16. Breaking the News; Hurt Feelings

We arrived at Charlie's house. I sighed and looked over at Edward. He was staring out the windshield and at the house. I did the same.

"I know what you're thinking, Bella. It's going to be hard telling Charlie you're married to me, now, but are you going to tell him about you being a vampire?"

My thought from yesterday returned to me. I didn't want to tell Charlie. How could I? I'd have to tell him about Carlisle and the rest of the Cullens. He'd really be hurt when I mentioned Alice's name. He was so fond of her. Always had been. "How can I? I mean, I'd have to tell him about the rest of the family. Wouldn't that cause problems?"

He stared out the window. "Yes, it would, but if you want to tell him, I can't stop you."

"I'd never do anything that would cause my family problems. He doesn't have to know. I'll be turning eighteen in a few months, so I can move out if I wanted to. I'll stay here, if that's what Charlie says, and I'll move in with you when my birthday comes. I'll live there and go to school with you and the family and once I graduate, we can move anywhere we want to move to."

He seemed to contemplate that idea for awhile. "Do you really think Charlie will let you move in with us and study? Remember the idea I had before? About you moving in with us, now, by telling Charlie you were going to shadow Carlisle at his job because you wanted to be a doctor."

"He might go for that, but I hate can't stand blood. You know that. I mean, I can now, but would I tell him?"

"Just tell him you got over it. It was strange, but one day you accidentally cut your finger and you were fine. You didn't start freaking out or anything. He should buy it."

"Well, that could work, but he'll want to see a scar or something. What will I do about that?"

"Just tell him it was awhile back and the mark disappeared. He'll buy it. I know he will." He leaned across the seat and kissed my forehead. We got out of the car and walked around the front of the car. We looked down at each other's hands and took them in each other's hands. I looked at him and smiled. He kissed my hand and we walked to the door.

I opened the door and walked in.

"Bella?" Charlie called from the living room.

"It's me, Charlie. Edward and I." We appeared in the living room doorway.

Charlie looked down at our hands and stared at us with fierce eyes. "Where have you been, Bella? I was about ready to call in a missing persons report."

I smiled a little. "I was at Edward's. You can call Carlisle to verify if you want."

He stared at me and I could tell he believed me. "Well, you should've at least called. I was worried sick."

"I'm sorry, Charlie. I promise I'll call you next time."

He got up off the couch and turned the TV off and walked into the kitchen. We followed. He headed to the refrigerator and he got a Coke as we waited at the doorway to the kitchen. He turned and looked at us and then back down at our hands, still finger locked. He looked back at us. "Edward, do you mind if I have a word with Bella alone?" He asked calmly, but I could sense the anger in his tone. Edward nodded and let my hand drop and went into the living room and turned on the TV. I knew he could hear every word no matter what. We sat down at the table.

"Bella, we need to talk. Not just about the past two days, but of the future."

I sighed. I knew this wouldn't be easy. "I know we need to talk, Charlie. I have something I need to tell you." His eyes were locked on me. "But, you go first."

It took him awhile to gather his thoughts, but then he spoke. "Bella, it's one thing if you went off with a friend from school and didn't call for two days, but with Edward." I couldn't help but laugh at the way he said his name. Edward's laugh was heard from the living room. Charlie assumed it was something on the TV, but I knew Edward's laugh was for the same reason I laughed. Charlie looked at me, again. "Bella, I know you are in love with Edward, but don't you think you need to spend time with your friends? Edward isn't your whole life, Bella."

"Yes he is," I mumbled under my breathe.

"Now, I'm not going to go on and on about Edward. I love him and his family, but I just think you need to spend more time with your other friends. But, about your future, do you know what you're going to do after graduation? I mean, it's only a year away. Are you still going to college?"

"Calm down, Charlie. I'm going to go to college after graduation, but I'm thinking of letting Edward's family pay for it. They're more than welcome to pay for the whole thing and I really can't turn them down. It's so hard to do. Especially with Alice begging me to let them pay my way as well." I knew using Alice would make him a little keener to the idea. "But, as of what I'm going to do after college, I don't know yet. I haven't even decided what courses I'm going to take for college. I have no idea, except one, of what I want to do in the future." I saw his eyes glued to me. He was really paying attention. "I was thinking about shadowing Carlisle at work. I think I might like to be a doctor when I get older."

"But, Bella, I thought you couldn't stand blood."

"I can't, at least, I couldn't." He gave me a strange look when I used the past tense. "One day, a few weeks back, I cut my finger." I could see him buying it. I mean, old clumsy Bella cuts her finger. What else is new? "When I did it, I was perfectly calm. I guess I just got over it. I don't know how else to describe it. I asked Carlisle about it and he said it's natural to just overcome fears and phobias."

"Alright. But, I can sense there's more behind shadowing Carlisle at the hospital."

"Yea. Well, what I was thinking, maybe I could move in with them. That way I could have more help with the studies before I even get to college. And plus, Edward and Alice are wizards at every subject in school. I need the help for graduation."

He thought about that for a minute. I started to think that maybe Edward's idea worked. But, I wasn't going to get my hopes up.

"Bella, you're only 17. According to the law, you can't move out until you're 18."

"I know, Charlie. But, my birthday is a few months away. Couldn't it be an exception? It's not like I'm going to skip school my whole senior year. Carlisle, Esme, and Edward would never allow it. Even Alice. They all want me to get my full twelve years of education before college."

He started considering everything, again. I stared down at the table and wondered how I was going to bring into the conversation about Edward and me getting married. I thought about fifty different ways and threw them all out just the same. The idea of telling Charlie that we were married before I even finished high school was too hard to think about. I knew he would be hurt. And probably more of the fact that he wasn't told or invited to the wedding. Charlie broke my train of thought.

"Well, I guess it's alright. But, not until you turn eighteen. You'll be living here until your eighteenth birthday. Maybe even longer. I have the decision to make."

"But dad, once I turn eighteen, I'm an adult. I can move out if I want to."

"Bella, please, don't make this harder than it already is." Those words cut into me like a blade into butter. It hurt me too much. How was I ever going to tell him about Edward and me? "You have a few more weeks of school left. Give me, at least, that time to think about it."

"Thanks, Charlie."

"No problem. Now, there is one other thing I wanted to talk to you about."

I had a pain in my stomach. "What's that?"

"What about marriage? Do you know when you're planning on getting married? Not that I'm pressuring you or anything, of course, but do you have any ideas?"

I looked down at the floor. He brought it up. I can't lie to him. I sighed at looked at him. I could tell he'd heard the sigh and he didn't have a pleased look on his face. I'll bet he knew it was bad. "Dad…" I looked down at the floor again. How could I tell him? How?! I looked up at him and he was looking at me. I knew I couldn't lie to him. I started again. "Dad, I'm…I'm already married." I blurted it out. I knew Edward was listening in. I could feel his eyes burning into my back. Charlie wasn't paying attention to anything going on in the living room. I looked him in the eye.

"What did you say, Bella? You're…you're…you're…" he trailed off.

"Yes, Charlie. I'm married. To Edward. I'm sorry I didn't tell you, but I didn't want anyone to know. I thought it'd be a surprise. Please don't be mad. According to the law, I don't need parent's permission unless I'm sixteen. I'm seventeen, almost eighteen. I'm almost a legal adult." I was silent and just stared at him. His eyes were burning with furry. I saw him look past me into the living room. I knew Edward was watching the TV, or at least had his eyes on the TV when Charlie looked. When he looked back at him, his face was red. He got up from the table and started to pace back and forth. I knew I was going to get it, now. But, what did it matter? I'm a vampire now. Not a human. He paced back and forth for fifteen minutes. Once he was done pacing, he sat back down at the table.

"Bella…" he struggled to find words. I wished Edward was here. He said he'd be here with me when I told Charlie. I mean, I know he's here, in the house, but he's not here, with me. I wanted so much to just run to him and wrap my arms around him and hear his velvet voice in my ear saying everything would be okay. I looked at Charlie and he looked past me in the living room. "Edward, could you come here, please?"

Edward turned the TV off and walked gracefully into the kitchen. He walked up behind my chair and placed his hands on my shoulders. "Yes, Charlie. What could I help you with?" Edward was always so nice to Charlie, even though he didn't deserve it.

"Edward, Bella tells me that you're married now. He looked at his finger and found the ring. He did the same with my finger and found the ring just the same. Edward was speechless. He stood above me and stared at Charlie.

"Edward…" he paused. This is bad. He's going to say I can't see Edward ever again. He's going to make sure I never even see him in school. He'll bring out a restraining order against him. "Take good care of her. Don't hurt my baby." We both looked at him shocked, more shock on my face than Edward's.

"What? You mean, you're okay with this? I thought you'd be mad."

"Well, I am mad that I wasn't invited, but I can understand why. All I ask is that Edward takes good care of you. I don't want anything to happen to you, except the usual." We all laughed. He looked at Edward. "Guess you're part of the family, now." He got up and hugged Edward. Edward made sure he gave Charlie a strong, man-like hug, without crushing his bones. Edward smiled when Charlie pulled away.

"Oh, don't worry, Charlie, I'm not even going to let the usual happen to her. She's too precious." Charlie smiled back. He looked at me and pulled me up into a big bear hug. I could tell that the ice coldness of my skin had set it because he shivered as soon as he touched me. But, he never even noticed.

"So, I guess that's everything. But, remember Bella, not until your birthday. I still have to think about it. I've already lost my baby to marriage. I don't know if I want to lose my baby completely."

"Charlie, you're not going to lose me. Just because I might move away for my future career, doesn't mean a thing." My thoughts said otherwise. He had already lost me the day Edward turned me into a vampire. He's lucky I didn't have much of a taste for human blood, or he would've never seen me and I would've had to take my senior year over again to graduate. He hugged me one last time and kissed my forehead.

"Well, we need to get going. I promised Alice I'd go shopping with her."

"I'll be back by eleven. Promise."

Charlie nodded his head. The thought of me being with Alice made him extremely happy. As long as I was with Alice, he could care less if I came home at three in the morning. Edward and I walked out the house and headed to the car. We got in and he started the engine.

"Didn't I tell you that would go well?" he asked.

I smiled. "Yes. Yes you did. But, why would he take that so easily? I don't understand. I thought he'd be furious. He acted and sounded like it until you were in the room. He never makes his not liking you known, especially when you're around."

He smiled. "Bella, whether Charlie hates me or not is totally up to him. I have no say in the matter. Quite frankly, I don't blame him." I stared at him with cold eyes. He smiled back in response. "I mean, sure, I was dangerous to you when you were human, but now that you're a vampire, I can be even more dangerous. And plus, he's not stupid, Bella, he knows when he's lost his daughter. I think he senses something he can't figure out. Like, he knows he's lost you to marriage, but he also thinks he's lost you to something else, too. Just something he can't figure out."

"Edward, you were never dangerous to me when I was human, no matter what you say. You would never hurt me. I know you too well. But, I do think you're right about one thing." He looked at me with piercing eyes. "I think you're right about you being more dangerous now that I'm a vampire. But that's just how I like it." I smiled and he smiled back and kissed my forehead.

Edward pulled out of the drive and headed toward La Push. I wasn't very excited to tell Jacob about the marriage, especially the change, even though he'd be able to smell it all over me. He was going to be harder to tell than Charlie was. And I thought I was going to pass out before I told Charlie. What was it going to be like when I'm telling Jacob? Especially since Edward couldn't be there to help me. Unless I lucked out and found Jacob at the line. Even then, though, I couldn't cross it. It was going to be so hard. I knew Jacob would be hurt and I can't even comfort him. This was going to be extremely hard.

We were approaching the line, because Edward slowed down. I still didn't know where the imaginary line was, but I would soon enough. To my surprise, Jacob was sitting by a tree. Edward came to a stop about ten meters away. Jacob looked up and I could see the fire in his eyes. I looked over to Edward and he looked at me.

"I'll be here if you need me."

I smiled at that. "Thanks, Edward." I opened the door and got out. Edward followed. As soon as we got out of the car, Jacob stood and walked towards us. He stopped and so did Edward. I was right behind Edward. I looked down between them. Somehow, I could see the line that separated the vampires from the werewolves. I walked up beside Edward and stared Jacob in the eye.

"Jacob," Edward said, politely.

Jacob snorted. "Edward. Bella. What do you want, bloodsucker?"

I looked at Edward. "Jacob, there's something I need to tell you."

"What?"

He seemed so clueless. Couldn't he smell the change in me? Or was the smell overpowered by Edward's? Edward snickered.

"Jacob, I know you knew that Edward and I were going to be married." His eyes were hard on mine. "Well, the marriage took place a few days ago."

"I figured that's what you wanted to tell me. I knew that that bloodsucker would want you all to himself, and sooner rather than later. He's so impatient. He can't wait for anything."

"Quite the contrary. I waited centuries for her." He smiled.

"Whatever. I knew it wouldn't be long. I figured you would've been married within a week or two of becoming engaged. How did Charlie take it?"

"He took it pretty good, actually. I was surprised. But, there's something else I need to tell you, Jacob. I think you noticed, but you're trying to overlook it because of our friendship, well, the friendship we had."

"What are you talking about, Bella?"

He really was clueless. I looked up at Edward with sorrow in my eyes. This wasn't going to be easy. "Jacob, I'm a…vampire now." I stood there in silence, watching Jacob's expression. It never changed. It showed no emotion whatsoever. Finally, his eyes turned to hatred. He stared at Edward, and then at me. "I thought you would've known. Couldn't you smell it?"

"No. I was trying to keep the stench out of my mind. I wasn't really paying attention to it. I thought I smelled a different smell, but I wasn't thinking about it. How, Bella? Let me guess, that bloodsucker made you do it, didn't he?"

"No. I made him. He changed me the night of the prom. He didn't want to, but I made him. I just couldn't live without him. I wanted to be a vampire and be with him for eternity."

He stared at me. "Bella, this really pains me. We can't be friends anymore because of this. There's no way a vampire and a werewolf could ever get along. There's just no way. I don't want to stop being friends with you, but I have to." Tears started to well in his eyes. I knew I'd hurt him. He was never going to forgive me. We'd have to leave. The Cullens knew, as well as I did, that the treaty didn't allow vampires to bite humans.

He turned and ran back to the house. I wanted so much to run after him and comfort him, but I couldn't. Instead, I threw myself against Edward's marble chest and started to cry into his chest. He wrapped his arm around me and hugged me close. I stood there crying into his chest for half an hour. His shirt was soaked by the time I pulled away from his chest. I looked up into his eyes, tears streaming my face. He took his index finger and gently wiped away all the tears from my cheeks. "I'm sorry, Edward."

He placed a finger over my lips. "Don't be. There's nothing to be sorry about. You did what you had to do." He removed his finger from my lips. I opened my lips to protest, but his lips met mine before I could say anything. I didn't even have to think of anything; my lips formed to his and moved with his. My tongue slowly flowed into his mouth and found the tip of his. Thoughts whirled threw my head. At least he doesn't have to be careful anymore. He pulled away and we were totally breathless. He escorted me to the car and we went back home.