One night at McCarty's Chapter 8
Thanks to everyone who is reading this story, for your reviews, favorites and follows. I hope you continue to enjoy it.
To all of those affected by the tragic events of 9/11, the pain is still there 10yrs on and my thoughts and prayers are with you all.
This story is not pre read so sorry for any mistakes.
Disclaimer: All things Twilight belong to the lovely Stephanie Meyer but the idea for ONAMC belongs to me.
BPOV
I should have known something was up when Charlie wasn't surprised to find me on his couch when he came home especially seeing as he was not alone.
"Bella, what are you doing here?" the fear was clear in his eyes
"Now son is that any way to greet your wife"
I hadn't told my dad I was coming home because I wanted to avoid this exact scenario. Rose offered to come with me but I knew this was something I had to do myself. However now I was here I wished I had taken her up on her offer.
All the colour had drained from Riley's face and I could tell he was afraid I was going to out him to Charlie.
"Of course not chief I'm just shocked is all. Um h-how have you been Bella?"
WHAT? HOW HAVE I BEEN?... That's what I wanted to say but as I opened my mouth to speak, nothing came out.
"Well I'm sure you kids have lots to talk about so I'll just leave you alone."
"NO!" I shouted to my dad
I wasn't ready for this, I wasn't strong enough to deal with Riley yet.
"Baby don't talk to your dad like that, he is just trying to help"
That was all it took "Don't call me that Riley, I am not your baby"
"Bells cut him some slack, he hasn't seen or heard from you in 7 months. He is your husband and deserves better"
The tears pricked my eyes and my anger started to build, the anger I had been holding for months "DESERVES BETTER!"
I turned to Riley who was now looking as white as the net curtains and was fidgeting nervously
"What do you think Riley? Was Mike better than me?"
"Maybe I should go, give you a chance to calm down" Riley was heading for the door but was stopped when Charlie stood in his way.
"No one is going anywhere until I get some answers"
Charlie's expression was cold and there was little emotion in his face, I had never seen him like this
"Something hasn't been adding up the past 7 months and when Rose told me you were coming here Bells I had to get the two of you together and find out what it was"
How could she? I am going to kill Rose.
"Dad, I can't do this, not yet"
"Rose said you would say that and said not to let you get out of this so sit, you to Riley. I'm gonna make some tea, I still have some of that herbal stuff you like Bells. I think we should all be nice and calm for this"
I sat staring at my feet, I could see Riley from the corner of my eye, he was still very pale and fidgeting.
"I'm sorry" It was so quiet I wasn't sure if I was meant to hear it but as I looked at him I saw a lone tear fall down his cheek.
"What are you sorry for?"
"I never meant to hurt you, please don't tell your dad. I couldn't stand it if I lost my job"
"You never answered my question, what are you sorry for?"
"Everything, please don't do this to me Bella"
The desperation dripped from his voice but I couldn't believe it, he wasn't fighting for me but for his job. Listening to his pleas gave me the strength I needed
"Don't do what? You did this Riley not me"
Charlie came in with the tea and a beer for him
"You think I could get one of those Chief"
"No son you need a clear head, there is a tea there for you too. Now who wants to start?"
We sat silently for five minutes before I heard Charlie clear his throat and begin to speak again.
"OK seeing as neither of you want to start, I will. Riley for the past 7 months you knew where your wife was but made no move to get her back. Bella, you walk out on your husband and refuse to tell anyone why. I don't know about either of you but that strikes me as a little odd."
"I told Rose and Alice"
"You told them what happened? Everything?" Riley's hands started to shake as he looked between me and Charlie"
"I know Bells, Rose said she knew but that I should here it from you so why don't you tell me" Charlies face was so sincere and he looked directly into my eyes as he spoke.
"O.K Dad"
"Wait, Bella please don't do this" Riley pleaded with me to stop but I had to do this
"Riley was having an affair, I came home early one day and caught them together in our bed"
It wasn't as hard as I thought it was going to be, telling my dad. After seeing how scared Riley was I felt stronger, knowing I had some form of control over the situation helped me.
"Hold the phone Bells, earlier you asked if Mike was better, tell me that's short for Michaela"
"Nope" I answered popping the P. I started to feel the familiar shame at not being enough for my husband but was quickly brought out of my musings when I heard Charlie turn his wrath on Riley.
"MIKE WHO?"
"Um Ch Ch Chief, maybe you should try to calm down"
"Don't tell me to calm down, I trusted you with my daughter, treated you like a son and this is what you do"
Charlie's nostrils were flaring and the veins in his neck were bulging. I hated to agree with Riley but dad needed to calm down.
"Bells, get my gun"
"Dad, please you need to calm down, he is not worth it"
"No he's not worth it but you are. I should have seen this and protected you from it I'm sorry" and just like that he went from raging anger to sobbing with his arms wrapped around me.
"It's OK daddy, I'm going to be OK"
The room was quiet except from a few sniffles coming from me and Charlie until Riley stood
"I think I should go"
"No shit Sherlock, it only took you what, 5 minutes to figure out you are not welcome" I heard a big booming laugh and a door close.
"Jeez Bella, sarcastic much?" There stood my brother in law
"Didn't you hear her shit head, GET OUT before I get my husband here to through you out" and my fiercely protective sister.
Just as Riley was leaving my dad walked over to him.
"I can't throw you off the force for this but you better stay out of my way, are we clear?"
"Yes Chief" and with that Riley left.
…...
After Riley had left, Rose and I made dinner while I caught her up on what happened before she arrived.
We ate in silence, the things unsaid hung in the air. Dad and Emmett offered to clear up seeing as we had cooked so I went up stairs and lay down in my old room.
I had only intended to rest my eyes but I must have fallen asleep, I was woke by a gentle tap on the door.
"Bells, can I come in?" My dad stood in the doorway, his eyes were bloodshot and puffy from crying.
"Sure dad"
I sat up on the bed and Charlie sat on the bed beside me and took my hand in his
"Rose told me what you said about getting married so young, how you felt forced into it"
He wouldn't look at me while he spoke and squeezed my hand when he said "Forced".
We sat on my bed for hours and I told my dad about how I felt growing up without mom and how I just wanted to make him proud. I told him how I wanted to be like Rose and so chose to ignore the signs that my marriage was not normal.
I also told my dad that it was Mike Newton and not Michaela as he had wished it was. He sat listening to everything I had to say silently, never commenting until I had spilled my heart out.
"Bells, I have always been proud of you and I know that it was my fault you grew up so fast. You always had an old head on your shoulders so I treated you as older than your years. I'm so sorry Bella, I love you so much and wish I could take it all back"
"Dad, you made me the person I am today and I am grateful for that so I wouldn't change it. Lets leave the past in the past and move forward, what do you say?"
"I say how did you get to be so wise?"
"Not wise dad just sick of regrets, life is too short"
And there in my childhood bedroom with my dad I felt my heart start to heal.
…...
I had been back in Forks for 4 weeks. I decided to stay with my dad for a while and try to rebuild our relationship. I had started an admin course in Port Angeles and had started to see a councilor about my feelings of inadequacy, I was slowly but surely starting to find myself again.
I couldn't help and think of Edward from time to time, Rose had said he came to the bar to see me a few times but I knew I had to fix myself before I could see him again.
How many of you feel sorry for Riley? Nah me neither.
I made this chapter a little longer as that seem to be what you all want. Please keep reviewing and let me know what you think.
Next chap we will see what Edward has been up to …...
Thanks to those of you following the story, you can find me on Twitter crazy4cullen104.
