This is a missing future-shot/sequel to two of my stories: the one-shot 'Galveston' and the WIP, multi-chapter, currently on a year-long hiatus 'Accoutrements of a Vampire'. It was an annoying plot bunny demanding to be written. Timeline- post Eclipse?

I've missed my Bella/Jasper bonding, and it might be the breath of fresh air I need to get my muses back.

~S~

"Jasper!" Alice's tinkling voice broke into my reverie.

I had been sprawled out on the grass in the backyard of our Forks home, staring up at the night sky. Even after two centuries, I never could get over the bliss and amazement of being able to see the constellations without the power of a telescope.

"Yes dear?" I drawled, never tearing my eyes from the stars. She was frustrated and determined to get something out of me.

"Why do I see us taking a trip down to Texas, to a dusty old harbor-town?" Alice's voice was confused. "I can't see the town name. Someone keeps avoiding the sign…"

"Describe it to me." I fought back a grin. It was a game I played with Alice, make a decision but keep the details just vague enough to annoy her. It was the only way I could ever surprise my wife when it came to anniversaries and holidays.

"Cobblestone roads, a cliff overlooking a harbor, a brothel, a hotel, a Civil War museum and tour, a few different houses…" Her voice trailed off, and I could almost feel her eyes narrowing at me. "And the entire family is there, Bella included."

"I was thinking, we should take Bella down to Galveston…" I let my thought hang in the air.

No matter what Alice's visions said, I was determined to revisit the town myself. I knew Maria was still in Monterrey, but she avoided Galveston like the plague. Peter and Charlotte had informed me that any reminder of where she first found me immediately sent Maria into a rage. She never could get over the fact that I had left her, that I was able to come to my senses, and move past her emotional manipulation.

"I think it's a brilliant idea Jas! Edward will agree to it." Alice stated firmly, flopping into the grass next to me. "Charlie might be a bit of work, but with Carlisle's help, he will agree too."

"And our dear siblings Emmett and Rosalie?"

I knew Emmett would be tickled to spend more time with Edward's girlfriend, but Rosalie was still frosty when it came to the poor human. Now that Bella knew her story, Rose was at a loss on why she still insisted on becoming one of us.

I couldn't feign indifference towards Bella, she was a little sister to me, and I was eager to show my human life to someone who hadn't heard it a million times. Galveston held so many fond memories, and was full of United States history, I was sure Bella would enjoy learning about it first person.

Alice grew silent, searching into the future. After a minute, she grinned, "Rosalie loves the idea. She wants Bella to see how watching change affects us, but it doesn't end badly. They'll have a chance to bond more actually."

I snorted. "This I've got to see."

"You will." Alice dusted off her slacks and flitted inside, presumably to tell the rest of the family about my idea.

I folded my arms behind my head and resumed scanning the sky. I remembered, fuzzily, watching the stars on walks back to the rooming-house my troops stayed in, and wishing that I could see them clearer. With technology, and vampire eyesight, I now could.

Although I regretted much about the beginning of my second life, the path had lead me to Alice, and in turn, to a family much like the one I had left behind for the war. The Cullens had welcomed us with open arms, and in turn I worked hard to welcome them into my life. What I had never expected was how easy, how natural it would be.

"Jasper?" The voice that interrupted my thoughts for a second time was softer, more timid, and nervous.

"Yes Bella?" Once again, I remained staring at the sky, knowing Bella would find it easier to avoid eye contact, at least at the beginning of our conversation.

"Alice told us of your idea, of visiting Galveston?" Questioning.

"MmmHmm…" I swallowed thickly, ignoring the burn in my throat. I had grown used to Bella, but the first deep breath was always the hardest. Bella shifted, moving downwind from where I lie.

"I'd be honored to come," I could hear the blood rushing to Bella's cheeks, and knew even in the weak moonlight, that her face would be flushed a pale pink. "I've always enjoyed the Civil War, and to get to hear from a direct source and…um, Charlie thinks it would be a good idea too…he mentioned something about furthering my education."

I rolled to my side, one arm still propping up my head, and looked Bella dead in the eyes, "I'm glad to hear that you want to come, for your own reasons, not anybody else's. You need to do things for you. It will truly be my pleasure to show you around Galveston, my old haunts and touristy sites alike. That paper you wrote? I'd like to show you some of the sites - and I know the perfect place for us to stay."

From the house, Alice and Edward concurred, to low for Bella to hear. She cocked an eyebrow, "You do?"

"Yes ma'am. The Blackburn Boarding House. If I am not mistaken, it is run by direct descendants of a Rachel Blackburn-Breen, they've kept the original decorations as well. Her mother and father owned the house while I was human, and Rachel's husband was Private Robert Breen. He served in my troop." I chuckled "The two of them caused quite an uproar, getting caught in a compromising position. I've never told Alice this, but I picked out the wedding dress."

Alice gasped from the house, her disbelief palpable across the yard.

"Jasper, you'll have to tell me more of your story one day, with more details." Bella pleaded, tentatively placing a hand on my arm. "You must have a ton of stories."

Edward's warning hiss told me that he knew where my thoughts were headed, that Bella's memory as a vampire would be amazing, so I chose my words carefully, "I do have a ton of stories, and I'm sure you'll soon tire of hearing all of them. I know the rest of the family has."

"I doubt it. You have such a complex history, I don't think your stories will ever bore me." Bella was hesitant, choosing her words carefully as well. "But…"

"But what?" Bella's tone turned slightly mischievous, her thoughts were clearly wandering. Not for the first time, did I wish Edward could read her mind. The snort from the house told me my brother agreed.

"Galveston is in Texas. Texas is sunny and in case you haven't noticed, y'all sparkle."Bella's eyes twinkled with laughter, but I could tell she truly was curious how we would manage to sightsee.

"We'll just go during a week when there is cloud cover. We have an excellent meteorologist, in case you haven't noticed." I laughed. "Texas has its storm seasons, and besides, we've been known to get creative when it is unavoidable to venture outside."

Bella let out a peal of laughter, collapsing on her back in the grass. It always amazed me how naturally she took to the oddities of vampiric life, and once again, I found myself realizing that Bella was born to be a vampire, that she was never meant to remain human.