I guess I should note that this was inspired by the movie "One Fine Day" with George Clooney and Michelle Pfeiffer. It's a remarkably cute movie. You should go rent it, unless your town has been impacted by the evil Redbox machine and all of the movie rental places have been closed down.

Chapter Two: "Ice Cream" Bella's POV

Emerson and I went back to the playground on Sunday, but much to our dismays, Edward and Emmy weren't there. I didn't know why I was so disappointed. It just felt nice to talk to another young single parent, I guess. Plus he was a literature nerd like me. I honestly thought I was the only one who would name their kid after a writer.

After Sunday, of course, was Monday. I dropped Emerson off at kindergarten and went to work. I worked as a dental assistant. I didn't make a ton of money and I didn't have the most interesting job ever, but it put food on the table and the health insurance was great.

My job wasn't extremely demanding or intricate. I mostly sterilized equipment and sucked saliva out of somebody's mouth. Of course it gives you plenty of time for your mind to wander. My mind did wander, and it wandered straight to Edward. I don't know why I thought about him so much. He was gorgeous, of course, but it was something more. I could feel a crush forming.

I got out of the dental office as quickly as I could, which was at five. I hated the fact that Emerson had to go to Rosalie's house every afternoon, but I was so grateful for my best friend.

I swung by her house and let myself in. "Rose? Emerson?" I called.

"In the living room!" was Rosalie's reply.

I walked in to see Rosalie watching some talk show while Emerson and Emmett sat in the floor, building a tower out of Legos. "Where did you get the Legos?" I asked my son.

"Emmett bought them for me," he replied.

"Oh," I said, surprised. "Emmett, you didn't have to do that."

"It's no problem, Bella," Emmett replied. Over Emerson's head, he mouthed, "I'm sucking up."

I laughed. "Did you thank Emmett, baby?"

"He did," Emmett nodded. "And I told him he was very welcome."

"Thank you, Emmett. Emerson, we have to go, sweetie."

"Aw, Mom, why?"

"Because we have to run to Wal-Mart. Come on."

"Okay!" he squealed in joy. For some reason, my kid loved Wal-Mart.

"Kiss your Aunt Rosalie," I told him.

"Come here, boyfriend," Rose laughed, hugging and kissing him.

Emerson glared at Emmett. "You may buy really cool toys, but Aunt Rosalie is mine."

"Emerson!" I exclaimed, my cheeks flaming. "You know better than to be rude like that!"

Emmett chortled. "I love some healthy competition."

Emmett really was such a great guy. I whispered this to Rosalie right before we left, and she nodded smugly. "I know."

"Mommy, why do we have to get the ugly white boxes of cereal? Aunt Rosalie always has cool boxes with cartoons on them."

I sighed. "Because we are pinching pennies," I told him.

"Pinching pennies?" His eyebrows furrowed. "That makes no sense. You can't pinch a penny. They can't feel anything!"

I laughed. "I mean we're trying to save money. If we eat cheaper cereal, you can have more Christmas presents." I ducked and kissed his black hair.

"Ohhh," he said. "I see. Where are you taking me next?"

Emerson was sitting in the child's seat in the shopping cart. He would occasionally make engine noises and often begged me to speed up.

"Umm," I said, glancing at my list. "The laundry supplies aisle."

Once I was there, I started the mental battle that always waged in the laundry aisle. I was a sucker for Tide with Febreeze-that had been the laundry soap I used when I lived with Charlie. But it was expensive, so I went for the cheaper brand that just didn't smell as good. I often inhaled deeply as I passed the Tide, just to relish the delicious scent. I know, I'm a freak.

Suddenly I heard a familiar voice. "Whoa, Emmy, slow down!"

Edward Cullen rounded the corner, turning onto the laundry aisle while his daughter ran in front of his shopping cart. She stopped immediately when she saw us.

"Hey, Emerson!" she exclaimed.

"Hey, Emmy! Mommy, can I get out of the buggy?"

I picked him up and sat him on his feet on the floor. "Hey, stranger," I grinned at Edward. "I take it you got paid today, too?"

He laughed and ran a hand through his hair. "Yeah. That's funny-most people don't get paid on Monday. How are you, Bella?"

I'm stunned now that I've noticed your emerald eyes. "I'm as a good as I can be when I'm buying laundry soap," I joked.

He chuckled. "Yeah, I have to pick up some fabric softener."

"Fabric softener? How very manly of you." Truthfully, I was impressed. Most men didn't bother with this very important part of the laundry cycle.

He grinned that crooked grin. "Oh, hush. I'm both Dad and Mom, so I figured I would do it right." He winked at me.

I glanced down to make sure Emerson was still there. He was talking animatedly to Emmy about something, making noises of explosions to highlight his description. "Good for you," I said to Edward. "Fabric softener is a vital staple of any good mother's housework."

"Yeah, yeah. Is that a screwdriver I spy in your cart? Is someone playing Daddy, too?"

I blushed. "I have to repair...something."

"Mommy broke the smoke detector," Emerson said loudly.

"Emerson," I hissed, but Edward just laughed.

"How did your mommy manage that?" he asked my son.

"She hit it with the broom," Emerson replied.

Edward raised an eyebrow at me, making my whole body flush. "Um," I stammered. "One of my candles tipped over and caught one of my books on fire. The smoke detector went off, and I tried to wave the broom over it to make it quit beeping, but I accidentally hit it."

Edward chuckled. "That is a good story. But I'm sad about your book. What book was it?"

"The Scarlet Letter."

Edward crinkled his nose up. "That book should burn."

I laughed ruefully. "It's amazing how much I can identify with it."

He hesitated before shrugging, allowing that. "I suppose you're right. Hmm, it looks like they're out of my fabric softener."

"What kind do you usually use?"

"Tide with Febreeze. Lavender and vanilla scented."

Oh god, help me.

"I wish I could afford that," I replied wistfully. "But I use Equate. It works just as well. It doesn't have the same delicious scent, though."

"Sounds good." He took the Equate off the shelf and dropped it in his grocery cart. Hey, Emmy? We have to go buy you..." He scanned his list. "Green tights and white Mary Jane shoes? How am I supposed to know what that means?"

"I have to have them for the play my class is putting on," Emmy informed her father. "I'm a flower fairy."

"Do you go to Central Elementary?" I asked in surprise.

Edward nodded. "Yes. Are you a Central parent too?"

"Yes! Emerson is in Mrs. Milstead's class. He's a frog in the play, but my friend Rose is putting together the costume. I'm not good with the creative stuff."

"Emmy is in Mrs. Tribble's class." Edward sighed and ran a hand through his already-messy hair. "Emmy, my love, I think I'm going to have to recruit your Grandma or your Aunt Alice for this one."

"I can help," I volunteered. "I know a little something about tights and Mary Janes."

"Really?" Edward asked, surprised. "That would be...so appreciated."

I giggled. "It's no problem. I don't know if you'll be able to find white Mary Janes at Wal-Mart, though."

"Umm, my sister is a bit of a fashionista. Let me call her and make sure she hasn't already bought Emmy white Mary Janes...whatever those are." He pulled out a cell phone and started dialing.

"No problem," I said. "We'll go look at tights now. Hey, Emerson and Emmy? Time to hit up another aisle."

Not even acknowledging me, they followed me and Edward to the little girls' underwear section. I was quite surprised to find that they had green tights.

"Do you know what size you usually wear?" I asked Emmy.

She shrugged. "Whatever size Aunt Alice and Grandma buy me."

I chuckled and started to think. She was a couple of inches shorter than Emerson. "Come here, Emmy," I said. I picked her up and realized she was lighter than Emerson. Edward watched me with a raised eyebrow, but he didn't look uncomfortable with my handling of his daughter.

"Alright, I think I know what size to get you," I said, putting her down.

I quickly found her size and handed the little cardboard packet to Edward, who was putting his phone away.

"That was fast," he said, dropping the tights into his grocery cart.

I shrugged. "She was easy to size. What about the Mary Janes?"

"My sister says she doesn't have any. Could you help me? I don't even know what Mary Janes are."

I laughed. "No problem, Edward."

We all trekked to the shoe department, but there were no white Mary Janes. I suggested the Payless down the street, and Edward said that was a good idea-as long as I came with them to help I agreed, and we all walked to Payless after buying and loading our groceries into our cars.

"Here are some!" I announced as I found a pair of white patent Mary Janes. Edward found her size and slipped it onto her foot.

My heart melted as I watched Edward with his little girl. He was making her walk the aisle up and down with the Mary Janes on, asking her if they were comfortable, if they slid on her heels. He bent down to make sure they weren't too tight on her toes. When he decided that they were perfect, he kissed her cheek and she hugged him. I realized that they looked exactly alike-bronze hair, ivory skin, green eyes, and high cheekbones. Whoever her mother-Tanya, wasn't it?-was, she had no interference in Emmy's genetics.

My admiration was interrupted when Emerson started tugging on my shirt. "Mommy," he was saying. "Mommy, your phone is ringing."

I realized he had my cell phone in his hands. "Oh, thank you, baby," I told him, taking the phone from him. My dad was calling. Answering, I said, "Hey, Dad."

"Hey, Bells! I haven't heard from you in a while. How are you?"

"Oh, I'm great," I replied. "I've just been busy. I've been meaning to swing by Forks for a weekend."

"That would be great!" Charlie exclaimed. "I haven't seen my grandson in forever."

I giggled. "Dad, it's been three weeks."

"Well, it feels like longer. He's growing up right before your eyes and I'm not getting to see as much."

I laughed again at his grumbling. "I know, Dad. Don't remind me. Emerson has a school play on Friday. Do you want to come?"

"Yeah, I'd love to. It sucks that I missed all of that with you."

"I know," I sighed. My mom Renee had raised me in Phoenix, Arizona with almost no influence by Charlie. But as soon as I got pregnant, she sent me to live with Dad. "At least you get a do-over. You can spend Friday night at my place. Maybe the whole weekend."

"Sounds good. I gotta go; Sue is coming over."

"Say hi to your girlfriend for me," I teased him, earning one of his signature hmmphs. "Okay, Dad. 'Bye. I love you."

"Love you, too, Bells. Tell Emerson I love him."

"Will do." I clicked the end call button. "Emerson, that was Grandpa. He says he loves you and he'll be there for your school play."

"I love my grandpa," Emmy piped up. "And my grandma."

Edward beamed down at his daughter. "My parents spoil Emmy because she's the first grandchild," he explained to me.

"You're lucky to have such loving grandparents," I said to the adorable little girl.

"We're both lucky to have them," Edward agreed. "Bella, Emmy and I were wondering if you and Emerson would be interested in an ice cream cone? My treat, since you helped us so kindly."

I smiled at him. "Emerson and I would love that. You don't have to pay, though. I know how difficult…things…can be."

He shook his head. "I owe you, big time. There's a little ice cream parlor further down in the shopping center. Shall we go after I buy these?" He immediately glanced at the price tag and breathed a sigh of relief. Everything was on sale.

I giggled. "Okay, but you'll have to let me have both of you over for dinner one night. And maybe a viewing of The Land Before Time?"

Emmy and Emerson immediately began jumping up and down. "Please, Mommy, please?" Emerson begged.

"Sometime soon," I promised him, ruffling his soft hair. He was probably due for a haircut soon…

"First we're getting ice cream," Edward told them. "Come on, Ems."

Edward paid for the shoes, and we walked outside to the sidewalk. Emerson and Emmy were walking in front of us, still talking.

"They're awfully verbose," Edward observed.

I nodded. "Emerson can talk your ear off, I'm afraid. He inherited that from his father."

"Emmy can, too, but she got it from my sister and mother. I guess they're kindred spirits."

I nodded, suddenly aware of the tiny distance between me and Edward. Our arms were brushing as we walked. "It's good to see Emerson with a friend," I admitted quietly. "Some of the other mothers are pretty judgmental."

"No, I completely understand," he assured me. "I'm only twenty-two, and the other parents aren't exactly...kind. Emmy hasn't been invited to so many parties," he added in a whisper.

So I finally knew his age—one year older than me. He was probably seventeen when Emmy came along. I couldn't believe that such a young boy had so completely fallen in love with his little girl. "Yeah," I mumbled. "Same for Emerson."

We were at the ice cream parlor by then, so Edward opened the door for me and we stepped inside. Edward bought everyone ice cream, which prompted Emerson to give him a giant hug. That made Edward and me both chuckle, but Edward hugged him back bear-style.

"Is that good?" Edward asked me as we sat at a table outside. We didn't want to waste the rare Seattle sunshine. Emmy and Emerson were at their own table, still talking.

I licked at my cinnamon ice cream cone. "It's delicious," I said. "How is your candied apple sundae?"

"Amazing. Do you want to sample?" He scooped up a messy bite of sundae on his spoon and held it out to me.

"Um, sure," I said, leaning over to take the bite. It really was good. "That's great. Do you want to try mine?"

I couldn't help but smile as Edward tentatively took a lick off my ice cream. He made a cute little purring noise before saying, "You're right. That is great. I'll have to take you here again so I can get that flavor."

I chuckled nervously, blushing a little. "Can you not come here without me?"

He gave me the most adorable crooked smile I had ever seen. "I can...but you make it a lot better."

I grinned at him, flattered. "Well, thanks."

He took another bite of his sundae. "So what do you do for a living?"

"I'm a dental assistant at Gerandy Dental Clinic," I replied, my cheeks still flaming red. I wasn't exactly crazy about my job. "What about you?"

"I'm...a writer," he said mysteriously, effectively ending his sentence with a bite of ice cream.

I raised my eyebrows. "Have I heard of you before? I'm a pretty avid reader, you know."

"Yeah, my pen name is Nathaniel Hawthorne. And you burn my books," he said with a sly grin on his face before coughing self-consciously. "Actually, I, uh, write for Parenting Magazine."

"Oh, I don't read that," I replied. "Why are you blushing?"

He snorted. "It's not my dream job, that's for sure. I'd much rather be writing for something manlier...like Car and Driver...Rolling Stone...Men's Health, even."

"Yeah," I said, "but those magazines don't really help people. I'm sure your parenting articles do. I mean, you look like a fantastic parent."

His blush grew deeper. "I'm really not fantastic, Bella. I'm-"

He was interrupted by Emmy, who had ran to him, pulling on his shirt. "Daddy," she said, sounding tearful. "Daddy!"

"What is it, my love?" he asked her, gently taking her devastated face in his hands. My heart melted, and I realized that the way he so lovingly treated his little girl was making my little crush a whole lot bigger.

"I spilled ice cream on my white dress," she said timidly. "It's all pink now. And Aunt Alice says that-"

Edward bent and interrupted her with a kiss. "Shh, angel. It's just strawberry ice cream. I can probably get it out with spot remover."

"But Aunt Alice says-"

He shook his head. "Don't worry about Aunt Alice. If she notices, I'll handle her, okay?"

Emmy's bottom lip was still trembling. "Will Grandma be mad? She bought me this pretty dress."

Edward gave her an incredulous look. "When has Grandma ever been mad at you?"

Emmy's face was thoughtful. "Never."

Edward laughed quietly. "That's what I thought, sweetie. Don't worry about it. I spill stuff all the time. Go finish your ice cream with Emerson, okay?"

She nodded, happy again. "Okay!"

He smiled at her and bent to kiss her curls. "Love you, Emmy."

"Love you, too!" She ran back to Emerson.

He watched her for a second before turning back to me. "I'm sorry, where were we?"

I smirked at him. "We were talking about how terrible of a parent you are."

He laughed and stared down at the table. "Okay, I'm not that bad. But I'm not perfect, either."

"No one is," I murmured, watching Emerson from the corner of my eye.

"Yes, well, I must compliment your parenting, too. Emerson is so kind and well-behaved and intelligent. And you can tell that he loves you so much."

"Thanks," I said, a little embarrassed but totally flattered. "I just try my best. My dad helps a lot, though. I honestly couldn't do it without him."

"Yeah, I heard you talking to him about the play. Are you helping with the play at all?"

I groaned softly. "Yes, I'm afraid that Emerson told his teacher that his mommy makes the best cookies in the world. So I'm responsible for baking three-hundred chocolate chip cookies for the after-party." I sighed and took a big bite of ice cream as if it gave me strength. "What about you?"

He laughed. "Emmy kept her mouth shut, thankfully. I could help you out."

"Seriously?" I gasped. "You'd be willing to throw on an apron and bake cookies?"

He gave me a playful cringe. "Well...I'll forgo the apron. But sure, I would love to."

I laughed. "Only if I can keep the promise I made to Emerson and Emmy-dinner and a night of dinosaurs at my house."

He extended his hand. "I'll take you up on that."

I shook his hand, all businesslike. "It's a deal, Mr. Cullen."

"Excellent, Miss Swan," he grinned at me.

After we finished our ice cream, we walked back to Wal-Mart, where our cars were still parked.

I bent down and whispered in Emerson's ear, "Don't forget to thank Edward for your ice cream again."

Emerson immediately went to Edward and hugged his legs. "Thank you for the ice cream," he said.

Edward laughed and stooped down to hug him properly. "It's no problem. Maybe you can convince your mom to let me do it again." His green eyes flashed to me, and he gave me a wink.

"I'd like that," I admitted, opening my car door and helping Emerson into his safety seat. "Um, do you want my number? I mean, I think our kids like playing together."

He smiled. "Yeah, they do. And I like...talking together."

"Me, too," I admitted, momentarily forgetting the rest of the world.

"Mom," Emerson sighed. "I have to read to you tonight for homework!"

"Right, little man," I said, snapping out of my trance. I buckled Emerson in and closed the car door, turning to Edward, who had Emmy by the hand.

Edward cleared his throat. "Ah, here's my number." He pulled out a pen and his receipt and wrote it on the back.

I ripped off a piece of the receipt and wrote my number on it. "And here's mine."

He took it from me and smiled. "Thank you, Bella. I'll call you and we'll set up a, um, play date for the kids."

I giggled girlishly, tucking his number into my purse. "Okay. I'm, uh, looking forward to it."

"Me, too. Um, since Emerson gave me a hug, can I have one from his mom?"

The hopeful look on Edward's face literally melted my heart. "Of course," I said, and then he pulled me into a tight hug. When we broke away, we smiled at each other for a few seconds before Emmy reminded her father that they were supposed to have dinner at her grandparents'.

Edward smiled adoringly at her. "Thank you, secretary."

"I'll see you later," I told him. "Thanks for a great afternoon."

"No, thank you for helping us shop," he replied.

"It was no problem," I smiled. "Emerson is probably about to blow a gasket..."

"Yeah, my mom is probably about to stand on her head," he sighed. "I'll call you very soon."

"I'm holding you to that," I teased him.

"Oh, Miss Swan, I'm a man of my word," he winked.

"Daddy," Emmy begged him. "I want to go see what video game Uncle Jasper and Grandpa are playing tonight."

"Alright, princess. 'Bye, Bella."

"'Bye, Edward." I waved at him and got into my car.

"Mommy?" Emerson asked me as I drove out of the parking lot.

"Yes, baby?"

"Do you like Emmy's dad?" He asked this so nonchalantly as he made his little Hot Wheels car drive over his safety seat.

"Yeah," I said slowly. "He bought you ice cream. Of course I do."

"No," my son shook his head seriously. "I mean do you like him?"

"What do you know about liking people like that?"

"Well, Mike likes Jessica, so he gives her his pudding cup everyday at lunch. And she likes him back, so she gives him her little bag of Cheez-Its. And you gave Edward help with shopping for Emmy, and he gave you ice cream."

Jeez, I loved his kindergarten logic. I smiled at him in the rearview mirror. "Emerson, you know that you are the only man who really matters to me. Even though you're Aunt Rosalie's boyfriend, you're my baby. I only have eyes for you, kiddo."

He thought about this for a second before slowly nodding. "Good, because I don't like the fact that Aunt Rosalie likes Emmett. I don't think I could handle another man I would have to keep an eye on."

I laughed loudly. "I thought you liked Emmett."

"I do, Mommy. But not for my Aunt Rosalie."

He was turning green with envy. I chuckled again. "Emerson, Aunt Rosalie is a lot older than you. It's the curse of loving older women, sweetie-pie."

"Yeah, I know," he sighed.

"Don't you like it that I'm friends with Emmy's dad? That means you can play with Emmy a lot more."

"Yeah, I like that part. But I don't want to have to kick his butt over you." The serious expression on his face was comical.

I snorted. "Emerson, don't say that word. And don't worry about Edward. I think he seems nice. He must be nice if Emmy is nice, right?"

"Yeah, I guess..." he mumbled doubtfully. "As long as I can be your main man, he'll be okay."

"Charlie Emerson Swan," I teased him. "Don't you know that you will always be my main man? Even if I do meet a man, you will always be my top priority. No one will ever take my heart away from you."

"Okay," he said, looking a little more cheerful.

"Even when you're old enough to get married," I added.

He crinkled his nose. "Eww! Mom! Don't say that!"

Ah, the kindergartener finally comes out again. "What's wrong with that idea?" I asked him.

"Marriage gives you cooties." He looked horror-stricken.

"Oh, right," I said. "Good point. Hey, little man?"

"Yeah, Mom?"

"I love you more than Lois Lane loves Superman."

He giggled. "I love you more than Spiderman loves Mary Jane Watson."

"Wow," I commented. "That's a lot, baby."

God, I loved my little man.

I've actually already written a lot of chapters. I'll post when I can.

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