Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight.

Chapter 25: The Truth

Charlie didn't want to play the vampire game but he doubted that the Cullens have much to do with the other 'vampires' in the game. Some people needed to stop taking live action role playing games too seriously. Somehow, the other players in the game had stunts in place to throw him around. They might have even had trick walls in place, fake fangs, and magic trick in place.

The game had to been something that they played often with few new players. They must have thought he would have been briefed on the rules of the game so that he would not get hurt. Charlie rationalized the situation down to every last detail. Sure, the stunts hurt but they could have cause him his life. Why hadn't they done just that? His answer had much more to do with trick props then actual stone and brick to land on. Any wood must have been marked. Why had he not looked where he landed?

Feeling so much like a tool, Charlie knew that the kids must have planned out everything for that weekend. Bella must have wanted him to play. She didn't spend time with him fishing the week before. That must have been her way of doing something as father and daughter. It could be sort of like a paint ball tournament. The paint ball things hurt but the burses wore off. The fangs did hurt a little but he didn't think that anyone was able to brief him on getting caught by the enemy.

That had to be it. Charlie laughed to himself. "This game is not for me." He walked over to Bella. "I don't understand this live action games of yours. I never spend this much time into playing games as a boy."

Bella knew that all that was not a game. Humans always rationalized the existence of vampires. "We are not playing a game."

Charlie pointed at her then winked. "You rally had me going there little girl. I didn't see all the trick walls put in. This game must take forever to plan. I will play but in the future give your old father a head's up." He laughed at her. "So, I see you have taken a liking to one of the Cullen's boys. Jasper is it?"

"You noticed."

"Yes, they always seem to be nice young men. I thought you might go for a more dangerous type. You proved me wrong." Charlie laughed, "I will play for today. No more stunts. I am not as young as I use to be. Tell your friends, too."

"Ok, dad." Bella wanted to bang her head on the wall. She knew she was not getting through to him.

Charlie went over to those 'kids' sitting on the couch.

Bella watched as he talked to them about clues in the game as she heard a knock on the door. The door was answered by the oldest Cullens. But, who was behind the door was not to be expected.

Jane stood there in the doorway starring right passed the oldest Cullens right at Bella. "Bella it seems we should talk back at our home."

"I am not going anywhere." Bella answered.

"Aren't you? I can't allow you to stay with Jasper."

"He is my lifemate. I will not allow anyone to tell me that I must leave him."

Heidi shook her head. "Marcus will not allow you to have a lifemate. He is the one that had your memories of Jasper removed. Remember long ago? We fished and you decided to throw real fish at the newborns? Jasper chased you after that had happened. I know you don't remember the month to pass. You brought him back with you. I told you not to but you would not have it. The both of you where too happy to listen to me."

Demetri nodded, "You even started to sing. I had never heard you sing before nor since that time. They will not let you remember until Marcus has his lifemate. That is what they told you."

"But, I remember a scent. That was Jasper. I know it, now. I will not let myself forget him." Bella told them.

"Then, find Marcus's lifemate. He will give you your memories back." Jane held Bella's hand. "This is the way things are supposed to be Bella."

"I can't keep searching. He is my other half." Bella told Jane.

"I would be saying the same, Bella. You know it is true. You have been my dear friend for years. I have seen something missing in you. Didn't you ever wonder why you searched so diligently to find Marcus a mate?"

"I thought he was opening up to me. Trying to be my friend. He was lonely for a mate and wanted to reach out for support."

"Bella. Have they ever done that?" Jane let go of her hand.

"No. It hurts that they would do that to me. I had so much and they took it all away."

Jane walked up to her, clung to her. "If this is what you want, my dear friend, I will stay with you to protect your union." She let go than turned to her friends. "You two must return. Tell the council what happened here. I am staying."

Demetri shook his head. "No. I will stay. We will stay with you."

Bella wanted to tell them all to go but she knew they would not leave her side.