Chapter Twenty One

Jasper

I hated to see Bella driving away from me but it wouldn't be for long so I went out and grabbed a cab to Jenks office. He could do a few things for me then I'd rent a car and drive to Forks. I planned on seeing Bella later one way or another but in the meantime I needed to do some shopping, I hadn't brought many clothes with me and I wanted to get her a little something just to show her I missed her. Once all my chores were done I drove back to Forks and it seemed I hadn't been away at all until I got to the house. There was a truck parked up outside the garage and familiar scents in the air. As I pulled up Emmett came out of the house with a beaming smile on his face,

"Jazz man what are you doing here?"

"I could ask you the same thing."

"We just came for a few bits we'd left behind, we're staying in Portland with Esme and Carlisle for now. Christmas was great and for once we knew more than Esme. When we told her about Edward her eyes nearly popped out of her head. Carlisle didn't seem too pleased either, he rang Edward and had a few words. Your name was mud as far as Edward was concerned, I guess he was hoping you'd keep quiet about Heidi. So why are you here? Not coming back to stay are you? I went to the Swan place but they're away. I wanted to see Bella, it would... have been... nice.."

His words trailed off and I knew he'd smelled her on my clothes.

"Where have you been Jazz?"

"In Florida with Garrett"

"Florida? Doesn't Bella's mum live there?"

"Yes, Bella was there for Christmas"

"How did you know that?"

"Believe it or not, Jacob Black told me"

"And where did you run into wolf boy?"

"Here."

"You came back? Looking for Bella?"

"Yes. Victoria was hunting her so Garrett and I intervened"

"I take it Victoria is dead?"

"She is, she followed Bella to Florida so we followed too."

"Is Bella OK? How was she when she saw you?"

"She's fine. They got back today."

"There's more to this than you're telling me. Come on...I want to know what's going on"

"Bella and I"

"Bella and you? Are you telling me she gave up on Edward and now you and her are an item?"

"Are you crazy Jazz"

I turned at Roses angry words,

"For Gods sake hasn't she caused enough trouble for us already without you chasing after her. Edward's going to explode when he finds out."

"Rose, Edward left her, not the other way round and if Bella and I are an item its nothing to do with him or anyone else. Something just happened"

Her eyes grew round with shock,

"She's your mate? I don't believe it"

I shrugged and ran up the steps into the house followed by Emmett's roar of laughter,

"Jazz and Bella Swan, awesome"

"It is not awesome, its ridiculous. She's a human for Gods sake. Jazz sort yourself out before everything goes belly up again and you Em, stop cackling like a demented goose, this is serious."

So Rose was as ecstatic as I had thought she'd be!

Emmett came upstairs a while late and knocked on my door,

"Go away Em"

"Hey, that's no way to treat your brother."

He came in and shut the door, sitting beside me on the bed.

"So you and Bella? Wow! What did Charlie say?"

"He's OK about it so far."

"And wolf boy?"

"Spitting bones but what can he do? Bella sends him packing with a flea in his ear every time he gets close and over Christmas she hit him in the face and broke her hand"

"Way to go Bella, I'm impressed. So what do you plan on doing? You gonna tell Esme and Carlisle?"

"I guess I have to or you will"

"No, I can keep a secret"

"Yes for five minutes Emmett"

Rose came in and sat the other side of me, taking my hand.

"Are you sure about this Jazz?"

"Yes and I've already told her I'll change her when she's ready"

"So it's all done and dusted?"

"More or less yes Rose. I know you don't like her but I can't help the way I feel."

She smiled at me and shook her head,

"Poor Jazz, Bella? Well I guess you're the best person to keep her safe, but Edward is going to hit the roof when he finds out. What about Alice?"

"I guess she already knows Rose."

"True. Well I guess I'll have to swallow my pride and say hi to her. What are you going to do while she's at school though?"

"Just hang around I guess. I did wonder if I could do a revisit of the school but I guess I haven't been gone long enough. As long as I am close by I can cope."

"I tell you what, why don't you invite her here over the weekend? Charlie shouldn't find that a problem, I'll get some food in for her."

"Yeah Jazz, go on please. I really want to see my little sis."

I nodded, it would be good if we could make things right between the Cullens and Bella.

Bella

As soon as Charlie started to snore I heard a tap on my window and Jasper appeared, looking gorgeous as usual and came straight over to me taking me in his arms and kissing me.

"I missed you beautiful."

"I missed you too Jasper."

He handed me a present and looking a little confused I opened the package,

"A cell phone?"

"So I can ring you any time we're apart to tell you how much I'm missing you"

I smiled and looked at it again,

"I hate you spending money on me but thank you. It will be nice to know I can contact you any time."

"It's on my contract so use it whenever you like, just don't ring Jake please"

I smiled at him,

"I won't don't worry but that reminds me. Dad and I are invited to the Res tomorrow night for dinner and I can't get out of it."

He wasn't happy but he nodded begrudgingly,

"In that case I have an invitation for you at the weekend. To our house. I'm not alone there."

I froze and he continued quickly,

"Only Rose and Emmett. I had to tell them about us Bella, Emmett smelled your scent on my clothes. He really wants to talk to you."

"He's had plenty of time to talk to me Jasper"

"I know Bella but its been hard for him too."

"What about Rose? Doesn't she still hate my guts?"

He laughed,

"No, she never hated you but it was her idea to invite you. I think she realizes what you mean to me and she loves me so that means she will make a big effort with you. Will you come?"

I hesitated but if Jasper and I were to be together I'd have to meet them again sometime.

"OK. It is only those two isn't it?"

"If you're asking me about Edward he isn't here. Last time I saw him he was in Rio with Heidi, one of the Volturi."

"Edward has joined them?"

"Not yet but Heidi is a fisher so I think it's what Aro plans for him."

We talked a while longer then as I started to yawn he wrapped a blanket round me and lay down beside me pulling me close. It was similar to what Edward did but it felt very different. Jasper kissed me and didn't look petrified if I kissed him back. I was very careful not to do anything that might cause him to lose control but I could feel he was puzzled. I wanted to ask him about it but before I could form the words I felt my eyes droop and I drifted off to sleep safe and warm in my mates arms.