Chapter 40 - Charlie

"Bella"

I flicked through the pages of the Myths and Legends book.

Alice had definitely said page 33…

"Bella"

Page 33 fell open, as my eyes focused on the image before me.

A picture of an 18th century engraving of a werewolf…

"Bella"

My head shot up at the sound of Charlie's voice.

"Jeeze Bells, you really are engrossed in that book! Did you hear anything I have just said to you?"

I shook my head slightly; I hadn't even heard him call my name…

Jake was a werewolf? Or, as the text on the page displayed, a human with the ability to shapeshift into a wolf…

How on earth had he… become one?

"Earth to Planet Bella, is there anybody home?"

My eyes must have glazed over …

"Sorry, Dad. What were you saying?"

Charlie stood and cleared away his plate.

"I said, maybe you could invite Jake around to watch that DVD with us? The more the merrier, right?"

My eyes were back on the page… a human will transform when the moon is full….

Would there be a full moon tonight?

I closed my eyes as a vision of Jake entered my mind, sitting next to Charlie with a DVD in his hand as the moonlight filtered in through the open blind…

And then a howl…

That certainly didn't constitute as merriment…

Maybe I should invite Alice over too…

Me, Charlie, a werewolf and a vampire…

I started to laugh.

I couldn't help it.

"Okay Bella, what's so funny about me asking you to invite Jake over? Doesn't he like watching DVDs?"

I bit at my bottom lip.

Did werewolves like to watch DVDs? Maybe I should ask him? My only experience, after-all, was an old movie Renee had rented for me a while back, and I was pretty sure that wouldn't really explain everything to me.

Weren't the vulnerable to silver bullets?

"Bella, you are starting to scare me now".

I looked back up at Charlie.

I was losing it.

Completely losing it.

"Sorry dad, look – about Jake…"

Charlie sat back down.

"I wouldn't mind him coming here to watch a DVD, but he is just a friend, okay?"

Charlie smiled, "Yeah, for now… but you never know what's around the corner Bells. He's a decent kid, give him a chance?"

I swallowed hard.

Jake, well… Jake was a werewolf…

I suspected my dad would change his opinion a little if he knew that…

Then again, I was dating a vampire…

And I loved a vampire…

I swallowed again and looked back at Charlie.

I had to tell him.

Not that I was in love with a vampire, but I had to tell him about Alice…

Because, well…

"Dad, I am dating Alice"

Would go down a lot better than,

"Dad, I am dating a vampire"

I recalled the look on Alice's face when my dad had mentioned Jake.

She had seemed… hurt.

And I hated the thought of anything hurting her.

"Dad, look, there's something I need to talk to you about".

Charlie frowned, "Go on" he answered.

I bit my lip again and took a deep breath.

"Don't freak out on me, okay" I heard myself respond, as I took another deep breath.

"Bella, have you been taking an illegal substance"

Now it was my turn to frown.

"Drugs, Bella. Have you been taking them?"

I started to laugh again.

My dad thought I was on drugs….

"Bells, this isn't funny… look, we can get you help…"

I interrupted immediately, "Dad, relax. I am NOT on drugs, okay? Give me a little bit of credit here".

Charlie sighed, "Well, you can't blame me for assuming… you're acting… a little out of the ordinary, that's all".

Out of the ordinary.

My girlfriend and best friend both shared fangs…

Now that was out of the ordinary….

"I've just had a lot on my mind, that's all" I answered sharply.

Charlie moved so he was now seated on the chair beside me.

"Bella, whatever it is, you can tell me".

Okay Bella, here goes nothing…

"Okay Dad – it's about Jake…"

"Great kid" Charlie interrupted.

I shot him a pointed look, and Charlie immediately bit at his lip.

"Yes, dad. Jake is great" and he's a were wolf my mind echoed…

"But the truth is, there will never be anything beyond friendship between us, because… well… there's someone else".

Charlie whistled, "It's that Mike kid isn't it?"

I shook my head.

"Dad… I've been seeing… that is, I am seeing…. Alice".

I watched closely as Charlie's mouth opened, closed and the opened again.

It was rather comical.

Silence.

"Dad?"

More silence.

Okay, perhaps this wasn't going to go as well as I had hoped…

Finally, Charlie spoke.

"Alice… as in, Cullen… darted out of this kitchen moments ago?"

I nodded as Charlie closed his mouth again.

I shifted in my seat, "Look dad, I'm sorry if… if I have shocked you. It wasn't my intention; I just couldn't keep this from you. She is important to me, and so are you. I couldn't keep it a secret. I hope you understand".

Charlie frowned, and the raised an eyebrow, and the gulped.

"Alice is female" he replied, the look of shock still on his face.

I smiled then, because for the second time that afternoon I really couldn't help it.

"Yeah, I kinda realised that" I heard myself reply.

Charlie stood and walked to the sink. I watched as he turned on the tap and filled a glass with water. Taking three large gulps, he finally turned and looked at me.

And smiled.

"Well, Bella… I have to hand it to you… she's a looker"

I stood and walked over to him.

"You don't mind… I mean, I know it's a lot to process, but I… I care for her…"

Charlie took me by the shoulders and squeezed.

"Bells, I'd be lying if I said I could process all of this immediately, but the important thing is your honesty… and the fact that she clearly does make you happy"

He pulled me into an embrace.

Without realising, tears flooded down across my cheeks.

Tears of complete relief, and happiness.

Charlie moved back, "Have you told your mom?"

I shook my head.

"Dad, I can't…. not over email… maybe when I see her next…."

I expected Charlie to argue, instead he nodded.

"Okay. One more thing…. Just because she…. Is a she… obviously…."

I smiled, as Charlie swallowed and drew another breath,

"What I mean is, just because you are dating a female, it doesn't mean you don't need to be careful… or safe… with… things…"

I punched Charlie gently on the chest, "Dad, I don't need to talk about the birds and the bees"

Charlie sighed, "Okay, I'll take your word for that Bella, just promise me you will… take things slow, just… well, just be careful".

I nodded.

I was dating a vampire… careful didn't really come into it…

I was about to move away when Charlie caught my arm.

"I'd like to get to know Alice better, if that's okay with you?"

I smiled and nodded, it was more than okay with me.

"And one more thing… does… Jake knows?"

I nodded again.

Charlie smiled as he walked into the living room, "Poor kid, I think you've broken his heart".

As I walked upstairs, my thoughts were back on Jake. Slowly I removed my phone from my pocket, creating a new message I typed gently.

Jake… I know what you are.

We need to talk.