Chapter Forty Two
Edward
When I saw Jasper come in with Bella and their son I expected to get plenty of information from their thoughts although I used to avoid his as much as possible, they were too graphic for me. The child's would be interesting, I hadn't listened in on many children's thoughts so it would be an experience but there was nothing, just a blank and not just from Bella which I'd expected but from her son and the freak she was tied up with. It was frustrating but interesting too, was she able to shield their thoughts too now they were connected? Or was it something else? Was Alice right about the brat? I didn't see how shielding his thoughts could be a great weapon unless you were involved in a Quiz! I watched as he went upstairs with Rose and saw Bella looking at me in turn,
"Did you want something Edward?"
"No, I'm fine. He's a cute kid. You must be very proud, considering"
Jazz turned his head to look at me,
"Meaning what?"
Bella put a hand on his shoulder and he smiled at her,
"I'm going to stable Mr Blue"
"Mr Blue? You called your horse Mr Blue?"
"Actually Jamie renamed him after a character in one of his books, Why?"
"Oh I see"
I smiled to think of the kid ruling the roost, it would be interesting to see how he behaved among all the adults.
Bella
I was relieved when Jazz went out to the barn, I could feel an argument coming if Edward didn't mind his manners so I thought a little reminder might be in order.
"Edward could I have a word?"
He smiled at me and excused himself, Carlisle was telling Gemma about Jamie's latest exploits but she looked bored.
"Yes Bella?"
"I just wanted to remind you that you are in Jaspers house and you'd do well to remember that"
"Jasper's house? Oh I thought it was a family home"
"Don't be cute Edward, it is our house but for the purposes of this conversation I will refer to it as Jaspers house. I know Carlisle taught you manners, they used to be impeccable but they seem to have slipped somewhat. There is no way you are going to be rude to Jazz, or me, or any of the others who live here, while under our roof. Do you understand? Oh yes, and while we're having a frank exchange I don't appreciate you snooping around in our house or our thoughts."
"Why? Do you have something to hide?"
"Edward I'm not playing word games with you. Stay out of my son's thoughts and Jasper's."
"Oh I assure you Bella I have no wish to wade in the cesspit which is Jasper Whitlocks thoughts."
"Cesspit! Fuck you should try mine Eddy boy"
I couldn't help a smile as Edward cringed to hear Peters voice behind him.
Peter
When Emmett turned up he told us Edward Cullen had appeared with a woman in tow so I put the pedal to the metal to get back swiftly. Just a precaution, I knew he and The Major weren't exactly friends and when I heard his comment to Bella I had to smile. I'd promised Charlotte that if he behaved so would I and he'd answered my prayer by being his usual obnoxious self, thank you Cullen I thought.
"So Edward talking of cesspits how are you these days? I hear you've found yourself a woman, I just feel sorry for her Guide Dog having to look at you all the time. Is she stupid too? Or just doing charity work? I can't wait to be introduced. Is she through there"
I pushed past him and into the sitting room where a surprisingly nice looking woman sat talking to Carlisle. I nodded to him and excused myself butting in to perform the introductions,
"Hello gorgeous. I'm Peter Whitlock and this is my wife Charlotte. How did a beautiful girl like you get tied up with an ass hole like Edward Cullen?"
I looked theatrically round the room,
"Have you lost something Peter? Apart from your manners?"
"No Carlisle, I was just looking for Gemma's white stick"
"Why would she need one of those?
I smiled evilly
"If she is with Edward I'd have thought that question redundant. Please tell me you are doing this out of the goodness of your heart. You can't possibly be truly involved with the biggest idiot in the vampire world."
Charlotte took my arm
"Lets go say hello to Jamie shall we"
She always dragged me away when I was having fun,
"Nice to meet you Gemma. We'll talk again"
As I was hauled up the stairs I saw Bella grinning and Jasper,who came in at the tail end, gave me a thumbs up. I was going to enjoy Eddies visit!
Edward
I wasn't aware that Peter and Charlotte were in residence, Carlisle hadn't mentioned them when we talked on the phone but then he hadn't mentioned Esme either which was equally odd.
"Carlisle you never mentioned the Whitlocks were visiting"
"They aren't, they live here"
Bella's voice was cold with warning so I turned back to him,
"I haven't seen Esme yet either. Is she here?"
He looked rather confused for a moment,
"She's with Emmett"
Again Bella's voice held a warning, something was definitely going on in this house. Something Aro might be interested in.
"So Edward tell me about Alice's young man"
I turned back to Carlisle with a sigh,
"There's not much to tell really"
"Yes there is"
Gemma interrupted me,
"Don't be silly Edward. He's a really nice guy but a bit odd. She met him in Switzerland, he was a nomad, looking for somewhere to settle I think after leaving another group. I don't think he's very good with people, crowds you know."
Bella
So Alice had picked up another stray!
"Where is he from originally?"
"Germany I think. He was turned a long while ago in America actually, or no, Mexico"
I heard Jaspers intake of breath,
"What does he look like Gemma?"
She smiled at Jazz, he was playing the Southern Gentleman to the hilt and she lapped it up,
"Well lets see, he's tall and slim, like you really and he's got the same sexy accent. Why do you know him? That would be really cool."
"Yes Jasper do tell. Do you know Stefan?"
"Why Edward haven't you been able to read his thoughts yet?"
"You make it sound like I snoop. I can't be held responsible because my mind picks up people's thoughts. Actually he seems a really nice guy and he's crazy about Alice"
"Yeah well lets be honest Eddie he'd have to be crazy to fall for that psycho sister of yours"
Peter came down with Jamie on his back like a monkey, shouting,
"Look Mummy, Daddy, I'm flying."
Rose had tied a hand towel on him like a cape and Peter was sliding down the bannister so fast it flew out behind him like superman. As they hit the bottom Peter picked him off his back and threw him to Jazz who caught him and swung him round, still squealing loudly. It seems Peter was going to be Emmett's replacement for a while at least.
"Can we do it again Uncle Pete?"
I shook my head,
"Time for supper and a story, then bed young man."
"OK, Grandpa can we have the story about the giant again?"
Carlisle looked up and nodded as Jamie wriggled from Jaspers arms and ran to Carlisle still trailing the towel. I noticed Edward concentrating but I got the distinct impression he wasn't receiving anything and I smiled inwardly, I didn't know why but I was pleased. It would make his task here so much more difficult. What I was interested in was this Stefan that Alice was tied up with, was he turned by Maria like Jazz and Peter? Did they know him?