Chapter Thirty One

Bella

For the first time since we arrived at the ranch, I was going out without Jasper by my side. Peter needed his help with some barn repairs and Charlotte asked me if I'd like to go shopping with her in Boulder.

"I thought we could have a girl's day out, but it's entirely up to you."

"Yes, I'd like that. It's been too long since I did anything so frivolous. I was either working in the gallery or with Patrick."

"Oh yes, the was his family like? I never got to see them with you."

I sighed, "At first they were nice. His father Bruce was working most of the time and when he wasn't he wanted to be off doing something with the whole family. Every holiday was planned to within an inch. They never did anything spontaneously. His brother was OK but he was so wrapped up in his partner they rarely talked to me. If they did it was because they'd had a row and wanted me on one side or the other."

Charlotte grinned, "Sounds wonderful. What about his mother?"

"Stepmother actually. We had nothing in common. She would have been great on Hollywood wives."

She wrinkled her nose, "It's just as well that you changed your mind then."

We chatted all the way into Boulder although I found myself doing most of the talking. Charlotte was interested in my family although she seemed upset that my mother hadn't stood up for me when I ended my relationship with Patrick.

"Do I take it she won't be there as mother of the bride when you two get married then?"

I shuddered at the thought. "Most definitely not. I'll miss my dad walking me down the aisle though."

"Yes. I was closer to my father. My mom was a good woman but she was so busy with the younger children she didn't have much time for me."

"You had siblings? That must have been nice. I always wanted a brother or sister."

"I loved my siblings but I was more of a mom to them than a sister. Mom was always pregnant or too tired to watch over all of us."

"How many were there?"

Charlotte smiled, "Six brothers and eight sisters but you have to remember that families were bigger in those days. There were no contraceptives and a lot of infants who died. Three of my brothers died before they were three, two sisters died at birth and one caught diphtheria and died aged seven."

"That's awful. I mean you read about the bad old days but speaking to someone who lived through it makes it so real."

"It was for me but it's all in the past."

I hurriedly changed the subject worried that I had upset her, dragging all the sadness back to the surface.

"What about Peter?"

She smiled, "Peter was an orphan. He never knew his parents. He spent his early life in an orphanage and when the war came along the boys who were old enough to fight were enrolled in the army. He was too young to fight but they took him anyway. He'd survived several battles and been critically injured when the Major found him. Peter knows he would have died if he hadn't been changed. He owes the Major his life."

"So he never had a family? That's sad."

"He wouldn't agree with you. Peter doesn't care for many people. You may have noticed he's a little difficult to get along with. I think he fears becoming close to someone and then being hurt."

I laughed, "I had noticed but I thought it was just me."

"Oh, no. He likes you. Strangers don't usually last very long in our company and he seems to like it that way. The only people he considers family are me and the Major. Oh, and now you."

"I saw how close you all were when I first arrived. Peter and Jasper are like brothers."

"They are in everything but blood. Peter and I care very much about the Major and I'll admit when I first heard about you I wasn't at all sure. Watching you for months at a time I got to know you a little better and I had to ask myself why an intelligent girl like you would get mixed up with two losers like Edward Cullen and Patrick. Despite that, I never thought you might be the one. I guess I should have but it's not easy to think of the Major with anyone after Alice."

"You didn't like Alice?"

"I think it would be more appropriate to say that she didn't like us, well Peter more than me. Those two rubbed each other the wrong way from the moment they set eyes on each other."

"So they didn't visit often?"

"I think they came to stay twice in all the time they were together. He came sometimes when she was off with friends but we didn't see much of him. Having said that, I think Alice was good for him. She introduced him to the Cullens and he learned how to live as a vampire without all the pain."

Shopping with Charlotte was fun because she liked the same kind of stores I did. We spent an hour in a book store and another in a small gallery she knew of.

Then she suggested lunch.

"Are you sure? I can wait or you could go do whatever you want while I grab a bite."

She laughed, "And risk the disapproval of the guys? No, thank you. I'll stick close. You forget I've seen you in action, Bella. If there is any trouble within ten miles it will gravitate towards you."

"Ouch. True!"

We continued to talk over lunch in a small burger place and I discovered one of the reasons Charlotte had asked me along.

"Bella, I'm going to be brutally honest with you. One reason I wanted us to talk alone is so I could give you a warning. Peter and I like you and you make the Major happy which is great. If anyone deserves a little joy in their life it's him. However, and this is said from the heart. If you ever hurt him or break his heart you will have us to contend with, and if you think Victoria was vindictive trust me, you ain't seen nothing yet."

I stared at her then nodded, "I understand and I'm glad he's got friends like you. I promise you I would rather kill myself than hurt Jasper. He gave up everything for me and I can never repay him except with my love. I wouldn't have agreed to marry him if I wasn't sure of my feelings for him."

Charlotte smiled, "Right answer. Well, now we've gotten that out of the way on to happier subjects. Your wedding."

I wasn't sure where she was going with this so I nodded, took a bite of my burger and waited for her to continue.

"I was wondering if the two of you had made any plans yet?"

I shook my head, "Not really. This trouble, the fires, they kinda took over. I'll admit I was a bit of a wreck emotionally after that."

"And you're feeling better now?"

I nodded.

"Good. So can we talk about it? I mean you said you didn't have any female friends and your mom is a no go so I thought maybe I could help."

Smiling, I nodded again, "I would love that. I'll have to include Rose and Esme but I think you are more on my wavelength."

"I'm guessing Esme will be standing in for your mom. I've met her a few times. She's a nice person so I'm sure we'll get along. I don't know Rosalie but hey, she's your sister in law to be and I'm sure she has your best interests at heart."

"Actually, I thought she hated me. It turns out she just thought Edward was wrong for me. I was shocked."

"So, we have that much in common. Sensible girl."

She hesitated as if nervous, then continued, "Well now. I'm going to stick my neck out here and offer to design your wedding gown. And before you gasp in horror I have to say in my own defense that I'm a great seamstress. When I was brought up you made your clothes or went naked."

I laughed, "Well, we wouldn't want that, would we? I'd love it but I have no idea what I want."

"Sure you do. You just haven't given it any thought. We'll sit down together and draw a few possibilities then you can choose your material. I've always wanted to design a wedding gown."

"Then the job is yours. I have no idea what Jasper will want."

"Oh, that's easy. Whatever makes you happy. You could get married at the ranch if you like. Although maybe the Cullens have other ideas."

"I get the feeling they'll be happy if I am, but maybe we could all get together. I should talk to Jasper and we need to sort out the mess the fires left first."

"I wouldn't be surprised if Carlisle and Esme have already done that. From what I hear they were out for blood."

"Yes, but I don't want anyone killed on my behalf."

"Sorry, poor choice of words," Charlotte patted my hand, "they know that. Which is why it's just as well Peter isn't involved. He tends to rip heads off first and ignores the whole questioning first part."

I laughed but I knew she was being honest about her husband. I was glad Jasper was a little more civilized than his friend and then realized that was cruel. Peter wasn't a savage, he just didn't have the empathy or forethought most people did. But then as an orphan brought up without any loving parents and then thrown into war much too young what else could I expect?

I'd forgotten about my injuries as they were more or less healed but when we got back Jasper came over and peered at me closely before turning to Charlotte accusingly.

"You were out too long. Bella's exhausted and her leg is hurting her."

I smiled and stroked his cheek with my hand to soothe his anger.

"I'm fine. Charlotte and I had a wonderful time. Please don't worry. She wouldn't hurt me, even unintentionally. Really."

We waited and his face cleared, "Sorry. I guess I'm still a little overprotective, Bella."

"Don't apologize, I like it, but don't fall out with Charlotte over me. She's the sister I never had."

Suddenly I was scooped up and twirled around fast enough to make my head spin.

"You realize that makes me the brother you never had, Bella? And as your brother, it is in the rules that I have to torment you."

"Peter! Put her down, you'll make her sick."

I heard amusement in Jasper's voice as he replied, "That's fine, Char. I'm sure he'll love it when she vomits all over him."

I was put gingerly down and Peter stepped back, "I'll pass if you don't mind. Are you OK, Bella? You look a little pale."

I staggered a little and Jasper swept me up and carried me into the house, Peter and Charlotte following behind.

"You big oaf. Remember she's a human."

"OK, OK. I get it. I'm sorry. Fuck me, I can't wait until she becomes one of us. She'll be really good fun then."

"Not if she remembers this and decides to attack you as a newborn, Peter."

"Oh, I don't know. It could be fun. A nubile young woman running after me. It's been quite a while since…"

There was a thump and Peter exclaimed loudly, Ouch!"

I smiled through my nausea, it was like belonging to a family. A rather crazy, unpredictable family but a family, nonetheless.

I recovered after a few minutes and Charlotte brought me a drink of water to sip.

Peter peered at me nervously, "You sure you're OK. Bella? Sorry."

"I'm fine, Peter. Really."

He nodded looking relieved and shot a glance at Jasper but seemed to realize he'd gotten away with his transgression.

"I had a call from Carlisle while you were out. They discovered that it was Bruce King who arranged the fires. It seems they have dug up enough dirt on the King business to cause major problems for Bruce. It sounds like Sasha got involved in the mischief too and now his wife is screaming for a divorce. It appears he had a rather expensive mistress."

I wasn't sure how I felt about all this but there was something I needed to know..

"Was Patrick involved?"

"They don't think so."

I nodded relieved to hear it, although the trouble would no doubt ruin him too. It would destroy the family but I couldn't find it in my heart to feel bad about the others.

Jasper didn't leave my side the rest of the day.

"I missed you."

I smiled up at him, my head had been resting on his chest. I was half asleep feeling sated and drowsy.

"I missed you too, but it was nice spending time with Charlotte. I like her."

"So, what did you talk about?"

"Why? Are you worried she was dishing the dirt on you?"

"Nope. I think you know most of my secrets."

"She wants to help me with the wedding."

"Ah. I wondered how long it would be before she approached you about that. She's been dying to design a wedding gown for years. I know she was disappointed when Alice decided to go down the designer route but I did warn her that she was whipping a dead horse with that one."

"I said yes. I hope you don't mind."

"You can do whatever makes you happy. As long as you turn up and say yes I'll be satisfied."

"Funny, she thought you'd say that. I think I'd like Charlotte's help. It's like having a big sister and I love it."

"And I thought you loved me."

"Well, yeah. You too."

He growled, rolling over and pinning me gently to the mattress.

"Would you like to rethink that answer, darlin'."

"Nope."

"Are you sure about that?"

I nodded, "I'm sure", staring up into his golden eyes, my body melting against his.

It was the right answer, he made me pay for saying that, and it took him all night.