Perfume

The Talk

Charlie folded his shaky hands together, and firmly set them down on the kitchen table. His face was antagonistic, there was intense anger pulsating through his body. Anyone would be aware of his infuriation. Edward and I sat opposite Charlie. There was silence, throughout the entire house; the only noise circulating was Charlie grinding his teeth and the rain pelting against the roof. I wasn't entirely sure, when or who was going to say something first. The tension was maddening; Edward sat beside me calm, I had no idea how he could possibly be serene in a situation such as this. I bit my lip, and began tapping my nails violently on the table, this caught Charlie's attention and he spoke, at last.

"I see you planned this, Bella. I thought you had a little more dignity…I guess not." He slanted his head, at my attire. I looked down apprehensively at the Victoria Secret robe, Alice had purchased for me. Suddenly retribution surged in me and I scowled, unable to think of a proper response. I crossed my arms tightly across my chest, promptly trying to hide my shame. Edward shot me a sympathetic glance.

"If I may Mr. Swan," Edward politely asked permission to speak, to Charlie. Charlie grunted.

"I don't think anything you could say would make me respect or trust you, Mr. Cullen."

"Fair enough. However, I do not think you should scold Bella…" Charlie interjected immediately.

"Do not tell me, what I should and should not do! She is my responsibility.

"Not necessarily." Edward bravely responded. Charlie gawked at Edward furiously. "Let me finish,"

"No, I don't think I will."

Okay, it was my turn. I had to defend Edward somehow; Charlie was being irrational and vulgar.

"Dad, please stop!"

"No, Bella. It's about time he learns some respect." Charlie enunciated on Respect, saliva flying from his mouth and landing on Edward's cheek. Edward cringed slightly and discretely wiped it off his face. He was trying desperately to hide his smirk.

"Respect?" Edward repeated, slyly. "Charlie, my life is devoted to your daughter. I would never dream of disrespecting her."

"Well, you did."

I spoke up again. "Charlie, It's not like he was forced me into it. I wanted to a long time ago. Edward was the one being apprehensive about the whole ordeal. We decided, together…that it was the right time." Well, the only time I would get, while I was still human and Edward was more than willing…

Charlie still didn't back down, his eyes were unyielding and his posture rigid. I grabbed his hand forcefully and tried to look him in the eye. "Dad," I tried to soften my tone. "I know you're upset, and you still think of me as your little girl. I know you desperately want Edward to leave, because you're still convinced that you're the only man in my life. But, Dad, Edward is my life now…and…" I paused — here it goes. "…And the man I'm going to marry." Edward stared at me astonished, and I boldly brought his hand on top of the table and squeezed it. Charlie was also taken aback. "And I'd appreciate, some respect towards Edward as well."

"Bella…" Charlie started, but never finished. He sat quietly, with his chin resting on his hand. Edward gently rubbed calming circles on my back. I heard Charlie sigh.

"Edward?"

"Yes, Charlie?"

"You're far from who I want Bella to be with…"

Edward's mouth twitched a little. "Sir – I"

"Let me finish," Charlie said sternly. "You're far from who I want her to be with, however, I know what she's like when you're gone. I couldn't bear to see her like that again." Edward cringed, and Charlie continued. "I know you're want she wants…so I guess I'll have to live with it."

My eyes nearly bulged out of my eye sockets; I couldn't believe Charlie caved in, after all the arguing and harsh words. Edward and I were off the hook.

"Thank-you sir, you don't know how much this means to both of us."

"I'm only considering her feelings."

"I know, but she is so much a part of me, that I feel like you mean it to me as well."

"Don't get smart with me, young man." I snickered slightly at the usage of the word 'Young.'

"I wouldn't dream of it."

"Now, get out of my sight, I need to talk to Bella…alone."

Edward stood up to leave, he winked behind Charlie's back and I knew he'd be waiting in my bedroom and listening in. As soon as I heard the door shut, I began to lose confidence. Charlie returned his gaze back to me, and I sunk lower in the seat.

"Bella…I am disappointed with you."

I gaped at him. "I don't even see what I did wrong."

"Fornication before marriage..."

"It's not against the law, Dad."

"But it's a sin!"

"Oh, so what? You're getting all religious about this now. Come on, Dad!"

"I just thought you…would have waited."

"For what?"

Charlie stalled. "For what, Dad?" I pressed on, angrily.

"For the right man…"

"Edward is the right one, the only one. Why can't you accept that?"

"I just don't think I can…he left you…remember the way you were?"

I shifted uncomfortably in my seat, before I answered. "Dad…do you remember when I left for three days?"

"…Yes."

"Here's the truth," Well, mostly. "I went to Italy…" Charlie gasped. "…Because, Rosalie told Edward I committed suicide. Edward always told me, that he would never live without me. So naturally, he was already in Italy. I'm surprised we got to him in time. I saved his life, if I hadn't, I would have been even more miserable. In the end, I would have eventually killed myself."

"Bella, you would have been alright. You would have had Jacob…"

"So, you hate Edward so much, that you'd rather him be destroyed that be with me?

"That's not what I'm saying…"

"Well, pretty much!" I screamed, I had, had enough.

"Calm down, Bella."

"No! I'm out of here."

"What are you saying?"

"I'm moving out. I'm eighteen and I'm engaged, I don't want to live under the same roof as a man who'd rather have Edward dead, than be with me!"

I pushed myself away from the table and sauntered out of the kitchen. I was going for the full effect and stomped as loud as I could manage up the old noisy stairs. For two reasons, mainly to let Charlie know how seriously I was and to let Edward know I was coming. For he seemed to be out of it lately, I could not comprehend why he didn't hear Charlie coming. I barged into my room; my face hot and tears streaming freely down my cheeks. Edward, of course was there. He tried to calm me down.

"Bella!" He grabbed my shoulders, and forced me to look at him. His eyes were blazing gold and were comforting to gaze at. I didn't say anything; I just crashed my body against him and a tight embrace. He got the hint, and just held me close. My mind began to wonder, as it usually did. How could Charlie be so cruel? Edward has only been a gentleman to me, and polite and proper towards him. I knew Charlie held some deep resent towards Edward. But it was my problem, not his. You would think that Edward coming back would make Charlie happy, because I was myself again. Yet, he was bitter, bitter because I wasn't with Jacob. Well, that ship has sailed, and I was never to board it. Not when Edward was alive, or dead for that matter. I hadn't noticed, that I was sobbing against Edward's chest. I stepped back and looked at his tear stained shirt.

"I'm sorry," I apologized while wiping my eyes with the sleeve of my robe. Edward stopped me and held both of my hands in his; he bent down so I wouldn't have to stand on my tip-e-toes, and gently kissed my quivering lips. My chest began heaving again, and more tears started to gush out. I tried to breath, but the sobbing was overwhelming. Edward swooped my up off my feet and swayed me back and forth in a soothing motion.

"Bella, Bella, my beautiful, Bella," Edward whispered repetitively, while he rocked me in his cold unbreakable arms. Which were more comforting, than anything else in the entire universe. Eventually I stopped sobbing, only tiny gasps for air escaped my lips.

"Shh," Edward rubbed my back, "What am I going to do with you." His voice was so soft, it melted off his tongue, and it was like silk. I couldn't answer. "Do you want to stay with me, for a little?" I then simply nodded, and he set me down on my feet. "I'll help you pack, how does that sound?" He was so amazing, I didn't deserve him, but I am a selfish being.

"Kay."

I grabbed my traveling suitcase from my closet, which was now filled to the nines with new, unnecessary clothing; compliments of Alice Cullen. Edward groaned, when he saw the closet.

"I told her not to go overboard."

"So this was your idea?"

"No, no. She asked if I wanted to come. I said no, and to not go overboard."

"Hmph…"

"You don't like this?" He pointed to the organized mess in my closet.

"It's just way too much."

"I agree, full stop." I knew he was just trying to appease me now. I looked at him contemptuously.

"Well, I do like some of it."

"Oh, so do I."

"Especially, all the blue."

"Blue is your color."

"I guess, it couldn't hurt to bring it, right?"

"Well, I know you would hurt Alice's feelings…"

"You're right, as usual, I already have enough stress on my plate."

"Exactly, and bring that perfume. I want to show Carlisle, maybe he'll help me find more out about it."

"Here's the bottle." I tossed it to him.

He stiffened, his jaw tensed when he looked at it. "What's wrong?"

"Did Renée, tell you where she got this?"

"No…why?"

"It has the Volturi symbol on it, and it says 'La Tua Cantante"

"You're kidding…" I grabbed the bottle from him. "La Tua Cantante…as in singer right?"

"As in her blood sings to me…" He added on. "Well, your mother sure a hell didn't send you this."

A/N: I wrote and re-wrote this chapter like ten times!