AN: I own the plot and the characters belong to Stephenie someone that's not me. But we all knew that anyway.

So this one is also unbeta'd. Deal with it, I do.

I enjoy torturing you all with a little mystery. Enjoy!

Chapter 10:

Christmas was wonderful with the family. I had to quickly change my gift for Charlie however. It was going to be a plane ticket to see us at spring break, well now that he was going to be there I had to figure something else out. Bella had gotten him a nice collectable pocket knife which he thoroughly enjoyed. Rose and Emmett had purchased fishing gear for him, waders and a few lures. And Peter and Char well they always surprise everyone, they gave him a new truck, a brand new large dodge diesel. He was over the top. It would be helpful for him when he moves and it miraculously showed up in front of the house Christmas morning.

I have to summarize all of that because I know my gift was well over the top but I wanted Charlie happy and comfortable. I found an elite company that specializes in relocating corporate executives, helping them find a home and decorating it. All Charlie has to do is tell the girl what kind of home he wants and it will be purchased and decorated for him. I know it was extravagant but I am happy that he is coming be with us.

He insisted that it was too much. "Son, I can't take a gift like this. I can afford my own home. I know you have money but I have enough to manage. I never intended for you to buy my house let alone furnish it. I can't take this."

Needless to say I was shocked when Bella stepped in. "Dad, we love you and we want you to be comfortable and close. I know accepting something this big is difficult but you'll have more money to do what you want in your retirement. It's not just a Christmas gift or a moving across the country gift, it's a retirement gift and our way of showing you that we want you there, please accept it for all those reasons?"

Bella moved to her Dad's lap and hugged him tight. He hesitated before sighing and returning the hug. They never showed affection like this and though it's still so new to them, they seem to be dealing quite well.

The rest of the vacation involved a lunch with Tyler Crowley that everyone but me bowed out of and a movie with Ben and Angela who were home from Washington State University. We enjoyed seeing a few people and hearing the gossip about some of our former classmates.

Angela said that Jessica has gotten really hooked on drugs and alcohol and the party scene, she goes to WSU with them but they don't see much of her. She didn't even come home for Christmas from what we can gather. Eric is doing well at college in California, but he's met some girl that as Ben puts it "leads him around by the balls" and so he went to see her family for Christmas, she's apparently from somewhere out east. Many people were just glanced over as we talked in the car but Bella was happy to be talking with some of her old friends.

There was one unexpected issue while we were visiting, well unexpected, but expected. Rose, Emmett, Char, and Peter were all staying at the Cullen house with Edward. They were nice to each other and apparently Edward has changed a lot. It wasn't a total shock when he showed up on New Year's Day at Charlie's house.

We had all spent the night there and just had our own little party, watched the ball drop in New York 3 hours too early and spent the rest of the time sharing our own New Year's stories and traditions. Alice called and wished everyone a Happy New Year from New York and she is doing well on her own. Better than she ever thought she'd do, though she does make frequent trips to see Carlisle and Esme.

We all heard his approach and the vampires in the room could smell him on the other side of the door, but to keep up some sort of appearance we waited until the door bell sounded alerting us to his presence. Charlie looked perplexed looking around the room and we all shrugged.

He got up to find Edward waiting patiently when he opened the door. To say that his anger skyrocketed is not an understatement and I'm sure we all saw him eye his gun that hung snuggly in it's holster on the coat hanger by the door, before he addressed Edward.

Spirit went to the door to greet the new person but quickly just sat by Charlie, giving his own glare at Edward. I think most of us found this mildly funny since that dog just never seemed to like Edward but otherwise loved everyone.

"Hi, Chief Swan. I was just wondering if I could talk with Bella for a minute, please?" My amusement quickly turned to anger. He had no right to talk to her. He was lucky he was alive and I had no problem letting him hear those thoughts, unless of course Bella was shielding us. Which she usually did unconsciously whenever he was around in the past.

"Well, umm… Bella?" Charlie was angry but confused why Edward would want to speak with Bella. We already knew he hasn't spoken two words to Charlie since we left.

Bella glanced around the room and shrugged her shoulders before getting up and moving towards the door. I glared at Edward and sent him my annoyance, he nodded quickly at me and then left the steps with Bella in tow out to the driveway.

The rest of us, scrambled at a human pace to move to the doorway and front window, without shame. I don't know what anyone else was thinking, but my concern was that the last time these two saw each other she almost made him into a pancake and she couldn't do that in the front yard, if she got angry at him.

"What Edward?" Bella finally asked with annoyance, since he stood there staring at her.

"I just… I really am sorry. I know that doesn't cover it and I know as much as everyone here is mad at me, I really only owe you the real apology. I thought I loved you, I really did. But I've had a great deal of time to really examine myself and I found out a lot of things about me that I don't like. I wanted to start this New Year right and apologize. You are so much more than I ever gave you credit for."

Bella's emotions went from accepting to angry with that last statement. I'm sure he saw the change in her eyes because he continued before she could say anything.

"Let me explain. I have a lot to apologize for, not just leaving you the way I did. But I abused your trust. You gave me your heart and I abused that. You are a loving wonderful person and it took a lot of soul searching…"

I felt his embarrassment as he said this and he smiled at my Bella softly.

"Yes, I may even agree that I have a soul. I think I found it and it was darker than I ever thought it could be, because of who I have been. Not the vampire me but the man me. I'm not sure this is making sense. But Bella, can you forgive me? Let me have a chance to be your friend? I know I can never be more." He looked up and met all of our eyes individually with a silent plea to let this happen.

Bella sighed and looked at us over her shoulder before looking back at Edward. "It's a bit cool for me out here, come in."

If I had hackles I'd say they rose to great heights with that statement but Bella wasn't feeling forgiving she was angry and annoyed. We all backed away from the door and window as the two approached, Edward was hopeful and excited. I could tell Bella was already blocking us from him or he wouldn't have been too happy to hear anyone's thoughts as she invited him in.

We all returned to our respective places on the sofas leaving nowhere for Eddie boy to sit. He just nodded and sat on the floor. Spirit moved to sit by Peter and Charlotte who were probably not so coincidentally the furthest from Edward.

"Bella?" Charlie inquired.

"Dad, Edward has apologized for the way he has treated me and feels that it is only me that he owes an apology to. I invited him in because I was cold outside. We can continue this conversation as a family but I'll start." She turned towards Edward.

"Your apology is not accepted, Edward." Smiles and happiness bloomed around the room as Bella refused his apology.

"But Bella?" Edward looked at her with big puppy dog eyes, hoping to convince her.

"First off Edward. You didn't just hurt me, you hurt my whole family. You think you've changed but when you apology contains more about you and your soul searching than an apology. What that tells me is you are apologizing to help you feel better not because you think we deserve it."

Wide eyes scanned Bella and her insight. Edward looked down and nodded his head.

"I guess, I never thought of it that way, but your right," he admitted sadly. "Well mostly right. I do feel bad for how I treated you Bella. My family has almost completely disowned me. I've been stuck here for 7 months working for Mike Newton," he grimaced. "I just want a change. I do owe you an apology and I am not proud of myself."

"Edward, my daughter invited you into our home, but I really don't believe you know what you've done to this family. In part I want to say thank you." All heads whipped towards Charlie as he thanked Edward, for what? He was radiating gratitude and anger an unusual mix for certain.

"Charlie…"

"No Rose, I'm not done. I can see you all are looking at me like I'm insane. I assure you I'm not. Let me finish?" he looked around the room for approval before continuing.

"Edward, you broke my daughter severely and there is no forgiveness for that. If she ever chooses to forgive you that's on her, but you will never get it from me. I will however thank you because of your stupid selfish foolish actions, my daughter ultimately became a strong and happy woman, thanks mostly to Jasper and the rest of the family sitting here. And because you did what you did you gave me a large and wonderful family at least for a couple more years."

"You told him?!" Edward yelled and jumped to his feet much too fast for a human.

I darted forward also way too fast and drug Edward out back in a headlock before he could say anything else to give us away.

"Wow," Charlie said from inside the home and I began to yell at Edward that no one had said anything and he nearly gave us way, plus he just showed Charlie our speed, which I then helped to confirm as I drug him out of the house.

"You're an imbecile. Go home." I growled and left him standing there.

I went back inside and looked at Bella sitting where I left her while everyone was standing.

"Sorry," I said to the room before looking at Charlie. "Sorry, he needed to leave."

Charlie's amazement was still prominent and his eyes were still big as saucers. He just nodded his head and returned to his chair feeling some pride as he looked back at me, still clearly in shock, however.

"Did he leave?" he finally asked, no one in particular and all heads bobbed yes.

"Bella?" Charlie looked at her closely with wonderment. "Can you do that?" he asked like an amazed little kid.

Bella giggled and shook her head. "No dad. I'm not that special."

Even though she didn't say it, the "yet" seemed to ring around the room.

Charlie nodded and we returned to watching television as though nothing had happened.

The rest of the week was spent without word from Fuckward and we helped Charlie pack up the things he wanted to bring with him. We split that up with a few games in the living room and taking Spirit to the park at least once a day. He loved to fetch.

Break was over before we knew it and we all boarded the plane two days after Charlie left in his truck headed for the east coast and a new life with his family.

I smiled and held Bella's hand as the stewardess gave the safety instructions. "Are you ready to go back?"

"No," she smiled softly in thought before continuing, "I'm ready to go home. There's nothing left for me here now."

"Are you okay with that idea?" I knew she was I could feel how calm she was with her statement but I still felt the need to ask.

She gave it some thought and I felt her emotions fluctuate a little, sadness, happiness, anger, guilt, I couldn't imagine what was running through her head.

"I am," she said with a smile as the calmness returned along with happiness. "A lot has happened in Forks and I'm forever grateful that I got to know my dad and even happier that he is moving to be with us. It's not something my mom would ever do. She moved for herself and I was just the tagalong. I love my mom too but I think because of you, all of you, well my relationships are better now than they ever were when I lived with my mom. Home is where my family is. That can be in California or New York. Everyone has been the best friend, brother, sister, or lover that I could ever imagine. I love you all, you are what makes home, not a house, a town, or a state."

When she stopped happy tears shone in her eyes and she looked around best she could at the others. She had spoken softly as if just speaking to me, but it was clear that message was for everyone. Love for my wonderful woman filled the cabin and I basked in the glow of it, sending it to her, letting her know her message was heard and understood.

It was a long flight but nothing else was really said, just chit-chat about Christmas and returning home. Bella fell asleep for a couple of hours on my shoulder and I still didn't understand how that could be comfortable but she was.

Charlie and Spirit were waiting for us with smiles in our driveway when we arrived back at our house.

Bella was out of the car before I even had it in park to meet up with her dad. She ran and hugged him, like she hadn't seen him in years. He was nearly bowled over by her effort. Spirit didn't help as he began jumping on the both of them, getting into the happiness and excitement they were both exuding.

We managed our hugs and hellos in the driveway before everyone went inside to visit. Rose and Char made plans to run to the grocery store because since we were gone for a couple weeks we had made sure the food was minimal since Bella wouldn't be here to eat it.

Unfortunately those plans were cancelled once we made it into the living room and found a small box wrapped in Christmas paper sitting on the coffee table, under it was a card clearly labeled "Bella". I groaned and discretely scented the air for the intruder but it had to have been a while ago as there wasn't a trace of a scent.

Everyone looked confused and angry. We knew it wasn't from us, we knew someone had been in home. Bella knew it and Charlie caught on as we all stared at the package like it was going to explode. As soon as I had that thought, I knew something had to be done.

"Bella, Charlie, will you both come out back with me please? Peter, Char, Emmett see if you can find where they got in and no one touch the package. Rose call the police."

Everyone jumped into action though Charlie was the one most curious about everything.

"Why did we come out here, son? We should be out front waiting for the police."

"We'll walk around to the front, dad," Bella replied taking his hand.

"Honestly Charlie, its safe to guess the package is from Jack and I don't know what might be in it. I just wanted to make sure you're both safe." We walked slowly through the gate and around the house to the front driveway.

"What about the others, you left them inside to check the house, what if he's still in there?" Charlie was suddenly anxious and in cop mode, reaching for a gun on his hip that wasn't there.

"He's not here, dad. Jasper would know. I do want to know how and when he got into the house though," Bella tried to steer the conversation to how and when and though Charlie noticed he didn't comment and stood stoically watching the house as everyone else joined us in the driveway.

"Can't get a scent and nothing appears out of place. He had to have had a key or something and he was here a while ago," Emmett said walking up to us.

"Scent?" Charlie asked, looking questioningly around at everyone.

Everyone sent Emmett a glare before Bella answered, "Emmett's sense of smell is very keen, dad. Sometimes he can smell someone's cologne or lotion or stuff like that after they've walked by."

Charlie narrowed his eyes at his daughter, he knew she was lying, she wasn't looking at him. Hell, I knew she was lying just by looking at her. She had gotten much better but this one just didn't cut the mustard.

Charlie set his sights on me and raised an eyebrow but before he could say anything Peter diverted our attention by hollering, "Here they come!" from the end of the driveway where he was playing look out.

We all turned and greeted the officer as he got out of his car. I explained the situation to him and then he and I agreed it would be best for us to go in alone. I didn't actually tell him I was worried it would explode, I wasn't that worried, but enough I wanted Bella and Charlie outside.

Leaving the family outside I escorted Officer Davis inside to the package.

"Did anyone touch it?" he asked looking around the room for what I'm not sure.

"No sir. We called as soon as we got home and saw it here. We were out of town for the holidays."

"Yes that is what your sister said. Okay, do you think it could be dangerous? Does this guy want to hurt you?"

"I'm not sure, sir. I do worry he'll hurt Bella but I don't know if he'll do it with a gift, I always expected it to be in person, unfortunately."

"Does anyone else have a key to your home?" He moved to begin looking at windows and doors in the vicinity.

"No."

"Okay, well we can't prove there was a crime officially until that is opened and if we're lucky the idiot signed the card." I nodded and moved towards the card. "WAIT!" he yelled rushing back to my side.

"Fingerprints, don't touch it yet. I'll get some gloves. Do you have tweezers?"

"Ummm," I looked at him, because honestly I wasn't sure if we did.

"We'll ask the women outside," he smiled amused at my confusion. I wanted to growl at him but chose not to.

Ten minutes later we had moved the envelope with tweezers that Bella had and I didn't know about, to the end of the table on a white pillow case that the officer requested. He used gloved hands and the tweezers to gently open the unsealed envelop and pull out the enclosed card.

The card had a picture of Santa at his workshop working merrily on toys in full vivid color. It was a nice generic picture, I took a noticeably deep breath as Officer Davis opened the card, realizing I had quit breathing.

Enjoy the spirit of the season.

Season's Greetings

With all our love,

Mom and Dad

"Mom and dad?" Officer Davis looked to me curiously.

"Oh wow. I'm sorry officer, this is from my parents. I swear we didn't know. That idiot stalker has us all on edge. We've wasted your time, I am so sorry."

Luckily for us Officer Davis found amusement in the situation and left without an issue or writing us a ticket for false reporting.

So how did the package get there? If no one has a key...

And we still don't know what it is...any guesses?