Disclaimer: Visions of Our Destiny is a Twilight fan fiction, intended solely for the enjoyment of the readers. No copyright infringements are intended. Any original story directions and plot lines herein are the property of the author.


A/N: Yes! I know. This update was slow in coming. I got hit with a horrible case of 'The Block'. But not to worry, I kicked its ass and now present you with what I hope is a good chapter. Moving on…

Thank yous and squishy hugs to my beta, Kiva and her mad super-beta skills… love you hard. Cullen Sistah, thank you bunches for EVERYTHING! *licks you all over and buys you a pair of shitkickers of your very own*


What day is it? And in what month?
This clock never seemed so alive
I can't keep up and I can't back down
I've been losing so much time
Cause it's you and me and all of the people with nothing to do
Nothing to lose
And it's you and me and all of the people
And I don't know why, I can't keep my eyes off of you
All of the things that I want to say just aren't coming out right
I'm tripping on words
You've got my head spinning
I don't know where to go from here

~ You and Me, Lifehouse ~

Jasper

It could be said that I have a superior knowledge of emotions. I can decipher the vast complexity of different feelings amongst humans and vampires alike. I have the ability to manipulate emotions. I absorb them, project my own or someone else's to a group or I can simply focus my ability on one particular being, but I had been reduced to a blundering idiot, trying to make sense of the whirlwind of emotions that had overtaken me.

Making love to Bella had surpassed any fantasy or thought that I had conjured up in my imagination in the last sixty years. I never anticipated what would happen to me once I found my beauty and we became intimate for the first time. I had an overwhelming need to possess her, protect her, love her, touch her constantly and I felt like it would never be enough. I wanted to hold her so close that I could absorb her straight into my heart – my soul and keep her within me for all eternity.

My head was spinning, thoughts scattered and words failed me, although I talked to her more than I had spoken to anyone since my change.

Throughout my existence I had become a man of a few words. I was always thoughtful and prudent before speaking. As a leader it became necessary to speak only when I had something to say. This was helpful in my position in the Army and then in the Southern Vampire Wars; when I spoke everyone stood at attention and shook as my words rung through the air. Even within the family, the room would immediately grow silent and I could feel their anticipation for what I had to say. Plato put it best, "Wise men speak because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something." But with Bella, I was literally a chatterbox, laughing and sharing every mundane thought that ran through my head before I even gave it a chance to filter. My only consolation was that Bella was just as chatty and would giggle and shake her head when we tried to speak over each other, causing me to chuckle and remember my manners to allow her to speak.

"Touch me," she whispered against my lips. It was a rhetorical request; I had not stopped touching her since the moment we closed the shower doors.

"Where?" I smiled, running my hands down her back to emphasize the fact that I was, undeniably, already touching her. The water had run cold. We had to have been in the shower for hours or maybe days. Time continued to mean nothing – I was beginning to fear that eternity would not be long enough with her.

"Mmm… everywhere," she hummed, closing her eyes as her head fell back. I lowered my lips to her neck, nibbling, licking and kissing down until I reached her breast. My hand ghosted down her stomach until I found her wet and waiting for me.

Bella had asked me to open my gift and let our combined feelings of love and lust surround us after we had washed every inch of our bodies and made love again, and then again against the tile-wall in the shower – I'm going to need to re-tile that later – she said it made her feel dizzy, almost drunk, as though she were intoxicated by our love. I felt it too; we were consumed by each other, lost in the other's devotion.

"Yes… Jasper right there… oh… please don't stop."

No need to beg, darlin'. I won't. I continued to suck and nibble, not changing one thing in my adoration of her perfect nipple, but I pressed my fingers deeper into her center as my thumb circled her clit slowly, slightly increasing the pressure, and I was rewarded by another moan.

I was beginning to become addicted to Bella's small noises, some so soft I would never have heard them if I weren't a vampire. Her hands gripped my hair, my shoulders, my neck; she was close and if I didn't keep my hold around her waist, she would fall as she arched her back and let go, gasping my name and shuddering with her release. Beautiful.

XXX

I played with her fingers, my arms around her while she sat between my legs with her back resting against my chest. We were still wrapped in our towels on the chaise, by the fire. "What are you thinking about?" I asked after we had grown silent and she was no longer exuding contentment; instead she was deep in her thoughts.

"That's a loaded question," she laughed humorlessly, turning her head to place a soft kiss on my neck.

"Why is that, darlin'?" I drawled.

"I'm thinking of so many things at once." She turned in my arms to look at me and I smiled as I realized that I had missed seeing her face. "I'm thinking about the past, the future, about how my life has changed so fast, about things I still don't understand about this life, about having to go downstairs and face reality, the family, about my gift, about how much I love you…"

"Hold on." I held her to me, soothing her by rubbing my hand on her back. Her feelings were shifting as rapidly as she was talking. "You don't have to figure everything out right this instant. You have time. Actually, all you have is time, but we will deal with it together as it comes. And sweetheart? I love you, too."

"I know," she sighed, sitting up. "Look at all you went through. I could not imagine what this life would have been like if I had to face it on my own." She cupped my face, staring deep into my eyes and I was once again lost in the depth of her soul. "What would become of me if I had to go through this alone...," she sobbed. "Would I be strong enough to survive?"

"Shh, Bella," I soothed. "You will never have to know what it feels like to be alone and I believe that I was meant to go through everything I went through so we could face our future together and be victorious."

"You truly believe that everything happens for a reason?"

"I do now," I said, leaning in to capture her lips in a searing kiss.

I did believe that we went through everything just the way it was meant to be, but I was not going to tell her that I was troubled by what our future held or that I was beginning to fear that I would lose her and we were living on borrowed time. The only thing I knew for certain was that I would fight until I was a pile of ash to keep her safe.

"Perhaps we can start by addressing one of your concerns now," I said, pulling my lips away from her delicious mouth long enough to speak.

"Hmm… what concern would that be?" She asked against my lips.

"Going downstairs and facing reality."

She pulled away with her hands on my shoulders, scrunching up her adorable face to glare at me. "This is going to be embarrassing isn't it?"

"Not that again," I chuckled. "I told you, you are going to have the disadvantage of being able to hear every one of your family members having sex in this house from now on. We simply choose to ignore it and give each other as much privacy as super-hearing will allow. Plus your new sister is downstairs, bouncing with her excitement and I can feel her losing her resolve to not burst into this room."

"She would do that?" she whispered, wide-eyed and leaning in as if we were sharing a confidential secret.

I had to fight the urge to laugh because, although she was being damn-cute, she was completely serious. "You have no idea," I whispered back, imitating her tone. "She is capable of that and so much more. The pixie is, as I said, a bit overwhelming but she means well and she really wants to see you. She's waited a long time and I don't mean just since you've been here."

She smiled and nodded, taking hold of my hand as she swiftly rose to her feet. "Let's go."

I kissed her forehead before she let go of my hand and headed for the mirror in the bathroom. "I'll grab your clothes for you."

"Thank you, Jasper."

"You're welcome, Bella."

I heard Alice giggle as I opened the door to our room to get the clothes hanging on the knob. I wondered what had the pixie exuding mischief until I reached down to grab the most amazing pair of cowgirl boots sitting by the door. "Thank you, Alice," I said in appreciation, shaking my head and smiling as I took in the site of them fancy shitkickers, knowing that these were more for me than they were for Bella.

I left the clothes on the bed and headed for my walk-in closet to hurry into my favorite pair of jeans. I pulled on a long-sleeved white t-shirt under a gray v-neck sweater and found my trusty pair of boots that were scuffed just right and fit me like a glove. Bella wouldn't be the only one sporting her very own shitkickers.

"You look beautiful," I stopped mid-stride as I emerged from the closet, taking in the site of Bella with her hair loose, wearing a cream colored blouse, snug jeans and those fuck-hot boots. "Now that you have it on, I'm ready to take it off you," I stated, closing the distance between us to take hold of her hand, spinning her around slowly, admiring the beauty before me.

"Thank you, you look very handsome as well," she smiled, smoothing her blouse with her hands before she pulled at the hem to make it fall just right. "A girl can get use to this."

"Getting used to me complimenting you?" I shook my head. "I hope not."

"Oh, no," she said, biting her bottom lip; I was transfixed by how her plump lip glistened with venom when she released it to speak. "I meant the clothes… I hate shopping. If someone helped me with the dull task of choosing what's in style and looks good on me - like a personal stylist - I'd be in Heaven."

We both turned to the door when we heard a loud squeal and clapping come from downstairs. I laughed, while Bella looked at me for answers. She had no idea that she had just made Alice the happiest vampire in existence. "I'll let her tell you what has her so happy. Ready?"

"As I'll ever be," she smiled, though I could feel her apprehension.

I returned her smile before placing a chaste kiss on her soft lips, allowing her to feel my love one last time before we left the room that had become a sanctuary for us both. "Come on," I said, taking her hand to lead us out the door.

"Bella!" Alice cried, launching herself at Bella before we had descended the bottom step, catching her off-guard. She instinctively wrapped her arms around Alice's tiny frame, arching her back and planting her feet to keep from falling backwards from the impact of Alice's hug.

I stepped aside, amazed by the scene before me; Bella's eyes were wide and confused, but otherwise amused, surprising me again with her control as a newborn. It would have been perfectly natural for Bella to have the 'fight or flight' response to Alice's outburst, but instead she simply shook her head and continued to hold her until Alice was ready to let go.

"Wow, Jasper, you weren't kidding," Bella acknowledged, placing Alice back on her feet. "She really is overwhelming."

"I'm sorry," Alice apologized as Bella walked around her to stand at my side. "I've wanted to do that for a very long time."

Bella offered her a small smile and a nod as she took my hand. I felt her unease and took the opportunity to defuse the situation, "its okay Alice, just tone it down a bit. Where is everyone?"

"Well," she singsonged. "Edward and I arrived shortly after the two of you left to your room this morning and someone, and I won't say who, was projecting some lusty vibes, so we caught the tail end of Rose dragging Emmett out of the house towards the woods before he tore her clothes off and Esme had a sudden need to visit Carlisle at the hospital. Edward is in the shower, whistling… he'll thank you later," she said, winking at Bella.

"Oh no," Bella gasped, burying her face in my chest.

"Alice," I warned, soothing Bella by running my fingers through her hair.

"It's alright, Bella, we all appreciate the 'afternoon delight'. There's no need to be embarrassed, but I'd rather talk about how you're doing." She changed the subject and I sent her my appreciation. "You should have so many questions…," she smiled in my direction to let me know she felt it and then true to Alice form, unable to concentrate on anything for more than a few minutes, she changed the conversation again to address me. "Oh Jasper, I saw you telling Bella about the family," she squealed, launching herself into my arms for a hug; that's when Bella had the first expected reaction as a vampire, a mated vampire - she growled, causing Alice to step away from me.

"Oh my…," Bella covered her mouth with her hand, shocked by her reaction. "I'm so sorry, Alice. I don't understand what came over me." She was embarrassed and I wanted to say something to ease her mind, to tell her it was a normal reaction to having someone of the opposite sex touch our mates or even send her some calm, but I was unexpectedly aroused by her reaction. I just stood there like a lovesick pup, panting and running all the ways I wanted to have my dirty way with her through my head.

"No need to apologize, Bella," Edward clarified as he made his way down the stairs, placing a hand on her shoulder. His gesture immediately caused a growl to begin rumbling in my chest. "That is a perfectly natural response. Let me give you an example… It is a pleasure to meet you." He leaned down and placed a kiss on her cheek and the rumbling in my chest exploded into a roar that rattled the windows. "See what I mean?" He smiled smugly, releasing Bella's shoulder to walk over to Alice, placing a chaste kiss on her lips.

"Well-played, brother," I admitted before reaching out to pull Bella to my side. "A bit dramatic, but well-played nonetheless."

"You know me, I tend to lean towards the dramatic," he laughed, slapping me on the back. "But I did mean what I said, it is a pleasure to meet you, Bella and I hope my big brother is treating you well."

"He is, thank you," she replied, snuggling into my side. "And it's a pleasure to meet you, too…"

"I hope that goes for me, too," Emmett boomed, running into the room and grabbing Bella around the waist, lifting her and twirling her around. I concentrated on her emotions and all I could find was shock and amusement.

"Put her down, you big oaf," Rosalie laughed, smacking Emmett on the head.

"Ouch, baby!" Emmett released Bella to rub the back of his head. That hurt…"

"You don't just grab a newborn like that," Rosalie scolded. "She can kick your ass."

Bella retreated back to my side and whispered in my ear, "I can kick his ass?"

I wrapped my arm tightly around her waist. I was beginning to feel like I was in some sort of re-run from a 'Three Stooges' episode and Bella was going to run for the hills if the family continued to act like a bunch of school kids.

"Yes, sweetheart," I whispered back to her, kissing her forehead. "You have shown amazing control, but for the first year of this life you will be stronger than all of us while your human blood still lingers in your body."

"I'd love to see her try," Emmett countered, rubbing his hands together, enticing Bella by winking at her and cocking his head towards the back doors leading to the yard.

Bella stepped forward, standing straighter with a smirk on her face. "I wouldn't want to embarrass you in front of your wife and family," she taunted the biggest vampire in the house. There was just the slightest amount of nervousness under her façade, but otherwise it was all excitement and mischief. I kept my hand on her waist, simply because I was feeling possessive, but I was beginning to think that she may just fit perfectly in this family, and I didn't need to worry – she could hold her own.

"Bring it, little sister," Emmett raised his hand, curling his fingers to wave her forward, provoking her by flexing his muscles. He smiled brightly with the anticipation of getting a chance to wrestle with his new sister.

"Perhaps we can postpone the horse-play for another time," Carlisle interrupted the stare-down, coming in the door with Esme and stopping in front of Bella, smiling as he placed his hands on her shoulders. "I would like to welcome my new daughter to the family."

"Hello, Carlisle," Bella smiled with a sigh. Relief was evident on her face after Carlisle referred to her as his daughter. The tension she had been holding seemed to melt away as she visibly relaxed.

"Hello, Isabella. I hope everyone has been treating you well," Carlisle turned to look in my direction. "We have been waiting a long time for your arrival," he affirmed, dropping his hands from her shoulders to stretch out his arm as an invitation for Esme, who had been standing off to the side, to join him.

"Yes, everyone has been very welcoming," Bella turned to smile at me and pulled me towards her, where I gladly wrapped my arms around her waist. "Thank you for answering that call from Aro and saving me."

Carlisle shook his head. "It may have been me whom Aro spoke to, but it was Jasper in the room that guided the conversation and ultimately assured that you would be sent home."

Bella turned her head to nuzzle into my neck and I felt her appreciation. "I needed you here, darlin'," I whispered, squeezing her to me.

"Well, why don't we sit and get better acquainted," Esme suggested, turning to sit on the sofa as the rest of us moved to sit around the living room. I pulled Bella onto my lap as I sat in a chair opposite the sofa where Carlisle sat beside Esme at one end and Edward sat on the other end with Alice by his feet. Emmett sat on another chair with Rosalie in his lap. "Where are you from originally, Bella?" Esme asked with a smile as I watched the faces of the family, waiting for their reaction when she told them her story.

"Well… I, um… I'm from here actually," Bella squirmed on my lap, uncomfortable with everyone's stares, effectively rubbing my dick that immediately stood at attention. This is going to be embarrassing if she keeps wiggling like that, I thought to myself and heard Edward chuckle under an unnecessary cough.

"From here?" Rosalie inquired, bringing the focus back to Bella and away from Edward.

"Yes, I was born in Forks…"

Bella delved into telling a condensed version of her life story and I could not help but feel honored that she had opened herself entirely to me. To be honest, I too had shared details of my life with her that I had never told a living, or be it, a dead soul before her. As she skimmed through the details that changed the path that would have put Bella in Forks at the age of 17 and attending high school with us, I immediately felt everyone's shock, confusion, sorrow, frustration and sympathy. The question that must have been plaguing the members of our family was, 'could her dramatic change into this life have been avoided if we had found her?' That same question had taunted me as I heard her story the first time, but I was now convinced that this was how it was supposed to be. Alice had seen our future and even with all the different choices that had been made along the way our destiny never wavered; Bella came to us as a vampire.

Edward, you still can't hear her thoughts? I asked my brother silently, having pinpointed that the frustration was coming from him. He closed his eyes, shaking his head and I understood how he felt. Bella's shield had cut off my ability to feel her emotions for only a short time and I felt helpless and out of control until she was open to me again. I believe she'll always be silent to you, bro'. He nodded and I felt his resignation; he simply had to accept that his gift was mute when it came to her and I couldn't help but feel a bit smug that my mate was so powerful.

Bella was coming to the most difficult part of her story when Alice interrupted, sitting on her knees to get closer to Bella, "I saw your change. I am so sorry that I could not pinpoint where you were. I… no, we all wanted to find you, to go get you and be with you. Jasper paced the floor for days until I had another vision when Aro made the decision to call Carlisle."

"Its okay, Alice, everything happens for a reason," Bella asserted, turning to give me a knowing smile. I lifted her hand to my lips, kissing the palm of her hand, allowing her to feel my love.

Carlisle softly cleared his throat, gaining our attention. "Bella, I too am so very sorry for all that you have been through," he admitted, leaning forward in his seat. "I do not know if this will ease your mind, but I was with your father in his last moments. There was nothing that could have been done medically to save his life, but he was not alone… I held his hand until he made his way to the afterlife."

Bella gasped, covering her mouth with both hands, staring wide-eyed at Carlisle for only a moment before running to kneel in front of him. She threw her arms around his neck, hugging him and sobbing whispered words of gratitude as Carlisle soothed her and expressed how fortunate he was to have been able to do something for his daughter, even if he didn't know that it was for her at the time.

The room was silent other than Bella & Carlisle's low murmurs. Motionless vampires sat with venomous tears weld up in their eyes and I was feeling it all. If I hadn't been sitting, the heartache would have dropped me to my knees. I shook my head, closing my eyes, trying to concentrate on sending out calm to everyone and relieve myself of the grief before it tore me up inside, but I could not get it together.

"I hate to interrupt," Edward voiced with concern. "But, Jasper is not fairing well with the onslaught of emotions."

As if I had been suddenly left alone, I felt nothing and then, only love. I opened my eyes to find Bella now on her knees before me, holding my hands in hers as the air rippled around us and a familiar hum vibrated in my ears. Bella had encased us in her shield. "Hello, Jasper," she smiled up at me, radiating calm, happiness and so much love my chest felt as though it would burst. "Feel better?"

I nodded. "This is very cool, sweetheart." I lowered my face to hers, needing to taste her lips. "Do you know how you did it?"

She shook her head. "Nope," she replied, popping the 'p' against my lips. "And I have no idea how to turn off."


A/N: O boy, looks like those two are in a bind… not that I wouldn't mind being encased in a yummy little bubble of my very own with Jasper… j/s.

Thank you to all that have added me to your alerts and Jasper bites for all those sexy-hot readers that leave me love and review… I think I got back to all of you last time. I love talking with all of you!

NOW, for the good stuff, *mixes a special batch of Cullentinis with extra Cullen love inside, shaken not stirred, pours one to you all and raises her glass for a toast* Here's to the top and here's to the middle. Let's hope tonight we all get a little.…. CHEERS!

ps. I have a link to Bella's outfit & her shitkickers on my profile *winks*