Chapter Forty Nine

Bella

I wanted to know more about the hunting and the sun but I didn't want to appear stupid so I would wait until I could talk to Jazz alone. Rose and Charlotte went on-line to find somewhere remote enough while Peter and Garrett went out looking for a suitable vehicle.

"Emmett, we need camping equipment, we aren't gonna find a cabin for shelter not in the desert. See if you can rustle up a tent and sleeping bag, all the bits to make it easy for Bella."

Emmett grinned over at me,

"Any preference on colour for your bedding?"

I pretended to think about this,

"No, surprise me."

"Will do Bells. See you later."

Jasper took my arm and led me out onto the balcony so we had an illusion of privacy, it was early but already the storm clouds were gathering and I shivered slightly in the cold breeze.

"Here."

He put his arm around me pulling me close to his body, shielding me from the wind.

"You have some questions."

"Yes a lot I'm afraid. You are going to be the one to change me aren't you?"

"Of course, I would never let anyone else get so close, so intimate with you."

"And you're going to help me, I understand that but I don't understand how."

He told me how not only did he feel the pain of others but could also experience it for them.

"You're going to take my pain?"

"As much as I can yes, that's why we need to stay together as a party. I won't be in any state to protect you myself."

"I don't want you to be in pain Jazz."

"Its non negotiable Bella, the only way I could bear to do it. Next question."

I knew he wouldn't discuss that topic further so I went on.

"Why is it necessary to be close enough to a town?"

"Peter, Char, and Garrett are human hunters although they prefer to choose what they call the deserving scum of humanity."

"Oh I see but you, Rose and Emmett?"

"We hunt animals. Live on their blood."

"Can I choose to do the same?"

"Yes and I'll help you."

"Why the sun? How will it help you spot trouble?"

"The sun will mark anyone the Volturi send, vampires anyway."

"How?"

"When we get there you'll soon see Bella. Now its my turn to ask the questions."

Jasper

I had assumed after her words of last night that she was ready to be changed although I hadn't told her the exact problems that Eleazer had explained to me and I wondered if hearing them she had changed her mind.

"Are you happy for me to change you?"

"Of course"

She stretched up on tip toe and kissed me and I lost my train of thought for a few seconds.

"I didn't ask you about asking the others to help me but I hope I did right. I did it for your safety."

She just smiled,

"There's something else I need to ask you Bella and I know now probably isn't the right time but its being forced on me by circumstances."

She looked at me puzzled then blushed as I went down on one knee,

"Bella will you marry me because I couldn't bear to lose you, I love you so much."

She swallowed and I saw tears in her eyes once more as she nodded,

"Yes Jazz, I'd be proud to be your wife and I guess now is as good a time as any but a ceremony might be a little awkward at such short notice."

"You let me worry about that. I was hoping you'd agree because I already bought this."

I took a small box out of my pocket and opened it showing Bella the heart-shaped diamond ring inside. She gasped in delight and I took it out slipping it onto her finger and kissing it in place.

"Please don't think I was being presumptuous I was just keeping my fingers crossed."

"Well I guess I can finally wash this symbol off my hand now I have something more permanent."

We kissed as the others, unable to pretend they hadn't heard, came running out to congratulate us.

Rose

I was so pleased for Jazz when I heard Bella's words, they were so well suited and as I congratulated them my phone buzzed again with a question from Alice, she thought she had seen something but she wasn't sure so I text her with the news and she sent congratulations back to the happy couple. When Emmett got back he couldn't stop smiling, so happy for Jazz but Peter seemed a little less happy,

"Fuck me Major you could have waited for us to get back. Typical, I miss all the good bits, I only get to see the shit."

As he said it he was kissing Bella in congratulations but when it went on a few seconds longer than strictly necessary he found himself hauled away by the collar and out onto the balcony where Jasper dangled him over the edge, head first.

"Hey, what's the matter?"

"Apologise to the lady."

"What for? I was only congratulating her."

"Peter if you'd taken any longer she'd have needed oxygen."

"Can I help it if I have that effect on women. Didn't you see me struggling to get free of her, she just wouldn't let me go"

Jazz let one hand slip so Peter was dangling by one ankle but then Bella came to his rescue.

"Put him down Jazz, he'd make a terrible mess on the side-walk."

Jazz looked at her and nodded then lifted Peter back over the balcony rail,

"Be thankful Bella didn't say drop him."

Then he dropped Peter on his head and walked back into the room.

Bella

I couldn't believe how quickly Jazz had moved and I was shocked when I saw him dangle Peter over the edge of the balcony. He looked annoyed and I realized he was jealous so I decided I'd better intervene although I didn't think Jazz would really drop him. When he pulled him back I heaved a sigh of relief but then when Jazz dropped him on the concrete balcony floor I winced but Char came out and stood looking down at him hands on her hips,

"You never learn do you Peter? Why can't you just behave yourself for a change?"

Peter sat up rubbing his forehead,

"I didn't do anything. Bella tell her, it was all your fault grabbing me like that"

Charlotte looked at me rolling her eyes,

"You'll get used to him eventually Bella but I apologise now for all his future misdeeds."

I nodded and held out my hand to help Peter up,

"Thank you Bella. You can see how misunderstood and bullied I am. I need a friend like you to stick up for me. Anyway let's have a look at this ring"

He lifted my hand to peer at my finger turning it from side to side then nodded,

"You'd never know it was glass would you?"

He moved so fast he was a blur straight over the balcony as Jazz appeared again only to look over the railings,

"You may have got away this time Peter but you'll be back and when you do...Come on Bella let's go."

Peter's laughter carried on the wind as we went back inside and Jazz closed the French doors.