Chapter Forty One
Bella
We found a huge old place closer to the border but not too close, after all Maria still owed Jasper for the loss of her lieutenant, Nathan, as well as his own escape. He'd been surprised that Peter had chosen to hide Esme here but grateful all the same. The house had lots of nooks and crannies for Jamie to explore and space for us adults to find peace and privacy if we needed it. The grounds led straight into a wooded area ideal exploring territory for adults and children alike. Jamie was growing up fast, from the fragile little mite I first held in my arms to a robust toddler, full of energy and keeping us all on our toes. It took the four of us and Grandpa Carlisle to keep him amused full time. He didn't need to sleep much, a couple of hours tops and then the whirlwind was ready to start again. He loved fooling around with Emmett and Rose or quiet times with Carlisle learning about animals and insects but his favorite occupation was riding with Jazz. They would saddle the horse and I'd pack a lunch for Jamie and they would ride off Jamie waving excitedly from his father's lap wearing the miniature Stetson Rose had made specially for him. It made me so happy to see them together knowing Jazz got as much out of it as Jamie did. The ones I felt sorry for were Peter and Charlotte who were still babysitting Esme and getting fed up with the job. I just didn't know what to do with her. She was just too dangerous to let loose and we had no idea where Alice was either but something would have to be decided soon, for Peters sanity if nothing else!
Emmett
I knew Bella was worried about Peter and Charlotte so I offered to take over for a while and she accepted gratefully.
"I'll talk to Jazz maybe we can come up with something between us. I'll tell you how to get there and please thank Peter and Char for me. I guess we'll be seeing them soon. I was just backing the truck out of the barn when I saw a dust trail in the distance.
"Bella, we got company."
She and Rose joined me while Carlisle continued reading his book on the porch, he didn't mention Esme any longer, almost as if he'd forgotten all about her and I wondered if it was Jamie's influence or something else. We stood waiting as the car got closer then recognized the driver,
"What the hell is Edward doing here and who's that with him?"
Bella looked over at Carlisle,
"Did you know they were coming?"
"Not exactly, Edward rang me and said he wanted me to meet his fiancee so I suggested he might like to visit and see his nephew."
"Nephew? I don't think so Carlisle and you know Jazz isn't going to be happy when he gets back"
"Bella, it all happened a long time ago, you are with Jazz and he is engaged. You should be able to see each other without animosity surely, and he is my son"
Bella
I didn't like it but Carlisle was right so I smiled politely as Edward opened the car door for her much as he had for me and taking her arm brought her over and introduced us,
"Bella this is Gemma"
"Hello Gemma, I'm pleased to meet you."
I was glad to see she was a vampire, I would have hated him to find another human girl to torment.
Edward introduced Rose and Carlisle and Rose took Gemma in the house to chat so Edward came back to me,
"It's good to see you Bella"
"Really? I can't say the same Edward and I'm pretty sure Jasper wont be jumping up and down with excitement when he sees you here"
"Where is he anyway? And your son? Congratulations by the way. I hope you're happy with him."
"I am very happy as a matter of fact. Where did you meet Gemma?"
"I was in Italy, I've spent some time in the library in Volterra doing research"
"Research? Into what?"
"Oh Aro asked me to help with a small problem he had. Interesting work and Gemma was there working for him too."
"So is this a social visit or are you spying on us for Aro?"
"Spy on you? Why should he want to spy on you Bella? I'm sure he has more important and absorbing things to do than spy on your little family"
"Don't sneer Edward its very ugly. I suggest you keep your visit short."
"It's so nice to feel welcome"
"You were the one who left, am I supposed to be happy to see you again?"
"It could have been worse. I could have brought Alice and Stefan with us."
"Alice isn't welcome here Edward and just for future reference neither are you."
Edward
I hadn't expected a warm welcome but Bella's animosity was more than I'd expected and I wondered just for a second if she still loved me deep inside. Then I saw the loathing in her eyes, I'd really hurt her when I left so I guess I had it coming. She was right about Aro wanting us to spy on the family. He was curious about the son but he wasn't here at present so I decided to go inside and talk to Rose and Carlisle who'd wandered in after the girls.
"Emmett you coming?
"No, I have a few chores to do sorry. See you Bella"
She watched him drive away, I wondered if the chores had anything to do with Esme. Carlisle had told me about her disappearance although he didn't sound particularly worried which confused me. It would be interesting to hear Rose's thoughts and Carlisle's, a better way to find out what was really happening here than asking questions.
Bella
I followed him in, not believing it was a social visit in the slightest. He was spying and I wanted to know what kind of research he'd been doing in Volterra for Aro. He'd be busy picking brains if I didn't stop him so I called Rose out to help me, any excuse would do. She didn't know much but I wanted her to be on her guard, she was good at keeping her brother out after all the years practice she'd had. I racked my brains trying to remember how much Carlisle knew, I thought we were in the clear there but if he read Jasper's thoughts we could be in trouble. I needed him to stay away if possible but if I went off to warn him Edward would be suspicious. Then I saw them coming in the distance and heard Jamie shouting in his excitement as Jazz galloped fast towards us. He usually brought the horse to a sliding stop and made it rear up out the front of the house, just because Jamie loved it so much, but seeing a car parked outside and me waiting on the porch he slowed the horse and I took Jamie from the saddle
"Edward and his fiancee are here"
His eyes narrowed,
"Really, and what's his excuse for crashing in to our home?"
"He's come to see Carlisle and introduce Gemma to us, for that read he's snooping for Aro so be careful."
He nodded taking Jamie from me,
"Jamie I need you to be really good with our visitors. Just say hello then Rose will take you up and give you a bath OK?"
He nodded with a gleeful whoop. He loved bath time, whoever it was with. We walked in together arm in arm and Edward looked up straight away with a false smile on his face. Seeing Jazz and Jamie he got up and walked over, hand outstretched,
"Hello Jasper, its been a long time"
"Not long enough Edward"
Jazz took Edwards hand only because Jamie was still here. I saw Edward frown then drop his hand.
"Hello, you must be Jamie. I'm your Uncle"
Jamie frowned,
"You aren't. My Uncles are Emmett and Peter.
Edward scowled unpleasantly,
"Well Mummy and Daddy must have forgotten to tell you about me. I'm your Uncle Edward."
"Rose would you take Jamie up for his bath"
"Yeah! Auntie Rose can we play bomb the boats?
"Sure Cowboy come on"
She held out her hand and he scrambled down from Jasper's arms scurrying up the stairs with Rose, chattering excitedly as he went.