Chapter Nine

Jasper

I hunted through habit and got back to the apartment shortly before they left the following morning. Edward scowled,

"Sorry Edward but it is my apartment."

"Yes and I'll be glad to get out of it. The last place Bella was before she died"

"You say it like its her fault"

"If she'd done as I asked her she would still be alive. Instead she defied me and look what happened."

"Maybe you should be thinking about why she defied you eh?"

He launched himself at me but Carlisle stepped between us as I smiled,

"Come on then Edward, try it"

"Please, Jasper, Edward, this is stupid, Bella is dead. I think the least we can do is to control ourselves. Edward get your stuff, Jasper thank you for the use of the apartment. I'll let you know of the arrangements when they are made"

"Why tell him?"

"Edward, if there is a memorial service I'm sure Jasper and Alice will want to attend"

He snorted and grabbing his bag went to the door and wrenched it open,

"Come on Carlisle the taxi will be here any moment and I need some fresh air"

I was glad I didn't have to drive them to the airport, the thought of another minute in Edwards company was more than I could take. As Carlisle followed him out he hesitated,

"Excuse him Jasper he's very upset"

I didn't reply, what was the point?

Charlie

I waited for Edward to come, tell me what he'd learned in Denver but it was Carlisle with Esme who appeared both looking strained. Sue opened the door then went into the kitchen to make me coffee.

"Charlie"

Carlisle held out his hand to shake and I did it unthinkingly,

"Carlisle. Where's Edward?"

"He's very upset, he's gone to family in Denali for a few days"

"Oh, OK. Do we know any more?"

"Not really, they found a case with some of her things in it and Edward identified them, also a hairbrush so we're hoping for a DNA match"

"What about a body?"

Carlisle shook his head,

"They aren't hopeful Charlie. I think it might be a mass grave for the passengers, very few can be identified. They are working through the passenger manifest now."

"What about a service for her Carlisle?"

"Edward thought you might want to organise that, after all you know more people in town who want to pay their respects."

I nodded, relieved because it was all I could do for Bella now.

"Is Renee coming?"

"Yeah, she flies up tomorrow Esme, Billy and Jake have offered to pick her and Phil up. I don't think I'm ready for that yet. Carlisle I still can't believe she's gone. It's so stupid, a plane crash just when she was so happy."

Esme came over and patted my shoulder.

"If you need any help with arrangements for the service please don't hesitate to ask."

"Thanks Esme. I guess we should give it a couple of weeks for the authorities in Denver to finish their inquiries"

"I don't think it will matter Charlie, some people are already holding memorial services. They accept there were no survivors and the manifest tallied with the head count as far as they know. The last radio communications were very difficult to hear, I think it was an electronics problem."

Sue came through and handed me a mug of coffee.

"Can I offer you anything Carlisle, Esme?"

They shook their heads exchanging a look with Sue that I didn't quite understand but I couldn't be bothered to worry about it now, nothing mattered any longer. I just hoped Renee wouldn't start when she got here. Even she couldn't think this was my fault.

Jasper

Esme rang to tell me about the memorial service and I promised to be there. I hadn't heard from Alice again and I wondered if she had given up on me after seeing that I cared for Bella. Although she'd promised to be in touch I waited in vain. I spent every day on Mount Evans remembering the week Bella and I had spent as friends just enjoying each others company. The pain in my chest remained, a crippling force gnawing at my vitals while my mind went round and round remembering every second we had spent together and her farewell at the airport. I couldn't watch the TV or read the papers, they were still full of the accident and the upcoming memorial service that would be held at the airport for the relatives of those killed. Edward was coming with Carlisle and Esme. It was a private service for relatives and their invited guests and of course I wasn't but I didn't care. I said my goodbye to Bella every day on the Mount, a perpetual pilgrimage. The thought of leaving Denver for Forks filled me with a nameless dread, I didn't want to go, here she felt alive, in Forks I would be forced to accept she was really gone. I think Esme recognized my reluctance because Rose and Emmett appeared the day before I was due to fly up, to accompany me.

Rose

I knew Jasper was upset, Esme had told us that much but I didn't expect him to be so affected by Bella's death. He looked dreadful and Alice still hadn't come back. It wasn't like her to leave him, especially when he was so upset. We talked all night about her visit and what she'd said about Edward.

"You think she wasn't happy with him?"

"I think there was something wrong and he doesn't feel right"

"How do you mean?"

"He's not feeling as much pain as I thought he would. How would you be if anything happened to Rose, Emmett?"

"I can't imagine being able to function at all without my Rose"

He pulled me close shivering at the very thought.

"Edward felt angry and disappointed more than upset."

Maybe it hadn't sunk in yet Jazz"

"Maybe but he didn't even go to see Charlie"

"Where is he? In Forks?"

"No he went to Denali."

"Denali why?"

"No idea."

"Are you going to be OK?"

Jazz nodded but I could see the hurt in his eyes and something made me uneasy, his reaction was no more understandable than he thought Edward's had been, but I wouldn't question him now. I wasn't sure he could cope with it and there would be time later.

Esme

I picked Jasper, Emmett, and Rose, up from Sea-Tac pleased to see them although heartbroken at the reason for their visit. Emmett looked upset and I knew he had been very fond of his little sister, Rose was supporting him although I knew she too was upset. She had taken a long while to warm to Bella but by the time of the wedding they had become friends and now she was gone. It was Jasper who worried me, he too looked upset but more than that he looked very alone. None of us had heard from Alice and had no idea where she was or if she would attend the memorial service. It was strange behavior for her especially as Bella had been as close to her as a sister. I opened my mouth to ask him if he'd heard from her but Rose shook her head in warning so I stopped myself. We drove in near silence until Rose spoke as we entered Forks,

"How is Charlie?"

"Better since Renee got here with her husband. I think he's being strong for her sake. He made all the arrangements, Edward left it to him to do it as he wanted"

"I take it Edward will be here?"

"Yes Em, he flew in last night with Tanya, she's been a real support for him. It's such a tragedy"

I heard a snort from Jasper or at least I thought it had been a snort but I couldn't be sure.

"I'm just hoping it stays dry for the service, there are so many people that a lot will have to stay outside."

"I guess Charlie knows just about everyone in Forks."

"Yes, the Quileutes will be there too, they were fond of Bella".

"How's Jake?"

I turned to look at Jasper, this was the first time he had spoken.

"He's terribly upset but luckily his girlfriend will be here for him"

"He's got a girlfriend?"

"Well she's his fiancee actually. A girl from a neighboring tribe, I think they plan on getting married soon."

He nodded,

"Good. We aren't meant to be alone."