AN:apparently fanfiction messed up the spacing when I uploaded this chapter.Thank you to the person who rudely let me know lol
I grew up watching Ed, Edd, and Eddy, which is why I spell it that way. But I didn't take into account that most of you probably didn't, so he'll be dear Eddie from here on out.
Also, I didn't mean for Jasper to start crushing so hard this soon, but the poor man needs a lady to take care of, so who am I to tell him no...
-
"Shit" "Fuck" "Damn"
Three different voices chorused around the room at the same time. Bella would have giggled if she hadn't been so terrified. She immediately turned and started trying to convince Jasper to not answer, "listen, I know I have no right to ask you to keep something from your wife, but I just really don't..."
He cut her off with a hand around her upper arm, "it's fine, Bella. Number one, she isn't my wife anymore, and number two, it's your decision who you want to discuss this stuff with. Emmett, just let it ring."
"Sure thing boss, but you know the pixie ain't gonna stop calling."
Bella was dumbfounded. Not his wife? The Cullen couples had been a veritable institution in her mind for years. She knew Alice had been with Jasper for decades. What could possibly break up an immortal couple that had been together for that long? Oh. Oh. Shit.
"Jasper, I am so..."
Before she could get the words out Jasper gave her a reproving look and shook his head. "Before you say one more word, I need you to understand something; just because you may be a catalyst for some things, does not mean they are automatically your fault. The second thing I need you to understand, is that in our world, a few decades isn't necessarily a long time. I lived almost a century without Alice, and I can happily do it again."
Peter snorted from the window, "very happily."
The phone started vibrating again where Emmett had set it on the end table. Everyone side eyed it with distaste, all for their own varied reasons. No one picked it up.
"I didn't even think to ask where everyone else was. Or what you guys were doing in Chicago. Is the whole family here? I really, really don't want to see Edward right now. Or ever again really." Bella continued frowning at the phone, nervousness still building in her stomach.
"It's a long story, doll. A lot obviously changed for us just like I'm sure it has for you. Edward you don't need to worry about though. He's been away from the family off and on since everyone left Forks. And even if he is with them, they've been staying in Alaska so he won't be showing up here anytime soon." Jasper reassured her.
"And even if he did, I'd rip his legs off and throw him in a dumpster. Asshole." Emmett added.
Feeling slightly less anxious, Bella took a deep breath, and realized exactly how exhausted she was. As much as she really wanted to know what had happened with everyone the past few years, she needed to rest if she wanted to function at all the next day.
"Alright, if there's no chance of Edward showing up immediately, I'd really like to head home and get some sleep. It's been a really long, strange night and I'm not feeling up to anymore surprises right now." She stood, pulling her dress down and wishing desperately that she wasn't wearing heels at this point.
Jasper stood as well, still seemingly worried she'd take a plunge without someone hovering over her. "Here, let me take you home. It's our fault you aren't there already anyway."
They'd been at Howl earlier that night, but she had no idea where they were now. A rather nice hotel, obviously, but she didn't see anything familiar out the window. Not that she really new the city all that well still. "I have no idea where we are, but my place is on West Augusta Blvd. I can just get a taxi or something, it's fine.." She really didn't want to waste anymore of their time, or be more of a burden. She was definitely more comfortable in their presence, but didn't want them going out of their way. Before she could suggest calling a cab company, Jasper was throwing his jacket over her shoulders and grabbing his keys.
"No need, I'll take you. It's been a while since I was in Chicago but I doubt the streets have changed much," he smiled and started leading her to the door of the suite.
"Hey, I want a hug before she leaves! We can see you again, right Bells? I want to know everything you've got going on right now, school, work, boys, girls, pets? Haven't had a good gossip sesh since we've been gone!" Emmett took a few long strides across the room and embraced her carefully.
She had forgotten how much fun Emmett was to gossip with, especially about the drama in a small town like Forks. She couldn't help but smile even as her eyes became suspiciously watery at the same time.
"Of course, Em. I don't have anything tomorrow. You guys are all welcome to come over. Just not too early, some of us actually have to sleep."
She embraced the giant vampire back and gave him a good squeeze. As much as she could without hurting herself anyway. Letting go, she gave Peter a wave, "you're welcome to come with." She didn't really know what else to say to the blond by the window, but didn't want him to think there were any hard feelings for scaring the shit out of her earlier.
He seemed nice enough.
"You can bet on it, sugar!" He gave a grin and a tip of his imaginary cowboy hat.
She huffed a small laugh and turned to go, Jasper opening the door for her, telling the others to listen to any voicemails Alice might leave. "I want a status report when I get back. If there's anything that needs immediate attention, call me!"
"Yeah, boss!" they chorused back, the door closing, ending any further conversation.
Jasper led her down a long hallway to an elevator and hit the down button before putting his hands in the pockets of his jeans.
There was a brief silence before he spoke, "how's Chief Swan doing?"
"Oh, um, Charlie's doing well. Starting the countdown to retirement. And he's seeing Sue Clearwater. She, you know, lives out on the rez.." Bella explained.
Jasper looked surprised. "Really? I didn't think your dad was anywhere near old enough for retirement!"
"Oh, it's not so much his age, he's still pretty young. But he started in the force straight out of high school, so he's almost put enough years in. He's really excited though, apparently has the living room covered in brochures for fishing trips. It's actually pretty cute. Sue likes fishing too, so, yeah. I'm really happy for them." Bella's smile was genuine.
Jasper was glad to see the relationship with her father remained intact. He'd always thought Bella took after her father, presumably more than her mother. He'd never met the woman but from the little he'd heard about her, she didn't seem very down to earth or responsible. Before he could ask anything else the elevator doors opened.
"After you," Jasper held one arm out so the doors wouldn't close and ushered Bella inside, then hit the button for the parking garage.
The descent to the garage was quiet, each momentarily lost in their own thoughts. Bella sleepily wondering if Jasper would be offended if she took her shoes off in his car. And Jasper wondering if it was wrong that he wanted to touch her again. She was so soft and warm, and despite her anxiety he enjoyed feeling her emotions more fully and clearly from the contact. Bella really was the perfect example of "still waters run deep" as he was now learning.
After reaching the garage level, Jasper led her to a rather large, new Chevy Silvarado. Bella stared up at the black beast with a hint of awe. It certainly put her old truck to shame. After a moment of hesitation, she turned to Jasper, "Sorry, but I'm probably going to need some help." She gave him a pained smile and stepped back.
Jasper tried not to look too happy about the situation, opening the door and turning back to her, "I got you." He helped lift her up into the truck, large, cold hands around her waist. He tried not to smirk at the obvious shiver he felt run through her, or think too hard about how small and warm her waist felt.
Forcing himself to walk at human speed around the truck, he cranked the heat as soon as he had it running. "Here, this is the button for the seat heater. I'm gonna put it on high but you can turn it off once your comfortable." It was early spring, the nights still cold even when the days were warm. He felt a sense of embarrassment but also questioning coming off of Bella, "what is it?"
She gave him a sheepish look, "would it be rude if I took my shoes off?"
He chuckled, "take the heels off, Bella. As sexy as they are, they can't be comfortable." He was rewarded with a very pretty blush, and couldn't help smiling as he drove the truck out onto the street.
It wasn't long before he heard Bella's breathing even out. Looking over he saw her fast asleep, curled up in his jacket. The scene made him unreasonably happy. Maybe because none of his current companions ever really needed anything from him. He hadn't had anyone to take care of in a very long time. Even with Alice, there was never much for him to do. Any situations she always saw and prepared for in advance. The only thing she ever really wanted from him was that he ooh and ah over her constant stream of new clothing and accessories. God above, but how he'd hated that, been bored to tears by it. And she would never be caught dead, or undead, in one of his old jackets.
Now as he looked over his thoughts were brought up short by the image of Bella in one of his vintage tee-shirts. He immediately looked back to the road. He didn't know what was up with him tonight but he absolutely had to get it under control. Yes, Bella was incredibly beautiful and sweet, but they'd only just met again, and by total accident at that. There was way too much baggage still to even be considering...well, anything.
Seeing that they were close to Bella's street, he leaned over and gently rubbed her shoulder, "Isabella, what's your building number, darlin?"
She mumbled something that sounded like "1818" and then promptly fell back into a deep sleep. Jasper felt guilty that they had worn her out so much. He felt bad about the whole situation that evening in general, but not so bad that he would change it. He was very happy that they were getting the chance to make things right with Bella finally.
Pulling into a space in front of her building, he decided against trying to wake her again. It was late enough that no one was around to see him carry the sleeping woman inside. And if the thought of having her in his arms again made Jasper feel a sense of happiness that he hadn't known in quite some time... that was something he wasn't ready to think too hard about.
Easing Bella out of the truck and into his arms, he quietly shut the door with his shoulder and headed into the building. He could scent her usual path as soon as he was inside. Up two flights of stairs and it was easy to smell which door was hers. Unfortunately as caught up in his thoughts as he had been, he hadn't thought about a key.
He regretfully gave Bella a gentle squeeze to wake her, "darlin, I'm gonna need your key to get us in." All he got in response was an annoyed groan. Trying not to smile he tried again, "Isabella, I'm pretty sure you don't want the neighbors gossiping in the morning, I'm gonna need a way to get us inside."
That must have been enough incentive because Bella's hand came up and then went into the front of her dress and proceeded to dig around for a few seconds. A key then appeared and she held it for him to take. It was still warm from... By god, he would keep his thoughts gentlemanly if it killed him. Again.
Leaning down, he unlocked the door and carried her inside. He closed and locked the door behind them and headed for what had to be her bedroom. Sure enough, there was a double bed covered in a faded purple comforter and a quilt made up of soft plaid patches. He edged the blankets back with his elbow and gently laid Bella down. After tucking her in, he went to what he assumed was the bathroom to look for some painkillers and a glass of water to leave for the next morning, incase she needed them.
What he found in the bathroom made his proverbial blood run cold though. Bottle after bottle, so many medications. What in the nine hells was wrong with Bella that she needed all these pills? He was tempted to look through them and see if he could figure out what they were for, but he knew that would be a terrible breach of Bella's trust. Instead he simply filled up the glass sitting by the sink and set it on the nightstand. He wasn't even sure if she could take painkillers with any of the other meds sitting out.
He took the time to study Bella for just a moment. She was so small and pale in the dark sheets that wrapped around her. Long dark hair fanned behind her across the pillow, small hands tucked up under her chin. What had happened to this girl since they had last seen her? Obviously nothing good.
He decided then that there would indeed be a conversation the next day, about what was going on, and what they could do for her. He wouldn't push her to contact Carlisle, but he'd be damned if they didn't find some way to help her.
With one last look he turned to leave, mentally forming a list of what he'd bring back the next day. Definitely a coffee, and whatever humans ate for breakfast these days. He could just ask the person working wherever he got the coffee from. Or maybe he should just get one of everything they had...
Deep in thought, he locked the apartment door, pocketing the key to return to Bella the next day. And if he very heavily scent marked around her front door, well, that was between him and the night.
