Jackson
Tanya was delighted at the prospect of travelling the world. Though she had spent many years exploring, the changes over the last two centuries intrigued her.
"Kate has no interest in travelling anymore," Tanya confided, "Except to desecrate new surfaces with Garrett. That is one adventure I do not want to be a witness to."
"Blissful couples are bad enough around here," I agreed, "At least with Alice and Jasper we don't have to worry about catching them in the act; she'd see us on the way."
"I do not envy her that power," Tanya mused, "Not only are the Volturi after her, but the awful things she sees!"
Alice had mentioned that while Edward was courting Bella she had kept seeing how Bella was going to die at his hands if he made the wrong decision. I was amazed that the situation had worked out at all.
"And Carlisle and Esme are her parents; I don't want to contemplate how many visions she has had of them getting busy," Tanya added with a shudder.
"Speaking of parents," I recalled what Alice had told me the previous evening, "Charlie and Sue are going to arrive soon on the first leg of their own world adventure. Alice said I would be fine but I am still considering clearing out."
"You've been around humans daily for months now," Tanya argued, "Just in passing of course. Do you think the extended exposure will be a problem?"
I shrugged.
"While we're travelling we are going to be around humans a lot; it would be better to know if there is a problem while the rest of the Cullen's are around to ensure no-one gets hurt."
"Damn logic."
"I don't think you're worried about the blood anyway," Tanya teased. She caught my hand and led me back toward the house.
"What is the problem then?"
Tanya frowned at me, "Your own insecurities," she replied matter-of-factly, "Charlie and Sue know what we are. For the first time you will be facing a human who can see past the dazzle without being a meal."
She was right, and much to my own annoyance I had not figured it out first.
"You worry that they will look at you and see a monster," Tanya continued.
"Maybe I am."
She shrugged, "Maybe you were, but you are not anymore. Monstrous behaviour defines a monster, and you have changed that."
I could not descend into the self-loathing which Edward had wrestled with for decades; my faint memories of war had taught me that humans came in all shades of grey. It made sense that some Vampires would be evil, and others would be quite moral. I was glad to be surrounded by the latter rather than the former.
"I have killed a hell of a lot more people than you," Tanya added with a worried glance at me, "So don't go all emo on me."
I smiled at her, something which was far too easy to do, "Not a chance; I hear Edward has brooded enough for the whole family."
"He had way too much practise," Tanya agreed, "Looking back, I am glad he never took me up on my offer to climb into bed though."
"And now life is repeating itself?" I guessed.
She sighed, "Could you imagine facing Bella if I had slept with Edward? She was amazingly controlled for a newborn but she would have tried to rip my head off."
Her reasoning did make sense, much to my annoyance, "And your mate would do the same to me if we indulge."
"Maybe your mate will be the one to worry about?"
Considering how long she had waited, I hoped she would find her mate first.
Esme was dusting. I watched her curiously as the small number of dust particles floated through the air. Since she dusted every day with the efficiency of a Vampire I did not understand why she was repeating the ritual just because two humans were on their way.
"It's called being 'House-Proud'," Edward explained from his seated position at the piano. Esme smiled at the two of us before continuing her efforts in the kitchen.
I wondered if Esme was nervous; did everyone expect me to try to eat the in-laws?
Edward chuckled, "No Jackson, we just enjoy when Charlie and Sue visit."
Alice had insisted that our world-tour could not begin until after the humans had visited; I suspected she just liked torturing me. At least her methods didn't involve teeth, venom and permanent scarring.
Edward's hands stilled above the piano keys and distress rapidly invaded the space around him. I repressed a sarcastic laugh at that concept that my thoughts had upset him.
I didn't want to hang around playing happy families anyway; at least he had given me a decent excuse to retreat to the forest.
Before I could leave Edward turned toward me with worry in his features, "Bella will be back soon; I can ask her to shield me."
I shrugged, "Don't bother. I am more comfortable in the forest anyway."
I left before he could reply; I heard him say my name but that was it.
I ignored the sparkle the sun ignited in my skin and stray thoughts of carving up Vampire skin to sell as diamonds were dismissed as easily.
Humans always seemed to be doing something until they had to sleep. I admired their drive even as I sat against a tree in with a view of a sliver of the driveway. I remained there for an hour listening to the sounds of the forest and contemplating what Tanya and I could get up to while Alice and Jasper were busy getting naked.
Tanya wanted to sneak into war-zones and take out psychos waging war; I wasn't sure if she was planning to drink them too. The animal blood diet was extremely bland now that the novelty had worn off.
I continued to mull over the draw of human blood and the odd pride that I was choosing my own path rather than just surviving. Was that pride enough to drive decades or even centuries of resisting the craving?
I wasn't sure of anything, except that I could not see the movie Bambi without thinking of draining something.
The slow approach of a car travelling carefully over an icy road barely disturbed my musings. Bella had picked her father and step-mother up from the airport, which proved that the invisible chord which linked her to Edward could at least stretch.
I was being unfair in my judgements, yet barely cared. I envied their bond and the feeling was closely linked to resentment.
At least Bella and Edward tried to be discreet about their sex-life. Spotting Emmett's naked backside in the forest had been traumatising the first time. The second time had just been rude.
"Come meet Charlie and Sue!" Alice trilled from the driveway. Jasper stood behind her frowning. If I tried to refuse her demand she would guilt him into trying to make me more agreeable.
I cooperated to save Jasper the trouble of having to reattach his arm and explain to Esme why her driveway needed to become a wrestling arena.
Sue spotted the three of us first; the wary recognition in her eyes gave away vital information. Charlie may have been happy to live on a 'need-to-know' basis but Sue knew exactly what we were.
Her fear made me pause. Other than the humans I had hunted and killed I had never been bothered by the fear of those around me. For some reason I was almost ashamed that I had to approach this woman with red eyes.
Alice introduced us without hesitation. Charlie glanced between Jasper and I.
"Long-lost cousins?" he speculated.
"Something like that," Jasper replied with a slight smile.
Sue met my gaze without flinching; I could see where Leah had acquired her courage.
"I can see Leah in you," I said quietly to the wary woman.
"She spoke highly of you," Sue admitted quietly, "And my daughter is not easy to impress."
"Like mother, like daughter," Charlie chuckled, "Though I hope she doesn't wait another decade to settle down."
"We never settle for less than the best," Sue replied haughtily, "It's not like she's getting any older while she's shifting."
Charlie clearly wasn't comfortable being reminded of the supernatural abilities of his step-children.
"If only she would donate some blood so I could see her future," Alice huffed. She looped her arm around Charlie's elbow and led him toward the house.
Sue waited until they were far enough for her voice to be too soft for human ears.
"Your eyes are red," she said flatly to me.
"I met my Singer," I said honestly, "He was the only human to die at my hands in the last six months."
"And before that?"
"I was a killer for seventy years."
Jasper was spreading calm over Sue, keeping the effect gentle enough to escape her notice.
"Is my husband in danger?" Sue asked, "I understand Bella had very attractive blood while she was human."
"No," I assured her, "Compared to the blood of my Singer, other humans will never compare. I have the strength to resist."
"And my control has vastly improved since Jackson arrived," Jasper added with a wisp of pride, "We keep each other in check quite well."
Sue nodded thoughtfully. Jasper moved toward the house and allowed his movements to guide Sue in the same direction. I walked on his other side to avoid crowding her.
"Leah has never been fond of the Cullen's," Sue said softly, "To hear of her admiration for you Jackson made me wonder if she had finally imprinted."
"I wish she had imprinted," I agreed, "Fate has apparently decreed that I am not yet worthy of that honour."
"She and Nahuel were quite interested in each other," Jasper added, "Even if their relationship is not destined to be permanent, they can make each other happy in the meantime."
Sue was drawn into conversation with Bella, Edward and Carlisle. I remained near Jasper, who was not moving far from Alice.
Charlie was clearly charmed by Alice, and his emotions indicated the affection of a father toward her. His eyes flicked to Jasper uneasily.
I could see his concern as though he wore a billboard above his head; Alice was so small and Jasper was clearly dangerous.
"Married over sixty years yet he looks at me like I just threatened to kill her," Jasper muttered so only the Vampires could hear him, "Every time."
"If he knew the truth, he would be scared of her," I hissed back.
Alice narrowed her eyes at the two of us, "Do you have something to say?" she asked suspiciously.
"Me? Nothing."
"Not a word," Jasper added.
"These Whitlock men can be very cheeky," Alice said to Charlie, "After all these years of marriage Jasper still hasn't learned."
"Learned what exactly?" Charlie asked, sounding slightly nervous.
"Never mess with a woman who has seen you naked," Alice revealed with a smile.
"I've never seen you naked," I commented, "You're beautiful and everything but Jasper is the jealous type."
The comment did not sit well with Charlie. I mentally kicked myself for making the situation worse.
Alice patted Charlie on the hand, "Charlie, did you know that our kind mate for life?"
Charlie glanced across the room at Bella.
"Edward waited a long time to find Bella and he will be devoted to her for as long as he lives. Would you like to know how long Jasper and I have been married?"
Charlie shrugged. Sue smiled at him from across the room.
"Over sixty years."
Charlie stared at Alice while he processed the information. He was not as shocked as I would have expected.
Jasper sat down on the floor in front of Alice. I understood that he was going out of his way to put the human more at ease and it was something I would not have considered so quickly.
Alice waved her hand to encourage me to sit next to him. I shrugged and then complied.
"He may not have seen me naked, but I have dragged him around by his ear before," Alice said to Charlie with another grin.
"Jasper was in the army before we met," she continued, "By the time I found him he was deeply depressed, suffering what we now call PTSD and generally disinterested in life."
"Until my angel came along," Jasper said reverently.
"I turned his life upside-down," Alice giggled.
"And I am grateful every day."
"What about you?" Charlie asked me. I could tell he was not comfortable with the adoring tone Alice and Jasper were using. He might have been on the path to accepting Jasper as suited to Alice but he did not want any more details.
"I am waiting for a woman to come into my life and start bossing me around," I confessed easily.
"Remember Jackson," Alice intoned, "It's not nagging if you would just listen the first time."
I saluted her, which only made Charlie curious.
Charlie and Sue remained for a few days before taking a trip with Bella and Edward. I wasn't sad to see them go, yet I wasn't relieved either. I was proud that I had not been tempted by their blood as much as I thought I would.
Preparations for our world tour were completed quite quickly. Though Alice had considered a private plane she had relented and agreed on a boat instead. Jasper was delighted.
Tanya and I agreed that if they got too annoying we would throw them overboard. Alice hissed at us a few seconds after that decision.
I insisted on inspecting everything Alice was packing for me just in case she tried to get revenge by making me wear something hideous or embarrassing.
The rest of the family planned to remain until after the visit from the Volturi, then relocate to Russia.
If any of us had known where Alice was going to lead us we would have refused to go.