I want to start out by saying that I don't own any of these characters Stephenie Meyer does. Second I want to thank those of you who read this. It is the first story I have written in a while and the first one I have ever let others read. Thank you for encouraging me to continue.

Chapter 2: Charlie

EDWARD WAS GONE NOW SO I WENT TO THE FRONT ROOM TO SEE WHAT Charlie was up to. He was on the couch as usual watching some game. I sat down in the chair and watched with him. I have to admit I still don't get sports even after living with Charlie for the last year and a half. Then again he never made me sit and watch with him. Tonight was full of surprises I guess and not just from Charlie. I think he was truly shocked when I sat down with him.

"Bells you don't have to sit here and watch this game with me. If there is something else you want to do go ahead I don't mind."

"No, dad I want to be here. I want to spend some time with you. I'm getting married in a couple of months. Do you want me to go do something else so you can watch your game without me?"

"No, its ok you can stay. I didn't know you felt that way," he said awkwardly. My dad was back to normal, he was having a hard time showing emotion.

We watched the rest of the game in silence. When it was over Charlie got up and stretched and said good night. He had to be up early tomorrow and I knew that but I didn't want him to go. Reluctantly I said goodnight and followed him up the stairs.

Once Charlie was in his room I brushed my teeth and changed for bed. It seemed weird to me though. I had done this same routine every night for the past year and yet tonight it seemed different. Maybe it was because now Edward was officially mine and I was his. We were getting married in less than two months now. I still was having a hard time accepting that.

Edward was there in my room when I got there. He was in the rocking chair though and not on the bed. I looked at him wondering why the change. He must have been able to tell by the look on my face because he began to explain.

"Bella. Charlie isn't sleeping yet. How would it look if I were on your bed and he came to check on you? We have to be extra careful now. We don't need your dad to change his mind on us getting married."

I nodded in agreement though I didn't feel the same way. I wanted to go on like things were the same, still normal somehow. Now I knew they never would be. His words just now made it so final somehow. I knew we were getting married and I knew that all my friends knew about it now. I still had to thank Edward, or Alice, for that one. I didn't know who pulled that one off yet.

"Well, come over here when Charlie is asleep then," I said quietly as I climbed into my bed.

It turned out to be a good thing he did what he did because not five minutes later Charlie stuck his head in and said goodnight one last time before he went to sleep. I told him goodnight and rolled over like I was going to go to sleep. Charlie seemed satisfied and closed the door and went to bed. Edward came and held me close then like he did every night. I fell asleep in his arms. I was safe.

I woke up very suddenly from my dreaming and wanted to scream but Edward's voice calmed me before I could.

"What's wrong love?" he asked as he stroked my hair away from my face.

"Charlie," I said. "He is in trouble. There is something lurking outside waiting for you to leave and then they will strike. They are going to take Charlie away from me. Oh Edward what am I going to do. I have to protect him."

"Bella there is nothing out there," he said hugging me closer to him now. But just at that moment he sat up. I got scared all over again. Then I realized he was just reaching for his phone. I didn't even hear it ring. He answered without looking. "What is it Alice?"

Only then did I realize that it didn't ring before he picked up. He was reading her thoughts and knew she was calling. As he talked to her he got up and motioned for me to do the same. He told me to get dressed quickly because we needed to go to his house and talk. I did as he asked me to and in less than five minutes we were off.

The next thing I knew we were at Edward's house. Alice was on the front porch to great us as usual only this time she wasn't smiling. I knew something must be up. What is going on I asked Edward as we walked to where Alice was waiting for us. He just gave me a look like I'll explain when we get inside. I was growing more impatient with each step I wanted to know what was going on. Both Edward and Alice knew. I was willing to bet that everyone else knew by now too so why can't I know. What was the big secret?

We caught up to Alice and we went inside. Yep like I thought everyone was there waiting for us. I was so frustrated I wanted to know what was going on right now. If someone didn't tell me soon I was going to burst. Then Edward started to talk. Finally, I would get an answer to my question.

"Jane just got home. She spoke to Aro Caius and Marcus. She told them how we destroyed all the newborns in the clearing and took care of Victoria for them. She said it was miraculous. She had no idea how we were able to do this and not lose anyone in the process. That wasn't her big news though. She told them that Bella is not one of us yet. She also made a suggestion."

At that he looked at me. He gave me a look of I'm sorry. You are in danger yet again and it is my fault. I looked back at him and then it dawned and I was devastated.

"Charlie," I whispered. I knew exactly what she was going to suggest.

Edward nodded to me.

"You were right something will be lurking outside your house waiting for a time that one of us is not there. Then they will come in and take your father promising not to hurt him as long as you become a vampire by your next birthday," Alice continued.

"Well that is easily taken care of just make sure someone is at the house all the time. Then they can't get him," I said very matter of fact.

That would be easy enough to do. The Volturi are smart though. Once they realize that we are protecting the house they will follow him and take him while he is away from the house. Bella we can't follow him everywhere. He will get suspicious of what we are doing and look into it. We can't have that," Alice answered.

"I can't lose my dad either," I cried back. "I can't, I won't, not until I have to. So, tell me what you plan to do to keep him safe."

"Bella," Edward said as he pulled me into his arms. "That is where we need your help. We need to get him out of town for a week or two. How can we get him to go?"

"I don't know. He never leaves town for long. The only time I ever remember him leaving was when he would take me to California for two weeks in the summer. And I can't go with him. I need to be here planning my wedding."

"That's true," Alice said, "but I think I found a way to get him to go. We can send Billy and Jacob with him. There is a double header in LA next week. We can set it up so that he thinks he won tickets to the game and that it is a chance to meet the team go to practice and work out with them the whole bit. Do you think he would go?"

"It could work only I think it would be more realistic to him if I won and said that I want him to use the tickets and take Billy, Jacob and Quil. That way I know he is protected and it won't seem like a stretch," I answered.

That's when Edward spoke up. "Alice, when are they coming?"

"Next week, Wednesday I think."

"You think," I said before I could stop myself.

"Yes, I think. Their plans are not definite yet," Alice replied.

I looked at her remorse for what I had said. She knew I was sorry and I could tell she did by the look in her eyes. I was so scared for Charlie that I wasn't thinking straight. That much I knew. Then I had a thought.

"What if it changes? Our whole plan would be down the drain. Alice we need to know as soon as plans are set," I said.

"I know and don't worry we will find a way to get him out of state before they get here. You can count on that," Alice reassured me.

At that Edward said we needed to get me back home. Charlie was going to wake up soon. We didn't want to alarm him before he needed to be. So Edward and I left and the others planned and searched for other double headers in other places just in case.

We were back in my room before I knew it. Edward went and sat in the rocking chair being as Charlie would be up any minute now and he didn't want to alarm him if he decided to peak in, which of course meant he would. Edward always knew what was going to happen just like Alice

because he could read thoughts. The only difference was Alice would know a lot sooner than Edward would what was going to happen.

I acted as though I was asleep and sure enough not five minutes later Charlie opened the door to see how I was doing. Was this going to become a habit of his? It seemed a little silly to me, acting over protective like you would for a little girl now that he knew I was about to get married and move out. I wouldn't say anything to him though. I knew he was only doing this out of a need to feel important these last precious weeks we had left. I knew it was going to be hard on him. I just didn't realize he was going to go to this extreme.

After Charlie was satisfied that I was still asleep he closed the door and got ready to go to work. After I heard the cruiser pull out of the driveway I turned to Edward.

"Why don't we just move up the wedding?" I asked wondering why nobody thought to do that before.

"Because that won't change anything Bella. We need you here so that there is reason for us to be here all the time. I will have Alice help you plan your wedding here instead of you two planning at my house. I will also follow Charlie around as best I can. It is easy to stay hidden in the forest. In town it will be a little harder. I want you to talk to Jacob. Tell him what is going on and to be on the lookout for other vampires in the area," he said in reply to my now stupid sounding question.

"I guess you are right," I said to Edward. "It would be better if we kept things the way they are planned. I don't need the town thinking that we moved the wedding up because of me being pregnant. That definitely wouldn't help anything. It would just make Charlie mad and then there would be no hope of getting him out of town. I just wish there was a way to avoid them coming at all."

"There is only one way and that would be to go to them and show them you are a vampire. I don't want to do that to you right now. I don't think you want that right now either. You and Charlie both need these last few weeks to get ready for the long separation you are going to have."

I knew he was right but at the same time I wish he could just change me so that Charlie would be out of danger. I was tired of everyone in my life being at risk because of me. Why couldn't the target just be me for once in my life? It always seemed to stray off to my friends or family. I want it to point to me and focus for once. This time Charlie who would it be next? Then I thought about what Edward had just said.

"Edward, how are we going to explain being gone for a year, maybe longer? Charlie will wonder and worry."

"Bella don't worry. When Charlie asks about the honeymoon I will tell him that I am taking you on a year long trip around the world and that as soon as we get back we will be starting classes at Dartmouth. He won't worry so much and we can play a charade so that he thinks that is really what is going on. Of course we will do the world in a week or two but wait and send the letters throughout the year. We will send pictures as well and let him think we are on a trip while all

the while I am protecting you from yourself while you become accustom to your new life. That is of course unless you change your mind."

"I can't change my mind anymore. Not that I would want to anyways. I love you and want to be with you for eternity. I want Charlie safe too so the sooner the better."

"Bella those are reasons but not any of them are telling me that it is what you want. They tell me that it is because of me and Charlie that you are going to do this. Convince me it is what you want."

"How can I convince you? I am going to marry you because that is what I want. I am going to leave my father behind to be with you. I want to be with you. I need to be with you or I will go mad and may end up killing myself. Please I need this."

"You'll have to do better than that Bella," Edward smiled.

"If you want me to I can. Come over here."

Next thing I knew he was at my side holding me close to him. I turned slightly so that I could look into his eyes and I kissed him. I kissed him as I could so that he would know how much I wanted to be with him for eternity. I then looked into his eyes.

"Are you convinced now?" I asked him.

"Yes," he replied, "only I wish you weren't so set on becoming like me. I wish you would consider waiting a little longer and really think about what you are doing."

"I have," I replied, "This is what I want. This is all I want, to be with you forever, tied to you in every way possible, every way," I said again, "both human and non human."

He just looked at me with those eyes, those beautiful topaz eyes. They seemed different this time, sadder than usual, I couldn't figure it out. I thought this was what he wanted too. Was I completely wrong about all of this? Why was he saying this now, after we told everyone that we were getting married?

"Are you changing your mind?" I asked trying to hide the fear that was starting to seep into my body.

He looked at me for a moment and then answered me. "No, I just wish that you would change your mind about becoming like me. I don't want to take your soul away from you."

"Edward Cullen," I roared, "we have had this conversation before. You aren't taking my soul. You still have yours. I have seen you use it. Drop this stupid notion right now that you don't have one."

"Bella, you don't understand you are one of the only people that think we have souls. This is a matter of wide spread debate with no way to prove one way or another. Just consider the possibility," he said and then quietly added, "for me."

"Fine," I said fully aware that I would do no such thing. I will go through with the plan the way it was set now. A week or two after we are married I am becoming one of them. I will not let

him sway me from this. It is the only thing I want in my life, and the days of this life were numbered and coming to an end quickly now.

It was then that Edward got up and said he needed to go. He promised to be back later and said Alice would be by in an hour or so to work on wedding plans. I just shook my head and watched him disappear out the window. After he was gone I decided I needed to get up and get ready for the day. I went down and ate a quick breakfast, pop tarts again.

After that I got in the shower and played through the events of last night in my head again. I had been right Charlie was in danger and it was because of me. I felt guilty. Yet again I was bringing danger to Forks. I wanted to scream. Just then I heard the doorbell. How long had I been in the shower? It was then that I realized that the water was starting to run cold. I had been in here a lot longer than I had thought. So much for doing laundry and cleaning the bathroom before Alice got here. I hurried and got dressed. I went to the door. To my surprise it wasn't Alice.

"Jacob," I said with a little more surprise in my voice than I would have liked.

"What were you expecting that blood sucking leech that you chose over me? Or, maybe someone a little more human than even I am," he answered with a tinge of venom to his voice.

"No," I quickly answered. "I just didn't know that Carlise let you out of bed. I am happy to see you."

"Really Bella you don't need to put on an act. You already told me you made your choice. I just wanted to see if maybe I could change your mind."

"Jacob, please," I begged. "I need you to stop trying to make us into something we never can be. There is more going on here than I can even tell you. Please just let us leave it at friends. You mean a lot to me but it can never be more than that."

"I know you don't have to tell me again. What is going on Bells? You seem just as scared as you were before the fight last week. What is going on now?"

I hated that Jacob could read me so well. I hated it but at the same time I was grateful that he could read me so well. It made it easier to talk to him about things that would otherwise be difficult to bring up. He just stared at me waiting for an answer.

"It is Charlie," I finally answered.

"I don't get it what is wrong with Charlie?" Jacob asked.

"They are coming for him now. They say they won't hurt him but I don't believe it. They say it is a promissory note of sorts. When I become a vampire they will give him back, on the condition it happens before my birthday."

"Who is coming for him Bella? I don't understand. Why won't you tell me who it is so that I can help?"

"I can't tell you or else you will be in danger. Don't you understand that I am trying to protect you?"

"I get it," he replied. "But you really don't need to protect me I can take care of myself and the pack will protect me as well. We all have each other's back."

"I know that is why we need your help again Jacob."

"What do you want from me now? If I can't have you I don't know that I want to help."

"Please," I begged. "It isn't for me this time it is for Charlie. Think of Billy. Do you think he would be able to handle losing another friend this year? Do you really want him to be all alone? That is what will happen here Jake."

"Fine what do you want me to do?"

"We have a plan but it isn't final yet. We are waiting on Alice to see when we need to get Charlie out of here. When we do we are going to send you, Quil and Billy with him. You are going under the pretense that I won tickets to a double header and it is a week trip. You will go to practice have dinner with the team and all that stuff you get when you win one of these things. I need you and Quil to protect him while you are there."

"I think I could handle that."

"One more thing," I said. "I want you to walk behind him and disguise his sent, like you did with me."

"Fine," he said suddenly in a hurry.

"What is wrong? I don't want to upset you. You still mean a lot to me. You are my best friend."
"One those leeches are coming, I better go," he said as he turned and disappeared from the house.

Oh how I hated that it seemed as though everyone in my life had the ability to come and go as they pleased except for me. I was loud and clumsy as I walked not graceful at all. Now everyone, even Jacob, was quiet and graceful like calm fluid water as they moved.

A/N Please tell me what you think. Is there anything I should change and what should I keep the same?