Chapter Eighty

Jasper

Once Charlie gave his consent Charlotte went into overdrive promising to arrange everything while Bella and I looked around for somewhere to live. I wanted her to choose wherever she felt most comfortable. So long as I was with her I was happy and I noticed how she was slowly relaxing in Peters company. He wasn't the easiest of people to get along with but he seemed to be making an effort where Bella was concerned now he knew she wasn't going to rip his head off just for the fun of doing it. I hadn't expected Charlotte to be as anti as Peter but she showed every sign of becoming a good friend to Bella and my beautiful mate opened up to her when we weren't around. Charlotte refused to tell me what they discussed purely that they had talked about a lot of things. I assumed it was to do about my leaving Bella when she was transforming, the one thing she didn't talk about and the one thing I couldn't excuse myself, a guilt I would continue to carry with me for all time but I vowed I would make it up to her if I could.

Bella

I liked Charlotte very much, she never judged or criticised just told me what she thought and felt and left the rest to me. It was good to find someone I was comfortable talking to other than Jasper because I needed to talk, to get something straight in my own head. Charlotte suggested she and I have a day wedding shopping so we left the guys at the house and drove into the city. I wanted a few things, a present for Charlie to remember the happy day and another for Peter as a thank you for putting up with my dreadful attitude when we first met. When we finished the shopping we drove out to a picnic site and sat in the car watching the humans, the children playing with balls or Frisbee, parents sitting at the tables eating or playing with their children, always watching to make sure they stayed safe.

"So what did you want to talk about Bella?"

"Is it so obvious?"

She just smiled at me so I took a deep breath,

"After the Cullens and Garrett sent Jasper away what did he do?"

"He came to us and told us what had happened, how he felt guilty but at the same time he understood their attitude if not agreeing with it or being happy about it."

"If he didn't agree then why did he leave?"

"The Major never had a very high opinion of himself after the person Maria turned him into, its been very hard for him to accept he's not that person any longer. You know why he went to the Cullens?"

"Yes, he wanted to try their way of life."

"Yes he thought it would be the answer to his problems but they didn't treat him very well which made him question if they were any better than him and I told him outright that they had no excuse for criticising others, their own track record wasn't exactly brilliant."

"Why? What did they do?"

"Recently nothing, but they aren't angels Bella, not even close. Did you know that Carlisle was a member of the Volturi at one time?"

"The rulers of our world? No I didn't"

"Well he was and he may not have agreed with everything they did but he stayed long enough so I guess he didn't exactly put himself out to criticise their way of life or of ruling. Emmett Cullen has killed humans. He came across two humans whose blood called to him, we call them singers, and he wasn't able to resist them. He killed and drained both and Carlisle and the others took him back with open arms, excusing his actions. Edward Cullen left the family for a number of years during which time he killed and fed on humans. He excuses his behaviour by saying he only killed those humans who deserved it but who made him judge, jury, and executioner? Rose has human blood on her hands too although in her case I think there were mitigating circumstances. She was raped and left for dead by her fiancé and his friends and after Carlisle changed her she went back for revenge. She killed every one of them, saving her fiancé till last, although I don't think she drained any. Esme and Alice are the only innocent ones and I'm not so sure about Alice. Her past is somewhat murky to say the least but I'm prepared to give her the benefit of the doubt"

"How do you know all this?"

"I have friends with access to old records and others who just know things. So you see who would you choose to stand in judgement of The Major?"

"I guess only Esme and she was the apologetic one so the others haven't changed any have they?"

"No, hypocritical to the last, and when I pointed this out to The Major he went straight back to watch over you, with us as back up."

"He watched over me?"

"That's how he found you after Garrett tried the little trick with the human blood. Not a very good insight to his mind I'd say. If I were you I wouldn't worry too much about Garrett, if he's not very careful to stay well away he might find himself one of "The Missing."

"The Missing?"

"Yes, one of those nomads who suddenly disappears with no trace and no explanation. Its usually down to the Volturi but on this occasion I think there might be another culprit."

"Wouldn't that get Jasper in trouble with the Volturi? If he killed another vampire I mean"

"Only if they could prove it was him and believe me he's too good to get caught out that easily."

"So he was watching over me all the time?"

"Yes Bella he was. He's a very rare man, he takes his responsibilities very seriously and anyone under his protection will be safe whatever it takes."

I sat thinking,

"I knew he loved me, I guess I knew I loved him early on, although I tried to deny it but talking to you has just confirmed it all. I'm lucky aren't I?"

"Yes you are Bella, so I suggest you keep hold of him. Now its getting late and the guys will be sending out search parties if we don't head back."

"But we're vampires, we're safe enough."

"We may be, so are they, but first and foremost they are men, men ready to protect their mates. Just remember that always and you'll be fine. Now lets get back and before you start bitching you have one more dress fitting."

"I don't know why we have to do the whole white wedding thing. I hate dressing up and being the centre of attention."

"We'll suck it up girl. The Major deserves this, he's waited a long time for his mate and I want to see things done properly, the way they are supposed to happen. Now lets go"

As we drove back I thought about the fact that Jasper had been watching me almost all the time. If I had done something that would have put me in danger he would have been there in a heartbeat, I'd known it but just refused to acknowledge it. Well from now on I would do the same for him, we made a good team!