Chapter Thirty Seven

Rose

Edward had been happy to come visit with us, especially once he knew Esme was in Denali although he seemed very upset that Carlisle had gone on a hunting trip with Alistair.

"It's only for a few days Edward and they are old friends."

"Why now though Rose? Alistair steers clear of the States most of the time. I remember Carlisle begging him to visit more than once and he always declined."

"Perhaps he had a good reason for coming over. Anyway Em is looking forward to hunting with you. Its been too long since we saw you. How are you coping these days? It doesn't seem possible that we'll never see Bella again. You must still be devastated."

"I was Rose but I have to pick myself up and go on. I know there's someone else out there for me, there has to be"

I didn't understand him, if Emmett were killed I couldn't go on and look for someone else. He was a part of me. It made me wonder if in fact Bella had been his mate.

"Jasper was very upset too. I think he felt responsible in some way although I don't see how he could have know or what he could have done differently."

"Yes he was very upset wasn't he? It makes me wonder of he wasn't in love with her himself"

"Edward really. I know he and Alice have parted but it had nothing to do with Bella. They were still together when she died and I think if anything Alice blames herself for not being there to save Bella."

When Edward went hunting with Em I rang Alice.

"Is Edward with you?"

"Yes and he's acting very strangely Alice. He seems to think Jazz was sweet on Bella. It's as if now she's dead Bella isn't important any longer. I thought he leaned on Tanya after he heard the news but now I'm not so sure. There's something going on isn't there Alice? That's why you wanted us to invite Edward, and why Carlisle has gone off with Alistair. Where are Esme and Jazz come to that?"

"I can't tell you anything yet Rose and please don't talk about those questions or even think about them. I don't know anything that would help you. If Edward decides to leave before he gets a phone call from Carlisle I need you to let me know. He shouldn't but the future is so muddled and misty at the moment."

"OK, but you will fill me in when you can wont you?"

"I will Rose I promise."

Edward

Rose was confused and upset but I couldn't read anything much in her thoughts, she seemed very interested in some love poetry she'd heard and was composing her own. I guess poor Emmett would be the recipient of the rubbish she was coming up with but then they were mates and mates never saw the flaws in each other. That made me think of Carlisle, I missed him and it concerned me he'd gone off with another so I was relieved when he eventually phoned,

"Carlisle where have you been? Is Alistair still with you?"

"No Edward he's gone back to England but I really need to talk to you. Are you alone?"

"No but I will be in a few minutes. I'll ring you back"

I told Rose I was going for a walk and waited until I knew I was out of earshot before ringing him back,

"What's wrong Carlisle? You sound upset."

"I'm with Aro. We're waiting for the Volturi jet to come back then were flying to Italy and I'd like you to come with us."

"To Volterra? Why?"

"It's a long story but there are things you should know. Things I can't tell you over the phone. Can you fly up to Anchorage?"

"Sure if you like but can't you tell me anything?"

"Not until you get here Edward it's too difficult."

When I told Rose I was flying up to Alaska to meet Carlisle she looked relieved, that is until I told her Aro was there too,

"What's happened? Why is Aro in Alaska? And why are you flying to Italy with them? I don't like this Edward."

"As soon as I know anything I'll ring but it's probably nothing, don't forget Carlisle and Aro are old friends."

Rose

Once Edward had left I rang Alice,

"Carlisle rang and Edward's gone to join him and Aro Volturi in Alaska. Now tell me what's going on"

There was a long silence before her next words and I thought I'd misheard her at first,

"Bella's alive."

"What? But she was on the plane that crashed in Denver"

"No she wasn't Rose. I warned her, found her someone to look after her. She's in Alaska with Jazz."

"Why Alice?"

"Edward and she weren't mates Rose, and Edward only wanted her so he could have a child of his own. Something he could mould how he wanted and Bella would have died.

"But if he's going to Alaska won't he see her?"

"It doesn't matter any longer Rose, Bella's like us, Jazz changed her."

"Wait a minute, why is she with Jazz?"

"Because they are mates, simple as that really."

"That's why you never came to the funeral, why you avoided seeing any of us, but Jazz was there and really upset."

"He didn't know the truth until after the memorial service so Edward couldn't read anything in his thoughts. He thought she was dead, it wasn't until he heard about her book that he started to question things."

"What book?"

Alice told me the mistake she'd made with Bella's copy of Wuthering Heights,

"So that's why he ran out of the chapel. He knew she'd left it at the apartment. I still don't understand why Edward is so worried about Carlisle being with Aro though. Is that why Aro is here in Alaska? Because he knew Bella was still alive and human?"

"He knew Bella was going to be a gifted vampire and he tried to collect her for the Volturi but he was too late. I knew if Jasper recognised Bella as his mate he would change her and then they'd be safe. Aro thinks he will be able to wrest her away later but he's already in more trouble than he realises."

"What about Carlisle and Alistair?"

"Demetri couldn't find Jazz, well didn't want to and Aro knew the only other decent tracker was Alistair so he got Carlisle to trick Alistair into finding Bella for him."

"Did Alistair find out what was going on?"

"Yes, he's left, gone back to England but Aro isn't going back empty-handed. He has Carlisle and where he goes Edward goes."

"I don't think Edward will follow Carlisle to Italy."

"He will, he had no choice. He and Carlisle are mates."

"What? Oh God poor Esme. Did she know?"

"She does now"

Alice told me about the conversation Esme had overheard and her subsequent flight to Denali.

"So everyone is in Alaska now?"

"Yes, everyone in the drama will be meeting up soon, or at least most of them. Jazz and Bella are safe, they're staying away from Anchorage while Bella adjusts but the others are due to bump into each other soon."

"I'd like to be a fly on the wall when they do"

"I'll give you a blow by blow account Rose I promise, but I must go now"