Taking into consideration a few opinions. (Yes, I listen) I worked really hard on this chapter and the detail I know I've been lacking that my other stories had. I hope this is better. I'll try to keep it up :) to be honest I've been in a sort of depression and I do apologize for it has certainly shown in my writing.
Previously...
"I love you Bella so much I have to try. You and my child are my world."
I held his face in my hands and kissed him softly. I felt Jasper stand but I didn't really pay attention as he left. Edward moaned burying his hand in my hair and easing me back on the couch.
I sighed arching to his touch. His lips found my neck and he pulled the covers over us holding me close and closing his eyes.
"Try and rest my love, it's still early." He said against my heated skin. I smiled snuggling against him and allowing sleep to take me. I didn't know what was to come with Tanya but I guess we'll figure it out together. Jasper seemed to have some ideas and maybe between all of us we can figure it out. One thing I do know they do intend on keeping me safe and between him and Jasper I believe they mean it.
I awoke to the smell of bacon and I felt my stomach roll. I haven't been nauseated in a while but for some reason today I was. The first thing I realized when I got my bearings was Edward was still beside me, actually he was now under me and he was sleeping soundly so I didn't move. Jasper waved and Alice bounced over sitting on the floor in front of me.
"How are you doing?" She asked and I could see the worry in her dark eyes. Alice is like a sister to me and the feeling is mutual. Her wild black hair was framing her perfectly shaped, alabaster skinned face with a look I dreaded seeing.
"I'm ok. It took me a while to fall asleep but once I did I slept well." It was a lie but it was needed.
She nodded placing her hand on mine on Edward's chest.
"Bella, I don't know what the deal is with this psycho but she won't get anywhere near you with me around."
I so love Alice. She is so tiny you would think she was superhuman the way she reacts to things some times. She will always be my best friend though, I know no matter what she will be there for me. If I am in pain she's in pain. If I am happy she's happy and it's funny how we work that way.
She rested her chin on her hand.
"I've been thinking, you know Emmett is wanting to back off of the lawyer stuff a little and get back into being a body guard. He was thinking about opening his own business. He was talking to me the other day about it. He said he liked the lawyer thing but he did it mainly to drool over Rose."
My mouth dropped.
"You're kidding me right?"
She chuckled.
"No, Rose wouldn't go out with him because she didn't think he was smart so he had to prove her wrong. He's been chasing her for years. Now he has caught her he wants to do what he originally wanted which is protection. I mean he is huge and he has continued his self defense classes throughout. I think you should consider him. He's wanting to get into the business and you need someone right? You know him and he is massive."
I bit my lip. She is right there. I do know him pretty well and he is built like a bulldozer at least it wouldn't be like a stranger was with me.
"I was hoping it wouldn't come to that." I said sadly.
Jasper leaned behind her and crossed his arms.
"Bella, take a walk with me."
I didn't question why. I knew when Alice met his eyes there was a reason. I slipped up and gently over Edward who was still sleeping. He must have been exhausted. When I was ready for the snow I found Jasper waiting. We walked outside and slowly towards the woods. He allowed my short legs to keep pace with his much longer ones. He found a beautiful view and sat on a broken tree brushing it off so I could sit beside him.
"Do you trust me Bella, I don't mean as a friend or as a brother per say. I mean as your therapist. Do you trust my professional opinion enough not to question me?" He asked looking at me seriously. His green eyes held a look I don't know that I've seen in them before. It made me uncomfortable.
I stood walking to look at the mountains. I didn't know what to say to him. I felt the nausea again and blew out a slow breath running my hand over my stomach. I didn't face him as I decided on a response.
"What is this a trick question?" I looked out at the vast landscape and waited for his answer.
"I didn't think it was." I heard him say from behind me. I didn't understand why he was asking. It was then I felt him behind me, his hands around my waist.
"Bella, are you uncomfortable now?" He questioned.
I thought about it.
"No, not really." I said shrugging. He moved to stand in front of me and forced me back.
"What are you doing?" I asked unable to stop him from forcing me back until I was backed against a tree. He didn't touch me but he leaned down close to my face his arms pinning me in place.
"Are you uncomfortable now?"
"You mean because you are in my space?" I questioned.
He smirked and nodded. His eyes sparkled and I knew he was trying to make some sort of point. I took in the way his blonde curls hung so careless on his head and yet they lay perfectly. He had let them grow and in the front they touched his lips if he let them which was rare. His hair was usually parted. I looked at the straight line of his nose and his narrow cheek bones.
His lips were thin. I don't know why I never paid any attention to this and I suddenly thought of how beautiful his and Alice's children would be. They were both so pale that it left little hope for them to have any color but they would be beautiful. I smiled at the thought.
Jasper looked at me oddly and stroked my cheek.
"What are you thinking?"
I was slammed back into reality and realized he probably wouldn't want to know. It would lead into another discussion of why I was scoping him out and I didn't want to even go there. I changed the subject quickly.
"The space invasion thing... no you don't bother me, why would you Jasper, I trust you." I said knowingly.
"That's what I wanted to hear." He answered still looking at me funny for a moment.
He finally moved back and took my hand and we began to walk.
"When I took Tanya on I knew I was taking on a lot. I thought I could help. She had an abusive childhood which in itself would be hard enough to heal from, but she was so emotionally scared. I've never seen anyone so consumed with the need....no the obsession for love."
I shivered at the thought just him speaking of her was freaking me out.
He looked off in the distance. I watched his profile as his mind drifted and I knew he was lost in thought.
"I wanted to help her. She was really a beautiful person inside. She didn't deserve what happened to her, but I couldn't get past the trauma to heal her. She kept pushing me away. It's almost as if she didn't want help, like she wanted to live in the misery. She told me she had met someone, I had no idea it was Edward. She seemed to be getting better wanting to heal, but when I found out who it was I couldn't not tell him, especially when she had told me the lengths she had went through just to meet him."
He inhaled deeply and turned to me. His normally calm face was bothered and sad.
"It crushed her you see. I do believe she really loved him. They had only dated a few weeks but for her that was a lifetime. Edward just wanted her away from him. She ended up in a mental institution. It wasn't a very pretty situation. I don't blame him. He reacted as I suppose I would given the situation. He didn't know her well enough to develop feelings for her yet. I wish it could have been handled differently."
"You would have let her down easy?" I questioned.
He shook his head no.
"I don't know if there is an easy way in this case. However, cutting her completely off without a word wasn't the way I would have done it. I think he should have at least explained what it was that bothered him. Maybe if he explained she could have seen. I don't know that she would have understood but she did listen to him. She cared what he thought."
I looked down.
"I understand what you're saying. I guess he was upset and angry and probably not thinking straight at the time. I imagine it freaked him out a little knowing that someone would do that just to spend time with him. I know it would me."
"Yes." He commented. "Tanya is a very delicate case. I don't know her state of mind. I think it is a good idea to get Emmett involved and let Edward speak with her and see what she is thinking. He will be testy but to keep you safe I know he will. I also think I should try and speak with her."
"Jasper, can I ask you something honestly."
He looked down at me and met my eyes. I knew he would be honest with me even if it was something I didn't need to hear.
"Would she hurt me or my baby?"
He cupped my face in his hands looking at me sadly.
"Bella, I don't know. I honestly don't. I would like to assume no, but I can't given her past she has a tendency to do things without thought and in knowing that I have to lean towards yes. I don't think she would do it intentionally but..."
We were suddenly interrupted by the sound of snow crunching loudly as a pair of ski's came to a halt. We both turned as the female dressed in white lifted her goggles.
"Jasper is that you?" She asked with a grin.
He stiffened, releasing my face and sliding his right arm down and around me to pull me close.
"Yes, hello Tanya it is good to see you." His voice was calm but I knew better.
She smiled at me, "I'm Tanya."
She extended her hand and I had no choice but to accept it. I shook it.
"Bella." I said back.
She nodded.
"I heard the Cullen's were here. I saw Bella and another woman in the store but I left before you guys got there I guess." She said making conversation.
"Tanya?" We heard a male yelling and looked back as a man joined her. He smiled pulling up.
"I was worried sweetheart." He said to her with a grin.
"James this is Jasper and Bella."
He turned saying hello looking back at her.
"Old friends?" He questioned.
She giggled.
"Yes, you could say that. You go love I'll catch up."
He smiled at us kissed her heading off. She watched him for a moment and then turned her attention back to us.
"We should get together and catch up. It's been a long time." She said with a smile, the scary thing was she seemed genuine. She was really good at being psycho if that is what she was. It was at that time, the worse time in possible history for the baby to decide to act up. I suddenly felt very ill. I backed away from Jasper gripping his arm.
He looked at me cautiously.
"Bella?"
I shook my head no and turned heading for the nearest bush away from them, at least it would be some cover while I expelled my stomachs contents behind a tree.
"Oh god." I heard him cry softly as he came up behind me rubbing my back softly. I held onto the tree for dear life wishing Edward was here.
"Is she ok?" She asked him.
I assume she had followed him. He wasn't thinking and he was concerned.
"She's pregnant, just morning sickness I think."
"Oh well...congrats." She said merrily.
It dawned on me she thought this was his kid, but I didn't have the strength to correct her and given she was a loon I wasn't going to attempt.
"I better go." I heard her sat behind us. "Edward has my number tell him give me a call and we'll hook up ok?"
"I'll do that." Jasper replied focusing on me.
She disappeared and he brushed my hair back looking at my face with concern.
"You are so pale." He said worried.
"I just need to lie down." I said leaning against the tree. He looked around.
"We walked quite a ways. I'll carry you the ground is cold and you need to be where it's warm."
I tried to protest but my legs buckled. He lifted me easily in his arms and carried me back. We were actually closer than I had realized. Alice saw us through the window and opened the door.
"Jasper what's wrong?" She was panicking.
He laid me on the couch removing my jacket and boots and covering me with a blanket.
"She threw up and got real weak. Get her something to rinse her mouth and some juice will you darlin'?"
She smiled at him taking off to the kitchen and quickly returned handing him a glass of water.
He turned, "Where's Edward?"
"Taking a shower." She answered.
He sighed assisting me.
"Better?" He asked as I spit into a trash can.
I shook my head watching his face and looked down. I was worried about Tanya. She didn't seem crazy at all and that worried me most. I was brought out of my thoughts by Edward who was quickly at my side.
"What happened?" He stroked my cheek with a worried expression. I explained I vomited and got weak and he kissed my forehead holding me close. He was still warm from his shower. I enjoyed the closeness and curled into him savoring his warmth. He leaned back meeting my eyes and cupping my face in his large hands.
"I'm sorry baby, what do you think triggered it?" He looked directly into my eyes.
Can we say psycho woman? No, seriously it was just a random thing. I really should quit thinking these things.
"Tanya showing up I am sure didn't help." I whispered sarcastically.
He stood looking at Jasper.
"Tanya showed up!"
Jasper leaned on the counter calmly.
"Yes, relax she was not aggressive in any way. She was calm in fact she thought Bella was with me. I didn't correct her feeling it was probably best for now."
"What did she want?" Edward asked obviously irritated.
Jasper shrugged.
"She said hi, she mentioned seeing the girls in the store briefly and she said we should get together. She had a man with her. She didn't stay long. She was actually quite normal."
Edward frowned, "Tanya was and is never normal."
Jasper sighed.
"You asked and I told you what I observed."
A knock came from the front door and we all turned. Alice sat beside me and Edward groaned.
"I'll get it."
He opened it wearily to face an older man and his teenage son. He looked at them both curiously and then spoke.
"Can I help you?"
The older man attempted a smile, but it didn't reach his eyes it was apparent he was angry.
"Yes, my name is Michael Leighton. I live just over the hill from you well it's where we are staying anyway. It appears my son has been doing some activities I have just recently found out about."
He looked at his son in disgust.
"It has been brought to my attention he has been a peeping tom so to speak on some of the pretty ladies close by and he wanted to offer his apologies."
He pushed him and the boy looked sadly up.
"I'm sorry I was watching you in the hot tub."
I sat up shocked that was him? This teenager was watching us? This kid was just trying to fulfill his childhood fantasies and here I was assuming we were being stalked?
Edward looked at me and then turned to him.
"Apology accepted, thank you Mr. Leighton." He shook his hand.
He pushed his son out the door.
"I assure you this won't happen again." He directed towards Edward as he left. Edward shut the door and came to sit by me running his hand through his hair.
"Well, I guess that makes me feel a little better, I mean it isn't Tanya stalking us." He said smiling at me.
I shook my head resting it on his shoulder.
"Yeah I feel so much better being the object of a teenagers dreams."
Edward chuckled kissing my head.
"Actually you were the object of something else. if you want me to be specific I can......"
I placed my hand over his lips.
"You are disgusting Edward. Do you kiss your mother with that mouth?" I raised an eyebrow and stood walking to the kitchen. I was getting hungry and I wanted some bacon. Making me a BLT I sat at the table. Jasper turned to Edward.
"It could be just coincidence she is here. She does have someone with her what is she saying on her messages?" he asked crossing his arms.
"Just she wants to talk. She doesn't feel like we got closure." Edward answered.
Jasper nodded.
"She didn't you did because you cut her off. She went into a mental institution so she didn't get closure. I can see where she would feel that way.
"I've moved passed this Jasper, I don't want to dig this whole thing up again. She stalked me and lied to me all the time pretending to be someone she wasn't. Why do I want to give her closure? I could care less about her closure. I've moved on." Edward growled getting up to look out the window.
"Someone hit a nerve." Alice whispered to Bella.
"You have to get over the fact you were taken in by her. So what? Everyone gets fooled sometimes. It doesn't make you weak. She is a good person deep down she just has deep seated issues. You saw the good in her and who she was deep down." Jasper said moving to stand across from him.
Edward frowned.
"No what I saw was a manipulating....." He glanced at Bella.
"You get the picture she stalked me and played on my emotion to see what I liked and who I was, what I wanted. She was never herself. She was all a lie made up to be what I wanted in a woman. The thing is she was never real."
"Edward." Jasper pleaded.
"No, I'm done with this conversation. I'm going to work out."
He stormed past us all and headed up the stairs to the work out room. I realized one thing, this is one of the reasons he was so hurt in his past. Why he was so hard to get close to and let his guard down on some things. She hurt him badly. The room was quiet as I finished eating. I washed my plate out and met Alice's eyes.
I knew she was concerned. I smiled squeezing her hand and glanced at Jasper as his eyes flashed from the window. They were warm and encouraging and I turned making my way to where Edward was working out.
He was on the treadmill shirtless and I smiled leaning on the doorframe taking in his physique. He is beautiful. Every chest muscle was glistening with sweat and each one defined perfectly. I admired his 6 pack for a second before walking further into the room. His eyes flashed to mine and I could see the inner storm they held.
I didn't bother him instead I went to another machine and tried to figure out how to work it. I wasn't sure what it did but I needed to exercise too so I could figure it out....eventually. I heard him slow down and eventually stop but I still ignored him concentrating on the machine. I actually think I got the thing figured out when he came up behind me and turned it off.
"What are you doing?" He asked with a chuckle.
"I was going to work out." I answered turning to face him. I just figured out how to turn it on and you turned it off.
He knelt in front of me.
"You can't baby, that's an ab machine. Pick something else and I'd be glad to show you how it works."
I felt like a complete idiot. If he didn't have all of this different new fangled equipment here I wouldn't have this problem. I stood and made my way to the treadmill and he smiled turning it on for me. I can do the treadmill. He was drying off with a towel and leaned on the treadmill.
"I'm sorry about what happened downstairs. I don't mean to sound difficult it's just that I felt really taken advantage of in that situation. I also blamed myself for letting it happen. I should have seen something, some kind of sign."
"She seemed very normal when I met her today. If that is how she was then I can see how you were easily fooled. She is also very pretty." I added.
He smiled.
"She is, but you are beautiful and you stole my heart a feat no other woman has been able to do."
"I'm also mosty sane." I said with a wink.
He raised a curious eyebrow.
"Are any of us really sane or is it just an illusion?"
I thought about that statement a moment then smiled.
"I'm sure it's an illusion but I say we keep it up. I think we need the illusion of sanity for our own selfish purposes if you really want to know."
Edward stroked my cheek with a smile.
"I say so too, in the end we are all self serving. How long do you plan on walking love? I need a shower and I could use some company."
I flipped the machine off.
"I think I need a shower too, there are some places I can't reach." I said jutting my lower lip out into a pout. He laughed pulling me close and sucking it into his teeth but not biting.
"That's terrible." He moaned before kissing me gently and leaning his forehead against mine. "I'll have to reach them for you."
"Could take a while." I said biting my lip as I ran my fingers over his muscular chest admiring. He led me back towards the bed room.
"That's ok my little mommy, I had no plans for today." He answered as we entered the bedroom and he shut the door. I looked up meeting his eyes. I noticed they were darker and fire burned deep within. I was glad to know I put it there, he wanted me and I could cause this emotion in him. It made me feel powerful.
I walked past him into the bathroom turning the shower on to a temperature I liked. I turned to find him leaning on the doorframe with a devilish smile on his lips. His dark brown hair in its usual disarray, His jogging pants slung dangerously low on his hips. He was the hunter and I was his prey and I knew it. He let his eyes travel over my frame, but I knew what he wanted without him saying a word. He wanted me to strip and he was going to watch.
I decided if that's what he wanted then that's what he'd get. I removed my shirt and laid it aside pretending not to notice his eyes. I could feel them burning into me but if I looked into them I was in trouble. I would forget what I was trying to accomplish. I slowly slid my pants down turning and tossing them with my shirt. I was about to continue when I felt his hands on my hips.
"Let me help you." His voice was husky and his breath was hot against my ear. I shivered and remained still.
"I can get it." I whispered.
"Shhhh." He replied before his hands gently pushed mine away and slid under the side band of my panties. I tried to control my breathing as he slid them down asking me to lift my foot. I leaned my hand onto his shoulder for support as I lifted them one by one and he placed them with my other clothes followed by my socks.
He made a clicking sound shaking his head.
"This has to go." He smiled at me popping my bra strap.
"Owh." I rubbed my shoulder that was not a very nice thing to do.
He turned me and unfastened the clasp pushing it easily down my arms and tossing it aside. He then opened the shower door.
"Step in love, I'll be a moment."
I turned to face him looking him over. I couldn't help but eye his perfect chest. They could chisel that out of stone. As a matter of fact I am sure they have in Rome or somewhere.
"Maybe I want to undress you." I said confidently. It's not like he had a lot on but pants anyway. He smirked and rested his hand on the side of the shower. My sudden confidence was now leaving me as his eyes stared me down.
"You might and maybe next time I'll let you, but not this time. This time I want you to get in and relax can you do that for me without arguing for once?"
"I don't always argue!" I shot back with a frown.
He groaned tapping the obvious crease in the center of my forehead.
"Bella, please?" He asked again.
I sighed turning and walking into the shower. I must admit it felt wonderful and I relaxed immediately. I braced myself on the wall and just closed my eyes letting the water pound on my head and shoulders. It felt like a massage only better. It was then I felt a light brush across my abdomen.
I didn't open my eyes curious to what he was doing and then I realized. He had a sponge and he was washing me. It felt pretty good too I don't know what kind of gel he had on it but its smell permeated the air, It was very calming and I felt myself leaning against him. He moved my hair over one shoulder.
"Bella when you were little did you dream of being a princess like most little girls How you would grow up and rule some great kingdom somewhere?"
I laughed.
"I did. I dreamed I would be carried away by a great prince, on his white horse, to a great castle nestled in the clouds."
He kissed my neck.
"In the clouds you say?"
I shrugged.
"It was just a silly dream." I said nostalgically as he wrapped his arms around me.
"Nothing is silly love. I think it's a beautiful dream and I would love to be your prince...unfortunately I am perplexed at how I can build you a castle in the clouds. I'll have to think on that a while."
I giggled basking in his warmth. He is so wonderful and he has such a big heart. I love that he wants to please me it's too sweet. I liked the gentle rocking and intimacy but I also knew he wanted more he just didn't want to rush me. I turned smiling and taking the sponge from the ledge.
"Your turn sexy."
His breath caught and he closed his eyes when I started to run the soapy sponge over his chest. He had to be the sexiest creature I have ever seen, the way his head was tilted to the side with his pink lips slightly parted. Oh yeah I am going to enjoy this!