A/N Aloha! I'm updating from the great state of Hawaii! I'm having a fab vacation so far and was happy to see that the hotel had an internet connection - so I could post my next chapter! Thank you so much to my beta, KH, who I missed at Pearl Harbor this morning - I know that she would have been touched by it just as much as I was!

For those of you who have favorited my story I want to thank you - I've gotten a few more reviews lately and I love that too! I'm glad you are enjoying this story - God knows I've had a ball writing it!

On with the show...


"Relax, love, I'll get your bags out of the car and then make you some lunch, okay?"

"Okay." She replied with tears.

"I'll be right back."

Chapter 12

I went down to the car to grab Bella's bags. What was I going to do? How was I going to live through this? Did she actually think I wasn't enough? I was worried, looking within myself to find a remedy for her.

My phone vibrated in my pocket.

A text.

From Alice.

Don't worry. She has a lot of misplaced feelings that aren't coming out right.

I texted back.

Thanks. I needed that.

With renewed assurance, thanks to Alice, I went back into the house with Bella's bags.

I dropped them at the foot of the stairs and went to the kitchen to see what I could whip up for lunch. I opened the fridge and realized Charlie didn't cook at all without Bella in the house.

I was able to scramble up some turkey and cheese to make her a sandwich. I put the sandwich on a plate with an apple I grabbed off the counter that still appeared to be in good shape.

I walked past Bella's bags and decided to bring her lunch first. I hadn't heard her stir for the last five minutes. As I climbed the stairs, I could smell her tears. I walked into her room and found her right where I left her. I placed the plate on her dresser.

"Bella? Are you okay? I brought you lunch."

I moved into bed and put my arms around her. She tensed.

"I used to be able to relax you, now I'm afraid that gift has slipped away."

"Edward, thanks for lunch and bringing my bags in."

Edgy politeness – here we were again.

I sensed she wanted me to leave, but I didn't want to go until she said the words.

Or maybe I should. I could make it easy for her, but I didn't want her to think I was being scared away. I had to remain stable, reliable, dependable, for her. I would form it in a question.

"Are you going to ask me to go?"

I was scared, a very unusual feeling for me.

"I think so."

"Can I at least stay until Charlie comes home?"

"It's okay, Edward, he'll be home soon."

Did that mean she wanted me to go? Or maybe she was having trouble deciding?

"I'll be okay."

Yep, she wanted me to go.

"Alright, sweetheart, if that's what you want." I responded reluctantly.

She turned around in my arms to look into my face.

"Come back tomorrow?"

"Absolutely nothing will keep me away."

My words hung in the air without her understanding what I meant. I wouldn't be away from her.

I leaned in to kiss her on the cheek.

"Absence makes the heart grow fonder?" I asked, smiling, trying to get her to return the favor.

And she did. Bella moved towards me and placed a lingering kiss on my cheek.

"Thank you for that." I said, rubbing her cheek with my thumb.

I pried myself away from her. It really was such an easy thing to do, but so hard. Before Bella my movements were effortless. For over 100 years, I never understood the actions that love created. I looked down on those who expressed them so freely and were weak to them. What was the big deal? You tell your body to do something and it's done. Case closed. I understand now. I understand how my emotions are stronger than my muscles. I finally understand love.

"Until tomorrow?" I asked warmly.

"Yes, until tomorrow." She blushed.

Her blush gave her away. It was true. She would be looking forward to seeing me tomorrow.

The kiss on her cheek wasn't enough. I wanted more. And I think she wanted it to.

I leaned forward to kiss her and she met me halfway.

Her mouth opened to me and I entered, graciously accepting what she was allowing. Our tongues moved together in a silent, mutual dance. Her kiss validated the need of my presence tomorrow.

My mouth was dictating the rest of my body. My arms pulled her closer, my legs grabbed hers, my body became molded against hers. Her warm, soft flesh fit into my cold, hard exterior as my mouth continued to devour hers. She tasted so good, so sweet, so mine.

It took great willpower to stop. I had to let her rest. I had to respect her wishes. And not take her down this road too far. If we did travel down it further and I pulled away, she would only be upset.

She was left breathless and I had to admit for the second time today, a part of me enjoyed it. I had to seal this goodbye with a piece of me I knew she would miss. I knew it was a bit evil. But I believed it was an evil Bella would welcome.

I knew she wanted me still. Our actions together not only spoke, but shouted we'd be more than okay.

"I love you, Bella." I said as I got up off the bed and walked away.

I headed down the stairs as I heard a whimpered, "I love you, too."

I realized at this point, maybe I was being a little cruel.

As I was walking out of the house I recalled the promise I made to her: Absolutely nothing can keep me away.

I got in my car and drove as fast as I could back to my house. If anything did happen, I could rely on Alice.

I pulled the Volvo into the garage and hopped out as fast as I could.

As I started to run I could hear Emmett mumbling something about my inability to keep Bella's wishes by staying away.

"Do you really think I could? Imagine if it were Rosalie?"

That silenced him.

He concurred. "If you need us, let us know."

"Thanks Em."

I ran. I don't ever remember running this quick. When we moved fast we were a blur to human eyes. If I were human, these trees were vampires to me.

And here I was. In Bella's backyard quicker than I'd ever approached before. I planned to situate myself in the backyard tree until the next day.

I climbed up into the same tree I was in before, when I witnessed for the first time Bella's love for Jane Austen. It had been so familiar to me. Watching her, making sure she was safe and I was out of sight. The last time I sat on this branch, she didn't know who I was, how I was made, what I wanted from her, and most importantly that I was watching her.

Now, she may have a clue.

Even if Bella sensed I was out here, she wouldn't be able to push me away. I would draw the line there. She would have no say in that. I may not be by her side, but I would be with her, ready to spring into action to stop anything or anyone that would harm her.

Love defined a lot of things for me lately. But it did not keep me entirely away. In fact, it kept me closer.

I knew she was sleeping. It was that time in the day where she would have a nap. I guess everything appeared to be normal. I was still waiting for Charlie to come home, though. She said he-

And then I heard the cruiser come down the street. I could hear his thoughts.

I wonder why she decided to come home? Trouble in paradise? I could say a lot of things about Edward, but I know he took impeccable care of her, along with the rest of the Cullens.

Oh, he finally understood me.

Well, no matter what, I'm here for her too. I may not be as glamorous as the Cullens but something brought her home. I won't wonder what now, I'll just be happy she's with me.

Ending that thought, Charlie was already opening the driver's side door to the cruiser and walking in to greet Bella.

But she's sleeping! I wanted to scream. Don't wake her!

I needed to relax. I had to at least defer to Bella's own father to take care of her. Even though I wanted to bust through the door and give Charlie a few pointers.

"Bella? Are you here?" Charlie asked from the bottom of the stairs.

Bella was sleeping so sound Charlie's voice didn't wake her.

Charlie started to climb the stairs.

I could hear him open Bella's door quietly. He turned around and went downstairs, assuming that he saw her sleeping soundly and did not want to wake her.

I thought for a moment maybe I should go in and have a few words with Charlie. Should I tell him how long she slept in the afternoon? Should I suggest that Esme fix something for dinner and I could bring it over? And that when the food is placed in front of Bella she would need to be encouraged to eat it? Or if she is in pain that he should give her a painkiller prescribed to her?

A feel of uneasiness washed over me. I should talk to Charlie, I felt that having her home, out of my care, she wouldn't have the proper measures taken to ensure the rest of her recovery. If Charlie was so sure that she had 'impeccable care' while she was with us Cullens, well then maybe I should have a talk with Charlie.

Maybe before I decided to have such a conversation with the father of the woman who was to be my wife, I should probably hide the fact that I was a vampire who ran himself here without a car.

Yes, I would have to have a chat with Charlie while Bella was sleeping.

I climbed out of the tree and started running back to my house to retrieve my car so I could pull up to my soon-to-be-father-in-law's house with my car to ensure no odd suspicions could be formed.

As my feet carried me I actually did wonder if Esme should make something for Bella for dinner. I knew Charlie wasn't the best in the kitchen and that Bella had done the majority of that for him while she lived there. Yes, I would bring something for Bella to eat.

And hopefully Alice would anticipate this and Esme would already be working on dinner for Bella.

I came to a halt as I approached my front door. I haven't yet stepped foot inside this house without knowing Bella was in there waiting for me. I admit that didn't feel right.

I moved inside and went to the kitchen.

"Give me just a few minutes to prepare a lasagna for you to bring to Bella and Charlie." Esme said, without a moment's notice.

"She would have been a little quicker with it Edward if you would have decided on this earlier." Alice said, grinning.

"I'm trying to foresee everything I can, Alice, but I just realized that Charlie is no Wolfgang Puck."

"No worries, Edward, this will be ready for you to take over in a minute or so." Esme replied calmly.

"How is everything going?" Alice asked.

"You know, don't you?"

"I guess I do."

"I have to say the way you said goodbye was a little unfair."

"Unfair? Unfair how?"

"That's probably what Bella was looking for all along, Edward; your physical love towards her."

"Now? You tell me this now?"

"Wait, isn't that what she asked you when you left the house?"

Ugh. I had been defeated by my sister. She may have had a point. I had enjoyed the few intimate moments we had since she was attacked, but I never wanted to go too far. From now on, I won't be so afraid to touch her, caress her, kiss her more.

"It's ready!" Esme announced. "Baking instructions are on the top. Charlie should be able to figure that much out at least." She said, handing me the pan.

"Thanks Mom." I kissed her on the forehead, looked at Alice and I was out the door.

I jumped into my car and placed the dish in the passenger seat. I was glad that I was returning to Charlie's with the Volvo. A vampire running through the trees with a lasagna in hand would have been an amusing sight for my family.

I turned down Charlie's street wondering if Bella had awoken, as I drew closer I could tell she was still sleeping, and I could hear Charlie in the kitchen pacing back and forth wondering what he should do for dinner.

I was certain showing up on his doorstep with a lasagna ready to bake in hand will be a welcome sight for him.

I parked the car, clutched the pan in my grasp, and walked towards the front door.

I rang the bell and he answered it immediately.

"Lasagna, ready to bake. From Esme." I said.

He looked relieved and gestured for me to come in.

"Thanks." He said, as I offered it to him.

Charlie retreated to the kitchen, read the instructions Esme had written and placed the pan into the oven.

"Maybe you should preheat the oven first, Charlie."

"Oh.. yeah… it does say that, huh?" Charlie corrected his mistake and placed the pan on top of the stove while it preheated.

"She is upstairs sleeping. By the time dinner is ready maybe she'll wake up." Charlie said. "Did you want to hang around?"

What? Charlie was asking me to hang out with him while Bella is sleeping? What had gotten into this man?

"No, that's okay. I was here earlier for a while and she said she wanted some rest. Esme wanted to ensure that you had a proper dinner to share with Bella. I know you've been working a lot of overtime lately."

"I have and all for good reason. It looks like we have these creeps where we need them and now the system will take care of the rest."

Charlie believed this and in what he did for a living. He had a lot of trust in our judicial order and he planned on seeing these men serve quite a lot in time in jail for what they did to his only daughter. His thoughts were of ease, pride, although there seemed to be an underlying current of guilt that tugged at him, as he was the reason this happened in the first place.

I couldn't allow him to think this. He was a good man who did his job greatly.

"This isn't your fault." I blurted out.

He looked at me oddly, wondering why I would have said such a thing.

His face softened a bit. Thank you, He thought.

What was he thanking me for? My understanding of his job? Taking care of Bella? I wasn't sure. But it was the first time I had ever heard Charlie dream up those words to me, out loud or silently.

"I'd like to thank you and your family for taking care of her, Edward."

I started to wave my hand in front of my face to deter him from going further.

"It was our pleasure, Charlie. I love your daughter more than you could ever know and my family does too. We were very happy to watch over her. Actually, given the situation, we would have insisted on it."

"She's entering a good family, isn't she? I'm glad for her. I'm happy."

Wow! Charlie, a human, who I knew I was much stronger and faster than, was able to induce a state of shock onto me. Did he know the power his words had on me? Maybe so, but it was all I could ask for: his blessing.

"I'm sorry that something horrible had to happen in order for me to see that. Thank you, Edward."

"No, Charlie, thank you, I'm happy that we finally see eye to eye. I wish nothing but the best for your daughter, and that is what I intend to give her."

"I see that now." He responded, while grabbing my shoulders in a father to a son-in-law kind of way.

I nodded to him, happy I had a couple layers on to disguise my cold skin.

"Well I should go. Enjoy the lasagna. And I'm sure my mother would be happy to come up with dinner for you tomorrow as well."

I turned to the door to make my way out of the house and Charlie's final thought made me gasp.

He is a good kid. I never saw it before.

I walked out of Charlie's house grinning from ear to ear. Oh I would have such a story for Bella tomorrow.

I got back in the Volvo and drove back home.

After it was parked in the garage I went in to tell Esme that her catering services may be required in the future.

"Edward. I'd be happy to." She said as I entered the kitchen.

"Thank you," kissing her on the forehead.

The run back to Bella's was a good for me. Running always was a therapeutic outlet for me. Vampires would never need a shrink, all they had to do was move their legs.

Before I approached the tree that I would call home for the next couple of hours I could smell him.

Yep. Jake and Billy Black were pulling up to Charlie's ready to visit.

I sensed he could smell me and I wondered if he would visit me later. For now, I would do what I do best: eavesdrop.


Thanks for reading. I hope you enjoyed it.