Chapter 103

Charlie

I was relieved Bella and I had finally met and laid our ghosts but I had no idea what she would do in the future, She wasn't the same person any longer and although she loved Jasper still I wasn't sure she would get over what had happened to her and stay with him. The Bella who had fallen in love and become engaged to him was long gone. The new Bella needed him like a cripple needs a crutch but did she still love him enough? Would this new Bella be able to open herself and give her heart to anyone?

All I knew was that I had to stay around to offer her support if she decided that she needed a fresh start but that meant sorting out my own life now I was a vampire. She was right of course, I couldn't go back to Forks, nor could I be a law enforcement officer any longer, my reaction to sunlight ensured that. Maybe I could become a night security guard although I wasn't sure I really wanted to pursue a career in the law any longer. I had to have some money coming in though, I needed a place to live, at least in the short term, for Bella as well as myself and although I had no more food bills I didn't want to become a savage or bum just wandering from place to place.

My salary would stop soon as I hadn't contacted work to let them know where I was, they must be wandering what the hell had happened to me. What would happen to the house? My belongings and my bank account? I needed to speak to someone who knew how such things were managed and I went back to the Cullen house relieved to find Carlisle at home, how me managed the life of a doctor with all that blood was beyond me, he must have fantastic control of his cravings.

"Charlie come in and sit down. I find the only place to get any peace is my study, No one will disturb us in here. How is Bella?"

I explained my concerns for her and he smiled,

"You don't need to worry about her Charlie, Jasper is her mate and yes she is still human but she will find her way back to him, she just needs time. Now what was it you wanted to talk to me about?"

I told him of my concerns for the future and he nodded,

"I understand that you want to sort out your affairs and I have a confession to make. As I'm sure you understand I have been around for centuries and seen many newborns struggle to fit back in to the human world. Very few manage it, most abandon everything and become nomads. There are very few who find they can slot back into a human existence with its ever present fear of slipping up and revealing themselves to others, besides most live on human blood and surrounding yourself with your food source is not the wisest of moves, a simple accident, a paper cut could result in a feeding frenzy and death for the humans around you and yourself if the Volturi should find out and they invariably do."

"I don't know what to do about my possessions, if I could sell the house I would have some money to buy somewhere to live, I feel like a nomad at present with more or less only the clothes on my back and a borrowed room."

Carlisle sat forward and I could see I had unwittingly offended him.

"I'm sorry Carlisle. You and the rest of the family have made me very welcome but I feel as if I should be pulling my weight. I live here rent free, I do nothing to help towards the upkeep, its just not the way I was brought up."

He nodded then picked up a photograph of his "family",

"I don't think any of us were brought up to live as vampires Charlie, its a hand we were given to play at some point in our lives and we all did the best we could. For Edward, Esme, Rosalie, and Emmett, it was much more simple, their human lives were over in any case and I was there for them when they woke as vampires to help and provide. For Alice well, she has no memory of her human life and seeing the future as she does she knew what would happen and where to go for help. Jasper...well his is a different story altogether but eventually he found his way here to us and became a part of our family. I'd like to think you too are a part of our family now Charlie, especially as Bella certainly will be eventually. And that means we will help you in every way."

"Well that's kind of you Carlisle but I still feel I should be paying my way if you get my drift."

"I do Charlie but please allow me to explain that money means little to us, with Alice's help and my own experiences we have more than we could ever spend but I do understand you have your pride. Therefore I got in touch with our lawyer in Seattle once I heard Peter had been forced to change you. Unfortunately there was no time to speak to you about things so I was forced to act. I hope you don't find my actions unforgivable but I had to act the only way I could under the circumstances."

He opened the drawer in his desk and took out a thick manilla envelope which he slid across to me.

"That should explain things Charlie. Take a look and then perhaps we can continue this conversation, I'll leave you for a few minutes, I need to speak to Esme."

I waited until he left the room shutting the door very quietly before opening the envelope marked with my name in black capitals. Inside were a sheaf of papers, the first a death certificate in my name with the cause of death marked as accidental, it seems I fell from a bluff looking for my daughter in Yellowstone and signed by Carlisle himself. I wondered where I was buried but I needn't have worried. Next was a photograph of my headstone in Forks cemetery complete with my Chief's badge. A newspaper clipping of my obituary told me the date and time of my death which coincided with the time Peter changed me. Below this was a facsimile of a check from my insurance made payable to my estate along with the proceeds of the sale of my house in Forks. It was a pretty penny when added together and as I turned more papers I found it had been invested and was making a pretty good income but who was the beneficiary?

Apparently I had a distant relative who lived in Alaska and all monies were put into an account in his name, Charles Cullen. I bet all the paperwork was there proving his existence but I just sat staring at the figures. Somehow Carlisle had wrapped up everything for me and still allowed me access to my money including a pension from the police force that was also paid into the account.

The door opened once more and he came back in smiling a little uncertainly,

"I hope I haven't upset you Charlie but I had to act, we had no idea how long it would be before you were able to make decisions again."

"Nope, it was a little unnerving to see my headstone and read my obituary but I guess it was necessary and they said some good things. Who is this nephew by the way? One I didn't know about that's for sure."

"Well you could hardly claim the money yourself but don't worry, Eleazar will handle any inquiries made. The check book and ATM card are in the envelope and as you can see there's plenty there to see you comfortable whatever you decide to do however Esme and I both think it would be a good thing if you remained our guest for now, at least until such time as you feel comfortable about Bella."

I nodded overcome by his help and generosity,

"Thank you Carlisle, I'd like that very much and thank you for everything you've done for both myself and Bella."