AN: So some editing needs to be done to previous chapters, I realize this. Just haven't done it and probably won't until the story is done. Previously I said Bella didn't know about the wolves in LaPush but turns out I was wrong. She did find out way back in Saving Bella. She just didn't have much to do with them. Also they are supposed to be calling and checking on her human status throughout this story which I admit I forgot about. Keeping that in mind- this and future chapters are going with those two truths despite what previous chapters have indicated. My bad! Bad Bad Mynxi! *wiggles tushy waiting for spankings*

Chapter 22

The phone call with Carlisle went as expected, he was shocked at what had happened with Marcus and he also fears that there will be retribution regardless of what Aro said. However, he is certain that Aro is a man of his word and that if there is a move against us it is going to be solely by Marcus and maybe a few of his loyal followers, not the full force of the Volturi.

Without knowing if Marcus will have the backing of the Volturi army or not, I believe we should prepare for the worst. I do however, have the utmost confidence in my mate and my family. Rose has changed her tune from fear to fight, now that the shock has abated.

I also spoke with Carlisle about Bella's condition and he agreed we should change her sooner rather than later. He was not concerned about her change and felt she was just changing slowly. His main concern was that it could be too stressful for her heart if we didn't change her soon. Her heart could give out before she was fully changed, because of what he called her "hybrid status". He offered to come and examine her or invited that we could come there but we declined both offers.

Charlie was another issue all together. Bella and I pulled up in front of his house dreading the talk we were about to have.

Charlie met us at the door, a look of shock on his face since we didn't call before coming like we usually did.

"Good morning," I said holding my hand out for him to shake. We had taken so many steps back with him. Previously, it was hugs and heart felt welcomings, now cold distant handshakes.

He took it with a grunted 'good morning' and looked over at Bella who didn't say anything.

"Can we talk?" I asked, indicating that we should go in the house. Spirit was behind him trying to push past to greet us, but Charlie was keeping him behind him.

"Uh, sure."

He reluctantly moved and we entered giving the dog a much more loving and happy greeting than the standoffish one we just exchanged with Charlie.

I sighed internally. I hated that this had to happen.

We all headed into the kitchen where Charlie was reading the morning paper, still dressed in his uniform, having gotten home from work about thirty minutes ago.

"Charlie, I…" he held a hand up cutting me off. While we sat down at the table, he took his coffee cup and went to fill it.

Speaking with his back towards us, Charlie began, "I know. This is the part where you tell me you're moving and changing Bella, never to be seen or heard from again."

I looked at Bella in shock but then I always knew this family was too perceptive. Her wide eyes met mine and she felt a touch of fear before resolve set in.

Bella took my hand and began talking while her dad still stood with his back to us. "Dad, yes. That's what we've come to say. But there is one big difference."

He turned finally; his eyes teary and full of emotion. He was sad, scared, and angry. I sent the feelings to Bella so she would know what she was dealing with.

Not missing a beat, she stood and went to her dad wrapping her arms around him, avoiding the coffee in his right hand.

"Since you know the secret now, there is no reason to cut off contact anymore. But for my own health and wellbeing we need to change me. I'm sorry. The offer is still open if you want to join me." She pulled back to look in his eyes which matched his emotions as his anger came to the front.

Backing up from her hold he moved to his chair, quietly.

Bella looked at me heartbroken and then retook her seat next to me.

"Please don't do this, Dad. I love you. We love you. Nothing really has to change, once I'm over that whole blood lust thing. You can still be a part of our lives. In fact, you have to be if you are going to stay human."

Charlie's back straightened out at that and he glared at me. I could take it but it doesn't mean I was happy about it. Giving him a pointed look, I nodded in agreement with Bella's statement.

"Sorry Charlie, but the law calls for your death if you don't change. We've been given an exception, sort of. We're not going to force anything on you but we have to make sure you don't go public with our secret." No sense in mincing words. It was the truth.

"So, I'm a prisoner then? I need a babysitter for the rest of my life?"

I sent him some calm as his face turned red to match his anger.

"Don't. Manipulate. Me," he growled out. Pretty impressively for a human I might add. I was trying to be subtle but I guess that wasn't going to work.

"I will if you look like you're going to explode or have heart attack. We tried to warn you Charlie that there are consequences that come with this knowledge. You said you didn't care. I could kill you now, if you prefer?"

"Jasper!" Bella shrieked as Charlie looked on with wide eyes. His anger changed rapidly to fear. He knew I meant it.

Bella smacked my shoulder lightly to get my attention as I stared Charlie down. I blinked schooling my features so my beautiful woman could give me a piece of her mind.

"I'm sorry, Dad!" she apologized, before looking back to me.

Her face turned red and her breath came in pants as she yelled, "Jasper! Don't do that to him. You aren't killing anyone!"

"Except you," Charlie muttered and turned away. Sadness and fear his main emotions. Spirit went to Charlie and he focused on the dog for a few minutes while I handled my irate mate, all of us pretending he didn't say anything.

"Jasper! Don't talk to my father that way! No wonder he hates us!" She was just getting started but Charlie cut in.

"I don't hate you," he mumbled.

"Well, that's what it feels like. You won't talk to us! You will only talk to Rose and Emmett and I'm your daughter. Your very much alive daughter at least for a few more days and you've wasted them by avoiding us!" Bella began crying and I pulled her into my lap. This was taking a bigger toll on her than I realized.

Charlie and I both looked on at the sobbing girl whose emotions were all over the place, she was sad about the issues with her dad, angry at me, scared for her upcoming change and how her dad was handling things, and through it all she loved us both.

Charlie sighed. "You're right and I'm sorry. I don't know how to handle this. Vampires and kings and the permanency of it all. I thought they were all a bunch of kids and then I find out I'm the youngest of the group. I looked like an idiot treating you all like adolescents." Charlie continued to pet Spirit but looked over at us.

Honesty flowed through him as he expressed his fears, "I'm sorry. I love you and I don't want to lose you but I don't know how to accept all of this. You're going to kill people."

"No! I'm not! Jasper's not going to let me! Right?" She looked at me with those big doe eyes, beseeching me to tell her she was right.

"I'll do my best, Darlin'. But we both know accidents happen. I'm not lyin' to ya about that." I held her closer as she cried softly but nodded in understanding.

Charlie stood up and pointed an accusing finger at her. "See! This is what I mean. You are okay with the idea of killing people. Even if it is just an accident. That's not okay, Bells!"

"Charlie! Do not shame her for this. She doesn't have a choice anymore. She is my mate and she will change. I will do my best to keep her from hurting anyone, because it would kill her to do so. And at this point, I don't think she can take your judgment either."

Bella began to cry more and Spirit came and stuck his nose in her face. She pet him but then tried to push him away. He wasn't having it though.

"I've killed many humans and vampires alike. I do not want that life for her. I want her happy and healthy. We came to let you know that she is neither of those things and that she has to be changed soon. On top of that, we are facing possible consequences for throwing a vampire king out of our home. You refuse to have anything to do with us. And that alone is killin' Bella. We want to be a family but you are the one takin' that from us. Not me, not Bella, and not the fact that we are vampires.

"We were happy to be treated as adolescents by you and act as such. We were all changed fairly young as Bella will be and therefore having an older adult show us care, concern and love was wonderful. It made us feel more human and more like a family than ever. What made it even better was that you meant it. Nothin' has changed but your knowledge and attitude. We are still the same people we always were, only difference is now ya know the truth."

"Bella is going to be changed next week. We are moving this weekend. You have three choices, you can go back to Forks, you can go with Emmett and Rose, or you can you can go to Maine with Esme and Carlisle- they are happy to have you. You cannot stay here. Peter and Charlotte are leaving and going back to Texas and Bella and I are going to Minnesota. Rose and Emmett will go wherever you want to go but they are planning on heading towards Maine."

"Why can't I stay here? I'm building a life here. I just bought a house." He looked around the kitchen as an example. "And why can I go back to Forks?"

Bella stood. "I'm going to go get cleaned up," she said awkwardly as she walked away.

Standing I suggested, "Let's go into the other room?" and walked towards the living room.

When all was said and done Charlie chose to return to Forks. The wolves would be able to keep an eye on him and he wouldn't have to be around any vampires. He didn't say that but that sure seemed like that was the thought. He hadn't seen the wolves yet and I'm not sure he believed me. His friends lived there and he felt he'd be more comfortable living out the rest of his days with his friends in a familiar place. We would still have contact by phone and hopefully be able to visit in a year or so.

Peter and Char were already packed when we returned home from Charlie's.

"Headin' out?" I asked as I took in the luggage.

"Ya, we thought we'd take off. We'll have someone close out the house and sell it once Charlie is moved. Just have them list both houses."

I nodded and Bella just teared up again.

"Now now, Sweet cheeks," Peter went to her. "We love ya. We'll be seein' ya real soon. I promise. This isn't goodbye. It's see ya later." He hugged her tight and she just continued to cry on him.

Char watched her husband affectionately before she added herself to the hug. I couldn't help it and crashed into them all hugging them tightly causing everyone to giggle. My girl needed a giggle.

When I let them go, we shared real hugs and walked them to their SUV. Without much fanfare they were gone.

"Like Pete said, we'll see them soon. They're going to come help with your training in a couple months."

Bella nodded and headed back inside without a word. I was worried about her. I knew she still had some abandonment issues deep down. We were all going our separate ways and even though her and I would be together it wasn't the family dynamic she was used to anymore. We had a great summer when it was just her and I travelling. I'm hoping once we're settled in Minnesota at a property I have up there she'll be happier.

We packed and left on Saturday figuring it'd take us two days to get to my house in Minnesota. We'd stop some place for her to sleep and me to eat. I wasn't worried in the slightest about changing her, my bloodlust wasn't an issue. But Carlisle's words about her heart giving out did have me concerned. I didn't tell her. I only told her what she needed to know, which was she needed to change to avoid further health complications.

Our trip was quiet for the most part. We did talk about what the house looked like and what she could expect being a newborn. We were both curious what her gift would look like as a vampire, if she'd have better control and if our union would cause any other changes when she shared venom with me. Personally, I couldn't wait for that.

Our continued worry was about Marcus. It seems that he still has Carmen but we haven't heard anything else. Bella talked to Vicky the day we left as we got on the highway to begin our long drive. It seems Eleazar has gone to try to collect her. All she knew for sure was Marcus was considered unstable and unreasonable. Vicky was doing well with the sisters and wanted to come for a visit after Bella's change. As she put it it'd be nice to not want to kill one of her best friends.

When we were only about 100 miles from my house, I stopped in the biggest town around there Bemidji. Closest enough to a forest for me and full of amenities for both of us. We spent the afternoon walking around, found a diner for Bella to have a final meal in. She said the town reminded her of home as we did some shopping. The people at Walmart thought us nuts as we purchased clothes by the arm load, a ton of cleaning supplies. A final stop at Home Depot for wood planks, 2x4s and some tools. I bought some basics for repairs such as nails, tape, and glue and we were on our way. The truck bed and backseat now loaded, we drove slower as to not dislodge our shopping and enjoyed the view.

"Why do you have a place all the way out here?" Bella finally asked and I smirked.

"Bought it the day I knew you were mine. I shopped online while you slept one night."

"When? When we were still in Forks?" She was slightly affronted and I wasn't sure what I had done wrong.

"Yes. Shortly after I realized you were my mate. You were going to want to change and I needed an appropriate place. I didn't really have any of my own homes, like Peter and Char. I was a nomad when I met Alice and we've lived with the Cullens ever since." I shrugged.

She nodded but I could still feel she was trying to suppress her anger.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing," she answered automatically. I knew it was a lie without even feeling her deception.

"Bel-la," I growled.

"Fine. I just didn't think you'd keep something like this from me," she huffed crossing her arms over her chest.

My eyebrows shot up in shock. "I kept nothing from you. You knew I had the house, that we were planning on using it for your change. What exactly did I not tell you?" I could think of a laundry list of things I've failed to tell her at all or at the time but this wasn't one of them.

"When you bought it. That you bought it specifically for my change. I just don't understand why you didn't tell me about it? It seems like a big purchase to 'forget to mention'." She air quoted the last part.

"I never said I forgot. In all honesty, you were going through a tough time and I didn't want to make it worse or place expectations on you. I wasn't hiding it. But mentioning it as a specific 'for you' purchase, felt like it would place too much on you, to be an us. And I didn't want to do that to you. I just wanted you to get better and become my mate without fear or pressure."

I looked at her innocently but sent her my love. This wasn't something I wanted to fight about.

With a sigh and a nod, she settled down but stayed silent. Her emotions turned reminiscent and thoughtful and stayed that way until we pulled up in front of the house. The small older home resembled a log cabin and was a four-bedroom three story home, with the bedrooms upstairs, the main floor for living and kitchen and then a walk out basement from a family room. It was about average for what we'd need in having a handful of vampires and with three stories it gave us much needed space.

Bella stared at it for a moment. She knew of the house and the layout, it looked like a two story up front since it was on a hill and the backside was almost a surprise as it was a walk out into the forest, a stream was only about a half mile out meaning the wild life will come right to us.

Here we would start the next chapter of our lives. I was excited to have my mate forever, to have her be like me and much sturdier, but I could feel she was sad about the end of this life. I just hope I can give her the new life she deserves.

Charlie was agreeable to having Rose and Emmett stay with him or check in on him for the rest of his days. Eventually, Bella and I would be included in that when she is able. He was sad that we were going to change Bella and he was losing that last year with her but we assured him there was always phone and video calling until she could be around him again. It wasn't forever, like most changes. Since he knew, she could keep contact.

He debated on moving back to Forks where his friends were since he hadn't made many friends here, night shift did not make for a good a social life unless your social life was with vampires who don't sleep.

Rose and Emmett were all for moving to anywhere that the Volturi didn't know where they were. Rose was prepared to fight now but having Charlie with them, she preferred to keep out of everything to keep him safe.

It was decided they'd move to the outskirts of Port Angeles and not Forks. They couldn't be seen in Forks since they aren't aging and it was close enough for Charlie to be close to his friends. He was upset he had given up his house and for some reason seemed to blame me. He wasn't hardly talking to me at all. I knew I was also the bad guy for taking his daughter away and making her part of the undead. I hated that he was mad at me but his aloofness extended largely to Bella and that pissed me off.

AN: probably only one or two chapters left. If there's anything you have a question about or I need to address before the end of the story let me know. Otherwise thank you for coming on this journey with me, Jasper and the gang. Leave us some love and let us know your thoughts *Jasper kisses to all*