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Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.
CHAPTER FIFTYFIVE
(DPOV)
Our flight home was uneventful; I slept on Jasper's shoulder most of the time while he read magazines to pass the time. Esme picked us up at the airport in Port Angeles and drove us back to Forks, asking us all sorts of questions during the ride; she had obviously missed us.
"So that's what we did. Did anything happen while we were away?"
"No. It was pretty quiet with you two away; we've already gotten used to having you around Danielle, so it just wasn't the same without you."
Edward and Emmett met us at the car, each of them giving me a hug. "Hey! Glad you're back. Now we can start teaching you to fight!"
Edward took our suitcases inside then joined us in the backyard. Esme called from the kitchen, "Take it easy boys; I'm sure Danielle's tired from the trip."
I nodded, "Yeah, but I want to learn how to defend myself." I looked pointedly at Jasper, who nodded. "You do need to learn how; we'll show you."
The next two weeks flew by; I spent all my time learning how to dodge and fight. Esme joined us sometimes, since we were the most evenly matched. Jasper was a strict teacher, but I knew he just wanted me to be my best. We focused mostly on avoiding and blocking shots, since I wasn't strong enough to really attack.
"I know you're not as strong as us, but you have a distinct advantage, Danielle," Edward said to me one afternoon, while I was taking a break.
"Oh yeah? What's that?"
"Your power. Or lack there of. When vampires have abilities, we tend to focus on them and not our actual fighting skills. Since you seem to be immune to those, you have an advantage against those vamps."
"Yeah!" exclaimed Emmett, "Like that evil little girl in Volturi. I know you could kick her ass."
"Who?"
Jasper quickly explained who Jane was and what she could do.
"Wow."
"Exactly. She's bad-ass, but you could take her!"
"Thanks for the faith, Emmett."
We headed inside, where Esme was making dinner for me.
"Are you ready to start school tomorrow, Danielle?"
I groaned, "No."
I heard the boys laugh upstairs. I sent an evil glare their way.
"I'm sure it'll be fine, dear. Have you and Jasper talked about how you're going to approach your relationship?"
Jasper came downstairs and answered for me, "We're just going to take it slow in public, Esme. We're going to make sure everyone realizes we're not actually related, and go from there. Humans usually avoid me, so it'll probably be Danielle that has to deal with it." He shot me an apologetic look.
"I'm just glad we're starting on the first day of school, not in the middle of the school year. That would suck."
I ate my dinner and heading up to my room to pick out my clothes for the first day of school. Someone knocked on my door. "Come in."
It was Esme, "Do you need some help picking an outfit?"
"How did you know?"
She smiled, "I heard you rummaging and sighing a lot. Let's take a look."
We decided on a pair of low-rise, faded, flared jeans, with a heather gray Incubus ringer and a lightweight, black, zip-up hoodie. "Perfect. Not too much, but enough. Oh! I better paint my nails." Esme laughed and we sat at the vanity in the bathroom and painted each other's nails. I painted Esme's a glittery peach, while she painted mine a bright cobalt blue.
"I'm so glad there's another woman in the house," she exclaimed as I painted another coat on her nails.
I grinned, "Yeah, I don't really see Emmett painting your nails for you."
We both laughed. "I'm glad you and Jasper had a good trip. I'm so exciting for you two."
"Thanks Esme. I better get some sleep before school tomorrow."
"Of course, dear. Thank you for the manicure," she smiled. "Goodnight."
"Goodnight Esme."
I changed into my pjs and went to the bathroom to brush my teeth. Jasper joined me, watching me brush.
"Is something wrong?" I asked
He shook his head, "I just like watching you do human stuff; it's cute."
I spit out the toothpaste, "Okay. Are you going to stay with me?"
"I'll stay until you fall asleep, but then I'll go for a quick hunt before you wake up. Okay?"
We settled into my bed, and he gave me a kiss goodnight. I desperately wanted to pull him to me and really kiss him; we hadn't made out since we'd gotten back from our trip. I resisted, however, because I knew I needed to sleep.
"Goodnight Jasper."
"Goodnight Danielle."
