Disclaimer: The original story belongs to S. Meyer, I am just grateful she allows us to play in her playground.

A/N: I am sorry for the long delay, I have no excuse other than life got in the way!

BPOV

The waiting was killing me. It had almost been an hour since we arrived here at my dad's house and I could see the waiting was affecting Sue in the same manner. I could hear Jared outside the house, pacing through the forest that bordered my father's home, an occasional howl piercing the quiet around us. Rose stood like a statue at the back door, waiting, I presumed, for the first inkling of news from the wolf outside. Esme was doing what Esme did best; caring for the family around her. She had the coffee brewing and had prepared some muffins from the packet mix she had found in our pantry. I watched mesmerized as she opened the oven door and pulled the extremely hot tray out with her bare hand. I would never get used to seeing things like that. I found it easy to forget that Esme was not human – her warmth and loving nature at odds with the obvious imperviousness of her skin as she deftly handled the hot tray and loaded the steaming muffins onto a cooling rack in front of us on my kitchen table.

A half howl-cough caught my attention at the same time Esme disappeared from the sink and reappeared at Rose's side by the door. They both stood facing the door with unreadable expressions on their face. I jumped as Sue's hand gripped my forearm and the back door opened to reveal Leah striding through it, not even acknowledging the two vampires standing guard there.

A huge grin appeared on her face as she looked at her mother and I was able to breathe again.

"Charlie is ok – he seems to have some kick-ass power and a bit of an attitude, but he has fed, and they are all returning to the Cullen house."

No sooner had the words left her mouth, than Esme's phone chirped and was answered quickly. She spoke softly, watching me the whole time. I heard her say "certainly" and the next thing I knew the phone was on the table with Edward's voice coming through clearly on speakerphone.

"Bella, Sue, can you hear me?"

"Yes" we answered in tandem.

"Firstly, Charlie is well. His change has been absolutely successful and he is perfectly fine."

A high-pitched squeal and laughter could be heard in the background followed by a resounding crash, the sound of a scuffle, cursing and more laughter. I was instantly terrified.

"Edward, what happened, is everyone alright?"

"Yes Bella, everyone is fine although Emmett's pride and Esme's garden furniture have taken a bit of a hit."

I could see Rosalie's eye roll a split second before she murmured "Idiot".

"Why, what happened?" Sue was obviously concerned as she voiced the question that had been on my lips a second before.

"It's Emmett, Sue. He can't help himself – the idea of a vampire as strong as him brings out his competitive side and Charlie was intrigued with the idea of a wrestling match. Obviously , Emmett didn't win." Edward commented dryly.

Laughter rang out on both sides of the phone conversation and it felt good for the tension to be relieved a little.

"So what happens now?" was the next question Sue voiced, once again echoing my thoughts. Everyone in the room waited expectantly for Edwards' answer.

"Well, Alice seems positive that it will be safe for you both…." he paused, unsure of how to go on and I remembered what Leah had said as she came in the door.

"Edward", I asked "what is this power that dad seems to have? Leah mentioned it when she arrived."

We all looked at Leah and she spoke up "Ok, I'll leave that one up to you to explain blood… Edward". She had the good grace to look sheepish as she caught herself using that term in front of me. It surprised me a bit but I had other things on my mind.

"What is it Edward, what happened?"

"We don't know for sure yet, but it seems that Charlie has the ability to move things with his mind. By things, I mean people - so far at least. We haven't yet tried anything else. Emmett has volunteered to help in any way he can and he and Charlie are just having some fun at the moment." As he said this we heard a resounding "oomph" followed by more laughter, which, by the smile on Rosalie's face I understood to mean that the noise was Emmett, having the time of his life.

"Hang on Bella," I heard Edward say and realized he was talking to someone, Alice, I think on his end. "That could work actually, good idea …" we could hear over the phone.

Leah must have heard more than Sue or I could because with a quick "I'll be right back" and squeeze of her mother's shoulder she was out the door and into the forest behind the house. I assumed she had gone to phase so she could see for herself what was going on.

"Alright, what we are going to do is take Charlie into the house. Bella, you and Sue were there recently and your scent will have lingered in the rooms. Alice is suggesting a test run of sorts, which she assures us will be successful and then after that, having Jacob in closer proximity to Charlie to see if his reaction to the wolves scent is the same as ours. That test Alice is a little less sure of, but I promise you both we will all be right there to step in if there are any problems."

Sue looked worried, and her concern was clear when she turned to Esme.

"Esme – what if he can't control himself and looses it in your house? God knows what damage he could do!

Rosalie smiled and Esme shook her head "It's alright Sue, I'm sure he will be fine, Alice has seen it! Besides, he couldn't possibly do any more damage than Emmett and Jasper have over the years – and we still let them back in the house."

Leah returned then looking less than happy, I'm guessing because of Jacob being used as a crash test dummy of sorts.

"What does he think he is doing?" She said. "It's better if I do it – Charlie might pause a little if it is me! This is just male macho crap!"

"Leah" Sue said "We have to trust in Sam and Jacob and what they think is best. Charlie loves both of you, but even he would be the first to volunteer Jacob or one of the other men before he would put you in danger. I realize that goes against the grain with you, but that's just the way it is. Deal with it! We all have to deal with things we are not happy with at the moment."

The room was silent for a moment, everyone feeling for Sue and the horrible position she was in. I could see a hint of a smile on Rose's lips and briefly wondered what that was about, but Edward spoke on speakerphone and broke the silence as Leah stormed off out the back door.

"Alright, we are going ahead with the first part of the test now. I will call you back shortly."

EPOV

I made a concentrated effort to push the inner voice of everyone around me into the background as I hung up the phone. Charlie's thoughts were the most important and I needed to keep focused on them. It wasn't easy.

I could see Alice's vision playing out over again as someone – probably Emmett was deciding to make things more interesting by bringing some of Bella's dirty laundry into the living room. It didn't change the outcome, but Charlie's need to be with Bella and Sue would increase and cause him physical pain with a marked increase in the strength of their scent around him.

"Don't Emmett! Don't even consider it!" Alice spoke tersely to our brother.

"Did you see that Edward? It's not the need to feed that is going to hurt him. He needs the proximity of his loved ones!"

I nodded, "Ok. Charlie – are you ready for this?"

"Yep, lets do it" He replied and started walking toward the house.

Carlisle and I went in in front of him with Jasper and Emmett behind him. Alice came in last with a huge smile plastered on her face.

Bella's scent filled my mind immediately, along with Sue's and many others. There is not a chance it wouldn't affect Charlie in some manner. We all watched as he took in a deep breath and a tortured smile formed on his face.

"Wow. Is this what humans smell like?"

"It's what Bella and Sue smell like, Charlie." Carlisle said. "How are you feeling right now?"

Many different emotions were visible on Charlie's face. His mind was in overdrive. Memories of Bella – her voice during his change, blurry images of her growing up and clearer ones of her more recently were flashing through his mind. Sue, Seth and Leah after Harry's death were there also and then Sue, her smiling face flushed with happiness as he kissed her. He was becoming overwhelmed with the love he felt for these people and having a hard time accepting the fact that the wonderful scent surrounding him was that of those exact same people.

"It's ok, Charlie. It is perfectly normal for the scent to be appealing to you. " Carlisle said "You are doing extremely well, I " he was interrupted by Charlie.

"Extremely well!" he yelled, "You've got to be kidding me! They smell delicious! My daughter and my soon to be wife smell good enough to eat … literally! And you say I'm doing well….!"

"Yes Charlie. Exactly!" I stopped him before he could upset himself further. "Look at yourself. You are standing here thinking about how horrified you are that people you love smell wonderful. You are not tearing the place up, trying to find the source of the scent. You are thinking! That is far more than any newborn should be able to achieve. This is amazing control."

Charlie's eyes took in the entire room, yet he never moved a muscle. He surveyed everyone in the room and his gaze finally stopped on Emmett and Jasper.

Jasper smiled at him and we all felt the calming waves he began sending out.

"Charlie, this is far more control than I have ever seen in a newborn. And that is saying something because I have seen more than my fair share of them."

"Oh jeez Charlie" Emmett whined. "I was looking forward to having to take you out in here and maybe smashing some furniture. Esme couldn't be angry with me then. You are spoiling all my fun!"

CHARLIE POV

The wonderful scent enveloped me. I felt like I could take a swim in it, it was that thick around me in the room. I was horrified to think of the fact that my little girl could smell so wonderfully appetizing to me. Ever since I had become free from the unseen force that bound me during my change, my senses had been bombarded with multitudes of stimuli that were new to me. I was simultaneously aware of every nuance in the sounds, sights and scents all around me. Incredibly, I was automatically able to determine which tree a squirrel was scurrying up while at the same time hearing the heartbeat of another animal retreating in fear from what I could only assume was the presence of us out in the forest. I don't understand how my brain was able to process all of this, but at the same time I just knew, exactly what was happening all around me.

Now I was painfully aware of five pair of amber eyes and another six wolves in close proximity to the house all staring at me, waiting to see what I would do next.

"Sorry to spoil your fun Emmett. The scent is incredible. For some reason I keep on thinking about the feeling I used to get when I walked into Fran's Bakery here in town. That wonderful smell of fresh baked and still warm bread, but this is people I love that I can smell. There is no way I want to harm them, the same as I couldn't just eat every loaf of bread in that bakery. I have to have restraint. I will have it."

The smile that lit up Carlisle's face was mirrored on everyone's in the room. I was still anxious, but the edge on that anxiety was becoming blurred. It didn't feel right at all. I wondered if there was something wrong with me.

"Ok Jasper, knock it off with the calming will you? Otherwise, Charlie may just surprise us further and be the first vampire to fall asleep!" Edward said, which shocked me but then I remembered Carlisle talking to me and telling me during my change about the aspects of my new life I would have to become accustomed too.

"Huh, I guess I won't be falling asleep in front of the TV anymore eh? Great, at least I won't miss the end of any more games!"

Alice laughed – what a wonderful sound that is, and I flinched slightly as she launched herself at me with a hug in what should have been a rib breaking force.

"Charlie, there are so many new experiences you will have, we are going to have so much fun!"

As Alice disengaged herself Carlisle came over to me and clapped his hand on my shoulder.

"Charlie, I know I keep repeating this question, but, how do you feel?"

I shrugged "I'm ok, I think. The scent is still there, but if I don't concentrate on it, it fades into the background, sort of like the burn in my throat. It's there, but it is not overwhelming. I am pretty sure I can handle not needing to rip anything apart in here. It is just a matter of deciding not to I guess, although I am not sure how I will go around the actual source of the scent, but once again I just have this feeling that I don't want to lose control, so I'm not going to. It is the same as when the fire was eating me alive and I didn't want to feel it any more. I just have to do what ever it takes to make it stop. And I will, I am sure of it. Does that make sense?"

"No." Said Emmett in his usual diplomatic manner. "You shouldn't be able to just decide you don't want to do something. We should have to be holding you back to keep you from messing up the place! "

EPOV

Carlisle gave Emmett what could only be called a filthy look. "Charlie, what Emmett means is that while we understand what you are saying, your control is not the usual behavior of a newborn vampire that is only hours old. It is truly remarkable, but as Alice seems confident and your demeanor is as it is, I think we can call this little test a success! Do you think you feel up to trying the next phase? Shall we test your control with Jacob?"

"That depends, what were you talking about just before with Jasper and the calming waves? Is that what you were talking about earlier Jasper when you said something about abilities?" Charlie asked, and then cringed as he remembered I could read minds. He looked directly at Jasper for an answer.

"Yes Charlie. Carlisle was referring to the fact that along with Edward's mind reading, I also have an extra "ability" if you will. I am able to experience the emotions of both humans and vampires, as well as being able to influence them. I am able to calm groups of people down or excite them if needed. Any emotion you can feel, I can too. I can project it out around the room or manipulate it, if the situation requires it. Earlier, I thought a little calming was in order. I am sorry if that offends you, but I will do anything I think is needed to keep those around us safe."

"Well, that's just fine Jasper. That's one handy talent you have there. Feel free to help me out if you think I'm losing it – I don't have a problem with that at all." He paused as he looked out the huge window in front of us.

"So, I'm ready for the next phase if Jacob is. He didn't smell appealing at all back in the woods earlier, so I don't think it will be a problem now. The sooner we sort this out, the sooner I can see Bella and Sue, right? Do you really think it is a good idea to see them so soon though? I am conflicted, I feel like I'm missing something, like there is a need in me to be with them, but I don't want to put them in danger."

"Charlie listen to me," Alice stood in front of him, demanding his attention "you've heard about Jasper and Edward right? Well I have a little talent too! I can see things that will happen in the future. I get visions. They are not set in stone, rather they are possible outcomes of any given person's decisions, but they are usually very accurate. Right now, I can see that you are determined to have a future that includes Bella and Sue and your determination is what is going to enable this to happen. Talents are exceptions rather than the rule with vampires and we are an extremely rare coven, to have the talents here that we do. Having said that, I believe you have a talent also. I don't know what it is yet exactly, but you do have an extraordinary determination to be in control, as we are seeing right now. I think that your will is enough to enable you to be around your loved ones. I have seen it – they will be here with us before the day is over. It is going to be amazing! Now come on, lets get phase two happening so we can all be reunited again!"

Jacob and the rest of the pack could obviously hear our conversation and they had all moved in to the drive outside the front door.

We walked to the door in the same formation we entered, flanking Charlie front and rear. We need not have bothered though; as soon as the door opened the stench of the wolves was apparent even though both Sam and Jacob were in human form. Charlie recoiled in what I considered an overly dramatic grimace. He was being obvious about how their scent had the opposite effect on him to the one we feared.

"I said it before, I'll say it again. What the hell Jacob, have you not had a shower in a year or something? Have you boys always smelt this bad?"

Emmett guffawed, and Carlisle smiled. "Yes Charlie, they have a particular odor about them don't they? I believe it is an inbuilt defense mechanism between our species – we smell as revolting to them as they do to us. It is not something you would have noticed as a human though. So, am I correct in assuming they are not in the least bit appetizing to you?"

"Not in the least. I didn't find them appealing in the woods, so why would you assume I would here?"

"We suspected that was the case, but Jacob was not in as close proximity there as he is here, and to be fair, you had just woken as a newborn vampire. Your senses were overwhelmed, now you have had a little time to acclimatize and we had to be sure you were able to be in close proximity, hence this test."

As if to demonstrate the point Jacob took a step closer to Charlie. "Is it ok to come this close? Can you shake my hand Charlie?"

Charlie didn't hesitate; he took Jacob's hand and shook it firmly, then without warning pulled him into a hug. It was heartwarming to see, although Jacob had to pull back and remind Charlie of his strength. There was definite moisture in his eyes, although he wiped at his face and made a big deal about Charlie's stench in an effort to hide it. I think there would have been tears in Charlie's eyes too if he was able.

"Alright!" Emmett voice broke the awkward silence. "Now the real fun begins! Can we call the others and tell them to come home?"

"I don't know, Alice, what do you think?" Carlisle said.

"I can't really see at the moment, the visions with Charlie and very strange, like I'm looking through a muddy window. I can see Bella and Sue here though and they are happy. It is later on today – I can tell because the breakfast Esme had half made for them is still on the stove in the kitchen. I think as long as we are careful, it will be ok. Charlie is going to be an amazingly gifted vampire, with control to rival yours Carlisle. I think we should go ahead."

I could see the vision as clearly as Alice, and I knew how desperately Bella and Sue would want to see for themselves how well Charlie has survived, but I couldn't help be nervous about what was to come today. I would not allow Bella to be in harms way, but I couldn't deny her the opportunity to be with her father again. I opened my phone and made the call.

A/N: The next chapter is half written and all worked out here in my head. I won't make a promise as to when it will be up. I will only say that I will try to have it within two weeks and that to hear some opinions would really help the process. Thanks for reading.