Chapter Fifty Nine

Charlie

Well I knew the score with the Cullens now and that between Jasper and Bella. He wouldn't be my first choice for her but then if the alternative was a giant wolf! Which brought me to my next call, the Quileute Reservation. I drove there straight from the Cullens although Carlisle had warned me that they'd know I'd been with them by the smell. I didn't get it, but their sense of smell must be a lot more sensitive than mine. To be honest I didn't give a shit what they thought, it was my turn to lay down the law.

As the cruiser pulled up outside Billy's the door opened and Jake came out to meet me.

"Charlie. How's Bella?"

I ignored the question, "Is Billy home?"

Jake nodded, "Harry's in there too."

I nodded and pushed past him into the cabin. Billy and Harry were sitting at the table, open cans of beer in front of them.

"Charlie, sit down. Jake get him a beer."

I put my hand up, "I don't think I'll be staying too long and I don't want a drink Billy."

Billy looked at Harry who shrugged.

"I've known you for years, we've been fishing buddies, we've sunk a fair few beers, your son played with my daughter and now I find out you are Werewolves. Why didn't you tell me years ago?"

"The Cullens only moved back a few years ago Charlie"

"And that makes a difference because? I asked.

"The boys didn't start changing until the Cullens came back."

"So its their fault?"

"Yes Charlie. No vampires, no wolves, as simple as that."

"Simple? There's nothing simple in this fucking mess. You should have told me."

I turned to Jake who was leaning against the wall, ankles crossed.

"As for you young man. You lied to me. You tried to blame Bella's accident on Jasper Hale and you put Bella in the hospital, you also broke her hand. You want to justify any of those actions?"

Jake was silent.

"Yeah, I didn't think so. You can't justify your actions because they were wrong, plain and simple. I want you at the Station first thing in the morning with you Billy. Bella has asked me to give you a formal warning about your behavior"

Jake interrupted me, "No chance, it's that leech pushing her."

I put a hand up and turned to Billy. "You're call as his father. He either turns up at the station 9 am, or I press charges on my daughters behalf."

Billy looked at Jake, "He'll be there"

Jake grumbled under his breath,

"Don't upset me any more Jake. I'm at the far end of my patience."

"You've been to the Cullens" Harry said.

"Yes. Bella's there"

"Not a very safe place for her Charlie"

"Oh really? Well so far her injuries have been mainly a result of Jakes actions. Now I'll tell you what I want. I want these wolves of yours looking for Edward and Alice Cullen. Use their wet noses to sniff out the scent of those two."

"The wolves only protect the Res and Forks"

"Not any more Harry. Either you help me and the Cullens to find those two or I'll start the hunting season by putting a bounty on wolves."

They looked at me angrily, "Charlie I don't appreciate your threats"

"Well guess what Harry, I don't appreciate your secrecy or Jakes behaviour. So are we clear?"

They nodded although Jake still looked at me with hatred in his eyes.

"If I don't see you in the morning Jake I'll come for you with an Arrest Warrant and I will hound you for the rest of your life, that includes random searches of the Reservation. Now I'm going. Goodnight"

I walked out still seething with anger. My whole life had just been proved a sham and that wasn't a nice feeling.

"Charlie" It was Jake,

"No more, Jake. Its Chief Swan to you."

"Chief Swan" he spat, "Bella will never be safe while she's with him"

"Well I disagree Jake and that's all that matters. If you know what's good for you you'll stay away from Bella. That's a friendly warning but I'm quite happy to make it official if that's what you need."

I got in the cruiser and started back to my house before changing my mind, what the hell! I'd spent part of the evening with wolves, I might as well spend the rest with my daughter and the vampires.

Carlisle

I heard the cruiser from a long way off,

"Esme do we have a bed ready for Charlie? Only he's on his way back."

She flew upstairs to get a room ready for him as I went up to see how Bella was and let her know her father was coming back. I put my head round the door and I was glad I had. Bella was curled up on the bed Jasper by her side with his arms around her and her hand inside his shirt caressing his back. I coughed discreetly although Jasper already knew I was there. Bella jumped slightly and pulled her hand from under his shirt.

"I thought you might like to know that Charlie is on his way back. I think he might be staying tonight and I'm sure he'll want to pop in and see you before he crashes out".

Jasper rolled over and sat up, and the look on his face gave me hope, for the first time since I met him I saw a look of contentment and peace on his face. It was as if the cares of the world had been lifted from his shoulders. He was a young man in love.

Charlie

I guess I shouldn't have been surprised to see Carlisle waiting on the porch steps for me.

"Charlie. You decided to take us up on our offer. Welcome back, Esme is just making you some supper so I hope you are hungry".

I smiled, "If its anything like her dinner I'll make room."

He walked in with me, and sat at the table while I ate.

"How did it go?"

I sighed, "Well I made myself clear and I'm seeing Jake in the morning for a formal warning. It's hard to find out that the guys you've known your whole life have lied to you all along"

"I'm not sure lied is right Charlie. They just chose not to tell you."

"Works out the same to me Carlisle. By the way Esme if I stay here too long I won't get my gun belt done up. That was fantastic."

She smiled at me as she took the plates back to the kitchen.

"Would you like to see Bella? She's awake I think"

I went up to her room and as expected Jasper was sitting on the bed talking to her. She smiled when she saw me and I kissed her on the cheek.

"You're looking better Bells"

She nodded, "Great nurse" and she patted Jaspers cheek.

It all seemed so natural that I never thought about how touchy feely they were until I was getting ready for bed later. Jasper nodded his welcome then sat back and closed his eyes, it was as if he'd left the room. I told her that I was seeing Jake in the morning and she nodded,

"He needs a good talking to Dad. I'm sorry about Billy and Harry though. I didn't want you to lose your friends"

"Not your fault Bells. Anyway I'm a big boy now."

She took my hand and pulled me forward to kiss me on the cheek,

"I love you Dad"

"Love you too Bells. I'm tired so I think I'll see what the rooms are like in this establishment"

She smiled, "See you in the morning"

Esme came in then, "Right Charlie, let me show you to your room".