Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight or the characters they belong to Stephenie Meyer. No Copy Right Infringement Intended.
A/N I apologize for my absence. Being a mom is a job in itself, take into account that I have another job as well... And we end where we are. Months of inactivity. Though this story has been in the back of my mind... AND LustingafterRob has been on my case. With these days off for Thanksgiving I'm using my time to try to get this to you, and enough mapped out that I can try for weekly updates. Thanks for sticking by me.
Chapter 7: Who is Ana?
I sat on the couch next to Ana listening to her story. It was sad and made me feel lonely. There were holes in her memory. It's not uncommon and happens a lot with some vampires. Alice being a prime example, her not remembering any of her human life, not really... Ana recalled the sensation of being stalked and the venom rushing through her system. The burning fire we all feel... But she thought she was going to die. When she came too there was the remnants of a fire, with small puffs of purple sweet smelling smoke at her feet. Knowing what we know, it's likely the vamp that changed her was killed, so why wasn't she? Who was it that helped her? She explained how she didn't know what was happening to her body or the changes she was experiencing. But her thirst was a dominant part of her. As a human she had a heart of gold, reaching out and befriending people she barely knew. Giving everyone a chance. Loving blindly and often. As a vampire it carried over and she had no desire to feed from humans. Committing to her animal diet. Justifying to herself that as a human she enjoyed meat with meals as a source of protein, why not as a vampire?
She was fairly new for a vampire, only 10 years old. Staying in the islands of Hawaii and staying hidden in the vast jungles.
"The ocean is amazing." Ana grinned nudging me.
"I've never been." I admitted.
"You've been around over hundred years and you've NEVER been to the ocean."
I couldn't help but laugh at her incredulous expression. I laughed shaking my head slowly.
"No... I had other things on my mind at the time." I told her trailing off...
Way to not be awkward... Hey there's this vampire I used to date that broke my soul for 100 years and I think you're his mate, wanna meet him? Didn't quite seem like the thing to say.
Ana cocked her head to the side smiling softly, "Complicated? I can see that it is, plus I'm pretty sure it's one of the 10 words Peter knows how to speak." she giggled.
Her laugh was infectious and I couldn't help but laugh with her, "Pete is like that though." I gasped wiping a venom tear from my eye.
Her body language froze. "You can cry?" She asked in awe.
I shrugged, "I hardly notice it anymore."
"I would love to get a good cry out." She sighed wistfully, "However it looks painful..."
"You get used to it." I chuckled darkly.
We sat in silence for a while, with me simultaneously weighing the pros and cons of telling her my whole past. Though I didn't quite get how I would be able to talk to her...
"You know, I've never tasted human blood." Ana stated, as if letting me in on a big secret.
I sat straighter and looked her over silently, "I haven't either... Though besides Carlisle..." I trailed off hesitantly.
"I could never fault you for your past Bella. Everyone has a past. Some better than others. It's what shapes us... I have the feeling that your past will directly effect my future..."
I was stunned. Was I really that transparent? I mean it was one thing for Peter to read me so easily... and even Char, now after how long we've lived together... But Ana? It made me question a lot of things.
"I'm not sure where to begin." I told her softly my shoulders slumping.
"How about the beginning?"
I took a few deep breaths looking her right into her golden eyes and began. About my parents Charlie and Renee and the weird visitations. How my mother was always moving onto the next trend, leaving me to take care of her and making sure all our bills were paid on time. The small things I remembered from my childhood through muddy eyes. How she met Phil, and how perfect he really was for her. Able to take care of her. Then the fact that she wouldn't be able to see him as often because of me. Plus the impending move to Florida from Phoenix. Then my selfless decision to go to the rainiest place in the continental US to live with my dad.
We both chuckled over good old Charlie. It had been a long time since I let out the emotions I'd bottled up over my dad.
"You know him buying you that truck Bella, speaks volumes. You tell me your dad doesn't express his feelings well... But I think you're not looking at it clearly. His over protectiveness of you and his willingness to move things around and buying you your truck... He was very discreetly showing his love for you." Ana smiled knowingly.
I gave her a watery smile and I wiped away more venom tears. "You're right. I never did look at it like that."
We sat for a few minutes longer until I decided I needed to get everything out. "Run with me?" I asked standing.
But she was already on her feet, "Yes, let's go."
We took off through the screen doors and rushed into the wilderness. The farther we ran from Pete and Char the more comfortable I felt inside. I hopped up into a large oak tree and sat on the largest branch. It didn't take long for Ana to be right beside me.
"Let it all out Bella." she told me softly.
And I did.
I told her about my first day at Forks, High. About the strange family the Cullen's. Who all had the same color eyes. I told her about how I was mesmerized by them. That I felt a sharp pull towards 'Jasper the blond one who looked like he was in pain.' But finding out he was with Alice and pushing it from my mind. About Emmett and Rosalie the perfect couple of muscle and beauty. Then about Edward. How I was dazzled by his intense stare and cool indifference.
Everything came out in broken sentences and put together badly, but the flood gates were opened and I couldn't stop.
"He was my everything. I LIVED for Edward. I was head over heels in love, for the first time, I had someone who cared about me. That wanted to take care of me. Cook for me and make sure my homework was done. I think the lack of that in my childhood made me crave that kind of attention. I loved his family as well. It was like having what I always thought parents should be like. Carlisle and Esme were the perfect pair. They worked so well together, and knowing their secret and seeing how much good the Great Doctor Cullen did for the town of Forks, made me extremely grateful."
I told her about their individual gifts and that it never bothered me. About being on the run from James, Victoria, and Laurent. About spending that time with Alice and Jasper and his words that still got me to this day.
'You're worth it.'
I detailed how they fought to keep me, but then after my 18th birthday party and Jasper's mistake. Something I still couldn't fault him for considering his upbringing and his gift. Hungry was certainly an emotion...
About the forest and Edward leaving...
Then how I came to be with Peter and Char.
It probably took a good 4 hours to tell her everything.
She sat silently by and listened, only ever putting a comforting hand on my shoulder enabling me to continue. Until I was done.
"Do you want to know what I think Bella?" She asked softly.
I nodded unable to speak anymore.
"I think the Pixie, Alice has a lot to do with everything. With her being a seer, perhaps she knew you were meant for Jasper and wanted him for herself. So over the years slowly wore him down, bringing him to a new lifestyle, trying to get him away from a future with you. But then running into you anyways... How hard would it have been to convince her favorite brother she'd found someone for him. Amongst all the happy couples. So he wouldn't be alone anymore. I think that alone he wouldn't have questioned her. She manipulated the situation to get outcome she deemed best."
I couldn't help but look at my now friend totally gobsmacked.
"I never thought of it like that."
"Of course you haven't." her tinkling laugh sounded echoing through the trees, "It's hard to see what really is in front of us."
I sighed running a hand through my silky hair. "I'm scared Ana, I'm scared to give my heart to Jasper... After everything... How can I..."
"Faith. You have to have faith. No one is pulling your strings but your own... Do you have feelings for him?"
"Yes, I do."
"Then I say go for it." she grinned, "He's your mate right? It's unlike anything you'll experience, so I've been told.."
I bit my lip and looked at Ana, "There is something I haven't told you..."
"That Edward is my mate?"
Would this woman ever cease to amaze or shock me?
"How did you?"
She laughed again shaking her head, "Well... lets just say I'm good at reading between the lines."
Though it sounded a bit cryptic to me.
"We should head back." I told her looking around our surroundings.
She nodded and we were off tearing through the woods. It was an amazing to run with such a burden lifted from my chest. It was as if the fates granted me with a true sister. Someone who understood me and loved me anyways. She was quickly becoming my best friend.
As we reached the house she stilled and crouched into a defensive pose. I arched a eyebrow at her. I followed her gaze to see Jasper leaning against the wall. He wore a button up red checkered shirt and loose fitting jeans with his cowboy boots. He look fucking edible.
I squealed and launched myself at him enveloping him in a hug.
"Hello, Darlin'. Miss me?"
Oh his voice!
No... No Bella... That's a baaaad Bella.
"OH! Jasper... This is Ana." I told him gesturing to my friend who was still crouched, until his name left my lips.
"Yes. Peter said he was picking up someone. Nice you meet ya, little lady." Jasper greeted with a swift bow.
Ana giggled, "Ah yes, I've heard ALL about you, Jasper." she grinned nudging me on her way back into the house.
Jasper raised his eyebrows suggestively, "Is that so?"
If I could blush I would have, I tried to look away but his fingers caught my chin. His head did and his lips brushed slowly against mine. His lips were soft and moist and it left me wanting more.
I had to shake myself out of my lustful haze and back to the task at hand.
"Did you send the rest of the Cullen's away?"
"No... I left before they arrived."
"Oh... well we need them to come here."
"Really? Why is that?"
"Well Ana is Edward's mate... and Alice has some explaining to do." I told him almost bitterly.
"How so?"
"Jasper she sees the future... think of how of futures would have ended up if she hadn't been there... We might have had so much more time together."
I tried to keep the whine out of my voice, but it was hard...
He nodded his jaw clicking into place and I can tell that he didn't quite think about it either. I reached for his hand and we entered the large house together. Ana was filling in Peter and Char on everything and we decided it would be up to me.
I took out a cell phone and dialed Rose.
"Hey... what's up?"
"Have you sent them away yet?" I asked hurriedly.
"No..." she answered slowly trailing off. "Why?"
"Rose, I want you to bring them all to Texas... I have business with a Pixie."
Without giving her time to reply I crushed the phone in my hand. I looked down surprised, whoops Gotta reel that shit in.
It was going to be a long wait...
Okay... Again I apologize for my absence. However I have a week off work coming up... We'll see if I can get ahead in my writing.
Until next time.
3 Tabby
