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Parallel Parenting Chapter 5

EPOV

"Morning, Daddy," Cordie says sounding chipper. I just look at her as she helps herself to some cereal. "Is it almost time for school?"

I look at my watch shaking my head. "You have another hour before we need to leave," I tell her.

"Oh," Cordie replies sounding a little disappointed.

"It means you have an hour with me," I remind her with a smile; only to have her nod as she starts to talk again.

"I can't wait to play with Kassie again. Can I have her number and put it in my cell?"

"Does she have her own cell?" I ask avoiding her question.

"Oh, I don't know," she sounds worried, "if she doesn't, can we get her one? That way I can call her when she's not here."

"I'm not sure, Cordie, that's something her mom will have to decide on."

"Can you help me come up with a cool nickname for Bella?"

I chuckle looking at her. "Isn't Bella her nickname?" I stop and think it over. "Yeah, pretty sure Bella is her nickname."

"But everyone calls her that. I want one for just me," she says.

"Why?" I ask.

"I just do. Kassie said Boo Bear; what do you think?"

"We'll talk about it after school when we have more time, is that okay?"

Cordie nods at me. "I am going to go get ready for school," she says as she puts her bowl in the sink.

I feel happier that she seems to want to go to school, but as I said to Bella, they will fight eventually. I just am not sure how each of the girls will handle it. The more I think about it the more I know that I am right. Both girls will need someone, unbiased, to talk to. I also hope Bella thinks it over and decides to talk to someone, too. She really seems to be a little aggressive at times; it's almost like she's barely keeping herself hinged.

Once I am ready, I head to check on Cordie, again, and see that she's dressed in more of her fancy clothes, but again, I just smile.

"You look pretty today," I tell her as I start to fix her hair.

Once she's ready, she picks up her bag as well as Kassie's clothes from the day before, and we head out.

"Cordie?" I ask softly as I drive.

"Yes, Daddy?"

"You know that you can talk to me, right? I mean, you can discuss anything with me and I will help you in any way that I can."

As I look at her through my rearview mirror, I can see she's frowning.

"Yes?" she says pulling out the's' sound to make the word last longer.

"Okay, I just want you to know that I am here for you. I know that meeting Kassie was rather strange, and exciting, but I want you to know you can talk to me about it. I'm here for you and I always will be."

Cordie simply nods at me and looks out the window. It's times like this when I wish I could read minds— specifically her mind.

I pull into the school, and my eyes home in on Kassie and Bella. Bella is standing at the main door, and Kassie is running around in circles close to her.

I park my car, and get out, and then I let Cordie out who is bouncing in her seat.

"Come on, Daddy," she yells as she walks as fast as her legs will carry her to where Bella and Kassie are. I cover my mouth to muffle my laugh. Cordie is half running, half walking, yet still maintaining the way a lady is supposed to walk according to the teachings of my sister.

Finally, the girls run into each other's arms, hugging as if it's been weeks, and not hours since they had last seen each other. My eyes move to Bella just as she looks to me. What catches me off guard is her face; she seems to be harboring as much worry as I am.

"Hi," she says with a smile "Since you invited us to dinner yesterday, I would like to return the favor tonight. That way you can see my place, and well, this time it will just be the four of us?" The words seem to tumble out of her mouth. Today she seems to be unsure that she was yesterday and not the hot-headed woman she has been the past two times we have spoken to one another.

"Don't you like my family?" I try to joke, but as Bella's face pales, I know my tone didn't match my intent.

"They're great—"

I hold my hand up shaking my head and cutting her off. "No, I didn't mean it that way. I am sorry I was just joking; I know they can be a hand full. I would like to come over for dinner tonight, and it's a great idea that it will only be the four of us. The girls need time to bond, and we need time to talk, too."

Bella nods at me; she opens her mouth and quickly closes it. I watch as she bends down talking to a child, and as she sends them on their way, she looks back at me.

"I have to play devil's advocate here, so bear with me. If they are not really twins and sisters …" She rolls her eyes as if the idea is so farfetched it's ridiculous, but I also agree it is an absurd thought. "They are still going to be friends. Obviously, they will be close friends, from the instant connection they have to one another."

My eyes go back to the girls, and I feel my breath leave my throat. Cordie is playing and doesn't seem to care if she gets messy. She's skipping around, while taking turns, using a rock to play hopscotch.

"You okay?" I turn and look at Bella who asked, and I nod at her.

"Yeah, I have a feeling either way these two will be the best of friends." I stop and slightly shake my head. "Cordie doesn't normally play like this, and before now she didn't like to do anything that might get her clothes dirty."

"Well, this is not a dig at you, but maybe if her clothing wasn't so fashion and brand forward … she might not worry about ruining them?"

I snort looking at Bella. "She picks out her own clothes."

"But does she have any clothes that she doesn't have to be careful in or that aren't fashion catalog worthy?"

I tilt my head and Bella seems to sigh. "Kassie has clothes for special times, and going out, but she doesn't wear them any other time. She also has clothes just for school. Being a teacher, I know that if she wears something nice to school there is a big chance it will get paint, or stains on it. This way clothes that are for school only, are nice, but not so nice that she would freak out over a drop of paint. Again, not trying to say anything, but how about we take the girls out after school on Friday? Kassie needs a few more outfits, and Cordie can get some, too?" Bella stops and shrugs. "Cordie may pick out some clothes so she and Kassie will be dressed the same," she says.

"Let me think about it," I reply looking back at the girls. "Aren't you two going to go inside?" I ask them, but they both shake their heads at me.

"No, we're waiting for Colton to get here," Kassie answers for them both.

"So you like Colton?" I ask.

Kassie shrugs. "He's cool."

I look back at Bella who has returned to greeting the children.

"I'm here," I hear Colton yell. I scan the playground to find him running towards the girls.

"You waited for me?" he asks sounding out of breath.

"I said we would," Cordie tells him.

"Are you guys coming to class now?" Kassie asks as the others nod at her.

"Later, Teddy," Kassie says with her hand in the air. I high five her as she passes, only to have Colton follow her and he high-fives me, too.

"Daddy, I want a high five, too." Cordie tells me breaking me out of my shock from Colton's hand slap. I hold my hand up, and she high fives me then runs to catch up with the other two.

"She seems to be livelier," Jasper says and I nod before looking at him.

"She does," I look back to where the kids are walking down the hallway.

"I am sure everything will work out," he says as Colton and the girls are no longer in my view.

I turn back to Jasper. "Where's Alice this morning?"

"I dropped her off at work first. I thought you, Bella, and the girls needed some time without her asking a thousand questions."

"Thank you," I say and he nods.

"See you at work," he calls needing to leave to get there on time.

I don't reply, just wave at him as he walks away.

"Bella?" I say and it sounds like a question.

"Yes?" she answers me.

"Yes," I say in response.

Bella just looks at me, and then shakes her head laughing. "You already said yes to dinner, so is that yes to shopping on Friday after school?" she asks.

I nod at her.

"Okay, see you later then," she says as the bell rings and she turns to walk into the school.

~PP~

I arrive at work still feeling worried, which seems to match the worry I had when I was first informed about how sick Cordie was.

"Hi, Edward," Tanya says as I walk past her desk.

"Coffee, please, and get one for you, too, we need to have a long chat," I say as I walk toward my office door.

Tanya simply looks at me, and nods before getting up from her chair.

I walk into my office leaving the door ajar.

Tanya enters and puts down my cup and clicks her nails on the desk to get my attention. "I am telling you here and now, if you tell me that you're going on a date with Maggie or that she's now your girlfriend, then I will be checking you into the nuthouse."

I snort. "How I wish it was something as simple as that … but no, nothing's simple about this. Cordie has a twin sister."

"What?" Tanya uncharacteristically shrieks.

"Cordie has—" I start to repeat, but she cuts me off.

"I heard what you said, but what? I mean, how, when, where?"

"I don't know the answers. We—Bella and I—still have to talk to DCFS—"

"And who is Bella?" she interrupts again.

"The other twin's adopted mother."

"Okay … wow, I've heard and read stories like this. Heck, there is a movie called Parent Trap, and a television show called Sister, Sister, among others, but I never thought … just wow."

I nod at her. "You're preaching to the choir here, Tanya."

I run my hand through my hair. "Bella is also Cordie's first grade teacher."

"Is that how you met?" Before I can answer her she's talking again. "That must've been a shock to Cordie and this other girl to turn up at school, seeing someone looking like them. God, this is turning into our own living fictional story."

I chuckle shaking my head at her. "No, we met the first time at Six Flags, where I panicked and ran."

Tanya raises her brow at me.

"I freaked out, thinking she was Cordie's biological mother. Anyway, being Cordie's teacher is a good thing, and even more so now that I know she's not their biological mother." I stop and clear my throat. "Bella and I are going to have a DNA test performed just to … for proof, and then we'll decide where we'll go from there. We'll have to come to some sort of compromise; after all, we are raising twins."

"Sounds like your life just took a turn to the fun side." Tanya smiles at me and wiggles her brows. "What is she like … Bella?"

I shrug. "Small, the girls aren't much littler than she is. She is, however, a smidge taller than Alice. She has brown hair, brown eyes, and her looks are average."

"How do you feel about her?" Tanya asks.

I shake my head. "I don't really know her, so I'm not sure what to think yet. What's with the twenty questions—what are you getting at?"

"Just asking if you have a connection with her; does she tick your boxes?"

"No, and she can't. I realistically can't have a complication with this girl, and sex between two adults who are raising them will definitely complicate things. So, no trying to set us up, this is real life, Tanya."

"I know that," she hisses at me. "But you're forgetting one very large, overbearing, fact; you are raising twins. Twins means no matter what, she will be a part of Cordie's life, and hers with yours. Just as you will always be a part of the other twin's life, and along with her you get her mother. You're wise to be cautious, but do not ever fool yourself to assume that this will not bring you as close as any other co-parenting partnership would. This is likely to bring out all kinds of feelings, just be careful what you do, because your choices no longer only affect Cordie and you, but they will also impact this Bella and Cordie's twin."

"Tanya, there is no way I will become romantically involved with Bella; she's only in her early twenties." I tell her even though I am unsure of her actual age.

Tanya just hums. "Just write down her name—her full name—and number, whenever she calls, I'll put her through immediately."

I just look at her but she holds her hand out. "Here," I say handing her the information I had already copied because she was Cordie's teacher. "I don't think she will call," I say but Tanya just smiles at me. The smile she uses to tell me to 'shut it, and that she knows better than I do.' "What is the name of Cordie's twin?"

"Kassandra, but they all call her Kassie," I say.

"With a C or K?" Tanya asks.

"K," I answer.

"I love the name Kassandra when it's spelled with a K." I only nod at her agreeing that it's a nice way of spelling it, too. "Is she exactly like Cordie?"

"Yes and no. They look the same, but things are reversed. Their eye color is swapped, the way their hair naturally parts is opposite, oh, and Cordie is right-handed, whereas Kassie is left-handed. Personality wise, they are opposites, too. Kassie seems to be quite outgoing, fearless, and outspoken," I chuckle. "She decided to call me Teddy, and I'm not sure how to feel about it."

"Maybe she wants something special to call you, other than your given name?"

I frown looking at her and she sighs rubbing her head. "They may only be six, Edward, but that doesn't mean they are clueless to what's going on. You're someone important to her sister—a girl she only just met herself—maybe this is her way of having something special between the two of you."

I feel myself pale as I remember Cordie asking for help to come up with a nickname for Bella. "Shit," I stutter feeling a little guilty over the fact I had first thought Kassie was just being rude. "I think you may be onto something," I tell Tanya.

"Edward, you just need to take your time, and get to know them. But I do have another question?" I nod at her and wait for her to ask. "Why would a court give such a young woman a child?"

"They didn't, initially. Bella's parents had adopted her at the same time that I adopted Cordie. Sadly, they lost their lives in a car accident about four years ago. As the only family Kassie had, Bella took care of her, and a couple years ago, she legally adopted her."

Tanya just nods. "Okay, I'll make sure to keep this out of the papers and the gossip mill around here until we are sure of what's what."

"Thanks, Tanya; I know you always have my back. So, what all went on while I was away?"

"Just the usual. Nothing real to report, other than I gave Angela a written warning. As of right now, she is on three months' probation. The full report has been sent to you via email."

"Thanks, Tanya," I tell her.

Tanya gets up and walks out, making sure to close my door.

I switch on my computer as I wait for it to boot up, I set up my desk with today's workload. I sign into the network and open my email. I sigh seeing there are over three-hundred messages to go through. It takes me a long time to weed out the important ones and I groan as I read through the list. I start with the ones which need my immediate attention. The first one I read is from Tanya, about Angela. It's not that I need to read it, I trust Tanya completely. As CEO though, it is best that I know everything that is going on, so as a formality, I open and read it.

I open a few more when one seems to get my attention. Not having seen the email address before, I click on it.

Dear Mr. Cullen,

I am not sure as to how to start, and only hope you will give me the courtesy of reading this email in its entirety before deleting it. I feel this information is not only important to you, but also to me as well as the lives of two innocent children. My Name is Isabella Marie Swan. I am twenty-four years old. My parents, Renee and Charlie Swan passed away in March of 2012, leaving me and at the time my two-year-old sister Kassandra, orphans. In April of 2013, I legally adopted my little sister, and she now calls me mom.

The reason I am telling you this, is that I believe that my daughter is your daughter's twin sister. We met at Six Flags. I understand that it was a huge shock, and that you may have thought I was the girl's birth mother. I just wanted to straighten out any misunderstandings about the heritage of the girls. I am not their biological mother, and for the record, I have never touched drugs. Honestly, I was raised to be a law abiding citizen as my father was an officer of the law. He would have killed me if I had ever touched drugs, and as the Chief of Police, he also knew all the good places to hide the body. Trust me when I tell you, no one would have found the body, ever. I am also not a stalker, but I recognized you. I know your face because my father had an interest in the stock market. We used to play a game between us in which we bet on the market. So, I do the same thing with my daughter, to share with her something she would've shared with our father. For years we received several magazines regarding the market, and you've been in more than one.

The reason for this email, is that I hope to have a talk with you about what we can do for our girls. My cell phone number is 312-555-8620. I will be working as a first grade teacher at North Shore Country Day School. This is my first teaching assignment after graduation and my student teaching. I only shared my job with you, because I want you to know that a prestigious private school trusts me to work with their students, so I hope you will see that I am worthy of your trust as well. Please feel free to call me, or even find me at the school, any time after three in the afternoon. You can also email me, but please contact me. If I don't hear from you within the next two weeks, then please note that I will turn up at your place of work. I love my daughter too much to let this go.

Yours truly,

~Bella~

I snort a little at the end of her email. After meeting her, I have a feeling she would have made my life miserable if I had just decided to ignore her. This girl really has no fear of who I am, and that is something which makes me like her all the more. I like the fact that she's not intimidated by me, my money, or power. No fear is something to cherish in today's world. Most people will not even bother to stand up to someone who has money, or has a powerful job. It's as if they think that if someone has money and power, they should just lie down and take whatever is sent their way. God forbid someone stands up for themselves or fights for what they believe in. Bella, I believe would kick my ass if she had to, both mentally and physically.

I hit on my intercom. "Tanya, would you order some flowers, for me?"

"Flowers, Sir?" she asks, and I know it is because this is nothing I've ever done before.

"Yes, flowers, Tanya. Bella has invited Cordie and I to dinner, and as I was a class-A asshole to her at Six Flags, and then again when I first saw her at Cordie's school. I would like to properly apologize."

I hear Tanya giggle. "How sorry are you talking?"

"You're a woman; just judge how sorry I should be, for calling her a drugged-up whore, who shouldn't be working with kids, much less has one of her own."

"No flowers would make that up to me, and you would be dead, but I will do as you ask," she almost sneers.

"Thank you, Tanya; I knew I could count on you."

"Sir, what I mean is, that you will have to show her how sorry you are. Show her it was your fear and worry for your daughter talking and that you have learned not to assume things. Flowers, chocolates, and even words are easy, to show someone that you're sorry. However, it will take time and effort for her to believe that you won't revert back into an asshole. Since you're going to her home for dinner, flowers are absolutely a must," she says.

I snort again. "I should add she doesn't eat red meat, do you think I should eat before I go to her place?"

"Don't you dare," Tanya laughs. "Just eat whatever food she offers and enjoy the company. If you are still hungry, you can eat something else when you get home. Do you hear me, boy?"

"Yes, Ma'am," I chuckle clicking off the intercom.

~P.P~

BPOV

Every once and again my eyes float over to where Kassie is playing with Cordie and Colton. They seem to have formed a good friendship; my only worry is that no one else seems to be playing with them. I also have a feeling that if Colton wasn't Cordie's cousin, then the girls wouldn't be playing with him either.

"Stop frowning," Emmett says as he joins me.

"I'm not," I respond.

"You are, and you have to remember this is new to them, too. It's like having a new toy, and you never want to share a new toy with new people."

I look at Emmett, who chuckles at me.

"Bella, they just want to be with each other. This is the only time they get, and they don't want to have to share it with anyone else. That's not a bad thing; it just shows how they have an instant connection. This is new to you and Edward, but it is innocently odd to them. I mean, they are smart, but as an adult you and Edward have a better understanding of this situation. For now, we'll let them be and have this time together. However, if in a few months' time they're still excluding others, we'll take steps to show them how to delegate their time and still be with one and another. Just don't worry right now," he says.

"Easier said than done," I tell Emmett as I look back at the kids. "I asked Edward to come over for dinner tonight."

"And?" Emmett says as a question.

I groan out as Emmett acts like it's no big deal.

"I just … well what do think I should make?"

"Why are you asking me?"

"You're a man, what would you like if I invited you over to eat?"

"Meat, lots and lots of meat," Emmett says rubbing his belly.

I groan again, where I don't mind cooking red meat, it's not something I want to do often. "Do you think my place is okay enough for him?"

"Your place is fine," Emmett states.

"But do you think he'll look down his nose on our home, or on us because of where we live?"

"No … and if he does do something that rude, I trust you to put him straight in his place."

"But I can't do anything too drastic just in case he puts that on the girls?"

"He won't!" Emmett states.

"How can you be so sure?" I ask.

"Just the same as I know you wouldn't do that even if he offends you. You both put your children first. I may no longer know him very well, but we did in fact go to school together, all the way from grade one until we graduated from high school. So I would say I know him pretty well."

"What was he like as a kid?"

"He was popular, smart, and athletic. He never bullied anyone, and though he was in the 'in crowd,' he kept pretty much to himself. He dated here and there, but by far wasn't drastic or a wild, 'sow-his-oats' kind of kid. He hated that he was too old to protect his sister Alice when she got bullied." Emmett stops and chuckles. "His age didn't stop him when Alice was sixteen, and some boys started in on her. He was twenty-one and home from college. From what I've been told, he beat the crap out of the group of boys, and told them if anyone ever touched Alice again, he would be back. I wish I had been there for that, I would've helped him, not that he needed it."

"So, he's an alright guy?"

"He is, and his family is good, too. The only downfall I see is that they—his parents—come from old money, and even their parents were well off. I would say after all this time, they've all sort of lost touch with working class people, and just how hard it can be sometimes. They do, however, do lots of charity work, so they're not delusional, just out of touch."

I hum, and still have a sense of dread about Edward thinking my home will not be safe or good enough for Cordie to visit.

"Stop worrying so much," Emmett says just as the bell rings.

I walk away collecting my class, "Cordie," I say as she hugs Kassie close to her.

"Coming, Miss Bella," she yells and walks to me.

The rest of the day seems to fly by, but I am able to send Rose a text asking if she can go on a small shopping spree for me. She thankfully agrees and wishes me luck, telling me she will take the groceries to my house.

"Okay, class, remember to stay with me until your parents come to get you," I remind them.

"Can I stay in here with Kassie?" Cordie asks with a smile, and flutter of her eyes.

"That should be fine," I smile at her.

I stand outside, meeting each of the parents as I hand over their child.

"Are they in your classroom?" Edward asks once he has reached me.

"They are," I reply with a smile. "Just go right in, I will be there in a few minutes."

"Later, Miss Bella," Colton yells as he runs to his dad, who waves at me. I give him a smile and a wave back as I go back to seeing each of the children leave. Once the last child is with their parent, I walk back down the hallway. I almost reach my classroom when I see Emmett and Edward talking. I stop as I am too far away to hear them, but I watch them.

Edward almost seems to be pleading as he runs his hand through his hair. As for Emmett, he just has his arms crossed and doesn't look overly pleased.

I start to walk toward them, and they both stop talking and turn to me. "Do I have to remind you two about fighting in school and the consequences of such behavior?"

"Yes, Miss Bella," Emmett jokes, "Will you tell Mrs. Hale-McCarty and have her spank me again?"

I give Emmett one of my 'I am not amused' looks which seems to make him chuckle more.

"Don't be such a worrywart. Edward was just saying he was sorry, and I was just making it clear that if he speaks badly about you again, then I will be smacking the comments from his mouth."

"Emmett," I half yell, and squeal. "You've been warned about threatening to beat up guys before."

"Stop worrying and that last guy deserved it."

I rub my head feeling the touch of a migraine coming on.

"I'll see you tomorrow, Emmett," I say.

"Yep, you sure will," he says as he walks away.

"I am sorry about him," I say looking at Edward.

Edward just shakes his head at me. "No, I knew when I saw the look on his face yesterday that I had over stepped my mark. The one thing clear about Emmett is his passion to stand up for his friends. He clearly thinks highly of both you and Kassie."

I just clear my throat and start walking to my classroom.

"Hey, girls, pack up your belongings and we can head out."

Both girls seem to match each other's movements. "Do you think they're doing that on purpose, or accidentally?" Edward mumbles out.

"Not sure," I tell him trying hard to see a sign that would tell me they are consciously trying to coordinate their movements. But their movements are smooth and coincide with the other as if it they were natural. The only alarmingly obvious difference is the fact that one is doing it right-handed, and the other is doing it left-handed. I also know that Kassie is not doing anything she doesn't normally do.

The girls seem to turn and look at each other in shock, but suddenly they burst out laughing. Their own reaction to doing things the same is all it takes for the air to leave my body. I walk out of my classroom and promptly bend over hoping that I don't pass out.

"Are you okay?" Edward asks, and he hovers over me.

All I can do is nod at him and take deep breaths for a few minutes. "It feels like a little too much sometimes," I tell him feeling so angry that someone took this away from them. I jump up and down and shake my body to loosen up some of the tightness I feel. "Okay, let's get them home … to my home," I stutter. I turn and walk back into my classroom smiling. "Ready to go?"

"Yes!" they yell together. Edward walks them out with me, but doesn't say a word.

"Do you want my address, or do you want to follow me?" I ask.

"How about I drive this time, and then tomorrow, I can pick both you and Kassie up and drop you all off together here at school?"

I take a deep breath to stop the sharp no from coming out of my mouth. "I have to be here no later than half past seven," I say.

"I can manage that," he smiles.

I look at Kassie who's looking back at me with hope gleaming in her eyes. "Thank you that sounds like a great idea." I push myself to say to him.

I take Kassie's booster and place it in the back of Edward's car. "Daddy, I'm glad that they're riding with us, now you won't have to sit up front all alone and I won't have to sit in the back by myself."

Edward helps her buckle up, and I help Kassie do the same.

I direct Edward to my home. As we pull up and park in my space, I hold my breath.

"These apartments are nice. Jasper and I shared one of these when we were in college," Edward states, surprising me.

"You did?" I ask feeling stunned.

"I did," he stops and pulls his brows together. "Does Jacob Black still live here?"

"He does," Kassie answers before I can. "He is my third best friend, ever," she adds.

"Third?" Edward asks her.

"Well yeah, Cordie is my best friend, then Colton, then him."

"So, I am not one of you best friends?" Edward asks sounding a little hurt.

"I don't know; you haven't played any games with me yet," Kassie answers honestly.

Edward looks at me. "Well then, I'll just have to change that, when your mom is cooking dinner, won't I?"

Kassie looks at Edward happily. "Come on, then," she says taking her seatbelt off.

Cordie gets out right after Kassie and hold hands as they walk into the building.

"This is your place?" I turn and look at him, but he holds up his hands. "This was mine. Well, Jasper's and mine's. Small world, huh?"

"Are you bull …" I can't curse because of little ears, so I change my word, "pooing me?"

"Bull pooing?" Edward chuckles as I open the door. "And, no, I'm not. You can ask Jacob … well Jake, he will tell you."

"Oh I will," I tell him.

"Bella!"

"Arrg," I shriek in fright and spin around to see Rose standing there. She looks at Edward and just gives him a half smile.

"I did what you asked me to do. I see that this must be Cordie," she says bending down. "You are just as pretty as Kassie is." She drops her smile as she stands back up. "And that must make you, Edward." She puts out her hand and Edward takes it shaking it. "I have to go. I'll see you girls soon," she says walking away.

"So, that was Rose," I say when I hear my door click.

"Think my balls retracted when she squeezed my hand," Edward whispers to me. "That explains why she's with Emmett," he carries on. "Is she always that scary looking and strong?"

I chuckle shaking my head at him. "Just when she feels she needs to be."

"Okay … that means more flowers then …" he mumbles.

I just look at him and he smiles a little. "I'll be right back, I forgot something in my car," he says.

I shrug and turn and look at Cordie who shrugs back at me. "Cordie, come to my room," Kassie says pulling her down the hallway.

I take off my sweater and set it on the back of the sofa. I sit down, lean back, and close my eyes resting my head on my sweater. "Everything's going to be all right," I mutter to myself.

A soft knock at the door breaks me out of my short rest. I get up and walk to the door, only to find Edward standing there with flowers.

"These are to say sorry for my behavior," he tells me as he holds them out. "And this is my way of saying thank you for the invitation to dinner," he carries on handing me a fancy looking dessert.

I take the flowers from him. "Thank you, they're beautiful."

I let him back in, and then walk into the kitchen with him walking behind me. I point to the fridge and he puts the dessert inside it as I walk over to the sink.

"Can I look around later?" I look at him over my shoulder. "It would be good to see the old place again. Are you in the room next to the bathroom, or across from it?" he asks.

"Next to the bathroom," I say.

Edward seems to just smile a little. "That was my room a long time ago."

"Oh," I say as I add the packet of plant food to the vase and freshen the water according to the care directions. I turn around and place them on the table. When I look back at Edward, I find he is looking at my arm.

"What?" I ask as his eyes look dark and full of something which makes me feel frightened slightly.

"The bruise on your arm; tell me that wasn't from me?" he almost begs.

My eyes glance at the small bruise that's now dark in color and clearly a hand print. "It wasn't your fault," I repeat to him, at his request.

His frown deepens, and he runs his fingers through his hair, making a fist and tugging on it. "I didn't mean to grab you that hard."

"You did mean to," I argue. "You thought I was running off with your daughter. You were scared and worried, and angry."

"That may be so, but now to see that I hurt you when you didn't do anything wrong, makes me feel incredibly guilty," he says.

My eyes meet his but he quickly drops them. "I read your email today, so I guess I am just feeling bad. Exactly as I should be," he adds in a quiet murmur.

"Would you like a drink?"

"Sure, I'll drink whatever you are having."

I raise my brow at him. "I was going to have a glass of gin."

"Gin?" he repeats.

"Best way to start and end a school day," I joke.

He just keeps looking at me, and when his mouth opens and closes for a third time I burst out laughing.

"I'm just joking, it has been a long time since I last drank, well anything with alcohol in it, anyway."

"Why?" he asks.

I just look at him and sigh as it comes to me he has a family who he can leave Cordie with. "I don't like to drink around Kassie. Other than Rose and Emmett, I don't trust anyone enough to watch her so I could go out and tie one on. The last time I had a real night out was before my parents passed away." I hold up my hands. "I did have a couple of glasses of wine, at Emmett and Rose's wedding."

Edward seems to think over what I said, and he moves a little closer to me. "Maybe if you get to know me better, you could leave Kassie with me and you can have a night out." He smiles broadly at me. "Then I would be able to ask you to return the favor."

"I'll keep that in mind," I tell him pouring him a glass of lemonade.

"Not trying to push you or anything, but I know my parents would love to watch Kassie overnight when they have Cordie, too. If you'd allow that, I could always show you the town."

"Are you asking me out on a date?" I ask.

Edward's face pales and again his mouth drops open as he silently stammers. "What … no … I just remember that you don't know anyone here apart from Emmett and Rose. That means if you go out with them, you'd be the third wheel, and that's not fun," he mutters sounding like he almost remembers how it feels.

"Alice and Jasper?" I guess and he just gives me a sharp nod.

"We still have some time before I need to make dinner, do you want to be shown around now that this is no longer your residence?"

"I would," he smiles at me.

Edward follows me out of the kitchen as I walk around the apartment. "This as you know is the living room," I laugh.

Edward rolls his eyes at me, but then looks around the room.

"There used to be a wall right here," he says pointing at the archway that leads to the hallway. "But Jasper and I didn't like it so we took it out, and made an archway where the door was. It made the room look so much larger and more open."

I just hum. When I was looking at this place, I was told that one of the previous tenants had made a lot of changes so it no longer looked the same as the other apartments in the building.

I nod at him, and show him the bathroom, the small home office, and then Kassie's room. Both girls are too busy playing to take any note of us.

"Do you mind if I look at your room?" he asks and I again just look at him. "It was my old room, I'm just curious."

I shake my head but point to my door. He walks in and I walk in after him. I feel a little relieved that I cleaned my room last night when I thought of the idea to invite Cordie and him over.

"If you were to remove this wallpaper," he says as he points to a spot next to the closet, "you would find my name, cell number …" Edward looks a little flustered so I simply look at him, "and the length of my private part."

"What?" I laugh. "Why?"

"It was a dare," he answers.

"Who dared you to do that?" I question him, feeling unsure if he's telling me the truth or not.

"Jasper, but it was something Emmett made him do back in high school and I hadn't let him forget it. So it was payback."

"Weren't you a little old to be playing truth or dare?" I ask knowing that he must have been in his twenties at that point.

"Yes, but Alice had started the game. I knew of it, but I had never played it before. It all went downhill from there."

I look at my wall then back to him, and then back to the wall again. "There's no message or anything, just the size?"

"Huh?"

"You know when we measured Cordie against the wall and we marked it. So did you mark where it started and ended, or just write my penis is blank inches long?"

"No, there was no outlining it or anything. It just gives the number in inches," Edward laughs and starts to pull at his hair. "I enjoyed living here. I have a lot of fun memories of this place. It didn't hurt that Jake was a great neighbor, too."

"Yeah, he does seem nice. The first night we moved in, he came over with food, for Kassie and me. Since then he's been teaching Kassie some words in his native language."

"He was great with the younger kids that lived in the complex when I was here, too." Edward stops and sits down on my bed, and pats it. I shake my head a bit but move to my bed sitting down next to him.

"What made you move to Chicago?"

I let out a long breath. "I love my home town of Forks, that's where I grew up. However, everywhere I went, or looked, and the people I saw, reminded of my parents. Living there made it impossible to get past the grieving stage of losing them. It's not like I had anyone that I saw as family there either. But my parents both had highly public jobs, so everyone knew them. Besides my parents and Kassie, Rose was my only 'family' so moving closer to her, was a no brainer. So when Emmett called me about the job opening at North Shore Country Day School, I went for it. It helps that Forks didn't have any openings in the elementary school, too. After my mom died, her position was filled by someone else who had tenure as an assistant teacher. It's like the teachers there are born into the position, and after my mom passed on, I was no longer a part of that family."

Edward looks me in the eyes. "I wish I could tell you that things get easier, not having your parents around, but …"

I nod at him knowing that he doesn't know because both of his parents are still alive.

"Teddy, are you coming to play with us?" Kassie yells running into my room.

Edward looks at me and I nod. "Sure, take me to my Princess," Edward says picking up a giggling Kassie. He swings her around putting her over his shoulder.

"Anything you or Cordie are allergic to, or don't eat or like?" I ask before he exits the room.

Edward gives me a playful glare, but shakes his head. "Nope, we're not fussy," he smiles.

He walks out, and I walk back to the kitchen. As soon as I get there, I check out what Rose bought. I see chicken breasts and a bunch of fresh veggies. I grab a variety of veggies, wash them and start to chop. I decide to make a big batch of veggie stir-fry. I also prep and mix up a tempura batter to cook some chicken breast medallions. I put rice in the rice cooker and grab the wok. I know how much Kassie likes chicken, and Edward appreciates meat, too, so I can only assume Cordie also likes chicken. Besides, Edward made her chicken last night, so it is a safe choice.

When everything is ready, I put the food in serving dishes and place them on the table.

"Let see how this goes," I say and smile.

I walk to Kassie's room, to find her, Cordie, and Edward all having a tea party.

"Dinner's ready and on the table. Wash your hands and come eat."

Kassie jumps up. "Come on, Cordie, my mom's a great cook."

They head to the bathroom and wash their hands together while Edward waits. When the girls are done, I smile at Edward and walk down the hall with the girls.

"Yum, stir-fry!" Kassie cheers, rubbing her tummy.

"I love Chinese. Sushi is my favorite," Cordie says.

"Me, too, but Mom says that sushi is Japanese, not Chinese," Kassie scoffs like it is such an alarming ordeal.

"It's still my favorite," Cordie says with a shrug.

They take their seats together and I help them make their plates as Edward joins us. The girls choose to sit on one side of the table, so Edward and I end up having to sit beside each other again. I finish putting stir-fry on the plates, and after placing a few pieces of chicken on each of the girls' plates, I pass the basket of chicken to Edward. I smile when he puts a few pieces on his plate.

The girls are already eating, so we start, too. Edward takes a bite, and hums right away. I smile eating my own dinner feeling happy there are no complaints.

"Mom, can we play Chutes and Ladders?" Kassie asks me as she puts both hers and Cordie's empty plates in the sink.

I look at Edward who's wiping his mouth. He nods, and I look back at the girls. "Sure, go get it and I'll clean off the table. After the game, we can have a piece of the dessert Cordie and Edward brought."

"Yay!" the girls cheer together as they skip off down the hallway.

"That was a very lovely dinner," Edward tells me as he helps me clean up.

I give him a big smile, "Thank you." Dinner round two goes to me,' I say silently in my head.

Edward helps the girls set the game up as I wash and put the dishes away.

"You should know my mommy likes to win," Kassie tells them looking my way. "Rosie says she's too competing."

"Competitive," I sigh. "And that's just because she loses all the time."

Edward looks at me with a small smile. "I like winning, too."

"Aunt Alice refuses to play games with my Daddy because he only lets me beat him," Cordie laughs making me look his way.

I can't help feeling even more smug about my dinner going better than his did.

"Okay, let's play," I say, and spin the spinner.

~PP~

Edward is in fact almost as competitive as I am. We eat dessert after the first game and then play two more. If it weren't for Cordie and Kassie starting to yawn, we'd have played another.

"Rematch tomorrow?" Edward asks at my door but I just look at him.

"Dinner and games at my house, you have to give me a chance to even the score," he says.

I try hard to keep my face looking like I don't know what he's talking about. His eyes look down to Kassie and Cordie who are hugging. He leans in to the side of my face talking in my ear. "I know you're feeling like your dinner went better than mine did. That's only because you asked me if I didn't like anything, and that is what I should have done. Put it down to being in shock, so give me a chance to redeem myself and show you how well I can cook when I know what to make. I want to even the score, or are you taking an easy win on this one?"

I merely look at him. "Dinner at your place again tomorrow, but then what about Friday? Do I get to cook at your place that night since we already have plans?"

Edward nods and tilts his head. "We'll cook on Friday together," he counters.

"Deal," I put my hand out and he shakes it and we turn to the girls.

"I'll be here to get you bright and early," he says and I nod at him.

"Bye, CeeCee," he says, high fiving Kassie.

"Bye, Teddy," Kassie says and I look at Cordie and hold my arms open.

She gives me a tight hug and when she pulls back, she smiles shyly. "Bye, BeeBerry," she whispers.

I smile blinking back the emotional tears because she gave me a special name, too. "See you in the morning, DeeDee," I tell her.


A/N: So, how do you feel things are going? What do you think of this bit of competitive streak going on between Edward and Bella.