Chapter Twenty Three

Bella

We had discussed me seeing Charlie at length before deciding that it would be better if he came to Italy to visit me. I wasn't confident enough to be around humans en masse yet although I'd been into town a few times without too much difficulty, but there was space around me. Without Jasper I think I would have found it much harder. I was looking forward to seeing my Dad and I knew he was worried about me. Once he saw how happy I was with Jasper I knew it would ease his worries to a large extent. Peter offered to pick Charlie up at the airport with Charlotte and I made sure he knew the drill, no remarks about Jazz and I, no human jokes, just be polite and friendly.

"I always am, it's just that people seem to take what I say the wrong way. Fuck, you talk to me like I'm a ticking time bomb"

"Well baby, sometimes it feels that way"

"You too Char? A man never gets a break"

"Peter, you upset my Dad before he gets here and I will personally give you a break, maybe even two."

He looked at me and sighed,

"OK but you stop all my fun. Baiting the humans is how I get my kicks"

"Really? We thought you got them baiting everyone, human or otherwise"

He stopped to think about that,

"You know something, you could be right Bella. Damn I'm better than I thought!"

We waved them off and the nerve-racking wait began.

Charlie

I arranged a month off work, made up a story that I needed to get away from Forks a while, it was true too, I really needed a break from everyone asking if there were any news about Bella and commiserating when I shook my head. I hadn't travelled outside the USA since I was in the Army so I was nervous before we left. I'd told Jake and Billy where I was going and Jake and Angie offered to drive me to the airport, it was good to have a friendly face in the know as I waited for my flight to be called.

"Tell Bella we miss her"

"Will do Angie"

"Yeah, and tell her to remember she has wolf friends too"

"OK Jake."

He was unhappy I'd refused to take him with me, he really wanted to see Bella, I guess we all did. Carlisle had offered to drive me too and Esme came over just before I left with some things for Bella.

"I thought it might be a little early for her to go shopping, it's just a few tops and pants."

They had been really kind, keeping an eye on me like the wolves and I wondered sometimes if I'd been in an accident and was dreaming all this as I lay unconscious in Hospital, it was all so bizarre.

The flight was long and I was impatient but as we got close to landing I started to worry more, would Bella look the same? Would she feel the same way about me? What if Jasper and I didn't get on? The questions whizzed round in my head until I was dizzy and I was so preoccupied I missed the landing! Getting to the Arrivals Hall with my bags. I looked for a sign of my lift, Bella had told me that their friends Peter and Char, also vampires would be waiting for me at the Airport. It took a few minutes but I spotted them, two unusually pale faces standing at the back of the hall near the Exit and away from the crowd. Seeing me the guy put a hand up and watched as I made my way to them.

"Charlie? I'm Charlotte Whitlock and this is my husband Peter. We're friends of Bella and Jasper."

I took her hand and shook it hesitantly,

"Don't worry Charlie, we've already eaten today, you're safe"

Charlotte glared at her husband but I smiled,

"Fine. At least I know where I stand. Are you related to Jasper? I noticed the surname."

We were outside by this time and I saw a truck parked in the Tow Away Zone with a guy in uniform looking at it.

"Looks like you're about to get a ticket"

Peter laughed and shot some rapid Italian at the guy who smiled as he answered then walked off.

"What did you say?"

Charlotte shook her head,

"I learnt a long time ago not to ask Peter that question. You're better off not knowing Charlie believe me"

Peter turned,

"Hey, it works. I just use a different name each time"

"Name?"

"Yeah, I just told him I was waiting for a famous Porn Star who was flying in, Dick Giganticus. He was only too happy to wait with the truck. I told him I'd send him two tickets to your new film,

"Italian Studs"

I laughed outright while Char groaned and covered her face.

"I told you it's better not to ask!"

Peter

Charlie sat up front with me for the drive out to our place and I found him an OK guy, a little nervous but I could relate to that. He was interesting to talk to and I managed to ally his fears about Bella.

"Charlie she's fine, in fact better than fine. I've never seen a newborn so controlled as she is"

"You've seen a lot I take it? Carlisle said something about that"

"Yeah I bet he did."

"Can I take it you don't like Carlisle?"

"My husband doesn't like any of the Cullens Charlie. Unfortunately they find him a little too...earthy for their taste"

"Char tell it like it is, I don't like them because of their holier than thou attitude and that fucking Alice who was the Majors wife for too long."

"Wife? He was married to Alice Cullen?"

"Sort of, they were together for a long while but she was never right for him. Too fucking high and mighty for me."

"She didn't like Peter either. He is rather an acquired taste"

Charlie looked at me,

"I guess you don't pull your punches, just say it like it is. I like that in a man"

"Charlie, you and I are going to be good friends."

"You called Jasper Major, was that his rank during the Civil war? He was a little young wasn't he?"

"Jasper is a rather unique individual Charlie, he is very charismatic and he joined up under age. By the time he lost his human life he was the youngest Major and that was his enlistment age not his real age."

"How long have you two known him?"

"All our vampire lives Charlie. He's our sire"

"Sire?"

"He changed us"

"So he was a human hunter at one time?"

"Yes but he's not like that any longer Charlie so don't judge him by his past, judge him by what he is now"

Charlotte had been a little brusque and I knew Charlie had picked up on it, he'd be asking more questions later if we were alone.

Charlie

There was a lot I still didn't know about my Daughters fiance and I wasn't sure I was going to like what hadn't been spoken of but I didn't have time to think about it much as we turned onto a rough track leading up to a small whitewashed villa. Standing in the doorway I saw two figures arm in arm, Bella and the mysterious Major Jasper Whitlock.