Chapter Twenty Eight

Bella

Jaspers idea was good but too late as it turned out, the door bell went and we looked at each other, the scent of wolf was strong enough to smell even from inside. Jake had obviously either come to check on Charlie or seen or heard of visitors at his house. Jazz went to answer it but I held him back.

"No, its my problem Jazz, let me"

He and Garrett faded back into the sitting room and I opened the door,

"Hello Jake"

"So it is you. I thought it was, I could smell you and your friends. Where are they?"

"What do you want Jake? I've come to see my dad, he's sick"

"Is that supposed to come as a surprise to me? He's been sick for some time so why are you caring now?"

"I'm here that's the important thing. Is it going to be a problem?"

"What did Charlie say? Did he recognise you all hard and white?"

"Jake I know what you think about me and the others of my kind so lets leave that aside. Charlie needs help and the only person he's going to allow to help him is me. It's obvious you aren't welcome in although thank you for the chopped logs and meals."

"Don't thank me, he didn't use either. Wouldn't even talk to me. You know he blames me for your death?"

"I'm sorry about that. I had no intentions of letting you take the blame but circumstances didn't allow me to come back."

"Too busy with the Cullens I guess?"

"No Victoria actually. She caught me and I ended up in Volterra for a number of years, nowhere near the Cullens as a matter of fact."

"So you didn't run off with Edward Cullen then?"

"No I didn't. Nor am I with him now Jake if that makes things any better for you."

"So who are the leeches with you?"

"Why? As long as we stay here and don't attack any of the humans I don't think you have any right to complain."

"And wont you? Bite anyone I mean?"

"No. You have my word for that. I'd like you to let the elders know too. I was going to try to contact them, let them know we mean no harm, I just want to look after Charlie."

"Well you could ring dad I guess, Harry and Old Quil are dead. Sues still around, she took Harry's place on the council but I can tell you none of them will be happy to hear from you, not after what you put your dad through all these years."

"I can live with their hatred if necessary. Was there anything else?"

He looked at me long and hard before shaking his head,

"You've changed Bella. You were sweet and kind, thoughtful, but not any longer now you're as hard as your flesh."

"I've had a hard time of it too Jake. now if there's nothing else...".

I waited until he turned and walked back down the steps then looked back.

"You know I loved you Bella, I could have made you happy if you'd given me a chance"

"Well I'll never know will I Jake. Goodbye."

I shut the door knowing in all probability I would never see him again.

Charlie

I woke up in bed and smiled to myself, it had been a dream after all, if a very nice one, but as I looked around I noticed some changes to my room. The curtains had been pulled back and the small window opened, I never bothered any longer it stuck too much for me to struggle. The sheets were fresh too and smelled of flowers and the dirty mugs that had started to pile up on the bedside cabinet had gone to be replaced by a new box of tissues and a glass of water. As I reached for it I felt the warmth, someone had put the heating on for me. As I sat up I saw a new pair of slippers at the side of the bed and a new bathrobe folded across the bottom of it. Had something happened that I didn't know about? Had I been ill and someone, maybe Sue Clearwater cleaned up while I was sick? I got up slowly and put the slippers on then noticed I was in my old pyjamas. I opened the bedroom door and peered out although what I expected to see I wasn't sure. The bathroom too showed signs that someone had been in, there were fresh towels hanging up and the overflowing laundry bin was empty. I showered quickly and then went back to my room to dress. All my clothes were folded neatly in their drawers and on hangers, maybe I'd been ill for some time and that's why everywhere looked so clean and tidy. I'd dreamed Bella and her companion and in a way I had to wish I hadn't woken up again.

The smell of bacon cooking wafted up the stairs, so someone was here. If it was Sue I would have to thank her for all she'd done but I really didn't want to see her or anyone else from the reservation. I went downstairs slowly listening but all I could hear was the bacon cooking and someone moving around in the sitting room so I peered round that door first to see a guy I didn't know picking up all my old newspapers and magazines and piling them up.

"You looking for something?"

He turned and smiled,

"No, just tidying up a bit. I won the toss so The Major went shopping. You must be Charlie, Bella's dad. Allow me to introduce myself, Garrett at your service."

I looked at him suspiciously, he had the same white skin as the visitors of last night or my dream but I didn't know this guy or any Major.

"Dad, breakfast is ready"

The years fell away as I heard that voice, Bella used to cook breakfast whenever she could and would call me just like that. I almost believed when I walked in the kitchen I would see her standing by the stove smiling. I walked hesitatingly in to the kitchen and sure enough there she was, the strange Bella from the night before and the dining table in the window was set just the way she always did it with a few flowers in a cracked old vase and my cutlery and napkin clean and sparkling waiting for me. I didn't know what to do or say so I took my seat and she walked over putting a plate of steaming food in front of me.

"Did you sleep well? Eat up then we can talk, I'll try to explain things"

I reached out and touched her, she was solid enough and the food smelled real enough and a few seconds later tasted real too. What was happening here?

Bella

I sat opposite Charlie and watched as he ate, seeing his mind whirling in his eyes and hoping I could explain and apologise. Garrett stuck his head round the door,

"I'm popping out for a few minutes. Would you like a paper Charlie?"

Dad looked at him and nodded and I had to smile, Garrett had taken to his new role like a veteran actor and I was grateful.

"Dad, I know this is all a shock to you but I am real, I didn't die like you thought although I'm not alive in the strictest sense I guess. I was kidnapped by a vampire called Victoria."

He hesitated, his fork almost to his mouth then continued so I repeated all I'd told him the night before.I told him about Victoria and James and the fight in Phoenix and he was still taking it all in when Garrett got back handing him the paper and taking his empty mug to refill it.

"I told the store I'd be picking up your paper from now on, I hope that's OK?"

He'd cleared most of his plate which I hoped was was a good sign then looked up at Garrett,

"I have it delivered"

"You did dad. It wouldn't be good for people to see me here, anyone who knew me I mean. I haven't changed and that would create problems."

He nodded still not speaking and sipped the fresh coffee appreciatively.