Chapter 7

Jasper POV

I actually felt tired from my attempts to soothe Bella. It was such a strange feeling. I reluctantly followed my family into the dining room after settling Bella on the couch. I would focus my empathetic ability on her while participating in the conversations. That was one of the amazing things about being a vampire, the ability to multitask.

Carlisle took his seat at the head of the table, and we all followed suit in our respective seats. We waited while he sat, deep in thought. Esme took his hand.

After a while, we heard Edward growl. "No! That is NOT an option!" he shouted.

"We have very few, Edward," Carlisle glared back. "It might be the best we have! Now, if you don't mind, I need to finish thinking before we discuss this, with the entire family."

He nodded reluctantly and Carlisle drifted back into his musings. After a few more minutes, I felt frustration coming off him. I sent a light calming wave to him, so as not to disturb Bella's carefully-controlled coma. He looked at me gratefully.

After glancing around the room, he said, "Well, I can't see many options. Before I begin, do any of you have any ideas?"

"I do!" Alice said excitedly. I had been so preoccupied monitoring Bella and watching Carlisle that I hadn't noticed that my wife was close to bursting with excitement.

Everybody looked at her hopefully. Her face went blank before she said, "Nope! Wait— No, never mind. I totally agree with you, Rosalie. That'd be too hard on her."

Rosalie rolled her eyes and Emmett, with his head in his hand and his elbow on the table, said glumly, "We'll never know."

Carlisle broke the silence by saying, "Well, if nobody has any ideas, I will make my suggestions. First of all, I know that you'd like to hear the one that Edward was so insistent upon denying. I, personally, believe that it is our best option."

"No!" Edward stood up, furious. I focused all of my abilities on calming him and removing the tension from the room, completely forgetting about Bella.

"Edward," Carlisle said sternly, standing up as well. "I will not tolerate—" But he stopped. We all did. Turning our heads to the direction of the living room, we listened to the sound of a frantic heartbeat and stumbling footsteps leading to the front door. "Jasper!" Carlisle shouted.

But she was too far away for me to refocus my ability, so instead I sped out of the room and physically captured her in my iron grip. Before I could put her back into the coma, however, Carlisle appeared with his hands in the air, stopping me.

"Bella," he said, calmly, watching her struggle. "I'm going to give you a choice. Either you cooperate, or you are going right back to sleep."

"No!" she shouted, eyes streaming with tears. Her next words were a quiet jumble. "Who cares anyway my life is meaningless I don't need anybody I'm an adult I can take care of myself…"

"No, you can't," said Carlisle, just as softly. And then, as if seeing her for the first time, said, "Bella! You need to eat! You need a shower, and a good sleep!"

Bella stopped struggling enough to raise an eyebrow at Carlisle as if to say, "Are you being serious right now?" Aloud, she simply said "No."

Carlisle pinched the bridge of his nose and closed his eyes. "Bella. Either you eat, or I am giving you a feeding tube. Is that clear?"

There was a pause before she said, "I'm an adult and I am no longer a part of this family. You left me—" She closed her eyes and took a deep breath before continuing. "Simply stated, I can make my own decisions now. And I'm leaving."

She sensed Carlisle was about to speak and shouted, "YOU LEFT ME, AND I CAN JUST AS WELL LEAVE YOU!" Her eyes opened and shot at Carlisle, as if daring him to argue.

He looked around at the family. "My decision's been made. Jasper, knock her out, please."

She gasped and a jolt of fear spread through her body as she looked at me.

"Darlin', everything is going to be okay," I soothed her. I sent calming waves to her as she backed herself into the nearest wall. The family followed Carlisle into the dining room.

"Jasper," she whispered, eyes wide. "What's going to happen to me?"

"Whatever happens," I replied, "Just remember that we're doing it for your wellbeing. Why can't you see how much this family loves you? We left because Edward thought it would be best for you. We are here to take care of you!"

I could feel that she couldn't see, that she thought she was all alone, unloved. She also felt very independent, that nobody should take care of her. She felt guilty for having so many people fuss about her, despair and disbelief that the fuss was actually about her, and stubbornness. I was surprised that she was even functional in this condition.

She didn't reply but gave me a pleading look. I could only respond with a reassuring look as I took away her consciousness once again.

What were we going to do with Bella?

Carlisle POV

It was tough decisions like these that made my position as leader of the coven and father of the family so difficult. After witnessing Bella's antics, I saw clearly in my mind what I was going to do, and not even Edward would stop me.

I was going to do exactly what he'd hoped I wouldn't.

As soon as we all had returned to the table, I addressed my family. "I want Bella to stay with Esme and me until I say otherwise. Edward, Alice… I know how hard it will be for you but you, Rosalie, Jasper, and Emmett will have to go away for a while. Maybe take an extended hunting trip. Or visit our extended family in Alaska. All I care is that Bella gets this time with her parents to sort things out. I am going to get Bella physically and emotionally stable before you return. Stable. It won't take long. She may be overwhelmed by everybody's presence. Once we return, you can all assist in helping Bella reappear as the wonderful daughter and sister we all knew and loved, happy and healthy. Have I made myself clear?" I glanced at all of the stunned faces around the table. Obviously, this wasn't what they'd expected.

"Carlisle," Edward looked at me, his face pained. "You know I can't do that."

I reached across the table and took his hands in mine. "I know you can."

I looked into his eyes and tried to put all of my good intentions and the love I felt for my daughter into my thoughts. After a moment, he nodded and smiled slightly. "I know you'll take great care of her, Carlisle," he said confidently. I was glad he had finally agreed. He had no choice in the matter, but I'd rather he left by his own choice rather than by force.

"Does anybody have anything else to say? No? Alright, kids, shoo. Get ready to leave by tonight."

I looked at Esme. I needed to know what she thought of my hasty decision.

She kissed me lightly before saying, "We'll be able to help her, Carlisle. Don't worry."

I hadn't even realized that I had a worried expression plastered on my face, but it was justified. It was going to be hard, I thought morosely. But worth it.