A/N Thank you, thank you, thank you for all of the wonderful reviews! I love getting alerts!
Disclaimer: All characters of Twilight are owned by Stephanie Meyers. No copyright infringment is intended.
RPOV
"How ya doing, Keek?"
I peered around the door frame in to the guest room that Charlie had used. I had initially intended for her to go to Carlisle's study, but she had taken in Charlie's scent as we approached the room and that was where we landed.
"Better. Thank you." She answered, smoothing the mink throw over her lap. There wasn't a bed in this room, but she had made herself comfortable in one of the oversized chaise loungers by the large window.
I glanced out the window watching my family and the pack finish clearing the yard. The smoke from the burning vampires had died down and the piles were just smouldering ash now. We hadn't sustained any losses, but there were a some injuries; a few broken bones for the pack and a both Carlisle and Esme had received a bite or two.
And of course there was my husband.
"Babe, I'm sorry I didn't tell you I was hurt. But I didn't want your attention to be on me." He explained while we held each other during our quick reunion. He had lost a hand during a particularly violent attack. I didn't hesitate to give him a smack on the head after I had finished holding his overzealous ass. Apparently there had been a lull in the attack, and while they were taking the time to dispose of some bodies, Em had run ahead into the fray with a few wolves.
I took the chair across from Keeki and followed her gaze out the window. She had a wistful expression and I knew only one thing that could give her that look.
"Thinking about Charlie?" I asked quietly. "He will be back very soon. He is bringing one of the pack members who was hurt out in the field." Peter had sent messages to all of us that Maria was dead and that Carlisle needed to be ready to help Leah. Of course the pack already knew that Leah had been hurt, and they didn't hesitate to take Carlisle's offer of help.
"Yes." She answered. "I…"
"What is it Keeki?" I place my hand gently on her ankle.
She turned and looked at me, a pensive look appeared on her face. She opened her mouth, then closed it and shook her head.
"You can talk to me you know. What ever you say will stay within these walls. Everyone is still outside cleaning up. Obviously." I motioned out the window.
"I just can't get him out of my head. I have been alone for so long and I am just confused as to what we are to do now. Clearly, there is something happening between us. I have never felt this way." She looked at me again. "But… I am not sure how this is all going to work." She sighed.
Keeki had been Vampire for almost three centuries. And from the little bits and pieces she shared of her life, there weren't many male suitors in that time.
"You will figure it out." I answered. "Together." I added as I stood and placed my hand on her shoulder. "Will you be okay for a few minutes?"
"Of course." She smiled. "I will be down in a bit."
"Great. Charlie and the others will be here…now, actually." I glanced back out the window and saw that the others were with him.
"I will come." She said as she blurred past me to the hall.
I just laughed as I followed her to greet them.
CPOV
I raced through the forest with a human Leah in my arms. She moaned with every jostle and bump. I tried to be a careful as I could, but running at this speed even a vampire couldn't be gentle.
"Just hold on Leah. We will be to the house in just a few moments."
She nodded slightly. "Thank you." She whispered.
I did my best to keep my focus on the injured wolf in my arms, but Keeki kept slipping back in. Damn vampire brain. I couldn't wait to get back to her, but at the same time I couldn't understand my reaction to her; I wanted to have her as mine for always.
She is my mate.
I broke through the tree line at the edge of the Cullen's property and was greeted by four snarling wolves, Sam and Billy. Jake was in the driver's seat of an old pickup. I didn't believe the wolves would hurt me, I figured their reaction was due to their injured sister… who was in the arms of their natural enemy…yeah, it was me they were snarling at.
The area surrounding the house was still foggy with purple smoke, evidence of the battle that had occurred. Carlisle rushed off the deck where he and the other Cullens were standing in quiet solitude while the wolves milled around the yard.
"Charlie." Billy said by way of greeting as I placed Leah carefully as I could in to the bed of the truck.
"Billy." I nodded to him and turned to Carlisle. "She is in a tremendous amount of pain, but she passed out just before I entered the yard."
Carlisle moved closer to the truck and Billy reached out and grabbed his arm, flinching slightly at the contact.
"We will allow you to come to the Clearwater's home. You are the only one who can help her now. You will be safe, you have my word."
Esme appeared at Carlisle's side with his doctors bag and another duffel that had been sitting on the deck. "I would like to come with my mate, if you would allow. I can help him with anything he needs. He has trained me well over the years." Esme said in her quiet and soothing tone.
"That would be fine, and I thank you Mrs. Cullen." Billy moved to the passenger door as Carlisle hopped in the back of the truck, extending his hand to his wife.
"Seth, Paul and Embry will stay for a while until you are sure the threat has been eradicated." Billy said as he slowly worked his way up on to the seat.
"Thank you, Charlie. Thank you for bringing her back to us."
"It was an honour to help…my friend." Billy blanched at my words, then nodded.
Jake started the truck and began the journey back to the Rez. I looked up to the sky and watched the plumes of smoke that were filling the sky. The fire was massive and out of control, something needed to be done. I imagine that someone had already called the fire department, there was no way the fire had gone unnoticed this long.
"Seth!" I called to the boy, he had phased back and was making his way towards the house. "Do you have a phone on you?"
"Ya. I do Charlie. Why what's up?"
"Call 9-1-1. I am sure the fire has already been reported, but it won't hurt."
I watched as he ran up the steps on to the deck and grabbed a small phone off one of the tables. "On it Chief." He said just as the door opened.
There she was.
Mine.
She smiled when she saw me, but didn't exit the doorway. I waved to her and rushed towards the stairs to join her.
"Hi!" I exclaimed like a teen. "Uh, I mean, hello. How is your leg?" I mentally slapped my forehead looking down at my worn boots.
Keeki chuckled lightly. "It is better. But it will be better when I feed."
I whipped my head up and met her eyes. How did I not realize? I knew what red eyes meant. But when I first met her I only noticed their beauty.
"You can't!" I said a little too loudly. Panic shot through me as the need to protect her from my enemies took over.
They are not your enemies.
"I beg your pardon?" She said taken aback from my outburst. "Why not?"
"Because we have a treaty with the wolves." I pointed towards Sam and Embry. "Vampires are forbidden to hunt humans here. You will have to go away from here."
"Oh. No problem, I understand. I don't need to go right this minute anyway. I will be alright for another day. Just as long as I don't need to fight."
The thought of her fighting produced a low rumble in my chest as I fought another outburst.
"Dad!"
I spun on my heal to see my Bells running full speed in my direction. I leaped from the deck and met her in the yard, pulling her tight in my arms.
"Bella! Are you alright?!" Of course I knew that she was. She wasn't dead. I still couldn't help but hold her out at arms length and check for any scratches or burns.
"I perfect Dad. You are safe, Jasper is safe, my family is safe and the fucking bastards are dead." I couldn't help but laugh as she waited for me to chide her for her use of language.
"Dad? Is that her?" Bella asked pulling away as Jasper joined us, giving me a pat on the back.
"Um. Yes, that is her." I smiled at Keeki, who was now chatting with Emmett and Rose. She was trying to be covert, but I could see her watching my exchange with Bella. She had a smile on her face and had covered her heart with her hand when I was hugging Bella.
"Keeki. This is my daughter, Bella. Bella this is Keeki, my mat- er…Rose and Emmett's friend." This time I actually did smack my forehead with my palm.
Jesus Christ, scare the poor woman away.
Rose let out a snort at my awkward introduction and the others tried, unsuccessfully, to hide their snickers.
"Oh, just let it out Chief. She is your mate. Say it with me: Maaaaaate." Peter sauntered over with his arm around Charlotte.
"Peter!" Bella, Rose and Charlotte shouted. Emmett and Jasper didn't hide their amusement this time. Keeki and I had out eyes locked on each other. I nodded towards the house, and without answering Keeki led the way through the doors.
"Let's go upstairs, I have a room up there. We can talk with some privacy, and still keep an eye on the yard." I placed my hand on the small of her back and directed her to the stairs.
"I know. I was there already." She answered sheepishly.
"You were?"
"Yes. We passed by and I could smell you. I wanted to be there." I stiffened beside her. She was drawn to my scent? How hot was that!
Hot? Jesus, I really am turning in to a horny teenage boy.
I snorted at that thought.
Well, when was the last time you got any Charlie-boy. You are practically a virgin.
"Charlie? Are you okay?" I whipped around to find Keeki at the door to the room I used, a look of concern on her face.
I focused on her and realized I had zoned out and had walked right by the room.
"Yes. Sorry, I was lost in thought." I replied, backing up the ten paces and leaning around her to open the door.
"Must have been important." She chuckled.
One look at her and I knew she knew I was thinking of her. "It was. I am not one hundred percent sure of what this is between us. I know what Peter said down there. But… can it really happen that fast? I am barely a week in to this new life. Everything is different, every feeling is heightened." As she crossed the room to the window, I closed the door and leaned against it, crossing my arms over my chest.
"I don't know Charlie. I have been told by many, many mated couples that it is instant. You touch and you know. That is not to say that it happens the first time you meet. Some vampires live together in a coven for years before they have that… spark, I guess you could call it. And some…" she turned back to me, slowly closing the gap between us. "Some are blessed and find their mate the first time they come in contact with each other." She paused her words and her movement, tilting her head to the side slightly as she took me in from hear to foot. "I think we are the lucky few."
I watched as she fidgeted with the hem of her shirt. The confidence she showed while she was speaking had broken some and she was getting more and more nervous. She wasn't as sure as she let on.
"Keeki, I do believe that what you said; that we are mates. And I also know that I am not exactly ready to jump in to a relationship." I paused to wait for the disappointment to show. In my limited experience with the fairer sex, women did not like being told that things aren't as they expected. I suppose, the same could be said for men, but I had never turned down a man's advances… well, there was that one night at the State Police Gala…
"Oh, thank heavens!" Keeki exclaimed with a little jump. "I was thinking the same thing!"
She reached out to grab my hand and the shot of electricity happened again. This time I did not pull my hand away. "You were?" I asked when the shock became a light tingle in my arm… that shot right to my…
"Yes. I have been alone for centuries, and although I know that this is right and I am now forever yours, I am not ready to run off from my life. As pathetic as some think it is, I like what I have built for myself."
I couldn't take my eyes away from her plump, moist lips. I wanted to press mine against them, run my tongue along her bottom lip, and pull it gently between my teeth. I needed her to moan my name and tell me not to stop.
"Charlie…" The way she said my name in that husky voice us my undoing. I lifted my gaze to meet hers and there was no holding back.
"I…" I silenced her as I pulled her to my chest and crashed my lips to hers. I spun her around so her back was pressed against the door and wrapped her slender arms around my neck. Placing my hands on either side of her I connected our bodies slowly, inch by inch. She gasped when she felt my bulge pressed against her stomach, and opened her mouth to grant me access.
A low rumble came from deep within my chest and I knew that I was home.
RPOV
"So, tell me about her." Bella said from the chair beside me.
Seth, Sam and Embry were inside chowing down on something that Esme had made. Ha! Wanted to stay until we knew 'the threat had been eradicated' my ass. They just wanted to eat! Meh, guess they deserve a good meal. Em, Bella and I were on the deck discussing the fight here and out in the field. The fire was still raging, however a water bomber had just flown over heading that way and thankfully the wind had died down again. Jasper, Charlotte and Peter had taken a quiet moment together to reflect on death of Maria.
"Em and I have known her for years. We met her in Iceland one year when we were out on our own. She owned a book store there. I am not sure if she still has it or not, you will have to ask her."
"That's cool. You said that she lived with the Volturi on and off, does she hold strong ties to them?"
I wasn't too sure how to answer that question. Keeki had told me why she had come here-to warn us about the attack Aro was planning. But, I hadn't let the cat out of the bag yet. I wanted Carlisle and Esme to be here, and I kinda thought we could use a few hours of peace. Emmett and I still hadn't had a proper reunion. And neither had the others hadn't either.
"I think I will let Keeki tell you about her history with the Volturi. There are some things that she needs to tell everyone." I answered.
"Okay. That's fair. How long has she been a vampire?"
"Three centuries. She has spent most of her time alone, only making friends here and there. She has never been part of a coven. I think that is why she would visit Volterra on and off - to be with our kind." I didn't want to get in to too much of Keeki's life, I figured her and Bella could talk and Bella could see what a wonderful female she was.
"She feeds from humans." Bella said, not really to anyone, so I just nodded. "I wonder how Charlie will feel about that?"
"She is like Char and Peter; she drinks from those who are criminals." Emmett answered from his spot on the deck; resting against my knees.
Bella nodded. "I wonder where her and Charlie are?" Jasper, Charlotte and Peter joined us then. Jasper lifted Bella from the seat and placed her down on his lap. While Peter and Char took up shop against the railing of the deck. Jasper must have been taking in the moods floating in and around the house, because he shifted uncomfortably under Bella as the rest of us broke out in to laughter.
"Really Bella?!" Peter howled. "As if you have to ask. Charlie just found his mate! There is definitely some 'bon-chicka-bon-bon' going on in that house."
"UGH. PETER! Seriously!" Bella plugged her ears. "La, la, la… not listening."
"Oh, come ooon Bells. You know he's done it at least once." Em teased.
"Bella, I wouldn't advise letting down your shield." Jasper whispered in her ear. "You may not like what you feel."
Peter howled again as the wolves came around the side of the house. Clearly they still weren't comfortable being around us, even though we had just teamed together for a massive fight.
"Enjoy the food?" I snapped.
Sam yipped at us and the three of them took off towards the Rez.
"I hope Leah will be alright." Bella said removing her fingers from her ears.
"She will. Esme messaged a few minutes ago to say they would be back soon." Em stood grabbing my hand and pulling him with me. "Wanna hunt, Babe?"
"You know I do." I winked. "See you guys in a bit. Jasper, we will stay clear of the cottage, just in case you and Bella head that way. You know for some bon-chicka-"
"Alright Rose. We get it." Bella said. Man, I wish she could still blush.
A/N Just incase anyone notices, Keeki's eyes are red…. Not blue as I had written in chapter 35(Which has now been fixed)I have no idea why I wrote blue eyes for her… but I did. Guess that is what a Beta is for! Hope you enjoyed Charlie and Keeki's little make out. I promise some lemony goodness next chapter and they will get their shiat together!