I'M SO SO SO SORRY! My computer crashed a long while ago, completely fizzled out so much that a computer techie said it would be easier and cheaper to get a new one. I had to wait another few months to get a new computer. Then I didn't have a word processing document on it, I still don't, but I decided to look to see if I could type up the story online on the fanfiction site. I could! Yay! So I'm updating now, and I'm continuing writing the story. I want to take the time to say thank you to all the people who have read, reviewed, favorite me and my story, so far. I also want to thank the people who have stuck with the story up until this point. Thanks everybody! I own nothing but the plot line, and all rights belong to any original owners. Now on with the show.

Chapter Eight: Meeting Bella Cullen.

Bella POV

I effortlessly practised playing Clair De Lune. One of these days I would beat Edward at the piano. I could just ask him, he would let me, but that would be no fun at all. Edward's keeping secrets from me and I don't like it. He's never done that before, and I'm sure I don't like it. That's what made Edward great, is that he doesn't keep secrets from me because he loves me most in the whole world. Edward won't tell me who that man is though, the one he was talking to in the store. The big man with funny hair on his face. None of the other Cullens have that on their face. But the Cullens don't change like me. I keep getting bigger and bigger, and they stay the same. I asked Rose once, and she said that once I reach a certain age I'll stay the same too. I'm so excited, because then I'll be old enough for Edward.

Edward who was still keeping secrets from me. I pouted. Mom says it's not ladylike to pout, and I shouldn't do it. Edward doesn't like it either. He says I look sad when I pout, and it makes him upset. Edward shouldn't be upset, he seems to nice to be upset. Except when Emmett does something funny. Edward says it's stupid, and then shows Emmett "brotherly love". I think it's code for something. Dad just smiles at me when that happens and says it's how brother's act with each other. I'm still not sure.
I sat on the piano bench waiting for Edward to come get me, I usually don't have to wait at all. He's waiting right outside the door for me to finish, but maybe he's talking to that man again. The man that's making Edward keep secrets from me. Edward whose my bestest friend in the whole wide world. Edward shouldn't keep secrets from me. That's not what bestest friends do. I wouldn't dream about keeping something from Edward.

"Bella could you come in here for a few minutes there's someone I want you to meet," I heard Edward call for me.

Maybe he wants me to meet the man from the store. I got excited and ran into the living room, "Who is it Edward?"

I took Edward's offered hand, and he waved at the the man from the store, "Bella this is Charles Swan. Mr. Swan, this is Bella."

Charlie POV

All I wanted when I went to the grocery store was to buy some frozen dinners, maybe talk a little with the cashier. I didn't expect I'd be meeting my baby girl again for the first time in twelve years. She looks all grown up now, a far cry from the crying baby Renee and I took home. Long brown hair, big brown eyes. Her eyes, which are a carbon copy of my own. All these indicators which scream she's my child. Whereas walking into the Cullen's home, screams she's theirs. All the pictures on the wall, with all these people I'd never even heard of. Edward's right, she belongs with the Cullens.

Though I'd still have the new Chief of Police here in Forks check these Cullen people, not that I won't be doing some researching myself. They seem a little strange. Why would Edward Cullen, a boy, be speaking for Esme and Carlisle. It makes no kind of sense.

"Yes, now how about you meet your daughter Charlie," I gave a weak little nod, "Bella could you come in here a few minutes there's someone I want you to meet."

I heard Bella reply, "Who is it, Edward?" I took a deep breath.

Edward held out his hand which Bella immediately took, "Bella this is Charles Swan. Mr. Swan this is Bella."

I smiled at her all friendly like, and she gave a smile and said, "Hello Mr. Swan I'm Bella."

"Why hello there Bella, my name is Charles Swan. You can call me Charlie."

"Okay Mr. Charlie."

"If you'll follow me into the sitting room, we'll leave you two to talk privately," Mrs. Cullen said.

Esme Cullen led us down a hall into a wide open room. There was a couch, a couple of chairs, a piano, and a bookshelf filled with books. Bella sat in the chair, and I sat in the couch beside her. Esme left the room, and I was suddenly alone with Bella. All I wanted to do was snatch her up and take her home with me where I wanted her to be. I knew though, that she belonged here, with the Cullen's just by looking at the pictures on the wall.

"So Bella tell me about yourself," I said finally. I've spent twelve years picturing this moment. That was the best I could come up with. I was so disappointed in myself.

"Well, I'm twelve years old. I play piano, and I'm homeschooled. My favorite color is...bronze I think. It's the color of a shiny penny. I like playing video games with Emmett, but I don't like shopping. Reading's my favorite thing to do, and I'm advanced for my age."

Over the course of the hour I learned a lot of things about Bella, things that probably would have changed had she been raised by Renee or I. I don't want this to turn into a civil case, a he said she said type of thing. Bella needs stability and I can see that the Cullens provide that, along with a multitude of other things. The most important thing about I learned about Bella, was that she loved the Cullen. I wasn't going to force her to come with me. I would just have to come and visit her. With that last thought I smiled, and said my goodbyes to my daughter and the rest of the Cullen family.

EPOV
I was ecstatic. I didn't have to force Charlie's mind to choose not to have a civil case. My angel was staying with me, like I've always known she would be.

Author's Note: How's that? I feel like my writing skills are a little rusty. Please read and review.