Yes, it's another chapter! And so soon after the last one. If you get the alert for this update but haven't read the one from a week ago, you might be lost. I am trying to post update alerts in several groups to reach as many people as I can so I hope this reaches you.

This chapter took me in a direction I wasn't planning to go but when Bella tells me to do it, I do it.

Any mistakes are probably frequent and all mine. I was just in a hurry to get it out for you all that I bypassed my amazing beta, who is up for three TwiFanFic awards. So go vote for Sarcastic Bimbo if you will!

I'll try to see you back here in a week. Off to work on my other stories now!

The American Princess

Chapter 11

BPOV

I join the others in the library as we wait to be called in for dinner. Everything is so formal around here and it's starting to drive me nuts. I ache for the days where I would bound down to Charlie's kitchen and just start stuffing my face. But everything is done around here with a schedule in mind. Cocktails at five, dinner at five-thirty, done eating by no later than six-thirty. It's always a four-course meal complete with soup, salad, entrée and dessert. I wonder how the regular habitants stay so slim cause my clothes are getting a little tight in the waist and hip area. I wish it would go to my boobs. I wonder what Edward prefers on a woman. I bet he'd say he doesn't have one, but I bet 'Masen' is a butt man. I hope so, because I have no boobs to speak of, but I have a pretty nice ass if I do say so myself.

My fingers trace my lips absently. Now, that was a surprise. I knew I was pushing it when I jumped on him, but I was in the moment. I didn't expect him to kiss me and I definitely didn't expect him not to be sorry about it. I chance a glance at Carlisle who is as stony-faced as ever. He's a handsome man but I bet he'd be gorgeous if he ever smiled. Looking around at the family photos, I decide it's me that is making him have gray hair and wrinkles. At least, that's what my dad always accuses me of.

Emmett startles me out of my thoughts as he unceremoniously plops down next to me. "How's it hanging, Bells?"

"A little to the left, Em," I joke. "Thanks for asking."

Without a word, he slips me his phone. I look down and almost choke.

I scroll through picture after picture of Edward and I from earlier today. There's even a video and articles with hundreds of comments already. I don't bother reading them- I never do.

"That was fast," I sigh.

"You can bet your sweet ass, His Highness has already seen then. I saw Marcus make a beeline towards his office about an hour ago. I may or may not have heard glass breaking."

I look at Em's face. "You eavesdrop now?"

"I'm a publicist. Of course, I eavesdrop," he scoffs.

"I wonder where Edward is." Now, I'm anxious.

"You need to prepare yourself for the fact that he might be dead."

I roll my eyes as he laughs quietly.

"So, he kissed you huh?"

I smile just a little. "Yeah. I wasn't expecting it."

Em side eyes me and snorts. "You leapt into his arms and wrapped your legs around him and you weren't expecting it. I call bullshit."

"A girl can hope." I pause. "Maybe, I should back off. He's obviously in between a rock and a hard place and I'm only making it worse."

"Maybe you're making it better."

"Have you met that man's father?" I joke.

"Rosie says she saw Edward smiling yesterday. She said he never really does that unless he has to. You know for photo ops and appearances."

"Rosie?"

I swear to God, I see a blush. Interesting.

"How's that going?"

"At a snail's pace so if you could wait on the backing off bit for just a little while…"

"Noted."

"Thanks."

Edward appears then and gives me a small smile then wanders off towards his mother who smiles up at her eldest like he hung the moon.

Carlisle stands up and everyone takes notice as the chatting ceases.

"Now that everyone has finally arrived, I would like to announce that we will have two guests for dinner. Marcus if you will…"

Marcus puffs out his chest and stands up straight. "Announcing Lady Kathryn Denali from London."

"Oh shit." Em murmurs behind me. I catch Edward's eyes and there is panic there. Poor guy. I feel for him.

"And announcing Mr. Charles Swan from Washington state."

Fuck me.

***TAP***

Dinner is entertaining. Well, not to me. To me, it's straight up shit. Em, however, is very entertained as he tries and fails miserably to hide his amusement. Let me lay out the seating chart for you. Carlisle, Jasper, Alice, Rosalie, Emmett, Esme, Charlie, Me, Edward then Kate and back to Carlisle, who is also enjoying the shit out of this.

It's like a script straight out of some dark comedy I'd never be caught dead in. Except I'm the star opposite a very shrewd nemesis.

"Want to tell me why I was encouraged to come all the way over here to talk some sense into you?" Charlie asked, his voice low. "I tried to tell them there wasn't any sense in that, but they obviously don't know you like I do."

His chuckle makes me smile.

"I'm sorry you were dragged into this," I sigh then take a gulp of my wine.

Charlie shrugs. "I needed to take some vacation time anyway." He cuts into his steak then points his knife towards the other side of me. "I gotta tell ya, Bells, pretty boy doesn't seem your type. You tend to like em a little more laid back. He's so tense he could be confused for one of those fancy statues that seem to be all over this place."

He isn't wrong. I can feel the tension radiating off of him, so I've been careful not to touch him because the Queen wannabe already has her hands all over him and every time she touches him, he jumps. I think if I add anything to the mix, poor Edward would have a heart attack. Although part of me wants to slam his head into his plate for his lack of… everything. He hasn't said a word- against his father or otherwise.

But before I can do that, King Konstipation, decides now would be the time to exchange pleasantries.

"So, Mr. Swan, my people tell me you are in law enforcement."

Charlie, not at all comfortable with the spotlight, slowly chews his food and shifts in his seat. "Yes, I'm the police chief of Forks."

"Do you enjoy your work?"

"I wouldn't be doing it if I didn't enjoy it."

"Are any of your people… how do I say it… at a higher station than you are?"

Charlie slowly wipes his mouth and settles back in his seat, adopting what I call his detective face- impassive and just a little… bitchy. I know it well, because I got it from him.

"Actually, yes. Bella is at a 'higher station' than I am. She a very talented, widely successful actress and philanthropist."

Kate makes a strangled laughing sound and I cut my eyes towards her direction.

Charlie's jaw tenses but keeps his eyes on Carlisle.

"Her relationship with my son is not appropriate and sadly can't continue. Nothing against your daughter but she isn't suitable for my son."

"You mean good enough. You think my daughter isn't good enough for your precious prince."

"I've offended you and that wasn't my intention, Mr. Swan."

"Wasn't it though?" His expression is cool as he looks at the king.

"No, of course not. I thought Bella might miss you, so I brought you here to see her."

"No, you brought me here to take her back with me. It's obvious by your shenanigans with Lady Botox over there that you don't approve of my Bella. And that is your right. But it's my right as her father to stick my foot up your royal ass if you keep disrespecting her." He scoots his chair back and stands up. "I don't make my daughter's decisions for her. She can take care of herself and does a damn fine job at it." He looks softly down at me. "She always has. But as far as who is good enough for who, I would say that your son is not good enough for Bella. He hasn't said a word in her defense since I showed up. He is just sitting there like a whooped puppy while that desperate woman on the other side of him feels him up. If I did have any say in my daughter's life, I would tell her to run far far away from this situation. But I don't. However, I do have a say in whether I stay here or not." He leans down and kisses my cheek. "Call me later. I'm gonna stick around for a couple of days and make sure you're okay."

I close my eyes and breathe in his comforting smell- a mixture of Irish Spring and Old Spice- and keep my tears at bay.

"Okay," I whisper back as I watch him leave.

I turn back and find Em's eyes. He winks at me. I am so very grateful for the two men in my life that I can always count on.

Everyone else's eyes are looking anywhere other than at me or Carlisle. Except for Kate who is loudly complaining about my father's insults towards her.

"I do not use Botox," she huffs. "I am far too young for that."

I look at Edward who is just looking down at his food. My dad is right; he does resemble a whooped puppy. What am I even doing here?

"Of course, you don't," Esme says, always the placator.

That's it.

"Oh, please. We all know she's been nipped and tucked more than a turkey at Thanksgiving. Her boobs are obviously fake, no one's nose is that perfect and you could land an airplane on her forehead."

Stunned silence for the second time that night.

"Why I never!" Lady Kate huffs as she clutches her necklace like some sort of deranged southern belle.

"Oh, Kate, I am sure there is not much you haven't done so spare me." I throw my fancy cloth napkin on my full plate. "I'm suddenly not very hungry. Please excuse me. Good night."

As I walk away much like my father did just minutes ago, I realize with startling clarity that I may be in way over my head.

Carlisle- 1

Bella- 1

Don't you just love Charlie!