DISCLAIMER: I do not own twilight, or any of its characters. I do not claim any right on them except my idea, which may or may not resemble a few ideas of Twilight saga.

Charlie's POV

I cannot believe this... How can she do this...?

This was the thought that was running over and over through my mind as I checked my mails. I could not believe that a chief of police has been cheated so, that too by his own wife.

"What happened dad?" Bella walked into my room. I don't know how she realized that something was wrong. But she came over and read the mails, her eyes wide.

"Oh my god! When did this happen?" She exclaimed, eyes wide with horror.

Because in front of us was a mail from my bank that I need to start repaying the loan taken last year. But I never ever applied for a loan, let alone this big. I knew that Renee would not leave us in peace.

Renee, my ex-wife, was a greedy lady with head filled with arrogance. She never loved me. I got tied up with her in college, one day, when I drank too much.

Bella was our child conceived that day. Out of all the wrong that happened, Bella was the rightest thing to happen to me. She is a sweet kid who does not hold grudges and always keeps her calm and takes care of everyone around. As soon as Bella was born, Renee started withdrawing into her arrogant self. She did not care for the baby, but still grudgingly took care of her basic need - feeding, that too only maybe till her four years of age. Then she simply ignored her. Bella learnt to take care of herself. I don't know how or why, but Renee dragged our marriage. Last year when I saw her actually slapping Bella for her mistake, I lost it. I decided that enough was enough and divorced her with half my savings. I never know how she came across my account details, but she applied for a loan of 10 million dollars. That was what flashing on my screen.

It seems Renee planned out very carefully. After taking the loan, she paid for it for about 10 months so that I won't get any indication regarding it. Now that we got the mail, we cannot claim that it is a fraud because it was paid for those months. I was in a complete fix. I was saving that money for my retirement and for taking care of Bella.

Now how will I take care of her...?

Bella patted my shoulder, "Dad, don't worry. We can overcome this".

I looked at her, "How Bella! 10 Million Dollars! It is no small amount. It will take my entire lifetime and still I won't be able to repay. I was saving money for my retirement and your studies. What will I do now? I would not have been so troubled if she took all my savings, but such a huge debt." I was crumbling inside myself.

But Bella was still calm. How can my child of 14 years of age be so calm, I could not understand. All my hard work for all these years is gone. I could see that I was hyperventilating.

"Dad! Dad! Please calm down. You are scaring me. This is not the end of the world. Believe me please. We will get through this."

It felt like I was being taken care of by my mother instead of my daughter. I was still in a daze. She led me to my room, brought me some dinner, and patted me to sleep.

I woke up to the chirping of birds at my window. I found myself curled up like a baby against my little girl. I looked at her calm sleeping face and cursed myself over and over again for being so careless. Soon she started stirring and woke up with a bright smile. "Goodmorning Dad", she greeted me.

"Goodmorning Bella! I am sorry..." I got up from the bed and sat in the corner with my back facing her. She placed a hand on my shoulder, "Dad, you are the Chief of Police. You cannot be scared. Come on Dad. You got rid of Renee. You still have me. It's just money. We'll get through it."

I looked at her. I still could not wrap my mind around what happened. I, a father, a police chief, was being consoled by my daughter. I was like I was the child here. But I could not make myself to act like a parent around her. I failed.

"Dad, please, brighten up. Don't give me such a sad face. Let's prove to the world that we cannot be broken so easily."

"I don't know what to do now. I should probably look for other sources of income too."

"No dad. I will do my best with what I can. I may not be able to earn much till I am of age, but i will study hard and do something about it. Don't spoil your health. You are good as the chief of Police. Just take care of yourself. I will do my part. Together we will overcome it."

I just nodded at her. I got ready for the Station. I went to my job with my head held high.

"Hey Chief! How are you doing today" greeted Billy Black, my junior.

"Not good at all. But I will be good soon" I told him. He was concerned immediately and came to me. I needed to tell it to someone, so I confided in him. He told me that Bella was right; don't let some money affect me. That I was stronger than that.

"So how is Bella holding this up?"

I could stop myself from laughing, "She is the brave one here. I thought I was ruined and was cuddling up with grief. She is the one that made me believe that we can do this."

"Ha you got a pretty awesome girl with you chief"

"That is true buddy, that is true."

That evening when I returned home, I was welcomed to the delicious smell of fish and noodles.

"Welcome home dad. How was your day? Feeling better?"

"Yes Bella. You know, Billy said the same thing you said. You are right. We can do this"

She came wiping her hands from the kitchen and gave me a hug. "Yes we can dad. Umm, I've agreed to be house maid at the Mallory's. At least till I am of legal age of doing a good job. I'll do my part, you do yours, and everything will be all right."

I nodded and kissed her forehead. After lunch we just sat together talking and she played her guitar. We both vowed mentally that we won't let this put us down.