Chapter Seventy Four

Jasper

By the time we left Forks I felt sorry for Esme, she still had Emmett and Rose, but without Carlisle she was nothing. All this time she'd lived a lie with a man she loved, knowing he had only supplied her with children on Aro's orders so he wouldn't lose one of his own precious children. Edward and Emmett were the only true children of Carlisle's and that was why Esme always loved them most of all. It had intrigued me then but now it was clear. Peter was furious we'd missed one but by guarding Alice we had inadvertently helped Rose too. The whole thing had been a labyrinth of lies, intrigue and double-dealing and I was glad it was all over. Now Bella and I could start our life together, or at least I hoped we could. She had been stealing me worrying looks for the past couple of days while we stayed at the Cullens and tried to sort out the mess Carlisle had left. They would be moving on soon, after Carlisle's suicide. That had been tricky but we managed enough evidence to satisfy local law enforcement and for that, read Forks Police Department.

Bella

I was so nervous when we got back to Peter and Charlotte's that I couldn't sit still, Peter had done what I asked him without any remarks or funnies and for that I was grateful. Everything was ready and just waiting for me to say the word, poor Jasper kept looking at me with a puzzled expression, he could feel my nerves and excitement but he couldn't make anything of it yet. He'd tried talking to Charlotte but she gave nothing away, I think she quite liked seeing him on edge for a change knowing it was something good coming. When I finally cornered Peter alone and asked him to suggest the drive to Jasper he was relieved.

"Thank fuck for that! Jazz is driving me mad because you're driving him mad. So when's the big day?"

"Three days from now. In the evening when its closed officially."

"Anyone else coming?"

"Only Rose and Em and Esme. That's more than enough."

Peter smiled,

"You two were made for each other you know that. Leave the rest to me girl."

Peter

It was a little more tricky than I thought but eventually Jazz agreed to go hunting with me, just us guys for a couple of days leaving the girls to do their own thing.

"I think Bella wants to surprise you when you get back. It's typical girl stuff. Give her a chance Jazz."

"OK as long as its fine with Bella."

I think she was glad to see the back of us personally, and I'd been threatened with castration by both of them if he wasn't in the right place, at the right time, on the right day. So no pressure then!

Bella and Char watched us off waving goodbye.

"I don't like this Peter. Something is brewing"

I told you just girl stuff. She's probably redecorating your room, you know, mirrors on the ceiling, spot lights, soft music"

"Yeah Peter, real likely that."

"Lets just enjoy our freedom shall we?"

Bella

Once they'd gone I rang Jake to check on things.

"Sure Bells stop panicking girl. It's all sorted, all under control, just relax, breath, and make sure you get there at the right time. That's all you have to do."

"Thanks Jake, this means a lot to me"

"I know Bells, I'll make sure it all goes smoothly. See you there.

Charlotte and I made a few last-minute changes to things before setting off for Junction City. I was a bundle of nerves,

"What if he doesn't turn up? Or doesn't want to? What if Jake doesn't make it? What if it rains?"

"Bella, what if I smack you one? Calm down girl. Everything is going to be fantastic and as for him running? Are you on the same planet as the rest of us? Of course he's not going to run."

Charlotte

By the time we got to Junction City Bella was a total wreck,

"If he sees you now he might run screaming. You need a meal and a good sleep. Tomorrow we go shopping, but tonight you eat proper human food and get some sleep."

I accompanied her to the restaurant to make sure she did eat but it was a struggle,

"It doesn't taste right Charlotte. Its disgusting"

"You've been eating vampire style too long Bells. I think you'll have to decide one way or the other soon. For now choke it down girl then we go to the hotel."

The suite at the hotel Peter had booked was surprisingly good and bless his heart he'd even had flowers and a bowl of fruit organised along with a massage. Bella looked very wary but by the time I went to hunt she was relaxed, drinking sparkling wine, and had a glow about her.

Bella

The suite was gorgeous and the flowers and wine a lovely touch from Peter. The massage worried me a bit but the guy was funny and put me at ease, his touch was too hot and soft but a few glasses of wine later he was finished, Char had gone out to hunt and I was mellow. I rang Jake and we chatted for a while, my giggles alerting him to the fact I had been drinking.

"Bells get to bed before you fall and break something. The last thing Jazz needs on his honeymoon is a bride with a plaster cast. Speak to you tomorrow."

I got undressed and showered before climbing into the huge bed, that was a problem. It was big and comfortable but lonely. I couldn't remember the last night I'd spent away from Jasper and I hated it. As the tears started my cell phone rang and looking at the number I recognised it, Jasper's.

"Hi Cowboy, You enjoying your hunt?"

"No, I miss you. What are you doing and where are you?"

"Char and I decided on a shopping trip. We stayed in a motel."

"Are you alone?"

"Yes, are you?"

"No, so I don't want any dirty talk"

Peter shouted in the background and I giggled.

"Bella? Have you been drinking?"

"Just a glass with dinner. By the way I hate food, it tastes weird."

"Oh right. Well I'll ring you in the morning. Nite Bella, love you"

"Love you too, miss you Jazz."

Charlotte

When I got back Bella was a soggy mess.

"Bella?"

"Jazz rang. I miss him Char."

"Not for much longer remember, now get some sleep or Frankenstein will look better than you."

She twisted and turned until I got on the bed with her and held my arms open. She hesitated,

"Just pretend I'm Jasper if it helps"

Once she snuggled up to me she fell asleep and I had to smile, boy did she have it bad! As I lay there I thought about the last few months, I was a human hunting vampire and now I was laying with a human girl in my arms and I'd do anything to keep her safe for The Major.