Disclaimer: Stephenie Meyer owns everything in the Twiverse. No copyright infringement intended.

A/N: Reactions to Ch29 were three parts "Where the heckfire is Charlie?" and one part "Why in tarnation would Edward let Bella sleep if her father is missing?" so I'm back to answer at least one of those questions…

Chapter 30: Missing

Bella's POV

"Missing?" The word didn't make sense in context. "What do you mean 'missing'?"

Edward looked at my hands. "I mean he's…"

"You mean he's missing a late replay of the Sonics game or missing a workable sense of style, right?" I willed him to agree with me, refusing to accept the look in his eyes.

"Bella," he sighed. "I don't know how else to say this, but he appears to be…"

"No. Unless you have another explanation for what you mean, don't say that word again."

Edward didn't respond, and I stood up. I tried to put some distance between us by stalking toward the mantle, wanting to give my emotions full rein as they shifted inside me. But Edward followed me, and I soon felt his hands on my shoulders, his icy embrace soothing me on contact. I rubbed my eyes with a sigh, my mind still foggy with sleep, and realized something else was not right.

"You're saying my father is missing?"

"Yes, love," he murmured as he drew me into his arms. "Allow me to explain what I mea—"

"Then why didn't you wake me up?" His hands stiffened as I whirled around to face him, his eyes cloudy and confused. "If my father is missing, fine. I can find some way to deal with that. But ten minutes ago, you were lying on that couch, holding me while I slept unaware, kissing my hair like nothing was wrong. How do you expect me to deal with that?"

As Edward's confusion gave way to surprise, I looked beyond his shoulder to see Carlisle, Esme, Alice, and Jasper silently arriving in the hallway. And that's when I saw red.

"Very nice." I glared at my silent partner. "You didn't bother waking up your wife whose father is missing, but you found the time to call your parents and two of your siblings. What the hell, Edward? Is this your idea of respecting me and my right to know what's going on in my life?"

Edward closed his eyes and slowly dragged a hand across his face. "Could you give us a minute?" he said in a quiet, ragged voice.

"Of course," Carlisle answered.

"What's the point in them leaving?" I scowled. "It's not like they can't hear us from the porch."

When the front door shut, Edward folded his hands in front of his mouth, a likely prelude to his coming explanation. But I had the floor right now, and I was not ready to relinquish it.

"Edward, I realize this is the first problem we've faced as a married couple. And maybe you think your role as my husband means you should keep me in the dark about difficult situations until you've figured out the answer. But that is not the kind of marriage I want, and I won't stand for it, no matter how well-intended you might be. I may not be immortal yet, but I am your equal in every way that counts. So if you think this is the kind of outdated crap I'm going to put up with, then you can think again!"

I was breathless when I finished, my voice louder and more strained than I had expected. I knew whatever was going on with my father wasn't Edward's fault, but after all the promises Edward had made during the proposal and wedding, I could not believe he would keep something this important from me. We hadn't been married a full week, and he was already reverting to his Neanderthal ways?

As my raging took me to the other side of the room, Edward had watched me silently. I'd thought his eyes would darken or his nostrils would flare as I exploded all over him. Instead his eyes were lighter in their tenderness, his expression careful and calm. Holding my gaze as he approached, Edward came to my side and took my hands again, caressing them as he sighed.

"You had fallen asleep and curled up in my arms," he murmured. "I could hear the seconds ticking by, realized night was descending, but I was only truly aware of your presence: the rise and fall of your slumbering chest, the soft lines and curves I had earlier enjoyed, and the intermittent sighs whispering your contentment."

Despite his affectionate words, I frowned, annoyed that he would wax romantic at a time like this.

"It was around midnight when you started talking in your sleep," he continued. "You said my name several times and a few other choice words suggesting the sensual nature of your dreams." In spite of myself, I blushed, remembering the things Edward and I had done in my sleeping mind. "And I closed my eyes to join you there, feeling so at peace I fell nearly asleep for the first time in my existence.

"As I noted the late hour, I gave no thought to Charlie's absence. For the one thing I remembered from his life before your arrival was his tendency to sleep at the station. With you on your honeymoon and his few requirements for comfort duplicated in the modest room behind his office, I figured he was there and gave the matter no further consideration."

I knew that much was true. Charlie had been notorious for sleeping at the station before I came to Forks, returning home when he wanted a real shower or when Ms. Thompson's unwanted attention grew a little too ardent.

Edward's hands tightened around mine, bringing me out of my reverie. "Then you said Charlie's name, and the sound was so full of anguish I was compelled to act. I called Alice and asked her to look for his future with you, for some happy time you would soon spend together, so when you awakened, I could truthfully promise your relationship with your father would be fine.

"But Alice was silent after my request, so silent I thought I'd dropped the call. When she finally responded to my cries for her attention, she whispered, 'He's missing.' I asked her to repeat herself, and she did. I asked for an explanation, but she interrupted my entreaties with 'Be right there' and hung up. I repeatedly called her back, but she didn't answer," he said crossly. "That was an hour ago."

I closed my eyes and absorbed his words. I'd been hoping he had jumped to conclusions with his original statement regarding Charlie's whereabouts. But if Alice said Charlie was missing, then Charlie was missing. I bit my lip to keep my emotions in check, still not completely pacified.

"I understand what you're saying," I said with less steam. "But none of that excuses you letting me sleep through the realization that my father was in trouble."

"Love," Edward smoothed my hair and curled a lock around his finger. "Based on the uncertainty of this situation, that may have been the last real sleep you will get for a while," he said sadly. "And I wanted you to enjoy what little was left of it. My intention was to wake you as soon as Alice arrived so we could figure this out together, but you anticipated me."

His sincerity unraveled my anger, and I began to regret my outburst. But Edward shook his head and kissed my hands. "Your reaction was logical, and I do apologize for not waking you immediately." His eyes caressed me with loving warmth. "But please know I would never ever shut you out. If it concerns one of us, then it requires both of us. Yes?"

"Yes." I stepped into his arms and sighed heavily. My relief that Edward hadn't reverted to his former controlling ways was quickly usurped by the fact that I didn't still know anything about my father's whereabouts. "You said you spoke to Alice an hour ago?"

"Yes." Edward turned toward the door. "Yet she just arrived. Heavily chaperoned."

The Cullens must have taken that as their cue to return, for they soon appeared in the hallway again. "Why are you all just getting here?" I asked as they entered the living room. "Were you waiting for Emmett and Rosalie?"

"No, they were already home," Alice replied as everyone but Jasper sat down. "They decided to wait for the Denali clan to return from Seattle."

"So why the delay and escort?" I asked her.

"We had some things to discuss," Alice said obliquely as Esme glanced at her husband. He looked down at his steepled fingers and seemed nervous for the first time in my history of knowing him. "Carlisle?" Edward prompted.

Carlisle eventually looked up at Edward, apprehension framing his features. "There is something we have not told you," he said.

From my position on Edward's lap, I could see and feel his irritation rising as he answered, "I thought we didn't keep secrets in this family."

"We were going to tell you both," Esme interrupted. "But after you came home for New Years' Eve, you disappeared for two days. This is the first time we've really seen you since it happened."

Edward didn't react, so I looked at Carlisle.

"While you were on your honeymoon," Carlisle said. "I received an urgent call from Billy Black." Edward tensed immediately, his arms cinching more tightly around me. "During a visit with his best friend, Charlie spread the news that his daughter was somewhere in the world on her honeymoon with our youngest son. Needless to say, the Quileutes were none too pleased by the announcement, and Billy and Sam Uley requested a meeting at the boundary line."

"Sam Uley?" The name was vaguely familiar. "Why is my marriage any of their business?"

"Billy was concerned about the speediness of the occasion," Esme replied. "He assumed there was something behind it."

"How about the fact that I love Edward and wanted to become his wife?"

"The Quileutes believe we neither merit nor feel such affection," Carlisle said. "Their hypothesis was a little more specific."

Edward chuckled humorlessly. "They thought I'd changed her."

Carlisle nodded. "Not understanding our transformation process, they wrongfully assumed you had started Bella's and wanted a legitimate excuse to keep her near you."

"Either way, it's none of their business, especially this Sam Uley," I exclaimed. "Why was he there anyway?"

I caught a confused look between Edward and Jasper as Carlisle said, "He drove to the boundary line and pushed Billy's wheelchair."

"And?"

"And naturally, he was also concerned," Carlisle said blithely.

It was like pulling teeth. "About?"

There was a long beat before Edward patted my leg. "Bella, do you remember the legends Jacob Black told you that day on the beach?"

"Of course." My voice automatically softened at the memory. "They helped me realize the beautiful truth about you."

He almost smiled at my response. "No, I mean the part about the Quileutes? Their origins?"

I searched my mind and only found vague references to a tall tree in an ocean. "Not really. Why? And what does any of this have to do with Charlie?"

Edward looked at Carlisle. "Jacob already told her," the latter said. "And it can't be helped now."

"What?" I practically growled.

Edward squeezed my leg lightly, something I knew him to do when nervous. "The Quileutes believe they are descended from wolves, that the wolves are their brothers. And," he took a needless breath, "that the purest of their tribe are shape-shifters, humans with the ability to turn into wolves to protect their people from the presence of vampires."

I blinked at Edward as he watched me. And I laughed. "Yeah, right! You expect me to believe Billy Black, who can't even walk, is moonlighting in the forest as a wolf?"

"Not Billy," Jasper spoke for the first time. "But Sam Uley and one or two others in their tribe."

Jasper's serious tone brought me up short, and I gaped at Edward. "The Quileutes turn into wolves?"

"Yes."

"Jacob too?"

"I don't know if he has," Edward said.

"But he could?"

"Yes, and he probably will."

I shook my head slowly. "This can't be real."

"We're real," Edward replied gently.

"Shape-shifters." I repeated the strange word for the first time, frowning at the feelings it inspired. "Next you're going to tell me Mike Newton is a descendant of Bigfoot and Lauren is the Lochness Monster."

"That might actual be true," Alice chuckled dryly.

I exhaled loudly then looked at Esme. "Does Charlie know about this?"

"No," she said with a smile meant to be reassuring. "Nor is he likely to found out."

My mind reeled with uncomfortable questions when Edward turned to Alice. "You knew about this meeting with the Quileutes?"

"Yes, but I wasn't there. Only Carlisle, Jasper, and Emmett attended."

"Sexist much?" I muttered, my irritation seeking something else to attack.

"But I didn't ask you about the Quileutes," Edward said. "I asked you about Charlie, and you said he was missing. So how did we get here, talking about this?"

"You asked me to look for Charlie's future with Bella," Alice said slowly. "But I didn't see him. Not tomorrow, not next week or next month." She softened her tone at my sharp inhale. "I looked at every hour of every day between now and graduation, knowing Bella would be human until then. But he was completely absent from all of my visions."

I covered my face with my hands, this conversation taking me closer and closer to my limit. Edward rocked me in my arms as the room fell silent. It would have been bad enough for my father to be missing in the traditional sense. But for him to be missing from Alice's foresight altogether…

"Has anyone ever gone totally missing from your visions before?" I asked, my voice hollow.

"There's a first time for everything," she dodged brightly. "Remember before you, Edward could hear the mind of everyone around him. Maybe something in Charlie prevents me from seeing him too far in the future."

"Have you ever lost Charlie before?"

"I've never looked for him like this before."

"I appreciate what you're trying to do," I sighed. "But you wouldn't have rushed over here in the middle of the night if you thought your vision was at fault. So tell me the truth, and don't edit."

Alice glanced at Jasper, and I felt him settling my emotions as his wife answered me. "I think something happened to Charlie in La Push."

"Something like what?" Edward asked. Alice stared back, and her refusal to answer spoke volumes.

"No." I was on my feet again. "Billy and Charlie have been friends forever. Why would he hurt him now?"

"Because his daughter just married his youngest enemy," Jasper replied.

"But the Quileutes don't think you're dangerous because you're golden-eyed!" I cried in desperation.

"According to the Quileute kid," Jasper clarified, "and he doesn't believe the legends."

I ran my hands through my hair as I paced, Carlisle's calm voice doing nothing to soothe me. "The older Quileutes believe all vampires are dangerous. Billy might see your marriage to Edward as a betrayal of everything they stand for."

"I could sense their emotions at the meeting," Jasper said. "Billy was initially concerned about your safety and extremely disturbed by Charlie's easy acceptance of your new family. But both of them were seething with anger and determined to set this right."

"And you think that if Charlie defended my choice…" I couldn't bring myself to say it.

"I don't want to think that," Jasper said slowly, "but I have no other explanation for his absence from your entire future."

"Wait," Esme interrupted, and she turned to Alice. "Do you remember when Edward and Bella were dating, and Billy Black and his son came to this house for dinner?"

"I'd forgotten all about that," Alice rolled her eyes. "Edward was losing his lunch because I couldn't see Bella for a minute."

Esme folded her hands as Alice continued remembering. "I told him to calm down because I saw them together in her room a few hours later…" Alice jumped up. "Esme, you sweet genius!"

"What?" I asked.

"The Quileutes," she said with a growing smile. "Their presence here must have blocked my vision! Because as soon as they left your house, you came back to me loud and clear."

"Interesting," Edward remarked. "You think you can't see Charlie because he's on the reservation."

"It happened with Bella," Alice looked at each of us. "Just once, but that's a close enough precedent."

Alice's voice had risen in excitement, but I wasn't convinced. As much as I wanted to, I couldn't accept this answer, not after all the ghastly possibilities they'd just dangled in front of me.

"But you couldn't see Charlie for the next several months," I reminded her. "How could they block him from your visions for that long?"

Jasper and Carlisle looked at each other, and Edward groaned. "If they haven't decided what to do with Charlie yet," he answered, "then his future would vanish."

"Decide?" I was weary of all the shifting scenarios. "Are you now suggesting they're holding my father as some sort of hostage in La Push?"

"Billy's desire to protect you was rooted in a belief that you weren't fully aware of what you were doing," Carlisle said.

"He believed I bewitched you," Edward clarified.

"Once he realized you chose to marry Edward of your own free will," Jasper continued, "his concern for your safety evaporated. At this point, he might believe keeping Charlie might force you to make a different choice."

"Like what?" I asked. "Renounce my life with Edward to get Charlie back?"

"Well," Carlisle said. "It could be enough to..."

"I shouldn't have to make that choice!" My mind went blank with fury. "This ancient mystical feud has nothing to do with me. It's not my fault I'm in love with a vampire and my father's best friend is a wolfman. I should not have to make that choice."

The mounting anxiety began to dismantle my sanity, and I felt more of Jasper's influence washing over me from across the room. Edward glanced at me before looking down at my wedding ring, and I caught the question in his eyes before he could retract it. I lifted his face and shook my head. "Never."

"What's the plan?" Edward asked Carlisle as he pulled me closer.

Carlisle nodded at Jasper. "It's too late to do anything now." Jasper looked at the wall clock. "So we'll wait until morning."

"To do what?" I asked.

"You call Charlie and ask him to meet you for lunch," he said. "If he declines, suggest dinner instead. If he says 'no' a second time, accept his answer then hang up."

"And then?"

Jasper's voice was even. "Let's hope he comes to dinner."

My minimal sense of calm completely dissolved with his terse response, and I started biting my nails. And the knowledge that Charlie was being held captive by vengeful shape-shifting wolves wasn't helping much. Jasper tried to help, but his gift was no longer having any effect. As my erratic emotions intensified, it became clear that I needed Edward's highly specialized gifts instead.

And I politely asked the Cullens to take themselves out of earshot while he used them on me.

—o—o—o—o—o—o—o—o—o—o—

Thanks to my husband's fervent attention, I slept until almost eleven the next morning, after which I showered, dressed, and met the Cullens in the kitchen. Esme had already made French toast, but I was too wired to eat. She then offered me a tall glass of freshly-squeezed grapefruit juice which I gratefully accepted.

It was late enough to call Charlie without arousing suspicion, so I grabbed a seat on Edward's lap in one of the kitchen chairs and pulled out my cell phone.

"When did Charlie get a cell phone?" Alice asked.

"After I returned from Phoenix." I pulled up his name in my short contact list. "He only uses it for emergencies."

The phone rang several times then Charlie's gruff recorded greeting came across the line. I hung up, waited a moment, and dialed again. This time, the call went straight to voicemail.

That was odd.

"Call the house," Edward gently instructed. The Cullens drew closer as I dialed the seldom-used number, and I felt the weight of their concern.

This time, the phone rang only twice. "Hello?"

"Jacob?" I fleetingly wondered why he wasn't in school then remembered their vacation schedule was different than ours. "It's Bella."

"Hey, Bella!" he cried. "Or should I call you 'Mrs. Cullen'?"

I smiled, unable to do otherwise when I heard my new name. "Even better."

"How's married life treating you?"

I was gazing at Edward, buoyed by the strength in his eyes. "Very well, thank you."

"I was surprised when Charlie told us the news," he admitted quietly. "I mean, you just met the guy, and you haven't even graduated high school yet."

"Do you have a problem with my husband, Jacob?"

"No, no." Jacob retreated. "I just thought it was weird that you married so young, that's all. But Rebecca's already married, too, so I guess true love makes you do weird things."

Although I doubted its sincerity, his response kept me calm. "Is that what my dad said?"

"Not exactly," Jacob mused. "I mean, I overheard him saying marrying young had been a mistake for him and your mom, but it was different for you. He felt this was your fate, like finding Edward was the real reason you came to Forks or something."

I almost held my breath. "What did Billy say to that?"

"Oh, you know my dad," Jacob snorted. "He made a bunch of cranky, cryptic remarks. Charlie ignored him for the most part, but I don't think he appreciated Billy's opinion."

At least he didn't go all wolf on him. "How did they leave things?"

"Like they always do," Jacob replied. "With one last beer, a handshake, and a fishing date on Saturday. Charlie said he'd ordered a new tackle box and couldn't wait to break it in."

"That's nice."

"So what's up with you?" he asked.

"Oh, I'm fine!" I lied brightly. "I…we just got back from our honeymoon, and I was curious about how Charlie spent his time while I was away."

"Gotcha. Well, he was here with us all weekend, but he left early Monday morning after we rang in the New Year."

My heart sank at his cheerful honesty. "Was it just the three of you?"

"No, there was a huge bonfire on the beach with the Clearwaters, Sam and Emily, and a bunch of other people from the rez. It was pretty cool."

"Did Charlie have a good time?" I asked, giving it one last shot.

"Did he ever! He and Harry and my dad laughed so much I thought one of them was going to have a heart attack. He even sang a few bars with Harry once Sue brought out her guitar. But between you and me, Chief Swan shouldn't quit his day job. Ever."

Jacob didn't notice he was laughing alone.

"Hang up, Love," Edward whispered in my other ear.

"Thanks for keeping him company while I was gone," I managed to say.

"No sweat. Maybe you can come with him next time. I mean, if Edward says it's okay."

"That would be nice. Well, see you, Jacob."

"Yeah. And hey," he added before hanging up. "Happy New Year!"

I mumbled a response before the phone fell out of my hand. Esme caught it before it hit the ground and laid it on the table.

I looked up at Alice, all my hopes in my voice. "Anything?"

She slowly shook her head, and I could feel the tension multiply in the room. Jasper must have been in overdrive, but I felt nothing but dejection as I swallowed the latest developments.

Charlie was still missing from Alice's visions.

And he was not in La Push.

I reluctantly opened my eyes and looked at my husband, his golden eyes intense and sympathetic as they gazed into mine.

"What now?" I whispered.

What now, indeed? See you soon with another update!

PS – The final chapter of "Serenity's Prayer: The B-Sides" is Edward's POV of the first part of this chapter. This one might be my favorite of the bunch, and if you read it, I think you'll understand why.