Part Two- The One At Fault
Jasper barely says a word. He doesn't feel he has the right to. He was the one that had provoked this reaction and he knows it is his fault that they have to leave, his fault that Edward has to lose it all.
At one point, he offers to leave by himself instead- he wants to anyway, to get out of this house and he almost feels relieved that he will soon, whatever the choice is, but Edward doesn't hear him, or ignores him if he does. She's too busy yelling at him, endless profanities escaping her lips, more than he ever thought she knew. For once, waves of anger are rolling off her. Questions that Edward's been preparing and can hear from her thoughts are spoken anyway, just so that she can get the chance to voice them and it brings Esme and Carlisle, who had kept to the kitchen when Edward had returned, in.
This is what Edward is hoping for. A chance to talk to their "parents". He stares over Alice's head, as if she's not there. "Carlisle, I wanted to ask you if it would be viable for us- to leave. As soon as possible"
"No, no, no!" Alice bellows, her head raised, making more noise than she looks capable of. But no one really pays much attention to her. Carlisle frowns and it's like he has the power to read minds, instead of Edward. Because he knows that Edward isn't planning to lift Bella from her life here. It makes him feel uneasy.
The others slowly pick up on what's going on and Emmett's face gives away disgust, Esme's shock. But none of it phases Edward who continues on, speaking quietly, calmly, in a way he could never imagine, that may fool the others but is so obviously a rouse from the way his mood thrashes like he's left her already.
"I have decided that it is time I left, and I was hoping that I could convince you all to come-"
That's all he can say before Alice's yelling drowns out his words. She knows Carlisle's answer already- none of them need Edward's ability to read minds to see it. They all know that their only loyalty is to each other, and they've been here long enough and they can't all choose to stay behind for a human. But his reasons- those are quite unclear and it's these that has them all waiting, letting Alice demand her answers, distresses and baffled.
"How do you think she'll cope? How in God's name do you think she'll just be able to move on- when all of her life was set out in front of her? A life with you?"
"She'll have Charlie," he says calmly, like it'll be enough for anyone. "He'll keep her as safe as she needs to be- and without us here, it should be a little easier." He laughs once, without humour.
"And that'll be alright then, will it? Oh, come on, Edward! You know better than any of us how broken life is when you're living it for other people."
The room goes quiet. They rarely talk about that dispirited time in his life, and he can feel it hurts them all a little bit to think that it will be like that again- maybe worse.
All, except Edward, who takes it in his stride. He's probably already shuddered over this decision enough to realise it's effects and he just shrugs it off. "She'll find more reason. Time heals and changes things." He seemed adamant that no one is going to focus on his pain. It's his decision and he's not going to dwell on his self-inflicted agony.
The argument continues, with Alice getting more and more aggravated (he didn't think it was possible, but apparently it is for her) and Edward starting to look bored (or at least trying to look so- but not quite managing to feel so, only more apprehensive). He doesn't try to control the mood- there are some feelings that couldn't be altered. And he doesn't think Edward would want to feel good about this. Even though, at the moment, he does. He's glad that he'll never have to look at Bella again, to feel guilty for forcing this upon her, for forcing Edward's hand.
And he hopes that Edward isn't paying attention at that point.
I love Jasper and want to write more for him (because he's just so easy...) but anyways. Another tomorow (I think)- from Emmett, who is a little more tricky. And if you haven't guessed already, one from every Cullen for the rest of this week (I'm working tirelessly to get these done, so that I won't focus on them any more). It may be a little bit of a rush, so sorry if all the "he"'s confused you (I refused to write Jasper more than just once at the top- and I maintain that) and spell errors please! Review if you like.