I'd like to dedicate this chapter to jasper's dark angel,Jaspersbella, AriesfireQn, And Raven Jadewolfe for your amazing and constant reviews. If I forgotten anyone let me know.
Chapter 13: Meet the Whitlock's
"Jasper please try to relax." I said as I pulled into the driveway of Jasper's great how many times nephew. He was fidgeting and practically bouncing in his seat. He took a deep breath and at the moment I was wishing I had his power.
"Are you ready?" I asked after shutting off the rentals engine. He was in no position to drive.
"Will you come in with me?" He asked after a moment.
"Of course I will." I said taking his hand and entwining with mine. He smiled nervously.
"I don't know why I'm acting like this." He said a bit embarrassed.
"It's alright sweetie it's understandable. I'll be right beside you." I said kissing him quickly.
"Come on." I said opening the door and stepping out nearly tripping over a rock. I grumbled at the fact that my clumsiness was making a reappearance. I could hear the snickering from the other side of the car and shot him a look.
I fixed myself and we made our way to the porch of the classic southern home. It had a wide porch with two wooden rocking chairs. The house wasn't big it practically reminded me of Charlie's house. From the outside I figured it only had about two bedrooms a living room and kitchen. There was an American flag waving about on the porch.
Jasper took a deep breath once reaching the porch. I gave him a questioning look and he smiled ringing the bell. I could hear a baby crying from inside as whomever made their way to answer the door. I quickly made a silent prayer that everything would go fine.
"Hello" a petite woman answered. She had long black wavy hair. She was rather fair with faint freckles on her cheeks. I waited for a moment for Jasper to speak but he didn't. I gently squeezed his hand and smiled at the woman.
"Hi. My name is Bella and this is Jasper Wh–"
"Who is it Lauren?" a deep voice asked from within the house.
"I'm sorry what's your name again."
"I'm Bella Swan and this here is-"
"I'm Jasper Whitlock VI." Jasper spoke finally. Lauren's eyes widened as she took in Jasper. She backed up a step and looked inside. Then quickly calmed down I assumed Jasper manipulated her emotions.
"Why don't you two come inside?" She spoke stepping aside. I immediately felt Jasper relax beside me.
JPOV:
A vaguely familiar sent hit me once she opened the door. It immediately reminded me of my mother. I was so consumed in all my fuzzy memories of my childhood I didn't realize there was a conversation going on.
"I'm Jasper Whitlock VI." I spoke smiling briefly at the fragile woman. She so reminded me of Esme. She had that mother look about her. I watched as her eyes widen in shock. A mix of emotions consuming her all at once it was difficult to name each one. For a moment I thought it was coming from Bella.
The one emotion that seemed the strongest that I could actually name was panic. I quickly projected a wave of calmness and she quickly invited us in.
Once in a baby came crawling and stopped directly in front of me. His golden locks cascading his adorable rounded face. His smell ….Jasper remember who you are. This is your family. I was thankful for Bella kicking me out the room this morning to go hunt. Hopefully my eyes weren't dark. Lauren quickly picked him up and signaled us to follow her.
"Lauren…" A voice called as we followed her into the small living room. I felt as if I were finally home.
"Gavin this is Bella Swan and Jasper Whitlock." I had to do a double take. I heard Bella gasp in shock. There sitting in a corner in a wheel chair was a splitting image of me….well the old me with an amputated leg.
"Why don't you two have a seat?" He asked. We quickly sat down and Lauren playing the perfect hostess asked if we wanted anything, We quickly declined.
Get your story straight Jazz.
"Jasper Whitlock huh? " His eyes seemed distant as he thought about it.
"Are you familiar with the story of Jasper Sr." I asked as Bella stroked my hand soothingly. God I loved this woman dearly.
"Vaguely" He paused.
"My grandfather told me stories of him growing up. On Memorial Day we would visit his grave and leave a flag. It was said he died at battle. I sighed heavily. I thought by now I would be long forgotten. Apparently I would always be remembered. My heart trembled from the unreadable emotion that washed over me.
"I'm a descendant of Jasper Sr." I said softly. Gavin was silent for a moment. I felt no emotion project from him. Was he somehow blocking me? Could he have some kind of gift?
"But he died at war didn't he?" he asked in disbelief. I shook my head.
"No." I answered. I glanced at Bella and she smiled causing my dead heart to leap.
Oh darlin' if only my heart was still beating….
I quickly refocused and told the story Bella and I came up with last night.
"My father told me that he was evacuating a small town just outside of New Mexico when he ran into a woman by the name of Maria. They ran off together and well the rest is history." I looked up at him still waiting for some type of emotion to project but still there was nothing.
"Wow." He said rubbing his chin.
"He was the reason I joined the marines. I just got back from Iraq due to this." He said slapping his thigh and laughing. Part of me wanted to tell the truth but I knew that could never be possible. It was silent.
"So is this your lady?" He asked. I smiled brightly.
"Yes she sure is." Lauren Smiled at Bella who was watching the precious boy. I was amazed at how easy it was for me to ignore the calling of his blood. I had assumed that because I loved Bella, the smell of her blood never bothers me. But the baby's blood was just the same. Had Bella tamed the beast within me? Was I over my blood lust phase? I truly hope so.
Bella and Lauren began a conversation as Gavin and I fired more questions at one another.
I learned about the remaining Whitlock's as well as Gavin's tragic accident.
While doing his daily patrol near the local school just outside of Baghdad, a child ran in front a car that turned out to be a car bomb. He ran after the boy and managed to get him out the way. Unfortunately Gavin wasn't so lucky. He suffered from second degree burns along both legs and with his right being so damaged, the best bet was to amputate.
A sense of guilt washed over me. I was the reason Gavin joined the army to begin with- I was beginning to sound like Edward. Bella quickly looked at me and whispered. It's not your fault. She knew me better than I knew myself.
"How did you find us?" Gavin asked Bella and Lauren's conversation ceased and looked at me. Even the baby who had to be at least eight months old was silent and watching with an adorable smile.
"You could thank Bella actually. I always wanted to find my remaining relatives but it was Bella who actually pushed me. We went to the townhouse and found your name and address." I said smiling still watching the child.
"He really seems to like you." Lauren said with a warm smile. "Would you like to hold him?' She asked leaning towards me. I grimaced at the thought and shook my head. Bella giggled.
"Can I?" Bella asked. She looked at me and mumbled under her breath.
"It's good practice." I fought back the laughter as Bella took the baby who seemed to only look at me. Like his father I felt nothing from him.
"What's his name?" I asked.
"Aiden, Aiden Dylan Whitlock." Lauren beamed proudly. "He's quite the entertainer and bright for his age." He leaned towards me from Bella's lap and held his hand up reaching for me.
"Jazz he wants you." Bella spoke softly. I noticed from the time the baby was in her arms this motherly instinct took over her.
"Dada dada." He called still smiling at me. His big light brown eyes sparkled brightly. I couldn't help but smile as I reached for him and he nearly leaped into my arms.
"Hello there Aiden." I spoke while sitting him in my lap.
"Dada dada." He said touching my cheek. I felt a sense of joy overcome me.
Gavin looked at Lauren and whispered he had to go. My heart went out to him. Lauren stood up and quickly excused them as she wheeled him out the room.
"I think he has a gift." I whispered to Bella.
"He's an empathy isn't he?" She asked taking in the scene of the two of us. He was standing in my lap as I raised him up and down. The room was filled with his laughter.
"Yes but I can't feel his or Gavin's emotions."
"Interesting." She replied smiling. "He really seems to like you Jazz." She said laying her head on my shoulder as she ran her finger through Aiden's hair.
"He looks just like you to. Did you have brown eyes when you were human?" She whispered.
"I really don't remember darlin'" I said wishing I could. Just looking at Aiden made me feel anxious for Bella and I to have our own. I kissed his cheek earning a bright smile from him. He already had eight baby teeth.
"He's so warm. I'm shocked he's not shying away from my cold hands."
"It doesn't bother him." She said sighing. I felt her joy, love and a sense contentment project from her. This little boy was beginning to not only grow on me but on her too.
I could hear the wheelchair squeaking back towards the living room. It was then I sense another presence nearby. Although it was faint and still quite far I knew exactly who it was.
"I'm sorry but we should go." I said standing up and handing Aiden to Lauren. He immediately began to cry reaching for me. It pained me to walk away but it had to be done.
"So soon?" Gavin asked trying to mask his disappointment.
"Yea we promised a friend that we would come and visit." Bella said standing up. Did she sense him as well?
"Well how long are you in town for?" Lauren asked her face sadden as she comforted the crying Aiden. I sent him an exhausted wave and immediately his eyes drooped and were fast asleep.
"Maybe one or two more days. But I promise we'll stop and say goodbye before leaving." I said reassuring them.
"Well then it was a pleasure meeting you Jasper." I took the hand that was holding Bella's and shook his. I hugged Lauren and kissed Aiden and said goodbye. We walked out and Bella handed me the keys.
"Jasper who is it?" She asked once we were pulling out.
"Edward." I knew I didn't have to say anymore for her to understand what it meant.
EPOV:
What had I done? I continually asked myself as her words echoed in my head.
"I can't do this anymore."
"I tried my best to love you but it was never good enough. Anytime things got tuff you left."
My Bella was gone. There was no one to blame but myself. I so wanted that happily ever after with her that I ended up rushing her into something she clearly didn't want to do. I should have been more patient and waited for her.
But how could Jasper do this to me. Bella was mine. How could he just swoop in and rip us apart. He betrayed me in the worst way. I was angry at him but I was angrier with myself for letting Bella and I get to the point where she feared me for the monster I was.
I was utterly disgusted with the fact that I even entertained the thought of taking Bella's innocence not only to get her back but because I wanted to hurt Jasper as well. It was evident now who truly was better for Bella, although I would always love her. But Bella deserved better … maybe Jasper was best for her.
Can we talk? Alice asked once in range for me to hear her thoughts. I had been here in this same spot since they left. I laid back watching the stars as the memory of the beginning of our relationship happened in this very spot.
Edward I am very disappointed in you. I cannot believe you would stoop to such a level and even entertained the thought of raping Bella.
When she thought of it that way it made it sound ten times worse.
"I truly am a monster." I said ready to break down. I was overwhelmed with guilt. Disgusted with my own actions as well as anger to both myself and Jasper. I sat up clenching my fists.
"Edward I'm just so torn, I can see it from both prospective. I know your hurt with the fact that Bella no longer wants you but you have to accept it. You can't stop fate. Did you truly expect for her to sit by her window and wait for you to come back?" I sighed.
"Bella has grown immensely over the past few weeks. She's no longer sweet shy low self esteem Bella. She's more confident and she says what's on her mind with no regard.
She wasn't meant for you. She thought. I took a fistful of grass and pulled it from the ground. I could hear her sweet voice so filled with pain.
"Edward ever since Italy you've changed…I've changed." Alice was right.
"What am I suppose to do now Alice." I felt a lump in my throat as I tried to swallow it to no avail.
"Bella is my life. I can't see myself with anyone else."
"I know it may seem that way now but one day you'll find love again." I quickly scanned her mind for proof but found nothing.
"This isn't Alice the fortune teller speaking Edward. It's Alice your sister who loves you dearly speaking." She said softly.
Everyone deserves love …even you. Just make sure next time you won't push her away.
"I don't think I can make the same mistakes twice." Alice smiled and shoved me playfully. I truly loved my sister.
We ended up hunting catching a heard of elks at a nearby creek. I had wondered off giving Alice some time to clean herself up. I heard a squeal. Before I could react the images of her newest vision filled my head.
Bella stood yelling franticly as she watched in horror Jasper running into a burning house. While a pale tiny hands grabbed her from behind and ran away.
"Bella!" I yelled sprinting to the house not thinking about anything else but her. She needed me. Although she was no longer mine I still loved her and nothing else mattered at the moment except for her safety.
I'll save you my love…
________________
So I thought it would be wise for Edward to tell us what he was feeling. It was until after posting the last chapter I noticed what I should have done.
Update: EPOV is a flashback to the night before B/J meet the Whitlock's.
Thanks to all the amazing reviews I reviewed. I'm sorry I couldn't respond to all but I assure you I read each one and those who made suggestions a listened. I hope you enjoyed this one. I want to give a special thank you to my beta who plays a major part it making this story what it is.
I am happy to announce that since my other story Forgotten love is almost over I'll have more time to write more chapters as well as start another J/B stories. Although I have several ideas and a few I've already started I'd love to hear your suggestions.