Here's the next chapter. Enjoy.

Chapter 4

Bella

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, Jagger,"

We walked into the cafeteria. "Why don't you go and get your lunch?" I pushed him towards the line. "I'll find a table and then we'll deal with the issue."

"Issue?" he said incredulously. "Really?"

"Just go."

"Yes, Mom." He said it in a teasing voice but I knew better. He went to get his lunch while I found a table away from the humans.

Just as I sat down, Alice showed up. "Hi, I'm Alice Cullen."

Oh, how I've missed Alice and her bubbly personality. "Izzy Cameron."

"I know." She smiled brightly. "Rosalie told me." she studied my closely. "You remind me of someone I used to know."

Figures.

"Izzy?" Jagger was stuffing a hot dog in his mouth when he sat down.

"You're going choke on that." I said with distaste.

"Pfft." He swallowed the dog and smiled widely. "See? I didn't choke."

"Just be careful, please." Alice cleared her throat. "Oh. Uh, sorry Alice. This is my brother Jagger. Jagger, this is Alice Cullen."

He choked on his soda. "Are you serious?"

I kicked him from under the table. "Manners, Jagger."

"Sorry."

"What can I do for you, Alice?"

"My family wants to talk to you both." She said. "We're curious. It's not every day we come across a vegetarian vampire. Or a… what are you, exactly?" she asked Jagger.

Jagger huffed indignantly. "He's a vampire/human hybrid." I said. "His father was a vampire, his mother human."

"Where are his parents?"

"His human mother died." Jagger winced. I paused. "Are you okay?" I asked, wrapping my arms around him.

He nodded.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes." He looked at me with his icy blue eyes. I knew he knew how much pain he caused me in the beginning. It was a sore topic for him.

"I think it would be better if we didn't talk about this now." I said, running a hand through Jagger's hair. He put his head on my shoulder and sighed.

Alice nodded in agreement. "Why don't you meet us after school? You can meet the rest of the family as well as our parents."

"Sure, Alice."

She paused and frowned. Then she shook her head and walked away.

"Honey, are you sure you're okay?"

"I'm sure. It's just hard to talk about."

"I know." I pressed a kiss to his forehead. "We just won't talk about it." I looked at him. "Okay?"

He smiled weakly and pushed the tray of food away. "I'm not hungry."

oOo

I wouldn't admit this out loud but I was actually so excited to see Carlisle and Esme again. Of course, they couldn't know who I was just yet but that's beside the point.

Alice met us outside the school. "You ready?" she asked.

"Yes."

"Well, I'll drive with you since Edward and the others took the Volvo."

I snorted. Edward still drove a Volvo?

"How many are vampires are in your family?" Jagger asked as I led them to the car.

"Eight." Alice said.

"Wow." He said in amazement. "How do you all live together?"

"It's difficult with so many mated couples but we handle it."

"Makes me glad it's just you and me." Jagger said to me.

I nodded and sighed as I saw people gathered around my baby. "Hey!" I called. "Away from the car please!"

The guys moved away. "Jagger! Dude, this is your car?" one of them said.

Jagger shook his head. "The car belongs to my sister, dude."

Their jaws dropped. "Pick up your jaws boys. It's not that strange to see a woman driving a car like this." I said, stepping into the car.

"Nice, Iz." Jagger said, sliding into the back.

"This is my baby."

"I know." He flashed a brilliant smile and leaned back as Alice stepped in the car.

"This is really nice." She said. "I'll bet Rosalie would freak if she saw it."

"Where am I going?"

Alice gave me directions. The house that I ended up driving up to was exactly what I expected for the Cullens.

I hesitated getting out of the car. Jasper was in there and I didn't know if I was ready to see him just yet. "You can do it, Ma." Jagger whispered so low that Alice couldn't hear. He sent me a wave of confidence and I smiled at him appreciatively.

Jagger and I got out of the car and followed Alice to the house. The Cullens were all standing around the room, waiting in silence.

When we stepped inside, Esme and Carlisle came forward. It had a strong feeling of déjà vu. Only instead of Edward with me, it was Alice.

"Hello, Izzy. I'm Esme."

I wanted to fling my arms around her neck and hug her tight. But since I couldn't do that, I smiled politely. "Hello, Esme. This is Jagger."

She turned her gaze to Jagger and her golden eyes widened. "Oh, dear."

I went still as Jagger smiled at her. "Hello."

"Esme," Carlisle said, gently pulling Esme into his side. "Forgive my wife. She's just very happy to meet you." He stepped forward and took my hand. "It's nice to meet you, Izzy. I'm Carlisle. These are our children, Emmett, Rosalie, Edward, and Aaron."

I realized almost immediately that Jasper wasn't here. Jagger seemed to pick up on that too. "Alice said there were eight of you."

Carlisle frowned. "Yes. Jasper left."

"He left? Where?" I asked.

"No one knows." Edward said. "He calls every once in a while."

Jasper wasn't even here. I looked at Edward. He was exactly like I remembered him. Except he looked so strained. I wondered why.

"Come, sit down." Carlisle said. "We're very curious about you, Izzy."

I nodded once. When I entered the room, I saw a photo of the entire family on the mantle. I was surprised to see myself in the photo as well. Esme followed my gaze because a heartbreaking look crossed her face.

"Her name was Bella." She said.

I glanced at Esme. "She was my daughter."

"But she was human." I said. It was easier to talk about this than I thought. Probably because they didn't know who I was.

"Yes, she was." Edward growled. "She was perfect and beautiful and selfless."

"What happened to her?" Jagger asked. "Clearly she's not here. If you loved her so much, than why did you leave?"

"We had to." Edward snarled. "It was for her own safety. Bella didn't realize what she was getting into. I left to protect her."

It took a while for his words to register in my head. Edward... lied to me? Why would he do that?

My anger burst through and I had to fight myself not to rip off his arm.

"Let's not talk about this." Esme interrupted. "Bella is a sore subject for all of us."

"So Izzy, tell us about yourself."

"It's not that exciting. I was found dying in the middle of the forest. I was changed and voila. There you go."

"What about Jagger?" Edward asked, staring hard at my son. "I can't hear your thoughts. Either of you."

"Really?" I beamed, before I realized I wasn't supposed to know about his mind reading abilities. Thankfully, no one caught on.

"You read thoughts?" Fortunately, Jagger knew better and behaved with the appropriate amount of surprise.

"Yes. It's my extra ability. And I've never come across someone who deflected that before."

"Except Bella." Alice chirped.

Edward sent her a death glare before turning to look at us. "How are you doing that?"

"Izzy's probably shielding us subconsciously." Jagger said. "She has a mental and physical shield. If she thinks there's danger around, her shield will go up subconsciously."

"That's very informative of you, Jagger. Thank you." I said with sarcasm.

He shrugged nonchalantly.

"Is there any way you can take it down?"

"Yes." I said. "But I don't really want to. The idea of someone else reading my thought sucks. I happen to like the privacy of my mind."

Edward frowned. "Dude! Can you project it? It'd be cool if Eddie couldn't hear my thoughts either!" Emmett said, bouncing in his seat.

"Like I want to," Edward grumbled under his breath.

"Sorry, Emmett,"

He pouted. God, I've missed him.

"Izzy? Can I talk to you?" Carlisle asked after our little banter.

"Of course, Carlisle."

"Outside, please. Away from the family,"

"Is something wrong, Carlisle?" Esme asked, looking between Carlisle and me.

"Nothing dear,"

I stood up. "Be good, Jagger."

"Yes, ma'am."

I rolled my eyes as I followed Carlisle outside.

We walked about fifty yards from the house before he stopped and turned to me. "So Bella, it's been a long time."

I cursed. I should have known Carlisle would figure it out. Nothing gets passed him. "How'd you figure it out?"

"Well, it wasn't really that hard." He said with a smile. "First, was how you reacted when we started talking about your human life. Next was when we mentioned that Jasper wasn't here. You shouldn't have behaved the way you did when we told you he was gone. Of course, then Edward mentioned he couldn't read your mind. You were thrilled he still couldn't hear your thoughts when you should have reacted as though you had no idea about it," Drat. I knew someone would have noticed that. "Of course, that led to the explanation Jagger gave about your shield. I've known for quite some time that you would have had a shield."

"Well, nothing gets passed you, does it Dr. C?"

He chuckled. "Bella, why are you doing this?"

"Doing what?"

"Hiding yourself from the family? Don't you want them to know you're alive?"

"I'm not really alive, Carlisle."

He rolled his eyes. "You know what I mean Bella. Why are you Izzy Cameron?"

"I decided to be Izzy Cameron long before I realized you guys were here. I never thought I'd see any of you again."

Carlisle ran a hand over his face. "Bella, what really happened to you after we left? How were you changed?"

I swallowed. "I'm not ready to talk about that Carlisle. I'll tell you soon, I promise. But for now, I just need to adjust to everything. Edward just told me the truth behind his leaving me behind and I—"

"Truth? Bella, what are you talking about?"

"Edward lied when he left."

"What did he say?"

"He said he didn't love me. That I was no good for him and that he didn't want to keep pretending to be human when he wasn't."

Carlisle's face changed to anger. I don't think I've ever seen Carlisle angry before. It was an alarming sight.

"Please, Carlisle. It happened a long time ago. I'm over it now."

He looked at me. "Bella,"

I stepped into his arms and hugged him. He was surprised but then he wrapped his arms around me. "I missed you, Carlisle."

"I've missed you too, Bella."

We stayed like that for several moments. When he pulled away, I sighed. "Carlisle, promise me you won't tell the rest of the family about this. I'm not ready for their questions just yet. I'll tell them soon."

"I promise, Bella."

"That includes Esme." He opened his mouth to say something but I stopped him. "I know you don't want to lie to her but it will only be for a little bit longer. I promise."

He sighed and nodded. "I promise, Bella." He cupped my face and leaned down to kiss my forehead. "I'm so proud of you, Bella. You've done so well for yourself."

I smiled weakly. "I'm glad you think so."

"Come on, honey. Let's get home before Emmett corrupts Jagger."

*

Emmett and Jagger were playing video games when Carlisle and I walked inside. I looked at the clock, surprised by how late it was.

"You're back!" Edward said, standing up from his piano.

"Yes. But we really should be going." I said, walking over to where Jagger sat. "Come on, kiddo. It's time to get home. You need to eat."

"Do I have to?"

"Yes." I said. "Now let's go."

"But—"

"No buts. Come on. Get a move on."

"Aww, come on, Izzy. Jagger's my only competition. Ever since Jasper left, I've had no one to play with."

Jagger glanced at me at the mention of Jasper but I ignored him. "Sorry, Emmett. Jagger's got to get home, do homework, eat and sleep."

"You sleep?"

"Yeah. Don't you?" Jagger teased.

"Nah, man. I don't need sleep. Sleep is for pussies."

Rosalie smacked him in the head. "Ow! What the hell woman?"

"Stop being such an idiot."

I laughed. "Come on, Jagger."

He sighed and stood up. "See ya later Em."

"Later dude!"

"Have fun?"

He nodded and smiled.

Jasper

I had no idea where I was. All I knew was that it was dark and I was alone.

Dark, ominous thoughts went through my head as they always had since the day Charlie told me that my love was dead.

Why did I have to be so selfish? I knew what Edward's leaving did to her and then I went and did the same thing.

But she said she would always love Edward.

That's no excuse.

My phone beeped. I looked down at it, debating whether I should open it. It was probably from the family, asking me to come home.

I can't go home. I fucked up everything. Edward would try to kill me and I don't think I'd be able to handle three mated couples, all happy and in love.

My phone beeped again.

What could be so important that they can't leave me alone?

Opening the phone, I read the first text.

Come home, Jasper. We miss you.

--Alice

I deleted that and looked at the second one. I was surprised to see that it was from Carlisle. He knew I needed to be away. What happened?

Son, I know you need your space right now but you should come home. There is something you need to see.

--Carlisle

I debated whether or not I should go.

There was one more thing I needed to do. After spending twenty-five years as a solitary vampire, I was ready to go back to my family.

But not until I had the chance to say goodbye.

I texted Carlisle back with a promise.

Soon.

Well, there you have it. I'm not one hundred percent happy with this chapter but I hope you guys liked it. Please review and tell me what you thought.