A/H: Here is a little more into their stories. You find out if Edward is actually homeless or not in this one. Enjoy! =)

Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight; that would be the fabulous Stephanie Meyer.
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BPOV

I couldn't believe how good Edward was with Aiden; let alone how good Aiden was with Edward. My son had always had a problem being around men because he wasn't near many of them.

He saw Jasper sometimes if he and Alice stopped over. Then there was my dad Charlie; but because Forks was a four hour drive to and from Seattle, the trip wasn't made very often by either of us. Other then the two of them the only other male was my stepdad Phil, and Aiden hadn't seen him or Renee since he was a few months old.

My mother believed I gave up my future by having my son. "Just like I did;" I believe were the words she used. It's a great feeling to know your own mother regrets having you. But at least I have Charlie; we talk on the phone every week on Sunday nights at 8:00pm just like clockwork.

The joke is really on my mom; yes I gave up having a great job straight out of college, but it didn't set me back.

Only my dad knows about my book deal; well and Aiden. I had been working on it since my sophomore year in college and finished it sometime last year. I sent it into a few publishing agencies; and within a month I had offers flying in.

I'm sure the phone calls from my mom will be flying in also when she sees her daughter's name on the best seller list; but I guess I'll be too busy to answer those calls.

I like my job at the airport; Alice is a great friend - even though I want to ring her little neck right now for losing my son – and it pays the bills. I want Aiden to grow up with a normal life, even if my book does become famous – let's hope. I refuse to change our life too much because of it; the money will just take a lot of stress off things. Plus, the ability to cut back my shifts will allow me to spend a lot more time with my son; which is something I have always wanted.

I look over to see Edward staring out the window with a smile on his face as I pull into a parking space in front of our apartment in Bellevue . It's nothing extravagant; but until the money from my book comes in and I can buy a house for us, it's our home.

"I live only about one street over." He says with a smile as he turns to look at me; "I don't know how I never seen you before the airport."

I look at him with a confused expression on my face, "Um Edward I completely don't mean any offence to you by this but, uh, aren't you homeless?" I ask.

He chuckles, "Remember how you said we would talk about your story after dinner?" he asks; I nod. "Well I guess we will talk about my story also." He says with a wink before exiting the car.

I turn to Aiden to see if he is still sleeping, and he is. I jump when my door is opened and turn to see Edward with his hand outstretched to help me from the car; what a gentleman.

I take his hand and go to the back to get Aiden; "Bella I can get him for you, it will make it easier for you to unlock your door," he offers.

I nod and unbuckle Aiden's seat then move out of the way for Edward. "Thanks Edward;" I say with a smile.

"So what are you in the mood for, for dinner? Do you have any allergies; or just overall dislike of foods?" I ask.

He chuckles, "umm yeah I'm actually allergic to shellfish, but I don't imagine that would be a big problem tonight unless you planned on a gourmet meal of clams or something." He says with a laugh. "Believe me, I'm so used to take-out that a home-cooked meal made out of just about anything sounds too good to even dream of." He tells me sincerely.

What the hell I thought this guy was homeless and now he is saying he lives in the neighborhood and binges on take-out food? If he didn't just save my baby from being stolen in the airport I probably wouldn't trust this man.

There is something about him though; the familiarity between us is unmistakable. I feel like I have met him before; like really knew him. I'm just so comfortable around him and that just doesn't normally happen between people and me.

Hmm, maybe our paths have crossed before. I guess we just have to wait until story time; hah.

We make our way up the stairs to our apartment; I unlock the door and hold it open for Edward and Aiden. "Just set him in the over-sized chair over there;" I say while pointing to the living room. He nods, trying not to disturb the little one in his arms.

I make my way into the kitchen and set my keys and purse on their normal spot on the counter; I hear Edward follow me in.

"Hmm how about we have-" I trail off while looking in the cupboards. "I have stuff for: chicken fettuccini in alfredo sauce, spaghetti and meatballs, tacos and/or fajitas; your choice, which sounds better?" I say turning to look at him. "Or I can keep looking if you want, I'm sure I can find something doable."

"Really Bella it all sounds delicious, don't make it my decision. What is Aiden's favorite?" he says looking awkward.

I smile over at his thoughtfulness, for some reason it surprises that he is already taking Aiden into consideration. The lack of that is the main reason I actually stopped dating; I realized Aiden was better off with just me than a bunch of people who would mistreat him.

Like Jake my last boyfriend, he had this messed up way of thinking. I dated him when Aiden was around a year old; it didn't go very far. He was just too moody; one minute he would be fine and the next he would say stuff like 'well if you wouldn't have been a whore in college and knew who his father was than he could be watching him and we could be out having fun.' I do believe that was the last time I seen him.

"His favorite is the chicken alfredo;" I tell him.

"Ah a boy after my own heart; that dish was always my favorite when my mom made it when I was a kid." He tells me with a smile and a chuckle.

I turned and started getting the water ready to cook the noodles. "Would you like something to drink? We have coffee, tea, or anything that is in the fridge if you want something cold." I offer.

"Would you like anything, I can get the drinks since your making the fabulous dinner." He smiles over at me.

I reach up to grab the box of noodles but they are just out of reach; I'll have to grab a chair. Just as I'm about to turn I feel hands on my hips lifting me into the air. I yelp in surprise and he chuckles. I grab the noodles and he sets me back down and returns to the refrigerator.

He looks at me expectantly and I remember he asked me a question; jeez look what this guy is doing to you, snap out of it.

"I think I'll have a glass of wine. The glasses are up in that cupboard," I tell him pointing. "Thanks Edward." I tell him.

"Not a problem;" he tells me with a sexy crooked smile.

"So Bella tell me about yourself, all I really know is that you have an extraordinary son, work at the airport, and are single. I find all three of those things fantastic but I feel like there is so much more to your story." He hints for me to start talking. My god, is he flirting with me!?

Just as I'm about to answer, Aiden stumbles in rubbing his eyes groggily. "Momma I'm starvin" he slurs out making both Edward and I begin to laugh.

Must be he forgot about our guest, because when he heard Edward's deep laugh his head shot up in his direction. I watched in awe as my son's eyes grew wide and excited, and he launched himself across the room and into Edward's arms.

"Edward! You stayed!" he cried out in a broken sob all the while hugging himself tightly around Edward's neck.

Edward looked up at me wide-eyed with concern and I knew my face mirrored his. "Of course I did buddy, I'm right here, it's alright." he soothed while hugging Aiden tight and rubbing his back.

"I- I thought you'd be gone after momma's work. I was sad I didn't getta say gooabye." Aiden mumbled into his chest.

"Well I'm right here, and I even got your momma to make us your favorite dinner!" Edward says trying to cheer him up; it was successful.

By that time dinner was done; so we pried Aiden off Edward and served the food. I had to admit it was nice having company that I really enjoyed talking too; well besides Aiden. I love Alice and all but you can only hear about what sales are happening where so many times before you get irritated.

With Edward it was easy; I asked about his story at the beginning of dinner and he smiled at me and blew out an exaggerated sigh.

"Fine, Miss. Impatient; I guess I can tell you now." He says with a slight chuckle.

"I'm not actually homeless. I'm pretending to be a homeless person as participant observation for my senior thesis for my Ph.D. in psychology from UW." he explains not looking up from his food which is probably best since I feel my mouth gape open like a stunned fish.

"I'm trying to show the effects of how the people around the homeless and how they are treated by them will affect their psyches. I must say you and your son's actions today really gave me good material to finish it. Thank you, it was getting rather boring having to sit there day in and day out." he finishes and finally looked up at me.

He chuckles when he sees my face. "I'm sorry if you're angry that I mislead you about myself. But I honestly couldn't say anything or I would have had to eliminate all the research that involved around Aiden and your actions which included those punk teenagers; and they were all essential observations for what I'm trying to say in my thesis." He apologized looking sincere.

"Wow; I can honestly say I did NOT expect that." I say with a stunned laugh.

I watched as a very endearing blush came across his face.

"Oh Edward, please don't be embarrassed that is such an amazing accomplishment. I have my bachelors from UW in English and Comparative Literature. So the fact that you're getting your Ph.D. is so impressive to me; you should be proud." His blush didn't lessen at my compliments.

"Momma; whatza Ph.D.?" Aiden asked through his mouth full of noodles.

"Do you talk with your mouth full?" I ask him in a stern warning tone. He shook his head no and tilted his head down to show he was sorry.

"Just don't do it next time, okay?" He nodded. "A Ph.D. is a really important thing that means you have worked really hard in school for. It shows you're the best at your school work. It makes you a doctor." I tell him in a vague explanation; honestly how do you explain that to a four year old, no matter how smart he is.

His eyes grew wide, "So Edwards gonna be a doctor!" he asks in surprise making us laugh. "Yup;" I tell him popping the 'p.' "He just has to finish school this year and he will be."

"Wow." Aiden says looking at Edward in adoration. "Good job!" he suddenly exclaims bouncing in his seat and claps. Edward blushes some more and I clap along with my son. "Thanks;" Edward mumbles.

Throughout the rest of dinner Edward told me about his family life. H grew up in Chicago with his mom and dad - or Esme and Carlisle as he called them – and then came to Seattle for college.

He avoided any talk about his previous relationships and only told me that in his fourth year in college he thought he found the perfect girl and it turned out she didn't feel the same. It burnt him pretty badly and he has just concentrated on school since; and that was the end of that topic.

He said he planned to stay in Seattle to work for now. He admitted that his dream is to move to a smaller town and hopefully someday have a family. He wants to start his own clinic there because there are so many untreated people who need help in smaller towns but don't know where or how to get it. I told him how he had no idea how true that was and told him about the town I grew up in.

When dinner was over it was Aiden's bedtime and he asked if Edward could tuck him in to bed and read him a story. I agreed and told them I would be cleaning their messes up in the kitchen and living room if they needed me for anything; which made them both laugh.

Edward scooped Aiden up and threw him over his shoulder turning so Aiden was facing me and said, "Say good night to your momma." Aiden lent down and gave me an extra sloppy kiss goodnight - giggling while doing so - and with a big smile told me he loved me and goodnight all while hanging upside down as they made their way down the hall to his room.

I could hear the two of them giggling and wondered if there was even a chance Aiden was going to sleep. I wandered quietly down the hall to see what they were doing; - yes, I was spying; shut up! - the door was ajar so I could see and hear what they were doing undetected if I was careful.

I poked my head around the door to see Edward stretched out across the bed with Aiden tucked into his side cuddling him while he finished reading him the book. I figured out why Aiden had been giggling, considering I had to hold one back when I heard Edward do the different voices for the characters in the book.

After the book was done Edward rubbed Aiden's back trying to sooth him off to sleep. I have to admit it looked like it was working; I'll have to start trying that.

Knowing everything was okay I turned to go back to the living room; but what my son said next almost brought me to my knees.

"Edward, wanna know a secret?" he slurred out, almost asleep. "Sure Aid, what is it?" Edward asked.

"If I had a daddy I bet he would be just like you." he said with such conviction it shocked me. Then in a whisper so I could barely hear it, "I would want him to be just like you; you make a perfect daddy; and you make momma happy and smile." I could hear Edward's sharp intake of breath and felt my eyes well-up with tears; I couldn't help but look into the room.

Edward was looking down at Aiden with such a look of awe that it was in every feature of his face. I watched as he pushed the hair off Aiden's face and kissed him on the forehead. "And you would make the perfect son; anyone would be a lucky man to be with you and your momma, don't you ever forget that." he whispered back to my son.

He began to hum a soothing song and I could hear Aiden begin to softly snore. I decided that was my exit cue and turned to leave.

I made my way down to my room and put on a pair of sweatpants and a t-shirt; then walked back into the kitchen. I turned on the kettle to boil water so I could have a cup of tea. When that was ready I made my way into the living room and curled up on the couch and flicked the television on.

I had been watching some mindless sitcom rerun when I felt a presence behind me. I turned and jumped when I seen Edward leaning against the doorframe. "Jeez you scared the hell out of me!" I said making him laugh.

"Sorry you just looked so cozy that I didn't want to disturb you." He said with a smile as he sat on the other end of the couch. The fact that he respected my personal space really gave him extra bonus points. I'm used to the cocky assholes who would have practically sat in my lap thinking they would be getting me in bed now that my son was asleep.

"You're a really lucky woman Bella; Aiden is such a great kid. He is lucky to have a mother like you. But I really have to admit, it is killing me to not know why a beautiful woman like you and such a great kid don't have a husband and father in their life. I hope that isn't to forward of me." He says with a semi-embarrassed look on his face.

"To tell you the truth I honestly don't know. I tried dating after the incident with Aiden's father; the only serious one was a guy named Jacob and that didn't work out. I dated him when Aiden was around a year old and haven't tried since." I told him with a sigh. I didn't want to admit it, but I was avoiding the topic of Aiden's father. I didn't want him to think I was some whore who slept her way through college. So I continued my story, "He had more mood swings than I did when I was pregnant." I say with a laugh. "One minute he was trying to get Aiden to call him 'dada;' which really pissed me off. Only one man held that title and he was not it. Then the next minute he would be putting me down and telling me I should find 'the kid's father' so we could 'pawn' Aiden off on him and get out and do something without the disruption. He hit the pavement soon after that." I said shaking my head in disgust.

I look over to find Edward wide-eyed and kind of scary looking; he was infuriated. For a moment I was intimidated but I knew the anger wasn't directed at me and that he would never do anything to hurt Aiden or I. I don't know how I knew that, I really didn't know him that well, but there was just something about him.

"I just- I just don't get why anyone - let alone two men who already had you - would willingly give you both up or mistreat you." he said bristling at the idea of it.

"Yeah, well then I don't think you would like my mother very much." I tell him with a forced laugh.

"Please explain?" he says with a confused chuckle. So that is what I did.

I Started by telling him about my childhood; things like my parents' divorce and fighting with mom because I wanted to live with my father.

"See my mom is a very, umm, flighty? Yeah that will work. And I am the type that wants that constant structure; which is what my dad provided, he is more like me." I say with a smile.

"So when I told my mom I didn't want to go on her new 'adventure' - as she put it - with her she didn't like it very much." I explained.

I explained how our relationship got even rockier when she married Phil and thought that would get me to move back with her because she was 'more stable now' and I politely declined.

"Why did you turn her down that time?" Edward asked.

"I'm proud to call myself a daddy's girl." I tell him with a laugh. "Actually, by that time I had fought with her for so long that I barely wanted to deal with her at a distance let alone in the same house. Plus I loved living win dad, I was happy there; and I was in my last year of high school." I elaborate. He nodded in understanding.

I went on to tell him how we barely spoke after she found out I was staying in Washington for college. Not for my lack of trying, she just never answered the phone most of the time.

"So when I got pregnant under the circumstances I did, she was furious. Her and my stepdad seen Aiden once when he was a few months old and she told me I 'fucked up my entire future' by not aborting him." my voice cracked at the thought of the last part and I could feel my eyes well with unshed tears.

"What a bitch!" Edward breathed out furious.

I couldn't help but burst into laughter at that; Edward looked at me and a small smile broke across his face.

"Yeah! She is a major bitch!" I say still laughing. "But the joke is on her. I have the best son in the world and my book of about to be released! So I don't think I fucked too much up!" I babble out excitedly.

When I realize my secret just slipped I slap my hand over my mouth like it could take back my words.

"What!? Seriously; Bella; that is fantastic!" he exclaims and pulls me into a hug; I blush.

"Yeah, you're the only one besides Aiden and my dad that knows that. So shhh; its a secret, not even Alice knows." I tell him.

I watch his smile grow; "I feel so honored! Do you have a copy? Can I see it!?" he asks practically bouncing in his seat he is so excited for me. I stood up and walked over to the bookshelf across the room.

"I just got the first printed copy the other day in the mail so besides Aiden and I, you're the first to see it." I explain; an even bigger smile crossed his face. But then as soon as it came the smile was replaced with a look of complete shock as he glanced down at the cover of my book.

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