Disclaimer: Not mine

Chapter 7

Alice frowned as she scanned the family's future. There was no trouble on the horizon and yet something was bothering her. She hesitated before looking for someone she hadn't in a few years…. only to come up blank. She couldn't see Jasper! She tried over and over but there was nothing. He couldn't be dead, could he? Surely, she would have seen that after so long together. They had been married, lived together as husband and wife for decades, she used to see his future so easily. She scanned the future for others she'd met in the last few decades only to find several more blanks. She couldn't see Bella or her family either. She hadn't liked leaving the way they did but Edward had sworn it as what Bella wanted after the disaster of her birthday. But maybe they shouldn't have completely cut contact. Knowing Edward wouldn't like it she went online, looking for newspapers only to stare in horror at the headlines she found. Chief Swan mauled by a bear, half the Reservation massacred… Bella Swan missing assumed dead. She choked on a sob, wishing she could cry for the girl she had called her best friend. What had they done?

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Bella woke with a smile, feeling cold arms around her waist and a solid body behind her. She traced her fingers over his arm, feeling the multiple bite scars but they didn't scare her, they were a part of him.

"Morning Darlin'." Jasper whispered and she turned in his hold, leaning in and he grinned before kissing her. "Anything you want to do today?"

"Be lazy?" She offered, and then gently traced the skin near his eyes. "You need food Mister."

He chuckled but nodded. "Yes ma'am." He got up and went to get clothes for the day, feeling her eyes on him. He'd spent the night in bed with her dressed only in loose sweatpants, relying on the blankets to keep the cold of his skin from affecting her. He smirked, it wasn't like she hadn't seen it all last night in their shared bath, so he simply dropped his pants and pulled his jeans on, hearing her pulse jump and he could smell her arousal at the sight of him. He finished dressing and then turned back to the bed to kiss her again. "I'll be back soon." He promised before leaving.

Bella sighed, smiling at the ceiling. She has happier than she had felt in…well ever. She saw now that she hadn't been truly happy with Edward, she'd always felt inferior, the breakable little human. But Jasper made her feel strong, like a grown woman. Maybe they were moving fast but it felt right. And it was nice not to have a guy push her away when kissing. Edward had always warned her away from Jasper and his lack of control and yet everything she'd seen said Jasper had excellent control, better than Edward's. After all Jasper could kiss her, hold her naked, and not have to run off in fear of eating her. She finally got up and dressed, ordering breakfast, might as well spare him the stench of one of her meals. She ate out on the balcony, enjoying the scenery and the time along to consider things.

She was falling hard and fast for Jasper, she had to face it, she loved him and as more than a friend. It wasn't just his supernaturally good looks either, it was the way he spoke to her, his accent, the way he treated her and anyone they interacted with. Edward had always acted so superior to her and others, Jasper never did. He was smart, very smart, and they could talk for hours on many subjects. He never planned their days without her input like Edward and Alice, he wasn't controlling. He let her make her own choices. And there was a big one she would need to start considering because if they kept getting closer then she would have to choose, to be with him forever or subject him to the pain of watching her age and die. She wouldn't have thought twice if Edward had asked her back in school, she wasn't that naïve anymore.

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Jasper kept his arm loosely around Bella's waist as they wandered the Louvre. It was amazing seeing remainders of societies so old and they both enjoyed it. It was nice that Bella enjoyed history so much, even if literature would always be her first love. And then he stiffened as a familiar scent reached him.

"Jasper?"

"We're not alone." He answered, casually scanning the crowds for the other vampire. He spotted the other man across the room, red eyes focused warily on them. He wasn't sure what to do, a fight wouldn't break out in such a crowded place but it didn't stop him following them. He was confident in his own abilities but he had Bella to think of as well. He could feel the nervousness of the other and knew he could see his scars. Jasper tightened his hold on Bella and lowered his head to sniff her throat and hair. She remained silent, realising he was trying to keep her safe, no matter what odd thing he might do. She felt his teeth brush her skin and shivered. Jasper glanced back up and the other vampire moved away much to his relief.

"Jasper?"

"Let's go." It was a cloudy day, the only reason he was out in daylight, and he didn't want to get caught out at night with another so close. He just hoped the other didn't want a fight and was content that Jasper was simply hunting in the gallery.

"Do we need to leave?" She asked once they were back at the hotel.

"Maybe. But this is Paris, no vampire can claim the whole city so he should accept I'm just passing through."

"That thing with my throat?"

"Saying I'm hunting but have my prey and have no wish to fight over hunting grounds."

"Wow." All that from a few seconds of action.

Jasper tugged her into his arms, enjoying her warmth and scent. He would do anything to keep her safe but hopefully they could stay a while longer. "He may have been a nomad just passing through."

"Hope so." She murmured, happily leaning into him. She tipped her head up and he happily kissed her. "I love you." She whispered, hoping he could sense it and her sincerity.

Her feelings washed over him and he closed his eyes, savouring them, before kissing her again. He picked her up and she wrapped her legs around him for balance even as he spun them around, laughing happily. "Oh Bella." He kissed her again and she giggled. "I love you." He told her, smiling widely. They curled together on the bed, kissing and talking softly until her stomach demanded attention.

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Carlisle looked at the grave and sighed sadly. He had come alone to Forks, wanting to see for himself. Why had he agreed to leave? He always gave in when Edward wanted something. And now he was doubting that Bella had wanted them to leave, had Edward lied? He moved away and back to the house where they had all been so happy together. The grounds were completely overgrown now but the house was alright. Sometimes he wished they had never come back to Forks but for a few happy months he had gained another daughter. Bella had been too good for them, he should have made Edward stay in Denali longer or just moved the whole family away. That wouldn't have stopped James' group from coming to Forks and there was a chance he still would have gone after her but there was also a chance he never would have noticed her.

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Bella held Jasper's hand as they wandered through Casa Batllo in Barcelona, listening to the audio tour as they went. Thankfully the place was open late so Jasper could go with her as there was less cloud cover in Spain. They had finally torn themselves away from France after two months to continue their tour of Europe. Jasper had explained his concerns on Italy and they decided to skip it, even if seeing Rome itself would have been wonderful, maybe one day…

TBC…..