Chapter Twelve
Charlie
The doctor came in then and I asked to speak to him privately, I only had Jasper's word for the fact he was her boyfriend. His and that of his friends, the Whitlocks. After speaking to him I went down to get a coffee in the hospital cafeteria taking time out to think. According to her doctor Bella would be laid up for some time, she wouldn't be able to work which meant she had nowhere to live so I thought it might be best to have her flown back home with me. An air ambulance wasn't cheap but I would be able to keep an eye on her and she wouldn't be beholden to the Whitlocks, in case she didn't want to associate with Jasper any longer. Something about his story rang false to me although I believed that he cared for her. That much was obvious in his face. I must have been deep in thought because I jumped when a voice beside me spoke,
"You OK Chief?"
"Oh hello Peter. Yes, I was just thinking about taking Bella back to Forks with me"
"Oh, can I ask why?"
"I just think I'd like to see her well again before anyone puts pressure on her to do anything"
"Such as?"
"Continue a relationship which seems a little odd to me. They were together then he left and now he's back? It sounds like Edward Cullen all over again to me and he still bugs me about her."
"He's in contact with you?"
"Yes. He rings every few weeks to see if I've heard anything. He almost caught up with her at her mothers a few months ago but she'd moved on and no one knew where."
"Maybe she moved to keep away from him?"
"Maybe. If that was a hint I have to tell you I have no intention of telling him where she is."
"Good, I'm pretty sure Bella isn't interested in talking to him."
"You are? Do you know something I don't?"
"Probably, but about Bella? Only that she isn't interested in Edward Cullen and I think she'd rather stay here. It would be better for her."
"Oh why?"
"Because she will be closer to Jasper and he is good for her. He loves her."
"Yeah? We'll see. I think I'll get a room in town, it might be better all round."
"Your choice but the offer still stands."
"Thanks all the same. I'm going back up now so maybe you could take your friend for dinner or a walk while I try talking to my daughter."
Peter
So Charlie was going to be difficult. I went up and persuaded The Major to join me for a while, Charlie more or less telling him he wanted a private talk with his daughter. He walked outside with me then stopped.
"What?"
"Just tell me what he plans on doing."
"He's taking Bella back to Forks, home as he sees it. He's worried you might be influencing her while she's here and that she'll feel she owes you for what you're doing."
"Taking Bella back to Forks.? Then I'll go too."
"I don't think the invitation was meant for you too."
"But he can't stop me going"
"No true, but he can stop you seeing his daughter while she's unable to speak for herself, don't forget he's a cop."
"What do I do then?"
"Go and stay out of his sight. See Bella when you can, in secret, and wait until she's recovered then ask her."
"Ask her?"
"Fuck you are thick sometimes Major. Ask her to marry you."
"Do you think she'll say yes?"
"Well personally I'd say no if you asked me but then you aren't my type, she's your mate for fuck sake, of course she'll say yes. Why do you think she's been driving round the country all this time if not trying to find you?"
"I hope you're right Peter"
"Trust me, I'm always right and when I'm not, I'm almost right."
Bella
I woke up and Jasper wasn't there, but opening my eyes I saw Charlie. He smiled at me,
"Hey Bells, you really should look after yourself better kiddo. Peter Whitlock rang to let me know what happened, he seems a nice enough guy. The doctor says you're going to be laid up a while so I'm arranging for you to be flown back to Forks where I can look after you."
I groaned, why? But he didn't understand me.
"I know you're in a lot of pain but as soon as I get you home we'll sort things out. Sue and Emily have already offered their services as nurses so you'll be looked after. The flight is set for tomorrow afternoon as long as your doctor says you are OK to travel."
I couldn't argue, I couldn't even shake my head it hurt too much but I wanted to scream at him to leave me alone. All I wanted was Jasper at my side not hundreds of miles away from me. I closed my eyes in frustration feeling hot tears scalding my face and heard dad call a nurse who gave me more pain relief which only made me more sleepy and frustrated. I tried writing no with my finger but dad just picked it up thinking I wanted to hold his hand, it was too warm, too impersonal, but by now I was too sleepy to pull away and I drifted off to sleep away from my pain, physical and mental.
Jasper
I tried to speak to Charlie when we went back to Bella's room but he brushed me off, he had arrangements to make but he did ask Peter if he could clear Bella's room at the bar and bring her stuff to his hotel. I went with Peter to the little room she had but someone had beaten us to it. Obscene drawings and words had been scrawled on the walls in spray paint and all her things were shredded or covered in paint too, even her few books had been pulled apart and sprayed. Cy the bar owner was very apologetic, someone had broken in the night after Bella was injured and done this. He hinted although he wouldn't say outright that it was Tad Nelson so Peter and I decided to visit the guy. His dads ranch was a few miles west of town and Peter knew the layout because he'd been there to buy a horse.
We watched from a distance until Peter was able to point out Tad to me. He was going out in his car with two others and they headed our way so we set up our own little road block. Our pick up was parked across the highway as he drove up and he blew his horn loudly a few times gesturing us to get the hell out of the way. Peter and I walked to the sides of the car and opened the two doors.
"I don't have a problem with your friends so they're free to go."
He looked at me and laughed,
"You gonna take me on pretty boy?"
I looked over the top of the car at Peter and he studied me,
"Now you see I never saw him as pretty but then it takes all sorts. I didn't know you swung both ways"
I looked at the two friends who had got out of the car,
"You have one minute to make your minds up before I start ripping limbs off."
They looked at each other then Peter pointed to one of them,
"Not him, he's the one who tried to warn me off, he stays."
The third looked at the other two then took off running.
