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Chapter 4

Edward

My hands moved across the keys playing a melody I've never heard before. I was thinking about my son and how his eyes would light up when he told me about Leah, the new girl next door. He talked for almost an hour last night of how this little girl was his new best friend and he wanted her to come with us when we go to the zoo next week. I can't remember the last time he got this engrossed about meeting about another kid. But she was all he talked about last night.

"Come on squirt, bedtime," I pulled Anthony up from the living room floor into my arms and made my way to the bathroom. His giggles filled the house as he wriggled around in my arms. This was my favourite time of the day. I made sure that I bathed Anthony and read him his book before he went to sleep every night.

"Daddy, do you think I could get to play with Leah tomorrow?" He asked as I started his bath.

"I don't know buddy, we'll just have to wait until tomorrow and see what happens," I rationalized while taken his clothes off. He mumbles about how he can't wait and that how he was hoping it was sunny so they can play in his pirate's ship.

When he finally climbed into the bath he looked at me, his green eyes started to glaze over with water as tears filled them.

"What's wrong Ant?" I asked "is the water too hot?" I had checked it before he went in but I put my hand in again just to make sure.

I stared at his small round face. "Anthony, tell me what's wrong buddy?"

"Do you think Leah will like me? Do you think she will want to play with me and my pirate ship?" He asked.

I felt my heart ache for my son. He was worried that the new girl wouldn't like him. He had always been very confident and a sociable boy, he didn't have many friends but I think that had been because I never put in pre-school or anything. I never thought he would question if someone wanted to play with him, but then again I have never seen him so attached to someone he just meet.

"I think she will love to play with you?" I smiled at him.

"Really?"

"Really." I answered him back, he smiled my crooked smile at me and his insecurities faded as quickly as they appeared and the sparkle was back in his beautiful eyes. I hope that I still had that power on his self – esteem when he's older.

"She so pretty daddy, you will really like her," I hummed in response and moved to wash his bronze baby hair. "She has brown eyes, not green like mine and yours."

"Brown huh?" I asked.

"Yeah like the Chief's," he giggled.

"Chief Swan? Daddy's bosses eyes?" I was surprised that he remembered that kind of detail. He had met my boss a few times over the years; I guess my son is more observant that I thought.

"Yeah and she's taller than me and she like spongebob daddy, I like spongebob."

"Sounds like you two will be great friends." I chuckled.

I was going to have to go and meet my new neighbours tomorrow and see if I could set up a playdate with Leah, I was happy that my son has shown an interest in someone but I was a little worried that maybe Leah didn't share the same enthusiasm as Anthony.

"Yeah, her mommy is really pretty too daddy, maybe she can be your friend and Leah can be my sister, ohh I would be cool if she was my sister." I couldn't help my chuckle at his innocent ramble. The last thing I needed was for my five year old son trying to set me up with his friend's mother, beside she probably married anyway.

"And I'm going to beat up all the boys that hurt her daddy, just like you did to Jamie."

What! How the hell did he know about that?

A few months Alice turned up at my doorstep with a black eye claiming that she fell on the stairs. I knew she was lying but I let it go and kept a close eye on my sister and her boyfriend. Two weeks ago I went to her store only for her assistant to tell me that she was sick. Alice is never sick, I can't remember her even having a day off school and she hated school, so I knew something wasn't right. I went to her house and didn't even bother to knock; I just forced the door open and made my way into her house. I will never be able to erase the images that I now have of my sister from that day. Alice lay broken on her bedroom floor. Her small delicate body was covered in blood and bruises. I called my dad and an ambulance straight away and as soon as I knew she was safe and on her way to the hospital, I went on the hunt for James.

Alice had been dating James for about four months before I found her. No one really liked him, but we allowed Alice to choose who she wanted to date and we made an effort to get to know him. That was the rule we had made in our family, we would respect the other sibling's partners, whether we really like them or not. Alice had never bad mouthed Jane when we were together - however she doesn't have a nice thing to say about her now- so I gave James that same chance. That rule is no longer exists.

With Emmett's help, we found James that same night behind an old book store in Port Angeles. Emmett kept a look out so we had no witness and I showed James some brotherly love. For every bone that he broke of Alice's, James got double. The only people who knew about that night were my dad and Emmett. So how the hell did my son find out?

"What makes you think I hurt Jamie?" I asked

"I heard you and uncle Em talk about it?" He replied gingerly.

"You should not be ears dropping Anthony and you don't hit anyone unless they hit you first, okay?" I ordered.

"Okay."

I decided to worry about what Anthony had heard later, I will have talk to him properly and make sure my mother and sister don't find out.

"Okay buddy, time for bed." I dried him, put on his spongbob pjs and read him two books before his eyes closed and sleep took over.

The melody I was playing finished and I started to play one of my favourite songs when I heard something fall and smash in the hall. I raced out of my seat and lunched towards the noise, stopping suddenly when I saw the cutest little girl staring at me. My heart broke when I saw her tears falling down her rosy cheeks and her adorable little bottom lip was shaken.

"It's okay princess." I kept my voice soft and composed; I didn't want to scare her.

I took a small step toward her, but when I did she took a few steps back, making me stop; the little girl stopped too. By the way she reacted to me I knew she was scared, so I tried not to make any sudden movements. I looked at her profile and knew straight away who she was. My son had described Leah perfectly, she looked exactly how I pictured she would with her long beautiful hair framing her face. She was wearing a cute purple t-shirt with Hannah Montana on it, a pair of jeans and pink chucks that were identical to Anthony's.

"You must be Leah?" She furrowed her eyebrow in confusing.

"I'm Edward, Anthony's daddy." As soon as I mentioned my son's name, Leah face lit up, excitement shined in her deep chocolate eyes. "Anthony has told me a lot about you." I added hoping that she will become more at ease with me. "He's very excited to have you as his friend."

A pageant winning smile graced her face. A warmth ran through my body when she smiled at me. I was not sure what I was feeling but I knew that I was affected by this little girl, just like my son was.

"Leah, are hurt princess? Did the glass cut you?" I asked. I quickly looked her over with my eyes and I couldn't see any blood but I did notice that eyes her had filled with tears again. "It's okay, you're not in trouble. I just want to make sure you're not hurt." I expressed slowly.

"Leah, can I come over to check your hands please?"

She nodded her head and I sighed with relief. She was giving me her trust and I had a feeling that she did not give out her it to people easily.

I sat on my knees, gently checking for any cuts on her arms, legs or on her small hands. I found nothing, she was perfect. I moved my eyes to her eyes and smiled at her, I was awarded one back from her.

"Anthony's at his nana's right now, but can you wait on the couch while I clean up the glass and then I'll take you back to your parents?" I asked her. She frowned at me and I felt a tug in my heart, I did not like this expression.

"We can talk to your parents about a play date for you and Anthony if you like?" I suddenly felt nervous; I wanted to make her happy again.

I was not disappointed when my new favourite smile appeared.

I quickly cleaned up the glass on the floor, locked the back door and grabbed my jacket from the kitchen table. When I walked back into the living room Leah was sitting at the piano glazing her delicate fingers over the keys. I felt an overwhelming feeling of longing that I couldn't explain.

"Can you play?" I slowly asked her, not wanting to scare her again.

She nodded her head while placing her finger in lap and not looking at me. Either this little girl was very shy or was very scared of doing something wrong. She looked so small and fragile sitting there in front of my grand piano. I wanted to kept that smile that was there before; take her on little adventures with my son, read her bedtime stories, I wanted to protect from all the bad in the world. There was only one other person in my life that I felt this way towards and he shares my genes.

"Would you like me to teach you?" Her head snapped up at me, her eyes sparkling again while she was nodding her head very fast, making me scared it would fall off. I wanted to clap my hands and jump for joy at her answer.

"Great, may I sit next you?" I asked, slowly walking over to the bench. Leah moved to the edge of the bench making room for me and giving silent permission to sit next to her.

I showed her the basic keys, trying to explain everything in detail so she would understand me clearly. She never talked to me, nodding her head when I asked her a question but I was excited with her enthusiasm to learn something I was passionate about.

Leah picked up the basics very quickly and I was surprised by how much of a natural she was and how keen she wanted to learn. I had tried to teach Anthony in the past, but he never really wanted to play the piano so he didn't put much onto his lessons.

Time disappeared as we sat there playing twinkle twinkle little star. I had forgotten about Leah's parents and how I was meant to take her home. I was enjoying myself so much that I didn't want the lesson to end and by the way that Leah kept bouncing on the bench and clapping her hands after she had completed the nursery rhythm, I guessed she felt the same.

I wave of guilt washed over as I wondered if her parents knew where she was. I'm sure she told them she was coming to see Anthony; however I'm sure they would not be happy to find out that she had been here alone with me. I suddenly felt anxiety rip through my body.

"Leah does your parent know you are here?" I questioned. She stopped playing with the keys, turned her head and her beautiful eyes locked with mine. She didn't need to answer my question, the fear in her eyes told they had no idea. Shit, they must be tearing their hair out with worry.

"It's okay, sweetie, let's go and explain where you have been." My voice was calm and tender. "Did you enjoy playing the piano?" I asked. She nodded her head very fast again, making me chuckle.

"Me too." The fear had left her eyes and had been replaced with excitement and happiness, I'm sure my eyes showed the same.

"Alright, princess, we better get you home, your parents must be so worried about you." She nodded her head again but looked down at her lap. I put my arm around her and kissed the top of her head, I had no idea what made me do it but I don't like seeing her like this. It was at this moment that I noticed that she had still not spoke to me. She has answered all my questions by nodding her head at me.

"Leah is your parents in the house next door?" I asked her, she finally looked at me and mouthed "Mom" to me. Instead of answering me Leah stood up from the bench and began to move her dangly little legs around the bench. The warmth rushed through me again when she slowly placed her hand in mine and mouth "Mom" to me again.

We made our out the front door, the rain was light but the sun was shining through the dull clouds, this was a rare treat for Forks, the sun never appeared here. Leah held my hand tightly as we made our way down the path; I was surprised how comfortable and natural this felt to have her beside me, trusting me to take care of her. Maybe I getting broody, I always wanted a little girl, maybe one day I could still have one. I decided I was not going to analyse any of this and give enjoy the time I had with her.

"Alright sweetheart which house is your?" I asked, I already knew her house was the one of the left of my house as that was the only house on the street that was empty until this week. However she didn't point to her house. Leah pointed to the two cruiser cars parked in front of the driveway of her house. I knew straight away who those cars belonged too. But I didn't get much time to think about it as loud scream invaded my brain.

" LLLLEEAAAHHH." A small woman yelled loudly, the guilt I felt earlier was back twice as bad as it was before. I could hear the pain in the woman voice and it was my fault, I should have taken Leah straight home when I first saw her in the hallway door. Instead of letting stay and play on my piano.

"Is that your mom?" I asked Leah, but before she could answer the woman ran down her path once she had noticed her daughter standing next to me.

"Leah, get away from her, Leah." I watched as she ran up to Leah and grab her from me.

"Get away from her." What the hell?

"Look I'm sorry that …." She interrupted me by continuing to yell at me, while pulling Leah's hand out of mine. She turned to face me, her eyes wide with determination and fear.

"Let her go now, you arsehole, get away from my daughter." She pushed one of her hands in to my chest and grabbing Leah with the other.

"Can I explain please?" I asked trying to stay calm.

"Explain, yes you can explain to my father why you tried to kidnap my daughter, you can explain…"

This time I cut of her off, I knew she was upset that her daughter went missing and I should be a little more understanding being a parent myself, but I was pissed that she was accusing me of stealing her daughter.

"I did not kidnap her," I hissed but she ignored me just continuing to push and yell at about getting me arrested for kidnap. I was surprised when I felt a pleasant tingling sensation spread through me when her hands toughed my body.

"Fuck, will you stop pushing me and let me explain what happened." I tried once again pushing her hand away from her.

"DON'T TOUCH ME." She screamed.

I stepped back and raised my hands up in surrender. This was the first I got to take a good look at the woman in front of me. Fuck she was beautiful, she had the same colour of hair as Leah but had it tied high in a ponytail, which allowed me to view her long slender neck. God I wanted to kiss all over it right now. My eyes make their way across her face, she had a cute button nose on her heart shaped face and full gorgeous lips that made my jeans tight very quickly. But it was her eyes that took my breath away, they were a deep hazel with little specks of gold and I wanted to get lost in them. I was pulled from my ogling when I heard Emmett's voice.

"Bella, Bella, honey calm down. She's okay."

I looked away from the brunette and turned towards Emmett, everything made sense now. This woman was Emmett's Bella, the woman he never stops talking about. I quickly filled my mind with memories of what Emmett had told me about Bella, trying to remember if he mentioned about her moving home.

"Em, he kidnapped Leah, arrest him now." She demanded, my lust for her was gone and now I was pissed again.

"I did not kidnap her, if you would stop yelling at me for one fucking second and let me explain, you would know that." I yelled back at her, annoyance laced in my voice.

"You're lying."

"Fuck you. Maybe if you watched her better she wouldn't have disappeared." It was a low blow, but the words were out of my mouth before I could stop them.

"You bastard." She went to lung at me but Emmett was quicker than she was.

"Bella, stop. Edward would never kidnap Leah." He had his huge arms were wrapped around her tiny waist. If I wasn't so pissed off I would have found the image quite funny.

"What, you know this dumb ass?" My eyes grew wide and I clenched my fists together, chanting, you do not hit a woman over and over in my head.

"Yes he's my partner" Emmett loosened his grip on the crazy woman, turned her around to look straight into her eyes as he explained who I was. Leah was standing beside her mother, her small hand placed safely in Bella's. Her little body was shaken from all the yelling, the fear was also back in her eyes causing my anger to disappear. I just wanted to reach over and hug her to my chest.

"Edward, what happened bro?" Emmett asked. I noticed that Bella was crying now and I felt a tug at my heart. What was wrong with me today?

I was just about to explain when Bella interrupted me, again.

"Em, I'm gonna take Leah inside, you can explain what happened to me later." She announced wrapping an arm around her daughter. Bella never waited for an reply, she looked at me with an intense stare and then quickly walked away. I could not believe that this was the same Bella that Emmett has raved about for the last few years. I imagined her to sweet, considerate and not such a bitch. She didn't know me. She wouldn't listen to a damn word I had to say but just accused me of kidnapping her daughter. But fuck she was beautiful, to be truthful I don't think I've ever saw a woman as beautiful she is.

"Dude, what happened?" Emmett asked.

I explained how I found Leah in my hall and about the piano lesson, he listened to every word with a look of confusion on his dimpled face.

"Wait, was Leah okay when you touched? She didn't scream or anything?" He asked with elation laced in his voice.

"No, why would she?" Now I was really confused. " I did notice that she didn't talk to me though, I just assumed she's shy."

"Why don't I come over and explain everything later to you, it will take awhile." He announced letting out a deep breath.

"Fine, but I want an apology from your insane girlfriend." I slightly chuckled.

"Hey, Edward," I froze at the sharp tone in Emmett's voice. "You don't know the first thing about her, she's been to hell and back these last few years so back off, anyway how would you feel if Anthony disappeared? For him to only turn up with a complete stranger? You would be pissed too." He rambled passionately.

I was in awe with his loyal and compassion for Bella. I had always had a feeling that he felt deeply for her but to see him defend her with so much fervour, blew me away.

"I'm sorry." I signed. "Your right, can you do me a favour though." Emmett raised one eyebrow at me along with a scrawl on his face. I choose to ignore him ask him and continued. " After your explained everything to Bella, can you please tell her how great I am with kids and that I would never do anything to hurt Leah because I promised my son that I would ask her if I could set up a playdate for him and I also promised Leah that I would ask her about piano lessons."

"Leah really wants piano lessons, with you. Wow."

"Yes with me, why are you so surprised Emmett, I've …"

"Leeaahh." Bella's voice cut me off again, I was getting pissed with her doing that.

My head snapped in the direction of her voice only to see Leah's tiny body running in my direction with Bella running after her. I briefly noticed my boss watching us at Bella's front door; however my focus was on the girl running towards me.

"Leah, stop." Bella panted, but Leah ignored her and ran straight into my body. Her small arms wrapping tightly around my legs, her head squished into my torso. My hand automatically want her back hugging her to me.

I heard a gasp escape Bella's mouth, her hand was covering her mouth and tears were falling down her rosy cheeks. Emmett had a huge grin on his face and a twinkle in his eye, I swear he looked like he was gonna burst into tears any moment. What a pussy.

I knelt down in front of Leah so I could give her a really hug. "Thank you princess."

She nodded her head, removing her hands around my neck.

"Sorry Edward," Bella whispered delicately. Her eyes full of concern.

"Me too," I answered back, the tingling feeling back again as I looked in her eyes. I looked away quickly, bended my head and kissed the top of Leah's head.

"You be good for your mom, okay." I whispered to her.

I watched her walk away with Bella by her side; I shamelessly watched her ass swaying in front of me. I could just imagine how soft it would feel in my hand, all glowing and pink. I felt my jeans grow tight for the second time in fifteen minutes.

"Edward, Edward. Stop checking out my best friend." Emmett snapped. Shit, I was busted.

I chuckle at myself. " Alright, I'm going to pick Ants up from my moms, I'm confused as fuck about all this, so you better come around and explain everything later Emmett."

"Sure man, I promise." With that we parted ways, I got into my car and noticed that Leah was in the chief's car. The chief was standing at his car talking to Bella who still looked very upset. Leah's eye's locked with mine through the car window; she gave me a little wave which I returned. She was too cute for words.

AN- What do you think about Leah reacted with Edward? Did he do the right thing? Please, please review. There better than Edwards's piano skilled hands.