Author's Note: Sorry about not updating yesterday, work was terrible, and I KO'd almost as soon as I got home. To answer one of the reviewer's questions, yes, there will be a bit of drama. Nothing too angsty, but I do like a little tension. Also, yes, I am 100% Southerner.

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Chapter 6

The ride home was quiet. Bella let out the occasional yawn and I kept lifting her hand to gently kiss her palm. We were probably sickeningly gushy, but I was happy. About thirty minutes into the drive, she leaned against my arm, curled her feet underneath herself, and began to drift.

"Are you falling asleep, darlin'?"

"Noo, I'm shtill awaakee," Bella's words were slurred and I knew she'd be asleep within minutes. There was no way I'd try to move her. The way she cozied up beside me was too endearing to want her to go anywhere.

While she slept I considered what tonight meant for us. We were both clearly attracted to one another. I could even see myself wanting to have a serious relationship with her. The years were stacking up against me and while I wasn't old yet, I was ready to settle down. There was no denying that I hardly knew her yet, though. And that scared me. Bella was pulling me in, but there were still a lot of things about her that could push me away. The only problem was I couldn't stop falling.

A soft snore left her mouth and I chuckled. She would be a snorer. It aligned pretty well with her lack of filter when she was awake. I could get used to cuddling her, that's for sure. She smelled like freesias and strawberries, even after the day we spent at the fair. That had to be some sort of witchcraft.

Would she wake up and realize that today was a fluke? Was she more excited to go to the fair or go to the fair with me? I could really use Alice on a day like this. My sister was a nuisance and often times a pain in my ass, but she was an intuitive pain in my ass. She'd want to meet Bella if I told her anything, though. That's the con to asking for a second opinion. I didn't have a lot of friends and that meant anytime family got involved, all semblance of privacy went flying out the door.

I'd love to invite Bella to the family, but I'm pretty sure a week was too soon. She'd run off screaming.

You've already met her dad.

That doesn't count, idiot, you work for her dad. Ugh. Girls are complicated. Maybe I'd hint at another date tomorrow at lunch, then play off of her reaction. If she seems hesitant, then I'll lay off and let her make the next move. Besides, I asked her on the first date, shouldn't she initiate the next one? Or tell me to bug off?

All too soon, the lights of her front porch shined in the distance and I realized I'd have to wake her up in the next few seconds. Or I could carry her inside. That'd be romantic, right? And girls like romantic. And the end goal is for Bella to like me. More than like me, actually. I pulled in her driveway, put the truck in park, and eased her off my shoulder. She stirred slightly but didn't wake up.

"Bella, love, we're at your house. Do you want me to carry you upstairs?"

"Mmm, Edward," Bella balled up in the passenger seat, clutching her stuffed dog to her chest.

"C'mere, beautiful, let's get you to sleep." I picked her up with ease and made my way to the front door. It was difficult maneuvering her and the door, but somehow I managed. She didn't weigh much in my arms, but she felt sturdy snuggled up against my chest. I didn't want to let her go. Sadly, all good things had to come to an end.

Yanking back her comforter, I tucked her into the sheets, pulling the thick sheet over her. Feeling sentimental and slightly more important than I probably was, I stuck the stuffed dog back under her arm for her to cuddle as she slept. Once she was wrapped in her blankets and close to sleep, I turned to leave.

"Goodnight, Bella."

"Mmm, kiss?" When I turned back to face her, one eye was open and her hand was reaching toward me. Not one to deny her anything, I ducked down and gently pecked her waiting lips.

"Thank you for tonight, Edward, it was perfect."

"Only because you were there, sweetheart." Her eyes had already drifted back closed, but she smiled as she fell back into sleep. On the way out of her room, I closed her bedroom door and found myself facing Charlie.

"Uh, hello, I was just helping her to bed. She fell asleep on the way home and I wanted to make sure she got inside safely." My heart started pounded as I recalled the threats on my life made by Charlie in the past few days. While I hadn't hurt Bella, sneaking out of her room late at night didn't bode well for honorable intentions. And I didn't think Charlie would kill me, per se, but he could do considerable damage.

"I know, boy, calm down. I just wanted to thank you for getting her home. My Bella is an adult, but she's still my whole world. I won't meddle in her love life, that don't mean that I won't keep an eye out on her though."Charlie gave me a significant look. "Have a good night, Edward. I'll see you tomorrow."

My breath left me in a gasp once Charlie turned away and I didn't quite run downstairs, but it was a brisk walk. It had to mean something that Charlie let me call him by his first name. He couldn't hate me if that was allowed, but the threats on my life couldn't be a great sign. What if he was lulling me into a false sense of security?

Jesus, this girl was turning me into a mess. There was no way her father was plotting to kill me. I took a few deep breaths, leaned my head against my headrest, and replayed the highlights of my night with her. Regardless of her feelings for me and Charlie's back and forth threatening me, something in me changed tonight. Now I just had to see if Bella experienced a similar change.