37. Alaska
Canada
January 2011
Robyn
A few days later, Jasper, Rosalie, and Emmett are ready to head to Alaska. When Jasper had come to both Peter and I with his request, we were shocked. He pleaded his case that he felt better explaining the situation to the Denali coven himself. Considering he was once part of the Cullen coven and he was responsible for Alice's death, he thought they would more easily believe him over Rosalie and Emmett. Having just them go with perhaps Garrett didn't leave him satisfied. I was ready to argue but Peter pulled me close and agreed with Jasper. I hated the idea of fighting them both but then Peter had to be his cryptic self.
"It's the only way I see them agreeing. They are here in my vision when the Volturi come, but it's not easy getting them here, that much I know. I always knew it was going to be Jasper going, but he had to accept that himself. Do either of you think if I went to Jasper and suggested he go, how would that go over?"
When he put it like that, there was no arguing. Of course before he left, we made sure to make love during a hunting trip. I think it would be a little while before we tried an actual bed. My newborn strength was still bit worse for ware at the moment. I couldn't get dressed on my own without breaking the buttons and ripping the front of a dress. Thankfully each dress that was ruined during hunting or by my strength were no goes for me anyway.
Peter and I stood together as Jasper came out of the house. Rosalie and Emmett were talking with Garrett. All three hoped they wouldn't be gone longer than a couple of days. Peter had given Jasper a cell phone with his number programmed in. Of course it was all untraceable so we couldn't be found by the Volturi or anyone else. Even though Maria's vampires had no useful information to give, we were all still on alert. It was the reason I felt strange about Jasper leaving. Though I trusted his and Peter's judgement over everyone else. Unfortunately, I knew if something was going to happen, Peter wouldn't tell me the same as he always did about his feelings, he would just react.
Jasper stopped in front of us giving a tight smile. I think he could feel my worried and frazzled emotions. He stopped at Peter first and I took that as my cue. Pressing a kiss to Peter's cheek, I raced over to Garrett, Rose, and Emmett. I didn't feel bad about giving Jasper and Peter a moment. I could read it on both their faces that they needed it. Not exactly as if they would have privacy among vampires, but we all appreciated the sembalence.
"Try to keep him out of trouble while we're gone," Rosalie said, nodding in Garrett's direction.
"I think that might be hard. He's usually the one getting us into trouble." I gave him a smirk thinking back to the blurred images of our first meeting. "One of these days I'm gonna have to tell you how we met." Garrett's eyes went wide as he nervously looked over at Peter and Jasper. Of course Jasper probably knew in some regard how it had happened but to save Garrett neither of us had ever mentioned it.
"I'm gonna hold you to that." Rose looked over at Emmett. I enjoyed how much they were different but loved each other so much. Rose was a virtual ice queen, took a long time to get past her defenses. Emmett, however, was a fluff ball teddy bear, open to anything and everything. I loved how they complimented each other.
"You both have to promise me something, though." My voice went low and my nerves set in. They shared a look and nodded together before I even asked. "Just look out for him. He might not always see the danger. If anything is about to go wrong, don't get in front of his demon, don't get hurt. He would never forgive himself for that. Otherwise, when something goes wrong, before he changes, get him out of there. I don't need Eleazar that bad it means any of you giving your lives."
Emmett smiles at me, tightening his hold on Rose. "You can count on us, Robyn. Jas is family. You don't let down family. That makes you, Peter, and Garrett our family now too. We'll do anything for him. We'll keep him safe."
I reach over and hug them both together in group hug. It obviously surprises Rosalie but she hugs me back too. Mentally I make it my duty to change Rosalie into a sister I never had. That means melting her icy exterior. We pull back as someone approaches. I know by his smell and proximity that Jasper has finished talking with Peter and it's my turn.
Rose and Emmett share a nod with him over my shoulder as they and Garrett head over to Peter. Jasper continues to stand behind me. I want to turn around, but I can't seem to move. I won't even think about turning around. Prolonging this moment, this goodbye is all I have left.
"If it makes you feel any better, Peter knows that I'll be at your side when the Volturi come." Jasper rests a hand on my shoulder. His touch is enough to make me sigh. Turning my head halfway, I give him a tight smile without saying anything. I'm afraid if I speak, I might not let him leave. I haven't known Jasper as long as Peter and it scares me when we're apart.
He steps closer, hands cupping my cheeks. "You know I love you. I'm doing this to protect us all, Robyn."
I blink and know that my eyes are full of tears that will never fall. "You wouldn't have to if it weren't for me."
He shakes his head, eyes going dark. "How many times do we have to tell you this isn't your fault?" He doesn't raise his voice this time, but there's still pain and anger behind the words.
"Only we know it is. Maria found Peter because of me." I know none of them want to think about it. If it hadn't been for me, that vampire never would have fought Peter and made Maria curious.
"I thank the heavens every day for you, Robyn. Don't turn something amazing into something tragic. Without you, I would still be stuck to Alice." His lips twist and his hands slowly begin to fall. "Unless, you wish you had stayed with your human family, if that's how you feel."
He knows good and well that's not how I feel. I grab his wrists remembering to be gentle to not hurt him. Such a strange concept to go by now. They were always worried about hurting me but now it's the opposite.
"You know that's not how I feel. Even though I was human, I wasn't living until I met Peter. My life wasn't complete until I met you." I press a kiss to his thumb enjoying his touch for a few minutes. He rubs his thumbs under my eyes, angling my chin to meet his lips. As human he was cold as ice but he's warm to the touch now. He almost feels warm, but I know it's because I'm like him. It just makes his taste even more luscious.
When he pulls away, he looks into my eyes. For only a moment, they are loving until he turns mischievous. I raise an eyebrow, but he places a finger against my lips. "I can admit I might have ulterior motives in leaving." His lips spread wider into a smirk. Turning my head, he places his lips at my ear. "We both know I've had my fair share of both my mates, on my own. Peter and I got up to quite a bit while you were changing." His words make my knees shake as I hear the lust in his voice, the promise of something. "Not to mention what we did in the shower while Peter hunted. I think it's only fair that Peter gets his chance and you get yours. Think the Captain will certainly enjoy that."
He bites my hair gently at the end, making me gasp. When he pulls away, he's chuckling. Though his chuckles die down a second later as he pulls me fully into his arms. I swallow past the lust forming in my gut as I hug him back.
"I promise we won't be gone more than two days. If we can't convince them in that time, we don't have a chance. Either way, I'm coming back in two days to both of you." He kisses my forehead, running his fingers through my hair. "Just try not to wear each other out too much."
I giggle not caring if it's his influence or not. When we pull back, our hands connect as he walk back to the group. Jasper trades me off to Peter, who drags me into his chest where I bury my face.
"I'll call you as soon as we get to Alaska. Then right before we leave, so you know to expect us." Jasper kisses Peter on the lips and turns to me next. The kiss is passionate but quick and I whimper.
Two days, Robyn. It's only a couple days and he'll be right back in the comfort of yours and Peter's arms.
"Look after them for me, Garrett. I'm trusting you with their lives."
When I look at Garrett, he doesn't even flinch or waver. "You have my word, Jasper and Major. They are my family, wouldn't dream of letting anything hurt them."
Rose and Emmett turn away first, waving to us before disappearing out the tree line. Jasper shares a look with me and then Peter, his eyes a bit wistful. "Remember what I said, Peter. Use this time wisely."
When he looks back at me, he winks, but then his eyes are sincere. "I'll be back soon, Darlin'." He dips his head with the cowboy hat on his head. He knows what that accent does to us both, that cocky smirk forming on his lips. Then he turns his back to us, and runs to catch up with Rosalie and Emmett.
We continue standing for the next few minutes as they disappear. Jasper's scent still lingers. I know I could follow him based on his scent alone, but I don't. I let Peter's presence ground me not to the moment.
"Ya know he'd never go if he thought for one second somethin' might happen." Peter's voice cuts through the silence threatening to overwhelm me.
"I know that," I sigh in defeat, rising from Peter's chest. "I'm just worried, being extra cautious. We weren't before and got off guard by Maria's scouts. I don't want that to happen again, but I worry about them walking into the unknown."
"I wouldn't have sent them either if somethin' was going to happen, Robyn. I know it won't. While I haven't exactly seen what takes place between them, I know it works. They make it back with the Denali coven in tow. I just feel it." Peter smirks at me when I give him a dead look.
"I wouldn't doubt either of your mates, Robyn," Garrett suddenly cuts in. "The Cullens doubted not only your mate but your shared love between them. That didn't work in their favor."
Peter laughs instantly at Garrett's words as if it struck his funny bone completely. "Man, Garrett, you never cease to amaze me." Garrett shrugs off the compliment before heading into the house.
"I'll see you both later. I'm craving a shower and some computer time. Don't wait up!" I shake my head at him, turning to Peter as Garrett disappears into the house.
"Guess it's just like old times, huh?" I ask Peter, my smile curving into a true smile. "At least before Jasper joined us. It was just us three all the time."
Peter takes my hand in his, pressing his lips to my knuckles. "I know what you mean." He takes an unneeded deep breath. "I love having Jasper around, but sometimes it's nice just to remember how things were before. I don't want you or Jasper to get the wrong idea, but sometimes we just need time to ourselves."
I squeeze his hand back. "I like the sound of that. We can still be together but also separately."
Peter tugs me under his arm as we head toward the house. "I also know that you didn't miss Jasper's little dig, right?"
I giggle up at him batting my eyelashes. "Whatever do you mean, good sir."
Peter rolls his eyes, but chuckles a few times. "Of course, milady." Peter suddenly goes quiet as we get closer to the house. Tugging on his arm, I grab his cheek to look into his eyes. Pleading with my own, he releases a breath. "I'm not mad or angry, but maybe there was a little bit of jealousy at a certain point." Peter bites his lip as if ashamed to admit to a fault.
"What about? Why in the world would you be jealous?" I'm curious wondering what it could possibly be that would have Peter jealous. It takes a minute of him avoiding my eyes to realize what that would be.
"Jasper and I were alone while you hunted. He reminded me of that earlier." I mumble, still confused. "You were with Jasper together while I was changing. What's the difference?"
Peter shrugs. "It's a stupid reason to be jealous. I mean after all I technically got your virginity while you were human." Peter smiles warmly at the thought, but then roughly kicks at the ground with a huff. "I guess I wanted to be the first with you alone. That day, when it was gonna happen, when I left, I wasn't bothered. Maybe I thought I wasn't bothered, but I was."
I shake my head at him, surprised mostly by his confession. "You never have anything to be jealous about, Peter. Nothing in the world." I reach up, taking his face into my palms as calmly and gently as I can manage. "Jasper had me once for a couple of hours. You have me for a couple of days. I wonder who has the better deal?"
Peter looks down bashful as if just realizing how lucky he truly has it. Reaching forward, he wraps his arms around my waist, grinning. "No time to waste then, huh?"
He lifts me into his arms bridal style. My laughter trails off into the wind as he runs me toward the house.