The Little Unexpected Things

Telling The Parents: Part 2

Edward's P.O.V

Mr Swan takes a seat across the table from me and simply just glares at me without a greeting. Normally a man like Mr. Swan would intimidate me when it came talking about their daughters. Charlie is a firm believer in no sex before marriage, doing all things righteous, etc., etc. Being him and being the father of the woman I got pregnant and with the way he glared at me would have been enough to shrink any other man in my place, but it wasn't the case. Sitting across from him gave me a little more confidence.

"How are you?" I asked as I picked up my menu.

"Cut the crap, Cullen. Why aren't you going to marry my daughter?"

Well, let's cut to the chase, shall we?

I sit back and look at him. "Mr. Swan, I'm going to be frank. This is a decision we both came to. Bella and I knew that marriage wasn't even on the table when we found out but that doesn't mean I am not going to help and support her through all this."

He chuckled humorlessly. "Yes, then baby will come along with a shitload of responsibilities and you'll be out the door. Or what will happen when some other woman comes into the picture and you forget your responsibilities as a father and leave my daughter with the burden."

I lean forward. "First of all, our baby is not a burden to either Bella or to me. Perhaps a little to Bella because she has been a little whiny about the morning sickness lately, but that's beside the point. Second of all-" I sigh, "-Charlie, you've known me since I was fifteen years old, basically my whole life. I would never leave Bella, especially with our baby. Bella and the baby are the most important things in my life, regardless if I get together with a woman or Bella gets together with someone, they will always be first to me."

Mr. Swan sighs. "It's hard for me to believe, I'll believe it once I see it with my own eyes and that baby grows with a healthy family environment where the two of you are not at each others throat. And a future where my daughter is happy."

I nod. "I completely understand. I want nothing but her happiness as well. I'll do my best to ensure it."

* * *

Bella sits up on her chair. "Really? No yelling? He didn't threaten to kill you or point a knife at you or gave you the death glare?"

I nod. "Yes, I am serious. Your father and I had a normal, civilized conversation about the situation and just had lunch and ended the whole thing with a firm shake of a hand."

Bella scuffs. "Un-fucking-believable. I mean, when I told him, he almost went nuclear. You, the one who knocked me up, talks to him on why we are not getting married and all he gave you was a handshake?"

"I thought you didn't like the term knocked up," I say.

"I am the only one who is allowed to refer to myself as knocked up," she replied, pulling her hair from my face. "Really, he gave you nothing?"

"Well, he did give me a small sermon on why we didn't tell them about the baby together but other than that, it's all settled."

Bella groans and drops on my couch. "Do you think we should tell your parents together? I mean, I thought telling them separately was a good idea but we all know how that went."

I grab my beer and walk over to the open spot next to her head. When I take a seat, she raises her head and waits for me to be settled before laying her head back down on my lap. I take a swing from my beer and with my free hand I start slightly running my hand through her hair, running my nails through her scalp just lightly, the way she likes it. She hums and curls up in a little ball.