Thank you ever so much for all the reviews. And I will do my best to fix some of my more annoying bad habits. Sorry for the wait… Hope you enjoy. And I still don't own the character's… I am just me, using them for my own purposes. Would love to know what you thought of this chapter, if you are so inclined, drop me a review!

I have tried to post this since around noon Sunday, but FF was not cooperating. Blame them for the lateness of this post. ;)I don't know what has been up with FF, but I tried every day for hours to get this up. Hope you guys aren't too mad at me.

Chapter Thirteen

"Too caught up in me to see, I'm holding a fortune that heaven has given to me. I'll try and show you each and every way I can, now and forever, I will be your man."

I was completely floored. Here I was, wondering how I could break one of the biggest secrets I had, and she so casually threw "that" out.

"Excuse me? What are…?"

"Don't play dumb on me now Jasper. I may be naïve, but I am not stupid. That first night I fell asleep on you, you didn't have a heart beat. I figured I was tired, probably a little out of my mind…But when I started reading Dracula. Don't you roll your eyes at me; I know it is just a book, at least, I think it is. Anyway, some things from that book started to make sense. You never eat or drink and sure, I haven't paid all that close attention, but I am not completely out of my head. I have never seen you sleep either…"

"Bella…"

"I'm right, aren't I?"

"Why are you not running for the hills? You are as naked as a jaybird, but here you sit, calmly discussing vampires! How long have you known?"

"I think I really figured it out the night we made love the first time, but I don't think I actually accepted it until after you left."

Every time she stopped talking, she popped another morsel in to her mouth, alternating between the kiwi slices and the strawberries. I had to wonder how Esme had found the strawberries, they were completely out of season and normally after the beginning of September, the stores never stocked them, it was a cost they didn't see a point in accruing, at least here in Forks.

"All of you are vampires, so were you or are you actually related or is the family thing just something that happened?"

"No, we aren't related, but I think Carlisle would prefer to tell you that tale. He seems to thrive in the telling…" I was trying to wrap my head around her nonchalance, but it was hard. "Are you not the least bit curious as to what our diet consists of?"

"Should I be curious?"

"Bella, we could be murdering the people in the surrounding towns, and you don't find that pertinent information?"

"Well, are you?"

"Are we what?"

"Bloody hell Jasper; don't play dumb, it is not becoming of you! Are you murderers, do you kill people?"

"No, Carlisle has never fed on a living person…that is to say, not unless he was doing so to save their lives. He turned Esme, Edward and Rosalie, Emmett and I were already vampires. Esme I believe has never killed anyone, Edward while a young vampire had a time of rebellion and took out those who he deemed evil. Emmett has slipped a few times, but that is his tale to tell, and Rosalie, I think it would be better left for you two to discuss her past. Alice and I were the last to join the family."

I had to arrange my thoughts before I could continue. I had to decide if I wanted to share the horrors of my past with her, and if I did, could I handle the possible look of disgust, resentment and horror that was surely going to mar her beautiful face.

"Alice saved my life, and at the time; she had thought that we were meant to be, that she loved me. It didn't really turn out that way, I was grateful for being saved, but I didn't love her like that. Besides, she couldn't quite get over my past."

"How could she think she loved you and not take you as you are the good and the bad...?"

"My past is not something so easily categorized. I was the epitome of a monster back then and I fear if I tell you everything that I did, you will walk away from me, stop loving me."

"Impossible! You know what I have done, at least mostly and you know what has been done to me and you never walked away from me, you loved me in spite of it all or maybe because of it. I don't care what you did in your past, obviously you killed humans, and I am smart enough to figure that out. But what do you eat…umm; rather drink, if you don't kill humans now?"

"Animals. That is why our eyes are golden and sometimes look ebony when we are very hungry. Bella, I think it is only right of me to tell you of my past, you should have the choice, you really don't know what kind of monster I was."

"Jasper, you can tell me if you like but I think you need to understand something, I don't care. You could have killed a billion people and I still wouldn't care. Perhaps that is the wrong reaction to have, but I love you, nothing you say can ever change that. You taught me how to love, without even knowing you were doing it. I love you; it's as simple as that."

How did I get so lucky to have her in my life, loving me, accepting me so completely?

I knew one day I would share those horror's with her, but I saw the logic behind what she said. Okay, so maybe it wasn't logic per se, but she honestly didn't care. We had all the time in the world to talk of our pasts, for now, I wanted to concentrate on our future."

"I love you too!"

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"Once I catch you and the kissing starts, a team of wild horses couldn't tear us apart."

I was stuffed, some how I had managed to eat five or six of the little sandwich thingies and almost all the fruit. The pitcher of iced tea was almost all gone as well.

Hearing him tell me he loved me, that awoke a new hunger, one I had been effectively ignoring while I ate, but now that I was full, I was more than ready to get on with the show.

I noticed he was staring at me, a very peaceful look resting upon his perfect face. While he was distracted with looking at me, I figured I would take my chances and pounced.

I must have put a little too much effort behind it, because I would have bounded right over the bed. His arms circled my waist as he set me in his lap.

"Something you need?"

"You!"

His laugh was booming and warmed my heart completely. "Me, huh? I think something can be arranged."

It was slow and sensuous. He laid me down like I was the most fragile glass, and entered me with a gentle thrust. It wasn't fraught with all the urgency of earlier, yet it wasn't like our time in the bath either. It was a happy medium.

The kiss alone was enough to curl my toes. If we hadn't been making love, I was almost positive the power and sensuality of the kiss could have made me come. Whether from the kiss or our delicious friction, I came on the spot, his name expelled from my lips in a purr.

While his heart didn't beat, I knew mine was making up for it. The poor thing was ready to beat out of my chest.

His steady rhythm was causing my breath to hitch and my insides to coil again. What couldn't this man do?

"Bella, I am so close, come with me, please!"

He didn't give me the chance to say anything; he slipped his hand between our bodies, resting on my bundle of nerves. The slow steady pressure and his talent pushed me over again, only this time he joined me.

I snuggled in to his embrace, our bodies still slightly joined. I could die now and be a happy woman. I tried to stifle a yawn but it slipped unladylike from my lips, causing my eyes to water slightly.

"Sleep now love, tomorrow is another day."

"Good night Jasper, I love you, always and forever!"

I heard his breathy whisper just before I gave in to the contented sleep that wished to claim me. "Good night my sweet Bella, I love you, always and forever!"

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"Don't freak out until you know the facts"

I waited till I knew she was asleep and then made my way in to the bathroom. I wanted to clean up our wet clothes and get dressed. I needed to hunt, well not really, but I figured it would be smart to do so.

As I walked by the mirror, I looked at myself. I was trying to figure out what she saw in me, but as I was searching my face, my eyes were pulled down towards my hip and then lower to my thigh and the definitive mark that marred the skin there.

As quietly as I could I called Carlisle's name. I contemplated for a brief moment of throwing some clothes on, instead I settled for my mostly dry boxer briefs that lay rumpled on the floor.

He knocked gently on the door and when he heard my soft call to come in, he quietly entered, coming directly to the bathroom.

He looked at me askance, but before I spoke a word, I closed the door, not wanting to risk waking Bella.

"What is it son?"

"Dad… Crap, how do you start a conversation like this?"

"Just spit it out, obviously it is important, otherwise I am sure you would have waited till morning."

"First off, Bella knows we are vampires. I didn't tell her, she figured it out on her own. And then there is the fact that she marked me. We were umm…Busy and she bit me."

I could see the skepticism in his eyes, so I lifted my leg and pulled the material out of the way. The skin hadn't healed like it should have, at least it wasn't healing with my normal speed and on top of that, it was slightly raised and looked rather raw and painful, which it wasn't, not really.

"Jasper is there anything else I should know?"

He sounded very worried.

"Well…Every time I am with Bella, my heart beats!"

"You mean whenever she is around you, you feel like your heart beats?"

Oh God, why did I have to have this conversation with my father?

"No, I mean, whenever we are intimate with one another, my heart literally beats. I can feel it thumping beneath my breast. It was beating when she bit me!"

"Honestly, I don't know what to tell you. But I am glad you brought this information to me. It is going to require a lot of researching… If you notice anything else, please tell me as soon as possible."

"Well actually, it isn't something I noticed, just something I wanted to talk to you about. She was umm….Oh God…pleasuring me and was disappointed when I wouldn't…God, why can't there be a hand book for vampires…come in her mouth, I wasn't sure if it could hurt her or change her, so I didn't take the chance. Can it? Considering, all this time, we haven't been using protection, should we be?"

"Honestly, I don't know. What is happening between the two of you is unprecedented, as far as I know. I don't think it would cause a problem, considering, if it was going to, it should have by now. I am sure a small amount is being absorbed, but not enough to do any harm. Use your own discretion, but perhaps being cautious is a wise idea. Don't fret about that err…problem too much."

"Thanks dad, really! I better go hunt and get back to bed. I think she sleeps better when I am near."

"The supply that was at the cottage is now in my office, in the safe, go grab a quick bite and get back to her. She has been through a lot. She doesn't need to wake up and discover you are not there."

"Thanks again. Have a good night. Hey, why hasn't anyone else gotten home yet?"

"They are taking a slightly extended vacation, as far as I know, they should be home tomorrow the next day at the latest. Good night."

I could see that I had stressed him out, his fingers continually rubbed the bridge of his nose, as if he had the start of a headache and was trying to stave it off before it could become a full blown one. Of course, as vampires we didn't actually get headaches. I often wondered if it was something he did as a human…

I quickly drank down a few packets of blood and then made my way back to bed. No sooner did I settle down than she pulled herself on top of me. Her body conforming to mine, a contented sigh pursed her lips and the she mumbled, "Mmm, Jasper, love you!"

"I love you too, sleep well and dream only sweet dreams."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"It's perfection and grace; it's the smile on my face."

I have no idea how he did it, but every time I awoke, I felt like I was the most beautiful woman on the planet.

His eyes always held that twinkle that was reserved just for me, at least that had been the only time I had seen it so far and honestly, I really did hope it was mine and mine alone. The look alone made my heart skip a beat. It was perfection, at least in my eyes.

"What has you so happy this morning my love?"

"Well, it could be the Adonis-like man I am curled around, or perhaps I had a very good dream last night."

"You were talking in your sleep some, but mostly, you slept."

"Oh man, what did I talk about this time?"

"You said you loved me and you told me or were talking to me…that should I ever feel the urge to leave you again, you would show me what you could do with my well desired penis. Of course, you used fewer words, but that's the gist."

"I did, did I? Sorry. I guess I still have some issues; nevertheless, I will work through them. I can't have even my dream self wishing your beautiful member any ill will!" I said with a laugh.

Wow, that made me feel like shit. I was going to have to talk to Carlisle, see if there was anything on the market that could banish my late night talks, I doubted it, but figured it was worth a shot.

"Bella, that social worker who has been taking care of your case, she is coming today. Esme got the call a little while ago. They waited as long as possible before telling the proper authorities that you had returned. It sounds better for your case, saying you came back on your own…"

"Wow, I have really messed everything up, haven't I?"

"No, we will do everything in our power to make sure she sees just how happy you are here. Should I give you one more reason to smile before we head down stairs?"

"As tempting as that is, I suppose I should get Carlisle to check my shoulder over, it feels really stiff this morning. Of course, if you wouldn't mind going to my room and finding me something to wear, or is everyone still gone?"

"Nope, as soon as Esme got the call from Mrs. Carter they rushed home, wanting to show you and her a united front. We love you and want to make sure you never leave again."

"How did I get so lucky?"

"Trust me Bella, we are the lucky ones!"

"Hey Mr. When did you put boxers on, I seem to recall you lying in bed with me naked, when I fell asleep."

"I had to take care of something, so I slipped them on, so as not to embarrass myself in front of my parents."

I couldn't help myself, I laughed. It was long and loud and felt beyond amazing. He quirked an eyebrow at me, wondering what was so funny.

"And what is so funny?"

"Just the idea of your vampire parents seeing your very exquisite package being proudly displayed…"

"You think that would be funny, I think not."

I could tell he was trying to keep a straight face, but he burst out laughing.

"So you think my "Manhood" is exquisite?"

"As if you didn't know that already!!!"

Our laughter died quickly as his lips crashed upon mine. The force of the kiss almost bruising my lips, but I wouldn't have changed a thing.

His hand had barely started to slip down beneath the covers when a knock sounded on the door. Talk about piss poor luck.

"Bella, Jasper, Mrs. Carter is going to be here soon."

"Thanks mom, we will be down soon…"

"No, you will get dressed and have Bella down stairs in five minutes or I am going to send Alice and Rosalie in to take her."

I heard Jasper's groan of resignation, but his eyes were sparkling with mischief.

"Yes Mom!"

"So, we have five minutes until we are shanghaied, what can I possibly do in that time…"

The next thing I knew, he slipped out of my embrace, pushing me back on to the bed and quickly descended down my body, disappearing beneath the blankets.

I don't know how he did it so fast, but a minute, two at most had passed and I was purring his name. It was an amazing feeling, his tongue was beyond talented and those long fingers were my undoing.

The pleasure rocketed from every toe to the top of my head, my inner muscles twitching with abundant satisfaction. I was worried for a moment that I wasn't going to be able to catch my breath or get my heart to slow down, but Jasper took that out of my hands. He sidled back up my body; a cat ate the canary grin plastered to his face.

I was about to ask if it was as good for him as it was for me, but his lips captured mine, his tongue gently requesting entrance as he played it over my bottom lip.

His arousal pushed intimately against my thigh, so obviously, he had enjoyed it too. At least to a certain extent.

The kiss was short and sweet, a perfect ending to such an amazing early morning orgasm for me at least. His lips no sooner pulled from mine than someone else was knocking at the door.

"I'm going to let the girls get you ready. Just remember, if they become too much, just shout and I will rescue my girl!"

'Thanks. Umm, are they mad at me, for everything I have done?"

I was watching his face, waiting for his answer, but the two I had just asked about, bounded in to the room, folding themselves on the bed at our feet.

"We aren't mad at you. Jasper time to get out, we've got this covered."

His lips pressed a quick, chaste kiss to my lips before he retreated to the bathroom, when he moved from the bed, he had walked slightly stooped over, and almost as if he was trying to hide is arousal. I figured he was going to shower and perhaps take care of his need. So finally, I turned my gaze back to my two sisters', I was disappointed that I wouldn't get a chance to watch him pleasure himself; it was something I would have to talk to him about, because it was damn sexy.

"So, ahh, umm, where do we begin?"

"Silly Bella, this isn't the Spanish inquisition! We are simply going to choose an outfit that flatters you and do your hair and makeup."

Alice's voice was high and full of excitement. Nevertheless it was Rosalie who set me at ease. I don't know for sure, but I think she saw how uncomfortable I was and wanted to put me at ease.

"Relax Bella; we just want to make sure Mrs. Carter doesn't see how much weight you have lost. We are just going to pick the clothes that show off your figure slightly, but keeps that emaciated look down to a minimum, although, your face is really skinny, we will have to work with what we have."

That common blush, that seemed a normal fixture when I was around my family, rose to my cheeks; I cursed it, but welcomed it as well. I wasn't exactly comfortable with them, but figured it wouldn't be too long, hopefully, before I was.

Rose made some comment and before I could blink she was gone and then suddenly back. Damn was she fast!

Lying on the bed to my left was a matching, almost completely sheer bra and panty set. The sapphire color was amazing, my favorite for sure.

"Guys, why do I need something like this; it isn't like Mrs. Carter is going to request for me to drop my clothes so she can inspect the merchandise… And besides the fact, I know for certain, I never owned something this beautiful and no doubt expensive before."

I fingered the satiny material, as I turned it over; I caught sight of the tag. "Victoria Secret's…Where the hell…No scratch that, when the hell did you have time to get this and why would you?"

"Just put it on Bella and if you are so worried about us seeing, do it under the blankets. We have at most thirty minutes before she shows up and I want to at least lessen the darkness beneath you eyes and get your hair shining like a light bulb has been inserted in to each strand. Besides, I love shopping, so I bought it while I was away."

"Alice…"

"Shut up Bella. You can bitch later, now we have to make you perfect."

I knew I was fighting a losing battle, so I shut up and shimmied in to the beautiful garments.

Twenty minutes later I was done. I had to admit, they were miracle workers, my hair really did look multifaceted, and it seemed to glow with an inner light. My face was no longer ghostly pale and the dark circles that had been a given all my life were barely noticeable. They had selected a comfortable pair of dark wash jeans, not to tight, but not to baggy either. They didn't want it to look obvious they were hiding something. My shirt was black with an empire waist. I looked not bad, even if I did say so myself.

They had used as little makeup as possible, they didn't want it looking like I was trying to hide, instead they said they were just enhancing what I had already been gifted with.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"The future is a mistress that is so hard to please, and the past is a pebble in my toe shoe."

It was the longest two hours of my life.

Bella sat beside me, her hand tracing little patterns on the palm of my hand. Mrs. Carter looked at our joined hands every once in awhile, but instead of being angry, she seemed genuinely happy.

Her questions were tireless but it truly did appear that she was on Bella's side. She proved that point when she was leaving. She stood awkwardly in front of Bella for a few moments, and it seemed with in that few moments, she made a decision. She grasped her firmly and pulled her in to a hug.

She whispered in her ear. I am sure it was meant to be just for her, but we all heard it, and couldn't help but smile.

"He's a keeper child. Happiness has found you, don't you forsake it for naught. Most women spend their whole lives looking for a man who would look at her; like that man there does you. I see the love you have for him, nurture it and him and you will never want for anything again. The clichés are right; love does make the world go round! And it warms my heart to see you smiling an honest to goodness smile. Be well my child and have a good life."

Bella's returning smile was even more beautiful, her eyes sparkling with thanks.

"Thank you Mrs. Carter, for everything you did for me. You never had to, but you tried to look out for me. Don't take it personally, but I hope I never have to see another member of the orphanage again. I am home, home has found me."

A single tear coursed down Bella's cheek, falling gracefully before disappearing in to the fabric of her shirt.

I kissed her cheek and wrapped my arms around her shoulder. I felt the need to say something…

"Mrs. Carter, she is home and everything that has transpired heretofore was just a very bad misunderstanding. But as you can plainly see, she is happy. I promise you, if it is in my power, she will never know another day of pain or sadness."

I don't know why more seasoned women feel the urge to pinch a younger man's cheek, considering, I wasn't really younger…but she pinched my cheek, a smile dancing within her eyes.

"You remember that promise from here on out and you will be a happy man."

With that, she said a quick "Good-bye" and left.

Bella twisted in my arms, wrapping hers around me, then shifted on to her tiptoes to place a quick kiss to my lips.

I wanted to lift her in to my arms and race back to my bedroom, but I caught Carlisle's look and settled for picking her up and placing us upon the couch next to Emmett and Rosalie.

Esme moved behind the couch, settling a hand on Bella's shoulder and placed a kiss to the crown of her head. Bella smiled, grateful for the comfort and support.

It was a rather easy "family" meeting. Not something we were usually used to. I think Carlisle was taking it easy, not wanting to scare her anymore than she had been.

"Bella, since you know our secret, I need to ask you a favor. No one can ever know this secret; it would be detrimental to all of us. However, should you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to come to me or anyone else if you have do. I want you to be as comfortable as possible here. You are a part of our family and we love you."

"I understand completely, I would never divulge your secret and I love you guys too. I may have questions at some point, but right now, I really don't. Maybe I should, but when you have seen the horrors I have seen, the fact of you guys being vampires, well let's just say it doesn't worry me or scare me."

She said it with such nonchalance, Carlisle couldn't help but laugh. He had almost got it under control and then Esme broke and just like that, everyone joined in, sharing in the moment.

When we had finally gotten ourselves under control, Carlisle reiterated.

"Bella your happiness is tantamount with this family, if you are hurt or sad, it hurts and saddens us. Please know our love is not conditional."

Carlisle also informed us, us being the "Young Ones" that as of tomorrow, which would be Tuesday, we would be going back to school. If Bella had any problems, she was asked to come to us. That as a family we would work it out. Which meant no more running away to which she agreed wholeheartedly; she was done running she was home and that was what mattered.

Bella's emotions were ranging from emotional to happy, slightly confused and a little guilty. I figured I would ask her about it when we were alone, but realized, it didn't really matter, what she was feeling, was hers, I didn't need to use my gift, even when I wasn't trying. If it was something important, she would come to me. Right now, the family wanted to spend time with her, so I had to share, I couldn't be greedy, well I could, but I was liable to have a house full of vampires ready to kick my ass.

I knew Carlisle was repeating himself, wanting not to annoy her, just to make her, and everyone understand how important she was to us.

With everything that needed to be said, said. Carlisle took his seat by Esme. Looking at us each in turn, perhaps leaving the floor open, should anyone else have anything else to say.

It was Emmett who was the one to suggest a family game night, err, day… So we all settled in front of the TV it was girls against the guys, that way Alice and Edward wouldn't feel left out on the couple's thing, besides, none of the guys liked playing with Alice, she always had an inside scoop.

We played the original Super Mario Brother's on the Wii, and then moved on to Tetris. We stuck to fairly simply games, considering, Bella had never played anything.

We laughed a lot that afternoon and evening. Esme flitted about, when she wasn't playing; she was busy fixing snacks for Bella.

Edward watched Bella every once in awhile, it disconcerted me, because I could feel certain waves coming off him. One in particular was desire; I tried to stifle my growl, but only managed to lower it. Another emotion was confusion and longing… If my brother was bothering to read my mind, he was getting a colorful list of expletives hurled at him. He had the audacity to turn and smile at me and drop a little wink.

Thank goodness he soon decided to retreat to his room; otherwise, I was sure I would have had to show him who was the big dog in this scenario…

When he reached the top of the stairs, he mock whispered, "What, not up for some friendly, brotherly competition?"

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"Hey you, don't tell me there's no hope at all, together we stand, divided we fall."

The next couple of months passed in a blur.

Jasper had transferred himself to all my classes. I was grateful, even an hour seemed impossible to get through when he wasn't around. Who knew, with him there beside me, I excelled in school, I tried harder, wanting to make myself a better person. He challenged me and loved me, making me feel like the most important person in his life.

My relationship with the others had started off tentatively but I enjoyed the diversities of each of them.

Alice's quirky, bubbly nature reminded me I was a young girl and while I would never find the joy she did in shopping, it didn't seem to matter, she took what I could offer. Every so often she would bombard me with a makeover session, but thankfully, she had kept them to a minimum, once or twice a month. Our relationship improved the most when more of her time was taken up with Felix.

It had been a shock to us all.

From Carlisle, I had heard all the stories about his past and the people and vampires he had met.

Felix had moved from Italy, Aro thinking that he needed to expand his knowledge and perhaps find a mate. Color him surprised when he discovered his best guard had fallen for his good friends "daughter" and had taken to drinking animal blood.

When I had first arrived, Alice had been smitten with some boy named Jacob, but that didn't last long… From what she would tell me, he had gone through a change…

Jasper explained that Werewolves were real as well and then explained that Jacob was a werewolf and the two species didn't mix, at all… So Alice was left heartbroken for all of three days.

She couldn't be down and depressed, I think it was a physical impossibility. Anyway, she met Felix during a hunt, learned about his past and everything he had done, and before you knew it, they were planning on being wed. Of course, they were going to wait for the school season to be done with, but one minute Alice was single and then next, her life revolved around Felix. It was love at first bite…

Edward had met a wonderful woman, human, but there was something different about her. None of us could put our fingers on what made her so special, but Edward was a different man when she was around. He was friendlier and even took joy in poking fun at himself.

Her name was Jaime, but as she bonded with the family, we ended up calling her Minxy. She was exotic and beautiful and her personality was calm and sensuous. Besides, after this first three months or so of their relationship, we could hear Edward calling her a minx while they were "Busy"... It just kind of stuck.

Minxy knew the "Secret" and had told Edward and the rest of the family that she wanted to be changed. She had never wanted kids, so it wasn't like she was going to be giving anything up.

Minxy and I had bonded rather quickly. She was almost as klutzy as me, so I found a kindred spirit in her. While all the "Vampires" were almost annoyingly graceful in every movement and action, we stumbled over thin air. And while our pasts had been completely different, she didn't look down on me, nor did she offer me pity or resentment.

It was a great friendship. And we often laughed over Edward's little games with Jasper. For some reason, Edward was drawn to me. Minxy didn't think badly of me or him for that matter. She understood that strange things happened and just because there was a draw to me, he would never act on it, even if he told Jasper differently…

It kind of became a running joke with everyone. If Jasper had to go hunt or do something that would take him away from me for a time being, everyone would tell him not to be gone too long, otherwise Edward might wear down my resistance!

I didn't have any draw to him, he simply was my brother. I don't know if that annoyed him or not, he never said one way or another.

Rosalie and I bonded the best, her story hurt my heart. Here I had been giving myself over to the darkness and she had wanted nothing more than to evade it. But the darkness had found her and extracted its pound of justice.

She was a stunning woman, who was always worried or fussing about her looks, but she was so much more than the shallow woman she portrayed. And before I knew it, she was my best friend, the girl I could confide anything and everything in.

Emmett was the big brother I never knew I wanted. If Jasper and I had a disagreement, he would challenge me to video games or go walking with me in the woods to take my mind off of it. It was a great relationship, one I hoped to nurture even more. He was just a big teddy bear, loving and kind on the inside, while crass and sarcastic on the outside.

And while he portrayed being stupid, he was anything but. When he actually wanted to contribute to a conversation, mostly only when it was important, he had a lot to say!

I had even found it comfortable to call Carlisle and Esme, mom and dad. It took awhile, but really, after Carlisle had spent so much time working with me to get my shoulder completely healed, and Esme constantly baking and cooking for me, it was bound to happen. It was a good feeling being loved by them, I never felt less important than all the other "Kids", we were equals.

And then there was Jasper and me… What can I tell you? He shared some stories of his past as I did the same. Banishing some of the darker memories that could come back and bite us in the ass, he was kind and understanding and never pushed, unless of course he knew I was just being me.

Since we had confessed our feelings to one another, it became increasingly harder to be apart from him.

Carlisle and Esme started making wagers with everyone, when we would be getting married.

Alice, Felix, Edward and Minxy, Carlisle and Esme, wagered that Jasper and I would be married before I turned nineteen.

Thanks to Edward confiding in Jasper that he was waiting until graduation night before asking Minxy to marry him. Carlisle, Esme, Alice, Felix, Jasper and I thought they were likely to be married early this summer.

As for Alice and Felix they were already engaged, we knew they were going to be waiting at most, a month after graduation and then tying the knot.

Jasper knew I was a little leery of getting married, but the longer we spent together, the more the idea began to grow on me. And the others wager no longer bothered me.

Alice all but squealed when I told her I thought that I was not against the idea any longer, in fact, was rather excited. It began to weigh heavily on my mind, wondering if and or when he was going to ask me. He never mentioned it, he tried to allow me to work through my own issues, so…

I thought I was going to go out of my mind with wondering, but it seemed Jasper was quite content with how things were right now. He said there was no reason to rock the boat and while I understood, it hurt a little.

It was Rosalie who saved my sanity. She explained that Jasper, pretty much right after meeting me, would have asked. He had not asked so far, because he was simply waiting for the perfect time. That eased my mind and allowed me to enjoy the last month or so of school.

The time I had missed had been easy to make up, especially with Jasper helping me. And since I was all for graduating with my siblings, I made sure to put all my effort behind assignments, even going so far as to ask for extra credit assignments.

Life was good, better than I could have ever imagined. Our family had filled out nicely and the new dynamics of the couples had created an even closer bond. But for some reason, they still saw in me, the glue that bonded us to begin with. I don't know if I believe it, but I was past arguing about it.

We had everything we could have ever wanted or needed and that was something to be eternally grateful for.

Of course, like I had learned, happiness is fleeting. Our good luck could only hold for so long and the day before graduation a letter showed up, addressed from Mrs. Carter to me, our world was blown to smithereens, my life in particular…

And here I had thought my past held no more secrets that could hurt me, that could damage the bonds I had created and leaving me wishing for that long ago oblivion.

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