Chapter Forty Five
Bella
Once the plane had taken off I left Charlie talking to Peter and Jazz about his ideas and went to sit with Felix.
"Did you change Renee?"
"Yes, it's what she wanted, her decision solely."
"I know that, I'm sure she would have put up quite a fight if she didn't like the idea."
He laughed at that,
"I think Caius and Marcus enjoyed the peace for the time she was changing."
"Has she really been giving them a hard time? I thought Peter was joking or exaggerating."
"I don't think it would be possible to exaggerate your mothers ability to take control of things. It got to the point where they hid when they heard her coming."
I had to laugh at the idea of Caius and Marcus hiding cowering in one of the small chambers as they heard Renee's footsteps coming towards them.
"She has rearranged the meeting chamber, put a circular table in so there's no head of the table. Everyone gets one vote, no casting powers for anyone."
"How is Jane taking all this?"
"Strangely enough she seems to like Renee, she looks up to her, probably because she's the first powerful woman she ever met, the Volturi has been governed by men since it was formed."
"How about the wives?"
"Ah, they are taking a lead from Renee's book so Caius and Marcus are having a hard time all round".
"Well don't expect me to feel sorry for them."
He grinned then shot a look at Jasper.
"How did Alice contact you about picking us up?"
"She came to Volterra to speak to Caius but Renee got wind so she called a meeting of the Volturi to hear Alice's message".
"What was it? You must have been there."
He looked over at Jasper again,
"She's asking for asylum, protection against The Major, she has tried to explain why she didn't tell you about Aro's plan or him in time to save you. It seems it was Carlisle's decision, she asked him for advice and he told her to let things run their course."
I thought about this, was Carlisle ultimately responsible for Alice's actions too? Had she seen what would happen and decided it was in my best interest to let the transformation go ahead? The bottom line is that it wasn't for her to play god with my life, my decisions, and I was sure that was the way Jasper would see it. In his eyes her lack of action was pure spite.
"What did Renee say about it?"
He shook her head,
"She hasn't said anything, the Volturi meeting was postponed until you and The Major got back."
When Charlie finally stopped regaling the guys with his ideas and dropped to sleep Jasper came back to sit with me.
"You look preoccupied darlin'. What did Felix say to bother you? Is it your mothers transformation?"
I smiled and he put his arm around me, pulling me close in a comforting hug.
"No, it's what she wanted, she and Felix are mates so she had to change to stay with him. Its Alice"
He stiffened and I heard a growl low in his chest.
"What about her?"
"She's in Volterra. She asked for protection"
"From me?"
"Yes."
"What did they say?"
"They didn't. Renee postponed the meeting until we got back."
"What are they likely to say?"
"He doesn't know, how to you think they'll react?"
"That's a tough one. If Aro had still been alive she would have been welcomed with open arms. Now, who knows, it depends on what she's offering them in return."
"What can she offer? Her gift?"
"Alice would never consent to stay in Volterra so I doubt it."
"So it must be information of some kind. Well, we'll soon know. How do you feel about Charlie's decision?"
I smiled,
"How could I be less than happy? I get to keep him in my life."
Jasper
I couldn't wait until we landed, I wanted the business with Alice over although I doubted I would get the outcome I really wanted. She wouldn't have come to Volterra if she hadn't seen she could get what she wanted. The Volturi car was waiting for us and we were soon in the city. We were dropped off at the clock tower and Renee waited inside for us. She looked like an older version of her daughter as she smiled at seeing Bella and Charlie hand in hand. He had been so nervous that she had taken his hand to help him calm.
Charlie stopped on seeing her,
"Renee"
"Charlie. It's good to see you."
Felix opened his arms and she ran into them sighing with relief at his return, being parted from your mate was always difficult. Then she turned back to Charlie,
"So you decided to join us, I'm glad, Bella will be happy to keep you in her life."
Charlie looked at his daughter and smiled,
"I feel the same way."
I let them chat for a few minutes waiting for an opportunity to ask about Alice when I heard her voice at my back.
"Jasper. Could I speak to you?"
I turned, followed by Peter and Charlotte.
"Oh so now you want to talk to me, a bit late Alice."
"She's a fucking menace Major. Let me send her pixie little ass out the fucking window."
I put a hand up,
"Later maybe, if there's anything left. Go on then Alice."
"You're looking good, being with Bella has changed you."
"Yes, I'm happy now with someone who actually cares about me."
"I know you are cross with me but there's no need to be so openly hostile."
"Hey, that's The Major being really fucking polite, you haven't seen a little pissed yet, let alone hostile."
Alice ignored him and continued to stare at me.
Alice
I knew I was on dangerous territory with Jasper, it wouldn't take much for him to attack, consequences be dammed, but I did need to talk to him.
"Please Jasper, just a few minutes."
He looked over to Bella but she was busy talking to Renee,
"OK Alice five minutes."
I smiled and went to take his hand but stopped as I saw his muscles tense and shrugged,
"OK. Lets sit over in the window."
He followed me over reluctantly but refused to sit with me.
"I remember a time you would have been happy to sit with me"
"Yes, before I found out what you were capable of. Your betrayal of Bella stunned even me Alice and I should know what a bitch you can be."
"Let's avoid name calling shall we? Try to behave like a civilised man Jasper and this will be much easier all round."
"Get on with it Alice, I'm bored already."
"You wont be, I promise."