Chapter Nineteen
Jasper has not said a word since our younger two children decided to leave us just to save us. Manny and Nessie have left to go home, but Christine and Christian have remained behind. I walk up behind Jasper on the balcony, wrap my arms around his waist and kisses his left shoulder before laying my cheek against it. He places his cool hands on my arms to pull me tighter to him.
"They were bound to leave us eventually," I murmur.
"Not like this," Jasper utters.
"They will be safe with Marcus, he will watch over them," I say. Jasper turns to look at me with black eyes, holds my face in his hands, and kisses my forehead. If he could cry, he would have tears streaming down his face.
"I am worried that the twins will follow or even Manny or Nessie," Jasper whispers. "I am also worried that any other children we have will be hunted for Aro's gain."
"We won't let that happen and we can always not have anymore children," I say with a hint of sadness. Jasper holds me at arms length even more sadness in his eyes.
"What? What do you mean? We talked about having as many kids as possible."
"Jazz, we have been beaten and hunted ever since the twins were born. I cannot take this day again and will not be able to handle it. There is one way that we can avoid having another child."
"And what might that be?"
"Turn me into a vampire."
"No."
"What other option ado we have?"
"We accept what we are and love any child that comes next. We will get through this together. I want more children, so as long as they are with you."
"Alright, you win." I smile widely and curl myself into Jasper's arm for safety. Jasper kisses the top of my head gently. "Let's get married again."
"Anything you want, darlin'." Jasper chuckles.
I sit in my study at our house in Forks reading a book that Matthew sent for me. Christine and Christian are with Rosalie and Emmett for the day, leaving Manny and Nessie at the house with me. I put my book down to look outside the window for a moment, thinking about my two babies with Aro and Marcus. I hope they are doing well and hope we do not have to fight them in a war that cannot be won by any side. Manny comes in with a tray of tea and some cookies.
"Hi, sweetie," I say with a smile. He joins me on the couch and kisses my cheek before pouring the tea.
"You doing alright today?" Manny asks.
"I am doing okay," I sigh. "Just a little quiet without the little ones."
"Yeah, it is odd not being tackled the moment I walk into the door. I remember the day they were born in this house," Manny says.
"Me too," I say with a sad smile. "I need to go through their room and clean out their things to send it over to them."
"Let me do it, mom," Manny says, handing me my cup. "You have enough to deal with with the pack and Volturi almost at war."
"I don't think we will be safe if either of them win this war," I grumble into my cup.
"What else is there to do, mama? Do we hide forever if the Volturi win or leave Forks forever if the pack wins?" Manny asks.
"I am not sure, my love," I sigh. "But we will all figure it out when the time comes and decide where we stand with this. The fight between vampires and wolf shifters has been going on for many years. But for our particular kind, we have not had many dealings with the vampires due to us never leaving our reservation."
"And now we are causing problems for those we love," Manny grumbles. The words make my back stiffen at the thought and it makes realise that nothing has been peaceful since my arrival with Matthew. But, I am not the only one that has caused problems. There is a knock on the door and we turn to see Jasper with a sad smile on his face.
"We have a messenger waiting for us at Carlisle's," Jasper says softly. Manny rushes to gather the twins and Nessie to leave, but I motion for Jasper to sit with me for a moment. He slowly makes his way over, sits slowly, and I climb into his lap to let him hold me as tightly as he wants. I take in his scent when I bury my nose into his neck while he remains still like a statue. Thoughts begin to run through my head as I imagine what is going through his and then suddenly my emotion begins to change to being happy.
"That is not fair," I giggle. Jasper relaxes a bit and caresses my hair gently, while kissing my forehead sweetly.
"I felt your tension and fear," Jasper whispers.
"No matter what happens, we will always be together and a family forever," I murmur. "You know what the Volturi are going to say, don't you?"
"Yes, I do," Jasper says calmly. A little calmly for me, but he is putting a wall up to not let me see whatever it is he is feeling. I pull away to see his eyes are black again and his face a taut, just like when I first met him all those years ago.
"Jazz, what did they say?"
"Promise me, you will not panic."
"You know I cannot make that promise."
"Embry is to die by someone of the Volturi's choosing. They have chosen for you or I to do it."
"What? No! The children joined them! They owe us!" I bolt to my feet to run out of the room, but Jasper grabs my hand.
"Marinna, no, you cannot react in haste."
"Jasper, that is Manny's father! I will not kill him or let you kill him!"
"It must be done! They demand blood for blood!"
"No! I refuse!" I begin to shake in my frustration, trying not to shift or hurt Jasper. Tears begin to run down my face when I think about Rachel being alone raising her children without Embry, not knowing why he died or that one of us were the ones that killed him. How could they ask this of me or Jasper? What do they get out of this?