Beta/proof reader/ advisor: Maria Vilson

Chapter 13

Charlie's Rants

Charlie's point of view.

After I dropped Bella off at her car I have to say that I did feel a sense of relief, especially pertaining to the father issue. I had a feeling she knew I wasn't her biological father when she said she needed to have a talk with me.

It actually scared the living hell out of me. I was so afraid she was going to tell me to back off, because let's face it I've never been much of a father to her. I mean, I've tried but Renee' just wouldn't let me have as much time with her as I wanted.

All I asked for was to let Bella spend summers with me. I knew that Bella needed an education and there was no way I'd take her out of school, but all she would give me was a month during summer and every other Christmas.

I sighed, thinking of how Renee' had the upper hand over Bella all our daughter's life. It kind of tickled me that Bella wouldn't have anything to do with her now that she lied about the paternity. I know it's not funny, but Renee' brought this all on herself.

I used to love the way Renee' presented herself. She was so care free and flighty when she was young, but once you have kids and get older you have to let that go and take on a more responsible roll, especially as a parent. But not Renee's she's still just as flighty and carefree as she ever was.

I don't know how Phil can stomach it. I know he's a lot younger than she is and that in itself makes me wonder if he'll tire of it as well, that is once he reaches the ripe old age of forty. I chuckled at myself shaking my head.

But, in reality I am glad that Bella still thinks of me as her father. I know her biological father was killed, and without sounding morbid or unfeeling and keeping in mind I would never tell Bella this, but I'm kind of glad he's gone.

I'm not saying he wasn't a nice guy or anything, it's just I felt a little threatened by him. He had all rights to Bella as a parent, and I just couldn't take it if he took her away from me. I'm just being honest here and if that makes me a monster, well, I just joined the minority of monsters surrounding me…

I guess.

The one thing I do worry about is the fact that she's a Slayer. What happens if one of those bloodsuckers hurts her? I mean I know Jake will be there and so will the rest of the guys, but what happens if she's alone? I know she says she can handle herself and maybe she can, but hell, I can't stand the thought that she could be out there alone and possibly be killed by one of those parasites.

I've seen her face and now that I know what did that to her, even if it was done early in her training, it still scares the living hell out of me. What was that Adam character thinking leaving her alone to fend for herself so early in her training, I sighed.

When I first saw her at the house in Forks, and she told me she had been in a car accident, I knew she was lying. Bella may be able to do lot of things, but lying isn't one of them. Of course it could have been caused from an accident, Lord knows Bella's had enough of them throughout her life, but I just had a feeling that scar didn't come from any car accident.

Just like the Cullen's tried to pull that bit about Bella falling down two flights of stairs and through a window. I knew that was bogus from the beginning. I mean, in a hotel of that size they reinforce those windows with steel. There's no way she would have went through one of their windows so easily.

I couldn't explain it at the time and God knows I didn't have any proof, but I know now. And even if I had proof back then what was I going to charge them with, pushing her down the steps? There was no way I could have made that charge stick. Besides, Bella would have just lied to protect them; they had her in their throes or dazzled her or whatever the hell you want to call what they were doing to her at the time.

I also realized that most of the accidents that happened to Bella when she came to live with me were indeed because of them. I just wished there was something legally I could have done to them.

I sure as hell couldn't bring them in because they were vampires trying to save my daughter from another vampire who had set his eyes on her and wanted her for himself. Besides, I'd be laughed right out of my position as Chief of Police if I did something like that.

Shooting them wasn't an option either. The bullets would have just bounced right off of them. I guess I could have gone and burned their house down with them in it, but with my luck it would have been one of the nights Bella snuck out of the house to be with them and I'd be guilty of killing my own daughter.

Yes, I knew she snuck out from time to time. I didn't do anything about it because she was already eighteen; I wanted to protect her not shove her openly into their arms. I shook my head again, trying to push it out of my mind unsuccessfully.

I was glad they left when they did. Even with what it did to Bella. I hated how it affected her, but at least she had Jake, and thank God he pulled her through that horrible mess.

And I'll never forget that face Sam wore when he brought her home to me when she was lost in the woods, after that idiot left her out there all alone. His face was as scary as Bella's was. Sam was truly bothered by finding Bella in that condition. I'm sure he still has nightmares of that night every so often, poor guy.

Everything that had happened to my baby girl has all been because of the Cullen's. They brought her into their world and exposed her to all sorts of supernatural idiocies. Well, before she should have been anyway. I might be relieved that her biological dad is dead, but the one thing I have to thank him for is his part in sending the Cullen's away. That was the best thing he could have done for her.

I know I threw a fit when she told me she was leaving and I did… A royal rampage of a fit, but I hated that she was leaving me again. We had finally gotten rid of the Cullen's, Bella's getting better things are finally starting to settle down again, and then Jake starts.

I swear what's a father to do? It wasn't enough that Renee' kept her away from me all those years, now Bella wants to leave…again, because her and Jake had a fight! I shook my head, as I thought back to that time.

I hated that she had to go. I understood that she was going to college and I welcomed it because I knew that's what she wanted, but I hated that she never returned, not even for visits and I have to admit I was a little peeved at Jake.

I realize now why he did it as I'm sure Bella does, but at the time I wanted to shoot the idiot. I chuckled. Of course I would never shoot him, Jake's an okay guy even though he turns into a fur ball, and his dad is my best friend.

I found out about the supernatural world on accident actually. I was headed to Billy's to pick him up to go fishing, and when I arrived I saw Jake and Sam arguing over something or another, it was then that Jake began to visually shake like I've never seen anyone do before and before long it wasn't Jake standing there, but a horse size reddish color wolf.

Of course that shocked the living hell out of me and once Sam realized what I had saw made his way to me after telling Jake or the wolf that was once Jake to go run it off, ushered me into Billy's house as both Billy and he explained what I had just witnessed. So no, the supernatural world is no surprise to me. Accept when it comes to my daughter of course…I sighed.

I missed Bella so bad over the time she was gone. I was never as glad as when she showed up at the house in Forks for a visit. Well, I guess it wasn't a visit and now since she's here and going to marry Jacob, I know she'll be here for the rest of at least my life.

I know I was aggravated with her when she wanted to move out of the house, but I was so afraid of losing her again, I wasn't thinking, that she would be here on this Reservation forever, and when I thought that a huge smile grew on my face.

It was true that Billy and I have been pushing Jacob and Bella together since birth. It's always gone a little haywire from time to time, but it looks like in the end we won out. Even Sarah, Jacob's mom thought that they would end up together and I guess we were all right in our assumptions.

To tell you the truth I haven't been this happy since the day I married Sue…

Sue, I thought to myself, the true love of my life. That woman could cause my body to do things a man could only dream of. God I love that woman, she's everything to me. I always thought she was special even when Harry was alive, but I would never say or do anything to cause them any pain. Hell, Harry was one of my best friends.

He, Billy and I spent what time I had off work on the river fishing, which was most weekends and holidays. His death was a traumatic blow to me. The worst part of his dying was that he did it while Bella was going through her zombie stage after the Cullen's left.

I helped Sue the best I could with the kids, in buying food when needed, or even paying a bill now and then as did Billy and the rest of the council. Sue and I grew closer as time went on and five years later I was proposing marriage.

I remember that day. I was scared out of my wits. Afraid she'd turn me down and wouldn't allow me around her and the kids for even suggesting such a thing to her. But my fears were unfounded when she said yes followed by happy tears.

I know they were happy tears because I thought I had done something wrong and was hyperventilating when she assured me she wasn't hurt or angry, that her tears were those of happiness. I let out the breath I was holding and she laughed as I slipped the ring on her finger.

The kids were happy about it as well. I guess they kind of liked me, I chuckled. I always tried to keep in touch with Bella, but could never reach her this time. I even called the tribal school where she was teaching and they told me she didn't work there any longer.

That's when I began to worry and started calling everyone, all I could think of trying to find her. Even Renee' hadn't heard from her, but I guess that was after the big fight between the two of them.

I knew how Bella was, and if she was hurt with what her mother told her she was probably stashed away somewhere licking her wounds. I just figured she would contact me when she was ready. I didn't hear or see her again until she walked into the house in Forks.

Anyway, the wedding was perfect. Emily offered her assistance with the food and Sue was ecstatic with the offer and accepted. Do I have to tell you how the food tasted? I think not…that woman is a goddess in the kitchen. Sam is one lucky man, I tell you that. The pack helped out as well by building a platform for dancing.

They helped with tables, chairs, and whatever else was needed for the guests' comforts. Leah and Seth decorated and did a real good job as well.

The Wedding was amazing. When Sue made her appearance hanging on Seth's arm, man was she beautiful, the most beautiful woman on the whole Reservation I swear, and once I set eyes on her no one else existed but her and me. I can barely remember the preacher asking his questions; as a matter of fact, I think I answered mechanically without even thinking about it.

And the honeymoon was also amazing. The guys on the force pulled together and got us a room at a ritzy hotel and resort in Port Angeles. We spent three whole days in that room only coming out to eat. It was really romantic. Even though I'm not much of a romantic, Sue has been teaching me what a girl likes and what turns them on the most, so I'm learning.

Bella seemed really happy that I married Sue as well. She hugged me and told me I deserved to be happy and wished us both well. I really think she meant it. And I am happy, I've got Sue and her kids and now Bella's home and getting married to my best friend's son, who's an alright guy.

I know he'll treat Bella well. He's loved her since they were two years old, so, there are no worries there. The only thing that bothers me is the Slayer thing. I sighed…but there's not much I can do about that now is there, I thought as I drove into the parking lot at the station and got out and made my way inside.

"Hey Chief, Tiffany called as I made my way to my office only to be stopped as she continued. "I hear Bella's home," she said. I looked at her and smiled while nodding my head.

"Yeah, she is," I told her proudly.

"That's great Chief, I'm happy for you," she claimed.

"Thanks Tiffany," I said as I started to walk away.

"Hey listen, do you think she'd be interested in having dinner with Embry and me some night soon?" she asked. I turned back towards her and looked at her questioningly.

"Um…you'd have to ask her Tiffany, but you had better extend that invitation to Jake as well. They're engaged to be married," I told her just in case she had other things in mind. I'm sure Embry would be mortified if he knew she asked me about my daughter hooking up with him if that's indeed what she was up to.

"Oh, really, I hadn't heard that, that's too bad, I mean, that's wonderful. Congrats Chief. I'll have to congratulate Jake when I see him…thanks Chief," she said as she grabbed her purse and hurried out the door on her way home for the day. I shook my head and smiled, before walking into my office and closing the door and took a seat at my desk.

Tiffany Call had been working here at the Forks Police Department for about five years now. She was a good worker, but she was constantly trying to find Embry a wife. She didn't know about the wolves, and it was for sure Embry never got serious with a woman for fear of imprinting on someone and causing them as much pain as Leah had gone through when Sam imprinted on Emily.

Embry was a good kid, and I've heard him many times tell his mother to stop trying to fix him up. But it seems to go in one ear and out the other with Tiffany…poor kid.

He did move into his own place after he graduated high school, just to keep his mom off his back for coming and going all hours of the night, due to his wolf duties.

I have been over it a number of times with Sue about at least telling the families of the wolves, and she agrees with me that they should know, but the rest of the council refuses to see the truth of the matter. The younger wolves have a tough time, dealing with family about the time spent away from the house or just disappearing without telling their family where they've been.

It's just not fair. I mean, these boys put their lives on the line to protect the Reservation; they deserve our respect and devotion. I just don't get how the council thinks at all.

If I know anything about my daughter, once she finds out the problems these kids are having with their families and finds out the Council is denying their dispute over letting the families know about the wolves, you can bet your ass that she'll have a few things to say to the Council. They would be stupid to cross her. I'd love to be a fly on the wall in that room when that conversation goes down. I chuckled.

After finishing what little work I had left to do I headed home. I walked into the house, yelling. "I'm home," as I hung my holster on the hook by the door. Sue came walking in from the kitchen with a smile on her face and planted a soft kiss on my lips and handed me a Rainer.

I made my way to my recliner and the small flat screen television, wishing I had something bigger to watch games on, but I didn't so I grabbed the remote and turned it to the channel that the game was going to be on just in time to hear the National Anthem being sung. I was happy that I had just made it in time to watch the game I've been thinking about all day long.

"This is the life," I said out loud, as Sue chuckled and went back to the kitchen to finish cooking my dinner. I smiled and kicked back and let out a sigh, taking a big swig of my beer.

"Yep, this is the life."

There you have what Charlie was thinking after his conversation with Bella. It's mostly a filler, but with information…hehehe…I hope you enjoyed it…thanks for reading, and let me know what you think…hugs.