EPOV

Up until a few mornings ago, I would sleep like the dead. I've even slept through my alarm going off.

Now I wake up within minutes of Bella crawling out bed. It was as if I sensed her gone from my side.

I glanced around, making sure she wasn't here, even though I knew she wasn't. I could hear the faint strains of music coming from the living room, and the occasional sound of her slightly off key humming accompanying the song.

I groaned and fell back against the pillows, staring at the ceiling. Six o'clock in the morning and I was wide-awake on my day off.

I pushed back the covers, hesitating for a moment before rising from the bed.

Making my way into the living I discovered Bella sitting Indian-style on the sofa, a blanket across her lap, eating a bowl of cereal, with just the glow of the TV watching music videos.

That explains the off key humming.

I was grinning like a fool, but frankly I just didn't care. Life was good.

"I didn't wake you did I?" she asked looking up at me as I walked over to her.

I considered it for a moment then shook my head, "No, I woke up on my own."

"Are you sure?" she said.

"You didn't wake me." Sitting down next to her, "I was thinking, if you don't care, I could take you to work."

"Why?" giving me a skeptical look. She was looking for an ulterior motive.

"Because I'm awake." Sliding my hand under the blanket, I leaned in and kissed the side of her neck. "And I want to."

Even though it was a trivial request, I was still relieved when she agreed.

"I'd like that."

After dropping Bella off at the hospital, I made my way towards downtown.

I hadn't told her but I had a voicemail this morning from someone asking me to meet them.

Pulling up in front of the building, I hoped that his SUV wasn't there.

No such luck.

I might as well get this over with.

I stepped into the one building in Forks that I strived to stay out of, the police station.

"Can I help you?" was asked by one of Forks finest, who must have been a hundred years old.

"Is Chief Swan in?"

"He's having breakfast at the coffee shop." Looking at clock on the wall he added, "He should be here any minute."

"If you don't mind, I would like to wait here for him."

"Make yourself at home. I'm getting ready to head out. You can wait out here or in Charlie's office," he replied.

Coming around the counter scrutinizing me, he inquired, "You're Doc Cullen's youngest boy. Edward isn't it?"

Shaking his hand that he had offered me, "Yes sir."

"Charlie said you followed in your Dad's footsteps and became a doctor. He said you were a pretty smart cookie to get through both college and medical school as fast as you did. He's proud of you."

Did he just say what I think he said? "That's correct. I graduated from medical school in June."

"Growing up, you were never in any trouble. I don't think I even wrote a speeding ticket for you."

"No you didn't."

"I guess being Bella's beau you needed to stay under the radar so to speak with her Dad being the police chief."

This had to be one of the strangest conversations I had ever had. "Something like that."

Pointing towards the corner office he said, "Your brother was a permanent fixture in there until he went off to college."

Laughing I asked, "Really?"

Emmett had skeletons in his closet. Having something on him could workout to my benefit if I needed it.

Shaking his head, "We had it on strictest orders to bring him and that La Push boy that he ran around with in and call Charlie. Charlie would just lecture them and let them off with a verbal warning."

He must have sensed I was trying to figure out why Emmett was in here so often because he added, "It wasn't anything bad. They both just had a penchant for driving too fast."

Still shaking his head he said, "We never could figure out how your brother was drag racing that Jeep. I had never seen anything like it in all of my years. Normally they are geared like a tank but not his. He would race anyone off of the line at a stop light."

A comment Emmett made when he found out Bella was pregnant popped into my head; little brother, thanks to you knocking up Bella, my most wanted poster was just replaced by yours in Chief Swan's office.

Before I could reply, he was already at the door when he said, "I worked third shift last night so I'm leaving. Charlie should be here anytime. It was nice seeing you Edward. Don't be a stranger."

Instead of sitting in the lobby, I decided that I would wait in Charlie's office.

Sitting in the chair in front of his desk, I noticed there was a picture frame.

I couldn't resist. I had to see the picture assuming it was one of Bella.

I was shocked at what I saw. The man continued to baffle me.

It was mine and Bella's senior prom picture. Why would he have that sitting on his desk after all of these years?

Sitting back down, I just couldn't wrap my mind around the idea that Charlie was proud of me becoming a doctor and him having that picture on his desk.

I didn't realize he was in his office until he spoke, "Edward, I'm glad you stopped by."

Standing up to greet him I extended my hand towards him, "Charlie."

"I'm sure you are wondering why I asked you to come by."

"It crossed my mind," I said.

"Obviously you and Bella are back together. Your car has been in her driveway four of the last five mornings when I've drove by checking on her."

That explains his impromptu visit Friday morning.

Keep comments short and don't sound defensive.

"We are." I replied. I'm sure those two words dripped with sarcasm.

"I'm glad."

Hotheaded Edward, who says the first thing that comes to mind without censorship was battling even-tempered Edward on how to reply.

"Glad we have your approval," I said.

Smart-ass Edward decided to make an appearance.

Luckily he didn't take offence. "I've made mistakes and I'll be the first to admit them. Raising Bella by myself was hard. When she came to me hurting, begging me to let her go off on her own, I did. I didn't know how to help her and her mother wasn't going to help, so I let her go. It was one of the hardest decisions I have ever made."

Taking a deep breath he added, "I should have taken your feelings into consideration and I didn't. I'm sorry."

I wasn't going to rehash the what ifs with him.

I was beyond that. I loved Bella and she loved me.

Considering our conversation over I stood up to leave, "I have Bella back in my life. That's all I ever wanted."

"I'm trusting you to take care of her."

Looking back at him as I left his office, "I will cherish her everyday."

AN: I want to thank everyone that has read and reviewed my story. I hit my all time high of 41 reviews with the last chapter.

Please review after reading - Annie