Chapter Forty Four

Peter

I loved it when I got permission to be as outrageous as I wanted, the only proviso was not to do anything in front of Jamie. Well I could manage that, especially as Jazz took him riding this morning and left the field open for me, I rubbed my hands together metaphorically as I sauntered into the sitting room. Carlisle was in the woods collecting insects for Jamie's biology lesson this afternoon although why he needed to learn about the little beasties I wasn't sure, they couldn't bite or sting us and they weren't any good for slaking our thirst so I just ignored them altogether! Bella was reading a book and studiously ignoring Edward and Gemma who were sitting together chatting about a forthcoming trip to Venice, right!

"Well folks, you getting ready to leave? Such a shame, still Eddie you should feel right at home in the sewer that is Venice."

I saw Bella smile a little as Edward ground his teeth trying not to retaliate but he just couldn't help himself, I loved baiting him.

"Peter, some of us go to these places for the culture."

"Really? OK, but what's your excuse?"

"I beg your pardon?"

"Well a classy guy like you with all your education and book reading, why do you need to go somewhere like that?"

"If you'd been there you'd know it is full of culture, museums, music, architecture"

"Right, let me get this straight. You're going to the open sewer to see the waterlogged and sinking buildings, look round smelly museums full of tatty old stuff and listen to Handel's Water Music. Look I'll do you a guided tour of the outside toilet here, smells the same, it's very old and if I pull the chain you even get the music, and its a lot cheaper."

I think I might have upset him, at least that's the only explanation I could find for his abrupt and colourful departure from the room!

Jasper

It was good to get away from the house, I hated Edward being there but I could hardly throw him out with Carlisle in residence. I hadn't planned on taking Jamie riding again today, I wanted to spend some time with Bella but once out of sight of the house I could relax and I loved every moment I spent with my son. They were all so precious after thinking I would never get to experience such a thing. As we stopped by the river for Mr Blue to get a drink Jamie surprised me with his question,

"Why does Uncle Edward keep trying to hear what we're thinking Daddy?"

"How do you know that?"

"I can feel it but Mummy hates it so she makes sure he can't."

"Mummy does that? Do you help her?"

He nodded with a smile

"Am I being naughty Daddy? I thought I was helping."

"You are a very good boy."

"What about Gemma, is that being good too?"

"What about Gemma? Is she doing something as well?"

"Not really but she wants to know if Mummy and I can do magic things and I didn't think Mummy wanted her to know."

"Jamie, how do you know these things?"

"I don't know Daddy I just do and sometimes it's scary, then I ask you to help me"

"How do you do that?"

"Well, if I touch you I feel better."

"Jamie, Mummy and I will always look after you but you mustn't tell anyone what you just told me, not even Grandpa or Uncle Emmett."

"OK Daddy. Can I paddle now?"

I nodded laughing internally at his sudden change of subject, from serious things to a child's desire to play in the water.

As I watched Jamie trying to catch a frog my phone went off so taking it out of my pocket I answered it still keeping an eye on Jamie as he waded deeper into the water.

"Yes?"

"Jazz, its Em. Esmes doing her nut and I don't know what to tell her. She's insisting on talking to Carlisle."

I sighed, she was turning out a bigger problem than we'd initially thought.

"OK Em. I'm with Jamie at the moment but as soon as I take him back I'll be there."

"Thanks Jazz"

I whistled Jamie,

"Come on Cowboy, time to get home for lunch."

"Is Uncle Em coming back soon? I miss him"

I tousled his hair as I lifted him on Mr Blue and put his hat on,

"Soon Jamie, he's helping Mummy and I with a problem at the moment."

"Do you mean Grandpa's wife Esme?"

"How do you know about her?"

"Grandpa told me about her. He's sad on his own but I know she's like the wicked witch in the story Auntie Rose told me so she won't be coming to stay with us will she?"

"No son she won't."

I would have to do something about this problem soon but I didn't relish killing Esme.

We rode home chatting about the frog he hadn't been able to catch,

"What would you have done with it if you had caught it?

"Take it back to show Grandpa"

"And how would you have done that? Do you just happen to have a jar on you to carry it in?"

He grinned and pulled his hat off,

"I'd have filled this with water and kept him in there"

He had me there,

"I think Auntie Rose might have had something to say about that."

"OK Daddy, I'd have borrowed yours then, and Auntie Rose could have been cross with you instead."

He was beginning to sound devious like Peter and I wasn't sure if that was a good thing or not!

Peter

When they got back I saw The Majors look,

"Bella I want to have a quiet word with your Husband if that's OK?"

Jamie wanted to come too until he saw Carlisle then he scrambled down, rushing over to tell him all about a frog he almost caught. Bella nodded looking concerned,

"Its OK Darlin' we'll be back in a while."

I ran beside him until we were out of sight of the house and he secured Mr Blue to a branch close to some grass.

"What's up Major?

"Esme Cullen, she's giving Em a hard time, he doesn't know what to do."

"Just kill the bitch and be done with it."

"What about Carlisle? How do I tell him we destroyed his mate?"

"You're going soft Major, I can remember a time when it wouldn't have bothered you in the least."

"I know Peter but things are different now,"

"No they aren't. Esme is the enemy, period. She not only turned Bella and Char away when they went looking for help but she kidnapped your Son and was taking him to Aro. What does she have to do before you wake up to the danger? Your concern should be your Wife and Son and no one else. Now get your fucking act together and do something before she gets away and actually manages to kill one or the other."

I couldn't believe The Major dithering about killing the bitch.

Jasper

I know Peter thought I was losing it but now I had a mate I understood what it would mean to kill Carlisle's, but he was right. She had threatened both Bella and Jamie with her actions. I would just have to deal with the consequences of my own actions later.

"Come on, I told Emmett we'd be there ASAP."

"Well that's something I guess"

We ran in silence, each thinking of the consequences of all my possible actions. I didn't want my Son to think of me as a killer but Peter was right, it was the only way to keep my family safe. Maybe one day he would understand that. When we got to the cave where Peter had stashed Esme Emmett was waiting in the mouth and the relief on his face when he saw us showed the pressure he was under from his Mother.

"Thanks Emmett. You can go now, Peter and I will take it from here."

He looked from my face to Peters then nodded soberly,

"She's threatening to go straight to Aro if she gets out and I think she means it."

I nodded,

"You go."

He ran off without a backward glance and Peter and I walked into the cave, determined to end it now.