Bella bit her lip nervously as she took the lasagna out of the oven and looked at the clock. It was 600 and Paul would be here by 6: 15. While her friends had fawned over her fiancée, she her father wouldn't have the same feelings. He was still disturbed by Paul's attitude and his overall cockiness. Not to mention the fact that Paul could bite her Fathers head off in a milli second.

She was just ready to get out of here and away from it all. Glancing over at her father. He held the newspaper up and pretended not to be glancing at the door, just waiting for the hard knock.

Before they knew it, dinner was done, and a knock was sounded at the door. Charlie jumped up to get it and Bella nervously took out the lemonade.

"Paul ...come on in." he greeted gruffly.

"Good evening Mr. Swan. Thanks for having me over."

"not like I had a choice." Her father mumbled forgetting that both Paul and Bella could hear him.

"dinner's ready!" she announced interrupting the palpable tension.

"Hey honey. That smells great. You look good." Paul complimented as he kissed her cheek and then sat down.

"Thank you. Alright. Here's the lasagna, I'm going to grab the salad and garlic bread."

Paul nodded and then turned to face Charlie.

"how are you Mr. swan?" he asked pleasantly and genuinely curious.

"I'm fine Paul and yourself?"

"I'm doing well. Just a long day at work."

Charlie cocked his head to the side and asked, "now when you say work, do you mean-?"

"yes. I mean the job I have that requires me to turn into a giant wolf but I'm also talking about my day job."

"and that would be?"

"I do multiple things. I'm a handy man, a blacksmith and I detail cars. Jack of all trades kind of thing."

"pretty cocky of you to say that. and what's a young man like you need to work three jobs for? Shouldn't you be at college?" Charlie questioned rudely.

"College wasn't for me and I did the best I could in high school, but I figured I put myself to better use by doing the skills and trades I was good at. There is a problem with that?"

"yes. How do you expect to make ends meet by being a handy man and car detailing? There aren't many cars that need that in forks and this handy man business. You can't possibly get many customers. you're not official. Especially without a degree. So yeah id say there was a problem...but I guess there's no point in worrying, you won't be taking care of a family or anything. speaking of family, tell me about your folks."

By now, Bella had put the rest of dinner on the table and resisted the urge to defend her fiancée. However, he had warned her before hand not to give her father a reaction. He was going to handle this man to man.

"well, if you must know Mr. swan, my three jobs have gotten me customers from all over. I make most of my money selling the jewelry I make online. I also have spread my cliental all the way up to Seattle when it comes to the car detailing and for your information, I just fixed Forks hospital pipes and saved them over a million dollars in having to hire a contractor and if you must know I am a certified handy man with the license of being a contractor under my belt. So, when people come to me, they get a two in one deal for half the price. So is there anything else you can throw at me to prove that I'm not good enough to be with your daughter?"

Charlie was tomato red by now but simply took a large bite out of his lasagna all the while staring Paul down.

Paul did the same.

Bella however sat between them, fed up with the pissing contest and just wanting her father to accept Paul for who he was.

"So how long have you and Bella been dating?'"

"half a year."

Charlie coughed on his garlic bread and Turned is eyes to his daughter.

"half a year? Why wasn't I aware of this?"

"We wanted to make sure we were serious about each other. I didn't want another Edward situation. And Paul doesn't treat me like a porcelain doll."

Charlie grunted and then turned back to Paul.

"So, tell me about your folks."

"My mother lives in Tacoma haven't heard from her since I was eight years old. My father lives on the reservation alongside my aunt and uncle, and I have no contact with them. As soon as I turned sixteen, I got my own place and have been living on my own ever since."

''I guess that explains the juvenile record."

Paul ignored the insult and continued talking.

"you and your ex wife Raised Bella right. She's an awesome woman and I'm blessed to have her n my life. I couldn't see myself without her."

Paul's eyes locked on Bella's he spoke. This made Bella smile brightly and she felt herself relaxing.

"last guy who said that left her in the woods alone at night. What makes you any different?"

Paul leaned back and locked eyes with his mates' father.

"like I said a few nights before. I love your daughter and there's nothing I wouldn't do for her. She is my life and if I were to lose her, I don't know what I would do. Mr. swan, I know you don't like me very much and that's fine. I can respect that but one thing I won't do is stop seeing your daughter just because you don't approve of our relationship, especially since I have asked her to marry me and she said yes. Now, your blessing is appreciated but not required."

"we'll I'll be damned if I allow you two to get married. It's one thing for you to date but married! Bella your too young!" Charlie admonished as she looked at his daughter.

"Dad, I love Paul. And I can see my future with him dad. He supports me and I support him. he built a house for us and its not like I'm giving up on my dreams. As soon as I graduate, I'm going to be doing online college courses and ill still be near. And as for a job, I'll be helping Paul with his multiple businesses. So, I won't have to worry about being too stressed out and balancing school."

"love? Love? Bella love is not enough! you can't try to base a marriage on just love! Neither of you are mature enough to handle a marriage! And online classes! Helping him with his business! What kind of life is that for you? Why can't you just be like normal teenagers! You were always taking things way too seriously! You need to think about this Bella!"

"I have thought about It dad! I mean have your forgotten who my mother is! Have you forgotten that I live in a world full of vampires and shapeshifters? I have to take things too seriously because I could die at any time and for once I'm finally doing something that makes me happy and your giving me hell. Why!?"

"I just don't understand the rush. Why can't you guys just date and then see where it leads I mean you haven't even graduated high school yet bell I mean it makes no-"

Charlie stopped mid-sentence as he stared at his daughter. This time he really studied her and then he looks towards Paul.

"YOUR PREGNANT! I SWEAR TO GOD BELLA MARIE SWAN! ARE YOU PREGNANT?!"

In that moment, as Charlie watched his daughter nod her head yes, he felt his hear sink. His very fear coming true. At eighteen his daughter was pregnant, and she was wanting to get married. Following the same path, he and his ex-wife did.

"HOW COULD YOU HAVE BEEN SO STUPID! HOW MANY TIMES DID RENEE AND I WARN YOU! WHY WOULD YOU DO THIS BELLA! AND YOU!" He yelled turning to Paul "YOU GOOD FOR NOTHING NOBODY! KNOCKING UP MY LITTLE GIRL! GET OUT! NOW!"

"I'm sorry chief swan. I can't and won't do that. Once again, I love your daughter and I will protect her with everything I have."

Charlie let out a cold heartless laugh.

"I thought that same thing boy. I loved my wife and I protected her with everything I had. Worked my fingers to the bone. Just for her to pack up and leave me and honestly with the way Bella has been acting I wouldn't be surprised if she up and disappeared on you too. She's done it twice on me already. So Bella you have two options. You either stay here and abort that thing or you can get out and not come back."

Bella however stood up tall and said "dad., I love you and I know right now you are beyond hurt. Not just by me but by mom as well and right now you think I'm going the down the same path she did but I'm not. So, what I'm going to do is leave for spring break with Paul. ill be gone for a week or two. Please go down to the reservation and spend some time with Billy and be watchful for strange people you don't know. The pack and the Cullen's will be around to protect you. Now, when I get back…if we can reconcile great. Ill stay with you until I graduate but…if you don't want to see me ill understand."

With that said, Bella grabbed paul's car keys and ran out the door.

...

As soon as his mate ran out the room, Paul launched himself in front of Charlie. Eyes glowing like lightning and teeth barred.

"I don't know what has gotten into you but If you ever ever threaten my mate! Or the wellbeing of our cub I swear Chief swan I will kill you! Law enforcement be dammed! And the only reason I am having mercy on you and because Bella had mercy on you! She loves you! can't you see that ? and here you are threatening your daughter! Your only daughter! you selfish bastard!"

Paul then gave one swift punch, making sure the chief had a good black eye.

With that said Paul left the shocked chief trembling where he stood.

….

Bella didn't talk to Paul about her father and he didn't tell her what he did. They both knew that the other needed to meditate on their own thoughts.

The whole plane ride was a silent affair. Both of them exhausted from stressed out events. But one thing they did was keep was constant physical contact. Bella would rub pauls arm and run her fingers through his hair while he in turn would rub her still flat stomach and cup her face in his hands. Words weren't needed in a time like this.

"Oh, my lord Bella! look at you! Its been so long! I've missed you!" Renee squealed as her daughter came through the gate.

"I've missed you too mom. I really have." Bella said as she began to cry. She really didn't realize how much she missed her mother.

"oh…oh Izzy are you crying baby girl? Oh, please don't cry. Cause if you cry then I'm gonna cry."

Bella only cried harder when her mother said her nickname.

"you haven't called me that since I was ten."

"oh! I know. It just slipped out. Your hairs longer…and you have this glow about you –"

"honey don't smother the girl." Phil said as he made his presence known. "besides, I think we have other people to greet."

On cue, Paul stepped up behind Bella and wrapped an arm protectively around her. he then took his other hand and offered it to Renee.

"Mrs. Dwyer, its so nice to finally meet you. I know you probably haven't heard anything about me, we just thought it would be good to meet face to face."

Renee was dumbfounded. She knew her daughter was bringing a friend, but she had no idea it was a man. And from the way he was holding her; it seem like they were more than friends.

"mom this is Paul…my…my fiancée."

Renee saw black.

….

"oh my gosh, I didn't think she'd pass out." Bella said as Paul put her mother on the couch.

"well, Bells I think she was expecting you and Edward. Not seeing him was a shock but to announce that your engaged…well, that about takes the cake and I see you upgraded" Phil said with a wink as he nodded towards Paul.

"come on in the kitchen, I'm sure you guys are hungry I ordered a pizza. While we wait, here's some lemonade."

Paul and Bella did as told and followed Phil into the kitchen.

Phil quickly pulled out a pitcher of lemonade and poured each of them a glass.

"well, Bella it certainly has been a while, how are you? "

"I'm doing better phil. I know Charlie told you and mom about Edward leaving me."

"yeah we just assumed you guys worked it out but I'm...guessing not" he said as he gestured to Paul.

"no, we didn't work it out. I broke up with Edward. He was manipulative and controlling. When Edward left though, Paul here really helped me out. We fell in love during that time."

Phil took a sip of lemonade and nodded.

"so, you two are engaged huh? That's pretty intense and your so young too. You sure you guys are ready for that?"

"were more then ready phil. We know its not going to be easy but…we have each other and that's all that matters. "Bella answered

"I see. So, Paul what do you do? and is graduation coming for you to?"

"well Mr. Dwyer, I graduated early, and I run multiple businesses back home to support myself." Paul replied.

"multiple sources of income. That's smart. Very smart. So, Bella what's your plan after graduation?"

Bella smiled and said "well, I'm going to do online classes and help Paul run the business. Just take small steps for right now."

"That's good, you don't want to overwhelm yourself."

"no, its not good." Renee's cold but tired voice spoke.

Everyone turned to see Renee standing up with her hands on her hips.

"mom…why don't we go outside" Bella began.

"Stay babe. No stress remember." Paul urged.

"so now your telling my daughter what to do?" Renee questioned.

"No Mrs. Dwyer I am not but like any Future husband, I am concerned for My Fiancé's health. Over these few months she has been under way too much stress. The main cause being Edward and the other half Mr. Swan himself and ill be damned if I let another parent ruin the small shred of peace that she has."

Renee's eyebrows went up.

"…your really getting married?" she asked directing her question to Bella.

"yes."

"Are you pregnant?" Renee asked

Bella went silent. Phil gasp.

"I see. Paul, I swear not to stress my daughter out, but she and I need to talk. Alone."

Bella squeezed Pauls hand in reassurance and followed her mother out to the patio.

…

Renee swan took in her daughter's features. Her hair had grown longer, and she had put on weight. Her breast were bigger, and her hips had widened. She also noticed the dark circles under her eyes.

"you haven't been sleeping."

"a lot on my mind" her daughter replied

"…your pregnant at eighteen and engaged…"

"I know mom. I know its not what you or dad wanted, and you didn't want me to go down the same road you and he took but…this is different."

"and what if you regret every decision from here on out. Will you regret having that baby on your hip while all your friends are partying. What about your career? Your life?" she asked

"…mom…I... have a life…and I'm still going to college and I will get a career. It's just happening a little out of order."

"but Bella, what are you going to do when the times comes, and you look back on your life and regret everything. I mean a baby's going to tie you down, to a small town that you don't want to be in and with a man you truly don't love."

Renee watched her daughters' eyes soften and fill with unshed tears.

"...I'm not you mom."

Renee sighed. A sudden revelation hit her. Her daughter was not her. it didn't take away the fear and worry but…it did shift her perspective.

She then enveloped her daughter into a tight hug.

"you right. You're not me. your everything I wasn't, and I couldn't be anything but proud. I'm not going to say, that I'm not worried. I'm terrified for you, but I also trust you. I trust your judgement. And I can definitely say Paul is hotter than Edward."

"moooom!"

"I'm just kidding honey. So, tell me, what's your plan? When is my grandbaby due and please tell me, you didn't tell your father yet?"

"online college and working part time with Paul. He owns multiple businesses, so ill be helping him and about dad. Well, he didn't take the news well at all. And I'm only in the first trimester."

"oh, honey it couldn't have been that bad." Renee said

"mom…he told me to abort the baby or I wasn't allowed back in his house."

Renee took a moment before she spoke.

"Bella be assured. I will be speaking to your father. Don't you worry about a thing. Now, tell me about this Paul."

…..

Before Bella knew it, the week with her mother was over. She and Paul were heading towards their next destination. She decided missing a week of school wouldn't kill her. However, she couldn't seem to stop the tears falling down as she departed from her mother.

"oh honey. Those hormones got you good. I promise Phil and I will see you for graduation. Nothings going to stop us. And don't worry about your father. I'll talk to him."

Her mother then turned to Paul.

"it was so nice meeting you Paul. Now, I'm trusting you with my baby's life. Please take care of her."

"I will mam, you have my word."

With that said, Paul opened the passenger side door of their rental car and Bella got in. After Paul talked with Phil, he then got in and the two were off.

As soon as they couldn't see the car anymore Phil spoke.

"your going to go see Charlie, aren't you?"

"your bet your left arm I am." she replied.

Say what you want about Renee Dwyer but when it came to her daughter, you should run like hell.

….

"Paul come on. Tell me where we are going? please" Bella begged.

"it's hot when you beg babe. You might want to stop while your ahead."

"or I could just suck your- "

"Bella don't you dare. I swear I will pull this car over!" Paul growled flirtatiously.

It was nice to see his mate coming out of her shell. She had been so withdrawn lately.

"try me big daddy." She teased.

Paul and Bella stared at each other until Paul backed down.

"fuck! You caught my bluff babe. Trust me any other time, I would pull this car over and bend you over the hood, however we have a really important date."

Bella groaned.

"can't you just tell me where we are going?"

"nope where almost there." Paul said

After an hour of driving, Paul pulled up to a dark parking lot.

"where are we?"

"it's a surprise." He told her. "now close your eyes."

Bella sighed and did as asked

Paul helped her out the car and guided her slowly to their destination.

"I smell salt water and I hear the waves crashing…We are near the beach!" she said excitedly

"smart cookie. But that's not the surprise." Paul told her.

He continued to guide her until Bella felt a warm heat on her face.

"Paul what's goin on? I'm getting impatient."

Paul chuckled and then took the blindfold off.

Bella gasped.

Standing before her were all her friends. Angela, Eric, Tyler, Jessica and mike. Alongside them was Mr. Weber.

"Surprise!" her friends shouted

Bella turned to Paul in confusion.

"what's going on?"

Paul took her hands and said "our first wedding. On the beach. look babe, we don't have to do this. But I wanted to give you the option. I talk to your friends and they agreed to help me out. I figured you'd want to have a small, intimate ceremony with just your friends. And I know how much you like the beach. look, I know we talked about after graduation and we can still do it then to. I…I just wanted to this for us…without...other things in the way. But if you don't want to do this…we don't have to."

Bella was speechless. Paul had brought all her friends togather just to have a small ceremony. Something just for them.

"oh…Paul...this is. This is so thoughtful. I…I would love to marry you tonight."

Paul picked her up and gently spun her around.

"I knew you would. now, go with Angela. She has some things for you."

Bella smiled as Angela pulled her away. She was getting married tonight.