Chapter Fifteen

Jasper

Monday morning couldn't come soon enough although I didn't get back in time to call Bella before she went to bed and I didn't want to wake her. I wondered what she thought about the chocolates and the cuddly toy dog. I hoped they had made her smile and realize I was still thinking about her when I couldn't be there in person.

Edward had stuck with me while we hunted and seemed genuinely pleased that I had found a mate at last. He was keen to know how we met and all about Bella quipping that reading Gone With the Wind was probably the best book she could have chosen under the circumstances. He was amused to find we had a lot in common and told me he had found her excellent company at the conference and the dinner afterwards.

"Eating human food is one of the drawbacks I'll admit."

He grinned,

"Oh, I just excused myself, it's easier than struggling or pretending you have some strange disorder."

He couldn't understand my interest in immersing myself in the human culture for Bella's sake.

"She's going to become a vampire if she's your mate so why bother? It seems an awful waste of time and effort."

I gave up trying to explain and we concentrated on hunting instead but I was pleased that he was behind me even if he didn't entirely agree with the way I was handling things.

Edward

It had been far easier than I had expected, Jasper didn't suspect a thing and was quite happy to give me all the information I needed to understand Bella. I was correct in my assumption that she was under the impression her boyfriend was a normal person. If she only knew what she was making love to she would be so horrified she would run and never stop. I just needed the right situation to show her how much better off she would be with me than wasting time on Jasper. No one else in the family suspected me of being anything but mildly interested and happy for my dear brother and Alice obviously hadn't seen anything though until I decided on my approach I guess that would be impossible. I was relieved however when she announced that she was going to Anchorage to spend a few weeks with Carmen and the girls, it was one thing less to worry about.

Jasper

For some reason, the fates seemed determined to keep Bella and me apart which was very frustrating as I wanted to arrange something very special to give me an opportunity to propose. I knew Bella was the one and I was sure she felt the same way. Hating to think that she would be alone so much in the immediate future as I had a couple of prestanding freelance assignments I couldn't get out of I enlisted the help of the family. Bella was invited to spend a few days at the house and Emmett, Rose, and Edward promised to keep her amused. However, when I told her of the plan she wasn't as keen as I expected.

"I just thought it would give you a chance to get to know the others better and I know Esme is dying to mother you, or really to pump you for information on the winter festival. She's been asked to help on the committee this year and she's terrified."

When she agreed, especially as Esme invited Charlie over for dinner too, I felt better. Maybe she was just unhappy with me being away once more and I promised her this would be the last time.

When I mentioned that I had given Edward the tickets I'd bought for a concert I knew she would enjoy I now couldn't attend with her she looked uncomfortable.

"Is there something going on Bella? Has Edward upset you in some way?"

"No, it's just….. maybe he tries a little too hard, I guess he makes me a little nervous."

I laughed,

"That's just because he's nervous, Edward doesn't have many friends, especially girls and he finds it difficult to relate at times. Just give him a chance, I'd like you to be a part of the family Bella."

She didn't look totally convinced but agreed to give him another chance. I think she was still unsettled by the anonymous flower sender and that was another reason I didn't want to leave her alone. In our job stalkers were always a possibility, someone who didn't like an article that had been written or who fixated on a face in the paper. She had asked me if I thought someone in the family had sent them but I didn't see why they would. Surely if Emmett had sent them as a joke he would have owned up by now and Edward wasn't the type to play pranks. I did wonder if they might have come from Jacob Black, although I hadn't sensed him hanging around I doubted he would give up easily, knowing what I was. I suggested that to her and suggested she contact him but she decided against it. I got the impression the less she had to do with him the better.

Edward

Fate was smiling on me, things just got so much easier for me with Jasper going away for a few days and leaving me to take Bella out to the concert, it would be like taking candy from a baby. Once Bella understood how I felt about her she would drop him like a worthless stone. Of course, I would have to be careful, she couldn't discover what we really were, that would be both stupid and dangerous and I was neither, just the better man. Poor Bella wouldn't know what hit her although I had sensed that she didn't entirely like or trust me which was ridiculous when she trusted a blood-soaked killer. Perhaps her feeling was caused by something different, perhaps Bella felt a draw to me, a positive reaction and that would cause her to feel guilt. Maybe she tried to shun me because she felt she was betraying Jasper. All I needed to do was to allow her to see how much she liked me, how much more than any feelings she might have for my brother.

Jasper

Bella clung to me when we parted and I felt a certain amount of fear deep inside her,

"Don't worry Bella, you'll be perfectly safe while I'm gone and I promise you I'll be back as soon as I can. Anyway, you haven't had any more anonymous deliveries, have you? He's probably given up."

She nodded and smiled weakly,

"You're probably right, I'm just missing you already."

I pulled her close and held her tightly as I kissed her for the last time.

"This will be our last separation I promise darlin'."

She watched as I drove away one hand raised in farewell and looking a strangely vulnerable figure standing on the porch. I would feel better once I knew Emmett and Rose had picked her up, her car being in the shop for new brakes to be fitted.

Edward

It hadn't been difficult to persuade Emmett to let me pick Bella up once Jasper had left. He had gone to pick up Rose and Esme from the airport, they'd gone to set up an interior design account she had just picked up. We all knew about Bella's mysterious gift giver and without transport, Bella would be all alone at home as Charlie was working so my offer had appeared eminently sensible. I could be there much quicker.

When I pulled up outside Bella's I saw her look out the window and her face fell. Well, I would soon change that, a little charm and she would soon be swooning at my feet. She opened the door looking down to the car,

"Hello Edward, I thought Emmett and Rose were picking me up, I'm not quite ready yet."

"That's OK, I can wait, They will be a few hours yet and I know Jasper was worried about leaving you alone. He seems to think your stalker might still be around. Of course, if I were him I wouldn't have left you alone."

I followed her inside the house and through to the lounge.

"Make yourself comfortable, I'll be as quick as I can."

I stepped closer to her and saw a flush rise up her throat to her face, she looked and smelled wonderful.

"I'm sorry, am I making you nervous Bella?"

"No, I…..would you like a drink while you wait?"

She was flustered and it made her even more adorable.

"No thank you. Did you know you are very beautiful Bella?"

She stepped back and found herself trapped against the sofa,

"Sorry? Look, Edward, I think you should back off, you're crowding me."

"Are you feeling nervous Bella? Frightened of me?"

"Not frightened, I just like my personal space."

"Really? Are you sure? I think you are confused, mixed up because of all those feelings whirling around in your head."

She tried to edge around me but I wasn't going to let her off so easily, this was her chance to be totally honest about her feelings.

"I don't know what you are talking about now please Edward let me go."

Deciding I had given her something to think about and knowing I would have her all to myself again tomorrow at the concert I stepped back,

"I'm glad we are getting an opportunity to get to know each other better Bella, Jasper will be so pleased, he told me he was looking forward to seeing us good friends, the family is so important to him, to us all as you probably know by now. The family is everything, we are very tight knit, he'd be devastated if he thought there was any conflict."

She eyed me warily then nodded, she'd got the message and I really think she didn't understand what was happening right now but she would, very soon but for now I could afford to back off.