Chapter 11

Hermione's Point of View

After talking to Carlisle and Alec about becoming a vampire I decided to get to know some of my future family. I already knew Carlisle, Alec, Emmet and Rosalie's stories as well as Alice, Edward, Esme, and Bella's. The only one I didn't know was Jasper's and I took it upon myself to change that. Before I lost my nerve I went to where Jasper and Bella were sitting curled up in each other's arms. They both looked up at me at the same time which was a bit odd; at least I thought so. Gulping I sat down next to them and asked my question. "Jasper…what is your story? I feel like I need to get to know all of you and I know virtually nothing about you." He seemed a bit perplexed and I almost thought he wasn't going to9 answer but he did. The tale he told I still remember and always will.

Jasper's Point of View

(In a soft Southern accent)

"I was alive during the Civil War; in fact I fought in it. I was the youngest Major in the Confederate army and had been brought up to run the plantation my family, the Whitlock's, owned. But then the War broke out and everything I knew changed. I was only 16 but luckily I was tall for my age and I was allowed to join. I remember vaguely the pleas of my sweet mother and the gentle, but reproving words of my father as I told them my plan to fight. I also remember the last day I saw them. It was a warm day; though not unusual for Texas in the summer and I had gotten up early and dressed in my blue uniform. In fact I was up early enough to catch the sunrise and I declare it was one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen. Then after I had eaten I hugged my parents and bade them goodbye and I was gone. I won't spend time on all the battles I fought but simply skip to the evacuation of Galveston. I was on a sand bar near the river making sure all of the women and children had left the town when I saw them. Three of the most beautiful women I'd ever met; Maria, Lucy, and Nettie. Maria was the one who changed me and I became her second in command."

Here I stopped and pulled out three photos, worn and yellow with age. The first was of my family and me when I was a boy; the second was our plantation, and the third was me in my uniform on our front lawn. No one in my vampire family had ever seen these pictures so when Bella exclaimed in surprise the others came to see what was wrong. I admit I was a little worried about their reactions but it proved to be nothing to worry over. Esme's soft 'you look like your mother' and Carlisle's 'you look very dashing in your uniform' won me over. Emmet's comment was 'wow man your house is huge!' That one made me laugh as I put away the faded snapshots and resumed my tale.

"Yes my mother was extremely proud of that photo. She said that it made me look like the man she knew I'd become. After Maria changed me we moved from Texas to Mexico and my training began. My affinity for emotions chose to show itself the first day of my training. We were all in a big group getting ready to take on some of the more experienced fighters when I felt a sudden stab of fear. I knew it wasn't me so I looked around at the newborns in the company and found the person it emanated from. This particular newborn was visibly shaking and I was worried he would be killed so I thought calming thoughts and instantly he was fine. It was then that Maria noticed what had happened and asked us about it. I knew I couldn't lie to her so I didn't and form that day forward as long as I worked for her I was 'top dog', so to speak. Some of the atrocities I've committed still haunt me to this very day and I'm sure they always will. The threat of Maria is still very much possible as she is still alive. But of course we being here make our chances of meeting slim to none and for that I'm eternally grateful. I'm glad you asked me to tell my story Hermione; Alice always told me that it was too gruesome to tell and that no one would care. Now I know she was wrong."

I beamed at my family and Hermione as Bella kissed me on the cheek. Then Emmet and Carlisle bombarded me with questions about the Civil War and Bella shyly asked if I had a girlfriend when I was alive. I chose to answer her question first. "No I didn't but many a lady wanted me to marry her daughter. And as for Emmet and Carlisle's questions; the war was something that thousands of history books touch on but no one save myself has ever really told about. I'm sure that other survivors told their families and so on and so on but after so many generations all the battle stories get muddled. Certain things now trigger my memories of war. For example when Carlisle comes home smelling of antiseptic I hear the howls of wounded men and the calls for more supplies. Or when Rosalie wears perfume I remember how my comrades' letters from their sweethearts would be scented with perfume. Others things aren't so noticeable though. Edward's piano playing makes me think of when I played my guitar around the fire for my men and the sound of Emmet and I fighting is reminiscent of the cannons roar."

After talking for a few more minutes about my past we got into a discussion of weapons in my era versus the weapons during Emmet's. The women wandered off somewhere to chat about who knows what as the fire quickly died down. Then Bella reappeared at my side and asked if I would play my guitar. I had brought it with me as something to do when Alice was busy and now I could play it all the time if I so wished. I smiled and retrieved it before sitting down again and playing all through the night. Bella leaned against my arm and it was the best feeling in the entire universe to make the woman I love happy beyond measure.

AN: This was probably my favorite chapter to write because I love Jasper and his back story. I decided to focus on his human past a bit more because it seems like Stephanie Meyer barely touched the surface. I hope y'all (because I too am Southern) enjoyed this as much as I did writing it. Make my day sweet and review please