Chapter Fifty Four
Jasper
I could hardly believe it when I heard Bella's heart stutter and finally stop, and her chest fell for the final time. I had lost her and I had no idea how I would survive this, or even if I wanted to. I heard the door at the back of the ambulance open and a new scent wafted in, was this Cleo? If so she was too late, just minutes too late to stop my world from imploding. I heard myself cry out in pain as I felt the emptiness where Bella had been only minutes before and then felt a hand on my cheek but I knew it was the stranger and heard a quiet voice in my ear,
"Let me in Jasper."
I shook my head, I couldn't or the pain I was feeling would escape and I would not be able to stop myself from screaming.
"Trust me Jasper, please."
Carlisle
I felt sick, Bella was gone and the small sounds of grief I could hear were those of a soul in torment, a man who had lost his mate and one who wasn't going to recover from the pain. Jasper was the strongest man I had ever met, if not he couldn't have survived Maria but losing the girl he loved was a blow too much.
"I think perhaps we should try to get Jasper out of there Darius. Will you help me?"
Darius, the one man who could understand the agony Jasper was going through nodded,
"Sure Carlisle but it won't be easy. We could be in for a fight. Its a shame Emmett isn't here to help."
"Let me talk to him please."
Rose was staring pityingly at the ambulance. "It might be easier coming from me."
I wasn't at all sure but Darius agreed so Rose, after a last worried look at Charlotte approached the back of the ambulance just as Cleo appeared looking sombre.
Rose
I had no idea what to say to my brother but I had to try something, I couldn't bear to hear the agony he was in or see Carlisle and Darius try to remove Bella's body from his embrace. I passed the girl who shook her head sadly,
"I tried but I think I was just a little too late. I thought I might be able to call her back but heard nothing I am so sorry."
I nodded and joined Jazz in the ambulance still cuddling Bella's limp body. He looked up as if ready for a fight then saw me,
"She isn't gone Rose she can't be."
"I think she may be Jazz and if so she wouldn't want you sitting in here now would she?"
"I can't leave her, what will I do? Where do I go Rose?"
"I don't know Jazz but we're all here for you, there has to be a way through, Bella would want that for you. Remember she said she would always keep you safe, that no one would ever hurt you again?"
He nodded a ghost of a smile on his lips,
"Yes the first time I met her she said that and she did keep me from harm despite the way everyone treated her."
"Yes, me included, and I regret I'll never be able to apologize properly to her but I'm sure wherever shes gone that she knows."
He shook his head and I saw his eyes shining with grief as he held her close whispering her name over and over as if he could call her back.
"Bella, Bella, you promised me Bella."
Carlisle
Rose was saying all the right things but I didn't think he was really listening to her and decided that one way or another we had to get Bella's body on the Volturi jet before anyone from the airport came over to find out what was going on with the ambulance.
"Carlisle."
I turned to Darius,
"I think we may have a problem, the airport had just shut down until the blizzard passes over and I just heard chat on the radio. Security are coming to find out why an ambulance has been parked here so long. We need to get Bella's body out of there now."
I nodded and followed him to the back door of the vehicle opening it slowly to see Jasper still holding Bella in his arms,
"Son the authorities are on their way, we need to move Bella, they can't see her."
I put my hands out to take her from him but he snarled low in his chest and I took them back quickly.
"OK Major, you move her then. Esme has just turned up with Garrett in a car, take Bella and get out of here, back to the motel. We'll sort things out from there but go now."
Jasper
I knew everyone was trying to help, to keep me safe but I couldn't think of anything but Bella. Knowing I had to move or risk a fight or discovery I climbed out and ran to the car with her sliding in the back and wiping the snow from her face gently. Then I bent down and kissed her lips as the engine started and we drove quickly from the terminal towards the city itself. Esme looked at me in the mirror but didn't say anything and Garrett was busy watching our back. It was a few seconds before it registered but there it was, a whisper of the feeling inside my head, the same feather light touch I felt when I opened my mind to Bella to try saving her. I concentrated on it and slowly felt it building until I heard a gasp and looking down I saw Bella's lips open slightly and her chest rising and falling almost imperceptibly.
"Bella?"
I startled Esme who almost drove us off the road and pulled off the side of the highway turning to look at me.
"She's still with us Esme, look."
Although Bella didn't open her eyes or make any sign she had heard my voice it was clear she was breathing and there was a light drumming sound as her heart picked up its beats once more. Somehow she had survived when we thought her dead. She was coming back to me and I could cope with anything provided I had her at my side.
Carlisle
I was busy talking to the airport security who were just glad of something to do now the airport was closed. They were perfectly happy to see my patient, a deathly pale Rosalie and once they saw the paperwork was in order they went on their way and I heard Darius,
"You have got to be joking Garrett. Of course I'll tell him. We'll be there soon."
He turned to me smiling broadly,
"You're not going to believe this but Bella's heart just started beating again and she's breathing. They want you to get to the motel as quickly as you can."
"I'm on my way Darius and thank you for all your help, especially the paperwork for the security men."
He smiled again thinking of the forged paperwork with the thick wad of hundred dollar bills he had handed the two security men.
"Only paying my debts to Bella and The Major Carlisle. You go and I'll arrange for the ambulance to return to its rightful owners. Charlotte, Rose. and I will catch up with you but I think you'll have passengers."
I turned to see Aro and a newly returned Avon walking hurriedly over to me,
"I don't have any transport."
"Sure you do Carlisle, here."
Darius threw me a set of keys,
"Belongs to the original helicopter pilot but I'll make sure he gets it back later."
The three of us got in and I drove, feeling somewhat elated by the good news, to the motel the others had settled in to wait for us.
