A/N: Sorry for the late update. So many happenings in the Twi-fandom over the past couple of weeks. The Eclipse soundtrack list was released. Two of my favourite bands/artists Metric and Sia both had a song. Muse released their song preview. Also, Rob, Kristen, Taylor and Dakota appeared on Oprah. The interview was HILARIOUS! Rob has the world's most contagious laughter. And did you guys see how Rob and Kristen tactfully dodged the dating question?

Thanks to all the wonderful people who have reviewed or put this story on alerts.

Chapter 33:

All fathers tend to be protective when it comes to their daughters. Charlie was no different. True, I was not as close with him as I was with my mother, but that was because he was not one of those people who were open about their emotions. My brother, Oliver got that from him. I didn't.

After that whole nasty debacle with Aaron, Charlie had been really careful about the men I saw. I didn't get mad at him; after all he was just looking out for me as a concerned parent. It was due to my own foolishness that I didn't see through the façade Aaron had been pulling. The night I found him and my friend in a compromising situation, I came running back home, crying like a lovesick teenage girl. Honestly, I wasn't upset because he had chosen my friend over me. I was saddened because I had lost two friends that night.

My parents had been patient and extremely understanding during that time. They didn't blame me for what happened but Charlie did warn me about thinking wisely before giving so much priority to a man the next time. I had kept his words in mind when I realized I was falling for Edward.

Until now Charlie's protective nature wasn't something I had to worry about. It's not like I was afraid of Charlie not approving of Edward. Now that I'd come to know what a truly wonderful person he was, I am sure my father too would see that and accept Edward for who he was. It was just a matter of time.

On Friday evening, after Edward dropped me off at home, I decided I will tell Charlie about him during the weekend. I wished Edward a good-night and a safe trip as he was going to New Jersey on the next day to see his mother and will be spending the weekend there.

With a pang of distress, I watched as he drove off. It was terrifying how much miserable I knew I would be without seeing him over the weekend. As soon as the Volvo turned around the corner of the street and out of my sight, I started missing him. The thought of how much effect he had on me was truly horrifying. Yet, I liked it that I was missing someone's presence.

After dinner, as I helped Renee do the dishes, I kept an eye on Charlie. I saw him settling down in front of the television to catch the ten o'clock news. After I had placed all the dishes in the dishwasher, I wiped my brow and took a deep breath. Very carefully, I went to the living room, where Charlie was stretched out in his favourite armchair.

When he saw me, he smiled and I returned it, hoping he'd still be smiling at the end of our conversation. I sat down precariously on the couch beside his armchair and he turned down the volume.

"So, how's the job treating you, Bells?" he asked, tearing his gaze from the TV screen.

I forced a smile and said, "It's going great. Actually, they will be promoting me within the next few weeks."

He nodded and smiled again. "That's good. And that boss of yours, he's not giving you a hard time, is he?"

I shook my head. "No, David's great. Honestly, I think I'll miss not working for him. But, Michelle, my new boss is nice too. So, is everyone else I work with." Including those I work with at the orphanage, I thought with a smile.

"Hmm," he said as he eyed me suspiciously. I changed my expression back to a neutral one and decided this was the time to mention Edward. However, just as I was about to open my mouth, Charlie spoke again.

"Is there something you want to talk about?" he asked, eyeing me dubiously.

I gulped in a breath of air and nodded.

Charlie picked up the remote and turned down the volume. Then he shifted in his chair so that he was facing me. He crossed his arms over his chest as he waited for me to speak.

"Dad, you remember after that incident with…..Aaron," he narrowed his eyes at the name, "you made me promise that if there ever was someone else in…my life, I should come straight to you and tell you about him?"

I looked up after I said this. He was now sitting up straight in his chair, with his palms resting on his knees. I saw a muscle flex in his jaw.

"Who is it, Bells? How much do you know about him? Do you want me to check for his criminal record?"

I shook my head. "Dad, please, let me finish. He works with me at the orphanage. That's where I met him. His name is Edward," I finished, ducking my head a little as I said his name. I felt a smile tugging the corners of my lips as his name rolled out of my tongue. My cheeks felt heated.

I looked up to see Charlie softening his facial expression. My lovesick behaviour must have relaxed him somehow because he settled back in his chair. But his eyes remained alert.

"How long have you known him for?" he asked, tilting his head to one side. His voice too was devoid of any sternness. Instead, he just sounded concerned.

I did the mental math in my head. "It's been a little over five months."

He sighed and a sad look came up on his face. "That's hardly long enough time to know someone. Don't forget, it takes some married couples decades to actually know their spouse."

I rolled my eyes. "Dad, I'm not marrying him right now. I just wanted to keep my promise and tell you about him."

He nodded. "And you're certain about your feelings for him? Does he feel the same way?"

Uggh. This was the part I was dreading.

"All I can tell you is that there will be no one else, ever." I said this while inspecting my bitten fingernails. I realized that I really meant it.

He gave me a disapproving look. "Well, you sound awfully sure. But I can't help but worry about that. You're still so young to feel that strongly - "

"I remember Mom telling me once when she realized she was in love with you," I interrupted him mid-sentence. "She told me that one day you two were laughing and talking, during your courtship and she felt like she really connected with you. She said, even though you had had only known each other for a few weeks by then, she felt like she had known you forever." I looked up to meet the eyes that were so much like my own. "That is how I feel when I'm with him, Dad."

He nodded again, this time knowingly as he pondered on everything I had said. "But you still haven't answered my other question. How strongly does he feel about you?"

I trained my eyes on my chipped nails again. He noticed my hesitation and said, "Bells? There's more to it, isn't it?"

I decided it was best to just come out and tell him the truth about Edward's past and the horrible tragedy that ended it.

"Dad, Edward was….married. About four years ago, his wife and his unborn child died in a car accident. He was behind the wheels during the accident. For some unfathomable reason, he blames himself for it."

I looked over Charlie to see a grim expression taking over his face. His lips were forming a tight line and his eyes seemed distant. Finally, he looked at me with a tired look. He seemed to have aged a few years after hearing about Edward's past.

"Bells, that's horrible. I can't even imagine what I would do if something happened to you, your mother or your brother. To be able to live through such a tragedy takes some great strength. Must be one hell of a tough guy, that Edward."

I smiled sadly and murmured, "You have no idea.

He doesn't show it to the world. He faces the people bravely, yet never breaks down or shows his weakness. And, even though it took him some time, but now it seems he's gradually able to open up a little to me. He doesn't talk about his past. But if you look closely, you can see the burning man under that entire charade. It will probably take him some time to feel as strongly about me as I do about him, but," I looked down at my lap, "I have a feeling he'll get there."

Charlie leaned forward and placed a hand on my head. "I just don't want to see you getting hurt, not again."

I smiled and took his hand between both of mine. "I know that, Dad. This is why I thought I'd be honest with you."

"I hope you know that I appreciate that, Bells."

I nodded and got up from my chair. I kissed his forehead and patted his greying hair. "I know that. Good night, Dad."

Just as I was reaching the staircase, he called out. "When do I get to meet this Edward?"

I turned slowly and faced him. "I think we should give him some time, don't you think?"

He nodded and picked up the television remote again.

Once I was in my room, I breathed out a sigh in relief. I grabbed my McBook and hopped on to my bed. Just as I was checking my emails, I got an invite in my messenger. A certain 'EAC206' had sent me an invite. At first, I got a bit confused and then it dawned on me. With a huge smile, I accepted the invite.

Almost instantaneously, I received an IM.

EAC206: Hey! You still up?

JingleBells87: No. I'm talking in my sleep.

EAC206: Ha ha.

EAC206: Your username is *ahem* very original.

JingleBells87: Shut up. Don't make fun of it. My dad sometimes calls me Bells.

JingleBells87: Besides I could say the same about YOUR username.

I sat back with a smug grin on my face, waiting for his reply.

EAC206: Using one's initials and birth date together as a username is fairly common. It's nothing unusual and has got nothing to do with holidays.

JingleBells87: You are so annoying.

He didn't write back anything for a few minutes so I got worried that I had offended him somehow.

EAC206: Sorry. I just got interrupted.

JingleBells87: By who?

EAC206: It's just my neighbour. She wanted some milk for her late night coffee.

I narrowed my eyes at this. The words I typed next were oozing with jealousy.

JingleBells87: You mean the new hot girl?

EAC206: Err….how did you know?

JingleBells87: Because you're an insanely sexy man and she's just another woman looking for a chance to bang you.

As soon as I hit enter after typing that, I let out a gasp as I realized what I'd just done. My fingers froze for a while as I read what I'd just written. Seriously, where did all that rage come from? I never spoke like that. So why was I suddenly being so….agonizingly honest?

I took a few deep breaths and made several futile attempts to delete my previous message. What I'd done cannot be undone. So, I just gave up and waited for him to reply.

As I kept waiting, I minimized the chat window and went on to reading my emails. This time I was truly terrified that I had crossed the line. I read emails from my old college friends, even though my mind was elsewhere.

Fifteen minutes later, I got a new IM.

EAC206: Bella? Are you still there?

I bit my lip and thought about how to reply.

JingleBells87: No. I'm waiting for the ground to open up so I can crawl under it.

EAC206: Come on. Don't be so melodramatic.

JingleBells87: Are you serious? That had got to be one of the most humiliating experiences of my life. And that's saying something because I've got plenty of those.

There, I went ahead and brought it up.

EAC206: So you mentioned how attractive you find me. What's so wrong about that? You have no idea what it does to a man's ego.

EAC206: Besides, your sudden outburst was kind of hot.

JingleBells87: *cue eye roll* You're such a guy.

EAC206: You weren't complaining about it when I had you pressed again the blackboard this evening.

JingleBells87: You're a jerk too.

EAC206: An 'insanely sexy' jerk. Your words, not mine.

I could practically see him smirk knowingly.

JingleBells87: So the 'A' in your initials start for a-hole, I'm guessing?

EAC206: Nice try. It stands for Anthony, actually.

JingleBells87: GOOD NIGHT Edward!

EAC206: I'll miss you.

And just like that, with one single sentence, he made me forget how annoying he was being mere minutes ago.

JingleBells87: We'll see each other on Monday. It's just two days in between.

JingleBells87: I'll miss you too.

EAC206: Good night, Bella. Sleep well.

Now I definitely will.

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