A/N: Sorry it's been a while.. a month, right? I think this is one of my better chapters, so I hope you like it. Also, if you like the Mortal Instruments, you should check out my one shot that I posted a few days ago.

Thank you to Liz//ECalvert for editing, even though she hasn't read this story. Haha.


BPOV:

"So, what did your parents think of Edward?" Alice asked as we walked arm-in-arm to our local cafe. We hadn't had a lot of time to hang out since we parted, so we were taking advantage of my parents taking time to "get to know" Edward.

"My Dad seemed fine with it. But Renee.. she said something, seemed a little off." I said, matching Alice's footsteps with my own.

"Why, what happened?"

"Nothing," I sighed, "she just commented on how I shouldn't be with Edward; said how he couldn't take care of me because he can't walk. She said a lot of… well, bitchy things that I wish she hadn't said. I mean, I know he's in a wheelchair… I'm not blind. But I don't care about those aspects. It's not like he's a different person. He has changed, but it's not like I love him because of that."

"You love him?" Alice's face suddenly brightened up as she said that.

"I don't know, maybe? I like him a lot," I said as we both entered the cafe.

"Well, whatever it is your feeling… it's good." Alice smiled, and ordered us both two frappe's.

"You think?" I asked, biting my lip and trying to hide my smile.

"I know."

"Bella!" Edward called from down the street where he was with Charlie, ice cream cones in hand.

It was just past nine in the evening and my parents, Edward and I had dinner in a small, cozy restaurant. Charlie and Renee were leaving tomorrow, so we figured one last hurrah. Dinner had gone pretty well. They definitely warmed up to Edward and got along with him pretty well.

"Edward! I see you, chocolate ice cream!" I sang, running towards Edward and taking my ice cream cone from him.

Charlie walked ahead to Renee, handing her ice cream to her. They casually walked ahead, while Edward and I strolled behind.

"Mm. This is so good," I moaned, taking a lick of my chocolate ice cream. When chocolate was involved, it was pure ecstasy.

I smiled at Edward, about to thank him for paying for my ice cream, but I stopped. His eyes had gone dark, and he was staring at my lips.

"Hey, are you okay?" I asked, placing my hand on his shoulder.

"Oh," he snapped out of his dazed and shook his head, blinking several times. "Yeah. I just… wandered off into my thoughts. Sorry." He smiled sheepishly.

"It's okay. That happens to me too, sometimes." I smiled back at him.

"Hey, Shaggy, mind if I steal your girlfriend for a bit?" Renee stopped in front of us with a smirk.

I rolled my eyes at her. Renee had taken to calling Edward 'Shaggy' a lot. Referring to his hair, since it almost always looks untamed. She said all he needed was to grow his beard and the name would stick.

"Sure. No problem." He smirked back.

Renee wrapped her arm around mine as we walked ahead, and Charlie slowed down behind us to walk with Edward.

"So... I've been thinking," Renee started.

"Oh, no!" I gasped. "Are you okay? Do you have a fever or something?" I asked, feeling her forehead which she playfully slapped away.

"Shut up, Isabella," she laughed, walking with me again.

"Bella." I glared, which only made her laugh again.

"Anyway… as I was saying before I was rudely interrupted," she took a moment to glare at me and then continued, "I've been thinking about you and Edward."

"Oh, Mom. Please, not this again. I really don't want to–"

"No, Bella. Please, listen to what I have to say. It's not bad, I promise." She assured me.

I sighed, but nodded, allowing her to continue in what she was going to say.

"Bella – I admit, the first time I saw Edward, I didn't exactly like him. And it wasn't for him so say, it was just… what he was. The fact that he can't walk, that he didn't take that therapy–"

"But he said he was–"

"I'm still talking, Bella," Renee said in a shooshing tone.

"All your father and I ever wanted apart from you getting a good education, friends and a nice life was you finding a good guy that was capable of taking care of you. Giving you breakfast in bed, carrying you over the threshold when you get married… and to see a young man who couldn't give you that just... upset me.

"But then I got to really meet Edward, got to know him. And he's a really good guy, good for you. He's smart, he's funny, he really cares you. The way he talks about you... it's like nobody else matters. You're the only light in his life. He seems to be in this for the long haul. Bella, you have a good mind and a good heart. You've always been like that. Good and giving to people who were worse off than you and needed comfort. You know who you are and what you want in life. You know what's best for you. And... I approve of him. Not just of him, of you and him together. Edward being in a wheelchair doesn't matter, honey. I see that now. And I realize that... even if you don't you both are in it long-term and are completely serious."

"Are you saying that you... approve, Mom?" I asked, stopping and looking at her dead in the eye.

"Yes, that's exactly what I'm saying, Bella. No matter what, I approve of you and Edward 100%." She said, smiling.

"Oh my god! Mom!" I squealed, jumping up and bed, hugging her. "Thank you," I whispered in her ear.

"What are you two girls getting all jittery about?" Charlie asked suspiciously.

"What? Can't a girl get excited about ice cream?" I smiled.

"Mom, I'm really going to miss you." I said, hugging her tightly just before the threshold of security.

"I'm going to miss you too, baby. It's been so great getting to know Edward and spending time with you," Renee said, squeezing me tightly. Then, she pulled back, grasping my hands in hers. "Promise me you'll keep in touch. We'll want to know how you both are doing. E-mail me, call me... even once a month, whatever. Just please stay in touch. Promise me."

"I promise, Mom." I smiled and she gave me one last hug.

"I guess this is goodbye, kiddo. At least… for now." Charlie said, obviously uncomfortable. He was never good at these emotional goodbyes. Even though we knew they were only staying for a few days.

"Oh, Dad. Come here," I laughed, pulling him into a tight hug, which seemed to take him by surprise.

"Thanks for bringing her up here, Dad. I really needed this," I whispered as I hugged him.

"It's no problem. You know I love you and your Mom. And if Edward does anything to hurt you, just tell me and I'll be up here on the next plane with a gun," he whispered back.

"Dad!" I said, pulling back, shocked.

"Only kidding!" He laughed, hands raised in the air.

I rolled my eyes and smiled at him as I returned to the side of my boyfriend.

"It was nice to meet you both, Mr. and Mrs. Swan." Edward said politely, extended his hand to Charlie.

"Edward, I thought we told you to call us by our first names," Charlie said, taking Edward's hand in his, shaking it slightly.

"Alright… Charlie." He grinned.

"And promise me that you'll at least give you-know-what some thought." Charlie said cryptically. But Edward and I both knew what he was talking about.

"I have given it some thought, sir. And I decided that I'm going to do it," Edward said proudly.

"Really?" Charlie asked.

"Yes, sir. I decided it's time to stop... you know. Being a dumbass, as you put it," he said, ducking his head down shyly.

"Well, I'm happy to ear that, son. You won't regret it." Charlie slapped his shoulder pleasantly.

"Oh, honey. That's our flight. We better go," Renee said, pulling on Charlie's arm.

"Well, I guess we'll see you soon. Keep in touch." Charlie nodded and walked towards security.

"It was nice to meet you, Edward," Renee gushed, kissing Edward's cheek. "See you both soon!"

Edward and I watched as Renee ran after Charlie and they both went through security.

"So... those were your parents." Edward laughed.

"Yeah, I guess they were. How did you find them?" I asked as we started for the exit.

"Pleasant. It could have gone much worse. I really like them." Edward smiled to himself. He really did like my parents, and I was glad.

"Edward," I said, once we were outside in the cool weather. "Were you serious? What you said to Charlie, I mean. You know... about the therapy?"

"Dead serious, Bella. I mean it. I want to do this, I need to do this. For me. It's time I attempted to get off my ass and start working towards life." Edward looked at me seriously, hoping I would understand. And I did.

"That's so... great, Edward. I'm so pleased. You're so strong." I smiled and kissed his nose, cheek and one small peck on his soft lips.

"I love you." I whispered in his ear.

"I love you more," he whispered back. "Stay with me tonight?" He pleaded with his eyes.

"Edward, I…,"

"We don't have to do anything, I just... I want to have you close near me. Even if we just cuddle on the sofa, or talk. I just... I don't want to leave you just yet," he said, taking his hand in mine.

"No, it's fine. I get that. As a matter of fact, I don't really want to be alone tonight." I said, squeezing his fingers gently and smiling in completely happiness.