It had been five years since I had seen her, five years since I almost killed her, five years since I had last tasted human because of her, and five years since I had known something more was with her. Catching Alice with him was not as surprising as I thought it would be. Catching them, more like waiting for them to get caught. I could feel some of their emotions over the last decade let alone after we moved from her. I didn't wanna leave, I wanted and needed her forgiveness...still do. The day I caught my wife with him, Peter called me. I hadn't heard from him in a few months and so picked up. Peter always knew when I needed a good ass kickin' or just someone who understood me when the Cullens couldn't. He told me that he and Charlotte were back in Houston working on an old farmhouse and I should come visit. I told him about catching Alice, and the fucker told me he figured that it was something like that and to get my redneck ass back to Texas and to my brother and sister. I did miss them a lot and never saw them much thanks to the bitch that was now my Ex-Wife. She even had the divorce papers already ready and they just needed my signature on them. Damn little know-it-all pixie bitch. Oh how I hate her. Carlisle and Esme understood why I needed to leave, so did Rose and Emmett. I couldn't stay and he had been with Carlisle for far too long to make him choose, so I opted to take my brother's advice and get my ass back to Texas to plan my next move. When I called Peter back, he let me know that they were working for a human girl that owned and fixed up a farmhouse. He told me that she came from up North somewhere, but wasn't sure the location so it could've been Alaska for all he knew. I was curious about her, especially after Peter let me know that she noticed their eye color from time to time and didn't think much of it. As I went through Washington, I made a detour to Forks. I had to know how she was, if she was able to survive alright with how he just made us up and leave without so much as a good-bye and no contact. I ran into the dogs on my way into the small town and the Alpha informed that she had moved on after her father was killed and was doing nicely. I thanked them for the information, assured them that I meant no harm, and that I would be out of the state by sundown. I had to leave on good terms with them, Carlisle made that treaty and I didn't wanna jeopardize anything for my father figure. As I headed South, I stopped in multiple areas to hunt and clean up, having to steal clothing every now and then. I didn't pack so that I could run faster. I didn't wanna take any of the cars as they all really belonged to the bitch I left behind anyway and I could get more in Houston. I met up with Peter in town and went to get some new clothes and boots. Mine had worn out from all the running I did at the speed I was going. He told me about the woman that bought the house and I was curious. Who would buy a house that had been in someone's family since the turn of the century and want to actually live in it and update it instead of just rebuilding it. Peter told me that Charlotte already loved the woman like a sister and he did also. He also informed that she made subtle hints about their eating habits, or lack thereof. I went with him to some stables on the way back to the house and stayed in his truck as he picked up a mare and stallion for the woman's stables. They were gorgeous palomino horses, kinda like the ones I remember Pa having. My human memories are a little fuzzy to remember as are most when the change is complete, but if I focus hard enough, I can make some of them out. "So, Major. Tell me about the bitch."
"Well, Pete. You sure know how to get to the point. There's isn't much to tell. I caught her with my ass of a brother and when I asked how long, they both just looked at me for a good two minutes before stating about seven years. What got me the most is that they were doing this during our time in Forks with Bella." Which is true. I was more upset about the fact that Bella would've been hurt worse than any of us and they didn't care. "This Bella, what did she look like?" Peter asked, unloading the horses from the trailer.
"Well, she's about Charlotte's height and has brown hair and the brown doe eyed look about her. She let him take control of her and I'm really surprised she didn't get in deeper than she did. Rose and I were the only ones who thought of her safety. Me, mostly because of how hard I was struggling with the diet and Rose for obvious reasons of Bella being human." I explained as we neared the porch of the house. I stopped and looked around me. Something about this place felt like déjà vu. I followed Peter up the stairs as I heard a voice ask what my name was. When I heard Charlotte answer, I could feel the apprehension the woman was emitting and figured out why when I heard "No...it couldn't be." I could just make out the picture she had in her lap and could've sworn that it was me in my old War uniform. "Couldn't be what, Bella?" I heard Peter ask. Bellacouldnt be. I watched as she tensed and looked up, looking straight into my eyes. Bella fucking Swan was sitting on the stairs holding a picture of me as a human. "Jasper."
I blinked and took an unnecessary breath. "Hey Bella." She stared at me and than the photo and than back again. "Is this really you?" She asked, holding up the picture for me to get a better look at it. "Yes, darlin'. Where did it come from?" I asked, trying to be casual about it. "The attic. I think I bought your house." We stared at each other a little bit and I noticed my brother and his wife leaving to give us a moment. "Why are you here, Bella? I heard about Charlie and am deeply sorry."
She motioned for me to sit next to her so I did. "I needed a change, Jasper. Everywhere I turned, I could sense my dad or one of you. As for coming to Houston, I closed my eyes and planted my finger on a map and let fate choose for me."
Out of all the places Bella Swan could've ended up, she ended up with my family and my farmhouse. "How did you come buy this house? I didn't think it was still here."
She smiled. "Your family kept it from line to line incase someone needed something from it. The woman that sold it to me said it only went up for sale because they family couldn't afford to keep it anymore. Charlotte has been going through old photos and found yours this morning. A Historian is coming by to pick up some of the items I'm not going to need." I noticed that she ignored the comment about Charlie, and I was alright with that. "You haven't changed Bella. Not really. You look older, more confident, but you are still the same selfless person I know. Letting Charlotte and Peter stay knowing what they are is very generous of you." I could feel the nervousness tenfold and looked at her, trying to figure out what she could be nervous about. "I researched Vampires in the South, Jasper. I know about the Wars. I haven't told them, but sometimes I can see their marks and it reminded me of you because sometimes I could see yours too, but only after James and could tell what they were. I'm really sorry that happened to you guys."
She was hiding something, which led me to believe she knew more that what she wanted me to know that she knew. The fact that she knew how dangerous Vampires still were in the South and she let Peter and Charlotte stay was incredible. "What do you know about them, Bella?" I asked, generally curious about what she knew. She took a breath and looked out her door. "I know that one of my ancestors happens to be one of the leaders from that War. She made hundreds of newborns and had a very gifted second that was called the God of War because of his ability. I have met her, Jasper and she scares me. What scares me more is that she was with Victoria and they said something about me and that her second didn't know what he was dealing with. Victoria told me that this vampire, this God of War, was my mate. She said she knew it in that damn ballpark before James came after me. I don't know who he is or why she would say that, do you?"
She looked back at me and I didn't know what to tell her. Finding out she was somehow a descendant of the whore that changed me and than the mating thing. She knew about me by reputation and yet I knew she wasn't scared of me, not an ounce. "First of all, Bella. I want you to know how deeply sorry I am for your birthday." She shrugged it off mumbling a "that's not necessary" before I continued. "And second. I was the second. I am the God of War."
I waited as she just looked at me and than the anxiety kicked in and her body relaxed, causing her to faint.