Chapter 7

Finally, it was time for Bella to join her parents as they started their day. Charlie was in the shower, getting ready to go into the station, surely. She found Renee in the kitchen staring longingly at the coffee pot, willing it to drip faster. Her mother was never much of a morning person.

"Morning, Mom," Bella greeted.

Her mother turned at her voice. "Morning sweetie. Did you sleep well?"

Bella nodded. "Yeah. I've been awake for a few hours. My sleep schedule's all off."

Renee smiled understandingly. "That makes sense. Well, hopefully we can get you back on track soon."

"How about you?" Bella asked.

Renee yawned. "Your father was kind enough to give me his bed and he slept on the couch. But I'm pretty sure that's the same mattress he had when we lived here back when you were a baby. And it wasn't a new mattress then." Renee stretched with a groan, cradling her sore back. Bella laughed.

Bella poured herself a glass of orange juice as Renee poured her coffee. They joined each other at the table. "So, what's on the agenda for today? Your dad has his shift at the station, but I'm all yours."

Bella fidgeted. "Um, I talked to Edward yesterday on the phone." It was a slight fib, but figured it wasn't a good idea to tell her mom how much Edward's been sneaking into her room. "Anyway, he's willing to meet you and Dad whenever, and I was thinking maybe we should do it today? Get it over with?"

Renee smiled kindly at the immense discomfort apparent in her daughter. It was a relievingly normal, teenage discomfort at having to introduce your boyfriend to your parents. "That sounds like a wonderful idea. I can't wait to meet him. Do you want to do it after your dad gets back from his shift? Have him over for dinner."

Bella nodded. Renee nodded in agreement. "Okay, then it's a plan." Renee took a long drag of her coffee. "Alright, what should we do until then?" she asked.

Bella shrugged. "I have some homework I could get started on that Angela dropped off."

Renee gave Bella a look. "Homework? Really?"

Bella made a face. "What? Do you have a better idea?"

Renee put on her contemplative face. "Hmm… Let me think. Well, the weather is all cold and overcast, so the beach sounds like a dreadful prospect. You hate shopping, there's nothing to do in this itty-bitty town… Movie marathon?" she suggested finally.

Bella smiled. "Sure, movie marathon."

Renee grinned and did a little jig of celebration. Bella chuckled.

Renee looked at the clock, thinking. "Alright, the movie rental store probably isn't open yet. Your Dad's got some time before he heads into the station, what do you think about giving him a heads up about this evening?"

Bella blanched at her. "Tell him?!"

Renee shrugged. "I mean, it's either that or spring it on him all at once. This way he can have a few hours to wrap his head around the concept. Like I did."

Bella could see the logic in the argument and sighed. As if on cue, Charlie started coming down the stairs. "Ah, good morning, you're both up."

"Good morning, Charlie," Renee said. "Do you have a moment before you head in? Bella has something to tell you."

Charlie glanced at the clock. "Yeah, I've got some time, what's up?" Charlie sat down, eyeing them both, wondering if he needed to be concerned.

Bella shifted, caught off guard. "Um, uh, well, you see…" Bella mumbled, looking to her mother, pleading with her eyes for rescue.

"What's going on, sweetie?" Charlie asked, concerned now.

Renee decided to jump in and save Bella. "Bella has a boyfriend," she told Charlie, whose head whipped to look at Renee so fast Bella was surprised he didn't crack his neck. Charlie looked back at Bella incredulously, before looking back at Renee.

"Wait, what now?" Charlie asked.

"Boyfriend," Renee repeated patiently. "Bella has a boyfriend. He's coming over to meet us after you get off work later today."

"Boyfriend," Charlie said, sounding out the word in his mouth. "Bella has a boyfriend?" he asked incredulously. "Since when does Bella have a boyfriend?"

Renee looked at Bella, giving her an encouraging nod. Bella opened her mouth before closing it, having suddenly lost the ability to speak.

"I think it's pretty new," Renee answered Charlie.

"New," Charlie processed. "How new?" He looked at Bella intensely. Bella shrank in her seat.

"Apparently, they've been getting to know each other for a few weeks now," Renee continued to answer for her. "He came to check on her when she didn't show up at school, while you were at work. They are official now."

Charlie continued to look back and forth between the two of them. If Bella wasn't so mortified, she'd probably get a good laugh at the shocked expression on his face.

"Boyfriend," Charlie said as he sat back in his chair, finally accepting the news. He sat forward again and turned toward Bella. "Who is it?" he asked.

"Edward Cullen," she said in a timid voice.

"Edward Cullen," Charlie repeated back, sitting back one more time in his chair as he took in this new information. "Carlisle Cullen's boy." At least he didn't seem to immediately disapprove. He looked back at Bella as something clicked in his memory. "He's the boy who pulled you out of the way of Tyler Crowley's van."

Bella nodded.

Charlie rubbed his chin, speculatively. That was certainly a point in Edward's favor. "So, Edward Cullen, huh?"

Bella nodded again.

"And he's coming here? To meet us? After I get off work? Is he joining us for dinner?"

Bella nodded once more.

Charlie rubbed a hand over his face. "Alright," Charlie sighed with sudden exhaustion.

Bella sighed with relief. That went better than expected. She mouthed a "Thank you" to her mother, who mouthed back, "You're welcome." Charlie sat dazed between them.

Bella made to get up, eager to exit this uncomfortable moment. "Well, I guess I should go give Edward a call, let him know the plan for today."

Renee resumed drinking her coffee while Charlie sat frozen on the kitchen chair, staring unseeingly straight ahead. Her mother was right, she thought to herself, it was good to give Charlie a few hours to process this information.

Bella sprinted upstairs to see Edward waiting expectantly in her room. "I assume you heard all that," she said with a groan.

Edward nodded with a smirk. "I look forward to officially meeting your parents this evening."

Bella gave him an exasperated look. "God, you're enjoying yourself, aren't you?"

Edward considered it for a moment, "Maybe," he confirmed with a grin.

"You seriously aren't nervous to meet my parents?" she asked.

"Not really," he replied. "Parents love me. I promise, I'll be the perfect early 20th century gentleman." His eyes twinkled with humor. But Bella also knew that he wasn't joking. Bella rolled her eyes at him.

"It's going to be fine, Bella," he assured her, stepping forward to gently cradle her face between is cool palms. "And even if they absolutely hate me, it's not like they can do much to keep us apart." He stroked her cheek gently with his thumb. "But it would be much easier to have your parents' blessing."

Bella sighed, knowing he was right. She let her anxiety be soothed by Edward's words and gentle touch. "Well, there's no turning back now." She started to pull away and looked around. "Well, I should probably start getting ready to go to the video store with my Mom."

Edward gave her a kiss on the forehead. "I love you. I'll see you tonight."

She breathed in his scent and then he was gone. Bella sighed, missing him.