Chapter Twenty Six

Bella

I had no idea how long I'd been out, the only thing I remembered was hearing Carlisle's voice telling me I needed an operation. From the sick feeling and soreness I guess I'd remembered rightly, then I heard a voice,

"Bella wake up now. It's all over and you're going to be fine."

I opened my eyes and looked at the face of the nurse peering at me. I was laying on my side so I guess the operation had been on my back and I panicked,

"Am I paralysed?"

"No. Dr Cullen managed to disperse the blood compressing your spinal cord and you are going to be fine. It'll just take time"

Time that was important and suddenly it came back to me, the reason for my leap down the stairs.

"Will I be in hospital long?"

"A while Bella. We need to keep an eye on you for some time".

I heaved a sigh of relief, much as I hated hospitals the alternative, a move to Florida, was much worse.

"Is my dad here?"

"Yes. He'll be in soon. Dr Cullen wants to check on you first then he'll speak to Chief Swan and then he can come and see you just for a few minutes. You need to rest."

Charlie

I stood as Carlisle Cullen came into the waiting area and he when he smiled I felt a wave of relief.

"Bella's going to be OK Chief but she'll be here a while and she'll be shaky on her legs at first but the operation was a success."

He glanced at his son and I heard a sigh of relief from him too.

"She's very tired but she's been asking for you Chief...and Jasper."

I looked at the young man at my side and shrugged,

"Then I guess we'd better go see the invalid."

I hated the smell of hospitals but right now I was more than grateful and when we walked into Bella's room and saw her laying there so helpless I could have cried. She opened her eyes as she heard the door open and managed a wan smile.

"Hi dad,"

But her gaze was on Jasper standing behind me.

"Don't do that again Bella you scared the hell out of me"

I sat beside her and took her hand in mine, she seemed so fragile.

"Jasper"

She smiled up at him and he came to squat by the bed taking her other hand in his,

"I'm glad you're here."

"You knew I would be."

She nodded then looked back at me,

"Please don't make me move to Florida dad and don't stop me from seeing Jasper. I love him"

That threw me, it was more than a school girls crush or Christmas fling.

"I can see that. Jasper and I have spoken about it and I agreed if you asked him to stay I wouldn't stop him. I take it you won't be asking Jake to visit though. His father and I will be having words as it is."

Bella

My relief at finding Charlie had sorted things out with Jasper and Carlisle was overwhelming and as Charlie went out to ring my mum, despite my pleas that he didn't, I started to cry. Jasper put his arms around me very carefully and kissed my cheek,

"Bella its OK, don't worry I wouldn't have been far away in any case, now its just easier. How's the pain?"

"I'm fine, I'm just relieved, I was so scared and when Charlie told me he was sending me back to Renee I panicked."

I felt Jasper stiffen slightly, he'd caught my meaning.

"You threw yourself downstairs so you didn't have to leave? Oh Bella, what am I going to do with you? Promise me you wont try anything like that again."

"I promise"

He wiped my tears away with a cool finger and kissed me again.

"Lets get something straight right now Bella. I'm not going to leave you and neither are the others. We are going to protect you for as long as it takes. They're out looking for Edward right now and when we find him he'll never be a threat to you again I promise. No one messes with my girl."

I smiled at that,

"Am I? Your girl I mean"

"If you'll allow it"

I put a hand up to stroke his cheek but must have pulled on stitches or something because pain lanced through my body and I couldn't suppress a cry.

He grabbed the buzzer and called for a nurse explaining when she put her head round the door that I needed pain relief. Knowing it would put me to sleep I beckoned him closer with a crooked finger,

"I'll allow it. Please come back tomorrow"

"I will darlin but I'll never be far away, unless we get a good lead on Edward I'll be close by."

The nurse came in then and gave me a shot, Jasper staying until I couldn't keep my eyes open any longer.

Jasper

I was shocked that Bella had done something so dangerous to stop Charlie sending her away from me. She could easily have killed herself! Carlisle came to check on her a few minutes later.

"She'll be out for the night Jasper. I think we should leave her sleep, we have some decisions to make."

I followed him out uneasy about leaving Bella unprotected but if Edward found out where she was he was unlikely to try to snatch her in her present condition. After all he wanted his 'mate' healthy I hoped. Carlisle took me to his room where I was surprised to find the others, except Emmett.

"We thought it would be better if we met here rather than at the house and we've drawn up a rota for Bella's protection."

"Where's Emmett?"

"He's trying to track Edward, I've never seen him so angry. What happened with Bella?"

I told the truth and Esme gasped putting a hand to her mouth.

"She could have killed herself."

"Yes. But it shows how strong the bond is between Bella and himself" Alice pointed out.

"So how do we find Edward?"

"I don't know Jazz I can't see him, his mind is full of disturbing images, he keeps changing his mind but I don't think he's far away."

"Carlisle, do you think Amos would help?"

"You want me to ask him to track down my own son? What reason would I give him?"

"I don't care, we need to find him before he puts Bella in danger again."

Esme and Alice looked at Carlisle scandalized and he sighed.

"Very well I'll ask him. Is there anything else we can do?"

"Rosalie what about your friend Ellie? she can sometimes find people using something of theirs. I've already left her a message, she'll get back to me as soon as she gets it I'm sure."

"In the mean time we keep a watch over Bella. Do you think he'll attempt to snatch her from the hospital Carlisle?"

He shook his head,

"I doubt it. Too many people around and she's unable to move yet so he'd have to chance hurrying her. I don't think that's in Edwards scheme of things."

I looked at him as if he were stupid,"

"Excuse me Carlisle, I don't think he gives a shit about hurting her. After all he's already done I don't think he cares, just having her in his power."

"I don't think it's as clear-cut as that Jasper. I really think he feels she is his mate."

"Funny mate when you have to resort to rape Carlisle"

Rose's voice was cold and hard and we all knew why.

Carlisle had the grace to look embarrassed.