Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight or any of the characters.
Chapter Ten
Eclipse 17-22
Alliance
Bella mentions listening to Edward, Jasper and Carlisle discuss their attack on the army in Seattle:
"You really shouldn't talk about that in front of her," Esme said.
"I know. I'm sure I realized that it would upset her," Edward said. "Just like I'm sure I couldn't leave her …."
"And you couldn't keep yourself from talking about this as soon as you could," Jasper finished for him. "You would be much too worried not to."
Mentions that Bella knew something was wrong when Edward edged away from her:
"Why? What happened?" Edward asked, worried.
"I don't know, but whatever it is, it must be bad for you to actually leave her," Jasper said.
"What could be worse than what we already figured out?" Edward said.
"We'll see," was all Jasper could say.
Mentions of the doorbell and Alice looks puzzled and then quickly it turns disgusted:
"Oh, so the pup did decide to come," Emmett said, though his voice was a little too strained to be taken as his normal humor.
Rosalie hissed at that, "Great, now that smell is going to be in our house for a week."
Bella thinks that she had rescinded that invitation not that she dream Jacob would come here:
"I think the way you left it only gave him more of a reason to come here," Emmett chuckled. "The pup has to figure a way to fight for you somehow, and it's not likely that you're going to go see him anytime soon - at least now he knows exactly where you're going to be and that he would be safe because of the people that are there."
Edward hissed at this.
"Edward, this is a good thing. We need the wolves help," Carlisle reminded him, but it didn't seem to calm Edward much.
Mentions of Embry's trembling hand still held the door, half turn to run for it:
"Ah, is the little wolfie afraid of us," Emmett really laughed this time.
"He's trembling," Edward said, narrowing his eyes. "He'd better control himself …."
"I'm sure he will. We're not going to do anything to provoke him," Carlisle said calmly.
Bella asks for the present from Jacob and he rolled his eyes and grimaced:
"Stupid reverse psychology," Edward muttered. "Just stay mad at the mutt and make him leave already."
"Edward, we need him to know about whatever it was that Alice saw," Jasper said. "I know you probably don't what help from him at the moment … but we're going to need it."
"Stupid book," was all Edward had to say about that.
Jacob gives Bella a small loose woven bag that was multi colored fabric and she said thanks, and he says the present is inside it:
Emmett snorted at that.
"Bella," Edward rolled his eyes, but he didn't smile, seeing as she was accepting a gift from the mutt at the time. "She's never allowed me to give her anything," he added, mumbling.
"You gave her something for her birthday," Alice said, ignoring the flinch from both Edward and Jasper, "and you used similar ways to get her to want the presents, if you recall."
"Hmph," was all Edward had to say to that.
Jacob says you know how it is, out of sight, out of mind:
"One could only wish," Edward muttered.
"That would be the hardest of her relationships to deal with after …." Esme frowned. "He's going to know exactly what happened to her."
"But he already made it clear that he wants nothing to do with her once that happens," Edward said, growling as he thought about just how the mutt felt about that.
"And we'll have to leave the area before that happens … they wouldn't have a chance to see each other," Carlisle added. "Though I think you're right, this relationship will be hardest on both of them after she changes."
Bella waves at Alice and watches as she takes in the three werewolves leaning over her:
"Go show them who's boss, Shortie," Emmett chuckled.
Jacob, Quil and Embry all lean away as Alice put her arms around Bella's waist:
Emmett seemed to find this funny.
"Don't antagonize them, Alice," Edward said.
"I'm not," Alice said, it would be obvious if she was really antagonizing them.
Jacob blocks Alice and Bella's way and says hey not so fast:
"But I might have a hard time controlling myself if he antagonizes me," Alice narrowed her eyes.
Jasper appears out of nowhere, standing on the other side of Jacob's arm looking terrifying:
"Oh, dear…this doesn't look good," Esme fretted, though she wouldn't expect any other reaction from Jasper.
Jacob slowly moved his arm back:
"You know, I don't need you to do that," Alice said to him.
"I know," Jasper smiled at her.
"But I'm glad you came," Alice added. "His face must have been quite amusing."
Alice tells Bella the decision had been made and they're not going to Seattle:
"Damn," Edward hissed, "they're coming here."
"That's what I was thinking," Jasper said, though he didn't seem to think that was such a bad idea.
"I know," Edward glared at him. "You think it would be better to face them here … but still …."
"They would be too close to Bella," Jasper said to him, a little amused.
"Argh," Edward groaned.
Jasper says we can't let them come that far, there's not enough of us to protect the town:
"Obviously not…it would be best if we lead them into a clearing," Jasper said, disappointed.
"Jazz, you've only known about this for a few minutes," Alice smiled at him, "not thinking about it for the last hour or so to determine the best way of handling this."
"Oh, right," Jasper smiled back at her sheepishly.
Alice says it doesn't matter, some of them will still come here to search:
Everyone shuddered at that.
"Don't worry," Carlisle said. "The wolves will help us."
Bella says no and then thinks of all the people that would get killed, because of her:
"It's not because of you," Edward said, his look was guilty.
"It's not your fault either," Carlisle and Esme both said at the same time.
Bella says that she'll go to meet them, and that will hopefully make it so no one else gets hurt:
"NO!" Edward shouted.
"You know we would never let her do that," Alice said.
"I know," Edward said.
"She just wants to protect all of those people," Esme smiled sadly.
"It's an admirable characteristic," Carlisle smiled the same way, "but we couldn't let her get hurt any more than any of the others."
Jasper says it will be an even fight, and Jacob says no and then smiles and adds it won't be even:
"So, it's the pup that brings it up," Emmett said. "That makes sense."
Jasper says this will be odd, I never considered working together, that will be a first:
"It might be hard to trust them too," Jasper frowned. "I hate to have to worry about them turning on us …."
"They won't do that," Carlisle said.
"I believe you," Jasper said. "But I don't know if my book self will."
"I'll make sure to convince you, I'm sure," Edward said. "I would know what they are thinking, after all."
Jasper says about ten miles due north of the Hoh Forest ranger station:
"Yes, that would be the best place to face the army," Jasper said. "I can already think of a good place we could put the wolves where they would be the most effective."
End of chapter:
"Well, that was the end of the chapter," Esme said, giving the book to Jasper. She then turned to Edward and asked, "What's the matter, Edward? You were rather quiet."
"I'm just really not liking this book," Edward frowned. "If it's not one thing, it's another … and I really don't know which part is worse."
"What?" Emmett asked. "You mean there's something worse than the crazy vampire army after your girlfriend."
"No, of course not," Edward said after a moment. He was pinching the bridge of his nose, "Bella's safety will always be number one to me, but it's just upsetting that every time I think that we could get rid of the wolf, something like this has to happen and forces him to stick around in our lives. If this didn't happen, Bella wouldn't likely have gone back to see him …." there was a look in Edward's eyes that said that at least he hoped not. "However, now he's forced back into her life and it's just really annoying."
"Maybe there is a reason for that," Carlisle said, "and we just don't know what that is yet."
Edward didn't say anything, though he seemed to take that in a bad way, judging by the frown that was now on his face. "Let's just keep reading," Edward said, motioning for Jasper to start the next chapter.
O
Instruction
Bella thinks not Jacob too:
Edward frowned at that.
"Of course, she's going to worry about him too, now," Esme said. "He's her best friend."
"And that's what she does," Emmett chuckled, "worry. Even when it's completely pointless for her to do so."
"I know," Edward sighed, still frowning.
Edward says, I'm not sure if we can cooperate, I don't want to put you in the middle of that:
"I'm sure it would be fine," Carlisle said. "They have the motivation to make this work, seeing as they need to protect their town. Besides, I would think that having Bella there would be a deterrent for both sides not to do anything."
Bella thinks as if that didn't make me more anxious to go.
"You really shouldn't have put it like that, Eddy," Emmett laughed. "Now she has to worry about us fighting each other, along with everything else."
Bella thinks that no one cares if Jacob and his friends get hurt, not even them:
"Well, I care," Esme said. "I wouldn't want any of them to be hurt."
"Nor would I," Carlisle said, "and I'm sure that Edward feels the same."
"Of course, I do," Edward said, although his voice was a little hard, making it seem like he didn't really think that … but they all knew that he did.
Edward tries to explain to Bella that it's going to be easy and someone may have to sit out:
"So, you think you're an expert now?" Jasper asked Edward.
"No, I just have some idea what the newborns would be like," Edward shrugged. "I know the difference between real life and reading a memory. You remember everything but It's not quite the same as really being there."
Bella thinks it's the same place that the Cullens had been interrupted by James and his coven:
Edward hissed at that. "Did you really have to do this there?"
"Yes," Jasper said, nodding his head, "that is the best place for these lessons, and I would imagine it's where I'm going to suggest we confront the army."
Bella thinks of Victoria being a force of nature and unavoidable, implacable but predictable, by maybe she was capable of adaptation:
"Why do you think that she's predictable?" Jasper furrowed his eyes.
"Asking her questions like that won't really get you any answers," Emmett chuckled. "It's not like she could answer back."
"It might be in the book," Jasper pouted.
"I think it's because she already knows what Victoria is after," Alice said, before Emmett could say anything else. "It makes her stagnant … a constant threat, but not something that could come at her in different angles."
"I suppose that makes sense," Edward frowned. "We don't change our ways very often …."
"Except when we want something really badly," Jasper muttered. "That would cause her to change her pattern."
Bella asks you know what I think, and Edward says no, and she almost smiles:
There was no 'almost' about anyone's smile in the room and several people were even chuckling at that.
Bella says I agree with Jasper that the Volturi love their rules, and added in her thought that she would be dead if they wanted her to be:
Edward shuddered at that. He wasn't the only one that did and his eyes became hard. "She has a point."
"Convinced, at last," Carlisle said.
"Yes," Edward sighed.
Bella asks Alice said you were in Texas did you follow her there:
"Of course!" Jasper rolled his eyes. "Why didn't I see that? She could have learned about the newborn armies there …."
Bella mentions Laurant and that he could have gotten the information about Alice for the Denali and he could have told Victoria:
Alice was glaring at this, that her extended family would be the ones that allowed Victoria slip through her defenses.
"I'm sure they didn't realize what they were doing," Esme frowned. "They thought he was their friend."
"They didn't have to talk about that," Alice sneered, very annoyed.
Edward mentions that Victoria would be in little danger from the Cullen if she just waits and let the newborn wreak havoc:
"Yes, she would just kill any survivors … from her army that is, and no one would be the wiser," Jasper frowned. "It is a good plan."
"Too bad we will be able to deal with it quite easily," Emmett chuckled.
"Yes, I doubt she would expect us to ally ourselves with the wolves," Jasper chuckled too.
Bella notices that Alice doesn't look as optimistic as the others:
"Why not Alice? You seemed pleased in the last chapter," Jasper asked, worried.
"You don't think someone could still get hurt?" Esme asked, worried as well, but her tone was different from Jasper's. He was just worried because Alice was depressed, not necessarily about anyone's safety.
"No, I don't think it's anything like that." Alice said, both amused and annoyed. "I would think this has something to do with my ineptness again."
Bella remembers the two times she had seen Jacob as a wolf and them were both memories of terror:
"Oh," Edward said, "maybe she'll be afraid of him."
"Are you kidding me? She's not going to let that bother her," Emmett laughed.
"But, she just said …." Edward said.
"That they were memories of terror," Emmett said. "She was scared both times she saw them … this time would be different."
"Great," Edward groaned.
Edward says the pack has grown:
"They're taller now?" Emmett said stupidly.
"Idiot," Rosalie said, shaking her head at him, but she looked wary. "I don't like the fact that there are more wolves."
"Nor do I," Carlisle said, but in a different tone. "I fear we have caused a lot of damage by coming here."
"Those poor boys," Esme added, wrapping an arm around Carlisle who seemed like he needed it.
"I think it's Victoria that is actually causing them to multiply like this," Edward said thoughtfully. "I doubt our family would fuel the need for this many wolves."
"Yes, you're probably right," Carlisle said, looking better than a moment ago, "and since we know that it won't happen this way, hopefully most of these wolves won't have to go through this."
Edward speaking for Sam says we will watch and listen but no more, that is all we can ask of our self-control:
"Good," Jasper said. "I don't think it would have been good if they got involved. Both our instincts would have screamed to fight for real."
"I bet you're still uncomfortable with them being there," Emmett chuckled.
"Obviously." Jasper shook his head.
Jasper says okay Emmett first he's the best example of a newborn attack:
"HEY!" Emmett exclaimed as the 'younger' Cullens laughed at him.
"What can I say?" Jasper said. "You do kind of barrel into things … and use your strength."
"But, I'm better than a newborn," Emmett pouted.
"Yeah, and a lot more dangerous," Jasper admitted. "You do come up with interesting strategies some times … but at other times …." he trailed off, laughing.
Bella describes the fight between Emmett and Jasper:
"Wow, I didn't expect her to see so much," Jasper said.
"Really?" Edward asked. "I would have thought you would have learned by now that she sees more than anyone would think."
"I do," Jasper furrowed his eyebrows, "but it's still peculiar that she could see that."
Bella is anxious when Jasper waved Alice forward:
"Oh, this should be good," Alice smiled. "Hopefully she'll stop thinking so little of me."
"I don't think this is going to stop her from worrying," Esme said.
"No, but maybe it wouldn't be as much," Alice shrugged.
Bella thoughts on Edward and Jasper fighting and how Jasper tries to go on instinct alone as much as he could:
"She picked that up fast," Jasper shook his head. He always fought a little differently when he was facing Edward.
Bella mentions cringing as Jasper attacked Esme:
Jasper seemed to cringe at just the idea of that.
"You're just trying to help me," Esme smiled at him.
"Still … the mind-frame I would have to be in," Jasper said, cringing again.
Mentions that the pack thinks that it would be helpful if they learned each of their scents, so they didn't make a mistake later:
"Great," Rosalie hissed, looking really annoyed by that.
"But it's a really good idea," Jasper said. "We would set off their instincts just as much as the other vampires would … It's best for them to take this precaution."
Bella notices Edward watching her, evaluating her reaction:
"Ah, now you're hoping that she's going to overreact to them," Emmett laughed.
"It would seem that way, wouldn't it?" Edward said, a little amused and looking like he hoped she would be afraid … but not believing it would happen.
Jacob as a wolf gives her a wolfy grin and she giggled:
"Well, it seems she really took that one badly," Emmett laughed loudly.
Edward lowered his head and said, "I would have expected nothing less from her."
But obviously you hoped for something different, Alice thought.
Bella realizes that Edward was hoping that she would scream and run away in terror from the werewolf:
"But no, she just has to react well to all the monsters in her life," Emmett said.
"Well, it's nice to know that she doesn't discriminate," Carlisle smiled, looking a little amused.
Edward talks to wolf Jacob saying it's more complicated and don't concern yourself, I'll make sure it's safe:
"You're talking about what to do with Bella, I presume," Jasper said, looking at Edward.
"It certainly seems that way," Edward replied. "I think the pup just suggested that she stay in La Push."
"That wouldn't be the best idea," Jasper nodded his head. "That's sure to be one of the first places the army would look. Though they would have to get by us first - it still wouldn't be the best idea."
"I know," Edward agreed with him.
Edward says, I can't leave her somewhere she's been frequently, and she has to be hard to find, and it's a very long shot, but I'm not taking chances:
"Hm …." Jasper said, furrowing his eyebrows.
"What?" Edward asked.
"Well, normally I would agree with you that this was a long shot," Jasper said, "but, that seems to be all that happens in these books. Long shots that come to fruition. And I have a bad feeling about this."
Edward groaned and lowered his head, "That's just what I wanted to hear."
Edward says hmm, not back and it's possible:
"What's possible?" Emmett asked impatiently.
"Using his scent to mask hers," Jasper said. "That might work. You say the wolves scent is … overwhelming."
"Yes, and something that you wouldn't want to look that closely into," Edward said.
Bella thinks and then it was my turn to be wary as Jacob held his arms out to me:
"Argh," Edward groaned. "He's going to have to carry her."
"Forced to be together again," Emmett laughed. "I bet you love that."
Edward's answer was a growl.
Jasper says it was almost completely obscured:
"Almost?" Edward grumbled at that.
"It will be fine, Edward," Emmett said, rolling his eyes. "You know we're not going to let anyone past us anyway."
Jacob asks how do you stand that:
"You don't," Emmett said, very annoyed. "You might get used to it a little, but it doesn't make it any less annoying … especially when both the freaks are in the conversation."
"And you wonder why we always keep doing this," Edward laughed at his annoyed brother and Alice giggled along with him.
Edward explains that they are going to leave a false trail to the clearing, that the newborns would excitedly follow with out being careful about it:
"That's perfect!" Jasper smiled. "I was wondering how we could lead them there."
"You didn't think of using her scent?" Emmett asked. "It seemed pretty obvious to me."
"Oh, he thought of it," Edward said, "but he couldn't use that way before because the trail would continue to lead them to wherever Bella was …."
"And there was no way that Edward would allow that," Jasper said.
Edward says he looks at all the options, it thoroughness, not callousness:
Jasper narrowed his eyes at that. "If he thinks I don't care about Bella …."
"He doesn't know you at all," Alice interrupted, both finishing his sentence and agreeing with him.
Jacob says we tried to talk Seth:
"So he is one of them now as well … and that's why he was at the meeting the other night," Carlisle sighed.
Jacob continues to say into staying behind with the younger two:
"Younger two?" Esme said sadly. "Isn't he already too young … those poor boys."
Jacob says so I thought of a new assignment for him - cell phone:
"Ah," Jasper said. "I do like that."
"Yes, it would be nice to know that a wolf is protecting her," Edward said.
O
Selfish
Edward asks about hand me downs, are that acceptable gift:
"Hand-me-downs?" Alice asked, raising her eyebrow. "So you're going to give her something of your mother's?"
"It seems like it," Edward smiled. "This might be a way around her strict 'no giving gifts' rule."
"Which seems like something you're dying to do," Alice laughed at him, but I'm not sure how long this will last when she finds out how nice your mom's stuff is.
"Whatever," Edward shrugged nonchalantly, like he was answering her last statement out loud, but in truth, it was her thoughts he was answering.
Bella explains you're more important than everyone else, you've given me you:
"But you've given yourself back to me," Edward sighed, "and you're so much more …."
"I think that makes you even," Esme interrupted him from saying something about himself not being good enough.
"Wow, Mom, you really must like Bella to say that," Emmett laughed. "We all know Edward is your favorite."
Both Esme and Edward looked a little embarrassed by that comment, but were smiling all the same.
Bella continues that anything else you give me just throws us more out of balance:
"It seems that Bella suffers from the same idiocy as you," Rosalie teased her brother.
"But it does kind of make you see why she wouldn't want you giving her anything," Esme said. "I mean, as long as she couldn't give you anything herself, and seeing as you two are equals … well, that would throw things off balance."
"But she's …." Edward tried to defend.
"And so are you," Esme smiled at him, cutting off his defense again.
Bella says I like Jasper's idea:
Edward's eyes then snapped to his brother's. "You just had to say that didn't you?"
"Sorry," Jasper sighed. "I was in strategic mode."
Bella says Jasper thinks it would, this is his area of expertise:
Edward glared hard at his brother.
"Stop," Alice said angrily at him. "It's not his fault."
Edward's glare loosened slightly.
Bella says that it would be easy to persuade Seth to show her the way:
"Good plan. You only made one mistake," Jasper smiled.
"Yeah, you told Edward," Emmett said. "There's no way he would let that happen."
Edward seemed to relax at that sentence; he had tense when Bella stated her plan.
Bella says that Sam would rather do me a favor than Edward:
Edward looked really angry and worried about that.
"She really is quite brilliant," Jasper muttered.
"Yeah, you don't want to underestimate her," Alice smiled.
Edward says he's sure that Jacob would be only too eager to give those same orders:
"Jacob?" nearly everyone said.
"How would the mutt be able to do that?" Rosalie asked.
"I don't know," Carlisle said thoughtfully, and Edward and Jasper looked the same. "It might have something to do with … with his heritage?" he said the last part as a question.
"Maybe," Edward nodded his head. "His family has been seen as the chiefs of the tribe for generations … That might give him certain advantages."
"I suppose continuing to read really is the best way to find out," Carlisle mused and started reading again, looking more enthusiastic than before that he was going to learn something new again. It seemed that this book, so far, had been the most informative for him.
Edward says no she's a direct descendant all right:
"A girl wolf?" Carlisle muttered. "Hm … perhaps we discovered why Leah was there that night too."
"That would explain it," Edward muttered. "I doubt anything else would have gotten her that close to Sam and Emily."
Edward explains that Leah is deliberately malicious, and how that painful:
"Well, she has every right to be bitter," Rosalie said.
"Trust you to like that wolf," Edward muttered, his mouth pulling thin.
"I DON'T LIKE ANY MUTT!" Rosalie growled.
Bella says I know my limits I can't stand if you leave me again:
Edward stopped breathing and his body tensed - a look of pain crossed his face as he thought of what he had done in the last book.
Bella says someone could sit out and did you really mean that:
"She wants you to stay with her," Emmett smiled. "That sounds good to me."
"Hm … Edward would be annoying after that though -" Jasper made a face, "- upset that he didn't get his chance to fight."
"So," Emmett shrugged, "I'll get to fight more newborns this way."
Bella wonders if she had a limit to what she would sacrifice to keep Edward safe:
Rosalie narrowed her eyes at that, looking angry, yet there was a glimmer of understanding as well.
"None of us are," Jasper said, looking at Alice meaningfully. He would do anything for his family, but Alice would always come first.
Edward says that he's going to discuss him sitting out:
Edward frowned a little at that, but looked sure that it was the right decision.
"Too bad, Eddy," Emmett chuckled.
"To tell the truth, I'm not too upset about this," Edward said. "With what Jasper said in the last chapter, I, that is me in this room, I'm happy that my book self will be there."
"And she really seems to need you," Esme said. "She wouldn't have brought this up if she didn't."
Edward says I'm the only one with permission to hold you hostage:
"Ah, I like the sound of that," Emmett laughed, looking at Edward with a suggestive grin. "What do you think you'll be doing Eddy?"
"Not that!" Edward hissed.
Bella thinks that Edward wouldn't leave his family if he didn't believe they be safe:
"What would you have done if the danger was worse?" Emmett asked.
"I don't know, but she wouldn't have been in that clearing no matter what," Edward answered. "But of course, I couldn't let anything happen to any of you either …."
Bella answers Jacob without needing Edward to translate:
Edward frown was really set now.
"Don't like the fact that she could read his face so well?" Emmett joked. "And even in his wolf form."
"No, I don't," Edward admitted.
Bella says you know I never had a dog:
"So…what? He's your pet now?" Emmett laughed and Edward's frown loosened a little at that thought, but that didn't last long.
Jacob leans his head against Bella's leg and hummed and that made her feel better:
"She seems to be even closer to him in this form than when he's human," Emmett laughed. "Bella is one strange girl."
Edward tilted his head to his side at that, narrowing his eyes. "You have a point," he muttered to himself, though, of course, everyone heard and he continued to look thoughtful about something.
Bella mentions it was strange that it felt more like the way Jacob and her use to be even in his wolf form when she though it was the wolf thing that cause the loss:
"What does that mean?" Jasper narrowed his eyes.
"I don't know," Edward said, still thoughtful. "But I don't like it … it seems like they're connected …."
"They're not connected in any way," Alice said.
"Then what's going on, Alice?" Edward asked.
"I don't know," Alice said, frowning and looking thoughtful like Edward was. "I don't really understand the wolves at all."
"No, they always seem to be bringing in unpredictable things," Carlisle said.
"So, what do you think is going on here?" Edward asked.
"I don't think we can figure that out yet," Carlisle said. "There's not enough information."
"But you think something is going on?" Edward asked.
"I don't know that either," Carlisle said. "It just seems weird how she phrased the last sentence," he sighed and then started to read again.
O
Compromise
Mentions that Collin and Brady the youngest werewolves are only thirteen:
"That's just so sad." Esme furrowed her eyebrows.
"I could only imagine that they would make the change this young because of the danger they sensed they were in," Edward said, "especially seeing how many wolves who have already transformed."
"So, we won't let this happen in our reality," Carlisle said, determined.
Bella thinks that one way or another this would be over in 48 hours and that thought was comforting:
"What about the fact that we're going to crush them … isn't that comforting?" Emmett said.
"Obviously not for her," Rosalie said. "She doesn't seem to think we can handle it."
"Hmph, you know that is a little offensive," Emmett said, looking sad - something that hadn't happened much during the reading of this book.
Bella thinks she knows what human experience she was going to insist on before she becomes inhuman:
"Really … what's that?" Emmett asked evilly.
Edward shivered. "Whatever it is, I'm sure I'm not going to like it."
"Of course not, it wouldn't be fun if it was something you would like," Emmett laughed. "Though, I'm sure you would like it too."
"What?" Edward asked with a puzzled look in his face. "That doesn't make any sense."
"I'm sure it's something that you want, but because you're you, you would be against it," Emmett laughed.
Mentions Edward's lips found mind as he kicked the truck's door shut:
Edward looked tense about this, like he didn't think that was such a good idea. Seeing as he knew they were alone and with what Bella was thinking earlier - he could guess where this was going.
"I think you might be giving her ideas again," Emmett teased.
"I think the ideas might already be there," Alice laughed.
Mentions Edward's lips were not anxious, but enthusiastic now:
"Maybe you're having some ideas yourself," Emmett laughed.
"Of course, I don't," Edward said, glaring at him. "That's not going to happen."
"Well, if Bella puts her mind to it," Jasper teased, and Edward snapped his glared to him. "You know she could do just about anything."
"Argh," Edward hissed.
Bella thinks that getting her way wouldn't be as difficult as she expected:
"Damn," Edward said.
"Edward!" Esme reprimanded.
"Sorry, Mom," Edward apologized. He never did like to swear in front of Esme.
"I bet he's just mad because he knows what she wants now for sure," Emmett laughed. "I wonder if she gets some tonight …."
"No!" Edward hissed. "It's Never Going To Happen!"
"We'll see," Emmett laughed. "Do you want to make a bet on that?"
Edward just glared at him, real anger in his eyes. There was no way that Edward was going to be betting on anything … especially not this.
"How about you, Jazz?" Emmett asked. "Do think that Eddy can resist Bella's charms?"
Edward growled at him.
"Sure," Jasper said, looking at Edward. It was pretty convincing that he wasn't going to be changing his mind about this. "How about you … er … you can't make any jokes about Bella's clumsiness for a year if I win," he said and then looked over and knew that Emmett would never suggest it himself, "and I'll get that house that Rose wants if I lose."
Emmett thought about it for a second, he would really hate it if he lost, that was for sure, but in the end he said. "Okay."
Rosalie and Edward were smiling at Jasper when he set the terms, though it was for different reasons. However, Alice was frowning. What is he doing, she thought, this is by no means a sure bet and he's betting that big … Doesn't he realize that even Edward has his limits, and this is something that would tempt him too …
Edward growled at her.
"Oh, be quiet," Alice hissed back at him.
Jasper put his hand on her back and whispered in his thickest Southern accent - the others had some trouble understanding that, especially when he was whispering. "You're going to win a Porsche love, if I lose, I give them a house and if I win … well, we all know how much Emmett's going to whine …." he added the last part as he smirked at Emmett, who glared at him. He didn't need to know Jasper's exact words to know that he didn't like them.
"Okay," Alice smiled at him.
Bella thinks that Edward must be eager to give her, her non-present because he was moving so fast:
"I don't know, I think Eddy's mind might be on the same thing as yours," Emmett said.
"No," Edward hissed. "I'm never allowed to give her anything … I want to give her stuff."
"You know things are bad when Edward is acting younger than Emmett," Jasper laughed.
"Yeah, Edward, you're acting like a toddler throwing a tantrum," Alice laughed too.
"Hmph," was all Edward could say. It was clear that he wasn't going to like this chapter one bit.
Bella asks if they could discuss something, and she wants Edward to be open-minded:
"Somehow, I don't think that's going to happen," Emmett laughed, looking at the Edward in this room who seemed to be very closed-minded right now, "but, I'm sure you'll get through his thick skull somehow."
Bella says that she wants to start to talk about the ridiculous marriage condition:
"Oh," Alice said. "I think I can see how this is all going to work out."
"How?" Emmett asked.
"I'm not going to say," Alice smiled smugly at him, all the while quoting the entire work of Romeo and Juliet to keep Edward out of her head.
"Argh," Edward said. "Can you at least think of something different? That one's been in my mind enough already."
Alice smiled at him and started thinking about Wuthering Heights instead, but Edward glared at her worse than ever. Just kidding, she thought before beginning to list all the prime numbers.
Edward says that I've already made the largest concession by agreeing to change her and he's entitled to a few compromises:
"Er … but that's not even true," Emmett said. "I mean she's going to change no matter what … so it's not really that much of a difference if you do or not."
"It's a big difference to me," Edward said, his voice grave.
Edward says that he didn't realized that Bella wanted anything besides being turned into a monster:
"Really, Edward, you didn't notice that she wanted you?" Rosalie asked. "I would think that you've had enough people throw themselves at you in the past that you would notice the signs."
"She's not acting like any of those girls," Edward said, making a face at Rosalie's suggestion.
"No, but she has said on multiple occasions that she wants this," Rosalie countered.
Bella says that she's afraid that when she's changed that she wouldn't want Edward the way she wants him now:
"I wonder if that's true or not," Carlisle mused. He was unusually quiet this chapter, but it seemed that he and Esme had silently decided not to talk as much as possible during this chapter. Things were already hard enough on Edward as it was. However, with something like this, he couldn't stay quiet. "Her case is quite unique …."
"You think she would have an easier time than most newborns?" Jasper asked, smiling. It would definitely help him with his other bet.
"It's hard to say, but I'm interested to see how this plays out," Carlisle smiled.
Edward was now glaring at him like he'd rarely glared at his father before.
"Sorry, Edward, I can't seem to help myself," Carlisle frowned. "I am trying, but it's hard when I know that this will never happen and I still get to see the results …."
Edward's glare relaxed and he sighed, "Sorry."
Edward says I'm yours, but he's still oblivious:
"I can't believe how dense you are," Alice said, shaking her head.
"Yeah, and I always thought you were smart," Emmett chuckled.
Edward says I thought it would be something faintly realistic:
"But it's Bella, Eddy," Emmett said. "She always comes up with things you think are ridiculous."
"He has a point on that one," Jasper laughed.
Bella says you can ask for anything ridiculous thing you want like getting married, but I'm not allowed to even discuss this:
"Getting married isn't ridiculous," Edward grumbled, and Esme looked like she wanted to say the same thing, but again, it was obvious the 'adult' Cullens were trying to say as quiet as possible.
Bella thoughts after Edward says no, and that she suddenly wants to run from the room:
"Edward! You hurt her feelings," Alice chastised, and Esme had the same disapproving look on her face.
"She's being ridiculous … ." Edward said. "I can't … what am I supposed to do?"
"Well, not that," Rosalie said. "She put herself on the line there and you just rejected her like that … it must be awful."
Edward turns to hold her in his arms after he realizes he hurt Bella's feelings:
"Well, at least you're more observant than some people," Rosalie said.
"I never had that problem," Alice smirked. Her man was too observant sometimes.
Mentions of Edward kissing even lips did not leave my skin but moved to her throat:
"I'm not sure we should keep reading this," Esme said softly, Edward was pinching the bridge of his nose, looking more embarrassed than he ever had. "This is a private moment between Edward and Bella."
"Everything in here are Bella's private moments." Emmett pointed out. He was no longer pouting and was in high spirits again. "And Eddy is always in our heads. He can take this."
"Besides, I really don't think that Edward would give in so easily," Jasper said. "Let's read a bit more."
Edward stops and says what guarantee do I have that you won't go running off to Carlisle in the morning:
"Honestly, Edward, you know she wouldn't do that," Alice reprimanded.
"Sorry," Edward sighed. "I just …."
"No," Alice said. "She always keeps her word … besides, she wants more than just sex, Edward, she wants to be close to you."
Edward adds l am much less reluctant to give you want you want so you first:
"Wow, that one is seriously hard to believe," Jasper said. "You being the one more likely to change their mind."
"Well, we're all sure that Eddy really wants to do this too," Emmett laughed.
Edward says that's the deal, take it or leave it, compromise remember:
"So, you're going to blackmail her into marrying you?" Emmett laughed and then frowned. After another second, he shrugged and started laughing again. "This is worth giving a Porsche."
"I'm not blackmailing her!" Edward hissed.
Bella says a little bit, but not about getting married:
Esme was frowning. This really wasn't the way that she thought they would get engaged. She thought she would be at least able to cheer and hug Edward at the time.
Bella says traditionally shouldn't you be arguing my side and I yours:
"Perhaps, but you two aren't exactly traditional," Emmett laughed.
"And Edward always has too many morals than what's good for him," Jasper laughed too.
Bella says that he knew that he would win and that he always wins:
"No, I think you win your fair share, Bella," Emmett laughed.
"More than fair," Edward muttered. "She gets everything she wants …."
"You get to marry her," Emmett pointed out and Edward smiled uncontrollably.
Edward says he will try after Bella marries him:
"You wouldn't break that promise, would you?" Emmett laughed.
"No, I wouldn't do that to Bella," Edward groaned.
"But you might not 'try' that hard," Jasper pointed out.
Bella mentions she feels like a villain trying to steal some poor girl's virtue:
"Oh …." Emmett started to laugh hysterically and everyone else was laughing too. Edward was hissing as he closed his eyes, pinching his nose. "That's what this is about."
"You are so weird," Rosalie said shaking her head and laughing too, but she started reading all the same.
Bella says that's it, you're trying to protect your virtue:
"I don't think that's whose virtue he's trying to protect," Jasper said, laughing, but in some way defending of his almost-human-colored brother.
Edwards says trying to seduce a vampire:
Everyone laughed at that one. It was just too funny.
"Maybe we should give her a few tips on how to do that in …." Alice started.
"You will do no such thing," Edward said, "I can't really …."
"You're right, we'll have our work cut out for us to get her to change this stubborn idiot's mind," Rosalie laughed.
"It's not going to happen," Edward said, indeed stubbornly.
"We'll see," both Rosalie and Alice said.
Bella thinks get married this summer and if she was raised to shudder at the thought of marriage:
Edward frowned at this. "I was hoping she was going to be at least a little happy when she agreed to marry me."
"She is," Alice said confidently.
Edward says we'll go to Vegas:
"NO!" Alice screamed and glared at Edward. "What do you think you're doing?"
"You can't marry her in Vegas," Esme chimed in. She really didn't want to think of Edward's wedding being there.
"If Bella …." Edward started.
"You have to marry her the right way," Alice said. "She deserves better than that!"
"It's what she wants," Edward snapped back.
"She wants a real wedding … she just doesn't know it yet," Alice said confidently again, effectively ending the discussion.
Bella thinks that only Alice will be disappointed:
"That's not true," both Esme and Rosalie said.
"You think you're book self would want that too, babe?" Emmett asked.
"Yeah … if nothing else, it's an opportunity to dress up," Rosalie smiled, but everyone could see that she liked the idea of Edward getting married as much as anyone.
Bella says no to seeing the ring and regretted it when she saw Edward's face fall:
"Poor Eddy," Emmett said.
"Now you know how it feels to be rejected," Rosalie smirked at him, though it was clear she couldn't understand Bella's aversion to receiving jewelry.
Edward says this is the ring my father gave to my mother:
Edward smiled broadly. He knew that was the ring he would give her. Esme was starting to really smile - it was clear that the engagement wasn't exactly what she expected, but she was starting to really look excited about this.
Edward says I can get you something more modern, something from Tiffany's:
"Yeah right, Bella definitely wouldn't want that," Alice laughed, but Edward didn't seem to be listening - he was focusing fully on the book, like he was dying to hear Bella's reaction.
Bella says it's so pretty:
Edward smiled broadly, his face elated, "She likes it."
Esme's smile matched his own. "That's wonderful," she said and got up to hug her son. "Edward, I'm so happy for you."
Edward says keep in mind that you've already agreed to this, and don't ruin it:
"Oh … so now you're going to propose the proper way," Esme looked sharply at him, but she was in too good of a mood to hold that up.
Bella's thoughts of the things she would say but she just whispered yes:
"Yes!" Edward said and everyone smiled at him.
"I wished she said the gooey things … or said, 'no way man'," Emmett laughed. "But I guess this is okay too."
End of chapter:
"That's the end of the chapter," Rosalie said and Alice took the book from her.
"So, Em … it looks like you owe me a Porsche," Alice smirked at him. "Yellow, please."
"I guess," Emmett wrinkled his nose. "But what a way to lose."
"Well, it seems like you won my house," Rosalie said to him.
"Er … is that one decided yet?" Jasper asked.
"Nah … let's see if Eddy will actually pull through on that," Emmett laughed as Edward made a face at him. "That should be interesting."
O
Trails
Bella thinks that her plans for last night went awry and she needed to come to grips with the consequences:
"Yeah, you don't get to have your way with Eddy and you end up engaged to him … what a horrible outcome," Emmett laughed.
"And I'm sure she agrees with you," Edward smiled a little.
Bella thinks it's not big thing a road trip to Vegas:
Alice narrowed her eyes at that. "She doesn't really think I'd let her get away with that, does she?"
"Alice," Edward sighed, exasperated.
I will not let that happen Edward, Alice thought.
Billy says good luck Bella, and pass that along to the Cullens for me:
"Huh? … I didn't expect that one," Jasper said.
"We're fighting on the same side," Carlisle smiled. "Of course they would want us to win this time."
"Plus, they wouldn't want the other vampires to get around us so they could hurt either the wolves or the people that they're trying to protect," Edward added.
"Okay, that makes more sense," Jasper smiled.
Edward and Alice were having some kind of silent discussion:
Jasper laughed loudly at this and everyone looked at him questioningly. "Sorry … it's just that … well, Edward and you wouldn't be able to get away that anymore, with Bella having her keen eye on you."
"Yeah, no more silent conversations between you two freaks," Emmett added, now laughing hard too.
"We'll just have to tune things up a little when she gets here," Alice shrugged, non-phased by their laughter.
Alice says butt out Edward, this is between me and her:
"Er … aren't you going to be talking about my wedding with Bella?" Edward asked.
"Probably," Alice said in a tone that said 'and what's your point?'
"Right." Edward just rolled his eyes.
Bella thinks I could see that I had hurt her feelings and I defend myself:
Edward rolled his eyes at that, "She's just manipulating you."
"Hmph," Alice huffed. "No, I'm not. Okay, so I am, but that doesn't mean that I'm not hurt by this."
"And that we don't want a nice wedding for the two of you," Esme added.
Bella saying that it was Edward's idea:
Edward rolled his eyes again.
"Doesn't she realize that you just said that because you wanted her to agree?" Alice sighed.
Bella says fine you can come, there won't be much to see:
"Argh," Alice shuddered at that.
"You would rather go to Vegas, than not see them get married at all, though," Jasper reminded her.
"Yeah … but all that neon … argh," Alice repeated.
Bella says you'll owe me for a century:
"Ah, she agreed," Alice cheered.
"Not really," Edward said.
"I'm sure she will," Alice said.
"Oh, it's going to be a great wedding," Esme said excitedly. "I can't wait to see it."
"Er … you know this isn't really going to happen this way …." Edward said.
"Hush … just let me enjoy this," Esme scowled at him.
Edward says Emmett can get a clerical license off the Internet:
"Hm … I think that's a brilliant idea," Emmett laughed.
"You will not do that," Rosalie said, looking disgusted. "Vegas would be better than that."
"Come on, babe … it would be hysterical!" Emmett still laughed.
After Bella cut her hand and Edward says that this doesn't bother me anymore:
"Do you think it really doesn't?" Edward asked. He had obviously be looking to see any signs that she thought it was bothering his book self, but there really didn't seem to be anything there.
"It doesn't look like it," Carlisle said. "I wonder why that is."
Edward shrugged and says I got over it:
"Got over it?" Edward frowned. "Is that something that you can 'get over'?"
"No one would know the answer to that, Edward," Carlisle said, leaving out the part where humans in close proximity to vampires rarely lived long enough for anyone to find out. "But somehow I wouldn't think that was possible."
Bella mentions her wretched birthday party last September:
Again, Edward and Jasper flinched.
"Hm … this might explain why you've been more frisky this book," Emmett laughed and Edward's glare was more ridiculous than it was threatening because he was embarrassed too. "What? You've been all over her in this book."
"He does have a point," Alice chimed in. "You have been the one to start things more often in this book."
"Shut up!" Edward hissed at them.
Edward says my entire being shies away from any course that could insire that kind of pain again:
"Is that something that I have to live through?" Edward sighed, his head down and eyebrows furrowed.
"I don't know, Son," Carlisle said. "Your mind seems to already know that you could need her … that you could never hurt her like that, but your body … I guess we'll see when we meet her."
"I'm going to want to kill her when I first meet her," Edward said, his eyes going wide at the realization.
"No," Esme said. "You're stronger than that Edward. You didn't hurt Bella when she was just another girl in class and you're not going to hurt her this time around when you know that she's your other half."
"But … I'm still going to want to …." Edward cringed; the idea was very repulsive to him.
"Edward," Jasper said. "It's going to be difficult, and you can't change who you are, but you can control yourself if you put your mind to it."
Carlisle smiled at him, it was something that he reminded Jasper of many times. Jasper knew it would be best coming from him because he was the one that struggled the most. "Jasper is right, Edward … and you have been through a lot in these books. I'm sure that you must have learned some of the control necessary to deal with this."
"Right," Edward sighed.
Mentions Jacob was running while holding her in a steady pace:
"Hm … I wonder how strong the wolves are in their human forms," Carlisle mused. "Obviously, much stronger than a normal human, but not close to their wolf form … .Hm … ."
"Well, we're just going to have to befriend one of the wolves so you can do all your tests on them," Emmett chuckled.
"I would like that," Carlisle said wistfully.
Jacob says how do you know that's what you want and shouldn't you play the field:
"Why?" Alice asked. "When you find the one you want, you don't need to keep looking. You know that's what you really want."
Jasper smiled at her; she never knew what her life was like before she was turned, though now they had an idea. So the only person she knew to have been with was him and she definitely wasn't looking for anyone else.
Jacob says but we both have a job to do tomorrow, and I wouldn't want to leave the Cullens one short:
"Don't worry about it, Eddy's not going to be there anyway," Emmett said.
"That doesn't mean that they should fight," Esme snapped. "He had better behave himself."
"Yeah, or you're going to teach him a lesson," Emmett smiled.
Esme looked a little flustered at that, but said, "If I have to."
Bella thinks that if anyone gets hurt it will be her fault and that she was horrible for asking him to stay out of the fight, and she'll always know what she is capable of. And then she feels better after confessing this even if she could only to Jacob:
Edward was frowning at that, and not just because of what was said, but because of the last sentence.
"The poor girl," Esme said, furrowing her eyebrows. "I wish I could tell her that it's okay … that I understand."
"I'm sure you did, Mom," Edward said.
"But it wouldn't make Bella worry about this any less," Alice said. "Even knowing that everyone else would have made the same choice wouldn't make her feel better."
Jacob explains why he's second being more about lineage and why should it matter who his grandpa was:
"Looks like you were right, Edward," Carlisle said. "That's interesting … and it make sense, too."
"I don't know, just because you're born from a higher lineage, doesn't necessary mean you're better equipped to lead," Jasper said. He had to deal with some inept commanders in the army before he was turned. "But then again, it's different with them, isn't it? It seems that the pup was growing faster, bigger, and probably stronger than the others and his genes might have something to do with that."
Bella asks was Levi an Alpha too:
"Come on, there can't be two Alpha's," Emmett scoffed.
"If it's anything like real wolves, they would kill each other if that happened," Carlisle said. "No, that definitely wouldn't be a good thing."
Jacob explains that he doesn't want to be the leader and more and that he didn't take it when Sam offered:
"And you think that Sam wanted any of that either?" Edward questioned. "He seemed like he would have had a nice life … he wouldn't have broken his promise to Leah … and then he turned. He lost a lot in this too."
Carlisle was frowning, guilt in his eyes, knowing that there was nothing they could do for Sam now. He was already changed, he had already imprinted on Emily, and lost his control in front of her the one time. However, he still spoke to his son, "He has already found some kind of peace with himself as a werewolf. Jacob is still young, and though he seems capable of quite a lot, he is still impatient and jumps into things without thinking. I would think their pack would be stronger under Sam's command as long as Jacob his still so conflicted about everything."
"Whatever," Edward said, he didn't really look like he was interested in this. He was probably just trying to vent some of his anger with his last comment.
O
Fire and Ice
Bella stutters out what time is it with rattling teeth:
Edward groaned at that.
"What is it, Eddy?" Emmett asked.
"It had to be cold," Edward muttered. "The storm had to come tonight. Everything just has to go wrong."
"What's so bad about all those things?" Emmett asked.
"Because the mutt is going to have to help!" Edward growled. "And I'm just making it worse."
"Oh," Emmett said; although it was obvious that he was trying hard not to laugh at this, he didn't managed it.
Jacob says I'll have you sweating in no time:
Edward growled loudly at that.
"Er … maybe I should take the book from you again," Emmett said, trying not to laugh. He looked seriously concerned for the book's safety.
"I'm fine," Edward hissed.
"It looks like Edward's getting the hard chapters in this book," Jasper said. "Which really isn't a good thing …." he added with a smile, but he too was concerned.
"Just keep an eye on him, Jazz," Alice muttered, and Edward looked annoyed at all of them.
Mentions Edward's hand suddenly hard on Jacob's shoulder, restraining him:
"Edward … don't fight," Esme said, she looked sad when she said this. "I know it's difficult … but … well, he is right. She might freeze in this weather."
"I know," Edward said through gritted teeth. "I just can't stand this."
"I know," Esme sighed.
Jacob says of course you'd warm up faster if you took your clothes off:
Only Edward's years of control could have stopped him from crushing the into book dust at this sentence.
"Well, he is right …." no one would ever say that Emmett wasn't brave, because Edward's control didn't extend to this. He smacked his brother so hard that he crashed to the floor, his chair now in pieces.
"SHUT UP!" Edward started shouting, but it was obvious he was trying to control his anger.
Bella asks why Jacob is furry than the others and he says it's because his hair is longer:
"Hmm … . that makes sense," Carlisle said, his eye twinkled with amusement. "I wonder what he looked like the first time he transformed."
This, of course, caused Emmett to laugh loudly, and everyone else besides Rosalie, obviously, and Edward. He seemed too busy reading to care what Carlisle had just said.
Jacob says no you can keep an eye on everything else, while I take care of your girlfriend for you:
Edward made another face.
"I think she's warm enough … does the mutt really need to stay there like that?" Rosalie asked Carlisle. "I mean, if he just stays in the tent, shouldn't that work?"
"Well, I'm not sure," Carlisle said, "but she definitely wouldn't be as warm as she is now. Sorry … I don't know how the werewolf heat would affect her."
Edward says your head is full of questions which one do you want answered:
"Why would you answer anything he asked?" Rosalie asked, incredulous.
"I don't know," Edward said, "but I do owe him a lot …." he added grudgingly.
"What? You don't owe him …." Rosalie scoffed.
"He saved Bella in the last book … from depression and monsters alike," Edward said. "I owe him."
Jacob asks when you lost her forever how did you cope:
"He tried to kill himself," Alice hissed painfully. "The dog knows that."
"Maybe he was talking about when Edward left," Jasper pointed out. "In a way, Edward might have thought he lost her forever then too."
Edward says I'll never be able to make up for that, but I'll never stop trying:
"Edward … it's …." Esme started, but Edward shook his head.
"Mom, I've learned from my mistakes through the books, and she wasn't hurt by it," Edward said.
"It seems like you were," Esme said softly.
Edward almost smiled. "I feel the burden of my choices, my book-self's that is, but at the same time, I know it's not real … I think that helps. And I think it's better than learning the hard way."
Edward explains the second alternative, the one where he stays will Bella staying a human saying it was the alternative that he could easily face:
Rosalie frowned at that. It was the option that Edward was likely going to try and take in this reality, too, and she didn't think much of that. Though, it was obvious now, that she wanted to meet Bella as much as everyone else did.
Jacob says but I can see that you love her, in your way, I can't argue with that anymore:
"In my way?" Edward hissed at that.
"He thinks we're monsters," Carlisle explained in a calm voice. "He might even believe that we aren't capable of love."
Jacob says she could be human with Charlie and Renee, and she could grow up and have kids:
Rosalie frowned now at the mention of that. There was a part of her that, even though she hated the mutt with a fiery passion, wanted him to convince Bella to change her mind. She didn't want her to lose the future that was right in front of her. However, she wanted her brother to be happy too … she was seriously conflicted at the moment.
Edward says I even asked Alice if she could see that, if Bella would be better off with you, but she couldn't see it and Bella was sure of her course:
"You seriously asked that?" Alice made a face.
"If she could be happy … it would be better for her," Edward said heavily … it sounded like it cost him a lot to say.
"And she comes first for you," Esme smiled sadly.
Jacob says if you weren't a vampire who was planning to suck out the life of the girl I love … no not even then:
"I like his style better, Eddy. At least he's honest," Emmett laughed.
"I might be honest, too," Edward said.
"Er … . you just snorted at yourself a second ago," Emmett pointed out.
"Yeah, well, Edward has been the king of mixed feelings for a while now," Jasper pointed out. "I'm sure he could manage hating the pup's guts and somewhat liking him at the same time…if he wanted to."
Edward says she's quite inventive when she wants something:
"Yes, she has an excellent mind for things like that," Jasper said, looking excited.
"You really are looking forward to meeting her, aren't you?" Edward asked, looking at him bemused.
"Yeah," Jasper said, looking sort of embarrassed.