Chapter Thirty Seven

Bella

I wasn't sure what Alice meant but I thought it sounded like someone who could help Jasper had just arrived. One of his friends must have heard something and come here to find out what was going on. There was a low murmur of voices as Carlisle came back into the room with a man who emanated a sense of danger. He was as tall as Jasper with dark hair and the same build. His eyes were wary and he looked tense and uncomfortable. Seeing me he stopped suddenly but at Esmes invitation came to sit beside her.

"Darius, I don't think you know Bella Swan."

He glanced at me quickly then returned his attention to Esme,

"Excuse me if I'm not in the mood for socializing but I hear strange things about a friend, things that concerned me enough to come looking for answers."

"You mean Jasper?"

He looked at me a little longer this time then turned to Carlisle,

"So its true he's gone back to Mexico?"

"Yes, Alice saw it but too late to do anything to stop it from happening."

He looked as if he wasn't sure he believed Carlisle.

"Its my fault he's gone."

Darius finally gave me his full attention,

"Go on."

"Maria threatened to kill me unless Jasper went back to her so he went. We have to get him back though and I need help to do it. Carlisle's already said they can't do it alone."

"Well at least he got that right but I don't get the connection between The Major and yourself."

"Bella is Jasper's mate."

I couldn't make myself say the words and Alice saved me the problem by telling him. I thought he might start laughing or accuse her of lying but he studied me closely before speaking again.

"Well that complicates matters a little but I'd think we can keep you safe and rescue him at the same time."

"I'm going with you!"

Now he laughed but it was short, he understood I was deadly serious.

Carlisle moved uneasily in his seat and Esme took my hand,

"Bella it's far too dangerous for you to go to Mexico, besides that what would you tell your father? He's only just got you back so he's not going to agree to you going off with us and you have school."

I looked at her in amazement,

"You think I can concentrate on school with Jasper Gods knows where? He might be injured or dead for all we know."

"I seriously doubt that Bella. If Maria used you to blackmail him it means she wants him to command her army again and he can't do that if he's dead. As for being injured well we vampires heal very quickly."

I clutched my bracelet as if I could communicate with Jasper that way, let him know I was thinking of him. Of course they were right but I couldn't just stay here and wait.

Rose stood up,

"I think the best plan is for Emmett, Carlisle, and I to go to Mexico with Darius and fetch Jasper back. Alice, you Edward and Esme watch Bella, keep her safe for him."

Darius looked at Carlisle who nodded his agreement,

"Rose is right Bella, you stay here and keep safe. We'll bring Jasper back for you I promise."

I shook my head even though I knew they were right, I would be more of a hindrance than a help but I didn't need three of them to watch me,

"Edward could go with you. Alice and Esme can keep me safe surely. I mean how many people will Maria have watching me now she has Jasper?"

"She's got a point, Maria only needs one person watching Bella. All she has to do is say the word if The Major tries escaping and Bella's dead. We could use the numbers in Mexico, don't forget Maria has an army of newborns even if they aren't as effective as they used to be."

"Very well. I'll ring in sick at work but I don't want Bella left alone Alice. Either you or Esme must be with her at all times."

"School's easy our classes are the same anyway and either Esme or I can watch the house at night."

"I think it might be prudent if one of you stayed with her at night."

I wasn't sure how I was going to get that one past my dad but Esme just winked,

"Don't worry Bella, your father won't even know we're there."

Once they made their mind up to action they didn't hang around for which I was grateful and within an hour they had left for the airport leaving me with Alice and Esme. My chest hurt and I wasn't sure if it was tension or relief that they were doing something. I hated the idea of him with that evil woman.

"That's a pretty bracelet Bella."

I looked up at Esme's words and noticed Alice was missing,

"Alice went to get you something to eat and check the perimeter, with the guys away it's well to be prepared."

"Jasper bought it for me."

She smiled and came to sit beside me taking my hand in hers to look at it more closely then peered into my face,

"Try not to worry too much Bella. I'm sure with Darius' help they'll get Jasper back."

"I hope so Esme, I don't know what I'll do if they can't. I miss him so much."

As I said it I realized just how true it was, every fiber of my being was screaming for him and the ache in my chest was hurting so much.

"That's the mating pull."

She nodded at my arms clutching my ribcage,

"Sorry?"

"The pain, it's the mating pull. When we find our mate we feel it in our chest. A warmth that spreads through us but if we are parted for more than a few hours the warmth turns into an ache that gets worse the longer we are apart."

"So Jasper will be feeling this too?"

"He's felt it ever since he met you. Every time you've been apart."

I smiled as I remembered my own pain and Carlisle's cryptic words.

"But it went away sometimes, even though he wasn't there it just faded away."

"Oh he was there, just out of sight that's all."

"Where?"

"The times you didn't feel the ache were the times he spent the night outside your house watching over you."

"All night? In the rain?"

"Yes all night, rain or dry made no difference. Jasper loves you Bella and he needs to be close to you. We don't sleep so spending his nights watching over you as you slept was the best thing for him. My son had a hard life before he joined us and although he's been much better since he became a part of the Cullens he's never been relaxed and happy. Not the way he's been since he met you."

"He's the best thing that's ever happened to me too, I can't lose him Esme."

"You won't Bella but in the meantime we need you to act as normal as possible. Alice will take you home in the morning and you can tell your father that the boys have gone off camping for a few days with Carlisle. Alice will be your study friend until Jasper gets back and one of us will join you at night, once Charlie is asleep. Just leave your bedroom window unlocked. Can you do that?"

I nodded,

"I just wished I was with them Esme. I'm scared something might happen to Jasper."

She stroked my hair and I leaned against her,

"I know my love but they'll get him back."

It felt good with Esme's arm around me and I imagined this is how it must feel when your mother cuddled you when you were distressed and I wished she were my mother, vampire or not.