Chapter Fourteen

Alice

Jasper was trying so hard it just made things worse, he couldn't relax enough to get over this fear of making love. I knew his past had been brutal and bloody but I really didn't expect it to be so difficult. The crazy thing was I wasn't even doing this for myself but another although I had to admit it wasn't exactly a repulsive task. I'd seen so many different versions of the future now that they made my head spin. Every time she changed her mind or someone else changed theirs everything would go foggy and then I'd have to wait until it cleared again to see where we needed to be. I'd tried very hard not to watch constantly and that's why I missed the terrible day everything came crashing down in flames and it was our fault.

I wanted to blame the wolves but they'd done all they could to keep Bella safe. We should have stayed or at least realised that Victoria would go looking for revenge but we didn't. Edward was so wrapped up in what he wanted and of course Carlisle backed him all the way without taking everything into consideration although he wasn't the only one at fault, I too should have looked more closely. If things had gone according to plan I would have sent Jazz to watch over Bella as she recovered from our leaving. As soon as he got close enough and free of Edwards influence over the human girl he would have felt the pull and recognised Bella for his mate.

Instead the family made it impossible to control the situation properly and knowing how hard everything was going to be for Jazz I tried to help by getting him over his hang ups but it wasn't working. Instead he now thought he loved me and of course I encouraged it because I'd seen it working as a way of freeing him but as always where he and Bella were concerned things were too fluid. Only his true mate would give him the confidence to take that final step so it was up to me to make sure they got together.

Then Bella had the accident, an accident I didn't foresee because she was with the wolf boy at the time it happened. Only afterwards as she lay in the hospital hovering between life and death did I see what had happened and I dare not tell Jazz then. I was afraid what his reaction might be, fury at me, a mad dash to steal her away from the hospital which would only cause problems in the future, a fight between Edward and Jazz or Carlisle and Jazz that would lead to a death. I didn't like any of the futures I saw so I decided to wait for one I was happy with even if it meant Jasper having to wait and Bella suffer longer.

Everyone was happy to see him at the wedding and it was good to see him relax a little. Rick was a really nice guy who obviously adored Esme and when we found out he had a large house on Lake Huron and were all invited whenever we wanted he had won Emmett straight away. Rose as always was a little reserved but she and Jazz spent time together and I knew that would help to relax him further. None of us could believe it when Edward appeared at the ceremony and we were even more amazed when he came to the reception with a gift from himself and Carlisle. If I'd been Esme I'd probably have rammed it down his throat but she was so happy she just took it graciously and thanked him. That was the warmest reception he got that day, Jasper and Rose refused point-blank to have any truck with him and even Emmett did no more than acknowledge his presence.

He made a bee line for me and took my arm,

"I want a word Alice"

"Really? How about selfish bastard, there's two for you."

"I know what you all think of me, and I don't need to be a mind reader for that either. I'm not responsible for breaking Carlisle and Esme up. You should be glaring at Rick, not me."

"If Carlisle wasn't so far up your ass perhaps he would have seen how unhappy Esme really was."

"Yes well its got me thinking."

"That must be novel for you."

"Catty Alice, even by your standards. I've been thinking about Bella, and I've come to the conclusion I was too hasty. I didn't give her a proper chance and I still love her."

"Edward you don't know the meaning of the word."

"I want you to look for her future Alice."

I shook my head and thought about the wedding preparations and all the shopping we'd done until he scowled.

"Thank you Alice. It's nice to know you're so keen to have your best friend happy again. You know she loves me."

"Loved Edward, I think that's the word you were looking for."

His frown turned his angels face to that of a devil, Edward could be very nasty if he wanted to be.

"OK I'll go back to Forks and find her myself."

"You wont find her, she's left."

I could see him trying to read my thoughts, to find out exactly what I did know but that just wasn't going to happen. I'd had plenty of practise keeping him out.

"Not a chance Edward, why don't you just go. Leave the past in the past and move forward. Bella's not your future Edward."

"You're wrong Alice, I just need to apologise"

"And you think that will make everything OK again? You're even more deluded than I thought dear brother."

He left then, still looking like thunder, and Esme came over to see me,

"What did you say to him? He looks like he's been drinking acid!"

"Not a lot but he still thinks he's Gods gift."

"Oh no, he's not still thinking about Bella is he? I thought he'd got past that at last."

"Apparently not."

"You know something don't you Alice?"

I nodded although there was no way I was willing to tell anyone what I did know and seeing that she sighed heavily,

"There's going to be trouble again isn't there?"

"Yes I think so."

"Then I'm glad I'm out of it and if you have any sense you'll stay away too."

She looked over at Jasper who stood talking to Rick,

"He looks so unhappy Alice, are things OK between the two of you?"

"We're fine Esme, things will work themselves out soon."

"I hope so, he's been through far too much Alice. Jasper needs to settle down, why don't you come back and live with Rick and myself? They get on well enough."

"We have some things to attend to before he settles down but thanks for the offer. I'll come and see your new home soon, I'm glad you finally found the right man."

"So am I Alice, so am I"

As she walked back to Rick's side I couldn't help smiling but then the room began to swim and fade from view and I groaned, now I had no choice but to act, damn my brother to hell. I blinked a few times and plastered a smile back on my face as I walked over to Jasper's side and took his arm.

"We need to talk Jazz"