A/N: Hi, everyone! Sorry for the long wait. I thought that I had posted this chapter already. As always let me know what you're thinking. Enjoy!

Chapter 3

I wasn't expecting Charlie to be home yet nor waiting up for Bella to get home. I was nervous as hell, but I felt confident that Charlie still likes me and would agree with my plan. I just have to talk to him about it without Bells around. That may be the easiest part in all of this.

We walked in to Charlie watching a baseball game. It wasn't the home team, so I wasn't interested. Bella started to look scared and I knew that it was about what we have just done. I had to get her out of the way to smooth things over with her dad, just in case.

"Hey, dad! I didn't expect you home so early," Bella says.

"Hey, kiddo; Jake. Yeah, I wasn't expecting to be home this early either, but it was a slow night so I decided that the deputies could handle things. Eh, Bells what's wrong? Why are you all flushed? What...? Bella go upstairs. Jacob and I need to talk," Charlie says almost nonstop until the end.

"But, Charlie, I mean dad! Whatever you want to say to Jacob, you can say to me as well," she said bravely.

" Alright fine. Jacob did you get my little girl knocked up?" Charlie's face was inscrutable. Bella gasped and ran upstairs, surprisingly not tripping once. Her abrupt leaving left me to be questioned by her father.

"First, Charlie I haven't gotten Bella pregnant and second why would you jump to that conclusion?" I asked him. I just had to know what brought this idea up.

"Your dad stopped by. We had a little discussion about some things that I didn't know, and/or suspect. He told me that you have come of an age where you are looking for a mate."

"Mate? My dad actually said mate?" I just had to clarify. I have no idea what my father told him.

"Yes, a mate. He explained that your wolf is now ready to take on the role of a family man and not just protector," Charlie said seriously. I just looked at him and was blown away with how calm he is acting while talking about this.

"What else did my father say?"

"Jacob don't get all uptight with your father. We both know that you and Bells are responsible young adults and that you two will take care of not only each other, but any children you two will have. He had some things that he needed to get off his chest. Things that I should have known about years ago, but I don't hold either you or Bella responsible for telling me. I'm just glad those blasted Cullens are gone for good. They've always caused more trouble than necessary. Look, son, you have my blessings. You have been crazy for my daughter ever since you first laid eyes on her when you were a little tot. You've been loyal and honest with how you've felt for her. There's no other man I would love to care for and have my daughter's hand. You are going to marry her right?"

"Wow! Of course, Charlie! It's just that I wanted to talk to you first…"

"Go ahead son. You're father only brought me up to speed. He didn't tell me any of your plans. So, go ahead. Tell me."

"Okay, well we've taken care of how I feel about your daughter. I do plan to formally marry Bells. I know that she really doesn't want to leave you and I am my dad's caretaker; so I was thinking of expanding upon my house. We have plenty of wood and land to work with. It won't be ready right away, but…"

"Jacob, it's a great idea. Maybe I could help in some way. You two should have your own home and not worry about us old farts. How about this: I'll speak with Billy about moving in and I will give this house to you and Bells as a wedding present? This will enlarge your territory, Billy will have someone to look after him until he decides to marry Tiffany…"

"But, what about you, Charlie? In all of this; where will you go?"

"Oh, don't worry about me. I'll be fine," Charlie said chuckling and waved me off. I wasn't sure how this was going to work. Then I suddenly understood.

"You're planning on marrying Sue, aren't you. You know that she wants to stay on the res so you're doing all of this to what?" I ask.

"Well, I need to be seen on the res a lot more now that Sue's an elder. I want her to feel comfortable having me for a new husband."

"But, Charlie, everyone that matters knows and loves you. You don't need to do that."

"Thanks, Jacob. I know that I don't have to do this, but I want to respect Sue, her position in the tribe and also give us a bit more time to adjust since Harry's gone."

I didn't want to ask, but it's always been in the back of my mind… "Charlie, this may be a question that I shouldn't ask, but, did you want Sue even while she was with Harry?" I had to wince even as I asked the question. Outside of my father, Charlie was one of the most respected men I knew.

"I know that to some that's how all of this seems, but no I didn't see Sue that way before Harry died. She was more of a friend than anything else. It wasn't until Harry's death that I spent any real amount of time with her. It wasn't immediate or anything like your imprinting, but it was a slow process that built into the two of us getting together."

That helped me breathe a lot better! "Regardless of how you and Sue got together, I do know that you two are more happy together than apart."

"Thanks again, Jacob. You'll make a fine Chief one day."

I can honestly say that I was a bit overwhelmed with all of the praise Charlie was giving me. However, it really felt good knowing that Charlie not only approved of Bells and I marrying, but also gave us his blessings and so much more. I honestly didn't know what else to say. I just knew that I needed to talk to Bella. Who knows where her mind went with everything going on.

I shook Charlie's hand and motioned that I was going upstairs to Bella's room. Charlie just smiles and pats my shoulder after he got up from the chair to go back to the living room. I make my way up the stairs and knock at Bella's closed door. I listened to her hesitate for a moment, then she was on her way to answer my knock.

"Hey, you! So... how did it go? It must have went well because you're still standing with no bullet holes," Bella said rambling.

"Funny, honey. Charlie actually knew parts of things, thanks to my dad," I informed her, a tad chagrined that my dad felt the need to step in, even for a little bit.

"He gave us his blessings to marry. I am so excited to have you completely to myself."

"He did! Oh, wow! Charlie really does like you, huh?" Bella replies in disbelief.

"You know what? You're not even remotely funny right now. I did discuss things with him and he had some ideas of his own. I could tell that he had been thinking about things for awhile."

"Like what?"

"For starters, Charlie already planned to give his blessings for us to marry, he was just waiting on us. Second, he nixed my housing plans…"

"Whoa, whoa, whoa. What a minute! Jacob, are you telling me that Charlie had an issue with me living in La Push with you?"

"No, no sweetheart. I told you that he approves of us being together. He decided to give us this house as a starter. He is going to live with my dad, if my dad agrees, so that a little ways down the line he can also marry Sue."

"Marry Sue? I didn't think he'd ever want to get married again. Wait a minute! That means that Leah could be my sister?!"

"Yes, to all of that. You and Leah are only a year apart in age. How hard will it be for you two to get along?"

"Hello!? Have you met Leah? She's freaking scary!"

"I'll admit that she can be. That's why she's my Beta. Nevertheless, you two are going to have to get along and work together. You're going to be my wife and you are my mate as well as hold a position within the Pack. You and my Beta should show a united front in front of the guys at least."

"Ugh! I guess you're right. I hope you'll be happy when she gnaws on my entrails," Bella says sulkily.

"I'll make sure you two don't get that far. Plus, Embry's been wearing her down ever since he imprinted on her," Jacob says.

"That imprint right there has completely blown my mind!" Bella says thoughtfully.

"It really shouldn't have, honey. It was always down to Embry imprinting on her or she imprints on an outsider. I have always only has eyes for you, so I was already out of the equation. I'm just glad that she finally forgave Sam and Emily. That opened her up to so many new possibilities," explains Jacob.

"True. Who knew that Embry would be the one to break her walls down," Bella says.

"Don't forget that despite being really smart, Embry is solid: stable. Plus he's used to bossy women, like his mother. I meant strong. Don't give me that look Bella. I meant nothing by it. Just a poor choice of words."

"Um, sure Jake. Whatever you say Jake," Bella says trying to keep a straight face. As Jacob keeps looking at Bella, she couldn't help but start laughing.

"Hardy, har, har Bells. Laugh it up while you can."