“Well, he’s very nice.” I smiled, sitting down on my bed.

“He?” Charlie’s eyebrows rose. I giggled.

“I won’t do anything rash, father. We are very good friends.”

“I could tell your lying from a mile away. You like this man, do you not?” I was caught. I nodded my head as my cheeks flushed.

“I think I am very close to falling in love with him,” I whispered. Charlie nodded and sighed.

“I knew this day would come. I am truly happy for you Isabella. Why don’t we go to lunch now?” I nodded and took his arm as we left the room. I was suspicious. Charlie had let that go way to easily.

When we got to the second-class dining hall, there were about twenty other people in there. Charlie led us to a table and held out my seat for me like the perfect gentleman my father was.

We both ordered and began eating. He asked me about the ship, since he had not explored much. I told him how magnificent it was. It was truly incredible.

“Isabella, now that you have met this man-”

“Edward Cullen, father,” I cut him off and he nodded, memorizing his name.

“Now that you have met Mr. Cullen I must tell you something. I do not wish to do it now, but perhaps we could talk tonight?”

“I forgot to mention, father, Edward has invited me to dinner and to meet his family.” Charlie nodded.

“I get to meet him tonight then?”

“Well, no, not exactly.” Charlie’s eyebrows raised, “He is, well, first-class.” My father’s jaw dropped.

“Isabella,” he paused, stammering, “First-class?”

“He is truly nice father. He was upset yesterday and accidentally glared at me. Today he searched the ship to find me. He wanted to apologize for giving me such a rude stare when it was his own personal problems he was taking out on me. What first-class man do you know who would do that to a second-class lady?”

Charlie was silent for a minute. Then he nodded, “I will just have to trust your judgment. I would like to meet him though. If he does not mind.” I nodded and he stood up, holding his arm out for me. I took it and we began to walk back down to our room. “When are you going?”

“Four o’clock.” Charlie raised his eyebrows, “I know it is early but his sister, Alice is a fashion lover and really wants to do my hair. I could not say no to her.” He nodded.

“When can I expect you back?”

“I promise, by nine. No later.” He smiled at me, knowing that I had placed an early curfew.

“Then would you join me for dessert when you get back? I will eat late and wait for you.” I nodded. We returned to the room. It was about two-thirty. I told Charlie to wake me up at four and I climbed into my bed, hoping to get a small decent nap.