Chapter Fifty Two

Charlie

I sat by Bella's bed all night but she never moved. Eddy had volunteered to ring the Undertaker and tell him we wouldn't be able to attend the funeral but I'd send on the money if he gave me the bill. Eddy also arranged cover for me for the next week at least. I rang Billy and he promised to pass the message on to Harry. I knew they'd look after the house for me and visit too, they were good friends. Billy said he didn't know where Jake was but I had a feeling he might turn up here if he heard about the accident, and if he did I was even prepared to forget about his fight with Bella which resulted in her last hospital stay. The more I thought about my little girl and Jasper the more I knew I had to keep him away. I would never forgive him for what he'd done to her, getting her pregnant was a step to far, much to far.

Her doctor called in during the night to check the various monitors that were beeping and flashing.

"She won't be awake for some time Chief Swan I'm keeping her under because of the brain swelling, it hasn't got any worse so I'm hoping the operation we performed to relieve the pressure has worked. She'll have a nurse with her all the time so maybe you'd like to go home and get some rest. We'll ring you if there's any change but I'm not expecting anything to alter just yet. Do you have anyone else to come and sit with her? Her mother maybe?" I shook my head,

"No her mother is dead. In fact we were due to fly out later today for the funeral".

His face showed his awkwardness how he felt,

"I'm so sorry. What about her boyfriend?"

I stood up, the chair making a terrible scraping noise on the polished tiles.

"No way. I don't want him anywhere near her." He touched my shoulder.,

"I understand it's all been a terrible shock but now probably isn't the right time to send him away. Bella might want him when she regains consciousness"."

"No" I was adamant, "I don't want him here." He nodded,

"Very well. She's your daughter but I think you're making a mistake. I'll leave instructions at the reception that he not be allowed up."

"Thank you doctor. I think I'll go for a while and get things sorted out at work. I'll be back in a few hours."

Jasper

I heard what Charlie said to the doctor as I waited outside the I.C.U for a chance to see Bella. As he walked through the swing doors he saw me and stopped dead, staring at me angrily.

"What are you doing here? I told you I don't want you anywhere near my daughter."

There wasn't much I could say but I had to try,

"Please Chief Swan. I love Bella and she loves me. Don't stop me from seeing her."

He looked back through the window at his daughter laying still and pale in the bed, connected to wires and drips. Then he looked back to me,

"I told Bella I didn't like you and now I'm telling you. You are bad news boy and I want you to stay away. When Bella wakes up, if she asks for you then I'll rethink my decision but until then you keep away. Am I understood?"

I couldn't stay away whatever Charlie said. She was my mate and I had to be with her but more than that she was in danger and needed protection. Somehow we had to get Charlie to understand that.

"Chief Swan could I come over to your place with my father and talk to you please?"

His face hardened for a moment then he sighed.

"OK. I'll be home in a couple of hours but there's nothing you can say to change my mind." and he walked away, head bowed and shoulders slumped.

I went to see Carlisle who was just finishing up some reports.

"Did you speak to Charlie?" he asked as soon as I walked in.

"Yes but he won't let me in to see Bella and he's told the nurses not to let me in to see Bella. She's in danger Carlisle and I can't protect her from outside. I have to be with her, especially with Edward and Alice on the loose. He's agreed to meet us at his place in a couple of hours and I think were going to have top tell him at least a part of the truth. If he wont let me in with Bella there's a good chance she won't make it out alive." "Do you think they'll find a way in?"

"Why not? Alice will have seen Charlie's decision about me and it gives them a perfect opportunity to act." He nodded, "Very well but I don't like the thought of putting Charlie in danger and he will be if we tell him about ourselves." I nodded,

"I know but Bella is my main concern and I'm sure we can keep Charlie safe if we don't let anyone find out he knows." Carlisle put a fatherly hand on my shoulder,

"Jasper, Alice will know we've told him and if she wants to, she can tell the Volturi. It puts us all in danger. Are you sure about this? Once we start there's no going back."

I knew he was right but I had to keep Bella safe whatever the cost. I nodded, "I'm sure Carlisle."

Charlie

I had no idea what Jasper thought his father could say to change my mind. The boy was dangerous and although he wasn't responsible for Bella's accident a lot had happened to her since she met him. I didn't like him, never had, but I'd give him an opportunity before booting his pretty face out the door, and his father too if he started. Bella was my daughter and I'd look after her in my own way to the best of my ability. She'd gone off the rails getting pregnant but I wouldn't fail her again.

At the station I arranged cover for the next couple of weeks so I could spend the time with Bella. Eddy had contacted the Undertaker for me and he'd agreed to go ahead with the funeral, making a short speech telling everyone why we weren't there.

"Oh by the way Charlie, Harry and Billy called in to say they'd be at your house waiting for news. That was OK I guess?"

"Yeah thanks Eddy. I'm going home to get showered and changed before I go back to the hospital. Any news, I'll let you know."

As I drove home I had to smile, Billy and Harry were always there when trouble reared its ugly head, one reason I liked living here in Forks.

Sure enough Billy's truck was parked outside and the lights were on. AS I climbed the porch steps the door opened and Billy sat there,

"Hi Charlie. Hows Bella? Come in, Sue sent some hot food over for you."

I nodded and walked into the kitchen, "Thanks I appreciate it Billy, Harry"

I sat down as Harry pulled a hot plate from the oven and I realized just how hungry I was.

"This is good" I said between mouthfuls.

"And Bella?" Billy asked anxiously.

"She's bad, pretty bad. Got run over and dragged along a ways before being left. They operated to relieve pressure on her brain and the Doctors are hopeful. I'm going back soon."

I looked at the clock above the cooker

"Dr Cullen will be here soon,"

"Cullen? What's he coming here for?" It was Billy and his voice was hard.

"Look I know you don't like the Cullens but his son was dating Bella and he wants to talk to me."

Billy looked at Harry and nodded.

"Charlie I'm not sure you ought to be alone here with them." I sighed heavily,

"Harry I'm worried about Bella, I'm tired and I don't need your prejudiced bull shit right now. It's about time you eased up on the doctor. He's a good man and were damn lucky he wants to work here."

"Oh sure Charlie" Billy said sarcastically. "Charlie you have no idea what they are".

I'd had enough, "Hey just stop. What the hell do you mean I don't know what they are? What is it you know exactly Billy? I'm sick of all this cloak and" I stepped forward "dagger bull. Just spit it out or shut up."

The door bell went then and I stood up,

"Right. They're here so let's get this stupid feud out in the open." and I went to open the door to my visitors.