AITA (Fanfic writes)

Am I the asshole for defending my foster son and daughter's relationship?

(Twilight Charlie Swan's POV with original female and male OC's)

I, 42m, am a sheriff of a small town and have 2 daughters.

My oldest, Bella 19f, is married to Edward, 19m, and they both have an adopted daughter, Renesmee 14f. My youngest, Lily 16f, recently confessed to dating her ex-foster brother, Ryan 19m.

For added background as this is all involved in the argument I will list some other people involved, and explain Ryan's relationship to us.

Edward has four adoptive siblings who are all dating each other (Side note, they're siding with me and Lily and Ryan). My ex-wife, Renee 40f, and her husband, Phil 30m, are siding with Bella. Then there's Jake, 17m, who's a close friend of the family and Bella's ex.

This started two years ago when Ryan's dad, Waylon died in an animal attack. Waylon was a good friend of mine and even named me Ryan's godfather, so when he passed, since Ryan was 17 at the time he moved in with me to finish high school.

I never legally adopted Ryan.

After he graduated high school, he decided to become a deputy like his father. I supported this and allowed him to stay home with us while he went to college, so he wouldn't have to worry about bills and stuff. My daughter Lily is in high school and works part time as a housekeeper at the local hospital.

Lily and Ryan have always had a close relationship since they met when Ryan was 9 and Lily was 6. She was his greatest comfort when he lost his mother and again when he lost his father. I noticed that the were always drawn to each other like magnets and if I'm being honest, made me believe in soulmates.

I always hoped that they would get together, but figured that they would beat around the bush for a few more years.

So you can imagine my I was surprise (and hidden delight) when I came home early to find Lily and Ryan kissing in the kitchen a week ago.

I sat them down and talked to them about it. I had to make sure that they were being safe and that the relationship was healthy because I loved and cared about both of them and wanted them to be happy, but safe.

They confessed that they started dating about a year ago, but we're too scared to tell anyone because of the age gap and the foster arrangement.

I felt guilty because I didn't let them feel safe in sharing their relationship. I understood that people can be narrow minded and hateful, but the legal age of consent is 16 in our state and I didn't see any red flags. So I told them that I would continue to support and love them no matter what.

A few days later they eventually came out and told the rest of our loved ones that they were dating. The majority supported them and some even exchanged money about 'bets' that were made. Unfortunately my ex-wife and eldest daughter did not approve of this relationship.

They tore into Ryan and Lily demanding that they break up because their relationship was inappropriate, and incestuous.

I immediately separated them and dragged them away. I demanded to know what their problem was. They went on a tirade about how disgusting it was that I was supporting their union.

Edward and Phil came out as I started defending them and pointed out how Edward's siblings were all dating and the age gap between Renee and Phil. I also pointed out how Bella fooled around with Jake when her and Edward briefly broke up in high school and now she wanted Renesmee and Jake to date.

I didn't approve of Bella trying to force a relationship on Renesmee but every time I tried to get her to stop, she prevented Renesmee from visiting so I kept quiet and tried to peacefully deter her.

Unfortunately, Bella never told Edward about her fling with Jake and this ensued an argument between them.

Renee went off on me about interfering in people's personal relationships. I argued back that this was my family and I had a right to know what the problem was with Ryan and Lily's relationship.

This caused Renee to blurt out that I should have a problem with Lily slutting around with Bella's plan B.

The silence was so deafening that yo could hear a pin drop. I knew that knew that between ages 9-14 Bella has a crush on Ryan, but he never gave her the time of day.

He was always focused on Lily.

I had thought that Bella had taken the hint and moved on, but apparently not. She went as far to make him her "Plan B" if her and Edward didn't work out.

Now the situation is a mess and I hear Edward wanting to get a divorce and filing for full custody. Renee blames them entire thing on me claiming that I should've stayed out of family matters. Phil and Bella agree with this.

But am I the asshole?