Chapter Fifty

Jasper

The more I saw Jay with Alice and the way he treated her the less I hated him, he made her happy in a way I had never been able to. He was no longer a rival for Bella's affections either and as I got to know him and talk about my past and his world the more I understood what had motivated him to write the paper casting doubts on my courage. His grandfather had been an army man as had his father before him and both his parents were high fliers. His father had been in the military and his mother a university lecturer and it was expected he would follow the family tradition, all based on my history.

They had called him after me hoping it would inspire him to become as good or better than his forebear, another Major Whitlock. He had been brought up on stories of my bravery, signing up so young and rising through the ranks so quickly. It had been drummed into him that with such an illustrious name came responsibilities, to emulate me but as he grew up he found he didn't want a life in the military at all but he tried to appease them by becoming an expert at martial arts but it was never going to be enough.

They wanted another hero in the family and when he finally broke the news to them that he was going to college to study history and become a professor they had more or less disowned him. For this reason he had made it his mission in life to prove that I was in fact no hero at all. That I hadn't been killed while trying to make my way back to my unit after a successful mission but instead had run from the responsibility and ended my life a coward, living in obscurity under an assumed name although he could find no hard facts to prove this theory.

It seemed very important to him that I understood his motivation and forgive him.

"Jay, there's nothing to forgive. It happened a lifetime ago for me and all those who could have been hurt by your words were long dead and buried. Whatever you wrote changed nothing, I know the truth and it is far worse than being labeled a coward believe me."

"I know remember I read your journal, the one you hid in your cabin in Mexico."

"I'm surprised Maria didn't destroy the cabin and all in it, she was so angry when I escaped."

"She may have been at the time but I think a part of her always loved you and that's why she helped me, to make amends for the terrible things she did to you, turned you into."

I smiled thinly at that,

"Maybe but whatever her reasons makes no difference now and be very careful how much trust you put in her, Maria is fickle, she can change like the wind."

When he asked to speak to me in private I wondered what there was left to say but I agreed, leaving Bella and Alice trying to persuade Peter to go swimming in the marina pool. The last words I heard as Jay and I left were,

"The last time Bella invited me for a swim she nearly fucking drowned me pushing me in like that."

Which of course cut no ice with either of the girls, even Bella understood a vampire couldn't drown! But I thought he was wise to be cautious, Bella most certainly hadn't finished with him yet after all the things he'd said and I still owed him for letting Bella hear him talking about my "little trick". He was skating on exceedingly thin ice with both of us.

In the event Jay and I walked half way round the marina before he spoke and when he did I was surprised by the subject matter,

"Major, you know Alice better than I do and I was hoping for some advice….."

"Hey now, don't be asking me about Alice. I'm not the one to tell you about her even if she was my wife."

"Oh its not that, just…...well…...I was going to ask her to marry me but I'm not too sure if she'd want that. I know you too got married but is it usual in this new world of mine? Peter says they just call each other husband and wife for ease but it's not worth bothering with especially if it means getting tied up with the "fucking nutters called the Cullens." His words not mine I hasten to add."

"You need to understand that Peter's tolerance for others is pretty low and he rarely gives you the whole truth, take everything he says with a pinch of salt Jay. A lot of vampire don't bother getting married but it's personal choice and I can tell you Alice is a very conventional girl below the surface. As for the Cullens, you've already met Rose and Emmett so its only Carlisle and Esme you don't know and they are good people who live unconventional lives, at least for vampires."

"Yeah I asked Emmett and he told me about the doctor and his beliefs. I think I'd like to meet him."

I had been thinking about asking Bella to marry me ever since we finally bonded and this seemed as good a time as any.

"Why don't we visit, you can meet Esme and Carlisle and ask Alice at the same time. I think you'll find she and Esme will be only too keen to start organizing things."

"We? You're coming too?"

"Yes I should tell them about Bella and myself and until we know what Caius is up to there isn't much we can do here."

When we got back we found Peter standing, soaking wet and yelling at the girls which I found hilarious. He'd said no just too often I assumed but Jay wasn't happy at Peter's attitude to his mate although Alice was well able to take care of herself. I pulled him to one side and calmed him enough to listen as I explained this and he was somewhat mollified but I would be speaking to Peter, he needed to take care with this particular newborn. When I told Bella of our plans to visit Carlisle and Esme she was more apprehensive than I expected so I decided to give her a good reason to go.

I took her for a walk and once we were alone I sank to one knee and proposed to her.

"Bella I know you are already mine but would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?"

She stared at me as if unsure she'd heard correctly then her face lit up and she nodded throwing herself into my arms,

"Of course I will Jasper. I love you and nothing would make me happier than to be your wife. I'm going to have to tell my dad and Renee and we can tell Carlisle and Esme when we visit."

She stopped and regarded me suspiciously,

"But this isn't the only reason you suggested visiting is it?"

"No, we aren't the only couple wanting to get their blessing."

Her smile broadened,

"Jay's asked Alice hasn't he?"

"Well if he hasn't then he's about to."

"Oh, we could have a double wedding if you like."

I hugged her,

"Whatever makes you happy Bella but you might want to discuss it with your parents first."

She nodded her eyes bright, looking radiantly happy, and I knew whatever they said would make no difference. Bella had kept in touch with her parents throughout our movements to keep Jay safe but they didn't know about me or that she was missing college and that wouldn't please either of them but I would overcome their displeasure, I had to.