Chapter Thirty

Jasper

I had no qualms about killing Stefan and his followers. After all, they were a threat to my family's security. The fact this was what Aro desired didn't come into it. The Volturi meant nothing to me, whereas my family meant everything.

I knew Jane sensed something and had given her a nod, permission to leave us. Felix, Alec, and I hadn't needed her help with our captives. Her remit had been to look after my family, and it still was until this was over which would hopefully be very soon.

Stefan had expected me to grill him but there was only one question I wanted an answer to. Was Angie involved in his plans? I hoped not, for Edward's sake. It had been clear that he was very much in love with her. I had sensed their closeness but I wasn't prepared to gamble my family's safety on that. I wanted to hear it from his own lips.

When Alec had freed him from his isolation, I had put the question to him knowing the answer even before he spoke. Stefan knew nothing of the girl, except that she was involved with Edward which posed another question. Where the hell was she?

I dispatched Stefan without compunction, watched by a solemn-faced Felix who threw the disembodied head onto the funeral pyre with the body.

"Do you want us to deal with the rest? You must be anxious to get back."

I was, but I decided there was a chance that Stefan's gang had caught Angie and killed her. I owed it to Edward to find out before I left the scene.

Alec released one of the others and we questioned him. All he could tell us, and he wanted to bargain for his life with the information, was that two of the others mentioned having run into Edward's girlfriend and having neutralized her in the forest.

"They killed her?"

He shrugged, "They didn't say so. I think Gregor had the hots for her so maybe he disabled her so he could go back later and have some fun. You'll have to ask him."

"Then I don't need you."

Alec dragged him off to join the others and cut Gregor out from the herd. While Felix and Alec finished the rest of them off I took my prisoner away to find Angie.

He had been reluctant to go but as I pointed out he could go under his own steam or I could rip off his legs and carry him, the choice was his. He could see that I wasn't joking and moved off in silence. I knew that he was debating whether to make a run for it but decided his best bet was to comply and hope I would spare him. He obviously didn't know me very well. He must not have been paying attention when the Romanian briefed his men on the Major!

When we reached Angie and I saw what he had done to her I didn't hesitate. He was dead in a second and smoke and ash seconds after that.

Angie lay hidden among some bushes, her limbs scattered nearby carelessly. Had he intended to heal her before taking his pleasure? Or would he have merely done what he wanted and then killed her?

Anxious though I was to get back to Bella and the kids I could hardly leave her here like this. Instead, I patiently collected the scattered limbs and sat with her as they fused back in place. She needed to hunt to heal properly but once she was whole again I could carry her back to Felix and leave him to look after her.

She glanced at me looking guilty. "Thank you for coming for me, Jasper. I'm sorry. I should have stayed with you and Felix but I was so worried about Edward. I love him so much and I feared I was going to lose him. Please tell me that he's OK?"

"He's back at the farm. As to if he's OK, well that's a relative term. He's still alive but I don't know if even Carlisle can heal his arm."

She shrugged, "I don't care as long as he survives. Even if he loses an arm. Rather that than lose his daughter. He's devoted to her, you know."

"I know."

"He knows he was a fool but he's paid for his actions. I'm just grateful that you and Bella haven't tried to cut him off from Maggie. That would have killed him."

I picked her up and stood her on her feet. "Can you walk?"

She nodded, "Go on. I can find my way back to the farm."

I shook my head, "No. I don't leave an ally behind."

"Then you might want to help me. I don't think I'm healed enough to go fast."

I lifted her into my arms feeling strange to have another woman so close and ran back the way I had come picking up Felix and Alex on my way back to the farm.

Back home we found Edward in the kitchen sitting at the table his damaged arm wrapped in towels with Carlisle, Rose, and Emmett crowded around him.

Leaving Angie in Edward's care I continued upstairs to our room to see Bella dozing in bed with Maggie and Rose sitting on the floor smiling as Bug lay kicking his legs and gurgling happily.

Maggie jumped to her feet, shrieked my name, and ran into my arms startling the poor infant so much that he began to wail lustily.

This disturbed Bella who beamed to see me, throwing her arms open in greeting, and within seconds my family was all in my arms with Esme joining us.

"Jasper. I was so worried about you. Is it over?"

I nodded, kissing Bella on the cheek, "It's all over darlin'. Everyone's safe and the Romanians are gone."

"Is Angie OK too, Poppa? I wanted to go downstairs to see Daddy but Jane told me to stay here and look after Mommy and Bug. I like Jane."

I laughed, "Me too as she kept you all safe. Angie is with Edward. You can go down in a little while."

Maggie frowned, "Daddy's hurt. Can Grandpa heal him?"

I shook my head, "I don't think so, Firefly. We'll have to see. So, what do you think of your little brother?"

Her smile returned, "He's great, Poppa. But was I that noisy?"

"I think he's thirsty but yes. You were just as noisy. Maybe Esme could go and get a bottle for him."

Before I could stop her Maggie flew out of the room following her Grandma.

"I'll help."

I was concerned at the thought of Maggie seeing Edward in such a state but it was good to have a few minutes alone with Bella and our son.

"She'll be fine. I think Maggie can handle just about anything. Besides, it's about time you said a proper hello to your son."

Taking him from Bella's arms I stared into his face. He had my fair hair but Bella's eyes and I wondered how human he would be. Thinking about Maggie's struggle with blood cravings I determined not to miss the signs this time around.

"You look good for a woman who's just given birth, Stunning I would say."

Bella smiled, "You should have seen me a little while ago. I was sick. I don't remember everything but from what Esme told me we have Bug to thank for saving my life. Would you believe that he's gifted too? He can heal. I'm not sure how strong his gift is but he's an amazing little boy."

I had frozen hearing how I had come close to losing my beautiful wife but I was proud that she had produced two such amazing children.

Bella stroked our son's cheek then stared at me, "I know Edward is injured and I want him to be OK for Maggie's sake but please don't let them try to use Bug's gift to heal him. We have no idea how strong he is or what price it exacts from him."

I understood her concerns, "Don't worry. No one is going to put Bug at risk. I doubt that Edward would allow it anyway."

She didn't look convinced but then changed the subject, "We should name him. He can't go around as Bug for the rest of his life, poor baby."

"OK. Do you have any preferences?" We hadn't really discussed names not wanting to tempt fate.

She bit her lip nervously, "Would you mind if we called him Charlie after his granddad? I know my Dad will never meet him but it would be a connection."

I smiled, "Charlie it is then."

Esme returned without Maggie but with a bottle of formula and kissing Bella tenderly I handed Charlie back to his Mom and left the girls to find my daughter. I was concerned, Maggie was such a tender child who felt for everyone and the sight of Edward injured was sure to upset her.

I found her sitting on Edward's lap, her arms around his neck, hugging him tightly.

Nodding to Edward I drew out a chair and joined the others around the table.

"I'm sorry you got dragged into this Edward."

He nodded, "I'm just glad Angie got Maggie away safely."

Angie who was seated at his side with a hand on his shoulder smiled sadly.

Edward grimaced as he moved to face me, "Carlisle's just been telling me that I'd better learn to be a southpaw."

I nodded, "He can't heal your arm?"

Carlisle who looked helpless and sad, shook his head, "No. the only thing I can do is remove it."

Maggie sat up, "No, you can't do that. How will Daddy play the piano if you cut his arm off?

Why won't it heal? Don't vampires heal by themselves?"

"Sometimes sweetheart," Edward's voice was low and patient, "But sometimes venom can't heal us. Burns are like that and I'll learn to play one-handed. You can help me. Angie too."

Maggie bit her lip reminding me of Bella then spoke up. "What about Bug? He healed Mommy. He could heal Daddy too."

She proceeded to tell the assembly about how Bug had healed Bella when they were in the root cellar.

Glances were exchanged but no one spoke.

I was about to intervene when Edward shook his head, "Hey, he's only a baby. I'm sure he could do it but I wouldn't ask your Mommy or Poppa to risk his life to help me. How do you think we would feel if helping me made him sick?"

She screwed up her face and spoke stubbornly, "It won't. He's like me, he's special."

Edward nodded, "Yes, Maggie. Too special to risk hurting him. I'll be fine. I'm just glad you're safe. I love you little one."

Maggie kissed him and then hugged him again, hanging on as if she was afraid he might turn to smoke and disappear.

Tears ran down her cheeks and soaked Edward's shirt and he looked up at me.

"I think it would be better if Maggie went back upstairs for a while with her Mom and Bug."

"It's Charlie. Bella wanted to name him after her Dad."

Carlisle beamed, "That's a lovely gesture. I'm sure he would have been delighted."

Maggie didn't want to leave Edward but eventually, he persuaded her to go upstairs with Rose.

"Come on. Your Mom is still pretty weak. We should give her a break and show Charlie his room. Maybe even play some music for him. I know your Daddy taught you some tunes."

Reluctantly she left Edward and slowly followed Rose upstairs watched by everyone left below.

"It sounds like you have a remarkable family, Jasper." Carlisle was smiling broadly.

"Yeah, it would seem so."

Edward took Angie's hand and squeezed it, "Why don't you join them while Carlisle does what's necessary."

Angie shook her head vehemently, "I'm not leaving you again, Edward Cullen. We're in this together."

Seeing that she was not going to be swayed Edward gave up and merely watched as Carlisle gathered together some fresh towels.

"Emmett, Jasper, I'm going to need your help. I can't cut Edward's arm off, no knife will go through his flesh so it's going to have to be twisted and pulled off. We should go out to the barn. I don't want Maggie walking in on it or hearing anything.

"Actually, I can probably help out here."

We turned to see Alex and Jane standing in the doorway with Felix looming up behind them.

"I can isolate Edward while you remove the arm. It will make things easier and you don't need to leave the house."

Carlisle looked relieved at Alex's offer.

"You'll still need two to hold him still and one to pull it free. Can I help?"

Felix looked almost embarrassed to speak but again Carlisle nodded gratefully.

It didn't take long. Emmett and I held Edward's shoulders once he was under Alex's influence, and Carlisle supervised Felix as he wrenched the damaged arm free of Edward's body. The towels mopped up the venom that poured from the wound and soon it began to heal over. Luckily the flames hadn't damaged the flesh to the top of his arm, so the undamaged flesh could make good the wound.

"Leave him under for a while. Let him have some peace from the pain and heal."

Alex nodded, still leaning against the kitchen door.

"I should probably update Aro on the situation."

Felix left the house, pulling out his cell phone and Jane followed him.

Angie glanced at me, "I know you thought I might be involved in all this, and I don't blame you, but I would never do anything to hurt Edward. I love him."

I nodded, "Yeah, I can see that, and I'm sorry. Sorry for doubting you and sorry that you both got hurt."

"The funny thing is that I could never understand how Edward could accept the situation with his daughter, but I do now. This family is amazing, there's so much love and understanding. I heard about the Cullens a long while ago but I never really believed a true family of vampires could exist. You just proved me wrong. I hope I can measure up and become a part of such an amazing family one day."

Carlisle put an arm around her, "You already have. Welcome to the family, Angie."

When Edward was freed once more he thanked Alex and then took Angie for a 'walk'. I think we all knew what he was about to do, and all agreed it was the best thing. Angie would make him an excellent mate. They both needed to hunt to heal completely as well.

I was about to rejoin my family when Felix called me outside.

"Our work is done and we have other situations to deal with so we'll be going. It's been a pleasure working with you, Major. Look after that family of yours."

We shook hands and he joined Alex who was waiting at the gate. Jane took my arm.

"I envy you, Major. Take care of your family, they're very special. They made me feel almost human for a while.

Oh, by the way, Aro and his brothers send their congratulations and look forward to meeting little Charlie in due course."

She hesitated before continuing, "It's probably nothing but we crossed the path of a lone guardian on our way here. I thought you might be interested especially as to my knowledge there aren't any guardian tribes close by. The trail was an old one so probably just a traveler."

I nodded, "Thanks. I'll keep my eye out, but as you say, probably just a coincidence."

As the three Volturi disappeared from view I turned back to the house. The last couple of years had been a roller coaster but I wouldn't change a thing. Inside was everything I ever wanted and far more than I deserved and I intended to look after it to the very best of my abilities. This was home.

I will be taking a few days off and then return to this as my Christmas story. Thanks to all my readers and reviewers your efforts are much appreciated. Love Jules xx