Charlie POV
Charlie had arrived home from work to find an empty house. He grunted. Bella was probably at the Cullen's house. Edwin or whatever, liked to keep her close. He didn't really mind but ever since his daughter had stormed in, announcing she had to leave, only for him to get another call, telling him that she had fallen down a flight of stairs, he'd been cautious.
The clock chimed six. Where the hell was she? She would usually be here, cooking dinner, unless she was working. No, tonight was one of her nights off. He decided to give the Cullens a call. When there was no answer, he tried her cell. He heard a distant ringing from the kitchen. Bella never left her phone. She was always rushing about and it could only be a bad sign if she had left it.
He checked all over the house and finding no sigh of life rang the first person he could think of.
"Black residence."
"Billy its Charlie. Look, I don't suppose Bella is with Jake or at La Push?"
"Haven't seen her for a couple of weeks. Neither has Jacob. Why don't you try the Cullens?"
"I did. No-one's picking up and her phone was left in the kitchen. She's practically attached to that phone."
"Alright Charlie, I'll get Jake to bring me over and have some of the others take a look locally. Don't worry Charlie, we'll find her."
Charlie murmured his thanks and hung up. Billy dialled the phone.
"Clearwater residence."
"Harry, it's Billy. I need you to check out the Cullen place. Charlie's panicking as Bella's missing."
"Do you reckon they might have something to do with it?"
"I hope not. Check it out and I'll call Sam."
He replaced the phone and dialled the Uley residence.
"Sam, its Billy. Bella's gone missing. Harry is checking out the Cullens but I need your help."
"I'll do what I can."
Charlie stood outside, holding a mug of something that Jacob Black had pushed into his hands. It had been two hours. Harry had arrived about an hour ago, telling him that the Cullens had moved away. They'd closed up the house and everything.
"Sam's out there. He'll let us know if he finds anything."
"I know. I'll give it another five minutes and then I'll get out there myself."
"I'll help Charlie."
He thanked Jacob. The kid was decent and caring. He'd known him all his life. Ever since that dreadful day when Renee rang in floods of tears saying that their daughter was gone. He would not survive that a second time around.
There was a rustling in the bushes. Sam held the figure of a young girl in his arms. Bella! He ran over and took his daughter. She was freezing.
"Thanks Sam, I have to see to Bella."
"Don't worry about it, Chief Swan."
Charlie carried her into the house and into her room. He removed her coat and placed her fully clothed, under the covers, removing her shoes. Billy and the others shouted their good-byes. He'd thank them tomorrow. He looked down at his sleeping daughter. Her breath was rasping and there were tear stains on her cheeks.
That first week was hell. Bella stayed in her room, not coming out no matter what he said. He rang her work and gave her apologies. He deflected calls from school and college friends. He ordered in every night.
Then, one morning, he woke to find her in the kitchen, making a fry-up. She returned to her daily life, working hard, cooking and cleaning. But she wasn't really there. Not mentally. One day after a dull day at work, he got home to find her in her room. She was having a clear out. Then he recognised that the stuff was things she had received from the Cullens.
"Baby, what's going on?"
"I never wanted this stuff. I can't have it here. Would you be able to leave it at the Cullens?"
"You know they're not there right?"
She froze and he feared that she would burst into tears.
"I know that but I don't want it here. I can't go to that house pops but if you won't go, then this can all go in the trash."
I wasn't having any of that. So I promised that I would go.
The house was isolated and depressing. The doors and windows were locked so I left the stuff behind one of the bushes, near the front door. When I arrived home, Bella didn't mention it.
The first time I heard from my daughter, was about four years ago. A letter arrived with s New York address. It was short and concise.
Mr Swan,
My name is Isabella Marie. Fourteen years ago, according to my birth records, I was born in Forks, Washington to a Charlie and Renee Swan. Due to unforeseen circumstances, I was taken from Forks and brought up with a different family. I have since been placed with several families and my name has been changed. However, the facts remain that I was born Isabella Marie Swan.
I appreciate that it has been fourteen years and that you and your wife may have had more children. I'll understand if that is the case and I wish you all the best. If you are willing to meet then I have included my contact details. I'm currently living and studying in New York. I have recently been awarded an emancipation order, so you need not feel any obligation towards me.
Personally, I would like to meet, even if it's this once. Please write back, whatever you decide.
Bella
XxX
I couldn't move. Couldn't think. I could hardly breathe. My baby girl is alive! I had to get out of here. I rushed down in the cruiser to Billy's. I hammered on the door.
"Wait a minute, where's the fire? Charlie, what is it?"
I thrust the letter in his hand. He glimpsed it and motioned me in. I collapsed on the sofa.
"When did you get this?"
"I saw it today and came straight here."
Billy grunted and wheeled over to me.
"Charlie, I want you to be very careful about this. We need to think."
"What is there to think about? This is my daughter."
"I know Charlie but even so, if this proves true, then you'll have to be sure what you want to do. You'll have to call Renee and let her know. But I think the first thing you should do is get a blood test."
"A blood test? What the hell Billy?"
"This may be a scam. I don't want you to get hurt."
"Ok, well do you think I should give her a ring? See if she'll agree?"
"Sure, sure. But first think. If this is Bella, she may not want the same thing you do. She says here she's emancipated and that here name's been changed several times. You can't expect her to slot right in after all these years."
"I realise that Billy. But I feel in my heart that this is her. I mean, she found me, not the other way around. And she writes that she would like to know me. I can't not try."
"I know Charlie. I'll support you through this."
Good old Billy Black. He's always been there for me. First when my mother died, then when I first met Renee. Especially when she left...
We decided that I would give her a call. If she wasn't there, I would leave a message. The phone rang for so long that I was about to hang up, when I heard a sleepy voice at the other end.
"Hello."
It was her!
"Hello, is anyone there?"
"Erm, is that Isabella Marie?"
"Speaking."
"My name's Charlie Swan. I received your letter today."
"Oh, hey there Charlie. What can I do for you?"
I was almost too nervous to answer.
"I'm sorry but I need to ask you something. Would you be willing to do a blood test?"
"A blood test? Sure, if that's what you want."
Well, that was good.
"If you want, we could meet somewhere and have it done. It will take a few weeks for the results to be ready. I can come to Washington if that makes it easier?"
"Alright, I hadn't thought of that. We'll meet in Washington and get the test done."
"Alright. I'll book it and let you know the date. I have to go now but thanks for ringing."
As she put the phone done, I felt tears run down my face. I hid it in my arms and Billy put his arm around me.
"Let me know when the test is and I'll come with you."
She called the next day. The test was booked for the following weekend. In one week, I would be meeting my daughter for the first time! That week, my concentration was shot. I spent most of it at Billy's. He put up with my nervous temper. My snide remarks. My silences. Harry came over one night and Billy filled him in.
"I hope it all turns out well for you Charlie. Do you want me to come with you?"
"It's alright Harry, I said I would."
"Actually Billy, I appreciate the offer but I need to do this on my own."
"Sure. Whatever you say Chief."
The day arrived with torrential rain. The same rain that was there on the day my daughter was born. I left early for Washington. We were to meet at the hospital. There was a young girl in the waiting room. She had long hair that was a mixture of chocolate brown and dark blonde with streaks of red and purple. I tapped her shoulder. She snapped to attention.
"Sorry, is your name Isabella?"
"Bella. Yes. You must be Charlie Swan? Pleased to meet you."
Her eyes were chocolate brown, tinged with amber flecks. She had small features, just like Renee. We sat in silence, neither of us sure what to do. After a while, she brought out a sketch pad.
"You like Art?"
"Uh-huh. It's my life."
I watched as she started to sketch something. My name was called first. I watched her stuff whilst she had her turn.
"Do you want to go for something to eat?"
"Okay, sounds good."
Over lunch, we were both tense and focused on our food. When the bill came, I reached for my wallet.
"Wait, you don't have to pay for mine."
"It's okay, I'll cover it."
"Please don't. I'm sorry, it's a thing I have. I go by the premise of if I don't work, I don't eat and if I can afford it, I'll buy it."
"Okay but it's no bother."
"Thanks anyway but I'd rather pay for myself. I don't like people buying me stuff. Not if I have the money."
"Alright, I'll pay for my own."
She smiled. Her eyes lit up and the tension left her face. We both went our separate ways. For now at least. That night, I called Renee. I had already told her about the letter and she had been eager to fly over. However, Billy warned that until the results were out, we should hold fire.
"How is she? What does she look like?"
"She's beautiful Renee. She has you features and my eyes but with flecks of amber. Her hair is like mine, except for splashes of blonde, red and purple."
I could hear her tears in the background. She wanted to meet her and I promised that she could once the results were here.
"Oh I don't care about that. I want to meet her."
"I know but let's wait..."
"Alright already. For God's sake Charlie, this is our daughter. You don't need to be so careful all the time. Live a little."
She put the phone down.
A month later, I met Bella in Washington for the results. They were positive.
"So it's official. We're related."
"Can I be honest with you? I didn't really think about what would happen if the results were positive."
"I did."
I found we were gravitating to the restaurant from last time. We ordered food again.
"Bella, I understand if you don't want to, but would you like to stay with me for a few days? I know Renee wants to meet you."
"You're not married anymore are you?"
"She left a few months after you disappeared."
"I'm sorry."
"It wasn't your fault. We weren't that great for each other."
"Do you miss her?"
"Yeah but she's happier where she is. She remarried. He sounds like an alright guy."
Our food arrived then, ending the conversation. We paid and left the restaurant.
"Charlie, I think I would like to stay for a few days, if the offer's still there?"
"Of course. Can you spare the time?"
"I brought work with me and I talked to my lecturers before I came."
The drive to Forks was silent but not uncomfortable. It seemed neither of us had a problem with silence. I pulled up at the house and we grabbed her stuff. I showed her the house and her room. After she had vanished, I left her room as it was for about a year. It was only at Billy and Harry's insistence that I put the furniture in the attic. Renee had painted the room a bright yellow, to cheer the place up.
"Here's your room. Come down when you're ready."
That night, we ordered pizza and watched the game.
"Sorry, I'm not much of a cook."
"That's alright, I like pizza."
"I was thinking of going to La Push tomorrow. If you don't want to, we can go another day."
"What's La Push?"
"It's the first beach at the North American reservation. Some of my old friends live there. There's Billy Black and his son Jake, Harry and Sue Clearwater with their kids, Leah and Seth."
"That sounds fine Charlie. I think I'll go to bed now."
"Goodnight honey."
We arrived at La Push by mid-morning. Billy's son Jake came out to meet us.
"Jake, this is Bella. Bella, this is Jake."
I watched the two shake hands. I could tell that Jake was already head over heels with her, so I left the two to get acquainted. Billy looked up from the game, expectantly.
"Well, where is she?"
"I left her with Jake. They'll come in when they're ready."
Billy grunted but said no more. I guess he was peeved that I hadn't brought her in. I couldn't really blame him. We didn't have to wait long before I heard their footsteps.
"Well it's about time. Let me look at you."
Bella stood in front of the wheel-chair bound Native American. She noticed that he, like Charlie still looked good for their age.
"Hello Bella, I'm Billy."
"Hello sir."
"None of that sir business."
He smiled but anyone could see he approved of the girl's demeanour completely.
From that day on, Bella would have a permanent place in Billy's heart. He had been impressed by her ability to see people for whom and what they were. She did not judge or make comments on their way of life.
Her first stay in Forks was a success and Charlie hoped that it would be the first of many. He was aware that the small town was by no means in the same league as New York but Bella slotted right in. She was someone who did not care much for grand houses or material things. If only he could convince her to transfer...
Present day
The first time I met my daughter, I marvelled at her strength and determination. Her confidence. Now I find that I can barely look at her. It feels like I've lost her all over again. I hope to God that the Cullens never return because I will kill them myself.