A/N Thank you to everyone who has read, added as a favorite, alerted, and reviewed this story so far! It means more to me than I can every express.

Are you ready to find out what Charlie thinks about everything? What did he hear? How will he react? Find these answers and more in this chapter! Enjoy and please leave me your comments! I'd love to hear them; good or bad. :) Preferable good since I'm having oral surgery in the morning so I'll need something to cheer me up, but I'll take anything! I love you all! 3

Chapter 54 – Always and Forever

Jake sat at his table with he and Carlisle for another hour after Edward and Bella left. They were discussing their options and what needed to be done with the situation they were in. There was no doubt that James Ellsworth had been the one to break into the house and destroy everything.

Charlie wanted nothing more than to string the bastard up to a tree and watch him hang. That was until he heard about what happened in California. When he heard that James had raped a girl and then may have had something to do with her disappearance, he saw red. Somehow he knew that the poor girl was dead; he had a feeling in his gut and his gut was rarely ever wrong. James deserved a very slow, very painful death.

It was decided that Charlie would head back into the station the following morning. The house was pretty much back to normal thanks to Carlisle's help. There was still a bit of clean up to do, but it would be easy enough to get it done by himself in the next couple of days.

His primary concern was Bella; it would always be Bella. That's why he had swallowed his pride and asked Edward to take care of her. He knew he wouldn't be able to keep an eye on her and find the creep at the same time. He was afraid that if he let his guard down, something bad would happen.

That was also why, when Edward asked for his blessing to marry Bella, he gave it. He knew Edward loved Bella unconditionally and would do everything in his power to take care of her. He could see how happy they were with each other and he knew Bella deserved, more than anyone, to be happy.

Once Jake left, he and Carlisle went back to working on the house. There wasn't much else that needed to be done; it was pretty much the small things left, like replacing picture frames, putting dishes in cupboards, making beds. They had just sat down to take a break when Carlisle's phone rang.

He heard Carlisle talking to who he assumed was Edward, giving him an update on how things were going. After a second, Carlisle moved the phone from his hear and spoke to Charlie. "I guess everyone got sidetracked with the news about the wedding and Esme forgot to make dinner. Do you want to come join us for pizza?"

Charlie always felt like he was a part of the family, especially because they never forgot to invite him when they were doing things. "Sure, I'm bushed," he answered.

Carlisle told Edward that pizza was fine and that he and Charlie would be there in about thirty minutes. After another few seconds, he covered the phone and asked Charlie what he and Bella liked on their pizzas. He told Carlisle what they preferred and then listened as he told Edward and then offered to swing by on the way home to pick it up.

Twenty minutes later they had picked up the pizza and headed to the Cullen's house. Everyone was there except for Emmett and Rosalie, although he knew they'd be showing up in the next couple of hours. At dinner, everyone started talking about the wedding and the plans that had been made so far. Bella explained that they were going to have a small ceremony on the observation deck of the Point Wilson Lighthouse. She said it would be intimate, with only their closest family and friends.

Charlie immediately felt horrible. He wanted Bella to have the wedding of her dreams and he thought she might be holding back because she didn't have the money to do what she wanted. As soon as that realization came to him, he offered her the money he had saved up. He would give her the world on a platter if he could. He had lived without her for far too long, and this was the only way he had of coping with that fact; he still wanted her to be happy more than anything.

When she told him that the only thing she needed was to have Edward waiting for her when she came down the aisle, he came to the realization that he made the right decision in giving his blessing. It was the best thing he could have done. Bella then went on to tell him that Edward had some money put aside and was ready to take care of her. Edward didn't say anything, but nodded fervently while she spoke.

Charlie appreciated the fact that Edward was going to step up and take on the responsibility of caring for Bella, but he was only eighteen. It was a lot for anyone to take on. "Okay Bells. Just know that my offer stands. If you need anything, it's yours. I love you so much and I want you to be happy."

Without warning, Bella ran around the table and threw herself into his arms. "I love you too, Dad. Thank you for everything." She sat there in his arms for a few minutes while he just held her. She wasn't his little girl anymore, but he would always have this.

Bella must have realized that everyone else except for Edward had left the room. She kissed him lightly on the cheek, thanking him again before getting up. He decided he would take his leave as well and mumbled something about going to find Carlisle. Really, he was trying to overcome the tears that were threatening to spill down his face.

He found Carlisle in his study and they watched the game for a few hours. When Charlie glanced at his watch, he realized how late it had gotten, so he stood up and stretched.

"Carlisle, I don't know how I'm ever going to repay you for all your help in the last few days. You're an amazing friend." He paused for a moment to gather his thoughts. Finally, he looked into his friend's eyes. "Is it okay if Bella stays here again tonight? I honestly don't think she'll ever be comfortable sleeping in that bedroom again, knowing what she knows now." He shuddered to himself just thinking about the horrible scene from a few nights before.

"Of course not Charlie. Bella will be an official Cullen in less than two days. She's already family, just like you."

Charlie smiled at him. "Alright, then I'm going to head home; I've got to go in to the station early to start the manhunt for James. I'm just going to say goodnight to Bella before I take off."

Carlisle stood and pulled Charlie into a hug, which he returned. Fighting with his emotions again, he broke the hug and headed for the door. He made his way upstairs and stood outside Edward's room for a minute. The door was closed, so he debated on whether or not to just leave, but then he heard Bella groan. It was a sound that no father ever wanted to hear coming from his daughter, but it also made him smile.

With an evil smirk on his face, he knocked on the door. No, he didn't really care that Edward and Bella were sexually active as long as they were being safe. That didn't mean that he couldn't have a bit of fun with them though.

He thought he heard Edward mutter something under his breath and he couldn't help but chuckle to himself. With a full grin now planted on his face he called through the door. "Bells, are you in there?"

…..

When he heard Charlie's voice coming through the door he almost had a heart attack. After all, he had the police chief's daughter naked in his bed. He thought for sure Charlie would shoot him if he knew what they were up to.

"Yeah Dad, I'm in here," Bella answered him as she frantically threw on one of his t-shirts. "Give me just a sec."

Well, if he didn't know something was going on before, he knows now, he thought to himself. Bella sounded completely out of breath when she spoke; it was pretty obvious.

Edward grabbed two pair of boxers from his top drawer. He slid one on and handed Bella the other pair. Once she had them on under the shirt, she went and unlocked his door before opening it very slowly.

Please don't let him be too pissed off! Please don't let him be too pissed off! Edward kept repeating the words to himself over and over. When Bella had the door completely open, Edward was shocked to see Charlie grinning mischievously. Could he really be okay with everything?

Charlie looked over Bella's shoulders and his eyes instantly met Edward's. Instead of the warning that Edward expected to see in his eyes, there was kindness and acceptance. It was at that moment that Edward realized that Charlie knew he was sleeping with Bella more than platonically, but also that he didn't care.

He winked at Edward before turning his attention to his daughter. "Bells, I'm going to head home. I'll be going to the station first thing in the morning, but I'll have my cell if you need to reach me for anything."

Bella managed to keep her cool while standing in front of her dad, at least until he commented on what she was wearing.

"Wow Bells, nice clothes. I didn't realize you were a boxers kind of girl." Her face immediately turned bright red at his words. If his goal was to embarrass her, he definitely succeeded.

Bella looked absolutely breathtaking when she blushed like that. Knowing she needed some reassurance, Edward walked up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist before placing a kiss on her cheek. Finally he met Charlie's eyes. "They look great on her, don't you think?" She stiffened at his comment and if it was possible, turned an even deeper shade of red. He gave her waist a little squeeze to let her know they were teasing.

She instantly relaxed into his embrace and her face returned to its normal color, having realized her father was just giving her a hard time.

"Is it safe to assume you want Bella to stay here again tonight, Charlie?" He didn't want to be too forward, especially with how gracious Charlie was being about the whole situation, but he couldn't wait to get back to where he and Bella had left off. After all, even though everyone had congratulated them on their engagement, they hadn't been able to celebrate yet with just each other. He knew they had a long day ahead of them tomorrow, but he still planned to celebrate with Bella for most of the night.

Charlie grinned at him before answering. "Honestly Edward, I don't expect Bella to ever sleep in her room again." His gaze switched from Edward to Bella and he winked at his daughter while he smiled brightly.

Edward felt Bella tense up for a second and then she relaxed again. "Thank you, Daddy," she told Charlie before leaving Edward's embrace to wrap her arms around her father's waist. "You're an amazing father. I couldn't have done better if I picked you out myself."

As long as Edward had known him, Charlie had never been outwardly affectionate, so he just stood there, looking really awkward. After Bella hugged him for a few seconds, his arms slowly wrapped around her shoulders and he kissed her on the top of her head. "Thanks Bells. You have no idea what it means to me to hear you say that."

Edward sort of felt like he was intruding on their private conversation as he watched a single tear make it's way down Charlie's cheek. He was just about to turn around and go sit on his bed or something when Bella pulled away from Charlie and walked back to him. He immediately opened his arms to her and she wrapped hers around his waist. She fit so perfectly in his arms that he never wanted her to leave.

After they said their good-byes, Charlie made his way down the stairs and out of sight. As soon as he was gone, Edward lifted Bella into his arms bridal-style and carried her back into his room. He engaged the lock on his door again and walked Bella back to his bed. As soon she was lying on his bed, he practically ripped the shirt from her body.

"Where were we?" he asked before kissing her with every bit of passion he had in his body. He was instantly erect again and needed Bella more than he needed air to breathe.

"Oh God, Edward! I need to feel you so bad," she said and she shimmied her hips, sliding his boxers off her legs.

"Love, you are absolutely breathtaking," he told her as he slid out of his boxers while taking in every inch of her gorgeous body. Before she could say a word, he positioned himself at her entrance and gently slid into her. She was still so wet and ready for him that it was easy. They both moaned at the sensation as he slowly thrust in and out of her. She was so tight as she encased him that it felt like she was made especially for him. They were perfect for each other in every way.

…..

Bella panicked when she heard Charlie on the other side of Edward's door. She couldn't figure out why he was there or, more importantly, how long he had been there.

She scrambled around Edward's room trying to find her clothes, but they were strewn everywhere. She settled on one of his t-shirts and tried to keep her voice as normal as possible when she answered him. "Yeah, Dad. I'm in here. Give me just a sec."

Dammit! Why do I have to sound so out of breath! she thought to herself as she frantically looked for her jeans. Edward very calmly walked to his dresser and pulled out two pair of boxer shorts. He slipped one on, covering up his gorgeous body, before handing her the other pair.

Once she was decent, she walked to the door and slowly opened it. She had no idea what to expect but she definitely didn't expect to see her dad standing there grinning like the Cheshire cat. She thought she was dreaming for a second, especially when Charlie winked at Edward, who was standing behind her.

He turned his attention to her, smiling. "Bells, I'm going to head home. I'll be going to the station first thing in the morning, but I'll have my cell if you need to reach me for anything."

Bella wondered if there was any way Charlie was actually okay with everything. She was almost positive that he had heard what was going on based on his grin when she opened the door but it didn't make any sense. She smiled despite her internal battle and played it cool. She didn't want to add fuel to the fire incase Charlie was playing it cool as well.

She thought he was about to say goodnight when he suddenly took in what she was wearing. "Wow Bells, nice clothes. I didn't realize you were a boxers kind of girl."

She stiffened as the blush rose from her neck to the tops of her ears, knowing that Charlie was going to kill Edward. Sure, he didn't have his gun on him, but she was willing to bet it was in the glove compartment of his cruiser right outside.

She could feel a full-on panic attack trying to take over, at least until Edward walked up right behind her and encased her in his arms. His touch and presence soothed her frayed nerves causing her to relax completely. When he kissed her cheek she felt like she was in heaven. "They look great on her, don't you think?" he said to her dad.

Her breath hitched as she wondered what the hell he was doing. Talk about adding fuel to the fire. When Edward squeezed her waist, she realized that her father was playing with her. Taking a deep breath, she relaxed back into Edward and smiled at her father.

Without ever letting go of her, Edward spoke to Charlie. "Is it safe to assume you want Bella to stay here again tonight, Charlie?"

Please say yes! Please say yes! She thought if she repeated her wish over and over in her head it just might come true. She was still dripping with need for Edward and wanted so badly for him to finish what he had started before they were interrupted. They had only been engaged for a few short hours, but hadn't really had any time to themselves. She wanted nothing more than to make love to her fiancé all night. It would be possible at Charlie's, just much harder.

Her worries were silenced when Charlie grinned at Edward. "Honestly Edward, I don't expect Bella to ever sleep in her room again." His gaze moved from Edward to her and he winked; he actually winked as he smiled at her.

So sure that the other shoe was going to drop at any second, she stiffened again but then realized that she was being silly and calmed herself down. "Thank you, Daddy!" She stepped out of Edward's arms and wrapped her own around Charlie's waist. "You're an amazing father. I couldn't have done better if I picked you out myself." She meant it too. He was understanding, loving, and completely amazing.

Her father stood awkward for a second or two before he moved his arms up to wrap around her shoulders. Kissing her on the top of the head, he said "Thanks Bells. You have no idea what it means to me to hear you say that."

She smiled into his chest and hugged him for another minute before stepping back toward Edward. The second he saw her moving toward him, he opened his arms and pulled her into an embrace, which she returned. She would never get tired of being held by Edward. He offered her security, he offered her kindness, but most importantly, he offered her unconditional love.

After saying good night, Charlie headed downstairs. The second he disappeared from sight, Edward scooped her up into his arms and carried her back to his room, closing and locking the door behind him. The look in his eyes was wild as he brought her to the bed. The second she was out of his arms and sitting on the bed, his shirt was being torn from her body.

"Where were we?" he asked her seductively before bringing his lips to hers. He kissed her so deeply and with so much passion that she felt her whole body tingle.

She was beyond wanton for him and she told him just that. "Oh God, Edward! I need to feel you so bad," she told him as she lifted her hips and shimmied out of his boxers.

Now lying on his bed completely naked, she watched as his eyes raked over her entire body. "Love, you are absolutely breathtaking," he told her while he slid his own boxers down and off. Without waiting for a response, he positioned himself at her seeping entrance and slid into her with ease. She moaned as he moved in and out of her and smiled when she heard the same response from him.

She never felt better than when Edward made slow, sweet love to her. Yes, she definitely enjoyed it when he screwed her hard and fast, but this was truth; this was how it was supposed to be. This was what proved to her that they were meant for each other.

Every aspect of their lovemaking was perfect. They moved in unison, they breathed in unison; they sighed and moaned in unison. Everything they did when they were making love was done together. She was almost willing to bet that their hearts were even synchronized perfectly. He was her always; she was his forever.