Previously:

Taking a deep breath, I was surprised to find that the sun was high up in the sky. I turned and almost jumped in surprise at finding Peter leaning on the door watching me. He gave me a wide smile as he walked over to me.

"Well, Little Bella, you figure out what you needed to?" I wasn't quite sure what he was talking about; what was it that I was supposed to figure out? He just continued to smile at me as I stayed silent, never breaking our eye contact. Finally he just nodded his head. "Stay strong, Bella. He is going to need that strength." With a final nod he turned and walked back inside.

I remembered Jasper saying that Peter just kind of knew what was going on, and that he loved being all cryptic about it, but he hadn't quite gotten across to me just how annoying it was. As I walked inside I was suddenly drenched as a bucket of water was dumped on my head. He had also failed to stress just how much Peter liked practical jokes. I suddenly couldn't wait for Jasper to get back so I wouldn't have to deal with him alone. Or plan, alone, how to get back at him.

Chapter 10 - Official

JPOV

Thank god I was almost home. I hadn't realized just how much it would suck to be away from Bella, even for just a short while. I had never felt like this when Alice and I were apart. Sure it sucked, but the pull that I had, the need to be next to her, just wasn't there like it was with Bella. If this was what being away from your mate felt like, I almost felt bad for teasing Emmett so much for whining whenever he was away from Rose. Almost.

Pulling down the drive I watched as Bella came out to meet me. I parked the truck in front of the house, deciding it would be easier to unload from there rather than from the garage. Hopping out of the cab I opened my arms in just enough time to catch Bella as she threw herself into me, hugging me tight. Tightening my own arms around her I pressed my lips to the top of her head in a small kiss. God, I missed her so much.

"Welcome home, Jasper. Did you pick up everything?" She loosened her grip and leaned back just enough so that I could see her face. I watched as she slowly reached up and tucked a bit of my hair behind my ear. I leaned into her touch before I could stop myself.

"As much as I could. I did, however, get a computer so that we could order everything else. Bella?" Taking a step back out of her arms I look down at her. "Why are you all wet?"

Her eyes narrowed and a quiet growl escaped. "Fucking Peter."

I couldn't have kept back the laughter if I had wanted to. She turned her glare on me as she poked me, hard, in my chest. "It would not be in your best interests to keep laughing."

I managed to cap the laughter but I couldn't wipe away my grin. The fact that Peter liked Bella meant so much to me. He and Charlotte had never really cared for Alice, although they didn't really dislike her either. "Welcome to Family Whitlock. He only pulls that kind of crap on people he really likes, so feel loved."

"Yeah, well, he has a strange way of showing he cares."

"That's just Peter. Now, help me get this crap inside?" I didn't really need help, I just wanted to be close to her.

Her face lit up at my simple request and I could feel gratitude and love coming from her. It was the first time I had felt such pure love from her and I was so taken aback by it that I didn't even stop to wonder why the hell she was thankful for me asking for her help. In a daze we carried the bags and boxes inside, sitting them around the living room.

We had just made the last trip when Charlotte came in through the back door. "Bella? Do you have a second? I would like to talk to you about something." Charlotte's eyes flashed to mine for the barest of moments as she spoke to Bella. Great, she wanted to talk about me. Why couldn't she have done that while I was gone? I had figured that was why Peter rigged it so I was the one to go to town in the first place.

Bella turned and looked at me and I could see the questions in her eyes. Although I really didn't want her to go I wasn't going to ask her to stay. It's not as if I needed her here to set up this stuff. Really, I had just gotten used to having her all to myself over the last week, ever since she found me on the roof that night. Picking up one of the bags of computer equipment, I started sorting through it instead of watching her leave, deciding to have my own little pity party in my head.

"Jas? Is it ok?"

Bella was standing in front of me as I looked up. I tried to figure out what she was talking about but came up blank and I was pretty sure I hadn't missed part of the conversation this time. "Is what ok?"

"Um...that I go with Charlotte?"

"Why are you asking me? You don't need my permission to go." I snapped back. I watched the anger flare in her eyes as she cut off her emotions from me. I really hadn't meant to snap, I just didn't want her to leave yet; I had just gotten home. I sent her a wave of guilt and sorrow to try and apologize.

"I just wasn't sure, what with you being in charge of me and all." My apology didn't work, she was still angry.

"Bella, I am not 'in charge' of you. I just want to help you. All I meant was that you are your own person and if you want to go with Char then go. You don't need to ask me if it's ok. Just let me know when you do leave so that I don't worry and I will do the same. Ok? That was all I meant. I'm sorry it came out so...angry."

I waited as she just stood there looking at me. After a few minutes I tore my eyes from hers and looked at the ground. I really did feel bad for snapping at her. I felt her hand as she took my chin, moving me so that I was forced to look at her. Her eyes had softened and she no longer looked angry.

"How's this? When I get back you and I will go off and shop for furniture and such, just the two of us?" She let me go as I nodded my head. "Good. Now, get to work on this computer crap. We can't shop if you don't put it all together!" She smiled at me as I rolled my eyes. Before I could respond further however I felt her lips brush against mine in a soft, chaste kiss and then she was out the door. I watched as she and Charlotte disappeared, giggling, into the forest.

Smiling to myself I got to work on hooking up the computers, waiting for Peter to come forward. If Charlotte had taken Bella out to 'talk', I could only assume that Peter was supposed to 'talk' to me. After waiting for a solid ten minutes, however, I grew impatient.

"Alright, Peter. I don't know what you are waiting for, but let's just get this over with shall we?"

"Fine. What's taking you so long?" He walked out of his bedroom and flung himself onto the decrepit sofa.

"What is taking me so long for what?"

"Bella, you jackass. I would have figured that you two would have been going at it like rabbits by now." I dropped the cables I had in my hands and just stared at Peter. What the hell was he talking about? This shit takes time. Or, at least, that was what I was telling myself. The fact that we have yet to really talk about us, or the kiss in Alaska, means nothing. We just need some time to get used to it.

Peter rolled his eyes and shook his head at me. "You are an idiot sometimes. Do you like her?"

"That would be an understatement." Damnit. That wasn't supposed to be aloud.

"Then I ask again, what is taking you so long?"

"Look, Peter, it's not that simple…"

"Sure it is. You love her, she loves you; really there isn't anything complicated about it."

"Of course it's complicated. The last guy she fell in love with just killed her, and that's not even going into the crap he did and said to her before he finally bit her. And me, I just got my heart broken by the first person outside of Maria's army I ever trusted. In over a hundred years too, I might add. I can't go through that kind of shit again Peter. Hell, the only reason I am doing half as well as I am is because of Bella. I would probably still be up on the roof in Forks if it wasn't for her."

"Alright, when you put things that way, sure it sounds a bit...fucked up. But, trust me, you don't have to worry about all that with her. Jasper, she is your other half. You two were meant to find each other. Fate and all that shit."

"I don't know Peter. I believed for so long that Alice was my fate. I'm not sure that I believe in fate any more. I figured out that she was my mate before I figured out what I felt for her, just like with Alice. I can't be wrong again; I wouldn't make it through it a second time."

I had slumped down on the chair across from him, giving up on the pretense of running cables. Why was I suddenly second guessing everything? Just an hour ago I was all about being with Bella. I hate these talks with Peter. I always end up more confused then when we started. I heard him give an exaggerated sigh. I knew what was coming next; it was always the same when I started acting like this.

"What the hell are you talking about? I swear, how you managed to live this long I don't know. Do you even have a brain in that thick skull of yours? I am going to have to explain it all to you, aren't I? Of course Alice was your fate. She was just part of it and wasn't the mate fate had in store for you. Fate is rather flighty and fickle. You never know just what it has in store for you or where it will take you. Think about it. Meeting Alice brought you to the Cullens, who in turn brought you to Bella. Bella falling for Edward brought her to the family and, in turn, you."

"If we were meant to be together then why didn't we feel the attraction right away? Why did I try to kill her?"

"You didn't kill her, though. Something stopped you before it got that far. Sure, it could have turned out differently, but it didn't and my belief is that if it had gone further something else would have stopped you. But, in the long run, could haves don't matter, only what actually happened does. As far as why you weren't attracted to her before is concerned, did you ever stop to think that maybe she needed to be a vampire in order for that bond to be there? Could you have fallen in love and been with a human?"

As much as I didn't want to listen to logic at the moment, he had a point. With my control, or lack thereof, there was no way that I could have been with a human. I would have killed her. Really, Edward was the only one who had enough control to try, and even then he had his breaking point.

"Jasper, listen to me. You feel that pull? The tugging deep in your chest that is almost painful?" He waited until I acknowledged that I did feel it. "I feel it too, with Charlotte. It is a physical sign of the bond between mates. You two need each other. Just as she has helped you heal from the pain that Alice caused, you have helped her heal from the pain Edward caused her. You were right when you told her she was worth it all those months ago. Think about it, and I mean really think, is she is worth the risk of heartache when you could just as easily get bliss? You admit to loving her, I can see it in your eyes that you do. Now all you have to do is pull your head out of your ass and do something about it.

"She is strong, Jasper, just like you. It is a different kind of strength but the two of you together? Well, that will just be a sight to see." He got up and walked away from me, leaving me to sit here. He was right. I loved her, more then I have ever loved anyone before and she was worth the risk. Getting up, I went over to knock on Peter's door but he opened it before I had the chance.

"They will be back in a half hour, so Char and I will go for a hunt then. Don't fuck this up, Whitlock." He winked at me, then shut the door in my face.

I bit back the laugh that tried to escape. "Asshole know-it-all." I barely said it but I knew when I heard chuckles from the other side of the door that he had heard me. Picking up the cables I got back to work on the computers and thought about how I wanted to say things to Bella when she got back.

I was just finishing cleaning up the mess when Bella and Charlotte came back inside. Before I could even say hello to them Peter was already halfway out the door, dragging a somewhat confused Charlotte with him. "Be back in the morning Whitlock! Have fun!" He wiggled his eyebrows at me and then they were gone.

"What the hell was all that about?" Bella asked, looking confused.

"He said something earlier about needing to hunt. I guess he just wanted to get going sooner rather than later?" It came out more as a question and I cursed myself for being nervous. This was Bella. I was able to pour my heart out to her just weeks ago, yet now I got nervous just being in the same room as her. No. I needed to get a grip and remember what Peter said. She was worth it. Whatever she says, it was worth the possible heartache to find out how she feels. And hell, she had kissed me a few times now so there really shouldn't have been anything to worry about. Yet, why am I still nervous? Ugh! I just need to get this over with.

"Hey, Bella? I was hoping that, maybe, we could talk for a bit?"

I watched as she pulled her bottom lip between her teeth. The urge to sweep her into her arms and kiss the hell out of her became so strong that it took all I had not to act on it and pull that lip from between her teeth just to slip it between my own. I vaguely registered that she nodded her head as she sat on the chair across from me. Sliding down into the sofa I tried to remember what I had worked up in my head earlier.

She sat there, waiting for me to start talking, but every time I tried the words got stuck. She still had her emotions blocked from me but I could see the worry in her eyes. I tried to send her some reassurance but if she felt it she made no sign. Why did this have to be so hard?

I dropped my eyes to the floor, hoping that if I wasn't looking at her then it would be easier. I was wrong. The truth was that, while I knew she was worth it, I was still scared to lose her, scared that if she knew how I felt she would turn me down and stay away from me. I, Major Jasper Whitlock, the vampire who was still feared in the South, was scared.

"Bella, I…" I took a deep breath, just spit it out already! "I…I got all the computers set up if you want to look for new furniture." Chicken shit.

I snuck a quick glance up at Bella and I could tell that she knew I just ducked out of something. She had made no move towards the computers, said nothing. Her eyes closed as she took deep, calming breaths. I looked back to the ground, picking out and counting the different colors of thread used to make the rug, wishing that she would let me feel her so that I could know what to say. A few minutes had passed this way when she finally broke the silence.

"You can tell me Jasper, whatever it is." She had pulled that lip between her teeth again and while her eyes held a small amount of hope, they were also full of worry. I had to stop being stupid and just be me. This worrying and pussyfooting around was not me.

I took one last deep breath and looked up into her eyes before I opened my mouth, launching into what I had planned to say from the beginning. "Bella, I love you." Fuck. That wasn't what I was going to say! "Er, I mean…um…fuck." My eyes closed and with my elbows propped up on my knees my head fell into my hands. I am doing nothing right today. Nothing.

I felt more then heard Bella getting up and moving to kneel in front of me. I felt her small, delicate, hands wrap around my wrists, tugging them lightly, to get me to let go of my head. I wanted to stay hidden however and pushed the heel of my palm into my closed eyes. I didn't want to scare her, hell I had only just admitted it to myself, I really hadn't been ready to say it aloud.

"Jasper? Jasper, honey, look at me. Please." I couldn't deny her anything when she asked like that, her quiet voice begging me to listen. She should never sound like that. I slowly lowered my hands from my eyes and lifted my head just enough so that I could see her. She let go of my wrists and one hand took mine while the other went to my chin to lift my head so I was facing her completely. She softly ran her fingers across my cheek and tucked my hair behind my ear.

I reached up with my free hand and took hers, lowering it back to my lap. "I'm sorry Bella. I didn't mean for it to come out that way." I whispered to her. "I guess I just got nervous and…"

"Jasper…" I kept talking, not letting her interrupt.

"I had this all planned out, what I was going to say…"

"Jasper."

"And then I was so nervous…"

"JASPER!"

"It just kind of came out and…"

I heard her let out a sigh before her lips touched mine. I froze for only a second before responding, moving my lips in time with hers. Closing my eyes I got lost in the feel of her. Letting go of her hands I move mine around to her back, pulling her closer to me. She moved hers to my neck, one fisting in the hair at the back of my head. Tilting my head I deepen our kiss, running my tongue across her lower lip. She opens her mouth, her own tongue darting out and fighting me for dominance. I let my hands trail down her back and ass to the top of her thighs. Gripping tightly I lift her up into my lap. She comes willingly, straddling me, never breaking our kiss.

It was by far the best kiss I had ever had. I felt her pull lightly on my hair and I couldn't stop the moan that came from deep within me. I felt her smile and took advantage of her distraction to take over and explore her mouth. She allowed this for only a moment before pulling harder on the back of my head, causing both my head to tilt back and another moan to come unbidden from my throat.

She broke the kiss, moving her mouth to pepper smaller kisses along my jaw to my ear. I pulled her tighter to my chest as she nipped my ear. I heard her take in a breath before her quiet whisper, "You going to be quiet for a moment and listen to me now?"

I nodded my head, not trusting myself to speak just yet.

"Good. Because I wanted to tell you that I love you too, Jas."

A breath I hadn't realized I was holding was let out as my head fell forward onto Bella's shoulder. She let go of my hair and moved her arms to hug around my neck as mine tightened around her waist. I knew our talk wasn't over but I didn't want to move from this hug, didn't want this moment to be over. Being in Bella's arms felt so right, so perfect. I never wanted to be anywhere else.

I couldn't believe it, she loved me too. How lucky could I possibly be?

We sat there on the couch without speaking for what seemed like hours, while in reality it was only minutes. I felt Bella start to pull away and let her sit back on my knees with my hands resting on her hips. I couldn't let go just yet.

She had a small smile on her face as she looked at me. Her eyes a muddy color, their red slowly being replaced with the distinctive gold of the animal drinkers. As I looked into her eyes I realized that I could feel her again. The love she was sending out at me matched what I felt for her. I felt no fear or nervousness from her, just love and contentment.

Drinking in her emotions, I allowed them to calm my own before beginning to speak. "Well, it seems like my hard prepared speech is kind of pointless now doesn't it?"

She giggled and arched an eyebrow at me. "Is that a complaint?"

"Hell no. Just an observation."

"Good, because I like how it worked out. You are cute when you ramble on, although the not listening to me did get annoying."

When I couldn't think of a good response quick enough I just stick my tongue out at her causing her to giggle more. It was a sound that was quickly becoming my favorite.

"So, my little Puma, does this make us official now?"

"I believe it does, Major. Before we celebrate, though, I want to get some stuff out. I know that I probably don't have to say it but I want to start things off with you clean and clear. I am over Edward fully. It hasn't been that long but, thanks in part to you, it feels like forever ago. I feel so strongly for you that it scares me sometimes, the raw power of it. It was like as soon as I admitted it to myself it took over me, wouldn't let me think of anything else. I love you, Jas, and will for the rest of time."

I couldn't help the smile that crept on my face. I knew she was over him, but it was nice to hear it from her own lips. It also helped to know that the strength of this bond was scaring her too. "Thank you, Bella. Just like I'm sure you know I am over Alice completely, I want you to know that I am in this with you one hundred percent. I really do think you are my other half, Bella. A part of me will always love Alice, as I am sure a part of you will always love Edward. They were our paths to each other. Without them I wouldn't have found you; I wouldn't have found my soul. Whatever the future brings, I am here for you, Bella. And just so you don't feel bad, the speed at which I fell for you honestly scared the shit out of me. Hence the stumble and kind of blurting out of words earlier."

"You did kind of just throw that out there. But the stumble after was worth seeing. For me anyway. I'm sure you felt awkward as hell."

"Yes, thank you for pointing that out. Can we please not tell that part of this story when we tell the others?" She threw her head back in laughter but was shaking her head as well. Damn, I have the feeling she will never let me forget that moment. "Fine. Be that way."

"I'm sorry Jasper. Alright, I'm not really sorry, per se, but still. I just can't pass up the opportunity to tell the family, or Peter and Char, how much you let things get to you. You, Mr. Stoic, let your nerves get to you. I'm telling you, we need to mark the calendar or something."

"Alright, alright! Enough, you have made your point. Just so you know, though, I am going to deny it. Now, subject change. You ready to shop for some furniture from this decade? I am having a hard time believing that our Esme picked out this sofa. Her taste is so timeless. This living room set? Not so much."

"Alright, Jas, I'll drop it. For now. Just be ready for when Peter gets back. I might not know him that well yet, but I have a feeling that he will be a lot worse then anything I could ever dream up."

I groaned at the mere thought of him knowing how I had let everything get to me. This would not be fun. For me, anyway.

Bella went to get up but I held her where she was. Leaning forward I gave her a quick kiss. "It will be nice to do that whenever I want now." She smiled and ducked her head. If she had still been human she probably would be blushing. "Come on, Sweetheart, lets go shopping."

It was around midnight when we finally got finished picking out new furniture. There was a lot of ugly stuff for sale out there. I think we ended up laughing at the choices more than actually looking at what we liked. Just as I was inputting a delivery address, I felt my phone buzz in my pocket. I had a text from Peter.

Found Alice, will be home in 20.

What the hell? I look up to Bella, who was reading the message over my shoulder. She just looks up at me and I could feel her anxiety and fear. My own was just as bad. I had been doing what I could not to worry for my family and not being able to contact then had been hard.

Closing the laptop I placed it on the table and reached up for Bella's hand, pulling her around the sofa and into my lap. We sat quietly together until we heard them running towards the house, three sets of feet. Bella stood up, reaching her hand out to me. Taking it I allow her to help me up before shifting our hold so that our fingers were laced together. We moved together to the door out back to wait for them on the deck.

I heard them slow just before I saw the three of them walk out from the cover of the trees. Alice paused, looking between Bella and I, before she ran at full speed to us, enveloping us both in a hug. How she managed to get the both of us in her tiny arms I have no idea but it didn't matter. She and Bella were sobbing and talking over each other as I gave a squeeze to Alice. She may have broken my heart but I had missed her energetic presence and I knew that we were still going to be close friends.

Backing up I let the girls have their moment and greeted Peter and Charlotte as they walked onto the deck. "Hey. Where did you guys..."

"We'll get to that later. So...you pull your head out of your ass yet? You two were standing awful close when we got here."

"You could say that." He just stared at me. He has to try and know everything. Shaking my head at him I continue, "That is all you are getting from me. Just know that whatever Bella tells you is a lie." I looked over to Bella as I said that, only to see a flash of mischief run through her eyes as Alice squeals.

"I knew it! I knew it the moment you left your phone with her, Jas." She was jumping around Bella who looked at her like she was an annoying puppy who just would not settle down.

I was laughing at the mental picture that thought gave me when I heard Peter, "You left your phone behind with her? Damn dude, you got it worse then I thought."

I just shook my head, walked over to Bella, grabbed her hand, and went inside, trusting that the others would follow. I was happy to laugh and joke with everyone but I wanted to know what happened back in Forks.

As everyone settled down I looked over at my ex-wife who was sitting herself on the floor. "Alright Alice, what happened in Forks?"

AN: I am very sorry yet again for the delay in posting. Unfortunately it seems like work isn't slowing down however so it might be a while before I can get back to the weekly postings.

Thanks again to my wonderful beta Sinvisigoth!! I really can't thank you enough!

And also thank you to everyone who has reviewed, favorited, or alerted this story! I am really happy that you are all enjoying it so much.

Oh and before I forget, just a reminder that I still don't own it.