Chapter Twenty Two

Bella

I had started out alone, with no idea if I could find anyone to help me, frightened, pregnant with a half-vampire baby growing in my womb and a couple of thousand dollars to my name. Looking around me as I sat on the couch in the Whitlock lounge I realised just how much things had changed. I was surrounded by people who loved me, eager to help in any way they could and by my side Jasper with our baby daughter in his arms and plenty of others only too eager for their chance to hold her and make a fuss of both Noelle and me. It had all been slightly overwhelming but when Esme told me Edward had sent word via a skipper at the boat yard where they stored their launch because he knew they would want to be here I decided I would give them a second chance, after all they were the only family Jasper had apart from Peter and Charlotte.

I still found it hard to believe it was Christmas, a season I always loved but now it would be even more special. It would mark the day my precious daughter was born and the day Jasper and I were finally reunited. I thought about my parents and how Noelle's birth meant I could never go home again. I would be denying them the chance to be Grandparents, nor could they be a part of my life any more.

Our daughter was a hybrid and Carlisle had explained exactly what that would mean

"She will grow much more quickly than a human baby both physically and mentally. Whatever gift she has, if any, will soon become manifest and she will need to be shown how to hide it and fit in with humans for her own safety and for yours. If the Volturi were to hear about her then there will be questions asked and she may well be called to Volterra to be examined and may even be kept there until she matures and can prove she is no threat to our kind. As you see, it will be too dangerous to involve your parents in her life, Bella. You must find a way of cutting yourself off from them I'm afraid. Perhaps you could tell them that you went off with Jasper instead of going to Japan, that the two of you are married now and you plan on living abroad. That way they need never know about Noelle and you can slowly distance yourself from them. It will be hard for you as I know how close you and Charlie are."

I hated to do that but it was the best way out of the situation. The thought of being Jasper's wife certainly appealed although we hadn't even discussed what to do now we were parents let alone marriage! Then right in front of everyone he went down on one knee and proposed. I know I blushed even as I nodded and then we kissed to seal the bargain.

"I am so sorry I don't have a ring for you yet but as soon as the snow melts I promise I will take you out and buy you one and then…..then we will find somewhere to get married and…"

He was halted by the laughter of everyone else and looked around self-consciously as Peter spoke up.

"For now you can call this home Major. Besides you will need someone to babysit while you go spin a tale to Bella's parents."

I hated the thought of leaving Noelle but Peter was right, just as Carlisle had been. Letting Charlie see our daughter would complicate matters too much.

"Ah, Bella. I know you chose Noelle's name and I love it but would you mind if I gave her a middle name too?"

"Of course not, Noelle just came to my mind as I saw her for the first time."

"It suits her, I'd just like to give her my mother's name too, Eve. She would have been so proud of her Granddaughter."

I smiled, it seemed fitting that she should carry a family name.

"Noelle Eve Whitlock, it's beautiful."

I was still tired so I went to bed leaving the others to carry on celebrating and as Noelle was wide awake I left her in Esme's capable hands. As Jasper helped me upstairs we saw Edward and Charlotte's friend Stephanie standing very close together through the glass door leading onto the porch.

"I think there might be romance in the air tonight and I don't just mean us."

I smiled,

"I hope so, Edward deserves some happiness after all he's done for us."

Once I was comfortable in bed Jasper lay down beside me.

"I asked Carlisle why you had been drawn to Colorado earlier."

"Oh, and what did he say?"

I was tired but interested to hear Carlisle's answer,

"He thinks it was the mating pull that drew you, either that or maybe Noelle felt the attraction to her father."

"I think I prefer the latter, she certainly recognises you."

It was true, she did. From the moment of her birth, she had watched Jasper as if he were very important to her just as he was to me.

"I miss her Jasper. I guess because it's the first time we have been separated. It's like she's always been a part of me and I guess she is now."

"She's a part of both of us, living proof of our love for one another. I still find it hard to believe that I helped to create her, she's so beautiful, so perfect."

"Yes, she is and very lucky to have you as her father."

I closed my eyes as tiredness and contentment washed through me. All the fear and loneliness was now gone and I was where I belonged, with my very own family.

Jasper

I waited until Bella was sleeping soundly and then went back downstairs to my daughter. She was in Rose's arms now and still looking as alert as ever. We had no idea how much vampire she had in her but her diet of animal blood and her need for little sleep gave us a clue. The strange thing was that when she was close to Bella she seemed more human and when she was with me or the others she manifested more vampire traits. It was almost as if she were a chameleon, adapting to the way the person she was closest too acted and appeared. I was certain that as she grew up our daughter was going to be full of surprises, but for now, she was our baby, the manifestation of our love for one another, Bella and me.

TO BE CONTINUED….