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I have heard the saying "time stood still" countless times, but had never really given it much thought, that is, until this second. It really was as if time stood still. Edward and I just stared at each other, Carlisle, Emmett and Rose stood like statues, and Alice's mouth hung open as she gasped. All of this took a split second for me to take in, but then everything sped up and happened in a blur.
Before I could blink I was deposited in Carlisle's office with a hurried apology and a promise of "I'll be back. Please, don't move!" from Edward. The office door slammed and he was gone, leaving me alone in the imposing room. I honestly didn't know what to do. One part of my brain realised that if a fight was about to happen, that I should stay here so that the Edward and the rest of the Cullens would not have me in their midst to worry about. I knew from when they were preparing for the fight with the newborns that they didn't need distractions, and lets face it, I was nowhere near their supernatural league when it came to defending myself. The other part of my brain was screaming at me that I had to get to Charlie and try to be the last line of defence before they took him.
If they got that far it would mean that either Edward or members of his family were dead or at least badly injured and part of me wondered how I could think so clinically about my loved ones being in peril. The other part of my brain, kept coming back to thinking that my being there might cause the wolves to pause and that might give Edward or whomever of his family was left, the edge they needed to gain the upper hand.
The fear and frustration tore at my mind but before I knew it I was out the door and on my way to Charlie's room. I was almost there when I screamed as I was grabbed from behind. I futilely started to pummel the stone chest that I was being crushed against, when sanity slowly started to fight its way through the fog of my fear.
"Shussh Bella, calm down. It's ok, it's going to be ok." Edward kept on repeating himself in an effort to get through to me. "I've got you, I've got you love, there won't be a fight Bella, calm down."
Cool hands holding my face and those golden eyes boring into mine finally did the trick as I was able to process his words.
"What? What happened?" I demanded.
"I'm not sure yet, I haven't had a chance to speak to them, they have only just arrived. When I first heard them - when we were on the stairs, they were only just coming into our territory. They have taken their time to give me a chance to read their thoughts and realise that they are coming in peace. I had to get a clear insight to Sam's mind before I could take the chance of having you anywhere near us downstairs. From what I can tell it's good news, but I figured you wouldn't stay put in Carlisles office much longer. It seems I was right." A small chuckle escaped his lips at this and the relief I felt at that small sound was astounding.
"Oh, thank god!" I let out the breath that I hadn't realised I was holding as Edward took my hand and we headed down the stairs again to join the others.
"Rosalie and Esme are staying with Charlie, Alice will join us outside in a minute. We are going to go out there to talk to Sam and Billy, but I need you to stay beside me at all times, ok Bella? Carlisle, Emmett and Jasper will be with us, but I need you to just stay in position beside me, I will not let go of you I promise. Can you do that? Bella, are you ok?" Edward stopped to look me in the eyes, trying to assess whether I was up to this. His penetrating gaze gave me strength as I straightened my shoulders and took a deep breath to prepare for what was to come.
"You think they are going to let Charlie be? What is going through their minds right now? Please Edward, I need to have some idea before we go out there."
"From what I can tell, Billy and Jacob put up a strong argument for Charlie's sake and they were able to sway the tribal council to at least give us a chance of showing Charlie our way of life and teaching him how to be safe around humans. I never thought I would say this, but the war with the newborns was a godsend in that it gave the Quiluetes an opportunity to realise that we weren't the bloodsucking monsters they had us pegged as. Well, not quite anyway" The corners of his mouth hinted at a smile as he continued.
"Carlisle's care of Jacob when he was injured and the fact that we worked together for a common goal has thawed their hatred of our clan. It also helps of course that this is Charlie we are talking about, he is practically considered one of their tribe, so they don't want to destroy him if there is a chance they don't have to." A wry smile crossed his face as he said "I'm sure there will be conditions though..."
Carlisle, Emmett and Jasper were waiting at the front door for us. Carlisle held out his hand to allow us to pass him and as we did so he fell in to step behind us. Edward walked beside me, with Jasper and Emmett leading the way. I couldn't help the tears that were falling on my cheeks, I felt so much love and gratitude for these men that were surrounding me, willing to risk themselves to ensure myselfand my fathers safety. Even though I was still terrified of the future, hope was beginning to wrap around my heart like a comforting blanket, soothing my soul as we walked out into the cold moonlit night.
The scene that we were confronted with was simply amazing. It seemed like half the Quileute reservation were congregated on the Cullens front lawn. Sam and Jacob were in human form beside Billy on the front line with the rest of the wolf pack and tribal elders spread around in a loose semi circle from one end of the house to the other behind them. I recognised a few of the faces from the night I spent around the campfire listening to the legends of the tribe, but the person standing just to the left of Billy was the one that caught my eye. Sue Clearwater was visibly upset and Billy brought her forward with a comforting arm around her shoulder and a meaningful stare at me. Of course, with all the drama of the last 10 hours I was ashamed to admit that I hadn't given Sue a thought. I knew that she and Charlie were becoming close but I wasn't sure how far it had gone. I guess the fact that she was here, standing up front with Billy was evidence enough of the significance of her and Charlie's relationship. My heart went out her as our eyes locked and in that instant, I realised that Charlie was indeed very important to her.
As our group came to a halt a few feet away from where they stood, an uneasy silence hung in the air. Sam looked Carlisle in the eye as he started to speak.
"Carlisle, we come in peace. Charlie was a valued friend of the Quiluete tribe, an honourable man who was considered family by many of us. In fact, he and Sue Clearwater were about to announce their engagement. We are deeply saddened by what has occurred today because we have lost one of our own."
Carlisle was about to interrupt when Sam held up his hand to stop him.
"We realise that you do not consider his life lost, but to us, it is. He lifeforce, his humanity, is gone and that is something we must mourn." He paused and looked at me as he continued.
"Having said that, we have also come to know and respect your clan and the sacrifices you all make every day to live the way you do. Recently we have joined forces to fight a common enemy and were victorious because we worked together. When one of us was injured you showed true compassion and kindness to help him and indesputedly a bond was formed between us. We share a natural emnity that was born with our forefathers, but recent events have demonstrated that the treaty we agreed to generations ago must be flexible because we share a common goal and belief. We both value and respect human life and your family have demonstrated that they are willing to risk themselves so that humans remain safe. That demonstrates that you are not that different to us. With that in mind, since your clan was not resonsible for what happened to Charlie, we will agree to allow the change to happen. Obviously, we require that you take full responsibility for him and if he does not adhere to your diet, we WILL take action."
My knees buckled as I fell to the ground with relief. Edward bent to help me stand up and I was thankful because I honestly don't think my legs were capable of working on their own. Once again I was speechless and grateful that Carlisle was so articulate.
"Thankyou Sam. On behalf of my family, which of course includes Bella, we are very grateful that your tribe has placed your faith in us. Charlie has a difficult time ahead of him but I promise you, we will be there every step of the way to help him. We have already begun preparations to leave Forks and go to Alaska, where Charlie will be far away from any humans and therefore temptation. We were just waiting on your decision before finalising our plans."
It was now Sam who interrupted Carlisle with the question I was sure had been on the pack's mind.
"What are your plans for faking Charlies death? Do you need any of our assistance?"
"Bella and Edward will remain here in Forks, I think Bella will have to go home shortly to raise the alarm that he is missing. I'm sure the police will call on you Billy," Carlisle turned to him "as it was well known that you spent a lot of time with Charlie fishing. Perhaps you could direct them to the general area of the attack, let them know that he liked to go to that spot to fish on his own often?"
Billy nodded his agreement as Carlisle continued "We have already been back to the area and have ensured it looks as if an attack took place there and left evidence of Charlie being taken by a large animal. I will ask for emergency leave from the hospital to help my soon to be daughter in law through her grief, and will then have a family emergency that will necessitate my resignation from the hospital leaving me free to travel to Alaska. We will wait until Charlie is changed to travel, it is preferable he not be moved until then, but we will leave as soon as he awakes. I assure you we will be able to control him enough to get him out of the area safely."
A murmur went through the crowd and although they all seemed to be in general agreement, I had the distinct impression that the thought of a newborn vampire in the surrounding area was a little unsettling to most of the tribal elders.
Carlisle turned to Edward and once again a silent conversation was going on that I had no hope of ever understanding. Alice had been standing to the side of us and I was aware of her moving forward slightly. She stopped and I could see her eyes were glassed over a little, she was obviously having a vision. He eyes refocused and she was staring at Edward, I started to panic about what was going to happen when Edward squeezed my hand slightly and nodded to Carlisle.
"You are all aware of my daughter Alice and her ability to see the future outcomes of individuals decisions. Perhaps it may ease your mind a little to hear what she has forseen."
Sam and Billy did not pose any argument so Alice danced forward looking for all the world like a pixie caught in the middle of some demented fairytale.
"While we have been talking, the visions are becoming very clear, which usually means they are quite definate. As it stands, when Charlie awakes, he will have all the normal reactions - fear, disorientation, confusion and of course thirst. We will take him on a hunt in the nearby forest immediately to sate his thirst, after which he will be quite manageable. His concern for Bella and Sue will be foremost in his mind then and that will allow us to take him out of the area by car. I do not see any problems with the journey.
Once again a murmur went through the crowd as they digested this new information, but I noticed Alice was obviously having another vision although thankfully the Quiluetes didn't seem to be aware of this. Edward was intently staring at her and I noticed a look of shock pass over his features before he hissed at Alice and she seemed to snap out of it. She then went on to describe Charlies next few months in detail and the tribe all looked suitably appeased.
I was listening to this in amazement - it was all news to me. The only plans I had been privvy to were the ones that had them fleeing in a hurry while Charlie was still out of it. This was all happening so fast, I could hardly comprehend the ramifications of what all that was transpiring in front of me. At least it meant I had a little while longer to be with my dad, before I lost him for a long time. I froze as I heard an ear piercing scream coming from the house.
I looked to Edward helplessly so he turned to Sam and said "Charlie is in immense pain during his transformation, Jasper is sure that it helps to have Bella nearby and I am sure she is eager to return to his side. Thankyou for allowing us to care for Charlie, but would you excuse Bella - she needs to be with her father."
Sam nodded as Billy came forward and took my hand "We certainly understand your need to be with him Bella, but could we ask a favour please?" He turned to Carlisle then, "May Sue be allowed into your house to spend some time with Charlie before you leave?"
"Of course Billy, you are all welcome to come and pay your respects."
I could see all three of the Cullen boys had a slight problem with Carlisle's generosity, but a stern look from him pulled them into line quickly. Alice looked as if she was trying her best to not clap her hands and squeal as she usually does when she is happy.
"Thankyou Carlisle, that is very generous of you," Sue said as she came to stand by me and held out her hand "May I?" she asked.
I took her hand and with a grateful glance at my family said to Sam "I am so grateful to you all. I know you won't be sorry - He will be just as good a person as a vampire as he was when he was human - you'll see. "
I looked at Sue and my family - because that's what the Cullens were - my family, and couldn't help but add "Sue and I will stay with Charlie while we can, and when this is over and Charlie is able to be around humans, I hope that we can come together and realise it doesn't have to be the way it has in the past. Everyone here is comitted to the preservation and protection of human life. The only difference between our two clans is that some of us have different skin temperatures. I don't want my father to lose his relationship with Sue and his best friends as well. He will need all of your help and guidance in his new life."
Emmetts' jaw was hanging open, Carlisle was beaming at me and Edward's face was unreadable. I felt a bit silly making a speech like that and perhaps I was being presumptious, but honestly, we were interconnected tribes now. If Charlie was going to marry Sue, and they were obviously going to be together in life, then I didn't see why it should have to change anything now. Ok, so maybe the fact that Charlie was going to be a bloodthirsty newborn for a while posed some difficulties, but I was confident that eventually he would have enough control to be around his loved ones. In the back of my mind the term "rose coloured glasses" was turning over but I refused to allow it to come to the fore. I was determined to be positive. I had to be.
Jacob had been silent this entire time and I realised he was having a hard time holding it together. With a glare at me, I saw him turn and disappear into the forest and in the next few seconds the sound of heavy paws pounding the ground could be heard heading off into the distance.
My heart broke for him too, but I had I turned with Sue to head back towards the house. I paused and asked "Edward, I'll see you inside?"
"Yes love - we have a few details to work out with the tribe and then I will be in. Jasper needs a break for a while, perhaps between you and Sue you can bring some comfort to him."
I nodded but wasn't very hopeful of that, I knew from my own experience how much pain Charlie was in. I smiled awkwardly at Sue as we started towards the house and a future full of the unknown for my father. At least I was confident now that he had a really good chance of making this work. Sue and I were both depending on it.
Ok, so that is Chapter 4 and would really love it if someone could leave me some words to give me some kind of idea of how this story is going.
I'll even beg if I have to ...
Anyway, thanks for reading!