Chapter Five

Bella

Christmas came too soon, it would be the first time we had been apart since we started dating and I wasn't looking forward to it but I had promised my mother I would spend Christmas with her so Jasper took me to the airport slipping a small beautifully wrapped present in my hand before saying a long goodbye.

"I'll ring you every day. I'm going to miss you Jazz. I wish you were coming with me."

He shook his head kissing me again more hungrily this time.

"It wouldn't be much fun Bella and very awkward with my diet. Besides think how keen we'll be to see each other again when you come back."

We hugged for a final time and he whispered in my ear,

"I love you Bella, look after yourself and don't open your present until Christmas day. I put presents for your mother and Phil in your bag. Come back to me soon."

Renee

Bella looked nothing less than radiant when she arrived and I knew for better or worse this Jasper Whitlock had stolen her heart. I remembered feeling like that as a young woman, unfortunately it hadn't worked out for me but that was then and me, this was now and my far more sensible daughter. I'd seen the photographs her friend Clarissa sent and had to admit he was rather a catch but an orphaned boy needed more than just looks.

Phil had made me promise I wouldn't badger her about this guy over Christmas but it was hard, I did however manage to get a few questions in while he was out buying some last minute things.

"So Bella, tell me more about Jasper, how serious are things? I've rung you a couple of times and Clarissa has told me you went to bed early or something, she's a good friend covering for you like that but it's my guess you were out with him. Are you two sleeping together? And don't look so shocked young lady, I was your age once. I only ask because I want you to be careful, don't end up like me."

"You did OK mum."

"You know perfectly well what I mean. Don't let your heart rule your head. There will be plenty of time for love and all that when you finish college. By the way have you told your father yet?"

"No, I didn't see the point. Jazz and I are just going out that's all."

"Bella it's rarely that simple, I think you are in love with him. After all you've rung him six times and you've only been home two days. Not to mention the chats on the computer."

Bella

My mum rarely missed anything and I had to admit I was missing Jazz. I found it hard to sleep on my own and I'd taken to ringing him when I went to bed and listening to his voice enabled me to fall asleep. He'd gone to see his family for the festive season but I could tell he was missing me although he didn't say anything about them and I had no idea if they even knew I existed.

I was going back on the 30th and I really couldn't wait but tomorrow was Christmas day so I would try extra hard for Renee and Phil, I was bursting to know what my present from Jazz was too.

Renee

I was concerned for Bella, she was a sensible girl but even they got their heads turned around by love sometimes. Jazz seemed a nice enough guy and according to Clarissa he was quite the gentleman but they were rare and I wouldn't be happy until I'd met him in person, I could usually size someone up at first glance. Of course Phil told me to stop worrying,

"Renee, she's a big girl now, you can't live her life for her. Bella's got her head screwed on, she won't do anything stupid."

I smiled wondering if that had been said of me when I first met Charlie Swan, I'd been sensible if a little rebellious until I set eyes on him, then sense went out of the window and hormones took over. I didn't regret having Bella, she was probably the best thing that had ever happened to me but I had given up so much to marry Charlie. things I could never get back and I didn't want Bella to make the same mistake.

Bella

I woke early on Christmas morning alone and wishing I were with Jazz instead of here with Renee although that wasn't really fair. Looking at my phone as I did every morning I saw a message from him and opened it eagerly,

"Merry Christmas Bella, I miss you and wish we could share this day together but maybe next year. Enjoy your day and always remember I love you. Jazz xxx."

I smiled biting my lip to stop myself crying and replied in a similar vein before getting up and showering ready to help my culinary challenged mother with the Christmas dinner. Phil had offered to take us out for dinner but it was a lost cause, every year my mother started out with such good intentions and did all the preparations and every year Christmas dinner was different, never quite as it should be but always memorable and this year was no exception. We ate what we could and filled up on all the extras she always brought in for just such an occasion and when Phil poured the wine I wished Jazz were here to join in the toast, to another wonderful and healthy year.

After dinner we settled down and opened our presents. Most of mine were in preparation for our trip in the summer, boots, a waterproof coat, plus a new rucksack which seemed as little odd but I guessed Phil was just making sure we were well prepared. I'd seen all the books, guides, and maps he had collected along with a huge wall map of Yellowstone Park with the "must sees" marked in red. After this I handed them the presents from Jazz wondering what he'd bought, probably chocolates for Renee and a bottle of something for Phil but I underestimated him, he must have paid attention to everything I said about my mum and Phil.

Renee got a selection of semi precious stones for her jewelry making and Phil another book on the park but this one was written by the first explorer to enter the area and looked like an antique. They were impressed and I knew he'd scored a hit even though he'd spent too much. Renee looked at the small present left on my lap,

"Well go on and open it Bella, let's see what Jazz bought you."

I was nervous, I'd bought him a CD of his favorite country singer and a shirt, mundane I know but I didn't know what else to buy a guy who never asked for anything but my love. I opened it with trembling fingers and a necklace fell into my hands, the chain was gold and the stone hanging from the center was cut into a heart shape.

"Oh Bella, what a shame, it should be your birthstone. Still its very pretty, here let me help you put it on."

I hid in my hand the card that had accompanied it after glimpsing the words written on it in his unmistakeable flowing script,

"Next year I hope to give you the real thing."

The stone had been his birthstone, not mine yes, but the sentiment made me smile and feel sorrow he wasn't here now so I could thank him personally.

As soon as I could realistically say goodnight I went to my room and rang him.

"Hi darlin'. have a good day?"

"It would have been better if you were here."

He chuckled and I found myself go weak, I ached to be near him, to feel his strong arms around me and his cold lips on mine.

"Thank you for my gift by the way, I'm wearing it now and for the sentiment. Did you have fun with your family?"

"Well, I guess I should admit that I didn't go home, I went to visit friends in Colorado but I missed you too much to enjoy myself. I can't wait to see you again. By the way, I loved the CD and I'm saving the shirt so I you can see it on me. You sound tired, let me lull you to sleep sweet Bella."

Jasper

I hated lying to Bella but if I'd told her I didn't go anywhere she would have wanted to know why and there was no way I could explain. It was going to be difficult explaining what I was in any case but I had time to break it to her slowly, a little at a time. Although Alice knew I had found my mate she was the only one.

I had sworn her to secrecy, I didn't want anyone to know until it was certain that Bella would have me. Luckily she was staying with friends in Paris so there was no chance of Edward catching a stray thought and that was the other reason I hadn't wanted to go home although he rarely dared try listening to my thoughts, he knew better!