Better Than Perfect

Author's Note: This is Alice and Jasper's story from The Perfect Wife.

Remember, I don't own Twilight or it's characters.

Chapter 1

"Alright, we'll be there," I stated. I snapped my phone shut and closed my eyes, sighing in resignation.

It was all going to start again. Another innocent was being brought into our nightmare. I vaguely remember her from childhood. She was so much younger than me. I don't know how she ended up back in Forks, much less being chosen by Edward to become his wife. And she was only seventeen. She wasn't even a runaway. She had a normal life. This was going to be even harder on her. She wasn't just another innocent victim in all of this; she was Charlie's daughter and still brought into this.

There was no end to that man's sickness. I was only glad Edward listened to me and took her from his house before James hurt her like he did my angel. I looked down at the beautiful woman sleeping in my arms. I smiled at the memory of our lovemaking. It was always a surprise when she initiated sex. She's come so far in her therapy, but still has so far to go. Sex for her was hard; the memories of what was done to her haunted her. I shuddered and beat myself up again for the millionth time for allowing it to happen for so long. My only goal in life is to heal this beautiful caring woman in my arms and to show her every ounce of love within me. Everything was on her terms. I didn't matter, only Alice.

I hate that we live this lie, but until things change it's the only way I know to protect her. I can't risk my father's wrath just yet. I'm not strong enough to stand on my own against him and my brothers. I'd walk away today if there was only Alice to consider, but there isn't. I can't walk away knowing my mother and Rosalie are still trapped. I have to find a way to unite both my brothers to save us all.

I glanced at the clock on the bedside table. I hated waking Alice. I knew she was emotionally drained from her therapy session today and she hasn't been taking the news of another girl being trapped very well. Her nightmares are almost as bad now as they were in the beginning. At least tonight was spaghetti night.

All we would need to do is combine our food for dinner, saving my mother the stress of a huge meal on short notice.

I took the few minutes to think back to how I was in the beginning. I'm ashamed to admit that I was no different than Edward sounded on the phone. I would need to remember this in dealing with him face to face.

***2 years previously***

"Esme! Make us something to eat!" I yelled. My brothers and I were sitting in the living room waiting for dad to bring the envelope home. My gift was in that envelope and I couldn't wait to pick it out.

"Damn Jasper, you act like you didn't get any this weekend," Edward laughed. "I happen to know for a fact you did. After all, I hooked up with her friend."

"Ah the memories," Emmett exclaimed leaning back against the sofa. "But let me tell you there's nothing better than knowing a fine piece of ass is waiting at home to please you at the snap of your fingers," he said, snapping his fingers at us.

Esme, my mother, and Emmett's wife, Rosalie walked in at his comment. I watched my brother pat his knee at his wife. She obediently walked over and sat on his lap handing him a drink and a plate with several bacon wrapped shrimp and water chestnuts. She leaned in and kissed his cheek.

"Ah, hell no, I want to show these losers what they're missing out on." With that he grabbed her behind the neck and held her while he ravished her mouth. She never uttered a single complaint. Not that she was allowed to. I'm sure Emmett would punish her if she ever thought of denying him. He finally let her up for air.

"Now that's what I'm talking about, you fuckers," he smirked. "And I get this anytime I want. No need to wine and dine for me." He slapped her ass and grinned at her. "Isn't that right, baby?"

"Yes, Emmett," she responded.

I could have sworn I saw a flash of anger in her eyes just before her gaze dropped to the ground. I must have been seeing things though. My brother loved her and took good care of her even after her miscarriage last month. She'd fallen down the stairs in their home shortly after finding out she was pregnant, losing their baby.

I finally looked to Esme, who was waiting patiently to serve Edward and me. I held out my hand for my drink and plate from the tray she carried. Then she turned to Edward to serve him. I waved my hand, dismissing her as I heard my father's car door shut before taking a bite of my shrimp.

I turned to my brother again as she left the room and headed for the front door to greet him.

"Well, that's what we're here for isn't it, dumbass," I stated. "Carlisle's bringing home my options tonight."

My father walked in at that moment and I stood from my seat, walking over to him. "Well? Did you bring it?" I asked. It was a stupid question considering he told me he would this afternoon when he called from the airport. He'd flown out last minute and was returning today.

He chuckled at my enthusiasm. "Yes, I've got it," he answered waving a big manila envelope at me. "Sorry for the delay, but my trip was unavoidable."

"No sweat," I answered. "You've got them now."

We were used to his trips. He left every few months for conferences. I grabbed it from him and went back to sit and open it. I pulled the contents from the envelope and spread the papers across the coffee table. I knocked my drink into the floor in my haste. I felt like a kid on Christmas morning waiting to see what Santa brought.

"Esme!" my father yelled.

I heard her footsteps hurrying down the hall toward us. "Yes dear?" she asked.

"Clean up this mess," he told her pointing at the wet spot on the carpet.

"Of course dear," she responded. She left the room to get a rag or whatever it was women used to clean carpets.

"May I be excused, Emmett?" I heard Rosalie ask. "I want to finish your dinner, if that's alright."

He gave her a quick kiss, dismissing her. "Sure, go ahead."

"Well, what do you think?" Carlisle asked. "It took a little longer because I needed to get the test results back on one of your candidates. I thought she might be ADHD so I had her tested. Fortunately she came back with a clean bill of health."

"Which one?" I asked curiously.

He sat with me and shuffled several papers with photos attached. "Ah, here's the one," he said handing me the paper.

I looked at the picture of a gorgeous girl with long black hair and what could only be described as 'cat eyes'. Her eyes were bright green with gold flecks running through them. They looked like they would glow in the dark and could see into my soul. I felt something long buried stir deep within me. I flipped the picture up and read her profile.

"Alice," I mused aloud. "Alice Cullen. I guess it has a nice ring to it."

I put the picture aside and continued to look through the rest of the photos. My gaze kept returning to the picture of Alice without conscious thought.

"God, I can't wait. Two more fucking years," Edward commented enviously. "I already know what I want; a petite brunette with a great body. Meek like a lamb."

A look crossed my father's face at Edward's comment, a secretive smile played at the corner of his mouth. His expression cleared when he caught my inquisitive stare. I turned back to my brother to gloat, forgetting whatever secret my father seemed to have. It was nothing to do with me anyway, so who cared?

"Too bad," I smirked. "It's my turn. I already opened the club and it's a hit. I want to show off my wife, the cherry on the top of my success.

"Well, I'm just saying I know exactly what I want," Edward replied in a huff.

"I wouldn't worry too much about it Edward. I'll bet you $500 that your perfect wife will be there when it's your turn." My dad laughed like he had a secret joke.

"Nah," Edward answered with confidence. "I know you won't let me down."

***

I read through every profile and stared at every picture, trying to repeat the feeling I got every time I picked up Alice's profile. It never happened. There was just something in the way her eyes stared back at me from the picture as if she knew me even though we'd never met. I memorized every nuance of her face. I saw her softly arched brow, her long dark lashes, that beautiful mouth that made me want to kiss the photo in my hand. Her cheeks would flush with pleasure at becoming my wife. I didn't need to take any more time. Alice was it for me. I fell asleep holding her picture to my chest. I felt foolish but I just couldn't put her picture back in a pile. She was too important to me already.

After breakfast I went to my father's study to tell him my decision. I knew it would surprise him that I'd made a decision so quickly. I was always very methodical in my decision making. I loved military strategy. I would look at things from all angles before committing to a plan. It had taken me a year to decide the details of my club, including the name; The Volterra.

Some random girl I'd taken out went on and on all night about some vampire series she was reading. I swear the girl never shut up about it. Another couple at the table next to us in the restaurant overheard her and before I knew it the other guy and I were completely excluded from conversation. Both our dates discussed theories and the advantages of being a 'vamp girl' or 'wolf girl'. Whatever the hell those were. But if it was that popular then maybe the name would help my club's success.

I walked into his study without knocking, too excited to wait.

"I want her," I announced to my father.

I startled him. He was looking at some pictures and had papers on his desk. He closed the file quickly and put it back in his desk locking it before acknowledging me. He looked up in irritation at me.

"You know the rule, Jasper," he snapped. "You always knock before coming into my office."

"Sorry," I shrugged. "I didn't want to wait. I want this one," I said holding up the paper in my hand.

Carlisle chuckled at me. "Well that was fast. You sure you don't need more time? Remember, it's forever. There are no second chances." A look of longing pasted over his face. Longing for what, I didn't know.

I tore my gaze from the photo to smile at my father. "I'm sure. She's the one. She'll be perfect. But cut her hair, I want it short. How soon can I have her?""

"Slow down a minute," he chuckled.

He held his hand out to take the profile from me, which I handed over. He read over her profile again so he could estimate how close she was to my preferences.

"I estimate six months tops. She's already moping with her parents dying in Europe. It won't be hard for Charlie to get into her head and reprogram her. My interview with her showed she knows her manners and etiquette."

"Alright. Well, let's get to it," I said.

I flopped down in the leather chair across from his desk as he called Charlie. Charlie was Carlisle's friend since they were teenagers. We were all bummed when his wife left him with their daughter. I didn't remember much about her, but it was always funny to watch her brother, James pick on her. She always cried when he spanked her. She was such a brat, trying to follow us around, especially Edward. He was always standing up for her against James. He thought it was funny how much she worshiped him after he stopped James from spanking her one time. She had told him he was her hero and she wanted to marry him when she grew up. Oh well, she was gone now. I don't even know why I was thinking about her.

I shook myself from my trip down memory lane as I heard my father talking on the phone.

"Hey Charlie. How's it going?" … "That's nice" … "The reason for my call is Jasper has found his wife." … "Yeah, I know it was quick. I guess when you know, you know. Maybe it would have worked better for you if you'd thought twice about Renee. Sue could have probably given you more sons anyway." … "So how much? I'm thinking $500,000 should do it." … "Six months, maybe less with this one. She's too tiny to give you any real trouble." … "I'll go by tomorrow and do another exam. You should be able to pick her up the day after. Call Mrs. Cope now and let her know you'd like to take in another girl." … "Yeah I'll call her and let her know I'm worried about the girl needing a father figure right now."

He turned to me after he hung up the phone. "Alright son. Your progress reports should start in a few weeks and then monthly until she's ready to be picked up."

I clapped my hands and rubbed them together in anticipation. Six months and that hot little thing would be all mine.

"Thanks Carlisle. I'm heading to the club after breakfast. I've got a shipment coming in and Edward and I have a double date tonight."

He laughed and leaned back in his chair. "Well you better get it out of your system while you can. Once you stick that ring on…" he paused to read her name again, "Alice's finger, you know it's monogamy only from that moment on. No side dishes."

"I know, don't worry." I reached to take her picture back and smiled at it. "After all, she's perfect for me. If I could have her today, I'd never look back. There's just something about her eyes."

"Alright, well I've got work to do, so I'll see you tonight."

I stopped off in my room to put Alice's picture on my mirror. I wanted to see her every morning when I woke up. I stared into her eyes like I could see into her soul even though it was only a photograph. I thought about my double date tonight with Edward. I called Maria from my cell.

"Hey Maria," I said when she answered.

"Hey Jasper," her seductive voice came across the airwaves.

"About tonight," I began. "Something's come up and I'm not going to make it. Sorry."

I hung up on her before she could complain. I couldn't believe I was turning her down. She was a prime piece of ass. But staring at Alice's picture, I got the feeling she wouldn't be happy that I was out getting laid while she was being trained for me. I don't know why, but it just felt wrong and I didn't like this feeling. I only hoped this feeling of discontent didn't happen again anytime soon. I just wanted the six months to go by quickly so I could have my Alice. Then everything would feel perfect, probably even better than perfect.