Forty three hours later, the cars stopped in the Cullen garage.

Silas was sleeping in Jasper's arms. Alice opened the door for him and he waited for me to join him before walking into the house. Two pairs of very curious eyes locked onto the little human that they have never seen before.

Esme asked, shocked, "What is that?"

Jasper glanced down and very seriously began to answer, "This, Esme, is a child. A human child, of the male-"

I hit him in the arm and he chuckled, holding out a the adoption paper, "Carlisle?"

He crossed the room and took the paper, reading it faster then I thought possible.

Jasper shifted his weight uneasily during the silence.

Edward and Alice entered the house. Edward hovered over Carlisle's shoulder and answered an unspoken question, "Yes, it's all done with now. They don't even know the address, because we told them we were moving soon. Just to avoid too much attention."

Esme suddenly figured it out. "You adopted him, Jasper?"

Jasper looked very nervous, which surprised me. I hadn't realized he was afraid of what the rest of his family would think about this decision.

I answered confidently, "We adopted him, actually."

Alice smiled suddenly, "Oh, and the living arrangements are all decided upon."

I glanced at Jasper, who shrugged.

Edward laughed, "Even if you didn't do it yet she can see it."

I sat down on the couch beside Esme and asked, "Well, are you going to make yourself useful and tell us what they are?"

Alice smiled, "During the day, when school starts again that is, he'll be here with Esme and Jasper. But, because you're both there anyway, he's going to be sleeping at your house, Bella."

That sounded easy enough.

Esme cheerfully announced, "I've never considered a grandson before." She smiled, and the rest of us did, too.

The Cullen family was bound to be easy. Charlie, on the other hand, is going to be another story.

I stood outside of the door and asked, "Okay, does everyone know their parts?"

We had a plan, a rough plan, on how we were going to make this work.

Jasper agreed, "We got it, Bella, for the last time. Go on already."

I gathered my courage and entered the house. Alice danced behind me as I popped into the kitchen, where Charlie was attempting to cook.

I smiled, "Dad?"

He instantly abandon his pot and grinned over his shoulder, "Bella! You're back! How was the trip?"

I smiled as he came over, patting my shoulder rather than giving me a hug. It didn't bother me, he was never touchy-feely.

I asked innocently, "Are you busy? I wanted to talk to you about something. With Jasper, he's in the living room."

My father's face paled a little and he asked weakly, "The both of you need to talk to me about... something? What is it?"

Alice giggled and attempted to help me, "The sooner you go sit on the couch the sooner you'll find out. Come on, Charlie."

He stiffly followed her into the living room. I followed him, watching as he; surprised; took in the scene. Jasper was sitting in the middle of the couch holding Silas.

Silas smiled and waved at him.

Dad sank into the armchair and hesitantly waved back.

Alice sat on Jasper's right, and I sat on his left.

He asked as soon as we were all situated, "Jasper, is this a brother?"

I could see why he'd think that. Jasper wasn't old enough to be Silas's father, and they did look alike.

Silas had gray eyes, which apparently Jasper's whole family had, and wavy white-blond hair. It was sort of silvery when the light was on it.

Another eerie similarity was that Silas is rather pale.

Actually I think he might be half albino, with the light-hued everything. Oh well, he's the official son of two of the palest people in Forks. He'll fit in.

Jasper answered discreetly, "No, he isn't a brother, Chief Swan."

Charlie looked very okay with that, and rather calm. No doubt Jasper was helping us out a little.

I tried to break the news gently, "Dad, this is Silas. He's a relative, and now he's part of the family. Both of our families."

Charlie asked me with a frown, "What do you mean?"

I saw Alice cross her arms. It was our hidden signal, giving me the okay to tell my dad where I went and what I did when I was in Texas. A silent promise that nobody was going to get shot.

I held out my arms and smiled at Silas. Encouraged by the warm invite he crawled into my lap and hugged me.

I wrapped my arms around him, "Well, dad, I adopted him. Jasper and I both did. Say Hi, grandpa."

Charlie's mouth fell open, and I could swear he stopped breathing for a second.

After about a minute he asked, "Bella, was this really the best idea?"

I shrugged, "I think so. Jasper thinks so."

Alice perkily added, "So do Edward and I."

Jasper fondly ran his hand through Silas's hair, "He was in a foster home, Charlie. What kind of a life is that?"

That's the first time Jasper has ever called my dad by his name. Maybe he was finally starting to get used to him!

Dad asked, "And what does your uncle think about this, Jasper?"

Jasper's voice suddenly turned very cold, "I'm an adult. I don't need my uncle's permission to make decisions."

All of us glanced sharply at Jasper. Charlie looked uneasy, Alice upset, Silas curious; and I was slightly mortified that he'd speak so threateningly to my father.

Alice hastily tried to quell the suddenly ferocious atmosphere on the room. "Of course, though, Carlisle approves. I'm sure you can understand he's very supportive of the idea; having adopted all of us for much the same reason."

Charlie agreed timidly, "Yeah, I guess I should have known that."

Alice nudged Jasper, and he turned his head to look at her. They glared at each other for a second before Alice announced, "We need to go, actually. How about we come back tomorrow morning?"

Charlie shrugged, "Whatever you kids want."

Jasper kissed both me and Silas on the cheek. "I'll see you two soon."

Silas smiled, "Bye, daddy!"

Alice half dragged him out of the door.

As soon as us three were alone Charlie asked me, "What did I say that was wrong?"

His eyes were wide and sincerely innocent. He did like Jasper, believe it or not.

I decided it was best to cover for him, "Dad, you know he's sensitive. The whole family thing is big for him. He lost his parents, and his sister isn't that close to him you know. Besides, he's very responsible, you probably offended him."

Charlie frowned, "Oh... I guess I didn't really realize that."

I had no clue what the real reason for the instant hostility towards my dad was, but I was sure and hell going to find out tonight.