A/N: Shout out to my friends on Facebook at Cheatward's Spot! And a special thanks to Snoopylover60 who was the inspiration behind this outtake. I hope you enjoy! Remember to keep the suggestions coming – I'm happy to write more outtakes if you are all interested!
PLEASE read the author's note at the bottom for an exciting announcement!
Outtake – 1I made my way through airport security as quickly as possible. The process was frustrating and long, and just made me almost angry at the delay. It didn't matter that I knew I would be waiting once I got through anyway, I still wanted the process to go faster. I had already disclosed my side arm, and I knew that would make it take even longer.
"Sir? Please step to the side." The TSA agent beckoned to me; I knew it was coming, and I stopped the frustration at the further delay. I followed him to a room to the side of the security screening.
"Please take out your firearm slowly and place it on the table." I did as he asked. "Please step away so that I can inspect it."
I watched him slowly inspect my gun, ensuring it was not loaded and nothing was in the chamber. I didn't say anything, as I wanted to get through this without any problems. He peppered me with questions about where my ammunition was – stowed away, as I had been instructed to do – asking how much I had brought with me, why I needed it, and on and on. I answered every question truthfully.
"Thank you, Officer. Please go ahead and store this in your bag so it's not clearly visible. I will notify the airline and flight attendants that you have gone through additional screening, so in case they see your piece no one will be scared."
I nodded to him, not even bothering to correct what he'd called me. Finally, I was able to escape security and made my way to the gate. I sat rather impatiently waiting to be called to board, and then once I was on the plane, sat nervously waiting to land.
After what felt like days, not hours, I was finally driving around the streets of Sacramento. The flight felt like it had taken forever, but I knew that it was only a couple hours in total. My determination was set, and I was ready to do what I needed to do. I pulled up to the house by 7pm; the lights were on but I didn't see a car in the driveway. Hoping that it was just in the garage, I parked on the street and made my way to the door.
I knocked and heard shuffling on the other side. I stood my ground waiting for him to open the door.
It was easy to tell how shocked he was to see me. "Charlie? What are you doing here?"
"That's Chief Swan to you, Jacob," I said, walking in the house, though he hadn't offered.
"Chief...I haven't called you that in years." Jacob's whiney voice made me lose it there.
I turned toward him, grabbing him by the shirt and pushing him roughly against the door. "You lost the right to call me Charlie the second your fist touched my baby."
His eyes were wide with shock as he took in the anger on my face. He froze for a few moments without saying a word. I knew I had him with that comment.
"I'm going to talk, Jacob, and you are going to listen. Do you understand?" He nodded, still not speaking. "I know what happened when Bella told you she was leaving. I'm here to teach you – educate you on what your actions caused.
"I had an opportunity to study up on California domestic violence laws. So, here's the deal. I can take you in right now for domestic assault. Do you know the law, Jacob? Do you know what happens to you if I do that?"
Jacob shook his head no. Even though he was bigger than me and probably could break away from my hold easily, he never made a move to get out of my grasp.
"It means many things that I'm betting you didn't factor. It means mandatory jail time, classes to teach you how to not hit women, payment of fines to the one abused and last but not least a permanent criminal record." I pushed myself closer to him. I restrained my rage moderately; I wanted him to understand how angry I was, but I didn't want to lose full control. "Does that sound like something you want to deal with?"
"N-n-no, Chief Swan, sir." His eyes were still wide, but he recovered faster than I thought he would. The intention of me coming here was to make sure he understood what Bella had saved him from by not reporting the abuse. Jacob had other plans, though. "Did she tell you what she did to me?" he jeered at me.
I shoved him against the door again, releasing his shirt. I took a step back and glared at him. "You mean, did she tell me she was sleeping with someone else?"
His gaze faltered and I could tell that he hadn't expected me to know that. "She's been fucking some other guy. You would have been angry about that, too!"
I took a menacing step closer to him, and he shrunk against the door again. "No matter how angry I would have been about that I never would have raised my fist in anger, Jacob." I sighed, turning to sit down on the couch in the living room. "You have every right to be angry about her cheating; you do not have any right to hit her, or anyone else. Do you understand me?"
"I lost it, Charlie. I love her so much! I couldn't handle it when she told me she cheated."
I raised my eyebrow at him. "Really? What about all the names you called her over the years? What about getting angry about silly things like a broken lamp, not cleaning up lunch dishes, or vacuuming? You love her, then why did you treat her like that?"
"What did she tell you? She's a cheater, Charlie, you know that means she's a liar."
I stood up again, pushing my jacket aside so he could see the gun on my belt. His eyes shot down, widening again. "Don't you ever say that about my daughter, Jake. I'm serious. I know enough to know that you have been emotionally abusing her for years."
This time he didn't have a response. He sat down on the chair next to the front door, leaning forward and resting his arms on his knees. I sat back down also, just watching him, waiting for a response.
"Things got out of hand. I don't know why I acted the way I did." He didn't look up at me.
"Well, that's also why I'm here. You need help, Jake. And I'm going to see that you get it."
His eyes shot to me. "What do you mean? Bella said she wasn't going to press charges," he said, sounding very nervous.
"I'm not arresting you; even if I want to, Bella asked me not to. However, because I'm not arresting you, we are going to come to an agreement today. Got it?"
"What kind of agreement?"
"The kind where I say I'm not arresting you, and you agree to all of my terms."
His head hung in shame, and he didn't say anything more.
"Here's what's going to happen. You were served the divorce papers, yes?" He nodded. "Good, you are going to tell your attorney that you are not contesting anything. That you agree to all of her terms." His eyes shot up at mine and I saw a flash of anger, but I wasn't done. "Then, you are going to speak with your doctor and get a referral to a therapist. I expect to see that you are either in individual therapy or group sessions to help control your anger within three months, Jake, or the deal's off."
He was angry now; I could see it written all over his face. "Is that all? You just expect me to bow down and accept whatever she wants? Even though she cheated on me?"
"Jacob," I said, standing up again and looming over him in the chair. "What she did was morally wrong, I agree." I leaned down so that my face was close to his. "But what you did was criminal. Illegal. Do you understand me?"
"Are those the only conditions, Charlie?"
"Chief Swan, Jacob. And don't forget it again." He glanced up at me, but didn't say anything. "Just one more. After you tell your attorney that you are not contesting anything, you will promise to never speak to Bella again. Ever. If you find something of hers when you are moving, you call me. I will be your only contact. Do you understand that?"
Driving away from the house I felt better than I had in the last couple of weeks. That sorry piece of shit may not be paying for what he did to Bella, but at least she wouldn't have to constantly worry about him popping back up. I casually reminded him of the statute of limitations on abuse cases in California, and he knew there was no other choice.
I made my way to the hotel, checking in and getting to my room before falling down on the bed in exhaustion. I was only there one night, leaving the following evening, but I still had a few things I needed to do before heading back home.
The next morning, I drove to Bella's attorney's office, having made the appointment with her a few days earlier. She was a pleasant woman, with a heart of a lion as we discussed the divorce, and Jacob's behavior.
"When Angela told me he'd hit her I was furious," she was saying, sitting down at the conference table. "I was surprised to find out that he hadn't been arrested, honestly. Especially considering Bella's father is a police officer." She smirked at me. "I'm assuming, since you are here, that you are helping with the situation?"
I nodded, smiling at her. "You should be hearing from them soon. If you don't hear anything by the weekend, please call me. I'll take care of it."
She nodded. "Did Bella make it to Washington ok? I figured she was busy, so I didn't want to call."
"Yes, they got in yesterday." I leaned forward. "Did you get the background check I sent you? Was there anything to add based on your research?"
She opened one of the files on the table. "No, actually. Everything Bella told me and you about him is true. He is married, though I'm certain the divorce papers will show in court soon enough. As of this morning I didn't see any filings. You know those can take days to show on record once filed. I'll keep my eyes open, though." She flipped through a few more pages. "Never been arrested, or in any trouble, according to what you sent me. My own research shows similar things; he graduated from the University of Washington with a double major of Marketing and Business. He and his wife are renting a condo just outside of Seattle. Though, I saw a rent to own contract be filed yesterday for downtown. I'm assuming that's for him and Bella?"
I glanced down at the address, nodding. "Yes, that's what she gave me as well. So, nothing stands out? He seems like a good man?"
She closed the folder. "You and I both know there's only so much you can gather from background checks. Nothing criminal; nothing that strikes me. Most importantly, so far anyway, is that everything Bella said to us about him is all true."
I nodded. "He better treat her right."
She smiled at me, standing up. "Thanks for your help, Charlie. I'll let you know when I hear from his attorney."
A/N: Not too long, but enough to understand the exact involvement that Charlie had in this. Once again, thanks to Snoopylover60 who gave me the suggestion. I'm sure there are other parts of the story you guys want, right? Bring it on!
Also, gentle reminder: Please read my vamp fic Twist of Fate! I have officially completed all chapters and are heavily in edit mode now – I post twice a week (Wednesday and Saturday, and sometimes extras through the week), so please come over and give it a read. I'm really proud of this story!
Now for the EXCITING ANNOUNCEMENT: Since I have totally finished writing my vamp fic, I have taken on one more story. EPOV for Inappropriate Love! First chapter posted today – please look for "Consuming Love" a companion story to this little story. I hope that you love it! It is definitely a labor of love for me :)
Thanks to my friends at Cheatward's Spot, and my beta zombified 419 for your help and encouragement, as always!