Chapter Forty Three
Bella
We walked back from the diner slowly, the dark made it easier for me, no one could see me now. I was convinced people could see what had happened to me written on my face and I know Jasper could feel my fears because he stopped suddenly and put his arms around me pulling me in for a cuddle,
"Bella I'm really proud of you. You did it, just like I knew you could and every time now it will be easier to face people."
I wasn't sure he was right but I did feel better for my first foray into public.
"Do you want to go straight back or would you like to go for a walk first?"
As long as I was with Jasper I didn't care what we did but I didn't want him doing something just for me,
"You choose"
He smiled and again came the soft kiss on my forehead,
"Right then, I suggest we walk to the little store and buy some coffee and milk so you can make yourself a drink later."
I nodded and he took my hand again squeezing it gently as I hesitated in the doorway, so I took another step and was inside the brightly lit interior. We browsed the aisles and I picked up some cookies and a jar of chocolate milk, I'd liked that when I was sick as a little girl, it was comforting. As I reached into my pocket I realized I didn't have any money then some dollars were put in my hand and I thanked him quietly before paying. Outside I panicked when I saw he wasn't behind me then he appeared and I had to smile. He was carrying a huge gold coloured teddy bear with a red bow around its neck. He presented it to me with a flourish,
"He looked lonely in there."
I carried him hugged close to me while he carried the sack of groceries back to our room. The others were out when we got in and I breathed a sigh of relief, life was so much less complicated when it was just the two of us.
"You look tired Bella. If you like I'll make you a hot drink while you get ready for bed and the three of us can watch TV."
"Three?"
"Well I assume teddy will be joining us"
I laughed and it felt good, the first time I'd done it in so long.
Jasper
I had to speak to Bella about Charlie, I'd promised Rose and Alice but it would be Bella's decision ultimately and if she didn't want to do it then I wouldn't try to persuade or force her. She had to feel she was in control of her life and her body again or she was lost. She was back in bed, blankets wrapped tightly around her so I could cuddle her without her getting cold again and teddy was held close by her other arm. She'd drunk the hot chocolate sitting on the bed holding him close before climbing in and calling me to her side. If she hadn't I would have sat by the bed but she seemed comforted by my closeness. It had taken a while but she had slowly relaxed against me, no long tense at the feel of my arm around her.
"Bella I have to ask you something"
She tensed again and I held her tighter,
"It's about Charlie. He's been to the house, annoyed that we didn't tell him, you and I, that we were going away for a few days"
She took my hand with her own which still shook,
"Is that what they told him?"
"Yes. I hope that's OK"
"Better than the truth. I don't think I could bear him to know the truth."
"He'll never find out unless you want him to"
"No, because he'll try to stop me seeing you as well as probably arresting as many Cullens as he can."
"That's why you don't want him to know? To save the family?"
"Mainly to keep you in my life Jasper. I couldn't bear it if he tried to stop me seeing you."
I touched the top of her head lightly with my lips, all she cared about was me, not what she'd gone through only in as much as it impacted on us, on our relationship.
"Do you think you could speak to him for a few minutes? He's going to be angry remember"
"If I don't want to?"
"Then you don't have to. It's your decision Bella. No one's going to make you do anything, I'm certainly not."
She took a deep breath and squeezed my hand,
"I can do this if you stay with me."
I handed her my phone not letting go of her,
"I'm here."
Bella
I knew I needed to do this or I would never be able to go home, Charlie answered on the second ring,
"Chief Swan speaking"
"Dad"
My voice was weak and I coughed trying to clear my throat of the tension.
"Bella where the hell are you? I've been given so many different stories my head is whirling. If you aren't back in the house by tomorrow evening I'm going to start arresting Cullens and I don't care of I have to take every one of them in. Was it Edward or Jasper you went off with? Not that it matters much ,seeing as you wont be seeing either of them again . You are grounded young lady, for life."
"Dad please listen"
"No Bella, I would have listened a few days ago but now I'm over with listening to lies from you or anyone I do the talking and you do the listening. No more Cullens and you get back here tomorrow and you'd better have a really good story for me."
"Dad, it's not like you think."
"Oh, and just how is it?"
"I needed to get away, I had to think and I needed space. Nothing has happened with anyone. I have my own room."
"Room? And who are you with? Edward Cullen or Jasper Hale? I've heard both from seperate people or is it a nice cosy threesome?"
"Dad! I haven't done anything with anybody. I want to come back but I won't if you're going to stop me seeing Jasper. I love him dad."
"You're too young to know what love is Bella. God you're still a kid. I knew it was a bad idea letting you go to the Cullens, I should have listened to Harry."
"Dad, I need you to let me see Jasper or I can't come home"
"You get your butt back here or I'll swear out an arrest warrant for him and his brother. By tomorrow night."
He put the phone down on me and I burst into tears dropping the receiver and turning into Jaspers arms.
"You heard Charlie. I have to go home or he'll have the law on you, and me. I can't do it though Jasper, I can't face him alone. I need you, I love you, and I can't do it alone."
He stroked my hair and calmed me slowly.
"Bella I need to ask you something"
"Yes"
My voice was thick with emotion.
"Bella, do you want to go home? If I can help you get over the meeting with Charlie? Then you can go back to school, finish and start your life over."
"Without you?"
"Yes."
"Is that what you want?"
"What I want isn't important"
"It is to me"
"I already told you I won't leave, I can't. I'll always be close by to watch over you but what you want is important."
"I'm not going home. I want, I need, to be with you"
"Are you sure about that? Because if you are then I need to say something else"
"I'm positive, I know I can't cope without you."
"Then you need to go home before Charlie's deadline. I'll go with you and let him give me a good talking to. I'll leave then and he'll never see me again"
"I Can't do that, the thought of never seing you again..."
"I said he'll never see me, you will."
"How? He wont let me see anyone"
"You have to be one hundred per cent sure about your decision. If you are we'll find a way to get you out of Forks, but it will mean a permanent move away, no contact with Charlie or your mother.
"We?"
"I'll need Rose and Emmett and Peter and Chars help. Is it what you want?"
"I want to be with you. I'm terrified when you aren't here Jasper, I'm not sure I can face Charlie without you."
"OK then. Let me talk to the others. You just relax for now"
