Chapter Two
Edward POV
I slowly pulled the cover over my head, pretending that I was asleep as I heard small thumps from across my hall. I had been awake for about an hour thinking about my life and how horrible the fucking date I had last night was.
My father had set me up with one of the nurses from his work who had shamelessly flirted with me while I was visiting my father last week. I had only agreed to go out with her hoping that it would stop my parents from harassing me about my love life, or lack of.
My mother would find a way every day to tell me that I should find myself a nice girl to love. I was thankful that she never once said that I should find Anthony a mother, only someone that loved us and wanted to be part of our lives. In the past five years I have never met one woman that I could trust with my son, or who would love him the way he deserves.
My date last night just proved how right I was; no woman could fit into our lives and truthfully, I didn't want them to.
I had picked Lauren up at her apartment and planned to take her to one of my favourite Italian restaurants. I always took my son there every Sunday night, the atmosphere was very chilled and laid back, the food was amazing, and the staff relentlessly treated my son as if he was one of their own. I thought it would be nice to take her somewhere that had some meaning to me; however, Lauren had other ideas. After vocalizing her strong dislike for Italian, she suggested the most expensive restaurant in Port Angeles.
Apparently Forks wasn't even good enough for her, so we had to drive an hour just to go somewhere she deemed 'acceptable'. Grudgingly I agreed, as I gripped the wheel with white knuckles, and kept my mouth shut. I then spent the next three hours bored out of my fucking mind listening as she talked about her ex-boyfriend that had been begging her to take him back, or how all her friends were training to be hairdressers, opening their own salon and they asked her to be their model.
If that wasn't bad enough, she continued the one-sided conversation by talking about how much she hated children. She commented that she would never have children as they would ruin her body. I didn't bother to mention I had a son because I knew they would never meet as long as I had a say in it.
Things only got worse from there when the subject of high school approached. I had already guessed that she knew of my wealth status and that was why she was here. So she wasn't surprised that I went to boarding school; however, when she mentioned that she attended Forks High School my interest was perked, well just a little. When I asked her if she had been in the same year as Emmett, she started to laugh and told me how he would follow some skank -as she called her- around; and how she had fucking made it her purpose at school to make that girl's life as difficult as possible.
I knew who the girl was that she was talking about, and I had never met Emmett's Bella, but he talked about her all the time and worked his ass off so he could go see her on holidays and weekends.
When Lauren rambled on about how she believed Bella was jealous and that Emmett had always just felt sorry for her, I gave up. I may not personally know Bella, but Emmett was my best friend and she was very important to him, so I made an excuse for us to leave, paid the bill, and rushed to my car.
I never attempted to talk to her on the drive back to Forks. As soon as she was out of my car I raced home, cursing the waste of time that bitch was when I could have been home with my son.
I don't know what my father was thinking; Lauren was everything I hated in a woman. She was rude, thoughtless, selfish, and a stereotypical bimbo with her bleached blonde hair and fake tan- definitely not my type.
I pulled out of my thoughts when I heard my bedroom door creak, and small footsteps tread their way around my bed.
"Daddy, Daddy, time to get up." I couldn't help the smile on my face when hearing my son's voice.
"Daddy, get up, it's Sunday, lazzyyy dayy."
I felt a small hand pull the cover from my face; I tried really hard to keep my face natural, not wanting him to know I was awake.
He roughly pushed my body back and forth, although I helped so he would think he was stronger than he actually was.
"Daddy," he said while giggling and poking at eyes. "Daddy, wake up. I'll get the tickle monster."
He continued to giggle while trying to pull my lids open, his small legs saddled at each side of my chest. I could feel his sweet breath, guessing that his face was inches from mine.
"Dadddy!" He groaned, dragging the name out.
He slapped both his hands on each of my cheeks, pushed his hands towards each other, and successfully squished my cheeks and lips together until I looked like a fish out of water. I waited until he was silent, then quickly grabbed his hips, and opened my eyes as wide as possible.
"Argh!" I yelled in a deep, baritone voice.
Anthony screamed and I could feel his body jump off of my chest and back on again from the fright of my attack.
"Daddy, you scared me," he said, giggling once again.
This is what I lived for, seeing my son happy, as I listened to his tiny giggles, it was the best thing I've ever heard and I made it my goal to hear those giggles every day.
He placed his small head on my shoulder and I kissed his head while I moved his legs so he lay on my torso.
"Sorry buddy, I thought you were the tickle monster." I chuckled which made his shoulder shake again.
"It's Sunday, Daddy. Can we put Sponge Bob on?" he mumbled into my neck. I pulled him into a tight hug.
"Sure."
I leaned over; his body squeezed tighter against mine, grabbed the remote, and turned the television on.
Anthony then turned himself around and settled in between my legs, pulling the covers over us.
We watched cartoons for the next couple of hours, I made us pancakes for breakfast and we ate those in bed. This was our routine every Sunday morning -it was my favourite day of the week. I would spend the whole day with Anthony, it would start with breakfast in bed and watching cartoons, then we would go to the local park and I would teach Anthony some baseball moves and have a picnic with the food I always packed. In the afternoon Anthony would pick where to go-it was either the zoo, swimming, or the cinema. We always finished the day at La Bella Italia - our favourite restaurant- for dinner.
A few hours later we were dressed and on our way to the park when I remembered that Emmett wasn't going to be at work for the next couple of days. He never told me why, but he's been smiling a wide-ass grin and walked with a spring in his step for a few weeks now. I thought maybe he was going to visit Bella, but he said he was staying in Forks. Whenever I asked him what was going on, he would wink and tell me that I would find out soon enough.
"Hey buddy, would it be okay if we went to see uncle Em tonight and go swimming tomorrow?" I asked.
"Yep," he replied.
I smiled at him; his green eyes stared into mine. All I could find was excitement and joy in them, which made my heart fill with happiness.
We spent the afternoon working on Anthony's pitching technique. He'd joined the little league baseball team a few weeks ago, and the coach said that with some training he could be in the running for starting pitcher soon. His age and size was against him; he was the youngest and smallest male on the team, but he was the most determined. I promised that I would help him as much as possible; my dad had even been roped into helping him while I'm at work so overall he has been training almost every day for the past two weeks.
I played baseball starting at the age of four, all the way to college. My mom lied about my age when I was younger so I could play for our local team. She told them I was five going on six when I was actually four going on five. They found out a few weeks later, but decided that I could stay since I was valuable to their team. It has always been my favourite sport.
I was ecstatic when Anthony started to show an interest in sports. When one of the guys at work mentioned that he was the coach of a little league baseball team and needed more players, I phoned Anthony right away and the whole office could hear his squeals of excitement.
We spent all day at the park, either practising some techniques or just hanging out at the play park. I watched while Anthony climbed the frames and played in the sand pit like every other five year old.
"Daddy, can we take some pasta home for uncle Em?" Anthony asked as we made our way to the restaurant.
"Sure, you can pick it out for him," I replied.
"Okay," Anthony said happily.
We arrived at the restaurant and were greeted by Heidi as soon as we made it through the door.
"Little Ant!" she yelled, moving from behind the host desk.
Anthony let go of my hand and ran straight into Heidi's arms to hug her tightly. We'd been coming here every week since I moved to Forks five years ago, Anthony was just six months old on our first visit and as soon as Heidi held him in her arms, I knew he had someone else who loved him.
My sister had mentioned the restaurant to me knowing my love for Italian food, one visit later and I was hooked to everything on their menu.
"You're getting more beautiful every time I see you Little Ant," She said while spinning in a circle.
"Table 2, Heidi?" I asked walking away from them.
"Always, Edward."
I walked to our usual table leaving Heidi spinning my son around, hearing them giggling, they would come over when they finished.
I learned that Heidi and her husband Felix had a daughter that was killed by a car when she was twelve years old, and they never had any other children; so they treated Anthony as if he was their own, and Anthony loved them just as much. They were an older couple, almost the same age as my parents, but they looked very young for their age, especially Heidi. She was tall, blonde, and still had a body of women twice her age, she was a beautiful woman and her husband treated her like a princess every day. I envied their marriage knowing that I would never have that with anyone.
My heart ached when I thought of what they've been through- I would die if anything happened to Anthony. He was my reason to live in this world, he may not have been planned but I would never change anything I had ever done to keep him.
"What would you like to drink Edward?" Heidi asked, finally arriving at my table. Anthony sat in the seat booster next to me, he smiled at Heidi.
"I'll have coke please," I answered.
"What about you, little Ant?" She turned to Anthony.
"May I have apple please?" He asked her sweetly, she smiled at him and left to get our drinks.
"What are you getting Uncle Em, buddy?"
He closed his eyes in deep concentration.
"Spag ball," he declared smiling.
"Is that what you want to eat too?" I asked him already knowing the answer. He just nodded his head.
Heidi arrived with our drinks and a colouring set for Anthony. We ordered our food and informed Heidi of the extra order for Emmett. I was colouring in one of Anthony's sheets when I felt my phone vibrating in my pocket.
I pulled it from my jeans and my sister's name was flashing on the screen.
"Hi, Alice," I greeted.
"Oh my god, Edward I have just met my future husband," she squealed. Her voice was high pitched and squeaky, making me feel like I was ten years old again.
"That's great Ali, I'll make sure to add him to my Christmas card list." I rolled my eyes although she couldn't see.
"What?" she questioned.
"Just make sure to tell him that it's his turn to go to the father/son golf trip with dad this year and maybe next year as well, God if he could go every year that would be make me a very happy man." I could hear her huffing through the phone while I made fun of her.
"Edward, stop it. I'm serious," she scolded.
"No really, Ali I'll make sure to order Ant's tux tomorrow, he will be page boy? If your new husband is not going to let your nephew be your page boy, we will have to have some words," I continued to joke.
Anthony looked up, his face confused. I crossed my eyes, stuck my tongue out at him, and made him giggle. He joined in my game by pulling at his ears and puffing out his cheeks so he looked like a monkey. This time it was my turn to chuckle in amusement, proving how much he was my son through and through.
Our food arrived and I listened to my sister as she rambled on about a hot blonde man she'd met at the grocery store. There have been many phone calls from my sister over the last year claiming she has met the man of her dreams, but this was the first time where she mentioned going straight up to him and telling him that he's the one. I swear if she wasn't my sister I would send her straight to the nut house.
"Do you guys want any dessert?" Heidi asked and collected our plates.
"No thank you," Anthony politely answered, which made me smile in pride.
"Alright, I'll get your bill then," Heidi said smiling.
We paid the bill and made our way to Emmett's house. He only lives ten minutes away from our house so I didn't mind going there late at night. He also had a spare bedroom that Anthony used whenever he stayed over, so I never had to hurry home if he happened to fall asleep.
When I moved here five years ago I thought Emmett was a bit of a player and that he didn't take things seriously. I envied him, he was so carefree, he had no responsibility expect his job, and he lived his life one day at a time.
I was the opposite, I had a six month old baby boy to take care of, a new house to decorate and organize, and an ex-girlfriend who was still trying to weasel money from me.
When Chief Swan made us partners, I had a huge chip on my shoulder and a negative attitude towards everything and everyone. After spending two weeks with Emmett, that chip disappeared and I soon became excited to go work with him; he was fun and relaxing to be around. He took his job very seriously and I soon realized how wrong I was about him.
Emmett has had my back whenever I've needed him and has always been there for Anthony to. He's been my best friend for the last five years and an amazing uncle to my son.
I stood at Emmett's door with a smile on my face and my son happily attached to my hip. Emmett greeted me with a long smile -dimples at each end-, wide blue eyes, and a head full of curly brown hair.
"Eddie, what 'cha doing here, man? It's only Sunday." Emmett questioned.
"I wanted to talk to you about the training course next week, and since you won't be around much this week, I thought we'd come and see you tonight." I answered him in a matter of fact tone.
I sat down on his couch, putting my feet up on the coffee table. Emmett's living room was not too small but it wasn't huge either, it was bright and cosy like something out of a magazine. The walls were red with a huge plasma television attached to the main wall and every computer invented laid on the unit underneath it. I can't count the amount of time we've spent in front of that television either watching sports or playing computer games. But hey, we were men after all!
"Uncle Em, can I play the Wii?" Anthony asked, bouncing in front of the television.
"Sure sport," he replied.
"Daddy, do you want to play with me?" Anthony asked.
"Of course buddy," I said.
I watched his face light up, there was never a better feeling than watching the joy that I could put into my son's eyes, knowing that I could make him happy. His short bronze hair disappeared from my eyes as he went to pick the game he wanted to play.
"So Eddie, what's got your knickers in a twist?" Emmett said with a smile on his face.
"My what?" I said, voice rising in question.
"Knickers, you know panties." He laughed.
"So Em, what do you know about this training?" I asked.
"Not much, you worried about leaving mini me for the week?" He said, nodding his head in Anthony's direction.
"Yeah," I sighed as I pinched the bridge of my nose, a habit I had picked up from my father whenever I was worried.
"Does it really last a whole week?" Emmett said.
Anthony finally found the game he wanted and started to load the game, I couldn't leave him for a whole week, we had never been apart for more than one day, two at the most.
"A week's too long to leave him, Em." I stressed.
"I know, but we don't have a choice man. I don't want to go either, but the chief would have our arse if we didn't go." He replied.
"Ready, Daddy." Anthony handed me one of the controllers and Emmett the other.
"I'll have to talk to him and my parents; maybe I could break it over two weeks. I don't know -I'll ask the Chief tomorrow." Emmett nodded his head in understanding. Chief Swan was a single father so I was hopeful that I could use that to my advantage and get him to cut my days down. Unfortunately, I also knew that this training was very important and it would not be easy to convince him, but it was worth a try.
We stayed and played the Wii for a while and I didn't realized how late it was until I noticed that Anthony was sitting on my lap and his head was falling over.
I picked him up, laying his head on my shoulder so he could sleep and made my way to the kitchen.
"We better go Em, Ant's falling asleep," I whispered, pointing towards the sleeping figure.
I felt his small arms tighten around my neck and his fingers tugging at my hair. It was a habit he'd been doing for years whenever he was sleepy; he would play with the ends of the hair at the bottom of my neck. I found it oddly comforting, I've had girls tug at my hair before and I'd never enjoyed it, but my son's touch was different, it was softer and gentle, maybe even loving.
"Sure man," said Emmett.
I grabbed our coats and headed to the front door, Emmett followed us.
"Hey Edward, who's Anthony's teacher?" he asked me.
"Mrs. Cope, why?" I replied while I wrapped my coat around Anthony's body, I didn't know how cold it was outside and I wasn't taking any chances.
"That's brilliant." His eyes sparked with excitement.
"All right Em. What the fuck is going on with you, you've been walking around like you've won the fucking lottery or something," I whispered, trying not to wake my son.
Emmett laughed very loud. "You'll see very soon, I promise."
I sighed and nodded, getting annoyed with his lack of information.
Saying a quick goodnight, I made my way home.
XXX
I pulled into the drive of my house, turned off the engine and looked up at my house. I was so happy to be home, work had been slow today without Emmett. I had one of the other officers, Mike Newton, in place of Emmett. He was generally a good guy, but boring as hell. He talked about his girlfriend Jessica, and how he could do so much better than her. I chose to ignore him most of the day and counted the minutes until I finished my shift. I couldn't believe it's only Monday! Emmett's not due back to work until Thursday, which means I'll be stuck with Mike for the next two days.
I thought again of what Emmett may be doing today and why he still wouldn't tell me what was going on last night when I asked. I shook my head to clear my thoughts and opened the door of my Volvo.
The light on the porch was bright, but I couldn't hear any noise coming from the house.
I smiled to myself, feeling my body relax. I was home and had the next few hours to spend with my son.
The smell of something amazing flowed into my nose as soon as I opened the front door. Ah, Mom was cooking for us tonight.
"Mom, Ant!" I yelled as I walked into the living room.
"Hey honey, did you have good day at work?" Mom greeted me.
"It was alright-" I sighed and kissed her cheek "-it was boring without Emmett around though."
"Daddy!" Anthony yelled as he ran along our hall and straight into my arms. I hugged him tightly in return, and saw my mother smiling at us from where she stood.
"I cooked pasta for dinner, your father's at work so I thought I could stay with my boys for a bit longer if that's okay?" She asked.
I have no idea why she always asked if she could stay, as if I would say no to my mom's home-made meals. My mom was an amazing cook; our family would never have any produced foods if my mom could help it. She believed that food wasn't good if you didn't make it yourself. She had taught me the basics growing up and I could cook some great dishes, but no one could cook as good as my mom.
"Of course Mom, sounds great. Doesn't it buddy?" I said.
"Yep, Nana," Anthony said.
Mom's smile grew wider, making her face glow. She was a beautiful women, her caramel bronze hair was pulled into a small bun, her green eyes filled with joy and love. I gave her my crooked smile and moved to the kitchen with Anthony's legs still around my hips and his arms around my neck. He was humming a tune in contentment- making my heart swell with pride.
I was going to miss carrying him this way, he's already too old to be carried around, but he's small for his age so I could still get away with it right now. Soon he will be too big and another part of his baby life will have disappeared while he grows into a little man. He's growing up too fast for my liking.
"Were you good for Nana today?" I asked him. He stared at my face, looking so much like myself. The only thing that he had inherited from his mother was her little button nose. I was grateful, every day, that Anthony was a mini-me, and nothing like his mother, I just prayed it stayed that way.
I placed Anthony on the floor and he climbed up on the chair to sit at the kitchen table. I decided to join him while we watched my mother make dinner.
"Daddy, I made a new friend today," He announced, beaming.
I smiled. "Really? That's great buddy."
"She was next door, in the yard, and her mommy's really pretty, Daddy." He bounced on his chair while he told me his story. I had to laugh at how he commented on the little girl's mother being pretty and not the little girl. My son already liked older woman, well that's just great!
"Leah is so much fun, I wanted her to come and play on my ship, but she had to go with her mommy." His face fell and disappointment filled his features.
"Well maybe she's moving in next door and you'll be able to play with her another day," I said, trying to take away his sadness. It must have worked as his eyes quickly lit up and the smile reappeared on his face.
"She is, Daddy! She's going to live next door with her mommy, but she said tonight she's staying at her pops. When she comes home though we can play together all the time in my ship, maybe we can play in the tree house at Nana's, and we could go to the zoo, Daddy please, can we go to the…"
I chuckled. "Ant, take a breath and slow down."
His small hands moved all through the air making him appear older than his age. I listened to him talk some more about his new friend. I know I needed to tell him that I was going away next week, but I was unsure how he would handle being away from me. We had never been apart for that long, and I was worried, not only about how my son would feel being away from me, but how I am going to handle being away from him. He was the reason I lived for, my every thought contained my son. I still had six days until I had to leave, I'd tell him tomorrow I decided; one more day wouldn't hurt.
My mom left after dinner, leaving me to bath and put Anthony to bed. It'd been a long day and I was thankful that I didn't have to work tomorrow.
I showered and went to bed, my thoughts went to Anthony's mother and how I could get her completely out of my life. I still didn't have an answer hours later when sleep had finally taken over my body.
Images of a broken little boy filled my dreams throughout the night.
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