Chapter Fourteen

Bella

Never had a day gone so quickly or been enjoyed so much. We held hands as we walked and I felt tingles all up my arm which made my heart beat faster than normal. Jasper never seemed to notice though and walked beside me seemingly comfortable in my company. He insisted in buying me lunch out and as we went into the Diner I saw Angela and Ben already seated at a booth. Angie saw me and goggled at the sight of Jasper holding my hand but recovered in time to ask us to join them. I was unsure what to do but Jasper smiled and led me over to their table. Ben tried to make conversation with Jasper and I wondered how that would go under the circumstances but Angie commanded my attention, she wanted to know what we were bringing to the party. Seeing my mystified look she smiled,

"Every couple brings food or soda's and it all goes on a long trestle table. You'll want a blanket to sit on too and thick jackets for later when it gets cold. Do you play an instrument or sing?"

I said no quite horrified at the idea.

"Oh well never mind."

I tuned her out when she started talking about Mike and Jess to listen to the other conversation at the table. I was amazed to hear the two guys talking about music and guitar playing.

We all left together, they went back to their car while we went into the mall to look for a cell phone for me. I was looking at the basic models, pretty clueless when I heard Jasper thanking the salesman. He took me by the arm and guided me out of the store putting a box in my hand,

"I'll help you set it up when we get home."

I daren't even look to see what he'd bought but it felt quite light. He took my hand again then and we walked back to the truck but instead of driving straight back to Forks he stopped off at a food store. When I looked at him in enquiry he laughed,

"Did you here anything Angela said to you earlier?"

"Oh food for tonight. OK".

He went in and handed me a basket,

You better get the stuff, I've no idea what they like".

I collected chips, sausages and some dips then a selection of sodas.

"That should do"

"As long as you're sure" he said then took the basket to the check out and paid.

"I should be paying" I hissed but he just smiled,

"I don't expect my date to pay for things"

I wasn't sure whether it was the smile or the word date that made my heart stutter, but stutter it did, violently.

The sun was coming out from behind the clouds as we reached Charlie and he looked round warily then seeing no one about picked up the bags and the box containing the cell phone and was gone. I locked the truck and followed him into the house. He had set the bags on the counter top and was undoing the box.

"You OK? I asked.

He nodded,

"Sorry about that but I can't afford to be seen in the sun."

"Oh why?"

"I'll show you some time" he answered absently as he took the phone from its packaging.

It was very thin, shiny and black and quite obviously expensive.

He pulled me over and showed me how to operate it. I noticed it had internet access on it too.

"There's no card, how do I top it up?"

"You don't. Its on my contract. Use it whenever you like"

"I can't do that Jasper. You can't pay for everything"

"Its a tool of the trade, just use it. I've programmed in my number and Peter's that way you will always be able to contact at least one of us. In an emergency, however stupid you think it might be, I want you to dial 222. That will alert us even if you can't speak. I've also put Alice's number in, I thought sometime you might want to talk about what's happened. It's your choice entirely. Just remember, if you feel worried, scared or even uncomfortable and I'm not with you, contact us. That's vitally important. Understood?"

I nodded at his serious expression,

"222?"

"Yes that's an emergency link we set up."

He made me try it out and I got through to Peter in seconds,

Jasper took the phone from me and spoke to him,

"Just showing Bella how to contact us. You OK?"

Peters voice was too quiet for me to hear but I heard Jasper,

"Oh you'll be there too? OK see you tonight."

"I take it Peter and Alice will be at the party?" I asked when he put the phone back in my hand.

He nodded

"Usually we wouldn't be together anywhere but it can't be helped."

I cooked the sausages and made a batch of coleslaw and pickles to take then went upstairs to find the old picnic blanket I had seen in the closet on the landing. It hadn't been used for a long time and was stored in a polythene bag so I just grabbed it and flew back down the stairs straight into Jaspers arms where he stood at the bottom. I blushed furiously at his surprised look then stepped backwards and tripped up the stair pulling him forward, luckily he caught the bannister or he would have ended up on top of me. He smiled down at me

"I usually have to date a woman a few times before she throws herself at me"

I groaned and hid my face,

"You OK Bella? Did you hurt yourself?"

I shook my head,

"No. I'm fine"

Charlie came home before we left for the beach although he could hardly complain when he saw we were at the kitchen table doing homework. He glanced over Jaspers shoulder,

"Chemistry? You like the sciences?"

Jasper nodded,

"I like all knowledge Chief Swan, I think we all need as much information as we can get".

Charlie nodded approvingly.

"Good, that's what I tell Bella".

Finishing up I made dinner for Charlie and myself while Jasper excused himself to go home and change. Why I had no idea. He looked fine in the jeans and long sleeved chequered shirt he'd been wearing but as I let him out and he turned to kiss me on the cheek he whispered,

"I didn't want to sit not eating while Charlie stared".

I nodded

"See you soon. I'll be back in an hour but don't worry I'll be close by."

I watched as he walked off down the street until he was obscured by a car coming along slowly. When it had passed he was gone, the street empty as if he'd been a figment of my imagination.

The car pulled up outside and I saw Billy and Jake getting out with a curse. Charlie came to welcome them in, "Billy its been too long. You been out?"

Billy looked at me while answering

"No just had a meeting of the Elders and thought we'd take the opportunity to call in".

"Meeting? What not on the Res?"

"No this was a special meeting with the other tribes in the area",

"Not trouble I hope" Charlie sounded worried.

"Hope not Charlie, I really hope not."

He broke my gaze and Charlie pushed him into the house while Jake stopped with me on the porch.

"So Bells you OK? I wondered if you'd got any further with your quest".

He was grinning and that annoyed me.

"As a matter of fact yes Jake I have but you don't need me to tell you about it. You already know, so does Billy and I think from what I just heard all the Elders".

He grimaced,

"I couldn't tell you anything Bella, Tribal Secrets".

"I thought you were my friend Jake, but you couldn't warn me about what had happened?"

"I was sworn to secrecy but I tried to help remember?"

"No not really, you could have made everything clear much earlier."

"Well it seems you have a new helper."

"Oh really? And who would that be?"

"I don't know, why don't you tell me, I can smell him all over you".

"Oh you mean my boyfriend?"

His eyes widened in shock.

"You're going out with one of them?"

"One of who Jake? I have no idea what you are talking about remember."

"Bella this isn't a game you know."

"Yes I worked that one out for myself Jake and who I choose to date is up to me".

"Really I wonder what Charlie will say if he finds out".

"And how exactly is he going to do that Jake? Are you going to explain how you know all about the Cold Ones? Should be interesting as you can't even tell him about your wolves. Think I'll sit in on that conversation it could be fun."

"You know he'd listen if Billy spoke to him."

"He might, but Billy won't."

"Why not?"

"Because if he does I'll dish the dirt on him and the wolves. So I guess we're all going to keep our dirty little secrets aren't we?"

"You're making a big mistake Bella, the wolves are the only ones who can protect you from the Cold Ones". "Well Jake they didn't do so well with my Mum did they? An amulet and a wave goodbye. Not what I'd call protection."

"What else could they do Bells?"

"I don't know, how about telling Charlie the truth, taking them on the Reservation, send a couple of wolves to protect us. Any of those would have been nice Jake. Instead they watched her run with a baby under her arm knowing she could never hide from her pursuers."

"But she did Bells until her death".

"Which was a result of the attack on her. Anyway where were those legendary protectors when she was assaulted at the mill? Aren't they supposed to patrol to keep the Cold Ones away? I think I'll put my faith in the ones who are actively trying to help".

"So you're going out on a date with one of them? Seems like he's getting a good deal, he gets to paw you and act like a human for a while."

"Yeah well perhaps you should have tried it."

"What pawing you? I would if I thought you wouldn't stab me or something".

"No Jake, acting human, it can be quite rewarding".

"Oh I see that!"

"Grow up Jake. Jazz is only with me for protection"

Jasper

I went out to the trees opposite to wait for Bella, unable to clear my head. When she touched me my mind clouded over and I was aware only of her proximity. It wasn't a good thing for the person guarding her to be involved in any way. Alice and I had managed because we were friends but the feeling with Bella was totally different. I needed a clear head and I had a job to do, something was telling me that I should leave Bella's security to Peter, or call Charlotte here. I could go and keep an eye on Shaun until sure he was safe but I didn't want to go. I'd give it a couple of weeks, it might just be the newness of the situation that was causing me problems. In the meantime there was the added complication of Jacob Black and the Quileute wolves.