The Promise
by Laura Spudzmom
Chapter 21
Bella felt her heart lurch in her chest at the look on Jasper’s face. It was a mixture of regret and sympathy, which had her instantly bracing for the worst. She placed her hand on her husband’s arm to quiet his low growl and met Jasper’s eyes, her gaze steadfast as she spoke. “Tell me.”
“He was patrolling the outskirts of town when his cruiser left the road and hit a tree. He radioed for help and has been transported to the hospital.”
She carefully handed Holden to Pete and sat up, running a hand through her hair before meeting Jasper’s eyes again. “Tell me the rest Jasper. The man is a damn good driver. He wouldn’t simply lose control and hit a tree. I also doubt the wolves would involve themselves in a simple car accident, so stop feeding me information with a teaspoon and spit it out.”
Jasper, once again, was impressed with this little slip of a girl. Damn, she was tough, and she was right; it was time to stop underestimating her strength. “The wolves are involved because it was Victoria that caused the accident.” A quiet gasp was her only reaction, and he continued. “They had been pursuing her when she decided to run Charlie off the damn road. One of them phased and stayed with Charlie while the rest of them kept after her, but they lost the bitch when she dove into the ocean. Jacob Black says it seemed like Charlie may have suffered a heart attack from this Bella, but Carlisle is the best sugar. If anyone can help him pull through this, it’s him.”
Pete looked between Jasper and his wife who had both hands over her face as she quietly tried to come to terms with this new information. “Just what the hell’s goin’ on here and who is this Victoria?” He glanced again between the two and growled lowly at the continued silence.
Finally, Bella dropped her hands into her lap and met his eyes, the fury in her gaze shocking as she answered him, her tone quiet and intense. “Victoria is the mate of the vampire that gave me this mark.” She held up her wrist that displayed the crescent left there by James in what felt like lifetimes ago. “Edward sucked out the venom…” She ignored his snarl and continued, “…and Jasper and Emmett destroyed him for attacking me…”
Pete cut her off, nodding as he muttered, “…and now she wants you dead in retribution.”
She watched in alarm as her husband’s eyes darkened, his top lip pulling back to show one razor sharp fang as he snarled at Jasper, his tone venomous and accusing. “Why the hell didn’t you deal with the bitch when you destroyed her mate Major?” He handed his son back to Bella and stalked toward his uncle, stopping only when they were nose to nose. “You—the all knowing and wise Major Jasper Whitlock—you, the expert on vampires…” He shoved a stoic Jasper back a couple of steps. “You knew she’d be a threat, so what gives?” He poked him in the chest, his tone mocking. “Huh, Major?”
Bella watched, wide-eyed and disbelieving, as her husband needled his uncle whose head was down and fists clenched at his sides as he fought his instincts and anger. “I don’t run my own coven any more boy, and I was voted down when I suggested takin’ care of her.” He raised his head and met his nephew’s hate-filled gaze. “My hands were tied at that point, but I did what I could to keep Bella safe until she left to go to you.”
Pete’s lip curled. “You don’t do nothin’ half way do ya Uncle? You were the biggest bad-ass on the planet and now you’re the biggest pussy.”
Bella gasped. “Peter Whitlock!” She kept her eyes locked with her husband’s as she spoke. “Jasper, could you excuse us please, and take Holden with you for a bit?” She ignored Pete’s disapproving growl and handed the sleeping infant to his great-uncle who cradled the baby gently and left the room after telling her that he’d let her know about Charlie as soon as he got word from Carlisle.
As soon as the door closed, she laid into Pete. “Look…” she sighed tiredly, her shoulders sagging as she continued, “…I know Jasper has a lot to make up for, but he’s changed and you need to leave the past in the past and get over this hatred. I’ll be the first to admit that he was a real bastard back then…”
Pete cut her off with a disgusted scoff. “You don’t know the half of it sugar.” His eyes bled to black in an instant at the memories. “It ain’t somethin’ I’ll be talkin’ about anytime soon either, so you’ll just have’ta take my word for it.” He pinned her with his gaze that was heated with the intensity of years worth of rage. “If ya can’t do that, we’ll just have’ta agree to disagree. I ain’t about to forgive that fucker anytime soon. I don’t give a shit how much he’s supposedly changed. He could turn himself into mother-fuckin’-Teresa and it still wouldn’t matter to me.”
She looked away and the words she spoke next pierced his heart with pain and guilt. “And what if I had that same attitude toward you husband? What if I couldn’t find it in my heart to forgive all the women in your past? We were each other’s first’s… you are my only.”
Pete reached the bedside in two long strides where he hit his knees and circled her waist with both arms as he laid his head in her lap. “I’m sorry baby, so sorry. I know I don’t deserve your love or forgiveness…”
She looked down at him and her heart broke all over again for what they’d all been through as she ran her fingers through his sandy-blond hair.
Jasper, she knew, had been a good man when that bitch Maria had turned him into a heartless killing machine, but he’d finally managed to escape, with Pete’s help, and turn his life around. Pete had also been a good man—a man she’d loved—whom she still loved, with all her heart and soul… She had been an innocent school girl until her life was touched by the supernatural—and now, here they all were and she was determined to see them all through this and see them through it in a way they would all be better and stronger for in the end. She couldn’t let the hate reign. She would battle it and win, but she had to get through to her stubborn and scornful husband first.
Now that she was over her initial pain and anger at Jasper, she could clearly see the wisdom of her grandmother’s words in that last letter. They all had to forgive in order to move forward and heal, and she would see it done, even if she had to plant a proverbial foot in her stubborn husband’s ass to do it. They had all been through too much to screw it up now with hate. One more hurdle to go—and yes, she saw Victoria as just a hurdle—and she would have her happily-ever-after, damn it. She’d kick anyone’s ass who told her any different.
Her voice was quiet as she spoke to her husband, who still clung to her as if she might disappear. “Peter Whitlock, I still say you’re a good man.” He opened his eyes and gazed up at her as she smiled down at him softly. “Stubborn as a mule for sure, but still a good man. That’s why I know that you’re gonna do the right thing and forgive your uncle…” She held up a finger when his brow furrowed and he looked about to protest. “No sir—you’ve had your say husband and it’s my turn now.” He relaxed back, his expression almost petulant, but he remained quiet so she continued with a satisfied nod as her fingers ran through his hair once again. “Baby, do you want a happy life with me from here on out?”
He sat up and caressed her cheek. “More than anything sugar.”
She nodded and grasped his hand as she looked into his eyes. “Do you really think that can happen without all of us letting go of the pain and hate?” He looked down and she tilted her head down to catch his gaze again. “Be honest.”
He sat back and dropped his head into his hands with a frustrated growl. “Probably not…”
She chuckled. “Pete…”
He threw up his hands and looked at his smirking wife. “Okay! It’d be damn hard to do with as pissed off as I’ve been all these years, but you honestly expect me to just let all that go?!”
She crossed her arms over her chest and stuck out her chin and he knew he’d fucked up with that question. “How many Peter Whitlock?”
“How many what sugar?” he mumbled as he looked away.
“Women.”
He dropped his head on the mattress and she didn’t move as she gave him time to process. “Damn,” he mumbled.
“What was that honey? I didn’t quite catch it.”
He straightened up and looked at her in resignation. “All right darlin’, I get your point.”
She leaned over and kissed him softly. “I love you Pete. I really just want to put all of the ugliness behind us and get on with living. We have a son to raise and a future to be getting on with and I’m not about to let anything stand in the way of that, so don’t make me have’ta kick your ass.”
She smiled as he chuckled and pulled her into a passionate kiss which he ended with a soft peck as he spoke. “Yes Ma’am. We’ll get right to that as soon as I kill this bitch that’s after ya.”
He stood and fluffed her pillows. “Now Mrs. Whitlock, ya just sit back there and get some rest while I go take care of that little problem. You’re gonna need your energy when it’s time to go see your Pa and show off our son.”
She looked at him with raised brows. “Now?” she spluttered.
He shrugged one shoulder. “Well, yeah. She already messed with your Pa and I ain’t about to put up with any more of her shit, sugar. This ends tonight. Good ol’ Uncle Jasper may be a member of a pacifist coven, but I have no such constraints baby doll.” He reached down and gently nudged her mouth shut with a finger under her chin. “No body fucks with the Whitlock family.”
She grabbed his hand. “But Pete, there are things that you need to know! I don’t want you getting hurt! There are wolves on the reservation and you can’t go on their land! You’re a human drinker and they’ll kill you for that!”
He looked dubious. “Ya mean, like they’ve managed to kill the bitch that’s after ya?” He patted her hand. “Don’t worry about me sugar, I’ll be just fine.”
She tugged his hand, her look pleading as she spoke. “The wolves are just kids Pete and most are my friends. Please don’t hurt them.”
He cocked a brow at her and nodded. “We’re gonna sit down soon and discuss your choice of friends darlin’ but until then, I promise not to hurt ‘em, leastways not too much anyway.” She eyed him and he sighed. “They’ll live through it with no permanent damage, deal? It’s the best I can do sugar, ‘cause if Red runs onto their land, I’m not gonna just let her go ‘cause of some invisible line. Somethin’ tells me that’s how she’s been playin’ with everyone here so far, by runnin’ back and forth over this magic line and it’s just plain idiocy to let her keep gettin’ away with it.”
She nodded, easily seeing his point, but no matter how logical it was, she still worried. “I can’t lose you now Pete.” She met his eyes. “Please keep yourself safe.”
He smiled. “I will darlin’. I just got ya back. No way am I gonna let anything screw that up.”
“Good. Now, before you go, will you do something for me? Please Pete?”
He hung his head in defeat because he knew what was coming and he also knew that he couldn’t deny her. “What’s that, sugar?”
“Take Jasper with you?”
He glanced up at her through his lashes and nodded. “All right sugar, if that’ll ease your mind about this whole thing, then I’ll drag the ass… er, good ol’ Uncle Jasper along.”
He looked like a petulant kid in that moment and Bella smirked. “Thank you honey. Now give me a kiss and go play nice with the others.”
He shot her a dark look. “Mrs Whitlock, you’re fortunate that you’re recoverin’ from givin’ birth to my son, otherwise I’d be putting ya over my knee right now.”
She smirked and cocked a brow at him. “Is that right husband?”
He leaned down, gave her a soft, sensual kiss and murmured against her plump lips, “That’s right wife.”
Sliding one hand into the silky hair at the nape of his neck, she kissed him deeply, drawing a groan from him as he felt his body respond. He drew away with a soft peck and she laughed softly as she answered his last statement, her voice husky with lust. “I look forward to it… after we employ some form of birth control.”
He closed his eyes and reached down to adjust himself in his pants. “Damn woman, now you’re just bein’ mean.”
She leaned back against the pillows with a smirk at his distress. “No more than you are for bringing it up.”
A knock at the door brought an abrupt end to their banter as Carlisle stuck his head in and entered when Bella waved him in. “How are you feeling Bella?”
“Sore and tired, but I’m doing well. Worried about Charlie too. How is he Carlisle? You treated him, right?”
He took the chair by the bed and nodded. “Yes, I did. He had a mild heart attack from the shock of the accident, but he’s doing well and resting comfortably now. You’ll be able to see him tomorrow if you like.”
She glanced at Pete who was frowning. “That’ll depend on how successful I am in takin’ out the red-head tonight. I don’t wanna give her the opportunity to ambush ya enroute. It’s much easier to keep you and little Holden safe here.”
Bella sighed and nodded. She had to agree. Her life was one thing, but the life of their baby son… there was just no way she would risk him, not even to visit Charlie.
He leaned down and kissed her quickly. “On that note, I’ll be leavin’. The sooner I get rid of the problem, the sooner we can get on with livin’.”
“Be careful Pete, please? And remember to take…”
He sighed and nodded. “I know, I know… take Jasper with me,” he grumbled on his way to the door. “Ass still insists on callin’ me boy though, so if he comes back lookin’ worse for wear, that’ll be why.”
“Pete…,” Bella raised a brow and he nodded as he opened the door.
“I’ll be nice,” he grumbled.
She smiled and blew him a kiss as she said, “Love you honey.”
“Love you too sugar,” he said with a genuine smile as he closed the door behind him.
She looked back at Carlisle who was watching her with a small smile in place. “It seems that you’ve both settled back into your marriage quite comfortably, even after all this time.”
She smiled softly with a nod. “I hope it remains that way. I’m sure that we both have many things still to work out, but our love is strong, and it’ll see us through, I’m sure of it.”
He leaned forward and took her hand. “I’m happy for you Bella. I can see that you love each other very much and as you say, as long as you have that, everything else can be worked out.” He cocked his head with a fond chuckle. “I hear a little one beginning to protest his empty stomach. Lie back so that I can make sure your uterus is staying firm and I’ll send Esme up with the baby right after.”
She sighed and shot him a dark look. “Ya just had to go and ruin the moment with your doctor duties, didn’t ya?”
He laughed. “Afraid so my dear.”
~ooo~
Jasper looked up as Pete walked into the living room, sharing a loaded glance with his wife as Charlotte jumped up and rushed him. He held her at arms length with a scowl on his face as she bombarded him. “Pete! I’m sorry! I know ya told me to stay home, but I just couldn’t! I love ya, ya know I do! Please, let’s leave and go home! I can make ya happy if you’d just give me the chance! Please…”
His voice was firm as he gave her a slight shake. “Char! Stop it! Ya need to get it through your head—there ain’t never gonna be nothin’ between us ‘sides me treatin’ ya like a little sister. That’s all I’ve ever felt for ya, and that’s all I’ll ever feel for ya! Get—that—through—your—head!”
Her expression turned enraged as she slapped him and backed away. “All this time… all this time I’ve waited and hoped that you’d come around—and for what?! I’ve been loyal to ya Pete, through everything, because I’ve loved ya for so damn long and now your gonna throw me away for some little human tramp!”
She gasped as she found herself pinned to the wall with Pete’s hand on her neck in the very next second, his eyes black with rage, his voice low and lethal as he spoke. “That’s my wife your talkin’ about. Now, I’ve always had a soft spot for ya Char, but I’ll burn ya where ya stand if ya ever speak that way about her again, ya hear? If I catch even a hint that ya may be thinkin’ about harming a hair on her head, I won’t think twice about endin’ ya, am I makin’ myself clear?”
Her eyes wide with fright, she nodded as best she could as talking was impossible with the grip he had on her throat. He backed away and dropped her in a heap, turning immediately to Jasper. “I got a red-head to kill and I agreed to takin’ ya with me.” He turned without another word and made for the front door as Jasper gave Alice a quick kiss and followed.
Bella felt her heart lurch in her chest at the look on Jasper’s face. It was a mixture of regret and sympathy, which had her instantly bracing for the worst. She placed her hand on her husband’s arm to quiet his low growl and met Jasper’s eyes, her gaze steadfast as she spoke. “Tell me.”
“He was patrolling the outskirts of town when his cruiser left the road and hit a tree. He radioed for help and has been transported to the hospital.”
She carefully handed Holden to Pete and sat up, running a hand through her hair before meeting Jasper’s eyes again. “Tell me the rest Jasper. The man is a damn good driver. He wouldn’t simply lose control and hit a tree. I also doubt the wolves would involve themselves in a simple car accident, so stop feeding me information with a teaspoon and spit it out.”
Jasper, once again, was impressed with this little slip of a girl. Damn, she was tough, and she was right; it was time to stop underestimating her strength. “The wolves are involved because it was Victoria that caused the accident.” A quiet gasp was her only reaction, and he continued. “They had been pursuing her when she decided to run Charlie off the damn road. One of them phased and stayed with Charlie while the rest of them kept after her, but they lost the bitch when she dove into the ocean. Jacob Black says it seemed like Charlie may have suffered a heart attack from this Bella, but Carlisle is the best sugar. If anyone can help him pull through this, it’s him.”
Pete looked between Jasper and his wife who had both hands over her face as she quietly tried to come to terms with this new information. “Just what the hell’s goin’ on here and who is this Victoria?” He glanced again between the two and growled lowly at the continued silence.
Finally, Bella dropped her hands into her lap and met his eyes, the fury in her gaze shocking as she answered him, her tone quiet and intense. “Victoria is the mate of the vampire that gave me this mark.” She held up her wrist that displayed the crescent left there by James in what felt like lifetimes ago. “Edward sucked out the venom…” She ignored his snarl and continued, “…and Jasper and Emmett destroyed him for attacking me…”
Pete cut her off, nodding as he muttered, “…and now she wants you dead in retribution.”
She watched in alarm as her husband’s eyes darkened, his top lip pulling back to show one razor sharp fang as he snarled at Jasper, his tone venomous and accusing. “Why the hell didn’t you deal with the bitch when you destroyed her mate Major?” He handed his son back to Bella and stalked toward his uncle, stopping only when they were nose to nose. “You—the all knowing and wise Major Jasper Whitlock—you, the expert on vampires…” He shoved a stoic Jasper back a couple of steps. “You knew she’d be a threat, so what gives?” He poked him in the chest, his tone mocking. “Huh, Major?”
Bella watched, wide-eyed and disbelieving, as her husband needled his uncle whose head was down and fists clenched at his sides as he fought his instincts and anger. “I don’t run my own coven any more boy, and I was voted down when I suggested takin’ care of her.” He raised his head and met his nephew’s hate-filled gaze. “My hands were tied at that point, but I did what I could to keep Bella safe until she left to go to you.”
Pete’s lip curled. “You don’t do nothin’ half way do ya Uncle? You were the biggest bad-ass on the planet and now you’re the biggest pussy.”
Bella gasped. “Peter Whitlock!” She kept her eyes locked with her husband’s as she spoke. “Jasper, could you excuse us please, and take Holden with you for a bit?” She ignored Pete’s disapproving growl and handed the sleeping infant to his great-uncle who cradled the baby gently and left the room after telling her that he’d let her know about Charlie as soon as he got word from Carlisle.
As soon as the door closed, she laid into Pete. “Look…” she sighed tiredly, her shoulders sagging as she continued, “…I know Jasper has a lot to make up for, but he’s changed and you need to leave the past in the past and get over this hatred. I’ll be the first to admit that he was a real bastard back then…”
Pete cut her off with a disgusted scoff. “You don’t know the half of it sugar.” His eyes bled to black in an instant at the memories. “It ain’t somethin’ I’ll be talkin’ about anytime soon either, so you’ll just have’ta take my word for it.” He pinned her with his gaze that was heated with the intensity of years worth of rage. “If ya can’t do that, we’ll just have’ta agree to disagree. I ain’t about to forgive that fucker anytime soon. I don’t give a shit how much he’s supposedly changed. He could turn himself into mother-fuckin’-Teresa and it still wouldn’t matter to me.”
She looked away and the words she spoke next pierced his heart with pain and guilt. “And what if I had that same attitude toward you husband? What if I couldn’t find it in my heart to forgive all the women in your past? We were each other’s first’s… you are my only.”
Pete reached the bedside in two long strides where he hit his knees and circled her waist with both arms as he laid his head in her lap. “I’m sorry baby, so sorry. I know I don’t deserve your love or forgiveness…”
She looked down at him and her heart broke all over again for what they’d all been through as she ran her fingers through his sandy-blond hair.
Jasper, she knew, had been a good man when that bitch Maria had turned him into a heartless killing machine, but he’d finally managed to escape, with Pete’s help, and turn his life around. Pete had also been a good man—a man she’d loved—whom she still loved, with all her heart and soul… She had been an innocent school girl until her life was touched by the supernatural—and now, here they all were and she was determined to see them all through this and see them through it in a way they would all be better and stronger for in the end. She couldn’t let the hate reign. She would battle it and win, but she had to get through to her stubborn and scornful husband first.
Now that she was over her initial pain and anger at Jasper, she could clearly see the wisdom of her grandmother’s words in that last letter. They all had to forgive in order to move forward and heal, and she would see it done, even if she had to plant a proverbial foot in her stubborn husband’s ass to do it. They had all been through too much to screw it up now with hate. One more hurdle to go—and yes, she saw Victoria as just a hurdle—and she would have her happily-ever-after, damn it. She’d kick anyone’s ass who told her any different.
Her voice was quiet as she spoke to her husband, who still clung to her as if she might disappear. “Peter Whitlock, I still say you’re a good man.” He opened his eyes and gazed up at her as she smiled down at him softly. “Stubborn as a mule for sure, but still a good man. That’s why I know that you’re gonna do the right thing and forgive your uncle…” She held up a finger when his brow furrowed and he looked about to protest. “No sir—you’ve had your say husband and it’s my turn now.” He relaxed back, his expression almost petulant, but he remained quiet so she continued with a satisfied nod as her fingers ran through his hair once again. “Baby, do you want a happy life with me from here on out?”
He sat up and caressed her cheek. “More than anything sugar.”
She nodded and grasped his hand as she looked into his eyes. “Do you really think that can happen without all of us letting go of the pain and hate?” He looked down and she tilted her head down to catch his gaze again. “Be honest.”
He sat back and dropped his head into his hands with a frustrated growl. “Probably not…”
She chuckled. “Pete…”
He threw up his hands and looked at his smirking wife. “Okay! It’d be damn hard to do with as pissed off as I’ve been all these years, but you honestly expect me to just let all that go?!”
She crossed her arms over her chest and stuck out her chin and he knew he’d fucked up with that question. “How many Peter Whitlock?”
“How many what sugar?” he mumbled as he looked away.
“Women.”
He dropped his head on the mattress and she didn’t move as she gave him time to process. “Damn,” he mumbled.
“What was that honey? I didn’t quite catch it.”
He straightened up and looked at her in resignation. “All right darlin’, I get your point.”
She leaned over and kissed him softly. “I love you Pete. I really just want to put all of the ugliness behind us and get on with living. We have a son to raise and a future to be getting on with and I’m not about to let anything stand in the way of that, so don’t make me have’ta kick your ass.”
She smiled as he chuckled and pulled her into a passionate kiss which he ended with a soft peck as he spoke. “Yes Ma’am. We’ll get right to that as soon as I kill this bitch that’s after ya.”
He stood and fluffed her pillows. “Now Mrs. Whitlock, ya just sit back there and get some rest while I go take care of that little problem. You’re gonna need your energy when it’s time to go see your Pa and show off our son.”
She looked at him with raised brows. “Now?” she spluttered.
He shrugged one shoulder. “Well, yeah. She already messed with your Pa and I ain’t about to put up with any more of her shit, sugar. This ends tonight. Good ol’ Uncle Jasper may be a member of a pacifist coven, but I have no such constraints baby doll.” He reached down and gently nudged her mouth shut with a finger under her chin. “No body fucks with the Whitlock family.”
She grabbed his hand. “But Pete, there are things that you need to know! I don’t want you getting hurt! There are wolves on the reservation and you can’t go on their land! You’re a human drinker and they’ll kill you for that!”
He looked dubious. “Ya mean, like they’ve managed to kill the bitch that’s after ya?” He patted her hand. “Don’t worry about me sugar, I’ll be just fine.”
She tugged his hand, her look pleading as she spoke. “The wolves are just kids Pete and most are my friends. Please don’t hurt them.”
He cocked a brow at her and nodded. “We’re gonna sit down soon and discuss your choice of friends darlin’ but until then, I promise not to hurt ‘em, leastways not too much anyway.” She eyed him and he sighed. “They’ll live through it with no permanent damage, deal? It’s the best I can do sugar, ‘cause if Red runs onto their land, I’m not gonna just let her go ‘cause of some invisible line. Somethin’ tells me that’s how she’s been playin’ with everyone here so far, by runnin’ back and forth over this magic line and it’s just plain idiocy to let her keep gettin’ away with it.”
She nodded, easily seeing his point, but no matter how logical it was, she still worried. “I can’t lose you now Pete.” She met his eyes. “Please keep yourself safe.”
He smiled. “I will darlin’. I just got ya back. No way am I gonna let anything screw that up.”
“Good. Now, before you go, will you do something for me? Please Pete?”
He hung his head in defeat because he knew what was coming and he also knew that he couldn’t deny her. “What’s that, sugar?”
“Take Jasper with you?”
He glanced up at her through his lashes and nodded. “All right sugar, if that’ll ease your mind about this whole thing, then I’ll drag the ass… er, good ol’ Uncle Jasper along.”
He looked like a petulant kid in that moment and Bella smirked. “Thank you honey. Now give me a kiss and go play nice with the others.”
He shot her a dark look. “Mrs Whitlock, you’re fortunate that you’re recoverin’ from givin’ birth to my son, otherwise I’d be putting ya over my knee right now.”
She smirked and cocked a brow at him. “Is that right husband?”
He leaned down, gave her a soft, sensual kiss and murmured against her plump lips, “That’s right wife.”
Sliding one hand into the silky hair at the nape of his neck, she kissed him deeply, drawing a groan from him as he felt his body respond. He drew away with a soft peck and she laughed softly as she answered his last statement, her voice husky with lust. “I look forward to it… after we employ some form of birth control.”
He closed his eyes and reached down to adjust himself in his pants. “Damn woman, now you’re just bein’ mean.”
She leaned back against the pillows with a smirk at his distress. “No more than you are for bringing it up.”
A knock at the door brought an abrupt end to their banter as Carlisle stuck his head in and entered when Bella waved him in. “How are you feeling Bella?”
“Sore and tired, but I’m doing well. Worried about Charlie too. How is he Carlisle? You treated him, right?”
He took the chair by the bed and nodded. “Yes, I did. He had a mild heart attack from the shock of the accident, but he’s doing well and resting comfortably now. You’ll be able to see him tomorrow if you like.”
She glanced at Pete who was frowning. “That’ll depend on how successful I am in takin’ out the red-head tonight. I don’t wanna give her the opportunity to ambush ya enroute. It’s much easier to keep you and little Holden safe here.”
Bella sighed and nodded. She had to agree. Her life was one thing, but the life of their baby son… there was just no way she would risk him, not even to visit Charlie.
He leaned down and kissed her quickly. “On that note, I’ll be leavin’. The sooner I get rid of the problem, the sooner we can get on with livin’.”
“Be careful Pete, please? And remember to take…”
He sighed and nodded. “I know, I know… take Jasper with me,” he grumbled on his way to the door. “Ass still insists on callin’ me boy though, so if he comes back lookin’ worse for wear, that’ll be why.”
“Pete…,” Bella raised a brow and he nodded as he opened the door.
“I’ll be nice,” he grumbled.
She smiled and blew him a kiss as she said, “Love you honey.”
“Love you too sugar,” he said with a genuine smile as he closed the door behind him.
She looked back at Carlisle who was watching her with a small smile in place. “It seems that you’ve both settled back into your marriage quite comfortably, even after all this time.”
She smiled softly with a nod. “I hope it remains that way. I’m sure that we both have many things still to work out, but our love is strong, and it’ll see us through, I’m sure of it.”
He leaned forward and took her hand. “I’m happy for you Bella. I can see that you love each other very much and as you say, as long as you have that, everything else can be worked out.” He cocked his head with a fond chuckle. “I hear a little one beginning to protest his empty stomach. Lie back so that I can make sure your uterus is staying firm and I’ll send Esme up with the baby right after.”
She sighed and shot him a dark look. “Ya just had to go and ruin the moment with your doctor duties, didn’t ya?”
He laughed. “Afraid so my dear.”
~ooo~
Jasper looked up as Pete walked into the living room, sharing a loaded glance with his wife as Charlotte jumped up and rushed him. He held her at arms length with a scowl on his face as she bombarded him. “Pete! I’m sorry! I know ya told me to stay home, but I just couldn’t! I love ya, ya know I do! Please, let’s leave and go home! I can make ya happy if you’d just give me the chance! Please…”
His voice was firm as he gave her a slight shake. “Char! Stop it! Ya need to get it through your head—there ain’t never gonna be nothin’ between us ‘sides me treatin’ ya like a little sister. That’s all I’ve ever felt for ya, and that’s all I’ll ever feel for ya! Get—that—through—your—head!”
Her expression turned enraged as she slapped him and backed away. “All this time… all this time I’ve waited and hoped that you’d come around—and for what?! I’ve been loyal to ya Pete, through everything, because I’ve loved ya for so damn long and now your gonna throw me away for some little human tramp!”
She gasped as she found herself pinned to the wall with Pete’s hand on her neck in the very next second, his eyes black with rage, his voice low and lethal as he spoke. “That’s my wife your talkin’ about. Now, I’ve always had a soft spot for ya Char, but I’ll burn ya where ya stand if ya ever speak that way about her again, ya hear? If I catch even a hint that ya may be thinkin’ about harming a hair on her head, I won’t think twice about endin’ ya, am I makin’ myself clear?”
Her eyes wide with fright, she nodded as best she could as talking was impossible with the grip he had on her throat. He backed away and dropped her in a heap, turning immediately to Jasper. “I got a red-head to kill and I agreed to takin’ ya with me.” He turned without another word and made for the front door as Jasper gave Alice a quick kiss and followed.
DISCLAIMER: Twilight and its inclusive material is copyright to Stephenie Meyer. Original creation, including but not limited to plot and characters, is copyright to the respective authors of each story. No copyright infringement is intended.