Hello everyone! Thank you for all the kind reviews. I adore all of you for taking the time to read and review.
I would like to give a very special shout out to two wonderful ladies. LaTuaCantante4him and ILRPinkGirl were extremely generous and bid $180 for two Visitation outtakes in the Support Stacie auction. Let's give these ladies a round of applause. I am proud to be associated with such lovely people. The outtakes will be posted in the next couple of weeks and will be lemony. Be on the lookout.
Special thanks to my lovely beta, Jensy. This wonderful woman had major surgery and still found the time to edit my chapter. I love her.
This chapter is dedicated to my dad, Charlie. (really) He took the time to share his love of fishing with me and helped inspire some of the events in this chapter. :)
Enjoy!
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Chief Swan's truck meandered down the winding country road, jostling me around as I occupied the front seat. I was crammed in the center, my legs straddling the gear shift. Saying that I was uncomfortable would be an understatement. Having my body pinned between Charlie and an unknown man was not my idea of fun. Also, having Chief Swan's hand so close to my crotch put the fear of God in my heart. Maybe this was all a plot to neuter me so I couldn't impregnate his daughter.
We were on our way to some fishing spot that the Chief was dying to try out. He was pulling a flat-bottomed Jon-boat on the trailer behind us, and I prayed the little aluminum boat was big enough to accommodate three people. I had never been fishing before; the only watercraft I had ever boarded being the huge ferry my mom and I took over to Victoria when I was a kid.
When I was convicted almost four months ago, I never in a million years would have guessed that I would be allowed a fishing expedition with Bella Swan's dad. My mind drifted back, thinking of his previous visits . . .
True to the Chief's word, he began visiting me at Meyer, starting one week after he had laid down the law to Bella and me.
His first visit was on a Wednesday, and any annoyance I may have harbored regarding his enforced quality time together was immediately forgotten once I noticed the McDonald's bag sitting on the table. The smell of French fries filled the room and I began drooling like one of Pavlov's dogs.
"Sit down, kid. I brought you some lunch. I figure all teenage boys like cheeseburgers and French fries."
I sat down and began stuffing my face with the greasy yet heavenly fare. I rarely had any pocket money to spend while living in the foster care system, providing few opportunities to veer outside school cafeteria lunches and whatever unsavory meals given to me. Prison food had been even worse, amazingly. I couldn't remember enjoying a meal more.
I nearly reached over to hug Chief Swan when he pointed to the chocolate milkshake and soda sweating on the plastic table.
"Thank you so much," I mumbled with my mouth full of food.
Charlie chuckled, shaking his head. "You're too skinny. A gust of wind could blow you over. You need to eat more."
I looked up, surprised to see a concerned expression on his face. "Have you ever eaten prison food?"
He shook his head.
"Well, be thankful for that. It's awful—inedible. It's a miracle no one has starved to death in here."
We sat in silence as I finished my meal, the sound of the last bit of coke slurping through the straw signaling Charlie to begin speaking. "So, let's go take a walk outside and you can tell me about yourself."
The food suddenly felt like a rock in my stomach as I got up and pushed in my chair, gathering my trash.
"What's there to say? I'm sure you've read my file. Invisible, orphaned, foster kid turned murderer. That's me."
"Just humor me then, Masen. I want to know more about the boy my daughter is so crazy about. Give Bella some credit; there must be something special about you."
We walked around the prison yard, where surprisingly I found myself telling Charlie about my parents. It was exhausting and difficult for me to talk about it, and it was one of the first times I had allowed myself to share the details of the physical and emotional abuse doled out by my father. I believed that I really needed to be honest with Charlie. He promised that anything we discussed in our "bonding" sessions was strictly confidential, which he would never tell anyone, especially Bella.
I was thankful when Charlie reversed the roles after a while to start telling me about himself.
It saddened me to learn that he didn't have an idealistic childhood either. An only child, Charlie had lost his mom to cancer while he was in his teens. His dad had been an alcoholic who later died while Charlie studied to become a police officer.
"I pretty much raised myself once my mom died, since Dad was either at work or at the bar. He just kind of let me do whatever. That's when I met Bella's mom."
Charlie met Renee the summer before his senior year of high school.
"I was painting houses that summer and she was in Port Angeles visiting her grandmother. She would come outside everyday to keep me company as I painted her grandma's house. It was a huge house and it took me almost a week to finish. On the last day I asked her out. She was beautiful. Still is."
A sad smile overtook Charlie's face.
"We had an amazing summer. We spent every second together and when she left to go back to her parents' house in Phoenix at the end of the summer, I was devastated. This was before cell phones and the internet. We were only able to call each other every once in a while and had to rely on sending letters. It was tough, but worth it. I was in love and would have done anything to be with her."
"I can sympathize completely, sir." I chuckled.
He hesitated for a second, taking that in. "Yeah, I guess so. Well, somehow Renee managed to convince her parents to spend Christmas in Washington with her grandmother, and we had a wonderful few days together that December. We started talking about marriage and going off to college together. We were convinced that everything would fall into place after graduation.
"Imagine my surprise when Renee called me on Valentine's day telling me she was pregnant. Needless to say, her parents didn't react well to the news—they essentially threw her out.
"She came to live with me and my dad in Forks where we quickly married and finished high school. We had planned on going to college, but between her parents no longer financially supporting her and my dad's small income, we knew there was no way we could do it."
He sighed. I had the sense that those were the most words Charlie had strung together in quite a while. After a beat he continued, "I started working as a security guard down at one of the lumberyards during the night and took Criminal Justice classes at the community college during the day.
"Renee's pregnancy was really hard on her, so she stayed home and rested. When Bella was born that September, it was the greatest day of my life. She was so tiny; so beautiful. I was amazed that I could help create something so perfect."
I agreed. Bella's birth was indeed a wonderful event; she was as perfect as a woman could be.
"It was hard, Edward. We were two kids without a clue about how to be husband and wife to each other. And we sure as hell didn't know anything about raising a baby. My dad got sick and died suddenly. He didn't have any life insurance so I had to start picking up extra shifts to make the mortgage on the house he left behind. I was so busy that I didn't have time to spend with Renee or Bella."
His voice lowered. "I left them home alone long enough to realize that they really didn't need me. Renee's parents had a change of heart, so Renee took Bella to Phoenix for a visit. She filed for divorce a week later." Charlie coughed a few times, as if attempting to hide the hurt in his voice. "I felt like a complete failure. I loved Renee completely and couldn't understand how that wasn't enough."
I found myself feeling badly for Charlie. I would die if Bella were to leave me.
"Did you ever consider moving to Phoenix to be closer to Bella?"
"I did, but when Renee started dating only a few short months after leaving me, I just couldn't bear the thought of seeing her with someone else. It's a real kick to the gut when you realize you love someone who would probably never love you back. I was the boy from the other side of the tracks that her parents had warned her about. It was probably exciting for her to be with me at first, but once reality set in, she realized she didn't want me or Forks."
With a start, I grasped the parallels between Charlie and me.
He continued, "I was broken and selfish, unfortunately letting my feelings regarding Renee keep me away from Bella. I'll always regret not being more involved in her childhood."
"Did you ever get remarried?"
I knew I was being nosy, but it was interesting learning more about Chief Swan. Additionally, I wanted to keep the spotlight off of me—I didn't want to share anything else about my own past.
"No. I wasted a lot of years pining over Renee and what could have been. It wasn't until she remarried a couple of years ago that I finally decided it was time to move on with my life. Of course now I only have time for one woman in my life and that's Bella. I wouldn't even know where to begin when it comes to dating." He snorted.
"Come on, Chief Swan—I bet you could be quite the ladies' man if you got out there more."
"Like I need dating advice from you, Masen. You worry about staying out of trouble, and I'll worry about my love life."
He patted me on the back almost like a father would a son. Deeply honored that the Chief felt comfortable enough to share a part of himself with me, I walked in step with Bella's father, considering how incredibly far this first showdown had exceeded my expectations.
The Chief continued his visits every week or so, and I actually began to look forward to them. Not only was he my link to Bella, but it was also invigorating to spend an hour outside, away from the other inmates.
When he had first mentioned the idea of going fishing together, I thought he was kidding, but he indeed had been serious. Chief Swan had frequently spoken of his love of the outdoors and of fishing. It was his favorite hobby and any moment of free time was spent out on the sound.
He had cut back on his fishing time since Bella's attack. He didn't like leaving her alone, even for short periods of time, but he had some time off the following week and figured he could get his fix while she was at school. I wondered for a moment if he had forgotten my current predicament. I was in juvie. How the hell was I going to go fishing? There certainly wasn't any lake or stream situated on Meyer's campus.
But leave it to Mr. Law Enforcement to know how to work the system. Charlie knew that the Director of Meyer truly believed in rehabilitation rather than just punishment. The Director had established a mentoring program several years ago in which inmates were "adopted" by an adult on the outside, enlisting plenty of local businessmen, politicians, and others to participate as mentors. I had never heard of the opportunity because I was considered a violent offender, but Charlie had been able to pull some strings to get me into the program.
One of the perks for me was that I would be allowed to leave Meyer up to ten times per year with my mentor. We were encouraged to do something that would build character and allow the inmates an opportunity to have a healthy male relationship. It made sense, really. If there was one thing I shared with most of my fellow inmates, it was that almost all of us had either had caustic or nonexistent relationships with our fathers.
I had never been fishing before. Having grown up in the city, my father wasn't into nature, and of course there just wasn't any opportunity once I was in the foster care system. I was a little horrified that I would embarrass myself in front of Bella's father. I knew I needed to demonstrate that I was worthy of his daughter and I feared my novice efforts at attempting to catch a fish would prove the opposite.
The chief was shocked and appalled that I had never experienced the excitement of reeling in the big one. He looked forward to showing me the ropes.
I was allowed civilian clothes for my outside excursions. Unfortunately, the only clothes I owned were sitting in some evidence bag at the police station. I'm sure my foster mother had long since donated anything left at her home. Emmett took great joy in mocking the wardrobe he was able to procure from belongings left behind by former inmates.
"Those stone-washed jeans are hot, Masen. And that flannel shirt looks like it came straight from a Pearl Jam video."
I looked like a reject from the nineties. It was quite embarrassing.
"Watch out Masen. Someone might call the fashion police on you!"
Emmett fancied himself a comedian. I wanted to punch him.
"It's not like your C.O. uniform is impressing Stacey and Clinton from What Not To Wear, Emmett. Besides, anything is better than that awful prison jumpsuit. And don't they always say that old-fashioned trends cycle back around? I'm just ahead of the game."
"Good one, Edward. You are learning well, young Jedi."
Emmett gave me a man slap on the ass and sent me out into the visitor lobby to an awaiting Chief Swan.
It was an odd feeling being escorted out into the parking lot. I had been trapped within Meyer's razor-wire fencing for four months. I felt a huge weight lift off my chest as Charlie led me to his truck.
I was surprised when I saw the passenger door swing open. For a moment I honestly thought he brought Bella. I could feel the excitement bubbling inside me. Was I really that lucky?
As I saw the figure exit the vehicle, I realized I was delusional for even thinking Charlie would allow me the chance to see Bella outside of the detention center. Instead, I was face-to-face with a middle-aged man with platinum blonde hair and kind eyes. He was well dressed for a fishing trip, in khakis and an expensive sweater.
"Hi Edward. My name is Carlisle Cullen. I've heard a lot about you."
He placed his hand out and I shook it. I had heard his name before.
"You're Emmett's dad."
"Indeed I am. And don't forget Alice."
"So, are you like Chief Swan's fishing buddy or something?"
Carlisle chuckled at my question.
"Charlie's gotten me out a few times, but actually I came along this time so I could meet you. It seems my son has really taken a liking to you, Mr. Masen. And after talking with Charlie here, I'm hoping I can be of some assistance."
I couldn't think of anything that this stranger could help me with, but I remembered from Emmett's life story that Carlisle was a kind and compassionate man. It couldn't hurt to have another person on my side.
The ride to the lake took about an hour and by the time we got there, it felt like we had long since exited civilization. The Chief backed the truck down an old gravel ramp and within minutes the boat was in the water. There was a small dock, and he had me hold the boat to keep it from floating away as he went to park the truck.
Charlie and Carlisle got in the boat first, with Charlie grasping the dock and instructing me to hop in. As I stepped into the boat, I nearly fell over when my weight caused the small vessel to sink, wobble, and rock.
I may have emitted a rather un-masculine shriek and was mortified to see both Charlie and Carlisle laughing at me. I figured it could have been worse. At least I didn't fall in the water, right?
Charlie cranked up the outboard motor and we were off, looking for what he called a hot spot. We motored around for a while until Charlie found a place where several trees had fallen over into the water, explaining that fish often resided in such areas. I had no idea, so I took his word for it.
Chief Swan was very patient with me. He taught me about hooks and lures and bobbers and other things I couldn't remember afterwards. Dangling a wiggling worm from his calloused fingers, he showed me the proper way to bait the hook. The slimy feel of the worm in my fingers was rather gross, and Charlie seemed to get a kick out of my facial expressions as I pierced the worm's squirming body with my hook.
Next was the art of casting. Charlie was able to cast his line out like a professional; I was amazed by how far he could send his hook flying through the air. It was apparent he had spent many a day out on the lake.
My casting was embarrassing and dangerous. I wanted to drown myself in the river when I heard Carlisle yelp in pain when I nicked his arm with my hook. He insisted he wasn't bothered and assured me it was merely a flesh wound. I, however, felt defeated.
After that incident, I was very cautious with my fishing pole. Caution didn't always mean success and more than once Charlie had to cut my line because my hook was caught in a nearby tree. It was official. I was the world's worst fisherman.
Charlie didn't seem to mind and never raised his voice or seemed disappointed in me. Of course, he was having a good time, considering he and Carlisle were having no problem catching their dinners.
I had a nibble or two on my line, but hadn't caught one fish.
After a while we decided to take a break for lunch. Charlie maneuvered the boat over to a clearing on one side of the lakeshore, where we staked out a spot to have a picnic on the grass. Carlisle had provided lunch and I inhaled his wife's chicken salad sandwiches.
"So Edward, Charlie here tells me your dream is to go to medical school."
"Yeah, I've always wanted to be a doctor. I think maybe a pediatrician? I'm not sure."
In my meetings with Chief Swan, I had explained to him how ever since my mom had purchased me a doctor kit as a little boy, I had always wanted to be a physician. I figured that dream was shattered, because I was sure no medical school would ever admit someone convicted of manslaughter.
"I'm not sure if my son told you, but I am a doctor. I split my time in the Emergency Room at two different hospitals in the Forks and Port Angeles area."
"Yeah, Emmett mentioned that. He said he was your patient and then you adopted him."
"Yes. I knew Emmett was special the first moment I met him. I just sensed he had the potential to really be something if just given an opportunity. I think Charlie and Emmett both see that same potential in you, Edward."
Feeling shocked by that comment, I looked over at Charlie questioningly and he smiled and nodded.
"I have a connection at the hospital in Edmonds. If medicine is really something you are passionate about, I have a friend who would be willing to have you shadow him one day a week. This would give you the opportunity to see if medicine is really a career that interests you."
I was blown away. Chief Swan thought I had potential? He had actually called Carlisle to put this in motion? I kept waiting for the other shoe to drop; the bite instead of the kiss. This offer seemed too good to be true. They were willing to let me outside the prison doors one day a week?
"So Meyer will actually let me do this?"
"Yes Edward, they will. In addition to the mentoring program, they do permit inmates to participate in community service projects. Charlie and I spoke with the director yesterday and explained that this was not only a chance for you to work towards a career goal, but the hospital was also in desperate need of volunteers. He agreed. If you keep your record clean and maintain your grades, you can start in January. So, what do you say?"
"Um, yes, I would love to. That sounds great."
We chatted a little more—Carlisle shared some his funny ER stories—and then we climbed back into the boat. Charlie said we had about forty-five minutes left to fish before we had to head back to Meyer.
The fishing was much more slow-going going this time. I had improved my technique a bit, but still hadn't landed a fish. Charlie and Carlisle didn't have much luck either.
I reeled in my line and saw that my hook had been wiped clean. I dug around in the worm container for my next victim.
"Last one, Masen. We need to be heading back in a few."
"No problem, Chief."
I cast out my line, impressed that I didn't hook any people, birds, or trees in the process. Charlie had already begun putting his pole away and was getting all of our gear together for departure.
I noticed my little red and white bobber bounce around on the water a bit, but I didn't get too excited. I hadn't caught a fish all day and didn't expect my luck to change.
I was just about to give up and reel my line in when my bobber suddenly disappeared under the water, the front of my fishing pole bending downward.
"Edward, you've got a bite! Pull back to hook him!"
I could feel the excitement in Charlie's voice.
I pulled my pole back over my shoulders quickly, felling the resistance coming from the line. Holy shit. I finally hooked my first fish.
I eagerly reeled in my line, and it proved to be more difficult than I had originally thought. This fish must be as big as the boat.
Charlie and Carlisle stood by me, shouting their encouragement. It was a great feeling. This must be what it was like when parents cheered on their kids playing sports; when parents showed a modicum of interest in their children. It was a foreign experience.
After what seemed like an eternity, I finally saw my catch break the surface of the water. I laughed when I realized that what I thought was a prize winning catch, was in actuality a little four-inch greenish-brown fish. It was tiny, yet Charlie's enthusiasm made it out to be the catch of the century.
Carlisle insisted on taking my picture and I stood there holding my little fish, while Charlie stood beside me with his arm around my shoulders as the camera flashed.
All too quickly I was back at Meyer in my prison issued jumpsuit, sitting in my tiny cinderblock cell. But instead of feeling utter despair, I sensed a warm sensation in my chest. For the first time since my mother had died, I actually felt like I had a family. And whether he knew it or not, Charlie Swan was already more of a father to me than the one who had created me.
I hope you enjoyed this little bit of Edward/Charlie fluff. I had a great time writing it!
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If you haven't read The Cannabean Betrothal or A Rough Start by ItzMegan73, then you are totally missing out on some good fic. She's under my author favorites. Check her out. xoxo