Disclaimer: These words are not written for profit and intend no copywright infringement.

~*~ Chapter Thirty-Five ~*~

The snap and fizzle of opening the tab on a can of beer was an essential amenity of being home. For Charlie, it meant relaxation, settling into routine, and letting the tension of police work get compartmentalized and shifted to the side. Sometimes the beer was a welcome taste in his mouth; sometimes it was simply the liquid to settle his temporary thirst. Charlie didn't place much importance on the beer itself—he didn't drink it to get buzzed— it was simply the comfort of familiarity, like his flannel shirts, sports on the TV, and fishing on Sundays.

His private life had been mostly composed of these things. These, and love for his family—whether his wife, stepchildren, and daughter were in the forefront of his mind or not. And as a parent who had cared for his daughter since before she was born, loving Bella was simply a part of him.

Twice she had shared this home with him: once until her mother took her away, and then again when she was 17. It had been uncomfortable at first, for Charlie didn't quite know what to do with the teenage girl who until then had only been around for short visits. When she was seven, he didn't have to worry about alcohol, drugs, or boys. At seventeen, he had to wonder how much of that would fall into his home life. But Bella was a good girl with a smart head on her shoulders. Drugs and alcohol weren't likely, but boys… so he'd fretted at first when she started going to the high school. Soon he'd realized he didn't have to worry about her on any score. His daughter was trustworthy and could handle herself fine.

Then she'd gotten curious about the Cullens. Charlie liked the family, and had felt bad that they were outsiders. He'd been angry and perplexed at Billy's extremely close-minded reaction. It wasn't like him to reject people just because they were a bit unusual. It was when Bella mentioned some kid at school joking about the Cullens hiding from the sun, and then asking if Billy had met the Cullens before, that it had all fallen into place for him. Charlie never really thought much about possessing acting skills. You simply did what you had to do to talk to informants and suspects to get at the information necessary. That morning in the kitchen however, keeping a straight face while Bella still puzzled over her thoughts, would have been testament to just how skilled Charlie could be.

It had been one of the hardest decisions of his life to trust Dr. Carlisle Cullen, but once it had been made, it was easy to do. His instinct told him that the man was worthy of it. But he'd had to hold fast to that choice after Bella had taken up with the entire family. He'd had suspicions early on about the connection between his daughter and the doctor. Charlie believed that he'd seen the romance there before anyone, except the prescient Alice.

When Bella had woken up screaming from a nightmare for the second time, Charlie worried how much interacting with the Cullens was affecting her. Peaceful or not, they were still capable of many things that would be dangerous to Bella. Yet her first nightmare had happened before she'd fallen in with them. He wondered if there were more going on, if she'd lied about not having been attacked. But he knew he could trust Bella—to take care of herself, to know what she was doing, and even to lie when necessary, as she lied to protect the Cullens until Charlie had shown his hand.

After he'd left her room the night she'd screamed herself awake for the second time, he'd heard her sneak out. When he followed her only to find she was heading to the hospital, he was both relieved and sad. She was going to Carlisle for comfort, to Carlisle who probably knew the truth behind her nightmares. Charlie was relieved because he knew that Carlisle could indeed help her. But it also meant that Carlisle was taking Charlie's own place as the one Bella would turn to. Yes, Charlie had seen the romance slowly brewing, and he'd had to learn to let go.

What he didn't expect was that letting go would have to happen so many times.

He had to let go that night outside the hospital parking lot. And the evening Carlisle had presented her with an early Christmas present that supplanted his own. He had to let go when Bella planned to move with them to Vermont. He had to let go when she chose to love him for all eternity.

Charlie took another sip of his beer as he surfed through the sports channels. All of them seemed to be on commercial. How did that even happen? Rain too heavy for fishing and all advertisements on the tube.

He missed Bella. Even though it had been three years since she'd moved to Vermont, he still missed having her around the house. Those two years she'd been living with him were the happiest he'd had since Renee had left him. Then just before Bella had gone, Sue became a part of his life. A strong, solid, supportive part of his life, who couldn't have come along at a better time.

Charlie wondered how he'd ever managed so long without women in his house. His wife was gone for now, visiting the reservation with Seth. That was a kick in the head, having a teenage boy in the house. Leah was old enough to opt to keep her family home on the reservation after Sue and Charlie had gotten married. And while Seth might have done well living with the pack there like his sister did, Sue wanted him with her.

It had taken Charlie a moment of adjustment when he realized that he had shape-shifting wolves for stepchildren and a daughter who was about to become a vampire.

Charlie finally found a basketball game on, and took another sip of his beer. It was several minutes before his attention was caught by the sound of gravel crunching under tires and an engine softly turning off. He wasn't expecting Sue and Seth to return early, and a low level of concern mixed with adrenaline raised him to his feet. There was always a chance that the visitor was related to his job.

Not recognizing the car he saw parked alongside his through the window, Charlie went to the door and opened it. A young woman was getting out of the driver's side, throwing up the hood of her jacket for protection from the falling rain. Her familiar frame made Charlie take a step out onto the stoop.

"Bella, what…?" He began as his daughter straightened and looked at him. But he got cut off when she ran up and threw her arms around him. His alarm increased as she pressed her face into his jacket. He hugged her tight, a part of him rejoicing at having his little girl close and in his arms again.

When she didn't let go as he tried to draw away, Charlie patted her back awkwardly. He didn't know what was causing this emotional outburst, or what on Earth she was doing on his doorstep instead of Vermont. She squeezed him tighter, and after a few more seconds without saying anything, pulled away.

Charlie examined his daughter's face, trying to determine what she was feeling, checking her for injuries and finding none.

"Let's get inside," he said, and together they moved through the doorway into the house.

"What's wrong?" Charlie asked. Honestly, he thought he might have a heart attack if he didn't get answers soon.

Bella dropped her purse right onto the floor, and walked to the couch. She sat with a heavy thump.

"Saturday night, Rosalie came to the house…" His daughter stood up again and paced as she started talking. It was a story more dramatic than any Bella had ever shared with him.

Charlie muted the television when she began describing the injuries the human boy had. He listened attentively and quietly while Bella described her argument with Rosalie. He didn't even blink when she described Carlisle hitting Rosalie into the couch. He gave no reaction through the telling of the bite or the screams. His hands did tighten into fists when she described Carlisle's kiss that had frightened her so much, and they remained that way while Bella told him about her mind going into retreat as she ran from the room—the screams—the rest of the family showing up—the screams—Alice packing for her—the screams.

"I don't think I have ever been so scared." At this point, she and Charlie had both sat down on the living room couch. "Emmett—Alice said his name was Emmett—was so hurt. I saw him dying, Dad. And I know what Carlisle did was right, but it was so frightening. I can… reason it out in my mind, but I feel, my body feels, entirely different. It makes me want to run. My blood is tingling with panic, even now just thinking about it. And Rosalie and Carlisle, they looked so… different."

Bella's words trailed off. Her mouth smacked; it was dry from all the talking, though his daughter hadn't seemed to realize that yet. She looked at the floor, at the coffee table, and she took a deep breath. When her expression softened a little bit, became less panicky, Charlie went into the kitchen to get her a glass of water.

His movements were precise and controlled. He reached into the cupboard, bypassing Seth's Dumbledore is Gay! novelty mug that Jacob got him for Christmas, and pulled down a plain brown one. He turned the tap, caught the spray of water from the filter, and turned the tap off again. Returning to the living room, Charlie handed the drink to her, and she took it gratefully. Her smile as she sipped it partway thawed his feelings, but not enough.

Finally he spoke, and she looked up at him, eager for his opinion.

"Bella, you've known all along they were vampires. Surely you realized that meant more than sparkly skin?" He turned and started pacing, taking almost the same path his daughter had not too long before.

"Of course I did," Bella insisted, and she sounded offended. Her eyes narrowed at him. Clearly she hadn't been expecting him to be angry, but Charlie figured since he hadn't managed to get it completely under control, then damn if he was going to hide it.

"Then why are you so shaken?" he accused.

"Why are you so upset?" she cried back.

"Because I trusted you to know what you were doing with Carlisle!" Because I had to let you go, Bells. I can't let you go and see you second guessing yourself and not want to pull you back. Even when you show up at my door. I need you to be confident so that I don't fall apart worrying about my little girl out there in the big supernatural vampire world.

Undone by his own unspoken answer, he collapsed into the chair, kitty-cornered with the couch where Bella still sat. Bella stared at him, an angry retort dead on her lips.

Several more minutes of silence passed between them. It was Bella who finally broke it.

"I love him, Dad. I'm just scared." She approached him slowly, carefully. "And I'd like to spend some time here, and try to get over being scared. May I stay here? For a few days?" Her eyes were big, and she looked at him the same way she had when she was a little girl. Charlie tightened his lips. The things kids do unconsciously that only a parent notices.

"Bells, of course you can stay here." Charlie hugged her. It was brief, not the tight squeeze of her arrival. It was also a bit awkward since she was still holding the mug. But it was enough.

Bella stood up. "I'll get my bag out of the car and put it in my room."

Charlie shook his head. "It's Seth's room now. You'll have to crash on the couch."

"Oh, right." Bella blinked. "I knew that. Sorry."

(~*~)

After dropping her bag beside the couch, Bella moved into the kitchen while Charlie watched his basketball game, taking her phone with her. She stared at it, wishing it didn't suddenly represent so much. It was angst made tangible in the palm of her hand, waiting for her to make the next move.

"Bella," Carlisle answered his phone almost immediately, and his voice was decidedly eager. "How are you?"

"Carlisle," Bella sighed his name. "It's good to hear your voice. I am fine. How are all of you doing out there?"

"It's…interesting. I miss you."

"I miss you, too."

"How is Charlie?"

Bella laughed. "Charlie was surprised to see me, that's for sure. He's worried. He wants to know that I'm going to be okay."

"I want that, too."

"I know." Bella's tongue ran briefly across the inside of her lip. The wound there was almost gone. "Carlisle? I love you."

"Bella." The emotion in Carlisle's voice made her chest tighten. "Please tell me that you know I love you, too. I want nothing more than to be with you again. One day I hope that will be possible."

It was possible. Bella knew this. But when did the moment come that one could say Alright, let's try again and have it work out? Or was there never going to be a moment when that would come—would one just have to keep trying?

"Will you be able to visit with me once I come back to Middlebury?"

"Of course. I will make the time. Do you know where you will be?"

"Not yet. I'll know more tomorrow. Are you working right now?"

"No… I got the next few weeks off from the Center. I told Human Resources I was having a family emergency and am using my FICA for care of an ill loved one."

"Who are they going to believe in your family is ill? Is Alice or Jasper dropping out?"

"Esme. She's come down with immunity complications due to her Lupus."

"Oh. Oh no, Carlisle. She and Maggie were going to get married!"

"We'll still manage to make that happen."

Well, Rosalie has certainly managed to cause a disruption to all our lives. Then again, I don't know how a new vampire wouldn't be a disruption. Unless it had been me, Bella thought.

Carlisle voice broke her out of her thoughts. "I'm sorry, Bella, I have to go."

"Oh?"

"I love you. Call me again soon?"

"Of course, but why—"

Carlisle said something else, but it was too fast for her to catch, and then their connection was gone. Bella stared down at her phone, her shoulders slumped.

(~*~)

"So you can't go back there?" Charlie asked.

Bella shook her head.

"Because Emmett's a newborn vampire now?"

Bella nodded her head.

About forty-five minutes had passed since her phone call with Carlisle. Sue and Seth would be home for lunch, and Bella insisted on preparing it, despite Charlie's protests. If she was going to be an unexpected guest, she could at least contribute by having the meal ready when Sue got home, sparing her the need to cook.

The old routine in the kitchen, despite the occasional unfamiliar cookery, was having the desired effect. She was back at Charlie's and Bella could feel herself calming in a way that she hadn't been able to since Rosalie had shown up. The only weight left on her shoulders was… what would happen between her and Carlisle now?

"Where are you going to stay?"

"I'm going to call Student Housing on Monday and see what can be arranged."

"What about your friend, Anna?"

"She lives with Barry. He hasn't spoken with me since Matt and I broke up."

Charlie moved into her field of vision. "Bella, are you telling me that you've lost your friends because of your relationship with Carlisle?"

Bella looked away. "Maybe."

She didn't have to look to know that Charlie's lips had tightened. "Call Anna. Fix it. Make up with Barry."

"I might as well let them go, Dad! I can't stick with them once I'm…" Bella trailed off when she realized what she was saying. Once I'm a vampire.

She did know what her choice was. She did still intend to become a vampire and be with Carlisle. That truth was still inside her unchanged, because when it came to Carlisle, there was only one truth.

She didn't know how long Charlie had been watching her, but once she met his gaze, she realized it had obviously been a little while. If she wasn't mistaken, his expression was a little smug.

"Then you know what you're doing. You know what your choice is still going to be."

"Yeah," Bella said, her voice a touch breathy. "I love him, Dad."

"Alright," Charlie nodded. "Don't scare me like that again. Or him." And he walked out of the kitchen.

(~*~)

It turned out Bella hadn't made enough food. When Sue and Seth returned Jacob was with them and he lost no time in swinging Bella up in a warm bear hug. Bella laughed and squealed because she hadn't had a hug like that in a long time.

"Bella! I couldn't believe it when Sue said you were here."

"Believe it now?" Bella asked, punching him to let her go so she could hug the others.

"No," Seth answered, squeezing her. "It's weird seeing you here. Go home."

"Ouch!" Bella pretended her stepbrother's comment pained her.

"Hey, be nice," Sue admonished, taking her turn to hug Bella. "How are the Cullens?"

"They're fine," Bella said with a fake smile. Charlie had already told her that he and Sue chose not to inform Jacob, Seth, or any of the wolves about her relationship with Carlisle. They knew that the wolves were intelligent enough to realize what that would mean for Bella's future. Her father and Sue hadn't wanted to start trouble. While neither of them knew the exact terms of the treaty, they didn't think the wolves would welcome the idea of a new vampire being made. That was a bridge, Charlie had said, they decided to cross once they came to it. So, while he was leaving the decision up to her, he didn't recommend sharing the story about Emmett. "Edward and Alice got it into their heads to surprise me with a round-trip flight for my Spring Break."

"They do like to spend money, don't they?" Jacob said.

"I think it was a lovely idea," Sue said, peering into the large bowl set on the kitchen table. "Potato salad? Thank you, Bella, that was thoughtful of you."

"Right. What are the rest of you going to eat?" Jacob and Seth grinned. Bella blinked at them echoing each other.

Lunch was rather awkward as Bella carefully tried to navigate her way through the conversation without discussing the Cullens too much. She almost shared that Maggie and Esme had gotten engaged, until she remembered that Emmett's appearance had delayed plans on that front.

The following day was a bit easier when Bella met Angela in town at the diner for lunch. Angela proudly revealed her engagement ring. Ben had proposed that Christmas, and they set the date for the June after college graduation. It was more than a year away, but Angela glowed with love and confidence.

"It's nice to talk with you about this, Bella. Jessica… well, she thinks we're moving too fast. She doesn't outright say it, but I can tell she's glad we've set the date so far off. As if something might happen between now and then to change our minds." Angela smiled, a bit shyly, perhaps, but the smile was there. "I know nothing will."

Bella shrugged, minimizing Jessica's naysaying. "Stuff happens, but when you know, you know."

"Exactly. And stuff has already happened. I mean, it was rough for a while when I decided to change colleges sophomore year, but we made it through. I think the challenge only made us stronger, you know?" Angela examined Bella's face, and Bella wondered how much of her thoughts in that moment had leaked through. "You do know. Who is he?"

Bella raised her eyebrows.

"Bella… you are involved with someone, and it's serious."

"Wow, Ang. How can you…?"

"Because I can."

Bella knew she should keep silent. If she had to keep this a secret from Jacob and Seth, not even talking about it in Charlie's house just in case her stepbrother with the super hearing overheard, she really shouldn't tell Angela. But Bella didn't want to keep Carlisle a secret. She was keeping secrets all the time, but this… not this. "Well, OK, yes, I'm involved with someone and it's serious. I know you're not a gossip, but would you mind not sharing this with anyone? Charlie and Sue already know, but it might be a little… weird if it got out in Forks before we're ready for it to."

"OK." Angela looked a little confused. Then her eyes cleared and she waited silently but expectantly.

"Carlisle and I have been seeing each other. Dr. Cullen and me."

"That's wonderful, Bella." Angela smiled, her guess clearly confirmed. "How long?"

"Since just before Christmas."

"Are you worried because of the age gap? It's not that big, right? 12 years at most?"

"Um, 10."

"See? No big deal. But it only started a few months ago?"

"Yes, though I think… I think it was there all along. We just didn't see it, didn't have our eyes opened until recently."

"And now that you know, you know."

Bella nodded, and with a bit of a grin said, "Exactly."

(~*~)

Bella parked the rental car outside of the police station. It was a little ridiculous to have to leave the house in order to call Carlisle, but even if Seth was sleeping, his hearing something was a chance she couldn't take. It's not that he wasn't trustworthy so much as that he would not be able to hide what he'd heard from the rest of the pack. She'd considered driving to the Cullens' old house for sentimentality, but it was a bit far, and would be too dark. Sitting outside where Charlie worked at least leant some legitimacy to her sneaking around Seth.

Again, Carlisle answered the phone right away, his voice eager. "Bella."

"Carlisle." She smiled, enjoying the sense of peace she got just from hearing his voice, before asking the question she'd asked every night. "How are all of you doing out there?"

"Emmett woke up last night," Carlisle revealed, and Bella felt her chest tighten. The next stage of the Cullen family had finally begun. "He accepted the news about what he's become with surprising alacrity. No doubt he suspected something before things changed, likely while Rosalie was carrying him."

"I remember him asking if the two of you were angels," Bella said. Truthfully, Rosalie had never looked anything less like an angel to Bella than she had that night. Then again, Bella had no idea what kind of religious background Emmett had. It was true that in the Old Testament some angels were said to be terrible and frightening to behold. "Has he told you anything about himself? Is there someone out there looking for him?"

"He had no family. He was an orphan and his guardian had just passed."

"What about friends and coworkers?"

"It's possible that a missing person's report may be filed, but that's not likely to garner anything. With his only family member recently dead, it will be seen as likely he moved on. A possibility at least. The only hint of Emmett that may be found is whatever was left behind in the bear den. In which case, Emmett will be written off as a victim of nature."

"I have no doubt that Charlie would try hard to find someone who went missing, especially if someone were alone. Don't dismiss the Maine cops so readily."

"Indeed, I don't, and never would, Bella. We'll probably send Edward out to do some reconnaissance." Carlisle paused. "Are you angry with me?"

"No." Bella sighed again, though this time it was less happy. "No, Carlisle, I'm not angry with you. I just don't like the idea of someone being able to disappear so easily. It's… unsettling."

"A great deal has been unsettling of late," Carlisle agreed.

"Carlisle… how is Emmett reacting to Rosalie? What's he like?"

"He's as taken with her as she is with him. It was easy enough to leave her with him so that I could take this phone call. Though…" he seemed reluctant to continue, "I shouldn't stay on much longer. Emmett is… unusually strong for a newborn."

"How strong?"

"Alice and Jasper don't have a bed anymore."

"What? Are they… I mean he and Rosalie, are they at that stage already? I thought he just woke last night."

"No, that was not what I meant to imply at all." Carlisle chuckled, but it sounded slightly forced. "His surprise when he awoke was a touch too strong."

"Ah." Bella pictured something akin to someone being startled awake, and the bed collapsing beneath him. Though the way Emmett had screamed, Bella was surprised he didn't break the bed beforehand. "Is that how it usually is between mates? When one of them is human, I mean? The vampire just arranges for the human's death and changes him?"

"Rosalie didn't arrange for Emmett to get hurt, Bella."

"But she caused it all the same."

Carlisle didn't answer.

After a couple beats, Bella spoke. "Thank you for not hurting me."

"I would never hurt you."

Bella's tongue touched the now completely smooth inside of her lip. No, never on purpose, never deliberately. And one mistake under extreme circumstances was forgivable. Carlisle wasn't really the one who needed to be forgiven here. Bella was the one who had balked at the first test of her acceptance of what he was. Something she had known for years to be true, even if she had never witnessed it. "I don't mean to ever hurt you, either, Carlisle. And I am very sorry for…" but Bella couldn't put it into words, even though they'd already gone through the I-love-you, I-miss-you, I'm-sorry rounds before.

"Bella, you have nothing to be sorry for. Please, don't apologize. I—" Carlisle cut off, and Bella heard something loud thumping in the background.

"Is everything okay? Did something break?" There was another loud noise, something completely unexpected. "Was that laughter?"

"Yes. Emmett is laughing," Carlisle answered. "While I am relieved, I confess that worries me a little as well. Bella, I need to go."

"Of course."

"I love you. May I call you soon?"

"Yes, please do, but text me first. And I love you."

A/N: Many thanks to AllTheOtherNamesAreUsed, Bookwormbaby2580, miaokuancha, MeilleurCafe, NixHaw, and tinkerbellpatten for their continued support of me and "Moonlit" during my writing angst. It means more than I can put into words, and is the reason why this chapter is here.

Thank you, also, to those of you who have been sticking with this story all this time. "Moonlit" will be 4 years old in a few days, which is certainly a lot longer than I would have expected to still be writing this. If I can manage it, next chapter may very well be the last. If not, then there will only be two more chapters left.

Some honesty: Those reviewers who spout verbal abuse at me because they don't like the way I progress my own story, who have proportionately grown in number with each update, are a big reason why chapters are so hard to put out. They make this painful instead of the productive fun it used to be.

Something personal: If anyone has legitimate constructive critique to offer, I welcome the opportunity to learn from it. But please think about whether or not what you have to say relates to the craft. I have had to deal with two deaths in the family this past week, the funerals are still ahead, and I am in no mood to put up with rudeness from strangers. In fact, I'm collecting reasons to smile. ::rattles tin can::

Misc. J. K. Rowling's previous Harry Potter bombshell makes a cameo appearance in this chapter. Little did I know she'd be dropping another one before this chapter got posted.

Next chapter... Back in Middlebury