35

EPOV

"I was so scared when he finally looked up at me..", Bella's voice said, sounding very far away, "He walked across the gym floor and I couldn't breathe. I almost passed out from lack of oxygen by the time he made it over to me. And he asked me to dance with him."

Bella sighed and that's when I felt her fingers stroking mine. Slowly…my fingers began to feel like mine again. Flesh…bone…muscle…air…warmth…sound….it was all coming back.

I'm alive…even better than that…Bella is touching me…talking to me…with me.

What is she talking about? Her first dance? Does she think jealousy will bring me out of it? Well, it is working, isn't it?

Inside, I smiled, wanting to hear more. I wished I could've been the first boy to ask her to dance. Even though that boy is probably still feeling the pain in his toes somewhere, cursing Bella's name. I wanted to be her everything.

Then she gasped and I heard her more clearly, saying, "Em!! He's smiling!"

"He's waking up?", Emmett's voice was loud and strong, making me feel even safer. Then a second later, I wished he weren't right here with us. I wanted to be alone with my Bella.

"Edward?", she whispered, making her voice softer and more delicate, "Baby…it's alright. We're all here. You're alright. Can you try to open your eyes, sweetheart?"

Can I? If she wanted it, I would stop time.

My eyes were heavy but I did manage to blink them open, and a blurry Bella face was hovering above me.

I heard her laugh, in relief, and I could make out that she was smiling, her little white teeth coming into focus now.

I couldn't help the slow smile that came back to life as her details sharpened. I could make out every hair in her head, her eyelashes…the light brown circle in her eyes that laid inside a darker brown edge…she never looked more beautiful to me than right now.

"Hi baby…", her voice nearly mewed this and I saw tears lining the bottoms of her eyes. Her hands were holding both of mine now, securely, lovingly, telling me that I was in good hands, that I was with people who loved me.

Does my voice work? Let me see.

With a small clear of my throat, I squinted and tried it.

"Hi.", I so eloquently began.

Bella laughed again and I heard Emmett give a warm chuckle, too. Then Bella was crying.

No, none of that. Crying was in our past now. Laughter…that's our new sound. I tried to think of something that would make her stop crying.

"Who are YOU?", I smiled, innocently and both Bella and Emmett gasped, their mouths hitting the floor.

Then I laughed. I laughed as if it had been a thousand years since I'd tried it. And I watched both of their faces as they realized…Emmett smiled.

But…Bella didn't.

"That's NOT funny, Edward Thumper Cullen!", she almost went to slap my arm or something but halted herself, not wanting to assault me while I was still in my hospital bed.

"Oh, come on, Bella…", I smiled a little less proudly, "It was very funny."

"Edward has a sick sense of humor.", Emmett agreed, "I thought you knew about that already, Bella."

"No.", she said, then thought about it, "Well…maybe. There was the one time I almost went to school in my robe! And he almost let me do it without telling me!"

I laughed again, thinking about that day and the look on her face…

"Oh God, Emmett!", I giggled, "It was a Care Bear bathrobe!"

He started laughing with me as Bella frowned more, not enjoying us at the moment.

"I can't believe I actually prayed for you to wake up.", Bella grumbled and almost got up off my bed. She was sitting there, beside me. Emmett grabbed her by the arms and sat her back down in place and stood himself up.

"I'm gonna go check out some nurses.", Emmett was backing out of the room, I was sure to let me have some alone time with Bella.

"See you later, ugly.", Emmett pointed at me, with his usual smirk as I grinned back at him like an idiot, "Bella, catch you in a few."

He was gone and I knew I had some apologizing to do.

I squeezed her little hands in mine and smiled more, unable to stop it, and said, "I'm sorry, Bella. You were crying. I hate that. I just wanted to make you laugh."

She looked down at our hands and melted, smiling as I wanted her to now.

"Yea…", I purred in approval, "That's how I love seeing your face. You have the most perfect smile. Well…you and Katie…"

Then, a sudden fear rose up inside of me. Victoria….Katie…James…

"Bella!", I suddenly tensed and was grabbing her hard, her face staring back at me in shock, "Katie! Where is she?! Is she alright?! Someone has to warn them – to get out of the house! How long have I been out? You have to call Florida for me now!"

"Edward, Edward…shhhhh…shhhhh….", Bella was stroking my face as I quieted a little, "They're out of the house. The police in Florida have them all at a safe house now. It's a nice place, Ben told me. I called them on your cell. They're fine. Katie is fine."

I felt all the air rush out of my chest then…I relaxed and let my clutching fingers loosen from around Bella's arms. And I felt tears in my eyes.

"Shhhh….", she kept stroking my face with both her hands as I closed my eyes, slowly calming down, "Nothing is going to happen to her, Edward, I promise. She is safe. She's not even afraid. Ben even said they would take her to DisneyWorld today or tomorrow."

"Victoria said...if I ever left, they'd…they'd get her…", I hated how weak I sounded but even though Victoria was gone, her family wasn't. For years, threats of harm coming to Katie kept me at Victoria's side. And it still scared the shit out of me.

"No.", Bella put her forehead to mine, "Those were lies, Edward. Lies to keep you her slave. She knew where your heart was. And she used that. No one is going after Katie. No one will hurt her. You'll be with her again…very soon. Don't be afraid, Edward."

Don't be afraid. I didn't know how to do that. Would I ever feel safe? Wouldn't I, even if I was living with Katie, hate it every time she went out to play, every time she goes to a friend's house, every time she goes to school…I'd be afraid, staring out the doorway until she came back. And if she were ever late getting home? Christ! I'd lose my mind.

Victoria's gone. But the fear isn't. The threat isn't. The danger isn't. Her family will want revenge. James will want revenge. He could make a phone call from prison and men would be after us. It was then that I realized I couldn't go to Florida. We can't live there. We have to run. We have to live somewhere else. Somewhere no one could trace us. Mars didn't seem like it was far away enough for me at this point.

'Just rest now, okay?", Bella's voice asked gently, moving the blanket up around my neck, "Everything will be alright."

"The only time I ever felt safe was when I was doing what Victoria wanted.", I confessed, "I knew then that she wouldn't hurt Katie."

"That life is over now, Edward.", she stated firmly, looking me right in the eye, her hand holding my chin, "It's just over. Don't look back right now. We'll talk about it. But not until you're better…and out of here. I mean, you're going to have to look back there again and again so you'll heal. We will talk about it, all the time. To not talk about it is to repress it and that then it'll never go away. But today, I want you to relax."

I let out a breath and already I felt stronger. Bella always gave me new faith and air so I could keep on going, when I thought it was impossible a moment ago.

Then I thought to ask it.

"How's Charlie?", I asked, still worrying. I had a feeling of total dread that she'd tell me he died or something. I studied her face closely as she answered me.

Sadness. Pain.

"He's alright.", she answered curtly, trying to smile a little, "He's going to be fine."

"Don't, Bella.", I held her hand, "Tell me."

She stiffened and cleared her throat. She didn't cry, though. She held it back.

"He…he…lost his leg.", she said quickly, "He landed on it when he fell. It was completely shattered, the doctor said."

I felt like all the air had been sucked out of my body. I pictured Charlie without his leg and it physically hurt me inside.

So much for resting today.

"And before you start, Edward," Bella looked at me, raw bravery in her eyes, "This is no one's fault but Victoria's. I was blaming myself, too, until Emmett pointed some things out to me. First, Charlie is and always will be…a cop. He knows everyday that he risks his life for others. He wanted to help you…and me. He knew there were dangers. He saved your life and Emmett's…and mine, too. I know he wouldn't regret anything he did last night. So you're not allowed to, either. Guilt kills, Edward. Let Dr. Bella tell you, it's a useless emotion that can cripple you. So we're not even going to go there. Got it?"

I didn't answer for a moment but looked down at her hand holding mine, the IV needle and tape staring back at me.

"Got it, Cullen?", she jerked my face up so I was looking at her again.

"Got it.", I said solemnly, wishing I were as tough as she was.

Maybe, in time, after lots of therapy, I could be like Bella. Or maybe not. But I would try my best to be worthy of this woman. And Katie.

I almost wanted to have a session right then with Dr. Bella, but didn't think she was up for it right now. She looked tired and sad…and I knew she'd been through Hell in the last ten hours. She needed to rest more than I did.

I moved myself over in my bed and opened the blanket to her. I needed to take care of her now, just as she had always taken care of me. She needed me now.

"Come here, Bambi.", I whispered, peeking down at myself, hoping I wasn't still wearing my leather thong. I wasn't. I was naked beneath the hospital gown and I don't think it was tied in back, either. I didn't care. I always slept nude, anyway. I almost moved to take the gown off myself but didn't think it was right at the moment to snuggle up against her naked. I didn't want her to think this was a sexual thing. I wanted to comfort her. I wanted to hold her and kiss her until she fell asleep in my arms. I had waited for so long to hold her like this again. Three whole days. It's a lifetime without Bella.

I actually got a little smile then. And she crawled up into the bed with me.

She let out a ragged breath as she snuggled into me, my hand curling the nice soft blanket around her shoulder. My arms both brought her closer to me and I stroked her hair, laying her head down against my chest, making sure to avoid the bandages they had wrapped me in.

"Mmmmm…" I laid my chin on her head, half laying on the pillow, too. The smell of her hair was still a faint strawberry, "I missed this…so much. I don't ever want to sleep without you again."

"I can't sleep without you.", she answered, "I haven't really slept since you left."

"Awww…", I felt a tiny pain deep inside and I held her tighter, kissing her hair, "Well I'm here now. Let's sleep."

She sighed, content for now.

I couldn't see her face but I was guessing she wasn't going to do this without a fight.

"One thing.", I said, slipping my arm out of my hospital gown, "I sleep naked, always. Got a problem with that?"

I carefully moved the gown off my hurt arm as Bella helped me and she giggled, tossing it over her shoulder.

"Absolutely not.", she replied without a bit of hesitation. In fact, there was a little sexiness in her smirk.

I thought maybe Bella would get naked, too, like she did in her apartment that first night, but she didn't. I was glad. I didn't mean for anything to happen here in the hospital bed, but I hated the stink of the hospital gown. And, even though I hated to admit it, I was used to sleeping in the nude. Maybe, someday, I'd be used to nice pajamas.

Stay down, Frankencock. Not now. And he listened to me! For once, he stayed down. Good boy!

"Close your eyes.", I said quietly, my fingers stroking over her eyelids as she obeyed me.

"I don't stink, do I?", I asked, hoping I didn't have that hospital odor.

She laughed, giving me the best prize I could've asked for.

"No, you smell great.", she kissed my throat, "Even in the hospital clothes, you smelled great. How do you do that?"

"Pure magic.", I chuckled, "Now hush. Time to sleep."

I smiled, feeling so alive and complete now that I was holding her again. This felt so right, so wonderful. I swore I'd never let her go again. Even if she wanted to go, I would always be with her. In any way I could be. Even if that means stalking her wherever she decides to go.

God, I need therapy.

A moment or two had passed and I closed my eyes, just listening to her breathe. Her hot little exhaled air kept tickling my lower neck but that just made me feel more peaceful…more at ease. Bella is with me. In my arms.

It's then that I finally realized it.

I never have to dance in a cage again. I never have to deliver a pizza again. (At least not with the knowledge that I'd be raped by my customer.) I never have to be tied up again, or gagged. Unless, of course, Bella wants to play with me. I wouldn't mind that. But then I doubted Bella would ever want to do that to me, her being as kind and sensitive as she is.

"I love you.", she whispered, kissing my neck and snuggling her face into it. I loved the feel of her on my skin.

Without a word, I decided I had to kiss her. I wanted those lips. I cupped under her chin with my finger and lifted her mouth to mine, placing a very soft, wet kiss there. I didn't make it too sexual. No tongues. This was a kiss that would say I love you. Then my voice decided to utter the words.

"I love you.", I responded, as naturally as breathing. I never felt such a certainty about anything else, besides loving my daughter with all I had…until now. I love Bella. I will always love Bella.

She cuddled into me again and my heart began to thump harder in my chest. We fit together so perfectly, like we were born together, as one and split apart, only to wander the earth in search of each other, to be one again.

"Sleep now.", I stroked her hair a little longer, hoping she'd listen and try to get some peace at last. Her eyes did look very exhausted, although lovely.

We laid like that for hours. The nurse didn't even try to come in and take her away from me and I was grateful. Maybe Lady Luck is finally liking me for once. Maybe she's ready to give me a chance and dance with me. Slow dance, please. I never want to grind my hips again. I don't dance that way anymore.

I tried to sleep as Bella was but every now and then questions would pop up into my head.

What am I going to do now? Be a cashier again? How am I going to explain the big 6 year gap in my employment history on a job interview? I'm 26 years old and I have no skills at all. Maybe I could be a waiter. I still wasn't sure what town we'd be moving to, so I couldn't really think of my job opportunites at the moment. It can't be some little town where there were no jobs to be found.

I finally did drift off to sleep after I made myself stop worrying for now. My shoulder, where the wound was, didn't hurt at all yet and I was glad the pain killers were still working. I'm glad they didn't make me all goofy, too. I didn't want to be acting all stupid while Bella was still hurting. I didn't want to be a burden to her, ever.

Then I thought of Charlie again. He'd be sure to hate me now. Almost as much as I hated myself for putting him into the whole situation in the first place.

Not that he loved me before last night's events. Would that mess things up between Bella and I? No. I decided not to let it. I would work extra hard to earn Charlie's friendship. I'd make him forgive me, somehow. I would carry him everywhere if it would make things alright between us.

Would he go back to Forks? Would he think of coming with us? If we did the witness protection thing, he and Bella could come with Katie, Ben, Angela and I to wherever they'd send us. He'd have to. I couldn't think of Bella leaving Charlie behind, and he'd never know where she was or be able to see or talk to her again. I can't let Bella lose her father because of me, too. She would resent me, in time. He would have to come with us.

Then I thought of Katherine and Joseph. And something inside me began to hurt some more. I just got back in contact with them. I couldn't just vanish now. I thought of myself telling them…that I'd never be able to see them again. Katherine…her heart would break. She'd never accept it. She wouldn't let me go. Knowing her, she'd rather load up with weapons and hunt every man in Victoria's family before she'd allow me to just disappear. Joseph had a very quiet way, Katherine's exact opposite. He would look sad and hug me, wishing me well, and that would hurt me just as much as Katherine's protests.

One thing is for sure. We're not out of the woods yet. But the wolf is dead. Now we just had to find our way out of the darkness. Good thing I have light. Bella is my light. With her, I knew I'd be alright.

We can do this. I can make this work. I swore with my whole heart that I would.

I felt Bella's leg curl over both of mine and it was like a drug had been shot into my IV. I felt a calming magic flowing through my veins….and again, I fell asleep, smiling…laying with my angel.

We will be okay. I know we will.

/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

BPOV

I was finally allowed to see Charlie. I don't know why but I was so afraid, entering his room. What would I say? Should I just hug him? Would he let me? What if he pushed me away?

Edward was fine at the moment. After our nap, I went and got him his cherry icee, which he went absolutely nuts over when I snuck it into his room. I got big hugs and kisses for that. I also brought him his nightshirt, the one I'd bought him when I changed Rule number one, along with his nice flannel pajama pants. As much as I loved his naked body, I didn't want the nurses gawking at him.

He is mine. No other eyes will ever see that stunning body of his again. Only mine.

He was so happy when I dressed him and put the straw to his lips, watching him suck up the thick, cold cherry juice. He is so easy to please. Giving him this icee today, he'd acted like I just gave him a new Ferrari. And it wasn't fake, either. He genuinely loved it. Any act of affection or kindness to him was rare and more precious than oxygen. I would make him get used to it. I promised to make his days full of these little I love yous that didn't have to be spoken with words.

My mouth fell open while he sucked harder. I could watch that all day.

God, I need help.

I knocked on the door very timidly and after a little pause, I heard his gruff voice.

"Come in.", Charlie said, no pleasure at all in his tone.

I swallowed, took a breath and forced my hand to pull open the door, stepping in.

I stood there, as if I were a stranger. I noticed just as I entered, Charlie tossed a white pillow over his leg…or…where his leg should've been. I was afraid to look there so I didn't, right now. Then I felt bad for not being stronger for him. He needed me, too, now.

I looked at my father's face instead of his legs and I saw a look of shame and almost embarrassment there. I didn't understand that. He had no reason to be ashamed. That's supposed to be my face now, not his.

I thought he'd look angry or hate me and that I'd see that in his eyes. Instead he softened his gaze and gave me a little smile.

"Hi Bells.", he said, the affection and care still in his voice as he greeted me.

I burst out, crying, and I ran to him, throwing my arms around his neck, my tears already wetting his green hospital gown. His face was stubbly but I didn't care. I just sobbed and clung to him…and his arms hugged me back, his mouth placing a single kiss on my head.

"Come on, now.", he finally said, his voice low and deep as he quickly rubbed my back, "None of that stuff, now. I'm fine. Turn off the water works."

That's Charlie all over. He hates attention. And he hates when I cry, too, just like Edward.

I straightened up, standing at his side, the tears all over my face as I wiped them, using my sweatshirt sleeve to dry my eyes.

He sighed.

"Shit happens.", he said with a tone of finality, "Serves me right for wishing I could have some action. Careful what you wish for, I guess."

My voice cracked more than once and it was high pitched, like a five year old's.

"I'm so sorry, Daddy.", I blubbered, just like a naughty kid. Then I sobbed some more as Charlie rolled his eyes.

"Hey.", Charlie cut my crying jag off right away and I halted, looking at him through my watery pupils, "Enough. I'm alive. You're alive. I got what I prayed for. I have to be more particular next time I make a deal with God. I forgot to throw in, let me keep all my body parts."

That was my Dad's attempt at a joke, believe it or not.

I saw his dry smile and I had to smile myself, laughing through my tears.

"That's my girl.", he smiled a little more, the bravest and strongest man I'd ever known. God damn it, how I respected him now.

I was wiping my eyes some more when he asked me, "How's everyone? They told me everyone made it out alright."

"Oh.", I took a deep breath, "Yea. Emmett's here, he's fine. Jasper, Alice, Rosalie, they're all fine, too."

I almost told him about Edward but wasn't sure if he wanted to hear it or not. I was afraid how he'd feel about Edward now.

"And…", he waited, raising his brows, "How's Edward?"

"Fine.", I shivered, "He lost some blood but Emmett donated his. He's awake and he's…good. He's already his old self again."

Old self. I've known him for two weeks.

"Good.", he answered, looking towards the window to his left.

Dr. Bella crept back inside me suddenly and I dared to ask.

"How do you feel about him now, Dad?", I was appalled at my guts, "Do you hate him?"

He let out a long sigh and I stared at the black hairs on his arm, afraid to make eye contact.

"No, Bella, I don't hate him.", he said blankly, "He took a bullet for you. I can never hate him. I chose to help. I wanted to help him. I'm a cop. That's my job. I just have some shit to deal with now. I guess God decided I'd been bored for too long. He decided to throw me some new curves. That's life, Bella. I'd rather be missing a leg…than to watch you throw a rose into a hole, crying over that kid."

I blinked and new tears fell out and I couldn't talk for a minute. My throat felt blocked.

"I love you, Daddy.", I croaked the words out, sniffling and wiping my eyes.

"I love you, Baby.", he said, full of tenderness.

I reached out and held his hand and it gripped mine firmly.

"I'm going back to Forks, as soon as these yahoos let me outta here." Charlie informed, not one to beat around the bush.

I felt my brows crease as I thought over what he was saying. Too many questions came to mind to even list them all but I never got time to sort them all out.

"I want you to come with me, Bella.", he stated out flatly, looking straight ahead, into nothingness.

I felt like I was just slapped across the face. He wanted me to go with him. How could I say no now? What about school? Edward?

"I'm not going into any witness protection program.", he continued, each word killing me more, "I'm a cop, the chief of police. I don't need to hide. I know how to protect myself. I can protect you, too, Bella. I want you with me."

Flabbergasted, I heard my voice stumbling as I tried to vocalize.

"Dad…", I huffed, sniffling, then, "I…you….I have school here. I've made a life here…I can't just---why would you…"

"There's a college in Forks.", Charlie informed, still staring anywhere but in my eyes, "And frankly, I think you've learned a little too much here in New York. For God's sake, Bella, your teacher almost kidnapped you! He chained you up and--- This is a sick town. A sick life. Even Edward said so when he told me to take you home. He even wants a better life for you than this."

"That was before!", I felt the hot tears coming hard now, "He loves me! I love him! After all we went through the other night…we can finally be together now. I said I wouldn't leave him. We were all supposed to do witness protection together!"

I sounded pathetic, like a sixteen year old girl, but I couldn't help it. My feelings were coming out, as honestly and purely as possible. My father's face looked so cold now…only moments ago he was loving me and smiling at me. I hated him. A deep primal part of me hated him for trying to stand between Edward and I. But at the same time, I couldn't hate him. He saved Edward. He saved Emmett. He lost his leg, his life…for them…for me. How could I deny him anything at this point?

He knew I couldn't. And that's why he was asking. How could I say yes to him?

"If you go into witness protection, with him…", Charlie said, his voice and face like stone, "I can never see you again. You will never see me again. This program is for life, Bella. You'll marry him, have kids together…and I'll never get to see them…ever. I'll die never knowing what happened to you…alone."

I cried and turned away from him and then spun back, fierce and loud.

"Why ARE YOU DOING THIS TO ME?!", I scream/cried at him, then quieted, weeping, "How can you make me choose? I can't! It's not fair, Dad, this isn't FAIR!"

"Life isn't fair, Bella.", Charlie showed no emotion still, "I taught you that a long time ago. We lost Mom when you were ten. That wasn't fair but it happened. I don't want to lose you now. You're all I've got."

I sobbed and went to the window, just staring out at the cars and grass and sky as I cried, seeing Edward's face staring back into mine.

"I'm sorry, Bella.", he said after a few minutes of letting me have my cry, "I don't want to hurt you. I want you happy. He won't make you happy, Bella. He can't. As much as he may want to, and mean well, and love you…and I believe he does…but…he's…broken. I see that every day. He's been through Hell and back and through Hell again. He's dark, Bella. He's lived in that world for so long, he's used to it. He can't just walk out and be normal now. You know it, too, being a psychology student. Tell me I'm wrong."

I panted, hating every word he was saying. I could never agree with him. This is Edward he's talking this way about. I wanted to hurt him. Like he was hurting me now, not just a physical hurt…but a deeper one.

Being a cop had made Charlie hard, and he stopped believing that people could change and have a second chance.

But then I realized, he lost my mother to breast cancer. He'd already been hurt so deeply, where the lover inside him lived…and was gone forever now. I couldn't believe he'd let me take the same loss as he'd suffered. He was never the same after Mom died…and I would be forever changed without Edward.

"I fix broken, Dad. That's what I do!", I said, almost sneering as I stared out into the setting sun.

Twilight. Where Edward had had his epiphany on the boat…where he decided to change his life and fight back, despite the dangers. Where he became strong. I prayed for that same strength now.

"Fixing people is supposed to be your career, not your love life.", Charlie pointed out, "And you're still only a student. You're not good enough yet to fix him and his problems. He needs a real doctor now, Bella. You shouldn't be playing at this. Mess up and the consequences could be fatal…for him…and you."

"He would never hurt ME!", I flared and faced him again.

"Bella, I've SEEN it!!", he shouted, "Depressed people cling onto someone – ANYONE – just so long as they can get their faces above water! They don't even think about how they're yanking you down under it!! When his problems become too heavy, when he fails at making it in the normal world, he'll snap. He'll be heartbroken. He loves you because he thinks you have his cure! He feels healthy with you. And why not, every other woman he knows has only hurt and used him. It's not real love for him, Bella. I doubt he even knows what real love is anymore. He fell for you because he believes you can fix him. And when you can't, he might decide to take you with him, like Victoria almost did to him !"

"You DON'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT HIM!" I screamed, "He's the most gentle person I've ever known!!"

"I'm not talking about sex, Bella.", Charlie clenched his jaw, "And yes, I did hear about Mr. Gentle tying you to a stool and spanking you. Jesus H. Christ, I bought you those stools, Bella!"

I cringed, confused.

"What do you want, your money back or something?", I asked as he frowned more at me.

"Look.", I took a breath, "I'm a woman now, Dad. A grown woman. I have sex. I make love. There is nothing wrong with that. Sex is not dirty…and orgasms aren't a crime. Edward taught me that. And I'm glad. I'm not going to be made to feel dirty because I chose to make love to Edward. That's our business, not yours."

"You can't marry the very first person who makes love to you, Bella.", Charlie turned red as he said this, "You're so young. You should grow some more, your tastes will change as you mature more. You'll outgrow him. I don't want to talk badly of him, but he showed you a few new tricks. He made you feel things…for the first time. That's why you feel you love him. But there's more to marriage than great sex. There's so much more. Being with him can only end in disaster. Please listen to me, Bella. I know you. I've known you your whole life. It's going to hurt, leaving him, I know. First love always hurts."

"No.", I turned away, trying not to listen, the tears flowing full on now.

"You've never even had your heart broken yet. It's part of growing up. But, in time, you'll heal.", Charlie spoke softer now, "You'll make new friends, good ones. You'll even fall in love again."

"Stop it Dad.", I cried, my voice cracking everywhere.

"I know it seems impossible to you now, but it's true.", Charlie vowed, "You can find a nice boy in Forks. Have your degree. Have your own office. Have a nice family. You won't have to glue your husband together all the time and hope he stays in one piece. You'll have enough of that pressure on you when you are a doctor. You won't want that in your home life, your love life."

I closed my eyes and didn't even want to picture a life without Edward in it. I felt sick.

"Let me put it this way, Bella.", Charlie said, the empty voice back again, "I lost my leg. I am going back to Forks. It's my home. It's our home. I need you to go with me. I need you, Bella. Please…I…don't know if I can do this alone."

My father's voice cracked. It never cracked. I turned to him, seeing for the first time, fear in his dark eyes. This wasn't only about me choosing Edward or leaving him…he was afraid. And he needed me. He never told me that before.

I shivered, staring at the moving cars in the parking lot out the window…I clutched onto the curtains…and I felt so cold. So alone.

//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

See next chapter soon!

Love

WinndSinger

PS How much do you hate Charlie right now? LOL…I know, I do, too.