Chapter Thirty Six
Bella
He stiffened, and his face wore that tormented look again. "Yes. I can't lie to you, I was. I thought if I couldn't have you there was no reason to go on". I sighed, "Well forget about that now, you have your reason to go on. I'm not going anywhere. I don't know what my future holds, but I know its with you. Our next problem is what to do about Charlie and college". He smoothed my hair and kissed me gently. "We can do whatever you like. I think you might enjoy college though". "What about you?" I asked. He smiled "As long as I'm with you, I'll be OK. Maybe I can take a few classes. We could find a place to live and try it out. Would you be happy sharing an apartment with me? Just on a trial basis". I shook my head and his face fell.
"I'd love to share an apartment, but not temporarily. We need to be together and living in the same place will give us a chance to work out our relationship. What do you say Cowboy?" "You try to sleep and I'll think about it" he said with a grin. I felt lousy so I was happy to lean against his cool body and drift for a while. In the end it took three days before I was fit to leave, and go back to Forks. Em and Rose were happy to take Jasper too, and dropped him off before taking me home. "I don't want your Dad thinking we took you away for a secret assignation" Em chuckled as he handed me my bag at the door. I missed being with Jasper although he'd promised to see me soon.
Charlie was pleased to see me and he had news. Jake had called the station to explain what had happened and Charlie believed him, although he was still very angry and I thought Jake had better stay in his furry disguise or he'd end up in a cell. There was a letter for me too. I didn't recognise the writing but the post mark was Canada. Who did I k ow in Canada for gods sake? I opened it and out fell a thick piece of paper full of cramped writing. I started to read,
Dearest Bella,
I wanted to write and apologise for my actions towards you. I'm sure you have been told the reason for my actions but I wanted to assure you that I mean you no harm. I will be staying up here for college and perhaps might see you again one day. It would be nice to be able to apologize in person for my actions, but I guess that will have to wait a while. In the meantime I wish you luck with your continuing education and all the best. I do feel that I should leave you with some words of advice regarding my brother, who I hear has found his way into your affections. While I have nothing against him personally it does concern me slightly that you are rushing into a relationship without knowing enough about him. I'm sure he has told you his version of his story but you should know that he is possibly the most dangerous creature in our world. If you ever feel afraid, all you have to do is to ring me and I will be there to protect you.
Yours
Edward Cullen
PS. Ask him about a little Mexican village called Los Paulo. It doesn't exist any more but perhaps he'd better tell that story, if he dare.
I ripped this into pieces and threw it in the trash.
Charlie called me as he'd organised dinner, Pizza from the local delivery people! It was OK and I was too tired to care much. I don't think I could have faced cooking today. I made up a few anecdotes from my holiday with the Cullens and luckily there was a game on TV so Charlie made his excuses and I went upstairs to shower. When I came out of the shower I just wrapped a towel around me and went to get my old sleeping tee-shirt on. I walked in and got dressed without turning the light on. When I climbed into bed I turned my lamp on to read and saw Jasper sitting in the rocking chair. I gasped, then went red. He smiled a little sheepishly, "Sorry Bella I didn't mean to embarrass you. I never thought about you needing privacy, I'm not very good at this kind of thing".
I held my arms out, "It doesn't matter Cowboy, come over here. I've missed you like crazy". He flew across the room and into my arms, kissing my neck as his arms went around my body. "I've missed you too darlin', but we need to talk about this privacy thing. I've only ever been with Alice really and it never bothered her after a while, so I'm out of practise. I'll try to remember in future, especially if I want you to share living space". I hushed him with a kiss. "Jasper, whatever happened before is in the past. What we do is between us. If I think you're pushing things I'll tell you, OK? Now how do we find a place before college starts?" He grinned still looking a little embarrassed. "I did some research today and Carlisle has a place near your college which he's offered us. If you don't like it we can get somewhere else, but it would be a start".
"Doesn't Carlisle mind us living together?" He looked at me in surprise, "No, why should he?" "Well we hardly know each other" I started but he stopped me with a smile, "Bella he knows you came looking for me. I think he guesses we're old enough to make our own minds up what we do, but it might be different with Charlie I guess". I blew out my cheeks "It might be better to leave Charlie in the dark about this, about us. Just until he gets used to me leaving". Jasper looked a bit dubious. "Are you saying you don't want him to know about me? About us?" I shook my head "No" and I kissed him again. "I just don't think he can cope with the idea of me moving out and straight in with you, when he doesn't even know we are...dating?""Are we dating Bella?"
I shook my head and his face fell. "No Jasper, I think we are beyond that point don't you? But he needs easing into it". "OK. How about I call for you tomorrow and take you on a date? I could be introduced to your dad" I smiled, "Good thinking Cowboy but I need to sleep now". "OK I'll go" he got up and walked towards the window. "Hey I whispered "Where you going?" "Out" he said smiling. "Where will you go?" I asked. He shrugged "Nowhere, I'll just hang around". "No" I said and patted the mattress, "Just hide when Charlie checks on me. Only creeps like your brother hang out in trees peering in". He stretched out on my bed and I rested my head on his chest. He put his hand on my shoulder and I pulled it to wrap around me, kissing the palm and smelling his spicy scent. "Nite Jazz". "Nite Bella" he said, kissing the top of my head as I closed my eyes.