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Parallel Parenting Chapter 4

EPOV

I take a seat outside the classroom while Bella cleans up her personal items. My eyes move to where Cordie and Kassie are sitting and talking. I keep watching them, and notice that Cordie seems to be doing as much talking as Kassie, which is something really new to me.

"They really look so much alike it's remarkably amazing." I don't move my eyes to him, but nod at Jasper. "And you know for sure she's not the biological mother, right?"

"She's not; Emmett just said she's not. Bella told me that her parents adopted Kassie at the same time I adopted Cordie. They passed away four years ago in an accident, and she apparently adopted Kassie a year after that."

Jasper lets out a long sigh. "Do you think they should get to know each other?" I shake my head and shrug, having no idea.

"I don't know, Jasper, but Cordie has never asked me to have someone over for dinner."

I look up in time as Kassie approaches me. "Hi …" she says looking up at Jasper. My eyes move to him as he seems to be studying Kassie.

"Hi …" he trails off, and I know instantly he cannot tell if he's talking to Cordie or Kassie.

"Colton tells me you're his dad, and you have a horse. Do you?"

"I do have a horse," he replies sounding more worked up, now knowing this is not Cordie but Kassie, and the shock is more clearly seen on his face.

"You teach me how to ride, too, right?"

Before he can reply, Kassie is talking again. "I want to be a cowgirl this year for Halloween. I think it would be super cool to bring a horse to school—"

"No, it wouldn't," Bella says, "and it's time we leave so the custodians can finish their job."

I stand up, keeping my eyes on Bella. "I would like for you and Kassie to join my family and me for dinner," I say.

"I know; the invitation was already given, and Kassie has already agreed that we'd be there," she states. I swallow, hearing the anger clearly in her voice. Knowing after the way I acted that I deserve it.

"I realize that, but I am now asking you, properly. I don't want you to feel pressured into coming over for dinner."

She just smiles at me. "I don't, and yes, we would like to come. It will give us a chance to talk more about what we are going to do with and for them."

I give her a nod as I get up. "Can we come over for dinner, too, Uncle Edward," Colton asks.

My eyes go to Bella, who just frowns at me as I raise my brow questioningly.

"It's your home," she states. "It doesn't matter to me. Kassie and I are guests; we were invited—why would I have a choice if your family came over or not?"

I almost appreciate that she seems like the kind of person who says it like it is. I just wish that I wasn't on the receiving end of her fortitude. "If your mom says yes, then you can come over, too," I tell him keeping my eyes on Bella.

"He said we can go, Mom," Colton yells, and my head snaps to Alice who's standing there grinning at me.

"Are you all still here?" Emmett asks joining us.

"Yeah, sorry; we were just leaving," Bella says.

"Make sure you give me a call when you get home. Would you like me to fill Rose in on what's going on?" he asks her as he gives me a nod.

"Yeah, just don't include the scene from your office," Bella says with a sigh as Emmett chuckles.

"Yeah, having you and Kassie upset at him will be enough for now." Emmett stops and simply looks at me. "Be nice, Edward," he says. Even with the smile on his face I know that I will need to apologize to him, too. Clearly, my outspoken words earlier about his friend have upset him quite a bit. "I'll see you tomorrow, Bella; call anytime if you need me," he says kissing her on the cheek. "Kassie," he calls and looks her way.

"Yeah, later, E-man," she giggles and Emmett just looks at her.

"E-man, now that I like." He holds his hand out and Kassie high-fives him. What shocks me the most is Colton high-fives him, too, followed quickly by Cordie who giggles as she does it.

"Daddy, can I ride with Kassie and Miss Bella?" Cordie asks and I feel panic start to ebb its way into my chest.

I feel my heart race, the thought scares me, and I have never allowed anyone apart from myself, my parents, Jasper, and Alice to drive Cordie anywhere.

"How about Kassie rides with us?" I say with a grin.

"No way! I've seen how men drive," Kassie snorts causing me to look at her. She doesn't back down and gives me a look that begs me to argue with her.

"How about you go with them together in Bella's car," my mom suggests. "That way she won't get lost finding your house as she's new to the area," she continues.

"They can all come in my car," I counter.

"Now, Edward that would be silly and redundant. Bella needs her car later to drive home and you don't want to have to drag Cordie out to drive all the way back here," my mom counters. "Just go with, in her car, and I'll drive yours to your house," she says with a frustrated sigh.

I take a deep breath and turn to look at Bella who looks amused as she glances between my mom and me.

"Can we ride with you?" I ask.

"Sure," Bella answers, and Kassie fist pumps.

I get Cordie's booster seat from my car and walk over to Bella's car with it. As I help Cordie into her seat, Bella deals with Kassie, my eyes flicker between them, and I see that they seem to be holding hands.

"Are you okay?" I ask my daughter quietly. Cordie looks at me and I can see a sparkle in her eyes that I have never seen before.

"Yeah, Daddy," she tells me.

I get her into the car and look at Bella who's looking at me. We both get into her car, and she starts it and then just looks at me.

I don't say anything because I am unsure what to say.

"Edward, I need your address or at least directions, so I can drive to your house."

I chuckle and tell her my street address.

"Okay, I have no clue where that is; can you give me directions, or if you want I can use the GPS on my phone?"

"I can direct you, besides with the construction near Elm Street, you don't need GPS sending you through that nightmare."

"Okay," she says and drives to the parking lot exit.

I give her directions as our girls start to talk in the backseat.

"Have you ever played Dance Mania?" Kassie blurts out suddenly louder than she's ever been before.

"Yes, and I hate level six," Cordie answers.

"Oh, me, too, but my mom can rock it," Kassie exclaims.

"She can?" Cordie asks looking Bella's way. My eyes flicker to her as well, and see she's looking at the road, but I know she's listening, too.

"She can, but she dances all the time, even on the El when we're moving down the tracks."

"I've never been on the El. I didn't know you could stand up on it, or dance."

I snort and shake my head.

"I don't think you're supposed to. One time a man came up and asked if she was having some sort of an attack and needed a paramedic." Kassie tells her with a shrug of her shoulders as Cordie giggles.

I raise my brow and keep my eyes on Bella. Her eyes move slowly to the corner, and she just grunts.

"Kassie, remember I have baby photos that I can share," Bella sing-songs.

"Yeah, and there are some of you, too, and wouldn't Cordie's just look like mine, anyway?"

I watch as Bella quietly hisses out a darn and I just chuckle as Bella pulls her car into my driveway and parks behind mine, which is already there.

"Oh, wow, Teddy, is this your home?" Kassie asks.

"No, why would you think this was his home?" Bella asks looking at Kassie. "You know how I enjoy driving into huge mansion's private driveways, and parking," Bella deadpans and I can't help but smirk.

"Ah, well, I see where Kassie gets her quick answers and level of sarcasm from," I mumble to myself.

"You shush," Bella mumbles back as she gets out of her car.

"Kassie, front and center," she states as she lets her out of the car. I stand at the car with Cordie watching them.

"Rules, first and foremost, if you break the rules, you will go home immediately and we will not come back. Do not run in Edward and Cordie's house. No touching or going through their drawers, cabinets, cupboards, closets, rooms, or in general, being nosy anywhere on their property, or those properties surrounding this one."

Kassie just nods at her mom silently.

"And for the love of God, don't break anything."

Kassie nods at her again. Cordie drops my hand taking Kassie's as they walk together toward the front door.

Kassie stops and turns to Bella. "Can I ask a question?" she asks.

"No," Bella yells a little as she shakes her head. Kassie again shrugs, and both she and Cordie walk through the front door.

"Hey, Uncle Edward, I am going to play with Kassie and Cordie," Colton yells as he runs past me.

"This way," I say with a wave of my hand to Bella.

As Bella walks forward, I place my hand at the base of her back, but she stops and merely looks at my hand and then to my eyes.

"What's with being all handsy all of a sudden?"

I remove it and shrug. I hear her tut as she starts to walk forward again.

"So, what's going on?" Jasper asks when he reaches me.

"Not sure, but she seems a little coo-coo," I tell him as I wave my finger around at the side of my head.

Jasper just chuckles. "What about the doppelganger, Kassie?"

"She seems to be very outspoken, and she calls me Teddy for some reason," I say with a sigh.

"Did you tell her your name, Edward?" he asks.

"I have told her, but she just goes back to Teddy. I really wish her mother would have a talk with her about it and tell her my name is Edward."

Jasper seems to hum again, like he's in deep thought.

"I guess we should get in there," I say.

"Yes, you've got guests, and you also have to make dinner for everyone," he chuckles.

"Great," I mutter as I walk through my front door.

"Why don't I show you both around?" I ask as I see Bella and Kassie standing in the entryway looking around like a deer in headlights.

"Over there is the formal living room, which we hardly use, unless I am playing the piano." I tell them as we walk past the doorway. "This is one of the downstairs bathrooms, and this is the family room, and out those doors is the pool house, which also houses the game room, and changing rooms. Through this door, is the kitchen and then the everyday dining room," I carry on. "The spiral staircase to the left leads up to the guest rooms. The staircase on the right leads to my master bedroom and bath as well as Cordie's bedroom. There is a master bedroom and bath as well behind the kitchen area that is considered a mother-in-law suite." I say as we pass the staircase, heading for the kitchen.

"There's a bedroom and bathroom behind the kitchen?" Kassie asks.

"Yeah," I say.

"Can you show me?" she asks as Bella tells her no, I nod.

"It's okay; children are naturally curious," I say surprising myself. I'm normally not so open, and I never have strangers in my home.

"This is the downstairs guest bedroom and bath."

"Oh wow, that is the biggest bed I have ever seen. Mom, you have to see this bathroom. I could swim in the tub. Hey, Teddy, why do you have two sinks and two toilets in here, can't your guests take tur—"

"Kassie, enough," Bella quickly cuts Kassie off.

"But, Mom, why two toilets?"

"One of them is not a toilet, it is a bidet."

"What's a bidet for?"

"To wash your bottom after going number two," Bella explains.

Kassie just looks at Bella and then looks to me and rolls her eyes. "Isn't that what toilet paper is for?"

"Yes, but it is something people find refreshing, and an extra step in staying clean," Bella answers with pink cheeks.

"So, it's for messy boys then?"

"Girls use them, too," Bella tells her as she tries to hide her chuckles.

"Yeah, but mostly boys, I bet." She pauses for a second and looks to me. "Teddy, did you know boys have a special sink that they pee in at school, because they miss the toilet so much?"

I look at Bella with my mouth open rather unsure how to address what she just said to me. Thankfully, Cordie seems to distract her.

"Kassie, do you want to come and play with me in my playroom?"

"Yeah," Kassie answers and I watch them run off.

"Wait for me," Colton yells running after them.

"Playroom?" Bella says as if it is a question.

"Cordie has a Jack-and-Jill bathroom off her bedroom, and the room that should be another bedroom is used as her playroom. You are welcome to go up and see it if you'd like," I offer.

She shakes her head, and I walk her back into the living room, without either of us talking.

"I just made us some juice. I told Colton to tell the girls to come down soon and have some," my mom says with huge smile.

Bella takes a seat, and suddenly I feel awkward. The awkward feeling that I should have felt earlier is now almost overwhelming to me. I look around to see that everyone seems to be staring at Bella. My eyes flash to her, seeing that she, too, is starting to feel uncomfortable and overwhelmed. I scoot a little closer to her and slide my leg so it's touching hers. I hope that will stop her leg from bouncing nervously. After moving though, I worry she may misinterpret my want to help calm her down as something else. Now, I am stressing even more, worrying that I may have offended her.

"Mom tells me that you have just moved here; where did you move from?" Alice asks as if she were interviewing Bella for a job.

"Forks," Bella answers almost in the same tone.

"As in Forks, Washington?" My mom asks.

"Yep, the one and only."

"I don't think any other state has a town called Forks. It is rather unique or odd depending how you look at it, I suppose," Esme says.

"There are no other cities in the USA called Forks; there is a city called Forkton in Alabama, and a township called Fork in Michigan. Ironically, there isn't even a city that starts with the letter F in Kansas, Maine, or Vermont," I say and then feel like a geek for passing on some of my useless knowledge.

"Did you and Kassie drive here from Washington?" my mother asks.

"Yes, with Rose and Emmett's help, we drove straight through." Bella's eyes then flicker to me. "I think that's where Kassie developed her opinion on men's driving abilities. Emmett's a great guy, and a wonderful educator, but being a good driver is not a skill he possesses."

Both Jasper and I snort out a laugh at the same time. "Yeah, his driving technique back when we were in high school wasn't that great at all," I tell her.

"Well, I'll tell you this, it hasn't improved with age, either," she deadpans.

"He would be a better driver if he didn't try to dance while he was driving," Alice carries on as Jasper lets out another snorting laugh.

We all seem to fall silent and I run my hand through my hair, thinking of something to ask. "Did your boyfriend or significant other move here with you?" As I wait for her to answer, I get the 'oh-god-what-did-I-just-ask' feeling wash over me.

"No," Bella says with a shake of her head, and a grin.

"What are your thoughts on Chicago, so far, Dear?" my mom asks after shaking her head at me.

"I haven't had a chance to see much of Chicago yet. We have really only explored our own neighborhood, and the school. We went to Six Flags, but that was because Emmett insisted we had to do something like that before school started. But in saying that, everyone I have met has been nice and welcoming, apart from this one rude guy at Six Flags."

As her eyes land on me, I know I am the rude guy she is speaking about.

"I said sorry," I say lightly.

"No, you snapped the word 'sorry' at me, but you didn't feel bad about what you did, or how you behaved."

I go to argue back, but decide not to, but to simply be as nice as I can to her; women always hate that. "You're right, I was wrong, and I am sorry." I even flutter my eyes at the end, but she only looks at me with a stern look. It reminds me of how Kassie looks at people when she is telling them what she thinks. I also notice it's the same look she gave Kassie when she was correcting her.

"You shouldn't be teaching those looks to Kassie; one day they will backfire on you," I say with a slight smile.

"Too late," Bella purely chuckles and looks away from me.

Everyone again seems to fall silent. Hating the awkwardness, I stand up. "I am going to go and start working on dinner."

I walk out and look at my watch seeing that it's just past four. "Well, dinner will be a bit early, but this way both she and her daughter will leave sooner than later, and I can get back to thinking this whole thing over. Now, what should I make?" I say to myself. Walking to my fridge looking at what we have. "Grilled steaks and veggies," I say as I carry on talking out loud. "I am great at this and just maybe she'll stop looking at me as if I am an imbecile if I cook a great dinner."

My eyes move to the entrance of my kitchen just as Bella walks in. "Do you need a hand?"

"Nope," I say dropping my eyes from her. "I have this under control, and don't worry; I am a very good cook."

"Are you sure you don't—"

"No, I am fine," I say cutting her off. "I know how to cook steak," I mutter in my head. "Just go and have some fun, talk to Alice and my mom, put your feet up, and relax."

"Okay," Bella says sounding odd. I look at her to see she's smirking at me.

Clearly, she has no faith in my cooking skills. I'll just have to be sure to prove her wrong. I smile back at her, and she walks away.

I take out chicken breasts for the kids and switch on the full-size, double grill and range hood.

I put the chicken on first so that it will be fully cooked when the rest is finished. I grab several fresh vegetables and wash them. Placing them on skewers, I season them lightly. On the other side of the grill top, I arrange the veggies and ears of unshucked corn on the cob. I season the chicken breasts lightly and flip them over. I can't help but smile seeing the perfect grill marks on them. Not that the kids will care, but they look amazing. I then grab the big rib eye roast, and expertly cut nice thick steaks. I dust them with my own special steak seasoning, and place them on the heated grill grate. The searing sizzle they make puts a smile on my face. When the chicken is finished, the steaks will be a perfect medium rare, the only real way to cook a great steak, in my mind.

My eyes flicker toward the family room when I hear music. I walk forward a little as I hear Cordie giggle. I recognize the song and I know she's got her dancing game on.

Once everything is ready, I put the food on to warm as I set the table in the dining room.

I walk into the family room, to find Bella dancing. I tilt my head as she seems to keep up with the movements on the screen. As the song comes to an end, my mom, Jasper, Alice, and the kids all clap.

"Dinner is served," I snap making everyone turn and look at me.

I shake my head and place a smile on my face. "Please, everyone come into the dining room and eat."

"What's with you?" Alice whispers at my side.

"Nothing," I tell her, too tired to hide the fact that I feel a little put out that Bella seems to be able to relax more with my family than she does with me.

"Did you see Bella, Dad, she passed level eight," Cordie says as she runs to me.

"I saw," I reply with a sigh.

"Don't be jealous, some of us can follow instructions better than others," Bella gloats.

"Well, I am sure I can pass it; I'll show you after dinner." I reply with a smirk. An odd feeling of needing proof that I am just as able as she is comes over me. It's like I need to show her I am better than her.

"We'll see," she says.

"We will," I counter, not able to let it go.

I walk everyone into the dining room.

"Uh-oh," Kassie says making me look her way.

"What?" She just looks at me and I frown.

"I've made grilled vegetables for everyone, grilled chicken for the kids, and fresh cut rib eye steaks from an aged loin, for the adults.

"My mom doesn't eat red meat, so can I have hers?" Kassie asks and my eyes snap to Bella.

"Why didn't you tell me you were a vegetarian?"

"I'm not a vegetarian; I eat chicken, fish, and sometimes even pork, and I just never consume red meat at all. Besides, you never asked."

I narrow my eyes at her trying to work out if she did this on purpose or not.

"I don't think I could give up eating steaks, especially one's like these," Jasper says as he sits down at the table.

"Oh, me, too, steaks and big hamburgers are the best and taste amazing." Kassie says with a dreamy look. When she looks toward me again, she smiles big. "So, Teddy, can I have my mom's steak, and she can have the chicken you made for me?"

"No," Bella answers making Kassie pout at her.

Bella looks away from her and toward me. "I am fine with just vegetables."

"No, I can always make you something else," I offer feeling flabbergasted.

"If you let Cordie and me share the steak and one of the pieces of chicken, then mommy can have the other piece of chicken," Kassie says while blinking as if she is innocent and well mannered.

"Yeah, Daddy, and I would like some steak, too," Cordie says.

As they both look at me with their matching puppy-dog eyes, I sigh. "Fine, but it will be between the two of you and Colton." I say as I start to cut one steak and two chicken breasts into three portions.

"Is chicken and grilled veggies okay?" I ask Bella with a forced smile.

"Yeah, that would be great," she replies back with a similar smile.

I hand the three kids their plates and finish plating the other food. As I turn to go to my usual seat, I find Cordie sitting in it, with Kassie next to her, and then Colton on Kassie's other side. I keep going around the table and find that the only seat not taken is the one next to Bella. I move there and take my seat.

"Bon Appétit`," I say to Bella who starts to cut her chicken.

~P.P~

BPOV

I eat the chicken and it's actually quite delicious. Either these people are normally rather dry and unsocial, or they are as uncomfortable as I am. The room stays quiet, and the only sounds are coming from the children. My eyes move to Kassie who is whispering between Cordie and Colton.

This whole evening has been quite strange, and I know that I am being a bitch towards Edward. I don't think it will hurt him to know upfront that I don't take shit from anyone, so I refuse to rose color anything or pretend otherwise.

"This is so good, Mommy," Kassie moans and I roll my eyes.

"It's good that you still let Kassie eat red meat," Alice says and I frown at her.

"I just mean … I have a friend that doesn't eat meat and is planning on raising her child that way, too," Alice says.

"No, I don't believe in forcing my tastes or choices on others."

"Yeah, but you tried to stop me from investing in the animals on the market," Kassie speaks up.

"That's different; I was just trying to show you morals."

"What morals, and why is it wrong to make money from beef stock?" Kassie asks as everyone else is dead silent.

I just sigh as I look at her. "It just is," I answer.

"Does your daddy give you answers like that?" Kassie asks Cordie who nods at her enthusiastically.

"Sometimes he tells me to ask Granny," Cordie sighs.

"Well, I can only ask my mom what stocks look good, but maybe next time I will ask your granny," Kassie smiles at Esme.

"You invest money into the stock trade as well?" Edward asks as if he's shocked.

It's like he is grasping at something we may have in common besides our girls.

"No," I answer as Kassie yells, "yes."

Everyone seems to look at me. "It's not real money, we use Monopoly money. We look once a week at the stock market and then choose what company to invest in as well as and how much. The next week we'll look at it again, and we can either leave it to build, or sell. We keep a notebook of our trades and actually do fairly well for amateurs with no real money."

"You do this, for fun, with a six-year-old?" Alice stutters.

"It's fun. We don't always choose the same company; it's something my fa—" I cut myself off; these are people I have just met and I don't want them to know too much about me. I clear my throat and start to speak again. "It's fun. Like I said, we use Monopoly money, and we do it for show so I can show Kassie how much she could win or lose. As she gets older, she will understand it more, and hopefully it will help show her how to deal with money, accounting, and taxes. Not only that, it also shows her which companies are out there, and how to understand basic investment strategy."

Alice just looks at me. "You do know that Jasper and Edward are in the stock market trade in Chicago, don't you?"

"You are?" Kassie gasps with her eyes wide open in awe.

"Was that why you were on the internet? There was a photo of you licking your lips on my—"

"Kassie!" I yell cutting her off. I give her my 'if-you-keep-talking, I'm-going-to-kill-you' look.

I feel my face heat up and turn to Edward who's looking at me intrigued. "I Googled you; sadly, all I found out was that you like to lick you lips and run your fingers through your hair." I give him a smile and look at Kassie and Cordie.

"Cordie, do you play the piano, too?"

She looks at me and nods. "Yes, my daddy's teaching me. I am learning to play Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star, and Hot Cross Buns."

"That sounds amazing; can you play anything else?"

Cordie shakes her head.

"I would like to learn how to play the Saxophone, but I don't think I have enough air," Kassie adds.

"I want to learn to play an electric guitar," Colton tells us as he pretends to play.

I nod at them. "Well, then, Kassie, we'll have to find something you can play, and then the three of you will have a band," Esme adds.

"Yeah, and my daddy can sing, so we can perform, too," Cordie tells me with her eyes looking big.

"Oh, my mommy can sing, too, this will be great; we'll be the next big thing."

I roll my eyes.

"Oh, yes, let's apply for America's Got Talent!" Kassie suggests.

"Can we?" all three kids yell making me shake my head.

"No," Edward and I yell together.

"See what you and your talk about instruments just about got us into?" Edward hisses in my ear.

I narrow my eyes at him. "Careful or I'll go back to calling you the other name I came up with," I tell him and he just raises his brow.

"Can you come for a sleepover this Friday; that way you and Miss Bella can come with Daddy and me to Alice's party?" Cordie asks Kassie.

"Cordie, I'm just Bella when we are out of school, and that goes for you, too, Colton."

"So, does that mean yes? Yay, I'm excited to have you come over on Friday to stay the night," Cordie asks as she claps her hands. "We've never had any friends come over and stay the night, isn't that right, Daddy?"

I turn my head and look at Edward to see if she means she never has or that her daddy hasn't had any friends stay over, too.

"No, 'we' haven't," he replies with a cocky smile.

"We've only ever had Rose stay over; she's always fun. Oh, Cordie, I can't wait until you meet her, she's so cool and she fixes cars," Kassie tells her.

"What's Rose like?" Edward asks me, and I look at him with my brow raised. "I just am asking because I'm curious to know what kind of girl Emmett married.

I nod in understanding at him, and pull my wristlet wallet from my pocket, where I put it earlier. "This is a photo of Rose," I say handing the photo of Rose, Kassie, and me to him.

"Oh, wow!" Edward says as his mouth hangs open. "Is she a model?" he asks.

"What?" Jasper asks as he gets up and moves to stand behind Edward.

"She's hot," he says and I look at him with my mouth open.

"What?" He asks.

"Your wife?" I say and widen my eyes at him.

He looks her way and smiles. "Yes, I know my wife is beautiful, and sexy—"

"Dad," Colton yells cutting off his father, and I snigger.

"Fine; enough about Alice, but I am just saying I thought Emmett would've ended up with someone more … average."

"Why?" I ask, raising my brow and tilting my head.

"Because he's Emmett," Jasper answers cryptically, like saying that tells me anything.

I look at Edward who shakes his head. "I said 'wow' about her height, she is towering over both you and Kassie in this picture."

I laugh. "Yeah, she's six-foot tall, and she owns her own mechanic's shop."

"Chop and Chop?" Esme asks me and I nod at her. "Tall, blonde—" she stops and looks at the kids and then tilts her head, "that can kill someone with a look?"

"Yes, that's Rose" I say knowing that she softened what she was going to say.

"Oh, I love her, she's brassy. She's fixed my car a few weeks ago. She's the one I was talking about who helped me when my car broke down on the side of the road. She's a very nice young woman."

"Yes, Rose is amazing. To be honest, I'm not sure if I would have gotten to where I am in life without her."

Edward just looks at me. Feeling exposed, I look back at Kassie and Cordie.

"I am not sure about the sleepover, Cordie. Let your dad and me talk and we'll let you know …" I trail off as my eye catches the fact that Cordie is using her right hand.

"Cordie, do you write with your right hand?"

"Yes?"

"Oh, we really are mirror twins, I am a lefty," Kassie tells her as she waves her left hand.

"So is my daddy," Cordie says.

I look at Edward and sure enough, he is using his left hand.

"What hand are you, Bella?" Cordie asks with a big smile.

"I am right-handed," I tell her.

"I think you and my daddy should spend time together so that you two become best friends, too. Then maybe you and Kassie could live next door to us; the house is for sale."

"I may have to sell a few organs for that," I mutter as quietly as I can.

"I'll ask my father if he's looking for any," Edward says making me turn to him. "He's the Departmental Chief in the Emergency Department at Northwestern Memorial," he smirks, letting me know he heard me.

"Oh, I wonder if I've met him," Kassie says looking as if she's trying to work it out.

"No, you haven't," I say.

"How can you be so sure?" Cordie asks.

"Because I am sure if we had met him, he would have said 'wow, you look just like my granddaughter'," I say in a silly male voice.

"That's true," Cordie says and both girls giggle.

"I think we should prank him. We could send Kassie in, and see how long it takes him to notice," Colton says as he laughs.

"We're done, Daddy, may we leave the table and go back to playing?"

"Edward looks me as if he is asking me my thoughts.

"Put your dishes in the kitchen first," I say looking at Kassie, and I see Edward nod in agreement.

"You, too, Cordie," he adds.

Both girls stand up. "Colton, are you coming with us?" Kassie asks.

"Yes," he says moving off with them after grabbing his own dishes.

I swallow, and smile at the people around the table. "Would you all mind giving Edward and me some time to talk alone?" I look to Edward and smirk. "That is if you feel safe being alone with me."

He rolls his eyes away from me. "I'll take you to my office," he says and stands up.

"We'll get this cleaned up, Son. Take your time; you and Bella have a lot to talk about," Esme says.

"Thanks, Mom. Bella, if you'd come with me?" Edward says.

I follow him trying to remember all the places that he's shown us or told us about earlier in his huge home.

"This house is absolutely ginormous, Edward," I blurt out but quickly snap my mouth shut.

"It's not that big," he says looking over his shoulder. "Now my late grandfather's home, that was huge, but he was one of fifteen children."

"Fifteen?" I ask as my mouth drops open.

"Yeah, I know, it's a lot to fathom, right? Four of his siblings died in infancy, and the rest moved to locations all over the world. Only my grandfather and his younger, disabled brother, Frank stayed in Chicago. The family home was left to him and Frank after his parents passed away."

"Oh, what about your parents, do they have brothers and sisters?"

"My father has one brother, Eleazar, who just happens to be married to my mother's sister, Carmen."

"They like to keep the family close then?" I say, hoping it did not imply I felt his family tree didn't fork.

"Yeah," he laughs, clearly not offended.

He opens a door and we both walk through it. I take a seat on the sofa, and Edward goes over to what looks like a small fridge. "I have Sprite, Coke, Pepsi, Fanta Orange, juice boxes, bottles of water, and some Starbucks cold frappuccinos; what can I get you to drink?"

"Fanta Orange sounds good," I say, and he nods at me. I watch as he grabs two glasses from a cabinet above the fridge, puts a few cubes of ice in them and fills the cups with the fizzy orange soda. He brings the glasses to the sofa and hands me one.

"I think we should have DNA testing performed, just to be sure," I start off with.

"I agree, even knowing in my heart they are, in fact, twins, and it would still be for the best."

I let out a breath. "You feel it, too?"

"The feeling I get when I see the way Cordie looks at Kassie is like she sees the other half of her soul. There is a connection between them that surpasses any amount of time I've had with my daughter. It is like when I look at Kassie, I see the other half of Cordie."

"Yes, that is exactly how I feel, looking at Kassie, I can see how Cordie completes her," I agree.

"I understand, for me it's odd because I feel that Kassie is the missing piece in Cordie's life. Cordie has always been more of a reserved child. She's almost too grown up to be a six-year-old. Kassie gives Cordie more of her childhood. Cordie is a great child and is perfectly adjusted in life, maybe reserved, but none the less very well adjusted; but with Kassie, she seems more … whole."

"Yeah, I never thought Kassie was missing anything, but when I see her and Cordie together ..."

"I know, and understand," he finishes for me. "So it comes back to 'what do we tell them'?" Edward asks.

"Well … this is hard for me, because Kassie may not remember them, but she does know that my parents were her first parents. I have explained that she had another mom before that, but I don't think she really understands that too much."

Edward nods at me. "I feel the same wherein I have told Cordie she was adopted. I still feel she's too young to completely comprehend the whole meaning and aspects of what being adopted really means."

"I've been thinking, and I feel we should tell them that they are biological sisters once we receive the test back," I say.

Edward looks at me, waiting for me to give my reason.

"The thing is, Edward, I know that you have a family, one that you are close to, but Kassie and I don't. Kassie is all I have, and this way she doesn't have to ever feel as if she only has me."

Edward nods at me. "So, we'll tell them, then what?"

"Well, I think we should let them lead the way we take things. I think it is important to let them be in each others life. I don't have any sibling experience, but I cannot imagine having a sibling and not being a part of their life."

"What about when they fight?" he asks, and I just look at him unsure as to what to say. "Alice and me, we fought like cats and dogs most of the time. There were times when my mom wanted to kill the both of us, but she hated it most when we wouldn't talk to each other. What do we do when that happens and they fight? I mean, they may be all friendly now, but eventually they will fight about something. We need to be on the same page with things like this, so that we don't allow or enable them to ruin their potential relationship."

I nod at him, agreeing that if we are on the same page, we will be less likely to make a snap judgment and make mistakes. "I think if they argue or disagree, we should stay out of it. We should stay neutral, and I think we should diplomatically talk anything out with each other and plan what we will do depending on the situation?"

"That sounds like a very good plan."

I let out a sigh as I look at him. "My parents were great; they never had a fight in front of me, and they never spoke about the other in an ill manner to me. I know that they had disagreements and argued, but it was never intentionally around me. I've seen the way parents fight and put their children between them. The fighting can hurt the kids. My parents were foster parents for many years, and I saw the kids who had been in bad situations. Some of my friends—even Rose has talked about how she felt as if she was made to choose one parent over the other. They tried to push their hurt, anger, and hate for the other parent onto her. They were always making snarky comments about the other; always asking for information so they could use it later against the other. I refuse to do that with Kassie and Cordie. I guess what I am saying is that if there is ever a disagreement between us, it needs to stay between us, and not reflect on the girls. I don't want the girls to go through that. If you don't like me, okay … just act like you do in front of them, and I'll do the same."

Edward seems to just look at me unsure of what to say.

"Edward, first and foremost, I love my daughter. I live for her and love her more than anything. I would play nice with Jack the Ripper if that was what she needed to be happy."

Edward smiles and nods at me. "How about we simply get to know each other first, before we decide anything about the other? You never know, we could become friends, too."

"Becoming friends would be the best thing we can do for our girls," I agree.

"So, how about you guys come over and stay on Friday? After the girls are in bed, we can talk more, find some common ground between us, and get to know one another?"

I nod at him and raise my brow. "Now, what about the DNA test?"

"My father can do it, if you're okay with that?"

"Okay, that sounds good, would he do it here, my place, or at the hospital?"

"Here, if that's okay with you? I can call him and see if he can do it Friday. I trust him to not only be discreet, but I know he would never tamper with anything, no matter the outcome, so we can trust him. Sadly, right now my trust levels with anyone the state would recommend are not very high."

"That sounds perfect to me, if you could let me know my share of the cost—"

"No!" Edward interrupts.

"What do you mean no?" I ask Edward.

"Illinois DCFS will be paying for the DNA test. This is their fuck up, not yours or mine. We are doing what's best for our daughters. They have some serious answers to provide, especially how one child ended up in Washington, and one in Illinois. That is the thing I'd like to know the most."

I let out a long breath looking at him. "Yeah, I agree, but you know the cost of paying a lawyer and taking them to court would be more than the cost of a DNA test to begin with?"

"I already have a lawyer," Edward smiles at me and it slowly falls. "And I should call him, to call off the private investigators."

"You were going to have me followed?" I ask in astonishment.

"I thought you were Cordie's birth mother; remember, who for all I knew may have still been on drugs," he says as if he is trying to condone what he did. As he keeps looking at me, he slowly sighs and starts to run his fingers through his hair. "Bella, I am sorry for what I said to you, and for how I behaved at Six Flags." He stops and looks at me through his eyelashes. "For six years, I've had nightmares and worried that one day …"

"She would come back and take her from you," I finish for him, knowing that my parents felt this same way. "I understand, because now I feel that way, too. There were days while I was going through the courts to keep and adopt her, where I was worried enough, but now I have this worry about the birth mother trying to take my daughter from me. I worry she'll show up and claim she's changed her mind."

Edward smiles at me lightly. "When I saw you at Six Flags, my fear of her reappearance came to the surface, when I thought you were her. Then to see that you kept a baby, while throwing my girl aside, it made my temper explode."

I let out a breath looking at him a lot softer than I had since meeting him. "I understand, and you are forgiven, just don't yell at me like that again, okay?"

He nods and smiles at me. "I won't."

"I should be getting off, I've got school tomorrow," I say.

He gets up and walks to the desk. "Okay, this is my contact numbers, and I'm putting my cell number on the back." He says grabbing a business card and writing on the back of it.

I move to him and take a pen and post-it note pad off the desk. I write both my house number and cell number down for him. I hand the information to him and take the card he is handing to me.

"Thanks for dinner, Edward, it was lovely," I say as we walk back down the hall.

"You sound surprised," he says.

"I am," I laugh.

"Thanks," he jokes. "I'll walk you up to get Kassie," he says with a nod.

I follow him around the house again, and I stand beside him at the door watching Kassie and Cordie play. They seem to be so in tune with each other. Both of them have big smiles on their faces.

"Kassie, it's time for us to leave," I say softly and both girls just look at me. They stand up and move together, and I laugh shaking my head.

"Kassie, why, oh … why do you have Cordie's clothes on?" I ask.

"Yes, and, Cordie, why do you have Kassie's clothes on?" Edward adds.

"See, we told you this wouldn't work," Kassie and Cordie say together to a disappointed Colton.

"But, it always works in the movies," Colton proclaims.

"I am going to keep Kassie's clothes on for the rest of today, and she can keep mine."

"We'll switch back tomorrow," Cordie says as she hugs Kassie. "Bye, Bella," she says coming over and hugging me close to her as Kassie moves to hug Colton.

"Later, Teddy," Kassie says offering her hand for him to high-five.

I look at Edward who looks resigned to her calling him that name now.

"Later, Cece," he says, and she just looks at him.

"Teddy rhymes with Eddy," Kassie says.

Edward just shrugs. "If you say so, Cece."

"Come on, Kassie," I say before she can get into an argument with him.

Edward, and Cordie walk us to my car, and he takes Cordie's booster seat out as Cordie and Kassie hug yet again.

"See you tomorrow, twin," they say together.

I look to Edward who is smiling. "Well, I guess I'll see you tomorrow, too," he says.

"You will, because it'll be my turn to stand at the door, to see the children in," I answer.

I get in my car and wave as we drive off.

"How are you doing?" I ask Kassie who smiles at me.

"I am great; we're going to be a great family!"

I snort but nod at her. "Yes, Cordie and you will be great together."

"Teddy's not too bad either; Cordie says he's a good dad."

I raise my brow as I glance at her in my mirror. "He's not as mean as I first thought he was."

I gasp loudly. "Does this mean you'll stop calling him Teddy?"

"Nope, he's my sister's father, so I have to have a special name for him. It is a name that only I can call him. Cordie's thinking of one for her to call you."

I just look at her, feeling strange that she called her, her sister. I wonder if they already know, but do not want to say it outright in case someone corrects them. I swallow and clear my throat. "That sounds great," I say with a smile hoping that everything will work out for them both.

"I told her to call you BooBear."

I snort and laugh while shaking my head. "Let her come up with her own nickname for me, if she wants it to be special between us."

Kassie and I spend some time together before she goes to bed. I take my phone out and send Edward a text before I go to bed.

~Hi, it's Bella. I was just thinking that maybe we should have the girls talk to someone. Or at least meet someone, and if they feel overwhelmed, they can ask to talk to them. If this sends us into a spin, they must feel it, too. What do you think?~

I look at my cell, feeling strange. In the full four years I've been her mom, I've never had to ask someone else what they thought. But with this I know that I would have to have his input. This is not just about Kassie, it's about Cordie, too.

~Hi, Bella. Strange – I was just about to text the same question to you. I think it would be good for the girls, and also for us. We can look together on Friday and pick someone out. Edward~

~Do you think your father would have any names he could recommend? Bella~

~Yes, I am sure he'll know someone, or will be able to give us a list of therapists he thinks are good. I'll ask him to have a list for us on Friday when he comes to perform the DNA testing. How was Kassie when she got home? Cordie was still on hyper mode, and that's something unusual for her. Edward~

~Kassie is always on a hyper mode. I swear someone forgot the off switch when they made her. But, yes, she was still excited, but I think she was missing Cordie more than anything else. Bella~

~Cordie missed her, too. Well, Miss Bella, I will let you get to sleep, and we will see you tomorrow morning. Edward~

Goodnight, Edward. Bella~

I get changed and lie in my bed; I take hold of my parents' photo and look at them. "God, do I wish you were here. I miss you both so much, but I know you would love to see Cordie and Kassie together." I stop and take a breath. "A part of me thinks you could deal with this so much better than me. I am so scared that I am going to screw something up, and she'll get hurt, or Cordie will get hurt. Please, Mom and Dad, make sure both girls are okay during this and help keep us all safe."

I place the photo down and turn over hoping to get some rest.


A/N: So it sounds as if they are doing what is right. How do you suppose things will pan out from here? Thanks for reading and reviewing.