Chapter Forty Four

Bella

Jasper opened his eyes as the door opened and Emmett waltzed in with a huge deer dangling over his shoulders. He smiled and dropped it at my feet.

"There you go Bells, just as ordered, one freshly killed deer."

I heard a hiss and saw Jasper trying to sit up so I wriggled out of the chair. He looked at me then at the deer.

"Jazz feed" I ordered

Still he hesitated but his eyes were black with thirst.

"Hey I need you on your feet so go for it" I said giving him a push.

He was on the floor at the deer's neck in a flash and I watched as he drained the huge animal. I hadn't noticed Emmett come close to me but as he took my arm and tried to pull me away I struggled,

"Emmett leave me I'm not disgusted, he's feeding."

He looked at me with a hint of a smile,

"You are one cool customer Bella but I'm trying to protect you. Jazz is in feeding mode now and you might just look like dessert.

I laughed and shook my head,

"If I'm going to be dessert it wont be in a room with no bed."

He guffawed and Jasper looked up at the sound. He moved slowly into a crouch then straightened up, the only sign he'd just been drinking blood a tiny smear on his upper lip. At that second I thought I had never seen anything so erotic in my life and I stepped towards him my arms open. Emmett put a hand on my arm to stop me and Jasper snarled.

"It's fine Emmett. Let go"

He did as I said and I took another step forward my arms still outstretched. Jasper looked at the deer then at me and moved slowly until I could wrap my arms around his waist. He dropped his head to rest on my shoulder and sighed,

"It's OK Jasper come on"

I walked him back to the recliner and this time I sat down first pulling him down beside me and then reclined it fully so he was laying down. He curled his body around mine and closed his eyes once more.

"Thanks Em but I think were going to need more than one deer."

"Your wish is my command Princess" he said as he went out dragging the deer carcass and shutting the door quietly behind him.

"How did I get so lucky?" Jazz whispered and I kissed his tousled head.

"Just rest Jazz. We can talk later."

His breathing was already stronger and I could feel his strength returning as he pulled me closer to him.

Charlie

When Emmett reappeared with the now drained deer carcass I raised an eyebrow,

"So she didn't field dress it for him?"

"No she just kicked his butt until he fed. Charlie I'm impressed, Bella's great."

I laughed,

"Well it was a compliment but not the kind I expected for my daughter."

"Where are you going now?" I asked him as he headed for the door again,

"New order to go" he said with a smile. "I'll see if I can get a bear this time. Much better for him and I can take my time now."

"You know this is all insane?" I spoke to Carlisle.

"My daughter is upstairs with a vampire whose just drained a deer and she's ordering more for him as if she's in a restaurant. Maybe I'm the one who's insane!"

So Carlisle, what's the story with Bella and Jasper?"

He hesitated but Jake jumped in,

"Easy Charlie like I told you they're in love. Neither can live without the other, in his case quite literally it seems. You could have had me as a son in law, instead it looks like you might have a vampire. Its a crazy world."

He said a mouthful there,

"But how can she be with a vampire? Doesn't he want to drain her? And didn't you say that Renee died as a result of having sex with this Aro guy? He poisoned her system with venom? Hows that going to be any different if she and Jasper get together?"

"I have no idea Charlie. They haven't got to that stage yet but I'm sure he'll be careful."

"Careful? What's that supposed to mean?"

"Same as it does between humans Charlie"

"Oh I get it. God, what a conversation to be having! My whole world's just been turned on its head Carlisle."

Bella

As Jasper rested something happened to me, my mouth started to water and my throat to burn a little. I decided I must be hungry so I ate the pie that Rose had brought in for me and washed it down with the coffee but it didn't entirely satisfy me. I just hoped the soreness in my throat wasn't a sign of sickness. I needed my strength while Jasper was so weak. I snuggled closer, wishing with all my heart this was a bed instead of a chair, comfortable as it was. He murmured and I felt his burning thirst knowing he desperately needed to feed again and hoping Emmett would be back again soon with another deer or something even better. My mouth watered again and I swallowed it down with difficulty. Great, tonsillitis or something about to attack me I thought, and I closed my eyes comfortable in Jaspers arms.

Jasper

My thirst was getting out of control again and I tried hard to ignore it knowing it was making Bella uncomfortable. I breathed in her scent but it didn't make the burn worse, I assumed I was getting used to it, she smelled like a garden in the spring with dew on the flowers. As she cuddled in closer to me I wished this old chair was a bed so we could move more freely. Then I heard Emmett's tread outside and it sounded like he was carrying something heavy. The venom pooled in my mouth and I had difficulty swallowing it down now, my throat was on fire, burning so hot it was agony. When he came in through the door I had to smile at the bear he'd caught. By the look of his clothes it had put up a good fight. He saw my smile and looked down ruefully,

"Yeah, it took some getting down. You owe me big time bro. You going to be OK with Bella if I go get decent?"

I nodded knowing I wouldn't hurt her and he left. Bella had dozed and I tried to move without waking her but it was impossible. She opened her eyes and glanced at me with a smile before her face changed.