Chapter Thirty Five

Charlie

Sue was in a really bad mood when she woke up, we'd talked for a long time after Lily Rose went up to bed. She didn't like Bella and she wasn't happy that Bella and her partner were coming to Forks although whenever I asked her why she would always evade the answer. In the end she decided to stay here rather than go visit friends on the reservation although she wanted to call them with the news that Bella was back.

"I told you last night Bella asked us to keep her visit and Lily Rose's a secret so please hold off on the phone calls Sue. Remember Bella is still my daughter despite everything and I want to see her. Maybe we can sort things out, make our peace. Wouldn't that be good all round? I could see my grandchildren, maybe even have them stay."

"I don't think so Charlie. If you think I'm playing happy families with those...them you are looking at the wrong person."

I was upset by her vehemence,

"Sue they aren't guilty of anything. I know you don't like Bella but do you have to take it out on her kids?"

"His kids."

"You mean Jasper? What's he ever done to you?"

"Nothing and I don't intend that he does Charlie. On second thoughts I think it might be better if I leave before they get here. I'll get my coat and car keys."

She ran upstairs and I heard the bedroom door slam shut, sometimes that woman was a mystery to me.

Lily Rose

I watched through the crack in the door as Sue went into their room and then ran back downstairs with a curt goodbye to grandpa Charlie before driving off. What was she up to? Would she tell the others about my visit even though both mum and grandpa had asked her not to. The idea made me nervous and I wondered what I could do to stop her. I sat on the bed and closed my eyes, if only she'd get a puncture or lose her voice or even crash the car so she couldn't talk to anyone, yes that would be best but even as I visualised it I knew it was just wishful thinking on my part. I shook my head and went downstairs to find grandpa sitting at the kitchen table munching on a piece of toast. It seemed the most natural thing in the world to lean down and kiss him on the cheek,

"Morning Grandpa, did Sue go out?"

He looked up at me and smiled and he looked so much younger then,

"She'll be back soon I'm sure. In the meantime what would you like for breakfast honey?"

I made myself coffee and toast and sat down opposite him to eat,

"When will mum and dad get here?"

"I'm not sure but I don't suppose it will be long."

He leaned across the table to take my hand in his,

"Don't worry Lily, I'll stand up for you. I think your mother has some explaining of her own to do."

Charlie

I was getting nervous myself wondering how Bella would explain all this, twins, her three year absence, her animosity towards Sue, they were all questions I would be looking for answers to. I didn't like the way Sue had stormed off but there would be time to calm her down when I knew exactly what was going on here. Lily sat at the window looking out for a car biting her lip nervously and I remembered the days Bella had sat waiting for Edward Cullen to appear, it seemed such a long while ago now, a lot of water had passed under the bridge in the intervening time. I heard the sounds of a car pull up as Lily jumped from her seat,

"They're here Grandpa."

She took my hand and we went to open the door together as Bella looking a little different, paler and even more beautiful than I remembered walked slowly towards us her hand firmly in that of her partner Jasper. Lily's parents and behind them moving slower and more cautiously was a young man with the same pale complexion as I remembered from the Cullens. He had Bella's thick brown hair but his eyes were a golden, melted butter colour, which made him look a little strange. Lily clasped my hand more firmly as Bella and Jasper approached.

"Hello Dad."

"Bella, Jasper"

Jasper put a hand on the young man's shoulder and moved him forward,

"This is Caden, Lily's twin brother. Say hello to your grandfather Caden."

I got the distinct feeling that this meeting was a very unwelcome one for both the adults but I wanted answers.

"Come in, I assume you are staying at least long enough to tell me what exactly is going on?"

Bella nodded but didn't say anything while Jasper answered with a soft,

"Of course Charlie we owe you that."

"Yes you do."

Caden

So this was my Grandfather Charlie, I could smell his scent most strongly but it didn't make me feel thirsty, I half recognised it in Lily's make up. He was angry about being kept in the dark about us and I wondered exactly what my parents would say to him. It seemed funny to see Lily Rose so quiet and subdued and hanging on to this humans hand as if he were something special to her, I guess in a way he was although I couldn't quite decide whether I liked him or not. The was another scent in the house, a faintly unpleasant one and I remembered what dad had said about Charlie's wife Sue. I couldn't hear her heartbeat so she must be out, just as well really knowing what I did about her.

"Lily why don't you make coffee for us while I talk to your mum and dad first. Caden would you mind? I'd like to get to know you son but I really need to talk to your parents first."

I nodded, I'd hear what was said in any case but Charlie didn't need to know that just yet so I went through to the kitchen and closed the door then turned to my sister.

"Have you any idea what you've done Lily? Why didn't you speak to me first?"

She was close to tears as she came to give me a hug,

"I didn't think it out. I just wanted to meet Grandpa Charlie, he's really nice Caden."

"He may be nice but he's in terrible danger now, especially if Sue tells the Quileute elders or someone from our world hears about your little escapade."

I sat her down and explained exactly what she'd done by her little stunt and I saw her eyes widen with shock. As the tears started to fall there was a knock on the front door and she cowered back, frightened it might be the guard come for us all.

Charlie

We only had time to sit down and Bella to apologise for keeping my grandchildren from me when there was a knock on the front door which stopped her from explaining anything.

"Stay there you two. I'll be back in a minute."

I went out hearing Lily crying softly in the kitchen as I opened the door to find Eddie and one of the other deputies standing there,

"What's happened?"

Eddy took off his hat,

"I'm sorry Chief but there's been an accident. Sue's car went off the road and she's been taken to the hospital in Port Angeles. She was unconscious when we found her, a passing motorist saw the tyre marks where she skidded, must have seen a deer or something and tried to avoid it."

I didn't know what to say, I was overwhelmed with everything that was happening in my life but Bella who must have overheard came out and nodded a greeting to Eddy who was taken aback to see her.

"Bella am I glad you're here."

She nodded and took my arm,

"I'll drive you to Port Angeles dad."

I was glad of her support and just hoped Sue wasn't too badly injured, the thought of losing her scared the life out of me.