A/N: Between the Denali's and the Cullen's there are 5 choices, who are they and which one is it? That's for me to know and you to guess xx

A/N:- Louise Birk on Facebook asked, in the Twilight Fanfiction Recommendations (Completed) group - Does anyone know, of this kind of fanfic: Charlie is the one who is aware of the supernatural. Perhaps he's marrying a Denali sister. Either way, when Bella joins him for the wedding, she meets Edward. So this is my take on that theme, she meets Edward yeah, but sorry that's just too predictable for me.

Thanks, guys 'Was I That Gullible' cleared 30,000 hits (I'm about to upload the 'Were Gone' series as one story, Called 'Gone', but will still leave the 6 individual parts up, because of reviews. So you have already read this, it's just tidied up and better spaced throughout the 4 chapters) xx Alexis

Charlie

Once again I'm seriously wondering if I've done the right thing here, should I have just waited and then introduced Irina to my daughter Isabella, as my new young wife. Said it was a romantic whirlwind marriage and left it at that! What am I thinking about, inviting her here to a wedding ceremony where we, her and I will be the only humans attending. Yes, you heard me right!

I love my daughter with all my heart, I know I don't tell her often enough and I frequently forget she is no longer a child, but a grown woman. A beautiful and intelligent woman, who knows her own mind, better than I did at her age. Damn, I had, had her at that age, I was a foolish idealistic man-boy, thinking that settling down and having children was what Renee would really want.

But I couldn't have been more proud, the day that she was born, so tiny and helpless, and needing me then. Everything was good for a little while and then as I got promoted, took on more work, hours and responsibility. Thinking this was going to be a good thing for my little family. I never in a million years saw that Renee would slip through my fingers and take little Bells with her.

I was of course, devastated, broken and distraught, but men weren't allowed to show that kind of emotions and so I buried them deep and soldiered on. Barely seeing my little girl for more than a couple of weeks each year and I know I got that all wrong too, instead of it being about her, I made her fit in with me, here in Forks. What small girl wants to go fishing with three old men, god I was such a fool.

I pushed Billy and Harry's kids on her, expecting her to just take too them easily every year. But she was more like me than I realised and although she wasn't happy, she was too afraid of upsetting me, to say anything, at first. Eventually, she herself put a stop to all that, demanding I come to her and I complied, knowing she was right.

So I spent the summers with her in Florida first of all, then in Arizona, Isabella loves the sun, even if she never tans at all. So when she called me, saying she would be attending UW this next fall, I was totally gobsmacked. Bells in rainy old Forks, voluntarily, the mind boggles! But she knows what she needs to get herself a great education, so I can't fault her for that.

That meant she would be coming to live with me, after all this time, she was coming home. I have a feeling she's also trying to put some space between herself and a failed relationship, back there in Phoenix. Hard that it is, for me to grasp, my daughter might have those kinds of needs. I don't like the thought of her being that grown up, but she is and I will have too eventually.

Around the same time, Harry and I were meant to be going Ice fishing in Alaska, I was so psyched up for it and then he fell ill. So I went alone, no big deal I thought, being alone is the norm for me. So I went by myself and it changed my life forever, I met Irina and her family after being attacked by a starving bear.

They nursed me back to health and we became very close, okay we became lovers almost as soon as I healed. It was like being a young man again, I couldn't keep my hands off her. I also knew from the first moment, they were different, it wasn't just the skin and eyes, the not eating or sleeping. No, it was the memories, memories of Quileute bonfires and old men's tales of wolves and the cold ones!

I slowly pieced it together and confronted Irina first, then Tanya and the rest of her family. They explained all about our connection and how I would have to become one of them soon, so I wasn't discovered and killed by the Volturi, their ruling body! My future wife was a bonafide vampire, as were all her family! But they said they were animal drinkers, not humans, they'd converted years before.

So why am I worrying, if they drink from animals, then my daughter would be safe from harm. Yes but some of the guests are not so forward-thinking, they are the more traditional kind of vampire. I have been assured that they wouldn't be so crass as to drink a guest at her father's wedding. But nobody knows her like I do, Bells, it very accident prone, she seems to draw danger to her, has done all her life.

That brings me to the second thing I'm worried about, I was concerned when she let me know she was driving up by herself. But she had a route planned and was doing the legs in reasonable increments, I could hardly say no! So I mentioned it to the Denali's whilst their extended family, the Cullens were visiting. It was tossed around for a bit and then finally one person said they'd follow her stealthily home, for me.

So I was happy, knowing she'd be safe on her journey, I warned, that she was very perceptive and to stay well back, very well back. Like me, Bells saw the strange and unusual that others missed, it made me a cop and her a photographer. That was a couple of weeks ago and now Bells journey is underway.

As far as I know, all has gone well, I have just received her second text, saying she was in Portland. She hasn't said anything else so I take it she never realised she was being followed, thank god, because she would be really angry with me if she knew. Bells is extremely independent and would be insulted by my lack of faith in her, but it's not her I don't trust, but everyone else.

I'll be seeing her soon, just another week, it was sad that just as she was coming home I would be leaving. But I had told her all about giving her the house and after we get a few documents signed then my police pension will also be hers when we fake my death. That's going to be the hardest part, leaving her behind, well I won't really, but she'll think me gone.

HDCS

Bella

Charlie's taken early retirement! I still can't believe it, he loved his job more than anything! Well so I thought, but obviously not more than Miss Irina Denali his future wife! Yup, that was a complete shocker too. I never thought I'd see the day my old dad remarried, okay he's not that old, but well this is my stick in the mud dad here, we're talking about.

He just never seemed to get over mum leaving and her taking me away, then the long protracted divorce. But 'the times they are a changing', as the song says. I'm moving back to Forks, the place I was born and haven't lived in since I was two, turns out the University of Washington has just the right mix of classes that I need. In two day's time or so, I Isabella Marie Swan, will be a homeowner.

Charlie's giving me his house because he lives with Irina and her family in Alaska now. So I'm going to Forks a month early for Uni, that should give me plenty time to settle in, get the house to my liking and meet my new future step mommy, lovely. No, I'm actually happy for him, dad's not that old, he's just about to turn forty-one, so Miss Denali, not Ms Denali, must be a nice spinster lady he met.

They are coming down after I've been there a week, so as I'm at least settled in a bit. Charlie's going to go over the paperwork with me, for the house etc, and Irina's meeting up with a family that just moved to the area six months ago. The doctor at the hospital's her cousin or something. I'm not sure if that's what dad said or not, to tell the truth, I wasn't really listening that closely.

Charlie was worried I'd be lonely and have no friends here, but to be honest, I'm glad to be getting away from Phoenix, I was in a relationship that kinda soured for me. We wanted different things, I thought we were just having fun, a fling before going off to college, but apparently, I was the only one thinking that.

Nope, not ready to settle done to domesticity at eighteen, practically nineteen, if I ever will be. So this was the main factor of me moving back to good old Forks. I'm young, free and single once again, looking forward to having fun and no strings attached sex this time. I will be more plain spoken on that part, I don't want anyone else looking to tie me down just yet.

God, I'm way more like Renee than I realised, Oh I'm like dad as well, good with my finances and I always work hard at any jobs I ever have had. I'm a good listener, friendly and approachable, but I'm also stubborn and like my life to happen to my specifications.

For instance, I dress for comfort, not to fit in, with the, in crowd. I like when people hold doors open for me, but I'm not incapable of doing it myself. But most of all I hate people talking for me, I'm not stupid and I have a voice and an opinion. I'm not a troublemaker or anything, but I will always stand up for what's right, be it for me or others.

Before I get off my soapbox let me tell you, I don't do immature and whiny either. No angst-ridden or self-absorbed souls for me, I want to find someone who'll make me laugh, but be able to have in-depth conversations too. I want to finish college and then maybe take a year off.

Backpacking around Europe, or America, hell both maybe, stuff like that, depending on what I can afford. I want to experience life, not buy it. I want to see and feel life, not let it pass me by, from inside a padded bubble, that would be my idea of absolute hell. I am just not the bird in the gilded cage type.

Renee's getting all weepy about me going, but hell she's got Phil, I know they have a good relationship. Because I get the pleasure of hearing that shit going down! You can only take so much of hearing your parent doing the business before it's time to leave, I think that's why college was invented!

HDCS

Well, everything is packed and loaded on to my pickup, I'm starting this off as I mean to go on, as an adventure. I'm going to kinda follow the Greyhound route, but not strictly, that way I know there will be stopping places, but not take as long but who knows. Also not driving straight through, but maybe break it into two halves, as I said we'll see! I was nearly gonna go through Vegas, but that's even too much desert, even for me.

So my first objective is Blythe CA, just about two and a quarter hours, that's my stopping for breakfast place, and I gain an hour to boot, entering a different time zone. I plan on buying something new for my house everywhere I take a break, so I have a reminder of the journey and the sun! Oh well, if you want a good education, you don't see the sun anyway.

My main is Comparative Literature, not everyone's idea of fun, but hey! So on big meal stops, I'm giving myself an hour and a half, to eat and shop, might be less, weather permitting maybe good photo ops too. I've got my camera with me to take some shots, it's one of my electives, so that's handy, might boost my portfolio. Hell, there is always something to see and capture for posterity.

I've have the radio on loud, I like, well what I like really, it's kinda eclectic! A bit like my taste in clothes. I just don't have a set style for anything, I like to try new things and if it fits my persona great, if not, no loss. I'm not too rigid about anything like that, it's not that god damn important, style and taste are just the outward sign of your personality. I'm a take it or leave it, girl, no skin of my nose.

My Itinerary for day one, will be roughly as follows, but it's sure to change :-

Leave home at 8am

Phoenix - Blythe 2 hrs 14 min's arrive 9:14 approx (1hr gain)

Breakfast & shops & dam (1hr 30 min's)

Blythe - San Bernardino 2 hrs 25 min's arrive 13:09 approx

Lunch & Shops (1hr 30 min's)

San Bernardino - Bakersfield 2 hrs 34 min's arrive 17:13 approx

Snack & shops (1 hr)

Bakersfield - Merced 2 hrs 21 min's arrive 20:34 approx

Dinner & shops (1hr 30 min's)

Merced - Sacramento 1 hr 46 min's arrive 23:50 approx

Coffee & bed & Breakfast (Pre-booked)

The first stop was, of course, the California Agriculture Station, I had no fruit on me, I was waiting to buy some their side of the line. I also manage to pull over for a couple of Photos. I was thinking that when I'd finished having breakfast, I'd maybe nip out to the 'Palo Verde Dam'. It's only a few miles, that might have been my next Photo of the day.

But the traffic was kinda, starting to get real heavy, so I stayed on the outskirts of Blythe, the dam will have to wait. I have a huge breakfast and a wander around the shops. I've got a cooler box in the floor well and plenty of water and snacks, and now some fruit to keep me going, but meals and coffee will be at the stops, not forgetting the facilities.

So once I was back on the road and heading for San Bernardino, I was already ahead of schedule by about 30 minutes it was now only 10:14 roughly. I had picked up a Tee shirt that said, ' Blythe California, It's where my story begins', I'll be turning that into a poster and then framing it! That's it, posters from all my stops, I'll line the hall and staircase with them all.

The drive was pleasant, traffic, as usual, was patchy, sometimes it feels like you're alone out here, others it's nose to tail. But there is always something to see, no matter how of no consequence some find it, it's still life and I see it. Though that might be the photographer in me. Like that amazing black bike that passed just now and the black leather clad rider, very sexy, I'd love to snap a shot of them both, all of that power and sexiness combined.

It was lunchtime as I arrived in San Bernardino, well 12:39, so right in the middle of it. I have set aside an hour and a half her to so let's see what's for eating and dear god I need the ladies room. I refuse to be one of those people who pee in the cab to keep on schedule, I'm insane but eeew! That's just downright icky!

Lunch was good, not overdoing it this early in the journey, so light but nutritious lunches and filling breakfasts and evening meals. Hell, I don't want to be caught short on any leg of this trip. Now to find me a poster, the idea was beginning to sound better and better. From the front door, along the hallway, up the staircase and then along the top hallway would be plenty of room for them all.

Yeah, this is awesome, a vintage style National Orange Show one, from 1925. I hope every place has just as good ones. Back to the road at now about 14:09, I pull out as that fuck hot bike pulls in. Catching a glimpse in my rear-view mirror, of the rider removing their helmet, Ooh! A mess of sun-kissed fair hair, nice. Well, that'll keep me occupied for the next few miles, nothing like a little fantasy to while away the time.

My next stop is Bakersfield, I'll have an hour to get a snack and stretch my legs. I should be there about quarter to five this evening. I was just driving along not to fast, not to slow, singing at the top of my lungs to some old country music tune on the radio. But as I get nearer the traffic slowed somewhat and it's bang on five when I finally stop. I'd been trying to avoid the L.A. traffic, but still, it's not late really.

Before I even get to the ladies room I see my next purchase. A '1937 replica Bakersfield Frontier Days, Cowboy Contest' poster, twenty-five cents entrance fee, fucking brilliant! So I grab one before going on to the restroom or cafe. I was feeling good and not as tired as I thought I'd be so decided to get back on the road quicker. So at 17:30 I was heading off to Merced.

This is too much of a coincidence, there was that bike and rider again. I slowed and grabbed my camera, catching the pair with the sun hitting them perfectly, the biker's hair looked like it was a riot of flames on one side. Kind of an angel and devil vibe, it will be awesome once processed. The road to Merced was straight and traffic was moving quite fast so the journey time was cut by fifteen minutes.

I was going to take my full one and a half hours break here, as the last leg was to Sacramento and bed. It was about 19:36 and I'd arrived almost an hour ahead of my planned time. I found a psychedelic rock poster from 1968 for the Merced Legion Hall, featuring the Flaming Groovies and Moby Grape, it was so bloody trippy, I love these weird things!

I drove downtown, found a Denny's and ate a hearty meal, in fact, I felt like I was practically starving. The weather had been great all day and I only now slipped on some jeans over my shorts and dug out my converse to replace the flip-flops. I know I wasn't seeing the places properly after all this was the gateway to Yosemite, but maybe one day.

I was ready to get onto the last leg, it was only 21:10 and the one-hour forty-six-minute journey would get me in at about 22:56, a whole fifty odd minutes early and I was looking forward to coffee and a soft bed. This first day had been good and I hoped the following day would be the same.

The road was busy even this late and in the dark, but it was pleasant. That same bike passed me again about twenty minutes out from Sacramento, I guess that's where it's heading, nice warm bed or body to snuggle up with, lucky soul. I was staying at the Flamingo Motel on the other side of the bridge, the room was pre-booked and I was just so damned ready to stop.

Any sightseeing would be done in the morning before I left. I sent out a blanket text to my folks and a couple of friends from Phoenix.

'Made it to Sacramento, weather was great today & made good time xx Bella'

Now if this damned bed will stay still, I'd be truly and eternally grateful, I punch my pillow several times and lie down, just about to nod off and could swear I heard a motorbike driving slowly past, no way, I'm imagining it.

HDCS

Bring Your Daughter, To The Slaughter by Iron Maiden