Chapter Eighteen

Eventually May came, and so did Jasper's graduation, along with Emmett and Rosalie's. Envy came over me as I noticed they looked amazing in the horrible hue of gold that graced their skin. Their eyes were striking, and their sharp features were even more beautiful.

Emmett smiled when he had gotten his diploma before fist pumping the air (which in return made me giggle and Carlisle chuckle at his son's enthusiasm). Rosalie had no expression upon her face, Jasper on the other hand smiled brightly at me. Pride surged from me at full force.

I was dressed in a nice baby blue summer blouse that had white daises spread across the fabric in large print and dark washed jeans. Some old worn out leather boots that Charlie had gifted to me some years ago finished off the look. They were technically fishing boots.

He had gotten me them the same year that I had stopped wanting to go fishing, I appeased to him though when it came to the fact that I had started to wear them more when he was around in California. I wore them all the time now since I was in Forks, they were comfortable.

Esme and Carlisle sat next to me, to my right. Pride also shone upon their features, even if this was like the thousandth (more like hundredth) time that they had seen their children graduate. I knew the school graduating classmen wouldn't believe their fellow golden eyed classmen had kept the tassels they had been graced with over the years as an inside joke between the five of them.

Charlie sat on my other side, he smiled at me. His face was calmer, there were less winkles upon his skin. He didn't look as though he was stressing every second. He knew I had someone who loved and cared about me as much as he loved and cared about me. I had someone who would be there for me.

He had been excited when I had started dating Jasper, elated. He knew I never had a boyfriend before in my life and a true gentleman was going to be my first. He had shaken hands with Jasper the first time that he came over, Charlie asked Jasper about Texas and what it was like growing up with Rosalie. Jasper hadn't skipped a beat when he came up with the practiced life, he had for him.

All I knew was the basics, that he and Rosalie were twins. Rosalie was a couple minutes older than him though in real life they were born centuries apart. They were with their parents till they were eight and their parents had been killed in a car wreck, Esme being their aunt (their mother's sister) they were given over in custody over to Esme and Carlisle.

Now they were their guardians but were more like parents. Though they and the others called them mostly by their first names, since they weren't their natural children and the other three had been adopted when they were almost in middle school.

"Oh, I'm so proud of my boys! And my Rose," Esme sighed happily as she clasped her hands together. I tried to imagine Renee being like this, Renee being at the graduation for Jasper and his twin, along with Emmett.

Renee and Phil were busy and the way that their travel schedule was they wouldn't have time to come up, the hours would be too conflicting on flights. Alice had told me this all before I would even pick up my phone and call them; she didn't want me to call and be upset if she said no. I still called for a façade only for me to receive the exact response that Alice said I would get.

Still it would have been nice to show off Jasper to Renee. She would have been so relieved to see a boy out there wanting to be with me, as who I was.

Of course, I'd never tell her about said boy being a vampire, that wouldn't have gone over so well but she'd be happy. Weary always, because that was Renee, but she would feel as though everything was finally going to smoothen out for me in the future.

I didn't have to have impressive intelligence to know Renee had feared I would never get married one day. She feared I'd never get a job that I'd love, nor that I would find a man to settle down and marry one day. I'd like to imagine that I'd find a wonderful job in the future that I'd love and cherish, along with a man to love and cherish forever with—along with sharing his last name.

At that thought my eyes flickered over to where Jasper was, my lips loosening up into a silly grin. Jasper was heading to go to his spot next to his sister when he saw me smiling at him, which in return made him chuckle some and wink at me. I blushed and looked down at my shoes before I heard a pair of soft chuckles on either side of me allowing me to know that both Charlie and Carlisle had caught that. Esme had giggled, amused.

"Doesn't Jasper look quite handsome in his robes, Bella?" Esme teased me, which made me blush even harder. I nodded my head though, confirming that he looked radiant in those robes. If anyone could pull them off and look like they were an Olympian God, it would be Jasper.

Thankfully none of the adults teased me for the rest of the graduation. I also appreciated the fact that the senior class was a little bit less than my graduating class would be. It would mean I would have more time with Jasper.

It didn't take long for the class to graduate, their diplomas in their hands, before everyone began to head towards their family members. I didn't rush down the bleachers in a cliché way, allowing Jasper to wrap me in his arms as I jumped into them, kissing me as he twirled me around. It was obvious that neither of us was cliché in that manner, which I was also thankful for.

Instead I nervously headed down the bleacher stairs when I was certain enough people had moved out of the way for me to not feel as though I was holding them back. Esme, Carlisle, and Charlie moved patiently behind me. They knew about my anxiety, and they didn't pressure me either.

Rosalie and Emmett were paying attention to each other, though Emmett beamed when he saw me heading down the bleachers. Rosalie gave me her signature bland expression.

I didn't bother to feel anything towards it anymore, she had her own reasons for not showing much emotion. I didn't want to try and ask the others what had happened to Rosalie to act this way. If she would tell me in the end about what had happened to her then she would.

The closer I came to Jasper the more I felt at peace. It washed over me, swallowing me whole, and I welcomed it completely with open arms. I was addicted to this feeling, to knowing that Jasper went out of his way to make sure I would feel nothing but calmness towards him. I also loved the fact that he made sure everyone would calm down and not use their emotions for gain.

There were too many people out there who wanted nothing more than to have everything under their control. They wanted things to go the way that they wanted them to go. They were anything but Jasper, and his family, greed did not overrun the Cullens and Hales. Hatred was not in their home, there was a structure built on love and understanding, the door would always remain open if any of them decided to leave. They could have a home always waiting for them.

Everything was good, the cloud covered sun still managed to shine through the gymnasium windows that were high upon the gym walls. The golden irises that belonged to those I loved almost shimmered brighter in the moments the sun managed to hit them in the right angle.

Reaching Jasper, I couldn't help but smile brightly, something I hadn't done in a long time. I couldn't remember the last time I had smiled so brightly. Well I could, but I couldn't remember a time before I had met Jasper and his family in which I would voluntarily smile to.

"Congrats, Jazz," I whispered, softly but surely, knowing I didn't have to be loud and rambunctious. I didn't have to yell to get his attention, unlike some of the relatives for fellow graduates around us. Jasper could hear me whisper in a Green Day concert, so I knew he could very well hear me now.

Jasper's lips curved in a soft smile; it was there but it wasn't extravagant. It wasn't dream worthy for some, but it was enough that my heart drummed heatedly in my chest. It was meant for me. No one else, but me.

"Thanks, Bella," Jasper responded, before he reached out and placed his right hand upon mine. Our ivory skin might be not on the same color splotch, but the shades were complementary all the same.

I allowed him to lead me into his arms. I allowed my head to rest against his chest as Charlie and Esme both pulled out cameras so they could snap a picture of me and Jasper together. I blushed but smiled meekly towards the cameras, while I was certain Jasper was charming them. I wouldn't be surprised if it was a southern good boy smile, the one that charmed the boots off young girls.

I took a few more pictures with Jasper before Esme stepped forward and handed her camera over to Carlisle. "Emmett, Rosalie, come over here! Your father is going to take a picture of you three with me!"

Esme's features were lively, I was certain she felt as though she was experiencing this for the first time in a long time. It might have to do with the fact that all her children finally had their mates. It wasn't an odd number, there wasn't the obvious knowledge that Rosalie and Emmett were together while Jasper was alone.

I moved completely out of the way and watched as Carlisle took pictures of Esme with her children, before Charlie cleared his throat, catching Carlisle's attention. "I can take a picture of you with them too, if you want, Carlisle," Charlie mumbled, which in return made Carlisle pause for a moment before smiling brightly.

"Thank would be nice, thank you, Charlie," he thanked him before he moved towards his wife and three children. They fixed their positions before Charlie took a couple pictures.

A whirlwind enveloped me as everyone moved around me. I would never had imagined this would have happened, that I would have a second family (especially when it came to them being vampires), or that I would even have a boyfriend. Yet it had only been four months since I had come up to Forks and found myself at home with the Cullens and Hales. I had gotten lightly pulled into the world of vampires. I had found out I was meant to be with Jasper, and that if I chose, I would become a vampire.

I didn't want to imagine the thought of me becoming a vampire. At least not today, I hadn't given it any thought. I was fine with mortality for now. I didn't have this unhealthy obsession where I would want nothing more than to become a vampire moments after finding out my boyfriend was one.

I was pulled back into reality when I heard my name being called, which in return made me blink a few times before I turned and saw everyone was looking at me. I frowned, my features furling up, "what's wrong?"

"Nothing, darling, you just drifted off," Esme assured me as she reached her hand out and placed it on my shoulder in a motherly manner. Some of the graduates had already left the gymnasium but others were still there.

"Oh."

I noted in the corner of my eye Jasper almost craning his head to the side, as though he wondered what I was thinking of. He didn't dwell long in his thoughts before he reached his hand out again for me. He was so polite, so caring, and I couldn't help but eagerly soak in those southern charms that had been installed into him since he was a mere little boy.

The moment my fingers brushed against his cool, pale palm. He let his fingers intertwine in mine before softly pulling me towards him. I went to him, my fishing boots moving effortlessly on the floor for a few seconds. I wasn't clumsy Bella, or at least I hadn't been for two seconds. Then I stumbled into his arms, earning a deep chuckle from Emmett.

"Better keep her close, Jazz. Who knows where she would stumble off to?" Emmett teased; in return the comment made a flush of crimson spread across my once clear face. For a second I swore I could feel Jasper tighten, his chest stiffens, and his breath go away.

I had to remember I was in a delicate predicament whenever I would be around Jasper. I hadn't drawn blood yet. I was in the presence of vampires; I wouldn't be scared around Esme or Carlisle. I didn't know how to feel about Rosalie and Emmett, but I knew without a doubt it would be my downfall. I would be attacked by Jasper because of his bloodlust.

Jasper didn't reply to him, merely rolled his eyes at his brother before he glanced down at me and checked to make sure I was okay. I nodded my head, the assurance grounded him.

"So, Jasper, what are you going to do tonight?" Charlie had his arms folded against his chest. His mustache twitched as he studied me being held by my boyfriend. I didn't even want to imagine what his face would have revealed if he had learnt his daughter was dating a vampire.

"I'll be spending the evening with my family. I'm content with staying home, Bella is welcome to come of course," Jasper remarked, Charlie nodded his head before he turned his attention to me.

"I wouldn't mind staying with you guys for a few hours. You know I'm content with staying in any time of the day," I admitted as I turned my head to the right more, seeing more people had left. It unnerved me.

I knew it shouldn't, but it still unnerved me. Old habits were hard to be killed it seemed like. Yet it didn't take long for peacefulness to erupt and soak into my veins. I peered up at Jasper, smiling softly at him. I knew he was always going to be there for me, just like I was going to be there for him.

"That's perfectly fine," Charlie remarked, assuring that Jasper had his approval. Jasper let his lips turn into the gentlemanly smile he always had, effortlessly of course. My heart jumped in my chest, even when he didn't send the smile my way. He had such an effect on me.

"I'll come and pick her up around five, is that all right?" Jasper probed, earning another nod from Charlie in approval.

A part of me wanted to jump up and down in excitement, I would be able to celebrate his graduation with him and the family, of course Rosalie showed no excitement with the knowledge that I would be coming over tonight. The others were happy, beaming at the knowledge that I would be with the Cullens and Hales.

I didn't want to part with Jasper, but as I was getting into Charlie's cruiser sadness came. I was addicted to being around Jasper. It probably wasn't healthy, but I didn't care. He made me feel normal, he made me feel happy. He took away all that bothered me, and I couldn't be happier.

Renee would be concerned; of that I was certain. I knew she would sit me down and tell me that I didn't need to feel so attached to Jasper. She didn't want me to be obsessed with my first boyfriend because in her eyes she thought that he was just going to be a phase. I didn't want to think of Jasper as just a phase, we both had this connection with each other that was otherworldly.

Thankfully it was sunny today, a good token of luck for Jasper when he would have his departure. He wasn't going alone though, out of any of them I never imagined that she would be going with him. Carlisle had assured me that she had never drank from a human, ever, even when she was freshly transformed into a vampire.

Jasper would enter the forest with Rosalie by his side, she was meant to be there in order to help him go through this bloodlust. I didn't want to imagine Jasper leaving but something sparked in me in which let me know I shouldn't be worried. Rosalie would be there with him, and if what Carlisle said was true (Carlisle wasn't someone who lied, all he had told me was the truth from the very beginning, I had no doubt that what he said was true) Jasper was going to have the best person to help him.

"You're quiet, Bells. Is everything all right?" Charlie's voice broke me from my wandering thoughts, enough that I turned and nodded my head, allowing him to know that everything was fine. He wouldn't believe me if I had told him my vampire boyfriend was leaving to control his bloodlust with his vampire sister (who also happened to not be even related to him).

Instead I smiled, which loosened him. He was coiled up, as though he was expecting me to tell him something was wrong, "I'm just thinking about the dinner tonight. Thank you again for allowing me to go and eat dinner with them. They're like a second family to me."

Maybe, if I had grown up in this town, I would have been wearier of them. Maybe if I had grown up in this town, I would have been best friends with the Blacks. I would probably form a crush on Jacob. We could have been possibly dating right now, but this was another world I was thinking of.

"That reminds me, Billy invited me and you to a get together down at La Push. It's going to be at the end of next month, but I wanted to tell you. I would really enjoy it if you told me you would come with me to it. Billy and Jacob mean a lot to me, I know you don't really have a friendship with Jacob and even though I wish you did I'm not going to force you to be friends with him. I just think that you'd enjoy being outside and not having your mind on Jasper and the family," Charlie informed me, as I soaked in what he had been saying.

It was true, my friendship with the Cullens and Hales could be considered unhealthy. If I wanted others to know I wasn't being forced to be friends with them, or that I was solely devoted to them. I didn't want a negative light to be on them, they deserved love and acceptance.

When I got home, I hugged Charlie and went upstairs to my bedroom. I paused when I saw a present that was on my bed. It was wrapped in glittering white-silver wrapping paper and a green bow sat nestled on the top of the box. I furled my eyebrows for a second, before I remembered the whole vampire thing. They probably went through the window when we were gone.

Sitting down slowly onto the bed, the thudding of Charlie closing the front door reverberated throughout the house. He yawned, hard enough I thought that he would crack his jaw from the strength, only to head into the living room and turn on the television to watch some movie or something. He would be occupied with the television most likely.

My fingers brushed the wrapping paper, before I noted the small tag that was attached to the bow. I pulled it off gently, almost expecting to see that it was Alice telling me that she had gotten me that retro dress, and that she wanted me to wear it for the graduation dinner Jasper was having.

Instead I was welcomed with the handsome, smooth handwriting that must have belonged to my Jasper.

To: my Bella

From: Jasper

I know that I will be gone for some time, I wish that I didn't have to leave you, but it is for the best. I know it will be hard, but I think that what you are about to receive will make it feel easier, if not make you feel less lonely.

You are not allowed to give it back, it is yours. Please enjoy your present, my lovely.

My fingers trembled at what I was greeted with, at the knowledge that Jasper had gotten something for me. Something that would make things easier for him and me, during this separation between him and I.

I had just gotten to the box when the thudding of footsteps up the stairs alerted me someone was coming up the stairs. I turned my head properly, so that my left side of my face could be pointed towards the bedroom door. My right side revealed nothing to me, though if I did have that sight, I would have seen my wall that my bed was up against and my bedframe.

Dad appeared, his eyes flickering down to see the box in my lap. A twinkle in his eyes allowed me to know he knew that this would be in my bedroom. Though confusion appeared a second later, as though he didn't expect the present to be in my bedroom when we got home.

"Why don't you open your present? Jasper went through a lot of trouble to get it. Okay, maybe he went through enough trouble with me in agreeing to get you something like this," Charlie grumbled, I knew he meant that if it didn't relate to Jasper going to 'college' and benefited me he would have not been so excited with Jasper trying to give me presents (even though he knew Jasper was still the most gentlemanly boy ever, Charlie would think Jasper was trying to buy my love through gifts due to his wealthiness).

My eyes rolled, as I opened the box, only to widen my eyes at the sight of a new laptop sitting in front of me. I squeaked, excitement threatening to take over me, at the fact that Jasper had bought me a laptop so we could Skype. I would still be able to see his beautiful face and talk to him about my day, I wouldn't feel as though we were so isolated with each other.

Charlie chuckled, pleased with my reaction.

I on the other hand couldn't wait until I would arrive at the Cullen house so that I could hug Jasper. I could let him know how happy I was. So, I counted down the hours, as I got ready an hour before Jasper would come and pick me up. I was smoothing down my light blush pink dress I had gotten a while back. It was a simple V-neckline and knee length, quarter length dress. My hair was curled a little bit, thanks to Charlie sitting me in the bathroom on a stool while he did a hair curling tutorial online.

I was just thankful he had only burnt me once or twice due to the curling iron hitting my ears. He had profusely apologized to me, but I was too excited to see Jasper to feel bothered by it.

Besides it wasn't like I could go ahead and curl my hair; it was difficult enough to straighten my hair (even then I had some girls offer to finish off my hair with their straighteners they always carried in the bathroom because I would miss pieces).

I had just slipped on my silver flats when the front bell rang. Charlie went to answer it, but I dismissed him as I hurried forward and threw open the front door. I launched myself forward and wrapped my arms around Jasper, who had effortlessly kept me balanced in his arms. He chuckled softly, amused.

"Good evening, lovely," Jasper mumbled, earning a small giggle from me before I pulled away from him. He studied me before he kissed me on the forehead, "I hope that you enjoyed my gift?"

I nodded my head rapidly, allowing him to know I did. "I did! I'm so happy that I'll be able to Skype you after your classes."

"Don't pester him too much, Bells. The boy's got to study for those classes of his," Charlie commented in the background, oblivious to the fact that Jasper's classes weren't going to be 'educational', as Charlie thought.

"Don't worry, Charlie, thanks for letting me pick up Bella. I'll have her back by nine, I promise," Jasper responded, earning a smile from Charlie. "You can make it nine thirty if you want."

My eyes widened as I turned and looked at Charlie, he always wanted me to stay inside when it was dark. He never cared for me to be out and about without someone there, and even if I had someone with him if it wasn't Charlie or Renee (and now Phil) taking care of me he'd want me back sooner than they would have me out.

The moment we entered the Cullen house I was home. Streamers were placed upon the doorways; a beautiful small cake was sitting in the dining room with candles. A vase of expensive flowers sat on the coffee table in the living room. The television was playing one of the music channels, party music. I wouldn't be surprised if it was Alice that picked out the music.

Esme stood beautiful in a cream hued cocktail dress, simple and elegant. Her family birthstone necklace sat nestled upon her neck, and one of her arms was wrapped around her husband's. Her head leant against the side of that shoulder; Carlisle was clad in one of his numerous suits.

Edward wore a light blue dress shirt, black dress pants, and black dress shoes. His hair was smoother, and Alice stood next to him in a same blue hued dress, this one was lacey and sparkly. The sparkly headband on her short locks made her look even more sparkly, though she was already sparkly enough with the sun setting in the background—hitting her skin at the perfect angle.

Emmett had his white dress shirt a lot less put together, the top two buttons on his shirt was unbuttoned and his sleeves were pushed up. He wore jeans, and a pair of hiking boots. He obviously dressed up some, but he wasn't as committed to look as though he was modeling for Men's Wearhouse, unlike Carlisle. He smirked at Esme's look; her motherly exasperation always saved for Emmett Cullen.

Rosalie stood next to Emmett in a long plunging neckline dress, the onyx shade a large contrast to her blonde curls and her topaz eyes. Her lips the color of wed wine Rosalie resembled a stiff model who had gotten tired of fame but still was there for people to remember her.

Bringing my hand up I waved at them, which broke the tension in half. Emmett came over to give me a big brother hug, Alice was coming over with her heels clicking against the floor and Esme was waiting for her turn to hug me. Edward stood in the back with a fond look upon his face, and Rosalie stood off to the side with her eyes peering at me with such complexity that I turned my eyes away.

Yet, determination struck me, and I moved towards me after everyone greeted me, causing the vampire to arch her eyebrow up. I reached my hand out as though to have a peace offering. She calculated me before she questioned me without asking why I was doing this.

"I trust that you will make sure to not lead Jasper astray. Thank you for helping him, not just for me but for all of you. You're a good sister, Rosalie," I whispered, before Rosalie reached her and out and stiffly shook my hand.

The moment I took a step back I swore that there was relief flooding through those topaz eyes, as though she was pleased, I trusted her. For our odd relationship we had with each other she appreciated I would put trust in her.

The sound of the party broke the stupor around me, before I turned and went back to Jasper. He smiled down as I took his hand and we headed to the others. Maybe I was one step closer to changing my relationship with Rosalie to the better.

authors note:

A lot has happened in these past months that have happened, including having no motivation at all. I apologize for the hiatus but as I promised I'll never abandon the fanfiction. I wanted you to know that updates will be: two chapters per update. Remember we have 27 chapters left, including outtakes. Outtakes on their own: 12.

I am also working on other fanfictions, which will be having the same update schedule. This fanfiction is my number one priority. I've missed you all! Hope you enjoyed this chapter.

-Emmy