Chapter Sixty Two

Bella

After Charlie left, Carlisle came to speak to us with Esme.

"I think Charlie has taken everything really well Bella but he does have one reservation"

I nodded, "I know. He would like me to be married rather than living with Jasper."

"Yes and I can understand his concern even though we all know it makes no difference".

"Would you like any help with your house hunting?" This came from Esme who was always ready for some interior design work.

I wanted it to be just us but I didn't want to upset her. In the event Carlisle put her off,

"Esme, I think these two need time to look for the perfect place for them. Maybe when they have you could help with the furnishings"

She nodded, "Sorry I just can't help myself sometimes. Well you'll be here for a little while yet so maybe we could start looking on the internet".

That much I could deal with so she went off happy to look at what was around.

"I'm sorry you two. I'll try to keep her under control."

We both smiled at that. Sometimes Esme was like Alice, a force of nature, untameable. Thinking of Alice made me very sad. The thought that she was working hand in hand with Edward was upsetting, not just because of the betrayal, but because she made him far more dangerous and hard to track down.

Esme

I looked all over Oregon at the houses for sale trying to find something suitable for them. It needed to be quiet and isolated with no near neighbours and access to fresh game. Somewhere near the National Forest perhaps. I knew money was no object so I tried large ranches and smaller cabins, trying to give them a good variety. I wouldn't be going with them to look around or choose but I would know where they were. As I looked Carlisle came in.

"Esme you should leave it to them. Jasper knows what he wants and he'll find the ideal place for Bella I have no doubt".

"I was only trying to help and be supportive Carlisle."

"I know my dear." and he kissed me on the head before heading out to hunt.

He'd asked if I was going with him but I had other things to do, so he took Emmett and Rose with him. I wondered how long it would be before Jaspers friends caught up with Edward, he couldn't hide from them forever.

Edward

Alice and I had been on the run for weeks now. She always saw the Whitlocks coming and gave us plenty of time to avoid them, but I was getting fed up of all this pussy footing around.

"Alice when do we start to do something?"

She smiled over at me, "Soon Edward. The decisions will be made soon and then we can act".

She reached over to take my hand but I pulled it away,

"Oh stop being so stuffy Edward. You don't have anyone and neither do I so what's the problem?"

"Bella" I snapped and she shrugged her shoulders.

"You know she doesn't want you and you don't want her really, only her blood. Besides you blew your only chance".

"So she got away from me. I didn't know she was going to jump out of the car and you never saw it."

"How could I Edward, it was a spur of the minute decision by her. Anyway I don't mean that. You didn't know she was pregnant did you?"

I slammed the brakes on and glared at her, "What? She was pregnant? That bastard Jasper"

She shook her head. "Not Jasper you fool. They've never got that far. It was yours"

"What do you mean it was?"

"She lost it when she jumped out of the car. I don't think she even knew she was pregnant."

My hands were shaking with rage. "You mean to tell me I could have had a child and she killed it?"

"Not exactly Edward. She didn't know, she didn't do it on purpose."

It made no difference to me. Bella had been carrying my child and she murdered it by jumping from our car. "Alice, I want to know the second he makes love to her. If there's the slightest chance she could get pregnant by him I want to know. There is no way she's going to carry a child for him"

Alice looked at me warily.

"Alice?"

"OK Edward. As long as you know what you are doing. Jasper isn't going to be happy if you hurt Bella and he's a very good fighter."

"Yes Alice but he had his weaknesses."

"Such as?"

"Bella and the most important one...he fights fair."

Esme

It was some weeks before Bella was well enough to go house hunting. Charlie had become a familiar figure at the house, he hardly seemed to worry about being in the company of a family of Vampires and he'd grown quite fond of Jasper. It seems all that Jazz had done had raised him in Charlie's estimation, quite sweet really. When they finally left it was with a short list of places I had found, although they would do their own searches when they got there. Bella was tearful as she said goodbye to Charlie but he kissed her and sent her off with his blessing. She and Jasper drove away and Charlie came back in for dinner.

"Well that's it then" I said as I dished up his meal.

"I guess so. Sorry they couldn't have been married first but I guess that's old-fashioned these days.

I nodded, "It is rather Charlie. Still we live in our own time, a time when love meant marriage and commitment, these days its different"

"Yes but I can see he's devoted to her"

I nodded and smiled. "I'm sure you are right and it wont be long before they find somewhere, then you'll be able to visit. Maybe we can all go together to see them. For now come and eat".