"Son, before I am forced to choose between two children I love dearly, you had better tell me there is something I do not know" Carlisle was barely holding himself in check. Only the knowledge that Jasper would not hesitate to act to protect Alice had allowed him to hold still while his son walked out with his daughter's life in his hands. Figuratively and literally.
"Jasper has a plan to give Bella want she wants."
Rosalie scoffed. "Whats that? A quick death because she is too much of a coward to do it herself?" Surprisingly, it was Emmett who turned on Rose at this comment. "Coward Rosalie? Really? The very girl who went into a den of the most powerful vampires in existence to try to save Edward, you call a coward for putting Alice's life ahead of her own?!" Rosalie actually looked ashamed at the reminder of the danger she had placed Alice, Edward and Bella in for her shallowness.
Esme pulled her herself together. She walked over to Carlisle and took his hand. Whatever Jasper's plan was, she would do anything she could to help him save her daughter. "Tell us Edward, what is Jasper planning, how can we help?"
Edward glanced at Alice. "I don't know. All I can see is Jasper asking her. I won't see beyond that until Bella makes a decision". At this Edward looked at his parents. "Jasper listened to exactly what it is that Bella asked for. Time. He intends to convince her that he can give it to her. If she agrees then he will spare her life."
'And if Bella refuses him? What are his intentions then Edward?' Carlisle knew he might yet be forced to fight his son for his daughter's life. "Unfortunately, you are correct Carlisle. Jasper will do everything he can to convince Bella, but if she refuses his plan, he will be forced to choose between her life and Alice's. And we all know he will choose to protect his mate".
Emmett looked at Edward. 'What is his plan then Edward? It had better stand a chance of convincing Bella for you to have allowed your mate to leave in the arms of the very man who has every reason to kill her!' Edward pinched his nose. "It was the only way Emmett. I screwed up so badly with Bella that there is no convincing her of my love in a short time. She was right; she needs time to sort everything through; time to see my actions prove my love. She would not have been convinced to accept the change today, and as such, any move to protect her from Jasper would have forced him to protect Alice by killing Bella. The only way to save her was to let them leave."
"As for Jasper's plan, it's not perfect, but given that Bella believes we all have souls Jasper stands a good chance of convincing her."
'Then tell us Edward, what is his plan!?' Esme practically begged Edward at this point.
"He's going to offer to change her without the threat of eternity. He's going to promise to take her soul from her and promise to one day destroy her if I fail to convince her of my love and she tires of this life!" Edward all but shouted. He was beyond consolable at this point. Through his own sheer stupidity and carelessness with his words, his reason for existing now believed she was nothing more than a pet to him. And the only way to save her life was to hope his brother, the very one with the least control, was able to take her precious soul from her and not drain her dry in the process. Edward collapsed to the floor as the enormity of his mistake finally hit home. Alice's visions showed that every attempt to intercept Jasper ended with Bella dead. He didn't doubt Bella would agree, after all, she didn't want to die. She just didn't want to be the reason for Alice's death. He prayed with everything he had that Jasper would have the control necessary to not drain Bella.
Emmett spoke up then. "Surely Bella will agree to Jasper's plan, so let's just have him bring her back for Carlisle to change."
"I am afraid it is not that easy Emmett. Until Bella is changed she will be a threat to Alice's existence. That is not something Jasper will allow. He won't risk letting us near her until the change is complete. He would be to worried we would find a way to prevent it." Carlisle felt every one of his long centuries on this earth at the moment. He knew that even once Bella was changed, they would still have a long battle to convince her that she was no pet. He too, believed Jasper would be able to convince her. But there was no denying the emotional pain his youngest daughter was still in. Undergoing the change before sorting things out with Edward, would make many of those emotions almost permanent in her. Just like when he turned Esme and Rosalie. But unlike the other two women, Bella would not have trust in her mate to see her through.
Carlisle turned to his family. "The other day I made a promise to Bella. I gave my word that we would always be there for her; no matter what. I intend to honor my promise to her the only way I can right now. Emmett, Rosalie – take Bella's truck to Port Angeles and abandon it like Jasper suggested. Bella told Charlie that was where she was going today. Edward, I have always respected your belief that changing Bella is stealing her soul, however, I'm truly disappointed that you would go so far as to insult Aro's offer of immorality thinking he would allow her to live for the sake of her soul. You do realize that the real reason Bella is alive is because Aro found her blocking abilities fascinating? Without that, Alice's promises would have been meaningless and Aro would have slaughtered her for your original refusal to change her!" Carlisle didn't shout, but then he didn't need to. His tone easily conveyed his disappointment in his son's decisions. "And Alice, how could either of you have kept this from us? If we had known the truth of Italy, we could have foreseen this possibility and been prepared. After all, Bella has always worn her insecurities regarding Edward on her sleeve. Instead you two chose to lie to us, and put Jasper and Bella in an untenable situation." With that said Carlisle opened his cell phone and prayed it would be answered.
