Chapter Fifty Two
Bella
As the days ticked by and all I was allowed to do was rest and chat I became curious, I still hadn't met Esmes husband.
"How did you meet Rick?"
"He was introduced to us by Carlisle's friend Alistair, he's a lovely man Bella, so kind and thoughtful. Carlisle spent so much time away from home I sometimes wondered if he preferred being apart from me and now I know. I guess I don't blame him any longer, he thought changing me was the right thing to do. He really thought the feelings he held for me were love but he was denying his true feelings. Carlisle struggled against his true nature for so long and that's sad. He and Edward were always meant for each other, they were just too afraid to admit it. I understand he helped you when Jake attacked Harry."
"Yes and I'd like to invite them both to the wedding but only if you are comfortable with it."
"Bella its your special day, you invite who you like, I wouldn't dream of objecting but there is something I wanted to ask you."
"OK, its your turn I guess."
"Why Alice?"
"Sorry?"
"I know how much you dislike my daughter and I think she acted wrongly although I'm not sure her motives were as black as everyone thinks."
"Alice was prepared to let Jasper spend eternity in misery and I will never forgive her for that Esme but she is family and like you I'm prepared to let bygones be bygones."
Esme studied me for a moment then smiled wryly,
"Why is it I don't entirely believe you Bella? You're up to something."
"Me?"
I tried to sound surprised but she just shook her head,
"Very well Bella but remember this, Alice has been around a long time, she isn't a fool."
"I know but lets just say I have right on my side"
"Plus the Whitlocks and other assorted friends like Garrett and Darius."
I didn't bother to argue with her, what was the point? Besides which it meant I had a buffer for when Renee arrived which was going to be any time now. Apparently she hadn't been at all impressed when Charlie rang to tell her we'd brought the wedding forward. Of course her first question was, are you sure Bella isn't pregnant? And the second which hurt a lot more was is she worried this guy might change his mind about taking on someone like her? I daren't tell anyone about that and I hoped Charlie would realise to keep it to himself too.
I missed Jasper and the others, especially Charlotte who had become close as a sister to me, but I understood they wanted me to rest and,
"Its going to be a lovely surprise for you Bella so stop moaning or else."
"Or else what Charlotte?"
"I'll send Peter to pick up your mother."
That was enough to silence me, the thought of the damage Peter could cause with my mother was frightening.
"OK, you win but can I at least see Jasper?"
"He's on his way over, they couldn't keep him away any longer but this is the last time before the wedding. Then you'll have to make do with memories and phone calls, understood?"
I hardly heard her, I was thrilled at the thought I would be seeing Jasper soon and Esme understanding we would like a little while to ourselves decided to go over to the ranch and see if there was anything she could do.
"Your mum has promised to ring as soon as her flight lands and I'll pick her up and bring her to the hotel so just enjoy yourself for a few hours."
"Thanks Esme"
"Its OK I remember what its like to be in love and desperate for time with your mate."
As soon as Jasper arrived she left and I threw myself into his arms,
"I missed you."
"I missed you too darlin'. I'm not sure I can keep away another three days"
"Then don't. Stay here with me, I feel so much better when you're here"
He lifted me into his arms kissing me passionately and carried me straight to the bedroom. Within minutes we were both naked and I touched him greedily as he kissed my throat and I pulled his face closer to mine, my fingers tangled in his hair.
"Make love to me Jasper, please"
As he pulled his head back I saw his eyes were dark with desire and soon we were wrapped in each other, the sheets a tangled heap on the floor and I cried out in ecstasy as he entered me eager to pull him deep within. The next hour was wonderful as he played my body like a musical instrument taking me to heights I never knew existed and my headache and all my worries simply melted away with his touch.
I lay in his arms my eyes closed and a satisfied smile on my lips when we heard a sound at the door, an insistent knocking.
"Did Esme say she'd be back so soon?"
I shook my head,
"Stay here, I'll see who it is"
I watched as Jasper pulled on his pants and shirt as he disappeared through the bedroom door then I heard the outer door open and a voice I recognised. I groaned getting up as quickly as I could and limping into the bathroom where I grabbed a robe, and tying it with fumbling fingers I went to greet my mother who shouldn't even be here yet.
She stood looking at Jasper and it was patently obvious what we'd been doing from the state of his clothes and hair.
"Hi mum, I thought you were going to ring Esme from the airport. I didn't expect you yet."
"So it would appear. I thought I'd surprise you and it seems I have."
She looked critically at Jasper then turned blazing eyes on me again,
"Does your future husband know what you're doing while he arranges a surprise wedding for you? If you were going to be unfaithful I'd have thought you could do better than a bell boy."
My cheeks flamed red with anger which she took for embarrassment.
"Yes you should be ashamed of yourself young lady. I spoke to Alice earlier and she told me her brother was busy making sure your wedding day would be something wonderful but she was afraid you might be up to something while her mother was away helping and it seems she was right."
Jasper burst out laughing and I couldn't suppress a grin myself,
"Mum this is Jasper. Alice set you up"
Renee looked furious then glanced at Jasper again,
"I don't think I like your family's sense of humour and what are you doing here? Bella is supposed to be resting, you're so worried about her health yet here you are rolling around like a couple of rutting deer."
The laughter stopped as suddenly as it had started and I could see Jasper was getting angry so I took his arm,
"Let me handle this, you go and I'll speak to you later. Love you"
He wasn't happy but he nodded and collected the rest of his things leaving without another word to Renee. Once he was gone I rounded on my mother angrily,
"How dare you speak like that to Jasper"
"It seems to me that someone needs to speak up. You could have waited until the wedding. You know this will only get your blood pressure up and we all know what will lead to don't we? If you don't look after yourself you wont live long enough to get married. What I don't understand is why you're bothering at all, the doctors told you how long you had to live and how careful you needed to be. We all tiptoed around you, gave you your own way and why? Because we cared and what for? So you could screw yourself to death?"
I couldn't believe the words I was hearing and just stared at her in shock.
