Jasper and Isabella met during the town's Fourth of July picnic in 1864, after courting Isabella for a short period of time, he asked her to marry him, later when he finds out that his older brother is killed in the civil war he secretly leaves Isabella and his family and joins the war, when he meets Maria and her sister he is turned into a vampire he forgets his human life and continues on with his existence, after meeting Alice and living a somewhat normal life with the Cullen's Isabella shows up at his doorstep, how is this possible? Come and join me and see how:
"ONLY TIME WILL TELL"
A/N: I own nothing that is twilight, that honor belongs only to Stephanie Meyers.
A/N: I also want to thank the best Beta in the world JSH…Donna you totally rock girlfriend.
CHAPTER ONE
IN THE BEGINNING
There comes a time in everyone's life when you realize that loving someone just isn't enough. True love burns deep, yes, but if you can't receive that feeling in return, then…well, I guess what I'm trying to explain is sometimes things happen that can't be explained at least in some worlds.
I loved someone like that once and I believe that he loved me just as much in return. We were two peas in a pod, you never seen one of us without the other, we would travel to town together with the supervision of my aunt or someone from his family, after all it is 1864 it's was only proper.
Although my aunt and Jasper's family trust us completely, he would never put me in harm's way, even as much as to the gossip of the surrounding town. He would never impugn my honor in such away, well,not intentionally anyway.
Jasper and I met last year at the Fourth of July picnic it was a very warm day, with only a slight breeze coming off the lake in the distance. The ladies pulled together as we always did for our town picnic and cooked their special dishes, placing them on the table for the hungry multitude of people to attack, leaving very little if any for an evening snack.
People from miles around came to see the fireworks that the council of the town put on. It was the most amazing thing I had ever seen. Who would have guessed that someone would come up with the idea of putting pretty colors of light in gun powder relating in what they call fireworks. It was truly amazing. It lit up the night sky, of course we had to stay back a fair distance so as not to become injured, but it was a sight to see.
I think enough southern gentlemen are getting injured, with the war against the states still hammering away. My brother was killed in that god awful war, the death of my brother Lyle was an atrocity, a senseless death, unforgivable by my standards.
Actually, Lyle wasn't my brother, he was my cousin, but we were close enough to be brother and sister. He always gave me a shoulder to cry on when I first moved here at the age of fifteen. He made me feel wanted and involved me in a lot of things to keep my mind occupied. We became close over the first year I was here and before he left for the war with the promise of writing every chance he could, it was he who actually introduced me to Jasper, unintentionally.
My cousin Lyle was friends with Mark Whitlock who is Jaspers older brother. Mark had stopped by one day as he came from town. He had to pick up supplies for his family's farm, he had his little brother with him.
Although we weren't formally introduced that day, I knew with just one look, that I would remember his face anywhere if ever I was to come across it again. He was a most handsome young man I had ever seen, even at that early age, I could tell he would grow into a looker. He looked to be close to my age and that smile… I will never forget that smile.
What I think is also neither here nor there, about the war that is, I am only a woman, and have no say on the subject what so ever, nor do they care what thoughts travel through my feminine brain. They care not what I think about our men being killed out there on the battlefield, to sustain a way of life. Is it worth all that death just to keep our old ways? Is there no compromise to endure a new way of life? They care not to hear a word that I have to say, which is why my aunt forbids me to openly speak of such things. She says if others heard me speak in such a manner, that I was committing treason and would be hung, so I keep my thoughts to myself…knowing she speaks the truth.
I know this because I inherited my way of thought from my father, he also hated the war that continues on and expressed it openly, only to find himself hung for his open indiscretions. It wasn't long after I lost my mother after she had broke down seeing such a thing take place and attack the lord mayor of the town we lived in. I was certain to be next, but a close neighbor was present and grabbed me, knowing I had an aunt who lived in Austin, Texas. She took me in until passage could be made for my travel to my new life that I am now living.
I live with my aunt Martha, and her twin daughters, Celeste and Cheryl who makes my life a living hell now that Lyle is gone. Jealousy is not an admired quality which my dear cousins cast on me daily for my very existence in this life. It seems I'm taking too much of their air.
There is also a younger cousin Charles, who is only two years of age. My uncle died of pneumonia a year before I came here, he became sick trying to save the crops from a torrential down pour that threatened the year's harvest. The sickness quickly turned into pneumonia that essentially took his life in the end. My aunt was devastated.
She still runs this small farm alone now that Lyle has been killed. I help out as much as I can, mostly with the cooking and caring for my little cousin Charles, while her and my cousins look after the stock and take care of the fields. My aunt pays a man to come once a year to plow and plants the fields. Aunt Martha then cares for it until harvest time and to tell you the truth… I think he's kind of sweet on Aunt Martha, I giggled to myself at the thought.
After the fireworks, there was music, the council hired a small band to play that night and everyone was having the time of their lives. After leaving my family to their dancing, that I never par took in, for I have two left feet. I took a blanket, spreading it out down next to the lake. I sat down, relaxed, as the cool breeze coming from the lake caressed my skin, evaporating the beads of sweat from the day's activities that took refuge on my brow. It caused a shiver to ripple down my spine.
The place I chose to relax was a short distance away from the festivities, but I could still hear the music, as it filtered through the night air. I closed my eyes, listening, as the fiddle played tune after tune. I was surely in my element or at least I thought I was until I heard the soft sweet southern voice of a man sweep across my ears. I looked up to see the most handsome boy I had ever seen.
"Good evening ma'am, you probably don't remember me, we met a few months ago. I hope I'm not interrupting your solitude," he spoke shyly with a southern drawl. He looked so familiar to me; I looked at him with a furrowed brow, I tried to remember where I knew that face from and then it dawned on me.
"You're, Mark's brother," I said surprised to see him again.
"Yes ma'am, I'm afraid we weren't formally introduced, my name is Jasper, Jasper Whitlock," he said as he took off his hat and bowed his head a little in compliance with taking my hand and kissing my knuckles.
"Isabella, Isabella Swan," I replied with a smile at his southern gentlemanly actions.
"May I join you?" he asked, looking around before he continued, "unless you think it is not suitable for a young man and woman to be seen in public unescorted," he said with a smirk.
"You will learn Mr. Whitlock, that I don't comply with a lot of what other people find suitable, so if you wish your reputation to stay in tack I suggest you find other suitable company sir," I replied complacently. He was adorable and I wanted him to like me, but me being who I am, I had to be a little obscure. He smiled at me, as he took a seat next to me, staring out at the water.
"I think my reputation is safe with you Miss. Swan," he said with a chuckle. "However, I'm not so sure about yours he replied." He looked over at me and smiled. Oh god, that smile made me melt, forgetting everything and everyone else, there was only he and I sitting there among the multitude of people. We talked for what seemed like forever, until we were interrupted by my aunt.
"Isabella, we are heading home sweetheart," she said with a worried voice, shocked at seeing Jasper keeping me company without a chaperone.
"Oh aunt, this is, Jasper Whitlock," he was keeping me company," I told her, as Jasper jumped to his feet and bowed to my aunt.
"It's a pleasure ma'am," he said as he placed his hat over his heart and bowed.
"The pleasure is all mine Mr. Whitlock, but I think it would be best if a chaperone was present, it isn't proper for a young man and woman to be seen in public together unaccompanied, wouldn't you agree sir?" she replied sternly.
"Of course ma'am, my deepest apologies," he said, as he bowed again.
"Come, Isabella, we should make haste, it is getting late and there is much to do in the morning," she ordered. I stood up and looked at Jasper with a huge smile.
"Ma'am," he said getting my aunts attention; she turned to look at him.
"May I have permission to visit you humble abode and pay a visit to Miss Swan?" he asked, respectfully. I grinned at him from behind my aunts back. I just knew he could see the twinkle in my eye from his request. Jasper's eyes left mine and then set back onto my aunt's, trying to show his interest for me. At first she sighed as she turned to me. I quickly hid the smile on my face, giving my aunt a pleading look.
"Well, I don't see why not. You may call on Isabella tomorrow afternoon, after the chores are finished," she said with a smile, shaking her head, as she started to walk off.
"Come, Isabella," she demanded. I grabbed the blanket off the ground and smiled at Jasper. He gave me a sweet smile in return, as I walked off to join my aunt, looking over my shoulder.
"Till tomorrow Isabella," he said as he took off running into the crowd of people. I smiled, as I walked back with my aunt to join the others, as we climbed into the buckboard and headed to the house.
Jasper and I spent a lot of time together after that. We found that we had a lot of the same things in common and although he felt the same about the war as I did, the southern part of him wanted to go fight alongside his brother. Jasper was only seventeen and unable to join the war. His father refused to sign the papers to let him go. Jasper and his father fought a lot during this time. Jasper knew why his father had made the decision not to let him go. He knew his father loved him and the south, but he also didn't want him to die defending it either.
I understood Jaspers feeling on the subject, but I couldn't help being a little glad that he couldn't go. I didn't want him to leave me and I was frightened he would get killed in one of the battles. Selfish? Yes, but I had lost enough in this life time and I didn't want to lose him as well. I was finding myself falling in love with Jasper and I was sure he felt the same way, although he has never said as much, the certain way he would look at me and the sparkle in his eyes as he did, I was sure he felt the same way.
One afternoon, I was with Jasper. We decided to take a horseback ride up to some land his family owned. With all the talk of Jasper wanting to go off to war, his father decided to section off pieces of their land, giving Jasper and his siblings a piece of land each. His father went to town and had the papers drawn up to make it legal.
Jasper told me about it and wanted to show me where his piece of land sat. So we saddled up two horses and made our way to that piece of land, unescorted, if my aunt knew this, she would have tar and feathered the both of us.
As we dismounted Jasper took my hand and led me to the edge of the property. It sat on a hill and over looked a large open field and beyond that was the lake. It was a beautiful site to see. He told me how he wanted the bedroom to have a large window, so we could wake to this scenery every morning. I looked at him shocked at what he had said, was it a slip of the tongue or was he saying he wanted us to share this house together, as a married couple? I didn't know for sure, but the shock kept me staring at him lovingly, hoping that was what he meant. He turned to me and smiled. He took my hand in his and pulled me close and stared into my eyes.
"Will you share this life with me Isabella? Will you stand by my side? Love me as I do you and walk with me for the rest of our lives as man and wife?" he asked, as he brought my hand up to his lips and kissed the palm. The shock turned to tears, as they flowed in happiness down my face. He did mean for us to marry and be together for the rest of our lives. I was happier than I had ever been in my life. He was all I ever wanted in this life. I think I knew that from the start, that first day, as he sat astride that horse next to his brother, I knew he was it for me.
"Yes Jasper, yes, I will stand by your side, as your wife and love you for the rest of our lives," I told him proudly smiling from ear to ear. He returned the smile and grabbed me swinging me around in a circle, as he laughed proudly. He put me on my feet, as he looked me in the eyes and slowly descended until his lips met mine for the first time. He softly kissed my lips and I was immediately lost in Jasper. It was slow and sweet, as our lips glided together, he pulled me to him closer than we had ever been before. I knew we shouldn't be this close, but I couldn't seem to care at the moment. I loved Jasper and I wanted him, all of him and although I knew that wouldn't happen today, I knew it would be soon and that made me the happiest girl in the world. Jasper slowly and softly grazed my bottom lip with his tongue, my heart jumped and began to beat wildly, as I opened my mouth and allowed his tongue to enter. Our tongues danced together. I moaned in pleasure, as did he. His hand came up around my neck and intertwined into my hair claiming my lips tighter. I had never felt this way before, of course there has never been this kind of instance before either, but still it felt wonderful and I never wanted to be far from his lips ever again.
I felt something hard press against my stomach, as he pulled me tighter against him. My thoughts brought to life what this hardness was, as the warmth and redness took control of my facial features, as I was sure, I knew what I was feeling. It also made me love him even more than I thought I could in this moment. I caused his body to react in such a way towards me.
"We must stop Jasper," I whined, not wanting to stop, but knowing we should before it went too far, it was then I realized why it was imperative to have a chaperone for anyone that was courting. It would be too easy not to stop, too let him have his way with me for I wanted it as much as he did. He pulled away from me staring me in the eyes once again, as we tried to compose ourselves.
"I love you my, Isabella," he proclaimed.
"As I love you my, Jasper," I replied back, as we claimed our love for one another. He reached into his breast pocket and pulled out little velvet bag with tie strings. He opened it pulling out a beautiful simple ring. It was a thin gold band with a small stone situated on the band. He placed the bag back into his pocket and grabbed my left ring finger and slipped it on and kissed it. He looked at me with a smile. He proceeded to tell me he had asked my aunt for my hand last week to which she agreed. He also told me he had spoken to his mother and father about it and they was joyously happy about the idea. He had made plans with his father to work on their farm and build our house when he had the time and in the mean time we were to live with them until our house was finished.
His family wanted him to wait until the house was done, not that they didn't want me to live with him in their house, but they thought it practical just to wait. As did I, but at the time I didn't think of Jasper's reasoning. After much debate Jasper's family agreed and the wedding was planned along with the help of my Aunt.
The day had arrived, it was a simple wedding. I wore a simple light weight cotton gown that fell to the floor. My hair pulled up into a large bun with wisps of hair flowing here and there around my face. I carried a bouquet of daisies that had just bloomed and was picked by Jasper. He tied a yellow ribbon around them and had my aunt bring them to me to carry. Jasper was always, so thoughtful.
Jasper as well as myself were raging with happiness. We laughed and cried in such joy, we couldn't keep our hands off one another. Jasper would lean down nibbling on my neck and whisper in my ear his devoted love for me. I in return, held on to him the entire day, needing to feel him near me. When we couldn't stand it any longer we made our way to barn where there was a room set up for us so we could have our privacy for the one night.
Jasper was so loving and caring, I loved him more than I thought possible. He showed me that he felt the same way, it was the most amazing night of my life. When we made it to the room, Jasper took me into his arms and kissed me passionately. He pulled me tight against him, once again. I could feel his hardness against my stomach. I moaned at the feeling, knowing I didn't have to stop him this time. He picked me up bridal style and laid me on the bed were he joined me. Before I knew it our clothes were discarded and Jasper was leaning back on his heels admiring my body.
"So beautiful," he claimed in a whisper. He took my lips once again and passionately kissed me, it soon became fiery, more possessive with every touch, every moan. He proceeded very lovingly and with care his hand slowly moved over my body. He positioned himself over me resting himself on his forearms, as to not put his full weight on me, his hand traveled to my mound as he moaned in pleasure.
"So wet for me darlin'," he whispered as he slid one of his fingers into my folds. I moaned his name in my own pleasure.
"Feel good darlin"?" he asked as he pushed his finger in and out of my centre. I hummed an answer in agreement. He added a second finger and pushed deeper and pick up more speed, curling his finger a little as he hit a spot deep within that pleased me even more and I sang out my release with pleasure. He pulled his fingers from me and kissed my neck at the pulse point and slid the head of his member into my folds, as we both moaned. I jerked my hips pushing him deeper than he was ready for and he stalled.
"Easy darlin' I don't want to hurt you," he said, as he slowly started rocking back and forth sliding in slowly and deeper each time until he made it to his destination. He looked at me with nothing but love in his eyes.
"Darlin' this is going to sting a lot, but I'll stop once I get past it until you tell me you're ready to continue," he told me. I agreed and he pulled out a little and pushed in hard and fast until he was completely sheathed inside of me. I screamed with the pain, as Jasper stopped and buried his head into my hair leaning against my shoulder breathing hard. I could tell he was trying to collect himself, before continuing. It hurt like hell, but after a few minutes it felt amazing. I bucked my hips into Jasper to let him know I was ready as he began to push in and out of me. It was nothing like I had ever felt before, it felt amazing, the friction that Jasper was making rubbing against my walls were exhilarating. I chanted Jaspers name over and over again, our breathing was labored, as I found myself pushing in right along with Jasper. I even surprised myself, as I heard myself yelling for him to go faster and harder, as he complied. I could feel the muscles in my stomach start to tighten. I dug my nails into Jaspers back.
"That's right darlin' cum for me," he chanted, becoming more forceful in his procedure. He began chanting my name now, as we both gave into our release at the same time calling out for one another. He fell on my chest rolling off me and pulling me to him on to his chest.
"God, I love you," he sang out with meaning, as he and I tried to catch our breath. Once we did, he looked at me and smiled.
"Are you okay Mrs. Whitlock?" he asked leaning down and kissing me on the forehead.
"I love you, Jasper, more than you could possibly imagine and yes, Mr. Whitlock I am more than okay," I told him with a pleasurable grin. He chuckled pulling me closer to him and kissing the top of my head. We made love until early the next morning before we finally gave way to sleep. The next morning which should have been the next best day of our lives, wasn't meant to be evidently. A messenger showed up on horseback with letter form a Major Swanson.
Dear Mr. and Mrs. Whitlock,
It is with deep regret that I inform you that on this day April fifteenth, eighteen hundred and six-five a one captain Mark Whitlock died in the line of duty, please except our deepest sympathy for the loss of your son.
Sincerely
The Fifthth Calvary of the United States confederate army.
Signed:
Major Swanson.
This put the family in a deep depression, as you could imagine. I tried to comfort Jasper, as much, as I could.
Jasper loved and respected his brother and his death was devastating to him, he was inconsolable. The harder I tried the worse he became. I didn't know what to do. His mother told me to just be there for him when need be, to give him time, he would come around sooner or later, at the time I hoped she was right, later I would find out how wrong she was. Jasper's father just gave up, he felt as though he had let down his family in some way. We tried to tell him there was nothing he could do, but he was adamant about it. He felt it was his fault. I watched, as the whole family fell apart around me. I prayed that Jasper and I wouldn't fall apart as well. Jasper and I may have only been seventeen years of age, but you must remember back in those days we had to grow up at a much faster rate, some faster than other evidently, as I will soon discover.
It was already approaching the end of May and spring would be ending soon as summer approached… Jasper was getting better and we were spending more time together. He was working on his family's farm and started to break ground on our own house. Once the walls were up he took me there for a much needed private moment.
We spent hours making love as he told me we were breaking in the house. I giggled at the thought knowing it was just an excuse to be alone with me, the roof wasn't even on yet. He paid special attention to my needs that night and the next day he never left my side.
When we went to bed the next night I felt, as though something was wrong. I couldn't tell you what it was only that I had this strange feeling something was either coming or going to happen. I shivered at the thought. Jasper told me I was imagining things to try and relax. Jasper had this comforting way of making me relax with a look, or a certain tone in his voice. He could always either get his way or somehow lull me to sleep, which he did this night. I willingly curled into his arms and fell comfortably asleep. The next morning I woke to an empty bed. I felt cold and alone, somehow not like any time before. Oh sure, I have woke with Jasper being gone before when he would leave me to sleep while he and his father went to work on the farm, but this time it felt different, I was frightened. I didn't know why I felt like that I only knew I had to get up and find Jasper.
After cleaning up and getting dressed I walked into the kitchen to help with breakfast. I was met by Jasper's mother.
"Where's Jasper? His father's been waiting on him to milk the cows," she said. I looked at her with fear in my eyes.
"His not with his father?" I asked with a shaky voice, as fear filled my every pore.
"No…His not in bed?" she asked and I could feel her fear start to take hold. She ran to the back door, slung it open.
"Harold!" she screamed, Jasper's dad ran to the back porch afraid from the sound of his wife's voice.
"What is it Marion?" he asked holding her in his arms as she cried.
"Jasper….he's gone," she whimpered, as he looked over at me hoping I could give him answers, answers I didn't have and soon my own tears made an appearance. He moved his wife over to me, wrapping his arms around us both to comfort us. After settling us down he left to go to town to the drafting board. When he came back he was mad enough to chew nails and I don't mean finger nails.
It seems Jasper enlisted into the confederate army and left right away. He had lied telling the gentlemen he was nineteen years old and they believed him. Harold went off telling them he was only seventeen, but they didn't seem to care.
It seems the war was going bad for our side and they were taking everyone at their word, there was nothing we could do. We knew Jasper would be able to come home on leave, as Mark use too, so all we could do is hope and pray that Jasper didn't get killed in the line of duty as his brother did.
I did receive a letter from Jasper soon after he left. He apologized for leaving so abruptly, but he knew if he told any of us what he was up to we would stop him and he was right, we would have hog tied him to the bed! He told me he loved me and had planned this even before we had word about Mark's death. He wanted to make me his wife before he left. Well, that at least made me feel better knowing that he did love me and didn't marry me just to throw his parents off the trail of what he was up to. He told me, he would be home as soon as he could and begged me for forgiveness.
I love Jasper and there was no way I could stay mad at him and he knew it. At this point I was more mad at myself than I was at him. I should have known what he was planning. I knew he wanted to go to war, more than anything, why I was so surprised by it was beyond me. So, I prayed every night to god, for him to bring my Jasper safely home to me.
I wrote Jasper often, I don't know how many of my letters got to him, but I wrote anyway. I received at least one reply a week. He was going up in the ranks fast, showing them his worth. I was happy for him, but still I worried about him. I would tell him in a letter every time I wrote to please take care of himself, that I couldn't live if anything happened to him and to hurry home to me, that I missed him so much. He would reply with a hearty laugh to begin, telling me to stop being such a worry wart that he was fine, only to precede in telling me what he was going to do to me once he got home. I would always read my letters from Jasper in the privacy of our room, because the family always wanted to read what he had to say, instead of letting them read them, I would tell them what he had to say, leaving out the personal stuff.
I wrote and told him that his family always wanted to read his letters to me and how embarrassed I was to let them. So, I would explain to them what he had to say, leaving out the sexual innuendoes. He finally got the message and wrote to them, telling them to leave me alone about the letters, that he had put a lot of personal things in them and they were embarrassing me by asking to read them. He also told them, I was too much of lady to tell them out right why I didn't let them read the letters from him, after that they never said a word about any of the letters I received from Jasper. I would volunteer to tell them things he had to say after that, but they never asked for any information.
The letter's got more personal, some of them even brought a blush to my cheek and I was very much alone in the privacy of our room reading them. I could tell he was starting to miss me and I mean more than just for him to be by my side. I also knew he would have to take a day away from the family just for us to be alone, to satisfy his needs. I cleared my throat, in hopes that it would stop the tears that threatened to fall. I missed him as much as he misses me.
I think Harold picked up on just how much I missed Jasper, because once in awhile I would turn to find him watching me, he would give me a small smile to let me know he understood and in his spare time he would run up to our property to work on our house. I tried to discourage him, but he wouldn't hear of it. I think it took his mind off Jasper being so far away and fighting in a war that killed his oldest son. I knew Harold worried about Jasper, he didn't want to lose another son to that god awful war and I didn't want to lose a husband to it any more than he did.
