Chapter Thirty Six

Jasper

When I got back upstairs Bella was asleep, I knew she was exhausted after driving all this way filled with dread at what might have happened and the thought I might be angry with her for coming. If only she knew how happy I was that the secret was finally out in the open and I could stop pretending at last. I had anticipated Alice's response and while I understood I would be keeping a close eye on her. Alice could be cruel and heartless when upset and Bella had certainly upset her. I guess I should have expected Rosalie and Emmett's responses too, but it hurt to think I might have lost their friendship, I valued both of them. Carlisle, well he just wanted Bella here so he could get as much information as possible to fill yet more of his learned journals. Esme's reaction had been a little unexpected, she was the first to protect her family, but her kind nature and loving heart had been touched by Bella and I was glad to have at least one friend left in the house.

I sat down on the edge of the bed carefully so as not to wake Bella and brushed a strand of hair from her face. She looked so peaceful now, a huge difference to the terrified look I had seen when I arrived home. She was so beautiful, so innocent despite all that had happened. Renee and Grandpa had protected her from the horror as much as possible which made it all the more inexplicable that they should just take off without more than a sketchy note. Still, she was in my care now and I would keep her safe. If we were right and her shield had finally matured then she was safe from the Volturi in any case so long as no one betrayed her to them. The only possible danger came from her father if he ever found out that she existed. He would have no choice but to kill her or risk losing his own life at the hands of the Volturi as a renegade.

I took out my cell phone to see if there were any messages from Peter and was relieved to find a long one hopefully full of good news. Seeing the phone reminded me what Alice had done and I felt a little less guilty at the way I had treated her. If she were that sure I had a secret why didn't she come straight out and ask me? I pushed that question aside and read Peter's message.

"Major, Charlotte and I are on our way to you, we're chasing up a few things first. I'll let you know when we get there. Darius is hunting for clues, found Renee's car burned out but no bodies. He'll keep trying. In the meantime hold tight. Peter."

I didn't deserve such good friends, but I was grateful. What did the burned out car signify? There were no bodies so the car could have been stolen or they had been taken and the car torched to hide any clues as to the kidnapper. If they had been taken then where?

Questions spun around in my head as I lay down next to my wife closing my eyes and losing myself for a while in her nearness. She muttered softly in her sleep and turned throwing an arm, across my chest, such an unconscious and sweet gesture and I didn't dare move for fear she might take it away. It was beginning to look as if someone, vampire or not, had snatched Renee and Grandpa. If it were the vampire, Bella's father then she was in terrible danger because they could lead him straight to me, to Bella. I doubted either of them could survive torture by a vampire. My only hope was that Darius might find a clue as to where they were, enough of a clue to help us find and rescue them or their bodies, but it would mean going into hiding, maybe for years. How long would the vampire hunt before deciding he was safe if Bella hadn't told anyone yet and her silence continued into the future he might find himself willing to let sleeping dogs lie. It was the only hope we had in those circumstances.

Bella

I woke up in a strange room, unable to remember what had happened at first but then I saw Jasper sitting in the window watching me, smiling broadly.

"Feel better for your sleep darlin'?"

I sat up stretching, embarrassed at him seeing me with my hair a mess and my face surely sleep crumpled.

"Yes thank you. How did it go with Alice? I guess she hates me."

"Alice hates both of us and she's not too happy with Carlisle or Esme either right now."

"Oh, why?"

"Because she wanted them to throw us out and they refused, we have a week to get something sorted out and I know Carlisle is keen to talk to you, his first living hybrid."

That made me nervous but as long as I remembered the story, I had no idea who my mom or dad was I should be safe enough.

"I guess I should get washed and dressed, hopefully, I can make a better impression than I did this morning, I was a wreck yesterday and Esme was so kind to me."

He got up and I found myself in his arms being held tightly while he kissed me tenderly,

"Soon I hope we can find a place of our own and start to live as man and wife. I love you so much Bella and I need you. But for now, I'll go downstairs so you see at least one friendly face when you come down. Take your time, there's no rush."

As soon as he was gone I felt alone but I could do this, I had to. I would hold my head up high and face them all, after all, I hadn't done anything wrong, I just married the man I loved more than life itself. At least, I kept telling myself that as I showered and then changed into fresh clothes wishing I had packed more than jeans and shirts. I was sure Alice would be calculating my wardrobe and that should give her a grin.

Slowly I opened the door to my room and peered out only to see the huge Emmett standing on the landing watching me. He didn't smile but neither did he look angry to see me.

"Oh, hello."

"Hello, Bella. Were you looking for Jazz?"

I shook my head,

"No, just a bit nervous that's all."

He studied me for a second then nodded,

"I guess it must be daunting, after all...well you can come down with me if you like, it might be less daunting that way."

I agreed with a sigh of relief and joined him so we could walk downstairs together although I needn't have worried, there were only Jasper and Esme in the room to see me. Emmett nodded to Jasper and went off leaving the three of us alone.

"That was kind of Emmett, he must have known what response he would get if the girls had seen."

"I don't think Emmett has a problem with Bella Jasper, he's kind hearted by nature and as I said she is the innocent in all this. Anyway, Bella, I have toast and coffee for breakfast. I hope that's OK. You don't need to worry Alice and Rose have just left and won't be back until late, you can relax. After breakfast, Carlisle would be grateful if you could spare him a little time. He's itching to know how life as a hybrid differs from that of a human but if you don't feel you want to talk that's fine, he'll understand."

Jasper moved closer to me protectively, but I nodded,

"Of course, Jasper told me he's a doctor and a scientist so I understand but I'm not sure I can tell him very much."

"Do you think he might be able to tell us who Bella's biological father is?"

I shot Jasper a scared look, was that possible?

"I have no idea Jasper. You'd need to ask him that. Now come on Bella before your coffee gets cold."

As Esme disappeared into the kitchen Jasper whispered very low in my ear,

"If he can it might help us find your mom and Grandpa."

My mouth opened in an O of shock,

"You think that's where they went? But how...?"

He shook his head warningly and I closed my mouth, we could talk later, somewhere we wouldn't be overheard but for now, I was hungry and the coffee smelled good.