A/N: As always I don't own Twilight and never will, I do own this plot though.

Chapter three – the little mermaid

Bella's POV

"Come on mummy, faster," I giggled as I watched my mum laugh, moving her legs faster to try and keep up with me, "faster mummy." I turned away then and beamed as I moved my little legs as fast as I could, I loved skating, it was my favourite thing to do, people didn't laugh at me when I fell and I liked that.

"Bella honey, wait for me!" I heard her call but I didn't wait, I just carried on moving faster and faster, but then suddenly the scene changed. I was no longer at the ice rink my mum used to take me back in Florida, no longer was I seven, no I was now stood on the lake in the woods admiring the snow once more as I spun myself around feeling free as I closed my eyes and let the wind assault my.

"Do you trust me?" I smiled at that voice, the southern accent coming through thicker with each word, I didn't have to open my eyes to know who that voice belonged to, all I did was hold out my hands and whisper a silent yes. Two hands gripped mine as I began to move without moving my feet, the ice beneath me marked with the blades on our skates, I didn't open my eyes as I let him pull me, we just stayed silent as we spun around and around in circles, us both laughing at the act, but then we stopped, the wind was getting a little rougher as it knocked my side. "Wake up darling," I did open my eyes to see that I was alone again and the wind was rocking me once more.

"Wake up."

I shot up then as I gasped for breath, no longer was I in the forest and letting the wind hit me, now I was lay in bed alone.

"Sorry," I heard again as I turned my head towards a guilty looking Jasper.

"You scared me," I smiled as I moved further up so that he could sit in front of me.

"Sorry," he repeated.

"Is everything okay? Where is everyone?" I noticed it was slowly getting light out and when I reached for my phone I saw that it was almost five in the morning.

"They all went for a Christmas breakfast," I didn't know vampires did that.

"Why didn't you join?" I wondered aloud.

"I offered to stay with you, besides, I ate yesterday," he smiled as he moved further on the bed, crossing his legs as he stared at me, "again I'm sorry I woke you, I was just hoping we could do something," I raised my eyebrow at that as he laughed, holding out his hand for me to take.

"Am I going to regret saying yes to this?" I asked as I placed my hand in his once again marvelling at the temperature.

"I hope you don't," he tugged me a little until we were both stood on the floor, "nice pj's," I blushed slightly as I remembered the shorts and vest top I was wearing, "but you may want to get changed." He let go of me as he walked towards the door at human speed, "I'll meet you in the living room," he turned then with a smile, running at vampire speed downstairs whilst I was left alone to change.

I wasn't sure what he had planned but I was excited, it was the second time he and I had been alone but the first where we were going to do something that didn't involve being in a car, at least I hoped it didn't, I wanted to focus on him and not have him have the task of driving whilst doing so. So I dressed as quick as I could, this time pulling on jeans and a jumper before pulling my hair back and away from my face, glancing in the mirror as I left the room I was glad I'd taken my make-up off before bed so I didn't have panda eyes.

I ran down the stairs, putting on my shoes that sat at the bottom before I made my way over to the couches to see him waiting.

"That was quick," he commented as he stood and made his way over to me, holding out the coat I'd worn before, "you'll need this," he held it up as I slid my arms in again, zipping it to the top as I stood and faced him. "Your excitement is contagious Bella," he laughed as I blushed, "come on, they'll be back in a few hours." Once again he held his hand out towards me and I took it without a second thought, leading us out into the back garden I saw the snowmen that we'd made before still standing. "I know Edward did most of the work and I know you were disappointed that you didn't get to do much, so I was hoping you'd make one with me?" he sounded a little nervous as he asked and I noticed that the southern was thicker than usual.

"Thank you," was all I said as together we worked, we sank to the floor as we gathered as much snow as we could before guiding it into a ball, we rolled it across the ground and watched as it got bigger and bigger until it was almost half the size of me.

"This was something else I liked to do with my family, we used to see who could make the biggest out of my mum and dad and me and my sister, we used to always win." He commented as we made the second ball.

"What was her name?" it was the second time he'd mentioned his sister.

"Ariel," he smiled obviously knowing my mind had wandered to the little mermaid.

"I'm sorry you lost them Jasper, I know that must be really hard." I knew losing the ones you loved was the worst part of being a vampire, well that and the hunger that came with the transformation.

"I miss her more than I miss my parents, but I have two new families that I love." I turned towards him now, "Edward didn't tell you about Peter and Charlotte?" I shook my head, "doesn't surprise me, he detests them." He laughed and I narrowed my eyes.

"He hasn't told me much about you except what I've already told you, he says your story is your own."

"I'm thankful for that, I'm not sure what you'd think of me if you heard it," I felt loathing hit me and I stopped what I was doing as I stood up straight.

"Don't do that," I almost yelled.

"Do what?" he stepped back a little confused.

"Hate yourself, the past is the past Jasper no matter what you've done, it's what got you here today."

He just stared at me for a moment then as if debating what to do or what his next move should be, I sighed and decided to change the subject. "So Peter and Charlotte?" He continued to stare until he too sighed.

"They are my brother and sister, I've known each of them since a few months after turning, we travelled together for some time with others until I met Alice and went with her to the Cullen's." I knew he was missing quite a lot of the story out but I left it, for now anyway.

"Would I ever get to meet them?" I wondered.

"I'm not sure Edward would want you around them, they're in control but they still hunt from humans rather than animals," I nodded my head knowing that this knowledge didn't bother me in the slightest, I wanted to meet Jasper's other family. "Alice doesn't like them either and the feeling is mutual there also." He wasn't answering my question though.

"Could I meet them?" I asked this time now.

"I have a feeling you will in the future if Peter has his way, which he always does." He laughed and I smiled overjoyed that I was meeting vampires outside the family, especially those who Jasper considered his brother and sister.

We continued then to roll the second and third ball.

"Jasper?" I asked as I stared at the third ball, "how are we getting that on top of those?" the body of the snowman was bigger than either of us, it was pretty spectacular if you ask me though.

"Here," he placed the ball in my hands as he went around me lifting me so that I could secure the head on top, before placing me back on my feet, "there," we stepped back to admire our handy work, but to me there was something missing, "it doesn't look quite right does it?" he voiced my thoughts and I shook my head before an idea formed.

"Wait here," I raced then towards the trees, climbing a little until I found the two perfect twigs, snapping them off I threw them to the ground.

"Great idea," he took the twigs and placed them into the side of the body whilst I searched for the buttons we needed, finding them just under the tree I was on, I took four and threw each of them at him watching as he caught each of them and placed them evenly on the body also.

This time when we stood back to admire we smiled, "just needs eyes now," I didn't wait for him this time as I stepped closer to him and turned my back to him, feeling once again as his arms wrapped around me and I was lifted from the ground, I placed two where the eyes were and the rest for his lips before he placed me back on the ground.

"Wait here," he whispered before running full speed towards the house, within two seconds he was back holding a carrot, I couldn't stop the smile that threatened to split my face as he jumped and placed it in the middle of the snowman's face.

"Perfect," I clapped my hands in glee as we stared at the best snowman I had ever seen.

"It is a pretty good looking one isn't it?" I nodded my head. "Come on, we best get back inside and warm you up before the other's get back." I placed my hand in his this time as he gave it a little squeeze and together we walked towards the back-door and into the kitchen, "I know you liked Alice's hot chocolate but could I make you some? My mum taught me a recipe that I used to love."

"I'd love a cup." I took a seat as he moved around the kitchen slowly; he didn't need instructions like Alice but worked from memory. "Is this what you did when you were human?"

"Yeah, I've not actually made this since turning." He didn't turn as he said this but stirred whatever was in the pan.

"Really? Not even for Alice?" part of me wanted the answer to be no, I wanted to be the only person he'd ever made this for and that thought scared me.

"Nope," he shook his head.

"Oh yeah, I forgot vampire's don't drink," I slapped my head at how ridiculous I was being.

Instead of telling me not to be stupid like Edward did he just laughed as he turned with a steaming mug, the cream and marshmallows on top like Alice had done also, "there is that," he said as he set it in front of me before taking a seat beside me, "but I've never really wanted to make her one, she asked for the recipe the other week to make you one but I wanted to be the one to make it for you," he shrugged and turned away.

"Well I'm glad you did," I took a large gulp, "because this is delicious, I thought Alice was good at it but this wins hands down." He turned back to me then with a toothy smile, I laughed at the look of joy on his face.

"Thank you, I'm so glad you like it."

"Well it's no lion but it's still up there," I winked as we both laughed.

"That it isn't, when you become a vampire we'll have to find your hot chocolate equivalent," I put my mug down then as a small amount of sadness filled me, "did I say something wrong?"

"No it's not that, Edward doesn't want me to be like you and your family, he wants me to stay human so I doubt that I'll be turning," I sighed.

"Trust me Bella, you will be a vampire, even if I have to turn you myself," I turned to him with a smile, "you're part of this family whether he likes it or not."

"Thank you," he was one of the ones I wasn't sure about whether he did or didn't want me to turn until now, it was like a weight had been lifted at his words.

"The others are coming, we'll meet them in the living room." We didn't hold hands this time as we walked into the living room and were met by the others, Esme and Carlisle included.

"Merry Christmas Bella!" they all called.

"Merry Christmas."

"Love, you're awake," Edward moved forward to fold me into his arms, "I was about to get you, I'm sorry I wasn't there when you woke." I was pulled to him and away from Jasper then.

"That's okay, Jasper and I decided to build a snowman together, you should see it Edward it's amazing, it's so big!" I cheered and turned to smile at Jasper who in return winked.

"I thought ours was pretty good," his face fell a little.

"It is, I love ours," I wrapped my arms around him as he pulled me a little closer.

"Well it doesn't matter who's is the best its presents time!" Alice shouted as we all made our way to the Christmas tree were all the presents were kept. "So I separated them into piles, this is Rose's, Emmett's, Carlisle's, Esme's, Jasper's, Edward's and lastly Bella's," she handed each of us our piles as we began to unwrap, when I was with either my dad or my mum we would take turns unwrapping gifts but with the Cullen's they all did theirs separately.

I took the first gift and began to unwrap, it was a new dress. I smiled at Alice as I began to unwrap three more. I ended up with a new wardrobe with only three presents remaining.

I noticed that the other's were finished and were all admiring their new items, so I took hold of one and tore at the paper and smiled to myself, inside was a silver necklace with a snowflake dangling from the chain, it really was beautiful and as I read the tag I saw that it was from Edward.

"Thank you," I smiled to him as I carefully placed it back in the box.

I took the next and pulled out the matching bracelet, once again I thanked him for the gift as I took hold of the last one.

This box was heavier than the others, lifting the tag I read that it was from Jasper who was currently gazing at me a little nervously; curiously I pulled the edge of the paper as I tore it away, gasping as I did so. Inside sat the most beautiful music box, as I examined it I realised what it was.

"I heard you tell Alice about it once," he muttered but I didn't take my eyes from it, it was the exact replacer of the one my grandmother used to have, the one that was destroyed in a fire and I was devastated about.

"How did you find it?" I asked as tears filled my eyes.

"I remember you saying what it looked like so I searched your attic," at this he gave me a guilty look, "and found a picture of your grandmother holding it, I took it to everyone I could think of and had them make a replacer of it for you, I hope you like it." I wasn't sure what processed me but all thoughts went out of my head as I gently placed it to the floor and threw myself at him, wrapping my arms around his neck as the tears fell freely from my eyes.

"Thank you so much Jasper, you have no idea how much this means to me," I felt his arms wrap around my middle and he squeezed me a little.

"Any time Bella," he placed his head on my shoulder.

"It is beautiful isn't it?" Alice asked as I pulled back realising that I may have held on for a bit too long.

"Yeah, I was so upset when the fire destroyed it," I couldn't wipe the smile of my face, "thank you everyone for the gifts." I hugged each of them in turn as I realised I had yet to give them mine.

I stood from the floor then as I made my way over to the bag of gifts, pulling them out individually and handing them to each of them one at a time.

"I'm sorry it's not much," I had put a lot of thought into each of these gift and just hoped they appreciated them, I didn't have as much money as they but used the money I had saved up for a car to buy each of them.

I watched as Esme opened her gift first pulling out a large picture frame, in each of the sections were pictures of her children, some of us together and some of us separate. "Oh Bella this is beautiful thank you so much," I smiled at her as I handed Carlisle his gift next.

I had gotten him a new pocket watch for work, I had found it in an antique store and knew it was something he would like, I was right when he stood from his seat and hugged me tightly, "I will treasure this Bella, thank you."

I had bought Emmett a shirt that had the words 'muscles bigger than my brain' written across it, he laughed at this and crushed me into a hug, I had also gotten him a vampire game for his Xbox, this he found amusing also.

Alice was a little harder to buy for, so I had ended up buying her a picture frame like Esme, this time with a picture of she and I inside it, also spar passes for all four of us girls.

Rose was the hardest I thought I had asked Emmett what she wanted but even he had no clues, wait scratch that I believe he said "wrap me in a bow she'll love that," I decided against that idea and instead got her tools for her car with an inscription on the tool box that read 'merry Christmas Rose, don't let anyone say you can't' I remember once her telling me that when men saw her fixing cars they would comment on her appearance and the fact that she should be a model then be under the hood. She looked up and smiled at me before standing and she too pulled me into a huge hug, "thank you Bella and I really am sorry about the way I have been acting," I hugged her back and told her I forgave her. The next I was a little nervous about, I knew Jasper put so much thought into my gift and I hoped I did the same with his.

Slowly I handed him his gift and bit my lip as he opened up a book that took me so long to hunt down.

"Turn to the marked page," he did as I said and his eyes widened, "I also overheard Alice call you Whitlock once so I searched it, I found this book written about the war you fought in and I thought you may like it, turn to the next marked page," this was something extra I added in.

"What is it?" Alice asked as she tried to peek.

"A picture or my parents and sister," he looked up at me, "I thought you didn't know I had a sister?"

"Didn't want to let on," I shrugged this time as he traced their faces with his finger.

"Thank you Bella, this is the best present anyone could have ever given me," I smiled but he didn't stand as Edward appeared behind me.

"My turn?" I handed him his gift and he pulled it open, "Oh Bella, I love it." like Carlisle I had found Edward gift inside a antique shop, it was from his era, a photo frame that held his family picture, his family was a little easier to find as they had apparently been one of the wealthiest families.

They all thanked me once more as they placed their gifts inside their rooms; I left mine in the bag ready to take them home with me, whilst they were upstairs I made my way to the kitchen to start my dinner, Esme had offered to prepare my meal but this was something I did, every year I would make Christmas dinner and although I had been forced here I wasn't going to change that now. I had prepared the small turkey the night before so all I had to do was peel the potatoes and put vegetables in a pan for now.

"Want some help?" I turned to see Edward stood by the door.

"No thank you but company would be nice," he came and sat with me whilst I worked, he didn't speak for a while whilst I peeled he just watched.

"So," he started and I knew this was either a so that would start an argument or a so that I would like, he only started a conversation with so on those two occasions.

"So?" I asked as I washed each potato.

"You and Jasper seem to be getting close," yep it was an argument he was going to start, one that I didn't want today.

"Yes we are," was all I replied with as I poured water into the pan of potatoes.

"You know that he struggles with control Bella, maybe," I stopped him there, a few days ago I would have agreed and let it go but after spending the amount of time with Jasper I had I knew what he was about to say was wrong.

"Actually his control around me in incredible, I don't know why you were so worried," I refused to look at him as we spoke.

"Oh, well good, but don't you think it's still a little unsafe to be around him without me there to supervise?" I sighed.

"Edward I have been with him alone not even three times, each time I have been completely safe, I trust him and I think you should too." I turned the heat on then feeling my face fill with colour at the word 'supervise'.

"I do trust him but you know you mean so much to me I don't want anything to happen to you, after what happened on your birthday as well," again I cut him off as I slammed the knife I was about to use down on the counter.

"Enough Edward, you and I both know my birthday wasn't anyone's fault it was an accident," I stared at him as I said each word slowly,

"I understand that," he stood drawing closer to me, "but I don't like you two being alone together, you don't know his past Bella, you don't know what he's done."

"I don't care, do I judge you for when you left and killed humans? No, I'm still with you so don't bring up someone else's past when yours isn't clean either." He was too close now which I found intimidating but I wasn't going to back down, not after Edward told me his past to scare me away when I first realised what he was, it didn't work then with him and it wasn't going to work now with Jasper.

"I killed people who killed and hurt others he didn't."

"I don't care," I repeated, "Not everyone has a perfect past," I needed to take a step back.

"I don't want you to be alone with him anymore Isabella," I knew he had run out of excuses and now he was demanding it.

"Edward its Christmas I don't want to fight about whom I spend my time with and who I don't." I sighed, I was done fighting, and people wondered why I wasn't fond of Christmas anymore.

"Okay, we'll talk more about this later," he bent and kissed me softly on the lips, I knew this wasn't over but I wasn't going to let him keep Jasper away from me, I felt connected to him and when he wasn't there my heart ached like it did when they left, I wasn't sure what was happening but I wanted this family to be whole, so we dropped it as I continued cooking and he watched in silence.

A/N: So I was supposed to upload this on Christmas day but I have been so busy that I haven't had time, I've only just got home as well and to my laptop to do this so I am really sorry about the delay.

How was everyone's Christmas and New Year? I would love to know, I love Christmas, my boyfriend got me a pandora bracelet which I love, havemy pets on it also, two cats, a Christmas dog which is my snowball and two st Bernard's, also lots and lots of Harley Quinn stuff haha. What did you all get? I hope you all had an amazing time, I know I did :)

Anyway the next chapter is written but I want to get at least one or two more done before I post it so hopefully next week I will post the next chapter. Let me know what you thought.

Until next time,

Jess

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