Chapter Twelve
Jasper
I didn't like the idea of trying to contact Carlisle knowing how dangerous it could be to my charges. I guess if I was being honest I hated for this to end. If only Bella and I could stay here with Firefly and forget the world outside. I sighed, if only... However, this was Bella's show and she was calling the tune.
I was also unhappy at the thought of leaving my charges alone at the farm but Maggie had invited Bella and the little one to stay with her until I got back. That made me feel a little easier as I made for town. It was the closest most populated place which meant if anyone was looking for Bella there was less chance of my being spotted. It also gave me a greater choice for hunting. Usually, I would have picked a drifter from the back streets but I was conscious that I would be passing on my venom to little Maggie and felt it would be polluting her innocence to do so. Instead, I would try to pick up vibes from a worthy target but the bottom line was that I would be feeding before I returned to the farm.
I placed a call to Carlisle's private messaging service hoping he was still in a position to retrieve such messages and waited for him to get back to me. If that failed I would give Alice a call. She had a good chance of outrunning anyone the Volturi sent after her. I might be paranoid but better careful than put my girls in danger.
As I waited for a reply I strolled the streets, keeping an eye out for anyone who seemed too interested in me, but sensed nothing untoward. I did, however, fix on my next meal. He was a big guy, a bully whose emotions were dark even at this time of year. He pushed his way through the shoppers barging into anyone who didn't move out of his way quickly enough. As a young mother was forced onto the road to avoid being knocked over by him I nodded to myself and followed him into the doorway of an office building.
There was a maintenance door leading into the basement and I grabbed him and was through before anyone had a chance to see anything. Like most bullies, he crumbled on meeting someone tougher than himself but I didn't have time to mess around so I fixed my teeth into his neck and began to drink.
His fear crashed into me as did the knowledge that he was about to die but I pushed both aside. The taste of the blood was good and reminded me of how awful animal blood tasted most of the time. I had known that breaking the habit wouldn't be easy, it had been a struggle last time but it was a fight I would win. For now, I was doing what was necessary and accepted it.
I disposed of the body under the elevator housing where it would be crushed next time there was a call for the elevator to come down and I'd left enough blood in him to make a pretty mess. No one would be looking too closely for signs of a bite mark among the splintered bone and mangled flesh.
Exiting the building I started walking slowly away when my phone rang and it was with relief that I recognized Carlisle.
"Jasper? What's wrong? I told you not to contact me. This call could be traced."
"It doesn't matter anymore, Carlisle."
He jumped to the wrong conclusion immediately, "So they didn't survive? I'm so sorry, Jasper. I'm sure that you did all that you could. It will make things easier I guess but I was hoping I was wrong."
I decided not to fill him in on the true situation until I had more information.
"What is the situation out there in the world?"
"I'm on my way to Volterra now. Esme is already there along with Edward. He called on Aro to help him just as Alice said he would. My old friend is very interested in Bella and her situation, or should I say was very interested. He actually surprised me."
"Oh, how so?"
"I thought he would insist I tell him everything, including where Bella is hiding out. I assumed he would want the baby dead, Bella too."
"And he doesn't?"
"Didn't, no. I spoke to the brothers and it seems they are all intrigued by the idea of a child of Bella and Edward Cullen. Two gifts are likely to produce another and Aro wanted to see what that was. I think he had a sneaking respect for Bella too. The way she stood up to them when Edward went there to die after he thought she had drowned."
"So, he didn't send anyone out looking for Bella?"
"Oh, I think he did, but not to bring her back to Edward. I don't think any of the Volturi understand why Edward was so against Bella's decision to carry the baby. Marcus was quite shocked at his attempts to persuade Bella to have a termination. Sulpicia and Athenadora were scandalized. He really doesn't understand their antipathy. I can only assume he thought that they would understand his love for Bella meaning more than anything else. How he couldn't live without her. Unfortunately, Edward was always a selfish person. He's blind to the feelings of others or other points of view."
"Right. What about the others?" I wasn't interested in hearing about Edward.
"They're fine. Rose and Emmett are at our place in Boston and Alice plans on visiting them soon."
"So the Volturi didn't hassle them?"
"Aro sent Demetri, Jane and Felix to talk to them but more out of curiosity I think. He was impressed by the way we stuck together to help Bella. Even more impressed that I stood up to Edward. I'm beginning to think I should have done so a long time ago. It appears I'm thought of as Edward's protector as if he's my favorite which is untrue, although I admit it may have seemed that way sometimes. Still, enough about that. When are you coming back? I'll send Maggie a thank you. May I ask if the baby survived the birth? Did it live as long as Maggie's little girl Mary? I was hoping for some good news."
He sounded genuinely cut up about things.
"I was asked to call you and learn the situation. Bella doesn't want to hide any longer. She wants to know what will happen if she comes out of hiding. If she'll be safe."
I could hear the relief in Carlisle's voice and realized just how much he had been praying for a better outcome than Maggie's.
"Nothing. She'll be free to continue her life with Edward if that's what she wants. I'm so glad she survived, it would have been a tragedy to lose her. I take it Maggie was able to help her?"
I was thinking of his words, she'll be free to continue her life with Edward. It made me feel sick.
"Carlisle, there's something you need to know. Both Bella and her daughter survived and Bella is concerned for her daughter's safety if she comes out of hiding."
There was a long emotional silence and then his voice a whisper he asked, "They both survived? It's a miracle. When was the baby born? Is it, I mean she, healthy?"
"Mom and baby are both fine."
"Edward has a daughter? He'll be thrilled to hear that. A father? But I wonder how Bella will feel about him. Can you tell me how she's feeling about everything that's happened? I don't understand how Bella's baby survived when little Mary didn't. What happened?"
"It's not my story to tell, Carlisle. I'll fill Bella in on what you've told me and she can decide how to proceed."
"Still protecting your charge I see. Thank you for that, Jasper."
"Don't thank me, Carlisle. I didn't do it because you asked me. I did it because I owed Bella."
"I understand. Esme will be thrilled to hear the news as will Rose and Emmett. Please congratulate Bella for us and tell her that I hope to talk to her in person very soon."
"I will, but Carlisle. Would you do us a favor and keep things to yourself until I've spoken to Bella again. I think she might want to break the news herself."
"I see," he sounded doubtful, "Well, if you think that's what Bella would want I'll certainly try but I may have to tell Aro. If I do I promise you I'll ask him to keep her secret. I'm sure he'd be willing to do that under the circumstances. Would you like me to contact Bella personally?"
"No. I'll fill her in and she can call you when she's good and ready. Besides, we don't have a phone number here. It would be too dangerous. Trackable."
"I don't think that matters now although I don't want to call attention to Maggie."
My mind was now on another track, "Would it be worth Bella speaking to Aro before she decides what to do?"
"I'm sure he would be delighted to speak to Bella."
"Good, you can give me a number we can call but if there's any possibility of the Volturi causing trouble for Bella we'll vanish for good. I'm trusting you to do what's right, Carlisle. Just as you trusted me."
"I understand and I promise you that you can trust Aro's word. If I do talk to him about Bella and I don't get his word then I will warn you. What do you think she'll decide about Edward?"
"It's not for me to say but I wouldn't go giving him any idea that all will be forgiven."
"Is that Bella talking or you, Jasper?"
"Both. We've talked about it."
I returned to the farm feeling unsettled. The past few months had been a wonderful time for me but now things were about to change. Sure, Bella and I had gotten close but I couldn't guarantee that when she and baby saw Edward they wouldn't decide to give it a try. The thought of losing either of my girls was painful but I had no hold over them. My fate was in the hands of the woman I loved, mine and her little daughter—my Firefly.
When I got back Firefly squealed with delight and toddled into my arms throwing her little arms around my neck and covering me in kisses.
"Papa, papa."
I lifted her into my arms where it felt like she belonged and turned to Bella who looked at me nervously.
"I spoke to Carlisle. He thinks Aro and his brothers will be on your side. It appears Edward got a very cool reception when he called on them for help in tracing you."
She nodded, breathing a sigh of relief, "Thank you. We'll talk about it later when certain ears go to bed."
My little companion heard this and shook her head, her dark curls bouncing around her face. "No bed, not tired. Play. Papa, play."
I spent the rest of the day fixing memories in my mind. Life would never be the same again. Everything would change the moment we walked off the farm and I had no idea where it would all lead.
I was teaching Firefly the names of all the animals and when she picked up a crayon and started to draw it drew me in instantly. Her representations of animals were slightly bizarre, to say the least, but she was concentrating so hard that I couldn't help feeling proud of her.
She insisted on me telling her a story after Bella bathed her and the three of us sat on the bed together as I retold a slightly silly version of Beauty and the Beast with Belle becoming a Firefly.
Only once she was tucked up and fast asleep did Bella and I leave the bedroom and sit together on the couch while I told her everything that Carlisle had said.
She sat contemplating it all for a few minutes then asked, "Would you trust the Volturi?"
I shrugged, "I trust Carlisle. So if he says you can trust Aro I would be willing to accept that."
She sighed, "These last few weeks have been so wonderful I'm scared to break the spell."
I sighed, "I know what you mean but you shouldn't have to hide away or live with fear. This way you can make choices. Decide what you want to do. Where you want to go. It would be good for your daughter to have a proper home and a family."
Bella turned and gazed at me, "She has a family, Jasper. That won't change even if we leave here. Unless…"
She continued to stare at me then switched her attention to the flames of the log fire.
"I guess we haven't had time to talk about things and we should. It would be better to clear the air before I speak to Aro. That way we all know where we stand."
I stopped breathing, well here it was. I didn't know what Bella was about to say but the apprehension made me freeze.
She took my hands in hers and smiled, squeezing them gently.
"My dearest Jasper. I think I should ask you a question, a very important question as it happens."
"OK. I'm listening."
"When you said that you would protect us for as long as we needed you."
"Yes?"
"What if we always needed you? I mean what if I held you to that promise forever?"
Swallowing nervously I shrugged, "I meant what I said, Bella. I'm here with you and Firefly for as long as you ask me to stay but I'll understand when you say you no longer need my protection. You don't need to worry about hurting my feelings."
I didn't mean a single word of it, even as I spoke.
She sighed, smiling warmly at me and then leaned in and kissed me. A kiss that ended far too soon.
"Then I guess you have a lifetime position if that's what you want. I mean, Firefly adores you and it's obvious that you love her. You saved her life and protected mine.
Jasper, I've fallen in love with you and don't want to imagine our lives without you. I know it's not going to be easy, we still have the Volturi and Edward to deal with but I thought you should know how I feel."
I just stared at Bella, her words running through my mind in a continuous loop until she blushed, looking awkward.
"I… Have I just made a complete fool of myself?"
I didn't answer her, just swept her into my arms and held her tightly, "I love you, Bella and it would be my honor to look after both of you for all time. I just couldn't believe what I was hearing for a moment."
We stayed like that for the next hour, just enjoying the feel of our bodies close together and drifting in our true feelings for each other. Maybe this was all part of the magic of the season. All I knew was that my wish had come true.
Later as we lay together on the couch still cuddling Bella spoke again.
"When I talk to Carlisle or Aro tomorrow I'm not going to say anything about us. I don't want to give Edward any time to cause problems for us. Do you think Jenks would do some private work for me?"
"He'll do it for me. What do you need?"
"I want a birth certificate but I don't want Edward's name on it. He wanted her dead so he doesn't deserve any place in her life. And I want Jenks to file for divorce. The easiest and quickest way. I want to be free of Edward once and for all."
Wow! It appeared Bella was determined. She must have given it a lot of thought.
"I'll call him in the morning. When will you tell Maggie that we're leaving? She's going to miss you."
Bella smiled, "Maggie always knew this was temporary but I'll make sure she gets to see her niece often. I love this place, Jasper, but I don't want to be a prisoner here."
I nodded, Bella was right. The farm was a great place, especially for a child to grow up but not when it meant constantly looking over our shoulder and there was a lot to be done before we got anywhere near that point.
