Chapter Fifty

Bella

We left at daybreak the next morning in the SUV Peter and Garrett had bought with its darkly tinted windows. The camping gear was packed in the trunk and Peter and Emmett tossed for driving privileges, Emmett winning so Peter rode shotgun while Charlotte sat up front with them to keep order while Rose and Garrett joined Jazz and I in the back. I hadn't slept much because I was so happy to be engaged I hadn't got to bed at all, instead dozing in Jaspers arms on the couch while the others were arguing about the best route to Death Valley. Well I guess if you're going somewhere sunny that's as good a place as any! The heat wouldn't bother any of them but I knew I would struggle, hopefully not for too long though. I heard an Inn mentioned so I'd get a chance to sleep for at least one night in a real bed before my torment began. Although none of the others needed comfort breaks they were more than happy to stop for me, disappearing on mysterious errands while Jazz accompanied me to a café for a meal. The trunk of the SUV seemed to be filling up too and although I questioned Charlotte all she did was to smile and pretend she had no idea what was going on and I was sure I'd find out soon enough. The trip was fun in itself with Peter and Emmett taking turns as tour guides, I'd never laughed so much in my life, they made a joke of everything. We didn't stop but drove straight through so I slept on Jaspers lap and used the showers at some of the truck stops we used.

Jasper

Rose had made the reservation and the arrangements at the Inn at Furnace Creek so when we pulled up there just as dusk was falling the scene was spectacular and I heard Bella gasp.

"It's so beautiful."

Charlotte and Rose dragged her from the back of the SUV and bundled her into the Inn and booked us all in while we grabbed what we needed from the trunk and carried it up, Garrett staying behind to make sure everything was ready for us. I dropped Bella's surprise outside her door for the girls to retrieve while I went to shower and change in the guys room. I just hoped Bella would be happy with the arrangements we had made for her.

"Chill Major it's all under control, you've got an hour."

"I am chilled Peter."

"Really? You don't look it."

"Peter, any more from you and I'm gonna ask Emmett to sit on you until it's all over."

"Oh...touchy...see I told you to chill"

He slipped out before I could grab him but I promised myself I would get my own back sooner or later.

Bella

I wanted to go out and explore but Charlotte suggested I looked dusty so I took a shower first and when I came out I found them waiting with a dress I'd never seen before. It was knee-length and cream with pearl buttons running up the front.

"Why are you holding that? I can hardly go for a walk dressed like a catwalk model."

"Jazz wants to take you for a meal this evening and the restaurant here is very up market so stop moaning and get dressed."

I felt uncomfortable and awkward although the girls continued to praise me as they magicked up a pair of low heeled cream pumps and Rose insisted on making me up.

"The meal had better be something very special after all this" I warned.

They looked at each other, grinned, and almost pulled me out of the room and down the stairs but as soon as we got to the bottom I knew something was up because Jazz was nowhere to be seen.

"If he's taking me to dinner where is he?"

"Probably checking the reservation, come on."

Jasper

I stood waiting for Bella, more nervous than I had ever been and only Garrett's quiet presence kept me from panicking. As the door opened I saw Bella and watched as she finally understood what was going on. The small room was decorated with fresh flowers and she saw me standing here as Emmett held out his arm to her,

"May I escort you?"

She swallowed nervously and took his arm as Peter started playing some soft background music on the piano in the corner. As they walked towards us she smiled brightly and when Emmett handed her to me her eyes filled with tears of joy. I could feel her excitement and happiness spilling over and warming me too as it mixed with my own. I hardly heard the ministers words and Garrett had to nudge me to speak my vows but I heard so clearly Bella's vows to me and a sense of relief and satisfaction filled me. Bella was mine for eternity, my partner, my wife, and no one would ever be able to part us.

Bella

After the ceremony everyone came to congratulate us and apologise for springing the surprise on me but I was too emotional to say very much, I just held Jaspers hand tightly as my stomach rolled over and over with the nerves that were now beginning to fade away.

"Are you happy Mrs Whitlock?"

I thought about that, Mrs Whitlock.

"You know Jasper that's the first name that is truly mine. I had no real surname before, I wondered was I Harris or Swan or even Cullen...but I guess that wasn't Edwards real name either was it?"

"No, he was born Edward Mason."

"See what I mean? Whitlock is really mine and no one can take it away from me."

"Well Mrs Whitlock, allow me to escort you to dinner."

Jasper walked with me into the restaurant while the others made their apologies and melted away to arrange their own meals. I was surprised when Jasper ordered a bottle of wine and two meals,

"You don't have to do this, I can eat alone"

He shook his head,

"It won't kill me and its our first and probably last meal together while you are still human."

The food was excellent and I helped Jazz out by eating some of his too while he spent most of his time appearing to eat while moving the food around but he did drink a glass of wine toasting,

"My beautiful bride".

The couple at the next table who had sat down shortly after us offered to take some photographs which they promised to leave them at reception for us on a memory stick. The wife exclaimed,

"It's so nice to see a young couple actually getting married. I thought it was old-fashioned these days."

"I'm an old-fashioned guy ma'am"

Jaspers words were far truer than she would ever know!

Jasper

After dinner we walked up the stairs to our room and I lifted Bella up to carry her over the threshold as she lay her head on my shoulder.

"Jazz, I've never been so happy in my whole life. Thank you for this but also for finding me and saving me from Carlisle and Edward. I'd be dead if not for you and the others. I owe you all a big debt of gratitude that I can never repay."

"Oh I wouldn't say that Bella."

I froze, Bella still in my arms, as I recognised the voice from the bedroom of our suite and felt her shudder in revulsion.