Chapter 2 – Plus Two

As I stood there wondering what had just happened, Angela was talking fast on the phone and waving at Ben. Next thing I knew, they were dragging me to my car and climbing in. Angela was still on the phone, so Ben gave me directions because I had no clue where the hell we were going.

They weren't kidding when they said Bella lived in a bad neighborhood. Ben and I both flanked Angela because it was that scary. We hurried up the stairs because the elevator was out of order and we passed a few strung-out drug addicts on the way.

Angela hopped over them like she did this everyday as she continued to talk to Bella on the phone. She finally stopped in front of a door and I could see where someone had busted part of the doorframe with a crowbar. God in heaven, no one should live here, especial that adorable little angel that was with her.

"Yes, it's me; now open the door before we get mugged by your neighbors," Angela growled into the phone. I had a feeling Angie wasn't exaggerating on that last point.

The door was flung open and Bella stood there in her waitress uniform with little Ara hanging on her leg. "Look, I don't care who it is…" Bella started, but Angie just pushed her aside and we followed her into the little studio apartment. It was tiny, and even clean, I doubted it was livable. It looked like the landlord had converted a ratty old hotel into apartments. I also noticed it was freezing cold and Ara was bundled up, even though we were inside. Bella only had on a light sweater and her skin looked an unhealthy pale, with her lips tinged blue from the cold. Without thinking, I quickly wrapped my coat around her shoulders and started rubbing them. Everyone stopped talking and she was looking at me shocked.

"Um, your lips are a little blue," I said nervously and turned to Angie and Ben for backup.

Ben nodded, thank god. "They are, Bells, goodness sakes, you're on the verge of hypothermia, and you're inside your place. This is insane."

She frowned. "I don't know who this Edward guy is, Angie. What if he hurts my Ara?"

"I wouldn't," I promised, "I'm a pediatrician. I took an oath to do no harm," I said not really thinking that through.

"You're him?" she said laughing and shaking her head. "I thought you said it was the guy that played Santa, the one that spent the evening with that little boy?"

"That was me."

"What do you mean played Santa?" Ara asked.

"I played with Santa! Santa and I are good friends. Stick with me, kid, and you'll have a good Christmas. We're like this," I said showing her my crossed fingers.

My fast thinking seemed to appease Arabella.

"I have a daughter," Bella stated as if it was supposed to mean something negative.

"Yes…?" I said expecting more. My mind was made up, though. I couldn't let this little angel stay here, and if her stubborn freezing mother was going to be difficult, I could be just as difficult back.

"Children are not easy to live with sometimes. I can't just give this place up. Do you know how hard it was for me to even find a place I could afford to rent?"

"You don't want to give this place up?" I asked shocked.

She rubbed her face. "Look, Edward, I know you mean well, but I really can't just give my jobs and place up to take care of some stuck up doctor on a whim. You can throw me out just as fast as you take me in and I just can't risk that with Ara at my side."

I took a deep breath and did my best to ignore the stuck up doctor comment. "I hear you and understand your concerns."

I swore I scared myself a little when I said that. I was totally channeling my mother just then. She was a psychiatrist. I called her when I had especially difficult patients and she always said acknowledging what the other person was saying was most important. They needed to know you were really listening and truly understood their point of view.

"I think I have a way to fix this," I said sitting on the one chair in the room and pulling out a little notepad and pen from my pocket. "A contract. I'll contract to hire you for a full year in which I will provide you with room and board for you and your daughter, along with transportation because I'll need you to run errands to the grocery store and dry cleaner. You may use the car to pick up your daughter and take her wherever you please as well.

"I'll also give you a weekly paycheck of five hundred dollars. Now, I know that isn't a lot, but with the cost of everything else covered, hopefully it'll be enough to cover your and your daughter's needs. I'll expect my house to be reasonably cleaned, and when I say reasonable, I understand if your daughter's toys are out or if you have papers from homework or something you need to work on. I do expect my clothes washed, and I'll need you to do most of the shopping. You'll find I'm horrid at keeping things in stock. I'm usually very preoccupied with my work and spend most of my time in my office, or in the music room thinking things over.

"If, after one year, you feel that the arrangement is not working, I'll cover the cost of your first year's lease elsewhere, moving expenses, and living expenses while you find another job. If I find it too difficult and can't handle your presence, I'll pay for your expenses for the rest of the year as if you were still employed by me."

I finished writing the last bit down and looked up at her to see tears in her eyes. "So, do you accept?" I asked.

She looked at Ben and Angie who were both nodding their head yes.

She took a deep breath. "Okay, but no funny business," she said and I looked to Angie for translation.

Angela just laughed. "Bella, he doesn't even know what you mean. Edward is a gentleman through and through."

My eyes widened in surprise that she would suggest I would try something with her. She was beautiful, but I would be a real jerk to try and take advantage of her like that. "I swear I won't lay a hand on you," I promised crossing my heart. She looked at the gesture and raised an eyebrow.

"Sorry, I work with kids all day. Crossing your heart is a big deal you know," I explained and she smiled widely.

"Alright, when do you want me to start?" she asked.

"Well, the temperature is going to continue dropping. I would rather you and Ara stay in one of my guestrooms tonight and we'll get you both set up in the morning."

She looked down at her red-nosed daughter and nodded in agreement. Angie was squealing in excitement and started pulling out trash bags from under the kitchen sink. I didn't know what she was doing, but then she started stuffing the little bit of clothes hanging by the window into the bag. I guess that was her makeshift closet. "This is going to be great! You're going to love his place," Angie went on. "Oh, Edward, now you just have to get a tree!"

She was right; with a child in the house, I would need to decorate for the holidays.

My thoughts were interrupted by my car alarm, and I walked over to the window to see my car speeding away. Ben patted my shoulder. "I'm so glad you're getting her out of here. You're insured, right?" he asked as I gaped out the window.

"Oh, my heavens, that was his car? He brought a car here? What were you thinking letting him drive here, Angie?" Bella went on panicked.

I rubbed my face and my cell phone rang. I knew it would be the police station. My car had OnStar. "Hello, this is Dr. Edward Cullen."

"Yes, Dr. Cullen, we just received a notice of a stolen vehicle," the officer said.

"Yes, I just watched it take off down the road."

"We have it on screen. Where would you like it towed to?"

"If it's not crashed, please have it taken to my garage at home. If it is, there's a place around the corner. Embry's Auto Repair. It's right by my place. I think the OnStar people have his information."

"Yes, Sir, we do," the OnStar operator conferred. I guess she was on the line with the officer as well.

"Thank you. I'll just be getting a cab home."

"Would you like me to call one for you, Sir?" the OnStar operator offered.

"Yes, it needs to fit five people if that's possible," I said.

"Of course, they're on their way already."

"Thank you," I said and hung up.

Bella was looking at me stunned and Angie looked smug.

"What?" I asked.

"That's it?" Bella asked.

"What's it?"

"Your car gets stolen and you're fine?" she said confused.

I shrugged. "I have another one and I'll get that one back. It was probably just some kids going joyriding."

Bella laughed darkly. "Not likely. Are you sure you're fine with us coming? I mean, this is all very sudden."

"Bella, I'm not leaving you and Ara here. My car was just stolen, we stepped over drug addicts in the hallway, and there are crowbar marks on your door. You're both freezing to death in this place. You're not staying. Besides, I really desperately need a cook and housekeeper. It's a win-win. It'll work out," I said hoping I was right. There was no way I was leaving these girls here tonight.

As everyone packed, I saw Ara clutching a doll. I noticed it was the only toy in the little apartment. I squatted down next to her so I was at her level. "What's your baby's name?" I asked.

"Curly, she has curls like me," she said timidly.

"Is Curly okay with coming to stay at my house?" I asked knowing that kids often projected their fears onto their toys.

"She's scared. She's never been to your house and doesn't want to get lost."

"Oh, well, we'll have to be extra sure that she's safe when we go. We definitely don't want to lose her. You know, Arabella, I'm really excited to have you come and stay with me. I don't have any kids."

"Why not?" she asked.

"Well, I don't have a mommy to help take care of kids like your mom takes care of you. I'm also really busy at work. I'm a doctor and take care of kids at the hospital all day so I never have any time to get some kids of my own. I really wish I did, though."

"Oh," she said mulling over what I said.

"Would you mind helping your mom put up some Christmas stuff at my house?" I noticed they didn't have any up here, either.

She nodded excitedly.

"That's great. I was so worried that I wouldn't get any up this year. I don't have anyone to help me at my house. Do you think you and your mom could help me around my house?" I asked.

She nodded her head yes eagerly.

I gave her a big hug. "Thanks, Ara, I would really appreciate it. I'm really looking forward to having you stay with me, and little Curly, too."

"She's excited to come, too."

"I'm glad to hear it."

"Told you," Angie said in a sing song voice and I looked up to see the women watching me.

I smiled sheepishly. "Me, Ara, and Curly were just talking about the move. Curly was feeling nervous," I said, "But she feels better now."

We heard the taxi honk and Bella stuck her head out the window. "Were coming!" she shouted and we all shuffled out the door. Angie, Ben, and Bella carried what little stuff she had, and I carried Arabella because she asked me to pick her up. I felt a little proud that out of all the people, she picked me. Silly, I know, but I loved that she liked me already enough to trust me to carry her.

We all settled into the taxi and Bella buckled the booster seat so her daughter was in between us.

"Have you guys had dinner yet?" I asked.

Bella answered yes, but her stomach growled along with little Arabella's. I didn't know if she knew I had eaten at Ben's, but I hoped they didn't tell them. "Well, I could really go for a late night snack, do you mind if I order us some pizza to share?" I asked.

Little Arabella's face just lit up. "Can we, Momma?"

She let out a sigh.

"It's in the contract, Bella. I don't have stuff to cook at the house right now, so this is part of the boarding," I said.

"Yeah, so no complaining!" Angie said from the seat in front of us.

"Sure, fine, pizza sounds good right about now anyway. Isn't it required that you eat pizza when moving anyway?" she asked.

We all started laughing. "I believe you're right; it's required, I'm sure of it," Ben teased.

I called ahead so the pizza would be there when we arrived. The delivery guy was just walking up as we got out of the cab. "See that pizza? That's your pizza, Ara," I said pointing to the little one on the top; it had just pineapple on it like she requested. She started jumping up and down excited and I couldn't help but smile.

Making that little girl happy was quickly becoming one of my favorite things to do.