(Bella's POV)
Billy sent me to lie down in the twins old room to await Charlie's arrival. My relationship with my dad was one of the most important things in my life. I know when I tell him about the baby that relationship will be strained. I have never given my father a reason to doubt my responsibility. I know this will hurt him. Just as I know beyond a shadow of a doubt he will try to find a way to make this his fault. He is just like that, always trying to take others pain and carry it for them. I can't…no…I will not allow that to happen. I had to make him see this is all on me. I'm not sure how long I have been laying here thinking of all the things I wanted to say to my father before Billy was telling me that Charlie had just pulled into the drive. I wiped my tears as best I could and left the room. I heard Billy preparing my dad.
"Charlie I asked you here because Bella needs to tell you something. She came to me for help. She was afraid she wouldn't be able to tell you everything she needs to."
"Billy…is she okay? How worried should I be?"
"She is fine and she will be fine. Just please let her talk without interrupting. I will go get her." I paused just inside the hallway. Billy appeared a moment later whispering, "Bella I forgot to mention you can't tell your father about the pack. The secret is vital to our tribe's survival."
"I understand Billy. Anyways less is more with Charlie usually." I responded leaning down to kiss his cheek. "Thank you for being there for me. I truly think of you as another father." Billy tried to hide the tear I saw run down his cheek claiming he had something in his eye. My father was pacing the living room when I entered.
"Come sit with me Dad." I motioned towards the couch.
"Bella this whole thing is starting to freak me out. You aren't sick are you?"
"No Dad, I'm not sick. Please just listen and don't interrupt like Billy asked." Charlie nodded and I took a cleansing breath before I said.
"First, I want you to know this is not your fault. In any way, shape, or form. This is my mistake and while I will need your help, I don't want you to blame yourself." I paused steadying my voice. "I'm pregnant." I saw Charlie's body stiffen but I pushed on. "I'm about six weeks along. I always prided myself on being responsible and I should have known that condoms are not infallible. We did use one. I just thought you should know I at least attempted to be careful. Anyway…I am keeping the baby. You know I could never leave the fate of my child in someone else's hands. It would eat me alive until the day I die. Nor could I terminate. It's just not an option for me, please accept that. Dad this next part is going to be tough for you to stay silent on. I need you to promise me you won't interrupt." Charlie again only nodded. "The father is Paul Lahote. I met him at a bonfire here on the reservation. He just recently told me that he is falling in love with me, and I am in love with him too." The conviction behind my own confession surprised me. I wasn't sure when I had come to that realization. I shook my head to clear my thoughts and continued. "I know and understand this path will be difficult and bumpy. I am only just seventeen and Paul is only nineteen, but we are both responsible beyond our years. Paul has been on his own for a while now. I am not saying I am going to live with him right now, but it may lead to that. Okay, I think I am done now." Charlie had sat quietly through my entire speech I could tell my admission to Paul being the father had stunned him. He seemed to go pale at the mention of me loving him, but as I continued he seemed to really take in my words.
"Bella," Charlie said "I just don't know where to start. I am not one to dwell on could of, should of, would of. There is no use in it. You are my daughter. And while yes I had hoped you would have been more responsible. I will support you. As for Paul, I have to warn you, Bella. I have met Paul before, many times in fact, in an official capacity. The boy has a temper. I have arrested him a few times for brawling. He also has a reputation among the ladies. I even once had an irate father come to me demanding justice for his daughter. He has had it hard and I was there when his mom died and his father left. I saw what it did to him. I can't help but worry. I worry that he is taking advantage of you. Also, that he will end up hurting you or the baby in the end." I held up my hand to stop him.
"What is that saying dad? Don't blame the son for the sins of the father. I know about Paul's father and while I didn't know about Paul's anger issues, I did know about his reputation. Its why I went to him. You see he didn't take advantage of me. I used him. I am ashamed to admit it all started because of peer pressure, I thought I was made of sterner stuff, but the rest was all me. I had been told about him and that he was always up for a good time. But I promise Dad, he stopped and asked several times if being with him was what I truly wanted. He gave me every opportunity to back out. Like I said this is not your fault. You can't blame yourself and think that I was naive, because you hadn't taught me well enough. I knew what I was doing."
"Charlie if I could…" Billy said coming back into the room. "I know it may seem hard to believe, but you know how much time I spend with Paul. I saw a change in him when he first met Bella. I didn't know she was the cause but it makes sense. He has stepped up within the tribe and I would like to vouch for him. He is a good man and you know I see Bella as good as my own. I would be happy to call Paul my son one day as should you."
"Billy I know you mean what you say, but Bella is my daughter. And what's best for her will always come first with me. I can't blindly give my blessing to Paul knowing him as I do. He is going to have to prove himself worthy of my daughter." I had to interrupt.
"Dad, I love you, but please understand, the only one that Paul has to prove anything to is me. I appreciate that you are in my corner. But what happens between me and Paul is just that…between Me and Paul. I will take your advice and I can promise you I will seek it out. But ultimately I will decide what happens with the baby, Paul, and I." I can't believe I just said that to my father. I feel so empowered. I know I am in the right and having spoken with such conviction was bolstering. I won't allow anyone else to make decisions that affect my future any longer. That was how I had gotten into this wonderful crazy mess. Am I actually happy? I think I am…I had finally found my voice and I will not be silenced.