Chapter Thirty Five
Charlotte
I looked out the window to see if Peter and Emmett were still messing about with his truck when I saw the Major running towards the house, Bella on his back. "Rose quick, look". She followed my gaze and pumped the air. "Way to go Bella. I think she got her man back don't you?" We smiled at each other and I shouted for the guys. Peter stuck his head out of the barn. "What's up Char, we're just finishing off". I pointed out to the distance and he looked. "Hey Emmett you'll want to see this". Emmett came and his face broke out in a huge grin. "Yeah, I knew she'd do it." As they came into the yard Jasper let her down from his back and picked her up again to carry her into the house. It was then I noticed she had no shoes on. "Hey Bella barefoot and pregnant isn't allowed on a first date". She laughed, going crimson. As Jazz slid her down to the floor I noticed he kept an arm around her waist and she leaned back into him. "Bella's cold. I'm going to run her a bath". I shrugged, "Whatever. Just get her warm, I don't need to know how you go about it". Her face went even more red and Rose and I giggled. "Looks like she worked her magic". Emmett came in then, "Looks like he worked his too". His heavy jacket flew down the stairs to land on his head at that and I heard the Major chuckle. What a change she had made in him.
Bella
Jasper never let go of me as we went upstairs and into the bathroom. He held my hand as he ran the water and poured bubble bath in for me, then reluctantly he let go and grabbed the door handle. "Jasper" I whispered and he turned back, "Yes Bella". "Would you mind coming back in, only I don't want go be alone". He smiled "OK. If you're sure." I nodded, knowing my face was red. He came back over and took me by the shoulders. "Don't worry Bella, I won't do anything". I had to explain "It's just that I don't think I can let you out of my sight now I've found you again". I kissed him and started to strip off. He sat on the floor cross-legged, leaned his head back against the wall and closed his eyes.
I quickly threw my clothes in a heap and stepped into the water. It was warm and the bubbles felt good against my skin. I started to wash myself and his hand appeared over the edge of the tub touching mine. I lay back in the water and closed my eyes feeling peace flood through his fingertips into mine. We sat like this until the water became to cool then he stood up still holding my hand and passed me a huge bath sheet. I wrapped it around myself and stepped out of the bath into his arms. He nuzzled my neck and kissed a trail up to my temple. "Do you have any idea where my clothes are?" I asked him. He shook his head, "I'll go find out. Stay there". He was gone and back in seconds with a fluffy white dressing gown and slippers, "Care of Charlotte" he said and held it open for me as I dried myself. The dressing gown was too big but it was warm and that's what I needed at the moment, I was so cold.
He took my hand and led me back downstairs where Peter had lit a huge log fire, and Rose handed me a steaming mug of chocolate. I clasped it between my hands and sat down by the fire enjoying the warmth. Jasper slid in behind me and I leaned back on his still bare chest. Emmett and Rose both smiled in satisfaction and I returned their looks. Peter sat beside me and took my hand, "Glad to see you back with no chunks missing". His hand was wrenched from mine with a finality that we both felt. What surprised me was that Peter just chuckled. "Sorry Major". Char gave me a knowing look, "Are you hungry Bella?" I nodded "Yes, but I think I might be too tired to chew". "That's OK" said Peter "Em will chew it for you". I slapped his arm but mine was moved back to my lap by Jazz.
Char went into the kitchen with a huge plate of assorted sandwiches, "Didn't know what you liked so I made an assortment, and a hot water bottle"she explained holding out the latter. "Hey Major, could you put this in the bed for Bella. .We don't want her getting cold". Jasper took it reluctantly and disappeared. As soon as he was out of sight she whispered to me, "Don't mind his possessiveness. It just shows how much he loves you". I hadn't really thought about it but I didn't mind. I liked him wanting me all to himself. I eat as much as I could before my eyes were closing. Jasper, who had come back as Char finished speaking, picked me up and carried me upstairs. I shouted goodnight to everyone over his shoulder.
It was then I noticed he'd put a jumper on. "You cold Jasper?" I asked stupidly. "No, but you will be if I don't wear something". I nodded sleepily, "You staying?" I asked. "If you'll let me" he said with a smile. I nodded, "Yes please". He laid me in bed still wearing the dressing gown, "No P J's" I murmured. "Oh right", he went to a drawer and pulled out a tee-shirt, "Here, borrow this". I took it, "Whose?" I asked. "Mine" he told me and helped me struggle out of the dressing gown and pulled the tee-shirt over my head. I was too tired to be embarrassed and I slumped back on the pillow patting the space at my side. He laid down beside me and I curled against him, one hand finding its way up his jumper to lay on his stone stomach muscles. "You mind?" I yawned and he put his hand over mine. "Why should I mind a beautiful woman's hand on my body?" I kissed him and closed my eyes. "Don't you move" I murmured as sleep overtook me.
Jasper
She was so beautiful and she wanted me. She loved me enough to come looking for me, to spend a freezing night in a dark cave with a half mad vampire, and still hold her arms out to me. How had I been so lucky? I spent the night watching her sleep, and feeling her emotions. She was dreaming, her eyes were flickering under their delicate lids and she murmured my name and smiled. I pushed her hair away from her face so I could see it better and I traced her features with my fingers, she followed my movements and sighed contentedly. Part way through the night however I began to worry. Her breathing was getting heavier and she coughed a few times. Her face became flushed and I didn't think it was anything to do with her skin started to feel hot to me, well hotter, and I called for Rose. She came in quietly, "What's up Jazz?" she asked with a frown. "I think Bella's sick". She crept to the edge of the bed and put her hand on Bella's forehead. "I don't know Jazz, I've no idea if that's hotter than she should be. Just keep an eye on her. If she complains of feeling ill when she wakes up we can ring Carlisle".
Bella
When I woke up I felt like crap. My head ached, my throat was sore, and I was running a fever. Great, a chill! That's all I needed. The only good thing was the cool hand on my brow and an angel's face looking at me. He smiled in relief when he saw me looking at him. "Hi" I croaked, "I think I've got a chill. I feel lousy, do you think Char could get me some painkillers". He called her, at the same time lifting me up in bed and propping me against the pillows. Then he sat back on the edge of the bed. Ill as I felt I needed his closeness and I put my arms out to him. "I don't think I should Bella. I'm much too cold". I shook my head weakly, "Get yourself back here Cowboy. I need to feel you close". He smiled and moved back to sit with me and I rested my aching head on his shoulder. "Jasper?" I asked as he held out a glass of water and tablets for me, "Yes?" "Were you really going to Mexico?" I asked.