Chapter 11: Food For Thought

"No, Mom," I said, holding Little One.

Since I hadn't wanted to take her back to daycare yet, Mom was still watching Sofia for me. It was Friday, though, and she was doing a lot better, so I planned on taking her back to daycare on Monday, even though she was still taking her antibiotics. I called and they said they could accommodate, as long as she wasn't still running a fever.

"Oh, come on, Edward, it'll be fun!" she said, trying to give me the pamphlet.

"I'm not taking a Mommy and Me class. I'm not a mom."

"That doesn't matter. Dads are welcome," she said. "It's fun, honey, I promise. I took them with Rosalie."

"I don't have time."

She forced the pamphlet into my hand. "Find the time. Just pick a day you're off and see if they have a spot available. It's only an hour."

"Fine," I sighed, not actually planning on going through with it.

She smiled. "Good. Sofia will enjoy it."

"Sofia enjoys sucking on my finger, bathing, and eating. I see no reason to go to a class to give her enjoyment."

She narrowed her eyes at me. "The only places she sees regularly are your apartment, the daycare, and here. You don't even take her to the grocery store. Everyone at work knows, right?"

I rolled my eyes. "Yes."

"Then you have no reason to hide her. Go to the class, Edward. Take your daughter places."

"You make it sound like I'm ashamed of her."

"Prove you're not."

I stuffed the pamphlet in my jacket pocket and ran my hand through my hair. "All right. We'll go, but we may never go back."

"Just try it. Do it for her." She smiled. "And for me."

"I can't exactly deny you," I said, smirking.

She stood on her toes as I leaned down and let her kiss my cheek. "No, you can't."

. . . . .

Since Little One was feeling better, Dad decided it was time to put me back on the call schedule. Truthfully, it was probably Emmett and his damn whining that pushed him to do it. So for this weekend, I had to be ready to go back to the hospital if I got a call.

"So you'll be able to watch her, right?" I asked Bella as she played with Sofia on the floor of my apartment.

We just had dinner again. This was the fourth night in a row, actually. I fucking loved her cooking.

"I guess, but I have plans with Alice tomorrow," she said.

"Not at night, right? I'll only need you then."

She raised her eyebrows. "Um . . . okay. I guess I can do that."

I smiled. "Great, thanks."

"So tonight and tomorrow night I have to be ready to take her at any time?"

I nodded. "And Sunday night. You're okay with that, right?"

She smiled a little. "Uh, sure. I like spending time with Sofia."

I tickled Little One's belly, making her giggle. "I'm glad," I said. "Hey, is there any way you can watch her next weekend? Well, just Saturday."

"You have to work next weekend, too?"

I shook my head. "No, but my parents are renewing their vows. I'd rather not bring her with me."

"Oh, good for them. You'll be home later in the evening, right? It won't be all night?"

"Not like I have a date," I sighed. "Yeah, I'll be home after it's all over. Before ten, I'm sure."

"Okay, I can do it."

"Did you have plans that night?"

She shook her head. "No, I was just . . . curious."

"Great! You're the best, Bella."

She blushed a little and turned her head back to Little One, playing with her again.

. . . . .

Thankfully, I didn't get called in Friday night. Little One and I spent the evening alone after Bella went back across the hall. She gave me leftovers, though. I realized that I was beginning to solely depend on her for cooking. I wasn't the greatest cook. Not even close, actually, and I doubted I'd always have Bella to cook for me.

"I'm probably going to wind up starving you," I told Sofia as she watched me eat the leftovers from her bouncer by my feet. "Either that or it'll always be fast food, and you'll be obese. Being the good doctor I am, I can't allow either of those options."

She opened her mouth, giggling and dropping her pacifier.

"That really wasn't funny," I laughed, leaning down off the couch and picking it up from her chest. She cooed and accepted it again, lifting her hand up to touch it. "What I'm trying to say is that I should learn how to cook. You're going to start eating baby food and cereal soon, so I'm good for a while, but eventually, I'll have to actually cook for you."

She kicked her little legs and flailed her arms like I was the most hilarious guy in the world. She was probably just in a playful mood.

After I finished eating, I got on the floor with her to play. She was all for it, trying to roll over on me. She was getting pretty damn good at that, and early, too.

"How do you feel about grocery shopping?" I asked, rubbing her back as she lifted her head and chest off the floor. "Mom says I don't take you places, so I'm trying to change that. I guess jogging in the park doesn't count, since I've never seen anyone I know there."

She grunted and rolled over again, smiling and flailing her arms like a turtle stuck on its back, except she was happy. She could somewhat get on her side, but hadn't mastered the back to tummy roll quite yet. She was close, though.

I picked her up and kissed her cheek, making her giggle even louder. "You like that, huh?" I asked before blowing a raspberry on her cheek. She really laughed. Like a full out belly shaking laugh. I fucking loved when she did that.

. . . . .

After her car seat was safety secured on the cart, Little One and I started making our way through the store early Saturday morning. She was keen on spitting her pacifier out. Luckily, I was just that good and caught it before it could fall on the disgusting ground, ending up in the nearest trash can. She happily played with the small, stuffed, dangling toys that hung from above her. Best. Attachment. Ever. Seriously, the whole entertaining herself thing was fucking great.

"Hi, Dr. Cullen," a female voice said, catching my attention.

I turned around and found the nurse who gave me a cupcake a while back standing there, small basket in hand. Was it sad I honestly couldn't remember her name? It wasn't like I worked with her much. I knew my scrub nurses' names, but that was mostly because I didn't want to be a dick and call them nurse. I only saw Cupcake Nurse if she was on duty when I was on her floor. Learning her name didn't seem necessary.

"Hey," I said, faking it like a pro.

"Wow, so the rumors are true?" she asked, looking at Little One. "She's adorable!"

I smiled proudly. She was fucking adorable. "Thank you."

She came closer and cooed at Sofia, who dropped her pacifier again and smiled a gummy smile.

"What's her name?" she asked.

"Sofia."

"Aww, that's so precious! She is just the cutest baby!" she said, ticking Little One's tummy.

I wanted to laugh at the fact Little One didn't giggle. If Bella or I did that, she'd be giggling like crazy. In fact, she started getting fussy and squirmy.

"Oh, I guess she's cranky," Cupcake Nurse said.

No, maybe she just doesn't like you, I thought, smirking to myself.

"Yeah, probably," I lied.

She left Sofia alone and turned back to me. "I brought something to work for you a few days ago, but Jasper said you had to call out."

"Ear infection . . . she needed me at home."

She bit her lip, but it wasn't that . . . I don't know, endearing kind that Bella did. When Cupcake Nurse did it, it looked strange.

"That's so . . . sweet of you to stay home with her," she said.

I shrugged. "Didn't really have a choice."

"Will you be there Monday?"

"Yeah."

She smiled. "I guess I'll need to add a few things to my list then. I'll bring you cupcakes."

Obviously, there was something wrong with me. I didn't want her cupcakes or any other goodies she'd probably offer up. What the fuck was wrong with my dick? Did it even work properly anymore? Cupcake Nurse was hot. She had nice boobs — D cups, actually. The low-cut shirt she was wearing showed them off perfectly. Since picking up girls in a bar was now out of the question, a nurse should have been just fine. My dick should have been begging me, but it wasn't. It was broken. My dick . . . my favorite part of my body . . . was broken. All because of a baby that had, apparently, turned me into a chick.

Times were sad for my dick.

"That sounds great," I lied. "Thanks."

She flashed me a smile and sauntered away, clicking her heels against the floor.

I turned back to Little One and frowned. "I love you, but I blame you for this."

She giggled and batted at a toy before we continued shopping.

. . . . .

As my luck would have it, I got called into the hospital that night with a possible case of appendicitis. I gathered Little One's things up and put them in her diaper bag before pulling the portable crib out of the closet and picking her up out of the bouncer.

"Please, don't give Bella a hard time," I said. "I need her to want to watch you again."

She put her hand in my mouth and giggled. I sighed and pulled it out, kissing it and making her giggle more as I smiled. Her being happy again made me less of a neurotic mess. I was getting on my own nerves with that shit, so it was good she was feeling better.

When she opened her door, Bella smiled sympathetically. "You got a call?" she asked.

I nodded. "Someone's appendix is about to rupture, so I should probably get going."

She held her arms out and took Sofia from me. "How long do you think you'll be?"

"A few hours if it actually is appendicitis. I'll be back some time tonight. Do you want me to just get her in the morning?"

"Um, text me and see if I'm still up. What about medicine?"

"Already gave her, her last dose for today," I said, setting the diaper bag down on her couch. "She'll probably be hungry in two or so hours. Other than that, put her down after feeding her and, hopefully, she'll stay asleep. If you have any issues, I'll give you my cell number and you can call. I call back as soon as I can."

After setting up the crib in her living room and exchanging numbers, I left Bella and Sofia alone. I really fucking hoped Little One would be good for her and not give her a hard time. Or, you know, pull her hair because that shit hurt.

. . . . .

I got home around three and texted Bella like I said I would. She didn't text back, and I didn't hear screaming coming from her apartment, so I assumed all was good. I just went ahead into my apartment, set my alarm clock for seven, and passed out as soon as my head it the pillow.

The next morning, I went across the hall and knocked on Bella's door to get Little One. She didn't answer, though. I checked my phone and didn't have any missed calls or texts.

Weird.

I trusted Bella, right? She seemed trust worthy, so I really didn't think I had anything to be worried about. Maybe she and Little One were still asleep. If she managed to keep the little one asleep past six o'clock in the morning, her new name would be Miracle Worker. I'd also be jealous and force her to tell me her secret. The kid never slept in for me.

Around eight, I tried again, and this time, she answered the door with a smile.

"We just got up," she said. "I'm making her bottle now. Come in."

I walked in and found Sofia in the crib, eyes open and smiling. "She slept until eight?" I asked in complete disbelief.

"She did." She smiled, shaking the bottle. "She didn't really go down until after one, though."

I picked Little One up and pressed my lips to her cheek. "Did she give you trouble?"

"Not really. She cried for a bit after she realized you weren't coming back, but we played a little and she calmed down. She took about an hour nap around ten, and then was hungry."

"What did you do with her?"

"We just hung out. She was very good, Edward."

Apparently, my facial expression was funny because she started laughing as she held her hands out. I gave her Little One, and she sat down on the couch.

"Oh," she said, putting the bottle down on her coffee table. "She needs her antibiotic, right?"

"In an hour, but you can go ahead and feed her if you want," I said, sitting down next to her. "So she really did good with you?"

She smiled as she held the bottle for Sofia. "Yes. Is that so hard to believe?"

"The last time I left her alone overnight she gave my parents issues. I just . . . I can't believe she did so well."

"Well, she did. We had a good time, huh, Sofia?" she asked.

"Wow . . . what the hell did you do?"

She laughed. "What?"

"I'm just . . . surprised, is all. And a little jealous."

"Maybe she just likes me," she teased.

"Apparently." I smirked. "You're great with her."

"She's a good baby, Edward. And she's so much fun! I even read to her, and she adored it, I think."

"What'd you read?"

She looked back down at Little One, avoiding me. "Wuthering Heights."

"You read my daughter Wuthering Heights?"

"Only a little."

"I'm pretty sure that's above her comprehension level," I laughed. "But if that's what it takes to make her sleep in on weekends, I'd do it."

"I think she just likes it when people talk."

I smiled and ran my thumb over Sofia's hand. "She really does. She doesn't like funny faces, though."

She looked up at me and smirked. "She likes my funny faces."

"Oh, yeah? Let's see it."

Her cheeks grew red as she nibbled on her lip. "I was kidding."

"No, you weren't. Do one."

She looked back down at Little One, stuck out her tongue, and shook her head. I burst out laughing. Her cheeks got brighter as she peeked up at me. A chunk of her hair fell onto her face, and I raised my hand to push it away. Thankfully, I realized what I was doing and stopped myself before shit got awkward. She tucked it behind her ear herself, not even noticing I was about to.

"That was, uh . . . nice," I said, trying to shake off that strange feeling.

She rolled her eyes. "I'm never doing that again, just so you know."

"Come on, Sofia likes it."

Little One hadn't even bothered to stop eating, actually, so that wasn't really proven.

"Let's see yours then," she said.

"No, but only because mine scares her. It's very frightening."

She laughed softly. "Well, you do seem like a very frightening guy, after all."

"Downright terrifying."

Once the little one was finished eating, Bella burped her for me. The chick was great with my daughter. Like . . . better than me and probably even better than my mom. Little One adored her. It was clear from how happy she was when Bella played with her, or even just held her. She laughed a lot and never got fussy.

I couldn't help but agree with Sofia's assessment of Bella. The fact that she was so kind and caring made me really like her. She was real and nothing like any of the girls I usually went for. I had no doubt she'd call me out on my bullshit, unlike other girls. She was a . . . challenge. But not the "I want to get her into bed" challenge. Sure, I was attracted to her; it was hard not to be, but it was more than that. I wanted to get to know her better.

This was all so fucking foreign to me.

"Thank you, Bella," I said as she gave me Sofia.

She smiled. "It was my pleasure, really," she said. "If you need me again tonight, I'll be here."

"Actually, I was wondering if you could help me with something else tonight, if I'm not called in, that is."

"Oh yeah? What's that?"

This was my chance. "Would you come over to cook again, but this time maybe show me how you do it?"

"Show you how to cook?"

I nodded. "I know basics, but I wouldn't mind learning how the hell it is you make everything so fucking delicious."

She laughed softly. "That sentence could have done without the curse."

"Yeah," I chuckled, "it could have. I'm trying to do better. So . . . will you?"

She bit her lip and it did something to me. "Sure, let me look through my recipes. I'll be over at six."

I grinned. "Thank you."

. . . . .

"I don't think I look too bad," I told Little One as I rolled up my sleeves. "It's better than the usual t-shirt, right?"

She was watching me closely as I made sure the oxford shirt looked all right. Was I actually trying to impress Bella by wearing a nice shirt? Yes, yes, I was. This was my chance to show her I wasn't a complete asshole. She knew me as a father, yes, but as a man, she only knew me as the guy with the revolving door. If I was even to consider trying this, trying to change this drastically, I had to show her I was more than that. I was more than the guy who slept around and said fuck way too much. Was this going to blow up in my face? Most likely, but hey, you never get anywhere without taking a chance. I wanted to take that chance. I wanted to get to know Bella better and let her get to know me better.

Little One was the only reason she was even talking to me. She was my in, but I'd need more than a cute baby. The thing about Bella was she was different. Did I think much about her the first time I saw her? Fuck no. But now, now I was thinking. Now I saw her for more than a pretty face . . . and nice boobs. The way she was with Little One . . . that was a huge deal. The little bit I knew about her made me see her as a person, not just a chick. I just wanted to see more of that.

"All right," I said, looking one last time in the mirror, running my hand through my hair. "You're bathed and fed. The diaper is clean, so let's try to keep it that way for a while, Little One."

I picked her up off my bed and brought her into the living room, laying her down in the swing. She'd either play or nap. I was hoping for nap. Really, I didn't care as long as she entertained herself.

As soon as I heard the first knock, I was heading for the door . . . A little quickly, actually. I opened it up with a smile and found Bella there with two grocery bags, which I quickly took. You know, being the gentleman I was.

"Thanks," she said, walking in as I kicked the door closed.

She headed for the kitchen, and I was right behind her. When I set the bags down, she started pulling the shit out.

"I promise it's not too difficult," she said, smiling. "We're making baked parmesan crusted chicken. I think you'll like it."

"Well, I like chicken and parmesan, so we're off to a good start," I laughed.

"Great. Will you preheat the oven to three-hundred and fifty degrees?"

As the oven pre-heated, Bella started melting butter in a saucepan. She told me what she was doing, but I was mostly just paying attention to her, not her words. It was melting butter, after all. How difficult was that?

"Okay, while I do this will you put the breadcrumbs, cheese, thyme, basil, oregano, pepper, and salt in a bowl for me?" she asked, looking up.

"Uh . . . yeah, okay," I said, confused. "What's what exactly?"

"I have everything premeasured. Just dump all of those cups right there," she pointed, "into a bowl and mix it together."

I did as she said and just dumped it all together, mixing it up until it was all, you know, mixed. She looked at it told me good job. I was pretty sure that was idiot proof, though. Once the butter was done, she came over and pulled the lid off of a dish, reveling three chicken breasts.

"Three?" I asked.

"I know you like leftovers," she said, smiling as she took the dish over near the stove. "Bring the bowl and a plate, please?"

She did one breast, showing me what to do, and then let me do the others. Lather it up with butter then roll it around in the mix until it was coated. Simple. She cleaned out the dish in the sink, and then laid them in it again and popped them in the oven.

"See?" she asked, washing her hands. "Easy, right?"

"That was pretty simple," I said. "How long until they're done?"

"Forty-five to fifty minutes. I'll start the green beans in a half hour. Those are ridiculously simple because they're in a can."

I smirked. "I've done those before."

She laughed softly. "Good, then those are yours to do."

She sat down on a bar stool as I grabbed a bottle of wine out. It was a house warming gift from Mom and Dad, but now seemed like a good time to open it.

"Would you like a glass?" I asked.

"What if you have to work?"

"I'll only have a half of a glass. It won't do anything to me."

"Then sure, I'd love a glass." She smiled. "So, Sofia seemed to be napping."

I looked around the corner and saw Little One zonked out in her swing. Little One was good. Very good. I fucking loved that kid. After handing Bella her glass, I sat down next to her and sipped from mine.

"This is good," she told me. "Thanks for asking me to come over."

I scoffed. "Thank you for doing this. I'll need to know how to cook for Little One when she gets older."

"She would probably like more than just your Mac and Cheese," she laughed.

"So how's work? School year winding down?"

She nodded. "Last day for students is Friday. How about you?"

"Good. Nothing too interesting to report."

She lifted her leg to cross it over her knee as she continued to sip. "What's it like being a surgeon?"

I grinned, glad she asked. It was the perfect way to show her I wasn't a complete asshole. I did care about other things besides sex before Little One.

"It's challenging and rewarding. Honestly, it's the only thing I ever wanted to be. When I'm the reason someone lives, it's a feeling nothing else can compare to. I feel like I've done good. I'm helping people. Though, my favorite part is the medicine . . . the science behind it. Like I said, it's challenging."

"You like to be challenged?"

I nodded. "I do."

"I bet you're a great surgeon."

"Yeah," I laughed.

"You're a little cocky." She smirked.

"I guess I can't deny that."

"No, you really can't. But it's not the worst thing in the world. Self-confidence is a good thing, especially in your line of work. I don't think I'd want a surgeon who doubts himself constantly. As long as you don't go overboard, that is."

"I think I maintain a healthy balance. I'm just the right level of cocky that I can admit when I'm wrong, even though I don't like to."

"Who does?"

"Exactly. Now, tell me more about you. I know your job and why you love it, but tell me something else."

She bit her lip and looked up, thinking. "Like what?"

I shrugged. "Anyone special in your life?"

Was I that obvious? Most likely.

She laughed. "Ha. No, God, no. I broke up with my boyfriend almost a year ago."

Single . . . this was good for me.

"So . . . you could go somewhere with someone and no one would care?"

She cocked her eyebrows. "I don't think anyone has that right, no."

"How do you feel about vow renewals?"

Her mouth fell open, but no words escaped. The glass of wine in her hand fell and hit the counter, splashing us both in red.

Shit.

Fuck.

Damn it.

"Oh my God! I'm so sorry," she said, getting up quickly and running for the paper towels.

The front of my shirt was doused in red, so I unbuttoned it and shrugged it off as I stood up. When she turned around to come back, she dropped the paper towels and stared at me, shirtless, in front of her. She recovered quickly, though, and set them on the island, grabbing one for herself.

She could have taken her shirt off too, you know.

"I take it I surprised you?" I asked, still standing there, trying to use this to my advantage.

She nodded. "I . . . you did."

"So, now that you're hands are empty, would you like to come with me?"

"Uh . . ."

Shit. She was going to say no, wasn't she?