Chapter 103
Bella
Hunting wasn't as much fun without Jazz and I promised myself this was the last time I was going without him. I knew it would take him time to be fully comfortable with an animal diet again and I was good with that. If he couldn't then I would never criticize him or even remark on it, he'd been through too much already. I was looking forward to our camping honeymoon in Alaska, I was curious to try bear and seal although when I had asked Jazz he just wrinkled his nose,
"I'd settle for deer and elk, maybe arctic hare or even fox."
We had a place to look at on our way there, a small ranch in North Dakota that seemed to fit the bill. It had room for horses and an old ram shackled house that needed more or less rebuilding. We'd already begun to draw up plans for the renovations and remodeling of our first home together. After hunting I sat with Esme while Rose and Alice went looking for some particular greenery they wanted for the flower arrangements on the boat.
"So Bella, you excited or nervous about the wedding?"
"To be honest Esme I haven't really thought much about it. I guess I've been too busy thinking about everything that's happened and how much more difficult it is being a vampire than I imagined. I guess watching you and the family I assumed it was easy. Trying to keep my temper and control the sudden rages if someone does something I don't like. Its not like me to be so volatile. How did you cope with it Esme?"
"It wasn't easy although I didn't have all the problems you've had to cope with. Carlisle was there for me and there was no one else except Edward but I did feel jealous of him."
"Of Edward?"
"Yes, he'd had Carlisle's full attention for a long while and I hated having to share. I even attacked him once, bit a finger off."
I was staggered to hear that! Esme the sweet kind and gentle matriarch of the Cullen family had a dark side? It was like discovering Mary Poppins beat children on her days off!
After that I felt a little better about my own control issues and a hell of a lot calmer in general and by the time we went back to the boat arms full of green stuff I was feeling much more mellow. Seeing Jasper waiting on the pier for me I dropped my bundle and flew to him hugging him close and then the smell hit me.
Pulling away I looked at him closely,
"Why do you smell of paint stripper?"
Looking a little more closely I could see his skin was glowing in the light and not its usual color either.
"What happened at your bachelor party? I thought you were going hunting."
"Oh he did but then he found himself the prey."
I turned at Emmett's words puzzled,
"Prey? What happened? Did you play paintball?"
"Something like that, it doesn't matter come on Bella. I got some more photos of the ranch to look at and I thought of something I wanted to add on."
Jasper
I didn't want Bella finding out what had happened before the wedding if at all possible, the thought of her disemboweling the Denali girls at the altar was enough to make me shudder so I'd sworn the others to silence on the matter and now Peter was the only one I had to worry about although he was still avoiding Bella as much as possible after the incident in Death Valley, my mate was certainly a force to be reckoned with! Luckily the Denali's had vanished back wherever they were staying and I didn't think we'd see them before the ceremony, not if they knew what was good for them. At least they'd be safe on our big day.
Bella
There was something going on that I was being kept in the dark about. I asked Alice what happened during their bachelor party but she just shrugged,
"Boy games Bella that's all. Anyway are you ready? I can't wait for our honeymoon, are you sure you don't want to change your mind and join Jay and I? A world cruise, how can you prefer a few weeks in Alaska to that?"
"As long as I'm with Jazz I don't care where we are and I like the idea of all that empty space and just us two. We're supposed to be spending a couple of days with the Denali's anyway. I'm looking forward to meeting them although I understand Tanya had her sights set on Jazz at one time so that's something I will address if necessary."
Alice hesitated at my last words before continuing,
"Yes but she and her sisters have eyes for any male who is moving."
"Right, Carlisle included?"
"Well there is a rumor that Irina was sweet on him but I think Esme made it very clear he was out of bounds early on so yes even Carlisle."
The next twenty four hours leading up to the wedding were manic and I was forced to say a sad goodbye to Jazz but Esme and Rose were unbending,
"It's bad luck Bella and it's only a few hours so stop sulking."
I was captivated by my dress even though it was much more simple than Alice's. I hadn't wanted lots of ribbons, bows, or lace and Charlotte had helped me out when she and Peter finally arrived after a rather mysterious absence neither would talk about. Both looked pleased with themselves for some reason.
The day itself was sunny, a rarity here it seems and I could hear the guests arriving, not that there were many, just Esme and Carlisle's friends from Denali and hopefully Darius although we had heard nothing from him since he left us in Death Valley, I hated the thought of him on his own while we were all together on such a happy occasion but maybe it would just be too painful. Jasper explained his situation and I couldn't even begin to understand how much pain he must be in without his mate at his side.
As Alice and I got ready below deck with Charlotte helping, there really wasn't enough room for anyone else in the small cabin, we heard a knock at the door and Alice opened it picking up a large brown envelope that had been left on the floor outside.
"What is it?"
She turned the envelope over then handed it to me, reluctantly
"No idea but it's got your name on it."
I took it from her examining the writing but I didn't recognize it then opened it up and tipped the contents on to the table.
There were two large colored photographs, one showing Jasper wearing just his boxers being spray painted by a blonde haired beauty I didn't know. The second had her pulling his boxers away from his body while holding another can in her hand but I could hardly see it, the hand holding it was shaking with rage. Alice snatched them away and grabbed my hands while Charlotte stood at the door as if worried I might go storming out.
"Bella, calm down. Its just a joke. It was taken at the bachelor party and it doesn't mean anything. They did exactly the same to Jay."
"You knew about this? Who told you?"
"He did but they decided not to tell you because they were afraid you might get upset, just like you are now."
"Upset? I'm not upset Alice, I'm beyond upset and when this wedding is over I'm going to find that slut and rip her head off."
She and Charlotte exchanged a worried look, I was missing something but what? Then it hit me,
"You know who she is don't you?"
Alice nodded darting worried looks at Charlotte.
"Well?"
"Bella I want you to promise me you won't lose your temper or do anything to spoil your special day. Our special day."
I took a moment to compose myself, was I going to let this little tramp ruin my wedding? She had to have Jazz restrained to get close, unlike me although the idea of restraining him sounded almost exciting. NO, she wasn't worth it so I would forget all about it for now but not that cheap bottle blonde, no she would find out what it meant to mess with The Major courtesy of his mate!