Chapter Seventy Nine

Charlie

Knowing Rose and Peter had gone to visit Bella didn't do my temper any good but I bit down any violent response when I arrived at the Cullen's. Of course they'd been warned I was on my way by Darius and had sent Emmett to join him in my place. Personally I thought it was a complete waste of time looking for Kat's real parents. If Darius couldn't find any trace of them in the time we'd been looking then he wasn't going to and now I knew why.

Carlisle told me of their suspicions and the blood Rose had taken and sent away for testing. He had just received the results and it was proved that not only was Skye Victor Mendoza's biological daughter but that Kat was too and as it seemed she had been a captive for a long time the chances were that her biological mother was dead, probably at Victor's hands. Yet another reason to make sure that evil fucker died slow and hard.

When Carlisle explained the reason for Rose and Peter's visit to Bella I understood a little better but I was still desperate to see my daughter again.

"Rose really is the best person to help Bella Charlie, she's a trained counselor."

"Yeah and I'm her dad just so we don't forget that."

Rose and Peter arrived back soon after and I was introduced to Skye Cullen McCarty and Kat Whitlock. It seemed they'd done well out of being rescued and I just hoped Bella would come out of it as well.

"Of course Charlie you must remember that Bella doesn't know what we, what you are, and that's going to be a shock to the system, A shock I think she could do without, for a while at least."

I could hardly argue with Rose on that although I would have if I could. I hadn't thought much about the fact I was a vampire now but suddenly it was a real problem. I wondered how long it would be before Bella was strong enough mentally to learn what her fiance, his family, and even her dad really was. Having been with the family or Darius and Peter ever since I turned I hadn't found it as difficult as I should have and my gift helped too but sooner or later I knew I would have to strike out on my own and I worried what I would do then. Still I didn't need to be worrying about that just yet.

When Eleazar and Carmen arrived with the three girls the house was pretty full but when I suggested leaving to give them some room they wouldn't hear of it.

"Charlie, you are family whether you like it or not and unless you have somewhere else you need to be I suggest you make yourself comfortable. It will do you good to meet the rest of the family properly."

I was still getting the hang of this family concept. None of these people were related by blood yet they had formed a closer bond than most real families I knew and within an hour or two I was considered one of the family. They were all interested to hear how Bella was doing but once Kat came down from her bath with Charlotte, Rose, and the baby, all attention turned to them. It never failed to amaze me how the sight of a baby could arrest any woman within a mile.

Carmen and the three girls crowded round Skye while Eleazar beckoned Kat over and there was a strange look in his eyes. I wasn't the only one who noticed it either. Carlisle was watching closely. They talked for a while. Kat showing Eleazar her books and pictures she'd drawn and then she came over with Peter to be introduced to me.

"You're Bella's daddy? Her real daddy I mean?"

"Yes."

"She's really lucky to have a daddy she knows, I mean a real one. She was sad when we saw her but she'll be OK, she's got you and Jasper and Rose, lots of people who love her, like me. I'm going to be staying with Peter and Charlotte. They're going to be my parents."

Peter smiled indulgently,

"Sure are Princess. Did you see her pictures Charlie?"

I nodded,

"I liked the one you drew of Bella."

It was an excellent likeness although of the Bella who had seen too much, not the innocent girl I had waved goodbye to only a few months before. She pulled it out of her sketch book and handed it to me.

"You have it Charlie. It will remind you of Bella until she's better."

"Thank you Kat, that's very kind of you."

She smiled then stepped forward and gave me a kiss on the cheek,

"She'll be better soon Charlie I know she will."

It was sweet, a little girl trying to comfort me but I did feel better for her words.

Kat went outside with Peter and Charlotte to play hide and go seek in the huge back yard and Carlisle who had been speaking with Eleazar invited me to join them.

"It seems Kat and Skye may both be gifted like you Charlie."

I looked at Eleazar,

"Really? You can tell with a baby?"

"Age makes no difference to me Charlie I see the gift you are born with. Kat has survived her imprisonment and ill treatment because she is able to forget things she wishes to or rather she is able to lock them away in a kind of shield so although she doesn't forget they lose their ability to hurt her. I think as a vampire that gift would be much stronger and could be used on others, to help them cope with terrible experiences. It may not be a gift the Volturi would prize but it is still a gift."

"Only if she were to become a vampire though and you don't plan on changing her do you? What about the Immortal children? Darius told me all about them."

"No, Kat would remain human until she is fully grown but as she's already a teenager I don't think it will be that long and remember with no parents Peter and Charlotte are her best bet for a family."

"Would the Volturi agree though Carlisle?"

"I guess we'll have to wait and see but Skye's gift might just give us some leverage."

"It will be that interesting to the Volturi?"

"Oh I think Aro would be inclined to think so. She will have the ability to see what people really are and their intentions if and when she becomes a vampire. Now the Volturi would prize that highly and it could make them happier to see her brought up by vampire parents, after all she already knows our secret even if she is unable as yet to tell anyone. Having her raised among humans would be an advantage when she gets older. It would enable her to live and work among them easily and so travel to check out humans and others who might be interested in fomenting any unrest."

"And you're just going to hand this information to Aro Volturi?"

"If it keeps them safe and my daughter happy then yes. We couldn't hide it in any case. Aro would insist Eleazar read them for gifts and no one denies Aro what he wants, this way we can bend the truth to our own ends, those of the children too. After all better they live among people who love them than in Italy among the Volturi guard."

"What about Bella? She's already lived beyond the deadline they set for her transformation."

"Oh Aro graciously allowed us an extension and I think he might allow more time when I give him the good news. I rarely use any influence on my friends but lets just say they owe me a debt and if necessary I will call it in."

He wouldn't explain any further and I was just relieved he was prepared to fight on my daughter's behalf as well as the children.