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Bella's Pendant

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Caught in the Flames Update ~ Chapter Seventy-Nine

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Bella got dressed while I just relaxed on her bed after I had cleaned up the breakfast I had made for her, flipping through the television stations as she showered. Charlie had left with Emmett and Jacob shortly after I had arrived, having some breakfast with them before driving to U.S. Cellular Field. Right after he went with my friends, Bella walked out of the bathroom, dressed in a pair of jeans and tight-fitting t-shirt. She picked up an orange jacket from her bed, tossing it over her arm. “What camera should I bring? My point and shoot or one of the big guys?” she asked.

“One of the big guys,” I said. “You look beautiful, love.”

Bella blushed, smiling shyly. “Thank you,” she replied. She kissed me sweetly, ruffling my hair. “My equipment is in my home office. I need to load up a bag and then we can go?”

“Sounds perfect,” I beamed. Walking to the first floor, Bella checked her Dad’s room before going into her office. She plucked a backpack out of the closet and chose a camera. She quickly turned it on, checking the battery and then swiped a few different lenses along with a spare battery and extra memory cards. Packing everything carefully into the bag, she slung it onto her back. After getting her wallet, we went out to my car and drove the short distance to Lincoln Park. 

Peter

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Caught in the Flames Update

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Parking in Bella’s garage, I let myself in through the back. Charlie was sitting at the kitchen table, reading the paper. “Hey, how did it go?” I asked, putting Bella’s presents on the counter.

“We had a great time! Thanks for the tip on where to take her. The food was amazing at the Signature Room,” Charlie grinned. “If it were up to me, I would have found a tavern, but my baby girl deserves the best. I had twenty-seven birthdays to make up for.” His grin fell and his eyes watered.

“Charlie, you know that’s not your fault,” I said, sitting down next to him.

“No, it is, but it’s something that I need to get over,” he sighed. “I should have fought harder for her, Edward. Renee…”

“Is a manipulative bitch who has no feelings toward her daughter,” I finished for him. “I’ve met her. I know.”

“Well, I’m going to shower,” Charlie mumbled, his shoulders slumped. “Emmett and Jacob are 

taking me to a Sox game while you and Bella celebrate her birthday together.”

“Psssh, the Sox,” I scoffed. “You should go to the friendly confines…Wrigley Field!”

“You can take me the next time I’m in town,” Charlie replied, his voice still sad and upset. “Have fun with my baby girl, Edward. I’ll see you when I get back!”

Update ~ Chapter Seventy Four

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Peeking out the side window, I saw a shoulder with a bag resting on it. Frowning, I unlocked the door and wrenched it open. Standing on my stoop was someone that I did not expect until at least Wednesday. “Dad?”

“Bella,” he said, smiling. His mustache twitched nervously as he shifted his bag from one shoulder to the next. “Surprise!”

“Come in,” I squeaked out, moving back, bumping directly into my still sleepy boyfriend. “Sorry, Edward.”

“It’s okay,” he replied tightly, his eyes narrowed on my father.

“I thought you were coming on Wednesday,” I sputtered out, taking my dad’s luggage and putting in the living room.

“I managed to get some more time off and I switched my flights,” Charlie answered, his face flushed and his eyes appraising my home nervously. “Bells, I haven’t seen you in years. I couldn’t wait any longer.” Charlie looked at Edward, his brows furrowing. “Am I interrupting?”

“No! We were just watching a movie,” I answered. “Charlie Swan, this is my boyfriend, Edward Cullen. Edward, my Dad, Charlie.”

“Nice to meet you,” Edward said, extending his injured hand.

“What happened to your hand, son?” Charlie asked as he gingerly shook it.

“I’m a member of the Chicago Fire Department, Rescue Squad, and I cut my hand on a boat propeller,” Edward answered, clenching his fist.

“Firefighter?” Charlie said, his voice wistful. “How long?”

“Since I graduated from college. Roughly six years,” Edward replied. “It’s a grueling job, but I love it.” Charlie beamed, obviously experiencing a bit of hero worship.

Caught in the Flames Update ~ Chapter Seventy-Two

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By midnight, I had new locks throughout my entire house and garage. I tried to pay Emmett, but he just shoved my hands away and told me to make some of my rocky road cookies. He had pilfered a few when I gave some Edward of my latest batch, falling in love with them. I promised to bring some by the next time I came over to my boyfriend’s. Beaming brightly, Emmett gave me a hug, kissing my cheek and ambled out of the brownstone with a goody bag of leftovers from the barbeque. Edward was rifling with the new keys, attaching them to my key ring.

“You have four extra keys, Bella,” Edward said, handing me the remaining keys. “The gold key opens up the deadbolt and the silver key opens up the door. You have two extras of each.”

“That’s perfect,” I replied, swiping a key chain that I had found when I went grocery shopping with Alice. I put one of the extra sets keys on the Chicago Fire Department keychain, handing it to him. “I want you to keep these.”

“Really?” he asked, his brows shooting to his hairline.

“Edward, you are the person I trust the most in this city,” I whispered, closing his hand over the keys. 

“Besides your sister and she’s not getting her keys until later.” I pulled out a butterfly, sparkly and dangly keychain. “Once I realize that she won’t randomly barge in.”

“Which will be never,” Edward snorted, adding my keys to his own keychain.