AN: thanks for the reviews and thanks to Georgia Dawgette for being an amazing co-author and beta.
25. Jared's POV
The drive to the Swan's house was quiet; Jared and his wolf were still reeling from the idea of having Isabella Swan to themselves for the rest of their life.
It had been a long journey to get there but finally he was seeing the end of it, and the prize was worth every bit of the pain and suffering he went through. He took a deep breath; hoping that Charlie would accept him the same way he had always done with Jacob.
The thought of his brother send a shot of pain to his heart; he and Bella had really broken him to but he felt that Jacob had a chance to be happy at the Makah reservation. When he told Bella that he would be back, Jared had tasted the lie in his words. No amount of time and distance would ever take away Jacob's love for Bella, but he could heal and maybe find a woman that would be what he needed.
They parked on the road, and Bella got out. She waited for him and then he took her hand, and while it was usually cold this time it was warm and sweaty, he turned to look at her. "What's up with your hand?"
Bella smiled nervously. "Nothing... just worried about your talk with my dad..."
He stopped and turned to her fully. "Bella, we love each other and even a blind man would see that. Your dad wants you to be happy, and so do I. I'm sure we'll agree on that."
Bella bit her lip. "Your idea of my happiness might differ slightly from his."
Jared laughed. "It might... but I'll do my best to convince him that my idea is better than his."
Charlie opened the door as soon as they arrived. "Bella! Finally, I get you back."
Jared saw Bella trying to smile, but it came out more like a grimace. He really hoped that Charlie didn't have a gun around, because he wasn't sure that what he told Bella was true, he had been trying to reassure both her and himself.
Charlie turned his eyes on him. "Hello Jared, thanks for taking Bella back."
"No problem, sir. Actually... could I talk to you alone for a minute?" Jared asked politely, apprehension was roaring its ugly head in his stomach.
Charlie looked at him with a surprised expression, and then turned quickly to look at Bella. "Okay Jared. Bella, why don't you take your bag up to your room?"
Bella nodded nervously, she squeezed Jared's hand and then went upstairs.
"This way." Charlie said leading him in the living room. "Have a sit."
Jared sat in the armchair while Charlie sat on the sofa. Jared cleared his throat. "Sir, I'm sure you know by now that I... that I am in love with your daughter, and that she means everything to me."
Charlie was looking at him intensely, but he wasn't showing any emotion.
Jared gulped; it was funny that a werewolf that fought against vampires was terrorized by a human dad. "Bella... loves me back, and we thought... I mean, I asked her to marry me."
The expression of Charlie's face was scary; it was a mix of shock and irritation. "Look, Jared. I know that she likes you, and it seems that you make her happy. But aren't you two a little young for this kind of commitment?"
Jared passed a hand through his hair; he couldn't tell Charlie about imprinting so it was a bit more difficult to have him see how right this was for both of them. "I would agree with you if Bella and I hadn't been through a lot already. I know how she was after Cullen left, and I had a heartbreak of my own. I know how it feels to be lost and broken. When I fell in love with Bella all of my fears and my pain didn't go away, but they were more bearable. Me and Bella won't be getting married right away; I was actually hoping you would let her come to live with me. I've got an apartment and a job, I can provide for her."
Charlie took a deep breath, was he trying to stay calm? Was he thinking about the location of his nearest gun? "Jared... I... ah... is she pregnant?"
Jared blinked. "What? No! Absolutely not... I would never do that... God, no!"
Charlie exhaled. "Thanks God, I'm too young to be a grandfather. However, I think that maybe you haven't completely thought this through. What about her? Is she going to give up on college?"
Jared shook his head; at least Charlie wasn't flatly refusing. "Actually she is going to commute from La Push to Port Angeles Community College. I have a car that I seldom use, it's new and she can use that."
"How long have you been dating? Three weeks? Why not wait until she finishes college? You might be more certain about that kind of commitment by that time." Charlie added.
Jared snorted. "Not likely sir. I'm sure that Isabella Swan is the woman that I'll love for the rest of my life, she completes me. Please sir, can you at least think about it?"
Charlie stood up. "I'll do more than that. Bella! Can you come here please?"
Bella slowly descended the stairs; she peaked into the living room and relaxed when she saw that there were no signs of a bad fight.
"Did you know what he was going to ask me?" Charlie said looking seriously at Bella.
Bella's eyes flickered to Jared and then she turned to look at her father. "I knew... and dad I'm really sure about both living with him and getting married. I know my life until now has been a whirlwind of intense and irrational decisions, but this time I've thought it through. I'm sure that me and Jared belong together and I don't want to waste even one more day away from him. I know we are meant to be."
Charlie sighed. "You are over eighteen and technically you don't need my permission."
Jared stood up and walked towards Charlie. "If I may sir... we aren't asking for permission... we are asking for your blessing. I know that neither of us want to disappoint or disrespect our parents."
Charlie straightened up. "I see I can't deter you. So Bella... you know that my door will be always open for you..." Jared saw Bella's tears and his heart went out to her. Charlie continued. "You have my blessing and I wish you both a lot of happiness... I have just one condition... that you Bells, tell Renee."
Bella chocked a bit. "Mom? Oh shoot! Mom is going to barge here and take me back with her!"
Jared turned at her wondering what she meant. She blushed deeply. "Well Jared... my mom is most definitely against people marrying young; she told me that I shouldn't consider it until I turn at least 30! Dad you strike a hard bargain..."
Charlie was grinning and then opened his arms. Bella went to embrace him. "Baby girl, you know that was my ace in the sleeve..." Bella and Charlie said together. "If everything else fails, bring Rene into the discussion!" Then they both laughed.
Jared was happy that his mate and her father were okay, now he had to worry about his future mother-in-law. "So... should I run for cover?"
Charlie and Bella looked at him, and then Charlie said, "If you thought I was the tough one, you think again... Jared... I want to welcome you to the family. And please call me Charlie." He extended his hand, and Jared felt tears prickle at his eyes, fuck the big tough werewolf!
He took Charlie's hand and shook it. "Thank you Charlie... your approval means a lot to me too. I'll take... good care of Bella."
Charlie's eyes seemed a bit wet too. "I believe you will, son."
Bella shook off the sentimental mood by saying. "So, aren't we going to celebrate? What about going to the diner?"
Jared and Charlie agreed, and they went out on the first official family dinner. He couldn't wait to introduce Bella to his family; they were definitely going to love her. Or at least, part of his family would.
AN2: next chapter Bella will meet Jared's family.