A/N: I hope I have answered most of your questions about Alice and Michael. Yes, they are intended to be and are mates. It was not something Alice expected to find when she ran away, but Michael is good for her and maybe knowing a sliver of where she came from, gives them a small bond that others cannot give her. Jake is out of Bella's life, but he just wants her to be happy even if he doesn't agree with her choices. Her turning date is coming closer and the Volturi are on their way. I want to say thank you to everyone who has reviewed, favored, and followed the story. I am happy that you like it so much. Thank you to all of my readers for taking the time and reading it. You are wonderful! Here is the next chapter, enjoy.
Chapter 36 – All Packed
Jasper helped Bella pack most of the day and when they were finished, they lay down on the bed and just spent time with each other. It was something neither one of them tired of. They did not have to talk; they just had to be there. Jasper loved the feel of Bella pressed against his side. Bella loved the pressure and feeling of his arms wrapped around her, pulling and anchoring her to him.
The couple's reverie was interrupted by the sound of a phone starting to ring. Jasper dug in his pocket and pulled out the small electronic device and hit talk, "What's going on Carlisle?"
"Alice called," Carlisle responded.
Jasper sat up straight and was instantly scanning the room, his body on high alert, "What did she say?"
"The Volturi are sending the guard. According to her, they will get here after Bella is bitten, but she will still be burning. She wanted to warn us just in case something happened. We cannot change these plans."
"Do they know that we will not be in Forks for the change?"
"I don't know, but I don't think that we need to change anything. Alice just saw them coming and that Bella was starting the burning process. We need to be prepared for the likelihood that they will show up at any time and any place. I will come with you under the pretense that I am helping you settle into college life, but will return here after the change so that nothing is suspicious with Charlie. We will move after a couple of months. I am going to send a message to Aro, Marcus, and Caius about the date everything will happen. Maybe they will hold off on sending everyone, but we are going to have to deal with their visit sooner or later."
"I understand. See what you can do and we will keep moving forward as we have been."
"She said she didn't see danger, but I would rather be on our toes around them," Carlisle said softly into the phone.
"I agree. I know you have history with them, but I need to make sure Bella is protected," Jasper declared.
"I know you do son, and the family will do everything they can to help you," the patriarch promised.
"Son… Carlisle doesn't often call me that, but when he does I always feel a tightening in my chest. I know he isn't my real father, but he is a close second," Jasper mused to himself. There were times that he loved the fact that he belonged to a coven, a family, and this was one of them. He always had someone to support him and if needed, they would protect each other. "Thank you," Jasper choked out past the tightness.
"While you are gone, I will see what I can do on my end. I will call you as soon as I have word from them."
"Ok."
Jasper could hear rustling in the background and soon Esme was on the phone, "Do you need help packing for Florida? I can pack for you and send Emmett over with your bag if you want."
Smiling into the phone, "No, I already packed. The suitcase is in my room. If you can grab it before you drive over here tomorrow to pick us up, I would appreciate it though."
"I will make sure it is taken care of," Esme said before she handed the phone back to her husband.
"That is all I wanted to tell you. What is your plan for the rest of the day?" Carlisle said when he was handed the phone again.
"We just finished packing her room for the move. I think we are just going to hang out here until Charlie gets home and then I will lie low while Bella hangs out with her dad. You and Esme are picking us up here, of course Charlie thinks it is just her, and will take us to the airport," relayed Jasper.
"Alright, if you need anything before that, call one of us. I have rounds at the hospital tonight, but will have my cell phone with me."
"Ok. I will do that. Thanks again Carlisle. Good bye," Jasper said before hanging up. He turned and looked at Bella sitting next to him. He had felt her questioning gaze on him throughout the conversation and it was now time to bring her into the loop. She had to know what was going on.
Bella had listened to part of the conversation and she knew that it had to do with her and her change, but she didn't know what it could be. She did well and was patient through the entire phone call, but she was getting antsy now and wanted to know what was going on. She stared down her boyfriend and tried to tell him with her gaze that he needed to start talking.
Taking a deep breath, he started to tell her everything that Carlisle said. He never believed in keeping things from her like Edward had, so he gave her everything whether it was good or bad. "So basically we don't know where they are going to show up, but they are coming to check on you," he said in conclusion.
Bella's gaze dropped to her lap and she crossed her legs. She wasn't surprised that this was happening and knew that it would happen sooner or later. Nodding her head she said, "So they are coming after I am bitten and Carlisle is going to see what he can do to stop or delay them. Right?"
"Yah, that's it in a nutshell sweetheart," Jasper said quietly studying her.
"Ok. Would it be better if we stayed here? I don't really want to because of the stories you have told me of newborns, but if it will make it easier for the family, I will trust you to keep me in check."
"No, we are not going to change anything. I would feel better if you were away from everyone in Forks and I know you would too."
Nodding her head again, she acknowledged the truth of that statement. She would feel better being away from all of her friends and father because she didn't want to be responsible for killing them.
Jasper studied her some more and tilted his head to the side, "Bella you don't have to change if you don't want to. We can maybe find another way. If you are only doing this because of the Volturi…"
"No, I am doing this because it feels right. It is something I want. I wanted it when I was with Edward, but even more so now that I am with you. I want to be by your side for as long as you want me to be and I want to spend an eternity with you. This isn't something I am doing because of them or anyone else. I made this choice because it is the right one for me. Just like you Jasper Whitlock are the man I love and am destined to be with," Bella said with a smile.
Looking into her eyes, Jasper saw how true her words were. She believed everything she said and Jasper could feel the love and pride for him rolling off of her. He gave her his sideways smile and said, "I hope you are ready for a very long time together because I want you there until the day I stop existing."
"I think that can be arranged Mr. Whitlock," Bella said as she got up on her knees and leaned forward to wrap her arms around his neck, her face moving in for a kiss.
Jasper grabbed her waist and pulled her into his lap and kissed her with all of the love and passion he felt for her. Pulling back, she was breathless and looked like on the verge of collapsing, "Bella are you alright?" He laid her on the bed and watched as a few seconds later her eyes opened once again and seemed to focus on him.
Bella brought her hand up to her lips and softly touched the tips of her fingers to them. They were still tingling and she still felt light headed, but it had been the best kiss she ever received from Jasper or anyone for that matter. She smiled at her boyfriend and whispered, "I am fine."
Lifting an eyebrow in question, he said, "Are you sure? Was it the talk of the Volturi?"
Slowly shaking her head, she said, "No, I just got lightheaded from the kiss and that was it."
Jasper was concerned about Bella, but what she just said stroked his male pride like nothing else before. If he could have, he would have been strutting around like a rooster and crowing. He settled for smiling and leaning down to place a small kiss on her forehead. He got out of the bed and helped her to stand saying, "I think you need some food."
Bella could just nod and held on as Jasper swung her up into his arms and carried her downstairs. She was still in lala land, so Jasper made her a sandwich that she barely remembers eating. She remembers looking at him the whole time and was finally broken out of her daze when she heard the home phone ring. Answering it, she said, "Hello?"
"Hey Bells, I will be home in a couple of hours. How about I take you out to dinner so that you don't have to cook?" Charlie said on the other line.
"That sounds good," she responded.
"Do you want to just meet me at the café in town then?"
"Ok."
"I will see you in about two hours then," Charlie said and hung up.
Bella placed the phone back on the cradle and said, "I am supposed to meet dad in about two hours in town."
Smirking, Jasper said, "I know. You can take the jeep, but I will be following."
"I figured as much," Bella said smiling.
The couple spent the rest of the time watching a movie before Bella had to leave to meet her father. When she was getting ready to leave, Jasper helped her into the car and helped to strap her in. "Why can't it have regular seatbelts?" Bella thought to herself as Jasper finished his task quickly so that she could leave. They gave each other one last kiss and then she was off driving towards the restaurant and Jasper was following in the tree line.
Bella arrived at the café safely. She knew that Jasper was watching her from the tree line and took comfort that he was there. He wasn't doing it to be overbearing or stalkerish, he was doing it because he loved her and wanted to protect her, and that meant more to her than anything.
Dinner with Charlie was a quiet affair. Besides the Florida trip and the move, there wasn't much for them to talk about. Nothing much ever happened to them. They both liked to live quiet lives and it showed by their lack of interesting topics. Of course, Bella lived a much more "active" life since moving to Forks, but that was a topic that was off limits with her father.
When they were finished with dinner, they both headed home. Charlie took off before Bella thanks to the million different things she had to do in order to strap herself into the seat. She really hated the seatbelts in the jeep and finally taking mercy on her; Jasper ran over and did the seatbelts for her.
The rest of the night was Charlie watching sports on TV and Bella sitting in the living room reading a book. She wasn't a big sports person, but she wanted to spend as much time with her father as possible before she left permanently. Finally though, she started to get tired and headed up to her room in order to get some shut eye before the trip tomorrow.
Bella was woken up by a slight shaking of her shoulder. She tried to swat away the offending reason for her arousal from dream land, but it was persistent. Finally opening one eye and then the other, she found a chuckling Jasper and found herself starting to smile. "What do you want?" She whined and tried to look severe. When he started to laugh quietly a little harder, she knew she had failed.
"Come on Darlin' it is time to get up and get moving. Charlie is already downstairs and I think he might be trying to cook you some breakfast," Jasper said quietly.
Groaning, she sat up and stretched. She was out of bed and in the bathroom a few minutes later. She eventually made her way downstairs leaving Jasper in her room. He would jump out the window and arrive with Carlisle and Esme when they got there to pick her up for the airport. She was ready to see her mother and couldn't wait to board the plane. Vacation was sounding better and better as the minutes ticked by.
Bella ate the breakfast that Charlie cooked. Thankfully it was just eggs and toast and although a little bland, they were not burnt. She was going to miss her father after she moved away, but it was something she had to do and she would cherish the memories. Hopefully it would not be forever and they could still call each other.
Carlisle, Esme, Jasper, and Emmett all arrived about an hour after she got up. She was giddy and ready to go. The Florida sun was calling her name. Emmett loaded her bags into the car as she said good bye to her father. He would be taking back his jeep today while the others went to the airport.
Soon enough everyone was on their way and Bella grinning from ear to ear. She wanted to see her mom and spend time with Renee and Phil before everything happened. She didn't regret her decision, but knew that she would miss her family. Entwining her fingers with Jasper, she leaned her head on his shoulder and smiled contentedly. It was the start of the ending, but her ending led to a beautiful new beginning.