AN: Life happened, as you must have gathered by now. Thank you for continuing to follow, fav and review during all this time, it means the world Xx

This Chapter marks the start of the second part of this story, a transition period where Bella says goodbye to her human life. It will be a few chapters long, probably between 6 to 8 chapters!

Thank you to Lisa for continuing to read (and re-read!) and for spotting my mistake in the family dynamics! I hope you enjoy this Xx

Part 2: Forks

BPOV

The flight back to America had been quiet, shared between chatting innocently with Alice, sleeping a bit more and sitting with Marcus as he read a book in a language that was so foreign to me I hadn't recognised the characters at first. I had had that feeling of knowing something but being unable to remember why or what. It had been written in Greek and I had listened, completely enthralled by my mate's tale of witnessing the development of said written language only a few decades after he had been changed. Saying that it had made me feel completely inadequate was an understatement and I was still talking myself into not freaking out as we drove from Port Angeles to the Cullens' home in Forks.

As I recognised the familiar road as we came closer to the house, it was like reality slapped me in the face and I snapped out of my reverie, anxiety rising noticeably in me. Marcus' hand in mine tightened slightly.

"Are you well, beloved?" he asked, probably having felt the increase in my heart rate.

"I am. It just… it is strange coming back here, knowing it won't be empty anymore."

He gave my hand a reassuring squeeze as the car started slowing down as we left the main road and started on the path leading to the mansion.

"Everyone is looking forward to seeing you, Bella," Alice smiled, though the smile didn't quite feel happy and I wondered if she may have seen anything.

Or maybe it was just me, not convinced that they would actually be happy to see me. After all, Edward had gone to Volterra because of my stupid decisions. Worst, he had been sentenced to spending 50 years there because of it too. I swallowed hard, wanting very much to ask Felix to reverse the car and to take me anywhere else but to the house which was now clearly visible in front of us. I took a deep breath and exhaled slowly, gathering my nerves.

The five remaining Cullens were coming out of the house, settling on the porch and steps. Before I had realised we had even stopped, Alice had disappeared straight into Jasper's arms. I couldn't help but smile as I saw their happiness at being reunited, Alice jumping in delight as a joyous laugh escaped her mate.

I turned to my own mate, who was studying me intensely. "Shall we?" he invited, gesturing to the Cullens.

I nodded, feeling a little more relaxed after Alice's antics.

Felix was opening the door on my side and I accepted his hand to steady me as I came out of the car, Marcus behind me. My mate kept a hand around my waist as we approached the house at human pace for my benefit. Felix was slightly ahead of us, partially blocking my view of my vampire family.

"Bella!" Emmet exclaimed, making me jump a little at his usual booming tone. He must have taken a step forward but before I knew it, his neck was held in Felix's hand, making me realise that the Volturi guard was even bigger than my favourite brother.

The tension in the air was palpable. Rosalie was on edge, only held back by Jasper and Carlisle's hands around her slender arms.

"Let him go!" I shouted, horrified.

Felix looked back at me, then Marcus before his gaze settled on me once more as he released Emmet who pretended to shrug him off and dispose of some invisible dust on his shoulder.

Felix inclined his head in a gesture of apology but not towards Emmet, I realised. "Apologies, mistress Isabella," he said before taking a few steps back so that I could now see the whole family in front of me. They relaxed minutely and Rosalie threw me a glare as she came forward to take Emmet's hand.

"Hmm… it's alright, Felix. Thanks and hmm… Bella is fine."

"You are welcome, mistress Bella," I saw the hint of a smile on his face and I would have protested further but Carlisle and Esme were approaching us and before I knew it, I was lost into Esme's embrace, holding onto her for dear life. I was shaking, and I realised I had started crying again. Damn my over sensitive eyes, I always ended up crying when I got emotional.

"Oh, sweetheart," she said as I felt her lay her head on top of mine as she held me close. Something in the tone of her voice made me look up and I realised that, had she been able, she would have been crying as well.

I took a step back and wiped my tears away.

"Hi, Esme," I smiled, genuine happiness at seeing her again and she smiled back.

"We are so happy to see you again, sweetheart," she said, pulling me back for a brief hug before guiding me towards Carlisle, who was talking to Marcus in whispered voices. Well, they were whispers to me anyway.

"Bella," Carlisle said warmly. "It is good to see you here with us once more."

"It is good to be here," I agreed.

"Do I not get a hug?" came the pouting voice of Emmet behind us and I wasn't the only one who laughed.

I turned to Emmet and decided to ignore Rosalie's icy glare for now. I stepped forward, arms opened and in a blur, I was enveloped in a bear hug. It was brief but communicated all that didn't need to be said in words.

"You're too skinny," Emmet noted, looking at me disapprovingly and I shifted, crossing my arms over my chest as if it could hide me from his inspection.

"We've prepared dinner for you, dear," Esme jumped in, showing us towards the house.

Before we could go in however, my eyes landed on Alice and Jasper and I tensed slightly at the sight of him, images of his crazed and hungry face carved in my mind very vividly. But I knew it was ridiculous to focus on that, and I didn't want to make him feel guilty. He had only been the slave of his instincts and I knew how bad he must have felt at the time and since then. I smiled hesitantly, giving him a wave as I tried in vain to control my emotions.

"Bella," he nodded in greeting, "It is good to see you."

"You too, Jasper."

And just like this, most of the tension dissipated. I found myself holding my mate's hand as we walked into the beautiful home that once again felt warm and welcoming and things just felt like they had fallen into place after months of imbalance.

We stayed almost two hours at the house, me eating my food and letting Alice drag me upstairs to refresh before going home "You've been in those clothes for almost 24 hours," she had argued, making me feel very self-conscious. The little pixie knew how to get what she wanted.

We were now in Carlisle's car, Felix had stayed behind as it would have looked even stranger than it already was with Marcus accompanying us if my dad happened to see us arriving.

As it turned out, Charlie did see us arriving. He was waiting on the porch, leaning against a beam in a fake attempt at casualness. It could have fooled me, had I not known him so well.

I squeezed Marcus' hand before getting out of the car. "Stay here, please," I said, pretty sure that I would give away our relationship if Charlie saw us near each other. We couldn't keep ourselves from touching each other, craving the connection.

Carlisle exited the car and waved at my dad. "Good evening, Chief Swan, it is good to see you again, though I was sorry to hear about Mr Clearwater. You have my sincere condolences."

Charlie snorted at that and I furrowed my brow, confused by his reaction. I had expected open hostility, maybe, or for him to dismiss Carlisle. Instead Charlie looked… well I couldn't really put my finger on it. It wasn't good for sure.

"Why don't we drop the pretences and have an honest chat, Dr Cullen? Or was that Dr Cold One?"

I felt my stomach twist and my throat tightened. I was going to be sick. Charlie knew. Charlie knew. Charlie knew. My heartbeat went unnaturally fast as I turned my gaze briefly to the car, towards my mate. Towards my Volturi, law enforcing, mate.

"I am not sure what you mean, Chief Swan," Carlisle apologised, looking appropriately confused.

"I had an interesting couple of days, Cullen," Charlie answered back, dropping the civility. "You see, I was very busy helping my grieving friends, making sure Sue didn't have to deal with more than necessary and all… but then something happened you see. My daughter's best friend came back from my house, he said, and he told me about your daughter showing up and taking her away on some wild trip to retrieve her goddamn brother, the same forsaken boy who broke her heart, shattered her into such small pieces that she could barely function for MONTHS!"

Charlie took a deep breath.

"But that's not even why I'm pissed, Cullen. Y'see, we got into an argument, the boy and I, and before you know it, I was face to face with the f'king biggest beast I have ever seen. Crazy, ain't it?"

"Dad…" I tried but my voice broke. Charlie knew.

"Charlie, please, let's go inside and sit so we can talk," Carlisle suggested, still looking way too in control despite the situation. Did anything ever phase him?

"Yeah, I don't think so. And if you know what's good for you and your little family, Doc, you'll never set foot around my property, or my daughter ever again, get it?" He stepped down, grabbing me by the arm and bringing me behind him.

Before I could react, stuck as I was in the fearful knowledge that Charlie knew everything, I was engulfed in Marcus' arms, a dangerous growl coming from his chest in a strangely comforting way for me. I felt able to breathe again.

"What the f…, who the heck are you?" Charlie shouted. "Let my daughter go!" If Carlisle hadn't grabbed my dad, he would have launched himself at my mate and that got me finally able to react. I came out of Marcus' safe embrace and stepped in front of him defensively.

"Dad, calm down."

"Calm down, CALM DOWN?! Bella, get into the house right now!"

"No, dad, listen to me…"

"I am your dad, you listen to ME! I should have put my foot down a long time ago, this has gone out of control, get home right now, Isabella!"

I felt Marcus hand slide into mine and I had never seen my dad get as red as he was right now.

"Mr Swan, I assure you, I mean absolutely no harm to Bella. You seem to know quite a lot about us and if these suspicions are founded, you will be able to understand that your daughter is so precious to me that nothing and no one could ever hope to keep us apart. That said, I understand your feelings. As a father, it is your duty to protect and ensure her safety," Marcus said, looking straight at Charlie, who appeared frozen in place. "Now, I suggest we take this conversation inside, as my dear friend Carlisle has suggested, so we can get Bella seated and warmed up," he looked pointedly at me and I realised I was shaking, both from the cold and because of the night's events. Charlie knew.

Charlie didn't protest again and without another word, he turned and walked into the house, leaving the door open for us to follow.

I swallowed painfully before letting my mate push me forward.

Charlie knows…

AN: I would love to read your predictions about how this conversation is going to go, will it end well for Charlie? See you soon!
Ada Xx