Ok I know I've taken forever to update but this chapter was really hard to write. I had to rewrite it several times before it flowed the way I wanted it to. I hope you all enjoy this. There will be one more chapter and most likely it'll be from Carlisle's POV though I may do Jasper's POV as well.

Chapter 4

The Road to Forgiveness

JPOV

I stared hesitantly inside. I wanted to go in, but what if it was a joke? What if I took that step over the threshold and found the door suddenly slammed in my face? I finally looked at Carlisle and found him watching me patiently. "Come on son, we've missed you, especially one in particular," Carlisle said as he gave me a smile. I took that step over the threshold hesitantly and when that door was still held open to me, I stepped completely in. I found myself suddenly wrapped in Carlisle's arms. I froze for a moment unsure of what to think, and then found my arms wrapping around him of their own accord.

"I'm sorry Carlisle," I said softly against him. I wasn't sure if he would let me acknowledge him as my father until things were resolved. I suddenly felt a wave of emotions pour from him, but the one that confused me was the hurt. I had hurt him? How? I pulled away from him and looked at him confused at what I was feeling from him.

Those golden orbs stared at me, then he smiled and turned me towards the living room. "Go on son, she's been waiting for you, best not make her angry. We'll talk in a bit, go spend time with your mate," he said as he gave me a nudge towards Alice.

My little pixie of a wife was bouncing on her heels as I looked at her. The minute I started towards her, she ran and launched herself at me, wrapping her legs around my waist and her arms around my neck. I wrapped my arms around her and just held her. I felt her head under my chin and I turned my head to lay it on top of hers. I breathed her scent in as I rocked back and forth with her in my arms. "Don't you ever leave me again," she whispered into my chest.

"I won't. I promise," I whispered back. I walked over to the couch and sat down moving Alice to my lap. We wrapped our arms tightly around each other and stayed that way for what seemed like hours. I knew the others wanted to welcome me back as well, but I didn't have the heart to leave Alice. I stayed sitting with her head tucked up under my chin. I wanted my Alice and she wanted me and everyone was nice enough to leave us be till we were ready to let go.

It was an hour later when Alice mumbled something quietly against me. I couldn't quite make it out, so I asked her to repeat it. "Go see the others. They've been waiting patiently I'll wait here for you," she said slowly relinquishing her hold on me.

I got up, sat her on the couch and kissed her forehead. I headed over to Emmett and Edward and they immediately tackled me. We wrestled on the floor, though it wasn't fair, the two of them against me. Suddenly there was someone helping me and it took me a minute to realize it was Rosalie. We managed to get the better of Edward and Emmett, but when I went to thank her, she backed me up against the wall and she looked pissed.

"If you ever make them cry again by leaving I'll kick your ass," she hissed at me and darted a quick glance behind her. I quickly looked over her shoulder before looking back at her and realized she had meant Esme and Alice. We were putting on a show for the others. They knew Rosalie and I tolerated each other, but I don't think any of them knew how close we were. I nodded at her though and she moved, after she punched me in the arm.

Alice was by my side once again and we moved back to the couch as one. As much as I wanted to sit with her for hours on end, I was becoming nervous about the talk I was to have with Carlisle and Esme. I looked over towards where they had been and saw Esme was now in the kitchen working on something at the counter and Carlisle had disappeared. I assumed he had gone upstairs to his study. I felt Alice touch my face and I looked down into hers. "Go on, I'll wait for you to come back," she said softly and then got up.

I sighed, stood up and headed for the stairs. I moved humanly slow because even though I needed for this to be done, I was still unsure of what was going to happen. I turned to go ask Alice first, when suddenly Esme was in front of me. She gave me a soft smile and said, "Come on Jasper, Carlisle's upstairs in his office." I had already figured that but I let her turn me back towards the stairs and began to slowly trudge up them.

The door to Carlisle's office loomed before me and I was ready to turn and run, but suddenly I felt Esme's hand on my arm and I flinched. She had always been kind and gentle, both her and Carlisle, but there was that part of me that kept waiting…waiting for their true colors to show. I saw the look of hurt appear on her face when I flinched and she withdraw her hand. I had to erase that look, I was a gentleman first and foremost and I needed to treat her like a lady should be treated. I looked at her, smiled and offered her my arm. "A lady deserves to be escorted inside anywhere," I said my southern accent coming forth.

Her face lit up as she took my arm. "It's going to be fine honey. We want to talk to you about what happened and Carlisle may want to talk to you privately afterwards, but it'll be fine," she said as she patted my arm.

I nodded and knocked on the office door.

"Come in Jasper," Carlisle called.

I swallowed hard and was hesitant, but I felt a few comforting pats to my arm and looked at Esme. She had a smile on her face and she gestured towards the door. I nodded and opened it. When I entered in, I made sure to move slowly, even though Esme wouldn't trip if I were to move faster. Carlisle sat behind his desk when we entered and I closed the door behind me. I felt Esme release my arm and I couldn't help but stare at the floor.

"Jasper come sit down, son. We aren't going to bite," Carlisle said and I could hear the amusement in his voice. He didn't know how Marie had dealt with things though and that's exactly what she would've done and worse.

I made my way over to the empty chair in front of Carlisle's desk, the other occupied by Esme. I stared at my feet the entire time and continued to do so after I sat down. I couldn't force myself to look up into their condemning eyes. I knew their actions before was for the benefit of the family, they would show how they felt about my actions now that we were away from the others. The silence was so thick in the room and I couldn't understand why neither of them had spoke, yet. Marie would've been breathing down my neck the moment I entered. I slowly looked up and was shocked at what I saw.

Carlisle had moved from behind the desk to leaning against the front of it. I had been so lost in thought I hadn't noticed. That wasn't what shocked me most though, it was the look in his eyes that surprised me most. Compassion. There was compassion on his face and I could feel it flowing off of him. The confusion I felt must've showed on my face as Carlisle asked, "What is it that you thought we were going to do Jasper?"

I wasn't going to answer that. I knew that it would put a look of hurt on both their faces, the question was why. How did I know that it would hurt them, if I told them I thought they were going to seriously harm me the way Marie would've done? I shook my head and looked down ashamed to admit it and hoped Carlisle would let it drop. He didn't.

"Jasper, look at me please. We are your family son, not your coven. Neither Esme not myself would dream of harming you the way your old leader had done," Carlisle said quietly even though I hadn't the courage to look up at him as he had asked. He was suddenly crouching in front of me and I felt his cool hand touch me under my chin. I flinched away slightly, cursing myself mentally as I did so. Carlisle's hand never moved though and he gently nudged my chin upwards until I was looking directly at him. "You are our son, the same as Edward and Emmett. Rosalie and Alice are our daughters. When punishment is deemed necessary, it will be with love and temperance, not with hatred. We will never force any of you to leave as punishment, ever," he said the kind look on his face never changing.

I couldn't face him anymore and turned away only to greeted by Esme's sad eyes looking at me. "Jasper, I told you when I met you on the roads here that I shouldn't have approached you while you were feeding and that it was my fault you startled me," she said quietly as she touched my hand gently.

I shook my head. It wasn't right of her to take the blame. "No, it's my fault. I-I should've let you know that I was going to hunt," I said staring down so I didn't have to look at either one of them.

"Why did you go off to hunt without Esme, Jasper? You know that I've asked you to at least take someone with you when you needed to hunt," Carlisle asked as he touched my shoulder, to gain my attention again, I suppose.

I couldn't look at either of them as I answered. "I-I feel as if you think of me as a child. I have to be watched all the time, I'm not allowed to do things or go places that the others are allowed. It doesn't seem fair to me," I told them, my southern accent coming forward. I didn't dare look up though, afraid of the reaction they would have at my words.

"Jasper, it was not our intention to make you feel like a child. We were only thinking to protect you and the humans you would be around. I think after we are done here, we need to have a family meeting," Carlisle said as he cupped my chin and caused me to look up.

I nodded as I stared at the compassionate looks on their faces. I was curious though, Carlisle had said when we were done. What else could there be? They had said they weren't angry with me for snapping at Esme.

"I would like to know why you ran from us Jasper. The only thing Esme asked you to do was to go to your room," Carlisle said.

"I-I heard her talking on the phone with you and I…" I stopped, I didn't want to admit to hearing Esme saying that she wanted me to leave.

"What Jasper. Tell me son," Carlisle said kindly.

"I heard her say it was my fault, that I should be punished and that she wanted me to leave," I said not daring to look at Esme.

Carlisle chuckled warmly, which surprised me. "Jasper, you were eavesdropping?" he asked.

"No, not intentionally. I kept hearing her words though," I told him.

"If you had paid closer attention, you would've heard all of what Esme had said not just what you thought she said," Carlisle told me.

"Let me tell you what happened sweetheart," Esme said as she touched my cheek lightly.

~ The phone call ~

EsPOV

I watched as Jasper made his way up to his room. I knew he was sorry by the look on his face and the emotion he projected towards me. I wanted to go to him like I would any of my children, but Jasper tended to shy away from Carlisle and myself, especially when either of us offered physical affection towards him. I know he had a rough time of it in his old coven, but we've tried to show him that we're a family.

I decided to call Carlisle to let him know what happened, that way he wouldn't be surprised when he came home and one of our other children blurted out what happened, either on purpose or by accident. Jasper felt bad enough and I think that would push him even further away from us. I called his office number first, just incase he might be there. Luck happened to be on my side today.

"Hello this is Dr. Cullen speaking," I heard my husband answer.

"Well with a voice like that no wonder the nurses practically drool over you," I said with amusement.

I heard Carlisle chuckle warmly. "Well isn't this a nice surprise. I'm assuming there's nothing wrong since you don't sound overly upset," he said to me.

"Now why do you think something's wrong? Can't I just decide to call to talk to you?" I asked in a mock hurt voice.

"Esme, I know you and you don't randomly call me like this. Has something happened with Jasper?" he asked.

"Yes but it's nothing to get upset over. It wasn't his fault," I began knowing it already sounded bad.

"What happened sweetheart?" Carlisle asked gently.

"Jasper snapped at me, but like I said it wasn't his fault. I came upon him while he was feeding on a buck and startled him," I told him.

"I see. He didn't hurt you?" I heard him asked concern and worry now evident in his voice.

"No. He just gnashed his teeth at me, before he realized who it was. I saw the regret in his eyes once he realized it was me. He's in his room right now," I stated.

Carlisle was quiet several minute, before he finally spoke. "I'll try to be home early so that we can discuss this with him. I do have a question though, if you went hunting together, why didn't he know it was you coming upon him?" he asked.

I actually had hoped he wouldn't ask that. "We didn't go together. He went on his own and when I couldn't find him in the house, I went looking for him," I told him.

"He's been told about going hunting by himself," Carlisle said and gave a sigh. "We'll have to discuss that with Jasper as well."

"Well what ever we discuss with him, I don't think he should be punished for either of his actions. I don't want him to leave and I'm afraid that if we do punish him, he'll see it as us attacking him. I don't want him to think of us as being like his old coven," I told my husband.

"Esme, my darling we will talk with Jasper and work things out. No need for you to upset yourself," Carlisle said in his ever patient voice.

I nodded even though he couldn't see me. "Alright my dear, I'll see you when you come home," I told him and we hung up.

~ present ~

"I-I'm sorry. I should've talked to you both about it, but I thought what I heard was correct. I didn't want to stay where I wasn't wanted," I explained. I didn't look at either of them as I spoke. I couldn't I felt guilty and to see the looks of compassion I knew I'd see on their faces was something would only further that guilt.

Carlisle cleared his throat and I looked up slowly. It was expected and I couldn't disobey again. I looked up and although they looked like I knew they would, their emotions were telling me something completely different. I could feel disappointment and a slight bit of anger coming off both of them. I didn't know what to say to either of them and so I didn't say anything.

"Jasper, your mother and I would like a few minutes to talk alone. Please go to your room and wait for us. We will be in when we're done here," Carlisle told me. When I got up to leave the room, I felt Carlisle's hand suddenly on my wrist. "Son, we would like some privacy. Please turn your radio on if you would," Carlisle told me.

I nodded. "Yes sir," I said as I left the room. I made my way down the hall towards my room and when I entered, music filled the room and I found my beloved waiting on the bed for me. I closed the door behind me, walked over to the bed, sat down and wrapped my arms around her. "I thought you were going to wait for me?" I asked with a small chuckle.

"I was, but I was without you for so long," she said, her sweet voice sounded so sad and hurt and I immediately felt guilty for what I put her through.

I pulled her closer to me and whispered in her ear, "I'm sorry my love. I never meant to hurt you like that, I meant what I said to you. I will never leave you again, I promise you this."

"I know you won't," she said. It was quiet for several minutes and then Alice spoke again. "They're coming, I'll come back in a bit," she said and stood to leave.

I grabbed her hand. "You could stay while we talked. They wouldn't mind," I said wanting her to stay.

She walked over and kissed my forehead. "You would mind my love. Shh, no don't say you wouldn't. Believe me. I'll come back later, the others and I are going hunting," she said.

"Wait for me? I wanted you and I to go hunting by ourselves," I told her as I continued to hold her hand.

She slipped her hand gently from mine and kissed the palm of my hand. "We will go hunting, but not tonight. You won't want to, I'll be back I promise," she said cryptically and left the room.

There was a knock at the door a moment later and I bid Carlisle and Esme to come in. I was a little surprised when only Carlisle came in. I looked at Carlisle questioningly and he sat on the bed next to me. "Esme thought it would be best if you and I spoke alone," Carlisle told me.

Of course she wanted Carlisle to talk to me, she couldn't stand being near me anymore. I hung my head and stared at my shoes. I would have to make it up to her somehow so that she would forgive me someday. I was so lost in my self incrimination that I failed to notice the look that crossed Carlisle's face. I jumped though when he laid a hand on my shoulder. "Jasper, you need to stop. Esme has told you that she doesn't blame you for what happened. You have no need to feel guilty, son," he said to me.

"I know, but I can't help it. I snapped at her and misjudged both of you. Wouldn't you feel the same way?" I asked.

Carlisle stared at me a moment and then nodded. "Yes I suppose I would. We thought you would still feel this way, which is why Esme had me come in without her," he said as he held my gaze.

I knew then why he was here and Esme wasn't. He was here to punish me and Esme didn't want to watch. I suddenly realized it was why Alice and the others went to hunt they didn't want to be around either. Panic rose in me at what he was going to do. I pushed it down. I had been a major in the Confederate Army and my old coven leader's right hand. I could handle whatever Carlisle planned to do. I had to if I wanted to stay.