Chapter Twelve

Bella

The next day Jasper took me into town to choose a ring, almost as if he were afraid I might change my mind if he didn't get it on my finger quickly but there was nothing that could change my mind, I love him so much. We looked in a few jewelers before I finally saw the ring I wanted, a heart shaped ruby surrounded by tiny diamonds. When I saw the price I baulked but Jasper had seen how much I liked it and refused to look at any others. It needed sizing so we arranged to pick it up the following weekend, just in time to wear it when we visited Charlie. I wasn't sure he could take all the news at once but I guess it was just as well to get it over in one shot.

When we got home Jasper suggested I tell my mother the good news but I had other ideas, a thank you for the beautiful ring and making me the happiest woman in the world and I dragged him off to bed. We never seemed too tired for sex or less hungry for each other than the very first time and I loved the way he made me feel and longed to become more adventurous myself but I was happy to find I was more comfortable, less embarrassed and knew the rest would come with time. I only just got out of bed and showered in time for him to run me to afternoon classes although I would have much rather stayed in bed instead.

I met the girls for coffee after classes and gave them the good news which caused a variety of reactions from thrilled to concerned about my parents reactions.

"Don't you think its a little early in the relationship to be getting so serious Bella? You've only been going out with him for a few months after all and you haven't even met his foster parents or his sister yet."

Everyone stopped dead at Toni's words waiting to see what my reaction would be.

"I know you are only thinking of me Toni but I know its right, it feels like it and I will meet his family soon, after all its not as if they are his real family, only his sister Rosalie. We're going to see my dad this weekend and I'll tell him then."

"What do you think he'll say?"

"Pretty much what Toni said. He won't like it, to him my education is the most important thing but I'm not giving it up. Jasper said he'll support me for as long as I like. There's no rush to get married."

"You sure about that Bella? There isn't a little Whitlock waiting in the wings is there?"

I smacked Clarissa's hand,

"No there isn't and don't you start any rumors. We aren't stupid and we're both too young to be thinking about a family. You start saying things like that and I'll stop telling you all my little secrets."

The next few days flew by as I waited to pick up my ring from the jewelers hoping it hadn't all been just a wonderful dream. Jasper and I spent every spare moment together yet he never seemed to fall behind with his college work and often helped me if I was in a rush. I had rung Renee with the good news and she reacted as well as I expected,

"I have got to meet this Godlike creature who stole my daughter's heart. Just be careful and don't act rashly. There's plenty of time to think about getting married after college finishes but don't you dare ruin my camping trip Bella or I will never forgive you. Speaking of which do you have everything ready? We don't want too be hanging around while you collect some last minute things. We'll be arriving the afternoon before so we can meet Jasper before we leave. I guess you'll miss him while were gone but I suppose he could join us if you like."

Now that appealed but when I suggested it to Jazz he shook his head,

"It's a family trip, besides I need to visit my family and give them the good news."

"Haven't you spoken to them yet?"

"No, like I told you they're difficult to get a hold of. My foster father is a volunteer at one of the remote islands in the Pacific so I can't reach him, they all went with him so I'll have to fly out to speak with them."

"He sounds like a wonderful man."

"He is and I just know they will be happy for me. When you get back I'd like you to meet them."

"Are you sure they won't think I'm too..."

"Too what?"

"Too ordinary for you?"

He laughed and pulled me close once more,

"You are the strangest creature I have ever met Bella Swan, so full of contradictions, of course they won't, they'll understand how right you are for me. It's your parents reactions that concern me, maybe they won't think I'm good enough for their daughter."

"Not Renee, she tends not to judge other people, as for dad, well he'll decide for himself but it won't make any difference to my decision. I love you Jazz and I'm sure he will see that even if he doesn't like it."

We picked up my ring and went back to our place to grab our bags for the trip to Forks but before we left Jazz went down on one knee and proposed to me again but this time when I said yes he slipped the ring into place on my left hand and kissed it there.

"Now everyone will know you have chosen me Bella and that I am the luckiest man."

I expected him to add alive but he didn't which seemed a little strange but then he had his own ideas on things and I accepted him as he was.

He drove to Forks which was fine by me, giving me more time to plan what I was going to say to my dad. He wasn't going to take the news well I knew that. He was as anti young people getting married too young as my mum had been at one time. I knew their own experiences had colored their thinking but Renee had gotten over it much better than my dad.

He was still of the opinion that marriage was something not gone into lightly and certainly not without a lot of thought and some money and education behind you. Well I was almost finished with my education as had Jazz and neither of us had made any great plans for the future yet but I knew whatever we decided to do it would be together. He planned on buying a ranch and raising and training horses and from what I understood he had money left him by his parents in their will so he didn't need to work and save for the chance to fulfill his dream. I wanted to write travel articles for one of the web sites aimed at young people, my mum had given me a taste for travel and adventure and I wanted to pass it on to others.

As we drove into Forks I took a few deep breaths,

"Nervous Bella?"

"A little, dad can be awkward when he feels like it and I think seeing my ring will have him looking for trouble."

"Then stick with me, I think I can handle your father."

I wasn't so sure but I didn't say anything, while Jazz may be confident and outgoing he hadn't met the immovable force that was Police Chief Charlie Swan.

The cruiser was parked up outside the house and I could see dad working in the back yard through the open gate so as soon as Jazz pulled up I got out and called to him. Dad straightened up and turned smiling when he saw me and I ran to give him a hug, not something he was entirely comfortable with but he repaid it with one of his own then wiped his hands on his old work jeans before taking the hand Jazz held out to him.

"Hello sir, its good to meet you I'm Bella's fiancé Jasper Whitlock."