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Chapter 6 - Learning New Things

I wore my new robe and sleep pants to the breakfast table feeling a little nervous, but I didn't want to offend Bella by not using them. Ironic how the things she gave me to help me relax more were actually having the opposite effect. I had my robe pulled tight around my neck, worried that it would start to fall open and expose…things. Bella was wearing a robe as well, but she hadn't tied hers shut as she worked. I also noticed that Timmy and Ara both had little robes, but they all had shirts on under theirs. I wondered why I didn't have a shirt on and considered sneaking back into my room to put one on.

After my third time tucking my robe under my chin, I gave up and decided I needed a t-shirt of some sort. I had one advertising some insulin product and thought it would do fine. I hadn't actually bought a real t-shirt in years. I just didn't have the time or anywhere to wear it.

As I stood up, Timmy came running over. "Wow, you got new PJ's, too. Let's see 'em!" He was a quick little booger and before I could say another word or stop him, he had my robe spread wide open. "I like your pants, they're soft," he said rubbing my knee, and Ara grabbed the edge of my robe and twirled herself in it, making it impossible for me to try and cover myself back up as Bella walked in with a tray full of breakfast food.

I crossed my arms awkwardly, high hiding my nipples and squeaked out, "Morning."

She looked at me amused. "Ara, Timmy, come sit down." I was pretty sure she was looking at Ara twirling in my robe, but her gaze seemed a little off. Then she licked her lips, making me remember that breakfast was ready and it was time to eat. Timmy sat down and I finally picked up Ara and put her in her chair, quickly retying my robe. When I settled in, I noticed Bella's face looked a little flushed and made a mental note to ask if I needed to turn down the heat when she was cooking. I was sure the kitchen was pretty hot with the stove on.

"After breakfast, I want everyone to get cleaned up and showered so we can go to the hospital."

"Are we taking the pictures and presents we made?" Ara asked.

"Yup, I asked dad and he said okay so we're all going," Timmy bounced excitedly. I would have thought he would never want to go back there again, but I guess that was not the case.

Bella sent the kids off to the bathroom and I went to take my shower. When I got out, I crossed my bedroom to my closet and heard cartoons on in the living room. I guessed the kids were done. I was in the back of the closet when I started hearing what I thought was moaning. I looked around confused and then realized Bella's bathroom shared a wall with my closet. My first thought was that she was hurt, especially when she called my name. I threw on some pants and ran out to her room. The door wasn't locked so I was quickly standing outside her bathroom door, sure she had fallen and hurt herself. Bathrooms and kitchens were the most dangerous rooms in a house so I was certain she was hurt. Being this close to her, though, I could hear her more clearly, and when I say clearly, I mean completely clear as I listened to her say, "Yes, oh, fuck, so good. Ugh, faster, Edward."

My eyes widened and I started backing out of the room. As I stepped out into the hallway, I bumped into someone. Timmy was standing there looking at me confused. "What are you doing in Ms. Bella's room?"

"I, ah, thought I heard her fall, but she didn't. She's fine," I said pushing him further away from the door. "Go watch TV and I'll finish getting dressed so we can go."

He looked at me like I was crazy, but thankfully he conceded and ran down the hallway away from the scene of the crime. I hurried to my bedroom only to be met with my closet full of moaning again. I considered knocking on the wall so she would know I could hear her. I felt like I was eavesdropping, but I was in my own room trying to get dressed!

As her sounds filled my head, I started wondering what she was doing to herself and what she was imagining I was doing to her. I was a guy and she was attractive, but she was my employee. I couldn't think of her like that. I rubbed my face in frustration, trying to figure out what to do while ignoring the growing problem in my pants. This was ridiculous! I grabbed my clothes and quickly went back out into my room to dress properly for work.

At the hospital, things got more confusing. Ben walked up smiling and then wiggled his eyebrows while asking how things were going with Bella.

"Fine, she's found great recipes that are low-carb and sugar-free for Timmy. She's really taken her job very seriously."

He furrowed his brow at me, "Okay, that's good," he scratched his head, "So, are you not interested in her?" he asked outright.

"What do you mean interested?" I wanted clarification before I said something stupid.

"You know, like to date or whatever," he shrugged.

"Date?" I let out a sigh, "She specifically said no funny business. Why would I date her? I don't want to lose her as a nanny. Timmy would be heartbroken."

"Just Timmy, you're not attached to her?" he wondered and I wondered the same as well. She was sweet and really beautiful. She was great with kids and seemed very patient with my odd quirks, not even questioning why I liked my shorts dried on air fluff. Just thinking of it made me pull at the tight seams of my underwear and I wondered for a split second what kind of underwear she wore and how she dried it. I quickly shook that thought from my head. I was sure Ben was wrong.

"Ben, she isn't interested in me that way. Don't you remember? You were there when she said, 'No funny business,' and she wasn't talking about cracking jokes," I reminded him because at first, I wondered what she had against laughing. I was shocked she thought I would force unwanted advances on her.

Ben leaned back against the wall, "Dude, things change. She may have been wary about you before, but she's gotten to know you and likes you."

I shook my head at him, "It's best if we keep a professional relationship. I don't want things to get complicated. You know I'm not any good with women. I can't risk messing things up with her," I said frustrated and left him standing in the hallway alone. I was about to turn the corner by the nurse's station when I heard Bella's voice.

"I swear I'm going to combust. Edward has no idea what he's doing to me. He's so sweet and attentive with the kids, and I feel so bad because all I want to do is knock my daughter off his lap and climb on in her place, except I wouldn't sit there innocently. Heck no, he'd know what I want for Christmas from Santa for sure," she ranted.

I was shocked. I stood there out of sight and silent, wondering what alternate universe I had stumbled into.

"Edward has always been a bit stand-offish," Angie chimed in, "He's never been a people person and really only socializes with kids. I came in one weekend because I forgot my wallet. I can tell you right now, I know for a fact he was off duty, but that didn't stop him from having a movie night with the kids in the ward. He takes his breaks and plays board games with the kids. He avoids adults as much as possible."

I closed my eyes and silently prayed she would keep her mouth shut.

"He's been that way ever since freshman year in college. He got in with the wrong crowd and has avoided people ever since."

"So what, Edward never gets a happy ending? No wife, kids, dog and picket fence?" Bella asked but she sounded a little annoyed.

I heard Angie sigh, "He just doesn't trust his judgment when it comes to adults. They can be deceptive and he struggles to read people as it is. He's just trying to protect himself. I know you think he's a hot piece of meat, Bella, but I don't think Edward would ever start a physical relationship unless he was really serious with someone."

I heard a light thud, "That's just the thing, Angie. That's what I want." I heard her let out a sigh, "He's such a good dad and so sweet. Gah! It just makes my ovaries scream to give him more children, to make a family with him and grow old watching our babies make lives for themselves. Edward's the kind of guy you don't just fuck, but you keep him forever."

My eyes were popping out of my head, I was sure of it. I had never opened my eyes or my mouth so wide in my life. I was in complete shock. Bella wanted to make babies with me and I had no idea why; I hadn't come on to her or flirted or anything. I had done just as she asked and kept my distance.

"Well, Bella, if you want to get his attention, you're going to have to make it blatantly obvious. Edward is just clueless like that," Angie encouraged her.

I heard Bella giggle, "I wonder what he would think if I accidently ran into him in nothing but a towel and dropped it. I wonder if he would notice me then."

"Maybe start a little more subtly," Angie offered.

"I spend every morning without a bra and my robe open and he never notices. I blatantly ogled him when his robe fell open. I was flushed and licked my lips. You know what he asked me?"

"What?"

"If he needed to turn the heat down so I don't overheat in the kitchen while I'm cooking. He has no idea what he did to me with his pretty abs and happy trail this morning. Maybe he does know, but he's just being nice about it because he isn't interested in me. That would make more sense."

Honestly, nothing made sense. She had said no funny business. Before I knew what I was doing, I was stepping into view. "You said no funny business," I accused, "You weren't talking about jokes."

The girls both looked at me wide-eyed. Bella turned several shades of dark red and Angie burst out laughing. "Oh, Edward," Angie finally settled herself down enough to talk, ignoring Bella's glare, "Things change and as of right now, Bella would really like you to get funny with her." She gave me a wink and walked off, leaving me alone with a very red-faced girl. We stood staring at each other, still in shock for a few minutes when I noticed something important missing.

"Bella, where are the kids?" I turned around hoping for some sign of them.

"They're doing a puzzle with Mandy," she said pointing to a closed door.

Mandy was my current patient and old friends with Timmy. I was not surprised they were in there with her and glad she had someone to keep her company.

"Timmy wanders around this place like he owns it."

I just nodded, "It was his home for four years. He probably knows this place better than I do. Well, he knows where the nurses are at any given point and where that snacks are, that's for sure," I chuckled.

She looked up at me and smiled softly, taking a tentative step closer. I had no idea what she was up to, but before I could figure it out, the kids came out of the room and she stopped in her tracks and turned her focus to them.

"You ready to go home, Dad?" Timmy asked me.

"Yeah, let's go home," I said and messed up his hair. I guess I would have to leave the puzzle of Bella to be solved another time.

A/N: Thanks for reading and please review!