Chapter Twenty One

Esme

I was proud of the way Bella had dealt with Patrick and her mom although I couldn't understand why a mother would be so cold and cruel to her daughter. If she had been my daughter I would have been there to back up her decision and give her some support. Well, from now on I will do so.

As soon as Bella appeared I went over and took the bags from her. It was easy to see that she was upset so I suggested that she and I go to her apartment and then for lunch.

She agreed and was very quiet as I drove to her apartment. I could see she was close to tears and cursed Renee. There was nothing I could do about Renee's actions but I promised myself that I would try to be a better mother figure for Bella.

It was strange going inside Bella's apartment after watching it from a distance for so long. The place was warm and homely, there were books stacked neatly and her computer on the desk surrounded by papers, she worked from home quite often. In pride of place by her bed was a framed photograph of Charlie in uniform. His death had hit Bella hard and her mother bad-mouthing him, quite apart from being morally wrong, had reopened old wounds.

"Do you mind if I stay with you for a while, Esme? I'd rather not be somewhere my mom or Patrick could find me too easily."

I put an arm around her, "Bella, our home is your home for as long as you and Jasper decide to stay. I'm hoping you might join us permanently although I know you have your own lives to lead. Bring whatever you need."

She smiled and grabbed a flight bag filling it with books and her laptop then went through to the bedroom and came out with a wrapped gift which she handed to me.

"I never got around to buying any presents except this. As a thank you for looking after me. I hope you like it."

I unwrapped the parcel and discovered a music box that played a tune when the lid was opened. A ballerina spun gracefully to the music and I watched it until the music stopped.

"Oh, Bella. It's beautiful. How did you know that I collect music boxes?"

"I didn't. I just saw it and it reminded me of you and my first trip to Phoenix with Jasper and Alice."

I hugged her, I was so touched by her thoughtfulness.

"Are you ready?"

She nodded and while I took the bags down to the car she locked the door.

On our way back to the house I asked her if she had brought the painting with her.

"What painting?"

"The one on your bedroom wall. That painting of Jasper."

She turned to stare at me, "You know about that? Of course, you do. Is it really Jasper?"

"If you want it to be. I guess it's probably the artist's imagination but aren't all paintings what we want them to be? Everyone sees something different when they look at a painting."

Bella nodded, "That's how I feel. It's why I love paintings so much. I just wish I could paint."

"Ask Jasper to show you how."

"He can paint?"

"Oh yes. He's good at it, although we don't have any of his work here. I think most of his pieces are in storage or at his friend's place. Which reminds me, you haven't met his friends yet, have you. Now that will be a shock to the system. They're a little…"

I stopped, struggling to find the right word, "Unusual."

"Unusual? How?"

"It's difficult to explain. You can tell me what your impression is once you've met them. Charlotte is a dear but her husband Peter, well. He's what you might call a rough diamond. A very rough diamond. Alice hated him and it was mutual."

"Oh. Right. Now I can't wait to meet them. I hope they like me."

"I'm sure they will. What's not to like? Even Sasha seems to be better with you around although I'm sure you would rather that they hadn't turned up. I'll admit I wasn't happy to see them at first either. Still, I guess you have to get used to Edward appearing from time to time now you're one of the family."

"I think meeting Alice will be the most difficult thing."

I smiled reassuringly, "Alice will be delighted. She's happy and she'll be pleased you and Jasper are too."

"I hope you're right."

"I am. I know my daughter. She's not a vindictive person and she likes you. Their break-up wasn't acrimonious. She just knew things. It's quite a heavy burden seeing the future or possible futures,"

"Yes, I can understand that. I'd like us to remain friends."

Bella

Esme pulled up outside the gallery and I went inside to check everything was OK then called and arranged for my staff to run the place while I recovered from my accident.

Knowing everything was sorted out I could begin to relax on the way back to the house but I was really happy to see Jasper waiting on the porch for our return.

To my relief Edward and Sasha had already left by this time, they were going to visit friends in New Mexico but were due back the following day.

It felt like I had come home when I sat with the others and watched a movie on TV and I was relaxed by the time I went upstairs to bed.

An hour later Jasper woke me up with bad news. There was a fire at the gallery.

We drove into town to find that the gallery was well alight with firefighters trying desperately to save something but the fire had too good a hold and by dawn, all that was left were smoking ruins.

I broke down in tears thinking of all that I'd lost. I had been so proud of the gallery and although it was insured I couldn't replace the artwork that had burned with the building.

Jasper did his best to console me and I think without his calm presence at my side I might have broken down altogether.

The police came over to speak to us and it was at this point I discovered that they suspected arson.

"Miss Swan, do you know of anyone who has a grudge against you? Do you owe anyone any money? Anything at all?"

I shook my head, "No. The artists are paid right away minus the gallery commission and they are all friends too. And as far as I know, I don't have any enemies."

Jasper cut in at this point, "How was the fire started?"

The police officer glanced at him then at a nod from me he answered, "The firefighters suspect an accelerant was used. We won't know for sure until the arson investigators complete an inspection. Was the gallery insured?"

I nodded, "Yes, but it's the contents that can't be replaced."

"I understand that. Do you have any debts? Is there anyone you owe a large amount of money to?"

I frowned, "Are you insinuating that I burned my own gallery down?"

He shrugged, "I'm sorry but we have to ask and there will be an investigation. That sort of thing has to be looked into."

"No. I don't owe anyone a lot of money. I bought the gallery outright with money from my father's life insurance. He was a police officer."

His attitude changed immediately, "Your father was a cop?"

"He was the Chief of Police in Forks Washington until his death. He left me the money to open the gallery."

"Right. I'm sorry Miss Swan. I know how painful and upsetting my questions can be but I have to ask."

"I understand. Can I go now?"

"Just one more question, for the record, how did you get those bruises?"

He glanced at Jasper who bridled but I jumped in quickly, "I was in an accident a few days ago. My boyfriends' car hit a truck."

He turned to Jasper, "Your truck?"

"No."

I sighed, "My boyfriend at the time was Patrick King."

His eyes widened a little, he'd heard of the King family, of course.

"Right. And you and Mr King are no longer in a relationship?"

"No."

He nodded, "Well, if you can just give me an address where we can contact you and a cell phone number."

I gave him the Cullen address explaining that's where I was staying at present and my cell phone number. I was glad I'd retrieved my cell phone earlier in the day.

On the way home Jasper asked the question I had been asking myself.

"Do you think Patrick might be responsible for the fire?"

I hesitated then shook my head, "No. I don't think he'd get involved with something like that."

"Is there anyone else who might have done it?"

"Not that I can think of. Perhaps I was just unlucky and it was an arsonist who happened to pick my gallery at random."

He nodded but I could tell he wasn't convinced.

I started crying again in the car. Everything had been so wonderful since Jasper and I met again and now everything seemed to be going to hell. First, there had been Edward acting the asshole although I thought I'd made my position clear with him. I wasn't the timid little mouse he had known back in Forks. And now my gallery was gone. Maybe I was still suffering the lingering effects of the accident too.

When we got back to the house Jasper took me straight upstairs to the bedroom and told me to lay down, that I was in shock.

"I'll explain what's happened to the others. Just try to get some sleep. I'll be back soon, darlin'"

The feel of his kiss lingered on my cheek after he was gone and I found myself hugging the pillow wishing it was him. When he was with me I could be strong but after everything that had happened over the past couple of months, I was mentally tired. Arguing with Patrick and my mom hadn't helped. I wished I could just get in a car and drive away. I didn't care where I went as long as Jasper was at my side but I wanted to get out of Phoenix. The trouble was I couldn't leave. The police indicated they would be talking to me again soon and I had the insurance assessors to deal with.

When Jasper came back I felt much better and I didn't care whether he was helping me with his gift or not, I was grateful either way.

"Bella, I've been thinking. It might be a good thing for you if we left Phoenix for a while. You need some peace and quiet. Relax and think things through. Carlisle agrees. He thinks the stress is getting to you. You're very pale and look, your hands are shaking."

I looked down, I hadn't noticed but he was right. My hands were shaking and I suddenly felt cold.

"Why would someone burn down the gallery, Jasper?"

He put his arms around me and held me close, "I don't know, darlin' but we'll find out. Emmett is busy hacking into the police and arson inspectors computers so we'll know everything they know. Rosalie is going to pick up the paperwork from your apartment so we can contact the insurers and Esme will contact your clients. That's if you are happy for the girls to take it on of course. I couldn't stop Emmett, I'm afraid if you want him to stop you're going to have to ask him yourself."

Their thoughtfulness and concern touched me deeply and I began to cry again. Suddenly I was a complete mess, I couldn't control my emotions and kept collapsing into a heap of sodden mess.

There was a knock on the door and Carlisle came in. He took one look at me and came over to sit on the bed beside me.

"Bella, you've been through a lot recently. The accident, the break up with your boyfriend, your mother's intervention and now the fire. You need to rest, now either you can let me prescribe something or you can allow Jasper to help but you need to sleep and as your doctor, I will be telling the police that I will only allow them to interview you in my presence. I'm concerned that you are going to have a nervous breakdown."

I nodded, I knew he was right. I had been so happy Christmas morning and now my world had turned upside down.

"I promise I'll sleep. Jasper will help me and thank you, Carlisle."

He smiled and touched my shoulder, "You're family Bella and we Cullens look after our own."

I didn't feel like I could shower because I was so tired. Instead, I brushed my teeth and then lay down fully clothed and allowed Jasper to take me in his arms and send me to sleep.

"I'll be here all night, Bella. You won't be alone."

The last thing I remembered was his breath on my cheek and the feel of his strong arms around my body.

Esme

When Carlisle came back downstairs I could see he was troubled.

"Did she take you up on something to help her sleep?"

He shook his head, "She chose Jasper. No surprises there. I am worried though. Bella needs to get away from everything for a while. This fire has really upset her. If I thought for one minute Patrick had anything to do with it I'd see to him myself."

I was shocked, "Do you think it might be him?"

Carlisle shrugged, "I don't know, Esme but I'm suspicious of a random arsonist. It's a little too convenient. He gets jilted and suddenly Bella's life starts to unravel. I've asked Emmett to let me know if he gets anything that points towards Patrick."

"Well, I hope you're wrong for everyone's sake. Do you think the police would let Bella leave Phoenix?"

"I see no reason why not. She's not under suspicion, they just have to eliminate her but she has a cast-iron alibi. She was here all evening until we got the call. I think I'll have a word with Jasper. He could take her to his friends in Boulder. That would get her away from everything."

I was horrified, "Take Bella to Peter's place? Is that wise?"

He smiled, "I think he's just what she needs. Peter will make her forget her troubles if anyone can and Charlotte will spoil her. Besides, the two of them need some time away from us, from the family. It'll do them good."

"I hope you're right. Did she agree to let Rose and I sort things out?"

"She's very grateful for the offer. But as I told her, she's part of the family now."

I smiled, "Yes she is. It's wonderful having the family back together again."

"Even Edward and Sasha?"

I smiled, "Even those two now Bella put Edward in his place. I was so proud of her."

"Yes. All we need now is for Alice to turn up and the gang will be complete."

I frowned, "I think Bella needs to recover first. She's still nervous at the thought of seeing Alice again."

He understood and the two of us drove with Rosalie to Bella's place to collect the paperwork we would need, leaving Emmett on his computer and the young lovers alone upstairs.