A reasonably short wait considering my track record. I've decided to keep working on this story, due to the response I received. Thank you all very much. I will keep writing as long as you are reading and want me to. First and foremost, I absolutely love 'Scrubs' the TV show. I put a quote from scrubs in here, somewhere. Whoever finds it can pm me and get a little treat. Whether it be a sneak peek into Edward's mind in this chapter or a sneak peek at the next chapter. Good luck! My mocks are starting next week, so I won't be able to update for a while. Sorry! Please keep reading and thanks again to those who are. Random: arcade fire are an absolutely class band and if you haven't heard of them, go listen to them now. Their songs: neighbourhood no1 (tunnels), no 3(power out), no 4(7 kettles), intervention, my body is a cage and keep the car running, helped me write this chapter. Check them out!

Enjoy the chapter!

Disclaimer: do I own Twilight? No, now stop making me admit it! It's cruel and sadistic! : L

BPOV

I spent the whole day in a sense of fearful expectation. I had agreed to tell Charlie. In exchange for what Edward had begun to tell me yesterday. Perhaps not the best trade in the world. On the surface, anyway. However, I had the strangest sensation that what Edward had to tell me was extremely important. That it would not simply sate my curiosity about what he had nearly said, but that it would answer the questions that almost constantly swam around my head about him. Completely illogical, of course. I had no idea what Edward had been about to say. He might have been gearing up to tell me that he liked to wear odd socks, for all I knew. Though I sincerely doubted it. It was the strangest thing.

In our last class of the day, that had started out as slow and monotonous as any other and had then taken a u-turn and sped up considerably after lunch, I couldn't stop fidgeting. I had begun to bite my nails, a particularly bad habit that I had managed to shed years earlier. Edward's slender fingers gently pried my own from my mouth; the nails were almost completely gone. He placed my hands safely in my lap and told me to pay attention to the lecture. It didn't take long for me to resume my fidgeting. I began to fiddle with my hair. Twisting, braiding, plaiting, twirling. Anything to keep me occupied. I didn't want the day to end. I didn't want to go home. Put simply, I didn't want to tell Charlie. I didn't want to see the disappointment in his eyes. The sensation of having failed him, screwed up. Done something so foolish and cliché. Getting married to a complete stranger at seventeen. Who actually did that? Me, apparently.

I was so immersed in my thoughts that I didn't hear Edward say my name. he finally got my attention and informed that class was over, we had to go. I felt goose-bumps rise on my arms. This was it. The point of no return. Time to die. Metaphorically of course. Though, in Edward's case, I couldn't be sure. Charlie was the chief of police, and so had a gun. I was his only daughter, would Edward be safe? Yes, he would of course. Charlie would never hurt somebody, much less kill them. Would he?

We made our way to the parking lot silently. Solemn even. We each slipped into the car and Edward began to drive. We made it to the house quickly due to Edward's penchant for speed. He still hadn't aid a word. Was he angry with me? Was he annoyed that I was so against the idea of telling Charlie? I know that I was possibly overreacting, somewhat. But I was scared, as pathetic as that sounds. I let us into the house quietly. At least I would have time to prepare myself. Or at least, attempt to prepare myself. Charlie wouldn't be home until after six. Relatively early for him. I had roughly three hours to compose myself. The delivery of the news would be made all the worse if I were still shaking like a leaf. I sat down and vaguely gestured for Edward to do the same. I wondered if he would stay, or go and come back, or just expect me to do this by myself. Maybe he did. Maybe he would leave any second now. Leaving me to deal with...this by myself. I waited with bated breath to see if he would. One, two, three! Not a muscle did he move. He was gazing at me intently. As was I him, I noted with surprise.

Finally, he broke the silence. The silence that had been closing in on me, suffocating me, without my realising until I was released. 'Why are you so worried?' he asked softly, timidly almost. 'Do you not want him to know...about...us?' he continued uncertainly. He almost sounded afraid, of rejection. But that made no sense whatsoever. I loved him, I had told him. Did he think I was having doubts, second thoughts. I asked him this and his head nodded, slowly, ashamed. Though what he had to be ashamed of, I didn't know. 'Edward, I'm just worried about telling Charlie. We're so young and I don't think that he will be quite so understanding as your parents.' 'I don't suppose he will,' he smiled, a secret smile to himself. Not particularly aimed towards me. Part of a secret joke that, unfortunately, did not include me.

After that short conversation, the shroud of unease and tension that had seemed to hang between us fell. I went to start dinner for Charlie and myself and Edward joined me. I offered him a snack, aware of the fact that teenage boys consumed food like vacuums and under the assumption that he would jump at the offer. However, he politely declined. Come to think of it, I had never actually seen Edward eat. Maybe he would join Charlie and myself for dinner when we had told him our news. I decided to make fish. Simple, quick and personal favourite of Charlie's. Desert would be a pie I had bought for this exact occasion. To attempt to cushion the blow. Maybe if he was keen on the idea of shooting Edward, I could convince him otherwise with pie? Not one of my best ideas, but it couldn't hurt, right? The pie, I mean. It was his favourite.

I began on the fish and realised that I didn't have much time. Edward was watching my work, fascinated. I smiled, 'Not much of a cook, huh?' I asked. He smiled back, 'I guess you could say that.' Dinner was ready just in time; I looked at the clock, just six. Perfect. Edward had generously offered to set the table. I was about to serve the food when I frowned. There were only two places set. 'Do you not want to stay for dinner, Edward?' 'Oh, um, no, I wouldn't like to intrude.' He replied somewhat nervously. How odd. 'You can stay, unless you have to get home or something.' Maybe that was why. 'Oh, it's just,' he said, seemingly struggling for a logical reason to go. 'Well, um, Esme, my mother, always makes a huge dinner and is upset when we can't eat it all. It won't be ready for a while yet so I can stay. But I cannot eat. I don't want to upset her. I'm very sorry.' He looked sheepish. 'That's fine.' I said. It was awfully sweet of him, to care about his mother's feelings like that.

Charlie was late, I noticed as I caught a glimpse of the clock. Just as I thought this, I heard the door open, and subsequently close. Trapped. 'Hey bells,' he called loudly. 'I'm home.' The endearment made my cheeks burn with Edward here. He simply smiled at me, in a way that said, 'I think it's cute.' Great. Charlie entered the kitchen and did a double take when he saw Edward. Edward was quick to introduce himself and shake Charlie's hand. Fortunately, he didn't launch straight into our news. I think that would've dazed Charlie so much he might've fallen down. I gestured for Charlie to sit and served him his dinner. Maybe it would be best told over food. With Charlie sitting, and the gun upstairs. Edward sat beside me and took my hand to encourage me. Not a great move. Charlie saw and his eyes narrowed in suspicion. Well, I sighed internally. Best to get it over and done with. Rip off the band aid quickly and as painlessly as possible. Though for some reason, I couldn't seem to speak. The words were there, on the tip of my tongue, but they couldn't seem to move from where they resided. Edward seemed to notice this and started for me.

'It is a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Swan. Your daughter and I have something very important to tell you. Wonderful news, in my opinion. I hope that you agree.' Good. Edward was easing him into it. I took this as my cue to begin. However, before I could, Charlie erupted. 'YOU'RE PREGNANT, AREN'T YOU? YOU'RE PREGNANT! YOU GOT HER PREGNANT! I'LL KILL YOU!' he roared. The final part had obviously been aimed at Edward. He didn't seem overly worried. Bravery or stupidity, I couldn't tell which. 'No, Bella is not pregnant.' Edward said. Charlie ignored him and turned to me, 'Isabella Marie Swan, are you pregnant? Do not lie to me.' 'Ch-Dad, I am not pregnant.' I stated adamantly. Doubt flickered in his eyes. He believed me, somewhat anyway. 'Well,' he said slowly, cautiously, 'If you're not pregnant, then what is this 'wonderful news'?' Once again, he was suspicious. I could no longer avoid it. I decided it was best to be blunt. Rip the band aid off. Quickly. So I did. 'Dad, we, Edward and I, are married.'

Edward was squeezing my hand, in an attempt to calm me. Could he sense my racing pulse? No, of course not. He was simply intuitive. Charlie hadn't said a word. I wish that he would. Get it over with. The silence was lengthening, deafening. Edward suddenly spoke, 'Sir, I know this is quite the shock, but I love your daughter very much. I would never do anything to harm her and would be eternally grateful if you were to give us your blessing.' 'M-me t-too.' I squeaked. Edward turned and smiled at me beatifically. Charlie said nothing. He simply stood up, picked up his plate and walked away. I sighed. I'd known that this would be hard, but I hadn't realised how much so.

'It's okay.' Edward soothed. 'He'll come around, eventually.' I knew that he was right. It was just that.. 'I just thought that he would shout, and be angry, you know. Even disappointed. But this, this is somehow worse. Is he just going to ignore me? If so, for how long?' I was nearing hysterics so Edward pulled me into his arms and made soothing noises until I had calmed down. 'It'll be okay, Bella. I love you.' I sniffled. I had been crying and I hadn't even realised it. 'I love you too, Edward.' He looked at the clock and frowned. 'It's late.' He said. 'I'm sorry, but I need to go.' My face fell, was he abandoning me too? 'I'll be back tomorrow morning, but I really need to go now. I'll stay for a little while longer, if you wish, but I do have to leave soon.' I could've argued, told him to stay. But there was no point. He was either leaving now or very soon from now. I nodded in ascent and told him that I would see him in the morning. He stood up then hesitated. He leaned down and kissed my lips. Little more than a peck, but it was enough to set my stomach off on somersaults. 'I love you.' he whispered again, then left. Would those words ever fail to make my heart flop? From his lips? Probably not.

I walked into the living room, where Charlie was silently eating his dinner. The television was on, but he wasn't watching it. 'I have pie.' I said in an attempt to make conversation. No such luck. He merely nodded. At least he was acknowledging my presence. Or perhaps he just really wanted the pie. I sighed and turned to get it. 'When?' he asked. He speaks! Though the word confused me. 'What do you mean?' I asked. 'When did you two...get married?' he asked through gritted teeth. Oh. 'On the...field trip.' I mumbled. 'So,' he said. 'You mean to say that you married a complete stranger on a school field trip? Is that right? Do you have any idea how stupid of you that was? I thought that you were more responsible.' Tears pricked at my eyes. However, they were tears of anger. 'I do know him! I love him. And he loves me!' I all but shouted. 'You've only known each other a few days!' he roared. 'You're being completely stupid and irresponsible, Isabella. I thought that we'd raised you better than this. I'm so disappointed in you.' At that, I crumpled. He'd found my Achilles heel, and smashed it to pieces. He stood up and, once again, left the room. I cleaned up the mess left behind and then went upstairs to ready myself for bed. I wept silently all the while. My life was a mess. Charlie hated me. His door was closed firmly, telling me, in no uncertain terms, to stay away. I entered my own bedroom, and even though it was still early, crawled into my bed. Beneath the covers. Where the terrors of the world couldn't so easily harm me.

I slept restlessly, slipping in and out of consciousness. A sound alerted me late in the night. It was still dark out, but probably early morning. Charlie's snores sounded throughout the house. There was a rustling from the other side of the room. I stayed perfectly still. There was someone in my room. While I slept. I did my best to bite back a scream. Thankfully I was able. There were more noises. The person was approaching my bed. I stiffened. What were they going to do to me? Why was I being quiet?! I should scream. Charlie had a gun. I was about to open my mouth and do just that when the person's face came into view. It was…Edward?! What the hell?! He saw that I was awake and jumped back. I sat up in my bed and whispered, 'What the hell are you doing in my room in the middle of the night, Edward?!' He seemed to, for once, be at a loss for words. 'Um, I, um. I, uh, wanted to check, um, up on you. And, uh, your window was unlocked.' 'So you invited yourself in?' I asked. 'I'm sorry,' he said. 'I just, I knew you were upset.' He gestured to my tear-stained cheeks. 'And I know things didn't go well with Charlie.' How did he know that? I asked him this and he sighed. His fingers began to run through his hair, a sure sign he was frustrated. He sat down on my bed and turned towards me. 'I guess I have some explaining to do.' He said, followed by an unconvincing, forced smile. 'I guess you do.' I replied.

'It's not what you think, Bella.' He said. 'I promise. I care about you. I love you. I just wanted to comfort you. I knew that you were upset and couldn't bear to just stand idly by.' 'But how did you know?' I asked, stressing the 'how'. 'Now there's the hard part.' He said. Back to the hair his fingers went. 'You do deserve an explanation. You're not going to believe me, but you deserve to know.' My stomach flipped. Was he going to answer my questions, once and for all? He took a deep breath and began….

Cliff-hanger. I wonder what happens next! Heeheehee. Not an awfully long chapter, but longer than the last. I hope you enjoyed it and how me you did by reviewing. Review review review! Please. Don't forget about the scrubs quote, and review!

Kate

Xxxxx