Chapter Thirty Seven
Bella
We decided to stay in Boulder until the wedding. It didn't seem worth going back to Phoenix and I had finally relaxed away from the tension and bad memories of the fires. The ranch was so peaceful despite Peter's constant, if only half-hearted complaints, about all the work he had to do as a result of my being there.
"I wouldn't mind so much but Char is using this fucking wedding as an excuse to get all the jobs done I've spent years avoiding."
I didn't quite get how that was my fault but if I attempted to argue or smiled it only made things worse.
"Hey, Bella. Don't think I'm gonna forget all this shit you're putting me through. Oh no. It's all going down in the book and once you join us I'm gonna get my own back bigtime. And don't you think you can hide behind the Major because I can whup his fucking ass if need be."
At first, Charlotte was nervous, she thought I might take Peter's threats and moaning to heart but I knew he didn't mean any of it. If he had I'd have been thrown off the ranch long ago. It was his rather twisted way of welcoming me to the family and I loved it.
I never wanted to be treated with kid gloves as if I might break at any second. That had been one of Edward's big mistakes. He's pushed the rest of the family away and kept them at arm's length when he didn't need to. I'd never been in any danger from them. I was Edward's girlfriend and as such, untouchable. The same held true here. Neither Charlotte nor Peter would hurt me.
Jasper and I went for long walks, well long for me considering my leg was still painful at times, but I didn't mind. Just being with him was all I ever needed or wanted. It didn't matter what we were doing.
"You do know that Peter and Charlotte are hoping that we might consider moving here permanently?"
I nodded, "Charlotte mentioned it this morning. I love it here, but I'm not sure about sharing a house with them. I've lived mainly on my own for a long time now and I do like a little space. Besides, they need space too. At the same time, I don't want to upset them. They've been so kind and generous and I love them both."
He smiled and squeezed my hand, "I'm happy about that."
"Well, I do. I feel a part of the family. They made me feel that and not just for your sake. Although otherwise, I think Peter might have decided to kill me just to get Charlotte off his back."
He laughed, "Maybe. Anyhow, I thought you feel that way so I had a word with Peter, told him we'd really like a place of our own."
I tensed, "How did he take it?"
I got the impression that Peter didn't take rejection well.
Jasper smiled, "Oh, I think he understood. Let's sit down, shall we? You look like you could do with resting that leg."
I sat beside him on a rise overlooking the ranch. The view was breathtaking and went on and on. You could just see the ranch house and barns in the distance but there wasn't another building in sight in any direction.
"It's so beautiful up here. My favorite place."
Jasper put his arm around me, "Mine too. Which is why Peter suggested that we might like to build a cabin up here. That way we would be close enough to them but have our own space. It is just an idea, that's all. There's no pressure on you to accept."
I stared out at the view that could be mine if I wanted, and then up into Jasper's golden eyes, "Really? We could do that?"
"We could, but it means you won't be close to Esme and the others. Would that bother you?"
"They could visit us, couldn't they?"
"Sure. It would be our place. You could invite whoever you like."
"Do you think they'd come? Knowing how Peter feels about them?"
"You leave Peter to Char and me. Besides, he loves you too and if having the Cullens to stay every so often is the price he has to pay for keeping you close…Well, he'd gladly pay it although he'd never admit as much himself."
"I'd love it. To look out and see this every day would be magical, especially with you by my side."
"Ah, that's just as well seeing as how I come as part of the package."
"Then I'm sold. We can use the insurance money from the gallery to finance the build. How long do you think it would take?"
"We won't need to touch that money. I think you should invest it. It's what Charlie would want you to do. Besides, Peter and I can do the building work. As for how long, that depends on getting the materials to the site."
We sat there until the sun went down planning our new home and our life together.
"It will be a good place for me to stay while I adapt to becoming a vampire."
Jasper nodded slowly, "As long as you're sure that's what you want."
I sighed heavily, "Please don't start with the' you don't have to do it' speech. I do. I intend to stay with you for all eternity, Jasper Whitlock. And being here means you have Peter and Charlotte to help you with the scary newborn Bella Whitlock."
He laughed, "Scary, eh? Remember I have plenty of experience with newborns."
"Yes, but never one you'd fallen in love with. That might give me an advantage."
He pondered this then grinned, "Well, if you prove too much of a pain in the butt I'll let Peter take over. That should be fun to watch. The winner is the last man standing."
"Last woman standing, you mean."
He shrugged, "Either way it could be interesting. So, shall we tell Peter that we want to take him up on his offer?"
I nodded, "Yes. I guess we should head back now," I was reluctant for this wonderful day to end.
He pulled me down beside him, "What's your hurry darlin'? The moon's not up yet and I thought we might fool around a little."
I rolled on top of him, "Are you making improper suggestions to a poor defenseless little girl all alone out here without a chaperone? I'll have you know I'm getting married in a couple of weeks."
"Then we'd better not waste any time. That boyfriend of yours could turn up any minute."
As his lips met mine, all thoughts of the cabin, our new home, melted away and I was lost in the sweetness of his kiss.
Esme
I was disappointed at the news that Bella wouldn't be coming back to Phoenix before the wedding but I did understand. After everything she had been through I would probably have felt the same. There was some consolation at the other news I received, Alice would be arriving in a few days. I may have lost one daughter temporarily but the other was coming home. I knew Alice wouldn't be staying but I had missed her and been worried that she might never return.
Rose and Emmett had moved to the property Alice had found for them along with Hugo, Bella's dog. Luckily the creature was big enough not to be terrified of Emmett, in fact as soon as it set eyes on him the two had a bond. I think Hugo was glad to get out of Patrick's house. No one there really wanted him, not even Patrick. Holding on to the dog had been his way of punishing Bella. He didn't have a bond with the dog, it was left to the staff to look after its daily needs. Rose said he had seemed relieved when he handed the leash over to her.
He also had the painting ready and waiting when she visited and she could tell that he was extremely upset by his father's actions. Patrick asked Rose to pass on to Bella his apologies and his wishes for her happiness in the future which I found quite touching. He may have been a thoughtless and selfish fool but he had loved Bella. Just not in the way that she needed.
When Alice arrived I ran out to greet her, throwing my arms around her and holding her tight.
"It's so good to see you again. Did you have a good trip?"
Breaking free she giggled, "I missed you too, Esme. Yes, the flight was fine. Allow me to introduce you to Gabriel."
She smiled encouragingly at the dark-haired young man who had stood shyly back until now and he moved forward holding out his hand to me.
"Esme, I've heard so much about you. It is good that we finally get to meet."
I shook his hand and felt it tremble slightly. Why was he so nervous?
"Is Carlisle here?"
"No, darling. He had to go out for a while but he'll be back as soon as he can. Let's go inside. I asked Rose and Emmett to call later."
Alice nodded, "Great. See Gabriel, I told you that you had nothing to worry about. He's a little nervous about meeting everyone."
I smiled broadly, "We won't bite, I promise. Come on in."
"I'll just get the cases from the car then I'll join you. Thank you again, Esme."
I watched him walk slowly back to the car and turned to Alice, frowning, "Is he OK?"
"He will be. Gabriel hasn't been a vampire that long. He didn't know such things as families like ours existed and he finds the idea a little intimidating."
I scowled, "Why on earth didn't you warn us? Poor boy."
She shrugged, "I thought it might be better if he didn't sense everyone was eying him up. He's really sweet, Esme. You'll love him when you get to know him."
"I'm sure I will, but I wish you'd told us."
Once inside the ice was quickly broken but I was glad the others hadn't been here when they arrived. It might have been too much for Gabriel who was still extremely nervous.
"So, Alice tells me this life is new to you. How long have you been a vampire, Gabriel?"
He glanced at Alice who nodded encouragingly, "Only about five years. When I met Alice I was having a bad time adjusting. She helped me. Alice is a wonderful person."
"Well, we certainly think so. Where did you meet?"
Alice leaned forward, "It was quite exciting really. I was out hunting in the forest and came across another hunter, the human type. While I was stalking the deer, Gabriel was stalking its hunter."
"I nearly died when Alice appeared. I didn't know what to do. My kills were very clumsy and I was covered in the hunter's blood. It was embarrassing, especially as I thought she was after my kill."
I was fascinated, Alice with what amounted to a virtual newborn!
"He attacked but of course, I outsmarted him and eventually, after we'd rolled around a little I explained that I was there for him and not his kill."
He took Alice's hand, "She'd seen me in her visions and came to help me. Can you believe that?"
"Actually I can. Alice is very caring and she must have seen something special in you, Gabriel."
"That's what she said. I'd never been called special before."
"Gabriel was brought up in a Central American orphanage, he never knew his parents. Isn't that awful? He had no one at all."
I understood that Alice was comparing Gabriel's early life to her own and seeing the similarities.
"So, how did you become a vampire, Gabriel?"
"I ran away from the orphanage when I was thirteen and found my way into the Favelas of Rio De Janeiro. I'm not proud of what I became there.
Then one day about a year later I met a man connected to a charity who said he wanted to help me. I stole from him and disappeared back into the Favela and he came looking for me which was a bad move. There are a lot of dangerous people there, he was murdered.
I felt responsible so when several years later another charity worker offered me some help I realized how much I hated my life and took it. I'd almost decided to end it all and she seemed the answer to my prayers. Unfortunately, she wasn't an aid worker at all, she was a vampire who preyed on young people like me. I think she got a kick out of hunting in the Favela where we thought we were the predators.
She was draining me when something startled her. I don't know what it was but she ran. I didn't know what had happened or what was happening to me. When I woke up all I knew was that hell was a place I never wanted to visit again.
I taught myself to hunt and kill using the skills I learned in my human life but I was an uncontrolled newborn according to Alice. It appears I was lucky not to have been taken out by the Volturi. Maybe because I kept moving from place to place and finally ended up in the USA where I met Alice, my Anjo. Sorry, my English is still a little mixed up, Angel."
This young man was smitten by our Alice and I thought I understood why she had fallen for him. Gabriel was yet another soul in need of her touch, a little like Jasper although the two could not have been more different.
"Alice tells me that I was very lucky to live. I wouldn't have agreed before meeting her."
I interrupted his story, "Ah, I hear Carlisle draw up. He'll be very interested in your story, Gabriel but you don't need to worry, you are more than welcome here as part of the family."
Carlisle was fascinated as Gabriel repeated his life story and I saw a look of understanding cross his face. The same understanding I had felt about Alice's decision to find the young man who was struggling so much to adapt to our life.
"There is just one thing, Gabriel, that I must ask you. Do you live on human blood? Because if you do I must insist that you hunt far away from this house. We cannot afford to come under any suspicion."
Gabriel nodded, "I understand completely. Alice is helping me to change my diet but it is hard and I do slip up from time to time."
"Don't worry, Carlisle. I'll take responsibility for Gabriel's diet while we are here."
Carlisle nodded at Alice, "Good. Well then, welcome to the family Gabriel and if I can help at all, I will."
I saw the young man relax, relief written all over his face. "Thank you, Carlisle. You are most gracious."
So, I not only had a new daughter but a new son too. The family was growing and I couldn't have been happier.
