Chapter Thirty Eight
Emmett
Once I saw Bella had things under control I went over to the laptop, clicking on the file to open it and scanning the information inside, whistling when I understood what it contained. Jaspers eyes flickered to me at the sound and I nodded,
"You were right Jazz. I'll leave it here for you and let the others know Sleeping Beauty finally woke up."
As I left I took one backward glance, the three of them stood together, Jaspers arms around his mate and son, the way it should be. I smiled as I shut the door softly, leaving them to renew their bond again as a family.
Jasper
She was so beautiful and so controlled as she looked with wonder at Jamie laying peaceful in her arms gazing up at us.
"He's grown, have I been out of things very long?"
"No darlin' just a week but you were so quiet it scared us all. Didn't you feel anything?"
"Not really, not once Jamie was back with us."
She stroked his cheek and he smiled gurgling at her,
"Is he special Jazz? I mean I know he is, but have you noticed anything about him?"
"You thinking about Alice's words? About him being a weapon?"
She nodded nervously,
"No, but I think he does have a gift, he seems to be a channeller, he can channel my emotions to you and magnify them. You were peaceful as long as we were both with you and as long as he was touching both of us. Maybe that's why you never felt anything."
"Do you think Aro will be interested in him for that reason?"
"Who knows with him, but we have a powerful friend in Caius. If Aro makes a move I think Caius will warn us."
"Did you learn what he found out?"
"We were just about to when you woke up. Emmett hacked into Caius computer files"
"I'm impressed. Shall we see what Caius knows."
Bella
We walked over to the computer, Jasper's arm still around me, his other hand touching Jamie's leg. The access granted was still flashing at the top and Em had opened the file marked Family Tree, a sub folder bore my name, Bella Swan/Whitlock. I clicked on it and the folder opened. There was a lot of writing but I quickly scanned it, Caius had traced his line through his mother's side all the way up to me through Charlies mother. Caius was my Uncle! It seemed odd having a relationship with one of the most powerful vampires in our world.
"Do you think Aro knows about me?"
He laughed,
"If he knew they'd be crashing through that door to take you and Jamie"
I had continued to read further down and saw a small notation referring to another sub folder so I clicked on the link and what I read there took my whole attention.
"Bella?"
I looked up at Jasper who had obviously asked me something. I pointed to the few lines of writing on the screen,
"Jazz look, Jamie's more special than we thought."
He read what I already seen,
"How can that be? The odds are millions to one"
"Now I see why Caius didn't want Aro to get his hands on our son, he's Caius heir. We're both related to him. Aro wouldn't want to keep him or use him, he'd want him dead but Alice didn't know that. She can see forward but not backwards thank God!"
Jazz who had saved the two files to Em's Hard Drive hit the delete button,
"Bella, no one can ever know this. It's too dangerous for Jamie."
I nodded in agreement, if Esme found out she would tell Alice and Aro would know in minutes.
Carlisle came in at that moment as Jazz shut the computer lid down,
"I thought I should congratulate you both now, Bella is a beautiful vampire and Jamie thriving. How are you feeling Bella?"
"I'm fine thank you Carlisle, and I want to thank you for delivering Jamie"
He smiled and held out his hand for Jamie to grasp his fingers,
"He's got quite a grip and he's growing fast Bella. I think your little one will be crawling around soon. What are your plans now? I take it you'll be finding a home of your own, with a child you'll need your space I imagine. I'm just sorry I wont be seeing much of him. I know this is awkward all round but I have to ask you to release Esme into my care. She is my mate and I think you owe me that much."
Carlisle
I wasn't sure what their reaction would be to my request but I had to make it. I knew they were holding Esme somewhere close by and she was my mate, I loved her, so I had to get her back. Jasper looked at Bella before answering,
"Its not that simple Carlisle. She was going to hand Jamie to Aro Volturi"
"But she didn't"
"Only because we got to her first Carlisle, I won't feel happy with her on the loose. I could have understood if she tried to take him for herself with her history but to hand a baby to the Volturi, I'm sorry Carlisle but no."
"Bella please? What can you do with her? You can hardly hold her prisoner for ever and surely you wouldn't think of depriving me of my mate? How would you feel in my place?"
Bella looked down at Jamie then at Jasper, before shaking her head,
"I can't Carlisle. She's dangerous to my son."
"I'll take responsibility for her actions, keep her away from you."
"No. You can't watch her all the time and she still has contact with Alice. We already have to watch our backs Carlisle, I'm not releasing another enemy."
"Then what do you intend doing with her? Are you going to keep her captive for the rest of time? Are you going to kill her Bella?"
Jasper
I understood both points of view but Bella was right, we couldn't afford to add to the enemies we had to watch out for,
"Carlisle, I'm sorry but for now at least Esme stays in our custody. I know we owe you but we have to think of our own safety and Jamie's."
"Then I have to stay too, I can't just go and leave her here alone with you, with people who don't trust or even like her. Would it be possible for me to see her? At least allow me that much, please?"
Bella was shaking her head but I thought we owed him that much for all he'd done,
"Very well, but we'll choose the time and place, no rescue attempts Carlisle. If she escapes we will have to treat her as a danger and then she will die"
For just a second I saw something in Carlisle's face I had never expected to see, a naked cunning and spite but it was gone so fast I almost thought I'd imagined it.
"Very well Jasper. I'll be waiting"
He turned and walked out shutting the door firmly behind him
"Jazz I don't trust him either, did you see the look he gave you?"
So Bella had seen it too!
Jamie wriggled in her arms and I took him automatically, holding him to my chest and he settled again.
"I see you two had time for a little male bonding while I was away with the fairies"
I laughed as he burped loudly and threw up on my shirt,
"Oh yeah, he knows who to come to when he feels sick."
"Is he OK?"
I smiled at her concern,
"Yeah, he's just got wind, it happens after he's been fed, usually more quickly. I think I'll get changed."
I put a now sleeping Jamie down stripped my shirt off and went to wash up before finding a clean one in the closet. Suddenly hands were at my chest, stroking my skin, and warm lips found my throat. It had been too long since I had felt Bella's loving touch and I groaned leaning into her.
"I missed you Bella"
"Well it seems Jamie realizes because he's fallen asleep. Do you think we have time to fool around a little?"
"God, I hope so"
I pulled her close, slipping my hand inside her shirt as she nuzzled my neck and I felt myself responding. Praying Jamie would stay asleep we undressed quickly and fell onto the bed in a tangle of arms and legs hungry for each other.