I sat at a large corner booth inside a small Mexican restaurant. I was by myself and my heart was pounding. Bella and I had set our dinner to 6:30, however, I arrived 25 minutes early. I was anxious and drinking a soda to make my mouth less dry, though that wasn't working very well. I was very nervous. Normally, I would have ordered something stronger to calm my nerves, but Bella had made it clear she didn't want me to drink around her baby, so I was drinking a soda.

Earlier in the day I had downed a six-pack trying to drown my sorrows and regrets. It didn't help much. Nor did the four miniature bottles of Malibu Rum offer any comfort. At times such as these, I hated what my life had become. I hated how Bella's lawyer had brought it up in court today that I drink too much, often becoming violent and belligerent, and more often than not, I would pass out, leaving Bella to care for me… when she was the child and I was the parent. It was all true, yet it was difficult to admit. Nobody at work knew that about me, not even my long-time friends who I no longer considered my friends. The only person – up until now – who had known I had become a functioning alcoholic after my wife died, was my own daughter. My daughter who I was supposed to love and protect, yet, I had hurt in more than one way. I vowed to myself that as soon as I was back home I would search for AA meetings and turn my life around. I needed to be the father Bella could be proud of.

The urge to drink was strong though I was fighting it. Today was the first day I had seen Bella since she had run away. By some miracle, she wanted to see me tonight and I was going to meet my grandson. I didn't want anything, especially my stupidity, to ruin this. I wanted to talk to her and meet her baby boy Anthony for the first time. So, I ordered another soda and asked for another refill of chips and salsa. I was determined to stay sober for my little girl.

Sitting in the corner booth where I had a good view of the door I began to think about today. We had the first emancipation hearing and I hoped I was doing right the right thing by agreeing Bella could make her own decisions. It's the right thing to do. For her, I knew that. But did she want me to protest against it? I wasn't sure. As 6:30 rolled around and Bella did not show my heart sank. Maybe she had wanted me to fight in court for her. Maybe she wanted the opposite of the outcome of what I had agreed to. I don't know.

Ten minutes passed and my phone chimed and vibrated in my pocket. I had received a text. I pulled my phone out and swiped the screen. Immediately, I saw the text was from Bella. I began to feel nervous and excited all at the same time. I opened it. Her text message was simple:

Dad, we're running late.

I let out a sigh of relief. She was still planning on meeting me.

Is everything okay?

I typed, then pressed send. Within seconds the typing indicator popped up. She was responding. A minute passed and her text came in.

Sort of. Anthony peed, then pooped on Edward during a diaper change. It was explosive. Edward's still getting the hang of diaper changes. LOL. Now he has to shower and I have to bathe the baby. We'll see you soon.

I began laughing aloud at the mental image I conjured up. I replied by sending her a few emojis that were laughing so hard they were crying. She didn't respond since she was busy with her little one. I put my phone in my pocket and went back to waiting.

After what felt like an eternity of sitting by myself the door chimed softly. I looked up to see Bella walking in, holding a tiny bundle in her arms. Edward was beside her holding an overly stuffed diaper bag, his eyes weary as he scanned the room. Behind them, Carlisle and Esme followed, their expressions were kind but protective.

Bella's eyes met mine, and for a moment I felt a rush of emotions – relief, guilt, and overwhelming love. I stood up, my legs feeling like jello. "Bella," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.

"Dad," She replied, her voice trembling. She moved closer and positioned the little bundle so I had a better view. "This is Anthony, your grandson."

I looked down at the tiny face peeking out from the yellow blanket. He had dark green eyes and was sucking on a pacifier. He looked like a little doll. "Hello, Anthony," I said, my voice choked with emotions. Part of me wanted to ask to hold him, but a larger part of me didn't feel it was the right thing to do. Not yet. "I'm your grandpa."

"He says hi," Bella reassured me.

Edward stepped forward his eyes never leaving me. "Charlie," He said, his tone cautious.

"Hi, Edward," I replied, nodding. "Thank you for taking care, Bella."

"Of course." He gave one tight nod.

Carlisle and Esme then joined us, their presence claiming. I wasn't sure how or when Bella had reunited with the Cullens, but I was glad she did. That way she hadn't been on her own after she ran away from me. I had always worried about her being alone, anything could have happened to her.

"Charlie, it's good to see you. I wish we could have met under better circumstances though." Carlisle said, shaking my hand.

"Me too." I winced at the coldness of his skin.

"It'll all work out in the end. I'm sure." Esme chimed in hopefully.

"Yeah, I hope everything works itself out." I said nervously then added, "Thank you, Carlisle and Esme, for all you have done for my daughter."

"You're welcome." Esme smiled.

"She's part of our family," Carlisle reassured me.

We took our seats, Carlisle and Esme sat across from me, while Edward, Bella, and baby Anthony sat in the middle. I couldn't help but feel a mix of tension and hope as a waitress came and took our drink order. Bella looked at me, her eyes filled with uncertainty. I knew she was still hurt by my reaction when I first found out she was pregnant, and I couldn't blame her. After all, I had wanted her to have an abortion, and that had driven a wedge between us.

I gazed at my grandson in Edward's arms. The little guy no longer had the pacifier in his mouth. He was now sucking on his hand and staring at me with huge, curious eyes. He was out of the blanket now and I could see his outfit. He was dressed in a long-sleeved blue onesie with tiny white stars scattered across it with matching blue sweatpants. The soft fabric kept him warm and comfortable, and he had a matching blue beanie to keep his little head snug. His tiny feet were covered with cute booties that had small duck faces on them. He was cute and his outfit added to the charm.

"Bella," I began trying to keep my voice steady. "He's adorable. I'm really glad you didn't have an abortion. Motherhood suits you."

"Thank you. I'm glad I had him too." Bella looked at her baby and Edward placed their son in her arms. "It wasn't easy going through the birth and labor without any family to support me." She looked from Edward to me and back again as she said this. "But he is worth it."

"I'm sorry." Edward and I said in unison.

I turn my head toward him. "You weren't there for the birth of your child?"

Under no circumstances had I meant for my words to come out sounding harsh, but I think they did. Maybe my tone was a little too hard. Or maybe he had misconstrued my words. I wasn't sure. Whatever it was Edward shook his head 'no' and the expression on his face resembled a wounded puppy. Bella put a hand on his shoulder and I swear I saw tears gathered in his eyes as his gaze locked on his son.

Neither Bella nor Edward spoke, and I began to feel a little lost. Until Esme began explaining that my daughter and her son had reunited a little over two weeks ago. Therefore, Edward had not been there for Bella through her pregnancy or the birth of his child. Edward had no idea he was going to be a father until he and Bella reunited at a restaurant by chance when Anthony was almost 6 weeks old. When Esme wrapped up how the kids patched things up, I began to realize that I hit a nerve when I asked him my question.

Back when his family had moved out of Forks he had broke up with Bella and I was upset with him for crushing my daughter's heart. Then she became pregnant and I was mad at him again. After that, I learned from Billy what the Cullens were, and my anger toward him was once resurrected. Back then I hated Edward and wanted him to feel worse than Bella had. However, sitting here with them I was no longer mad a the kid, if that's what he really was, 'cause that's what he seemed to be. I could tell he was hurt and broken in ways he tried to hide. My heart began to soften.

"Edward, I apologize for what I said. I didn't mean it to come off rude." I spoke honestly.

"Thank you, Charlie," Edward's voice was low and sad. "I know you weren't intending it to be ill-mannered. I do not begrudge you."

'Well, that was formal.' I thought to myself. Not knowing how to respond, I just nodded.

The waitress brought our drinks and we ordered our food. Once she left the topic at our table changed. Our chit-chat was more or less a bunch of mini small talk conversations. The safest topic for me was the baby, who Edward and Bella kept passing on to each other. Anthony didn't seem to like sitting still and would fuss when one parent was holding him for too long. Watching them pass their son to each other I asked about his health and well-being. I wanted to know if Anthony was meeting his milestones. Everyone assured me he was. Things became quiet until I asked another question. This time I wanted to know if he slept well at night.

"When Bella was a baby she slept through the night from 9:00 PM to 6:00 AM." I reminisced. "Is Anthony a good sleeper?"

"He's a good sleeper…during the day. Otherwise, you can hear him for miles away if he's in his crib at night." Edward chuckled and Bella agreed.

I was confused by this. That is until everyone at the table told me Anthony was a loud crier and loved the nightlife. Bella seemed exhausted by this, and Edward seemed disappointed or slightly annoyed that his son didn't sleep at night. I wasn't sure which fit his expression more, or why it bothered him. However, Esme seemed delighted and Carlisle seemed neutral.

Once again we were wrapped up in uncomfortable silence. I was racking my brain for something to say. Something that would get Bella talking.

"What's his personality like?" I asked, directing my question towards my daughter but eyeing my grandson.

Edward and Bella turned towards each other like they had never given this a thought as the little guy insisted on being held by the other parent. Or maybe they were having trouble putting it into words. Whatever it was had me feeling like I was interrogating them. I innerward, groaned. I wasn't trying to be a cop searching for answers, all I wanted to know was the type of baby my grandson was. Was Anthony calm like Bella had been as a little one, or was he more active?

Edward turned to me at that moment, his eyes meeting mine. "Well, Charlie, Anthony is a very curious baby. He's also very observant. He loves to be read to and enjoys nature, water, ducks, and the color yellow."

"He's also very calm if nobody loses his pacifier." Bella chimed in shooting Edward a mock annoyed glance.

"Love, that happened one time." He held up his pointer finger on his right hand, which Anthony tried reaching for.

"It was the longest night of my life." Bella pointed out in an exaggerated tone.

"You're never going to let me forget about the night I met him and his pacifier went down a storm drain, are you?" Edward asked in a frantic tone.

"Not a chance," Bella spoke in a light-hearted tone.

She grinned at him. He gave her a crooked smile and the Anthony gurgled.

I chuckled at their banter and so did Edward's parents. However, out of nowhere, Anthony started crying and Edward pulled out a white pacifier from his jacket pocket, saying he learned the hard way to always keep several spares on him. Edward then took Anthony, pulled out a rattle from the diaper bag, and began playing with him.

By the time our food arrived, our small talk had ended. Bella was openly sharing with me about all the shelters she had lived in throughout her pregnancy and the few she stayed at with Anthony. Thankfully, she hadn't lived in places like that since she and Edward started renting hotel rooms and now had a place to call their own.

"Jesus, Bella," I felt bad, that was clear. "It was never my intention for you to go through any of that. I'm sorry how bad things got between us and you felt the need to leave."

"I know, Dad." Bella exhaled. Her eyes narrowed at me. "I had to leave once you told me I was going to have an abortion and you scheduled it without my consent. That was something I was not going to let happen. It didn't matter that I had nowhere to go, I couldn't let my baby who I already loved be killed."

With her words, our table became so quiet you could hear a pin drop. Anthony broke the silence by looking up at the lights, spitting out his pacifier onto the table, and began cooing.

Edward put his hand under Bella's chin, tilting her head to have her eyes meet his. "Love, you went through so much. It breaks my heart you were alone. However, by you going through all that makes you the strongest person I know. I'm glad you stood your ground and didn't let that happen to Anthony." He kissed her forehead then kissed his son on the check. The baby giggled, such a joyful sound.

"I am too." She leaned into him, hugging both him and Anthony.

As I observed their display of affection I realized how good they were together. Much like Renee and I had been; young and in love. It made me long for her. Though she was gone I couldn't bring her back.

"I'm very sorry, Bella." I apologized, choking back tears. "I'm your dad. The one who was supposed to be there for you and protect you no matter what. I really messed that up, didn't I?"

Bella didn't respond. She didn't even look at me.

"Things will get better." Esme offered.

"In due time," Carlisle added.

"I know." I agreed with with both of them. Then I turned towards my daughter and spoke, "Bells, I am sorry. Anything could have happened to you when you were traveling through four different states. And hich-hiking. I'm a cop, I've seen firsthand what can happen to a young girl who's alone and taking rides from strangers. I'm grateful nothing happened to you. I wouldn't have been able to forgive myself if…" My voice trailed off at the end. I couldn't continue.

Bella reached across Edward who was closer to me than she was. She then placed her hand on mine. "Nothing happened to me." She spoke truthfully. "And I accept your apology, Dad. I also want to thank you for permitting me in court today to be emancipated… it helps. It doesn't change the past, since nothing will. But it will help my future."

Her words were the confirmation I needed to hear. I was doing the right thing for my daughter and her baby with this. She really did want to be emancipated. I was finally doing something right by her.

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I hope you enjoyed the third chapter. There are 3 more chapters to go. :)