Chapter Forty

Bella

Jasper picked us up mid morning for the drive to Seattle where we met up with the others for our flight to Alaska, I felt as if I were in the middle of a wonderful fairy story surrounded by beautiful people and about to fly off into the land of snow. Charlie sat with Esme and Carlisle while Alice made a threesome with Emmett and Rose leaving Jasper and I to our own devices on the plane. He took my hand and brought it to his lips before speaking,

"Thank you Bella for making this the most wonderful Christmas ever for me. All my dreams have finally come true."

"I feel the same way Jasper but what about the future? You'll be leaving school in the summer and going off to college."

"I will never leave you Bella. College is something I have done enough times that I can afford to skip it this time. I'll take a year off and maybe join you when you go off to college, if Charlie hasn't thrown me out by then. He might be heartily sick of the sight of me by the summer."

I looked over to where my dad sat chatting quite casually with Carlisle.

"I think the family is a hit with my dad. I've never seen him so relaxed and happy."

"And all it took was a wolf attack to bring such a change about."

I laughed and leaned closer to him,

"Jasper, how am I going to cope without you at night for the next week?"

"You won't have too. I'm pretty sure Alice will have spoken to Carmen and made sure your room isn't anywhere near Charlie's."

I blushed furiously,

"Do you think she will think we're...well you know."

He grinned looking innocent,

"No, what?"

I hit his arm which was akin to hitting a solid tree for all the effect it had on him but he did relent,

"Bella does it matter what she thinks? Or what any of them think? Besides I'll let you into a little secret. Vampires have ultra sensitive hearing, we hear everything so unless you were absolutely silent and the bed didn't move at all she'd know, they'd all know."

I groaned, there were downsides to being among vampires I was finding out.

"So how do Rose and Emmett cope?"

"We're all used to hearing such things. Besides it's just another part of the loving relationship and we see it as such."

I wasn't sure that reassured me much but I didn't pursue it, I was too embarrassed.

When we landed it was snowing and Alice took my arm, to whisper in my ear,

"We'll know when it happens Bella but don't worry no one will embarrass you by mentioning it"

I closed my eyes and blushed again, of course they had all heard our conversation,

then she added grinning,

"Well except for Emmett that is, he can never keep his thoughts to himself"

then she skipped off to join Esme and Charlie.

"I'm not sure I like your sister any longer, she delights in tormenting me"

"That's Alice, but unfortunately you can't hate her for long, no one can."

I knew he was right but again it didn't make me feel any better and my self-esteem hit the floor when I saw the Denali family who had come to welcome us en masse. Carmen and Eleazer stood together and looked like any couple waiting for the arrival of friends but the girls! They all had long flowing platinum hair and figures to die for. Every male in the airport was looking their way and they knew it. They were dripping sex appeal without even trying and my jealousy rose immediately when one of the girls, Tanya I later learned, came over and put her arms around Jasper kissing him for far too long on both cheeks then turned to me with a dismissive nod.

"Tanya this is my mate Bella."

She looked at me again with slightly more interest.

"Oh hello Bella. It's so nice to meet you. Edward has told us a little about you."

She wandered off then to introduce herself to Charlie joining her two sisters who were already crowding him and I could see the look of consternation on his face. Like me he'd thought Jasper was exaggerating but it was patently obvious he had done no such thing.

Charlie

I saw the three girls around the same time they spotted me and two of them made a beeline for us as Carlisle whispered,

"Brace yourself Charlie."

The girls were very beautiful and I could see why they turned heads but they were a little young for me, or at least they looked it I knew that in fact they were much older. Of the two I preferred Kate, she was less pushy and seemed a little more distant maybe because her sister all but pushed her out of the way to greet me first. Carlisle coughed before rescuing me from the vice like grip Irina had me in.

"Charlie this is Irina, and Kate her sister, and I'd like you to meet our host and hostess Carmen and Eleazer. Carmen was pretty too but slightly older looking while Eleazer reminded me of a black and white movie Romeo, slightly Latin looking with a hint of a smile on his lips as he said hello.

We walked out as a group to the minibus they had rented and climbed in, glad of the heater as the cold wind bit into our exposed faces and hands, well Bella and I anyway. I found myself crushed between the girls while Carlisle and Esme sat up front with Eleazer and Carmen. The journey wasn't too long but it sure felt like it to me, by the time we arrived I knew I looked a little flustered while Kate and Irina looked like the cats who had just eaten a cage full of canaries! When Emmett and Rose came to my rescue I was mighty relieved.

Bella

I felt Jasper tense at my side and looked up to see Edward standing on the porch hand in hand with a petite dark-haired girl who was smiling in welcome. Jasper took my hand more tightly and we dropped back to let the others go into the house first. By the time we reached the porch they were the only two left outside. Edwards eyes were fixed on me and I saw his eyes were darker than any of the others which I had learned meant he was thirsty but I guessed it was the scent of my blood that had caused this.

"Jasper, Bella, its good to see you again, I'm glad you came, this is Josie my mate. Josie this is my "brother" Jasper and his girlfriend Isabella Swan."

"So you're Bella Swan. I've been wondering what you were like and now I know. I hope we can be friends since we're going to be family."

"I'm glad Edward found someone Josie, now if you'll forgive me I'd like to get inside out of the cold."

She stepped aside and watched as we passed Jasper putting himself between the pair and me. I felt Edwards eyes follow me but I didn't find it intimidating, not with Jasper at my side. Once in the warm with a hot drink I had time to take notice of my surroundings. The house was huge with a massive open plan area scattered with couches and chairs and even bean bags, the walls filled with bookshelves and racks of CD's and vinyl records. There were several huge colourful paintings which relieved the otherwise pastel interior. At the back was a huge wall of glass looking out into the national park, a field of white stretching out into the distance.

"We were going to decorate ready for you but Carmen and the girls remembered how much you enjoy picking a tree Emmett. Bella you're going to help too aren't you?"

I nodded in answer to Eleazer's question having just taken a mouthful of hot chocolate.

"Id love to" I managed after swallowing the hot liquid too quickly and making myself cough. Tanya sniggered softly but stopped at a glare from Carmen.

"Let me show you your rooms Charlie, Bella."

We followed Carmen upstairs and she pushed open a door near the head of the stairs.

"There you go Charlie. It has an en suite and a television if you want some peace although we don't get too much choice up here. I hope it will be comfortable."

Dad looked at the room eyes popping out, it was the size of our entire upstairs at home!

"Its beautiful...thank you."

"Well make yourself at home them come down to join us. Dinner will be served whenever you are ready."

He nodded and she carried on along a wide carpeted landing to a room the other end and opened it with a smile,

"I thought you might like a little privacy Bella. I'm sure you and Jasper will want to spend a little quality time together, this room is sound proofed and as far from your father as I could manage,"

I blushed furiously and she smiled touching my cheek with a cold hand,

"Don't be embarrassed Bella, it's all very natural and I'm just glad our friend has finally found his happiness. Now when you are ready come down and I'll serve your meal. I hope you like it, I'm afraid I cheated and had food brought in, as you'll appreciate its been a long time since I did any cooking."