Chapter Twenty: Charlie

BPOV

I breathed a deep sigh of relief as I stepped through the doorway of our apartment. It wasn't that I didn't love Edward's family, but it was pretty intense because I was always waiting for the next time I'd get the Spanish Inquisition. It felt like I was always being watched there. "Welcome home love," Edward said as he passed me with the twin's stuff. I smiled and dumped my things in my room.

"Bella, we want some apples!" I heard Owen yell from his room. I wanted to make a comment about not being 'the help' but decided that since he was four and it was apples that I'd let it slide. I walked into the kitchen and started cutting some golden delicious apples. They're my favorite kind because they're sweet and the peel doesn't get stuck in your teeth so much.

"Kids, apples," I called back to them. They came running through the hallway and chased each other all through the living room. Laughing, Edward and I joined the chase. After a few minutes of pretending to try to catch them, we really caught up and began tickling them. I heard a knock on the door.

"I'll get it," I said over the noise as I picked up Owen, who I'd been tickling, and put him on my hip. I opened the door and froze. "Charlie, what are you doing here?" I demanded while a flood of emotions rushed through me.

Owen tugged on my sleeve. "Bella, who is that?" Owen stage whispered. This isn't happening to me.

"That's my dad. Why don't you go to Daddy for a minute and I'll be right back, OK?" He nodded and ran over to Edward.

As soon as he was out of earshot, Charlie said in a rush, "Bella, how are you? I can't believe you just ran away like that. What have I done wrong?" I held up my hand to stop him.

"I thought that I explained in my letter that I'm fine and it has nothing to do with you. I'm sorry that you thought it was. Come in and meet my new family and don't worry about me. I'm happy and doing fine," I said soothingly, leading him inside and shutting the door. I hoped I seemed calm to him, because I was freaking out on the inside.

"Dad, this is Edward and his twins, Madi and Owen," I said pointing to each person as I introduced them. Edward stood up from the floor where he had been tickling Madi and shook Charlie's hand.

"It's good to meet you sir," Edward said in what was clearly his 'parents only' voice.

"Same here, and thank you for your emails," Charlie said, looking genuinely pleased to meet Edward.

"What emails?" I whispered into Edward's ear, confused. Surely they don't know each other.

"Nothing love, I'll explain later. Don't worry about it." I relaxed and looked over at the twins.

"Now, I made you two all those apples so you need to eat them, OK?" They nodded but Owen still looked bothered about something. I felt Charlie's eyes on my back as I got on my knees so I was at his level and asked, "Owen, is something wrong?"

"Bella, why can't we call you Mommy?" My faced burned as Owen continued. "You do what all my friend's mommies do."

"Well, I guess it's Ok if it's OK with Daddy." I looked up at Edward and he smiled and nodded. "Well, I guess that makes Mr. Charlie your Grandpa. Now go eat. Edward, go with them please."

Edward pulled me up and kissed my cheek. "You sure you're OK?" he whispered softly so Charlie wouldn't hear him.

"I'm fine," I said and I watched him walk out. I sat on the couch and turned to Charlie. "See? I'm perfectly fine and happy."

"Bella, did you know him before you moved in with him?" Charlie asked, concerned.

"No, but Edward is a really great guy. I love all three of them. They gave me a much needed job as their nanny and in the past weeks it has become much more than a job." I looked him in the eyes, needing him to believe me.

"Why did you leave?" Charlie asked softly and I could see the hurt in his eyes.

"Ask Jake and he might tell you. It's his fault and I'm not going to tell you. Jake needs to man up and tell you himself. So, I'm sorry but know that you should never blame yourself for this," I said, trying to communicate that I needed him to understand this. Charlie nodded slowly and I relaxed instantly.

"So, do you mind if I stay tonight to see how you're getting on?" Charlie asked nervously.

"Of course we don't mind. I don't want Jake here, but you are as welcome as Carlisle and Esme-Edward's parents," I explained, happy that I got to check on Charlie.

"Don't you need to ask Edward, seeing as this is his apartment?"

"It's as much mine as it is his. He'll be cool with it." I knew he'd enjoy a chance to get to know my dad.

"What's going on between the two of you? He's not merely your employer," Charlie said. When you think about it, he had no experience with this. He watched Jake grow up and for him it was natural that his only daughter dated him.

"I guess you could say we're dating. But, again, don't worry about it. Promise me you'll try to not worry as much. I'm happy, OK?" Charlie nodded slowly. He was going to try for a couple minutes then give into the worry.

"I don't know about you, but I want apples," I said, making my way to the kitchen. "Hey honey, Charlie's going to stay with us tonight, OK?"

"Sure, I don't mind at all. I'll sleep on the couch, you can take my room, and Charlie can have yours," Edward said, always being the gentleman.

"That's stupid. I'm not letting you sleep on the couch," I said. "We'll work it out later closer to bedtime. Owen, Madi, this is Mr. Charlie but if you want you could call him Gramps since you already have a Grandpa."

Charlie sat in between the twins and Edward and I smiled as we watched them talk his ear off. Over the course of the day, I watched Charlie slowly fall in love with them. I was so glad Charlie gets along with my new family. I think he's slowly realizing that Edward is a good guy. It must've happened sometime after Edward caught me because I tripped with a butter knife in my hand and before the end of the long lecture about being careful around knives.

"So Bells, what are you making me for dinner? I've been eating nothing but junk since you left," Charlie teased as he watched me cook vegetable soup.

"I'm making enough for twenty people and you get the leftovers. You should come some weekends and I'll send you off with enough to last through the winter." Really, how did Charlie live without me? I would wonder whether Mom was still alive but I know that Phil can cook pretty well.

"We need more juice and apples," I heard Edward mutter under his breath as he inspected the fridge.

"Edward, I've been wondering about something," I said as I stirred.

"And what is that, love?" he said as he started reaching over my head to see what we needed from the cabinets. I could see Charlie's eyebrows rising into his hairline and I blushed softly.

"I've never seen you go to the grocery store and I've never gone but we always have fresh groceries. Why is that?" I asked, truly curious.

Edward chuckled, "Love, we have someone that does that."

"Stupid rich kid," I muttered under my breath. "Why weren't we rich, Charlie?" I joked louder.

"Honey, there's a women at work whose daughter is struggling and I didn't want a maid, but I offered her the job of grocer. I pay her as much as she needs for her rent and she always makes sure that she knows all of our favorites and gets exactly what we want so she doesn't feel like she's on welfare." I just stared at him incredulously. He's good looking, rich, and a good person.

"Well I see that Esme and Carlisle have rubbed off on you," I said as I kissed his cheek. I continued cooking and inhaled deeply. I've always wondered why vegetable soup always smells good. Is that just the way it is or is there some secret no one tells?

After dinner, I said, "Edward, I'm going to move my things into your room." Edward nodded but I watched Charlie open his mouth.

"Bells, that's not necessary," he tried to say but I interrupted him.

"You are not sleeping on the couch and neither is Edward. So both of you chill, OK? Madi, Owen, do you want to help me clear my room for Gramps?" They both nodded and the three of us had everything arranged in no time. "Bath time!" I cried loudly. "Into the tub, you know the drill."

Edward came in and helped me get Madi and Owen ready for bed. After we tucked them in, I looked up and saw Charlie in the doorway. Apparently he'd been watching us. "Good night Dad, I love you. I'll see you in the morning and make you a good breakfast." I gave him a hug and a kiss and walked into Edward's room.

"What did you think of Charlie?" I asked as I shut the door.

"A police chief? You could've given me a little warning. I love a police chief's only and teenage daughter and I didn't know until this morning. Did you know that almost killed me? Completely scared the crap out of me," he said, clearly shaken.

"I don't think he brought his gun with him this time," I said through my laugh.