Chapter Sixty Three

Jasper

As we made our way back Carlisle stopped and asked me to sit down, so we made ourselves comfortable on a low stone wall and he looked thoughtfully across the countryside as he spoke,

"Alice asked to speak to me, Stefan is already dead and she knows that her time is fast approaching. I tried to persuade the others to allow her to stay, under my supervision, in Volterra. I pointed out how valuable she could be to us but to no avail, I think if she hadn't put Jamie's life in jeopardy perhaps Caius could have been swayed but that was just too much for him."

"What did Alice want to talk to you about?"

"Jamie funnily enough."

"Oh? And what about him, more lies?"

"No and to be fair I don't think she expected Stefan to go as far as he did. Alice has no hatred for your son, jealousy perhaps, but no hatred."

"Jealously?"

"Yes Jasper, like all the women in our world she misses the opportunities of having a child, someone of her own"

"Well she didn't do so well with me or Stefan so it's just as well Carlisle."

"Be that as it may I thought you'd like to know what she said about your son. Alice saw great things for him. She thinks he will be fully grown in a couple of years and then he will stop, you don't need to worry about him ageing quickly"

"You'll forgive me if I treat anything she says with scepticism"

"I don't blame you but she is giving you this information, not trying to bargain for anything. Perhaps its her way of making amends."

"Was that all?"

"No, he will take his place on the Volturi and be a very fair arbiter. He will have his fathers wisdom and his mothers scruples I think is the way she put it. You should be very proud of what you have created Jasper and very proud of the sacrifices you have made for him."

"I am Carlisle, I thank my lucky stars everyday for the precious gift Bella gave me. Now I just want to take my family home and start to live our own lives for a while. Enjoy every moment we share with Jamie. You should consider talking to Edward, you too deserve a life Carlisle."

"I'm not so sure Jasper, I caused Esme much pain over the years, perhaps I am paying for it now, well see. Take care of yourself and Bella and Jamie."

"I will"

Bella

Jamie and I were surprised to find the room empty and I worried something had happened then I saw Jazz and Carlisle walking slowly from the trees near the town walls back through the grounds of the building housing the Volturi. I turned hearing a discreet cough to see Caius standing in the doorway.

"Bella, Jamie, I thought you should know that we, the Volturi, found it necessary to dispense with the services of Alice Cullen and her mate Stefan, they won't trouble you again. I understand that you'll be leaving us soon but I hope you'll be coming back again to visit."

Jamie ran over to him, back to his usual self.

"Yes please. I want to go home but I'll miss you and Felix, and Grandpa"

"We'll be here whenever you want to visit Jamie, this is your home too."

I nodded to him as Jazz and Carlisle came in, Jazz looking so much better, and Jamie ran over to him gripping him tightly round the waist, God how he'd grown.

"Are we really going home Daddy?"

"Looks like it Cowboy. Just a couple more days, just to make sure you are OK. Then its back to life as normal"

I smiled at that and raised an eyebrow questioningly and he smiled that heart stopping smile I loved so much. He still looked thirsty and his scars were still standing out but if Jamie didn't need him any longer then he would soon recover.

It was soon apparent that Jamie was recovering from whatever kicked his system off kilter and when he slept he did so alone or at least just holding my hand or Jaspers, purely for comfort after sleeping cuddled up to Jazz for so long. Jasper's eyes were still tinged with red but it wasn't as vivid as it had been. When we told the others we were coming home they promised a surprise party for Jamie. Just before we left Carlisle took Jazz to one side and I could see Jazz smile at something Carlisle said to him. They shook hands in farewell and he walked back to me.

"So what was that all about?"

"Edward is visiting Volterra, he's left Gemma. I guess they weren't really suited to each other. Maybe now he'll find his true mate."

I looked at him suspiciously, there was more too it than that, but he didn't elaborate.

"Oh yes, we're all invited back for next Christmas. It seems both Caius and Felix have suddenly realized how much they'd been missing. I think the invitation was for Jamie really but we're welcome to tag along"

"Now that I can believe."

Felix drove us to the airport and Jamie clung to him for a few minutes before waving goodbye. To see the huge vampire and the little boy so close was amazing but then Jamie stole every heart he came in contact with, whether it beat or not! The flight back was long but Jamie kept us entertained with his co pilot routine. The number of times we were told to belt up or about the safety routine I lost count of until Jazz warned him of FAA regulations about the co pilot staying in the cockpit for an hour at a time.

"An hour?"

"It's about all I can manage for now darlin'"

He was right but that hour was wonderful as we became one again and I realized just how much I'd missed his body laying atop mine and his hands gliding over my skin. I just wished we'd had longer but the co pilot having done his hour refused to leave us again so we played charades and I spy!

Waiting at the airport for us were the entire gang and Jamie ran over to give them all a hug. I saw raised eyebrows at how much he'd grown but everyone was relieved he was fit and well again. Back at the house I was taken aback because there were no decorations, nothing special, but Charlotte pulled us to one side,

"Time to put Ear Defenders on"

Jamie went up to his room and we heard a yell of delight. A few minutes later he was back down in full Cowboy gear, down to chaps and a plastic water gun. Emmett and Peter pulled him out to the barn where our Christmas present to our son was waiting and when Jamie saw his pony he almost cried with delight,

"What's his name Daddy?"

"He's your horse, you get to name him"

Jamie thought about this

"I'm going to call him Hero"

"Hero, that's a good name for a horse."

"I named him after you Daddy, you are my hero"

I watched Jaspers face as he took this in, he looked stunned and pleased all at once.

"Come on folks"

We turned to see Emmett riding in an old Stage Coach,

"Jamie's party starts soon and we need to get there."

I climbed in with Rose and Charlotte while Peter led Jamie's pony to one side of the Coach while Jasper mounted Mr Blue on the other side. Peter then lifted his Stetson,

"Time to ride"

We set off for the river and a welcome home party we had thought might never happen.

THE END

Who would like a sequel? Jules x