Prince Charming

A/N: Happy belated Birthday, ninapolitan! We hope you had a wonderful day.

As ever, we do not own Twilight - it owns us.

ooOoo

Date

Tanya tugs at my sleeve, pleading, “Daddy, hurry! They'll start without us.”

Barely managing not to roll my eyes at her impatience, I pat her shoulder. “Sweetheart, there's plenty of time. The previews haven't even started yet, I promise.”

The girl behind the counter hands me the popcorn and soda, smiling flirtatiously as she wishes us a good time. The smile I give in turn is polite, nothing more. Tanya, however, narrows her eyes a little and states in no uncertain terms that she is my “date.”

Part of me wants to laugh at my little girl's staking her claim.


Entrance

When we step into the theater, the lights are just lowering.

“We’re gonna miss it!” Tanya whisper-shrieks.

“Tanya,” I say firmly, “Look – they’re still showing commercials. It’s fine.”

I hear a low chuckle and follow it to its source, right in the middle of the theater. My eyes widen at the sight of messy hair that seems to be auburn despite the blues and greens from the screen. What really catches my attention, though, is his warm smile.

And gorgeous face.

“Dad-dy, come on!” She grabs my sleeve, leading me to the row behind him, two seats to the right.


Chatter

The previews for other movies are completely ignored by Tanya – and the little girl sitting in front of her. Both of them start to chatter about Sleeping Beauty, their excited voices almost enough to drown out the noises from the screen. Almost.

Glancing at the man in the other row, I find him smiling indulgently at the little girl, occasionally chipping in when she asks a question. I'm not even sure what he says, though, too enthralled by how he looks and sounds.

He chuckles again, turning to me with a grin. “Can't miss with a Princess movie.”

I nod.


Movie

The girls grow quiet as they settle into the movie. I’m only half-listening to it – most of my attention is on the man in front of me, and I silently thank Tanya for choosing these seats. He’s beautiful, even in profile, and my thoughts circle in strange places, some of them dark.

Coming out to Esme, Tanya’s mother.

Being so incredibly lost after our divorce.

Feeling nervous anticipation on my first date with a man.

Knowing with absolute certainty that my first kiss with a man was everything a kiss was supposed to be – and everything I’d never known before.


Startle

“Is she gonna be okay, Daddy?” Tanya says quietly, causing me to almost jump out of my seat.

I blink. “Who, Beauty?”

She rolls her eyes at me, and I catch a quiet chuckle from the guy in front as she says, “No, Daddy, her name's Aurora.”

Swallowing back amusement and mortification alike, I decide to tease her, hoping to cover up my faux pas. “You should know she'll be fine, you've seen the movie often enough.”

Chancing a glance at Gorgeous Guy, I blush when I catch him grinning at me. He winks.

Thank God it's dark in here...


Prince

I try to keep my thoughts from roaming as we watch the rest of the movie. When Prince Charming leans down to kiss Aurora, Tanya squeezes my hand. “You need a Prince Charming, Daddy.”

Her whisper is a touch too loud, but when my heart leaps into my throat, it’s not from embarrassment – it’s pride and even a little bit of longing.

“Thanks, baby,” I whisper gruffly. “Now watch the movie.”

She giggles at the silly face I make, and the moment passes.

I can’t help but wonder what he thinks, though – dare I hope that he might be interested?


Break

Almost as soon as the credits begin to roll, Tanya squirms in her seat and turns to me with a frown. “Daddy...” she whisper-whines, giving me the look that tells me she needs to go to the bathroom but is too embarrassed to say so.

“C'mon,” I say, taking her hand as I stand up.

We walk to the restrooms, Gorgeous Guy and the little girl trailing behind us. I try not to listen in as she regales him with details from the movie.

Both girls dart into the restrooms, leaving us guys standing outside, looking awkward.

“So,” he says.


Overhear

I expect something like – a comment about the weather or the girls – so I literally blink in shock when he says, “I couldn’t help but overhear – are you gay?”

The hopeful note I hear in his voice brings a smile to my lips. I don’t hesitate before telling him I am.

“Please tell me if I’m overstepping, but did you adopt or..?”

I shake my head, my smile fading slightly. “Her mother and I divorced when she was a baby. Not long after I came out.”

“Oh.”

That single syllable hangs heavily in the air before I catch his eye.


Ask

His eyes search mine, a faint blush creeping up his cheeks as he bites his lip.

Rubbing the back of my neck, I clear my throat when he doesn't say anything else.

Great.

Puffing out my cheeks, I ask, “So, is that your little girl?”

“Oh!” His eyes widen as he shakes his head. “No. No, that's Bella, my niece.”

“Ah.”

More awkward silence, which is filled suddenly by two giggling girls. I barely catch Tanya's “Shh!” as they open the door. Both girls look between us expectantly and then frown.

Gorgeous Guy shakes his head again, rolling his eyes.


Ice cream

Bella skips to him and slips her hand into his, tugging until he leans down. She cups her hand around his ear and whispers. Whatever she says makes him peer up at me.

Adorable.

“You sure?” he asks her softly.

She nods, beaming.

Straightening up, he smiles. “We always go out for ice cream after a movie – standard date and all. Would you two like to join us?”

Tanya nods vigorously before I can even ask her.

“Sure, that sounds great… I’m Carlisle, by the way.”

His cheeks flame. “Oh god, I’m sorry.” The girls erupt in giggles. “I’m Edward.”


Treat

We shake hands, holding on just a little longer than etiquette allows. When we let go, I immediately feel a sense of loss. Putting a hand on Tanya's shoulder, I muster a smile as I tell Edward to lead the way.

We fall into step easily, the girls skipping a few paces ahead of us, giggling and talking as they go, while Edward and I alternate between smiling indulgently at them and casting curious glances at each other.

Reaching the ice cream parlor, we order, but before I can pull out my wallet, Edward stops me and says, “My treat.”


Observe

Tanya and Bella have become fast friends in the way only seven-year-old little girls can. They dig into their sundaes, which are more marshmallows and sprinkles than ice cream.

I take a bite of my peanut butter ice cream and lick the spoon, my eyes lingering on Edward, who pretends not to notice he has whipped cream on his nose to entertain the girls. It takes Bella four tries before she manages to wipe it off, though all she does is smear it more.

When Edward takes his own napkin and cleans the rest away, his green eyes meet mine.


Chill

I don’t know whether it's something in his eyes, or the too big bite of ice cream I took, but a shiver runs down my spine all the same. The corner of Edward's lips curls up before he lets Bella distract him again as she asks, “Uncle Edward, can Tanya and I go play?”

He tilts his head, glancing at me as he says, “Sure, if Carlisle says it's okay?”

I nod, and both girls squeal. Tanya flings her arms around my neck. I barely manage to hug her back before she's off and running to catch up to Bella.  


Talk

We both watch through the plate glass window until they’re settled on the swings. The silence stretches just a little too long before I say, “So, you said Bella’s your niece…”

He nods and swallows, wiping his mouth. “Yeah, my brother Emmett’s kid. About once a month, we go out on a date.”

I smile and start to tell him about my dates with Tanya, but he stops me in my tracks when he gives a rueful smile and mutters, “Only date I’ve had in a long time.” He takes another bite of ice cream, and I do the same.


Chance

Silence reigns for the next minute or so as I try to muster up the courage to do what I really want to do: ask Edward for a date of my own. That sort of thing's never come easily to me, but something about him – about the way he interacts with both girls, the way he looks – makes it so I simply have to get to know him better.

Taking a sip of water, I clear my throat. “So, Edward... I-I was wondering if maybe you'd... like to go out with me?”

He stares. My heart's beating in my throat.


Accept

As he sits there, I realize my potentially crucial mistake – he asked if I was gay. He never said he was.

Shit.

Before I can apologize, he smiles warmly. “Yeah, that sounds great.”

I smile in return and then I’m babbling, “I was thinking we could go to dinner and then maybe a movie without fairies and dancing animals? Or if you want, we could go to a club or-”

I cut off abruptly as he laughs and covers my hand with his. “You’re adorable, Carlisle. And any of those sound good.” Tilting his head, he grins wickedly. “Or all.”


Linger

For a moment, I'm lost in his eyes and the feel of his hand on mine. When his bottom lip disappears between his teeth, I can feel my blush bloom on my cheeks. I duck my chin a little, attempting to hide it.

His quiet chuckle and squeeze of my hand tells me I failed, but I can't honestly find it in me to really care too much about that. It's been too long since I've been comfortable with another guy. Too long since feeling okay about showing any sort of affection to another while Tanya's around.

Oh shit, Tanya!


Giggle

My eyes fly to the window – where I find both girls, pressed against the glass and giggling. When they see me looking, Tanya squeals and says something to Bella before they both dart toward the swings.

Edward and I laugh, and I squeeze his hand before letting go. We watch each other in silence for a moment before he says, “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable or anything…”

“No,” I answer honestly, “I’m fine. This feels… good, actually.”

He smiles broadly. “It does. So... tell me, would it be too forward to kiss you before the date?”


Surprise

I blink in surprise, mouth opening and closing several times before I manage a stuttered, “I-I... umm...”

The very thought of feeling his lips against mine, of tasting him, has me shivering in anticipation even as my brain tries to come up with reasons why it might be a bad idea.

Edward ducks his chin briefly, glancing up at me through his lashes as he whispers, “I've been wanting to since the moment you walked into that theater earlier.”

His admission stuns me out of my stupor, though I've yet to find my voice again. I nod, instead.

He smiles.


Kiss

He slides his chair around the table toward me, our eyes locked the entire time. I turn to face him, and he slips his knee between mine as he leans forward.

I watch Edward’s green eyes drift shut just before I close mine. His hand cups my cheek, bringing warmth that spreads to my lips when he kisses me softly.

I can’t help sighing softly and leaning forward, parting my lips slightly. When our tongues meet, his fingers slip into my hair. The sweetness of strawberry ice cream mixes with his own taste, and I don’t ever want to stop.


Interruption

A shriek has us both jumping apart and blushing fiercely as we turn to its source: Bella and Tanya, wearing huge grins. As soon as they see us looking at them, they run up, immediately babbling when they reach us.

Edward and I exchange an amused grin as we listen to the girls go on and on about us. You'd think from hearing them talk that they had all of this schemed out for weeks between them, instead of only having met today.

Tanya climbs in my lap and says, “See, Daddy, I told you you needed a Prince Charming.”


Date

Edward stands, taking Bella’s hand. “I guess we better get going… we don’t want to interrupt the rest of your date.”

I can tell from the pink flush on his cheeks that he’s embarrassed by what Tanya said – it’s endearing.

“And we don’t want to interrupt yours,” I say, but I can’t seem to make myself turn away.

“Oh!” Edward says with a laugh. He reaches into his pocket and pulls out his smart phone. “Can I get your number?”

Tanya practically bounces on my knee as I give it to him. I put her on the ground and stand.


Plan

With a sigh, I reluctantly hold my hand out to say goodbye. Edward smiles, though I can see in his eyes a similar sentiment to mine. Instead of taking my hand, he pulls me in for a hug, kissing my neck before whispering, “I'm really glad to have met you, Carlisle. I'll call tonight so we can plan our date. Around eight okay?”

I hum in agreement, hugging him back. When we pull apart, it is to see the girls hugging and whispering to each other. I chuckle.

“Looks like we'll need to set up play dates for them, too.”


Home

We part ways outside the shop, and I glance back over my shoulder to see Edward doing the same. He waves just before turning the corner.

I sigh, and Tanya swings our hands between us. “What’s the matter, Daddy?”

“Nothing, sweetheart,” I answer honestly.

“Can I tell you a secret?”

“Of course.”

I automatically kneel down, and she leans in to whisper in my ear, “Mr. Edward likes you.”

Laughing, I hug her tightly. “I think I like him, too.”

“I’m glad, Daddy,” she says simply.

When I stand, she takes my hand again, chattering away as we walk home.