Chapter Forty
Bella
I waited with Carlisle as the customs did their bit and then Emmett came down the steps and took me in a huge bear hug.
"Great to see you here Bells. He's really in bad shape"
I didn't ask who? I was past worrying, I just looked at Carlisle and walked up the steps and into the body of the plane. The lights were off in the cabin but in the glow from the cockpit I could see a shape laying across two seats and as I walked towards it I felt a terrible aching in my chest that almost brought me to my knees. I tried to breath deeply and knelt down beside the blanket covered figure. Suddenly I knew who it was laying here in such pain and swallowing down my nerves I pulled the blanket down to reveal a head, turned away from me but covered by familiar blonde tousled hair. I put my hand on the tangled locks and breathed his name almost silently. He turned his head very slowly as if it were too much effort and opened his eyes. I saw recognition in them before they shut again, it was too much effort to keep them open. I leaned over and kissed his cheek very softly knowing exactly why Carlisle had told me what he did.
Jasper
I felt the wheels hit the tarmac and then I felt her, she was near but I was too weak to go find her. I would just have to wait until she found me, if she would find me, and if she would know what was happening if she did. I heard her footsteps as she entered the cabin and a warm feeling enveloped me as I smelled her scent fill the air. She knelt down and pulled the blanket back touching my hair as I turned to look into her beautiful face. When I could hold my eyes open no longer she leaned in and kissed me, something I had longed for her to do all this time. I felt the warmth of her lips scorching my cold skin and sending warmth through my body. I wanted to put my arms around her and pull her close but it was just too much effort for now. I felt terrible but I knew I was going to be OK now she was back with me.
"Bella" it came out as a sigh but she seemed to understand it never the less.
"Shh Jasper don't try to speak. Close your eyes and relax, I'm here now."
Bella
Tears flowed down my face at the pain in his eyes, yet he'd still flown to France to try and save me from Edward. I could only imagine the will power that had taken and then to tell the others to take me away, leaving him so far behind again. As my tears dropped onto his face he lifted a shaking hand and touched my cheek wiping them away, until I took his cold hand in mine and held it, stroking his face with the other. Hearing a noise I turned slightly to see Carlisle and Emmett coming towards us, their intention obvious. They had to get Jasper off the plane and back to the house,
"Jasper, Emmett's going to carry you to the car and I'll be right behind."
Emmett picked him up tenderly and carried him like a child in his arms placing him in the back seat while I went round the other side to put his head on my lap. The other two got in the front and we drove off towards Forks. I ignored them knowing they were shooting glances at me through the interior mirror. I stroked his hair and face, murmuring softly to him as we sped for home.
Emmett
Seeing Bella's reaction to Jasper I knew he was going to be OK. It would take time but he was finally with his mate and that was all he needed, time with her, time to heal. Carlisle had a smile on his face but it was mixed with concern and I looked at him puzzled.
"What's up Carlisle? Jazz will be OK now won't he?"
"Yes, he should but what we have to remember is that he hasn't hunted in a long time, not properly, which puts Bella at considerable risk. Its a real dilemma, he can't get strong without blood but he can't heal without Bella."
"We need to tell her the risks, its for her to decide what she wants to do. Perhaps you could get blood for him"
"Emmett I'm a doctor not a vet! I can get supplies of human blood but that's an ethical dilemma in itself."
I looked in the mirror and saw Bella had been listening to us so I jerked my head backwards warning Carlisle.
Bella
I'd heard what they said although by Emmett's reaction I shouldn't have and I knew what I had to do,
"Carlisle I'm not leaving Jasper so you find a way round the problem"
Jaspers head moved weakly, he was trying to speak so I put my head down to his lips
"Leave Bella. Its too dangerous for you to be close to me"
"You left me, if memory serves and look what it did to you. We'll find another way. There has to be a way of getting animal blood for you."
I looked up again,
"Emmett you can hunt for Jasper and bring a deer or whatever back for him to drain surely"
Emmett nodded but Carlisle shook his head,
"Bella you won't want to be there while we feed, its not a pleasant thing for a human to see."
I laughed scornfully,
"You forget Carlisle I'm only part human, my father is a vampire. Jasper needs blood, you get it for him".
As far as I was concerned it was conversation over and I went back to comforting Jasper. He looked so frail and sick, almost ethereal and it scared me.
"How did you get yourself into this state Jazz" I whispered.
He opened his eyes and managed a wan smile,
"I fell in love with a human girl who was snatched from me".
"Well she's back now so you'll be OK. I'm staying with you and no arguments."
"What about Charlie?" Carlisle asked.
"He's waited this long so I'm sure he can wait a bit longer. I have no idea what I'm going to tell him anyway."
Esme
When they were due back I had Rosalie wait at the end of the drive and direct them to drive straight into the garage. Charlie had turned up here demanding answers about Jasper and Bella and the last thing we needed was for him to see the pair of them together in the back of Carlisle's car! When she reappeared with a smile to tell us that Carlisle was home and I saw Charlie finally stop pacing. Carlisle came through holding out his hand to take Charlie's.
"Sorry I wasn't home when you got here Charlie. What can I do for you this time?"
"I want to know where Bella is Dr Cullen."
I could see it was going to be a formal meeting so I suggested they take the conversation to Carlisle's way we could get the others upstairs without being seen. Carlisle ushered Charlie up to his study and closed the door asking for no interruptions. As soon as I heard them talking I gave the signal and Emmett and Rose helped Jasper upstairs while Bella hovered beside them moving as quietly as she could, unfortunately she tripped over the top step and swore loudly. We froze, then I motioned the others to carry on up the stairs quickly as I heard Charlie's footsteps rush to the study door.