Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight.
Chapter 24: Play the Game
Charlie arrived outside the residence of the Cullen's with his new 'friends' behind him. "Now, you three will behave yourselves while I talk to my daughter."
"You're the boss." James informed him.
Victoria poked him in the arm. "You're making this worse."
"I am sorry. Victoria is just a product of a terrible upbringing," Laurent insisted only to receive a glare from Victoria. "We don't talk about it. It makes her angry."
"You're darn right it does." Victoria was about to smack him.
"Children, please. This is not the time to be arguing. Now, apologize."
"No." Victoria's pride was very much hurt by a newborn taking command of the three of them.
"We will talk about this later." Charlie turned, knocked on the door, then waited for the door to be answered.
They had to have seen them outside. Four people muddling around outside must have caused quite the stir.
Carlisle was there to answer the door as he just arrived back home from working long hours at the hospital. "Charlie? You're a vampire?"
Charlie shook his head. "You're playing the game, too? I can't believe a doctor is playing this vampire game." He turned to look at the three. Then, he turned back. "It seems that the three children that I brought here are playing the same game. May I see Bella?"
Bella walked over to door, noticed Charlie, and said, "You're a vampire?"
"I can't believe you are playing the game, too. I have something to tell you about this three."
Esme gave him a warm smile. "Do come in."
"Thank you, Mrs. Cullen."
"Don't mention it dear," Esme answered.
Charlie waved at his 'friends' to fallow him. As he did, he took a place on the couch. They took their places on the furniture as well. "Bella. I was surprised to see you playing such a childish game but I will not stand in the way of you playing it."
"What has happened to you?"
"Let me explain. It seems that these three tried to bully you by kidnapping me. They were very pleasant. I suspect they only wanted to get to you. However, there are other children who were impressively strong tied that them up, and attacked me. They might be coming to hurt you."
"Do you know why?"
"I think it has something to do with this vampire game. It is dangerous."
Bella did not know how to tell him that he was a vampire. He certainly was in denial. "Ah, dad. I wanted to introduce you to Jasper. He is a boy at my school. I wanted to tell you about him we are dating.
"I need to tell you about safe sex."
"Dad!" Why did he feel the need to talk about sex at all.
"No. I know you know how babies are born, Bella. I am not blind to the fact that these days' children will have sex in a relationship. I want you to be safe."
She put her hand over her face. "I know."
"I think that you should be on the pill. It is for your own safety. You are too young to have a child at your age."
In defeat she said, "Yes, father."
Victoria stared at them in disbelief. "I can't believe this. Everyone of us are vampires. We are not playing a game."
Rosalie grinned, "The poor dear must be homesick maybe she just needs a spot of tea."
"I most definably will not …" Victoria protested.
Charlie interrupted her. "You will act your age not some two year old whom needs a diaper change."
Victoria folded her arms in front of her chest. "I will but I will not like it."
"That a girl." Charlie patted her on the arm. Then, he gave a tentative smile as he talked to Carlisle. "I don't think they are bad children, just misguided. I would not wish to be a teenager ever again. It must be harder these days."
"So, you don't believe in vampires?" Carlisle asked him.
"You're playing the game, too?"
"I acknowledge my children's dreams. Is it so hard to play the game?" Carlisle had a much more laissez-faire attitude toward parenting.
Charlie wondered if being strict with Bella on such a silly issue would come back to bite him in the butt, later. If she wanted to role-play being a vampire, he should at least try to accommodate her. However, those children he brought with him took the game far too seriously. "I want to become closer to my daughter."
"Well there you go. Play the game if only to become closer to Bella. All is settled." Esme decided that everything had been worked-out. There was no more argument.