Chapter Fourteen

Charlie

I was looking forward to the weekend, Bella had asked if the children could stay overnight, Caden had been begging me for a couple of weeks and I had wanted to say yes but I didn't want to appear too pushy to his mom. The thought of having both of them was a little daunting but Bella assured me that Charity slept all night and was no trouble so I agreed. She told me the family were going away for the weekend and she and Jasper were hoping to get a little peace and quiet for a couple of days. As far as I was concerned I didn't need an excuse I was already making plans to keep them occupied.

Bella

I had been a little nervous about asking Charlie to have the two children overnight but we had agreed to look after Charity while the others went to hunt together, something they hadn't done since I met them and as Jasper pointed out, we would have the house all to ourselves for two whole days. I couldn't resist that kind of temptation and I was relieved when Charlie agreed although I could tell he was itching to get them to himself, or at least Caden but he didn't object to having Charity too, in fact I thought he looked on her as lovingly as he did Caden, as if she too were my child.

The others left on the Friday evening and the house seemed so empty, so quiet, and I realized I had never been in it when the others were all away, it was a strange sensation and to take my mind off the emptiness I agreed to play hide and seek with the children who had the whole house to hide in. Jasper had gone with the others but would be back before nightfall, he too needed to hunt and I wondered what it would be like once I became a vampire and we could hunt together. Caden had begged to be allowed to go too but both Jasper and I vetoed that idea, I didn't want my son killing animals to feed, not yet, he was far too young and innocent. He had sulked for a while but perked up when I told him the surprise, he and Charity were to stay overnight with Charlie on Saturday.

"Can we sleep there? At Uncle Charlie's? All on our own?"

"Yes, you and Charity so you'd better decide what you want to take with you and pack it in your bag. I'll put clothes in for you later."

Both children had jumped up and down in excitement although I wasn't sure how much Charity really understood. She loved Charlie and she and Caden often shared a bed, or at least in the morning either Rose or I would find both children snuggled up together. I knew she would be fine so long as she had Caden with her.

When Jasper got back he decided it might be fun if they made a camp in the lounge using some wood balanced across the chairs and some sheets then told the children they could use their sleeping bags to sleep down here with us. When they went upstairs to grab the pillows, I would get Charity's sleeping bag for her, after all we didn't want her falling down the stairs, Rose would never forgive me, he told me his plan.

"They won't get to sleep early so by tomorrow night they should sleep well for Charlie."

"If they aren't tired and irritable in the morning that is."

He smiled and winked,

"But then they'll be Charlie's problem while you and I will have this place all to ourselves."

I couldn't help smiling at that idea, I was always very aware that every noise could be heard by vampire ears so I was self conscious when we made love but tomorrow? Well that would be a different proposition!

By the time we took the children to Charlie's they had driven us just about mad constantly asking when they were going. Charity had Daisy with her and some books, she loved to look at the pictures if there was no one to read to her although that didn't happen often, Emmett being her favorite because he did all the voices. Caden took his new book, one that Justin had bought him about making robots from rubbish like plastic bottles and dowels, and I had a fancy he would be asking Charlie to help him make one although I didn't fancy his chances with Charity there. As the girl, and the youngest, she demanded a lot of attention.

Charlie was waiting for us and the two children ran to hug him while Jasper and I unpacked the trunk, both children deciding that taking their own pillows and sleeping bags was a good idea for which I blamed my husband's bright idea of the night before. Once inside they couldn't wait for us to leave, it was almost as if we were in the way of them having fun with Uncle Charlie.

"Are you sure you'll be OK with both of them Charlie? Don't forget we are only a phone call away. Any problems..."

He cut me off,

"Bella, I'm a cop. I face violent criminals and dangerous situations every day. I think I can handle two kids. If they get too boisterous I can always lock them in the cellar."

Caden giggled, Charlie was always threatening to shut him in the cellar if he misbehaved but Caden knew there was no lock and Charlie wouldn't do that anyway.

"Well if you're sure."

Charlie looked at Jasper,

"Just take her away before she has a breakdown. I know your number and I promise I'll call if there is any trouble. Now go."

He called the children to the porch and as they waved us off I sighed,

"It seems strange leaving them with Charlie."

Jasper took my hand and placed it on his thigh,

"Bella, forget about the imps for a while and concentrate on me."

I giggled and slid my hand into his crotch,

"Looks like you need my attention, that's a terrible swelling you have there."

He groaned and put his foot down driving back to the house a little too fast in his eagerness for us to be alone at last.

Charlie

The kids showed me what they'd brought with them and I showed them their bedroom so they could leave their pillows on the bed, Jasper had already run the sleeping bags upstairs.

"Can we play in the yard Uncle Charlie? It's not raining."

I looked out and he was right, in fact the sun was just beginning to peep through the clouds, I'd been so wound up waiting for them to arrive I hadn't even noticed.

"Sure, leave the door open and shout if you need anything."

I knew they were going to play hide and seek, my garden had two sheds and a metal store plus a couple of big trees so there were plenty of places to hide and they were safe enough with the fence all around.

When the doorbell rang I left them playing to answer it only to find Billy there along with Jake.

"Hey Charlie, I thought I'd better visit or I'd never get to see you and Jake offered to drop me off for an hour, he has to drive into Port Angeles. Or is it inconvenient?"

"Hell, no. I'm glad to see you back on your feet Billy, come in and I'll introduce you to my grand nephew and his cousin."

"Oh they're here? Great."

I heard the slight edge to his voice but decided to ignore it, I didn't want to lose his friendship and I hoped once he got to know Bella and Caden he might soften his attitude to the Cullens too. Jake said goodbye and went back to the car while I stood aside so Billy could wheel himself inside then closed the door as Jake drove away.

Jake

As soon as I was out of sight of the house I pulled up and rang Sam to tell him the children were at Charlie's and alone.

"Do you think you can snatch them Jake?"

"I can try, I dropped Quil in Forks so I'll phase and call him over, see what we can do."

"I'll inform the rest of the pack but they are too far away to reach you quickly, then I'll join you at Charlie's. Does Billy have the bottle with him?"

"Yeah but he'll have to find an opportunity spike Charlie's drink if we can't get the kids away, we weren't expecting to strike it this lucky. If I can't grab the kids myself I'll give him a ring and tell him to go ahead."

"I'll join you as quickly as I can. Good luck Jake."