Chapter Forty One
Emmett
I knew I couldn't catch him but I couldn't just let him saunter away either, so I ran until I couldn't hear him any longer. As I stopped Rose careened into me, "Lost him Rose" I said as I stretched up. "Hows Bells?" She shook her head. "Not good Em. I wrapped her up and put her in Jasper's arms so he couldn't tell how bad she was. We need Carlisle fast", I got my phone out and rang as we made our way back, "Carlisle promised to be with us in under an hour, he'd run all the way with his stuff and Esme would follow in the car."
Rose
When we got back Jasper was in the same position, kneeling on the floor Bella in his arms and his face pressed to hers. He looked up as we came in and I saw blood on his cheek. Em and I both stopped breathing just for safety sake. I got a cloth and wiped her face and his, before suggesting he lay on the bed with her to keep her ribs straighter. He staggered up, as if in pain himself, and I knew he was taking hers. As he lay on the bed the blanket came loose and he saw she was naked. He groaned and closed his eyes. If he could have wept I knew the tears would be running down his cheeks, but his face remained dry marble as he pulled the blanket back over to cover her. The bruising on her ribs was pretty extensive, "She put up a hell of a fight Jazz" I said. He looked up at me with tortured eyes, "But she shouldn't have had to. Why wasn't I there for her Rose? She told me she knew I would come for her but I let her down. I let him hurt her, violate her Rose". I put my arm around his shoulder, "Jazz you did all you could and you are here for her now. So stop feeling guilty and start thinking of her. She was there for you, be there for her" He nodded, "OK Rose. You're right".
We all sat there watching Bella drift in and out until Carlisle appeared. He sent us all out but Jazz refused to leave her so Em and I shut the door on them. "I'm gonna get that son of a bitch Rose". I nodded "Yeah me too". We heard a noise outside and looked up to see Peter and Charlotte walk in. "Sorry we missed the first round, took us longer than expected to get here but count us in for round two. How is she?" I shook my head, "Pretty well beat up and I think he's had sex with her too. Although I'm not sure about that" Char snarled, "Then his balls come off first sister". I nodded, "Most definitely".
Jasper
I watched, holding her hand, as Carlisle uncovered her to check for injuries. "She has a fractured jaw and cheekbone" he said then he moved down. "Several fractured ribs, half healed ones from her last attempt at fighting Jake off", I looked up at that. "What?" "I'll tell you later" he said as Bella picked up on my agitation. "You might want to leave while I finish up" he said, but she squeezed my fingers. "No Carlisle, I'm staying". He looked at her, "Very well. Knee is badly bruised". Then I looked at her while he checked for sexual injuries. When he looked up and pulled the sheet back over her he shook his head. "No, she hasn't been sexually assaulted". I let out the breath I'd been holding. "Ah Bella, you decided to join us?" He'd seen her eyes open, "Carlisle" she mumbled, then she looked at me and put her free hand up to stroke my cheek. "Hi Cowboy. I love you". Then she closed her eyes again. "We need to get her to a hospital for X- Rays" Carlisle stated.
"How do we explain this?" I asked. "Car accident" I turned to see Peter in the doorway. He nodded to Carlisle before carrying on, "Char and Rose are setting it up now. Dr Cullen was going by and saw the car in the gulley. Car is registered to the Cullens so our sister was driving it and hit a deer, lost control. "Will this work?" he asked and Carlisle nodded "Yes". You ring it in and Jasper can take her to the car. I'll tell them I rang you, found her in the car. You and Jazz turn up at the hospital in an hour. Should fly" said Peter. Shame I couldn't get her over the border. I'd have her under my care then", I looked at him. "Can you move the car Peter?" He nodded "I guess". "Then get it over the border, I'll carry Bella across, meet outside Forks. That way Charlie will know too. Tell you what, crash my car. I'll tell him she borrowed it to go shopping, hopefully he'll believe us". Bella murmured. "I'll tell a good tale". "You won't be saying anything for a while madam. Broken jaw means silence for a few days". She tried to smile but grimaced and closed her eyes again.
Bella
When I woke up next, breathing was a little easier and I could feel the strapping, I was getting used to it! My jaw felt swollen and my cheek hurt but I was alive so I counted it a victory. I also recognised the room, I'd been in here not so long ago for a similar reason. As I looked around I saw Charlie sitting by the bed looking anxiously at me. Thank god I can't talk I thought, because I had no idea what the cover story was. He smiled at me and squeezed my hand gently. "You OK Bells?" I nodded. I was so worried when I got your note". Note? I thought, act confused. At that minute Carlisle appeared over his shoulder, winking at me. "I think Bella is still a bit hazy Charlie. Perhaps we should fill her in". Charlie looked at him, "Oh yeah of course". He turned back to me. "Don't you remember?" asked Carlisle gently. I looked at him blankly. "You came over to our place early in the morning and remembered you'd left your purse. So you borrowed Jasper's car to go back. I think perhaps it was a little too powerful for you, because you swerved to avoid a deer and hit a tree". So that's the story I thought. "Jasper?" I managed. Charlie looked at the door. "He'll be here in a minute, he's been here all along. I think Emmett came to tell him something and they went out in the corridor".
As he said this the door opened and my Jasper walked in. He looked at me and smiled, "Hi sleepyhead. Thought you'd join us again at last?" He leaned over and kissed me gently on the cheek. Charlie coughed, "Well I have to get going. I'm on duty this evening. Dr Cullen says you'll be out in a couple of days but you'll be a bit limited. He's offered for you to stay at his place so Rose and Alice can help you with... things". I tried to smile, "Thanks" I managed as he kissed me and left, nodding to Jasper as he went.
Carlisle came over, "Take it easy Bella. We thought you'd be more comfortable at our place for a few days. I'll discharge you tomorrow if you have no pain, OK". He stroked my head before leaving. Now it was just Jasper and I. He sat on the edge of the bed and took my hand. "Bella I'm sorry I didn't get to you sooner" he started but I touched his lips with my finger then crooked it for him to come closer, "I love you" I whispered. "Did he?" I didn't need to finish, Jasper shook his head. "No" I sighed, "Good. I want it to be you". He looked into my eyes. "Me too darlin'" and he kissed my forehead. I was so sleepy, and he got up to leave. I shook my head in panic. "What's the matter?" he came back to sit on the bed again.
I took his hand and pulled him down to my mouth again. "Stay, hold me". He smiled "OK darlin' whatever you say". He swung his legs up on the bed and put his arm around me pulling me gently to him. I laid my aching face against his chest, smelling his wonderful scent, and closed my eyes. As I drifted off I felt him smoothing my hair and stroking my cheek. Now I could rest, as long as we were together I could sleep. I woke in the early hours and he was still there, in the same position, but reading a book with his free hand. As I opened my eyes he put it down and kissed the top of my head. "How you feeling?" he asked softly. "Better for you being here" I whispered. "Jasper will you promise me something?" "Anything darlin'" "Don't leave me, I need you close. It hurts too much when you are away from me" I whispered. "Yeah I know that feeling" he said, and I thought about him in the cave. "Yes, you do. And I promise I wont leave you". He took my hand with his free one. "Together always" he whispered in my ear, and he kissed my cheek. "Now sleep Princess. I need you well and at my side".