Chapter 15: Guilt
The next morning I was awaken by the rays of sunlight and the coolness of my lovers skin. I sighed in happiness as I opened my eyes to reveal the most breathtaking scene I ever laid eyes on.
Jasper lay beside me with one hand wrapped around me and the other holding up a history book focusing on the civil war era. His skin glistened brightly in the sunlight. As the rays touched his skin it seemed to dance wildly. I was awe stricken.
"Good morning sweetheart." He said gazing at me and stroking my hair.
"I could get used to this." I said as I stroke the spot the sun touched him. How did I get so lucky? He smiled and set his book on the night table. Then turned to me and kissed my forehead.
"Ready for today?" He asked.
"Yes are you?" I said with a sly grin. He grimaced and sighed.
"You owe me for this." He said as he stood up and grabbed the phone.
"You're calling him now?" I asked.
"No I'm ordering your breakfast I'll call him once your dressed." I nodded and walked over to the dresser then walked into the bathroom to wash up. By the time I walked out my breakfast was set on the table waiting. This morning was French toast. I ate quickly and as promised he pulled out his cell and dialed Edwards number.
He sat beside me and leaned into the table watching me.
"Hello Edward." He said his name with such distaste. I elbowed him.
"Yes I know. I just wanted to know if your still in Texas?....Yea well Bella felt it was best if we should at least try-….fine. I'll see you soon. We are staying in room 412." Jasper quickly hung up and looked at me.
"He'll be here soon. He feels we should have this conversation face to face."
"He's still here?" Jasper simply shrugged.
Not 10 minutes had passed before there was a knock on our door. Jasper and I locked eyes and he flittered to the door.
"Hello Jasper."
"Edward." Jazz replied nodding to him and stepped aside so he could walk in. Edward looked much better now. He looked clean and his face seemed brighter as he walked in. A small smile appeared on his face once he saw me.
I was overwhelmed with guilt. We'd both done something to hurt one another unintentionally.
"Hey Edward." I said standing up. I went to hug him but quickly decided against it knowing Jasper wouldn't like that. We all sat in the small living room area. No one said anything for a moment. Simply because we had no idea what to say.
"Edward I just want to say I'm sorry." I said turning to him. "I never took your feelings into account. And I just want you to know Jasper and I wasn't intentional."
"Bella please. It is I who should be apologizing. I was the one who left you. I knew of Jaspers feelings for you. It was bound to happen. I'm sorry for all the hurt I've ever put you through. I could only hope that one day we could get passed this." I smiled at him.
"I know we will." We both looked at Jasper who sat silently.
"As for you Jasper, I want to apologize to you for all the things I've said and I wish you and Bella the best of luck." Jasper didn't reply for a moment.
"Thank you Edward. I'm sorry as well." Edward gave a half smile and nodded.
"So what about this fire in Alice's vision." I asked.
"It's going to happen today." He said briefly looking at me.
"You wore the same outfit."
"What are we going to do? I asked worried and fairly terrified.
"And who is this vampire that's after Bella?" Jasper asked more to himself.
"I don't know. When I saw the hand snatch you I didn't wait to see if that was the end of the vision. I just rushed here to see if you were alright." He said holding my gaze. It's odd how his gaze didn't have as much affect on me as it did in the past.
His eyes were so filled with pain regret and despair. I truly felt awful.
"I was planning on staying nearby where I can't be sensed and see what information I could get from Bella's attacker and then take her down."
"I don't know." Jasper said. "I don't want to risk Bella's safety."
"I know but there is no other way I can't be to close or we might never know who's after Bella.
"For all we know it could be just some-"Jasper whole body froze as his face widen with horror.
"No." He said.
"Jasper what's wrong?" I asked worried.
"You think Maria is behind all this?" Edward asked.
"She must have been watching us this whole time. Remember all the information we found at the town house was laid out for us. It was a trap." He buried his face in his hands.
"How could I have been so stupid?" He asked.
"Jasper we don't even kn-"I began.
"Bella I've known Maria for years …it's her I know it is."
"So what do we do?" Edward asked.
"Maria has a gift of knowing. I can't leave Bella here with you because she'll just come here."
"So we'll just stick to my plan. Maybe it wasn't her personally." Jasper looked at me his face had a sad look to it..
"I'm so sorry darlin'. I never wa-"
"It's ok Jazz. We'll get through this." I said before kissing him lightly. Edward cleared his throat and I pulled away and smiled apologetically. They quickly came up with a plan and soon Jasper and I were driving towards the Whitlock's while Edward followed on foot.
When we arrived sure enough the house was on fire. My heart sank as my whole body froze from horror. All I could hear was the cry of Aiden somewhere in the house. Without thinking Jasper dashed into the house. This definitely wasn't part of the plan.
In that moment I felt a frigid hand grab me from behind. I went to scream but heard her menacing voice.
"If you scream I'll snap your neck do you hear me?" I had no idea who this person was. I glanced up to see crimson red eyes just like the many newborns the Cullen's had fought not too long ago.
No this couldn't possibly be the infamous Maria. I nodded my head to afraid to utter a word. Where was Edward I began to wonder. The newborn began to run dragging me along only to be stopped by a loud growl.
"Let her go." Edward snarled. His eyes were pitch black and his face was twisted up. The monster was out now and this time he was here to save me.
The girl laughed as she tossed me to the side and crouched over into an attack position.
"Bella get in the car Jasper's on his way out." Edward yelled. I quickly scrambled to the car falling a few times. My legs were scrapped up badly due to the newborn dragging me like I was her ragdoll. I sat in the car and locked the door knowing it wouldn't stop an immortal but gave me a peace of mind and a sense of security.
I saw Jasper coming out holding all three Whitlock's. I rushed out to where Jazz set them down. It seemed that Gavin was already gone. Lauren was barely holding on. She suffered from burns from head to toe. I looked at little Aiden who was unharmed.
"The fire started in their room. They were trapped and couldn't get out." Jasper said in barely a whisper. I know he was blaming himself for this.
"Take Aiden." Lauren muttered.
"Lauren hold on were going to get you so help." She shook her head.
"No." She said. "I'm not going to make it. He's your destiny take care of him." She tried to smile but couldn't quite make it. Her eyes fluttered fiercely as she took her last breath. I watched as the light leave her eyes and her body went limp.
Jasper and I both stood there frozen not knowing what to do. It was Aiden's cry that snapped me back into reality. He had managed to crawl over to me and was now holding onto my pants leg. I picked him up and glanced at Jasper. His eyes were shut tight and seemed to be in deep concentration.
How were we going to do this?
"Jasper?" I said softly. His eyes opened and looked at me. He tried to smile but it could only frown. I wrapped my free arm around him giving him a half hug. Jasper held me tight.
"It's not your fault Jasper. Don't go blaming yourself for something you had no control over." I said sternly. I only hoped he was truly listening. As if to answer my thought, he nodded.
"It's going to be ok." I whispered as I stroked his back soothingly. I wasn't about to allow him to blame himself. We had bigger problems and I needed him to be my Jasper. I'm sure reality hadn't sunk in that we had just become instant parents.
Suddenly Edward appeared carrying what was left of the tiny vampire who tried to kidnap me. Edward threw the body parts into the burning house. He walked over to us and looked at his brother.
"Jasper I know this is tough but we have other things to worry about." Jasper shook his head fiercely and glanced at the three of us.
"I'll go bury the bodies you take Bella to pick up some things for Aiden. I'll meet you back at the hotel." Edward smiled and nodded at his brother while placing his hand on the small of my back. Jasper stopped him.
"And keep your hands to yourself!" He yelled as we made our way to the car. I couldn't help but laugh knowing that my Jasper was back. Edward started the car and once on the road he glanced at Aiden and I playing. He smiled at the display.
"He really seems to like you." He said.
"You should see him with Jasper." I said smiling.
"I always knew you would make a great mom one day." His voice seemed a bit sad. He wished it was him.
"Edward-"
"No it's ok." He said giving me a small smile.
"I just need some time to adjust." He looked away again and swallowed loudly.
"As long as you're happy, I'm happy." He said softly. His voice broke at the end. I sat silently as I fought back the tears threatening to fall.
I couldn't take seeing him this way. I felt a tremendous amount of guilt for what I've done. I had never took his feelings into account and seeing him so lost and miserable made me feel as if it was wrong for me to feel happy.
Would Edward ever be as happy as he was with me once again? Will he ever find love once more?
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Ok so for an update remember I said I would be starting a new fic soon....well I did. It's most likely going to be called torn. And I already have several chapters written. The only problem is I can't post it until I'm certain that when I'm going on vacation, I'll have internet access. Since I'll be gone for nearly six months...yea I know lol. So join me on twitter /lyssa4123 and I'll give previews and updates. I'll be leaving the ending of next month so by the first week of September I'll have an answer for you. Thanks for all who have been supporting me and writing incredible reviews. I hope everyone enjoyed their forth of July!