A/N – I really must apologise for the delay in getting this to you all – I've explained why in my Profile (so I won't waffle on now!). Enjoy! And… well done to my chum brokenvoice who has finished her fanfic… check it out, you'll be glad you did! And please also check out Jezikial's story 'Rush' – yes, I am hooked!

Chapter 71 - Comprehension

"Well, hello!" Emmet almost gasped as he followed his small speech with a wolf whistle.

"Emmet dear, close your mouth" Esme asked, as she looked and me and smiled.

I returned the gesture as she then moved and took me in her arms.

"Oh Bella, I am so glad to see you up" she whispered in my ear, as her grip tightened on me. Esme had embraced me before, and her hold had always felt fixed in place, and a little tight, but now it felt… looser and definitely more comfortable. I felt my arms enfold around her more as she gave a small gasp. I immediately loosened my hold.

"I'm so sorry, Esme…" my voice trailed off as Esme shook her head.

"Bella, don't you dare apologise! I merely forgot… how strong you would be" she finished, before glancing at Alice.

So I was strong…

I also looked at Alice, who was smiling.

Had I hurt her during…

"Well, we'll soon see exactly how strong won't we Bells?" Emmet asked, with his usual goofy grin still intact.

He continued, "Please tell me Alice has asked you? About the arm wrestle I mean?" he continued, as a smile appeared on my lips.

I was about to reply when Esme sighed.

"Emmet Cullen, there are more important things in life than an arm wrestle! Bella will have questions…" her voice trailed off as Alice started to laugh. I watched as she placed a small hand on my shoulder.

"Oh, I think the most important question has already been addressed" she whispered as Emmet whistled again.

"I bet it has…" He almost laughed, as I shot a pointed look in his direction.

It really was a good job I could no longer blush…

"Where is Charlie?" I asked, hoping the question would throw Emmet from asking anymore follow up questions.

Emmet winked and threw himself down on the sofa, adding "I'm glad you're okay Bella, really. And seriously… you look… hot…" he finished, as he then turned to pick up his computer game console.

I smiled, "Not only am I going to beat you at the arm wrestle, Emmet, but I'm also going to beat you on that" I pointed to the game he was playing. Emmet grinned.

"Now that is a challenge I accept" he replied, as he then turned all of his attention to whatever game he was playing.

Esme pointed a slim finger towards the corridor. "Your father is with Carlisle, in the study. He also had questions, and I know Carlisle was most keen to clear up any… possible misunderstandings…"

Possible misunderstandings… as in… yes, we're vampires, no; we don't kill humans and drink their blood….

"How is he taking it all?" I asked, rather hesitantly, adding "I mean, I have seen him, when I first awoke, but I was a little… out of it then, I'm a little worried…"

Before I could continue, Jasper appeared, closely followed by Edward. I turned to face the pair of them.

Edward smiled, "Believe it or not, Bella, your father is taking things… rather well. I try not to… read… his thoughts, they are personal, but often it's difficult not to. He has so many questions; I hope Carlisle can clear them up for him"

I nodded, and stepped a little closer to Edward.

"What does he... think… about me, what happened to me?" I enquired, as Edward scrunched his brow a little.

"I felt relief" Jasper answered, as I turned to him.

Relief?

Jasper nodded, "I can sense your confusion, Bella. Allow me to explain, or try to. When we brought you here, and you were unconscious, all I could sense was fear, from your father, from Alice, from everyone. But as it became apparent to Charlie that you would live, I felt relief and alleviation surge through him, it was so powerful an emotion"

I nodded as Edward continued. "He was so very relieved and thankful that you were alive, all I could hear were the words thank you, thank you so much Alice, and I shall forever be in your debt for saving my daughter"

I felt Alice shift beside me, as I turned to look into her eyes.

"Thank you" I whispered, as she took my hand in hers.

"Your father will still have questions, but I believe he is showing unbelievable control and understanding Bella, now I know who you take after" Esme continued, as I reached out and placed my free hand on her shoulder.

"Thank you, Esme. Thank you all… I'm… still working a lot of things out, but I appreciate everything that you have done, for me and for Charlie. I shall never be able to repay you" I finished as Alice squeezed my hand.

"You have repaid us all by being part of this family" she whispered, as I smiled.

Then one thing struck me.

"Where is Rosalie?" I asked, as Emmet started to laugh.

I released my hand from Esme's shoulder and turned.

"Emmet?" I asked, as he finally turned.

"Let's just say she's decided to take a walk… a long walk…." He answered, a smirk appearing across his face.

"I don't understand" I enquired, as Edward also started to smile.

"Jake was here, about an hour ago Bella. He was waiting to see you… but you were…"

"Otherwise engaged" Emmet interrupted, as I found myself glaring at Emmet for the second time that day.

"Well… he waited, for a while, but then he had to go" Edward finished, as I shrugged my shoulders.

"What does this have to do with Rosalie?" I asked, as Jasper now started to laugh.

"Okay, what's the joke Jasper?" I asked, as Alice lent forward, clearly intrigued also.

Jasper stopped laughing, "Let's just say… they don't really… get on that well" he answered as Emmet started to laugh again.

"Boys, be nice about your sister" Esme interrupted before rolling her eyes and disappearing down the corridor, no doubt to get Carlisle and Charlie.

Edward smiled, "Rose can be… A hard customer at times" he answered, as Jasper and Emmet both nodded in agreement.

I turned to face Alice, who was now obviously trying to stifle a laugh.

"I feel bad for her" I answered, as all four of them started to laugh.

"Oh, don't, really" Emmet managed to reply, "she can hold her own, she just… didn't like the smell, or the fact that he kept calling her 'blondie'. She then referred to him at 'Mutt', which is when the argument really started and she told him to leave. Of course, he refused to, so she shoved him out of her way and went for a walk" he finished, wiping at his eyes.

Poor Rosalie…

"I actually think he respects her, though" Edward continued, "did you hear what he said once she had stormed out of the kitchen? 'Hell, that girl can seriously shove; I didn't expect it to hurt…'"

I smiled as Edward mimicked Jake.

"I suspect he won't mess around with any of the Cullen females now" Emmet replied, as he glanced at Alice, adding "remember that black eye… ouch…"

I felt myself smile as the door suddenly opened and a semi disgruntled Rosalie appeared.

"Please tell me that… hound… has gone?" she almost spat, as everyone started to laugh again.

"He's gone" I replied, as she turned her head and looked at me. And smiled.

"I see sleeping beauty has finally woken" she continued, as she crossed the room and embraced me as Esme had done.

Rosalie was hugging me… Rosalie… who would have thought it…

"That's quite a grip you have there Bella" she whispered in my ear, adding "Please, arm wrestle Emmet?"

She released me and took a step back.

"Okay, time for that arm wrestle" I heard myself reply, as another voice spoke.

"I'm afraid that is going to have to wait"

It was Carlisle.

I turned as he entered the room, followed by Charlie.

Silence.

I really, really didn't like silences, as I started to fidget.

Finally Charlie spoke, "Bells, would you mind… I mean, can we talk? Outside?" he asked his voice hesitant.

I immediately smiled, "Of course" I replied, turning quickly to face Alice, who nodded in silent agreement.

I followed Charlie outside, where he sat on the small brick wall that cut off part of the garden from the thick woodland behind it. I quickly sat beside him.

Silence.

Okay Bella, think. You're sat with your dad, and he knows what you are.

But where on earth do you start?

Before my mind could continue to throw questions at me, Charlie started to fidget next to me.

Definitely like father like daughter.

And then he finally broke the silence, as he turned to look at me.

"This is… kinda weird" he almost whispered, as I nodded.

That was one word, I could think of a hell of a lot more…

"Are you, okay Bells?" he asked gently, as I nodded again. Before I could answer, he continued, his voice a little more steady now.

"I mean, you sound like Bella, and you look like Bella…." his voice trailed off as he scrunched his face slightly, as if trying to decide what to say next. I waited for him to continue as he sighed.

"It is you in there, isn't it Bells? I guess that's all I am concerned about… you sound and look like my daughter… but is it my daughter in there" he finished, as he pointed his finger and tapped it on the side of his head.

"Dad, of course it's me, nothing has changed… not really…" now my voice trailed off.

Nothing has changed? Really Bella?

Okay, so perhaps some things had changed, but I was still me…

Charlie let out a deep breath that he must have been holding in, as he whispered "thank the lord", more to himself than to me, as his head fell down slightly, his eyes closed.

"Dad, I know this is difficult for you, but please believe me when I say, I will always be the Bella you knew and loved as a human, I am merely… something a little different now… but I am the same, I will always be the same, always…"

Charlie lifted his head, and without another word he was embracing me. I fell into his hold and closed my eyes.

After everything that had happened, I had felt a deep rooted fear that Charlie wouldn't understand, understand what had happened, understand what I had become… as he pulled me in closer, I realised how worried I had been, as the anxiety slowly evaporated around me.

You were worried he wouldn't be able to love you…

As if reading my mind, Charlie slowly ran his hand down my hair as he sighed again before releasing me. And the he said those four words that finally banished my distressing emotions once and for all.

"Bells, I love you" he murmured as I found myself now embracing him.

"I love you too dad, so very much" I replied as he brought his arms around me again. Without thinking I held him tighter.

"Err, Bella… can you…." He almost choked as I quickly released him.

"Oh god I am so sorry, my…" I stammered as Charlie raised his eyebrow, similar to how Alice always did.

"That's some hold you have there Bella, go easy on your old man eh?" he answered with a smile on his face.

I nodded as I bit at my lip.

"You certainly haven't lost your mannerisms" he commented as I cocked my head to one side.

I guess I hadn't…

"Though Carlisle tells me you've… gained… certain abilities" he continued as I nodded again.

"What else did Carlisle tell you?" I found myself asking, a little hesitantly.

Now Charlie bit at his lip. "Let's just say I asked for the PG 13 version, Bells. Anything more than that…"

I immediately nodded and took his hand in mine, giving it a reassuring squeeze… a gentle reassuring squeeze…

Slowly he continued. "He told me why your eyes were… red…" he almost whispered as I subconsciously felt myself blink.

Did I even need to blink?

"Now that… kinda freaked me out a little… but I'm starting to slowly understand" he continued as I lent in and gave him a small peck on the cheek.

"What was that for?" he asked, a little surprised.

"For being the best dad in the world" I replied, as I felt Charlie's grip tighten on mine.

"If I was that Bella, you would never have got shot… it's my fault… I should never have taken you to Billy's…" as his voice trailed off I noticed his eyes were starting to water.

"No, it's not your fault. Dad, please look at me" I pleaded, as Charlie wiped at his eyes with his free hand and then turned to face me again.

"We can't change what's happened" I continued, my voice calm and firm. "What happened is NOT your fault. The blame lies squarely with Reuben" I finished.

Reuben…

Did Charlie even know about Reuben?

"I'm going to find that psycho, and I'm going to…." Before Charlie could finish I interrupted immediately.

"No, he's too strong and powerful for a human to hunt down, I won't have you involved in this dad, and he's too dangerous. Besides, there is no jail cell that would hold him…"

Now Charlie interrupted, "Who said anything about a jail cell?" he replied calmly.

I shook my head, more vigorous this time.

"You know what he is, right?" I asked, as Charlie nodded slowly.

"Then you know this is not your fight" I finished as Charlie let out an exasperated sigh.

"He shot my daughter for Christ's sake! This IS my fight Bella… I won't be pushed aside…"

I took both his hands in mine and lent forward.

"Dad, Reuben has issues with the Cullen's, although we're not certain why. We will find him, and we will punish him, but I can't let you be a part of this, I can't lose you" I whispered, as Charlie slowly nodded.

More silence followed before Charlie spoke again.

"If he has issues with the Cullen's, why did he… shoot you Bella?" he gently asked, as I stifled a growl that was burning deep at the back of my throat.

Yes Bella, why did Reuben shoot you?

"I honestly don't know" I answered, "but it's all part of his little game… a game that will soon come to an end" I finished, almost hissing.

"Well, I want you to keep me informed, on everything. You may be… one of them now Bella, but I am still your father" Charlie continued firmly as I felt a small smile appear on my face.

Charlie continued, "Carlisle wants you to stay here for another week. Esme has offered me the spare room, but I think its best if I go home, too many questions will be asked if I don't" he finished, adding "But I'll come every night after work to see you, if… you want me to…"

If I wanted him to?

I smiled "Of course I want you to" I replied, punching him slightly on the shoulder.

Or so I thought…

I watched as Charlie winced, rubbing his shoulder.

"Dad, I am so sorry, I…."

Charlie shook his head.

"No, it's okay… I'll get used to it… Soon…" he finished, smiling, adding "Hey, maybe now you'll be able to pitch at baseball?"

I laughed as a thought suddenly occurred to me.

"What have you told the School about my absence so far?" I asked, as Charlie stood.

"Well, you know I don't like lying but someone I didn't think 'Bella has been shot, bitten by her girlfriend and is now a vampire' would sit too well with the Principal, so… I lied. He thinks you're visiting your mum, they all do"

He said it… he said vampire…

I smiled, adding "They?"

Charlie took my hand and helped me climb off the small wall. The truth was, I really didn't need the help, but I took it anyway.

"Angela stopped by with Eric, and Mike rang"

I nodded.

"He's still pretty keen on you I think" Charlie continued, adding "Though not as keen as that little ball of energy in there" as he motioned with his finger back to the house.

Alice…

"She stayed with me, when you were brought here. For days she never left your side. The second day you seemed to be hallucinating, tossing and turning… it looked like you had a fever. Carlisle tried to explain it to me, apparently it was the venom, rushing around your body, barricading itself throughout you…" his voice trailed off as I scrunched my brow.

"I don't remember that" I whispered, as Charlie gave a wry smile.

"I'm glad you don't Bells, you were screaming with agony, it ripped me up inside… but Alice? It seemed to destroy her. She kept repeating over and over again that it was her fault, her venom…. And then she turned and apologised. I'll never forget her words… 'I'm sorry Charlie, so very sorry… but I couldn't lose her…' so you see, I had to make her see that I could never lose you either"

I listened intently as we reached the door.

"What did you do?" I asked hesitantly as Charlie smiled.

"I told her I was glad she did what she did… that I could never lose my only daughter either… that by doing what she did, I now had two daughters…because that's how I see her Bella, I will never be able to repay her for saving your life"

And then the strangest thing happened.

I felt a tear run down my cheek.

Like Alice, I was a vampire.

Like Alice, I too could cry.

I left Charlie as he walked to his car; he had another shift at the station and was keen to check up on any recent "activities". We both knew what that meant; had Reuben been up to no good, again…

As I entered the kitchen I could hear Rosalie's raised voice.

"Ripped? How the hell did that happen?"

Ah… okay… looks like I was in a bit of trouble…

"She doesn't know her own strength" Alice replied, her voice almost indignant.

I stopped and found myself biting at my lip again. I really, really didn't want to get involved in this little dispute, even though I knew it was actually my fault they were even having this conversation…

And Rosalie, if I were totally honest, still kind of scared me… a little…

"Hiding Bella?" Jasper softy enquired as he appeared at my side.

"Guilty as charged" I whispered as he smiled at me.

"Would you like to escape for some fresh air?" he asked, as I heard Rosalie respond to Alice in the other room.

"But why on earth would she rip it off?"

Emmet started to laugh, and even though I couldn't see him, I could visualise his wacky smile and twinkling eyes.

"You really have to ask that question Rose?" he almost scoffed, as Edward then interrupted.

"Ah, so that's what happened…."

Alice huffed. Again, I couldn't see her, but I knew she was pouting.

"Edward Cullen, stop reading my thoughts" she almost hissed as I glanced at Jasper.

"That fresh air sounds like a perfect plan" I replied, as he smiled again and motioned towards the door.

Slowly we both left the confines of the kitchen as Rosalie's voice floated towards us.

"Well why didn't you just say so, its not the first time I've had my pyjamas ripped Alice, Emmet and I…."

Whatever she was about to say was lost on me as Jasper started to laugh. I had never really heard him laugh before, and I immediately liked the sound. Soft, almost melodious like Alice's, Jasper made me feel calm and content, although whether that was natural, or part of his gift remained to be seen.

"Welcome to the mad house Bella, it's a one way ticket" he replied, as we both walked past the wall I had sat on with Charlie, into the forest.

"Destination currently unknown" I replied with a smile on my face as he nodded in earnest.

He suddenly stopped and looked at me, his amber eyes gleaming.

Soon, Bella. Soon your eyes will look like that… soon…

"You really are amazing" he whispered, as I frowned.

"Err, thank you" I replied, still a little confused at his statement.

Jasper must have sensed my confusion as he smiled, his grin almost a lop sided one.

"I mean, your resolve… it really is like nothing I have ever seen in a new born before Bella. You seem…calm, and almost at peace with what you have become. I am actually rather envious…." His voice trailed off as I stepped a little closer to him.

"Envious?" I gently probed as he nodded.

"Carlisle would never have allowed you to talk to your father, alone, unless he had faith in you Bella. New born's are, by nature, over excited and fierce in their general approach to everyone, human or vampire. Frenzied and turbulent… everything you are not" he finished as I slowly began to understand.

"You still battle with those emotions" I replied softly as Jasper nodded again.

"I am afraid to say it is a daily battle for me, sometimes when I am near a human my thirst is almost a violent one, although I have never acted on it, not since I became part of our family"

Our family…

Steadily he continued, "I know the others sometimes find it hard to remain cool and composed when they are near humans, but they fight their inner demons, and they win… without them and their aid, I am not sure I would be able to fight mine"

I nodded again. I had always known it was harder for Jasper, but up until this moment I had never really known how hard.

He smiled, "I am extremely proud of you Bella, and please know, I am here for you if you ever have any questions although I suspect Alice had already answered those foremost in your mind"

Bram Stokers Dracula…

I started to laugh, "Well, yes, she has answered a few but thank you Jasper, I appreciated your offer and I am glad you have opened up to me about… your inner demon" I finished as he winked.

One day Jasper, you're going to seriously break a few hearts with that smile…

If you haven't done so already!

"It's nice to be able to talk to you, like this, alone" he answered as he motioned back to the house.

"Before, I don't think I could have… or at least, it would have been extremely difficult for me to be near you, alone"

I nodded; I understood what he meant perfectly.

"Welcome to the family Sis" he continued as he enveloped me in his embrace.

"I turn my back for one minute, and already you're moving in Jazz!"

Jasper released me as we both turned to see Alice standing, hands on her hips, a smile on her face.

Your timing, as usual, is prefect Alice…

Jasper started to laugh.

"Damn, you caught me" he laughed as he turned to face me.

"Thank you for listening Bella" he murmured as he glanced back at Alice.

"Now, did we determine exactly how Bella ripped Rosalie's pyjamas?" he asked with a wink.

Was I ever going to get away from that blasted question?