I don't own Twilight. If I did there would be more Jasper.
Chapter 2
Choosing to move to the east coast was probably the only thing that saved my life. Before leaving I made a point of removing anything I thought James might use to hunt either myself or Renee down. I was tempted to take all the baby videos also if I thought for one minute the Cullens could remove James without Bella's dramatics.
I knew her actions, "her sacrifice" was pointlessly in saving Renee, after all if by chance he did kidnap her there was nothing to stop James killing our mother regardless. That wasn't to say drawing him out with Bella as the bait was a bad idea either. Had my sister stopped to think things through she would have told Jasper and Alice about the voice message. The broke leg and bite mark could have been avoided.
Removing the video tape wouldn't solve problems, James wasn't the kind to give up, sooner or later he'd get Bella or leverage to use against her. The Cullens couldn't watch over our entire family forever, they'd need to feed at some point. If the game drew on long enough, Victoria would end up getting further involved with James' schemes. As it stood she'd either join James in attacking which would increase his chances of survival, or James would send her to collect one of us while he distracted them.
I wasn't tactician, and while I knew a storyline there was nothing to say it would follow the predicted path if I interfered more than I already had.
I'd done the best that I could without getting directly involved. Anymore and…It wasn't nice to think about.
If the voicemail from Bella was any indication "don't come home", James had followed her back to Phoenix. The next phone call I received came from Renee, who wanted me to come back to Phoenix immediately, she sounded distressed saying Bella had fallen through a hotel window.
While I was relieved she was alive, I wasn't eager to be at her bedside. Edward and his family were no doubt keeping a close watch over her, and there was no guarantee he wouldn't be able to read my mind. Being Bella's identical twin shout mean I share her gift, but from what I recall some gifts are down to the individual. Jane and Alex were twins and yet they had opposite gifts. Did that mean I would have a physical shield rather than mental?
I had no idea and whether I liked it or not I was about to find out. I had no real reason not to go back to Phoenix. I was doing well in class, I hadn't had time off work, and given the situation my boss wouldn't begrudge me a few days to visit my sister in hospital. Hell, Renee had already bought my ticket! So I was well and truly stuck.
If I hadn't been so worried about being caught out things I would have remembered to change before going to the hospital.
When I landed in Phoenix airport, I went to Walmart and Taco Bell before going to see Bella. I didn't know if they had already eaten considering the time but I thought it couldn't hurt to get a few snacks. It didn't matter what country I we in hospital never tasted nice, and given Bella was injured I didn't have to worry about her throwing up on me.
I decided to take a taxi rather than calling for someone to pick me up. There was good possibility that Bella had urged Renee to go home instead of staying at the hospital. Then again it could be equally likely that the woman had nodded off on the chair waiting for Bella to wake up.
Being a regular visitor- what with Bella's clumsiness and my penchant for snake bites- I was pretty sure were Bella's room was. Majority of the time we ended up I the same one, I was tempted to start putting decorations in the damn thing.
I checked at reception and found I was right- same room. Waving at Lisa who was making her usual rounds I walked down the corridor. Not bothering to knock I walked right in.
"Home sweet, home" I joked to Bella who was sat up in the bed.
She sighed irritated, "Hello to you too Abby."
"Now, now," I scolded "I came all this way, to visit after Mom pitched a fit. The least you could do is be happy to see me."
She smiled half-heartily "I am happy to see you."
"Good, cause I brought you a gift" I held up the offerings of food.
Seeing what I held, her smile became more genuine. "Chicken fajita?"
"Extra chilli sauce and chips. I also picked up some sprite and those meringue things you like so much."
"Macaroons, Abby. They're called Macaroons."
"Whatever. So now you're happy to see me?"
"Give me the bag."
"Say please."
"Please, give me the bag. Before I have to hit you."
"Violence, isn't the answer, Bella. Maybe I should just eat these myself."
"You don't like macaroons."
"But I do like chicken fajitas…"
"Abby…I'm glad you're here" She grinned widely, knowing my teasing stemmed from a desire to see her happy. It was a habit I employed whenever I was worried. It often lead to people thinking I wasn't taking things seriously, but it was just a coping mechanism. I didn't like crying, so laughing was my alternative. My dark sense of humour just wasn't always appreciated.
"That's more like it." I gave her the bag and plopped into the empty chair. "So, where's Mom?" I asked I she set her meal onto one of those rolling shelflike tables.
"I sent her home to get some sleep." She said confirming my earlier thoughts.
"Where's Dad?"
"Back in Forks. I kinda stormed out."
"Why?"
"Because…" She trailed off, taking a bit out of her wrap to keep he mouth occupied.
"Complicated, huh?"
She nodded taking another bite. I waited till she paused to take a drink before I restarted the conversation.
"So you travelled all the way back here cause something pissed you off?"
She shifted uneasily and refused to look me in the eye when she answered in the affirmative. Definitely lying, but I didn't bother pushing the issue.
"It's something to do with Edward. Isn't it?"
Her jaw dropped. "How did you…What makes you?" She babbled.
I waved her off "I did read those emails you sent me. You're dating him right? It figured that if was trouble in paradise you'd want some distance. Don't worry you're forgiven. But next time try not to argue on a staircase, Meryl Streep could tell you it never ends well."
"I know there's an insult in there somewhere."
I snickered at her lack of film knowledge "Death becomes her" watch it and you'll see what I'm talking about.
"So where is he then? Mom mentioned he came after you."
Bella suddenly became sheepish "He went back to the hotel." She blushed furiously, " he wanted to stay but…" She looked outside the window where the sun was shining bright
"Nurses tossed him out." I finished pretending I had no knowledge of his disco ball tendency. "Oh well, I'll meet him later, if mentioned his yo-yo behaviour so he'll come back at some point."
Her blush deepened as I reminded her of what she said in her first few emails. None of it had been very complementary.
"He's not that bad."
"Umhmm"
"He's not! He just…"
"Irritated the living daylights out of you?"
"…yes"
I chortled ducking to the side when she threw a chip at me.
"Oh, shut up."
When my giggles subsided, we continued our conversation. While I personally didn't like Edward I knew my sister was head over heels for him. A lot of Twilight fans may have believed it was lust instead of love, especially as in the books her inner monologue mentioned his looks several times. Or how she never addressed his less attractive qualities, the moodiness, self-hating philosophy and his silent stalking.
Personally I had agreed with that belief. Maybe not initially, the first time I had read the books I'm ashamed to admit I too swooned at the thought of him. It wasn't till I was older and more experience that I realised these were not good qualities to look for in a man.
Seeing Bella, in front of me as she talked about Edward suggested it was a mix of love and lust. Part of the reason she liked him so much was in part due to his looks, that had been the initial attraction. But she also liked him for himself - why I couldn't figure- she spoke about his likes and dislikes, habit. Small inconsequential things that only someone who cared would notice.
To be fair Edward had done something similar, he was attracted to her smell and quiet mind. He wanted to know her because he couldn't read her, and when he did he to know her he liked her as an individual.
While I figured it would work out for in the end, I didn't envy her for all the drama that was her to come.
We talked for hours, although I did leave for a couple of bathroom breaks and a quick trip to the nearest store for more snacks between the two of us we'd managed to finish off all the juice and chocolate I'd purchased. I found that I'd missed my sister more than I realised, while we'd exchanged emails it hadn't been the same.
It was a feeling that I was sure Bella shared considering neither of us noticed Edward when he entered the room. I had no idea how long he must have been there listening to us jabber on. I was just immensely thankful that our conversation about him had finished long before he got here.
It was only when I started to yawn, that I noticed his presence, pausing mid-stretch I gaped at my sister's boyfriend.
My expression must have amused him as he chuckled, the sound making Bella glance toward the door. Her expression quickly altered into what could I you be described as lovesick. I could almost hear the sound effects and slow motion sequence it was that cliché
He kissed her lips chastely, before offering her a ridiculously large bouquet of flowers. Bella's eyes widened as she calculated just how much the thing must have cost. Though she thanked him for it in front of me I had the feeling if I wasn't present she would have complained about it.
Biting her lip, Bella popped the flowers on top of the little side draw. She had I re-adjust it a few times so it didn't fall off the edge, the stems were so long several flower heads dipped precariously.
As my sister fiddled with the flowers I took a moment to examine the jackass who was partly responsible to my sisters injury. He was tall, at least six foot. He wasn't overly muscled, he had what I guessed classified as a swimmers build. Incredibly pale, with deep shadow under his orange and eyes. That combined with his tussled- more red than bronze- hair gave the impression he was an insomniac or possibly on drugs.
I'll admit he was good looking, but in his current state I would not compare to an Adonis. Again I wondered what my sister saw in him.
He stared at me for a good long moment before running his hand through his hair. Taking a breath of air he winced and I was thoroughly glad the window was open. I moved towards it as Edward pinched his nose. I wasn't the only one who's noticed either. Bella's eyes had widened enormously, no doubt she knew just how precarious our position was.
While Meyer had touched upon the life of nomadic vampires she never gone into too much detail about them. The fact was big cities like New York are a constant hunting ground. In the few months I'd lived in the city, on the cloudier days I usually saw at least five or six vampires wandering the streets. I never made to approach, I kept my head down and moved out of the way.
Seeing so many vampires made me nervous, Knowing scent was a huge factor to how a vampire chose his meals I did my best to alter or mask what I knew was a particularly appetising scent. While Bella used strawberry shampoo and more flowery soaps, I used tea tree and eucalyptus more medicinal odours . Hell I'd even done my best to cut out meat as I knew vegetarians had a more muted scent.
It seems that I hadn't done enough to erase temptation where a singer is concerned.
Of course when I realised where my train of thought was heading I tried to stop it. But thoughts are not as easy to control and I ended up cursing myself as my mind went officially AWOL.
Panicked by lose of control, my heart rate started to rise- not a good thing to do when your in the presence of a hungry vampire- oh fuck!
I waited for the seemingly inevitable inquisition, only it never came. Given the lack of reaction I could safely assume that my mind was safe from the telepath. Aside from the the darkening of his eyes due to hunger he made outward sign that he could hear me . Not looking a gift horse in the mouth, I allowed myself to relax slightly.
With my heart-rate returning to normal once more I did my best to act like anyone else on meeting their siblings romantic interest. Aside from the standard introductions and polite small talk I barely spoke to him. It was clear that neither of us were going to be he best of friends- at least not any time soon.
Bella knew it too, if the crushed look she gave was any indication. It seemed that Edward really wasn't all that lucky when it came to future in-laws.
Conversation from that point on was stilted, desperate to escape the tense atmosphere I went to leave only for Bella to gasp in shock when she got a closer look at my eyes. Since leaving Phoenix I had done a lot to change my appearance. I'd experimented briefly with hair styles and colours before deciding to leave it long. Though I had kept the blonde highlights. Another change was my clothes, like Bella I was a jeans kind of girl. But I did indulge in my more feminine side. I particularly enjoyed the more gothic style tops with long sleeves. I often combined this with coloured contact lenses. It just so happened I had been wearing a custom made set a "sharingan" a " copy wheel eye" design from the anime Naruto. In the artificial light the little commas didn't always stand out against the red background and I knew exactly what my sister was thinking and it was just my luck Bella decided blurt it out with Edward present.
I
"You're a vampire!" She shrieked.
I burst out laughing. I couldn't help it. All I could think of in that moment was the my sister had truly lost her mind. I'd been with her all day, in the sunshine and I had not burst in ash or sparkled like a diamond and yet she was a accusing me of being a vampire when her boyfriend- an actual blood sucker was in the room.
"You think…" I gasped through my laughter, "you think I'm a…" I couldn't even finish I was in hysterics. "What on earth is in that IV?"
Edward's expression was like granite, and I the distant part of my mind I knew he was running through scenarios of what to do with me if I figured out why Bella would jump to such a conclusion.
Bella's face had gone from white to an red as she realised just what she'd done. In a shocked state she stuttered that it was just a mild painkiller.
Wheezing I joked, the nurses should re- check the dosage.
"I'm not high!"
"Oh I beg to differ." I wiped the tears from my eyes. "I wish I had got that on film to show Mom. She'd have found it hilarious. You who complain constantly whenever I watched a Buffy, because it wasn't realistic, thinks her sisters a vampire." I snorted laughter once more.
Bella's rosy cheeks turned plum as her embarrassment continued. "I'm sorry," she apologised quietly- I guessed the apology was more Edward than myself- but I made it out otherwise. "Nah, it's alright. I know you're not interested in that stuff." Oh the irony!
"I'm gonna head back to the house. I'll drop by again in the morning with a decent breakfast" I gave a brief nod to Edward before enveloping Bella in a hug. As I walked out I couldn't resist adding a parting comment " Try not to overdo your medication again sis. I don't fancy you comparing me to Loch Ness monster next time."
There was a irritated shriek "I'm not high!"
I snickered once more as I made my way downstairs to the exit. All in all I was quite content with how my first meeting had gone. As far as I knew Edward and soon his family would have no idea I knew there secret. Given that I wasn't planning on hanging around much longer. I doubted I would be in danger of those circumstances changing.
It was now when I thought I'd made it through my first introduction to a vampire unscathed the universe decided to throw me a curve ball.
On the way out I saw more members of the Cullen family who were browsing the aisles of the small hospital shop. Carlisle and Alice looked a lot like their movie counterparts. Granted there were some differences. Alice's hair was much appeared much darker next to her pale skin. Carlisle's hair was longer, and he wasn't much taller than Bella and I- that might have been due to his human life, I vaguely recall reading that people were shorter due to lack of certain vitamins, and poorer food standards. Jasper, Esme and Rosalie weren't present – I figured the former wouldn't be to good in a hospital, Esme was probably at home in Forks and I knew Rose didn't care too much about my sister so I wasn't to surprised by their absence.
The dark haired boy currently talking to Alice in the shop –I guessed was Emmett was nothing like anyone pictured him- I thought Meyer wrote he was more muscular- he looked more like James McAvoy than Kellan Lutz.
I was so focused on comparing and contrasting the details that I nearly ran into someone. Muttering an apology to the elderly lady- who grumbled loudly I should watch where I was going- I stepped out into the night.
Zipping my jacket shut, I pulled my phone out my pocket I called for a taxi. Being informed it would take five minutes I contented myself by pulling out my iPod and listening to one of my new playlists.
At least that was the plan. In my attempt to untangle the earphones I dropped it and it and and skidded under one of the cars parked nearby. Cursing I prayed it hadn't broke, it was fairly new and I didn't want to buy another so soon.
Once beside the sleek black automobile I dropped to my knees and reached underneath for my music player. As I closed my hand around it, another hand clamped into my shoulder.
"Ma'am what're you doing?" A smooth voice with a hint of an accent questioned.
Looking up I met two orbs that swirled with a maelstrom of emotion. The male specimen before me was a true Adonis. With captivating honey coloured eyes and shoulder length blonde hair. A good head taller than myself and a figure that would make the Michelangelo sculpture weep.
I was near certain this was Jasper Whitlock.
I'm ashamed to say I felt a wave of lust wash over me. It was followed by a wave of disgust, as I knew I was eyeing a married man. He might be pretending to be a high school student, and there was no ring to proclaim him officially of the market.
I was not a home wrecker. I'd seen the pain in my first mother's eyes when my father strayed and I had no desire to cause another to feel that agony. Even if my chances with Jasper were less than winning the lottery, I wouldn't throw myself at someone in a committed relationship.
Unfortunately for me Jasper was an empath with more than a hundred years experience at reading emotions. My desire was noticed, as was the self-loathing and embarrassment that followed. Thankfully he didn't know the real reason behind my thoughts. He seemed be used as I gaped up at him, no doubt he got some satisfaction at making a girl speechless.
"I…I'm just getting my iPod" I stuttered, desperately trying to form coherent thoughts as my insides turn to mush.
He pulled back as I struggled to my feet, the movement sending a hint of "his" scent at me. Cinnamon and chocolate. I grit my teeth as another wave of desire welled up within. Spotting my taxi pulling up I made my escape "Excuse me, I have to go." Dashing away before he could say anything.
Slamming car door behind me I gave the address to the driver. "Are you alright? Was that guy bothering you?" The man asked as I clicked my seat-belt.
"No, no I'm fine. Thank you."
The driver didn't believe me. Thing was, neither did I.
