Read Show and Don't tell first, or you'll be hella confused. .net/s/4951259/1/Show_and_Dont_Tell

Wow I haven't said 'hella' in so long, I feel like it's 2001 or something....

The first installment of Uncle EPOV....the day Edward met Bella. Enjoy all!

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When you need a doll

And you don't know who to call

Make it Cherished toys.

Cherished toys, the...the...wow, that was horrible.

God my job sucked ass. Come to think of it, my life kind of sucked ass too. I never wanted to write ads, not really. I wanted to compose. Compose something that could move a person, I wanted to inspire and ignite. But I was too chicken shit to take the chance to do something I loved. So I wrote jingles.

I lit a cigarette before running my hand through my hair. I'd probably be bald by 30 with my fucking nervous habits.

I heard my phone ringing from my bedroom, blaring "You can fly! You can fly! You can fly!"

Peter Pan=Tinkerbelle=my pixie-like sister. You see the connection.

I threw my cigarette over the balcony and ran in to catch my phone, just making it.

"Sup Ali," I sighed.

"Nothin' brah," she giggled. My sister was a wannabe thug, you learned to get used to it. "Just a reminder to pick up Masen like you promised him. He's so excited that you're back."

I smiled. My nephew was like a ray of sunshine gleaming through a sea of crap. On top of more crap. "For sure. I guess I better get going then, I didn't realize how late it was."

"Yeah…hey Edward?" she mumbled hesitantly.

"Yep."

"Are you okay?" My little sister always worried too damn much.

"Yep."

"You are such a fucking liar," she muttered. "Talk to me."

I groaned in frustration. "What do you want me to say Alice? I'm back in town, work is dealt with. Now I'm going to get my personal life in order. I'll help her get her shit worked out, and then I can take life off hold."

"Whatever Edward, you shouldn't have to do that," she said quietly.

I shook my head, trying to think back to three months ago, before I started dating Tanya Denali. Ah, a simpler time.

"What does it matter?" I sighed, getting a little frustrated. "Look, I know. I know it's messed up. But her mother died Alice. Her mother. What kind of a dick would I be if I ditched her after that?"

"Yes, yes brother. You are so noble. And also miserable!" she was starting to yell, and I didn't want to set off the little tornado.

"Hey, I'm not miserable. I'm just…in a state of non-existence. It's not just Tanya anyway; it's a lot of things. Don't worry about me Ali. I'm just in a funk. I'll get over it." I tried to keep a positive tone as I spoke.

"Yeah, whatever Edward. Go in the west entrance. Masen's room is the first one on the right. Love ya," she said dejectedly.

"Love you too. Oh yeah, your friends with his teacher right? That Bella girl?" I had never met Alice's new friend, but I did know that she never shut the fuck up about her.

"Yeah, that's her. See ya later."

I hung up the phone, my stomach twisting at the somber tone in my sister's voice. I hated that she got all upset about my personal life.

I didn't see what the issue was. I was in a relationship that I didn't necessarily want to be in, but hell, I didn't have any other prospects. For some inane reason, this girl thought I was the only solution to her problems, to her pain. When had I ever been that important to someone?

I knew the answer. Never. Sure, my family loved me, and I had friends. I used to date frequently as well, but aside from one or two serious relationships, I was emotionally void. I didn't want to be, but it felt like I had a giant heart shaped hole in me. How the fuck could all these girls be so...blah?

I was about to break up with Tanya when she told me about her mother's car accident. She was all alone, shaking in the corner as her grief consumed her. The only other family member she had was her sister Kate, and she lived across the country.

Tanya was a sweet girl, and of course hot, but I tried not to be shallow enough to make that the number one relationship factor. The truth was--she was as interesting as a thumb tack to me. It's not that she was unintelligent. She had a college degree in education. In fact she was capable of teaching any age, from preschool to high school. She just didn't do it for me. Romantically, intellectually, physically…I mean there's only so far a long pair of legs will get you. I didn't end things immediately, just out of my need for companionship. And yeah, I was considering settling for her. I was fucking sick of being alone, so I tried to make it work. Unfortunately, there was only so much I could take.

So when I came to my senses and made my way to her apartment that fateful day to effectively end things, I found a completely broken person. And I stayed. I stayed through the funeral, the depression, the fits of despair that were so intense, I didn't know if she'd ever overcome it. She had only moved back to Seattle a month before we started dating. She had two people in this town: her mother and me. One of them was gone now, so I needed to stay. It was the right thing to do God damn it.

As the days passed, she pulled herself out of it inch by inch. She was still quite depressed, but she got out of bed. She was looking for a teaching job. She was joining the human race again. I was ready to tell her I just wanted to be friends. I really thought it would go over well, since we hadn't done anything romantically since before her mother's death. When I tried to break up with her, I saw the same broken girl I saw the night of the accident. She cried and wailed and screamed…and I felt wholly responsible for completely erasing all of her progress. Whether that was a rational feeling or not, it didn't change the fact that it was there, gnawing at me. So I held her and told her it was going to be okay. Neither one of us brought it up again.

And so it went. She'd rebound from her sorrow rather quickly, and when I saw the opportunity to try again, she would snap back to that empty shell of a person. I realized that this was a situation that needed to be handled delicately. I did feel bad for Tanya, so I decided to help her, and if I had to remain her boyfriend for awhile to achieve that, I would do it. Once I made a decision, I tended to stick to it, but Jesus H, was she making it difficult. Her moods where constantly up and down, and her demeanor was starting to resemble a toddler's. I silently hoped she wasn't just trying to play me, but I didn't know how someone could use their mother's death like that. The more time went on, however, the more of a possibility it became. Even though this whole thing was aggravating the shit out of me, I was already invested, and determined to see it through.

I kept my problems mainly between myself, Alice, and my brother-in-law Jasper. I loved my other family members but they were meddlers, and that was the last thing I needed. I knew Alice was just worried, but Christ, did she have to bring it up all the fucking time? That little girl needed to take a hint.

I headed to my car, needing to stop the wheel of my mind before I got all angsty again. I headed towards Masen's school, excited to see my little buddy. Alice got pissed when I brought him home all sugared up and full of new phrases (what's wrong with a four year old telling his mom that she got pwned?), but I didn't care. That's what Uncles were for, after all.

I walked into the school and poked my head into the first door on the right, making sure I had the right one. I saw my moppy headed little nephew, so it was cool to enter.

I stood at the back of the room and said, "Maaaaasen."

He turned his head quickly and squealed "UNCLE E!" before hopping all over the desks and diving into me. Man this kid was so getting detentions when he was older.

I laughed as he squeezed my neck tightly. "Hey monkey man! Why are you vandalizing the furniture?"

Masen giggled maniacally. His eyes were big, his mouth hanging open in a big smile, and he was fidgeting with excitement. I knew that look; he was going to start talking fast, and often. He definitely got the mouth from his mama.

Before he got a word in, however, hands came to his sides and tickled him, causing him to squirm almost out of my grip.

"What am I going to do with you little man? I'll have to wrap you in bubble wrap if you pull anymore stunts like that," a soft, sweet voice said with a laugh.

I looked up and my breath caught in my throat. Fuck. Me. How was it legal to allow such a beautiful fucking girl to be a teacher? Forget that, how is she allowed to be in public? There must be poor bastards everywhere spontaneously combusting left and right at the prospect of this creature. My eyes raked over her slowly, taking in every smooth curve of her. Absolutely stunning. Her long brown waves bounced as she laughed, and I realized I was smiling at her like a retarded buffoon. Clearly I was an expert when it came to the ladies.

I decided I better speak before she completely revoked all of my intelligent thoughts. "Hi," I croaked. "I'm Edward Cullen, or Uncle E, whichever you prefer."

Maybe she'd think I was cute with a nickname. Ahem. I mean, manly.

She laughed again, and she sounded nervous. Her big brown doe eyes met mine, and my heart started pounding against my chest cavity, threatening to bust its way through.

"I'm Bella Swan, Masen's teacher." She rolled her eyes, seemingly at herself.

I grinned stupidly again, staring at her unabashedly. I realized I probably resembled a creeper/pervert/stalker. I tried to retaliate before she kicked me out of the room and sheltered the kids from me. "It's nice to meet you Bella." The moment her name left my lips, I wanted to say it again.

"Um, Uncle E?"

Oh, right. Masen was there as well. Suddenly the room full of ankle biters snapped me out of my reverie, and I decided I better behave myself. Popping a chub in front of a bunch of little kids would be sick and freaking wrong.

I directed my attention back to Masen as he spoke. "You can't call her Bella…she's the teacher. You call her Ms. Swan."

Great, now my own flesh and blood was calling me out on my dumb assedness. I needed to recover. And yes, that is a word.

"You're right." I turned to Bella (oh, Bella) and winked. "My apologies Ms. Swan."

She looked at me with her small hand placed on her neck, her eyes glazed over. Hmm, it seemed as though she liked that. My stomach twisted in hope. I would be one lucky son of a bitch if I was actually affecting her that way.

Her heated gaze was starting to affect my body in a way that would probably get me arrested, so I turned to Masen, doing my best to ignore the pull I felt towards Ms. Swan. I grinned to myself. Yeah, I liked it too.

"So who dressed you today buddy?" I already knew the answer to that, but I was curious what my little guy had to say.

"I dressed myself today," he said defensively. "And I must have done a good job because Ms. Swan said…" he stopped and looked at Bella before whispering in my ear. Apparently she made men of all ages blush like little girls. "…Ms. Swan said I looked handsome today."

I raised my eyebrows in surprise. Not that she complimented my nephew, but that I was jealous of a four year old kid! What did Masen have that I didn't? Aw, this girl was making me bat shit fucking crazy.

"Wow, you're lucky buddy, I'm sure she doesn't say that to just anyone." I smiled at my nephew before risking another glance at her. The soft blush in her cheeks would surely be the end of me. I started singing Hot For Teacher obnoxiously in my head, but stopped before I started thinking about the video; I was really beginning to cross the 'inappropriate' line. I felt like I was about to break out in a sweat. What the fuck was happening to me? I had to leave before I made even more of an ass out of myself.

I carried Masen over to his cubby and we emptied it out. He showed me a few art projects, complaining how Charlotte ruined his sensory board by touching it. He so loved Charlotte. I chuckled at the politics of childhood romance.

I heard Bella behind me, telling her kids to clean up and get ready. I pushed my hair violently away from my forehead. It was time to leave and I didn't want to. I needed more. Her words, her body, her blush, her smile. I'd take whatever she'd give me.

Masen wiggled out of my arms and hopped on another desk, throwing his arms over Bella's shoulder. "Ms. Swan, are you coming to the zoo with us?"

Say yes. Shit, say no. Wait, say yes. Fuck if I knew what I wanted her to say. I was desperate for her company. At the same time, she made me act like a God damn lunatic, and I wanted to be my perfectly level headed self again.

She smiled sadly. "I can't little man. I have important grown up stuff to do at school when you leave."

He looked bummed as he jumped down and walked over to me. Get used to it buddy, women chew you up and spit you out, sometimes without even realizing it.

I could have grabbed my nephew and booked it, but I needed to make more words come out of her pretty pink lips. "So you seem to be getting along well with my sister. I mean, I've heard a lot about you."

She smiled sweetly, her eyes sparkling up at me. Bella Swan was an angel on the fucking earth. "Yeah, it doesn't take long for her to work her way into your heart."

I chuckled, running my hand through my hair again and effectively helping that balding thing along quite nicely. I didn't know what else I could talk about to keep her in front of me, but luckily she continued.

"And I haven't heard much about you. Just that Uncle E is Masen's hero."

I can be your hero baby. Oh great, I sound like fucking Enrique Iglesias. I'm such a chick. I guess I'm ready for my breasts now. "Yeah I suppose it's a little sad that my best friend is a four year old."

She smiled radiantly. "Not at all. Look at my present company. And I wouldn't trade them for the world."

Damn, that was incredibly sweet. It even took my mind out of the gutter for a second. "It's great to see a teacher care so much for her students."

"Well anyone who isn't passionate about children and education really shouldn't be in the field." The blush returned tenfold as she paused for a moment. "Besides I much more prefer viewing the world through a child's eyes, much more interesting don't you think?"

She was passionate. I found her interesting. I found a woman interesting. My heart soared at the possibilities. "I'd have to agree."

I found myself staring at her lips, wondering what it would feel like to touch them. "So Ms. Swan, what do you do when you aren't enriching the minds of four year olds?"

The question seemed to stun her for a moment, and I wondered if she took offense to my petty attempt at flirting.

I looked intently at her as her breathing picked up slightly. She brought her hand to her neck again, and her lips parted. She was a fucking vision. In that moment, I couldn't break away. I was completely taken aback by the last 10 minutes of my life.

"I um..." Was all that fell from her lips. I felt a strong urge to reach out for her, but realized how idiotic of a notion that really was.

Suddenly Masen hopped on the desk next to us with a loud thud, scaring the shit out of me. I wondered if Alice knew her kid was pushing the boundaries of social etiquette, jumping around on anything and everything.

"Uncle E, why are you looking at Ms. Swan like that?" he asked, pushing up on my chin.

Crap kid, isn't this bad enough without you closing my gaping jaw? I needed to get out of there. "You don't miss a beat, do you bud?"

He shook his head and I threw him on my back. "You ready to bounce Mase?"

"Like a basketball," he giggled. No wonder he got all the ladies, cute little shit.

I felt the familiar torn feeling as I was about to head for the door. Leave and regain sanity or stay and bask in the glorious bewilderment. I couldn't leave without touching her. "It was great meeting you Ms. Swan," I said, reaching my hand towards her.

When my skin made contact with hers, my arm turned to jelly. I was literally putty in this woman's hands. I still had no fucking clue how a complete stranger could make me feel all inside out and backwards.

"The pleasure was all mine Uncle E," she purred out of that beautiful little mouth.

I reminded myself to calm down repeatedly before I spoke. "I couldn't pick Masen up much, work has been crazy, but I think I'm going to be around a lot more."

I didn't think I had a choice in the matter. The girl needed to be in my life one way or another, I had to know her.

I continued staring back at her like the creepy guy I was turning out to be, not finding it in myself to care as I walked slowly towards the door.

All of a sudden I ran right into something large and solid. Something called a doorframe, connected to a wall. Well there went my cool points, if I had any to begin with.

"Dude, watch where you're going!" Masen chastised. God, my nephew was so much smoother than me.

I walked out the door, facing forward and not turning back. I needed to get to the zoo. I needed to think about what my next step would be. As embarrassed as I was, my spirit was lifted higher than it had been in a very long time. I started running to my car, causing Masen to squeal as I picked up speed. I stopped abruptly, feeling all the blood drain from my face. There would be no next step. There would be no stupidly happy giddiness. There was nothing to look forward to, because I wasn't in a position to do so. Tanya.

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So did you expect him to be so deliciously sarcastic? We love him, even though he's a dumb shit.

So are we enjoying Edward so far? What would you like to see next from him?

I had a few ask for Masenpov as well. Any ideas?

Thanks for reading, review me pretty please! :D