Chapter Thirteen
Bella
I felt a great burden had been lifted from my shoulders now we knew where we stood. I was relieved that the Volturi hadn't taken Edward's side in this. Fighting Aro would have been almost impossible even with Jasper at my side. Knowing he would be there always made everything seem possible although I doubted Edward was going to let me go without a fight. Me or his daughter.
We talked it over most of the night and I decided to wait a few days longer before calling Volterra. Aro had terrified me when we met previously and I wanted to be strong when I called him. That and the fact I didn't want to spoil what we had here even though I knew one day I would have to face the world and that meant facing Edward.
I gazed out of the window at Jasper standing in the snow watching Firefly making snow angels while talking to Jenks on his cell phone. He had bought a new throwaway one for his call to Carlisle although now it would be safe to keep it. This was as important as the call I was putting off making.
It could free me from a marriage I knew now had been a mistake. It had been my own fault. I had thought Edward was my soul mate, that he loved me in the same way that I loved him. Instead, I found out too late that his interest was in me and me alone. He didn't know me at all. If he had then he would never have expected me to agree to kill our child to ensure my own safety. That's not the way it worked in my world and it made us incompatible whether he understood that or not.
When Jasper put away his phone I joined him outside and took his hand. My little firefly jumped up and ran over to join her Aunt who was walking up the track carrying fresh-baked bread. My daughter loved fresh warm bread and the two disappeared inside to cut some for her, leaving us to talk. Maggie's timing was impeccable as always.
"So, what did he say?" I tried to keep my voice as steady as I could.
"The birth certificate won't be any problem. You don't have to state the father's name by law and Edward wasn't there when she was born. He can hardly take you to court to establish paternity because that would involve a DNA test and he couldn't do that without risking all your lives. I'm not sure what he might do but it will be difficult because we got to Jenks first and there aren't many tame lawyers around that deal with our kind."
I nodded, well that sounded a little better than I expected. "And the divorce?"
"Again Jenks will start the paperwork. Luckily Washington is a no-fault divorce state but if Edward decides to contest it because of Firefly then it could take a year or more. I don't think he'll go for a court case but who knows. I think you might be in for a fight if he decides to dig his heels in and if he finds out what's happened between us then I guess that he will cause problems if he can."
I thought about this, Jasper was right of course, Edward wasn't going to make this easy for me if I caused trouble for him. He'd proved that already by going to the Volturi in a vain attempt to get me back.
"Maybe he'll listen to me."
Jasper nodded grudgingly, "Maybe."
"Or maybe I can get in first and ask the Volturi to decide. If they are on our side…"
"I think maybe you should make that call, Bella. Either that or reach out to Carlisle. He might be able to tell you more now he's spoken to Aro."
He handed me the phone along with the number Carlisle had given him for Aro.
"I'll leave you to talk."
I watched him walk into the cabin as I held the phone with a shaking hand then taking the plunge I dialled Carlisle's number.
"Hello, Carlisle."
"Bella! It's good to hear from you. I was so relieved when I heard your news."
"Carlisle, it's good to hear you too."
"I can't wait to meet your daughter. I have so many questions for you but I know now isn't the time to get into things. You must be eager to learn what is happening here."
"I am, nervous too, but before we start I just want to say thank you for sending Jasper to look after me. Did you know?"
There was a short hesitation and I wondered if I had been mistaken but then he chuckled, "No, not really. However, I had the feeling that there was something between you. It was Alice who pointed me in the right direction. I'm not sure how it's going to work out though with all the complications. Still, let me fill you in.
I spoke to Aro because he was talking so positively about you and your child. He and the brothers are eager to meet you again and your daughter. His only concern is her self-control if she's more vampire than human I mean. He has given me his word that they mean you no harm. You or the child. They just need a little reassurance."
I heard a giggle from inside followed by a shriek of laughter and knew Jazz and Firefly were playing hide and go seek or something.
"There won't be a problem with that. She can pass for human and has no issues that would concern the Volturi."
"Good, that will make things easier all around but I'm sure you understand that they would like the opportunity to make up their own minds."
"I understand that, but they meet her under my terms and that means not in that citadel. It frightened the life out of me and I am not taking my child there. We can meet out in Volterra but that's as far as I'm prepared to go."
"I see. Well, I don't think that will be an insurmountable problem. No one wants to upset the child and Sulpicia and Athena are very excited to meet her, they'll back you up I'm sure."
"Good. So, do I have Aro's word that we'll be allowed to leave and be left alone once they have vetted her?"
"I'll get that assurance for you. Will that be acceptable? Or would you rather speak to Aro yourself?"
"No offence, Carlisle, but I'd rather have it from the horse's mouth."
"Very well. Now, to another problem. What about Edward?"
"He doesn't know yet?"
"No, but I will have to tell him, Bella. I hope you understand."
"Yes, I understand. But in turn, you should make him understand that as far as I'm concerned he and I are over. I'm filing for a divorce. I couldn't live with him after what he said and did."
"I thought that might be the case but I have to warn you that I think you might have a problem there. He'll certainly want to talk to you and meet his daughter."
"She's not his daughter, Carlisle. He wanted her dead."
"He's still her biological father, Bella. He may feel he has certain rights."
"Then tell him, he doesn't. He gave those up when he told me to terminate her."
Carlisle continued to speak very calmly and I suspected he was worried that I might end the call and disappear for good but that's not what I wanted.
"I understand how you feel and I assure you that you aren't the only one who feels he acted badly. I'm not sticking up for him, I'm merely pointing out possible problems."
"I'll talk to Edward. He deserves that much but I'm not making any other promises."
"Very well. I'll speak to the brothers and tell Aro that you will be calling him. As for Edward, I'll explain your willingness to speak to him and leave the rest to you. I will, of course, have to tell him about the child. If I don't, he'll hear it from someone else and that would hardly be fair."
"Fine. If my chat with Aro goes well, I hope to see you soon, Esme too. Thank you, Carlisle."
When I got back inside I found Maggie in the kitchen heating a homemade stew to go with what was left of the bread she had brought with her.
"So, you're going to be leaving soon?"
I was startled, had Jasper told her?
She saw my expression and shook her head, "No, he didn't tell me. Your daughter did. It seems she has a gift. She looked at Jasper and asked if we were going away. I guessed that something happened. I'm glad, for your sakes. It's not right that you should be forced to hide away from the world. I will miss you though. I've come to love you and the little one, Bella."
She glanced towards the closed door, "Jasper too if truth be told but don't tell him I said so. He's a good man, Bella and he loves you both."
I smiled, "I know and we both love him. It's just going to be difficult for a while. I still have to speak to her biological father and I don't know how he's going to react."
"I think it's clear from his previous actions that he's going to try and hang on, to you and his daughter. Just remember you have Jasper at your side. He would never let anyone hurt either of you."
I nodded knowing she was right but still feeling apprehensive. It had shocked me to learn that my daughter could apparently read minds like her father. I hated the idea she had inherited anything from him. I just hoped she hadn't inherited his selfish streak although I'd seen no sign of it so far.
"It's very quiet in there. Should I be worried?"
Maggie shook her head, "No. I think she was thirsty."
"Oh right." Maggie found watching her niece feed on Jasper uncomfortable. So that's why she was out here with the door closed.
"I'll go tell her that dinner is almost ready."
Jasper and Firefly were sitting on the couch heads together. While she drank from his wrist he told her a story.
Seeing me, he stopped and she jumped up to come and give me a hug.
"Mommy, are we going to leave? Where is Italy?"
Jasper shook his head reassuring me that he hadn't said anything and I smiled in reply showing him that I knew.
Over dinner, Maggie and Firefly chatted away about the chickens. Apparently, my little girl had been promised a visit to the chicken coop this afternoon.
"You and Jasper can talk easier without little ears although I'm not sure it makes any difference if she can hear what you're thinking."
I rolled my eyes wondering if she could hear mine.
Turning to my daughter I questioned her.
"Sweetie, can you hear what's in our heads?"
She screwed up her face trying to understand what I was asking her then bit her lip.
"Is it bad? I only hear sometimes. Not you, but papa and Aunt Maggie."
"No, it's not bad. Do you have to try? Or do you just hear?"
"I listen if you feel sad, Mommy."
Jasper and I glanced fleetingly at each other, "If Mommy feels sad? How do you know?"
She was stirring the remains of her stew with a spoon absently as she thought about Jasper's question.
"I feel Mommy is sad sometimes or you papa. I don't like it when you're sad."
Aunt Maggie took her out to the kitchen to help wash up. Which in reality meant that Firefly would play with the soap suds while her Aunt did the washing up. Then the two of them would clear up the resulting mess laughing as they did so.
"How can she feel emotions and read minds? Is that even possible?"
Jasper shrugged, "I don't know, Bella. She might have inherited the mind-reading from Edward. Maybe she's picked up my gift from sharing venom."
"Wow, she's going to be hard to control if she uses her gifts like Edward."
"She won't. You only have to look at her to see she has your nature, not his. She is her mother's daughter."
I wrapped my arms around him and sighed, "I like the idea she's inherited your gift too. It gives you two another connection."
He grinned, "Edward isn't going to like that."
"I don't care whether he does or not to be honest."
As I took his hand I noticed the raw wound where she had been feeding.
"Can't you change wrists? That looks really painful."
He glanced down and pulled his sleeve to cover the mark. "I do. She's just very energetic. Don't worry about it, Bella. Really."
I pulled up his other sleeve to see the same wound but partially healed. "I'm sorry for your pain."
Then I looked into his eyes and recognized that he was thirsty.
"You should go out tonight. You need to hunt."
"I guess so. I don't like being away for too long though. I have to travel to hunt now."
I nodded understanding that he couldn't make too many people vanish in too confined an area and felt a little sick to think that my daughter had forced Jasper back into the life of a killer.
Almost as if he could read my thoughts he lifted my chin to gaze into my eyes, "Hey, this is not her fault, or yours. It is what it is and I'm dealing with it, Bella."
I nodded, laying my head on his chest, "I know, but I still feel guilty. It's so unfair."
"Becoming a vampire was unfair. Being turned into a killer by Maria was unfair. What I'm doing for Firefly is not unfair. It's just what has to be. Now come on, let's go for a walk while we have time to ourselves then I'll leave."
We had a lovely walk talking about nothing important. Neither of us wanted to discuss Edward or the Volturi. That would be forced upon us soon enough.
When Jasper finally left Firefly cried, she was so used to having both of us there all the time. I could hardly tell her why he had gone and had a job settling her for bed.
"I don't like it when papa leaves us."
"I know but he'll be back soon."
She nodded, twirling a curl around her finger then screwed up her nose, "Why is he always sad when he gets back Mommy?"
What could I say? I could hardly tell her that he hated what he was forced to do in order to keep her alive? He did it willingly, he loved her, but taking a life would always give him pain even as he relished the taste of human blood.
When I spoke to Carlisle again or maybe Aro I would ask them if they had any ideas of an alternative. Under pressure from me, we had tried storing venom so she could feed without draining his reserves too quickly but she needed so much and it didn't keep. Besides that, it ate through anything we tried storing it in. Jasper had laughed at my desperate attempts but I wanted to lessen his suffering if I could.
I waited up for him all night adding logs as the fire died down and making endless mugs of coffee to keep me awake but I still fell asleep before dawn and only awoke as I heard the cabin door close softly, a blast of icy air striking my feet.
Jumping up I went to him and threw my arms around his neck. He looked great but his eyes, glowing red, were haunted.
"Bella, you should have gone to bed. You'll be worn out by lunchtime."
"I wanted to be waiting when you got back, Jasper. I missed you and I felt bad…"
He shook his head looking very serious, "No. No more of this guilt, Bella. We're in this together and I need you to stand by my decision. I can do this and it won't be forever. I'm sure she's drinking less now. Maybe her body is producing some venom of its own. Now, let me shower and I'll make breakfast. You should probably talk to Aro sooner rather than later and you're going to need your wits about you when you do."
I nodded and he kissed me again before disappearing into the bathroom.
I had a sudden urge to follow him in. I wanted to be close to him, as close as two people could be but this was not the time. A certain little girl would be up soon and we still had a lot of sorting out to do. I wanted it to be just right when it happened and now wasn't that time.
