Hey guys, I have been busying doing essay this last week, that why I didn't get a chance to post this chapter. I tried to post this chapter the other day but ff is not working, so thankd to for the trick to post. I'm thrilled with all the new readers, welcome. Even though they are loads of reader, not many of you are reviewing. As a writer your review allows me to understand if you are enjoying the story and how I am doing as a writer. So please review.

A couple of people mentioned that they were confused about Heidi. Heidi owns the restaurant that Edward and Anthony go to everyweek. I did not mean to use Heidi's name again as Bella's old neighbour, so thank you for pointed that out to me. I have gone back and changed Bella's neighbour's name to Senna.

I do not own Twilight. Just Speak, so do not copy.

Enjoy

Chapter 7

Edward

I woke up to my phone ringing; a quick look at the clock told me that I had over slept.

"Shit!" I yelled, startled and almost knocking Anthony off the bed. I had forgetting that he was next to me. My phone started ringing again. I thought it would be my mother wonder where her grandson was, so I was surprised to see Emmett name flash across the screen.

"Hey, Em," I yawned.

"Hey bro, are you just still in bed? Don't you have work today?" I creped slowly out of my room letting Anthony sleep a little longer.

"Yeah I over slept, what's up Em?"

"I was wondering if I could have Anthony for the day. I was gonna take him and Leah out to Port Angeles." I smiled, Anthony would love to spend the day with Leah, but then my thoughts drifted to Bella. What she be okay with that?

"Sure, is Bella okay with that though?" I asked hesitantly. Emmett just give me one of his trademark belly laugh giving me a headache already.

"Don't worry about Bells, she'll be cool." I was just about to ask him if he was sure when there was a knock at the door.

"Hang on, Em?" I asked only to be greeted by his dimpled face when I opened the door.

"Morning Eddie." He smiled. Argh how can someone so cheery this early in the day I mumbled to myself while Emmett made his way through my door and straight to Anthony's room. I didn't say anything because I knew he wasn't there. However I did not except him to come into my kitchen five minutes later with my son attached to his hip.

"Emmett can't you leave him a bit longer?" My son can be very grumpy in the mornings.

"Nope, I'm sure he's just as excited to spend the day with Leah as I am," He smirked, cocking his head to the side.

I watched Anthony face light up. "Really?" He asked groggily.

"Yep, so the quicker you get dressed, the quicker we can get there." I chuckled as I watched his little legs disappearing from my kitchen.

I took a deep sigh, "You sure Bella will okay with this, after what happened yesterday she may not want Anthony around Leah." A horrible thought clouded my brain, what if she didn't want me to see Leah again.

"Edward," He placed one of his giant paws on my shoulder, "stop worrying okay, Bells will be fine with it, I promise." I just nodded my head at him, still not believing him, but hoping he was right.

A few minutes later, Anthony dragged his feet back into the kitchen, his eyes hooded with sleep. My heart went out for him; I just gave him a sympatric smile.

"Ready to go, champ?" Emmett bombed, his voice echoing in our quiet kitchen. I'm not a morning person and neither is my son. We enjoy a quiet simple mornings with only the TV for background noise.

On mornings that I had to work, my mom would come over to watch Anthony for the day. I would leave him to sleep until about half an hour before I had to leave. We would spend that time quietly eating breakfast, only discussing what we had planned for that day and even that, was a struggle. There was nothing usual or uncomfortable about it. We Cullen boys just like to wake slowly and quietly. Emmett on the other hand, was an all-day person. He was energetic, morning, noon and night, putting most kids to shame. The other person that could keep with him was my sister Alice; the Cullen women were the opposite from the men. There started the day, as soon as the sun rose and were always the last to bed.

Anthony climbed back up on Emmett's hip and wrapped his arms around his neck, resting his head down, trying to go back to sleep.

"I'll call you when I'm finished so I know where you pick him up."

"Sure." Was the only answer I received back.

"Have fun Ant, be good for uncle Em and Leah." I moved towards him and kissed his forehead, just like I do every morning.

"Bye, Daddy, Love you." He whispered a smile spread across face.

"Love you too." I yelled as they left the house.

I skipped breakfast, quickly showered, shaved and made it to way to work within 20 minutes. I was praying that I would be able to catch the Chief and talk to him about my training course next week, before he was called on his daily duties.

"Hey Harry, Is Charlie in yet?" I asked him. Harry was one of the oldest officers in Forks. He has lived here all his life. He has been married for almost forty years and has three children and five beautiful grandchildren. He was the deputy chief for fifteen years until he diagnosed with Parkinson Disease last year. Charlie still wanted him to keep his position, but Harry refused, he argued that he was too old and too wise to put his life in danger everyday. I always chuckled when he would say that to me. The danger rate in Forks is very small, nothing dangerous or exciting ever happens here. It's one of the reason I love bringing my son up in this town.

"Sorry kid, he's not due in till this afternoon." I nodded my head in thanks to him while he answered the telephone. Harry decided that he still wanted to work, so he has been working in the office; doing paperwork and handling our phone calls ever since.

"I'm gonna do a quick run around and get some breakfast, tell Mike he still has to do his paperwork from Monday?" I told one of the other officers working. This was my plot to keep Mike busy this morning, so I could have my breakfast in peace. I liked Mike, but having to work with him all day, was not my idea of fun. Thank god Emmett is back on Monday.

I made my way to the Diner; I decided to have my breakfast first before I went into full cop mode, as Emmett likes to call it. The Diner was an old run down café that made the best pancakes in town. They are not as good as my mom's, but they are close.

I pulled the cruiser into the drive and noticed Emmett pull up with Bella and the kids. I dunk down in my car so that they wouldn't see me. When Bella got out of the car, I swear my heart stopped, just for a second. She was wearing jeans again today and a plain purple top matched with a black leather jacket.

"Fuck," I mumbled loudly, almost shooting my load in my pants. This girl is going to be the death of me. I have never been so turn on by someone wearing such simple clothes. The leather jacket doesn't help me much; it makes her looks hot, very hot.

I watched her help my son out of car and walk into the Diner holding his hand. Anthony looked very comfortable with her. If I was to be honest, the scene looked very natural to me. I looked like a mother taken care of her son. Again a small ache appeared in my heart.

Anthony has never had a mother, he's never met Jane. I worry sometime that I'm not doing the right thing, keeping him away from her. He has never mentioned her to me, never asked where she was or why he doesn't see her. I know that one day he will want to about her. I have a feeling that it will very soon, now that Bella and Leah are around. He'll want a mother, how could he not. I pray that he won't hate me for not keeping his own mother around for the last five years.

I shook my head and made my way into the Diner. I was not going to dwell on the past. I had made my decision and I would deal with whatever the consequences will be.

Emmett spots me straight away, a mischief grin on his face. I make my way over to his table, hoping to see Leah for a few minutes. When I heard Anthony asking Bella if he can have pancakes, I used this as my cue to make my appearance.

"Can you make that three pancakes please, Jessica?" I asked. Bella turned to look at me, catching my eye straight away. The butterflies were swirling in my stomach and my body begins to shake with nervousness. I was once again got lost in those beautiful brown eyes.

"Daddy," Anthony squeaked, breaking my intense eye glazing with Bella.

"Hey buddy, you look more awake now." He was bouncing on his seat, sitting next to Bella. I felt a tug somewhere within me when I looked at them; he was looking up at Bella in amazement. I pushed the feeling away and turned to find the girl that has captured my heart in the last 24hrs.

"Good morning, Princess." I smiled at her angelic face, watching her eyes carefully. After everything Emmett told me last night and the shock from yesterday was over. I was worried that she would be scared of me or uncomfortable in my presence. Her smile was enough to ease my worries and I found that I wanted to hug her. I wanted her to sit on my lap, where I could protect her, take care of her and make sure that no one ever hurt her again.

"Daddy, are you sitting with us?" Anthony asked, breaking me out of my thoughts.

I hope so, son.

"If that's okay with you guys?" I smiled nervously. I looked at Bella. Please say yes, don't make me walk away from the one place I want to be right now.

"Bella?" I begged. Please say yes.

"What, oh yeah of course." She blushed and turned her head away from me. I quickly clasped my hand tighter in front of my legs, hoping to hide, my now very hard, hard on, that her blush created. I had a feeling that blush will be appearing in my dreams later tonight.

I was just about to sit down when Bella moved away from my son and sat down next to Leah. My chest grew tight, like all my air was being squeezed from my body. She still didn't want me near her daughter. I tried to hide the pain from my face. She didn't need to feel guilty for protecting her daughter. But I don't think I masked my emotions as well as I hoped as Emmett gave me a sympatric look.

We made small talk about their plans for the day and I learned that Bella was a photographer. I filed the information away for later; maybe I could get her to do some photos of Anthony for me. It would give me an excuse to talk to her alone and I knew Anthony was comfortable around her.

Emmett teased her about their high school years, causing her to blush again. I wondered if she blushed everywhere on her body. I quickly changed the direction of my thoughts before I would have to excuse myself for the bathroom. Fuck I was screwed; this woman did things to my body with just a simple glance. Maybe it would be safer to stay away from her, before I find myself trying to hump her leg like a fucking dog.

When the food arrived we eat mostly in silently expect from Anthony's food noises. I kept stealing quick glazes at Bella and Leah. Leah would catch me every time, causing a permanent grin to stay on my face. This felt natural to me, like we all had been doing this for years.

Anthony started a conversation with Bella about pancakes. I smiled with pride when started to brag about my pancakes. I looked up at Bella; she looked so relaxed and happy. Her eyes glowing with something I didn't recognize and a wide smile on her face. I felt relaxed for the first time in her presence.

I decided I wanted to see if I could make Bella blush one more time before I went to work and Anthony gave me the prefect option.

"I will," He nodded and continued. "You have to treat Bella like the angel she is, okay daddy."

I looked Bella straight into the eye and said nice and slow. "Of course, buddy." A little flirting won't hurt, and aww, there's the blush I'm growing to love.

Emmett coughed loudly, pulling me away from Bella's face. He raised an eyebrow in question, which I shrugged off.

"Excuse us," Bella announced as stood up to allow Leah passed her.

"Daddy? Do you think we can go to the beach on Sunday?" Anthony asked.

"I think that can be arranged."

"Can Bella and Leah come?" He asked, his eyes pleading. I was just about to answer him when I heard her cry out in pain. My body moved instantly and I was next to my princess in seconds. My heart broke at her tear stained face.

"Are you okay Princess?" My heart was telling me to check her over and cradled her to my chest. But my head was telling to take things slow and be gentle. My head won when I saw the pain in Bella's eyes.

"I think she's just bruised her elbow," Bella commented, her voice almost broke at the end.

"Can I see?" I pleaded. I watched different emotions flash across her eyes, anger, disappointed and then trust, it was faint but I could see it there, underneath her fears.

I gentle checked Leah over, settling my own worries when I realised that she had only bruised herself. "Your mom very smart," I whispered making her smile. I turned to Bella to find blushing again.

I made my way back to our table as the girls headed for the bathroom. Anthony had moved over to sit beside Emmett so that they watch what had happened to Leah.

"Is Leah okay, daddy?" he whispered.

"Yeah, she just bruised her elbow, she'll be fine squirt."

"Good." He sighed in relief.

"I'm gonna go and pay, before I have to get to work." I announced.

"Sure bro, don't want you to slacking off on the job now." Emmett chuckled. I walked over to the counter shaken my head.

"Table three, please, Jessica,"

"That's $13.48 please." She twirled a lock of her hair around her fingers while looking up at me. "There's a party on Saturday night, you should come with me."

"Thanks, but I'm taking my son to the beach on Sunday, so I'll pass." I tried to answer politely. Jessica was a nice girl; she was never rude to me or Anthony. But she wasn't someone I could see myself with and right now, there was only one woman that I would consider dating.

"You can still go out on Saturday; I can think of others things to do without drink." She ran her hand down my arm, making me want to take other shower.

"No, thanks," I repeated, moving away from her as quick I as I could only to be stopped dead by my favourite pair of brown eyes. I had the sudden urge to kiss her, her eyes were calling to me, tying a rope around my body, pulling it closer to her. I felt my body sway towards her, my eyes still searching hers. How the hell is she doing this to me, it's like my brain can't function whenever I get close to her.

Man up Cullen, stop acting like a pussy.

"I just paid the bill, I hope you don't mind." God, I should just hand over my balls to her now.

"Sure," She mumbled, her eyes moved up to my hair. She had strange look on her face.

"You okay?" I asked. She was still staring at my hair, than she blushed which made me smirk.

"Em, yeah."

I started moving to our table, remembering that I had to get back to work. Work was the last place I wanted to be right now. I wanted to stay here and maybe get Bella to open up to me a little more.

"Edward?" She yelled sweetly, causing my cock to twitch.

"Yeah," I answered looking back at her; she wrapped her arms around her waist, protecting herself. She appeared younger than her age, her face reflected innocence and fear.

I frowned at how uncomfortable she suddenly was around me.

"I'm sorry, you know, the thing with Leah yesterday." I wanted to talk about it with her, but not here in a crowd diner.

"It's alright,"

"No, it's not; I should never have accused you of…" I quickly cut in.

" Bella, I'm sorry, I have to get back to work," It was the truth, I did have to get back. But I was really uncomfortable talking about something so private in front of other people. "But I would like to apologize to you myself, properly, I should have brought her straight home and …" Great now I was spilling my guts in public.

"What time to you get off, I can cook for us and we can talk tonight?" She asked.

I couldn't contain the rush of excitement that raced around my body, she just asked me to dinner. Yeah I'm totally a pussy today.

"I would really like that. Can Anthony come?" He would kill if I didn't take me with me.

She laughed at me, a warm tingling laugh; it was like music to my ears.

"Of course, actually if it's okay with you," She started pulling her hair. I got the feeling she was nervous, which was making me feel nervous. "I can take him when he gets back from Port Angeles until you finish.

I smiled to myself. If I wanted her to trust me with her daughter, than it was only fair that I trust her with my son. However the main difference was that I trusted her completely. I may have only just met her, but my gut tells me that this woman would never do anything to hurt us. It also helps that I know her father really well.

"Sure, if he wants too."

I alright knew the answer but Anthony conformed my thought by yelling, " I do, daddy, I wanna stay with Bella."

Emmett winked at me silently giving me his approval.

"Alright, I finish at five, so I guess I'll see you then." I made my way back to the table.

"You be good for Emmett and Bella." I smiled; Anthony just nodded his head at me. I learn over his head, "I'll see you after Princess." And without thinking, I kissed her head as if I did it every day. I stole a quick peek at Bella praying that she wasn't going to yell at me again. I think my body has no control when I'm around the Swan girls.

My body relaxed when Bella just smiled at me, blushing when I caught her eye again. I quickly said goodbye to everyone and made my way back to the car feeling quite content. Now I just have to get rid of the tent in my trousers and my morning would be prefect.

XXX

The rest of the morning went very slow. I did a quick drive round the town, keeping an eye out for any trouble and attended a fight at the local High School between two seniors. I practical raced back to the station after picking up my lunch from the Subway. I had to catch Charlie before he gets called away this afternoon.

"Hey Harry, Charlie in yet?" I asked as I walked into the station.

"In the office," he answered with a grunt. Wonder what's changed his mood from this morning.

"Hey Edward, I …" I heard in my right ear.

"Not right now, Mike, I have to talk to the Chief." I swatted him away like a fly.

I knocked quietly on his door. Charlie was the only person who had an office to himself, everyone else's desk were in the main room side by side. When I first started working here I hated it. I wanted my own room, my own privatise. But now I enjoyed working beside the other officers here. We had a good team here, the boys were fun and the girls didn't try to hit on me. My desk was next to Emmett and there was never a dull moment when Emmett was around. I enjoyed my job, but I wouldn't say it was my lives passion.

"Come in."

Charlie gave me a small smile when I entered his office. He extended his arm for me to sit, which I did eagerly.

"I had a feeling you would wanting to talk to me," He took a deep sigh, cocked his head to the side and started fiddling with the paper in front of me. "I'm sorry for the way that Bella acted …"

He thought I wanted to talk about Bella. I wanted to laugh loudly at him, but I knew that he would not be grateful for that, so I cut him off instead.

"Chief, I'm not here to talk about Bella."

"Oh, alright, what can I do for you son?" His moustache twitched, drawing my attention to his face.

"I wanted to talk to you about the training course next week; I can't leave Anthony for a whole week Chief." I stressed, the thought alone was causing me anxiety.

"Edward, I get that, I do, but you have to do this course. With all the robberies happening in Seattle, we have to make sure we know what to do if it happens here." Charlie leaned back on his chair. I could see how much Bella looked like him, with her eyes and hair. "And I think your son needs you for the long run, I'm sure he'll manage a week without you."

"That's not fair Chief," I stood up, anger seeping from me. "How would you feel in my position? I don't have a wife who can look after him; he's never been away from me longer than a night. I can't just abandon him for a whole week and I'm not missing his first day at school." I stopped the pacing I had started; I took a deep sign and pinched the bridge of my nose, trying to control my frustration.

"He's starting school this week?" My head shot up, his head was looking out the window, a distant look on his face.

"Yeah, he starts on Tuesday." I answered.

He nodded his head slowly; I can see an invisible clock turning at the side of head. I held my breath in hope.

"So does Leah." He whispered so low I was not sure if I was meant to hear him.

"Alright, I'll see what I can do, but your gonna have to do something Edward, I know how hard being a single parent is. I am one myself and my daughter is one also. I suggest that you start talking to him, start taking longer breaks from him." He rambled.

I sat back in my chair and breathed a sigh of relief. "I know I was thinking about talking to my mom, maybe he could stay with for a weekend and then make it a few times a week."

"I think that's a good idea. I know it's not easy on you, Edward."

"Thanks Chief." I got up to leave.

"Edward, Thank you," He paused for a second, gathering his thoughts, "for taking care of my granddaughter." His eyes were glazed with tears; I hadn't thought about how hard Leah's kidnapping must have been on him. He was here, miles away from them, leaving them unprotected. Not only was he carrying the guilt of a cop, but also as a father and grandfather.

"She's amazing." I smiled thinking of her munching on her pancakes this morning.

"Yeah, she is. Did, did, did she talked to you at all?" He stuttered, which was very unusually for Charlie. He's voice was always clear and strong.

I thought for a minute. Leah didn't say anything to me. I had noticed that when she playing the piano, but she didn't say anything this morning either. When she wanted to go to the bathroom, she tugged on Bella's top. But I don't remember ever hearing her voice.

"No, she didn't. She didn't speak this morning either." I answered.

"This morning?" He asked in confusing.

"Yeah, I bumped into all of them at the Diner," I answered.

"All of them?"

"Yeah, Leah, Bella, Ants and Em."

He chuckled heartily. "Good, good." He nodded. I'm not sure what he found funny, but I quickly said my thanks and made an excuse to get back to work.

I spent the rest of the afternoon filling out paperwork and ignoring Mike's latest conquest story. I never had any respect for men that can treat women that way, even in college, I didn't sleep around.

Before I knew it, it was five o'clock and I have never been so eager to get home before.

"See ya tomorrow Harry." I yelled, throwing my hand in the air. He raised his hand back at me, but not looking my way. Guess he's not in bad mood any more.

The air was chilly, creating Goosebumps on my face. I took a whiff of the air. It was damp, moist and musky, everything I loved about Forks.

I climbed in my car, - leaving the cruiser behind for the next guy to use- and made my way home. I was unsure if I should go home, shower and change or just head straight to Bella's.

Going straight to her house won as found myself knocking on the door.

Bella answered the door within seconds, her smile lit up her whole face and she looked happy to me. I wanted her to be happy to see me.

"Hey." My eyes caught Bella's and I got lost in her intense stare for the hundredth time today.

"Hey." She whispered back, opening the door for me to come in.

"Daddy, your home." Anthony squealed as I entered. I didn't get far as I was almost knocked over by two little bodies wresting me to the ground.

"There's my two favourite munckins." Bella giggled, I looked at her, standing watching our children with nothing but contentment and love.

Anthony pulled on my jacket, "Daddy, come play with us?"

"Do you need help with dinner?" I asked her conflicted, I want to help her, but I also wanted to spend time with the kids together while I had the chance.

"Nope, go play." She giggled.

"Good, because I can feel the tickle monster fighting to get out." I yelled raising my arms in the air, trying to create my best monster face.

"Ahh, run Leah, run" Anthony yelled loudly. I looked at Bella's face and winked at her, before chasing two giggling monsters down the hall.

XXX

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