Charlie swan: vampire hunter
Chapter 1 part 1
Facing reality without the one you love is unbearable. Harsh and cruel to say the least. This fact rang true for Edward Cullen, desperate yet unable to escape and also for Charlie Swan, who had managed to drift away for a while. A scruffy, puffy-faced shell of the Forks Chief of Police stood frozen in place by the weight of thought and memory on the steps of the town's out of place New England style chapel. His 17 year old daughter's funeral would start in 10 minutes just beyond the heavy white doors.
The last of a fair queue of mourners silently filed past Charlie to take their seats, nodding in acknowledgement of the bereaved's presence. Edward saw this clearing of people as the least difficult time to speak with the man since he was just standing there alone. Ascending the stairs carefully, he stretched an uneasy arm forward and placed it on the worn out shoulder in front of him. Charlie snapped awake in alarm and whipped around swiftly with a fist pulled back. They sudden violent reaction and more than just a whiff of alcohol caused Edward to lean back in surprise (even though any punch thrown wouldn't hurt him).
The older man narrowed his eyes at the younger one and dropped his arm slowly. "Sorry. Didn't see you there. Police training and all…" he muttered. Already sensing this wasn't going to go well, Edward sucked in breath sharply. "Officer Swan," Edward lightly squeezed the shoulder he held onto "I came to offer my sincerest condolences on Bella's passing to you and her family." None of this is what he wanted. The whole reason he left Bella because his presence put her life in danger at all times. He thought he could preserve Bella's safety by leaving but he damned her instead. Even with apologies said, Edward couldn't read Charlie, However deeply emotive he was, he couldn't discern whether Bella's father mutually felt he was to blame. There was a lot to sift through in Charlie's heart and he would never be welcome around long enough to figure it all out. This awkward encounter of the worst kind is what he hoped would be one of the last ever meetings with this bitter man. At least he could see this much in Charlie's mind: There's more than one person to blame.
Charlie, cold and firm, spoke: "Thanks. I'll be sure to tell her mother but you weren't invited for a reason. Go home." As the words came out his chest puffed out defensively. The brusqueness left Edward indignant and left a strong tension. For a brief moment there was nothing but silence. "What reason would that be?" Edward said calmly despite his fury " I loved Bella just as much as-" "Now you listen here!" Charlie cut him off "No you didn't. You aren't her father. I am. You didn't know her through her entire life. I did. I've SEEN the way you talked to her, you snot nosed prick. You are nothing but a passive aggressive stalker creep taking my little girl away from me. You brainwashed her and made her think she couldn't live without you. I put scum like you in jail for what you do to women." He sneered, nostrils flared. That original fist was brought back up and it sent a visual warning to tall, dark, and broody to back off. Edward got the message.