Chapter 21 – Facing Bella

EDWARD

When I was away from the sheriff's office, my mind kept going over and over the conversation with Charlie, over his demeanor. He wasn't the man Bella painted a picture of. He wasn't uncaring. It was evident to me he cared, he loved his daughter. It was understandable he kicked her out of the house when he found out she was pregnant. It wasn't something my parents would do, but there had to be a story behind his actions.

Since I was married to his daughter, my judgement wasn't to be trusted. I needed another lawyer's thoughts. Someone who could set aside their feelings and a give me an unbiased opinion. Jasper was the only lawyer who came to mind. Not that Emmett couldn't help, he wasn't a lawyer though.

Jasper picked up on the third ring. "What's up, Edward?"

How to answer? "I am in need of some advice."

"Legal advice?"

I heard the creak of a chair through the connection as I answered, "No. It's more…" I blew out a breath. "…like I need your opinion on something that is not setting right with me."

Jasper was silent for a full minute. "Tell me and I'll see what I can do to help you out."

After divulging my meeting with and impressions about Charlie, I went on, saying, "Something seemed off about him, Jazz. He didn't directly ask about his daughter, but he said some things that makes me think he cares about her and regrets what he did."

"Like?"

A swiped a hand down my face. "Implying if Bella was in legal trouble, he would bail her out. Telling me she was welcome to come to his house and collect her belongings. Does that sound like someone who doesn't love his daughter?"

Jasper sighed. "Edward, I wasn't there. You have a knack for reading people. I don't doubt you on what you saw and your impressions. With that said, Bella went through a lot in a short period of time. What she told us about him is how she feels about him might not be the whole story."

What he was saying was true. Bella knew her father. Lived with him since she was born. "So, I shouldn't jump to conclusions."

"Not what I'm implying, Edward. Share your visit with Bella. See what she has to say."

"I'm planning on it. I don't want to keep this from her. Any suggestions about collecting her possessions."

"If Bella is willing to face her father, she is going to need help, both physically and emotionally. I would suggest seeing if you could borrow Emmett's truck."

I chuckled. "Emmett won't hand over the keys to Rosalie, what makes you thinks he'll give them to me."

It was Jasper's turn to laugh. "You're usually not this slow. Emmett will insist on going."

"And with him there it would allow me to stay in the room with her while we pack."

"Bingo! You'll be there for her to support her emotionally, and Emmett will be there for the physical labor."

It was a good plan. That just left Charlie. "Is there anything we can do to ensure Charlie's there tonight? From a legal standpoint, I mean."

Jasper sighed again. "You know, as well as me, there's not."

"He has some legal documents she needs," I reminded.

"That might be, Edward, but unless he refuses to give it to her…" he trailed off.

This time, I knew where he was going. "Charlie said she could come and get them. Knows where they are."

Jasper said nothing and he didn't need to. There was only one way to guarantee Charlie was home – Bella had to call him. She wasn't going to like it when I suggested it.

~~~ Reaching for Love ~~~

Bella was reading in the living room when I got home. Feeling a bit guilty about going to see Charlie instead of calling him like I said I would, I had stopped and bought a bouquet of her favorite flowers. It might not keep her from being mad at me but might soften the blow.

"I'm home, sweetheart."

She turned and face me, her face reddening slightly. Beautiful.

"I brought home dinner as promised." I held up the bag from Metropolitan Grill.

Her eyes went from the bag to the flowers in my other hand. "Flowers?"

Swallowing, I nodded. "Can't I bring home flowers for my lovely wife?"

There was something unreadable in Bella's eyes. "I guess you can, but I feel there's a reason behind them."

Damn, I was caught. I had hoped to have dinner first before telling her about where I had gone. Placing the bag and flowers down on the end table, I sat next to her. "I went to see your father," I admitted.

Bella took a breath and blew it out as she angled her body to face me. "Did he ask about me?"

I was shocked she wasn't mad. Her voice was low, close to a whisper, and held hope. Only the truth would do, and I hated the answer. After considering my words carefully, I took hold of her hands. "In a way. He asked if you were in trouble and was willing to bail you out."

She pulled her hands back and stood, walking over to the window. "Did he say I could come home, move back in with him?"

"Honestly it didn't come up."

"I see. Why did go see him instead of calling?"

Concern for her washed through me with the way her voice was devoid of emotion. Taking a deep breath, I thought about not answering. I stood and moved to stand a few paces behind her. "A phone call is impersonal and I wanted to see his reaction when told him about us. I was also hoping to spare you from seeing him until you are ready. Hoping he would let me send a company to pack up your room."

Her hand moved up and swiped at her eyes. I wasn't sure whether it was from my kindness or something to do with her father or just her hormones.

"He said sending a moving company wasn't necessary. And invited us over tonight to pack up your room. He promised to stay out of the way."

She said nothing. Didn't do anything to acknowledge she heard what I said.

Stepping forward, my hands found purchase on her waist. "He seemed hurt when I answered his question about why I came to see him. He knows were married, Bella. Knows I'm willing to take a paternity test."

She turned and wrapped her arms around me, laying her head on my chest. Resting my head a top of hers, I went on. "I know you don't have a key anymore. And there is no guarantee he'll be there when we arrive. I'm afraid you might have to call him."

"There's a spare key. I know where it is, but there's no need for it. If he said he'll be there, he will. He's a man of his word."

I pressed my lips to her head. That was the first positive thing she has said about Charlie since I've known her.

"Are you saying you're willing to face him for however long it takes to pack?"

Her shoulders went up and down as she breathed. "You'll be right with me, right?"

It wasn't a no. "I will. I can see if Emmett would be willing to come with us."

She readjusted herself in my arms so she could look up at me. Her lip was between her teeth. Leaning closer, I whispered, " I know you're not ready to talk to your father. He knows it too. He just wants to see you."

She said nothing, made no move to step out of my arms.

"I'll be with you the whole time." I kissed her cheek. "And you're dad wouldn't stand a chance against Emmett," I joked.

That got me the smile I was hoping for. It was small but lit up her face.

"I would love to see Emmett put my father in his place. Dad doesn't deserve it though." She sighed. "He might have been as affectionate as I would have liked when I was growing up, but he when I needed him, he was there."

What now! That was a the polar opposite of what she told me the day before we wed. Her statement now summed up the man I met today, but not perfectly. Yes, I could see him as unaffectionate, or rather, a man who didn't know how to show his daughter he loved her.

"That's good to hear, sweetheart." I tightened my arms. "Do you want to go?"

She ignored my question. "He might have not been there on my birthday or Christmas Day, but there were always gifts with his name on them. They were mainly practical gifts, socks and underwear, a new outfit. But there was always one present containing something I had asked for. Once he gave me the necklace I wanted. It had a single blue sapphire set inside a flame. I'm not sure if my grandmother put his name on the gifts throughout the years, or they really were from him." She reached up again and wiped her eyes. "I was so happy and wore it often. He never noticed, never said anything about it. So, one day I pulled it off, breaking the chain, and threw it in my waste bin in my room."

Tears were in my eyes at that story. It wasn't exactly cruel but for Bella it was. Closing my eyes, the tears slipped free. I kept my arms around Bella, stroking her back and hair.

"Call Emmett. If he's willing to help, I'm willing to try facing my father."

I stepped away and took hold of her hand, leading her back to the couch. After settling down next to her, I pulled my phone out of my pocket.

Emmett was willing to help and told me he would met us at Lowe's at quarter past six.