A/N: apologies for the wait, I've been forced to detail with both internet and computer issues which have put me behind. Good news, the next chapter is nearly finished so it shouldn't be as long of a wait by far.

Chapter Nineteen

Bella

"Why are you pushing this, Charlie?"

I was beyond irritated. While my father didn't seem to understand that I wasn't as naïve as he seemed to think I was, it was pretty clear to me that the reason he had been forcing me to head to the reservation so much was because both he and Billy seemed to have gotten it in their heads that me and Jacob were perfect for each other.

Shame they didn't know I had already found my soul-mate, and it wasn't Jacob.

"I don't see why you don't give the boy a shot, Bella," he sighed.

I stared at him, "Because I am happily in a relationship that isn't going to be ending any time soon?"

He scoffed causing me to frown. Why was it so hard for him to understand that I was happy, that I didn't want anything to change?

"You're still young, Bells-"

"Jacob is younger than me," I pointed out. "And if you're right by telling me he has always had a crush on me then to be honest, Charlie, I just don't want to encourage him. Me and Jacob, never going to happen."

"You're being selfish, Bella" he scolded.

I stared at him with disbelief, snapping my head around with a gaping mouth. I couldn't believe that he was actually overstepping my happiness just for something he wanted to happen, even after I had told him there was no chance in hell.

Had he even listened to a word I had said?

I didn't comment, seeing his defensive expression and deciding I was only going to upset myself more if I continued down that road. I just couldn't believe that he was pushing Jacob onto me as much as he was, especially since he knew how much Edward both cared and adored me.

What was running through his head?

If there was one thing I knew it was that I was not giving up a life with my soul-mate, even if he didn't approve. I didn't want to choice between my father and Edward, and I hoped to god it didn't come down to that, but I was eighteen in months and if I needed to then I would start planning my future, leaving my past behind.

I knew Edward couldn't live without me, and I may not be a vampire and have venom running through my veins instead of blood, but even the thought of never seeing him again caused pain to shoot through my chest. It literally felt as if my heart was breaking, and that was with the thought alone.

Realistically, that was never going to happen. He was mine as I was his.

"Just give it a go, Bells" he pulled into Billy's drive.

I unbuckled my belt, opening the door before turning to face him. "I will tell this once, Charlie, and that's it. If you continue to push this issue, the only thing you will succeed in will be to push me away. I've finally found someone stable in my life who cares for me, and I will not be giving that up for some childhood pact you may have agreed with Billy with. I deserve better, Edward deserves better, and to be honest so does Jacob."

With that I slipped out of the car and made my way towards the beach, away from both Billy and Charlie. For all I cared they could have their guys night and leave me out of it. In fact, I would prefer it.

~~(TWILIGHT)~~

Three hours had passed as I sat on the beach simply lost in my own thoughts. Charlie had called me and I had reluctantly answered, only staying on the phone long enough to inform him that I was ok and wasn't about to come back any time soon.

It was the sort of behaviour I expected from Renee, but I had never even played with the thought of Charlie doing the same thing to me. I remembered when Renee thought I was too old to ave never experienced sex, so started trying to set me up with older guys who unknown to her only wanted a go at her daughter so they could say they had done the family set.

It was disgusting.

I remembered her giving out my phone number, so I got woken up in the middle of the night by men asking if I wanted them to show me a good time. It wasn't until she met Phil that she no longer seemed so concerned with my love life, instead focusing on her own. It may have taken the attention off me, but it was a relief that she only seemed to care about herself after meeting her man.

How sad was that? That I was relieved my mother no longer wanted to spend any effort on our relationship?

Sad, but true.

So it only seemed to become more known just how bad my childhood was after meeting Esme and Carlisle, and seeing how much they cared for their adoptive 'children' when they weren't even bound by blood.

It made me insanely jealous.

It was probably why everything Esme seemed to do for me, such as taking the time and effort to cook when I knew she hadn't done such a thing since she had been turned, all the more important to me. Renee hadn't cared enough to do so and she was my mother, and yet here this woman was treating me like one of her own before having even met me the first time.

She was an amazing woman.

Pulling my coat around me tighter I stared up at the cloudy sky and sighing, wondering whether or not I could begin to make a move or not. I was just about to decide enough time had passed for me to cool off, and I could be in Charlie's company without snapping at him, that I saw Jacob walking up the beach.

Great, I thought. I didn't need this night now.

"Hey Bells," he approached me with his hands in his pockets.

I forced a smile, knowing he wasn't really to blame. "Hey Jacob, what you doing?"

"Looking for you. You're dads worried."

Stifling the urge to roll my eyes I asked, "he still pissed?"

Jacob snorted, taking a seat next to me but thankfully keeping his distance. "He isn't happy but I think it's more to do with himself than you," well that was a relief at least. "So, you don't like me, huh?"

I cringed, knowing the next conversation was going to be more than a little on the awkward side. "It isn't you, it's just-"

"You like Edward?" his lips curved at the mention of my boyfriend's name.

I frowned. "What's wrong with Edward?"

"I don't think he's good for you-" I opened my mouth to cut him off. "I know nothing I say is going to change your mind, but just, just be careful."

How he spoke gave me the impression that he knew more than he was letting on. Did he know what Edward was? and if so, how?

It was silent until he spoke again. "Charlie was right about one thing though?"

I turned to look at him, curious. "Yea?" he nodded. "About what?"

"I did have a major crush on you, like a major, major crush" he blushed, surprising me when I saw his darkly tanned skin turn slightly pink around the cheeks.

"Oh," because what else are you meant to say to that?

He clearly hadn't finished. "To be honest I had been all for his plan to, you know, push you towards me in the start."

I faced him, wide eyed. "What-"

"Don't worry," he laughed. "I kind of met someone a few days ago. She's really nice, and I think she might be it for me, you know?"

I nodded, smiling as my mind instantly flashed to Edward. "Yea," I sighed. "I really do know what you mean."

Thankfully he didn't comment like I knew he wanted to, but rather he caught me up on his new girl. Apparently he had met her while she was house hunting with her family, Billy having offered to show them around the reservation due to their heritage and Jacob having tagged along.

According to him it was love at first sight.

I was just relieved that it took the pressure off me.

Walking back towards Billy's I couldn't help but grin when Jacob continued to go on and on about his new bird. I didn't even think he realised that the whole conversation seemed to centre around the young girl, but then again it was better than the alternative, the alternative him attempting to get with me.

It was nice. It made me wonder whether we could be friends, even if I got the feeling he wasn't being completely honest about me concerning something important.

"Again, I'm sorry if I made it awkward between you and your dad, Bells" he repeated for the fourth time.

I shrugged. "It's fine, it just reminded me of Renee a bit, you know?"

He shook his head. "Not really."

"Oh shit, sorry Jake" I winced, recalling that his mother wasn't exactly around anymore. Renee may not be a good mum by far, but at least I knew she stuck around, even if Jacobs mum died which couldn't have been prevented.

"I know," he grinned. "Don't worry about it," I watched as he glanced at his watch. "Look Bells, I've got to go, you know, I have a-"

"Date with your mystery woman?" I quirked a brow. I smiled as he blushed, all of a sudden looking awkward. "Have a good time, Jake. Thanks for walking me back," it was unnecessary, but nice all the same.

With a grin and a wave I shook my head in amusement as he eagerly jogged off. It was obvious to anyone that he was completely taken with his new girl and I found it adorably sweet. He no longer seemed to give off such a weird vibe around me as he first did when I turned up at Charlie's, but then again according to him he wanted to get with me so it could have been that.

Thank god that was over.

Don't get me wrong, Jacob was an attractive guy but he had nothing on Edward. Not only did I think he was a little too young for me, but after meeting my own soul-mate I knew that even if me and Jacob had gotten together it wouldn't have lasted.

My good mood soured when I caught sight of Billy and my father standing near the cruiser we had come in.

"You ok, Bells?" Charlie asked awkwardly.

I shrugged. "Fine I guess. Jacob was just telling me about his new interest."

Billy had the decency to look a little ashamed at that. "I apologise also, Bella. When Jacob came home telling me that he had found his…hopefully new girlfriend, I realised even if me and your father wanted the both of you to get together it was never our choice."

Well, at least he apologised I thought.

"Fine."

"You ready to go?"

Nodding to Charlie I slipped into the passenger seat before shutting my door and doing my belt up, hearing the engine start just moments before my phone went off. I smiled when I saw the caller ID, more than a tad relieved that hopefully I could still save some of my good mood.

"Hey," I smiled despite myself.

"Hey Love, is everything ok? You're emotions have been a little haywire all day" he asked concerned.

His worry made my heart skip a beat as I tried to hide the sappy look I knew was bound to appear on my features. According to Esme it happened a lot, but thankfully it seemed Edward also got the same look so it wasn't all bad.

While I wanted to question him further on the whole feeling my emotions aspect of the conversation, I knew it wasn't the best idea to do so when my father was listening only a few inches away. He may be concentrating on the road, but I wasn't naïve enough not to know he was trying to listen in as well.

I guess a part of me couldn't blame him. He was new to this whole father thing I guess.

"I'm fine. Spent the day with Jacob at the reservation," the phone was silent and I worried I had upset him until I realised what he was probably thinking. The last he had heard the boy had a crush on me, and Edward may be old fashioned but he got jealous even more so due to the whole being a vampire mate aspect of our relationship. Sadly, it made me feel safe and secure that he cared that much. "He was telling me about his new girlfriend. He is very much in love."

I grinned when I literally heard his sigh of relief. It made me wonder if he was pacing before I had soothed his worries.

"You are very cruel you know that, Love?"

I laughed out loud. "You like it."

He hummed. "Are you coming around later? Esme wants to see you, apparently you haven't been around enough for her liking."

"Wasn't I around just yesterday?" I bit my lip, fighting a smile. I liked it, it made me feel wanted.

Edward chuckled. "You know how she gets. She had been driving Carlisle crazy, wanting the excuse to cook for you."

"Really?"

"Ok," he sighed. "Not about the driving him crazy aspect, he finds it endearing."

I smiled at his choice of words. I loved it when he went all old fashioned on me. It was adorably cute of him.

Turning to face Charlie I figured it probably wasn't the best idea to ask him to drop me off at the Cullen's house, especially since he seemed to hold something against Edward even after he had made it clear he only had good intentions with me.

"I'll see."

Chuckling, he replied "he near you?"

He knew me well.

"Yep. What have you been up to?"

I had to admit, I was curious as to how he spent his free time since as of late we had both been spending it together.

"You know time for us isn't the same as it is for humans, my Love. What may be hours in our own company can pass like seconds, so not much."

I figured he had lowered his voice out of concern of Charlie hearing, but due to the fact I could barely make out what Edward was saying and I didn't doubt that my hearing was slightly better than my fathers, I didn't think he needed to worry. Still, I didn't bother to comment.

"So, nothing?" I laughed.

"Pretty much, Love."

Now that really made me want to come over, especially when I heard the longing in his tone.

"I'll be over soon, yea?"

His tone considerably brightened causing me to smile down at the phone lovingly. I still couldn't believe we had actually told each other that we were in love. It was nice.

"Do you want me to pick you up?" I agreed, knowing it would be less effort if he did. Plus, it was more time to spend with him so it was a win win situation as far as I was concerned. "I'll see you in half an hour. I love you."

I smiled. "I love you too."

I was out of the car as soon as the engine was off, trying not to panic about the strange look Charlie had given me when he heard me tell Edward that I loved him over the phone. I wasn't ashamed, not in the slightest, but I knew an extremely awkward conversation wasn't that far off.

Turned out, I was unfortunately correct.

"Now Bella, you just hold your horses a little bit" Charlie caught up with me as I unlocked the house.

I sighed, turning around to face him as I continued to fiddle with the key and lock. "What is it, dad? Because right now I really don't want to talk about Jacob if that's-"

"Now you listen," his lips pursed. "I know I may have made a slight miscalculation-" I quirked a brow. "OK, a major error with the whole Jacob and you situation, and I want to…apologise."

Mentally, I was breathing a sigh of relief. Thank fuck for that.

"You mean that?" I asked hopefully.

He nodded, running his fingers through his cropped hair. "It isn't my place to get involved, but you are my daughter and I want what's best for you."

"And you really think Jacob was the best? No offence dad, but I have no doubt he'd be boasting to the rest of his massive large friends whenever he scored a new base."

I fought the urge to laugh out loud at his disgusted expression. While I didn't want to have the sex talk with my dad, it wasn't as if he was a virgin. Hell, I was here wasn't I?

"Edward-"

I cut him off. "Do you really think Edward's like that?" I had to admit, I was curious to whether he thought Edward would indeed act like that. To me it was laughable; Edward was anything but a boaster.

Charlie seemed to consider this before shaking his head. "The boy is a little on the old fashioned side, isn't he?"

I fought the urge to laugh loudly. If only he knew.

"Ok, I admit I was wrong and you were right. Happy?" he grunted.

I nodded. "So, it's ok if I go around Edward's then?"

His eyes narrowed briefly. "Do I need to have the talk with the both of you about the birds and the bee's" he cheeks actually flushed slightly. At least I could tell where I had gotten my dreaded blush from.

Fuck no.

"You, ah, don't need you worry about that, dad?" I stuttered out, cheeks just as red.

Charlie must have taken it the wrong way because his eyes narrowed into slits. "You mean, you've…uh…done it?"

"Oh. My. God." I was mortified. "NO!"

"But-"

I decided to save both of us the embarrassment. "Edward's really old-fashioned in that…uh…you know, the whole no sex before marriage thing?"

I rolled my eyes when Charlie suddenly seemed to be singing Edward's praises, his grin wide and eyes twinkling. "Really now?" he brushed his moustache with his fingers. "Interesting."

"Seriously? That's what it takes for you to like him?" I gaped.

He shrugged. "It shows he was raised right. I'm sure Carlisle is pleased," I shrugged. I highly doubted that Carlisle gave two shits about Edward's sex life, or lack of. "Plus, it also shows he's serious about my little girl to not try and deflower her, which is also a plus."

I cringed at the term, deflower, really?

"He's actually the one pushing it," might as well put Edward more in his good books if it was possible.

His eyes narrowed. "For sex?"

"No," I snorted. "For the whole marriage issue first."

Me? If he gave me the go ahead I'd be on him like flies on rice. I definitely wouldn't be telling him no.

"He's perfect."

I rolled my eyes at his reasoning, but didn't correct him. Edward was definitely more than perfect, and he was mine.

Review?

Just to let me know the story is still being read, I'd date to disappoint anyone.

xxx