Chap. 1 – "I'll meet you in my truck in a half hour." I give him a quick kiss goodbye before he ducks out the window and speeds down the tree.
BPOV
I step into the shower, get out, blow dry my hair, and get dressed. I head downstairs to tell Charlie I'm going out for a while. Oddly enough, I don't find him in front of the television watching whatever game is on now. I look in the kitchen, but he's not there either. I go upstairs to see if he's in his room.
He must be. His door is shut.
"Cha- Dad? Are you in there?"
"What do you want, Bella?" He's sounding a little stuffy, like he's been crying, with some leftover anger in his voice. "I'm busy."
"Umm…I'm just heading out for a little while. I'll be back before dinner."
The door swings open. He got to the door faster than Edward could have. It bangs against the wall and I see some old pictures of him and Mom on the bed before the door rebounds and slams against the doorframe.
"Y-you are not going anywhere, Missy!" He's shaking he's so mad. "Especially not with him. You are going to go back to your room. Back to your mother! And take that stupid ring off!" With his words, he swerves around me and stomps down the stairs. I can hear him dead bolting the front door.
How dare he! I think. He can't choose what I do!
I run down the stairs after him to find him shoving some chips back in the pantry.
"Dad, you can't do this. You can't control me forever. I'm old enough to get engaged and especially old enough to go on a date!" I watch him for any signs of him blowing up again. I don't want him to hurt himself.
Surprisingly enough, he doesn't look angry when he turns toward me. He looks…sad. Almost hurt. He looks like he wants to curl up in the corner and cry.
"Bella. You're too young. How do you know it will work? Your mother and I got married when we were older than you and look at what happened. She had to get out. I had to stay. How do you know something like that won't happen to you and…Edward? How do you know?" It's heartbreaking to see him this upset. This vulnerable.
"I…we don't I guess. We do know, however, that we are completely and totally in love. There isn't anything that could break us up again. Last time…it was a big mistake. It won't, it can't, happen again. I swear."
He sighs. "Bella, I can't stand to see you get hurt again. You don't know what it was like seeing you so…distraught. You were a ghost. No mind, just a body."
"Dad, that won't happen again." I'm starting to get panicky. Parents are for being strong when you're weak. Not for breaking down when things aren't perfect.
"Bells, just promise me one thing. Don't get married for a while. I don't want you to find out you two aren't meant to be after it's too late." He tries to lighten his tone and says, "And make sure you tell me what the date is. I don't want to miss walking you down the isle. I'm sure it will be beautiful with the money those Cullen's have." He becomes somber again. "Go out with him. Make sure this is the right choice – for both of you."
I can't say anything, so I just nod and walk out of the house.