DISCLAIMER: I do not own any recognizable Twilight characters. They are all the amazing Stephanie Meyers.

This is my first fanfiction so please review and tell me what you think. This story picks up right after Eclipse. I'll update regularly.

Bella's P.O.V.

Chapter 1

Breaking the News

My steps seemed to drag and my heart thumped loudly in my chest as I walked as slowly as possible to the front door. Edward held my hand tightly, reassuring me as he leaned down to kiss my forehead. I could hear the buzz of the TV as I opened the door. Charlie poked his head out into the hallway. He smiled at me before shooting an annoyed glance at Edward.

"Hey Bells," he said warmly before giving Edward a curt nod.

I think he was half expecting what was about to come. Ever since Billy had clued him in to the fact that he was about to lose me. His eyes always held a faint glimmer of anxiety when I left the house. I knew he was wondering if he would see me again.

"Dad," I started slowly, taking a deep breath.

"Yea," Charlie replied, his brow furrowing as he led us into the family room.

Edward and I sat on the couch as he dropped himself into an old armchair. I prepared myself, hoping that Charlie's gun wasn't loaded.

"Dad, we have something to tell you," I started.

Charlie cut me off, "Please don't tell me your pregnant Bella."

"What? No!" I exclaimed surprised.

"Oh, alright then. Continue," Charlie said, looking relieved.

"Dad. Edward proposed," I blurted out, waiting for the reaction that was sure to come.

"Proposed what?" asked Charlie.

Was he serious? Was he kidding? Could he really not get what I was saying or trying to say or was he just trying to block out what I meant.

"Edward asked me to marry him," I smiled, "And I said yes."

Charlie just stared at me and then turned his gaze on Edward, "You what?"

"Charlie, I love your daughter more than anything in the entire world. I would give my soul for her," Edward said passionately, squeezing my arm.

Charlie's jaw was hanging open. Checking himself he sat bolt upright and said, "How can you say that?"

Edward looked puzzled, "Excuse me?"

"How dare you say that! You left her! You made her miserable! You have no idea what it was like after you were gone! I thought she was going to go over the edge. Then she goes and has to sort out your MISUNDERSTANDINGS all the way in LA without even telling me! Explain to me exactly how I can trust you with the most important thing in my life when the last time you two got into a fight you left her bleeding and wishing she was dead!" Charlie blazed.

"Charlie, I will never be able to forgive myself for what I did. I was wrong and it was the worst mistake of my entire existence. If I could I would take it back. I never would have left. If I hadn't loved her as much as I do then I probably couldn't have brought myself to leave her. But Charlie, never question my love for Bella. I know that I messed her life up but I only did that because I thought she would be better off without me. I would go to the ends of the earth and beyond for Bella. I would die for her. I hope you can learn to trust me because I need you to know that I would never do anything to hurt her. I learned my lesson Charlie and I won't ever make a stupid mistake like that again," Edward explained, emotion filling his voice.

I sat with Edward's strong, marble arms around me looking into Charlie's eyes. He looked concerned but maybe a little bit happy underneath it all because he knew that what I wanted was Edward. He knew that what I needed most was Edward and despite everything that had happened between us I was positive that I could never live without him again. Charlie, I was sure, could see the pure love and happiness in my eyes mixed with anxiety as I waited for his approval. His gaze seemed to melt as he stared into my eyes.

"Congratulations," he sighed, getting up to give me a hug.

Tears started to roll down my cheeks as I got up and gave Charlie a hug. Edward seemed happy that Charlie and I were at least on good terms. Breaking away, Charlie turned to Edward. He shook his hand and looked him straight in the eye.

"I'm glad that Bella is going to be happy. I know she loves you and I know you love her too, but if you ever hurt her like that again I will hunt you down myself," Charlie said, with half a grin on his face.

"Don't worry Charlie," smiled Edward, "Bella is my life. I couldn't live without her either."

I smiled as Edward took my hand again. Charlie glanced down at my left hand, where my glittering engagement ring, that had belonged to Elizabeth Mason, sat and would stay for the rest of my human- and vampire- life.

"So," Charlie said.

I grinned, "What?"

"Have you broken the news to Renee yet?" he laughed.

I gulped, "One parent at a time dad, one parent at a time."

He laughed. "Don't worry Bells. She'll come around eventually. You should probably let her know soon though, or else Alice will beat you to it?"

"Alice?" I asked, surprised that he knew she was planning the wedding.

"Yea, I heard her talking to Esme about planning a wedding. I actually thought it was hers though. She and that Jasper kid are a good couple. So, I assume she was talking about yours?"

"Yup. She was," I said.

After a short-lived conversation Edward and I left. We drove, silently in the Volvo, both knowing where we were going without saying anything to one another. I was happy that Charlie was accepting this. I was ecstatic that Edward had openly professed his love for me in so many words- words that I would hold him to for the rest of eternity. Edward pulled over by the side of the highway. Before I could have opened my own door he had scooped me up and was standing in front of the forest. He smiled, kissing my forehead before he bolted off at lightening speed towards our meadow. Our perfect, beautiful, timeless meadow.