Author's Note: Ohh man. I don't think I was quite clear enough. Of course I'm going to continue with The Big Move…I'm going to keep writing it the way it is…no need to freak out! I was asking about the next fan fiction I write….which is more than likely going to be the series of one shots, but I have another in mind too. Anyway, thanks for all the reviews!
I put my hand on the doorknob, but before I could turn it, the door flew open, startling me. Charlie stood there, just as surprised as I was. He had all his fishing gear on, and from the looks of it, he was headed out to Billy's to go fishing. I saw Edward out of the corner of my eye, trying to suppress a smile. I elbowed him in the side.
"Hey, Bells…what are you doing back so early? I thought you were gonna be a the Cullen's all day." He said, confused.
"Um, well I came home to talk to you about something, if that's okay." I stuttered, but finally managed to spit the sentence out. Edward squeezed my hand.
Charlie nodded, and set his tackle box near the door. "Of course, Bella, let's talk." He turned and headed for the living room. I followed, pulling Edward behind me. Charlie flopped down on the couch, obviously wary of whatever I was planning on saying. I sat down, Edward sitting next to me.
"Well, you know that I'm a high school graduate, and also over eighteen," I started. Charlie looked even more wary. "So I wanted to know if you'd be opposed to me moving in with Edward." I said the last part really fast, so that I wouldn't have to draw it out. Charlie's face went from wary to puce in a matter of seconds.
"Yes, I think I would mind! What are you thinking, Bella?" Charlie was standing up now, and so were Edward and I.
"It's just for the summer, dad. After that, I'm going to college! It's no big deal!" I was almost hysterical now. I needed Charlie to be okay with this, I really did.
Edward interrupted smoothly. "We'll be moving Bella into my current residence. Carlisle and Esme will still be there."
Charlie's face went back to normal color. "Oh. I thought you two were getting a place of your own. If Carlisle and Esme are there to keep an eye on you, then I suppose its okay."
I was flabbergasted. He dropped it just like that? Yes, yes he had dropped it just like that. I stood there, shocked.
"So you're okay with this?" Edward's velvet voice continued. Charlie nodded.
"Yes, I think I am. When were you planning on moving? Is there anything I can do to help?" Charlie stood with his hands in his pockets.
"Wait, wait, wait! So you're okay with this only if Carlisle and Esme are around?" My voice was slightly above yelling, and Edward had his hand on my back. I stepped away from him, and Charlie stepped back.
"I just think you're too young to get a place of your own, Bella. It'll be hard enough when you go to college. Take it easy." Charlie looked slightly afraid of me, and Edward looked amused. I sighed, defeated. Charlie wasn't going to speak the truth, and it looked like I couldn't make him. I crossed my arms over my chest, and stepped back from Charlie. He looked visibly relieved.
"We were planning on moving Bella in sometime this weekend. Everyone will be home then. But I guess it all depends on what Bella wants to take with her." Edward looked at me, and I blushed. I hadn't given this any thought yet.
"Well, I think I'll leave all the major furniture pieces, and take my books and my clothes…that's not much, is it?" Edward shook his head. Charlie looked suddenly nervous.
"Are you sure you don't want that furniture, Bells? I mean, it's yours if you want to take it, but if you don't, I understand." He looked at the floor, and I instantly felt bad.
"Do you want me to take the furniture, Dad?" I whispered. This was getting difficult.
Charlie nodded. "I kind of had plans for that room, but I can give the furniture to Billy and Jacob if you don't want to take it."
I smiled. He was planning on redoing my room as soon as I left, which showed that he was sort of moving on. Then again, he could've been wanting to redo it so it doesn't remind him of me. The smile on my face faded.
"I'll take the furniture. I might want to use it someday." I glanced up the stairs toward my room. I felt Edward's icy hand touch mine.
Charlie brightened a little. "So what day were you moving, again?" He laughed, and I punched him lightly on the shoulder.
Edward took the question literally. "Saturday, I think. It would be the best day." I suppressed a smile. Edward was so technical sometimes.
Charlie sighed. "Anything I can do?" He looked doubtful, and not surprised in the least when Edward said he didn't have to help. "Well, I guess those boys are a little stronger than I am." He looked at me, an expression I didn't recognize on his face. It looked a little like his eyes tightened. I looked at the floor, not wanting to see his pain.
Edward coughed, and Charlie started.
"Well, I better get going. Billy's expecting me at the lake. Bye, Bells." He walked past me, patting me on the shoulder as he went. Then, he was gone. I turned to Edward, and buried my face in his chest. I felt his strong arms encircle me.
"That was easier than I expected." Edward's voice reverberated through his chest. I lifted my head.
"What do you mean?" I was suspicious, and from the look on his face, I had every right to be.
Edward smiled. "Charlie was screaming no in his head the entire time we were talking to him, but as soon as I mentioned furniture, he started thinking about a home office." I rolled my eyes.
"He wants me out so he can turn my room into an office?" I found this hard to believe. Charlie had always been slightly on edge about the relationship between Edward and I. It wouldn't make sense for him to get knocked off track by furniture. I had been sure he would've said no. The whole scene had been a lot less ugly than I'd imagined. I was confused.
"None of this makes sense. Did you do something?" My suspicion got stronger. I saw a smile flit across his face, but he hid it fast and well. I curled my lip back and narrowed my eyes. What was going on?
"No, but Esme did. She called Charlie to tell him how thrilled she was about you moving in, but she didn't know that we hadn't talked to Charlie yet. He knew, and had time to think about the home office. He's actually kind of excited now." Edward looked at me, no sign of guilt on his face.
"Why didn't you tell me this? Having that information would have made things a lot easier." I sighed, and Edward looped his arm around my waist.
"Because everyone needs a healthy dose of fear when they do something difficult." Wait, wait. Stop, rewind, and press play.
"Since when have you ever wanted me to be afraid of anything?" Edward always took on the role of protector. When did that change?
This time, Edward was the one to sigh. "Can we just drop this Bella? Please? I would like to get home." I smiled.
"Me too." Edward's sigh turned into a huge smile.
"You have no idea how long I've waited for you to say that." He dropped my waist, but held on to my hand. We walked out to the car together, and he helped me in, as usual.
We started toward the house, and when we got there, Alice bounced out of the house, and down to the car, almost ripping the door off in her attempt to extract me from the car. I saw Edward cringe as she used more force than necessary to open it.
"We're going shopping!" She was really excited, almost overly so. I was immediately worried. Shopping today?
"Where are we going shopping at?" I felt my eyebrows furrow. Alice took my hand and drug me to Rosalie's convertible. Esme and Rosalie were already situated in the front seats.
"We're going to the store! Humans need to eat, don't they?" Alice's smile broadened until it was almost scary. Rosalie smirked as she saw the expression on my face. I think it was somewhere between hysteria and blinding fear. I turned around to look at Edward, pleading with him with my eyes, begging for him to save me. All he did was smile. Oh boy, was he in trouble later. Suddenly, I felt the ground disappear beneath me, and my back hit leather. A second after that, a safety belt was buckled. We were off.