Chapter Twenty Two
Bella
It was crazy but once here surrounded by people who quite obviously cared about me I felt safer and calmer. They were all on edge and nervous how I might react to them that it was almost funny. It took them a while to relax around me but once they did I found myself hugged and spoiled rotten. Of course, they wanted to know all the details and although I would have been happy to try forgetting the whole incident I felt I owed them the truth. Their shocked faces told me all I needed to know, they hadn't had any idea what Edward was doing.
Charlie, as expected, hadn't been surprised when I told him I'd slipped on the wet sidewalk and fractured my wrist.
"It's a good thing your boyfriend's father is a doctor, it'll come in handy. Did you get to talk to your source before the accident?"
I couldn't understand what he was referring to and almost questioned him but then, just in time, the excuse I'd made for leaving the house so early came back to me.
"No, but I've spoken to her since and she's happy to rearrange the appointment."
"Right, I guess you'll be staying over at the Cullen's tonight? Especially with Jasper coming home."
"Yes, but I'll be home tomorrow I guess."
"Take your time, so long as you're OK. I'm working late this week anyway so you might want to stay on there if they'll have you."
I was relieved, it meant I could stay with Jasper the rest of the week. I was aching to see him again although I was concerned how he might react to Edward manhandling me, he was very protective as it was and as a vampire would he be more aggressive towards anyone who hurt me? I didn't care what he did to Edward, he deserved all he got but I didn't like the idea of upsetting Jasper. Was I scared he would turn out to be the bloodthirsty monster Edward had portrayed him? No, I had never felt unsafe or scared in his company, if there was a violent liar among the Cullens it was Edward, not Jasper.
Emmett rang to say they would be home soon and Rose went to sit on the porch with me to wait.
"I can't apologize enough for Edwards behaviour and for not believing you when you said he was acting strangely. I feel this is partly my fault Bella."
I shook my head,
"No Rose, how were you to know? From all I've heard, it was totally out of character for him."
"Why are you not scared Bella?"
"Why should I be Rose? You've all treated me so kindly and Carlisle explained you are no threat to me or any other human."
"Actually, that's not strictly true. We will always be a threat purely because we still crave human blood and always will, we just control our thirst instead of allowing it to control us like most vampires."
"Well, I appreciate your honesty but it makes no difference, if you were going to make a meal of me you'd have already done so, in fact…"
Jasper
I couldn't wait for Emmett to pull up, so instead I jumped out while he was still going down the drive and seeing Bella on the porch I ran as fast as I could and picked her up in my arms holding her close and breathing in her scent, the only thing that could still my broiling emotions.
"Are you OK? Bella, are you hurt? What did he do to you? I'm so sorry darlin'. I should never have left you, never have trusted him."
She leant back and cupped my face between her hands,the plastic splint hard against my cheek and stared deep into my eyes,
"Jasper, it's not your fault. I'm fine. Everyone has been so good to me and now you're back I know everything is OK. I missed you so much."
I swept her up into my arms and held her as gently as if she were made of spun glass, afraid to cause her more pain and carried her inside the house. Esme smiled and nodded as I took her straight upstairs into my room and shut the door. I needed to hear everything from her own lips. To check her injuries.
"Really Jasper, I'm OK."
"Show me, please."
She knew what I meant and she didn't hesitate, just pushed up the sleeves of her sweater. When I saw the livid bruises on both forearms I know I snarled deep in my chest but I couldn't help it. Edward was going to suffer for those and suffer big time. I hadn't felt the kind of fury that I did now for a very long time but this time I didn't feel guilty. I was a vampire and Bella was my mate, it was natural and right that I should want revenge on the man who had terrorized and hurt her. I fixed the sight of those bruises in my mind, etched them onto my brain. When I finally got Edward in my grasp he would know what terror and pain really felt like before he died and die he would, hard and slow.
Bella was studying me closely,
"I didn't believe Edward at first but then I realized it didn't matter you know. All I wanted was for you to be here with me so I would feel safe."
I couldn't help laughing,
"You felt safer with me here? Even knowing what I am? What we all are?"
"Yes,"
It was as simple as that, Bella loved me and trusted me, why wait?
"Bella, there was something I was planning on doing when I got back but I guess there are a few things we need to clear up first. I love you and I want to be a part of your life for always but I don't know how you feel about what you've heard about my past."
"Jasper what Edward told me is immaterial, it's what you choose to tell me that matters."
"I'll tell you whatever you want to know but you must understand that was another life, that was me then and this, what you see is me now. It's the me that you know that's important. I can't and I won't apologize for my past, all I can do is to promise you that man no longer exists in any real sense although I can't promise that an echo of him won't reappear if I get my hands on Edward."
She sat cradled in my arms as I explained starkly what had happened to me, about Maria and everything I had done for her. Even that I had thought I loved her and she me at the time. If I were going to ask Bella to be my wife and stand with me then she had a right to know everything, however, terrible it might be. When I finished speaking I waited, aware that Bella felt disgust, anger, and sadness, but not sure what these mixed emotions meant for my, for our, future.
Then I saw a single tear trickle down her cheek and her hand came up to stroke my own,
"You went through so much Jasper, so many terrible events yet you survived and you came out the other side scarred physically but the same man who stood to face Maria and her harpies all those years ago. I admire that."
I exhaled with relief.
"Then I guess my question is still worth asking."
"What question?"
I went down on one knee and took her hand,
"Bella Swan, would you do me the honour of becoming my wife?"
I heard her sharp intake of breath and wondered what it might mean.
"Before I answer that I need you to answer a question for me."
"You can ask me anything."
"Being a vampire means you are immortal, I know because Carlisle told me. So, if you plan on marrying me are you also prepared to make me immortal too?"
I wasn't prepared for that but my answer came easily enough,
"If that's what you want but I would never pressure you into making such a decision."
A smile slowly spread across her face lighting it up and making her even more beautiful than she already was.
"Then yes Jasper. I would be honoured to become your wife."