Romeo On and Off the Court
Chapter 26: Meeting the Commissioner
An official who is in charge of a major professional sport.
Edward
To say I was nervous as I drove toward Forks, toward Charlie, would be undeniable. I've met fathers before, but this time it was different. This time I was meeting my future father-in-law, not that Bella knew anything about what I saw in our future. We hadn't really talked much about on lives after college. She knew I wanted to go pro just like I knew she wanted to get a doctorate. We hadn't talked about marriage. About children. And yet, I wanted it all with Bella. I had already bought her a ring – diamonds and amethyst set in an 18k gold band. The universities' colors. I want a visual representation of where we met and fell in love. The ring was locked away in my parent's safe, waiting for me to suck it up and ask. It didn't matter that we had only known each other for five weeks. She was it for me. But first things first, I had to meet Bella's father and ask for his blessing. Then I had to reveal something huge to Bella. Something I should have divulged last week. I hoped when she found out, nothing between us would change.
My hands tensed on the steering wheel as I took a deep and cleansing breath, trying to dispel my unease about meeting Charlie and what I had to tell Bella. She was already in Forks, it being spring break and all. Coach was giving us until Monday evening, at ten, to relax before we started preparing to meet Virginia in Final Four. We had beat Houston by nine points to advance. It was a hard fought battle, and it had been close the whole game.
The ringing of my cell startled me. I looked over at the console and the radio. Bella, it read. I hit the end call button on my steering wheel, sending her to voicemail. She didn't know I was coming. Not answering her call was the hardest thing I had ever done where she was concerned. But I was afraid I would slip, ruining the surprise.
My cell rang again about two minutes later. And again, I glanced at the radio – Angela.
"Hello, Ang," I said.
"Why are you nearing Forks?"
Shit! I'd forgotten I shared my location with Angela. I ignored her question. "Don't tell Bella."
She snorted. "She doesn't know you're coming." She paused a moment. "Wait, don't you have a game coming up?"
I chuckled. "Yes, Coach Grouch is giving us until ten Monday night to relax. He knows where I'm heading."
"Okay, I won't tell her. If you want to get a talk in with Charlie, stop by the station. He's on duty tonight, and it might be your only chance."
"Thanks," I said, making the turn and parking near the door of the station. "Any advice?"
"Be your honest self."
~~ Romeo On and Off the Court ~~
Slipping out of the car, I swiped my hands down the front of my jeans. My eyes closed and I pictured myself on the hardwood facing a tough opponent. The image calmed me a little, but not completely. With my eyes still shut, I imagined Bella was in my arms, whispering to me like I had the night before she met my parents. I recalled what I had told her. There was no need to worry.
I knew Bella had talked to Charlie about me before she accepted the tickets. Understood his role in getting her to give me a chance. For some reason, his early approval of me calmed me down more than picturing myself playing basketball or being with Bella.
Opening my eyes, I walked with confidence to the door. A bell jingled above my head. There was a computer on the left side of a long wooden counter. No one was sitting at it. A few desks sat behind it, and no one was at them either.
"Hello," I called out.
No answer. I glanced over my shoulder and out the door. A cruiser was sitting outside. And I didn't believe for a minute they would leave the station unlocked if no one was at the station.
"Sorry," a guffaw voice said from a side hall. "Alex must have stepped out."
The owner of the voice came into view, and I noticed it was Charlie.
I gulped as I took in the gun he was wearing. "Mr. Swan," I said.
A smile formed on his face before he chuckled. "Everyone in town calls me Charlie and that includes visitors."
Stupid, I knew that having been told by Bella it was what he preferred, like my parents.
"Does my daughter know your in town, Edward?"
I shook my head in surprise. He knew who I was without me having to introduce myself. "Not yet, Charlie. I wanted to meet you first without Bella. Give us a chance to have a man-to-man talk."
Charlie eyed me up and down, before nodding. "Come on around. We can talk in my office."
~~ Romeo On and Off the Court ~~
Charlie's office wasn't what I expected. It was tidy and there were framed pictures of Bella on a cabinet behind the desk. There was even one of her and I together. More proof of his acceptance.
"So, Edward," he said, motioning to a chair in front of his desk. "What do you want to talk about?"
He angled the chair next to the one he pointed to and I did the same, not at all surprised he didn't round the desk. Letting out a breath, I jokingly said, "You don't want to read me the riot act."
"Do I need to?"
"No, Charlie. You don't. I would never disrespect Bella. Never push her. I love you too much."
He sat back, a smile on his face. "I know."
What? I was confused. "Huh?"
"Bella and I talk regularly. I've asked her. She has said almost the same things. She's also told me about how you came running when the flyer incident happened. How you took her back to your place and held her all night. If you didn't love her, even then, you would have never ran to her rescue." He raised his right hand and rubbed his chin. "Can't say I liked hearing she stayed with you."
I nodded. "I had planned on sleeping on the couch that night. She asked me to stay, so retrieved another blanket."
We sat in silence for about two minutes. "So, what are your intentions?"
Well, if that wasn't an opening. Lifting my left hand, I massaged the back of my neck. "I want to marry Bella."
He started laughing. "That much is obvious," he said when he sobered.
Again, I was confused. "How is it obvious?"
He rubbed his chin once more. "You gave Leah sound advice on dating. Agreed to help Seth out. And, if you weren't in it for the long haul, you would be here with Bella not facing me alone."
I chuckled. "So, do I even need to ask?"
The phone on his desk rang, as did the other phones. I glanced at it, and it stopped ringing. I heard someone talking in the main office.
"No, you don't. You have my blessing. Just wish you two knew each other a little longer. But I was much like you, asked Renee, that's Bella's mom, to marry me after two months."
Bella
I was curled up on the couch, my cell pressed against my ear as I tried to reach Edward again. We hadn't talked long after last night's game. He sounded tired and I knew the team had an early flight, so I let him off the hook. For the second time, my call went to voicemail. I hung up without leaving a message.
As I was reaching for the remote, a knock came at the front door. I wasn't expecting anyone since both Angela and Jessica canceled on me. The rest of my friends from high school weren't on spring break this week. Sighing, I stood and walked toward the door. Not bothering to look out the window or peephole, I opened the door.
"For a smart girl, opening the door without asking who it is, is dangerous," Edward said.
I stared at him and blinked. "Wh-what are you doing here?"
He chuckled as he drew me into his arms. Leaning down, he captured my lips in a tender kiss.
"Coach gave us a little time to relax. I'm only here for the night and have to head back around four tomorrow afternoon."
"Dad has to work and Sue and her kids are away for the week."
He chuckled again, pushing me inside. "I've got a little confession."
I looked up at him as he pushed the door shut with his foot. "Okay."
"I stopped by the station and talked to your dad."
Edward tightened his arms when I tried to step out of his embrace. "You didn't?"
He nodded. "I did, sweetheart. Angela knew I was on my way and suggested I stop."
That explained her canceling on me. She probably told Jessica, too.
"You really are brave," I said, reaching up to cup his cheek.