Chapter 8:

As I rushed up the stairs as fast as was safe for someone of my limited coordination, my mind was racing. What does Edward need to say to Charlie that he doesn't want to say in front of me? I hoped it was nothing significant, and I was trying my hardest to clamp down on my natural instinct to let my insecurities run away with me.

Upon reaching the bathroom, I quickly got into the empty bathtub and as quietly as possible undid the catch and pushed the window slightly ajar. I winced at the slight grating sound, but reminded myself that Charlie would certainly not have heard it, and Edward's senses were probably fully occupied by his discussion with my dad.

Already I could hear the murmur of Edward's voice outside. It was faint, but by straining my ears I could make out most of what he was saying to Charlie – polite as ever, Edward seemed to be thanking Charlie for letting him speak to him. I rolled my eyes; only Edward Cullen would thank his fiancée's father for having what was undoubtedly going to be an uncomfortable conversation with him!

I struggled to hear what Charlie said in reply. His words weren't nearly as clear as Edward's, and he was speaking in quite a low voice anyway. I caught enough to gather that he was asking Edward something about why we were getting married now. I smiled at Edward's answer. I would never get tired of hearing him declare his love for me.

I listened as Charlie's voice rose in volume as the conversation turned to the awkward question of why Edward left me before. I gasped involuntarily at the mere mention of that terrible time; I couldn't bear to think of it. I clamped my hand over my mouth, trying to keep my breathing calm and my heart rate as steady as possible. I did not want to alert Edward to the fact that I was listening in on his conversation with my dad.

I wondered what Edward would say to Charlie to explain his actions? Obviously he couldn't tell him the truth... But Edward being Edward, undoubtedly he would want to be as honest with Charlie as was possible.

I bit my lip as I heard Edward describe our relationship as being "unhealthy". I had known to a certain extent that this was how he had felt, but it still hurt hearing Edward saying it aloud.

For several long moments, I heard nothing from either Charlie or Edward and I was seconds away from going down to see what was happening when I heard Charlie's voice saying something along the lines of "Marry her" and "I'll be watching". I had to smile at Charlie's protectiveness. That was one thing he had in common with Edward.

The smile was soon wiped from my face as I heard Charlie steer the conversation towards the topic of how I had not lived up to his trust last night. I just knew he was going to come over all heavy-handed and defensive, telling Edward to keep his hands off me! Charlie had old-fashioned morals – I was certain that he would not like the idea of Edward and I sharing anything other than chaste kisses and hand holding... To be honest, Charlie probably wasn't too keen on that even!

It would be a great understatement to say that I was surprised when I heard Charlie calmly accept Edward's explanation and apology for my failure to return home. I was floored by the way he didn't argue with or even question Edward's words. I heard Charlie mention something about a proposal he had to make. Now this, I want to hear! But of course, I wasn't that lucky. Charlie's next few utterances were indecipherable to me.

Inwardly groaning with frustrated curiosity, I leaned up on my knees to get a good look out the window. If I can't hear what's being said, then maybe I can at least see what's going on down there. I saw Edward and my dad shaking hands. I groaned. Whatever Charlie had suggested, they had obviously reached some sort of agreement on it.

Within seconds, I saw Edward's face turning to glance up at me. As our eyes locked, I knew that I was rumbled! Charlie followed Edward's gaze, and in an instant, I was on my feet.

I stumbled as I tried to step out of the bathtub, crashing forward to land on my knees on the tiled floor. Cursing at the pain in my knees, I got up and quickly dashed into my bedroom. I threw myself across the bed and grabbed the first book that I saw. I was fairly sure that Edward and Charlie had seen me spying on them, but I figured that I might as well try and keep up the pretence.

A few minutes passed in which I didn't even glance at the book held open in my hands. My heart was racing, wondering what I had missed from Edward and Charlie's conversation, and even more importantly, how would they react to my snooping? Edward had asked for privacy to speak to my father, after all, and I had broken my promise to him. I only hoped that he would forgive me my curiosity

I heard quick footsteps on the stairs. Charlie. I supposed he had sent Edward home, no doubt so he could discuss last night with me properly. There was no way Charlie was going to let me off as easily as he did downstairs...

There came a polite knock at the door. "Come in," I called, a slight quaver in my voice.

The door swung open, and a head of tousled bronze hair appeared around it. "May I come in?" Edward asked, mannerly as ever.

I was shocked. Edward didn't look at all angry with me, even though I was certain that he had seen me looking out at him and Charlie. He was smiling slightly, and looked far happier than any young man who had just had a grilling from his fiancée's father had a right to be.

I nodded my assent. Edward moved fluidly to sit on the end of the bed. His smile didn't leave his face.

"This is new," I said.

Edward's smooth brow wrinkled slightly. "What is new, love?"

"You using the door," I replied. "Does Charlie know you're up here?"

Edward nodded. His smile was evolving into a full-on grin. "He certainly does, Bella. In fact, he suggested that I should go and speak to you."

"Oh," I said softly. I didn't have a clue what Edward had done to Charlie, but if it meant that I got to have him here with me openly, even for a few minutes, I decided that it was worth it.

"Don't you want to know what we discussed?" Edward asked me, his eyes teasing. "I'm sure you weren't able to hear particularly well from where you were."

I blushed. "Edward, I'm sorry! I know I shouldn't have, but I..."

Edward reached over and placed a finger over my lips, halting my flow of words. "Bella, it's perfectly fine," he said quickly, anxious to reassure me. "I know you. I knew you would be listening."

My blush darkened. "Am I that easy to read?" I said huffily.

Edward smiled, running his hand lightly through my hair. "Bella, there's no reason to get so defensive. I'm not annoyed, I promise."

"Well... good," I muttered.

"So, how much of our conversation did you catch, Bella?" Edward asked me.

"A lot of it," I admitted. "I can't believe you were able to tell Charlie all of that!"

Edward shrugged his shoulders. "I needed to let him know how I feel about you, love. Naturally, your father was concerned, so I wanted to put his mind at ease that I have only your best interests at heart."

I nodded, taking in what Edward was telling me. "I guess that makes sense," I said. "I missed the end of the conversation though... Charlie said something about a proposal he had for you?"

"Ah, yes, of course," Edward said, "Which brings us nicely to why I'm here in your room now. Your father had come up with a rather delightful idea, Bella."

"Really?" I asked incredulously. I honestly couldn't imagine Charlie concocting a plan for me and Edward that could be in any way pleasant.

"Really," Edward concurred. "Charlie doesn't want you to feel that you ever have to lie to him about spending time with me."

"Okaaay..." I murmured, still unsure where this was going.

Edward's topaz eyes glinted. "That includes spending time with me, uhm... overnight."

I could feel my eyes widening. "Seriously? That doesn't sound like something Charlie would do."

"Your father is an interesting character, Bella," Edward said. "He might surprise you."

I smiled. "He seems to be doing a good job of that today! But just to clarify, what precisely does this mean for us?"

"It means that we can spend the night together without resorting to subterfuge anymore, Bella," Edward explained. "If you wish to spend the night at my home, you can do so openly, assuming you inform Charlie first."

"Wow!" I exclaimed. "I mean, that's fantastic, Edward! Of course, you do realise it will be mortifying telling Charlie I'm staying in your house, knowing that he'll assume the worst of us?"

Edward nodded. "I thought you might feel that way, Bella, but I for one feel that the reward will be well worth the effort, don't you?"

I nodded, biting my lip. The thought of spending the night entwined with Edward in his huge bed was doing funny things to my insides. I could feel a tightening at the base of my stomach and I found myself staring fixatedly at Edward's shapely lips...

Edward chuckled, disturbing me from my lust struck daze. "Would you like to hear the rest of Charlie's suggestion?" he asked.

"There's more?"

"Oh yes," Edward responded, leaning in to place a quick kiss on my lips. "There certainly is more to Charlie's idea, and I happen to like it very much indeed."

By now, I was frantic to know what else was in store.

"You see, I think Charlie has come to realise how much he will miss you when you are no longer living here with him," Edward explained. "It seems that he has decided that he'd like to have you here in this house more often than you have been recently."

I was confused. "But how does that work, if we're allowed to spend time together? I can't bi-locate, Edward."

He smiled. "It's quite simple really. You see, Charlie has invited me to spend the night here, Bella, with you."

My jaw dropped in shock. "He has?"

Edward inclined his head. "He has – on the condition that Carlisle and Esme are amenable to the idea, of course, but I don't see that being a problem somehow."

I couldn't get my head around the idea. Of course, Edward already spent practically every night here with me, but sneaking through a window after Charlie was asleep was entirely different to being invited to stay by my father! I had never anticipated that this could happen. Needless to say, I loved the idea!

"What do you think, Bella?" Edward asked me. "If you're uncomfortable at the thought of Charlie knowing that I am here, I have no problem in continuing with our present arrangement, of course."

I shook my head, extending my brace-free left hand to pull Edward's lips against mine in a searing kiss. "Not a chance," I replied.

Reluctantly I pulled away from Edward, but left my hand where it was at the base of his neck, just at his hairline. "Edward?" I asked softly. "Will you stay with me tonight?"

"Oh, Bella!" he gasped, and pulled me into his arms.

There and then, I realised that tonight would not be a particularly restful night for me...