Bella gathered all the letters and walked downstairs. She sat at the dining table waiting for Charlie to come home while praying that Alice wouldn't see any of this. It was just too personal and she wanted it to stay between Charlie and her at least for now.
He still wasn't due home for a few more hours because of all the shifts he had been picking up lately due to the missing hikers. So she continued going through the letters. Her emotions going out of control. Everything she learned about the man who was actually her father and the brothers that didn't even know she existed. Bella understood John's reasoning for leaving her and she loved him for wanting to protect her but she was also angry. Angry with the way he seemed to put everything on Dean her eldest brother's shoulders. Letters saying how John would leave Dean to take care of Sam while he hunted monsters. Dean was still a child to but it seemed like he was being the parent. John loved his children she could tell from the way he wrote about them but it was like he was afraid to be a father since he lost his wife and instead left Dean that responsibility. She read that John realized when he wouldn't make it back to the boys during Christmas or Sam's birthday that he would find that Dean would steal his brother a present or sale his own things to buy Sam something. John had to start leaving the boys more money in case his hunts ran long because he had come home one time to find out that they had run out of money for food and Dean hadn't eaten in a couple days to make sure his younger brother had enough to eat.
With each letter her love for her eldest brother grew, he was the kind of sibling she had always wanted. Bella was always taking care of Charlie. She loved it of course and he tried in his own way. Always making sure she had enough money for groceries and errands while being respectful of her privacy but Bella had always wondered what it would be like to have someone that would take care of her they way Dean took care of Sam.
She even learned that Sam had decided to leave and go to college wanting a normal life of his own. John had been against it vehemently but again Dean came to the rescue lecturing his own father about how at least Sam would have a chance to survive if he went to college and how hunters like them died young. That was all it took to get his father to let him go. John had even made a trip every month to the law school Sam was enrolled in just to check on him.
Bella didn't realize how much time had passed while she was reading until she heard the front door open and close. The sound causing her to jump.
"Bella I'm home." Charlie shouted while he placed his keys, gun and badge on the table near the front door. He came around the corner and stopped when he saw her sitting in a chair, tears streaming down her face. "What's wrong Bells?" His face contorted with worry.
Bella launched herself from the chair and into his arms. She gripped his shirt as tight as she could, afraid to let go and cried so hard she couldn't catch her own breath. Charlie wrapped his arms around her and patted her back. "Ssshhh… It's okay honey. Whatever is wrong we can fix it. You're safe with me."
This only made her cry longer. "Daddy.." She hiccupped
"What is it Bells? You haven't called me that since you were kid having nightmares about the boogie man." He chuckled at the memory.
After a while, she didn't even know how long. The tears slowed til she could breathe again.
"Thank you daddy."
"For what honey?"
"For loving me and raising me even though…."
Charlie looked down at his daughter, his head tilted to the side. He didn't understand what had gotten into her.
"Even though what?"
"Even though I ruined your marriage and I'm not your daughter." She said lowering her head. For the first time. Bella felt hate. She hated Renee for leaving him. Charlie was a great man and a fantastic father. She had never known how much until now but he deserved so much better than that woman.
"Bella what nonsense are you talking about? You are MY daughter and why would you think you ruined my marriage?"
"I found the letters…. From John." She whispered looking up into his eyes.
His face looked surprised than it turned understanding before landing on solemn.
"I see…" He sighed; Charlie didn't know where to begin. "Bella I.."
"It's okay. I'm not angry and you're right. You are my dad and I love you so much. You will always be my father."
Bella had never seen Charlie cry but his chin began to tremble slightly from him trying to hold it back but it was a losing battle. He gasped before pinching the bridge of his nose and shutting his eyes tightly. Still the tears started to fall… "Oh Bells…" He bent down and kissed the top of her head twice. "You'll always be my little girl."
Bella smiled brightly; she was so proud to him her father. She kissed his cheek. "Thank you daddy." She grabbed his hand and pulled him over to the table that had all the letters scattered on top. "I think… We need to talk."
Charlie snorted than threw his head back laughing loudly, this caused Bella to giggle. "Yes sweetheart I think that's a good idea."
That sat down at the table but next to each other. Both wanting to be as close as possible right now. This was a time of revelations and truths. It was probably going to be kind of hard on each of them.
