forever and be surprised every day.

I'm becoming a girl! he thought to himself. And then, out of the sheer impulse to be able to spend more time with her he offered the suggestion that could quite possibly ruin his life.

"Hey, Bell?" he asked quietly breaking the still of the car, the first few minutes of their car ride having been spent in silence. "Um…if you ever need anyone to watch Melanie when you need some time to be young, you can just call me. If it's not too…um…awkward."

Bella started at the new nickname, she had never liked anyone else using "Bell" to shorten her long name, but she couldn't help liking the way it rolled off of Edward Cullen's tongue.

"I'll have to take you up on that sometime," she said, smiling.

"Promise?" Edward asked.

"Promise."

Haha…so that is the end of chapter two. What do you all think? I promise that things will not be smooth sailing for them! Right now they're attracted to each other, but nothing more than two people becoming friends. Whatever will happen? Please review!