Chapter Eight

Charlie

I couldn't stop thinking about Bella and my great nephew and all they had been through over the years when if only I had kept in touch with my sister I could have been there to help them. I could have taken Bella in, fought for her when they tried to pin the murders on her. Still that was all in the past, I had an opportunity to get to know her and her family and I couldn't walk away from that. It would be strange, being part of a family once more but I was looking forward to it. The only thing I had to do was ring Harry and cancel our fishing trip at the weekend. I decided not to tell him about Bella just yet, I wanted to be sure she was sticking around and then I would invite him over to meet her and the boy. Hell, I'd throw a barbecue and invite all my friends!

Bella

Jasper appeared moments after Charlie left and I knew he had been close by. As I got into the car he turned to me,

"Well, looks like your meeting went well, if that smile is anything to go by."

"It did, I like him Jasper and I think he's pleased I found him. We've been invited over on Saturday, all three of us, isn't that great?"

He grinned and leaned over to kiss me,

"If it makes you happy then of course it is and I look forward to seeing the Chief again."

"I am worried about Caden though. I told Charlie the story we agreed on and that Caden is four but very bright. Do you think he can pull it off?"

"He's our son, of course he can, we'll explain how important it is that he doesn't let anything slip. But first we have to break the news to him that he has a great uncle who is also a police officer!

When we got back Caden was helping Charity clean out the rabbit cages but seeing us return he ran over for a hug and to say hello.

"Mommy, Grandpa Carlisle said you went to meet someone special. Was it Santa?"

"No, not Santa but someone even more important. I went to see my Uncle."

He giggled,

"You're too old to have an Uncle mommy. Isn't she daddy?"

"No, even old people like us have families. You have Uncle Emmett and Uncle Justin and mommy has an Uncle Charlie."

"If he is mommy's uncle then what is he to me?"

"He's your great uncle."

He thought about this then turned as Charity called for him,

"What about Charity? Is he her great uncle too?"

"Not really because he is mommy's uncle not Aunt Rosalie's or Uncle Emmett's but I'm sure he won't mind her calling him uncle as well, we'll ask him."

"I'm going to meet him? When? Can Charity come too?"

Jasper swung Caden up onto his shoulders,

"Whoa, slow down there pardner. Let's meet Uncle Charlie first then we can ask him if Charity can come another time. Remember this is all new to Uncle Charlie too and it's very important that you keep our secret. Do you remember what I told you?"

"Yes daddy. I mustn't tell anyone that I drink blood as well as milk and soda's and I mustn't tell anyone I'm growing really quickly because I'm a hyb...hybe..."

"Hybrid. It is very important you remember all that and never ever use the word vampire. Can you do that?"

"Yes, I'm grown up now I can remember."

Jasper put him back down and gave him a gentle shove,

"Well then get over there and help Charity catch Snowball before he gets away."

Charlie

I went shopping, got in some cookies and soda's, trying to remember what kids liked to eat then replenished my beer stash and decided I wanted to buy my Grandnephew a present but I had no idea what to get him. Maybe I could ask Sue when I rang Harry and told him I couldn't make it at the weekend but then she'd want to know the reason for my question and I wasn't sure I was ready for explanations yet. Instead I spoke to Deb's our dispatcher.

"How old is the child Charlie?"

"About four but very forward for his age."

"Right well, you could get crayons and coloring books or a remote control car, hey maybe a Police car, that would be good."

"A what? Where the hell do I go to get one of those?"

She rolled her eyes, the usual "what am I going to do with you Chief" look on her face.

"Do you want me to get it for you? I could call in at the store on my way home and bring it in tomorrow afternoon."

"You're a lifesaver Debs, what would I do without you?"

"Drown probably but you could do something for me in return."

"OK, what?"

"Tell me who he is when you can."

I nodded,

"Monday for sure Debs, I promise."

When I got off duty that evening I finished last night's fish pie Sue had put in the fridge for me then rang the Clearwater house. Sue answered and called for Harry asking how I was as we waited for him to appear.

"You OK Charlie? I hear you had lunch with a strange girl today."

How the hell did she know that?

"You have spies everywhere Sue."

"Well, Emily was driving back from Port Angeles and she saw you sitting in the window of the restaurant on the edge of town and we all know your local is the town diner."

"I'll be sure to sit further away next time."

"So, there's going to be a next time? Who is she?"

"I'll tell you soon Sue."

I was relieved to hear Harry then and get away from Sue's interrogation. I explained I couldn't make it at the weekend and he just made arrangements for a fortnight's time. He didn't mention my strange lunch date and I wondered if Sue had told him yet.

"I hear the Cullens are back."

I groaned inwardly, here we go!

"Yes, I saw Carlisle the other day. The clinic is relieved to have him back full time."

"Forks would be better off without him or his "family!"

When he found out my niece was one of Carlisle's family things were going to get interesting but I preferred to keep that to myself for now so I changed the subject

"How's Billy? Is he over his cold yet?"

"He's getting there, slowly. Still coughing fit to bust."

I guess I just couldn't help myself,

"Why don't you bring him to the clinic? Get something for that cough?"

He ignored my suggestion just as I knew he would and the conversation petered out so I said goodnight and put the receiver down.

It still baffled me why there was such enmity between the Quileutes and the Cullen family but neither were willing to explain so I just sat in the middle trying to remain neutral although in truth I liked Carlisle and never had any trouble from his family. Whatever the problem though, surely Bella wouldn't be among the "enemy". She'd only been with the Cullens a short time, she could hardly have stirred up trouble herself. I always had the feeling that there was something simmering just below the surface when Billy or Harry spoke about the Cullens while Carlisle seemed to ignore their antipathy. I had the feeling he would be quite happy to treat the Quileutes just as he treated anyone else who was sick. If Bella and I became close this could cause problems although I hoped Harry and Billy would be mature enough not to make things difficult for me. They were my best friends but Bella was family, and family was valuable especially when you had so few!

The next morning Deb's handed me a large bag and a receipt which I looked at and reached for my wallet.

"I found a Police car with flashing lights and a siren The guy in the store says its batteries will last for about two hours if you don't have the lights and siren on all the time, half that if you do, and knowing boys like I do, I bought an extra set. I also picked up some colored pens and a sketchbook so he should have enough to keep him occupied. He might well be happy enough on your computer playing games though but..."

She stopped remembering I didn't have a computer at home. I got into enough trouble using the one at work but at least there I could call on the expertise of Andy or herself.

"Well, he'll be fine Charlie."

I paid up and took the bag into my office closing the door firmly before taking out the police car in its brightly colored box. It looked like something a kid would like but then again when was the last time I interacted with a kid? I put it back in the bag as the phone rang and dragged my mind back to the present and my job.