Fire 14
The Cullens showed up several hours later. Charlie and Edward were still talking by the time they pulled into the driveway. Charlie walked out with Edward to talk to Carlisle I presume.
I stayed inside and waited for him to return. I had decided while they talked that perhaps it was time to tell Charlie. I text-ed mom to get the permission to do so.
I could understand her reluctance to admit what she did. I just hoped that after all this time she would have found a way to tell him. I received a return text that basically said.
"do you have to?" I groaned
C'mon could mom be anymore childish. I decided to go with my gut instinct and tell him. I walked towards the door and out it. First of all I needed to get rid of the Cullens.
Charlie was arguing with Dr Cullen about something and honestly I wasn't sure what it was.
"Perhaps another time" said Charlie.
He had a finality in his tone that I recognized from all the times I had gotten in trouble. I reached into the van and opened a bag.
"Oh don't worry dear the boys can get your bags" said Esme.
I looked up at her. She was sitting in the passenger seat with a worried look on her face. Her gaze was riveted on Carlisle and Charlie.
"That's ok were kind of in a hurry" I said
Ok it was a lie but I needed them gone. She looked sad for a few minutes. I turned briefly when I saw movement behind me to see Edward and his brothers carrying more bags then I knew I had.
They headed for the open door to the house.
I frowned at there retreating backs. Charlie and Carlisle had ended their discussion on a somewhat calmer note and Carlisle walked back to the van.
"Isabella" he said
He nodded in my direction. I honestly felt horrible about ruining their trip.
"I'm sorry I had to bail on you" I said
He smiled at me
"Its all right Isabella we are just glad you got home safely" said Carlisle
Esme reached out and rested her fingers on my arm.
"Me too dear if there is anything you ever need don't hesitate to call us" said Esme.
The boys came back to the van empty handed and climbed in the van. Edward stopped in front of me.
He smiled at me and said,"I guess I'll see you Friday then"
I blinked in shock. I completely forgot about that promise. Before I could respond he was in the van and it was pulling away. I swore under my breath and headed for the front door.
Charlie was right behind me. I knew he would want answers and this time he was getting the real ones. I closed the door after he entered and looked out the small window to see if the Cullens were gone.
When I turned back around Charlie was sitting in his chair with the remote.
He clicked off the television and set it down on the arm of his chair.
"Now would you like to explain to my why your mother called here in hysterics and told me to get you home by any means?" said Charlie
I sighed and sat on the couch. This was going to be a long night.
"Dad I have to tell you something about mom that is probably going to piss you off" I said
He frowned and sat back in his chair.
"Go on" he said
Oddly he didn't sound surprised by my statement. Then again he had known her for awhile before marrying her. So he probably wasn't too shocked that she kept secrets from him. They were divorced after all.
"You remember grandpa's show?" I said
He frowned so I knew he did.
"Yeah crazy old religious coot thought your mom was some sort of faith healer, why?" said Charlie
I sighed this was going to be hard to explain to someone like Charlie. Even I hadn't believed it until Monticello confirmed it .Of course he had been trying to drown me at the time.
"Well she was" I said
Charlie made a scoffing noise and looked at me in disbelief
"I can't believe you bought into that old man's lies" said Charlie
I took a deep breath.
"It isn't a lie I saw her do it, on me" I said
I waited for charlie to scoff again. Instead he leaned back again and actually looked like he was shaking.
"Your right though before she came to forks the act was a fake" I said
Charlie nodded as though I had confirmed something that he knew all along.
"When they got to forks they were doing a show in La Push" I said
I waited for him to show he was following me.
"One of the elders had a child he had been mauled by a bear" I said
I really wanted to say what he really had been attacked by but now wasn't the time for shape shifters and the cold ones whatever they were.
"Anyways they brought this child forward and grandpa put him off until later" I said
Charlie frowned and I could almost see where his mind was heading with this.
"Mom felt horrible because she believed grandpa's lies and wanted to help this boy" I said
Charlie was looking quite sad now and I knew he could almost picture what I was saying in his mind.
"So mom decided she needed to pray" I said
Charlie snorted. He probably couldn't picture Renee looking at all religious. I took another deep breath and looked Charlie in the eye.
"Something answered her but it wasn't the lord" I said
Charlie visibly stiffened and his eyes went wide in a mixture of shock and terror.
"It was something powerful to be sure but more vile and no it wasn't the devil before you jump down that path" I said
I couldn't tell if Charlie was believing me or not but I needed to tell him the my mind I was chanting please don't think were crazy.
"It was an old creature they call themselves the unseelie court, he calls himself Monticello" I said
Charlie visibly stiffened at the name.
"The same Monticello Renee claimed to date?" said Charlie.
I nodded yes because I remembered the stories we used to tell Charlie to keep him away from all this.
"Except they never officially dated but they were lovers for one night" I said
I let my words sink in and waited for Charlies response. He ran his hand down his face and said "continue"
I shifted and thought about what I was about to say and hoped he wouldn't toss me to the curb for what I was about to admit.
"She made a bargain with this creature, one of course he corrupted ultimately" I said
Charlie seemed to be buying my story despite its supernatural overtones.
"What was the bargain?" Charlie asked.
"In exchange for the power to really heal she agreed to one night with him and he had dibs on any resulting offspring" I said
Charlie looked completely calm one minute then livid the next.
"You this is what all this about he wants you?" said charlie
He practically yelled the last part. I sighed and nodded yes.
"She broke her part of the bargain and refused to let him take me when I was younger" I said.
"Is that why?' said Charlie
He started to say something more but couldn't finish it.
"He tried to kill me, yes" I said
Charlie scrubbed his hands down his face.
"Why don't you take all this stuff up to your room I'm going to call Renee" said Charlie
I nodded yes and started picking up bags. Charlie watched me go with a strange look on his face.
"Ah bells please tell me at least saved some money for gas this week" he said
He nodded towards the bags. I frowned because I really hadn't wanted to say anything about it.
"I didn't pay for most of this stuff even though I tried to" I said
Charlie snorted and glared at the bags like I had brought a pet snake into the house.
"Just you make sure that boy doesn't think he's getting anything for buying you stuff" said Charlie.
I smirked finding it ironic that I had been thinking the same thing at the time. I grabbed a stack of bags and headed upstairs.
Set them on the floor of my room and went down for more. Charlie had moved to the phone in the kitchen and I could hear some of the conversation.
"Please tell me you don't believe that" said Charlie
I shook my head and grabbed another bag off the floor. At least I could truthfully say I never lied to charlie. I took the last of the bags upstairs on the third trip.
I flopped back down on the bed and lay down . Charlie knocked on my door.
"Bells I'm going over to Billy's there's something I need to ask him I'll be back a while later do you want me to pick something up from the fosters freeze?" he said
"yeah their grilled chicken ranch sandwich meal" I said
My stomach growled reminding me that I had missed dinner with the Cullens. Even though I was the only one that ate. Of course it had been Chinese food though.
Even if I did eat Emmett portion too. Damn I must have looked like a complete pig. I closed my eyes briefly and my eyes fell on a bag I didn't recognize.
I leaned over and plucked it from the stack. it was from a jewelry store i didn't remember visiting. I pulled the small flat box from the bag and opened it.
Inside was an Italian charm bracelet with one link already in place. It said Seattle on the charm.
I frowned I know I didn't buy this because it looked expensive. Which left only one other person who would.
"Edward" I muttered
I shook my head and laid the box on my nightstand. Frowning I dug through the bags and came up with several things I know I didn't buy.
Several Cd's, the bracelet, some books I already had copies of. I rolled my eyes at the copy of Jane Eyre. A few video's I had looked at a little too long at the movie store and clothes.
I knew who I had to thank for those and the shoes were most likely her or even Rose perhaps.
Esme I honestly didn't expect to want anything to do with me now. So I found it touching that I found several candles in one bag.
I would have to remind myself not to light those until the fumes were completely gone from my room.
It took until Charlie got home for me to be completely done putting things away. I raced downstairs when I heard the cruiser.
Charlie walked in looking grim and carrying two bags and a drink carrier. He set them both on the coffee table. He gave me a funny look when I reached for the bag.
"Bells how do you feel about that Cullen kid?" he said
His eyes looked troubled and I wondered why.
"He's ok I guess a bit old fashioned but I suppose its ok why?" I said
Charlie frowned
"Are you planning on dating him?" said Charlie
"No not really but I did say yes to the movies Friday night why" I said
He opened his mouth to say something then shook his head no.
"No reason bells just probably some old wives tale" he said
I tilted my head sideways suddenly intrigued.
"Old wives tale about what?" I said
He shook his head waved his hand in dismissal and picked up his soda. He took a drink before replying.
"Just some stupid Quilliete legends but don't tell them I said that" said Charlie
I frowned in confusion because I was lost by what he was saying and also intrigued. I took a sip of my soda and snagged one of my fries.
"Like what?" i said
I loved old legends particularly native ones.
"Ah just something about wolves and something called the cold ones" said Charlie
He reached for the remote and I knew conversation was over. I snagged the rest of my food and headed upstairs.
"Don't stay up too late bells your suspension is up tomorrow and I don't want you to be late your first day back" said Charlie
"I won't I'm just going to make sure I've got everything done so I can turn it all in tomorrow." I said
Charlie grunted and then ignored me for whatever sports was on TV.
I climbed the stairs double checked my work like I said I was going to do.
Found one math page I missed. Jammed through the problems until I couldn't keep my eyes open any longer. Then I took a shower and headed for bed.