Disclaimer: S. Meyer owns all things Twilight. All of the references used in this story in relation to Brown University and its rowing team, and all of the regattas and other rowing organizations and brand names mentioned are only used here for entertainment purposes; no copyright infringement intended.

Thank you to Barburella and Hez Pixie, who so nicely helped me think out the plot for this silly little fic. And thanks as always to Barbi, Megsly, Forever_Liz and Hez for letting me send them my rough drafts to get their skittles in return.

Again, I find myself apologizing for the long hiatus. What can I say, except RL has been distracting. This was a big chapter, and I wanted it to be perfect. Hope it is. Enjoy.

Chapter 12: A little R&R

As the plane landed, I watched the wing flap and bounce along the runway, the motion choking me even more. Panic bubbled up in my chest and threatened to spill out the only way it knew how. The irony of the fact that I'd managed the whole flight without nausea didn't escape me as I reached for the airsickness bag. Better safe than sorry.

We taxied and I breathed deeply, trying to regain control of my stomach and nerve. Bella would be pissed if I backed out now that we were in Washington, so there was nothing to do but suck it up and hope for the best. Meanwhile expecting the worst.

Charlie Swan was the police chief in Forks. Which meant he had at least one gun. And it being Washington and the wilderness, he probably owned more than one. Distractedly, I wondered if you really could outrun bullets by working the zigzag method of retreat. I'd seen it on TV once. Though, with my luck, I'd run off and get lost in the woods and die of exposure. Fucking great.

"Edward?" Bella's tentative voice jolted me from my wallowing. She stood next to my seat, her face expectant and worried. I stood quickly and took my bag out of the overhead compartment.

"Sorry - spacing out, I guess," I offered as I followed her out of the plane and into the airport. Bella glanced at me often as we waited outside for the taxi; she'd called for one once we got our luggage and had assured her father she didn't need a police escort home.

"Bella, did you happen to mention to your dad that I was with you?" I asked, figuring either way I was screwed. So many things were stacked against me already, and I hadn't even met the guy: I was a man, coming home with his daughter - that was problematic on a few basic levels; I was a rower; and I was a senior rower - for Brown University. To me, my presence seemed to signify all the things that Chief Swan didn't want to have in his life.

"Yeah, I told him I had someone with me, and that it was a last-minute change of plans," she said quietly, staring at the concrete under our feet. "It's not a lie. With my dad, though, it's just a matter of not coughing up every detail right away."

I swore under my breath. "Coxie, he's already going to hate me for coming here with you, as your boyfriend, unannounced. When he learns of the other stuff - and he will – he's going to want to put me on the next flight away from you."

Bella rolled her eyes and shoved me lightly with her shoulder. "You worry too much, Strokie. Charlie's going to be a little rough at first, but when he gets to know you, he'll love you. Trust me."

Sure. He won't be able to resist the charms of Edward Cullen. Her reassurance had no effect on me. And the taxi ride to her house was torturous and altogether too fast. But she held my hand the whole way there, which did keep me from jumping out of the moving car. If things went sour, I reasoned, I could always just turn around and get a flight back to…somewhere. The taxi pulled up to a white Cape-style house with the tell-tale police cruiser in the driveway. Charlie was home. Waiting. I paid the cab driver and let Bella get out first while I retrieved our bags from the trunk.

Now or never, Cullen.

Bella looped her arm around one of mine, since my hands were full, and we walked up the front steps. I hung back slightly when the door whipped open and Bella all but got gobbled up by the house. Silence and then…familiar brown eyes, a mustache, a shiny badge…and a gun, looked to me. Feeling like maybe he'd simply believe it if I told him Bella'd hired me to be her bellhop for the holiday, I put the bags down and extended my right hand.

"Chief Swan, sir, I'm Edward Cullen. It's so nice to meet you," I said, telling my voice not to make me look like the sissy I so was at this moment. I held Charlie's intense, scrutinizing gaze for what seemed like forever. His handshake was firm and I returned it, keeping our hands locked in a battle of wills. Then I added, "Sorry about the short-notice of my accompanying Bella, sir. If you'd like, I can call a local motel…"

"Shut it, Edward," Bella finished, pulling me inside by my coat. Charlie backed up and let me inside so I could deposit the bags in the entryway. I didn't know what to do with myself as the three of us squeezed into the small space. From the corner of my eye, I saw Bella elbow Charlie in the gut. He wheezed and coughed, looked at her, and then focused on me.

"Edward. Nice to meet you," he said, his face perfect for poker and his voice just as even. "Are you a friend of Bella's from school?" Bella nodded, looking at me like she wanted me to play along. I decided to lay my cards on the table right away. No sense in delaying his reaction, I reasoned. At least I was still packed.

"Actually, I'm her boyfriend," I said firmly, not breaking my eye contact with the chief. "I'm a senior at Brown and a member of the crew team, which is how your daughter and I met. I respect the hell out of Bella and I think she's amazing. I'm majoring in political science, my family is from Chicago and I decided to surprise Bella by coming with her to Forks for Thanksgiving, so don't be mad at her, sir. I thought it would be nice to meet you and spend the holiday with her. Just tell me if I'm staying or leaving, and that will be all I need to hear."

Charlie and Bella's mouths dropped open slightly as I stood back and waited for an answer. Somewhere along the way, I'd rediscovered my nut sack. What a relief. Even if it was only to have it shot off by my girlfriend's father.

"Bags go upstairs. You can stay in the spare room at the top of the landing," the chief said to me. I exhaled loudly. Charlie turned away to hang his gun belt on a coat hook by the door and then turned back to us. "Bells, you must be exhausted. Your bedroom is ready, so you can just crash. I can make you breakfast when you get up…if you'd like."

Bella smiled and threw her arms around her father's neck. She whispered something in his ear, to which he nodded and returned her embrace. Then the two of them left me standing in the entry. Now really feeling like a damned bellhop, I lugged our bags upstairs, leaving mine outside the spare room and walking down the short hall to what I assumed was Bella's room. It was just the right amount of girly, with the obligatory desk with work lamp, twin bed, bookcase crammed full and a few figurines on a small shelf to the right of the window.

"You must be tired," Bella said, causing me to jump halfway across the room. She laughed when I turned to look at her, then to the open door as if Charlie was on her heels. Taking steps to close the distance between us, Bella shoved off my jacket and pushed me down onto her bed. "Edward, please relax. You totally passed the Charlie Swan test. Frankly, you shocked the shit out of me, too."

Leaning over, Bella kissed me, igniting the sex drive I'd completely forgotten I had until now. Reluctantly, I gently pushed her shoulders to separate us. I was totally exhausted from our trip, despite it only being 1:30 in the morning. Usually, I'd be hitting my stride right about now. And I knew damn well that Charlie probably had Bella's room bugged.

"Thanks…I guess," I said, easing Bella into my lap so her legs were draped across my own. When she made another attempt at seducing me, I shoved my fears aside for a moment and enjoyed the weight of her body against mine. Kissing Bella was never enough, though, and we needed to stop this train before it derailed. Gently immobilizing her, I pulled away. "No, Bella." When she pouted, I elaborated. "Your dad? Right downstairs? And probably on his way up here?"

"Edward, I've always had this fantasy of having sex on my childhood bed," she said with a wicked grin. "Won't you help me with that? It's so…taboo, especially with Charlie in the house."

"No fucking way," I said without a pause. "Trust me, I want to have sex with you. But not like this. Not with your dad here. I value my life and my manhood too much." I kissed her hard and hugged her tightly, trying to convey my affection even though I was refusing her advances. Since when had I become the chivalrous one? With a resigned sigh, Bella slumped against me and tucked her head under my chin. We sat there for a few minutes in silence. Heavy and deliberate footsteps coming up the stairs had her off my lap in a flash.

"Um, Edward, you're staying down the hall in the spare room," Charlie said as his shrewd eyes bounced between me and Bella. The man missed nothing, I was sure. He ran a weathered hand through his thick hair and added, most likely for effect, "And I'm right next door, so…knock if you need anything. I…um…I'm a pretty light sleeper, so…"

Loud and clear, Chief.

"Yes, sir, and thank you again," I said, moving away from Bella and toward the door. She blew me a kiss and winked as I turned fire hydrant red. "Um, 'night, Bella." Charlie stood back to allow me passage and followed me past his own room to where I'd be staying. This must have been Matt's bedroom. Any traces of ownership, however, had long-since been erased. Charlie had a desk with computer against one wall, and a foldout couch along the other, which he promptly pulled out for me. After a quick retreat, he returned with a pile of sheets and blankets.

"Oh, I can make the bed up, sir - you don't have to do that," I said, trying to be as inconvenient as possible. I felt his eyes on me, sizing me up, no doubt trying to ascertain my intentions and character.

"I like your no bullshit attitude, Edward," he said to my back. I stopped tucking in the sheets and faced him. "I appreciate you being upfront with me. Not that I'm going to pretend I approve of…your choice of athletics, but that's your choice."

"Chief, sir, I'm not trying to overstep here, but Bella really loves the sport," I said, my heart thundering in my chest, "…and she does it for her, her brother and his memory. I just wanted you to know…in case she's never told you."

Charlie just stood there. I examined the window, trying to calculate my odds of survival if I had to jump through it. But then he walked to the door like he was simply going to leave.

"Good night, Edward," he said. Poker faced again. "Sleep well."

Yeah, right. With one eye open, that is.

Had my head even hit the pillow before I'd fallen asleep, I wondered. I woke up to sleet tapping a rhythm on the window and the distant rumble of thunder. Rolling over, I located my cell and sent Bella a text.

You awake, coxie? Her response was almost immediate.

Yep. Woke up when my dad left. How'd u sleep, Strokie?

Like a baby. Must've felt safe w/ur dad and all the weapons. ;)

Shut it. He only has two guns. U gonna come and wake me up right?

I groaned and rolled over to face the window. Was Bella trying to get me killed? After she reassured me via text that Charlie had gone to the station for a few hours, I decided to live dangerously. Then I ran down the hall and made Bella's long-standing fantasy a reality.

"You're doing it wrong, Strokie."

"Bella, there's no way to screw up stuffing."

"Ohhh, don't let my dad hear you say that."

"Woman, I have talents the likes of which you've never seen," I boasted, threatening her with a spoon full of wet stuffing mix. The turkey was already roasting in the over and Bella and I were preparing the side dishes at her insistence. Charlie, for his part, was smartly steering clear of the kitchen. Though every once in a while I could hear his recliner creak as if he were checking on us.

She eyed me conspiratorially. "More talents? You cook, you stroke, you rock my world… Edward, I don't think I can handle any more talents. I might explode."

I laughed, touching the spoon to her chin and leaving a few globs behind. After putting the dish of stuffing into the oven, I stood behind Bella to pester her while she peeled potatoes. She slapped my hands a few times, giggling and squirming under my caresses, before I finally retreated in case Charlie was listening and planning on making an appearance. Watching Bella bent over the kitchen sink had me replaying this morning's activities in my head, and I had to force myself to lock them away for the time being. I could tell Bella wanted this Thanksgiving to be an improvement over past years, and I intended to help her with that - by not screwing things up. My thoughts drifted to my parents, probably sitting at the ridiculously large dining room table, at either end, silently reading the paper: my mother scouring the society pages for the latest wedding announcements, my father reading the stocks. I hadn't heard from them in reply to the message I'd left. Obviously, they didn't miss me.

"Hey, why the long face, Strokie?" Bella's sing-song question jolted me out of my self-loathing. Awkwardly I rearranged my features into a smile and then I kissed her nose.

"Nothing," I said. When the look on Bella's face called, "bullshit," I elaborated.

"Edward, I'm sure they miss you," she assured me, stroking my jaw. "They're probably just busy with dinner stuff and getting ready, right? Aren't they having a party tonight?"

I shrugged. Who in their right mind would attend a stuffy party on Thanksgiving? Didn't people spend the holiday with their family, giving thanks and not discussing medicinal research, hospital business, stocks, portfolios, designer crap and the latest gossip?

Bella tugged on my shirt and pulled me down to her, kissing me hard enough to force the thoughts from my mind. "Don't worry about them, Edward. You're here, with me, which is exactly where you're supposed to be," she said with a smile. "It feels right for you to be here. And I'm so glad you are." She kissed me again before returning to the sink.

After getting some direction from Bella, I set the table and helped with the dishes. We sat down an hour later in the small kitchen with the dressed up table. Charlie said grace and Bella squeezed my hand as he finished, adding he was thankful for the company. The chief eagerly dug into the dishes and stuffed his plate full of turkey and fixings. Bella and I followed after he took the first loaded bite and hummed his approval.

"This is delicious," he said, already reloading his fork. "Bells, excellent job, as always."

"Thanks, Dad, but Edward helped with everything," she said. "And he made the stuffing from scratch." Charlie's brows shot up so high I thought they'd jump off his forehead.

"Edward? Really? Wow. Umm…great job. Thanks."

"You're welcome, Chief," I answered. We ate in silence for a while, with Bella glancing up at me periodically and throwing knowing smiles in my direction. Charlie, I saw out of my peripheral vision, glanced up at the two of us a few times, before quickly ducking his head again to focus on his plate. Bella and I cleared the dishes and Bella retrieved the pumpkin and apple pies. Those went over big with Charlie, and by the time we'd finished, all three of us were leaning back in our chairs, stuffed and sleepy. Bella shooed both of us into the living room to watch the football game while she cleaned up, despite my protests. After a few minutes of rather uncomfortable silence, Charlie cleared his throat.

"Thank you, Edward," he said gruffly. When I turned toward him with a questioning look, he added, "For coming with Bella. I know the holidays aren't easy for her since… Thanks."

I nodded in reply, but wasn't sure what to say. Briefly, I listened to the gentle but constant clink of Bella washing dishes in the kitchen. The sound soothed me for some reason.

"Look, I know I've been less than supportive of Bella and her rowing, but…I am trying," Charlie added. "Losing my son in that freak accident tore this family apart. I just don't know why she gravitated to it. And I know she won't quit."

I was rendered nearly speechless with his confession. "Sir, she truly loves it, as do I," I said honestly. "A while back Bella told me she's never felt like she really belonged. Never fit in like she thought she should. But as part of our team, she finally feels that. I've watched her grow in the sport, and it's given her so much. I'm so sorry for your loss, but Bella feels a connection to crew that has a lot to do with her brother and much more to do with being part of something bigger than her. And trust me when I say this: when you love something that much, no one can tell you to stop."

Charlie looked at me with glassy eyes, and for a moment I thought I'd overstepped my bounds - by a lot.

"You sound a lot like Matt," he said sadly. "He always told me and his mother how much he loved rowing. Said there was nothing else like it. That he never felt as at-peace as when he was on the water. Like it was some communion with God or something." Charlie shook his head but smiled.

I nodded emphatically. "I agree with him, sir. It's really hard to explain, but for those of us who do it, there is something otherworldly that happens out there. I like that idea - of a special communion of sorts."

"Then I'm sure Matt was happy when he…when he passed," Charlie said with a quick sniff. "If that's what he believed, then I have to believe he was at peace." I just nodded again, knowing words would be woefully inadequate.

"Bella just wants you to be proud of her accomplishments," I said quietly. He looked at me and nodded now.

"I am. Always have been," he said thickly.

"Sir, might I suggest…that you maybe come to one of our races in the spring? I could send you the info for a few of them, if you'd like," I offered. He paused and then took a small notepad from his shirt pocket and a pen and thrust it into my hands. With my heart racing, I wrote down the dates and locations of a few of our spring races, along with my cell number and email. In case he wanted to get in touch with me. I handed it back and then Charlie lightly patted me on the leg before settling back into his recliner. Relieved that I'd survived our conversation - and that it seemed to go well - I did the same, sinking into the couch cushions.

The turkey must have taken its toll, because the next thing I remembered was a gentle hand shaking me awake. Then soft lips on mine. I opened my eyes to see brown ones looking back at me, a curtain of mahogany hair around us. Bella's face was full of emotion and it puzzled me.

"Hi," I said. "You okay?"

Bella nodded and kissed me hard. "More than okay." She knelt between my legs so we were at eye level. "That took amazing guts - to say what you did to my dad. No one has ever…you amaze me, Edward Cullen." Another passionate kiss woke me completely. I pulled away, silently asking her how she knew. "I overheard some of it before, and then when my dad went up to bed, he stopped and talked to me about it.

"He said you set him straight on a few things…and that he might come to one of our races," she said softly, almost as if she had a hard time believing he'd actually said it at all. "I just…I can't believe it. I don't know how you did it, but you did."

Bella threw her arms around my neck and pressed herself to me as she kissed me. I wrapped my arms around her, pouring every ounce of my affection for her into the gesture. Then I scooped her up and laid us back on the couch.

"You're worth the risk, Bella," I said half-jokingly when she stopped for air. "We just talked. Maybe that was all your dad needed - another perspective. Like I said, there isn't anything I wouldn't do for you." My heart swelled as I fought the urge to tell her more. I wasn't sure if this was the right time to tell her exactly how I felt. The truth was, she'd been everything to me since that first day on the dock. Yep, I was a goner from the word go. Instead, I ran my fingers down her spine while my other hand cradled her head as we faced each other. Bella shivered and hitched her leg over mine, kissing my chin, my jaw, my neck and finally my lips.

She pulled back, immediately transfixing me with her gaze. I dove into those dark brown pools swimming with emotion. Never surfacing sounded fine with me.

"I love you, Edward."

I'd wanted to tell Bella the same thing. The three words that had at first been a whisper, then a shout in my own head for what seemed like forever, were suddenly spoken to me. And it was the perfect sound. I clutched her even tighter against me, kissing her neck and inhaling her scent through my nostrils. This woman, full of fire, determination and love, was mine. Mine.

"God, I love you too, Bella."

My mouth found hers and my hands sought her skin. My ears tuned out all noise except the soft sounds that were coming from Bella as my fingers and lips worked. My nose was full of her perfume and the scent that was naturally her, and behind my eyelids, I saw fireworks and flashes of light as my adrenaline ratcheted.

With a feverish pace, my mouth worked its way from her lips down to her jaw and neck, pausing to suck on her earlobe. I eased her sweater over her shoulder, along with her bra strap, and kissed and licked the skin I exposed. Bella ground her hips against mine, and we both moaned softly at the contact, even through our pants. When her shoulder wasn't enough, I slipped my hand below the hem of her sweater, slid her bra up and palmed her breast. Bella rewarded me with a sigh and tilted her head back.

Mindful of where we were and warring with my thirst to get Bella naked and under me, instead, I unbuttoned her pants and eased my fingers below the waistband of her underwear. The wetness I felt drove me insane with desire, and I bit back a groan as Bella reciprocated by unzipping my pants and shoving her hand inside them. We kept up the rocking motion as our fingers worked – hers clenched around me and sliding up and down and mine inside her wet, hot flesh and rubbing circles in the small knot of nerves above.

We kissed to keep from making noise, but with our panting, it was difficult at best. Any moment I feared Charlie thundering down the stairs, but I could tell Bella was close, and I wanted to give her this. She seemed just as determined as she skillfully brought me to the edge of my restraint.

Finally, I whispered in her ear, "Come for me." And seconds later, with her lips against mine, she did. Her body straightened and tensed, while the flesh around my fingers clenched and moistened even more. It was too much for me to resist, and with a ragged breath I came, on Bella's hand and in my pants. After, we laid there kissing and stroking each other gently. I couldn't tear myself away.

"I can't believe we just did that," Bella said with a giggle. Her beautiful face flushed even more. "Like two high school kids."

"I loved it," I said, kissing her. "Thank you." After I extracted my fingers, Bella climbed up, rearranged her clothing, and disappeared, only to return with a few tissues. She cleaned me up, despite my embarrassed protests, and then pulled me upright on the couch.

"That was fun," she said, her hands running up my thighs. My body immediately responded to her, again, and I used my hands to stop the progress of hers.

"Bella, unless you plan on getting completely naked this time - and I think that would really be pressing our good luck here - I suggest you stop before I get any more ideas," I whispered hoarsely. She pouted but stopped, hugging me instead.

"You make me happy, Strokie," she said. I could feel her smile.

"And you, me, coxie," I answered. "Come on. Let's get you to bed."

Charlie insisted on bringing us all the way to the airport on Sunday morning. He reasoned it was his one day off to do with whatever he pleased. I thought it was simply hard for him to let his little girl go back to the east coast; and I couldn't blame him. Charlie had taken me fishing the day before, and after freezing my balls off for three hours and watching him catch the only fish not already frozen in the pond, he'd seemed satisfied with me and his ability to hunt and gather. Though we didn't talk as much about Matt and rowing as we had on Thanksgiving, we did touch on it a bit. I told him about my involvement as the team's stroke, how it meant that Bella and I worked very closely as our own little team, and that there were never any races on the Seekonk now. It went without saying that it was mostly due to Matt's accident all those years ago.

The chief was a good man; that much was clear. He guarded his daughter - his remaining child - like the priceless treasure I agreed she was. Hopefully I had impressed upon him that I'd do the same as her boyfriend.

"Dad, thank you so much," Bella said, reaching up to wrap her arms around Charlie's neck and then kiss him on the cheek. "We had a great time. It was a good Thanksgiving." Charlie's eyes met hers and he nodded, squeezing her.

"It was."

I stepped forward to shake his hand again. "Thank you again, Chief. I sure do appreciate the hospitality," I said. "It was the best Thanksgiving I've had in years." I smiled. Charlie smiled back, though it was restrained.

"You're welcome, Edward," he said. "Come back anytime."

Bella grabbed her carry-on and told her dad goodbye and that she loved him. Then she took my hand. Charlie's hard gaze met mine as we parted.

Leaning over, he whispered to me, "Take care of her, Edward. And thank you." I nodded my assent and shook his hand one more time. Then we walked to our gate. Once we were settled in our seats - this time I made sure Bella and I were next to each other - Bella turned to me and kissed me.

"That was a really nice Thanksgiving," she said. "And I have a feeling I have you to thank for that."

"Nah. Like you said - I was just my charming self," I quipped. "But it was such a nice change from what I'm used to. It was nice. Thanks for not putting me on the first plane back to Rhode Island. Or Chicago."

"Wouldn't have dreamed of it," she said with a grin. "There's nothing better than having the man you love with you during the holidays."

I kissed her hand. "Love you, too, Bella." As we taxied, a thought sprang to my mind. It was a bit early to ask, but I couldn't resist.

"Bella, I know it's early and all, but I wanted to ask…would you come with me to the C.R.A.S.H. B sprints in Boston? They're in February."

Her eyes lit up with the realization of what I'd just asked her. As an entrant, rowers were each allowed one person to coach them during their erg races. I wanted Bella there to cox me and demand only the best from each race.

"Edward, I'd love to!" she exclaimed, hugging me fiercely. "You really want me there? Not Coach or Alice?" I shook my head, holding her chin so she could see my face clearly.

"There's no one else I'd rather have there," I said sincerely before kissing her nose. Then I added with a smirk, "Are you going to be able to crack the whip on me there, amongst hundreds of other rowers and their coaches?"

Bella's expression changed. With a wicked grin, she licked her lips and nodded. "You know I will, Strokie. It's what I live for - and what I do best."

A/N: For all of you who are wondering, the C.R.A.S.H. B sprints are held each February in Boston. Thousands of rowers gather to compete in erg races for the best time. Though I've never been, I've heard it's a blast…and a pukefest. Sorry. But I had to go there. This is a big deal for our Strokeward, and him asking Bella is just like saying, "Will you be my Valentine?" Hope you enjoyed this, and thank you for sticking around!

To all of you, an early Happy Valentine's Day!