Ok so here's what everyone has been dying for, Jasper's home and the cat's out of the bag! So how does Bella take it? Thanks again for all the reviews!! I know I don't reply to each one individually, I'm sorry for that. I just don't have the time with a 13 month old running around. But I do thank each of you for it here. I love them and they keep me motivated. I can't wait to see what you have to say about this chapter! Now, onward!

Chapter 9

Vampires

Alice was kneeled down on the floor in front of the chair I was sitting in. I glanced around all of the Cullen's were seated around the living room, either on furniture or the floor, I noticed Jasper however was as far away from me as he could get without seeming rude.

"Ok Bella this is gonna seem really, well how do I put this, out there. But I…we trust you and I believe and know you can handle this. We will all understand that it might take you a little time to get used to it but I also know that you will and that this is the best thing to do." I sat looking at her stunned.

"Alice I'm confused, what is this?"She sighed and laid a hand on mine, I nearly shivered at her cold touch, ice cold and hard like stone, just as Edward had that day in biology.

"I know you realize that Edward's skin feels just as mine does." She pulled her hand away then. "In fact all of our skin feels just like that. I also know you've noticed how you've never seen us eat or drink; you've noticed how our eyes change at times. You notice how pale we are. "

"Ya…I've noticed." I was nervous, I was confused. I couldn't understand exactly what Alice was getting at or why she knew I had been noticing these things and had begun to suspect them of some secret. I couldn't admit to myself what I had begun to think they were; cause vampires just didn't exist, did they? I could feel a bit of panic sitting in. If they were vampires is that why I was here now, so they could eat me? But why wait to…suddenly my fears were eased, not completely gone but eased. I was still confused and nervous but I was no longer about to panic. Then Alice had my attention once again.

"Bella, I know this will be hard to believe and I first want you to know that we're not like others of our kind." I slowly nodded. "Bella we're vampires, all of us." It seemed as though I should be dreaming, yet at the same time I knew I wasn't. I didn't know what to say, I had been right in my suspicions, was that possible? Vampires? My head was spinning I could seem to wrap my mind around it. "Bella?" Alice's tinkling voice sounded through my thoughts.

"V…v…vampires?" I hadn't meant to stutter but I was glad that there was no fear in my voice just surprise, confusion.

"Yes Bella, vampires." Edward repeated.

"I uhm…I…" I let out a shaky breath. I was in no way scared yet at the same time my entire life had just changed. If vampires were real what else could be real? They were vampires it just…it was too much to comprehend with all of them staring at me still as stone, not breathing. "I…I'm thankful Alice that you, that everyone trusts me enough to tell me this, and I swear you have nothing to worry about, I won't tell anyone but this…this is all a little much to handle at this exact moment. I…I'm going to go home and I'll call you tomorrow?" I was proud that even though I stuttered my voice came out strong and clear.

"We understand dear. Alice why don't you take her home." Esme said.

"It's ok Esme; I think I'll just walk."

"You cannot walk!" Jasper all the sudden exclaimed. "It's way too late and far too dangerous for something like that!" I was stunned. I hadn't much heard Jasper talk and I'd never heard him talk much above a whisper.

"Jasper!" Rose scolded.

"He is right Rose, it's late and there's a fair amount of forest to trek through plus it's fairly chilly." Emmett said.

"Really, please, I really can walk it's no big deal, plus I think the cold would help clear my head." I interjected.

"Then…" Alice started but Jasper interrupted before she could say a word more.

"Then let me walk you home." I was slightly stunned at Jasper's words and couldn't stop the blush rising to my cheeks.

"Jasper that doesn't let her be alone," Rose said.

"Well she can't walk alone. There are things far more dangerous in those woods than us." He argued back. I wasn't sure what he meant by that but I really didn't bother with it. Besides, Jasper walking me home? Maybe it wouldn't be so bad and I really just wanted to get outside, if they were going to insist that someone be with me then so be it.

"It's ok, really. He can drive me home. Then you all will know I'm safe." I interjected. I didn't wait for another word before I grabbed my bags and went outside. I stopped on the porch leaning against the railing taking in a few deep breaths of the chilly wet air. I still loved the Cullen's, they were still family but for now this was just too much to handle. "I just need to sort my thoughts." I whispered to myself.

"That's fine; we understand it's a lot to take in." Jaspers soft southern accent came from behind me. I covered my mouth managing to not scream but still jumped. "I'm sorry Bella I didn't mean to startle you."

"It's ok, are you ready to go?" I replied. I watched him walk towards me and lean against the railing of the porch.

"I am, but I wanted to ask you something."

"Ok." I nodded slowly. I was a tad nervous though I didn't know why.

"Don't be nervous, I would never do anything to hurt you."

"How..?" I didn't even have to ask the whole question.

"Some vampires have special…abilities."

"Uhm…ok"

"I'm what you could call and empath of sorts. I can feel what you're feeling but I can also influence your feelings." He explained. I was quiet for a moment.

"So that's why I got so calm a little bit ago." He nodded in response.

"Yes it is, but don't worry Bell, I don't very often use it. I just wanted you to stay calm so you could listen to Alice."

"No I understand. So then are all of you 'special'?"

"No just me, Alice, and Edward."

"So then they're empaths too?" I watched a small smile come across Jasper's face and silently wished I knew what he was thinking.

"No actually." He replied. "Alice can see the future. Though her visions aren't always clear I guess you could say. See the future can always change. She sees it clearly up until the person changes their minds, then the vision will change."

"What about Edward?"

"Edward can read minds, quite the pain in the ass he can be." Jasper laughed and I couldn't help but laugh too. Seconds later it dawned on me what he said.

"Wait, wait, Edward can read minds?" The question sounded almost dumb.

"Ya but for some reason, you got to be a lucky one, he can't read yours."

"At all?"

"Not at all."

"Is there something wrong with me?" This time as soon as I had let the question fall from my lips I knew it had sounded dumb. Jasper immediately began to chuckle.

"We tell you we're vampires and you're asking me if there's something wrong with you?" Even though I was blushing I couldn't help but look at him. His smile was beautiful, his face reflected the moon. Then I really did feel like I was in a dream because as comfortable as I was with him still standing before me was my 'dream man', I was doing my best to keep from flushing a deeper shade of pink. "Not to worry Bell. There's nothing wrong with you." He had a light smile on his face as he reached up and brushed a strand of hair from my face. We stood for a moment, just looking into each other's eyes. I didn't know for sure why but I knew that I could spend the rest of my life right here in this moment, doing nothing but staring into his butterscotch depths. I'm not sure how long we stood there before he spoke again. This time however his eyes had a mischievous sparkle and his smile was nearly reaching from ear to ear. "So anyway, about that question. How well do you like to run?"