Chapter Nineteen
Jasper
I wanted to help Bella with her dilemma regarding her parents but to be honest I thought the best thing would be for her to appear to die so they could grieve and move on. As soon as she became a vampire she would be dead to them in any case. I wouldn't say this to her because it was her decision to make and I knew she had grown close to her father since she moved to live with him in Forks permanently. The rest of us had been given no choice in the matter, but Bella was.
I remembered when I went back to my home town after I left Maria. It had been strange going back to somewhere that should have been familiar to me only to find I didn't recognize anything. The family farm was gone, gobbled up by a cattle ranch. I found my parent's graves, both long since dead, only to discover that all my siblings were also deceased. All but one, my second youngest sister Jane. She was a frail old lady living out her final days with her husband's family. They had no children of their own and disease and the war had taken everyone else from her.
I didn't want Bella to find herself in a similar situation. A clean break would be the easiest way in the long run.
For now, however, I had more urgent problems, like finding somewhere for us to call home. I had agreed to return to the farm and Maggie when Bella suggested it but I knew we should be deciding our future. I was also concerned about what we would find when we arrived.
I had been sworn to secrecy by Maggie but she had told me before we left that she was dying.
"At last, Jasper. I can join my babies. I'm looking forward to it. I've lived far too long for anyone to be expected to bear. My body is worn out, my heart wants to stop beating and it will very soon now. All I ask is that you keep this from Bella, I don't want her worrying about me. She has enough to be dealing with and I was so glad I was able to do one last good deed for Carlisle."
Bella roused me from my reverie when she handed me a crumpled envelope.
"Maggie asked me to give this to you when we left Volterra. For a moment I thought I'd lost it then I found it in the zip compartment of my bag."
I took it from her and opened it slowly pulling out a thin sheet of paper covered in the same spidery writing I recognized from Maggie's shopping lists.
Dear Jasper,
Firstly I wanted to thank you for looking after the farm for me. I know you and Bella will make a wonderful life with little Maggie.
I told you that it would all be over for me soon and I intend to make sure it is so. By the time you read this, I will be at peace, lying beside my beloved children.
I left my will with Carlisle's lawyer, Mr. Jenks. All I asked was to be buried on the farm. Everything I own, including the farm, I am leaving to you. What you choose to do with it is entirely up to you. It could give you a home while you decide where your future lies and then you can sell it and use the money to buy something better. It's your choice now.
Yours Maggie Scott.
I read it through twice before handing it silently to Bella.
She also read it through several times before turning to me with tears in her eyes.
"She's gone?"
I shrugged, "I guess so. I'll contact Jenks once we get back to the farm. But why would she leave me her home?"
Bella smiled, "She wanted it to go to someone who would understand what it meant to her. I think she hoped we would make it our, little Maggie's home, although she gave us her blessings to sell it if not."
I glanced over at where Maggie slept covered with a travel blanket and holding the teddy I had bought her for her birthday. A simple brown bear with no bows or clothing and she loved it. Like me, Maggie liked things the way they really were.
"She'll be thrilled to be back on the farm, but telling her that her Aunt is gone won't be easy."
Bella sighed, "No, it won't."
"Do you want to stay on at the farm for a while? If not, then I can ask Jenks to put it on the market and we can go… Well, anywhere we like."
Bella was quiet for a long time before answering my question. Finally, she returned her solemn gaze to mine.
"You liked the farm, didn't you?"
"Yes, but that's not the point."
"Just a minute. Maggie would love living there and it would give her plenty of space to grow up. We can home-school her there. I think I'd like to give it a try."
I smiled, it was just what I had hoped to hear.
"Great, then we have a home. We can remodel anything you want. Maggie will have a room of her own and maybe we can get a few pigs, maybe even a dog."
Bella burst out laughing, "I thought Maggie would be excited but you're already making plans."
"Yes, but every one of them includes you and Maggie. Who knows, we could even get married there if you like?"
I had noticed that she had put her ring back on after the party and Maggie had lots of questions when she saw it. Bella's little girl was delighted when she discovered that I would officially be her Papa. All my worries about that first reunion between Bella and Edward had been proved unfounded. Bella was mine now, her and Maggie.
I called Jenks as soon as we landed, to discover that Maggie had died the day after we left and was buried next to her precious Mary.
"I have filed Mrs. Scott's will. The deeds for the house are being transferred to you as we speak. The rest of her assets are being collected. There are two bank accounts, both substantial, some share certificates, and a collection of antique jewelry. Would you like me to arrange for everything to be sent to the farm?"
I agreed to this, shocked to discover that Maggie had been a very wealthy woman, but then I was sure Carlisle had helped her to invest her money over the years. All that money yet she had lived like a poor dirt farmer for years. I guess the only thing she ever wanted she could never buy. It made me feel good that little Maggie had given her final few months some joy.
While I drove out to the farm Bella explained the situation to Maggie who wept inconsolably for several minutes. The bond the two had forged had been new but strong and little Maggie was going to miss her Aunt.
"And we're going to live in Aunt Maggie's house?"
"Yes, that's the plan."
"Then can I have her room, Mommy? That way I won't ever forget her."
"You won't anyway sweetie, but sure if you like. I thought you might like the big bedroom out front. More room for your books and toys."
Maggie was adamant and it was fine by us. It wasn't the master suite anyhow.
It seemed strange pulling up outside the farmhouse and not seeing Maggie standing on the steps waiting to greet us.
Bella seemed reluctant to go inside but little Maggie ran up the steps and waited impatiently for me to open the door.
Standing inside she looked around and shocked me by yelling loudly, "Aunt Maggie we're back and we're going to look after all the animals for you."
Then she ran upstairs and we heard a bedroom door bang open.
"Well, someone is making themself right at home."
"It's strange, Jasper. I thought I'd feel uncomfortable walking in here but it's like the house is welcoming us."
I knew what she meant, the sun was shining through the windows and the place smelled of fresh flowers. Just as Maggie had done. It was a scent I remembered from my mother. Home-made perfume from scented flower petals.
"Hi Maggie, don't you worry. All the animals will be looked after and we'll be up to say goodbye properly real soon."
Like little Maggie it felt right to talk to the old lady as if she could hear us. Who knows? Maybe she could.
It took a few weeks but soon the farmhouse began to feel like our home. Maggie had helped to decorate her room and was the proud owner of a princess bed with twinkle lights and built-in bookcases.
The stock had been cared for by someone Jenks had supplied and everything was in good order.
I promised Maggie a ride on the old horse as soon as she was big enough to straddle his back. In the meantime, she often sat chatting to him about Aunt Maggie and feeding him chopped-up carrots and apples. I wondered if he missed his old mistress as much as we did.
Bella and I decided not to go for a fancy wedding. She'd already been there with Edward. Instead, we took Maggie on vacation to Las Vegas and got married in one of their wedding chapels. I knew Esme would throw a fit when she found out but it was our decision.
In the meantime I had been waiting for Bella to broach the subject of her family, sure she would do so soon and was ready to accept whatever she decided.
"I've been thinking about Charlie a lot recently. He must be going frantic with worry about me."
"I guess maybe it's time to decide what you're going to do about the situation then."
Bella lay with her head on my shoulder, her skin still flushed from our earlier lovemaking. She had never looked more beautiful.
"I know. I guess I've put it off long enough. I'd love to have him in Maggie's life but I just don't see how without putting everyone in danger. We know the Volturi are keeping an eye on us so it's hardly likely they would miss me contacting him or him visiting. I should let him put me to rest and move on. Do you think Carlisle could organize my death in Switzerland? I mean well enough to fool my dad?"
"If that's what you want, I'm sure he can."
I could see her eyes well up with tears and pulled her into my arms.
"I know it's hard but I'm here for you, darlin'."
She wiped away a tear and nodded, "I know. I'll call him in the morning and ask him. You know it's been over a year since I first arrived here and so much has changed since then."
"It sure has. I hope we'll have many more happy years here."
"Me too. I was wondering actually, do you think we could invite the family for Christmas? Maggie would love that."
"Sure, why not? It will take your mind off more painful things."
She called Carlisle just as she planned and he promised to take care of it. He would visit Charlie in person and when he called back the next day he surprised us by saying that Edward had offered to go with him.
"It would look much more authentic if he was there. He is Charlie's son-in-law after all."
It seemed that Edward had finally started to grow up!
Bella spent the next few days throwing herself into the preparations for the Christmas festivities with Maggie who was thrilled to be having her family stay for the season.
She missed Esme and Carlisle and it would be the first time she had seen Emmett and Rose. She was very excited at the thought of having another Aunt and Uncle.
Maggie even surprised us by suggesting that Edward come. We hadn't pressed the issue but were both relieved and pleased.
"If you want to, Maggie. I know he'd be pleased."
"It wouldn't be nice to leave him out. He is part of my family, Mommy."
She'd been talking to Edward on the phone regularly and we were both pleased that the two appeared to be getting along. Still, this was a huge step forward and I knew Edward would be thrilled at the invitation.
The house looked like Santa's grotto when the girls had finished decorating and I did my best to keep out of the way caring for the stock. We now had three cows, four pigs, ducks, geese, and hens, plus Hercules and a new puppy who followed Maggie around everywhere and slept on the end of her bed, when he wasn't too muddy!
Each week we went as a family to the burial plot at the top of the hill and placed flowers on the graves. This week it was snowing and instead of flowers Bella and Maggie had made a wreath with evergreens and white Christmas roses. Maggie placed it on the mound and knelt to brush the snow away from the headstones that now had her aunt's name inscribed on them too.
"I hope you like this Aunt Maggie. We made it ourselves. Next week my family is coming for Christmas and I know you'll be there with us. Love you."
She came back to us and grabbed both our hands, "It's going to be a wonderful Christmas."
"It sure is, Firefly, I wonder what Santa will be bringing you."
"I sent him a letter telling him what I want but I know what Mommy's got for you."
She was looking at Bella with a delighted smile almost jumping about in excitement. "Can we tell Papa now?"
Bella sighed, "We were going to wait, remember?"
"I know but I'm afraid I might say something. It's bursting to get out. Please Mommy, please."
I frowned from one to the other, something was going on here.
"Is this a conspiracy? What don't I know?"
Maggie giggled and Bella smiled at her indulgently although neither spoke.
"Well, I can see I'm going to have to torture it out of you. Tickles all around I think."
As I stalked Maggie she ran behind the trees begging Bella to tell me. "Mommy, please. I hate being tickled."
Bella sighed, "OK but you owe me big time, young lady. Maggie was desperate to tell you but I was going to wait until Christmas Day."
"Well? Tell me what?"
"You're going to be a daddy again, Jasper. Merry Christmas."
