Chapter Forty Two

Bella

While I was having a manicure and pedicure Charlotte insisted I watch the DVD that Peter had sent. I was curious because had it been something awful surely she wouldn't have pushed it?

It was quite obviously a home movie and the first thing I saw was Peter's grinning face.

"Hi there, Bella. Bet you're chewing your nails wondering what I have in store for you. Well, sit back and enjoy."

As the disc continued to play I found myself crying. Somehow Peter had gained access to home movies and photographs of my childhood, some I didn't even know existed. There were lots with me and Renee because I'd lived with her for most of my childhood but there was one, a grainy home movie of me as a baby in my dad's arms and as a toddler. That must have been taken shortly before Renee left him taking me along. There were even some photographs of me with my grandparents.

After the trip through my childhood, Charlie became the subject. To see him as a boy and grow into the man I had known was wonderful. There was a short movie of his graduation from the Police Academy and then stills of newspaper articles that mentioned his work in Forks and his eventual rise to Chief of Police.

Charlotte paused the DVD and handed me more tissues, "We never wanted to upset you, Bella."

"You haven't. It's wonderful. But how on earth did Peter find all these?"

"He had help from a friend who knows his way around the internet and I discovered that your mother has a storage locker in Boston. She has photo albums and old 8mm films stored away so we just borrowed them and took copies."

"She never told me and I've never seen most of these. I guess she didn't think it was important. I thought I'd lost everything in the fire."

"Well, you didn't. Peter made three copies and he's going to get one uploaded to cloud storage for you and keep the other just in case. His words by the way, not mine."

I think I understood Peter's words. I didn't have a good track record of holding onto things and I appreciated his thoughtfulness.

While I ate lunch brought up by room service we watched the rest of the DVD which contained a few black and white photographs of Jasper as the human Major Whitlock during the civil war and some crazy footage Peter and various friends had taken over the years at the ranch and other places. They showed the more relaxed version of Jasper that I had seen only recently.

He had always been somber and a little distant when I knew him in Forks but there was a fun-loving young man still inside and now I saw more of it.

Alice was in one of the films but she didn't comment on it. She hadn't looked very amused and although there was no sound in the film I could imagine that Peter had probably been baiting her.

I just hoped that inviting her to the wedding hadn't been a huge mistake. I was sure she wouldn't do anything to ruin my big day, neither would Peter, not intentionally anyhow.

We spent the afternoon shopping at the mall, or at least Alice and Sasha did. I wandered around feeling I'd been blessed to have such friends.

Suddenly Alice stopped, her eyes with that faraway stare that told me she was seeing something, but after a few seconds they cleared and she frowned.

"That's odd."

Esme turned to her, "What?"

"I'm not sure. I felt the way I do when I get a vision but nothing came through. It was as if I was looking through a thick fog. How strange."

"Do you think it means trouble?"

Alice shrugged, "I've no idea, Rose. I couldn't get a grip on it. That seems to happen to me more often these days."

She turned to me and smiled, "I don't get as many visions as I used to so maybe being content means I don't feel the need to see the future."

I felt this might be a dig at her life with Jasper but decided to ignore it. Besides, he was big enough to look after himself. He didn't need a weak little human fighting his corner. Which didn't mean that I wouldn't if she opened her mouth again!

Rose nudged me, "You OK, Bella? Don't let Alice get to you. Remember, Sasha's here. It's probably her gift influencing things."

Rose was right of course, I should have thought of that although I hadn't noticed any animosity since we left the ranch, at least not until now.

Esme took a call as we walked back to the hotel and I saw her smile. It must be Carlisle. Maybe they missed each other as much as I missed Jasper when apart. Thank goodness that would be over very soon.

Catching up with me she explained that it had indeed been Carlisle.

"Carlisle has just heard from Jenks. It appears that Bruce King has been arrested and charged with fraud, tax evasion, and money laundering offences and the business has been closed down by the IRS. He's been refused bail as he's considered a flight risk."

I heaved a sigh of relief. At least he wouldn't be getting away with everything, even if I couldn't prove that he was the one who arranged the fires. There was just one thing that still concerned me.

"And Patrick?"

She shook her head, "It seems that they have nothing on Patrick. He was not aware of the things his father was doing. Bruce and the accountant hid their activities well."

"What about Magda?"

"Nothing so far. If she was involved then she's hidden it well."

"But she was involved in organizing the fires. She knew about my painting. She knew it was hidden in Bruce's study. I hate to think she's going to get away with that."

"Oh, I wouldn't worry about that, Bella. I've seen what Magda is capable of and I don't think it would take much to wind her up and set her off right into the clutches of the cops. Unless of course, you'd prefer that I dealt with her permanently."

I stared warily at Sasha who had just spoken up, but she seemed perfectly sincere.

She shrugged, "Well, I know you have scruples so I thought I'd better offer you an alternative. I could just rip her throat out and be done with it."

I was horrified, I didn't want anyone killed on my behalf.

"No. A legal way would be fine, Sasha."

She nodded, sighing gently, "You are going to be a very unusual vampire, Bella. OK then, leave it with me."

"What are you going to do?"

She leaned closer, "I'm going to let it slip that all the money her husband squirreled away was earmarked for a new life for him and his mistress. Magda won't like that, not at all. Especially when she discovers that some of the money is already in Sophia's hands. I'm sure attempted murder will get her put away for you. Unless you want me to beat the truth about the fires out of her scrawny body?"

She waited, her eyes shining with anticipation which dimmed when she saw my expression.

"I thought not. Oh well, never mind. It'll be fun either way."

By the time we reached the hotel, I was exhausted. These girls had vampire stamina while I was still a weak human.

I decided to take a nap at Esme's suggestion before dinner leaving them chatting in the lounge. Luckily the suite had a separate bedroom so I could close the drapes and relax in the semi-darkness.

Tomorrow I would be walking down the aisle to join Jasper and become his wife. It was almost unbelievable. How had I got so lucky?

As I sank into a doze I heard a phone ring and wondered idly which one it was. I wasn't expecting a call although I would have loved to hear from Jasper. Just a few words to reassure me that he was missing me as much as I was missing him.

No doubt he was too busy with the rest of the guys. I just hoped Carlisle could rein them in, especially Peter. I didn't want anything to spoil our big day.

Esme

Bella looked tired. I think we had forgotten she needed her sleep so I had insisted she take a nap while the rest of us sat around chatting. I think she had enjoyed her bachelorette party and my fears of Sasha upsetting things had been unfounded. She had actually been very sweet since we arrived at the hotel.

"Good news about the Kings." Rose was smiling, "I'm glad Bruce is going to pay."

"Magda too once we get back. I might even give her a quick call, just to see how she's holding up. Tell her I have something she might be interested in and arrange to meet her after the wedding."

We all looked at Sasha, she had sounded as if she was relishing that meeting and it disturbed me a little. We'd never had anyone in the family quite like her. What did Edward see in her? They were worlds apart in attitudes, well, in everything if you thought about it.

My phone rang again and I snatched it up hoping that it wouldn't wake Bella.

"Esme?"

"Yes. Peter, is that you? What's up?"

"Oh, nothing. I just wanted to know how your party went. Did Bella like the DVD?"

I wondered why he had called me instead of his wife?

"She loved it. That was very thoughtful of you."

"Yeah well. I can be thoughtful from time to time. Did the Major call Bella?"

"No. Why? Was he supposed to?"

"No. It's just we were messing around and I stole his phone. He said he wanted it back to call Bella and I just wondered if he'd done so?"

"And you thought Charlotte wouldn't tell you so you decided to call me?"

"Yeah, something like that. Well, enjoy the rest of your day. Oh, and tell Charlotte I haven't forgotten about the list she left."

When he hung up I sat wondering what that was all about. It was totally out of character for Peter to call me although I guess if they had been playing their own version of truth or consequences he might just check up on Jasper. Still, it made me feel uneasy.

Charlotte just shrugged when I told her, "Esme, I gave up trying to understand the workings of my husband's mind decades ago. He's probably just trying to wind you up, but if you're genuinely worried…"

I shook my head, "No, you're right. I think he was looking for details about Bella's reaction to the DVD. Maybe he was worried that it might upset her."

Charlotte nodded her agreement and turned back to the conversation but I decided not to tell Bella about the call. I would worry for the two of us and if Peter had done anything to upset Bella's wedding I would personally castrate him!

Bella slept for two hours and looked much better when she rejoined us.

She ate well and we decided not to go out again but to spend the evening playing cards and chatting. Bella needed to relax and I knew she wouldn't do that if we visited bars although Sasha did suggest we go ice skating.

"Go on. It'll be fun."

Bella stared at her, "Do you have something against me getting married tomorrow?"

Sasha stared at her horrified by the question, "Of course not, Bella."

"Then ice skating is out. The last time I went skating, which was several years ago, I broke my ankle."

"Oh, right." Sasha looked relieved, "OK. No skating. What about a karaoke bar?"

"Sasha, I think Bella would like to take it easy."

Sasha glanced at me, "But it's her last night of freedom. Surely you want to do something you can remember for the rest of your life?"

Bella looked unsure, "Well, I guess so but I can't sing, Sasha."

"Isn't that the point of it? You get up on stage and make a fool of yourself?"

I interrupted, "I don't think Bella is big on making a fool of herself, Sasha."

Edward's wife sighed heavily, "OK then, but I think I'll go out for a while. Does anyone care to join me?"

I was surprised when both Rosalie and Charlotte agreed to accompany her.

"You take it easy, Bella. It will be easier with us out of the way and I promise we won't be back too late or wake you up."

As they left Rose hung back and whispered to me, "I don't think it's a good idea for Sasha to be out on her own. You never know what she might be up to."

I nodded my understanding. Having heard of my daughter in law's propensity for trouble, Rose was probably right.

In the end, Bella and I curled up on the couch and watched Peter's DVD again followed by a Rom-Com on cable. It was nice. Just the two of us, like mom and daughter and I wondered if Bella appreciated it as much as I did.

"What do you think the guys are doing?"

I smiled, "Oh, kicking up their heels I suppose. Don't worry, Carlisle will do his best to keep things under control.

Little did I know what was happening at the ranch right this minute.