Disclaimer: I don't own any of the Twilight characters, but am having fun borrowing them for now. More power to Stephenie Meyer and her future novels!
Background: This story takes place right after Eclipse, but in between the time when Bella and Edward decide to get married. Jacob has already left town of course, so that he won't be a pest any longer, but he might make a guest appearance later on—haven't thought that part out yet. The date has been set for Bella to become a vampire, but now all she has to do is tie up some loose ends—namely Charlie and Renee, before she can fully become a vampire. But fate steps in and things get a little tricky…
Chapter 1: The Fog.
Forks has never been a touristy town, and for that I am very grateful. There aren't any great monuments erected to honor some dead hero in the past, no towering skyscrapers or unexplainable works of modern art. Forks, is the typical small town, and is devoid of any of the normal distractions that a big city provides. It's a catch 22 sort of equation, because on the one hand there's the eternal peace and quiet that being surrounded by endless trails of nature provides. Yet on the other hand, one occasion—a wedding, funeral, birthday party—any single occasion is turned into the biggest hoopla this side of the Western hemisphere. I sighed as I tried to push these gloomy thoughts away as the sun pushed its way from between the clouds, ushering another day—two days closer to the most important day of my life.
A sudden knock on my door made my heart jump. "Bella darling, are you up yet?" Charlie poked his head in through the door to make sure that I was decent. I sat up from bed, pretending to yawn and ruffle my hair and grinned for my father.
"Good morning Charlie, are you hungry?" I knew that he was probably either hungry or saying good bye because he is going to go visit Billy down at La Push again. Ever since Jacob left town, Billy has been very lonely—he told Charlie that Jacob went to visit a distant cousin out East and won't be back for a little while. Billy often asked Charlie to visit, just to catch up, watch some basketball or whatever sports is on at that moment—sometimes Charlie would bring the Clearwater's up with him as well.
I worry about Charlie sometimes. I knew that my engagement to Edward was not the easiest thing for him to swallow. He has never really forgiven Edward for leaving me during those four months. Charlie has never forgotten the never-ending nightmares I had when he was gone. I drifted back to remember the night when I broke the news to him…
"Bella are you sure you want to marry this guy?" he asked holding my hands in his. "You guys are still very young. You still have a lot of years to go till you have to deal with this sort of thing."
I winced when he said that, the truth is that I don't have that many years to go. In about a few weeks I would turn 19 and that would make me two years older than Edward---two years too many.
"Ch—Dad, please believe me. I know what I am doing. Edward and I love each other very deeply," I said looking directly into his eyes, "Probably even more than you and Mom loved each other."
Charlie suddenly looked up, startled that I would bring up his strained relationship with my Mother as an example. He forced out a smile. I knew he still loved my mother, very deeply, but understood that they were just not compatible with each other and are better off as long distance parents, and friends.
"Okay. I just want to know that you don't have your head stuck in a fog, that's all kiddo." He smiled that genuine happy smile.
There was a quiet knock on the door and Edward stepped in cautiously. My eyes lit up and a big smile grew from my face. Charlie stared slowly as I stood up to greet Edward with a great big hug and a kiss on the cheek.
"Hi," said Edward.
"Hello" I smiled back. I stood on my tippy toes and gave him a quick peck on the lips. "I told him."
"I know" he said as he pushed a strand of my hair away from my face. "He seems pleased at the idea, a little jealous even but I think he'll be genuinely happy for us as soon as the ceremony takes place."
"Edward," said Charlie standing up and reaching out his hand, "Welcome to the family." Edward reached out his hand and shook Charlie's. Finally two of the most important men in my life are finally seeing each other eye to eye. "But if you ever hurt my Bella again, Edward…" he started
"DAD! I don't think he needs to hear—"I said burying my face into Edward's stone cold chest.
"No Bella he needs to hear this," said Charlie, as he still held Edwards hand in his, "if you ever hurt Bella again I will—"
"Sir, let me assure you that I would never, ever leave Bella's side again for as long as she and I are together. There will be times, when Bella and I might get into argument's because she is simply so stubborn," with that he took my hand in his and kissed it—right in front of Charlie, "but I would never, ever over my still and broken heart ever hurt her again." Edward smiled as he looked directly into Charlie's eyes. Suddenly it was quiet as he and Charlie locked eyes and it seemed he was taken aback by Edward's answer. Charlie took a step back, and stared at Edward and me together, and I think it was at that very moment that the idea finally sunk into his head.
I am no longer his little girl. I am going to be Mrs. Bella Cullen. Tears welled up behind his eyes as he grinned and said, "Of course…I knew that Edward, I mean I know that now. Thank you."
