Happy Tuesday! Another update for you…

Thank you so much for reading this and letting me know that you are enjoying. Your words make me smile and want to do even better for you.

Nothing has changed- Twilight… not even close to being mine. But you my readers are and I like that!

And to my lovely wonderful ladies I bow to you… for without you this story would not be as good.

"Alright my friend, I'd say today has been a successful day," Sebastian yawned and clapped me on the back. "We've got most of the material, we know how we want it to sound and you know how to make it magical."

I grinned and stretched as well. It had been a good day's effort. Tomorrow we would start the actual process. Just then I remembered the CD I wanted him to hear.

"Oh shit, I had something I wanted you to listen to. It was an idea I had that would showcase your more contemporary style for a solo piece. I only got as far as the basics with it. I ...umm forgot it this morning when I …umm overslept."

He snorted. "Overslept. Right. That's what we're calling it?" He chuckled and stood up. "I'll walk back to the guesthouse with you and get it. I'll listen to it tonight and we'll discuss it tomorrow."

We both packed up for the evening and set out towards the guest house. It was still light outside though overcast. As we neared the guest house Sebastian slowed down and asked if I was expecting company.

"No."

"Well there's a couple cars out beside the house I don't recognize. Perhaps Bella has visitors?"

"She never said anything," I replied, suddenly worried.

I quickened my steps and as I neared the door heard a deep male I didn't recognize voice coming from inside. I quickly opened the door and stepped inside with Sebastian following me closely.

I could make out the outline of a tall man standing in the middle of the room. Beside him was a much tinier figure and they both turned as we came in.

For a few seconds no one said a word. Then suddenly Bella appeared.

"Edward! I wasn't sure when you would be coming back," she exclaimed as she made her way over and threw her arms around my neck. Automatically I pulled her to me and kissed her forehead and asked quietly if everything was alright.

For a second she seemed confused as she pulled back from me then she laughed. "Yes. Everything is fine. I got some unexpected company this afternoon.

"Edward, I would like you to meet my best friend Alice. And my father, Charlie."

Her… father?

Fuck.

I straightened my shoulders and stepped forward, holding out my hand, feeling suddenly like a teenage boy on prom night wanting to make a good impression. I wish I had some time to prepare for this but since that wasn't the case I had to try and do my best. But my hand was met first with a tiny one that shook mine enthusiastically and came with a high, sweet sounding voice that giggled hello. Alice. I smiled and greeted her back which was met with another giggle. Then I swallowed nervously and turned in the direction of Bella's father. His form seemed big and solid, and his handshake was firm, short and certainly not as enthusiastic.

"Edward. I've heard a lot about you today." His voice was low and gruff.

I was instantly on edge. What had he heard? Was it from Bella? Why was he here? I realized the room was silent; no doubt everyone was waiting for me to respond to Charlie's greeting. I donned my performer mask and made the effort to appear at ease. "A pleasure, Chief Swan. I've heard a great deal of you as well from Bella."

"Hmmmph," was the only reply I got.

Bella introduced Sebastian who shook Charlie's hand then reached over for Alice's and seemed to freeze momentarily before clearing his throat and uttering a hoarse hello. He seemed to take forever to let go of Alice's hand and I wondered what had suddenly made him so tense and uneasy. Then Bella informed us she had coffee ready so we all moved into the living area. Bella sat beside me and leaned over and briefly squeezed my hand offering me her silent reassurance.

"I hope it's okay Sebastian; I let them in with the pass you gave me." She said. "When my dad found out I had come home early he wanted to see me and arranged to meet Alice as well as a surprise. I haven't seen them in a few weeks …" Bella trailed off uncertainly.

"No… not a problem at all Bella. I want you to be comfortable here. Your family…and your friend is certainly welcome. I mean friends. Your friends are welcome as well. Of course. Yeah, that's what I meant."

I turned towards Sebastian. He rarely ever stumbled over his words, and his voice sounded rather off. As if he had been running. I was about to ask him if he was okay when Bella suddenly squeezed my leg – tightly, as if to tell me to shut up. So I remained silent.

I sat quietly listening to Bella chat with Alice and father. Neither Sebastian nor I said much, only answering the odd question directed at us. I enjoyed hearing Bella interact with people she was close to. Bella asked about his trip down from Bracebridge, how the traffic was, neighbours and friends and the amount of food Charlie had in his freezer, wondering if she needed to take a trip out to fill it for him. She was engaging and happy; laughing often and genuinely listening as they spoke. I could feel Charlie's eyes on me more than once and I fidgeted under his scrutiny. Bella's hand absent-mindedly rubbed my knee in quiet comfort and I could feel his gaze take in the gesture. I started thinking about this morning and knew if Chief Swan had any idea what I'd been doing with his daughter earlier I wouldn't leave this room alive.

Suddenly the room seemed warmer.

"You doing okay baby girl?" Charlie's voice broke through my thoughts. "You look good, but you seem rather…tired? You've been working too hard? Too many late nights?"

The coffee I was attempting to swallow suddenly stuck in my throat.

Fuck, was he a mind reader?

"Um, yeah Daddy, the book tour with Esme was grueling. Lots of travelling, late nights, and generally just kind of a…hard…grind." Bella replied with a straight face.

Now I was choking.

What was she doing?

"Edward, are you alright?" Bella asked solicitously, once again stroking my knee.

I nodded as I coughed into the napkin she handed me.

"Went down the wrong way," I gasped, still in shock at her barely concealed innuendo.

"Well try and get some more sleep. You know you get run down," Charlie ordered gruffly.

I was grateful when Alice unexpectedly spoke up diverting attention from Bella and me. "Your house is lovely Sebastian, and the gardens are magnificent! And I only saw a little of them as we drove up. Do you enjoy them a lot?"

"Ah…yes. I often walk through them to think or just to enjoy the colors. "

Abruptly he stood up. "Would you like to see them? I'd be pleased to show them to you?"

Just as quickly Alice stood. "Yes, please." I could hear the eagerness in her voice. "I'd like that so much."

And they both quickly walked out.

I looked over to Bella.

"What the fuck was that?" I asked confused.

"That, was romance Edward. I think they're smitten with each other."

"But they just met – like ten minutes ago…they hardly even spoke!"

Bella laughed and leaned closer. "How long did it take you, Edward?" she said tenderly, in a quiet voice.

I had to smile. She was right. I leaned forward and grazed her lips with mine only to pull back quickly at the sound of a clearing throat.

Fuck, I forgot we weren't alone.

Bella's cell phone sounded from the kitchen and she excused to herself to answer it. "It's Esme," she called over her shoulder. "I'll be back in a bit."

And she left me alone with her father. Her gun toting, retired cop father. Who may or may not know what had transpired between Bella and me. How awful I had been to her. Or perhaps even worse, all the times since when I hadn't been awful but desperate to show her how very much I wanted her.

I swallowed shallowly. I could feel my head getting damp.

Really, it was getting warm in here. Really, really warm.

"So Edward," Charlie began in his low voice.

"Yes…sir?" I shifted uncomfortably.

Fuck did my voice just…squeak?

"My daughter had some interesting things to tell me when I spoke with her this morning. So interesting that I decided to drive down all this way and see her in person. And meet the individual behind these interesting stories."

Fuck,I was a dead man.

As unobtrusively as possible I felt my pockets for my cell phone. Emmett. I needed Emmett.

Then I remembered. My phone was with the CD I left in the bedroom this morning. Which I forgot because…

Oh. Shit.

"Sir?"

Definite squeak.

"Tell me Edward. How do you think I felt when my only daughter, my only child, tells me she is in love with some man she has known for a few weeks? Someone I have never met? Or heard of before today? Some big name star who jets around in his own plane? Who for all I know, is just messing with her?" He shifted forward and I heard the zipper of his jacket open and I was sure I glimpsed movement by his belt.

He was going for his gun. He was going to shoot first and ask later.

"Maybe we should wait for Bella to join us and we can all talk together." I said desperately. "She's just in the next room. She'll be right back!"

And suddenly, unexpectedly he was laughing. Huge belly laughs.

I sat back weakly. Maybe he wasn't going to shoot?

"Sorry, Edward. I shouldn't have done that. You just looked so terrified. God, Bella is so going to kick my ass over this."

Charlie got up and sat down beside me. When he spoke again his voice was friendlier.

"Seriously Edward, sorry. Just messing with you. I did speak with Bella this morning and she sounded happier than I've heard her in a long time and I wanted to come and see it for myself."

"You're an ass," I snarled, but feeling highly relieved.

He laughed. "Yep."

His voice once again became serious but still friendly. "Now. Tell me, Edward have you discovered Bella's gift?"

I was confused.

"Umm, Sir?"

"Stop calling me Sir. Jesus, you make me feel about a hundred years old. Charlie. I'm Charlie."

I smiled and relaxed a little more.

"Fine then, Charlie… which gift exactly are we discussing? I think she has many."

"Good answer Edward," his voice much warmer than before. "Let me tell you about my little girl. Her mom died when she was eight. Overnight she went from a child to miniature grown up. Her mom always said she had an old soul and she was right. Always trying to look after me. She taught herself to cook. To bake. She organized grocery trips. Kept track of my hours and fussed over me. Made my lunches. Took care of me. Nothing I did stopped her." He paused briefly and rubbed his hand over his face with a deep sigh.

"She cares about everything and everyone around her. Deeply. And once she gives her heart, it's a hundred and ten percent. She sees things and does things without even thinking about them. Things no one else would notice. It's like a gift with her. Before you even know you need it, you have it."

He paused again and I broke in softly. "I have experienced her gift already Charlie. Many times in fact. She's…she's amazing."

"Glad to hear you think so. I've never heard her use the word love when it came to someone outside her closest friends or family. She says she loves you. That is a huge deal. And if she loves you then she must see something very good in you. She doesn't love easily. And she is rarely wrong on her assessments of people. So I'm going to trust her on this. But know this. If she loves you then she is all in. You understand me? All. In. I don't want to see her hurt." His voice was serious. Her father was very much present. Not Chief Swan, not Charlie. Her father.

I nodded and turned to face him. "I understand Charlie." I hesitated for a moment then added, "I love her too. She has brought so much joy to my life I can't even begin to explain it to you. And I don't want to hurt her. I want to make her as happy as she makes me."

"Keep that up and we'll have no problems then."

Before I could respond, I heard Bella coming back down the hall. "Sorry I was working out tomorrow with Esme. You two okay?"

Charlie laughed. "We're good, right Edward?"

I nodded. I felt Bella behind me and she ran her hand over my forehead. "Edward, you're sweating! Are you ok?" Then she gasped. "Daddy – what did you do?"

"What makes you think I did anything?" He responded and actually had the gall to sound innocent.

"Edward?"

I was grateful suddenly for the dark glasses.

I grabbed her hand from my head and kissed it.

"Nothing's wrong Bella. We were just talking. Your dad was telling me stories from when you were little. I drank my coffee too fast that's all," I lied.

"Hmmm... Dad?"

"Yeah?"

"I'm watching you. Just so you know. I'm going to go get some more coffee. Mine is cold."

I had to smirk. As she left the room I leaned over. "You owe me," I said lowly.

"I know."

Huh. Not such a tough guy when Bella was around now was he?

I smirked.

Good to know.

A short while later, Charlie stood up and announced he had to leave. He had a big poker game that night with some fellow retired cops. When I asked about Alice he informed me they had brought two separate cars since she lived closer and had planned on staying longer to visit with Bella. I laughed. Alice had yet to return from her "walk in the garden" with Sebastian. Some visit.

I quietly excused myself to give father and daughter a chance to say goodbye in private. I splashed some cool water on my face and discarded my glasses on the counter. I had been trying to leave them off more to show Bella how much I trusted her. When I returned a few minutes later Bella was walking back in the doorway. I walked over to her and pulled her into my arms and kissed her thoroughly.

"Not that I'm complaining but what was that for?" she whispered breathlessly.

"Payback. Hard grind Bella? You chose that expression … in front of your father who was already burning a hole through my head with his stare? I could feel the heat… it was like a fucking laser."

She giggled. "Sorry. Couldn't resist. You looked so… terrified. He wasn't going to do anything. And you sat there looking all sexy and worried."

Her voice dropped. "And then I started thinking about this morning and it just…came out."

I growled. And leant down and captured her lips with mine again. Her arms wound around my neck and into my hair pulling me as close as possible. Her soft whimper fanned the quiet flames of desire that had been smouldering all day and suddenly turned them into a burning inferno. Grasping her thighs I lifted her up and pressed her into the wall by the door.

I wanted her. Now.

Tongues met, stroked, savoured. Teeth nipped and skin was soothed with swirls of wet heat. Clothing was discarded. Hands adored, fondled and caressed. My body surged forward driving itself into her softness again and again.

Whispered words of passion and love filled the room.

Burying my face in her neck, I begged her to find her release. "Come with me Little One. Please…I need to feel you…"

I felt her muscles clamp down on me and her soft gasps filled my ears like the sweetest of notes. Almost immediately my orgasm raced through me and I groaned her name into her ear over and over again.

For a moment we were silent except for the sound of winded breaths and tiny whimpers. I tenderly kissed her as we revelled in the closeness. Then slowly I backed away, pulling my hands off the wall where they had been braced and releasing Bella from the cage of the hard wall and my body. As her legs unwound from around my waist I steadied her while she found her balance. Pulling her into my arms I reached up and stroked her hair as she nuzzled sweetly into my chest.

Then I frowned. Why was her hair all…tacky? Drawing back I looked down at my hand. There was something all over the palm. Realization washed over me and I gawked over at the wall in horror. With everything else that had happened I hadn't even noticed.

"Bella?"

"Hmm?"

"Did they come fix the wall today?"

Instantly she spun around. And gasped. Then burst out laughing.

"Oh God…Edward…" It was all she could get out between giggles.

"We…you... just… imprinted us…right into the damp paint."

She leaned forward and ran her hand over the wall. "There are your hands…my head…shoulders… oh my God…"she stopped.

"My ass is imprinted into someone's wall," she whispered sounding horrified.

I wrapped my arms around her and pulled her back to my chest. "And a lovely ass it is," I whispered. Thankfully she giggled again.

"I can even make out the top of your head over my shoulder. I can't even fix this. We'll have to ask Sebastian to get them back. Another giggle burst forth. "We are NOT going to live this down. Oh God, Carlisle is going to have a field day with this!"

I groaned. "Banner day. Your father basically threatens to shoot me and now I'll have to listen to all of them about my redecorating skills." I shook my head. "And I don't even get to see it myself," I laughed ruefully.

Bella reached out and grabbed my hand and traced my fingers over the depressions on the wall. They were rather…deep. I had to grin.

"Well, at least we did a thorough job."

Bella's laughter filled the air again and this time I joined in. "I am so taking a picture of this," she announced. "But first I'm taking a shower. Join me?"

I nodded.

A wet slippery Bella? I was so there.

Giggles. Loved Charlie. And the wall ? Had that one in my head so long and was dying to use it. I'd call it a work of art myself and frame the thing. Who's with me on that one ?