A/N: Many thanks to EdwardsFirstKiss for her beta-ing on this chapter. She is much more on top of it than I am!

Edward

"No, you don't have my blessing."

There was something about being told no that made him want to fight harder for it. He supposed that's why he was a lawyer. Make it good, Edward. This was the first time he had to seek approval from parents. Rose's parents died long before they got married.

Yet, the way they were sitting there so stiff with each other wasn't so convincing. Edward scooted closer to Bella on the loveseat. "Pardon me? I haven't asked you yet." Edward wanted to add that they would just elope, but he had to stop himself. This wasn't real.

"Dad…you said…" She took Edward's hand in his.

"I don't know this guy, Bella." Charlie turned to him. "Okay, Edward, tell me about yourself."

"I'm 32, I have an eight year old daughter, my wife died 5 years ago…"

"What do you do for a living?"

"I'm a tax attorney."

Her dad's expression changed. "Oh…okay. Good. You can provide for her…well, that's something."

Bella rolled her eyes, and Edward noticed that around her dad, Miss Spiritual was every bit as human as everyone else…the insecurity was there for all to see.

"Of course, sir."

"Stop calling me sir. My name is Charlie."

Edward pulled his collar away from his neck. "Charlie, right, sir."

"How did you two meet?"

They hadn't discussed what to say, and he looked at her. "Honey, why don't you tell it?"

Bella clapped her hands together. "It's a fun story. Edward's daughter loves the videos I create, and she convinced Edward to come see me and, oh it was so funny, Dad. We didn't even like each other at first."

"Oh really?"

She met Edward's eyes, and his jaw was ready to drop. Bella could have said something else—meeting in a cafe, or through a client, a dating app…or anything else and he would've conferred. But this?

Edward nodded. "It's true. I really didn't like her."

Charlie seemed amused by this. "What made you change your mind?" He looked from Edward to Bella.

"Well, Edward is very handsome obviously. And he won me over with his piano music. He composes."

Bella had already said she admired his music, but Edward wasn't sure if there was any truth to him winning her over.

"Is that so?" Charlie asked, looking at Edward.

"I do."

"And what made you change your mind about Bella?"

"Oh…well, Charlie…your daughter is very smart and very beautiful…and very persuasive." He pressed a kiss on her cheek, and she squeezed his hand…hard."And now, we just spend all of our time together."

"And what about your daughter?"

Bella jumped in. "I love Renesmee. She's amazing. We're like this." She crossed her fingers.

"When do I get to meet her?"

Edward's eyes widened and Bella didn't look shaken at all.

"Oh, well, she's away at camp, and we were…saving the news for when she gets back so we can tell her in person."

Edward nodded.

"I've always wanted a grandchild," he said. "Are you two planning on having children?"

"Well, I…" Edward began, but Bella cut in.

"Yes."

His brows pulled together, and he pointed to Edward. "Edward doesn't seem sure."

"We haven't discussed it, yet, right, dear?"

"No. I mean, I barely found out we're engaged…asked her…that is, I barely proposed to her."

"Now, that's another thing. Why would you just propose to my daughter before getting permission from her dad?"

"That's my fault," Bella said. "You and I haven't gotten along so great, Dad. As you know."

"Well, whose fault is that? I mean, when was the last time you came to visit?"

Bella closed her eyes, and Edward saw she was trying to hold onto her patience. "I'm very busy. I've been on tour, seminars, book signings."

"Does your mother know? Has she met Edward?"

"No," they both said at the same time.

Bella's dad smiled then—like if he was pleased to be the first one to learn the news. Yet, it didn't seem like he cared very much about what Bella was telling him about a big part of her life. Charlie seemed unaware of how influential his daughter truly was.

"Well, we have to get your blessing first, right?" Edward said.

Charlie pointed to Edward. "He's smart, Bella. I like him."

Edward blew out a breath. Okay good, now this could be over…"Alright. Well, Charlie, I want to marry your daughter. May I have your blessing?"

Charlie looked from Edward to Bella and then back to Edward. "No."

"NO?" Bella and Edward both said at the same time.

"No. We just met. You're still a stranger to me, Edward."

Sigh. Edward's teeth clenched. What was he going to have to do?

"If you wanna be part of my family," Charlie continued, "then you have to become it. You don't just pop over here out of the blue and walk away with my daughter's hand."

"Dad, this is what we agreed."

"There's the 4th of July coming up next week," Charlie said. "We have fireworks at the beach. You meet some of Bella's classmates and friends. Then we'll talk about it."

Bella shook her head. "No, Dad. This isn't what we agreed on."

"Look, Bells, I don't have much time left on this earth. I want to spend it with the people I care about."

"Edward's busy," she said. "He had to take time away from his case to be here. He can't just spend time here in Forks."

"It's Sunday. Do you work on Sundays? Besides, the 4th is a holiday. It would be very un-American of you to work on the birthday of our nation."

Bella dropped her face into her hands. "No, Dad. There's nothing more we have to do. Edward, let's go."

Edward didn't know what else to say. He'd followed through on his word. He stood. "I'm very sorry to hear that, sir. I still intend to marry Bella." It was a shot in the dark, but maybe it would land…

"Yeah, well, not with my blessing. I guess it won't matter anyway. I'll be dead and you can do whatever the hell you want."

"Dad! It doesn't have to be this way. You only have to try getting treatment."

"Nope. I already told you, Bella."

She shook her head, and then took Edward's hand in his. "Let's get out of here. Bye, Dad." Her voice sounded so sad. Edward couldn't help thinking it sounded like she was saying goodbye to him forever.

"Bye, Charlie. It was nice meeting you."

Charlie didn't say another word, and Edward still didn't know what possessed himself to do it.

"We'll see you on the 4th then, Charlie. Then I'll get your blessing. Then you're going to seek treatment?"

Charlie looked up at the ceiling, his lips falling into a smirk. He was manipulating them…successfully. "I want my daughter to be happy, Edward. And I need to see that you're the man to do it. Then I'll give you my blessing."

"No. I've had enough of this. Let's go, Edward."

"Wait a minute. Your young man looks like he's willing to put in some effort, Bells. Let him meet the guys, hang around with friends…Be here on the 4th, show me that you're the man I think you are, and then yes, you've got a deal."

"I'm not making any promises," she said.

"Neither am I," Charlie shot back.

Father's and daughter's eyes met, and Edward wondered which of them would explode first. The daggers her eyes shot him were ready to hit their mark. "Goodbye, Dad."

Charlie walked them to the door. "See you here at about 4 then. Bring an apple pie."

Bella screeched, and Edward held back the laugh in his throat. This was the most entertainment he'd had since the cruise.

Edward extended his hand. "You've got it. We'll see you then, Charlie."

Bella

"NO, no, no, no. What did you just do, Edward?" Bella asked as she turned the key in the ignition.

Edward was grinning. "What? I'm trying to save your dad's life."

"We made a deal. I didn't ask you to do this."

"Oh, believe me…seeing you lose your cool around your dad is thanks enough."

Her mouth dropped open. "Oh…my…Go…." She closed her mouth, and then her eyes, and inhaled a very deep breath. She didn't speak for most of the ride home, and she thought he should've been the one who was more upset. She'd only asked him to do this one thing. "This is funny for you."

"It's hilarious seeing this side of you, Bella. Refreshing."

"I'm glad you find it funny. But, no, I don't intend to go through with this. It's too much. Just being around them takes up all my energy. And besides, what next? Labor Day picnic? Thanksgiving and Christmas? No. It stops here."

"Bella, he's not my dad. If my dad were still around, I think I would've tried harder."

"What happened with your dad?"

"We had a falling out. Just before I took the bar exam."

"And…?"

"I never liked how he treated my mom. He became sick all of a sudden and was already too far gone by the time I found out. If my dad had more time, maybe he could've been saved. Maybe we could've patched things up. He tried to say sorry at the end, but I wasn't ready to forgive him. Then he died."

"Whoa. You've got some emotional issues to deal with, don't you?"

"Yeah, so do you."

"Agreed."

"So, you're willing to help me, still?"

"I offered."

"And there's nothing else you want from me?"

"Friendship. How's that?"

Bella smiled. She'd offered that on the ship, but he wasn't in a place to accept. "I'd like that very much."

Edward looked at her before he opened the door to the car. "It's been interesting."

"Thank you so, so much, Edward. I'll never be able to repay you."

"Don't thank me yet. We still have to get your dad's blessing."

"Edward, it's an awful lot to ask of you. You really don't have to do this."

"Ness is gone, and I usually take her to the community fireworks show. I didn't have any plans anyway other than doing work at home."

She pressed her palms together and bowed her head. "Thank you so much, Edward. We'll talk soon?"

He smiled at her. "I'm looking forward to it."

A/N: Thanks for your patience with my time management as I'm posting this story! Do you think Edward will be able to win Charlie over? Stay tuned for what happens when Edward comes face to face with the people from Bella's past. Thanks for reading, following, and a very special thanks to those who review!