AN: Apparently, I am on an update spree.
Chapter
When Bella woke next the world seemed like a different place. Everything was brighter, more colorful and the cold that had haunted her for months had disappeared. She eased herself into the hot bath water.
Bubbles seemed appropriate today.
She ran her fingers over the scar. The bite mark.
It was warm for the first time since she had gotten it. Normal body temperature warm and not the ominous chill she had never gotten used to.
Tears ran down her cheeks, but they were happy tears.
Bella was finally free.
Bella stayed in the bath tub until all of the bubbles disappeared and the water began to lose its warmth. She stood in front of the mirror and touched her reflection. Her eyes were different.
They shone with more life than they had in months. She smiled slowly and then began to laugh.
Excitement and happiness flowed through her veins. She quickly got dressed and ran downstairs.
"Charlie!"
No answer. She frowned. Charlie wasn't home yet.
"Oh." She deflated slightly disappointed, but shook it off. It's not like she could tell Charlie what she was so happy about. She walked to the kitchen it was time to make her father a real meal.
Bella settled with pot roast and biscuits with apple pie for dessert. They were all warm, filling, and Charlie loved pie and pot roast. Plus, it would be the first step to putting some meat on her thin frame. She could see her ribs. Bella had always been thin but the ordeal with the Cullen's made her look anorexic.
She pushed thoughts of them to the side. They were gone. It didn't matter anymore.
Bella put the meat in the microwave to defrost and began cutting the carrots, onions, and potatoes for the roast. When that was done she got out the flour and began making the biscuits and the pie crust.
God, she had missed cooking so much. Between the Cullen's and her 'issues' she didn't have the time to actually cook. Throwing together a quick meal had been the extent of her culinary expertise for months.
Once everything was in the oven she looked around the kitchen and frowned at all of the dirty dishes and pizza boxes. She had really let the place go. Bella tied her hair back and began to work.
-Time skip-
Charlie mentally prepared himself before opening the door. His work schedule had been a bit hectic lately since one of his deputies just had a kid, and he wasn't home as often as usual. Even when he was home it wasn't very welcoming anymore not since that Cullen kid came into Bella's life. Charlie could do nothing, but watch the life drain out of his only child's eyes while she was dating him. When the boy left it had only gotten worse.
The only reason he didn't send her with Renee was because Bella had pitched a fit and he hadn't seen her with such fire in her eyes since…god he couldn't remember when.
Every time, Charlie went home he checked on Bella. When she had a bad day she would be in bed unmoving. He often had to check her pulse because she was so unresponsive. When she had a good day she would grab a shower, order them a pizza or maybe cook something quick like spaghetti. But even on her good days she still wouldn't be that responsive he was lucky if he got a few words out of her.
When did coming home turn into a lose-lose game of Russian roulette?
Then again at least his daughter was still alive.
Somewhat anyways.
She hadn't moved from her bed in two days.
Charlie closed his eyes and put the key into the lock. He opened the door and stood still in shock.
The house was warm, and lights were on.
Did Renee come by to take his child away?
No, he could smell cooking. Renee couldn't cook.
Beneath that he could smell cleaning products. Renee sure as hell wouldn't clean.
Did he dare hope?
"Bella?" he called out weakly, hopefully.
What if it was just one of her Good days? Probably better than the last few, but what if it was just a fluke before she withdrew into herself again for weeks at a time? What if-
"Dad?" Bella walked out of the kitchen.
Bella was smiling, god when was the last time that had happened?
His baby girl was smiling.
"Bella?" his voice croaked, he couldn't even be embarrassed he was so happy.
Bella approached him slowly and stood in front of him she took the last few steps forward and hugged him.
She hugged him.
Charlie's arms closed around his daughter, his little girl and he cried.
His Bella was finally back.
-Time skip-
Dinner was full of awkward conversation, awkward but glorious conversation. Bella actually spoke she actually initiated a conversation. And the food, Charlie hadn't eaten so well in ages. Not since she had first arrived in forks. They lingered at the table both picking at their desserts. Neither of them were hungry anymore, and both of them were afraid to stop talking, to leave the table, to end this.
Still, it was getting late and Bella had school the next morning.
"Do you need help with dishes?" Charlie asked.
"Sure." Bella smiled.
They cleaned in silence with a few words here and there to break the silence. The silence was such a dreaded thing now. Charlie told her about the guys at work, Bella told him about a few meditating techniques she had learned. Charlie wished she would never stop if they were the reason why she was normal again.
Finally, the last dish was dried, the leftovers were in the fridge, and the kitchen was spotless. Charlie stood around awkwardly.
"Dad? Can we go fishing tomorrow?"
Screw school and work he was going to spend time with his daughter.
"I'll take off work and write you a note for school." He smiled.
The next morning Charlie hesitated outside of Bella's bedroom door. What if last night was a fluke? What if it was a Bad Day today? He stood outside of her door for a few more moments before knocking.
"Almost ready!"
Charlie nearly sank to the floor in relief. He grinned.
"I'll be downstairs. I'm going to make us a few sandwiches."
"I want turkey." She called through the door.
"Will do."
He would make sure they were the best damn turkey sandwiches ever.