Baptized By Fire

4.

Just be honest about everything I told myself mentally, as Jasper gently led me to the downstairs of the magnificent villa, to a room that had books lining the walls like the third level , but instead of library type tables there was a huge brown suede sectional sofa adorned with ornate blood red velvet beaded toss pillows that matched the hanging blood red velvet and beaded drapes, on the windows that went clearly down the left side. I also took notice of the large flat screen television, and the ps3, and xbox on either side of it, in between the bookcases on the forward facing wall of the room. Also lining the bookcase was a dvd for every occasion possible. This must be the 'family /media' room I thought to myself, while setting next to my Jasper on the sectional sofa.

"Now what has your emotions going like a twister in texas Darlin'?" Jasper asked in a gentle, soft, loving, and concerned tone. . . Making me again bite my lower lip out of habit. "You don't have to fear anything from me Bella, we will go at your pace..." He finished gently stroking my cheek, making me want him, deeply.

"I'm not the girl you think I am Jasper." I started honestly. "In fact I never was..." I took a deep breath and got ready to explain but he interrupted me with his drop dead sexy smirk.

"I know Bella, I could feel your emotions from day one... You can tell me anything my Darlin'... So I will just listen, and you talk my lil lady." Jasper stated, as he gently kissed my forehead and warped his arm around me pulling me closer.

Taking a deep breath and loving the secure and whole feeling, of being in his arms I began.

"I have scars too Jasper, emotional and physical." I began feeling my confidence growing stronger. "I used to drink a lot and I did my fair share of experimental drug usage in Phoenix... In fact Renee actually threatened making me go to rehab on one occasion... I also had and still fight other addictions... I started cutting at about age fourteen or so... I don't know why, I've never been suicidal or depressed... But it gave me complete control over myself. It all started when my first boyfriend died of a drug overdose at a rave... We had wanted to try ecstasy... And well, being young and stupid we did, but his heart couldn't handle it. He died on the dance floor as the cops were showing up. . . I left him there to save my own juvie record, thinking the most that would happen is he go to the detention center for a few weeks if that, but he was dying and I was high and didn't even notice. I had so much guilt, I wanted to do something to relieve the inner pain, so I took out a pocket knife burned the blade so it was sterile with my lighter I always carry in my purse, and started this..." I paused lifting my T-shirt to reveal the scars all over my lower abdomen... Before I could continue Jasper gently brushed them with his hand, and looked at me in the most loving way anyone has ever.

"Darlin... Your still beautiful, nobody is perfect, not even vampires... You've never seen me in the sun without a shirt on... You've seen my arm, thats the least scarred up mess of me my love... I love you, I don't like you hurtin' yourself for control... Because I love you... But I have done similar things in my past, even if I am immortal... And what you just explained is amazing my Darlin'... Most people would need the happy pills like crazy after that situation but you coped... Not the healthiest of ways, but you managed to deal with it... You have nothing to be ashamed of... In fact you being so honest with me, sure just keeps proving how courageous you really are for a fragile little human." He finished pushing love, expectancy, and pride into me as he gently kissed me before I continued.

"It's why I hate dancing in all honesty. I can move just fine... I just feel guilt still..." I continued to the amazing man, I was privileged enough to call my mate sitting next to me. "I also am a tad bit nervous about us going to that next level Jasper... I'm not a prude by any sense of the term, and I want to so badly it hurts... But you've, well... Alice is beautiful, perfection." I finished feeling slightly embarrassed at my truth I admitted.

"Not as beautiful as you... Yes I loved Alice deeply in the beginning, and I still love her, but more in a friendly way, we've not been intimate in quite some time... But it really does fly when you have forever... It would be a lie and a sin to deny that, but I knew we weren't mates from the beginning... Sorta like I knew you and Edward weren't mates... A mate couldn't stay away as he did... I couldn't... I had to keep checking on you from afar... I wanted so badly to put your heart right back together in those months of our absence from you. . . But I watched from shadows thinking maybe you'd move on with that Jacob Black boy... Have a family, and I would stay with Alice... But the pull kept growing... And I was ecstatic, because I figured regardless if you went through with the wedding or not, sooner or later you'd feel it. I know that is selfish and wrong, but I wasn't about to make your already aching heart anymore complicated...Then Peter, my oldest friend, started txting me odd cryptic messages about how I had to not go to the wedding, on a red eye to Italy... First I thought he was doing it because he had to know what I was starting to realize and just didn't want me to witness the wedding, or have a heavy heart ache... But a lass, here we are... And that bastard is never wrong." Jasper chuckled and kissed me passionately again.

"I love you Miss Bella Swan... Irrevocably for all eternity you are stuck with me my girl." He whispered as our kisses deepened and soon we were in a horizontal position simply tangled in other other, I was in paradise, and this time my nerves where not an issue at all... It was bliss. Until Jasper's phone rang, and a very pissed off Edward came bursting through the room. Shit.

"You, your my brother! You fucking bastard don't touch her!" Edward roared with black eyes. . . He did look like hell, for once, and triggered something in me to laugh... I began to laugh hysterically, and uncontrollably just pondering what was going through his incredibly small brain.

"Look! You made her insane! Mad! - You broke her you ass-hat!" Edward screeched, pointing his finger at Jasper... Who then started to laugh at the spectacular scene beginning to unfold before us as well.

"What is WRONG with you both! Bella move away from him I won't let him hurt you!" Edward roared again completely unaware as to what was so hilarious... But for me it was the fact that this was undoubtably going to happen sooner or later, I had hoped for later, but oh well. Fact remains however he had never looked less than perfect before, and he looked like utter horse shit for a vampire, and he had never used profanity, not once, and here he was bellowing it out. I found the scene completely hilarious.

"Edward, no, stop and calm down... You see it's just... Hahaha never mind I can't - Ha ha hahahahahaha" I tried to explain, but me laughter got the best of me. Not two seconds later a pissed off looking Jane, and a lethal looking Alice , and Marcus who seemed to be taking everything in stride strolled in.

"There will be no ass kicking in this villa, not even you could afford to re-pay for the damages." Marcus quipped looking at Edward sternly. "Oh and Bella dear is everything up to your liking?" He then asked me with a true look of concern on his face.

"Yes it is beautiful, and thank you so much for the windo-w" I stuttered, realizing Edward would no doubt try to break it... As I covered my mouth with my hand wishing I could take it back! Luckily at that moment Jane must have read my mind or damn near, as Edward started to blurt out of sight she simply said "Down... Tiger." And used her freaky pain gift on Edward. As he dropped to the floor lurching in pain. It was never a pretty sight, but I was thankful for it at this moment.

"I am glad you like your accommodations Isabella. . . You and the Major, can always stay here if you wish... Consider it a gift." Marcus began again and walked over and hugged me gently. "Now we have some discussions to have, Aro and Caius will be here shortly. So why don't we all have a seat, and hold hands, and not destroy the place...Mmmk." Marcus finished still glaring at Edward, whom was still trembling on the floor.

"Yes let's..." Alice chirped, and she took a place at the far end of the sectional. "Nice eyes Jasper... I see your back on humans." She sang out in a sickly sweet sarcastic tone. "And your clothes Bella... What the hell are you wearing?" She finished not as sarcastic but mostly sounding hurt... And I felt a tiny pang of guilt swell up in me.

"I think she looks beautiful and perfect." Jasper stated glaring at both Alice and now Edward who sat next to Alice, and Jane next to him.

"She would have looked more beautiful in her wedding gown!" Edward choked out. . . I actually felt pity for them both now.

"Your such an asshole, just shut up Jasper! It's no doubt you obviously used your gift on her!" Edward retorted sounding like a child. I felt Jasper flinch at his harsh words... I sent him love... And it was my turn to glare at Edward.

Before I began Alice of all people interjected... "No he didn't, and you saw my vision unfold so don't even try that route, we are still family... The truth is I've known since day one I was madly in love with Jasper, but never his mate, so Edward, shut the fuck up, and grow the fuck up! I'm pissed off too, I am fucking livid in fact! Bella... Do you have any idea how hard it was to find that wedding gown? Rush and plan it all! You hurt me! And with Jasper! I am guilty of being wrong here too, but I thought maybe, just maybe if you went through with the wedding you and Edward would connect more... Vampires, we don't like change, and I knew change was coming since you were born! I know it was wrong to push you into Edwards arms... I am sorry... But I love that man your sitting next too... And I hope we can still all be close... I just don't want him to hurt, and yes I am terrified of what I don't know... I have no idea who my mate is? Or.. If... If, I even have one! All I see is glimpses of Edward and I hunting together in the future.." Alice finished and started to cry, and now I felt like a true shit heel.

I walked over and embraced her as tightly as I could... As she sobbed into my shoulder... "I never meant to hurt you, it just sort of happened..." I began to tear up as well, and managed to choke out.

" I know Bella, I just hope in time you can forgive me.." Alice sobbed... And that right there was why Jasper still loved this little pixie sobbing in my arms... She wasn't bad or evil... They just weren't meant to be, and I couldn't blame her for trying her hardest to keep it from happening. She was after all a girl in love with a man... I thought to myself.

"A-hem." - Marcus cleared his throat before starting. "The reason you see Edward in your visions Mary Alice, is because he is your mate..." He finished simply, and sincerely.

"No he isn't he is my brother..." Alice laughed.

"No, he is your mate, I see the connection ... You yourself just admitted vampires don't like change... But once you two can deal with the fact your mates, I think you'll be grateful for this one... And truly happy." Marcus finished as Caius, and Aro entered with Felix, and Chelsea.

It was at that moment... That Edward spoke up.

"I am sorry, for having trying to make you mine Bella... And Jasper I know you wouldn't have used your gift... But I do love Bella...Probably not to the extent you both are feeling and growing... I think Marcus is right Alice... It is starting to make sense..." Edward finished finally flashing that cute crooked smile that made Edward, simply Edward... The boy that once held my heart, my first bout of bad puppy love... the boy that had introduced me to a world of supernatural mythical creatures... The boy that lead me to my true mate through abandonment and heartache. The boy I would always be friends with, and always talk literary works with... The boy that was slowly starting to show his man side, which is what Alice would need... I was truly happy for them both.

"Bella, Mi Amor - Is everything okay with the little villa here?" Caius asked as Aro looked happy and came over and embraced me lightly. "Major, how do you like the ride? Nice car huh?" He finished while shaking Jaspers hand.

"Everything is amazing... Thank you so much!" I exclaimed in response.

"It's a pleasure, and to have you and Jasper joining the guard, even makes it more so Miss Swan." Caius replied, while walking over a kissing my hand.

"Wait... What the fuck?" Edward and Alice both blurted out in unison.

"Ah, yes Jasper and Bella will both be part of the guard here in Italy.. We always have room for more if either of you are interested." Aro spoke softly, and from the heart. "We have a villa or two in every large city through out Europe, think about it... times are changing." He ended while giving the two shocked looking wonder twins a small and sincere looking smile.

"Bella have you lost your mind ... ? They typically drink people, innocent people!" Edward piped up looking horror struck.

"Yes vampires typically eat people, and most do not like to play with their food like you and Emmett." Jasper retorted... "A little play can be fun depending... Not going to deny." He finished with a dark chuckle that made me smile.

"Thats sick." Edward stated still looking shocked.

"No, thats normal..." Jasper replied smiling at me.

"Are you both sure about this?" Alice then asked sounding truly concerned.

"Never been more sure, Alice." I replied while going to go stand back next to Jasper.

"As long as both are happy, but I must refuse the offer Aro, Edward isn't ready for a people diet yet, and i really would rather stick to animals." Alice finished honestly.

"No worries... But please do visit often, and don't just rush off... Enjoy a holiday, it is Italy... You will enjoy every minute." Aro shot back honestly and sincerely.

We will stay the night, but I got a lot of damage control to take care of from the run away bride." Alice finished with a light laugh and rolled her eyes at me. "You owe me a week in Paris... I would like fashion week." Alice then stated once more while glaring at me with a smile.

"I can do that." I stated honestly.

"Are you sure Darlin' - those are dangerous waters for human and vampire alike." Jasper interrupted causing the whole room to giggle and laugh.

"Well, your coming so you can keep me safe, Major." I shot back with a grin, causing Alice to laugh and smile

"Women are evil.." Jasper groaned.

"You have no idea..." Jane blurted happily with a evil grin making Caius smile brightly. and everyone to chuckle again.

"So... I haven't been out on the town at night since well roughly before world war two, unless it involved hunting..." Marcus started with a smile... "What are we doing tonight?" He then smiled.

"How do you all feel about a club that plays underground techno, disco trash, and house music..? The best part it is in the catacombs of Rome." Jasper stated honestly flashing me a smile causing me to internally melt. "It starts at eleven pm and goes until dawn... And Alice if you, Bella, Jane, and Chelsea hurry that gives you five hours to shop for outfits!" He smiled at us all... And I knew that was his way of telling Alice he still loved her, just not in the lover type way. I was perfectly okay with that, and happy about it too.

"Rave, club clothes?" Alice stated looking horrified she could go designer for this. But still a smile was creeping slowly across her face.

"What shall we wear?" Caius stated looking concerned.

"Gentleman... Edward and I will accompany you for some threads... The whole victorian goth look could probably work, but will update you a bit." Jasper stated boldly.

"Sweet!" Jane said happily. Great I thought to myself, another that likes to shop... But I couldn't blame her. . . She was a forever fifteen year old at heart.

"Well let's go, we have minimal time to find what fits right!" Alice exclaimed . "We will see you back here later!" She finished while all but tearing my arms out of their sockets dragging me in hast for her pursuits of fashion.

Tonight was going to be a good night! I thought to myself, and just went with it!

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