Though it had only been a few days, for some reason I thought the house would have changed even a little bit. But everything was just as it was before I left. The dust was still on the coffee table, the morning newspaper was strewn on the couch, my childhood progression marched across the mantle, and ESPN was blaring from the TV. There was one notable exception to the normalcy that had been my house however. There was now a wedding picture of Charlie, Edward, and I added to the collection of photos on the mantle. For some reason, this simple gesture touched me more than anything that Charlie could say. It showed me that somewhere, even though he might not show it, Charlie approved of my husband and was happy to display him as one of our little family for all to see. Despite being nervous to face Charlie, I found myself smiling slightly at my new insight.

I felt Edward's arm tighten around my shoulder and his cool breath tickle my ear as he whispered, "What are you smiling about love?"

I took a step forward, reached out, and traced my finger down the warm mahogany frame of our wedding picture. "Its just this picture. I like it seeing it up here, that's all."

Edward grabbed another photo, a teasing grin lighting his face. "I don't know. I like this one better." He paused, cocked his head, and appeared to be appraising the photo. "I just never pegged you as a perm girl before. Its definitely your look."

I swiped the picture from his grasp and placed it back in its place on the mantle. "You are hilarious. My mom was experimenting, and I wasn't old enough to say 'No Mom, looking like a poodle is not ok with me.' And now I get to live with the photographic evidence of my stylish 3rd grade picture."

In our brief moment of silence I heard Charlie rooting around loudly in the kitchen. He might as well have called our names, as obvious as he was being. I wrapped my arm around Edward's elbow and tugged him toward the kitchen. "No more making fun of my hair. Let's see if I'm about to get my first ticket."

Edward snorted rather indelicately. "Your first ticket? We really do need to get you out more. I'm sure Emmett and Jasper can come up with all sorts of fun activities for you. Not that I would let you go with them unsupervised, of course."

I tightened my grasp on his arm and pulled harder. "Come on Felony Fred. We can't all be as intrepid as you and you band of brothers. And my father is the Chief of Police after all. That doesn't exactly lend itself to rule breaking."

As we reached the doorway of the small kitchen, I gently cleared my throat over the racket Charlie was making in the refrigerator. He straightened up and slammed the fridge door shut. "Well its about time. I was beginning to think you were going to spend all night giggling in the front room." He gestured to the tiny table. "Sit down so we can talk."

I glanced at the table, and then at Edward and Charlie. There were only two chairs and I didn't think it would be a good idea to let Charlie loom over Edward and I as we sat down. I proposed an alternative. "Could we go back to the living room Dad? That way there's room for everyone."

Charlie grunted. "Of course Bella. Tonight is all about your comfort. Please, lead the way." He made a broad, sweeping gesture with his arm, nearly knocking Edward in the back of the head in the process. I'm not sure that it wasn't intentional.

I made the quick trek to the couch repeating the whole way its because he loves us, its because he loves us. I flopped down onto the sagging sofa while Edward lowered himself gracefully next to me. Charlie strode over to the chair and eased his bulk onto the edge of the seat.

As Charlie appeared to be gathering himself for his tirade I made a mental note of his face. He didn't look nearly as angry as I thought he would, his skin remaining only a faint shade of pink.

Charlie took one final deep breath, rubbed his hands on his thighs a few times and began. "I'm going to start with the most important question. What are you doing home only a few days after the wedding?"

I glanced at Edward, who was wearing his placid mask of an expression again. I stifled an inappropriate giggle before answering. "That's the easiest one to answer Dad. We were homesick. Neither of us really wanted to be on some random island for that long. We wanted to come home. Next question." I felt a little stronger feeling Edward's reassuring hand running up and down my back.

Charlie didn't seem to like my answer. "Then why didn't you call when you got here? Why did I have to find out you were home by pulling you over? Which brings me to my next question. Bella, I have never known you to be stupid so please explain to me what could have possessed you to drive 92 miles per hour in the dark, in an unfamiliar car, in a town where your dad knows the entire police force?"

I almost choked as I felt a hot flush begin to creep up my neck. The methodical rubbing on my back abruptly stopped. "92? Umm…." I never thought to ask Edward exactly how fast we were going when Charlie most likely clocked us. In a serious lapse of judgment, I figured it would have been a much more reasonable speed.

"Yes, 92! Tell me why I shouldn't revoke your license right now!" Charlie's face was now beginning to resemble more of an angry tomato rather than its previous gentle pink. His hands had balled into fists and were now grinding dents into the cushion of the chair. "Dammit Bella, you could have killed someone!"

How in the world was I going to get out of this? Edward, however quickly cut off my panicked ponderings. "I'm afraid the speed was my fault Charlie."

"Your fault? Bella was the one driving. How is this remotely your fault?"

Edward resumed tracing his gentle patterns on my back. "You see, my sister has a fondness for modifying cars. I'm afraid my Volvo has some alterations which can make it difficult to moderate speed. To make matters worse, my dash light is burnt out so in the dark the speedometer cannot be seen easily. So, as Bella had only driven my car a few times previously, she was truly not aware how fast the car was traveling." I stole another peek at Edward, trying to hide my incredulous reaction. He offered me the faintest of grins in return.

Charlie harrumphed. "Special modifications, eh? I'm guessing these modifications aren't street legal, am I right?"

Edward had the good grace to smile sheepishly. "They aren't in this country sir."

"Carlisle is going to be hearing about this, Edward. I won't ticket you for illegal modifications, but I expect that you will remove them ASAP." With that, Charlie leaned back into his chair, closed his eyes, and began massaging his temples. "You almost gave me a heart attack when I saw that car flying by me that fast. I thought someone was dead or dying."

It really hurt me to see Charlie, who had always been a rock, to appear so vulnerable. I couldn't think of anything to say that was profound enough for this moment so I just kept quiet. I concentrated on Edward's cool hand resting lightly on the small of my back. Edward too was silent, so the only noise was the muted sound of the dripping sink floating in from the next room and Charlie's measured breathing.

Charlie abruptly leaned forward again. "Why didn't you tell me you were home Bells?" I could tell that he was trying to mask the hurt in his voice.

This was much more difficult to answer than the speeding question. "Gee Dad, couldn't tell you because I'm about to become a vampire like my husband and his family," wouldn't go over real well so instead I had to settle for more lies. "We hadn't told anyone we were back yet, Dad. We might not have been thousands of miles away but we were still on our honeymoon. We needed some alone time." I awkwardly smiled at Charlie, hoping that he would make the uncomfortable leap to my implied meaning. I saw the instant he made the connection as an embarrassed flush stained his cheeks. We must have looked like mirror images as I could feel the heat of the blood rushing to my face as well.

"Oh, I see. Well. Next time you want to be alone, I suggest you choose an activity that won't draw so much attention from the local law enforcement."

A quick giggle escaped my lips, picturing what sorts of activities Edward and I could do without police involvement. Edward must have been thinking the same thing as I could feel him silently shaking with laughter beside me.

Charlie, realizing what he had said and where I minds went turned a deeper shade of crimson. "No, that's not what I meant. Oh…"

I stifled my giggles, not wanting to think about doing those things in front of my father. "I really am sorry Dad. I was planning on telling you we were back. And you know I don't usually speed."

Cracking his first grin of the night, Charlie chuckled. "That's because your truck isn't capable of speeding."

"Hey, let's not pick on my truck. It is a perfectly good dependable vehicle."

Edward chimed in. "Sure, for an 80 year old." I took a playful swat at his chest just as Charlie's watch beeped.

He glanced down at his wrist and groaned. Standing up and stretching, he looked back at us apologetically and said, "I'm sorry to cut this short, but I really have to be heading to bed. I need to get to the station early tomorrow."

My lighthearted mood suddenly plummeted. Swiftly, I realized I needed to see Charlie one more time before my change. I couldn't abandon him without offering him some much needed closure. It wouldn't be fair.

I pried myself out of the deep couch cushions, stood up, and crossed the small room to Charlie. "Maybe we could have lunch one of these days. Edward and I are leaving for New Hampshire for school soon and I would love to see you again before then."

"Of course Bella. You pick the day."

"How about tomorrow?"

"Tomorrow is perfect. Why don't we meet at the Fork's Coffee Shop around 1?"

"That sounds great Dad." I wrapped my arms around his neck and gave him a big squeeze. "I love you."

Charlie awkwardly put his arms around my waist. "I love you too Bells. Goodnight."

I disentangled myself from Charlie and walked to the door with Edward. Charlie got in his last parting shot before we left. "Maybe you should let Edward drive, though."

Edward chucked in response. "I couldn't agree more." With a bright grin, he held out his hand. "Keys please."

I fished the keys from my pocked and obediently dropped them into Edwards waiting palm. "With pleasure." I glanced back over my shoulder to Charlie. "Bye Dad. See you tomorrow."

With a barely stifled yawn Charlie mumbled a brief bye.

Edward herded me out the front door to the passenger side of the car. With a quick, chaste kiss on the cheek, he opened the door and guided me down into the seat. It wasn't until I sat down in the car that I realized how tired I was. This day was one of the most emotionally exhausting days of my life. I tried to hide my fatigue from Edward, but despite my best efforts, I was asleep before we got to the main road. I barely registered him brushing his cool fingertips on my cheek and softly whispering, "Sleep tight my beautiful, courageous wife."

Thanks again to all those who have put this story on alert or on your favorites list! Also, don't worry. Bella's lunch with Charlie is not going to be a long drawn out affair. We are getting very close to her change!

-kc