I don't own any of these characters. The brilliant Stephenie Meyer does. This is just for fun and because I'm driving myself crazy waiting for Breaking Dawn. Your reviews are highly appreciated!

Chapter 1 – One Down

BPOV –

As we neared the front door, I could swear my heart was trying to jump out of my chest. Not that I blamed it, I didn't want to be there either. Every illogical cell in my body was screaming at me to turn around, jump on Edwards back and ask him to take me back to the meadow. What the hell was I thinking when I pushed him off me? The one logical part of me must be located in my feet because I couldn't get them to veer. The door seemed to get bigger as we neared until it was the only thing I could see, the only thing ahead of me. Edward must have noticed my silent panic because his arms snaked around my waist and he spun me around to face him.

"We don't have to do this right now," he said, lowering his face enough to force me to look into his eyes.

"It's not going to get any easier Edward." And for the second time ever, his liquid topaz eyes did not melt me into submission. I knew I had to do this just as much as knew this wasn't going to be pleasant. I wondered if I was really the masochist. Honestly. What I put myself through with Jacob, what I was about to put myself through with Charlie and Renee, where is an army of newborns when you need them? "Let's just stick to the plan okay?"

"Deal. I'll keep quiet unless you signal me. I'll signal you if his thoughts turn violent or if his pulse nears a dangerous speed," he failed miserably trying to say that without smiling. "I'm right here, forever Bella."

"That's why I'm doing this," deep breath. And with that I spun around, opened the front door and pulled Edward into Charlie's house behind me.

EPOV –

"Hey dad!" Bella called. I wondered if he was able to hear the slight crack in her voice. Probably too light for his hearing.

"In here Bells," Charlie replied from the living room. I hope she's alone.

As we passed the halls protection and Bella caught sight of her father on the sofa, her hand tightened against mine. I could feel her pulse like a drum against my skin and was surprised when it yet again increased in tempo. I wondered silently if her fragile heart could handle this.

Figures "Hi kiddo… Edward."

"Hello Charlie," I replied in the most sincere tone.

"Are you watching a game dad?" Bella's voice was trembling now.

"Yeah but it's not a big game, what's up?" Oh God, please don't say we need to talk. Charlie put the game on mute and shifted his body so that he could face us.

"Edward and I want to talk to you for a minute if that's okay," Bella said as she walked toward him.

Shit. Okay, think the worst, she's pregnant. I'll kill him. Okay, second worst, she's engaged, I'll kill both of them.

I needed to concentrate on keeping my face in check. Specific weapons or acts had not been mentioned so we were still safe.

"Dad, this is going to be tough and I don't know how to make it easier so I'm just going to say it…"

There was a long moment of silence. Bella's grip around my hand surprised me. I had no idea Bella had that much strength in her arm. I actually noticed the pressure around my hand.

Shit. Shit. Shit. Shit Shit. "Bella, are you trying to kill me?" Charlie bellowed when the silence had become too much for him.

Bella quickly shot back, "Edward asked me to marry him and I said yes." It came out fast and in one breath.

The mail man just stepped on a spider two yards down.

Wait.

How did I hear that?

I think both of their hearts stopped beating.

Breathe, in and out, breathe. What the hell is she thinking? I'll kill him and I'll make it painful. He'll need to suffer. It would hurt her though. Breathe, breathe, breathe. She's only 18! Is she insane or just stupid? What do I do? What do I say to her? I have to keep cool. Keep calm. She'll just threaten me again. She'll do what she wants and I don't want to push her away. I almost did that before. Oh God, what do I do?

I concentrated harder to hear his pulse. Fast but not deadly.

"Please speak dad," Bella pleaded. I tightened my grasp on her hand until she looked up and met my eyes. I gave her the most reassuring look I could. Hopefully communicating to her that none of us were in immediate danger.

It would have been better if she never came to live with me. Did I do something wrong? Did I not teach her right? Doesn't she remember last fall? For all intents and purposes, she died. My daughter died and now she agreed to marry the boy who killed her.

Ouch.

Nothing in my 18 years of being a father could have prepared me for this but I have to speak. I have to say something. Think Charlie. Hating him will push her away. I tried that and she almost moved out. She's mature, she's smart. I think. No, she is. I have to say something.

"Give me a second," Charlie breathed and his eyes focused on something far away.

"Sure dad," Bella's voice was just above a whisper. She looked down, she looked ashamed. I released our hands and put my arm around her shoulder cupping both her hands in my free one.

I hate him. I hate him. How could he hurt her like that and how could she take him back? Why so soon, why do you they have get married now? Oh my God. Could she, would she tell me? What if she's… oh no. I couldn't handle that. But what other reason?

Wow, this is tough.

"Before I can form another coherent thought, I need to know one thing," He said quickly.

Bella's head snapped up at his voice. "Okay," She replied hesitantly.

Oh this is going to be awkward.

"Are you…" he let his sentence trail off but his eyes finished it as they moved to her stomach.

Please Bella, don't make him say it out loud.

"NO DAD! GOD! NO! I told you before. I mean… NO, it's not like that. We're not like that," Bella cheeks blushed the most beautiful pink.

I started rubbing her shoulder with my thumb.

Thank you Jesus. Oh what a relief. She'd tell me truth. She couldn't hide it for long anyway. Bella is too smart to lie. Thank God. Thank God. Okay, I can do this.

"Please say something else dad."

"What do you want me to say Bella?" He shot back. He was looking at her now. The disappointment oozed from his eyes and his words.

"I don't know," she replied looking down again.

Oh crap, I hurt her. I didn't even say anything and I hurt her. Man, Hollywood doesn't do this moment justice. Okay, back to the present, back to reality. Bella is strong willed but she doesn't seem to be able to see straight when it comes to him.

Did he notice I noticed his seething glance?

But she's understanding for the most part and she's very mature for her age. So I'll tell her what I think and then I'll just have to keep my mouth shut. I love my daughter. I could kill him. Stop. I love my daughter and she loves him. Does he love her? Will he love her? Will he take care of her? Will he provide for her? Will he make her happy? I need to talk to him.

"Bella, can I speak with Edward alone please?" He didn't stop looking at me as he said this.

Bella tensed and slowly lifted her eyes to mine. I nodded and slightly curled the sides of my lips up in an encouraging smile. She looked back and forth between my face and Charlie's a couple more times before hesitantly walking toward the stairs. I turned back to Charlie and our eyes held while Bella's footsteps softened then disappeared up the stairs.

"Edward, I'm going to try to do this as calmly as I can."

"I understand sir."

Ha, you understand nothing. Just you wait until you have a daughter. Wo wait. Stop. "I just need you to know that I'm not thrilled about this as you've probably guessed. What you did to her last fall…" His words trailed and my gut wrenched as he pictured and I also saw Bella, too thin, sickly, lifeless, dead.

Before he could notice me cringe I spoke, "Charlie, I know I hurt her. I know by hurting her, I hurt you and there are not words that would communicate my regret. Let me explain a little bit of my reasoning last fall. I saw how intense our relationship had become. I saw opportunity of my family moving to L.A. as a chance for Bella to see beyond me. To focus again on herself and her own goals. I know we are young sir so I thought that leaving her was the right thing for both of us. I was wrong. Dead wrong. I can't live without her, I know that now," I stopped. My throat was closing with emotion. I finally managed to choke out "I will never hurt her again sir. You have my word. I love your daughter more then I can say."

I wasn't expecting that. He sounds sincere. Okay, answer this… "What are your plans for your future? I mean, school, a family, a house?" If he knows what's good for him…

"Bella and I have discussed several university opportunities including University of Alaska and even Dartmouth. We haven't decided on a school yet but our education is important to both of us. I have money saved sir so Bella can fully concentrate on school and what makes her happy. A family is not in our immediate future and housing would depend on where we decided to enroll but I will provide for Bella."

Thank God about the family part. Dartmouth? Wow, that would be cool. He still sounds sincere. I still don't like him. "If you ever hurt her again…" This was said slowly, deliberately, fiercely.

He didn't need to finish that sentence. "Never sir. I love her with every fiber of my being and I will spend the rest of my life making her happy." I hope I didn't lay that on too thick. It's the truth but it needed to be believable and not movie of the week.

Still sincere. He's one lucky son of a bi "Okay Edward," he signed and started to stand up. "I don't agree with this and I can't be thrilled about it but I won't fight her on it either. I won't drive her away while I still have her. If you know what's good for you, you'll take care of her and you'll know I'll be making sure you do." And if she's not happy, for even a second, I'll enjoy the first time firing my weapon. He was only a few feet away from me now. Eyes dark and intent.

I held out my hand to him. "Thank you sir."

He took my hand firmly. Oh thank you doesn't even begin to cover it buddy.

We stared at each other for another moment before Charlie called "Bella?" loudly and turned to face the stairs.

I watched as she cautiously took each step down. Her eyes were wild trying to read the expressions on our faces.

"Hi," she said timidly.

Charlie walked toward her slowly and quietly. He reached out to give her a hug at the foot of the stairs. Surprise flitted across her face. "Are you sure Bells? Are you sure this is what you want to do?" Charlie whispered in her ear. I wasn't supposed to hear that and turned my face away from them to allow some sort of false privacy.

"Yes dad. I love him."

He pulled back then and held her shoulders arms length away. "Well then, congratulations kid."

Bella's face was dumbfounded. Slowly, tears brimmed beneath the surface and her shock turned into a smile.

This is why I'm keeping quiet. To see her smile, to see Bella happy, I'll keep my mouth shut and I won't run him over with my cruiser repeatedly.

"Thank you dad!" And they hugged again, Bella's tears spilling over.

"So uh, is there uh… a ring?" Ordinarily, didn't women like to show off their rings? Isn't that what comes next?

"Oh, yes," Bella held out her left hand, red painting her cheeks. I suppressed a grin. Bella was anything but ordinary.

Charlie whistled. "That's pretty Bells." Why does she look embarrassed? I'll let it go. Is it over? That could have been worse. I'm not exactly sure how. Oh God, maybe that means it's over. Did I survive? Does that mean I survived? Did we both survive? "Wait, have you told your mother yet?" Charlie asked eyeing Bella.

"No, that's next," Bella said as her shoulders dropped. Short lived relief.

Ha, well at least I survived.

"If it's okay with you then, I'd like to get back to my game and forget what just happened," Charlie said, already walking back to the sofa. I closed the distance between me and Bella and lightly gripped her shoulders.

"Sure dad. Thank you again, for being so… understanding," Her bottom lip quivered.

"Sure, just let me know where to stand. I'm not sure I'll be much more help than that. For the wedding I mean. I mean..." he was rambling now "I have some money saved, not much but some. I don't mind helping at all. That's not what I was saying before."

"No dad," Bella cut him off, "we've got everything taken care of."

I didn't think she'd fancy my creek catches for catering. "Well, just let me know. And call your mother Bella."

"I'm on it dad," She replied, a little irritated. I could guess she didn't like the reminder. "I'm actually going to call her from Edwards house so I'll be home later, okay?"

This caught both of us off guard.

"O..h.. okay, not too late," Charlie insisted.

Bella immediately turned on her heels and raced out the front door calling "Bye dad," over her shoulder.

Going back to my house wasn't part of the original plan and I was curious about the change. I had had the impression Bella would avoid Alice for the next 3 months if she could. Bella could probably read the curiosity in my face as I started the engine and accelerated down her street so she answered my unspoken thoughts.

"I need Jasper there."

I took her hand in mine and brought it up to my lips. The feeling of her warm skin beneath my dead skin brought it to life. Brought me to life. "How are you?" I asked trying to keep my voice soft. I didn't want to puncture any peace she had found.

"Ask me that again later," her eyes met mine then, "one down, one to go."

Please read and review. Was it hard to keep up with Charlie's thoughts, Edwards thoughts, and their lingo? Something might be clear to me but not to my reader. Please let me know. Thanks so much everyone for your time! Your reviews help me keep going!