The Promise
by Laura Spudzmom
Chapter 23
As they watched the wolves edge closer around the tree they were in, Pete nudged Jasper as he looked down. “Look Uncle Jay!” he said loudly. “Puppies! Can I have one, huh, oh please, can I?”
Jasper snorted a laugh. “Hell no boy, they stink and they’d probably pee on the rugs. Doubt the little Mrs. would like that.”
The massive black wolf growled loudly and Pete snickered as he spoke to it. “Don’t go gettin’ your dander up Cujo, we was just pokin’ fun.”
Jasper leaned over the branch in front of him and peered down at the Alpha. “One a’ y’all’s gonna have to shift back to speak to us. We left the dog whisperer at home today.”
Pete could have sworn the black wolf rolled his eyes before he blurred and shimmered back to his human form and looked up with his arms crossed over his chest. “You’ve broken the treaty Cullen. You know what this means?”
Pete leaned over with a brow cocked. “Yeah, it means we did your job for ya. See that smolderin’ ash pile over yonder? That was three vamps that weren’t here to make nice. We had to come onto your lands to do it though. Now, ya really gonna hold that against us?”
The Alpha bristled. “We would have taken care of them,” he snapped.
“Really?” Jasper asked with an arched brow. “Just how long ya been chasin’ the red-headed bitch?”
The Alpha tensed. “You caught the red-head?”
“Sure did,” Pete said with a smug grin. “I killed her.” He jabbed a thumb at Jasper. “He took care of the two easy ones, ‘cause he’s gettin’ all soft and shit in his old age.”
Jasper punched him in the arm. “I’ll show you soft boy, just you wait till later.”
Pete shoved Jasper. “First, I don’t swing that way and second, you’re my uncle for fucks sake!”
Jasper sneered. “You know damn good and well what I meant, sarcastic little bastard…”
“Ain’t nothin’ little about me!” Pete argued back.
“Hey!” the Alpha yelled. “Jesus, you two are worse than some of these pups! Now can we focus here?”
Pete and Jasper shot one last glare at each other and looked back at the Alpha.
Sam nodded now that he had their attention. “I’ve decided to let this incident slide, but this is the only time I’ll make such a concession. And don’t think I didn’t notice the red eyes…”
Pete batted his lashes. “Oh, you like them? I’ve gotten several compliments…”
Sam growled and Pete held up his hands with a grin. “Sorry…sorry…but seriously, I only eat criminals…ya know, the kind that would rape and kill your girlfriend? That’s what I take care of.”
Sam shuddered visibly, but nodded. “Fine, but don’t go thinking we’re friends now or anything.”
Pete grinned. “Nothin’ doin’ Fluffy. Banish the thought.”
“Good,” grumbled the Alpha. “Now get the hell outta here. We’ll take care of clean up.”
The two jumped down from the branches and took off running. Pete glanced over at Jasper. “Don’t think I missed ya callin’ me boy again after I told ya not to.”
Jasper grinned wickely. “Any time you’re ready junior…”
As soon as they were off Quileute land, Pete pounced.
~o0o~
Bella sat in the empty living room, gently rocking little Holden as he napped in her arms. She traced a fingertip over the apple of his little cheek and marveled at him. She just couldn’t get over what a miracle he was and how grateful she was that he was here, in her arms and healthy.
The sound of quiet footsteps broke through her thoughts and she looked up to see Alice walk in and smile at her. “He’s such a beautiful baby Bella,” she whispered and Bella smiled brightly.
“Thanks Ali.” She kissed his sandy hued wispy curls and murmured, “I would have to agree with you.”
Alice laughed softly as she took a nearby seat. “Of course you would! Every mother would, no matter what, but in this instance, it’s the truth!”
Bella simply smiled as she stared at her son for a moment. Finally, she looked over to Alice and quirked a brow. “Where is everyone Ali? It’s been really quiet here for a while now. Are…are Pete and Jasper safe?”
She watched as her friend’s eyes went a bit glassy for a moment before a scowl took over her features and she focused back on Bella. “Well, the two stubborn asses we’re married to are just fine and should be walking through the door in ten or twenty minutes. Depends on when they decide they’ve had enough.” Her expression cleared and she continued after giggling quietly. “Carlisle and Esme took a recovering Edward and Charlotte for a hunt after lecturing them on the perils of too much tequila and Rose and Em are enjoying some alone time upstairs.”
Bella’s brows had inched up as Alice spoke. Had she just heard her correctly? “Thank god the guys are okay but did I hear ‘Edward’ in the same sentence as the phrase ‘too much tequila’, Ali? This I have to hear.”
Alice smirked and there was a wicked twinkle in her eyes as she answered. “Well, it seems that Charlotte decided some liquid comfort was in order, so she stole an entire case of tequila from the local liquor store and brought it back here. She was on her way to the attic when she heard Edward in his room. She went in to talk to him and things progressed from there. Long story short, they got along famously and in the process, got pretty hammered. Carlisle and Esme found them that way, took away the rest of the booze and took them for a hunt after they’d sobered up.” She grinned at a dumbfounded looking Bella and leaned forward as she continued. “The best part of the whole thing?”
“What?” Bella mumbled, still in shock over this development.
“They’re mates!” Alice chirped brightly as she sat back with a grin.
She watched as a grin bloomed on Bella’s face. “Oh, thank god!” she breathed. Then it dropped and she glanced at Alice sharply. “Wait, are you sure? ‘Cause you thought…”
Alice held up a hand with a nod. “I know, I know… I had thought at first that you were his mate, but it was the whole ‘singer’ connection that was messing with my perception. I mistook his draw to you as that of a mate.” Her face pinched. “I’m sorry for that Bella…”
“No Ali, I can totally understand the mistake. He was really drawn to me and I encouraged it with my damned curiosity. I know your visions aren’t perfect and you can only interpret what you see, and after seeing him alone all these years, and then the visions of the two of us… Anyone would have seen things the same way you did, I’m sure.”
Holden began to fuss and she laid him over her shoulder and patted his back. She looked back at her friend as she bit her lip. “Are you certain this time though Ali? I would hate to see him hurt yet again…”
Alice smiled softly, not offended at all at being questioned. “Well, earlier today I had a vision of them marking each other, so yeah, that’s pretty solid as far as proof goes. I’m not going to be telling them though. I’ve had enough of that. From now on, I’ve decided to stay out of such things. I’ll only get involved if lives are at stake.”
Bella cocked a brow. “Really? No more playing the stock market?”
“Pfft,” Alice said with a wave of a hand. “Hell yes I’m still gonna do that! How am I supposed to support my shopping addiction?” She scowled and her lip poked out a bit. “Jasper won’t let me touch our main accounts for that.” Her face brightened and she looked back at Bella. “Which reminds me—between the investments Pete’s made over the years and the stocks your grandmother had you buy during your little trip, you guys won’t ever have to worry about money. You’re loooooaded my dear.”
Bella’s eyes went wide. “Wow, I haven’t even thought about that. No shi..uh, no kidding?”
“No kidding,” Alice confirmed with a smile. “So…when we going shopping?”
Bella groaned and discreetly flipped a laughing Alice off.
The entrance of Carlise, Esme, Edward and Charlotte cut off their conversation and they focused on the group that had just joined them.
“Hi guys!” Alice greeted as they took seats and Esme smiled.
“Hello dear.”
Alice grinned over at a contrite looking Edward and Char. “How was your first hunt together?”
Bella stifled a grin as the two held hands and smiled shyly at each other. “It was wonderful,” Edward murmured as he stared at Charlotte.
“Awesome!” Alice chirped.
“That’s great to hear you two,” Bella said as she watched them and Charlotte smiled at her.
“Thank you Bella,” she said as she snuggled into Edward’s hold. He leaned over and kissed her head as he smiled.
“Uh, Bella?” Alice muttered with a slight frown. “You may want to give the baby to Esme for a little while.”
Bella studied her friend for a moment before glancing at Esme. “Do you mind taking him for a bit?”
Esme was already halfway to her when she answered. “Of course not dear. I would hold that baby all day if you’d let me!” she grinned as she eased him out of Bella’s hold. She turned to Alice. “Should I take him upstairs Alice?”
Alice met Bella’s eyes with a smirk as she answered Esme. “That’s probably a good idea.”
Bella tipped her head back and prayed for patience. She had a feeling…
Just after Esme left the room, they all heard the front door open.
“Just look at yourself! Clearly, I won.” Bella heard a very familiar voice grumble.
Another familiar voice answered. “I call bullshit ‘cause you ain’t lookin’ none too pretty yourself boy.”
“Yeah?” Pete snapped as he and Jasper entered the living room. “You ready to go again ya asshat? Quit callin’ me boy!”
Alice cringed and Bella gasped as she took in the two. “Oh my…jesus you two! Just look at the both of you!” She shot from her chair and pinned them both with a steely glare. “Tell me this was from killing Victoria or fighting with the wolves.”
The two Whitlocks eyed each other before turning their full attention to Bella. It was Jasper who began speaking first.
“Well, we took out Victoria and two newborns she had with her but we had to go over the treaty line to do it.” He shrugged.
“Oh, thank god she’s gone,” Bella breathed as she sagged in relief. When she’d calmed from that news, she looked back at them. “The wolves?” she asked.
“We didn’t fight ‘em,” Pete mumbled. “After talkin’ to the big black one, we worked it all out and we didn’t have to.” He glanced at an attentive Carlisle. “Your treaty’s still intact.”
Carlisle inclined his head. “Thank you for that Peter. I’m happy to hear it. More importantly, I’m happy to hear Victoria is gone and you both are safe.”
Bella crossed her arms over her chest as she studied the two filthy and disheveled males in front of her. They both looked like they’d been dragged through hell and back. It was so bad that the clothing they’d been wearing barely covered the important parts although, with the mud and debris that covered the two, it was tough to tell.
“So,” she drawled with an arched brow, “Care to share just how you both wound up in your current state? Because I get the distinct feeling the fight with the nomads wasn’t that intense for either of you.”
“Hell no it wasn’t,” Jasper said with a proud grin.
“Nope,” Pete agreed. “We kicked their a…uh, we beat ‘em, no problem sugar.”
She cocked a brow and gestured to them with a hand and Pete sighed. “He called me boy again after I warned him not to. I couldn’t just let that slide baby doll,” he finished in a plaintive tone.
“Well, compared to me, ya are a boy…” Jasper grumbled.
“There!” He pointed an accusing finger at Jasper. “Ya see how he is sugar?!” He glared at his uncle. “I’m older than you in human years ya teeny-bopper asshole. Don’t forget.”
Jasper shoved him, sprinkling the floor with dirt and debris where they stood. “Call me asshole again and I’ll remind ya where yours is when I plant my foot in it boy.”
Edward leaned over, murmuring to a smirking Char. “I really wish we could eat popcorn because that would make this perfect.”
Carlisle cleared his throat. “Edward,” he said with a shake of his head and Edward nodded with a smirk.
Bella shook her head with a sigh. “Stop it you two.”
They quit glaring at each other and looked back at her. “When are you both going to get over this and realize that no matter what, you’re family? Pete, I know it’s been very hard for you over these many years, but we can’t live in the past.”
He cocked a brow and smirked at that and she rolled her eyes. “You know what I’m saying so don’t be a smart-ass. What I mean is, we’re all different now. We’ve been changed by all that’s happened, but we’ve come out of it and we all still have each other. It’s time to get over it and move on…be happy…and we can’t exactly do that if we’re carrying grudges.”
Pete and Jasper glanced at each other and then back at her as they nodded.
“Great,” she said as she marched by. “Stay right there, both of you. I’ll be right back.”
When she was gone, Edward snickered at them and they both flipped him off at the same time. “Shut it candy-ass,” Pete grumbled and Jasper chuckled. “I like that. It fits,” he said with a glance over at Pete while Char tried to sooth a scowling Edward.
Carlisle sighed as he rubbed his eyes and wondered if he’d manage to survive the changing dynamics of his family just as Bella walked back in, handing each Whitlock a clean towel.
“Now,” she said with all the authority of a drill instructor, “You two head outside, strip, and hose yourselves off. Then you can come in and take a real shower. After that,” she held up a finger as she met their eyes, “You come back and clean up the mess you tracked from the door all the way in here and I don’t want to hear a peep out of either of you.”
They both smirked and she narrowed her eyes. “That doesn’t mean you can argue out of my range of hearing either. I still have everyone else that I’m sure are more than willing to rat you two toddlers out, so get busy. We’ll sit down and speak about everything like the adults we are when you’re finished.”
They glanced at each other as they shuffled out and she heard Jasper comment as they went. “Damn, and here I though my Ali was bad.”
Bella watched them go and rubbed her chest as pain flared through it. She tried to take a deep breath to ease the sudden nausea that gripped her but had to steady herself with a hand on the back of the sofa.
“Bella?” Carlisle questioned as he shot from his seat in alarm. He caught her just as she collapsed and sped up the stairs with her in his arms as he called back to Edward. “Son, get in here. I may need your help.”
“What is it Carlisle?” Edward asked as he rushed after him.
“Pulmonary Embolism,” he answered as he sped into the birthing room.
“Alice, get Peter, but keep him out of the way for now,” he instructed. He met her panicked gaze as he laid an unconscious Bella on the bed. “Just know,” he said gravely, “I may need him too.”
Chapter 24
Peter paced in the hallway just outside Bella’s door as Jasper leaned against the wall and concentrated on radiating calm. It wasn’t helping…at all.
“Pete.”
“What?” he growled on yet another pass by.
Jasper sighed and rubbed his forehead. “Never mind ‘cause I know tellin’ ya to calm down ain’t gonna work.”
Pete clenched his fists and punched a hole in the wall. “Damn right it won’t.” He glared at the closed door and the hushed, urgent voices he could hear within. “It’s been damn near twenty minutes since Alice came and got me. What the fuck’s going on? What’s takin’ so long?”
When Alice had knocked on the bathroom door and told him there was a problem, he’d thrown on some clothes and rushed into Bella’s room only to be told to wait in the hall by Edward of all people while Carlisle had been working frantically over Bella, the sight and scent of her blood throwing Pete into immediate shock as the door closed in his face.
Jasper shook his head, his expression solemn. “I’m not sure. I know it’s serious, but Carlisle’s the best Pete. If anyone can save her, it’s him.”
Pete pinned him with an icy gaze. “And if he can’t?”
Jasper returned that gaze with a steady one of his own. “Then he’ll call ya in to do what needs to be done. He knows how far he can take it. He won’t let her die.”
As they watched the wolves edge closer around the tree they were in, Pete nudged Jasper as he looked down. “Look Uncle Jay!” he said loudly. “Puppies! Can I have one, huh, oh please, can I?”
Jasper snorted a laugh. “Hell no boy, they stink and they’d probably pee on the rugs. Doubt the little Mrs. would like that.”
The massive black wolf growled loudly and Pete snickered as he spoke to it. “Don’t go gettin’ your dander up Cujo, we was just pokin’ fun.”
Jasper leaned over the branch in front of him and peered down at the Alpha. “One a’ y’all’s gonna have to shift back to speak to us. We left the dog whisperer at home today.”
Pete could have sworn the black wolf rolled his eyes before he blurred and shimmered back to his human form and looked up with his arms crossed over his chest. “You’ve broken the treaty Cullen. You know what this means?”
Pete leaned over with a brow cocked. “Yeah, it means we did your job for ya. See that smolderin’ ash pile over yonder? That was three vamps that weren’t here to make nice. We had to come onto your lands to do it though. Now, ya really gonna hold that against us?”
The Alpha bristled. “We would have taken care of them,” he snapped.
“Really?” Jasper asked with an arched brow. “Just how long ya been chasin’ the red-headed bitch?”
The Alpha tensed. “You caught the red-head?”
“Sure did,” Pete said with a smug grin. “I killed her.” He jabbed a thumb at Jasper. “He took care of the two easy ones, ‘cause he’s gettin’ all soft and shit in his old age.”
Jasper punched him in the arm. “I’ll show you soft boy, just you wait till later.”
Pete shoved Jasper. “First, I don’t swing that way and second, you’re my uncle for fucks sake!”
Jasper sneered. “You know damn good and well what I meant, sarcastic little bastard…”
“Ain’t nothin’ little about me!” Pete argued back.
“Hey!” the Alpha yelled. “Jesus, you two are worse than some of these pups! Now can we focus here?”
Pete and Jasper shot one last glare at each other and looked back at the Alpha.
Sam nodded now that he had their attention. “I’ve decided to let this incident slide, but this is the only time I’ll make such a concession. And don’t think I didn’t notice the red eyes…”
Pete batted his lashes. “Oh, you like them? I’ve gotten several compliments…”
Sam growled and Pete held up his hands with a grin. “Sorry…sorry…but seriously, I only eat criminals…ya know, the kind that would rape and kill your girlfriend? That’s what I take care of.”
Sam shuddered visibly, but nodded. “Fine, but don’t go thinking we’re friends now or anything.”
Pete grinned. “Nothin’ doin’ Fluffy. Banish the thought.”
“Good,” grumbled the Alpha. “Now get the hell outta here. We’ll take care of clean up.”
The two jumped down from the branches and took off running. Pete glanced over at Jasper. “Don’t think I missed ya callin’ me boy again after I told ya not to.”
Jasper grinned wickely. “Any time you’re ready junior…”
As soon as they were off Quileute land, Pete pounced.
~o0o~
Bella sat in the empty living room, gently rocking little Holden as he napped in her arms. She traced a fingertip over the apple of his little cheek and marveled at him. She just couldn’t get over what a miracle he was and how grateful she was that he was here, in her arms and healthy.
The sound of quiet footsteps broke through her thoughts and she looked up to see Alice walk in and smile at her. “He’s such a beautiful baby Bella,” she whispered and Bella smiled brightly.
“Thanks Ali.” She kissed his sandy hued wispy curls and murmured, “I would have to agree with you.”
Alice laughed softly as she took a nearby seat. “Of course you would! Every mother would, no matter what, but in this instance, it’s the truth!”
Bella simply smiled as she stared at her son for a moment. Finally, she looked over to Alice and quirked a brow. “Where is everyone Ali? It’s been really quiet here for a while now. Are…are Pete and Jasper safe?”
She watched as her friend’s eyes went a bit glassy for a moment before a scowl took over her features and she focused back on Bella. “Well, the two stubborn asses we’re married to are just fine and should be walking through the door in ten or twenty minutes. Depends on when they decide they’ve had enough.” Her expression cleared and she continued after giggling quietly. “Carlisle and Esme took a recovering Edward and Charlotte for a hunt after lecturing them on the perils of too much tequila and Rose and Em are enjoying some alone time upstairs.”
Bella’s brows had inched up as Alice spoke. Had she just heard her correctly? “Thank god the guys are okay but did I hear ‘Edward’ in the same sentence as the phrase ‘too much tequila’, Ali? This I have to hear.”
Alice smirked and there was a wicked twinkle in her eyes as she answered. “Well, it seems that Charlotte decided some liquid comfort was in order, so she stole an entire case of tequila from the local liquor store and brought it back here. She was on her way to the attic when she heard Edward in his room. She went in to talk to him and things progressed from there. Long story short, they got along famously and in the process, got pretty hammered. Carlisle and Esme found them that way, took away the rest of the booze and took them for a hunt after they’d sobered up.” She grinned at a dumbfounded looking Bella and leaned forward as she continued. “The best part of the whole thing?”
“What?” Bella mumbled, still in shock over this development.
“They’re mates!” Alice chirped brightly as she sat back with a grin.
She watched as a grin bloomed on Bella’s face. “Oh, thank god!” she breathed. Then it dropped and she glanced at Alice sharply. “Wait, are you sure? ‘Cause you thought…”
Alice held up a hand with a nod. “I know, I know… I had thought at first that you were his mate, but it was the whole ‘singer’ connection that was messing with my perception. I mistook his draw to you as that of a mate.” Her face pinched. “I’m sorry for that Bella…”
“No Ali, I can totally understand the mistake. He was really drawn to me and I encouraged it with my damned curiosity. I know your visions aren’t perfect and you can only interpret what you see, and after seeing him alone all these years, and then the visions of the two of us… Anyone would have seen things the same way you did, I’m sure.”
Holden began to fuss and she laid him over her shoulder and patted his back. She looked back at her friend as she bit her lip. “Are you certain this time though Ali? I would hate to see him hurt yet again…”
Alice smiled softly, not offended at all at being questioned. “Well, earlier today I had a vision of them marking each other, so yeah, that’s pretty solid as far as proof goes. I’m not going to be telling them though. I’ve had enough of that. From now on, I’ve decided to stay out of such things. I’ll only get involved if lives are at stake.”
Bella cocked a brow. “Really? No more playing the stock market?”
“Pfft,” Alice said with a wave of a hand. “Hell yes I’m still gonna do that! How am I supposed to support my shopping addiction?” She scowled and her lip poked out a bit. “Jasper won’t let me touch our main accounts for that.” Her face brightened and she looked back at Bella. “Which reminds me—between the investments Pete’s made over the years and the stocks your grandmother had you buy during your little trip, you guys won’t ever have to worry about money. You’re loooooaded my dear.”
Bella’s eyes went wide. “Wow, I haven’t even thought about that. No shi..uh, no kidding?”
“No kidding,” Alice confirmed with a smile. “So…when we going shopping?”
Bella groaned and discreetly flipped a laughing Alice off.
The entrance of Carlise, Esme, Edward and Charlotte cut off their conversation and they focused on the group that had just joined them.
“Hi guys!” Alice greeted as they took seats and Esme smiled.
“Hello dear.”
Alice grinned over at a contrite looking Edward and Char. “How was your first hunt together?”
Bella stifled a grin as the two held hands and smiled shyly at each other. “It was wonderful,” Edward murmured as he stared at Charlotte.
“Awesome!” Alice chirped.
“That’s great to hear you two,” Bella said as she watched them and Charlotte smiled at her.
“Thank you Bella,” she said as she snuggled into Edward’s hold. He leaned over and kissed her head as he smiled.
“Uh, Bella?” Alice muttered with a slight frown. “You may want to give the baby to Esme for a little while.”
Bella studied her friend for a moment before glancing at Esme. “Do you mind taking him for a bit?”
Esme was already halfway to her when she answered. “Of course not dear. I would hold that baby all day if you’d let me!” she grinned as she eased him out of Bella’s hold. She turned to Alice. “Should I take him upstairs Alice?”
Alice met Bella’s eyes with a smirk as she answered Esme. “That’s probably a good idea.”
Bella tipped her head back and prayed for patience. She had a feeling…
Just after Esme left the room, they all heard the front door open.
“Just look at yourself! Clearly, I won.” Bella heard a very familiar voice grumble.
Another familiar voice answered. “I call bullshit ‘cause you ain’t lookin’ none too pretty yourself boy.”
“Yeah?” Pete snapped as he and Jasper entered the living room. “You ready to go again ya asshat? Quit callin’ me boy!”
Alice cringed and Bella gasped as she took in the two. “Oh my…jesus you two! Just look at the both of you!” She shot from her chair and pinned them both with a steely glare. “Tell me this was from killing Victoria or fighting with the wolves.”
The two Whitlocks eyed each other before turning their full attention to Bella. It was Jasper who began speaking first.
“Well, we took out Victoria and two newborns she had with her but we had to go over the treaty line to do it.” He shrugged.
“Oh, thank god she’s gone,” Bella breathed as she sagged in relief. When she’d calmed from that news, she looked back at them. “The wolves?” she asked.
“We didn’t fight ‘em,” Pete mumbled. “After talkin’ to the big black one, we worked it all out and we didn’t have to.” He glanced at an attentive Carlisle. “Your treaty’s still intact.”
Carlisle inclined his head. “Thank you for that Peter. I’m happy to hear it. More importantly, I’m happy to hear Victoria is gone and you both are safe.”
Bella crossed her arms over her chest as she studied the two filthy and disheveled males in front of her. They both looked like they’d been dragged through hell and back. It was so bad that the clothing they’d been wearing barely covered the important parts although, with the mud and debris that covered the two, it was tough to tell.
“So,” she drawled with an arched brow, “Care to share just how you both wound up in your current state? Because I get the distinct feeling the fight with the nomads wasn’t that intense for either of you.”
“Hell no it wasn’t,” Jasper said with a proud grin.
“Nope,” Pete agreed. “We kicked their a…uh, we beat ‘em, no problem sugar.”
She cocked a brow and gestured to them with a hand and Pete sighed. “He called me boy again after I warned him not to. I couldn’t just let that slide baby doll,” he finished in a plaintive tone.
“Well, compared to me, ya are a boy…” Jasper grumbled.
“There!” He pointed an accusing finger at Jasper. “Ya see how he is sugar?!” He glared at his uncle. “I’m older than you in human years ya teeny-bopper asshole. Don’t forget.”
Jasper shoved him, sprinkling the floor with dirt and debris where they stood. “Call me asshole again and I’ll remind ya where yours is when I plant my foot in it boy.”
Edward leaned over, murmuring to a smirking Char. “I really wish we could eat popcorn because that would make this perfect.”
Carlisle cleared his throat. “Edward,” he said with a shake of his head and Edward nodded with a smirk.
Bella shook her head with a sigh. “Stop it you two.”
They quit glaring at each other and looked back at her. “When are you both going to get over this and realize that no matter what, you’re family? Pete, I know it’s been very hard for you over these many years, but we can’t live in the past.”
He cocked a brow and smirked at that and she rolled her eyes. “You know what I’m saying so don’t be a smart-ass. What I mean is, we’re all different now. We’ve been changed by all that’s happened, but we’ve come out of it and we all still have each other. It’s time to get over it and move on…be happy…and we can’t exactly do that if we’re carrying grudges.”
Pete and Jasper glanced at each other and then back at her as they nodded.
“Great,” she said as she marched by. “Stay right there, both of you. I’ll be right back.”
When she was gone, Edward snickered at them and they both flipped him off at the same time. “Shut it candy-ass,” Pete grumbled and Jasper chuckled. “I like that. It fits,” he said with a glance over at Pete while Char tried to sooth a scowling Edward.
Carlisle sighed as he rubbed his eyes and wondered if he’d manage to survive the changing dynamics of his family just as Bella walked back in, handing each Whitlock a clean towel.
“Now,” she said with all the authority of a drill instructor, “You two head outside, strip, and hose yourselves off. Then you can come in and take a real shower. After that,” she held up a finger as she met their eyes, “You come back and clean up the mess you tracked from the door all the way in here and I don’t want to hear a peep out of either of you.”
They both smirked and she narrowed her eyes. “That doesn’t mean you can argue out of my range of hearing either. I still have everyone else that I’m sure are more than willing to rat you two toddlers out, so get busy. We’ll sit down and speak about everything like the adults we are when you’re finished.”
They glanced at each other as they shuffled out and she heard Jasper comment as they went. “Damn, and here I though my Ali was bad.”
Bella watched them go and rubbed her chest as pain flared through it. She tried to take a deep breath to ease the sudden nausea that gripped her but had to steady herself with a hand on the back of the sofa.
“Bella?” Carlisle questioned as he shot from his seat in alarm. He caught her just as she collapsed and sped up the stairs with her in his arms as he called back to Edward. “Son, get in here. I may need your help.”
“What is it Carlisle?” Edward asked as he rushed after him.
“Pulmonary Embolism,” he answered as he sped into the birthing room.
“Alice, get Peter, but keep him out of the way for now,” he instructed. He met her panicked gaze as he laid an unconscious Bella on the bed. “Just know,” he said gravely, “I may need him too.”
Chapter 24
Peter paced in the hallway just outside Bella’s door as Jasper leaned against the wall and concentrated on radiating calm. It wasn’t helping…at all.
“Pete.”
“What?” he growled on yet another pass by.
Jasper sighed and rubbed his forehead. “Never mind ‘cause I know tellin’ ya to calm down ain’t gonna work.”
Pete clenched his fists and punched a hole in the wall. “Damn right it won’t.” He glared at the closed door and the hushed, urgent voices he could hear within. “It’s been damn near twenty minutes since Alice came and got me. What the fuck’s going on? What’s takin’ so long?”
When Alice had knocked on the bathroom door and told him there was a problem, he’d thrown on some clothes and rushed into Bella’s room only to be told to wait in the hall by Edward of all people while Carlisle had been working frantically over Bella, the sight and scent of her blood throwing Pete into immediate shock as the door closed in his face.
Jasper shook his head, his expression solemn. “I’m not sure. I know it’s serious, but Carlisle’s the best Pete. If anyone can save her, it’s him.”
Pete pinned him with an icy gaze. “And if he can’t?”
Jasper returned that gaze with a steady one of his own. “Then he’ll call ya in to do what needs to be done. He knows how far he can take it. He won’t let her die.”
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