Stephenie has it all. I just decided to play with her characters and add some of mine.

Pictures of the characters on my web, here: http:/ newdawn-newday-newlife . webs . com/ residentadviser . htm.

As you know by now, remove the spaces. On FB you find me under the name of Cherry Bella. THANK YOU, GUYS! I never expected so many reviews or story Alerts/Favorites or hits. You are great! This is seriously my only story to receive such feedback! I update every week.

Pre-read by TeamAllTwilight.

PS: For those that don't know, I posted an outtake for this story. It's about Edward when he was little.

When I saw a tall figure in the doorway, I sighed in relief. "Finally. Get her," I muttered over her crying. But as I approached, I saw that it was Edward, and he was gaping at me.

"I thought it was Bob," I whispered.

"Uhh…"

I frowned. He was acting out of his character. After a few seconds, he took the baby from my arms and my heart burst into a marathon. He looked so casual with the baby in his arms. Domestic. I wanted that. I wanted to see him with our baby.

That thought scared me shitless. But he looked in his element. And the baby had stopped crying. I put a tentative hand over her small head, and met Edward's eyes. They were full of tears.

"I want this," he murmured in a voice thick with emotion.

Fuck. That was like he had admitted his darkest secret. It was too much even for him.

"Me too," I answered, before I realized I talked.

Another set of arms came between us, snatching the baby. "Sorry, but stop playing house with my daughter."

"Fuck off, Bob," Edward muttered, running the heel of his palm under his left eye. "Coming to bed?" he asked me.

"Let me grab the water I came here for."

When we went back to the guest room, Edward locked the door and picked me up, carrying me to the bed.

"I love you so much, Bella."

"I love you too."

He smiled, laying us on the bed, holding me tightly. He started kissing my neck and when his hands went under my pajama top, I stopped him.

"Remember, you said no…"

"Screw that. I need you," he murmured, undressing me slowly.

"I was thinking of starting to take the pill," I whispered.

Edward stroked my face. "Sounds good. The more precautions, the better."

We didn't talk again for the rest of the night. He was so gentle and caring, just like on Christmas morning.

On the New Year Eve, we talked on the phone with his family and my Dad, not giving away what had happened in their absence. The night was spent in the living room, eating, drinking a little and watching TV. Nothing special.

We planned to go back to the campus the next day. Bob begged Edward to talk sense into Coach Shaw, tell him that he still wanted to be on the team and that there were a few more months left of the year. Edward promised he'd do what he could.

While he was talking with Coach Shaw, I was in my room, packing Tanya's things. We had grabbed just a few clothes after taking her home from the hospital. I filled her suitcase with clothes, school books, papers and everything else that fit then took Edward's car and went back to Bob's house.

I was in their room – Bob's room – helping her unpack when my phone started ringing. It was odd. I didn't have the song Fall for You in my phone. When I pulled the phone out of my pocket, I realized we had switched phone accidentally when we left this morning.

My Love was flashing on the screen of Edward's phone.

"Yes, my love?" I answered, rolling my eyes. I was going to tease him endlessly about this.

"Bella…" he said in a shaky voice. "Where are you?"

"Uhh Bob's house. Why?"

"Oh…There's…I just…Your phone was at me…"

"Yes, I realized that."

"And there was a call," he whispered. "Fuck. Are you sitting down, love?"

"Should I?" I asked worried, sitting on the edge of the bed.

"There was a call from…Dr. Snow…"

"I don't know any Dr. Snow," I interjected.

He hissed. "It's your father, Bella."

I gasped, my heart stopping.

No.

I couldn't breathe.

Charlie. Daddy.

I heard Edward calling my name, but I couldn't find my voice. I was aware of someone holding me and talking in the phone then there was silence.

My head was swirling with scenarios. I should have focused on Edward.

Was my Dad okay?

Was he injured badly?

Was he… No. I couldn't conceive that.

I fainted.

When I opened my eyes, Edward was in front of me, stroking my face. Everything came back with full force and I put my hand over my mouth. Intuitive, Edward helped me to the bathroom. I emptied my stomach a couple of times.

"Tell me," I mumbled.

"He was shot. I'm so sorry Bella."

"Is he…you know…alive?"

"He was out of surgery when the doctor called." I breathed a sigh of relief, but Edward wasn't done. "He wasn't very hopeful," he added quietly.

"Can you drive me home?"

"You don't have to ask. I already called Alice and they know what happened. I talked with Shaw and he told me to be there for you."

I sagged in his arms, allowing the tears to fall freely from my eyes. He rocked me a little. After Mrs. Gravel gave me food for the road trip, we left.

The visit at the hospital was the worst thing I'd done in my life. I didn't want to leave his side, but I wasn't allowed to stay the night. We went to Charlie's house.

On the way to the house, Edward stopped by at the diner and brought a pizza. He was going to eat it alone. I wasn't sure I could hold anything. I couldn't even get the key in the lock.

Once inside, I collapsed on a mismatched kitchen chair and broke down. Charlie had promised to retire, but he postponed it. If he had kept his word, he wouldn't be laying in a hospital bed with an uncertain future.

"Mom," I mumbled.

Edward appeared at my side with a plate in his hand. "Did you say something?" There was concern written all over his face.

"Mom," I repeated, aware my voice was faint. I should probably try to eat something.

"Oh, you want to call her?" he asked, stroking my cheek with the back of his hand.

I nodded, wiping my tears, before getting up to go to the phone. Not eating, crying and throwing up weren't good on my balance. I stumbled over my feet. Edward caught me easily and carried me to the living room.

"You sure about not wanting some pizza?"

"Okay, a little bit," I whispered.

He rushed to the kitchen, coming back with what was left of the pizza. When did he eat it?

I shot him a weak smile. "Your coach will kill you."

"Shh, he doesn't have to know about the fats I'm eating," he said playfully. "Now, have some."

"Bring me the phone, will you?"

He gave me his phone – or was it mine? – I had no idea. I wanted the house phone, but I had to deal with the mobile one. I didn't have the strength to explain what I wanted. After three bites from the pizza, I pushed it back to him and saw it was indeed my phone. I called Renee's number. I didn't even care what hour was in her state.

"Hello?" she answered, surprised.

It had been a long time since we last talked. "Hey, Mom."

"Bella, are you okay, sweetie? What's wrong?" Why do moms have to feel when something is wrong?

"Uhh it's..." I gulped my tears. "It's Charlie," I whispered, bursting in a new round of crying. I felt the phone slipping through my fingers.

Edward crushed me to his chest, picking up my phone and turning it on speaker so I could hear Mom.

"Bella? What happened? Are you still there, honey?"

I tried to answer, but choked out on my words.

"She can't really talk, Mrs. Swan," Edward whispered.

"No," I mouthed. But it was too late.

"Who is this? And my name is Dwyer."

"Crap," Edward muttered. "Hello, Madam, it's Edward Cullen. I'm Bella's boyfriend."

"What happened with Charlie?"

He explained in a few words everything. She promised to take the first flight to us. I should have known there was a reason she hadn't overreacted when she learned who Edward was. She was coming and…she was going to piss me off.

I woke up to pounding in the front door. I didn't remember falling asleep in the first place. The sun was high and pouring in the room. I had no idea what hour it was.

The person outside knocked violently again.

Considering Edward wasn't next to me, I thought he had locked himself outside so I trudged there.

It wasn't Edward. It was Mom and Phil. Fuck.

"Bella, sweetie!" she wailed, and clasped me close to her.

I realized in that moment how much I had missed her and started crying again. After I allowed them inside, I found a note on the kitchen table.

Morning, love,

I left you some hot water if you want to wash. I am out, buying something to eat.

Edward.

I sighed, knowing where he was – or just having an idea of his whereabouts.

"So, where's your young man?" Mom asked.

"Getting food. I'm going to take a shower then…we can go visit Dad."

"Okay," she answered. "Are you feeling well, sweetie?" she asked, concerned when I swayed.

"Yeah. I couldn't eat yesterday."

When I returned to the kitchen, wearing my jeans and one of Edward's t-shirts, I found him at the table with Mom. His whole face and neck were red, and he looked extremely uncomfortable. What was she doing to my man?

I slipped inside and walked over to him, wrapping my arms around his neck from behind. He jumped before relaxing. I kissed his messy hair, propping my chin on his shoulder.

"Did you bring anything to eat?"

"Yeah," he answered, glancing at Renee.

"Gimme," I whispered.

He stood and went to the counter. I took his seat, glaring to Mom. "Quit it. Whatever you were saying."

"I'm just trying to know him better."

"Not by embarrassing the crap out of him," I hissed back.

"I'm fine, don't worry," Edward said from behind me. "And that was my seat."

In spite of telling him to stay elsewhere, I got up, allowing him to sit before plopping on his lap.

Mom was full of question to which we answered in a few words. She didn't need to know the whole fiasco that resulted in us getting together. So when she asked for how long we've been together, we answered truthfully. Different things.

"December, last year," Edward said.

"March," I answered, jabbing my elbow in his stomach.

Mom looked amused at us. "You remind me of the time I met Charlie's parents," she giggled. "When your grandma asked for how long we've been together, he answered two months because he had kissed me for the first time then, but I answered two weeks because that was our first date."

I laughed. Yeah, I wasn't going to let her know that in December I had my first time then he managed to hurt me.

By the look in her eyes, she wanted to know why we had said different things. Damn, our coordination.

Edward cleared his throat. "Well, I'd like to think of December as our first time…but that was kind of a mistake so yes, Bella's right. March it is."

"First time?"

"He asked me out for the first time…he didn't show up."

"Yes, I was busy…"

We were going deeper with our lies.

"Let's go see Charlie," I said, getting up from Edward's lap.

We rode in Edward's car. I tried not to read too much into Mom's glances, but she was too perceptive for her own good. And I felt bed for failing to mention Edward to her.

Once at the hospital, we found Mark, Dad's partner, on the plastic chair near the bed.

"Renee," he greeted Mom, standing up. Then he looked at me. "Bella?"

"Hi," I whispered. The lump in my throat was back again as I looked at the bed. There were so many tubes going inside his body.

"Hello, Mark," Mom greeted him. "This is Phil, my husband." She paused, seeing I wasn't going to introduce Edward, not like I could talk. "And this is Edward, her boyfriend."

After the formalities, Mark told us what had happened. How they were called on a supposed juvenile vandalism and there were involved gun fires and how one hit Dad in the stomach. I couldn't stay to listen to the horrific story. I kept wishing he had retired when I finished high school, as he had always planned. I left the room after mumbling something about coffee.

When I arrived in front of the venture machine, I realized I didn't have any money on me. A hand introduced a coin in the machine, gesturing for me to buy what I wanted. Glancing to my right to see who took pity on me, I felt my eyes widen when I saw Edward's father.

"Holy shit!" I slapped a hand over my mouth. "Uhh sorry."

"Get your drink, Bella. I'm sure you need it."

I pressed the coffee and sugar buttons then looked at him again. "I didn't mean it… You startled me."

"No, I apologize. I shouldn't have snuck up on you," he said, grabbing my coffee before inserting coins for his own drink.

I took my cup from him, nearly dropping it at how hot it was. "Why are you here? I don't mean to be rude…"

He smiled gently. "You're not. Considering it's a holiday, I was home. Forks Hospital had an emergency and their surgeon was out of the state…so they called me."

"So you know why…you know…Dad…"

"I didn't make the connection until I saw you here. Is my son with you?"

"He's in the room with my mother. Crap, I left him alone with the vulture."

He chuckled, putting a hand on the small of my back. "Let's save him."

"Can you tell me how bad it is? Dr. Snow said it was…" I looked down, unable to continue.

"I won't lie to you, but people with stomach wounds usually don't even make it to the hospital, let alone out of the O.R.; your father is a survivor, Bella."

Entering Charlie's room, I found only Mom and Phil there. Carlisle introduced himself, giving me a raised eyebrow. I shrugged. If Edward had slipped out of the room, he would have passed us in the hallway, I was sure.

"Where's Edward?" I wondered, frowning.

"Oh, he got a phone call."

Was it Bob? Or Shaw? There was no other alternative. I wanted it to be Bob, because otherwise, he'd have to leave.

When he returned to the room, I was on the bed next to Charlie, praying he was going to make it. Edward's sneakers squeaked on the floor as he stopped abruptly in the doorway, looking at his father.

"Dad?" he asked, surprised.

"Son, it's good to see you."

"Your father is the doctor that helped Dad," I explained.

"Oh, no quiet holiday?" Edward grinned.

"Apparently not. When you two go back to school, you better drop by. Your mother wants to see you."

"As long as Emmett isn't there."

"Edward," Carlisle sighed. "Can we talk outside?"

They left, and Mom didn't waste any time. She came next to me, sitting at Charlie's feet.

How could she be interested in my love life when her ex-husband was hurt?

"Bella, what really happened in December?" she asked, searching my eyes.

"Nothing, Mom. It didn't work. We tried again in March."

"Really? You're hiding something. And Edward looks like a boy stuck in his high school years. Is he mature enough for you?"

"Mom!" I hissed. "He makes me happy. He is everything I want. I love him, and he loves me."

She didn't look like she believed me, but didn't insist on that.

"Are you being careful?"

My cheeks flamed. "Mom…"

"I'm serious, Bella."

"Yes, Mom."

She stayed quiet for a few minutes. I thought I felt a squeeze on my hand, but Carlisle had said Charlie wasn't likely to wake up any time soon.

"I can't wait to see what Charlie has to say to this."

"He met him. A couple of times." I cringed.

"Isabella! Why haven't you introduced us?"

"You're on the other side of the country! And I wasn't that willing to have them together. Edward insisted, both times."

"Did he, now?" she asked, surprised.

"He's a good kid," a scratchy voice said from behind me.

"Dad!" I shouted, turning to him. He was watching me with tears in his eyes. I had no idea if he was in pain or just…emotional.

"I'll go after Carlisle," I whispered, sprinting to the door.

I found them on the chair near the coffee machine. Edward was pacing back and forth, muttering and gesticulating, while his dad was explaining something to him, softly.

I cleared my throat, making them turn to me. "He's awake."

"Think about it like this, Edward," his father whispered before getting up and coming to me. "Let's see how he feels."

I didn't want to leave Edward there, but I was more worried about Dad, so I followed Carlisle.

"Bella, wait!" Edward suddenly shouted, sprinting after me.

I turned to him, aware his dad was still departing. "What is it?"

Edward scratched his head. "I sorta…hafta to go," he mumbled.

"Oh." My face fell. My heart sank. "Umm well…I'll call someone to give me a lift."

"Don't be silly. I'm going outside to talk to Coach. I want to stay here with you. Go, I'm glad your dad's awake." He slapped my ass, pushing me down the hall.

"You're really staying?" I asked, looking back.

"Of course."

If he really had to go, and I had to choose, I'd choose him. Without blinking.

The rest of the day was a blur of activities. Charlie was better than expected and he was going to have full recovery. Just like me, he hated it when people made plans for him. But in his case it was necessary. Who was going to take care of him once he got home?

As Mom was apologizing that she couldn't do it, Carlisle was wondering if he could go to their house.

"Sue will help me," Dad grumbled. "Okay?"

"Who's Sue?" Mom wondered, giving him a weird look.

"Sue!" I shouted, slapping my forehead. I had forgotten to call her. She would have liked to know how boyfriend was in the hospital. And it still was weird to think of them like that.

"I called her," Mark said. He had returned a few hours after Charlie had woken up.

After everyone had calmed down, realizing someone was there to take care of him, Mom and Phil made a hastily departure, saying something about practice. I promised to visit her; it was the only way to make her sleep at night.

"You can go, too, Bells," Dad whispered.

"No way, I'm here to stay, until school starts."

"No. I insist. Please, go back. I'll call you everyday, how about that?"

Edward's phone startled us. He muttered something that sounded like "fucking hell" under his breath and went outside. He had to go. We had to leave.

Around nine in the evening, we said goodbye. Dad promised to call me after his morning check-up. I was torn between leaving and staying, but I knew Edward had to be back. When he had returned to the room earlier, he looked pissed, and when our eyes had met, I knew he had to leave.

Okay. Here we are...a little bit of drama, but everything is going ot be okay after this. I promise.

I can't stop from dramatizing it a little. It's probably the lack of drama from RL.

Oh, PS: since I forgot to mention this in my other story, AtY, Happy 4th of July to all my American readers! Lucky you to have a free Monday.

Review.