Hi everyone,

I'm not quite sure about this chapter. It's the first one so far with this story that I'm not confident about. I tried re-writing it, but it only got worse so this is what you're stuck with… Let me know if you think it's any good.

I also didn't mean for it to be so long, but I don't actually think you'll be complaining. ;) I wouldn't get used to chapters quite this long, though...

I AM SO SORRY ABOUT THE SNEAK-PEEKS. I completely forgot-I've been so busy this week. To pay for it, I'll give you an extra long one.

Thanks to the usual team, and to all you readers, reviewers, favourite-rs and alerters for your ongoing support. You have no idea how much it means to me! :)

Enjoy and I'll see you down the bottom...

CHAPTER 6

The dimmed light in my eyes woke me up. I was so tired because of yesterday—though I couldn't remember what it was that had happened to make me feel this way. I didn't want to wake up, and my forehead crumpled in protest. I rolled onto my stomach to bury my face in the pillows and block the sun, only to burrow my face into something much harder, colder and somehow toned… and it was beneath me.

It took a moment for everything to register as I felt the back of my head throb, and I groaned at the pain. "Ow," I moaned, reaching back awkwardly to feel for a bump. I hissed when the tips of my fingers did indeed graze against one.

What the hell happened to me yesterday? I moaned internally.

The floodgates opened and a tsunami of memories flowed quickly into my head, making my head both spin and throb once more.

Despite the headache the onset was causing, I still did nothing else but grin.

I snuggled further into the bed with the grin on my face only widening. But as icy arms wrapped around me and tugged me closer, my eyes flew open and I squeaked as I flew back. Jasper quickly let me go.

I flew back so fast that I lost balance, and before I knew it, I was falling backwards and off the bed. I landed on my back, and bumped my head a little only to hear a smooth, amused chuckle from the bed. I huffed, eyes narrowing as I sat up and rubbed the back of my head. As soon as my husband was in eye line, my eyes narrowed even further and an eyebrow raised. I stood up slowly and rolled my shoulders, yawning again so forcefully my eyes closed as I lifted my arms above my head.

The chuckle abruptly stopped, and was replaced by the rumble of the sexiest growl I've ever heard. I opened my eyes slowly, a smile stretching on my face, but I was slightly unprepared for the sight before me: Jasper, his hair, shirt untucked and sleeves rolled up to his elbows, the first few buttons undone… and his eyes black as night.

The absolute lust in his eyes, and the way his Adam's apple bobbed as he swallowed slowly made me gasp, blush and bite my lip. As I closed my eyes, Jasper's face flashed behind my eyelids, numerous other times he'd looked at me with the same hungry expression on his face playing out one after the other in my thoughts. Those memories of course lead to others, and I was surprisingly relaxed when I heard Jasper inhale deeply just as I felt myself clench, my panties dampen. The growl, still low and rumbly, transformed yet again into a low, seductive purr and I opened my eyes just in time to see him lick his lips. My own parted as I did the same, watching him as he watched me.

The charged, electric tension between us was becoming too much, and I whimpered as he smirked at me upon inhaling again. My nipples pebbled, my body aching for him.

But once again we were interrupted. Just as I was about to move toward him, his eyes widened. A muted "shit" left his lips before he disappeared into thin air. I blinked, still slow to comprehend due to how tired I was. I understood a few moments later when the door opened.

"Bells, you all right there? I thought I heard you fall?" Charlie said from behind me. I could hear the muted amusement in his voice, a slight breathiness in his voice alluding to his suppression of laughter. I closed my eyes in utter mortification and exasperation, wanting nothing more than to kick something. All I wanted was some time alone with my husband but that was obviously far too much to ask.

I spun on my heels, catching myself by gripping the sheets of the bed as I stumbled. He pressed his lips together and cleared his throat, but I ignored his reaction and forced the best smile I could manage to grace my lips. "I'm fine, thanks," I mumbled, blushing tomato red. "Just fell out of bed… probably rolled over. I'm used to a bigger bed," I carried on when his concern won out against his amusement.

"All right," he mumbled, nodding awkwardly. He turned and closed the door behind him, and I sighed as I heard him trudge down the stairs.

I turned around to see where Jasper went, opening my mouth to whisper his name. I hoped he hadn't flown the coop as soon as he heard my father. I wasn't quite finished with him yet. As it so happened, I spun right into his arms, which steadied me as I bumped into him. His cool arms wrapped around my waist and pulled me closer to him, and I didn't even flinch—a strange, but yet very lovely feeling of surety and safety coming over me, even with how unusual it was. I simply smiled, sighing contentedly, letting my head rest on his chest as I wrapped my own arms around him. I felt his chin rest on the top of my head and my smile widened. I loved it when he did that; it felt like he was surrounding me completely.

"Hello you," I whispered, turning my head to look up at him.

The side of his lips turned up. "Hello yourself," he drawled in a whisper. His left hand came up from the small of my back and pressed against the back of my head, right over where the bump was still throbbing.

"Thank you," I said quietly, leaning back into his hand.

"Not to worry," he said, leaning back and glancing down at me. "You've become good at lying," he commented lightly, but I could hear the curiosity and suspicion in his voice, feel it in his slightly tensed muscles and the way his arms tightened around me.

I stiffened, frowned, and stepped back and out of his arms. Completely ignoring him, I turned and started to make the bed. Glancing back at him to see him watching me silently, a frown on his own face, I shrugged and sat on the bed. I could see he wanted to say something, but I got to thinking as I stared at the bed spread, and it suddenly occurred to me that I hadn't dreamed of anything last night.

A thought I shared immediately with Jasper.

I looked up at him. His eyes were wide with shock, but also far away, thoughtful. His mouth was screwed shut. "Is it possible that could be because there's nothing for you to dream of?" he asked quietly.

I wanted to say no, but I closed my mouth and seriously thought for a moment. I was positive I didn't have every dream I could have possibly had of memories of the two of us in my short lifetime, but as I searched my memories, I was surprised—albeit pleasantly—to find that my memories were gapless. Where before there had been minimal detail and only snippets of moments, with gaps between each event, there were now complete and whole memories. They were themselves clearer than they had been, no longer dreams but now actual, concrete memories. I truly could remember every single thing that had ever happened—small details, even, small little nothings—and it surprised me just how much I hadn't known yet.

It actually felt as if I had really, truly lived what I'd dreamed. It was now officially a part of me… and more than that, I no longer felt so lost within myself. Sure, it was still hard to balance the Isabella from one hundred and fifty years previous and the modern, adapted Isabella from today. But now there was a harmony between them. They had melded into one, united.

I was finally happy in my life. Looking at Jasper, I was finally—for the first time in this life—feeling confident and like myself. Something that only Jasper had ever brought out of me. And I knew he felt the change inside of me as it occurred, because he smiled warmly, kissed my forehead, and whispered, "I'm glad you're happy."

My throat tightened. I so longed to speak to him, tell him everything that was running through my mind, and he seemed to sense that as well as we looked into one another's eyes, for he hushed me quickly. Once more, he pulled me toward him, his arms wrapped around me just as they had been minutes before. My eyes closed for a brief moment, my mind closing to all thought until I heard the door slam below.

Awareness came to me and I opened my eyes and turned my head, eyes searching for my clock on the bedside table.

"Oh, shit!" I hissed, and I quickly wrenched myself back, disentangling myself from Jasper's arms yet again this morning.

"What is it?" he asked as I raced to the pile of clothes I'd laid out for today. Thankfully, I'd packed my book bag again last night.

I rolled my eyes as turned to wordlessly point at the clock. His own eyes widened as he realized what time it was, and he, too, muttered a cuss under his breath. He quickly righted his clothes and ran a hand through his hair, finishing just as I passed him to grab my bag. He grabbed me and pulled me sharply into his arms, planting a passionate, sweet, yet demanding kiss on my lips. The kind of kiss that always left me breathless and wanting, and always made him smirk when he let me go.

Which he did, as always, much too soon, and then he backed away from me with a lazy smirk, toward the window, and his hand gripped it as he winked and tipped his imaginary hat. He disappeared out the window in the blink of an eye. The whole exchange only seconds long.

"Damn you, Jasper," I muttered under my breath, panting lightly from the kiss. I flopped down onto the bed with a groan.

That man will be the death of me.

~*O*~

After recovering with a firm plan to get that sexy husband of mine back, I sped through getting dressed and rushed down the stairs—nearly slipping to my death twice along the way. I rushed through breakfast, gulping down mouthfuls of bland cereal as I eyed last night's pizza box, plates and glasses on the coffee table in the lounge room.

When I was done, I washed up then looked out the window to see if Jasper was there yet. He wasn't, but I was startled to see a rusty red truck in the driveway. This must have been the car Dad had said he'd be getting me. I racked my brain trying to remember if it had been there last night, but to be honest, I really couldn't be sure; that wasn't what I'd been focused on.

With a large grin on my face, I grabbed my jacket and went outside to get a better look at it. Everything froze up as the cold air struck me and a disgruntled scowl erupted on my face. "Fuck, I miss Texan heat," I muttered to myself with a pout. I shivered, unsurprised that I was so cold despite the parka. It felt like I was in the fuckin' Arctic.

I kept my eyes on the truck as I walked carefully over to it, my eyes on the ground as I tried to figure out the best path. I was sincerely hopin' the ice didn't get worse than this, because if it did, then I could already foresee bad things happening. I gripped the handle as soon as I reached it, hissing at the icy-cold temperature before I rolled my eyes at myself and gripped it even harder. I was going to have to get used to the cold, considerin' Jasper's natural body temperature now.

For some reason, though, the coolness coming off my husband was far different to this.

A fucking Chevrolet, I thought to myself, my grin widening. Thank you, Daddy!

I walked carefully and slowly around the truck, taking in all its features. I wanted to open the door and hop in but I hadn't picked up the keys yet. I took a glance at my watch and swore under my breath; it was later than I thought it was. I glanced around then quickly made a break for the door and ran back inside. I got my book bag and then looked around for the keys, finally descending the stairs to continue the search, only to find them in the most obvious of places—in the key bowl on the table near the door.

I flicked my forehead, rolling my eyes at myself. I glanced around once more to make sure everything was in place and then looked through my book bag to double check that I had everything I needed. When I was sure I did, I opened the door again, locking it the way Charlie had shown me. I turned around and kept my eyes once again on the ground to make sure I didn't slip, only glancing up when I had a firm grip on the door handle.

My heart thudded in my chest.

"Fuck," I breathed, my mouth running dry as I took in the unbelievably sexy sight before me. All I could do was gaze at my husband as he sat astride a black motorbike, all leathered up and sinful. "Praise the Lord, oh, Jesus Christ."

I was officially out of control when it came to my verbal filter. The only way I knew I'd said that aloud was when I saw Jasper's lips twitch and then the cock of his eyebrow over his sunglasses as he held my stare. My eyes wandered down his leather jacket to the blue jeans that covered his legs, and I squeezed my legs together as a burst of desire flashed through me.

Damn, but how I wanted to be that motorbike.

He smirked at me and finally gave up, seeming to understand I was having a little trouble here. He beckoned me with a crooked finger and I almost dropped my keys as I started half-out of my funk. I swallowed, feeling like a giddy little high school girl with her first crush as my eyes widened and I pointed to myself, muttering "me?"

He threw his head back in laughter and nodded, wordlessly beckoning me again.

I squealed and chuckled at myself at the same time, running toward him in a moment of complete balance before I slipped quickly onto the bike behind him. I breathed in and sighed in content, wrapping my arms tightly around him and huddling into his body. I couldn't help but be aroused by the feel of his hard planes against me and the coolness even between the layers. For all that I hated of the cold, I was addicted to Jasper's cold skin already.

Jasper, being the empath he was, could obviously feel just how I felt about all this. With a delicious smirk on his face, he glanced back to say something. But the sultry look in his eyes and the sensation of Jasper's coldness with the heat of the thrumming bike between my legs was too much and I caught his lips with mine in another fierce and passionate kiss. His right arm wrapped around my waist and he tugged me against him, twisting on the seat. I squealed against his lips as he pulled me up and off the back of the seat, pulling me down onto his lap. I moaned at the increased cold sensation, the feel of his hard skin and his length against me as he settled me right down on top of him. I moaned as he rocked me just a little—so slight I wasn't sure if it was an action he'd meant to make or not—against him, my hands coming up and threading through his hair. I turned my head to deepen the kiss, but he moved back and broke away.

We panted. I looked at him, confused and I had to admit a little hurt. He cupped my cheeks and kissed me. His lips were urgent, insistent, on mine, as if he was trying to prove something. I whimpered at the passion, the fire he'd always kissed me with. This was the most amazing kiss I could ever recall sharing with Jasper. This was the most amazing feeling ever. But dammit, I wanted more. Bucking lightly against him and turning my head again, I tried to show him.

Thankfully, he understood this time and I groaned when he didn't stop kissing me. The fire grew larger, hotter, as he swiped his tongue against my bottom lip. I gasped at how odd the coldness of it was and just as he always had, he took that as an opportunity, thrusting his tongue into my mouth. The sexiest moan I'd ever heard erupted from his mouth.

His kisses grew harder, sweeter, more insistent, more passionate. He bucked against me in uneven rhythm, eliciting a breathy moan from me each time. On the third time, his own desire shot through me, electrifying the blood in my veins and I moaned loud. He answered with a groan.

I had no idea how long we'd been kissing for, but it was the sweetest torture being human. I needed air, but I needed Jasper. But finally he slowed his kisses, lowered the passion, and I felt his love for me slowly seep into me through his gift as he did so, before he finally broke the kiss and leaned his forehead against mine, our mouths gaping as we panted and shook and held one another.

I opened my eyes. "Hi, baby," I breathed with a slow, leisurely smile.

He growled under his breath, licked his lips and said, "Hi, darlin'." His voice was gritty as it always was in these moments and I loved it.

"I think," I said, taking a deep breath and resting my arms on his shoulders, my hands playing with the hair on the back of his head. I looked him in the eyes. "I think you need to get me to school cowboy."

He chuckled low and sexy. "Yes, ma'am," he drawled in his rough tenor. He had the manliness that seemed to lack in both the kids and school and the other vampires I could see. He settled me behind him and looked back at me with a raised eyebrow and a sexy, lopsided grin. "Hang on tight, baby girl."

I squealed as he tore off, gunning the engine as we raced down the street. Despite the wet of the streets, I trusted Jasper as the ride was smooth and invigorating. Oh, if we'd had this sort of speed in the 1860s!

We were at school in no time. I was upset at the thought of separation from Jasper during class, but he surprised me with a grin as he wordlessly handed over his schedule. I glanced at him with a raised eyebrow but looked down anyhow, a grin stretching quick across my face as I read the obviously amended timetable. I squealed, looked back up at my husband, and jumped into his arms. He chuckled, a smile lighting up his face, his eyes shining as he wrapped his arms around my waist. He looked at me like he wanted to kiss me again, but settled for a peck to my forehead—to both our obvious disappointment.

"You really think I wanna spend more time away from you than I absolutely have to?" he asked with a knowing smirk. I was bursting with happiness, my cheeks and jaw hurting from smiling so much.

"Guess not," I breathed. I reached for his hand and he chuckled as I gripped it hard and tugged. "Come on. Better get to class then." We reached my locker when I spun around, a thought occurring to me. "Wait a second; how the hell did you make those changes?"

He chuckled. "I was wonderin' when you'd ask me that. Alice stayed back and changed it for me with Mrs. Cope. Apparently we were extremely lucky; in English and Government there was only one more spot left."

I had a stupid grin on my face. "I love you," I said quietly, glancing around us, worried a little that someone may have heard. Jasper slowly settled calm into me and I sighed as he cupped my cheek.

"Ditto," he whispered. "You've no idea how much."

I giggled and whispered, "I think I do, actually." I pressed my hand against his heart. "I feel it."

He wanted to say more—fuck, so did I—but the bell rang and we separated with matching sighs. I quickly opened my locker and emptied a few things from my bag to make it easier to carry around then shut it. I turned suddenly, unsure of what to do. My hand was aching to hold his, but I knew that wasn't appropriate; not yet.

"Settle, baby girl," Jasper said sweetly, "your heart's flyin'."

I nodded jerkily, biting my lip as an awkward tension rose between us as we slowly started making our way toward the English building. I groaned at the memory of last lesson with Mr. Mason and Jessica. Even if we were in the same class, we wouldn't be sitting together, I was sure. Though perhaps we had a chance if we got there before Mason.

"Jasper—"

"We'll get there before him, don't worry," he assured me, "and we'll sit together, down the back."

"Wha… how?"

"You may be able to read me, baby, but remember I could always read you." He winked at me.

My heart thudded. At one point that would have elated me; now I really wasn't sure how I felt.

We reached the class, indeed getting there before the teacher. Unfortunately, our problem was an unanticipated one; it seemed we weren't the only ones who'd thought of beating Mr. Mason at his own game of control.

"Bella!" I heard shouted by two soprano female voices as soon as I entered the room. That was soon shadowed by the two comically audible gasps as Jasper followed behind me. I pressed my lips together, my brow furrowing in frustration. These two were the last people I wanted to deal with today.

Jasper sent me courage and confidence, and I looked up at the two girls. "Hello, Jessica, Lauren," I said with a nod of greeting to each.

"Uh… hi," Jessica replied, eyes wide and locked onto my husband's form. Lauren was the same, her mouth gaping open like a fish. I struggled with the predatory part of me that wished more than anything to rip their eyes out of their skulls. I could feel my mate's small amount of discomfort from their stares. I knew he felt that they were gaping at a glimpse of his scars—it was a constant worry of his.

"What are you doing in this class, Jasper?" Lauren asked suddenly, finally gaining her voice back as the rest of the class and lastly Mr. Mason filtered through the door. He took in Jasper's form with a blank face, and I idly wondered if that was his personality. Frightfully, he reminded me of Jasper's mother.

Hag.

Thankfully, my husband was saved from Lauren by Mr. Mason. "Yes, Mr. Whitlock, just what are you doing in my class?"

Jasper cleared his throat, and turned toward the odious man. "I have changed my mind about what I want to do when I go to university, and a few of my classes have been changed. Thus my schedule was shuffled yesterday afternoon."

"Hm," the man replied shortly. He glanced at me, and then at Jasper. "Very well then." He turned to the rest of the class. "We are working in groups of four today. I would like you to sort yourselves into groups with the pair in front or behind you. If you must, work with the people to your side as well." He turned back toward us. "The two of you can work with Miss. Mallory and Miss. Stanley."

I was positive at the idea that he was some sort of hellion sent to trouble the lives of students and make them miserable.

"Yes, sir," we both replied.

Slowly, we walked to where the duo were already sitting, their eyes watching our every move and glance toward one another. From the vindictive smiles on their faces, I could tell this would be a most interesting hour.

To our credit, Jasper and I really did valiantly try to work on the project Mr. Mason had set for us. Jessica and Lauren, however, were too busy watching and surely analyzing us for us to be able to get any quality work done.

Finally, half-way through the lesson, Lauren dropped pretenses. "So you are two together?" she asked with no preamble.

My heart skipped and I glanced at Jasper, feeling him automatically send tranquility my way before his smooth voice replied, "Yes, we are."

They huffed. "Lucky bitch," Lauren ground out, glaring my way. "How the fuck did you manage to get him to agree to go out with you so fast?" Left unsaid was her jealousy at my seemingly effortless acquisition of Jasper, whereas she and many others had been trying for months.

I could not help but smirk, opening my mouth to reply. Jasper, however, beat me to it, probably sensing the ire bubbling and sizzling within me, and knowing the outcome. "I asked her." He gave me a sweet, reassuring smile, buffering it up with a taste of the love he held in his heart for me. I sighed and sent it all back to him and more, causing him to gasp. I smiled.

The tender moment was broken by Jessica's nasal voice, colored by offensive shock, disbelief and incredulity. "But… why?" she asked. I was sure I heard Lauren snort, and I knew from the way Jasper's jaw locked that she had whispered something unsavory to her friend.

I, on the other hand, was incredibly offended. Secretly, I knew that wasn't quite it—it was more that I really agreed with her. If Jasper knew... if he knew… oh, I could doubt very much that he would want me any longer.

"Nothing. You are nothing. You deserve this, and I'll make sure everyone knows it, Isabella Whitlock."

I flinched out of the memory, blinking rapidly as my eyes came back into focus. I was shaking slightly, and tears were welling in my eyes. I was surprised when I didn't flinch, did not even let out a whimper, as Jasper, sensing my struggles from my emotions and my state, drew me into his arms, kissed my forehead, and emitted a very low purring growl—one of anger, of protection, and of comfort.

Vaguely, I could hear him as he spoke so low that no one could hear his words but I. I heard his sweet, Texan accent as he purred in my ear that he loved me, that I was worth it, worth everything he has been through in his long years of existence since his transformation. He repeated these words a few times, and I felt a slow building love grow inside me—it registered that he was expressing his love for me the best he could: with his ability. I then felt his anger inside me, so sharp I did not believe he knew he was projected it on me, as he turned toward the vapid girls in front of us.

"I asked her to be with me because she is an extraordinarily loving and beautiful young woman, with the utmost grace and dignity"—I barely withheld my snort at his words; oh, how wrong my husband really was on this point—"and though it is absolutely none of your business, Bella and I have met before and as I grew older our time together has stayed with me and my feelings grew. So of course I would jump at the chance to be with her now that she is here and our time together does not seem so limited as it was previously."

It was for my benefit, I knew, when Jasper projected the girls' jealously. For our sakes, they plastered fake smiles on their faces and aww'd at how utterly "cute" that was.

Soon enough, the class was finished. Mr. Mason informed us that that was the only class we would have on that project, and I heard the girls behind us complain loudly. Jasper and I rolled our eyes and shared a smirk as we gathered our things and walked together to our next shared class—American History.

The teacher was also surprised to see Jasper, and he replied with the same when asked what he was doing in the class. We sat together, and groaned as the teacher introduced the new topic was.

"Civil war—from both perspectives."

Jasper snorted at that, shaking his head with his arms crossed over his chest as he leaned back in his chair, slouching. I raised an eyebrow, glancing at him, amused. "Damn Yankees never get anything right… prejudiced fuckers."

I pursed my lips to trap the giggle that was making my lips twitch. Feeling my amusement and excitement, Jasper looked at me with a raised eyebrow of his own. I shrugged my shoulders sheepishly. What could I say? I was quite excited now for this topic with Jasper; it would certainly be an interesting school experience.

The rest of that lesson continued in much the same manner. Every mistake made, Jasper growled at and muttered under his breath about. I had to remind him several times that there were others in the class who might be able to hear him and that he should just be patient and complain after class. He only stopped when I promised him I would avidly listen to any and all complaints he had after school, and that there were a few things that I wished to share my opinion on, but at least I was keeping mine for the appropriate time.

Soon enough, only two hours later after that class ended, we were finally on our way to the cafeteria. We walked at a steady, leisurely pace after passing and pausing at both our lockers to "dump and reload," as Jasper called it.

"Let's sit by ourselves today," I suggested as we came through the doors, immediately stopping to look around. I smiled up at him as I eyed the smaller tables on the outer edges of the cafeteria, and the one free one a few tables away from the coven's normal table. "It would be nice to after so long, don't you think?"

He looked down at me then over at the table he knew I was eyeing, and then smiled and turned to me. His arms subtly twitched, and I felt my stagnant need within me rise startlingly in an instant. One look at Jasper told me it was his desperation, however, as I took in his locked jaw and intense gaze. An errant thought passed through my mind as I silently mourned the loss of the fiery red eyes I had seen in my many dreams of him; somehow, they just seemed to fit him more.

"Hey," I said softly, in the most calming voice I could manage. I was shaking from the force of the emotions he was projecting. "What is it?"

He looked at me silently for several more moments, before he sighed. "You have no idea how much I wish we were anywhere but in this hall, in this school, right now."

I blushed, but smiled. "I think I have some idea, actually," I muttered, glancing around the cafeteria again. I eyed the table we were going to sit at again. Taking Jasper's hand, I tug lightly and he cracks a large grin and follows me to the short line at the food station. "What would you like, darlin'?" he asked me, looking at the menu.

I smiled and spun on my heels. As always, especially now, I held tight on my accent. I'd be trying extra hard today since my copious slip ups yesterday and the subsequent spat that had occurred between my husband and I. "You know, I think you should surprise me, baby," I said sweetly, batting my eyelashes.

He chuckled and kissed my forehead, both of us sighing slightly in disappointment at having to settle for such. "Sure thang, baby girl. Why don't you go save our table," he suggested lightheartedly. He was looking over my head in its direction as he continued, "it seems we're not the only ones wanting to sit there."

I spun around and narrowed my eyes, determined as I eyed the two walking towards it. I kept my head down and sped up as I walked away from Jasper, grinning at him with satisfaction as I sequestered the table of choice. I waited for a few seconds, watching my husband and I smiled as I saw how nervous he was, about what I had no idea. To many, you wouldn't be able to tell when Major Whitlock felt that way, but I always had been able to; perhaps it was part of growing up with him… perhaps it was being his mate.

Or, perhaps, it was both.

I only found out what it was that indeed had him anxious when he sat the tray down on the table before seating himself as well. I smiled at him before glancing down, and I gasped and blinked down at the bowl before me.

Mutton broth and vegetables.

I swallowed back the emotions welling within me, and I glanced up at him with a wordless, watery smile of understanding.

"Good choice?" he murmured, still nervous despite the smile. Though I could see a slight one gracing his face as well.

I cleared my throat. "Very," I breathed. When his face did not clear of nerves, I completely understood this for what it was. It wasn't a test of my honesty, but more a reassurance for him. He wanted me to comprehend the sentimental factor, the reasoning behind his choosing this meal, so that he could be sure in himself that I really did have all of my memories of us together.

His eyes were intensely locked on mine, and though I knew he felt my understanding, I knew he was waiting for me to voice my knowledge. With a soft smile, I did just that. "You cooked this for me on our first date."

He relaxed, the smile on his face now large and yet easy at the same time. It wasn't an all-encompassing relief, but a softly spoken, sweet and deeply personal sense; it was how Jasper was with a lot of things—my softly-spoken southern gentlemen. "That's right," he said, voice barely breaking above a whisper. "I had been so nervous. This was our first date, combined with the fact that it was supposed to be a secret one. I wanted everything to be perfect. I wanted to show you how committed I was, how much I wanted you, loved you, needed you." He laughed softly. This moment was so intimate. We both leaned forward, entranced by the other. "But I had no idea how to cook." My shoulders shook with laughter and he scowled playfully. "Isabella!" he whined and my giggle became full-belly laughter as my head was thrown back of its own accord. "It's not fuckin' funny, dammit. I was so nervous I thought I would shit myself, and then I had a light bulb moment and remembered you liked mutton broth. Do you have any idea how hard it was to sneak into mama's stash of family recipes? And do you have any idea how complicated those books are? Jaysus, I could barely understand 'em."

I snorted while still laughing and he mumbled petulantly, "well, at least you find this amusing."

"Oh, I do," I crowed, "you have no idea how much!" I quieted my laughter quickly then, but my lips were still twitching as I told him, "besides, it was actually oranges that I liked, Whitlock. Though I must admit, despite your shoddy-at-best cooking, you grew better and I came to love mutton broth."

He shook his head, bemoaning, "So the wife thinks I can't cook now. Christ. Next it'll be that I don't fuck or make love right."

"No!" I shouted, far louder than I meant to, shocking us both. I blushed as people around us turned and looked and I leaned closer. Unfortunately, in my passion, my accent slipped again, and I couldn't help but wince as I realized just how much. "Lemme tell ya, Jasper, there are a lot of things that you could improve on, but you and I both know that makin' love and fuckin' ain't two of those things," I hissed, promptly leaning back again quickly and we shared a shocked but amused laugh.

"Good to know," he said with a smirk. It was his turn to lean in. "Besides, I knew after the fact that you liked oranges—not that you told me or anythin'—but as you said, you did come to love mutton broth. I was just broadening your horizons." The sweet tenderness of his voice overpowered any humor in his words and I smiled softly, mirroring his bodily movements and leaning forward as well.

"Of course I did," I said quietly, looking at my husband but not really seeing him. My mind was wrapped around memories of a time more than one hundred and fifty years ago. "The man I loved—the man I still love today—was making me a meal and creating the perfect first date a girl could wish for… nerves and all."

He sighed and my eyes closed briefly as his breath washed over me—as disgusting as many thought it was, to vampires it was just another avenue to scent. And scent is important—especially for mates, Jasper says. I could see it now. I could do nothing but lean in as well, and if I was of my own mind and not half out of it because of… everything then I would have laughed when we both looked at the other's lips at the same time, but as it was I simply could not. We slowly moved closer and closer, almost as if we were being pulled toward one another by the lips.

It felt like the world had stopped, or perhaps merely drifted into the background, into nothingness. And then Jasper groaned aloud and pulled back slowly, as if he were pulling back against a chain that was pulling him forward. I briefly watched as he shook his head, still looking down and away from me, before I too, was looking away from him. I swallowed thickly and tried to take a deep breath to settle myself, which obviously didn't work as my eyes filled with tears. Rejection stung like a bug, even more so when it came from someone you had never thought you'd experience it with.

I felt Jasper's cold hand on my cheek then and his hand urged me to look up. I was helpless to him, and so I did. "Baby girl, please, don't feel like that," his smooth, tender voice begged me quietly, earnestly. His thumb rubbed back and forth across my skin, wiping away tears. "It's not what you think. I'm not rejecting you. But you know it's too soon for us to kiss in public right now, and the first time we do kiss in public, I would rather it not be in front of a bunch of jealous, horny teenagers in a school cafeteria."

I swallowed again and willed the tears back, but they stayed still as my mind quarreled with itself. I wasn't quite sure I believed him, and this feeling was something Jasper was monitoring carefully, because he left his hand fall from my cheek. He fisted his hand and then rested the knuckles under my chin, which I had unknowingly tilted down once again when his touch had first ceased. With those knuckles, he dragged my face up, and looking me directly in the eye, he said, "I love you, Mrs. Whitlock," pushing all he felt for me into me. I gasped at the devotion, love, desire, and countless other emotions that I felt in that moment, and my eyes widened and welled with tears again, this time for an entirely different reason.

He slowly let it dwindle after a few minutes of letting me feel it, my eyes closed and a smile on my face. Knowing he was waiting for my reaction now that I wasn't utterly overwhelmed by the depth of his feelings for me, I looked him square in the eye and, taking a deep breath, I smiled and nodded once. "I'm sorry," I whispered, "I understand, baby. I guess I just thought—"

"I know what you thought," he replied with a raised eyebrow, cutting me off firmly. "But I could never not want you, Bella. For one thing, you are my mate, for another, you are my wife. In either case, it is completely against my nature not to love, cherish and desire you." He looked down at my full bowl then, and smirked. "I think I've been sequestering too much of your time, darlin'. You need to eat."

I nodded and took a tentative first bite of the mutton. I smiled at the memories it caused, but it was definitely true that no one could cook this as well as my husband could. And he knew it, too. I quickly finished the meal, just in time it seemed as people around us got up and began moving toward their next class. Jasper grabbed my tray and took them to where they were obviously supposed to be left, while I gathered our things together, ignoring the stares, glances, and whispers of those around us—as well as the members of Jasper's coven. I wasn't quite sure I was up to facing them today.

"Edward's in this class with you," he told me as he walked me to Biology. "I hope you don't mind, baby, but he'll most likely be your partner, too, 'cause the seat next to his is the only one left."

I nodded. I was becoming more and more nervous the closer we got. I hadn't made it to my classes after lunch yesterday, so I had no idea what to expect. And… and… and what if he touched me?

Jasper sensed my panic, understanding the reason behind it somehow. "The family knows not to touch you, wifey. And they wouldn't dare anger the God of War." I didn't quite understand why, but somehow that really did calm me.

"Okay," I breathed after a few deep breaths.

We walked a little farther until we finally made it to the classroom. His hand caught my wrist and he stopped us in the empty hallway, his hands cupping both cheeks as he leaned forward and looked deep into my eyes. His thumbs caressed my face softly, and he kissed my cheeks and my forehead quickly and sweetly, before leaning back again. "You'll be all right, darlin', and I'm right down the hall if you need me. Just say the word; I'll hear ya and I'll come and getcha." His voice was soothing, even. It calmed me significantly and I nodded and kissed his cheek, lingering perhaps a little too long because he leaned back and winked at me, smirking.

I watched as he walked down the hall, taking note of the classroom he entered, before I turned and entered the classroom. I was surprised to see that most students were in, as was the teacher, and yet the lesson had not begun yet. I walked up to the teacher and smiled, with a small nod in greeting after he spoke to me. He gave me the textbook required and then directed me to sit next to Edward. Resigned and slightly jittery and being so close to someone I knew so little, I walked slowly to the table at which he was already seated.

We shared a nod and small smile in greeting, and I was tensed for much of the first fifteen minutes once the teacher—Mr. Banner—called the class into order and begun the lesson. The longer the class went on, the longer I found him rather easy to be around. Not once did I find him to be watching me like a hawk, nor did I find myself doing the same. I was not as on edge, watching for sudden movements from all close and around me.

"All right," Mr. Banner began, "I want you to turn to your partner and discuss what you have just learned. See if you can come up with alternative examples."

Swallowing, I turned to Edward. He did the same and smiled slightly. He was the first to speak, sensing my hesitance. "Hello, Bella."

I nodded and smiled tightly. "Hello, Edward."

His smile grew. "I'm glad you remember my name. Let me begin by telling you that I truly admired your ability to stand up against Rosalie yesterday. She hasn't quite experienced that and I, for one, think it was most healthy and educational for her."

We laughed together and I blushed, looking down at the text in front of me. "I am only sorry that I was so rude. It was already quite the shocking day as it was."

He chuckled. "Yes, well, Jasper gave me the impression that you've always been a bit of a potty mouth—even back then."

A laugh bubbled within me and I nodded. "That is true. But I'm extremely lucky for finding Jasper; back then a woman swearing was like the world ending or something."

Edward laughed loudly, nodding enthusiastically, a broad smile on his face. "Tell me about it," he muttered sarcastically with a role of the eyes. "Like the return of the bubonic plague."

My lips twitched.

Edward's laugh stopped soon and he sighed. "You are very aggravating, you know," he said gently.

I frowned and glanced at him then settled my gaze safely back on the text. "Why's that?"

His voice lowered considerable. "My gift does not work with you. Though it is peaceful, I still don't like feeling 'deaf'." His voice was still soft, and he chuckled. I glanced again to see a sweet smile on his face. "I can truly appreciate my wife's ire when she is 'blind' at the odd occasion that her gift becomes defective. It is most disconcerting."

I chuckled, replying dryly, "Welcome to everyone else's reality."

He laughed as well, but then looked up and spotted Mr. Banner. "Perhaps we should come up with a few ideas now?" he suggested, glancing at me and nodding his head vaguely in Mr. Banner's direction.

"Good idea," I replied and we quickly said the first good ideas that came to mind, our eyes on him as he approached our table, finally reaching it after a few more minutes. He pleasantly asked us what we had come up with, and I let Edward explain our ideas, saying nothing as I looked down at the text.

"And did you not think you should give Bella a chance, Edward?" the teacher asked, and my cheeks flushed as I frowned down at the textbook in anger.

Edward reacted verbally, his voice cool and level but still bristled with anger. "She actually came up with three of the five, Mr. Banner." There was an uncomfortable pause, and I breathed a sweet sigh of relief as the bell went and the students stood up from their chairs. I followed suit.

Before I left, I looked up at Edward. "Thank you," I said simply and he nodded.

"See you soon, Bella," he replied warmly. "It was nice to meet you."

I nodded. "And you," I replied, before turning around and quickly walking out the door. I smiled as I saw Jasper already waiting for me.

"Gym," I moaned as I reached him and we began our walk to the gymnasium.

He chuckled, running a hand through his honey curls. He wrapped his arm around my waist as well walked slowly to the gym, both of us wanting to prolong our time together and neither willing—or needing—to admit it. "Darlin' wife, I know you hate it, and that you're not... athletically inclined"—he guffawed and my hand twitched to smack his chest, eyes narrowing playfully—"but you have no choice, and I'll be right there to catch you if you fall… or trip." He snorted as I slapped his chest lightly with the back of my hand. He took my hand softly in his and kissed my fingers, soothing the small sting with the cool.

We breezed through gym, and before I knew it, it was time to leave. I was absolutely buzzing with excitement as I quickly changed and met Jasper outside the gym. We stopped one last time outside both our lockers and then made our way to Jasper's bike. Jasper took my bag for me in one hand, his other arm wrapped around my waist.

The ride home was lovely, the speed again something I was in awe of. It was a shame when we reached the house, however, as two people, one in a wheelchair, older, and the other, younger, behind him, were waiting outside—people I was sure were the Blacks, if my faint memories served me correctly.

Jasper hissed at the sight of them and I frowned as I felt his protectiveness, anger and possessiveness. I quickly worked to calm him down, doing all that I could, while eyeing the Blacks in front of us unsurely. I had not seen them in ages, so I had no idea how to be around them. It was the one time that I wished for my father's presence since arriving in Forks.

"I'll call you as soon as I can, baby," I told him as I climbed off the bike. I stepped closer to him immediately at the sound of his growl, his eyes still glued to the two men.

"Are you sure you'll be all right alone here with them?" he asked me, barely able to keep his voice even. I looked toward them as well before I could help myself, and my breath hitched at their extremely angry faces. My confidence wavered and hesitance picked up at the thought of being alone with the two of them, fear spiking at the thought of what they could possibly want.

A second after these emotions registered in my mind, they were gone, replaced with confidence and determination. I smiled at Jasper and he winked at me.

"I better go, darlin'," he said vaguely, and I knew he, like me, did not want to separate. I sighed and nodded, hugging myself as he started the engine again, made a wide circle and zoomed off, much too fast for me, of course. Pain tugged at my heart, and I sighed once more, trying to calm myself and steady my emotions. It took me a few minutes before I was ready and when I turned I wished I hadn't.

There, on the hooded verandah, hostile guests awaited me and somehow I just knew this wasn't a purely social visit. Somehow, I just knew that they knew something that they shouldn't.

And for some reason, I was not sure that this meeting would end well.

Yes. I know. The Blacks. We'll see how that meeting goes next chapter... and I really want to tell you, but I can't. :(

Please review and tell me what you thought, as always...

ncbexie25