Chapter Fifty
Jasper
I had an uneasy feeling so when my phone went I grabbed it straight away.
"Bella what's wrong darlin'?"
"It's not Bella its Jake. Jacob Black."
"Jacob? What the hell are you doing with Bella's phone. Is she OK?"
"No, I've put her to bed, I think she might be losing the baby. I've done what I can but you should get back here quickly. Do you want me to contact anyone?"
"No, I'll be there as soon as a can. How's Sky?"
"She's fine, asleep at the moment and don't worry I'll keep an eye on her."
"Thanks, I'll be a few hours."
"Don't worry I'm not going anywhere."
I put my phone down too worried to ask him anything else. Bella hadn't told me she was pregnant, maybe she wasn't sure or she didn't want to tempt fate but I prayed to every one of the Gods to keep her safe and the baby too if possible but Bella first. I ran as I'd never run before, the countryside going by in a blur, and cursing I'd come so far. I considered ringing Charlotte but she was even further away so I just concentrated on getting home. As it was the sun was rising over the house when it came in sight and I crashed through the front door to find Sky and Ben on the floor with Jake playing a card game. He got up when he saw me,
"Sorry, I thought it would be best to keep your daughter occupied. I gave her some cereal, I hope that was OK."
"Fine. Bella?"
"She's still asleep upstairs"
I ran up the stairs frightening Sky who started to cry but then I heard Jake speaking to her gently and she went quiet.
In our room Bella lay curled up hugging my pillow her face pale and peaceful. Kneeling beside her I touched her face, relieved she didn't have a fever and her eyes flickered open.
"No more of that disgusting brew please Jake."
When her eyes focused she cried my name and threw her arms around me.
"Jasper, I'm so glad you're back. I'm sorry I didn't tell you but I was scared it would be tempting fate. I really thought I was going to lose the baby but the disgusting drink Jake gave me stopped it. Thank God he was here."
I smoothed her hair and kissed her forehead as Jake came in with a mug containing something that smelled frankly disgusting, I could see Bella's point!.
"Time for your medicine Bella. Its working so stop pulling faces and drink."
He handed her the mug and nodded at me,
"So far so good. I rang a friend and don't worry, I didn't give any details. She told me Bella has to keep taking this herb every four hours for three days. Hopefully that will be enough. If not we can repeat the process. It smells bloody awful so I can only guess what it tastes like!"
"Thank you Jacob, for everything. I'm sorry I frightened Sky but I'm grateful you calmed her for me."
"No problem, and Ben and I are getting along fine since he bit me."
"Ben bit you?"
"Yeah I think he wanted to prove he wasn't afraid of the big bad wolf."
I was so relieved I just nodded and went back downstairs to apologise to my daughter for scaring her.
"Daddy."
She held out a picture to me,
"Jake, wolf man"
"Scary isn't it? I think she sees more than the average kid. She's a real sweetie."
"Yes, she's intelligent and beautiful just like her mother."
"She's gonna be OK you know. Our medicine may seem a little archaic to you but its working"
"Jake you have my gratitude but what exactly are you doing here?"
"I left the tribe and the pack. They didn't like the fact I kept insisting that Bella was still alive. I didn't believe that Victoria could have stolen Bella and killed her and dispose of the body so no one, not vampire or the wolves could find it and get killed by the pack in a matter of hours. I left, branched out on my own and I've been wandering ever since, just following my instincts I guess. I'd been travelling this area in wolf form when I came across her scent and I knew I'd been right. I met up with Bella and Sky at the creek and joined them. They were on their way home when Bella tripped. I guess that must have started it. I noticed the plant growing wild as I took Sky and Ben back to the house. My Grandmother was a...wise woman... and I guess some of what she told us sunk in."
"I'm very glad it did"
"Me too, so I decided what the hell, Bella was still human so it should work. When I contacted another girl I knew, not from our tribe I hasten to add, she told me what to do about doses so I thought I'd try. Why is she still human? I'd have thought you'd have changed her by now. She said it wasn't you who snatched her by the way."
"It wasn't but we've been together a while now. Bella hadn't wanted me to change her and now I think I know why. She wanted to give me a child"
"Another one you mean"
I explained a little, just enough and he nodded,
"Yeah that sounds like Bella. So are you going to change her?"
"As soon as she asks me Jake, but this pregnancy delays it a while. She won't give up this baby."
"No, that's Bella, ever the martyr. Well I guess its down to us then."
"Us?"
"Yeah, me Medicine Man, you Expectant Father. It isn't quite how I imagined finding Bella again but hey, its different!"
Bella
I was so relieved that Jasper was back and I'd held on to the baby, I don't think I could have coped with losing Jasper's child. We both had a lot to thank Jake for and somehow it seemed quite normal seeing him around, talking to Jazz out in the paddock or playing with Sky when I had my nap. We had explained to her about the baby and she seemed to understand although she made it quite clear that she wasn't sharing Ben with any new baby! She clung to me these days and when I slept she and Ben would curl up beside me until I woke again. She still had lessons with Jazz and I but they were supplemented by nature walks with Ben and Jake who would phase to wolf form in the forest and lead her to secret grotto's and caves which she delighted in taking Jazz to see later. Finally she was able to walk without her walker although on her nature rambles she often rode Jakes back holding on to his fur with Ben trotting beside them. I couldn't manage the walk these days, this baby seemed even more eager to grow fast and make an appearance and when I rang Rose to ask for her help again she was thrilled.
When she arrived with Emmett she told us that Faith had been making noises about leaving the Cullens as it was obvious Edward wasn't coming back. Carlisle and Esme had been hunting for him and asking for help from all the friends they could reach but with no results. I knew without being told that Garrett and Peter were responsible for his permanent disappearance and I know Rose and Emmett suspected the same but they never mentioned it. It turned out that the heartbroken Faith was hinting that she needed money to live and that as she and Edward were almost engaged, she wore his ring anyway, his money and possessions were hers. I wondered how Esme and Carlisle would respond to that!
" I think Carlisle would hand it all over, he suspects the truth, but Esme is adamant that all Edwards things stay at the house for when he returns and its getting pretty tense so we were happy to get away. They think we've taken off for Europe again, another honeymoon!"
Emmett waggled his eyebrows and picked Sky up which thrilled her, she loved her bear of an Uncle,
"This is much more fun, flying Sky."
