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We're all surprised when Charlie walks in the door behind Renee because she made it seem like she was the only one coming to visit. He holds up a bunch of gift bags and grunts. "Someone has to carry all this shit." He turns to the girls. "My apologies, ladies. That was crass."

They kiss their Pop Pop's cheek and try to act innocent as they help him with the gifts he tells them Renee has brought for them.

Renee kisses my cheek and gives me a knowing smile before hugging her daughter and turning her full attention on the girls. They sit on the floor just like last time, and the gifts are just as outrageous but more personal now that she's gotten to know them.

Angela and Alice are gracious and slather on the thank you's before moving on to the next.

I sit back and try not to worry about what the Swans are doing to me when it comes time for me to go Christmas shopping.

While the girls catch them up on everything from Alice's school play to Angela's new position at the tutoring center—one that's going to put a little spending money in her pocket right in time for the holidays—I cart all of their new things up the stairs.

I'm dropping the crazy pajama bottoms Renee picked up for me in my room when Charlie bursts in, eyes wide and nostrils flared.

"Mind telling me why my daughter's scent is all over your bed?" he demands.

Before I can form words, Bella and Renee are also in my bedroom. Renee is pushing her husband back, and Bella is crouched down in front of me defensively.

"She's a grown woman, Charles," Renee says, poking him in the chest. "This is none of your business."

"None of my business," he grumbles, shooting daggers at me. "Do you know what this means?"

Renee manages to diffuse the situation, and I let Charlie take me to the kitchen for an interrogation. He tells me to take a seat, and I do it because I'm scared of him.

Renee tells her husband to stop acting like an asshat and reminds him that Bella is more than old enough to make her own decisions.

"I just have a few questions for my daughter's alleged mate, woman," he grunts.

I assure Bella that I'll be fine, and she leaves, whispering indiscernible warnings to her father as she goes.

When we're alone, he flips the stool across from me and straddles it. He's trying to be intimidating, and it's working. Hell, just his presence is unnerving.

"You've been sleeping with my daughter."

A fact, not a question, Charlie, but I'll let it slide because I'm terrified of you.