Chapter Twenty Five

Jasper

There was no way round Bella's questions and I have to admit I was nervous and relieved in equal measure. I could stop pretending, be more relaxed with her, but I wondered if finding out the truth about me, about us, might scare her away.

"So Alice already knew? When I told her the story about the bear?"

"Yes."

"Why didn't she say anything?"

"She was waiting for you to recognise me I think."

"She saw you find me and save me? was that why you were in the woods that day?"

"No, you drew me to your side and I saw the situation so I killed the bear. I didn't know that you'd seen me or why you called me an angel. How did you recognise me so suddenly? You can't have got a good look at me, I was moving too fast, deliberately".

"Did Alice tell you the story I told her? About the sparkling angel?"

"Yes she also told me her suggestion."

Bella laughed,

"Yes the sweaty hunter. I saw it again."

"What?"

"On the ferry, the sun caught the edge of your hand on the rail and it sparkled."

"Oh I see."

Had I deliberately been careless so she would see? I didn't know myself.

"So Alice sees the future and you are very fast, Emmett is strong and Rose inhumanly beautiful. What about Carlisle and Esme? Do they have special gifts too?"

"Carlisle is compassionate to humans and Esme has unlimited love to give."

"So what are you? Is this why the Quileutes dislike you so much? Because you're different?"

Bella

He was very serious as he looked into my face,

"I was hoping we might have got closer before this subject came up but I guess its better out in the open now before things become too complicated, What I'm about to tell you is a secret Bella and I need your word you won't tell anyone, not even Charlie. Its for your own safety as well as ours."

"OK. I promise."

He took my hand and looked down,

"I don't know if Jake told you about the Quileute legends, about the wolves and the Cold Ones."

"I heard something when I was a little girl but I didn't pay attention. I don't think I was old enough to understand really. Are you telling me they aren't just stories?"

"Yes. The wolves exist, they protect the tribe from my kind although not me or the other Cullens because we're no threat to them."

"So you're the... what did you call them? The Cold Ones?"

"Yes but you would know us better by the European name, Vampires."

"Vampires? Well you don't look like any vampire I ever heard about, no fangs, no swirling cloaks and you don't hide in a coffin during the day."

"No, the film industry has done a lot to make life easy for us. But we do exist and we do live on the blood of other creatures."

"Humans?"

"Some of us but not the Cullens, or me."

"What do you live on then?"

"Animal blood Bella but don't imagine for one minute that makes us any less dangerous to humans. Our kind is programmed to desire human blood and we struggle against our thirst all the time although it is easier when we have hunted."

I was trying to make sense of all he'd told me, the crazy thing was that it didn't seem to matter. I didn't suddenly feel afraid of him or unsafe.

Jasper

I could feel Bella's emotions and was relieved there was no fear just a struggle to believe what I was telling her,

"If you crave human blood why are you here with me? Isn't it painful?"

"Being away from you would be much more painful Bella."

"Why? I need you to explain things to me, I want to know."

"Vampires have a single partner, a mate and once they meet its an unbreakable bond."

"When you met me as a child?"

"Yes I recognised what you were and I knew we would meet again when you were old enough. Alice helped me until that time."

I felt a frisson of jealousy run through Bella and smiled inwardly.

"Alice has kept me sane for you Bella, you have no need to be jealous, there could never be anyone else in my heart or in my mind. I missed you all those years but I knew we'd meet again and I would feel whole once more. I need you Bella, I need to be near you. Does that scare you?"

She shook her head and looked at me from the corner of her eye but I could see a smile playing about her lips.

"If I told you that being with you made me feel as if I could sigh with relief would you understand?"

She felt the same way I did and that was more than I could ever have asked for.

Bella

Now I understood the feelings I'd had since I saw Jasper for the first time and I turned to look into his face again touching his cheek with my hand,

"Would you kiss me Jasper?"

His smile was blinding and he put a hand behind my head bringing our faces closer then I felt his cool lips on my warm ones and stopped breathing as a shock jolted through my body. My arms came up to wrap around his neck and pull him closer. Keeping our lips touching until my lungs screamed for fresh oxygen and he pulled reluctantly away. I knew my cheeks were flushed and my breath coming fast as my starved lungs dragged in air and my head spun with the desire the kiss had unleashed.

"Wow."

He laughed,

"Wow indeed. I never imagined that a kiss could be so intense. I hope that wasn't the only one we will share Bella because I really think I couldn't survive without more."

I grinned,

"Perhaps we should see if it feels the same the second time around."

We kissed again and the feelings were more not less intense leaving me not only breathless but weak legged too.

"Did you still want to take the coach trip to the gardens?"

I shrugged,

"As long as we are together I don't care where we go, but why not."

He took my hand and we walked to the coach stop but I didn't see whatever was around me I only had eyes for Jasper.

Jasper

We sat together on the bus which was only half full but if it had been crammed with others I wouldn't have noticed and neither I think would Bella. We walked around the gardens looking for the ancient trees on the living fossil walk then did a tour of the house but mainly we just enjoyed being together and close. We started off holding hands but then I put an arm around her shoulder and there it stayed until we got back on the bus into Victoria to find a restaurant for dinner.

"What about you though? And how did you manage at that bar? I saw you drink a beer, and at the cinema?"

"I admit the popcorn and coke stayed on the floor but I did drink the beer and it was quite a sacrifice but worth it. Now you must let me buy you dinner, I'll make it look like I'm eating too."

She tried to put me off but I knew she was hungry and I really didn't mind watching as she ate. We decided on the Aura waterfront restaurant where Bella chose the linguine while I settled on the oysters much to her amusement.

"Why does my choice amuse you so much?"

She blushed making her look even more beautiful in my eyes,

"Its just that oysters have a certain reputation".

I raised an eyebrow at this reference to sex and smiled,

"Oh I don't think I need any artificial stimulants Bella. Not while I'm in your company."

The blush spread down her neck and I grinned as she looked down at her plate.