Chapter Fifty Nine

Jake

Charlie came to the Res to speak with Harry and Billy after he got back from Bella's and he wasn't a happy man. I guess like any father he hated the idea of his daughter living with someone, especially when that someone was a vampire! The Quileute elders called a special meeting about it because Charlie had told them she wanted to be changed and that meant a vampire biting a human. He wasn't one of the Cullens we had the treaty with, but they were hoping Carlisle might intervene under the circumstances. I could have told them he wouldn't in the same way he wouldn't intervene between Alice and myself. He just said it had happened and we had to work around it. Alice was busy arranging our wedding although only Billy agreed to come to the Cullen house for it. The other members of the pack weren't even talking to me and even Sam who I thought might understand was being very cool, it was going to be very interesting all round.

Charlie

After hearing from Bella about the wedding plans I went back to Billy and Harry again with the news which made me feel a whole lot better. That is until I told them about it. Then things started to get heated.

"Charlie we can't allow your daughter to be bitten by a vampire, we have a treaty with the Cullens"

"He's not a Cullen Billy".

"True but Bella is one of us and as such she merits the same amount of protection we would give to any of our people".

"Look Billy, Bella is old enough to make up her own mind. Now I'm not over the moon by her choice but its obvious he loves her and she loves him. What they decide to do as Man and Wife is down to them".

"No Charlie. It doesn't work like that. You can't just accept your daughter becoming one of them, you want her to become one of the damned?"

"No but what can I do? It's what she wants".

"She's too young to understand the significance of what she's doing and once done it can never be undone. We will act to stop it Charlie"

"Then I'll just have to stop you, because its none of your business. I only told you so you'd know she was OK".

"But she's not and we can't let you warn them so you'll have to stay here as our guest for a few days".

"You can't hold me prisoner here. I have work...".

"Sorry Charlie you leave us no option".

He nodded and Harry opened the door, standing outside were three of the Quileute boys, Embry, Quil and Paul.

"Take Charlie to the cabin we set up for him and keep him there. Remember he's a guest not a prisoner and treat him accordingly".

He turned back to me

"Sorry Charlie. I just hope when it's all over you will appreciate what we are doing".

Billy

We had several problems now, Jake could not be told about Charlie's imprisonment because we had no idea how he would react to the news. If Carlisle found out he would be likely to get word to Bella and that might bring the leeches down on the Reservation. If the station found out he was being held here the tribal elders might be arrested, and Bella would be sure to contact Charlie again, and if she couldn't she'd be worried and they might come looking for him. The most important thing was to keep the leeches away from the reservation.

"Harry what do we do about Charlie's work?"

"You ring him in sick. Tell them he's got food poisoning and the doctor told him to stay put until he's feeling better. There's no one at home to nurse him and Emily is doing it. That should keep them quiet for a few days, they know you two are close friends".

"One problem solved, what about Jake?"

"He's not here much anyway now he and Alice Cullen are a couple so I think we can keep it from him. Sam and the others aren't exactly friendly towards him either so that's another potential problem solved".

"Bella?"

"We can use the same excuse as work. You could ring her on his behalf and tell her he's ill. I don't think she'd be suspicious of that, do you?"

"It might work for a few days but what are we going to do about Bella and The Major? Ask our brother tribe there for help?""

"No, we're not involving any outsiders. Its our problem and our boys will sort it out. I wonder if Jake might help us here, without knowing he's doing it of course. We just need him to lure her away from the others for long enough to snatch her. Do you think he would try to speak to her alone on our behalf if we asked him?"

"He might, I can try but who would you send down there to get her?"

"I think Sam, Paul, Seth and Leah should be enough".

"Leah?"

"Yes, she hates the leeches and she's a female to accompany Bella on the trip back. Once we get her on the reservation she'll be safe from The Major."

"You think so? He has no treaty with us".

"No but he'd think twice about attacking with the Cullens so close".

"Maybe".

Jake

When Billy rang me and said Harry wanted to discuss something I thought it was going to be another talk about associating with the Cullens but I agreed just to keep the peace. Alice was going to London for a few days for a dress fitting or something so it was an ideal opportunity for me to try and mend a few fences. I didn't bother to tell her because she wouldn't be happy and she was at the moment, I didn't want to spoil it for her. I told Carlisle just so someone knew where I was in case Alice phoned to speak to me. I dropped her off at the airport feeling a wrench once she was out of sight, I really was crazy about that girl. Then I collected the truck and drove straight to the Reservation.

Harry was already at Billy's when I arrived and they both looked very concerned.

"Jake you know Bella plans on marrying Jasper Whitlock?"

I nodded, "Yeah, it's no secret, they're in love, he wouldn't be my choice for her but then Alice isn't a first choice for me as far as you see it either".

Harry looked at Billy who continued,

"Jake we want you to do something for us. We'd like you to go back and speak to Bella. Try to get her to change her mind about being changed, if not the wedding".

"She wont listen to me, it wouldn't be any use sending me".

"We'd feel better if you did. Charlie has food poisoning or he'd do it himself, but he asked me if I'd persuade you to at least try".

"Charlies sick? He wanted me to talk to her?"

They both nodded and I thought about it,

"OK, Alice is away and I'm at a loose end but I can tell you it wont do any good. Bella knows what she wants".

"We'd like you to speak to her alone. Away from the others just so we know it is entirely her decision, not theirs"

"Its hers. I can tell you that".

"But have you spoken to her away from them?"

"Well no but..."

"Would you? For us and Charlie?"

I agreed, it would be nice to talk to Bella alone in any case and the Res were paying for the flight which was a plus. I knew they were worried about Bella but she was pretty stubborn once she'd made up her mind about something and she'd certainly made her mind up about Jasper.