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Charlie's POV

Chapter 25

I woke up the next morning almost as tired as I was when I went to bed the night before. I was so worried that Bella might just up and run off again, so I spent most of the night checking in on her. Finally, around three in the morning, I realized she wasn't going anywhere, so I stayed in my room. Unfortunately, I had nightmares for the rest of the night. It was always the same dream…

I was somehow out of my body and I was floating above Bella while she was in her room. She never noticed I was there, I guess because she never looked above her head. I noticed that Bella wasn't herself. I finally figured out that the dream was taking place right after the Cullen's left. She was lying in her bed curled up in a ball trying to hold herself together. She was crying, but no sound was coming from her mouth. I tried to get to the floor so I could get to her, but I couldn't move. I tried to scream for her to look up at me so she knew she wasn't alone but nothing would come out of my mouth. Then, Bella would climb out of the bed and go to her closet. She would take out a box filled with some objects. I looked down and realized they were the things I found hidden under her floor boards in her room. The CD, the pictures, and the plane tickets. Bella held them close to her chest and fell to her knees. She started clawing at the floor trying to move the boards. Once she pulled them up, she put everything under the floor. That's when things got scary. Just then, she would run to her bedroom window and open it. I watched in horror as Bella stood on the window seal. I tried to scream for her to get down, but she couldn't hear me. Somehow, I ended up hovering over the window and when I looked down, there was no grass, just the rough sea. And then, Bella jumped. Then I woke up.

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I tried really hard to shake off the bad dream and focus on the fact that Bella was safe in her room; away from the open sea, and most importantly, away from him. I couldn't believe he was back here messing with our lives again. I felt some of the anger that had inhabited my body the day before and I brushed it off. I hated getting that angry, but for some reason, that Cullen kid just brought the worst out in me. I tried to think about the stuff I found in Bella's room, but I couldn't talk to her about it. She would skin me alive if she knew I had been in her room.

"Let it go Charlie, just focus on the positive. Get up, and go talk to Bella. She has a lot of explaining to do. Now stop talking to yourself and go talk to your kid."

I walked down the small hallway to Bella's room and put my ear to the door. I didn't hear anything, so I poked my head in. I was kind of shocked to see she was awake.

"Morning, Dad."

"Oh, hey Bella, you been up long?"

"Yeah. I've just been waiting for you to wake up so I could take a shower." Bella started to get up, but she wasn't going to get away that easy. Not this time.

"Hold on, let's talk for a minute first." Bella sank back on the bed with a huge grimace on her face that she could not hide from me.

"You know you're in trouble, right?" Bella took in a deep breath and let it out in a huff.

"Yeah, I know."

I couldn't hold it in anymore I was going to explode but I didn't want to start screaming. I sat on the edge of the bed and looked her dead in the eyes.

"I just about went crazy these last three days. I come home from Harry's funeral, and you're gone! Jacob could only tell me that you'd run off with Alice, and that he thought you were in trouble."

Bella couldn't look at me. She just bit her bottom lip and looked at her hands that were now holding her knees to her chest. I figured she didn't have anything to say yet, so I went on.

"Bella, you didn't leave me a number, you didn't call. I didn't know where you were, or when…or if…if you were coming back. Bella, do you have any idea how…" I couldn't even finish my sentence, afraid to let my imagination wonder off thinking about the things that could have happened to her. "Bella, can you give me one reason why I shouldn't ship you off to Jacksonville this second? I have had just about enough of this. You run off again and come back here with that Cullen kid. After all he put you through? What do you have to say?"

Bella's eyes narrowed and gave me a look that I was not expecting. If looks could kill…let's just say Bella would be on her way to a maximum security prison for life without parole.

"I won't go, Dad, you can't make me." It was obvious my child had lost her mind…again.

"Now you wait just one minute, young lady…" Bella cut me off before could finish my sentence. She was on her knees now, looking me eye to eye. This was the most fire I had seen in her in months. I was excited to see her fully alive again, but I could also see that I was in for a fight. Bring it on kid, because I'm not giving in this time.

"Look, Dad, I accept complete responsibility for my actions, and you have the right to ground me for as long as you want. I will also do all the chores and laundry and dishes until you think I've learned my lesson. And I guess you're within your rights if you want to kick me out, too, but that won't make me go to Florida." My face turned bright red, I could feel it. I took a few deep breaths before I continued because I didn't want to lose my cool.

"Would you like to explain where you've been?" Bella had that 'oh crap' look on her face. I knew this story was going to be interesting.

"There was…an emergency." I raised my eyebrows and waited for her to continue because that was not going to cut it. Bella sucked in a big gulp of air and started spiting information out at me.

"I don't know what to tell you, Dad. It was mostly a misunderstanding. He said, she said. It got out of hand…. See, Alice told Rosalie about me jumping off the cliff…" Did she just say she jumped off of a cliff? Dear lord, she did. My face turned hot again and my eyes were practically bulging out of my head.

"I guess I didn't tell you about that. It was nothing. I was just messing around, swimming with Jake. Anyway, Rosalie told Edward, and he got upset. She sort of accidentally made it sound like I was trying to kill myself or something. He wouldn't answer his phone, so Alice dragged me to L.A., to explain in person."

My head was spinning trying to process all of what Bella had just told me, so Edward thought she was trying to kill herself because she jumped off of a cliff…She jumped off of a cliff. My heart dropped. Did she really try to kill herself? Forget Edward, were things really that bad?

"Were you trying to kill yourself, Bella?" I had to know, I knew it would hurt like hell to know the truth but I had to know. She needed help if she was thinking of suicide.

"No, of course not. Just having fun with Jake. Cliff diving. The La Push kids do it all the time. Like I said, nothing." Thank God! Just then, my mind switched. Cullen, he was the cause of all of this. There was no calming myself this time.

"What's it to Edward Cullen, anyway?! All this time, he's just left you dangling without a word. He left you, Bella. He never called, never emailed, never wrote you a letter. Nothing! And now, everything is okay…?" She cut me off again.

"Another misunderstanding, Dad."

"So is he back then?" I was fuming by this point.

"I'm not sure what the exact plan is. I think they all are."

"I want you to stay away from him, Bella. I don't trust him. He's rotten for you. I won't let him mess you up like that again. I love you Bells, and I only wants what is best for you. I hated seeing you like that. That was his fault, don't you see that? I can't let it happen again."

I knew it was a long shot. I knew she loved him. I also know that Bella is stubborn; when she has her mind set on something, that's it.

"Fine," she said. I was shocked. That was it…no, it couldn't be that easy.

"I'm moving out." Yep, not easy at all. I couldn't speak because I was in shock. I couldn't believe she was threatening to move out if I didn't let her see Edward. Why couldn't she understand I just wanted to protect her.

"Dad, I don't want to move out, I love you. I know you're worried, but you need to trust me on this. And you're going to have to ease up on Edward if you want me to stay. Do you want me to live here or not?

"That's not fair, Bella. You know I want you to stay."

"Then be nice to Edward, because he's going to be where I am." I didn't understand how she could be okay with this. This boy was heartless and she was willing to take him back, and I wasn't going to stand for it.

"Not under my roof, Isabella."

"Look, I'm not going to give you any more ultimatums today. Just think about it for a few days, okay? But keep in mind that Edward and I are sort of a package deal."

I didn't say another word. I got up off of her bed and walked out of the room, slamming the door behind me. I was so angry that I could have punched a hole in the wall. I needed to talk to someone about all of this. I grabbed my keys and walked out of the front door. I jumped into the cruiser and sped out of the driveway. Before I knew it, I was on the road headed toward La Push. I needed to talk to Sue; Billy wouldn't understand because for some odd reason, he hated the Cullen's. Sue was the only unbiased person I could talk to. She would know what to make of this mess. I was lost…it was either lose my kid, or let her see that heartless monster. I couldn't understand what it was about him that she could not give up. Before I realized it, I was parked in front of Sue's house.

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I sat in the car for a few minutes trying to pull myself together. I didn't want to show up to Sue's house unannounced and angry. I needed to calm down before I scared Sue. She had never seen me angry before, at least never over anything other than sports. Chill out Charlie, it's still early and if you're going to talk to Sue, then you need to calm down. I took a few deep breaths and got out of the car. I was surprised to see Sue sitting on the front porch already. Has she been here the whole time? Good going, Charlie, way to let Sue see you look like a nut job. I stuck my hands in my pockets and smiled. Sue had a sarcastic look on her face. Great, she did see me, ugh.

"Uh, morning Sue, sorry to barge in on you…"

"It's okay, Charlie, what's on your mind?" Sue had a slight grin on her face. She could see I was angry, but I guess seeing me that way was comical for her.

"What makes you say that? I was just in the neighborhood." I was trying to play it cool and just casually bring up the Bella and Edward situation, but Sue could see right through me.

"Oh come on Charlie, I saw you in the car. Your face is as red as a tomato. Something is up because you weren't 'just in the neighborhood'. Obviously, Bella is home, thank God, but you don't seem as relieved as you should be. You came to talk, so…talk." Sue took a sip of the coffee she had sitting next to her. I sat down in the chair next to her and buried my face in my hands. Sure enough, my skin felt like it was on fire. I guess I was as red as a tomato. I took a deep breath and sat up to spill my guts.

"I don't know what to do anymore, Sue. The girl is determined to let that boy back in her life." That was all it took. It was like a flood gate had been opened.

"First, he leaves her stranded in the forest like some helpless lamb, and then just moves away. Now I don't blame him for moving. That wasn't his choice. Dr. Cullen got a new job. That I understand. But to leave her alone like that…not calling, or writing her. Just disappearing from the face of the earth without so much as a "Sorry Bella, I know I said I loved you, but I'm going to have to vanish and never have anything to do with you again. I hope you understand…Oh, and good luck finding your way out of the forest." Was he serious, Sue? Then Bella goes through this major depression that took me, her mother, and Jacob to pull her out of it. I thought I was going to have to send her to the psych ward. And after all of that, she leaves…AGAIN to go "save him." Save him from WHAT?" Sue was just sitting there listening to me, realizing I was losing my mind, no doubt. "Then, get this Sue. After he brings her back, like a good father, I tell her she wasn't to ever see him again. I mean, come on Sue, what kind of parent would let their kid see someone who was like poison to them? Sue, do you know Bella had the nerve to give me an ultimatum? She told me if I didn't let her see Edward, then she was going to move out. She gave me this HUGE speech about how she was eighteen and she could make her own decisions. I mean, really Sue, what the hell am I supposed to do?!"

I don't want her to move out, but I refuse, and I mean refuse, to let that boy in my home." I was out of breath by the time I was finished with my rant. I sat back in my chair exhausted, and I could still feel the heat coming off of my face in waves. I let the cool breeze hit my cheeks and I tried to calm down…again. Sue just sat next to me in her chair sipping her coffee. She hadn't said a word yet, but that was fine by me. We both knew very well she would speak when she was good and ready. She was just giving me time to regroup so I could take in her advice. She sat her cup down and turned to face me.

"Well, Charlie, I can see that this has taken a toll on you. I mean, I have seen you passionate in the past, mainly about sports but none the less passionate. This, this is new. I didn't think you could get so worked up. Look at you! You're practically foaming at the mouth." Sue let out a small chuckle, then covered her mouth to stifle the next one that was waiting patiently on her lips to spill out.

"I'm sorry, Charlie, I don't mean to laugh, really. This is no laughing matter, but Charlie, did you really think Edward was going to stay out of her life? Come on. Don't you remember when you came by the day after Bella told you she was in love with him? You knew very well then that nothing was going to pull them apart. I know you're furious with him for leaving her the way he did, but Charlie, Bella is a big girl now." I sat up so fast I almost tipped my chair over. Sue saw my reaction and backed off a little.

"Look, I know you want what is best for her, but you have to let Bella make her own decisions. Bella has always been a smart girl, Charlie. You said so yourself, she is wiser than her years. What makes you think she hasn't thought about all of this before she made her decision to take Edward back? You may not understand where she is coming from, but believe me, when it comes to the man you love…you will do anything to be with him."

Sue looked down at her left hand and she began to twirl her wedding ring around her finger. I knew she was thinking about Harry. It was obvious that she was still hurting. How could she not be? The funeral was barely a week ago. I knew Sue was right, but for the life of me, I didn't want to see it. I knew Bella was mature, but I couldn't help but feel like she was making the wrong choice. What was wrong with Jacob? He was a good kid, handsome and smart, and a gentleman, for the most part. Sure he was younger than her, but he was wise for his age too. Why couldn't she just pick him instead of that idiot Cullen? Sue was right, but I didn't have to like it.

"Sue, you're right. Bella is an adult, and I know she would never do anything to get herself hurt again. I'm not going to lie…I don't want her with him, but I guess if I want to keep Bells home, I'm going to have to deal with it. But so help me Sue, I don't have to like it. I don't have to be nice to the heartless fool. I will put up with it, but that is it. Bella is going on a strict punishment and she is only allowed to see him after school and under my supervision." Sue looked back up at me amused.

"You know what, Charlie, you're a good dad. I mean, Bella is really lucky to have you. I look at what you have done for her…heck, what you have done for Leah and Seth, and I can't help but feel lucky to have you as my friend. To be able to say that my friend is a great father is amazing. You don't see many single dads out there who care the way you do Charlie, so you should be proud of yourself." Sue nudged my knee with hers and smiled at me. A small piece of her hair had fallen from her bun and was hanging in her eyes. Without thinking, I swooped the piece out of her face behind her ear with the back of my hand. Sue and I jumped at the same time. I realized what I did and I could feel my cheeks getting hot. Sue had a soft blush on her cheeks that was slightly hidden by her copper skin. "Great Charlie, she gives you a compliment and you put a move on her…wait, was that a move? Oh God, what am I doing? Sure, Harry told you to court her, but not a week after he is buried. What are you doing?!" I looked at Sue and we spoke at the same time.

"Charlie, you wanna come in for some breakfast?"

"Sue, I think I should go." Sue smiled at me and sat back in her seat.

"Charlie, I think you should come in for some breakfast. Leah and Seth went out early this morning and…I hate to eat alone. Come on, I know you're hungry. It's still pretty early."

"Uh, sure, I am a little hungry. I guess I could stay for a while.

"Great! So, what do you want to eat? I have bacon, home fries, french toast…" Sue and I hopped up from our seats and headed into the house.

"Actually, all of that sounds great. I guess I'm hungrier than I thought." Sue turned to look at her. She had that 'I thought so look on her face.'

"Uh huh, I guess I can make it all. I'm pretty hungry, myself. Have a seat…coffee is on the table. You know where the cream and sugar are."

I had to admit it was nice spending time with Sue. She was always so sweet. We chatted about the kids as she cooked and after we ate, I helped her wash the dishes. We went to sit back out front for a while to talk. Before I knew it, it was well past four in the afternoon. Leah and Seth were pulling up into the driveway and I needed to get home.

"Well Sue, it has been a great day, but I need to get home to Bella. Besides, the kids are home and I'm sure they're ready for dinner. I'll see you soon, okay?" Sue stood up and gave me a hug. We held on for a bit longer than we probably should have, but I didn't feel bad about it. I don't think she did either.

"See ya soon Charlie. Be nice to Bella and Edward okay? She's a young girl in love."

"Sure thing. I let Sue go and stepped off of the porch. I waved to Leah and Seth who were unloading some bags from the trunk of Leah's car.

"See ya, Charlie!" Leah waved at me with a big smile on her face and I waved back. I did the same with Seth before I got into the cruiser. By the time I reached my house, I had it all planned out in my head what Bella's punishment was going to be. No activities other than school and work. She would go to school, work and then come straight home. She would continue to do her chores. As for Edward, she could only spend time with him in or around the house, and he was to be OUT of the house and Bella IN the house by 9 p.m., SHARP. I was going to keep a close eye on those two. If she was going to be with him, she would have to put up with my rules. That's the deal. There's no way around it. Period. I sat in the cruiser for a while. I was honestly overwhelmed by it all.

I sat there and starting thinking about my life. It was damn near scary how everything changed almost a year ago when Bella moved to Forks to live with me. I had lost two of my best friends, and in a way, I had started a new relationship with Renee. We understood each other. I looked at Bella's truck parked in front of the house and I couldn't help but smile. Granted, the child was an accident waiting to happen and she was stubborn as hell, but I loved her. She was my kid, my beautiful, smart, stubborn kid. I could see so much of myself in her. I knew she was in love with Edward. As much as I wanted to deny it and keep them apart, I knew I couldn't do that. It was either let her be with him, or lose her. I already lost her once, and I wasn't going to let that happen again. I would do whatever it took to keep my family together. I guess it is hard going from being the only man in your daughter's life to being the second man in her life. As much as I hated Cullen for what he did to her, I couldn't hate how he made her come alive when they were together. I got out of the car and started for the house. "He does make her happy, Charlie, as much as you hate it, he does."

God I hated to admit that. Of course, I would never tell Bella that. No, that was going to stay stored away in the back of my mind where no one else could ever hear it. What do I have to lose, it's not like there are mind readers leering around every corner or hiding in the tree out behind my house. Nope, this was going to be my little secret.

Okay guys, so that was the LAST Chapter. All we have left is the Epilogue! AHHHH I can't believe it's almost over. Well, a plus side to that is I get to start my new story So Please R&R!!