Chapter Seven

Bella

When I got back, to say Charlie was in a bad mood would be putting it mildly, he was livid.

"Bella you get yourself in here right now and tell me what exactly is going on with the Cullen boy."

As he said that the Cullen boy walked in and to my side.

"Charlie I knew Bella was nervous about telling you so I'm glad Carlisle did it for her."

Charlie glared at me,

"Is this true? Are you engaged to Edward."

I stuttered until Edward took the ring out of his pocket and pushed it on my finger.

"I see, and when exactly were you going to tell me?"

"As soon as we fixed a date for the wedding Chief Swan."

I nearly choked and looked almost as surprised as Charlie.

"And have you?"

"No, yes" we both answered.

"Well which is it?"

"We have a provisional date" said Edward before I could open my mouth.

"Oh yes and exactly when is that?" Charlie snapped.

"Straight after graduation."

My eyes boggled, "What?"

Charlie looked at me and finally it began to sink in that I wasn't on the same page as Edward.

"Well I'd like to talk to my daughter alone Edward so goodnight."

Edward wasn't happy but he'd been dismissed so he had to go.

I knew he'd be waiting upstairs for me later and he'd be listening in but I was past caring. Charlie took me into the lounge and sat me in the chair.

"Right young lady, would you like to tell me what exactly is happening here?"

I tried to explain to him,

"Yes I agreed to marry Edward but he's becoming a control freak and I'm scared, I don't feel in control of my life any longer, he's stifling me"

"Well you know my feelings on the subject and your mother will go nuts when she finds out, you know her views on marrying young. Still that's not important now, what matters is you. I'll speak to Edward and Carlisle for you. Point out you still need some free time.

"Thanks dad and I'm really sorry we didn't tell you about the engagement."

"Do you want to get married yet?"

I paused, did I want to get married yet? No. Did I want to be changed? I wasn't even sure about that any longer, I didn't like this side of Edward, a side I hadn't seen before. I wasn't going to be treated like a puppet. Charlie was watching me, waiting for a reply to his question.

"Bella, the very fact you can't give me a quick answer tells me all I need to know. I don't think Edward is right for you although I will accept that neither is Jake. Coming to Forks hasn't been a great success for you I'm sorry to say. I think maybe you should think seriously about moving back to Florida with Renee. I don't want to lose you but I don't think you're happy here are you?"

"I don't want to leave you dad but I don't think I want Edward or Jake."

"Fair enough. Do you want to speak to Edward here? That way I can referee, we can ask Carlisle to join us so Edward feels he is represented too."

I hated the thought of telling Edward I couldn't do this any longer but Charlie was right. I wasn't ready for the commitment Edward wanted and I wasn't sure I could do it alone so I nodded and Charlie rang the Cullen house inviting Edward and Carlisle over.

"Do you want me to ask Sue or Emily to give you some support or Esme?"

I shook my head and it was agreed, Edward and his father would be over in an hour. I felt physically sick and ran up to the bathroom. After all that had happened, after finding who I thought was the love of my life, the race to save me from James, the battle to stop Victoria and her newborn army, I couldn't go through with it. Edward wasn't quite the guy I thought he was. The next hour was spent pacing my room and trying to find the words to tell Edward what had gone so wrong. Why I couldn't marry him. When I heard car doors slam I peeked out of my window and saw Edward and Carlisle walk to the front door. The sight of him still made my heart beat fast and my mouth go dry but I couldn't ignore the way he had behaved since I said yes, his attempts to run my life, isolate me from my friends and Jake. I heard Charlie call my name and went downstairs slowly to see them sitting round the kitchen table. Carlisle smiled at me and Edward got up, coming round to hug me but I stepped back holding my hands out to stop him and the smile faded from his face. Suddenly I knew he was under the impression that he and Carlisle were here to make the arrangements for the wedding.

Charlie glanced at Edward,

"Lets all sit down shall we? Edward?"

He sat beside Carlisle and I pulled out the chair closest to Charlie.

"Now I only heard about this engagement today and I have to say I wasn't at all happy at being the last person to find out. I sat Bella down and had a long chat with her about what she wanted"

"You told her not to marry me didn't you?"

"No Edward. I asked Bella a very simple question, do you want to get married?"

"What did you say Bella?"

"I don't want to get married Edward, not now."

"We can delay it if you're feeling a little crowded."

"Its more than that Edward. You're suffocating me. My truck, the phones, my friends, Jake. I can't see anyone or talk to anyone. I can't live in a cocoon you design for me."

"Bella I'm only trying to keep you safe."

"Well it doesn't appear that way. The truck was mine, it wasn't yours to dispose of."

"Bella it was a rust bucket, I bought you a new car, much more comfortable and safe."

"That's not the point Edward. You should have spoken to me first. It wasn't your truck to scrap. And the cell phone you gave me that only connects to you or Charlie."

"I accept that was a little extreme but I can soon fix that. Emmett's a whiz with technology he'll unblock it for you."

"It's the fact you blocked it in the first place that's important. I can't spend time with friends from school either."

"I just get so jealous, I want all your spare time."

"Life isn't like that Edward, I need my space. I'm thinking of leaving Forks."

"Leaving? What about us? All we've been through? Bella I love you"

Edward's voice was breaking with emotion and I hated to see him upset but if I didn't get away now I never would.

Carlisle cleared his throat looking at Charlie,

"If these are Bella's own feelings then I think we must accept them. I'm just a little concerned that she's changed her mind so suddenly. Is there anyone else?"

I shook my head as Charlie spoke,

"Not a far as I'm aware Carlisle. Bella was very upset when she got home and we had a long discussion. I admit I think she's way too young to be getting married and I'm not a great lover of Edward but it was her own decision. She must do what she feels is best for her. There are only a few weeks of school left so she can graduate but I'd like Edwards word that he will leave her alone Carlisle."

Edward got up suddenly and his chair scraped back across the tiled floor loudly,

"I understand Bella. I was wrong to believe you loved me, because if you did it wouldn't matter what I did you'd forgive me. I won't bother you again. Goodbye Chief Swan"

We all watched him as he walked out and Carlisle got to his feet looking at me with disappointment,

"We'll be sorry to lose you from the family Bella, but I wish you all the best for the future."