Chapter 11

After I'd finished my patrol I ran back to Bella's house, but when I'd reached there I knew there was something wrong. She wasn't there. I searched the whole house but couldn't find her. No need to panic I told myself and called her mobile.

"Hello?" Bella answered her phone, her voice cracking and I allowed myself to breathe a small breath of relief.

"Bella? Where the fucks are you?" I demanded angrily. Damn, I'll kill her skinny arse. Did she have any idea what worry she put me through?

"I'm at the hospital" Bella crocked and I felt the blood drain from my face.

"Oh my god, are you okay" I asked, running to my motorbike. "I'm on my way." I started the motorbike as I talked.

"I'm fine Paul" she murmured, and I sighed. God almighty, this woman will be the death of me. "It's Charlie, Paul" she sobbed. "Charlie's hurt and he's in surgery."

I paused, taking this in. "I'll be there in five minutes."

True to my word I was there in five minutes.

"Charlie Swan?" I asked the receptionist and she gave me the once over before saying "Room 54."

"Thanks" I mumbled and walked quickly towards the room.

I slid the door open to see Bella curled up in her set, hugging her knees to her chest.

"Bella?" I said.

"Paul" she sighed and a little life returned to her eyes. I gentle pulled her into my arms and kissed her, trying to convince her that everything was going to be alright, but at the same time trying to convince myself that as well. Then I sat down on a wooden chair next to Charlie's bed and pulled her into my lap.

"Hey Bella" Billy murmured. "How is he doing?"

"I don't know" Bella sobbed and I pulled her tighter her to me. My wolf howled in pain along with her. "He hasn't woken up yet."

"Give his body time to heal itself" Jacob tried to sooth her, pushing his father into the room and sitting down next to him.

The doctor came into the room with a grim expression on his face and Bella jumped off my lap, horror clear on her face.

"Is everything okay, doc?" Jacob asked worriedly.

"I have some good news; and some bad news" the doctor sighed.

"Please don't play games with me doc, this is too scary for that" Bella whispered, closing her eyes briefly.

"The good news is that your father's body is mending itself beautifully" the doctor said, examining the charts. I had a feeling he was doing this so he didn't have to look into our eyes when he told us the bad news. "The bad news, I'm afraid, is that your father has cancer."

Bella crumpled and I caught her reflexively, pulling her into my lap. Then i just froze. This can't be happening. I'd only just met Charlie but it still hurt. It reminded me too much of when my father left me and my mother to be with another woman, only much worse. My father had left me, not die.

"Is there treatment?" I asked quietly, pulling Bella's shaking body tightly to me instinctly.

"I'm afraid not" the doctor replied sadly. "The cancer has been inside him for too long."

"How long till he...?" She couldn't finish the sentence. I couldn't even begin to imagine how much pain she was in, and there was nothing I could do about it.

"He has about three weeks, maybe four; five giving it a push. It all depends on the person."

Bella was breaking down. I could feel it. No matter how hard she tried she couldn't bring herself together. My wolf howled in agony, hating the fact that he couldn't do anything to protect his imprint and I silently agreed with him.

"Bella?" Charlie groaned, waking up.

"I'm here, daddy" Bella whispered, moving closer to him and plastering a smile over her face that didn't quite cover up her worry and sadness.

"What's wrong" Charlie asked sharply. I guess he wasn't fooled.

"I don't know how to put it..." Bella trailed off, tears forming in her eyes which she furiously blinked back.

"How about straight?" Charlie chuckled. Bella twisted him may lap so her face was facing my chest and I wrapped my arms securely around her. Thankfully, Billy carried on for her.

"I'm sorry, Charlie, but you have cancer" Billy said quietly, his voice cracking slightly. This wasn't the strong, invincible Billy we all knew so well. This is the Billy I knew was deep down, the Billy who carried about his friends and family.

Shock flashed across Charlie's face to understanding.

"Well, I always knew it would happen in the end" Charlie muttered.

He shocked Bella so much that she turned around and rolled her eyes. Charlie was obviously being brave for his only daughter

"Well, how long have I got" Charlie asked Bella. The way he said it you'd think he was asking how long it was until dinner.

"Three to five weeks" Bella whispered in. "The doctor said it's most likely four weeks because five is a bit of a push."

"Are you okay?" he asked her worriedly and she let out a strangled laugh.

"You the one in the hospital bed with cancer and you're asking me if I'm okay." she said, shaking her head in disbelief. "Still the same old Charlie."

AN: So, so sorry about how long this took. I would just like to say congratulations to Kate and William who got married on the 29th April 2011 at 11:01.

Reviews:

Daddys little crazy bitch: I'm glad: D

ViperDiva: I agree. I love Bella with Paul mainly because he brings out the mean kitty in her and that their perfect for each other.

Greywolflove: thank you

~Poison Ivy