A/N: Alright guys. Here's chapter 2. Our dear Mr. Darcy (um, I mean Edward) will join the story next chapter, as those of you familiar with P&P will remember.
And once again, if you haven't read Pride & Prejudice, please go do so. Trust me, you'll thank me!
Disclaimer: Characters belong to Stephenie Meyer. Major story line and plot belong to Jane Austen.
Arrogance &Animosity - Chapter 2
Charlie went the next evening, after work, and introduced himself to Jasper Whitlock. He'd always planned on introducing himself; it was a small town, and as the Chief of Police, he did make it part of his duties to introduce himself to all newcomers and assure them that the town's force would be looking out for them. But he enjoyed pissing off Renee, and she had no idea he'd gone until the evening after the visit. Watching Bella as she sat quietly at the table, writing in her poetry book, he exclaimed:
"I hope Mr. Whitlock likes what you're writing Bella."
"What the heck do I care what Mr. Whitlock likes or doesn't like?" she snorted. Charlie laughed. One of the things he loved about his youngest daughter was how unconcerned she was with what other people thought. She was a smart girl, just finishing up her junior year at the University of Washington. By this time next year, she'd be graduating from college, with a degree in Education, and probably off to join Alice in New York.
Alice Swan, Charlie's oldest daughter, was also special to him. She was the spunky one in the family; the one with style and flair. She'd just finished her undergraduate studies at the University of Washington, and at the end of the summer, she'd be moving to New York to attend the graduate program at FIT, and hit the fashion world by storm.
And Lauren and Jessica…well, they were both in high school, and had no plans for the future, no aspirations beyond going out with the latest 'it' boy, nothing to make Charlie fond of them beyond a familial obligation.
Renee frowned at Bella. "We have no way of knowing what Jasper Whitlock likes anyway," she said, throwing a resentful glance Charlie's way.
Bella laughed at her mother. She knew she was upset at her father for not having gone to introduce himself to Mr. Whitlock. She tried to appease her. "Don't worry mom. I'm sure he'll be at the annual Founder's Day Ball. We can meet him then."
Renee smirked, unsatisfied. "Yes, but I'm sure Sue Clearwater'll try to hog him up all for herself at the Ball. She's got a daughter of her own. Plus she's a selfish, hypocritical woman. I don't like her.
"Neither do I," Charlie added. "And I'm glad to see you're sharp enough to see through all her pretenses."
Renee refused to answer him. But needing to lash out at someone, she lashed out at one of her nieces.
"Jessica, can you please stop coughing, for God's sakes. It's getting on my nerves!"
"Jessica is never careful when her asthma starts to act up," Charlie teased. "She times the attacks very poorly."
"I'm choking over here. Can someone please pass me my inhaler?" Jessica begged through fits of coughing.
"While Jessica chokes," Charlie continued, "can someone please tell me when exactly the Founder's Day Ball is?"
"Two weeks from tomorrow dad," Alice answered, looking up from her sewing machine. Charlie noted that whatever Alice was making now, it sure was colorful.
"Oh my God, that's right," Renee exclaimed. "It's just two weeks away. And Sue'll be away 'til the night before, so it'll be impossible for her to introduce him to us, since she won't know him yet herself."
"Well then, hon," Charlie said, "you'll have the advantage over her, and you'll be able to introduce Jasper Whitlock to her."
Renee scowled at Charlie. "I don't see how that would be possible, when I don't know him myself! Stop being such an ass."
Charlie nodded up and down slowly, as if giving careful consideration to Renee's predicament. "I understand your situation. A two week acquaintance is definitely very short. It's hard to capture a person's character in only two weeks. But if we don't try to do it, somebody else will. And after all, Sue and her daughter deserve a chance to know Mr. Whitlock. Therefore, since I know Sue'll be really grateful," – Charlie smiled a peculiar smile – "if you don't want to introduce them to Mr. Whitlock, I'll have to do it myself."
The girls stared at their father and uncle. Renee said only, "Ugh! You're so full of bullshit!"
"What the hell does that mean?" cried Charlie. "Do you think my plan to introduce them to Jasper Whitlock – knowing how important it is to them – is a bunch of bullshit? What do you think Jessica?" He turned to her with as straight a face as he could muster and said, "You're a smart girl. I know all those weekly gossip magazines you read must give you some insight on how to proceed in these situations."
Jessica wanted to say something clever, but nothing came to mind.
Charlie turned back to his sports pages, his eyes trailing carefully up and down the statistics. "While Jessica ponders some great words for us," he said, keeping his eyes on the paper, "let's get back to Jasper Whitlock."
"I am sick and tired of Jasper Whitlock!" cried Renee.
"Oh really!" Charlie laughed, looking up from the sports pages. "I'm sorry to hear that, but I wish you would've told me that before I went to introduce myself yesterday after work." Renee froze in her Warrior 1 yoga position. "Oh well," Charlie continued, turning back to the Mariner's daily results. "It's too bad, but what's done is done. I can't exactly pretend not to know him now."
Bella continued writing in her book and Alice continued sewing her latest creation, but Jessica and Lauren froze along with their aunt. Nevertheless, the dumbfounded looks on Renee and his nieces was just the reaction Charlie was going for, although Renee's reaction, mouth hanging agape, was even more comical than his nieces. Renee finally came back to her senses and was able to close her mouth before flies wandered in there.
"I knew you'd see sense Charlie! I knew you'd see the benefits of acquainting our family with someone like Mr. Whitlock." Charlie rolled his eyes. Renee breathed in deeply. "Oh, now I can breathe in a sigh of relief." She turned and smiled sweetly at her husband. "And to think you had me fooled! You're such a rat!"
Charlie stood up, putting the paper down in front of him. He'd had enough of Renee's rants. "Alright Jessica," he mused as he walked out of the room, "I suppose you're safe to cough away as much as you want now."
"What a thoughtful father and uncle you girls have," Renee raved after Charlie had walked into the kitchen. Lauren and Jessica giggled like idiots, while Bella and Alice stole a quick look at each other, rolling their eyes at their mother's dramatics. "You girls really owe him for this one, and you owe me too, of course," she added. "At our ages, it's not so much fun anymore meeting new people. But these are the sacrifices we do for you," she assured. Renee turned to face Lauren and Jessica, who were obviously more receptive to their aunts lunacy then her own daughters were.
"Aunt Reyrey," Lauren asked in her whiny voice, "Do you think Mr. Whitlock'll dance with me at the ball?"
"Oh Lauren," Renee raved, "even though you're the youngest, I'm sure he won't be able to resist you."
Lauren looked unnaturally pensive for a split second before answering in an excited tone, "You know, you're right. I look at least five years older than I am, and I am the tallest."
Bella and Alice exchanged a loaded look again, but didn't say a word.
Renee stood up from her yoga. "Come on girls, let's go take a walk and figure out what we should say to Jasper Whitlock when we meet him." Only Lauren and Jessica followed her.
Okay, so I see there are a few of you reading the story. Care to leave a comment? A review? Let me know your thoughts.
Next update should be tomorrow.