Disclaimer: I do not own any rights to Twilight.

Sorry this chapter took so long to get out, enjoy. xx

Chapter 25

As much as I wanted to I couldn't ignore James's request.

The next day I waited until Jasper came home before calling James's mum, Carol.

He just sat on the sofa playing with Ellie, and keeping her out of the way whilst I paced.

"Hello?"

"Hey Carol, it's Alice." I said coming to a halt, I really should have planned what I was going to say.

"Alice?" she sounded confused.

I winced "Yeah you know, Mary." I hated that she only knew me by that.

"Oh, hello honey, how are you?" she asked, her voice taking on a friendlier tone.

"I'm fine thanks. Erm, James called me a few days ago, and said you wanted to see Ellie." I wasn't sure what else to say so I stuck to the facts.

"Oh right, I wasn't sure if he'd actually contact you or not." she said softly seeming a little nervous "So" she pressed.

I took a deep breath looking over at Jasper, he gave me an encouraging smile.

"So I just wondered when the best day would be for you."

There was a pause on the other end "Well, I'm free most days actually." she answered slowly.

Another deep breath "Okay, well I'm off work tomorrow." I checked Jasper's face, he was currently pulling faces at Ellie, making it hard to see what he was thinking "If that's okay."

"Of course, that's fine honey." she said eagerly.

"Right, I'll probably be round about eleven."

We finalised the details before I hung up and collapsed next to Jasper who had just put Ellie in her playpen.

"Am I doing the right thing?" I asked as he extended an arm around my shoulder.

I felt his lips press to my hair "Yeah baby, you're doing the right thing." he assured.

"And you're okay with this?" I asked looking up at him.

He sighed heavily his arm tightening slightly around me "Truthfully, I wish it wasn't happening and that bastard would just fall into a volcano or something. But, I know that's not going to happen and this isn't even about him. I trust you Alice, and you're doing the right thing letting her see her granddaughter, despite the fact she hasn't made much of an effort for the past few months." he added

I sighed "I know. Just more questions I need answers to. But I don't want to be spiteful, I mean maybe James told her not to contact me or something." I chewed on my thumb thinking about it.

I had been close to Carol, and in the beginning she had doted on her granddaughter, and I wanted to know what had gone wrong. I rolled my eyes, I knew what had gone wrong, James had left me.

Jasper kissed my cheek "Come on baby, we're going out." he stood up decisively trying to pull me to my feet, but I remained on the sofa making him frown.

"Where?" I asked with a smile.

He shrugged "I want to go out for dinner, so get up and go get yourself, and Ellie ready."

I remained seated and Jasper lost patience he bent down and lifted me over his shoulder. I couldn't hold in a giggle.

"Come on." he said lightly smacking my ass "You need a distraction, so we are going out, now get yourself ready."

I giggled again as he set me on my feet and wrapped my arms around his neck "I can think of distractions that can take place right here." I grinned.

Jasper smirked "Well if you still need distracting later, I'll use every power at my disposal." he teased.

I turned to head to the bedroom, jumping a little as he smacked me again.

I loved this man, he really did help take my mind off things, one way and another.

I would never have gotten much sleep that night, but at least, thanks to Jasper, I wasn't just lying there worrying about everything.

Although it wasn't just about me, Jasper needed the distraction as well. As much as he said he was okay with this I knew he was still worried and a little insecure, the love bites he left on my breasts and shoulders a good indicator of that.

I got a taxi to Carol's the next day, trying not to yawn too much. Me and Jasper had gotten less than an hours sleep last night, god knows how he was going to cope at work. Still, it had been worth it.

My stomach was doing somersaults as I travelled the familiar streets that led to James's old house. I hadn't realised how hard this was actually going to be.

By the time we arrived I was taking deep even breaths, trying to stay calm. I stumbled out of the taxi, weighed down with Ellie and both our supplies for the day. I just stood staring up at the house that held so many memories.

Being the only child of a single parent we'd always had more privacy at his house, so this is where I'd spent most of my free time during high school. This is where I'd lost my virginity.

I fought back the tsunami of memories preparing to crush me and slowly headed up the path to the door.

Carol had the door open before I even made it to the porch.

She did look ill, she had lost a lot of weight and her skin had an unhealthy greyish tinge.

"Hi Mary." she smiled warmly and I couldn't help return it.

I had been close to Carol, especially during my rebellious teenage years when me and my mum had pretty much spent three years screaming at each other.

"Sorry, Alice, I always forget you prefer that, it's just James always called you…" she trailed off as my smile fell.

I shrugged "It's okay, my mum still call's me Mary."

Her eyes went to Ellie "She got really big."

"Well, she is one, she's a big girl now." I said as we headed inside. This was a lot more awkward than I'd expected.

Ellie wiggled closer to me, uneasy in our strange surroundings. I sat down on one of the sofa's trying not to think of all the times me and James had gotten to second base here.

Carol sat down on the sofa opposite me placing a tray of coffee and cookies on the coffee table between us.

She sighed heavily as silence descended between us "I think I owe you an apology." she said quietly.

I sat still, well as still as possible with Ellie wriggling on lap, maybe I was about to get some of those answers I'd been hoping for.

Before she could say anymore however she was interrupted as the front door opened.

"Hey mum, it's just me."

I sucked in a sharp breath at the sound of his voice, although, thankfully, all I felt was anger.

"I just popped in to…"

I didn't look up as he came into the lounge, I kept my eyes on Ellie who looked close to crying with all the new people and places I was forcing on her today.

"I didn't think you were coming today." I heard Carol say, I could tell by the tone of her voice she was upset at how things were going, so at least she didn't plan this.

"I wasn't going to, but I was just passing so thought I'd see if you needed anything." I could tell he was looking at me but I refused to look up "Hey Mar."

"James." I managed to say, rather formally.

"Yes James, that would be your daughter." Carol said in an annoyed sort of voice.

I looked up to see Carol scowling at her son as his eyes wandered around the room, deliberately not looking at me or Ellie.

"Anyway Alice." she looked back at me "As I was saying, I owe you an apology." she sighed "After I found out what had happened, what my son had done." her voice became angry as she threw James another glare making me fight a smile "I didn't know what to do, it didn't feel right, trying to see Ellie. I just didn't think you'd want to see me. But, I should have made an effort to make sure you were okay."

I smiled at her, at least she'd apologised, that's more than I'd got off James. It made sense I suppose, I wasn't really sure how I'd have felt if Carol had tried to call me, the truth was I had been in such a bad place, I had been so confused over James maybe being cut off from him completely had been a good thing for me "That's okay. I'm not sure how I'd have reacted if you'd called." I admitted.

"Well I'm sorry anyway, and I'm sorry about him. I thought I'd raised him better than that." she glared up at him again and I had to bite my lip hard to stop giggling as he squirmed in discomfort.

Seeing Jasper beat the shit out of James would have been fun, but seeing Carol rip him a knew one was even better.

"Carol, I forgive you. It wasn't an ideal situation and I can understand why you stayed away." taking a deep breath I looked up to meet James's eyes "But I can't forgive him." I said my eyes dropping quickly.

It wasn't even just about him leaving anymore, but the way he'd acted when we'd met up again. Instead of trying to make up for his mistakes he'd just made it worse and there was no way I could forgive him for that.

"That's more than I deserve." she told me with a smile, shifting forward so she was sat on the edge of the sofa "I can't believe she's already one."

"I know." I said watching Ellie as she eyed Carol cautiously "My dad actually cried on her birthday." I joked "He can't believe how fast it went."

"Can I?" she asked, holding her arms out hopefully, James was still hovering by the door and I knew Ellie wouldn't like being far away from me so I moved to sit next to Carol, keeping Ellie in my arms.

"She's okay with people after a while." I assured as Ellie turned to bury her face in my chest "It took her a while to be really comfortable around Jasper, but she adores him now."

"Who's Jasper?" I started a little at the harsh tone in James's voice, before turning to look up at him.

"My boyfriend." I said, staring him down, just daring him to say anything.

I heard Carol sigh softly "It's your own fault James, you were an idiot to let her go, you can't blame her for moving on." she told him sternly.

James moved to sit on the sofa I'd vacated his eyes still burning into mine, I refused to be the first to look away.

"I know I was an idiot." he said calmly "But I am trying to rectify that mistake."

I scoffed, yeah he was doing a bang up job there!

"I'm going to make some more coffee." Carol said shaking her head.

I felt a tremor of fear at being alone with James, then realised it was stupid, Carol was only down the hall, and I was a big girl, I could handle myself.

He shifted forward slightly "She looks just like you." he said.

"Yeah I know." I muttered looking down at Ellie who was still hiding.

"I mean it Mar, I know I was an idiot." he said softly.

I took a deep breath and looked back at him "This is all about eight months too late James, or are you referring to your behaviour in the park?"

He looked down, almost looking remorseful.

"You moved on, so did I. let's just leave the past in the past." I said.

He smiled, his eyes crinkled at the edges showing me the man I had loved "You haven't changed." he chuckled.

Carol reappeared before I could respond to that. Although to be honest, I'm not sure what I would have said.

We chatted for a bit, I filled her in on my life, how I was moving forward, in turn I had to listen awkwardly as she told me about her treatment and her decision to stop and just enjoy the time she had left.

"They said if I continue the chemo I may get a few more months, but in truth I'd rather spend my last few months relatively happy than spending half my time sick from the treatment."

Thankfully we quickly moved on from that topic, it wasn't that I wasn't upset, I just wasn't sure what to say and was terrified I'd say the wrong thing.

After a few hours Ellie decided that Carol wasn't so bad after all, and allowed her to join in her games on the floor.

James never stopped looking at me as I kept my eyes on Carol and Ellie playing on the floor. I wished he'd leave but didn't quite have the courage to just ask him to fuck off in his mum's house.

I didn't realise how long we'd been there until Ellie yawned and I checked my watch. It was nearly half four.

"Christ, I didn't realise it was that late." I said "She's usually had a nap by now."

Ellie looked up at me sleepily "Mama." She whined lifting her arms so I'd pick her up.

"Sorry, times just flown." Carol said, pushing herself off the floor, she looked over at me hesitantly "So, would it be alright if I saw her again?"

I thought for a moment before nodding slowly "Yeah, I'll call you when I'm free." I said picking up Ellie's things and reaching for my phone.

"What are you doing?" James asked.

I tried not to roll my eyes "Calling a cab." I said like it was obvious.

"Don't be silly, I can give you a lift." he said.

I chewed my lip, this was a very bad idea.

"Come on Mar, I'm trying to be nice here." he pushed. "I'll behave I promise."

"Fine." I caved, just wanting to get Ellie home as quickly as possible.

Carol gave me and Ellie a quick kiss before we headed to James's sports car, it obviously didn't have a back seat so I had to keep Ellie in my arms.

"Drive slowly." I warned him, I knew what kind of driver James had been and I didn't feel safe, although that may have been down to being in an enclosed space with him rather than his driving ability.

"Getting to see you again, was that and open invitation, or just for my mum?" James asked.

I sighed angrily "If I had my way, just for your mum, but I can't stop you visiting her when we're there, today being a fine example of that." I snapped.

He sighed and I stared out of the window determinedly not looking at him.

"I know I messed up." he mumbled, I continued to just stare out the window ignoring him. "Have I wrecked all my chances?" he asked slowly.

I sighed angrily "You may still be able to make Ellie's good books if you try."

"But not yours." he said sounding sad.

"No James, its too late." I said simply.

"Why were you so eager to meet me when I called?" he asked.

I opened my mouth ready to give some smartass answer but closed it so I could think. "Because you never even gave me a chance to say goodbye." I replied softly "You just left James, and I didn't know why. I mean one minute we're having sex and making up for not seeing each other for months like nothings wrong, then the next you tell me it's over cause you've found someone else."

He shifted uncomfortably in the drivers seat.

"I didn't know how to tell you." he said after a few minutes silence "About Victoria. You were so happy with the baby and everything, and I didn't know what to do."

I felt tears prick my eyes "Well for future reference don't fuck a girl you're about to break up with because it makes her feel like a cheap whore!" I spat at him.

We lapsed into silence for the rest of the trip and I wished I'd just called a cab.

As we pulled up outside of my apartment building I rolled my eyes at my own cursed luck as I saw Jasper pull up in front of us.

"I take it that's your boyfriend." James said moodily as we both watched Jasper get out of his car.

"Yes he is." I quickly unbuckled my seatbelt and started to manoeuvre out of the car.

James hopped out and came to open my door, he tried to reach for Ellie but she pulled back screaming.

James frowned at her and stepped back as I staggered out weighed down with various bags and now, thanks to James, a screaming wriggling Ellie.

"Need a hand?" Jasper came over and I willingly passed him Ellie, because it was just easier.

She calmed down a little as he rocked her gently, he seemed to be overly focused on her and purposely ignoring James as he moved to the shelter of the apartment building.

"What's her problem?" James asked angrily.

"She doesn't know you." I said simply.

He frowned in annoyance, watching Jasper with her "But she's fine with Rhett Butler over there."

I gave him a look "Yeah, she likes him, unlike you, Jasper actually made an effort to get to know her." I snapped.

James just scowled "I'm her father."

That made me bristle angrily, in my eyes he had no right to say that "Biologically maybe." I snapped "And believe me, if I could change that I would."

He seemed taken back by that and I realised it was a little harsh.

"James if you want her to like you, you need to spend time with her, get to know her."

"Get to know her?" he asked "She's one, what can she tell me, her favourite brad of diaper?"

I clenched my teeth and took a deep breath, fighting down the urge to whack him around the head with the rather heavy diaper bag I was carrying.

"Just forget it." I said turning to head inside.

I screamed as I made my way into the apartment making Ellie cry again and me to feel very guilty.

"Oh, I'm sorry angel." I cooed soothingly picking her up from her playpen where Jasper must have deposited her when he came in "Mummy just gets pissed off she let herself get impregnated by such an asshole."

Jasper chuckled from behind me, turning I sucked in a sharp breath, he was obviously halfway through changing and wasn't currently sporting a shirt, my eyes wandered over his chest as he came towards me.

"You know, she's going to start picking up on words soon." he said with a smile.

I shrugged "As long as she only uses them to describe James it's fine." I said grinning up at him.

Jasper placed a kiss on my head "You have no idea how happy it makes me, knowing you're so mad at this guy."

I rolled my eyes at him, but had to smile. At least Jasper was happy.

I settled Ellie as Jasper finished getting changed and came back to the lounge to join him on the sofa.

"So how did it go?" he asked trying to sound uninterested and failing miserably.

"Okay actually, Carol apologised, and kind of explained why she hasn't been in contact for eight months."

"That's good." he said when I paused.

"Yeah, then James showed up unexpectedly." I said "I still have no idea what's going on in his head, whether he wants to be part of Ellie's life, or he's just trying to make an effort for his mum's sake." I sighed heavily, leaning my head against Jasper's shoulder.

"Did he" Jasper began hesitantly "Did he try anything today?"

I shook my head "No, he just acted like he wanted us to be friends or something." I gave a small laugh "Like that's gonna happen!"

"It could over time." Jasper said heavily "If he does want to be Ellie's dad now."

I looked up at Jasper, the sadness evident on his face. I knew Jasper loved Ellie, it was just another area where I had taken him for granted.

He cared for her like she was his own and I couldn't even begin to imagine how hard it must be for James to suddenly be trying to muscle in.

I moved to straddle his lap, my fingers playing with his hair. I wrinkled my nose at the amount of product he used to keep it off his face for work, I preferred it soft and wavy.

He twisted his head to kiss up my arm "Sorry I wasn't much support outside." he murmured "I just can't be around that guy without having the urge to kill him."

I giggled a little "It's okay."

He shook his head with a sigh "I should have said something, I mean the way he treated you, I should have…"

"Hey." I cut him off "Trust me here okay, you did more to hurt him being you than you would have done by hitting him or something."

Jasper looked at me unconvinced.

I thought for a moment "James isn't in to hard work. Like I said, he wants to be friends, he wants Ellie to like him. You of all people know how long that can take, you were patient enough to be rewarded. James isn't patient, seeing the way Ellie accepts you bothered him, but it's his own fault he's not willing to make that effort." I paused for breath "Jasper you're the better man, you're more patient, you're loving, you're understanding, you're selfless and you're smart enough to know beating the shit out of James isn't the best course of action, no matter how satisfying and entertaining it would be."

That got me a smile "I'm sure they'll be other chances." he joked.

I wrapped my arms around his neck "It's you me and Ellie love, and by walking away and not instigating a fight you showed why, so you have no reason to be sorry." I leant in to kiss him.

Jasper chuckled "You know baby, all this praise is going to give me a swelled head."

I grinned "Hopefully." I said slowly grinding down on his lap to indicated which 'head' I was referring to.

He let forth a moan before claiming my mouth in a mind blowing kiss, I ground down harder and it wasn't long before our clothes were strewn around the lounge and I was bent over the sofa with Jasper pounding into me.

"If you need another boost to your ego." I said once we were finished and Jasper's fingers were lazily trailing over my stomach as I lay next to him "I've never had to fake it with you."

He chuckled kissing my shoulder "But you did with James?"

"Yeah, quite a few times." I admitted.

He chuckled again "You're right, that does boost my ego."

I rolled my eyes. Men!

We got dressed when we started to feel hungry and Jasper whipped up a quick stir fry for dinner.

"I will be taking Ellie to see Carol again at some point." I admitted.

Jasper nodded, I could tell from the look on his face what he was holding back from saying.

"I hope he's not gonna be there, but I can't stop him visiting his mum." I mumbled looking at my plate.

Jasper sighed "I know, sorry, my insecurities getting the better of me again."

I smiled at him "I can hardly say anything about that given my many freak outs."

He tried to smile, but I could tell it was forced.

"Tell me what I can do?" I said desperately "What can I do to prove to you I have no intention of going back to him." I winced realising the one thing I could have done was not lying about meeting him the first time, and I'd ruined that. Jasper had every right to be paranoid.

He shook his head and pulled me against his chest "Just come home to me." he murmured softly.

I smiled snuggling into him more "That I can most defiantly do." I swore.

His smile softened. "Thanks baby." he said running a hand over my hair "Love you."

"Yeah I know. I love you too."

His smile got bigger when I said that, and I knew he still loved hearing it, and the truth was I loved saying it. I loved feeling it.

I giggled, I loved loving Jasper and I point blank refused to let anything ruin that ever again.

I know a lot of you wanted Jasper to beat up James, but there is still time.

Let me know what you think. xx