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

A/N: Hi everyone. I hope you enjoyed the holidays! I know I haven't updated this story in a long time...I had a bit of writer's block and needed to step away from the story for a while, but I think I'm back on track. Please R/R and let me know what you think.

Chapter Five: A Special Request and a Promise

It had been surprisingly easy to obtain Charlie's permission for Bella to travel overseas with the Cullens. Charlie had only briefly hesitated, owing to his reluctance at not seeing his daughter for several weeks. He understood that a change of scenery might be good for Bella, not to mention the opportunity to visit a country she had long dreamed of visiting one day.

After their afternoon at the meadow, Edward and Bella returned to the Cullen house for Edward's car. Carlisle and Esme followed them in the Mercedes as Carlisle was going to ask Charlie's permission for Bella to accompany the Cullens to London.

Edward pulled up to the house while Carlisle parked in the driveway behind Charlie's cruiser. Bella's heart was racing as she thought of the coming conversation with Charlie. Edward took her hand, kissing her fingers. "Relax, love. There is absolutely nothing to worry about. Everything is going to be fine, you'll see."

"Edward, how can you be so relaxed? This is an extended vacation we're talking about, not to mention we'll be on another continent! Charlie's going to freak out, I know he is!"

Edward smiled as he ran his fingers over her lips before getting out of the car and racing to the other side to open the door for Bella. He pulled her out and leaned against the car with his arms around her.

"Sweetheart, it will be fine. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised with his reaction." Edward said as leaned down and placed his head on the top of her head, pulling her into a closer embrace.

Bella wasn't entirely convinced, but she decided to put her trust in Edward, as she always had.

They walked to the door, Bella opening the door and announcing, "I'm home, Dad."

Charlie was sitting in his chair in front of the television watching a ballgame and turned his head towards the door.

"Bells, Edward." He caught sight of Carlisle and Esme as they stepped through the doorway and got up out of his chair to greet them. "Carlisle, Esme. I didn't know you were stopping by for a visit."

Carlisle shook Charlie's hand, as did Esme. "We're sorry for dropping by unexpectedly, Charlie, but we needed to talk to you and Bella suggested we follow her and Edward back home."

"No need to apologize, Carlisle. I'm always glad to see the both of you. You're always welcome in my home."

Esme smiled at Charlie. "Thank you, Charlie. That means a great deal to us."

Charlie looked slightly embarrassed. "Well, please sit down." Carlisle and Esme sat on the sofa while Edward pulled two chairs from the kitchen for himself and Bella.

"Okay, so what can I do for you this evening?" Charlie asked Carlisle, clearly curious about what Carlisle needed to discuss with him.

"Charlie, I have a favor to ask of you. I've been invited to attend the London Trauma Conference which is being held at the Royal Geographical Society in London this month. It's a great honor to be invited and I've decided to accept." Carlisle said as Esme nodded in agreement.

"That sounds like a great opportunity, Carlisle. I'm happy for you, but what does this have to do with me?" Charlie asked.

"Well, the conference is a week long event, but there I've also received an invitation to visit the Royal Society of Medicine during my stay. This being the case, I've decided to bring the family with me so they can also enjoy the sights and sounds of London." Carlisle paused as he gauged Charlie's reaction. "We plan to be in London for three weeks and we'd like Bella to accompany us on the trip."

Charlie raised his eyebrows, considering Carlisle's request. "You'd like Bella to go with your family to London? For three weeks?"

"Yes, we would love for Bella to join us. I haven't been able to spend any extended time with my family due to work and other obligations, so this is the perfect opportunity for me to do so. And since Bella has never vacationed with our family, Esme and I feel very strongly about including her on this trip," Carlisle responded with a smile, glancing over at Esme.

Esme glanced fondly at Bella before turning to Charlie. "Yes, Charlie, it would mean so much if we were able to spend this time with Bella. We already feel she's a member of the Cullen family and in just a few months she will officially be one, but it would mean so much to us to be able to share this wonderful experience with her, and her with us. And I don't think Bella or Edward wish to be separated for so long and with so many miles between them, wouldn't you agree?"

Charlie reflected on the time that Bella and Edward had been separated during those long seven months and quickly agreed with Esme's assessment. Charlie turned towards Bella who was holding Edward's hand so tightly her knuckles were turning white.

"Bells, would you like to go to London?"

Bella looked at Edward, then Carlisle and Esme, and back to Charlie. "Yes, Dad, I really want to go. I want to spend time with the Cullens and I've always wanted to visit England. It would mean a lot if I could go with them."

Charlie looked at Edward. He was thinking of their recent conversation, as well as Carlisle and Esme's wish for Bella to join their family on the trip. Bella was an adult and he knew he had no right in refusing her if she wished to leave on a holiday with her fiancé and his family, but more than that he had no wish to deny her this opportunity. It was an easy decision to make.

"Bella, you're an adult now. You don't need my permission to make the choices that work for you and if a trip with your future in-laws is what you want, then you have to follow your heart. If this is what you want to do, I have no problem with it." Charlie said.

Bella stared at her father, shocked at how easily he was agreeing to this trip with the Cullens. He never agreed to anything this easily, especially if it involved Edward. She glanced at Edward and noticed he had a small smile on his face as if he knew something she did not.

Charlie chuckled at Bella's expression before turning serious. He addressed Edward. "Young man, remember our conversation. You promised you would always care for and protect my greatest treasure. I'm putting my trust in you to look after her in England and to bring her back safe and sound."

Edward gave Bella a small wink as he responded to Charlie, "I remember, sir. You have my word. More than my own life..."

Charlie gruffly cleared his throat. "Ahem, well, then I guess it's settled. When do you plan on leaving?"

Carlisle spoke up. "The seminar starts next week. We plan to fly out Friday morning and spend the weekend in New York before continuing on to London."

Charlie nodded before turning to Edward and Bella. "Okay…" He cleared his throat. "Edward, Bella, I'd like to speak privately with Carlisle and Esme so why don't the two of you take off for a little while?" he said as he looked at Edward's parents. Edward's eyes twinkled and his lips were vibrating as he quickly whispered under his breath to Carlisle what it was Charlie wanted to discuss with him and Esme. Carlisle and Esme both raised their eyebrows in surprise, and not a small amount of horror. Edward raised his hand to his mouth so as not to laugh as he stood up and held out his hand to help Bella up from her chair. Bella took his hand, silently asking him with a quirked eyebrow what was happening. Edward slowly shook his head at her and very softly whispered, "Later…" Bella, always able to read between the lines, turned red when she realized Charlie was going to be discussing hers and Edward's "sleeping" arrangements with Carlisle and Esme.

"Let's go, Bella," Edward said with a smile as he twined her fingers with his and led her out of the house.