Chapter 78

Bella did the top button of Charlie's shirt and straitened up his collar. The dressy casual plaid buttondown shirt was perfect for the engagement party the tribe had planned at a little local pub. They knew Sue and Charlie preferred to keep it light and casual, with just some close family and friends, especially Charlie. It was a place he and Billy had gone to every now in then in the years past, and Sue agreed that a low key celebration was perfect.

"You look nice, Dad," Bella told him with a smile.

"Thanks Bells," he looked at her, "Sorry I didn't tell you what I was planning."

She shook her head, "Why? Don't be sorry. I think it's great."

He shrugged and began struggling with the cuffs of his shirt. Bella helped him with those also, "Where'd you get the money for that ring?"

"Well," he scratched his forehead, "I had quite a bit of money stashed away for you to go to college. I put every spare penny away that I could since you were little. Since you decided to go another route, I pulled a couple thousand out of there."

Bella looked down, then back up at her father, "How much did you save?"

Charlie shrugged again, "Almost twenty eight thousand."

Her jaw dropped, "Charlie.." She suddenly felt guilty, "You-you didn't have to..."

"You're my daughter, Bella," he said, "It's still your money. It's been in a separate account for you for years. I still add to it."

Bella shook her head, "Keep it, Dad. Go on a vacation with Sue a year from now or something."

"It's yours. It's not mine."

"Dad-"

"End of discussion," he said firmly, but Bella could see the softness in his eyes, "It'll stay put for now until you need it."

Bella knew she wouldn't be needing it, and couldn't believe he'd done that for her on the minimal money he made. She hugged him tightly, and never wanted to let go, "Wow, Dad. I love you. I love you so much."

"Yep. I know. I love you too." He took a deep breath, "Now, let's get down to this thing."

"You are the guest of honor," Bella laughed, "Can't be late."

"Right. Guest of honor. I can't just hide in the corner this time," he said with a smile.

Bella walked out with him, "I'll drive you."

"You're not going with Edward?"

She shook her head, "They're all getting ready together. I want to go with you."

"Me over Edward?" he said with a smile.

Bella laughed, "Come on."

The old pub was filled with tables of food and older rock and roll music. Small bowls of popcorn decorated the tops of each table and were scattered across the bar. Members of the Quileute tribe were already helping themselves to platefulls of wings and plenty of beer was flowing. Presents decorated a larger table toward the back where Jared and Quil were playing pool.

Bella smiled as she and Charlie entered. The mood was happy, lowkey and less than casual. The laughter was contagious all around and love was apparent at all angles. Everyone here was supporting her father and Sue. It was nice to take a look around and know that each individual was there for them in some way.

"Hey, don't you know that'll get your blood alcohol level up," Jacob teased Rosalie as she sipped on a glass of wine. He raised his eyebrows when she gave him a dirty look, that was followed by a smile. Renesme stood with Jacob with an elbow on his shoulder and he wrapped an arm around her waist.

Sue was chatting with Esme, Leah and Masen in the back corner, and Carlisle noticed them walking in. He headed strait for Charlie.

"Congratulations," he said with a smile and a firm a handshake.

Charlie smiled, "Thanks Carlisle."

Bella smiled. It was the first time he'd heard Charlie call him by his first name, which Carlisle constantly insisted on.

Edward waved from across the room, standing with Alice, Jasper and Seth.

Charlie looked at Bella, "Go ahead."

She kissed him on the cheek, "Have fun," then added, "I love you."

He nodded and smiled, "Love you, too."

Bella smiled at Carlisle and went to join Edward.

The tapping of a glass got everyone's attention, and Leah stood up onto a chair. Masen helped her up and stood beside her in case she lost her balance in the beautiful pink heels she'd worn for the occasion.

"Well, now that our second guest of honor is here," Leah began, "I would like to start a toast." The room fell silent. "Well, everyone knew my father rather well, and it really took a toll on all of us when he passed away. Me and Seth, we were left without our father and it was a difficult time. For my mother, she lost her best friend; her husband; her life partner."

There were a few nods around the room, and Paul gripped Seth's shoulder. He forced a closed mouth smile.

"I didn't know if anyone could ever come into her life and make her smile again, the way my father did," Leah looked at Charlie, " But Charlie... Charlie was able to do that for her. He put the smile back on her face," she paused, "I never thought I would able to to accept another man in my mom's life. I know I haven't been the easiest daughter in the world to deal with..." A few of the Quileute boys laughed. Seth smiled, "But I fully accept Charlie, and would love nothing more than to have him take care of her for the rest of their lives. No one will ever replace my father, but there is no one else that Seth and I would rather see our mother with now. So, please if everyone could raise their glass, this one is for my mother, for Charlie and for love."

"Amen!" Seth said with a smile. He raised his glass of Pepsi, "To mom and Charlie."

Everyone raised their glasse and said in unison, "To Sue and Charlie!"