Jasper's POV
"I have something special for you," I told Bella as I pulled her onto my back and headed towards the house.
"Really?" I could feel her confusion and reluctance.
"Don't worry," I assured her, "It's something that belongs to you anyway."
She was still confused, but thankfully she let the matter drop. Good.
I really wanted to surprise her.
We made it back to the house and I knew that we needed to get changed before we saw the rest of the family, so I scaled the side of the house, pushing my window open and placing Bella safely on the other side.
"We need to get clean," I informed her. I didn't know when the last time she showered was, but I knew it had been days for me and I was covered in dirt and grime.
"Umm, Jasper," she asked me quietly and I noticed that she shielded us. "Would you, umm, shower with me. It's just, this cast isn't waterproof and I can't clean my hair with one arm." I looked at her shocked. She was asking me to join her in the shower wasn't she? "You don't have to. I can do it myself," she started to get defensive.
"No, no," I quickly amended. "I'd love to help you. Grab everything you need and I'll take it to the bathroom."
Once we hit the bathroom across the hall I helped her get undressed, keeping my eyes on her face. After our fun in the forest I wanted this to be just about helping her. She needed someone to help care for her whilst she was injured and I was happy to have that job. I turned the water on and quickly got rid of my own clothes, everything except my boxers. They were white, so as soon as the water hit them they wouldn't be hiding much, but I didn't want Bella to be uncomfortable.
I got us under the water and made sure Bella's arm stayed dry. There was nothing sexual about this. Bella kept on hitting me with her lust, but I ignored her. I had us cleaned and dressed in no time. I sat Bella back down on my bed so that I could dry my hair and I was met with her pout. I cocked my eyebrow at her, she sent me her lust once again. I sent her my lust in return and I felt her confusion.
"We had fun in the forest didn't we?" I asked her and she nodded her head. "That's what I thought." I smirked at her, but before she could respond I spoke. "Are you ready for your gift?" I asked her as I threw on her hooded green sweatshirt.
Her fear hit me and I frowned. Why would she be fearful? I walked over to my desk and grabbed the gift out. I put it straight into my pocket before walking back over to her. I knew I had to be careful here because this gift, although hers, was a sensitive one.
"Bella?" I questioned her carefully as I sat down on the bed and grabbed her hand within my own. I had no idea how to go about this. "Just after I met you I went to Phoenix," I told her, keeping a close eye on her emotions. She was feeling confusion. "Charlie was concerned that you weren't eating and he asked me if I had any ideas, I didn't, but I figured Phoenix held the answers."
"The road trip where Emmett tried to buy a gun?" Bella questioned me and I nodded my head. "That was the weekend after I got back, why did you go to Phoenix for me? Why did you give me that sweatshirt?" she pointed at the sweatshirt I was wearing. "What was so special about me? My blood?"
Okay, we were getting off track, but I would answer her questions.
"No, it wasn't your blood. I'm an empath, I feel other people's emotions. Do you remember how you were feeling that first day at school?"
She seemed thoughtful for a moment. "I felt nothing," she admitted sadly.
"Exactly," I agreed. "You had no emotions and I felt compelled to help you, and then slowly, as you came back, I fell in love with you. The sweatshirt?" I looked down at it. "Alice bought it, I hated it. She told me that I had to wear it and give it to you, so I did." I wasn't ready to elaborate fully on that story just yet.
"Thank you," Bella responded, but it came out oddly, like she wasn't sure that she should be thanking me.
"Phoenix. We all wanted to go, but Edward was coming home so Carlisle and Esme had to stay behind. I've told you this before, but everyone cared for you even before they met you. Emmett went for the adventure. Alice went for you. Rose went because of her past, she'll tell you her story soon I suspect. And I went to help you and Charlie. We went to the police station and I read up on your file. I talked to the Chief and the guy who picked you up that day."
She shuddered, clearly remembering. I took a deep breath.
"I found the house," I said quickly and I was hit by Bella's confusion. I repeated myself more slowly. "I found where you were kept, Bella, the house, the basement. It's how I found out about the coyote meat." I allowed it to sink in before continuing. "There was nothing there, nothing left, so I burned it down to the ground." I felt her emotions, but she was switching too quickly for me to identify them. I decided to finish off. "Whilst I was there I found something and I believe that it belongs to you."
I pulled the necklace out of my pocket and handed it to Bella, it was her mother's necklace. I was thankful to have found it half buried in the dirt underneath the bed Bella used in the basement. She stared intently at it. I could clearly feel her sorrow and grief, and before I knew it she was crying. I pulled her to me and she buried her head into my shoulder. I let her get it all out and when she calmed down I pulled her back so that I could see her face.
"I forgot about this," Bella said softly, staring at the necklace. "Renee insisted that I wear it to school that day. It was the necklace Charlie had given her, but she loved it so much that she kept it. I was not used to wearing a necklace and once I noticed that I still had it on I hid it, so that James would never be able to destroy it. Then as time passed I forgot about it. After I left I remembered, but I just assumed it was gone forever. Thank you for giving it back to me, Jasper."
She threw her arms around me and hugged me tightly, I could feel her gratitude. I was glad I could make her happy, glad to be able to give her a piece of her mother back.
"Let me help you put it on." She sat back and I pulled her hair to the side, clasping it together firmly. I pulled it around so that it sat straight and Bella's hand went straight to it. It was two hearts entwined and it reminded me of us so much.
"I miss her so much," Bella admitted, fiddling with the necklace. "Our relationship was strained. She was the child, I was the mother, but it doesn't matter, not in the end. I would do anything just to be able to hear her voice again, hear her laugh, give her a hug. I hate that James killed her, but I am thankful that I now have you. I don't understand why I had to go through that darkness to get to you, to get to the light, but I'm glad that I did."
"You will be fine," I assured her. "I'll make sure of that. We should probably head downstairs," I told her reluctantly. I wanted nothing more than to stay in my bedroom with her, just the two of us, but I knew I couldn't. "I can feel their worry from here."
"Okay," Bella accepted, pulling me into one more hug before walking towards the door.
I jumped up, lacing our hands together. We made our way down the stairs and we were assaulted immediately.
"He bit her," Edward said smugly and I watched as all their faces fell and I was hit with their disappointment. Fucking Edward.
"Son," Carlisle stepped forward, hands up in surrender. "Is this true?"
Is this true? What the fuck did it matter? Oh shit, I bit her. What if I couldn't stop? What if I drained her completely? I could have killed her. Why was I so stupid?
I felt Bella's shield surround me.
"Stop it now," she warned me.
"They're right," I told her. "I fucked up. I bit you, I could have killed you. I'm weak."
"You're not weak."
"They think I'm weak," I admitted as I looked at them all. Their faces said it all.
"So?" Bella countered. "Who cares if they do. We both know how strong you are. You didn't kill me, you didn't overindulge. I was never scared for my life and I'm not scared now. I love you, Jasper. They may think you're weak, that you will slip up at a moment's notice, but you won't. Trust me, you know it's true."
She was right, as always. I slowed my breathing.
"It's just... I felt their disappointment. They're so quick to jump to conclusions-"
"Shush," Bella said, bringing her face right next to mine. "Who cares. If they're stupid enough to play into Edward's little games, then let them. We know the truth and if they're smart they will see it too. I love you, you know this." I felt her love surround me.
She pulled her shield back and I turned my attention to Carlisle.
"Yes, I bit her," I admitted. "It wasn't planned, but she's fine, and look, my eyes aren't red." I said the last part a bit bitterly and I could feel their apologies.
"See." Bella shielded us again. "You can always prove them wrong."
I smiled at her. It did feel good.
"Are you okay, Bella?" Esme asked.
"I am fine. I could use some painkillers though."
I quickly spun to face Bella. She was in pain? I went to search her emotions, but she had her shield firmly in place. I was about to argue, but she gave me a warning glare. Okay, I'd step down. Esme was back almost instantly with Bella's pain medication and a strawberry milkshake. She drank it down quickly and I wondered when the last time she ate was. I suspected it had been awhile. I'd have to make sure she ate soon.
"Bella," Emmett spoke carefully.
"Emmy Bear," Bella responded before jumping up into his arms, he caught her, thankfully. "I missed you," Bella cooed and I could see Emmett melt right in front of my eyes.
"I'm hungry," Bree said as she stepped into the room, clawing at her throat. "This animal blood sucks."
I could feel Carlisle's hurt and I secretly smirked. Edward was finally getting what he deserved, someone who acted worse than he did. It would be fun to watch them clash before they got comfortable with each other.
"Bree," Edward said nervously. "You have to drink it."
I tuned them out, but I knew that now was definitely not the time to inform Carlisle of Bella's plan to drink human blood when she was changed. I caught her eyes and I could tell she was thinking the same thing. We'd deal with that bridge when we got to it.
"She said you needed to call Charlie," Emmett told her as he handed her a phone. "Something about Charlie being upset." Bella frowned. "Alice already filled it with everyone's numbers."
"Excuse me," Bella said as she stepped away from the group.
"Why can't smell her?" Bree asked as she stalked Bella with her eyes. "Can I drink from her?"
"No!" Edward quickly replied.
"Jasper," Bella beckoned me. I followed. We went out the front and she called her father.
"Bells?" he answered somewhat frantically.
"Yeah, dad, what's up?"
"I feel bad. I wanted you to be there, Bella, I did."
"Dad, calm down. What are you talking about?"
"The ceremony with Sue, I wanted you by my side."
"I am upset you didn't invite me," Bella replied honestly, "but I'm just glad I could witness it."
"Oh, Bella. I tried to postpone it, I really did. The battle came and went and no one told me anything. I called the Cullen's and they told me you were fine, that you and Jasper were away, but that you were fine. I didn't want to think it, but it's the only thing that made sense. I thought you had been injured and Jasper had changed you. I didn't want to wait a year or more before I could see you again. I just got you back, Bells, I didn't want to lose you again."
"Dad, I understand," Bella told him, but he wasn't done just yet.
"I love Sue so much, but I needed the protection of the wolves. If you were a vampire then I would be able to see you because they would protect me. I don't want to lose you, Bella."
"You won't lose me, Charlie, I promise you. And I understand, I really do. It's fine, just go spend time with Sue, okay?"
Bella was just so selfless, I smiled proudly at her.
"Okay, I love you, Bells."
"I love you too, dad."
She hung up the call, but then quickly dialed someone else. I wondered who it was, but I noticed quickly that Bella somehow managed to shield herself completely. She hadn't done this yet and it amazed me. I watched on intently as she waited for the person to answer.
"Peter," she spoke. I couldn't hear her, but I had learned to read lips, Bella didn't seem to know this fact about me though. I felt bad for listening in when she clearly didn't want me to, but I couldn't help myself.
"Where are you? ... Good... No, Wyoming, you'll know the spot when you see it... I'm trusting you, Peter, do what you have to... Keep me updated... ...What do you mean Jasper can read lips..."
Oh crap, now Bella was staring at me intently.
"Peter, you stupid fucker. Lead with that first... Fine!" Bella snapped before hanging up the phone and un-shielding herself.
"You can shield yourself fully," I told her proudly, hitting her with my pride, she pushed it away.
"You can read lips?" she questioned already knowing the answer. "I bet you have questions. I will allow you one."
She bet I had questions? Of course I have fucking questions. She was planning something, I knew this, but she always seemed to be planning something. I knew that I could just ask her outright, but I knew that she would never answer me fully, because if I was supposed to know then I would know already. And with that fucker Peter involved it only meant one thing, I was not supposed to know yet. They must know that I wouldn't agree with it, or that I would interfere with their plans. I'd let them go ahead for now.
"Why are you always planning?" I asked, hoping she would reveal more then she intended. I wasn't stupid, surely I could put the pieces together.
"Because our future is important," she told me softly. "Just remember that okay? Everything I am doing, I am doing it for us, so that we can be together forever."
Was she talking about the Volturi? I knew we had a run in with them coming up. Apparently someone was going to tell them of Bella's existence, but Peter didn't seem worried about it. I wondered if we could face the Volturi before whoever it was got a chance to tell them, that way we could get on top of this and hopefully keep Bella's shield a secret. Deal with it on our terms.
My phone beeped and I pulled it out. It was Peter- Good idea. I'll text you when you should head to Volterra. For now, lay low and look after your marvelous mate.
I quickly typed out a reply- I don't like you lying to me Peter, but thank you.
Peter- Don't mention it fucker, everything's good. Let me do this for you, for us all.
I pocketed my phone and turned my attention to Bella.
"I trust you," I told her honestly and she smiled at me. "We're going to surprise the Volturi soon, I won't let someone else tell them about you. We'll do it together."
She smiled at me cockily, but didn't say anything. Did she already know this? Was she having more dreams of the future? Were her and Peter communicating more than I knew?
"Don't you worry," she told me kindly. "I know what I'm doing," she touched her head knowingly and I thought back to the day when she first had her dream of the future. How she was no longer afraid of the Cullen's afterwards, how she was more accepting, ready to move forward with her life, how she knew she was to become a vampire and she wasn't against it. What exactly had she dreamed? I didn't know, but I hoped she would tell me one day.