Today My Life Begins
Chapter 21
"What are you doing here?" Emmett snapped.
"I came to congratulate my brother in law on his big signing of course. Plus I got a job transfer." He smiled.
"Job transfer?" Rose smiled hugging her brother.
"Yeah. I doubled up on classes when I couldn't get custody of my daughter because I was a college student and had no means to support her, even though mom and dad were going to step in and help. Alice's parents used some crazy defense and the judge bought it. So I visit Lulu regularly and now that I'm here I'm going to try once again." He shrugged.
"So what job are you doing?" Emmett asked skeptically.
"Pharmacist." Jasper smiled. "I can do the job anywhere and the pay is excellent. I'm going to be the assistant pharmacist at Seattle General, they gave me a nice sign on bonus for moving here and helped me find a place to live." He smiled.
"Why didn't you tell me?" Rose smacked his head like she did Emmett's.
"Because I wanted to surprise you and mom and dad said you were giving Emmett a surprise party, I thought it was the perfect place to surprise you." Jasper smiled. "And you do look beautiful Bella. Paul must be proud." He looked around the room.
I bristled.
"Paul and I are no longer to together." I turned and walked away.
Walking into the backyard I sat on a bench in Rose's garden and took a deep breath, the last thing I needed was to bring everyone down thinking about Storm. I could give a fuck about Paul.
"Hey, you OK?" I look up and see Jasper.
"Yeah, just needed some air." I sighed.
"Sorry things didn't work out with you and Paul." He said sincerely.
"No you're not." I smiled.
"No. I'm not." He chuckled.
"I'm sorry about your son though. Rose told me. Please don't be mad." He touched my back.
"I'm not. It's been three years. It still hurts, but I'm no longer hurting. Does that make sense?" I asked.
"Yeah. Because I was pissed at Alice for years. Now, I'm not. She's crazy and always will be. How can I be mad at that? Granted she took all choices and decisions of my daughter away from me. From naming her to raising her. So she's named after her great-grandmother Lulu." He shakes his head. "Lulu." He says again.
"Does it fit her?" I ask. "Is she healthy? Happy?" I smile.
"It kind of does. And yes. She's healthy and pretty happy. She cried when I left last week though. I'd been there for almost a month. She wanted to come with me." He smiled sadly.
"Well, at least you know once you get settled you can apply for full custody of her." I squeezed his hand.
"True. So how is your business?" he changed the subject.
"Doing great. I'm opening a second location here for Rose to oversee." I smiled.
"Wow! That is great." He smiled.
"Yeah I wanted a third location, but I won't venture into Port Angeles just yet. I avoid it all costs." I shrugged.
"Why?" he asked puzzled.
"Paul." That's all I said.
"Oh sorry. Didn't mean to upset you." He rubbed my shoulders.
I scooted away. One because it'd been a long time since I'd felt his touch and I really missed it and two it'd been awhile since I'd had anyone's touch. He's Jasper after all, he's a smoother talker, I can't just fall for that again and have him break me again. Once is enough.
"I need to go back in. Rose is probably freaking out." I stood and took a deep breath.
"Bella, I'm not giving up. I want to have something with you. We should have been together." He sighed.
"That was your fault." I snapped.
"I know, I know." He held up his hands. "I'm sorry and I'll spend forever making it up." He swore.
"I can't." I shook my head and pushed his hand off me.
"Bella is everything OK?" One of Emmett's friends came outside.
"Yeah Ben. It's good, I'm just coming in to get the cakes ready." I smiled and patted his shoulder, he nodded. "Ang is in there with Cindy." He smiled and I nodded.
He blocked the door so Jasper couldn't follow.
"Where have you been?" Rose asked.
"I went to get some air and your brother followed me. He's trying to convince me to give him another chance." I sighed.
"I figured he would. The last time I talked to him all he did was ask questions about you. I didn't tell him anything except you were working your ass off. That's it. Not even that you and Paul split." She hugged me.
"Thanks. I still feel it, I just don't think I can let myself go with it though. He hurt me too bad. And then the hurt incurred by Paul, I think I'd rather just be alone." I sighed.
"Bella, you're young and beautiful. Maybe you've both grown up. He's sown his wild oats, Paul helped you be a more secure woman, right? Would you of traveled and lived in the middle of nowhere before?" Rose asked.
I shook my head.
"And you damn sure wouldn't have worn that dress." My brother walked in and made me jump. "As much as Jasper has been a pain in my ass, he just spent 10 minutes pleading to me why I shouldn't kill him for upsetting you. He truly does want to make this work. He cares for you a lot. Take it slow, and he's got my blessing." Emmett hugged me from behind.
"I don't know Em." I shook my head.
"Just listen to this." He placed his hand over my heart.
"This… Has gotten me into trouble too many times. Now, enough with the heavy on YOUR big day. Let's have some cake." I wiped my eyes and went to the fridge and got the cakes.
"Oh sis, that's why I love you." He kissed my head.
"I know." I smiled.
Everyone loved the cake and complimented me on it. Several women asked for the recipe, I handed them my business card and said I'd be happy to bake it for them, the recipe was a secret.
My dad pulled me to the dance floor for a slow dance.
"So I see Jasper is here. He's kept his distance from me, but Emmett said he approached him and plead his case. I guess he really cares for you." My dad smiled.
"Dad…" I groaned.
"I just want you happy baby. I need more grandkids to spoil." He smiled.
I pushed away, shaking my head, he knew that was my weak spot, I heard him sigh.
Running up to my room, I sank down the wall and cried.
Not sure how long I was there, the door clicked open and Jasper sat beside me.
"I just talked to your dad. Glad he didn't put a bullet in my ass." He chuckled.
"I don't want to talk about my dad." I spat.
"Bells, he loves you. He just wants to see you happy. That's what he was trying to get at. He knows how badly you want children. Let yourself be happy and have that." Jasper held my hand.
"Every time I try to be happy it gets ripped away." I looked him in the eyes.
"I was a stupid teenager. I'm trying to make up for it now. Please!" he looks at me pleadingly.
"It takes more than words Jasper! I can't live on words! Words aren't going to love me! Words aren't going to hold me and make love to me. Words aren't going to give me a house full of children! Words aren't going to comfort me when I'm down. I've always loved you Jasper, you don't seem to realize that. I never fucking stopped! But I couldn't be with someone who would just run off and fuck the first person who gave it to them! I won't be that person. I didn't realize I WAS that person and I left Paul when I found out what he was doing to me. He killed my child! KILLED HIM! Took my child from me!" I broke down and cried.
Jasper took me in his arms and held me.
"I'm so sorry. So, so sorry." He hugged me tight.
"I just can't do it Jasper." I cried.
"I won't hurt you again. I promise. I know you're who I want. I'll commit to you today if that's what you want. I want you in my life, only you." He leaned down and kissed me and I couldn't resist, I gave in.
After a long toe curling kiss we broke apart.
"We have to go slow. I can't rush into anything. I won't rush into anything." I shook my head.
"I won't push you." He whispered.
"Thank you." I smiled.
He kissed me softly again.
"Now, if you don't mind. I need a shower and bed. Please apologize to Rose for me." I sighed.
"I will. Sleep well. Will you have dinner with me tomorrow night?" he asked before he walked out.
"Yes." I smiled.
"Thank you." He kissed my cheek before he closed the door.
I locked it and went to shower, reflecting on what had just happened.
When I came out there was a rose and a note on my bed.
Dearest Bella,
Thank you for tonight.
I'm so glad we were able to reconcile and you're going to give me
A second chance.
I'm looking forward to tomorrow night.
Just know I'm going to keep my promise and I won't let you down.
Love, Jasper
P.S.~ You're still as beautiful as ever.
I smelled the rose and smiled folding the note I put it in my bag and placed the rose on my nightstand.
I took one of my sleeping pills, afraid I'd have nightmares after the stress filled evening.
Awaking to the smell of coffee and bacon, I slipped on my robe and walked downstairs.
"Morning sleepy head." Emmett smiled.
"Coffee." I mumbled.
"Sleep that good?" he laughed.
I gave him the evil eye.
"Sorry, the meds didn't help?" he asked.
"What meds?" Jasper walked in freshly showered and looking concerned.
"Nothing." I waved my hand, looking at Emmett.
"Bells…" he warned.
"They're to help me sleep. That's all." I shrugged.
"Maybe you need something different. Have you talked to your doctor?" he asked.
"No. I'm not too fond of going to the doctors." I sighed.
"Morning everyone." My dad walked in and kissed my head.
I didn't say anything.
"Bella." Jasper demanded.
"Don't, please." I looked at him.
"What am I missing?" My dad asked.
"Bella's sleeping pills aren't working." Emmett interceded.
"Emmett!" I scraped my chair back.
"No! You're NOT running away." Jasper stopped me.
"Don't do this Jasper." I threatened.
"He's right Bella." My dad spoke up.
I looked at all of them.
"Seriously?" I asked.
"Seriously. You've pretty much been in avoidance since Storm's passing. Paul was an asshole, he is an asshole. Get over it! Confront him if you need to. But get over it!" Emmett snapped.
"Emmett's right. Therapy was working, you did great. But you're coping. You need to live." My dad sighed.
"I am living! My business is successful, I'm living on my own. What more do you want?" I yelled.
"You to actually be fucking happy!" my dad yelled in my face.
I stopped and looked at him, my dad never yelled at me like that.
"Bells, I see you. I know you better than anyone. You're not happy, I heard you crying in your sleep last night. It can't go on." He stood up to hug me.
"I'm trying daddy, I am." I cried on his shoulder.
"Maybe Jasper is the key. Give him a try." He whispered. I nodded and he kissed my head.
"Jasper maybe we can talk later about my meds." I smiled.
"OK. But first, you need to eat." He smiled.
We finished breakfast and I went to shower and get ready for the day.
"What are your plans for the day?" Jasper asked.
"I've got to go look at some stuff for my new shop and loft and pick up my dog." I smiled.
"Dog? Mind if I tag along? We'll take my truck." He smiled.
"Sure." I smiled.
I might as well try to start this out the right way and slow starts as friends.
I can do friends with Jasper Whitlock, right?
Jasper smiles at me as he opens the door and I climb in.
Once he's in he leans over and kisses me nice and slow, friends, yes friends.
My brain short circuits as he plunges his tongue into my mouth and my hands find their way into his hair.
I think being friends is overrated.
AN:
Hope you enjoyed this chapter…
Whose happy Jasper is back?
Do you think he's sincere?
Leave me some love…
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