Chapter Thirty Five

Jasper

The atmosphere was tense when I got back downstairs and I knew I had to be careful not to give anything away about Bella's mom or Grandpa at this stage. She had been quick enough to give them a story of being terrified by a stalker while Peter and Charlotte were away and only came here to be safe. Carlisle and Esme were sitting together quietly while Rose pretended interest in the computer game Emmett was patently not playing.

Edward and Alice stood together muttering and as soon as they heard me they turned, Edward with a gloating sneer on his face while Alice looked enraged, her eyes flashing dangerously.

"So, you finally have time to speak to me do you? I hope you have a really good explanation for what you've done to me. You humiliated me in front of my family, you lied and cheated. I thought better of you, but I was wrong, you're no better than the animal who ran away from the Mexican slut."

I waited until she finished then turned to Carlisle and Esme, more important than placating Alice was finding out where they stood. Esme had offered Bella shelter, but that was before Alice had time to spread her jealousy and hatred of me.

"I understand this must be very difficult for you both and I apologize for the inconvenience. I'd like to stay here with Bella at least until we find out what's going on with her stalker but if that would be too awkward then I will take her somewhere else."

Alice laughed bitterly,

"Why don't you take her back where she came from? Let your precious friends look after her. I can understand why you would have preferred to keep her your dirty little secret."

"Alice that's enough, we need to discuss this quietly and sensibly."

I flashed Esme a look of gratitude and hoped Alice might listen to her.

Esme shot Alice another warning look then smiled at me,

"Have you ever known us to turn someone in trouble away? I thought you knew us better. We are all very sorry that you couldn't tell Alice the truth, it's very hard for her and I understand her pain and bitterness but I think in her heart she knew you weren't the one, she almost came out and said it on a couple of occasions."

"Well, Esme perhaps that's because I knew he was lying to me because I could feel he wasn't being honest yet I did everything I could. I bent over backward to be understanding."

Carlisle cleared his throat as if about to speak, but Alice turned imploringly to Rosalie,

"You understand how I feel surely Rose? I've been treated like a fool all these years. Jasper could have told me once he met "her". He could have come out with some excuse if he had to keep "her" a secret, but no. He continued to pretend we were a couple. All, this time, he's been married to her and pretending to be in love with me and now he wants to live with her under our roof, rubbing my nose in it. How can I bear that?"

Rosalie looked at me as if torn, but I could see her outrage for her sister outweighed her love for me.

"I'm sorry Jazz, Esme, but I'm with Alice on this. I don't think it would be fair to expect Alice to have to put up with Jasper's wife under the same roof, not after what's happened. She deserved better treatment from you, Jasper."

I didn't speak, what could I say? Rose was right in a way, I should have left once I knew what Bella meant to me and I hadn't. I'd led Alice on all these years.

"Rose is right Esme. Perhaps we should leave but please allow Bella a night's rest first."

"But if she is in danger..."

"Then it's up to Jasper to keep her safe, not us Esme."

Alice's words were spat rather than spoken and I saw both Emmett and Rose nod in agreement.

"I think we should all calm down a little."

Everyone stopped at Carlisle's words, waiting for him to continue.

"None of this is Bella's fault, she came here looking for help, running from danger and with a secret that could get her killed. I understand your pain Alice and you are correct, it is asking a lot that you accept Bella here but...Esme offered her a sanctuary and I don't think we should just turn her out of the house with nowhere else to go. Jasper, you have a week. That should give you time enough to make other arrangements. In the meantime, I expect everyone to be courteous if not friendly towards the girl."

Alice scowled but Rose and Emmett looked mollified and I was relieved. In a week, we could hopefully discover what had happened to Bella's mom and grandpa and would know how safe she was. If they had found Bella's father and been taken then it was possible they would give away Bella's existence and she would be in even greater danger as a result.

"Thank you, Carlisle. I apologize to everyone, especially Alice and I promise as soon as I can make other arrangements Bella and I will be gone. We won't trouble you any longer than necessary."

"And that's it? Sorry Alice."

I turned to her,

"What do you want me to say, Alice? If it had been the other way round I would have done the same for you, to keep you safe. Bella was, is, in danger and I will do anything to keep her safe. I was wrong, but I had no choice. If I had told you I was leaving would you have let it rest?"

She continued to glare, lips shut tightly in a scowl,

"I didn't think so. You wouldn't have rested until you had found out why and where I had gone, drawing unwanted attention to Bella."

"You mean Volturi attention don't you? Of course, by sheltering her here, you put us all at risk. It's a crime to hide the identity of a hybrid."

"Alice, I don't think there is any danger. No one knows Bella is a hybrid except us and we aren't going to put ourselves at risk now are we?"

"Us and Jasper's friends. Don't forget they know her dirty little secret."

I shook my head,

"You may despise them, but I would trust Charlotte and Peter with my life, they would never betray her."

"I hope you're right or we'll all end up in Italy or dead. Just keep the bitch away from me."

Alice stormed out followed by a subdued Rosalie while Emmett hesitated,

"I'd never put you in danger Jazz, but I think what you did was wrong man."

Then he turned and followed the girls out leaving me with Carlisle and Esme.

Carlisle sighed,

"It would seem everyone is against you, Jasper. Lies never end well son and although I understand your motives I think you could have acted differently. My offer still stands however and I will admit to a less than neutral motive, I would like time to talk to Bella, to a living hybrid, it will be my first."

I wasn't sure I liked his motive although I did understand it, Carlisle was passionate about everything vampire and human. To have a true hybrid under his roof was an opportunity he couldn't resist. I would warn Bella and stay with her as much as I could, I doubted Carlisle would upset her.

Esme patted my arm,

"Bella needs a refuge and while she is here no one will be rude to her I promise you that. It must be terrifying for her with someone stalking her, especially as she knows what would happen if it were a vampire. Peter and Charlotte have done well to keep her secret and keep her safe. I suggest you get them looking for a new permanent home for you both. I'll be sorry to see you go, Jasper, promise me you will keep in touch."

"If I can Esme but I don't think the others will be so keen on me doing that."

"Well, I appreciate their feelings but to me you will always be my son and as such always welcome, Bella too. Give them time, if Alice finds her true mate I doubt she will care any longer."

I thought Esme was probably right but how long would that take? For now, my only concern was my wife who was sleeping just a few feet above my head.