*Disclaimer - Sadly, I own nothing of Twilight with the exception of merchandise, bought and paid for. I do, however, own my love for borrowing the characters and playing with them however I choose to. I thank Stephenie Meyer for creating the TwiWorld and for allowing us to have our fun with it. She owns Twilight, the insanity it created in my mind is my own.

Whatever Works

Surprises Around Every Corner

"Daddy!" Evan tugged on the back of Edward's shirt late in the afternoon. He was out cold on the floor of the living room, surrounded by crayons, scattered papers, and various toy trains. "It's not nap time!"

"Give him a bigger nudge, Ev," I suggested with a snicker.

"Tickle him!" Esme said with a grin. "Down the side. He's ticklish."

Donning the same wicked grin Edward used when he was being an imp, Evan went at him with both hands, and sure enough, he stirred. "Daddy? We have to clean up now. Abbi's coming soon."

Yawning, Edward rolled over onto his back and pulled Evan down on top of him. "Have a nap with me instead. We'll clean up later."

Evan put on a scolding face. "Abbi's coming! It's time to go home now."

"He means business!" I teased as I grabbed the crayon box to begin filling. "Ubbee?" I mouthed to Edward in confusion. He winked at me and mouthed back, "Ben."

"Okay –" Edward groaned as he struggled to sit up. "Let's help Bella with these crayons. I'm going to miss you, Ev. Come back and play with me next week?"

The little boy sat up straight, one eyebrow raised in confusion. "We're going home now, Daddy. We can play there when Mummy's making supper."

Edward exchanged a glance with me before he addressed his son. "Evan, I'm not going home with you. This is my home – but you can come here anytime you like."

"Mummy said you were coming home," he said quietly.

Giving it his usual pause for thought, Edward sat up fully and pulled Evan onto his lap. "I think what Mummy meant is that I'm coming home to England. See, I lived far away before… where I work. I'm almost done working now, and so I'm coming home – here. I'll be here for you. Understand?"

Evan turned to Esme with a thoughtful little frown. "Maymay lives here. And Bella." I felt maudlin when he turned his emerald eyes on me.

Edward tightened his hold on him. "And soon, I'll be here all the time too – any time you visit. And I'll come take you out sometimes, and we'll do stuff, just you and me. Would that be good?"

Still frowning, Evan nodded. "I'll ask Mum."

Ben arrived as we finished picking up, and Evan ran to him for a hug, telling him all about his visit with his customary exuberance, finishing up his speech with, "… and Daddy's going to come take me!"

Esme and I cringed as Edward chuckled nervously. "Ohhh, that didn't come out sounding quite right! I've told him I'll come take him out sometimes… when I'm back. Not take him… I mean – I wouldn't have a clue what to do with him – how to take care of him…"

I felt bad for him. He was so obviously uneasy and totally out of his element, but I knew his intentions were from the heart. And poor little Evan didn't have a clear understanding of the situation.

Ben offered an understanding grin. "Well, Evan's not shy about telling you when you make a mistake, so I'm sure you'll figure it all out. He schools me daily!"

Laughter came from all of us as we heartily agreed; Evan was not shy with that in the least, and his advanced verbal skills came in handy when he was pointing out our errors.

Later on when we were alone, I took a moment to reassure Edward that he would get the hang of it. "Evan sure had fun – he seemed to be right at home. Are you doing okay?"

He rolled his eyes, groaning. "What if this is the wrong thing to do? I'm confusing that little boy."

"It will just take some time, Edward. You haven't been in his life until recently. I think he's very well adjusted. Why does he call Ben 'Ubbee?'"

Edward smiled. "Ben's Egyptian. A-b-b-i – means 'my dad' in Arabic. I caught a break with that one. He was Abbi before I came along and stole the Daddy title. One less thing to feel shitty about. My pride tells me I own that title, but Ben – he's the one who's been doing my job. It's like crediting me as the lead role when my double actually has more screen time – it's just wrong. But it would be harder to come up with a name for me – 'Late to the Party' maybe? 'Dickwad Who Messed Up Your Mum' perhaps? They don't really roll off the tongue."

I approached him with a gentle smile and took his hand. "Whatever he calls you, Edward, he knows you're an important part of his life. You haven't had much time with him, but obviously the time you have had, you've done well with. Did you stay with them when you'd visit? Is that why he thought you'd be leaving with him?"

He shrugged as he released my hand and placed his own hands on my waist. "The last time I was here, yeah. They had the house by then, and Maggie thought it would be better to get to know him at home rather than taking him to my hotel room."

"You didn't stay in your old house when you were here?"

"Nah. The neighbors know me there – couldn't risk showing up with a kid. I want to get some distance between myself and that stupid TV show before he's exposed to the press. It won't be so crazy then."

"Emily said the movies you've been working on will make it crazier," I commented softly.

"Maybe over there for a while." He blew it off and tightened his hold on me. "All the more reason to be here. Um… " Dropping his head, he puffed out a breath. "I have to go back for a bit – just a few days. Press stuff. I'll be home next weekend… here, I mean."

"Already? You just got here!"

His mouth was perched beside my ear, his breath, hot on my skin. "I only came for you. I told you, Maggie misunderstood. This was supposed to be about you… and the possibility of a you-and-me. Do I have a chance with that? Will you let me try to be a proper boyfriend?"

~ 0 ~

My proper boyfriend put me to bed, on my own, with the sweetest of kisses and a promise to call. He did – from the airport in the morning when his flight was delayed, and again when he landed in LA. Between calls to me and Evan, I don't know when he was getting his work done. I could hear weariness in his voice after the first full day of his junket, but he was in great spirits.

"I was thinking about something, and I'd like the opinion of a professional on that matter – Ms. Swan?"

I giggled at his formality when he called one afternoon during the week. "Yes, Mr. Cullen, what is it?"

"I was wondering if, in your professional opinion, my mother was ready for an independent day."

I hesitated, scrunching up my face. Was he being serious?

"And night," he continued. "Emphasis on the night. I know she's getting around on her own a bit, but can she be left alone? Just for one night?"

"What are you thinking?" I couldn't help but be curious.

"Professional opinion, please," he replied, taunting me. "I'm fairly certain I can arrange for her to visit with Siobhan and Lauren for the day, but I'm concerned with the night part."

If he was in front of me, I would have strangled him for all the mystery. Clearing my throat, I played along. "Well, she is basically self-sufficient. The house is set up so that she can easily maneuver her way around independently. Her mobility is such that she can get herself in and out of her wheelchair on her own. She can also get in and out of the shower without aid…"

"You've really got her on it, haven't you? Well done, Bella!"

I cleared my throat once more. "Ms. Swan," I reminded him haughtily. "My concern, Mr. Cullen, would be that she hasn't been on her own. I am always here if something should happen, such as a fall."

"Oh." He sounded like I'd popped his bubble.

I relaxed my tone. "She is far from her 'dead legs' condition at this point, Edward, but truthfully, she's not very steady on her feet sometimes. I'd be worried if she stumbled or lost her footing…"

"Right. I understand." His words were clipped, but more out of disappointment than anger. I could hear him drumming his long fingers on something while he was silent. "Okay, I'll work something out. Evan told me you took him for ice cream today. Sweet. Will you take me when I get home?"

"Edward," I drawled into the phone. "Are you jealous of a two-year-old?"

"A bit, yeah," he laughed. "He sees you more than I do! And he's almost three."

"Sorry. You're jealous of an almost-three-year-old. If it's any consolation, I do think your bum's the cutest." I could totally flirt over the phone – red cheeks be damned!

"The cutest of the two, or overall?"

Bursting into laughter, I told him to get over himself and then swooned over the sound of his deep laugh. "I wish you were here already."

"Me too, Bella. Soon. If you happen to see Evan again before I do, give him some love for me, would you?"

~ 0 ~

Maggie brought Evan over for a short visit herself, the day before Edward's return. He greeted me with his usual big hug and then planted a kiss on my cheek before giving me another hug. "That's from Daddy."

I gave him his return loving from Edward with a sappy grin on my face. "Maymay's waiting for a hug too, Evan. Why don't you go see her, and I'll take care of your coat this time."

He tore off, leaving me with Maggie, and I discovered where Evan's tendency to ramble on came from. His sweet, porcelain doll of a mother was a prattler – confirmation, to me, that a long-term union between Evan's birth parents would never have worked out. Edward was generally a quiet person and, for the most part, enjoyed quiet surroundings. I blurted, certainly, but did not prattle. I was certain that would drive him insane. Admittedly, my own mind shut down a few times during her chatter, although I did get some interesting tidbits out of it, as well as a reminder that she was present when he got the news of Carlisle's death. She knew exactly what he'd been struggling with, and still doing everything he could to be a "proper daddy" to Evan.

"So, Evan is going to teach me how to be a better dad next weekend," Edward told me and Esme over dinner the day he returned. His eyes were lit up with excitement, and he was practically bouncing in his chair. "I'm starting my own manual, since he doesn't come with one. First item: limitations on biscuits and cake, right?"

We both nodded our agreement. Evan on sugar was not good on regular basis. He tried to settle on a number of sugar-loaded treats that would sit him somewhere between being a bad parent and a mean one – in other words, one still learning. He was talkative through our meal and during the clean-up but turned a bit shy when Esme excused herself, leaving us alone.

"You know, you don't have to sit in with me… us…" I stammered my way through a silence-breaker. "You can go out. Or go see Evan. Or bring him here."

Edward threw me a look. "You want rid of me so soon?"

"You don't seem comfortable," I stated.

Chuckling, he shrugged and leaned down to speak quietly. "This doesn't feel like my own space. Make sense?"

"Not home to you yet? Or do you mean me being around you?"

"This room, specifically, I guess. I don't know. It's not you."

"We're all right on the phone."

He flashed his crooked grin. "We need a pool to get things warmed up."

I knew what he meant but decided to tease him anyway. "That would actually be a little chilly." I had goosebumps just thinking about dipping into water outdoors – or maybe it was excitement recalling how his fingers always found a way to touch almost every part of my skin in the pool. A remark Maggie had made earlier about him being an incorrigible flirt came to mind. He was good at that – not creepy, like Mike when he attempted it. I rather liked being the focus of Edward's flirtations. A deep shiver ran through me, and Edward embraced me.

"You're cold… I was going to suggest going for a walk."

"Need a smoke?" I asked, pressing my chin into his chest as I looked up at him.

"Nope. I quit, like I said." He grinned down and pressed his lips to my forehead. "I just like being able to leave the house – not feel like a prisoner in my own home."

"And this doesn't even feel like home," I stated my understanding. "Let's go."

The evening air was cool, but we layered and it was comfortable enough to do a tour of the neighborhood. He pointed out the street Maggie, Ben, and Evan lived on, several blocks over. They had selected a very modest home as a gift from Edward, not wanting one nearly the size of his.

"Their apartment was really cramped," he explained to me. "It's what they could afford on Ben's teaching salary, and Maggie's trying to finish university herself. She'd like to teach as well. I pressed the idea of moving on them, because I didn't want Evan growing up thinking I was a dick because I had so much more than him and his mum. I shouldn't have more than they do."

"You could have gotten a small apartment yourself," I joked.

"Uh… no!" He snorted. "It's not practical – for Mum." He cast a sidewise glance at me, grinning. "And I need my space. I can't live with her on top of me, having an opinion on everything I do. It's not healthy."

"Is that why you're on edge?" I asked softly.

He exhaled and halted his steps in front of a small coffee shop. "I want a coffee. Do you want one?"

Sighing, I stopped in front of him. "Are we ever going to get to the point where you don't deflect? Will I ever know what's going on in that bewildering head of yours?"

His bottom lip protruded as he frowned. "I really do want a coffee though," he replied calmly. He had no idea how effective his pout was. Damn him.

There were a few tables inside, and we decided we would place our order and then sit for a bit to warm up. I asked him to order me a tea and ran off to use the washroom. When I came out, he was still at the counter, looking anxious.

"There's only the one girl serving." He leaned his elbows on the counter and peered over before turning to whisper to me. "She's on the phone."

"Soooo sorry!" The young girl hurried over and stood before Edward, moony-eyed. "What can I get for you?"

"No problem. We'll take two large… one coffee, black, and a tea with… lemon?" He quirked an eyebrow at me, accompanied by his crooked grin.

"Milk, thanks." I dug an elbow into his side.

"Tea, with milk please," he informed the girl, still smiling at me.

"You are him, right?" she asked excitedly.

Edward's eyes locked on mine. "Him?"

"He's definitely a him," I muttered, suppressing a laugh.

"Edward Masen – right? The accent…"

He issued a tension-filled, "Ah," and then turned his gaze on her. "The accent. Right." He placed a £5 note on the counter and offered a polite, but 'please get on with it' smile. I took our cups while he obliged her request of an autograph on a slip of paper before a hasty retreat.

"Sorry, I didn't think that would happen here." He looked more embarrassed than nervous at that point. "I hope that's not going to be an issue. I like this place. I don't want to have to move into a hotel and rely on room service and security around the clock."

"Is that why you don't go out in LA?" I asked once we were on our own again. "That happens everywhere?"

He frowned as he considered his reply. "No… that, I can handle. I just didn't particularly want to handle that at the moment – I'm out with you. In LA, it's much more intense. Invasive. Scary, really. I really was just hoping to blend in here and be able to take you and Evan out without worrying if our pictures will be all over the place."

"The accent doesn't help you blend," I offered my opinion. "Everyone notices me here, and I'm not notable in the least."

"You're immensely notable to me, if you hadn't noticed." His grin appeared, and he turned up the flirtation. "I should speak as a Londoner then, is that what you're suggesting?"

Yes! I applauded myself for accomplishing something I'd dreamed about – tweaking that ultra-smooth, deep voice into something even sexier with a very appealing accent. "Just a suggestion…"

"So, what you want is for me to act all the time? Really?"

Dammit! "No," I replied, sighing. "I want you as you are. But a little accent and now and then would not be unappreciated. That's all. And a little more openness. Can we not wait until something's a huge issue before we discuss it? If something's bothering you, I'd like to know."

He was silent for several moments, and I thought I'd put him into a sulk until he finally spoke. "I get where you're coming from. I do. It must seem like I'm constantly keeping things from you. I guess I have. I'll work on that if you'll work with me on being normal." He slipped an arm around my waist, drawing me up against his side. "Help me blend in amongst the commoners, love."

I giggle-snorted as he utilized the discussed accent in the haughtiest manner.

~ 0 ~

He had loosened up while we were out, becoming the frivolous, fun young man that Edward had shown himself to be at the pool those times, as well as when we were locked away up in his rooms when Alice and Jasper visited. Feeling the deep chill after removing our coats, he whisked me to the living room and wrapped us up in a knitted blanket to watch a movie. I had absent-mindedly nodded my approval to a cover he held up before slipping the disc in the machine and joining me on the couch. The movie was the furthest thing from my mind as I snuggled into Edward under the warm blanket. I found myself nodding off as he tenderly stroked my hair. I felt him shift to allow me to get more comfortable on him, and yes, I drifted off, only to be jarred soon after when his body stiffened. Then I heard the familiar shuffling of Esme's walker. Instantly alert, I moved myself off him and a respectable distance down the couch. He was smirking at me when his mother appeared.

"Oh, you are back! I made myself a tea earlier and saw you'd gone out."

"Just went for a walk," he explained.

"Did you need anything, Esme? I'm sorry, we should have mentioned we were going out."

"No, no… never mind me. Just stretching my legs a bit."

Edward sighed softly beside me. "Did you want to join us, Mum?"

"No! Don't be silly! I'm off to bed anyway. Have a good night."

He waited in silence until we heard her door closing. "I feel like we're teenagers being chaperoned! Did you have to bolt over there the minute we got caught?" His voice teased me and his eyes mocked me with amusement as he moved down to my end, urging me to tilt back as he placed an arm on either side of me. His lips went to my neck and nuzzled along my jawline before coming up to find my lips, capturing them softly and then with a definite urgency.

"Do you have to act out the moment your mother leaves the room?" I taunted in return when we paused our kiss. My chest was heaving as I attempted to fill my lungs with the air of Edward.

Snickering with that sexy grin – the combination of lust and amusement extending into his eyes, he backed himself off me and shut down the movie. "Come on, we'd better take this upstairs."

A/N ~ I was unable to respond to any reviews this weekend, so I do hope you'll accept my gratitude en masse. Thank you, all! And, as always, thanks to Shug for beta reading. :)
Quickly covering some of the questions asked, in case more are wondering:
The lemon tree gift in the last chapter was in reference to Bella's dream in chapter 21.
Edward is only using his legal team for finances for Evan at this point, not the personal arrangements between himself and Maggie. Yes, it's naive of them, but it's what they want - to show their faith in one another and see what's best for Evan in terms of custody. There is no animosity between the two. They genuinely care about each other.

More, soon. ;) Thanks for reading! XX ~ SR