Chapter 9
Charlie let me into the kitchen and motioned for me to sit down in one chair, while he plopped down in the other. He was more relaxed now, making it more difficult to determine what he was thinking. "What's up, Charlie?" I asked.
"What's going on, Jacob? Yesterday you were just friends and now all of a sudden you're dating? What changed?"
"I don't know, really. She just said she was ready to move on from, ya know, him. Charlie, I'd never hurt Bella. I want to make her happy. I really care about her."
"I know ya do, Jake. I'm just worried about her." He stood up and began pacing a path through the kitchen. His face was pulled together in the middle, almost like he was fighting back tears.
"What's wrong, Charlie? I thought you'd be happy for us." I wondered what was bothering Charlie. Was it that Bella was dating someone or was it that she was dating me? Was it just my imagination that he and I had a good relationship. What did he really think about me?
"No, that's not what I mean…" Charlie looked me straight in the face for the first time since entering the kitchen. Charlie was definitely fighting tears. Out of the blue he crossed the kitchen and stood directly in front of me. For a second I thought he was going to hit me, but instead he wrapped his arms around me in a huge hug. "Thank you, Jacob."
I froze, completely taken by surprise. This wasn't like Charlie. I'd never seen him hug anyone. "For what? What are you talking about?" I hesitantly wrapped my arms around him.
He pulled back, blushing. That's where Bella gets it, I thought. He crossed the room and stood leaning against the counter. He looked embarrassed and slightly ashamed for tearing up in front of me. "I didn't think I would ever get her back."
"Who Charlie? Bella? What are you talking about? I don't understand… I'm not trying to take her from you. What's wrong?" I didn't like seeing him fall apart this way. Charlie was a strong man, stronger than most, and I didn't know what could be so bad that it would bring him to tears.
"She's been sick, Jake. When he left her it was, well it wasn't normal." I know who he was talking about. I sensed his distaste for the bloodsucker was as strong as mine. "I didn't know what to do. I tried everything! She wouldn't talk to me, not really. She just acted, well, dead. She's been getting better since she's been spending time with you. But today, Jacob, when she walked into this house I had my daughter back. She had life back in her eyes. She even joked with me a little. I owe you for that Jacob. I owe you for giving me my daughter back." It was the longest speech I'd ever heard him give. And it meant more to me than he would ever know.
"I know, Charlie. She's getting better. I want to help her… I love her. You know that, don't you?" I had a feeling Charlie saw more than anyone gave him credit for.
"Yea, I know. Just take care of her… you're good for her. I can't think of anyone I would rather her be with. You've always been like a son to me, Jacob. Now, well, maybe someday you will be." He grabbed a bag of pretzels and headed back into the living room. "Just not too soon, 'kay Jake? Oh, and don't tell her we talked about this."
I stayed in the kitchen for a bit, trying to comprehend what had happened. Charlie was more or less giving me the okay to, what, marry Bella? It was too good to be true! I knew Bella wasn't ready for that… If she was I would find a way to put a ring on her finger right away…. But it was good to know that when the time came it would be okay with Charlie.
