Chapter 10: Brothers
"You really need to get a life instead of following mine, Alice."
"Bella don't even bother with her," Jasper said, glaring at her.
"So, this is what you're back to Jasper, sneaking behind my brother's back, fucking, not giving a damn about other people's feelings."
"Alice, you're delusional," I said, getting up and trying to walk away only to be shoved by her.
"Alice, I don't think you want a repeat of last time, so I advise you to keep your damn hands to yourself. You got that!"
"Screw you, Bella." I began to walk away, but stopped.
"Let me ask you something. When Jasper was ignoring you, not having sex with you, how did you feel?" She didn't answer. "Next time you want to judge me, put yourself in my shoes."
"Bella, where are you going?" Jasper asked, catching up to me.
"I'm telling Edward that I'm leaving."
"Bella, you can't just leave him like that."
"Jas, I meant for the night," I laughed. "Once he's healed, then we can tell him."
"So, you are going to leave him?" he asked, trying not to build his hopes up.
I smiled and caressed his face. "I choose you, Jasper."
He picked me up and spun me around while kissing me. "Darlin', I've been waiting so long to hear you say that. I love you, too."
After our little happy moment, we headed back to Edward's room to say our goodbyes, headed to the blood bank, and then went to my house.
I felt a bit at ease now that Jasper was with me. We lay on bed and just talked.
"Jasper, can I be honest with you?" I asked after a comfortable silence.
"Sure, darlin', what's going on in that pretty little head of yours?"
I loved it when he allowed that southern drawl of his to come out. There was nothing sexier than to hear him speak.
"I do have a few reservations about us."
"What are they?" he asked, propping up his head.
"I think my heart is afraid to fully love you. Our relationship has been for the most part at least, purely physical, and I guess I'm not fully convinced that you're ready for something serious."
"Bella, there's nothing in this world I want more than you. You had me since the very first time I laid eyes on you."
"At the engagement party?"
"No, I have a bit of a confession to make, Bella. Do you remember the day when you jumped off a cliff at the beach?"
"Yeah, it was the day after my parent's funeral. I felt alone, and the guilt nearly suffocated me. My friends and I used to cliff dive all the time, and I just wanted to feel that sense of freedom again. Only I nearly drowned."
"You never saw me there. I thought you were trying to commit suicide, and I went in after you."
"I never saw you when I woke up."
"Yeah, the tribe isn't a big fan of my family. After all, we did take some land from them, and I didn't want any problems, so I left. Besides one of the guys seemed to have known you, so I knew you would have been okay."
I was shocked. "You saved my life."
"It was my job to protect and serve, you know," he joked.
"Wait, weren't you suppose to be there—"
"They had given me some time off after the whole P.O.W thing."
"Jasper, I don't know what to say. Had you not left, we could have been together all this time."
"I didn't want you to see me. I was self-conscious about my body and all my scars, and … I didn't want you to see me like that."
I looked into his eyes and smiled. "If only you could see what I see in you."
"You're crazy to love me, Bella."
"I'd rather be crazy than spend another day without you."
He kissed me deeply until I began feeling lightheaded. It was as if a source of energy just ran through my body with every kiss.
"I've been thinking," he said, after pausing and pulling me closer to him.
"Don't hurt yourself," I joked.
Jasper poked me on my side causing me to shriek.
"At the hospital, you said that for the most part our relationship is mostly physical, right?"
"Jas, that was only because whenever we were together our time was limited."
"Yes, but I want to spend the next few weeks reconnecting with you."
"Oh yeah, just how do you think you'll be able to do that?"
"By courting you,"
"Jasper, this isn't the 1800s."
"Bella, it's the way I was raised, and I want to do this right."
I kissed him. "So does that mean no sex?"
"Unfortunately, yes." His voice cracked, and I couldn't help but laugh. I gave him a kiss and adjusted myself so that my ass rubbed up against his manhood.
"Behave yourself," he said, trying to sound serious.
"Whoops my bad," I replied, giggling.
He wrapped his arms around me and kissed me goodnight, then began whispering in my ear. "I want to spend the rest of my life holding you in my arms at night."
I couldn't help but smile as I felt my heart swell.
This has to be love.
The next morning I woke up the lovely smell of bacon. I rushed to the bathroom to fix myself up and make myself presentable before heading to the kitchen.
"Good morning, darlin'," Jasper greeted with a come-fuck-me smile. I just groaned and sat at the island.
"I forgot you're not a morning person," he said with a laugh, placing my plate of pancakes and bacon before me and kissing my lips.
"No, it's not that. You're teasing me," I stated before digging in.
"How am I tempting you, Bella?" he asked with mock disbelief while fixing his plate.
"By smiling at me with that come-lay-with-me smirk."
"I never knew I had such a smile," he joked as he joined me with his plate.
"Well, now you do," I replied, stuffing bacon in my mouth.
"Is there any other way I 'tease' you?" he asked after sipping his coffee.
"Let's see, when you wink at me, when you talk in that southern drawl, when you whisper my name, when you touch me—"
"Okay, I get the point, Bella. I'm irresistible," he said, grinning.
"Unfortunately, you are. You're like sex with legs."
He nearly choked as he laughed so hard.
"I'm glad you find this amusing." I pouted.
"Darlin', trust me it's going to be just as hard for me to not want to lay you on this table and fuck the shit out of you."
Oh dear God, I just came.
"Sorry … let's just see if we can last a month."
"That would be the longest four weeks of my life."
Jasper just laughed at me. "What are you going to do while I'm at work?"
"Well, I have a few little errands to do before I check on Edward."
"Okay, well I guess I can meet you there then. Today's the last day of school before Thanksgiving."
"Sounds like a plan," he replied.
We finished our breakfast. Then I hurried to get dressed and head to work.
Halfway through the day, Jasper texted me saying 'we need to talk'. Panic ran through my body as I called him.
"What's wrong?" I asked, almost too scared to hear his answer.
His voice was hard and stern. "We'll talk when you get off work. I'll come pick you up."
"Okay," was all I could say before the line went dead.
The rest of the day was a blur; it was as if I was on autopilot. Don't ask me how my classes went because I don't even remember.
Once school was out, I walked out the front door to find a man standing on the corner with his face covered. Something about him seemed oddly familiar to me. I heard a horn that broke me out of my concentration; it was Jasper. I took a deep breath and looked again, but the strange man was gone. I shook it off and headed towards the car. Jasper kissed me, and without another word, he drove off.
"So, what was it you wanted to talk about?"
"You'll find out once were at the hospital. Carlisle and Esme are back, and we are all going to find out together."
At least it wasn't about us, I thought, finally able to relax.
Once at the hospital, everyone looked so depressed. I greeted Carlisle and Esme and sat beside Emmett, who was with a blond bombshell I'd never seen before. No sooner had we sat down, than Edward's doctor walked in.
"Now that we have everyone together, let's get down to business. As I've told some of you, Edward's kidneys are failing. He's been doing treatment, but his body isn't responding to it. Our only hope is for a transplant. Jasper, last night you donated blood, and you and your brother have the same blood type."
"Did you just say brother?" Emmett asked in shock.
"Yes," the doctor said, looking nervously at Carlisle. "They didn't know they were brothers, did they?" the doctor asked nervously.
"No, they did not," Carlisle replied.
"Well, Jasper, you would be the ideal candidate for a kidney for Edward." Jasper's face was stone cold. "Okay ... well, I'm gonna leave you guys to discuss … whatever. I'm sorry, Carlisle," the doctor said before leaving.
It was unbelievably quiet in the room besides Edward's monitors.
"All this time, Dad, you always put him before me. Jasper this, Jasper that. It was as if I was never good enough for you."
"Edward, what are you talking about?" Carlisle replied. "I was always there for you. Where on earth is all this coming from?"
"Oh we just walked right into a shit storm, B," Emmett joked. I tried my best not to laugh.
"Where is this coming from? He was always better than me at everything. The one thing that I held onto—now I don't even have that!"
"Edward your being ridiculous. This rivalry going on in your head was only with you. Jasper and Rose lost their lives in that fire. They needed us, and I thought you understood that."
"Can't you see, Carlisle? He's nothing but a selfish bastard who only cares about himself. Bella, I don't know how you could want to marry such a self-centered spoiled ass pig," blondie said, standing up and staring at me.
Why the hell do I have to be dragged into this mess? I'm not the one who found out Carlisle was my real daddy.
"Rose, that is enough!" Esme yelled. "Whether so or not, we are a family, regardless if we're connected by blood or not, and I will not allow this to break us apart. Do you all hear me?" she stated sternly. Everyone, to their dismay, nodded.
"Look, Edward, whatever it is you felt, I have done to you in the past and present. I am sorry. I've always considered you my brother and never meant to hurt you," Jasper said, walking towards him.
"Fuck you, Jasper. You think I don't know what you're doing? Do you think I'm going to fall for that? Then you got another thing coming. You're not going to charm your way out of this one," Edward said, glaring at him. They both stared at one another. I could tell Jasper was ready to attack him. His body was already in assault mode. I stood up and touched Jasper's chest.
"I think we should all leave and let Edward get some rest," I said, looking at Jasper, then the rest of the family.
"It's been a long day, and you all look tired," I added. Jasper closed his eyes and took a deep breath and smiled.
"You're right, Bella," he replied, turning around and smiling. "Let's go. Dinner is on me."
"Edward, I hope you take this time alone to think long and hard about what you said because I refuse to allow my son to destroy something your father and I have tried so hard to build. I am very disappointed in you," Esme said before running out the room.
"Edward, Son, maybe I didn't say it enough, but I love you, and this monster that you're morphing into, I don't like it. If you don't change, you're going to wind up losing everything, including Bella. Take care of yourself," he said before following after Esme.
"We'll follow you guys," Emmett said before walking out.
"Okay. Bella, are you ready to go?" Jasper asked.
"Yeah, give me a second to say goodbye to Edward."
"When you're done, Bella, I would like to talk to you," Alice said. "I'll wait for you outside."
"Okay," I replied, shocked. Once they were gone, I sat in the chair beside Edward's bed.
"Edward, who are you?"
"I don't understand your question."
"Who are you? Because the person that was here today is neither the Edward I know nor has he been for the past year and a half."
"I don't have the strength to fight with you, Bella," he said, turning away.
"I suggest you find the strength to figure out how to fix this mess you created because you're on the verge of losing everything you love, including me. So get it together, Edward," I said, getting up and heading towards the door.
"I already lost you, so what's the point in fighting anymore?" he said softly.
I stopped unsure of what to say. "The Edward I know wouldn't quit," I said as I opened the door and walked out.
"What do you want, Alice," I said, leaning against the wall. Those pumps were killing me, and all I wanted to do was to sit down somewhere.
"I wanted to apologize for the way I treated you. I didn't realize who my brother was becoming."
"It's okay, Alice. You were just protecting Edward. That's all."
"He really loves you."
"Who does?"
"Jasper, today when he and Edward were arguing, he was ready to attack him and you calmed him down. I see that you're what's best for him now."
"Thank you, Alice. I really appreciate that."
"No problem, you take good care of him."
"Thanks, are you coming to dinner with us?"
"No, I think I'll stay here and watch Edward—make sure he's okay."
"Okay, well take care," I replied, heading towards the elevator.
Once in the car, Jasper turned on the engine and turned to me. "What did Alice want?"
"She wanted to apologize for the way she treated me."
"Are you serious?" he asked in shock.
"As a heart attack. She said she sees now that I'm the best thing for you."
"You are," he replied, smiling. He leaned in to kiss me, but was stopped by Emmett's horn.
"Come on, hungry bear over here." We just laughed and Jas drove off.
Dinner with Emmett and Rose was odd. The whole time, Rose was just staring at Jasper and I.
"Excuse me while I head to the ladies' room," I said, getting up.
"I think I'll join you," Rose said, following me.
Once in the bathroom, Rose locked the door and checked to see if anyone else was there.
"Is there some—"
"Cut the crap. I know you're in love with my brother," she said with her hands on her hips.
"I'm sorry," was all I could think to say.
"I know you're not deaf, Bella."
"Look, Rose, I don't want a problem with you."
"He really loves you, Bella, and he's my brother-"
"I know, and I understand your concern—"
"When are you going to leave Assward?"
"How did you know?"
"It's a twin thing. Why do you think Jasper avoids me?"
I leaned against the counter and sighed. "I guess once Edward's better."
"Well, he may never get better if he doesn't get that kidney."
I looked at her in horror. "Believe it or not, I do still care for Edward and his well being. The last thing I'd want is for Edward to die."
"One way or another, it will kill him when he finds out that once again Jasper has won." She checked her makeup and straightened her perfect hair. "Good luck with that," she said before leaving.
Well finally we get to meet Rose and we find out that Jasper and Rose are related to Edward…and already theres a sibling rivalry going on. So what do you think? Let me know!