Authors Note: Thank you all soooooooooooo much for reviewing! I got the most reviews for the last chapter than for any of the others so I was pumped (yes I am a dork alas I have accepted the fact and shall rise above it!). Anyways enough of my blabber mouth on with the show! P.S. Read and Review please!

Charlie's New Girlfriend

Charlie insisted on driving home from the hospital the next morning. I had to stay overnight to be 'monitored' seeing as this was not my first concussion. My truck was still getting the taillight replaced, so I was forced to join him in the police cruiser. At least I was allowed to sit in the front seat.

"So…" Charlie said, his voice signifying the awkward silence between us. "I think you'll really like Kate, she has a fascinating family story. Her and her sisters actually live in the town that their ancestors founded. That's why their last name is the same as where they live! Neat, huh?"

Yeah. Great.

"We've met," I said, rolling my eyes slightly.

"Oh, right…" Charlie said. He must have realized that this was at least the twentieth time I had told him that I knew Kate. "She's what, Edward's aunt?"

Luckily, Alice had coached me on how to answer these kinds of questions.

"Technically she's Car- I mean, Doctor Cullen's half sister," I answered, keeping my sentences short and too the point.

"I see…" Charlie said, shifting uncomfortable in his seat.

There was another long pause.

"So… uh… what do you think of her?"

What, besides the fact that she is a blood-sucking vampire who all but invented the term succubus and siren? Yeah, Charlie, she's a real keeper.

"She… seems nice…" I said, choosing my words carefully.

Charlie seemed relieved by my answer and I could see him visibly relax.

"That's great… so… uh… are you okay with… that is if I… uh… start 'seeing' her."

I tried not to let my face show the alarm I was feeling.

"I thought you were just going to show her around?" I asked, feeling panicky.

"Well… yes, for a start…" he said, "But… hypothetically… if things go well, that is… would you be okay if… I started dating her…"

"I'm not your mother, what do I care?" I burst out.

I stared out the window, trying not to let the tears fall from my eyes. There was a horribly long pause before he answered me.

"Bells… I want you to be comfortable in the place you live…," he said slowly, clearly thinking on his choice of words. "If me dating her would make you feel uncomfortable, than it's not worth it to me…"

I bit my lip, cursing myself. Of course, I would love Charlie to start dating again and of course, it would be good for him to help him get over Renee. But why did it have to be a vampire!

"I… I don't mind if you date… Dad," I said slowly, trying to think of something else to say.

"Great," he said, clearly satisfied with my answer. "I mean… we'll have to see how the tour and dinner go, of course…"

Dinner? I grimaced. Yeah, Dad, I hope things go well. Oh, by the way did you know that Kate doesn't eat? Yeah, comes along with the whole 'vampire' thing, but don't worry about it.

"Of course," I said simply, thankful that we were pulling into the driveway. I was ecstatic to see Edward's Volvo parked outside of the house. I really needed to talk to someone about this.

"How are you feeling?" he asked, as we approached.

"Better." I said simply, widening my eyes.

He nodded swiftly, evidently knowing the news.

"Charlie," he said respectfully.

"Hello, Edward," Charlie said, stiffening up a bit. I frowned in his direction, half-tempted to elbow him in the gut. Charlie strolled around us and unlocked the front door to let us in. I rolled my eyes and Edward snuck a quick kiss on my cheek as Charlie's back was turned. I felt my face redden as we entered the house. Edward winked at me as I glared back at him.

"Don't make it too late, Bella," Charlie said, turning back to us. "You just got back from the hospital, you know."

"I know," I said, slightly confused.

"Well, let's get going," Edward said, smiling.

"Okay…" I stuttered, "See you later, Dad…"

Charlie merely grunted as we walked out the door. Edward opened the passenger door and I climbed inside, still confused. As he seated himself in the driver's seat, I looked pointedly at him.

"Well?"

Edward started his car and turned the volume down low. He looked over at me, his golden eyes deep and warm. I felt my heart stutter and I unconsciously fanned myself. He frowned slightly and turned on the air conditioning.

"Are you warm?" he asked, concerned.

"Huh?" I asked, confused. I shook my hand, realizing what I was doing, "Oh, yeah just a little."

He grinned, his eyes smoldering.

"Or is it a different kind of… heat?" he asked seductively.

I had to shake my head in order to think straight.

"Hey, stop it." I argued, "That's not fair!"

"What?" he asked, putting the car in gear and tearing off down the road.

"You know exactly what I mean," I snapped, not in the mood for his antics. "Where are we going?"

"To my place," Edward said, looking over at me. "Didn't Charlie tell you?"

"No, Charlie was busy on another subject," I said pointedly.

"Ah… yes…" Edward said, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "Well, I had asked Charlie if it would be alright for you to come over again tonight and meet my 'family' a little more."

I nodded, keeping my eyes focused on the road. I knew that if I glanced over at him I was going to be at lost for any sort of coherent conversation.

"And he was okay with this?"

"Well… I told him that you might want to… get to know Kate a little more…" He said sheepishly.

My head whipped around to look at him. Edward looked as if he were on the verge of laughing.

"It's not funny."

That set him off. Edward laughed while I turned away in anger.

"I'm… I'm sorry," Edward said, his laughter fading away, "It's just… the irony of it… your dad dating a vampire, you dating a vampire… I just hope Phil's not a vampire or I'll have to question the sanity of your entire family."

I couldn't help but chuckle at the thought of Phil being a bloodthirsty creature of the night.

"See?" he said, glancing over at me to see if I was mad at him.

"Yeah, I see…" I said grudgingly. "But it doesn't mean I have to like it."

"Well… I'll admit the sisters don't have a very good reputation to look back on," he said, shrugging his shoulders. "But… they really are the sweetest people… and I know that Kate would never do anything to hurt your father…"

I sighed and closed my eyes, leaning back in my seat.

"I know… I mean, I don't know but… it's just… weird," I said, trying to explain how I was feeling.

"I know," he said, understanding. "But… they may end up not even liking each other…"

"I wouldn't be so sure," I objected. "Charlie's head over heels…"

Edward laughed again as we pulled into the Cullen's long driveway. I started as I saw Octavia kneeling outside, evidently doing some gardening work.

"She loves gardening," Edward said, following my gaze. "You would like her if you just got to know her a bit…"

"I'm not so sure…" I said, frowning.

"Hey… I'll make you a deal…" Edward said, touching my face, forcing me to look into his eyes.

"You'll change me if I get along with her?" I asked hopefully.

"Not a chance."

"It was worth a shot…"

"My offer still stands…"

"Okay, what's your other offer?"

Edward leaned back, scrutinizing me with this piercing gaze.

"I'll… make an attempt to… accept that Jacob is your friend… if you attempt to befriend Octavia."

I lifted my eyebrows, pondering on what he was offering. I had to admit, it was quite the deal. I would be able to see Jacob then without having to deal with the guilt of having Edward being paranoid about it.

"You'll attempt to get along with him?" I asked carefully.

"I can't believe I'm saying this but," Edward said, closing his eyes. There was a wrinkle forming on his perfect marbled forehead. "Yes."

"Okay… deal." I said, "Do we need to sign this in blood or…"

Edward shook his head, leaning in until his face was inches from mine.

"I think we have an accord without the need for blood…"

"So you don't want my blood?"

"En contraire," he whispered, his lips moving slowly down my neck. "But there's something that I want even more than that right now…"

I flushed at the implication in his voice. We were entering dangerous territory now.

"What would that be?" I asked, my breath coming in spurts.

"Well… among other things," he said, gesturing to the rest of my body with his free hand. "Your hand in marriage…"

I swallowed hard. It was the 'M' word again. Forcing myself to look away, I gently took his hand.

"I'm… I'm still considering it…" I said, biting my lip apprehensively.

Edward sighed and leaned back, much to my sincere disappointment. We both looked away awkwardly. Edward was the one to break the silence.

"Just go talk to her… find out what she's really like…," he said, glancing over at Octavia, who was still busy with the flower garden.

I glanced over at Octavia, apprehension covering every inch of me.

"Right now?"

"No time like the present," he said.

Edward was seated next to me one minute, and the next he was opening my door. He extended a hand, which I took begrudgingly.

"I'm not making any guarantees," I warned as I stepped out of the car.

He jerked my hand, not hard enough to hurt me, but hard enough to make me topple into him.

"You can do it," he whispered, his cool breath tickling my ear.

I shivered slightly. I would never get used to that. In the next moment, Edward disappeared.

"Hey!" I said, frowning angrily. "Don't I get any help?"

I heard his ghostly chuckle as I turned towards the house and towards Octavia. Feeling determined, I began to walk over to her, getting a worse feeling about the situation with every step.