Author's Note: Hey guys! I am so sorry that I've missed a few days. Things have been crazy lately with family. Merry Christmas to all of you though! I love you guys! Enjoy!

CHAPTER SEVEN

There I sat, in the passenger seat, giving Dad directions to my short-lived place of residence while Edward sat in the backseat, absorbed in the music I had playing. He seemed to like it, and I stored that information away in my mind. Debussy, he likes Debussy.

Of course it was completely wasteful to have three of us here, when I only had two boxes of things. Not that either of them listened to reason.

Daddy wasn't saying anything, just holding my hand and squeezing it tightly every time I got jittery. I wondered if this was not only just his way of calming me, but also of marking me as still his baby girl. I obviously knew Edward would never feel anything for me, when he could have any girl he wanted, but Daddy without a doubt felt the attraction I was feeling. This might be him trying to tell me that I'm his baby, and his baby is not allowed to like boys.

I tried to relax into my seat and process everything that had happened today.

I went to a new school.

I found Dad.

I met an entire family of vampires who already were embracing me as their own.

I was moving in with said vampires.

I was irrevocably attracted to the only single one in the coven, and I couldn't quite figure out why. I had never been attracted to anyone. Like ever.

And to top everything off, they knew my story, and they wanted to help me with my baby. I closed my eyes and pictured what life could be like, would be like, if I had my baby. I would have a reason, a purpose. I would have someone to love, someone to cherish for the rest of my days. Everything would be so much brighter, and I couldn't help but think it was too good to be true.

Even if I couldn't deliver Whitney though, I would still have Daddy, as long as it was safe to stay here. If there ever came a point in time where James found me again, I would of course leave as to not put Daddy and the rest of the Cullens in danger.

Dad finally pulled into the driveway, and sat in his seat for a moment or two before moving to get up. I looked at him strangely, as Edward was already unbuckling.

"Daddy? You okay?"

"You live here? No. This is much too small. Thank heavens you're moving in with us."
"Well Dad, it's a pretty good size for just one person to live. I don't need much."

He just snorted at me, and then got out to open my door for me. He stopped short, however, when he realized that Edward had beaten him to the punch. It was nice and I appreciated it, but Daddy certainly didn't seem to feel the same way. He quickly marched into the house with a grunt. I looked to Edward, who was staring after Daddy with an amused look on his face.

"What is he thinking?" I asked after a moment or so.

Edward looked to me and smiled gently before letting his gorgeous crooked smile fall into a smirk. "He's just going into soldier mode, thinking he has to protect his little girl and all. I don't think he much enjoys me being here and I'm sorry if you feel like I'm intruding, but I happen to be very glad I came."

I smiled and giggled a bit, feeling like a 10 year old little girl. "No, I like you being here too."

Apparently Daddy heard me say this, because we heard a loud growl coming from the entrance of the house. We quickly exchanged glances and hurried into the first room of the home, the kitchen. The room was empty, as I saw no point in furnishing a room I would never use. Upon seeing this, they moved to the next room. They kept repeating the process with confused looks on their faces until I informed them that all of my stuff was in the bedroom.

They both gave exaggerated huffs and followed me to my room, where I had two boxes already sitting there.

"This is it?" Dad asked. "What about clothes?" He looked to the closet.

"Daddy, my clothes are in that box." I pointed to the box on the left. "I told you, I really don't need much." After hearing this, Dad just got this look of immense concern on his face, and then informed me that he was going to let Alice buy a whole new wardrobe for me. Great.

Edward spoke up. "Bella, if you don't mind me asking… What's in the other box?"

I smiled warmly, and opened the folds of the box in order to reveal the contents to the two men. Edward remained silent while Daddy immediately gasped.

"Bella, you kept all of this?" He let his fingers slide through all of our faded tokens of the past. He went through the dresses, the pictures, and even the locket he gave me before he left. Then his hands fell to one particular letter. He cleared his throat and began to read his own faded handwriting from many years ago.

"My little baby girl,

Tonight I write this with a heavy heart. I just put you to bed,

and I can hear you safely sleeping in your room across the hall.

Your mother and I have not told you yet, but today I was notified that

I am needed in battle. I have to go fight for a while, and I leave in 2

weeks. I'll be back before you know it though, and I will think of you

the whole time. When you get lonely, I hope you remember that I'll

be missing you too, sweetheart. Daddy loves you, and I'll return soon

to tuck you in at night after reading you a bedtime story. Don't ever

doubt my love, for it will always be there.

If, however, something happens to me, I need you to be strong. Can

you do that for Daddy? Take care of Momma, and of yourself. Don't

forget me, because I'll be watching over you from a safer place. We

will be together again someday, no matter what.

I love you with all my heart, sweet Bella. You are my whole world.

Daddy"

He looked up at me and smiled. "I spent every night after that writing you letters."

"And they're all in that box." I pointed to the stack of yellowed parchment.

"Everything I said is still true, Bella." He pulled me close to him and stroked my hair. "Look, here we are. Together again, it just took a little longer than expected." I felt him smile against my head as I chuckled.

I turned my head and I saw Edward observing with nothing but respect and happiness for us. "That was a beautiful letter, Jasper. Who knew you could write?" He chuckled.

Daddy released me after messing with my hair and kissing my head, and then grabbed the two boxes. He carried them both to my car, and he didn't even flinch when Edward opened my door again for me. He was that happy to be my Dad again.

We rode home in complete bliss, singing along badly to each song on the radio. We all laughed and genuinely enjoyed each other. We got home quickly and I sighed in contentment. Home. What a nice word.

Daddy carried my stuff to wherever my new room was, while E dward gave me a tour of my new house. We went through all of the obvious ones, like the kitchen or living room. Then he lead me through Emmett and Rosalie's room, which was elaborately decorated. I then saw Alice and Daddy's room. That was weird for me, but I was amused to see Alice's taste everywhere. Then Edward took me past Dad's study, which he said no one was allowed in without permission, even Alice. It was his special place. I didn't mention that Daddy had already told me I could go in there anytime I wanted.

Then we got to Edward's room. It was beautiful, to say the least. Simple and elegant, but beautiful. What really got my attention was the giant grand piano in the middle of the room.

"Do you play?" He asked.

"Only a little." I didn't really want to mention that it was one of my greatest loves in life. I was sure he would find out from Daddy eventually anyway.

"I'd love to hear you play sometime." He smiled, and then leaned in closer to my face. The scent of his breath was so intoxicating. Between the sweetness of his smell, and the connection our eyes kept making, I could barely think straight.

"Likewise." I managed to get out.

Then I heard someone calling for me. "Bella! Come see your room!" I walked to the source of the voice, and followed Rosalie, Alice, Daddy, and Edward to my new room which was conveniently located across the hall from Edward's and Daddy's.

I took a deep breath and walked in. I was taken aback at how great they had managed to make it look in such a short amount of time. All of the furniture was black and white, with red detail everywhere. There were even candles scattered and a glorious chandelier. It had a king sized bed, with a black a gold Victorian styled comforter. It was perfect.

"Do you like it? Jazzy said you would. We'll paint it tomorrow, we chose a lovely musky gold color. It will complement the candles beautifully." Alice said.

I broke out into a smile. "I love it Alice, really. It's perfect. Thank you."

She predictably squealed, and the let out, "Oh yay Bella I'm so glad you like it! Tomorrow after we paint, we'll go shopping. Your father told me you had one box of clothes. How is that even possible? Don't worry, we'll fix it tomorrow." I barely had time to give my consent before she rushed everyone out the door, giving me time to "embrace my space" as she so cutely put it.

I could tell Edward and Daddy didn't really want to leave, but I didn't want to hurt Alice's feelings by asking just them to stay. So I just laid down on my massive bed for a while, just absorbing my day. Then, the nerd in me decided it was time to read, so I turned to the bookshelf that took up an entire wall. Then I realized there were no books. Then I saw a little folded up piece of paper. I grinned and unfolded it to read,

"Bella,

You truly are my daughter, because you have inherited my love of books. I know you have your own books in those boxes, but I would like to welcome you to enter into my study at anytime. It is full of books, and I want you to pick any book you want. Any books you ever choose will be yours to keep, and you can fill up these bookshelves with not only books, but pieces of me as well. Edward has a collection I'm positive he'd be willing to share, but nothing would please me more than to provide for my daughter in this way. I love that we share this passion.

Sorry about Alice's shopping, by the way. She can be a little overwhelming at times, but I hope you can eventually love her. You are the two most important women in the world to me, and I would love to see you become close.

I love you forever.

-Daddy."

I smiled to myself. Daddy had nothing to worry about, I already loved Alice. I was just standing up to make my way to his study when I heard a quiet knock at my door. Alice peaked her head in.

"Hey Bella, I was wondering if you had a minute? I'd like to talk to you about something." It was the first time in the very short time I'd known her that she sounded nervous.

Oooo! What do you think Alice wants to talk to Bella about? What did you think of Jasper's notes? You'll be seeing more of old letters Jasper wrote Bella in the future. :)

Okay, so when I get 5 more reviews, I will post the next chapter. You guys can do it! Love y'all!