Chapter 13

Today I was going Christmas shopping but, to tell you the truth, I hadn't the faintest idea on what to get everyone.

I was going to get Charlie some new fishing gear which he was going to have fun reading the instructions. I could just picture him in the floor with the equipment spread out around him and reading the instructions, cursing under his breath.

I went into the jewellery store and had a quick look around. I decided to get Paul a string bracelet that said per sempre il mio amore which basically meant forever my love in Italian. Yeah, it was cheesy, but it would do. I got the rest of the boys the same thing only it said something different on it.

Per sempre il mio piccolo fratello for Seth which meant forever my little bro.

Per sempre il mio fratello grande for the others other than Sam which meant forever my big bro.

Per sempre il mio babbo for Sam which meant forever my dad. Yeah, it's weird, but I see him as a dad.

After I was done I went home and finished up a painting I was doing. I had done one each for Leah, Kim and Emily. Each of them had a big picture of all the wolves together and then one smaller one of their lovers. I really hoped they liked them.

I had finally done that I trudged down stairs and decided to watch a movie. I really, really, really wanted to see Paul again, but he was patrolling. That was the reason I went shopping to take my mind of the new ache in my chest. The ache that only appeared when Paul wasn't here.

The phone started to ring and ran to it, hoping against hope that it was Paul ringing me to tell me he was on his way to me now. No such luck.

"Hello" I said breathlessly into the phone.

"Hello is this Miss Swan speaking?" a calm female voice asked me.

"Yes it is, may I ask who's speaking" I said.

"This is Forks Hospital. I am afraid to tell you that your father has been injured while at work and is in surgery."

"Oh no" I whispered, my voice cracking as I fought back tears. "Is he going to be okay?"

"We are unable to tell right now. Can you please come to the hospital" the woman replied.

"On my way" I said and ended the call before rushing towards the door. I ran to my new car- Paul got it for me because my other one was damaged beyond repair and the other one was missing- and went as fast as I could towards the hospital.

"Hi" I said to the receptionist. "I'm looking for Charlie Swan?"

"He's just in surgery now" said the woman, smiling kindly, but sadly.

"Thank you" I whispered and sat down on one of the seats. Then the flood gates open and I sobbed restlessly for about an hour before my eyes had no more tears left to cry.

My phone vibrated in my pocket and I answered, my voice cracking. "Hello?"

"Bella? Where the fuck are you?" Paul's voice demanded.

"I'm at the hospital" I choked out.

"Oh my god, are you okay?" he asked urgently. "I'm on my way."

I could hear his motorbike growl into life quietly in the background as he spoke.

"I'm fine Paul" I said, and I heard him sigh in relief. "It's Charlie, Paul, Charlie's hurt and he's in surgery."

There was a pause and then he said "I'll be there in five minutes."

And then he hung up and I was left to my misery once again.

"Miss Swan?" the receptionist called over to me. "You're allowed to visit him now, though he's still asleep, but he should wake up in about fifteen to twenty minutes. He's in room 54."

"Thank you" I said, then hesitated. "If some guys come in here saying they're here to see him, can you let them through?"

"Of course, dear" the receptionist smiled kindly.

"Thank you" I repeated to her and rushed to room 54.

There, under the white hospital sheets, was my father, lying there and looking like he was dead, but the monitors proved to me that he wasn't. They were beeping merrily at me like nothing was wrong.

"Bella?" a voice behind me said and I turned to see Paul standing there.

"Paul" I sighed and he crossed the room in one stride. He pulled me into his arms and kissed me tenderly. The kiss me I felt like he was trying to make me that everything was going to be alright, and trying to believe that everything was going to be okay himself.

Then he pulled me into his lap as he sat down in a spindle wooden chair right next to Charlie's bed.

"Hey Bella" came Billy's gruff voice from the doorway about three very long minutes later. "How is he doing?"

"I don't know" I choked out, still staring at my father's unmoving body. "He still hasn't woken up yet."

"Give his body time to heal itself" Jacob tried to sooth me, pushing his father into the room and sitting down next to him.

Next, the doctor came into the room with a grim expression on his face and I jumped off Paul's lap, my face full of terror.

"Is everything okay, doc?" Jacob asked worriedly.

"I have some good news; and some bad news" the doctor sighed.

"Please don't play games with me doc, this is too scary for that" I whispered and the doctor nodded.

"The good news is that your father's body is mending itself beautifully" the doctor said, examining the charts. I had a feeling he was doing this so he didn't ahve to look into our eyes when he told us the bad news. "The bad news, I'm afraid, is that your father has cancer."

I crumpled into Paul's lap again, my expression frozen in whatever expression had been on there before the shock took over my body. Underneath me, Paul was frozen like a rock. My eyes flickered towards Billy who had tears in his eyes and toward Jacob, who was frozen just like Paul was.

"Is there treatment?" Paul asked quietly, pulling my shacking body towards him.

"I'm afraid not" the doctor replied sadly. "The cancer has been inside him for too long."

"How long till he...?" I couldn't finished the sentence. This just wasn't happening. It just wasn't real.

"He has about three weeks, maybe four; five giving it a push. It all depends on the person."

I nodded dumbly, leaning against Paul for support. It was like the life had been drained out of me and so much despair that not even tears to could wash away. But I would be strong, for Charlie. He didn't need me breaking down at his time in need. That wouldn't help anything at all.

"Bella?" Charlie groaned, waking up.

"I'm here, daddy" I whispered, moving closing towards him and plastering a smile on my face.

"What's wrong?" he asked, suddenly sharp. Damn it.

"I don't know how to put it..."I trailed off, tears forming in my eyes which I blinked back.

"How about straight?" Charlie chuckled. I turned away into Paul's chest. Thankfully, Billy carried on for me.

"I'm sorry, Charlie, but you have cancer" Billy said quietly, his voice cracking slightly. This wasn't the strong, invincible Billy I knew so well. This is the Billy I knew was deep down, the Billy who carried about his friends and family.

Charlie was silent and I think he went into shock, but I didn't dare turn around to check.

"Well, I always knew it would happen in the end" Charlie muttered.

I turned to look at him and saw that he didn't seem to care. I just had to roll my eyes at that.

"Well, have long have I got?" Charlie sighed, looking at me.

"Three to five weeks" I whispered in reply so my voice wouldn't crack. "The doctor said it's most likely four weeks because five is a bit of a push."

"Are you okay?" he asked me worriedly and I let out a strangled laugh.

"You the one in the hospital bed with cancer and you're asking me if I'm okay." I stated. "Still the same old Charlie."

I sighed and looked at the ground. God, I don't know what I would do without the strongest man I ever knew. This just didn't seem real. It just couldn't be.

MUST READ AN

AN: I was just wondering whether or not I should bring the Cullens back into the story. I'm planning on doing a vote. Those who want them in my story can you review 'YES' and those who don't review 'NO'. THANK YOU!

It's a bit aghast-y but I promise it will get better in about five chapters on.

Thank you to:

SoundsLikeAPersonalProblem, BeckyBoo12221, Birdie31293, MilitaryGirl124, Lilsterz, Anastasiac, Bloomsky and Serenityalexis for putting my story on your story alert.

Thank you to:

SoundsLikeAPersonalProblem, Karebears1981, AliceCarlisleFan, BeckyBoo12221, Ccampbell542588, Lilsterz, Tianna Silver, Anastasiac and KisssaCullen for putting my story on your favourite story list

Thank you to:

BeckyBoo12221 for putting me on your Author Alert and putting me on your favourite author list

And for all those who reviewed:

Jacob Black rulez: thanks lol

AliceCarlisleFan: Updating as fast as humanly possible

Your-one-and-only: That's what I have been debating. Should I bring them back or not? If I do, I'll problem put Edward down as helping Vicky or disappearing off to Africa never to return. There is no way in hell am I letting him near my girl. What do you think? Should I bring them back or not?

MigratingCoconuts06: Yeah, so am I. But I'm a massive fan of Bella/Paul and Bella/Seth. They get my votes: D

Twimore: Merry Christmas to you too. Three days left till Christmas day for me.

Baby mama in training: Thanks. I felt that in the book Bella's graduation wasn't that good because of her figuring out that the newborn army was after her so I decided to change it a little.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all who read this story

~Poison Ivey

P.S Please don't hate me for killing Charlie. You'll see why I did it later on in the story