Here is the next chapter - it's the last chapter before the wedding and there's a couple of surprises in store. Enjoy!

Chapter 40.

Jasper stood between Emmett and his father; he was nervous and he had a sneaking suspicion the rest of the room were feeling his nerves too. It wasn't so much that he was nervous about marrying Bella; if anything that was the easy part; it was more the pressure of getting everything in place so the bond took; so he wouldn't lose Bella. One wrong word; one slight mispronunciation and it could all go south. It was this that was worrying him and he didn't think it would go away until he knew it had worked; till he knew Bella was his.

He glanced at his watch and saw it was still a few minutes before this all began. He looked around the room; it wasn't the usual room they'd met in for the tasks. This room was a room they'd set aside for ceremonies like this although according to the brothers it hadn't been used in years. The room was large; it was almost laid out as a human church would be but much more ornate; as was usual for anything involving the Volturi. It was a shame they were rushing this because they were using such a small section of the room it seemed wrong; so few people were attending and that made Jasper a little sad. If there had been time Jasper would've liked Peter and Charlotte to attend; they were his oldest friends and he wished they could be here.

At the front of the room stood the three brothers and they were huddled over a very old looking book; it seemed they were as determined as he was to ensure there were no mistakes in what they were about to do. Since the tasks had begun their interest in the bond had gradually increased and it appeared they were as eager for this to work as anyone else; possibly more so than the Cullen's were in a way because it was the first this had been seriously tested. Their feelings had drastically improved since the fiasco of the second task and Jasper couldn't say he wasn't pleased they were taking such an interest in it now; he was beginning to think they needed as many people on their side as they could get. It certainly worked in his favor to have them behind him rather than against him.

Jasper's fists clenched at his side as his thoughts drifted back to the second task and he tried to keep the grimace from his face; an attempt that didn't work because both Emmett and Carlisle turned to look at him in concern, 'obviously projecting still then,' he thought before his father spoke, "Are you okay, son?"

"I'm fine," he said; his voice strained.

"You don't look it," his brother said; a slight chuckle in his voice despite the seriousness of his words. "You look like you want to spew."

"Thanks for the visual, Em." Jasper said; his stomach churned and he winced again.

"Is it Bella?" Carlisle said softly.

Jasper nodded; knowing his brother would tease him immensely and unable to meet his father's eyes. "It's been a long time since I've seen her."

"Under the thumb," Emmett murmured as he coughed; a huge smile on his face.

"Don't tease your brother, Emmett." Carlisle said. "It'll be okay, Jasper. It's not long until she'll be here." Jasper gave a nod but he was still tense. "You're not worrying that she'll change her mind, are you?" Jasper looked at him sharply and Carlisle knew immediately that that thought had never even crossed his mind; until now. "She'll be here." His reassurance didn't seem to help.

"I wish Peter was here," Jasper said quietly.

Carlisle knew the truth of his words; if Peter was here Jasper would be much more relaxed than he was now and suddenly he wished Jasper's friend and his wife were here too.

There was the sound of soft footsteps behind them and all three turned to greet whoever it was. Demetri stood before them, "Jasper, I wondered if I could have a moment of your time."

"Sure." Jasper said, walking away from his family and out of the room; following his Volturi friend. It was the first time he'd seen Demetri in several days and it was good to see his friend again. "It's been a while since I've seen you, Demetri."

"I had to go away. That's part of what I wanted to talk to you about."

"Problems?"

"No." Demetri paused and Jasper could sense some embarrassment coming from him which confused him a little. Why would he be feeling that way? "After the last task ended I spoke with Aro. I wanted to do something for you and Bella and Aro said it was okay for me to do so."

"Okay." Jasper said, still no clearer on what he was talking about.

"It involved me leaving the city."

More embarrassment flooded from him and Jasper was now wondering where this conversation was going. "Is everything okay, Demetri?"

"I was in the South during the time of the Vampire Wars and I saw you when you were with Maria," Jasper tried to hide the flinch at the mention of her name but he didn't do a very good job. "I watched you for a long time and I was impressed by you greatly; we all were; well apart from Jane, obviously; she just felt threatened by you. You see we all knew Aro would want you to be part of the guard and I relished the thought of working with you." Demetri shuffled his feet slightly but carried on speaking. "Then we heard the news you were no longer with Maria and for a while we thought you'd been killed but we came across a few from that area in the months after and Aro saw that you'd left instead. I was asked to track you and I spent several months looking for you as you gradually made your way through the country."

"You never mentioned this before."

"I know."

"You didn't find me though?" Jasper said, frowning.

"I did. You were with your friends from your time with Maria." He fell silent again and Jasper knew he was going to have to prompt him to start again.

"What are you trying to tell me, Demetri?"

"I spoke with Peter; it was one night not long after I'd tracked you down; he was waiting for me and we talked; about you." Jasper looked at him in surprise. "Peter knew that Aro wanted you to go back to Volterra with me but he managed to convince me otherwise."

"How?" Jasper couldn't believe his friend had spoken with the Volturi; and that he'd been able to deter the guard from taking him with him.

"He told me it wasn't in your future to be with the Volturi; you were destined for greater things in your future. I wasn't sure I believed there was anything better than being a part of the guard but now I think he was right. Peter said you would come across the path of the Volturi in your future and it would be to their benefit to wait until then before they approached you to be part of their family. He also said you shouldn't be forced to fight for them; that it would be much better if you chose to join them; for however long that would be." Demetri looked at him now, "I never thought I'd get the opportunity to fight with you; despite what Peter had told me I didn't truly believe him and I'm not sure Aro did either; although he never sent me to locate you again. When Aro called me and said you were coming to Scotland I knew Peter had been right and I was pleased. Obviously the circumstances were the worst and I'd never wish for any harm to come to Bella but to know I'd get a chance to fight with you was more than I could ever hope for. I knew I had to support you in whatever you chose to do; I knew there would be opposition to you and I hoped my backing you up would help. I wasn't sure if I was going to agree with what you suggested but I made the decision to help you whatever I thought; it turned out it was an unnecessary worry because everything you suggested was what I would've done."

"I'm glad you felt that way, Demetri. I enjoyed the opportunity to work with you too; although I have to admit I doubt it will be something I'll do again."

"I don't expect you to feel any other way; if I had the choice between fighting and being with someone like Bella then I'd make the same decision you have; no contest."

"Was there something else you wanted to say?" Jasper could feel he was holding something back.

"As I said earlier, after the third task I spoke to Aro and I got his permission to leave Volterra; I knew there was something you'd want at your wedding so I went to get it… or should I say them." There was a small smile on Demetri's face now as he spoke.

"Major!" echoed around the room; coming from behind Jasper.

Jasper spun round and there stood Peter and Charlotte. Charlotte was hugging him as soon as he saw her and Peter wasn't far behind in joining them. "I'm so glad you're here." He whispered to them both; slightly concerned he hadn't felt their presence before Peter spoke.

"You have Demetri to thank for this." Peter said softly. "You've made a friend there."

Jasper pulled away from them both and turned back to where Demetri stood. He held his hand out to the vampire he trusted more than more people he knew but pulled him into a hug and quickly whispered thanks. Demetri smiled and nodded his head before turning and walking back out of the room. "How long are you here for?" Jasper asked.

"We'll be flying back to the US with you." Peter said; looking into Jasper's eyes. "I'm so proud of you, Whitlock." Jasper smiled at him although Peter could feel his embarrassment at his compliment. "I'm sorry we didn't contact you when Alice died; we wanted to but it wasn't the right time."

"It's alright."

"No, it's not. I hated it but I knew you needed to go through that without us." Charlotte grasped Peter's hand as he spoke and squeezed it tightly; she knew how much it'd pained him not to contact their brother during that time. The pain of seeing the image of Jasper suffering was still with him and would be for some time; although the next couple of days would hopefully alleviate some of his guilt. "I wish there was something we could've done for you."

"From what Demetri's told me it sounds like you did plenty a long time ago." Peter smiled at him and then found himself encircled by Jasper's arms again. It had been a long time since he'd seen his brother and it wasn't until now he realized how much he'd missed him.

"It was the least I could do," Peter whispered to the blonde. "You know I'd do anything for you."

"Thanks Pete."

Charlotte coughed in the background, "Are you two done getting reacquainted?" she smirked at them both. "So when does this thing start?" she asked.

Jasper looked at his watch again, "Soon." He said.

"You're worrying about something." Peter said knowingly.

Jasper looked up at him sharply, "I'm just worried it won't work."

"You'll be fine, Major."

"Have you seen it?"

"Well, no but I know you're going to get your happy ever after with Bella."

"I hope you're right."

"When have I ever been wrong?"

"I can name at least two times." Charlotte said; meaning it as a joke but regretting her words immediately as Jasper's face fell again. "Hey, it'll be okay. I was just joking."

"I should get back in there."

"Wouldn't want to keep your lovely bride waiting," Peter said. "By the way, she's magnificent. You've done good."

"I didn't do anything. It was all her." Jasper said as he opened the door and walked back towards the front of the room. Carlisle looked at him and then saw Pete and Charlotte over his shoulder. Jasper could see the confusion on his face. "A little wedding present from Demetri," he said softly. "Apparently he's known Peter quite a while."

"Really?"

"Yeah; Peter managed to convince him I wasn't destined to work for the Volturi. He saw all this happening and told them our paths would cross in the future." Something occurred to him as he was talking to his father and he turned to face his brother. "Actually if you knew this was going to happen, how come you didn't warn me about Alice and Edward? I could've stopped it from happening."

"I didn't know what was going to happen, Jazz. You know what my gift is like; I only see the end result; not the path taken to get there. I saw you ending up in Volterra; with your family, me and Charlotte watching as you married someone; it wasn't until a few months ago that I saw it was Bella; up until she died I'd always assumed it was Alice. It didn't make sense to me but I knew you would be with the Volturi." Charlotte hugged Peter tightly as his emotions scuttled through the vast selection he had to choose from; each one making Jasper wince. "If I'd known I'd have done something to stop it happening. I'd never want you to have to go through that pain. No one deserves that and especially not you."

"Jasper, it's time for me to go." Carlisle said, "I'll be seeing you again shortly; when I bring you your bride."

"Thanks dad."

*B-o-B*

Carlisle walked down the corridor; towards the hive of activity that had formerly been the room he shared with his wife. Since late last night it had become something else entirely and all three female members of his family had been camped out in the room; preening and preparing for the ceremony today. At first he'd been a little concerned that Bella would be overwhelmed by the eagerness of his wife and daughter but she'd seemed to take it in her stride and after a few hours he could see she was just as excited by it all as they were.

He reached the room and knocked on it gently; waiting until his wife opened the door before he walked in. if his heart hadn't already been still; it would've frozen in the moment he saw his youngest daughter. She looked stunning in her flowing, off-the-shoulder white dress; small green stones sewn into the top of the body. It showed off her figure perfectly and Carlisle could only imagine how his son would react to the sight he was seeing now. "Bella, you look amazing." He said softly; seeing the worried look on her face as she looked at him; waiting his approval.

"Do you think he'll like it?" she whispered.

"Well, I would say he'd have to be dead not to but I guess that doesn't really work in our case. Don't worry, he's going to love it."

"How is he?"

"Suffering a little from not seeing you but he's improved a bit in the last half hour. Peter and Charlotte arrived."

"They did?" Rosalie said. "How did they know?"

"Demetri went and got them; a wedding present for Bella and Jasper." Carlisle said; smiling at his wife.

"Jasper must've been ecstatic." Esme said; smiling widely because she knew how much having them here would mean to her son.

"He is."

"Peter and Charlotte are here?" Bella said; slightly worried.

"Demetri knew Jasper's oldest friends would want to be here; did he tell you about them; that he knew them from when he was with Maria." Rose said; watching Bella carefully. Bella nodded in answer to her questions.

Bella's eyes widened and she looked at her parent's quickly. "Its okay, Bella. They helped Jasper get away from Maria. He stayed with them several years before heading out on his own and then meeting Alice." Esme said.

"Are they vegetarian like us?" Bella said; already suspecting the answer.

"No. They prey on humans, however Jasper assures me they are a little more picky on who they kill than the Volturi are. Regardless of their diet, they are really nice people.

"What about if they don't like me? Oh god, Jasper might change his mind if they don't like me."

"Bella, they will love you the instant they see how happy you've made Jasper. Yes, Jasper is very close to them. He actually created them both and he thinks of them as his brother and sister but the connection he has with you surpasses that. In many ways Peter could almost be Jasper's brother; there is a strong connection between the two of them." Carlisle said. "I should tell you that Jasper just found out Peter saved him from being recruited by Aro after he left Maria."

"What?" all three women said; surprised by what he'd said.

"It seems Aro was interested in Jazz becoming part of their family and he sent Demetri to track him."

"I didn't realize he was that aware of Jasper back then," Rosalie said.

"No, he knew about him. Aro told me he saw him fighting when he was with Maria in the memories of some of the guard after they'd gone there to sort out some troubles. It was then he became interested in knowing more about Jasper; he told me he'd wished he'd been able to see Jasper fighting in person; rather than through other's memories." Bella whispered.

"Demetri found him but Peter told him Jasper's destiny wasn't with the Volturi but that he would be visiting them in the future." Carlisle continued. He saw Bella's confusion and tried to explain to her, "Peter has a gift; similar to Alice's I guess, although he says he just 'knows shit'." Bella smiled at the phrasing her father had used; which quite clearly wasn't his own words. "He sees images of fixed points in the future but he doesn't see how events get to that stage. He didn't know about Alice and Edward until after it happened; when Rose phoned him to let him know." Carlisle smiled at her in thanks. "He says that until that moment he'd always assumed the women he saw with Jasper was Alice but after she died the image became clearer and he could see it was you, Bella. But the image always told him Jasper was going to be in Volterra."

"He saw today all those years ago?" Bella asked.

"I thought Alice's visions kept changing and in most of them we all died." Rose murmured.

"I don't know, Rose. Some things are just determined to happen. Maybe those versions of reality Alice saw weren't as fixed as her and Edward thought."

"So they could've been here… if they'd known." Bella said; looking at the floor.

"No. I think it was always set in stone that we'd lose them. They knew that and gave themselves willingly but fought to ensure the safety of the rest of us. Please don't doubt what they did for us all, Bella." Bella looked at her father and he could see her emotions written on her face. "It's time for us to go. Jasper is going to go completely crazy if we don't hurry up."

"Okay." She said.

Esme and Rose ran from the room leaving Carlisle and Bella. "Bella, I just wanted to say that I'm very proud of you." She smiled up at him, "I know you'd have liked your parents to be here and I wish there was a way we could've made that happen. I'm very proud to be a stand-in for your father though; to see you marrying Jasper will make Esme and I very happy."

"You aren't a stand-in, Carlisle. You're as much a father to me as Charlie ever was. In some ways you're even more so because you've always been there for me the whole time I've known you and that wasn't something Charlie could say. You and Esme have been more like parents to me than my parents ever were. In fact I was more their parent than the other way round. Yes, I would've liked them to be here for this but don't think for a second that this day is any less special to me because they aren't here."

"Thank you for saying that Bella."

"I mean it."

TBC

A/N: See I told you I loved Demetri. What did you think, send me a review and let me know? Next chapter the bonding/wedding ceremony begins... will it go smoothly? :-)