AN: 'Kay, well here's the next chapter! Hope you all are enjoying this story so far!
Disclaimer: I do not own. These characters and everything Twilight belong only to the great Stephanie Meyer. Thank you!
Huge thanks to Somah for being my beta! You are the best! :D
Now, on with the show!
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Chapter 8: 'Shock'
Charlie's announcement was a shock. I wasn't expecting it this so soon either. It has only been a year and a half since Harry Clearwater, Sue's first husband, passed away from a heart attack. It was shortly after the funeral, and my return from Italy, that my father and Sue became even closer friends. He would go visit her whenever he got the chance, and she would always bring him food when I wasn't around to feed him myself. Sue quickly replaced me as Charlie's personal chef after I got married; which was perfectly fine with me considering that I was now out of the house with a family of my own to take care of, and Charlie would've been left to fend for himself with nothing but the fish that he caught everyday, again - which we all feared.
Renesmee was the first to fully congratulate her grandfather and her soon-to-be grandmother. Jumping out of Jacob's arms in an instant and running - almost colliding - into Charlie and Sue's open ones. Giving them both big smiles and bear hugs. This was turning out to be the best birthday ever for her, even though it officially was her first.
Edward and I were next to congratulate them. Edward guided me the few feet between us and Charlie and Sue. I was still stunned and speechless.
"Congrats Charlie, Sue!" Edward exclaimed, shaking Charlie's hand and giving Sue a hug.
"Wow, dad. I never expected this so soon … or at all really. But I'm really happy for you both," I smiled at them, giving my own set of hugs, trying to hide my shock.
I never thought that Charlie would remarry after mom left him when I was a baby, he always seemed so content to be single and by himself.
"You deserve this, both of you!" I added, pulling out of the hug to Sue and taking a step back to look at them together. They were really happy, it showed in their eyes and in the way they held one another.
"Thanks, Bells," Charlie Exclaimed. "That really means a lot to us!"
"Are you sure you're okay with this, Bella?" Sue asked, squeezing my hand. She could see how worried I was. "You'll not only be gaining me as your step-mom, but you'll also be getting a brother and sister as well."
"Yea, I'm fine Sue," I nodded and smiled, glancing over to where Seth and Leah now stood in the corner of the living room together, still in shock also. "I don't mind having a new brother and sister either, considering I already call them family, especially Seth." I laughed.
"Yes, Seth sure has taken a liking to you all!" Sue admitted, chuckling to herself. "And Leah's getting there in her own way."
We all laughed at her statement as they turned to accept congratulations from the rest of our friends and family.
After a few more hours of congratulating the newly engaged couple and visiting with our guests, Charlie, Sue and Billy were ready to call it a night. Renesmee was already fast asleep in Edward's arms as we sat together on the couch.
"Well, Bells. I think I'm ready to hit the sack. And it looks like Billy there's ready to go, too," Charlie laughed as he got up form the couch and pointed over to Billy, who was nodding off in his wheelchair by the front door.
"Alright, dad," I chuckled at the sight. "I'm really glad you came today!" I got up from the couch and gave my father another hug and kiss on the cheek.
"Me too, Bells. Me too," Charlie whispered in my ear as we hugged. "Don't ever forget, I will always love you, no matter who, or what, you are now."
"Thanks, dad. I love you too," I gave him a final squeeze before releasing him. "Drive home safe and sleep good." He smiled back at me and leaned over to kiss the top of Renesmee's head, whispering "good night" to her and Edward.
I turned to say good night to Sue, who was still talking to Alice.
"Alright, we'll be in touch soon about the wedding plans!" Alice exclaimed as she gave Sue a quick hug.
"Yes we will, thanks again, Alice. I really appreciate your help!" Sue agreed, smiling back at Alice before turning to face me.
"Thanks for coming Sue," I said, reaching out to her.
"You're very welcome, Bella," Sue smiled warmly at me, giving me a big hug. "And happy birthday!"
"Thanks, Sue," I smiled back at her. "Have a safe drive home and sleep well. We'll see you later!"
"We will. Take care, Bella. Good night," Sue said, turning to Charlie and Billy, who were waiting patiently for her at the door.
After they left, along with the rest of the pack - except, of course, Jacob - to go either patrolling, or home to bed as well; I took one more glance around the room before returning to Edward and Renesmee on the couch. Tanya, Kate and Garrett had taken Benjamin, Tia, Siobhan, Liam and Maggie on a quick hunting trip - they were still trying to get used to drinking animal blood and casually being around humans. Emmett and Rosalie had opted to join the hunting party. I could hear Carlisle, Eleazar, Carmen and Zafrina talking around the dining room table; Senna and Kachiri were there with them, quietly listening - they never spoke unless spoken to. Esme was floating around the house, cleaning up from the party. Alice and Jasper had gone up to their room for the night. Edward still sat on the couch with his eyes closed, enjoying this father-daughter time with Renesmee. Jacob lounged out on one of the armchairs, looking like he was about ready to pass out as well. Nahuel was on the love seat, laying his head on Huilen's lap, also trying to fight off sleep.
"I think it's time to take Renesmee home and put her to bed," I suggested warmly, walking up to Edward, who opened his eyes and met my gaze. Nodding, he effortlessly got up from the couch without moving our sleeping daughter.
"Nahuel, would you like to come with us and sleep in our spare bedroom?" I asked, turning to face them with a warm and inviting smile on my face. They had been so quiet during the whole day, keeping to themselves most of the time, and taking it all in. Being around this many people - vampire, human and werewolf combined - and this much love, can be a lot to handle when you're not used to it after one hundred and fifty years of living.
Nahuel looked up at me with extremely tired eyes, not entirely sure how to answer my question. He must not have gotten much sleep before coming here. "It'll be much quieter and you can sleep for as long as you like, we don't mind," I assured him.
Earlier in the year, we added a spare bedroom for Jacob to sleep in when he was out on patrol, and when he wanted to be closer to Renesmee during the night. We may not have been okay with him sleeping in the same room as her, but we didn't mind that they shared the same roof every now and then. This made him happy, and made us feel better about them being together. Right now, he was acting as her babysitter as well as her big brother.
But, tonight, we would let Nahuel sleep in that bed for as long as he needed and wanted it.
Nahuel nodded to me, sitting up from Huilen's lap, and sleepily muttered, "Thank you. I would like that very much," he yawned at the end of his response, and stretched as he got up
"You don't mind if I sleep on the couch then, do you, Bells?" Jacob asked, as he also got up from his chair to joined us.
"No, of course not, Jacob," Edward answered, still carrying his daughter, sound asleep in his arms. "You're always welcome, you know that."
We said quick hugs good night to those still in the house, and set off for the cottage.
When we reached our home a minute later, Edward quietly put Renesmee down in her bed as I showed Nahuel and Huilen where the guest room was. Huilen came with us, not wanting to be away from her nephew; she was still getting used to being around us. When I returned to the living room, Jacob was sprawled out on the couch, he was out before his head hit the pillows. I lightly covered him with a blanket and kissed his cheek good night, then turned to tuck Renesmee in with a kiss of my own, then joined my waiting husband in our own room.
~End Chapter~
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AN: So, what did you think? Please let me know! Your revies, especially right now, will help immensly for what's to come! So don't be afraid to be a cridic; good, bad, whatever!
I think now I'm just going to update regularly, like every few days or so until I catch up to all that I have written so far. So stay tuned for more updates! :D
