Disclaimer: I own nothing of Twilight but my copies of the books.

AN: Apologies for my absence. I've had a lot of doctor's appointments.

(Marcus)

Isabella and I arrived back at her charming little house just as a police cruiser was pulling in. We had just parked when a black Volkswagen Rabbit pulled up behind my Jeep. Isabella exited the Jeep and made a beeline for the young man who had stepped out of the car.

"Jake!" she exclaimed, spreading her arms wide.

The large man wrapped her in an embrace. I observed the scene. He glanced over at me, a self-satisfied expression on his face. The scent of wet dog wafted from him; he was like Leah, a shapeshifter. Isabella stepped back from him, her face breaking into a broad smile. The fondness she felt for the shapeshifter was evident in her warm brown eyes. Turning towards me, she drew the shapeshifter along with her until they were both standing by my side.

"Marcus, meet Jacob Black. We've known each other since childhood." she explained, "Jake, meet Marcus. He's with the Volturi, like Demetri."

I nodded to Marcus and extended my hand as a greeting. He grasped it firmly, attempting to assert dominance, but his strength was no match for mine—not even close.

"Hey, Jake, Bells, Marcus, are you all coming in?" Charlie called from the porch.

"We're coming, Dad," Isabella responded.

Taking her hand, I walked with her toward the house, with Jacob trailing close behind. Isabella let out a soft huff of irritation. Once inside, she quickly made her way upstairs to bring her belongings to her room. Charlie gestured for us to join him in the living room, where his favorite sports game was playing. Jacob and I took our seats while Isabella returned downstairs and made her way to the kitchen. The sound of the freezer opening, and packages being shuffled reached my ears, soon followed by the aroma of tomato sauce and toasting bread.

Before long, Isabella entered the room with a hot plate in hand, offering it to Charlie along with a beer. He beamed at the plate, and it was clear from his broad smile that he deeply enjoyed and appreciated her cooking.

"Jake, Marcus, your plates are in the kitchen," she whispered.

We rose and followed her to the kitchen. This time, there were only two plates. I was relieved not to have to consume human food once more. One plate held a generous serving of steaming lasagna, which I assumed was Jacob's. We took our seats flanking her, and they began to eat. They ate in silence. After Isabella transferred the empty dishes to the sink, she let out a deep sigh.

"Amore?" I called out, her back remaining turned to us.

"Jake, as you can observe, my humanity remains intact." she addressed the young shapeshifter.

"That much is clear, Bella." he acknowledged.

"I grasp the reason for your presence." she conveyed to him.

"It extends beyond mere curiosity about your humanity, my dear," I expressed to her, "It's evident in his gaze. He harbors feelings of love for you."

Jacob whirled around to face me. As he opened his mouth to speak, Charlie walked into the kitchen, holding his empty plate. His eyes widened at the sight of Jacob's furious expression. He glanced between us, confusion evident as he dropped the dirty cutlery into the sink.

"Jake, I'm sorry," she said, her voice laden with regret.

Isabella made her way out of the room, exhaustion clear in her steps. Charlie's gaze followed us, worry creasing his brow, fearing a confrontation over his daughter right there in the kitchen.

"You boys, okay?" Charlie inquired.

"Peachy," Jacob retorted, his tone laced with sarcasm.

"Charlie, Mr. Black here has feelings for Isabella—feelings that she cannot return," I explained.

"Shut up," Jacob growled.

"It's time to let the farce go. Charlie, I intend to take Isabella back to Italy with me." I said, plowing forward.

"You can't tell him!" Jacob growled, shaking.

Isabella returned to the kitchen. She looked alarmed as she took in Jacob's shaking form. I cocked a brow at the young shifter. I almost dared him to lose control and transform right there in her kitchen.

"Not in my kitchen!" she shouted. "Get outside!"

"She's my best friend! You can't just take her away! She has a family," Jacob protested loudly.

"Jake," she whispered softly.

"I must take her. If I don't, the other Kings' decree will condemn Isabella to death," I explained gravely.

"Excuse me! No one is touching my little girl," Charlie growled, bewildered. "What in the world is happening?"

Charlie glanced at Isabella. Her lack of concern puzzled him. She faced a threat to her life with a disconcerting calm. I turned to Charlie and let out a sigh. I couldn't bear to tear Isabella away from her father. His love for her was profound. Among her parents, he was the one with a genuine, loving bond. My gift allowed me to see the purity and depth of his love. His world would crumble if she vanished. As a police officer, a guardian, Charlie would be irreparably changed. I was resolute about the confession I was about to make.

"Chief Swan, please take a seat. We have a lot to discuss," I stated, settling into my own chair.

"Marcus?" Isabella inquired.

"My love, Jacob, take a seat as well," I invited them, and they complied.

I explained to him, in no uncertain terms, what I was—what I have been for a very long time. Charlie glanced around at the others, suspecting a prank, as it's called these days. However, the serious expressions on Jacob and his daughter's faces prompted him to demand proof. Providing proof was straightforward. Removing the contacts we typically wore around humans unaware of our existence was always startling. The sight of blood-red eyes and fangs usually did the trick, but it was often our vampire strength and speed that truly convinced them. This was certainly the case for Charlie.

The protective father instinct inevitably surfaced. Isabella gently touched his forearm to calm him, revealing that many people he knew were actually vampires, including the Cullens. She shared that Carlisle had been turned into a vampire in the 1600s, which left him stunned. The benevolent doctor, a savior to many, had been a vampire all along. Charlie sat, beer in hand, reconsidering Billy's tales as truth rather than old tribal myths.

Jacob chuckled at this, affirming that the legends were indeed true. As he rose, he stripped off his shirt, alluding to the Quileute Protectors' lore. Charlie, familiar with these tales since childhood, watched as Isabella and Jacob headed for the backyard door, motioning for him to follow. Jacob discarded his shorts, handing them to Isabella. Charlie objected to his undressing, but in an instant, Jacob transformed, and a massive russet wolf stood where the young man once had. Overwhelmed, Charlie slumped onto the back porch, and Isabella hurried to his side.

It took a few minutes, but Bella managed to get him calmed down. It was unfortunately a necessity that this conversated had to occur. I would not allow my Isabella to be without her father. Whether he would be changed or as Jacob suggested being part of the tribe was yet to be seen. We continued to speak through the night until the early morning hours. When Charlie and Isabella called it a night, things seemed to be almost normal. He and I were to go fishing tomorrow with Felix. Jacob was going to be spending the night and spend the day with Isabella. I also spent the night holding her as she slept.