Chapter Twenty Four
Bella
Jasper spent as much time with me as he could the rest of the week, we sat together for lunch, he was waiting between classes and we studied together after school so he got plenty of brownie points from Charlie. I couldn't wait for the weekend when we could spend the whole day together and alone. As I waited for him to turn up on Saturday Charlie watched me amused,
"Bella sit down before you wear a hole in the carpet. He'll be here soon enough and you haven't eaten yet."
"I'm not hungry."
"Then at least have some coffee."
I made us both a mug of coffee and sat so I could see the road from the window almost spilling the hot liquid over myself when a car drew up outside and I saw Jasper get out dressed in jeans and a long-sleeved dark blue shirt. He looked like a Levi advert and I'd certainly buy them the way he modelled them! Charlie got up and looked out the window,
"It looks like your date is here so go, have fun."
"Thanks dad."
I almost ran down the steps and over to the car as he smiled and opened his arms to me.
"Good morning Bella, I take it you're glad to see me."
I nodded flushing a little but he kissed the top of my head and opened the car door for me,
"We have an hour before the ferry so we'd better get going."
Jasper
To see Bella so delighted when she saw me made me feel warm inside and when she ran into my arms it was all I could do not to kiss her passionately but I knew Charlie was watching so that wasn't an option. Instead I satisfied myself with kissing her hair and breathing in her scent. As I drove to Port Angeles I felt her eyes on me, watching me as if she was trying to make up her mind about something then she spoke,
"Jasper, I know you and Alice were an item a while back. Does it feel strange being with me?"
"Alice and I were together at one time and we're still very fond of each other. She's more than a sister but I don't love her Bella, I don't feel the same about her as I do about you."
"You don't?"
"No."
I changed the subject now I'd made my position clear to Bella,
"Alice told me about your experience years ago in Forks. She said you'd nearly been attacked by a bear."
I felt her embarrassment and hesitation but she sighed,
"I guess I'm not surprised she told you, it is a crazy story."
"Do you think that's what is was? Just a story?"
"You're going to think I'm crazy but no, I don't. I know what I saw and I have the tooth, but lets talk about today not history."
She was certain what had happened but she didn't like talking about it.
"OK if you like. Have you ever taken the ferry before?"
"No, I only came for holidays so I spent the time in and around Forks."
Bella
We talked about all kinds of things on the road trip and by the time he pulled in to the ferry terminal and parked up I was relaxed. He took my hand and we walked onto the ferry still talking although I had lost track of what we were talking about I just enjoyed the sound of his voice and his closeness. We stayed outside on deck as the ferry pulled away from the jetty holding hands and as we pulled away I looked down at his free hand which was on the deck rail. It was cloudy but a single ray of sunshine filtered through for no more than a second and illuminated his hand which sparkled until the clouds obscured the sun completely again. Jasper must have sensed there was something wrong because he stopped talking and looked at me,
"What's wrong Bella?"
I shook my head still staring at his hand which was now the same as mine again but paler and he followed my gaze,
"Bella? Are you OK?"
I nodded slowly still thinking about what I'd just seen, Jaspers hand had sparkled in the sunshine just as my angels skin had all those years ago in the clearing. But what was I thinking? Jasper was only a year older than me, he couldn't have been my angel, my angel was a man then, more than ten years ago, I couldn't speak because nothing made any sense but Jasper just stood there with me silent while I tried to collect my thoughts.
Jasper
I didn't know what was wrong but something had happened to change her attitude, her emotions were in turmoil she was confused, trying to work something out. I waited until she spoke,
"Jasper I think I'd like a coffee."
I took her into the café and bought her a large coffee and sat with her in a window seat, one she'd chosen presumably so she could see the view.
"Bella can you tell me what's wrong?"
She shook her head,
"Not yet, I'm trying to figure things out. Can we just sit quietly for a while?"
I was content just being in her company but I was concerned that something had happened and I hadn't seen it. Something had changed her attitude but she wasn't afraid or confused any more and I caught her looking at me intently. As we docked she shook her head and then smiled at me but I could see she had made a decision of some kind. She took my hand again and we walked for a while in silence before Bella pulled me into a small half deserted park and finding a bench she sat down pulling me with her.
Bella
I wasn't sure how to approach the subject but I knew what I'd seen and I needed answers. I wondered if he would laugh at me or accuse me of being crazy but I had to find out.
"Jasper I'm going to ask you a question and I'd like you to be honest with me."
"Of course Bella. I will always be honest with you."
"I really hope so because if you lie I will know"
"I'm sure you will Bella."
"Why did you save me?"
He looked into the distance but he didn't try to appear puzzled.
"It was the only thing I could do. You drew me to you but how did you know?"
"You saved me because I was a child and as an adult it was your job to protect me? Is that what you mean?"
"No, you called me to you, I couldn't lose you then."
"Called you?"
"Bella this is very complicated and I don't want to frighten you."
"Who are you Jasper?"
"You should be asking what I am Bella."
"I know what you are, a very special man, but who are you...apart from my guardian angel. Why did you give me the tooth?"
"Alice and Carlisle asked me the same question Bella."
"They know?"
"Alice knows everything, she sees the future, and Carlisle told me what you mean to me. I gave you the tooth so you wouldn't forget me."
"I could never forget you. I see you every night in my dreams but I never thought I would meet you again. Can you tell me anything?"
"I have no choice Bella. If we are going to be together then you have a right to know about me, you must know what I am and I can only hope it wont frighten you off."
I grasped his hand tightly,
"You will never frighten me off Jasper, there's something strange about you, something that connects deep inside me."
I could see in his eyes that he wasn't sure at all.