Bella set a plate in front of her father, Charlie, and forced a smile when she saw his eyes light up at the fish on his plate. While Bella had cooked for her father every day after she had moved to Forks, it had been quite some time since she had done it. She sat across from him silently and frowned down at the plate. Not a single word being shared between the two of them. That's how it was around here now. Silent. Sullen. Cold. Charlie could hear her fork pushing the food around and sighed. He could tell she wasn't in the mood to eat anything. Bella was never in the mood to eat anything. Charlie watched her from the corners of his eyes, scanning her overly thin body for any signs that she was worsening. Her hair was too short, thin, and broken, her once lively brown eyes dull and emotionless. Taking in her appearance, he wondered how all of this had happened, wondered how he had let all of this happen. How his daughter, that strong, loving, teenager that moved in with him when she was 15 became this, so broken, so hurt. How had his ex-wife just leave her like this? He wondered how Bella could have let this happen to herself. He took a bite of his fish and looked down again, letting his thoughts drift back to a simpler time.

"No!" He could hear his daughter laughing from the driveway, her loud squeals of happiness letting a smile creep across his face. That was a sound he loved to hear, her pure happiness.

"What's going on in here, kids?" he grumbled, taking a seat in the recliner across from the two teens on the couch. The boy had a good enough mind to take his hands off of Bella's sides, but he couldn't hide the smile playing across his lips, or the look of love in his eyes while he stared down at her.

"Edward was tickling me again!" Bella groaned, straightening herself out and smoothing down her shirt, "And I hate it!" she spit the last part out, elbowing Cullen in the ribs. Charlie knew his daughters hatred for it, but could tell by the way she looked at Edward that she didn't really mind when he did it.

Charlie huffed and stood, grabbing his tackle box from the coffee table. "Keep your hands to yourself, Cullen." He looked between the two of them before he started toward the door. "I could pop back in at any second."

Charlie had been unaware at the time that he would cherish that memory. He couldn't have predicted this life for himself, or for his child. Even then, knowing the condition, he didn't know it was possible for this to happen. For it to get this bad.

"The fish is really great, Bells." He broke the awkward silence and finally looked up toward her. His hand slid across the table and patted hers. "Thanks for cooking for me." He smiled slightly and took another bite. "You should probably try some."

Bella's eyes snapped to his and she was frowning, she snatched her hand out from under his and stood. "I'm going to bed." She set her uneaten fish on the counter and walked toward the stairs, where she struggled to take two at a time.

Charlie looked down at his plate again, his trembling hands setting on either side of his head. He didn't even notice the tears dripping down his face. Again he wondered how he had let this happen. How he let his daughter fall into this, how he let her pull away.

Bella slammed her bedroom door and threw herself on the bed, her breath ragged and rough. Staring up at the ceiling, she gripped her comforter and willed herself not to cry. Crying was useless; it wouldn't get her anywhere, wouldn't make her any better, and wouldn't change the obvious. This was her life now, this was the life she choose to live and she while she wouldn't be happy with it, she could live with it. She would have to live with it, if only for a little longer.

SOOOOOO Let me know how this is. I want to add so much to the story so you really have a chance to connect with the characters. I want it to be longer and more developed as well. Thank ya'll so much for your outpouring of support. I'm happy to know that you guys plan to stick through this all the way to the end.

MUCH LOVE xoxox