Thanks to everyone who's sticking with me here. I do appreciate everyone who's reading and reviewing :) And, if you like it, tell your friends too :D

Down to business:

First, due to real life commitments and responsibility, the next few updates may be a little slow in coming, but they will be coming. It's just that I realize I don't have the ability to be in two places doing two different things at the same time, so it might take me a bit to get chapters together. Please bear with me.

Second, the usual: Twilight, it's characters and it's situations belong to the wondrous Stephenie Meyer and sadly, not to me. If it did belong to me, well, things might have turned out a little differently LOL!

Please enjoy~

Chapter 19: I Wanna Be Sedated

It felt like an eternity before Carlisle and Charlie returned to the silent dining room, but she knew it had been only a matter of minutes.

As soon as they entered the room, Esme and Alice were out of the chair they had been quietly rocking in and pounding up the stairs like they'd been shot from a canon. She couldn't blame them. If it hadn't been for Jasper's hand on her shoulder, or the fact that she knew her place in this family, Bella would have been right behind them. Maybe even in front of them.

Charlie rubbed his hand over his face a couple of times as he stood behind Carlisle, staring sadly down at his feet before looking blankly into the room, seeing nothing. She imagined her face wore a similar expression to his.

Carlisle put his hands on his slender hips and looked around the room exhaling slowly. Jasper still stood behind her, massaging her shoulder quietly. Carlisle seemed to nod at him silently, but she couldn't be sure, as it had been a very quick, cursory look. He glanced over at Emmett and Rosalie. Emmett sat with his head in his hands, shaking it as he mumbled something over and over while Rosalie, seemingly unaffected by what she had caused, continued to eat her Thanksgiving dinner slowly, even helping herself to seconds of stuffing and cranberry sauce.

Carlisle cleared his throat and Emmett lowered his hands from his face, but never looked up at his father. Instead, he stared sadly down at the untouched plate of food in front of him.

"Emmett, Rosalie, The two of you have exactly one hour to pack your belongings," his voice was cold and dead. "I have arranged for you to have a room at the Forked Inn outside of town. Charlie has been kind enough to offer to drive you there. Your room will be paid for through graduation. A rental car will be provided to you, also until graduation and a stipend for meals and expenses will be left for you once a month, until graduation." he took a deep breath and paused. "The day after graduation, you are both on your own. I don't want either of you to ever come back to this house or to bother any member of my family ever again. Understood?"

Emmett didn't look up. He just sat and nodded silently.

Rosalie, however, was another story altogether.

She placed her fork and knife down quietly, and turned an icy cold stare to Carlisle, who returned the stare with equal chill.

"Excuse me?"

"I think you heard me quite well, Rosalie." Bella swore she could see puffs of icy white smoke coming from Carlisle's mouth, and a chill ran down her spine as he spoke.

"You're throwing us out," she snorted.

"I'm telling you to leave, yes."

She took her napkin off her lap and wiped her mouth with it, folding it neatly before placing it back on the table beside her nearly empty dinner plate. "You know I can call social services on you, don't you?"

"You are free to do so. The fact is, Rosalie, you are both eighteen, legal adults. As such, my and Esme's legal obligation to either of you is over. In fact," he leaned down closer to her. "I don't even have to provide a place for you to live until graduation. And after that stunt you pulled today? You should count yourself lucky you're getting that much." Bella had never heard Carlisle's voice like this before. He'd always been the kindly, caring doctor, the warm and loving father. But, right now, he was a cold, angry and betrayed parent.

The younger girl glared at him, her blue eyes as sharp as the glistening knives on the table.

"Thank you, Carlisle. You just proved what I've been saying all along. Everything in this house is about Edward. Edward, Edward, Edward. Edward is the favorite. Always has been, always will be."

"Edward has never done a single thing to deserve your treatment, Rosalie, and you know it. Neither has Esme." Carlisle's face remained calm, but his wild blue eyes were seething slits as he spoke in a low and angry tone. "Esme and I should have put our collective foot down a long time ago. Instead, we allowed you to get away with your evil nonsense, and to drive a wedge between our family. It won't be tolerated any longer."

She knew she could not win, that the battle was over. That much Bella could discern from her face. "What about the stuff we can't pack in your hour?"

"It will be sent to you at the inn."

"Fine. Emmett, let's get out of this shit hole." She stood up abruptly and stormed out of the room, running up the stairs as quickly as her legs could carry her.

Emmett, who had sat quietly through all of this, without looking up, let out a resigned sigh and rose slowly from his chair, head still bowed. He moved toward Carlisle, who stood motionless.

Emmett looked up slowly, and Bella could see his sad, watery blue eyes. "Carlisle," his voice was quiet and filled with remorse. "For what it's worth, I…I'm sorry. I'm sorry for all of the trouble she's caused."

"It's not your fault, Emmett," Carlisle's voice was still cool.

"But…it was. I went along with her. I allowed it. I always knew she went to far, but I let her," he shook his head. "But this? This…this was something I knew nothing about. I have no idea where she got this idea from, and I am truly sorry. Please…please tell Edward how sorry I am."

Carlisle placed a hand on Emmett's shoulder. "I will," his voice and face had softened slightly, and Emmett began to leave the room.

"And, Emmett?"

He stopped in the doorway, and turned. Bella could see the tears that were running down the large boy's cheeks.

"Thank you," Carlisle didn't look at him as he said this, didn't see Emmett nod at him before Rosalie bellowed for him from the top of the stairs.

It was only after Emmett was upstairs that Charlie relaxed his stance and blew out a long breath. It was only then that Bella saw the butt end of his service revolver peeking out from the waistband of his khaki Dockers, and realized that he'd had his hand on the gun the entire time Carlisle was confronting his daughter.

She began to shake uncontrollably, and this time, Jasper pulled her from the chair, hugging her to him tightly with his good arm. He'd been silent up to this point.

"It's ok, Bella," he whispered softly into her hair as she hugged him tightly, sobs violently shaking her small body. "It's ok. It's all over now," he cooed as he rubbed his hand up and down her back.

"Bells," Charlie was behind her and she left the warmth of Jasper for the safety of her father's arms. She buried her face in his chest, crying until his sweater was wet and stained with her mascara. Charlie held her tightly, both arms wrapped around her as she cried, rocking her gently while whispering soft, comforting words, just like he'd done with Edward earlier.

When she had no more tears, she pulled away as she hiccupped a couple of times, trying to stifle her sobs. Jasper was slowly clearing the table, moving dishes with his one good arm onto the ornate serving cart that Edward had placed near the sideboard earlier. Carlisle stood in the doorway, facing the hallway, like some sort of sentry, standing guard against the enemy.

She pulled Charlie's head down and whispered in his ear. "I don't want to ride in the car with…them."

Charlie shook his head. "No, it's ok. You'll wait here and I'll come get you after I drop them off."

"Thank you," she sighed with relief as Charlie wiped the smeared makeup that had run down her face.

"Why don't you go wash your face and help Jasper clean up this mess?" She nodded silently and slipped into the kitchen, taking a platter of stuffed mushrooms with her as she left.

"Thank you, Charlie."

"No problem, Carlisle," he collapsed into the chair Bella had been sitting in.

"I'm really sorry about all this," he still faced the hallway.

"Hey, it was something that was completely out of your control. She's volatile. And maybe even a little bit crazy," Charlie shook his head.

"I can't tell you how embarrassed I am," Carlisle sighed and ran a slender hand through his short blonde hair.

"No need to be," Charlie shook his head again. "What's that old saying? Shit happens?"

Carlisle snorted a laugh. "Well, this was quite a load of shit then."

"Bella had warned me about her. But, well, you know me. I like to give the benefit of the doubt," Charlie moved the dish filled with everything but turkey out of his way and rested his elbows on the table. Bella's dinner plate, of course. "Bells calls me Pollyanna," he smiled.

"Everyone deserves the benefit of the doubt, Charlie." Carlisle closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose between two fingers as he rested his head against the doorjam. "That much I agree with."

"You would think that, with the accident and all, she would…well…you know…" Charlie's voice trailed off. There he was again, Charlie Swan, eternal optimist.

"You would think, wouldn't you?" Carlisle laughed as he shook his head. "But, then again, you don't know Rosalie like we do. Otherwise, you'd never get all Merry Sunshine where she's concerned."

"No, I see that I don't. Maybe I need to be more discerning when it comes to giving out benefits of the doubt." Charlie sighed and glanced toward the kitchen, making sure Bella was out of earshot. "I just want that kid to be ok."

"I will take the best care of him, I assure you," Carlisle relaxed his stance, leaning against the doorframe. "I didn't want to sedate him, Charlie, but I know my son. If I hadn't, we would still be here, holding him back."

"Edward is a very passionate boy," Charlie mused.

"He's always been that way, since he came to live with us," Carlisle smiled at a memory. "Edward is quite musical, did you know that?"

"Bella's mentioned that," Charlie smiled. He had actually been a little hopeful that maybe he would get to hear Edward play the piano today.

"His grandfather had bought him this amazingly beautiful baby grand piano," Carlisle laughed lightly, shaking his head. "It was the most incredible thing to see this tiny child with that crazy, wild bronze hair pounding on the keys, playing these incredibly difficult pieces with such ease and such feeling. He looked like a mad little genius."

"I'll bet," Charlie smiled. It was obvious how much Carlisle loved Edward.

"He hasn't played very much the last few years," he sighed. "Until recently. Until he found Bella." Carlisle looked at Charlie. "She gave him something to be joyous about again.",

"Well, I think they have the same affect on each other, Carlisle. I mean, I know how my daughter was before she came here, and it's like she's a completely different person."

"They are quite good for one another," Carlisle smiled, but it was clouded over when his brow furrowed. "I hope for both of their sakes that…" his voice trailed off without finishing his thought as Emmett bounded down the stairs, carrying two suitcases.

"We're just about ready," Emmett whispered as he dropped the suitcases down on the floor. "She's worried you won't send the rest of her crap to her at the inn."

"Trust me, Emmett, everything of hers will be packed up and sent to her. I want every trace of her gone from my home."

"Emmett!" Rosalie stood on the landing. "Get up here and get the rest of the bags!" She turned and stalked off, long blonde hair swinging around her as she went.

Emmett sighed and slowly climbed back up the stairs to retrieve the rest of the bags.

When he was done, when there were no less than four suitcases, two duffle bags and two backpacks in the hallway, Charlie helped Emmett carry the bags out to the car. Rosalie sauntered past Carlisle as he stood in the doorway of the dining room, and never glanced even once at him as she walked out the door without looking back.

Carlisle watched from the living room window as Charlie slowly turned the police cruiser around and maneuvered slowly down the long, gravel driveway still slick with the cold moisture of the day.

Bella stood in the hallway, watching Carlisle, and startling him when he turned around.

"Bella, I didn't see you there," he smiled at her. "How are you doing?"

"I'm fine, Dr. Cullen," but her face betrayed her.

"He's going to be fine, Bella," Carlisle cupped her chin in his hand as he walked up to her, answering her unasked question. "Don't worry so much about Edward."

"But…what Rosalie said…" she looked down, feeling guilty for wondering whether or not anything that spewed forth from Rosalie's mouth were true or not.

"Don't you worry yourself about any of that nonsense," Carlisle's voice was soft, confident. The loving father was back.

"But…what if what she said is true?" Her big brown eyes captured his sorrowful baby blue's in their gaze.

"I sincerely doubt that it is, Bella," he smiled sadly at her. "But I will assure you that I'll investigate her claims to the best of my ability."

"Promise?" She looked up at him like a lost little girl.

"I swear to you that I will do everything in my power, Bella," his voice was sincere.

"Thank you, Dr. Cullen," she sighed with relief before turning to head back into the kitchen with Jasper.

"Bella?"

She turned and looked at Carlisle. "Yes?"

"What if she's right? What if Edward does have a child with Victoria?"

She blinked at Carlisle, feeling the muscles in her stomach clench. The very idea was nauseating to her. But, she loved him. And if he had a child, well, that was part of Edward and that was something that came with the whole package that was Edward. Love Edward, love his baggage. "Then I guess that would make me a step-mother, right?"

Carlisle looked at her, not shifting his gaze.

"I won't leave him, if that's what you think, Dr. Cullen. I love him, and I'll take him, regardless of what else comes with him."

"You're certain of that, Bella? We are talking about a child here. That's a huge responsibility at any age, let alone as young as you and Edward are."

"I took him when he came with your family, didn't I?" She smirked at Carlisle. "I took him with Rosalie attached. I think that's far worse than anything else, even a baby."

Carlisle looked at her, nodding. "That's good to know."

She smiled sadly and walked slowly back to the kitchen, where the sound of running water could be heard.

Carlisle sank down slowly onto the sofa, and thought about what Bella had said. She was so certain, so devoted, so sure of her love for Edward. He remembered what it felt like to be that age. What it felt like to be in love at that age. He wasn't much older than Edward when he met his Esme. Of course, at the time, Carlisle had been so smitten with her that he had been too terrified to approach her. She was stunning, with long waves of chestnut hair that swooped around her head and framed her gentle, angelic face. He still got weak in the knees when he thought of those early days. He was working in a little import record shop back in those days, well before the internet or the iPod were invented. There was one small TV on the counter that had MTV going all day long, and Esme Platt would come in all the time, looking for the latest imports from The Police or DuranDuran. She would smile at him every time, wearing her denim mini skirts with her lacey stockings, looking so much like one of the beautiful women in the videos that played all day long on the tv. And there would be Carlisle, with his sad, blonde mullet and his skinny black leather tie, terrified to say much more than an occasional muttered greeting. Had Esme herself not broken the ice and asked him out for a soda, they might never have gotten together. And here they were, so many years later, bound together more strongly than ever from all they endured together.

He could see in Bella's eyes when she spoke about Edward exactly what he saw in Esme's eyes all those years ago. There wasn't much to Carlisle all those years ago. Unlike with Edward, with his chiseled jaw and piercing green eyes set off by his wild mane of copper hair. And yet, Esme looked at him the same way Bella looked at the much more handsome Edward. And she still looked at him that way, to this day. And he loved her more and more every day.

Carlisle sighed and leaned back on the sofa. His head was pounding from the stress as a million thoughts swirled around his mind. He leaned his head against the cushions and closed his eyes. It felt like only moments later when the sound of Charlie Swan being let back into the house by Jasper startled him awake.

"Are they gone?" It was Bella's voice he heard first.

"Yep. All checked in and I'll tell you, she's madder than a hatter that one." Carlisle kept his head on the sofa, eyes closed, trying to will himself back to sleep.

"What do you mean?" That was Jasper.

"She kept saying that they'd all see that their golden boy isn't very golden. She swears it's the truth."

"She's got a way about her," Jasper's gentle voice again. "She can make you believe anything, Chief Swan."

"Well, I didn't respond to anything she said. Just ignored her. I wasn't going to let her drag me into her drama." Carlisle listened as the trio moved down the hallway, heading toward the kitchen. "But I'll say this much, I feel kinda bad for that big guy."

"Emmett's part of the reason she's as bad as she is," Jasper's soft voice was more muted now that they were down the hall and in the kitchen, but Carlisle had keen hearing. "He always indulged her, and urged the rest of us to go along with her." Jasper snorted. "He just wanted to get laid, Chief."

"Well, that's one hell of a reason to ruin a kids' life." Carlisle heard one of the stools skid across the kitchen floor and realized that was his cue to go inside. He rose slowly from the comfort of the sofa and shuffled off toward the kitchen.

"Carlisle," Charlie's warm smile greeted him the moment he walked in. Carlisle noticed that Charlie had brought back several Styrofoam cups of coffee, setting them down on the breakfast bar. "I picked up some coffee. Figured you guys could use it."

"Thank you, Charlie," Carlisle fingered one of the cups. "For everything."

"Don't mention it. Bells, are you almost done in here? We need to give these folks some space."

"Charlie," Carlisle popped the lid off one of the cups of coffee and inhaled the aroma hungrily before taking a sip. "You and Bella are welcome to stay here as long as you want. You're family now," he smiled at Bella, remembering their earlier conversation. "And thank you for the coffee."

Bella finished rinsing off the soapy roasting pan she'd been scrubbing, and handed it to Jasper, who stood ready with a dishcloth. "That's the last one, Charlie," she grabbed a paper towel off the roll and dried her hands, wiping up the water that had splashed onto the granite countertop.

"Ok, then, let's get going," Charlie stood from the stool he'd been seated on.

"Dr. Cullen, we wrapped up the food and put it all in the refrigerator, in case…well…just in case anyone's hungry later on," she fidgeted nervously.

"Thank you, Bella. Why don't you and Charlie take some food home with you, since you really didn't eat anything tonight," Carlisle's blue eyes were warm.

"That's ok, Carlisle. We're going to stop at the diner for a little something on our way home," Charlie put his arm around his daughter.

"Bella, would…would you like to go say goodnight to Edward before you leave?" He knew that she had been wanting to ask to see him, but was either too embarrassed or too afraid to say anything.

"Could I?" Her tired brown eyes grew large.

"Yes, of course," Carlisle took her hand and led her to the stairs. "Of course, he's heavily sedated and he's very much out of it, but I know it will make you feel better."

"Thank you, Dr. Cullen," her voice trembled. Her poor, sweet, beautiful Edward.

Carlisle led her up to the third floor and to Edward's door. He knocked lightly and Bella heard Esme's soft voice.

"Carlisle?"

He opened the door and stepped in, pulling Bella into the room behind him gently by her hand. It took a moment for her to get adjusted to the dim light in the room, a room she'd been in not twenty four hours before, only for a much different reason.

She noticed that a tiny light sitting on the dresser was the only light on in the room. It cast a dim, shadow filled glow across the room as it illuminated small stars that danced around the ceiling. She could see Alice's form, folded up in Edward's reading chair, arms folded across the knees that were tucked up under her chin as she rocked herself slowly, staring across the room at her brother.

Esme sat on Edward's bed, back against the wall with her legs stretched out on the bed. Edward lay in the middle of the bed, curled up in a fetal position, with his head on his mother's lap. She gazed lovingly down at him, her long, slender fingers running lightly through his soft, russet hair as she hummed a quiet tune to him. Edward's eyes were closed and he was breathing deeply. He looked so peaceful, so beautiful. If she didn't know any better, Bella would have thought he was just in a deep sleep. Of course, this was a deep, sedative induced sleep, for his own good. A soft, beige chenille blanket covered him, but his sock covered feet stuck out from under it. Someone had taken the time to take his shoes off. Probably Alice, she thought.

Bella took a tentative step toward the bed. Esme looked up at her and smiled sadly, nodding at her. She moved a little bit closer and paused.

"It's ok, Bella," Carlisle whispered. "You won't wake him."

She looked back at Carlisle and moved quietly to the bed, stopping just in front of Esme. She reached out a shaky hand, and Esme took her own hand away from his hair, nodding at Bella. As gently as she could, she reached out, touching the tips of his hair. When he didn't stir, she moved closer and mimicked the same movements she'd watched Esme making, running her fingers lightly through his thick, soft locks. Edward stirred slightly this time, and Bella's hand froze in his hair. Esme ran her hand over his back, soothing him and he settled back down with a contented sounding sigh. Bella lifted her hand from his hair, gently grazing her fingertips over his forehead before pulling her hand away completely. She craved him, needed to be near him, needed to know he was ok. But she knew that right now, it wasn't her place. He needed his family. She stepped back from the bed, fighting the tears that threatened to spill from her eyes once again.

Esme smiled at her once more, the dim light causing the tears running down her face to sparkle like strange diamonds on her skin. "Thank you, Bella. This will mean so much to him." Her fingers were once again threaded through his wild, brassy hair as he slept contentedly in his mother's lap. "He loves you very much, you know."

Bella blinked back the tears that Esme's validation had created, and tried to smile back, nodding once before turning to leave the room.

"Thank you for everything, Bella," Carlisle whispered as she stepped past him.

"Thank you, Dr. Cullen," she offered her hand to him, and Carlisle took it, clasping it tightly between both of his hands. They both knew the depth of the meaning of their thank you's. It was something unspoken, a secret between the two of them.

Carlisle walked her out of the room, closing the door behind him and leading her back down to the main floor, where Charlie and Jasper waited. Jasper helped her on with her jacket.

"Thanks, Jasper," she sighed and turning, threw her arms around him, embracing him tightly. "Thank you for everything."

"I didn't do anything," he laughed slightly. "But I'll take your hug." He wrapped his arms around her back lightly.

"You did so much," she sighed, pulling out of the embrace. "More than you can ever know."

"I'll take that as a compliment," he smiled and opened the door.

"Charlie, I'm afraid 'thank you' just doesn't cover it," Carlisle held his hand out and Charlie took it, shaking firmly. "I don't think I can ever express how grateful I am to you."

"Thank you covers it just fine, Carlisle," Charlie put his hand on the doctors' shoulder. He could see the worry and fear etched on his face. "Try to get a little rest, hmm?"

"I will. And, my dear Bella," Carlisle turned to her. "I am truly sorry for how today turned out," he sighed.

"It's ok, Dr. Cullen," she sighed as she hugged Carlisle. "No one could have predicted this."

"Thank you both for being so understanding," he hugged her back. "I'm sure Edward will call you as soon as he's feeling better," he pulled out of the embrace, holding her by the shoulders. She knew what he meant. Edward would call her when he was ready to talk to her. She needn't call first. She understood.

She nodded her acceptance. "Ok. And thanks again," she followed Charlie out of the door. "Good night."

"Good night, Bella," Carlisle stood in the doorway and waved, watching as they got into the police cruiser and Charlie manipulated the vehicle once more down the winding, slick driveway.

The drive back into town was a quiet one, with both Bella and Charlie lost in their own thoughts. Everything between Edward and Bella had the potential to change radically, and they both knew it. Each worried about it…for very different reasons.

Charlie pulled into the nearly empty diner parking lot. The neon sign proclaiming it open twenty-four hours lit up the gloomy night, reflecting off the wet pavement as they ran through the steady drizzle and into the warmth of the diner.

The waitress came to take their order as they were looking over the menu.

"Hey there, Charlie. Happy Thanksgiving," she drawled.

"Thanks, Irina. Happy Thanksgiving to you, too. This is my daughter, Bella," Charlie waved his hand across the booth at Bella, as though Irina would be confused if he didn't specifically point out exactly who Bella was.

Bella waved quickly to her. "Hi," she smiled slightly.

"Good to have you here, Bella," Irina's smile was warm. "So, what'll ya have, Chief?"

Bella couldn't help but notice how, with her upsweep of messy blonde hair, thick red lipstick and gum smacking, Irina was the very stereotype of a diner waitress.

"I guess I'll have..." he looked across the table at his daughter. "I'll have the…uh…the tom turkey dinner."

"Ain't ya tired of turkey yet?" Irina laughed loudly at her own joke.

"We didn't have turkey for dinner today," Charlie tried not to sound annoyed, but couldn't help the huffiness in his voice.

"I'm vegetarian," Bella explained kindly.

"Ohhh," Irina nodded. "Well, I can understand that," she cracked her gum. "So, Chief, the usual sides? Mashed and corn? Salad with French?" It was obvious that Charlie Swan dined here often. He nodded at the waitress, confirming his choices. "And you want a salad, hon?"

"Um, actually, I'll have the vegetable stir fry over rice, thanks. And a diet Coke." Despite the events of the day, she realized she was famished.

"Good choice," Irina wrote furiously in her pad. "You want soup or salad with that?"

"Um, salad with, um…do you have…um," Bella looked over the menu furiously for salad dressing choices.

"French, Russian, Ranch, Blue Cheese, Creamy Italian, Honey Mustard, Balsamic Vinegrette, oil and vinegar or House."

"Um…what's…House?"

"It's just regular old Italian."

"And the Honey Mustard…um…is that…is that the really yellow type? Or is it more golden brown kind?"

"It's the really yellow type."

"Is the Blue Cheese the creamy dressing or is it actual crumbled blue cheese?"

"It's the creamy dressing one."

"Um…then I'll have…the…um…Balsamic Vinegrette? Wait. Does that have basil in it?"

"Bells, jeez, this isn't Tavern on the Green. Pick a dressing already, will ya?" Charlie shook his head.

Bella felt her face get hot as she blushed. "Oil and vinegar…is it red wine vinegar…or…" she felt her face get redder.

"Red wine, balsamic or cider vinegars are your choices."

"Balsamic vinegar, please."

Irina eyed her and winked, smiling at her and making her feel a little more at ease. "Chief, you having coffee?"

"Unlike my daughter, I can make a decision," he smirked at Bella. "Coffee. Black. And caffeinated."

"You'll be up all night," Bella groused.

"Nothing keeps me up all night, my dear."

"Old man," she grumbled as she wrapped her arms tightly around her chest.

"Nah, just a good sleeper," he smiled and leaned forward a little. "Hey, you ok?"

She nodded. "Sure."

"Bells…"

"I'm ok, Charlie," she kept her head down, closing her eyes as she spoke. "There's…there's no use in being upset or anything just yet, right? I mean, it's Rosalie we're talking about here, right? It could just be yet another one of her crazy, outlandish lies, right?" She opened her eyes and looked up at her father, eyes filled with hope.

"Of course," his eyes met hers. "All anyone has to go on right now is whatever that little witch has said. In fact, between you and me, I think she's bat shit bonkers. Certifiable. And, I think that Big Cullen is starting to think the same thing as well."

"Emmett," she found herself smiling despite the topic of conversation. Her father just had that ability.

"Right, Emmett," Charlie leaned back in the booth. "I tell you, I was watching him in the rear view as we drove to the inn. He was shooting her the wackiest looks."

"You made them sit in the back? Behind the cage?"

"You think I'd let that crazy lady in the front near me? Hell no! What if she made for my gun?" He shook his head. "I've been a cop for a long time. I know bat shit bonkers when I see it, and I never, ever let it sit next to me," he winked at her, and watched her giggle. "She was sitting back there, ranting about how they would finally see how their precious Edward really was and Big Cullen was just giving her these looks like you wouldn't believe."

Bella's eyes widened in disbelief.

"By the way, I have to say this much. I don't think I've ever seen dimples as deep as the ones on Big Cullen before in my life. Seriously," Charlie snickered.

She knew what he was doing, and it was working. She let out a loud, throaty laugh, and covered her mouth with her hand, embarrassed at how her laugh echoed in the near empty diner.

"The first time I saw him, I didn't know what his name was," she watched as Irina set her soda down in front of her. "So, in my mind, I would refer to him as 'Dimples Cullen'," she took a sip of her soda. It felt good as it wet her dry throat.

"Good nickname," Charlie mused as he sipped his hot coffee. "Although, I can tell you this much, that's nowhere near the nicknames that crazy lady was calling him!"

"She's not a nice person," Bella took another sip of her soda, feeling the cool relief cascade down her dry throat as she did.

"Not at all," Charlie agreed, sipping his coffee.

Irina brought their salads and Charlie dug in, while Bella fussed with her oil and vinegar.

"Thing is," she shook the oil from the little bottle onto her salad. "Alice says Edward's never done anything to Rose, and that Rose went at him from day one."

"Maybe Carlisle and Esme should have returned her to wherever they got her, like you'd return a defective lawn mower to Sears," Charlie chewed his lettuce thoughtfully.

"I don't think the Cullen's would do that," she sighed, shaking her head as she unscrewed the cap from the balsamic vinegar. "I think they thought that, with a little love and affection, they could change her." Irina dropped a basket of warm rolls onto the table.

"Yeah, well, they still deserve their money back on that one," Charlie reached for a roll, slicing it open and slathering soft butter on it as Bella finally tossed her salad. "She's defective."

"No deposit, no return," Bella mumbled as she chewed on a fork full of salad. The balsamic was tangy in her mouth and it made her purse her lips together for a moment. But it felt good to finally be eating something after their very long day.

"There should be an exception for people like her," Charlie finished his salad, wiping his mouth with his napkin. "Do I have any dressing on the 'stache, Bells?"

She looked up at him, smirking. "No, Charlie. There's no dressing on the 'stache. You trying to impress Irina or something?"

"I don't have to impress Irina," he grinned. "She's already impressed."

"Oooo," she deadpanned. "Charlie Swan, lady killer."

"What can I say? I'm just one irresistible guy," he grinned across the table at his daughter.

"Who'da thought," she smiled, but the smile quickly turned into a frown.

Charlie reached his hand across the table. "Hey, look at me, Bells. Everything's going to work out fine. You'll see."

"We were supposed to go into Seattle on Saturday to do some Christmas shopping," she felt her face contort as she fought the tears. She was pretty sure that was a trip that wouldn't be happening now.

"That's not important right now, Bells," Charlie held her hand tightly in his. "What's important is getting this whole situation squared away. For Edward. For Carlisle and Esme, and for you. And then everyone can just move on."

"I know that."

"Then, let me ask you," his voice was soft. "What are you going to do if it turns out the bitch was right?"

"I…I intend to stay with him…if…if that's what he wants," she looked down at her salad.

"Is that what you want?"

"I want Edward," she looked up at him, tears running down her red cheeks. "And I'll take him however he comes, no matter what."

"Then, that's settled. But you need to make sure that he knows that's what you want," he took another sip of coffee. "Remember, Edward's not exactly a master of clarity."

"I know," she sighed, taking another bite of salad. "And he internalizes everything."

"He does. You need to let him know you're there for him," he took another bite of his buttered roll. "He needs to know you're there, regardless."

"I know, and I intend to let him know that it doesn't matter to me. But Dr. Cullen told me to wait for him to call me," she tossed her salad around a little bit with her fork, suddenly not sure if she was still hungry or not.

"Carlisle's right. The last thing he's going to need is people rushing at him. Bad enough Alice and Esme are going to be on that poor kid like white on rice the second he wakes up," he shoved the rest of the roll into his mouth and looked around. "What's taking so long for the damn food to come?"

"But…what if he doesn't call? What if…" she dropped her fork.

"Bells, let's not go there, ok? He's going to call."

She looked at him with big tear filled eyes. "I'm scared, Charlie," she whispered.

Charlie leaned forward, and took both of her hands in his. "Are you sure he loves you?"

"Yes," she sighed.

"And you're sure you love him?"

"I am."

"Then, everything's going to be fine, Bells," he smiled. Chief Pollyanna Swan strikes again. "Ah, the food! Finally!" Irina walked over, carrying a large tray filled with dishes. "About time it got here! I was beginning to wonder if I should change my order to breakfast," Charlie smirked.

"You're lucky you're chief of police," Irina slid a plate filled with sliced turkey smothered in brown gravy in front of him.

The aroma of her stir fried vegetables surrounded her, and once more, Bella was aware of her hunger. She quickly shoveled a forkful into her mouth, savoring the flavor.

Swallowing hard, she looked up at her father, who was contentedly spooning some of his brown gravy onto his mashed potatoes.

"Thanks, Charlie."

He looked up at her, eyes smiling. "No problem, kid."

So, we know Bella's intent is to stay with Edward, regardless...but...what about Edward? Poor thing's been sedated to sleep. Jasper's risen to the occasion, though. And, perhaps, Emmett's seeing Rosalie for the first time...let's see what the next chapter brings, shall we?

Once again, thanks to everyone for reading and reviewing! I really do love getting feedback from you :) As I said before, if you like this little story, please tell your friends :)

Again, thank you for sticking with my little story :D