A/N: Massive thanks and hot Tay/cob love to my bestie Simply Jaded4 for beta'ing this!And love to both Consumedbyheavenlyfire, and Madmamabear for pre-reading and helping me over my road block!

Enjoy!

2. What If?

"What if I'm the one for you and you're the one for me?

If you are the one, then this meeting here is fate,

Future with a dog named Ben, buy a house with a fireplace,

This is the first I've seen your face ,but there a chance we are soulmates

I know that this might sound crazy ,cuz you don't know my name...

We can't, we can't tell the future, no,

But that's just the beauty of, the world we know,

So I'ma say do, do ,do ,do,

Baby what if?

Picture me on one knee, with the perfect diamond ring,

We just met, but if you say "yes", we'd have our wedding on the beach

It could happen, raise three kids, and we grow old so happily

I know this may sound crazy, cuz I don't know your name,

Don't know what tomorrow brings, but I'm still hoping,

That you're the one for me, oh and what If I had you and,

What if you had me and, baby what's the reason we can't fall in love?

What if?'

Jason Derulo-What If

BPOV

How in the holy hell on a cracker did that happen?

I can honestly say, I wasn't expecting that when I woke up this morning. Who knew little old me-the wallflower-would be showing this tall, beautiful and handsome man around Babies R Us? Stranger things have happened I guess, but stuff like this and men like him were totally and completely out of reach to girls like me.

Jake was the definition of masculinity. He stood at roughly 6'5". His hair was short, jet black, spiky and gelled perfectly, complementing his sexy bronze complexion. His black shirt clung tightly to his strong, broad shoulders and his taut, muscular biceps. He was absolutely stunning, and that was why I couldn't keep my eyes off of him as we browsed around the store.

While he had the stereotypical look of a high school jock, he also gave the impression of a kind, caring and loving person who just needed to be loved in return. Warmth just seemed to emanate from him, a warmth I found myself wanting to bask in.

"So, we have diapers, baby creams, baby soaps, oil, diaper bags, shampoo and a baby changing mat," I said quickly, rolling off the items in Jake's shopping cart and turned my gaze onto a wide-eyed, shocked father.

"I seriously can't believe this little person needs all that stuff. That's insane!" he laughed disbelievingly, and shook his head.

Smiling at his lack of knowledge about children, I weaved the shopping cart through the crowd of customers replying, "You'd be surprised at exactly how much babies need. They might be small, but they are messy little buggers." I chuckled softly.

"No kidding," he mumbled under his breath. I couldn't help but smile. It was cute to see such naivety and vulnerability in a man, and especially one that appeared as strong-willed as Jake.

"Don't sweat it," I told him in assurance and gave him a genuine smile. We moved to the next aisle, Jake's eyes bugging from his head as he gazed up and over the hundreds of Playskool and Disney items ready for purchase. He honestly looked scared shitless, and I couldn't help but chuckle.

"Relax," I told him playfully, with a soft, reassuring smile. "You don't have to worry about that for another say...two months." I winked and nudged him jokingly.

"Two months?" Jake repeated, astonished and his eyes still bugging. "Man, and there was me thinking I'd have it easy," he chuckled nervously, running his large, golden hand over his neck, his uneasy gaze averting to the floor.

God, I hadn't known the guy for long, but seeing him look so...distressed over shopping for his son broke my heart.

He seemed so unsure of himself as a father, my heart went out to him. "Easy?" I echoed his words incredulously, quirking my brow playfully, hoping to lighten the situation. "Oh boy, you have a lot to learn."

"Guess it's a good thing I have you as my teacher then, huh?" he said smirking, glancing up at me with a roguish glint lighting up his gorgeous brown eyes.

Oh, so he wanted to play like that, did he? Ok, I'm down with that.

I stood before him, studying him carefully as his perfectly kissable lips curled even further, and his eyes started to roll over my body with purpose. I couldn't help but shudder and quiver under his intense scrutiny of my body. I prayed to God that he liked what he saw.

It wasn't until I saw him subconsciously lick his lips that I felt my once hidden confidence make a sudden appearance. I took a slow and deliberate step towards him, making sure to sway my hips in a provocative and suggestive manner, leaned in until my body was pressed against the metal of the shopping cart and made sure to give him my sexiest and most seductive smoulder, while whispering huskily, "Don't worry, honey, I'm a professional. I'll make sure you get all A's." I smirked and winked at him as I watched his jaw slowly kiss the floor.

Mmhmm, I smiled to myself, victoriously. That's what I thought.

JPOV

Damn.

This girl had game. She wasn't afraid to flirt along and put me in my place. Fuck, that was hot.

My smirk intensified as I took in her sexy demeanour. Shit, those eyes, that smoulder...fuck if it didn't make my dick harden. Oh yeah, I was definitely reeling her in. However, before I could respond to her advances, my little dude chilling in his stroller decided he wanted to be part of this conversation, and let out an ear-piercing squeal. Bella's eyes quickly snapped down to my gurgling son as he laid there, flailing his chubby little arms around wildly and his eyes sparkling with mischief.

Yup. Definitely my boy.

I followed her gaze and glanced down at my boy, watching in amusement as a cheeky little smile appeared on his face as he stared at Bella in fascination. I couldn't help but chuckle. Three months old and already a ladies man.

She reached a gentle hand into Ethan's stroller and slowly extended her forefinger, while allowing him to reach out and grasp it with his curious fingers. I watched, awestruck, as this beautiful woman smiled and played with my son, both of them bonding and creating a connection between them that I'd only ever seen once before: between myself and my mother.

I should have been freaked out. I should have just thanked Bella for all of her help, taken my son, paid for the items and left. But I didn't. I didn't want to. Witnessing this amazing sight playing out before my eyes was quite literally breathtaking. She didn't know me from Adam, yet here she was spending her time saving my lame ass and giving my son the the kind of attention and closeness that just wouldn't suffice from me. Sure, I was his father. But this, this was completely different.

I watched spellbound as they continued this adorable little dance. She was smiling and making cute faces as my boy responded with high-pitched chuckles and babbles.

After a few more minutes, the amazing woman in front of me looked up at me with her finger still in the grasp of my son, and smiled warmly. "He really is an amazing little thing. He's a credit to you. Not many kids behave as well as he has."

I smiled and nodded in thanks. "Thanks, but don't let that innocent face fool you. He can be a little nightmare at times." I chuckled, throwing her a lopsided smile, making her giggle.

God, that giggle. Apart from my son's chuckle, her laugh was the best damn thing I'd ever heard.

She looked back down at my cooing little man, and gave a feigned gasp, her eyes popping playfully. "Aww, don't worry, sweetheart. Your daddy is just being a big grumpy pants. And we can't have that now, can we?" she said, her voice rising in excitement.

My heart swelled as I watched Ethan's glistening lips curl into a big smile and a gave a full-out belly laugh.

"How about we go and show your daddy some really scary stuff, huh? How does that sound?" She smiled cheerfully, tickling Ethan's sides gently, and making him laugh loudly.

I chuckled nervously, while drumming my fingertips against the handle of his stroller. Her chocolate brown eyes peered up at me sinfully, through her eyelashes, while presenting me with a sassy smile.

Shit. I wasn't sure if I should grab my kid and run, or push her up against the shelves take her right there.

Instead, I chose to play along. I wanted as much time with her as I could possibly get, and she didn't appear to be in any hurry to leave. Fuck it. Scary stuff be damned. "So you trying to scare me now, huh?" I smirked impishly, throwing her my best pearly-white smile, and winked. "Bring it."

And that's exactly what she did.

~UH~

BPOV

Five minutes later.

"I believe I just brought it," I bragged, smirking triumphantly as I watched a fumbling and stuttering Jake in amusement.

He stood before me wide-eyed, and open-mouthed in shock. "There is no way in hell I am sticking that up his butt," Jake said in horror, as he very reluctantly dangled the rectal thermometer in his hands.

I stood opposite him, clutching my sides and trying my best to suppress my laughter as I observed him gawp at the thing like it was a tube of poison. "You should see your face," I continued to laugh as he turned a playful glare onto me.

"Go ahead, laugh it up," he said in mock annoyance, while giving me that panty-wetting smile. "We'll see just who's laughing in the end."

"Oh really? And why's that?" I retorted teasingly, folding my arms.

He turned towards me and held up the thermometer, smirking. "'Cause if I have to stick this," he motioned to the thermometer, "Up there," he pointed to Ethan's butt. "You're buying him his next meal."

I smirked back at him, though I was slightly confused. "His next meal?"

"It just seems like if you're trying to sell me this thing and you want it to go up his unmentionables, then you should at least have the decency to buy the little guy dinner first, don't you think?"

I chuckled. "Good point, though I highly doubt he would enjoy a steak dinner," I pointed out. I then crouched down by the stroller, tickling Jake's little boy, who I had found out was named Ethan, and making him laugh. What a cutie. "Isn't that right, buddy? Milk is more your speed, right? No big steaks for you yet." Ethan's amazing little laugh sounded again when I tickled his belly once more.

"You wouldn't enjoy that, would you?"

"No, but his old man would."

My eyes snapped up to him and I cocked my head, studying him and smirking wider. "He would, huh?"

He gave me a sweet smile and shrugged, his free hand going to rub anxiously at the back of his neck. I hadn't known him long, only a around an hour, but already I could tell this was a nervous tic of his. It only made him more adorable in my eyes. "Well...yeah."

When I didn't respond right away, Jake looked even more unsure of himself and cleared his throat, looking down at the thermometer in his hand. "So, uh...this is something he needs, you said?"

I watched him for another moment and then straightened up. "No," I said softly. Jake warily glanced up at me and I took a step closer, wrapping my fingers around the package and coming into contact with his. "I was just trying to freak you out," I admitted.

Jake let out a relieved laugh. "Well, it worked. Mission accomplished."

I didn't take the thermometer from him, and he didn't let it go. Instead, we stood there, watching each other for a few seconds, our fingers holding the other's, as our eyes slowly connected.

In that moment, it felt like my heart had been shocked by a defibrillator. As his eyes locked and focused on mine, I swear, I had never felt anything more powerful or perfect than I did in that moment.

Reluctantly and shyly, I broke our intense exchange and averted my eyes to the object in our hands. "So, uh, was there anything else on your list that you needed?" I asked uneasily, trying to move the focus back onto the little guy in the stroller.

It wasn't that I didn't want his attention; I did, more than anything. I just didn't want to jump to the wrong conclusions and get my hopes up if this was nothing more than a mere rescue mission on my part.

However, when I finally gathered the courage to peer up at him, I could've sworn I saw his shoulders sag, his face fall, and a hint of hurt or rejection linger in his eyes. "Nah, I think we're good to go." He stood opposite me, his free hand tapping nervously on the handle of Ethan's stroller-another little habit of his-and glanced over towards the check outs, dejectedly. "So, I should... uh, go and pay," he said coarsely, quickly clearing his throat, once again.

Why did he seem hesitant to leave? More to the point, why was my heart aching at the very thought of not seeing him again.

Dammit.

I had to think of something fast if I wanted to keep him with me. Quickly I browsed around the shop, my eyes darting over the different shelves looking for something that I could use as a reason for him to stay.

That's when I saw it: pacifiers.

"Pacifiers," I blurted out louder than intended, but making him stop dead in his tracks and turn back at me with a bewildered but reassured look on his face. I didn't have a clue where I was going with this, but it was working, so I intended on making the most of it. "Every baby needs a cool pacifier, right?" I chuckled tensely, biting my lip. Yeah, it was lame, but I was clutching at straws right now.

Jake studied me for a second, a reserved and slightly confused smile was slowly etching it's way onto his face as he tried to figure me out. "Pacifiers," he repeated my words, still looking confused. "Sure, sure," he conceded with a sly, knowing smile, and then held his hand out motioning for me to go first. "Ladies first."

Good God. Sexy and polite. I think I'm in love.

I smiled elatedly, while inwardly doing my victory dance and turned back towards the pacifier aisle. As soon as I turned, my eyes were greeted with a ridiculous amount of strollers and shopping moms. Great. My heart dropped. Immediately I knew Jake had no chance of pushing Ethan through there. So I did the only thing I could think of: I sacrificed myself. "Hey, listen, it's a madhouse down that aisle. You're probably better off staying there. I'll get the stuff and meet you back here."

His brows pulled together in confusion. "You sure?"

I took a quick glance down that aisle and sighed inwardly. "Yep. Though if I'm not back in five minutes, send out the search party." I winked and smiled, light-heartedly, making him chuckle. "Is there any particular colour or brand you want?"

Jake suddenly looked at me like I had two heads. "Brand? Uh..." he stood there thinking, making me giggle internally. He was cute when he was vulnerable. "Just get what you think. You're the expert." He winked at me, sending warm sensations straight to my core.

This is not the time or the place! I scolded myself, while simultaneously putting my inner slut in her place.

I smiled and nodded in acknowledgement. "Gotcha. Ok, I'll be right back." And with that, I turned on my heel and headed towards my possible death.

~UH~

One pack of pacifiers and a throbbing headache later, I made my way eagerly back to Jake and Ethan. I wasn't sure why, but being away from them just felt... wrong. I mean, I'd only known Jake for a a little while, but it was just so easy with him. He just made it natural and effortless.

I liked that. I liked that I didn't have to be someone else to gain his attention. He just seemed to want to be around me for me, and that was major points in my book.

However, as soon as I made my way out of the sea of sharks, my heart sank. Right there in front of me was some blonde-haired slut running her bony and repulsive little hands all over a very uncomfortable and embarrassed looking Jake.

My heart gave an instant sigh of relief. He wasn't interested in her. If anything, he seemed to be looking for an escape.

That made me breathe easier.

I stood there for a moment, watching them discreetly, observing her bat her long, fake eyelashes, licking her glossy, hot pink lips, and twirling a strand of her sleek, blonde hair around her skeletal fingers. God, the desperation radiating from her was physically sickening.

Seconds later, and right on cue as the little skank decided she would trail her finger down his chest and towards his belt buckle, Ethan let out a loud cry of protest. I couldn't help but smile. Good boy.

Jake's eyes snapped down to Ethan's stroller, his hands gently rocking him and shushing him, while trying to shrug off the leech.

I was itching to get over there and save him from the little witch, but a part of me needed to see how he would react. Would he give into her lust-fuelled bravado and flirt back? Or, would he shake her off completely and tell her where to shove her suggestive actions and comments?

God, please be the latter.

And to my great relief, he answered my prayers. Jake peeled her hand from his body and took a deliberate step back. "Listen, I don't mean to be rude, but I'm actually waiting for someone." My heart swelled with happiness. He was brushing off this cling-on because he was waiting for me. My smile intensified. "So if you don't min-"

"Really?" The she-devil interrupted him rudely, stepping forward and once again closing the distance between them, while running her perfectly filed fingernail seductively over his arm. This bitch was really pushing it. "That's funny because I didn't see you here with anyone before?" she purred, gazing at him expectantly, while her eyes sparkled with a lethal combination of speculation and lust.

Meanwhile, Jake was staring at her like a deer caught in the headlights. Horror and panic covered his features.

Ok, enough was enough.

I quickly pushed myself off of the shelve that I had been leaning against and made my way towards him, making sure to stay well hidden, not wanting to give her the chance to run before I could stake my claim on his heart. As I walked, I moved my hips with a little more vigor, quickly ruffled my hair in an attempt to appear sexier, adjusted my top so I was showing a little more cleavage than usual, and slapped on my best game face. Jake might not be mine- yet- but like hell was I letting this slut put her filthy mitts all over him.

Less than a second later, I was standing behind him, and possessively sliding my hand around his waist, my fingers curling around his well-defined abdomen. Jake froze against me, probably thinking it was yet another predator on the hunt for her prey, but as soon as he saw that it was me, he smiled and relaxed into my touch.

It was then that I stood out from behind Jake, and showed this silly little girl in front of me exactly who's alpha female here.

Looking into the venomous eyes of the woman that was, moments previous all but dry humping Jake's leg, was actually kind of amusing. The sheer enormity of the glare she was giving me had me laughing hysterically inwardly. I smirked devilishly, slowly lowering my hand further down his body, until I slipped my fingers under the rough edge of his jeans and sank them into his pocket. Yes, it was slightly uncalled for, but this bitch seriously needed to be taken down a peg or two.

"Sorry I took longer than expected, baby. We're out of pacifiers, and it was like hell on earth down that aisle." I laughed and gazed at him adoringly, while I pressed my full body against his and quickly kissed his bicep.

Jake stood in my arms looking slightly shocked, but also... pleasantly surprised. Before I knew what was happening, he had placed a gentle finger under my chin and slowly, intentionally inched my face closer to his. "S'no problem, honey. I'm just glad you hurried back; we missed you," he murmured, hovering his lips less than a breath away from mine.

I stood there in complete shock, my entire body had been taken over by Jake. All I could see, hear, smell, touch and taste was him. This gorgeous man had unknowingly sent my senses into to overdrive. And that was more than ok with me.

I finally snapped out of my daze and smiled at him, placing a chaste kiss on his shoulder, then turned my gaze onto our unwanted onlooker. "Are you going to introduce me to your friend?" Shit. I hoped I didn't sound like a clingy girlfriend. I just wanted her to get the message and take a hike.

Jake's breathtaking smile instantly faded from his face as he followed my lead and also stared at the woman in question; however, just before he could say a word, she quickly cut him off. "Uh, no, that's ok. I can see he has his..." She looked over my body in distaste and continued, "Hands full. I'll just be getting on my way." Yeah, that's right, bitch, back off. But just before she made her exit, she turned back to us, focusing her gaze directly on Jake and added suggestively, "However, if you need help with... anything else," she moved her gaze to me and glared. I couldn't help but chuckle inwardly. "I'd be more than happy to fulfil your every need."

Yeah, I bet you would, I thought, bitterly.

Jake slipped his arms around my waist and pulled me into him, protectively. "Thanks, but no thanks. I've got everything I need right here." He turned and looked at me with a wide grin. "By the way, have I told you how beautiful you look today?" he asked huskily, his lips once against edging closer, as his eyes turned a darker shade of brown. "'Cause you really do. Breathtakingly beautiful."

And then he did something that stunned the hell out of me. He kissed me.

So...do we like? What would you like to see in the next chapter? Leave me some love telling me what you think! :D

Also, I'm taking a second to pimp out someone very dear and special to me. My girl Simply Jaded4 has just posted her first one shot called Finally Seeing the Sun, why don't you pop over to her profile and read her amazing story! You won't be sorry! :D

Until the next time!