A/N OK I figured out a plan for this story so hold on tight :) Review, it keeps the juices flowing ;) Oh and this chapter is a little short for me, it's just a filler to get to the fun. Enjoy!

Chapter 11

We were meeting Charlie for dinner tonight and I couldn't help but think about our first day back from vacation when Charlie joined us permanently on the East Coast. That silly package that was left on the table by my parents for Bella. It wasn't what anyone would call a good idea. The police were called, we felt as though the house had been invaded even after knowing it was just Carlisle and Esme.

The package caused all sorts of problems even after the officer left. Bella opened the package that was wrapped in red and green Christmas paper while everyone stood around watching. It was small but still the box seemed rather large for what was inside, it wasn't a jewelry box but inside was a necklace with the Cullen crest on it. Bella was less than pleased.

Bella had come a long way from hating my parents especially since we didn't see them or even talk with them much, but she hadn't forgiven them completely and she certainly didn't want to be a Cullen. She was insulted, so was I. Peter and Charlotte were very angry and Emmett and Rose chose neutral territory, choosing to say nothing at all, but I could feel their disappointment. Charlie was confused but when we explained what it was he wasn't happy either. Bella was his daughter and he didn't care for their assumption that she'd want to be a part of their family when she had her own.

Char changed the locks, though we knew it didn't matter much, but made us all feel a little more secure especially Bella and her dad. We put the necklace back in the oversized box just sitting it on the dresser in our bedroom. It was a neon sign for Bella though, a sign of everything she had been through and that things are not alright in the Land of Oz, so to speak. Sure we were happy, her dad was here, we had our own family and we were enjoying it but somehow Edward and my so called parents still plagued us. We saw Edward in Forks and then returned to find this little gem which caused way more of an alarm than it should have.

We found out they travelled down to see us for Christmas and left that gift because we weren't home. I thought for sure Rose would have told them what we were doing but apparently she didn't. They then went to see Vicky and the rest of the extended family in Denali.

As we pulled up to Charlie's new house, Spirit came running out the door. Charlie heard us coming and opened the door for him to greet us. Bella was happy to see him and though Charlie had offered to let us have Spirit, because he was Bella's dog, his heart wasn't in, he was really fond of the little guy.

Bella had known this too and told him that he should keep him since he was home more than we were and she didn't want him to be alone. It of course was an awkward discussion as were all shows of affection between Charlie and Bella but they got through it.

Bella and I entered the new modest two story home, it was white inside and out and we entered into the living room, the kitchen was large which Bella loved and off to the left through a formal dining room, while off to the right was a small study and the door to the garage. The house was large, had 3 bedrooms upstairs that were all good sized and furnished with king beds and one bedroom down in the finished basement also completely furnished. I made sure there was enough room for all of us to stay or if any of the Quileute visited they would have plenty of comfort also, after all those wolves are big men.

Charlie of course felt the house was too big just for him but when I explained it was for everyone he was accepting of that idea.

I headed for the living room where Charlie had a game on the 60 inch television mounted above the fireplace, and I had a seat on the large gray sofa, the room was decorated with two sofas and 2 chairs and one recliner. Charlie chose the recliner every time. The color scheme was modest, grays, tans, off white, but it was nice. The company that decorated got input from Charlie and he was happy with it, even if he didn't want to admit it.

Bella and Charlie had dinner in the kitchen, he made spaghetti, Bella teased him that it was the only thing he knew how to make, which of course wasn't true. I didn't pretend to eat, Charlie had already noted that we don't eat so I focused on the football game on TV, apparently the Super Bowl was coming and it was a playoff so when it got loud Charlie would ask what was happening and who was winning.

As I realized the Super Bowl was only a week or so away I also realized that my first anniversary with Bella, our first date was coming up on Valentine's Day. That day was a whirlwind of emotions and drama, one I hope to not repeat.

I smiled knowing the panther pendant I gave her still hangs around her neck, she never takes it off, only to shower. I honestly haven't bought her any other jewelry and she's not really a jewelry kind of person but the necklace has gotten her through some tough times and I'm thrilled that she never takes it off.

I began making plans for Valentine's Day. I didn't know if she'd like it but she was a fan of simple things and I have to admit I'm not a big fan of outlandish dates either, especially since I can't take her out to eat properly. Still maybe she should experience some nice expensive restaurants while she still can.

Bella spends Thursday nights with her dad just the two of them and Rose makes dinner on Friday for them, which we are thankful we no longer have to eat. Charlie and Bella eat and we share how our week went and make plans for the weekend.

Rose and Bella had plans for baseball practice in a week, these just didn't have pictures of Edward on them as they did before. Apparently, it was something they bonded over and enjoy doing together now and then. It was cold out but Bella assured Rose it would be fine.

Us men and Char, well she tagged along with us anyway, went to the hardware store to get stuff to fix the deck since Emmett felt the need to jump up and down on it and break it. Charlie didn't question how it broke but was happy to help us fix it. We also got some paint for his bedroom as he said the white walls were too white and he decided he wanted something different in there, especially since he sleeps during the days now.

I took Bella on a simple date for Valentine's Day, we went to a nice restaurant which she argued about and then I made sweet love to her in a beautiful hotel room where I had scattered rose petals everywhere. A vase of 3 dozen white roses with blush tips sat on the table in foyer of the room for her which made her gasp and turn to give me the biggest kiss.

The rose petals I spread throughout the room were red but I still added a few blushed tips petals here and there, destroying three roses to do it. The petals led to the bedroom, were all over the bed, and then led to the bathroom where a warm bath had been drawn by the maid per my instructions. Everything was perfect, she was perfect, I could never imagine anything better than life as it is right now.

Time flies and Bella was doing well in school she had A's in everything and spent a lot of time studying and doing homework while I spent time studying her or hunting.

Charlie settled into his new home and we enjoyed our time with him as much as we could knowing it was limited. Even he knew it was limited and so we never denied a request for time together. Rose continued to work on school at a human pace, I guess her reasoning was she wanted to know what it was like. We teased her when she first admitted it but then realized it was a way she was connecting with her human self and Bella. It wasn't funny, it was sweet.

Emmett and Peter played a lot of video games and televisions were a hot commodity in our house, either a remote got broken or a TV was broken when a remote was thrown into it. It used to make me angry as they would sometimes wake Bell up but soon she learned to sleep through it. She's just amazing at shielding herself from things, in more ways than one.

I was so glad we had settled into a nice routine, Bella was happy, and so was everyone else. Charlie worked nights for the college as a security guard and sometimes we'd go visit him for a little one-on-one Charlie time. He quit questioning if we needed to sleep when we'd just brush him off and say we took a nap, he got the story enough he just quit asking. He enjoyed having the ride along. For the most part his job was easy if not a little boring, he'd escort a scared girl from her car to the dorm or from one building to another, break up the rowdy parties, ticket the underage drinkers, and call the real police in if there was a major problem. Retirement suited him.

He kept Spirit with him during the day and in the evenings we took him while Charlie was at work. Usually he was playful at night since he slept when Charlie did during the day.

As we got to spring break, it was decided to just stick close to home and enjoy each other, we didn't need to take big vacations, or that's what Bella said. She said she just wanted to be home and not worry about having to do anything the next day for a few days. Her wish, our command. Char was happier not having to go to school and Peter was happy that Char was happy, he however wanted a break so he did take Char away for spring break. It didn't seem to break up our happiness any and they got much needed alone time.

When they returned from their break which they took in Atlanta, they came back with deeper accents making everyone laugh and then the unexpected happened, Peter announced that our little heaven was about to be invaded.

"They're coming, Major". Peter's wide red eyes looked at me and I could feel the fear and anxiety pour from him.

"Who?" asked….well everyone, Bella, Rose, Char, Charlie, and Emmett….I didn't ask, I knew.

I was afraid this day would come.