Hello, everyone! So, this is incredibly random, but the muses have been giving me this idea all day, and I just had to write it down to shut them up. I don't entirely know where this story could go as I have a lot of scenes thought out, but they are in no kind of order or anything. Still, I'm going to try and correlate this story properly. The only thing set in stone as of right now is that it is Bella/Jasper so we'll just have to see how this goes!
Also, most of the story will be written in any one of the Cullen's perspective, especially Jasper's. And I guess you could say this story follows the Twilight storyline a little, but more than likely, it won't.
Please, read, review, and enjoy!
Jasper's POV
My siblings and I sat in the living, staring blankly at our respective parents. They were looking at us with expressions of happiness, each pearl flashing in light of the chandelier. Carlisle was excited in a more content manner, but I feared that Esme would soon be bouncing from wall to wall, she having the full capability to do so. Both of them were watching us, awaiting a reaction. Alice was the first to respond, jumping up from Edward's lap with excitement, bouncing on her feet lightly.
"I think it's going to be wonderful!" she exalted. "I haven't seen anything, but I just know that everything will go well!"
Edward nodded behind her, agreeing with every word she said. "Alice is right. It will be nice to have a new face around here."
"But, wait," Rosalie inserted, "how exactly is this going to work? We're vampires. We can't just up and adopt a child without thinking through everything." Her words said one thing, but her emotions greatly contradicted her statements. She was absolutely buzzing and glowing with excitement and anticipation. She was more than happy to reel in a young boy or girl into the family. She probably could not care less about the implications of it all, us being vampires, because she felt that this was her chance to get as close to motherhood as she could get. Personally, I found her logic to be sound, but, with family in mind, she felt it was right to question everything. I wholeheartedly agreed with her.
"Well, Esme and I had a long talk about this, and we feel it only fair to allow the child to choose. They would have to know of our existence, after all, for obvious reasons," Carlisle stated.
With that, I sighed, contemplating this entire idea. Sure, it would be nice to have someone new around, someone who knew what we were. Still, how could we guarantee that the child would not shy away from us? We were creatures of the night. I did not think that our status of character or creature was applicable or suitable to children, especially young ones.
"I'm sure Carlisle and Esme are not talking about adopting a small child, Jasper," Edward told me, tuning into my thoughts.
"Oh, no," Esme agreed. "We were thinking a young adult actually, age thirteen and up."
I bobbed my head in return as Emmett slapped his hand together, rubbing his palms. "So, when are we getting the little tyke?" He was about as giddy as Alice and the rest of them. He looked at Esme and Carlisle expectantly.
Our parents looked at one another shortly, a smile gracing both of their faces. "We are going within the next few minutes. We set an appointment with the adoptive agency months ago, and they were very gracious to allow us to visit the agency after they checked over our transcripts. Given that Carlisle and I are already adoptive parents, as it were, they were more than happy to take our application!" Esme stated excitedly, she and her husband standing.
Emmett jumped it immediately, pumping a fist in the air, Rosalie barely managing to stand and breeze a few feet away before he could knock her into the floor. Emmett grabbed Alice's hand, and they escaped out into the garage, laughing gleefully. When the rest of us entered the area, the two were already standing next to the cars, jumping around ecstatically. Edward and Rosalie shook as their heads as they followed, the four of them piling into Rosalie and Edward's vehicles. Carlisle and Esme followed, hand in hand, getting into Rosalie's car. I rolled my eyes, going along with everything. I hopped into Edward's car, and we were off, follow Rosalie as Carlisle gave her directions to the agency.
Within the next hour, we were pulling in and parking in front of a small office building, two stories at a maximum. We exited the vehicles and walked up to the glass door. I opened it, holding it as the others filed in. We walked into a cozy waiting room, sparkling tile running up to a mahogany desk where a curvacious girl with long black girls sat, tapping away at a computer. Black leather chairs lined the walls, contrasting beautifully with the ivory walls. On the wall beyond the desk was a great sign that read Carter's Adoptive Agency in bold black letters lit from lights that hung underneath the letters.
Carlisle and Esme walked up to the desk as myself and my siblings held back, quiet conversation striking up.
"This doesn't look anything close to what I thought an adoptive agency would look like," Emmett murmured, keeping his voice down.
I had to agree with him. It was a little too posh. Then again, I felt as though the children in the adoptive system deserved the best they could get, and this seemed like it was it.
"They usually don't look like this," Edward muttered, glancing around. He was shifty, grabbing onto Alice's hand like an anchor. I could only bring his discomfort down to that of the desk clerk. I glanced her way slyly. Oh, yes, that was definitely the reason. She was openly gaping at Edward's backside. I smirked quietly, and Edward glared, growling lowly.
"It's..." Rosalie tilted her head. "Elegant, in a way. It's too posh. I mean, most of the residence in this building are more than likely children. This isn't a very childhood friendly environment."
Just as the three of us nodded our consent an excited voice echoed down a hall that broke off the left wall of the lobby.
"Esme and Carlisle Cullen!" the voice crowed. The owner of the voice entered soon after. The woman was plump and curvy with striking auburn hair topped on her head. Her glasses rested on the edge of her nose, immediately falling back down after they were fixed into position. The safety string on the glasses was multicolored beads on a silver chain.
Esme and Carlisle stepped away from the desk as the woman greeted them warmly. "I am so excited that the two of you are here! If you will follow me, you can start meeting some of the children."
She turned and began walking down the hall in which she had entered. The five of us followed behind our parents quickly, following in pairs. I trailed behind, staying in the middle. I watched, entranced by a single curl on the back of the leading woman's head that jumped erratically, loose from the rest of the solid mass piled atop her head. She began to ramble as we walked down the short hallway, asking questions as she did so.
"So, am I correct to say that you are wishing to adopt a child in the age region of twelve and up? Young adult, supposedly?" she questioned, glancing over her shoulder as we reached a doorway that led to some steps. We followed.
"Indeed," Carlisle replied.
The woman nodded, using a single finger to push her glasses up her nose. We reached the second floor and escaped through the door. The area opened up into a small resting area that resembled the one downstairs, only here there was a television and a few shelves of books. I skimmed the titles quickly, staying close to the group as the woman lead us down the farthest hall and around the next corner. From what I could tell, there were very few classic titles and most of the books appeared to be written for younger children.
We rounded the next corner, and the hallway stretched out before us, eight doors down the hall with four on each side. I glanced around at the doors, noting the clipboards that hung on each of them, three to a door except for the last one on the right that only had one. I looked to my right, tracing the one at eye level.
Kristi Williams
Age: 15
Active, responsive
Hobbies: Drawing, reading, writing
Response: Content in quiet environments, allergic to cats, openly observant, blunt and imaginative. Prone to being rebellious, refuses to follow instructions.
I raised an eyebrow. What the hell? A diagnosis? I looked away from the paper, my mind spiraling. I soon tuned back into the woman's words, unnerved by what I had read.
"So, these are the teenager's quarters. We've had quite a few adopted within the last week so not all of the doors occupational statuses are accurate. The clipboards on the door give you a brief synopsis of the children present in the room. Just go in, call a name you're interested in, and strike up a conversation. All of the teenagers are very responsive." She paused a moment, looking at us expectantly, probably waiting for questions. When none came, she continued, "Anyway, I must get to my office, I'm run-down with paperwork. But, if you need me, just press the button by the door to the stairs, and you will reach the front desk. Let them know you need me and I'll be on my way. Hope you find the perfect child for you and your family, Mr. and Mrs. Cullen."
With all of that said, she scurried away, bustling through our lines and disappearing down the stairs.
"Adoptive agency or psychiatric ward," Rosalie murmured, tracing her eyes over a nearby clipboard. "'Destructive with a bad temperament, best for a one child/no child household,'" she read aloud, stepping back from the door.
Esme fidgeted, her discomfort rolling out to me in waves. I sent her a calming air, pleased to see her hands fall away from the death grip they were in.
"It's a little unethical, yes, but this is one of the top agencies in the country with the most efficient adoption rate. It may not be the protocol one would expect, but it's working. Plus, it helps with conversation. We can get to know the children better with a little background knowledge," Carlisle reasoned, skimming over the boards on the doors.
The others broke away, each pair taking a door. I scooted down the hall, somehow drawn to the last door, the door on the right. It was the only one down the hall that only had one clipboard present. I reached the door, my eyes skimming over the contents on the sheet, amazed to see an actual doctor's notice on the door. My eyebrows pulled together, my face pinching as I read.
Bella Swan
Age: 16
Fully responsive, active, delusional
Response: Harsh temperament, rebellious, sees objects/situations of unrealistic means, openly psychotic, under medical treatment with Dr. Deerby.
Dr. Deerby's Response: Treatment does not appear to phase client. She continues to meddle in "magic," frightening drawings, and "demons, apparitions, and ghosts." Treatment has been delayed until further measures can be taken.
What kind of fucking place was this? I could not believe that they had one of the teenagers under a doctor's watch. I growled in my chest, feeling such a hatred for this place. I read over the girl's prerequisites again, not caring at all about what was wrong with her. I just had a feeling like this was the girl, this was the one we were meant to adopt, despite the shit the doctor "says" is wrong with her. I turned to Esme and Carlisle. I lifted a hand, pointing at the door.
"Her," I stated, drawing the attention of the entire family.
They looked at me curiously, wondering why on earth I was suddenly so adamant. I thrust my finger at the door for emphasis. Carlisle and Esme walked up to me, reading over the paper. Whatever the reason, Esme immediately placed her hand on Carlisle's chest. He looked down at her, their eyes meeting, and I was attacked by an onslaught of love and devotion. They were agreeing with me.
"We can help her, Carlisle," Esme breathed, rubbing her hand over Carlisle's button-up lightly.
Carlisle nodded. "Yes, I believe we can. Besides, I don't completely trust doctor's like Deerby. The brain is a mysterious place. Edward," he glanced at his son, "may hear thoughts, but we have yet to understand the true workings of the mind. There could be nothing wrong with the child except for a doctor wanting to make a buck. Still, I agree with Jasper." His eyes met mine, and I felt all of his happiness, gleeful at finding a child that we could not only give a home to but help altogether. My siblings came forward, reading the paper. Rosalie and Alice immediately felt saddened by the girl's situation, both nodding their head in agreement to Carlisle, Esme, and myself.
"Jasper," I looked down at Esme, "how about you talk to her?" I looked at her incredulously, my eyebrows rising into my hairline.
"Are you sure? I mean, shouldn't the two of you do it?" I questioned, not entirely confident that I should be the one to go traipsing into this.
Esme nodded in response. "Yes. We will go with what you decide as far as the adoption. Just as well, you chose her. You might as well be the one to speak with her first. Go on." She waved her hand at the door, pulling Carlisle with her as she moved away.
"The rest of us will be in the waiting area," Carlisle murmured, the rest of them moving away and leaving me in the hallway alone.
Slowly, I turned back to the door, raising my fist to knock. My arm hung in the air for a moment, my breathing growing suddenly shallow. For some reason, I greatly feared going into the room. I could not fathom why, but I did. Before I could think myself out of it, I tapped on the wood. The knocking resounded back to me, sounding so much louder than it actually to my acute ears.
"Come in," a small, incredibly feminine voice called from behind the door.
I wrapped my dexterous fingers around the doorknob, twisting it. I pushed the door open slowly, stepping into the room cautiously. The room was a light gray color with a single twin bed dressed in a white coverlet and a single dresser along the wall beside the door. A window that filtered the light of the clouds opened out the far wall. In front of that window was a rocking chair that was currently occupied. As I shut the door behind me, a sock clad foot pushed the rocking chair around. I was met with stunning irises, a heart shaped face, luscious and shining black locks that tumbled down a slim waist, and beautifully red lips. The girl that occupied the rocking chair looked me over with curiosity, her endlessly navy, almost, gray, eyes meeting mine.
I scooted away from the door, shuffling over the carpet. I smiled at the girl, and her lips curled adorably into a shy smile, her eyes sparkling. As I looked over the petite girl I wondered what on earth could have given any doctor the impression of a psychological imbalance. Then, I remembered that I did not truly know the girl. Still, first impressions are important and she was giving a good one.
"May I help you?" she wondered lightly, laying the sketchpad she held in her lap.
I finally noticed another seat in the room, another leather chair in the corner beside her. I neared it, taking a seat as I spoke. "I am here with my family to adopt a child," I stated, not really sure how else to say it.
A sense of knowing wafted out from her, stunning me to my core. She nodded with confident eyes, exhaling lightly, the sweet apple scent that covered her breezing over to me. "You saw my report, and that's why you're here, isn't it?" she asked, her voice adding an invisible "duh" tone.
I stared at her a second, trying to think of any other reply than the obvious one. Not finding one, I simply nodded, agreeing. What else could I say?
"I'll assure you, though, that's not the reason I'm interested," I recovered quickly, watching as she raised her eyebrows, her lips quirking at my obvious discomfort. Her eyes were powerful, my God.
"Well, then, mister, do tell, what is the reason?" she asked, leaning forward with mock interest. "After all, I'm surprised you want to adopt at all, especially your family."
My eyes tightened at her, feeling a sense of knowing a piece of knowledge that she was not supposed to have. "You know something I don't," I stated, staring into her eyes.
Her lips curled, "I do, but you'll just have to guess." With those words, she began to ignore me, grasping her pencil and continuing with whatever she was drawing.
We sat in silence for a few minutes. I expected the silence to be dull, boring, uncomfortable, but it was none of those things. Honestly, it was strangely peaceful, calm. Eventually, however, her pencil scraping away at the paper, I could no longer stop my curiosity at what she was drawing. As such, I thought of a way to cure my curiosity, and get the information she withheld.
"Wanna make a compromise?" I asked, wondering where on earth this conversation was sparking. I have not even known the girl for ten minutes, and I feel like I've known her much longer.
She glanced up over her sketchpad, looking up through her lashes. I, as a 250 year old vampire, was very ashamed to say that the look she gave me was possibly the sexiest thing I had ever seen. Her eyes pierced me through her lashes, and I loved every second that her eyes were on me. She lifted an eyebrow, biting on her pencil carefully.
"A compromise of...?" she inquired.
"I guess what you know, with three hints, and I get to see what you're drawing," I offered, feeling oddly pleased as she glanced down at her paper uncomfortably. She must have felt good with the compromise and my inability to guess her bit of knowledge because she soon lifted her head, eyes meeting mine dead on.
"Deal. Three hints, no more. I'll even add to the compromise," she murmured. "You question, and my answers are the hints."
"Agreed. First question: does it involve anything with my face or physique?"
Without thinking, her eyes flashed down my body, a thrill of heat running through her. I heard her heartbeat quiver and pulse raucously for a second as she looked me over, and I will be honest that the look greatly boosted my confidence, like I needed it.
"Yes," she replied briskly, adding no other detail.
I waited a moment, hoping she would reveal more information, but she did not. Finally, I asked, "Is it my eyes?" I wondered, knowing that golden eyes would be memorable.
Her eyes once again met mine, the gray hues there seeming to dance in the light in the room, flashing brilliantly. Without speaking, she bobbed her head slowly, eyes never leaving mine.
I smirked at her, thinking a moment. It had to do with my face, my eyes specifically. As such, there was only one thing she could pull from that. With that in mind, I asked my final question, personally praying for a no. But then again, it would greatly save my family's time when shit hit the fan.
"Do you...know what I am?" I questioned carefully, hoping for a 'no.' Then again, I suppose it did not matter, she would find out eventually.
She dropped her eyes to her sketchpad, gripping it to her chest a moment, squeezing her eyes. Soon, she opened her eyes, handing over the pad.
"Vampire," she whispered as I took the paper from her hand, tracing over the image.
The image did not depict a vampire, as I expected. Instead, it showed a graphic demon-like monster. The creature stood on hooves, legs mobile haunches. The creature was standing tall, flashing its sharp teeth. Powerful horns twirled up and outward on the monster's head, spiraling up gracefully. The demon appeared to be leaning forward, glaring menacingly at me through the picture. Though unsettling, the picture was not frightening. I was, however, taken aback by the girl's artistic ability, wondering where she had gotten such an image like this in the building. Imagination? Possibly. But, could the doctor be correct? What if she did suffer from something psychological?
Glancing over the picture again, I handed it back to her. I, for some reason, was not surprised by the girl's revelation of knowledge. I was unaffected. I knew something was going to happen when I entered this room.
The girl took her picture back slowly, carefully, watching me with ultimate clarity and curiosity. I felt fear from her, as well, but only lightly. I surmised that the fear was more for my reaction than me personally.
"How do you know, and where did that image come from?" I asked quietly, openly, leaving the question open for a rain check in case she felt the need to bolt or drop the subject altogether.
She turned her head away from me, her eyes looking out the window. "How I know is my story, and I think that should wait until I know you better," she murmured, glancing at me for confirmation to her words. I did not nod nor did I speak. I just allowed my eyes to capture hers, passing on my consent to her words. She continued, "As for the drawing...well, you see, I have this...gift, curse, thing."
"What kind of thing?" I asked, my forehead scrunching up slightly as I leaned forward, my elbows on my knees, my eyes watching her.
She shifted beneath my gaze, turning in her seat so her feet dangled on an armrest, her back resting against the other. "I can see spirits, demons, apparitions. The doctor wasn't lying nor was he wrong." Her eyes met mine, and I could see the fear within their navy depths. A sense of worthlessness filtered out to me, and I longed to rid her of the emotion forever. What could have called on such an emotion? I would find out soon enough.
"And you've seen that?" I asked, tapping a finger on the top of her book, my cold skin brushing her warm skin. I was shocked at the connection, electricity buzzing up my arm and through my chest, filling me with warmth from head to toe. She must have felt it to because she raised her eyebrow in question, soon shaking it off.
"I have. In fact, I can look at him right now," she whispered, suddenly feeling true fear, her eyes become shifty as her body seemed to curl into itself, her knees coming to her chest.
"Does he hurt you?" I questioned lowly, a slight growl lilting through my voice, feeling the anger within me growing already at the creature.
She glanced down, and I clenched my teeth, feeling fury that I could not wholly explain. On top of that, I felt this insane need to protect and care for the girl. Where had that come from? Shaking my head imperceptibly, I brushed off the raging emotions within me, calming myself so I did not do anything stupid.
"They all do, eventually. Physically? No, he hasn't," she replied, averting her eyes.
Sighing, I moved forward, dropping to my knees in front of the girl. I tilted my head up and bent down as I could look up at her face, hidden slightly by her hair. Her eyes met mine, and I could see that she was shocked to see me so close.
"Listen, my names Jasper," I muttered bluntly, randomly. "You are?" I already knew her name from the door, but I was asking properly.
"Bella," she breathed, her voice releasing like a soft melody.
I smiled at her, pleased to see her cheeks lift in response. "Well, Bella, I would be more than happy to know your story." My smile widened. "So, if you would not mind, I would like for you to be adopted into my family. We can help you in any way we can, and we can try to protect you from the demons. We can't see them, but you can teach us how to be rid of them. I have a feeling that that is what you do, but you don't need to be doing it alone, that I do know. And, believe me, I don't know much about the supernatural." She giggled in response to that, and I reveled in the sound. "Will you do me the honor of soon finding out your story? Will you allow me to help you and give you a home?"
Her eyes glistened with unshed tears, and I soon found myself enveloped in her arms, loving the feeling of having them wrapped around me, the warmth of her skin sinking through my shirt and into my own skin. I was lit on fire.
"I'd love to," she breathed in my ear. "Thank you so much."
She sniffled lightly, and I rubbed her back in content. This was the right thing to do. And my family and I could help her.
Couldn't we?
I suppose only time will tell, and, in that time, I would really like to get to know the mysterious, ghost seeing Swan in my arms. There was so much more to her. I could see that just from our brief meeting. We would gain a member, and she would gain a home. It was the perfect set-up. I smiled into Bella's hair. This would be good for us, for me.
Welcome to the family, Bella. This is your new dawn.
Alrighty, then! Hope you liked it! I actually have a lot of ideas for this story that I can't wait to write!
Want me to continue, type in the box down there and let me know!
Read, Review, Hope you Enjoyed!
~Much Love,
Zoe
P.S. Jasper is cool around blood, as he usually is in my stories. I hate the blood lust barrier. Not that it won't come in later in the story, because it might, but it doesn't affect anything in the great scheme of things!
Until next time...
