I'm so sorry it's taken forever for me to update and that this is so short. I think I hit writers block or something, which I'm not sure is possible considering this is my first story, lol. I know what I want to write, I just can't seem to get it down on paper. But I'm going to keep pushing. Again, super sorry this is so short. Hopefully you all will enjoy it just the same and I'm going to try and get another update out faster than it took for this one.

Chapter 12

"Stop looking at the clock, they'll be home soon."

I rolled my eyes at Rose.

I may or may not have been checking the time frequently for the past couple of hours. This definitely counts as a nerve wrecking experience. To have your daughter out with somebody that you don't fully trust, yet hope that you might be able to again.

"Okay, you need more ice cream," Alice shoved a carton towards me. As if I'd reject it. That's laughable.

The three of us were seated on the floor in the living room, each with our own tubs of ice cream, glasses half full of wine and chocolate and bags of potato chips scattered about.

"Oh crap, I almost forgot the cookie dough!"

Alice ran to the kitchen and reappeared with a big package of raw cookie dough.

"Oh my god," Rose and I moaned together. I didn't know if it was out of pleasure or pain. As much as I love cookie dough, my stomach felt like it was going to burst.

"You take a bite, I take a bite," Rose said.

"Agreed."

"Holy shit, this is amazing," Rose groaned.

Alice and I made other groaning noises with her in agreement.

"What did we walk in on?"

I barely had time to register the voice before I heard my little girl.

"Momma!"

You know that moment when you finally feel a burst of relief, which the breath you've been holding releases and you are able to finally breathe? I just had that.

"Momma, why are you crying?"

I wasn't aware I was.

"I'm happy to see you, princess. They're happy tears. Don't worry."

"You're so weird, momma," she laughed.

I let myself laugh with her. I felt like I belonged in the psyche ward with all of the emotion swings I was having tonight.

"Did you have fun?" I asked Kate.

"I sure did. Eddie danced like a chicken!"

I choked on my spit while wine flew out of Rose and Alice's mouth.

"A chicken?" Rose croaked.

I looked at Edward, who was beat red and rubbing the back of his neck.

"It was a duck. They played the duck dance."

"And he was a sprinkler, momma!" Kate jumped in.

"A sprinkler too?" I smirked still looking at Edward. "Did he do anything else, Kate?"

"He falled and then cried," she laughed behind her hands.

"It's fell, princess…"

"And I didn't cry," Edward interjected.

"Care to explain this?" I asked Edward.

"I was dancing like a sprinkler and forgot that I'm not a teenager anymore, needless to say a muscle was pulled and I dropped down like a rock."

"He fell so fast, momma," Kate said looking proud of her proper use of the verb fall. Not realizing that she wasn't helping Edward's case very much.

Edward groaned. "Thanks Kate."

"This is too great. Please say there are pictures." Rose joined the conversation.

"I cleaned up the stuff, you're free to enjoy your evening with Kate now," Alice walked up and kissed my cheek.

"Thank you so much," I gave her a kiss on the cheek back.

"Time for me to go too," Rose said noticing Alice was getting ready to leave. "I've got a man waiting and I'm sure a tired daughter. Are you coming with us?" She turned to Edward.

He turned towards me swallowing hard and then glanced back to Rose.

"Give me a couple minutes?"

"Sure, we'll be waiting in the car. Bella, my dear, it was a blast. We have to do this again."

"I'd love that, Rose," I said honestly.

She and Alice shut the door behind them leaving Edward, Kate, and I alone. Technically, just Edward and I, Kate was occupying herself by swishing around in her dress by the window.

"You made her so happy tonight," I couldn't keep the smile off my face as I watched my little girl twirl and dance to nonexistent music.

He was watching her spin around too with the same goofy smile. "Thank you for giving me the chance."

"It was hard. I couldn't ever deny her this chance though."

"Her father…"

"Has never been in the picture."

"He's an idiot for letting her go, the both of you go."

I could hear the intensity in his voice. His gaze was just as strong as the words he spoke.

He reached out grazing his hand along my upper arm causing my breathing to stutter.

I stepped closer, tilting my head down leaning it against his chest.

His arms circled around my back tugging me as close as possible against him.

"Anytime she needs a substitute father for something, I would be honored to do it regardless of what is going on between you and me."

I nodded into his chest knowing he meant his words and I would give anything for Kate to have those father/daughter experiences.

"I better go," he released me taking a step back.

"Okay," I whispered to him. "Kate, come say goodbye to Edward."

"Thank you for dancing, Eddie," she pranced over.

"You're welcome, princess." He lifted her up into a hug. "I think it's bedtime for you, little miss," Edward joked as Kate yawned.

"I think so too," I took Kate from his arms. "But first we have to brush through that hair of yours and get you out of that dress."

"I want to sleep in it, momma," she whined.

"Not a chance, princess. Now go on to your room and I'll be there in a minute."

"Fine," she pouted. "Bye, Eddie."

"Bye," he waved back.

"Goodnight," I told him as he opened the door.

"Sweet dreams, Bella," he stood at the door. I could see him debating back and forth with something.

"What are you doing?"

"I have no idea," he chuckled to himself.

He stepped forward swiftly bending down and pressing his lips against my cheek.

I think he startled himself as much as he startled me because he was out the door in a flash.

"Sweet dreams," I said into the empty hallway feeling the sensation of his lips still on my cheek.

Thank you for all the reviews and encouragement! I'm trying for you all!