Chapter 14

The two weeks that Edward spent here in Seattle flew by. It felt as if we didn't have nearly enough time together since I had classes I couldn't miss. Thankfully, Seth was eager to pick up a few extra shifts, so I'd been able to get out of work early a few times.

We hit a few tourist spots, typical things like the Space Needle and Pike Place Market, but aside from that we spent most of our days together just relaxing and being with each other. Neither one of us had the desire to be constantly on the go when we could curl up with each other like we'd envisioned for so long.

—SE—

"We don't need to spend your last day here doing this." I sighed.

"Bella, I want to be with you for a very, very long time, and in order to do that I need to meet your father at some point." He gripped my hand, and I couldn't understand how he was so calm about this while I was the one freaking out.

"You're right, it's just the first time I've done something like this."

"It's a first for me, too, remember?" He lifted my hand to his lips, giving it a quick kiss. "But nothing, not even your gun-toting father, will keep me away from you. I'd just rather be on good terms with him."

I nodded. "Come on, let's go, then." I pushed open my door and climbed out of the car.

We were meeting my dad for dinner. He'd driven up from Forks—without my mother—to meet Edward. He was usually a pretty level-headed man, but there was no telling how he'd react to meeting my very first boyfriend; especially one I'd met on the internet and not told him about.

—SE—

"So, Edward, Bella has told me very little about you." Dad sent a glare my way and I recoiled a bit. "She says you're studying computer science at NYU?" Charlie sat back in his seat, eyeing Edward.

"Yes, sir, I am." Edward cleared his throat. "Working with computers has always been a passion of mine."

"Is that so? How passionate about computers were you when you were scoping out the internet and chatting with my daughter?"

"Dad!"I shouted.

Edward choked on his drink. Once he'd regained his composure, he looked my dad straight in the eye. "I wasn't looking to find Bella—or any other girl—that day, sir. We just came across each other, and it's been the best thing that ever happened to me."

Charlie nodded, apparently satisfied with Edward's answer. "I do have one other question for both of you, and this is just from a concerned father's standpoint. How do you plan to make this continue to work when you live across the country from each other?" His gaze traveled between me and Edward.

I sighed, wondering why everyone felt the need to be so involved in this part of our relationship. "We're still talking about that, Dad, but Edward wants to transfer schools and go to UW with me."

Dad turned his gaze on Edward. "Is that so, son?"

"I'd move heaven and earth for your daughter, sir, so, yes, it's true."

Dad reached out and patted Edward on the back. "That's what I like to hear. Oh, and you can call me Charlie, Edward."

I couldn't wipe the grin off my face, knowing my father approved of Edward.

—SE—

Before we left the restaurant, Edward headed to the restroom, and my dad pulled me to the side. "Your mom told me what happened when she came out to see you last week, Bella."

"Are you mad? I know I shouldn't have—"

"No, you did exactly right, honey. Your mom, well, it's a long story, but let's just say she hasn't always been as fit as she is now. It's no excuse, but I think she sees you and thinks about how she wishes someone would have pushed her when she was your age. I've always loved your mother, no matter her size. I've told her time and again that she needs to pull back if she wants a relationship with you; that you're not her. You telling her off how you did may have been the best thing for her."

"She's just always been so... cold." I sighed.

"You never met her mother, she died before you were born, but your mom is an angel compared to her. Hopefully, the three of us can sit down one day and have a long chat. Your mom was dealt a hard hand. I'm not making excuses for her, I'm just trying to let you know why she's the way she is. I should have put my foot down sooner and told you years ago. I failed you there."

"It would have been nice to know all of this about my own mother. I'm sorry she had a difficult childhood, but I'm still not willing to talk to her until she can be respectful of me and Edward."

"I don't blame you there at all, Bells."

Edward came back from the bathroom. I could tell from the look on his face that he'd overheard most of our conversation, but he was going to let it be, at least for now.

—SE—

Morning came way too quickly.

I sat on the edge of the bed, watching as he packed his suitcase. I tried as hard as I could to will myself not to cry, but failed miserably as I sniffled and a few tears slid down my cheeks.

"Hey, don't cry, baby." He sat down beside me, wiping my tears away with his thumb. "I'm going to be back so soon. May isn't all that far away. When I get back to New York, we need to talk more about me transferring to UW. I want to spend my life with you, Bella."

"I want that, too," I said quietly. "I don't want you to have to sacrifice so much, but I want you here. God, do I ever. I didn't know it was possible for me to love you even more than I already did, but I think I do."

He pulled me to him tightly and I took a deep breath, inhaling his scent. I couldn't stop the tears in that moment, and I cried quietly into his chest.

"Oh, baby. You're killing me." His voice sounded thick with his own tears. "I love you so fucking much. I promise I'm coming back. Until then, we'll talk on the phone and Skype, just like we were."

I pulled back a bit, glancing up at his face. If I hadn't known previously, I knew now by the pained expression on his face that he was just as affected by our separation as I was. "You're going to miss your flight if we don't leave now."

"Yeah. I guess we should head out." He glanced around the room for a moment. "God, I'm not even gone yet and I can't wait until I'm back here."

—SE—

He held my hand tightly while he checked in and got his boarding pass. Once we were finished there, we walked as slowly as we possibly could to the departures area. "Six weeks, Bella. I'll be back in six weeks, okay?"

"Okay," I mumbled, avoiding his gaze.

"Look at me, Bella. Please," he pleaded.

I glanced up at him and he ran his thumb along my cheek before bending down and pressing a soft, yet passionate kiss to my lips. "Once I'm back here, I'm never leaving. I can't do this again, Bella."

"I can't either." I bit my lip, holding off my tears.

"I've got to go now, sweetheart."

I nodded. "I know. I love you."

"I love you, too," he choked out. He gave my hand a final squeeze before dropping it and stepping into the security line.

When he was fully through, he glanced back at me once more, mouthing that he loved me before he turned and headed toward his gate.

I couldn't keep my tears at bay any longer. I took a seat on the bench closest to me, letting them flow freely.

He'd taken my heart with him, and I couldn't wait for these next six weeks to go by so that he could bring it back to me.