Yup. I finally rewrote this chapter to include Carlisle. Do disregard the author's note in Chapter 3.
You know, Edward, Emmett's thoughts commented as he devoured the deer carcass he was hunched over, if you're going to be like this all weekend, we might as well just go home early.
"Like what?" I asked him, though I knew already.
You know what. Worried to death about Bella. She survived for seventeen years without you, she can survive for two days without you now.
"Yes, and that was a miracle," I muttered, and I saw Jasper's brow furrow.
And you wonder why Rose calls you "overprotective"? Emmett thought.
"Shut up," I growled, lunging at him playfully. He gracefully dodged me, so I landed on the ground. He guffawed while I haughtily got up and dusted myself off.
I suddenly focused on Jasper's perturbed thoughts: Is it really so hard to actually speak?
"Emmett was just complaining about my lack of enthusiasm," I explained.
Jasper rolled his eyes.
"Edward, seriously, though," said Emmett, not sounding at all serious. "You are one overprotective boyfriend. Maybe that's why she won't marry you." He shot a look at Jasper, and added, "And be happy, Jasper, that I'm speaking aloud this time."
Besides, do you see Emmett and I pining for Rosalie or Alice? thought Jasper.
"It's different," I insisted. "For one, you've known Alice for almost eighty years, and she's a vampire, who can take care of herself. Unlike Bella. And don't you think that's a little hypocritical? To not be speaking out loud, after just complaining about Emmett?"
Don't change the subject, Jasper thought, just before being jumped by Emmett.
While they rolled around on the ground, Carlisle, who had been just a few hundred yards away, appeared.
"They're right, you know," Carlisle said. "I can't imagine Bella appreciates being...locked up like this."
"But Carlisle," I protested, while Jasper soundly beat Emmett in their wrestling match, "What do you think she would rather be? Bored, frustrated - but safe - or dead, at the hands of her so-called best friend?"
Carlisle sighed. It was only a matter of time before Jacob came up.
"How could a conversation about Bella's safety not involve a werewolf?" I questioned. "Werewolves are dangerous. That means Jacob could hurt Bella. Why can she not see that?"
Carlisle shook his head. No, Edward. Just because Jacob is a werewolf does not mean that he will hurt her. Just because you are a vampire, does that mean you will hurt her?
"Probably," I answered. I knew it was true. It was only a matter of time before she was hurt, seriously hurt, directly by my own hands.
But why are you willing to give yourself that chance, and not Jacob? Carlisle thought, annoyingly nonprejudiced.
This quality of Carlisle's, how he could put everyone equally in his mind, cast away all his prejudices to see the person themselves...it was very annoying sometimes. In order to answer his question, you always had to put yourself down to the level of your enemy.
I didn't answer Carlisle. Jacob was a werewolf. Bella was in danger every time she saw him. Jacob was a werewolf. Bella was in danger. And I could not stand to have Bella in danger. Why could nobody see that but me? Jacob was a werewolf. Bella was in danger. I repeated the words to myself, trying to see the truth I knew was there. It had to be there. Didn't it?
A memory came into my head, this time when Jacob had come to see me after my return to Forks, to warn me of the treaty. His memories had been mine that night, and I had seen his beginning, how fast he had gained control of his new self. How even Sam had been impressed, how well he had kept himself together when he was taking care of Bella, even when he was only a few weeks old.
But if Jacob wasn't truly dangerous - because now, it seemed, I had no case for that - then there had to be another reason. One that didn't make me sound like the stereotypical authoritarian, the kind that forced their girlfriend to do exactly what they wanted, the kind who flipped out if they saw her with another boy, even just a friend? Was that really the only reason I wanted Bella away? Was I really that jealous? Why are you willling to give yourself that chance but not Jacob? Carlisle's words echoed in my mind.
"Do you really think I'm overprotective and controlling?" I asked my brothers, who were finally done fighting, mainly directing the question toward Jasper. He was much more likely to answer seriously.
Carlisle smiled.
Sure enough, Emmett's answer came back a split second later: Hell, yes!
Jasper took a little more time answering. I could hear the indecision in his thoughts. Well, it is kind of excessive to have Alice hold her hostage, he answered thoughtfully, no pun intended, but I know you mean well. Still, to ban her from seeing the werewolf - he's really not dangerous to her. You know that. So I guess I'd have to say yes, Edward. Just stop worrying about her. She'll be fine.
"You think I should let her see Jacob, though?" I asked doubtfully.
This time, Emmett was serious when he answered. Edward, he really is just a friend to her. And if he anything happens - I don't trust him, and I'm sure you don't either - well, then, I'm always up for a little game of Let's Beat The Werewolves Up For Messing With Edward's Girlfriend.
I had to laugh at that. "Sounds like an interesting game, Emmett." Jasper looked annoyed again, but I ignored him. "But he's a werewolf!" I said, in one last desperate attempt to find a reasonable explanation for stopping Bella from seeing him.
And? Jasper asked. When I gave him an incredulous look, he continued Well, I know that's huge to us, Edward. But we're not the ones who are going to be seeing him. To Bella, he's just another person. She sees any of us the same way she sees him. You shouldn't let your prejudices stop Bella from doing something she wants to do - you really shouldn't "let" her do anything. She's her own person, Edward.
The nice thing about Jasper was that he was willing to put his personal prejudices aside to answer a question truthfully from a non-biased standpoint. Just like Carlisle.
"Thanks, Jasper," I told him sincerely.
But now I was left with a decision. Should I - could I - let Bella see Jacob? It sounded like the answer had to be yes. But... oh, stop it, I told myself. No buts. Just do it and be done with it. Bella will be perfectly safe, and if Jacob does anything to her, well, then, I thought grimly, that'll be a good excuse to get him out of the picture altogether.
With my new resolution becoming firmer in my ever-still heart every moment, I snapped out of my reverie and followed Emmett and Jasper, and Carlisle off into the woods.