Chapter Twenty Seven

Bella

When I came back downstairs the three friends were sitting together chatting away and I stopped for a moment to take in this all too normal scene. Somehow Jasper seemed more relaxed here. This was home and these people were his family. He and Peter even looked like brothers although Peter was dark where Jasper was fair and Jasper was taller.

They knew I was there thanks to their vampire super senses but ignored me which was a relief. It appeared I was being given space to decide how and when to join them.

Then Jasper turned his head and smiled at me, "Join us, Bella. I was just telling Peter and Charlotte about Edward's wife."

Peter snorted, "She must need her brain cells zapping if she married that asshole." He turned to me in mock horror, "Sorry, I meant that fool."

I grinned, "No, you were right the first time although I think he's met his match with Sasha."

"Yeah, she sounds like a real piece of work. By the way, how's the crazy goblin girl?"

Jasper rolled his eyes turning back to me, "Peter is referring to Alice. I haven't seen her since she left."

"You had a lucky escape there, Major. Now if anyone has the crazy bug it's that girl."

Charlotte grinned, "You may have twigged that Peter and Alice didn't get on, Bella."

"Oh, right. I liked Alice. We were friends although I'm not sure how she'd feel if she knew I was engaged to Jasper."

"Alice would be happy for you, I'm sure. And the reason she and my husband didn't get on is that he was always taking the mickey out of her."

Peter tried to look shocked, "I did not. Just because she was offended when I called her Mystic Meg. And how was I to know that she'd spent time in an asylum? Anyway, she is bat shit crazy that girl."

"Enough Peter. Let's talk about something else shall we?"

He shrugged and turned to me, "So, what do you plan on doing once you and the Major tie the knot? Are you gonna go for a big white wedding with everyone in fucking tails like a colony of penguins? I remember your wedding to crazy girl. I've never seen so much lace in my life. She looked like the fucking cake! All icing and roses."

Charlotte jumped in, "I think it's a little early to be making plans. They only got engaged a few days ago, Peter."

He sighed and threw himself back in his chair, "Tell you what. You give me a list of topics I can bring up. That way I won't get glared at every time I open my fucking mouth."

I decided to come to his rescue, "Actually Peter, ignore the scowls. I'd rather get to know the real you."

Peter's face lit up and he looked almost angelic. "See folks. You've all been worrying unnecessarily. Bella's not made of spun glass. She's not gonna break if I utter the odd swear word."

Charlotte and Jasper both burst out laughing, "The odd swear word? Don't you mean the odd word among the cussing, my love?"

"Listen, I tell it as I see it. If that offends, too fucking bad."

Jasper pulled me down onto his lap and sighed, "Sorry Bella. We've tried housebreaking him but it's proved nigh on impossible."

"I don't care. I like him just the way he is. And let's be fair. It is Peter's home, he shouldn't have to put on airs and graces for any visitor."

Peter beamed, "See! What have I been telling you? Bella, I like you. Now, if you could just help me remove the brooms these two have stuffed up their butts we'll get along just fine."

That was it, the ice was broken and I found myself laughing so much I thought that my ribs would probably never heal.

By the time I finally gave in and admitted I was tired it was well after midnight. I went upstairs with Jasper, feeling a little self-conscious. I mean we were engaged I know but I'd only just met these friends of his and I was in a strange environment.

I'd already put my clothes away in the dresser and closet so I just grabbed the sweats that I usually wore in bed and made for the bathroom.

"Are you OK? You look pale?"

"I'm just tired, Jasper. It's been a long day. I like your friends. They've made me feel right at home."

"I told you they were good people. Even Peter, although you seem to have tamed him a little. I don't think I've ever heard him string more than two sentences together without cussing before."

I shrugged, "It's just him. I've gotten used to it now. Underneath it all, there's a good heart."

Jasper smiled, "I'm glad you see that. I'll be up soon. I just want to fill them in on what's happening. I didn't want to discuss it in front of you. You are supposed to be resting and relaxing."

I nodded, "Thank you. It was nice to forget about the bad stuff for a little while. I just can't understand how anyone could hate me so much."

He wrapped his arms around me and held me close, "Don't think about it for now. I'm sure Carlisle and the others will have it all figured out very quickly."

"I just hope they've sorted out whoever it is before we go back."

He glanced down at me, "Oh why?"

"Because I know you'll kill the culprit if they don't. And don't bother denying it. I saw it in your eyes. It's humbling to know that you love me so much."

"Bella. You are my world. I would do anything to keep you safe and happy. And yes, I would kill for you."

I sighed, "I know.", I yawned, "I'm sorry, I'm shattered."

"Go on before you fall asleep on your feet. Don't worry about staying awake for me. I'll be here when you wake up, I promise."

Jasper

Bella was dead on her feet but she wasn't stressed out anymore and that was was right of course. If Carlisle hadn't sorted the scumbag out by the time we got back then I would, once and for all. No one was going to hurt my mate and get away with it.

I waited until she was in the bathroom before I went back downstairs where Peter and Charlotte were waiting to find out what was going on. I'd given them the bare bones on the phone but now I explained everything in detail.

"Poor Bella. How awful. You're sure this isn't a vampire, Major?"

"Yes, Charlotte. It's not the kind of thing a vampire would do. Victoria wanted Bella dead. The fires were set when Bella wasn't even at the gallery or her apartment. This smells of human vindictiveness."

"The Major's right. So is it the guy Bella dumped for you?"

I shook my head, "I don't think so. He was an idiot who tried to control Bella but I don't think he's the kind to set fire to things. You saw enough of him. What do you think?"

Peter shrugged and got up stretching lazily, "Maybe not but you can't be sure and I don't see the great Doc Cullen as Sherlock fucking Holmes. You and I should visit the ex, put the fear of God into him and find out for sure. If it's not him he might know who it is."

"No, I promised Bella I wouldn't leave her and I won't break that promise."

Peter shrugged again, "OK. You stay here. I'll bring him to you. Char can come along with me. It'll give you the place to yourselves for a couple of days."

"No. I trust Carlisle. In fact, I'm about to call him and find out what they've discovered."

Peter sneered, "Sherlock fucking Cullen. This is going to be good."

Ignoring Peter I called Carlisle's cell phone relieved when he picked up immediately.

"Jasper? I was about to call you. How is Bella?"

"She's fine. She's sleeping now. What did you find out?"

He explained that Bruce King was the one responsible for the fires.

"Emmett is going through the business accounts as we speak. We're going to tie him in knots financially."

Peter snorted, "Yeah, great idea. The guy incinerates everything Bella owns and almost kills her in an accident and Dr Doom here is going to send him to prison for a couple of years for fiddling his taxes! Fucking hell! Is that the best he can come up with?"

Charlotte dragged him out, "Shut up, Peter."

Carlisle had heard Peter's criticism, "Do you agree with your friend?"

"No. You know what you're doing. Destroying the King business will finish them. Peter doesn't look that far ahead."

"No, he'd rather I killed the family I suppose?"

"He thinks in straight lines, Carlisle."

"Yes. Well, are you happy for us to continue?"

"It's what Bella would want. She won't want any blood on her hands. I'm just glad you found out who was responsible."

"I promised you that we would and while we're doing this you look after Bella."

"You mean keep Peter away? Funnily enough, Bella has already tamed the savage beast."

Peter snorted from the hallway, "Savage beast? Fuck you, Major and you Dr Dickhead."

I heard a crack and knew Charlotte had smacked Peter to shut him up. It would work… For a few minutes maybe!

Carlisle promised to call as soon as they had things worked out and hung up.

"Peter, do you think you can stop insulting people for just a little while? We're doing this Bella's way and she's not a psycho like you."

He came back rubbing the back of his head where Charlotte had hit him.

"Don't call me names, Major. And don't forget, you were glad of this psycho at your side over the years. Living with that fucking Harpie and those weirdo's the Cullens has made you soft. There was a time when we'd be in Phoenix ripping heads off for less than this."

"Yes, and then I came to my senses. The King family is going to pay for what they did to Bella. She won't want their blood on her hands."

Peter glanced up the stairs, "I like her, but if you two get married she's gonna have to become one of us and that, in turn, means blood on her hands. If not human then animal and I wonder how she's gonna feel about munching on a fluffy bunny or a sweet little Bambi. Have you thought about that?"

"Of course I have, so has Bella and she's aware she will have to make sacrifices for us to be together. She's not as soft as you think, Peter."

"I fucking hope not for your sake. So we don't get to slaughter anyone? Shame that. I was looking forward to a little mayhem."

"Peter, you make your own mayhem."

He smiled proudly, "Yeah I do, don't I?"

Bella

I didn't think they were aware that I could hear their conversation through the open window. This room was right above the lounge and Peter's raised voice had woken me up.

He was right of course. Becoming a vampire was inevitable if I wanted to stay with Jasper and that in turn meant killing to survive. I'd accepted the concept but put as bluntly as Peter had it was different. Edward had told me that killing to drink blood was something that came naturally to a vampire. Hunting humans also came naturally and all the Cullens struggled to rein in that instinct, except Carlisle. Somehow he had restrained himself from killing humans. He had always lived on animal blood so it was possible. I could do it, I had to, but I flinched at the vision in my head of hunting down a rabbit or killing a little deer. Then it dawned on me that this was what humans did too. They were no different from vampires except the killing was done remotely by someone else. We still picked up steaks and bacon without a thought for the poor animal that had been sacrificed to enable us to eat it. Maybe it would be better if humans had to kill their own food. There would probably be a lot more vegetarians if they did!

I now knew who was responsible for the fires too. The King family! Did that mean Patrick? I still didn't see him as someone so vindictive that he would stoop so low. But the King family didn't just mean Patrick. Were they talking about Bruce? Magda didn't have the brains although she was spiteful enough to think of such a thing. If it was Bruce then why? Was this mess simply because I broke up with his son?

Thinking about it I came to the terrible conclusion that yes, it was all about Patrick and I breaking up. Bruce would see it as an affront to his family name. He was very proud of the King reputation as one of the most important and affluent families in the city. He would worry that people might find it amusing that the girl his son planned on marrying had dumped him for a stranger. There would be awkward questions and sniggers especially as Bruce had already told friends that Patrick and I were getting married. Like Patrick, he hadn't thought it necessary to get my consent first.

I was so angry. The Kings had destroyed everything I owned. For a few minutes, I agreed with Peter. I wanted to see the Kings dead, then my head cleared.

No, you don't Bella. You want them to suffer and it sounded as if Jasper and Carlisle understood that. I was grateful to the Cullens and especially Jasper for all they had done for me.

If only my mother has been as supportive. I couldn't understand why she should be so pro King. Surely she could understand the concept of love, of not wanting to be taken for granted or pushed around?

I couldn't imagine speaking to her again, what was there left to say? Besides, if I was going to become a vampire I would have to break all contact with her so maybe this rift between us had come at just the right time.