Jasper's POV
Alice was indescribably excited. In exactly two minuets Leo was going to arrive for his fist visit since he left.
It's been sixty-nine days.
My mate practically bounced down the stairs and she grabbed my hand, "Come on, we're waiting for him outside!"
I was semi-dragged out of the house and we stood in the center of the back yard.
I frowned, "Do I have to be here? He won't want to see me."
I wanted to see him, but I can't imagine the favor will be returned.
Alice has seen glimpses of him moping around in Italy. He isn't happy over there, not like he used to be anyway. He was happy with our family. It's my fault he isn't anymore. My fault he is no longer a part of our family.
My fault Alice tingles with loss every time she passes the room that we still considered his.
I was just trying to do what's best for Alice, for the people who have been my mother, father, brothers and sisters for 56 years. And I messed everything up.
Alice smiled at me, "He wants to see you, trust me."
I stuffed my hands in my pockets, frowning in disbelief.
My attention was dragged off of the conversation when a sharp thrill of excitement jolted through my body.
My sharp eyes settled in on the two young boys that were making their way over to us in a swift pace.
It was Leo and Alec.
Leo sprang into Alice's arms, clinging onto her like a life raft.
He wrapped his legs around her waist and laughed, "Hi!"
Alice was radiating with affection and joy as she hugged him close to her, nuzzling his neck. "I missed you, Leo!"
He snapped his head up, looking right into her eyes, "I have a present for you."
Alice effortlessly kept him from falling as he removed his arms to pull open the jacket he was wearing.
He smirked, "I didn't bother wrapping it, I know you've seen it already."
She smiled back and he carefully removed a necklace. It was a green-dyed glass shamrock on a petite silver chain. He put it on her and beamed.
Alice kissed his cheek, "It's lovely, thank you, Leo. How was Ireland? Did you have fun there?"
He shrugged, and started to feel guilty, "I guess so, we didn't do anything really. Just some... business."
He avoided answering the questions we all knew Alice would ask by glance at me sideways. "I have something for you, Jasper."
I blinked in surprise, "Oh."
Just oh? God, Jasper, way to sound inviting!
Leo wiggled away from Alice and bounced over to me, handing me an old leather book.
He didn't wait for me to open it before he announced, "It's a journal, Alec had it and thought you might like it. Some guy who was in the Irish civil war wrote it, we thought it would be kind of funny."
I cracked a smile, it was rather amusing. Ruffling Leo's hair I thanked him, "I bet I'll love it. Thanks, both of you." I glanced at Alec, who just shrugged.
Leo was staring at me with wide eyes, and he could not conceal the longing in his gaze. I would have noticed it without being able to feel it.
He mumbled, "I missed you too, you know."
I fought not to flinch and forced myself to smile. "It's not much fun here anymore without my little brother around."
Leo started to radiate with sorrow. Alice forced him not to start wallowing.
She grabbed his hand, and to his surprise, Alec's as well. "Let's go hunting! We have so much to talk about. Jasper, will you come, too?"
Was that a question or a request?
Either way I knew she'd be upset if I said no.
It took me six days to get her to start talking to me again. When time is endless to you, six days can seem like a lot longer.
I certainly won't risk her shunning me again anytime soon!
I silently walked over to her and the four of us darted into the forest.
Leo and Alice chattered about nothing in particular, but I was too distracted to notice.
I was extremely, oddly, interested in Alec.
He seemed nervous, which was comical, because he had one of the deadliest gifts of our race, for if he ever felt the need to protect himself.
It took me a second to realize it, but I think the bond Leo had with the family intimidated him.
He was tied only to his sister. I suppose it might be rather awkward for him to be in such an open and relaxed environment.
I can understand that. When I first met Alice, right after leaving Maria's army with Peter and Charlotte, she was so carefree and gentle. It was hard to adjust to that change, and then she dragged me into the Cullen family.
Everyone was so supportive and helpful; I was scared of it at first.
I took pity of Alec and sent discreet waves of interest towards him. Soon he gravitated closer to Alice and joined in the conversation.
