Chapter Twenty-Seven
I sit in the living room with a blanket around me tightly with everyone looking at me, waiting for me to say something about what happened with Embry and I. No one says anything and Jasper keeps a safe distance from me after I screamed at him earlier. Tears fall down my face as I try to figure out as to why it happened as it did. Bella puts a cup of tea on the coffee table before me and then pulls me into her arms. I snuggle against her with my eyes closed and shaking from my crying.
"Is there something going on to Embry for what he did?" Jasper asks huskily.
"Sam is punishing him and he wants to keep you from filing a lawsuit for this," Jacob says.
"No, I am going to throw a lawsuit back at him for hurting my girlfriend like he did. She will not let me touch her and she will not go near her son. His actions caused his lawsuit to be put away and he will never see his son again and I am putting a restraining order on him," Jasper growls.
"Be careful what you are saying. She is my sister and I want to make him hurt just as much as you do, but this needs to be handled first between us on the reservation," Jacob growls back at him. I look at Jasper and whimper a bit while lifting my hand to him.
"Jazz," I say meekly. Bella moves to let Jasper sit next to me and hold me close to him. He kisses my hair and he coos to me as I snuggle close to him.
"We will have Sam come by and talk to you all about what is to happen to Embry," Jacob says. Manny's sleepy voice is heard from the hallway upstairs and I look to see my sleepy boy rubbing his eyes and standing on the stairs. Edward goes to get him and brings Manny over to me. I take my boy and hold him close to me to keep him safe with me and Jasper. Everyone is quiet again as I hold Manny close to me and Jasper holds me close to him.
Weeks Later
Manny runs around the house with his toys and he giggles as Reneesme runs behind him with an airplane in her hand. The two are such good friends now, even though she is bigger than him. Jasper walks up behind me as I am making dinner and he kisses my neck a few times. I smile and turn to look at him happily. He kisses my lips softly and wraps his arms around my waist. We have been busy these past few weeks with the court battles against Embry. But, we all came to an agreement that Embry is allowed to see Manny once a year and he is not to near me unless Jasper or someone in the family is with me. Officially, Manny is not Jasper's son and he is such a happy boy with his new living situation. Carlisle comes into the kitchen with a bottle of wine for those who are drinking. We are having a family get together with Jasper's family and mine.
"I am glad you invited us over for this," Carlisle says. He looks at Jasper and I with approval in his eyes.
"We are glad you agreed to come," I giggle. Jasper buries his nose into my hair and he smiles against my hair.
"Well, I hope we have more of these as the years go on," Carlisle says proudly. It was odd since we have not done anything to make him proud like he is looking. He leaves the kitchen and I look at my boyfriend with a raised brow. Jasper kisses me again before leaving me to go set the table outside. Rosalie and Bella attack me with hugs and they are smiling widely.
"So, how are you and Jasper doing playing house together?" Bella says. Everyone of the Cullens have been acting strange today. Billy looked a little nervous while Sue and Charlie were smiling widely when they saw me.
"What is going on with everyone today?" I ask with a giggle. The doorbell rings and I know someone got the door because the room gets louder. I know the packs are here, excluding Embry since he is not allowed to leave the reservation as punishment. The boys burst into the kitchen and they all shout me name happily. I am soon wrapped in hugs and passed along to everyone with laughs and large smiles. The last two people I hug are Sam and Emily and the two are bright like lights. Jasper comes in to greet everyone and announce that everything is ready outside. We walk together with our arms around each other and Manny runs over to us, curls bouncing as he runs. Jasper puts his hand on Manny's head when our boy hugs his papa's leg.
"Before we begin the wonderful feast that Marinna was so wonderful in making for us, I want to thank everyone for coming over to enjoy this time as a family. Everyone here is our family and we love you all," Jasper says. I smile and then raise a brow when Manny gives something to Jasper. He turns to me with a big smile. "But, there is one person I want to thank the most of all this evening. She has been through so much these past few months and she has allowed me to be her support through it all. She has given me happiness and a reason to live. She has given me a beautiful son even though he is not mine by blood. I love you, Marinna Uley-Black, I am glad to have had you in my life these past few months. We may have started out a bit different than most couples, but we are still here and loving each other more and more each day. I would like to ask you a question that I have been dying to ask. Would you, Marinna Belle Uley-Black, marry me and be my wife forever?"
I gasp when Jasper drops to one knee and he opens a ring box of a beautiful ring. It is a hexagonal-faceted aquamarine graded 'vivid pale aqua-blue' color and 'good' clarity. The tenderly colored, translucent azure gemstone is mounted within hexagonal yellow gold bezel setting. It was simple, yet beautiful. My eyes fill with tears as I look at the wonderful man before me. I am unable to answer with words, so I nod my head and smile. Jasper smiles, takes my left hand, slips the ring on and then stands to give me a deep kiss. Everyone applauds and gives shouts of congratulations. I laugh and kiss Jasper more at the wonderful happiness. We pull away and everyone comes to wrap us in hugs and to congratulate us with years of happiness.