Chapter Ten

Carlisle

Charlie was full of the letters from Bella, it sounded like she was enjoying herself in France but I wondered if she thought about us, or Jasper in particular. He was noticeably more withdrawn and Esme had to blackmail him into going to Denali for the wedding. If he didn't go then neither would the rest of us,

"We should show a united front Jasper please. It will do you good to get out of Forks for a week or two."

I think he only agreed because he didn't have the strength, mental strength, to argue with her especially when Rose who didn't know why her brother was acting so strangely backed Esme up.

We flew to Denali two days before the wedding which had been organised by Eleazer and Carmen with a little help from Irina and Kate although when we got there I suspected there was some jealousy from the two sisters. They had all been drawn to Edward and Tanya not only capturing him but also being the first of the sisters to find her mate was a little galling to the others. Edward seemed very happy and I had to say they made a handsome couple. Neither ventured far from the other and they had to be almost crowbarred apart for Edward's bachelor night. The girls were going to a nightclub, probably so the sisters could find a suitable date for the wedding while we men were going to hunt in the park. Emmett was determined to find himself a polar bear which kept us amused at least for a while but then Eleazer took me to one side.

"Is there something wrong with Jasper?"

"No, why?"

"He's very withdrawn, more than usual. I know the girls are a little pushy but he doesn't even seem to notice them. Is it because Alice and Garrett are coming to the wedding? I did wonder if it might be awkward."

"Oh no, I think he's accepted Alice's choice. He's just a little thoughtful that's all."

"Thoughtful? I see, is it anything to do with a woman? Only in my experience that look is usually associated with a woman."

"It's not for me to say Eleazer."

"I'll bet its a human, Bella Swan. I went out with her for a short time in Forks but I never thought my brother would fall for her. Now that is amusing."

We hadn't noticed Edward coming up behind us and I turned on him crossly.

"Edward you keep your mouth shut about that, Its got nothing to do with you and I promise you this, if you say anything about Jasper to anyone, either now or during the wedding, I will make sure that your honeymoon is very short-lived. I wonder what your bride would think if I told her you fell for her on the rebound from Bella."

He snorted but his eyes showed he was worried

"There's no need for threats Carlisle, I wasn't going to say anything to embarrass my brother."

"Good, I'm pleased to hear it,"

He ran off after Emmett at this point leaving us alone again.

"Is it true?"

Yes but he refuses to do anything about it."

Doesn't he understand that he'll be forced to act eventually?"

"I don't think its a case of acting, more a matter of worthiness."

"Oh I see. That's a difficult one to overcome."

"I've done all I can Eleazer, the rest is down to him."

Jasper

I heard them discussing me and was pleasantly surprised by the way Carlisle took my part. I'd considered leaving the Cullens but I needed their support and understanding now more than ever and where else could I go? Not France, never! Peter wouldn't understand and there was no one else. If I left Carlisle and Esme I would be totally alone and I didn't think I could cope like that. My attitude had been noticed by everyone but no one asked me to my face what the problem was, at least not until the day of the wedding when Alice and Garrett turned up. He was wary at first but I had no quarrel with him, he and Alice were meant for each other in a way she and I had never been so I went over to shake his hand. After the ceremony Alice pulled me away from the reception into a more secluded spot where she knew we wouldn't be overheard.

"Jasper what on earth is the matter?"

"Nothing Alice. I'm fine."

"Don't lie to me."

"Then you tell me, you're the one who sees everything."

She looked taken aback at my tone of voice,

"It's a strange thing Jasper but I lost your future a while back. I don't know why or how but you faded from view. Something happened but I don't know what. I do get a bad feeling though, something is going to happen, whether to you or someone else I don't know but the air feels like it does before a thunderstorm, heavy with menace."

"That's me thinking of all the things I'd like to do to Edward."

"Yes he's still an arrogant fool I see but I don't think it concerns Edward somehow."

Carlisle

Esme was worried that Jasper might vanish before we left for our return flight, she had seen Alice corral him yesterday after the ceremony and was scared that she might upset him but he was there waiting when we reached the airport. Seeing Esme's worried expression he managed a half-smile,

"Don't worry I just went for a run., I wouldn't leave without telling you."

"You promise?"

"Yes I promise Esme"

She sat beside him on the flight and her company cheered him up a little, Esme had a way of making things seem better, as if her love and compassion brimmed over and filled others too but I knew it would take more than that to cure what ailed our son. I thought if Bella came to visit Charlie again he might just be persuaded to speak to her so I would put out feelers, see if there was any possibility that she might visit, perhaps at Christmas or for the New Year. It was a faint hope but it was the only hope I had at the moment.

When we got back Jasper disappeared on his bike, I knew what he was doing but I could have told him it wouldn't work. You couldn't outrun your destiny no matter how fast you travelled. Perhaps movement was his way of dealing with the pain of separation but eventually it would win. Esme sat at the window waiting for his return and terrified it might not happen. Rose had noticed Jaspers change in demeanour in Denali and asked both of us if we knew what the problem was. We didn't tell her but I think she was under the impression that seeing Alice with Garrett had upset him in some way. If she'd have thought about it she would have understood it wasn't likely but with no other clues it was the best she could come up with. The atmosphere in the house was affected by the worry but for now all we could do was wait and hope he would change his mind and go to France.