**author's note** apologies for late upload for my fellow east coasters i had a problem with my internet so forgive me.

Better in Time

Chapter Eight::::

BELLA P.O.V

I hate surprises why are these people giving me what I can't stand. A surprise party to celebrate my first solo article, oh and did I mention there's a cake involved too. My office decided to throw me a party in my honor and now I'm forced to smile and act all appreciative while eating Sarah Lee vanilla cake and a Hawaiian punch knock-off. Why do grown ass people feel the need to occasionally do little kid stuff out of nowhere and for what reason? *sigh* I'm just at least happy Marv ending up liking my 'tough hard edge approach' and he's got another story lined up for me. I guess for that price sucking it up by eating pure garbage isn't really that much effort.

"I'm so happy for you," Sarah says her mouth full of cake

"Thanks." I say smiling barely

"I know this is what you've always wanted; I'm so happy it's finally happened for you Bells," She says and wraps her one free arm around me in a hug. Sarah's always been a sweetheart I'm very happy by her show of suppoert I should've known she'd always be there for me.

"Bella," I hear one of my coworkers call from the break room door

"Yes?"

"You're phone was ringing," He says and hands it to me

"Thanks Hunter." I say and scan to check my missed call, it was from my dad.

"Who was it Jason?" Sarah asks

"No, it's from Charlie I'm just gonna take this at my desk." I say and walk back to my cubicle and call Charlie up.

"Hello,"

"Hey, dad what's up?" I ask

"Nothing, just sitting here reading your article--congratulations baby girl." Charlie says sounding proud

"Thanks Charlie." I say feeling my cheeks flush

"I had to go all the way to some book store in Port Angeles to get the paper but it was worth seeing it."

"Dad, you're the best." I say

"I have to admit...I kinda got a little teary eyed when I read it." Charlie says softly

"Why?" I say confused

"I just...miss you is all. You're all grown now and doing all these things it would just be nice to get to see you more often and especially since you're engaged...it just feels like it's been too long." Charlie laments

"It has been too long." I say feeling the sadness in my voice

"Yeah," Charlie says with a deep sigh

"Dad um, I'll see you when I can...I--

"No--don't go trying to take room out of your chedule for me I know you're busy and for me to do that is asking too much but perhaps this spring." Charlie says hopefully

"Yeah, that would be wonderful like around Easter." I add

"Yeah, Easter would be wonderful." Charlie says and I can hear his contentness

"Dad I love you and I just love it when you're proud of me...it's one of the few things that motivate me." I say getting choked up

"I love you Bells." Charlie says and I hear him clear his throat a bit

"I'll talk to you late dad." I say and hang up just before the tears come down

I feel so guilty. I haven't been to Washington in almost a year and a half. Why am I letting myself drift from the closest figure in my life. I can't imagine how lonely he must be up there and me, I'm here...in New York practically a continent away and I struggle sometimes to even pick up the damn phone. What kind of a daughter am I.

"Bella you alright?" I hear Sarah say from behind me

"Yeah I'm cool, I think I'm gonna clock in early though...you guys don't mind right?" I ask

"No, not at all we're just cleaning up the back room so feel free to go." Sarah says smiling

"Thanks for everything you guys are amazing for throwing this for me." I say smiling and gathering my things into my purse

"You deserve it." Sarah reinsures me and I smile


I sat in bed going through photo albums and reliving memory after memory with each turn of the page. Renee bought me a digital camera one birthday and I tried to take as many pictures as I could to keep her update and off my case every minute at the time it just felt annoying but now I'm so happy I took them. I love how Charlie's not smiling in any of these pictures, he's so stern and scary looking in his cop uniform. I don't think I'm any better, there's a series of self taken photos of me just kinda being there but not showing any real emotions. Wow, i'm not smiling at all...I notice and continue flipping through almost at the end when I see one picture of me smiling like it's going out of style...the night of Valentine day dance. Me dancing with my mask cloaking my face and mysterious partner taking my hand. I remember that night well...I lean back in bed and think about that night when I hear the front door open.

"Bella are you home?" Jason calls

"Yes!" I call back sitting up

"How was your day Mrs. Reporter," He says coming over into the room and taking off his shoes

"Good, they even threw a little party in my honor." I say sticking out my tongue

"Oh, you're the man now." Jason says jokingly while taking off his tie

"You know it," I reply

"I love coming home and seeing you." Jason says and bends down and kisses me

"Same." I say

"What's this you're looking at?"

"Just a photo album." I say and move to close it up

"Oh, you know I gotta check it out, let me see those embarrassing pictures." Jason says and tries steal the album from me

"Nooo," I protest

"Come on," Jason says and opens it up

"Well, the reason I had it out is because dare I say, I feel a bit nostalgic tonight." I say softly cuddling against him

"You do why's that?"

"My dad called today and he just sounded so sad...he says I never come see him and it's true." I say

"That's because you work your ass off, don't beat yourself up sweetie," Jason says and kisses the top of my head

"Still, it would be nice see him like just one day out of the blue instead of always promising to come during a holiday or some cliche type of set up to appease him." I explain

"You think way too much." Jason says laughing

"Hon I'm serious." I whine

"Well fine, when are you off?" He asks

"My next vacation is about 2 months away." I groan

"Use your sick days then, you never call out sick." Jason says

"Babe...I can't go taking all these days off when I'm finally doing my reporting job

"It doesn't have to be a lot of days it could just be a weekend or something you said you wanted it to be somewhat spontaneous."

"...Hmmm, I don't know." I say

"Do it, I'll even come with you," Jason adds

"Well, this weekend I gotta do this other story but the weekend after next will just be the editing...I guess I could take off then."

"That sounds good to me." Jason says

"Alright, then we'll both go visit Charlie in Forks...this will be interesting." I say smiling

"Just show him the ring and you'll have nothing to worry about," Jason quips