Chapter Thirty Two

Charlie

So, you were a captive? How did you get free?"

"Peter found me, he got me out."

"And this Rosalie is after you?"

"She's after all of us and we think she's the one who shot you. It was a warning to Bella to give up Grace and probably me too."

"You think she'll try again? That's why Peter had been sticking close. He's protecting me?"

"Yes Charlie. He's standing between Rose and yourself."

"Is he any good?"

"One of the best. If Rose gets past him she can get past anyone."

"I see. So what am I supposed to do, with a vampire after my hide?"

"We'd like you to take sick leave and come with us until we can sort this mess out. Bella and I are going to see Carlisle, he might be able to help with the problem and at least you'll be safe. It gives you a chance to spend time with Grace, she's been really excited at the thought of meeting you"

"She really is part vampire?"

"Yes but we don't know how big a part. She eats human food and sleeps so that's Bella's part in her make up"

"You don't sleep?"

"No, I have no need to sleep"

"So what part of you does she have?"

"Well her fast growth must be part of it and she's an empath"

"A what?"

"Empath. Like me she feels your emotions and can influence them to a degree"

"This is getting more like the Twilight Zone every minute. Do your friends have any special...gifts?"

"Peter senses trouble coming which is quite handy sometimes and Charlotte sees relationships, she can tell how close people are to each other"

"So your plan is for us to go see Carlisle, see what he says, then what?"

"I plan on buying a home for us and we'll take it from there."

"You sound very mature for a young man and very sure of yourself."

"Looks are deceiving Charlie. I'm much older than I appear. I served in the Confederate Army during the Civil War. We stop ageing when we become Vampires"

"So you'll always look like that?"

"Yes."

"And what about when you die?"

"We don't...die that is. Vampires are immortal Charlie. We can be killed but only by fire"

"No holy water and crucifixes then? No strings of garlic?"

"No, all myths."

"So what will you do about Bella? She's getting older all the time and Grace."

"We're hoping that once she finishes developing Grace will stop ageing too. As for Bella, its her choice, I know she wanted to become a vampire at one time, now I don't know"

I looked at Bella,

"You wanted to?"

"Yes when I thought Edward loved me"

"He was one too?"

"All the Cullens are."

"I see, or I don't see, it's all too much for my poor brain. I need to think about what I've heard"

At that moment the door opened and Grace came running in with a bag of candy in one hand and Shadow in the other

"Mummy we met a really cross man in town. He and Uncle Peter were arguing"

Bella

I looked at Charlotte as I picked Grace up to cuddle,

"We ran into Sam and the others in town, he recognised Grace as one of us. I think he's on his way over here with Harry and Billy"

"Oh great, they all know?"

Dad sounded exasperated.

"Yes and they aren't happy Charlie. Especially Billy."

"I'll bet, OK let's get ready for the fireworks."

Dad was ready to stand up for Grace and I already.

I sat beside my dad holding his hand while Grace sat at his feet colouring in another horse picture while Jasper and Peter waited in the kitchen with Charlotte, not wanting to escalate the situation unless it couldn't be helped.

I answered the loud rapping at the door and there stood Harry and Sam, Billy in his wheelchair between them.

"Bella, we need to see Charlie"

"Remember he's only just out of hospital Billy"

"I will. Can we come in?"

I held the door open and the three of them went into the lounge. I looked in to see Grace sitting on Charlie's lap while the three Quileutes were seated around him.

"Charlie, you know what she is?"

"Yes, my granddaughter"

"She isn't human"

"Neither it seems is her father"

"You know?"

"They told me, it doesn't stop this little girl being my granddaughter. She's Bella's daughter."

"Bella has been sleeping with a vampire Charlie. Doesn't that bother you?"

I wasn't having that so I stormed in,

"Is it better than sleeping with a wolf? Having a wolf's baby Billy? Sam?"

Charlie looked confused once more, obviously the attack had made him forget what I'd told him.

"Go on Billy, tell Charlie the rest of the story, the bit about the wolf pack."

Charlie sat dumbstruck as Billy reluctantly told him the story of the Quileute legend.

"I'm surrounded by mythical creatures! Men who change into wolves, men who change into vampires, what the hell is going on here? You object to Bella having a relationship with a vampire but not a wolf, is that right?"

"It's not like that Charlie. Vampires are dangerous, they drink human blood, they exist on human blood, they kill for it."

"And the wolves aren't dangerous?"

"Not to humans Charlie. The only thing they hunt and kill are vampires."

"Excuse me" I butted in, "Dad you know Emily, Sam's wife?"

"Sure, the poor girl who was mauled by a bear, such a pretty girl too."

"It wasn't a bear dad, it was Sam as he phased to wolf mode. He got angry and hit out catching her with his claws. Do you see any marks like that on me? Don't tell me the wolves aren't dangerous to humans because its bull."

Charlie looked from me to his friends,

"Is that right?"

"Yes but it was an accident"

"Yes an accident that left her scarred for life. The wolves are equally as dangerous and they can't always control themselves."

I wasn't letting them off that lightly.

Charlie looked at Sam,

"You're responsible for Emily's scars?"

"Yes but not a day goes by I don't regret what happened. We try to keep humans safe from the vampires."

"Well Bella looks safe enough to me. She has a daughter and he hasn't tried to kill her yet"

"Oh no? Ask him about her birthday party"

Charlie turned to me,

"Bella?"

I told him everything including what I thought had happened and after a few minutes thought he nodded,

"I'm prepared to give Jasper a chance and that's all that matters Billy. In fact I'm going away with them for a few days, maybe a few weeks, so you don't need to worry about me."

"Don't to Charlie its dangerous. You could be killed in a split second"

"I'll bear that in mind Sam. Now if you'll excuse me, Grace and I have a prior engagement with a colouring book."

Charlie picked up the book and flicked through the pages finding a picture of a dragon,

"Lets do this one"

Grace smiled,

"I like dragons grandpa"

"What about the fire they breath?"

"mummy told me is magic fire and it doesn't burn like real fire"

"OK then, I'll colour in the fire, you do his scales."

Charlie bent his head dismissing his friends and they got up to go.

"You'll regret this Charlie but we'll be here when you need us."

He nodded but didn't look up at them and they filed out. I opened the door and smiled,

"Thanks for worrying about Charlie but he'll be safe with us"

"Don't do this Bella. It's a mistake."

"Well I have to make my own Billy but I'll remember the warning"