Chapter Sixty Six

Charlie

I spent a lot of time with Jasper and Bella and it was plain they meant the world to each other. I also spent a lot of time with Marcus, Felix and Chelsea, the new ruling body of the Volturi. They explained what they saw as the most important facet of their job, keeping the secret and they understood Aro's methods had not always been the right, or popular ones. They were going to rule more openly, hear cases before acting and giving the rest of their world, our world, a say in the workings of its rulers.

The gifted vampires Aro had collected were given the choice to leave Volterra and live their own lives or stay and pledge allegiance to the new rulers. Most stayed, partly from fear of the unknown and partly because they wanted to be a part of the new regime and I joined them along with Tanya but Bella and Jasper decided their future lay in the human world and I understood.

There was so much Bella hadn't seen of that world, experiences she should have but before they left they got married and I got to walk my little girl down the aisle, dressed all in white and glowing with happiness. The Cullens were there and Darius plus Tanya's family and it seemed like any other wedding I'd attended in the other world except that the joy and happiness seemed more real somehow.

Before they left for their honeymoon on Isle Esme, a gift from Carlisle and Esme, they came to thank me for giving my blessing.

"You can't fight fate, I know that but I had to give it my best shot. Now its down to the two of you. I know I won't see you for a while and I think changing Bella on the island is a good idea, hopefully she won't lose it like I did and take out the whole place but if she does, well you just look after her Jasper, you hear me?"

He smiled but his mind was on his bride not my words and I gave up, shaking hands with him and kissing my daughter goodbye.

Bella

Our honeymoon was magical on a tropical island and my husband did everything in his power to make me happy and satisfied. We spent our days exploring the island and swimming in the crystal waters and our nights exploring each other and swimming in our desires. I think he expected me to shy away from my transformation but I knew how careful he had to be with me as a human and I wanted it all, I was greedy, so after three weeks I told him I was ready and we made our preparations. Thinking of my dad's experience I decided against waking up in the villa so we went down to the beach where Jasper laid out a travel rug for me to lie on,

"I know this isn't going to be pleasant but I know you'll be here with me Jasper and that's all that matters."

"I wont let you suffer darlin' and it will soon be over. Only three days and then you'll never feel pain again."

"Have you never felt pain since becoming a vampire?"

"Yes a lot at first but I was a special case, recently only once but it was pain I was happy to accept."

"You mean when you went back to Maria, she tortured you didn't she?"

"It doesn't matter now Bella, its over."

I wasn't so sure but he wasn't prepared to discuss it so there was no point questioning him further.

I lay down on the rug and he knelt beside me,

"You'll feel the initial bite but that's it, then you'll just sleep for three days, I won't let you feel anything I promise."

"But you'll feel it instead and I don't want you to suffer either."

"Too late to worry about that now darlin', just close your eyes."

I did as he asked knowing there was no point doing anything else and then I felt his cool breath on my neck, his lips touching the skin and a sharp pain as his teeth sliced into my flesh. There was a numb feeling before a flash of pain ran through my veins and I opened my mouth to scream but then it died as quickly as it had started and I found myself sealed in my mind as whatever was happening to my body went on, is this how Jasper was protecting me? By sealing me up away from the pain?

Jasper

I braced myself ready to take the agony of the burn into my own body but as it hit me I felt something else, something pushing me out and erecting a barrier around her body, could this be her shield? Was she deliberately locking me out so I wouldn't suffer her pain? Whatever the reason I could do nothing but wait and watch as her body lay as still as death although I could hear her heartbeat racing and the blood thundering through her veins taking with it the poison of my venom. I stroked her cheek which was flushed and hot but whatever was going on in her body she made no sign of feeling. Could it be that her shield was not only protecting me but herself? If so I was grateful, I had hated the thought of causing her any pain although we both knew it couldn't be avoided in one form or another.

As the sun rose and set and rose again I sat with my mate watching for the first sign that she was coming out of the burn. Her skin had become pale like alabaster and her hair thicker and shinier but venom couldn't improve on her beauty, that was perfect already. The hand I held in mine no longer felt warm to my touch, instead she felt the same temperature as me and her skin wasn't so soft and delicate, more like mine. I whispered her name hoping for some reaction but she lay still and silent as her heart beat became ragged and her lungs slowed then stopped taking in the oxygen her body no longer needed. I heard the last two beats of a dying heart and then there was silence and I waited impatiently as her fingers curled around mine and suddenly I found myself flat on my back on the sand with Bella's red eyes staring into my golden ones. She watched me for a few seconds and then her face broke out into a smile as she recognised me and our lips met as equals.

It was a long time before we tired enough to rest in each others arms and then came the question it seemed we both wanted an answer too,

"Did you take my pain away Jasper?"

"No, I tried but I couldn't get through, I think it was your shield stopping me but I saw no sign of you experiencing any pain yourself."

"I didn't, I think my shield locked me away in my mind until it was over. I'm glad though, I hated the thought of you in pain, you've suffered enough in your life."

"Well now I have you so I'll never have to suffer again."

She agreed with a grin then her hungry lips met mine once more and we forgot about everything but our love and desperate hunger for each other.