Chapter Fifteen

Bella

He looked so serious as he started to talk and I felt my stomach churn with anticipation, my brain scrambling to make sense of the words I was hearing. As he finished I felt his hand tremble in mine, he was anticipating my responses again. He just never learned! I could torture him by hesitating but I would never hurt him like that, I couldn't, it would hurt me just as much as him so I lifted his now downcast head and looked into his muddy red eyes. The colour wasn't as vivid any longer, was he thirsty again already? The bruises under his eyes weren't standing out so I guessed not. But I was getting sidetracked,

"Jasper, the feeling is mutual, I love you with every fibre of my being. Its only when we are together that I feel whole. But I am disappointed."

His body stiffened, waiting for the blow that was never going to come.

"Disappointed that you didn't ask me to marry you. The answer would have been yes, but I will wear your ring and hope you'll ask me soon."

His body relaxed, all the tension flooding out and a heart stopping smile lit up his beautiful face as he spoke again,

"Bella, marry me. Be mine as I shall always belong to you."

I nodded and we kissed, our bodies close, but not yet close enough for either of us.

"We'll go choose a ring on our way to see Charlie. if that's OK with you of course."

To be asked for my approval was a welcome change, Jasper wasn't going to regulate my life, tell me what was best for me as if I were a child.

"Yes, I'd like that. When do you think we should tell the others?"

"After we tell Charlie. He has the right to know first as your Father, but Bella I really don't want to wait too long. I want everyone to know we belong to each other."

The kiss that sealed the bargain was sweet and tender, there would be time for more, soon.

Charlie

When Bella rang to say she was going to visit I knew there was something up. She sounded happier than she'd been since Edward left, which made me wonder if there was a guy involved. Well anything would be an improvement on the Cullen boy and if she'd found a guy who made her happy I wasn't going to complain. I wanted to like him and as long as he wasn't a drunk, a druggie, or an ass hole' I'd be satisfied. Billy and Harry came over the night before she was due and when I told them the news they were happy too.

"I think Jake might be disappointed. I think he still had hopes of Bella himself"

I knew this was true, he always asked after her and it been a stupid plan of Billy and I that the two of them might fall in love but it just wasn't to be.

"I'll let you know what the guy is like, if it is a guy, the first opportunity I get. Hey why don't we get together here for a barbecue on Friday night. That gives me tomorrow to get to know him and if I'm wrong about it being a guy, Jake might get another shot.

It was all arranged, Sue would sort the food, Jake do the barbecue, and Harry get the booze, that way it would be a surprise for Bella.

Jasper

We flew to Seattle and went shopping for a ring. Bella wanted something simple, not too large, and not too expensive. Shopping with her was a contrast to Alice! By the third jewellers she was getting disheartened then I saw it tucked in the corner of a window display. A simple gold band with a single stone set in it. When I pointed it out to Bella she asked what the stone was and I told her, "Jasper" that was it, shopping over, and I slipped it on her finger with a kiss. If only Charlie were so easy.

We rented a car and drove towards Port Angeles and Forks where we stopped at a store to do some food shopping.

"Charlie never has enough food in, and cans and packets will last him a while. That reminds me, what are we going to tell him when you skip meals?"

"I wont. I can manage to force it down for a few days. Its getting out to dispose of it that might prove a problem."

She looked, unsure if I was joking.

"No I think we'll tell him you're on a special diet for your health. With your pale skin he'll buy that and I can spend some time alone with him while you go hunting."

She was always thinking of me and I found it unnerving, I'd never had my needs taken into consideration before.

"I could go hunt before we get there, we're way too early anyway. He's not expecting us until tomorrow some time."

"What about getting a motel room? I know its more expense but..."

I cut her off, it sounded good to me.

"I know you'd be safe while I was away and it gives us a few more hours alone together."

I could feel her contentment as I said this, she was as happy to be alone with me as I was in her company. So I drove to a Motel on the outskirts of Port Angeles, a good one, and after settling Bella in I left to hunt, promising to be as quick as I could. Why would I want to take my time with her waiting back there for me?

Bella

I felt lonely when he'd gone but understood his motives, hunting now would mean he would be with me all the time in Forks without being too thirsty. I was thinking of using "illness" as a reason for the strange colour of his eyes too although I'd noticed they were going from a muddy brown to more of a strange golden brown with a mere hint of red. I would have to ask him about that. The trouble was, whenever he was with me my thoughts turned to other things. I had never wanted anything so badly in my entire life, not even Edward. Jasper called to me in a way that was so primitive and visceral. He was spending his nights with me, I slept in his arms, safe and comfortable but yearning for more. I knew he wanted me too but he seemed reluctant to start anything. Was he waiting for me to make the first move? Or was he still thinking of Alice's rejections?

I showered and put on a tee and shorts, it was too hot for my sweatpants, not very romantic but I thought lace and silk would only embarrass me and get him thinking of Alice again. She was a shadow that hung between us and always would if we didn't take steps to exorcise her demon. I put the TV on and flicked through the channels until I found an old vampire movie, very apt and I sat watching as he was repulsed by garlic and holy water that the priest carried. I wondered how he would react if the real thing appeared, grabbed the garlic and drank the water before draining him! Jazz had only been gone just over an hour when he tapped on the door and woke me from a doze. yawning I went to the door, opening it with a smile of welcome.