*****

"Maybe he's already gone to work?" I ventured nervously as Edward's Volvo drew up outside my house. I should be so lucky... Charlie's squad car was in the driveway, and I could feel myself growing increasingly apprehensive with every second that passed.

Edward parked smoothly, then turned to look at me. "Bella, relax," he said. I raised my eyebrows at him. Like that was possible! "Right then, at least try not to look like you've committed a felony! Let's just speak to your father and discuss things calmly."

I grimaced. "Right. Let's just get this over with."

Edward squeezed my undamaged hand encouragingly. "I'm here with you, Bella."

I smiled tightly. "I know, and that means a lot. Thank you."

Edward smiled. "What else would you expect of me, my love? I can hardly desert you, can I?"

I shook my head. "You're too much of a gentleman for that. Besides, Charlie knows where you live! Let's go."

In an instant, Edward was outside, opening my door and taking me by the hand. As we walked the short distance to the front door, I did not release his hand from my grip. I needed his support. Reaching the door, I prepared to fumble in my pocket for my key, only for the door to be swung open.

The stern face of my father greeted us. Charlie said nothing, merely stepping aside and indicating for us to enter. This was a bad sign to be sure. I stood frozen on the doorstep, only venturing inside when I felt Edward's hand at the base of my back, gently guiding me in.

We followed Charlie as he walked into the sitting room and sat down on the old armchair. He gestured for us to sit down on the sofa and we complied. Once Edward and I were seated, I finally looked up to meet Charlie's critical gaze. He said nothing, seemingly quite content to let me squirm uncomfortably for a few moments yet.

Sensing my growing fear, Edward moved his hand to gently rest on my leg, giving a quick squeeze of encouragement. Charlie's brown eyes narrowed at Edward's innocent gesture of support for me, and it seemed to spur him to finally speak.

"Well?" he asked gruffly, his eyes locking on mine.

I shrugged, trying to appear more nonchalant than I felt. "Well what, Dad?"

Edward said nothing for the present. He would rather I spoke up for myself, but I knew that he was ready to intervene as soon as I needed him to.

Charlie spluttered, his face beginning to redden. "What? What, Bella!?! You go to hishouse yesterday afternoon, then don't come home until the following morning, and have the cheek to ask me 'what'?!?"

I felt my nerves give way to an ever-increasing anger. What right does Charlie have to make me feel like I've committed some kind of crime?!? "So, I should have called you and told you I was staying in Edward's – fine! I'm sorry! But honestly, Char...Dad, would it have made much of a difference if I had called?"

"Bella..."Edward cautioned. I knew that he would rather we discussed this calmly and quietly with Charlie. No chance!

Charlie's burning gaze locked on Edward. "Excuse me, but this is between me and my daughter!" he said bitingly. "Stay out of it!"

I opened my mouth to protest at Charlie's words, but before I could utter a sound, Edward was on his feet.

"I mean no disrespect, Chief Swan, but I am Bella's fiancé, and what concerns her, concerns me," he said softly, but firmly. "Were it not for me, Bella would not be having this conversation with you. Therefore, I feel I am entitled to have a say in the discussion."

Charlie leapt to his feet to stand facing Edward. "Too right, this conversation is because of you! Before you came along, I never had any cause to worry for Bella at all!" He shook his head slowly. "I thought you were an okay kid 'til you went and left her... then you come back and it's as if those months never happened! I mean, if you had seen Bella..." Charlie trailed off, and his eyes took on a faraway glaze as he recalled those painful days.

Edward shuddered almost imperceptibly, and I knew that he was being treated to some of Charlie's recollections of me during that time.

Charlie continued his tirade, "Then you decide to propose! I mean, what 18 year olds in their right minds decide to get married straight out of high school?"

"Bella and I have decided to marry because we love each other, Chief Swan," Edward said curtly. "I thought you understood that."

Charlie sighed, his ire seeming to fade slightly. "I do understand – all too well! I got married at 19 to the woman I was going to spend the rest of my life with, and just look how that turned out! We were every bit as idealistic and certain of the future as you two are."

I got to my feet. "Edward and I aren't you and Mom, Dad!" I said sharply. "It's unfair to judge our relationship by the example of your own!"

Charlie shook his head. "Fine... I apologise. I'm sure you'll be very happy together," he said bitterly.

"We will," I said firmly. "Besides, I thought this was meant to be about me not coming home last night?" At least he seems calmer now!

Charlie steeled his jaw. "It is, Bells. I'm not happy about it, that's for sure."

"Why?" I asked, crossing my arms. I knew full well what Charlie's problem with the situation was, but I wanted to hear him say it. I had known that he would be furious over me staying at Edward's, but I had not expected my father to bring up the issue of Edward leaving me before. Besides, I had thought that Charlie was more or less resigned to the idea of me marrying Edward.

Charlie rolled his eyes in irritation. "You know why, Bells."

I crossed my arm. "No, I don't, Dad." After hearing what Charlie really thought of the upcoming wedding, I was feeling inclined to make him as uncomfortable as possible.

"Bella," Edward interjected, "Perhaps your father and I should speak alone?"

I shook my head firmly. "No, Edward." I knew Edward's inner turn-of-the-last-century gentleman was finding it tough to stand by and watch me engaged in such a dispute, but I wanted - no I needed to work this through with Charlie for myself.

"So, Dad, why?" I pressed.

Charlie's eyes met mine. "I'm your father, Bella. What father wants his daughter spending the night with her boyfriend?"

"Fiancé – it's totally different," I interjected.

"Bella, let your father explain," Edward said gently, moving to sit down again and pulling me with him. Seeing our actions, Charlie also returned to his chair.

"Fine," I said curtly. "Explain."

"It might make a difference to you, Bella, but not me," Charlie said slowly. "You might be engaged, but you're still my daughter. I mean, you're only 18..."

I opened my mouth to argue, but Edward took my hand and squeezed it lightly.

Charlie continued to speak. "I remember what it was like to be 18, Bells, trust me. I'm not a fool... I know what goes on. I know you're going off to college in a few months and I'll have sweet-all control over what you do there, but while you're living under my roof, you abide by my rules."

I sighed.

"I don't ask much, Bella." Charlie went on. "And for the most part we get on just fine, right?"

I nodded reluctantly. Charlie did leave me to my own devices quite a lot, and this suited me just fine. Much as I hated to admit it, Charlie was far more lenient than many other parents I knew. Of course, I rarely gave him cause to use the strict parent routine, but still...

"Right," I acknowledged. "But I'm not a child anymore, Dad. I'm turning 19 this year – as you said, I'm going to college in the fall, and I..."

"Don't you think I know that, Bella?" Charlie said sharply. "I know you're growing up! I try to give you your space as much as I can. I try to be understanding of the fact that all you seem to want to do is to spend time with Edward and his family. Hell, I even try to believe in all those girly sleepovers you have with Alice!" Charlie's eyes closed tightly for a moment as he tried to repress a slight shudder at the thought of all the nights I had spent at the Cullen's house over the past months. "But simply not coming home, Bella... That's plain disrespectful to me, and I won't stand for it!"

Charlie's words gave me cause to pause for several long moments. I had not expected this. Shockingly, it seemed that not only was Charlie aware that the nights I spent with Alice were no more than a ruse to spend unsupervised time with Edward, but he had tried to turn a blind eye to the pretence! It seemed that Charlie's problem with last night was not the fact that I had stayed with Edward; rather it was that I had not let him know. This was certainly not what I had expected to hear...

I nodded slowly, acknowledging Charlie's point. "Okay, Dad," I said softly, looking down at where Edward's fingers were entwined with mine. "I should have called you. I understand that you must have been concerned for me. It won't happen again." God, how dutiful do I sound now?!?

I looked up to meet Charlie's gaze. "Apology accepted, Bells," he said, warmth creeping into his tone. Neither of us was overly demonstrative, but Charlie loved me as much as I did him, and I knew that he hated arguing with me.

Edward cleared his throat. "I too feel that I owe you an apology, Chief Swan."

Charlie looked at Edward. "Alright then," he said, "Let's have it."

Edward turned to look at me, "Bella, would you mind terribly if your father and I spoke together in private? It's obvious that there are several issues that need to be cleared up."

Hell no! "Well, sure, if you think it's necessary," I said. I'm not promising that I won't eavesdrop though!

"Chief Swan," Edward continued, "would that be acceptable to you?"

Charlie gritted his teeth into what I think was meant to be a smile. "Sure, Edward. Why not?" he said grimly. "Why don't we do it outside? I'll be out in the backyard."

"Thank you," Edward said simply.

Charlie got up. Without saying another word, he went out to the kitchen. I heard the back door open then close again with a click.

I rounded on Edward. "What do you need to talk to Charlie about that you can't say here in front of me?" I demanded. I had thought that we were past keeping secrets from each other?

Edward placed his hands on my shoulders and smiled down at me, his golden eyes warm and liquid. "Humour me, my love," he murmured, leaning in to place a chaste kiss on my forehead. "Since we first got engaged, I have never had the chance to speak to your father about it – to properly tell him how I feel about you. I would like to do so."

I sighed. "It's the 21st century, Edward," I said stubbornly. "You don't have to do that."

Edward's mouth curved into a subtle smile. "I know I don't have to, but I want to, Bella. It's how I was raised."

In spite of myself, I could feel myself beginning to smile back at Edward. Edward was at his most dazzling, and I found it hard to deny him anything. "You are so old-fashioned, Edward," I said, rolling my eyes.

He pulled me in closer for a brief kiss. I melted against him, but before I could really start to enjoy myself, Edward pulled away slightly.

"I take it this means I'm allowed then?" he ventured, still smiling slightly. "I know I'm absurdly old-fashioned, Bella, but I have had plenty of time to get set in my ways, you know."

I smiled. "Let's just say it's just as well I like old-fashioned things. Go on then – get this over and done with!"

Edward kissed me on the cheek. "Thank you," he said, before turning and walking into the kitchen and out the back door.

Scarcely had the door closed before I rushed for the stairs. I had suddenly remembered that the bathroom window had a lovely view of the backyard...