Disclaimer: Twilight and all of these characters belong to Stephanie Meyer.
Chapter 7: Vampires, Werewolves, and Shape Shifters! Oh my!
Charlie contemplated for a moment, his jaw tight, and his brow furrowed. For a moment I thought for sure that he was going to say no, but eventually, he nodded and sighed in resignation. "I guess if I want to see my daughter without always traveling across country, I have no choice. I find it ridiculous that you would be run away from your home just because someone chooses to become part of your family anyway. I would be glad to do all I can to help."
Charlie rubbed his eyes and yawned. I could tell it was way past his normal bed time. "Unfortunately, Charlie, you look like you are about to pass out. You should have a clear head when we discuss all of this. How about you get some sleep and then I can explain when you get home from work tomorrow?"
Charlie shook his head, "I do not think I could wait all day. You can tell me in the morning. I will just call in. Do you think Bella should sit in for this?"
"Maybe for the meeting with the elder, but it is not necessary for her to be here when I explain to you. She already knows the whole story." I replied.
Charlie nodded, "Okay, then. I will speak to you in the morning. Have a good night." He stood to make his way upstairs.
"Thank you, Charlie. Sleep well." I pretended to stretch out on the couch myself as he turned out the light and headed upstairs.
The moment I heard Charlie's breathing even out and his snores began, I silently made my way out to the woods for my hunt. I could not wait to be back by Bella's side again. I was extremely nervous about how Charlie would react to the news I was going to give him, but he already seemed to know so much and Alice said he would stand up for us. I let that thought give me comfort as I allowed my instincts take over and took down my first deer.
The next morning I made my way downstairs as soon as soon as I heard Charlie starting to wake up. I wanted to do something nice for my likely soon to be father-in-law, so I slipped into the kitchen and started the coffee pot. I rummaged in the fridge and found the items I would need to make strawberry crepes and bacon. Esme had usually been the one to cook for Bella at the house previously, but I used to watch her a lot and figured I could manage this morning at least.
Shortly after Charlie stepped out of the shower he made his way down stairs, "Wow, Carlisle. What's all this?" he asked in amazement.
I offered him a smile, "Well, I just wanted to do something nice for the two of you this morning, so I am making strawberry crepes and bacon. There is also coffee ready in the pot."
"Well, Bella likely won't be up for several more hours." I chuckled as I heard Bella waking up, the smell of the food was probably enough to raise her.
"Actually, I think she will be with us in just a few minutes. She is waking up now," I said.
Charlie looked at me in confusion, "How do you know?"
"Exceptional hearing is just one of our many attributes. I can hear the changes in her breathing patterns and heart rate that signal that she is waking." I laughed at the shocked expression on his face. "I know. It is certainly hard to absorb. We will discuss this more after Bella has left for school and you have had a chance to wake up."
A comfortable silence fell between us as I continued to cook. A few minutes later Bella stumbled into the kitchen. As her eyes laid on me standing at the stove flipping crepes, her mouth flew open. I heard Charlie chuckle under his breathe behind his coffee cup.
When I gave her a huge grin, she blushed and smiled at me sheepishly. "Good morning, love," I closed the few steps between us and pressed a chaste kiss against her forehead before moving back to the stove. "Get yourself seated and I will fix you a plate. Would you like coffee or something else?"
A look of surprise crossed her face and she passed a horrified glance towards Charlie. He just laughed, "Bells you look like I am going to murder someone. Don't worry, we have already discussed this and you two have my blessing."
Bella smiled widely, "Thanks, Dad!" She made her way to sit at the table across from her Charlie, "You're cooking breakfast, Carlisle?"
I placed a plate in front of each of them and their faces lit up like two children in a candy store. "Obviously," I teased. "Now, what do you want to drink?"
"Milk, please," Bella replied as she cut into her crepe.
I poured her a glass of milk and then sat next to her at the table. "So tell me, how is my first attempt at cooking?"
Charlie's head shot up in shock, "First attempt? But…Oh, never mind." Charlie shook his head as if to clear it. "It's heavenly, Carlisle." He eyed the table in front of me, "Aren't you going to eat?"
Bella looked at me nervously, but I just gave her a wink before smiling at Charlie, "Nope."
Charlie looked at the two of us curiously for a moment before just shaking his head again. "Okay then."
Bella laughed nervously, "Just more for us, huh Dad?"
Charlie chuckled weakly, "Yeah."
We kept the topics of conversation to lighter things as they finished their meal. After Charlie finished, he stood, "Well, I better call the station if I am going to stay home."
Bella looked up surprised, "What? Why are you staying home?"
Charlie looked at me, unsure how he should answer. I answered for him, "Bella, he has noticed certain…differences…about my family and while he has given his permission that you…join us…if you choose to one day, his requirement is that he still get to see you once you are able, because of this it is imperative that I explain our story."
Bella's eyes widened for a moment, but then her face spread into a huge grin, "Really? You mean I will actually get to see my dad after my change." She jumped up and hugged me, "Oh, thank you Carlisle. Thank you." She had tears in her eyes.
It warmed my non-beating heart to make her so happy, "Yes, Bella, after the new born phase, you will be able to see your dad." I chuckled.
Bella pulled back and looked at me in confusion, "New born phase?"
My jaw tightened in anger, "Do you mean to tell me that Edward did not mention that?"
Bella huffed, "Yeah, right. He avoided any talk about me becoming like him. He was furious with Alice when he found out that she explained to me how the change takes place. So, no, I only know the basics, nothing more."
I sighed, "Well then, maybe you should stay for this too. It is imperative that you know what you are getting into before you make such an important decision. Is that okay with you, Charlie?"
Charlie made his way to the phone, "Yes, I will call the school as well."
Bella and I cleaned up the kitchen while Charlie made the necessary phone calls so they could stay home. Once our duties were taken care of we settled in the living room. As Charlie sat in his recliner and I sat on the couch, I was surprised that Bella had the courage to cuddle up next to me in front of her father. Charlie did not seem to mind though, so I wrapped an arm around her shoulders and began my tale.
"Okay, Charlie, I will start at the beginning. I know this is going to be hard to absorb. I just want you to remember that despite what I am, I will never mean anyone in this family any harm. I love Bella, and am already coming to think of you as family too."
Charlie nodded, "I know that Carlisle. No matter what you are, I know you are a good man."
I smiled fondly, "Thank you, Charlie. That means a lot." I paused, unsure exactly where to begin.
"Well, Charlie, to be frank about it, I am a…vampire." I wasn't entirely sure the reaction I expected Charlie to have, but he was a lot calmer than I expected. His eyes widened a little bit, but after few seconds, he just nodded. I continued, "My family and I, we are not like others of our kind. Unlike most, we choose to drink the blood of animals, and that is what gives us the golden eyes, instead of the normal red eyes our kind usually have. Most vampires think us crazy for shying away from our natural food source and drinking the decidedly bland alternative of animal blood, but my family and I consider human life to be precious and choose not to be monsters."
"This choice has given us other things that the others don't have as well. It allows us to maintain permanent residences since we are able to live among humans with a little effort. It also gives us a familial bond. Most vampires travel alone or only with their mate. It is rare that vampires travel in groups of three or more. Those of us who chose not to take human life tend to retain more of our human nature, so we build our covens out of love instead of convenience. With the exception of the royal coven in Italy, we were the largest known coven in the world. Our sister coven in Denali is the only other animal drinking coven we know of and it is the second largest."
"Before I explain my story, I will explain the differences to you in what the media has taught you of vampires and what actually is true. If you have any questions after that, I will answer them. Okay?"
Charlie seemed dazed, but he nodded in the affirmative. Bella spoke before I could, "Oh, Carlisle, can I? Please?" She was almost bouncing in her seat in excitement.
I laughed heartily at Bella's enthusiasm, "Of course, Bella."
Bella faced Charlie and held up her hand as if to tick off a list, "First of all, the biggest myth is that a vampire burns in the sun. The sun does not hurt a vampire, but they will not go out in direct sunlight in front of humans because it would reveal what they are. Their skin sparkles like millions of diamonds in the sun. It is actually quite beautiful." Bella looked up to me with a smile.
Bella continued, "They also do not sleep in coffins. In reality, they do not sleep…at all." Bella smirked at Charlie's expression. "Stakes through the heart, garlic, silver, crosses, holy water – none of these things hurt them. The only way a vampire can be killed is to be ripped into pieces and burned. So basically only another vampire can kill them."
I interrupted here, "Actually, that is not entirely true. There are other creatures out there than can kill us too. They just have to be strong enough to pierce our marble-like skin and be fast enough to catch us. Two of such creatures are werewolves and shape shifters."
Bella looked at me with wide eyes, "Werewolves are real?"
I laughed, "Silly Bella, why is that so hard for you to believe? You are in the arms of a vampire."
Bella looked sheepish, "Well, I just never thought about it before." She pouted, "Next you will be telling me that the tooth fairy and the Easter bunny are real."
I chuckled, "Well, I do not know. You can never tell really."
Bella rolled her eyes, "Anyway…" she drawled. "They can not turn into bats, fly, or enthrall you, though they have been known to dazzle on occasion."
"Dazzle?" I asked, confused.
Bella smirked, "Yes, Edward used to do it inadvertently all the time. We will just have to see if you can."
"Oh, really?" I asked. "How did he dazzle you?"
"Wouldn't you like to know?" Bella teased.
Charlie chuckled in amusement when I groaned. "Great," I complained, "Now I have to try and top Edward, and I don't even know what he did."
Bella laughed before continuing, "Vampires are also extremely fast, extremely strong, their senses of sight, hearing, and smell are extremely advanced, they do not have to breathe, they don't have a heart beat, human food tastes and smells like dirt to them, and they do not age. Did I cover everything?" she looked up at me in question.
I could not help but to feel proud of Bella, she had only known of our existence for a year, yet she knew so much about us. I gazed deeply into her beautiful eyes, it was like I could see into her soul. I smiled at her lovingly. Suddenly, Bella's eyes glazed over and it looked like her mind went totally blank. She could not seem to break eye contact. I smirked in satisfaction, I had dazzled her. I purposefully blinked and she closed her eyes and shook her head.
"No, fair," Bella pouted, "I was hoping you would not figure that one out."
I smiled in triumph. At Charlie's questioning look, I boasted, "I dazzled her." Charlie burst out laughing which, of course, made Bella huff in frustration.
I kissed her on the forehead, "Sorry, love. To answer your question though, I think you covered everything beautifully. Do you have any questions about vampires before I begin my story Charlie?"
Charlie shook his head, "Not at the moment. It is hard to wrap my head around, so I might have questions later, but for now I think I understand everything."
