Elemental Goddess
by wizardtho
Chapter 7: Confusion
After Bella's heart rate slowed and her breathing evened out, I thought back to earlier today. My conversation with Peter didn't help me solve any of the riddle about My Darlin's elemental markings, but I knew that fucker knew more than he let on. He just told me that it wasn't anything to worry about, and that my mate was truly special. He told me to call him again when she fell asleep; he would tell me what he could then. Well, he’d better be prepared to start spilling. I reached over on the nightstand to retrieve my phone, dialing Peter. “ Start talking, Fucker.”
“Slow down, Major. I promised I would tell ya what I could, and I will,” Peter said. “There's a lot that I don't know yet, but our Bella will be a very powerful vamp after we change her. I don't know the specifics of her powers yet, but from the feelins I'm gettin', I doubt there'll be one to match our girl.”
I thought for a second about what he said. “You keep saying our and we. What do you mean?”
Peter sighed, then said slowly, “I mean that she's your mate, but she'll love Char and me, too. She'll need different things as time goes on. My passion and tenacity, and Char's ability to flow with what comes and lovin' caresses. Yes, she'll end up with all of us, and we'll be a tight group. You will be the center of her universe. She'll need those massages often. Keep tracin' both of those markin's on her back, yours more so. I don't know why, but ya need to make sure ya trace them at least twice a day... the more the better. More will appear, but I don't know when or why.”
This shit is crazy... he always has the ability to confuse the fuck outta me with his explanations.
“It doesn't make sense, though. She was born with earth, then we confess our feelings for each other and she has air. I was gone from her sight for less than 45 minutes, Pete. She went from one mark to two in that time, yet she didn't feel a thing. All she said was that when I trace it, it feels like a warm gentle breeze goes over her. I don't know... help me here.”
Peter sighed, then said, “Major, I don't have the answers yet. I don't know any more than I've already told ya. I promise to let ya know if I get any more feelin's. I know this is a good thing, though. She'll be your match in every way, Major. The three of us will be there to guide her, to love her. Don't worry none now. Just help her get done the things that need doin', so ya can get your asses to Texas. The sooner the better. Ya need to be here no later than next Thursday at midnight. I mean it, Major. Thursday midnight. Go curl up to our girl, and don't forget to trace those marks at least twice a day. Call when you can.”
Damn, something's going on if he's stressing a timeline to be out of Forks. “Thanks, Pete... give Char kisses for me. I'll remember.” Then the line went dead.
I thought about what needed to be taken care of before we left. Bella still had 3 parts to the pretest to get through. I knew she wouldn't need to have any classes between then and the GED. She was so smart, that there was no need. She needed to make a decision on a college, so that I could call Jenks and get an early admit letter drawn up. He's my go-to guy for all the papers... any type of legal document or forgery, he's the man. She'll also need to decide what she wants to take with us. Peter said something about shopping to her on the phone earlier, so I don't think she'll be wanting to take a lot. Once everything comes in, she'll have to sit down with Charlie.
I started tracing Bella's marks, getting lost in my thoughts, until around 4:30 when Charlie's phone went off. There have been a few killings in Seattle, and apparently, they wanted to know if Charlie could go help them out with the investigation. The murders seem to be linked. I heard him finish the conversation, then he got up. I hurried to make sure Bella was covered, then slid behind the closet door in case Charlie checked on her. Sure enough, on his way to the shower, he peeked in before shutting the door again. I climbed back into bed next to Bella, then went to tracing her marks, making sure to keep tabs on where Charlie was.
After brewing a pot of coffee, drinking 2 cups, reading the paper, and what sounded like writing a note for Bella, Charlie locked the house before climbing into his cruiser. When I was sure he was gone, I went down to retrieve the note. Sure enough, it was telling Bella where he would be, as well as asking her to please call and check in. He wasn't sure when he would be home, but the sheriff in Seattle would be giving Charlie lodging while he was there.
I placed the note on the nightstand next to my phone, grabbed the book I was reading while Bella was testing earlier, then curled myself back around her. She shifted as she whispered, “Jazz, where did you go?”
I looked down into her beautiful sleepy face, “It's still early. Charlie got a call from the sheriff in Seattle. They're having some trouble with a multiple murder case, so the sheriff asked if he could help with the investigation. Charlie wrote you a note before he left, and I just went down to get it, so I could put it next to my phone.”
She threw the blanket off her, saying sleepily, “I got hot and didn't feel you next to me. I thought you might have gone hunting, but the window is still closed. Can I lay on you, or would that bother you? I can open the window, if you'd rather. I'm just too uncomfortable to sleep.”
She blushed, bowing her head. She should never be embarrassed to ask me anything. “Darlin', you can most certainly lay on my chest if that will help you get comfortable. Any time you need something from me, you only have to ask and it's yours. Come here, Sugar.”
I repositioned myself up against the headboard, she straddled my lap with her arms and legs wrapped around me, then she laid her head over my still heart. She was still nude from earlier tonight, so I brought the blanket up to cover her waist. If she got chilly later, I could pull it higher. She sighed, radiating a lot of love and contentment as she breathed in my scent.
“Sleep, My Darlin'. I’ll wake you in a few hours,” I whispered into her hair, tracing her marks again with one hand while playing with a lock of her hair in the other. Soon she was sleeping peacefully again, so I got lost in my thoughts.
I was brought out of my thoughts abruptly when Bella started mumbling in her sleep. She started feeling lust as well as need. I knew she was having an erotic dream, but it was killing me that I couldn't share it with her. Maybe if she tells me what it's about, I can try and make it real for her.
“Jazz... (mumble)... so sexy … (mumble)... kissing Peter...” I chuckled internally. I guess our talk earlier has worked its way into her dreams.
I never thought I'd find someone that would be okay with me being with Peter and Char again. We had been extremely close before Alice. It wasn't just down and dirty sex, either. There were a lot of intimate moments, too. I don't want to get my hopes up, but Peter even said that Bella would be with all of us, needing all three of us intimately. I miss what I used to have with Peter and Char.
If Bella will be with us, as he says... mmm, I can't wait. Okay, think of something else, she needs her sleep.
I wonder what her powers will be. I already know she has some sort of shielding ability. Edward couldn't read her thoughts, and she is able to dampen her emotions so I can't read them... but what else can she do? No matter what, my mate will be an extraordinary vampire. I wonder when she'll want me to change her.
Wait... Peter said we would change her. Does that mean that they will be biting Bella also? I'll have to talk to him again to have him clarify. Maybe he just meant they would be there during the change. I hope whatever shield she has can help her not feel so much pain during the process. I'll need to try and help ease the pain... don't want my mate -my Bella- to feel that pain.
“Jazz... feels so good when you trace them.”
Oh, no. I must've woken her. “Darlin', are you awake?”
She nodded into my chest. “I didn't mean to wake you, Sugar. Peter said it was important that I trace your elements at least twice a day, but the more the better. I'll stop if you want me to. I just got lost in my thoughts while I did it.”
She cleared the sleepiness from her throat before whispering, “No, don't stop. When you touch them, I feel connected to you… and I like the warm breezy feeling. What time is it?”
I started tracing my random path over her elements again as I looked at the bedside clock. “It's almost 6:30, Darlin'. Are you ready to wake up?”
She shook her head as she buried it deeper in my chest, wrapping herself around me tighter. “No, can I just lay here while you touch them for another 30 minutes?”
I smiled and kissed her hair. She was starting to ask for things she needed. This is good, because I want her to be able to come to me when she needs something. “Of course, Darlin'. Nothing would make me happier than to hold you, as long as you need me to.”
She sighed in content as I trailed one hand up and down the expanse of her spine, while the other traced her markings for the next half hour.
BPOV:
I woke on Jasper's chest, with my arms and legs wrapped around him. I remember being hot, asking him if I could lay on him. I wasn't sure if he would want me hanging all over him, but he seemed pleased that I asked.
He really seems like he wants me to talk to him about things I want or need, so I'm gonna try to do that... not be so shy.
“Jazz... feels so good when you trace them,” I whispered, reveling in the feel of his touch on my skin.
“Darlin', are you awake?”
I nodded. “I didn't mean to wake you, Sugar. Peter said it was important that I trace your elements at least twice a day, but the more the better. I'll stop if you want me to. I just got lost in my thoughts while I did it.”
He sounded like he didn't want to stop, and when did he talk to Peter about them? I cleared my throat before whispering, “No, don't stop. When you touch them, I feel connected to you… and I like the warm breezy feeling. What time is it?”
He told me it was almost 6:30, then asked if I was ready to get up. I really wasn't. I just wanted to stay like for a little while longer.
I don't know what it was, but his touch just felt so good right now. I guess now's a good time to start asking for what I want.
“No, can I just lay here while you touch them for another 30 minutes?”
He kissed my hair, and sounded pleased when he said, “Of course, Darlin'. Nothing would make me happier than to hold you, as long as you need me to.”
I sighed, happy that he wanted this too, then snuggled further into him. I cleared everything from my mind, losing myself in his touch for the next little while.
“Jazz, why did Peter say that you needed to touch my marks like he did?”
He didn't stop, but said, “He didn't know why, Darlin'. He just said it was important, and I had to make sure I did it. The more the better, he said. Peter's never steered me wrong with the feelings he gets, Darlin'. When he tells you it's important, you better believe it is. He said that we shouldn't worry about them, that it was good, but he didn't know exactly what the good was. His answers always end up being riddles inside riddles, which gives me more questions than answers. I'm sorry I can't give you any real answers yet, Sugar.”
He must have had some serious talk with Peter. “When did you talk to him, Jazz? I know you couldn't have gotten all that from the 2 minutes on the phone earlier.”
He laughed, “No. I talked to him while you were sleeping. I laid next to you the whole time, while you slept peacefully. Do you remember I told you about Charlie leaving for Seattle? You didn't seem quite awake when I told you.”
I thought about it, “Yeah, I think you said he needed to go help Sheriff Jackson with a multiple murder case... right?”
He smiled, nodded, then handed me the note.
...
Bells,
Sheriff Jackson is having a really hard time on a big case in Seattle, and he asked if I could come give him a hand with the investigation. I don't know how long I will be gone. It might be a few days. I'll be staying at Sheriff Jackson's while I'm there. Please keep your cell phone on you at all times, and call me to check in so I know you are okay. Please be safe.
Dad
…
I handed him back the note while saying, “Wow... it sounds like they really needed him to go. I hope he's able to help with whatever this case is. Sheriff Jackson and Charlie have been friends since high school. They went through the training academy together. I know he wouldn't ask Charlie to come if it wasn't really important. Can you hand me my phone, please?”
I sat up on Jasper's lap, dialing Charlie when I was given my phone. He answered on the second ring, “Hey, Dad. I just wanted to let you know I got your note.”
I could hear him excuse himself for a moment, “Hey, Bells. I'm glad you got it. I'm sorry about having to leave like that, but they needed me out here. Please promise me that you will stay safe, and if you don't want to be alone in the house that you will go to a friend's. I know you're responsible, so if you are okay there, I don't mind.”
I smiled... Charlie was always the same. “No Dad, I'm okay here alone. I'll keep my phone on me, and you know I won't be out at night. I'll keep the doors and windows locked, plus I’ll check in with you before I go to bed every night, okay?”
It sounded like he sighed in relief, “Yeah, Bells. Thanks... you know your old man worries about you. I can't help it. Listen, I have to get going. I'll talk to you tonight... be safe.”
I smiled, “I will, Dad... you be safe, too. Bye.”
I flipped my phone shut, then got up to put my phone on the charger. I crawled back on top of Jasper, kissing him sweetly. Sitting up, I said, “Good morning, Cowboy. What's on the agenda for the day?”
He gently ran his fingertips up and down my arms, smiling. “Your dad loves you very much, even if he doesn't say it. I can tell,” he said with a sly smirk.
I knew he was talking about his empathy. “I know... Charlie and I have never been the type to be mushy about our feelings for each other. He knows I love him, just like I know he loves me. It's all good.”
He kissed my nose, then said, “Well, as for today's agenda, I thought I could fix you breakfast. After breakfast, we could shower together and get dressed. Then, if you want to do any more work on your testing, that would be a good idea. If not, we could go to the mall. I need to get a few more clothes. I only have 3 sets in my duffle that were not Alice-approved. After all that, it's really up to you, Darlin'.”
I thought about what I wanted to do. “Okay. Do you think we have time to do the testing and shopping? My wardrobe is in about the same condition as yours, but I don't have much in my savings, so I'm only going to get a few things. It shouldn't take that long.”
He frowned slightly, then said, “I think we might have time for both if your testing doesn't take too long. Isabella, I know you don't like to have people buy unneeded things for you, but would you allow me to help with getting you things you do need? You need the clothes like I do, but I would rather you keep your savings for buying Charlie Christmas presents or things like that. We don't have to go crazy and buy out a whole store. We'll need to wait until we get to Texas to do the bigger shopping, but I would like it if you would let me help.”
I traced my fingers along his jaw, lifting it so he would look at me. He thought I was going to be angry.
I guess it's understandable since I always refused... but all of the things Alice and Edward did were so frivolous -unneeded.
“Jasper, Honey, look at me. Yes, I will allow you to help. Just don't go buying me $10,000 earrings or $20,000 bracelets every other week. All that stuff is unneeded and just plain crazy. You're right... I would like to keep my savings for presents and things like that. Now let's get going so we have enough time. I need a human moment, so can you please take my laptop, phone, and their chargers down to the kitchen? I want to try doing the testing at the table, to see if it helps with my muscle soreness.”
I kissed him lovingly for a few moments, then he playfully swatted my ass. I grabbed my robe, then dashed to the bathroom.