Chapter Twenty Nine

Bella

When Jazz got back with the groceries Charlie and I were sitting by the fire, the colour he had when he first got up had faded and he looked old and tired again. We had chatted about old times, holidays I had spent with him in Forks and then in Arizona or wherever we happened to be living each summer. In general they were happy memories and when he nodded off he still had a smile on his face. Best of all was his forgiving me for leaving him to think I was dead. Once he knew why it seemed he accepted it and even said I'd done the right thing. I didn't tell him much about my time with the Volturi, he didn't need to know how horrific the life of a vampire could be. I went out to the kitchen when I heard the door and Jazz and Garrett were putting away the groceries chatting but when he saw me Jazz came straight over and held me close breathing in my scent,

"God I missed you Bella."

"I missed you too."

"But you had a good time with your dad?"

"Yes and he understands why I didn't get in touch. He's worried the Quileutes might cause problems for us but I told him we could handle it. He's really ill Jazz."

"I know, I took the names of the medication I found in the cupboard and looked them up. He has cancer Bella and from the medication I think its at a late stage. I don't think he has long to live."

"I guessed as much when I saw the blood. Does he have the best drugs? His occupational medical plan should cover him for most and I know he paid in to a private one for a long while."

"Well I'm not a doctor but I think so. We could contact Carlisle if you want, see what he has to say."

I thought about this, I didn't really want to include Carlisle in my life again but I had no choice, he had the expertise I needed and I figured he owed me anyway so I nodded,

"I think I will."

He handed me his phone and I rang Carlisle's private cell phone.

"Dr Cullen."

"Carlisle its Bella."

Bella? It's good to hear from you, I understand from Edward that you left the Volturi so I'm assuming you think I can help you in some way."

"I hope so. Charlie has cancer and I wanted to know that he's getting the best drugs."

"Oh, I'm very sorry to hear that Bella, do you know what type of cancer?"

I gave him a list of the drugs.

"Leave it with me. I may have a way of accessing his records if they're still in the Port Angeles clinic. Can I ask why you aren't offering to change him?"

That stopped me in my tracks.

"I hadn't thought about it but could we? Would it cure his cancer? He has other health problems too."

"Bella there is nothing venom cannot heal except missing limbs or organs and of course some brain damage. I see no reason why Charlie shouldn't survive the transformation provided of course that his body is strong enough. That might be a problem I guess. Give me an hour and I'll ring you back."

"Thank you Carlisle."

I looked at Jazz,

"Could you do it? Change Charlie?"

He looked at Garrett who shrugged but looked dubious,

"I'm willing to try if he agrees but remember he is weak Bella, I may end up killing him."

"Jazz he's already dying so I don't see your hastening it as something that would worry him unduly."

"Wait until Carlisle rings back and if he still thinks it's a possibility we'll talk to Charlie."

I nodded and went back in to the sitting room where Charlie had woken and was reaching for his pills, a look of pain on his face.

"Let me dad."

I opened the bottle and shook a pill out but he motioned for another.

"Is it really bad?"

He rubbed his chest,

"I've been better Bells. Ironic you know. I never smoked a single cigarette, well one at school and then I threw up, yet I get cancer. My friend Jimmy he smoked 100 a day and he lived to be almost 90 then choked on a fish bone. Hows that for twisted logic"

"Have the doctors told you how long you have?"

"Yeah, they keep changing their minds but about a month I guess. If you and your friends hadn't turned up I would have ended up in hospital or bitten a bullet I guess. I don't know why I waited this long. Maybe I knew you were still out there baby."

He patted my hand and I clasped it gently.

"We won't leave you dad."

"You don't want to stick around here and watch me shrivel up, it's not going to be fun, they told me that already."

The phone interrupted us and I excused myself noticing my hands were shaking as I took the receiver from Jazz.

"Carlisle?"

"Bella, I got your dads records. If you are going to try I suggest you do it quickly. His last X-rays weren't good, he doesn't have much time. Jasper told me what Alice had seen, it sounds like a collapse is on its way and moving fast."

"But you think we can do it?"

"Yes I think its possible, just, if Jasper acts fast."

I looked at Jazz, it was asking a lot of him but he just stroked my cheek and nodded,

"If Charlie agrees."

I thanked Carlisle and Jazz and I went back into the sitting room where Charlie was staring into the fire. Sitting down opposite Jasper explained our proposal to him very quietly and honestly.

"So, you could maybe save me? Turn me into a vampire like you and Bella?"

"Yes as long as you have the strength to undergo the transformation."

"And if I don't?"

He stopped, coughing violently, and then wiping his lips with a red tinged tissue.

"Then you'll die maybe a little sooner than otherwise."

Charlie moved and tilted my head to look into my eyes.

"There's nothing I'd like more than to spend eternity in a world with my little girl but I'd be a burden."

"No Charlie. Whoever changes you has the responsibility of keeping you safe until you can look after yourself and Bella and I would be happy to do that."

Garrett who'd been listening from the door walked in.

"Excuse me for interrupting but I just wanted to offer my services if necessary. I couldn't change you Charlie, I'm a human hunter with little self-control once I start to feed but I'd be more than happy to look after you. I do have some experience with newborns as The Major well knows."

"The Major? You called him that before."

"Yes, it's a long story Charlie and one I'm not proud of but we don't have time to go into it at the moment. You must decide, but as you can see we're happy to help and I know Bella would like the chance to keep you in her life."

Charlie looked at me and sighed.

"Am I a coward Bella?"

"Why because you want to live?"

"No because I'm afraid of death suddenly. For years it's all I wanted, to join you and now it's happening it scares me."

"Please dad at least think about it, I'd really like you to stay in my world."

I waited anxiously as he sat back and closed his eyes.

"Well I guess if you're gonna go it doesn't much matter how death comes and yes I'd like to stay in your life so if Jasper is willing, I am."

"There's just one thing"

Charlie looked at Jazz with a sad smile.

"There always is son."

"No, I'm happy to do it but I think we need to leave here, Bella promised Jake we wouldn't bite anyone and if we do the Quileutes will retaliate as soon as they find out. There aren't enough of us to protect you and fight the pack which will gather strength just by our presence here.