THE GUESTS

"You shouldn't have come here" I whispered tiredly and fell against the doorway.

She placed a hand on her hip. "Neither should Jasper" Alice growled angrily. Her rage blinded me and made it impossible for me to see why I had ever trusted her. "Now where is he?" she demanded.

I shrugged tediously, wishing I could be in bed. "This isn't my home. I can't invite you in" I said but it was of no use as she pushed past me. My back roughly hitting the door, the brass doorknob digging onto my lower back as she practically steamrolled past me.

"Watch it tiny"

Damon steadied me and waited until I nodded in assurance before he went to confront our unwelcomed visitor. His anger flared within the cold blue eyes as he threw her against the wall. "I don't know who the hell you are and I don't care. But you better get the hell out of my house before I throw you out" he growled with anger that I had never witnessed before.

"I'd like to see you try" she cackled and wriggled out of his grasp.

Damon refused to admit defeat as he pushed her back t0 the wall. He leaned in, inches away from her face as he grew menacing. "Bring it shorty" he threatened.

"Please stop" I begged, too tired to have to deal with their bickering. Damon glanced at me and then darted towards her. He pushed her away before taking a step back. "This is Alice" I waved towards her.

He lips were tightly drawn into a grim line. "Jasper's Alice?" he asked dryly and with obvious disgust.

"Speaking of Jasper…" Alice drawled out and her gold eyes searched the room.

I realised she was looking for him. "He's not here"

"Then where is he?" she ordered.

"He left" Damon spoke up, taking a protective stance before me.

Alice seemed to ignore his presence. "What did you do?" she barked menacingly.

"Watch it mini me" Damon warned, covering my front with his hand and gently pushing me behind him.

"My name is Alice"

He closed in on her and glared darkly, "I don't care who you are but you're in our house…"

My mind trailed off; did he just call it 'our' house?

"It's not like I want to be here"

Instantly my smile fell at the sound of her infuriated screech. "Jasper was here but he left" I informed her, wishing she could just leave already.

"Then I'll just wait for him" she crossed her arms and fell onto one of the leather sofas. Her legs crossed as she eyed us both.

I pulled the father to be to the side and rested one hand onto his chest. "Damon, I'm…"

"Don't worry about it" he assured me with a grim smile.

I nodded in acceptance and allowed him to lead me into the living room where Alice waited. "So this is the father…?" she scoffed to herself and studied her nails when adding, "Edward obviously dodged a bullet"

"If you don't have anything nice to say then please leave" Damon defended me.

She rolled her eyes and dropped her hand. "I'm just stating facts"

"How is he…?" I found myself asking and hating myself the second the words left me.

It also didn't help when those gold eyes darkened dangerously. "Oh he's fine" she replied with a wicked gleam. "You remember Tanya? Tall..? Beautiful blonde?" she asked and I closed my eyes, falling back onto Damon as she finalised. "Well she's taking good care of her…" Alice purred. "If you ask me, it's a tremendous upgrade"

"No one asked you"

"I suppose his happiness doesn't matter to you. Never did. All you cared about was immortality and that's why you went and found yourself another vampire to fu-" her rambling was cut off when my palm sharply met his cheek. Her head snapped to the side in shock and my hand was now enflamed with the searing pain.

…but I didn't regret it.

When she brought her head around to meet mine, her rage was prominent. The anger enflamed in her eyes, closing in when she threw me into the wall. I cried out when the plaster shook behind me. This time, I felt the pain rack up my spine and tremble along my waist.

Over her shoulder, I caught how Damon made a move to stop her but it wasn't necessary as the door was flung open again.

"Get your hands off my daughter!"

-XxxxxxX-

"Your dad is kinda badass for-"

I turned to Damon but the sunlight burnt my eyes, causing me to drop my head. "For a human?" I guessed what he had meant to say.

He nodded with a slihght shrug. "Well yeah"

"Yes he is" I agreed.

Alice had been shocked and attempte her goody goody two shoes human act. Only Charlie threatened her and told her to 'stay the fuck away' from me. Embarrassed and discomfited, Alice had then agreed to go back to the hotel and wait for Jasper there.

All the while, Damon had escorted me to garden where we sat on the bench and stared out at the fields of the stretching forest.

"He obviously cares about you" Damon added.

I smiled to myself, remembering how Charlie had pressed the shotgun to Alice's cheek. "He does" I nodded and leaned into him.

Only we were interrupted with someone clearing their throat. Both of us turned to my father, who was now approaching us. "I'll go and try call Jasper" Damon murmured and I smiled in response, watching as Charlie took his place beside me.

"I'm surprised to see you here" I said, not daring to face him yet.

"Well you shouldn't be" he replied and I finally turned to him. There was nothing but love in his expression as he covered my hand with his. "I am your father. I had to check up on you. A good thing too" he added and his eyes darted towards the boarding house.

I squeezed his hand in gratitude. "Thank you" I murmured and leaned my head onto his shoulder, revelling in the peace. Slowly, I could feel my eyes flutter to a close and I longed for the bed.

It wasn't long before he broke the silence again. "You're getting bigger" Charlie said.

I sat up and blinked back the sleep to slap his arm. "Gee thanks"

"Never said you look any less beautiful" he added.

Of course, I blushed and then ducked my head when nudging his side with my elbow. "Aw shucks" I huffed and hid behind my curtain of hair.

He chuckled. "I mean how could you not, when you obviously take after me" he teased and I pushed him lightly again. "So how is my grandchild?" he wondered.

"The doctor said it was okay" I assured him.

Charlie nodded but his crease deepened as his eyebrows furrowed. "That's good. It's good you have a doctor" he appraised me.

"Damon is actually the one who set up my appointment" I said, hoping to dissipate the tension between two of the most important people in my life. Only it was deemed impossible as he simply grunted in response "He's been very helpful" I added, still hopeful.

"I'm sure he has" he chuffed.

I tilted my head to the side and groaned, "Dad…"

"Bella, I'm just worried about you. He doesn't exactly seem like the fatherly type" Charlie reasoned and I forced myself to think of how he was only being protective because he worried. That enough kept me from holding a grudge.

"Damon is…complicated" I decided.

Charlie stared at me. "Does he want this child?" he challenged but was only met with silence. "Will he care for it when it arrives?" he continued and I closed my eyes, pained that I couldn't give an answer.

"I'm going to be there"

We both snap up to Damon, "I'm going to look after Bella and this – and our baby. I'm going to do everything in my power to keep both of them safe" …

"I'm not going to leave" he vowed and looked away from him, turning to me, "Unless she asks me to" he added and I sighed shakily.

Pulling my hand from Charlie's, I stood up and stalked to Damon. He braced himself, unsure of what I would do. Nothing in my expression gave me away but he relaxed when my arms circled him. My lips neared his ear as I gently whispered, "Never"

A/N: More visitors? At least this one is welcome. Thoughts on Alice's arrival? Thoughts on Charlie's arrival? Do you want him to stay? Who wants a Charlie and Damon talk? Lastly, thoughts on Damon's promise?