Disclaimer: Do not own Twilight or any of its wonderful characters.
Warning: Story contains disciplinary spanking, so if that's not your thing, then DON'T READ!
A/N: Thank you so much for all the lovely reviews, I'm glad you guys are enjoying this alternate version!
For those of you who think there aren't many changes, I assure you there have been and will be major changes. The word count for this story was 97,000 when the original was only around 31,000, so that should give you some idea of the amount of change.
Chapter 3: Nightly Ponderings
Carlisle's POV:
She called me Dad, I thought in surprise, and I grinned happily as my heart soared. No matter how many times I heard my children call me Dad or Pops, a part of my heart always glowed at the title. This was the first time Bella had ever called me that, but my grin quickly fell when I told myself she probably did not mean it. Bella was so exhausted she probably confused me with Charlie.
I frowned and then scolded myself for being upset at that thought. Charlie was her father, not me. It did not matter if I already viewed her as one of my children, because she really wasn't, at least not officially. Anyhow, I was sure she did not view me as a parent, and I would never presume to take the place of Charlie, even if I felt he—well, let's just say I felt he could be doing a better job. I once more scolded myself. It was not my place to judge how others raised their children, but I could not help but see the damage Charlie and Renee had unknowingly caused Bella.
I knew they both loved her, and I knew Bella loved them. However, from what I had gleaned from talks with Bella though, it was she who more or less took care of them rather than the other way around. The way she spoke of Renee, I mused in wonder, one would think Bella was the mother and Renee the daughter. I could tell that Bella had pretty much raised herself, and that she did not look to her parents for comfort or advice. Bella was a very private person and she had mentioned in passing once how she never confided in her parents for fear of worrying them. I cringed in guilt, noting that Bella's involvement with my family had most likely only caused further estrangement with her parents as she could not talk to them about anything that has happened recently even if she wanted to. This was one of the many reasons both Esme and I had taken in Bella as one of our own. We treated her as our daughter, offering all the love and support she could not receive from her human parents.
I heaved a quiet sigh as I stared down at the slumbering child. She had no idea the effect she had on our family. She had no idea how much she had changed things, and for the better. When she was here, there was a sense of rightness, of being whole.
The day I had first met her in the hospital after Edward had saved her, I knew she was the one. I knew she would be the one to bring light to my son's eyes, and I knew she would be the one to complete our family. Although my son had been stubborn and adamant that she was not the one for him, I could not help but disagree because I had felt an all too familiar draw to this human girl. It was a draw I had felt on five different occasions towards six different people: first with Esme, then Edward, Rosalie, Emmett, and finally with Alice and Jasper. This feeling had shown me who my family would be, and in that hospital it was telling me that Bella would one day join us, and that she would be Edward's mate.
I felt the draw even now, and it seemed to strengthen the more time I spent around her. Yes, Bella Swan would one day join my family, a feeling that brought me great joy, but also great sadness. I already loved Bella as a daughter, and I knew her turning was the best solution for all. It would be safer and more practical, not to mention that I would not have to fear Edward trying to get himself killed once Bella died. Our family would be complete, but I could not help but cringe at the fact that we would be taking Bella's life away from her, in a sense. She had a future, a possibility of growing old, having children, and having a life outside this family. Now, I did realize that Bella had love only for Edward, and that the possibility of her ever marrying or having children with another man were next to none, but we would still be taking that possibility away from her. Bella would only have us, her family. That was enough for me and every member of my family, but none of us had chosen this life for ourselves. Our family was enough for us because we were all each other had, and this was the closest we could get to a human existence.
I rubbed a weary hand over my face. Stop worrying about the future, old man, I chided myself. Try to focus on the here and now. Besides, everything will work out, it always has.
I heaved another quiet sigh before frowning as I heard the increased heartbeat of my daugh—no, Bella. I watched as her eyes scrunched up, her fists tightened, and she began to whimper. I quickly walked over and laid a hand on her shoulder before nearly jumping out of my skin when she gave a terrified scream. I quickly got over my surprise and tried to shake her awake, but when that did not work I sat down on the bed and pulled her into my arms, cradling her like an infant. She half screamed, half sobbed as she writhed in my arms.
"Nooo!" she wailed. "Let me go!"
"Bella!" I called. "Bella, sweetheart, it's Carlisle! I've got you, baby girl, and everything is alright, everything is alright," I whispered into her ears over and over. Too slowly for my liking she began to relax, her screams growing quieter before finally becoming sobs. I just tightened my hold at his point and rocked her gently in my arms.
"Oh C-Carlisle, I-I'm so s-s-sorry!" she cried to me once she had calmed down a bit.
"Hush, you silly child," I responded mildly, "you have nothing to apologize for." I held her in my arms for a while longer, whispering sweet nothings until her crying finally ceased. I fought back a smile when I watched as her face turned red from embarrassment and she practically jumped off my lap.
"I-I am so s" – she began to say and I sighed internally before I interjected.
"Isabella," I stated firmly, causing her to stare at me with wide eyes, "listen to me when I say you do not have to apologize or feel embarrassed ever for crying or needing comfort. Do you understand, sweetheart?" I asked in a more gentle voice as she was still staring at me with wide eyes.
"Yes, sir," she responded, immediately looking down at her lap. I repressed another sigh and resisted the urge to run a comforting hand through her unruly hair as it would most likely cause her more embarrassment.
"Were you having a nightmare?" I asked, and her eyes flicked up towards mine before she replied with a quiet, "Yes."
"Do you want to tell me about it?" I then questioned, but I knew before I finished the question that she would not. She visibly flinched and withdrew into herself as I asked the question, and then quickly shook her head as she responded, "No! I-I mean, no, I'm good, thank you."
She looked anything but 'good', and I longed to comfort her, but she already looked so uncomfortable that I held myself back. I thought of offering to stay, but I knew she would refuse. My child—no, not my child—sigh.
"Alright," I finally said, "I will let you get back to sleep." She just nodded her head and settled herself back under the covers as I got off the bed. I watched her sadly before saying good night and making my way towards the door. I heard her heart beat increase slightly as I walked away, and I turned back to look at her but her head was covered by the blanket. I watched her for a few seconds, but when she made no move to call out or look at me I shook my head and turned to leave once more. However, just as I was about to shut the door I heard her heart beat even more rapidly before I heard a very quiet, "Wait."
I immediately went back into my room to see Bella slowly lowering the covers from her head and staring at me with nervous eyes. I made my way over and gave her a kind smile as I sat on the edge of the bed.
"Yes Bella?" I pressed when she continued to just watch me with her beautiful brown eyes. She looked so adorable, and I had to fight the widening smile that was threatening to break out on my face.
"Um, well, I, well I was wondering if-if youcouldpleasestay," she mumbled rapidly before covering her head with the covers.
If I had not been a vampire, I probably would not have caught what she was trying to say. As it was, I responded with a warm, "Of course I can Bella," feeling immensely pleased. Bella responded by immediately lowering the covers and looking at me with shocked, yet grateful eyes.
"I, well, thank you. I know I'm being silly," she began to ramble, but I just held a finger to her lips.
"You do not have to thank me, and you are definitely not being silly. What did I just tell you, Bella? You do not have to be embarrassed about needing comfort," I told her sincerely. She looked at me with big eyes before nodding her head.
"Good," I replied, before saying with a grin, "Now, move over and make some room for this old guy." I was rewarded with a small giggle and a shy smile which caused my heart to soar. It really made me happy that Bella felt comfortable enough to ask me to stay. I hated to see Bella suffering because the father in me just screamed to me to comfort her, so her asking me to stay was incredibly gratifying.
As we settled in the bed, Bella laid her head right near my chest. I helped her get the blankets wrapped around her before tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. She gave me a sleepy smile before mumbling out a tired good night and promptly falling asleep.
I watched Bella sleep, feeling distinct amusement when she grabbed a fistful of my shirt and tried to bury her head in my chest. It seemed Bella was much less guarded when she was sleeping than when awake. I readjusted myself so Bella would be more comfortable, and pulled the blankets even closer so that she would not get too cold by my proximity.
As I lay here, the scent of alcohol hit me, and I wrinkled my nose at the smell. I frowned as my thoughts now turned to tonight's events, and the first thing that flashed through my mind was that Bella had lied to me. She had told me that she would be having a sleep over at Jessica's when in reality she had been at a college party in Port Angeles.
I had been home for roughly an hour when I had received a panicked call from Alice telling me that I had to go pick Bella up from her party immediately. I was confused by Alice's worry, but that quickly changed when she told me where Bella really was and what she was doing. Drinking, I thought with a baffled shake of my head. Bella was smart, and I knew she knew better than to go drinking, but she had obviously proved me wrong.
After I hung up with Alice I had immediately gotten into my car and headed towards Port Angeles before trying to call Bella, however her phone kept ringing and ringing before going to her voicemail every time. My irritation had increased at that point since I knew her phone was not turned off and that she was deliberately ignoring my calls. The irritation was quickly overcome by concern though, the more time passed and the more I thought of all the things that could be happening to Bella. Alcohol poisoning, ruffies, rape, and many other horrible thoughts raced through my mind until I got another call from Alice informing me that Bella had been arrested. Once more I had been stunned into silence. Bella arrested? That thought was as baffling as Bella drinking. Pushing my shock aside, I had quickly raced to Port Angeles Police Station in search of Bella.
When I arrived at the police station I knew right away Bella was here because I caught her scent. An officer approached me, and I was just about to speak to him when we both heard screaming and yelling. I immediately made my way towards the yells as I had recognized Bella's voice among them. When we had come upon the scene, unbelievable shock coursed through me for the umpteenth time that night.
Dear, sweet, caring Bella was being pulled off another girl and being dragged away. She fought against the cop holding her, and I could quickly tell this child was furious. Over what I did not know, but when she broke away from the cop and began to run towards the blond girl I quickly intervened, wrapping my arms around her and hauling her away kicking and screaming. I left the cops to deal with the other child as I did the best to rein in mine.
Shock continued to pump through my veins as I stared uncomprehendingly at the screaming girl in my arms. She was bucking and roaring in anger and frustration, and it was at that point that my parental instincts began to kick in. Bella was having a fit, so I would reel her in as I would any of my other children. Her absolute shock upon realizing I was the one holding her would have been amusing had she not gone into near panic afterwards. I wondered what might have caused it, but then I just chalked it up to one of the many questions I had about this night.
I frowned as I recalled her begging me not to leave her. Well, technically she begged me not to leave her at the prison, but I knew what she really meant. She was afraid I was going to abandon her there. It saddened and worried me that she felt I would do such a thing. I ran a hand through my hair, wondering why she would have felt that way. Questions, questions, and more questions.
As worried as I was, I also could not help the disappointment and irritation I felt towards Bella. She had been so reckless, and I hated to think it, but I believed she was lucky to have been arrested for I would hated to have seen what would have happened had she been at the party any longer. It was quite clear to me that Bella had been drinking large quantities, and from what I knew of her, this was obviously her first time.
I wanted nothing more at this moment than to wake Bella and demand an explanation before turning her over my knee, but I quickly shook my head of those thoughts. Bella needed her sleep, and as I had told myself many times tonight already, I was not Bella's father, so I had no right to punish her, no matter how much I felt she deserved it.
I gave a deep sigh, wondering how I should handle the situation. Should I at least scold her for what she had done, or should I say nothing? Should I tell Charlie, and if so, how would he deal with this situation? Should I trust that he would impress upon Bella the seriousness of what she had done? Or, should I just punish the child as I saw fit? She would officially be my daughter one day, so perhaps now would be the right time to show her how I dealt with misbehavior. Should I ask Bella to choose between Charlie and me?
I pinched the bridge of my nose as all these questions raced through my head. Well, whatever choice I made, I had better make it quick as I can see the sun beginning to rise.
A/N: I know, really short chapter, but it felt like the right place to end it. Console yourselves with the fact that this is the shortest chapter of the story. Anyhow, what did you think? This chapter it was Carlisle's turn to consider his relationship with Bella, and as you can see, he like Bella is quite unsure of how she views him.