Chapter 1
Kindergarten year.
Narrated by Shelly Cope.
Charlotte Grandy had been one of the Kindergarten teachers for the past thirty years. She worked beside Beth Crowley, the other kindergarten teacher. Charlotte had tried to trade the Swan girl and the Cullen boy to Beth. But Beth wasn't going to take them no matter how much Charlotte offered her.
Charlotte had taught both Emmett and Jasper and got on fine with them. She also liked both Doctors' Cullen. But this youngest one was strange; he had medical needs, but he was so painfully shy she had no time to pamper him.
As for the Swan girl, Charlotte had some previous dealings with Chief Swan. He was a good man, fair and honest, but his wife was an acquired taste. All she could say was that the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. Charlotte had seen the Swan girl around town on her pink bike with tassels on the handlebars. She was singing as she rode in some ridiculous clothing.
Charlotte tried to persuade the Principal to enforce a dress code this year. She was told that wasn't going to happen by the Principal and the school board.
It was Charlotte's last year, and she wanted it over already without the headache of these two difficult pupils.
~T&I~
The Swan House.
"Izzy, hurry up, honey, you will be late on your first day if you don't get down now," Charlie hollered up the stairs.
"Charlie, stop rushing us. I'm doing her hair; we've got plenty of time," Renee snapped.
Izzy could be heard before she was seen, as usual, as she ran down the stairs.
"Daddy, how do I look?" Izzy yelled in excitement twirling around.
Charlie looked at his only daughter. She was dressed in pink coveralls, a floral shirt, with her usual red boots. But Renee had her hair in four braids with ribbons intertwined in them.
Charlie glared at Renee.
"You look like a little girl going to kindergarten for the first day. Now, go and stand over there with your mom so I can take a couple of pictures," Charlie said with a smile.
As usual Izzy didn't disappoint, she had her usual contagious smile.
"Now you come stand with her, Charlie, so I can get a picture with the both of you," Renee requested.
"Get your bag and lunch box from the kitchen," Charlie said.
Once Izzy was out of earshot, Charlie snapped at Renee. "Why the hell have you done her hair like that. If that girl gets bullied because of you. I'll be so pissed off with you. I don't understand why you do it."
"Shut up, Charlie. You don't understand Izzy; she loves the way she is," Renee growled.
"Yellow ranger Saber-Toothed Tiger Morph," Izzy shouted.
"Izzy, don't …" Charlie began, but there was a bang, followed by a crash.
"I'm okay!" shouted Izzy.
"Izzy. Will you stop jumping from the table? You're going to hurt yourself. Come on, let's go, or you're going to be late," Charlie sighed.
"Can I sit at the back of the police car?" Izzy yelled.
"Izzy, you don't have to yell; we're standing here; not on the next street," Renee snapped.
"Dad, can we have the lights on and the noise on please," Izzy begged.
"No, honey, we can't, and I don't know why we can't go in my car, and meet you there," Renee growled.
"I want to go with Daddy," Izzy said.
"Fine, I'll see you over there," Renee sighed as she stomped towards her car.
~T&I~
The Cullen House.
"You have a good day today at school, squirt," Jasper said, ruffling Teddy's hair. Jasper picked up his bag and car keys and ran out of the door.
"You're going to do great, Teddy. Charm the ladies and be a chick magnet like I showed you," Emmett chuckled.
"I don't think I can do that," Teddy murmured.
"You will do great, Teddy. You'll make a special friend, and they will be your friend forever," Rosie reassured.
Teddy looked up at her with wide green eyes. The thought of him getting a friend seemed impossible.
"You'll be fine," Rose said as she kissed him on the side of the face. Winking at him as she grabbed her bag, following Emmett out to the car.
Teddy blushed. Rose was always nice to him. He was glad she had come to live with them. She read the best stories at bedtime.
"Did you finish your breakfast? You know it's the most important meal of the day," Carlisle reminded him.
"I've nearly finished," Teddy replied.
"You're, not still worried, are you sweetheart?" Esme asked.
"I am a bit. I don't know anyone. What if the other kids don't like me?" Teddy enquired.
"Honey, it's going to be hard for you if you don't try and talk to people. Do you remember the girl who always comes into the surgery with different animals she finds? Her daddy, the policeman from the station is next to my office?" Esme probed.
"Yes, he's the policeman that has the big hair on his mouth," Teddy said.
"That's right, honey," Esme answered. "Her name is Izzy, and she is going to be in your class, so that's one person you know."
"But the girl is very noisy, and she sings a lot. But she always waves at me. I bet she already has loads of friends," Teddy questioned.
"I don't think she does, buddy. Let's get you ready we have to take some pictures," Carlisle interrupted.
Reluctantly Teddy put his dish into the dishwasher, and went up to his room for his bag and shoes. Hoping everything would be okay.
"Go and get your lunch box and stand next to your mom," Carlisle requested.
Silently, Teddy did what he was told. He couldn't smile as much as his parents did. He just wanted to put his play clothes on and go to work with his mommy.
"Who do you want to ride with darling?" Esme asked.
"I'd like to go with you, mommy," Teddy whispered.
"You're going to be fine, champ," Carlisle encouraged.
He got into the car and fastened himself into his booster seat.
"Mommy, if I don't like it, do I have to go again," Teddy questioned.
"I'm afraid so. But you will love it. You must get used to going," Esme reassured.
Esme put Teddy's CD in to listen to music in the hope of calming his nerves.
There was quiet until they reached the school and there were cars everywhere.
"Are you ready, Teddy? Everything is going to be fine. Look over there; it's Izzy, the girl I told you about. Let's go over to speak with them?" Esme asked, looking over at Carlisle, worried.
~T&I~
The door to the kindergarten room was opening with parents going in with their children and coming out without them.
Some parents were in tears as they left.
Holding both his parent's hands, Teddy and his parents walked across the school yard to where Charlie was with Izzy, waiting for Renee to arrive.
"Hi Doctor, and Doctor, I'm starting Kindergarten today," Izzy excitedly said.
"Hello, Izzy. This is our son Teddy; he's starting Kindergarten today as well," Esme informed.
"Hi, Teddy. I have a power ranger lunch box. I'm going to be like the yellow ranger; I can jump high and kick out. What you got on your lunch box?" Izzy asked.
"I have Pokémon. I like to play it on my Nintendo. I play wiv my brothers Emmie and Jazzy," Teddy replied timidly.
"I bet that's cool. I don't have any brothers or sisters. Do you have a sister as well?" Izzy asked.
"No, not really, but my brother Emmie's girlfriend lives at our house because she was sad. Jazz has a girlfriend, but she makes too much noise," Teddy added.
"Come on, daddy, I want to go in with Teddy. We can't miss anything because mommy's taking too long," Izzy said, jumping up and down.
The adults laughed at how excited Izzy was. Esme just wished Teddy was more excited.
A banner across the top of the door read. "Welcome to Mrs. Grandy's Kindergarten Class".
"Hello everyone, find your cubby hole and put your bags in. The coat pegs have your name on them also. Look for your name on a table, and that is your seat," Charlotte said as we entered the classroom.
"Come on, Teddy, let's see if we can find where you should be," Carlisle encouraged.
"That goes for you too Izzy, and don't push anyone, please, Izzy. You must be patient to get to your things," Charlie commanded.
Charlie looked over at the door to see a disheveled-looking Renee.
"Charlie, she isn't a criminal; just let her explore and enjoy the experience," Renee snapped.
"I'm sure this room wasn't this bright when the boys were here?" Esme questioned.
"I think it was. I don't think the school added windows since then," Carlisle chuckled.
Charlie looked at the charts on the wall for monitor assignments, noticing that he couldn't see Izzy's name. Then looked for Teddy's and came up blank again. It didn't sit well with him.
"It's very colorful, don't you think Charlie," Carlisle remarked.
"Yes, it is. Have you noticed that the kid's names aren't on any of these charts?" Charlie asked.
"Always the police chief. Let's get the kids seated," Carlisle chuckled.
Charlie watched as all the kids were seated in groups of four and five. Then Izzy and Teddy were sitting together on a table of their own near the sink.
Izzy seemed not to realize, but Teddy was more observing.
"Right class let's say goodbye to your mommy and daddy," Charlotte shouted.
"I'll come to pick you up tonight. Daddy has to be at the hospital so you can tell your daddy about your day over dinner," Esme said as she hugged Teddy.
"Mommy, I don't wanna stay," Teddy said with tears in his eyes.
"You're going to have a great day. You have Izzy; you will look out for each other. You're going to be fine. I'll see you at home time. Okay," Esme reassured.
"We'll have a good time, Teddy. I'll stay with you all the time. Unless you go to the bathroom. I can't go in there with you," Izzy informed.
The adults chuckled at Izzy's enthusiasm.
"I'll pick you up when school finishes. But if I'm a little bit late, don't wander off, Izzy" Renee instructed.
"I'll be here, Izzy. You don't want to spend the day worrying," Charlie said as he hugged Izzy.
"Good morning class. I'm Mrs. Grandy. Every morning when I say good morning to you. I'd like you to say good morning back. So, shall we start again? Good morning class," Charlette said again.
"Good morning Mrs. Grandy," the whole class said.
"Now, all your mommies and daddies have gone. We are going to have a look around the school so you will know where everything is. I want you to find a partner and make a line at the door," Charlotte instructed.
"This is the other Kindergarten class. The teacher is Mrs. Crowley," Mrs. Grandy began.
"She's my mommy," Tyler said.
"Yes, she is. Now, these are the restrooms. One is for boys one is for girls. You don't go into the ones you shouldn't. This room belongs to the janitor you must never go in there. This way is the office. If you're ever late, you must come to the office. This is the cafeteria. This door goes to the playground, but there is also a door from our classroom," Charlotte finished as she led her students back into the classroom.
Charlotte settled everyone onto the carpet as she continued her day.
"This is Mrs. Webber; she is Angela's mommy and our class mommy for the day. If you need any help and I'm too busy, you can ask her for help."
"Hello everyone," Mrs. Webber said and waved.
"Hello, Mrs. Webber everyone said together.
"Let's start with our numbers. I want everyone to think about how many people live in their houses. That includes you in that number," Charlotte instructed. "When I call your name, tell me the number."
"Angela."
"We have five in my family."
"Tyler."
"There is four."
"Jessica."
"I have four and a cook. Do I have to say Kimmie's mom she cleans our house?"
"No, Jess, because she doesn't sleep at your house."
"Oh, that four."
"Austin."
"There's three in my house."
"Lauren."
"I have two."
"Lottie."
"I have five people in my house."
"Samantha."
"I have two now; my grandpa went to live in heaven last night."
None of the children noticed the adults looking a little concerned.
"Collin."
"I have six in my house."
"Kimberlie."
"There's three.
"Cora."
"Seven."
"Micky."
"Three as well."
"James."
"My daddy's gone away for a while. So now there's eight."
"Rachel."
"There are five.
"Rebecca."
"Because me and Rach are twins, I have five as well."
"Bobby."
"I don't have a mom. I have five in my house."
"Siobhan."
"It's just me and mommy, so that's two. But sometimes my sister lives with us."
"Brady."
"Four."
"Isabella."
"I like being called Izzy. There's three people in my house."
"Edward."
"There are six."
"No, Edward, you have that wrong. You will soon learn to count to ten."
"I can count to thirty. We have six in my house."
"That's clever, but I know there are five people." Charlotte snapped; she doesn't like being contradicted.
"I have mommy and daddy, Emmie, Jazzy, me, and now Rosie."
Glaring at Teddy, Charlotte continued, "You all have paper and crayons on your table. I want you to draw a picture of your family."
There was noise everywhere, with everyone drawing and chatting with people at their tables.
Not realizing it, Izzy had started to hum a song, as she does any time, she does anything. It didn't take long before she was singing out loud.
"Teach your children well.
Their father's hell did slowly go by,
And feed them on your dreams."
"Isabella Swan, will you stop singing? It isn't music time. If you keep doing that, you will lose your recess," Charlotte yelled.
"Sorry," Izzy whispered.
No one had ever shouted at her like that before.
Mrs. Webber was concerned about how quiet Teddy and Izzy had become. She could see they looked like they were going to cry. She also saw them holding each other's hands. It made her smile.
"Hey, you two, how is the drawing coming along," Mrs. Webber asked with a smile.
"We are doing good. Teddy is a bit upset because he knows there are six people in his house," Izzy informed.
"That's okay, Teddy, you draw six people. Is Rosie Emmett's girlfriend?" Mrs. Webber asked.
"Yes. Rosie sleeps in a room next to mine. She tells good stories at bedtime," Teddy said.
"That's good. Rosie used to babysit for Angela. You draw a nice picture," Mrs. Webber said. "You sing nicely, Izzy do you like to sing?"
"I sing all the time. I didn't know I was singing loud," Izzy said sadly.
"Now, I want everyone to see if you can write the names of the people in the pictures. Don't worry if you can't as long as you have your name on the picture," Charlotte instructed. She is continuing to look at everyone's pictures as she walked around the room. Well except for Teddy's and Izzy's.
"Everyone needs to put their jackets on to go out for recess," Charlotte instructed.
"Come on; Teddy, let's climb on the jungle gym. I'm a good climber," Izzy informed.
"I'm not good at climbing," Teddy said.
"I'll help you," Izzy replied as she grabbed Teddy's hand.
"No girls allowed," Micky informed, stopping Izzy from getting on the gym. "Why do you have a dirty face."
He prodded Teddy's face.
"It's not dirt I got born with it," Teddy said.
"You a meanie, Micky. I hope you fall," Izzy yelled as she grabbed Teddy's hand.
"See if we can find something to play with," Izzy said, still holding Teddy's hand.
They wandered around until they could find something they could do. There was a game of Tic Tac Toe that no one was playing with. They began to play.
~T&I~
The rest of the day only got worse for Izzy and Teddy. Izzy was glad when the school day came to an end.
"Everyone collect your coats and bags, and line up at the door so we can go and find your parents. Do not leave unless your parents come and get you from me," Charlotte instructed.
Teddy and Izzy got their things, standing behind everyone else, holding hands waiting to see their mommy and daddy.
"Daddy," Izzy shouted, waving her hand.
"Hi, honey, how was your day?" Charlie asked.
"Do I have to go anymore, I don't like it," Izzy answered. Grabbing hold of Charlie's leg.
"What happened? You've been looking forward to this all summer?" Charlie glared at Charlotte.
"Izzy did you have a good day," Esme asked with a smile.
"I don't want to come anymore. Everyone is mean. No one would let Teddy and me play with anything. Not in the classroom or at recess. Mrs. Grandy said Teddy doesn't know his numbers because he said he has six living in his house, and Mrs. Grandy said he means five," Izzy said with her lip quivering.
"Let's go to the ice cream shop to buy you an ice cream. I'll even let you sit in the back of the car," Charlie offered.
"Okay," Izzy answered.
"I'll see you later, Izzy," Teddy said as he hugged her.
Charlie looked at Esme, who nodded her head.
"Are you ready Izzy? Let's get that ice cream," Charlie said as he opened the cruiser door for her to get in.
They sat driving to the ice cream shop while Izzy sang at the top of her voice, making Charlie smile.
"What would you like?" Charlie asked.
"Strawberry please daddy," Izzy chirped.
As soon as they sat down Charlie got right to the point.
"Tell me what happened?" Charlie inquired.
"Well, at lunch no one would let us sit with them even though there were seats. They don't like the mark on Teddy's face. But it is a mark from being born," Izzy began.
"Then when it was reading time, Teddy and I shared a book like everyone else, but we had to read words that we both knew. But Mrs. Grandy never came to hear us read but she did everyone else. So, Angela's mommy came to listen to us. We played in the classroom but every time Teddy or I went to play with anything, Micky, Lauren, Siobhan, or Jess took it from us. At recess they did the same thing. Daddy, I don't want to go again," Izzy begged.
"Let me see what I can do. Why don't we go fishing this weekend?" Charlie asked.
"Oh yes that would be great," Izzy shouted.
Later that night, at the Cullen's house, everyone sat around the dinner table having their meal.
"So, how was your first day?" Carlisle asked.
"It was better than I thought kind off," Teddy replied.
"What do you mean, buddy," Emmett asked.
"Well, I made a friend. Her name is Izzy. She is funny and likes to sing. She got told off for singing while we drew. But Micky and his friends wouldn't let us play on anything at recess. So, we walked around, and then sat and watched everyone play," Teddy offered.
"Did you tell the teacher Teddy," Jazz asked, concerned.
"The teacher doesn't like us too much, so we don't bother," Teddy shrugged.
"I'm sure Chief Swan will sort it out. He's a good man," Carlisle offered.
"So, you found your one. Your best friend for always," Rose asked.
"Izzy is my bestest friend. Mommy, will Izzy be able to come to our house on a play date?" Teddy inquired.
"Of course, she can if it's okay with her mommy and daddy," Esme replied.
"Oh, good, then when she gets here, we can have a nap in my bed and then play," Teddy beamed.
"You don't nap when you have a play date, honey," Esme said.
"You don't, Well Jazzy does when Alice comes over on a play date. When they finish their nap, they wrestle," Teddy replied.
"Oh, they do, do they," Carlisle said as he looked at his son.
The song Izzy was singing was Teach your Children Well by Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young.
I'd like to thank Kellie (Klcivinski) for pre-reading the chapter.
Thanks also to Donna (EdwardsFirstKiss) for editing the chapter and making it readable.
Any mistakes are all mine.