Plan to have some cute Bella/Peter bonding time in this chapter.. lets hope it goes that way.
A few months later, (Now September) Cullen house, Bella POV
Laughter surrounds me, and warmth. A house full of ice cold vampires and I'm surrounded by warmth.. It would be that way. I can't help but think human life maybe doesn't sit quite right with me. I haven't discussed it with Jasper yet, but I want to be with him. Forever as one of his kind if he'll have me. Not yet of course, I have too many things left to do, but one day..
It's my birthday and Alice offered to throw me a party.. I drafted in Rosalie to keep an eye on things, and make sure it didn't get too extravagant. Per my request we're just spending the night together with tv, presents, and pizza for me. Peter and Charlotte are here too, and she's rather taken a shine to me, Jasper says. I'm happy to count her amongst my close friends. Peter is still icy, avoids being alone with me, doesn't really talk to me much...
A few weeks ago Charlotte snapped and explained the concept of a mate too me. To my eyes it seemed slightly redundant, and I suddenly felt as if she was trying to warn me that Jasper was going to run off with some other girl. Then she explained how Peter made her feel, and told me that if that was how I felt for Jasper, then he'd never leave my side. It's reassuring. A little shocking, but nice. Jasper is my mate. Apparently a human mate is unheard of, so it's flattering to say the least, and the thought of being with Jasper forever like I want to filled me with a warm fuzzy feeling.
Jasper places a small wrapped parcel in my hand, his arm looped around my waist in a style that's become comforting and familiar.
"It's not much" he sighs, pressing a cool kiss to my temple. I unwrap it slowly, grinning when it opens, but shooting him a confused look when all I feel is a smooth surface. He chuckles, and guides my hands to the front and pushes it open.
"a necklace" he explains as he places it around my neck. I can practically feel his nerves as I reach up a hand to find that there's a rectangle of metal a few inches below the column of my throat with a message embossed on in braile.
I love you
I suck in a breath, blink back tears, turn my head towards the door. He understands and we get up, walking outside into the air of the night. It's not exactly private with their super senses, but the illusion is good enough for me.
"You mean it?" I whisper, reaching up to twine my hands around his neck "Bella swan I'm offended that you would think otherwise" he states, and I can hear the lop-sided smirk in his voice
"I love you. Forever, if you'll allow me too" his request is whispered, and his voice cracks at the end as he draws his thumb across my cheek to rest it against my jaw.
"Oh.. I think I could make the time. I love you, Jasper Whitlock" it's a perfect moment wrapped up in silence and kissing. When we get back inside everyone acts like they weren't listening, me and Jasper share a laugh. I can't find it in me to care right now, and that's hardly surprising..
Peter pov, ten minutes later
Bella now possesses a teddy bear from Emmett 'to remind her of me' a clingy dark red flapper dress from a vintage store from Rosalie, a first edition braile Alice In Wonderland from Carlisle and Esme, some multi-coloured bracelets of various materials from Alice, a CD of specially written pieces of piano music from Edward, and several vouchers for clothes shops from me and Charlotte as well as the necklace from Jasper, and now she's sat outside on her own getting some fresh air whilst Esme cleans up pizza crumbs and Jasper flicks through the movie selection, his eyes flickering from me to the door. I get the message in the end and begrudgingly walk out onto the porch, to see Bella sat with her back against a tree on the edge of the forest, hugging her legs and wearing a thoughtful expression.
"Mind if I sit" I ask, dropping to the ground when she shrugs, gesturing to the space to her left
"You know.. I've known Jasper for a long time" I start, waiting until she turns to face me with one eyebrow raised to continue
"I was changed by Maria too, and when I found my mate in Charlotte the two of us succeeded in escaping her because Jasper saw our love, and didn't try to stop us. A few years later I went back for him.. I regret not doing it sooner... I could have prevented so much damage" I figure there's no reason to keep the truth from her, she's as good as vampire now.
"I eventually convinced him to come back with us.. He's the closest I have to a brother, he and Charlotte are the very core of my universe, Bella"
She sighs, nods in understanding then asks "Is that why you don't approve of me" I'm slightly taken back. True, I was a little cold towards her because I was uncertain of the strength of her relationship with Jasper, and I didn't want him to get hurt, humans are so fickle. I didn't know she felt that bad, though, and if Jasper really means it when he says he loves her, which of course he does...
"I approve completely of you, Bella. It's official now, you and Jasper are the real thing, and you're family. Forever" It's a promise, and I can't help but feel like it should have been a grander gesture. For her, it's enough.
There's a sparkle in her eyes, and a smile grows on her lips as she leans over and pulls me into a sudden hug, squeezing my shoulders and laughing. I can't help but wrap my arms around her, holding a breath in my throat just in case before letting go and pushing her back.
"Alright now candy cane, that's quite enough hugging, I'm sure Jasper would fail to see the funny side if I munched on his girl" she giggles, pushes herself up off the floor and motions for me to follow her inside
"Y'know Peter, I think you and I will be okay" she smiles, pressing a feather light, friendly kiss on my cheek before stepping through the door.
When I get inside there's some kind of vote going on and I catch up quick to the fact that Bella doesn't want to impose herself on the family if she isn't wanted. The result is unanimous and there are hugs all around, and now that I know it I can't believe I didn't see it earlier.. Bella and Jasper are everything to each other. He looks at her like she holds all the secrets of the world and all he feels he deserves to know is the weather, and he can't quite believe she's giving him the code to the universe. How that can be conveyed just by his eyes I can't understand, but I imagine I look at Charlotte the same way. Speaking of my lady, she rushes up to me with a smile on her face and a kiss for me, hugging me close
"She's family, for certain" she whispers knowingly, giving me a glare that says if I mess this up she'll rip my dick off. Not like it hasn't happened before.
Jasper pov
It's funny how a vampire mind is built to hold so many thoughts, but right now every one of mine seems to be focused on the girl I hold in my arms. Isabella Marie Swan. Right now, I really don't see how things could get any better..
Later that evening, swan house, bella pov
After being dropped off back home and kissed goodnight with promises to talk soon, it hits me how much this one evening has changed my life. I'm about to open the door when I hear heavy steps and turn around, clutching my keys in panic
"Calm down Bella, it's just Jacob" he laughs, and I release the breath I was holding in, giving him a smile
"Hey Jake, long time no see" sarcasm. I saw him this morning, and I worry over why he's stood at my doorstep this late.
"It's about Jasper" he starts, and my mind immediately jumps to the worst things, but of course it couldn't be..
"He's not what you think he is, Bella.. He's dangerous" of course. He thinks I took the legends to be just that..
"You mean a vampire, Jacob?" I can hear his sharp intake of breath, and he steps closer. I press myself against the door
"He's not dangerous, he loves me" I protest, cursing that he already left when Jacob places his hands either side of my shoulders, trapping me
"Jasper would never hurt me, he couldn't" I continue rambling, hoping to set him off whatever war path he's created
"Besides it's not like you can talk, if he's really a vampire then you're really a wolf, which is just as bad if not worse" the door is trembling and I know it's Jacob. I'm scared.
I make a conscious decision to tell Alice about this tomorrow, hoping its enough to save me. In the mean time I keep talking, clinging to the thought that Alice will see this and nothing bad will happen..
"I can't leave him, Jacob." I state, realizing I've been paying no attention to what he's said. I can't just wait for someone to save me, I have to deal with this..
"Do you love him" he whispers, leaning closer to me. I nod, and he punches the door before stepping back. An apology tries to claw its way out of my throat, but I swallow it. Apologising wont help, and I have nothing to be sorry for.
"You should go, Jacob.. We can talk another time" I interrupt, wanting to put off whatever speech he prepared.
"Why can't we just talk now!" he growls, grabbing my arm tightly. I wince, trying to pull away
"She said go, Jacob." Alice. He growls under his breath, momentarily tightens his grip on my arm before he leaves. I drag in a deep breath, being pulled into a comforting hug that smells of perfume and mint
"You're a genius" she compliments, ruffling my hair and laughing
"I'll keep this to myself, but you should tell Jasper" she sighs, pulling me into another hug before zooming off. I shake my head and turn around to finally open the door and walk inside, heading straight upstairs and collapsing onto my bed, too exhausted from the days events to want to do anything else.