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BPOV

My first night back in Washington was spent getting to know my new home. It was a very lovely place. The condo was comfortable, it didn't have much decoration or lots of furniture, but it had a lot of potential.

Sleeping didn't come easily that night. The king size bed was made of downed goose feathers as were the pillows and comforter. I was unbelievably comfortable, but I couldn't sleep because I was too busy worrying about Charlie. In all honesty, I was nervous to see him.

Would he be happy I was there? Charlie wasn't the type of person who let others see him in a vulnerable state. But now, he had no choice. In fact, I had only seen Charlie cry once. I was about eleven when his father died. They hadn't gotten along real well, especially when he got Renee pregnant, and Charlie had felt so guilty about not being there for his father when he most needed him. No matter how much they disagreed with things, Charlie said he felt terrible about not being there the day his father passed away. The day of the funeral, Charlie had a trail of tears running down his cheeks.

Would he be upset that I hadn't been to see him sooner? Renee had assured me on more than one occasion that they didn't want me to drop everything going on in my life because of him. But was that him giving up what he wanted so that I would be happy? I knew that he wanted what was best for me, but I wanted what was best for him. I had already spent so much time away from him; I wanted to be by him now. How different would he look to me in his frail state? I knew it shouldn't matter but I couldn't help but wonder. I knew my heart would crumble when I saw him, frail and changed. Crippled by the effects of life.

I finally fell into a troubled slumber at about four A.M. only to have my alarm go off at seven. With a huff, I headed to my new kitchen to make a cup of tea. Tea was like my coffee. It soothed the throat muscles and made it easier for the voice to flow out freely. Fortunately, bless Aro, I found a pack of my favorite Chi Tea in the cupboard. I filled the kettle with water and put it on the stove to boil. I went to sit in the dining room while I was waiting on the water.

The dining room was lovely. The large dining table was made of sturdy ebony wood. Intricate leaf and vine designs were carved into the sides and legs of the table as well as the chairs. The chairs were padded with soft white fabric which also had velvety designs on them. There were well coordinated bouquets of Freesias, Lilly's, and daisies on the table in elegant crystal vases. The room its self was beautiful. One of the walls was made of solid glass, giving me a beautiful view of the Seattle skyline. It was already pouring, sheeting everything that it could touch in glistening drops. In a few weeks, due to the approaching winter chill, there would be snow blanketing everything. I always had this tradition that early in the morning after the first snowfall, I would go outside and admire the crisp, undisturbed snow. It was peaceful, calming. I had done this ever since I was seven. Charlie would wake me up, we would get bundled up in our snow coats and boots, go outside, and enjoy the way the setting moon and rising sun bounced off of the sparkling snow.

The whistling of the kettle brought me out of my fond memories and back to the present. I filled a mug with the steaming water and placed a tea bag in the cup as well. I headed for my bathroom to take a shower and get ready. I hopped in the shower and enjoyed the warmth of the pressured water my body started to relax and I breathed in the steam and shampooed my hair. When the water started to get cold, I stepped out and pulled on my robe. I quickly went to work blow drying my hair. Then I went on to put on very little make up. I wasn't one to do myself up unless I was performing. Back in high school, my friends always tried to dress me up and take me out. I wasn't much for the 'hard partying' scene.

I threw on some jeans and a grey knit sweater before going to find the phone number Felix had left me. I needed a way to get to Forks and I didn't have a car of my own. I felt bad for making him take a three hour drive, spending at least a few more hours in Forks, and another three hour drive back but he did say to call if I needed to go anywhere. Reluctantly, I dialed his number. He answered on the second ring.

"Hello Bella, where will I be taking you today?" He inquired.

"Well, if it's not too much trouble, I need to go to a town called Forks... you know where that is right?" He laughed into the phone at my obviously silly question.

"It's no big deal Bella. And of course I know where it is, it's my job to know after all." He assured me that he'd be at my door in no more than five minutes. He hung up before I had a chance to tell him to take his time. I finished gathering my purse, coat, and shoes while I waited for him. Like he promised he was at my door in no time. He had a wide grin on his face when I opened the door.

"Good morning Bella, sleep well?" He asked as he grabbed my purse and helped me put my coat on.

"Ok, what about you?" I responded as he led me into the elevator and pressed the button for the bottom floor.

"Just fine, thank you. Are you hungry?" He waved to the receptionist as we walked towards the doors. He popped open the umbrella as we got outside to cover me us from the rain.

"Umm, no, I'm fine. Thank you though." I couldn't eat. The butterflies in my stomach took up all the room; there wasn't enough room for food. He held open the car door for me as I ducked inside. He got in quickly himself and pulled away from the curb. There was quiet music playing in the background, it relaxed me some. When we were about an hour into our drive, Felix spoke.

"Would you mind if we pulled off and got some refreshments? It might be nice for the rest of the drive." It was a good idea; we would undoubtedly get thirsty or hungry at some point.

"That's a great idea," He smiled at me through the rearview mirror and took the exit ramp off the highway. We pulled up to a Seven-Eleven that was pretty much empty except for a few people. After turning off the car, Felix came and opened my door, holding out his hand to me. It wasn't raining at the moment, but the thick thunder heads moved towards each other slowly over head, threatening to become a storm soon. Felix placed his hand in-between my shoulder blades, maintaining a professional touch. We made our way to the fridges in the back first to grab some drinks.

"What's your poison Bella?" He asked with a chuckle as we examined various bottle and cans.

"Well, I'm partial to raspberry tea myself. And yourself?"

"I'm more of a Pepsi man." I smiled as he grabbed two bottles of each and we headed over to the snacks. He picked up and looked at various items as we walked down the aisles.

"So Bella, can I ask you a question?" Felix looked at me over the rack of chips that were separating us.

"Sure," I wasn't sure what he was going to ask me, but the way that he spoke made it sound like his question would be personal. He sighed before taking a deep breath.

"What are we going to Forks for?" I hadn't thought to tell him why we were going to Forks. I guess he should know, especially since I'll probably be coming down more often than not.

"Well... I'm going to visit my parents." I sighed as the cashier rang up our items.

"Oh, so you grew up in Washington then?" He grabbed the bag from the cashier and we headed to the car.

"I'll sit up front with you this time." I smiled at him as he yet again held the door open for me. "And yes, I did grow up here." We pulled back onto the high way. I opened a bottle of Pepsi for him and my tea for me.

"Thanks. So what are your parents' names? What do they do in Forks?"

"Well, there names are Charlie and Renee. My mom has her own dance studio and my dad is... or was the Chief of Police." I felt a sudden wave of sadness roll over me as I looked at the trees go by.

"Was the Chief? Did he retire?"

"Well... not exactly..." He turned his gaze to me. He cocked his eyebrow in question. "Charlie had a stroke about four months ago. I was away in Australia when it happened and I couldn't leave until my last performance. He became partially paralyzed and he can't really talk now. That's the main reason I moved back here, so I could be closer to my dad." We sat in silence for a little bit until he finally spoke.

"I think that's great Bella. So many people aren't there for someone in their family let alone their own parents when a crisis hits. Do you think I could meet your parents?" Felix looked genuinely interested in meeting my parents. I had a feeling that he would probably get along real well with Charlie.

"I think that they'd like to meet you." He blinded me with a large smile and we continued toward our destination of Forks. The closer we got, the more my nerves buzzed. Soon we came across the Forks city limit sign.

"We're almost there Bella. Nervous?" Felix bumped my arm with his elbow.

"Definitely,"

"It'll be okay, they'll just be happy to see you. I'd bet you anything." As we got closer and closer to my childhood home, I closed my eyes, trying to regulate my breathing. The car pulled to a stop and my eyes slid open. The house hadn't changed much. The thin brick path with the Geraniums planted along side winded up to the front steps of the porch Charlie had added. The house was still yellow with green shutters; Renee said it made the house more welcoming. The front door still had 'Swan' carved into the front. Wind chimes hung around the porch overhang; I had missed it more than I thought.

"I take it this is the 'Swan' residence..." Felix leaned forward in his seat to look out the front window for a better view.

"Yes, this is home... Well, let's go." We both got out of the car. Felix started up the path but I couldn't bring myself to move. Halfway up the path, Felix turned back to me.

"Bella? You okay?" He jogged back over to my side.

"What if he's mad at me? What if he doesn't want me here?" I started to panic. He grabbed my hand and pulled me into his side.

"It will be fine Bella. Come on," He pulled me up the path, up the front steps, and to the door. He hastily pushed the doorbell in. I could hear footsteps on the other side, coming from the door. The handle turned and the door opened. There was my mom. She too looked the same. She looked like me just much more beautiful. Her brown hair framed her face in a wavy bob. Her brown eyes weren't as alive as I remembered but there was still a fire burning behind them. Her thick lips curled into a smile.

"Isabella, darling Bella!" She threw herself into my arms. I held onto her for dear life as she held on to me. I felt tears hit my shoulder as she silently cried. We eventually pulled away from each other.

"Who is this handsome man Bella?" She giggled. Felix humored her by grabbing her hand and kissing it.

"It's great to miss you, I'm Felix."

"And you're... Bella's...?"

"I'm her driver." A small blush spread across her face.

"If that's what you kids are calling it now..." I couldn't help but laugh at my mom's tunnel vision. She thought what she wanted and she turned it into reality.

"Mom! Seriously, he's my driver." She smiled.

"Well, it's still nice to meet you. Your father will be so pleased that you are here Bella. He's wanted to see you for a while. He would call you but since he can't... he can't really... speak anymore." Renee started to cry yet again.

"Come on mom, let's go see him. He's in the living room I'm guessing." She nodded as she led us inside. The TV was on ESPN; Charlie was sitting in his favorite chair bundled up in a blanket. He did look different. His left eye drooped a little, in fact, the whole left side of his face seemed to angle down a little. His hair was a little shaggier; he had some scruff on his face. But, he was still Charlie.

"Daddy," Charlie's eyes flickered over to me.

"Be-Bells," His voice was garbled as he tried to say my name. Tears suddenly spilt from his eyes. He held out his good arm to me and I all but ran over to him. I pressed my face into his shoulder as his arm wrapped around me.

"I've missed you so much." I cried into his shoulder. He smoothed my hair and kissed the top of my head, speaking silent words through his actions. He pulled back from me a little and grabbed the pad of paper in his lap and a pen. With shaking fingers, he started to write with sloppy script across the page. When he was done he held it up to me.

I am happy now.

Those simple words made my vision blur terribly. He touched my cheek and rubbed his thumb across the bone.

"I'm happy too..." He looked behind me and furrowed his already wrinkled brow. He started to write on the pad again.

Who is that? Your boyfriend.

I laughed as I noticed how alike my parents were. They both thought he was involved with me.

"No, he's my driver. Since I started working at Benaroya Hall, the owner, Aro Volturri, gave me my own personal driver, a condo, and a credit card. They're taking really good care of me." Felix smiled as he approached Charlie.

"I'm Felix, sir. It's nice to meet you." Felix held out his hand to Charlie. Charlie reached out slowly and gave a firm shake.

"Are you guy's hungry? I was just about to make some lunch. Want to help me Bella?" Renee said from the entry way of the living room.

"Sure mom, I'll be back dad." He gave my leg a pat and I followed Renee to the kitchen. Everything was sitting on the counters, ready to be chopped up and cooked. She went over to the over and turned it on.

"He is a lot happier than he has been in a while because of you Isabella." She preferred to call me by my full name; she said that it was too beautiful of a name not to say the whole thing.

"I'm glad... I've missed you guys so much. It's nice being close again." She smiled back at me as we started lunch. After lunch, we sat and talked for a while. Renee got on the subject of her being a professional dancer, Felix was fascinated. She started to tell him stories and show him pictures of the older days. I was sitting on the armrest of Charlie's chair. I was watching as Felix and Renee bantered back and forth. Charlie patted my leg and handed me his pad of paper.

He's a nice guy... I wouldn't mind if you wanted to go out with him...

I burst into laughter at his silliness.

"Felix is a nice guy... but there's nothing there." He continued to write more.

I just want you to be happy Bells.

"I'm happy now... with you." He smiled.

That's not the kind of happy I mean Bella. I want you to have your own family. Besides, I won't be here forever.

I blinked tears away at the truthfulness of his words.

"But I'm happy for now. That'll have to be ok for a while." He looked up at me with sad but understanding eyes. He knew I wouldn't listen and I knew he'd just bring it up at a later time. But like I said, for now, that'll have to do.


Hope you all liked it! I'll have another chapter out soon! Excited for feed back!