Chapter 61

Chapter 61
BPOV

Freaking Leah, we were already behind schedule and she was making me wait until a fresh pan of sticky buns was ready. I had to agree with her that they are better right from the oven. The diner made the raised dough from scratch daily. On the weekends, or days when there was something happening, it was a non-stop production of yummy goodness. But we had a deadline of free time this morning and her craving was cutting into it.

The morning was going by quickly, Edward let me sleep longer than usual and by the time everyone showered and dressed there wasn’t much time for me to show him around. Then again why in the world he was so interested in seeing the schools I attended or the grocery store I worked at left me baffled. Those places meant nothing to me other than being somewhere I was forced to spend my time.

I could feel the eyes of the people in the diner on me, when I met a few of their stares some would look away. Others, like Brenda Nagel who was now Tatasure, sat with her mother and two children gawking openly. She looked out the window pointed at something and then continued to cast glances at me like I was some kind of science experiment.

The girl was irritating the crap out of me more than she ever had in high school and I was on the verge of going over and asking what the hell she found so interesting when Jake came inside.

“Are you making them?”

Rolling my eyes at his outburst, “Leah wants fresh ones.”

“How much longer do you have to wait?” his impatience with Leah was clear but she didn’t seem to care. “A few more minutes, we’ll be right out.”

“Well hurry the fuck up, Sue’s going to be pissed if we’re late and I have to stop at the store and you want to go to the bakery.”

Leah huffed, “They just came out of the oven give us another minute.”

Jacob sighed and looked out the door with narrowed eyes and left without saying another word.

Leah tisked, “What the hell, it’s not my fault.”

I smiled at her because it was her fault but I wasn’t going to say that. She continued to prattle on about some shoot she had done while I glanced around the diner. Several people were looking out the window with interest making me curious about what was happening. I would have gone over to see for myself but Bob called out to us that our buns were ready.

While we paid it seemed like I had gained even more attention from those inside and I wanted to get out of there in the worst way. Opening up the outer door Jake was standing next to Edward with his arm resting against his shoulder. Leah gave me a quizzical look and I shrugged because hell if I knew what was happening.

“Are you two bonding?” she asked going down the stairs while I stood on the bottom step behind Edward. Following his gaze my eyes focused on the other side of the street where Officer Mark was walking a few feet behind someone.

“What’s going on?” I asked putting both arms around his chest while resting my chin on his shoulder, kissing his cheek.

Edward’s head turn in my direction placing a soft kiss on my lips, “I’ll tell you later.”

Jake sighed loudly and Leah became agitated, “What happened?”

They seemed to be having a wordless conversation but I couldn’t pay attention because Edward started talking against my ear sending tingles through me, “Did you get your sticky bun?”

“Yes Sir,” I smiled coyly opening the bag so he could get a whiff the warm bun. “Do you want some?”

“Absolutely, I want everything you’re willing to give me,”

His words made me roll my eyes and blush at the double meaning. Ripping off a piece of the bun I brought it to his lips. As Edward opened his mouth taking it from my fingers he sucked the sticky molasses off. The feel of his tongue against the sensitive tips of my fingers went straight to my core and a small whimper escaped me. Edward’s eyes grew darker making my breathing quicken while I remained caught in his gaze.

“Alright that’s enough, you two need to get a fucking room if you’re going to do that shit,” Jakes comments made me blush while Edward chuckled.

We stood there for a minute talking while I took turns feeding Edward and myself the sweet treat. Leah was going to take Seth with her while they drove to the store so Jake could get beer. Edward and I were going to the bakery and then I was going to finish the tour of Forks before we met back up at Charlie’s. While we were finishing up the details I heard people coming out of the diner. Rather than release my hold on Edward I stepped with him off to the side to allow the exiting patrons room to maneuver the stairs.

Mrs. Nagel came down holding on to the hand of Brenda’s son while she was behind them with her daughter perched on her hip. Both women eyed Edward before shifting their gaze to my arms that were still draped over his shoulders.

“Hi Bella,” Brenda spoke to me. “Leah, Jake,” she added with a nod before looking back to me expectantly. I stepped away from Edward introducing them out of politeness. Mrs. Nagel asked if we were home for the parade and then made a comment about how time flies when we told her that Seth had graduated. Brenda wasn’t really listening as she continued to size up Edward before turning to Jake.

“What was the problem?” She asked in curiosity.

“There was no problem,” he answered solemnly to which her eyes narrowed, “Oh. It looked like…”

“Looks can be deceiving,” Jake cut her off with his retort. I had no idea what she was talking about; however, it was clear that she wasn’t going to get anything further from him and she was not happy about that.

“Hhm,” Brenda huffed, “maybe I’ll see you later.” She started to walk away and then turned, “Oh, by the way Bella, did you hear that Elaine was pregnant again?” She continued talking in a superior tone. “Her and Wade got married a year after you did and this will be their fourth baby.”

“I hadn’t heard but I’ll be sure to congratulate her.”

Brenda grinned at my statement then moved to her car. Her words were meant in a malicious fashion as if to hurt or insult me and for a second she succeeded.

“Elaine weighs two hundred and fifty pounds and Wade was caught sucking that guys dick down at the truck stop last year.” I burst out laughing at Leah’s take on the situation making her laugh with me. “Personally Bella I think you’re better off,” she added with a chuckle. “Really another woman Elaine might be able to contend with …”

Jake couldn’t resist to comment, “She could always sit on her or smother her with the rolls on her thighs.”

Leah shot Jake a look of disbelief and then laughed along with us while finishing her thought, “…and I don’t care how fat she gets or what else grows on her she’s never going to have a dick.”

“There’s always strap-on’s,” Edward said with a slight chuckle while Jake added even more to that suggestion. “She could get one of those double headed ones, so she gets off while doing him.” We all laughed as Jake put the motion of thrusting his hips along with the words.

“Ewww gross!” Leah commented through her laughter, “I don’t want that mental picture…big Elaine and skinny Wade…with his greasy hair…bending over and taking it up the ass!”

“Thanks for sharing,” I knew it was mean but the thought was just too much and I laughed.

“That’s worse…” Leah’s laugher was dying down to a chuckle, “…than walking in on Mom and Charlie on the chair!”

“Ohhh…Leahhh,” I complained, “why did you have to bring that up?”

That was not something I wanted to be reminded of, especially when we were going to be going over there. As our laughter died down all thoughts of Brenda’s disparaging comments were gone.

“Ok,” Jake chuckled, “let’s go or were never going to make it on time.”

As they walked away with Seth my arms wrapped back around Edward for a quick hug and he reached down with his hands gripping my thighs to hoist me up onto his back making me squeal. “Which way m’lady?’

“Ummm…that way,” I pointed down across the street with a giggle.

As Edward started walking across the road Charlie’s cruiser turned the corner. Seeing us he stopped driving, rolling down the window he eyed my position and the way Edward’s hands held on to me. “Something wrong with your legs Bells?”

“Nope…I get carried like this all the time.” I announced smugly while dad grinned “Oh yeah? How do you manage that?”

“Do you see this finger?” holding up my pinky with a giggle. Edward squeezed my thigh and kind of growled, he knew damn well what I was referring to. Charlie on the other hand just smiled shaking his head.

“What are you doing out? I thought Sue would be keeping you busy all day.” Charlie blinked a few times then his eyes went to Edward with a blank stare before shifting back to me.

“Just making sure that Mark had everything under control.”

Oh

“Ok…well we’re just going down to the bakery and then I’m going to show Edward the school and we’ll be over.” I told my dad our plans wondering what Officer Mark had to do that required Charlie checking up on him. Mark had been working with Charlie for ten years and he knew how to set up the barriers for the parade.

“See you at the house, oh and Bells…” I thought for sure he was going to comment about me hanging on Edward’s back but he surprised me. “Do your old man a favor and get a wet bottom pie.” I smiled as Charlie rolled up the window.

“You are in so much trouble,” Edward growled spinning in a circle so that I had to tighten my grip around his shoulders while I giggled burying my face into his neck. Placing a kiss under his jaw before tugging on his ear lobe with my teeth eliciting a small groan while I admitted into his ear, “Sometimes I like trouble.”

“Hmmm…I know you do.”

Turning my face into the crook of his neck the heady scent of his skin always drawing me in for more I whispered against him, “I love you.”

“Ah, my Bella.” I felt his arms tighten around my body while his shoulders rose as if giving me a hug

I realized that he came to a stop and when I looked up we were outside of the Bakery. Edward let go of my legs allowing my body to slide down his back until I was standing on my own two feet.
There was a young girl behind the counter whom I didn’t know. It was possible that she had just moved here or more than likely because of her age I knew her parents but couldn’t recall her.

“What’s wet bottom pie?” Edward asked while he held my hand walking back to the car.

I thought for a second while standing at the corner waiting to cross the street where the car was parked. “It’s like funny cake with a layer of sweet dark pudding on the bottom.”

Getting ready to cross the street my breath caught and I could feel my body stiffen at the sight of the light blue pick-up truck. James was driving with Vickie in the passenger seat, his head was facing forward but his eyes bore into us. His expression was passive and I noticed that he cut off his long hair but his stare contained the same the hardness that always caused me panic. His fury that constantly brought about my fear now produced an intense hatred that made me angry with myself for reacting as I did.

Edward noticed the difference in my stance immediately, squeezing my hand as the truck continued at a steady pace down the street. The movement of Edward’s feet caused me to follow along with him to the car. As he opened the door for me to get in his hand lifted my chin making me look into his searching eyes.

I had to say something so that Edward wouldn’t think I was crazy, “That was…”

“I know who it was,” he interrupted my explanation.

My eyes narrowed in confusion, “How?”

It was the only thing I could say while searching my brain to remember if Edward had seen a picture of James, or had he known strictly from my reaction. “We’ve met.”

What?

“When?” I was getting frustrated with myself and the one word responses that kept popping into my head, but I couldn’t help it. Edward’s eyes searched my face before letting go of my chin with a resounding sigh. “Get in, we’ll talk on the way.”

Strapping the seatbelt across my shoulder I sat with the cake box balanced on my lap watching Edward walk in front of the car to his door. He didn’t say anything while getting his own belt on and starting the engine. “Which way am I going Isabella?”

Isabella?

My mind automatically settled into a peaceful state as I pointed over my shoulder, “That way Sir.”

Putting the car in drive Edward pulled out of the parking space, made a U-turn and headed in the direction I had pointed. Keeping my eyes on the road I waited for a few minutes for him to start talking. The time seemed to drag on as I cleared my mind while concentrating on my breathing. Each breath that I took in was filled with Edward’s scent drawing me further into myself. I could feel a calm wash over me, and although I still wanted to know what happened I was content to wait until he thought it was the right time to speak.

“Are you better my pet?” the words were softly spoken as if out of concern while his hand lay on top of mine.

“Yes Master.”

As I said the words a thought occurred to me that Edward purposely tapped into my submissive nature as way of giving me fortitude. The words he said last night while we were getting ready to go to Sam’s came to my mind. “This weekend is going to be tricky Isabella, and believe me if I thought for one minute that it would be in your best interest, our usual would not be taking place at all.”

When he had said those words I thought he meant that our usual would be tricky, trying to have our D/s time around everyone else in such close proximity. Which I suppose was true, the thing I didn’t fully understand until that moment was the part about it being in my best interest. I assumed that Edward was talking about not wanting me to get complacent with a long interval of down time; forcing him to have to go backwards in my training, frustrating both of us and completely undermining my self confidence.

Sitting there in the car drawing in on all the training I had been through. Focusing my inner strength and self control, I realized that’s what it was all about. Since day one Edward had me working on control, not just my body but my mind, emotions, and basic functions. Forcing me to take stock of myself and getting to know myself better than I ever have before. Drawing on the power that I get not only from his control of me, but the control I have over myself.

These lessons weren’t just about sex; they were to be used to enhance my whole self, to embrace my submissive character and draw strength from it. Never before have I been as accepted as when I kneel before him with nothing but my desire to serve. Because never in my life have I felt as strong as I do laid bare, naked, before my Masters feet.

That was what he meant by his statement

Yesterday I told Leah that Edward understands me and he makes me understand myself. At the time I said it I thought those words to be true, but sitting there in the car I knew without a doubt that they were. He knew what I needed all along. At that thought my heart soared with more admiration and love for him then I had before.

“Thank you Master.”

A small smile played on his lips, “You’re welcome my love.”

Edward turned at the sign that pointed the way to Forks High School. “Isabella, I want you to remain quiet and not say a word until after I am finished. Do you understand?”

“Yes Sir.”

While we drove the half mile into the school Edward began telling me about James coming up to him outside of the diner. I listened with intense interest at his recall, grimacing at the nasty things that James had said but not at all surprised by the arrogance that he showed. Pulling up into the parking lot facing the main office Edward turned off the car, removed his seatbelt and then turned his body to me.

“I don’t want you to think that I was trying to hide it from you Isabella. I had every intention of telling you this evening. I told you before there are no secrets between us, however I wanted us to be alone in a private place where we could discuss it rationally, with both of us in the right frame of mind.”

The right frame of mind- It wasn’t just me that needed to delve into my inner self, Edward needed it too

That thought was cut off by his comment, “I have no idea how James knew my name. Other than to say that it is very apparent that everyone here seems to know that you are in a relationship. That leaves me to assume that with me standing there with Seth, he put two and two together.”

That made total sense to me, how many people had commented that it was about time they got to meet Edward? So it would only figure that James would know his name. I just felt bad that Edward was even put in that position. “Your girl is sorry Master.”

“You have nothing to be sorry for. You have no control over other people; the only actions a person can be responsible for are their own.”

I knew that of course, and his words were meant to comfort me but instead I internalized them twisting it into a double meaning. Thinking that if it weren’t for me then he wouldn’t have been faced with the awkward situation he was in earlier. “Master takes responsibility for his submissive.”

“I do that willingly Isabella, and so far my submissive has yet to cause me embarrassment, so she can get that thought right out of her mind.”

He really does know me

The car was quiet for a moment until Edward opened the latch on my seatbelt, “Is there anything else that needs to be said on this issue, or can we put it behind us?”

“No Master, we can put it behind us.”

“Good choice.”

He got out opening my door, pulling me into his arms as I stepped out of the car. I could feel his lips against my hair but he never lifted my face to kiss my mouth and I was content feeling the warmth of his embrace. Stepping back he took my hand in his tugging me towards the buildings. As we walked the five separate structures that always reminded me of army barracks, I explained what each building was used for. Edward looked in a few windows and I marveled again at how interested he was with seemingly inconsequential things.

Walking around the back of building ‘C’ I explained about the trail in the woods and how when it wasn’t raining hard I would go out there to eat lunch alone to escape all the chaos of the cafeteria. So of course Edward had to see what I was talking about. Following the trail back about fifty yards was the tree limb that served as a bench. It had fallen over so long ago that it was covered with moss and surrounded by over brush that created a little canopy of sorts.

Sitting on the log Edward pulled me down into his lap, his hands wrapping around my waist holding me without crushing me to him. Looking towards the school the deserted buildings were still visible through the gaps in the forest.

“What did you do in there Isabella?” Edward asked motioning with his chin towards the red brick structures.

“Your girl went to school Master.”

“What else did you do?”

Thinking about that question I didn’t know how to answer so I said the first thing that came to mind, “Your girl went home from school.”

Edward chucked at my response, “No. I mean what did you get involved in? Sports, cheerleading, clubs, organizations, activities, what extra things did you do?”

Staring at the building I shook my head, “Nothing, just homework.”

“Nothing?” I could see from the corner of my eye Edward’s head turn to look at me.

“No…what did you do in school?” my head turned to meet his gaze, watching as his face took on a look of nostalgia.

“I played football, basketball and baseball. I was a member of the young republicans, the key club, and student council. I participated in odyssey of the mind and the year book.”

“You did all that?”

He smiled broadly, “yeah.”

Looking back at the school where I had spent four years just getting an education, there was no remorse in me for things I didn’t do. It had never occurred to me to be active in school. It was just a place that I had to go.

“Why didn’t you get involved in something?”

His question was simple enough, and I suppose to someone who fit into the ins and outs of the popular crowd it would seem strange that I never did.

“Your girl doesn’t know,” I answered with a shrug of my shoulders.

“Well what were your friends doing, didn’t they try to talk you into joining something?”

My head turned once again to look at him, “This one’s friends all went to school on the reservation.”

“Didn’t you have any friends here?” he asked with narrow eyes, making me feel insignificant and causing me to look away from his glare.

“No.”

“You spent four years here and had no friends?”

I thought about his question before answering, “There was the occasional lab partner or if we got grouped into a project. But no one to just hang out with, most of the people your girl knew from junior and senior year were friends of James, not hers. She spent evenings, weekends, and holidays with her friends from the reservation.”

“And you would sit out here eating lunch by yourself?” I nodded resting my back and head against his shoulder, staring out into the trees.

“When it was cold or raining too hard your girl would sit in the library. She didn’t fit in here, so your girl came here and did what she had to do, worked hard to get an education so she could get out. It went all the way back to when she first moved here. Your girl was in the second grade, it was the beginning of May and her mother had just died. Her whole life was turned upside down. Three weeks later school ended and she spent all summer at the reservation, and that was her life, they were her friends and family. The next year this girl was still an outsider to everyone in school, but she was one of the rez kids to everyone at La Push. She was proud of that and felt like she belonged there.”

After a long moment Edward spoke quietly, “So why didn’t you date one of the boys from the reservation?”

“Master, your girl is HO-quaht.”

“White?”

I nodded, “As much as she was just one of the kids, and the adults watched out for her like she was their own, in the back of her mind your girl always knew that she really wasn’t.”

I didn’t want to get into the proud heritage of the Quileute people or their land distribution policies. Edward didn’t need to know that as a white girl I would never have been accepted as a first wife. That was reserved for girls from the tribe who could breed full blooded Quileute babies so that family lands could be passed down generation to generation. Not that it really mattered to me anyway, all those guys were never more than friends to me. Except for the one summer when I played touchy feely games with one of them. That ended in a total mess when Jake kicked his ass because of rumors he had started about his male prowess.

Edward’s arms tightened around my middle, “Stand up Isabella.”

His hands held my hips for a second keeping me in place standing between his open legs as his hands worked to open the button and zipper on my jeans. His fingers wasted no time with teasing instead pushing down my pants and plunging two fingers deep inside me. The shock from his actions caused me to gasp and Edward swatted me fully on my bottom with a stern warning, “Quiet.”

His fingers were working in and out of me with such fervor that it didn’t take long before I was panting shamelessly.

“Lift up your shirt and touch yourself” the directness of his voice told me it wasn’t a request so I did as he said. Lifting the bottom of my sweat shirt up to my armpits my hands cupped each breast. Edward’s other hand reached up pulling my bra to free them.

“Don’t tease them Isabella, pinch your nipples, twist and pull,” as I did what I was told the pain from my fingers sent ripples of pleasure through me that added to the delight of Edward’s fingers inside me.

“Harder Isabella,” the extra pressure from my own hands made me whimper, earning me another swat and a warning to be quiet. My eyes focused on the brick building while I tried to think about anything other than what my body was feeling, but Edward wouldn’t allow that as he ordered with a harsh tone, “Harder.”

I could feel my legs starting to shake and my hips tucked slightly to try and rub my clit against his wrist. Edward knew what I was doing because he turned his hand so that I couldn’t get any friction while he order, “Harder!”

My breathing was erratic and my lip burned from the force of my teeth biting into it while the pressure in my stomach built.

“How desperate is my slut to cum?”

I couldn’t tell if he was asking me or making an observation so I remained quiet, trying to hold on to anything that would keep me from crying out. Edward’s hand twisted and the side of his thumb rubbed against my clit making a strangled whimper leave my throat. There was no way I was going to be able to continue and I was going to beg him to let me cum when he ordered sternly, “Hold it!”

Oh fuck – Alabama, Alaska, Arizona…

“Harder.” The word reached my brain taking me away from my internal thoughts making me realize that my own hands had let up on their task. The hasty removal of Edward’s hand from my body made me gasp with need. In my lust induced state I felt his hands pull my jeans down to my thighs. Placing both hands on my hips Edward pulled me backwards into his lap lowering me onto his errection. The feeling of fullness was so exquisite that it took me a second to realize what was happening.

“I want those nipples throbbing Isabella.”

The words spoken in my ear made my hands get back to work pinching and twisting the aching nubs as his hands on my hips started directing their movement. My back arched from the delight of the pain that I was causing myself while I rode through his thrusts inside me. My body responding to him in the most primal way and I could feel my muscles starting to squeeze around him.

“Don’t you cum.” The growl was a warning that I took seriously.

My mind was so lost in the sensations cursing through me that I lost all reality of where I was as my body responded with pure need. I tried really hard to keep quiet pushing against the pressure growing in my stomach. Edward started to thrust against my movements as small grunts sounded in my ear. I felt his fingers dig into the flesh of my hips using them to guide my body against his own. Slamming me against him a few more times his hand dipped down to my clit, pinching it tightly while he ordered, “Now!”

My body spasmed in sweet relief, as the back of my head slammed against Edward’s shoulder while my internal muscles clamped down on him. I heard him grunt a few times but I was too lost in my own release to think about it.

My eyes fluttered open for a brief moment as a small breathy moan left my throat from the feel of Edward’s warm hands on my breasts lightly rubbing the tender nipples. “Shhhh…Relax my pet.”

At his words my eyes closed while my head lay against the juncture of his neck and shoulder, the smell of Edward and sex hung in the damp air but it was peaceful. “What are you thinking Isabella? Tell me what you are feeling.”

“Right now your girl is feeling very content,” My eyes opened at the realization of where I was and I stiffened in reaction. “Your girl hated it here, she hated everything about it.”

“Shhh…” his hand moved to caress the side of my face. “…I know. Close your eyes Isabella,” as I did he continued talking. “Smell the earthy forest, listen to the rain drops against the leaves, the rustle of the trees and absorb your surroundings”

Becoming aware of all those things going on around me my body relaxed even more against his.

“Now tell me Isabella, what is the one thing that you sense the strongest?”

I didn’t even need to think about that, the words came out through closed eyes.

“You Master, all your girl can think about is you. The smell of your skin, the feel of your breath on her face, how your heart beats with the rise and fall of your chest. Your girl smells our sex in the air and feels you inside her. You Master are all that this girl can sense in this place.”

That was the best way that I could sum up what I was feeling. The old associations that were connected with that spot in the woods didn’t seem to matter anymore. There was no dread of the school bell ringing that making go back inside. There was no feeling of not belonging because at that moment I felt whole. I might have spent four years sitting there alone reading a book while eating sandwiches but those memories had been replaced.

From that moment on, whenever I thought about the space where I had spent so much time alone, my brain would automatically recall in vivid detail the time I spent there with Edward. It was only a short period of time in comparison, but the events and emotions involved surpassed everything else. Those feelings would always leave me with a smile on my face and a warm feeling in my heart.

We didn’t get to stay there very long. Edward tucked himself back into his pants while I fixed myself and by the time we got back to the car, I needed to take off my pants to remove my panties. He laughed at me while I struggled in the small space to pull my pants back on but I didn’t care there was no way I could spend the rest of the day with our sloppy juices amassed in my underwear.

We were thirty minutes late in getting to Charlie’s and everyone was waiting as we walked in the door. The little living room was filled with people as I handed the white box with the pie in it to Sue. Everyone said hello while Edward looked around the small room taking in the humble surroundings while I petting Seth who came over with a wagging tail.

“It’s about freaking time I’m starving,” Seth’s complaint coming in from the kitchen with Tracy. “Where the hell were you? I tried to call and it kept going to voice mail.”

“I was showing Edward around and I don’t think I get reception in the woods.”

“Why were you in the woods?” rolling my eyes at my own big mouth I came up with the best answer I could.

“We just followed the tail out behind the high school” my excuse didn’t seem to hold any weight as Leah eyed me suspiciously while my gaze shifted to the one person I had not had a chance to see yet. Sue told everyone they could eat while I took Edward over to meet the man who was like my second father.

“Hi Billy,” my arms wrapped around him in a hug. “I missed you last night.”

His legs were paralyzed but his arms were strong and it took nothing at all for him to draw me into his lap while Edward sat down in the chair next to us. “I know and I felt bad about that. It was the first ceremony I ever missed.” His eyes moved to Edward and I introduced them while they shook hands.

Jake and Leah sat on the couch with their plates while Billy focused his attention on Edward, “Now you tell me young man what your intentions are with our girl here.”

“Billy!” I squealed with embarrassment but he didn’t seem to care.

“No..no Bella, these are things we need to know.”

My eyes went to Edward trying to convey my sympathy; however he didn’t seem to care. He smiled shifting his eyes to me for a moment then looked back to Billy who was waiting for an answer.

“Well sir, at the moment I just want to make Bella happy.”

That sounded like a good answer to me and I would have thought that Billy would be content with that, I was wrong.

“And just how are you planning on doing that?” I think the whole room got quiet at Billy’s inquiry waiting to hear the response.

Edward’s eyes went to mine while he spoke, “I’m going to love her, with everything that’s in me.”

“Aweee….” Sue purred while Seth made a gagging noise and Edward chuckled at their reaction.

“That’s a good answer son,” Billy approved. “I thought maybe you were going to say something like spoil her rotten.”

Edward chuckled, “I would like to do that too. But Bella never asks for anything”

“That’s the way Bella has always been, she’s the responsible one. Never asking or expecting anything extra.”

My face heated up with embarrassment at Billy’s words, “hellooo, I’m sitting right here.”

“You hush up young lady and let me speak man-talk with Edward,” Billy admonished.

“Man-talk?”

Billy nodded at me.

“Well can your man talk wait until Edward has some food?”

At my question Sue came over with a plate for Billy. Standing I led Edward towards the small kitchen watching him as he eyed the pictures that covered the mantel. He stopped walking to look at them. Most were me in the traditional blue back ground that all schools use but there were a few more personal ones, Charlie leaning over Renee while she reclined in a hospital bed holding me. One of Jake and me up in the tree grinning triumphantly down at the camera and one of Leah and me in our bathing suits standing in the lake posing in what we thought were seductive stances. The one he picked up to look at was me in my wedding gown with the veil pulled over my face clasping Charlie’s arm.

“You were so young,” Edward’s fingers traced the outline of my face over the glass. I had no idea what he was thinking at that moment and his face gave nothing away. After a second he replaced the picture smiling sadly at me.

“Food?” he questioned making me show him into the kitchen.

Sue had made baked macaroni and cheese with broccoli along with scrambled eggs and sausage links. We got our plates full before going back into the living room to join everyone else. There were only a few spaces to sit down and as I walked by the recliner I mouthed to Edward, ‘don’t sit in this chair.’

He looked at me in confusion for a second and then realization came to him in the form of a grin. “Thanks for the warning,” he whispered in my ear as we sat down. I was on the couch next to Jake while Edward sat in the chair along side of me. Charlie was talking about getting together for some fishing trip while Billy was being evasive about a definite answer. It was so out of character that realization dawned on me.

Leaning over I whispered to Jake, “Does Billy have a lady friend?”

He smirked then nodded in response while I was annoyed at not knowing that, “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I haven’t seen you.”

“You saw me last night and besides I think news like that warranted a phone call!”

He rolled his eyes at me and I couldn’t be mad because I wanted the details.

“Who is she? Where did they meet? How long have they been together?” I was rattling off questions in Jakes ear when Billy’s laughter made me stop talking.

“You better get use to that Edward.” Billy pointed over at Jake and me, “From the time they were little those two were inseparable. They did everything together they played, ate and slept together. Hell I even caught them in the bathtub together,” he laughed as Charlie’s voice stammered for words while I stared in shock.

“It was hot out and we were in our swimming suits,” Jake corrected him quickly while Billy kept laughing, “Sure you were son.”

Charlie had finally found his voice “My daughter never would have done that,”

My attention turned to Edward assuring him that we were in our swimming suits. Edward smiled at me leaning over to kiss my cheek while the conversation continued. When my attention came back to the group Billy was still talking.

“Well Leah could always defend herself, she was a hellion; there was no boy going to get anything over on her. But Jake was Bella’s defender; even got in a few fights with the others if I recall.”

I don’t know why Billy was bringing up these things and I didn’t think I liked going down memory lane, however Jake just fed right into it. “When was that old man?”

“I seem to remember Jared’s mother calling me.”

I knew exactly what he was talking about and so did Jake “That asshole was lucky I didn’t kill him”

I tried to come to his defense “Jake was defending my honor”

“Uhh…” Charlie grunted, “…you shouldn’t have been doing anything that needed your honor defended for.”

“That was the point dad; Jared started telling the guys that he did things that never happened.”

“Well you must have done something to encourage him.”

My mouth dropped open, “Are you saying it was my fault?”

“Now Charlie,” Sue interjected. “You know how boys are, a simple kiss becomes a grope and a grope becomes a lap dance and the next thing you know he’s talking about needing condoms.”

Charlie was on his feet staring at me, “Who needed a condom and how old were you?”

Seth couldn’t keep his mouth shut, “Damn Bella…my whole image of you has been shattered this weekend.”

“No one needed a condom!” I was trying to get that point across to both of them when Leah spoke up.

“Do you want to know what happened? I’ll tell you what happened,” Charlie who was still standing turned to Leah while she went on to explain. “Bella was kind of going out with Jared. Not really going out just holding hands and kissing every now and then…”

“When were you kissing him? How old were you?”

“Ohhh,” I groaned rubbing my forehead while Edward silently chuckled next to me. “I was fifteen it was the summer before…”

“Uh…” Charlie huffed again. I suppose it was difficult to have his image of the picture perfect daughter tarnished, he always did better living in ignorance.

“Anyway,” Leah interjected, “Paul and Quil came with Jared into town and he said that he needed condoms for him and Bella. Paul went back spreading that around and Jake heard it and went right to Jared to confront him. Jared tried to act all big like him and Bella were getting it on”

“Which was total bullshit” Jake interjected while Leah finished “So Jake called him a liar and beat the crap out of him.”

“It was all a lie Charlie nothing happened,” Sue assured him as he sat back down.

“You knew about this?” Sue smiled at him

“It was the summer we got married. Don’t you remember Bella was dancing with Jared all night?” Charlie nodded as she went on, “Towards the end of the summer Bella came home in tears and the next day Jared was at the door with a black eye and busted lip. I called around, found out that Jake beat him up and Bella stopped hanging around with Jared so I knew that something, not so nice must have happened.”

“You never told me.” Charlie was bewildered

Sue patted his arm reassuringly, “That’s because there was nothing to tell. I didn’t know the details, Bella never told me and I never asked.”

Charlie’s eyes met mine with a slight bit of sorrow in them, “You should have told me Bells.”

“Jake took care of it, he…”

My dad shook his head, “I’m your father, and it was my job to protect you.”

Charlie stood taking his empty plate into the kitchen while I stared after him. As he rounded the doorway I caught Sue’s glance and the small jerk of her head. Taking Edward’s plate along with mine I asked if he wanted a drink. One look in his eye told me that my farce of an excuse wasn’t fooling him but he said yes for the sake of appearances.

Charlie had his back to me looking out the window, his left arm leaning against the wooded frame with his head resting against the back of his wrist. Putting the plates down on the counter I didn’t know what to say to him so I wasted time filling the sink with hot soapy water to start the dishes.

Charlie cleared his throat, “You should have come to me Bells.”

“It was nothing dad, jus…” he stopped me mid sentence.

“I’m not talking about that, although, if you would have come to me about that mess with Jared, maybe you would have trusted me with other things.”

My father turned to look at me with red glassy eyes, “Do you know how hard it is for a father to watch his daughter die a little bit more each day? To know that something is very wrong but be unable to help because she refuses to tell you what’s happening, and still to this day won’t trust you with the details?”

I could feel the tears in my own eyes begin to form, “It’s better this way…”

“Better for who Bells? Last night was the first time I’ve seen you openly laugh in years. So who was the self imposed misery better for?”

“As a cop…”

“I’m not talking about being a cop, that’s my job. I’m talking about being your father, keeping you safe, that’s my responsibility.”

His words made me remember that he was out this afternoon patrolling, “Is that why you were out today?”

His eyes narrowed, “Mark called and told me that there had been a problem so I wanted to make sure you were alright. How did you find out about it? Jake told me you were in the diner when it happened.”

“I was, Edward told me about it after James passed us in the street.” I couldn’t tell if Charlie liked the idea or not that Edward had not kept that from me, and I felt the need to defend his choices. “Edward doesn’t keep things from me and he refuses to let me keep things from him.”

“What does that mean?” the suspicion was clear in his tone.

“That means when I’m upset he holds me until I tell him what’s bothering me, getting everything out in the open so that we can work through it together.”

Charlie sighed, “I guess that’s a good thing, maybe I should have done that, forced you to tell me. Then all the secrets could have been exposed and maybe it wouldn’t have gotten as bad as it did. I’m a man set in my ways who would rather turn a blind eye than look at what is right in front of him. Who out of shame for his own misdeeds let a criminal go unpunished,” he sighed lightly, shaking his head. “That’s my own private sorrow.”

I didn’t want my dad to feel guilty about anything. “You were, are a great dad.”

“I tried Bells, but sometimes I feel like I fell short of the mark.”

“Nobody is perfect,” it was all I could think of to say. Charlie was never a warm hug kind of guy, that was always reserved for Billy.

Charlie sighed again, “Yeah I guess not. But you look happy, you smile with a glow about you and you’ve gained some weight.”

Gained weight?

“I guess that I have Edward to thank for that” I heard what he said along with the tone he used but I was still stuck on the gained weight part as I looked down at my frame. “You’ll tell me Bells if something goes ... if Edward ever..”

My head shot up meeting his eyes as I spoke with conviction, “Edward’s not like that.”

“Promise you’ll tell your old man,” he pressed.

“I promise,” as the words left my mouth I could see his shoulders relax, so I asked the question that I needed to know, “What do you think of Edward?”

Charlie hummed, “hmmm…Well I haven’t felt the need to shoot him…yet.”

Uncharacteristically Charlie stepped forward wrapping me in a hug, while I giggled. “I guess that’s a good thing.”

“It’s a start Bells…it’s a start.”