I know this has been quite a few times before, but I wanted to write my own version of the Cullen's reading 'Twilight'. And just for the record, I don't own 'Twilight', though I'm still petitioning S. Meyer to let me at least borrow Carlisle.
JPOV
Summer vacation was such a respite from the constant temptation of hormonal teens – at least that was Jasper's opinion. It was far better and infinitesimally more enjoyable to sit in his study and just read than to constantly resist the aroma which saturated Forks' High School. And such he was doing, finishing the last page of last unread book in the house. His beloved Alice, he thought with an adoring smile tugging at the corners of his mouth, would use the lack of new reading material as another excuse to shop. Though with the sunny weather, she was currently confined to online shopping.
Setting the finished book back onto the shelf, Jasper stood and mozzied – yes, actually mozzied. After all, despite the years and miles separating him from his mortal life, he was still a true-blue Texan. And so, he mozzied down the stairs and out the front door the feel the sun on his cold – now sparkling – skin and the peace of an empty house. The others had gone hunting yesterday morning and were due back shortly, which left him and his wife. He would have tried to distract his dear Alice – after all, how often did they have the house all to themselves? Would have, if he knew for a fact that when Alice was in her shopping haze, nothing short of an asteroid shower hitting every shop on the globe could pull her away.
On second thought, she would still shop even then.
Taking a few steps onto the porch, he noticed a book lying on one of the steps. That, in itself, annoyed him. Just as Alice was obsessed about clothes, Jasper was obsessed with books. One simply did not leave a book lying about outside, especially in a climate that had more moisture concentration than a steam room. It was simply not done. Books were to be treated with care.
Stomping towards the stairs, Jasper swept the book up and examined the covering, trying to decipher whom it belonged to and who was the culprit to leave it lying outside. The front art cover consisted of a pair of pale white hands cradling a blood red apple, with the word 'Twilight' flushed with the dark background. No author was listed, no reviews. Only a date, 2005 – curious, as it was currently 2004 – and an extraction on the back:
About three things I was absolutely positive.
First, Edward was a vampire.
Jasper smirked at the coincidence and wondered if he should show Emmett, which would end up as more material to pester and tease Edward.
Second, there was a part of him – and I didn't know how dominant that part might be – that thirsted for my blood.
Well, even the Hollywood stereotype vampire was portrayed as having a bloodlust.
And third, I was unconditionally and irrevocably in love with him.
Ah… it was one of those teenage vampire romance novels, Jasper thought. It was odd though, to find it here on the steps of the Cullen home, as he could not see any one of them reading this particular genre. This was certainly a mystery. For a brief moment, he entertained the idea of flipping through the first few pages to get better idea of the book's content, and then promptly dismissed it. Why would he ever want to read a trashy teen novel? He was usually overwhelmed with enough teenage hormones as it was.
Book in hand, Jasper turned and headed back inside, resolved to reconnoiter the libraries to see if this genre matched any other books. If he found that the book belonged to Edward… or even – he shuddered – Emmett… there would be blackmail a plenty for which Jasper would happily reap.
Alice was waiting in the family room, a worried expression dimming her jubilant and lovely face. All plans of blackmail vanished and concern for his heart and life became priority.
"What is it, Alice?" he asked.
"Oh, Jazzy," Alice sighed, her gaze lowering the book in his hand. She reached for it and Jasper handed it over. Flipping the hard cover to the opening folds, Alice showed Jasper the text:
When Isabella Swan moves to the gloomy town of Forks and meets the mysterious, alluring Edward Cullen, her…
"WHAT!!!" Jasper stood stock still as his mind tried to process the multiple facts simultaneously presented.
"It's a book from the future, Jasper," she said, her energy slowly returning. "It's a book about Edward meeting his mate."
"His mate?!"
"Her name is Isabella Swan. Chief Swan's daughter, who is – according to rumor – moving here next year."
"But she's human!"
"Edward will finally be happy, Jasper. And if he's happy, then you won't be affected by his depressing moods any longer," Alice argued.
As delightful as the prospect of the affect of a lighter, more agreeable Edward sounded, his comfort was infinitesimal compared to his darling's safety. "Do you even realize what a risk it is if a human finds out what we are? If she tells?"
"Of course, I know, Jazzy. But Bella won't say anything."
"Bella?"
"It's what she prefers to be called – at least I think," said Alice.
"Okay, okay. Let's say, for argument's sake, that this Bella finds out and doesn't tell, what then?"
Alice pouted; a cute gesture in itself, one which Jasper was still unsuccessfully learning to resist. Her eyes glazed over for a couple seconds and returned to present. Any worry left on her face flew away on pixie wings. "We should read it as a family!"
Jasper's eyebrows knitted. "Even Edward?"
"Especially Edward. He needs to know what's in this book the most. And if we are there with him while reading it, we'll be able to stop him from doing anything rash or dramatic. Besides, what harm could come from reading a book." Didn't he hear that line in 'The Mummy'?
Alice did have a point though; if anything, Edward was prone to be a drama queen. He was sometimes worse than Rosalie. He could throw a temper tantrum worthy of an immortal child, which he sometime feared his was. He was also impatient and controlling. Jasper suddenly felt a surge of pity for this Bella Swan; if she was to be Edward's mate, she would need warehouse full of patience.
Alice's eyes glazed over once more. "Oh! Everyone will be back in five minutes. If we want Edward to sit down and read with us, we're going to have to block our thoughts."
Jasper simply nodded, knowing Edward's temper and disposition enough to know that telling or thinking of a book about his future mate would not be congenially received and decided to mentally review and critic the book he had finished not ten minutes ago. They waited, sitting on one of the chairs – well, Jasper was sitting on it. Alice was perched on Jasper's knees, her excitement begging her to release the energy in some form of movement while conscious from many previous discussions about how bouncing on Jasper's lap affected him. He may be over a hundred years old, but this old soldier was still a man. Alice went on to describe the colors and patterns she had recently bought and how well they would look on various family members while Jasper just smiled at her enthusiasm, though not really listening to the details.
It wasn't long till they heard a great booming laugh and sounds of a scuffle. It sounded as though Emmett had somehow annoyed Edward again and now the two were wrestling. Great… at least Emmett was in a good mood. Perhaps Edward had released some pent up aggression and would be amiable to read with the family. At least his version of amiability.
Carlisle was first to enter, eyes glowing a molten gold, followed closely by wonderful Esme. Jasper smiled, welcoming the two. It was near to impossible to not smile and greet two such genuine, loving creatures as Carlisle and Esme.
"Jasper! Alice!" Esme greeted, "It's good to see that the house is still standing. I would have thought at least part of the walls would be missing when we came back."
Alice pouted and Jasper laughed. "No, that's Rosalie and Emmett's job. Besides, who's to say that there isn't a hole in the wall here somewhere?"
Esme's eyes narrowed in mock aggression. "There better not be."
Alice jumped from her perch and glanced out the windows. Emmett, Rosalie, and Edward were visible, Emmett's arm draped around Rosalie's shoulders while he good-naturally pushed Edward with his other arm. As they entered, Alice called out, "We need to have a family meeting."
Carlisle was the first to react, concern coloring his face. "Is something wrong? Did something happen?" He turned to Edward, his eyes searching.
"Both Alice and Jasper are blocking me," he said, a frustrated growl punctuated the end of the sentence.
"And for good reason, too," said Alice.
"What is it?" asked Rose, her concern was mixed with annoyance and hostility.
"Why don't we all sit down and Alice and I will explain."
Carlisle, Esme, Emmett, Rosalie, and Edward shared apprehensive glances and complied. Emmett and Rosalie took the loveseat. Carlisle took the couch with Esme on his lap. And Edward took the winged-back chair.
Alice returned to her perch and Jasper began, "A few moments ago, Alice and I found a book on the steps outside –"
"Come on, man," interrupted Emmett. "Don't tell this is going to be another lecture about the right way to treat books."
"Emmett, why don't we let Jasper continue," scolded Esme.
Emmett ducked his head sheepishly as Rosalie rolled her eyes.
"As Jazz and I were saying, we found a book from the future!" said Alice.
Edward snorted. It didn't take a mind-reader to discern Edward's thoughts and opinions on that statement. And from the incredulous expressions of Esme, Carlisle, Emmett, and Rosalie, they too shared his disbelief.
"What Alice is saying is that there are certain points and facts that have led us to conclude that this book is legitimate and has not happened yet," expanded Jasper.
Carlisle was ever the scientist. "Such as…"
"Such the publication date being 2005, that it alludes to indubitable events that won't happen for another six months at least, the mention of vampires, and that the town of Forks, Washington and Edward's name is specifically mentioned."
"WHAT?!" Rosalie jumped to her feet and turned towards Edward, most likely mentally accusing him of letting out their secret. With a snarl and her fists clenched, she was a vision of a goddess warrior. Jasper sent out some calming waves, trying to squelch the panic radiating not only from Rosalie, but from the rest of the Cullens.
"Impossible!" said Edward. "I would never… I have no idea…"
"Jazzy reacted the same way, Rose," said Alice.
"Calm down everyone," said Carlisle, his voice ringing through the tension. "Let's not jump to conclusions until we have all the facts. This could be an elaborate prank, or someone might truly know, but will not know until we investigate the matter. Only after we have established the facts will we discuss what we will do about the matter." He turned to Jasper and Alice. "Tell us what you know."
"Not that much, Carlisle," said Alice. "For the exception of an extraction and part of the summary, we ourselves haven't read it. But what we can tell you is that it's written from the view of Chief Swan's daughter."
"Isn't she due to arrive next year?" said Edward.
"Yes, and that's one of the reasons why we knew this was from the future."
"Hmmm… It seems to me that the most logical choice would be to read the book and decide from there," said Carlisle.
"Alice and I thought the same thing," said Jasper.
The rest of the Cullens nodded in agreement, even Rosalie, and Alice opened the book to the preface.
I'd never given much thought to how I would die – though I'd had reason enough in the last few months – but even if I had, I would not have imagined it like this.
I stared without breathing across the long room, into the dark eyes of the hunter –
"A vampire, perhaps?" suggested Emmett.
"No, a leprechaun," said Edward, sarcastically.
And he looked pleasantly back at me.
Surely it was a good way to die, in the place of someone else, someone I loved. Noble even.
"And this is a human's perspective? Since when are they so selfless?" exclaimed Edward.
That ought to count for something
I knew that if I'd never gone to Forks, I wouldn't be facing death now.
"So maybe you should have stayed wherever you came from," hissed Rosalie.
But, terrified as I was, I couldn't bring myself to regret the decision. When life offers you a dream so far beyond your expectations, it's not reasonable to grieve when it comes to an end.
The hunter smiled in a friendly way as he sauntered forward to kill me.
"Over my ashes," growled Edward. A surge of protectiveness flowed from him. Having known Edward's rebellious past and his propensity to defend those weaker, it was understandable for him to want to protect this young girl who could be a risk to us.
"What? Does Eddie have a crush?" snickered Emmett.
"Emmett," warned Esme.
"Don't be ridiculous, Emmett. The girl is about to be ruthlessly killed, a girl who is loving and noble. There aren't enough people like that in the world, so bite me if I want to keep those few alive!"
"That's enough, you two," said Esme. "Alice, why don't you continue."
Alice nodded and turned the page.
Adventures in Real Life:
After the DVD for the first Twilight book was released, I was sitting in the living room, watching the movie in a long line of movies. Nice and comfy, I was lying on the couch, bundled up in a nice blanket with a bowl of popcorn within reach. As the movie progressed to the cafeteria scene where Bella first sees the Cullens, my brother and his friend walked in to the house and became curious what movie was playing.
The living room is one level below on a split level house, so one must go passed the dining room and down a flight of stairs to reach it. The ceiling dips down between the two levels, creating a sort of a visual obstruction.
That being said, as my brother, closely followed by his friend, walked down the stairs he froze in place.
"Uh oh," my brother said.
"What is it?" said his friend.
"Back away slowly," my brother instructed, as he too started to back up.
"What?"
"It's… Twilight!"
"What? No!"
"Run!"
"It's the anti-Christ!"
And I sat there, laughing at their quickly retreating backs.
… And all a true story.