Twilight…not mine (sigh).

Chapter 172

BPOV

Today was my birthday. I was turning twenty-two and I was having a date with my dad. Just the two of us. Well, Edward was acting as chauffeur since I couldn't drive due to my broken leg and Dad wasn't allowed to due to his pending incarceration. But, we were given clearance to go out to Sky City for a dinner out on the town before he was taken back to the federal prison in Sheridan tomorrow.

Part of my present from Edward was my usual hair stylist coming to his condo to give me a beauty overhaul. Haircut, manicure, pedicure, and makeover. I was feeling very ugly and getting my hair cut, styled and some beauty treatments were definitely what the doctor ordered. He was going to take me out, if I felt up to it, the next day but he wanted me to feel like a princess for my date with my dad.

Esme, Edward's adoptive mother, said she'd help me get dressed for my evening with my dad. I was kind of excited about that. Esme had been amazing since that day in the hospital. She'd come over every couple of days with food for us, along with dummy proof instructions for Edward to make the meals. My bellyaching over his cooking skills prompted her to jump into action. "My son is a freaking genius, but would starve if left to his own devices to cook."

Sadly, it was true.

Once I was done with my makeover and dressed in real clothes, I felt a fraction like my old-self. Yes, granted, I still had the crutches and a massive boot on my right foot, not to mention the horrific scars that littered my body, but I felt better. Slightly.

Hobbling out to the living room, I was met by the two most handsome men. Edward was wearing his black suit from Billy's funeral. Charlie was in a charcoal gray suit and holding a bouquet of roses. They were beautiful, in varying shades of pink. Charlie also held a sleek pink bag in his hand. Crutching over to them, Charlie hugged me to his side. "You look beautiful principessa," he whispered, kissing my forehead. "You ready for a night out on the town with your old man?"

"We should go dancing," I quipped. Charlie glowered at me. "Kidding, Dad. I can barely walk in these things. Though, my guns are killer."

"Come on, Killer," Edward snorted. "Your chariot awaits." He handed my crutches to my dad and scooped me up in his arms. I was grateful that I was wearing dress pants and not a skirt. I squeaked, holding onto Edward's lapel. Edward winked and carried me to the elevator, holding me tightly to his body as we rode down to the parking garage. Idling outside of the elevator was a black Mercedes. It looked similar to my dad's car, but it wasn't. It was newer and honestly very hot. Placing me in the backseat, Edward jogged to the driver's side and he revved the engine.

"This is a gorgeous car," I crooned, running my hands along the leather seats. "Is it a rental?"

"No, Bella," Charlie said as he took my hand. "This will be your car. After the bombing, I knew you'd need a new vehicle, so I had this made for you. It's got all of the bells and whistles, plus the safety features that I desired."

"It's bulletproof," Edward said as he pulled away from the curb. "I picked it up this morning."

"This is mine?" I squeaked.

"Happy birthday, principessa," Charlie whispered, pulling me to his side. "I wanted to give something before I left and thankfully, this was ready." I wrapped my arms around my dad, trying to keep the tears at bay. Edward flipped on the radio and the number one preset was my favorite radio station. I pulled it together by the time Edward parked the car in front of the Space Needle. Charlie and I walked to the elevator after confirming our reservations. Edward was going to hang out with Emmett and Jasper while we were out.

We got settled in the booth and Daddy ordered some wine. I stuck with water since I was still on some pretty hefty pain pills, not to mention anti-depressants and anti-anxiety pills. I was, for the most part, almost physically healed. My ribs only ached when I moved a certain way. My leg hurt all of the time and probably always will hurt. Emotionally, I was still all over the place, but I was getting better with that, too. The medication that Irina prescribed was helping. I was comfortable with Edward, Charlie and Emmett, somewhat comfortable with Esme, Rose and Alice. With Angie, Jess and their boyfriends, I was a mess. I think it was due to the fact they were a part of my 'before.'

"There was an offer on the house," Charlie said conversationally. "On par with the asking price."

"Are you going to take it?" I asked, sipping my water.

"Are you sure you don't want to live there?" Charlie replied.

"I'm positive, Dad. I like the security of being in a condo. That house…it's too big for just me," I shrugged, twisting my napkin.

"Edward could move in with you," Charlie said, waggling his brows.

"He could, but I have to do this, Daddy," I said fervently. "If I rely on him or anybody else, it won't be good. I've always been independent, right?"

"You have been. You are so much like your mother," Charlie said, smiling sadly.

"I just want to be me," I said quietly. "Right now, I'm only recognized as Charlie del Cigno's daughter who was abducted and tortured. I need to regain my sense of self, Dad. I can't do that if I stay in that house or stay with Edward. If I stay at the house, I'll grow to resent it and resent everything it represents. If I stay with Edward, he'll become my crutch and I don't want him to be my crutch. I want him to be my boyfriend and lover."

"Husband?" Charlie asked, arching a brow.

"Don't push me, old man," I snickered. "Edward is my first real relationship. With all of this, I don't know if I can get over it and let that happen. You know?"

"Bella, you've told Edward that you love him. When you know he isn't looking, you stare at him, practically drooling. I know that you're overcoming some very substantial injuries and emotional turmoil, but Edward is an amazing man. I knew what I was doing when I assigned him to be your bodyguard," Charlie smirked. "Principessa, it will all work out. I hate selling the house, but I understand why you can't stay there. That's why I'm accepting the offer from Emmett. He's buying the house. It'll stay in the family."

"How can Em afford it?" I snorted.

"He got paid very well when he became the new owner of Twilight. I may have been a mob boss of one of the biggest organizations in America, but all of my businesses, even the escort service, were legit. Not a thing of our illegal activities could be traced back to me or my businesses. Even with all of the resources of the FBI, it couldn't be traced back," Charlie grinned and he finished his wine.

I blinked, shocked at his revelation. Now, I knew and understood why he took the deal. He gave them a nibble and it was enough to remove him from the organization. When he got out of prison, he could go back to being a lucrative club owner, minus the mob ties. My dad was a fucking genius.

"Now, Bella, I know I'm going away for two years. That doesn't mean I don't want to see you," he chided, nibbling on his appetizer he ordered. "Only come down to Sheridan with Emmett or Edward. Don't come alone."

"Dad," I grumbled.

"Seriously, Bella. There are dangerous criminals in there!" Charlie snickered. I smacked his arm. "I also expect you to finish your college degree. I know that you're taking this year off, but next year, you will be a college graduate. And one more thing…"

"What, Dad?"

"Don't give up on Edward. He loves you and would do anything for you," Charlie smiled, kissing my cheek. "Eat, baby. You're getting too thin."

I nodded and tucked into my food. The rest of our meal was spent talking about the sale of the house to Emmett along with my eventual move into a condo. I had it narrowed down to two places. One was in Edward's building and another was in downtown Seattle. I was leaning more towards the condo in Edward's building because as much as I said I needed my independence, I wanted a security blanket.

Over dessert, Charlie sang to me badly. It was the most off-key rendition of 'Happy Birthday' ever, but I loved it. We shared some cake and he gave me another present. "I'm so glad that what Aro told you was false, but I wanted to give you something to remind you of your heritage. You are my daughter. My principessa…You are also a del Cigno. I'm so proud of you, Bella. I love you with my whole heart and I'm so lucky to have you as my daughter," he said, tears streaming down his face. He handed me the pink bag. I reached for it and shook out a large leather box. Opening it up, there was a chunky bracelet with swans all around it. "It's wide enough to hide your scars," he said, snapping it around my left wrist. "If you miss me, just rub the bracelet and know that I'm always with you, Bella. I love you and I'm so proud that you're my daughter."

Tears spilled over and I hugged my dad. I loved this time together with him but all I wanted was to enjoy our last hours together before he was sent back to Sheridan. "Call Edward, Daddy. I just want to spend the night with you," I whispered. Charlie nodded and he used his cell phone to send Edward a text. Twenty minutes later, the bill was paid and we were in the back of my new car. Edward dropped us off, handing Charlie his keys to his condo. He explained that he was going to stay with Jasper so that Charlie and I could enjoy his last hours of freedom.

We spent the whole night talking, reminiscing about our family, his childhood, mom's childhood, their marriage. It was honestly the best night of my life. And the most bittersweet. We didn't sleep, just talked. The next morning, Alice and Jasper came with Edward to take my dad back to the federal prison in Sheridan. I didn't want to let him go. I hugged him, trying to not cry. "I'll be out soon, principessa. Be good and get better," Charlie whispered in my hair. "I love you."

"I love you, too, Daddy," I sobbed, holding him tightly. I felt another pair of arms around my waist. Edward held me to his chest. Jasper put his hand on Charlie's shoulder, leading him away. "No! Isn't there anything else?"

"I agreed to this, baby girl," Charlie said, kissing my hair. "I'll see you soon." Jasper and Alice flanked my father and led him out of the condo.

"Edward, can't you…" I cried, squirming in his grasp.

"Bella, he has to go," Edward whispered, pressing his lips to my temple. "If he doesn't, Charlie will get into bigger trouble." I looked up at him. His eyes were tearing, too. I looked back at my father and he mouthed that he loved me. I turned in Edward's arms, collapsing against his chest. I felt him nod and Edward carried me out of the foyer and into his bedroom. He lay me on the bed.

"Don't go," I whimpered, looking up at him.

"I'm just taking off my shoes," Edward smiled, crawling into bed with me. I curled up against his chest. "Everything will be alright, Little One. I know you probably hate me right now, but…"

"I don't hate you," I sniffled. "I love you. You know that."

"Okay, you don't hate me, but you probably don't like me. You can see your dad whenever you want. He's only a few hours away, love," he whispered, running his fingers through my hair. "Plus, you got a month with him."

"You're right," I sighed. "And that's because of you."

"No, I just bitched to the right people," Edward snorted.

"Edward, you bitched because you knew how it would be for me if I didn't have my dad with me," I said, looking up at him. "Thank you." I stared at him. His green eyes were bright and swirling with so many different emotions: concern, pride, love, and sadness. Reaching for his cheek, I moved forward. Our noses were centimeters apart. "Don't move, Edward," I choked out. He nodded, staring into my eyes. Slowly, achingly slowly, I moved closer to his mouth. My heart was stammering. Nervous butterflies were assaulting my stomach. Angling my head, I brushed my lips with his. It was chaste, sweet and enough for me to know that I was going to be okay. After two more kisses, I snuggled against his chest, tears streaming down my cheeks.

"You did it, Little One," Edward crooned, holding me tightly.

"I did," I smiled. Pressing a soft kiss to his jaw, I felt exhaustion wash over me. "I did…" I mumbled sleepily.

"Close your eyes, Bella. I'll keep you safe," Edward sang, cradling me against his body.

And I did.

And I was going to be okay.

A/N: Long chapter. There was no good stopping point. So, it's a bonus chapter. Pictures of Bella's presents are on my blog and tumblr (links in my profile). You can also find me on Facebook: Tufano79's Twilight Fanfiction Appreciation or on twitter: tufano79. Leave me some!