Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight or its original characters. No copyright infringement is intended with the posting of this story.

A/N: These outtakes are not beta'd. They're just something I do as a writing exercise to help me get into the heads of other characters and build on the plot a little more through their development/inner thoughts. You'll want to read each one *after* reading it's corresponding chapter to help them make sense as they won't flow from one to the next the same way the main story does.

.o0O0o._R0ADiES_.o0O0o

Chapter 28

OUTTAKE

...Edward…

When I get out to the patio Charlie is waiting for me.

His arms are crossed and his right brow is already raised.

"Have a seat, Cullen. It's late and I need my beauty rest."

I know he's joking, but my hand tugs at the back of my neck and my lungs pull in a long deep breath.

As soon as I position my chair at the table he holds out his famous bong, Billy, then slides a lighter way.

"A peace offering. It'll help you relax. I'm not saying you need it, but you need it."

He doesn't have to tell me twice. That being said, this is still weird as hell.

Smoking pot with my girlfriend's father is one thing.

Doing it right before I'm about to profess my love for her is an entirely different kind of mind fuck.

"Emmett sent me the video of your little shock and awe performance at my buddies bar tonight."

This actually surprises me.

"Oh yeah?" I cough out after pulling my mouth away from the glass bong.

"Yup. Yup, he did."

Charlie's sudden long pause sends me to the edge of my seat.

He's worked with some of the biggest names in music, so his unfiltered opinion of my own music… well it actually matters a hell of a lot to me.

"I was impressed, Cullen. You can sing and play a guitar all at the same time, and you manage to do it well without it feeling like a dog and pony show. Your stage presence could use some polishing but I blame that part on my daughter. You couldn't seem to take your eyes off her long enough to connect with the crowd, so we'll have to work on that."

As I process his review I can feel my eyes go wide with confusion.

A part of me refuses to believe I've heard him right, but when he doesn't laugh or call me a dumb ass I have no choice but to accept it.

He's actually being sincere.

"I'm going to call a buddy of mine first thing tomorrow morning. He's got a studio in New York and Birdie said you guys will be spending a few days in the city with some time to kill. Think you could lay down a song or two for a legit demo? Something I could get out to a few other people I know who might like your sound."

"What? No. I mean yes! I could absolutely do that! Thank you so much, Charlie!"

This is all pretty surreal and I've barely grasped what it could mean, but this isn't why I came out here, so I take in a deep breath and do my best to compose myself again.

I'm here to talk about Bella.

Me and Bella.

Not just me.

"It's a good thing you've gotten over that stage fright. That can be a hell of a bitch to wrestle with."

"Yup, I did. Tonight went pretty well but what I did… it was all for your daughter. She has this way of getting me to do things I'd normally think twice about."

Charlie laughs and slowly shakes his head, "Yup. That's part of her magic."

"Yes Sir, it most certainly is."

He turns his head to look me in the eyes and I watch his brow raise with returned suspicion, "Now, what is it that's on your mind? Because if you're going to ask me for permission to anchor Birdie down, you're gonna be shit outta luck, son."

"No!" I panic, "That's totally not it."

"Alright then speak, Cullen. I'm all ears and this night is no longer young."

Now or never, Cullen.

Que' Sera' Sera.

"Look Charlie, I care about your daughter a lot. So much, at times it's kind of terrifying. But I want you to know, as long as she's in my life, she will always be my priority. Before my music, before my career… before everything and anything else. I will always protect her, and I'll never ever put her in danger, or abuse her trust. What Liam did—"

"Liam Brennan is a snake. He's a predator in the grass. I won't ever fall for that kind of bullshit again. So yes, Cullen, I'm going to be on your ass, but I also know you're nothing like him so you can relax."

"I appreciate you saying that. I really do—"

"But?" Charlie doesn't even give me the chance to find my next words.

"But… but I made more than one mistake myself during the tour while we were figuring things out. I'm not a perfect man. Far from it. But Bella knows that, and even with my faults, she's managed to make me a better man because of them. By allowing me into her world, she's taught me to fly and learn how to truly believe in myself. I won't get much deeper than that, because I know you already know what I mean and I'll feel like a jackass if I let myself get much more emo out here with you."

"Give yourself some credit, Edward. Bella doesn't love easily, and at times, she's not an easy person to love. I can say that because I'm her father and she's inherited a lot of her hard headedness from me. If you can dance that dance with her, then I trust the two of you will end up in a good place together."

"I appreciate that. I've gotten to know your daughter pretty well over these last few months. She's unlike any woman I've ever met and she never made it easy, but I always knew she would be worth the risk."

Something about my response causes Charlie to laugh and shake his head, "I'm going to hold you to that, Cullen. If you let me down, I'll have to make your life hell."

"I don't doubt it, Sir."

He smirks and extends his hand so I meet him halfway.

"Just don't let her walk all over you. She needs a challenge, or she'll start to get twitchy. That's always been her way. With everything, there's gotta be a purpose. Something to chase. Stagnant easy living… it's not for her."

He's telling me things I already know, but I'll keep that to myself because I appreciate it nonetheless.

"Thanks, Charlie. I don't know what the future has in store for us, but I do know I'm exactly where I need to be when I'm with her."

"I know, son. Trust me when I say she feels the exact same way."

We pass the bong back and forth one more time and then I slowly start to stand, "Thank you for sitting down with me, and for not shutting me out after all the Irina craziness the last time I was here. Bella saved me from myself when it came to that clusterfuck. I'll feel alot better in life if my music ever does get picked up, knowing I did it on my own terms."

"I know that feeling and Birdie knows a good rescue when she sees it. But you've pulled your own weight according to Emmett, and he's even harder to impress."

This news makes me smirk and tug at the back of my neck again, "Em's a really good guy."

"One of the best. It'll help me sleep much better at night knowing my daughter has two good guys in her life who will always be there to pull her back down and help her land."

"I'm ready to be that person for Bella. Perfect storms and all."

"Good. I look forward to better sleep at night and less grey hair. Now get your ass back inside, and I'll see y'all bright and early at the breakfast table."