CHARLIE

I've lived in this town all my life, and I think I've heard every rumor that has ever been spread. I've never known whether to believe them or to ignore them. Whether I found them true or not, I've never let any rumor hindered me from effectively doing my job, nor how I felt about the citizen the rumor involved. This is the first time a scandal ever turned violent, and it's my daughter causing the violence. I don't know whether to cheer that she had the guts to stand up to the source of the rumor about her or to be appalled that she felt violence was the best way to handle the situation.

As of late, the rumors that have made it back to me just happens to involve the family of a guy who's asked my permission to date, my daughter.

Two of the many rumors I've heard have just been reaffirmed and dispelled at the same time by said guy.

Rumor 1: Dr. Cullen allows his foster children to date living under the same roof. True

I don't know how I feel about this. While it doesn't seem right in one way, there is nothing illegal or in this case even morally wrong with that. It's not like they are biologically related. Since Emmett and his sister carry the Cullen name, I'd guess these are his adopted children, and the Hales are his foster children. Though I didn't ask the age of Emmett's biological sister, I'm guessing all involved are adults or near enough to being an adult to make an informed decision as to who they date.

Rumor 2: Emmett Cullen and Rosalie Hale are a couple. False.

It's a shame, and I'm really sorry what happened to that beautiful soul Rosalie Hale. Not only is she physically attractive, but she also seems to have a good heart, even though they've tried to break her spirit. Yet another reason I want to take Mike Newton out back and shoot him like the rabid dog he is.

At this point, I understand how Emmett feels about Bella. I, for some strange reason, have an unnatural pull and strong protectiveness over Ms. Rosalie Hale. Especially, now that I know that she is not dating Emmett. When he was comforting his sister, I had an irrational urge to rip the fucker's arms off. And God help me, I know she is only nineteen-years-old. JESUS! No! No! I'm not going to even think it, certainly not speak it.

OH GOD! I have the hots for a woman who I'm old enough to be her father and is going to school with my daughter. I AM SO GOING TO HELL!

Okay, Charlie, just keep it in check.

Rumor 3. If they are not biologically related, why do they have the same strange color eyes, pale, cold skin, and unfathomable beauty?

Emmett explained part of that, in that Edward is Mrs. Cullen's kid brother. However, that doesn't explain the rest of them. Is it some genetic trait that they all share. Maybe Dr. and Mrs. Cullen, along with Edward, have a genetic abnormality. Perhaps they seek to foster and adopt kids with the same affliction as they have.

Rumor 4: The Quileutes.

This one I have no rhyme nor reason in explaining. The only thing they keep telling me is that The Cullens are a danger to the town and to them. Is it just plain prejudice? Has something unjust happened between the Quileute's and the Cullens? Maybe, I should talk to Billy and Harry again. Sit them down and make them tell me exactly why I should be wary of them.

"Um, Daddy? Is everything alright up there? The light has changed from red to green and back again twice already. I kinda want to get out of the back of this police car before I graduate high school." Bella says from the back of the patrol car. I chuckle nervously.

"Sorry, there kiddo. Your old man has a lot on his mind. I promise we'll be in and out once we get to the station.

BELLA

I still don't know what possessed me to punch Mike the creep in the balls. Yeah, Charlie has drilled it in my head and shown me the moves since I was ten-years-old and came to visit him during the summers and holidays.

"Bella," he'd say in his gruff voice, that I tried to imitate in my head. "Don't just be a victim if someone attacks you or tries to rape you. You hit them where it counts. Not only will they leave you alone, and give you a chance to get away, but they will think twice about attacking another woman ever again. And if you do it right, they will no longer have the working equipment."

God, how I laughed every time he said it. How could little old me, do that kind of damage to a guy. Turns out, with enough anger and adrenaline, I pack a pretty mean punch.

Speaking of Charlie, God! What the hell was up with him making goo-goo eyes at Rosalie? Have both my parents' taken total leave of their faculties? And, here I thought Renée was the irresponsible one.

At least, the man she married is only eleven years younger. Rosalie has got to be my age, or within two years of my age. That mean dirty old man, Charlie is going after someone that's half his age.

Okay, Bella, stop it. Maybe you're putting the cart before the horse. Maybe Charlie was just stuck on stupid like I was at first sight of Rosalie up close.

The first time I saw any of the Cullens, I thought they were the most insanely beautiful people I've ever seen, at that was from across the cafeteria. To see them up close is almost transcendent. It's like seeing Greek Gods come to life. And I swear, their bodies are as hard as statues.

Yet, for some reason, being in Emmett's arms was like nothing I've ever felt, like—well ever. I swear, I didn't want him to let me go, and it almost seems as if he didn't want to either.

What the hell? Why have we stopped? I bet Charlie's thinking about Rosalie just like I'm thinking about Emmett. Only with Charlie, just EWW!

"Um, Daddy? Is everything alright up there? The light has changed from red to green and back again twice already. I kinda want to get out of the back of this police car before I graduate high school." Charlie gives me a nervous chuckle as his eyes peer at me through the rear-view mirror. Yep, caught ya!

"Sorry, there kiddo. Your old man has a lot on his mind. I promise we'll be in and out once we get to the station.

EMMETT

I'm driving Rosie and I back home. No sense in going back to school now. I've already texted Jasper to pick up my homework from my missed classes and asked him to have Alice do the same for Bella. I'll take her work to her when I visit her this evening.

Every now and then, I look over at Rosie to make sure she's okay. Every so often, I notice she looks as though she's lost in thought. She gives a little sigh and rubs her fisted hand on her chest. Which just so happens to be the same place I feel a tug in my chest. Except I know, that tug is from me missing my mate.

"Rosie is everything okay?" I ask her. She sighs again.

"Yeah, except my chest hurts. Hey Em, have you ever noticed before, how handsome Chief Swan is? I mean his dark hair, with just a light touch of grey makes him seem so distinguished. And those expressive brown eyes, just like Bella's seems to look right into your soul?" At first, I look at Rosalie as if she's gone mental. I mean she has never noticed a guy's eyes before. Then it hits me, and my facial expression is crestfallen. No! It can't be! This can't be happening.

"Rosalie!" Rose almost jumps out of her skin when I call her name.

"You, dumbass! You scared the shit out of me." She says as she slaps me in the back of the head.

"That, right there, tells me there's something wrong with you. You are a vampire, for Christ's sake. I should not be able to scare you. Rosie, why are you rubbing your chest?" I look at her through narrowed eyes.

"I just told you, my chest hurts, why?"

"And since when do vampires feel pains like chest aches? And tell me this, when did your chest start hurting?"

"It started right after Bella and Charlie left…HOLY FUCKING SHIT!" Rosalie says as she turns in her seat and looks at me, her eyes wide as saucers."

"ROSALIE LILLIAN HALE! I swear before everything that is holy, if you blow my chances with Isabella, I will never forgive you!" I tell her through gritted teeth.

"YOU? WHAT ABOUT ME? What am I going to do? I love that little human like she's my own little sister. Now, what am I supposed to tell her? "Oh, sorry lil sis, but you need to call me mommy, now?"

"I think technically it's step-mom," I say jokingly with a chuckle.

"Em, can you be serious for a few minutes," Rosalie says with tears in her eyes.

"AWWW shucks, Rosie. Don't cry!" Shit! She knows I get super freaked out whenever she starts crying.

"I can't help it, Em. What are we going to do now? You're mated to Bella, and I'm mated to her dad. What if neither one of them accepts us? Shit! I can't see how this mating bullshit does either of us any good. I've never even been with a man, except to be violated. At least you've had Kate and Irina." My eyes nearly bug out of my head at the mention of the Succubi sisters.

"H—h—how did you…"

"Oh, come off it, Emmett. Everybody knows they made an Emmett sandwich out of you. Just like everybody knows Edward's been playing hide the sausage with Tanya all these years. You didn't think he's just naturally Emo, did you? No, he just refuses to admit that he and Tanya are mated. It wasn't as bad when Carlisle and Esme were the only mated pair. Why do you think Edward wasn't even here when Alice and Jasper came to live with us. He was up in Denali visiting Tanya. It's been absolute torture on all of us after they moved in, with Jasper projecting lust like clockwork."

I didn't even realize what time it was or that we'd actually pulled up at the house until I saw Edward fly out of the house pulling on his naturally unruly hair.

"You both have got to be kidding me? You can't both possible think you've mated with both the Swans? They're humans for crying out loud. You're going to get us exposed! We'll have to leave. You both have to end this NOW!" Rosalie and I looked at each other out of the corner of our eyes.

"God, Edward, emo, much?" Rosalie said, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

"Wow! Both humans, huh? Can't get much past you," I said my sarcasm matching Rosalie's.

"I'm calling Carlisle!"

"Edward, What the fuck? What are you two-years-old? Running to mommy and daddy to tattle. Besides I'm pretty sure Carlisle already knows, about Bella and me, at least. Probably Rose too. It wasn't too hard to see how Chief Swan couldn't keep his eyes off Rosalie. Anyway, I've got to run. I want to be there when Bella gets out of jail, and I want to pick her up some flowers and candy. I mean, humans still do that on dates right? Bring flowers and candy?"

"How should I know, Em? I haven't been on a date in eighty years. But could I come too, please?" Rose asked giving me her sad puppy dog eyes and batting her eyelashes.

"Wow! Her father put her in jail? For attacking Mike Newton?" I then thought the memory of everything that happened from the time we got to school. Edward started laughing.

"Mrs. Newton, too. You know I never liked that kid Mike Newton. His thoughts are always so vile. I'm just glad you don't have my gift, Rosalie. I would hate for you to see the vile thoughts he has about you and Bella." I had to growl at Edward's words. Mike the Creep is lucky Bella already put him in the hospital. I swear, I'm about two steps from finishing him off myself.

"Can I come too?" Edward asked. God, he is such the annoying kid brother.

"NO!" Rosalie and I replied simultaneously and rather harshly, in fact, it made Edward flinch. He then looked at us with a scowl and ran back in the house.

"Sure, Rosie. You can help me pick out some flowers and help me look for candy too." We then drove off to the nearest human supermarket.

CHARLIE

Once I got Bella to the station, I let one of my deputies take care of booking Bella, getting her fingerprints and mug shots. I never thought I would have to arrest my own daughter.

"Bella, while Deputy Connie is taking care of that, I'm going down to the bail bondsman to get you all set up. Don't give Deputy Connie any trouble like Mrs. Newton did." The stupid woman actually bit my deputy. I will be driving to Seattle for all my sporting goods needs from now on. I wouldn't set foot back in Newton's Outfitters if you paid me.

"Of course, Daddy. I understand you all are just doing your jobs. I won't cause any trouble."

"Good, baby girl. I'll be back as soon as I can," I told her, then kissed her on her forehead.

While I was out, I was going to have Billy and Harry meet me at the bond office. Before I moved further with letting Bella date that Emmett kid and I didn't know what I was doing about Rosalie, I needed Billy and Harry to give it to me straight.

The Bond office was actually in Port Angeles. It was only about twenty minutes further from La Push than Forks to Port Angeles. I could get Bella's paperwork started, by the time the guys got there.

As I presumed, about twenty-five minutes later, I saw Harry's truck pull up outside of the bond office. I told Jeremy I'd be outside when he got everything ready.

"Hey, old man," Billy greeted his usual greeting.

"Who you calling old, ya old geezer." Billy was only about three years older than me, and Harry was about seven years older than Billy and ten years older than me.

"Listen. I know you guys are always spouting off the nonsense about the Cullen…" I then watched as Harry and Billy gave each other a look.

"Why, have they done something? Are one of those kids in trouble?" Harry asked.

"No, no, nothing like that," I said and then hesitated. Should I really tell them I was interested in one of the women? Or should I just leave it at the situation with Emmett and Bella?

"Look, you guys are my friends. Bella got into some trouble with that Newton kid. Seems she punched him in the junk and ruptured his testicle over some rumors he started about her and some other girls in school, including one of the Cullen girls."

"And it was Bella that took care of the kid? You sure it wasn't one of the Cullens, and they blamed her for it?" Billy asked.

"See, this is why I have questions. Why would you say that? Bella told me out of her own mouth exactly what happened. Mrs. Newton is sitting in jail because she wanted to spout off and call Bella all kinds of names and I witnessed her attack Dr. Cullen, so I threw her ass in jail as well. The kid even made those same sexual innuendos about that pretty blonde Cullen woman that goes to school with Bella." Billy and Harry were laughing their asses off like a bunch of idiots.

"Can you imagine, Billy? Linda Newton actually beating up that leech?" Harry said under his breath. He said it so low, if I weren't looking right at his mouth, I would have missed it.

"WHOA! Leech? What are you saying?" I must have had the dumbest expression on my face.

"Why are you so concerned about them. If you claim they've done nothing wrong. I'm sure you didn't call us all the way out here just to defend them over something Bella fessed up that she did?" Billy asked. I had to take a deep breath before I came clean.

"Okay, yes there's more. I want to ask one of the women out on a date," I told them, finding a rust spot on the side of Harry's truck suddenly interesting and started picking at it with my fingernail. It suddenly got quiet. The idiots had stopped laughing. I chanced a glance up to see Harry looking at me with a scowl on his face.

"Charlie, I don't think that's a good idea. All I can tell you is they're not what you think. They aren't allowed on our land, and we're not allowed on theirs." Harry said.

"You can't leave it at that. I need to know why? Not only do I want to date one of the Cullens, but I've also agreed to let one of the men date Bella as well," I told them. I was desperate at this point.

"Charlie, you've been coming to the rez since you were a kid, hell you even went to the rez school for a while. Let me see if I can jog your memory. Do you remember the time the council was having a bonfire that us kids weren't allowed to come? You and I sneaked in from the back and sat and listened to the stories they told." Billy said looking at me through narrowed eyes.

"When was this?" Harry inquired.

"Charlie was about seven, and I was about ten," Billy replied.

"So, I was seventeen, not on the council yet. Where was I?" Harry asked.

"I don't know, probably chasing behind Sue's skirt," Billy asked huffily. "That's not the point…" Harry held up his hand.

"That's enough, Chief. He knows too much as it is. If the paleface can't take care of himself or his family, it's none of our concern. Our concern is the Reservation and our people," Harry said.

"You're shitting me, right? Now, I'm just some paleface townsfolk? Billy, we've been friends since we were in diapers. You and Harry have eaten dinner in my house, just like I've eaten in yours. I'm asking as a friend, what don't I know?" I said rather indignantly.

"I'm sorry Chief Swan. It's Quileute legend," Harry said then started up his truck. Billy was looking at me through sad eyes, then he narrowed his eyes then tapped his temple, telling me to think, before Harry pulled away. I just stood there with my mouth dropped open. Did Harry really just Chief Swan me, as if we were never friends?

I went back into the bond office and gathered up the paperwork. Usually, when the bondsman wrote a bond, he came to the station to file the paperwork with the police. Saving him the trip, I took it with me and would have a deputy submit it in Bella's case file, then send it over to the DA. Hopefully, Mrs. Newton would drop the case. I would speak with the DA and see if he could offer her a deal. I would drop the charges against her if she dropped the ones against Bella.

As I drove back to Forks, I took Billy's advice and thought back over the stories I heard all those years ago around that bonfire.

FLASHBACK

Billy and I had just sneaked into the woods in back of the council cabin. We were supposed to be at Billy's house watching TV. It was Billy's idea to sneak out. Chief William as everyone called him would have our hides if he found out.

Just as everyone got seated around the bonfire outside of the small cabin, Chief William had just started to speak. He was wearing the same black Stetson, Billy wears today.

"The Quileutes have been a small tribe from the beginning. We've always had magic in our blood. We were great spirit warriors, shapeshifters, that transformed into the powerful wolf. This allowed us to scare off our enemies and protect our tribe.

"One day our warriors came across a creature, that looked like a man. But it was hard like stone and cold as ice.

"Our warrior's sharp teeth finally tore it apart, but only fire could completely destroy it.

"They lived in fear that the cold man was not alone. They were right.

"She took her vengeance out on the village.

"The elder Chief Taha Aki was the only spirit warrior left to save the tribe after his son was killed.

"Taha Aki's third wife could see he would lose. The third wife was no magical being, no special powers but one. Courage.

"Using a knife, she spilled her own blood, distracting the cold woman long enough for Taha Aki to destroy her.

"The third wife's sacrifice saved the tribe.

"Over the years our enemies have disappeared, but one remains the Cold Ones.

"Our Magic is awakened when they are near. We sense it now. We feel the threat in our blood. The danger is near, and we must all be ready." After Chief William was done with his story, all the elders smoked from their big pipe.

I remember turning to Billy asking what the cold ones and wolves they were talking about.

"Ehhh, it just some old ghost stories the adults make up to scare us kids," Billy told me.[1]

END FLASHBACK

I remember thinking after I got in high school and had my first hit from a bong, that those old fools were just high off some slamming ass peyote or some killer weed and were hallucinating.

Flesh as hard as stone and cold as ice. I touched Emmett's hand, and it was so cold, and when I slapped him on the shoulder, my hand stung, badly.

I was now back at the station. I would let Mrs. Newton stay the night in jail, and I'll call the DA in the morning. I just wanted to get my little girl out of this place and get her home.

We had been home for about an hour. Bella was in the kitchen making dinner, and I was upstairs in my room on my ancient monster of a computer looking up Native American legends and the cold ones when there was a knock on the door.

"Hi, Bella. These are for you." I heard the deep voice of Emmett Cullen drift upstairs.

"Wow, Thank you, Emmett. No one has ever given me flowers and candy before." Who was this kid? Asking the fathers permission, bringing flowers and candy? I didn't think anyone did that anymore. It's like he came from a different time. He had a slight southern twang. Perhaps, they still did those things back east. Then I heard her melodic voice. I was still wearing my police uniform, only taking off my gun belt. I checked myself out in the mirror before taking off in a dash downstairs.

Once I turned the corner into the living room, Bella and Emmett were sitting on the sofa. Rosalie was sitting in my recliner.

"Um, Hi Emmett, Rosalie," I said, only really looking at the beautiful Rosalie. She looked up at me through her beautiful long lashes. A look I knew too well from Bella. She should be blushing, but she wasn't.

"Hello, Chief Swan."

"Please, call me Charlie," I told her. I walked over and sat on the arm of the recliner.

"Okay, Charlie. But my friends just call me Rose." She then slipped her hand in mine.

"A name as beautiful as the woman," I said looking down at our entwined fingers.

"I think I'm going to be sick," Bella said with her brow furrowed. Emmett just chuckled.

"Rose, may I offer you some coffee? We could go into the kitchen, I was just about to make a pot." I asked her, looking into her beautiful topaz eyes.

"Yes, Charlie. I'd like that very much. Bella, can I take your flowers and put them in water for you?" She asked as we stood up. For some reason, her hand while still cold sent a warm feeling through me and made my spine tingle.

Bella looked up at us for a moment, her eyes darting back and forth between us. She then handed her flowers to Rose.

"Rose, do you mind if I talk to my dear OLD dad for a moment?" Bella said through gritted teeth.

"Um, sure, of course, Bella. I'll just look for a vase to put these in," Rose said with a worried look. I gave her a wink, and she produced a sweet smile. Bella rolled her eyes.

"Yeah, um, Rosalie the kitchen's right through there," Bella pointed towards the kitchen, hiking her thumb. She then dragged me by my arm up the stairs. Once we were halfway up, she practically pushed me against the wall.

"Dad, what the hell do you think you're doing?"

"I'm just being nice to your friends, is all," I told her.

"Dad, do you like Rosalie like, LIKE, LIKE, her?"

"Bella, I don't know. I find her intriguing, and I have the strange urge to protect her from everyone and everything. Don't you trust your old man? I would never do anything to hurt her. If she just wants us to be friends, I'll respect that. Look, your old man has been alone for a long time. I've only had a handful of dates since you and your mother left. I never felt like this about anybody, since. For right now, I just want to get to know her. Is that so bad?"

"Well, I guess not. At least you're not like Renée, the middle-aged serial dater. But dad, you heard her story. She's fragile. And other than Angela Weber, she's the first female that's genuinely wanted to be my friend. And is this even legal? How old is she anyway?"

"She's nineteen, a year older than Emmett. Look, you'll have to ask Emmett to give you all the details about how they came to the family. When he asked me if he could date you…"

"Wait, he asked you?" Bella's voice rose a little, and she looked humiliated.

"Yeah, that's why he called me out of the exam room."

"How humiliating?" Bella said as she facepalmed.

"Actually, he was just concerned that I may not allow it since you were in trouble," I told her.

"Yeah, but he could have asked me before he asked you."

"I think he was a gentleman," I told her with a chuckle.

"I mean, I get it. It's just who does that anymore, ask your parent's permission. Bring flowers and candy?"

"Well, I think it's sweet. Yes, old fashioned, but sweet,"

"Yeah, I guess you're right. But Dad, don't mess this up, Okay? I kinda like him. And I'd hate for his dad to not want me around because he thinks my dad is some perverted old man with his daughter. Maybe you should take a page out of Emmett's book and ask Dr. Cullen?"

"Bella, I'm not asking her on a date. We're just having coffee, and chaperoning my daughter, who just got out of jail for assault," I said with a chuckle. Bella just rolled her eyes. "But if it will make you happy, I'll do just that after they leave, okay?" I told her tilting her head up to look at me.

"You're never going to let me live this down, are you?" Bella said as she started bounding back down the stairs. And in classic Bella fashion, she tripped. Luckily, I caught her before she faceplanted on the landing. Out of nowhere, Emmett was there, scooping her up in his arms.

"Thanks," Bella mumbled. They were now caught up in an intense gaze. How the hell did that kid get there so fast?

I walked into the kitchen to find Rose had already made the coffee and poured both of us a cup.

"I wasn't sure how you took your coffee?" She said as she handed me the cup.

"Sweet, just like you," I told her. Again, she looked down, her incredibly long lashes fluttering against the apples of her cheeks.

"Charlie, I have to tell you. I feel something for you, I haven't felt for any man in a long time. It scares me a little. You scare me a little," Rosalie said looking up into my eyes.

"Beautiful Rose, I'm sorry if I scare you. I don't mean to. Is it the age difference?" I asked bringing my hand up and stroking my thumb across her cheek.

"Oh, God, no. If only you knew how much that doesn't matter. No, you remind me of him, a little. Your dark hair, the mustache. Except your mustache is thicker, and the light grey around the temples make you look distinguished," she said as her eyes flashed down to my lips then immediately back to my eyes. I slowly began to step closer, our lips the breath of a ghost from touching when suddenly there was a loud growl like an animal and a crash through my front door.

[1] Taken from the Bonfire scene Movie The Twilight Saga Eclipse

A/N for those who think like Bella that Rosalie and Charlie are Like Eww Gross! Y'all can just suck it! I happen to dig the Pornstache and I think it's sexy. Go, Billy Burke,