Charlie Swan: Vampire Hunter

20

Having Bella around was both a blessing and a curse. It may shock you to learn this, but teenagers are not always pleasant to be around. Bella said she wanted to come here to be with me and then spends most of the day in her room. In an effort to actually spend some time with her, I take her to the Carver Cafe. We pull up and, per usual, it's packed. We walk in and I stop in my tracks. Carlisle and Edward are sitting at the counter nursing cups of coffee and talking. They stop as soon as we walk in and watch me carefully. 

"Dad what the heck!" Bella gripes as she bumps into me. 

"Sorry Nessie. you want a booth or a table?" 

"I don't care. Why are those guys looking at us like that?"

"Not sure, how about a booth?" 

The waiter brings us to the booth right across from the Cullens I sit and hide behind the menu. I really hope Bella doesn't notice how strange I'm acting, but of course she does. Or at least I assume she does, it's not exactly subtle. The silence stretches and I look up, the Bella I knew would never have let me get away with this. She's still looking at the Cullens or more specifically, she's looking at Edward. I dare a glance in his direction and find him looking right back at Bella. My eyes catch Carlisle's before darting away. He must also have noticed my behavior. But why am I hiding from him anyway? Carlie saved me, then threw me a party and we haven't talked since. I'm hiding from the feelings I felt when he bit me I guess because those were some very strong feelings that I haven't felt in a very long time. 

"Dad what are you getting?" 

I shake my head and look up to see a throughly annoyed teenager and bored looking waiter waiting on me. "Uhh what?" 

Bella rolls her eye. "What do you want for breakfast? That's why we're here isn't it?" 

I take a deep breath and blow it out. "Yes. I'll have an egg sunny side up and coffee. Thanks."

"So." Bella says, folding her hands on the table. "Spill. What's the deal with the two guys who've been staring at us? Or at least what's the deal with the cute one?" 

I stare blankly at her. Since when was Bella boy crazy? "Well, Carlisle a doctor and a well respected member of the community and Edward is his son. Not much else to tell." 

Now that was the biggest lie I've told all year, there is a lot more to tell about Carlisle and Edward. And my relationship with them, but nothing that Bella needs to know. Especially about Edward who I know is single - a fact I really hope Bella never finds out.  

"Dad, if that were it, they would not be looking at us like that. Carmichael, or whatever his name is, hasn't taken his eyes off you since we walked in, and you've been avoiding look at them so obviously something went down." 

"Nessie, even if I were going to tell you, which I'm not, now isn't the time or place for the discussion. The most you need to know is that Carlisle and I are friends." 

If looks could kill I'd have died years ago, but the look Bella gives me looks like she's actually planning my murder. 

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Bella is in the bathroom when Carlisle slides into the booth. "How are you?" He asks.

"I'm fine." I reply. 

"Are you? Are we? You've been avoiding m-us." He stutters on the last word and closes his eyes for a moment  before continuing. "I know we have a certain...history, but that doesn't mean we can't be friends. At the very least you should be training with us so what happened last time doesn't happen again." 

I nod because he has a point. The last fight didn't go super well for me and training with the Cullens might help me not repeat the experience. "You're right, I should train with you. But I can't while Bella is in town. She leaves in 11 days, we can start then." 

Carlisle sags in relief and nods. "Sounds perfect. I'll text you a time and we'll get started. Your technique with the sword could use some work."