Chapter Twenty Six

Bella

After making that rash promise to Charlie that I would ring my mom I didn't sleep for long. I had nightmares about it and woke with a start to find myself on my bed and Jasper sitting watching me from the chair I had been sitting on when I rang my dad.

"You looked uncomfortable Bella so I thought I'd help out."

I wish you'd helped out by laying here with me I thought but all I said was "Thanks."

I picked up my phone realising I'd rung dad from Jasper's, I just hoped he didn't check the number or I'd be in even more trouble than I already was!

"I promised to call my mom and apologise for not calling her earlier. You might want to close your ears, this won't be pretty."

He smiled and the breath caught in my throat,

"Think of me as moral support if it helps."

"I'll take all the help I can get, you don't know my mom."

"Maybe you can introduce me sometime."

Now that conjured up all kinds of mayhem but, at least, he wanted to meet her.

Her phone was busy the first time I tried which only made me more nervous but the second attempt got through.

"Dwyer residence, Renee speaking."

"Mom, it's me, Bella."

"Oh! How good of you to remember me at last. Your life must be extremely hectic if you can forget your mother."

So, she was in a sarcastic mood, that just made matters worse, some serious grovelling was in order but I couldn't raise the energy for that.

"I'm sorry mom. Leah had some problems and I was trying to help her."

"It comes to something when your friends are more important than family Bella. Have you spoken to your father yet?"

I knew this was a trick question, she wanted to know if I rang him first.

"Only because your phone was busy when I tried."

I hoped to be forgiven for my little white lie but I still fell into her trap,

"I see, so he told you I was upset I guess. I know he knew about Leah, why didn't he tell me instead of pretending it was all a mystery. I think you and your father deliberately try to upset me."

"Mom, I can't stay on the phone long, Leah needs to eat and I have to go out to get something."

Of course, I then had to explain about her accident and had a short lecture on the dangers of running away from home. Now that was something coming from her! She eventually ran down and I promised to ring her once we got to Alaska.

"Why her parents aren't going with her is beyond me, she's hardly your responsibility but that's some parents for you."

Yeah, don't I know it, was what I wanted to say but instead I just told her I loved her and rang off.

Jasper and I went out to get Leah some dinner once she woke up and I was relieved when she not only ate every mouthful but rejected any pain meds.

"It's OK now Bella and besides they make me so sleepy. When can I get up? I'm sick of the trail between the bathroom and my bed. I want to go outside, see the sun."

"I could put a chair outside and carry you out there if you like."

I couldn't help laughing at Leah's outraged expression in response to Jasper's offer.

"I'd rather…."

She stopped herself as she remembered how much she owed Jasper and Carlisle,

"No, thank you. Did I hear you say you were going to accompany us to Denali? Do you think that's wise?"

"You mean because of Johnny H? I hear he's intelligent and fair. I hardly think he would send the guardians after me under the circumstances but if he did…..he might find he had bitten off a little more than he could chew."

The atmosphere in the room was tense after this conversation so in order to ease the tension I explained to Leah that she and I would travel together but Jasper would be close at hand, just to ensure we made it to Denali in one piece.

"We can manage alone Bella, we did before but I suppose he's worried I might change and attack you. After seeing what Sam did to Emily the thought had occurred to me so maybe he should stay close."

her statement shocked me, it must have taken quite a lot for Leah to admit that and I wondered how Jasper would react.

"Thank you, it would be easier if we travelled together Leah but you should know I am not worried about you attacking Bella, I think your friendship is too strong to allow you to do that unless someone angered you beyond clear thinking. Maybe we could call a truce for Bella's sake?"

I could see Leah considering Jasper's offer and the hand he had stretched out towards her then slowly she stretched her own out and they shook briefly, Leah shuddering at his touch.

"Deal, for Bella's sake."

I heaved a sigh of relief at the realisation I wouldn't be piggy in the middle all the way to Denali.

Over the next few days, things became easier as Leah no longer considered Jasper the enemy and he did his best not to crowd her while still spending time with me. We went for walks when Leah was resting and he left us while we ate dinner together in the evening. It was Leah who pointed out that he had probably gone hunting, something that hadn't occurred to me.

"Hunting?"

"Of course Bella, he needs nourishment just like us, it's just his diet is a little "different".

Her lip curled in disgust as she said this and it struck me, he was looking for blood, but how?

"I suppose he told you how different the family is from other vampires? It's the only reason the Quileutes agreed to the treaty with them."

Seeing I didn't understand she explained how it came into being.

"So, as long as the Cullens don't bite a human we allow them to live in Forks unmolested."

"What about the other way round?"

She looked at me mystified,

"Well, I take it there was no reciprocal agreement that so long as the Quileutes didn't bite a human they would be unmolested?"

"We came into being to protect the tribe from the leeches, we aren't any danger to huma…."

Her words faded away as she realised what she was saying and I nodded,

"Yes, it seems to me that the only one who has harmed a human is Sam Uley and he certainly isn't a vampire. maybe the guardians should stop with the smug attitude, the Quileutes in any case."

She didn't voice an opinion but I could see I had made my point forcefully enough.

When Jasper and I went out for our regular walk that evening he commented on the conversation having heard it as he came back.

"Were you trying to defend us, Bella? You certainly made your point, something I know the Quileutes never thought of. We are the enemy of all living creatures as far as they are concerned and it's true in many ways, we kill to feed, but so do they. They differ only in that they kill their prey and cook the flesh whereas we drain our prey's blood to sustain ourselves. I wasn't aware of the incident concerning Samuel Uley the pack alpha but it shows that all creatures can be dangerous, even to those they love. It's something you should be aware of Bella. I should tell you that I crave your blood, I'm a vampire and you are my natural prey so that will always be the case. I have learned to control my thirst around humans and my love for you would stop me from harming you as long as I have control but never think you are entirely safe in the presence of any vampire or any guardian, we're all wild animals at heart."

I stopped and turned to face him taking his other hand too and looking into his eyes,

"if there is anything I am sure of it's that you would never harm me willingly or consciously just as I trust Leah. The two of you have taught me that we should never take anyone at face value, I just follow my heart."

His face moved closer until our lips met, he freed his hands to pull me close and hug me tight.

"Bella, if anyone could tame a savage it would be you. Your goodness is like a beacon leading me home. I love you."

I never wanted to move again, just stay in this place, in this position for eternity but then a car sounded its horn and some young guys leant out of the windows shouting and gesticulating crudely and the moment was gone. We walked slowly back to the motel and Leah but something had changed, I felt different and I knew it was Jaspers love that had worked the change. I knew he was the one I wanted to spend the rest of my life with, vampire or no.