Chapter Twenty Five

Jasper

As I expected Bella needed a fresh cast putting on and when she came back out she looked tired and in pain.

"Do you want to get something to eat?"

She shook her head,

"No, I think I'd like to go home to bed but I don't want you to leave"

"I'll stay until Charlie gets home and then come back later but I'll never be far away Bella I promise."

She seemed happy enough with this so I drove her home but as I pulled up she groaned and I saw Jake waiting on the front doorstep.

"Stay here Bella"

I opened the door as he got up and came over to confront me,

"I want to speak to Bella"

"Well it may have escaped your notice but she doesn't want to speak to you Jacob"

"You think you're going to just waltz in and take over where Edward left don't you?"

"No, I think I'm going to give Bella the opportunity to say what she wants, you should try it some time Jacob."

He moved closer and I saw his hands were shaking,

"Do you really want to fight me here and now?"

He was about to answer when Charlie drew up in the cruiser and got out fast coming to stand between us.

"Right lets back off. Jake, Bella doesn't want to talk to you right now so go home."

"What about him?"

I smiled at him,

"I already told Chief Swan I would leave as soon as he got home Jacob"

I turned my back on him feeling his rage washing over me and opened Bella's door for her, helping her out and escorting her to the front door before kissing her,

"I'll be around"

She nodded and waited while I unlocked the door and watched her in.

"Goodbye Chief Swan"

I drove off watched by Charlie and Jake, going a few streets before parking up and waiting, as long as Charlie was home I wouldn't go back but if he left her then I would take his place.

Charlie

I knew trouble was brewing as soon as I saw Jake and Jasper squaring up to each other but Jasper seemed happy enough to leave Jake to me and drove off leaving him very angry.

"You going Jake?"

"I want to speak to Bella"

"Sorry Jake I want to talk to her myself, try ringing later."

I waited and he got the message he wasn't going to be invited in and left eventually. When I went in Bella was sitting at the kitchen table nursing a coffee and with a bottle of pain meds in front of her. I saw she was sporting a new cast and knew she must be in pain, she looked pale and strained. Motioning to the other mug she spoke,

"I wasn't sure how long you'd be so I hope it's still hot enough"

"Thanks. What did they say at the clinic?"

"Don't use this cast as an offensive weapon."

I laughed at this but she was serious.

"You really hit Jake with it? I thought his nose looked odd and bruised"

"I wish I'd broken it."

"Bella!"

"Well its true, he just won't take no for an answer dad. I don't know what else to do."

"I spoke to Sue before I came home"

She looked at me but she didn't say anything.

"She says she may have been a little harsh on you."

"A little harsh? She virtually told me I was sleeping my way through the Cullen family."

"What? I think you must have misunderstood Bella"

"Yeah sure. Listen dad, I'm really grateful that you gave me a home so mum could spend time with Phil but it's just not working out. I can't be friends with Billy and Harry and Jake or the rest of the Quileutes. I'm old enough to make my own decisions and I'm sick of everyone thinking they know better than me. I've made mistakes, the biggest being Edward Cullen but it was my mistake and I paid the price for it. Jasper isn't Edward, he's nothing like him. Jake and the others have a down on the Cullens you must have noticed that yourself. I just want to finish school and get away from Forks, not from you, but from everyone else here. I could go back to mum but I think she's got a new life now and besides I'd rather finish school here now. I want to see Jasper dad please."

"Sue really hurt you didn't she? Look I'm worried about you being involved with him too but I understand what you are saying so how about a compromise? I won't insist on you going to the Res unless I'm with you but in return you promise me you'll finish school here and only see Jasper when it doesn't interfere with your revision and exams."

"OK, but I can see him?"

"I guess so. I don't want to lose you now Bella and he does seem to really care about you."

She looked happier now,

"So as we're not going to the Res for dinner what would you like?"

"Nothing dad, I feel a bit sick, I think I'll go to bed."

I watched her going upstairs and wondered what was going on in her head, I hardly knew my daughter at all!

Bella

Well it was a partial victory and more than I expected so I was feeling relieved when I showered and got ready for bed, my hand throbbing again now which made me more furious with Jake. I guess wolves heal more quickly because I knew I'd broken his nose but it was only bruised and swollen now. Sometimes being a non human seemed like a good idea, if I were a wolf or a vampire my hand would be healed by now! I missed Jasper although I knew he wouldn't be far away and as I dozed off with Rex I smiled at the memory of he and Garrett building the bear for me. Next time I woke it was dark and I could hear Charlie snoring but the only thing I cared about was Jasper sitting on the bed beside me stroking my swollen fingers,

"Hi Jazz"

"Hush, sleep my beautiful lady"

As he brushed my forehead with his lips I drifted off again pain-free at last and content.

When I next woke he was gone but there was a new cell phone in Rex's front paws with a note attached

"Not to be used as a weapon"

I laughed as I pulled the note off and looked at the screen, as I expected there was a text from Jazz

"I'll see you after school, until then try to keep out of mischief darlin'"

I'd forgotten school started again just for a few minutes but groaning I pulled myself together and after a quick shower ran downstairs to hear someone in the kitchen, I thought dad was on early shift! I peered round the door and groaned, Jake sat at the table while a pile of toast and a mug of coffee sat in my place ready for me.

"It's a peace-offering Bella"

I turned around grabbing my bag and walked out to my truck before remembering I couldn't drive it with a cast. As I was about to turn back Emmett's truck pulled up beside me and Jazz opened the door,

"Hop in. I thought the pup might be hanging around. I'll drop you at school and pick you up later. Try not to get into trouble at school please."

As he dropped me off he kissed me quickly then winked,

"I could get used to that"

As he drove off and I walked into school I grinned, suddenly the day seemed brighter.