Determined By Fate

Chapter 1: Great Big Fall

They'd first met while shopping at Toys "R" Us with their parents on a Friday afternoon. Running rampant through the aisles, other parents gazed upon them with concerned expressions. Edward sprinted from his brother Emmett as he pursued him mercilessly down the hall with a Nerf Gun. Elizabeth, the boy's mother, had promised them they would come when she picked them up after school. She'd gotten a call from a client about some urgent adjustments, so the two took her distraction as an opportunity to flee.

Bella was skipping aimlessly, searching for her next Barbie. Her mom Renee had seen a familiar face from High School and stopped to catch up. Bella being the independent girl she was, continued despite her Mothers warning to stay by the basket. As she walked in search of her treasure, panic began to set in as she realized she had no clue where she was going or where her mom was from where she'd left her.

Zooming down the aisle, trying to escape his brother's wrath, Edward looked back to see how much distance he'd gained. Unfortunately, he didn't see the fear-stricken little girl toppling her over with a loud "thump."

Bella was taken back from the brutal ambush as she and the boy collided, and she landed on her bum. She glared up at the auburn-haired boy who'd she been shoved by and began to wail.

"I didn't mean to push you, and please stop crying." He begged, his eyes pleading with her. He looked around, hoping Emmett would know what to do. But he was nowhere to be found. He stared back at the distraught girl and remembered what his Gramps had told him, "When in doubt, be a gentleman." so he said to her in his sweetest voice, "I'm sorry, Miss, can I give you a hand?".

Bella slowly stopped her tears and looked at him cautiously, reaching for his warm palm. When Edward pulled the girl to her feet, he realized how young she was. "Where are your parents?" He asked, hoping they weren't close by to avoid a scolding from his Mom."I don't know where she is." She answers. This conflicted Edward, so now he also had to help the weeping girl find her Mother.

"Come on, let's go find her." Bella shook her head, eyes fierce," Why, not?" Edward asked. "I have to pick out a Dolly, first!" she replied vehemently. "Well, pick one, and let's go. I have a Mom too." He retorted hastily.

Bella frowned; this wasn't something that could be rushed. It was for "Show & Tell," and the doll had to be perfect.

" I have to pick a special one." She stated adamantly, resuming her trek down the long aisle.

Edward let out a groan. He didn't think she'd be done anytime soon, so why wait on her. He couldn't convince himself to leave her here, even though her mother was bound to find her eventually. She'd also need help if a toy were too high for her to reach, he thought to himself, so he decided to stick around. As he followed her, he noticed her pink frilly tutu. Edward hated pink it reminded him of the bubble gum flavored goo his Ma would give him for tummy aches.

Loud stumps could be heard, rushing down the aisle.

"Ed, Mom said it's time to go." Emmett breathed, trying to catch his breath.

"We can't leave yet. I have to help this girl find her Mom." Almost simultaneously, a golden-haired woman came fleetingly down the hall, "Bee, Bee, sweetheart, where are you?" Bella was ripped out of Barbie induced daze by the sound of her mother calling her name. she looked down the corridor to see her frantic Mom coming towards her, worry etched across her face." Sweetie, why'd you run off?" she asked grabbing Bella's chunky face and peppering it with kisses.

"You said I could go get a Dolly for show and tell on Monday, Mommy.", She said accusingly. "Baby, I meant we'd go together," Renee replied.

"Emmett, I told you to get your brother, and let's go," Elizabeth stressed as she rounded the corner.

"I tried to tell him, but he insisted on helping the girl find her mom.", Emmet said, throwing his hands up in surrender. Elizabeth looked down the aisle to see another mother embracing her child. Elizabeth grabbed her two boys and headed on their way.

Bella picked out her doll after much consideration. They completed the purchase, so she and her Mom went to pick up her Dad from the station.

As their parents lead them in separate directions, Edward hoped he'd get to see the girl called 'Bee Bee" again someday.