The One That Got Away

Chapter Sixteen

For those of you who read the Get Your Southern On contest entries, this is my contribution. I am tickled at the results ... first place in public vote and third place for the judge's choice. I've decided to break this up into smaller, drabblish chapters and it will be continued. The contest contribution is the first six or so chapters, roughly. I don't know how long it will be, but I do have it planned. Thank you to Bridget for betaing this for me and for Clo, who created the banner.

Thank you for those of you who have read this! I hope you continue to do so! Without further ado ...

This is the beginning of the extension of the original contest entry. ALL NEW! Thank you for sticking with me and I hope you enjoy this! Up next will be Bella's departure from Tampa.

"Where have you been all day?" asked Charlie. "I thought you'd be attached to Edward at the mouth."

"Dad," Bella chided as she walked into the bungalow. "Stop."

"What? It's a valid question," Charlie snickered.

"Edward was at home. His children got food poisoning while on a trip to Disney World. They've been puking all night and all they want is their daddy," Bella explained.

"Oh, that sucks. I got food poisoning from eating bad shrimp. I can't even look at a shrimp without feeling nauseous," Charlie said, his face blanching. "That's foul and I feel for those kids."

"Me, too," Bella said, sitting down at the kitchen counter. "As for me, I spent the day at the hospital. Angela Cheney had a baby girl today. It was a little touch-and-go for a while, but the little girl is so sweet."

"What's the baby's name?" Charlie asked.

"Breelynn Cheney," Bella responded, handing her phone to her dad. "I can totally see Angela in the nose and mouth, but the eyes are all Ben."

"Yeah, I don't see that, but when you were born, you looked like shar pei. You know those dogs with the wrinkles? Oh and a touch of cone head," Charlie chuckled. Bella glared at him, smacking his shoulder. "What? You were beautiful but you got stuck in the birth canal and your face was all scrunched up, like this." He pressed his cheeks and eyes together puffing out his lips.

"Shut up, Dad. I did not look like that," Bella growled.

Charlie held up a finger and went to the living room. He grabbed a photo album, flipping a few pages. "Do you believe me now?" he asked, showing Bella her first baby picture.

"Ugh, I've got monkey hair and I do look like a shar pei," she groaned.

"Well, you've since grown up to be a gorgeous, successful young woman and I couldn't be more proud of you," Charlie said, hugging her close. "I love you, baby girl."

"Love you, too, Daddy," she murmured.

"Now, I've got the night off. I want to take you out to eat and we need figure out how we're getting you to the airport. I've got the early shift," he said.

"Oh, no worries there. Edward said he'd take me before he went to work," Bella explained.

"That works for me," Charlie smiled. "Let's spend the rest of the day at the beach and enjoy dinner." Bella changed into her final sundress and a pair of jeweled sandals. Charlie had on a pair of khakis and a t-shirt. He never wore shorts, even in the hottest and muggiest of weather. His hair was as dark as Bella's, but his legs were lily white with almost no hair. It was best that they stayed hidden.

They spent the rest of the afternoon, walking along the boardwalk, talking about Charlie's date with Sue and Bella's date with Edward. It was a perfect day, ending with a quiet dinner at a more upscale restaurant called Oystercatchers. The food was delicious and Bella relished every moment with her dad.