Steph OWNS it!!! Thanx Beta Sw1m4L1fe

Charlie's POV

Chapter 21

I woke up the next morning with a crick in my neck. I had slept on the sofa in Harry's living room and it was not a good night. I kept having dreams and one hell of a nightmare about Harry. In the nightmare, I was at Harry's funeral. I was trying to comfort Sue; I was hugging her and rocking her back and forth in my arms. All of a sudden, Harry sits up in the casket and looks over at me. I froze with Sue still in my arms. Harry had this crazed look in his eyes.

"Charlie!!!, Get the HELL off of my wife!" Harry shouted.

Harry began to climb out of the casket and walk over to me. I dropped my arms and Sue jumped up screaming and backing away from us. Just then, I realized that the church was empty. There was no one at the service but the two of us. Just as Harry was about to grab me by my jacket, the nightmare switched.

I was sitting alone in Harry's boat on the lake. I knew I was at the lake that Harry and I would always go to fish at, but it looked different. The tree tops were a bright green as opposed to the dark green that normally covered them. The water was a clear crystal blue. I could see myself perfectly in its reflection. The sun shown bright above me and a warm breeze washed across my face and I could smell the flowers that circled the ground. Lilies… they were lilies. I could smell them; the perfume was so strong and rich. I looked across the water and I could see Harry standing in the grass. He had a huge smile on his face. He was wearing all white and he was barefoot. I waved at Harry, and I tried to row the boat over to meet him.

"Harry! Harry! Wait, I'm on my way!" I reached over to pick up the oars, but I stopped dead in my tracks when I saw Harry walk into the water and gracefully walk over to the boat. I rubbed my eyes to make sure I was seeing clearly.

"Hey old man!" Harry climbed into the boat, and his clothes weren't even wet.

"Harry? How did you…" I was speechless.

"Don't worry about that. It's a special trick I can do now. He has taught me a lot." Harry looked up and nodded his head toward the sky and smiled. I looked at my friend who looked so peaceful and happy.

"Harry, what is all of this? Why am I here? Why are you here?"

"Charlie, this is my favorite place. You know this wasn't just our place. I brought Sue and the kids here all the time. I love it here. Look Charlie, we don't have much time. I just wanted to thank you. After I left you all in the hospital, I watched you for a while. I was worried that you would back out of our deal. I was relieved that you stayed with Sue. She needs you Charlie, you know she does. As for the kids, they are going to be fine, I know it. Charlie, just be patient. I know it feels like this is never going to end, but it will. Everyone is going to be fine. Just know that I will be watching Charlie, you are not alone in this."

I sat and listened. That was all I could do. I didn't cry, I didn't speak, I don't even think I was breathing. I mean, it was a dream, so I doubt I needed to breathe. I just sat there.

"Well, I have to go now. I love you Charlie…really I do."

"I love you too Harry."

"See you later old friend."

"Goodbye Harry." Then he was gone, and I woke up.

What has gotten into you Charlie? Snap out of it. These dreams are crazy. First, Harry is trying to kill you from the grave for holding his wife. Now, he is speaking to you from his own personal heaven.

I stood up from the sofa and stretched my legs and arms. I cracked my back and neck and turned around to fold up the blanket that I slept with. Just then, Seth was walking down the stairs. His eyes were red and puffy and he looked exhausted.

"Good morning Seth, how are you feeling?" Seth took a deep breath and forced a smile.

"Morning Charlie, I'm hanging in there, just…you know." Seth sat down on the sofa and flipped on the television. He flipped to ESPN and found some college soccer game that was on. I think it was UNC vs. Elon University. I sat down next to him and tried to lose myself in the game. I could tell Seth was trying to do the same, but he clearly had something on his mind.

"Seth? I know this is hard for you. You and your dad were really close. He talked about you all the time. He was so proud of you, Seth. You're grades, the fact that you are a good respectable kid…" Seth turned to face me, and he now had tears in his eyes. He was fighting with all he had to keep them in but it was pointless. One by one, tears overflowed in his eyes and fell down his cheeks.

"You know Charlie, last night when we got back from the hospital, I ran to my room and locked the door. My mom came to talk to me and I yelled at her. I told her to leave me alone. I could hear her crying at the door, but I couldn't bring myself to open it. All I could do was sit in the middle of my bed and cry. My dad is gone, Charlie, he told me to take care of my mom and sister. How? How Charlie?!" Seth was staring me dead in my eyes with fear and pain written all over his face.

"Seth, I have never been a man of many words, but I can tell you this: your father believes in you Seth. I say believes because even though he isn't here, he is watching you, Seth. I know you're scared, but you will not go through this alone. Seth, you, your mom, and your sister are so loved by so many people. Don't think for one second that I will let you take all of this on your own. I am here, Seth, I'm not going anywhere. I can promise you that. If you need anything, I will be here. I will be there at your football games next year to cheer you on. Your dad told me he knew you would be great at it."

Seth furrowed his brow at me and tilted his head to the left as he wiped the tears from his face.

"Did my dad tell you I was joining the football team at school?"

"I told you Seth. Your father is proud of you. I wasn't lying when I said he talked about you all of the time. He spoke of you and Leah often." Seth smiled at me and shook his head before taking a deep breath.

"Thank you Charlie, really, thank you. I don't know how we would get through all of this without you. You have been here every step of the way so far. You have your own life and your own kid. And here you are picking up the pieces of my family. My dad was… is lucky to have friend like you."

"I'm lucky to have your father as my friend too." Seth and I settled down on the sofa and we found ourselves getting lost in the soccer game. UNC was up by two goals and the game was starting to get good. I just hoped that the day would continue on a somewhat positive note, given the circumstances.

************************************************************************

After the game, Seth and I headed off to the kitchen to find something to eat. Seth was only fourteen, but he was growing almost as fast as Jacob was. While Seth pulled out some lunch meat and bread, I decided to run upstairs and check in on Sue. It was well past eleven in the morning and it wasn't like Sue to sleep in.

"Hey Seth, I'm gonna go up stairs to check in on your mother, okay?"

"Oh, sure Charlie. I'll just make the sandwiches, turkey or ham?" Seth held up two packs of lunch meat in his hands and grinned from ear to ear. I couldn't help but smile back. I think we both felt better and we were in much need of laughter. I hurried up the stairs to check on Sue. I walked down the small hallway on the second floor. I knocked softly twice, not wanting to wake her if she wasn't already up.

"Sue? Are you awake?"

"Come in Charlie, I'm awake." I took a deep breath and eased the bedroom door open. Sue was curled up in Harry's old torn arm chair that he put by the window. The sun was coming in through the window and Sue had her eyes closed with wet tears still sitting on her cheeks. Her knees were at her chest and her chin was propped up on her knee caps. I noticed she was wearing one of Harry's old flannel shirts and a pair of his sweat pants. Both were way too big for her, but for some odd reason, this was the most comfort and peace I had seen on her face in a while. I crossed the bedroom and sat on the edge of the bed facing Sue.

"Hey, how are you this morning? I thought you might have slept in." Sue turned to face me and she smiled a soft half smile that barley reached her eyes.

"No, I have been up for some time now. I didn't sleep well. I kept having dreams…well, you know. I kept dreaming of Harry. The first couple were well awful, but the last one…Charlie, do you believe that people can speak to you after they have passed on?" Sue's smile faded and she looked worried. All I could think of were my own dreams I had last night. If Sue was having dreams too, I guess Harry had some last things get off of his chest before he left.

"Yes Sue, I think it is very possible. I mean, I had my own dreams of Harry last night. I have to say, they were the most vivid dreams I have ever had in my life. Sue, you do know that everything is going to be okay, don't you?"

"Charlie, it was so real. I was sitting right here in this chair, curled up in Harry's lap. He stroked my hair and kissed my forehead. He told me to let go; that everything was going to be okay. We sat right here and watched the sun set. The window was open and I could feel the cool air on my face. I could smell the Camellia flowers from my garden. Harry just held me and told me not to be afraid. Charlie, I have never felt that kind of peace in all of my life. And you want to know what really made me believe it was real? When I woke up, I didn't cry…my husband just died and I am having dreams about him, and I didn't cry. So, it made me think. You know, I love him so much Charlie. I can still smell him in this room, see him in his clothes. Charlie, when Harry took his last breath, I felt like someone had knocked the wind out of me. I couldn't breathe right at all yesterday, and after waking up today…I could take a deep breath without bursting into tears or gripping my chest because it felt like a bulldozer was running over me. Am I crazy Charlie, or a bad wife for not feeling that way anymore? Harry died yesterday, only yesterday. I should be hanging my head. I should be curled up in that bed crying and not wanting to see anyone. What's the matter with me Charlie?"

I couldn't speak; I just sat at the foot of the bed for what felt like an hour, looking at Sue. She dropped her head and I saw a tear forming in her right eye.

"Sue, please don't cry. You are not a bad wife. Harry loved you so much and you loved him. You still love him. Sue, it's okay. Harry wouldn't want you to dwell on this. You know that. He would tell you to "suck it up woman, go plant some flowers." Sue looked up and smiled know that is exactly what Harry would have told her. And Sue, you are not crazy. I had a dream just like that last night. I wasn't going to say anything because I didn't want to upset you, but I can't have you thinking you were going crazy. Maybe Harry was here, or maybe we just have very vivid imaginations. Either way it's okay, Sue."

"Thank you, Charlie. We are so lucky to have you in our lives. I don't know how we would get through this without you… Oh gosh! I forgot, um is Seth up yet? I should go check on him." Sue started to rush to her feet, but I could tell she needed more time to herself and her thoughts.

"Seth is fine. He is downstairs fixing something to eat. I'm not sure about Leah…I will go in and check on her if you would like?"

"Thanks, that would be great, Charlie. I think I still need some time to wrap my head around things." I hugged Sue and walked out of the room shutting the door behind me. I walked to the door across the hall. Luckily, it had Leah's name on a pink banner across it, so I knew where I was going. I didn't have to knock very hard because the door was slightly open. I tapped on it and announced myself before I entered.

"Leah? You in here?" I looked to my left and I saw Leah sitting on the floor by her bed looking through an old photo album. She was wiping tears from her face when she looked up and saw me.

"Hey. Sorry for bothering you. Uh, I told your mother I would come check on you."

"Look Charlie, I don't want to talk, okay? Just please leave me be. I don't want to see anyone. I am fine."

"Um okay, I understand. Um, if you're hungry, Seth is making lunch. It's your house, so you know where the kitchen is. I'll close the door on my way out."

I didn't say anything else. I just walked out of the room and closed the door behind me. I knew Leah was going through a lot, and I didn't want to impose on her grieving. I was already out of my league trying to help with Sue and Seth, and I didn't want to push Leah too fast. She and Harry were very close. She is the oldest and she had always been his little girl. I went back downstairs to have lunch with Seth. Once I finished my sandwich and Seth finished two, we cleaned up and were on our way back to the couch when Sam and some of the other members of the tribe came to the door. Sam brought some of the elders with him and their wives. Seth welcomed them in and just as I was going to tell Sue, she was already on her way down the steps. She greeted everyone and I decided to take my leave and go see Bella. It was getting late and I wanted to see her before she went off to bed. I drove past Billy's house to see if her truck was there, and it wasn't, so I figured she was home. When I pulled up, I got out of the cruiser and Bella met me halfway down the walkway. I was still a bit out of it and emotional. I had been thinking about Harry on the ride home and it showed on my face. Bells hugged me and I couldn't let her go.

"Hey dad, I'm sorry about Harry." I finally let her go so I could look at her.

"I'm really going to miss him."

"How is Sue doing?"

"She's hanging in there. Sam and some of the elders are with her now." Bella stopped me just before we reached the steps of the house. She bit her lip which usually meant she had something on her mind or something she needed to tell me.

"Um, Dad? You'll never guess who's here." My brow furrowed at that then I realized there was a black Mercedes parked across the street. I didn't think anything of it as first. Before I could react, I looked up at the house and my jaw dropped.

"Alice Cullen? Alice, is that you?" Alice stood on the front porch smiling and waving at me. I was in shock. Then, my heart dropped. If Alice was here, then that boy had to be here too. My blood started to boil. I didn't want to seem too suspicious, so I asked about Carlisle instead.

"Is Carlisle…?"

"No, I'm alone." That was good news. Bella was doing so well; she didn't need a visit from…Edward.

"Dad, can Alice stay with us for a few days?"

"Of course she can. Besides, I'm going to be busy with the Clearwater's, so it will be nice for you to have some company." Bella, Alice and I walked into the house. It was getting late and Bella looked so tired. Her eyes were red, her hair was a mess, and she looked washed out. I hadn't seen her in two days and she looked like she had been through World War Two. I shrugged it off and figured it was just Bella being Bella. She left dinner for me on the table and she went up stairs to bed. Alice sat across from me at the table and I could see that she wanted to talk.

"How bad was it Charlie?" She sure didn't waste any time. I could tell this was going to be a long talk.

"Really bad." Alice rubbed her forehead and took in a deep breath.

"Tell me about it. I want to know exactly what happened when we left." I took a deep breath myself and settled into my seat to relive one of the worst times of not just Bella's life, but mine and her mothers, too.

"You better get comfortable Alice, this could take a while."

OK SO HERE IT IS CHAPTER 21, IM SO SORRY IT TOOK ME FOREVER TO UPDATE I HAD MIDTERMS AND MY SPRING BREAK WAS CRAZY!! PLUS MY AWESOME BETA SW1M4L1FE WENT TO ITALY FOR HER SPRING BREAK AND I DIDN'T WANT TO BOTHER HER WITH EDITING SHE DESERVED A GOOD BREAK J I WILL UPDATE SOON!!! PLEASE R&R!! THE BUTTON IS RIIIGHT BELOW THIS NOTE!! GO ON… HIT IT… YOU NOWWW YOU WANT TO. HEHE!