Chapter Twenty Five

Jasper

Bella was back to normal as if nothing had happened although the splint and only slowly fading bruises reminded me only too clearly that I had a score to settle. So far there had been no sign of Edward apart from the phone call to Carlisle which he told Bella and me about, including what he had said to the bastard.

She was, however, nervous today, her mom and stepdad were flying in and would be home when we got home from work. I would have preferred if she had taken more time off but she refused to be intimidated by anyone, especially Edward. I did insist that we travel together every day and was happier when we were on the same assignment. When not I worried constantly although I doubted Edward would try anything more. It did concern me that the Volturi might come to hear about Bella but Carlisle assured me that his friends in Italy would hear and warn us.

She was very quiet on the drive home, chewing her lip. Something she always did when stressed. I reached over and took her hand in mine bringing it to my lips and kissing it,

"Anyone would think your mother was a dragon."

She laughed and caressed my cheek,

"If only you knew. Renee thinks she is right and everyone else is wrong. She disapproves of my occupation, my dad, in fact just about everything. Trust me, she's going to be hard work. I just hope she doesn't upset Esme and Carlisle."

"If she does we'll just eat her."

She looked at me wide-eyed and then burst out laughing,

"That might not be such a bad idea."

"What's your step dad like?"

"Frank? Strange. He's into crystal healing, chanting and Indian mysticism. Half the time I have no idea what he's talking about but he doesn't seem to care. Renee thinks he's wonderful and I guess after Zac he would seem like it. Zac thought the answer to life, the universe, and everything else laid at the bottom of a quart of Southern Comfort."

I actually found Renee quite charming, she greeted Bella with a warm smile and a hug then shook hands with me and introduced Frank who was dressed rather oddly in a pair of white baggy pants and a kaftan while his arms were loaded down with silver bangles and there were silver bells sewn onto the bottom edge so he sounded like a belled cat when he moved. A long greying beard fell over his chest and his long hair was tied back with a leather thong. He was certainly nothing like Charlie!

Esme had worked her charm as usual and while the girls sat together at the dining table discussing the wedding arrangements Frank was listening closely as Emmett explained the computer game he was playing. It was some role playing game involving monsters and hidden treasure from what I could make out. The funny thing was that when they began to play Frank wiped the floor with Em who looked stunned. That's when Frank admitted he earned his living designing just such games. This was like nectar to Em who had him explaining just how they did it and the best way to find hidden levels and items at which point I lost interest and joined Carlisle in his study.

"Bella seemed a little on edge this morning, do you think she'll be happier now she's seen that Esme is quite capable of handling her mother?"

"Yes, I'm sure she will."

"Son, I don't mean to pry but have the two of you discussed what happens after you are married? Does Bella understand that once she joins us as a vampire she will never be able to see her parents or friends again? I know she's close to Charlie"

"We've spoken, yes. I don't think friends bother her much or her mother, they aren't close She's going to find it hardest to say goodbye to Charlie and we need a good cover story. Having Charlie hunting for a missing daughter would be dangerous."

"Yes, fortunately, it doesn't occur very often but I think under the circumstances we will need to give Charlie some closure. Perhaps an automobile accident? Something permanent and final? I'll leave it to you but we will help in any way we can. You should know that we are thrilled for you both."

"All except Edward that is. You know it will never be safe for him to return while I'm here Carlisle?"

He nodded gravely,

"We do, but I doubt he'll show himself here in any case, you aren't the only member of the family who would like to show him the error of his ways. Rosalie is livid with him and terrified that his slip will cost us all our lives, or our freedom at the very least."

"He's dangerous Carlisle."

"I know and be assured I will take steps to ensure he doesn't make the same mistake again. For now, I think we should join the others, I think Esme's dinner will be ready and we are all ordered to join her for the family meal."

He made a face which told me he was not particularly looking forward to the meal and I could only guess what Esme had threatened Emmett and Rose with to persuade them to agree!

Bella

I couldn't believe it, somehow Esme had Renee eating out of her hand. She was even sweet to Charlie which I saw to my amusement made him somewhat nervous. Knowing what the Cullens were I thought they were making a great sacrifice by joining us for the meal although I tried not to think about later. Emmett had revelled in telling me in graphic detail how they disposed of human food they were sometimes forced to consume although they made it look so normal.

I knew at some point I would be like them, sooner rather than later I hoped, I didn't want to end up older than Jasper, or at least to look older, I already beat him by too many years as it was. The sacrifices were big, the change from human to a vampire was very painful and I would have to accept I would never see my dad again. It would be impossible, I wouldn't age and although I would still be me I would have vampire attributes, very pale skin, strangely coloured eyes and skin that was cold and hard to the touch.

Of course, the family had to at least pretend to be human as Renee and Frank were staying over so after an evening spent chatting with quite a lot of laughter, Emmett excelled himself as a host, and then everyone acted as if they were going to bed. Vampires not needing to sleep had freaked me out a little especially as I realized all the times Jasper and I had "slept" together he had actually spent the time I was asleep watching me and immersing himself in my emotions.

The house was enormous with plenty of space for mom although I'd heard Esme had Emmett putting together the newly purchased bed for their room which was normally Alice's dressing room, that girl had more clothes than any fashion store! It was at the other end of the house from Jasper's room which was a relief, the thought of my mom listening out for me to sneak into his room which I knew she would despite my having passed childhood a while back had played on my mind.

I couldn't bear the thought of sleeping alone now, I still dreamed of Edward creeping into my room and Jasper's presence was the only thing that calmed me when I woke up with a start. No one seemed to know where he was or what he might do and though I knew the whole family were watching out for me I still found myself looking over my shoulder whenever I was alone.

I half expected him to gatecrash the engagement party which was held in a marquee in the Cullen's backyard. The weather held and the music was provided by Emmett who enjoyed himself immensely beaming the whole evening. My friends from work were joined by the few school friends who were still in Forks and some of Carlisle's colleagues. Charlie brought Deb's, his dispatcher from work much to Renee's disgust and personally I think that's why he did it, I knew there was nothing going on between them but she didn't. By the time Renee and Frank left two days later I was glad, she had continued to be pleasant but I still felt under scrutiny and then it dawned on me, she was looking to see if I HAD to get married, she was incorrigible! Still, the next time I would see her I would be getting ready to walk down the aisle.