~ Forks, Washington - March 31, 2005 ~
Before hanging up, Alice let me know that the girl's hunt was over so Bella could come out to help Irina get ready. That was thirty minutes ago. I spent my time alone contemplating the Quileutes on many levels. Their displeasure with Charlie and Bella being mated to vampires was not unexpected, but now that it seemed that Alice's gift could be compromised by their shape-shifted presence, perhaps an early departure from this area would be prudent.
I pushed that from my head when I picked up Charlie's soft thoughts. Harry and Billy had found him. A scene similar to what happened here at the house played out in the parking lot of the barber shop. Now that he was close enough to the house to be in range of my gift, Charlie forced himself to go through the entirety of the vitriol and insult laced conversation for my benefit. Given that they could not change Charlie's mind about Irina, they forbade him and Bella from entering reservation lands. Charlie had let them know, in no uncertain terms, that as the Chief of Police, he had jurisdiction over the reservation, so he would come and go as he pleased. Although, he hoped it would not be necessary anytime soon because he currently had no desire to see or speak to them. Some of the things Harry and Billy said regarding Irina and my family really upset Charlie. He now doubted his friendship with them could ever be repaired.
"So there you have it, Edward," Charlie thought as he pulled into the driveway of the house. "I hope you heard everything because I do not wish to discuss it any further."
A few moments later he entered the house. Despite his haircut and shave, he looked like a weary man.
"Jacob was here?" He simply asked as he looked around for some sign of destruction or maiming. Charlie was feeling pretty raw so I decided to give him an abbreviated, but unfiltered account of what happened.
"He was," I replied. "He called Irina and my family names. Then he tried to convince Bella he was better boyfriend material than me. She refused and nearly pepper sprayed him." Charlie raise his brow at that statement. He secretly would have liked to see that, he was also proud of her. So was I. "I managed to not tear him apart before he left. Oh, and Sam Uley was here too, he's a wolf now."
Charlie had heard from his former friends about Sam's change. He could not really envision how large the Quileute wolves were, but ultimately that didn't matter. He simply did not like the idea them being around Forks, and he especially hated that one of them was near his daughter.
"You don't have to worry, Charlie. He never left the woods and I stationed myself between him and Bella. I knew she could handle Jacob, but a wolf, the size of a small horse…I didn't want to chance her safety."
"Thank you," he said mentally as he walked into the kitchen. He opened the refrigerator and pulled out a beer. He walked back into family room and dropped down into his recliner. He pulled the tab on the can, before closing his eyes and taking a a deep drink of the beverage.
"Christ, I needed that," He wheezed. He opened his eyes and motioned to the beer. "I'd offer you one, but…"
"I'm a vampire?" I teased.
"I was going to say underage, but that is not really true, is it." I shook my head as he took a another sip. "Edward, can I ask you something?"
"Sure. You can ask me anything," I replied. I knew he was troubled by many things. Only some of which was his meeting with his Quileute friends that morning. He knew I could see his worries, but he was glad I was going to allow him to get to them at his own pace. He wasn't ready to ask what he truly wanted, so I let him continue with his diversion question.
"I have often wondered about your gift. It seems like something great, but I imagine it is not easy to live with. It couldn't have been easy to hear Jacob's thoughts earlier. What's it like knowing everyone's darkest secrets?"
"You're correct, it's not easy to live with. I can't turn it off." I paused to think how I could make it relatable to Charlie. "Its similar to what you experience in a room full of people all talking at one time. You can hear the noise of the chatter, and if you wanted to, you can focus on specific conversations and hear them. Its the same for me, but the room covers a couple of miles, and I hear the thoughts going through their mind. You'd be surprised how much a human thinks in a short amount of time. Vampires even more so. It can be maddening. Also, my vampire memory will not allow me to forget what I've heard. Plus, I often feel guilty about invading everyone's privacy. Believe, me! There is a lot of mental ramblings I don't want know and wish I could forget! Even someone as reserved and staid as Reverend Weber has private musings that…well, you get the idea."
Charlie gave me a sad smile. In a small way he could relate. As police chief, he was privy to a lot of personal details, failings, and debauchery of the, generally, good people of Forks.
"The only way I can stop it is by removing myself from the noise," I added. I decided to pivot the conversation back to what was really bothering Charlie. "Bella is the only one I have ever met that is immune to my gift, and I am thankful for it. Esme believes vampire mating is about finding the one soul that gives you what you need the most. Two mated individuals, sometimes seemingly opposite or contrary in personalities, together are complementary, interconnected, and interdependent. Yin and Yang, as it were. Bella has a courage and feistiness I generally lack. Her compassion for others is unwavering, and she is intelligent and savvy beyond her years. Plus, unlike anyone else, her silent mind continuously surprises me and keeps me off balance. Since I've met her, I realized how much I rely on my gift and how jaded I had become around people because of that. Simply put, I need Bella."
Charlie gave me his first real smile since he arrived at the house. "Nicely played, Edward. You gave me an easy segue." He paused for another sip as he gathered his thoughts. "Bella's mother, Renee, and I were opposites. I think in many ways we both expected that each other would eventually change. And for a while, I did, at least somewhat. Then Bella came along. I focused on becoming the best provider I could, which meant I gave up some of my more reckless habits. Which if I am being honest, I was happy to do. I knew Renee was a free spirit and I tried to make myself more like her, in the hope she would not get bored with me. The man she thought she married wasn't really me. For her part, Renee tried to fit into the role of a house wife. But that was never for her. In the end, our differences were what drove us appart."
Charlie paused and took a long swig of beer.
"I'd be a fool to not see that Renee and Irina share some some similar traits. I guess I am just worried that Irina will get bored with me like Renee did. I know what you have said about mating and how absolute it is. And I feel that way. This is absolute. Its permanent for me. And this is not me having cold feet about marrying Irina. It's not. I can't wait for us to be married. I know my worry is probably stupid and irrational, but its a worry I have."
Charlie got up and went into he kitchen and got a new beer. He was never one to be comfortable speaking about his feelings, but somehow I was the only one he felt comfortable speaking to about this, besides Irina of course. When he returned he sat back down and took a another sip.
"This is my last can, I promise. 'Rina will be pissed if I show up to marry her drunk." Charlie relayed in his thoughts with a slight smirk on his face. "Ok, I'm ready to hear how this is all in my head and I have nothing to worry about."
"Charlie, only some of that is in your head, but your are right, you don't have anything to worry about." I couldn't help but give Charlie a smirk back. I could tell he felt better just being able to voice his concern. He really didn't need a pep talk, but I was not opposed to giving him one.
"I don't know Renee, except for what I have learned from both you and Bella." I thought it was best to leave out the bits of information I gathered when I briefly met her in Phoenix. "I do agree that Irina and Renee share a propensity for being impulsive. But in a lot of other ways, they are very different. From what I have been able to surmise, Renee can be a selfish person. Now I know we all can be a bit selfish from time-to-time. That's only natural. However, all too often, Renee places her wants and needs above those around her. Bella has commented that as she got older, she felt more like the parent than the child."
In Charlie's thoughts he agreed with my assessment, including that Bella was forced into carrying more responsibility than he liked because of Renee's flighty and sometimes absentee parenting.
"In this regard, Irina and Renee are very different. Before you came into her existence, she was independent, but also extremely loyal and committed to her sisters, as well as Eleazar and Carmen. Yes, she can be impulsive, but once she commits to something, she will see it's through. And she is not opposed to listening to reason, at least eventually." Charlie smirked and nodded his head in agreement. In his mind Irina could be stubborn, but also rational.
"Plus, I have never known her to unfairly put her desires before her family's. Now any relationship, regardless if it involves mating or not, will require some compromise. You have seen the mated couples in my family in the best possible light. To an outsider it would seem that they never get upset or quarrel, but that is not the case. Rose and Emmett are the most prone to have a disagreement, but the other couples are not immune to the occasional argument. Luckily, the mating bond makes these periods of unrest short in duration and they are typically followed with some extended amorous activities."
Charlie blushed a little thinking of how the couple of disagreements he and Irina have had ended rather passionately. He also thought about what I said about compromise and how that related to what caused the arguments they've had. Really it was only one argument, that they had on multiple occasions. They couldn't seem to resolve to core issue, at least to Irina's satisfaction. Because I could see both of their thoughts concerning the matter, I knew that the solution was not an easy one for either to compromise on.
"Charlie, I know it is not my place to get involved in your relationship with Irina, but I did want to tell you that I have seen both of your views on you remaining the Chief of Police. Actually, Irina has asked me to talk to you about it, but I told her I only would only do so if you were comfortable speaking with me on the subject. I also told her, I would not advocate her side over yours, only just provide my opinion should you desire it."
Charlie sighed and then drank some of his beer. He knew Irina was unhappy with him, which bothered him on many levels, including that the fact that he knew she was, at least to a certain extent, right in her position.
"Edward, I know that everyday I go into the station there is a certain amount of risk that I undertake." Charlie reached into his pocket and pulled out the flattened bullet from the Mitchell barn incident. "This reminds me how unpredictable life can be and how quickly things can go south. But, I've been in the Forks PD pretty much my entire adult life. It's not just what I do to earn a paycheck, it's part of who I am. I am sure you know, but once Bella graduates and everything is set for her change, I am going to have Irina change me. So I only have another eighteen months or so of being a police officer. I've promised 'Rina that I'd be extra careful. I now always wear the vest when I am on a call, and I am being extremely cautious and aware on traffic stops. Believe me, Edward. No one wants me to get through the next year and half alive more than I do."
"Listen, Charlie, we all appreciate the extra caution you are taking, especially Bella and Irina. However, did you know that Irina has started following you when you are out on calls?"
Charlie shook his head and squeezed the flattened bullet. "She does?" He asked rhetorically. "Well that explains a few things. Like why some days she no longer calls to check up on me." Charlie thought about this for a moment. "In fact, she now only calls on sunny days, which I am guessing, are the ones she can't easy be out in public ghosting me. What else has she been doing?"
"She has Alice monitoring her visions for any mishaps that may come your way. And she has asked Carlisle to keep an eye out for any changes in your health. Also, should anything happen to you, she has given everyone in the family the directive that you should be changed immediately."
"I knew about that one," he told me. "I assume you have asked the family to do the same for Bella as well?"
"I have. In fact, I have also asked Alice and Carlisle to keep their eyes out for Bella. Charlie, I'll be honest with you. I may not show it outwardly as much as Irina, but Bella's and your health are always one of my top concerns. I know you both don't like to hear it, but you both are very fragile. When Bella had the flu in January, I was out of my mind with worry. Spanish influenza is what took my parents lives. It's what would have taken my life if Carlisle had not stepped in and changed me. Even when I was not by her side, I was just outside in the woods and I would have changed her immediately if her vitals dropped beyond a certain level. Also, I have been known to follow Bella as well. Not here in Forks, but last week when she went to Port Angles with Angela, I ghosted them the entire time." I paused for a moment. "Um, She doesn't really know about that."
Charlie huffed in annoyance over what he felt was our family and Irina treating him and Bella like children, but weight of the bullet in his hand pushed those thoughts away.
"Charlie, we know you and Bella are not children, but you two are Irina's and mine mates. We would do anything to ensure no harm comes to either of you. We can't really help ourselves. If you knew Irina was going to do something that put her at risk, would you be worried? Would you want to be with her just so you could help in anyway you possibly could? Would you do anything in your power to make sure no harm comes to her?"
"Yes!" Charlie's answer was immediate. He did not need to think it over. If the roles were reversed he would have done the same, and likewise, he would have asked for my family's intervention. "Yes, I would."
"Also, you know after this evening, your don't really need to work. Irina is a wealthy woman in her own right."
Irina's human family was very well off as compared to her contemporaries. About twenty years after she was changed, Irina's last human relative died. There were no other living heirs, so Sasha, Irina's creator, helped her secure and hide away her family's fortune. Over the centuries her wealth has grown even further. She has never been overly materialistic, but she does enjoy some of the baubles and experiences her money can buy her.
Charlie raised his hand to stop me. "Edward, I know all of that. She has shown me her bank statements and told me about the vault she has in Switzerland with her family's treasures. To be honest, and I know I will sound like a Neanderthal, but I am uncomfortable allowing my wife to support me."
I opened my mouth to try to explain to Charlie that we were all wealthy. Some of us very wealthy. So it shouldn't be a concern of his. However, Charlie shook his head and gave me a stern look.
"Stop! I know what you are going to say, because 'Rina and I have already discussed it. Believe me, she has let me know that my thinking is antiquated and chauvinistic. I will come to terms with that part of my wife's life. It will just take me some time. And I will think about the work situation. However, it's not just about me. Mark will make a fine Chief of Police and Brad is very capable. But another deputy will need to be hired and trained. I'd rather not add more work on Mark and Brad by just leaving without having a transition plan in place."
"Fair, enough." I told him. Charlie's arguments were not without some merit as well, and I did not want to upset him. "But, let me just add, that Irina does understand your devotion and loyalty to your career. She really does. She respects it and loves you for it, but her perception is a bit different. She's been without a mate for over a thousand years, and you have become the most precious thing in her existence. So try not to get upset if she hovers or continues to ghost you while you are working. It's how she is coping with your current state of humanity. Once you have been changed, I think you both will be more at ease with each other."
Just like I will be able to relax and not worry so much about Bella after her change.
"Now enough of this," I said as I glanced at my watch. "I have strict orders to make sure you are dressed and at the wedding on time!"
Charlie looked in the mirror at his bow tie. He had been practicing for two weeks on how to tie it properly, and it paid off. He was happy with the results after the first attempt. Charlie then looked around for his cuff links, but he could not find them.
"You wont't find them, Charlie," I said from the doorway to his room. I reached into my pocket and pulled out a small box. "Here, these are from Irina," I told him as I handed him the box.
Charlie looked at the box for a moment before he opened the lid. Inside were a pair of custom made cufflinks.
"Irina wanted me to surprise you with those. She had them made just for you."
Charlie traced the cuff links with his fingers. Each had his initials in gold against a background of tiny blue sapphires. He pulled the links from the box and smiled when he saw the inscription engraved on the back of each. One said "My Forever", while the other had "My Love". His fingers trembled slightly with emotion as slipped and secured one, then the other, into the cuffs of his shirt. Charlie's mind then drifted to his wedding gift to Irina.
"Bella texted me a few minutes ago that she gave Irina your gift," I quietly told him. He looked over at me expectantly, so I handed my phone over to Charlie so he could read Bella's texts himself.
"Tell Dad I gave Irina the necklace. She loved it! Swoon!"
"She said 'It's perfect! Just like Charlie, I will treasure it forever!'"
"Now she has something blue to wear, however Alice wasn't surprised…hmmm ;)"
"I'll see you both soon!"
A goofy little grin crossed Charlie's face as he re-read Bella's text messages. Shortly after they became engaged, he had envisioned the gift he wanted to give to Irina on their wedding day, but the sole jewelry store in Port Angeles did not have anything like it. They told him what he wanted was not consistent with modern jewelry trends and they doubted he would find something new that matched what he wanted. That afternoon, Alice met him at the police station and showed him a picture of a necklace that was exactly what he wanted. It was an antique sapphire lavalier gold necklace from 1930. It was being sold at an small estate auction house in New York. Together, they called the auction house, where Alice talked circles around the poor jewelry manager until he finally agreed to sell it to Charlie a very reasonable price.
After he handed the phone back to me, Charlie looked at himself one more time on the mirror. His eyes drifted to the cufflinks and he smiled. He was happy they would both have something blue to wear.
"Holy shit!" Charlie cursed under his breath when he saw how my family's backyard had been transformed into an outdoor wedding dreamland that any bride would be envious of. He had sat through Alice's many wedding planing meetings over the past few weeks, but his mind often wandered when she started getting into the minutia. All he really cared about was that when it was over, he and Irina would be husband and wife.
"You really should have paid more attention, Charlie," Alice teased as she approached the both of us. "Here you need this," she said as she attached Charlie's boutonniere. She looked Charlie over with a critical eye before she caught sight of his cuff links. She squealed as she raised his sleeves to inspect them. "You two are going to look so good in the pictures! Perfect!" Then as quickly as she appeared, she flitted away to check on the flower placement.
Charlie shook his head as he watched Alice retreat.
"Don't worry Charlie, the worst is over." Emmett said before giving Charlie light pat on the back. "Take it from me. I've been through this three times, and two of those were 'Alice' weddings." Emmett used fingers quotes to emphasize our sister's name as if it were an adjective. "Just do and go where Alice tells you to and the rest will just happen."
"You've been married three times?" Charlie asked incredulously.
"Yeah," Emmett replied with a big smile. "Rose likes weddings so every twenty years or so we get hitched. But that just means we get to go on another honeymoon, so I'm all for it." Emmett wagged his eyes brows up and down suggestively, before leaving us to find the other vampire men.
"Is this a thing?" Charlie asked. "Do vampire couples get married many times?"
"No," I replied as I shook my head. "Rose and Emmett are the only ones who have made a habit out of it. Alice and Jasper have only been married once. Luckily for Jasper, Alice likes to plan other people's weddings, rather than her own. Esme and Carlisle married before Rose and Emmett, and, Alice and Jasper joined the family. It is still my favorite of all of the family's weddings."
"Why's that?" Charlie asked.
"Esme and Carlisle wanted a small intimate ceremony. For them, it was just about their vows and their love. I had never experienced mating before, so I was in awe over their feelings for one another. Carlisle was the most compassionate and honorable man I had ever met, yet, despite having made many vampire friends and changing me, he was still lonely. As a human, Esme was forced into an unhappy marriage to cruel, abusive man, and then had suffered through a loss of child. I believed then, as I do now, no couple deserved a happily-ever-after more than them."
"Thank you," Carlisle said in his thoughts. From inside the house, he, as well as the rest of the family, had been listening in to our conversation. "Although, I believe we all are deserving of a happily-ever-after."
"However," I continued my talk with Charlie. "This is one is going to pretty special. I just may have a new favorite by the end of it."
As the wedding time approached, my family and the male members of the Denali family mingled with the human guests, while the Denali women finished Irina's final preparations. When Charlie first proposed, Irina was only mildly excited about the wedding. Like her sister Kate, she didn't really see the need to be married, as being mated was already a permanent display if her love for Charlie. However, as the planning progressed, Irina became excited and giddy about walking down the wedding aisle to become Mrs. Charlie Swan.
Soon the Denali women and Bella joined the guests. For the assembled humans, many were amazed at how beautiful the Cullen and Denali familes were. Luckily for me, most of their thoughts were limited to their general beauty and did not stray into more intimate directions.
With their emergence, Alice gestured for Charlie to move up to the front where Reverend Weber was waiting. Bella sought me out and waved, before she motioned towards her father. I waved back and nodded. I knew she wanted to have a few private words with Charlie.
"Wow, Dad!" Bella told Charlie as she pointed towards his tuxedo.
"I know. I look hot!" Charlie teased before giving Bella a hug and kissing her forehead.
Bella pulled away and looked at her father for a long moment. "You look happy, Dad!"
"I'm very happy! Except for the day you were born, this is happiest day of my life." Charlie paused for a moment as he contemplated that despite believing he was once in love with Bella's mother, Renee, he never felt for her what he does for Irina and Bella. This saddened him briefly before realizing that everything had happened for a reason. He and Renee may not have been soul mates, but he would always care for her, if for no other reason other than she gifted him Bella. As he looked at Bella he wanted to make sure she was ok with Irina.
"Are you happy with me getting re-married, Bells?" Charlie asked.
"Yes!" Bella answered enthusiastically. "Irina is great and we get along well. But, what's most important is that she makes you happy and you make her happy. That's all that matters to me."
"You know you'll always have a home with us, Bells. As much as I am looking forward for Irina and I to start our life together, you will always be my daughter."
Bella opened her arms and hugged Charlie. "I know, Dad," she whispered. "But we are both part of much larger family now. We'll both have to get use to that."
Charlie and Bella released each other as they looked around at my family and the Denali's. Charlie liked the idea of having a large family around. The concept of eternity was still vague to him, but he was glad he and Bella would have family around them during that journey.
"I guess one of these days it'll be you walking down the aisle," Charlie said as he looked where Irina would soon emerge from the house.
Bella laughed and slapped her Dad on the chest. "I don't think so!" Bella looked around to make sure none of the human guests could hear them. "That won't be happening until…after." Bella gave her father a knowing look.
"Do you think I should wait until after?" He asked. Charlie was happy Bella and I were waiting, but now he was worried about his decision to get married so quickly.
Bella placed her hand on Charlie's arm and shook her head. "No dad. This is right for you and Irina. Edward and I will do what's right for us. I'm sure you can imagine what the town gossips would say if I got married in the next couple of years. They'd all be looking for a baby bump." Bella laughed at the scenario she painted, but Charlie frowned and shot me a look. He did not like the idea of Bella being pregnant. As far as he was concerned, Bella and I only kissed each other…nothing more. "No, I am content to wait a bit."
Before they could continue their conversation, the music changed signaling the wedding was to finally start.
I handed Bella a handkerchief, which she used to dry her eyes. Reverend Weber had guided Charlie and Irina though the simple, yet beautiful ceremony. The bride and groom declared their own vows to each other, with each promising forever. For most of the humans in attendance, the sentiment was a lovely hyperbole, but for the immortal guests and Bella, it meant so much more.
As Charlie leaned down to kiss his new wife, I knew I had just witnessed my new favorite family wedding.
Author's Note:
A while back, I asked what scenes you would like to see. I received many requests for a Bella and Jacob showdown. Plus, when I originally wrote the story, I never gave Charlie and Irina the wedding they deserved. So I added the two together. I hoped you liked it! Now that these new chapters are done, I will get back to my normal publishing schedule...sort of. I hope to continue with Monday and Friday, but with the holidays coming up I may miss an occasional day here or there.
Thank you for reading and reviewing!
-Chris