Chapter 4

Dads of a different kind

'Bella, he isn't going to be President of the USA, after all!' I said.

We were driving back to Harvard.

'You still weren't very nice to him about it, Edward' Bella said.

'I looked at Bella and said to her, "I told him, "Well done"!'

'Ha! Edward, why are you so unkind to your father? You

hurt him all the time.' Bella answered angrily.

'It's impossible to hurt Carlisle Sebastian Cullen.' I retored.

'No, it isn't – not if you marry Bella Swan' she said.

My jaw dropped in horror and amazement. I couldn't believe

she actually said that to me... or even would think it.

'Edward,' she explained, 'I know you love me. But in a strange way

you want me because I'm not suitable for a Cullen to marry.

You are rebelling against your father.' Bella finished.

I told her that she was crazy as hell!

My father said the same thing a few days later when we

had lunch together at the Harvard Club in Boston.

'Son,' my father said, 'you're in too much in a hurry.

The young lady herself is fine. The problem is you.

You are rebelling, and you know it,' he finished.

'Father, what worries you most about her?

That she's catholic? Or that she's poor?' I asked.

'What do you like most about her?' Carlisle asked.

'I'm leaving.' I said.

'Stay and talk like a man.' I stayed.

Old Stonyface liked that. He's won again, I thought angrily.

"Bella's not some crazy gold-digger' I said.

'Yes,' Carlisle said, 'She's not a lot of things.'

'Wait a while, son,' said Carlisle Sebastian Cullen.

'That's all I ask. Finish law school.' he finished.

'Why do I have to wait?' I was rebelling now.

Edward, you are still under twenty-one. In the eyes of the

law you are not yet an adult.' Carlisle said.

'Stop talking like a lawyer, dammit!' I responded.

'Edward, If you marry her now, you will get nothing

from me.' Carlisle warned.

'Father, you've got nothing that I want.' I said

I walked out of his club and out of his life.

After that, I was not looking forward to meeting Bella's

father. She was his only child and her mother was dead. She

meant a lot to him . . . I could see a lot of problems there.

And I was penniless. How is Mr. Swan going to feel,

I thought, when he hears that young Mr. Cullen can't support his

daughter? Worse, she will have to work as a teacher to

support him while he is at law school!

As we drove down to Cranston on that Sunday in May,

I worried a lot about Mr. Swan's feelings.

'Tell me again, Bella.' I said.

'OK. I phoned him, and he said OK.' Bella answered.

'But what does he mean by "OK"?'

'Are you trying to tell me that Harvard Law School has

accepted a man who doesn't know the meaning of "OK"?' Bella said

'It isn't a word that lawyers use much, Bella.

"Just tell me again. Please.' I begged.

'He knows you're poor, and he doesn't mind. So stop

worrying, Edward.' Bella said.

Bella lived on Hamilton Street. It was a long line of

wooden houses with children playing in front of them, and

whole families sitting on their front steps. I felt like a stranger

in a strange land as I parked the MG outside Hamilton

Street. Mr. Swan's handshake was warm and strong.

'How do you do, sir?' I said.

'I'm Charlie,' he said.

'Charlie, sir.' It was a frightening moment. Then Mr. Swan

turned to his daughter. Suddenly they were in each other's

arms, laughing and crying and kissing. I felt like a stranger.

For some time I did not have to speak much.

'Don't speak with your mouth full,' my family had told me when

I was a child. Charlie and his daughter kept my mouth full all

afternoon. I don't know how much food I ate,

but, both Swans were very pleased.

'He's OK,' said Charlie at last.

'I told you he was OK,' said his daughter.

'Well, I had to see for myself. Now I've seen him. Edward—'

'Yes, sir?' I answered.

'Call me Charlie. You're OK.' replied Charlie.

Later Charlie tried to have a serious talk with me. He thought

he could bring Carlisle Cullen and Edward Cullen together again.

'Let me speak to him on the phone,' Charlie said,

'A father's love is a very special thing . . . '

'There isn't much of it in my family,' I said.

'Your father will soon realize,' he began.

'When it's time to go to the church —'

'Charlie,' said Bella gently, 'we don't want to be married in

church.' He looked surprised, then unhappy. But he spoke bravely.

It's your wedding, children. You choose. It's OK by me.'

My next meeting was with the Head of Harvard Law School.

'I'll need a scholarship for next year, sir,' I said politely.

'A scholarship? I don't understand. Your father—'

'My father has nothing to do with it, sir. We've had a

disagreement, and he isn't supporting me any more.' The

Head took off his glasses, then put them on again.

I continued, 'That's why I've come here to see you, sir.

I'm getting married next month. We're both going to work

during the summer. Then Bella will support us by teaching.

But her teaching won't pay enough to send me to law school.

Sir, I need a scholarship. I have no money in the bank.'

'Mr Cullen, our scholarships are for poor people. And it's

too late to ask for one. I do not wish to enter into a family

disagreement, but I think you should go and talk to your

father again.'

'Oh no!' I said angrily. 'I am not, repeat not, going back

to my father to ask for money!'

When Bella graduated from university that summer, all her

relations came from Cranston to watch. We didn't tell them

about our marriage plans because we wanted a quiet

wedding, and didn't want to hurt their feelings. I graduated

from Harvard the next day. Was Carlisle Sebastian Cullen there in

the university hall? I don't know. I didn't look for Old

Stonyface in the crowd. I gave my parents' tickets to Bella

and Charlie, but as an old Harvard man my father could sit with

the Class of '86. But why should he want to? I mean, weren't

the banks open that day?

The wedding was on the next Sunday. It was very quiet

and very beautiful. Charlie was there, of course, and my friend

Ray Stratton. Bella and I spoke about our love for each

other and promised to stay together until death. Ray gave me

the ring and soon Edward Anthony Cullen and Isabella Marie

Swan were man and wife.

We had a small party afterwards, just the four of us. Then

Ray and Charlie went home and Bella and I were alone together.

'Bella, we're really married!' I said.

'Yes. Now I can really start being a bitch!' she laughed.