Disclaimer: Not mine.
Chapter 11
Harry laughed as Jacob picked Bella up, ignoring her shrieks of protest, before dumping her in the lake. She went under and then came up fighting mad. He felt Jasper sit down beside him, lounging in the sun like a cat. He was enjoying the ability to be out and about in the sun with people. The four of them were in Florida for two whole weeks, partially so Bella could visit her Mom and partially to celebrate graduating, or in Jake's case being on summer vacation. Getting permission for him to come had not been easy but they had gotten Charlie on their side and Billy hadn't been able to give him a proper reason why the younger male couldn't go. So grudging permission had been given along with lots of warnings. So they had two weeks of sun, sand and fun together. Thanks to a little magic they even had the beach to themselves this morning, allowing Jasper to really relax.
Bella and Jake joined them on the towels a while later, soaked and laughing. "You two should go in, the water's great!" Jake grinned, the water in Washington was never this warm!
"In a while." Harry murmured, he was enjoying the warm sun too much.
"You're going to burn." Bella warned and he grinned.
"Magic."
"Cheat."
"Not really, it's not a conscious thing." He argued and waved a hand to dismiss it.
"So who's up for Disney tomorrow?" Jake asked and Jasper groaned.
"Come on Jazz, it'll be fun." Bella bat her eyelashes at him and they all laughed.
"Alright, alright. I'll go." He gave in and the three actual teenagers grinned at him.
"I got this for you." Harry held out a simple amulet on a slender silver chain.
"Harry?"
"Should help with the crowds tomorrow. It's a sort of shield that will help dull everyone's emotions. Blood pops can help dull the bloodlust and this will help you filter out what you don't want to feel." He held it out and cold fingers covered warm ones.
"Thank you Harry, you didn't have to do this." He slipped it over his head and immediately the emotional noise of the hotel dimmed. He relaxed and smiled, getting a return smile from Harry. "Thank you." He said again and Harry's cheeks actually tinged red slightly before he left the room. Jasper sighed and collapsed on the couch, what the hell was going on with him? Alice had been his mate, he had loved her more than anything so how could he be feeling anything other than friendship or familiar feelings for Harry? It didn't make sense, vampires mated once and if one mate died the other lived alone for eternity or ended up dead pretty fast. He had assumed one day he'd be like Marcus of the Volturi, not beginning to feel again. Maybe he was just broken or something. He phone beeped and he glanced at it, seeing Peter's number flash. He looked at the message and snorted, 'just go with it Major', yeah that was helpful.
"Why are you keeping me out Carlisle?"
Well he'd managed three weeks, that was longer than he had thought he would. He motioned for Edward to join him on the deck and his eldest son did so, eyeing him carefully. "I have spoken with Doctor Phillips back in Forks." He finally answered and Edward stiffened.
"He was looking for help on a case so I called him. We did end up speaking a little on what has been happening in Forks."
"Bella?" Edward whispered.
"Is fine, in fact it appears she is dating someone new. She's graduated and is apparently taking a year off before attending College. She is always with three other teens, Jaco Black, Harry Potter who is new to town and….Jasper."
"WHAT?"
"Edward calm down! Apparently Jasper showed up after we left, in fact he found Bella lost in the woods." He shot his son a look and Edward looked away, so Edward had abandoned her away from the safety of her home. He'd been coming home but decided to stay and finish school. Town gossip s that Bella is either dating Jacob or Harry, not Jasper. The three of them even had a trip planned before Jacob starts his final year. I'd guess he's the reason they're waiting for college." Carlisle waited to see how Edward would react to the news, his reactions could be unpredictable. There were days when he wondered if maybe Edward had been too young to change. Seventeen wasn't a child but sometimes he could act like one. But he just stared out into the trees before turning and going inside without saying a word. Hearing his mate had moved on would be hard but it was Edward's doing, he had abandoned her and she was human, she wouldn't feel the need to be with only him. Unless…had they been mistaken? He was starting to think the two weren't mates after all.
"Carlisle?" Esme whispered as she joined him.
"I don't know what to do Esme."
"Bella deserves to be happy after everything she's been through. If whichever boy she's dating makes her happy then we can't interfere. No matter how much I wish she was still with Edward. He was so happy with her, we shouldn't have agreed to leave." She leant against him and Carlisle wrapped his arm around her.
"We can't change the past Esme."
Charlie smiled as he heard Harry's truck pull up and went to open the front door, watching as the four teens spilled out of the vehicle. He was glad the kid had gotten the truck, even Bella's was a squeeze for the four and it was safer than the bike he often rode. Jasper and Harry were as pale as ever but the other two had obviously spent a lot of time in the sun while in Florida.
"Dad!" Bella hugged him and Charlie hugged her back, it didn't feel so awkward any more to do so.
"Hey kiddo. You all enjoy the trip?"
"It was great!" Jacob answered as he tossed her bag to Jasper who caught it and put it by the door.
"You guys staying for dinner?" Bella asked and Jacob shook his head sadly.
"Sorry Bells, Dad wanted me home as soon as we got back."
Bella nodded sadly and looked at the other two who also indicated no. "We'll see you day after tomorrow, spend some time with your Dad and show him the photos." Harry answered before getting back in the truck. They dropped Jacob at the boundary line and then headed out towards their homes. As had become their routine Jasper soon appeared at his door and they settled in to watch a movie or two.
TBC….