Chances

Disclaimer: all characters and copyright belong to Stephanie Meyer.

Part One-Visiting Charlie

Bella Cullen sat in the meadow and closed her eyes. The sun was high in the sky and the exposed parts of her body glittered with a thousand diamond sparkles, creating a rainbow effect. She was surrounded by flowers of all different colors and the riot of natural life growing around her took her back to happier times. A sad sigh left her lips when after a while the clouds covered the sun and a light rain began to fall. She jumped nimbly to her feet and began to wander around the meadow, touching the tall grasses and flowers with her fingers as she did so. It didn't bother her that her lustrous, long chestnut hair began to get wet. She reveled in the different sensations she was feeling. It had been too long since she had been here.

Time passed and she became aware of how late it was getting, she needed to get back to her fathers house. Quicker then the human eye could see, Bella raced off into the forest, her outline a blur as she headed home. She had to remember to slow down and walk the last few meters at a human pace. Sometimes it was easy to forget the little human touches she had to add when she was normally only surrounded by others like herself. Bella pulled out a small compact mirror from her pocket and checked her reflection. She was relieved to see that her brown contacts were still in place.

She ran gracefully up the steps and headed inside. Her father was watching a game on the huge new flat screen that she had bought him as a present. He had been touched by her gesture; really it had been a way of easing her guilt. It had been two years since she had actually been back home for a visit. It had taken her that long to convince her husband and others that she was not a danger to anyone and was perfectly capable of controlling her urges. In the past two years she had kept in contact with her father through phone calls and the odd letter. Edward had not accompanied her much to her relief. He thought she was being irrational, wanting to visit with her father.

"You knew that you would have to cut all ties, Bella." He had said, not understanding her needs at all. "Why go through with the charade?"

Bella had not bothered to answer as she packed. They had parted with a cordial kiss on the cheek and a promise to meet up in ten days.

"Hey kiddo. How was your walk?" Charlie asked her as he swiveled around in his recliner. "You were gone a long time."

"Just visiting a few old haunts." Bella smiled at him with her perfect white teeth.

He smiled back at her. "Fancy joining your old man to watch the rest of the game?" He said hopefully.

Bella nodded. She quietly walked over to the couch and sat down. "So, who's winning?" She asked brightly.

"Not my team that's for sure." Charlie grimaced as he ran a hand through his greying hair. He was silent for a moment before speaking again. "I'm glad you came home for a visit, Bells. I've missed you."

Guilt and shame made her hang her head. "I'm sorry." She whispered contritely. "Believe me dad, I missed you too."

"I know, kiddo." Charlie reached across and took her cold hand in his. He was getting better at disguising his reaction to her chilly skin. He knew deep down inside that his daughter was nothing like she used to be. But like Bella, he was willing to keep up the pretense to share these snatched moments in time.

Bella stood in the kitchen and chopped up some vegetables. She had decided to make a roast dinner. It had been years since she had cooked for someone else and, at first, she had been worried the smell of the meat would unnerve her, but she found as long as she concentrated hard she was able to overcome her aversion. She had to keep reminding herself to go at a slower pace. The knife had whizzed back and forth in her hands and, it was only when she saw her dad glance at her uneasily as he popped into the kitchen, that she slowed down.

The doorbell rang and Bella frowned. Charlie hadn't said he was expecting visitors. She waited for him to answer it but the television was on so loud that he probably hadn't heard. The bell rang again and Bella debated whether to answer it or not. She had made her father promise not to tell anyone she used to know that she was back for a visit. She just wanted to spend time with her dad then slip away quietly. The bell rang again, perhaps it was a delivery. Bella wiped her hands on a cloth and went to answer the door.

She halted as soon as she placed a hand on the latch. Her keen sense of smell had given away the visitors identity. Her normally steady hand trembled, she didn't know what to do.

"I know you are there, Bella." A husky male voice said quietly. "Just open the door."

The decision was out of her hands. Bella slowly opened it to reveal the only other man she had ever loved. Jacob Black stood on her doorstep, looking as vital and alive as he had ever been. In fact she was certain he had grown much taller and even more muscular. She fidgeted nervously as she stared at him, again unlike her. Since she had changed she had lost her old human mannerisms.

"You weren't supposed to know I was here." Bella whispered.

Jacob crossed his arms intimidatingly. He glared at her with his dark eyes, giving nothing away. "How could I not? We detected your scent all over the forest. Why are you here?"

Bella slipped outside and closed the door behind her. "I am only here to see my dad I promise. I'm sorry that I went into the forest. I swear I never went near your borders. I just had a feeling of nostalgia and wanted to visit a few old haunts. I apologize and promise to not enter the forest again."

Jacob scrutinized her carefully. "Are you alone?" He asked bluntly.

"Edward is not with me if that's what you mean."

"Why? I thought you found it difficult to peel yourself away from the bloodsucker." Jacob spat sarcastically.

Bella took his insult in her stride. She deserved it and worse after the way she had treated him in the past. "Once again I apologize. I will be gone in a few days."

She saw Jacob's arms shake slightly as he glanced at her again. "Your eyes are brown."

"Contacts." Bella shrugged. "I didn't want to freak my dad out too much. He knows there is something different about me, but he is too polite to dig deeper."

"I still don't understand why you are here?" Jacob said again.

"I missed my father and longed to see him. I had to stay away long enough to make sure that I had control over myself. I assure you I have." Bella replied hurriedly. "In fact I never did suffer with the newborn blood lust. It was Edward and Carlisle who wanted me to stay away for a couple of years to assess me."

"You sound like an experiment." Jacob said flatly.

Bella stiffened. She took in a few fake breaths and stepped back from him. His presence was overwhelming. "You look well, Jacob." She complimented him. "I am glad I got to see you if only for a brief time. Like I said I will be gone in a few days and I will keep away from the woods. Goodbye." She put her hand on the door and began to retreat.

Jacob laughed sarcastically. Bella flinched involuntarily. Once again her old mannerisms were asserting themselves around him. "It is not as easy as that darling." He spat. "I think I feel like paying Charlie a visit." He stepped past her and entered the house.

Bella was left on the doorstep feeling flustered and not knowing what to do.

While Jacob sat with her dad in the lounge and made small talk Bella stayed in the kitchen and finished off the meal. Instinctively she had made extra portions for Jacob, although she wasn't sure he was staying for dinner. She tentatively edged into the lounge. "It's ready." She whispered.

"Smells delicious, kiddo." Charlie said happily as he stood up. "I invited Jake to stay. Do you mind? You can both catch up."

Bella flinched again. "Of course." She quickly retreated to the kitchen and served up the meal.

Jacob was watching her closely. He raised his eyebrows when he saw her set out a plate for herself. She stared at him challengingly for a moment before dropping her gaze. Charlie tucked in straight away, oblivious to the tension. "I have really missed your cooking, Bells."

A pleased smile crossed Bella's lips at his praise. Jacob settled down opposite her and picked up his knife and fork. "Ladies first." He said challengingly.

Bella met his stare. She picked up her own knife and fork and speared one of the vegetables. She held it up to her mouth and took a delicate bite. She felt a hint of satisfaction as a bemused expression crossed Jacob's face at seeing her eat human food. He hadn't noticed she had left the meat off of her plate. She continued to eat slowly as he began his own meal, his eyes curious as he watched her the whole time.

Charlie patted his stomach when he finished. "That was great."

"I am glad you enjoyed it dad." Bella stood and began to gather the plates. "I'll wash these up while you rest."

"Are you sure, kiddo?" Charlie checked.

"Of course." Bella gave him a bright smile.

"Alright then."

"I'll help her Charlie." Jacob offered.

"Just like the old days. I'll leave you two to catch up then." Charlie gave them a knowing smile before leaving the room.

As soon as her dad was out of earshot Jacob leaned close to her. "How could you possibly eat human food? That's fucking impossible." He whispered fiercely.

Bella stepped back from him. Once again she found his presence overwhelming, in a good way. She felt safer putting a little distance between them. "There's a lot you don't know about me." She replied coolly.

Jacob glared at her again, she noticed the subtle shaking of his arms. He was having difficulty controlling himself around her. She found that thought rather sad. "Then tell me."

"Why does this matter, Jacob?" Bella asked curiously. "Our paths diverged over two years ago. You have got on with your life as I have mine. I assure you I will be gone in a few days."

Jacob looked like she had slapped him. "Easy for you to say. Tell me how you managed to eat the food?" He demanded again.

Bella sighed. He wasn't going to let it go. "The change didn't go according to plan." She stated bluntly.

"What does that mean?" Jacob edged nearer to her unconsciously.

"You remember I had already been bitten once before by Victoria's mate?" Bella reminded him.

"Yes." Jacob ground out.

"Well it seems that Edward didn't suck out all of the venom as he had thought. The bits that were left created a kind of antibody in my blood. When I was changed Edward's venom didn't fully take. The antibody's were fighting it. To cut a long story short I am what is termed as a half breed. I have vampire traits but I retain a lot of my human characteristics. This means I can eat human food, I still have to sleep, although not as much as a normal human, and...and I can still bear children if I so wish." Bella confessed.

The plate that Jacob was holding fell to the floor with a crash as something he could only define as hope flared in his heart for the first time in two years.

A/N-thanks!