Chapter Sixty Four
Jasper
Our daughter seemed set on getting herself a boyfriend, it was so damn important to her for some reason. It was as if she felt there was a time limit, that she had to find the right guy quickly. Maybe she had been afraid she would keep on ageing fast even though Carlisle had tried to put her mind at rest. Yes, she was still developing but at a much slower rate now and he was confident that in the next six month's or so it would halt or at least become that of a normal human being.
The strange thing was that although she sounded and looked like a girl in her mid to late teens I couldn't help seeing her as the infant I had saved and protected. A role I would continue with as long as we both lived. I had a promise to keep. She was still a daddy's girl despite our occasional falling out and she knew I would always be there for her.
I think she worried that I watched her a little too closely but was that possible? When your daughter was a beautiful, young woman and you knew just how many predatory males there were in the world looking for someone just like that?
She went into town with Bella to get a new outfit for the social although I'd warned her that it wasn't going to be anything like the ball in Volterra. These were ordinary folk who just planned on having a good time and socializing. I guess there would be a few social climbers but nothing on the scale of the Volturi.
Bella was very quiet when they got back and Megan refused to show me what she'd bought which was unusual and made me slightly nervous. Still, her mom would hardly have allowed her to get something too outlandish, would she?
Peter and Charlotte were going to drive to our place and pick us up so we could go together, an hour drive to the country club where it was being held.
I was late coming in to get ready as one of the mares had thrown a shoe and I had to get that taken care of before I came in. The house was deserted when I got in so I went straight upstairs to find Bella looking ravishing in her underwear brushing her hair.
Kissing her neck I wrapped my arms around her and whispered in her ear.
"Let's just stay here. Peter and Charlotte can take Meg and we can play around."
Bella laughed and caressed my thigh causing all kinds of reactions down there but shook her head.
"Down boy. I'm going to the ball so get your sweaty ass in the shower right now."
I groaned but did as I was bid, hopefully, I would be on a promise later.
Twenty minutes later I was showered, dressed, and waiting for Peter and Charlotte with Bella.
"Where's Megan? She does realize that we need to be leaving soon."
"She'll be down in a minute. There's plenty of time. And when she comes down you will be nice."
I frowned at my wife. Be nice? I was always nice to Megan, what the hell did that mean?
When I heard Megan's steps on the stairs I turned and stared unable to speak. I hardly recognized her, she looked like a woman, not my little girl. She was wearing heels and a pair of skinny jeans along with a cropped top. To my mind, there was far too much exposed skin but I held my tongue and managed a weak smile.
"Well, look at you. I hope you have a jacket, it's cold out there."
She grinned and stuck her tongue out swinging a leather jacket ostentatiously on one finger.
Her hair was loose just like her moms and I could see she was wearing some makeup, not that she needed it. Meg had the kind of face that made men look and a figure to match. If only Alec could see her now he would be beating himself up at losing her.
Before I could say anything more we heard a horn, Peter had just pulled up outside and Meg made a beeline for the door, anxious to get out of the house while she could without any more remarks from her dad. For the first time, I actually felt old and that depressed me a little.
Bella took my arm grinning, "Welcome to teenager 101, Jasper."
I shook my head in bewilderment and followed our daughter out into the chilly evening air groaning as I saw Peter grinning broadly. Yeah, no chance he was going to keep his big mouth shut. It was going to be one hell of an evening!
Bella and I slid in the back with Charlotte allowing Meg to ride shotgun. Maybe that was her idea in order to save a lecture during the drive.
Peter was worryingly quiet until we hit the highway but then he started.
"Nice outfit Megan. When do you pick up the rest of it?"
Meg ignored him but that made no difference to Peter. I could have told her it wouldn't.
"I hope you didn't pay full price or you were ripped off."
Megan turned to him trying to look casual.
"It's a designer top."
"I'd like to meet the designer then. He must have a contract with the fucking manufacturer. Get a skim off all the material they saved making that. It woulda been illegal in my day."
"Yes well, Uncle Peter. We left the stone age behind a long while ago. Besides, they needed the excess to make long johns to keep your ancient bones warm."
He burst out laughing at that and the two chatted amicably the rest of the journey. It was funny how well Peter and Megan got along. He was so abrasive that most people found him hard work but to Megan, it was like water off a duck's back.
At the country club, we had a hard time finding a parking spot. There were a lot of people there this evening. It was very windy and wet as we walked across the parking lot but Meg didn't seem to notice. She was more interested in the young people hanging around in the entrance hall. I guess I couldn't blame her, she wouldn't be a teenager if she wasn't interested in the effect her arrival had on them.
I felt admiration and something more in the young guys and jealousy in the girls. I doubted Meg would have any trouble finding company this evening and hoped she enjoyed herself while making a mental note to keep a wary eye on her.
Megan
That had gone better than I expected. I'd taken out another outfit and laid it on my bed just in case dad had a fit and refused to allow me out in the first one. Mom had been a little sceptical but decided to let me try. Sometimes I felt she remembered her own teenage years while dad had forgotten his but when I said as much mom pointed out that when dad was my age he was a soldier fighting for his life.
What you have to remember sweetheart is that your dad was born in another century when things were very different. Don't be too hard on him and if he tells you to go back and change, do it, for me."
I'd never given much thought to my dad's past. It had never mattered much, just that he had been there at the crucial time to save me. I'd heard a little about his past from Uncle Peter because I'd asked why he called him Major and then a little more from Alec but he was very careful not to say much.
Now I was curious to know his past. He was the one person I had never grilled like everyone else. I would find an opportunity at some time in the not too distant future although how much he would tell me I wasn't sure. From the little I'd heard it had been hard and brutal yet he was such a kind and gentle man. I couldn't really imagine my dad fighting a war and killing people.
For now, though, I had more immediate things to concern me. The guys who were my own age had seemed interested when I walked in and there were more inside. It was the first time I had been among so many young people and I found it a little intimidating as I glanced around. The girls were curious but a little hostile when they saw the attention the boys were giving me. I felt like saying 'Chill out girls, I'm just novelty value' and most of them I wouldn't have given a second glance in any case.
There were a couple of exceptions, but before I could find out anything about them mom called me over to introduce me to their friends from the nearby ranches. Some I already knew, but I made small talk and smiled for a few minutes then one of the boys that had caught my eye came over and was introduced as Trey. His dad was the local feed store owner and I wondered how I had missed him when I had visited with dad or Peter.
It turned out that he was at college and had come home for recess. We stood chatting for a while and it turned out he was studying to be a veterinary surgeon specializing in horses so we had something in common to talk about. He was intelligent and good looking and it was some time before we noticed the adults had moved away.
Introducing me to his friends as they came over broke the ice and I soon stopped feeling like an outsider. There were some awkward questions about why I didn't attend the local high school but I explained that I had been sick when I was younger and had been homeschooled as a result. It was the story we had decided on as a family.
When they discovered that I had been to Italy they were even more impressed. I think they assumed my family was rich although no one actually said as much.
The girls, Tiffany, Amy, and Penny were more interested in my dad. I had to smile when I saw the way they were looking over at him. Sure he was good looking but hell, he was my dad!
"Who's the other guy? He's cute too. You are so lucky to have such a great family. They don't even look old enough to have a teenage daughter.``
I just shrugged, of course, it was all part of the vampire magnetism but even so, I had to admit they were both pretty damned impressive.
A conversation about my parents didn't really interest me, I wanted to talk about other things, mainly I wanted to be with Trey. I liked him, he was intelligent, fun to be with and he seemed interested in me. I guess using my gifts to see that was cheating, but what the hell.
When Trey asked if I would like to join him and his friends at their table I readily agreed and just caught up with my mom to tell her so.
"OK sweetheart, Enjoy yourself."
Bella
Jasper was more relaxed when he realized that Megan was spending the evening with the other kids. I think he felt more in control because he could see where she was and what she was doing. That meant we could have a good time too.
Peter and Charlotte had already gotten up to dance much to Jasper's amusement. He always felt very self-conscious while Peter didn't give a damn, he just went ahead and enjoyed himself and to hell with everyone else.
After watching the youngsters chatting and Peter and Charlotte dancing while Jasper chatted about horses with Dan and Rhona Williams, Trey's parents, I finally caught his attention.
"Would you like to take your wife out onto the dancefloor?"
He grinned and excused himself before taking my hand and leading me onto the dance floor.
"I'm sorry, I've been neglecting you, haven't I?"
"Yes. And you'll pay for it later."
He groaned, "Ouch. And there I was looking forward to a night of passion."
"Then I guess you just blew it, Mister."
"Can I maybe change your mind, ma'am?"
"You can try, but I warn you, I'm going to be hard to persuade."
He pulled me close and kissed the top of my head,
"Now you just leave that to me darlin'. I'll work some of my Texas magic."
As we danced I noticed the envious glances of some of the other women whose husbands seemed to be glued to the bar or huddled in groups discussing business. I couldn't imagine being married to someone like that. I was so very lucky.
I admit I forgot all about Megan as we danced and we stayed on the floor for some time. Jasper and I could dance as well as anyone, even the kids, and we just allowed ourselves to be carried away being together and allowed the rest of the world to melt away.
I found myself wondering why we didn't socialize more. That is until I found myself being approached by a rather inebriated older man with a potbelly, the steward of the country club if memory serves me right. Jasper had gone off to dance with Charlotte while Peter finished a little business with an acquaintance involved in the ranching business.
I was scanning the room which appeared more crowded than it had with most people up and dancing when I felt a hand on my shoulder. Thinking it was Jasper or Megan I turned smiling only to be leered at by a complete stranger, tall, overweight, and stinking of beer and sweat.
"Now what's a pretty lady like you doing all alone? How about I take you out on the dance floor? Or maybe you'd like a drink?"
I shrugged his hand off and stood up.
"Excuse me? Do I know you?"
"Not yet, but you could if you played your cards right pretty lady."
"Please take your hand off me before I lose my temper."
He smiled broadly, "Oh, feisty eh? Come on, you'll find you like me once we get to know each other."
I knew if Jasper saw this he would rip the guy's head off and damn the consequences and I didn't want a scene in front of all these people. Especially for Megan's sake so I decided to take care of it myself.
"Maybe I was a little hasty. Why don't we go for a walk? It's a little hot in here."
He grinned triumphantly, thinking in his drink addled brain that I had fallen for his chat-up line.
"Okay. After you darling."
I moved swiftly to the entrance hoping that Jasper wasn't watching and quickly opened the door and stepped outside into the gusting wind and drizzle.
My companion almost tripped over in his eagerness to join me and grabbed my arm.
"My car's over here, it'll be warm and dry in there. We can get cosy, get to know each other."
I allowed him to guide me away from the brightly lit area in front of the club but as soon as we were hidden by shadows I turned and grabbed his right hand pulling it off my waist and squeezing it hard.
"Now listen to me you creep. Don't assume any woman would be interested in a stinking pile of crap like you and keep your hands to yourself in future. This is just a little reminder to help your drink addled brain remember what I just told you."
I felt the bones crunch in his hand and knew I'd mashed most of the bones in his fingers and possibly his wrist too. Then I shoved him hard enough to make him stagger back and fall backwards into a puddle. He lay immobile and I turned to go back to the club pleased with the way I had handled him until I felt a grip on my hair and found myself jerked backwards.
I whirled around to find myself face to face with the red-faced asshole, one hand hanging limply at his side. The other clenched in a fist around my hair.
I tensed to punch him in the face when I heard a screech which made him spin around just in time to see another figure launch itself at him from the side and all three of us fell to the ground in a tangled heap. This evening was turning out to be more interesting than I could have imagined.
