Chapter 3 - Confession

Bella's POV

Since the night Charlie left; the same night I'd impulsively lost my virginity in the most unforeseen way, I'd not brought up the fight that Edward and I had.

Making the decision to silently agree in waiting for Charlie's return in order to seek the answers I so needed. The fact that Edward felt so strongly about it 'being the right thing to do', I had to trust him.

So far, our wedding was still on schedule. But I was well aware the due date was only a few weeks away now. However, Alice's organising had dramatically slowed down so it didn't take a genius to see the writing on the wall. Her vision's must have already pre warned her and Alice was never good at being subtle. I knew deep down that the wedding would be postponed before I had even made the decision out loud. Again, I let it go. I wasn't going to drag these things up. It seemed like everyone knew something I did not. But it was a waiting game now. Waiting for Charlie to get in touch.

Luckily I'd managed to distract myself as the days passed by with my new found intimacy with Edward. The following day after we'd first made love, I had to admit I was a quite dazed, I think the idea of what we'd done hadn't quite sunk in yet. We'd both been very quiet that day, especially Edward. Initially I worried that it was because he was not comfortable with the suddenness and circumstances that surrounded the dramatic physical progression of our intense relationship. I feared he may stall things, and selfishly my new carnal desires did not want that. But ever perceptive Edward sensed this from me and was quick to assure that he could not resist me now he'd had me. That confirmation thrilled me beyond belief, specifically due to the fact he had the most wicked grin on his face as he told me so.

As the next two weeks began to draw to a close I noticed that Edward was becoming more and more expectant, as if something were about to happen, something that would be affecting me alone. I would walk in on Alice and him having their silent conversations then they'd suddenly walk away from each other. It was frustrating beyond belief.

Edward and I really only had one conversation about the whole thing and that was mainly to ease me out of my paranoia; allowing me to fire questions at him one afternoon.

"Will I be upset when he returns? When I find out what this is all about?" I'd asked him nervously.

He was quick to reassure me so diligently that nothing bad would happen, just that a change would be occurring in my life. He was always so cryptic, careful not to let the truth slip out. But he assured me that it would be a good change, unexpected but would be good for Charlie in the long run. It made me incredibly curious and confused. Much to my surprise his mind suddenly changed topic and he began to discuss our future and changing me. Something he was never fond of bringing up.

"When the day comes that I turn you. This 'change' that Charlie will bring back with him will shift Charlie's life in a different direction, it will be permanent. But I promise you Bella that it will be a good distraction for him when I take you away from your father forever. You will be very surprised and it will change your life too that is why it's a good idea to postpone our wedding just for a while. You will understand yourself soon enough, youwill want to postpone the wedding, it will be your decision." he sounded very calm as he spoke slowly in his confident velvety voice but his words brought a shiver up my spine.

"I'm just so frustrated by it all Edward" I confessed in a childlike voice, sounding quite desperate.

"It will be over very soon Bella. I promise." he assured me.

And he was quick to distract me again, with his 'physical' desires.

It had now been exactly seventeen day's since Charlie had left Forks so mysteriously. I'd been lying on Edwards bed whilst day dreaming out the window when the phone suddenly began to ring, dragging me from faraway thoughts. As soon as Edward answered I could see from the sudden stillness of his body and careful tone of his voice that it was Charlie. I felt my body tense and I sat up a little too quickly before crawling towards the end of the bed to analyse Edward.

"Yes…..yes, of course Charlie." there was a long pause "I will……….I understand, that will not be a problem……………Yes, I will. Okay then. Goodbye Charlie." I sat there perplexed with my hand out waiting for Edward to pass me the phone but he never did and then the call was over. My mouth hung open and I was about to become very verbal when Edward looked at me seriously, always one step ahead and sat down next to me on the bed placing his cool strong hand on my shoulder.

"Charlie's back. He is on his way to the house now." I let out a quiet gasp " He will be here very soon. He needs to talk to you alone, he will be taking you for a drive in the car Bella."

His sentences came out like instructions, instructions that I was to follow diligently. Though his tone was calm he made it clear that I should just go along with things no questions asked. I just nodded silently, my head spinning. I knew that I was about to learn the truth that everyone had been keeping from me and my stomach clenched tightly making me feel suddenly nauseous. Edward leaned into me, his cool breath brushed gently against my face, it felt nice and I sighed.

"Everything is alright Bella" he said slowly, his voice soft and comforting. "I promise you".

The next moments became a bit of a blur, I was walked outside by Edward and we stood hand in hand in front of his house. Our eye's were fixed on the long driveway that lay out before us. I heard Charlie's cruiser before I saw him, the hum of the engine reigniting the nervous feelings within me. He pulled up with a sudden stop, then leaned over in his seat and opened the passenger door for me. I noticed immediately that Charlie looked emotional and very tired. My stomach spasmed violently and I suddenly gripped Edwards hand tightly for support. I was scared. Edward just whispered assurances to me and promised me that he would be there for me when I was finished.

"Bella, sometimes things happen that are beyond people's control. Remember that" he'd whispered.

Within seconds I was inside the car and I uncommonly had my arms wrapped tightly around Charlie, relieved to have him back in one piece. He reciprocated a little cautiously which confused me further before he leaned past me to address Edward.

"Thank you Edward" was all he said, his voice gruff from what I assumed was exhaustion.

Edward nodded politely like the gentleman he was and took a step back. Charlie started the engine and we were driving away a moment later.

I was incredibly nervous, as they trees flew past the window in a blur I became very aware that my nausea might become a problem. But after only about 10 minutes we came to an unexpected stop as Charlie suddenly pulled the car into a quiet roadside. It was time to talk.

I examined him thoroughly for the first time, his skin was pale and he seemed to have lines on his face that I'd not noticed before. There were shadows under his eyes from fatigue, he just looked sickly. Then I became extremely anxious when I noticed Charlie's hands were shaking as they rested on the wheel of the car. I couldn't keep my silence any longer.

"Please tell me what's going on, I can't take it anymore!" I begged him, my voice breaking.

He turned his face to stare at me and he looked sad.

"I have something to tell you Bella." he shook his head pausing. His eye's searched around the car for something that was not there before continuing. "I……….I have a confession to make, I have……I've kept a secret from you Bella, your entire life I've kept this secret from you." the last part coming out in a rush.

He looked ashamed. My brows furrowed in confusion.

"But now the truth has to be told. I am so sorry that I have never told you………I'm so worried, that you will never forgive me for this."

My heart sank when I heard those words and saw the pain in his eyes. It was awful. I gulped trying to remain calm.

"I love you dad, all I want is for you to be safe and happy." I admitted, it was all I could think of to say.

"I don't know where to start Bella" he was upset, the worry in his tone making his words almost tremble themselves.

"Just start at the beginning." I said simply.

The words slowly began to pour from his mouth as his secrets were finally spilled to me.

Charlie started to tell me a story, about his past and when he was around my own age. He began with his relationship with Renee and when they were teenagers and of their mutual best friend; a girl called Sarah. The three of them were inseparable when growing up together. Someone I knew neither of them had ever mentioned to me before.

Then one day Sarah met a boy called Evan from another town and they fell desperately in love with each other. It was like they'd always meant to be together as if they'd always known each other. I could sympathise with that idea, it was something I understood too well. Charlie explained it was as if they only existed for each other after they met. He said how Renee and him were so happy for Sarah that she finally had someone herself.

But one day a tragedy struck. Sarah and Evan had only been together for six months when he was hit by a car and killed instantly. Sarah was devastated. Renee and Charlie were deeply affected by the tragedy and the grief of they're best friend. Charlie confessed that the whole incident was one of the main reasons he and Renee had rushed into marriage at such a young age. They were so grateful that they still had each other when they're friend lost her own love so cruelly. They tried to keep Sarah in their life's, trying desperately to help her come to terms with her loss but she never did. Part of her died the day she lost Evan.

Then Renee and Charlie found out they were having a baby. Thankfully it gave Sarah a distraction and she became very involved, helping them prepare for my birth. All of them still only teenagers. All three became closer than ever. When I was born everyone seemed happy.

But one day Charlie went to visit Sarah and found her sobbing in her house. Sarah didn't have any family, she'd been brought up by her grandmother and by 19 she'd lost all her family. Living alone in the cottage her grandmother left her. Charlie realised that Sarah was having some kind of relapse, still grieving for Evan she could not let him go and was at an all time low. She admitted to Charlie she could never love another and her life was over, that she would be alone for the rest of it. He'd tried desperately to comfort her, upset at his friends inconsolable pain. That day they both made a terrible mistake. What started off as reassurance and support for a friend turned into something else due to heightened emotions. They slept with each other.

Instantly regretting what they'd done both were upset at their betrayal. They decided never to mention it again and Sarah made Charlie promise not to ever tell Renee.

Then a few weeks later something changed everything. Sarah discovered she was pregnant. Their one mistake had created a life. Sarah was in shock but decided she wanted to keep the child. It was going to be her only chance of a family. She told Charlie she was going to leave Forks and never return. She did not want Charlie to ever tell Renee and begged him to forget about her and the baby for the sake of his own family and they're happiness. She could not live with her betrayal to Renee.

Sarah left Forks with Charlie's unborn child and kept her word, she never returned. After only a few months Charlie could not live with the guilt and confessed everything to Renee one night.

Renee was furious and never forgave him. That was the real reason Renee and I left Forks.

I was utterly shocked at my father's revelations. No words could really describe the course of emotions and feelings rushing through my body and mind.

"What happened to the baby?" I whispered, my voice barely audible.

Charlie told me that when Sarah had the baby she wrote to him. She told him that she'd had a daughter and called her Evan after her lost love. She was healthy and Sarah was happy, she told Charlie that having Evan gave her a reason to live again. She told him to forget about them and be happy with his family but she never knew that Renee had already left with me and that Charlie was now alone. He couldn't bare to tell her that. He'd always blamed himself for it all anyway, that he'd taken advantage of a vulnerable Sarah.

Every couple of years Charlie would receive a letter about Evan and a photo but kept his promise and never tried to meet with them.

It was then I became very aware at how visibly upset Charlie now was. I'd been too engrossed in the story and his words to pay attention.

"I'm so, so sorry Bella. I'm so sorry for not telling you, for lying to you all this time." his voice was breaking under his strained emotions.

"Why are you telling me all this now?" I asked still confused. The shock suddenly hitting me. I had a sister, I had a little sister! I couldn't believe it. My mind tried to process everything that had happened the last seventeen days and I finally came to the point where Charlie left so suddenly without warning.

"Why did you leave?" I asked quickly. The realisation that everything was connected.

Charlie suddenly broke down, he began crying, he was sobbing. I watched open mouthed in horror at my father as tears rolled down his cheeks. My heart was in my mouth, fear flew through me. I'd never seen Charlie behave like this my entire life. I began to panic and my heart began to race.

"I…..I received a phone call from Sarah, the night I left." he choked out. "She was gravely ill, she had cancer and had lost her battle with it. She was dieing Bella and did not have long left." his voice trembled.

I gasped out loud.

He began telling me that Sarah asked him to come and be with her and his daughter that she needed him now, she needed him to be there with Evan when she died. After Charlie arrived Sarah only lasted a few days. She'd told him that Evan knew everything about Charlie, Sarah had explained the truth to her during her last months and made her daughter promise that she would fulfil her mother's dying wish. That she would know her father and her sister and that their would finally be no more lies.

Charlie confessed that Renee had left Forks and it was just now him and me living there. Sarah asked Charlie to take his daughter home with him and to have her live with him until she turned 18; she had a year to go. After that she would inherit her great grandmothers old cottage in Forks. Evan herself had agreed to remain with Charlie until then.

The ball suddenly dropped. Everything fitted into place. Charlie had brought Evan home with him. That I had a sister. The pieces of the puzzle were finally complete. All the things that Edward had said now made sense. It had not been his place to tell me these things. He had been right about postponing the wedding. He was right about this being the best thing for Charlie in the long run if I was to be turned.

Charlie would still have a daughter when I was gone. He wouldn't be alone. It was suddenly ironic.

I felt completely numb. My mind swam with a million thoughts.

"What happens now?" I whispered to him.

Charlie appeared a little calmer now.

"I'm taking you home. Its time for you to meet Evan, its time to meet your sister."

The drive back to Charlie's house was long, excruciatingly long. When we finally arrived my stomach was churning, my head ached and my hearted thudded so hard I honestly believed it could have burst out of my chest. We slowly approached the front door and before Charlie could open it he shocked me by calling out for Evan.

The door slowly opened and I gasped.

I came face to face with myself.