Chapter Fourteen

Jasper

I couldn't concentrate on anything as I waited nervously to hear what Aro said to Bella. Despite her brave words of last night I still feared that things might change once she set eyes on Edward once more and he was introduced to his daughter. He might have been willing to discard her as a notional entity but would things be different once he saw her in the flesh?

If he chose to try and make things right with Bella and she decided it was the correct thing to do for their child then I would walk away. What else could I do? Neither Bella nor her daughter owed me anything. I deserved nothing but I hoped for so much.

Maggie sensed my mood and suggested we take our young charge for a walk to visit the chickens while Bella conducted business.

The snow was still melting but very slowly and I watched as the little one scampered around trying, unsuccessfully, to catch one of the farm cats and giggling loudly.

"You don't need to worry, Jasper."

I glanced at Maggie, "No?"

She shook her head smiling at me encouragingly.

"No. I've spoken to Bella a few times about Edward. He doesn't sound like the kind of man she would be happy with. From what she's told me he's both selfish and controlling. That's no good for a tender soul like hers. She needs room to stretch her wings, to make her own decisions. She needs reassurance, someone who will stand with her, not in front of her to try to shield her from life. Besides, I've seen the way you two look at each other."

Firefly squealed and we both turned to see that she'd tripped over a buried branch and skinned her palms. Her sweet little face scrunched up and she began to cry.

"Ouch, papa. It hurts."

I picked her up and studied her outstretched palms both of which were bleeding slightly . Holding them up she besseched me, "Kiss them better, please."

I did so without thinking and then realized that Maggie was staring at me wide-eyed. When she saw me looking at her she laughed, "Well, that just about seals it. You don't even notice her blood on your lips."

Lifting a now happy child onto my shoulders I wiped my mouth with the back of my hand and stared at it. There were two streaks of blood. I could smell them, but the scent did nothing to me. Her blood didn't call up my thirst. I felt only concern for her pain.

"Right, little one. I think it's time for cookies and milk. What do you say?"

"Yes, Auntie Maggie, please. Come on papa, horsey."

Maggie smiled broadly and followed us back to the farmhouse with little fingers wound into my hair and feet kicking my chest to make me go faster. She would soon be ready for a ride on Hercules!

When Bella appeared an hour later I could hardly contain my impatience but she spent the first few minutes listening to a story of our morning adventures and examining the scratched palms which Maggie had bathed and rubbed antiseptic onto.

"Were you a brave little girl?"

She nodded, "Papa kissed them better, Mommy. They didn't hurt after that."

Bella gazed at me questioningly and I just shrugged. What could I say?

"Maggie, would you mind watching our little pest for a while. I need to talk to Jasper."

We left the two making plans to bake a cake for later and listening to the ingredients the mini baker wanted to add in I was kinda glad I wouldn't be pressured into sampling it!

We walked arm in arm back to the cabin talking about the 'accident'.

"Didn't her blood bother you at all?"

I shook my head, "I never really thought about it. I was more concerned that she had hurt herself on my watch."

Bella smiled, "Firefly's hero. You know I really should name her now I know she's going to be OK. I was just so scared to tempt fate. Besides, I thought it might be confusing."

"How so?"

She smiled, "I'm going to call her Maggie. So we'll never forget the kindness of the woman who protected her. Having two Maggies could be a little mind-numbing."

"I think that's a beautiful name and a lovely gesture. I'm sure Maggie will be delighted."

"I hope so. But for now, we have other important things to talk about. I spoke to Aro."

She had her back to me filling the kettle for coffee but I felt she was relaxed so things must have gone well.

"And what did he have to say?"

"Well, firstly he congratulated me on my daughter and gave me his word that neither she nor I would be in any danger if we came out of hiding.

He told me that Edward had approached the Volturi regarding my pregnancy and that they had listened to what he had to say.

It would appear that they were shocked by his attitude and his excuse for it. He tried to make out that he regarded little Maggie as an Immortal child and knew that they would too."

She spun around to face me, "How could he do that, Jasper? Aro explained that Immortal children were strictly forbidden and any the Volturi heard of would be destroyed immediately. Maggie isn't a vampire, she wasn't bitten, she was born."

I was both puzzled by and furious at Edward's actions.

"I'm beginning to think Edward has had a complete mental breakdown, Bella. It sounds like he was trying to get the Volturi to do his dirty work for him. What kind of a man does that?"

She shrugged, "I don't know. But whatever he was hoping to achieve it didn't work. Aro explained that Edward was startled by their reaction. No one in Volterra could understand why he wasn't standing by my decision. I couldn't believe how much support I received from the Volturi.

Athenadora pointed out that he had been granted a miracle yet he had turned his back on both it and the woman he had just declared his undying love for.

Marcus wanted him tried for attempting to force me to destroy my baby. His attitude was that such a wonderful opportunity should have been grasped with both hands. Aro told me that Marcus had a child when he was still human and that the boy died very young of the plague. The sorrow of their loss had almost killed his wife and himself."

I nodded, "Well, I guess Carlisle was right when he said the Volturi aren't the enemy. I didn't see it at the time but I do now, Bella."

She smiled and took my hands, "The only concern the Volturi have is that little Maggie may betray the existence of vampires to humans. Aro was quite open about it. He told me that provided my daughter can pass among humans as one of them and has the intellect as she grows to hide any signs of her strange heritage then they would have no problem allowing me to raise her wherever I choose."

I studied her, "And if they aren't satisfied?"

My tone betrayed my concern.

She shrugged, "In that case, they would strongly advise that I remain in Volterra with her until such time as she can do so. I explained that she's maturing very quickly and Aro told me that according to the limited work they have on hybrid children that seems to be quite normal. It was strange hearing such a word from his lips."

"And did he say anything else about Edward?"

"Not really, only that what happens from this point forward is largely down to me. If I agree they will send the Volturi jet to pick us up and we can talk in more detail face to face. Aro did underline the fact that Edward is in Volterra and he knows that Carlisle intends to talk to him once they know we're coming so Edward knows our child survived and thrives."

I hated the thought of Bella and little Maggie being so far away but I was helpless. This was what she had to do and I wasn't a part of the upcoming talks. I tried to keep my tone light, "I'd like to be a fly on the wall for that conversation. So, when do you plan on leaving?"

"In a day or two, if that's OK with you? I know you don't particularly like the Volturi but I need you at my side, Jasper. Little Maggie too. Besides, you were the one who saved her life and if anyone other than me should have a say in her future, that person is you."

Relief swelled in me and must have been plain on my face because Bella frowned.

"You didn't honestly think I would go without you, did you, Jasper? I need your strength, especially if I'm going to stand up to Edward and the Volturi."

"I guess it crossed my mind. Are you sure, Bella? Things are going to become very complicated once Edward knows the truth. He's not going to be happy about our relationship, or mine with his daughter."

Bella's eyes blazed, "My daughter, not his. He gave up any claim on her when he pressured me to end her life. I'll never forget that, as I said before."

Calming herself she took a sip of coffee and then smiled, "Sorry. It's a sore subject."

I nodded, "Fair enough. Well, I guess we should get back and explain things to Maggie."

"I think she suspects we'll be leaving soon. I hate to break her heart but I promise we'll be back to see her again soon."

Carlisle

I had avoided Edward, or maybe he'd been avoiding me. After our altercation, once he discovered that I had helped Bella to leave Forks, we hadn't spoken. I knew he felt betrayed and angry, frustrated too, but that wasn't my fault. If he had come to me rationally and listened to Bella and myself he wouldn't have gotten himself into such a mess. It was as if he could only see things one way, his way. He wouldn't listen to rational arguments.

Aro had filled me in on his conversation with Bella and asked if I would like him to talk to Edward on her behalf. It was tempting. I wasn't looking forward to the conversation with my son one bit but it was my responsibility, not Aro's.

Edward hadn't listened to anything I said before, nor could he understand the Volturi position so he wasn't going to be happy to learn that Bella was on her way here to confront him. I wondered how he would react to the news that not only was his wife still alive but that she had a daughter.

Although he was still staying within the citadel, perhaps hoping for a Volturi change of heart, he kept away from everyone. He preferred to hide away in his suite rather than face the disapproval of most of the residents.

The only person who appeared to take his side, or at least understand his point of view was Jane but then she had a very self-centered personality too. Those two would probably be a match made in heaven, he and Bella certainly weren't!

I knocked on the door and waited, listening as he walked slowly over and opened the door. His expression was hard and his tone clipped and hostile.

"Carlisle. What do you want? It can't be good news, you're hiding your thoughts from me."

"Edward, may I come in? I have something to tell you."

He moved aside reluctantly and I stepped inside careful to keep my thoughts clouded. I wanted to tell him, not have him read the truth for himself.

He stood with his arms crossed staring at me angrily, "Well? What is it? I'm busy."

I regarded him, one eyebrow raised in disbelief, "Busy? Really?"

Scowling he grabbed a book and opened it as if to continue reading.

"I have news of Bella."

He winced, "So, you thought you'd come to offer me comfort? I wouldn't need that if you'd stood by me last year."

"I came to tell you that Bella is safe and well…"

His eyes widened in shock and his face lit up, "She's alive? Then why hasn't she contacted me? I could have been there to comfort her when she lost the creature. This is wonderful, suddenly we have a second chance and this time I'll be more careful. Bella asked me to change her before the wedding, I should have agreed. Still, we can do it now and be sure nothing else goes wrong."

I interrupted his fantasy, "Edward, please shut up for a minute and listen to me."

He scowled, "I don't really care that you disapprove, Carlisle. I don't care what anyone else thinks. I only care about Bella's welfare."

"She has a daughter, Edward."

He stared at me in disbelief, unable to articulate his thoughts and I waited for the import of my words to sink in.

"A daughter? Did she give birth to a live child? How is that possible? When? How long have you known, Carlisle? Who else knows?"

"I'm not sure of the exact date, to be honest. I only found out about it myself a few days ago. She contacted me."

"Why not me? I'm the father. I'm her husband. Why didn't she talk to me? I have a right to know. Where is she? Is it normal? The child I mean."

"I think she assumed you wouldn't want to be involved since you didn't want her to have the child in the first place. As for your rights, I'd be careful, Edward, she isn't a pushover. You must know that by now."

He ignored my warnings, his mind was focused purely on the news I'd given him and he was smiling now.

"So where is she? I want to see my daughter. A live hybrid child, that's amazing."

I cut in abruptly, "And that's the kind of talk that will get you into trouble. I would be very careful, Edward. The little girl is her daughter, not just a live hybrid child as you put it."

He waved his hand dismissively, "I didn't mean it like that. Bella will understand. I need to see them. Where are they? Does Aro know about this? I suppose he must as you're here telling me."

"Yes, Aro is aware. He's spoken to Bella and invited her here to Volterra so he can meet her daughter."

The scowl was back.

"Oh, great. I get a reunion along with everyone else. That's hardly taking my feelings into account."

"I think that will be Bella's decision, not his. They'll be here in a few days and you'd do well to think about what you are going to say to her."

"Are you going to tell me where you hid her now, Carlisle? I know Aro was intrigued."

"And you'd like to tell him in order to gain some brownie points? I don't think so, Edward."

I left knowing that he didn't have the faintest idea how Bella felt about him now, or what a shock he was going to get when she arrived!

The next day I heard from Athena that Edward was full of the future and making plans to greet his 'family'. She was mystified.

"Can he really be as stupid as he appears to be, Carlisle? He came to us last night to ask for some ideas. He's planning a nursery in his suite for the little girl. From what he said she'll have to swim through toys to find her bed. I don't know what kind of reception he's expecting from Bella or her daughter but I think he's going to be in for a shock. He's also planning a romantic dinner for Bella in one of Volterra's best restaurants complete with a violin solo."

I winced, shaking my head sadly.

"I was afraid of this. He seems to think that now the danger is over Bella will just forget everything that happened and run into his arms complete with his daughter."

"But it's not going to go like that, is it? At least, if I were Bella it wouldn't. I never met her but she seems to have impressed my husband as someone brave with steel at her core. I just hope your 'son' doesn't expect any backup from the Volturi, Carlisle because he's going to be sorely disappointed."

I was sure that he would be but despite trying to speak to him again I found myself thinking, let him dig his own grave. The deeper it is the more time he'll have to consider where he went wrong as he tries to extricate himself. I was through trying to help him, he certainly didn't deserve it.

Esme's attitude surprised me somewhat. I expected her to at least try to talk to Edward and guide him away from the terrible mistakes he was about to make. She believed in family and supporting each other but then Edward had tried to destroy his own flesh and blood so maybe it wasn't such a surprise after all.

All she said was that Edward deserved whatever Bella had in store for him.

"He'd better not come running to me for support, Carlisle."

I just hoped they could work something out for all their sakes. Edward was not one to be told what he could and could not do and I foresaw rough but interesting times ahead.