Bella MacLeod's Twilight Fanfiction

An Imperfect Life

By Midnight Dreamer

Chapter 13: Sorry Charlie

(CHPOV)

It’s been one year since Renee’s death. Emmett seems to have moved past it rather quickly. He always was the resilient one. Bella seems better but I can still see the pain and loss in her eyes. She tries to hide it but I can see right through her. She’s like an open book to me, she reminds me of her mother in those regards.

BEEP BEEP….

Hearing the car horn behind me brought me out of my memories. I look over at the clock. 10 minutes to 6. Great I’m going to be late.

**Sheriff Swan…station calling Sheriff Swan**

** This is Sheriff Swan… Go ahead David.** I say into the handset.

** Hey Sheriff we got a call about a silent alarm at a bank in Port Angeles. They asked for our assistance.**

**I’m on it David.** I replied.

I quickly made my way to a turn around and headed back the other direction. Port Angeles is as close to the city as I get since Renee’s death. Most of the police action we see around these parts are car accidents and young punks spraying graffiti on the walls of local businesses.

**Sheriff…They wanted me to warn you that the robbers are considered armed and dangerous. So keep a sharp eye out.**

** Will do David, and thanks for the heads up.** I called back.

Great just what I need, armed lunatics running around town. I pulled up next to one of the other police vehicles barricading the street in front of the bank.

“Who’s in Charge” I asked one of the officers.

“That would be me” The Port Angeles Sheriff said.

“I’m Charlie Swan, Sheriff from Forks. You called for assistance.”

“We didn’t Expect to get you Sheriff. By the way my name is George Davis.” he replied.

“Nice to meet you George. I figured since I was in the area and was already on the road I would just take the call. So what are we looking at here?” I asked.

“We have 2 suspects. They have taken hostages, 2 tellers, the bank manager, and one civilian.” George told me.

“Well where do you need me?” I asked.

“I would like for you to lead the team at the front of the bank, while I take a second team around the back. Boys this is chief Swan I want you all to listen to him, he is in charge out here.” he said.

“OK got it.”

“On three we go” George said.

“1…2.…3.…go”

I watched him lead his team around the back. We all stood ready around the bank entrance. Guns draw and pointed at the doors. Suddenly shots were fired from around the back. They must have tried to get out the back. Then the suspects came flying around the corner bullets soaring everywhere. Soon it was all just a blur. All I could hear was gunfire from all directions. I saw a young officer take a bullet to the shoulder. He fell to the ground but quickly pulled himself up on the side of his car and began firing his weapon again. I was only distracted for a split second, but it was enough. I could feel the burning in my chest. The pain shot through different points of entry. It was like one of those black and white movies where everything seemed to move in slow motion with no sound. I could feel myself falling. I hit the ground with a thud. I felt the air escape my chest. Minutes must have past. I couldn’t hear the voices of the people around me. I could see the faces of my fellow officers looking down at me. Then I could no longer feel the pain. I only felt cold. I saw the EMT’s hover over me. They were asking me questions but I could not answer them. I couldn’t find my voice. I coughed, my throat felt raw. Then the only thoughts I had were of  Emmett and Bella. This would kill my Bella. She has been through so much already. With her mothers death that she is just starting to get over. She isn’t going to handle this well. Emmett is going to need all his strength for this one. I just hope they know I love them. Take care of each other, be strong. I’ll see you soon Renee. Then everything went dark.

***Several Hours Later***

(EMPOV)

I thought this day would never end. School took longer then normal. There seems to be this awkward silence between Bella and Edward. She hasn’t really hung out with him lately. I wonder what is going on? For a while I thought that maybe they would become more then just friends. I like Edward. His family has become like our second family.

Bella seems to be getting better. It’s been a year since mom passed. She is still not completely her old self though. Jasper seems to get her to open up some. I just hope he can get through to her.

“Emmett, where are you?” I heard Bella calling me.

“In the living room Bells” I called back.

She came through the door smiling at me. I loved to see her smile.

“Hey I wondered what you would want for supper?” she asked.

Dad was supposed to be working late again.

“Anything is good Bella, whatever you want to make is fine.”

“Well then were getting pizza. I could use some greasy, cheesy goodness.”

I chuckled at her word usage.

“Sounds good sis.”

I could hear her on the phone ordering the pizza. When she got off the phone she came to sit with me and we waited for the delivery guy. After awhile I decided to ask her what was going on.

“Bella what is going on between you and Edward?”

“Nothing were only friends” she said.

“Are you sure. Cause lately you haven’t acted much like his friend. You have pretty much alienated him.”

“What! I have not” she claimed. I rolled my eyes at her.

“When was the last time you and him hung out?” I was pushing. I knew the answer but I wanted her to say it.

“Uh…Well I’m not sure.”

“Exactly my point. You don’t know when. I can tell you when. The last time was before those sleazy girls threatened you.”

“They have nothing to do with it.” she was getting angry with me.

“Bella you can’t lie to me, I know you better then that.”

“Alright fine, it’s because of those girls. Lauren and Jessica can make my life miserable, I don’t want them to ruin my chances of fitting in here.” she told me.

“Bella you know how backwards you have that. Your worried about fitting in when you are alienating the friends you already have. Your pushing them away. You have no idea how hurt Edward is. He doesn’t understand why you won’t talk to him.”

Just then the door bell rang. Bella went to answer it.

“Emmett?” she sounded scared.

What the hell..who could that be. I thought it was the pizza guy. I got up off the couch and joined Bella at the door to find some police officer. He wasn’t one of ours we know all of them. This one had a Port Angeles patch under his badge. I froze and Bella looked terrified.

“Is this the Home of Sheriff Charlie Swans family?” he asked.

“Yes how may we help you?” I stuttered slightly.

“May I come in?” he asked

“Yes sure. Again may I ask what this concerns?”

The officer turned around and looked at us.

“This morning Sheriff Charlie Swan took a call from dispatch about a robbery in progress in Port Angeles.”

I heard Bella gasp. But the officer continued.

“He was helping our department out since we are short staffed when he sustained two bullet wounds to the chest. And was pronounced dead at the scene by EMT’s. We have taken the suspects into custody. They will be put away for a long time for this if it is any consolation to you. I’m sorry for your loss.” he then turned and left.

“Thank you” was all I could say.

I looked at Bella, she was sinking to the floor with her hands covering her face. I closed the door behind the officer and ran to Bella. Not again. I pulled her into my arms and cradled her as she cried. I got up and took her to the sofa in the living room. I set her down and quickly called Jasper. My voice cracked as he picked up.

“Hello?”

“Jasper man is that you?”

“Yes Emmett is everything okay?”

” No it’s not, actually it’s Bella, she needs you. Could you come over please.”

” I’ll be there shortly”

With that I heard his phone click shut. I hung up the phone. I walked over to sit by Bella. I again took her in my arms and let her cry into my shirt.

A few minutes later, a knock on the door let me know that he was here. That was quick.

“Come in Jasper” I yelled toward the door.

Jasper came through the door followed not only by Alice but Edward also. No surprise there. I should have know if it involved Bella he would come to.

“Emmett, what is it. You sounded  upset on the phone.” Jasper asked.

“Charlie” was all I could say.

Edward gasped. I knew he understood. Alice looked around the room and found Bella on the sofa, she immediately went to her side.

“Emmett please what happened” Alice asked.

I proceeded to tell them what the officer had told me about Charlie. Alice’s mouth dropped and her eyes fell to Bella. The more I spoke the angrier I became, I can’t believe Charlie would let something happen to him so soon after Renee. I looked over to Jasper, he and Edward looked as if they could kill someone. It’s like they knew exactly how I felt. I got up to leave the room I couldn’t take this, I needed to let off some steam. I looked at Edward and nodded. I knew he could hear my thoughts. He would put it together. He looked shocked as I walked past and went out the back door. I could feel the anger building in me as I walked. I wasn’t really seeing my surroundings. Once I was safely inside the cover of the forest I let it go. I ripped up saplings by the roots. I threw rocks the size of small boulders at the trees, causing them to sway. I let go of a scream. I collapsed to the forest floor. I could feel the tears running hot down my face. I can’t let Bella see me like this. I have to be strong, I’m all she has left.

(APOV)

I ran immediately to Bella. Then Emmett told us about Charlie. How could I not have seen this. I took Bella in my arms as she sobbed uncontrollably. The look in Jaspers eyes told me of the pain Bella was feeling though. She was breaking right here and now in my arms. Emmett had left the house, I could hear him tearing apart the forest. He must not want to upset Bella further by falling apart in front of her. Edward looked as if he wanted to take my place. I looked to the future to see how she would react to him. I saw her push him away. He must have seen also, because he looked heart broken. Bella whimpered softly..

“Jasper.”

(JPOV)

I could feel Bella’s heart break as it was happening. I was crushed. I felt the anger radiate off of Emmett. He wanted revenge. His anger consumed me, mixing with my own. It was so strong. I must have been influencing Edward also because the look on his face was murderous. I can only imagine that mine looked similar. Emmett stormed out past us to the outside. I could here him ripping up trees. I could feel the trees tremble under the force of his anger as he allowed a scream to escape his lips. Then all I could feel was sorrow and determination. Then Alice went all blank. I knew she was scanning the future, for what I wasn’t sure. When Bella whispered my name I was shocked. Her emotions confused me. She felt a sudden wave of relief, but the pain over took it, only to be followed by sorrow again. Alice approached me then and nodded to the back door. She must have thought something to Edward cause he just nodded. They left me with Bella, and started to head to the rear of the house.  They must be going to check on Emmett.  I could feel his pain. His pain was not only for the loss of his father but for Bella as well. I made my way over to the sofa. Gently I lifted Bella into my arms and she clung to me. When Alice returned inside seconds later she tried to take my spot comforting Bella.  I started to move away when Bella clung to me harder. Alice looked to Edward then and whispered.

“Go get Rose”

He nodded and disappeared into the trees. Hopefully she could comfort Emmett. For Bella’s sanity I hope Rose could console Emmett.

(EPOV)

He knows! He knew we weren’t human. He knew I could hear what he was thinking, he knew Alice could do something, he wasn’t 100% sure what yet. He also knew Jasper was somehow controlling the rooms’ emotions. He nodded at the look on my face before disappearing out the back door. Alice’s vision then caught my attention. Me holding Bella. Then she pushed me away. My heart broke a little more. Alice moved away when Bella whispered Jaspers name. Together we went out to find Emmett. I was lost in my thoughts until we found Emmett.

I wonder if she knows as well. Did Emmett tell her his theories. If he did she doesn’t seem afraid.

When we approached Emmett I could hear him more clearly. He was more worried about Bella then himself. He thought about how broken she was when their mother died. How she didn’t speak or eat for weeks. Then how they forced her to move out here to Forks against her will. I couldn’t believe this was the same girl we had come to know. After a few more minutes passed Emmett stood. He began walking back to the house. Alice told me to go get Rose. When I returned with her, Rose immediately rushed to Emmett. I watched as she cradled him to her and let him cry. After looking around I noticed that Jasper and Bella were missing.

“Alice?” I asked.

“ Jasper went for a quick hunt. Bella’s down stairs. I don’t know what she is doing down there but I have heard several crashes and the sounds of glass breaking..” We all looked at Emmett.

“I’ll go get her. This can’t be good.” He sighed and then headed toward what I believe is the basement door. As soon as he was out of sight I whispered to the others.

“Emmett knows”

The look of shock on their faces would have been hilarious if the circumstances were different.

“How much does he know?” Alice questioned.

“He knows I can hear thoughts, he knows that Jasper controls emotions, and that you do something he is just not sure what. He knows we’re different but he doesn’t care.” I said shrugging my shoulders.

“But how?” Rose was stunned.

“I don’t know” I told her.

“How long?” Jasper asked as he came back into the house.

“From his thoughts, several months.”

“Why didn’t he say anything?”

“He thinks of us as family, to him that would be a form of betrayal. They have strong family bonds with us.”

“Really” again Rose was shocked.

“Yes Rose. He loves you, and would never wanna hurt you like that.”

“Yes Rose, I agree with Edward. The feelings that come off him when he is around you are extremely strong.” Jasper confirmed what I was saying.

“My Emmy Bear!” Rose exclaimed.

“Gross Rose” Alice commented.

Rose smacked Alice and Alice giggled. Hours must have passed as we talked. The sky outside was dark when Emmett finally emerged from the basement with Bella in his arms. She seemed to be asleep.

“She finally passed out. She is so exhausted from crying. I’m going to take her up to her room. We can talk when I come back down.” Emmett said.

We all nodded. It didn’t take long. Only a few minutes and Emmett returned. He joined us at the table, and began to speak.

“I’m guessing Edward told you I know” he said.

He reached for Rose’s hand. She gladly took his. We all nodded.

“I want you all to know that I don’t care what you are. I have come to think of you as family. So has Bella. Now I have not told her my thoughts. I would like more answers before I do. If you do not wish for me to tell her I will not. But so you know she is my sister. She is stronger then she looks right now.”

Emmett sounded so mature at the moment I wasn’t sure if it was the same guy we met months ago. I looked at my siblings and they all nodded, echoing their thoughts. I looked at Emmett and began the most difficult conversation of my life.