Chapter Forty One

Jasper

Both Bella and Charlie coped well with their first taste of life in Denali although I thought the girls might need to back off a little because Charlie was getting a little overwhelmed by their attraction. It was just as well Carmen had put him at the top of the stairs because otherwise I think he may have needed to barricade himself in each night or he wouldn't get any sleep at all! Carmen's words to Bella were very sweet but slightly less than truthful, there was no sound proofed room in the house, at least not one that would prevent vampire hearing but things hadn't got that far yet and I had no idea how long it would be before I did more than hold my precious Bella and talk to her as she fell asleep in my arms. Her very trust, falling asleep so close to me made me feel very humble, such trust was hard to find in our world let alone hers. I followed her into the bedroom and enjoyed her delight as she checked out the shower room and the balcony with its views over the glacier.

"I think it's a bit cold to sit out there but the view is spectacular. Imagine waking up to that every morning."

"If you like it so much you will have a view just as spectacular when we get a place of our own."

A place of our own? I haven't heard a proposal yet."

"No, but you will when I think the time is right."

She melted into my arms and we stood there close until there was a discreet knock on the door followed by Charlie's voice,

"Bella you ready for dinner? I'm starving."

We broke contact but she took my hand again and we went out to meet him. I was presented with a "She's still my little girl so behave" look which I acknowledged with a nod of my head and we went downstairs to the others.

Bella

It was noisy downstairs to say the least but it was all coming from a group at the table, Emmett, Rose, Josie, and the girls were playing or at least arguing about a card game while Eleazer and Carlisle had commandeered a couch at the other quieter end of the room deep in conversation. Alice was talking earnestly to Edward holding his arm as she did so as if to underline whatever it was she was saying. Esme and Carmen stood at the kitchen door smiling and as we came down they walked over, Carmen taking Charlie's arm while Esme took mine,

"I'm afraid I cheated a little Charlie. I hope you like Chinese because I forgot to check earlier. I haven't cooked in a very long time so rather than poison you I ordered meals in and all I have to do is put them in the oven to heat up."

"It smells good".

"Well we'll leave you to eat, don't worry about the dishes we have a dishwasher that I've been dying to try out. When you finish join us again."

We sat down and stared at all the dishes laid out for us,

"You think an army is going to join us?"

I laughed quietly and shushed him,

"Dad they have very good hearing."

"Yeah that reminds me, I have pretty good hearing myself so you make sure you sleep well Bella."

I nodded, message received and understood. Dad would be listening for any visitors to my room and he wasn't worried about Edward Cullen!

Speak of him and the devil will appear, and I heard a voice I'd only heard a couple of times before,

"Hello Bella, Chief Swan, I'm glad you decided to come, I just wanted to tell you that I'm no danger to you although you do still smell very good. I'm staying here with Josie and she and I are getting married soon. I'd like you to meet her properly when you've finished your meal which smells...wonderful."

He was roughly jostled as Jasper came through the door to stand behind me and he smiled,

"Don't worry Jasper I was just telling Bella and her dad that I'm getting married."

"Well you've told them Edward, now I suggest you back off before I have to move you."

Charlie looked at Jasper but didn't say anything while Edward nodded and backed away looking at me which kind if freaked me out. Jasper must have felt my concern because he put his hands on my shoulders and leaned down to kiss the top of my head,

"Don't worry Bella I will never let anyone hurt you, ever."

Charlie watched until Edward was out of sight before turning to Jasper,

"Your brother obviously knows when to surrender."

"He heard my thoughts Charlie, Edwards curse is that he hears thoughts, everyone except Bella's and that a mystery to us all."

"And I take it your thoughts were less than friendly?"

"Lets just say I was considering the best way to emasculate him."

"Ouch! I'd have moved faster than that."

Jasper

I didn't like Edward getting so close whatever the others said, he still felt the draw of her blood but she was mine and no one, especially Edward, was going to take her away from me. Charlie may not have liked the way I handled Edward but he did understand why and that's all I cared about. The rest of the day was spent just getting to know each other and everyone seemed to take to Bella even the girls which was surprising, usually they saw every other female as a threat. Charlie went down a bomb especially with the girls but that was to be expected. The thing was he was highly intelligent and well read for a human and he made us feel normal, like the rest of humanity instead of freaks by his total acceptance. By the time Bella and Charlie went to bed they were firm favourites of all in the house with the exception of Josie who still hated that Bella called to Edward. She would take watching and I would be at my beautiful Bella's side watching all the time. I waited until I heard Charlie snoring then walked along to Bella's room and tapped quietly on her door. Hearing a snigger I turned round to see Edward standing watching me,

"How very proper Jasper. I'm impressed."

Bella's door opened and she looked out, from her expression she had heard Edwards words,

"Jasper come in. Edward drop dead."

I smiled at him and went in shutting the door behind me, right on his shocked face.