Why wasn't Bella picking up? Working I guess, I'll try her again later.
Finally I had arrived at the adoption centre and I could barely contain my excitement, I had always liked helping people and what better a way to do that than take someone in and give them a home and a family, originally I'd wanted to get a young child but Kiera was right, if I did not only would it be harder for her to adjust but also I'd have less time to work and with it coming up to Christmas I really needed the money.
"Miss Swan?" The receptionist called my name and I went into the room she had pointed out, as I went in I could see a woman with a huge smile on her face, her name plate showed Mrs. E. Cullen I sat down on the seat across from her.
"Hello Miss Swan, it's a pleasure to meet you."
"You too Mrs Cullen, Please call me Renee, I can't tell you how excited I am to be here." She laughed as I shook her hand.
"Please call me Esme, and I can see that, its lovely to see someone so keen on taking someone in, especially with Christmas coming around, a great time to bring someone into a home where they can celebrate it with people other than staff and their fellow orphans." After a few more pleasantries and an overview of what adopting would entail we started to discuss what child I'd be taking in.
"Is there any particular age ranges or gender you would like?"
"Gender isn't an issue but I'd like someone who is at least fifteen, work purposes etc." She smiled to show her understanding, but there was even more happiness in her eyes now.
"That's brilliant a lot of people prefer taking in young children which leaves the elder ones to start giving up hope, I love watching an older child go to a new home, the shock and joy in their eyes makes my day. Okay well follow me and I'll take you to where the teenagers should be, we have separate housing for age ranges, although they are free to come and go as they please, most stay in their own houses during the time where people adopt though, just so they don't miss out on an opportunity." She stood and we both walked out back, it was a great centre form the looks of things, there were a lot of different building, it seemed a lot like a college, what with the dorms and gym etc. it was beautiful though. We eventually arrived at a large building, walking in I could see that it was a safe heaven for the teenagers, there was a library, a gym, computer room, all a teenager could ask for really.
"I'll leave you to take a look around, the children wont bother you, they tend to ignore people that come in and out, mainly because they assume people are volunteers to work with them, so you can freely chat with them without feeling guilty. I'll be back in a little while, if you need me just ask one of the staff and they'll page me." With one last smile she left and I took a deep breath before following my instincts and heading into the library. There wasn't as many people in here, not surprising really since less people read now days. I was the kind of person that believed in fate and followed my instincts in a lot of situations, this was one of them. I eventually found myself in the history section where a teenage boy was curled up on a comfortable looking sofa with a book on the American civil war, he wore cowboy boots and blue jeans with a chequered button down shirt, he was all country and I found myself smiling, him and Bella would get along swimmingly, something caused him to look up and I was met with beautiful blue eyes, eyes that held so much loneliness in them but there was also strength and I could see something in him that I'm sure a lot of others wouldn't. He wasn't looking at me though, he was staring at the opening in the book cases where a teenage boy stormed through, a look of pure cruelty on his face, another two boys followed behind him, they were stalking towards the boy with the beautiful eyes and I knew that this was bad.
"Oh look who it is boys, Jasper, the mute." I could see the boy I now knew as Jasper was gritting his teeth, nostrils flaring and as he placed the book to his side, he clenched his fists and stood. I could see that he was fighting with himself, he was taller than these boys and I'm sure if it was a one on one fight he would win, he was a foot taller than where I stood at 5 foot 7, Bella was only a few inches shorter than me at 5,5 but I knew she would be taller than me too in the end. Without a word he turned to leave.
"Old Yellers leaving boys, go run to mommy, oh that's right, you don't have one." He stopped moving and turned, his eyes shone dangerously and I smirked, he was the one, they could say whatever about him but bring his mom into it, and he would kick there ass. He was loyal, one of us, and its time for me to step in like the mother I'm about to become to him.
"Boys? Maybe you should leave, I wouldn't like to have to call your parents." I held back a smirk, I knew what was coming and I had the perfect comeback for when it did.
"Lady, we're in an orphanage we ent got no parents."
"Then maybe you should stop being a hypocrite." I got in his face, he was only an inch or two taller than me but my look was as cold as ice and his face pale.
"Now spin on your heel, with your little lap dogs, and fuck off." They left, I could no longer hide my smirk as I turned to see Jasper, he had his head cocked to the side in confusion, my smile turned welcoming as I held my hand out.
"I'm Renee." He shook my hand.
"Jasper." I could tell he didn't speak much but I couldn't blame him, not if you didn't have people you could trust and speak to.
"Well Jasper, how would like to come home with me? I'm sure you would fit in brilliantly with me and my daughter." He looked shocked, as though he had never thought it possible that someone would want him, well I do. He nodded his head slowly as if trying to comprehend my offer.
"Whats your surname honey, so I can tell Mrs Cullen."
"Whitlock ma'am." I loved his Texan twang and responded with my own bad impression.
"Well buckle up and pack your bags." He chuckled at my poor attempt at a Texan accent.
"Yeah well my daughters better at it than me." He smiled at me slightly and followed me to the librarian.
"Excuse me? Could you possibly page Mrs Cullen and tell her that Miss Swan is waiting for her."
"Of course honey, how are you Jasper dear?" He just shrugged and smiled at her slightly.
We had only been waiting a few minutes before Esme showed. Renee, that didn't take very long, but I had a feeling it wouldn't. Hello Jasper." He smiled back at her, it's a shame he doesn't talk much, I loved his accent it was unique. Oh gosh now to make sure Bella doesn't fall in love with him. Okay, so it wouldn't be too bad if they did, they would make such beautiful grandbabies, oh stop it Renee, you are not adopting a boyfriend for your daughter.
"Do you mind waiting a second Jasper whilst I speak with Renee?" He just nodded and walked over to a seat a little further away, far enough that he wouldn't be able to hear but so he could still see us, he still looked confused and I swear I caught him pinching himself.
"Is Jasper the child you want to adopt." I smiled and nodded.
"Yeah, he is." Her smile was bright but her eyes showed a little concern.
"When do you want to take him home?"
"As soon as possible."
"Today?"
"Really? Yes, that's brilliant." She nodded before walking over to Jasper, he nodded and left, my brow was furrowed in confusion, where's he going.
"I told him to pack his things and meet us in my office when he's ready." Smiling back I had to stop myself from skipping to the office with Esme, she could tell and laughed at my obvious excitement. Once we were seated in her office again she grasped my hand that had been on the table.
"Renee, I have no doubts that Jasper is a good kid, but he has been here since he was ten and hasn't let anyone in, its been six years and he barely speaks to anyone, only answering necessary questions, he had had fights here before too, not many I know he walks away more than he does fight but once he does lose his temper he isn't the same boy, are you sure you can handle it."
"Esme. I have no doubts in my mind that he will fit in perfectly with us, maybe what he needs is a family, I believe that's all he really needs to come out of his shell." Eventually when I had not long finished all the paperwork there was a knock on the door.
"Come in." Jasper walked in carrying a suitcase and he smiled slightly at us.
"Everything's sorted, are you ready to start your life." He smiled the first genuine smile I had seen so far and my eyes welled up with tears, thankfully I had managed to blink them back before he could see. Jasper had to sign the papers in two sections and then, he was mine, my son, and I wouldn't let anybody harm him.
We made it home with me telling him a little about Bella and telling him that his room was already made up and that we could decorate it whatever way he wanted, he never responded with words but I could see the thanks in his eyes. It was only half four when we got in and I showed Jasper to his room where he unpacked his things, I made a start on dinner, at five, Jasper had come back down and sat at the table as I potted around the kitchen making dinner, I smiled at him as he had me, but as soon as the door opened he locked up, he seemed scared.
"I'm home and I come bearing gifts!" I huge smile lit up my face, Bella was back and from the sound of things had already brought some drink with her, thank goodness, I hope Jasper likes what she's brought. When he saw my smile he seemed to calm down a little but as soon as he saw Bella, it was like he was a completely different person, i could see instantly that them two were going to be thick as thieves and it brought a tear to my eye. Bella froze as she walked into the kitchen and saw Jasper but it took only a moment for her to smile hugely.
