"Dad!"
I startled when I heard Bo screaming for me at the top of her lungs. I dropped the spoon I was using to stir the corn chowder was making for lunch and ran up the stairs, two at a time.
"Bo?!" I skidded to a stop outside the bathroom door, banging on the locked door. "Baby, what happened, did you fall?" She has been taking a shower before we ate.
She opened the door, eyes wide and scared.
"I think I started my period. That or I'm dying." She croaked, looking up at me as if I would have all the answers and the way to fix her problem.
I felt the blood leave my face, feeling sweaty and shaky. I couldn't exactly throw a band aid on this like I did a skinned knee. It was the day I had been dreaded as a single father.
"Right." I nodded as if it were no big deal, period shmeriod. "I'll go to the store and get everything you need; will you be okay?"
"Hurry." She whimpered, slamming the door before I could respond.
I raced to the local pharmacy, really wishing my mother was well enough to help me with this new daddy duty.
There were hundreds of different kinds and products. What did the sizes mean? She wore a size two jeans, does that matter? I grabbed all sizes and shapes, some said night time, some said liners. I skipped the tampons because the idea of… well, just not quite yet. I knew enough from marriage to grab several bottles of pain killers, chocolate bars, and a carton of ice cream.
I put all six bags outside the bathroom door, knocked and ran away like the coward I was.
"What are wings?" She called out, stopping me halfway down the stairs.
I rubbed my eyes and turned around, going back to the bathroom. She cracked the door enough to stick her arm through, handing them back to me. I looked over the packaging and couldn't find instructions. So I did what any normal man would do.
Google.
"So you put it here in the center…" I had a pair of boxers around my ankles, placing the pad where the picture I found online said it. "Then you peel the back off and just fold it over, like this-wait.. I can't in these…"
"Dad," she giggled. "I got it. I didn't need a demonstration.
She picked up the discarded package of sanitary pads and went into her bedroom, music blaring simultaneously.
I stared at the door for a moment, then entered the kitchen and grabbed a beer out of the fridge, and a second, collapsing in a kitchen chair.
"Laugh it up, Babe." I tipped the mouth of the bottle toward Bella's picture and took a long drink.
"Edward!"
I had just parked, tires squealing, and was running into the school, hearing Charlie call from behind me.
"What are you doing here?" I asked, surprised to see him.
"The school officer called me, knew Bo was my granddaughter."
I stopped myself from rolling my eyes and slapped his back in welcome, slowing my pace so that we could walk to the office together.
I had been in a meeting when the secretary called and informed me that Bo was in the office waiting for a meeting with the principle and that my presences was required. I didn't ask for any more information, not that I would have even gotten it over the phone.
We burst into the office, our panicked energy filling the cramped room. Bo occupied one of the three chairs appearing angry and on edge, a boy with a shiner around one eye sitting in another chair, leaving the one between them empty, watching me with anxious eyes.
"It wasn't my fault, Daddy." She stated firmly, sure of herself.
"It's alright, Bo." I assured her, sitting beside her, and draping an arm over the back of her chair.
"Chief Swan." Charlie stated to the secretary, though I saw his eyes narrowing to the side, watching the affect of his words hit the boy sitting beside me.
"I know who you are, Charlie." The women frowned at him. "We went to high school together, remember?" Mrs. Cope had been the school secretary for as far back as I could remember.
He hmphed and gave a nod, going to stand on the other side of Bo.
"Mr. Cullen," The principle's door opened after Mrs. Cope phoned him to announce my arrival. "Chief Swan, I was unaware you were called also."
"Here I am." Charlie gave a smart smile and held his hands out at his side, daring the principle to send him on his way.
"Yes, well, if you three will please come in and have a seat." He stood aside, allowing us to pass, Mrs. Cope bringing in another chair; the already small office growing more confined. "Unfortunately, this meeting isn't being held under pleasant circumstances. Bo, do you have something you would like to say?"
"I punched Chris Newton in his big fat face!" She spit out, glaring at the principle the entire time.
"Honey, why would you hit that boy?" I asked, ignoring the principle. I knew my daughter; she would never resort to violence unless it was for a good reason.
"He slapped my butt when I was running past him in volleyball! I turned around and he already had his back to me, laughing with his friends. I called his name, and when he turned around..." She shrugged, slapping a fisted hand into the palm of her other.
"As you know, since you did signed our school rules," He slid a piece of paper that Bo had torn out of the yearly school handbook that I signed absentmindedly in the beginning of the year. "that we have a zero tolerance for violence."
"I hope you also have one about sexual assault?" I demanded.
"Well, I hardly think that two wrongs make a right-"
"Mr. Mason, if you try to defend that boy's actions, I swear to god-"
"I stand behind what my son in-law is implying. Perhaps we need take Mr. Newton on a tour of the jail? I am almost positive I have brought your nephew on one in the past…"
"How is your brother in-law?" I asked with a smirk.
I knew damn well he had taken over his parents store after graduation and had grown fat and bald.
"Regardless, I have to follow the same rules for everyone, Bo will have a three-day suspension and is expected to still complete her work while out of school." Mr. Mason continued with a red face.
"I am correct in assuming young Mr. Newton will be out for at least double that amount?" Charlie asked., arms crossed over his chest.
"Do not try to bully me, Charlie- he will receive proper punishment for his actions as well. As I said two wrongs do not make a right. Bo, next time please bring your concerns to me and I will handle them appropriately. I am terribly sorry for what you experienced today."
Bo, my little spitfire, just raised a brow at him with a single jerk of her chin before abruptly turning to leave.
"Let's go get ice cream, Slugger." I suggested as the three of us walked out of the room.
Bo didn't turn her head to look at Chris Newton but lifted her arm and flipped him off as we passed.
I turned to make sure Mrs. Cope wasn't looking and did the same before hurrying out of the office.
Sitting in the booth with our ice cream, I watched Bo and Charlie talk, her giggle filling our little bubble. She picked up her spoon filled with pistachio gelato and hummed with pleasure over the sweet treat. I felt Charlie look at me, but I couldn't turn from her.
She looked so much like Bella had on our first date. The same treat in the same restaurant. I took a sip of my coffee milkshake, something Bo said was very boring and so me, closing my eyes briefly, allowing the memories to consume me, if only for a moment.
I could smell her, taking a deep breath and holding it in. I could feel her brush my hair off my forehead, kissing my temple.
That was all I needed, and I opened my eyes again to our daughter.
Thank you Fran for being my wonderful beta! Dawn and Steph, much love for continued support and prereading!