A/N: So, first, the elephant in the room. I know that there are issues with FF updating the website right now (in fact, I am not able to see any traffic at all though I have a couple reviews). If you are reading this story on FF, please download the app. That is working and updating chapters. It's less buggy, too. But if you are reading this note, you are probably there already lol. Anyway, sorry for the confusion! Hoping it will be fixed soon.

Now as to this chapter...well, you will either love it or hate it. My beta readers loved it, but never know how it will be taken by all of you. Meet me at the bottom!

Chapter 10: Truths

Bella

Boy, did I have some things to work through in my head. I listened as Edward told me about his family through dinner. It didn't escape my notice, either, that he hadn't touched his food. He pushed it around a little bit, to make it look like he was eating. But I knew better.

I displayed calm on the outside, but in truth I was in turmoil. Jacob had been clear about their lifestyle, and how they hadn't harmed humans. Their mantra was to live with us – us! – but not to hurt us. Edward had confirmed that, but I was still reeling. I knew I felt more for him than I cared to admit; could I manage this? Could I really accept him for what he truly was?

I stared into his caramel-colored eyes and immediately thought YES. But I really did need to think about it for more than a second. And I needed to be alone to do that.

"So, after Alice and Jasper found us, we have lived together in some form since then. We will take different last names now and then, but ultimately that's it."

"Elizabeth is your real mother then? Not adopted?"

He nodded. "Carlisle turned us both at the same time. He..." Edward faltered for a moment, but continued. "He loves her. Loved her. He couldn't turn her without saving me; he knew that would cause problems, plus she had begged him to save my life. He was stricken by our love for each other, so he couldn't separate us."

"When was that, exactly?" I couldn't help my curiosity.

He didn't meet my eyes. "I was born in 1901 in Chicago. I died, or whatever you want to call it, in 1918 during the Spanish Influenza pandemic."

I really didn't have anything to say to that, so I finished my meal. Edward left a hundred-dollar bill on the table, not waiting for the waitress to come back. We left shortly after that, my mind still circulating all of the information.

Edward was quiet during the drive. I stared out the window, trying to figure out what to say to lessen the silence. Everything in my head was such a jumbled mess, though. I wasn't really sure what to say, so I just kept quiet.

"I'm sorry if I scared you," he said quietly, breaking the silence.

I turned to look at him. "You didn't scare me. I knew you were different. Tonight, I just learned the truth. It's still your truth, Edward, so I'm ok. I just need to settle it all in my head."

"What do you need to settle?" He glanced at me; his face concerned.

I turned my attention back out the windows. "I know that what I feel for you hasn't changed. I understand why you didn't tell me, too."

"But?"

I shifted in my seat toward him, right as he pulled into my driveway. He killed the engine and shifted so that his position matched mine. "There is no but, Edward."

"You said you need to settle things. What things?" His face conveyed nothing but concern.

"Settle my brain. Clear it out and get rid of it. So, I don't stew on any of this information; I just accept what is."

His face whipped to the side. "Damn, I lost track of time."

"What do you mean?" I glanced at my phone. It was just before 5pm. "We aren't late. I don't think Charlie will care when you got me home. As long as it's not past 10 or something."

He turned back to me. "I left out the most important thing. My mother is on her way over with Esme. They are going to tell your father what we are."

I didn't move. "I don't understand."

He ran his hand through his hair. "I didn't tell you the most important thing of all. Some of us have certain, um, powers I guess you could call them. My brother Jasper can feel emotions – not just feel them, but encourage them. My sister Alice has visions of the future. I can hear people's thoughts. My mother, though, her gift compliments Alice's in a way we never thought possible. She can see the strands of decisions that are available to people. She can tell you what emotion lays beyond a decision. If you chose this, then you will be sad, if you chose that, you will be happy, that sort of thing.

"Mother scans the branches of choice for people, and advises which one they should take. Once they make a decision, Alice has a vision and sees a visual of the outcome. And because I can read minds, I can watch both sides unfold."

I really had nothing to say now. Though I was sure my mouth was hanging wide open at this information. I tore my eyes away from his in time to see a silver car park right behind us. I gaped at it, seeing two beautiful women in the car.

I literally had zero time to process what he told me, as he was already opening my door helping me out. The women walked up to me, both smiling.

"Bella," the one with light brown hair said, coming up and hugging me. "It's so wonderful to finally meet you. I'm Esme." She leaned back studying my shocked face, turning to glare at Edward. "You didn't tell her?"

"No, I told her everything. Some of it she knew already," he said, coming to my side.

I was overwhelmed again. But this time my brain just froze. I couldn't think or say anything to any of them. The other one – Elizabeth, I was guessing, based on how much Edward looked like her – came over to me and put her arms around me next.

"I'm so happy you two found each other, dear. Truly." She leaned back and smiled at me. The current story was that Esme was her sister, they really didn't look alike at all. But there was zero doubt that she was Edward's mother.

I closed my eyes for a moment, locking all of the weirdness in a box in my mind. I opened my eyes and smiled at her. "Mrs. Cullen, it's so wonderful to meet you. Thank you for keeping Edward safe for me all these years."

Her smile was huge as she brought her arms around me again. "Thank you for saying that, dear. Just love him like he always deserved, and you and I will get along just fine." She leaned back and studied me. "I knew this would work out. I could tell you would be ok when Edward told you. But we also need to tell your father. Esme and I are here to tell him everything Edward just said to you. I know you don't understand why, yet, but I need you to understand this is important for everyone's future. Are you ok with this?"

I knew that Edward had explained her gift, but I was still stunned into silence. I just nodded. Edward came up to me then while Esme and Elizabeth moved toward the door. Charlie was standing in the door way watching the exchange, a look of confusion on his face.

"It's ok, love. I promise. Come inside and we'll chat with your father. You don't have to say anything, Mother and Esme will handle everything."

I stared up into his eyes and forgot everything for a moment. I pushed up on my feet and kissed him softly. "As long as we are together, I know you are right."

He smiled down at me. "Thank you for that. I wasn't sure if you would still want to kiss me after...well, after learning what I truly am."

"Talk more later, ok? Let's go deal with Charlie."

Esme

Elizabeth and I made our way up to the door. I saw a man standing in the doorway, but I wasn't really focusing on him. I was still reliving the conversation that I'd had with Alice and Liz earlier.

"You have to go with her," Alice said, eyes intently on mine.

"I don't understand why," I said back, looking between the two of them. "I know that you guys can see things that others can't, I get that. But I've never even met Charlie Swan. Why would my presence mean anything?"

Liz shook her head. "We can't tell you everything, Esme. Just please understand we need you to be there. Everything we are about to go through hinges on that. It's the right choice, I know it."

They had never steered me wrong, and I knew I could trust their judgement about the choices. Liz always knew the right outcome, and Alice could always follow the choices Liz made and see the full outcome. I nodded, acknowledging that I would come as well.

Elizabeth greeted him first, but I kept my head down until I was introduced. I didn't want to overwhelm the poor man. I knew how humans saw us: too beautiful to be real. He was bound to get nervous or scared if we were too obvious about everything.

"Hello Chief. My name is Elizabeth Masen-Cullen. I believe you met my Edward earlier today? We wanted to stop by and introduce ourselves officially; I know you've already met my husband, Carlisle." Liz was so good at this. She could charm anyone into being comfortable. It was part of what made her such a good nurse.

"Hello Mrs. Masen-Cullen," Charlie had said. I saw from behind Liz that he stepped back in a tacit agreement to let us in. I still hadn't looked into his face.

"Liz, please," she said, stepping inside.

As I got to the door, his smell hit me. It was mixture of...what, I didn't know. But it was heady and had my brain jumping into overdrive. I looked up into the chocolate brown eyes of the man standing in front of me and I lost all coherent thought. He appeared to be tongue tied as well, just staring down at me.

For a moment we just stared at each other. I scanned his face and memorized every line, every groove and every hair. He was beautiful. He stared back at me like he felt the same way, and for some reason I couldn't step away from him.

"Esme, shake his hand," Edward prompted me, whispering at a low rate so the humans couldn't hear.

I held my hand out as if being controlled by something other than myself. "Hello, Chief Swan. I'm Esme Pl-Masen," I said, almost forgetting the name I was going by this time. I had almost given him my real last name.

His hand shot out toward mine; as soon as we touched the world sort of disappeared. I stared at him, and he stared back. "Hello, Esme. Please call me Charlie."

Once again, I started to drown in his eyes. I had absolutely no awareness of what was around me, or who. It was Bella who brought me back to reality.

"Dad, let her go. Jeez. Can we all get inside now?"

Turning away from him was the exact opposite of what I wanted to do, but I did anyway. I caught the smile on Liz's face as I turned to face her, walking into the house again. I growled softly at her, which only made her grin bigger. She and I sat down on the small couch in the living room, as Charlie made his way to the recliner to the far side. I inhaled deep as he walked by me, just to get his scent in my head again.

Edward and Bella brought in two chairs from the kitchen, sitting down to the side. We all sat there for a few minutes, Charlie's eyes on me, before Liz began.

"We wanted to come over and chat with you for a little bit Charlie. I hope that's ok." It wasn't a question, and she didn't give him time to respond anyway. "I know that you expressed your concerns to Bella about her dating Edward, and I know that you have been told some things about us. I want to clear the air and talk frankly with each other.

"I'm sorry that Carlisle couldn't be here. He's at work, but he gave me his blessing to be here. The whole family did." She leaned toward him, and he finally broke off eye-contact with me. "You see, Charlie, we are a family. We may not all be related by blood, but we all love each other. We look out for each other."

He nodded, his eyes shooting back to me for a moment. He settled back looking at Liz, finally understanding why we were here, or at least what we had to say. "Billy says some things about you and your lot. Says that you are dangerous. And a few other things, if I'm being honest. I want to know the truth."

Liz nodded. "Tell me what you know, Charlie, and I'll confirm or deny whatever you have heard already. It may be easier to start off that way."

And they were off. Charlie talked about Quileute legends, wolves and cold ones, and on and on. I wasn't listening. I was staring intently at the amazing man listening without comment as Liz confirmed everything he knew already. It was probably an hour later before I broke out of my spell; it hadn't mattered to me. None of it. I didn't care what he knew, or what she said. I only cared about him. What was like? Did he read books, or watch TV? Does he like living in Forks? What was his favorite color? What was his favorite sport?

I simply itched to learn everything about him. I wanted to pull him aside, away from all of this mess, and ask him everything. I wanted to stay here and learn about him until I had the knowledge of everything he was in my head. I wanted to touch his face and see if it was as soft as it looked. I wanted to run my hands through his hair...

"Esme!" Edward admonished in-humanly quiet, and I glanced at him apologetically.

"I'm sorry, I don't know how to handle this," I admitted, knowing that Bella and Charlie couldn't hear me.

"Charlie, I know that we've given you a lot to think about. Do you have any questions for us? Or do you want us to go so you can think over everything you have learned already?"

My eyes shot to Liz. I didn't want to leave! We just got here!

Charlie's eyes shot back to mine. "Just give me a minute, will you?"

"Of course." Liz stood up, motioning for Edward and Bella to come. I held back, and she smiled and nodded to me. Bella shot me a strange look, but stood up and walked with them into the kitchen.

I slowly stood up, following Charlie's path. He was standing next to the back door staring out into the forest beyond the grass. He didn't say anything as I approached. I wanted to reach out and touch him, but I wasn't sure if my touch was welcome.

After all these years of watching the others be happy with their mates, and I was no better off than Edward. I found mine, but he was in front of me vulnerable and breakable. He was close, but never close enough. And he had no idea what was going through my head, because I physically couldn't tell him.

"It's beautiful here," he said quietly.

"It is." I almost slammed my hand across my face. How eloquent, Esme, seriously. "You have a lovely home, Charlie."

He shifted so he was looking at me. His eyes scanned over my face, settling on my eyes. "You have lovely eyes, Esme."

I stared up at him, smiling. I'm going for it. No chance in failure, right? Liz said I needed to be here. "Can I help you understand anything, Charlie? I'd like to get to know you better, but I want to make sure you fully understand everything."

He looked uncomfortable for a minute, but didn't look away from me. "I thought Billy had it wrong," he muttered, looking back out the window. "I figured he was a crazy old man, scared by some dumb legends. But I saw how everyone else reacted at the mere mention of you guys, and I started to wonder if I was the crazy old man." He shifted again so that he was leaning against the door, eyes back on mine. "You don't hurt people?"

I shook my head, unable to speak again.

"And you don't want to?"

I huffed a laugh, breaking out of my trance. "Depends on your definition. We don't technically want to, no, but it's against our very nature. It is a struggle some days."

"But you resist it?"

I nodded.

"Why?"

It was a simple question. But there was no simple way to explain it. I searched for the right words. "Many of us were not given a choice in what we are. None of us are inherently bad, Charlie. We don't want to be the monsters that the myth writers always portrayed us to be. That the others of our kind are. We want to do our best by the people near us, the humans, and just live. Be. Be what we are without harming those around us."

His scent infiltrated my mind again as he sighed. He ran his hand over his face in a mannerism that portrayed exhaustion. "I don't really know how to handle all of this. I guess even though I was sort of believing what Billy was saying, I still didn't quite think there was magic or mystical whatever in the world."

I nodded again. "That's totally fair, Charlie. It's a lot to take in at once. I'm sorry that we sort of ambushed you. We thought you should know."

His eyes met mine. "Why did you think I needed to know this? Why did you come over to tell me something that...like this?"

I glanced toward the kitchen, meeting Liz's eyes. She nodded to me and slipped back into the space where Edward and Bella were waiting. "Edward and Bella are...important to each other. Far more than we originally thought. We didn't want you to be unaware of what was happening."

I left out the part that I was already half in love with him. Just from a few words. I couldn't stop thinking about all the questions I had for him. But I didn't vocalize them now; he was already overwhelmed.

"Important to each other? What does that mean exactly?"

"Esme, just tell him. It's ok." I heard Liz whisper from the other room.

"Our kind is different from humans," I started, unsure of how to put this eloquently. "When we find the person we are supposed to be with, we don't give them up. We don't change much after we turn into what we are; we are sort of stuck for the remainder of our days, however long that may be."

"And, Edward and Bella...?"

"Yes, Charlie. It's not something that is fleeting, or something that can be ignored. You are important to Bella, which makes you important to us. Does that make sense?"

He huffed a laugh again. "No, not really."

I grinned up at him. "Again, that's fair. It's a lot to take in, isn't it?"

Liz walked back into the room. "Well, we should be going. I left our cell numbers on a piece of paper in the kitchen if you do have any questions."

I stared at her. How could she even think of leaving right now? I couldn't just walk away from him while he was feeling like this!

Edward came in and stood next to Liz. "Chief Swan, is it ok if Bella comes back home with us? I promise she will be safe. We can just give you some time to process everything."

Charlie's eyes shot from Edward to Liz, and settled on me. "Bells, are you ok with that?" he called, without breaking my gaze.

Bella stood next to Edward. "Yeah, Dad."

"Ok, be back no later than ten, ok? And, Elizabeth?" He called, turning his gaze to Liz. "Promise me she will be safe."

"I promise, Charlie. We would never do anything to hurt her."

They started to make their way out, but I was trapped in a sea of chocolate as his eyes flitted back to me. I heard Bella ask what was going on between us, but I didn't care; Edward and Liz could tell her whatever they wanted. I couldn't focus on anything other than him.

"Do you want me to go, too?" I asked hesitantly.

"Do you have to?" His eyes were intense.

"Not if you don't want me to." I smiled up at him. "I can stay and help you. Answer your questions."

He glanced at Edward, Liz and Bella as they left through the front door, closing it tightly. "Doesn't seem like they are taking you with them. So, why don't you stay for a while?"

"Ok." I couldn't stop the smile on my face as he looked at me again. He smiled in response and I swear I almost attacked him right there. "Liz and I brought over a casserole. Do you want some? I can go get you a dish."

He raised his eyebrow at me. "Are you eating?"

"I'm not hungry right now," I said, shaking my head.

"Well, that's good." He laughed, pushing away from the door, walking toward the kitchen. I was momentarily frozen until he glanced back at me. "This isn't going to work if every joke I make scares you."

I laughed, breaking out of my stupor once again. "You just surprised me. You are taking this all really well."

He shrugged, turning back to the kitchen. "What's the other choice? Lose my daughter to a bunch of vampires?"

He stunned me again, but this time I broke out of it before he noticed. I walked into the kitchen with him to where Liz placed the dish we brought. I took the tin foil off, and took the spoon and bowl he handed me. I dished him up, and set it down on the table. Quickly, before he even noticed, I ran into the living room and grabbed the chairs that Edward and Bella had moved earlier, setting them down next to the table.

"Wow," he said, glancing between me and the chairs.

"I'm sorry," I said, admonishing myself for the behavior. "It's easy to be myself around you I guess."

"So, Esme," Charlie started, sitting down at the table motioning for me to sit as well. "Tell me about yourself."

A/N: Shout out to Tiffany F and ClaceLover08 (and I'm sure there were others!) who guessed that I was going down this route. Clever! Yes, this was always the plan. There are more explanations coming, but I don't want to spoil any of the upcoming chapters.

In case you hated it: just be patient. The reason for everything will be evident soon – very soon! And hopefully you will get what I mean by this time next week? We'll see when I posted the new update.

Couple items of note here. Yes, I changed how Bella found out. That was always a factor because I didn't write in all the clues she had in the book. Also, with Liz in the mix, we had to make sure her gift was being utilized fully, meaning it was important for her to understand telling Charlie now was key. I always wondered what it would have been like if Charlie had been told the full story in the books. So, I decided to write it out.

I had a couple people ask about Renee. More on her soon also, I promise.

I hope you all are enjoying the story. Let me know! Hopefully FF will start working properly so you can all get these updates. Let me know your thoughts!

Thanks again to my sister for pre-reading, and my beta zombified419 for proofing. Love you both!