Jacob stayed frozen by the doorway, Charlie stayed frozen by the window. They stared at each other and the moment stretched. I could only imagine what was going through Charlie's head. At least my introduction to this world had been gentle. A gradual realisation, suspicions followed by stories followed by confirmation and explanation. My poor father had just been dropped head first into The middle of world that his every cell screamed shouldn't exist. The sudden realisation that he was in the company of non humans with no reassurance that they were safe. I was his only tenuous link to the known And I had no idea what to do or what to say.

Tanya seemed to sense my distress and hurried to my side. Her entrance into my personal space somehow soothed my senses and the panic abated a little. She ran A hand soothingly down my arm. I turned to her and spoke quietly.

"What do I say to him. Trying to explain the pregnancy would have been bad enough but how do I explain away all this"

"You don't. He's seen too much. He will have to have the truth"

"But the voltori"

"We will protect him from them."

"How"

"I don't know. But we will find a way"

"You're sure that telling him is the right thing to do?"

"Yes. He will have to know. There's no choice now."

"Tanya is right." Said a soft voice on my other side. I looked up. Jacob had come to stand behind me, I glanced at my father he was looking at Jacob next to me with cautious eyes, I could tell that the only thing stopping him reaching for his gun again was the fact that I was clearly comfortable in Jacobs presence.

They were right I thought to myself. took a deep breath, followed by several more. Nodded and went slowly over to my father. He was still by the window his face white and shocked. Eyes now following my every move. . I could tell that he was struggling to process all this. He clearly felt that he was in danger. But there was something else. He eyed me warily. I realised that he couldn't decide if I was also in danger or if my comfort amongst these creatures meant that I was now dangerous.

I touched his arm gently and he unfroze slightly. He looked down at me.

"I know you're shocked. I'm here. I'll explain when you are ready"

He looked around. Looking deep into garrets face then into Tanya's and then into the faces of the other denalis who had appeared in doorways realising that something was going on. I could tell that He was recognising similarities in the faces of the vampires around us. Things that to to him identified them all as the same creatures as Garrett. And with that recognition came the realisation that he was surrounded by creatures that were absolutely not human. As he made this connection his face changed from shocked and wary to downright scared.

"You're safe. " I tried to reassure him "Nobody here will hurt you." .

He looked back down at me

"What are they"

"Friends" I said determinedly. "That's the first thing you need to know. Everyone here is a friend. Come and sit and we can talk."

I lead him to the larger of the three sofas. He sat down and I sat beside him. Tanya sat on my other side and Jacob perched on the coffee table in front of us.

"Where do I start" I mused aloud

"What are they" Charlie asked again.

"Who would you like to know about first?" I asked him in reply " Jacob or Tanya and her family"

A strange expression that I couldn't quite place crossed his face and He turned to look at Jacob.

"I've known You since your were a baby Jacob."

"I know Charlie"

"What are you?"

"I'm a shapeshifter. I was born a shapeshifter but the ability to change only came to life a few months ago."

"Does billy know"

"Yes. It's an phenomenon that's unique to my tribe. We aren't all wolves, only the direct descendants of an Ancient chief carry the gene. It's been passed down through the generations,."

"Is billy…"

"No. the gene only activates when" he paused suddenly and thought fast. "When Erm. Certain errmm Conditions, Are met. And well Those conditions weren't in the area in my fathers time. My grandfather was the last wolf in my family."

"What conditions" asked Charlie shrewdly.

Jacob hesitated then said "I'll let Bella tell you about that." Charlie gave him a look then gave me a look then turned back to Jacob and continued his questioning. I couldn't tell how Charlie was taking the information. But he was clearly determined to get all the information he could.

"How may of you are there. Why do you exist, what do you do with this power"

"There's 16 of us at the moment, others who carry the gene will make the change when they grow old enough. and We exist to protect the tribe. Do you remember Sam Uley and his gang. They called themselves the protectors"

"They Are all wolves?l"

"Yes. They are the pack, I joined his gang because I had made the change and joined the pack."

"Bella had a run in with uley months ago. She told me he said you and Bella couldn't be friends"

"Outsiders aren't supposed to know about the pack. About our power. When I first made the change and joined the pack Sam said I couldn't tell Bella. Or hang out with her anymore"

"The next day she said you'd made up. What changed Sam's mind?"

"He didn't change his mind. I found a loophole. You see When our leader or alpha as we call them gives an order a certain way the others physically can't disobey, so I couldn't just go against him and tell Bella. But I had already Told her the legends that speak of the wolves over a year ago. Back When I didn't know they were secrets when I Didn't believe them myself. And so despite Sam's injunction I was able to say enough to Bella for her to remember to guess what had happened to me. After that Sam had no reason to stop us being friends."

Charlie's face was still unreadable.

"Are you ok dad

"I think so. I'm not sure. It's a lot to take in."

"I felt the same way when I found out."

He looked like he was going to say something to me but instead he sat for a moment then turned to Jacob ready to Ask Some more questions.

"Jacob. If your grandfather was the alpha. Why aren't you the alpha."

"Because Sam was the first of our generation to gain his wolf. So he became the alpha. When I joined the pack I decided not to take over"

"When you disappeared, Were you really missing"

"No. I did run away. But the pack knew why. And they Knew where I was. They reassured dad and Bella. Dad did try to tell you I didn't need looking for.

"Yeah he did. I understand that a bit more now."

"How did you come to be here with Bella"

"When she and Edward broke up she called Sam, sam contacted me and told me to come home, when Bella explained what had happened and asked me to come here with her I agreed. We might not have seen eye to eye for a while but we are still the best of friends and no matter what we always will be."

He smiled at me and I smiled back.

Just then Seth and Embry Appeared in the kitchen doorway having come in through the kitchen door. Charlie saw them and looked totally shocked all over again. Jacob got up. And went over to them, In a low voice he explained what had happened. He sent Seth to fill in Leah and Embry joined us in the lounge.

"It looks like there is more to your story" he said pointedly to jacob

"Yeah." Jacob admitted sitting back down "when Bella and I had been here a few day Sam tried to force me home. Any other member of the pack would have been forced to go but I knew that I could over rule Sam if I accepted my birthright. catch was that would mean replacing him as alpha which would also mean going home.

Then I remembered a story my dad told me once about an alpha who split his pack in half when it grew too large making his second in command a second alpha to lead the new second pack. So that's what I did. I claimed my birthright as alpha but I split the pack. Sam became my second and a second alpha and I put his pack in charge of protecting la push while my pack would remain with Bella. At that point of course there were no other wolves in my pack but I decided to give the of age wolves all a choice of which pack to belong to. Leah and embry decided to join my pack. Seth wanted to as well, I allowed him to come despite him being underage. All the others stayed in la push with Sam and the young ones."

"So basically" Charlie said with an expression akin to somebody working out a complicated algebraic equation. "There's two packs now. One here and one in la push. You head one. Sam heads the other. And you are in charge overall"

"That pretty much sums it up yeah" Jacob grinned.

"What will happen if Bella leaves here." Charlie asked "will you go back to la push"

"No. Wherever Bella goes my pack and I will go. Like Sam's pack is tied to the protection of la push I've tied mine to the protection of Bella gand her child"

"Why"

"I have my reasons" he said no more.

Jacob moved to sit on the adjacent sofa and Charlie accepting that question time was over turned to me and tanya. "Your turn"

I took a deep breath "what do you want to know dad"

"What are Tanya and her family. They clearly aren't human"

"No dad they aren't human" I hedged

"So. What are they"

I hesitated.

"Bella I've just found out that a kid I've know for almost two decades turns into a giant dog. And I took that well enough. Why are you scared to tell me what these people are."

"You had never heard of Jacobs kind. You had no reason to fear the idea of him being a shapeshifter."

"So your saying I have heard of what Tanya is. I can assure you I haven't. Ive not heard of anything human shaped except for humans."

"Yeah dad you have, you just would never have even considered the idea that they could be real"

"Come on Bella how bad can it be. Just tell me"

"Alright. Just please remember that everyone here is a friend and try not to freak out"

"I'm freaking out more that you won't tell me"

"Ok. Dad." I took a deep breath Tanya put her arm round me and squeezed giving me courage. "They're vampires"

Charlie's expression froze as he processed what I said.

"Vampires." He spluttered "your staying with a group of.. vampires… do the Cullens know that their family are vampires"

I was amazed that he hadn't put two and two together.

"Dad….. erm….. well…. the Cullens are vampires too"

This was one bit of information too much. His face went purple again.

"It's alright dad." I said hurriedly. "You're safe. I'm safe. Nobody is going to hurt us"

"But but but"

I'd never seen my dad so lost for words before. I gave him time.

Slowly his face went from purple to red to pink and settled at almost his normal colour. He took a deep breath and made a brave attempt at a calm tone.

"How much of the mythos about vampires is true" he said at last

"Not much of it." I said "garlic, crosses, stakes, holy water, coffins, bats. All pure fiction. Sun is mostly fiction, the sun doesn't hurt vampires at all but they can't let humans see them In the sun you saw what happened when The sun hit Garrett."

"So if all the stuff humans think they know about vampires is wrong what are they really like"

"Well they are super fast and strong. All their senses are immensely enhanced, for example Tanya heard your car turn onto the driveway"

"Seriously" he said turning to Tanya

"Seriously" she replied smiling.

I was pleased that he was now speaking directly to Tanya.

"How you doing with all this dad" I asked.

"Well it's a lot to take in. How long have you known the Cullens were vampires"

"For sure, since the first evening I went shopping in port Angeles. But I'd suspected what they were for a while before that"

"You've known all that time and never said anything."

"It wasn't my secret to tell dad"

"And even knowing they are vampires you got so close to them, moved in with them. I don't understand how you are so comfortable with them"

Now wasn't the time to explain that I was destined to BE a vampire "I understand them. They don't frighten me"

"And you are sure vampires are safe"

"The Cullens and Denalis are all perfectly safe" I was hedging again.

"What about their diet. It that myth true." He said suspiciously. I had wondered when this question was coming.

"Well. Yeah dad. That ones true. Vampires do drink blood."

He looked at Tanya cautiously

"Human blood?" He demanded

" most vampires hunt humans but not Tanya and her family. Or the cullens"

"Why are they different"

"Why do some humans decide not to eat meat. They call themselves vegetarians, they only hunt animals."

Charlie did not look convinced.

"Honestly dad. You see how Tanya's eyes are golden?"

"Yeah"

"Well that's the mark of a vegetarian vampire. Any vampire with golden eyes doesn't hunt humans at all. Only animals. Human hunting vampires have red eyes"

He studied Tanya closely for a long time he didn't speak, I could tell he was turning everything he had heard over in his head.

"Alright" he said eventually. "If you trust them then. That's good enough for me!"

"Thanks dad"

Tanya nudged me so that I looked at her. She grinned mischievously and winked at me. Then turned to Charlie.

"Would you like to meet the rest of my family"

He looked downright frightened at this prospect. It was a new experience seeing my father scared

"You've faced down armed robbers and lead parties searching for giant bears and yet your afraid of a few vampires" I teased

"Alright then" he said.

The rest of the denalis materialised through the kitchen doorway and I realised that they had all been sat in the kitchen listening. they came slowly towards us and the three of us stood up.

"This is my sister kate and her mate Garrett" began Tanya.

"Mate?" He questioned

"A vampires mate is their lifelong partner. Some vampires get married, most don't, but our true mate is bonded to us like a spouse but it's more powerful more tangible." She explained

"Right" he nodded once. Got that. Carry on"

Kate and Garrett shook Charlie's hand.

"It's lovely to meet you" smiled Kate.

"And this is Eleazar and his mate carmen"

"Your head will stop spinning soon" grinned carmen as she and Eleazar shook Charlie's hand.

"It better" he replied gruffly.

Introductions over Eleazar pulled a deck of cards from his pocket and suggested a game of cards. Charlie, Kate, carmen, Jacob, and Tanya all agreed quickly, Embry excused himself and slipped out of the front door, Garret and I opted to watch. Two sofas were swiftly pulled close to the coffee table and everyone sat round, the players leaning forwards and Garret and I leaning back. The game was fast paced but it was Charlie's favourite and he held his own. For well over an hour I watched them play and as they played they made small talk. I watched as my father slowly began to relax and become more comfortable around my new extended family.

At about 1pm the front door opened and Leah walked through. She was Followed by Seth And embry both still in wolf form and all three carrying large insulated bags, Seth and Embry in their mouths Charlie looked up shot a nervous glance backTowards me.

"Hello Charlie" said Leah

"Erm, hello Leah. And these two must be Seth and embry?"he queried as the two wolves headed towards the dining room.

"Yup" said Jacob getting up from The other sofa. "Where have you three been" he said to Leah.

"Well we figured with Charlie showing up Tanya didn't really have time to cook so we ran into town and got fish and chips"

Charlie perked up and the words fish and chips. Seth now in human form emerged from the dining room and headed to the kitchen. He returned a minute later carrying six plates six sets of cutlery and six glasses.

"Come on all lunch is served" he said taking Leah's bag from her and heading back into The dining room. Leah and Jacob followed quickly. Charlie hesitated. I went over to him and took his hand.

"Let's get some food dad. I know it's a lot to take in but you will get used to it I promise." He looked unconvinced but allowed me to lead him into the dining room. The boys had been busy. The paper wrapping had been laid down on the table as serving platters. in the center Ten large pieces of cod were laid out, on one side of the cod was a stack of at least 25 sausages and on the other a massive mountain of chips. Plates cutlery and glasses had been set out in a row on the near side of the table and Seth was unloading 5 large bottles of cola from the bag he had taken from Leah putting them at one end of the table.

"Good grief are we feeding 6 or 60" said Charlie taking a seat at the end of the row.

"The wolves east a lot of food" I explained "it's got something to do with their metabolism"

Jacob began serving the food, the hot fishy smell wafted towards me and All at once I couldn't breath for nausea. I doubled over retching, Jacob was at my side in an instant and Charlie (who Seth had warned to stay in his seat) looked on bemused and clearly panicked.

"When did you last have some blood" demanded Jacob. Not caring that Charlie could hear and hadn't had this explained yet.

"Er" I couldn't speak for the nausea.

"Tanya" he yelled unnecessarily loud. Tanya appeared within seconds even though she must have been some distance away to have not already been aware of the situation.

"When did Bella last have blood"

"Just after Charlie arrived. I put it in her hot chocolate." She turned to me "Bella did you finish your chocolate"

I thought back. Then shook my head grimacing I tried to speak.

"I got distracted by Charlie seeing Jacob"

" get her in a chair" Tanya instructed to Jacob while whizzing from the room. We heard clattering from the kitchen. Tanya moving so fast that cupboards banged and cups hit the counter with force. In less than thirty seconds she was back with a large cup in her hands. I reached for it and she placed it carefully in my hand, then she took Jacobs place at my side placing an arm carefully round me and rubbing my back. The blood was cold but I didn't care. I drank it quickly oblivious to Charlie staring at us trying and failing to make sense of what was happening. As the blood hit my system the nausea eased, and then left almost as quickly as it had arrived, I slumped against Tanya's side panting slightly, she held me close.

"Feeling better" she asked

"Much" that hasn't happened so bad since the first day"

"We should've been more careful about making sure you finished your drink earlier on," tanya scolded herself " and we should have remembered to get some in you before you came in to lunch. It was careless of me, I'm so sorry."

"It's not your fault" Charlie coming has distracted us all"

"Would someone like to tell Charlie what the hell is going on here" Charlie half shouted.

I startled as we all seemed to remember his presence

"Erm. Like before I wasn't sure where to begin. "How about you ask what you want to know and I'll answer"

What happened to you? What was Jacob on about with "When did Bella have blood last". What was in that cup Tanya brought you. And why did it make you better so quick."

So many questions at once didn't help me much with knowing where to start.

"It's all to do with the baby dad"

He looked at my bump

"The baby?"

"Yeah. I already told you that the baby is Edwards. Which means that the baby is"

"Half vampire" Charlie interrupted cottoning on "and vampires drink blood"

"Yeah"

I waited for his reaction.

"But what does that mean for you exactly"

"Well the baby can't get nutrients from me eating normal food. And if the baby doesn't get the nutrients it needs then it makes my system intolerant to normal food too, just the smell of food causes extreme nausea as you saw, I have to make sure the baby has what it needs before I can eat to get what I need"

I could see that Charlie had put it together.

"So to get the baby the nutrients it needs you have to drink blood"

"Basically yeah dad" I was still waiting for his reaction. his face ran though a few different expressions while he processed this latest piece of news

"Are you ok with that" he asked eventually

I shrugged "Well it's what the baby needs. And I've spent enough time around vampires that I'm pretty used to the idea of it."

Charlie nodded.

"Where are you getting the blood from. A butcher?"

"Erm no dad. Animal blood isn't the natural diet of vampires it's a substitute that vampires have discovered they can live on and some have made the choice to do so. But Tanya feels it's best not to cut corners when it comes to my and the baby's lives."

"So your drinking human blood"

"Yeah. But before you freak out nobody has been hurt for it. It's donated blood"

"Where are you getting it?"

I hesitated. Charlie was a cop after all, he wasn't going to be impressed with theft. He was watching me expectantly.

"Tanya and a friend of hers have been robbing local blood banks" I admitted.

Charlie paused for a beat then collapsed into Hysterics. Tanya and I looked at each other.

"Well laughing is better than shouting" Tanya observed.

After a few minutes Charlie gathered himself.

"Are you ok with all this." I asked tentatively

"No" Charlie replied honestly. "Right now I'm completely freaked out." He paused "But I'm sure I will get my head round it eventually" he added pragmatically.

"Thanks dad"

"Are you Alright now" he demanded

"Yeah. But now I'm starving"

"Then you should eat"

"do you want me to stay" asked Tanya

"Yes please" I replied. I was still feeling shaken and Tanya's presence was soothing.

Tanya pulled up a chair next to mine, Seth poured me some cola, and Jacob put a piece of cod 2 sausages and some chips on my plate"

"Alright Alright thanks guys but I'm not an invalid all of you get yourselves some food"

They all sat down and piled their plates. Each of the wolves took 2 pieces of cod 5 sausages and a heap of chips. Charlie took the last piece of cod, the last three sausages and a large portion of chips. We all ate quietly appreciating the food.

After lunch Jacob and the other wolves cleared the table then went to run patrol. Eleazar and garret went hunting and Tanya produced a game of monopoly. We passed a comfortable afternoon playing games. Charlie asked the occasional question about vampire nature or the baby or the wolves and we were all happy to answer his questions. I was just relived that he was taking it all so well.