CHAPTER 8

"Bella…Bella isn't normal anymore Charlie. Something happened a few days ago and well…let's just say that you would recognize her, but very faintly. She's changed, from what she once was. I can't tell you exactly what happened or what she is now, because that would put you in grave danger. But know that she is safe. She…she will live for a very long time Charlie…"

I heard the frown and confusion in Charlie's voice, "what are you saying? Are you trying to tell me that Bella isn't human anymore? She's live for a long time? What does that mean? She'll never die?" he asked.

Carlisle sighed. "I can't tell you too much Charlie. Do not take it lightly when I tell you that the information you wish me to tell you could get you killed, or worse. Yes, Bella is immortal. She won't die unless killed. She will never age. She will remain in the body of an eighteen year old girl forever. I can't tell you any more, but…I'm sure if you wanted to know it wouldn't be extremely hard to figure out. I would caution you though, if you do find out, do not, DO NOT tell anyone. I can not stress the danger you are in even now."

"Where is my daughter?" Charlie asked, resignedly.

"If we show her to you, you must promise not to tell anyone she is alive. You must pretend that she has died, as we have planned. Your life and her existence depend on your utter cooperation and your silence."

"Fine, just tell me where my daughter is," Charlie snarled. I was surprised that Jacob had remained quiet all this time.

"Bella!" Esme called softly. I closed my eyes, sighed once, opened my eyes again and left the bathroom. Everyone except Rosalie and Emmett were in the living room. Charlie was sitting on the couch, white faced, next to Jacob. At first I could not look at my father. But when I did, I did not see the resentment and fear I had thought to see.

"Bells? Is that you?" he whispered.

"Yes," I said, cringing when he flinched at the sound of my new voice. "Dad, it's me. I just…I look and sound different now. I'm so sorry about all of this."

"Bella…you're okay?" he asked simply.

I smiled and saw that it did the same thing to them that it seemed to do to vampires. Jacob blatantly stared at me and Charlie seemed stunned. "I'm fine dad. I just wish…I wish I could tell you what's happened…"

"Carlisle says that's not safe."

I nodded, "I know, I could hear you talking. I…will you be alright? If you've been listening, and you believe Carlisle, you know that I can't ever come home again." I practically choked on the words. I never imagined that the loss of life with Charlie would hurt me so badly.

"I'll try to make it through. I don't know how I'm going to tell your mother…" he said almost to himself.

I walked forward and knelt in front of him. From the corner of my eye I saw Jasper tense and lean forward, as if ready to spring. I looked up into my father's despair filled eyes and took his hand in mine. "It's alright Jasper, I'm not going to hurt him," I said absently when I saw Jasper take a step forward. Then I enveloped Charlie in my arms. He gasped at the contact to my cold skin and I started to back away, until he grabbed me close.

"Oh Bella, I'm so sorry for everything. Every time we've ever fought, every time I didn't understand. I'm sorry."

"I understand dad. I don't blame you for anything. You did the best you could, the best that any dad could. If I could make the choice again I would still choose to come to Forks instead of go to Florida with mom. My life would have been empty without you. You…you made it bearable when I didn't think it could be. I love you so much," I whispered.

"I love you too Bells. Will…will I ever see you again?" he asked, searching my red eyes when we parted.

I looked at Carlisle.

The blond doctor gave us a small smile and said, "we don't plan on leaving until at least after graduation, Alice you know, so…and we might stay a bit longer. Bella, you've shown amazing control and I don't see why you couldn't see your father whenever you wanted to."

I nodded, "see dad, I'll be here, for a while."

"Bella just promise me one thing. When you leave, don't just disappear. Tell me beforehand. Don't let me think you've gone and will never come back. Say good bye before you leave."

I would have been bawling had I been able to. As it was I was sobbing tearlessly as we hugged one more time.

"I have to go. Um…about this staged death…"

Carlisle nodded, "we had planned to announce that we found Alice tomorrow, and let out the news that Bella was attacked and killed by a bear. She…it would be best if there was no body, seeing as though we can't actually make it look like she was mauled by a grizzly."

Charlie nodded. "Then I will pretend to be completely distraught when I get the news and will order a closed casket. Bye Bella, I'll see you soon."

Jacob had not said anything for a long time and it seemed like he didn't want to look at me. He got up to leave ahead of Charlie.

"Jake?" I asked.

He turned and looked at me for the first time in half an hour.

"Are…will…what will happen with us?"

He considered, then shrugged. "I don't know Bella. You're one of them now. The tribe won't like that, especially since it breaks the treaty…I think you might be leaving sooner than you think."

"Wait! It wasn't the Cullens! They didn't do it Jake. It was Victoria. I told you about her, remember? She came back. The Cullen's wouldn't break the treaty like that!" I said, instantly worried.

He looked around at the still vampires and finally nodded, "I will pass that along, but I don't know how Sam will take it. We might have to…I don't know, have a meeting to talk about this." He made to leave again.

"Jake?" I said again.

He turned around.

"Bye," was all I said.

He nodded. "See ya around Bella."

Charlie followed him out of the house.

I let out a sigh and sank onto the couch. A few minutes later Emmett and Rosalie appeared.

Emmett flopped down on the couch beside me and turned on the tv.

"What's up with all of you?" he asked, finally looking around and seeing the looks on our faces.

"Charlie just came by, with Jacob Black," Carlisle explained. "They saw Alice and knew that something was going on. You didn't hear him shouting?"

Emmett looked at Rosalie, "um, no we didn't…so what did you do?"

"Bella came out and talked to him."

"What?! But she's a newborn! Didn't she attack them?" Rosalie demanded.

I frowned at her, "since when have you cared? You wouldn't care if I killed Charlie. You wouldn't have cared if Victoria had killed me. Why don't you just stop pretending to tolerate me, it's getting old."

Rosalie glared at me, "fine, I will. To be frank, I think you're a waste of our time. All you ever did was cause us problems. First you almost get yourself killed and make us save you. Then you chase Edward away because the family chose you over him. And now, you're endangering us because you're a newborn and because you're dad knows you're alive and not the same anymore. All you've ever done for us is make it harder for us to live lives that resemble normalcy."

The Cullen's were staring at her in shock, but I had expected all of this, I had known all of this. I stood up, "you're right Rosalie. I did all of those things; I am all of those things. And I can't help that I am. I can't help that you had to save me from something that wasn't my fault. I can't help that I chased away the man I loved because he didn't love me. I can't help that the family chose me over him and I can't help that I'm a newborn. I'm sorry for all the trouble I've caused you, but almost none of it is my fault. Just say the word and I'll leave Rosalie."

Alice and Carlisle started at the same time, "we don't—"

I shot them a look, "I will hear this from Rosalie and no one else. If she says she wants me gone, I will leave and try my best to not come back. I will not cause more discontent in this family. I've already made Edward leave, I won't cause more problems for you. So what is it Rosalie? Do you want me to leave?"

Rosalie was staring at me in surprise. She glanced around the room at her family. All the fire she'd shown a few minutes ago was gone in her indecision.