A/H: Sorry this took so long to get out. I finished my semester in college and literally had like 30 papers to write. So I think anyone can imagine how the mere thought of typing made me cringe for quite some time; haha. Again, very sorry for the wait; but no school until January 25th, so hopefully more updates for this story and possibly even my other one. I hope everyone had a great holiday, happy new year; enjoy! =)
Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight; that would be the brilliant and much richer Stephanie Meyer.
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EPOV
Pulling away from Bella at the airport was very bittersweet. I wish we never had to leave each other's sides again; so it sucked having to watch her turn and walk away. But then I looked in the rearview mirror and seen Aiden bouncing in his booster seat singing along to the music coming from the radio and I could feel the goofy grin spread across my face.
"So little man, what are we going to do when we get home?" I asked.
Aiden looked up at me with an excited grin. "Eward, are you good at video games?" he asks mischievously. Ah; like father, like son!
I pulled into the parking space and shut off the car. I turned to Aiden with a matching smile; "I bet I can beat you." I tell him with a wink and then exit the car and went around to let him out.
"Uh-uh, no one beats me; I'm the bestest! I beat momma and grampa Chawie and Jaspew and Awice!" he lisps out in his excited little voice as he skips beside me towards their apartment in anticipation. I wonder who jasper is!?
"Well my goodness! You sound awfully good, I'm kind of worried I'm gonna lose now. You're gonna at least let me win one, right?" I ask him as I stick my bottom lip out in a pout.
He bursts into a fit of giggles as we enter the elevator. "We'll see!" he tells me with a sneaky smile.
"We'll see, huh!?" I say exasperated as I scooped him up tickling him; throwing him over my shoulder as I exited the elevator.
He squealed, giggled and kicked his legs all the way down the hall to the apartment.
We made our way into the apartment and I asked Aiden to go play in his room for a bit and that we would play video games after lunch. He easily agreed and made his way down the hall.
I hated that I couldn't play with him the entire time today. But I knew that if I was going to be spend as much time as I wanted to with him and Bella that I needed to get as much done on my final thesis as possible.
It was nearing noon when I finally finished my paper. I was ecstatic that it was finally done; now I didn't have to worry about it when I was spending time with Bella and Aiden.
I figured it would be best to fix us lunch before Aiden and I got too wrapped up in his video games.
"Hey little man; come here for a minute." I shouted from the kitchen.
I immediately heard little feet stumbling down the hall towards me before I looked down to meet my own eyes looking back at me. It's going to take awhile to get used to that.
"Hey little man, do you have any ideas on what to make for lunch?" I asked, hoping he would give me some ideas so I knew he would definitely eat what I make.
"Hmmm…how about gwilled cheese sandwiches, that's what momma makes sometimes." He offered helpfully.
"I can make those, good idea buddy!" I say; making him grin up at me. I'm quite relieved that he chose something I actually knew how to make.
"Do you want to help; or do you want to go play while I make them?" I asked.
"Can I weally help?" he asked hopefully.
"Of course! Come here." I tell him as I scoop him up and set him on the counter top.
He smiles happily up at me as I hand him the open bag of bread, "can you count out four slices of that while I go to the fridge and get the cheese and butter?" I ask him encouragingly.
"I can do that! See;" he says holding up his hand and ticking off his fingers as he goes; "one, two, three, four!"
"Perfect! Now get that many pieces of bread out little man!" I tell him with a proud smile; which makes him grin even wider.
I go over to the fridge and find the pre-sliced cheese and the margarine. I remembered where the silverware drawer is from breakfast this morning and got out a butter knife and also found a spatula to flip them with. After searching a few cupboards I found a pan to make them with, and made my way back over to my son. My son!
"Is the bread ready?" I asked him and he smiled and nodded proudly.
"Yup; one, two, thwee, four! Momma lets me help her to sometimes too. She says I need to learn so I can make her dinner for once when I get older." He tells me with a giggle; which makes me chuckle.
After Aiden and I got the sandwiches in the pan cooking I helped him down off the counter and sent him into wash up for lunch.
I took the sandwiches out of the pan and cut them when they were done. After plating them I set them at the dining room table and went and got two glasses of milk for us.
Just as Aiden was making his way into the room there was a rap at the door.
"Sit and eat buddy; I'll get the door." He nodded and sat down and dug into his food. Well he definitely got my appetite.
I had no clue of who would be at the door; Bella never mentioned that anyone would be stopping over.
Just as I was about to turn the door knob open the voice on the other side stopped me in my tracks.
"Bella open the damn door! I know you're home I seen your fucking car in the parking lot!" a man's voice said in a raised tone that thankfully was muffled from the door; good maybe Aiden wouldn't hear.
Not only did it piss me off that whoever this was would speak to Bella that way, but that they would scream profanities with my son in hearing distance didn't set well with me.
Instead of opening the door and having it out with this ass like I wanted to - and possibly offending someone Bella cared about, or scaring Aiden in the process - I decided to call Bella and ask her opinion on the idiot first.
I took out my cell phone and moved away from the door so the fool in the hall wouldn't hear me. I realized Bella told me to call her cell phone, but never gave me the number so I quickly found the number to where she worked and phoned there.
"Hello this is Alice Brandon speaking. Thank you for calling Sea-Tac Airport Ticket Center; how may I help you today?" the woman on the phone answered.
"Hi; this is Edward Cullen calling, I was hoping I could speak to Bella Swan please." I asked politely.
"Oh! Oh, of course; just one minute I'll get her!" She replied quickly and then I heard shuffling and muffled whispering.
"Edward; is everything alright!? Why didn't you call my cell phone?" Bella answered frantically.
"Baby, calm down; Aiden is fine. I didn't call your phone because you never gave me the number." I tell her with a quiet chuckle.
"Then what is a matter? I can tell by your voice that something is wrong." She was very observant.
"Well I didn't know what to do. There is some guy pounding on the door for you to answer and that he seen your car out front and knows your home." I tell her quickly.
The knocking still hadn't let up and I was afraid Aiden would come out here soon.
"What does he look like?" she asked in a worried tone. I made my way over to the peep hole in the door and looked out.
"Uh, he is a rather large Native-American guy." I tell her uneasily.
"Shit that's what I was afraid of; its Jacob." She says, and I can practically hear the stress in her voice.
"Jacob - as in ex-boyfriend/wannabe-daddy Jacob?" I ask even though I already know the answer.
"Yeah;" she sighs. "Just don't answer it." She tells me.
"Bella, he is pounding on the door and practically screaming profanities. I honestly don't know how Aiden hasn't come out here yet; he must still be eating. I'll answer it and take care of it; don't worry. I just didn't want you freaking out if it was someone you didn't want to know about me yet." I explain.
"Edward, no! I don't want you getting in a fight with him –" that's where I cut her off.
"Bella I wouldn't do that; Aiden is here. I'll just tell him you're gone and I am just a friend who is babysitting for you." I explain.
"Is that what we are? Just friends?" she asks in a quiet voice, which makes me smile.
"Well, as far as the neanderthal in the hall is concerned; yes. But technically, you are the love of my life, the mother of my child, and I would really like to at least call you my girlfriend." I explain seriously.
"I love you too, and yes I like the title of girlfriend." She says, and I can practically hear the smile in her voice. "Make sure Aiden is busy when you answer the door, I don't want Jacob to see him. God only knows what mood he is in today. I have to go I'll see you at three?" she asks.
"Yup, we will be there; love you." I hung up and hurried to check on Aiden. Thankfully only a few minutes had passed since I left him. Yet I was still worried he would come out while I was talking to Jacob, so I needed to fix that issue.
He was just finishing his sandwich as I walked in the room. "Hey little man, how about I take care of the dishes while you go play in your room. Stay in there and be good and when I'm done I'll go in and play video games with you; deal?" I bargain.
I knew he is all for it by the way his face lights up. He nodded and took off down the hall.
Once I heard his door close I ran down the hall to take care of the moron pounding on the door. You would think he would take a damn hint and leave when we haven't answered the door for five minutes.
I pull open the door just as he was about to pound again and ask, "Is there a problem?"
"Who the hell are you!? Where is Bella?" he asks looking angrily at me.
"I'm Edward; Bella is at work. I'm babysitting, and he is sleeping so could you keep it down and leave, please. If you want I can let Bella know you stopped by. You are..?" I ask faking ignorance.
He huffed in annoyance; "I'm Jacob. So her fucking bastard child is here with you?! Wow you must rate or something; she doesn't trust anyone with that damn kid. She barely ever leaves his fucking side." By this time I'm practically breaking my knuckles; my fists are clenched so tight.
I keep repeating my new mantra in my mind to keep my cool: Aiden is in the other room. Aiden is in the other room. You can't fight this asshole here; Aiden is in the other room.
"Whatever. Tell the bitch I'll stop by later; I want to see her." And with that he turned and walked away like he said nothing wrong.
I shut and lock the door before heading back to the dining room. After I scarfed down my sandwich and cleaned up the table I took a few minutes to get my anger in check.
After I pulled myself together I made my way to Aiden's room to play with him.
He was a quiet kid, which made me smile. Of course I did miss him being a baby, and going through the terrible-two's.
He was sitting on the floor playing with a train set that was quite elaborate. "You like trains I take it, little man?" I asked with a smile as I sat down next to him.
He smiled up at me; "yup, they are my favorite. I want to ride one someday!" he tells me with an enthusiastic grin.
We played on the floor with his trains for awhile; as I plotted an idea out in my mind. I would have to ask Bella exactly what day his birthday was, and then see if we could make it happen.
After a bit he asked to play video games and I am ashamed to say that my four year old son owned my ass when it came to playing. I won once, but I seriously think he let me do it – but I'd never ask for fear of losing what little pride I had left.
At half past two I had Aiden get ready, and then we made our way to the airport to pick up Bella. I think we were both excited to see her because we practically sprinted to the car. Well, maybe it was just me – I think he was more excited for the park.
Once I parked we made our way into the building. I had to smile when we walked past "my alcove;" - as Bella refers to it – sitting there for that project changed my life so significantly.
Not only did it get me my degree and a great job, but an amazing woman who I thought I lost forever and a son I never knew existed but now couldn't live without.
We made our way up to the counter and I couldn't see Bella or her little friend Alice. In their place were two - um, well, how to describe them nicely…openly skanky women; yeah that's about as nice as I can get.
The strawberry blonde that looked like her breasts were going to smother he tried to sway over to my seductively; it didn't work.
"Well hello, I'm Tanya; what can I do for you today?" she purred; but kind of sounded like a cat with emphysema.
Right as I was about to answer Aiden tugged on my pant leg and lifted his arms to be picked up. Once he was settled in my arms I turned back to Tanya who was now sneering at my son in my arms.
"Why do you have her kid with you?!" the blonde bimbo beside her growled at me.
Oh this bitch was something else. Oh how I wish I could say, "Because he is my son also!" But I can't, we haven't told Aiden yet.
"Aiden is with me because we are here to pick up -" Just then Bella walked out of a door behind the counter followed by Alice. "Bella!" I finished with a huge smile.
She turned and her face lit up when she seen us. She walked around the counter towards us and took Aiden from my arms.
"There are my two favorite guys!" she exclaimed. She kissed Aiden on the top of the head and then turned to me. I could see the mischievous glint in her eyes and I knew she wanted to give the twin-tramps a show. Well I am more than happy to oblige, beautiful!
"Hey baby," I said and leaned down and gave her a passionate kiss.
Although I wanted the whores to squirm, I also had to remember my son was in the vicinity.
"Hey," she answered breathlessly once I pulled away.
I sneakily looked over her shoulder towards the three women behind the counter. Alice was there grinning like she just won the lottery; but the other two; well…red-faced and furious doesn't even begin to cover it.
"Hey Alice, nice to see you again." I told her with a smile.
I turned back to Bella, who was now listening to our son talk animatedly about our day. When he was finished he finally asked, "Can we go to the park now, are you ready?"
Bella looked over at me and asked if I was ready, to which I nodded furiously. To say I was in a hurry to get away from the women shooting daggers at the back of my love's head was an understatement.
We said our goodbyes; mainly to Alice. The other two just stood sneering at Bella and pushing their chests out and batting their eyelashes if they caught my eye.
Once we were out of hearing range Bella started to giggle. "Oh god that was hilarious! Seeing their faces when you were with me made my day!" she exclaimed still giggling.
We finally made our way to the park and once the slide was in sight Aiden was off like a bullet. Bella and I made our way over to the swings to sit and talk.
"So curiosity is getting the best of me; what happened with Jake?" she asked with an eyebrow quirked.
"Well after saying some lovely comments about our son and me having an internal fight with myself not to kill him; he left with a parting, - and I'm quoting him here - 'Whatever. Tell the bitch I'll stop by later; I want to see her.' " I say finishing off with the obnoxious version of what his voice sounds like.
"Wow, he said stuff about Aiden and you didn't hit him?" she asked for clarification; to which I nodded.
To my surprise the rose from her swing and came over and sat on my lap with me on my swing. She put her arms around my neck and hugged me close.
"I'm proud of you Edward. Any other guy would have thought with their fists and not their brains; but you put Aiden's well-being first. Thank you Edward; you have calmed my worrying. The only thing that has scared me with you being in our lives is that I was afraid Aiden would get hurt somehow from it." I went to protest but she covered my mouth with her hand to shut me up.
"You have proven yourself Edward; I know he is safe with you. You love him; you want to keep him safe. You're ready Edward; when you want to tell him you're his father I am one-hundred percent behind you with on it." She finished with a smile.
I sat there momentarily stunned; I can't believe that amount of trust that Bella just handed me. "A-are y-you sure?" I asked, clearing my throat.
"Edward I can't read your mind; but I know that I want you to be with us. If you end up changing your mind about me; I hope you will still want Aiden. I trust that you won't hurt our little boy. He deserves to know his father; and you deserve to know your son." She reassured; I could see the sincerity in her eyes.
"I'll always want Aiden, Bella; and I'll always want you. I love you; if you'll have me I want to spend the rest of my life making up for the time we lost." I told her kissing the side of her head.
"I don't think we should tell him so soon. Maybe wait till I really spend more time with him; so he knows I'm a permanent part of your lives." I suggested.
"I think that sounds perfect." She replied, kissing me on the lips.
Just as I was about to go back in and deepen the kiss the swing went soaring backwards forcing me to scramble to grab the chains; just my luck my hand slipped.
We landed with an 'oomph' sound resonating from me and hysterical laughter coming from Bella and the tiny little mop of bronze hair I could see that landed on top of us both; which I presume caused it all.
Aiden poked his head over his mothers shoulder with an impish smirk and giggled a guilty yet amused 'sorry.'
Bella turned her head to look at my face and we couldn't contain our laughter anymore. I looked at her and them nudged my head in Aiden's direction and winked at her. She nodded her head in an affirmative gesture that she understood what I meant. In a silent countdown of one, two, three, we flipped Aiden over and proceeded to tickle the little monster until he was squealing and gasping for breath.
As I looked down at the two people that in the past forty-eight hours had became the center of my universe; I knew without a doubt that someone would have to pry me away from the two of them to separate us.
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