Chapter Sixty One
Jasper
Jamie was very brave and after his shot he climbed onto my lap and put his head on my shoulder.
"If you want to stay Mummy just hold my hand."
Bella took my hand and soon after I felt Jamie relax and his breathing even out. Bella was inside the shield and took my hand, squeezing it tight.
"I'm scared Jazz, scared of losing you, both of you"
"You won't lose us, we're going to beat this."
I suddenly felt weary and lay down, Bella joining us and closed my eyes. It was like last time, I could feel the drain on my energy starting but this time it seemed slower, and I looked at Bella,
"Do you feel it too?"
She nodded,
"It's a weird feeling, like a dragging sensation."
"Let go of my hand for a moment Bella"
She did and the difference was marked, the pull got a lot stronger and she tried to take my hand again but we couldn't touch, breaking the connection even momentarily put her outside the shield and although she lay with us she was just out of reach. I saw her watching me as Jamie slept and knew my weakness was showing on my face. He slept longer this time and the drag on my energy was stronger as the hours ticked by. Carlisle came in to check on us every hour and I could see the concern on his face too after six hours had passed. Jamie moved uneasily on my shoulder and I knew he was close to waking, there was something different about him too, he felt heavier and he was noticeably taller. This was working, his body was using my energy to build new tissue while his venom fought mine.
Bella
When Jamie finally opened his eyes they were full of energy and he bounced off the bed,
"I'm starving Mummy"
I smiled,
"OK, say goodbye to Daddy and we'll get you some lunch."
Jamie leaned over and kissed Jasper who lay exhausted on the bed.
"Is Daddy all right?"
He opened his eyes and sat up with an effort.
"I'm fine Cowboy, go get some food."
I kissed Jazz too and went out holding Jamie's hand, part of me wanting to stay with my mate. Carlisle passed us in the corridor and stopped us to check on Jamie,
"How are you young man?"
"I'm feeling much better Grandpa, Mummy's taking me to get lunch then were going to play in the courtyard, Uncle Emmett made me some little boats before he left and we're going to sail them in the fountain."
Carlisle smiled at that, such a normal thing to be doing in such an unusual place. I watched as he went into the bedroom taking two flasks with him before Jamie dragged me away.
"Mummy I'm starving. I could eat a whole horse... no an elephant"
"Not a whole elephant, I don't think you'd manage the trunk too"
"Yes I would, I'll show you."
In the kitchen he smiled mischievously and helped me make him pancakes with fresh fruit and a milkshake. I had to laugh as I saw he'd cut the pancakes into elephant shapes complete with trunks and ate three of them.
"See mummy three elephants, trunks as well."
After this he ran to get his boats and we went outside into the courtyard. The sun was shining and the water sparkled as Jamie placed them carefully into the water.
"You have the red one and I'll have the yellow one"
"What about the blue one?"
"I'm saving that till Daddy can play with us"
I looked up at the bedroom window and saw Jazz leaning against the wall watching us, a flask in one hand. He lifted the other one in greeting then disappeared back into the room. I missed him but Jamie kept me outside playing until it started to get dark.
"Did it help me being with you and Daddy today?"
He thought about this before answering,
"I don't know but I feel better Mummy and the floor isn't wobbling any more."
He threw his arms around me and kissed my cheek,
"I love you Mummy"
"I love you too Jamie"
"And we both love Daddy"
"Yes we do."
Jasper
When I heard their voices outside I struggled up and went to watch for a few minutes, wishing I could be out there with them but it was all I could do to stand and watch from here. Carlisle called me back to the bed,
"Lay down and rest Jasper. Jamie is doing really well"
"He's grown hasn't he?"
"Yes, and it's quite rapid, I think his body is using your strength to build itself up. Your venom is slowing the tissue damage down, I think were winning Jasper if we can keep you healthy enough. Drink the rest of that blood, you're going to need it."
I lifted the flask to my mouth and forced the blood down, I really had no thirst and it was a real effort.
"Did it help Bella being with you?"
"I don't know Carlisle, at the time I thought so but he seemed to take a lot more from me once the connection was broken so was she helping or did he need to take much more because she was taking some of mine? You tell me."
"Well there's only one way to find out. Let her stay connected next time and see how you feel, if its working it might make it easier on you. For now I need more of your venom I'm afraid."
Carlisle
I spoke to Jamie and Bella about what Jasper and I had discussed,
"If it helps great, I want to help"
"What do you think Jamie?"
"I don't know Grandpa, when I'm asleep I don't remember anything."
"Well it's worth a try"
Felix came in then to see if Jamie wanted to go on the computer and he rushed out taking Felix hand and telling him about the boat races we'd had. Once he was out of earshot she turned back to me,
How is Jazz? I saw you take two flasks in this time"
"Well he's supplying venom as well as energy so I thought a little extra might be useful"
"And?"
"He's weak but the blood is working its usual magic. Don't worry Bella I'm looking after both of them."
she smiled wanly,
"I know, I'm just worried that's all. I hate to see Jazz look so weak and vulnerable."
"Yes it's not desirable but we don't have much choice."
Bella
I took the opportunity of Felix minding Jamie to check on Jasper. He sat reading by the window but he still had bruises under his eyes and he looked tired but still managed a smile when he saw me,
"Hi beautiful"
He stood up and hugged me, breathing in my scent with a moan,
"God you smell good. I wish we had time alone, where's our little Cowboy?"
"He's gone on the computer with Felix"
"You think they'll be long?"
I went over and slipped the lock,
"Well lets see"
As we lay together on the bed and Jazz caressed me it was obvious he didn't have the energy for sex and we just lay together, touching and kissing.
"I'm sorry Bella I must be weaker than I thought. God I need you"
I stroked his face and kissed his throat noticing the scars, livid on his neck,
Did you have all the blood?"
"Yeah but it was a struggle, I'll be glad to get back to animal blood. I don't like this."
"I know sweetheart but its necessary for now,"
He turned red eyes to me,
"These don't put you off?"
"Why should they? The only reason you're drinking human blood is to help our son, I couldn't condemn you for that."
He lay back as I kissed a trail from his face across his chest and down to his belly. He stopped me there,
"I don't think I have the energy Bella and its killing me"
I smiled and kissed my way back up,
"I love you."
As we kissed the door rattled,
"Ah folks I think Jamie's on his way back and you need to drink before he gets here"
Getting off the bed and throwing on a wrap I opened the door to a grinning Carlisle,
"I thought you might appreciate a heads up"
"Thanks Carlisle."
I took the flask from him and walked over to hand it to Jazz who took it with a grimace, I turned away to give him privacy to drink as I knew it made him uncomfortable.