CHAPTER 13
The next few days flew by in a blur. I was right about Jasper's friends when it came to training. They came at me from all sides, all at once. If I thought it was exhausting training with Rose and Jasper, I was terribly wrong. Although I was sore and extremely tired, I was getting better and better with every training session. While Jasper, Peter, Charlotte and Garrett had the same training technique's, I learnt something different from all of them. While Jasper was commanding, tough and precise, Charlotte was straight down the line. It didn't feel like training with her, it felt like learning a delicate, lethal dance routine. Peter was much like Emmett, making jokes at my expense and often tried to trip me up and make me loose my concentration. Garrett was quiet. He mainly observed. He was much like Jasper. He told me that in his human life, he was very good with a sword, and that when I mastered my fighting skills, he would teach me to use one. Of course Peter and Emmett found it hilarious, joking that I would some how cut my own head off. As much as their remarks about my learning to fight with a sharp object were totally inappropriate, they were totally hilarious! I loved their sense of humour. It drew attention away from the shear horror and bleakness of the situation.
I managed to slot in a few hours with Jake and Charlie for more shooting lessons in those few days. I, of course, didn't invite any of my extended vampire family with me, Jake did enough joking at my expense. I still wasn't great, but I was at least hitting the target... Sometimes. After one particular session, Jake and I decided to have some down time, and took a walk down the beach. We walked at a slow pace, enjoying the quiet peace and the sounds of the calm ocean. Jake looked like he was warring with himself; he wanted to say something. I gave him time, I stayed quiet. Whatever he had to say would have to come out when he was ready. Finally, after 15 minutes, he opened his mouth.
"Are you happy?" Was all that came out if his mouth.
"Yes." I said simply, smiling like an idiot.
"What happened? I mean, with Edward? After all the heart ache and fighting, I thought he was it for you?" He asked, looking at me with those old eyes, making him seem years older than he really was.
"I'll always have a special place in my heart for him, he was my first love. He brought me into this world. He brought me to my mate. My Jasper." I said dreamily. Jake snorted then made a gagging noise in the back of his throat.
"Don't do that again. Make goo goo eyes and get that dreamy expression on your face. I don't feel like vomiting today." Jake said with a disgusted look on his face. I slapped him on his arm.
"Shut up, Jacob!" I said, then started laughing at the mock hurt on his face.
"I must admit, I like him. He is better for you than Edward. He doesn't try to keep you locked away. That doesn't mean we are going to become best friends or anything. He is still my natural enemy." Jake said seriously.
"Thank you, Jake. Not just for accepting everything, but still being here." I said.
"Your my best friend, Bells. While I wish it was me, I know now this is your destined path. As long as your happy, I'm happy." He said smiling, bringing me into vice like hug.
For one brief moment, everything was perfect. Jake had accepted my choices, Charlie knew about Jasper and was happy for me, and for once, I didn't feel torn between everyone and everything. I felt whole. Life wasn't perfect, especially with the apocalypse of flesh eating zombies, but I've learnt to take what I can get. I accepted my life would always be filled with something or someone trying to end my life or happiness. But as long as I had my very large, extended family of super natural creatures of the night and Charlie close by, I could deal. Renee might be lost, but I can't have everything. I fully intend to avenge her and Phil. I was determined. With that, I pulled away from Jake, and started heading back. The sooner I got back to training, the quicker I could be of use instead of a weak human in need of protecting. That was quickly getting old. If I couldn't be a vampire yet, I was going to at least be of some help in my near useless state of mortality.
I started to occupy my thoughts with Jasper. I didn't want to think too much, I might get lost in the deepest recesses of my own mind and succumb to my grief. I still had too much to do and learn. Pushing everything to the back of my mind wasn't the smartest of things, but I had to remind myself that I was going to loose Renee regardless. I just didn't think it was going to be so soon, and I certainly didn't think I was going to loose her to a virus that left her as a reanimated corpse. It was so surreal. One stray tear escaped my eye, and I quickly wiped it away before Jake could see.
Jasper was waiting by the truck as we walled into the Black's driveway, deep in conversation with Charlie. Of course Charlie couldn't hear us yet, but Jasper had sensed us. He stiffened slightly and whipped his head around. He appeared before me in a flash. Checking me over for injuries, looking confused when he couldn't see anything.
"Could you reframe from doing that, Jasper. You're giving me head spins with how fast you move." Came Charlie's voice from beside Jasper's truck.
"What's wrong?" Jasper asked, concern clearly showing on his face.
"I was just thinking about Renee. I'm fine. I just forgot to get my emotions in check before I saw you." I said, putting my hand on his cheek.
"Don't hide your emotions from me, darlin'. I don't care what they are." Jasper said, pulling me into his arms.
"What's wrong, Bells?" Charlie asked. I pulled away from Jasper and smiled at Charlie.
"Nothing, dad. I'm ok." I said. He looked a bit skeptical but just as quickly shrugged his shoulders.
"I suppose you would tell me if you needed to." He concluded.
"I would if something was wrong. Don't worry about it. Jasper over reacted." I said, nudging Jasper in the ribs gently.
"Well, ok then. I'll let you go, Bells. I'll see you soon." Charlie said, kissing me on the forehead and retreating back inside. Jake had already ran into the tree line, I'm guessing Sam called for Jacob and my ears didn't hear it. I shrugged my shoulders and jumped into the truck with Jasper.
"Is there anything you want to talk about?" Jasper asked me as we pulled out of the driveway.
"No," I said, shaking my head. "I'm alright now. Are we going to do some more training when we get back?" I asked, changing the subject.
"I thought that since you have been working so hard, you deserve a break. Alice and Esme are quite excited. They set up the projector outside against the back of the house so we can all sit back and watch a few movies. The whether is nice for a change. Might as well take advantage of it." Jasper said with a grin on his face.
"Did Alice go all out and put up the fairy lights?" I asked, getting excited.
"You know Alice. She even laid out a tarp and cloth on the ground. She and Rose were arranging some huge pillows and bean bags out there just before I left. Emmett and Peter were even trying to work the microwave to make enough pop corn for 10 humans to eat." Jasper said, chuckling.
"It sounds great! When does this movie night start?" I asked, grinning like a fool.
"We have enough time to get you thoroughly showered before it gets dark enough to start." Jasper said, running a hand up my leg.
"I can handle that." I said, giggling. "Will Edward be joining us?" I asked when my giggles had stopped.
"Yes, he said he would. He has been hiding in his room a lot since he got back. Alice pretty much begged him to join us. And as we all do, he relented to Alice's puppy eyes and pouty lip. He's out hunting at the moment." Jasper said. I was glad. I hadn't seen much of him the past week. I know he was still coming to terms with me calling off the engagement, but it would be good for him to get out of his room. As much as I was head over heels in love with Jasper, I did miss Edward's presence. He was a huge part of my life and without him, none of this would have happened. Hopefully, with time, we could become friends. I was looking forward to spending time with all of them tonight. It feels like a long time since we all hung out. I was very excited and almost bouncing with anticipation. I loved my vampire family, and I couldn't wait for the day I would officially and eternally be apart of it.