Chapter 122

Jasper

I was beyond happy, Bella was finally my wife and despite all that had happened we were at the beginning of our lives together. As we lay together on the beach naked I hated what was about to happen but it was necessary and did nothing to ruin my happiness at life with my mate. Bella had insisted on beginning her transformation on the beach at the very spot we had made love the night we arrived on Isle Esme. She said it was romantic and I was happy to go along, at least I would see that sexy smile one last time on my human mate's face. She was watching me and understood my dilemma so she wound her arm around my neck and pulled me close kissing me deeply then smiled again encouragingly.

"It's time Jazz. The sooner this is over the sooner we can be together again. You have to be brave darling."

I smiled, only my mate would be more worried about my feelings than her own pain to come! I nodded whispering, "

I love you Bella Whitlock."

And with great effort bit into her throat pumping my venom into her bloodstream until I knew I had done enough to make her transformation as quick as possible then held her close as she began to thrash around.

She had made me promise I wouldn't suffer alongside her while she burned but by taking all her pain I wouldn't be breaking that promise exactly, she wouldn't be suffering at all. I opened myself to her, tensing for the pain that I knew would hit me like an express train. Even though I was braced for it the pain was almost beyond bearable and I found myself screaming out in agony instead of her. My natural reaction was to draw back, protect myself, and suddenly the pain lessened somewhat and I was afraid I had done just that. I forced my eyes open to look at Bella afraid she would be suffering terribly again but she seemed to be asleep rather than changing and I started to panic, what if something had gone wrong and Bella's body was fighting off my venom. I'd never heard of such a thing happening but maybe it was possible.

I found myself drifting into a memory or dream, I couldn't decide which but gave myself over to it anyway.

Flashback

"Rio? Are we really going there for our honeymoon?"

"No, its just our first port of call but it won't take long after that I promise. After all I don't want to spend my honeymoon traveling when there are so many better ways to spend it."

Bella blushed and I wondered if I would miss that once she became a vampire. Maybe, but there were other things I wouldn't miss like the constant burn in my throat at the scent of her blood and the worry something might happen to her. Soon she would be safe, my wife truly for eternity.

Bella gasped and it brought me back to reality but as I opened my eyes I could see she was still and silent once more, like Sleeping Beauty and I started to worry again but again I was dragged under into the same dream.

Flashback

"It's so beautiful here, so peaceful. I could stay forever."

"Just say the word Bella and I'll buy you an island of your own. Anything to make amends for allowing you to go through the hell in that cellar."

She touched my cheek shaking her head,

"I never blamed you Jasper, how could you have known what was happening to me? Carlisle explained to me that the mating pull isn't as strong between a human and a vampire. Stop blaming yourself."

"I should have known something was wrong, I should have come to look for you sooner, saved you from the horrors…"

"No, you found me, you saved me and you showed such love and tenderness, such understanding and patience. I know you were in pain and frustrated but we're both here, we survived and came out stronger so please, leave it all in the past Jazz, where it belongs."

Whatever was happening I couldn't stop it, all I could do was stay with Bella and wait, her heart was still pumping if a little more erratically and her lungs still breathing in the air her body needed but her skin was becoming pale like mine and her temperature was close to my own, no longer hot like it had been before. So she was changing but somehow the pain was being held at bay, I could feel it sure but it was like a deep nagging ache rather than a tormenting burning agony. Charlie had come through the change with a shield so maybe Bella had inherited some of that same gift. Perhaps her shield was what kept the agony from consuming her as it did every other human.

I watched her face, so peaceful and lovely and as the moon rose on the second night her skin glowed as if lit from within. I was fascinated and couldn't take my eyes from her, remembering another conversation from our first week here.

Flashback

"Jazz can I ask you something?"

I opened my eyes to look at her sitting up beside me like a water nymph, naked but for a few drops of water slowly trickling down her breasts.

"Of course."

"Why would Rose say you were the last person to be disgusted by my scars?"

I sat up smiling a little ruefully,

"When you open your eyes as a vampire for the first time you'll understand darlin'."

She frowned in puzzlement and pushed me back down running her hands over my torso carefully then her fingers crept lower and the question was forgotten as she grasped me gently and began to slide her hand up and down my throbbing dick.

The third morning things changed, Bella's heart was beating so erratically I knew it couldn't possibly be pumping blood round her body any longer, it was just fighting it's final battle against my venom. Her lungs had ceased to inflate some hours ago, so her body was now almost completely vampire yet she had made hardly a sound since I bit her. The scars from the chains around her ankles were gone as were the many other small scars from beatings she had received at the hands of Alonzo Mendoza. Then suddenly her heart gave two small feeble beats and was still, it was over. Now I had to wait for her brain to understand and eyes to open, seeing me in my true light for the first time. I just hoped she wouldn't be too frightened of me. Most newborns ran in terror from the sight of my scars but I hoped my mate could see beyond them.

Slowly she twitched then suddenly sat up, her eyelids flying open and looked around as if she had no idea where she was. Then she sniffed the air and turned to look at me smiling in recognition as our eyes met. It was when her eyes moved to look at my body that I saw her stiffen and I waited for the reaction, the fast scramble to her feet and terror driven run. Instead she reached out a hand to touch my chest and ran her fingers across the scars that crisscrossed it running down both arms and as far as my hip bone on one side.

"Now I understand. Oh Jasper, how much you suffered but never again. I'll kill anyone who lays even one finger on you from now on, neither of us will ever suffer again."

I smiled and stroked her face,

"I love you Mrs Whitlock, you are the most amazing woman I have ever met. You never fail to amaze me."

She lay back seductively and licked her lips,

"Then why don't you show me just how much you love me Major Whitlock."

And of course, a gentleman never leaves a lady waiting!