Chapter Eleven

Jasper

Now I had Bella here I understood just how important she was to me and I knew I could never let her go again. I tried my best to give her space but she seemed to crave my company as much as I craved hers. We were together every hour of the day outside classes and sometimes I even skipped mine just to be free when she was. I stepped back when she had her girl's nights out but was only happy again when she got home and she seemed genuinely happy to see me however short our parting had been.

It was a simple step from having her living with me to asking her to marry me at least on my part but I didn't want to rush her so I held my peace as long as I could. She had already told her mum we were living together and that didn't seem to go down too badly, in fact I got the feeling Renee could tell how happy Bella was and was grateful for that. Telling her dad was slightly more problematical though and I left her too it, going to collect some books from the library for her.

Bella

I waited until I heard Jazz leave to place the call not looking forward to it at all.

"Bella, I wondered when I'd hear from you. How's college? You doing OK?"

"Fine dad, I'm enjoying it. How's work?"

He hesitated and I realized my mistake. I might ask him how Billy and Jake were or how the fishing was but I never asked how work was.

"Fine, same as usual. Harry had a heart attack so he won't be hunting or fishing any more for a while."

"Oh, sorry to hear that."

"I heard from Renee the other day, she wanted my advice on the best insect repellent."

"Right, well she's really looking forward to this camping trip, it's gonna be fun."

"Shame she never thought it was fun when she and I were married."

I wasn't getting into one of those discussions but I did wonder if Renee had told dad about Jasper. I didn't have to wonder long,

"She tells me there's a guy in your life."

"Yes Jasper Whitlock."

"Yeah so she said. You've been seeing a lot of him from what I hear. You sure that's wise this early in your college time?"

Deciding there was no point in putting it off any longer I just blurted it out.

"Jazz and I are living together dad. I just moved in with him."

I waited for the explosion but his voice was very cool and calm when he spoke again,

"I see, what do you know about him Bella?"

"Enough to know he loves me and I love him."

"You need to concentrate on your college work Bella. Don't ruin this like your mother did. Your education is more important, please remember that. If he's the one he'll wait for you honey."

"Dad, he helps me and he supports my work. He's gone to the library to pick up some books for me while I speak to you and he bought me my own desk and stuff to study at his place."

"So he's not there at the moment? Decided discretion was the best policy did he? Couldn't face me?"

"He wanted to give me some space to talk to you that's all. If you want to speak to him that's fine. In fact we thought we might come see you one weekend when you're off if that's OK."

"Sure I'd like to meet the guy who's putting my daughter's education at risk."

"Dad, its not like that. Do you want to meet Jazz or not?"

"Jazz? Sounds like a form of music or a pet dog but sure why not. I'm off the end of the month for a long weekend, bring him along, I'll get the bedrooms fixed up for your visit."

I didn't miss the emphasis on the plural but decided not to fight him on this, a couple of nights apart wouldn't kill us, not quite!

When he got back I explained my conversation,

"So you think he'll have the shotgun out ready for me?"

"Don't joke Jazz, its the kinda thing he might do, he's not happy but at least Renee didn't tell him."

"I understand his feelings, he sends his only daughter to college to get a good education and then she falls in with some Texas bum and puts it all at risk."

I hugged him breathing in his scent which was unlike anything I'd ever smelled before. It had the hairs on the back of my neck standing on end and my whole body tingling.

Later as we lay in bed after making love yet again, each time better than the last somehow, he pulled me close and kissed my hand, each finger of my left hand.

"I'd like to see a ring there Bella. My ring."

I swallowed hard, had I heard him correctly?

"Sorry?"

"Bella, I know this is quick but I have to ask you if you'll marry me? I love you and I don't think I can go on without you. I'll help you finish college, you can go on to do whatever you want but would you consider becoming my wife?"

I struggled up and turned to look into his face, those golden eyes now darker than usual, it was something I noticed after we made love although I hadn't asked him if it was something to do with his illness.

"You want to marry me?"

"Yes I do. I want you to be mine for eternity."

"Wow! Are you sure about that? You haven't met my dad yet."

"I'm not asking your dad to marry me am I?"

"I….I guess…..it's just…...I never…"

I found myself unable to make a coherent statement.

"There's no rush to answer Bella, take your time by all means. Perhaps I should have waited, you can forget I asked, I'm rushing you, it's just…."

I put a warm finger to his cold lips to hush him knowing in my heart what the answer was just knocked back at the timing of his proposal.

I smiled and kissed him then snuggled back into his embrace, a cold arm around my body, my head on his stone chest feeling warm and contented and I knew he thought I had decided to take his advice and forget he'd asked. So when I whispered my reply I thought he'd missed it,

"My dad's gonna throw a fit when I lay this one on him."

Jasper

I thought I'd timed my proposal all wrong but Bella hadn't run screaming so there was still hope, I knew she loved me, that came across crystal clear. She cuddled back in and if not for my vampire hearing I might well have missed her whispered words. Instead joy flooded my mind, her's and mine, and I knew we were destined to spend our whole lives together.

Now I had to tell my family about her, explain the situation and then tell Bella what I really am and hope that didn't have her running for the hills. She knew I loved her and that I would never harm her but tying herself to a vampire meant becoming one herself, that was inevitable and that was a decision only she could make. If she decided she wanted to remain human then I would stand by that decision and love her until time snatched her away from me. After that? Well who knew if I would want to continue living, all I knew was that she was the one, my mate, and I had to have her in my life, whatever the terms she set.

First we would visit her father, a visit not without its dangers although the Cullens left Forks decades ago. However the Quileute tribe would still recognize a vampire if they came across one. I could only hope they would leave things lie, after all I wasn't threatening one of the tribe. If it came to it though, I would fight for Bella, I would do whatever was necessary in order to remain in her life, as her lover, her friend, and hopefully her husband.