Chapter Ninety Seven

Bella

It seemed strange to be arranging a wedding so soon after the fighting stopped but I was looking forward to becoming Jasper's wife as well as his mate. Alice and Esme had taken over and I was just asked to agree or disagree with suggestions although whether my feelings were taken on board or not was difficult to say.

My problem was Charlie, and Jazz and I had talked about it both agreeing he could never be allowed into my new world. It meant saying goodbye to him and I couldn't even do that in person. He would know there was something wrong if he laid eyes on me and my dad could be stubborn and determined once he got the bit between his teeth. If he was suspicious he wouldn't stop until he found out what was wrong.

I held off as long as I could but eventually I had to ring or he'd be coming to look for me. We'd arranged our excuses but I knew he would be deeply hurt when he heard them. I was cheating him out of a father's proudest moment, when he walks his daughter down the aisle but it was better than putting him in danger from breaking our laws.

He was understandably annoyed when I finally got through,

"Bella? Where the hell have you been? I rang but just kept getting the voice mail and now that's full up too. Don't you listen to your messages? Have you any idea how worried I've been?

"I'm sorry dad things just got kinda crazy but I'm fine really."

"So where the hell have you been? Its a guy isn't it? You could have rung, that wouldn't have taken you away from loves young dream for long."

"I know and I am sorry but I've got something to tell you."

"Oh? OH, what? Are you pregnant Bella?"

"NO, its not that but I got married dad and we're moving abroad in a few days time."

There was a deathly silence that stretched on for what seemed hours.

"Dad?"

"Yeah. Just trying to take all that in. You got married? Without a word to your mum or I? Who is he?"

"A guy I met at college, no one you know."

"And you were so eager to tie the knot you couldn't wait to tell us or introduce him? Is he in some kind of trouble?"

"No everything just kinda happened, it's as simple as that really."

"And you're going to live abroad with this guy?"

"With my husband….yes."

"What does he do? Or is he employed at all?"

"He's a writer and a photographer."

"Really? A press bum you mean? Where's he from?"

"Texas originally. He's a wonderful guy dad."

"I'm sure you think so. Does this wonderful guy have a name?"

"Jasper."

"Jasper? Is that it? His parents never gave him a surname?"

"I know you're upset dad and I'm really sorry but you don't need to worry about me, I'm fine and I promise to keep in touch."

Charlie

I had no idea what to say, my only daughter had gone off and got herself married to a guy who didn't have a proper job or a surname it would appear. I could hear Renee's reaction only too well, she would hit the ionosphere let alone the roof. I didn't like this at all, why was Bella keeping so much a secret? I had the horrible feeling she knew I wouldn't approve but it was far too late now! Anger and disappointment tinged my words.

"Well maybe some time when you are in the country you can bring this Jasper to meet me. I suppose you will come back to the States? Or are phone calls all we can expect from now on?"

Bella

Dad was upset, very upset and hurt but there was nothing I could do about it, all I did was to keep him safe and if it meant he was upset with me then it was a price I was prepared to pay.

"Well?"

"I guess it will be some time, Jasper's work takes him to remote areas so I won't be in contact much for a while. I am sorry dad."

"Sure you are, well I guess all I can say is I hope you are happy."

There was another awkward silence and I knew he wasn't going to say any more, he was just too hurt to speak and that broke my heart because I loved my dad very much. But there was nothing else I could do or say that would ease the pain so I kept silent too and eventually he cleared his throat,

"Guess I'll hear from you whenever then. Stay safe."

He put the receiver down with a finality that had me wishing I could still cry, I felt so miserable. Jasper who had been holding my hand pulled me close and I felt the pain melting away but I shook my head,

"No Jazz, I need to feel this, I hurt my dad so badly."

"To protect him Bella."

"But he'll never know that will he?"

"No, its one of the curses of being a vampire, you lose all those you love in the human world."

I'd never really thought about that but of course he was right, the pain I was feeling wasn't unique, everyone around me had been through the same and I was lucky in that I had been able to say a form of goodbye to my dad.

Esme and Alice dragged me into the preparations to take my mind off things but with Carlisle escorting Alice who was there for me? I sat watching as Esme expertly made iced roses for the fake cake although quite why she was bothering I wasn't sure, there wouldn't be any humans there after all.

"Its traditional and just because we don't eat human food doesn't mean we have to ignore all the customs."

That only made me think about walking down the aisle again. Alice suggested Carlisle walk between us but it just didn't seem right and then Emmett stepped in.

"Bella, I wanted to ask you something."

I smiled at him, I loved my big brother in law to be.

"Sure Emmett what?"

"Well, I'm never gonna have a daughter to walk down the aisle and as you don't have anyone to walk you I thought maybe we could do each other a favor."

I laughed, how could I possibly say no after that? Instead I flung my arms around his neck by jumping up so I could reach and hugged him tight,

"Thank you Emmett."

"Hey thank you, it gives me a chance to do something I'd never do otherwise, besides if I didn't ask you then Peter would have."

I thought about that idea and decided I had certainly got the best end of the bargain!

"Talking of the devil where is he?"

"NO idea, he and Charlotte just told us they'd be back for the wedding but I'm sure he'll be up to something."

"If he ruins our day Alice and I will take him apart personally and burn the most important parts so if you see him you'd better warn him."

"Message received and understood. I'm betting he'll be here for the stag night though."

"Stag night? Do vampires have a stag night?"

"Sure?"

He smiled and waggled his eyebrows comically,

"And they can be really fun."

"As in?"

"Now that Bella would be telling and I'm not the kiss and tell kinda guy so I'm going now before I put my foot in it any further."

As he slunk quickly away I wondered if he was in contact with Peter after all and they had something wicked planned. Deciding that the two of them were a force of nature to be endured I tried to forget his wicked grin but it refused to go away, hovering there menacingly.