Sorry for the wait everyone! Thanks again for reading! :)

Chapter 18:

(The following day)

It was another rare day of sunshine in Forks Washington. Despite it being early August and the peak of summer time, the suns presence was often few and far between.

But today, similarly to the past two days, the T-shirts and shorts were out in full force.

"You know, I always knew this truck would come in handy some day" Charlie admired the vehicle through his tinted specs, patting the hunk of metal with his hand, in awe of his belongings which sat tightly clamped down by metal chains, in the backend of the truck.

No time had gone to waste as soon as they'd returned home from the wedding; their life already stashed away in packing boxes and crates, their sofa and cupboards covered in a protective plastic film ready for the off.

The truck had been the most perfect excuse for speeding things along, hauling up those various necessities, such as clothes, sets of drawers, tables and the odd cupboard here and there. It was just the larger, heavier items that put a slight delay on things, they were to be transported by a proper removal van at a later date, but for now, the truck proved efficient.

It was 10am as Charlie and Edward prepared for their 1st trip of the day. The house was only a 30 minute drive away from their current home in Forks, so for Bella and Charlie, it was only a minor change of location, for Edward and Esme' on the other hand, it was a complete change of state.

This new house was considerably larger in size, accommodating for a grown up family of four. Unlike the current one, it had four bedrooms and two large bathrooms. The living room/dining area was also somewhat grander. And the garden provided a challenge that Charlie was up for. The house was also relatively brand new, so aside from the bare garden, there was very little work that needed to be done.

"Bellz, I've still got room to spare in the truck. Fancy bringing down some of your boxes? May as well cut the number of trips down" Charlie called out to his daughter. "The more we get done today the better" he muttered to himself, while Bella sat on the front steps to their soon to be ex-house. Not moving an inch at her name being called.

"Bellz?" he frowned, looking up towards where she crouched.

"Yeah, be right there" she spoke obliviously, currently in the process of something equally as important. Texting her best friend.

As promised, she sent Jasper's contact details to Alice. She hit send with a smile of excitement, just imagining Alice's unexpected surprise once she received them.

She stuffed the phone into her back pocket. "Alright, I'm done. What did you need?" Bella stood up in question, and placed her hands on her hips as she looked at him.

"The boxes from your room please" Charlie nodded, looking her in the eye.

"Oh ok, just a sec" she swivelled on her heel and darted up the stairs.

"But just the small ones! Don't go breaking your back!" she heard her fathers distant voice shout back to her.

On entering her room Bella paused and scanned the space; overwhelmed by the display before her. Almost everything was in packing boxes now, all scattered across her floor in a cluttered but orderly fashion, ready for the off. Minus her bed of course, which sat untouched.

It didn't even look like her room anymore; it was so bare and cold, in dire need of being re-decorated. Yet it still held so many memories. Dear ones that Bella held close to her heart, such as Charlie helping her with her homework during her first ever grades of school, they'd huddled up onto her floor side by side as they delve into her work. Not to mention all the times Alice had slept over and they'd watched movies until the early hours of the morning, ate popcorn and sweets until they felt sick to the stomach. And of course, the times she'd spent with Edward. The latter having the most significance to her now. Because exhilaration aside, it had helped shape her as a woman, an educational experience some might say, as well as showing her what was truly most important in life.

A tear crept down her cheek at the thought of leaving this house behind. Having been so caught up in all the relationship/wedding drama's of late, she'd never had the opportunity to take a moment and really process what was about to happen. And now that moment had come, and it seemed it was a greater loss than she'd ever expected it to be.

Standing their in silence, she felt a comforting hand touch her back. It was Edward.

"End of an era?" Edward rubbed her back soothingly.

"Hmm?" she half turned her head but kept her eyes on her room.

"Leaving this place?"

She nodded back, hastily wiping away her tears, "A lots happened here".

He smirked softly, "Don't I know it" he mused as he looked at her. A smile curved her lips as she turned to him. "Happy memories" he added.

"And some slightly questionable ones" she teased him, as she lightly whacked his stomach.

"And you wouldn't have had it any other way" he affectionately stroked her cheek.

Her face softened thoughtfully. "I grew up here Edward. My childhood's in this room. This house. I guess I just … needed a moment" she swallowed away the lump in her throat; never anticipating it would be this hard to say goodbye.

He nodded understandingly. "Well you take as long as you want".

She sniffed away her final tears. "I can't. If I think much more about it, I won't want to leave. And anyway, I'm looking forward to my new life now. With you" she glanced at him.

"Glad to hear it".

With a soundly exhale she ran a hand through the strands of her hair. "Well, I guess I better make a start with this" she said as she went for the box closest to them, bending down and picking it up. It was about the size of two shoeboxes, and contained old school work books from Bella's final year. She'd wanted to throw them out, but Charlie, being so proud, had told her otherwise.

"Here, let me" Edward came up towards her, taking the box. And as he did their hands touched. Their eyes lingered, and a small hopeful smile twitched Bella's lips.

Leaning forward Edward lightly pecked her lips; hoping to offer her some level of reassurance amongst all that angst she fought to conceal. But as he turned around and attempted to walk away, she tugged at his arm. "Promise you'll go easy on him. I know he's been a pain, but, he's my dad".

"I promise" he told her directly. "You don't have to worry about anything. The last thing I want is for this to end badly. It'd just be nice to know what's going on inside his head. If we can understand that, we're half way there".

She nodded back meekly. "Should I wish you luck?"

"Luck? Pfft, as if I need luck" he gave her a light-hearted but knowing luck, a small curve of a smile, before she watched him walk away.

…

"Great news about Bella getting into uni" Edward felt compelled to speak up.

25 minutes into the drive, and the silence was becoming virtually unbearable.

"Yeah, well I always knew she could do it", answered Charlie, passively but also somewhat defensively, as he kept his eyes which hid beneath those sunglasses on the road ahead. "It'll be good for her to get away. Meet some new people, broaden her horizons, the independence will be good for her; help her grow".

"She's not a little girl anymore Charlie, she's already a woman. Whether you like it or not, Bella grew up a lot this past year" Edward informed him, with a careful, soft and reasoning approach. Above all, hoping to avoid a heated confrontation.

He scoffed lightly under his breath. "Through no fault of her own" Charlie muttered back, purposefully shifting forward in his seat, his hands firmer around the steering wheel.

But Edward heard it loud and clear. "Nobody forced Bella to do anything. She has her own mind Charlie. Whatever decisions have been made, they were made mutually…" Edward went on, for once thinking he was getting somewhere, but as Charlie simply ignored him, shutting off the engine, stepping out the car and slamming the door shut behind him, it seemed progressing with Charlie was proving a little more difficult than he'd hoped for.

Realising they were now at the new house, Edward followed with a sigh.

Stepping outside, Edward's eyes bulged as he took note of the fresh surroundings; it was the first time he'd visited the new house, and it looked nothing like the Forks he knew and expected. The neighbourhood was in pristine condition, with an overly secure, privatised feel to it. The houses all looked scarily similar, all white with picket fences that seemed to go on for miles down the street, and the green gardens were all trimmed to what appeared to be a precise one inch in height. To Edward it seemed awfully artificial, very un-homely like; a typical middle class American Dream home. Not exactly to Edwards fancy, but being their first joint family home, he could think of much worse. And in any case, it was the company more so than the surroundings that Edward was bothered about.

"Did we just step into the Truman show or something?" Edward commented through his bafflement, never expecting this. How could their parents even afford such a thing? But Charlie simply busied himself with unlocking the back of the truck. Obviously not in the mood for Edwards light banter.

"So how'd you want to do this anyway?" Edward questioned as he eventually closed the truck door, only to have a set of keys come flying his way, as Charlie tossed them across to him. He caught them with ease however, and realised the unspoken answer was to open the front door.

Edward did as prompted, a part of him eager to investigate the house, but instead, he promptly returned to the truck to lend a hand. At least he presumed he would, but it seemed Charlie, wrapped up in ignoring Edward, had other ideas.

"So what? Now you're too proud to even ask for my help?" Edward acknowledged, as he watched his step-father clamber onto the backend of the truck, and by himself, struggle to remove the secured chains which held down the tables and drawers they'd brought with them. "Well great. I really think my mom and Bella are going to appreciate a call from the hospital saying you've broken your back. That's a real smart move Charlie".

But still silence was all he could manage, with the odd wheeze and huff as Charlie yanked at the unrelenting chains. And while Edward shook his head in exasperation, he felt obliged to carry on.

"What is it Charlie?" Edward kept on, walking further around the length of the truck. "Do you think I'm going to hurt her or something?" he spoke up to him, from where he was standing on low ground. "Are you ashamed of what people will think? What?"

"No!" Charlie exclaimed through his frustration, in the process having finally released the chain before slamming it down onto the base of the truck in his fury, it made a loud clanging sound as it did; metal on metal. This neighboured seemed the type of place which rarely heard raised voices, or any type of loud noise actually, it therefore wouldn't have been a surprise to Edward if a herd of startled people had burst through their front doors in alarm. Neighbourhood watch and all that. But no, not even a peek of someone through the curtains. The street was simply deserted. Maybe everyone was at work?

"I put my trust in you Edward" he looked down at him. "You were supposed to look out for her. I saw you as the protective older brother, the one to beat off all those other good-for-nothing guys when I couldn't!" he waved them off as he spoke. "And instead you do this. You go around behind my back, both of you lying to me and your mother, and you expect us to just brush that aside and accept it?" he jumped down to Edwards level. "How can I trust you with her after this? She's my daughter Edward, I know her better than anyone, and my Bella doesn't lie to me. Which only makes me wonder if you're to blame for all of this", he then proceeded to grasp the edges of the drawers, pulling them forward to the edge of the truck.

"I let you down. I'm sorry," Edward openly acknowledged his mistakes, watching as Charlie heaved at the wooden object. "And Ok, I admit it; maybe to start with we were thoughtless and naïve. And yes, I was the one that initiated it". And that earned an eye roll from Charlie. "But I never forced her into doing anything. If you need someone to blame for this, if that'll make you feel better, then fine, blame me. But just so you know, in doing so, you're only making things worse". And for once Charlie took a step back into reality, leaving the cupboard for now and turning his attention to Edward. For once, Charlie actually listened. "I don't want to have to blackmail you into being ok with me, but if that's all that's left, then so be it. Because here's the reality of it Charlie; Bella is in a mess over you. She feels like she's let you down, like she can't even talk to you anymore. She's worried about you to the point of it making her miserable." A flicker of something flashed across Charlie's face; regret maybe? "And you say that you want what's best for her? Well how you're dealing with this isn't what's best for your daughter. If you want to make things right, you need to talk to her. Just listen to her…"

"You're saying I'm a bad father now?" his eyes narrowed at his step son's words.

"I'm saying you need to open your eyes!" Burst Edward. "I love her Charlie, and I want a life with her", anger turned to astonishment and incredulity in Charlie's eyes; never had he ever imagined Edward to use the L word. "We have the chance to be a family from now on, to make a new start! And yeah, it's going to be tough, but don't make it worse by being at loggerheads with me! Because if it comes down to it, I won't hold back this time, I'll fight for her. But Bella will be the one that suffers in the long run. I don't want that and I'm sure you don't either ... So please, just think about that". And with his cards on the table, and nothing left to say, Edward could do no more.

"You're still seeing her" an utterance passed Charlie's lips as he made his realisation, while he stared blankly into the air ahead of him.

"I'm sorry" Edward sighed. Once again they'd lied, gone behind his back and deceived him. But Edward hoped that this time, Charlie could understand why. "But I'm not sorry for the way I feel about her. And I won't let you punish me for that. I won't stand for it".

The sense of warning and determination in Edward's voice had never been so apparent. But whether he was getting through to Charlie was another matter all together. "Anyway, let's get a move on shall we, the heavens are opening".

For a moment it seemed as if Edward had blindsided him, lost him somewhere, deep in thought. And as he slowly removed his shades, a crease spreading across Charlie's forehead, he glanced up at the sky. No longer an expanse of Pale Ocean blue, but a scattering of clouds of grey; looming with a sense of misery. It certainly put a dampener on such a picture perfect house.

And while the crease across Charlie's forehead never ceased to disappear, he promptly got to work. And although he could barely look into his step sons eyes, their ability to work as a team was what got them through.

Conversation was understandably at an all time low though. Non existent almost, aside from verbal instruction. Not that it mattered; both were consumed by far too many thoughts to even make an effort at some light banter.

Even so, beyond all those lingering questions, had it done any good? Had it simply made things worse? Progress had been made. Edward had vented his concerns and frustrations to his step father, and for once, Charlie had actually listened. He may not have liked what he'd heard, but that was the reality of it. All Edward could do now, was wait.

…

(Elsewhere)

Dear Diary,

I'm here again; it seems further therapy is required.

So much has happened this last week.

Not only did my father get married to the woman he loves, but Edward and I have made the biggest and boldest decision of our lives.

We're together now. An unexpected turn of events I know. But I can't tell you how happy it makes me. Disney fireworks kind of happy. It's been a rollercoaster of a ride, or a long haul plane journey, a turbulent one at that, with so many ups and downs, my stomach could barely take it, but I think were nearing the end now. And thank god for that.

For so long I thought and feared that I'd lost him. Contemplating a life where I would be forced to see him as a sibling and nothing more. But now I realise, beyond everything else, now matter how much strength and willpower I may have had, it couldn't have been done. It wouldn't have been possible for me to put on a brave face and go on with my life without Edward.

Because when I think of it, I want to cry my eyes out. I may as well have had my heart torn out, stolen from me to leave nothing but an empty hollow space. And rather that than live a life with a broken, aching heart. I couldn't live like that, and I'm sure my dad wouldn't want me to either.

When I'd mentioned this was a rollercoaster ride, I truly meant it. Charlie being the upside down part, with those sudden twists and turns that leave your body and mind in a tangle. He is my only concern now. My relationship with Edward no longer worries me. We love each other, that's the only thing that matters to me now. I couldn't care less what people may think. I could face ten thousand Jessica Stanley's all at once, as long as I had Edward by my side. My only wish now is for my dad to give us his blessing.

I understand that it's hard for him, confusing maybe, given his relationship with Edwards mother. But I can't help that I've fallen for Edward. Love happens in mysterious ways, and if books, movies, even real-life has taught me anything, when you find it, you cling to it, and cling hard.

I know I broke my dad's heart having lied to him. But if this is my chance at true happiness, surely he could find it in his heart to forgive me?

Is that really too much to ask for?

B xxx

…

(2 hours later)

"Do you think we could get another load in before lunch? Or is that pushing it a little?" Edward asked as he jumped out of the truck.

"Maybe, depends what the girls have got planned" Charlie shrugged as he strolled back up the driveway of the old house, unlocking the front door and stepping inside. "Girls?"

No answer.

"That's strange".

"Gone for a walk. Be back soon. B" Edward read the note aloud, which sat on one of the large boxes near the hallway. "Well great, I guess lunch is out the question then" he rolled his eyes.

"Look, why don't you start down here. Move some of the boxes from the kitchen into the truck, I'll start on the upstairs" Charlie told him, and earned a nod from his step son in return. The two went their separate ways…

A loud exhale surged from Charlie's mouth as he stood before his daughters room. On an average day it resembled that of a jungle. But today, it was more like an obstacle course… thrown into the middle of a jungle. "How one person can collect this much stuff, I'll never know" Charlie muttered as he clambered over the boxes in Bella's room to reach the largest one.

He heaved the box into his arms, it was heavier than he'd anticipated, and as he turned around, failing to see the boxes beneath his feet, he stumbled a foot or two, dropping a couple of items in the process.

"Damit" he cursed, placing the box carefully down onto her bed before he bent down to pick up the fallen items.

Most of it was rubbish, well, what Charlie considered as rubbish. But one was her diary, and in the fall it had opened onto the last written page. It was dated at today's date, written less than an hour ago in Bella's handwriting.

Under almost no circumstance, would Charlie read his daughters private diary. But on noticing his name and the words surrounding it, he felt he couldn't turn away.

...For so long I thought and feared that I'd lost him…

…I may as well have had my heart torn out, stolen from me to leave nothing but an empty space. And rather that than live a life with a broken, aching heart…

…Charlie is my only concern now. My relationship with Edward no longer worries me. We love each other, that's the only thing that matters to me now….

…My only wish is for my dad to give us his blessing….

…Is that really too much to ask for?

It was the description of her feelings that hurt him the most. 'Heart torn out, stolen from me to leave nothing but an empty space' …

"Stolen?" Charlie muttered the word, his legs turning to jelly as he perched himself on her bed; knowing he would have been the reason for Bella feeling that way. How could he steal that from her? Steal away those warm, magical feelings of love, when that exact same thing had once happened to him. Not in the same way, but the principal remained the same. Charlie's first wife, Bellas birth mother, had ditched him some 18 years ago, at a time when he'd needed her the most, and truthfully, there had been no other feeling like it. He would never wish that on anyone, least of all Bella; his pride and joy.

If only he'd known this was love. And not just presumed it was a silly teenage crush, detrimental to their life as a family.

Should he have had more faith in her, in them? He already knew the answer to that. Yes. Plain and simple.

Charlie's heart shattered at the thought of what he'd put his little girl through; the evident longing and distress in her written excerpt. And as he placed a hand to his face, the tears in his eyes welling up, he heard her soft and beautiful voice.

"Dad? … What are you doing?"

A/N: Ok, so that chapter really was a bane in my existence lol, I'm not sure why, but I found it really hard to write. And I don't think I like it too much =/

But I hope it was at least in some way readable! Lol.