Author's Note: Howdy, here's a new chapter. There's not a lot of fluff this time around, but there was some plot progression. I'm glad y'all loved Elizabeth Masen. I always wished we could've gotten to know them in the films or novels, so I'm making them up as I go. But since I also love Carlisle and Esme, they'll join us later in the story.

Hope y'all have a good week, thank you for reading and reviewing.

Chapter 11

The next morning I woke up with a smile on my face. I'd dreamt of domestic life with Bella. Visions of standing in front of a church with her in a white gown melted into images of me kissing her swollen belly while we sat by our creek. Apparently, my brain really held onto Momma's words from our phone conversation last night.

My smile hadn't left my face by the time I arrived at work. Seeing Bella sitting on the front porch with a cup of coffee in hand only made me happier. I greeted her with a kiss.

"Thank you, sweetheart," I took the coffee from her hand and settled into the rocking chair to her left.

"Of course. Rose and I are going to be leaving shortly for her prenatal appointment. She's going to see a new doctor since Royce didn't let her choose the first doctor she saw. I'm not sure how long we'll be gone. She mentioned wantin' to look for work while we were out."

"That'll be good for her. Hopefully, she'll have luck. Maybe it'll help her find some of that independence she's lookin' for." Bella nodded but didn't look entirely convinced. Much too soon the short hour we had to spend together was up and I found myself heading toward the field. I'd barely began my chores when I heard Bella's monster of a truck start and turned just in time to see them driving off.

The work was tough, but comforting considering it was becoming habitual. There was rarely a hiccup in the routine and the few animals that I tended to were pretty friendly. Charlie admitted to being relieved that I turned out to be a solid employee. A few days ago he told me that he'd gone through four farmhands before I came along. That admission, along with the comfort I took in doing the work, made me think about my future.

Did I want to spend the rest of my life doing farm work? And did I want to stay here doing that work? I'd graduated high school and decided almost immediately I wanted to head back to the country, so I had no college education to find other work. An office job was out of the question. My love for the outdoors meant spending hours a day cooped up behind a desk wouldn't work for me, but I wasn't sure that I wanted to spend ten or more hours a day working in a field and unable to see my family- should that time ever come.

By the time lunch rolled around, my mind was still mulling over the possibilities for the future. Bella was still out and about, so I fixed myself a sandwich and was sipping my water when Charlie entered.

"Hey, son."

"Hey, Charlie. How ya doin'?"

"Been better, boy. Can't stop thinkin' 'bout this Royce fella beatin' on Rose," Charlie's brow was furrowed and he sat at the kitchen table. "Listen, I'm not about gettin' in people's business, but Rosie has been like family since she was a little girl." He seemed to be hinting at something, but he was beating around the bush.

"Yeah?"

"I'm goin' to talk to this boy. He's gonna leave Rosie alone and let her get a divorce and he ain't gonna take nothin' he didn't go into that marriage with from her," Charlie seemed set on this decision. His words were strong and he didn't hesitate.

"Would you ride with me? Just in case he wants to cause some trouble. I need a witness to say he hit me first if I gotta kick his ass." My eyes widened and I couldn't help but chuckle at the thought of Charlie kicking Royce's ass six ways to Sunday.

"Of course, Charlie. I got your back." We sat around for a few more moments and after he was assured that the pressing chores around the farm were completed he decided now was as good a time as ever.

There wasn't much need for conversation as we loaded into the truck. It was nice to sit in affable silence with him. I had no doubt we were both thinking about the hell Royce put Rose through. Although Charlie had a closer connection to Rose and clearly was acting out of love for his daughter's friend, I still found myself feeling like I owed this confrontation to Rose. She deserved to feel safe and be able to make her own choices. She shouldn't welcome her child into this world fearing for their wellbeing.

When we pulled into the lawn, Charlie took a deep breath and turned to me.

"I know you don't know a lot 'bout this boy, but I 'preciate you comin' to back me up. I'm not tryna get us into any trouble today. If any trouble does come out of this, don't worry 'bout it. The sheriff is a friend o' mine. He knows the situation and he's 'bout as mad as I am." It was reassuring to know that Charlie wasn't going into the situation with the intention to wreak havoc. Especially knowing that he knew the sheriff. An arrest would be difficult to explain to Bella. "What the hell ya want? Hey, it's you! You're the sonuvabitch that came and took my wife!" He yelled, coming to charge at me. I squared my shoulders, ready to face him off, but Charlie grabbed him by his arm, practically dragging him inside.

He threw him onto the couch and stood with his arms crossed in front of the drunk.

"You're damn right he's the one that came and took Rosie outta here! You ain't got no right to put your hands on a woman. And the second you did, you lost your right to call her your wife. So here's what you're gonna do. You're gonna let her go and you ain't gonna take no money that wasn't yours in the first place. Then, you're gonna get the hell outta this town and I'm never gonna hear your name or see your face again. You leave Rosie alone, ya hear me, boy?" By the end of his tirade, Charlie's cheeks were red and he was pointing furiously in Royce's face.

"Or what, old man? Rose is mine! And I'm not lettin' some farmer and his little city sidekick take 'er from me!"

"You don't wanna know the 'or what'. I'll make sure you regret ever layin' eyes on Rose if you don't leave." Royce scowled and muttered a few curse words. His anger didn't seem to phase Charlie.

"Don't let me catch you near her again, boy. This is your first and last warnin'."

We were turning to leave and as we reached the door, we heard Royce stand behind us. I turned to see him heading our way. Charlie didn't seem to notice, so I grabbed the aggressive asshole by his collar.

"Don't do nothin' you're gonna regret later. Charlie might wanna leave here without any violence, but all it'll take is you pissin' me off one time and I'll make sure I leave you sportin' more than a black eye this time 'round."

He paused just long enough for Charlie and me to leave. My hands were shaking with rage. I wasn't sure why his attempt to get violent with us angered me so much, but I was furious. Not only did he try to hit Charlie, but he was too much of a coward to hit him upfront. He had to wait until we turned our backs. He was really willing to attack a man twice his age with his back turned.

Coward.

"Thank ya for your help today, Edward," Charlie said, simply, as we sat in the truck. Those words were all that was necessary as we headed back to the farm.