Chapter Forty Three

Jasper

When we went back inside Grace was playing snakes and ladders with Esme while Char and Bella were sitting by the fire, Bella holding an envelope in her hand. I could feel her distress across the room and was at her side in an instant.

"What's happened Bella? Are you OK?"

She looked at me with tears in her eyes but nodded, handing me the envelope.

"It was through the door when I went to get Graces jacket for her. I had no idea what it was."

I pulled the thick heavy paper from the envelope and unfolded it cursing quietly. Peter and Em came over to see what the problem was.

The letter was from the Volturi, signed by all three brothers.

Dear Bella, It is with some sadness that we understand you have not yet become one of us. Your six months are nearly over and we wanted to remind you that the Volturi do not give second chances."

"Now what do we do?" That came from Char.

"Bella can't change until the baby is born but if we tell Aro she's pregnant again he's going to want to be involved with this child. If she isn't changed within their time frame then they'll send the guard to kill her and me."

I was stating the obvious but it was all I could think of.

"Succinctly put, which leaves us where? Up the creek without a fucking paddle. Can we put him off?"

"I know what you said earlier but this isn't your fight Peter. You don't have to get involved, you've been hurt enough already."

"Fuck you Major, its our fight too. Now stop with the stupidity and think. How do we get out of this?"

Emmett touched me on the arm,

"How long before Bella has the baby?"

I looked to her for help, I had no idea what had happened last time. She looked at Char and then answered,

"About another month I guess give or take a week or two"

"So we need to keep Aro off your back for about six weeks tops?"

"Yes Emmett I guess so."

"Right, and how long do you have until the end of his deadline?"

"A month tops but I doubt he'll wait until the very hour."

"What if Bella were to ask for a two week extension to enable her to say goodbye to her mother and settle her affairs"

Peter shook his head,

"Emmett we're talking about Aro Volturi here not your local Bank Manager, wake up"

Em looked at Peter,

"It was just an idea, we need some way to keep him off for an extra two weeks that's all. As soon as Bella gives birth Jazz can change her. Is there any way of speeding things up?"

"Sure Emmett, I'll turn the temperature up in the oven. For fuck sake if you can't come up with a good idea then shut the fuck up."

We were all worried and tempers high so Bella stood up.

"Don't argue please. I know you're all trying to help but don't argue among yourselves. You forget that Aro can't hurt me, he can't reach me or any of you if I'm shielding you. Now I know enough about him to see that he hates to lose face. I'm going to give him an ultimatum, he can come for me and my family and friends and lose the ensuing battle which would be really bad press for the Volturi or he can forget me for an extra couple of weeks and I'll send him a meek letter telling him that I acceded to his wishes."

"Fucking brilliant Bella. You're a diplomat as well as a soldier."

"Thank you Peter. Do you think it will work?"

She turned to me as she said it.

"Aro won't like it but if you address Caius first on the subject he will see the sense in agreeing and pressure Aro to agree. He'll want to know why though."

"But if I tell him?"

"What can he do? He couldn't take Grace, he wont be able to take the baby either for the same reason. You could sweeten the pill by offering to demonstrate your gift which you may be willing to use in the service of the Volturi but only if all three brothers are in agreement as to the action. That way he will be able to save face."

"Do you think he'll use my gift?"

"If he gets the opportunity but to get the other two brothers to agree to any action wont be easy, especially if it's a one shot offer. They'll want to keep it for a special occasion."

She didn't like it but it was the best way to keep the Volturi from our door long enough for the baby to be born.

"But once the baby arrives they'll soon hear about it."

Emmett pointed this out.

"What will they do? Come demanding it from us? It didn't get them far last time did it?"

I knew Bella wasn't feeling up to a fight or even an argument at the moment so we left the Volturi for another few days, they wouldn't be expecting to hear anything straight away in any case. Peter and Emmett took Grace out to make a Super Snowman while Bella said she needed to talk to Esme and Charlotte but when I offered to go out with the guys she clung to my hand asking me to sit with her.

"Charlotte. I'm going to need your help again if you don't mind. I know it was hard on you last time but at least this time we'll have help."

"I'm not sure I'd put Peter in the help category. He's more likely to go off at the first hint of blood."

Bella smiled at her then looked at Esme,

"I wanted to ask you if you'd mind staying on for a while to help Jazz with Grace because I know him and he's going to be torn between me and her."

I didn't say anything but she was right.

"Of course I'd love to Bella. I'm working on a design for a friend but I can do that from here. Emmett can go back alone"

I interrupted here,

"He could stay too. We could do with all the help we can get and he's already offered."

"That's good Jazz, he's lost now Rose is gone, still trying to find his way I think."

Bella

So it was settled, our house became home to our friends too, I was secretly glad Jazz had asked Em to stay too, if the Volturi caused any problems I would feel better knowing he was here to stand with Peter and Jazz. When the guys came back in with a very red faced and sleepy Grace we asked them to stay and I had to agree with Esme, Emmett was so happy. I think he missed the family and we were the next best thing. I took Grace up to bed excusing myself to have an early night, I was shattered after what had been a very long day. After telling Grace a story which soon sent her to sleep

I had a quick shower and climbed into bed knowing Jasper would be up soon, he didn't leave my side for very long and I knew he'd be even more attentive with a baby on the way. Laying in bed I put a hand on my belly and spoke to my baby,

"Don't worry little one, we'll look after you, just stay there safe until you can survive the world."

Baby gave a little kick as if to say it understood my words and I smiled, hoping I could do this without the help of Roses drugs.

Jasper

I left the others talking to kiss Grace goodnight and make sure she was tucked in then went into our room where I could hear Bella's soft breathing and hear her heartbeat, steady and slow. She was already asleep so I undressed and climbed in beside her, careful to keep my cold body from direct contact with her warm skin but as always she sensed me there and pulled the sheet away until her naked body was pressed against mine, ignoring the chill. Her arm came across my chest and settled across my throat, fingers caressing my skin slowly. How had I lived without my Bella for so long? I had moved in a semi sleep until she came and woke me up, my Bella, the light of my life.