When Klaus walked back in the living room, he was greeted by Bella jumping in his arms, making sure he was alright. He considered pushing her away for a second, just so he didn't anger Charlie any more than he probably was but as soon as Bella touched him, he couldn't do anything else but hold her closer to his heart. If he hadn't stayed, who knew what would have happened with Edward...

"I'm fine Bella… I'm much stronger than he is… It's like a chihuahua puppy with no teeth going against a real fully grown wolf with shark teeth. He didn't stand a chance!" Klaus soothed her.

"I told Charlie the basics… I figured you should go into the details with him…" Bella said as they both turned toward Charlie. She tried to hide her yawn.

"You should go to bed and get some sleep Love… It's already 3 AM and you have school in the morning… I'll explain everything to your father and pick you up in in time for school." Klaus replied.

"I agree Bella, you need to sleep." Charlie said.

"I'm not leaving the two of you alone right now!" Bella protested.

"Listen Love, even if he gets scared and shoots me, I won't die. And you know me better than to think I would kill him if he gets angry or angers me… I love you too much for this!" Klaus reassured her.

"Fine, but if I hear shouting I will come down…" Bella warned them.

"We'll be fine Bells, you go to sleep. We'll talk in the morning." Charlie said.

Before she went upstairs, Bella took the time to watch her father carefully. He seemed to be taking things pretty well so she decided to let it go and go to bed. She kissed both men on the cheeks, giving them the same warning "behave, both of you!" before she walked up the stairs and closed the door to her room.

"So you're a thousand years old vampire who's also half werewolf? I've got to say you don't look your age at all!" Charlie asked as soon as they were alone.

"I know this is a lot to spring on you Charlie but if there is one thing you have to believe is that no matter how dangerous I can be to the rest of the world, I am not capable of hurting Bella. I truly love her." Klaus replied.

"I believe you… I see the way you look at her… I trust that she's important to you and that you'll protect her." Charlie replied.

"I'll answer any question you might have…" The vampire said.

"What were you doing in my daughter's bedroom earlier?" The chief asked.

Klaus groaned internally. Out of all the things Charlie could have asked him, he decided to ask him about this?

"We didn't… I didn't… she asked me to stay with her, just holding her… I know she's not sleeping too well here because of the rain so I agreed but I swear nothing happened besides some kissing earlier!" Klaus justified himself.

"What was the problem with the younger Cullen?"Okay, she Charlie seemed to be taking things well and to trust him... It was a nice change for the man who had been betrayed all of his life by everyone he met. he liked it.

Klaus then proceeded to explain everything to the man. He told him everything about his kind of vampire and the Cold ones, the Cullen's. He told him what he knew of Edward's behavior and what he did to prevent it from happening again.

"I never liked that kid much… his brothers are fine but him… he looks…weird." Charlie replied, making Klaus smile.

They talked some more, Klaus told his future father in law about the Quileute and that Billy Black knew about him. When the clock showed it was 4:30 Klaus said:

"I'm sorry I kept you up so late Chief… You have to go to work soon… I should go and let you sleep some…"

"Yeah… I should at least get a couple hours of shut eye before I head to work… but I still have questions…"

"If I'm still allowed in your house I will come over tomorrow after driving Bella home from School. Why don't I invite the three of us to a restaurant?" Klaus suggested.

"Good idea… it will give Bella a break from cooking. Okay, I'll go to bed… You can… Well, you can go back to Bella as long as you don't… Yeah… Or you can show yourself out… as you wish…" Charlie said, blushing and proving he truly was Bella's father.

"Bella's asleep now, I'll go home and come back in the morning to drive her to school." Klaus replied with a small smile, shaking Charlie's hand before he left the house and ran home.

Charlie walked up the stairs and chuckled when he saw the light of Bella's room on. He opened the door to see her asleep. He turned the light off and went to his room, happy to know that his baby girl would always be safe thanks to the man who loved her and hoping that the Cullen's wouldn't stay in town for long or that they'd at least keep Edward away from his only daughter.

Klaus might be older, but he was strong and truly wanted what was best for Bella. He liked him and didn't mind including him in his family… Edward on the other hand… he'd welcome him with a shotgun…Or a flame thrower.

.

When her alarm woke her up the next morning, Bella was still a little tired and had a hard time getting up. When she managed to drag herself out of her bed, she went to the bathroom and got ready. She could hear her father moving around in the kitchen. She got ready, thinking about the previous night and everything that happened.

When she got back in her room, dressed and ready for school, she noticed that Klaus had forgotten his jacket and, with a smile, she took it, planning on putting it on.

"Good morning Bells. You look like you could do with a few more hours of sleep…" Charlie said when she entered the kitchen.

"Yeah… How do you look so fine? You had even less sleep than I did…" Bella asked as she drank her father's cup of coffee. He didn't even protest.

"I'm used to not sleeping much Bella."

"So, how did it go last night? You didn't ban Klaus from the house did you?" She asked him worriedly.

"No, I didn't. We'll all talk some more tonight at dinner but I'm fine with it… I approve of the two of you together Bella; I trust that he will keep you safe."

"Great!" Bella cheered as she grabbed a granola bar and ate it.

.

Right as Charlie was about to leave the house to go to work, Klaus arrived and gave him some vervain aftershave, telling him it would prevent him from being compelled by vampires if he ever met some. Charlie thanks him, took the bottle and left for work while Bella greeted Klaus with a shy kiss on the cheek.

"Oh, so we're in the awkward morning after are we." Klaus chuckled as he walked with her to his car.

She blushed and looked down.

"Don't worry sweetheart, like I said, I'm willing to take things as slow as you need." He smiled softly as he started the car and drove toward the school.

On the way, he soon realised that he was followed by Edward's silver Volvo with his siblings inside. The Cold one was acting like Klaus was driving too slowly and blocking the road... he just wanted to annoy Klaus... Well, mission accomplished!

"Is he following us?" Bella asked when she noticed what he was watching.

"He's driving way too close for that… he wants to challenge me… Well, I guess he'll soon find that his pathetic little Volvo can do nothing against my car. We're much faster." Klaus smirked before her drove faster and made Bella squeal.

Soon, they were at school and the Cullen's arrived only a few seconds later.

"No need to look so smug Klaus!" Bella said.

He laughed and put his arm around her waist, bringing her closer to him just as the Cullen's walked out of their car and toward the two of them.

"I just hope word of this doesn't get to Charlie... it wouldn't help us!" Bella whispered.

"On the contrary Love, I think your father would love the speed once in a while... Trust me!" He replied with a small smile.

As he watched the Cullen's walking closer to him he said:

"Here we go… Stay behind me Bella, Love." Klaus whispered to her.

So, what do you think of this chapter?

What is going to happen next?

REVIEW please!

Lorelei Candice Black