Chapter Twenty Three

Peter

"He's almost here and I'm getting the strangest feeling, he's not alone.

"I already said, maybe its the woman he's been helping. You know sometimes he has short relationships, just let him get it out of his system".

"Char he never brings them here, he wouldn't. This is something different altogether and its giving me shivers up and down my spine. Some things not right."

She came over and put her arms around me.

"Well he's never brought trouble to our door so relax. If you're right he'll be here soon and your suspicions will be proved one way or the other".

I still wasn't happy but she was right, there was nothing I could do until he got here. It was the antzy way he'd been behaving before he left that set me thinking. The Major was never on edge or distracted, it wasn't in his make up, or it hadn't been up until his last visit.

Jasper

"Bella, we're almost there. See the lights in the distance".

I pointed out the lit Ranch House and she smiled.

"I'm looking forward to meeting your friends but I just hope they like me."

I stroked her face, "They will darlin' You'll just be a shock to the system."

I was feeling nervous myself, Peter and Charlotte were the only family I had and I really wanted them to like Bella but I knew I was asking a lot of them, bringing a human unannounced to their house. As we drove into the yard I saw Peter standing on the porch Charlotte sitting beside him reading. I stopped the engine and got out knowing they would realize who I had with me as soon as the breeze carried her scent to them.

Peter

I smelled something on the breeze as the Major opened his door and walked round the other side to help his companion out.

"Fuck me, he's got a human with him. What does he think he's doing? Is he crazy?"

Charlotte stood up and put her book down very deliberately. We had both stopped breathing after the initial scent. I looked at her, she was watching as he helped the woman out of the cab.

"Well I'll be damned" she said and I saw she was smiling.

"Oh well, I'm glad someone thinks it's amusing. What is the matter with him?"

As they came closer Charlotte's smile broadened.

"What the fuck have you found in this situation that's so funny? The Major just brought a human here like a fucking fast food delivery boy."

She tugged on my arm, "Look Peter. Just shut up and look."

I looked, "Yeah I see. The Major and lunch"

She hit me on the arm, "Look" she hissed.

"What? What the fuck am I supposed to be looking at?"

As they got closer I saw what she'd seen as soon as she saw them together. He was holding her hand and he looked content.

"Well I'll be...trust him to fall for a fucking human."

"Behave" she whispered and stepped forward to greet our visitors.

Charlotte

I saw it straight away, this human girl had captured Jaspers heart, something no one else had ever managed to do. I walked forward to greet them.

"Hello Major and who is this?"

"This is Bella Swan"

"Hello Bella its nice to meet you"

She nodded an acknowledgement shyly, and held his hand tighter.

"Come in and ignore the idiot with his mouth open. That's my husband Peter."

Peter snapped his mouth closed and glared at me.

"Hello Peter. I must be a bit of a shock".

"Too right you are but come on in anyway"

I saw him glare at Jasper as they walked in.

"We don't often have visitors so please excuse my husbands rudeness"

"Hey just a minute. I'm entitled to be rude. The Major walks in with dinner on his arm what am I supposed to do?"

"Peter!"

"OK, OK. Sorry Bella."

She smiled, "Its OK I thought it would be a shock for you."

"So how long have you and the Major been..."

I glared at him again. "Why don't you go and get the bags out of the truck. Perhaps the fresh air might get your brain in gear."

Peter

I went out muttering under my breath and the Major followed me out leaving Bella with Charlotte.

"What the fuck were you thinking bringing her here?"

"Where else could I take her Peter? You're my family"

"She's human for fuck sake"

"Yeah I know that Peter I didn't exactly go looking for her. It just happened so what am I supposed to do?" "Drain her and go look again"

He growled,

"Sorry, that was out of order. So what the hell are you going to do?"

"I have no idea. She scares the hell out of me. I don't know what I'm supposed to do with her"

"Well I could give you a few pointers in that direction.."

He cut me off, "Peter please, I'm drowning here. I need some help."

"OK. Well do you know how she feels?"

"Yeah she told me and so did Alice Cullen"

"Who the fuck is Alice Cullen?"

"A vampire who sees the future"

"Oh right. You consulted Mystic Meg?"

He shook his head, "Not helpful Peter."

"Sorry. Well if she's in love with you I guess you have to...you know I'm buggered if I can remember, its been so long. Talk to her, put your arm round her, tell her how you feel, kiss hug her...you know"

"No I don't. Remember my only experiences have been Maria and an odd encounter."

"True. Well have a word with Charlotte. She might be more help. You realize we have nothing here for a human. No food or other stuff"

"Its OK I took her shopping before we got here. That's what's in the bags."

"Good. I guess we need to make up a bed" I looked at him, "You sharing?"

"Fuck off Peter"

"Only asking"

Charlotte

I smiled to see the look of panic on Bella's face as Jasper followed Peter out.

"Don't worry he wont go far"

She smiled at me, "Sorry I'm just a bit overwhelmed."

"Yeah I can see. Why don't you tell me a bit about yourself"

She relaxed as she told me about her past and her family By the time she finished the guys were back. Peter came to sit at my feet studying Bella while Jasper sat beside her on the sofa and she grasped his hand. Peter started on one of his rambling monologues about nothing in particular which Bella seemed to find funny and gave me a chance to study the two of them. Bella was relaxed now and leaned into Jasper who put his arm around her a little stiffly. It was amusing to see him look uncomfortable. He'd caught his mate but he had no idea what to do with her next.

"Would you like to eat Bella? You must be hungry."

She followed me out into the kitchen and we prepared a quick supper of Pasta with Tuna and fresh vegetables.

"So I guess we'd better get you a bedroom set up."

She looked at me shocked then the penny dropped.

"Of course you don't sleep do you?"

I shook my head, "But we do have a bedroom upstairs, I have no idea why Peter insisted on one".

Jasper wandered in as Bella sat eating and pulled a chair up beside her.

"You OK Bella?"

She nodded, mouth full.

"I'm going to make the bed up, maybe you could show Bella where everything is when she finishes".

He nodded as I grabbed Peter's arm and dragged him upstairs with me.

"Well?" I asked.

"Well what?" he said rubbing his arm, "You nearly took my arm off woman. What's the matter with you?"

"What did he have to say?"

"Oh. Not a lot. He has no idea what to do with her"

I groaned, "I suppose you gave him some advice?"

Peter shook his head, "Its been too long since I had to get in a woman's bed."

"I think that's for later Peter. He needs help with the early stages"

"And what exactly are they?" he asked sarcastically.

"Well how about romance Peter? Women respond well to that."

"Nah, drag em upstairs and bang the hell out of em. Works every time" he said with a grin.

"I hope you didn't say that to him" I growled.

"Give me a little credit woman. I just said he should try the old hug and kiss technique. I seem to remember it working on you"

I laughed, "I think you mean your first suggestion Peter. Don't forget we were vampires when we first met. It's different for them. She's human"

"No shit Sherlock!".

I smacked him round the head. "Go get the sheets and towels before I rip your tongue out."

He waggled his eyebrows "I thought you liked what I did with that"

"Go"

He went.