Blood Moon

Chapter 7 - Misplaced Grief

Edward's POV

Leaving Bella was harder than I thought it would be. Even though she's no longer breakable and she is with someone I trust implicitly. Protecting her is so ingrained within me that it is difficult to let go.

I had to drive back to forks instead of run so it took a little longer to get there. The moment I arrived the family was gathered outside to greet me. Esme bounded down the porch and pulled me into a hug the moment I was out of the car, thinking to me, Is Bella alright? How is she handling everything? Is she upset with us? Oh my poor daughter.

I chuckled a little at her exuberance as I respond aloud, "Yes, she's fine. She is handling everything quite well and no she is not upset. Actually, I think she is grateful to Jasper for doing what I wouldn't do," frowning as I said the last part. I didn't have time to reflect more on that before Rosalie's thoughts invaded.

GRATEFUL! She's fucking GRATEFUL her life was taken from her! GRATEFUL that she'll never be able to have kids! GRATEFUL to be FOREVER FROZEN! NEVER CHANGING! STUPID NAIVE GIRL! Soon she will feel as Esme and I do and I will have no sympathy for her, Rosalie screams in her head as she tosses her hair and stomps away.

I'm distracted by her thoughts by Emmett pulling me into a bear hug "How's my baby sis? She hasn't had her first bear yet has she?"

"No Em, I told her she had to wait for you to go bear hunting."

"YES! This is going to be so much fun. I suspect that she's still going to be entertaining to have around even if she isn't always blushing and falling down!"Emmett says before turning around and following Rose in the house. I better go calm Rose down. She has been back and forth all week with sympathy and anger at Bella. I hope she gets over it soon.

Carlisle comes over, patting my shoulder to grab my attention thinking How did the rest of her change go? Has she spoken of it?

"No I thought I would save those questions for you. But it turns out that she's a shield. Eleazar believes it was a latent power so powerful that it prevented me from reading her mind even when she was human. When I left she was working with Kate and Eleazar on how to project it over other people."

How exciting! I can't wait to see my new daughter. Carlisle beamed, his scientific mind turning.

I turned to Alice noticing for the first time that she was looking a little down. Suddenly, as if she could hear my thoughts, she smiles and starts acting like her usual self. "So was Bella pleased with the outfit I picked out for her?"

"I think she was grateful you didn't put her in a dress and 6 inch heals," I reply with a chuckle. "Besides she ruined it during her first hunt anyways."

Typical. That one word seemed to be tinged with more sadness then it was worth.

"What's wrong Alice?" I asked hoping I'd get a glimpse of something in her thoughts. I thought I saw something but It was too fast to see anything other than Jasper.

"Nothing, I'm just worried about Jasper. He's taking this really hard." She said, finally letting her glumness through.

"As well he should," I said under my breath. Of course Alice still heard me and glared at me before taking off into the house.

"Edward, was that really necessary?" Esme says disapprovingly. "Whatever your feelings are for Jasper right now, I expect you to work through them because he is still a member of this family and when he returns to us, he will not be ostracized. Especially if what you say about Bella is true."

"Yes ma'am," I say with the right amount of remorse in my voice. If I have my say, Bella won't be spending any time with him. He's not the best influence on a newborn trying to learn our lifestyle since he can't even control his own thirst. He's probably encourage her to slaughter the town.