Chapter Twenty Four

Jasper

I was proud of the way Bella had handled Edward but I didn't doubt that he would try to cause problems. Edward didn't like to lose face and being discovered as a liar must have really hurt. I wasn't sure that he really believed that the little girl he had seen was indeed his child but even the possibility that she might be would be enough to force his hand. Luckily Bella had a copy of his own admission that she couldn't possibly be. He had ruined any real chance he had of claiming her and that was a relief. I was quite willing to kill Edward if that's what it took to keep Megan and Bella safe but it wasn't something I particularly looked forward to.

Bella drove back to the hotel while I called Jenks on his private line. I knew he would recognize my number and answer. He was too afraid of me not to and in this case that was most definitely a plus.

"Mr Jasper. It's been a long time. How can I help you?"

"You'll be representing Mrs Bella Cullen in divorce proceedings against her husband Edward Cullen."

"I'm sorry? Oh, I'm not sure I can do that. It would be a flagrant conflict of interest. You are aware that I work for the family, Mr Jasper."

"Of course, but this time you will be representing Bella. Oh, and Edward Cullen might attempt to gain access to a child. A little girl, Mrs Cullen's little girl. Make sure to stress to him that this is not possible and that if he insists on pushing the matter it will go bad for him.

I want you to arrange and fax over divorce papers tonight citing irreconcilable differences as the reason. If you receive a counterclaim and especially if there is any mention of adultery I want to know immediately. Mrs Cullen is the injured party here and I will not have her name dragged through the mud. Do you understand?"

"Of...Of course, but the courts are closed until after the new means it would be impossible to file the petition until then. Besides, I'm not sure I can accomplish what you want so fast."

I was tempted to tell him that of course, he could but it was true that it would be impossible even under threats.

"Very well. I want the paperwork first thing in the morning. Any questions you have, you can call me and I will get Mrs Cullen on the phone. That case gets filed as soon as the courts open, no excuses."

"Very well Mr Jasper. I'll be in touch but I will need a fax number."

"And you'll have one by the time you are ready to send the paperwork."

Bella was still tense when we arrived back at the hotel but on seeing Megan that soon drained away and when her daughter ran to her squealing in delight she became more relaxed and happy than I had ever seen her.

"Mommy, poppa, you're late. You said you wouldn't be gone long and now it's too late to go to the movies."

"I know and we're really sorry sweetheart but poppa and I thought maybe you would like to stay an extra day? That way we can go to the movies tomorrow."

"Yeah! Can we really? Great."

I left the two girls to chatter and followed Mary out handing her coat to her and opening the door.

"If we need someone in the next few days would you be available?"

"Of course, you're my only client until I hear otherwise. Besides Megan is such a delightful child. It's a pleasure to be in her company."

I thanked her and she left. So, Darius had put Mary at our disposal for as long as we needed her. I wondered how the two were acquainted but I knew better than to ask. Darius would tell me what I needed to know, no more, no less.

I called his number, listening in as Megan told Bella about her trip to the park. She was such an easy child, a trip to the park delighted her as much as a box of toys. Everything was a delight to her.

"Major. What can I do for you?"

"I take it that you know what happened this evening?"

"You mean Edward being handed his ass? Yes, and I was impressed. She was actually doing very well although I understand why you intervened. So, you're using Jenks? I'm assuming that's just to upset Edward even more?"

"You could say that."

"I did, and I love it. I take it you want me to find out what Edward is up to? Already on it, Major."

"And?"

"I listened in to one very heated exchange. Edward got through to Jenks just after you did and he was mighty pissed at finding he was too late. My guess is that he'll run to daddy for help next but Jenks knows better than to blow you off so I'm guessing that Doctor Death will steer him in the direction of Caswell."

"Is he any good?"

"She's actually pretty good yes, from all accounts. Don't worry, I've already got a spy in her office computer so as soon as she takes the case I'll know everything she does,"

"Thanks."

"You're welcome. Oh, just one more thing. I had a call from your friend Whitlock. It seems Garrett tried to contact you through them. He's mighty upset that you haven't been in touch. If I were a gambling man, which I'm not. I'd say you'll be hearing from him soon. Just a heads up. I'm looking forward to seeing his reaction when he discovers you have a small child in your charge."

"Great. That's all I need right now. Well, I guess I should thank you once more. You'll have to let me know what I owe you when all of this is over."

"I can tell you now. Be on call if I hear that Caius Volturi pokes his head above the parapet."

"You got it."

Even after all these centuries, Darius' cold rage burned as bright as ever. If he ever got his hands on the man responsible for his wife's death there would be no corner of hell deep enough for Caius. He would suffer the torments of the damned and if I could help him in any way then I would.

Back in our suite, I found Megan and Bella sitting together on the floor, their heads almost touching and busy colouring. It was a beautiful intimate moment and I was loath to interrupt but Megan looked up and beamed.

"Join us, poppa. We're colouring. Mary bought me this book, it's full of pictures of animals. Mommy chose a bear and I'm colouring in a tiger. You choose one."

I smiled and joined them feeling great to be involved and wondering just how long this would continue. Once Bella had her divorce and Megan was safe from Edward's interference she would no doubt think about starting afresh and I doubted I would play a big role in that. After all, I had no claim on either of them except for the bonds that my saving Megan provided and I didn't want thanks or gratitude for doing the right thing.

Edward

That fucking bitch! How dare she hire Jenks to represent her? He was the Cullen family lawyer and he refused to help me. I'd show him a conflict of interest, I'd rip his liver out!

I didn't know where else to go so I turned to Carlisle for help. He may be mad at me but he would never refuse a plea for help, not from me.

It wasn't as easy as I could have hoped for, he was still disapproving of the way I had handled Bella but he did understand that I needed professional help and was slightly put out that Bella had asked for Jenks.

"I doubt it was her idea. Jasper put her up to it."

Of course, I then had to explain Jasper's part in all this.

"Let me get this right, Edward. Jasper is claiming to have saved the baby and brought it up by himself?"

"Yes, and now he's introduced this girl to Bella as her own and she is so gullible that she believes him."

There was a long uncomfortable pause and then came the question I had felt coming.

"Edward, are you absolutely sure that Jasper is lying?"

"Of course I am. What are you implying? That the creature was alive when I left it? That Hale just happened to appear at that moment, fought off Jacob Black and kidnapped it? I'd love to know what possible reason he might have had to do that. Any idea?"

"I'll be perfectly honest with you Edward. I should have said this a long time ago but with everything that was going on, I never found the right time. None of us could understand how the child's body just vanished like that. Besides, we were all guilty of putting terrible pressure on Bella to terminate her pregnancy, all fueled by paranoia. I never stopped to think that, whatever the outcome, to her it was a baby and she loved it. The truth of that is readily apparent when you think of the suffering she experienced when she woke to discover she had lost her child and had nothing and nowhere to go to mourn. Are you absolutely certain that the child was dead? Don't forget you were under terrible pressure, Bella was dying. Could you have been so distracted that you made an error?"

I opened my mouth to say no, that I wasn't sure. It would have gotten me off the hook with the family but then I remembered what I had already told Bella. I could hardly have mistaken a deformed boy's body for a girl who was so clearly perfect.

Then again, it would be her word against mine and she was clearly mentally unstable

"I suppose it's possible, Carlisle but I would never have abandoned the child if I had even the faintest inkling that it still lived."

"So, what will you do? If Bella is so set on a divorce. You can hardly bring out all the details in a human court of law."

"It won't come to that, Carlisle. I'll go through the motions. File for divorce but I'll offer Bella a settlement out of court."

"Do you think she would be willing to settle?"

"If she doesn't, then I'll go for full custody of the kid."

"I beg your pardon? Why would you do that knowing the child is not yours? Wouldn't that just make matters worse?"

"You don't get it do you, Carlisle? If she thinks I'm going to let her walk away after all I've been through then she's sadly mistaken. I refuse to be seen as a fool. If she insists the child is hers then by inference it is mine too and there is no way I would allow her to ride off into the sunset playing happy families with Hale and the kid."

"Allow me to offer you a little advice, Edward. Please be careful. If you attack Bella she is likely to attack back and remember who she has standing at her side. Wouldn't it be better to just let her go? If she chooses to accept this little girl as her child then why not let her? It can hardly do any harm and maybe the saving of her. Start over Edward. Forget Bella and start over."

He still didn't get it, did he? I'd be a laughing stock if Bella got her way and left me. Everyone knew the trials I had been through in order to keep her. The way I had even tried to commit suicide when I thought she was dead. How would it look if she just walked out on me straight into the arms of Jasper Hale? I would never be able to hold my head up again.

"Thank you for your advice Carlisle, I'll think about it. In the meantime, do you have any suggestions for a lawyer?"

"There is one I can think of. We've used her in the past and she has always acted very professionally."

"Good. So, are you coming back?"

"Back? No, I don't think so, Edward. I think Esme and I should distance ourselves from this affair. This is between you and Bella."

I could hardly believe what I was hearing.

"You're going to leave me to face this alone? What about a little support? Any father would stand by his son in this kind of situation. I thought I could rely on you."

"Then I'm sorry to disappoint you. I think we have acted foolishly enough in this business and none of us wants Bella to see us continuing to do so."

I was speechless with anger and cut him off abruptly. So, the family were on Bella's side were they? Well, I didn't need them. I was perfectly capable of sorting this mess out on my own. To hell with Carlisle and Esme. Especially Esme as I could sense her behind Carlisle's attitude. She had always resented my relationship with Carlisle but I never expected him to side with her against me.

I picked up the phone again, this time to call the lawyer before realizing that no offices would be open at this time of day, especially not over the Christmas period. Still, it would give me a chance to calm down and think more rationally, I needed to be clever here if I was going to stop Bella making a fool of me and that I must do at all cost.