“That’s it! Get her out of my sight!” Mr. Paulson said, turning his back on her and storming down the hall.

Edward watched as they dragged Stephanie out of building. He left by a different exit. There was nothing like a pissed off female fan to do something stupid. He was kicking himself for not waiting for Bret to come with him this morning.

Thankfully she wasn’t waiting for him. Several voice mails on his cell phone however were. He went through them, one from Dana telling him he sounded sexy on the radio, two from Amy flipping out and demanding to know why he didn’t give her a head’s up, one from Lucas informing him that it sounded like Dana was faking it, his parents called upset, and to top it off Eric called telling him he was stopping by the house this afternoon to go over some “things” with them.

He called back his wife. Dana's happiness was the most important thing to him. If she was upset his day would be ruined, not because she would act like a bitch, far from it. If she was happy he was happy and the same could be said if she was sad.

“Hey, handsome!” she said sweetly.

“Hey, beautiful, I just got your message.”

“Oh, you didn’t have to call back I just wanted to tell you that you sounded very sexy.”

“Hmm, sexy, interesting.”

“How did it go at school?” she asked, trying to change the subject before this turned into phone sex, which did happen on occasion with them.

“They fired her. She flipped out. Good times,” he said dryly.

“I would say I’m sorry, but I’m not. She shouldn’t be around children if she’s using a six year old girl to air her grievances,” Dana said. “No, Cole, Daddy has a busy day. No, I will not ask him.”

“What does he want to know?” Edward asked.

“He wants to know if you can come get him for some man time,” she said.

“I don’t mind some company. Is Brett there?”

“Yup. Oh, before I forget to tell you, Eric’s coming by later. He wants to talk to both of us. I guess we both know what about,” she said casually.

“I got a message from him as well. That’s fine. What time am I needed there?”

“One, I’ll make us a late lunch,” she said.

“Homemade macaroni and cheese?” he suggested eagerly.

He could picture her rolling her eyes. “You’re spoiled.”

“Yes, I am. Have Cole ready in ten minutes, please. I’m on my way now.”

“Okay, love you, baby,” Dana said.

“Not as much as I love you.”

Fifteen minutes later he pulled into their driveway. He groaned when he saw Deana's car in the driveway. Amy wasn't here and he wanted to avoid her until she calmed down. There was another car he didn’t recognize.

He jogged up the walkway and unlocked the door. “Daddy’s here!” Cole screamed, barreling towards him. He caught his son as he jumped up.

“You ready, buddy?”

“Yes!”

“Eager little thing, aren’t you?”

“Er?” Cole didn’t know the word and was momentarily stunned. Edward took advantage and hoisted Cole onto his shoulders. Cole went happily. He held onto Edward’s head tightly as they navigated through the house toward the kitchen,

Susan was cleaning the dishes while chatting with Deana, Brett and Tyler. “Where’s Dana?” he asked. Tyler jerked a thumb towards the pool.

Edward made his way outside and paused by the sliding glass doors. Dana was holding a very na**d Tristan in the water. She was wearing a black bikini and a pair of shorts. Tristan was smiling as he moved his feet and hands in the water.

The man holding Caleb made him frown. Nick was in swim trunks, holding Caleb in the same fashion. He was talking to the little boy while grinning. Edward was a little shocked to see how ripped Nick was. Nick was easily bigger than him, damn. They got along really well since Edward got to know him. He still didn’t like some of his comments, but Nick had toned it down a great deal since they married.

“Hey, Edward!” Dana said, grinning at him. “Nick decided to come down for a swim and see the kids.”

“Well, that and to talk to you,” Nick said. He kissed Caleb’s head. “You have some really cute kids, Edward.”

“They take after their mother,” Edward said, winking at Dana.

“Dad, we gotta go!” Cole said.

“Hold up, little man.” Edward said. He looked at Nick. “Is everything okay?”

“Everything’s good. I just needed to talk to your lovely wife about something.”

“Okay, what’s up, Nick. I’ve never known you to anything but straight forward,” Dana said. She supported the baby’s head and let him lay back in the pool. His toothless grin widened as he splashed his mother.

“They want you to do an interview with Playboy,” Nick said nervously.

“An interview, that doesn’t sound so bad,” Dana said.

Edward and Nick shared a look. “I don’t think you understand, Dana. With all this publicity you’ve gotten lately. They think it would be a good time to cash in on it.”

“You want me to pose naked?” Dana gasped.

“No!” Edward answered.

“Sorry, I had to ask. They were going to send the new guy Michaels to ask you since Rick is on vacation. That guy makes me blush,” Nick said, kissing Caleb’s head again.

“She’s not doing it,” Edward said firmly.

“I didn’t think she would or should. That kind of thing can wreck her credibility with a lot of women and some men. She would lose her reputation and parents would forbid their teenagers from reading her material,” Nick said. “Hey, he’s asleep. What do I do?” he asked nervously.

“Time for you to get down,” Edward said to Cole. He put Cole down and bent over to take Caleb. Cole grabbed a towel for his brother and handed it to Edward who wrapped him up.

“I don't appreciate you guys talking as if I’m not here. Not that it matters now, but tell them I said no,” Dana said a bit miffed at being handled.

“Sorry, Dana, I know. I didn’t come out here expecting a yes. I wanted to see you and the kids. It’s been a while,” Nick said, pulling himself out of the pool.

“We’ll see you at one, baby.” Edward said as he cradled his son in his arms.

“Okay, be careful guys and Cole you listen to your father. No wondering off!” she said sternly.

Cole nodded and ran back into the kitchen. Nick dried off. “I have to get going too, Dana. Good luck tonight.”

“Thanks, Nick,” Dana said.

Edward winked at her before he walked back into the house to hand his son over to Susan. He headed for the door with Cole at his heels.

“Hold up, Edward!” Deanna said.

He looked back to see that she was on the phone. “You need to go pick Elizabeth up. She got into a fight.”

One guess who attacked her. “Was it a little girl named Mary?”

Deanna nodded. “She’s crying.”

“Okay, I’m going. Brett, are you coming?” Edward asked. Brett nodded and followed after them.

Chapter 20

“Baby, it’s okay,” Edward said soothingly to his daughter as she sobbed into a bloody paper towel. That little brat Mary hit her in the face with a book. The entire front of Elizabeth’s dress was covered in blood. The nurse assured him her nose wasn’t broken.

Cole reached over and took his big sister’s hand into his. “It’s okay, Elizabeth. I’ll take care of you.” She nodded slowly, but didn’t stop crying.

“You guys want to stop and get donuts?” Edward asked, hoping it would cheer them up.

“Yes!” Cole said, he was the little garbage disposal in the family after all.

Brett handed Elizabeth a clean paper towel and took the soaked one away. “Did you hit her back?”

“No, I don’t want to hurt anyone,” she said through sobs.

Edward groaned. The girl was too sweet. No doubt she was going to be a target for bullies. “It’s okay, sweetie.”

He left the kids in the car with Brett while he went inside to buy donuts.