~The Heart's Dilemma~
Chapter 11 ~ Dreaded News and Surprises
Thoughts
Yelling
A Year later
Carlise P.o.v
Things had been progressing great. When I hunted with Bella she admitted to finding animal blood off in taste like rotten human food compared to her one taste of human blood. Knowing that she had a stronger ire than most newborns I assured her it became better tasting over time hoping I was proven right for the outright lie I was telling her. Sometimes I would catch Bella staring off into space before she refocused on what was going on around her. After her little episode with throwing all of Edwards things out she was better not as sad according to Jasper. Esme and she had redone the room and even Rose and Bella had become friends and gone shopping for both cars and clothes on a couple occasions. Every new house we went to Bella went through the process of cleaning Edwards's room and burning some of the belongings. Every time she did, her smile grew and a laugh of joy escaped her she was becoming free again. It was sweet to see and we respected her to have her peace with his death.
Bella P.o.v
Leaning back in my chair, I flipped the pages in a tome I was reading, and I say Tome meaning a giant ass book. This was a giant book about the civil war that had more than a passing mention of Jasper in it. The two of us had combed over every history book for more than a passing mention of him to try to see if the family line was still around. If it wasn't then Jasper had decided to go back to Whitlock and drop the Hale part of his name since it was really Rose's. He wanted to become his own person again and I noticed that Jasper was slowly but surely packing away Alice's things. Unlike Jasper, I found stuff on Edward I hadn't known, but he had known Alice for more years than I could count. Ok So I was being a little sarcastic but then again my humor was slowly morphing and becoming sick due to Emmett. Rose had made me considerably more girly over the months and at the same time, she let me be myself, something Alice never let me do. I Loved and missed Edward and Alice but at the same time I was glad I was able to be myself now.
~Dilemma~
I looked up as Jasper entered the room, and much to my amusement, he was distracted by the book in his hand that he didn't seem to notice me.
"howdy cowboy" I said calling upon the nickname I had given him one night when we were talking and his southern drawl was really pronounced. Jasper turned sharply and his glared at me before laughing as he straightened from the half crouch he had fallen into.
"Serves me right I guess for not paying attention. What are you up to today Bluebell?" Jasper said sitting on the other chair in the room by me a smile on his lips as he addressed me with his own nickname for me. He had heard Esme and me talking about flowers and he spent a couple hours pouring over gardening books before picking the flower he thought fit for me. I held up the book in my hands and smiled as I peeked around it.
"Ta-da! Page 4493 is the start of the history of Major J. Whitlock." I said happily before opening the book to the proper page and handing it to Jasper, his excitement projecting off him in a manor that caused me to giggle and get closer to read over his shoulder. I had already read it of course but I wanted to read it again. As Jasper and I read the pages, I could feel the smile growing on Jasper's lips.
"Bluebell, how can I ever repay you for finding this for me?" Jasper said as we finished the last page together.
"Don't? Simply enjoy it." I said as Jasper looked at me and analyzed my emotions.
"You bought me the book?" I nodded a smile growing on my lips.
"And the Whitlock house in Texas. It's yours Jasper." I said watching the disbelief spread over his face before I was wrapped in his arms and being given a hug that made me feel safe. Jasper had become my rock over time; he had taken care of me and watched over me. The others and I were close but not as close as Jasper and me. Pulling back, I ruffled his hair before leaving the room giving the Empath time to get used to the gift I had given him. Feeling empty, I decided to go on a hunt.
~Dilemma~
I preferred running to the actual hunt. I guess having that Human back in Italy ruined what I thought was going to be a smooth transition to a vegetarian diet. It tasted wrong to me and I wanted something that made me feel full. Deciding to run to work up more of an appetite, I raced along in the forest before pausing as I came across another vampire's scent. I slowed before scaling a tree and made my way over to where I caught the scent before watching my head tilted to the side. They were nomads, a rather large group of them, more than was safe to travel together. Pulling my shield around me, I cut off my scent and thoughts before listening in to their conversations.
"We need to go back to Maria. The redhead Victoria is a fool if she thinks the Volturi and the golden eyes will go down without a fight. Maria will rule if they will not her." The one said to the redhead among them her head turning to them and a sigh escaped her lips.
"I know that and the army will fall. I'll arrange for our troupe to be left out of the main fray. I'm hoping to find my sire the Major. He would know what to do better than I would." She admitted before turning her head and nodding to the body at their feet.
"Let's get rid of it then head home."
"Yes Bianca" the rest chorused as they started hiding the body. Waiting until they were out of sight, smell and hearing range before dropping to the ground. This was bad.
~Dilemma~
Jasper looked over at me as he drove towards the city wondering why I want to go to Italy to see Aro. Parking was easy and I grasped his hand before leading him into the building, his hands tightening on mine feeling my fear and determination.
Jasper P.o.v
I was a little confused as to why Bella wanted this but I went with her. I couldn't help but look over at her wondering if she was ok. Her emotions were chaotic at times and I was used to Bella being calm or happy emotions generally. Making our way into the throne room, I was met with the sight of the three brothers, and the feeling of Bella relaxing. She trusted them. I watched as Bella darted forward and touched her hand to Aro's her hand still in mine, seeking comfort. We waited calmly before she pulled back and came to stand fully beside me before Aro spoke.
"It seems Victoria has teamed up with Maria the Southern War Lord, and they plan on attacking the golden eyes and us here. Isabella came across a small group of them and listened in. The one in charge of the group Bianca was looking for her sire the Major." I Stilled. Bianca was still alive. I had turned her and Peter and I trained them to be efficient killers.
"Bianca has her own troupe, it was clear that they didn't want anything to do with this attack and she was planning on being left out so they could live. I'm under the assumption that Maria would trust her judgment." Bella said her head leaning on my shoulder as we stared up at them. Her fear made sense now. I pulled Bella closer wanting to protect her from the upcoming danger.
"Given what you just showed us Isabella, there's nothing we can do." Shock rolled through Bella, they were abandoning us.
