~Edward~

I liked Charlie a lot. When he came home, we had dinner and got to know each other. He was quiet, but made the effort to chat, and he asked many questions. His sense of humor was much like Bella's and I enjoyed talking with him. After dinner, I helped with the dishes while Bella finished packing up all the meals she made for him and put them in the freezer. He would eat well for a long time.

When everything was done, he sat in his recliner, sipping a beer. He watched as I pulled Bella down beside me, putting a pillow on my knee so she could rest her head as we watched a movie. She loved watching movies this way, and I liked being able to play with her soft hair. I knew she was tired, and not long after the movie started, she fell asleep, and started her mumbling. I never knew what she was going to say, but her ramblings always amused me.

Charlie met my eyes with a smile. "She's always done that. Talked in her sleep. It was one of the things I missed the most about her."

"The first time she did it, I thought she was talking to me and I tried to answer," I admitted. "It took me a bit to figure out she did this all the time."

He chuckled, then his face became sad. "When she came back to me, I stood in the door of her room every night for a week listening to her. It made me so happy to hear her again, and to know she was still my little Bella inside."

I could hear the emotions he tried to hide. "She'll always be your little Bella, Charlie."

He regarded us for another moment, then nodded and turned back to the TV. We finished watching the movie in companionable silence. I had a feeling I had just passed some sort of test.

~o0o~

The next morning, I entered the kitchen. Bella was chatting at Charlie, looking bright-eyed and relaxed. I had woken her after the movie was done and urged her to head to bed. Charlie had laughed at her sleepy grin and the way she stumbled up the stairs.

"She's out for the night, I think."

I had to agree with him. She certainly looked as if she was going to be asleep by the time I joined her—which was fine. I was sure she had only been teasing earlier today, and we would simply cuddle once we went to bed. We were in her father's house, after all. As long as I could hold her, I was good.

But she was waiting.

Bella, it seemed, had very different ideas about cuddling after the lights went out. Or even before they did. Apparently, she had a lot of pent up yearnings left over from her teenage years—and she exorcised them all last night. Her twin bed creaked—loudly, but we had moved the mattress to the floor and she had lived out every fantasy she'd dreamed of. Her dresser, the wall, her bed—bent over, riding me, pushed against plaster—she made sure she gotten them all out of her system. Then we'd tiptoed down the hall, sharing a shower, and she sank to her knees, whispering how she'd always imagined sneaking her boyfriend in and giving him the best blowjob he'd ever experienced.

She got it perfect. I thanked the heavens that Charlie did indeed, sleep like the dead.

When I had woken up, it was late in the morning. I ran a hand over my head, realizing I would have to face Bella's father after spending the night ravishing his daughter, making her come so often I lost count, while under his roof. In the washroom, I looked at the reflection of the shower in the mirror, remembering the way Bella's mouth had felt wrapped around my cock, her dark eyes gazing up at me. I had to stay in the washroom longer than normal, and prayed as I went downstairs Charlie wouldn't see the guilt on my face. Or the fact I had barely gotten any sleep.

He greeted me cordially enough, offering me coffee, and I relaxed. He did comment on the fact I looked tired, but Bella piped up, telling him the mattress had been too soft for me, and I had been restless.

"Maybe we should get a bigger bed for the room." Bella smirked at Charlie, throwing a cheeky wink my way. "Something hard. I like it hard now."

I almost choked. Bella reached over patting me on the back in fake concern. Charlie lifted his mug, not even blinking. "I like a firm mattress, too. I'll get a new one before you come again."

He stood to fill his mug, and Bella winked at me. "Visit, he meant," she whispered. "I plan on coming again tonight."

I gaped at her. When had she become so brazen and flirty? I studied her face, the soft skin on her cheeks flushed, her eyes wide and happy. She was adorable. Unable to help myself, I leaned forward and brushed my mouth over hers. "You are going to pay for those remarks," I promised in a low voice.

She cupped my face, kissing me and smiling. "I hope so."

I chuckled, dropping another kiss to her full lips. I sat back, shaking my head. I liked this open, playful side of Bella. She was happy, safe, and satisfied. I felt a glow of male pride knowing I had something to do with her mood. She had been so sexy in the night: open, wanting, and vocal. It was worth being exhausted.

"I'm going to make pancakes. Then we can head out and start our day."

"Sounds good."

~o0o~

The beach was chilly, the waves pounding the surf. We walked and explored, then Charlie headed to the car, telling us he was too old to be that cold. I wanted to join him, but Bella tugged me along. Once out of sight of her dad, she tackled me to the beach, her lips hard and hungry. Groaning, I buried my hands in her hair, keeping her close and ravishing her mouth. Obviously, making out on the beach was another part of her teen years she wanted to relive, and I was more than happy to help her.

When we arrived back at the car, Charlie stared at our disheveled appearances with a smirk. Bella tried to smooth her hair back and act nonchalant.

"It's really windy."

"Uh-huh." He looked at me with a grin. "So windy, it tore the lip gloss off your lips and onto Edward's."

I glanced down, trying not to laugh. I licked my lips, tasting the cherry of her gloss.

"I suppose that explains the red marks on your face, too. Some would think it was scruff burn, not wind."

Bella giggled.

"Were the bees out, Bella? Your lips look swollen," he said, then burst out laughing.

I started the car as he shook his head. "You kids slay me."

I met Bella's gaze. She bit her lip, but her eyes danced. I loved seeing her happy—and I loved kissing her. And Charlie was being cool.

After we went for a drive, and Charlie pointed out some landmarks, then we drove into Port Angeles, had lunch, and did a little shopping. There was a small bookstore that Bella loved, and we left her browsing and went across the street to get some coffee.

We sat down with steaming cups. I got a hot chocolate for Bella, knowing it would cool and be the perfect temperature for her when she joined us.

Charlie took a long sip, then regarded me thoughtfully. "I hear you met my ex."

I tensed a little. "Yep."

"Bella told me what you did. What your family did."

"I don't mean any disrespect here, Charlie, but she deserved it. She deserved much worse after the way she treated Bella."

"Calm down, Son. I don't disagree. I wanted to thank you for what you did. That took guts."

"Oh, sorry."

He smiled at me, his mustache twitching. "You're very protective of her."

"I love you daughter, Charlie. I hate seeing her hurt."

He sipped in silence. "Renee, she wasn't always that way, you know. When she was younger, she was happy. She smiled and laughed. Enjoyed life. She wasn't unkind."

"What happened?"

He shrugged. "She changed, became bitter. She grew envious of everything and everybody. Nothing we had was good enough. No one was good enough. I wasn't good enough. We fought all the time. Then one day, she was gone. She took Bella and left. Divorce papers arrived not long after."

"She told me she never wanted kids."

"Bella wasn't planned, but she was wanted—at least by me. Losing her was harder than losing Renee. I begged Renee to let me have her, but . . ." his voice trailed off.

"She didn't let you have her because she knew it would make you happy?" I guessed.

"Yep. And I didn't have the money to fight her. When Bella called me, asking if she could come here to live, I was ecstatic. I loved having her back with me."

"She loved living with you. She talks about you fondly all the time."

"I've never seen her so happy, Edward. You're good for her."

I leaned forward. "I will always protect her, Charlie. She means the world to me."

"I know. I can see that." His eyes crinkled. "You are certainly effusive in your affections."

I had the grace to flush. "I suppose I should apologize, but I love showing Bella how I feel about her. She loves the physical contact."

He nodded. "I was never good at the hugs."

"I didn't mean you, Charlie. You've been a great dad. I think, I hope every time I touch her, hug her, tell her how pretty she is, it boosts her self-esteem." I sighed, rubbing my hand over my face. "I hope every time I make her happy, it takes away some of the pain her mother caused her."

"Are you going to marry my daughter?"

I chuckled. He was certainly direct.

"One day. Yes. If you give me your blessing."

He held out his hand. "Edward, I insist."

I shook his hand, still laughing. "Shotgun wedding, Charlie?"

"I think you're the best thing that has ever happened to my daughter. She deserves that. So yes, you have my blessing—wholeheartedly."

"Thank you."

I glanced across the street. Bella came out of the bookshop, pausing on the corner. The wind picked up her hair, blowing it around her shoulders. Her pretty coat swung as she hurried across the road, clutching a bag I knew would contain at least four books. She saw me watching and smiled, her face glowing and happy. Unable to resist, I touched my fingers to my mouth and laid my hand over my heart.

"Do it soon, Edward," Charlie advised.

I grinned, standing to greet Bella with a kiss.

"I will, Charlie. I will."

~o0o~

Bella was sad to leave Charlie, but I promised her we'd come back soon, reminding her he agreed to come visit in the summer.

"You wouldn't mind coming back?"

"Not at all. I liked your dad a lot. And besides"—I winked—"he's getting a new, harder bed. We have to break it in."

She bit her lip with a giggle. I dropped a kiss on her head.

"Now, are you ready to go home with me?"

"Yes."

~Two months later~

Seth's loud giggles filled the air as Bella chased him around the playground. I pushed Ben higher on the swing, while Mike went down the slide repeatedly. Victoria and James were out on an afternoon date, arranged by Bella and me, which included childcare. We'd gone to McDonalds for lunch, did a matinee of Sing that was playing at the local theatre, and now we were at the park. It was a warm, sunny day and we were taking advantage of the weather. We'd had a great day, but I was tired. The boys were full of boundless energy, and I was looking forward to going home and collapsing on the sofa with a beer and ordering a pizza. I wasn't sure I would make it much past nine.

Bella came over, lifting Seth to the swing beside me and pushing him gently.

"Higher, Bella! Higher!"

Laughing, she pushed him, and he squealed in delight.

She grinned at me. "Are you as exhausted as I am?"

"More. I have no idea how Vic and James do this 24/7."

Bella laughed. "Well, I think they grew into it. They didn't all show up at once."

"Good point."

Mike came running over. "Can we have ice cream?"

Seth and Ben joined in the pleas, and I added in my own begging when Bella pursed her lips.

"We had popcorn and soda at the movies, Edward. And I saw that chocolate you gave them. Should they have more sugar?"

I slung my arm around her shoulders. "We're giving them back to their parents in an hour. Let them deal with the fallout."

She snorted, and let me lead us all over to the ice cream cart. As the boys hemmed and hawed about what they wanted, I wrapped my arms around Bella, pulling her close. I dropped a kiss on the side of her neck, loving the shiver that ran down her neck.

"Can you see us doing this one day, Bella? Taking our kids to the park and spending the day as a family?"

"Yes," she whispered.

I pressed my lips to her ear. "Should I tell you how the thought of you being pregnant with my child turns me on?"

"Oh," she squeaked.

I dropped another kiss to her neck. "Someday, Bella. I want that with you someday."

"Me, too."

"Good."

Seth turned, tugging on her skirt. "I want chocolate, Bella!"

She leaned down, kissing him on the cheek. "Okay, sweetie."

He beamed up at her. "I'll share with you."

"I'd like that."

I turned to see what Ben and Mike wanted. My chest warmed seeing how tender she was with Seth.

I wanted it, and I wanted someday to be soon.

~o0o~

I collapsed on the park bench, waving as Vic and James left with their brood. They'd had a fantastic afternoon they informed us after giving us their many thanks.

"Thoroughly enjoyed it." James grinned at me with a wink. Vic giggled as she hugged Bella.

I had the feeling their lunch out had been short, and more time was spent enjoying the silence of their house. But it was all good.

Bella had gone to wash her hands before we left. Sharing ice cream with Seth was a sticky job.

I let my head fall back as I waited. I planned to take Bella back to my place, have a long, hot shower, enjoy a quiet dinner and a bottle of wine, and then her. In my bed, naked and under me. Over me. Any way I could have her.

I waited, then glanced at my watch. She'd been gone longer than I expected. I stood, walking toward the area where the restrooms were located. As I rounded the corner, I hesitated.

Bella was standing, talking to someone. It took me a moment to realize who it was, and when I did, I broke into a fast jog.

The asshole from the bus.

Jake.

Uh oh. See you next week. Thank you for reading.