Bella opened the door, with a smile on her face. She stared at me, full of wonder, as if I was the prize and she was the winner. In my point of view, it was the other way around. I couldn't ask anyone else for someone so perfect. She reached for my hand, and I didn't refuse.
"Hey." she said with a smile.
I brushed her cheek with our interlaced fingers.
"How was your afternoon?"
"Slow."
"For me as well."
The outside world had nothing that I was interested in, unless I was with my Bella.
I pulled her wrist up to my face, gently without hurting her. My eyes closed at her warm skin, and smiled without opening them knowing that she was mine.

Then I heard Charlie approaching. My eyes snapped open and let our hands fall, but I was still holding hers.
"Good evening Charlie." I said politely.
Charlie grunted, and he folded his arms over his chest, supervising our every move. I started with something that should please him.
"I brought over another set of applications." I told Bella.
She groaned. I could see in her eyes that she was annoyed. I smiled.
"There are still a few open deadlines. And a few places willing to make exceptions."
She had a horrified expression on her face. I laughed.
"Shall we?" I asked, moving towards the kitchen table.

Charlie followed behind us. But didn't argue. He was just as serious as I was for Bella to go to College. Bella cleared the table while I organized the stack of applications. When she moved the book Wuthering Heights, I raised one eyebrow. I was about to comment why she was reading it again, but Charlie interrupted.
"Speaking of College applications, Edward. Bella and I were just talking about next year. Have you decided where you're going to school?" he asked, with a sullen voice.
"Not yet. I have recived a few acceptance letters, but I'm still weighing my options." I told him. I haven't made my decision yet, which was true. But I'm willing to go to any college as longs as Bella is there too. I don't even care if it had to be a community college.
"Where have you been accepted?" Charlie asked.
"Syracuse... Harvard.... dartmouth... and I just got accepted to the University of Alaska Southeast today."
I turned slightly to the side, and winked at Bella, knowing that she got her acceptance today also.
"Harvard? Dartmouth? Well... that's pretty something. Yeah, but the University of Alaska... you wouldn't really consider that when you could go Ivy League... I mean, you father would want you to..."
I cut him off. "Carlisle's always fine with whatever I choose to do." I told him.

"Hmph."
"Guess what Edward?" Bella asked with a cheerful tone.
"What, Bella?" I asked, playing along.
"I just got my acceptance to the University of Alaska!" she cheered.
"Congratulation! What a coincidence." I grinned.
Charlie's eyes narrowed. "Fine. I'm going to watch the game, Bella. Nine-thirty."
"Er, Dad? Remember the very recent discussion with my freedom....?
"Right. Okay, ten-thirty. You still have curfew on school nights."
I heard some of their discussion, but I didn't hear Bella getting un-grounded.
"Bella's no longer grounded?" I asked, though there was no surprise in my voice.
"Conditionally. What's it to you?" he asked throught his teeth.
"It's just good to know. Alice have been itching for a shopping partner, and I'm sure Bella would love to see some city lights." I smiled.

"No!" Charlie growled.
"Dad! What's the problem?" Bella asked with confusion in her voice.
"I don't want you to go to Seatle right now."
"Huh?"
"I told you about that story in the paper - there's some kind of gang on a killing spree in Seattle and want you to steer clear, okay?"
I took the newspaper and saw the front cover, about Seattle. I read the whole article in matter of seconds.
"No, that's fine Charlie. I didn't mean Seattle. I was thinking more Portland, actually. I wouldn't have Bella in Seattle either. Of course not." I said, knowing these words are true. I would never have Bella put in danger. I already know the pain if I lost her.