Ch 28: Epilogue

~ Bella's POV~

Days turned into weeks, and weeks to months. Dad wasn't able to make it home for Christmas after all, but it was okay. I was glad he was doing better.

He left the rehab center in late January, but I stayed with the Cullen's until early March while he worked on getting the apartment ready and generally learning to live on his own again. I only stayed with him on weekends during that time, but it was for the best, for both of us.

It was certainly an adjustment period, going from almost zero involvement to dad being active in almost every part of my life.

It didn't always go smoothly either.

I was used to too much independence. I was downright gobsmacked when he gave me a curfew.

"I want you home by nine on weekdays, and eleven on weekends," he'd told me. His face serious.

"Are you kidding me?"

I genuinely thought it was a joke. A wildly bad joke, but a joke, nonetheless.

He'd shook his head and a freight of rage had surged through me then.

I was so angry I couldn't even speak to him for a few days.

Part of me was being a bit of a petulant teenager about it, but it's not like I had given him the silent treatment. I was actually worried I'd say something I'd regret. So I kept my mouth shut, unless he asked me a direct question.

He scheduled an appointment with his therapist, Garrett, for us to both attend so we could talk things out.

"Bella, we've heard your dad give his reasoning behind the curfew, but we haven't heard why you object to it. Can you explain to Charlie why this is so upsetting to you?" Garrett prompted. He always did that. Made us talk to each other and not through him.

"Because you didn't even talk to me about it. It was just a demand, that came out of nowhere. And I get that you want me to do well in school and not get into trouble, but I've been doing that without a curfew, for years."

I'd been on the verge of tears and I could tell dad was just as upset as I was.

"I-," he paused then nodded his head. "You're right. I didn't discuss it with you. As your father I didn't feel like I needed to. I felt like setting a curfew was a normal 'dad' thing to do." He looked hopelessly at a loss.

I couldn't even respond to that. He wasn't a normal dad, and our relationship isn't a normal one. Garrett stepped in to move things forward.

"Okay. Let's take a moment to breathe and think about what each of you are saying." We nodded, agreeing.

"Charlie, what I'm hearing from you is that you were trying to establish new boundaries with Bella in an effort to be what you consider a 'normal' or 'real' parent. Is that correct?"

Dad nodded, "Yes."

"Bella, would you like to respond to that?"

I swallowed deeply and bowed my head.

"I feel- resentment about it." I managed to say. Dad's eyes went wide. "How would you feel if you were in my shoes? It feels like you're trying to control me to make yourself feel better, not because it's supposed to help me."

His throat worked as I saw he was starting to realize why I was so upset.

"I- I didn't mean to try to control you, Bella. I've been trying so hard to get everything back on track and recognize my responsibility in everything. You're right; I do feel incredibly guilty when I think about how I haven't been there for you. And I can't change what I did then, I just thought this is what I can do now. Be a parent now and everything that entails. I think I've been so focused on trying to take control of my own life, that I started doing it to you. And I'm so sorry."

We cried. A lot.

And were able to move forward from there.

Little things popped up here and there, but overall, with Garrett's help, we were able to talk things out.

All the while Edward had been extremely supportive.

He didn't like being apart any more than I did, but we managed to find a good balance. With a bit of compromise, I was allowed to stay over at his place one night a week.

It had been one of the harder conversations to have, fortunately Garrett had been instrumental in helping my dad see that Edward and I were both adults. That I didn't have to live with Charlie at all if I didn't want to.

It had been a sobering conversation.

Still, it had worked out, and the months passed more quickly than I thought they would. Before I knew it graduation was upon us.

It had been a bright, beautiful day.

Laughter and happy tears on many faces, followed by hoots, hollers, and the general excitement of high school officially being over, forever.

Now we just had bigger things to decide on.

Like what college we were going to.

Luckily, Edward and I already had that big figured out.

"So you're serious, you're going to Platt U?" Edward had asked me about a month before graduation.

"Yeah. I mean I really like the journalism program they have there. And with dad doing so well on his own, I won't feel bad about being across the state." My eyes cut to look at him. "Plus, there's a very cute boy who's thinking of going there, and I really wanna see him."

He'd laughed shaking his head, then squeezed me tight.

We hadn't figured out all the plans yet, but I was so freaking happy we were going to be in the same place.

It's not that I was against long distance, but I didn't see either of us being happy for the next four years that way.

Now the start of the semester was quickly coming up.

Angie and I had yet to finalize our living arrangement. She had a problem with almost every place we looked at and it was driving me a little crazy to be honest.

I almost sighed, but I pushed the thoughts from my mind to focus on the present. Which included snuggling up to my very handsome boyfriend while we watched the sun go down over the water, our toes buried in the sand.

"Bella?"

Edward's voice brought a smile to my face as I looked up at him. The fading sun cast an orange glow on his face leaving my heart pattering with adoration.

God I'm a sap.

"Hmm?"

His eyes danced with what looked like nervousness, but I wasn't sure why.

"I wanted to talk to you about something."

Okay, way to put me on red alert.

I'm sure my alarm was apparent by the way he gave a choked laugh and squeezed me tight.

"It's nothing bad. At least I don't think so."

Now I was burning with curiosity.

"Okkaayy?" I drug out the syllables.

He laughed more easily this time.

"I know this year has been a lot, for you, and well- for me too. I mean, a year ago I couldn't even imagine being lucky enough to call you my girlfriend."

I rubbed my cheek against his shoulder and held him snugly. Warmth bloomed in my chest at his easy smile.

"I guess what I'm saying is, even though things have been moving fast, everything with you feels really right, and good."

I swallowed deeply.

"Jeezus, are you trying to make me cry?" I nudged him with a half-laugh.

"Maybe." His smirk was slow, but quickly replaced by something more serious.

"I don't want you to feel rushed, but I want you to know how much I love you and want to be with you. And what I'm trying to say-ask- is if you would want to move in together?"

The nearly abrupt question caught me completely off guard.

I'm pretty sure I just stared up at him, my brows in my hairline.

He gave another nervous laugh before gently stroking my cheek.

"You don't have to say yes. I know how much you've been looking forward to getting a place with Angie. And if you want to still do that, I promise it wouldn't hurt my feeling."

My brain took a few minutes to process everything. And I had a growing suspicion this might have something to do with Angie's behavior towards housing lately.

"Did-did you talk to Angie about this already?"

A slight blush creeped up his face.

"Ben asked her to move in too. To be honest, I think she was really excited, but feeling guilty about it since that wasn't really the plan."

I frowned. I wanted Angie to be excited. It was a big step, but one that I knew she'd be happy with.

"Oh, that- sucks. I don't want her to feel bad."

Edward's gaze softened as he looked at me.

"What?"

"You're just, so sweet. To be honest, I thought you might be upset."

"No, I mean I'm a little sad she didn't just tell me that she wanted to move in with him. Us living together was just what made sense at the time. But we've changed and so have the circumstances."

His soft smile filled me with happiness.

"So, does that mean you do want to move in with me?"

I almost laughed. I hadn't answered him yet.

"Hmmm. I don't know." I teased, earning myself a raised brow. "It kinda doesn't seem like I have many options since my choice of roomie is dipping out."

He rolled his eyes, but quickly drew me up into a fierce kiss.

My head felt light and fuzzy after a few minutes.

"Yup, you'll do nicely."

He chuckled, his hair dancing across his face as he shook his head yet again.

"But you have to tell my dad," I joked.

Another sly smile touched his lips and I really felt shock now.

"What? When?"

His eyes twinkled in mischief.

"A few weeks ago. He wasn't particularly excited about it, but I think he saw it coming. My parents know and they were okay with it too."

Well hell.

"You've just got it all figured out, don't you?"

"Well, I mean I haven't signed the lease yet, but I sort of also found a place for us to live." He grinned cheekily.

I wasn't even surprised at this point.

"What if I said no?"

He sobered slightly.

"I told you, I never want you to feel pressured. Ben and I agreed to room together if you or Angie weren't ready yet. And I mean it still. If you want to room with her, I'd do everything I could to help."

It was too sweet to even be mad about.

So instead of saying anything, I gave him another kiss. A deep intense, consuming kiss to show him how much I loved and appreciated all of his efforts. But more importantly how much I appreciated his respect for my potential boundaries and willingness to work within them.

I loved him so much.

We were both breathless when we pulled apart.

"So you are okay with everything?"

He looked hesitant, even after the kiss.

I rolled my eyes but gave him a tender look.

"Yes, Edward. It was sneaky, but it was also really sweet. You surprised me, but you never pressured me. I very much would love to move in with you."

This time he jumped up pulling me with him and swung us around in a circle on the sand.

I felt so carefree and loved.

Exactly like I knew I should.

AN: Thanks for reading! I hope you enjoyed this mini-epilogue. I may write more later on, if I can find the time/energy.

Love yall!