I R E N I C

t h i r t e e n

Bella is going to be the death of him. Not only her, Hailey too. All he wanted was a nice, normal breakfast. However, here he sat, in awkward silence. Yes, he is awkward but not to the point of causing this tension.

"Dad..." Bella started, startling Charlie. "Can Hailey hang out with me, Alice, Rosalie, and Esme today?" She glanced up at him.

Hailey decided that no, Bella was not about to drag her into hanging out with the very people who took her away. "I don't wanna." She spoke, wiping syrup off her mouth with her hand.

Charlie nodded. "You heard her, she doesn't want to." He stood up and poured himself some more coffee. Lord knows he needs it and some energy drinks. Taking care of two girls was too much for him but they did provide some good company.

"But dad-!" Bella started.

Charlie raised his hand to stop her, "Bells, I've never forced you to do anything so you can't possibly expect me to force Hailey to do something she doesn't want to." He drinks his coffee. Hailey smiled over towards Charlie who patted her head.

"I want to go out today!" Bella suddenly exclaimed. This meant two things: one, Hailey has no choice but to go with her or two, Hailey goes with Charlie and sits in a chair in the police station.

Charlie rubbed his forehead. "You are grounded, don't forget that. You are allowed to go to school and back. Nothing more."

Bella grumbled at that. She understands that what she did was uncalled for but to ground her? What was she? Five years old?

Hailey looked up at Charlie with bright eyes, "papa! Can I go see 'mily?" She flashed him a toothy grin in hopes to convince him.

Charlie looked down at her. "I don't think you can. Emily and Sam are busy people." He tried to explain. Quite frankly he was confused. How in the world did Hailey get mixed up with people from La Push?

The younger girl got down from her chair, going to hug Charlie's leg. "Pleaseee. You can call them."

Now this was even bigger news. How in the world was he suppose to call them? Yes he knows Sam but not to the extent of having his number.

Hailey ran up stairs and came back down with a small book. "Here!" She handed him the book. "Sam and 'mily said to give you this if I wanted to talk!"

Charlie opened the small book. His eyes widened. There were phone numbers. Sam and Emily's, Jared's, hell even Paul's was in there. Charlie looked at Hailey who was waiting in anticipation. He then turned to Bella who was looking at him, waiting to see his response.

Charlie placed a hand on Hailey's head. "Don't you want to keep Bells company?" He asked her.

Hailey shook her head. "I want to be with papa or with 'mily or with Paul." She said.

Bella looked hurt at her words. They have had some disagreements but not to the point where Hailey would refuse to stay with her. Now she didn't even want to be with her.

The older man nodded. "Okay, I'll give her a call and see if she's willing to keep an eye on you while Bells goes to school."

Hailey cheered at this and ran to get ready. This left Charlie and Bella alone in the kitchen. Bella stabbed her food before eating it. "You shouldn't go along with her every whim." She muttered annoyed.

She knew this was petty of her. She realized that she shouldn't be acting this way because at the end of the day it was her fault. She had left without a word and expected everything to go her way. She knew this wasn't possible.

"Bells, you have to realize that you hurt her. You may not have had those intentions but it doesn't change the fact that you did." Charlie sat in front of her. "I understand that you are older now. You want more freedom, freedom I'm willing to give you."

Bella was silent.

"However, you have to realize that leaving without a word or not answering a single phone call is not okay. What if you were hurt like the first time you left? Or what if you had been kidnapped?" Charlie tapped the table softly and looked away from her. "I know I'm a terrible father but you have to at least consider your sister."

With that said he stood up and walked towards the phone on the wall to call Emily and Sam. He glance towards her as he did. He could see her glossy eyes as she silently ate.

He knew he wasn't harsh with what he said, her actions and his response to them, she was simply not use to this kind to talk. Charlie was aware of how Renee could act and how she was not a great mother. Bella had to carry a lot of weight on her shoulders. She was given responsibilities no child was suppose to have at a young age. This is the best he can do for her, to help her grow.

Bella also knew he wasn't wrong. She hadn't been considerate of Hailey or Charlie. She treated them like...like...like shit. She realized that. Her mind was so filled with Edward and the Cullens that she couldn't see what she had right in front of her. She had gotten into something that she probably shouldn't have. Would she have change her choice in staying with Edward? No. Would she change how she handled every situation leading up to here? Yes.

She wants to do better. Perhaps being grounded is for the better. She could now see the importance of having her father and sister. Sure she still has responsibilities with the Cullens and her relationship with Edward but the most important thing to her is her family. With Victoria on the loose she should begin to value them more. She had no idea if anything may happen to them.

She is determined to make things right. To get back her sister and gain back her fathers trust. Her life does not revolve around the Cullens and she's going to make sure that Hailey and Charlie feel that as well.