Disclaimer: I own everything but their names.

July 13, 2001 – Santa Cruz, California

"Which one looks good, Baby Boy?" I asked, lifting him higher. I tightened my arm around him and rested his butt against my stomach so he could get a better look at the offerings.

His little hands squeezed my forearm and he leaned forward, humming dramatically. I chuckled quietly to myself, imagining the serious look that probably rested on his face. He'd never been one of those kids who chose on impulse; he took his time – looked at everything until the right one jumped out at him. Then, and only then, did he ever make a decision.

And it wasn't just with his toys, either. He was the same way with people, too. He was always careful, keeping his distance until, it seemed, he'd chosen the best ones to latch onto.

Like Bella.

It still surprised me how quickly he'd warmed up to her. That afternoon when I prompted him to kiss her hand, I fully expected him to pull his usual hide-behind-my-leg act. I'd only seen him do that shit once before, on Jasper's little girlfriend Alice, and that was only because she'd been the one to teach it to him. But he'd definitely surprised me...

He acted like he'd known Bella his entire life.

I mean, I understood his immediate pull to her. I'd felt something similar the moment her eyes met mine; something inside me wanted more of her instantly.

Watching him with her was scary as fuck, though. The immediate attachment, the instant bond… it terrified me.

She terrified me.

She had been doing it… and in the weeks since that first afternoon, it'd progressively gotten worse. I knew I was making a mistake by offering her that job, by setting our surf condition… but still, I did it.

And all it had done was open me up for trouble I hadn't been prepared for. Because we could never, ever, be more than boss and employee. We just couldn't.

Lisle wiggled and pointed, pulling me out of my head. I took a step to the side to give him a better look, trying to focus my own attention back on the task at hand. I wasn't usually in the business of spoiling my kid, but there were some days when I needed his brand of infectious excitement.

Today had been one of them. Shit. The past month had been one of them.

And I needed to stop thinking about the reason why. I'd done enough thinking about her; enough fantasizing about her… and enough punishing myself for it to last me a lifetime.

We couldn't.

Legos. Focus on the Legos, Edward.

Looking back at the shelf in front of us, I spotted the Star Wars set and pointed at the box. "How 'bout that one, Buddy?"

He shook his head at me, blond curls tickling my lips before he leaned forward again. "No, Dada. Dat one," he said, letting go of my arm with one hand and pointing at his choice.

"You're sure?" I asked. He turned his eyes up to mine and nodded before wiggling his fingers in the direction of the box. "Policemen, huh? You gonna grow up and be a cop, buddy?"

"Nah, I gon' grow up and be you, Daddy." He cheesed a huge smile and I smiled back at him. This kid could brighten anybody's day.

Before grabbing it, I looked closer at the choice he'd made, checking to make sure there were no pieces too small or dangerous. I'd made that mistake once before, and tantrums in the middle of a toy store weren't fun. Then again, neither was telling my son he couldn't have what he wanted.

I knew all too well these days how it felt not to be able to have something you wanted.

Deciding his choice was good, I tightened my arm around his belly and reached for the police set, complete with its very own tiny little station and handed it to him.

"All right, let's hit it. But you're walkin', you're heavy, boy." I bent and lowered him to the floor, tugging his shirt down into place before standing back up.

He turned to me, lifting his free arm like he was flexing. "'Cause I's gots muscles!"

"Yup. You're big and strong just like daddy."

He flexed his arm and puckered his lips, throwing in a little baby-growl and trying to look all tough. "I still beat yous up, dough," he said, completely serious.

I snorted and shook my head at him before holding out my hand for his. "I'm no match for you, Kid. Hand," I said, reminding him of our rule. He reached up and wrapped his fingers around one of mine, holding on as we made our way toward the registers.

"Whoa," I said, wincing playfully as we walked. "Not so tight, Dude!"

He giggled in response.

Once his precious Legos were bought and paid for, we headed back toward the Jeep. I strapped him into his seat and climbed into my own.

"Ready to go home?" I asked him in the rearview.

He shook his head and huffed. Then he made that face he always made at me when there were a million things he wanted to say but he had no idea how to say them. "Not home. Bella."

My heart thumped and I turned to face him. "What about her?"

His little fingers were wrapped tightly around the straps of his car seat. "Go see her at your work?"

I squeezed my eyes closed and blew out a heavy breath. It had been happening since our day together on the fourth, him asking to see her.

As if I hadn't already had enough trouble telling him no.

On any other day, I wouldn't have thought twice about bringing him back with me to the shop. That was our typical routine. He liked hanging out with the guys, he liked 'working' in my office. I liked having him there.

Today, though, my head had been screaming at me to stay way, even though my heart was asking me not to.

Bella had been so frustrated with herself the past week, and I hated seeing her that way. I also hated that I didn't know how to comfort her without crossing a line. My growing attraction to her complicated things way too much. I over-analyzed every movement; every touch. Every word.

We couldn't.

"You really like her, don't you, Buddy?"

He nodded and grinned at me. "Yah."

I sighed, turning back and twisting the key in the ignition. "Let's go see her then."

One thing was clear at that moment… I knew my kid had fallen for her.

I would just have to keep myself from doing the same.

This little Surfward-Lisle moment takes place before the end of Chapter 13. It's also unbeta'd; so all mistakes are mine. Thank you H and K for the read-through, you two are the chocolate to my chip.

Hopefully this gives you a good idea what was going on in Surfward's head those first few weeks. How he wanted to stay away – but everything, including his son – kept pulling him back in. Anything you'd like to see? Specific moments you're curious about?

Thank you all so much for reading! I am working my way through review replies, so if you haven't gotten one from me yet, I swear I didn't forget you!

xx