Chapter Eight

Carlisle

When I got home I went straight to see Esme who was working on some plans for an extension to the house in her workroom.

"I met Chief Swans ex wife today."

She looked up with excitement in her eyes,

"Really? That means his daughter is here?"

"Yes she is and she's staying. He's very excited about it. I think he was under the impression that his ex wouldn't let her stay because of the attack."

"I'm so glad, he has spoken of nothing else since he asked me to choose a colour for her room. I hope she likes purple, I thought it was feminine without being too girly. What's she like?"

"Well she's a little different, quiet, studious, but you can see she loves her father. It will be interesting to see what the kids have to say when they meet her. Are they back from hunting yet?"

"Rose and Emmett came back an hour ago with Alice but Jazz and Edward are still out".

"Together?"

"I certainly hope not. It may have been two years since Edward and I had that chat but Jazz still hasn't forgiven Edward for upsetting Alice. He might just decide to do something about it if he gets Edward alone".

Alice

I'd left Jazz to hunt alone, sometimes he needed a little space but he would never ask me for it, if anything he was more attentive and thoughtful since he learned the truth. I came back with Rose and Emmett and as we got to the house I felt strange, knowing something was coming I excused myself and went up to our room sitting in Jaspers old leather recliner and closing my eyes. She was finally here, it had been a long wait but now he could begin to work his magic on his true mate. Then the angles changed and I saw something that made me groan. This was going to make things very difficult, Jaspers mate was also Edwards singer. Could he control himself or would he kill her? I tried to see but it wasn't easy, there was something making her future very misty. Then I got a clearer vision and sat up in shock, oh no, this was going to make things impossible, Edward was going to be romantically drawn to Bella Swan mistaking the draw of her blood for love and she might become involved with him, but what about Jazz? He would feel the pull but would he recognise it for what it really was? If he didn't then I should keep silent and see what happened. I was sure he and Bella would be together in the end but it might not to be as simple as I had assumed. I considered asking Carlisle for his advice but I decided in the end to keep the secret to myself.

Carlisle

When I went to the clinic for my next shift Bella was there with her dad, she'd borrowed Harry's truck for the journey although if I knew anything about young men I'm sure Jacob Black would have driven her quite happily. It seemed Bella was an independent person. She smiled and got up when I knocked and walked in but I motioned her to sit down again.

"Don't let me disturb you I just wanted to make sure our Police Chief was taking it easy. I think you're about ready to go home Chief especially as you have a private nurse to keep an eye on you."

"You mean dad can come home?"

"I think if his wounds are OK when we change the dressings then yes in the morning. I take it you are staying Isabella?"

"Its Bella but yes I am and thank you Dr Cullen"

I arranged for Charlie to have his dressings changed this afternoon and by tomorrow he would be back in Forks but there would be no work for a few weeks giving him chance to settle in with his daughter again. I liked Bella and I was sure she'd look after her father.

Bella

When I left Charlie I rang Sue and told her I was going to buy some groceries and get the house ready for Charlie to come home the next day. She offered to come and help but I wanted to do this myself and I think she understood promising to make extra for dinner so Charlie and I could have it the following evening. I drove to the store and stocked up on some essentials using the money I found in a tin marked food in the kitchen cupboard then I drove back to the house and gave it a quick clean laying a fire and making sure Charlie's bed was aired, I'd changed the sheets since Renee left but the ones I put on had been in the linen cupboard for a while by the look of things. I threw open the windows as the showers had stopped then sat down with a coffee and phoned Renee with the news.

"Oh Bella, are they sure he's well enough, It's a big responsibility for you looking after a sick man. What if he needs help with washing or dressing?"

"Mum he's getting better and if he needs help I'm sure Jake or Harry will pop over. He just needs a bit of looking after until he gets his strength back that's all."

"If you say so Bella but Phil was quite upset you decided to stay there as a nursemaid. You are too old to be looking after your father."

"I would have said I was old enough to look after him."

She spoke for a few more minutes but I could tell she wasn't really interested in dad.

"Have you seen Dr Cullen again? What a dish! One of the nurses told me he has five foster children who are equally gorgeous, maybe you'll meet them at school."

"Mum, I'm not interested in meeting boys, I just want to finish school then decide where to go to college."

"We'll see, if they really are that good-looking you might find yourself interested whether you think you want to or not. When do you go to school anyway?"

"Next week and I'll be sure to ring and tell you how I get on...with school that is".

She rang off then telling me Phil was calling her, what a surprise he always did if her attention were on anything else for too long!

That evening Jake turned up for dinner again and monopolised my attention with questions about Charlie and Renee. Sue seemed scandalised when I related my conversation with my mum but Harry didn't seem to expect any different. He arranged to pick Charlie up and bring him home while Jake volunteered himself to be there when they arrived in case Charlie needed a hand! He was going to be a problem if he didn't stop pushing himself on me. I liked Jake but not in the way he seemed to be interested in me. Why couldn't he see I was only interested in dad and school?

"Dr Cullen had been really good. How long has he been in Forks? I don't remember the family."

"They moved down from Alaska a couple of years ago but you'd do well to steer clear of them Bella."

I looked at Harry in astonishment he sounded so serious,

"Why? Dad likes him."

"Yeah well even your dad can be wrong sometimes. They are a strange family so you stay away from them."

"I don't intend doing anything else. I probably wont even see them much."

"In Forks high? Of course you will it's not a large school remember, not like yours in Jacksonville."

I'd forgotten about that,

"Well I doubt they'll be interested in me and I'm not looking for friends just to get on with my education".

"Very sensible Bella. Anyone for dessert?"

Sue gave Harry a "drop it" look and the conversation changed to an up coming barbecue on the Res which Charlie and I were invited to, if he was well enough.