JPOV

After our morning classes today we were leaving for Forks. Forks, of all places. I knew we would have to journey back there eventually as it was the right thing to do for Bella, but I wasn't really looking forward to returning. We wouldn't be there long and we would be spending most of our time at the hotel near Port Angeles. I was really looking forward to that part because it would be a nice getaway for Bella and I, but something just wasn't sitting well with me and I couldn't put my finger on it.

I felt much better now that Bella knew the truth about Edward still loving her, and I was very pleased with her reaction to it. It was extremely difficult for me to tell her because I was terrified of losing her, but I knew that in the long run it was better that she heard it from me because if she knew I kept that from her any longer then necessary she might have never forgiven me. How could this fragile, little girl evoke such terror in me? I am a vampire for God sake I'm not suppose to be frightened of anything, but here I was afraid that she could disappear from my existence at any time. And, that is exactly why we were taking this trip. She needed to make peace with Charlie; bringing us one step closer to spending eternity together.

Maybe returning to the place where my life with Bella was set in motion wouldn't be such a bad thing for me either. Perhaps I could finally come to terms with trying to attack her and put that horrible truth behind me. I knew she had forgiven me for that, but it still haunted me; probably because that moment of weakness caused Edward to free her and leave the door open for me. Of course there was no way that I could have known that then, but now knowing what I do know, if I had to do it over again, I wouldn't have changed a single thing about the night of her eighteenth birthday. And I knew on some level how truly wrong that was.

"Jasper…" She came running down the stairs and jumped into my waiting arms. "How do you always catch me? Even when it looks like you are not even paying attention?"

"Vampire trick, I suppose." I kissed her. "You smell absolutely delicious today. The bubble bath I like?"

"Of course." She kissed me back. "My bag is packed so whenever you are ready to leave for school I'm good."

"We can go now. I've hunted, filled the tank with gas and packed some snacks for the human."

"You think of everything!"

"Did you speak to Charlie last night?" I picked the bags up from the foyer.

"Yes, he is expecting us, but he already had Thanksgiving plans with his friends at La Push he did offer to cancel them, I told him that wasn't necessary "

"Expecting us? Did you tell him about me?"

"Not exactly. I just told him I was coming home with a friend and I really wanted to see him."

"Bella?" Why didn't she just get it over with and tell him that we were together?

"Jasper, he was just so thrilled that I had a friend that we didn't get past much of anything else besides he will see for himself soon enough."

"Right, can't wait to see that reaction." I took her hand and led her out to the car. I knew Charlie hated Edward and I couldn't stop thinking of the term 'guilty by association.'

*********

The car ride to Washington was very uneventful, well except for when Bella made me stop at that fast food drive thru so that she could order some of that extremely repulsive food. The aroma was incredibly offensive to my heightened senses, but she seemed to be enjoying it, and whatever she wanted I would give her. She slept for a good portion of the evening and while I missed her conversation I was glad that I could pick up speed. She didn't like when I drove too fast, but the purpose of me driving was to get us to Forks in record time. We pulled up to the hotel as she began to stir.

"Sweetheart, we are here." I leaned toward her and gently kissed her lips.

She was groggy as she glanced at her watch. "Already? How did we get here so fast?"

"Please, Bella, I could have gotten us here much faster if I didn't have to wait for you to fall asleep to go past a hundred."

"Jasper, what if you would have gotten pulled over?"

"I would have dazzled the police officer into letting me go. I am very charismatic." I winked at her.

"Have you done that before? What have I told you about using your advantage over unsuspecting people?"

"Oh, you don't seem to mind when it gets you a table at a restaurant faster or when that waitress brings you your latte before we are barely through the door at the coffee shop."

"Please, she does that because of you. Don't think I don't notice the way she flirts with you."

"My jealous Bella, that emotion suits you." She stuck her tongue out at me. "Don't tempt me, at least not until we get to our room." I kissed her. "Let's go check in."

Our room was perfect and I could feel how pleased Bella was with everything. She ran right to the gas fireplace and turned it on. She jumped into the oversized plush bed and patted the pillow next to her. She handed me the remote. "Relinquishing the remote? Whatever did I do to deserve you?"

She cuddled into my chest "This place is fabulous. I'm going to love spending the next few days here with you although this bed is no where near as big as ours."

"However will we manage?" I rolled on top of her and began kissing her jaw line working my way down to her neck.

"I have a feeling you are going to show me." She twisted her fingers into my hair as she pulled me closer to her. We had a very eventful evening to say the least and then I helped her drift into a very secure slumber. I knew she was anxious about seeing Charlie and I wanted her to have a good night sleep.

I shook my head and smiled as I listened to her hem and haw in the bathroom. It never took her longer then fifteen minutes to get ready because she was a very low maintenance girl by nature, but on this particular morning she was taking her sweet time. I could feel her stress, uncertainty, and yes, even excitement over her impending visit with her father. Did she really think he wouldn't welcome her with open arms? True, he might not accept me in her life, but it wasn't about that. Bella needed to see Charlie to know that he had forgiven her for the way she shut down when Edward left, and Charlie needed to see that she was happy and in love, but most importantly he needed to see that I was not my brother. I could never hurt her and I just wasn't capable of leaving her. Right or wrong; I just didn't have it in me.

"Bella, sweetheart, Charlie is waiting for you." I knocked on the bathroom door. "Are you ready?"

"Jasper?" She was anxious as she walked out of the bathroom. She looked radiant; her hair was pulled back in a ponytail revealing every beautiful feature of her face. She was flawless.

"What is it, darlin'?"

"I need some of your calming vibes."

"Bella, it will be fine." I put my hands on either side of her face and looked into those amazing brown eyes.

She took a deep breath. "Thanks." She smiled and if my heart could beat it would have stopped at the very sight of her. "I'm ready now." She kissed me and then turned for the door.

I grabbed her ponytail and gently tugged her back to me. "Hey!" She yelled.

"I wasn't finished." I lifted her a few inches from the ground so that we were eye level and slowly kissed her lips. She tasted divine. "I love you." I whispered as I gently placed her back on her feet. I chuckled as I felt her passion building for me. "Come on naughty girl, we will play later." I took her hand and led her out the door and to the car.

BPOV

We pulled up in front of Charlie's house in no time at all. Jasper drove a little too fast for my liking; not just because it scared me when he did, but because I didn't need him to get me here that fast. As expected Charlie was standing on the front porch waiting for us.

"Bella, relax! I will control the emotional climate if it becomes necessary."

"Did I mention that I love you?"

"As much as I love you?" He stole my line.

"More." I wanted to kiss him, but I knew I couldn't with Charlie hovering. Jasper took my hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. As soon as we stepped out of the car I could see the confusion on my fathers face. Jasper put his hand on the small of back and led me up the steps. He was already controlling the climate. Bless him.

"Dad," I leaned in and gave him a quick hug. "How are you?"

"I'm great Bells." To my surprise he held me in the embrace a few seconds longer. He whispered, "Is that a Cullen?" Jasper grinned at the question and Charlie would have been mortified if he knew Jasper heard him.

I pulled out of the hug and Charlie starred at me for a few seconds. "You look nice, Bella. Much different then your last visit." I guess he was referring to the fact that I had looked like a zombie the last time he saw me.

"Yea, thanks and you are looking well, too."

Charlie switched his focus to Jasper who took a step forward. "Chief Swan, it is very nice to see you again. I don't know if you remember, but I'm Jasper."

He nodded in response. "One of Dr. Cullen's other sons?"

"Yes." Jasper smiled at him and I was glad that I couldn't feel the emotions that Jasper must have been getting from him.

True to Forks form it started to rain. "Why don't we go inside?" Charlie held the door open for us. I took in the room and noticed that everything was still the same. My father truly was a creature of habit. Jasper helped me out of my coat and hung both of ours on the hook by the door.

We went and sat on the sofa next to one another. Charlie took the loveseat. His starring was becoming awkward. "So, dad, how are things in Forks?"

"They are about the same as when you left. How are things in Alaska?" He arched an eyebrow. Never a good sign.

"Good, actually better then good. My classes aren't so bad this semester, but that's probably because Jasper is such a good tutor."

"You are a good student. You hardly even need my help." He smiled and then I was locked in his eyes.

Charlie broke our gaze. "How is it that the two of you connected all the way in Alaska?"

"I just sort of ran into Jasper one day in history class."

"It was a total coincidence." Jasper added.

"Hmm." Charlie was skeptical.

"Really dad, we were both shocked."

The casual conversation kept up at that pace for a few more minutes and then before I knew it Jasper had Charlie so at ease they were laughing and carrying on. Jasper really was shameless; he had Charlie dazzled in no time at all. He really was very charismatic when he needed to be. They were discussing the big Thanksgiving Day game and who they thought would win. They talked about everything from the Civil War right up to who was a better actor; DeNiro or Pacino? They were so busy that I found myself in the kitchen preparing lunch and tidying up the house. This was going much better then I had anticipated. Silly me why did I think this trip was going to be such a disaster?

When I came back out to the living room Jasper was standing telling Charlie that his team was going to get crushed. He smiled at me and said, "Bella, sweetheart, I have a few errands to run and then I will come back and get you in an hour or so. You visit with Charlie and I'll be back before you know it." So, it was Charlie now? What happened to Chief Swan? "Will you walk me to the door?"

"Sure." He took my hand.

"Goodbye Charlie. It was great talking with you."

"See you later, Jasper and remember be ready to pay up on that bet."

"You're going to lose that one." He laughed as we walked to the door.

"Bet?" I asked.

"Football." He rolled his eyes. "I think you and your dad should visit now. I'm going to hunt and then I'll come back for you. Remember, the nights are mine."

My heart rate accelerated and I blushed.

"Naughty girl. I'll see you soon." He gave me a quick kiss probably because he knew that was all I could handle. I walked back to the living room and found Charlie already eating the sandwich I had prepared him.

"Bells…"

I interrupted him, "Dad, before you say anything I just want you to know that Jasper has been really good to me. I know what you are thinking. He is a Cullen and how could I have gotten myself involved with him, but it just sort of happened and I can't apologize for that. He means so much to me and I hope you can understand."

"Bella, I was just going to say that I really like him and I think he is really good for you."

"You do?" I was shocked.

"Yes, I haven't seen you this happy in years. Hell, I don't know if I've ever seen you this happy. You are glowing."

I blushed. "Well, I'm glad you like him. He seems to be fond of you, too."

"Bella, I'm glad you came home. I really have missed you."

I knew it took a lot for him to say that. We were both far from the mushy type, but now it was my turn. "Dad, I'm sorry for all the pain I caused you over the past couple of years. My behavior was inexcusable and I can't really explain why I acted that way, but I can apologize for it."

"It's alright. I probably could have handled myself better, too. I'm just happy that you are better and have found someone who makes you smile. I love you, Bells."

"I know Dad, I love you, too." And I did. My heart seemed so full at that moment and I made Charlie's day. He deserved to see me happy and Jasper made that possible. But then again, Jasper knew that this was always the right thing to do. I'd have to properly thank him later.

When Jasper came back for me we said goodnight to Charlie and promised to visit him in the morning before he left for work. He was still going to La Push on Thursday although he offered to change his plans, but we told him we were spending a quiet day at the hotel before heading back on Friday and he seemed to appreciate that. At least I would get to see him again before we left.

***Okay, I know this was another filler chapter, but I felt it was necessary. The next one will bring us something juicy (lemon?) and the return of the Cullens.***