Chapter Fifty One

Peter

We'd decided that going home wasn't an option while the Cullens were sniffing around so we ended up at a small cabin in some woods that the Major had owned forever. Bella thought it was magical although that isn't exactly the word I'd have used, shit hole came to mind. It was sparsely furnished with an open fire and a well, not exactly the height of luxury but we made do. I chopped wood and lit the fire for hot water while Jasper after getting Bella safely snuggled up on the couch with a blanket, brought in the supplies we'd picked up and made her something to eat. I did a perimeter check and no one had been near the place in a long time, only a family of bears. When I brought more logs in Bella was asleep and the Major sitting opposite her, watching.

"Don't worry Major, I don't think she's going to vanish again"

"No she isn't and I'm making sure of that".

"Fair enough. So when is Daddy coming to visit?"

"She's ringing him when she wakes up, hopefully we can pick him up from the airport some time in the next couple of days".

"We?"

"Well you".

"Great, I can add chauffeur to my list of talents. What's he like?"

"Stubborn like his daughter."

"Wonderful. What if he starts asking me questions?"

"Act dumb like you usually do".

We heard a giggle and turned to see Bella smiling at us,

"You two sound like an old married couple"

"Yeah well, as long as I get to wear the trousers I don't mind. Now excuse me I have manly things to pursue".

Bella

Jasper came and sat beside me as I dialled Charlie's number and waited for him to pick up,

"Bella that you?"

"Yes Dad. I wanted to give you instructions to get here"

"This is stupid, what are you frightened of?"

"I just don't want to go back to Forks Dad and I don't want to see the others yet".

"OK what's the plan?"

He sounded annoyed and frustrated.

"Fly to Eugene and we'll pick you up from there".

"You're in Oregon? Why can't I bring Jake and Alice with me? They're both worried about you"

"Dad I want to speak to you alone, please".

"I don't like all this cloak and dagger stuff Bella. Its ridiculous"

I was getting upset and my voice started to break so Jasper took the phone from me

Jasper

"Charlie its Jasper"

"I wondered when I'd hear from you. I hope my daughter is OK. They told me she'd tried to kill herself. Was that your fault?"

"Charlie I'm not having that conversation with you over the phone. Just do as Bella asks, you're upsetting her"

"Yeah well, I've been pretty upset myself the last eighteen months"

"Yes I know all that but she wants to explain, she's not up to a lot of people. Peter will pick you up at the airport. I've reserved an open ticket for you. All you have to do is confirm the flight".

"I don't need your charity Jasper Whitlock"

"Hey I'm doing this for your daughter not you, so don't worry about it. Ring with your ETA".

I disconnected, I wasn't interested in a pissing contest with Bella's father.

"Thanks Jasper".

She pulled me to sit beside her.

Bella

I needed to have a serious conversation with Jasper while Peter was out of the way.

"Jasper I need to ask you something"

"Go ahead".

"What are we going to do?...about us I mean"

"That's up to you Bella but running away to keep me safe isn't an option".

"I know, I wish I'd told you what Alice said"

"I'd have kept you safe and there are ways around the Volturi".

"I think...no I know...I need to be with you. How would you feel about changing me?"

"Whenever you give the word Bella. Its my way to keep you for ever but remember staying with me has its price. Not just the fact you'd be a vampire, drinking blood and killing people to feed but the baggage I carry. I'm a monster even to other vampires and there's always someone who wants to make a name for themselves as the killer of the Major. Life isn't easy on the road with me".

"Are you trying to put me off?"

"No, just give you the full picture. I'm not an Edward Cullen or Jacob Black and you need to understand that. Speak to your Dad and think about it then tell me what you want to do. It makes no difference, I'll never leave you, human or vampire".

I knew he meant it and he was right about not being a Cullen. Jasper was a vampire in the raw and I would have to accept that or stay human, it was quite a decision.

Peter

Bella had gone to shower when the phone rang again.

"Charlie?"

"And just who the hell are you?"

Oh good, a friendly human!

"I'm your worst fucking nightmare as it happens and I'm to be your chauffeur when you get here so don't piss me off".

He was silent and I wondered if he'd put the phone down, then

"I'm arriving at four tomorrow afternoon".

"I'll be there"

"How will I know you?"

"Oh I'm real easy to pick out and I'll be able to spot you so no worries, see you then"

Charlie the ass-hole, brilliant! It was going to be a long ride back.

Bella

I'd heard the phone ring and wondered if it was Charlie with his flight details then cringed, I knew Jasper had gone to hunt so Peter would be answering. I liked him but he did seem to rub everyone else up the wrong way, I just hope he could get on with Charlie because it was quite a journey from the airport. I'd make sure Peter had hunted before he left. When I came back down he was in the kitchen area heating up soup and toasting bread. He turned and smiled and fleetingly I saw the man behind the vampire,

"You ready to eat Bells only I'm a bit rusty".

"Yeah I can see only the toast is burning Peter".

He grabbed the flaming bread and blew the flames out

"I'll do you some more"

"It's OK I'll have bread with the soup, that seems to be hot".

It was about to boil over the top of the pan onto the gas ring.

"I never realized how hard cooking was"

I laughed and squeezed his shoulder before pecking him on the cheek.