Chapter Seventeen

Bella

Phil and Renee were waiting for us and Phil smiled as he threw my rucksack in the back of the truck I looked at it, all shiny and new and suddenly it hit me,

"You bought it?"

"Yeah I thought it would be better, that way if we decide to extend our stay a couple of days, I don't have to worry about the rental company and as I now have the money to indulge myself I thought why not?."

We had already warned Jazz that keeping to a timetable wasn't one of our strengths when we took off on vacation but this time I really hoped we would be back on time.

"Don't worry Bella, I promise not to get fed up waiting and leave. Just ring me when you get back to civilization and I'll come for you. You are going to leave your itinerary wit the rangers aren't you?"

Phil nodded again as he answered Jasper's query humorously,

"Yeah but we don't often keep to that either. Don't worry though Jasper, I've been doing this my whole life and I never got into trouble I couldn't get out of before. Bella will be fine with us."

Jasper

I felt a part of me was leaving too and I almost chased them and joined the trip but that was stupid, she was going on vacation with family, probably the last vacation she would ever spend with them and I couldn't begrudge her that. A couple of months was a long time but it would enable me to spend some time with my own and bring them up to speed with the developments. I was sure they would be pleased I had found my mate but shocked she was a human.

That brought with it certain dangers and that wouldn't please Rose but I needed to explain to the family that I had already asked her to marry me although I hadn't told her what I really was yet. I thought Carlisle or Esme might be able to give me some hints on the best way to broach the subject. I knew in my heart it wouldn't frighten Bella off, she loved me and she knew me, the fact that I was a vampire would shock her but I knew it would make no difference to the way she felt about me, how could it when we were mates?

If the mating pull had been stronger I would have been more content but as a human she didn't feel it and for me it was just a strange sensation, not the strong pull that brought mates together and held them close, that would only come once Bella were a vampire. Of course that was another conversation we would need to have but again I thought Bella's, love for me would overcome any fears she might feel on becoming a vampire, especially when I could tell her that my food source was animal not human. All these thoughts flew through my mind in a matter of seconds as I watched the truck until it passed out of sight when I turned and headed back to my car alone once more.

First thing on the agenda was finding the family although Alice said as far as she knew they were still on Isle Esme which meant quite a journey and then I had to explain to them about Bella. Hopefully they would be coming back to the States soon or I'd be travelling there once more to introduce my wife to be to the family. Flying to Rio and then going on to Isle Esme did have its advantages for once, I had arranged a hunting expedition with Emmett, Rose, and Edward, to the Amazon this summer and thought I would be canceling it once I met Bella but with her being away for a couple of months I could still go and it was usually fun, especially the rivalry between Emmett and myself for the best kill. It would kill time and hopefully make it appear to pass more quickly.

I drove back to the apartment which seemed so empty and less welcoming without Bella and I wasted no time packing my things and tidying up before going out to the airport for my flight to Rio, the first part of my journey and the most laborious. I hated flying long haul with so many humans and avoided it where possible but this time I had no choice so I had booked a first class ticket so at least the numbers would be smaller and the thirst more manageable in such a confined space.

Once on board I closed my eyes to appear asleep, I'd already informed the cabin crew of my dietary problems and they knew not to disturb me at meal times. My neighbour was a business man who spent most of his time writing letters and speeches with headphones on which also suited me fine. I hated all the small talk humans seemed unable to avoid when seated with strangers. Once airborne I reclined my seat and my thoughts drifted inevitably to Bella and our future together.

Bella

The truck was really comfortable, unlike the old ones we had rented over the years, and once out of Seattle Phil opened it up until we were speeding along the highway.

"So, he's a nice guy Bella. You could have done much worse. Even Charlie was impressed although he begrudged admitting as much."

"You've spoken to dad? You never said so."

"I wanted to hear what you thought of your visit first."

"And did his fit with mine?"

"Just about, I think its the first time I ever heard your father lost for words. He would have liked to find something to dislike about Jasper but he couldn't. Of course he still isn't happy about you "throwing your education away" by getting married so young but when I pointed out that was exactly what his own mother said about us he shut up. I'd been waiting years to get that particular dig in and it felt good."

"Renee, aren't you a little old to be thinking like that?"

My mum ignored Phil's criticism, her eyes twinkling as she continued speaking,

"By the way did you know he had an argument with Billy about your boyfriend?"

"No, what did Billy say? He never even met Jasper."

"I think that's what the argument was about. Billy thought it was bad manners and extremely suspicious that Jasper didn't accompany you. He seemed to think Jasper had something to hide."

"Like what?"

"That's what Charlie asked him but he wouldn't or couldn't say anything else. Personally I think he's just upset you found someone after dumping Jake."

"I didn't dump Jake, we were never a couple."

"I know but Billy thought you should be. Anyway Charlie told him it was none of his business and Billy went off in a huff. Charlie must have been impressed not to listen to Billy, they are almost like brothers after all."

I was angry at Billy's interference but I had been right, they weren't happy when I went to the barbecue but Billy should have known I was never going to end up with Jacob, we just didn't fit together as a couple.

We'd only been driving for a couple of hours when Renee wanted to stop for coffee and a comfort break, as usual, so we pulled in at a truck stop. While Phil, ever a stickler for checking things, dipped the oil and checked the tire pressures Renee and I went in to order the coffee. There were only three other customers in there and none took any notice of us as we sat in the window to wait for Phil to join us. He was pleased with the truck when he came in, especially as it was brand new but had no niggling little faults as they usually did.

"It's about time the car manufacturers got things right, the last time I bought a brand new car I'd only gone about ten miles when the stop light fell out of the back window."

"You can say that again, the brakes locked up on mine, took the garage a week to fix the damn thing."

Phil turned to speak to the guy sitting nearby who had spoken and Renee and I carried on our own conversation about a new author we'd found, leaving them to their shared complaints.