Title: A Daughter of Anarchy

Chapter One:

*Bella's POV*

I knew that Charlie knew that I wasn't really living at this point. Just going through the motions.

How could I be? My heart had been ripped from my chest and torn to shreds before being stomped on with vampire feet. I let out a breath and closed my eyes at the pain that ripped through me at the thought of….them.

Charlie, sitting across from me, eating the spaghetti I'd made for dinner, looked up. "Bella?" He asked, his voice showing his hesitation. I nodded but kept my eyes closed.

He sighed, "Bella….I have something I need to talk to you about." He said in a rush, as if he'd been trying to get the nerve to say that much for a while. "I'm not going to Jacksonville, Dad." I whispered, having had the argument with him a couple times over the last couple weeks.

"No, I got that message….this is about….it's about your birth father." He said. My eyes snapped open and I raised an eyebrow, "You?" I asked, who else could he mean. Sure the man had only been in my life part-time since I was six, but he was still my… "I'm not your biological father, Bella." He admitted, cutting off my train of thought. "Your Mom and I….we met before she found out she was pregnant with you and by the time she did, she was two-months along. I married her because I loved her and I knew that I could love you as my own…we never planned on telling your birth father about you, but when we divorced….I guess she changed her mind." He explained.

I was in complete shock….never mind the fact I was still in pain from being abandoned by them, now the man who was supposed to be the only man I could trust, was telling me I wasn't actually his. "Whe—when did Mom tell him?" I asked, barely getting the question out.

"When you were ten…but she found out before she left me that he'd been sent to Stockton State Prison. She's asked me not to look up what he's in for, and I've respected that and will continue to do so." He said. Great…now apart from having two parents that have been lying to me my whole fucking life, I find out that my real father is in fucking prison. "Have you ever talked to him?" I asked, needing to gauge the situation…

He gave a nod, "Yeah…on your birthday, while you were at school." He said. I blinked, "And….does he want to know me? Would it even be possible for me to meet him, since he's in prison?" I asked, not sure if I actually wanted to meet the man.

Charlie sighed, "He's wanted to meet you since he found out about you, but Renee told him to wait till you were eighteen…and he has. He's waited patiently for the last eight years, and nearly every day since that day…he's sent you a letter…your Mom sent a box of them that she kept for you, to me before your birthday." He said. I blinked at that. "Can I have them?" I asked softly.

He nodded and stood, motioning me to follow him upstairs. I waited at his doorway as he pulled a large shoe box out of his closet. "Your Mom kept them in order….the top letters being the first of each year, and she she put a post it with the years on each stack." He said, giving a slight smile.

I nodded and took the box from him, looking up at him. "I'm gonna go….start reading.." I said, motioning to my room. He gave a nod and headed back downstairs as I shut the door to my room. Sitting on my bed, I got comfortable and opened the lid. The top stack was marked with 1998, I took the envelope off the top and opened it carefully.

My Dearest Daughter,

I really have no words to describe how I felt upon hearing of your existence.

Anger, disappointment, jealousy, regret.

But above all….Love.

Love for someone I'd known about for half a second welled up within me the very second that Renee uttered the words, "We have a daughter…her name is Isabella." Know that aside from love, the above emotions were not aimed at you, my sweet girl…but rather at Renee, Charlie and myself. Maybe one day, I'll explain to you why I felt these things…for now, I'm just going to tell you about me…as I know you won't be reading this till your eighteen…there's no point in me asking about your interests….is there?

I smiled at the slight sense of humor the yellowing paper held, and continued to read…

My name is Lenny Janowitz…I was born on October 8th, 1938.

When I was nineteen, in 1957, I joined the army and in bootcamp met two men who would, a few years later, become my closest friends…their names: John Thomas 'JT' Teller, and Piermont 'Piney' Winston. I'm sorry to say that the man I would have named your godfather, JT, was killed in a motorcycle accident in 1993…leaving behind his wife Gemma and son, Jackson…better known as Jax.

As JT is no longer around to take the title, I've told Renee that I want Piney and Gemma to be named your godparents…this is important to me, as I'm in prison for life, sweetheart and though you can visit if you wish, I'll never be a free man.

Maybe if I'd known about you, the mistakes I've made wouldn't've have been made so rashly.

I want you to know one thing, Bella…though I've never met you, I love you with every fiber of my being and I can't wait for the day that I can look into the beautiful brown eyes and tell you that in person. I should close this letter out now as it's nearly time for lights out here in the cell block…next time, I'll enclose a picture.

All my love, Lenny (or Daddy….Dad…up to you baby).

Okay….my Dad was a Vietnam war veteran currently serving life in prison…apparently without the chance of parole. In my mind, I figured he had to of committed murder, but I wouldn't jump to conclusions.

Knowing that a picture awaited in the next envelope, I slid it from it place in the stack, putting the first letter back in the envelope and setting it on my nightstand.

Again, I carefully opened the envelope.

Hello again Sweet Girl,

It's morning here in Stockton, California and I imagine, as I'm writing this that your getting ready for school. I know I said yesterday that there's no point in asking since you'll get these years from now, but I can't help but wonder…what's your favorite subject? I always regretted not doing better in school, but as there was a war on, I figured that's where I needed to be…serving my country….I'm an outlaw, Princess…but I'm also an American and I served proudly. That's one thing in my life I don't regret…that, and knowing I have you as a daughter.

Sorry…that was a bit cheesy and cliché, but still utterly true.

As promised, I've enclosed a picture a long with this letter…it's a group photo, on the back is whose who from left to right….I had Gemma bring it yesterday during visitation hours. It was only yesterday that I was able to break the news to her and Piney, who was with her and they both agreed to be your godparents as I knew they would.

The two aren't together, though…Piney's divorced and his ex is a right pain in the…well your ten- I shouldn't say what I was about too…anyway, Gemma married another friend of JT, Piney and mine about a year after JT passed away…his names Clay Morrow and he's a good man.

I took the time to look at the picture and read the names on the back.

I can't say enough how much I want to meet you, Bella…the day you turn eighteen will be the best and worst of my life…best, because I'll finally be able to contact you if you're so willing, and worst because it'll mean that I've missed your entire childhood and you'll be a young lady, ready to start her life…I only hope that I'm included in it, as do Gemma and Piney.

To tell you the truth, when I told Gemma about you…I could already see her putting you and Jax together in her mind, despite the ten year age difference…just to let you know, if that's who your heart chooses then you and Jax have my blessing, but there's no pressure sweet girl.

I better go, if I want to get this out in today's mail…

I love you

He didn't sign this one and I wondered if it was because he didn't know how to address himself after the first letter.

"Mom should have given these to me back then…given me the choice to at least read his words." I said to myself. I let out a breath and fingered the stacks of letters and made a decision. Going over to my desk, I pulled out a notebook and grabbed a pen from my backpack and sat down once again on my bed to write.

Dear…Dad,

I guess you know why it's taken me so long to write…at least for the first eighteen years, but it's been a month since my birthday and I only found out an hour ago that your my father…Charlie's the one who broke the news to me, though I'm sure you know that since you know I'm living with him.

I've only begun to read the first of your letters to me, so it'll probably take me a while to get through everything…I've only read the first two…and I love the picture you sent, I hope to find more in later letters but if not, that's okay.

Right now my life is kind of at a stand-still…

Not because I'm a senior and getting ready to graduate and I'm not sure what to do with myself when I do…but because…well, my boyfriend of six months broke up with me three days after my birthday and it came out of nowhere…I know that we're young and…he was my first boyfriend, but I was…am in love with him and I'm finding it really hard to let him go…..but it wasn't just him, no…it was his whole damn family, of which I was feeling very much a part of which was something new for me…..his parents, they cared for me as they would their own kids and I've never really had that. I pretty much raised Renee after she left Charlie….was she as flighty when you were with her as she was when I was a kid? Anyway, his parent's were awesome and one of his sisters was my best friend…the other and me didn't get along so well but I didn't pay her any attention….and both of his brothers liked having me around….but I didn't get a goodbye from anyone but my boyfriend….and they moved, not sure where and I'm not really sure if I want to know.

If you ask Charlie how I'm doing, he'll tell you that I'm simply surviving, and it's true…I'll admit to that. But I'm trying…everywhere I look, everywhere I go, I see reminders of him and his family though.

Sorry if I'm boring you with my teenage drama.

I wish I'd known about you my whole life and honestly, I'm kind of mad at Charlie and Renee for keeping you from me…even at ten, I should've had the right to choose….now I'm wondering if I've felt the way I have for my inter life because in my heart I knew it wasn't where I belonged….what do you think?

I hope to hear back from you soon and maybe I can come see you?

Love, Bella

I ripped the letter from the notebook and went downstairs for an envelope. "Hey kiddo." Dad greeted as I entered the living room. "Hey…do you have an envelope?" I asked, waving the letter I held. He eyed the paper but nodded, "On my desk." He said, "Stamps are also in the box." He said. "Thanks." I replied.

I found an envelope, stuck the letter inside and sealed it before borrowing a pen and writing the address that was on all the sent letters and sticking a stamp on it. "If you take it to the post office tomorrow and tell them it's urgent, they'll express it there for free….probably overnight." Dad said.

Looking over my should at him, I gave a nod, "Thanks." I said again and disappeared back upstairs. I slipped the letter in my backpack to take to the post before school in the morning and collected a pair of pajama's and a clean pair of panties before going to the bathroom.

"Charlie, I'm gonna take a shower!" I called down…me calling him Charlie wasn't anything new, as I often shifted between 'Dad' and 'Charlie'….but I'd called Lenny 'Dad' in my letter….so, well now I'm just royally confused.

Thank you very fucking much Renee.

In the shower, I let my mind wonder.

I wondered about my godparents, Piney and Gemma.

Did they still think of me? Wonder what I was like, what I was doing? Did they care? Apparently they had eight years ago…would that have changed since then? Reading Dad's letter's would only help I guessed. What about Jax? Did he know about me, or was I just some secret between my godparents…I wasn't sure if Piney had any kids. Would Jax and I have anything in common given the age difference? Would he care to have me around?

I sighed and shut off the water once I'd finished rinsing off my body from the body wash I'd used. Stepping out of the tub, I dried off and put my hair up in the towel- turban style, and dressed quickly before leaving the bathroom and calling a "Goodnight!" down to Charlie, and disappearing into my room once again.

Getting comfortable in bed, my hair still in the towel making it only slightly uncomfortable, I opened the box of letters and carefully took out the third letter.

As I went to open it though, a tap on my window got my attention and my gaze snapped up. No one was there. With my heart pounding, I stood and went over to the window, looking out. I didn't see anyway, but found that a twig from the tree had been the cause. With a sigh, I moved back to my bed….my chest now aching with the thought of them.

I fingered the envelope as I picked it up this time and after a minute, opened it.

The simple words that my father had written so long ago, drew my thought's away from the family that no longer wanted me.

He told me of how he spent his days locked up…and that if ever there was a break in one, not to worry that he was okay, and he would continue them when he could. He told me a short story about him, JT, Piney and the other's he called the 'First 9'. The 'First 9' of what, I didn't know but figured I'd probably find out in later letters.

For the first time since the breakup, I slept peacefully the whole night through, and it was Charlie that woke me up in the morning so I wouldn't be running late….much to both of our surprise.

Seeing the place where my new radio had been in my truck was hard, but I ignored it and clung to the letter I had to mail as I drove to the post office. The lady in the office assured me that it would be sent in priority mail…but I wasn't too sure that the fact that the police chief's daughter was sending a letter to Stockton State Prison, would go unnoticed for long in a town as small as Forks that lives on gossip.

I drove to school and spent the day actually paying attention in my classes, even participating by asking questions and answering without being asked directly. At lunch, I sat by myself by choice as I still had a lot going through my mind that I hadn't been able to focus on during morning classes.

A week, then two passed in the same fashion.

I'd wake up, go to school, come home and check the mail to find nothing….then I'd go up to my room and read as many letters as I could before Charlie would come home and I'd cook us dinner, do my homework, read at least one more letter and go to bed.

Charlie didn't remark on my new schedule…I figured he thought it was better than what I had been doing, pining over a family that didn't want me. I had a bit of hope now…though it was fading with every week that passed without word from the prison.

It was the Tuesday of the third week that I got called up to the office out of my calculus class, to see Charlie sitting in the lobby chairs. "Charlie?" I asked, as I opened the door. He looked up at me and smiled before holding an envelope for me. "I figured you'd want this…I stopped by the house for lunch to check the mail and that letter is all we got." He said.

I took the envelope and smiled when I saw the return address. "Thanks, Charlie." I said, bending and giving him a hug. He nodded and stood as we broke the hug, "Why don't you sign out and go home so you can read that?" He asked. My smile widened and I gave a nod before turning to the front desk to sign out.

"I've gotta go to my locker before I head out." I said after signing my name to leave for the day. "Okay kiddo, you have a good rest of the day." He said, kissing my forehead before we split up, him going back to work and me heading for my locker.

Thirty minutes later, I pulled into the driveway, grabbed my backpack, the letter and headed inside. For now, I put my backpack by the door and went to the living room to sit on the couch.

With a breath, I opened the seal and unfolded the letter within.

Dear Bella,

I'm so sorry it's taken me this long to get back to you, but the same day I got your letter, a riot broke out and…well I'm just going to tell you that I had to spend this long in the hospital wing but I'm out and doing okay, so please don't worry.

To answer your question about Renee, the way you describe her is a little more flighty than I remember but back when we were together, well…we smoked weed baby girl so she was a lot tamer…guess she was off it before she met and married Charlie and had you…a good thing since she found out you were coming. I'm sorry you had to grow up so fast and feel like you've had to take care of your parents rather than them take care of you….you deserve to be taken care of sweet girl.

I'm also sorry to hear about your break-up, but it seems to me that if that's the way he and his family treated you in the end, then your better off without them in your life for the long run. If they don't want you, then you don't need nor want them.

You have people in your life that do want you though, Bella. Even though you've not met me or the club, yet, we've always wanted to know you and will accept you not matter what. That's what a real family does….they accept who you are no matter how well they know you, how long they've known you….nothing matters but the fact that they choose to be your family.

I would love to meet you soon, Bella. If your up to it, I have a friend, part of the club and someone who's been looking forward to meeting you, who would be willing and able to bring you on a date that's convenient for you. His name is Happy Lowman. He's given me permission to give you his number to set things up…here it is: 614-585-3231.

Can't wait to see you!

Love, Dad

I smiled and took a breath as I glanced around the living room.

Taking the time to think over my next course of action, I went to the kitchen to make a sandwich and ate while looking over the note again. My heart jolted every time I read over the part about my break-up so I tried to ignore it and concentrate of the part that said that rather I knew it or not, I had a family that loved me and wanted me and it surprised me that that's what I'd always seemed to long for…I knew I had to go meet Dad, sooner rather than later, and after meeting him…well, I wanted to go straight to Charming.

After eating and washing my plate, I picked up my cell phone and dialed the number from the letter.

It rang three times…

"Hello?" a gruff sounding voice answered, and I took a deep breath. "Hi, is this Happy Lowman?" I asked. A huff sounded, "Yeah, who's this?" He asked.

"Mr. Lowman, my name's Bella Swan…I'm uh, I'm Lenny's daughter…" I trialed off hoping he didn't know more than one Lenny…and Dad had said he'd talked to Happy about me…

"Oh…Bella, I'm sorry, wasn't expecting to hear from you so soon. Please, call me Happy." He replied sounding much more into the conversation. "Okay…Happy. Sorry if I interrupted something….it's just, I came home from school early and read my Dad's response to my letter…" I explained.

He laughed, "Don't worry about it, you didn't interrupt anything important. I take it your wanting to know when we can go see your old man?" He asked. I bit my lip, "That, and…well, I was wondering if after visiting him if maybe you could take me down to Charming?" I asked. "Well considering that the prison is only about an hour from Charming, I don't see why not. It's a twelve and half hour ride though, and we'll be on my motorcycle, is that okay with you?" He asked.

"Yeah….wh—when?" I stuttered out, still a bit nerves since I didn't want to seem like I was rushing him to do me this massive favor.

"Well Sweety, I'll be heading down to Charming come next Friday. Can you get yourself ready by then?" He asked. I nodded to myself, "Yeah…I'm in school still but it should be easy enough to test out early, I've already got most of the credits I need to graduate, so it shouldn't be a problem….where do I need to meet you?" I asked, realizing I didn't know where he was.

"I'm in Takoma, Sweety. I'll meet you at the bus station there….I'll have on a black leather vest, with 'Sons of Anarchy' on it." He said, giving me something to look for. "Okay, so I'll get a bus ticket for Thursday, is that okay?" I asked, he'd know that I'd need somewhere to stay on Thursday night. "Yeah, I'll have somewhere for you to stay. Don't worry about that." He assured me.

I smiled at the certainty in his voice and somehow it made me feel like I knew I could absolutely trust him. "Do you know how long you want to stay in Charming, Sweety? I'm sure Gemma would be more than happy to have you stay with her and Clay for as long as you want." He asked. I sighed, "I haven't actually talked to Dad….or Charlie for that matter, about me going to Charming but I'm thinking long term, since I won't have to come back here for school or anything like that…can you let Gemma know, and tell her that I'll eventually get my own place I just gotta get a job and save up the money." I asked, a small laugh leaving me.

"Consider her told. I'll set up the appointment for you to see your Dad….it might end up that we go to Charming before we are able to see him though. Is that alright?" He asked. I smiled, "That's fine, whenever you can get me in. I really appreciate you doing this for me, Happy." I said in thanks.

"Anytime, Bella…your family, it's what we do." He said.

We quickly said our goodbye's and I promised I'd get him my bus information as soon as I had my ticket, before we hung up.

Okay…now I just needed to break the news to Charlie. Since I had a few hours to plan how I was going to tell him my plans, I grabbed my backpack and went upstairs to my room and completed what homework I'd been given that day. When I finished, I quickly made a call to the school and set up an appointment with my guidance counselor.

Once that was done, I went downstairs to see what I'd have to work with for dinner. After seeing that our meat was pretty low and we didn't have much else, I made a list for the grocery store and headed out. At the store, among numerous other items I purchased a two pack of nice quality steaks, a bag of potatoes and a head of lettuce.

Back at home, I started dinner by peeling four potatoes and putting them in a pot of water to boil, then chopped the head of lettuce and added onions, radishes, tomatoes and carrot slices.

It was as I was prepping the steaks that Charlie came in from work and entered the kitchen, "Hey Bells, steaks for dinner?" He asked. "Yeah…you wanna do the grill or want me to make them on the stove?" I asked, looking over at him. He gave a smile, "Steaks are better on the grill, I'll go fire it up." He said, moving to the back door.

I gave a nod, seasoned the meat and put them on a plate for when the grill was ready, then I moved to drain the potatoes and started to mash them, adding milk and butter to mix in. As I finished mashing the potatoes and was putting them on the stove to cook a little more, Charlie came in and took the plate with the steaks on it, outside.

While he grilled, I set the table and got our drinks, him and beer and for myself a glass of water. Then put the mashed potatoes in a serving bowl, dished out to bowls of salad and set them on the table.

Twenty minutes later, Charlie came in with the finished steaks and put a piece each on our plates. "Thanks for the nice dinner, Bells…but what's the occasion?" He asked and I looked down at my plate, "That obvious?" I asked. He chuckled, "I figured I should expect something, given that you got that letter today." He said.

I nodded, "Yeah…my Dad, Lenny…he gave me a number to a guy he knows named Happy…I called him, and we talked for a few minutes. He's down in Takoma and heading to Charming next Friday and he said the prison is about an hour from Charming, so he's willing to take me….I just need a bus ticket to Takoma for Thursday." I explained.

He let out a breath, "Well that's a lot of information. What about school?" He asked. I bit my bottom lip, "I made an appointment with my guidance counselor for tomorrow to see when I can take my early exit exam…I know I've got pretty much all the credits I need to graduate, so it shouldn't be a problem." I said.

Charlie frowned, "Bells, I don't think you should…" He started, but I couldn't let him continue what he was going to say, "Charlie, it's the only thing that makes since. It's my senior year and only four months till graduation and I don't really feel like being the new girl, the shiny new toy, again…and I don't want to put off going because…..because I think that my godparents and the family that I should have been raised around, are what I need right now. You know I haven't been myself since….." I trailed off because I didn't need to say anymore, Charlie knew.

"That's why I was trying to get you to go to your Mom's, kid." He said with a huff. I shook my head, "Mom's wouldn't have been any better for me. She hovers…especially when she knows I'm down, and she would have wanted to talk about it with me, which I most certainly don't want to do….with anyone." I said.

"Guess you've got a point there, Bells." Charlie said with a small chuckle, then huffed out a breath and nodded. "Okay kid, you've clearly made up your mind. Don't worry about getting to Takoma, you can tell Happy that I'll drive you down on Thursday morning, okay?" He asked.

I smiled, "Thanks Charlie." I said and stood to give him a quick hug.

We finished our meal talking about our days and what I would need to get done before leaving Forks.

After dinner I called Happy again and told him that Charlie would be bringing me to Takoma. He agreed that that was fine and gave me the address that Charlie could drop me off at.

A/N: Hope you enjoy, please remember to review! Thanks!