Watching the sun rise over the water had been spectacular, and I hadn't wanted to leave the perfect moment Jasper and I had created together. However, there were still unresolved issues with the family and issues had a way of getting worse out unless you put some effort into resolving them. Still, I hadn't hunted yet, so we did delay our return so that we could. I found the wildlife very similar to that in Canada and we both satisfied ourselves with moose.

Everyone was home as we approached the house. According to Jasper, the emotional climate was a mix. There were feelings of happiness, hope and joy, but also anger and sadness, underscoring it all was tension. We slowed to a walk as we approached the steps; Jasper took my hand. We climbed the stairs and entered the house together. Alice and Esme were the only ones in the living room.

"You're back!"

Alice sounded delighted. I think, that even though she complained about my interference with her visions, she actually enjoyed having the burden of them lifted. She had always said the family relied too much on them. She also loved surprises and she was finally getting them. She practically danced over to us and wrapped her arms around us both.

"Carlisle wants to talk to you two, when you have a minute."

Esme set down the plans she had been looking at and looked at us as she spoke from across the room. She smiled as she glanced down at our entwined hands. I felt a sudden surge of happiness. Jasper was projecting – not his own emotions, but what he felt from Esme. I squeezed his hand in appreciation and felt his love for me in response. I then felt mischievous glee. I didn't have to guess about that, Alice and her stupid nicknames. Jasper must be unintentionally sharing our love again. He had confided in me that he had no control over the 'love potion' effect.

"We will."

Jasper answered for us both as I turned toward Alice, speaking quickly and slowly enough that only she and Jasper could hear. I also projected my shield over Alice, she was good at blocking Edward, but you could never be sure.

"How is he? How did he take it?"

Alice looked at me carefully; I wondered if she was weighing how much of the truth to actually tell me. I arched an eyebrow at her and she sighed.

"Not good, not good at all. I don't think he's going to run off to Volterra or anything, but, yeah, not good. His future's changed as well – even just yesterday I saw him happy, but now, I just keep getting flashes of him alone. Of course, that could change, it could just be a reflection of his current mood, but still… Edward is very angry right now."

Alice looked to Jasper, "He's especially angry at you, Jasper. I wouldn't be surprised if he came after you, just don't be too hard on him, please."

"Angry at Jasper! That's ridiculous. I'm the one who broke it off with him. What? Does he think Jasper lured me away or some such bullshit?"

I struggled to keep my voice low; Edward really had a gift for ticking me off. I could feel the anger and hurt start to overwhelm me but before they could, Jasper released a wave of calm that settled over me.

"I know, Bella, I know… but you know as well as I do that Edward's never had to grow up. He's never really been held accountable to anyone and he's incredibly emotional. It's not an excuse, but he's not thinking rationally."

Alice looked torn, I was her best friend and Edward was her brother. A part of me did feel sorry, but it was quite small in comparison to the part of me that was tired of dealing with all of Edward's crap.

"I don't care, I'm tired of giving him excuses not to grow up. He's over a century old, it's about time that he learns how to act like a mature adult. You can do whatever you like, but I'm not handling him with kid gloves."

Jasper released my hand to drape his arm around my shoulders, pulling me close. He reached out and laid a hand on Alice's shoulder.

"Both of you are right. Edward needs to grow up, but we can't push him so hard that he leaves the family. Alice, I know this is hard on you. Edward probably sees you supporting us as a betrayal – let me guess – he thinks that you, of all people, should understand his point of view and be on his side, right?"

Alice nodded.

"Bella, hon, I know it's hard, and I know what Edward did to you – I know. He can't do that anymore, you wouldn't allow it and frankly, neither would I."

I had been looking down, but at his last words, my eyes snapped to his, searching. He was completely serious; I could see it in his gaze. This man would never let anything happen to me, to his mate. I suddenly was reminded of Jasper training the Cullen's before the fight with Victoria, a military man, at home on the battlefield, willing to do anything to protect those under his command. I was suddenly overcome by my love for him. His face softened, the corners of his mouth turning slightly up.

"I'm not asking that you handle Edward with kid gloves, just be yourself, Bella. Make sure he takes responsibility for his actions and you for yours."

I nodded, smiling back at Jasper.

"Uggh, you guys, with the love potion."

Alice screwed up her nose, teasing us, moving back to the couch, breaking up our little conversation. We started to head back to the East Wing, but Esme stopped us as we passed her.

"I'm so glad you two are here."

She looked between the two of us and then laid her hand on Jasper's forearm. Even though I couldn't feel her emotions, I could tell that whatever they were, they were having a profound effect on Jasper.

"Thank you."

Two simple words, but they meant the world to Jasper. He wrapped his arms around Esme. I smiled, despite the fact that Jasper was over half a century older than Esme, he still viewed he as a motherly figure. I thought it would be good for the two of them to have some time together.

"Alice, I smell like a moose. Wanna come hang out with me while I clean up? You can help me choose an outfit."

Alice bounced; she was always ecstatic when I allowed her free reign with my attire.

"Of course! Let's go see what you brought… and I got you some things from Paris when I was there last month."

She continued chattering as we headed towards my room. I glanced back over my shoulder, smiling at Jasper as he and Esme took a seat on the couch.

-

A/N (they're becoming habit, oh no!): Thank you to ineedcoffee for her rec, big warm fuzzies right there, also, big big thanks to my reviewers. As always, you can find me on twitter (diphataphata) and in case you haven't seen it in the story summary, none of this is mine except the plot.