Disclaimer: None of this is mine, nor will it ever be (sigh). I like to play with the characters that Stephenie Meyers created and make them do pervy things or become angels with a bad attitude.

What will happen with Charlie, Edward, Bella and Alice?

Chapter Twenty-Eight

BPOV

Flying with Charlie was smoother than with Edward. His dark brown eyes watched everything before he banked, moving beneath the cloud bank. Edward's home appeared and my stomach lurched. I'd said so many hateful things. "He doesn't hate you. He hates Carlisle right now. He's mainly sad for you," Charlie said, moving and landing gently on the back deck.

"He should hate me," I whispered as Charlie put me down. "I hate me."

"Sweet girl," he said, capturing my chin and staring into my eyes. "So much pain." He growled lowly. "They further punished you by assigning you to Heidi." He tugged me into his arms. I cried, gripping his polyester uniform shirt. I felt Charlie stiffen. "Carlisle, I suggest you leave her the fuck alone."

"I only want to apologize," Carlisle said, his voice meek.

"It was her love and acceptance of me that gave me back my powers. Don't think I won't knock you on your ass," Charlie snarled. "You guys abandoned her! The only people who give a shit about my daughter are Alice, Edward and Esme." Charlie's wings were around me. I felt protected, but it was different than how I felt with Edward. It was a parental protection.

"I think staying down here on Earth has corrupted you, Charles," Carlisle argued.

"Damn right. But, all that matters to me is my child," he hissed. "She was alone … and hurting and no one cared. I'm disgusted with you and with everything that's happened. And to think, she's …" Charlie stopped talking abruptly. "Alice needs help. I hope you have …"

"The legion is already there," Carlisle said. "Please, come with me, Charles."

"Charlie. I'm Charlie and I'm not going anywhere," he spat. "Not until I attempt to make things right with my daughter. She needs me and I'm not going to turn my back on her. Not now. Not ever. And it shouldn't have happened in the past! My heart is shattering with the amount of pain she feels. Don't you feel it?"

"Of course, I do," Carlisle argued.

"It's an empty pain," I heard and my heart jumped. "Because Bella feels like she's just a shell of human." I turned around as Charlie's wings loosened. I saw Edward. His face was pale and his eyes were so very sad. "Betrayed … used …" he continued, his eyes narrowed at Carlisle. "You could have prevented this. But, no. You were too pissed off at Charles … Charlie … to even care what happened to the child. I never thought that God would be vindictive. But, this takes the cake."

"Carlisle, my love, I think you should go," Esme said softly, but there was an edge to her voice. "Go help Alice. Make this right and don't open your mouth."

Carlisle did open his mouth and Charlie hissed. Carlisle's mouth clamped shut and he took off, disappearing. Esme looked at me, her eyes swirling with concern. "Come, child … you must be cold."

"I don't know what I am," I whispered, my body exhausted and my heart weary.

"I think we need to let Edward and Bella talk," Charlie said, releasing me and stepping back. He cupped my cheek, wiping an errant tear away. "I would have never left you, Bella, if given the choice. I'm so sorry. I will do everything to make it right, sweet girl." He kissed my forehead and followed Esme into the house.

I couldn't look at Edward. Tears fell down my cheeks, unabated. "You must hate me," I said, my throat raw. I was trembling since I'd left with just a light sweater.

"Never, pretty Bella," he replied, his voice as rough as mine. "Your words finally let me feel your true pain." I opened my mouth and Edward held up his hand. He took my hand, leading me to the guest house. He wrapped me in a blanket and started a fire. It didn't shock me that he was keeping his distance. He sat down, his shoulders slumped and everything about him screamed dejected.

You're a fuck up, Bella. You suck as a human being. You just plain suck … He deserves so much better, not this broken shell of a woman.

"I can still hear you," he said, his eyes brimmed with tears. "Nothing will stop that. I'm still yours, Bella." He blinked up at me. "You hid your pain well. It hit me like a ton of bricks after you let loose on Carlisle. I'm not going to protect him or say that he was right. He's not. But, I will tell you that he didn't know about Charlie being your father. None of the legion did. It was buried among the angels, and lordships. Only the Arch Angels and God himself knew. It was a taboo for a Dominion to have such a relationship with a human and they never expected a child to come from their coupling."

"Where do we go from here? You got the short end of the stick when it comes to mates," I said, tugging my blanket tighter around my shivering body.

"No, I didn't. Bella, I will never stop loving you," he said, his voice cracking. He knelt before me, taking my hands. "I want to take this pain away. I want to give you everything you never had." He picked up my hand, his thumb running over my helenite ring. "I'd move mountains for you, Bella. I still will. I'm also not going to lie and say that what you said didn't hurt me. It did, but I understand why you feel the way you do. Hell, it was demonstrated by Carlisle's callous apology. It's no wonder you don't trust or love easily."

"Did you hear what Charlie said about me being punished? By having Heidi as my guardian?" I asked.

"Esme is looking into that," Edward said. He looked up at me, his eyes so sad. "I know you got a lot of information thrown at you today. First, the interview with Jane, Carlisle's announcement, your explosion and meeting your father … I don't want to add to your stress. I'll walk away, as painful as it may be. I don't want to cause you anymore pain, Bella. I will always love you, watch you, protect you, until your last breath on earth. But, if … if being with me is too much or if you can never open your heart …"

"Edward, please stop," I sobbed, throwing my arms around him. He held me, his nose buried in my hair. "I'm so scared … In my mind, I know that you love me. I feel it every day. But, you have to understand …"

"I do, Bella," he said, his arms around me, holding me flush to his body. "I don't want to lose you. But, hearing you go off on Carlisle and the agony you endured, I don't blame you for what you said."

"I trust you, Edward. I let you in, even though my mind, my heart, my soul was telling me to stop," I sniffled. I took his hand, pressing it over my heart. "Can you feel that?"

He leaned forward, his forehead against mine as he felt my heartbeat. With each beat, he calmed down and he held me closer, until we were enfolded in his wings. His eyes were closed and I felt tears, his tears, on my neck, traveling down my chest. I don't know what happened, but he looked up at me. His eyes were still watery, but he had a soft smile on his face. He cupped my cheeks and brushed his lips against mine. My heart took off, frantically beating beneath my ribs and I needed him. I know that there is love in your heart and that you are capable of giving it, my pretty Bella, he thought to me. He pulled back. "I'll wait forever for you."

"Even after what I said?" I asked.

"I felt it. I can feel your love surrounding me, holding me as tightly as my wings are around you," he said, squeezing me closer. He kept his eyes on me. "You may not be able to say the words, but I know." Though, he frowned. "I also know your pain. Like I said, you hid it well. How?"

"I don't know. I got so used to burying it, never acknowledging it," I shrugged. "When Carlisle gave me that awful excuse of an apology, I couldn't hold back anymore."

"Don't hate me, but I think that's what you needed in order to fully heal," Edward whispered. "And I think meeting Charlie, he'll be your biggest advocate, your greatest ally." He tensed. "Shit."

"What?" I asked.

"Alice … she's injured," he said, unraveling his wings and helping me to my feet. We went across the yard. Carlisle carried her in. I gave him a hateful glare. He knew enough to step away as Esme and Charlie crouched near Alice. Her insides were hanging out of her belly. She was pale, almost gray.

"Oh, God," I whispered. "Will she die?"

"No," Esme said. "She's in a great deal of pain, but she won't die." She held out her hands and a warm glow shimmered over Alice's stomach. Charlie helped her while Edward sat behind her. "Edward, we need a power boost. Help us." Edward's hand joined the other two and Alice's injury disappeared. The three of them were as pale as Alice, but were intact. "Did we lose anyone?" Esme asked, blinking up at her mate, but her ire simmered beneath the surface.

"Quil and Kate," Carlisle responded. "They were beheaded and their wings were torn to shreds."

"Quil was looking into a human for me," Edward said. "Jane Hopkins."

"I'll do it," Carlisle said. "Why?"

"She offered Bella an interview for a new position. We wanted to make sure that it wasn't a trap," Edward said, his eyes flashing angrily. "Look, I know you want to help, but we're all quite upset with you, Carlisle. I know you are a Dominion, but how you treated Bella … you made her feel less than important. I think you should go. Seth, Alice, Esme and Charlie will be fine without you for a few days. Think about what you've said."

Carlisle nodded, blinking to me and opening his mouth.

"Leave, Carlisle," Charlie snapped. He stood up, glaring at him. "You've done enough damage. We need to work together, but we also need a moment away from you. Find out information about this Jane person. Please?" Carlisle nodded, turning on his heel and leaving Edward's home.

Edward picked up Alice, carrying her unconscious form and laying her in the guest room. "Felix, stay with her," Edward ordered. The dog hopped up, putting his head on Alice's belly and whimpering quietly. He left the room open, looking at Esme and Charlie. "Do you need food?"

"Yes," Charlie grumbled. "I forgot how much that drains you."

"I'll make something," I said. Edward shook his head, but he was unsteady. "No, I've fucked things up enough today. Let me do something right." Esme got up and put her arm around my shoulders. She tried to say I wasn't. "Please? I'm not … I caused enough damage."

"You didn't, sweetheart," she whispered. "As much as you probably hate to think it, you made a huge gain. You admitted how much your abuse hurt you, the pain it caused. I think now you can finally move forward."

I pursed my lips, guiding Esme back to the couch. I arched a brow, making a protein-enriched meal. Charlie and Edward ate two New York strip steaks a piece. Esme devoured one and inhaled the egg salad I'd made for lunches. Esme left shortly after that, going to the guest house while Charlie crashed on the couch. I pushed Edward into bed. He was stubbornly trying to stay awake. "You used a lot of power. You need to rest."

"Only with you," he whined.

"Let me get out of my clothes, Edward," I said. "Sleeping in jeans and a sweater is not comfortable." He pouted, but let me go. I went into the bathroom and washed my face, which was covered with dried tears and grime from the flight back to Edward's house. I pulled on a t-shirt, padding back to the bedroom. Edward had removed his clothes and he was snoring, wearing nothing but his boxer briefs. I looked at his body. He was muscular, strong and completely covered with tattoos. Biting my lip, I removed my shirt and climbed into bed, pressing my body against his.

"Bella?" he mumbled. "I don't want you to feel …"

"This is my decision," I whispered. "I want to feel your body against mine. Please, just hold me." He looked at me, his eyes unfocused, but swirling with so much love. He slid his arms and wings around me, holding me to his chest. My breasts were pressed against his side. I was trembling, afraid that he'd hurt me, but he kissed my forehead.

Never, my love, he thought to me. "I could never hurt you. I love you." He sighed, moving so his head was between my breasts. I looked down and he was asleep, but still held me protectively.

xx OOTD xx

I woke up early the next day. Edward was still in the same spot, but I needed to pee. I wriggled out of his hold, tossed on my shirt and went to the bathroom. I took a quick shower, leaving Edward to continue his rest. Padding into the living room, I saw Charlie. He was awake and rummaging. "I can make you something," I said. He jumped, hitting his head on the shelf in the fridge.

"Fuck," he barked. He backed out, rubbing his head and giving me a wry look. "Don't sneak up on a guy."

"Sorry," I giggled. "What do you want?"

"Well, as a human, I'm pretty hopeless in the kitchen," he snickered.

"Don't worry. I'm not," I said. "What do you want?"

"Omelet?" he asked. I nodded, grabbing eggs, bacon, veggies and cheese. "Oh, and I love coffee."

"Me, too," I said, turning on the coffee maker. I bit my lip as I chopped the veggies. "I have to ask … are you really my father?"

"I was recycled, but connecting with you gave me back my powers, my memories, my wings," he said. "Yes, I'm your father." He frowned. "I never thought that they'd strip me of everything for one indiscretion."

"I think I was the reason," I shrugged as I poured some coffee into a mug, passing it to Charlie. "Can humans and angels make children?"

"It would appear so. You're proof," he chuckled, sipping the coffee. "But, I'm surprised that Lucifer is so taken with you. Esme woke up a little bit ago, showed me the conversation with Carlisle from yesterday. She's off to give him a piece of her mind, supposedly. I should have punched him in the head."

"What's going to happen now?" I asked. "With everything?"

"I don't know, but I know one thing for certain, I'm not going to let you be swallowed by the darkness, sweet girl," Charlie murmured. He looked at me, his eyes wary and his brow furrowed. "It almost got you. Those things that were converging on the Forks Police Department, they were homed in on your signal, on your pain and your distress. The release of my powers only accelerated their approach. Your anger toward Carlisle, the despair you felt about your past, and … your trepidation about loving Edward … it all bubbled out of you. Lucifer saw it as a chance to get you."

I blanched. "Are you going to go back to Forks?" I asked. "I mean, your human incarnation was the police chief."

"I will go back. I don't think I'm ready to head up there yet," he said with a wry grin. I made his omelet, plating it and sliding it toward him. He dug in, moaning as he tasted the omelet. "Delicious."

"Thanks," I said, refilling our cups of coffee.

"Bella, I heard what you said and I understand your fears. I felt your pain, saw your past and it would have broken anybody," Charlie said softly. "It damn near broke me."

"I said no," I choked out. "I always said no, but they wouldn't listen. They didn't care."

He got up, hugging me to his body. "They are the monsters," he growled. "But, I can also see the goodness within you and the love you have for your students, for Alice, and most importantly for Edward. I know that saying it out loud shifts something in your mind, but they adore you. Edward's love for you is blinding." He stepped back and cupped my face. "And the love you have for him, eclipses everything in the world."

"What if I can't say those words?" I asked. "I don't know if I can …"

"You will. When it matters the most," Charlie said. He blinked at the clock, wrinkling his nose. "I have to go. A shift at police station. I'll be back here tonight, but if you need me, call for me. I'll be there in a moment. I love you, my beloved daughter." He kissed my forehead and walked out the back sliders. He spread his bright white wings and took off.

For the first time in my life, I felt content, protected, safe, loved. It was a combination of so many things. Edward fought for me, every step of the way. He was strong, sweet, caring, patient and he loved me. Alice was the sister I always wanted. She made me laugh. She was wise, confident, and determined. She loved me, too. Esme was the mother figure I desired. Charlie was the father who was absent from my life, but was not going anywhere. He unknowingly gave up his life to be with my mother. He showed her unconditional love and I was the result.

I couldn't lose this. I refused to lose this. I finally had a family. I had people who were willing to fight for me and who weren't using me for a paycheck or as a warm body. They loved me.

And I loved them.

I just needed to be able to tell them …

A/N: Carlisle's on the shit list. Just saying … We've got a couple of pictures with this one. Clo and Marie made manips of Dominion Charlie. They are both beautiful and I'm so grateful for their artistic abilities. I have none … well, artistic abilities. I can write, play the piano, sing and stuff, but the manipulations I've seen? I'm in awe. Thank you both!

Anyhow, Bella admitted she loved everyone in her family. Will she be able to tell them? Also, we're going to find out about Jane and the job in Bellevue? Real or fake? Will Carlisle get in everyone's good graces? I have a plan. I really do … I just need to get there.

Thanks for reading! See you on the flipside!