Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight or any of the characters.

A/N: Thanks to katmom and Angelinia who beta this story.

Chapter Eleven

Charlie's Little Girl is Growing Up

"So that was fun, wasn't it?" Bella asked, looking at Jacob while he grinned back at her as Edward drove her truck back towards town.

"That was incredible," Jacob chuckled. "I never would have guessed it would be so much fun to hang out with so many bloodsuckers."

"Well, Em always had an affinity for dogs," Edward chuckled. "He's been begging Esme to let us have one for awhile now."

"Is that true?" Jacob questioned, chuckling too.

"Sort of," Edward sighed. "I'm sure Em would love to have a dog, but animals tend to stay as far away from us as possible. Their survival instinct is too strong."

"That's too bad," Jacob sniggered before his eyes got a gleam in them and he asked, "So, I was wondering if you could let me drive your Austin Martin …?"

"Hm … I'm not so sure about that," Edward pressed his lips together. "I don't really let anyone touch my car …"

"Yeah, I figured as much," Jacob sighed. "I just thought I would ask … no harm, right?"

"I guess not," Edward laughed, "well, this is about as far as I can go … I'll see you later, Bella."

Edward then pulled over and got out of the truck, his frown was barely noticeable but Bella sighed. She knew that he didn't really want to be away from her anymore then she wanted to be away from him, though at least she knew that she would see him again before the night ended.

"So, what do you have planned for tomorrow?" Jacob asked as Bella started driving. "Hanging with the vamps again I would think."

"Probably," Bella said, "do you want to come?"

"Hm … yeah maybe," Jacob said, but he was frowning. "Then again I have things that I have to do, don't I? I'm not sure how long I can wait before I tell the others what I've learned about the Cullens … it wouldn't be good if they found out before I tell them."

"I wouldn't think so," Bella frowned. "Do you want me to be there …?"

"No," Jacob shook his head. "I think that would just make everything more awkward."

"Okay, but if you do need help, I'll be here," Bella said.

"Sure, sure," Jacob said. "How about you call me tomorrow … I'm sure I'm going to chicken out, but maybe I'll find the nerve to tell my dad about this."

"Okay, Jake," Bella smiled as she pulled up to his driveway.

"See you later, Bells," Jacob smiled, too, and then walked to his house. She watched him until he got into the house and then headed home, turning on the radio for the short drive. Though she wished that she would have more time with Edward before her dad got home, she barely had time to open the door before she saw him pulling up.

Charlie seemed to be in a good mood when he got inside; obviously he had caught a lot of fish today. After some small talk, Bella busied herself with making dinner as Charlie turned on the TV and immersed himself in some game. She was quite happy with the quiet routine they had fallen into this past week, however, before she was even able to finish dinner Charlie had to go and ruin it.

"So, I've been hearing interesting rumors lately," Charlie said, obviously trying to sound causal, but the look he was giving her made her uncomfortable.

"Oh?" was Bella's response, for she didn't know what else to say; perhaps this doesn't have anything to do with her and, more importantly, Edward.

Charlie shifted in his chair looking uncomfortable now; okay, so that just confirmed her worries. "Well, um … I heard … that is to say … um …" he said trying to find the right words, getting more uncomfortable the longer he spoke until finally he just blurted out, "I've heard you've been spending a lot of time with one of the Cullens."

"Oh," Bella repeated her articulate response and then added reluctantly, "yeah, I have been."

"Oh," Charlie responded in much the same tone his daughter had just used. "That's nice."

"Is there a problem with that?" Bella asked, trying to make her face appear innocent, but she was sure she didn't manage it. Lucky for her Charlie wasn't really paying attention to her expression.

"No … no, I have no problems with that," Charlie said, though Bella wasn't sure if that was entirely true, he seemed to be bothered by something. "I have nothing but respect for Dr. Cullen and his family. They've never caused an ounce of trouble, not to mention all the good that Dr. Cullen has done since he got here. It's nice to hear that you're being so nice to them, I never really understood why they've always been so isolated."

Bella could tell that despite the way that Charlie had worded his response, that it wasn't her kindness that he was surprised about, but Edward's attention to her. Though Charlie wasn't giving her skeptical looks like so many of her classmates (mostly the female population) had been giving her, he was just looking mildly puzzled along with touch of discomfort.

"I didn't really do anything, they're the ones that welcomed me here," Bella shrugged, again failing at acting causal. This time Charlie seemed to notice.

"I thought you didn't like getting too much attention," Charlie stated.

Well, that depends on who's attention I've got, Bella thought to herself before she answered, "that's why it's so nice to talk to them, they treat me like they've already known be for years." Well it's not a lie; though it hadn't been actually years, they still know about the future, again Bella thought and with that she was able to prevent herself from blushing.

Charlie smiled a genuine smile that made him look younger. "Well, I'm glad that they are such good friends."

"So am I," Bella smiled back, almost being able to relax again but Charlie didn't seem to be done yet.

"I am surprised that you said 'them' though, from what I heard you were only with one of them," Charlie said, making it clear by his red ears that he had heard which Cullen she was talking to.

"I … um … who told you all this anyway?" Bella asked, flustered, not able to completely hold off her blush. Why did she have to live in such a small town?

"Well … I heard some rumors yesterday," Charlie admitted looking sheepishly. "Mark sort of mentioned it … his wife …"

"Argh, never mind," Bella grumbled, not really wanting to know the extent the gossip mill worked.

"But I didn't really think about it much until today," Charlie went on looking a little guarded. "You know I was fishing today with Harry … and he kind of mentioned it to me, too."

Bella was a little surprised by this, and more than a little worried. "Is there something wrong with that?" she asked, trying to make it look like she didn't know as much as she did about this.

"Hm … the Quileutes … um … don't really like the Cullens very much," Charlie said frowning, "I don't really like it … in fact I think they're being ridiculous about the whole thing."

Bella didn't know what to say so she just stared at Charlie until he caught his breath. However, after Charlie calmed down he seemed to be at a lost to what to say now.

"Well anyway," Charlie went on with the conversation awkwardly, "the rumor is that you are spending all your time with … um … Edwin."

Bella sighed, wondering if Charlie really didn't now Edward's name or if he was just trying to get to her. It was suspicious that he chose the same name as he did in the book. "His name is Edward."

"Right, Edward," Charlie nodded his head, not looking very pleased by her answer. "So it's true …"

"Yes," Bella answered simply.

"Are you … um … is he your boyfriend?" Charlie asked, his face was red and he was looking at the table.

Hm … was this why Charlie has been so uncomfortable? "I've only known him a week, Dad," she answered, unable to keep her face serene because an even brighter shade of red covered her face than her dad's. She really wished she didn't have to have this talk, especially not this early.

"Okay," Charlie nodded his head; he clearly was dying for this conversation to be over just as much as Bella was. He stood up and continued, "Well, if things get … um … I would like to meet him," he seemed to have missed a few words in his haste to get up.

"Okay," was all Bella could say to that before her dad retreated to the living room and she went to the sink with the dishes. Well this definitely wasn't what she thought was going to happen when she got home today, and she wasn't very pleased about it at all. Worse, she knew that Edward was likely in her room or in the tree near the house and he had listened to everything that was said. He was probably all for her introducing him to her dad tomorrow.

Still, Bella did the dishes as quickly as she could, not wanting Charlie to come back and bring up another uncomfortable topic. She made her way upstairs and like she thought, Edward was there with a grin that clearly stated that he heard everything … and more.

"Well, that was certainly an interesting dinner," Edward commented. "Though I was a little disappointed when you didn't say I was your boyfriend," he added with an over-exaggerated sigh.

"You're something indefinable to me … and boyfriend doesn't seem like enough," Bella said. "Besides, you know I only said what I did because I didn't want to freak Charlie out."

"I think it's a little too late for that," Edward said and then added quickly because Bella was grimacing, "but he's happy that you seem to really like it here. He was worried you would be miserable."

"Well … hey, I thought you couldn't hear his thoughts that clearly," Bella said.

"It gets easier all the time," Edward said, "especially when he feels strongly about something."

"And what is he feeling strongly about now?" Bella questioned warily.

"Nothing that you need to be worrying about," Edward chuckled.

Bella pressed her lips together, not liking the answer but she knew he wasn't going to say anymore. "What was he thinking about when he was talking about Harry … did he say anything to Charlie?"

"Hm …" Edward said, "Charlie's thoughts just seemed to show that Harry was just concerned about you … I don't think he pushed the subject, but at the same time he was able to get his point across."

"Is this something we have to worry about?" Bella asked.

"Not right now we don't," Edward said.

"Okay," Bella smiled. He was right; they would have plenty of time in the future to worry about the Quileutes. Right now she had Edward alone in her room and there was no book she had to read. "So, what would you rather do?"

Edward smiled at her. "I can think of a few things."

Bella felt her heart rate speed up as he smiled at her. She walked towards him and was pleased when he didn't move away from her. He had slowly been getting closer to her all week, especially yesterday, and she was feeling optimistic about everything.

O

The next morning Bella woke up with the same feeling of optimism as she had the night before. Though Edward still wasn't able to hold her as she longed for him to do, as he had the night before when she physically needed him to, he sat close to her. So close that she could smell his pleasant scent; she could easily get lost in his golden eyes; she could reach out and touch him. It was rather hard for her not to do the last one, but she was very conscious that he had to make the first move.

Even better than all that though, was she knew that he had spent the whole night in her room, he told her he wasn't going to leave and when she opened her eyes he was there. The smile came automatically to her face as soon as she saw him, and it was just as automatic for him to return the smile.

"You seemed to have slept peacefully last night," Edward informed her. "Though, unfortunately, you didn't say much in your sleep."

"I'm sorry, I'll try to be more restless tonight," Bella chuckled. "And it's not really surprising that I slept peacefully … everything just seemed to work out perfectly yesterday. Even the talk with Charlie wasn't so bad."

"Yes, yesterday was a good day," Edward agreed. "Now what are we going to do today to top it?"

Bella shrugged, she was sure that just being with him would make this day better, everyday just seemed to get better the closer they got together. Unfortunately she had to excuse herself and get ready for the day. When she got downstairs she was surprised to find that Edward had made eggs for her.

"How is it that vampires are such good cooks?" Bella questioned after she had taken a bite.

Edward shrugged, looking pleased with himself. "I'm not sure."

After breakfast Bella called Jacob, and was slightly surprised by the tone of Billy's voice when he answered the phone. He had sounded exasperated just saying hello, and when she asked for Jacob, his voice because positively cold.

"Hello," Jacob said warily.

"Is there something wrong with Billy?" Bella questioned.

"Yeah," Jacob said stiffly.

"You told him," Bella gasped in understanding.

"Sort of," Jacob sighed, and suddenly he was whispering, obviously he didn't want Billy to overhear him, "but not soon enough. He was really suspicious when I told him that I was with you all day … did you know there's a rumor going around that you're spending time with the Cullens? Almost all of the adults in La Push are talking about it …"

"Yeah, Charlie mentioned that at dinner last night," Bella said glumly. "What happened, Jake?"

"I think he was worried that … well that I was doing exactly what I was doing … talking to the Cullens," Jacob sighed. "I didn't think it was the best time to go into it then, when he was already upset and all, I mean I wasn't planning to tell him when he was already in full hate mood. However, Sam showed up sensing trouble about something, I think he might have caught Edward's scent near the town and was worried about that. Anyway, when he got close to me … um … well, he could smell them …"

"Oh no, what happened?" Bella gasped, feeling terrible, whatever it was, it was all her fault.

"I didn't know what to say then," Jacob said through gritted teeth, "they just thought I was being stupid and not paying attention to our traditions … Billy shouted at me, telling me never to go near the Cullens again, and that I had to keep you away from them, too, if I could. I never knew he could act like such a parent before this …"

"Did you tell him that you knew …?"

"Yes," Jacob groaned, "and things only got worse after that. Before I was just an ignorant kid, now I'm betraying my people to the bloodsuckers …"

"Jake …" Bella moaned.

"Look, Bella, I know you don't like hearing this, but there's nothing you can do about it now," Jacob said. "I knew this was going to happen … And I'm going to make sure they see what's up … but that's going to take awhile."

There was a long pause as Jacob took a deep breath, "I think it's best if you don't come down here for awhile. I think it would relieve some tension if the vampire issues aren't flaunted in their face."

"Jacob …" Bella groaned, "are you sure that's best … I want to help you."

"I know, and maybe you can help me soon," Jacob said, "but everything's too crazy right now."

"I'm so sorry, Jake, I shouldn't have made you come to the Cullens, if you weren't there …" Bella started.

"I wouldn't have seen those amazing cars and had Esme's delicious food," Jacob said almost cheerfully. "I told you this was going to happen at some point; at least I got to have a little fun before it did. Look, I've got to go now. Billy's giving me the evil eye."

"Bye, Jake," Bella sighed.

"Bye, Bells," Jacob said in the same tone.

"I'm sorry," Edward said as Bella put the phone down. He heard everything that Jacob had said.

"So am I," Bella said. "I really wish we could do something for Jake …"

"I think he's right," Edward said, "right now the best thing we can do is let him handle it until the situation settles down some."

Bella sat down at the table, noting dimly that she had been happy a few minutes ago. "Everything's not going to be perfect, is it?"

"What?" Edward questioned.

"Just because we know the future … that doesn't mean that everything is going to be perfect," Bella said. "Things are just going to come at us differently …"

"I suppose," Edward said, "it wouldn't be life if there weren't difficulties to face, it makes the happy times that much better … trust me on that one, I'm talking from experience," he stopped there to smile at her meaningfully.

"So you think everything is going to work out with Jake," Bella said, "and the Quileutes?"

"Yes, I think things will be tense for awhile, but in the end our relationship will be stronger because of this," Edward said. "Having a voice of understanding will go a long way towards helping them see us for what we really are. We have learned a lot about them through these books … I know you don't know what I'm talking about yet, but trust me, all of us have gained a great respect for the wolves."

Bella nodded her head, and tried not to think about what Jacob must be going through right now. That was made easier when she went to Edward's house; it was hard for her to be worried there. Especially when Alice dragged Jasper over to her, and after assuring him again that she really liked him, he seemed to relax, causing her to relax in return. However, she knew that when Edward left her side (making it easier for Jasper to be near her) that he was telling Carlisle of the situation in La Push.

A/N: I know this is late and short but I've been spending so much time watching the World Cup (and getting used to waking up a lot earlier than I'm used to) and watching the Laker/Celtics game (wow, that was a close game) that I didn't work on this as much as I wanted to. I'm not sure if I'm going to do a chapter about what's happening at La Push as the next chapter, or move on to Edward learning to control himself … I'm leaning more towards Edward and letting the wolf situation settle down for a while.