Chapter Sixteen
Jasper
It was good to have Bella here, to be close to her without Alice glaring at her and sending waves of jealousy and regret at me. I stayed upstairs as long as I could, listening to her banter with Emmett. When I couldn't stand it any longer I came down and sat so I could see her while I read. I felt curiosity and wondered if she'd caught my covert glances, but I had a feeling she would like to look over. It was relaxing and felt like a family evening until Edward came down. He'd been given strict instructions by Carlisle to stay away from Bella but he started playing that fucking tune he'd composed for her. That was it, I put my book down ready to get her away from him when she dropped the bombshell.
She was going to be alone tonight and Edward had heard. I looked at Esme and Rose willing them to do something. Esme spoke up, Bella, if you're going to be alone why don't you stay here? What? I screamed internally before realizing it was probably the safest place for her. "We have plenty of room. I could ring your father for you if you'd like". Emmett's grin got wider, "Yeah Bella stay here. You're way more fun than the others". She grinned at him before looking shyly at me. "Wouldn't you mind?" I think it was meant for all of us but it seemed she was talking directly to me. "Of course not" said Carlisle from the top of the stairs. "We have spare rooms so please stay, unless you'd feel more comfortable in your own home" His eyes met mine and I got the message, 'She goes, you go'.
Edward got up suddenly, a crash as his stool fell to the floor. As he left the room Bella grimaced. "I'm not sure I should stay Carlisle. After all it is Edward's home". "Yes, and mine" spat Alice as she skipped down the stairs and sat down on my lap, something she never did. Bella sighed and got up. "I'd best go home, but thank you for a lovely, if strange, evening". Alice now smiled and clapped her hands. "Good we can go hunt. You coming?" she looked at me. I shook my head and she grimaced. "What, I'm not good enough any more? So take Miss Perfect home, see if I care", and she flounced out. Carlisle watched her go then turned back to Bella. "I apologize for my daughter. She is going through a bad time". Emmett snorted, "Bull Carlisle. She's just pissed cos she and Jazz are over and she doesn't like it". There was a deathly hush.
Bella
As soon as I said I was going to be on my own I realized I should have kept quiet, then Alice had her little tantrum and I thought I really should go. When Emmett came out with the news that Alice and Jasper were over I felt my stomach lurch, he was free or almost? I talked to myself, Bella get a grip even if he isn't with Alice he wouldn't look at you. I still felt a frisson of excitement and my mouth had gone dry. I looked to Carlisle, "I'm sorry to cause you a problem Carlisle but I really think I should go home. I've caused enough problems for one day". Emmett jumped up, "I'll take you Bella. Coming Rose?" She shook her head, "I think I'd better go after Alice. Why don't you take Jazz, he'll be over there later anyway and It'll save him a run." She smiled at me, "Don't worry Bella, she'll get over it". As she went out I turned to Esme, "Thank you for a lovely evening and a wonderful meal but I really shouldn't be here". She came over and hugged me "Please come again Bella. I think you will be...well goodbye my dear". Carlisle shook hands and apologized for Alice again as Emmett stood beside me snorting.
I turned to say goodbye to Jasper but he'd disappeared and I was sorry. Emmett put his arm around me and guided me outside with a grin on his face. It was pouring with rain and we had to run for the truck. When I got in he shut my door and climbed in, turning on the engine to warm up. "Bella I'm sorry if I embarrassed you in there, my mouth runs away with me sometimes. I hope you'll come back, well I know you will... whoops my mouth again". My door opened and Jasper stood there dripping, "Move over Bella". I wriggled over and he joined us in the now warming cab. He looked very serious as Emmett drove away from the house.
When he drew up at Charlie's Jasper got out and held his hand out for my key. I dropped it into his palm and he walked quickly to the door. By the time I'd shut the truck door my front door was open. I walked up the path and he stood aside for me. "Jasper, are you coming back tonight?" He shrugged then nodded, "Your guard remember" he said smiling slightly. I looked at the pouring rain, "Where will you guard from?" He looked over to the trees, "In there". I looked out at the rain, "You'll get soaked". He shrugged again, "Doesn't matter as long as I can see". I took a deep breath, "Why don't you come in?" He shook his head, "Wouldn't be right Bella, what would your father say?" I smiled, "He needn't know and it seems silly you in the rain, I won't sleep thinking of you getting wet. He smiled, "I shouldn't really Bella. Charlie would see it as a breech of trust". I sighed, "How about you come in just for a while. Hopefully it will stop raining soon". He sighed, "OK Bella you win".
I was so pleased, I felt happier with him in the house, especially with Edward after my blood and Alice after my guts. He came in and looked around. "I know it's not much but its home". He looked at me, "I like it, relaxed like a home should be. Our house felt more like a home with you in there this evening". "More relaxed?" I laughed, "Yeah, just waiting for me to fall over or put my foot in it". He grinned, "Oh I think Emmett did enough of that tonight Bella". I looked at him and grinned back, "Yeah he did, didn't he. Sit down please". I motioned to an arm-chair and he sat gingerly on the edge. I sat on the couch, my feet curled under me. There was silence for a while then having plucked up courage I spoke, "Jasper have you and Alice broken up really?" He looked at me curiously "You don't have to answer I'm sorry, I'm like Emmett".
He laughed out loud and it was a wonderful sound, making my heart race. "Perhaps I should go" he said getting up. "No" I shouted, "Sorry its just that it's still raining. Sorry if I embarrassed you" He sat back down and now his eyes were filled with a strange light. "Yes. Alice and I are parting. I think she's grown tired of me". I looked startled at that, "Tired of you?" He nodded, "Yes. I'm not exuberant or lively like her and I think she's tired of making all the effort. She feels I don't care enough and maybe she's right. I get tired Bella". He stopped then and ran his hand through his hair. "I'm sorry I shouldn't be burdening you with my personal problems". I hadn't realized but I'd moved to the edge of my seat as he talked. I wanted to be closer to him, it was if he were a magnet and me a block of iron, he pulled me towards him in a strange way.
I started as the phone rang. "Please excuse me", I went to the kitchen to answer it, feeling light-headed. "Bells" it was Charlie. "Hi Dad". "How'd your barbecue go?" he asked. "Good Dad, why are you ringing?" I was curious. He sighed, "I have to stay on. We've got a missing hiker so I'm trying to organise a couple of trackers from the reservation. Just thought I ought to tell you. Will you be OK on your own or do you want to ring a friend?" I thought of my guard in the other room. "I'll be OK Dad. See you in the morning". He sighed, "Yeah I'll try to get home about lunchtime. If there's any change I'll ring you. Night honey". "Night Dad" I said.