Chapter Four

Carlisle

The pressure was mounting for me to return to Forks, the hours spent commuting plus my patients that sometimes needed me at odd hours. However, I didn't want to upset the children and they seemed settled enough as did the rest of the family. Of course we would need a story to explain the children, Rose and Emmett could have adopted Charity and I suppose Jasper had been gone long enough to marry and produce a child but Caden would need to understand how to act around humans. Here it was easy enough to stay clear of humans but in Forks that wasn't going to be as easy. I had discussed it with Esme who was so happy and contented with the additions to her family that she really didn't mind. In fact she seemed to think I was being a little overcautious.

"Don't forget there are the Quileutes to consider in Forks."

"Carlisle, since you made the treaty with them there has been no trouble. They leave us alone and we stay away from the reservation, I don't see any problem. Besides Charity is human and Caden is a hybrid, it's not as if we are bringing any new vampires into the area."

I let the matter drop, for now at least, and everything seemed to be going so well. Bella had regained her strength and seemed to enjoy her new role as wife and mother while Rosalie had bloomed and Emmett settled down somewhat which was something of a relief. The thought of having him along with Justin, and Peter when he was visiting, together was more than I could cope with. Charity had started toddling now and followed Caden like a little shadow and he didn't seem to mind at all, not like most siblings I knew! He of course continued to grow rapidly and while she was a typical eighteen month old he was more like six. I know Bella and Jasper were both concerned at his rapid growth, worried what might happen if it continued after he matured but I was of the opinion that once his body and mind matured the growth would slow down. Even now it wasn't as rapid as at first although there was no way he would be able to mix with normal children or go to school. Which meant we all took turns teaching him life skills as well as reading and writing which he loved and maths which he was less fond of.

His favorite past time was riding with Jasper and he was showing every sign of being as competent as his father. Charity hated it when the two of them went off together, Jasper on his mount and Caden on a pony specially trained for him. Bella went too sometimes although she was a more hesitant rider.

Deciding the children would benefit from owning a pet Esme and I went out with their parents blessings and bought a white rabbit for Charity and a black one for Caden which the children named Snowy and Midnight. While Caden soon took over looking after his rabbit Charity was still too young but then we found him showing her what to do, giving her the water bowls to fill from a jug he had taken from the kitchen and watching as she thrust her chubby little hand into the food container and concentrate so as not to spill any of the food as she filled the bowls. They were so engrossed in their task they didn't even notice when Emmett came out with his camera to take some shots. The house was filled with photographs showing every milestone in their development, blown up and framed and hung with pride.

We were sitting down with the children for dinner, Esme had decreed it would be best for them if we all sat together, to show them how to behave at the table although only Bella, Caden and Charity actually ate of course. Caden could use a knife and fork and Charity was determined to do so too. Rosalie had bought her a set of cutlery suitable for a toddler and she sat concentrating, a fork in one hand and a knife in the other although all her food was cut for her. She was actually doing far better than we expected when we received a visitor.

Darius has been silent for sometime so it was a surprise to find him on the doorstep without any warning but he looked excited.

"Could I have a word with Jasper and Bella Carlisle. I have some news I think Bella might find interesting."

"Of course, come in."

He joined us at the table and when the children had finished Rose and Emmett took them both out to play hide and seek, their favorite game. Alice and Justin joined them leaving Esme and I with Bella and Jasper.

"I'll clear up while you talk."

Esme got up and bustled about taking things out to the dishwasher and I helped leaving the others to talk alone but of course in a house full of vampires there was no chance of any privacy and nor had Darius asked for it so I knew it couldn't be bad news.

Bella

It was wonderful to see Darius again and I was curious to hear his news little understanding how much it would enrich my life.

"I hope you don't mind Bella but I decided to do a little digging into your family. I guess I was hoping to find something good to share. It's taken me sometime but did you know your mother had a brother?"

I looked at him astonished,

"A brother? No, she never mentioned one as far as I can remember but I wasn't that old when they died. I know my dad was an only child and that all my grandparents were deceased. Is he still alive? Where does he live? Does he know about me?"

My questions were coming like bullets fired from a gun, far too rapidly in my excitement but Darius just sat grinning until I ran out.

"OK Let's see if I can answer all your questions. Yes he is still alive, he was a couple of years older than your mother and he went to a boarding school so she didn't see much of him."

"That would explain why they weren't close I guess."

"Probably, anyway when he left school he went into the army and ended up as an M.P. When he came out he joined the Police Force and he's now Chief of Police. Do you remember where your mother grew up?"

I shook my head,

"My mom never spoke about her family, all I remember was that I got the feeling her own childhood hadn't been very happy. Did he go back home? Did he go to the funeral? I don't remember hearing about him or seeing him. If he knew about me why didn't he come to visit or take me away from that awful place?"

I knew I was getting overwrought and Jasper put his arm around me, calming me as Darius continued to speak.

"Your Uncle was cut off from the family when he joined the army, his parents cut him out of their will and they never saw or spoke to him again a far as I can tell. He certainly doesn't know about you, I don't even think he knows his sister is dead."

"How do you know all this?"

"It's probably better if you don't know how but I can tell you where he lives if you like. It's going to come as a shock to Carlisle and Esme, Jasper too I should think."

I looked at my husband but he merely shrugged, then I heard Carlisle's voice behind me and swung round to look at him.

"Are you saying Bella's Uncle is Chief Swan?"

"Yep, right on your doorstep."

"You know my Uncle?"

Carlisle smiled nodding his head,

"Yes, he's actually a friend of mine, Charlie Swan, Chief of Police in Forks, in Washington."

I could hardly believe it, my Uncle, my only living relative and he was no more than a few hours drive from here! Not only that but the Cullens knew him, I had to meet him, I just had to.