CHAPTER NINE: A WAITING GAME

What if he says no? What if he'd rather die? Will the venom even fix him? I know it sorted out my bone but a bleed on the brain? Fuck, will he even be able to make this choice?

The doctor pulled me from my internal panic. I had been here for hours and they had finally agreed to wake him from his coma after doing another scan on his brain. The bleeding had stopped for now but the doctor had warned us that it could happen again at any moment, so no time to waste. I could feel Billy's eyes on me as we sat in silence.

"Bella, are you sure about this? What-what if he's not as controlled as you?" Billy asked for the hundredth time.

"I can't say if he will or won't be. I can only make a guess based on how much I know my Father. He is a man of principles and he loves me very much. I can only hope that will be enough. Billy," I waited for him to meet my eyes. "He will still be Charlie, the same way I am still me, just, you know, more durable. I will do everything in my power to help him adjust if he chooses this life." I'd be toying around with a suggestion, thinking the further away from humans the better. "I was thinking, if he chooses this, that I'd take him to the Cullens house. We'd be far enough away that Forks and the Rez would be safe. And we'd be close enough to the forest so we'll be able hunt with ease."

Billys brow furrowed. "Won't the Cullens mind you breaking into their house?" he questioned. I looked over to Billy with sardonic smile across my face.

"I don't care if they do. As far as I'm concerned, they owe me." Truthfully, I did care if it bothered them but I wasn't going to tell anyone that. But the fact they left me here unprotected, this is the least they could do. That answer seemed to satisfy Billy well enough.

"Well, I suppose you know them better than I do." He nodded. "If Charlie chooses this, that's what we'll do. I'm gonna miss him." Oh no, this wasn't going to be the end of their friendship.

"If he says no, so will I. But if its a yes, give him time to adjust, control his thirst, manage his strength and you two can go back to watching games together. The essence of him will not change, just the exterior." I smiled. I knew this was hard for Billy. But he was my Dad. I could give him a choice.

"The only thing will be what to do if he does choose to become a vampire. Do we fake his death? Pretend he's really ill? Suddenly decide to leave the force and move?" I'm sure we'd figure something out,it was just figuring it out to sound legit that was the problem. Billy nodded in agreement.

Charlie started to wake up then, looking around confused and in pain. He was breathing on his own when they reversed the coma, so decided to let him wake up in his own time.

"Bells?" he croaked. "What happened? Where am I?" he swallowed a few times, as I grabbed a cup of water for him.

"Hey Dad. You're in the Rez hospital. They were patching you up when your vitals started to crash. They managed stabilised you, did some scans and found out you had a bleed on the brain. A little failsafe from Riley incase everything didn't go to plan." No point in sugar coating it. He wouldn't want that. "They put you in an induced coma to help you heal..." I trailed off. Charlie didn't mince his words, but I had no idea how to tell him that the prognosis wasn't good. Of course, he had a way of getting around that.

"Just spit it out Bella. I can take it." Charlie demanded. Well, here it goes.

".. But they've said it could happen again at anytime. It's in an inoperable area of the brain. If it does happen again and you're not in a hospital, you're as a good as dead." I didn't mean to be that dramatic.

"Oh." Was all Charlie had to say about that. I gave him some time to process, waiting for him to speak. "Well, what do we do?" he asked after ten minutes.

I flashed my eyes towards Billy and Sam, then looked Charlie in the eyes.

No sugar coating.

"Dad, I could turn you. It would fix everything. Though you'll be eternally 45." I paused, he hadn't even reacted. "Its a big thing, so I'll give you some time to think about it, Da-."

"Will I still be...me? Like you're still you?" He asked, looking directly at me. That wasn't the question I was expecting.

"Honestly? I think so. Though, there's no guarantee Dad." I tried to sound as hopeful as possible.

"Bells, tell me what you kno-." There was a knock at the door by an orderly. A young man, maybe 22 with dark russet skin, his hair tied back into a short ponytail. His name tag read Tadi.

"Uh, sorry to interrupt but this arrived just now at the front desk. It's for Bella?" he looked at me, obviously, I'm the only woman here.

"Uh hi, yeah, that's me." I held out my hand for the envelope. He handed it to me wide eyed. Either he knew what I was or.. I don't know. "Thank you for bringing it to me." I smiled sweetly at him, hiding my teeth.

The smile fell off of my face as I saw the handwriting. I opened it up, addressed to me was a letter, dated two and half years ago, 11th July.

Dearest Bella,

I hope this letter finds you well.

Though if you are reading this, then unfortunately it means you are still without our company, of which I am truly sorry. At the time of writing this, I don't yet know the why or the how, I only saw that you would need this for your father, I hope he takes to this life as well as I can see you have. I have told all but Edward that you have become a Vampire, though I do not know how.

Inside you will find all medical paperwork necessary to make arrangements for Charlie to step away from the force, no questions asked. They're all signed by an alias of Carlisles, who is a recognised Doctor under the name Stregone Benefico in Italy, where you'll need to pretend where you are. The force will call him, we will cover for him. It is the least we could do.

Edward doesn't know I've done this and I will try my best to make sure he doesn't find out, unless circumstances change of course.

Bella, please do not call that number, I will know if it is you calling and no one will answer. I want to spare you that pain.

I'm sorry.

Included are keys to one of our properties near Capitol State Forest and to our house just outside of Forks. Make them your home, however you see fit. There is also a tinted Ford 150-F Supercab, that will get you places whilst staying out of sight. Keys are in the glove compartment.

Please be safe.

I never wanted to leave and I miss you.

Your friend, eternally

Alice

xXx

Ps. Should you need their assistance, I have included the number and address for the Denalli coven. They have been informed and will help you. Good luck.

As the envelope thudded to the floor, I wondered if Vampires could go into shock. I never thought I'd hear from them again. To see Alice's handwriting made me both happy and depressed at the same time. They knew I was a vampire, but wouldn't come back. Somehow Alice couldn't see what Victoria did to me but saw Charlie becoming a Vampire years before it happened. And didn't even warn me. Edward probably told her to stop watching my future when he stopped being a part of it. When they all did.

A hand waved infront of my face.

"Bella? Earth to Bella? Are you okay?" Charlie was about to throw a pillow at my head when I looked at him.

"It's a letter from Alice, its -" I held up my hand as both Charlie and Billy started to butt in. "But it's dated from two years ago. Somehow she saw you becoming a vampire, Dad. The Cullens have gifted us the house here in Forks and another within Capitol State Forest. As well as a truck for us to move between houses. And finally, she's had Carlisle sign some paperwork under an alias." I looked at Charlie then, I so badly wanted him to decide to become a vampire. He was all I had left. "Dad, if you choose this, they have created a cover up, this paperwork goes to the force. They'll call up Carlisle, he'll explain away some illness that requires us to go to Italy. Alice has seen then happen if we do it this way. There are others in Alaska that can help you adjust. This will all work out. " The last few bits came out in a rush. I sounded desperate. I was.

It was silence for 2,368 of Charlies heartbeats. Limited as they were. Finally, he spoke.

"Bells, I need space to think about this. Why don't you head on out for a bit." he didn't meet my eyes and my still heart sunk.

"Sure Dad. I'll use this as good chance to hunt."

I motioned for Sam to follow me outside. I knew how black my eyes were. My throat was burning. "Is there anywhere safe within the Rez I can grab some deer?" I just need a quick refill." My throat felt raw.

"Head East, there's a lot of deer around that area." he looked uncomfortable with the idea of me hunting on the Reservation but he knew I wouldn't touch anyone.

With that, I flew out of the nearest window. It was dark out, so I could finally use my speed. Heading east, I sunk my teeth into the first deer my hands touched. I did so with two more. At the fourth, I gulped down the life blood as sobs wracked my body, with tears that would never fall.

Dad, please don't leave me behind.