Bella's POV

I was up pretty much at the crack of dawn the next morning. I was really not happy right now. Edward came back last night and informed me that Jasper had not decided on the matter of my change. To say that I was mad was an understatement. I was even so mad that I made Edward leave. I knew it wasn't really his fault, but Jasper wasn't there for me to take my anger out, so Edward suffered.

Oh, I was so mad at Jasper. I really hoped that Jasper would say that it was my choice whether or not I continued with the plan to change. I still worried, but I really hoped he would accept my right to choose. Apparently not. He seemed to think it was up to him to decide for me.

I spent the next hour showering and getting dressed. Then I went downstairs to find my dad sitting at the table with his coffee and newspaper.

"Hey, kiddo. You're not going somewhere are you? You know you're still grounded," Charlie said.

"I know, but I still have more research to do. I was gonna go to the library." Yeah freaking right! I was going to the Cullen house to badger Jasper.

Charlie looked at his watch. "It's a little early, isn't it? Doesn't the library open at nine on Saturdays?"

"I was planning to stop at the diner to get a quick bite. Is that okay?" I asked hoping he'd go for it.

Charlie narrowed his eyes at me. "You're going alone, right?"

I almost rolled my eyes. My dad still didn't want me spending a lot of time with Edward. He hadn't forgiven him for leaving me. "Yes, I'm going alone."

"Okay, but just the diner and the library. Make sure to be back by four thirty," Charlie instructed.

"Will do," I said before grabbing my keys from the hook and heading out the door.

Xxxxxxxxxxx

When I got to the Cullens' I walked right inside. I was told many times that I had a standing invitation to walk in whenever I wanted.

I walked up the stairs to the living room where I found Emmett and Rosalie.

"Hey, Bella. You know for someone who said they weren't going to be around all weekend, you've sure been here a lot," Emmett said jokingly.

I didn't laugh. I was so not in the mood for any jokes, even from Emmett. "Where's Jasper?"

Soon I heard feet shuffling. I turned to see Edward there. "Hey, Love. How was your night?" he asked.

"It was great. Where's Jasper?" I asked impatiently.

"He and Alice went hunting. You know, we know he's your family, but do you really need him and Edward around twenty-four/seven," Rosalie asked.

"Shut up, Rose!" Edward growled.

"Are you kidding me? Is he trying to torture me?" I asked annoyed.

"Whoa, what's up? What do you need to see Jazz so urgently for? What could've happened in like twelve hours?" Emmett asked.

"It's between her and Jasper, Emmett. Love, let's go to my room for a bit. I'm sure Jasper will be here soon," Edward said.

I sighed and reluctantly followed him up to his room. We both sat down on his couch. "He will be here today, right?"

"Yes. He promised you an answer today and Jasper doesn't break promises," Edward said seriously.

"Well, he has to be here by four because I have to be home by four thirty. Do you have any idea what he'll say?" I asked.

"No. He hadn't decided yet and he blocked his thoughts, so I couldn't even get a glimpse at what he was thinking," Edward said.

"You're hoping he'll say no, aren't you?" I asked.

Edward didn't say anything for a few moments, pretty much telling me that I was right. After a minute though, he did speak. "You know that I don't want you to give up your humanity. You should stay as you are and enjoy your human life."

"My human life was not all that great, Edward," I seethed. Yes, I had parents and friends, like Jacob, that I loved, but I always felt like I didn't belong. It was because I didn't. I belonged here with Edward, Jasper, and the rest of our family. I really didn't understand why Edward couldn't see that.

"You'll have to leave everything behind. You'll never be able to see your parents again. Think about Jasper. He's spent years wondering about his sister. He left her behind and it took him nearly two centuries to learn anything about her," Edward said.

"But now he does. Now he has me and he could forever," I said. Hey, I could use that. That was a good argument if Jasper tried to say no. Of course I was going to start off by telling him he didn't decide for me, but if he argued with me, I could use the argument of me being the last of his family line.

"Yes, but that was a fluke. It is unlikely to happen again, and even if it does, you'll still be losing the people in your life now," Edward said.

"I'm aware of that. I've made my peace with it. I think it's time you did too," I told him.

Edward looked like he was about to say something, but then he turned his head slightly like he'd heard something. "Alice and Jasper just returned. Jasper is going to take a shower then he wants to talk to you alone in his study."

I immediately stood up. "I'll meet him there."

"I'm going to take a ride. He's asked that I not try to eavesdrop and the best way to respect that is to leave for a while," Edward said. I could tell he didn't want to do it, but Jasper seemed to intimidate him. .

I nodded and headed for the door. I stopped at the last second though. "Um, where does Jasper's study happen to be?" I'd never actually been to Jasper's study. I'd been to Carlisle's but not Jasper's. I'd had no reason to go there before.

Edward smiled. "It's right across from his and Alice's room."

I nodded again and walked out of the room.

Xxxxxxxxxxx

I took a very quick shower. I knew Bella was anxious to speak with me. In fact, I felt her apprehension as well as some anger as soon I entered the house.

I couldn't really blame Bella for her feelings. She probably felt like I shouldn't be involved in this decision. She probably felt that it was her decision alone. Unfortunately, that was something that was going to have to get over. I had no interest in controlling Bella's every move, but there were certain decisions that I was going to be a part of. It might be considered an outdated notion, but it was going to be.

As soon as I got out of the showed, I quickly dressed and headed to my study. Unsurprisingly, I found Bella there waiting for me. She was pacing my floor. "Hello, Bella."

Bella stopped and turned to me. "It's about time."

I chuckled and shut the door. "It's nice to see you too."

"You've had me walking on eggshells all night. Will you just tell me what you decided?" Bella asked.

I could feel the bitterness as she felt. I was right when that she didn't think I should make this decision. "Have a seat, Bella."

Bella looked at me for a moment, but she did eventually sit down.

I went over behind my desk and took my own seat. "I know you're upset with me right now, Bella."

"Gee, did you need your gift to tell you that," Bella asked sarcastically.

I laughed. "Oh, Bella, I really should've known we were related. You're so much like my sister it's eerie."

Bella glared daggers at me. "Then you must already know that I'd like to slap you right now."

I laughed again. "Good luck with that one. Alright, listen, like I said, I know you're upset with me. You feel like I shouldn't have any say in the decision to make you a vampire."

"You shouldn't," Bella said. I felt conviction and irritation from her as she said it.

"But I do. And that's just the way it is. You are my family, Bella. I do what I have to, to protect my family, whether they like it or not," I said firmly.

"I don't know if you've noticed lately, Jasper, but you're no longer in the eighteenth century. Men no longer make decisions for the women in the family," Bella said while glaring.

"It ain't about you being a woman. It's about you being a part of my family. And no one's stopping you from making decisions. There are just certain ones that I will be a part of, especially in a situation like this when it involves a world I know much better than you do," I told her. I knew she wouldn't be very happy about it, but happy or not, this was the way it was.

"Yeah, well, it sounds like you're deciding for me," Bella said.

"Well, I'm sorry it feels that way, but this is how it is. You're just going to have to accept that. Now for the matter of your change, I won't stop it," I told her. I'd given it a lot of thought. I did like the idea of Bella going through the pain our venom caused, but I liked the idea of her dying in fifty years even less.

Bella felt relief from my choice, but she was still a bit angry. She tried to squash it down though because I had given in. "You'll let Edward change me?"

"No. I will allow you to be changed, but not by Edward. You are his singer. That makes it about a hundred times more likely that he will drain you dry and I will not let that happen," I told her. I knew I was hardly one to talk when it came to control, but I just could not ignore the risks. Besides, it wasn't too hypocritical. I wouldn't be changing her either."

"Edward would never hurt me. He proved that when he stopped after James bit me and he sucked the venom out," Bella said.

"That was luck. You are extremely fortunate that he was able to stop. Had I known what I do now, I never would've allowed it," I told her. Honestly, that was the most reckless thing I'd ever seen. Edward should not have even attempted such a thing. He should've just let things play out. If I had known Bella was my family then, that was exactly what would've happened.

"You would've had me change then?" Bella asked. I felt the happiness come off her. She was pleased to hear that.

"Yes. Trying to suck out the venom was dangerous. You're both lucky he didn't kill you. Now as I was saying, you will be changed, but not by Edward. Carlisle will do it as originally planned. His control is pristine. There is next to zero chance of him losing control," I said. Carlisle was really the only one I trusted to do this. He was the only one who never had any bloodlust anymore.

"I want it to be Edward," Bella said quietly.

"Why? Are you under the impression that you'll be the closest to the person who changes you? Because if so, allow me to free you of that notion. The closest person to you as a vampire is your mate. If that is Edward, it won't matter if his venom runs through you. Trust me, I was changed by a sadistic bitch. I feel nothing for her but hate," I told Bella. True, I once thought Maria was my mate, but that was because she manipulated me. Anything I felt for her in the beginning didn't even compare to what I felt for Alice.

"I just wanted it to be him. I guess I'll just have to take what I can get," Bella said. Her irritation was still there, but she was also glad she'd won at least most of the argument.

"Good," I said.

"Is there any chance I can get you to lay off of Edward. I don't enjoy seeing my boyfriend intimidated," Bella said.

I shook my head. "Any intimidation I throw his way he deserves. When he stops deserving it I'll stop throwing it."

Bella shook her head in frustration. "Men. Vampire or human, you're all pigheaded!" She was feeling frustration and anger, but I also picked up on some warmth towards me. She was glad I cared enough to keep Edward in line.

"You're not the first person to call me pigheaded. I actually consider it a compliment," I told her with a smirk.

Bella rolled her eyes and got up to leave.