"So," Charlie started, looking around "this place is okay?"
Bella guided him to the kitchen to sit, and she hid a smirk as he looked slightly impressed.
"Yea, Sam's been really great."
"And you're okay?" he asked, looking her over. "The baby's good?"
"We're both okay." she replied, rubbing her small bump. "I know this wasn't exactly the plan, but I'd forgotten how nice it was to be here, surrounded by friends and family. Plus the rez is quiet and mostly stress free." She shot a look over Charlie's shoulder and met Sam's eye as he covered a laugh with a cough.
"Hey Charlie." Sam said, walking into the room and shaking hands with her dad.
"Good ta see ya Sam. You been staying busy? I haven't seen ya in a while" Charlie smiled and Bella was surprised at how easy they fell into conversation. "Billy mentioned you had taken over tribal security a few years back."
Sam chuckled. "Yes sir. It does keep me pretty busy, but I've got a few other guys on the team who help me keep things handled." he shrugged.
"I heard you had a kid, he around here somewhere?"
Just then Bella caught sight of a tiny person peeking around the corner into the room and she chuckled. "Come on in sweetheart." she said. "This is my dad Charlie, do you want to say hi?"
Annabelle glanced between the adults in the room before walking slowly towards Sam. She latched onto his leg and peeked around to wave at Charlie.
Charlie's eyebrows twitched in surprise and he grinned at the little girl. "Well now, aren't you just the cutest girl around?" he said, waving back to the little girl. "You remind me of Bella when she was your age, shy and quiet as a church mouse."
Annabelle shot a surprised look at Bella who blushed and nodded. The girl slowly stepped around her father's leg and took small steps towards Charlie. He smiled and leaned down to be closer to eye level for the little girl. "It's nice to meet you," he said, holding his hand out for a shake, "what's your name?" Annabelle ignored his hand and walked closer. She tilted her head examining the man in front of her before slowly lifting both arms, asking to be picked up.
Sam's eyebrows rose as his normally shy little girl was lifted into Charlie's arms, where she promptly laid her head on his shoulder. The man blushed, so like his own daughter, and hesitantly ran his hand over the girls back.
"I'm sorry Charlie" Sam started, "she's not usually so affectionate."
Charlie responded without looking away from the little girl, who was currently examining his badge. "It's no trouble," he murmured, "it's been a long time since I got cuddles like this," he said, glancing up to Bella.
"Dad, this is Annabelle." Bella said. "She goes by Bella as well, thanks to Jake." she laughed.
Charlie snorted. "Well, that just won't do" he said and Annabelle drew back with a frown. "How about I call you….Anna? Would that be okay?"
Bella and Sam both looked on in surprise as the little girl nodded furiously and wrapped her little arms around Charlie's neck. "Thanks granpa". She giggled as Charlie flushed bright red.
"Well Anna, I'm not…you're not..actually no. You can call me Grandpa if you want. I'll need the practice since I have a new grandbaby on the way." he nodded to Bella. "Do you think you can teach me how to be a good grandpa?" he asked the little girl who's eyes widened. She looked back to Sam who smiled softly at the scene, before hopping off Charlie's lap and tugging his hand and leading him to her bedroom.
Bella and Sam traded amused glances before following behind the pair. As they reached Annabelle's room, they both held in their laughter. Somehow the little girl had already convinced the normally quiet man to sit at her tiny round table, where she served him invisible tea.