My dad arrives today.

I work most of the day because his plane comes late to Pittsburgh, but I leave around three to pick him up. It's about an hour drive, and he lands at four-ten. I park and wait for him in the terminal.

I spot him easily. He's tall with a mustache, wearing a flannel shirt and jeans like I do most days. I rush toward him, hugging him tightly as his arms wrap around me.

"It's so good to see you, Daddy."

He spins me around. "You too, Bells. I love you, girl."

"I love you too."

He sets me down and looks me over. "You've lost weight."

"I've had a stomach bug," I lie. "You look as good as usual. Is this a new shirt?"

He nods. "Sue Clearwater got it for me."

"You and Ms. Sue spending a lot of time together?"

He smirks. "Here and there. Let's find my bag and get out of here."

We go to the carousel and wait for his plain black suitcase. It doesn't take long, thankfully, and then we head to my patrol car parked in the garage.

"Nice car. We're still driving Crown Vics."

"Yeah, my mayor okayed the purchase last year. It's all fancy and shit."

He laughs, opening the passenger side door. "Yeah, it is." He climbs in as I start up the SUV.

"So, how's Forks?" I ask.

"Good. Crime is almost nonexistent, spare a few domestic violence calls and kids being little shits."

I nod. "I just got four little shits who were destroying Christmas decorations. Scared the piss out of them with the threat of juvie. It was fun."

He laughs. "It always is fun to scare the shit out of kids. I did a drinking and driving thing at the high school the other week and had them scared out of their minds."

"It's so much fun to scare kids." I laugh. "So, Sue Clearwater. What's going on there?"

"She's just a good friend. Her husband only died a year ago. She's got two kids—Leah and Seth—who need some guidance, so that's all I'm doing. I help out around their house."

I nod. "Hmm, okay."

"What about this Edward of yours? How serious is it?"

"Pretty serious. We fell hard and fast. I love him, Daddy."

His brow raises. "I hope he's as good of a man as you make him out to be then."

"He is. He's … something special."

We make the hour-long drive back to Ashbury, and Edward is waiting for us with chicken fettuccine Alfredo. He quickly greets my father by shaking his hand and introducing himself.

"I'm Edward Cullen, Chief Swan."

"You can just call me Charlie, son. I've heard nothing but good things about you."

Edward smiles. "Well, your daughter is someone special, sir. It's nice to finally meet you."

"You as well."

"I'll show you to your room, Dad," I say, waiting by the stairs.

"I remember where the guest room is. Where's the cat?"

"Your grandkitty is probably asleep on my bed."

He follows me upstairs, and I'm right. Ulysses is on my bed but quickly comes to greet his grandpa as Dad puts his suitcase on the bed.

"There's my boy," Dad says, scratching under Ulysses' chin. They have a strange bond. "How's my presidential cat? Are you getting enough tuna? And pets?"

"He's being treated like the president he is," I say.

"Good. This cat might actually be the reincarnation of President Grant, so he needs to be treated properly."

I nod, smiling. "I know what my cat needs and wants. I got him a LitterRobot for Christmas. And a floppy fish and goop treats."

"Good. He deserves the best."

"Meet us downstairs when you're ready. Dinner should be about done."

He nods, opening his suitcase to a few wrapped gifts. "Can I put these under your tree?"

I nod. "Of course, Daddy. I'm so happy you're here."

He opens his arms, and I hug him tightly. God, I hope he likes his main Christmas gift. Once he releases me, I head downstairs. Ulysses stays with Dad, which isn't all that surprising. I think my cat likes my dad more than me.

"How's dinner coming along?" I ask Edward.

"All done, gorgeous," he says. "Your dad settle in okay?"

I nod. "Yep. And he's got Ulysses. He'll be down any minute."

Speaking of which, Dad makes his way down the stairs with gifts in his arms and a cat on his heels. He places them under the tree.

"Dinner smells good," he says.

I nod. "Yeah, Edward is a good cook. It's ready when you are."

"I'm starving."

I put the chicken fettuccine Alfredo on three plates, and Edward takes them over to the rarely used table for me. As we eat, Dad asks Edward questions about his life and job. It's all going well, and I'm so relieved.

"You just have one sister, Edward?"

He nods. "Rosalie. She's a little older than me."

"What does she do?"

"Plastic and reconstructive surgery. She does a lot of work with breast cancer survivors."

Dad's brow raises and nods. "That's great of her. And your dad is a doctor too, right?"

"Yep, he recently retired from trauma surgery and opened his own free clinic."

"What a family. I'm looking forward to meeting them."

"And they you, sir."

"I figure tomorrow for Christmas Eve we'll visit the town square and look at the decorations," I say. "Then since Edward works Christmas Day, we'll just relax and watch football."

"Fine by me, Bells. Thank you both for having me."

"Thanks for coming. I've missed you so much."

"Missed you too, Bells."

I don't own Twilight.

Thanks to Ashley, May, and Mary prereading and Sally for beta'ing.