Last chapter you guys! Unless I get some inspiration and add to it. Read on!

JPOV

I love walking through the woods. It's one of the few places I can find a little peace in this life. Far enough away from the temptations that humans pose, my head is finally clear. Or, it is until a dark blur drops from the trees in front of me. Oh no. Not again. She stands up, smirking that horrible smirk that makes me feel cold inside. No. She's speaking now, but the words are fuzzy and muffled as she walks closer. I'm trying to command my legs to work-to back up, to go home-but they're not obeying me. And now she's reaching forward, getting closer, and I can't move. This can't be happening! Move away! Do something! But my body isn't listening. Her hand is just about to close around my wrist when a loud snarl startles me. I look behind me and see that it was Carlisle. I momentarily forget my panic as he approaches, so grateful that he came to my rescue.

He walks up beside me, his hand settling gently on my shoulder. "It's over, son," he says. I look back to see that Maria has disappeared. I have the distinct feeling that she's gone for good.

"Jasper? Jasper. Jasper, wake up." I open my eyes to see Carlisle standing in front of me, the book I'd been reading in my lap, where it must have fallen when I fell asleep. "Jazz, are you alright? You looked like you might have been having a bad dream." I look up and see his concern.

"I was for a minute there. Thank you."

I hesitate for a moment before hugging him tightly. He smiles, hugging me back. "No problem. Are you sure you're alright?"

I nod. "Very sure. But…remember how you said I could talk to you whenever I wanted?" He nods. "How about now?"

"Sure, we can talk now. Would you like to come up to my office?" I nod, following him upstairs and taking a seat on the couch. Carlisle closes the door behind him and sits down next to me. "So," he says, "What's on your mind?"

I instinctively shift closer to him, thinking about how much has changed since my altercation with Maria. I've come to, as Carlisle puts it, take my rightful place in the family. I hadn't realized before how much they really cared for me until that day, nor did I understand how much they all meant to me. So I suppose that I really have found a place in the family, or maybe just recognized that I had it. My relationship with all of them has changed as a result, but none more than Carlisle and Esme. It did take a while for Esme and I to find our balance, with her being so affectionate and me so private. But as I opened up to her more, and she understood the reasons behind the way I am, we grew much closer. I can't say I've become completely comfortable with open affection, but I'm getting better. I've come to see that I don't have to shy away from her affections, and it's made the both of us very happy. As for Carlisle, it's hard to put into words how much of a difference has been made. After the incident in the woods, I learned that there was no need to fear him, as either my leader or my father. He's always exceptionally patient and kind with everyone, and I know he loves me. When he stood up for me against Maria, he showed me that he will always keep me safe. It's kind of nice to not have to worry about that anymore. I know he would never be the cruel kind of leader or father I'd been used to. It took me a long time to understand that, but now that I have, I couldn't be happier. Because the truth is, I always loved them too. I was just too afraid to admit it. And now that I have, I've found the place I can relax. Sitting next to my leader, my father, I can't help but smile. This is where I belong.

"Actually, it's good things. You were right before, I was having a nightmare at first. I was dreaming about Maria coming for me again. But then it changed."

He looks curious. "Oh? What changed?"

"You showed up," I admit.

"In your dream?"

I nod. "Yeah. You showed up, and she disappeared."

He nods thoughtfully. "Well that's interesting. Any idea why?"

I smile. "Carlisle, you really showed me that day that I didn't have to do everything myself; that I could trust you to keep me safe. I've never been able to do that."

He smiles, squeezing my hand gently. "Well I'm certainly glad you trust me. That means a lot to me. And you're right, I will always keep you safe. Thank you."

"I think I should be the one thanking you," I admit, "For showing me the truth. And I know it sounds weird, but I'm really glad she showed up that day."

"Glad? Why?"

"Because if she hadn't, things wouldn't be so good now. I wouldn't be able to sit here and talk openly with you, or feel like I could be a part of this family. And I certainly wouldn't be able to trust someone else to look out for me. I guess in a way, I owe her a little bit of gratitude for that."

He nods thoughtfully. "That makes sense. I'm very glad that things worked out as well as they have, and that I was with you when she did show up."

"I'm pretty glad of that too. I couldn't have done it without you."

This makes him smile. "So," he says, "Are you still worried about her coming back?"

I have to think about this for a moment. "I do think she'll show up again. But I'm not afraid of it like I used to be. I know that whenever she does show up, I'll have all of you behind me to help."

"You absolutely will. I'm really proud of you, Jazz. You've come a long way."

I nod. "I couldn't have done it without your patience and support. Thank you for everything."

"You're very welcome. Are you happier now?"

I chuckle. "I can't even tell you how much happier I am to finally belong somewhere. It took me decades to figure it out, but I finally did. And it feels great to be able to relax."

Carlisle nods, putting an arm around my shoulders. "I'm proud of you, son. You've done some amazing things, and I'm so happy to call you my son." He pulls me closer, hugging me gently. "I love you, Jasper."

I smile, hugging him back. "I love you too, dad."

You Guysssssssss! It's been so long that I've been working on this. Thank you for taking the journey with me. Who knows where I might go from here? As always, please leave me a little love note after you finish!

Hugs and butterfly kisses,

TheSongSmith