Chapter Forty Eight.
Charlie
My night had been the best in years, Tanya was insatiable but she was also sweet and very loving and it felt good to have a woman in my arms again even if she was a vampire! The next morning I felt tired but happy and opened my eyes to find her still there smiling at me,
"Morning Charlie. Thank you for a wonderful night."
I kissed her and we tumbled out of bed, she joined me in the shower which was something I most definitely was not used to and came down with me. The table was laid for breakfast and I sat down as Tanya poured me coffee,
"I could get used to this"
She smiled in genuine pleasure,
"Good because I intend keeping it up"
Now yesterday that would have had more than the one meaning but this morning it sounded like a simple statement of fact. She put a plate of toast in front of me and I started to eat, I felt ravenous and it was good especially the sour cherry conserve which I'd never had before. Tanya touched my shoulder,
"I'm just going out for an hour or two Charlie."
I understood, she'd told me about hunting and I guess if I was hungry then she would be too! The house felt empty and I guessed the others were out hunting too then I heard footsteps and Bella came in looking more flushed than usual,
"You OK Bells?"
She nodded with a little smile and went to pour herself some coffee when it suddenly occurred to me that maybe she'd heard Tanya and I last night,, I hadn't considered that and I flushed myself. I was too old for all this worrying but she was my little girl so I couldn't help it.
Bella
It was almost funny to see Charlie looking embarrassed but at least he never mentioned hearing me and that's all I was concerned about. I felt too happy and content to eat and after a few mouthfuls of toast I put it down, then suddenly I felt sick and ran to the downstairs bathroom glad I remembered where it was. I wasn't sick but I felt it and it was a few minutes before I felt well enough to go back to the kitchen only to find it deserted. Dads toast lay half eaten and his mug of coffee was still almost full and steaming. I called his name then waited and heard his return cry then I ran through to the decking only to find him hunched over in the snow heaving and retching,
"You OK dad? Can I do anything?"
He shook his head but I went inside and pulled a throw off the closest couch and wrapped it around his shivering shoulders. It was a few minutes before he staggered to his feet and I helped him in, sitting him on the couch and wrapping the throw tighter around him,
"Shall I get you a glass of water?"
He nodded still shivering as I went to the kitchen filling a tumbler with cold water then went back and offered it to him. He took a few sips then started retching again so I grabbed a bowl from the kitchen and handed it to him holding his hand.
"I'll ask Carlisle to take a look at you as soon as he gets back."
He shook his head,
"Its probably just a bug Bella. Help me back to bed will you?"
I helped him to his feet and we climbed the stairs slowly, stopping every few steps for him to retch again. It was obvious what had gone on in here the night before but I ignored the scattered clothes and rumpled bed, my own room was no better after all!
Jasper
I came back and knew immediately something was wrong, it smelled of sickness and I wondered if Bella were ill but then I heard her voice, she was talking to her dad, and ran up the stairs.
"What's wrong Bella?"
"It's dad. He's picked up a bug or something".
I looked at Charlie, he did look rough, grey faced and shaking,
"Do you want me to call Carlisle, Charlie?"
"No its just a stomach bug Jasper but thanks."
"As soon as Carlisle gets back I'll have him take a look at you, just to be sure."
We left Charlie to rest going back downstairs.
"Where is everybody?"
"I think they went out to give us some privacy but they'll be back any time. What about Tanya?"
"She was gone when I got downstairs. It was just dad in the kitchen so I think she must have gone to hunt. Do you think he'll be OK?"
"I've no idea Bella, I don't know much about such things but if I'm not mistaken Carlisle on his way back now."
As soon as we told him what had happened he went to check on Charlie while Bella finished her breakfast then we sat together looking out across the snow field.
"Are you OK Bella? After last night I mean?"
"Does it feel like I'm regretting it?"
I smiled,
"No."
"Good, because I don't."
I leaned in and kissed her feeling my body reacting immediately, she was going to drive me to distraction if I had to go without her for too long now I had tasted the feeling of peace she wrapped me in. As Carlisle came down Bella got up and went over to him still concerned about her dad.
"Is he OK Carlisle?"
"Its very odd Bella. By the time I got up there he was fine. Said the sickness had gone and he would wash up and come down. He said he only felt sick when he ate. Maybe the conserve didn't agree with him."
"I felt a little sick too but it went almost immediately."
He went to the kitchen and brought the jar back with him studying the label.
"Well its not out of date and it smells fine to me. What do you think?"
He handed it to me and I sniffed,
"I don't detect anything unusual."
Charlie
I came back downstairs a little embarrassed at my human weakness but no one said anything and I was fine the rest of the morning, even better than that when Tanya got back and joined me but at lunchtime it came on again and I didn't feel better for about an hour but then it was as if I hadn't felt ill at all. I was just hungry and tired from retching. Tanya stayed by my side although I told her she didn't need to,
"Honey this can't be pleasant for you. Ill be OK, you go."
She just shook her pretty little head and grasped my hand more tightly,
"Charlie how can I leave you like this?"
She kissed my forehead and I felt a little better just for her presence. I felt Carlisle's eyes on me but I didn't think it was anything serious besides I didn't want to ruin Christmas for everyone. I couldn't remember the last time I'd enjoyed the holiday so much, I always missed Bella at Christmas, I missed her growing up, the excitement of opening her presents, playing with her new toys, all the things a father should enjoy with his child. Emmett was like a small kid pleading with everyone to play his new computer game with him, or make snowmen, or toboggan, all kinds of things and his enthusiasm infected the rest of us, even the usually quiet Eleazer joined in some of the games. I was fine all afternoon but at dinner time the nausea returned and by night I was exhausted and starving. I hoped this bug was short lived I didn't want to ruin everyone's holiday.