Chapter Three- Father and Daughter
Even with Charlie standing there in front of me, it was hard to keep my mind on him. My mind would keep drifting to Edward, wondering where he was. And, oddly enough, trying to picture in my mind exactly where that hidden turn-off to his house was located.
I heaved a sigh. Charlie's look softened a little. The poor man, I thought, his little girl has gone and grown up on him, left him for another man. Fathers are supposed to be the first love of a daughter's life, aren't they? So where does Charlie fit into my heart?
"I love you Dad," I said. My voice was soft, and sounded almost tired, and yet the simple expression startled me with its truth.
Charlie looked a little shocked. I'd never said that simple phrase before without reason. He crossed the space between us in two quick steps. For a moment I couldn't help but compare his heavy tread with the silent steps of Edward: why did the two men in my life have to be so very different? My father wrapped one warm arm around my shoulders and kissed the top of my head lightly, just like he used as he said good-bye to me after a long summer visit.
"I love you, Bells. Always have, always will."
I smiled up at him, resisting the temptation to ask "So does this mean I'm not grounded anymore?" Instead, I glanced at the clock and said "You're going to miss the sports segment on the news. Don't you want to know the score of that game?"
In all honesty, I didn't know what game would be featured on the news broadcast tonight, but there must have been one because Charlie kissed the top of my head again as he let go of me and made a beeline for the television.
I smiled as I rummaged about in the cupboards of the kitchen, looking for something, anything to bake. I couldn't help but think, even with everything that had happened, I'd done the right thing when I came to Forks