A/N: We are getting closer to the big day for Bella. She is ready for it to happen and is saying her good byes. Thank you everyone for your support of this story. Enjoy the new chapter and tell me what you think.
Chapter 38 – The Countdown Begins
Bella and Jasper were finally back at home. Although they loved the vacation and visiting with Renee and Phil, the trip had been exhausting and Jasper had been finding it harder and harder to hide from the sun. If it had been just Bella, he wouldn't have worried so much, but he had to think about everyone else that would be able to see him.
Bella woke up in her own bed at her father's house and looked around. Jasper was right there beside her and she felt his fingers run through her hair. Looked up at him, she smiled and said, "This room is looking a little empty besides the boxes."
"Regrets?" Jasper asked lifting an eyebrow and smirking.
"Not a one! Two more weeks and I am counting down," Bella exclaimed.
Jasper smiled, "Two weeks? I thought it was two more months."
Bella opened her mouth and gave a frustrated cry before giving him a mock scowl, "Fine you say two months and I say two weeks. I guess if you want to wait two months, you can do that alone."
Jasper grabbed both of her hands in one hand and flipped her onto her back with the other before she knew what was happening, "Yah, I don't think that works for me." He started to kiss her neck and moved down to her shoulder. Suddenly he pulled back and was off of the bed in a flash. Moving into the closet, he closed the door.
Bella was laughing as her father stuck his head in the door, "Is everything ok? I thought I heard you yell."
Repressing her giggles, Bella said, "Yah, dad I am fine. Sorry about that. I saw a bird flying towards the window and it looked like it was going to hit it, but it turned direction right before it was injured." One thing was for sure, Bella was getting better at thinking at a moment's notice of things to tell Charlie when he barged in like this.
Looking towards the window, he could see a couple of birds flying around outside, "Well if that was all. I am going into work. Do you need anything before I go?"
"No dad, I am fine. I might go over to Jasper's in a bit, but will be home by dinner time," Bella smiled.
"Sounds good, I will see you tonight," Charlie said as he walked out of her room and shut the door behind him.
Hearing the front door open and close, Jasper was at Bella's side once. "Well I am impressed Miss Swan. I was beginning to wonder if you had any sort of imagination," he teased her.
Slapping his arm gently, not that she could do any harm anyway, she got up off of the bed and gathered her clothes for the day, "You may want to rethink teasing me because you never know what I will do in retaliation."
Before she could move another step, arms were around her waist and pulling her back, "I do believe that I have my ways of convincing you."
"You might, but maybe I am becoming immune to your tactics."
Jasper turned her around and pressed his lips to hers. He then moved his cold lips along her jaw and over to the spot just below her ear and kissed it. Whispering he said, "I have tricks you never even thought about. Think about how long I have had to learn new tricks compared to you."
Bella swallowed hard. He was really getting to her and she could tell now that she could not match wits with him in this teasing game, but it was fun to try. Clearing her throat and attempting to get some semblance of control over her hormones and body, she stepped away from him and went to take her shower. When she returned, she felt better and once more had dominion over her body, "So what did you want to do today?"
"Well you did tell Charlie that you were going to my house. We can go there and talk to Carlisle about the plan for the next two weeks," Jasper smirked. He knew that he had gotten to her earlier and truth be told, it had gotten to him also. He kept telling himself two more weeks. There were so many things that ran through his head of what they could do today and none of them included his coven leader.
"That sounds good, let's go," Bella said walking out of the bedroom and down the stairs. She knew the look that was on Jasper's face and the only thing she could think was, "Serves him right for teasing me."
"Are you going to eat before we go, or let Esme cook for you?" Jasper asked following her. He knew that Esme loved to cook for Bella and although his girlfriend did not like all of the fuss, she knew it made Esme happy.
"I will just let her cook. You know how much she likes to dote and she won't be able to cook for me for too much longer," Bella responded as she grabbed her keys.
Jasper snagged the keys from her hand and said, "I will drive." He was out the door, had the passenger door open and was sitting in the driver's seat before she made it off of the porch.
"Damn vampire and his stupid vampire speed," Bella muttered under her breath.
"I heard that. Now come on," Jasper laughed. He sent a message to Esme to go ahead and start breakfast for Bella.
When she got in the truck, she muttered, "Stupid arrogant vampires and their hearing."
"And soon you will fall into that same category."
"I may have the hearing and speed, but I will not be arrogant like someone in this truck," Bella smirked.
Jasper could do nothing but laugh. He pulled out of the driveway and soon they were pulling in front of the Cullen house. Bella ate her breakfast and visited with Esme and Carlisle when they got there, and when she was done eating, they moved into Carlisle's study to talk.
"It seems the time is flying. Are you positive this is what you want Bella? You still have two weeks to think about it," Carlisle said quietly.
"I am sure and it isn't only because the Volturi said we have to do this," Bella said and looked over to the man sitting next to her, "I am ready to spend forever with Jasper."
Jasper smiled and said, "Me too Darlin'."
Carlisle looked at the couple. He was happy that they were able to help each other through a difficult time in both of the lives. It amazed him that something grew between them and that it was so strong and sure. He looked over to Esme standing at his side and smiled. She was looking at the couple also with an expression that said she was over the moon for Jasper and Bella. Carlisle couldn't agree more. Turning back to the two people in front of him he said, "Then we will move forward. Esme, Emmett, Rose, and Edward will stay here for another week after we leave. They will join us after that. This is in case the Volturi guard shows up. I have contacted Aro and let him know when you are being changed and the reason for the delay. He has agreed to postpone the trip, but that could mean one or two days. He knows that we will not be in Forks, but not necessarily where we will be."
Bella nodded and said, "Will they be ok if the guard shows up? I know Jane can torture someone with a blink of an eye and doesn't seem to have any qualms about doing it."
"They will be fine. We will actually be leaving four days before you 'due date' in order to get there, settle in, and get everything ready. If they are not there by the time you wake up, they will be there soon after."
"Okay," Bella said. She still was unsure about the Volturi, but she would trust Carlisle.
Continuing his explanation of the plan, "We are actually going up to Montana. There is plenty of game there for hunting and the house is remote enough that we do not have to worry about people coming too close. We should be able to stay there your first year without any problems. Do you have any questions?"
Shaking her head, Bella said, "No, I think that covers it." She was a little nervous of the first year because Jasper and Emmett had told her stories about how it would be hard to control herself and the thirst would be unbearable at first. She didn't want to be a menace, but that is what it sounded like she would be.
Jasper could feel the nervousness in her and grabbed her hand squeezing it, "You will be fine. We will be there to help you and I will be right by your side the whole way." He knew what she was thinking. Her feelings did not spike until Carlisle mentioned humans coming too close. She was afraid of hurting someone and that she would not be able to control herself since newborns tended to be a little out of control.
Bella gave him a small smile, "I know."
"Did you have any questions or concerns Jasper?" Carlisle asked. He knew his "son" had more experience with newborns than anyone else in their family and had consulted him when he was making all of the plans. Now he needed to know if Jasper needed to change anything.
"How close is the nearest town or neighbor?" Jasper asked going into Major mode.
"They are over fifty miles away. We will be up in the hills a bit and are surrounded by woods and game," Carlisle explained.
"Is there a fence or something to make sure that others know not to trespass?" Jasper wanted to take all precautions, but knew that there was always a possibility that humans could wander on the land. They would have to make sure they stayed alert at all times.
"Yes and the land is surrounded by a fence."
"Everything sounds good. Thank you for all of your help," Jasper stated.
Esme who had been quiet up until this point said, "You know we will do anything for you and Bella. I am so excited for you two."
Jasper smiled and said, "I know you would and I am still grateful."
"I am too," Bella said looking at Carlisle and Esme. They had helped her with so much since moving to Forks and she thought of them as surrogate parents. She knew that they would always be there for her and Jasper. The countdown has started. She would be leaving Forks in just over a week and in two weeks she would be turned into a vampire. She couldn't wait.