My gratitude goes to my awesome beta Redheadcarol .
Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight; SM does.
After greeting the first of those visiting, I excused myself, letting Bella know I was going to call the school, and made my way to the study. I phoned the school, to make sure they knew what had happened. Of course, being a small town, everyone within a 500 mile radius knew.
I explained to my secretary, to just take any messages and to ask Isabella's teachers to take down her assignments and I would either pick them up or have someone bring them to her. Mrs. Cope assured me that she would take care of everything and that she would bring the assignments by later in the evening.
I knew Bella wouldn't feel like doing any type of school work, but I wanted to make sure she had the information if needed. It would be a welcomed distraction for her. As I made my way back to the den, I noticed the time.
The morning had come and gone and it was closing in on two in the afternoon. I could tell Bella was so drained. I needed to get her upstairs to rest. Hopefully, the few that were still here would be leaving soon.
So many had come by and brought sustenance, that we wouldn't need the grocery store for at least a week. Everyone had been very grateful for Charlie and had no qualms about expressing their sorrow about his untimely death, even the officers that came by.
Bella had been so strong, at least in show; I could tell though, it was wearing on her. She greeted each and every person and thanked them for coming. She let everyone know, that as soon as she knew information regarding the funeral, she would pass it on.
Thankfully, they were ready to go. I walked them to the door and thanked them for coming. I looked out and saw that a reporter was making her way up the drive. I called back to Seth to have him come and help me.
As soon as he was next to me, we stepped out and closed the door. The woman, who I didn't know, started right in with the questions. Seth motioned for me to go back inside. I turned and went straight to the den.
Normally, I left the shades open, but looking out through the windows I noticed that more vans and reporters were starting to show up. I finally found the remote and hit the button to close the shades.
When I turned around to tell Bella and Sue what was transpiring, Bella was curled up on the couch with her head in Sue's lap. Sue was humming and stroking her hair. I began to choke up.
My beautiful girl had been through so much today. She had been a trooper. Not letting anyone get her down, she stood strong and did what most could not do. She was so mature for her age and she had only just started.
I walked over to Sue and squatted down to look at Bella. She looked so young.
"Sue," I looked up at her. "I'm going to take her upstairs so she can rest."
"That she needs, Carlisle." Sue was fixing to say something else when Seth walked in.
"Carlisle, Mom, I'm fixing to head to the station, but, I am going to send one of the guys to stay at the start of the driveway, so the reporters won't be down here. It's getting crazy." Seth ran his hand through his hair.
"I need to run to the house and get a few things, myself." Sue said.
"Sue, you and Seth are more than welcomed to stay here. You probably shouldn't go home, because the reporters may follow you there." I responded to them both.
"Mom, Carlisle is right. You don't need to go home. They will follow you." Seth pointedly said.
"Okay, you two. Way to gang up on the mom." Sue grinned.
Seth and I both smiled back at her. I stood up and made my way to Seth and stuck my hand out and placed one on his shoulder.
"Seth, thank you, for all your help." I wanted to convey my appreciation for his being here and helping deal with reporters.
"Carlisle, you don't have to thank me. Charlie meant a lot to me, as well." Seth looked over to Bella and his mom.
"Yes, Carlisle, Seth is right. There is no need for you to thank us. Charlie was dear to me and he loved my kids as much as they let him." Sue began to tear up. "They loved him back, at least I know in their own way." Leah, Sue's daughter, had become distant when Charlie and Sue began dating. Leah ended up moving out of town, but still kept some kind of contact with them all.
"Well, I do thank you both, I don't know if I would be able to deal with everything without your help." I probably could've done it, but I was glad they were here.
"Don't mention it, Carlisle." Seth slapped my shoulder, he almost made me fall; being taller and wider than myself.
"Okay, well, when you get back, Seth, your mother and yourself are more than welcome to anything here. Let me show you both where you can stay." I gently moved Bella, so Sue could get up from the couch.
We made our way to the left of the stair case. There was a set of steps that went down to the basement. I had turned it into a rec/family room and there was a bedroom off of it. Why? I have no clue. I didn't have any kids and I didn't have any family left. But it was what it was.
"You are both more than welcomed to stay in here. As you can see, there's the TV and right here," opening the door to the bedroom, "is a bedroom. Now, if either of you is uncomfortable sharing, I have two more room upstairs."
"No, Carlisle. This is perfectly fine." Sue gestured to the room. "More than likely, Seth will fall asleep in front of the TV." Sue laughed.
"Very true, mother." Seth tried to look hurt, but the grin showed she was right.
"There is a bathroom right over there. I'll bring down some fresh linens and towels for each of you." I showed them where the bathroom was located, while checking on the supplies.
"Thank you, Carlisle." Sue hugged my neck.
"You are more than welcomed, both of you. However, as you told me, there is no need." They were here helping me and Bella; I didn't want them to feel like they were imposing.
We made our way back upstairs and I left Sue and Seth to say their goodbyes. I went to the linen closet and gathered a couple sets of sheets and several towels. I made sure to get a basket and fill it with toiletries. Not knowing what kind they may want, I just put several in.
Taking everything back downstairs, I left the things for Sue to decide on. I went back up and found Sue in the kitchen. She was making a bite to eat and so I joined her before taking Bella upstairs.
Once finished, Sue excused herself to go down to where she and Seth would be staying for the time being. I went and picked up my sleeping beauty and carried her upstairs to my room. It had just dawned on me, that she hadn't been in here.
"Bella," I quietly spoke, as not to startle her. "Sweetheart, I need you to wake up for a minute."
She murmured in her sleep but didn't wake up.
"Bella, I need you to wake, then you can go back to sleep." Again I tried and got a little more response from her. She opened her eyes, but just a bit.
"Carlisle." Bella groggily said.
"Sweetheart, we need to get you out of this dress so you can rest comfortably." I gestured to her clothes.
I sat her on the edge of my bed and she began untying the sash on her dress. She was still half asleep and wasn't getting the job done, so I helped her. I held her waist while she stood and took the dress off.
I hung her dress up and grabbed her one of my t-shirts to put on; she raised her arms for me. Once I got her dressed and took off her shoes, I picked Bella back up and placed her under the cover.
She reached out to me, "Car, will you stay?" She asked.
"Of course, Sweetheart." I reached over and brushed her hair out of her face. "Let me change and I'll climb right in."
Satisfied, she turned over and her breathing regulated. I placed my clothes over a chair and made sure to lock the door. I sure didn't want anyone to come in and see us like this.
Climbing in, I scooted over to her and placed my arm around her waist. She backed up closer to me and then sighed. I was truly, falling in love with this girl. Not girl, but woman; more woman than most. I only hoped I could give her what she needed.
A little while later, I woke. I untangled myself from Bella, she had turned and put one leg between mine and was snuggled up to me. I placed a kiss on her forehead and got up to see what time it was.
We were able to get a couple of hours in. I grabbed my clothes and went into the bathroom to dress. I got finished and went back into my bedroom to see my Bella stretching.
She turned and looked at me; a small smile graced her face. I smiled back and made my way over to her. I sat down on the edge of the bed and began to stroke her cheek.
"Hey." I said to her.
"Hi." Bella closed her eyes and turned to kiss my palm.
"How did you sleep?" I asked.
"Good. Thank you for bringing me up here and letting me rest." She blushed.
"Bella, you need not thank me. We needed the rest, you more than me." I wanted her to understand that I was only thinking of her. "Are you ready to face the rest of the town?"
Bella grimaced and then said, "Ugh! I can't believe so many people came by today, and you think there is more?" She questioned.
"Yes, I'm sure there is. Charlie was the Chief and there are many more officers, plus those that couldn't leave work to come by. As a matter of fact, I know that Mrs. Cope will be by and she is bringing you your work for the week." I let her know. "And, if you need more time, we will get those assignments too."
"Oh, I hadn't even thought about school. Thank you, for taking care of that for me." She relayed.
"Bella, again, there is no reason for you to thank me. I want to take care of you, that is, as much as you will let me." I smiled at her. She was so independent and strong-willed, that I knew she might fight me on some things.
"Okay. But, you don't have to do it." Bella pulled herself up to sit in the bed.
"Sweetheart, look at me." I reached for her hands and brought them to my lips. "I am here for you. No matter good or bad, and as long as you want me to be. I will always be here to help you and take care of you."
"Oh, Car!" Bella threw herself at me and hugged me with all her might. I held on to her and just lavished in the scent of her around me.
Bella pulled back and placed her hands on my face. Looking into the depths of those brown eyes, I could see the turmoil in her eyes, something was on the forefront of her mind, but would she enlighten me to it?
Bella leaned in and placed a soft kiss on my lips. Not wanting to overstep at this moment, I only gave as much as she. She then kissed me again and ever so lightly, swept her tongue across my bottom lip. I opened up to her.
I let her lead this time; I didn't want to push her. Not with what was going on around us. I hoped she recognized my tenderness. The love I was trying to convey.
After several minutes of this, I pulled away panting. Placing my forehead on hers, I stroked her face. Moving my lips to her head, I kissed her and then held her to me.
"Sweetheart, we need to get you dressed and go back downstairs. I'm sure visitors will be arriving within the hour." I knew she was tired, but we had to do this.
"You're right." Bella chastely kissed me and then moved to get up.
I got her dress for her and she went into my bathroom to prepare. Once dressed, she returned and I pulled her to me once more. I held her for a moment and then looking into her eyes; I kissed those lips and took her hand to make our way back down.
We got downstairs and went into the kitchen. I wanted her to eat, since she hadn't before she slept. Making our way in, Sue was already up and about. She turned and saw us, then made her way over to Bella.
Gathering Bella into her arms, Sue hugged her for a moment and then let her go and started making us plates.
"Sue, thank you for doing this, but please, don't feel like you have to." I didn't want Sue to think herself as the maid.
"It's not a problem, Carlisle. I don't mind one bit, plus it gives me something to do." Sue replied to me.
Sue slid us our plates across the bar and made herself one. We all ate in silence and quickly cleaned to head back into the den.
"Carlisle, why are the shades down?" Bella looked around perplexed.
"Oh, um, earlier, before I took you upstairs, there was a reporter out front. Seth got rid of her, but when I looked up the drive, there were several more. I drew the shades so they couldn't look into the house or invade our privacy." I let her know in a subtle way of what all I was thinking.
"Oh, okay. I guess this is fixing to get crazy." Bella stated.
I figured it probably was. Knowing Charlie, this is what he was trying to keep her away from. I went over and looked out to see a couple of the officers and their cars at the edge of the drive. It looked as if more reporters had shown up; even national news.
"Bella, there are more out there now. What would you like? Do you want me to leave the shades down?" I wanted her to know that this was about her, not me or Sue or Seth.
"You can raise them for now, since we will be having more visitors. But, once everyone is gone, we should lower them again." Bella stated pointedly.
"I agree with Bella, Carlisle." Sue put in her two cents. "I think we can show a united front and show how much Charlie was thought of."
"Okay, Ladies that we shall do." I reached over and retrieved the remote and pressed the button to raise the shades.
Upon raising them, both Bella and Sue stepped towards the windows and couldn't believe what they were seeing.
"What are they doing? This is Forks, not Hollywood." Sue said with disbelief in her voice.
"Sue, the only thing I can figure, is somehow, someone found out about the trial and put two and two together." I wasn't sure myself, and this was the only thing I could figure. "Hopefully, within a week, it will die down."
"A week?" Bella's eyes were as wide as they could be. "Carlisle, are you serious?"
"Bella, I have no clue, honestly. I just figured that usually when the event dies down, the reporters leave." I didn't mean for it to sound harsh, but I wasn't sure what else to say.
"My word!" Bella exclaimed. "I move to Forks, a small, out-of-the-way place that has nothing, and then this happens and the entire world shows up. Gah!" She was so funny sometimes.
"Bella, if it gets too much, we can leave town for a few days." I knew she could handle only so much and I wanted to give her a way out if needed.
"I appreciate it, Carlisle, but if need be, I will go tell them where the hell they can go. I will not allow them to make my father's funeral a circus." She was getting pissed. I loved a pissed off Bella, as long as it wasn't at me.
"Bella! That was rather rude and tactless." Sue chided her.
"Sorry, Sue. You can ask Carlisle though, I am not always known for my tact." Bella matter of fact said.
"Isabella Marie Swan, have you been giving the Headmaster issues?" Sue questioned Bella and had her hands on her hips.
Bella blushed and looked down at her hands. "Um. You'd have to ask him." She quietly said.
"Carlisle?" Sue turned to me with the 'mother' look.
"Nothing more than I can handle; but in Bella's defense, some of the other girls are rather prissy and aggravate the hell out of her. So, it depends on the day and who is involved." I told her this to make her think it was the other girls and not Bella.
Just as Sue was about to say something, we were saved by the bell; the doorbell. So it began again…
The officers were allowing those they knew and even some they didn't come down the drive. Many people followed throughout the evening. They were all very gracious and offered any help needed.
I tried to assure most that everything was under control and when more details emerged, we would let everyone know.
A couple of men came by, that neither Sue, Bella, nor I, were acquainted with. Came to find out, they lived here in Forks before I moved here. Charlie had arrested them and they ended up being sent to the State Penitentiary. He had changed their lives. In arresting them, he had in a sense, saved them from an unfortunate fate.
Both men had met while in State and offered any help needed. They told us they were bodyguards and if Bella needed them, to let them know. They owed Charlie and would be more than willing to help his daughter.
Bella hugged and thanked them both and told them that if the time called for it, they would be first on the list.
Several more officers, captains, and even the Commissioner of the State Police came to offer their condolences. I didn't think I'd ever seen so many police officers in one place; outside of viewing a funeral on TV.
I think Bella intimidated several of them. They offered to take her and teach her how to shoot so she could protect herself. She informed them that Charlie had already done that and had even sent in the paperwork for her to carry a concealed weapon, once she had turned 18. She was just waiting on her license to come in the mail.
My little lady was something else. She held her own and didn't let them make her feel like she was a doll.
Seth came in around nine and informed us that the reporters were staying in town at the motel and that some had gone to Port Angeles. He said that the officers were taking shifts in covering the drive.
"Thank you, Seth. And please, let me pay for the over-time this is going to cost." I had the money to do it and there was no need in the city having to pay for it.
"Nonsense, Carlisle. Charlie wouldn't have it any other way. They're here for his little girl. The city will be fine." Seth admitted.
"Okay, but if any of the guys need something, please, tell them to let me know. By the way, have they eaten?" We had plenty of food and they were more than welcomed to it.
"I'm not sure, but if it's okay, when the shift changes, I'll send them this way." Seth said.
"That sounds good. Why don't you go make yourself a plate before heading back out?" I motioned for him to go on to the kitchen.
"Sure, sure. That sounds great." He rubbed his belly, laughing.
I went into the den and asked Bella and Sue if they would like to join myself and Seth. Even at this hour, we all still needed to eat something. Bella needed to keep her strength up as well as Sue. Sue seemed to be wearing down and I didn't want her to fall ill.
The three of us went into the kitchen and all four of us ate. Sue excused herself to head downstairs and retired for the evening. Seth finished up and left to finish his shift, but not before letting the others know to come down and get a bite to eat.
Bella finished and got up to distract herself with cleaning the kitchen. I tried to get her to sit back down, but she was having none of it.
When the guys got here, they entertained Bella with crazy stories of what Charlie would do to the newbies and several of the things that they had gotten him back with. She laughed so much; it was a delight to hear.
The guys eventually got done eating and telling their tales. They left and assured us that they would keep the reporters at bay. I made sure to lock up and set the alarm and lower the shades, again.
Bella and I made our way back upstairs. She wanted us to stay in my room tonight; saying my bed slept better. That was perfectly fine by me.
Bella went into her room, locked the door and took care of her nightly routine; as did I. She was on the bed when I finished and returned to my room. We both slid into the bed and she turned towards me.
Gingerly, she reached up and pulled my face to hers. No words were spoken, just loving kisses and touches. Bella placed her hand on my bare chest and gently pushed me so I would lie on my back.
She began kissing her way down my neck to my chest. Circling my nipples with her tongue, it was the most erotic thing. Bella continued kissing down my stomach until she reached my pajama pants. Without hesitation, she pulled them down, releasing my hard cock.
Bella took my pants off and started kissing her way up my legs, right to my cock. She took it in her hand and began stroking me. Next, she did something I never would have thought of her; dreamed of it yes!
Bella began sucking on my cock and twirling her tongue around it.
"Bella," I cried out. "Sweetheart…" I couldn't form a coherent thought at the moment, her mouth felt so good on me. She kept this up for a minute and I knew if I didn't stop her, I was going to come.
"Bella, baby, if you don't stop, I'm going to come in your mouth." I rasped out.
She took my cock out of her mouth and looked up at me; her eyes were hooded and full of lust. Just watching her down there did nothing for my resolve. Bella smirked and then flattened her tongue out on the underside of my dick and made one, very slow lick up.
She sat up and removed her gown and panties; then straddled me and leaned up to kiss me. She reached over and got a condom out of the nightstand and proceeded to cover me up. She smiled and placed her wet heat above me.
I grabbed her hip and slid her down on my cock. Panting, she began to ride me. Bella placed her hands on my thighs and threw her head back; she was close, just as I was.
I fondled one breast and reached down with the other hand to play with her clit. Bella got faster and then thrust herself down harder. We were both right at the edge; her nails digging into my skin. Thrusting up into her one last time, we both came.
Bella fell onto my chest and I thrust into her a few more times, allowing our orgasms to wane off. We lay there just relishing in the afterglow.
The words Bella spoke next, I had only ever imagined hearing in my mind; but I couldn't contain the emotional bearing of the weight of hearing them:
"Car, I love you!"