I would like to apologise for the delay in updating this. Holiday season is difficult. You think there are days off work when you can do nothing but write. Unfortunately it never pans out like that. I've been lazy... Sorry, but I needed the rest. I will get back into the swing of things now... I promise.
Chapter 38
Edward Cullen
I watched while my father oversaw Charlie being transferred to the ambulance that would take him back to Forks General. He made sure the orderlies treated him with the utmost respect. Charlie only stirred once during the transfer; in the ambulance, he murmured something about mythological creatures. I could have been mistaken though, but his dreams were filled by vampires, werewolves, Cyclops and witches. This was going to be a difficult discussion...
When we got back to Forks Charlie was taken out of the ambulance and placed in the private room that Carlisle had previously organised for him. We'd only been in the room around thirty minutes when Charlie regained consciousness again.
"Bella?" he whispered. "No, Charlie, she's not here. She's gone to run some errands with Esme; remember, she told you?" I responded.
"Oh, yes, I remember now." He still looked very weak and I had to wonder if he was going to be up to the conversation he wanted to have with us.
"Bella will be back in a couple of hours," I told him. "If you still want to talk, I'll make sure it happens."
"I do, Edward. I'm aware that I may not be exactly well enough for it and that I didn't want answers before, but I do now. I need to know what my daughter has become and what I am dealing with now. I need to know that my Bella is safe."
"I understand that, Charlie. If it wasn't for the fact that you now need to know what's happening with you and Bella, we wouldn't be having this discussion until you were much better." I told him. I can assure you though that Bella is safe, probably more than she's ever been before and I don't mean any disrespect to you by saying that. But, please, rest now so that you are able to take in our family's story."
"Okay, Son, I'll sleep now."
I left Charlie in my father's capable hands. "I'm going to go back to Charlie's and see what I can do to help." I said as I left. "Bella should be back with Esme and the others in the late afternoon. I will call Billy and arrange for him and Jake to meet us back here; say around six pm?"
"That should work just fine. I will make sure he's comfortable but not too out of it."
With that arranged, I made my way to Charlie's house. The progress was unbelievable. The outside walls were all but complete. Jasper and Emmett were working on the roof of the small extension while Sam, Jared and Paul were nailing down the decking at the back.
"What can I do to help?" I hollered, trying to make myself heard above the sound of nails been hammered into soft wood.
Rosalie appeared at the new door. "I'm just about to try to glaze the new windows. You can help me if you like?" She smiled.
"Of course, that would definitely need two people."
"How's Charlie?" She asked as I held the glass in place whilst she sealed the units with silicon PVC.
"He's recovering well, a little too well. I just hope this evenings revelations won't set him back."
"Are we really going to tell him?" she asked as we continued on to the double patio doors at the rear of the little extension.
"I don't think we have any choice; sorry Rosie, you missed a bit, I pointed to the top corner which hadn't been sealed as effectively as it could have been; what with what Carlisle offered along with what he's already guessed."
"I suppose you're right. I just hope he deals with it okay." She replied aiming the silicone gun at the area I'd pointed out.
When we'd done the glazing, we headed outside to see how the boys were getting on. Jasper and Emmett were strangely competent at the roofing. I wondered who'd shown them what to do. DIY wasn't normally their forte. "You guys are making a great job of that," I enthused.
"Cheers, Eddie, it's kinda fun once you get going. Billy and Sam taught us how to fit the tiles together this morning, it's easy when you get used to it." Emmett laughed.
"We might start up our own business when we're done here." Jasper continued, smiling.
"You will not, I'm sure Bree will rope your new skills into the redevelopment of her and Bella's drop in place." Rosalie intervened.
"Ah yes, we will be able to help there more now, what with our awesome new skills." Emmett agreed with his wife as usual.
It was just the normal family banter only at Charlie's place instead of our own home.
A few moments later we heard the familiar giggles of our families two newest members and they emerged from the lush forest at the back of the house. They were closely followed by Jacob and Seth, who were carrying bags stuffed full of food.
"Tea time for the workers," Bree exclaimed as she and Nessie started setting out the food on the table that used to be in Charlie's kitchen but was, at present, in his tiny lounge. There were Buffalo chicken wings, cheeseburgers and three different types of pizza.
Sam, Jared and Paul didn't need to be asked twice. They came in immediately and tucked in along with Jake and Seth; even Nessie had a little chicken and pizza.
"How's grandpa Charlie?" She asked. Her concern was sincere and sweet.
"He's getting much stronger." I told her. "Please don't worry about him. Grandpa Carlisle is looking after him. He'll be just fine."
She seemed to relax visibly in front of my eyes. Bless her, she loved all of her Grandparents but seemed to have a special place for Charlie in her heart. I guessed it was because he wasn't quite as indestructible as Carlisle and Esme.
"When will Mom be back?" She asked. "We need to start decorating this place soon if it's going to be ready for Grandpa Charlie."
"I'm sure she won't be long." I replied.
"Are we really gonna tell him about us?" her questions were coming thick and fast.
"We sure are, baby. I think you should be with us when we do. He might listen more to you about us not biting him or anyone else."
She giggled.
"I don't think Grandpa Charlie would taste very nice." She laughed. "Maybe better than a frog, but not much else."
"You've drank frog?" I was shocked.
"Yes, daddy. Jakey told me that frog's legs were a human delicacy in France. He dared me. It was revolting."
I'd had to have heard everything then.
"Jacob Black, get in here."
~TCOB~
Bella Cullen
I can honestly say that I'd never had so much fun shopping in my life; knowing that I was shopping to improve my beloved father's lifestyle made it completely different.
We went to Walmart, knowing we could take care of the smaller electrical items for the kitchen like a kettle, toaster, microwave etc. We chose a set, finished in brushed purple metal. It was very smart and masculine. Next of we headed to the home furnishings aisles and chose some drapes and bedding. All in the colors I had in mind, duck egg blue and pale brown. They were all in the higher end of the price range and even Alice approved. She insisted that we went to a proper décor store for the wallpaper and paint though and we were soon bogged down in sample books. It suddenly occurred to me that my father should have some say in what we were doing for him, so asked if we could borrow the sample books and come back the next day. The salesperson was happy to allow me to take the samples away. Now I had a way of changing the subject after the difficult talk.
"You're not going to give away the surprise, are you?" Esme asked. I knew she was looking forward to seeing Charlie's reaction when he arrived home.
"Of course she's not." Alice answered before I could stop her. "Bella is going to offer to re-decorate Charlie's bedroom whilst he's in hospital. He'll think she's doing it just to cheer him up a little. All will be well." she assured our worried mother.
We needed furnishings for Charlie's new bedroom and I knew the most important ones would be his bed and his TV. So we went to Macy's, knowing their home store would have everything we were likely to need.
Alice was in her element as we discussed the merits of different bed sizes and the qualities of the different mattress choices. We decided on a walnut queen sized bed frame with a good firm mattress that was sure to last years. We chose matching bedside tables and a tallboy. We accessorized with matching lamps for the bedside tables and a large mirror which would go on the wall opposite the TV.
We chose a forty two inch LCD TV which we were assured by a grateful salesperson could be mounted onto the wall with ease.
"Charlie is going to love it." Alice stated simply. "I can see it."
I didn't need Alice's vision to know that Charlie was going to be delighted with his new room. He'd never had nice things like these before and would never have allowed us to change anything whilst he was fully functioning. He was such an old stick in the mud.
His hospitalization had done us a favor in a way. Now he'd no choice in the matter.
I paid for everything and arranged for it all to be delivered the following afternoon. Esme had assured me that everything else would be ready by then and Alice said Charlie would be coming home from the hospital the day after.
Shopping done, it was time to go home and face the toughest conversation of my life.
~TCOB~
Carlisle Cullen
The family gathered in the reception area of the hospital as arranged at six o'clock along with Jacob and Billy.
Bella looked very nervous and had taken up chewing her lower lip, a habit I'd thought life as a vampire had cured. Edward was rubbing soothing circles in her back.
It had been discussed and decided that we would all go into Charlie's room unless that appeared to overwhelm him, that way he could ask questions of any of us. Edward, Bella and Nessie would sit on one side of the bed. Billy, Jake and I would sit on the other. The remaining family members would stay back, only coming forward if and when necessary.
"It's time," I said and indicated that we should head for Charlie's room.
We all filed in and sat where I'd deliberately left chairs earlier.
"Well, looks like I'm popular today," Charlie smiled. I looked at Edward for guidance. He nodded to me and smiled awkwardly to let me know that Charlie was fine but a little nervous. He then gave a similar nod to Jasper, asking him to keep everyone calm.
"As head of our family, Charlie, would you mind if I opened this discussion?" I asked.
"Sure doc, go right ahead. It's time I knew what was going on around here."
"I'm not sure where to start, to be honest. You were always just so accepting of the fact that we were different without needing to know why. Can I ask what changed your mind?"
"Carlisle, getting shot is one thing, knowing you're probably going to die is another, but you gave me a choice, you told me that I didn't have to die. Now I'm sorry but in my book, and I'm no religious man, only God above has the power to make that choice. Are you telling me you are a God, Carlisle?... No, I didn't think so. So what are you?"
"What do you think I am? We are?" I asked, indicating my family as a whole.
"I don't know, I mean Jake here, he's a frikkin wearwolf – right? I thought those were only real in the imaginations of horror writers.
"Dad, please," Bella said taking his hand. "Calm down. Jasper some help?" she pleaded as Charlie was getting a little agitated.
Nessie hopped up onto the bed beside her grandfather. She was careful not to get entangled in any of the wires attached to him and gently lay down beside him and stroked his stubbly face, taking care not to use her gift to show him anything. "It's gonna be fine gramps." She cooed.
"Wait, Bella. What did you ask Jasper to do. How come I feel less stressed all of a sudden."
"Charlie, some members of my... our family are talented so to speak. Jasper has the ability to control the emotions of those around him. He's keeping you calm."
"Oh..." Charlie's reply was short. "And the rest of you?"
Alice stepped forward.
"I have visions of the future. I am a psychic if you like." she chirped, all pleased with herself as usual.
"I can read minds," Edward said.
"Woah, what did you just say?" Charlie stared at Edward. "You can read minds? Then you'll be aware that I am not happy about that. Did you use your talent to manipulate my daughter into being with you?"
"No, Sir, I did not. Bella's is the only mind that I can't read. I struggle with yours too. I can only get the tenure of your thoughts."
Charlie looked quite smug at that revelation.
"Is this right Bella? He can't read your mind at all and mine only a little?"
"Yes, dad. He's telling you the truth. He can't read my mind unless I let him."
"You let him? What does that mean?"
"Dad, when I joined the Cullen family properly, you know after mine and Edward's honeymoon. I realised that I had a gift too. I'm what's known to our kind as a shield. I can protect those around me and no-one gets past my barriers."
"Your kind, and what exactly is your kind?"
"Dad, be honest, you saw a difference in me when you saw me for the first time after we got home. What did you see, what did you think? Edward knows you were confused and that you were maybe in denial about some things. It's time for you to be truthful with me."
Charlie took a deep breath. "I saw you, Bella, but you were different. You seemed nervous; your eyes were a different color; your skin was paler but if possible you were more beautiful than ever. Then there was Renesmee. I never did think she was Edward's niece, not really. She has your eyes, Bella. It was obvious but impossible that she was your child, my grand-daughter."
A hitching breath from behind us told me my wife would by crying now if it were possible.
"You're more observant than we gave you credit for," Bella replied. "You know we're different now, and your right of course, Nessie is your grand-daughter. I conceived her on honeymoon. We didn't know it was possible but it was. My pregnancy was difficult to say the least and I got very sick. I'd already made the choice that you were offered and I chose to live."
"So Carlisle, he..."
"No, Dad. Edward did it. He saved me."
"But I thought... Carlisle?"
"Dad any of us Cullens could have given you that choice. All except Nessie."
"I don't understand, so Carlisle's not a God? Then what, Bella. What are you?"
Bella looked around the room and we all nodded. It was time.
"We're vampires dad. Plain old bloodsucking vampires..."
A/N I am so sorry it took me so long to update... my beta kymbersmith90 has just found out she is having a baby – please wish her congratulations...
I may have to do the rest of this un-beta'd unless any of you want to volunteer?
I am gonna concentrate on this story and finish it before I continue GREED... Just saying...
Please, please review...