Chapter Eight

Edward

I had proved my relationship with a passenger and been taken through to identify her luggage if possible. The case was too badly burned to identify positively but it was Bella's hairbrush in there along with some of her clothes and a scorched copy of Wuthering Heights which I knew she'd been reading before she left. So it was true, Bella was dead and with her my best opportunity to be something special. If she'd just got pregnant I would have cherished her, having a child of my own, a son to mould into the perfect child or even a daughter who would have loved me and done exactly what I told her, a girl who would have loved me unconditionally, where there was no one else who could ever take my place, I would be the most important man in at least one life but now it was over, Bella got herself killed and now I would have to start all over again. I did wonder for a while I if it was me, if I wasn't able to sire a child but all the tests I was able to do showed I could, so it was her. Trust Bella to find a way to thwart me. I would play my part as the devastated husband, that would get me the limelight once more as everyone felt story for me being left alone, my mate dead.

Carlisle

I think even Edward accepted now that Bella was really dead and it was explained to us that very few bodies were intact or identifiable after the fire fed by the aviation fuel. The police would be doing DNA tests so we were asked to supply something of Bella's, a brush, toothbrush, anything that might help to identify her DNA. I expected Edward to be more upset but he just sat quietly, his face revealing nothing of the pain he must be feeling and when we left Jasper was waiting in the car. He looked more upset than Edward and I wondered if it was guilt at effectively putting her on the plane. He drove to their apartment in silence and didn't say anything in the elevator. I think he was hoping Alice might be back when we got there but there was no sign of her and no messages. It wasn't like her and I wondered if perhaps she and Jazz were having problems of their own but for now Edward had to be my priority.

"I think we should fly back and go see Charlie. Esme has told him and arranged company but it would be proper for you to meet him Edward, under the circumstances."

Edward sighed heavily but nodded,

"I suppose so Carlisle but I really don't feel like it. The shock of it all has left me reeling"

Jasper frowned over at him but didn't say anything and Edward sneered,

"What's the matter? You just don't understand how a tragedy can be too much to take in. Bella is dead, my wife dead, so stop acting as if she meant something to you."

I expected Jasper to say something in his defence but he just got up,

"I'm going out, make yourselves at home, maybe Alice will ring."

Edward watched him go,

"Good riddance, he thinks he knows everything about emotions but he's wrong."

Had Jasper felt uneasy at Edward's attitude? I could go after him but I thought Edward needed me most at present. I rang Esme who said Charlie had asked where Edward was. She'd told him and Charlie asked if Edward and I would call in when we got back to Forks.

"I don't think I want to go home to Forks Carlisle. All the people, all the sad words and sympathy."

"Edward I don't think you have a choice really. You have to meet Charlie, it is his daughter whose dead after all."

"He'll get plenty of sympathy, he doesn't need me. I'm going to Denali for a few days until I feel I can face people, you see him Carlisle, explain why I'm not there."

Denali? He usually avoided that place like the plague, especially as Tanya had tried to move in on him at the wedding reception. He must be really low to want to go there, Esme would be disappointed but we had to let him grieve in his own way and I knew Carmen and Eleazer would look after him, treat him kindly as he grieved.

Jasper

I had to get out of there before I ripped into Edward, he knew I could read his emotions and there was anger and frustration in abundance but no real sorrow and certainly no devastation at losing a mate. I thought even Carlisle was feeling puzzled by Edward's reactions but he wouldn't ask me. Believe me over Edward? Never! I didn't know where to go or what to do, there was no escape from this gnawing pain in my chest, no way to run from the pain at the loss of Bella. I knew then that had she lived I would have told her how I felt and asked her to come away with me, in spite of the hurt it would cause Alice. Now it had finally happened I couldn't have watched my mate leave for another man, not for long. I had already decided in my mind to speak to Alice, try to explain and then follow Bella to Forks. If she chose Edward over me I would know I'd been wrong but she wouldn't, I also knew that. She had been happy in my company and unhappy in his. I walked along the cycle trail we had ridden together visualizing her smile as she saw the squirrels, her laughter as one perched on my shoulder. Then headed for Mount Evans at a run, finding the point we had stopped and gazing at the view that had entranced her so. I closed my eyes and saw her face as she looked around, the wonder in her eyes. Eyes that would never open again or look at me, and as she smiled dance with joy. This was crazy, I was torturing myself but I couldn't stop, it was all that was left to me. I watched as the sun dropped lower and the view dimmed in the moonshine. I had no idea how long I had sat there nor did I care and when my phone rang it startled me. Carlisle or Edward I guessed but I answered, shocked to hear Alice's voice after so long.

"I'm so sorry Jasper that I didn't return your calls, things have been a little crazy here"

"Alice, Bella's dead, doesn't that mean anything to you?"

"Yes of course but I get the feeling it means an awful lot more to you Jazz"

I didn't know how to answer that so I kept silent,

"Where are you?"

"Out walking"

"Are Edward and Carlisle still there?"

"You tell me"

"I can't see them but I'm not sure if that's because they have gone or because they haven't made their minds up. How is Edward?"

"Not as devastated as he should be"

"Is that your informed opinion?"

"Yes I feel his emotions and they aren't the right ones"

"Maybe he's in shock"

"Maybe. Anyway are you coming home?"

"Soon, I'm sorry I'm not there for you but I'm not sure my presence would help."

"You knew Alice didn't you? Knew about me"

"You and Bella? Yes I knew it would happen sooner or later, just not when"

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"It doesn't work like that Jazz you know that. What could I say? One day in the future you will fall in love with Edwards wife? I can just see your reaction to that"

"Didn't you care that I'd find my mate in her, stop loving you?"

"You haven't stopped loving me Jazz, you just love her more, it happens."

"Well it doesn't really matter now does it? She's dead."

"Do you want me to come back Jazz?"

"Of course."

"To be second best? I don't think so."

"You're leaving me too?"

"No, I'll be back soon. When Edward and Carlisle leave. Oh yes, they're leaving in the morning Carlisle is booking tickets now. Edward's not going to Forks though"

"He's not? What about Charlie?"

"Esme's been there and now the wolves are looking after him. They'll arrange a memorial service in a couple of weeks. I think maybe I'll skip that but you should go"

"Me why?"

"Edward will be suspicious if you don't and he's not sure you haven't killed her and arranged all this yet"

"Do I care if he suspects me?"

"No but you will, please Jazz don't ask questions that I can't answer. I'll speak to you again soon"

"I thought you were coming home?"

"I'm not sure I can, I'll try."

I put my phone away disturbed that Alice wasn't more grief-stricken at Bella's death or was I the only one who truly felt her loss?