Chapter Five

Bella

How Charlotte could see where she was going I had no idea, it was almost a white out now.

"How far is it to the cabin?"

Charlotte turned and smiled,

"Only about an hour Bella and I've lit a fire so it should be warm enough for you. I understand you've had a rough time of it but running doesn't solve anything you know."

"Yeah, I found that out. It just causes more problems. I won't be doing it again."

"No you won't because I'm going to be glued to your side."

Jasper pulled me closer and kissed me on the cheek.

"Hey, none of that sloppy stuff in here. My wife happens to be driving and I don't think you'd appreciate it if I distracted her with all that canoodling"

"Canoodling? What the hell is that supposed to mean? Have you been reading historical romances again Peter?"

"You listen to me Garrett, some of us have romance in our souls quite naturally."

"Yeah, then some don't Peter and you are one of those. Do you know what he bought me for Valentines day Garrett?"

"I couldn't begin to guess the workings of his warped mind Char. Do tell"

"A new sewing machine."

"Well your old one broke and my pants needed mending. It was practical."

I couldn't help laughing at that and he turned to me trying to look serious,

"You may think its funny but she bought me a new leather belt for my pants"

"Because they were falling off you and I was sick of looking at your ass."

"I'll have you know women would queue to see my ass, it's very viewable."

"I'm sure it is Peter but most of those "women" had beards!"

It was relaxing listening to the bickering between Peter, Charlotte, and Garrett. The accusations got more and more outrageous but no one got upset, everything was taken in good humour and I wondered if Jasper would join in but he seemed happy to just ignore his surroundings and watch me instead. I leaned against him and noticed that his hand in mine had warmed up as if he were borrowing heat from my body without my own hand getting cold. It made me curious, I wondered if the rest of him would feel the same, it would be interesting to find out. The thought of going to bed with Jasper made my breath come faster and my heart beat speed up and he caught the change.

"Are you all right Bella? Warm enough?"

I nodded, too embarrassed to speak for now and sure the others must be able to feel my draw to Jasper. I saw Garrett glance at me and grin and I prayed he wouldn't say anything. He didn't but I was worried about the wrong person, as I should have known. Peter turned round and I groaned, delight and mischief vied for position on his face,

"So Bella, what are your plans?"

"For when?"

"Long term."

It was said far too innocently but I couldn't get out of answering,

"I don't know yet. I guess to keep out of Edward's clutches."

Garrett laughed,

"Cullen doesn't stand a chance against The Major, let alone the three of us"

"Four"

Charlotte corrected him and he apologised before continuing,

"You're still married to him though so he might try to get you back"

"Over my dead body"

Jaspers words were a whisper but we all heard them

"Now you see if you really wanted to impress Bella you should have said over my mutilated and bleeding body."

"Peter, my body won't bleed even if its mutilated"

"I know but it sounds more dramatic. You have a lot to learn where women are concerned"

"Even if he does he shouldn't listen to you Peter, you're the worst person to ask to get pointers on attracting the fairer sex."

"Now Garrett that's rich coming from a confirmed bachelor like you. We married men know women, how to draw them in, make them feel sexy, wanted."

Charlotte burst out laughing,

"Who writes your script Peter?"

"Me of course. I've been told I have a way with women"

"Yes you grow on them, like fungus."

"I shall ignore that Charlotte. Anyway as I was saying Bella, are you going to get a divorce? What if Edward wont let you?"

"Then I'll live in sin with Jasper"

That stopped him, Garrett spluttered with laughter but Jasper looked at me very seriously.

"I'll take you any way I have to, but I think we can persuade Edward to let you go"

"Yeah if he wants to keep his gonads that is."

"Peter, what the hell are you talking about? Have you been reading the dictionary again?"

"Testicles to you Garrett."

Charlotte pulled up then but I couldn't see anything beyond the window, there was a complete white out.

"Right I'll go open the door then you get Bella inside, its bitter out."

Jasper nodded and giving Char a few seconds opened the truck door and picked me up, running to the cabin so fast very few snowflakes manage to lay on us. It was bitter though and I was shivering when he closed the door. Looking round I saw the downstairs was open plan with a huge log fire in the centre which made the room warm and cosy. Pulling the couch closer to the fire Jasper grabbed a throw and wrapped me in it.

"Now stay there and get warm while I take a look round."

"You won't be long will you?"

I was scared to let him out of my sight.

"No, I'm just going to see how easy it will be to defend this place when the Volturi come."

"You mean if don't you?"

"No Bella, they'll come. The only question is how long will it take them to find us up here"

He kissed me quickly then disappeared outside and there was silence only broken by the crackle of the logs burning.

I wasn't alone long though, Charlotte came in with a box which she put on the counter top,

"Right now we can get introduced."

She walked over and sat beside me,

"I'm Charlotte, Peter's mate and one of The Majors oldest and closest friends. I'm very pleased to meet you Bella and happy that he's finally found his heart's desire. He's been looking far too long"

"Did you know Alice Cullen?"

"Yes for my sins. Neither Peter nor I liked Alice. Not that she was a bad person but she was all wrong for The Major. He's a fragile soul and he needs someone to look after him, show him some real love. I have a feeling you will wake the passion in him"

I reddened at her words and she smiled,

"Bella I swear you blush an awful lot for a married woman."

"I guess I'm just not used to talking about things like that"

"Then Peter is going to come as something of a culture shock to you because its his favourite subject and he's very demonstrative. You've been lucky so far, he's been in the front of the truck but brace yourself because there's nothing to stop him now."

As she said this the door opened and the three guys appeared looking like snowmen robots. It was obviously snowing very heavily outside and settling on everything. Jasper and Garrett brushed it off by the door and stripped off their jackets and shoes but Peter came straight to the fire and shook like a huge shaggy dog.

"Right now. Lets get a good look at The Majors little doxy."

"Peter"

Charlotte's warning was like water off a ducks back as he picked me up and peered into my face,

"Not bad. A little skinny but we'll soon put that right. You do smell good though, almost mouth-watering"

He waggled his eyebrows as he said that although the others stilled, waiting for my reaction.

"To be honest I expected more of you Peter. That was a lame attempt to scare me"

He burst out laughing and spun me round,

"You'll do Bella, you'll do nicely."