I pushed Bella behind me, protecting her with my body. Edward had dropped into a protective stance, growling lowly through clenched teeth, he refused to breathe. "Emmet, Rose, get Jasper outside." Carlisle's voice cut through the air. Emmett nodded. His face was a mask of calm, and for once, he wasn't smiling, it was one of the only times I hadn't seen him without a smile on his face.
"Come on Jasper." Emmett muttered. Jasper thrashed in Emmett's hold as he was dragged away, Rosalie helping her Mate wrangle him outside. Carlisle approached Edward and I.
"Let me by, Edward." Carlisle said gently. A second passed, and then Edward slowly stood. Carlisle stepped around Edward and approached Bella. I stepped aside. Bella offered her hand to Carlisle. "It's just a papercut." Carlisle assured. "We're lucky it wasn't anything worse. I have bandaids up in my office." Carlisle and Bella headed upstairs.
"Maybe you should go check on Jasper." I suggested to Edward.
"You might as well do something useful." Alice added. Edward's eyes narrowed at everyone around him, he didn't seem to like that we were all ganging up on him. He, however, left, Esme close behind.
"You should head out to Jasper too." I suggested to Alice. "You're his Mate."
"But-" Alice started.
"Alice, just go." I said. Alice pressed her lips together and sped out. I looked around at the room and sighed, putting my hands on my hips. I then started to clear up the room, making sure everything was tidy. By the time I was done, Bella and Carlisle came downstairs.
"Where is everyone?" Bella asked softly.
"They all headed out." I told her. "I've got your presents."
"So we're leaving?"
"It's best your not around Jasper for a while." Carlisle told her. Bella nodded, and silently headed out. I followed after Bella. She got in the passenger seat of the car and I hopped in the driver's side, watching as she kicked a red ribbon under the seat. I started the car and headed out. There ws some silence before Bella spoke.
"Say something?" She asked me.
"What do you want me to say?" I asked gently.
"That you forgive me?"
"What? Forgive you?" I asked, glancing at her. "What need would I have for that?"
"If I'd have been more careful, no one would have had to leave."
"Bella." I sighed. "A papercut is hardly anything to work yourself up over. You know Jasper's new to the whole Vegetarian thing, he's bound to slip a little." Bella was quiet for the rest of the ride. We got home and headed inside.
"Bell? Alex?" Charlie called. He was sitting in the lounge room watching a game.
"Hey, Dad." Bella greeted softly.
"How was it?"
"Alice went overboard." I said, leaning against the wall. "You know, big flowers, big cake, lots of candles and presents."
"What did they get you?"
"A stereo for my truck." Bella responded.
"Wow." Charlie blinked at that.
"Yeah, well, we're calling it a night."
"I'll see you two in the morning." Charlie said to us. Bella headed upstairs.
"Goodnight Dad." I said softly as I followed Bella upstairs. I handed Bella her presents and retreated to my room.
