Chapter Twenty Six
Alice
I saw the outcome of their first date and I knew everything was going to be OK. Edward had found his mate in Josie and was staying in Denali at least for the present and we were going to join them for Christmas, Jasper had finally connected with his mate and I saw a man in my future fairly soon. How could things get any better? I ran in to tell Esme and Carlisle, they'd been worried about me and the relationship between Bella and Jazz so they'd be thrilled to know everything was perfect. The only person who wouldn't be very happy was Rose but then she was never going to be happy with a human in our family, she was petrified of being discovered for what she was but Bella would never tell anyone about us, she wouldn't have anyway but now she had found her partner in Jasper it was guaranteed. Emmett and she were sitting with Esme discussing Edwards news when I came in and when they saw my face Esme stood up beaming,
"Its happened hasn't it Alice? Jasper and Bella?"
"Yes, it took a long time but they finally discovered each other, he will be happy now."
"What about you though Alice? Doesn't it bother you?"
I smiled at Rose,
"No why should it? I love Jazz like a brother so I'm happy he's found his mate. Bella is perfect for him."
"But doesn't it feel odd, to see him with another female?"
"No, we had our time and now he has his mate and I'm going to find mine soon. I think he might be in Alaska, perhaps it will be a Christmas romance, how wonderful."
Rose rolled her eyes but Emmett grinned,
"Hey that means I get a new brother and sister."
"Bella is not our sister and I can't see her ever being."
"Rose for heaven's sake, can't you just be happy for your brother? Did you want him to stay on his own?"
"I just think its dangerous bringing a human in on our secret Esme. Who knows what she might say, even by accident?"
"Alice will see, she's looked haven't you Alice?"
"Yes, Bella isn't a threat to us Rose I promise you, so please try to get on with Bella or you'll lose Jazz."
Jasper
I decided the best thing would be to introduce myself to Bella's father as soon as possible, then I could come and go from the house and take Bella out openly. She was nervous but I reassured her that it would be fine.
"Look Bella, once Charlie gets to know me I'm sure we're going to get on fine."
"I hope so Jasper but I'm more nervous about visiting your family than having you meet Charlie. Rose really doesn't like me."
"Rose is a little nervous, she's scared you'll let our secret out but once she gets to know you she'll be OK, just ignore her."
Ignore Rosalie Hale? That was like asking a chicken to ignore the chickens but I'd do my best. When we got back Saturday evening Jasper came in with me.
"Dad I've got someone I'd like you to meet."
Charlie sat up in his chair but I could see I'd woken him up.
"Sorry dad maybe tomorrow."
"No, come in I was just resting, this attack took more out of me than I realized, so who is it?"
His eyes widened a little as Jasper followed me in,
"Good evening Chief Swan, I'm Jasper Hale, one of Dr Cullens foster children. I was hoping to be able to meet you properly as I'd like to ask your permission to date your daughter."
I cringed inwardly worrying what Charlie might say but he just looked at me."
Bella why don't you make us all coffee while I have a chat with Jasper here."
I went to the kitchen but left the door open hoping to hear at least some of the conversation.
Jasper
I could feel Bella's fears and Charlie's curiosity but I knew how to handle situations, I'd had a lot of practise with humans over the years although never in quite this kind of situation.
"Sit down Jasper and tell me a bit about yourself."
"Thank you Chief. I'll do my best. My parents died in an auto-mobile accident while my twin sister and I were very young and Dr and Mrs Cullen took us in. They've been very good to us and we try not to disappoint them, Rose and I."
"So you're a twin. I'm sorry to hear about your parents that must have been traumatic."
"We were very young so we don't really remember them well."
"Very sad. so you go to school in Forks?"
"Yes I'm in my senior year. I hope to go to college to study for a degree after I leave."
"A degree? In what?"
"History, its my best and favourite subject, specifically the Civil War."
"Really? I must admit I'm interested in that too."
By the time Bella came in with the coffee, my mug empty and put down carefully so Charlie wouldn't see, he and I were in the middle of a discussion about muskets. Bella sat beside me on the couch listening, her thigh pressed up to mine making coherent thought much more difficult but I stumbled through. When I finally took my leave it was late.
"Are you coming to see Bella tomorrow Jasper?"
If that's OK with you sir."
He nodded smiling,
"Certainly. I look forward to seeing you."
Bella saw me out and we kissed on the porch, keeping it short as Charlie was hovering, when all we wanted to do was stay locked together all night. I could feel Bella's sorrow as I left her watching as I drove away from the house. If only she'd known I only drove a couple of streets away before parking up and finding somewhere across the street from her house to watch over her as she slept, wishing I was in that room, in that bed with her. I heard her say goodnight to her dad then shower before climbing into bed. Then I heard a rustling which piqued my interest so I moved closer to see what she was doing. From my new vantage point I saw her take a box from beneath her pillow and open the top to reveal the bears fang wrapped in faded tissue paper. She held it in her hand for a few minutes a smile on her face before wrapping it back up and replacing it under her pillow then she turned off the light and as she fell asleep I heard her speak my name, in a tiny whisper.
Charlie
It was good to see Bella with Jasper, he seemed to be very fond of her but he wasn't overpowering, I did however have a small problem with the two of them being together, one that would only be resolved if I bit the bullet and spoke to Carlisle. The problem was I wasn't sure he wouldn't have me carted off in a strait jacket. I suppose I should speak to Harry or Billy first but I'm sad to say I didn't trust either of them to give me a straight answer. After all, if what I suspected was true then it would be a hell of a thing to admit to. I'd spent the whole day thinking over everything I could remember about my attack and I was more convinced than ever that it was a wolf not a bear but if I were right then the bear the Quileute trackers brought in was a lie, a smoke screen and there could be only one reason for that, they were hiding something, something that made it imperative my attacker had been a bear not a wolf. Put that together with what I learned of the tribe as I grew up here, the stories, the legends it pointed to only one thing. The trouble was that if I chose to believe that then it followed that the rest was true also and that really did scare me. I decided that first thing in the morning I would ring Carlisle and ask if he would visit me, one way or another I would know the truth behind everything.