Chapter Twenty One

Jasper

We walked to the car and Peter drove back to Forks.

"You and Char OK? Sorry about the bloodbath back there."

"No problem Major. We found a couple of scum bags down an alley, two less for Charlie to chase I guess. How did you manage though? You were up close and personal with it all."

He gazed sideways at me before continuing.

"Fuck Major, you astound me. All that blood, all those humans, and you went out looking for fucking chipmunks!"

"Raccoons and deer actually"

"What's the fucking difference? They're all furry critters that smell bad and taste twice as revolting."

I ignored him, I didn't have the energy to argue, not with Peter. Mainly because you never won. As we drew up I saw Bella look out of the window then the front door flew open and she ran into my arms, smelling of strawberries and flowers and I just held her close, letting her very presence sooth me as I breathed in her scent and let her love wrap around me.

"Oh Jasper I was so worried about you. If you had to kill a human I understand."

The crazy thing was that she meant every word, murder would have been seen as a necessity by her, she never ceased to amaze me.

"I found some deer"

"Yeah and some chipmunks, he really was desperate. Bella what the hell do you see in this creep?"

Bella didn't know Peter like I did and she ripped into him in my defense.

"You have no idea what he was going through so don't you dare criticize him. Some friend you are. Jasper's twice the man you'll ever be and you'd do well to remember that."

"Hey slow down. I know exactly what he was going through and you're right. The Major is one on his own. He's my best friend and I've always been there when he needed me so put the claws away kitten, we're on the same side."

I pulled her closer and hushed her, caressing her face with my hand.

"It's OK Bella. Peter is just Peter. You'll get used to him, he wasn't attacking me really, he's just got a warped sense of humor"

"Warped? It's fucking twisted. I like her Major. Can we keep her? I've always wanted a dangerous pet."

Bella pushed free of me and stepped into Peters personal space, somewhere very few vampires dared step and certainly no human,

"You just remember that dangerous pets have been known to kill their owners Peter. You push me I might just set light to your dick and watch you burn."

He looked at her utterly amazed then burst out laughing.

"Well that's a novel threat, I must remember it. I like you Bella Swan, you'll be good for The Major."

She smiled,

"I like you too, just watch it"

"Sure kitten."

She turned back to me and took my hands,

"Thank you Jasper, for everything. Charlie has finally seen the light so I wont need protecting from Jake any longer"

Peter laughed again,

"Hey kitten, you really think the wolf boy will care what Charlie says or thinks? He wants you and his kind don't give up easily."

"He might now he knows I'm tied up with the leeches again."

"Oh, and are you?"

I frowned at Peter then looked down at Bella,

"So you thought about what I said to you? Come to a decision?"

"Yes I have"

"Before you tell me there's something I have to tell you"

"I'm listening."

"I know about Charlie. About him hitting you and if you and I are together I can't ignore that, I couldn't anyway, I know, I've seen what it can lead to."

"I don't think he'll do it again Jasper, he was told a lot of lies by Billy and Harry"

"I don't care what his excuse is Bella and you're right, he wont do it again. Thinking doesn't come into it. Charlie and I will be having a private conversation regarding the use of his hands. You also need to know that Jake and I will have a confrontation at some point."

She stood looking into my eyes and for a moment I thought I'd blown it with her but I wouldn't lie or keep things from her, that was a road to disaster. Then she nodded and smiled,

"I understand Jasper and thank you. I'm not sure a confrontation with Charlie will help but I understand you have to do it and I know why. As for Jake I don't want you to have to fight him only because I don't want you hurt, but again I understand your reason."

She looked at Peter who was shaking his head sagely then at Charlotte,

"These are the friends you told me about right?"

"Yes Peter and Charlotte Whitlock".

"I think they're more than friends"

"Yes I guess so"

"We're the only family he's got Bella"

Peter sounded proud of that.

"What about the Cullens?"

"They were never really family, not in the true sense, Peter and Char are."

"OK then, I guess I can talk to you candidly in front of them"

"Oh I'm going to enjoy this"

Peter's voice was almost a chuckle and I glared at him while Char just shook her head.

"You told me a lot of things a while back and I've thought about them long and hard. I won't go down the same road I did with Edward. He promised me his undying love, to keep me safe, and to love me. He told me I was his reason for existing and then he left, told me some cruel and hard things and walked away, explained vampires were easily distracted, that he was sorry he'd let it go on so long, that he didn't want me any longer. I'd believed his earlier words and the later ones almost destroyed me. Now you are offering me the same things, undying love, that I am your reason for existing and I have to tell you that you're going to have to prove that to me. For now you're on probation and the first time you let me down I'll leave and never come back. There are no second chances Jasper, I'm sick of secrets and lies. Everything has to be open and above-board. Can you accept that? If not then you really need to say goodbye and leave now."

"Well Major that's laying it on the line for you. What did you say to the girl anyway? The Major and a Human? It has a certain ring to it."

I knew why Bella was so cautious and I was grateful she'd told me exactly what she wanted, if it failed it would be my fault for cocking it up but there was one thing I needed to know

"Bella, the last thing you said to me was I love you. I just need to know that things haven't changed, that you still love me in spite of what I said and you've just said."

She swallowed hard and went red in the face but her words were firm and loud,

"Yes Jasper. I love you and that means you have the power to hurt me but its true."

I pulled her close to me,

"Bella I love you and I know you've heard these words before but I'm not Edward Cullen. I will never hurt you intentionally and I won't let anyone else harm you either. No secrets between us, no lies."

"Wow Bella he really is serious about you. The Major doesn't usually say much but everything he says he means"

"I hope you're right Peter. I really do. Now folks if you'll forgive me I'm shattered and I need to sleep. Make yourselves at home."

Peter grinned and went over to the TV,

"Now that's Southern hospitality and from a northern girl"

Charlotte went to sit beside him her head on his shoulder and holding his hand. Jasper followed me out to the hall.

"Thank you for giving me a chance Bella. I promise you wont regret it."

I leaned in to kiss her goodnight then turned to join the others wanting nothing more than to stay with her, to hold her and watch as she slept, but I knew I had to take things slowly and keep my desires locked away.