Very sorry folks for the error with the name. It is Jennifer/Jenna. Thanks to all those who spotted the error and let me know. Love Jules xx

Chapter 113

Bella

I went straight to find Emmett when we came back downstairs but at first I couldn't find him. He wasn't with the children in the pool and it wasn't until Carlisle gestured to the changing hut that I understood and leaving Jazz with him I opened the door and peered in to see Em sitting on the bench, head in hands.

"Emmett."

He looked up and I felt so guilty, he looked devastated,

"Bella I am so sorry, I wouldn't have hurt you for the world."

"It's fine Em, it wasn't your fault, I guess those kinds of things are going to happen now and again but I never blamed you and I don't want you to blame yourself."

I walked up to him and gave him a hug feeling his huge arms wrap around me,

"Thank you Bella. Carlisle did try to explain but it means so much more coming from you. I'm just sorry it was me who scared you but I can tell you one thing. You brought Rose and I something we never thought we would have, a baby. And for that alone we would love you but you're Jazz's mate and that makes you family. You just remember one thing, we look after family so you need never be afraid again."

I kissed him on the cheek in thanks and he released me very gently,

"Of course it also means I get to torment you little sis."

He opened his arms and I could see the mischief in his eyes as he started to smile stalking me out to the pool where Kat seeing what he was doing started to giggle and shout encouragement to him and eventually even though he didn't cheat and use vampire speed he caught me and threw me with a huge splash into the pool fully dressed. There was a stunned silence and I knew the others were thinking I might lose it again until I started laughing. As I struggled, my clothes dripped water everywhere, out of the pool I pointed a finger at him,

"I will get you back for that Emmett, just wait until I'm as strong and fast as you."

I saw Jasper's face light up, we hadn't spoken about my transformation in days now. I knew he was scared I was getting cold feet but I just wanted to be stronger before I underwent the transformation.

"I look forward to that little sis, I surely do."

That evening Charlie reappeared and he wasn't alone, on his arm was a woman and I was dumbfounded. He introduced her as Jenna and told us she was his mate. It took a few seconds for that to really sink in, my dad had a mate? He looked different somehow, younger, happier and Jenna was not only beautiful she radiated joy as she shook my hand.

"Hello Bella, Charlie told me about you, I'm glad to finally meet you."

I wondered exactly how much my dad had told her, not that it mattered, especially if she were going to be one of the family. I felt all eyes on me and realised everyone was waiting to see how I would react to the news my dad had found his mate. I was truly happy for him, hed been on his own so long and he deserved happiness especially now he was immortal. Loneliness was bad enough for a human but it could drive a vampire mad or so I had heard.

Jasper stuck to my side like glue holding my hand or arm or draping an arm around my shoulder if he felt I was a little unhappy or shaky and I loved him even more for his attention. Jenna told her story as we sat around the lounge that although big was beginning to fill up. Skye was asleep in Emmett's arms and Kat was sitting between Peter and Charlotte with Felix close by. It felt like a real family, as close as any human one ever got if not closer.

"I was riding home from town one summer evening about sixty years ago, we lived outside a small town in Buckinghamshire when I was attacked. The strange thing is that a small voice inside had told me to wait for my friend Elsa but I ignored it to my cost. I didn't know she was a vampire only that a woman had grabbed the reins of my horse and brought it to a sudden halt. She was shouting something about taking her mate although I had no idea what that meant either. She dragged me off the horse and before I knew it I was laying on the ground bleeding, she had battered my face so badly I knew my jaw was broken but then something stopped her. She was joined by a male though I couldn't see him I only heard his voice. He was shouting at her and then I heard a high pitched scream and thud followed by a whoosh of flames.

I was picked up and carried deep into the forest and transformed by a man called Arthur, he stayed with me until it was all over and explained what had happened then after explaining to me what I now was and what I needed to do to stay safe he left me. I've been traveling ever since and I can tell you it's not pleasant being alone in the world. I met a few other nomads but most of them were very unfriendly, territorial, so I decided to try my luck over here where there is more territory for vampires, England can get a little crowded, and then, I just happened upon Charlie and I knew I would never be alone again."

In turn Charlie told his story, well our story really and she looked at me with sympathy,

"You were really lucky you had such wonderful people to look for you and help you. So what do you really think Bella? Of Charlie and I that is? It would be wonderful if you could give us your blessing."

I nodded,

"You have it, I know enough about vampire mates to understand there's little I could do even if I wanted to but I just want my dad to be happy and you seem to make him happy, what more could I ask?"

We continued talking a while longer and I could see how much Jenna thought of my dad and he of her. This was the kind of relationship Jazz and I would have once I was turned, he already had those same feelings for me and I loved him with every fibre of my being. I wanted him in every way possible and knowing that told me it was time that we finally became a real couple again. Finally Kat went home to bed with Peter and Charlotte, after much debate. She was trying her hardest to wind Peter round her little finger though she loved him to bits and I was pleased to see she wasn't getting very far. He loved her too but he wasn't taking any nonsense and when she turned and appealed to Felix he just smiled and shook his head,

"It's past your bedtime Kat. You'd better do what Peter and Charlotte say."

She scowled at him and was about to put her tongue out before realizing that action would only get her in further trouble and stopped herself.

"Good move Princess, that one would have stopped your pool privileges for a week now come on. Say goodnight to everyone and if you're real good maybe you can have hot chocolate before you brush your teeth."

They left and Rose took Skye up to bed although Emmett was reluctant to let her go, he was bowled over with his baby daughter.

"I think it's time for me to say goodnight too but I just want to thank you all for being so understanding earlier."

"There is no need for apologies Bella, you've done remarkably well after everything that's happened. Get a good nights sleep."

I kissed Esme on the cheek, a routine I'd slipped into without really knowing why and she patted my hand. Then Jasper took my hand,

"Come on sleepy head."

I felt a thrill shoot through my body at his touch and the sound of his soft voice and went slowly upstairs to our room. At the top of the stairs Rose was just coming out of Skye's nursery and as she shut the door it clicked, sounding like the lock on the cellar door and I found myself hyperventilating but I was determined not to lose it this time and clutched Jasper's hand more tightly.