Bella MacLeod's Twilight Fanfiction

The Bodyguard

By BetterInTexas

Chapter 08:

Bella POV

He was different. He had already started to change near the end of my Forks time. His hair had been looser, jeans had been more worn. He smiled more often, at least at me. I admit I wasn’t ready for this type of transformation. He looked so relaxed. Old boots, old jeans and a hooded sweatshirt. His eyes were still gold I noted. I wondered when Ty told me Jasper left Alice if he would have resorted to feeding from humans.

“You look good Bella…”

“Are you fucking stupid Jasper?!” May as well get this out there.

“Uh… I don’t think so?”

“You told my fiancé, the father of the child inside me that you wanted me? Why the hell would you do that? And killing cops? For real? What was that all about Jasper? How did you even know I was here?”

I seem to have taken him off guard. Oh well. I was a bit upset. Okay I was pissed off about some issues going on around here. I mean I appreciated his help but damn…

“Hey I came here to help you! My friend Peter and his mate Charlotte came to me. Said you would be in trouble soon cause of some sort of stupid shit Edward planned to pull. I wanted to help.”

“Why?”

“What do you mean why? You want me to leave say the word.” He was grinning. He knew I couldn’t. If it was just me… now I had a baby and Ty and… damn it!

“Why are you here?” I asked a bit calmer.

“Apparently Ty has told you about my feelings for you. I don’t want to see anything happen to you. I sure as hell don’t want anything to happen because of Edward or Victoria.”

“How did you know I was in Houston?” I asked. I already knew. He was watching me. Has been since I left Forks. I wanted to see if he would admit to it.

“I’ve been keepin tabs on you.” Okay. Let’s see how far your honesty goes.

“You faked attacking me on my birthday. You manipulated Alice into leaving you instead of just leaving her yourself. You manipulated Edward. Could you tell me why the hell I should trust you?”

The grin was gone from his face.

“What choice do you have? Edward wants you. I just want you happy. Are you Bella? Happy?”

What the fuck?

“Hell yes I’m happy. I’m weeks away from marrying the man I love. The one man who has always been completely honest with me. Who doesn’t try to turn me into something I’m not. Who doesn’t manipulate others to get what he wants. The father of my unborn child. A man who can grow old by my side. The strongest gentlest man I have ever met. We are going to be millionaires. I’ll never have to worry about my children not being taken care of financially before they are ever born. I have a great career ahead of me. A chance to run charitable organizations that can make a difference in others lives. Ty and I are already working on one to help families of kids with severe burns and another mentoring program. Of course I’m happy. You know that. You’ve been watching apparently.”

“Really? Cause it seems to me you are still hiding. Just like when you were with Edward. You are hiding who you really are.”

“Hiding from what?!” I screamed in a whisper.

“Hiding from what you are supposed to be. You weren’t born to be a housewife. You were born for something greater.”

He just stepped closer to me. I was inches away. I admit before Ty burst in my room I would have wrecked this man. I seriously would have given him the best fuck of his two hundred years. But that was then. Things change.

“What would that be?” I asked, taking a step back, my senses on high alert.

He stepped closer.

“You know…”

“Jasper…” I whispered. He stepped closer inches from me.

“Yes Bella?” he said quietly.

“Back the fuck off!” I yelled a bit too loud. A few cats screeched.

Jasper took a couple steps back and at least looked a bit ashamed.

“Sorry darlin. You are a bit intoxicating though. Lost my manners for a bit. But seriously. What are you doing?”

“What the hell do you mean?” I had no idea where he was going but I knew what he was capable of. When it came to manipulation Jasper was better than Edward. Smarter. That made him more dangerous.

“You. This is you? This is what you wanted to be? Married? You hated the idea of marriage. I didn’t even think you liked kids. Sports agent? Really? You are telling me you grew up wanting to be a sports agent? I get it Bella. You love him. But you have a tendency to become whatever the person you love needs. You carry his children, you take care of his contracts, coach him on his interviews, fuck him when he wants it… I just got to wonder where you are in this? Because I don’t see this.”

“You don’t have to.” I pointed out getting angry again. Who the fuck does he think he is?

“What do you want to be Bella?”

“I’m doing exactly what I want to do.” I told him firmly.

“You say so. You know what kind of life these guys lead. All the time on the road. What are you going to do when he cheats on you? Constantly. It’s a matter of time. He’s a star. A celebrity. Those guys always cheat on their wives.”

“Yeah like guys who leave because they want their wife’s best friend in high school.” I told him pointedly.

He said nothing for a moment.

“Touche Bella. But in my defense I didn’t want you until we came back. I had already been planning on leaving her.”

“Sure. And she didn’t see that?”

“Keeping a range of possibilities in your mind and not choosing one until the last moment is a simple way of counteracting Alice.”

I suppose that did make a bit of sense.

“Jasper what exactly do you think I should be?”

“What do you want to be?”

“What I am. Ty told me your thoughts on vampires. Two or three years ago I would have argued with you. Told you how great being a vampire must be. How romantic and adventurous. Now I can honestly say I would rather be dead than a vampire. Children? Maybe I didn’t plan on it but it happened and ever since I found out I can’t imagine not having this child inside me. Sports agent? Honestly I didn’t have a certain career I was interested in to begin with. I never have. This is more than I dreamed. I am doing it because I enjoy it and I love him and I can take care of us. We are a team. You know anything about that?”

“You were born to be a vampire.” He said, meeting my eyes.

“Vampires aren’t born, they are made.” I said meeting his eyes.

“Then you were made to be a vampire.”

“No I am not! You sound liking fucking Edward!”

That at least seemed to break him out of whatever mood he had been in. He looked away from me.

“He will cheat on you.” He whispered. “Maybe not tomorrow or next year but it is going to happen. Being a vampire sucks. I told him that. But with you… we could always have each other. We could claim each other. Neither of us would be able to cheat. It would be impossible. Maybe eternity wouldn’t be so bad. He will cheat on you Bella. You don’t deserve that.”

“If he does I will deal with it. That’s human Jasper. Things like that happen. We deal with them. Cancer happens. Divorce happens. Violence happens. It’s the world we live in. I know a war buff like you has seen the movie Troy?”

He nodded his head.

“Remember what Achilles said? I didn’t really like the movie but our friends wanted to see it. I did pay attention to Brad Pitt’s body. One thing Achilles said struck me. Stayed with me. Because it reminded me of vampires. Want to guess what that was Jasper?”

He nodded his head slightly and spoke.

“The gods envy us. They envy us because we’re mortal. Because any moment might be our last. Everything’s more beautiful because we’re doomed. You will never be lovelier than you are now. We will never be here again.”

“Exactly. I need your help. I admit it. I am grateful for it. But no games Jasper. No more. I am begging you here. No more games. I am so tired of them. If you really love me in your own way you will stop. No more killing people who harm me. No more telling my fiancé that you want me and approaching him in the dark when he is alone trying to do whatever it is you were trying to do. No more. Can you do that for me? If not I suppose I will have to approach Edward and figure out some way to stop Ty from being hurt in all this. Ty and my child. I don’t know what else to do.”

“You won’t have to do anything of the sort Bella. I wouldn’t let you. I know what I am going to do.”

“What?”

“I am staying with you and Ty. No games. When Victoria and Edward show themselves I will kill them both. You will be free. You will never see me again.”

Before I could say a word he was gone.

I walked back to the kitchen door that led into the backyard. Walking in I saw Ty sitting at the table. I checked and saw the window was open slightly.

“Hey.”

“Hey there doll.”

“Have a nice shower?” I tried.

“Would have been better with you in it. Why didn’t you tell me you was going to talk to him?”

“I needed to speak to him alone. We had some things to get straightened out. I wasn’t going to hide it from you… I suppose you were listening?” I asked nodding at the barely opened window. And Jasper knew it of course.

“Yep. You believe him?”

“Believe what? That he will help us and not play games? I think so. I need to because I don’t know what other option I have. I am sorry for bringing you into this Ty. It wasn’t fair to…”

“Did you believe him when he said I would cheat on you? I noticed you never told him I wouldn’t. No standin up and sayin my man would never do that.”

Damn it.

“Bella?”

Shit. He called me by my name.

“Yeah?”

“Do you think I would cheat on you?”

That was the question that haunted me for much of my relationship with Ty. I knew Ty. I knew he loved me. The one thing in my life I was absolutely sure of was that he loved me. But…

I knew the lives NBA players lead. The traveling, the groupies. I remember all the beautiful girls Ty had before me. I couldn’t lie to him. It would hurt him but it was my greatest fear. The only fear I had never shared with him.

“Ty who knows what will happen in our lives? I mean you are going to be in a unique…”

Ty stood up and walked over to me, tilting my head up with his finger.

“Do you think I would cheat on you?”

“I… I don’t know Ty.” I whispered. “It doesn’t matter. I will love you…” Ty dropped to his knees.

“I would sooner kill myself than ever be with another woman. I swear to you Bella. I need you to know this. It hurts me that you even have that doubt. That redneck piece of shit could make you… Bella I need you to believe me. I can’t operate if you don’t know this.”

“Ty what if I get… I mean what if you no longer find me attractive in ten years? Twenty years? It happens every day. Divorce happens. No one gets married thinking it is going to end one day but it happens. A lot.”

God what a night. I didn’t want to get into my fears of marriage with Ty tonight. My baggage from my parents’ disastrous union. The failed relationships I have witnessed over the years. My own relationship issues I have had.

“I’m always gonna find you beautiful. You are my Goddess. You are beautiful but you think looks are all that has to do with it?”

“What if I become cold? Bitchy?”

“I won’t let you. If you get shy and start havin headaches a lot, I’ll invest in some of that porn. You can sit and watch me.”

“Ty…”

“Look into my damn eyes woman. I am not saying vows before God to you that you don’t think I can keep. Look into my eyes Bella.”

Even though he was on his knees we were nearly face to face. I expected to see love. Instead I saw… honesty.

I wiped a tear from my eye.

“No fucking around?” I asked him.

“Tell me Bella. Make me believe that you believe.”

“I believe you.” I told him truthfully. I did. Maybe I was stupid but I believed he was different. I wouldn’t love him if he wasn’t.

“Never doubt me again Bella. I ain’t kiddin. Never fucking doubt me. When I walked into your room I left my old life and entered the life I was meant to have. Maybe I ain’t some vampire or werewolf with their fucked up ways of findin girls but you are a part of me. I don’t bite and I don’t imprint but I’d sooner kill myself than betray my vows to you.”

He wiped another tear that fell on my cheek. I couldn’t be strong. I was just so damn… scared. But I believed him. If I was doing this I had to go all in. No holding back. That scared the hell out of me. Before I met him, before we were together I never got close to anyone. I let no one in. But I couldn’t stop him.

“I won’t. I will never doubt you again. I swear.”

“Good. Now I’m going to make love to you. I’m gonna be quiet. But I need to consume you right now. Understand?”

“Yeah baby. I understand.”

Donna POV

I suppose it was time to stop being nosey. I didn’t want to hear this. I walked to my room from the hall where I was ease droppin and grabbed some earplugs by my bed, relaxin as much as I could.

The first time Ty introduced Bella as his girlfriend before his first game two years ago I saw it. I didn’t want to believe it. I mean it could be anything.

But it really couldn’t. A perfect bite mark like teeth impressed into clay on human skin with no other tearing. I let it go. No sense getting involved. Whatever it was she escaped. I never saw any evidence of vampires around her. I let it go. I knew she was tough. She wasn’t intimidated by me. I tried my best. I could get her pissed off but never afraid.

That alone told me she had survived worse. So I let it go.

Until Ty told me he talked to a white boy at the court the other night. Then Brother Webb outright asked her. To her credit she didn’t deny it. She wanted to know about his.

Ty knows. He shrugged off that conversation but he was lookin straight at Bella. I could tell her mind was elsewhere. These walls are paper thin. I moved into the hallways while Ty listened in the window. I heard her tell him to back off. Something about an Edward wanting to hurt her. She told him she would go to him to figure out a way to protect her child and her man.

I loved that girl.

But she needed some help. I didn’t know what these vampires were all about but I bet one of them wants her. Why he hasn’t killed Ty is a mystery.

That boy she was talkin to wanted her too. I caught a glimpse from the hallway. It was fine. We could handle this. I would handle it. She was inside with Ty desecratin my kitchen. Gonna be breakin out the Pinesol tomorrow. They were safe. For now.

We had never done it. All these years. Brother Webb was given an address. We never used it. Never had to. I don’t know if he kept his word or just no vampires came to our part of the word. I had forgotten about it. Least I refused to think about it. The night Brother Ricky and I nearly lost our lives. Ten years ago he got a letter. He called me in before he opened it. The name on the return address took us back to a very scary night. One of the most frightening nights of both our lives. A night that cemented my belief in God.

Inside was a letter and a check. The check was from a New York Bank in the amount of twenty thousand dollars. The letter simply stated that he had kept up with Brother Webb and I. The money was for very badly needed repairs to the Church. Without them the church would have been condemned. Also included in the letter was a phone number. Twenty years and he still held good to his promise. I suppose twenty years is a small amount of time in their lives. He gave us a cell phone number. Should it change he would let us know but in the event that he was needed we were to call it immediately.

Brother Webb placed the letter in a safe and we never looked at it again. We didn’t talk about it. Not until I met Bella for the first time. From the look on Ty’s face when he looked at her I knew she was it. She shook my hand and I saw that damn thing. Yeah. She is a survivor.

But even survivors need help.

I’ll worry bout it tomorrow. My babies are safe right now. Whoever she was talkin to wants her but he don’t want to kill her. That will work.

For now.

Ty POV

This was half bullshit and half funny as hell.

Momma, Aunt Shirley, Aunt Elise and a couple of my younger cousins were here along with Renee. I didn’t think I should be but I was kinda glad I came.

The wedding dress purchase. Tonight the big New Year ‘s Eve party. Today Bella chooses a wedding dress. She insisted I come and Momma thought it was a great idea. Jeff was giggling with Renee when we left. Bella wasn’t happy bout that. I wasn’t crazy bout it either. But Renee pulled herself away and came with us.

Now here we was with Hans. I didn’t know his real name. I was just callin him Hans. Mom went to the bank this morning, walked out an hour later and here we was. Now my woman was in the hands of a man who I would have absolutely no problem if he saw her naked. Seriously. Wouldn’t care. I would trust him over some women I knew. Cause it was obvious this guy was not playin ball for my team. I mean homeboy gets up in the morning, dresses in a solid white suit like he Saint Peter at the gate and gets excited bout hitting the office and helpin girls find their weddin dress. Here that fruity pop was. Oh… Bella did not look happy.

“Here we are everyone. First up is a lovely Vera Wang fit and flare with Tulle gown. What do we all think? Do we love it? I love how it accentuates her slim waist line and the…”

“Her tits ain’t big enough for that dress.” My cousin Shanice said.

“Shanice!” Momma scolded her.

“Don’t Shanice her. Her tits ain’t big enough for that dress. Tell her Ty.” Aunt Elise said throwing it at me.

“I love your tits darlin.” I told her, makin sure she understood that.

“We ain’t sayin she got bad tits. Nice tits and all but that dress makes her look like she ain’t got any. That’s all we sayin Aunt Donna. You brought us here for our opinion.” My cousin Kiraka added.

“What do you think Bella?” Momma asked her. Bella looked in the mirror and thrust out her chest.

“I don’t think I have the tits for this dress.” Bella said.

“I love your tits darlin.” Just to be clear.

“Yes Ty. We know you love her tits. Romero let’s see the next one.” Momma instructed. Romero? That’s more fucked up than Hans.

“Hey Romero you look like you keep in shape. Where you play your college ball man?”

Romero stared at me.

“No college ball?” Little fucker sneered.

“Let’s move on to the next dress. I have something perfect for you.” That said the fucker sashayed back with my woman nearly fallin behind him. He better not make her fall. He may think he would like prison but everybody thinks that till you in a shower surrounded by neo Nazi skinheads.

I sat and listened to Renee explain the benefits of Wheatgrass and Holistic diets to Aunt Shirley. She moved to put her hand on Aunt Shirley’s shoulders and damn near every bit of her large frame jumped back in the seat. I don’t think Aunt Shirley trusted vegans or whatever the hell they call themselves in Renee’s world.

Hans or Romeo came out again. Bella didn’t look happy again. I thought she looked pretty.

“Here we have an Oleg Cassini strapless ball gown with a ruffle skirt.”

“I think you look like a princess boo.” I told her.

“Where the hell is she? All you see is the dress man. Woman got a hot ass, especially for a white girl, and you want to hide it behind something looks like Scarlett O Hara would wear. We said she didn’t have the tits for the last dress. Don’t mean she needs enough straps to make some. What she got is good. Do something with it. You sure this ain’t a part time job for you?” Shanice inquired. My aunt’s just nodded. My Momma groaned.

“Damn straight sista.”

We all looked at Renee at that. She didn’t notice. It must be nice livin in that world.

“Bella?” Momma asked.

“Next.” She said sad like. Bells wasn’t much for shoppin.

We sat there for another three hours. Dress after dress. Somebody had something to say about everyone. Renee thought one didn’t give her aura enough room for expression. That was about the time Aunt Elise asked what the hell was wrong with her and demanded champagne. Shit was pretty good too but I knew my woman. This is the longest she ever been shoppin. She was bout to give up and it would be up to me to get her out. She had gone through detailed accounts of her ass, legs, calves, tits, neckline… I swear these women knew her body better than I did.

Nah. They didn’t. Bella took it like a champ. I don’t know why I was here. Every time I see her in clothes it’s just an internal countdown to when I can get her out of them. Ty has needs. Strong needs. Ask the kitchen table. But seriously I would have been damn happy to marry her in any of these dresses. She looked bea…

She just walked out again.

Oh damn.

Everybody shut up. Bella had tears in her eyes.

“Yes. Truly Zac Possen. Strapless soft Chantilly gown with embroidery.” Hans said from somewhere. I couldn’t take my eyes away.

She was a goddess. It curved to her body. It was beautiful and sexy and classy all at the same time.

“Ty?” Bella asked. No one else in the room said a word.

“Yeah baby?”

“What do you think?”

“I think I just imprinted.”

“Yeah?” she chuckled.

“Yeah.”

Momma and Renee stood up and walked towards her. They both hugged her at the same time. All three were cryin. I couldn’t take my eyes off of her.

“She is beautiful Ty. You did good.” Aunt Shirley whispered in my ear. I could only nod. I was speechless.

“I think we got the dress.” Momma said. I couldn’t agree more.

An hour later we were walkin out and Bella and I noticed her at the same time. She acted like she was browsing but she looked our way quickly and then looked away. We both caught it. Red eyes.

“That her?” I whispered to Bella, pulling her a bit closer.

“Nope. Must be one of Jasper’s friends.”

I relaxed a bit and kept movin till I turned around and saw Momma was starin at the blonde.

“Momma?”

She didn’t move. Just seem to be stuck starin. The blonde turned and looked at her then walked away. That seemed to break Momma out of her trance.

“Let’s go Ty. We gotta stop by the Church on the way home, then you can start grillin for the party tonight.”

All right.

Donna POV

Watching. Waiting to attack her when she got her alone? I should ask Bella. I should just come clean bout what I know. Find out what kind of trouble she is in. I don’t want her stressed. She is carryin my grandchild. She’s my baby’s love.

No. If they knew someone else knew who knows what they would do. I imagine they figured Ty knows by now.

Damn she was beautiful in that dress. Renee shocked the hell out of me when she paid for the damn thing. $1150 and she didn’t even blink. I told her I got a loan and she told me she would pay ten times that to see her daughter in that dress. I guess as fruity as she is, she loves her girl.

When we pulled up I told Bella and Ty to stay in and keep the car running. I walked straight to the back where Ricky was. Before he was Brother Webb we was two kids tryin to change the world one junkie at a time. We shared a horrible wonderful experience. He told us. He promised. Houston was off limits. If we had problems call him. That was 1990. We vowed never to use it unless absolutely necessary.

My daughter in law was in trouble. I don’t know what kind. Before I would find out I wanted to be in a position of strength. Have our own gun to fire.

“Donna?” he asked, already knowing.

“Make the call Brother.”

“You…”

“I saw another one. They shadowing her for some reason. One was tryin to talk her out of bein human last night. She needs them for some reason though. She got others after her.”

“All right. You want to make the call or me?” he asked, already opening the safe and pulling out the letter.

“Put it on speaker. You can talk or me. We need him. I don’t know who to trust with all these vamps runnin around but I know I can trust him.”

Ricky dialed the phone. He answered on the first ring.

“This is Garrett. What can I do for you Richard?”