Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight, or any characters associated with Twilight.
Reader Warning: While I will not be publishing any explicit sort of content, there may be some mention of physical/emotional abuse and, or sexual assault. I do not condone these behaviors, but due to the storyline, mentioning them will likely be necessary. I do realize that speaking/reading about these behaviors may be painful or triggering for some people. PLEASE, if this is you, just skip over this story, and I won't be offended in the least. I'd much rather it wasn't read than to have it cause anyone that sort of distress.
Authors Note: First of all I just want to thank you for reading this story. Some of you out there may recognize it, as I did have it published before. I am now in the process of re-doing it, because there were several things about the original that I did not end up liking. This version will be a bit different than the last, but not drastically so. I cannot promise regular updates. I tried that before, and it simply didn't work. As I republish, there may be frequent updates, and there may even be several chapters done in a day. This will likely be a rarity, though, and updates may take anywhere from several weeks to several months.
Reviews:
Jeraly: Aw, thank you!
USNeshama: Thank you for your review, and for complimenting the story :) I wish I could update more often, too. I'm just not able to do it steadily because unexpected things come up, and I don't want to make any promises to you guys that I can't keep.
Kammi: No problem! And thank YOU for the review :)
CrazyMommyMe: Thanks so much :)
"Jasper, please, hurry!, Bella called out from the wagon, where she was sitting. Jasper laughed, walking across the yard, towards her, "I am." It was 8am, and the weather had finally cleared up enough for them to go to town and visit the Cullens at their practice. They were planning to ask if the doctors knew anything about where the baby may have been taken, and Bella felt like if they didn't leave soon she wouldn't be able to wait another minute. Finally Jasper climbed up onto his seat, and grinned, "Ready?" Bella smiled back excitedly, "Yes!I've been ready; let's go!"
"How are you?", Esme smiled, as she pulled Bella into a warm embrace. "I'm doing well", Bella returned the woman's smile, and then hugged Carlisle who was standing nearby. Carlisle smiled as well, "You look much better than the last time that I saw you." Bella nodded, "I think that living out here agrees with me after all." Jasper stepped forward, hugging Esme and shaking Carlisle's hand, grinning at Bella again, "I think it does." Esme raised her eyebrows at Bella and Carlisle smirked, "Might it be who you're living with that agrees with you?" Jasper burst out laughing as Bella blushed, quickly shaking her head, "No, I-I mean, yes, but, but, no-" Carlisle also laughed loudly at the girl's reaction, while Esme tried to stifle her laughter, without much success. "Come dear", Esme took Bella's arm, leading her towards the desk, "Let's talk while the men here sort through whatever...issues...that they're having." Carlisle and Jasper, who were still laughing, laughed even harder at Esme's comment, and she shook her head, chuckling, "Just like little boys, both of them."
Bella laughed a little, in spite of herself, the embarrassment she felt quickly fading. "Now then", Esme took a seat across the desk from Bella, "It's been a while since we last spoke; how long have you been married? Two-months?" Bella shook her head, "Three-months, now." "Time flies, doesn't it?" Bella nodded, and Esme leaned closer, "How's married life treating you?" Bella shrugged, "It's going pretty well; better than I expected, anyway." "Do you and Jasper get along?" "We do. We really never talked much for the first couple of months, but lately...lately things have changed, and...and I think we're friends now."
"We are definitely friends now", Jasper said, walking up behind Bella's chair and tapping her lightly on top of the head with his index finder. She turned, smiling when he winked, taking the seat next to her. Esme smiled up at Carlisle who had moved to stand behind her, then looked back to Jasper and Bella, "So, what brings you two here today?" Bella glanced over at Jasper, and he cleared his throat, suddenly turning serious, "Actually, we were wondering if could tell us where Bella's...where Bella's daughter was taken." Carlisle looked surprised, while Esme nodded slightly, "I'm not certain where she was taken to live, but I can give you some information on the woman who removed her from the clinic."
"Thanks again", Jasper smiled, shaking Esme's hand. Bella smiled as well, and both doctor's smiled back. "I wish you both the best", Esme said, hugging Bella, "Carlisle and I will both be praying for you, and for the baby." Carlisle nodded, "Let us know how it goes; that little girl needs to be with her own family." Bella nodded as she turned to follow Jasper from the building, "We will; thank you..."
"What if we never find her?", Bella groaned, thumping her hand down against the table. Jasper, sitting across from her, shook his head, "I never knew one woman could be so hard to find. 'Specially one with a name like that." It had been a month since they had gotten their information from the Cullens, and they had spent nearly every day since then looking for a 'Ms. Lorraine O'Flannery' in their area. They had finally found someone who knew where she lived, but were then informed that she was out of town and that there was no expected date for her return.
Jasper stood up and walked around behind Bella, lightly squeezing her tense shoulders, "We'll find her, Bells. As soon as she gets back into town we'll both ride out to talk to her, and we'll find out where the baby is." Bella sighed, "I don't even know if I'll be a suitable mother. It may be best to just leave things like they are." "Hey," Jasper moved around in front of her and took her hands in his, "Don't you start doubting; you'll be an amazing mother." She shook her head, "How do you know?" He paused, "I just know. The way you take care of things around the cabin; I never could've done it so well. Bella, you're smart, and determined...and...amazing." Bella looked up at him in surprise, "Really?" Jasper nodded, "The way you're so strong...I know I judged you too soon...you're just..." he trailed off, studying her face in silence. Bella stared at him for a moment, then nearly whispered, "I'm what?" He shook his head, "Beautiful..."
Jasper sat in the hayloft, looking out the window, down to the cabin. He saw Bella walk past the door and sighed. She had him all mixed up and she had no idea. He had no idea. At first, when they had been forced to marry, they had hardly been on speaking terms. Then, when they had decided to be friends, it had been nice...But now he was starting to feel something different, and it was something that he couldn't really explain. It was something that he couldn't put a name to...Jasper shook his head, running his fingers through his already messy hair, then whispered, "Ok, Lord, here it goes. You put me here with this girl, and..."
Bella stood at the bedroom window, thinking. Jasper had said that she was beautiful, but then he had practically run from the cabin shouting something over his shoulder about chores out in the barn. "Maybe..." she whispered, "Just maybe..." But then she stopped, scolding herself, "Foolish girl; the man's just being nice..."
