Author's Note: I'm cranking these last few chapters out kinda slowly, I'm sorry about that! I hope you enjoy...

Chapter 22 – Dinner with the Blacks

I ran into the house once Edward's car was out of view, my heart breaking and my excitement for dinner with the Blacks quickly been replaced with trepidation. I hoped Billy wouldn't snitch but his long standing relationship with my father told me it wasn't impossible. I mean, I understood the fear and hesitation – but Edward wasn't like other vampires; the entire Cullen family were good, highly moral people. My Dad wouldn't understand, he isn't familiar with the details of the magical world. If he found out that my new boyfriend was a vampire, he'd think Dracula and Van Helsing; all gore, ghastly killings and silver crucifixes. And if he was to find out the Cullen's condition, it would by my own tongue.

"Dad?" I called, toeing my shoes off, I didn't wait for his reply before continuing. "I'm gonna go up to change into something more comfortable, can you get the food going?" I needed at least a few minutes to think...

"Of course, Bells," He chucked from the kitchen, "I did take care of myself for the last 16 years without ya." I heard Jacob laugh happily and Billy chuckle nervously. "Take your time."

I bolted up the stairs, not glancing into the kitchen as I passed and went straight to my room. I did exactly as I said, changing my jeans for some old sweats and then pulled out my homework for the evening. I sat at my desk and stared down at my work, not really seeing it as I thought about how to react tonight. If Edward was correct and there was some treaty stopping the Blacks from speaking, surely they wouldn't? Last I'd talked to Jacob, he seemed to think his dad's stories and superstitions were – exactly that. So Billy only knew the truth? He certainly did know, even without confirmations from Edward, the fear that burned in his eyes told all the truth I needed. I wonder what happened? Why was there a treaty? Was it specific to the Cullen's? I clearly had a lot of catching up to do, I'd been so wrapped up in the bliss of a new – no, my first ever relationship that I didn't think to ask more details about the Cullen's or vampires in general. But that discussion clearly had to wait – I was on my own for now, so I needed to pull up my bootstraps and face tonight.

I sighed, deciding I couldn't avoid it any longer and headed back down stairs. I could hear Charlie rattling on about a Mariners game from the other day and the pan frying softly. As I approached the kitchen archway Jacob spotted me and his face broke into a wide smile, I couldn't help but smile back.

"Hey, Bella!" He called, pulling out the seat next to him, I took the offered seat eagerly. At least I had Jacob here, he'd make this a lot easier.

"Dad, you need help with that?" I asked glancing his way, feeling a little guilty at not doing anything.

"Nope, you relax."

Ha! relax.

"Is something wrong with the truck?" Jacob asked suddenly.

I was caught off guard with that, "No?" I asked confused

Why was he asking about my truck?

"Oh – You just weren't driving it." He prodded still with that easy going smile on his face.

I gulped. "Oh. Er, yeah I got a ride with a friend. The truck is great, thanks, again."

"Oh, good."

I nodded, hoping he'd change the subject. If my brain could function properly when I was being deceitful – I'd try myself – what were normal things you brought up at the dinner table again? Sports? Favorite music? Stocks?

"So who was that?"

I cringed. Should have brought up the stocks...

I stalled before asking with as much apathy as I could muster, "Uh, who?" I glanced at Billy who was sitting impossibly still, his face crumpled with worry – or was it restraint?

I saw Charlie glance my way, clearly wondering why I was acting so odd and evasive.

"The guy," Jake gave me a questioning look, clearly confused as Charlie at my behavior. "I've never seen him in town."

I cleared my throat as it began to close up with anxiety, "Um, Edward Cullen." I forced myself to say his full name, knowing Jake would keep prodding – he was only curious and I wasn't exactly being fair.

"Oh!" Jake's face morphed into understanding, he glanced at his father, clearly putting the pieces together on his odd behavior.

"Yup." I enunciated the word thoroughly.

Could someone bring something else up? I begged silently.

"Yeah, Bells and Edward are dating."

Oh, God! Not that!

My eyes flicked to Billy, his face turning purple and his eyes bulged – froze even more than he had been, looking like he was going to be sick.

I groaned inwardly, please for the love of Merlin do not say anything! Please!

Charlie began handing out plates full of fish and veggies, completely oblivious to the drama unfolding in his tiny, old kitchen. It wasn't until he'd sat down and picked up his utensils did he notice, "Well, dig in." He said, glancing around when none of us moved.

I forced myself to pick up my fork and begin eating, Jacob followed glancing nervously at his father. Billy still seemed to be struggling to recover, I wasn't even sure if he'd heard my father.

"Billy?" Charlie asked worried, "Is something wrong?"

Billy's head slowly swiveled to Charlie, he stared for a moment, "Um, no – sorry, Charlie. I just – remembered something." And he picked up his fork stabbing at the fish with more force than necessary.

"Must have been something big, then." Charlie chuckled, confused and began cutting up his fish before popping some into his mouth eagerly.

Dinner went mostly silently after that, my heart was beating out my chest and Jacob just kept looking between his father and I. Charlie noticed the tension but kept silent, picking random bits of conversation out of Billy or Jake with obvious difficulty.

He finally gave up trying to talk to them and turned his attention to me, "So how was school, Bells?"

"Fine." I mumbled, sounding all too like your typical teenage response.

He grunted, "And what will you be doing tomorrow?"

"Um, Edward has something planned." I said unwillingly, keeping my eyes on my plate.

"Spending all weekend with him then?" He grumbled.

I glanced up, "Did you not want me to?" I asked, surprised, he usually spent the weekend fishing.

"Well, no, I don't mind, Honey." He hesitated, "What do the Cullen's have planned for Sunday?"

"Dinner and just getting to know them. I don't really know them well besides Alice and Edward."

Billy was listening with rapid attention, though he was doing a good job at looking like he wasn't. His eyes were trained dutifully on his plate.

Charlie hummed, "Good family, a little odd – I suppose." He glanced at Billy, I wondered what that was about. I paled, did Billy slip something to Charlie already? " I mean, who adopts five teenagers so young?" He laughed, "But hey, they must have big hearts, to do something like that."

I sighed with relief and nodded.

"Edward tell you anything about his life before?" He asked, looking up with interest but then guilt morphed on his face. "I mean, probably shouldn't ask..."

I blanched, I didn't think of that – that Charlie might wonder what Edward's past was like. Of course he'd ask, who wouldn't? I didn't even know anything about Edward's past, his real past or a false one. Billy was looking up from his plate now, eyeing me eagerly and clearly wondering what tale I'd been spun.

"Umm... I don't know, Dad. We haven't really talked about that." I said quietly, what else could I say?

Charlie nodded in understanding, I breathed another sigh of relief. "Yeah, probably a sore subject." He said as he finished off his plate.

I did the same, standing stiffly and putting my plate into the sink. "Leave the dishes for me, I'll do them."

"Alright." Charlie said, plopping his plate in with mine as the Blacks handed theirs over.

"I'm gonna get ready for bed, I'll be back down." I said over my shoulder as I ran up the stairs, I needed a break from the tension. I vaguely heard Charlie reply.

I showered, washing my hair and body slowly and thoroughly. I knew I couldn't avoid the awkwardness downstairs forever but I was drawing it out. Once finished I raced into my room donned in a towel and plopped on my bed with a sigh. I pulled my phone off my bedside table, I really wanted to see Edward – but should I do what I wanted to do?

B: Hey.

He didn't answer immediately like he usually did. But once I'd gotten dressed and moisturized my face, I came back to see he'd replied.

E: Hello, everything okay?

B: Yeah, fine. Dinner has been awkward but no sabotage yet.

E: Good, I was worried.

I hesitated, I was fairly certain Edward would do it if I asked.

B: Are you busy tonight?

E: No... I just finished eating as well. ;p

I laughed.

B: Could you come over, maybe?

A beat and then my phone lite up with Edward's name, I answered it eagerly.

"Hi." I breathed, smiling.

"Hi," He hesitated, "so what do you mean 'come over'? I'm not sure I should show up to give Billy a heart attack again."

"No – I mean, come to my room...?" I trailed off and felt my face blush at the suggestion.

"Oh," He breathed, "sure, Bella – if you're sure?"

"Yes, please?"

"Okay, I'll be there in – say, ten minutes?"

I knew I should make another appearance downstairs and say goodnight to Charlie, as much as I didn't want to do the former. "Okay, I have to go back downstairs for a bit – but if you don't mind waiting – "

"I don't." He interrupted.

"Okay," I laughed, "I'll be as quick as I can, I just need to be polite."

"Mhm. I'll see you soon, Bella. Goodbye."

"Wait!" I said quickly, realizing something, "Your car." Charlie would notice Edward's car in front of our house, I'm sure he'd already memorized it's make and model – probably the license plate too.

He chuckled, "Don't worry, I wont bring it."

"...How?"

"I'll run, of course." I could hear him smiling.

"Oh," I breathed. I attempted to rack my brain, trying to remembered if we learned about speed in vampires in class but somehow I couldn't get my brain to churn correctly. I felt like he was dazzling me through the phone. "Okay." I said dumbly.

He chuckled again, "Bye, Bella."

"Bye."

I went downstairs, dressed in one of my nicer pajamas, a silky set of dark blue pants and camisole. Though I wore a large cardigan over top as to not show my whole self off to our guests – or Charlie. They were all sat around the TV, watching baseball, no one looked up when I sat down gingerly on the couch.

"You took a while," Charlie said not even glancing from the game.

I didn't answer, I didn't think he would have noticed. I curled up on the end, Jacob sat next to me, his dad in his chair closer to the TV and Charlie in his recliner. I could see Billy peeking at me, but he kept his head trained on the TV. No one spoke, besides the random exclamation over the game.

Finally, nearly thirty minutes later I resigned to just going back upstairs. Charlie would believe I was ready for bed, I often went to bed early. Would Edward really be waiting there?

"I think I'm gonna head to bed," I yawned, surprised I didn't have to force it.

"Oh," Charlie glanced at the clock, "Okay, Bells."

"Maybe we should be heading off too." Billy grumbled, "Bit of a drive home, it's getting late."

"Well, alright then." Charlie huffed as he pulled himself out of the chair.

"Do you mind helping me into the truck?" Billy asked, I felt a shoot of panic – was this when he would try and confess to Charlie? Should I follow?

"Of course," Charlie made his way to the front door, slipping his shoes on.

Jacob did the same, waving to me, "Bye, Bella. It was good to see you." He smiled.

"Yeah, you too."

Billy nodded towards the door, "Go on," Jake hesitated, looking between us and then followed Charlie out the front door. Billy only had maybe a minute before Charlie would come back in looking for him, what was he possibly going to say to me in that time? I didn't make it any easier, I stood there awkwardly – not willing to break the tension.

Billy cleared his throat, "Bella, thanks for having us." He said smiling genuinely for the first time tonight, I felt a sigh of relief.

"Yeah, of course." I smiled.

He nodded, before continuing on with a renowned courage. "Bella, I know you probably don't care what I have to say. You barely know me, but I love you nonetheless – I want to ask you to be careful."

I pretended to not know what he was talking about, even as my heart broke at his sincerity, "What about?" I asked innocently.

He seemed to be having trouble to get the words out, he finally blurted, "Y-you're boyfriend." He stumbled over the words.

I frowned, "Edward?" I asked still trying to keep my voice nonchalant, but I could feel my heart beating fast and my face heating.

"Yes, I know it's none of my business – "

"Yeah, you're right. It isn't." I bite out, narrowing my eyes slightly.

We stared at each other, measuring the other up – thankfully, Charlie returned and looked between us confused, "Ready, Billy?" He asked.

Billy blinked, "Yeah, sorry. Was just saying goodbye to Bella." He smiled tightly and rolled his chair after Charlie. Before he passed through the arch that lead through to the hallway he turned and gave me a pointed look. "Be careful, Bella – for Charlie." He said ominously and continued rolling down the hall – I heard the door click close a few seconds later.

Did he know I knew? Who says that to their friends kid? I mean, I know he knows – but it was still strange. I didn't know how to process this encounter, would he keep pushing?

I stood there in the darkened living room, Charlie reentered as I heard the Blacks truck roar into life. "You okay?" He asked, scrutinizing me, "If I didn't know any better, I'd think there was some secret going on between you and Billy – you both have been very odd tonight."

I laughed nervously, "Yeah... I-I'm fine. Night, Dad."

"Night, Bells, love you." He said as he plopped back down in his chair.

"Love you, Dad."

I ran up the stairs, sleeping a little on the last step as I reached the landing and paused – taking a deep breath before slowly opening the door to my room.