I do not own Twilight.

High School: Fall of Junior Year

"Are you sure about this?" I look at Edward, studying the intricate curve to his jaw. "It won't upset me if you don't want to meet him."

I smile because we've already been through this; I've already told him I want to meet him. I thought I had kissed away any uncertainty, but now that we're standing in his kitchen instead of his bedroom, his anxiety is dripping back in.

"I want to meet him," I insist, trying my best to hide how scared I actually am. I know if he catches any hint that I'm unsure, he'll never follow through. But, at the same time, I can't help thinking about what he told me about the glass from the car window…about his broken wrist. "Is he...do you think he'll be drunk...now?"

"Probably not." He glances out of the small window above the sink. I can't see what he's looking at. "He's been working on the cars today. He doesn't usually start drinking until after he's finished." He purses his lips, turns his emerald eyes on me. "And the weekends. And any slow times." His hands which are holding my waist, turning me to look at him, squeeze lightly. "How about we go somewhere instead?"

I shake my head. Breathe. "I want to meet your family."

He's still unsure. Nervous. He stares at me before reaching up to place his hand on my cheek. It sends a shiver down my spine as he always does when he touches me. I lean into him, "If you're afraid I'm not going to want to be with you because of how he is...you must not know me very well."

Finally, the hint of his crooked smile flashes at me. I reach up on my tip toes to press my lips softly to his.

"Does he know about me?" I ask when I pull away from him.

He nods once.

"And your mom?"

This time, he smiles before he nods.

"Okay." I move out of his reach, but take his hand. "Then let's go."

Really, I want to ask if they want to meet me, but I don't know if I want that answer.

Edward pulls me out through the kitchen, around to the shop at the end of their driveway. I see his father leaning over the hood of a car. It's flashy. Bright yellow. I wonder if it's one of theirs, or one he's working on.

"Dad."

He lifts up quickly, nearly hitting his head on the hood and I get my first real glimpse of the man that is Edward's father. He's tall, like Edward. His eyes are dark, as is his hair, but they share the same facial features. The same strong jaw, the same sharp nose. He's wickedly handsome.

"Dammit, E." His voice is sharp with anger. "I thought I told you—" he breaks off when he sees me. Raises his eyebrows. "This her?"

Edward shifts his weight onto the other foot and I squeeze his hand reassuringly. I can't be sure of his dad's tone. Is he disappointed?

"Yeah, dad," Edward says after a second. "This is Bella. Bella, my dad."

Mr. Cullen moves closer to us and reaches out a hand, an easy grin splitting his face. He's even more handsome smiling. He looks like Edward when he smiles. I shake his hand with my free one, not missing Edward's tightening grip on my other hand as though he's ready to pull me away at a moment's notice.

I pull back from his dad, my hand greasy.

"Shit," Mr. Cullen curses. "Sorry."

I grin because I don't know what else to do, "It's okay."

"Never told me she was such a pretty little thing." I flush at the comment he makes to Edward, and Edward scowls lightly, but Mr. Cullen doesn't notice because he slams the hood of the car he's working on and sits on the exterior. His right leg dangles in front of him and he studies me with a keen eye, like he's sizing me up or something.

Edward opens his mouth to say something but his dad speaks first, squarely to me. "You know anything 'bout V6 engines?"

I shake my head.

"Pieces of shit. Not worth the trouble." He slams his hand on the hood of the car and I try not to flinch. "Takes too much gas to make an enjoyable ride. What do you ride?"

"Oh...no, I don't have a car," I say softly, not daring to look away from him. His dark eyes assess. I think he's one of those people that see you as weak if you break eye contact.

"That right?" He looks taken aback. "Huh. Thought with a police officer for a father you'd get the best of the best. Cream of the crop." His tone is berating, though I don't know if he means it to be.

"Charlie doesn't like to give things away easily," I say. "He wants us to work for the things we want."

Mr. Cullen raises an eyebrow. "That so? Huh." He turns back to the car, then motions towards the other ten or so vehicles scattered in the driveway, in the grass. He picks up the wrench from the bench beside him. "Well, Bella. You ever want a cheap car, look no further than Cullen Mechanics." Then he points the wrench at Edward. "Don't get her pregnant, son."

I balk and Edward grits teeth.

"Yes, okay," he mutters. "Thanks, dad," and then steers me away quickly as his dad laughs loudly behind us.

"Ease up, E!" he calls out. "Don't be so fucking hard assed." And then, in a less menacing tone, "Nice meeting you, Bella Swan."

Back inside the kitchen, Edward folds himself against the counter, shaking his head while I stand before him, wringing out my fingers. I feel like a panic attack is just around the corner. Or hyperventilation, at least.

"He hates me."

Edward's eyes widen as he stares down at me. "Hates you? Bella, that's the nicest I've ever seen him."

"Really?" I whisper, biting down on my lip so hard I'm afraid I might draw blood.

Edward's eyes soften and a gentle smile touches his mouth. "He likes you," he says. "Trust me." He reaches out to ruffle my hair and then just as quickly pulls me into his chest. I lean against him, letting my head rest just over his heart. His pulse is calm, soothing.

"He's...intense," I whisper after a few moments.

"Yeah."

"Does he not like Charlie?"

Edward grimaces. "He doesn't like any authority figure."

I think on that for a while and decide not to dwell. I know Charlie is wary of Mr. Cullen; he warned me about him when he first found out about Edward and I.

"Do you think he approves?" I ask after a while.

"Of Charlie?"

"No, of me," I say.

I glance up at him when he doesn't answer and his expression is soft as he looks down at me. "Does it matter if he does?"

I think about my answer and realize that it doesn't. Even if his dad hated me…if Edward wanted to be with me, I'd stay. "No." I purse my lips. "But I'd like him to."

Edward smiles. "He does. Believe me."

I smile, appeased for the time being and rest my head back on his chest. I think about the conversation and something sparks in my mind. "Edward?"

"Hmm?"

I don't look to see if he's paying attention because I know he will be in a moment. "Have you gotten a girl pregnant before?"

"No," he says, but his voice and body tense so I look up at him, suddenly terrified of what I'm about to find out.

His eyes are closed as he speaks. "He knocked up my mom in high school. He always tells us it was the worst mistake of his life."

God...

I don't even know what to say, so I don't say anything because I can't imagine being told that as a child, or even as a teenager. Even as an adult, by your own parent.

I relax my head back on his chest, wrapping my arms around his taut torso. He holds me tightly and I think, in this moment, that we were made for each other. Maybe I was made for him.