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Chapter Sixty-Six

Edward did his part in putting me in a better mood.

And he did it well, I might add.

I smiled against his lips as he kissed me once, twice before leaving for work. "I could get used to this," I breathed.

The look in his eyes told me he already was.

Two hours later, I tried busying myself by unpacking when Charlie's name lit up on my cell phone.

I wanted to say I was shocked but I wasn't. Not really.

"Two days," I answered. "It took you two days to react?"

Even over the phone, I could sense his hesitation.

"I know, I know," he said with a sigh. "I've never been good at communicating. You know that."

I laughed.

Charlie grumbled and wasted no time getting straight to the point. "I heard she's been cooperating."

"And who'd you hear that from?" I asked curiously.

"It's funny what you can find out when you're legally married to someone."

"Don't pretend like you care now."

"I always cared, Bells," Charlie said adamantly, most likely believing his every word. I wasn't as gullible; I wouldn't be fooled. "Look, okay. I can't help you the way you're expecting. I wouldn't be good for her."

I waited.

I listened.

I silently agreed.

"Renee's been on my insurance since that one year she needed all of that dental work. Chalk that up to me being lazy and never changing the policy," he explained with a slight chuckle.

"So, what else have you two been keeping from me? Am I really an only child? Am I adopted? Is Renee actually my aunt?" I snapped.

"Listen for a second."

"I am listening. I just can't understand why you two felt the need to keep quiet on the fact that y'all are still married."

"We just never acknowledged it. Hell, I haven't seen her in the past five years-"

"Okay. Why did you call?"

Charlie cursed to himself before saying, "I'm not going to claim guardianship and neither are you. I won't let you." His tone was one of authority. I was surprised. "Even if you wanted to, I'm sure that friend of yours wouldn't allow it."

"Edward."

"Yeah. Him."

"This isn't news to me," I declared. "I already knew you weren't going to help."

"Goddammit!" he yelled, causing me to pull the phone away from my ear. "You never told me how bad it was, Bella. I would have tried harder, so stop trying to make me out to be the bad guy!"

"Trust when I say you need no help with that."

The line was silent and I assumed he had hung up until I heard him breathing.

"Are you done?" he asked roughly. "I understand you don't expect much from me. That's my fault."

I decided against agreeing with him this time.

"I just called to let you know I'm arranging for Renee to be sent to a private hospital in Seattle. Insurance will cover most of the costs and I hear it's better than any state hospital."

My vision became blurry with tears and I asked, "Seriously?"

He exhaled before muttering, "I know that's not what you wanted to happen but it's what is going to happen, goddammit."

"Okay," I confirmed. "Okay."

"I know I haven't done right by you and I hate myself for that. This is my way of trying to make up for it," Charlie paused. "Your friend's words resonated with me and I've felt like shit since the two of you left."

"Okay," I replied dumbly, still not exactly sure how to react to this news.

"I'm sure the hospital will call and let you know when she'll be moved."

"Okay."

"Bells? This is for the best."

"Yes, I know," I finally uttered and was relieved I didn't have to convince myself he was right.

Yes. This is for the best.

Yes. Renee was going to receive the treatment she needed.

Yes. I might just be entitled to live life.

My life.

It would never be normal -that much I was certain -but it would be mine.

Charlie gave me the details and I listened intently while trying to keep my emotions in check.

"Thank you," I told him afterward.

"I'm not so worried about you anymore, you know. That kid is nice. He'll do right by you," Charlie assured me. "Just make sure you do what you want to do."

For the first time, I felt relieved.

For the second time, I felt hopeful.

And for the last time, I cried for my mother.

A/N: Screw it! I'll update from work & no one can stop me! *frantically clears history* Thanks for reading.

Oh. One more update later tonight.