Only three little reviews? Can't you guys do better than that for me? I hope more people are reading and just not reviewing. Reviews are greatly appreciated. Well here's the next chapter then.
Chapter 3: Gone
Edward held Renesmee protectively in his arms, while Bella attempted to carry all the packages Alice had ordered were hers. Once the duo reached the small cottage on the outskirts of the Cullen territory, the bronze haired man placed his daughter carefully in her bed. Next he helped his wife put her clothing in the closet.
He smirked, "Did you get me anything?"
Bella let a smirk cross her features that matched his face, "Oh I got you something."
She playfully pushed him out of the closet and closed the door behind him. The brown haired beauty put on the new winter jacket Alice had bought her and a heavy pair of denim jeans. She slid the closet door open and faced her husband.
"What do you think?"
His face fell slightly, "Not exactly what I was hoping for."
"Were you hoping for something more along the lines of this?" Bella wondered as she unzipped the jacket and let it fall to the floor. Then she tugged the loose pants down her hips and legs, letting them rest next to the jacket. She now stood in a hot pink bra with mesh black netting and matching panties.
Edward's eyes glazed over in anticipation and love, "Now this, I like."
"You do? I thought it was a little too showy to wear out in public."
His eyes squinted at her, "You should never go out in public wearing this. You're too gorgeous; all the men would go after you. But if you want to walk around the house in something like this…"
Bella laughed slightly, "Then you're all for it, hm?"
"Exactly."
Edward pulled Bella to him, wrapping his arms around her waist tenderly, "I love you, Mrs. Cullen."
She moved her hands up to twist them in his silky smooth hair, "I love you, Mr. Cullen."
Pushing up on her tiptoes, Bella reached for the man she loved. He quickly replied and shifted his head down so his lips could claim hers in a ferocious kiss. Even after having sex for hours each night, they still couldn't be satisfied. Before anything could get much farther their keen vampire hearing tuned them into the approaching footsteps.
"Momma?"
Bella quickly pulled pants up and threw one of Edward's button down T-shirts over her arms, "What are you doing up, Renesmee?"
She touched her hand to her mother's neck as Bella bent down to pick her up and showed her a picture of her mother wearing nothing but her bra and underwear. Edward chuckled quietly and Bella shot him an evil glare. Bella hadn't known that Renesmee had ever seen her in something like that. The young girl was curious to know what the two of them had just been doing.
Bella hated being embarrassed so she decided to shift the focus onto Edward, "Why don't you explain it to her, hunny?"
Edward was instantly serious, "I don't think that's a good idea."
"Oh no, I insist," Bella responded, passing Renesmee over to him. She gave her husband a triumphant look, while he gave her a glare.
Edward cleared his throat unsure of where to start, "Well you see…"
Bella knew this wasn't going to go well so before he could really embarrass himself, Bella cut in, "You see that it's late and you shouldn't still be up. Come on, let's put you back to bed."
As they walked back to Renesmee's room, with human slowness, the little girl pushed her palm on Edward's chin.
When Bella guess Renesmee was done showing him the picture, she questioned, "What did she show you?"
"A picture of Jasper."
"Of Jasper? Why?"
"She wants to know why he hasn't played with her lately," Edward explained.
"It's because he's very tired."
At that note they reached Renesmee's room and both parents tucked her in.
"Sleep well, Nessie."
Once they were back in their own room, Edward pulled Bella to him again, "Now where were we?"
"Edward, don't you think maybe you should talk to Jasper?"
He pulled away to study her face, "Why?"
"I don't know, Alice said he's been acting strange lately."
"I haven't really noticed, but I'll see tomorrow."
He emphasized the word tomorrow very clearly to her. Bella nodded and then Edward started tugging her to the bed. She smiled cheerfully and let herself be lead to the lush white sheets.
BELLAxEDWARD
When Edward and Bella reached the main Cullen house, everyone was already busy doing their routine tasks and Jacob was already there.
"Good morning Bella," he stated pleasantly.
"Good morning Jacob. How are you today?"
"I'm doing quite well, thank you."
After the friendly exchange, Bella placed her daughter in his capable hands. She really didn't have anything to worry about when Renesmee was with Jacob. He smiled at her, thrilled that he hadn't even needed to ask and then was outside to the backyard in an instant.
Rosalie grumbled at Bella, "I didn't even get to say good morning to her before you pass her over to the dog."
Bella smiled apologetically, "I'm sorry Rose."
After Bella gave Renesmee over to Jacob, Edward was already up the stairs, making a right and going all the way to the end of the hall. Alice was already in the large living room and from her thoughts it seemed like Jasper wasn't planning to come down anytime soon. Edward had promised Bella he would try and talk to his youngest brother, so he was going to do it no matter what.
He knocked once, "Can I come in?"
Edward strained to hear Jasper's thoughts, but he couldn't hear anything. Then he strained to hear anything Jasper would say, but once again he was left with silence.
"Jasper?"
Edward decided his only choice was to go in without permission. He pushed the door open a crack and then called Jasper's name again. When he got no response he opened the door fully and walked in. To his surprise the room was totally empty. Edward specifically didn't remember Alice thinking anything about Jasper leaving for the day, so he wondered where the beautiful dark blonde man had gone.
As Edward closed the door, Bella was walking up the stairs. When she noticed which room he was leaving she eagerly questioned him, "Did you talk to him? What did he say?"
"He wasn't in his room."
"I didn't see him downstairs."
They flashed down to the first floor in half a second and were at Alice's side in the other half.
"Do you know where Jasper went?" Edward asked.
Alice's light gold eyes looked up in confusion, "Isn't he in our room?"
"I just went in and he wasn't there."
She perked up, "Maybe he went to hunt, his eyes were turning so black I don't know how he lived with the thirst."
"Maybe…"
"You don't think so?"
"I really don't know."
At that moment Carlisle walked over, "Don't worry about him; I'm sure when he's good and ready he'll come back."
"But," Edward started to protest.
"I remember a few times when you just left without a word Edward."
At that Edward could not argue. So he just shrugged and went to sit with Emmett on the couch. The muscular honey blonde vampire had an old game on, but it was still exciting enough.
"Do you know where he went, Alice?"
Alice studied Bella's smooth pale features, "If I knew where he went, Edward would have known too."
"I guess you're right."
Alice sighed and walked up the stairs at human speed. Usually her walk was so graceful that it almost looked like she was dancing, but this morning she actually just looked like a mere human. Bella wished there was something she could do to cheer her new sister up, but they had just gone shopping yesterday.
"Bella."
Bella turned to look at Esme.
"Why don't you tell Jacob to come inside and have some lunch?"
Bella nodded and walked outside. When she reached Jacob, she couldn't help but smile at the duo. He had Renesmee on his lap. She was struggling, to no avail, to get out of his grip. Although he had superhuman strength, Jacob still was holding her tenderly.
"Why don't you let her go?" Bella laughed.
Jacob jumped in surprise, he hadn't heard her silent approach, and turned to look at Bella. His concentration was lost and Renesmee easily freed herself from the grasp. She skipped over to her mother and Bella scooped the seven month old girl into her arms. Even though Renesmee was only seven months old, she looked like she was about two and a half already due to the fact that she was half human and half vampire.
"You made me lose. Thanks a lot Bella."
"Sorry. Esme made you some food, hungry?"
"Sure thanks."
Jacob stood and followed Bella into the Cullen house. Before they could get very far both heard a loud howl.
"Is that Seth?"
Jacob nodded, "Yeah that's Seth. I'm going to phase and see what he wants. Be right back."
The dark skinned Quilete Indian was gone in a flash and then back in a flash.
"What did he say?"
"Is anyone missing?"
Bella raised an eyebrow and then gasped, "Oh, Jasper. What happened?" Bella didn't really want to know if something bad happened, but she had to ask anyways.
"Nothing happened. They just think he passed through the territory without permission."
"You mean he's not on Cullen property anymore?"
Jacob shook his head, "Apparently not."
"Where could he be going?"
"Like I'd know."
Bella ignored him. She hadn't actually been asking him, it had been rhetorical. Jasper was usually so calm and sweet. What could have happened to make him disappear so suddenly without telling anyone? He hadn't even told Alice! Had he ever kept a secret from her before?
"Hellooo Bella, you ok?"
"Oh yes I'm fine, just thinking. Here," she handed Renesmee back to Jacob, "go eat."
He looked at her oddly, but complied. Bella turned around and shot her ultimate shield towards Jacob and was very satisfied when it wrapped around his body and went farther out as he reached the front door. When he went inside she pulled it back. For some reason Bella felt like she should practice more. Who knew when something would come up when she would need to protect her family and loved ones?
