A/N Okay, here is the list of the ages of everyone. Bella- will be twenty on her birthday which is just a couple of months away, Jasper-twenty-one; Peter, and Emmett-twenty-two; Alice, Char, and Edward, are also now twenty, Rose is twenty one. There is some information in this chapter, but its mostly a filler just to get them from teenagers to adults Thanks to my pre-reader, angeliquevnzl. Hope you enjoy.
Again, I do not own Twilight or any of the characters.
Almost Six Years later. . .
Bella's POV
The last five and a half years have been so hard on all of us. We had to separate after the court hearing to determine if Debby Petty would go to prison or not. We were all scared that the judge would go easy on her because of her past injuries.
After hearing my testimony along with Jasper's and the girls, the judge gave her twenty years. That is until they found evidence of her part in the murder of the last three girls. Apparently, the murders were vicious, and cruel, so she was given three life sentences without parole.
My own sentence, for which I was grateful for, should have been much harsher. I was sentenced to one year in prison, which was suspended and I was on probation for that year. I was also ordered to see a counselor three times a week, until the counselor felt I no longer needed the help.
Like I said, I'm so grateful for that sentence. Jennie helped my dad find a wonderful woman who had actually been the victim of a rape herself. Because of her rape, she went to collage and became a specialist so she could help others that had been victims.
She was the one who inspired me to do the same thing. Because of the way things happened, and what was done to me I ended up being home schooled. I graduated when I was sixteen, almost seventeen.
From there I went to collage to earn a degree in counseling. I did that while being a part of a hotline for young girls being molested, and or raped. I can't even begin to describe the feeling of helping someone else who is going through what I went through.
There have actually been a few arrests, and convictions of the ones who were doing this to these young girls. Its because I was able to convince the girls that these men needed to be stopped.
One of these wonderful girls became a very good friend of mine. Her name is Cindy, and she is a couple of years younger than me. It was her that I went with when it was time for her to tell the police what was going on. I stayed with her through out the whole thing, including the trial.
The last couple of years my dad and I have become almost a team. I talk with the girls on the phone and convince them to tell the truth. Then, I take them to talk to my dad who has now teamed up with James.
Once they get the statements, then they go and make the arrest. I can now honestly say that we have helped bring several of these bastards to justice. Yet, I know that daily there is some girl out there feeling the same fear, and pain that I went through.
I was brought out of my thoughts by Emmett. I was moving today. I had just graduated from collage and was finally moving to Texas. I would be staying at the ranch that Jasper, and his family owned. I had been there every summer since Jasper was sentenced.
Jennie just couldn't stand to stay in Washington with all of the bad memories there. After Jasper was sentenced, he, his mom, and Peter all moved back to Texas and stayed with Ryan's parents. It was hard on all of us, as Peter had to leave Char, Jasper had to leave me, and Jennie had to leave all of her really good friends, Dad, Carlisle, and Esme, mostly.
It was also part of Jasper's sentence. The DA seemed to understand that Jasper being a teenager, and being responsible for the death of someone, that he needed extra help. Also the fact that he had been raped, helped his cause.
He was sentenced to prison, which was also suspended as long as he followed what the DA ordered. He had to go back to Texas, to get away from the memories, as well as have a fresh start. He also had to go to counseling, as well as attend anger management programs. Luckily, the judge agreed.
He would be on probation until he turned twenty-one. At that time he would have to go back to court, along with his counselor, and his probation officer. If the judge deemed that he had been able to stay out of trouble, and his anger was no longer an issue, then he would be released, and his records would be cleaned.
He waited until I came to visit them on Christmas break to tell me that he was now a free man. We celebrated by going out on our first real date. It was also the first time we had been alone, since we were young kids.
Jasper was so nervous, but it was so sweet. He bought me flowers, and opened doors for me. He took me to a cozy little restaurant that actually had dancing. We did dance and we had fun. Yet, there is always the shit that happened to us that seems to come back to haunt us when we least expect it.
We had just gone back to our table when a woman who actually looked similar to Debby; same black hair, same dark eyes, same dark tanned complexion, came up and tried to get Jasper to dance with her. She promised him a good time if he went with her.
He told her to fuck off. She basically said the same thing Debby had told him when she raped him. I made him take me home after that. Unfortunately, the damage was already done. He curled up in a ball and cried, once we got back to the ranch.
I understood and stayed with him until he got himself under control. He did call his counselor, and talk to him for a while. While for the most part we are better, we both still have issues. We renewed our vows that we had made to each other right before he and his family moved back to Texas.
While they weren't marriage vows they still meant something to both Jasper and I. We both vowed to stay single until we could be together all the time. We also vowed that we would always be honest with each other, and talk to each other. And, if by some chance one of us found someone else that we wanted to be with, well, we would have to be completely honest about that as well.
I went to visit with him and his family every chance I got. Summers, I usually had to bring Char with me. She and Peter had also made vows, and had stuck to them. Neither Jasper, nor I ever found anyone that even remotely interested us.
While we did sometimes, well actually most of the time we did sleep in the same bed, we have never done anything more than open mouth kissing. Both of us talked about what our counselors had told us.
It would take time, a lot of being patient, and the right person for either of us to be able to be intimate. We both knew that we would have hang ups, and things that we would both have to work on in order for us to have a normal relationship.
We had already spent many hours talking and had decided together that we would both know when the time was right, and until then, neither of us would pressure, or be pressured by the other. It didn't mean that we didn't love each other. It also didn't mean that the desires weren't there.
That was the main thing we both knew. Our love had withstood time, and being separated. Jasper was the one I wanted to spend my life with. I wanted, no, I needed to help him finally heal, and he wanted to do the same for me.
Dad was happy that I was staying with Jasper. He has been helping Jasper get to what he was wanting to do. He wanted to become a detective. While he didn't want to actually become a police officer, he did want to help bring in the criminals. He basically wanted to become what James did.
Dad helped him get into a special school for him to become a PI. At the same time, he studied to become a CSI. He wasn't sure if he could become a detective on the police force because he did have a record at the time. He was desperate to help others who were in a bad situation.
He thought maybe he would become a PI who would actually help the police with really difficult cases. He was so much like me in that way, he knew the fear, the pain, the feeling of helplessness, and hopelessness. He wanted to help save others from the same thing.
He was still going to school for that. In his free time, he helped Peter run the ranch. Peter's main job was running the oil company, now that Ryan's father had passed away. So, Jasper was pretty much running the ranch. They had horses, cattle, and even some Llama's. This was mostly just for fun, at least that's what Jennie always said.
But, when I looked into Jasper's eyes when he was dealing with one of the horses, or shearing a coat off of one of the llama's there was a light in his eyes. He was happy, and content running the ranch. It was far away from all of the pain, and turmoil he has suffered, mostly because of me.
It took a couple of years before the counselor was able to help me understand that nothing that Richard, Alan, or Debby did was my fault. Even the fact that I wouldn't tell the truth, wasn't totally my fault. At the time I was frightened for my friends, and thought I was protecting them. I still wanted to take the blame for all of the pain that Jasper and his family had to go through.
I was moving today to Texas. Dad, Emmett, Rose, and Char were also going with us. Carlisle, and Esme, along with Edward, and Alice were going to move close to where we would be living, but it wouldn't be for another couple of months. Dad had already found a small house, close to the ranch.
Emmett, and Rose were planning on a wedding right before Christmas. They too had found a nice little house close to Dad's and were planning on moving in right after the wedding. In the meantime, Rose would live at the house, with Char. Emmett, would be staying with dad.
Me, I would be staying at the ranch. The house was huge, and had plenty of room. Jasper and I had actually talked to Jennie, Peter, and Jasper's counselor, to see if I could turn one of the rooms into an office for me.
The ladies that I would be counseling would also have the option of using animal therapy. While I never had a pet, I did have a dog that I did the animal therapy with. He was homeless, and only had sight in one eye. The other eye had been gouged out by some cruel teenager who thought that causing pain to an helpless animal was a form of entertainment.
He stayed at the shelter, but sadly never found someone to love him. I went to visit with him several days a week. I was able to take him to the yard, play with him, brush his coat, and just love him. My counselor suggested I do this, to help me learn to love, and trust.
I spent two years going almost daily to visit with Jack. That's what I called him. Everyone else called him "One eyed Jack". He was a beautiful Collie, until you saw his eye. It had been butchered by the cruel teenager. It was really ugly to look at. But, I was able to see the beauty in him, and we loved each other. We took care of each other.
Until the day I got the phone call. Jack was sick, and was getting weaker by the minute. I got there quickly and was allowed to have someone take him to our spot in the play area. It was outside, and there was a small pond there. We always played there, and sometimes I would read, while he laid there and snuggled up against me.
He was too weak to walk. The attendant laid him down on the ground and I sat down and put his head in my lap. I could tell he wasn't going to last very long. I didn't even realize I was crying until he gently reached up and licked the tears off. He quietly passed away right after that. At least he didn't die alone, or unloved. The vet said he was just too old, and his heart just gave out.
I hadn't realized just how much he had helped me until he was gone. I talked with my counselor, and decided that I needed to learn more about the animal assistants program.
This is when I decided to become a counselor myself. When Jennie invited me to come and live with them on the ranch, it was Jasper that mentioned using the horses, getting some dogs, and maybe even using the Llamas, to help some of the younger victims.
He understood how much animals could help. Having to take care of them on his ranch had helped him to learn how to trust, and be trusted again. It also helped him be able to keep his humanity after being traumatized through everything that had taken place here in Forks.
I was proud of him, and proud to be able to call him my boyfriend. I couldn't wait to get to my new home, and hopefully, start my new life. I knew that there would be struggles, but I also knew that with Jasper by my side, I could do whatever was necessary to not let what had happened rule my life.
Jasper's POV
I had just finished taking care of the horses, making sure they had fresh food and water. Usually, I spend hours with them, grooming, riding them, sometimes training them. Not today though, I couldn't. My Isabella was coming here to live.
I only had a couple of hours before she was due to arrive. She was flying in, and then Peter had arranged for the company helicopter to pick her up at the airport and bring her here. She hated having the helicopter pick her up, but she was just going to have to get used to the fact that we are rich, and we can afford luxuries such as this.
I had wanted to go pick her up myself but I sometimes still have problems being in public. I have had ladies, if you want to call them that try to throw themselves at me. It makes me angry, and upset. It always brings back memories of what Debby did to me.
Bella and I made promises to each other to wait until we could be together always, before trying to go any further than deep kisses. We also promised that we needed to tell each other if we ever found someone else we wanted to be with. I still hadn't told her about Maria.
She was beautiful, and selfish. I met her while going to another ranch to purchase some of the Lamas we had. I liked her the moment I saw her. We spent hours just talking, getting to know one another.
She started coming around our ranch. Neither mom, nor Peter liked her. Of course I thought it was just because she wasn't Bella. I never bothered to ask them why they didn't like her. When I asked Peter why neither of them warned me about her, all he said was, "Would you have listened to us?"
He was right as usual. In my state of mind I wouldn't have listened to either of them. All I saw was a beautiful woman who seemed to really care about me. I was entranced by her beauty. She was a couple of years older than me, and I worshiped the ground she walked on. Until she did the one thing that I couldn't handle.
After about three months of seeing her, I finally got up enough courage to kiss her. We ended up in a heavy make out session that ended when she tried to remove my pants, and go down on me. I went ballistic, and she screamed at me to get out. I left quickly, apologizing while I ran.
A few days later I went over to her house to try to let her know how sorry I was, try and explain why I reacted like I did, and hopefully make up with her. She did let me in, and I did explain what had happened to me. The reaction wasn't one I was expecting.
She fucking laughed at me. I told her that I thought I might be in love with her, and that set her off even more. Now, she was almost hysterical in her laughter. When she finally got control again, her next words were the most cruel I have ever heard except for maybe from Debby.
She told me that she didn't love me and never would. Her plan had been to try to get me into bed. Then she would either really become pregnant, or pretend to be pregnant. That way I would have to marry her, being the gentleman that I am, and then she would have my money. I was eighteen when it happened.
It set me back quite a bit. Especially, with my trust issues. I had been so blinded by her looks, that I couldn't see the ugliness inside of her. Looking back on it now, I understand why Peter, nor mom said anything to me.
I'm grateful now that they didn't. It taught me a lesson that I will never forget. I know that it will hurt Bella to know about this, but now that she will be living here with me, I feel its only fair that she knows everything.
I plan on telling her as soon as she is settled in. I also plan on telling her how much I love her, and how beautiful I believe she is. She deserves to be treated like a queen, and I plan on being the one to do it.
I always knew that I loved her, but when the thing happened with Maria, I realized just how much I love her. She knew everything about me, and she had never laughed, or taken my feelings lightly. She always, put me first, and now, I was going to make sure that I always put her first.
I was going to show her exactly how a man was supposed to treat a lady. I was going to show her tenderness, gentleness, and so much fucking love. I owed it to her.
After everything that she went through to keep not only her friends safe, but me as well. She deserves so much more than me. Yet, she still has given me her heart. Yeah, I know that at first she kept quiet about who the guilty man was, and then later lied about dad being her rapist. I don't really blame her.
She was being blackmailed into doing it so they would close the case. She did everything she was told to, until the end when I just couldn't take it anymore and wanted to join dad. When she told me the truth, well, everything except who was doing this, I wanted to hate her. But, in the end, I just couldn't.
She is just too beautiful on the inside as well as the outside. It was one of the things that Peter was having a hard time understanding. Why I didn't hate her for her part in everything that happened to dad.
When he found out that she was told to do what she did or else Char would become one of their victims then he understood. It took him awhile to fully forgive her, but it was Bella herself who helped him understand better.
She asked him what would he have done if someone was blackmailing him with the safety of Char, mom, or myself. He then better understood that while she hated what she was doing with a passion, she loved her friends, and family, even more. She had to do it, nothing, and no one was more important that the safety of her friends and family.
I was brought out of my thoughts with Peter knocking on my door. He opened the door and told me that the helicopter was about to land, and that I better get my ass out to the field to meet Bella.
I ran downstairs and grabbed the keys to the truck. I got it started and took off. I could have walked to the field but I figured that Bella would be tired, and wouldn't feel like walking. Besides, she had luggage to take to the house.
I was there in five minutes, and it was just as the helicopter touched down. I jumped out and waited while the helicopter powered down. Bella couldn't wait though, and she jumped out, and ran straight into my arms.
She was even more beautiful than I had remembered. She had grown up. Looking at her now, I couldn't understand how in the fuck I could have even looked twice at Maria. And while Maria was like three years ago, I still knew it was going to hurt Bella.
There was no fucking way that I was going to start our now permanent relationship, not telling her. I am too much like my dad, but unlike him I will not be with Bella until she knows everything. I just wish that he would have told mom about his past, long before it came up.
Bella went to kiss me, but I just gave her a quick peck before telling her, "Bella, there's something I need to tell you. I know that I should have told you long before now, but well, I was ashamed. Also, what I have to tell you is going to hurt you. But, if its alright with you I would like for you to get settled in before I tell you."
She smiled at me and said, "If you're going to tell me about Maria, I already fucking know about the bitch."
With that being said she just walked off, and got into the truck while I just stood there looking like the world's biggest ass. . .
A/N Let me know what you think. Now, we will start seeing how the rapes will affect their adult lives, as we watch Bella, and Jasper, learn how to live, and love. This will probably be the last chapter until after Christmas, maybe even the New Year. I will try to get one more chapter out before then, but I can't make any promises. Merry Christmas, and thanks to everyone who has added this story to their favorites, and alerts.