Reactions

The shocked silence after my suggestion gave me enough time to see everyone's reaction. Jasper looked at me as if I had literally lost my marbles and they were rolling around on the floor. Alice pursed her lips and leaned back in her chair stiffly, clearly disapproving my suggestion. Emmett simply looked confused and Rosalie was emotionless, as if she were still turning it over in her head. Esme looked rather bewildered as she glanced between Jasper and I, as if the answer were written on our faces. Carlisle nodded once to show his approval; he guessed my meaning behind it. I didn't even want to look at Edward, guessing his reaction. Then, as if everyone was holding it all in, the room erupted in a chorus of opinions.

"Jasper?" Emmett asked, scratching his head, "I don't know…"

"It's not a bad idea," Rosalie grudgingly chimed in.

"Absolutely not!" Alice said her normally cheery face angry, "No!"

"Me?" Jasper asked, looking confused. "Why?"

"I don't think it's so horrible, dear, but why Jasper?" Esme asked, confused.

"Just hear her out," Carlisle said to the rest of the group, who were still arguing amongst themselves.

Edward didn't say anything at all.

"Please," I said, raising up both of my hands. Everyone quieted down and stared at me. "Look, I didn't just randomly pull Jasper's name out of a hat, okay? I have reasons!"

I looked pleadingly at Jasper. He took a deep breath, and nodded for me to continue. He must have been using his gift, because I felt more confident and everyone else seemed more relaxed.

"With Jasper's…er… gift, we can keep this potential meeting under control," I continued. "Jasper, you can calm people down right?"

Jasper seemed to think it over in his mind before answering.

"Well… yes to a certain extent…"

"Every little bit helps… and Alice you'll be able see if this will work or not right?" I asked, looking at her.

Alice frowned at me, but gave a stiff nod. Jasper nodded as well, understanding my reasoning.

"Then it's settled…" Carlisle said.

I chanced a glance at Edward to see how he was taking it. Edward was staring down at his hands, his face expressionless.

"Edward…" I said, softly.

"I'd still prefer if we were at least stationed nearby," he spoke, not looking at me. "That way I can tune into their thoughts and in case of an attack we can help prevent anyone from getting hurt…"

I couldn't help but think that the 'anyone' was really just me.

"I believe those terms are agreeable, don't you, Bella?" Carlisle said, glancing at me.

My throat was all choked up from Edward's reaction, so settled with a stiff nod.

"They won't want to meet on La Push so try for the clearing right off of 120. The meeting should take place tomorrow, if possible. The earlier, the better and if not than sometime during the night, though I can't see them agreeing to that—"

"Unless they are planning to attack," Rosalie cut in, her words harsh. "You can't trust those flea-bitten bi—"

"Enough," Esme said, catching my disgruntled expression at her direct insult upon my friend. "This has been enough excitement for one night…"

She rose and gave a look towards Edward. I watched as something silently passed between them, before she flew out of the room. Everyone else dispersed as well, leaving only Edward, Jasper, and I. Emmett and Rosalie walked out together, their heads together conspiratorially. Alice shot me an angry look before storming out.

"Bella?" Jasper asked hesitantly.

I looked at him, worried that he too might be angry with me.

"Thank you…," he said simply.

"For what?" I asked surprised.

He hesitated, glancing towards the door from which Alice had just exited.

"I owe this family so much…" he said, his gaze returning back to me. "I feel like now I may actually be able to repay them back for some of the good they have done for me. I know Alice doesn't like the idea of me getting into a dangerous situation such as this one… but I know she'll come around…"

Jasper rose and gave me a polite nod, before speeding out of the room, probably in search of Alice.

"Edward?" I asked tentatively, after a moment of awkward silence.

Edward sighed and stood up, turning to face me. His face was heartbreakingly sad.

"Bella… do you still not trust me… after what happened?" he asked, his words slow and precise.

"No! Edward that has nothing to do with it! And I do trust you!"

"Do you really think I would hurt your friend if I were to go near him?" he asked, his words becoming angrier.

"No! That's not it at all!"

My eyes began to well up as I looked away angrily. Why did I always cry at moments like these?

"I do trust you," I said, my voice breaking slightly.

"Then why? Why Jasper and not me?"

"For the reasons I said, Edward!"

"And that's all?"

"Yes!"

We stared each other down, Edward's face stony. I couldn't help it any longer. Tears began to stream down my face. Looking down, I made no attempt to wipe them off.

"Bella…" he said, his voice hesitant.

"I'm fine," I said, choking on my words.

Edward pulled me into a long hug as I cried. I cried for many reasons, all the things that had happened that tried to tear us apart. His lack of faith in me and my reasons for choosing Jasper. Having to meet with my former best friend who wanted nothing more to do with me. For the fact that Edward still wouldn't change me, despite the fact that graduation was drawing ever near. We stood there in a long embrace as I wept out all of the tears that I had been holding in. After a good fifteen minutes, I pulled back, sniffing.

"I'm sorry, I got your shirt all wet…" I said, apologetically.

Edward merely chuckled and pulled me in again, pressing his face into my hair.

"I'm sorry, Bella… It's still hard for me to believe that you still love me after all I've put you through…"

I pulled back and took his face in my hands.

"I will always love you," I declared, looking into his eyes with utmost sincerity.

"As will I always love you," he said.

Edward leaned in to kiss me and this time, there was no interruption.