"Are you sure this is what you want?" Tanya questioned.
Yes. Charlie has suffered enough because of vampires. I won't put him through that again. He deserves to know.
I should have told Charlie the truth from the beginning. Then he would understand the heartbreak so much better. He would understand why I hurt him so much. He may have forgiven me for that but I wasn't sure if I would ever forgive myself.
"How much do you want him to know about us?" Tanya asked.
Us as in you and me, or us as in your family?
"Either one," Tanya said. "I don't want to risk us saying something you don't want us to say."
We probably should tell him about the mating bond. I want to leave out the Cullen's as much as possible. The focus should be on you guys. Whatever you're willing to tell him about your family.
Tanya nodded. "Okay," she said as she pulled onto my street. She pulled out her phone and sent a quick message. "Irina," she explained. "I let her know to meet us at your house."
How does she know where I live?
Tanya laughed. "I told her Bella," Tanya answered. "But it wouldn't be hard for her to figure out where you live. Your scent is all over your house."
I blushed. I had forgotten about my scent. "Is that okay?" Tanya questioned, always making sure I was comfortable with any decisions she made that affected me.
Yes. Sorry, I forgot you could smell me.
Tanya pulled into the driveway. Charlie's car was there already as was Irina's. When we got closer, I could see Irina was still in her car, waiting for us. She got out just as we did.
"Hi Bella," Irina greeted.
"Do you want to learn a few things in sign language?" Tanya questioned. I nodded. "I'll show you hello and goodbye. Watch me."
She demonstrated each one multiple times. I copied her motions and once I was sure I was doing it right, I turned back to Irina and signed hello.
"I see Tanya's secret has been exposed," Irina commented with a grin. "How did you find out?"
"Kate," Tanya answered with a sigh.
"Ah," Irina said. "How did it go with Kate."
It was good. She's…interesting. Kind of reminds me of Emmett.
"Don't tell Kate that," Irina warned. "When Tanya told the others about your history with the Cullen's, however limited her knowledge is. Kate, as well as Carmen and Eleazar, didn't react well. Kate in particular wanted to hunt the Cullen's down and make them pay for their treatment of you."
Why? We only met today. Why would she want to protect me like that?
"Bella, you're a part of the family now," Tanya said patiently. "You have been since the moment you first felt that tugging. Even if you want nothing to do with them, Kate, Carmen and Eleazar want to protect you. Right now, Kate believes that punishing the Cullen's will do that for you."
"Don't worry Bella," Irina added. "Kate won't do anything without your say so. While she may not like it, she respects your decision to maintain the separation from the Cullen's. As much as I hate to admit it, I agree."
The front door opened and Charlie walked out. "Bella," he said surprised. "Hello Tanya and…er, I don't think we've met before."
"I'm Irina," Irina introduced. "I'm Tanya's sister. I own the coffee shop Bella works at."
"Right," Charlie said embarrassed. "Well it's nice to meet you. Did you two want to come in?"
"That would be lovely Charlie, thank you," Tanya said.
The three of us followed Charlie inside the house. "Can I get you guys anything? Coffee, water, beer?"
"No thank you Charlie," Irina answered. Tanya answered the same.
The three of us sat on the couch, with Irina and Tanya on either side of me. Charlie sat in his usual chair. Charlie was confused by their presence. His eyes darted back and forth between Tanya and Irina.
"How did it go with your truck?" Charlie asked after several minutes of awkward silence. The awkward silence was mostly my fault as Tanya and Irina were waiting for me to give them the okay.
It's good. Kate is going to take care of everything but she said it may take a couple of weeks.
"Do we need to rent you a car?" Charlie asked. "I can drive you to and from school if needed but I want you to have the freedom to come and go as you want."
"I've offered to drive her," Tanya said before I could write anything. "If she no longer wants me to, Kate has a car she can use."
Charlie rubbed the back of his neck. "That's nice of Kate and you. Bella mentioned you're paying for the maintenance on Bella's truck. While it's certainly appreciated, I don't understand, why are you doing this?"
"Bella," Tanya said softly. I knew exactly what she was asking. I glanced at Charlie. He looked so confused. I looked to Tanya and nodded. She straightened up and turned her attention to Charlie. "Irina and I will explain," Tanya promised. "All we ask is that you remain calm and wait for us to finish."
"Okay," he agreed.
Trust them Dad.
"Okay," he said again after reading my message. "Tell me whatever it is you need to tell me."
Irina and Tanya exchanged looks. They were talking to each other, most likely trying to figure out the best way to tell Charlie. Part of me was angry for being left out of the conversation. It was stupid to be angry. I knew exactly what they were talking about and the only reason I was being left out was because they didn't want Charlie to here.
"Charlie, have you ever noticed anything strange about us?" Irina questioned.
So, they were going to slowly lead Charlie to the answer, using his observation skills. It was better than my plan to just blurt it out. He'd probably think we were all crazy if they did that. Although, he was probably still going to think we're all crazy.
I focused on Charlie's expressions. He was confused, which was to be expected. Poor Charlie had no idea how much his life was going to change. "I have noticed a few things," Charlie admitted. "Overly pale skin, cold hands, and the eyes. I assumed your family had a medical condition."
Tanya crossed her legs. "I suppose that is one way to put it," she said lightly. "Charlie, what I'm about to tell you will change everything for you. Are you sure you still want to know?" His eyes flickered to me. "Bella already knows. She asked us to tell you."
I've known for a while but I was told you weren't allowed to know. Tanya has corrected that assumption.
Charlie nodded. "Alright, just spit it out," he said with a sigh. He had no idea what to expect. Maybe he thought I was going to announce I was dating Tanya, or maybe Irina. Poor Charlie was going to be surprised.
"We're vampires," Irina blurted out.
I stared at Irina in disbelief. This was how she decided to tell Charlie? I could have done that.
"Irina," Tanya groaned.
"What? He said to spit it out and I did," Irina defended.
"I expect this kind of thing from Kate but not from you," Tanya muttered. "You were always the more level-headed of us."
I watched Charlie as Tanya and Irina bickered over how Irina told Charlie the truth. I could see it in his eyes he didn't believe a word of what Irina said. He didn't seem angry though. He was a cop, maybe a bit of proof was all he needed. I had my proof before I ever considered the possibility.
"Vampires," Charlie repeated. He started laughing. "That's a good one."
It's true Dad.
I hoped if he saw me supporting Irina's statement then he would be more open to accepting it.
Charlie frowned at the words. "I'm going to need a beer," he muttered. Tanya sped off to the kitchen and grabbed a beer. She offered the beer to Charlie before the fridge even closed. "What the –" Charlie started, staring at the beer in disbelief.
"Irina wasn't lying," Tanya said softly. "You're the most important person to Bella. We wouldn't lie about something like this, not to you."
"So, vampires," Charlie said again. He downed half the beer in one gulp. Irina disappeared and reappeared with another beer for him. "If you're here to hurt Bella, I won't allow it," he said. I watched as his hand went toward his hip. He seemed to realize, although belatedly, that his gun wasn't there.
"We would never hurt Bella," Tanya said fiercely.
"You're vampires and Bella is human," Charlie pointed out. "It's only natural for you to want to hurt her."
Tanya snarled beside me. She wasn't angry at Charlie's assumptions, or at least not that angry. I could tell because I couldn't feel any anger from her. "I would never hurt Bella," she spat.
Charlie's eyes widened at Tanya's reaction. "Tanya," Irina warned.
I put my hand on Tanya's arm in an attempt to comfort her. I understood why she was upset. I imagine if I was in her position I would be angry too. I was just glad she wasn't expressing that anger. Her eyes went to me as soon as I touched her.
I used my free hand to carefully write out a message. He doesn't know. He doesn't understand. You have to tell him about the mating bond and that you don't feed from humans.
"We don't feed from humans Charlie," Tanya said after reading my message. "My family hasn't tasted human blood in over 300 years."
"300 years," Charlie repeated faintly. His eyes narrowed. "How old are you?"
"I wasn't lying when I said I was twenty-five," Tanya said. "But it wasn't the full truth. I've been alive for over one thousand years."
His eyes widened in surprise. "One thousand years," he choked out. He downed the rest of his beer. "And you haven't fed from a human in three hundred years?" She nodded. "I suppose that means Bella is safe. But how do I know you're not lying about that?"
"Our eyes Charlie," Irina said gently. "The gold, it means we feed from animal blood. If they're bright red then we've had human blood and a lot of it. Black eyes have various meanings: lust, hunger, anger. It really depends on context."
"Why are you telling me all of this?" Charlie questioned. He looked to me and then to Tanya and Irina.
"Because what we are affects Bella and by extension you," Tanya answered. "Vampires have something called a mate, or soulmate, if you prefer. Mates have a bond to each other. They can feel each other, no matter the distance and are aware of how the other is feeling." She paused in her explanation to look at me. I squeezed her hand and nodded. "For humans, it's not quite as strong but the connection is there all the same."
Charlie looked back and forth between me, Tanya and Irina. "Bella," he realized. He looked between the two vampires, trying to figure out which one. "Which one of you?"
"Me," Tanya said.
Charlie studied her before nodding. "It could be worse," he said. "I like you a hell of a lot more than…" he trailed off. "The Cullen's are vampires too," he realized in horror.
"They are," Irina confirmed. "They are, or rather were, cousins to us."
Charlie's eyes narrowed. "I don't want you near Bella," he said after a minute.
I dropped my whiteboard in surprise. I quickly grabbed it and started writing. Dad, you can't… They're nothing like the Cullen's.
"I don't care," Charlie said firmly. "You are just starting to heal from what Edward did to you." I flinched. "For God's sake Bella, you don't even talk anymore because of them. You refuse to tell me what happened. I'm sure part of that was vampire related but still… I won't let them ruin you too."
Tanya crouched down in front of me on the couch. Her growls echoed in the living room. Charlie's eyes widened in shock. "Tanya," Irina said sharply. Tanya ignored her.
I grabbed her hand and pulled her back to the couch. She was reluctant but she wouldn't go against what I wanted. I rubbed my chest and she got the message. Her anger was getting to me.
"We are not them," Tanya said firmly. She sat down even closer to me than before. Her arm rested on my lap. If I wanted to move it I could but I couldn't bring myself to do it. "I don't know all of what happened with the Cullen's. Bella hasn't told us and I know once I learn the truth I will want to hunt him down and kill him."
Have you considered that's why I won't tell you?
"I wish that was why, but I know it isn't," Tanya muttered to me. "I wouldn't hurt them if you asked me not to." I could feel her eyes on me but I couldn't bring myself to meet her gaze. I was afraid of what I would see, or feel.
"We are not the Cullen's," Irina repeated. "For one, we've been alive for far longer." Her face softened. "I understand your desire to protect your daughter. But you cannot keep her away from Tanya. Regardless of her feelings for Tanya and our family, Bella needs Tanya. You will hurt her more by keeping them apart."
Charlie slumped down in his seat. "I did everything I could to protect you. Moving here, I thought you would be able to start over." He sighed. "Maybe you should have stayed with your mother. Maybe this is all my fault."
I got off the couch and went over to Charlie. Tanya's eyes were on me, watching me but not interfering. I wrapped my arms around him. Charlie squeezed me tight. When he released me I went back to Tanya's side.
I'm glad I came to Forks. Despite everything that happened, I'm glad I moved in with you.
Charlie beamed as he fought hard not to let the tears fall. I'm sure he was uncomfortable with all this display of emotion. "We have a lot to talk about Bella," Charlie said slowly. "I would prefer without them," he nodded toward Irina and Tanya, "but I get the feeling they won't go."
"If you ask us to leave, we will leave," Tanya assured him. My heart dropped. I didn't want her to leave. Tanya took my hand and squeezed it. "But I don't think you will send me away. Though Bella wants nothing to do with me romantically and tries to fight the bond. She does need me. I wish it weren't so. I wish she had more of a choice but I can't undo a bond. The only way is death."
Charlie's eyes widened in horror. "No," he said shaking his head. "I don't want that. I won't let Bella be hurt more than she already is."
Irina disappeared and reappeared with another beer. "Would you prefer something stronger?" Irina asked.
Charlie laughed. "No, this is good," he replied. "I'm being rude. I should offer you a drink." He frowned. "Can you drink? Beer I mean. I know you drink blood."
Irina and Tanya laughed. "We can drink," Irina replied. "It takes a lot of alcohol to get a drunk so it's not really worth it but we can drink. We can also eat."
Charlie rubbed the back of his neck. "Maybe, maybe you can tell me more about vampires and this…bond," Charlie said.
Tanya glanced at me, wanting my permission. It was nice that she cared that much but it wasn't my secret to share. She should be able to tell him whatever she wanted. I nodded at her.
"The bond is like a rope," Tanya started. "One end is tied around my heart, the other around Bella. The closer we are, the more comfortable and at peace we are. When we are apart, the rope pulls and…well it doesn't hurt but its not all that comfortable. If we're too far apart, there's a sort of emptiness." She paused to give Charlie time to absorb the information. "It's not as strong for Bella, because she's human. She may feel like she's missing something but not the emptiness I feel."
It's more of an ache to me. It wasn't the best description but I wasn't sure how to describe exactly how it felt. I don't think anyone could truly understand unless they experience it. I know I never would have understood.
"It doesn't hurt?" Charlie pressed. Always protecting me.
No Dad. It doesn't, unless Tanya is feeling particularly angry. Charlie's eyes flickered to Tanya. That was not the right thing to say. Unfortunately, the only way to convince Charlie that this wasn't necessarily a bad thing, was to admit something I wasn't sure I was ready to admit. But for Charlie, I would. Being around Tanya, it makes me feel at peace, content. It's like I'm…not healed, not completely, but for the first time it feels like I am healing.
Tanya squeezed my arm. Somehow, she understood just how hard it was more me to admit that. "She can feel my stronger emotions," Tanya explained to Charlie. "I've been trying to control it but it doesn't always work."
"Vampires can be a bit emotional," Irina added. Tanya nodded in agreement.
"So, what exactly do you want from Bella?" Charlie questioned.
"All I want is for her to be happy," Tanya said honestly. "While I prefer it to be with me, if she chooses another, I will not stop her. She may have been sucked into a mate bond with a vampire but she does have free will."
I glanced at Tanya. I'd never been more grateful to have her around. She was choosing my feelings over her future happiness. It made me realize. I didn't want her to go. While I wasn't ready for a relationship or a commitment, I wanted Tanya in my life. The thought of giving her up was painful to think about.
Charlie leaned back in his seat. He seemed much more relaxed than he was before when this conversation started. "So, where does that leave all of us?"
"Nothing's changed," Irina told him. "Bella works at my shop. She's…friends with Tanya. Nothing is really different."
"Except, you're not human," he said.
"True," Irina agreed. "But we do understand humans."
"Okay," Charlie said with a nod. "It seems that I can't really stop this. But if any of you do anything to hurt Bella like the Cullen's did… you will never come near her again. I don't care what kind of bond she has with you." His eyes locked on Tanya's.
"Agreed Charlie," Tanya said. She didn't seem the slightest bit surprised or put off by his response.
We sat silently for several minutes, until Tanya's phone rang.
"Eleazar, what is it? You know Irina and I are busy right now," she said instead of a greeting.
Eleazar was another coven member I hadn't met yet. He's been mentioned a few times but I really didn't know anything about him, or his mate.
I couldn't hear Eleazar's response to Tanya's question but I did feel Tanya and Irina tense up beside me.
"Very well Eleazar. We will be there soon," Tanya said before hanging up her phone.
What happened?
"It seems Laurent has finally made it to Alaska," Tanya replied.
