AN: Thanks for the great start guys!
So here's chapter two :)

Chapter 2 - Dipping my toes in

BPOV

I left the hospital just after lunch and headed back home. Jake greeted me at the door with a wagging tail.

'Hi boy' I cooed as I pet him behind the ears.

I discarded my shoes, coat and purse and sat down heavily on the couch, leaning back into the cushions and stretching my feet out on the chaise longue. It still didn't feel like home yet, before Charlie got sick I was in Arizona, finishing up my studies there. I'd gone to Arizona to feel closer to my mother. She'd passed away when I'd been three. I didn't really remember her. It had been Charlie and me against the world after that. He'd never remarried and had made me his top priority. He'd encouraged my going to Arizona to connect with my mother, but he was scared too. He'd flown out when I graduated just before my 22 birthday. I'd stayed another year down there, until Charlie called and told me he was sick. I'd hopped on the first flight out and never left. That was six months ago. Charlie owned a few partment buildings in the windy city and he gave me a penthouse in one of them, telling me it was mine and to make it my own. I had objected, telling him I had my own money and could pay rent, but he wouldn't hear of it.

I shook myself from my musings and glanced around the place. I had hired a decorator but that didn't really help making the place my own. So I grabbed my laptop and started browsing home décor sites just to fill my time. I wasn't really expected anywhere today or tomorrow.

Monday was a different story though, I had a meeting at Wringley Park. I was dreading it.

I sighed and clicked through pages of throw pillows and curtains, house plants and vases hoping for something to catch my eye. It didn't. Frustrated I put the laptop away again and looked over at Jake, sleeping next to me on the couch. I put my hand in his fur and stroked him softly as he snored. I grabbed my phone and saw I had a text from Angela. She and I had grown up together. When I'd left for Arizona we'd stayed in touch. When I moved back here we'd picked up our friendship without issue. I wasn't an overly social person. I never had a lot of friends, preferring the company of books over people a lot of the time. at least my lack of social life meant that that abloids didn't care much about me. As daughter of the owner of the cubs they had tried to seek sensation. Especially when I was a teenager, but I had sorely disappointed them. They mostly left me alone now.

I texted Angela back, telling her I'd been to visit Charlie and was doing fine, just sitting at home. She responded back that she was doing fine too and she wished me luck with the meeting on Monday. That was that. Our friendship was simple. We didn't need a lot of words to know that we were there for each other.

I flicked on the tv next, pulling up netflix and just mindlessly looking through the programs until something caught my eye. I sighed when even that didn't hold my attention for long. So I glanced at the clock and decided it was time to walk Jake again. I put my hand on his butt and shoved him a few times.

'Wakey wakey little jakey.' I muttered, scratching his butt.

He groaned and sighed deeply, before raising his head and looking at me with a bleary eye.

'Want to go for a walk?' I asked him enthusiastically. He just looked at me. I grinned and shook my head then reached over to pat his head.

I stuffed my feet in my sneakers and grabbed my dog walking jacket – one that could get dirty and torn up. It wasn't until I grabbed the leash and his collar that Jake finally got up off the couch.

'there you are.' I grinned at him before slipping his collar and leash around him and opening the door.

we stepped into the elevator and Jake looked up at me with a tail wag. 'You think we might see your friend again? Huh? Would you like that? Play with mike?'

he wagged his tail again and panted happily. I shook my head and gave him a treat. I was pretty sure we wouldn't be seeing Mike again. The park was not within walking distance. So we wouldn't be seeing him around our regular route. Unless by some miracle the man with the green eyes lived somewhere in this neighbourhood.

We walked our usual route and were back inside after about half an hour. We didn't necessarily walk far, Jake was just really slow; taking his time sniffing every pole and bush he came across.

I didn't mind. It was nice out after all.

When we got back we played for a while before I grabbed a book and settled on the couch to read until dinner.

Sunday passed in much the same fashion. And then it was Monday morning. My alarm played the soft tones of Mozart at seven and I groaned. I hadn't gotten up this early in a while. But I pushed myself to get out of bed. I shuffled into the kitchen after petting Jake good morning and started the coffee machine. Then I headed to the bathroom to start waking up. I splashed water in my face and put on moisturizer, then I put in my contacts and brushed my hair. I had showered last night so I couldn't be bothered with that this morning. I grabbed some fresh undergarments and slipped them before padding into my closet to grab clothes for the day. I settled on a pencil skirt and a silk blouse. I hoped Jake would behave himself this morning, because I wouldn't have time to change my stockings if he managed to tear them up.

I quickly finished my coffee, then headed back to brush my teeth, fix my make up and hair. I quickly slipped on sneakers and grabbed Jake's leash.

'come on, boy. Let's go walk before I have to leave.' I put the leash on him and headed out.

Thankfully Jake behaved. He did his business quickly and without a fuss and we were back in the apartment forty five minutes later. I fed him his food which he quickly devoured and then changed out my running shoes for some pumps. I grabbed a necklace to finish my outfit and grabbed my purse before heading out after calling a goodbye to Jake.

It was ten to nine when I pulled in wringley field. I pulled around the back to the private parking area and security waved me through after seeing it was me. I parked in Charlie's spot and took a deep breath. I could do this. I had to do this. For my dad.

I grabbed my purse, put on my coat and got out of the car carefully. I had a habit of falling. I was clumsy as could be. But I made it out of the car in one piece and headed inside the building. I knew my way around although it had been a while since I'd been here.

I'd avoided coming here these past few months. Ever since the news of the terminal diagnosis had spread, people would look at me with pity. There goes Bella Swan, soon to be orphan. I couldn't stand those looks. So I avoided the places that knew my father. Including the baseball stadium. But I couldn't avoid them today. there was a board meeting and although my father's managers were attending. He'd asked me to attend as well. I headed to the meeting room and was pleased to still find it empty. The caterer was inside setting up coffee cups and placing thermos cans with thee and coffee.

'Sorry this room is reserved.' The employee snapped as I entered.

I quirked a brow at his attitude. 'Damn I know it's early Monday morning, but that was excessively rude.' I hung up my coat and set my purse on the table.

'Look lady.' He said rolling his eyes at me. 'I don't know who you are, but the board is coming in and you have to leave. Now.'

I smiled. This was fun. He had no idea who I was that much was clear. Of course a woman in a man's world was probably a wonder to this boy. Although he didn't seem much younger than me.

just as I was about to retort, the door opened and Harry walked in.

'Mr clearwater' the employee started talking immediately. 'this woman just barged on in here and sat down like she owned the place! I tried to get her to leave but she wouldn't' he exclaimed before Harry could greet me.

Harry frowned and looked at the boy before cutting his eyes to me. 'You want to handle this?' he asked me.

I grinned and shrugged. 'Sure. I was just about to when you walked in.'

Harry smiled and sat down in the chair next to me. I stood up.

'The reason I walked in like I own the place, boy. Is because my father indeed owns this club.'

His mouth popped open as his skin turned a few shades of red before settling on purple.

'I think you owe the lady an apology, and you best make yourself scarce after that.' Harry drawled with a smile on his face.

it was silent for a beat. 'yes… yes… i- uh.. I'm so sorry Ms Swan. I meant no disrespect.'

I scoffed. 'I doubt that. What's your name?'

I wasn't really planning on doing anything to the boy. It had probably been an honest mistake. He was probably nervous. Still I didn't really like his tone though, so letting his squirm seemed like a fitting way to teach him some manners.

'uh… it's uh… Mike… Newton.'

I nodded. 'you can go now Mike.' I dismissed him. he swallowed thickly and did as he was told. Stumbling past us and out the door again.

Harry laughed heartily. 'Bella…' he said when he'd calmed down. 'you'll do just fine.'

I smiled and the rest of the board trickled in and the meeting started. It was tiring and long. The men in suits that surrounded me were old and although I had Harry on my side, the rest seemed unconvinced. Especially the manager, Paul Lahote, seemed to have something against me. Whether it was just the fact I was a woman, or something else I didn't know. But it was annoying how he kept dismissing my ideas. By the end of the meeting I was ready to pull my hair out.

The meeting was adjourned and the board filed out again. I sighed and put my head in my hands. Harry put his hand on my shoulder.

'You'll be fine, Bella.' He assured me. 'You've got a good head on your shoulders. You majored in business economics, you're going to be an asset to this team when the time comes.'

I shook my head. 'I'm not sure what my role will be in the future, Harry. But I would like to stay involved.'

Harry just smiled indulgently and nodded.

'Leave Paul to me for now.' he added.

I nodded and then got up. 'I have to go. I've got to walk Jake before going to dad.'

'Tell him I said hi.'

'Will do.' I gave Harry a quick kiss on his cheek before heading out again. On the way home I called the hospital asking about the approval to bring in Jake.
they agreed although insisted he be there no more than an hour and only in my father's room.

I agreed, readily. So I headed home to quickly walk jake before loading him in the car and heading towards the hospital.

'I knocked on the door before stepping through. Jake was already wagging his tail happily. He'd missed Charlie as well. During the six months I'd been home they'd spent a lot of time together, even though Charlie had gotten sicker and sicker, he always made time to play with the ball or give him a treat and a rub, no matter how tired he was.

We went into the room and Jake gave a happy bark when he spotted Charlie in the bed. His tail and entire butt started wiggling with joy and Charlie cracked a tired smile.

'I brought a visitor.' I smiled at him. he nodded and held out his hand to pet Jake. 'Careful Jake, be careful.' I warned him, keeping his leash short as I walked over to dad.

'Ah let him come.' Charlie said laughing down at Jake. Jake's butt wiggled some more and he licked Charlie's outstretched hand with enthusiasm. Charlie pet him as best he could with one hand.

'Thanks for… bringing him.'

'Of course, dad. He missed you too, you know.'

Jake sat down next to the bed and continued to be pet by Charlie as he asked about the meeting and how it went.

I decided to tell him it went fine and left it at that. I didn't think I'd fooled him.

We spent an hour together, Charlie's hand never leaving Jake until one of the nurses told me it was time to go.

I nodded and kissed Charlie's cheek before heading out and promising to come back tomorrow.

He smiled tiredly and nodded, his eyes were already closing as I closed the door behind me.