Hey everyone! Sorry that it's taken me so long to update this time. Everything has been crazy lately. But I hope this chapter makes up for it. Let me know what you think! REVIEW! Thanks to all the amazing people that have reviewed so far. I love you guys. Anyways...on with the story!

Chapter Eighteen: Celebration

I took a deep breath as I stood outside the rehab clinic. This conversation had been a long time coming, and I knew I should have been prepared for it, but I wasn't. However I knew that it had to be done, so that's why I'm standing outside the rehab center, trying to find the courage to go inside.

Charlie had tried to have this conversation many times, but I had always avoided it. I didn't want to ruin any of the progress he had been making, but it had to happen sooner or later. Ignorance may be bliss, but dragging the ignorance out is a pain in the ass.

So after a few minutes, I got the courage up and walked inside the building. This was honestly going to be harder than the first time I went to see him after he was admitted.

The nurse at the front desk smiled at me and buzzed me through. They knew who I was by now and who I was coming to see.

I walked down the hallway, smiling at a few of the nurses I recognized as well as a few of the patients that I had met in my time with Charlie. But I was anxious to get to Charlie's room so I could get this conversation over with, so all my smiles were forced.

When I finally got to his room, I was pleasantly surprised to find one of my favorite nurses in his room. Her name was Sue Clearwater. She was always nice to my father and I, and because of her, I always felt a little less guilty leaving my dad to go back home.

"Hello there, Bella!" Sue said with a smile the same time my dad said "Hey squirt."

"Hey guys. How's he doing, Sue?" I asked as I sat down in my normal seat.

She smiled. "He's doing really well since last time you were here. He's been positive no matter what. We're very proud of him." She smiled at him and I watched as my dad blushed.

"Good to know." I said with a smile.

She smiled at me again. "Well, I'll leave you two alone. If you need me, I'm only a call away." After one more sue like smile, she breezed out of the room.

Then it was just me and Charlie. My nerves started going full force again as I looked him over.

He had more color to his skin now and he looked happier. He was smiling at me from his place on his bed. Today, he was wearing a loose fit gray shirt along with some black shorts. He looked much more comfortable today than he had in the past.

"What's up kiddo?" He asked as he sat up and threw his feet off the side of the bed.

"I just…I had to talk to you about something if that's ok. I mean, if you have something to do, I can just come back later."

He shook his head as he grabbed the little plastic table that was in his room and brought it over to where I sat along with a chair. He sat down on the opposite side of the table and smiled.

"I always have time to talk to you. Tell me what's up." He said. I couldn't help but notice the stark contrast between the way he regarded me now to the way he did just a week or so ago.

I sighed and decided to cut right to the chase. "Did you know that mom is home?" I asked quietly.

Charlie froze and looked at me, disbelief clear in his eyes. "Excuse me?" He asked, his voice horse.

"Renee came home yesterday." I repeated.

"Are you sure it was her?" He asked. "It's been…a long time."

I laughed sarcastically. "Dad, the woman was standing in the living room of your house. She has my eyes, bites her lip like I do…and I was old enough to remember what she looked like when she walked out."

He sighed. "Of course. Sorry. I'm just…I'm in shock. I haven't even spoken to her since that day…"

I sighed.

"What does she want?" He asked, not meeting my eyes.

I rolled my eyes. "Apparently, she wanted to help me. I guess she's been keeping tabs over the years and found out about…everything."

I watched as his eyes narrowed. "The bastard…" He began, but then he trailed off.

"Dad?" I began. "Look at me."

He finally met my eyes and sighed a defeated sight.

"Do you know who she has been contacting since she left?"

He studied me for a long moment before he answered. "Yes…well, I assume I do at least."

I bit my lip. "Do you think it's David Monroe?" I asked.

A look of pure hatred entered Charlie's eyes. "You know about him?" he asked, his voice like steal.

I nodded. "When I had my encounter with Renee, I asked her who the other man was. She told me."

He sighed. "Then yes. That's who I assume she has been keeping up with since she left. I don't know if you remember him Bella, but he was a–"

"You've missed a lot dad." I interrupted quietly. "I do remember David Monroe. But for the past few years he's been Mr. Monroe to me. He's my chemistry teacher. I had him for physics last year. I know Mr. Monroe quite well."

"Why didn't you tell me?" He demanded. But after a moment, a look of shame came over his face.

"You weren't exactly available dad." I said quietly. This time, it was my turn to avoid eye contact.

It was quiet in the room as we sat there. Like I said, this conversation had been a long time coming. Even though he had apologized in his note, that didn't change the past. And it didn't change the fact that I had a lot of things that I wanted to say to him. So I took a deep breath and began to speak.

"That day in fifth grade when I came home from school…I was just as upset and hurt as you were dad. Imagine that situation through the mind of a little girl. My mommy didn't want me. She called me "the kid." She couldn't even find it in her to call me by my name…or send me a letter a few years down the road to explain what had happened. And I needed someone dad. I needed a parent. But you weren't there for me. And I don't blame you for being upset. I understand that you were just as devastated as I was. But we could have gotten through it together. I had no one, dad. The only person I ever had was myself. And that wasn't fair. All I ever wanted was for you to hold me and explain what was going on. But I had to figure it out and deal with it by myself."

Charlie never interrupted me as I spoke. He listened with a sad look on his face, but it was also understanding. And I realized that he already knew all of this. But I also knew that he understood that I had to say it, that I had to get it all out.

"And I'm very sorry if I did hurt your feelings with how much time I was spending with the Cullen's. But they were the only people who ever made me feel like I had a family. Like I belonged somewhere. I needed that so badly for the longest time, and the Cullen's gave it to me."

I was surprised to find that I wasn't full out crying by this point. I was tearing up, but I wasn't crying.

Once I finished with my little rant, I finally made full out eye contact with Charlie.

"I know Bella. I had no right to be upset with you for spending time with the Cullen family. You needed a family and I never gave you one. You have nothing to apologize for. Everything you said that day was entirely true. And even though I didn't want to believe it, I knew you were right. It was what I needed, the motivation I needed to make myself find help. And the Cullen's are great people. I'll admit that I wanted to knock off Dr. Cullen's head the first day he came to see me, but the next time he stopped b y I realized he was right. I needed help. So never regret what happened that day because you did the right thing. And I know that it will never be enough, but I want you to know that I'm so sorry. I will never be able to forgive myself for what I put you through and I don't expect you to either."

I reached my hand out over the table and rested my hand on top of my fathers. "I forgive you." I said simply. And I meant it.

And then I watched as tears started streaking out of my father's eyes and down his face.

"Thank you." He said earnestly.

I smiled at him and he smiled back.

I didn't want to ruin the heartwarming moment, but I still had a few things to ask him.

"Okay, I have a few more questions." He nodded for me to continue, the look of peace still on his face. "Did you know where Renee went after she left?" I asked.

He shook his head. "No. If I had known I would have chased after her and tried to talk some sense into her."

I sighed. "I know where she went." He nodded for me to go on. "She stayed at the bastard's house."

"Of course she did." He mumbled. He didn't look surprised, but he did look hurt. "What else do you want to know? I'll tell you anything."

I sighed. "That's all I really wanted to know for now." I said with a shrug. "But thanks for being honest with me, dad. That's what I really needed."

He smiled as I stood up. He stood up with me and for the first time in what seemed like forever, I hugged my daddy. It was slightly awkward because Charlie had never been good at showing emotion, but I could feel the love behind it. He was my dad again, even though he was in a very fragile state.

I smiled at him once more as he released me and turned to the door. I was halfway out when Charlie said "Bella?"

I turned to him. "Yeah?"

"Happy belated birthday." He said with a smile.

I smiled back, slightly stunned. "Thanks dad." I said. And then I turned and walked out.

I was quite surprised that he remembered seeing as even Edward and Alice forgot about it with what was going on lately. I barely remembered it myself. The only thing that was given to me was a book and a cupcake with a candle at 7pm after Edward realized his mistake. Alice promised repeatedly that she would throw me a proper party once everything calmed down, but I didn't need one. The cupcake and the book were very sweet and just perfect for me.

As I walked out of the rehab center and into the crisp air of October, I sighed, feeling a lot lighter. Even though I still had my mother to worry about, Charlie and I had said what we needed to say for now and I felt much better about myself. I walked over to my truck-which I had finally gotten fixed but hadn't had much chance to drive-and jumped in, ready to go home and enjoy a relaxing evening lounging around the house.

When I pulled into the Cullen's drive way, I noticed that there were a few more cars than normal. I recognized the massive Jeep as Emmett's car so I knew that must mean the other two cars were Rosalie's and Jasper's.

But when I walked inside the house and noticed everything was eerily quiet. Did they all go out to dinner and decide that they just wanted their actual family? I looked around to see if there was a note anywhere, but I saw nothing. I shrugged, feeling slightly alone, but I figured it wasn't right to. They weren't my biological family and they had a right to go out by themselves.

I was startled when a light in the living room flicked on, causing me to shriek.

"Surprise!" Everyone called out, making me jump once again.

I looked over into the living room to see the entire family standing in a clump in the center of it, smiling widely at me.

I looked around the room and saw a smile pile of gifts in the corner along with a cake sitting on a nearby table.

"Guys, my birthday was a few weeks ago." I said as I smiled at them. I couldn't not smile.

Edward smiled and walked up to me, pulling me to his chest. "Well, we figured you deserved a night just for you. So this is it. Happy birthday." He kissed the top of my head.

I pulled back slightly and smiled at him. "Thank you."

He smiled back and kissed me lightly on the lips this time, making me blush.

"So for dinner," he began as he led me towards his family, "we're having pizza, the traditional food for a birthday party. And then for desert we will gorge ourselves on cake and ice cream. We will eat both while watching a movie of your choice. But before that, we must open presents." He pushed me down on the couch while everyone grabbed a present and brought them over to me.

Emmett smiled, pushing his way through the rest of the family to hand me his gift.

"You're going to love this, Bella." He said with a huge smile.

I smiled back as I reached up and took the gift, wondering what it could be. I carefully tore off the wrapping paper (that just happened to be covered in Christmas Bells, which I was sure was on purpose) and smiled once I saw what lay underneath it. There were a stack of CDs of bands that I had mentioned I enjoyed. I was surprised to see that he remembered any of them. They were all new CDs from the bands, most of them having been recently released in the last month.

"Thank you so much, Emmett. This is awesome!" I said with a smile.

"I knew she'd like it." Emmett said with a smug smile.

Rosalie handed me a small package wrapped in a light blue wrapping paper. I smiled at her as I opened the package. Inside the box, there was a beautiful dark green sweater. The sleeves were long and looked like they would cover up most of my hands. It had a lower v-neck then I would normally wear, but I figured I could just wear an undershirt. It had a different stitch where the bust was supposed to end and it flared out slightly at the bottom.

"This is so nice, Rose. Thank you." I gave her a genuine smile which she returned.

"Your welcome, Bella."

The next person to hand over a present was Jasper. His was wrapped in a shiny white wrapping paper and I could already tell by the shape what his gift was.

I opened eagerly and smiled at the stack of books Jasper had given me. It was a series I had been dying to read but I hadn't had the money to buy it. I don't know how Jasper knew I would love it, but he must have known.

"I've been waiting to read these for the longest time! Thank you, Jasper."

He smiled. "I'm glad you like it."

Carlisle and Esme handed me a square shaped box next wrapped in paper that had little birthday cakes and balloons all over it. It was quite large, but I couldn't figure out what they could have possibly gotten me.

I couldn't help the excitement that covered up the guilt I had when I saw the word "Dell" written across the box after I tore the paper off.

I looked up at them with wide eyes. "No way." I said, smiling.

Carlisle smiled. "We figured you could use one. Your senior year is important, and you are going to need one for next year at college."

"I don't know if I can accept this." I said, letting the guilt over cloud my excitement. "This must have been expensive."

Esme shook her head. "I don't want to hear that. You deserve this, Bella. Let yourself have a little fun and excitement. Enjoy it." She said with a warm smile.

I smiled widely at her and stood up, hugging both of them tightly. "Thank you both so much."

They both smiled and nodded, shrugging it off like it wasn't a big deal.

Alice bounded over to me as soon as my butt was back on the couch. "Open mine next!" She said with her contagious enthusiasm.

She put her gift in my lap. It was a small box that was wrapped in bright pink wrapping paper.

"It's no laptop, and it's pretty corny, but I thought you would like it."

I smiled at her. "I'm sure I'll like it, Alice."

And that wasn't a lie. The box had the words "Tiffany & Co." across the top, letting me know that it was still expensive.

I carefully took the lid off the box to reveal a bracelet with a heart charm on the end of it. And on the heart, it had BFF written near the top and Bella written near the bottom. I was slightly awe struck as I held it up.

I smiled over at Alice as she smiled at me, holding up her wrist to show an identical bracelet hanging from hers. The only difference was that it said Alice instead of Bella.

"Alice this is so sweet." I said quietly, smiling at her. "I love it." I held my wrist out and she helped me attach the bracelet. I smiled as it glittered on my wrist.

"My turn." Edward said as he stepped up next to me and sat down beside me.

"No. You already got me a present, Edward. Remember the book you bought me on my birthday?"

He shrugged. "I don't care. I wanted to get this for you, and you can't complain about gifts on your birthday." He said resolutely.

I sighed and rolled my eyes at him, but held my hands out, waiting to accept his gift.

He placed a small package in my hand. It was slightly longer then the box the bracelet had come in but it felt different.

Underneath the wrapping paper was a brand new Ipod touch. I gasped.

"This is…awesome." I finished lamely. I had honestly wanted an Ipod for a while, but I had never saw it as a necessity.

"I thought you could use it for all the CDs Emmett got you." He said jokingly with a smile.

I smiled back at him. "Thank you. All of you. This is the best birthday I've ever had." I said honestly.

Edward put his arm around me and kissed my head once again.

"Okay." Alice said. "Mom, go get the plates. Dad, go get the pizza. Emmett, help dad by carrying the wings. Jasper, get the beverages. Rosalie, Edward, and I will stay here with Bella and pick out a movie." Alice had entered boss mode. She'd be a good party planner one day.

"Okay Bella. What movie will it be?" She asked as she laid out about 6 different DVDs. But by the time she laid the third one down, my decision was already made.

"That one." I said, pointing.

She smiled. "Beauty and the Beast it is."

Well I hope you enjoyed the chapter. I'll try to update again very soon. REVIEW! It gives me the energy to write more! :)