I sat down heavily on a log, it groaned slightly but held. I had expected exactly this result. I had known on some level that this was coming as soon as I had the vision but I had not expected the confirmation to feel like this. I would not fight this, I knew that instinctively, besides it was not something that could be fought but I was still ever so sad
"What's up" Carmen asked, sitting beside me
I'm going to have to give Jasper up. I know it's the right thing but it's hard to process. We've been together a long time"
"I'm sorry"
"Yeah".
I sat for a moment then pulled myself together. I looked over at Carmen. She was deep in thought.
"What are you thinking about."
"I was rethinking one theory."
"What theory"
"The factors that could obscure a bond. I'm not so sure that active avoidance HAS to be part of the formula for a long term bond obscurance after all. One factor alone certainly wouldn't be enough but I think now that a combination of any two factors would do it."
"I see" I replied. Not really sure how this was relevant.
"But this isn't a time for abstract theorising." She continued,
Ah, so it wasn't relevant
"We need to work this out" she stated. Bella and Jasper are mates but they don't know it. So WHY don't they know it? I don't know enough about the dynamics at play to know what factors could be involved"
She looked at me expectantly.
"I was thinking About the things that could have gotten in the way in this specific instance earlier on while you were listing the possibilities." I said confidently.
"Go ahead"
"Well Bella is supremely focused on Edward. She was infatuated with him before she met any of the rest of us, and Jasper and my relationship has always been pretty intense. so that's one off of your list, and it affects both parties." Carmen nodded
"Add to that Jasper makes a point of avoiding Bella"
"Why" Interrupted Carmen
"Two reasons, one because he struggles so much with our diet. He's worried he will hurt her. And two because Edward has asked him to, because of the same fears"
"So that's another off my list" Carmen grinned. "There you go. There's Two barriers and two is what's needed."
"So now the question Is what do we do about it" I paused. "Can we un obscure the bond. is there a way?"
"Yes" replied Carmen "and it's pretty obvious too. You simply need to find a way of removing one of those barriers. With one gone the bond should begin asserting itself."
I glared at Carmen's chipper expression.
"That's easily said but not so easily done,"
"Think about the factors at play, is there a way to change either of them"
"Well I don't see any way to get Bella less focused on Edward, or jasper less focused on me, let alone both!"
"Then the other barrier has to go. That one should be easier, the two of them just need to spend some time together"
"Oh sure. That's miles easier" I said sarcastically.
"What's difficult?. Surely once you tell them what's going on they could just go away together for a while"
"Oh no no no. This could blow the family apart if it comes out the wrong way. Tell them all now and Bella, Jasper, and Edward will flat refuse to believe it. Edward will likely go for me and Jasper. Rosalie will side with me, Emmet won't know who to side with and Carlisle and Esme will get themselves caught up in the middle trying to sort it out. And Edward will make damn sure that neither I or Jasper get anywhere near Bella ever again."
"You think it could be that bad"
"I know it could. I planned telling them all straight out a while back and I saw exactly how bad it could be if not handled delicately.
"Ah"
"Yeah"
We lapsed Into silence. Both of us thinking hard.
"What you need" said Carmen slowly "is a way to get Jasper and Bella alone without anyone being suspicious of why. Ideally without anyone else even knowing they are alone"
"Like I said before. Easier said than done."
I flopped backwards off the the log landing on my back in the soft moss. I stared at the sky still thinking hard. Carmen flopped down next to me
"I'm going to have to bring carlisle in on this" I said at last. "if anyone can work out how to get Edward away from Bella and Jasper near her it's carlisle"
"Sounds like a good plan." She paused "Say if you don't need me anymore I'm going to head home. I left a hunting trip with elazar to come down and I'd like to get back to it.
"Sure. Thanks for all your" help
"Your welcome."
We both got up and Carmen hugged me tightly and darted away.
I pulled out my phone and texted Carlisle. I asked him to meet me in the forest but not let on to anyone else. I named a few features of the area that we used as reference points so that he could get close enough to find me, I didn't say anything about why I was in the Forrest rather than the city, I would explain all that when he arrived. I got a reply back almost instantly, it simply read: "on my way" I sat down to wait.
20 minutes later Carlisle arrived at my position
"Alright. So what's going on" he asked in a friendly tone. "I didn't know they had built a shopping mall all the way out here"
"A heck of a lot." I replied to his question, I was not in the mood to joke "and i need your help"
It was unlike me to pass up an opportunity to make a joke. Especially when someone else started it. Carlisle studied me. It only took one look at my face and he got serious. He sat down next to me. Wrapping an arm around my shoulders he said kindly;
"Come on then. Let's have the whole story"
So I explained everything. I started by describing the vision and went on to the events that followed. I told him everything that Carmen had told me, I described the conclusions I'd drawn as carmen and I had talked, I told him the real reason we had come to the house and the results from our visit, finishing up with the discussion Carmen and I had had and the conclusion that carlisle needed to be brought in"
Carlisle listened intently and sighed deeply when I finished.
"This is unexpected"
"Tell me about it."
"We were all so sure that Bella and Edward were mates"
"I know"
"Well. We certainly need to do something but you are right this has the potential to be highly explosive if we handle it wrong."
"That's my fear. I know if I tell everyone it will cause a huge fight. I saw that. But if I just tell Jasper Bella and Edward I'm fairly certain that that none of them will believe me,"
"And wether he believed you or not Edward would not react well," carlisle Interrupted "he's a good person but he has a blind spot where Bella is concerned. his protectiveness of her boarders on possessive."
"Believe me I've noticed"
Carlisle chuckled.
"So what do we do" I asked him.
"Did you have any ideas"
"Only trying to get Bella and Jasper alone and hope that the bond asserts itself. At least that way we won't have the issue of Bella and jasper not believing it. And when the others find out they won't be able to deny it either. And hopefully when Edward is told his instincts will kick in"
"He would recognise that his partner belongs with her mate and relinquish her instinctively." Carlisle looked unsure
"Do you think he might refuse to give her up?"
"No. Edwards first priority is Bella. If he can be convinced that Jasper is her mate then he will give her up Of that I have no doubt. It's the convincing him that could be tricky"
"Which is why I think they need to establish the bond first. Then it should be easier to convince Edward."
"That makes sense. Yes I think your right. But that still leaves the problem of how. Edward never leaves Bella alone for long and he's adamant about keeping Jasper away. He still fears that Jasper's control won't hold"
I sighed.
Carlisle was silent for some time.
"Right. I think I've got it" he said suddenly.
"We go home and get everyone together. I state that it's been far too long since the whole family went on a trip together. It's something I've been thinking recently anyway so it should be believable, I insist that we leave right away and all go away together for two weeks. Bella can go stay with her dad."
"But how does that get Jasper and her alone. And Edward will never agree"
"I'm getting there. And Edwards dissent is exactly what we want. He is bound to argue. Say that we can't leave Bella here unprotected. That's where you step in. You say that the rest of us should go and that you and Jasper will look after Bella. Give him a glare. If necessary I'll put my foot down. The majority of us head out on a two weeks trip leaving the three of you at home.
When we are long gone you tell jasper and Bella that Edward is being stupid. That the two of them will be family soon and that they need to get to know each other and start acting like family. Etc etc. Then you go away wherever you like. Head for a city that way there's no risk you will cross paths with us. I will keep tabs on Edward and make sure he doesn't sneak home."
I was grinning now. This could work.
"I knew you would figure it out."
"Happy to help"
"There's only one problem."
"What's that"
"Edwards will know we are both shielding. He's not stupid. He will figure out that you left after reading a text and when you came back you were shielding. It doesn't take a genius to work out that you spoke to me and that something is going on. Especially when I come back to the house early still shielding"
"Edward wasn't home when I left so he doesn't know that I have gone out. He already knows you are shielding so that wont be new. and you've made him think you are planning a surprise for him to explain your shielding, so there's no issue there. And he won't know that I am shielding him. I've been able to block certain thoughts from Edwards gift without him knowing for some time."
"HOW?!"
"Practise. It's in the subtleties. It's all about understanding how Edwards gift works. He can only see what's in the forefront of your mind. You block him out by filling your head with randomness, that makes it obvious what you are doing. I do the opposite, I've learnt to be able to banish certain thoughts from the front of my mind entirely, also you have to not think about the fact that you are trying not to think about something. It takes practice to be able to make sure that the thing you aren't thinking about doesn't pop into your head randomly. And if there is a gap left in your thoughts you fill in the gap carefully with other thoughts that are relevant to what is happening at the time"
"I'm not sure I understand. That sounds very complicated."
"It is but Don't worry. We can discuss it another time. Right now we need to get back"
Carlisle stood and I followed suit
"Obviously We should go back separately, I'll head home through the woods you go back to your car and wait for me to call. I'll call a family meeting and phone you asking you to head home."
"Should I come willingly or unwillingly. You are asking me to cut short a shopping trip after all"
"Your right. Unwilling is best I expect. Complain a bit but don't over do it. Just enough to make it believable. Oh and mention that you haven't got Edwards surprise yet. That way if he's listening to the call he will still be expecting you to be blocking him out."
Genius.
"You know sometimes your even more sneaky that me"
I said sounding impressed.
"I've had more practice" He grinned and darted away through the trees. I went the other way back towards my car at a much slower pace.
I got into the car just as the phone rang. I looked at the screen and it was a conference call request. Carlisle already had Rosalie and Edward on the line. I answered working hard to sound like my usual chipper self.
"Hello hello" I said.
"Hello" replied carlisle. Edward and Rosalie echoed the greeting
"None of the you 5 were at the house when I got back. I need you all home please"
We all started talking at once.
"Whoa whoa whoa one at a time" Interrupted Carlisle loudly. "
We all paused. Then all started at once again
"WHOA" demanded Carlisle.
"Rosalie first"
"Emmet and I just got to Seattle we were planning to catch a movie "
"And bella and I are on our way to the meadow" Edward jumped in"
"And I'm still shopping. I've only been to three malls so far I am on my way to another city"
"I'm sorry guys but I really need to speak to everyone this evening"
We all started at once again and this time carlisle didn't stop us.
"We've been waiting months to see this film on opening night"
"We haven't been to the meadow in ages we want some alone time"
"I haven't even got Edwards surprise yet"
"Enough!"carlisle said quietly but sternly. we all fell silent . "None of you are really teenagers so stop acting like you are. Rosalie, the film will be in the theatre for several weeks you will have plenary of time to see it. Besides I know full well you've already been to the Hollywood premiers. you don't need to go to Seattles opening night as well, Edward you and Bella were alone for almost 24 hours two days ago while the rest of us were working, hunting, or otherwise busy. and you went to the meadow last week. Alice you can get Edwards surprise another time or you can order it online and have it delivered. Now I want all 5 of you home within the hour understood!" He hung up without waiting for a reply. I knew the other four, although likely very annoyed, would head straight home. Carlisle preferred our family to be run by discussion and consensus, he rarely laid down the law like that, but when he did lay down the law we all obeyed. He might not really be our father but all covens need a leader and he is ours.
I drove home slowly, I had to take long enough for it to be believable that I had driven In from more than five times as far away as I actually was. I timed it perfectly I pulled into the garage and was just getting out of my car when Rosalie's convertible drove in. She and Emmet got out and joined me by the door. Rosalie had a face like thunder.
We walked to the house in silence and headed straight for the dining room which was where all family meetings were held. Jasper, carlisle, and Esme were already seated round the table. We sat down and waited. A few minutes later Edward walked into the room from the kitchen. Bella was still perched securely on his back her hair windswept from the speed of Edward running. He put her down and they took their seats at the table. We all looked at carlisle expectantly.
"I'm sorry to pull you all away from your plans, I'm sure several of you will feel that this could have waited but the fact is that there isn't any point these days without one or more of us being busy doing something we don't want Interrupted. And that is really the point Of this meeting. It's been a long time, a very long time since this family did anything together. We used to take a two week trip every summer all of us together. No other plans no interruptions, it's been several years since we have done that trip and I would like to resurrect it. In fact I insist. We leave this afternoon! Two weeks away, family time together."
He glanced at Rosalie expecting her dissent to be the loudest. But her stony expression had softened. "I think it's a great idea. The film will still be there when we get back"
"Too right" chimes in Emmett"
"What about Bella" demanded Edward predictably "she is part of this family now, so she can come can't she"
Uh-oh. Edward inviting Bella hadn't occurred to me. Edward was looking hard at carlisle but it was Bella who spoke first.
"It's really not my scene Edward. I've had quite enough of camping for a lifetime. Besides I would just slow you down" thank goodness I thought. It would have really put a spanner in the works if she had wanted to come. But Edward looked put out.
"I'm not going if Bella isn't, for one, she can't stay here alone. It's not fair on her"
"Bella can stay at her dads" Carlisle Interrupted calmly "and you will come Edward. You are part of this family."
"I will not leave her here unprotected"
"There's no danger anymore "
"What if the voltori decide to check in. It's not happening"
"Jasper and I will stay" I cut in. "You all are the ones who had this tradition to begin with. You should all go. Jasper and I can keep Bella company and safe"
Edward opened his mouth to object but Esme got there first.
"Thank you Alice that's very kind." She glanced pointedly at Edward. "It's been longer than I care to think about since I have had any quality time with my first son so him being able to come on this trip means a lot to me, It would've been nice if the whole family could go together but perhaps it is better that Bella has some protection just in case." She smiled at me then gave Edward a classic mom has spoken glare and he closed his mouth and sat back. Bella patted his arm reassuringly.
"Right now that that is settled we should get ready" stated carlisle "Go and change everyone, and pack a bag. We leave in an hour."
The room emptied fairly quickly. All of the others dispersing to their various rooms, whilst Jasper bella and I put on the tv in in the lounge and relaxed in the sofa. An hour later Jasper Bella and I were waving the rest of the family off as they crossed the garden and disappeared into the woods.
I turned back to the other two and Bella looked unsure so I suggested we all watch a movie. I would wait to depart until carlisle messaged me that they were well out of the area.
The anticipated message arrived just as Mary poppins was finishing.
"We are Past the first mountain, I'm keeping an eye on Edward, head south" it read.
I turned to the other two.
"I'm going away as well."
Both heads snapped round to look at me, identical expressions of shock on both.
"What are you on about" said Jasper
" Edward never lets the two of you near each other, but you live in the same house now. You are part of the same family. It's time you stopped being strangers and got to know each other. All of us take quality time with the other members of the family from time to time and it's high time the two of you did. This is a perfect opportunity, I don't see anything untoward coming so I'm going on an extended shopping trip and I want you two to get to know each other better"
"There's no point arguing is there" said Bella matter of factly
"None at all" replied jasper, reading my emotions and correctly judging most of my mindset. "When she's like this nothing on earth changes her mind"
"You both know me too well"
"Are you sure it will be ok. What if I slip up"
It was Bella that answered. "Are you struggling right now"
Something in her tone made me think that she already knew the answer. As if she knew something the rest of us didn't. I wondered what it could be.
"No I'm fine right now"
"Then I don't see why you would have any problem" I stated smiling
Jasper looked unsure but I ignored him
"Excellent. Well I'll be off then. See you in two weeks. Love you both. If you need anything contact me and NOT the others. Also Remember that Edward can read minds. So if anyone calls and asks after me I'm still here"
"What if they want to talk to you"
"Then they would have called me directly. But if anyone does happen to ask while talking to you say I'm in the shower, or on my phone ordering takeout, or something like that"
I kissed them both and darted out of the door before they could protest. Just before the door closed I heard Bella say to Jasper
"Now what?"
