All things Twilight belong to Stephenie Meyer; I just like to play with her characters.

No copyright infringement is intended.

HUGE thanks to my betas darcysmom and twimom817 as well as my pre-reader EdwardsmyObsession1971. Without these ladies, this story wouldn't be available for your reading enjoyment.

A/N: Just a heads up – this chapter is one of the ones I had written WAY ahead of time so you'll find a little bit of repetitiveness here in the dialogue. I think at this point though, you're happy to see Edward's point of view or at least I hope you are ;) At the very least there will more swooning ahead.

When You Least Expect It

Chapter Twenty Three

Getting To Know You

EPOV

As soon as I hung up with Bella, I hurried to change into something presentable. I texted Emmett to let him know I was going out, and I made my way over to Bella's. I rang the doorbell of course – completely forgetting about Koda. I cringed when she started barking.

I could hear Kaden scream and I could only imagine how Bella felt. I felt horrible for causing the raucous. The door swung open and Bella stood there holding Kaden in her arms. She looked beautiful but so tired. I apologized quickly and Kaden's excited squeal met my ears.

"Mister Ewward!"

I chuckled as he wiggled out of Bella's arms and ran right into mine. I picked him up and hugged him. Kaden was warm in my arms as I breathed in the slightly sweet scent of him. He hugged me back and my heart melted a little – until I looked up and saw tears falling down Bella's lovely face.

"You okay?" I mouthed to her.

Bella nodded minutely and wiped her cheeks.

"Mister Ewward, can you read a stowy wif us?" Kaden asked as he laid his head on my shoulder.

I nodded and Bella closed the door behind me before leading us down the short hallway to Kaden's room. Bella choose a book from the shelf and we settled against the headboard of his bed with Kaden between us. I listened quietly as Bella read a story about a little bull who just liked to be. I found myself wishing I could be more like Ferdinand … I wished I had time to just be.

When Bella was finished reading, we carefully tucked Kaden into bed. With his eyes still closed, he asked me if I'd come back to play another day. I didn't know what to say and I worried about Bella's reaction if I said the first thing that came to mind. Instead I looked to Bella and she nodded with a small smile.

"Sure, Buddy. We'll do that soon."

I left the room and Bella followed shortly behind me, leaving the door open slightly. Bella walked toward the kitchen and asked me if I wanted something to drink. She seemed nervous and that was the last thing that I wanted her to be. I carefully wrapped my arms around her and pulled her to me. She looked up at me with her beautiful hazel eyes and I couldn't keep my gaze off of her. Wearing a pair of form fitting yoga pants and a tank top, Bella looked amazing. While I'd seen her several times before out of her chef's jacket, I'd never seen her in a top so form fitting. Bella wasn't one to conform to the 'if you've got it, flaunt it' school of thought. Petite and curvy in all the right places, she was breathtaking.

"Bella, please tell me I can kiss you," I begged.

Her positive answer was a whisper on her lips as my lips descended on hers. They were met with warm, pillowy, velvety softness. My kiss against her lips was gentle and unhurried but it lasted only a few moments. I worried that I would overwhelm her in my eagerness to kiss her without abandon. Then … she started to giggle.

I wondered if I had done something wrong or perhaps now that I'd kissed her she didn't feel the attraction to me that I had for her. After kissing her, it was burning hotter than ever through my veins and I felt like I couldn't get enough of her.

"What's so funny?" I asked confused.

"Nothing," Bella giggled again.

"Seriously, Bella … what is it?"

I couldn't hide the frown on my face as my anxiety over what caused her beautiful giggles overtook me. Bella reached up and cupped my face her in her hands.

"Oh, Edward, that was the sweetest kiss I've ever had and for some reason, it made me think of my favorite movies and how I'd only ever imagined being kissed like that. It made me laugh."

The look on her face was honest and pure. I thought she was more of a down to earth kind of person but Bella was constantly surprising me. Leave it to her to imagine a fairy tale kiss. Just the thought of it brought a smile to my face – immediately erasing my earlier worries.

"Was it everything you imagined it would be?"

"Yes … maybe more."

"I'll show you more, beautiful Bella." I grinned, swinging her up in my arms and carried her into the living room.

I carefully sat her on the sofa and I sat next to her before pulling her closer to me.

"Edward … I didn't invite you over here just to make out." Bella giggled.

"I know," I grinned. "But it got your mind off of everything that happened at work for a few minutes didn't it?"

Bella nodded and told me that she wasn't about to let Vanessa Chaubert get the best of her. She'd done the best she could and maybe it wasn't enough for her pretentious employers but it was certainly enough for me.

I jokingly told her to tell me how she really felt after she said that Mrs. Chaubert was bitchy and insufferable. I'd never heard such harsh words cross Bella's lips, but as I watched her demeanor, I could see the little spitfire that Bella truly was. Her arms were crossed defensively and she had a small pout on her lips that I had the urge to kiss away.

She thanked me again for coming over and I explained to her that it was my pleasure. From the moment she stepped out of the car, I wanted to see her again and I hoped beyond all hope that she'd call me when she got home from work that night and she didn't disappoint.

Bella snuggled up next to me laying her head on my shoulder like it was the most natural thing in the world. I wished that we could snuggle up like that more often – and maybe do a bit more kissing because I was pretty sure there wasn't anything better than kissing Bella.

I suddenly remembered that she was trying to get something to drink from the kitchen before I thoroughly distracted her, so I decided that I would get it for her and leave her to relax on the couch. Bella's house was small but older and the light switches weren't where I thought they'd be. Bella laughed when she had to tell me where it was and I victoriously assured her that I'd found it. She'd done more giggling in one evening than she'd done the several months that I'd known her. The sound of her giggle and laugh were like music to my ears.

When I came back into the living room with our beers, Bella was leaning up against the arm of the couch with her eyes closed and her body stretched out the length of the couch. She looked so comfortable and I'm sure if I had left her there long enough, she would have fallen asleep.

"Well don't you look comfy."

"Mmmhmm."

Bella smiled sleepily before swinging her legs off the couch and urging me to sit. I sat our beers on the coffee table and pulled her legs up into my lap. I gently rubbed my hands up and down the tense muscles of her calves and what I'm sure were the tired arches in her little feet. It was the first time I'd seen her barefoot and she had the cutest feet – her toenails were painted a pale, sparkly pink. She hummed as she relaxed further into the cushions and she was completely adorable.

"I had a really good time today," Bella whispered.

"Me too. It was one of the nicest days I've had in a long time, Bella. Thank you for sharing it with me."

"I feel the exact same way, Edward. And I'm glad you wouldn't mind taking me back there because I'd love to go."

Our afternoon together at Huntington Gardens was absolutely perfect. We'd talked about some pretty heavy subjects but it didn't take away from our day. If anything, I think Bella and I were in a better place after airing some of our concerns. Something that still concerned me though was whether or not Bella would allow me to get to know Kaden. I would hate to promise him something and then not be able to follow through on it but I was fairly sure Bella wouldn't let that happen.

"Bella … I really hope that I didn't lie to Kaden earlier. I hope that you'll allow me to spend some time with him. I'd like to get to know him."

Bella nodded and was quiet for a few moments before she finally spoke.

"I've been giving that a lot of thought, Edward. I think I'd like for that to happen. I mean, he seems to really like you. When you got here and he flew into your arms – he was so excited to see you. I haven't seen him that excited since we went to Disneyland for the first time."

I couldn't help but wonder if that was the reason for Bella's tears as I held Kaden in the doorway when I first came in. I knew the only way she'd admit it was if I asked her outright.

"Is that why you were crying?"

Bella nodded and bit her lip.

"It was overwhelming a little to see him like that. When Mike … when he came home … Kaden would run for the door. Koda would be going nuts as usual and that's what gave it away every time. She'd bark and Kaden would squeal with happiness. He'd run to the door and jump into Mike's arms. I want that for him again, you know?"

I did know and I told her that. Growing up, my dad had some crazy hours. When he and mom first got married he was working in the pediatrician's office but by the time I came along he was offered a job as Head of Pediatrics at Cedar Sinai. It wasn't until I got older and got the acting bug that I understood going for the job of your dreams. Sometimes your dreams take you away from the things you love but that doesn't mean that you love them any less. My mom taught me that.

"Edward …." she'd say. "Your daddy loves you so very much, sweetheart. He works hard to provide us with things that we want and need. He knows you want to spend time with him, he just needs to be reminded from time to time. He also needs to be reminded that you love him too, honey."

When I talked to my dad about proposing to Lauren – I told him that one of my biggest concerns was that I wouldn't be home for long periods of time. Granted, Lauren wouldn't either but we had talked about starting a family and the last thing I wanted to do was neglect them. When Kaden jumped into my arms, I knew that neglect wasn't something I'd have to worry about. I'd give up a few projects if it meant that I could come home to hugs like that every night.

"I met your dad briefly – he seemed like a really good person."

"He is," I agreed. "Good to the core – he was always there for Rosie, Carlie and me. Mom too, of course. He worships the ground she walks on – still, even after thirty-two years of marriage and three kids."

I glanced over to Bella to see a faraway look in her eyes – as if thinking of something that could have been. I wanted her to think of something that could be.

"I could tell. He looked me in the eye when he spoke to me, otherwise his eyes were on your mom. It was very sweet actually." Bella said softly, tugging at the hem of her tank top.

"Bella … you deserve for someone to look at you that way. You know that right?"

Bella looked up at me with watery eyes. I wanted to pull her into my lap and kiss her silly. I wanted to whisper to her – all the things I loved about her and most of all I wanted her to believe it. I cupped her sweet face in my hands and looked her in the eye.

"Bella … please don't cry … I didn't mean to make you cry."

I held my arms out to her and she immediately snuggled into my chest, allowing me to wrap my arms around her. She murmured quietly but not so quietly that I couldn't hear.

"Is it wrong if I want you to look at me that way?"

"I already do."

Bella's whole body seemed to relax in my arms and I placed a kiss to the top of her head.

"How long until you leave for Morocco?" Bella asked.

"Not long enough," I sighed. "I leave in three weeks or so … why?"

"Because … we're going to miss you when you leave. I was thinking about you and Kaden. If he gets close to you like I know he will – it's going to be bad for him when you leave. He's already dreading Jasper leaving."

Bella was right and I'd given that a lot of thought too. It didn't stop me from wanting to spend time with Kaden or Bella for that matter.

"I have an idea …" I said tentatively, still thinking.

"What kind of idea?" Bella asked, pulling away from me a bit.

"What if we went to Disneyland?"

"What? Is that even possible?"

"Anything is possible, Bella. With a little planning I'm sure it's doable. I'm sure that Nick and Jasper can make some arrangements and Emmett probably won't mind tagging along."

Bella sighed heavily.

"It wouldn't be like a normal trip, Edward. We'd have to be careful and I don't want to draw attention to Kaden and myself. I'm not sure it's a good idea."

"Bella," I begged, pouting a little. "Please let me do this. I've wanted to go since I first thought of buying you and Kaden your passes."

"All right," Bella sighed again, kissing my cheek sweetly. "But if it gets weird, I reserve the right to leave, okay?"

I nodded, excited that I had won a small victory.

"When do you want to go?"

"We could go on a weekday after Kaden gets out of school. We could surprise him. He'd love that."

"Then that's what we'll do." I grinned. "Bella … don't worry – everything will be okay."

"I'm going to give you the benefit of the doubt."

We talked for a little while longer about various things while we finished our beers. I watched as Bella's eyelids grew heavier and heavier – the weight of the day was wearing on her and she was exhausted. I told her to get some sleep and that I'd talk to her soon and I made my way home.

That weekend, I invited Bella and Kaden over. I let my fingers do the walking and I ordered pizza for dinner. We spent the afternoon and part of the evening together. The weather was warm and Kaden enjoyed running around my backyard. I insisted that Bella bring Koda as well. I figured she would love all the space in my backyard where she could run. Kaden followed behind her of course, giggling happily as he went.

While Kaden played, I filled Bella in on my plans to take Kaden to Disneyland the following week.

"Emmett will go with us. Jasper spoke with security at Disneyland and we should be all set."

One look at Bella and her face told me that she was still worried. She'd trusted me so far and I'd do whatever it took to make her and Kaden feel safe. I made sure that Jasper and Emmett both knew that.

Mid-morning on Tuesday, I drove over to Bella's condo. She greeted me at the door with a smile and invited me in with a peck on the lips.

"Hey. Is everything just about ready?"

I looked around seeing that she had a couple sweatshirts lying on the back of the couch and a backpack was sitting on the counter in the kitchen.

"Yeah, I just need to grab Kaden a few snacks and get his juice out of the fridge and we'll be good to go."

I followed Bella into the kitchen and watched as she put a few snacks and a thermos into the backpack. She went to the fridge and pulled out a bottle of water, twisting off the cap and taking a long drink. Her brows were furrowed and I could tell that something was bothering her.

"What's wrong, Bella?"

"I'm just anxious about today. I'm trying to be okay with it – I am. It's just … hard."

I walked over to where she stood against the sink and I placed my hands on her hips.

"Bella … I would never let anything happen to you or Kaden. I'm hoping that no one will recognize me and if they do Emmett will be there. He's not concerned about it and you shouldn't be either."

Since I first had the idea to take Bella and Kaden to Disneyland, I'd decided to attempt to go incognito. I grew out my beard and moustache which wasn't me at all. The near weeks-worth of scruff was killing me. I wore a thermal shirt with a t-shirt over it paired with dark wash jeans. I wore a hat on my head to cover my unruly hair and a pair of darker than usual sunglasses.

Emmett told me that I'd be unrecognizable with the scruff and having Bella and Kaden with me would only help the disguise. I'd get to play the part of a doting dad for the afternoon and I couldn't wait to see how it felt.

I pulled Bella closer to me and she laid her head on my chest.

"I'm sorry, Edward. Please know that I'm trying, okay?"

"I know you are, Bella. Thank you. That's all I can ask."

"So if this disguise works are you keeping the facial hair?" She asked sheepishly.

"Why? Do you like it?"

Bella wrinkled her nose and shook her head.

"No."

"I'll shave it off just for you, beautiful." I grinned, leaning down to kiss her lips.

After sharing a few chaste kisses, I helped Bella gather up the rest of the things she needed and we made our way out of her condo. She insisted on driving because it was easier than moving Kaden's car seat into my SUV. Maybe in the future I'll have to look into buying a car seat – then I wouldn't have to worry about it.

Emmett was waiting patiently outside for us. He too wanted to argue about Bella driving, but I quickly and quietly told him to allow her this one thing.

"Good thing you've got dark tinted windows, Bella." Emmett grinned.

"Huh? Oh … yeah, I guess. I had them tinted after we moved down here. Kaden hates the sun in his eyes. But yeah, I guess it helps conceal Edward doesn't it?"

Emmett chuckled and crawled into the front passenger seat. I held open the driver side door for Bella and waited until she was inside to shut the door before climbing into the passenger seat behind her. Bella drove over to Kaden's school, which wasn't far from the condo - maybe a fifteen-minute drive in traffic.

"I'd love to go in, Bella, but I think it's better if I stay here," I said sadly.

"I know you would, Edward, but I agree. He'll still be excited that you're waiting in the car for him. Give me a few minutes and I'll be back."

I watched as Bella walked from the car into the office of the little school. A few minutes later, she emerged with Kaden who was happily skipping down the sidewalk. He never saw Emmett sitting in the front seat. Bella swung him up in her arms and opened the door.

"Mister Ewward!" He squealed.

"Hey, Buddy!" I grinned.

"Are we pwaying today?"

"Sort of, Buddy. We're doing something really fun today."

"Wif Mommy too?"

"Yep, with Mommy too."

Emmett laughed from the front seat and Kaden's head turned comically as he finally realized that someone was sitting there.

"Do you remember Emmett?"

Kaden bit his bottom lip in a very Bella-esque fashion and I watched his little face as he thought about it.

"I tink so," he finally said.

Bella maneuvered us out of the city and onto the freeway as we made our way toward Orange County. Thankfully the traffic on the freeway was quite light and we made good time to Anaheim. As we drove, I kept Kaden's attention in the backseat. It wasn't until after we parked that he even asked where we were.

"We're at Disneyland, Little Bear," Bella explained quietly. "Mister Edward is going to spend the afternoon with us at Disney, okay?"

"Yay!" Kaden exclaimed.

I took the backpack from Bella as she lifted the tailgate of her SUV to pull out Kaden's stroller. Emmett pulled the stroller out allowing Bella to lock up her car.

"Show me how to do that," I asked. "Please?"

Bella smiled slightly and showed me how to quickly fold and unfold the stroller. She helped Kaden sit down and buckled him in.

"Shall we?" Emmett grinned.

Once we were inside the front gates, Bella asked if we could stop at the restrooms. Kaden was squirming a bit and it worked out for me anyway because Emmett wanted to check us in with security. Bella and Kaden came out looking like they felt a lot better and we made our way down Main Street.

"Pirates! Pirates!" Kaden yelled.

"Okay, okay, Little Bear." Bella giggled, pushing the stroller in the direction Kaden wanted to go.

"He loves this ride … not because of Jack Sparrow but because of Jake and the Neverland Pirates," Bella explained.

"I haven't been here since I was a teenager … I think we came for Graduation or something."

"Until you bought our passes, I hadn't been here since I was a little girl. It's so different from how I remember."

"It's different than I remember too."

"Where are we going?" I asked confused. "The entrance to the ride is way back there."

"I'm parking the stroller at the exit, it will be easier to get when we get off the ride."

Kaden asked if I would unbuckle him and get him out of his stroller. I was only too happy to oblige after I checked with Bella that it was okay.

"Up! Up!" Kaden pleaded as he held his little arms out to me.

I picked him up without thinking about it and I held my hand out to Bella after she pulled the backpack onto her back. Bella took my hand and squeezed it gently.

"It's okay, Edward. You don't have to ask for permission every time Kaden wants something from you. It's also okay to tell him no if it's something you're uncomfortable with."

"Thank you. I just don't want to step on your toes."

"You're not. If you were, I'd say something."

It was a beautiful spring day. The skies were a brilliant cloudless blue. Mercifully, the lines weren't long even though the park seemed to be busy. Even better, it didn't seem like anyone recognized me.

Bella stood close to me as we waited in line. Kaden was still in my arms and he seemed to be quite content there. When we got onto the ride, Kaden stayed on my lap and I wrapped my arm around Bella as she relaxed against me.

We spent the rest of the afternoon wandering around the park, riding a few of the rides and enjoying each other's company. We didn't feel rushed and as the day wore on, the more Bella relaxed. Kaden was content to be in my arms while we waited in line and I happily settled on holding Bella's hand whenever she would let me which, thankfully, was most of the afternoon.

We stopped at one of the vendors to get Mickey Pretzels and while we waited, Bella's phone rang. She frowned as she looked at the caller ID but she answered anyway, apologizing as she did so.

Bella stepped away for a moment to take the call as I held tight to Kaden's hand. He didn't seem to mind her stepping away as long as he could see her. When Bella returned, her eyes were glassy and there were a few tears streaming down her face.

"Everything okay?" I asked, suddenly worried about what could have changed her mood so drastically.

"That was my lawyer. She called to tell me that my divorce is final. The judge signed off on the papers today."

I wrapped my arms around her, offering her all the comfort I possibly could in a public setting.

"That's a good thing right?"

"Yeah … but I guess I kept hoping that Mike would change his mind and want to see Kaden. He's so amazing … I don't get how he couldn't want him."

"Oh, Bella," I whispered, gently rubbing her back. "Maybe Mike wasn't meant to be Kaden's dad – like he wasn't meant to be your husband."

"I just want my son to be loved and wanted by someone other than me. Is that too much to ask?"

"Not at all. For the record, Bella, Kaden is loved and wanted by someone other than you, so please don't worry that he isn't."

Bella looked up at me with sad but hopeful eyes and nodded.

"Are you going to be okay?" I asked softly.

"Yeah, I don't want to let this ruin our day. I'm sorry, Edward."

"Don't apologize, Bella. You haven't ruined anything. I'm having a great time being here with you and Kaden. I've forgotten what it's like to leave home and just be."

We got our pretzels and started to walk with no destination in particular.

"Edward?" Bella asked as we walked along.

"Hmm?"

"You're probably going to want to shoot me, but there's a ride that I really want to go on."

"Okay. Let's do it."

"The line is usually insanely long, but it's my favorite," She said sheepishly.

"Bella," I said softly, leaning into her. "It doesn't matter how long the line is – if you want to go on it, we'll wait."

Bella led us through Fantasyland and past the Carousel to what looked to be the backside of the castle.

"Peter Pan?" I asked.

Bella nodded shyly.

She wasn't kidding. Besides Dumbo it had the longest line in the park. I couldn't recall ever having gone on it myself but there had to be something special about it if the line was forty-five minutes long. It didn't matter to me – Bella had asked to go on it and she hadn't asked for a thing all afternoon. After we parked the stroller, Emmett approached us and asked if he could ride with Kaden.

"Oh, umm, sure I guess but that's really up to Kaden, Em," Bella replied.

Emmett grinned and kneeled down to ask Kaden if he'd like to ride with him.

"Yay! Mister Emmett's gonna ride wif me, Mama!"

Emmett scooped Kaden up in his arms and patted me on the back as we headed to the line. He was giving me a few minutes alone with Bella even if I hadn't asked for it.

As we climbed into our flying pirate ships, my eyes never left Bella's face. Her expressions were so childlike and innocent and I could tell that this was something she truly loved. As we flew over London, I could hear Kaden's squeals of excitement and Emmett's hearty laugh. Between Bella's expressions and Kaden's squeals – my day was made.

"Thank you," Bella said seriously as we walked off the ride hand-in-hand.

"You're welcome, beautiful," I murmured, pulling her toward me and kissing her temple softly.

We ate when we were hungry and rested when we were tired but we didn't stay too late in the evening. Kaden still had school the next morning and Bella needed to get up early to take him. I carried Kaden to the tram – he'd had it with his stroller and only wanted to be held – by me.

"He's out," Bella whispered.

"I'm sure … he's had a busy afternoon."

"Thank you, again. I had a wonderful time."

"I did too, Bella. But you don't have to thank me – it was entirely my pleasure."

Kaden fussed when we got to the car and he had to be buckled into his car seat. As tired as he was – he wasn't quite ready for his day to be over. Bella was such a prepared mom – she had his pajamas in the car and changed him before buckling him in so all she had to do when she got home was tuck him into bed.

Emmett offered to drive us home because he too saw how tired Bella was. I didn't say anything but I hoped that she would give in to his offer and she did. I held the door for her as she climbed into the passenger seat and angled her body so she could see me sitting in the back seat. I wished she could have sat with Kaden and me but it would have been a tight fit for our tired bodies.

When we pulled up in front of Bella's condo, I hopped out quickly to open the door for Bella. She was exhausted and she had dozed a bit on the way home.

"Would you mind getting Kaden?" She asked quietly.

"Of course not."

I carefully unfastened Kaden's seatbelt and lifted him out of the car. Bella was already holding the front door open for me. She quietly thanked me again as I walked down the hall to his room. Bella pulled down the covers and I gingerly laid him down. Together we pulled the blankets up around him and I kissed his forehead.

"Night, Lil' Buddy," I whispered.

"Goodnight, Little Bear," Bella whispered as she kissed his cheek and swept his hair out of his face.

Bella and I made our way back out to the living room. I knew she was tired and I didn't want to linger.

"Thank you for spending the afternoon with me." I smiled as I pulled her into my embrace.

Bella wrapped her arms around me and nuzzled into my chest. I buried my nose in the top of her head and breathed in the scent of her. She was soft, warm and perfect in my arms and I hated the thought that I had to let her go.

"Will you stay with me tonight, Edward?" Bella whispered.

"You want me to stay?"

I wasn't expecting her to ask me to stay, but the moment she asked, I knew I couldn't tell her no.

"Please?"

I pulled out my phone and dialed Emmett.

"Hey, Emmett … you can head home …."

A/N: Eeep! She invited him to stay! Is she in need of a little lovin' or is she just wanting some cuddle time? We'll see Bella's POV next week!

Thank y'all so much for reading. E&B have such wonderful cheerleaders!

Can't wait to see what y'all think! See you next week! =)