Chapter Thirty Five

Peter

I didn't wait for him to ask just nodded at Charlotte who rang the nearby airport which by now was Seattle, we'd run non stop towards Forks only to find the Cullen house and the Swan residence both empty. He threw me back my phone as Charlotte went into the Cullen garage and came out driving a silver Volvo.

We got in and she put her foot down, we didn't have much leeway if we were going to catch the next flight but I knew the following flight which was hours later wouldn't be an option.

"Bella sounded OK"

"She sounded scared and confused Peter, it's not the same thing."

"Major she's up and about and talking, the rest we can deal with, now chill out or they wont let you on the flight."

He was so jumpy I had my doubts as it was but I could imagine the devastation if they tried refusing him! He was better since he heard her voice but only marginally, I'd heard the saying "a man on the edge" but he was it in spades!

Garrett was still healing and the scars from the bullets Charlie had shot into him were stark against his flesh, if he hadn't been a vampire he'd have been dead. As it was he only had sight in one eye for now and three fingers were only just fused back on making them stiff and painful. I wondered who Charlie would be at more danger from, The Major or Garrett. Once on the plane I sent Charlotte to sit with and calm The Major. I'd never seen him look so dangerous as he did right now and there would be some human blood as well as venom spilled before this was over. Garrett sat with me and he too was very quiet at first then he turned to look at me, the injured eye slowly beginning to clear,

"I'd forgotten how much it hurts, getting shot"

"Yeah, stings like a bitch. So, you out for Charlie's blood?"

"Reckon I'll have to queue. Do you think he'll be able to control himself for the whole flight? I have my doubts, he's still in a pretty bad way. If he doesn't get Bella back soon we're all in trouble."

"Oh he'll get her, it's just a question of how many bodies he'll have to go through on the way. Care for a bet?"

The landing was delayed due to bad weather, at one point I thought the flight would be diverted but at the last minute the snow cleared. I saw Charlotte's face and knew she was worried about him, she took his hand and they went out before us, The Major walking slowly with her. Garrett and I tried to keep close behind, not that we could do anything if he lost it, but we'd try. I took a deep breath and sighed in relief, I could smell Bella's scent above the other humans, she was close by. He'd sensed her too because he dropped Charlotte's hand and almost ran for the arrivals hall and I pitied anyone who got in his way now. Charlotte followed him closely and we all saw Bella at the same time, her face breaking out into a broad smile as she ran towards him, we all slowed down. I heard a couple behind us comment,

"It's lovely to see such a devoted couple, especially that young. Gives me hope for the future"

Bella

Emmett and Rose drove me to the airport and I knew Charlie and Edward were close behind but they no longer mattered, I could handle anything they might try. I was focused on getting to Jasper. I needed to know he was OK, I missed him so badly it hurt. Impatient at the delay with the flights arrival I started pacing until Emmett came over and took my arm,

"Lets get coffee Bella before you explode, your friends will be here soon."

I wanted to shake his arm off me but I knew he was right so I allowed myself to be led to the restaurant and Rose sat with me while Emmett went to get the drinks.

"I may have underestimated you Bella Swan, at least you've gone up in my estimation. One for kicking Edward into touch but more than that, for your dedication to a man you hardly know"

"You didn't know Emmett when you saved him from the bear, why is this any different?"

"Maybe because Emmett was a dying human, not a vampire warlord with hundreds of scalps to his name."

"None of that detracts from, the fact that he's a man, and one I would trust with my life."

"Then he's the right mate for you and don't let anyone tell you otherwise. We all thought we'd found love before but each of us found out the hard way that it wasn't. It wont be easy though Bella, just because you love him won't make joining his life any easier, he isn't what you are used to, you need to be very careful. If you think Edward was jealous its nothing to the way Jasper will feel."

"Thanks for the warning but no one ever said love was simple or easy, it just has to be worth the fight."

"And it is?"

"Yes, it is to me."

Rose

Bella had almost finished her coffee and mine when the landing was announced and she jumped from her chair and ran to wait for the passengers to come out. I looked around and saw Charlie and Edward watching from the far side of the hall, close to the exit,

"Do you really think they are stupid enough to try something?"

Emmett shrugged,

"Its their funeral if they do. I'll walk on over and have a few words, you stay with Bella before she decides to climb over the barriers."

I turned to see Bella craning her neck for a glimpse of Jasper and wondered if anyone had ever been so eager to see him before, from the little of his history I knew I doubted it very much. I went to stand beside her and smiled at the sparkle in her eye as the passengers started to spill out then she tore away from me and ran full speed towards the gaunt looking figure who appeared. As she shouted his name he looked up and pushed his way through the crowds gathered around to meet her, lifting her from the ground and crushing her to him. Before his eyes closed I saw such love and need in them that it made me feel choked up.

Bella

When I saw him my heart speeded up and I had to get to him, I couldn't wait for him to reach me, I shouted his name and ran to meet him and as I got there he lifted me up and crushed me to him whispering my name and closing his eyes.

"You're here and you're real. I'm so sorry I left you, I said I couldn't guarantee to keep you safe and I was right. Please forgive me."

"Jasper you had to hunt and besides how did they know where we were. I was asleep and Carlisle drugged me or they'd never have got me in the helicopter. I'd have fought all of them. I think I heard shots. Is everyone else OK?"

"Garrett was shot in the face and hand but he's healing."

"Garrett? Who shot him?"

"Your father."

"Charlie shot Garrett?"

I couldn't speak I was so relieved, so angry, so wound up, then seeing his gaze I looked over to find Charlie and Edward talking animatedly to Emmett. Jaspers muscles tensed and I heard a low growl building in his chest but his eyes were still so dark and his face so gaunt I stopped him with a kiss.

"Not now. Not here Jasper. Lets get away from the people."

He followed me out of the airport and over to the car Emmett had driven me here in, it was open and Jasper slid in the back seat pulling me in with him and holding me close, kissing me as if we had been apart for months.