Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight. It is the property of Stephenie Meyer. The characters are all hers, however the plot and Ayden are all mine.
I am not military nor do I have any affiliation with the military. However, before writing this story I spoke with a good friend who does have military affiliation. Jasper's quick rise through the ranks is not feasable in the time period he managed to acheive his rank, but for the sake of my story I have played around with this a bit. Just keep in mind that it is not possbile in the real world.
I hope you enjoy the first chapter, this is my second Twilight story, but my first shot at a Jasper and All Human one. :) Happy reading!
Jasper PoV:
I stretched my legs as I stood to exit the plane and walked into the crowded airport in Sacramento, California. Making my way to the baggage claim, I pulled my phone out of my pocket and turned it back on. I was supposed to be meeting my older brother, Peter, at the airport. Some of our high school friends were going to stay at a cabin in Lake Tahoe for a four-day vacation. I was able to get a five-day leave from my commanding officer at Fort Irwin.
My cousin, Rosalie, called me to give me the basics of the trip and then told me Peter would be able to pick me up at the airport. We would drive to the cabin a friend of theirs owned, where she and Emmett would be waiting. Edward and his high school love Bella would be there, as well as Edward's twin sister and Bella's best friend, Alice and her boyfriend Demetri.
We all kept in contact as best we could, mainly through emails and occasional phone calls since we were all scattered across the Pacific coast. I talked to my brother and Rosalie and Emmett more than the others.
When I reached the baggage claim, I called Peter while I waited for my luggage to make its way out on the conveyer belt. "Hey, man, where are you? I'm at the baggage claim," I said when Peter answered.
"Yeah. Sorry, dude. We hit a road block on the way to the cabin and got delayed, but don't worry, one of Rosalie and Bella's friends is going to pick you up. She's the one that owns the cabin, we invited her, too, and she should be there already."
"Does she have a name?" I asked as I spotted my green duffel bag.
"Yes, Ayden. I know it's unique, but she's a real sweetheart. Bella met her at a bookstore somewhere in San Francisco and they became good friends," Peter responded.
I picked up my bag and slung it over my shoulder as I scanned the crowd. My six-foot-four-inch height gave me the advantage to see over the other people. "What does she look like?" I questioned.
"Average height, maybe five-six, short compared to you," he rambled. "Brown hair, blue eyes. She's cute, said she'd be wearing a red jacket."
"I see her. See you in a few hours, bro," I replied, not waiting for a response before I closed my phone and slipped it in my pocket. I made my way to the woman standing near a large plant with her arms crossed across her chest. She was scanning the crowd, but she hadn't seen me yet.
Peter's use of the word cute didn't do this woman justice. Ayden was beautiful with thick chocolate tresses, an oval face, and creamy skin. She wasn't very tall, like Peter had said, but her buttoned pea coat showed that her petite form still had womanly curves.
Finally her eyes spotted my advancing form. The bright blue orbs widened momentarily, and a look of shock crossed her feminine features before she smiled and uncrossed her arms. When I reached her, I came to a stop and held out my hand.
"I'm Jasper Whitlock, Peter's brother. Ayden, correct?" I asked.
"Yes, Ayden Strader. It's nice to meet you, Jasper." She slid her hand into mine and squeezed it slightly before pulling back.
"Do you have all your bags?" she asked.
I nodded. "I don't pack anything but the basics."
"Sounds good. My truck is in temporary parking. We should hit the road now; it will take us about two and a half hours to get there."
"I'll follow you," I replied and trailed close behind her as we walked out into the cold late afternoon air.
Ayden was silent as we reached a navy blue Chevy Colorado with an extended cab. She unlocked the bed cover and folded it in half. I set my bag down next to a suitcase, dog bed, and giant bag of dog food. Ayden shut the cover, locked it, and climbed into the vehicle.
She literally had to jump up and into the cab of the truck. I suppressed my chuckle and slid into the passenger seat.
"So, Peter said you were in the Army," she probed once we had hit the interstate.
"Joined when I was eighteen. I entered as a private, and after eight years and four deployments, I'm a Major."
"That's incredible. I grew up near Fort Campbell in Kentucky so a lot of my friends from college were married to men in the military. From my basic knowledge of the Army, and I admit I know very little even growing up so close, you advanced through the ranks very quickly."
"I did," I stated proudly.
There was a select group of women who were strong enough to live with a military man, and I noticed Ayden didn't seem uncomfortable with my chosen profession. Growing up near a base must have allowed her to see the true Army life. "I kept myself focused on my future and my job, which was what I loved to do."
"There isn't anything wrong with serving your country. It's not something everyone can or will do," Ayden said with a smile. "It takes a very strong person."
We were silent for a moment before I asked Ayden a question. "What do you do? I mean, you know I'm in the military, but I don't know what you do."
"I'm not anything special. I teach second grade at an elementary school in San Francisco," she responded.
"Teachers are important and special. Without you, a lot of children in America wouldn't stand a chance at a future."
"Where are you stationed?" she questioned next.
"Fort Irwin. I was at Fort Sill for four years, Benning for three, and then this is my second year in good ole Cali. Were you born in California?"
"No, I grew up in Tennessee near Fort Campbell, went to a private school and then the local university. I earned my bachelor's degree and teaching license. When I ended a bad relationship, I picked up the pieces and decided to move out west," she said, ending with a smile on her face. "I'm following in my aunt's footsteps. Except I don't work for AT&T, nor do I make nearly as much as she does."
Ayden gasped and quickly looked at me before turning back to the road. "Oh, gosh, please don't take that to mean all I care about is money. I certainly don't care one bit, obviously, I'm a teacher. I didn't pick this career for the paycheck. My career is all about the students, their achievements is enough of a paycheck for me."
"Then why did you become a teacher?" I questioned lightly, trying to ease her anxiety.
A light seemed to make her blue eyes glow as she thought about her profession. "I teach to see the light bulb effect."
"The light bulb effect?" I replied, thoroughly intrigued.
"Mmhm, when a student who has been struggling to say a certain sound or word, or solve a math problem, finally gets it and that light bulb goes off. They get this huge smile on their face because they finally understand, and you feel good because you helped them get there."
"Sounds to me like you do something you enjoy each day."
"Oh, I love my students, even the ones that give me a headache some days, and the ones that make me what to pull my hair out at the end of the day every day."
We both laughed and continued to chat as Ayden drove.
I learned she had a dog named Simba, who was already at the cabin with Bella and Edward. She had just turned twenty-five in October. She loved Japanese and Chinese food. Her favorite color was pink. She bruised easy like Bella, but didn't fall down as much. Ayden did however admit to having a tendency to bump into tables, kitchen islands, door knobs, and other furniture. She had to wear glasses to drive and read, but refused to wear contacts, something about not being able to touch her eye because it freaked her out. Her favorite book was White Fang, but she knew the Little House on the Prairie, Harry Potter, and Lord of the Rings series by heart. She loved dressing up for Halloween and decorating for any holiday.
We both shared a love for horses, cowboy boots, and country music. Ayden couldn't play an instrument, but she requested to see me play my guitar one day. She liked to sing, but didn't think she sounded very good. She had been on vacation to New York City, San Antonio, and Daytona while I had been to Seattle, Los Angeles, and Houston.
Ayden listened attentively and was honestly interested in my responses to her questions. She knew my favorite color was green, but I loved red on a woman. That may have been said in an attempt to both flirt with and flatter Ayden. She had a red and black argyle sweater on under her coat. I had perfect vision. My favorite book was For Whom the Bell Tolls. I despised sushi, but didn't have a favorite food; any meat was good.
Ayden eventually quieted as she concentrated on directing the vehicle up the mountain in the fading evening light.
"Would you like if I drove?" I offered.
"I can't let you drive. You just flew in from Fort Irwin, besi–"
"Besides nothing, pull over in this driveway and switch places with me. We already discussed the fact that I see way better than you."
"Oh hush," Ayden retorted, but she was already pulling into the driveway.
We quickly switched places, and I continued to drive along the narrow road.
"When you reach the next road, turn right," Ayden instructed.
The path became rougher the farther we went. We turned right again, but this time we reached a clearing that opened up to reveal a large two-story log cabin; flood lights lit up the exterior and surrounding yard. Two trucks and Emmett's red Jeep were already parked off to the side.
"It's beautiful up here. Peter said this was your cabin," I mentioned as I parked the truck and we hopped out.
I carried in my bag and the fifty pound bag of dog food, while Ayden wheeled her suitcase and carried the dog bed.
"Yes. Technically speaking my parents' names are on the deed to the house and property, but they still live in Tennessee and only come up a few times a year. Any other time, it's mine to rent out or use for myself in instances such as this." She grinned. "Come on, soldier. It smells like Bella's started cooking already."
"Have you met everyone?" I asked as we made our way along the stones that were bordered by solar-powered lanterns that led from the parking area up to the front of the cabin.
"Only Bella, Edward, Rosalie, and Emmett in person. I talked to your brother over the phone. He was the one that sent for me to pick you up since he couldn't make it in time."
"Yeah, but it looks like he beat us here, even though he said he hit traffic," I commented sarcastically. I would bet my brand new silver Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD pickup truck that Peter had purposefully had Ayden pick me up.
While on the road I had also learned Ayden was single like me. Peter, my idiot older brother, had been trying to find me a girlfriend since I finished basic training. I wasn't going to dog him too much about his excuse to have Ayden pick me up, and I hoped she didn't mention it to him. In my short time with Ayden, I already genuinely liked her as a person, and she was the most breathtaking woman I had ever seen.
When we walked in my sister-in-law was instantly at my side. "Oh! Jasper, it's so good to see you!" she screeched.
The noise was followed by a loud, deep bark and Ayden's command. "No sir, Simba."
I placed the dog food on the floor along with my bag and properly hugged Charlotte, but making sure I was careful with her growing belly. I was going to be an uncle in two months.
When she released me, I looked to my right to see a massive dog standing with its paws on Ayden's shoulders. He was light red and white, extremely furry, and as tall as Ayden.
"He's massive," I said.
The dog's head turned around to glare at me. He made a growling noise in his throat and slowly walked two steps over to me. "Simba, be nice, that's Jasper," Ayden said.
Simba sniffed as much of my body as he could reach without standing up on his back paws and then licked my hand. I tentatively scratched between his ears, and he gave a happy yip.
"Hey, dude, if the dog likes you, you're golden," Emmett said as he came out of the kitchen.
"He's a beast, isn't he?" Peter added as he came down the stairs to my left. That must have been where Charlotte came from when she hugged me.
"He's looks like a good guard dog," I commented before hugging Emmett and my brother.
"Hey, Ayden, how're the little rug rats?" Emmett questioned.
"My students are fine, Em. A little crazy before fall break, but I'll be excited to see them when we go back. How's the shop?"
"Eh, same as ever. Lots of cars to fix and plenty more to sell," he replied.
"You need to stay busy. Where's Rosalie?"
"In the kitchen with Bella and Edward, Alice and Demetri won't be here until late tonight. Have you met Jasper's brother and sister-in-law?"
"I've spoken to Peter over the phone, but not in person," Ayden replied.
"Well, this is Jasper's older brother, Peter, and his wife Charlotte. You'll meet Alice and Demetri later. You've got to watch out for Alice, she'll try to make you go shopping or do your hair and makeup," Emmett told her.
"Emmett, I don't wear makeup most days," Ayden stated. "You know that."
"Alice will force you," Charlotte commented. "She dresses models and stuff for the runways, so she'll try and practice new ideas on any female she can."
I watched as Ayden greeted Char and then my brother with a genuine warm smile on her face. "Boy, girl, or surprise?" Ayden asked Charlotte.
"A boy," Charlotte said with the most beautiful look on her face.
"Congratulations," she said with a grin.
"Thank you. We're very excited. He's our first." Charlotte absently rubbed her stomach as she talked to Ayden. Peter had a big shit-eating grin on his face, and I just rolled my eyes.
I scratched Simba behind his ears when he bumped his giant head into my thigh, until Bella came darting out of the kitchen with Rosalie and Edward behind her. Another round of hellos ensued, except, this time, Ayden knew everyone.
"We made spaghetti tonight because we figured it would be the easiest thing for the first night here," Bella said after the hugs and hellos had subsided.
"Anything that I don't have to cook sounds wonderful," I commented. It earned me a smack in the arm from Charlotte.
"Dude, don't act like you can't cook. I know you cook, you pansy," Peter taunted.
"I'm not a pansy because I can feed myself, you caveman. Just because I can cook, doesn't mean I like to do it," I replied sharply.
Ayden giggled. "I could just imagine you two as ten year olds. I bet you fought nonstop and agreed on absolutely nothing."
"Wrong about one thing, we agreed about something," Peter told her.
"Cassie Pelletier was to be avoided like the plague," we said at the same time.
Rosalie snorted. "Whatever. She wasn't nearly as horrible as you two believed. The boys always believed this sweet young girl was absolutely disgusting. She was a sweet girl; they were just mean little boys. Come on, Ayden; let's go finish the salad for dinner."
Ayden and Rosalie laughed on their way to the kitchen.
"Jasper, if you bring that bag of dog food to the pantry, I'll show you where we put the beer," Rosalie called out.
I couldn't resist the temptation of a beer, so I followed my cousin and Ayden into the kitchen along with Simba. Rosalie instructed me where to put the bag of kibble before handing me a beer from the second fridge in the pantry.
"Now, shoo. Girl talk," Rosalie ordered.
"Good luck," I told Ayden.
"Thanks," she replied with a chuckle. "But I have met your cousin before."
This might not have been the first time Ayden talked with Rosalie, but it was the first time, I bet, she was going to get drilled with questions about her reaction to me and the ride from the airport.
I chatted with Emmett and Edward until the girls said dinner was ready. Peter somehow managed to get Ayden between him and me at the large dining room table. His sexual innuendoes and jokes were relentless, but Ayden took them in stride.
"So, later tonight when everyone else is getting it on, what will you two be doing?" he asked at one point to which Ayden replied "Sleeping."
Later he asked me if I agreed that it was always the quiet, sweet ones that were freaks in bed. Ayden blushed and I reached over to smack my brother on the side of his head while Emmett roared with laughter.
After dinner, Emmett and I lit the bonfire outside and the girls brought out the supplies to make s'mores.
Ayden had put on a pink sweatshirt and pulled her straight hair into a ponytail. She looked beautiful by the roaring fire. I couldn't look away when she ate one of the toasted marshmallows and then licked the stickiness from her fingertips.
We all relayed stories of our high school days while Ayden told some hilarious stories about some of her experiences substitute teaching her first year after she graduated in her hometown.
Her high school had been smaller than Forks, but she had some pretty crazy stories. She was a cheerleader and played volleyball, which was ironic to me since I had played football and baseball with Emmett, Peter, and Edward. After much pushing from Emmett, Ayden finally agreed to show us her backflip and other flips she could do across the yard.
"So, Peter, besides being a smartass and overall goofball, what do you do?" Ayden asked.
"I'm a lawyer for a small firm in Seattle. My honey here owns a hair salon and takes care of me."
Ayden laughed. "I can't believe anyone would let you represent them in court."
Peter shrugged. "I can have my serious moments."
Rosalie rolled her eyes and scoffed. "Rarely," she muttered.
As the evening progressed, I came to the realization that I really liked this girl. Ayden was, like Peter had said, a total sweetheart. She was funny. She kept up with Emmett and Peter's sarcasm and nonstop sexual comments. Her laugh was beautiful, and her smile lit up her eyes.
I watched her talking and laughing with Bella as I sipped on my beer. I wanted to make her laugh like that every day. I think Edward caught me staring at her because a little later he asked how I liked the view as he gave me a pointed look.
"Do you like her?" Peter asked when Ayden and Charlotte went inside.
"You would have been able to pick me up, wouldn't you?" I asked him, ignoring his question.
"Yes, little brother, but it would have been out of our way. For Ayden, however, she was already going to drive through Sacramento. Not to mention, she's single and you're single. You're twenty-six, and she's twenty-five. She teaches, which means it's easy for her to move around and easily find a job. So do you like her?"
"You're incorrigible, Pete." I sighed. "Yes, I like her."
"Would you bone her?"
I punched him in the arm.
"Hey, man! No need to resort to violence. It was just an honest question. You've been eye fucking her all night."
"I have not," I denied.
"Okay fine, maybe not at dinner, but ever since she came outside, you haven't kept your eyes off of her."
"She's different, and I like her laugh."
"Different is good," my brother said.
"Sometimes," I whispered with a smile as I watched Ayden walk back out to the fire with Charlotte, both women laughing about something.
"So, are you going to bang her?" Peter whispered.
"Fuck, Peter! I can't screw Ayden. She's Bella's and Rosalie's friend," I whispered harshly.
"Forget about that, dude. You're both adults, and she can make her own decisions. What y'all two decided to do doesn't concern anyone else."
There were rare times when Peter could say the most serious things that were insightful and helpful, but most times he was a goofball.
When Alice and Demetri arrived a few hours later, we moved inside the house. Alice instantly introduced herself to Ayden when she saw her standing slightly behind me, next to Rose.
"Are you Jasper's girlfriend?" she asked her.
I was unsure how to respond to my ex, Peter and Emmett howled with laughter, and Ayden blushed. "Um, no, we just met tonight. I own the cabin; I'm a friend of Bella and Rosalie. I'm Ayden."
"Oh, so you're the Ayden Bella talked about," Alice said excitedly. "It's nice to meet you." She introduced Demetri again to everyone; he seemed like a decent guy to me, but Rose still turned her nose up to him. He had a foreign accent, but then I had an accent, too. Peter and I both sounded like southern cowboys. It was something else I shared with Ayden. She had a distinct southern sound to her voice. I bet she could sing better than she admitted she could on the way here.
Rose wasn't really fond of Demetri, who was some Italian businessman Alice had met during one of her many trips to Italy. Demetri, in Rose's opinion believed he was too good for the rest of us because he had gone to a swanky private school in Italy instead of a small town high school. However, Emmett, Peter, and Edward thought he was a cool guy. Bella claimed to be Switzerland on the topic; she didn't want to go against Edward, but she was too afraid of Rosalie's wrath to not side with her, so she remained neutral. Peter said she had admitted Demetri wasn't that bad. Rosalie eventually relented one night and agreed that she would much rather Alice date Demetri than to fawn over me.
We sat around the living room. Edward and Bella made sure I sat by Ayden when Edward sat in the armchair and Bella sat on the other end of the couch. Edward gave me another knowing smirk.
Alice and Demetri decided to get settled in and left for their room for the night. Rosalie went to show them where it was, and Ayden excused herself to the bathroom.
Emmett eventually snuck off to find Rosalie, and Edward and Bella said they were going to bed. Peter gave me a wink and then pulled Charlotte to their room.
Ayden walked back into the living room a few minutes later and looked around the vacated room. "Where'd everyone go?"
"Emmett and Rose went to do things we don't want to know about in their room. Bella and Edward are probably already asleep, Alice and Demetri I really don't care to know, and Peter I'm sure is listening to see if we start screwing around while Charlotte tells him to quit," I joked from the couch.
Ayden chuckled and flopped beside me on the brown suede cushion. "Peter seems like one of a kind."
"He's certainly that. I'm sorry if he came off strong, but he means well."
Peter had been rather straight-forward about what the other couples would be doing during the night and what Ayden and I should do since we were both two adults and single. Ayden took it in good stride, mostly giggling at my brother's dumber comments–or my favorite–blushing a pretty pink when his comments became rather graphic or suggestive.
"Wait, if the four couples are in the rooms, where does that leave you? Rosalie must have miscounted when she told me how many couples were coming," Ayden said, slightly panicked.
"I'll be fine on the couch. Trust me, I've slept in much worse, the couch is amazing compared to the stuff I used to sleep on when I was overseas."
"Jasper! You're a guest here; you can't sleep on the couch. Please, take my room and let me stay on the couch."
I shook my head. "Absolutely not. I won't remove a lady from her room. Ayden, I'll be fine."
She eventually sighed and bid me goodnight before returning to her room and shutting the door. I lay down on the couch and looked at Simba who was laying on his dog bed near the stone fireplace. I whistled softly and the dog came over slowly. "Hi, Simba, you're a pretty good boy, aren't you? I bet you're a handful for Ayden though," I spoke to him.
He made a quiet grumble and laid his big head on his equally large paws.
Around three-thirty in the morning, I woke up when I heard an "oomph" and something scratch against the floor. I shot up off the couch and whipped around to see Ayden standing in the kitchen, a hunter green robe wrapped around her body. The top was open in a deep V showing something red underneath. When she saw me standing in the doorway, she made a small yelp and her hand shot up to the base of her throat.
"Jesus, Jasper!" she whispered fiercely. "You scared the crap out of me!"
"Sorry. I heard you bump into the chair," I replied, pointing to the chair she was standing next to that was pushed slightly out into her path.
"Edward warned you that I was a little bit klutzy," she stated softly.
"Why were you awake anyway?" I asked curiously, moving around the furniture and coming closer to her.
"I couldn't sleep. I came in here to get a drink of water. I always have trouble sleeping the first night here. The sounds always get to me."
"No scary movies for you then," I joked.
"No, those usually end up in a nightmare, which is why I watch very few of them," she replied with a smile. "Look, this is going to sound very forward, but would you mind staying in my room? I'll sleep better knowing someone else is in the room with me."
I couldn't turn down her or resist her pretty smile.
"Of course, I'll protect you from the big bad tree limbs blowing in the wind," I replied as a reached out to push a stray strand of hair behind her ear. She had pulled her thick hair up into a high pony tail earlier, but a few strands must have fallen out in her sleep.
She batted my hand away playfully but stepped closer to me. I could smell the sweet scent of her peach shampoo and vanilla lotion. She smelled delectable and looked just as good in her robe and bare feet. I smirked at her when I caught her breathing in my own scent. She blushed and started walking to her room.
I tried to fight back my growing erection that would be clearly visible in my cotton pajama pants while I followed her. I left the door slightly cracked and stood off to the side in a tense stance. When her robe cascaded to the floor to reveal red satin shorts and a matching tank top, I tried to think of anything besides taking them off of her slowly and then fucking her until she screamed my name and woke everyone up. To top it off, I could see that she wasn't wearing a bra, and that fact alone was making my head spin.
Ayden crawled into the king sized bed and then patted the empty space next to her.
Oh god, the woman was going to be the death of me.
I slowly walked to the side of the bed but didn't sit down.
"Oh, come on, Jasper. I'm not going to bite," she teased. "Hard."
Sweet Jesus.
I wondered how flexible she was. She had been a cheerleader. I was curious what she would let me to do her, what she would do to me.
After her biting comment, I wanted her to bite me more than anything while I pounded into her tiny body, but I had already told myself I wasn't here for a one-night stand, or even a four-night stand, and as attractive as Ayden was, she was off limits. She was my cousin's and friend's girl friend.
I sat on top of the covers and leaned against the headboard.
Ayden rolled her eyes at me. "Whatever you're comfortable with, I guess. We are both adults, Jasper. I'm not going to jump you in the middle of the night."
No, but I might jump you, I thought. "I trust that you'll keep my virtue in tact overnight, but I'm trying to show you respect as well."
Ayden suddenly yanked the blanket out from under me and covered my legs. I couldn't do anything but shake my head. "There, I'll do it myself. Are all soldiers this stubborn?" she questioned with a sly grin.
"Probably."
She hummed and slid down into the sheets and closed her eyes. "Goodnight, Jasper."
"Night, Ayden." I listened to her breathing even out before I eventually lay down and fell asleep a foot away from the sweetest and prettiest girl I had met in my entire life.
