A Talk between Two Fathers
[Tthank you so much for the reviews! It makes such a difference to know people are enjoying the story. Of course, all characters belong to Ms. Meyers. In this chapter, thought it might be interesting to see Jasper and Charlie spending a few moments together. Hope you enjoy, and please do review! -- Kelli]
Chapter 6. Jasper and Charlie
Jasper Hale
This was a bad idea. Coming to Bella's house. We were here so that Alice could ask Bella to join the jewelry class. I suggested that a phone call would be easier, but my wife insisted that she'd only be able to convince Bella if she asked in person. That I could understand. Bella did have the weirdest issues with money. Despite my reluctance, Alice had me come along. At least she let me stay outside.
While Bella's birthday party was in the past, I would never forget what I'd done. Bella had forgiven me at once. Strange girl. More surprising to me was how easily Edward had forgiven me. Told me that it wasn't my fault. That I'd been surrounded by five other vampires whose own fierce desire for Bella's blood had overwhelmed me. It's true that other people's emotions can swamp me, strip away my ability to reason. Reveal what I really am beneath the veneer of civilization that I've tried so hard to make a part of me. Every time I look at Bella, I remember that night. Makes me ashamed all over again.
Since I'd come back from Dartmouth, I tried to stay as far away from Bella as I could. Now Alice was dragging me to her house. I knew why. If Bella was going to be a part of our lives, I needed to get used to her presence. Accept her as family. I understood, but still couldn't bring myself to walk through the door, where her scent would have saturated every corner of the house. Inside, Alice had stopped bemoaning the state of Bella's clothes and moved onto the invitation.
"A jewelry class? Sounds like fun," Bella said.
"That means you'll come?"
"Wait. How much is it?"
"It's not expensive. It'll be my treat. Please, please come?"
"How much is it, Alice?" Bella's tone was firm.
A sigh. "Seventy dollars. But, that also pays for the supplies to make four bracelets."
"I can't afford it."
"Can you afford five dollars a week?" Alice asked. "I'll loan you the money. I'll even charge you interest. Would that make you feel better?"
"Well…"
"Oh, I'm so glad! You're going to come!"
I was pleased for Alice's sake. She loved spending time with Bella. Prying her away from Edward while Bella was visiting us was always tough. My pleasure dimmed when I saw the chief's truck approaching. I knocked on the door, anxious for us to leave before the chief pulled up. "Alice? The chief's here."
Alice didn't answer.
It had to be deliberate. The silence told me that this was the reason she'd insisted that I come. She wanted me to meet Bella's father. No, that wasn't right. Alice wanted the chief to meet me. She must think that this would somehow help with Edward's relationship with Bella. Not sure how I could do that. Think it would do just the opposite. Like Bella, the chief had fallen under the spell of my wife, but I had a hard time believing he'd warm up to me.
The chief checked the jeep out as he walked by it, recognizing it from Edward's visits. As he climbed the stairs, I backed away from the door. His heavy gaze, assessing, judgmental shifted to me. A frown appeared on his face. His primary emotion? Wary. Not a good start.
"Good afternoon, Chief Swan," I said. I met his eyes briefly. Didn't hold out my hand. "I'm Jasper Hale. Alice brought me."
"You're one of Doctor Cullen's kids, right?"
"Yes, sir."
The wariness didn't go away. Did everything I could to lessen his unconscious response to my nature. Kept my eyes down, made sure I was smiling - not too wide, not too many teeth showing. Kept my hands lax at my sides. Tried to look unthreatening. At least I was sure his limited eyesight couldn't see my scars.
"Didn't Bella invite you in?"
"Yes, sir." I shrugged. "No offense, but I wasn't too interested in girl talk."
He grunted. Opened the door. "I got the sports channel."
It was an invitation. Couldn't think of any way to refuse politely. Followed him in. Held my breath. Alice and Bella were in the kitchen, heads together. They both got up as we came in.
"Hi, Dad. Dinner's in the oven."
"Hi, Charlie," Alice said. She gave him a bright smile, and then danced past him to come toward me. She tilted her head up, eyes sparkling. Feeling her amusement, knowing what she wanted, I bent down and kissed her. Full on her lips, one hand in the small of her back. I was careful. Lips closed. Kept it brief. Chaste.
Didn't matter. The chief's shock slammed into me like a blow. He hadn't known that Alice and I were together. Worse was the sensation of anger and something close to disgust that followed on the heels of his first reaction. Damn it. Not sure how making the chief more upset with our family could be good. I kept my face neutral, waiting to see what Alice would do.
Alice turned, tugging me along by our entwined hands as she approached Chief Swan. "I didn't properly introduce you, did I? Charlie, this is my other half, Jasper."
The chief's eyes widened at that. He folded his arms, narrowed eyes darting between Alice and myself. Anger, surprise, displeasure, all churning together. His shifting emotions were making me queasy. Standing behind him, Bella's mouth had dropped open. She was staring at Alice. I couldn't read minds, but it was clear that she thought Alice had gone mad. I was sorta' thinking the same thing, except I trust my wife. I could have calmed him, but as soon as I left, all those unresolved emotions would have stormed back, leaving Bella to deal with them. Its better that he gets over the worst of it now.
"Alice, but-" the chief started, then his voice trailed off. His affection for Alice was clear. The brunt of his anger was directed solely at me. It was okay, my shoulders are big enough to handle it.
"It may seem odd, Charlie." Alice shrugged. "But I fell in love with Jasper the moment I first saw his face. It took him a while longer to fall in love with me."
I nodded. "It did. Didn't happen until after you spoke to me that first time." I loved hearing her laugh. Even now. She glowed.
"The doc- I mean your father, he knows about you two being together?" His voice was thin with disapproval.
I knew what this question meant. He was asking about sex. My own anger flared. It was none of his damn business. Alice leaned against me, her hand tightening on mine. I forced myself to calm down.
"It seems that you don't approve." The sad, disappointed tone in her voice hurt me. It was hard, but I managed to stop the instinctive growl at the male who'd caused my mate pain. At least I'd kept my gaze averted, so that he couldn't see the flash of anger that would have darkened my eyes. I forced myself again to calmness. Despite the way the chief felt about Edward, Alice cared for him, despite his reaction.
It surprised me to feel that Alice's tone got to Chief Swan too. I sensed his regret. Bella spared us all from continuing a conversation that could only get more tense, more embarrassing.
"Dad, dinner will be burned if we don't eat right now." Bella banged the oven door open to emphasize her point.
"We need to get back home to our own dinner," I said. I sent a wave of gratitude to Bella. She gave me a small smile and a nod. Alice didn't resist as I led her out the door. "Goodnight Chief Swan. Goodnight, Bella."
"Good night," Alice managed a wave as we went out the door.
We were halfway home before I was calm enough to speak. "Did it go the way you planned?"
Alice sighed. "The chief needed to have his mind opened a little more."
"Won't this just make him think worse of our family? Sure isn't going to make him happy with Carlisle."
"It'll work out." Alice's voice was confident.
Despite her words, she was worried. She slipped her hand through my arm, laid her head on my shoulder. I loved it when Alice reached out to me for comfort. Made me feel as if I was worth something, had a purpose beyond mere survival. Just wished there was something I could do to make the situation better. Maybe I couldn't do that, but I thought of a way to make Alice feel better.
"Let's go to Seattle. You can check out the shops and we can go to the bookstore."
Alice sat, her spirits brightening. "What a great idea. Thanks, sweetheart."
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Carlisle Cullen
After I'd gotten home from the hospital and had properly greeted Esme, I shifted my attention to Edward. I spoke aloud for Esme's benefit. "Charlie wants to meet again. Any idea what it's about this time?'
"Alice called me." His mobile face was stern. "She brought Jasper to Bella's home. The chief met him there. Saw them kiss. It was Alice's idea."
I groaned. "I'm sure Charlie was upset. Why didn't she ask me beforehand if this was a good idea or not?"
"Don't feel bad. She didn't warn Jasper either."
Dear God. Putting Jasper into such an emotionally charged situation had the potential for a true disaster. On the other hand, Edward would have told me immediately if anything unfortunate had happened. "Why didn't she warn Jasper?"
"To show that she trusted him to maintain control."
Jasper well knew the limitations of Alice's ability. No matter what assurances her visions gave her, there was always the possibility of something not going right. I had to acknowledge that it had indeed taken real trust for her to bring Jasper to Bella's home.
"Isn't she pushing him too hard?"
"No one knows him better." Edward gave me a twisted smile. "Besides, Jasper knows that Charlie is no physical threat. Emotionally, well, Jasper's well suited to dealing with that problem."
I nodded. It was no use to dwell on it. "Where are they now?"
"They drove to Seattle to go to the mall."
"You told Alice that you'd tell me," I guessed. "In order that I'd have time to calm down before she came home."
"No. She told me that I was going to tell you. The rest of it was spot on." He grinned. "Having a little sister can be such a pain."
"Have you seen Charlie since then?"
Edward shook his head. "Bella called me though. She said Charlie's upset, but he won't talk about it to her."
"I have to wonder what he thought of Jasper."
Edward didn't say anything, but I could see his concern.
The most deadly of my children was not physically impressive to humans. He'd carefully learned and diligently practiced the behaviors that made him appear less threatening. In spite of that, the instincts that warned humans that they were in danger from our kind seemed to kick in higher gear when Jasper was near. Perhaps it was just my own perception.
"It's not just you."
Edward had picked up my thoughts. "That's unfortunate. Makes it even more difficult for Jasper among humans."
"How?" Edward cut himself off. "Oh, because he picks up their fear. A human's fear does tend to kick in our worst instincts, doesn't it?"
"Makes me impressed with Jasper all over again." I shook my head as I remembered some of the more appalling things that he'd suffered through during his decades with Maria. "Sometimes I expect too much from him."
"His control is much better than when he first joined us, Edward conceded. "Still has a long way to go though, yes?"
"True." I caught an expression on Edward's face, a worried look. "What is it?"
"It occurred to me that it's only a matter of time that Charlie finds out about Emmett and Rosalie."
I winced. "That does worry me. I can imagine what he'll think. A household of teenagers engaged in apparently illicit relationships condoned by a set of immoral parents."
"At least he'll stop expecting you to keep Bella and I apart." Edward said, his tone amused.
Not amusing.
Edward shrugged.
"Any ideas on how to explain Alice and Jasper to Charlie?"
Edward's mouth twitched. "Me? No. Ask Alice. She tells a good story."
"Or you could explain to Charlie. You'll see him before I will." I suggested. Not seriously.
He held up his hands in front of his face, as if warding off the idea. "Oh, no. Thanks anyway! Uh, I have to go finish my homework."
Edward was gone before I could respond. I laughed, knowing he would hear it. My brief amusement fled when I realized that I still needed to explain Jasper and Alice to Charlie. At least I had all night to come up with a plan.