06

*＊✿❀❀✿＊*Chapter Six: Dad vs Boyfriend *＊✿❀❀✿＊*

The next day at school was fairly normal, apart from the fact that the Cullens were not there. Now, sure, if the sun was out, the Cullens wouldn't be at school because if being blood-drinking Vampires wasn't enough, they also sparkled in the sun. Except, today was not a particularly sunny one, so it was a day that the Cullens would usually come into school for. The only reason that Jules noticed really was that Bella's mood had completely deflated. Apparently, while Jules was at Sam's last night, Bella had been 'surprised' with a party at the Cullen's place. From the look in Bella's eyes, Jules could tell that something had happened but (unsurprisingly) her sister wasn't letting up.

Everything seemed fine after school as when Bella drove herself and Jules home, Edward was stood awaiting his girlfriend. Sensing the upcoming conversation was definitely not for her, Jules simply offered Edward a mock-salute before heading inside to greet her father. Besides, she had more pressing concerns than Edward and Bella's tiffs: tonight she was introducing Sam to her father. As her boyfriend!

"So, what time do I need to get my gun?"

"Dad," Jules deadpanned, yet unable to hide her amused grin at Charlie's faux-innocent smile. "He should be here for 5 o'clock." Both Jules and Charlie peered at the current time: 3:55pm. "Do me a favour, dad?" Charlie hummed. "Please, be nice. I really, really like him."

"He's a good kid," Charlie shrugged in agreement. "Let's hope I don't have to shoot him."

"Dad!" Jules exclaimed, laughing when Charlie raised his hands in defence.

Charlie headed into the living room (Jules assumed there was a game on or something) whilst Jules began to make dinner. She chose to make spaghetti bolognaise with little sausages cut up amidst the sauce. Sure, maybe she was trying to butter Charlie up a little bit; she was well aware that Sam would impress him all on his own, but Jules reckoned that making one of her father's favourite foods couldn't hurt.

The doorbell rang at 4:30pm, and Jules left her father to answer it, not at all surprised that it was Sam.

"Sorry I'm early," Sam apologised as he stepped into the Swan's home. "S'nice to see you again, Chief Swan."

"You too, Sam," Charlie said gruffly as he shook Sam's outstretched hand. "So, you and my daughter? You know you're her first boyfriend, right?"

"Okay, okay," Jules came out of the kitchen, deciding that was enough talking. "Jesus, dad."

Charlie raised his hands in defence, "I'm only making sure he knows to treat you right."

Sam chuckled, "I know that, sir," he responded to Charlie's earlier question. Charlie nodded.

"He treats me great, dad," Jules shot her father a stunning smile. "Now, if you two don't mind, I have to get back to making dinner?"

"You need a hand, love?" Sam asked.

Jules smirked as she shook her head, "you aren't getting out of it this easily." She stood up on her tip-toes to press a kiss to his cheek. She shot him a playful smile and a wink as she walked away and wished him good luck.

Sam turned back to Charlie, fully prepared for his scrutiny. 

"Look," Charlie sighed, "I like you, kid. Stay in her good books and you'll stay in mine, got it?" Sam nodded wordlessly. Charlie nodded too. "Want to watch the game?"

The moment Jules could hear both Sam and Charlie shouting at the TV in-sync, she grinned. She knew that her father would see that Sam is a good fit for her, and (hopefully) her for him.

It was around another 15 minutes before dinner was ready, and that also went swimmingly. Sam pulled out Jules' chair for her, earning an approving nod from Charlie. The couple sat beside each other, with Charlie on the end. Charlie asked Sam about college, and Sam's response had just the right amount of truth and vagueness to satisfy Charlie, stating that he was more focused on supporting the younger kids on the Reservation, but college was always an option down the line. Sam asked Charlie questions too, both about his job and growing up in Forks alongside the likes of Billy Black, Harry Clearwater and Quil Ateara IV.

"Where's Bella?" Charlie suddenly asked Jules, unable to recall the last time he had seen his other daughter.

"I saw her with Edweirdo a while ago," Jules shrugged, not thinking anything of it. Both Sam and Charlie chuckled at the nickname, but Jules could feel Sam tense up at the mere mention of the Vampire. Jules took his hand in hers and squeezed three times. He squeezed back. "I'll try her," she took out her cellphone and dialled Bella, excusing herself from the table as she took herself into the living room. There was no answer. This spiked Jules' worry a tad as Bella always answered, but she thought to try Edward. There was no answer. She started to panic now and she phoned Bella again, this time leaving a voicemail when there was no answer: "Bella, answer your fucking phone. I've not heard from you literally since we got back from school and I'm getting worried now. It's almost six. I've tried Drac but he isn't picking up either. Call me back the second you get this, Belly. I love you." Jules hung up. Five minutes passed and Bella still hadn't called her back. In that time, she had kept trying Edward but to no avail. "I do not give a shit if you're some indestructible Vampire, I will kill you if you hurt her." Jules then angrily threw her phone, but it didn't hit the floor.

"Woah, woah, there," Sam made his way over to her, her phone in his hand, "what's wrong, Jules?"

"She's not picking up. Neither's he."

"Hey, hey, hey," Sam put his hands on her shoulders. "Breathe, baby." Jules took a deep breath. "I'm sure they're just too caught up in each other to realise.."

"You don't get it, Sam!" Jules interrupted him. "Last time she stopped answering my calls, she'd ran away from home and almost.." the words got stuck in Jules' throat but Sam seemed to understand. "You didn't hear what happened to her over there. And she was ready to die. I can't lose my sister, Sam. I won't."

"Okay," Sam took a breath with his girl. "When was the last time you saw her?"

"We got home from school and Edward was standing there waiting for her," Jules sighed as she tried to remember every detail she could. "I think she followed him into the woods. I've been here ever since and not once have I seen or heard from her." Jules gasped, having just realised something. "What if she's still in the woods? What if something got her while Edward wasn't looking? I've got to find her!"

"Woah, woah, hey, hey," Sam grabbed her wrist before she could leave. "I'll find her, love. You let Charlie know that you think she's missing. I'll get Jared and Paul, too." Sam pressed a loving kiss to her forehead. "She'll be okay," was the last thing he said before vanishing out of the front door.

Jules ran straight to tell her father her theory that Bella had gone missing, and that Sam was already scouring the woods as it was where Jules saw her last. It wasn't long before the Swan residence was swarmed with friends of those of Bella, Jules and Charlie, all ready to send a search party for Bella.

As soon as Jacob and Billy got there, Billy headed straight for Charlie whereas Jacob pulled his best-friend into his arms.

"She'll be okay, JJ," Jacob promised, pressing an affectionate kiss down onto her forehead.

"I just don't understand why Edward isn't with her and if he is, why he never picked up," Jules said, more to herself as Jacob wrapped an arm around her shoulders and walked to towards her father.

"I'm gonna try the Cullen's place again," Charlie declared.

"The Cullen's left town, Charlie," Billy dismissed.

"Good riddance," Harry Clearwater muttered.

"Wait," Jules looked at Billy, taking no note of Harry's snide comment, "all of them?" Billy simply nodded.

"Where'd they go?" Charlie asked.

"We'll find her, Charlie," Harry put a comforting hand on Charlie's arm.

"Charlie," came Jacob's voice. Jules looked over, the same time as her father did, and the pair rushed over to (an unconscious) Bella and Sam.

"She's alright," Sam assured Charlie, passing her over to him. Jules squeezed Bella's hand quickly as Charlie moved swiftly into the house. "She's alright." Sam made his way over to Jules. He saw how heavy she was breathing and immediately knew what was happening. "Baby.. baby, please, look at me." She wouldn't, simply staring at the spot her father was holding her unconscious twin sister. So Sam took the initiative to hook his finger beneath her chin, coaxing her to look at him. His heart broke upon seeing her glassy eyes. "Bella is safe, Jules. She's safe."

"She was here all this time," Jules muttered, not intending for Sam to hear but, of course, he did. "I knew she was out here, and I never came to check on her."

"Hey, hey," Sam moved his hands to cup her cheeks, "don't do that. This is not on you, Jules. The Leech left her there. I picked up a faint trace before it disappeared, not too far from where I found her." Sam could see the rage building up in her eyes. "That's a fight for another day, love," Sam pulled her into his arms. His heart broke again as he could feel her shaking against him and his shoulder felt wet. "For now," Sam continued, running a comforting hand through her hair, "you need to rest, sweetheart."

"Thank-you, Sam," Jules mumbled out. "Thank-you so much for finding her. I don't know what I would've done if.."

"Luckily, you never have to find out," Sam assured her. "Rest, Jules. We can talk more tomorrow."

Jules nodded and went to walk away, but stopped suddenly as if she was reminded to do something, and came back to him. She stood up on her tip-toes and pressed her lips to his, pouring as much love and gratitude into the kiss that she could muster. "I love you, Sam."

"I love you, Jules," Sam responded with no hesitation. He held onto her hand as she walked away, breaking the link when she was too far and she headed into her house, not at all prepared for what the next few months had in store.