Chapter Sixty Eight

Charlotte

When Peter rang from the airport to tell me they were about to fly home I had to tell him Charlie was here, Jake had told him about Bella being kidnapped and he was ready to flame the lot of us. The fact she was alive and well and on her way home hadn't defused the situation much.

"I'm coming with you" he snapped when I told him I was going to pick them up the next morning at the airport.

"Charlie please calm down she's fine".

"Yeah till the next time! I should never have trusted Jasper."

"Hey, it was Jake who put her in danger not the Major and remember the Quileutes only let you go when they found out she'd been snatched by someone else instead"

"But the Volturi wouldn't be looking for her if not for your precious Major"

"Its about time you sorted out your priorities Charlie. Jake and his friends aren't always the good guys. In fact they're as dangerous as we are and they planned on kidnapping her too".

"Yeah but she would have been safe on the Res with them".

"You sure about that Charlie? Seen Emily haven't you?"

"What the hell has Emily got to do with anything? She got attacked by a bear, poor kid"

"Did she though? That was a story they put out to keep their secret intact".

"Secret?"

"The Quileute wolves are as dangerous as us".

"Wolves? What the hell are you talking about?"

"Jake and his friends change into giant wolves to protect the tribe from vampires Charlie, and Sam lost his temper when Emily was too close. He's responsible for those scars on her face, not a bear."

Charlie

Could she be telling me the truth? Wolves? Jake and his friends turn into wolves? I knew there was something going on in the Reservation, but werewolves? Was Forks really home to mythical creatures who lived among the humans?

"I don't know what you are talking about Charlotte"

"Sure you do Charlie. You just don't want to accept it. We aren't the only dangerous creatures in your world but we are the best at keeping Bella safe. The Major went to Volterra to save Bella, putting his own life on the line".

"Life? That's a laugh".

"Well it may be to you, but do you know anyone else who would walk into the lions den without a second thought to save your daughter and be able to come back out unscathed?"

I thought about that, I guess she had a point.

Charlotte

Charlie went to bed, he obviously wasn't worried about me attacking him although if he kept on running down The Major he might see just what I was capable of! Then the phone rang and I knew it wasn't going to be the guys, they were still in the air. I picked it up cautiously, praying it wasn't going to be Alice Cullen.

"Hello? Its Carlisle Cullen here"

"Oh Hi Carlisle., What can I do for you?"

"OH hello Charlotte. Is everything all right only I overheard Alice and Jake talking and I know Charlie has disappeared again".

"No its not. Jake tried to lure Bella out so the pack could kidnap her but the Volturi got there first"

"Bella is with the Volturi?"

"No Carlisle, not any longer, The Major went to fetch her back".

"And he got her out?"

"Yes and don't sound so surprised, its insulting".

"So where's Charlie now?"

"Upstairs asleep thank God. He's done nothing but bitch about The Major since he got here".

"And Bella?"

"Flying back now Carlisle, so I suggest you tell Jake to find a foxhole and stay in it".

"Esme and I would like to come for a visit. Alice tells us that Bella is getting married and we'd like very much to attend".

Oh I bet you would, I thought.

"I'll have to see what she says first, its her day and she doesn't want a fuss. Was that all Carlisle only I have a long drive soon and I need to hunt first".

"Yes I 'll ring in a couple of days."

Charlie

I was almost surprised when Charlotte woke me with a mug of coffee, I thought she might try to sneak out alone.

"I know what you were thinking Charlie but I don't work like that. The sooner you see Bella the sooner you'll stop bitching."

"Yeah well, I have a right to worry about my daughter and I still don't like the decision she's made"

"But its her life, her choice, so why don't you try seeing it like that. The Major is good for her, just try being less obnoxious for a while and you might see that side of him"

"Point taken Charlotte, I'll try."

She had a point, I should really try to get on with him or risk losing my daughter all together and I wouldn't do that.

At the airport she dropped me off at the terminal then went to park the car. It wasn't until I was alone that a thought struck me. I'd been in the company of a vampire alone for the past forty hours and I hadn't even thought about the possibility of danger, was I getting blasé about them? I had an idea how Bella managed it, especially as she was in love with one of them. When I saw Charlotte appear I smiled and her face reflected her confusion.

"You OK Charlie? Only you smiled at me then".

"Yes Charlotte I suddenly realized what an ass I was being"

"Only just realized? I could have told you that earlier."

"Yes well I deserve that. I hate to admit it but I think Jasper might be the best thing that's ever happened to Bella. She needs protecting and he's proved he can do that".

I would have said more but their flight was marked as landed and we went to wait for them in the arrivals hall.

Bella

Peter escorted me through the arrivals hall while Jazz picked up the suitcase we had suddenly acquired. I looked round for Charlotte and groaned when I saw her standing with Charlie. He smiled when he saw me and rushed over to hug me then my mouth dropped open as he shook Peter by the hand,

"I appreciate what you did for Bella" he said to a confused Peter.

"That's OK Charlie. All in a days work with Bella".

He nodded, "You never said a truer word. Where's Jasper?"

"Just getting the bags, he'll be here soon so just a word of warning Charlie, don't try his patience he's only just started to calm down".

Dad nodded "Understood" and he peered over the crowds looking for Jasper.

I looked at Charlotte enquiringly and she smiled and put her thumb up.

As I turned I saw Charlie striding over to Jasper and crossed my fingers though I knew Jazz would control his temper, at least in public. I was amazed when I saw Charlie take the case from Jazz and shake his hand., They paused and seemed to be talking quietly. Then Jazz nodded and they continued walking over to us, Jasper pulled me back into his embrace and I leaned into him, comfortable and calm.