Author's Note: So thank you to everyone that reviewed. I'm glad you like the story. Anyways, so I'm still trying to find a beta because I'm not good at the whole proof-reading thing, and I believe people can enjoy the story better if it's well written. So if you would like to Beta read for me just PM me or say so in your review.

Disclaimer: I'm not Stephenie Meyer and The Animal Race is by Gordon Dioxide.

"Having children makes you no more a parent than having a piano makes you a pianist."

-Michael Levine-

Chapter 4

"Renaming Hannah's Teddy"

"Rose, I think I found the perfect man," I declared happily.

"Excuse me?" She asked in disbelief.

"Yeah, he saved Hannah today, and then we went to lunch together. Hannah adores him. The way she looks at him is too cute. He's sweet, smart, sexy, and so many other adjectives. He's officially perfect," I said letting out a dreamy sigh.

"Well, did you guys change numbers, anything?" She questioned sounding slightly desperate.

"No, but something tells me that we will be seeing each other soon. Or maybe that's just me being optimistic. But even if he isn't good with relationships, he looks like he can definitely satisfy a girl in bed," I laughed at how hopeful I sounded.

"Oh, Bella, everyone knows that's exactly what you need. A nice good f-,"

"Mommy!" Hannah screamed as she threw open my bedroom door.

"Don't worry, I heard Hannah. We will continue this discussion later," Rose said and quickly hung up. She understood the importance of when your child needs you, you have to drop everything.

"Yes, sweetie," I said once she jumped on the bed, scooting herself next to me.

"I want to see Edward. I never said thanks," she stated looking rather determined.

I just stared at her. She was a friendly kid, but she never opened up to someone so quickly. It took Renee a week, when she came to visit, to get Hannah to talk to her.

"Sorry Hannah, but I don't know when we're going to see him again," I responded grimly.

"But Mommy," she whined.

"It sounds like someone didn't take a good enough nap," I said. She pouted and climbed into my lap. I cuddled her close to me and kissed the top of her head.

"It's not fair. I like Edward," she complained.

"Well, baby, life isn't fair."

"But, why?"

"Because then life wouldn't be fun and interesting."

"But, why?"

"Hannah Renee," I said ending that conversation.

"Sorry, Mommy."

I just held and rocked her for a few minutes, until I heard her breathing even out. I gently walked her back to her bed. I smiled down at her peaceful state. She was always easy to please.

I went to the kitchen to start cooking dinner. If I timed everything out correctly, Mike wouldn't have to wait to eat, which hopefully would result in a fight free night.

I was diligently working when I heard Hannah's footsteps running down the hallway. I heard a loud thump followed by a slight cry.

I quickly stopped stirring the macaroni and ran to the hallway.

"I'm okay," Hannah said as she was standing up.

"What happened?" I asked her as I went to help her up.

"I fell again."

My poor child, of course she inherited my disability of being so clumsily it should be illegal.

"Oh, Hay-Bay, what am I going to do with you?" I teased her. She looked up at me and I saw a smirk forming.

"Well, you're my Mommy, and you taught me how to walk. It's your fault," she stated looking smug. Only my Hannah could do that. But I just rolled my eyes and laughed.

"You're so funny. Now go wash your hands for dinner."

I had dinner on the table right as Mike walked through the door.

"Something smells good," Mike said cheerfully wrapping his arms around me. He kissed me lightly on the forehead. "The kitchen looks great."

"Thank you," I mumbled a little shocked. This was the sweet, kind Mike I fell in love with. Now if only he would stay this way.

"Where's Hannah?" He asked looking around. Once she heard her name, Hannah ran full force throwing herself at him.

"I'm here Daddy," she smiled as he picked her up.

"I see that now. What did you do today? Did you help Mommy?" He questioned.

"Mommy was in the kitchen, you know she doesn't like help in the kitchen."

I taught her well.

"Oh, I found Teddy today!" She announced happily. "But I think I'm going to change his name."

"Really, and to what?" Mike asked.

"Edward," she stated simply. My eyes widened and the water I started drinking suddenly was coming back up as I tried to cough and not choke.

Mike glanced over at me. He waited till I stopped coughing to ask if I was okay.

"Just went down the wrong tube. Let's start eating while it's still hot," I said walking over to the table.

"So Mike, how was your day?" I asked trying to get him to start talking so Hannah wouldn't bring up Edward again. That was just a fight waiting to happen.

"It was great. Guess what Bella? I have a secretary. My own personal one," he told me sounding like a kid in a candy store.

"That's really cool," I said not knowing who the bigger dork was: him for being this excited or me for trying to sound just as excited for him.

The rest of the dinner passed quickly. It was strange that Hannah didn't talk at all. She always would tell Mike about her day, whether he listened or not was a different story.

"Hannah, are you feeling okay?" I asked her as Mike started cleaning off the table.

"Yes, Mommy, I'm just tired," she yawned proving her point.

"I'll take her to bed," Mike suggested after all the dishes were by the sink. Is it wrong that I think he only suggested it because then I would have to do the dishes?

Without another word, he lifted her up and walked down the hall toward her bedroom.

I quickly finished the dishes, wanting to see how Mike was handling this. He never helped with Hannah as a baby. He would hold her when she was sleeping, but as soon as she started crying he handed her over to me or the nearest person who could take care of her. He's never tucked her in since she starting sleeping in a real bed. I just wonder what he's been up to. Maybe he started taking drugs or something.

I walked down the hallway and rested against the door frame, becoming the silent observer.

"Daddy, can you read to me?" Hannah asked sounding very sleepy.

"Of course, how about I read The Animal Race?"

"Yeah," she said. He went over to the corner of her room and picked up a book. He walked back to her bed and sat the edge. Before he started, he lifted her up gently and put her under the covers. He kissed her forehead as he lifted the covers up.

He started reading and I couldn't help the grin that came across my face. I don't know what happened to him today, but he's finally starting to act like a father, and I couldn't be happier.

"They had an odd relationship. How can I put this? Well, they weren't exactly best of friends. In fact, they hated each other. Every day they would have an argument. Then they would fight. Then they would ignore each other. Then another argument would start up and it would keep going round in circles - argue, fight, ignore, argue, fight, ignore."

"Hey, that sounds like you and Mommy," Hannah stated and I hurried to disguise my laugh as a cough once Mike looked over at me. "But Mommy didn't fight with Edward today. You should meet him, he's really nice."

Well that sure did shut me up. Mike just nodded toward Hannah, not sparing me a glance. He continued on with the story as though she hadn't said anything.

She fell asleep quickly after that. Mike once again kissed her forehead and put the book back in the corner. I walked to the living room.

"So, who's Edward?" He asked, not giving me much time to think of a good response. "Are you cheating on me?"

"Really Mike? Are you really going to question my loyalty? Because I have a lot more to lose from this relationship than you do," I snapped back at him.

"I want to know who this Edward guy is."

"Why does it bother you so much that I talk to other people? You hate Emmett, and he has done nothing but help me. Same with Rose," I retaliated trying to avoid the question. Why am I not just telling Mike?

"That's not what I am talking about. Remember Hannah is my daughter too. If I don't think she should be around barbaric people, like Emmett, then I think you should listen to me."

"Whatever Mike. You don't see me questioning you about your new secretary because I get the feeling she's the reason you came home so happy," I replied angrily.

He just looked at me in disbelief. And without another word he turned and stalked out of the room.

"Where the hell do you think you're going?" I questioned him as he started walking toward the door.

"Leaving, because I don't want to put up with someone who doesn't trust me," he yelled at me.

"Excuse me? Are you listening to yourself? You're such a hypocrite," I shouted back at him.

He just glared at me and walked out the door, slamming it in the process. I just stood there looking at the door. This was a new one. He hasn't ever walked out during a fight. I just rolled my eyes and went to the kitchen.

I wasn't looking where I was going, which was always a bad thing for me, and I felt my ankle give out when I didn't step over the small step going to the kitchen. I winced and tried to walk again, but slipped on something else. I felt myself falling backwards. I heard my head hit the ground, and I winced once again. I tried to get up, but just couldn't.

I heard Hannah's footsteps running from her room.

"Mommy, are you okay?" She asked sounding like she was going to cry. "Mommy, why is the floor all red?"

"Hannah, remember how I taught you to call Uncle Em if anything happens to me?" I paused to make sure she did remember.

"Yes, Mommy," she whispered sniffing slightly.

"Well, I need you to call him," I said trying not to close my eyes, but my head and ankle hurt so much.

I heard her little footsteps again.

"Uncle Emmie?" I heard her whisper from somewhere by me. "Mommy fell down and got a boo-boo."

So let me know!

~Scar :)