Thank you all for your wonderful reviews of the last chapter. They made me feel so much better. See you all at the end :). BPOV again…

My throat felt dry from all the uncontrollable sobbing I did earlier. My eyes were in no better state, swollen and probably awfully red. I didn't want to look. My appearance didn't matter to me, what mattered was the intense feeling of panic growing in me at the mere thought that I'd probably be separated from Edward.

I don't know why I was relieved after the meeting with Banner. I had felt like a child carrying a heavy weight and feeling guilty about it. It had been good to see it in the open. That was my first initial reaction though and it hadn't lasted very long. Now, everything was blurry and confused. The future possessed a menacing and unknown quality that frightened me. The thought of losing the man I loved was completely incapacitating.

I heard the door close loudly, making me jump from my seat in the couch. I had forgotten that Charlie and I were supposed to spend the evening together. I raised my head, swallowed the lump in my throat and quickly wiped the tears once again covering my cheeks. My father didn't need to be involved in this drama I was going through. I needed to get out of it alone, however depressing the end might be.

"Hi, sweetheart! Can you help me with this? I think it's going to fall." I couldn't help but smile at the sight before me. Charlie currently fighting against gravity, carrying a pizza box and three grocery bags was an endearing sight.

"Yes, Dad. Stop moving!" I chuckled, tenderness for my father and the simplicity of his life touching me to my very core. He'd be so disappointed in me, so upset to see he didn't know me at all.

"Thanks sweetie, you know me, I'm not the most coordinated person on the planet." He chuckled, his cheeks suddenly pink. He was embarrassed, why? It was not like I was a graceful woman. I had my clumsy moments, more than I wanted to remember really.

"Here!" I said, catching the pizza that was about to fall. "Thanks for thinking to bring dinner, I was not really in the mood to cook." I tried to keep my voice light and cringed when it broke at the end.

Charlie looked at me, his face worried and suddenly tense. Great, I'd done it again.

"Are you alright Bella? What's wrong, sweetheart?" His softly spoken words broke my brave façade and I could already feel the traitorous tears forming at the corner of my eyes.

"No, it's nothing Dad." I whispered. "I'm just a bit tired." He huffed, shaking his head.

"I know we haven't been that close those last ten years because you had other things in your life…"

"Man, Dad , I had a man in my life. Not a thing." I interrupted, knowing where this was going. Dad was somehow convinced that Jake had done something wrong and I had been a victim in that relationship. I hadn't, we had both fallen out of love with each other.

"Yeah, yeah, whatever you say." He grumbled. "The thing is, we haven't been that close and I can't help but feel that you…I don't know…you're reluctant to tell me things. You know you can talk to me, right? About anything, I'd never judge."

"You say that now but…" I started.

"No, Bella, never. I'm not the most modern man but you can talk to me about everything. You know why? Because, even if you're all grown up, you are my little girl."

"Stop, Dad…You won't understand."

"Well, no, if you don't tell me anything, I can't." He insisted, his eyes stubborn and unusually tender.

I opened my mouth and closed it several times before sighing heavily. How could he understand that? On the other hand, I needed someone to confide in. James was understanding but clearly disapproved and Alice…Well, I didn't even want to think about her now. If she and James had kept their big mouths closed and their judgmental attitude to themselves, I wouldn't be in that situation. Edward and I would maybe have a shot at happiness. Everything was in ruins now.

"What you need to know is what I'm about to tell you must stay between us. Dad, you'll probably be very mad at me after I tell you too. You'll be shocked and you'll judge, I know it."

"Oh, for Christ's sakes, just tell me."

I choked on my words a lot but I ended up telling him pretty much everything. I saw his face fall down and harden as he listened to me. He remained perfectly silent, which was even worse than if he had started yelling at me. When I told him I had been forced to quit, he buried his head in his hands and for the first time, I could hear him talk.

"Oh, no, no, no…" He mumbled.

"Dad…"

"How could you? Are you completely out of your mind? He's a child…"

"I know you think very little of me…"

"Think little of you? I'm just shocked beyond measure, that's what I think, if you must know." He finished, his voice so weak I could barely hear him.

"I understand you don't want to talk to me. I'm going to bed and tomorrow, I'll be out of your hair." I murmured, my eyes lowered, my face burning with the shame of disappointing him. Every child is afraid to lose his parents' respect and I was no exception.

I barely slept that night, battling with myself and hearing Charlie in front of the TV until 3. He finally fell asleep on the couch where I found him in the morning before going to Forks High.

I made myself invisible in the halls, thankfully not seeing anyone I knew at this early hour. I quickly grabbed my books and papers and eying the room where I had worked these last few months. No, no regrets here.

A sob escaped me though, betraying the tension I had been subjected to and the memory, as vivid as ever of the first time I saw Edward. His long body, covered in black, his shy voice and smile. The way he had stolen my heart with his eyes.

I went out like a thief, not even taking time to see Banner. I needed to get out of here before I broke down in front of everyone.

"Bella."

He certainly had the most beautiful voice I had ever heard.

I ran away.

Do you hate me? Please, don't. I'll update next week :). I'm sorry for taking so long this time. As usual, I want to read your thoughts…