After playing many games of rummy with Jasper, Emmett, Alice and Carlisle – where Bella did a quiet well considering she didn't play the game in her past – Esme made dinner for Charlie and her.

While Esme was in the kitchen, Carlisle asked Bella a thing which I almost forgot about.

"So Bella, in what colleges are you applying?"

In the excitement of having Bella back, I almost forgot that Bella had a deadline on her humanity. That her heartbeats were numbered. That she may not get a human chance to attend the college.

Bella looked up at Carlisle as if he was forgetting something. "Colleges? For what?" She asked, baffled.

Carlisle didn't look at me, but thought towards me. Just because I promised her doesn't means that she has got the dead line fixed. She still has her choice. "For your high school?" Carlisle said the obvious.

Bella looked up at him in horror. "But you promised!"

"And I will keep my promise Bella." He said this directly to me and her. "But you should have a backup plan. In case you want to spend some more time as human, you should have an alternative. Not to forget that you have to play this part for Charlie's sake. He will get suspicious if you don't fill any forms."

Bella considered it while she bit her lip for some moments.

"Please, for me." I pleaded as she was not up to any answer. "At least I will have a peace of mind that you have an option."

She sighed and looked at Carlisle. "Fine. I'll fill the forms. But considering that the deadline for those forms is almost past, there is a less chance that I will get selected any where."

I looked at Alice. She smiled. There are many colleges which are still accepting forms. If she submits the forms by the next Friday, there are many chances she may get accepted in Ivy League Colleges. Peninsula university, Alaska, Dartmouth, they all have deadlines till one month. And with Carlisle's contacts and your money... she trailed off as she showed me a vision of Carlisle calling Dartmouth university to give some money for scholarship.

"We'll see." I challenged. Before she could argue Esme entered and Bella gave me a look which meant 'we will talk about it later'.

We went her home when it was past five. Esme and Carlisle asked her to come back soon, while Emmett waved her bye with a few comments. Alice promised to come by six, as she was to spend a day with Bella. She also said that Charlie have something special information. Bella got nervous at this but I know how to lift her mood.

Once we were at her home, she didn't come to sit with me but instead sat in front of me in a business-like style.

"What?" I asked, already knowing what was troubling her. She had that angry kitten-tiger look on her face, looking more adorable and less angry.

"Did you try to persuade Carlisle?" She hissed.

Doesn't she trusts me?

But in this matter, neither did I. If I think by pleading to Carlisle, even begging, he may not perform as per his promise, I would have begged him with me on my knees.

"Of course I did." I muttered and then snorted. "But he didn't listen to me. He wants it himself, to let you have an alternative."

She scrutinized me for a few seconds, analysing if whether I was lying or not. "Okay. But do we have to go through that notions?"

"Please Bella. For me. Please at least fill the forms and I'll do the rest." I pleaded. For once I wished that she listens easily to me.

"Yeah, like you paying, or I must say giving special money, to the colleges so that they accept my letter." She snorted.

"Do you really think Carlisle will allow that. And even if he does, it will not reach there. Your marks are good enough that the colleges will accept you immediately."

She considered it for a moment. "No extra money?" She asked again. I kept my hand on my heart and vowed no. "And no cheating?" I again did the same. "Okay." She finally allowed. I too exhaled the breath I was holding and opened my arms for her as an invitation. She came willingly and settled more properly in my lap. "In what colleges will you apply the letter?"

"In whichever you do."

"And what if we both get select in different colleges?"

"I'll make sure this won't happen."

"You just promised to not involve money."

"I promised to not involve money, but not to not use Carlisle's name and contacts."

"Cheater." She growled playfully as she hit my head with the magazine on the table.

.

.

.

We were studying – Bella was studying and I was tutting her – when I heard the sound of Charlie's cruiser on the road. It was my turn to leave Bella for a few minutes.

"Charlie is coming."

She looked up from the Biology book and looked at me. She bit her lip and looked at the door. "What mood is he in?" She was still worrying at what news he has for her. Even I was not able to make it our from Alice's mind that time.

I looked in Charlie's mind to get a look on his mood. He had caught a many fishes today and was happy about that, but he was also missing his friend, Harry Clearwater, and was sad for the loss. "I guess he will be good to you." I finally murmured. I didn't catch anything else from his mind which will get Bella in trouble.

She raised at the word 'guess' and I shrugged. "No need to worry. He is in a good mood." I said again as I stood up and kissed her head.

"What will you do till night?" Bella asked as she closed her books. She and I had decided that while Charlie will be home, I'll be outside so that I could give both of them a little time. She was not ready for that at first, but I held my point, saying that she will not get more time is she still follows her first plan, I didn't have to finish as Bella agreed easily after that.

"Nothing." I said. I have already decided that, but I wasn't going to tell her that, yet. "I think I'll go and look for some stuff that I wanted to check onto."

"Such as?"

Your college applications. "You'll see." I finally said as I pecked her lips and went out of the kitchen door. I heard her shout 'Cheater' at me and I laughed out loud as I ran home to check for college applications for Bella and I.

BPOV

My vampire sweetheart is such a cheater. He knows I hate surprises but still he keeps planning one thing or other for me, even when I have said him no many times. But I guess that what Edward is.

"Don't say you are missing him already." The voice of Alice chirped in from the kitchen door.

When will she come to know that she should knock first?

"Hey, Alice." I murmured as I played with my pencil while I learned an answer in Biology. I was very angry with her and I was not going to forgive her so easily. I was determined. I mean, how could she team up with Emmett in scaring me. And that too not once, but twice!

"Are you still angry?" She asked quietly, maybe seeing a vision of I not talking with her. I didn't say anything but nodded. Before she could say anything I heard the sound of tires screeching on the ground, signalling Charlie was home.

Today, before he could open the gate, I reached for the door myself and opened it for him and found a happy Charlie. "Hey, dad." I said as he entered inside.

He did something strange today. Unlike everyday, he engulfed me in his arms as soon as he put his fish container down. "Hey, honey. How was your day?"

"What makes me get this special attention from Chief Swan?" I asked instead as I stepped aside.

"Nothing." He replied as we stepped inside towards Alice. "I just missed you today, a lot." He murmured. "I leave you alone for much too time, I realized."

"No dad, you're doing great." I urged. If he didn't went outside, how will Edward sneak inside. I didn't say that though.

"Yeah. Hey Alice!" He said as he greeted a very happy Alice, who was reading my biology book. "How was your day?"

"It was fun." She replied happily as she waggled her eyebrows at me. At this I tried not to laugh. Sure today was a good day. I went to Edward's home, watched a movie, spend some quality time with Edward in his room, played rummy, and was scared by Emmett's two stupid pranks.

I chuckled at her understatement. "Yeah." I had too much fun. With Edward, of course, but we didn't say that in front of Charlie. He got a little suspicious but stopped his track of mind when his stomach growled. "Come on, dad. I'll serve you food while you go and change." He nodded and went inside.

I took the dish which Esme had prepared for us – pasta, burger and salad. I served the food in plate while Alice tried to see something in her vision. She saw something which made her smile and mumble a big 'Yeah'.

"What happen Alice?" I asked.

She clapped her hands. "Jasper is planning on giving me a new necklace."

"Don't you feel shame that you are spoiling your husband's surprise?"

"Nope." She said with a laugh. "That is the best part, knowing what you will be getting for your surprise. Though he is trying not to think much about it, I caught a small glimpse of the necklace."

"You are terrible."

"Thanks for the compliment."

She was really lucky that she could know what she would get as a surprise. I wish I could also read Edward's mind so that I could know what he was planning.

Then an idea entered in my mind. If I could ask Alice and make her say what Edward is planning for tomorrow. Sure she would answer me. "Um, Alice..."

"Don't even think about it Bella!" She warned without looking at me as she changed the page. "It is a surprise for you, and you will spoil it if you know beforehand what he is planning."

I sighed dramatically. "How can you know what your husband is planning and I can't even get a hint on what my boyfriend is planning!"

"Trust me, Bella. You are not a good actress." I stuck my tongue out at her and she laughed. Charlie came down and I served him food while Alice and I cleaned the kitchen, though there was nothing to clean as I haven't made any food here, but if we didn't do that then Charlie would have become suspicious and that was the last thing I wanted.

"Bye Bella. It was so much fun. See you tomorrow in the school." She said as she reached the door.

But Charlie stopped her. "Alice? Who is going to pick you up today?" I knew that question was coming. It was Charlie's strict order that Edward should not come here again to pick Alice. Anybody else can come for that.

"Carlisle is going to pick me up, Charlie. But first, I have to do some work in the next lane so he will pick me up from there." This was the story we decided to tell Charlie, as Alice was going to run the way home. The Carlisle excuse was used so that Charlie don't get suspicious or offers Alice a drive.

"Do you want me to do you work?"

"No, chief." Alice laughed. "I can do it myself. Anyway thank you. See you." With that Alice went – ran actually.

When Alice went, Charlie and I made our way to the couch where he was going to watch his sports whereas I was again busy with my biology book.

"Bella?"

"Yes dad?"

"I talked to Billy today. About Jacob." He told me. He had promised to talk to Billy about Jacob on behalf me.

"And what did he say." Billy can lie to me but not to Charlie.

"He said that Jacob is not doing any good and that he doesn't want you to call him and harass him any more."

"And what did you say to that."

"That Bella is his friend and will call him whenever she wants to." He said but then his mouth turned in a grimace. "Did I told him right?"

"Of course you told him the right thing. I will not stop calling Jake until he himself says me this."

"Good."

"And I really hope that things get sort out between you two. Jacob had helped you a lot and not its your turn to do it."

"I know that." Jacob had helped me much more than Charlie knows. Be it either from Lauren of from my misery or from an angry Paul.

And I knew that whatever happens, Jacob cannot stay angry from me for more time. We were best friends and he had promised me never leave me and always be with me. And he cannot break that promise.

The only thing I was not sure was about Charlie and Edward. Charlie was still not ready to talk to or about Edward.

"Bella?"

"Hmm?" I said absent mindly. I was busy thinking about Charlie and Edward. At Edward's home, he had tried to convince me that everything will be alright in no time, but it didn't happen. I just wanted Charlie to accept Edward again. Sometimes I wish I could tell Charlie everything so that he understands under what circumstances Edward left me.

Only if he knew...

"I also wanted to... how was your day?" Why did he changed the topic suddenly?

"Nice." Pretty nice. "We played some games, watched movie."

"Good." He murmured absent-mindly.

"What happen dad? What do you want to ask me?"

He sighed. "I wanted to talk about him." I knew what he meant by 'him' as his lips turned into a snarl and he showed how much he was despising this situation to ever arise.

"What about Edward dad?"

"How are things going with him?" He asked, and I could almost make the thought from his head – 'Please say you hate him and want him to go.'

I rolled my eyes. "Pretty slow, it seems. We do not see each other much to work things out." Not much. Just almost twenty hours of the day. I amended in my head, and my cheeks heated at that thought.

He actually smiled hugely. "Good." His tone a little relieved.

"What dad?"

"Nothing? I just wanted to know if you are still ready to forgive him."

"There is nothing to forgive dad."

He actually growled. "Only you can say that Bella, even after what happened to you because of him!"

"Your point dad?" I asked, fed up of trying to conclude his point on my own.

"Nothing?" He then added in a low tone, thinking that I do not hear this. "I just thought you had time to think about it and maybe you got your sense back."

"Dad?" I asked, perplexed. He was now going out of limits.

"Okay." He sighed quietly. "Well, I thought about making your grounded situation more interesting." He paused and continued when I raised my brows at him. "I'll allow him in this house from this Monday, that is from tomorrow, but not before that, and only if I am home. If I am not home, then he is not allowed inside. And that too, from just between seven to ten in the evening."

I can not believe my ears. He was actually allowing Edward back in my life with his permission.

"And about school. He is not allowed to pick you up or drop you, just allowed inside."

For the first time since I remember I acted like a child as I jumped on the sofa with excitement. "I'll tell him." I said, my voice so loud with my excitement. Alice was right. Charlie was trying to give Edward a second chance for my sake. "Thank you so much dad." I smiled and hugged him and kissed him on the cheek. "Thank you so much."

He pulled me tight to him, not releasing me. "Anything for you Bella, but promise me one thing. You will never put me to that again. I cannot even fathom the idea of loosing you, ever."

I gulped. Because I knew I was going to break this promise. I had to break that promise to be with Edward. I nodded anyway. Because I knew I cannot hurt him now, when he has already suffered so much in the past seven months. I cannot hurt him now, when all he had done was look after me when I wanted to be alone, be with me even when I was not a good company, and even when I was almost dead, he waited patiently for me, being strong for me, though I know he used to cry silently in the nights. All I wanted to keep Charlie out of my misery, but he never showed any sign on giving up.

I held him even tighter in that moment. I could never give up on him, but I have to. To save him too. Because I know that by my being in this world, I was hurting him too.

I released him after a few moments when I noticed the time. It was eight, the time for his sports. He too rubbed his neck because he was as bad as me in displaying our emotions to other. I have surely gone on Charlie on that matter.

He switched on the sports channel. I sat beside him, he watching the sports, I trying to pass the time, counting the minutes until I see Edward again. I sat for almost one and a half hour, doing my class work. When it was near to nine-thirty, I did my routine work of calling Jake, hoping he answers this time, but again Billy picked up phone and told me the same – 'Jacob is not home. When he comes, he will make him call.' Charlie asked what was the matter as I had a big scowl on my face as I was too angry with my best friend, but I quickly fake yawned saying I was too tired and went to my room so that I could spend my time with Edward.

EPOV

I was sitting with my laptop, searching for all the colleges which are ready to take some more students till next month. Bella was right, many colleges have stopped taking more forms, but there were still a bunch of dozen colleges who were ready. Some of them were even Ivy League who had their deadlines till the next month as Alice has predicted.

Alice came home while humming a rocking song which I never liked, so I ignored her as I wasn't able to pick any harm from her.

"What happen that you are so happy?" I asked as she danced her way to her room.

Jasper is planning to gift me a necklace. He is trying to not think about it, but I got a good glimpse.

"You are really unstoppable, aren't you?"

"Yup. What are you doing?"

"Looking for some colleges for forms."

"Good. Do check for Peninsula University. They will stop accepting in the next week. You should hurry up for that."

Peninsula University is not that bad. "I'll look after that." I said as she danced her way to get room. She was really an unstoppable force of nature. I shook my head at my sister's jovial nature which will never change and continued my work.

After almost two and a half hour of work, I ran to Bella's house. It was still ten forty five, but I was already missing her terribly. I got the forms done. I'll be receiving them by tomorrow and I will be asking her to fill in front of Charlie so she cannot deny it then. I was all prepared for that – her accusations and her pouts and her pleading eyes, but I was decided to not sway from this.

When I reached her house I first checked for Bella, who was sitting in her room. What happen? I asked myself. Then I heard some shuffling of papers, which meant Bella was again reading her book.

I still couldn't understand her obsession with those books which she have read almost thousand times. She just have to ask me and I would get her as many new books as she wants, but no, she never does. She was still of the opinion that she doesn't wants to spend my money on her things, but she doesn't knows that I want to spend my every penny in cherishing her for her whole life.

I had nothing to do, and as she and I had decided, I would enter in her room only after Charlie was slept. She needed a good time with her father too. After all, if she is still continuing with her graduation plan, then she really has no more than seven weeks left with her father.

After fifteen minutes of spending time in circling her house to check for any sign of danger – though there was none, Alice was sure of that, but still I wanted to check it myself – I climbed in her room when a tired Charlie went to his room and started snoring loudly after five minutes.

Bella was, as I had predicted, reading her book. She was reading 'Sense And Sensibility' again for the hundredth time, I guess.

This time she sensed me. "I missed you." She murmured as she closed her book and looked at me. I was still standing at the window sill.

"I missed you too." I said back. More than she would know. "What did you do?"

"Nothing. Just sat with Charlie, watched some sports, did my classwork, and was reading this book when a vampire sneaked in."

I laughed at her expression. She had her eyes narrowed with an adorable pout. "Do you want me to ask that vampire to not come?"

"No." She laughed. "The opposite. He is late today."

I laughed as I settled on the bed and pulled her in my arms, cuddling with her. She was already ready for her slumber, dressed in her night dress and her hair washed. "Again this book?" I chuckled.

She scowled. "You are never up to classics, are you?"

"Never." She slapped my shoulder playfully with her already almost torn book and I let her.

"Why were you late though?" She asked as she looked at me. Her eyes were telling she had some good news for me. "I thought you would be waiting in my room."

"Bella!" I reproved with a sigh. "You should spend some time with Charlie too. You –"

"Sure, sure." She muttered nonchalantly. "And that was why I was waiting for you eagerly." She jumped like a child, which was very unlikely for her. She was usually very matured to act like this. I raised my eyebrow to which she smiled broadly. "Guess what!". She nearly shouted, her voice so loud that Charlie's slumber got disturbed for a moment, but he slept peacefully again in no time. We both were silent to hear his snores again. When he snored, Bella, trying with her best, tried to make her voice small. "Charlie said you can come tomorrow over here. Though there are some restrictions, such as time limit from seven to ten, but you are allowed."

I couldn't believe my ears. Charlie has really took his 'no entry in my home' ban off. This was a big news. Then I recalled why Alice was so happy and singing an unknown song. Not only because of Jasper's gift, but also because she wanted Bella to tell me this.

I was trying to read Charlie's mind, but he was dreaming about fishing and Harry. "What?" Bella asked as I didn't say anything.

"Nothing." I mumbled, a big smile on my face.

"Oh Edward! I am so happy that Charlie is ready to forgive you."

"Me too." I smiled and Bella ranted about what we will do. She told me about Charlie's condition – that I am not allowed if he isn't home – and I agreed in that. I knew Charlie was ready to give me another chance just for Bella's sake. I tried to smile at her enthusiasm as she kept ranting about how happy she was.

But if she was so elated than why did she sighed sadly after a minute of her ranting. "What happen?" I asked as she silently played with the hem of my shirt.

She shook her head. "Nothing." She said but it was the last thing in her mind as her heart picked up a little speed. I kept running my hands through her wet hair in an action to help her find solace in whatever was troubling her.

She didn't say for a good five minutes, her silent thoughts still foreign to me. "Bella?"

"Hmm?" She said, too lost in her own thoughts.

I need to light the mood. "I am not a mind reader here." I said and to my instant relief she laughed freely and snuggled closer to me.

"Neither am I."

I sighed again. "What happen? Did Charlie said anything?" She shook her head. "Then what happen?" She was silent for another minute. What should I do to calm her? "Did Emmett scare you again?"

She laughed but it sounded off and then sighed wistfully. "I tried to call Jacob, but he is still not picking up my phone." My whole body tensed at her words and I grew as still as I could while I tried to show no emotion on my face. "Charlie talked to Billy today, and Billy told Charlie that Jacob doesn't wants me to call him ever again. This is so ridiculous!"

I knew she tried to call her best friend behind my back, but it was more unnerving to listen that she used to do this. I know it is hard for her as she thinks she is cheating on her beat friend as she is not with him when he needs her – according to Bella – but I also knew that she is not safe with him. He is just a few weeks old as an werewolf for God's sake! I cannot risk her life by agreeing to her on a thing on which I know she is at harm's way.

And the more unnerving thought was that Charlie was so eager to patch up Bella and Jacob.

We both were silent for a few minutes, both of us lost in our thoughts. For this moment, I was relieved that I couldn't read her mind. I didn't want to know what she felt for that mutt. I know she loves me the most – she has proven it again and again, and I didn't want to doubt it ever – but I also know that she feels something for that dog too. Whether she realizes or not, she has feeling for him too. I just wanted to know what does she feels for him. Does she loves him just like she loves Alice, as a best friend, or more than that? Had he succeeded in planting a seed of love in her heart? The stitches he has made on her broken mark left a permanent mark, but what kind of mark – do I want to know?

I didn't know when my hand turned into a fist but I released it when I felt Bella touch it. "What did you do?" She asked as she kissed my shoulder.

Was she really wanting to change the topic, or she changed it just as willingly as I wanted to? Or had she felt the tension in my body? Whatever the reason be, I was happy that she was ready to change the topic. I chuckled. "You'll come to know tomorrow." She surely knows how to lift my mood.

To my utter dismay, she huffed and shifted a little so she was lying on her back and a little away from me, with her arms crossed over her chest. I too put my hands under my head.

"Ugh! I hate surprises!"

"Trust me. I know."

"Then why?"

"Because I love to surprise you."

"You are evil." She huffed as she leaned in her side with her back to me. I smiled and started singing her lullaby as it was time for my little tigress to sleep. And the exact time she yawned. I chuckled too lightly for Bella to hear as I sang her lullaby. She leaned back so that her back was pressed to my chest as she snuggled in my arms, surrendering herself to her awaited slumber.

.

.

.

"Jacob... I'm sorry... phone..."

The whole night was a little difficult for me. Firstly because Bella had a not-so-pleasant sleep, and secondly because she kept murmuring Jacob's name, asking him to forgive her.

"Edward..."

Yeah, there were moments when she said my name just like she does every night, but then she would say his name again. But for once I was happy that she was grounded. If it wasn't for Charlie's restrictions on her going out, I'm hundred percent sure she would have went to LaPush the next second.

I was also happy when the sun started to rise, though the clouds still covered it. She slowly opened her eyes and snuggled in my chest, trying to sleep for some more time. I chuckled as I brought her more close to me. "Good morning sleepy head. Time to wake up."

"No. I want to sleep more." She mumbled, her words slurring with her sleep.

I laughed as I kissed her head. "Time for school. Get ready."

"No." She mumbled as she tried to bury herself in me.

"Really?" I asked as I tried to move my hands. She squirmed beside me as I touched a sensitive spot on her ribs. "Hmm..." I hummed as I again tickled her there. She laughed more as she tried to pry herself from me. But I didn't let her go. Instead I tickled her more which made her laugh uncontrollably.

"Edward... Stop tickling me..." She said between her giggles.

What the... Charlie's thoughts entered in my mind as Charlie heard his daughter laugh, and that too so loudly. I instantly stopped tickling her and climbed out of her window after kissing her forehead in a second. Bella understood in an instant what happen and tried to control her fast breathing.

I waited under the eaves, trying to eavesdrop on their conversation.

I heard Charlie opening the door. "Bella?" He asked, cautiously, as he entered the room.

Bella replied after five long seconds. No doubt trying to be sure that her voice doesn't betrays her. "Good morning dad." Bella yawned and I could see through Charlie's fogged mind how she stretched and smiled, blushing with fervour.

Charlie too saw that and I could just make out his thought out if his mind 'Why was she laughing then? Did he?' and he immediately started to check her room to check it for himself if I was here or not. Bella also saw that and immediately put two and two together. "Dad!" She whined, "What are you looking for?" But Charlie didn't acknowledge her and went to her bed, trying to figure out for himself. When he was sure that his daughter was alone, and also because she was looking at him furiously, he said a good morning while he too blushed and went outside. I laughed as I too ran to my house to get ready for school.

When I was home, the first thing I did was to play the piano. The music of Bella's lullaby filled the comfortable silence in the house. It also helped me escape my family's thoughts and go in my bubble of joy, where there was no Alice to make Bella busy, no Emmett to embarrass her, and no space for Jacob Black to enter.

After thirty minutes of playing the piano, when it was time for Bella to leave for school, I took a shower myself and went with Alice to the school.

FYI, it is going to be sunny tomorrow.

"What?" I asked, already thinking of some excuses to make Bella not go to school tomorrow. Alice saw me making such decisions and glared at me. Don't even think about it. In her vision I saw Charlie getting suspicious and asking Mr. Greene was I absent too. "Sorry." I murmured. I didn't want to be in a more bad grace in Charlie's mind than I was already in.

When we reached school, I waited for Bella, all the while thinking how will she handle herself in the school. Alice also wouldn't be there to comfort her. Alice was also thinking the same when I saw Angela and Ben going to their classes. Then I recalled that Bella had one more loyal friend who would take care of Bella in my absence. Angela.

"Good idea." Alice said as she saw a vision of Bella sitting with Angela and Ben. "At least she will at a peace of mind." She mumbled and at the same time we both heard the roar of Bella's truck.

We waited for her. After one minute of waiting, I saw Bella finally entering the school campus in that thing. "Do you thing she would ever get over that thing?" I asked as Bella parked her truck in her usual place.

"I don't see such a vision for now, but I too hope that." She laughed in her bell like voice as she made her way to Bella.

Ugh! That both freaks are back.

What has Bella done to get Edward Cullen? I mean, why not I?

I smiled listening this. Some things never change, like people underestimating my love.

But the most loud and wild thoughts were of that Mike Newton. Now he is going to Bella again. Why can't he leave her alone? She looks much better if that Cullen is not hanging around her. I glared at him with a deadly expression on my face. That boy really needs to understand that Bella is out of her hands. He stumbled in his walk as he noticed my deadly stare and walked in a wrong direction with just one word in his obnoxious mind. Freak!

Bella was waiting for us at her truck while we walked to her. As soon as I was near her, I took her hand. It had been forty five minutes and eleven seconds since I had held her. Long time. Bella matched my longing in her eyes as she squeezed my hand with hers and together we walked to our class with Bella chatting with Alice about Charlie taking off his restrictions.

After our classes, where Bella was too relaxed for my liking to notice anyone glaring at us with curious eyes, we both were sitting on the lunch table with Alice, Angela and Ben. Mike and group still wanted some inside information to make a gossip, but were not able to succeed in that.

Angela was talking with Alice and Bella about her favourite band and the concert which was in Olympia this Saturday. "Really Bella. It will be fun. I wish you could come with us too." She complained as she looked between Bella and Alice.

"I wish too, Angela, but really, I can't. I don't want to hurt dad more. If he wants me to be grounded for the time being, then I'll follow his rules."

I was elated hearing this, that Bella wanted to build her trust with Charlie. She wanted him to see that she will be good and not leave him again. But the fact that she was suffering all of these due to me made my self-loathing overpass the feeling of elation.

Angela sighed. "I can understand, Bella." She murmured as she patted her back. "Hope Charlie releases you from your punishment soon."

"I too wish it Ang, but trust me when I say that I am in for my life time."

"That is too much, Bella." Angela disagreed.

Bella scoffed. "That is Chief Swan for you." She said nonchalantly. At this Ben and Angela laughed with Alice as I squeezed Bella's left hand which was twined with mine. She was happy about all this, trying to find the good even in the situation she should have never been if it wasn't for me, but still she was not ready to blame me. I never deserve such an angel who is too good for you, but I was happy that I have one. A precious angel to take care of.

"What about you Edward?" Ben asked me a little cautiously. Angela was now totally fine with me, but it was a different story for Ben.

"I'm not coming to. If Bella isn't coming, then so am I." I vowed as I kissed Bella's head. She was busy with Angela to hear this, but she smiled when she felt my lips in her hair. I smiled too.

Alice's snicker bought us both from the heights as we both broke our eye contact and looked at my little sister. "Oh come on, you too. You'll get time for all that later." Bella blushed while all others laugh. I smiled too as I again kissed her head.

After lunch, Bella walked with Alice and Angela while I slowed down to walk with Ben, and also talk to him about my absence tomorrow. Angela was in almost all classes of Bella, so I was sure she will look after her.

"Ben?" I asked tentatively.

"Yeah?" He mumbled, distracted by some of his pending work in Physics.

"I will not be coming –" without understanding or listening properly his head turned abruptly to look at me. What? What is he talking about? Bella! He instantly got worried about Bella. I grimaced because I was angry with myself for ever taking such a step that everyone doubted me without even listening me, but I was also ecstatic to see how he cared for Bella. "I was going to say that I and Alice will not come tomorrow as we are going for hiking."

Oh! Ben released the breath he was holding and actually smiled. I shouldn't have rushed to my own thoughts. I am such a fool! "Okay." He smiled, and understood why I was telling him this. "Don't worry. We will look after her." He promised as he awkwardly patted my hand. Why is he so chilled every time?

"Thanks!" I murmured really grateful that Bella had Ben and Angela as her friends.

After that, we attended our lectures, and when they ended, I went with Bella to her home, where I ran and she drove her truck.

She made herself comfortable on couch as I sat beside her. "You should go to that concert." Bella murmured as she closed her eyes and leaned her head on my shoulder. "I am sure you'll like it."

"I will like it more if you are with me." I emphasized.

She smiled. "You are really stubborn. Aren't you?"

"Just like you." I kissed her small nose. She giggled at that as she snuggled beside me. I let her find a more comfortable position and adjusted myself to that. "Tomorrow will be a sunny day."

"Uh-oh!" Bella muttered, her voice acerbic, as she peeked at me from her lashes. "You will not come tomorrow then!" She stated the obvious. I shook my head. She frowned. "I will not go too, then." She declared.

I knew this was about to come. "You'll have to." I informed her. "Charlie will get suspicious if he finds out we both were absent the same day."

"Yeah!" she muttered, dejected. "The hazards of having the Chief of police as your father!" She fumed.

I chuckled at her innocent angry expression and kissed her brow which was knitted together in anger. "Don't worry." I murmured as I brought her more close to me, tucking her head in my chin, "I'll be near by."

"But not with me!" She grumbled. I nodded as this was true and the yearning was same on both sides. "I also have my work tomorrow, so I will get free by six. Then I will have to prepare food for Charlie, and as per your new rules... our new rules," she amended as I raised my one eyebrow, "you will not be here as Charlie will be awake. So I'll get to see you by tomorrow night then! Only some peeks in between the day but nothing else!"

"You are forgetting something?"

"Like what?" She muttered with irritation. "What else is left to make my day more worse."

"That I am now allowed in your house, so I'll be meeting you by seven." I hummed. This actually made her smile and she said a yes as she kissed me. My lips had missed her since yesterday night, so now when they came in contact with each other, the electricity which was always between us was at a high level, and my insides was yearning to kiss her passionately. My not so gentleman side was about to win, so I parted our lips and kissed her forehead to calm myself.

We did nothing but talked and did some study till it was six. At six, I reluctantly left a sulking and an angry Bella so that she could prepare food for her and Charlie. I was about to come formally and so I wanted to be ready for that.

You'll be fine. Esme murmured as I played my piano. She knew that Charlie has called me in his house, and also knew that I was nervous.

"I hope you're right."

"Don't worry. I am sure everything will go well."

"I too hope so." I murmured as I changed Bella's lullaby to Esme's song. She smiled as she sat beside me, her motherly thoughts warming my cold heart. She knew I was nervous today and helped me calm by thinking about Bella. I know you will do your best, for her. I nodded and continued the song.

I have asked Alice to tell me when Charlie will be home. I wanted to talk him personally, without Bella's calculating eyes watching us, and apologize properly before I enter in his house. Charlie will be there in ten minutes. Alice informed. "Thanks." I told her as I played Bella's lullaby to calm myself. I have to be in good grace of Charlie again.

After five minutes of trying to calm myself, I finally stood up and went to my car. It was still twenty minutes to seven. I took a deep breath and drove to Swan residence, all the while hoping that Charlie is ready to forgive me. Alice had not seen anything as Charlie wasn't decided how he will react to me.

I reached her house in two minutes and parked my Volvo in the driveway, near Bella's truck. Charlie will be coming anytime now.

After two minutes and fifty seconds, Charlie finally reached his home, his mood was jovial today as he had not so much work to do and he won some amount in cards. But his jovial mood disappeared leaving hatred behind when he saw my Volvo parked in his driveway. What? Bella? He hurriedly parked his cruiser and stumbled his way out of the car, thinking I had sneaked in his home behind his back.

"Charlie?" I called as he was in his way to the main door of the house. What? He is here... talk to me... Bella... He finally sighed and turned around to look at me with narrowed eyes. "I know what I did was wrong and I am sorry –"

He broke in, not letting me finish what I wanted to say. "Wrong? Sorry?" He barked. "Do you even know the meaning of these words." He had to take three deep breathes to not let his voice raise, his thought only on Bella. "What do you mean by those words? That you were wrong for leaving her in the woods? Or that you are sorry for destroying her soul? I think you should be sorry for ever coming back!" This time he yelled. "First you go without telling anything, leaving my daughter in the woods – she could have been caught by a wild animal! And then you don't even try to contact her, when all she did was to love you. But how does it matters to you? Right! Because you love her enough to leave her alone for these many months and then come back when she was recovering. She was better without you!" He fumed.

He had every right to tell at me like this. But the hard part was to look in his eyes while he yelled. Eyes which were similar to Bella's. Seeing this much fury in his eyes was like I was seeing the fury in Bella's eyes which I wanted to see towards me. But it was more difficult than I thought.

"Charlie –"

"You listen to me Cullen." He poked his finger in my direction as he stepped towards me such that he was no more than one feet away from me. "I don't care about you, and I don't want to know what you were doing till now, but remember my words. My Bella had already suffered a lot because of you, and if she cries even a single tear because of you – and no matter the reason, if even one tear comes out of her eyes or I ever see her in pain again, whether it is your fault or not – I will make sure you will not be seen in this state anymore. Do you get it? You are just allowed inside because of Bella. If it wasn't for her sake, I would've thrown you out of this country. Just be happy that you standing properly in front of me, unharmed. And now, since you've already spoiled my mood, I don't want you to spoil it further. You are allowed inside when it is seven, and since there are fifteen minutes still left for that, I would be very happy if you LEAVE US ALONE FOR THIS TIME." He yelled at his top of the lungs.

Seeing his face boil with anger made me shudder like never before.

He didn't wait for my answer. He turned around and went in his house, closing the door with all his force that the door shook wildly. I was just happy because Bella did not hear any of this, else she would have been devastated.

I leaned against my car for support. Because what all Charlie said was true. Bella would have been recovering if I didn't come here. I was better in a dark attic than here. At least I was not harming Bella by my existence. But then the thoughts of never seeing Bella penetrated in my mind leaving me breathless. I panted just like I did when I was away from her. I cannot live without her. She is not safe without me. I have to stay here. But how can I handle Charlie?

Charlie, who is so angry with me that he don't even let me finish what I want to say. Charlie, who is angry like never before that he wishes I was never in his daughter's life. My apologies were not even accepted by Charlie. He was far too angry with me. What will he do when he realizes that I was going to take his daughter away from her for ever? He will never forgive me, for that I was sure. But what about Bella? Will Charlie be that angry with her too? If yes, then Bella will never have happy. She will always grieve for not having her father's blessings.

I shook my head to clear my mind. Bella was waiting for me, to come there in ten minutes. I have to clear my mind. Being as perceptive as she is, if I do not take care, she will set suspicious and finally put two and two together and fight with Charlie. And that was the last thing I wanted – Bella fighting with Charlie over me.

I got a message on my phone. I thought it was from Alice, but it was from Esme. I quickly read it. It read as 'Flowers are the best thing that expresses a boy's thoughts for his girl. Love you'. I smiled reading this. She was my mother in every way, knowing what I needed the most at a particular time.

I quickly climbed in my car and drove to the nearest flower shop in Forks. I picked up a small flower vase of Azalea flowers, which meant grateful. I took the flowers and drove again to the Swan residence, where my Bella was waiting for me.

I stood outside the door, clutching the flower vase along with the admission forms in my left hand, eavesdropping a little, as one minute was still left for seven. I could hear Charlie grunting. I tried to look through his fogged mind and saw an anxious Bella who was continually looking at the clock. I smiled slightly, happy that Charlie didn't say her anything.

I took two deep breathes and knocked on the door at exact seven o'clock. I didn't have to wait for more time. The door was opened by my beloved, who was breathing a little heavily, no doubt she ran to the door to welcome me. She smiled at me her angelical smile and I smiled back.

"Hello." She breathed.

"Hello to you too." I murmured back as I drank her appearance in. Then I smirked. "So anxious to meet me?" I winked.

She laughed. "Always." She mumbled as she took my right hand and laced it with hers.

She noticed the flowers in my hand as she raised her brow at me. "Beautiful flowers for a more exquisite lady." I said as I pulled her hand to my mouth and planted a small kiss there, but I quickly dropped it. Charlie was coming here. Bella got suspicious and mouthed 'Charlie?'. I nodded as I stepped inside after her. Charlie came no sooner I stepped inside and grunted loudly, showing his displeasure of the moment. I showed no animosity towards him – it was not his fault that he was so angry with me – and smiled towards him. "Hello Charlie." I greeted calmly. He said nothing but grunted again ad he stepped aside to let me come inside. His only thoughts were 'Go away and never come back!' Bella too understood his reaction as she glared at him but said nothing as I reassured her with my best smile.

Bella cleared her throat. "You came on the right time Edward. I was just going to clean the dishes." She announced, silently inviting me to join her in the kitchen. I nodded silently as I put the flower vase on the kitchen table along with the forms and followed her inside the kitchen. Charlie was not happy about it so he sat in the living room such that he could see more what was going in the kitchen than the telly.

We did the dishes – she did the dishes and I helped by drying them. Charlie was very attentive today, but not for the game. He was scrutinizing my every step. Bella many times tried to touch me, and I let her, but only when I was sure Charlie was not paying attention on us, which was not so often.

After cleaning the kitchen, we sat by the kitchen table. When I was too sit, I heard a small grunt from Charlie, which he hoped that Bella doesn't hears. I sat a little far from Bella, and she accused me with narrowed eyes for that, but I knew I was going to get these things today, so I was prepared. Though I must admit, sitting far from Bella, after almost one week of always being in each others arms was quiet agonising.

"What shall we do?" Bella mused as she played with the flowers I had bought for her. Charlie didn't like this gesture of mine, but he was not verbal about it, but mentally he was not silent. Though his mind was fogged for me, I could see images in it very well. The images of Bella's first week after my departure last September kept playing in his mind as if he was showing me a movie which he has recorded just for me.

"Hmm?" I mused too. Charlie was busy trying to watch the telly from the couch where he had shifted to when I and Bella were done in the kitchen. "How about these?" I wondered as I pointed to the forms I had brought for her.

She studied my face doubtfully as she took the papers and read them. Her mouth formed in an almost horror struck face.

"What?" Charlie marvelled loudly, with tension in his voice. He was worried that I had given Bella something which had hurt her again. "What is this?"

She threw daggers at me with her narrowed accusing eyes and then turned towards her father. "College admission forms." She spat the words at me. Charlie didn't recognize the anger in her voice.

"Oh!" He mumbled, relieved. "Good for you. I forgot to ask you about these. Good that you got them now, else the deadline will occur."

"That's why I did." I murmured but Charlie didn't acknowledge me. He behaved as if I didn't say a single word. I let it go as the more important person was waiting for me to look at her. She gave me a look which said 'meet me in the room afterwards'. I smiled at her because I knew I had won this round, at least for now. With Charlie here with me, she had no other option than to oblige silently.

She took the forms from me roughly and started to fill the forms. I too did the same. She took the first form and read the address. Her look dumbfounded. "These all are expensive colleges, Edward, where I cannot afford to go." She hissed with gritted teeth in a low voice as she didn't want Charlie to hear it. She knew if Charlie heard it, he will be of the opinion that she takes his help in financing her studies.

"I can help you in that." I offered with her favourite smile to which she grimaced.

She glared at me but then her eyes turned mischievous. She nodded and started to write the first form. I narrowed my eyes this time at her impish smile, knowing she had something in her mind which I wouldn't like, but she just smiled more as she wrote. We busied ourselves in filling this forms while I kept looking between the papers and Bella, and Charlie kept himself busy by watching us. After she filled almost half of her forms, she intentionally spilled some water on her form from the glass, which was placed behind her, with her elbow thinking I didn't see her doing that. "Oops." She murmured innocently, "These forms are spoiled. I cannot mail them now." Her tone was dejected as if she was sorry about that. But I knew better.

"Uh-oh!" I frowned. "I guess you're right."

She smiled at me angelically as she took the papers to throw them in the trash. While she was away I took out the other forms which I had brought along as copies. Thanks to Alice, she has warned me that I may need them. When Bella came back, she was again surprised and shocked to see that new copies of the forms were placed on the table and the glass of water was lying far away now.

This time she scowled at me, but when she saw Charlie looking at her, she obediently sat on the chair and again started to fill them, a permanent scowl on her face and permanent lines on her brow

The whole one hour we just did that – filled the papers, Bella filled them unwillingly while I filled them in hope that it is not just for some charade but I get a chance to postpone her deadline. After we filled the form, I took those papers from her saying I'll mail them. After that we sat with Charlie and watched the television as Bella didn't want to study more. But I knew that she was angry with me to talk with me.

Charlie saw the awkward silence between Bella and I and was hugely confused as to what he should feel – should he feel blissful that Bella was angry with me and was not talking with me, or should he feel distressed that we both were again having fight. The images of Bella lying on the bed in an unresponsive stare and the image of a happy Bella hanging out with Jacob kept swimming in his mind, both the things which I didn't want to think about.

When it was five minutes to ten, Charlie's grunting got a little loud signalling that my time with Bella was over for today. At exact ten, I stood up to leave. Bella stood up to drop me to the door, to Charlie's dismay. When we reached the door, before I could say anything, Charlie's voice came from the living room "Bella, can you get me a glass of water?"

Bella rolled her eyes as she too knew what Charlie was doing – if he was not going to follow us everywhere, make sure that Bella is not out of his sight. I laughed slightly as I kissed her forehead and went for the car, watching Bella who mouthed 'Soon' with narrowed eyes – eyes which were filled with love and anger – as she waved me and left for my house to spend one hour with her father before I get to see my Bella again and let her sleep in my arms.

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Charlie finally decides to allow Edward inside because he saw that was being good and he didn't want to push her any further.

Carlisle knows that Bella is ready to join his family in the proper way, but he also wants Bella to stay human for a while and join when she is ready and not because she has a deal with him.

Bella knows that Edward will do anything to make her stay himan and so she acts childishly by dropping water on the forms.

Even if Charlie allowed Edward inside his house, that doesn't means that he is ready to forgive him. Bella says in Eclipse that Charkie had a special grunt saved for Edward and used it whenever he entered the house.

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