I DO NOT OWN TWILIGHT!

CHAPTER 11

(Edward)

School was starting in two days and Matt had come along ways since we had moved in with my parents, however, I knew school would be a stretch for him as I wouldn't be there with him. He knew Alice would be right down the hall and that seemed to comfort him some what, but he seemed nervous knowing that it would be mom picking him up, since I would be at work. I hated it, but tried to keep remembering that I would be home only an hour after he got home.

I parked my car in front of the school and turned it off. "There's a lot of people here," He said looking around.

"I know Matt, but they aren't all going to be in your room tonight," I explained.

He took my hand. "I do like my teacher, she's pretty, but not as pretty as mommy was."

"Your mommy was very pretty," I agreed.

"Can we go see Aunt Alice?" He asked.

"Maybe on our way out, but first we need to go check out your classroom and I want meet your teacher."

It was a slow walk, but Matt showed me where his classroom was, he kept looking back at me as I followed him making sure I was still there. "I'm not going anywhere Matt." He got outside the door and stopped. There were quite a few other parents and kids in there. "Matt, go on in," I said patting his shoulder. He took a deep breath and went inside. I looked around, however the first thing I really noticed was the massive amounts of books, and that's when I saw her. Long brown hair flowing down over her back and shoulders and big chocolate brown eyes.

"There she is," Matt said waving shyly to her. She waved back and walked towards us.

"Hi Matt, how are you doing this evening?" His teacher asked.

"I'm fine," He said quietly.

"Hi, my name is Ms. Swan, you must be Mr. Cullen."

"Please, call me Edward. Mr. Cullen is my dad and I'm not quite that old yet," I said shaking her hand.

"Matt is a great kid, I've gotten to spend quite a bit of time with him when he comes in with Alice."

"Yes, they both speak very highly about you. In fact, Matt talks about how you love to read."

Then she blushed, I'd never seen a blush like that before, but I loved it.

"Alice is very sweet," Ms Swan said.

"Hey Matt, why don't you go show your dad your desk and cubby." Ms Swan suggested.

Matt took my hand and lead me over to his desk. "Alice helped me put everything away."

"It looks very Alice-y," I laughed.

"What?" He asked looking at me.

"It looks very nice."

Matt showed me around the room, she definitely had way more books than I'd ever seen. I glanced over and noticed two women blush and turn away quickly. I groaned inwardly. I was a single dad and new to this town, A.K.A fresh meat to the single moms in Forks, but I wasn't interested, my son came first and foremost.

"Dad, can we see Alice?" Matt asked.

"Yes," I said ready to get out of the class room.

"Bye Ms Swan," Matt said.

She smiled soflty. "Bye Matt, bye Edward."

Alice only had a couple parents in her room. "Matt, go on it, I'll be in in just a minute." I stood in the hallway watching Matt talk to Alice.

"That must be your son, he's very handsom," I turned to see the same women from Matt's class.

"Um thanks," I said.

"I'm Jessica, this is my friend Tanya," Jessica said smiling.

"Nice to meet you, I'm Edward," I said being polite.

"We heard you moved from Chicago and you're a single parent," Tanya said. "Wanna go get some coffee?"

"Excuse me?" I gasped.

"Oh I'm sorry, I don't mean to be rude. I'm a single parent, I know how hard it is." Tanya said reaching to touch my shoulder. However, I stepped back out of her reach.

I noticed Ms. Swan walk out of the room, she glanced in my direction, closed her door and walked down the hall away from us.

"You know, I'm really not interested in anything right now, but thanks for the offer."

"Well if you need anything, even if it's just for one night just to feel good, call me." Jessica said.

"Um, I'm not into that kinda thing!" I gasped.

"Edward, don't be embarrassed, everyone needs those once in awhile."

This girl was way over the top. I wanted to go buy her a shirt that said, "I fuck a lot."

"Night," I said turning around and walking away.

Matt was yawning when I got into Ali's room. "Hey little brother," Alice said.

"Hey Ali," I said kissing her cheek.

"How are you doing?" She asked.

"I was okay until I met Jessica and Tanya," I said.

"Did they touch you? Do I need to Lysol you down?" She asked looking horrified.

"God no," I looked down at Matt. "But they told me I could call if I ever needed a one nighter."

"Gross," Alice gagged.

"Yah I thought so too," I chuckled.

"Dad, I'm sleepy," Matt said.

I looked down and he was rubbing his eyes. "Are you ready to go?" I asked.

He nodded lifting his arms so I would pick him up. I couldn't resist. "Night Matt," Alice said kissing his cheek.

"Night," He said yawning. He reached over and hugged her. "I love you."

She smiled at me. "I love you to Matt."

I carried Matt out to the parking lot, he yawned and laid his head on my shoulder. I knew it wouldn't be long and he would be too big for me to carry him. "Dad, there's my teacher," Matt said. I looked over across the parking lot and saw her sitting on the hood of her car, she looked to be crying.

I put Matt in the car and drove over to where she was. "Matt just sit here, I'm going to check on her."

"Okay," He yawned.

I got out of the car. "Ms Swan, are you okay?" I asked walking over to her. She looked up at me, tear stained face. "What's wrong?" I asked.

"My phone is dead and I have a flat tire," She said pointing to the front driver side tire.

"I can change that for you, do you have a spare?" I asked her. She bit her bottom lip, could this girl get any cuter?

"Maybe," She said sliding off the hood of the car and stumbling over a rock. I grabbed her arm to keep her from falling. She didn't say anything, just walked to the back of the car, I followed her not sure what to say.

"I have my phone on me, it's fully charged, is there someone you need to call, like your boyfriend or husband?"

She stopped and tensed. "No," She said softly.

So that meant she was single right? Wait, what? No, I couldn't think like that, I was't supposed to fall in love again, Lauren was my wife, I couldn't do that to her or to Matt.

She opened her trunk and looked around. "Dammit!" She exclaimed.

"Ms Swan, is everything okay?" I asked her.

"Call me Bella. Sorry, I'm just really really stressed right now and I don't have a spare. He didn't replace it before..." she was shaking and I could see tears streaming down her face.

"Chill Bella, it's not the end of the world, I can um, I can just give you a ride home," I suggested.

"No that's fine, I'll use your phone to call my dad."

"Bella, it's starting to rain, I don't want to leave you here in the empty parking lot. Please just get in the car and I'll take you home."

"Alright," She muttered biting her lip again. Damn, that lip took a lot of abuse.

I opened the passenger side door and looked back at Matt, he was asleep. "Go a head and put your stuff in the back next to him and get in up here," I said holding the door open for her. She got in and I shut the door.

I ran around my the driver's side and got in. She gave me the directions and I pulled out of the parking lot.

"I see you met Jessica and Tanya," She said softly.

"Yah, my sister threatened to spray me down with Lysol."

Bella laughed, but got serious. "I don't know you so it's none of my buisness, but stay away from them, they are nothing but trouble."

"I kinda gathered that, when she gave me a one night offer," I said.

Bella gasped. "Gross!"

"I thought so, I couldn't imagine going up to someone I didn't know and offering them that kinda thing," I said. "Maybe I'm just a prude, but I can't stand cheap and easy girls."

"Jessica has a reputation of sleeping with whoever and whatever she can get her hands on. Rumor has it was she got pregnant by Tanya's husband a few years ago."

"Really?" I asked.

"Yah Tanya got back at her, by sleeping with her boyfriend."

"And now they are friends?" I asked.

"Yep, pretty gross if you ask me," She said smiling just a bit.

"That's just wrong!" I couldn't help but laugh though. "I guess I just have the 'I'm Single' thing tattoed on my forehead."

"No, you are a single dad, who just moved to town."

"Moved back," I corrected her.

"Aw," She said. "I grew up in Port Angeles, but moved here when I was a teenager when my dad got the job as police chief."

"Cops daughter huh?" I asked.

"Guilty as charged," She laughed.

I pulled up in front of her house. "Thanks for the ride, Mr...Edward." She blushed.

"Not a problem Bella."

Her front door opened and a man peaked out. "Twenty four years old and daddy still keeps tabs on me," She groaned.

"My dad still calls my sisters every night and they are both married."

"Must be a dad thing," She sighed.

"I guess if I had a daughter, I would do the same thing, hell I might do that with Matt."

She opened her door. "Good night Edward, I'll see you later."

"Night Bella."

I drove away feeling very lonely. I hadn't had any feelings towards anyone in so long, but Bella was so easy to talk to, sweet, and so cute! I really wanted to get to know her, but was I ready for that? Was I going to hurt Matt? I didn't want to forget Lauren, I still loved her. I thought back to the promise I'd made Lauren, I wasn't sure I could keep that promise though, loving another woman or even thinking about another woman really hurt.

I carried Matt into the house. "Oh my poor sweet grandson," Mom said rubbing his back. "Did he have fun?"

"I think so," I said. "Is dad home?" I asked.

"Yah, he's in his office," She said. "Is everything okay?"

"I just need his advice."

"Okay," She said smiling.

I tucked Matt into bed and turned on his night light. I happened to glance up on his dresser and saw the picture of Lauren and I holding Matt only minutes afte he was born, Rose had taken that picture.

(FLASHBACK)

"You're doing great Laur, just breathe," I said kissing her as Rose wiped the sweat off her forehead.

They say it's worth it," She gasped, her face turned red and she gripped my hand. "Oh, I need to push!"

"Just breathe," I said eying Rose. She pushed the call button quickly telling the nurse she was needed quickly.

The nurse came in and checked her quickly. "You're at 10 Lauren," She said picking up the phone and dialing a number. "We need you in here, she's ready."

My sister looked up and smiled at me. "You ready daddy?" She asked.

"He better be," She groaned.

Rose and I grabbed her legs, Lauren grabbed behind her thighs and pushed. "1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10. Deep breath and push again." The nurse said.

"You can do this Lauren," Rose said smiling at her.

"I can't it hurts," She cried.

"Push!" The doctor said. "Harder."

"Ah!" She screamed pushing again.

I looked down to see my son's head come out, they turned him and suctioned him out.

"He's got your nose," Rose said.

"And his dad's head!" She growled pushing.

A shrill cry pierced the room. "It's a boy!" The doctor said holding him up. I cut the cord and they placed him on her stomach.

Lauren pulled him up to her chest and gently patted his back calming him almost immediately.

Rose came around and hugged us both. "Congratulations," She cried. "Thank you for letting me be in here."

"I'm just glad you made it." Lauren said smiling.

"Me to," She said stroking my son's cheek.

(END FLASHBACK)

I leaned over and kissed Matt on the head. "Love you buddy," I whispered and walked out of his room.

Dad was sitting at his desk reading. "Dad, do you have a minute?" I asked.

"Of course my son, come in."

I walked in and sat down across from him. He closed his book. "What can I do for you?" He asked.

"I met someone tonight and I'm not sure what to do."

"I see," Dad said. "But you are concerned about Lauren?"

"And Matt," I added.

"Well son, it's been a year, so it's understandable that you'd start feeling this way and you did make a promise to Lauren."

"But what about Matt?" I asked.

"That's tricky, because he's still missing his mother. How did you meet this woman?"

"Bella Swan, she's Matt's teacher."

"Aw, Chief Swan's daughter. I know them, she's had a difficult few months, I'm glad she's back to work."

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"Seems like there was an accident in La Push and one of her close friends was killed, I don't know any details, I didn't work the case at the hospital."

"Wow, that's awful," I said. "Anyway, she had a flat tire and her phone was dead so I gave her a ride home."

"Edward, no matter what happens, Matt is to come first and with her being his teacher it could be tricky," Dad said. "His feelings are the most important. In fact, if something were to happen between you and her, or anyone for that matter, it would be best if Matt didn't know you were dating anyone at first." I nodded. "Now, if things were to get serious between you and whoever, then you would need to sit down and talk to him."

"How do I know when or if it's right?" I asked.

"To date again?" Dad asked.

"Yes," I whispered.

"You'll know son, just take it slow."

I tossed and turned trying to get some sleep. "Promise me Edward, that you'll find someone who will love you and Matt the way I do." I heard Lauren's weak voice. "She's out there Edward." Her voice kept repeating it's self.

I gave in and went into the kitchen and grabbed a beer. I wasn't much of a drinker since I was usually there alone with Matt, but on this night I was lonelier than ever. I missed having another person to curl up with and someone there to talk to.

"Edward, it's 2am, what are you doing up?" Mom asked coming into the kitchen.

"I could ask you the same thing," I mumbled.

"I saw the light on," She said coming closer. "Oh Edward, you aren't up every night at this time drinking are you?"

"No ma."

She got me a glass of water and set it down in front of me. "Drink this," She said sitting down across from me. "Something has been bothering you since you came home, what's going on?"

I'd forgotten how perceptive she was. "I'm just really missing Lauren. Matt's starting school and she's not here to walk him in with me."

"Aw," She said softly. "You know Edward, she'd be so proud of Matt and you."

"I'm just so lonely mom."

"I know you are Edward," She said taking my hands. "You two were together for a very long time."

"It's just not getting any easier."

"Have you thought about dating again?"

"I don't want to replace her," I said.

"But knowing Lauren, she wouldn't want to see you this way."

My mind went to Bella, she was cute, beautiful, and sweet. Lauren was a blond bombshell, but funny and caring, not at all what you would expect from her. There was no comparing them though.

"Son, go to bed you are exhausted."

Mom stood up and came around wrapping her arms tightly around me. "I love you son."

"Love you to mom."

"Now go to bed before you pass out here at the table. If Matt were to see you passed out in the kitchen it would scare him.

I stood up at kissed her on the cheek. "Night mom."

I went to bed that night dreaming of those chocolate brown eyes.

SO HOW DID YOU LIKE THEIR FIRST MEETING? THANK YOU FOR ALL THE SUPPORT AND REVIEWS FOR THIS STORY I APPRECIATE IT!