Chapter Thirty Three

Alice

I saw what the Quileutes were doing and wondered whether I should warn Jazz and Bella but decided he could take care of things and getting his story out into the open this soon was probably a good thing all round. I knew he and Bella would be together although I could see there was something that would come up and cause problems at some point. I just couldn't work out what, it was all so blurred. I'd had visions that were out of focus before and it had never came to anything so I wasn't going to worry now. The good thing was that I saw Edward and Josie staying together and that meant Bella was going to be fine in his company. I loved having a little sister although occasionally when I saw Jazz look at her I got a twinge of jealousy, he had never looked at me that way, with the amount of love and care that he looked at Bella, and I hoped my own mate would be along soon, I really felt the odd one out. When Jazz took Bella home I went to talk to Rose who was working on her own sports car, tuning the engine or something. The workings of cars left me cold, as long as they went and were fast I was happy.

"Rose they've gone. You can come out now."

She slid from underneath the car and got up wiping a grease stain from her cheek.,

"I'm still nervous about this Alice. Are you sure everything's going to work out?"

"Yes stop worrying Rose, you can see how happy Jazz is, doesn't that mean anything to you?"

"Why did Carlisle tell Charlie about us? The more humans who know the more danger were in and if the Volturi find out then they're both dead."

"No, I'd have seen that Rose. Charlie wont tell anyone in fact, I think there might be another surprise over Christmas, Give Bella a break Rose, if you did you'd find she's really nice and she's so good for Jazz."

"I already said I'd try Alice, don't push me."

Bella

I was reluctant to go home and he felt that reluctance and took my hand as he drove back to Forks.

"Bella you're unhappy, why?"

I hesitated then thought it was hardly a secret but my voice was very quiet as I answered,

"It's just the thought of you leaving".

"I'll never be far from you."

"I wish you didn't have to leave that's all. I hate the nights, I always think about that day in the woods when you saved me from the bear. I've never slept well since then, I always feel so lonely."

He looked at me then lifted our hands to stroke my cheek,

"Bella, you sleep and I will watch over you. I'll never be more than a heartbeat away."

"I wish that was true. Sometimes I feel as if you are close, or at least my angel is. Especially the past week."

"That's because I am close Bella. Vampires don't sleep, we don't need to."

"So what do you do if you're not sleeping?"

"Well I used to hunt or read or play computer games with Emmett or talk to Carlisle, he is fascinating."

"But not now?"

"No, I have a confession to make. Since you came back to Forks I've been watching you."

"Watching me? How?"

"This is going to sound creepy I know but I watch your window, listen to your dreams, when you talk that is, and wait for you to wake. I waited for you to say my name so I would know you were dreaming of me."

"And have you?"

His smile meant there was no need for words and I blushed.

"So how do you watch my window?"

"There's a tree across the road with a view of it and I sit in the branches."

"But its raining, it's always raining."

"I don't mind, I don't feel the cold so it doesn't matter."

"Well it matters to me. I hate the thought of you sitting soaking wet in a tree."

"You make me sound like a drowning rat."

I laughed and then realised I was home. Jasper tensed then groaned,

"What's the matter?"

"The wolves have been here and I rather think they've been telling tales. I wonder what Charlie will make of it all?"

Jasper

I had a good idea of the tales the Quileutes would have told Charlie and I expected a frosty reception when Bella insisted I come in. Instead Charlie who was tidying up in the sitting room, throwing his now unwanted pain med's into a bag to take back to the clinic turned and smiled.

"Jasper,. I'm glad you came in I wanted a word if you have the time."

"Certainly Charlie."

"Good, lets take a walk. Bella you stay here, put the dinner on, we won't be long."

Bella looked concerned but I kissed the top of her head and winked at her before following Charlie out, across the backyard and into the trees beyond. He didn't speak for a few minutes and I knew h had a goal in mind. When he reached a fallen log he sat down and motioned for me to join him.

"Charlie I know you had visitors from the Res."

"Yeah, did Emmett tell you?"

"No, I haven't seen him since he left with you but I guessed they would want to warn you about the Cullens in general and me in particular."

"Then you wont be surprised with what they told me. I thought it might be better if we talked man to man, I don't know how much Bella knows and I didn't want to upset things between the two of you at least until I know what they meant."

"Can I ask what they did tell you?"

"Let's just say they intimated that Vlad the Impaler would look like a pussy cat in comparison."

"Charlie I'm not proud of my path and I can't excuse it either but I will tell you the truth and leave it to you to decide."

Charlie

As Jasper started his life story I was interested but that soon turned to horror at what had been done to him and then what he had done himself. He was open about everything and didn't try to make anything seem better. By the time he'd finished I was glad I'd taken the conversation away from Bella's ears, it had been as horrific as I thought it might be. When he finally fell silent I could see the tension in his face, I knew he was worried I might try to stop him seeing Bella but I'd heard a lot of horror stories in my time and had a good ideas of what someone was really like. I got the feeling that Jasper had made peace with his past and moved on and under the circumstances I was prepared to give him a chance.

"Jasper, thank you for being so honest with me, I feel I should return the favour."

"Thank you for listening Charlie. Of course I understand if you feel I'm not an appropriate friend for your daughter."

"Well lets not get ahead of ourselves. Yes your past is horrific but its also tragic. You were an honourable man who was fighting for what he believed in and you were turned away from that. You found yourself fighting a different war that' all, with a different commander and objectives. I don't think it's for me to judge you, especially as you already do that for yourself, in my opinion you're still that honourable man and as long as I never find you lie to me or hurt my little girl then nothing has changed. What you choose to tell her about your past is down to you but I won't be telling her anything."

He looked at me almost as if he didn't believe what he'd just heard but then he nodded,

"Thank you Charlie. I appreciate the chance you are willing to give me and I will use it wisely."

I know you will because if you harm her in any way Jasper I will hunt you down and find a way to kill you myself."