Disclaimer: None of the original stuff is mine. I made the rest up.
Authors note: Ok, so Lots of ppl adding me to alert (THANKYOU!) But only a couple reviews. Take a sec to drop me a line. Let me know what you think, what you like, what you don't what's out of character.. Hopefully this wont seem out of place... I had intended to drag this out longer, but I have too many chapters in my head and we need to keep going ;) For those who are looking for smut or instant romance, there isn't any. I'm not saying there isn't feelings flickering, but nothing smutty for now m'kay?
Jas,
Just got back from my date with Jacob. It was... really nice actually. I'm quite surprised :)
It started awful! Charlie decided that since he hadn't had the opportunity for awhile he should act like the 'typical father' even though he was probably happier than Jake was when I told him we were going out. Of course it failed, Jake walks in to find Charlie nursing his shot-gun, and Jake says "isn't it a bit early in the season to go hunting?"
Poor Charlie turned purple and practically pushed us out the door.
Jake decided to go with every teen movie reference he could think of and by the time we actually got to the cinema I told him to stop being stupid or take me home. He looked so relieved.
After that we actually had fun. It was just like being around Jake any other time really. Somehow it always feels natural or something...
Although when he dropped me home he kissed me good night. Don't really know why I'm telling you (of all people) this, but I guess I'm short on confidants. I'll spare you the details, but it was nice. No fireworks or anything, but I'm not convinced that happens in real life. I'm starting to think it'd be easy being with Jake. It'd be fun. I think I could use a bit of that.
Bella
Bella,
Glad you had a good night. Poor Charlie, go easy on him! You're already 18 going on 35 ;p Let him be a dad now and then.
Sorry I wont be able to talk to you for a few days, We're in the middle of ANOTHER move! I swear this is the last one for at least a few years or I'm finding somewhere else to stay! I know us folks don't get tired, but I'm starting to feel a bit that way...
I'll give you a call when I figure out where we are. I probably shouldn't give you specifics, but I can at least give you the state :)
I've really enjoyed these last few months talking to you.
Don't do anything I wouldn't do Sugar
Jas
Bella closed her laptop and lay back on her bed. It hadn't felt like months, but Jasper was right. It'd been over a year since the Cullens had left, and although her heart still ached for most of the family, Bella felt more whole than she thought she ever would again.
If she was honest there was 3 reasons for that. Jacob was a big flashing number one. When her whole world had collapsed he'd been there without question every time she needed someone. Sometimes he'd just leave a smiley face on her car window, the smallest gesture to let her know that he was still there, and he still cared that she was too.
Number two had to be herself. It was so easy to fall into that big deep dark hole that Edward had left behind when he went. It had been tempting to stay there, curled up, protected from anything else the world could throw at her. The price had been nightmares, and misery, self loathing and pain, to herself and to those around her. At some stage she'd put her foot down, although she wasn't sure what gave her the strength to. Slowly she'd escaped the abyss and day by day returned to normality. There was definitely a few months missing by the time she emerged, but she was grateful to know that she possessed that sort of strength even if she hoped she'd never have to use it again.
Number 3 was Jasper. There was no denying that his contact effected her. Knowing that one of the Cullens was strong enough to reach out to her gave her hope, that maybe one day she would have her family back. As strange as it was, Jasper and Bella had a lot in common. They enjoyed similar music and books, found humour in the same things, but the part that Bella loved, was that they were able to find such comfort in each other. Able to sit silently on the phone, just knowing the other was there, knowing that it was enough.
Just as Bella closed her eyes ready to fall asleep she heard the ringtone assigned to Jaspers call from under her pillow.
"Hello?"
"Hey Darlin'"
"Jas? What are you doin' ringing? Your email said we wouldn't be able to talk for awhile?" Bella couldn't help the smile that crossed her face.
"Well I could always hangup..." Bella took the bait and bolted straight up in bed
"No Jas!" His warm chuckle met her ears and she wished she could get mad at him.
"Just kiddin' Turns out that I needed a little space from the family. Decided to come home for a bit. See the kids" The smirk was clear in his voice just before an almighty crash followed by some yelling.
"uh... Jas? Wanna explain to the human?" The chuckle again.
"I came back to Texas to visit Peter and Charlotte. It Seems he doesn't like being referred to as a child even if I am his sire."
"Oh.." Bella didn't know quite what to say. Although Jasper had told her his story about Maria, and being saved by Peter and Charlotte, he'd left out the fact that he'd turned them himself. Edward had always led her to believe the task was extremely difficult, and that only Carlisle was capable of it. Well that, and he'd led her to believe Jasper had the most trouble with his diet.
"I didn't tell you that." She heard his muttered swearing even though he tried to hide it.
"I'm sorry Bells.."
"Don't be silly Jas. There's nothing to be sorry about. It doesn't change anything, I just thought Carlisle was the only one in the family who'd done that."
"Uh, so.. I was thinking I didn't get you a graduation present..."
"Jasper Whitlock! You know I don't like presents. And don't think I haven't noticed that my phone bills have been mysteriously paid for the last few months..."
"Aww you cant be mad at me Darlin'" She smiled. Stupid southern vampire...
"OK" she sighed
"What is it you want to buy me?" Bella closed her eyes tightly, trying to prepare herself for what he was going to say. It had to be big otherwise he would've just done it already.
"Well I was wondering, since you aren't going to college just yet, if maybe... you'd uh..."
"Didn't know Vamps stuttered Jas. Not a good look, gotta be honest." She laughed, quite enjoying his discomfort.
"Yeah yeah... I thought maybe you'd like to come visit me... In Texas..." Charlotte dragged Peter outside by his ear before he could make any comments at Jaspers expense. In all her years she'd never seen 'the Major' so nervous. It wasn't helping that he was projecting either. She'd already started gnawing on her nails.
"Umm Bella? Just forget I said anything ok..." Jasper was getting worried about the extended silence. Had he overstepped their boundary?
"Ok Jas. I'll come see you. Jake's heading to Phoenix to get settled in at school, so I wont be able to see him for awhile anyway... But it's going to cost you..."
Jasper was stunned into silence. She'd agreed... He was going to see Bella again... After the longest year in his life.
"Whatever you want Isabella." He sighed when his voice came out a loud whisper. Had he honestly lost the ability to speak?
"I need Charlie to win a cruise... For him and Sue Clearwater. They've been seeing each other a bit, but they're pretending there's nothing between them."
"Done. Around the world. 3 Months. That ok?"
"Perfect. Oh Jas?"
"Yeah?"
"Make sure Peter and Charlotte don't eat me while I'm there 'kay?" His chuckle brought a smile to her face, and she absently thought she could listen to that sound all day every day.
"I'll do my best Darlin' You get some sleep. You're ticket will be there in a couple of days."
"Thanks Jas. Will you tell me some more about Texas until I fall asleep?"
"Sure. I think you'll love it here. It'll be my pleasure to introduce you to my home."
As Bella slowly drifted off to sleep Jasper told her stories of his family, both before he was turned and after. Bella couldn't wait to meet Peter and Charlotte. She already felt like she knew them. She realised that Jasper sounded happier than she could remember him sounding, and wondered why it'd taken him so long to go home.
