Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight or any of its characters. They belong to Stephenie Meyers.

Chapter 3: Charlie's Good Day

Charlie Swan was having a very good day. He had spent the day fishing with his good friend Billy Black and was now on his way back home. The fish had been biting today and he'd caught enough to fill the remaining empty spaces in the freezer. He chuckled to himself as he imagined Bella's expression when he told her that he'd replenished their "dwindling" supply of fish. Charlie knew fish wasn't Bella's favorite meal, but she knew how much he loved it and was always finding different ways to prepare it for him.

Charlie pulled into the driveway and got out of the cruiser. He looked around the yard and noted it was time to mow the lawn again. The rain kept the grass green, but it also made it grow so fast he was hard pressed to keep up with it. He'd rather spend his weekends fishing, but on occasion he got out the mower and trimmed it down.

He walked in the front door and called out to Bella. Silence. She's probably at the Cullens right now, he thought, walking into the kitchen and grabbing a cold beer from the refrigerator. Charlie walked to the back door, looking out into the yard. Everything was quiet, peaceful, and comfortable.

Yes, everything was finally starting to settle down for the Swan's. Work was routine; the only action his little police department saw was ticketing the speeding tourists as they flew through Forks. Weekends were spent fishing with Billy and the evenings watching sports highlights on TV.

His thoughts drifted back to Bella. She had graduated from high school a few weeks ago and was going to be married in a few months. While he still felt she was too young, in years, to be married, he couldn't deny that it was the right choice for her.

Bella and Edward were both very mature for their ages and Charlie had slowly, very slowly come to accept that Edward was his daughter's future. Not so long ago he'd hoped Jacob would take Edward's place in Bella's life, but now he knew Jacob was not right for her. Jacob's a good kid, he thought, but he's not mature enough for Bella. He's not on the same level emotionally and intellectually as Bella. Charlie was finally able to admit, if only to himself at this point, that Edward was Bella's equal. Only Edward had the emotional maturity to match Bella's, only Edward had the intellectual ability to challenge and keep up with his intelligent daughter. And only Edward had given Bella the love and devotion she deserved.

Charlie was not blind. He saw how protective Edward was of Bella, how he took care of her and made sure she had everything she needed or wanted. He saw how Edward's love made Bella blossom, and how the love of the Cullen family, from Alice to Carlisle and Esme, had given Bella a sense of belonging. She had always seemed lost, always different from other kids around her and never seeming to truly belong anywhere. With the Cullens she was part of a family. She was not just a daughter, but also a beloved sister. It pained Charlie to know he and Renee were never able to give Bella what Edward and the Cullens were able to give her, but he loved his daughter with his whole heart and only wanted her to be happy. He was grateful to Carlisle and Esme for loving his daughter like their own.

Unbeknownst to Bella, Charlie had had a private conversation with Edward where they had cleared the air. It had contributed to Charlie's current state of contentment. He was glad Bella was not aware of the conversation as he was afraid to think of what her reaction would have been if she had known that he intended to have a very serious talk with Edward.

Charlie had wanted to speak privately with Edward for some time, and with the announcement of their engagement he realized it was time to put the past to bed, so to speak, and clear the air with his future son-in-law. Almost as if Edward could read his mind, he told Charlie that Alice would be arriving in a few minutes to go over wedding details with Bella. Not two minutes later Alice rang at the door and after a cheerful "Hi Charlie" she dragged Bella upstairs to go over dresses and cakes. As they watched the two young women retreat upstairs, Edward gave him the opening he had been hoping for.

"Sir, I want to thank you for supporting our decision to marry," said Edward. "It means so much to Bella that you approve our marriage. Your approval has always meant a lot to her."

Charlie's surprise at this was obvious.

"I never know what's going on in that head of hers…" said Charlie. Edward chuckled at this and said quietly under his breath, "You and me both, sir."

Charlie laughed at this. "Yeah, well I guess Bella's not one to share her thoughts with anyone. What I wouldn't give to be able to read that kid's mind!"

Edward's eyes were twinkling again as if laughing at a secret joke. Charlie wondered briefly what that was all about, but decided he wanted to finish saying what he needed to say.

"It was difficult letting Renee take Bella after the divorce and having to be satisfied with short summer visits. When Bella called to say that she wanted to come to Forks for a longer stay, I was very surprised but pleased to finally have the chance to spend some real time with my little girl. Little did I realize that my little girl was no longer little," he said.

"Sir…" Edward started to interrupt, but Charlie held his hand up to stop him.

"Wait, I need to finish this. Like I said, she's no longer little and it's been hard to let go. I was not around near enough while she was growing up so when she's with me I'm more protective and I think you agree that Bella needs to be protected more the normal person out there," he said.

Charlie continued, "I know that I've given you a hard time since, well, since you returned to Forks with your family. Bella explained what happened and why you did what you did. While I can't say I approve your actions, I think I can understand, a little. I still think it was a stupid decision, kid, but then whoever said men were the smartest beings around, right? Bella forgave you immediately, but it was harder for me because I love my daughter and you hurt her, very badly. There was nothing that I could do to make her hurt go away. I couldn't just put a Band-Aid on the hurt, or kiss her forehead to make it all better. But she's no longer a little girl who needs her daddy's protection. She's a grown woman who will need the love and protection of her husband. I have to accept that she's going to make her own choices. She's going to follow her own heart and you're the one she wants to be with now. Edward, she's my greatest treasure and now I'm entrusting my most precious girl to you."

Edward looked at Charlie, his golden eyes full of emotion as he replied, "Charlie, I promise, no, I swear, I will always be her protector. She is my greatest treasure, too. I love her more than my own life and I will always do whatever is necessary to keep her safe, to protect her, to love her. She will always have my love, she will always have the love of my family, and she will never be alone again."

Charlie's eyes watered but he gruffly cleared his throat. "That's all I ask Edward."

He reached his hand out to shake Edward's, each glad that they had come to this understanding.

Yes, it was a very good day for Charlie.