Knocking on the front door of the small house was the last thing I wanted to do, but I still found myself doing it. I took in a unnecessary breath as the door was opened by a woman who appeared to be in her forties. She had dark hair, like Bella's, but a little lighter, and much more curly.

"Who is it, Renee?" I heard Charlie call, about the same moment I placed the face with the woman who had met me at the hospital after the James accident.

"I'm Doctor Cullen," I started carefully, and she snapped her fingers.

"Yes! You are!"

Glad we both agree on that fact.

"Do you and Charlie have a little time to talk?"

She looked at me, eyes narrowing.

"Bella was staying with you, wasn't she?"

Before I could reply, Charlie appeared behind her.

"Doctor Cullen. Please, come in."

I followed the two into the house and into the living room where there was a youngish man in a baseball cap sitting on the couch. He stood and introduced himself as Phil. Just Phil. Renee's husband.

I introduced myself as Doctor Carlisle Cullen.

Charlie offered me a chair and offered a drink to everyone in the room. There was no way to turn it down without looking either suspicious or like a princess, so I found myself holding a glass of some amber-coloured liquid.

The devil's drink, I thought my father had called it.

"I'm sorry about Bella," I said quietly, "We never really got to talk after the accident, and I figured it was best to do it in person as opposed to over the phone."

Phil looked down and Renee burst into tears. Charlie only nodded.

"You're leaving again, aren't you, Cullen?"

I sighed and gave a slight nod.

"We agreed to come back for her. I can't expect my family to simply live with the memories, and I can't do it myself. Our son Emmett and daughter Alice are coming back to help us pack, and then Esme and I will be joining them staying with cousins in Denali. We plan to permanently relocate in my parent's estate in London shortly."

Renee straightened up quickly.

"That's where you're accent is from! I knew it wasn't American! It sounds quite outdated, and old."

300 years, to be exact.

I only nodded and gave her a slight smile.

"She was happy, wasn't she?" Phil questioned, and I saw the same question in the eyes of both my new daughter's parents.

"Yes," I said, sounding tight, "Even now I am sure that she was happy and looking forward to seeing the other children."

"I couldn't live with myself if she had been unhappy when she died..." Renee choked out.

"She was happy," I said again, "Can you live with that, Renee?"

"Yes, I think I can."

I offered a small smile.

When the time came to say goodbye for the last time, I shook Phil's hand and allowed Renee to give me a hug, ignoring the look on her face brought on by my freezing skin. Charlie followed me out the door and to my car and I turned around to face him.

"So this is goodbye, then?" Charlie said gruffly.

"It would appear so..." I replied, my voice calm.

He crossed his arms as I leaned against the side of my car, trying to appear at ease.

"There was always something not quite right about you, Cullen," Charlie said, "Your whole family, in fact. Everyone in town knew it."

"What are you saying, Charlie?" I questioned politely, but I knew my voice sounded strained.

"I'm saying I think it's highly suspicious you spent a lot of money to leave Forks, and then decided to move back for the sake of my daughter, an action that also had to cost a lot of money, and now that it seems she's dead, you're spending even more money to move again!"

"I'm a doctor, Charlie," I said evenly, "They don't come cheap. Now what do you mean 'seems dead'?"

He shifted slightly.

"There's traditional, and then there's your family. There are mature kids, and then there are your kids. There are doctors, and then there's you. I'm inclined to think that my daughter isn't really dead."

"So you believe I'm kidnapping her."

I was impressed I hadn't changed my tone throughout the entire conversation.

"I don't know what I believe!" Charlie replied, raising his voice, "Tell me once and for all, Cullen: is my daughter's heart still beating, or not!"

I looked him in the eye.

"I'm sorry, Charlie. It's not."

His demeanor seemed to sink.

"Then what is going on? What Renee said is correct: you talk like you're from a long time ago, like you're from a different era. There's no way you're as young as you look, and if you were, there's no way to get through Medical School before that age. How old are you, exactly?"

"I'm sorry, I can't answer that question." I said coldly.

"You never do answer questions," Charlie said, "It's clear you're not telling me anything. Tell me this: if I dig up her coffin, will my daughter be in it?"

I looked down at my hands.

"I didn't think so..." he said quietly.

"Charlie," I said, looking up, "Our family secret is one that no one is allowed to find out. Bella's life was threatened when she figured it out, and I can't put you in the same danger."

"She's alive?" Charlie asked.

"She's dead," I assured him.

"But not quite?" Charlie clarified.

My silence was answer enough.

"Goodbye, Charlie..." I said quietly, turning and opening the car door.

"Just-" I looked back at him, "Carlisle, I still love her."

"I know you do... but this can't happen. She's dead to you, Charlie. Bella told me about Sue... and I don't mean to seem like a matchmaker, but after decades of experience-" I stopped to assess his reaction, "I'd say marry her. Raise Seth and Leah, and let them be your children... I beg of you."

He stared at me and I stared back, forgetting to blink once in more than a minute... and then he nodded.

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Here's the next update! This still isn't the last one, though! I might have up to five more chapters. Not sure, though. You'll know when it's the end. Please drop reviews. I love reading what you all think of it! Love you all!