(A/N): This chapter was beta'd by RandomatGedz
Disclaimer: Stephenie Meyer owns Twilight.
Living Royal
Chapter Fifteen
"So, Edward, what are your intentions towards my daughter?"
As soon as Bella heard those words coming out of her father's mouth, she broke out in a cold sweat. Did her father really just speak that way to Edward? The king's son? The heir to the freaking throne?
Bella had new respect for her father. She realized that he would protect her no matter what. Of course, she always knew that, she just never realized that he could go that far to ensure that she was never hurt.
Still, she didn't want him clashing with Edward.
"Dad!" She cried out.
"Um, Charlie? At least let them come into the house first before you begin your interrogation."
God bless Renee.
Charlie reluctantly conceded and walked into the house ahead of them.
"I'm so sorry, Edward. I had no idea he'd fire off like that as soon as he saw you." Bella apologized, the moment her father was out of earshot.
"Don't apologize, sweetheart. I'd expect nothing less from your father. He obviously cares about you very much and is very protective of you. It's the way every father should behave."
"I know, but he's taking it too far."
Edward kissed her temple, "Don't worry. Just let me handle it."
Bella was starting to think that Edward was simply being over confident about the whole thing. She really wished he and her would get a long, more than anything. Her father meant the world to her and she didn't know what she would do if he had any objections to her relationship with Edward.
She knew she'd never stop being with Edward because of that, though. If he was able to handle his father's annoying attitude and still be with her then so could she.
They followed Charlie into the living room where they all sat down. Edward and Bella on the couch, Charlie on his favourite chair and Renee next to Bella.
"Bella, I think Edward and I need to have a talk, on our own." Charlie said.
"I don't think there's anything that you need to discuss, Dad."
"Bella, honey. I need some help in the kitchen. Will you come with me?" Renee asked, trying to salvage the situation between her stubborn husband and her even more stubborn daughter.
Bella's shoulders slumped in resignation, "Fine." She got up to follow her mother but not before she threw a worried look at her boyfriend. He answered her with a wink.
A very sexy wink.
Focus, Bella!
She quietly followed her mother back to the kitchen where she started pacing back and forth in agitation.
"Bella, for heaven's sake, calm down. It's not like your father is going to kill him."
Bella snorted, "And you know that how?"
"Well, there is the fact that Edward is the heir to the throne and killing him would only get your father beheaded."
That got a laugh out of Bella.
Renee hugged her daughter close. "There. That's my Bella. I really missed you, sweetheart."
"I missed you too, mum."
"I'm really glad you and Edward are together. He's very hot."
"Mom!"
"What? I may be old Bella but I'm not blind. So how's the sex?"
"MOM!"
"Come on, Bella. That's a perfectly normal question for a parent to ask their daughter."
"No, it's not."
"Well, maybe you're right but I am still incredibly curious."
Bella laughed out loud.
She had really missed being home.
Renee and Bella started getting dinner ready while the two men spoke in the other room.
What was taking them so long?
"Oh, Bella. I forgot to tell you." Renee jolted Bella out of her thoughts, "Your father invited Billy and Jacob to dinner today."
"What? Why?"
Why today, of all days, would Charlie do that? [so it's her thinking]
"He thought that you wouldn't mind since you and Jacob broke up on such amicable terms. It is okay, isn't it?"
"Um, yeah. Sure, it is." She lied.
What will I tell Edward? How will he handle this?
Can't we manage to get a break from the tension for one bloody weekend?
Bella heard footsteps approaching the kitchen. She wiped her hands on a nearby dish rag
The sight that met Bella's eyes was so unexpected that she thought she must've passed out and this was all a dream.
Edward and Charlie walked into the kitchen together laughing while Charlie patted Edward on the back as though they'd been friends forever.
Edward's eyes met Bella's and he smirked as though to say 'told you so.'
Bella smiled back feeling so relieved, but bewildered.
How the hell did Charlie warm up to Edward so quickly?
Edward came to stand next to Bella. He leaned in closer and whispered, "Don't look so surprised, Bells. I told you parents love me."
"You got yourself a good man there, Bells." Charlie grinned at her.
Okay, I have got to get to the bottom of this.
Her father never warmed up to anyone so fast. Ever.
"Um, Edward, let me give you a tour of the house." She said, just so they could get out of there and have a chance to talk in private.
"Oh, yes. Bella you both will be staying in your old room." Renee piped in, "You should get settled in there before dinner."
So they made their way up to her room.
"Alright, tell me what you did." Bella asked as she shut the door behind them.
Instead of answering her, Edward started looking around the room.
"So, this is your room. Nice. Did you ever bring Jacob up here?"
"What? No. My father never allowed boys in my room."
"But he allowed me." Edward grinned triumphantly.
"Yes, which is why I'm asking what you said to make him so easy-going."
Edward shrugged, "I merely told him how much I loved you and that I would never hurt you or allow anyone to hurt you for that matter. Oh, and I may have mentioned how much I love fishing and would love it if he would join me in one of the fishing expeditions I go on once a year."
"How did you know that my father likes fishing?" Bella was shocked.
"You mentioned it once while you were telling me about your family."
"Sneaky." She nodded in approval.
"I try," He smiled.
He then walked to her bed, sat down and proceeded to test the mattress' firmness by bouncing up and down on it.
"I love your bed," He announced when he was done testing it. "Want to christen it?" He wiggled his eyebrows.
Bella laughed out loud, "I'd love to, trust me. But my parents can come up here at any time. Besides, um…"
"What is it?"
"Jacob is coming." She mumbled quickly.
"What?" Edward yelled.
"Shh, I didn't know he was coming, I swear. My mother told me that my dad invited him and his father to dinner today. He thought I wouldn't mind."
Edward rubbed his hands over his face.
"Alright, I guess I should've known we'd run into him sooner or later."
"I'm sorry that it's sooner rather than later." Bella frowned.
"Stop apologizing, Bella. It's not your fault."
"I know, it's just I don't want anything to happen now that you and my dad are getting along."
Edward pulled her down next to him and pulled her into his arms.
"Nothing will happen, I promise. I'll be on my best behaviour."
Before Bella could answer, someone knocked on their door.
"Edward? Bella? Billy and Jacob are here."
Bella tensed immediately and Edward tightened his hold on her, as though afraid to let her go.
"Come on," She muttered, "Let's go face the music."
They walked downstairs hand in hand and walked to the living room where everyone was, except for Renee who was still in the kitchen.
Billy and Jacob looked up as they walked in.
Billy smiled widely and got up to hug Bella.
"Hey, Bells. Haven't seen you in a long time. It's good to see you."
"Good to see you too, Billy. You're looking great." Bella grinned at her father's best-friend. He'd always been like a second father to her.
Billy turned to Edward. He looked unsure of how to proceed.
"Uh, Your Highness.."
"Just Edward, please." Edward cut him off. "It's great to meet you Mr. Black."
They shake hands and then Jacob, who had been standing in the background so far, stepped forward with a wide grin directed at Bella.
"Hey there, Bells." He suddenly wrapped his arms around her and pulled her into a bone crushing hug.
"Jake…need…to…breathe." Bella wheezed out.
"Oops, sorry. You know I always get over-excited when it comes to you."
Bella glanced at Edward over Jacob's shoulder and found him scowling hard at Jacob's back and standing with his fists clenched at his sides. He looked about ready to explode.
Edward cleared his throat when Jacob wouldn't let go of Bella.
"Oh, right. Eddie's here." Jacob said, scornfully.
"It's Edward." Edward gritted his teeth. He hated that nickname. He hated Jacob, too.
"Yes, I know."
"Um, I'm going to go see if mum needs any help in the kitchen." Bella felt like a coward for running away but she couldn't handle the tension in the room any more.
A few minutes later, Jacob walked into the kitchen while Renee had gone to set the table. Perfect timing. If Bella didn't know any better, she'd think he was waiting right outside the door for her to be alone.
"Hey, Bella." He leaned on the counter next to Bella.
"Um, hi."
"I miss you, you know."
Right to the point.
"I miss you too, Jake. You were my best friend."
"You know that's not what I meant, Bella."
"Jake, I'm with Edward now."
"I know, I read the tabloids. I thought he wasn't the reason you broke up with me."
"He wasn't. We just grew closer and we fell in love."
"Right. You really expect me to believe that you fell in love with him already?"
"Yes, Jacob. I do. Because it's the truth."
"Come on, Bella. It's me, Jake. Tell me, really, was it the money or the title?"
Bella was speechless. He had really gone too far this time.
"I can't believe you would think that. You know me better than that, Jake." She almost yelled.
"I thought I did." He muttered sadly.
Before Bella had a chance to reply, Edward walked in. He looked from Bella to Jacob and then took his place next to Bella with one arm around her shoulders.
"What do you want, Black?" He glared at Jacob.
"I was just talking to my best-friend, here. Will you have me thrown in prison for speaking to your girlfriend?" Jacob challenged him.
"I wish I could, believe me."
"Edward-" Bella chastised him. This was getting out of hand.
"Don't worry, Bella." Jacob cut in. "I'm not here to cause any trouble. I just want your boyfriend here to know one thing." He looked at Edward. "Just know that when you mess this up, I'll be waiting."
And then he walked out of the room.
Edward started following him, but Bella pulled him back.
"No, Edward, please. Let's just get through today with minimal damage. Please?"
Edward ran his fingers through his hair angrily. He paced back and forth for a minute and then turned to Bella and his eyes softened as he saw how worried she looked. He pulled her into his arms and kissed her forehead.
"Alright. Not today."
Bella sighed in relief.
"Thank you, baby."
"I love it when you call me that." Edward angled his head down until his lips touched hers.
Their kiss grew passionate and Edward pushed Bella against the counter with one of his arms on either side of her. They forgot everything and everyone besides each other.
A throat cleared nearby.
They broke away immediately.
Renee was standing by the door looking very smug and grinning mischievously at them.
"Dinner is ready. Just thought I'd come and tell you two." She winked then walked away.
"Your mother is…something." Edward said.
"You haven't seen half of it, yet." Bella joked.
Dinner was awkward to say the least. Charlie and Billy talked fishing the whole time. Renee was passing the food around and making sure that everyone had enough. Jacob kept trying to flirt with Bella while she kept shooting him down. Edward, of course, glared daggers at him the whole time.
When it came time for Jacob and Billy to leave, Bella heaved a sigh of relief.
"Finally," Edward muttered beside her.
"What do you say we get out of here?" Bella asked him, wanting to escape the house for a while. "I want to show you my favourite hangout."
Edward relaxed for the first time that night and nodded.
"Oh, Bella, that's a wonderful idea. I bet Edward will love it." Renee squealed.
Yup, it's like she's the older version of Alice.
"Just don't stay out too late." Charlie adds his two cents.
Bella rolls her eyes. It's like she's never left.
She pulled Edward quickly out of the house and they got in the car. They drove for a while until they reached a small side rode. Bella told Edward to stop there.
She was so excited to show him her favourite place in the world.
They got out of the car and walked down the small rode together.
"So, where exactly are we going?" Edward asked.
"It's a surprise. Just hold on for a couple more minutes. I promise you won't be disappointed."
They finally reached the end of the rode and it led to the most beautiful meadow Edward had ever seen.
"Wow, this is…beautiful." He breathed.
"I know. I found this place when I was thirteen and I've been coming here regularly ever since. Luckily no one has found it yet, since the rode that leads to it is pretty obscure and in the middle of nowhere. You're the first person I ever brought here."
Edward wraps an arm around her waist. "I'm honoured." He kisses her cheeks.
Bella does a horrible imitation of the king, "As you should be."
Edward laughs had, "I'm going to get you for that."
Bella squeaked and started running. She didn't take two steps before Edward caught her from behind and lifted her in the air. They both lost their balance and tumbled to the ground where Edward started tickling her sides.
"E-edwwaaarrrdd, s-ssttooop." Bella begged him, breathless from all the laughter.
"I'll stop on one condition."
"Anything!"
He leaned down until their noses were up against each other, "Kiss me."
Bella obliged willingly.
(A/N): You guys didn't really think that Jacob is gone forever, did you ? :D
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