Chapter Thirty Seven
Bella
I didn't see Jean the next morning although Renee came up to see me and then I was allowed to get up and shower with her help. I looked around and realised Jasper was gone and started to panic.
"Don't worry Bella, your Prince Charming is downstairs with Charlie and Jean, I think they wanted a frank exchange which I don't think Jean is going to enjoy but there, he should have been honest with me from the start."
"You aren't leaving him are you?"
"No, of course not, I still love him but I know I shall have to keep him on a short leash, especially now I know half of everything really belongs to me by right. I always thought I was meant for a better station in life and who knows, if we have a son..."
"Mum!"
"Bella, don't be so prim. Anyone would think sex stopped when you hit 30."
I didn't even want to think about it so I shook my head and went to shower.
When I came out Renee washed my hair for me and I dressed slowly and stiffly but I felt better to be vertical and fully clothed, as if I was as good as the rest of them once more and not a patient. As I got to the top of the stairs the salon door opened and Jasper came out running up the stairs to give me his arm.
"I think your husband wants a word Renee."
She smiled at him
"Oh I bet he does. Take care of Bella she's precious and still a little fragile."
"I will Madame Chastel."
Renee grinned at him then flew down the stairs and into the salon like a whirlwind. We could hear her voice from the stairs,
"Simms I don't think we need you here. This is after all a private matter so please shut the door on your way out, oh and please, no eavesdropping or you'll find yourself dismissed. Now Jean what did you want darling?"
Simms came out stiffly muttering under his breath and seeing us he turned smartly and walked out the front door.
"Looks like he's got a prickly pear up his ass don't he?"
Darius came in as Simms went out but he nailed the assistants expression.
We walked out into the garden at the back of the château and sat under the shade of a tree looking out over the countryside in silence for a while then Darius spoke.
"I don't think you need a chaperone out here and I have some arrangements to make. Oh by the way I heard from Peter. He says he took your cell phone to give you some peace, left his own instead and you never noticed Major, you are slipping! Anyway, its been going crazy, they all want to know where you are and if you know anything about Bella Swans little adventure. I think you might want to ring and speak to them before they decide to have you strung up."
I looked at Jasper in shock,
"You didn't tell them?"
"Only that I was coming to France with Jake. I didn't think it was any of their business, at least until I found you. Now I guess I should let them know you are safe and almost well and coming back to Forks".
"Charlie persuaded Jean?"
"It didn't take much with us on his side. Anyway have fun kids, I'll see you later."
"Who is Peter?"
"Another friend who turned up to help me. A very old friend I should add."
"I've been thinking about what you said last night. When I told you Jake had spilled the beans about you, you said something odd. You asked me if I were still happy being so close to you. Why wouldn't I be? What did you think Jake had told me?"
"What did he say?"
"That you were in love with me. That you'd told him so on the plane."
Jasper
Now I was in real trouble, I'd thought Jake had told her my secret but he hadn't and I was grateful for that but I would have to tell her now, after all Charlie knew. I moved to the other end of the seat and turned to face her,
"Bella...I'm not what you think I am."
"Oh I know that, there is something very strange about you Jasper and your friend Darius, for starters he keeps calling you Major and you don't bat an eyelid as if it's a natural form of address that you are used to. You talk as if you are much older than you look, so does your friend. So tell me."
"Bella, I'm a vampire. I live on blood, animal blood but blood even so. I was changed when I was a young man, a major in the Confederate Army."
"When was that?"
"1863"
So how old are you?"
"Too old to be doing this."
Bella
He put his arm around me and pulling me close he kissed me and my world spun round with joy.
"Are you sure about that? Perhaps we should try again, just to be really sure."
We stayed there for what seemed hours enjoying the peace and each others company as we talked about everything, my past, his past, my future which was his too. I felt terribly sorry for him when he told me his history and the way Maria had turned him into her very own killing machine. She had used sex to keep him under control and when he finally broke free he was a damaged spirit struggling to work out how to fit in, even in his own world. Eventually he pulled away again slightly,
"Bella why aren't you afraid of me? Afraid I might bite you? Drink your blood?"
Jasper
She smiled and caressed my cheek,
"You love me, that's why you travelled all this way. I trust you, I love you, you would never hurt me."
"That's true but I still think you are very courageous. Your father might find it a little harder to swallow."
"But you told him didn't you?"
"Yes, I thought he had a right to know."
"What did he say?"
"Not a lot but he went very pale. If he thinks I am a bad choice for you I would have to listen to him."
"You'd leave me?"
Bella
He laughed at my shocked tone,
"No, but I would listen. Nothing could force me away from your side... except you."
"Then you are stuck with me Jasper Hale. I wonder what the family will think when you tell them."
I hesitated then blurted out,
"They know, at least Esme and Carlisle do. They kept pushing me to follow you to France and tell you how I feel."
"Will you let me help you to become another man, a softer, gentler man than The Major?"
"It sounds mighty tempting Ma'am."
"When we get back to Forks I'd very much like us to be together as much as possible. Do you think your...parents and the rest of the family will mind? I know Rose doesn't like me much."
"Rose is just very edgy about what she is. She never really accepted the fact that Carlisle saved her life in the only way he could. Maybe one day she'll tell you her story, it's a very tragic one but she's the Cullen I'm closest to so I hope you two can become friends. Will you go back to school?"
"It's hardly worth it for a couple of months but I guess I'll have to if I want to graduate and go to college."
"Is that what you want to do? I'm sure Darius can come up with graduation papers for you, you're clever enough as it is."
"What about you? What have you been doing the past year?"
"Waiting."
"For what?"
"You Bella Swan, except I was too scared to make a move and almost lost you as a result."
"What will you do if I go to college?"
"Go with you and wait some more. I have all the time in the world and all I need is to be close to you."
"You'd do that? Wait for me?"
"What else am I going to do Bella? I love you."
"And when I finish college?"
"Its your choice, you decide what you want to do and where and I'll follow."
I could see he meant every word of it but he hadn't said the one thing I had hoped for.
"And then? Will you watch me grow old?"
"If it's what you want but I was hoping that perhaps you could find time in your hectic schedule to perhaps marry me."
My heart lurched and I could see he knew it but had misunderstood the reason for the reaction so I pulled him close and whispered in his ear,
"That wasn't fear but joy. I thought you'd never ask."
"It means being willing to spend eternity with me Bella, If you are going to be my wife it has to be for ever."
"You mean become a vampire like you?"
"Yes. I don't think I could bear to watch you die without joining you although I'm willing to do that if you prefer."
The very thought of Jasper ceasing to exist made me feel physically sick and my hands trembled as they clasped his,
"Together forever then Jasper Hale."