Mooch11 – Thanks again, Bella's birthday is definitely coming soon.
Msemoglasses – Thanks for the reviews, I'm slowly managing to get used to this place and have read them all. I think I'm a touch too eager when I'm writing, hence the problems and blips, I've tried to be careful with the English words, but I guess it is inevitable that it slips through occasionally. I'll have to be a bit more thorough with my proof reading.
With the parents dying when Tara was explaining I was trying to portray that she doesn't deal well with emotional things, she's the kind of person that makes jokes out of things she struggles with, she doesn't like appearing weak. Hope that kind of helps.
As for Tara been a stronger character, I'm glad that has come through.
Thanks for the comments, I'm taking all of them on board, hopefully my writing will develop as I go on, as I have two more fics in my head whilst I'm writing this one, which is such a distraction.
Chapter 16
Tara's POV
Eventually the summer passed, Edward, Bella and Alice returned to school, myself and Jasper attended a local college, Jasper a history course and mine the teaching one which I'd got three years to complete. His self control had surpassed itself and I often found him sitting among a small group of friends in the cafeteria without the strained expression on his face, calm and relaxed, and today was no different.
"Hey," I appeared behind him, several of his friends smiling at my sudden arrival.
"How were lectures?" he quizzed.
"Same as usua,l" I placed my bag down and sat on the end of the table, "You?"
"Historical" he grinned, I knew he'd livedt,hrough half of what he was studying
"What are the plans for this weekend?" I asked
"Bella's birthday," Jasper explained, our friends slowly began occupying themselves with their own conversation realising we were talking about family topics.
"Oh of course, I purchased her a photo frame last week for the photos she will take with her camera."
"Good idea, Alice is insisting we attend," Jasper grinned and entwined his hands in mine.
"Oh dear," I smiled "She's been looking forward to this for far to long."
"Definitely!"
"The 3 years are counting down," I whispered into his ear, as he pulled me closer.
"Fortunately time flies by," he responded, one of our friends coughed, we ignored them.
"I've got to go," I grinned pulling myself away somehow as "Got to chat to a lecturer", I smiled cheekily as our friends roared with laughter at my teasing "Have fun without me," I smiled and fled from the cafeteria.
That weekend
Tara's POV
As I stood next to Jasper I could tell the excitement of Bella's imminent arrival was getting to him as he absorbed the emotions darting across the whole house.
"You'll be fine," I whispered to him, I kissed him gently on his nose which caused him to chuckle; I hoped that had relaxed him a little.
Esme and Carlisle went to meet Bella first when she arrived, I heard Carlisle explaining that Alice had been let loose, then it was Emmett and Rosalie, Emmett making jokes as usual before leaving as part of our birthday plan, Rosalie was Bella noticed me and Jasper I saw her eyebrows rise at how close we were. I untwined myself from Jasper gave her a quick hug, I resettled next to Jasper but this time only choosing to hold his hand. Alice began presenting Bella with presents.
"Alice, I know I told you I didn't want anything," Bella started.
"But I didn't listen," Alice responded, "Just open them", the first she started on was mine and Jasper, as she opened it she turned around,
"It's from me and Jasper," I began. "You can fill it with a photo from today, thought it was useful with your camera and everything."
The next box she opened was empty, "Um... thanks" she answered confused, we all laughed
"It's a stereo for your truck," Rosalie explained. "Emmett's installing it right now so that you can't return it."
"Thanks", Bella yelled to Emmett whose laughter was just audible
"Open mine and Edward's next," Alice instructed, Emmett bounded through the door just in time. We all watched her be handed the package begin to open it.
"Shoot!" Bella muttered, as I glanced at her hand, I saw crimson. Suddenly it happened.
"No!" Edward roared, he flung himself protectively over Bella, the presents, crystals and cake scattered in every direction. Jasper launched himself across the room slamming into Edward, Carlisle moved protectively in front of me, also obscuring my view. However, I heard the noise, a deep growl, escaping deep from within Jasper's chest. There was a snapping of teeth, I saw Jasper, his teeth inches from Edward's neck. Relief overwhelmed me as Emmett grabbed Jasper into a steel grip, as they moved around; I saw his eyes they were empty and wild.
"Emmett, Rose, get Jasper outside," Carlisle spoke clearly from in front of my, still not moving, they obeyed as Jasper continued to struggle. Esme also followed them outside. Edward eventually moved and allowed Carlisle to inspect Bella's injury.
"Here, Carlisle," Alice said, handing him a towel.
He shook his head. "Too much glass in the wound, do you want me to drive you to the hospital, or would you like me to take care of it here?"
"Here, please," she responded, I was annoyed by this, why didn't she just go and get her wound as far away from my Jasper as possible.
"I'll get your bag," Alice said "Do you want me to take you home Tara?" she drew my attention to her
"I want to see Jasper," I announced.
"That's not advisable right now," Carlisle murmured. "Let's take her to the kitchen table," Carlisle said to Edward, they lifted Bella onto the table, whilst Carlisle kept the pressure steady on her arm.
"Then I'll stay with Bella," I responded.
"How are you doing, Bella?" Carlisle asked,
"Edward go" Bella instructed, I noticed his face was strained.
Carlisle decided to intercede. "Edward, you may as well go find Jasper before he gets too far. I'm sure he's upset with himself, and I doubt he'll listen to anyone but you right now."
"Yes," Bella eagerly agreed. "Go find Jasper."
"Please do," I begged joining Bella and grasping her good free hand.
"You might as well do something useful," Alice added.
Edward's eyes narrowed and then left, Carlisle continued to work in silence whilst I stood there awkwardly, annoyed, stressed, confused and worried. I noticed Alice exit the room.
Bella sighed. "I can clear a room, at least."
"It's not your fault," Carlisle comforted me with a chuckle. "It could happen to anyone." Belle continued to talk to Carlisle about his life and how he chose this lifestyle, I continued to stare out of the window searching for some evidence of Jasper returning, I had no idea how much time passed before Edward arrived.
"I'll take you home," he explained his face unreadable.
"I'll do it," I announced, realising that Jasper wasn't coming back anytime soon.
"You'll need to change anyway. You'd give Charlie a heart attack the way you look. I'll have Alice get you something." Edward strode out the kitchen door again.
Bella looked at Carlisle anxiously. "He's very upset, and no doubt Jasper is too."
"Yes," Carlisle agreed. "Tonight is exactly the kind of thing that they both feared most, putting you in danger because of what we are."
"It's not his fault."
"It's not yours, either." I helped Esme clean the floor, anything to distract myself, whilst Alice found Bella something to wear; I stood next to Edward by the door. Eventually Bella returned downstairs.
"Take your things!" Alice cried, handing me Bella's presents, Esme and Carlisle both said a quiet goodnight. It was clear everyone was stealing glances at each other, we returned to Bella's truck as Edward helped her inside, I slide into the driver's seat, there was a large red ribbon on the stereo which Bella yanked off and threw onto the floor, we drove in silence, which was making me insane, as each precious second apart from Jasper passed.