Disclaimer: Stephanie Meyer owns all.

Rated M for a reason.

Chpt 24 South America

EPOV

Apparently there are many things I do not understand.

Women, being one of them. I do not understand what Bella could possibly see in Jasper, but Carlisle assures me that Bella made it quite clear she is happy with him. I do not understand what Alice sees in him either, she has taken the news that Bella and Jasper are together very badly. Oh well, misery loves company.

I have done nothing but obsessively over analyse what has brought me to this point.

Jasper Whitlock has stolen my mate and I am very, very angry.

However I am not a fool and I realise I must take some blame for what has occurred. I should never have left her. Never. It was insanity. I love her and I should have stayed with her and found a way to make it work. Now there may never be a way. All I know is that I must find out if she is my mate and I must at least try to win her back. I have pushed her into this terrible association with the Whitlocks and I must at least attempt to rectify the situation.

And yet here I sit. Once again I have run to South America. To Rio.

This I do not understand either. Yes, I feel comfortable here but should I not be doing something about Bella? Carlisle was most uncharacteristically insistent that I do nothing to interfere in Bella's life. You could almost say that I received a dressing down. He accused me of behaving like a stalker when I explained everything to him. Me.

I couldn't stay in New Hampshire while my mind and body cried out for action and so I came here. If I am honest the family's thoughts were also a little uncomfortable. None of them really approve of Bella and him being together so I cannot understand why they are so disappointed with me.

Of course Rose was the most scathing. While she has in no way ever approved of my relationship with Bella she apparently holds me in contempt for running away and leaving Bella with him. What does she think I should have done? Poked my head out of the bushes, apologised for interrupting their intimate moment and invited Bella out to dinner? In truth I was so shocked to find him doing something I had barely dreamt of I didn't know what to do. Naturally I have day dreamed about being in his place constantly ever since. Being 17 years old can be extremely inconvenient at times. But she is beautiful, my Bella.

I nurse my drink, brooding, my mind travelling the same infernal loop from the first moment I saw her until today. Perfect recall is a blessing and a curse. If I were not a vampire I am sure that Bella and I would be together, happy. But I am a vampire and it is no life for one such as her.

"Eduardo!" A rich deep voice booms across the bar. "How lovely to see you again my friend."

"It is good to see you too, my friend." I answer, warmly. And it is true, he is one of the most erudite men I have ever met. I have wished many times that I could introduce him to Carlisle, they would have so much in common. He came to the Americas as a Conquistador and to say that his life has been fascinating is an understatement.

"So how is your beautiful woman? Have you looked for her?" He asks as he always does. He knows the story of Bella and I well, although not that she is human, having become a confidant over the years. I can read in his thoughts that he thinks me a little silly for allowing the prize I have described to slip away and he empathises with me having lost his own mate many years ago.

"Yes. I found her. She is with another, a former member of my family. Jasper."

"Have you spoken to her young one? Have you told her how you feel?"

Interesting, he is curious about Jasper, a name he recognises from the past.

"Not yet. I will. They know that I found out about them. My father felt it prudent to place some distance between us for the time being. My former brother has something of a temper." I shake my head sadly. I am not afraid of Jasper, I can read his mind and I am faster but I do abhor his savagery and would hate to stoop to his level. I assume he would want to fight me for Bella's affections. An interesting idea, Bella would surely not appreciate such a display of animalistic tendencies. Hmm.

Again, interest in my friend's mind. I wonder if he knows Jasper? I cannot imagine it, the two of them could hardly have anything in common.

"Well, I am sorry Eduardo. The course of true love never runs smooth." His thoughts are compassionate and understanding. "I am sure you will work it all out eventually with your beautiful woman and this Jasper."

I am about to thank him when my cell rings.

"Carlisle."

"Son, you need to come home. Jenks has been monitoring the situation as requested, there has been a fatal accident in Yellowstone National Park."

I snap the phone closed.

He wouldn't. Would he?

"I am sorry Rutilio, I need to get back home as quickly as possible."

"Oh well my young friend, I will miss your company. Until we meet again."

Shaking his hand firmly I bid him farewell and speed back to my hotel.