BILLY AND HARRY
The ride was awkwardly silent as Harry drove back to the rez. I can't believe him, and who the fuck does he think he is to order me quiet? He may be the head councilman, but I'm still the goddamned Chief of this Nation.
"Harold Clearwater! I am ashamed of you as my fellow tribesman, my lead counsel and as one of my best friends," I said in my authoritative voice. Harry looked at me wide-eyed at first, but then his eyes went back to the road, hanging his head slightly and brow furrowed.
"Yes, Chief Black. I'm sorry," was all he said.
"Now, I may not have use of my legs, but my brain and heart are perfectly functional. You just sent our friend that we've known since we were kids and his daughter into danger. If anyone of us knows better, it's you and me. We've always treated the Swans and especially Charlie as an honorary member and brother. Just because he does not live on the Rez, does not make him any less under our protection than any of our other brothers."
"Fuck Billy! After all these years? I don't think we even can."
"I know I can't, because of my legs, but I'm certain you can."
"I'm too old for this shit!" Harry seethed as he glared out of the windshield.
"Why can't we just call Sam?"
"Sam's too young. He's not in control yet. You saw what he did to Emily. What if he were to hurt Charlie or his daughter? I'd never forgive myself if that happened to Charlie or Bella."
"You know what, old man? If I get myself killed listening to you, my spirit warrior is going to come back and haunt your crippled ass until you die!" With that, Harry whipped his truck around, and we headed towards the woods.
Once we got parked and Harry got out of the truck, he started stripping off his clothes.
"How do you know if you phased, your legs wouldn't work?"
"I've already tried. After the accident, I tried phasing a couple of times to see if I could get my legs to heal. I could still phase, but my hind legs were just as dead as my human ones." Once Harry was just down to his boxers, which was hard to see because of his belly hanging over, I started laughing
"You're not actually wearing scooby-doo boxers, are you?" I said still laughing. Harry just gave me the finger.
"Yeah, and I'm about to ruin my favorite pair of drawers all because of you and Charlie Swan. You know, I'm older than both of you. How is it you two are always the ones pushing me into things I really don't want to do?"
"Because we are both natural born leaders. It's why Charlie's the Chief of Police in Forks, and I'm Chief of the Quileute Nation." Harry gave me the finger once more before he phased into a giant brown wolf. Though the grey around his muzzle made him look like he had a snowy white beard and his gut was nearly dragging the ground. You could tell it was time for Harry to have a haircut because the long fur made him really look like a horse because he looked like he had a mane. He then took off through the forest in a sprint.
Pretty soon he was back. His tongue was lolled out the side of his mouth, and he was panting hard. Once he went to the back of the truck, he phased back to human. He was breathing hard as he retrieved his pants and shirt from the bed of the truck. Once he had his pants back on, since he was now going commando, he walked to my window of the truck.
"Sam's on his way. He was already in wolf form, and I heard him as soon as I phased," Harry said as he was still panting to catch his breath.
"Guess it's time to give up all that fried fish, old man," I said with a chuckle as he buttoned up his shirt.
"It was exhilarating, but yeah, I'm out of shape. I hope I don't have to do this for real. You better hope we can talk some sense into Charlie without me doing this."
"I know. I know you, and I was the only ones of our generation to phase. If I didn't have the accident, I'd be right there with ya. But at least we still have you to help the new generation as they begin the change. We're still a two-man wolf pack," I told Harry as we clamped our hands together in a bro's hand grip.
"Correction, three-man, soon to be four. Paul just started the fever. And don't forget, I'm still your Alpha," Sam said as he came out of the woods pulling on his cut off shorts.
"Mind telling me why you were in my mind just now, old man?" Sam asked. I looked at Harry through narrowed eyes contemplating whether to tell him or not. I decided, as the Alpha, he needed to know, but I didn't want him involved just yet. We soon worked up a plan, and then we were off to Charlie's
As soon as we pulled onto Charlie's street, we could smell leech. We let Sam out at the end of the block, and he took off towards the woods. When we got to Charlie's driveway, there was a big white Jeep parked out front that was covered in that God-awful sweet stench.
CHARLIE
As soon as I heard the growl and the crash through my front door, I heard Bella scream. Then there were two sets of growls. I immediately went to my broom closet in the kitchen, where I keep a spare shotgun. I have two more upstairs, one under my bed and one in the linen closet. Yes, I know I should have a gun cabinet, but this is fucking Forks. Not because of criminal activity, but there are bears and other wild animals all over the place. I just feel safer where I can get my hands on them quickly, and until this year, I didn't have a child in the home.
However, as soon as I turned around, Rosalie was in a crouch ready to attack. She was adorable, like a kitten ready to attack. I kissed her on the cheek as I tried to walk past her, but she grabbed my arm in a death grip that I was sure would leave a bruise.
"Please, Charlie. Don't go out there, it's not safe." I furrowed my brow and peeked through my curtain and saw Harry's truck and Billy sitting in the passenger seat.
"Oh yes, it is, Rosalie because I'm about to blow my fucking friends to kingdom come," I told her. She let go of my arm. I went into my living room to find a giant wolf crouched and growling, waiting to attack. Emmett, posed in a similar protective stance and growling, protecting Bella. I then raised my shotgun.
"Harry, I'm assuming it's you. You made it perfectly clear that the Cullen's aren't allowed on your land and you aren't allowed on theirs. They're in my house. Therefore you are on our land. I'll give you 'til the count of three to back your furry ass out of my house, or I'm going to blow you away to kingdom come." Sam Uley then stepped out of the woods in only a pair of cut off shorts.
"Chief Swan! Don't shoot! Harry! This is their land now. You will go back to the rez until I give further orders." Sam told Harry in an authoritative voice. Harry backed out of my house and took off through the woods. Sam then walked over to the truck and started talking with Billy. I still had my shotgun raised.
"Chief Swan, you will meet us at our treaty line at midnight with your leeches. They will tell you where," Sam said as he climbed in the truck with Billy and drove away. Only then did I lower my gun.
I turned to see Emmett sniffing Bella while she stroked his hair with her good hand. Rosalie was standing behind me. When I turned to her, she only looked down and started playing with her nails.
"Well, you two had better start explaining, and explaining fast. Now, that I know the Quileute legends are true, I think I need to know who and what the cold ones are."
"I think it would be better explained if we go to our house. While Emmett and I were both there when we first met the wolves, I think Carlisle could better explain,"
"Daddy, how did you know it was Harry Clearwater?" Bella asked while Emmett had his head in Bella's lap and was purring like a big cat, while she still stroked his hair. He had his arms around her as if he let her go, she would disappear. Rosalie now had her head resting on my shoulder with her arms around my waist. With everything that just happened, this all seemed perfectly natural to me.
"Well, come on, what are we waiting for? Let's go. Who's driving?" Emmett then lifted his head from Bella's lap and gave me an evil grin.
"We'll take you, we can get there quicker anyway. Rosie, have you got the Chief? I'll take Bella." I saw Rosalie nod, and before I knew what was happening, Emmett had Bella in his arms bridal style, her arms around his neck and her head on his shoulder. Rosalie picked me up in a fireman's carry, and we were flying through the woods. I could feel a vibration, almost a buzzing as if Rosalie was speaking, yet I heard no sound come from her. Soon we came to a stop just inside the tree line in front of a massive glass and stone house. If you could even call it that. More like a mansion.
"Okay, that was just plain freaky!" I huffed as Rosalie finally put me down
"What the hell? How are you so strong and fast?"
"Please Charlie, don't be frightened of me. I would never hurt you," She said with unshed tears in her eyes. I brought my hand up and cupped her face.
"Sweetheart, I'm not worried about you hurting me. I just don't understand. Whatever it is, I'm not going anywhere. I just need to know. Unknowingly, I've known about whatever you are since I was seven-years-old. Harry and Billy just made me aware of what I had apparently chalked up to scary stories meant to scare children are true," I told her still stroking her cheek. She nodded her head.
"Everyone else has gone out. I called Carlisle on our way here so it will be just Carlisle, Esme and us. They are our parents for all intent and purposes," Rosalie explained.
"Daddy, I'm scared. I don't know what's happening?" Emmett then brought Bella into his arms.
"Bella, I too would never hurt you. If you don't want to do this, I'll understand. I can take you back to your house and let Rose take your dad to speak to Carlisle," Emmett told her.
"If I go back, does that mean we can't be together? Because I like you and I want to get to know you better, but giant wolves and flying through the air and freaky strong women, it's all too much," Bella said trembling.
"Bella, I'll do whatever you want. If you want us to just be friends, I can live with that. But I don't think I can live without you in my life from this point forward," He told her bending down, so he was looking directly in her eyes. Bella then pulled back. She turned to look at me as if to ask what she should do.
"Baby girl, I can't answer that for you. If you want to go back home, I understand. It's a lot to take in all at once. I've had years to somewhat wrap my head around it, even if I didn't know what it was. But I feel I was given that knowledge for this day. For the day I finally found someone that makes me feel whole again. I think I understand what Emmett is trying to say. I don't know if it's a male thing, but I need Rosalie," I looked over my shoulder at the beautiful woman that was standing just behind me. She had a beautiful smile gracing her face.
"I trust you daddy. Even though I'm scared of what we are about to find out, I need to know too," Bella said. I smiled at my little girl. I reached my hand out for her. She took my hand, as Emmett took her casted arm gently in his hand. Rosalie took my other hand, and we walked in a line towards the house to start a brand-new adventure.
As soon as we were across the massive driveway and up the steps to the porch, the door opened. Carlisle and a beautiful woman with caramel colored hair were standing there with bright smiles.
"Chief Swan, Isabella, welcome to my home. This is my wife, Esme. Won't you please come in?"
"It's very lovely to meet you Mrs. Cullen, and you have a beautiful home," I told the woman extending my hand. She instead rushed over and gave me a hug. Her body too was hard and cold. Carlisle let out a chuckle.
"Okay dear, let's not overwhelm the Chief. From what I understand, you've had a lot thrown at you all at once. You'll have to excuse Esme. It's not often we have guests. But, please make yourselves at home
"Can I get you anything. We have coffee, tea, and water." Esme offered. Carlisle chuckled again.
"After everything that's happened, I think the Chief may need something stronger. May I offer you a scotch perhaps?" Carlisle offered. I then heard a rumble coming from Rosalie.
"Oh, my dear, I'm sorry, I don't know what I was thinking," Carlisle said, and I furrowed my brow. I'm not really one for hard liquor, but I would have accepted since he offered. But right now, I really needed to know what this was about.
"What is it, sweetheart?" I asked as I brought Rose into my arms.
"It's just, when Royce…he—he was drunk," She was now trembling.
"Hey, hey, baby listen to me. I enjoy an occasional beer…"
"HA!" Bella cut me off as she guffawed. I snapped my head to her with my own growl.
"Okay, I enjoy a lot of beer, but I'm not really one for hard liquor. I would have accepted just to be polite, but if it makes you uncomfortable, I won't. Just know, I'm not him. I could never do what he did to you. I just hope you will give me a chance and not put me in the same category as that scumbag. Do you think you could do that? I asked her gently, pressing her to me. I felt her nod, and I kissed her hair.
"Coffee will be fine, Mrs. Cullen," I said as I turned to find Esme gushing with unshed tears in her eyes.
"Please, do call me Esme and I'll get that coffee for you, Bella, would you like to join me in the kitchen. I heard you had a rather eventful day as well. Bella smiled and looked to Emmett. He nodded, and she headed off with Esme. Emmett followed behind her.
"Come on, Charlie," Rose said as she pulled me into the living room. It was beautifully decorated in neutral tones with a large seating area. There was a giant flat screen tv mounted to the wall with looked like a dozen gaming systems attached. We sat on a huge comfortable sofa, and Carlisle sat across from us on a love seat.
"Well, Chief Swan," I cut Carlisle off.
"It's just Charlie," I told him.
"Okay, Charlie. I understand you know a little of the Quileute legends. From what I know, they still tell the same ones, about the cold man and cold woman that nearly decimated their tribe. We are the same, yet somewhat different from that pair. We're vampires." I then heard a crash of dishes. I looked up to find Bella had dropped the tray of coffee service she was carrying in, standing with a look of horror on her face.
"You—you—you don't mean like Dracula, I vant to drink your blood, vampires?" Bella sputtered, doing an impression of Dracula.
"I'm sorry, my dear but I do. However, we do not drink human blood," Carlisle let out quickly. Bella looked at me confused.
"Daddy?" Esme then flitted in with a broom and dustpan and Bella nearly jump out of her skin and like that she fainted. Emmett came up behind her in a gust of wind and caught her just before she hit the floor.
He then picked her up and brought her over to lay on the loveseat Carlisle quickly relinquished. She then sat on the floor beside her still holding her hand. Esme came back soon with a cloth for Bella's head.
"I think you'd better continue, Carlisle. This was a lot for Bella to take in, and before I take her and run out of here, you'd better give me all the facts."
"Charlie, I don't mean to frighten you, but Rosalie and Emmett carried you from your house to ours in under two minutes. It's a three-mile drive from your house to mine. If we wanted to hurt you, you wouldn't make it past the door." Even as he said it, I had already contemplated that.
"Okay, if you don't drink human blood, and I take it vampires need blood to survive. How do you, survive that is?"
"We are what Emmett likes to joke as vegetarian vampires. We survive from the blood of animals. It's mostly like human surviving off only tofu, while it's not fulfilling, it sustains us," Carlisle explained.
"Charlie, Carlisle and I are the only two of us, who's never tasted human blood," Rosalie offered.
"I assume human blood is your natural food source. Why would you do that to yourselves? Deny yourselves what comes naturally?" I asked.
"Most of us consider all human life to be precious. I have devoted my existence to helping humans by becoming a doctor. Now what kind of doctor would I be, if I were to snack on my patience," Carlisle gave a small smile, I assume as an attempt at a joke.
"Your existence. So, you're immortal?" All of them nodded.
"So, how old are all of you, really?" I kept an eye on Bella. It was then I saw her eyes flutter as she was stirring awake.
"Back away, I only want her to see my face when she first wakes up, I don't want her to panic," I told them all. They went to sit on the sofa while I sat on the edge of the loveseat and took her hand. When she opened her eyes, she looked at me, still confused.
"Daddy, where are we?" I took her face in my hands so she could only look at me.
"Baby, we're still at the Cullens. We're okay, We're safe. I would never put you in a situation where I thought you weren't safe. Do you believe me?" she hesitated but nodded her head.
"Rose, sweetheart, come here please," I asked. Rose got up from the sofa and slowly walked over to me.
"This is your friend. Rosalie from school. She's a vampire, honey. You may have just met her today, but you trusted her immediately. I know you. You don't trust people that quickly. Does knowing what she is, make that any different?" Bella seemed to think about that for a moment. She then gave Rose a small smile.
"No, I guess not," Bella offered. I smiled.
"Emmett, come here please." Emmett got up and walked over. He looked down at Bella and gave her a wink. Bella blushed.
"This is Emmett. You've had a crush on him since your first day at school. I remember you telling me about the cute guy with the dimples. He too is a vampire. Does knowing that make you like him any less?" Her blush deepened, and she immediately shook her head no.
"Then I think we're good. Can you sit up?" I asked her, helping to pull her up. Emmett immediately sat down next to her and pulled her into his lap, wrapping his massive arms around her. Rosalie sat down on the arm of the love seat and brought her arm over my shoulders. We then faced Carlisle and Esme who were now sitting on the sofa.
"I think you can continue now, Carlisle."
"Very well, as I was about to say, I was born sometime in the 1600's. I was turned when I was twenty-three years old. I am the oldest and the leader of this coven at just over 400-years-old.
"My son, Jasper is next. He was turned at nineteen during the American Civil war. Esme is next, turned at the age of twenty-six, she was born in 1895. Then there is Edward and Alice. They were both born in 1901. However, Edward was my first reborn at the age of 17. I did not sire Alice, and we think she was around nineteen when she was turned. Then there's Rosalie and Emmett. Both born in 1915, I turned Rosalie first at the age of eighteen. I found her dying in the street, and you know the rest of her story. Emmett was turned a year later at the age of nineteen when Rosalie found him dying after being mauled by a bear and asked me to change him. I sired all of them accept Jasper and Alice who joined me in 1950. We've been a family ever since." Carlisle concluded.
"So, is death or almost dying the only way to be like you?" Bella asked.
"No, not at all, while it was the only reason, I could justify bringing them into this existence. Jasper would have to tell you his story, but he didn't have the same upbringing into this existence as the rest. Alice to my knowledge wasn't dying either, yet here she is. It only takes one of us biting you, injecting our venom, much like a snake bite to start the change," Carlisle told us.
"Which brings me to our treaty with the Quileutes. Shortly before Alice and Jasper joined us, we lived here in Forks before. Rosalie, Emmett, Edward, Esme, and myself. The then Chief Ephraim Black, Chief Billy's grandfather, Quil Ateara II, and Sam's great-grandfather, Levi Uley were the only members of the Pack. They found us while we were feeding in the forest. Because they were outnumbered and we told them we only feed on animals, was why they forged a treaty with us. We stay off their land and agree never to feed or bite a human in this town. In return, they agreed to keep our secret and we theirs. As long as we are in the territory, they too agreed to stay out of Forks."
"Well, they've already broken two clauses in the treaty when they showed up at Charlie's house today?" Emmett offered.
"No, they didn't tell me, I figured out on my own after remembering the legends from when I was a child, that I wasn't even supposed to be privy to. I was the one who listened in where I wasn't supposed to." I told them.
"But they broke into your home. They could have killed you," Rosalie offered. I took her tiny hands in mine
"Baby, they are my friends. They only thought they were protecting me. I went to them looking for answers when I couldn't decide if I wanted to pursue you as a…as a…" I didn't know what we were. This beautiful woman has only been in my life for less than a day, and I felt like she belonged to me.
"Mate." She said smiling and stroking my face.
"Is that what we are?" I asked, bringing her hands up to my lips and kissing her fingertips. She nodded her head
"Vampires, like Swans, mate for life," she said with her musical giggle. The joy that filled my heart and the smile the spread across my face probably filled the room.
"Is that what Emmett is to Bella?" I looked at the two of them.
"Bella, I will be whatever you want me to be. A mate could mean just a brother, a protector, a confidante. But just know, I will be here for you until the day you die," Emmett told her. And queue, the blushing Bella.
"Emmett, that is probably the sweetest thing anyone has ever said to me?" Now it was my turn to roll my eyes. Carlisle chuckled.
"Okay, you four lovebirds. Is there anything else you'd like to know, Charlie?"
"Sleeping in coffins?"
"Myth, we don't sleep," Rosalie answered.
"Never?" Bella asked.
"Ever," Emmett answered shaking his head.
"Garlic, reflections in mirrors, a stake through the heart, holy water?" Bella bombarded with questions.
"No, they have to ripped apart and burned by fire?" I answered, remembering the legends.
"Why do you go to high school then? You live for an eternity, yet you choose to go to high school. I don't get it?" Bella asked.
"Most human drinking vampires chose to live as nomads. We prefer a more stable home life. While we still move every five years or so, the longer we can stay in one place is better for us. With Alice and Edward appearing to be so young, they can usually start as Freshman and Juniors in high school, while the others go off to College. We often matriculate to keep up appearances. Our story changes depending on where we are. When I chose to go back to medical school to keep up with advances and technology, Rosalie, Jasper may pose as my younger twin siblings, because of our similar hair color. Edward usually is always my wife Esme's younger brother and Emmett and Alice interchange their last names of Brandon or McCarty and are Esme's cousins." I nodded at Carlisle's explanation.
"Daddy, I'm tired, and my hand hurts. We also haven't eaten dinner. Can Emmett take me back home now? The wolves scared me more than anything, and I don't want to go.
"Dear, why don't you let Emmett take you upstairs, and I will make you something to eat?" Esme offered.
"I also don't want you there alone with the front door broken. I'm sure Carlisle can give you something for your hand," Carlisle nodded.
"Yes, that's fine. I feel like I'm living in the twilight zone. I just need to rest my mind after all of this," Bella said.
"Come on short stuff, you can stay in my room," Emmett offered.
"Ummm, that would be a no," I said sternly. Everyone except Emmett, Bella and I laughed.
"Charlie. Vampires have super sensitive hearing. If anything, untoward were to happen, we'd all hear it. So, Bella is perfectly safe staying in Emmett's room. Remember, we don't sleep." Carlisle stated. Esme went off towards the kitchen to make us something to eat.
"Okay, but now that I know what you are, don't think I still can't mess you up if something happens to my daughter. Instead of a shotgun, I also have a flare gun," I told Emmett. This time if he could I think he would blanch. He then cupped his private.
"Jeez, what is it with you Swans threatening a mans family jewels," Emmett muttered under his breath. Bella just giggled she followed Emmett upstairs.
A/N: I took he ages and years of the Cullens directly form Twi-wiki. In this Fic, Charlie is 36, which makes him twice as old as Rosalie's physical age. That Makes Billy 39 and Harry 46