Edward’s POV

“Are you feeling okay, sweetie? Do you want something to drink? Here, sit down and relax.” I heard Charlie shuffle toward the couch with Bella’s elbow in tow. He wanted so much to fix everything, just like I did, and hated being so helpless in this situation.

“Dad, I’m fine. Really.” Charlie paused as he searched for another option, and they sat down on the couch together. I sat with my back toward the side of the house on the damp ground while I watched Bella’s sweet face through Charlie's mind. I leaned my head back onto the wood exterior and shut my eyes, focusing myself completely on Bella.

“Maybe you should just get some sleep,” he finally suggested.

“Dad… I really don’t think sleep will help… Plus, it’s like eight forty-five.” They were silent for another minute, Charlie at a loss for ideas. “Why did I come here, dad? I don’t mean that offensively, I just… I don’t understand.”

“Well, honey, Phil travels a lot for his games. Your mother didn’t want to leave you home alone, but she was unhappy when she wasn’t with him, so you did it for them. It’s definitely your character. You’re a very selfless person.”

“That makes sense.” There was another pause, and her voice came out unsteady. “What do you think about Edward, dad? He says he’s my… fiancé.” The last word came out quietly, but she didn’t sound as scared speaking it as she had before. I hoped she was becoming more acquainted with it, at least slightly.

“He is, Bella.” She grimaced. I supposed she was hoping he’d say I was lying. It was so hard for me to grasp that the love between us that once seemed so immovable was threatened by a mere head injury. “I know it’s hard to swallow, honey, but you’re taking the news better than I did.” Charlie let out a low chuckle, but Bella’s face was humorless.

“I just can’t see myself agreeing to something like that,” she retorted, shaking her head.

Of. Course.

If everything worked out between us, I’d have to persuade her to marry me all over. It wouldn’t be so terrible if she weren’t almost closer to wanting an accidental death than matrimony. I was nearly convinced that all of this must be some type of penalty for coveting Bella in the first place.