Hi everyone! Well, I really wanted to get this out on Pi Day, but one day late isn't so bad, right? Well, I guess I don't have any interesting things to tell you about my life at this point in time, so I won't bore you with a lengthy A/N. Remember, I don't own these characters, I'm just shaking things up in this alternate universe of mine...
PS Beware of the Ides of March!
The Light in His Eyes
Chapter 7: Charlie and a Corpse
EPOV
My departure from Bella's porch was swift; there was no other option. I could hear the questioning thoughts of her father, and I had a feeling that Bella would be more comfortable explaining my situation without my interference. I had a hard time focusing on anything but her, and that would not lead to a good first impression if I couldn't keep up an intelligent conversation with the man.
As I sped away from what could be described as the most fascinating person on the planet, I couldn't help but stay nearby to hear what she would say to her father. Despite her expressions, Bella didn't let on too much when it came to her thoughts as our day in the meadow wore on, and I was desperate for just a glimpse of what she thought of our visit besides the brief parting words that she shared with me.
"Well, Bella, who was that?" Through his thoughts I gazed upon an obviously flustered Bella, and I smiled at that because her expression was so adorable.
"Uh, well… I… uh…"
"Isabella Marie is that your boyfriend?"
"Oh my God, Charlie, no, of course not!" My chest twisted uncomfortably at these words, but I reasoned with myself. You've only known her for two days, don't jump the gun Edward!
"Well, I'm waiting for a more detailed explanation…"
"Ugh, fine! Can we just go inside first? It's freezing out here!"
"Let's go, and no more stalling!"
I had to cringe, the chief wasn't going to make this easy for his daughter, and I felt bad for Bella. Maybe I should go back… That thought was quickly wiped from my mind when I saw the determination in Bella's eyes as she prepared her speech for her father.
"Charlie, I know how you feel about boys, but Edward is a little different…"
"Yeah, I bet he is…" He is a boy; they're all the same at this age…
I saw Bella take a deep breath, and so began the tale of Edward and Bella…
I was in Tanya's living room as Bella was probably going to bed. I had listened up to the point where her father had gone into shock as to my species and demanded that we meet in the morning. Even though I had a physical advantage over him, I was still wary of the chief; he would do anything to protect Bella, and that included what he described as justifiable murder.
"So Edward, how'd it go?"
I glanced at Tanya; she was grinning so hugely, I thought for sure that her granite face might split in half. I rolled my eyes. Well, since Bella was interrogated, I guess it's only fair that I am too.
I heaved a sigh and began. "It was great Tanya; we spent the afternoon getting to know each other in a meadow I came across while I was attempting to hunt in the forest. She told me about herself and let me help her finish her homework. It's not the romantic setting from a movie that you're picturing right now."
She quickly wiped away an overly sensual image of Bella and myself, and looked a little offended. "Geez Edward, I'm not the mind reader here, I can hope! I mean, what else was I supposed to think?"
I sighed again, and started again. "I'm sorry, and I really don't have much to tell you besides that."
"Grr, fine. I never get to hear the latest gossip…" Tanya quietly griped to herself.
"So how was your day?"
Tanya's expression quickly shifted to one of mischief, and pictured in her mind, in disgusting detail, her activities with a man she had picked up in Port Angeles a couple of hours ago."
"Ugh Tanya, I really didn't want to know that badly!"
She burst out in laughter, but after a couple minutes of belly laughs, she became serious again.
So, what are you going to do tomorrow when you meet Daddy?
I groaned inwardly. What am I going to do? "Well, I am going to be as polite as possible, and that includes not delving into his mind if I can help it; I'll try to distract myself to an extent, just so I can talk to him like a… normal person."
She snickered. Yeah, good luck with that. No offense, but you are nowhere near 'normal.'
"Thanks for the vote of confidence. Well, since you haven't eaten yet, you want to take a little trip to the woods?"
"Sure, sounds good."
With that, I tried not to give anymore thought to what tomorrow may bring as I raced through the trees with Tanya.
Well, D-Day had arrived. Tanya let early in the morning to drop in on her sisters to say 'hi' since they were staying with their boyfriends for the time being. This left me alone to fret over what to wear to officially meet Charlie Swan.
When the time came for Bella to go to school, I raced over to her house. I got there as she and her father were stepping out of the front door.
She looked beautiful in a teal sweater and black corduroy pants. Her hair spilled over her shoulders giving off a natural beauty that I could look at for hours.
Then my gaze landed upon the chief. He was a few inches shorter than me, but in today's world he would still be intimidating. He was in uniform and had a bulky belt containing the tools needed for his job, including a pistol, and I could also smell small vials of vervain on his person. His expression was calm and collected, except for the furrowed brow that indicated he was concentrating very hard.
I tried to keep out of his mind by focusing on multiple things at once and the distraction was enough that I could muffle his internal monologue out with the other thoughts floating around the neighborhood.
After some time of just standing there staring at each other, Bella finally had enough. She cleared her throat loudly to break us out of our stupor.
"Char- Dad, this is Edward."
He scrutinized me in such a way that I wanted to squirm, something I never thought a human could do to a vampire.
"Hello Edward."
I swallowed down my anxiety. "Hello Chief Swan."
And another lull fell between us. It was safe to say it was awkward, and I think Bella noticed, because she had a smirk on her face.
"Well, I'm off to school; you boys play nice now you hear?" And with that she promptly marched down the porch steps, got into her truck, and left us there.
We both had stunned expressions on our faces; apparently, the chief didn't think that Bella would leave us to our own devices too.
After the sound of her engine died out, we turned to face each other.
He cleared his throat pretty loudly, and tried to stand taller than he already was. Without the welcome distraction of Bella among the numerous voices of the nearby neighbors, I could catch more of his thoughts about me.
Bella left me with…him? Great what do I say to this guy? Hey I support your species in this world of ours, but keep your mitts off my daughter! Pfft, like that will stop him.
I decided being direct would be the best approach; otherwise we would be standing here all day. "Chief Swan, it's a pleasure to meet you. I know that the circumstances about my appearance in Bella's life weren't exactly ideal, but I thoroughly enjoy spending time with your daughter, and I already consider her a good friend of mine." I stressed the word friend, because in truth that's what we were, and his imagination was starting to get ahead of him.
"I... well that was unexpected. Look Edward, I know that Bella seems to be quite attached to you, but I don't know if I can agree with this relationship of yours. That's my little girl and I don't want her getting hurt; emotionally or physically."
I steeled myself for an automatic dismissal, but it never came, he took a deep breath and he formed his next statement cautiously. "But, I trust my daughter's judgment, she has always had a good head on her shoulders, and by saving you I think she showed me that you were worth the risk, so I can't not give you a chance. What I'm trying to say is, I'll learn to trust you, and don't give me any reason not to, otherwise it will be the last thing you do." He finished his speech with a nod of the head to emphasize his point.
I nodded to show him that I understood and held my hand out to shake his. I agreed to join Bella and him at the local diner for dinner since he was (jokingly) 'giving her the night off.'
With that he left me to go to his job and I was free to wander about until Bella got out of school.
Like a man possessed, I made my way over to her school a few minutes before the classes were dismissed.
When the bell finally signaled the end of an educational day, I quickly traversed my way through the crowd, until I caught her scent (a delicious combination of freesia and strawberry) and stopped gazing in the opposite direction of the wind direction.
Bella was walking with her friend Jessica who had seen me yesterday, and or the most part was responsible for the wildfire of gossip about Bella and me. Both girls walked toward me, and when I caught Bella's gaze, I could only smile. Jessica was trying her best not to squeal like a fan girl gone wild, but her thoughts ran rampant. Oh, my God, he is gorgeous. How the hell did Bella get so lucky!?
I immediately tried to block her out by listening in to the remaining people's thoughts. The results were thunderous, but I really didn't feel comfortable listening to her more intimate thoughts. After reaching them, I just stood there, trying to mask my discomfort and made polite conversation with her, but I really wanted to spend some time with Bella.
Finally, after an eternity of answering the questions fired off to me, Jessica regretfully (at least to her) had to leave, Mike (one of Bella's male friends I had learned from Jessica's ramblings) was giving her a ride and was impatient to leave what he considered 'hell on earth.'
As Jessica walked away from Bella and me, the wind suddenly shifted; the flow of air bringing with it a scent that every vampire would be familiar with: death and decay.
I stiffened, I wasn't sure why such a smell was near a high school, but I was sure that I didn't want Bella near it at all.
Calmly, so as not to startle Bella, I asked her to call her father and ask him to come to the campus. With a bewildered expression on her face, she complied, and Charlie said he would be right over.
By the time he had arrived with backup, I quickly rushed (in human speed) to his side.
"Chief Swan, I'm sorry to disturb you during work, but when I came to meet up with Bella as she left school, I caught a whiff of something I think you should look into." As I said this, I mentally envisioned myself crossing my fingers and hoping that he didn't think that I was some sort of stalker.
Upon hearing the seriousness of my tone and the actual words, his eyes widened with slight alarm. I could hear a slight skepticism in his thoughts as he considered my apparent fascination with his daughter may be my main motive, but his training kicked in and was determined to investigate any tip he received, even if it was from me. I explained a bit more and my concerns off Bella being alone. I heard the agreement of his thoughts, and he called one of the officers to stay with her while we investigated.
Bella didn't look too pleased with having a babysitter, but the authority in her father's voice was not to be disobeyed.
With his approval, I led him through the trees of the nearby forest toward the putrid stench. There, amongst the moss and broken stumps in what appeared to be a freshly made clearing, we found a decomposing body.
Charlie stopped dead in his tracks, and used his radio to call forensics on the scene. The body was mangled; bite and scratch marks everywhere. The markings were familiar. A vampire had done this.
Well, how was that for another chapter? I know a lot more people have taken interest in this story, and I would appreciate more reviews (if you give suggestions I might use them ;) ) so please don't be shy and hit that button! Thanks!
-gg
