1861: Houstan, Texas
"Jasper, don't do this!" Sarah pleaded, grabbing Jasper's hand once more. He kissed her palm and held it close to his face. She used the back of her other hand to wipe sweat from her forehead. The Texas summer was becoming unbearable.
"Sarah, you know I have to. It's my duty. The war will be over in no time; the South is bound to win," he had a cheeky grin as he looked down at her. She was just fourteen to his eighteen, but they were going to get married in a few years. She wasn't much like the other women he'd met; she talked to him like she wasn't afraid of what he would think. He watched her chest fall as she sighed. "As soon as I come back, I promise we'll have our family." Her eyes shone as she hugged him again.
"I love you Jasper Whitlock, don't ever forget it," she said holding back tears.
He walked away that day not knowing what would happen, but feeling very confident. They said their final goodbyes the next day as Jasper and a few of his friends set off to join the War for Southern Independence.
2010: Forks, Washington
Jasper snapped away from his day dream when Alice began to talk to him. He had been paying less and less attention to her. It upset her, but sometimes people grow apart, and they had a lifetime to grow back together; this was Alice's philosophy. He nodded with what she was saying as they packed bags. The Cullen children were going to take a vacation of their own to New York City. Rosalie wanted to shop, and Alice wanted to see something on Broadway. He was silently hoping that one day he would be able to go to Texas, and try to find Sarah's grave stone. He broke his promise to her and he never really got to say he was sorry.
2010: Anchorage, Alaska
A young girl stood, packing her bags. She had copper colored hair and golden colored eyes. A family was sitting at a table behind her, waiting patiently for her to join them.
"Sorry to keep you waiting," she called, a Southern accent spilling from her chapped lips.
"Not a problem dear, we know you don't have much more time to get your things together. What time do you want us to take off tomorrow?" the mother figure asked in a soothing voice.
The girl shrugged her shoulders and took a place at the table, "What game are we going to play?" her voice was eager.
"Well, Sarah, you can pick since it's your last night with us," a large man said, his eyes glinting with tears. Everyone quieted and the mood grew solemn.
Sarah and the biggest man climbed into an average size seaplane and took off towards the South, heading for Washington.
"Esme and Carlisle will have a car waiting for you on the dock when we land. I'll really miss you, but they're going to take wonderful care of you," he sounded very certain and that helped give her some assurance.
It didn't take but an hour to get to their destination and by that time Sarah was shaking with anticipation. She hadn't spent much time with people her own age, since she actually was seventeen. Her thoughts escaped her to Jasper. He was four years older than her, but he was the niftiest boy. He didn't treat her like she was lower than him. But all that's changed now, women don't usually have those kinds of problems. She loved being able to see the changes.
A man who looked no older than twenty-five jogged towards the seaplane, first shaking hands with the man then grabbing the bags from Sarah.
"My name is Carlisle Cullen. My wife Esme stayed home to drive our kids to the airport. They're going on vacation, but they'll be home in two weeks when the winter break is over. Everyone's excited to meet you," his smile gleamed, and it was obvious he was genuinely happy to meet Sarah. As he relieved her of the luggage she pulled her coat tighter, not that she could feel the cold but it was starting to sleet.
They waved goodbye and road mostly silent to Cullen home. Sarah was thoroughly impressed with their place. Everything was beautiful and elegant.
"Thank you so much for taking me in. It was time for me to move on, and I didn't know where else to go," she spoke at a level tone, as Esme helped the two into the foyer.
"Don't think anything of it, as long as you let me do your laundry every now and then," Sarah beamed at this; laundry was her least favorite chore.
"I think we can work something out," she giggled as Esme finally embraced her.
The Cullens showed her upstairs and to her room. Esme let Sarah know that she had bought furniture and decorated as soon as she found out about the girl's arrival. The vast space was dressed in light shades of mint and turquoise. The furniture was solid black and there was more room than she'd ever need.
"May I ask you where you're from?" Carlisle said, not wanting to wander into sensitive territory.
Sarah gave a toothy grin, "I'm from Texas, or rather I was when I still had a pulse," she joked.
"Well that's quite the coincidence. We have a son from there, Jasper, you two will have to compare notes," Esme said as Carlisle placed a sweater clad arm around her shoulder.
Sarah fought back a gasp. "Oh, that's a nice name," she said coolly. It wasn't him, and she couldn't go around making them feel bad for momentarily getting her hopes up.
"Edward, Alice, Rosalie, and Emmett are our other children. I guess that makes you our child too," Esme clearly had a motherly bond. She used the word children several more times. Sarah let them know her age, and other general information about her before asking for some time to unpack.
The two oldest Cullens did all they could to make the young girl feel at home. They played games, watched movies, and even baked cookies; just to make the house smell of chocolate chips.
Carlisle and Sarah learned that they both loved to fence. And that's what they were doing when Esme arrived home with all of the kids. Carlisle went out and bought the two of them suits and foils to fight with. Everyone left their bags at the door at Esme's command and ventured into the living room. The furniture was moved, and they were circling each other in the center of the big room. Finally their attention was grabbed and Carlisle and Sarah turned to the others and began to laugh.
"We didn't realize anyone was here," Carlisle said with a chuckle as he removed his mask.
The other teens introduced themselves.
"And I'm Jasper Whitlock," he spoke, nodding to the girl. If Sarah had been breathing, it would have stopped. Her knees felt week for the first time since she'd been a vampire. Carlisle had to grab her, to keep her from falling over.
"What's wrong?" he asked hurriedly.
She shook her head, tearing the mask from her head.
"Jasper!" She yelled out. "I can't believe my eyes. You didn't die, you didn't die," Sarah couldn't help but repeat that over and over. All she'd ever wanted was to see him one last time, and here he was.