Chapter Seventy Three

Carlisle

I hated being proved right so quickly but I could hear the argument as I approached the house Bella's voice the loudest.

"I want to go and find Jasper, now where is he?"

"Bella it's not safe and you'd be putting him at risk."

Esme's voice was calm and low trying to soothe Bella but it didn't seem to be working.

"You're just saying that to keep me from him. I need to find Jasper. I have to go."

"Bella please listen to Esme. None of us want to keep you from him but Esme's right, its just too dangerous. You aren't in control."

There was an earsplitting snarl and a scream and I burst into view to find Bella attacking Rose while Jay and Emmett tried their best to pull her off.

"Bella stop that now. What do you think Jasper would say about you attacking his sister."

I made my voice stern and commanding hoping she would react and she did. The boys pulled her back and Rose got up brushing herself off and looking apprehensive.

"Apologize to Rose immediately."

Bella turned sulkily but apologized and Rose smiled wanly and accepted it.

"Right, lets go inside and talk about this like civilized people shall we?"

I waited and reluctantly Bella shrugged her arms free and stomped inside. I was in charge for now but it could turn ugly at any time. I had very limited experience with newborns and right now I felt out of my depth but I would do my best.

"Emmett, Jay, stay on alert."

They both nodded and went in after her followed by a strained looking Esme and Rose but Alice was nowhere to be seen.

"Where's Alice?"

"She went to buy Bella some new clothes. She said something about Bella needing them but whatever she saw she kept to herself.

I found them sitting at the unused dining table thankfully calm. Taking my place at the head to underline my authority I started,

"Right now Bella there are a few things you need to know and some rules that must be followed."

I looked at her but she sat tense biting her lip angrily.

"Did you hear me?"

She nodded curtly,

"Good. When you hunt you do it with a companion until you have yourself under control and you must conceal your kills. If not there will be questions and that could be dangerous for all of us. Understood?"

She nodded again.

"You should remember we are all on your side, trying to help you, to keep our laws and keep us all safe. I do not want to see you attack anyone in this family."

Her eyes flicked to Jay and I hastily added,

"Jay is one of us, Alice's mate so he too is out of bounds."

"I want my mate."

"I know you do and I'm sure he misses you too but he has a job to do and he will complete it no matter his personal feelings or wishes and I'm sure he expects you to do the same."

"It hurts."

"I know Bella but it will be over soon and once we have stopped Caius Jasper will come back to you."

"Why aren't you all helping him?"

"We are helping him by keeping you safe, that is his greatest wish and you can help by controlling your temper. That too is hard for a newborn but I'm sure you can manage it. Now as things stand, until you have control of yourself I do not want you leaving the house unaccompanied. Is that clear?"

She nodded sulkily and scraped her chair back,

"Can I go to my room? Or is that forbidden too?"

"No, you may of course and please try to lose the scowl and attitude they don't suit you at all."

She stomped out and up the stairs to Jasper's room Rose heaving a sigh of relief when she was out of sight but sensibly she didn't say anything.

"Well that went well and for a newborn Bella is doing fine. She just needs a little guidance."

As I spoke, knowing she would be listening, I scribbled on a piece of paper,

"WATCH HER EMMETT, JAY."

Showing it to them they nodded and went outside just in case she decided to try sneaking out through the window. Given a head start she had the speed to outrun any of us and that couldn't be allowed to happen.

Jay waited on the doorstep for Alice to get back still upset at being trapped here especially now Bella was awake and had shown her antipathy to him.

"Don't worry Jay, Bella's still confused. Once she gets everything straight she'll remember that Jasper agreed to do this for her and your sake."

"Yeah? And just how long will that take Carlisle?"

I shrugged,

"Some newborns remember everything quicker than others but Bella is reasonably well adjusted for a newly waken vampire, give her time."

She didn't come back down until the next day although we had heard her pacing and occasionally smashing things in his room. At least she didn't try to escape which I had half expected her to do.

When she did finally reappear it was Alice who made the breakthrough. She had gone up with armfuls of bags and boxes and it seems Bella had decided she liked the idea of her little sister and her looking at clothes which surprised me. Bella was wearing a new pair of jeans and a white tee shirt so at least Alice hadn't gone overboard with the frills and ribbons.

"You look nice Bella. How are you feeling now?"

Bella smiled at Esme and I relaxed a little.

"Better thank you although I think I may have caused some damage upstairs."

"Never mind, Emmett destroyed two houses before he calmed down and he still does damage now and again."

Emmett objected but was drowned out by the girls and I remembered rehanging a couple of doors since we moved here although his damage was caused by being overly excited not anger.

"I'd like to go hunting again if that's OK?"

"Of course, Emmett and Rose will accompany you if that's all right."

She nodded,

"I remember the rules Carlisle."

"Good."

I was apprehensive and sent Alice and Jay to shadow the others while Esme and I went upstairs to check on the damage. It wasn't as bad as it could have been but Jasper's bedroom walls were sporting a few extra "air vents" and the window was hanging by one hinge while his clothes were scattered around along with his books but none were damaged. Even in her anger she had known whose things they were.

"She's a very strange newborn Carlisle. She unsettles me."

"I know my love but she's our responsibility and as you said Emmett was much worse when he was a newborn, I'm sure we'll cope."

"I'm not so sure, Emmett was much more flexible, I don't think Bella's going to be as easy."

"Well we'll see."

My words were prophetic, within hours they were back and Bella wasn't happy. It seemed she had scented Jay and almost caught him before Emmett dragged her down, her once brilliant white tee shirt now grubby and torn. Jay had disappeared with Alice who apparently only just warned him in time and Bella was seething at Emmett for stopping her. Rose was walking between the two but she too looked as if she'd been involved in the brawl!

"What's going on Bella? You said you knew the rules."

"You didn't say anything about chasing off a snoop."

"He was just watching out for you Bella, I sent him. Besides what did he do?"

"He reminds me that I want to be with my mate. I hate him, he looks too much like Jasper."

"That's hardly his fault and I really don't think you can attack him for that reason alone."

"Don't you? Do you know what it's like to be parted from your mate Carlisle? How often have you and Esme been parted?"

She had me there, we never had been parted to my immense relief and she saw my answer in my face.

"See. I'm going to find Jasper and no one is going to stop me."

"I'm afraid we will use force if necessary Bella but you are staying here where you'll be safe."

Bella ran inside slamming the door and cracking the heavy oak paneling as she did so. Emmett followed her in kicking the sagging panels to force entry and we heard his footsteps following hers up the stairs before a short silence ensued only to be followed by what seemed like an explosion.