Author's Note - sorry, I know this one is long...

Please forgive any spelling and/or grammar errors. I hope you enjoy it, please let me know what you think!

This chapter actually ends before the end of chapter 20. Bella's chapter is next and it will cover the remaining parts and move forward from there.

I know some of you might be angry or disappointed with the direction taken during Edward and Bella's reunion. I ask that you keep in mind the fact that she's had months to process it at this point, her blissful happiness with Jasper, and the fact that right now, her only concern is protecting her family. She doesn't have time for distracting arguments that won't help them save Carlisle.

Also, I was trying to stay true to the Bella from the books. No matter what anyone does to her, she forgives them and internalizes the blame. I've tried to make her character grow enough that she has finally stopped blaming herself for everything, but she still forgives everyone for everything. That's just who she is.

Edward's actions were enough to finally break his hold over her, but Mae's existence has permanently tied them together. Now they have to find a way to interact and get along for her sake. You'll see a bit more of that in the next chapter from Bella's point of view.

For those of you still disappointed, that was one of the reasons you got to see the visions Alice had of potential futures where Bella did ream him out - at least a little. They were possibilities, however unlikely, but still seen at least in part through the pixie fortune teller.

Any dialogue you recognize is from Breaking Dawn. Most has changed at least a little, but there may be a few bits from the book. PS I'm not Stephenie Meyer, so I don't own anything :(

Chapter 21 - Jasper

20 Days

It was almost noon when they landed, and it was a relief to be back up north. The return of perpetually overcast days made it unnecessary to worry about exposing themselves to humans. Staying cooped up all day, and only going out at night had reminded him a bit too much of his time in the south with Maria.

Cloudy Washington with Bella and the Cullens was infinitely preferable.

Mae ran directly to Rosalie, planting her hand on her auntie's cheek and making Rose glow with joy. It was a powerful hit, addictive, magnetic, and Jasper drifted closer unconsciously. The tension and worry from the last day was replaced with elation expanding like a balloon to fill his entire being.

Emmett laughed at him, but he too was eager to hug Mae and spin her around until she couldn't stop giggling, to give him a hard time.

They headed to the cars fairly quickly after that, preferring to enjoy the rest of their reunion in the privacy of their home where they didn't have to pretend to be human.

Bella hadn't wanted to separate from Mae, protective urges were riding her hard after the way Santiago threatened to take their child, but Mae wanted to spend time with Rose and Em, and there wasn't room for all eight of them to ride together. Jasper would follow wherever Bella needed him most, but Jasper needed to talk to Carlisle, preferably without little ears around. He figured she'd appreciate taking part in the conversation.

Jasper caught Jake's eye and the wolf nodded, moving to help Mae into Rose's BMW, despite his injury. Carlisle would have to take a look as soon as they got home. Feeling's of acceptance surrounded him, wordlessly indicating that Bella was fine with this alternative.

Jacob was Bella's best friend, and she'd always trusted him to watch out for her. Well, mostly trusted him. She worried he was a bit too arrogant about his ability to take on vampires single-handedly and come out of the fight unscathed. But now she'd also grown to trust Jake to look out for Mae's safety since he'd proved himself capable numerous times while they'd been gone - particularly during his fight with Santiago.

"Alice said we have three weeks. They're searching the area, and it will take them a while to figure out there's nothing to find. It gives us time," Jasper said into the silence of the car. He felt Carlisle's resignation and silently cursed.

"I won't have any of us doing something that could endanger the rest of you," he said softly, truly having resigned to his awaiting fate.

"The hell we won't," Jasper said, the statement as hard as diamond and as tough as titanium.

"Jasper," Esme chided, though half-heartedly. Mostly she was intrigued, secretly hoping he had a trick up his sleeve, and a plan to save her husband and mate.

"We can't lose you, Carlisle. You're the backbone of this family," Jasper said, willing his father to stand against this injustice. To not just roll over and accept death.

He also felt Bella's desire to echo his sentiments, but she sat quietly instead. Sometimes he disliked how hard it was for her, still trying to figure out her place in their family. When she'd been human, Edward had unconsciously drilled it into her head that she wasn't one of them, and therefore didn't have a voice worth hearing when it came to matters that affected them all. A couple times she'd insisted on being heard, like voting to turn her, but his reaction had made her reluctant to speak up again - not worth the fight.

Even Alice had steamrolled over her choices a few too many times. He and Emmett were also guilty of being a bit too surprised to discover she actually had a decent brain when they'd first met her - before they'd gotten to know her. But those interactions left indelible impressions.

He'd have to talk to her about it later. It was something he'd have to work on. She had a right to voice her opinions and sentiments. Things were different now, without the dynamics of her and Edward's relationship being imposed on the family. Now everyone would respect her mind.

Hopefully they'd have the time to see the change.

It'd only happen if Carlisle survived though. Because without him, Esme would be a shell. She'd force herself to live for her children's sake, but Jasper doubted Rosalie would be able to handle sticking around to see her like that. And Emmett went where Rose did. Edward and Alice were already gone. Knowing them as well as he did, they'd both try to take the responsibility onto themselves for failing their father and would refuse to come back. That left him and Bella. And Mae. Whose future was still a complete mystery. It could still turn out that the three of them didn't have a future to fight for.

"Thank you… son," Carlisle said thickly, and Jasper felt his appreciation and love. "But I can't bear the thought of one of my children dying because they thought to save me."

"We'll figure something out. We have time," he said, dropping the subject for now.

They spent the rest of the car ride discussing the changes in Mae's development since she wasn't around.

"I'd agree. She's approximately twelve or thirteen," Carlisle said, contemplating what he'd seen of her in the airport. Mae's features had finally caught up to her height. But aside from that, her aging was relatively normal now.

"There haven't been any detectable changes overnight - not the way they happened before," Bella informed their father.

"That's good. So long as she doesn't have any more rapid growth spurts, she could live another seventy, or even eighty years with medical advancements and if her heart holds out," Carlisle said optimistically.

Bella's distress physically pained Jasper. She couldn't bear the thought of living forever without her child. He understood. No parent should outlive their child.

"We aren't racing a clock anymore to find answers," Esme added, trying to cheer Bella up. "There's no reason we can't keep looking once this is over if Alice doesn't find answers first."

"Carlisle… have you considered what would happen if you tried changing her?" Jasper asked, needing to give both Bella and himself the chance to keep her. He'd been afraid to ask before, scared that the answer would be a resounding no. It was an idea he'd sat on long enough.

There were many indicators that Mae was like the wolves, which would mean vampire venom was lethal to her system. But considering she was part vampire herself, how could it possibly be incompatible?

"I'll have to run some tests," he hedged. Jasper felt his doubt. He didn't think it would work. Probably for the same reason Jasper had just thought of. But the evasive answer gave Bella hope, so he didn't call his father on it. He also didn't bring up the fact that he'd have to survive the Volturi in order to run those tests.

For a while once they were home, Mae regaled everyone with tales of Guatemala. The people she met, the things she saw, all of it. She delighted in using her gift to show them, downloading images directly into their minds. It was better than sharing pictures.

Garrett's reaction to Mae had been the highlight of his day though. He was utterly enchanted, completely taken in by her charms - just like the rest of them.

Mae had walked right up to him, brave and fearless, and asked, "Are you here to help my family?" in her clear, chiming voice full of innocence and wonder. The sound of it held all the appeal of vampire charisma and the innocence of children - an undeniable combination.

Garrett kneeled before her, a subject to her will. It was startling to picture the patriotic vampire who believed so completely in self-rule willing to serve his daughter. The idea flickered in and out of focus, overlaying the real scene playing out. Jasper was abruptly grateful the Volturi had no knowledge of her, for they would certainly view her as a threat with her ease at making people love her and do anything for her. It was the same power the immortal children once had - even if it wasn't actually the case here.

If she didn't outgrow it, she'd no doubt follow in her mother's footsteps and break a lot of hearts. The memory of the male population at Forks High School falling all over themselves for her came to mind.

"Would you like that, young one?" Garrett asked softly, taking her hand and covering it with his.

"Yes, please," she said simply.

"Then I will. I always support my friends. And I would like to see justice carried out," he concluded, proving that his position was more a show of respect, and that he could relate to her on her level than it had been about being willing to serve.

"Because you know we didn't do anything wrong?" Mae asked, intrigued that a stranger would so willingly help them. She'd picked up on the danger of the situation, and understood what Garrett was risking - even if not fully.

"Precisely," he replied, grinning broadly.

"Would you like to hear about my adventure?" Mae asked, changing the subject now that she'd determined he was a friend. His eyes lit up at the word adventure, and Jasper decided to discreetly remind the newcomer that Mae was less than a year old and didn't need to hear details of what he no doubt considered adventures a little later.

"Very much," he agreed.

The rest of the day and evening was spent playing games and being a family. Jacob had left as soon as they got to the house, eager to check on his father and the remains of his pack. Carlisle had gone with him, letting Jasper know the hasty departure was really so Mae wouldn't hear Jacob scream out in pain when Carlisle tended to his wound. They were lucky the damage hadn't been worse - just a few cracked ribs that didn't set right.

It was great being together again, Esme hadn't left his side in hours, except to make a snack for Embry when he checked in for a visit, and Jazz loved the motherly attention. Mae had nodded off with her head pillowed in Rosalie's lap, the blonde stroking Mae's hair and humming softly. But Alice's absence was a gaping hole that everyone was tiptoeing around lest they fall in and plummet into inevitable territory of loss and death.

"It's been almost a week, darlin'," Jasper said quickly, so low in Bella's ear that he knew their family couldn't hear. The second he made the reference he felt the responding spike of lust from his mate.

Bella stood, clutching his hand as she did, and dragging him up. He went willingly. Hell, he'd follow her anywhere. Particularly if her emotions were a promise of what was to come.

Without a word, Bella started for the door. Jasper trailed in her wake, a sailor following his siren's call. On the way, he met Emmett's smirk. Jasper shrugged, as if he were a helpless puppet at her mercy. Em's smirk grew, recognizing the situation for the reality it was, and Jasper couldn't hide his answering smile any longer.

They'd been able to sneak in some alone time every now and then these last couple months thanks to Jake - he truly was glad they'd thought to bring him along - but it hadn't been often enough for his liking. He needed Bella.

They barely made it inside the front door before he tore her shirt off. At least this one she actually got some wear out of before he ruined it. He and Bella had basically worn the same outfit the entire time they were gone, and just washed Jake and Mae's clothes at the hotel every couple of days. It was nice that vampires didn't sweat or develop unpleasant body odor. It circumvented the necessity of showers. Though those were still pleasant to enjoy with a partner.

The idea spurred him on. Jazz walked backwards, guiding them down the narrow hallway even as their limbs remained entangled, and he continued tasting her mouth with honeyed lips in a drugging kiss.

Bella was intoxicating. Her flora bouquet of freesia, orange blossoms, and lilacs filled his nose, heavenly and delicious. His head was light from the sweetness of her skin, a sugar high. The rush powering him with the nuclear fusion of a thousand suns.

Gently, he trailed kisses down her neck, sliding his tongue over the smooth surface where the echo of her pulse once beat. Her back arched, bringing her breasts against his chest and sparking the desire to appreciate the area more thoroughly.

Hands ran up her sides, lightly ghosting over her ribs and making her squirm against him before he reached his destination. All the while, her fingers scraped purposely down his back to grip his butt. He tweaked the hardened peaks of her nipples before gently massaging the heavy globes.

"Jazz, I've missed this," Bella said, halting their progress by pinning him to the hallway wall so hard the hanging picture rattled in its frame. He let her. Kissing her hungrily again in answer and releasing every emotion he felt into the room for her to experience.

"Ahh," Bella moaned as he continued worshipping her breasts, occasionally pinching and tugging on the budded nipples. Distracted as he was making her, Bella managed to rid him of his pants. She ripped the zipper open then slipped her hand inside to grip his firm length.

"Mmm," Jasper groaned as he shook and bucked helplessly against her palm at the contact.

The destroyed jeans were discarded, along with Bella's, and he wasn't exactly sure when, but somehow they were both naked. He finished leading her into the bathroom, her hand never stopping its stroking and tugging, then turned on the water and pulled Bella into the shower with him. He positioned her so she stood under the falling droplets.

The water made her polished skin even more slick and slippery, and she appeared haloed in rainbows with the way the water and light reflected off her body. Since becoming a vampire, she'd developed an unflinching confidence. He felt it now as she stood naked before him. There was no fear, shyness, discomfort, or uncertainty. She wanted him to look at her. And he was more than happy to oblige.

Bella was mesmerizing. Glorious. He was in awe of her. What had he ever done to deserve her?

But that was just it, he didn't deserve her. No one did. And he was all right with that because she wanted him. Loved him. So he'd happily give her what she wanted.

"Mmhh, yes," Bella murmured when Jazz sank to his knees before her, kissing first her right, then left hip bone.

Easily, he pulled her knee over his shoulder to give him access to her core. Balance not an issue with their enhanced senses. Slowly, he ran his nose along the inside of her thigh, making her shutter and gasp, need blooming within her.

Jasper's hand inched towards her center, slipping first one, then a second finger inside her passage, working them slowly within her, in and out, until she was aching with need. He waited until the anticipation was almost pain, then teased the bud at the apex of her thighs with his tongue. Flicking it lightly at first, then more rapidly, using his vampire speed to make his tongue nearly vibrate against her.

Bella shivered at the way the water slid over her body, dancing sensually while Jasper poured himself into pleasuring her, licking, stroking, and tonguing her opening. Not needing to breathe definitely had its perks.

Slowly, with fingers and tongue, he drove Bella to the highest pinnacle she could reach. He looked up in time to watch as her head fell back, and water cascaded down her chest.

Bella's pleasure was his. He felt it all, experienced it with her. The rush, the ecstasy. Shutters racked his frame the same as hers, and he knew she experienced an even greater release because he'd allowed her to feel his as well - amplifying the total amount of pleasure possible.

When he stood, he slipped easily into her, sighing in peace at the feel of her encassing him with her arms, legs, and body.

"I'll love you forever," Jasper vowed, losing himself in her sunset golden eyes, the red hue so faint that only a vampire would be able to detect it now.

"I'll love you more," Bella said, a tad competitively.

He raised a single brow in silent question, wondering if she'd yet recalled his unique ability to know for certain.

"Shut up and love me," Bella huffed, though he felt her amusement.

"It'd be my pleasure, darlin'," he said, the concession a promise they'd both enjoy.

And they did. For hours. Slowly, lazily, sensually. Until they couldn't avoid their other commitments a moment longer.

19 Days

"There was something I was hoping you'd agree to do today," Jasper said as they traversed the path back to the house.

In the months they'd been gone, the forest had attempted to reclaim its land. Saplings had sprouted in the spring weather, and the underbrush was decidedly less trampled. New nests had been erected in the tree branches, unaware that they were in a predator's territory.

"I actually already had something in mind - but I'll need your help," Bella said, nervously wringing her hands. It was a leftover habit from when she'd been human, and he found it endearing to watch now.

Curiosity plagued him enough that he didn't wait for her to elaborate, instead asking, "Oh? And what's that, darlin'?"

"I want you to train me to fight," Bella confessed. He knew she'd been torn up about not being able to do more when Santiago attacked. Bella wasn't one to let others fight her battles while she stood aside, safe and protected.

"You read my mind," Jasper informed her, already outlining a training regime.

That had been exactly what he planned to do. He didn't much care for the idea of her being defenseless and reliant on others. A sitting duck. An easy target. He hoped to always be there to take on any threats, but the situation in Guatemala highlighted the fact that they would not always be in a position where he could help her.

"Really? You'll let me -"

"Let you? Bella, I'm not your keeper," Jasper said gently. It caused him physical pain whenever she said things like that.

"Sorry. So how are we going to do this?" she asked, quickly moving on. Time, he reminded himself. It would just take time for the old habit to fade.

"Do you remember when we trained the wolves?"

"Sort of?" Bella said, nodding, but it sounded more like a question and her scrunched face meant she was trying to access memories that were likely too hazy to bring into focus.

"Like that. I'll guide you through it so you don't need to worry. It's surprisingly easy for our kind to learn new skills, even fighting. Once you have a few basics, then it's just about practicing so you can learn to read different opponents. I'm sure Emmett will be willing to help," Jasper explained.

"Wonderful," Bella muttered sarcastically.

Jasper had trained many soldiers how to fight in his life. They usually fell into one of a few set categories. Those that needed to see something to learn it. This was most common for vampires thanks to their enhanced senses and ability to break down and analyze what they'd seen in moments. The next category was for those that needed things explained. This was most common for vampires clinging to their human existence since they relied less on their new abilities. They were also the ones that typically died in their first newborn battle. Then there were those that learned by trying and getting feedback. These vampires were the ones that improved the most and advanced the farthest. Bella fell into this category, but with a catch that wasn't all that uncommon.

Bella was stubborn. She would want to be perfect from the start. So much had come naturally in this life that she would expect this to be the same. She'd be annoyed at getting critiqued and not hear him. She wouldn't want to have to have help. Rose had been the same. Impatience would ride her thanks to the looming threat, making it that much harder for her to focus. It would take Bella getting tired of being frustrated and failing before she'd listen. They hadn't even started yet, and he could see the whole thing unfolding in his mind. Maybe his time with Alice had rubbed off on him.

He started with how she stood and moved, demonstrating a few easy ways to face off with someone or initiate combat.

"Don't plant yourself in the ground like that. If you were burly like Emmett that might be your approach, but you're light and quick. You'll want to be fluid. You're not human anymore, so your body will react every bit as fast as your thoughts. There's no delay - go with it, use it," Jasper advised, moving around her and helping her position her stance to one more suited for her.

"I know," Bella said, and he felt the first hint of annoyance. Internally he smiled, amused at how spot on his prediction was.

Still, she mastered it quickly - or at least got to the point it was comfortable and natural - and they moved on to reading an opponent to know when the person was going to strike.

"You want to watch their body language. Read it as though it were a book. Most of the time the person unintentionally telegraphs their moves," Jasper explained, deliberately shifting his feet and shoulders.

"Angela was the one that sat through kung fu movies with her boyfriend. Not me. I have no idea what that means," Bella said irritably, making her audience of Em and Garrett laugh.

"Of course. Did you see the way I moved when I said that? It's a sign that the person is about to launch a punch or kick. You can judge that, then move out of the way to avoid the attack," Jasper explained patiently. "Try to get your opponent to show you their tells without actually engaging. It'll make it easier to avoid when the fighting gets more intense."

"And if I don't want to avoid it?" Bella asked.

"You do. Most of the guards have been training for several centuries. They exist only to punish others of our kind on the ancients' orders. They live for the fight, and they are the best at it. We don't have time for you to master the skills necessary to take them on in a one-on-one fight. The most we can do is put you in a position to survive an attack or help if you do have to fight them directly," Jasper stated candidly. Bella looked ready to mutiny. "I'm sorry, but they have time on their side."

Her disgruntled expression remained, but Jasper felt the reluctant acceptance of his words. She didn't like the facts he presented, but she couldn't argue them either.

The rest of the morning was spent learning how to watch an opponent and avoid letting them make contact. The first time Jasper's fist made contact with Bella's cheek, he thought he'd be sick. His stomach churned and cramped painfully.

But then she'd straightened and he felt her dumbfounded surprise. "It didn't hurt," she announced, shocked.

"No," Jasper agreed, preparing to explain and apologize, but Bella laughed and he relaxed.

"It was just annoying, and disruptive, threw me off for a second," she said, critically evaluating how being punched as a vampire felt. He wondered if she remembered that just throwing a punch as a human had resulted in a sprained wrist for her.

"Only getting bit hurts - the venom. The rest is just… uncomfortable," he said, judging if she was up for continuing.

"Then what are you waiting for?" Bella asked, grinning and eager to train more now that she was feeling invincible.

"Think you're up for sparing with Emmett?" he asked, wanting to get to the part where he could really start teaching her.

Emmett was up and pushing between her and Jasper before she'd even agreed. "I'm not going easy on you, little sis," Em warning, bouncing like a toddler after eating cake.

"Tell me why I'm facing Emmett and not you again?" Bella asked, glancing around her enthusiastic brother to see him.

"We have three weeks. They're sending enforcers - muscle - Emmett's style is the most like them. I'll spend the last few days showing you a few special moves, but you need to work on this more first," Jasper explained, talking over Emmett's protest of, "Hey!"

Emmett had Bella pinned in less than two minutes. She may still technically be stronger, thanks to her remaining newborn strength, but Emmett already knew how to fit. Bella smacked the ground with a fist, leaving a divot that they'd have to hide later or Esme would be cross with them, then Bella was flipping back to her feet in a move he'd taught her earlier.

"Again," Jasper said.

Less than a minute this time. Bella growled, rolling over and rising up to face Emmett in a hunting crouch - not the fighting stance they'd covered earlier. Emmett glanced at him, and Jasper felt the question in the air.

"Again," he declared, nodding.

Just over one minute this time.

"Again," he said, feeling Em's confusion, but since he was still having fun, he kicked out at Bella. His foot landed solidly in her chest, knocking her flat on her back. The long tendrils of her hair flying out around her like Medusa's snakes.

Just over three seconds.

"Again," Jasper called before Bella had a chance to recover. Emmett shrugged and lunged to stop her from rising.

Not even two seconds.

"If you say again one more time -" Bella hissed, glaring furiously up at him as she scrambled ungracefully to rise out of the hole Emmett had made with her body on the ground. Grass and mud rose to form a miniature slope. Esme would be furious.

But Bella was almost ready to hear him. He could sense it.

"Again, Bella," he said, deliberately crossing his arms to project a sense of disinterest.

Emmett didn't move, just looked back and forth between them, assessing. Bella ignored her reluctant attacker, choosing to glare at Jasper instead. Her breaths came in short, strangled bursts. It was the first time she'd actually bared any resemblance to the typical wild newborn. But, even now as she bared her teeth at him, she was still far more rational.

"I won't have you defenseless, and you were the one that asked to learn," Jasper reminded her quietly.

Jasper sensed the wheels turning in her head, and felt it when she finally accepted that her way wasn't working. A calm settled over her. Oh, the quickly changing moods of a newborn - they altered more frequently and faster than the weather in Rapid City.

"Again?" Bella finally asked.

Finally. She'd finally worked through the frustration, the annoyance that this wasn't something she could do perfectly on her first attempt. Worked through her reluctance to accept help. Now she would hear his advice about where she was going wrong and try something different the next time.

"Yes, but don't let him get you pinned or in a hold. Use your speed to stay free of his arms," Jasper advised. Bella nodded, assessing Emmett and returning to the stance he'd taught her earlier.

"Again," he said, prodding Emmett.

Six minutes. It was an improvement.

"Don't forget to watch his feet," Garrett said. It was exactly what Jasper had been about to say.

"Would you like to help?" Jasper offered, interested to see how Garrett fought, and appreciating that Bella would have another to learn from. Garrett was eyeing the scars on Jasper's neck. He'd reacted the same as everyone always did yesterday, but he'd calmed at seeing how trustingly Mae clung to her papa.

"Sure, but I also wouldn't mind going a round or two with you later," Garrett said, striding arrogantly into the makeshift ring they'd created in Esme's backyard. All of the grass was thoroughly destroyed, ripped up and laying in messy, dirty clumps scattered about.

"If you're sure," Jasper agreed, feeling his lips part in a feral grin.

14 Days

The room cleared out faster than he'd have thought possible when the Denalis arrived. By some unspoken agreement, everyone seemed determined to give Edward and Bella privacy for this impromptu reunion. Garrett was already out hunting when they arrived. Carlisle and Esme had ushered the Denalis upstairs to a couple rooms they could make use of during their stay. Rosalie and Emmett had all but dragged Mae from the house, respecting Bella enough to let her decide when Edward would have the opportunity to meet his daughter. Jasper had turned to join them, wanting to make sure Mae was all right, but at Bella's warning look and explosion of emotions, he'd stayed put.

Sorry, brother, Jasper thought, directing the words to Edward in his mind. The long-lost Cullen winced, but Jasper only felt resignation coming from him.

Jasper felt the barrier Bella was internally erecting, bracing herself in case this turned into a battle of wills the way it usually had in the past.

For several long minutes no one spoke. Bella was a brick wall, impenetrable. Edward, on the other hand, eyed Bella critically. Jasper realized this was his first time seeing Bella in person now that she was one of them. He remembered being taken aback by the changes himself.

Sadness billowed out from Edward, intriguing Jasper. Sadness for what? The future he'd lost, the differences in the woman before him - he hadn't gotten to say goodbye to the old her, and it was almost as if she'd died and been reborn into a very different version of Bella.

Edward's head cocked, and Jasper felt his… agreement... possibly. So he was listening to him.

"I was wrong before," Edward acknowledged.

"Should I take that as a blanket statement considering the number of things it could be applied to?" Bella demanded, incredulously, though her body remained a frozen statue. Her body language not betraying any inner turmoil she must be feeling.

Edward nodded, looking her over from head to toe again.

Jasper began picking apart Edward's emotions, not just the surface ones, but the deeper secret feelings, hidden like layers of an onion, desperately needing to know how his brother felt about Bella at this point in time.

Most predominantly, there was fascination. Bella was the first woman Edward had ever been fascinated by. Her mind was a mystery, and that intrigued him after a lifetime of knowing too much. For once he could guess like the rest of them. And not be disappointed or disgusted if he didn't like the internal workings never meant to see the light of day.

Edward gave a barely perceptible nod. Apparently, he was all right with Jasper riffling through his emotions without so much as a by-your-leave. Ordinarily, he wouldn't deliberately violate someone's privacy this blatantly, but Jasper needed to know. Needed to know if he'd taken his brother's one chance at happiness.

Not that Bella was a trophy to steal. But Jasper hoped he wouldn't have to live with the knowledge that he'd hurt his brother irrevocably.

Edward nodded again, just the slightest tip up and down with his chin.

"I never wanted this life for you - I know you know that," he added before she could get riled up. "But I was wrong. You were clearly meant to become one of us."

"I know," Bella said, unmistakably defensive, but also with an air of confidence. It was the same confidence that Jasper never failed to find undeniably sexy.

"You're so different," Edward murmured, letting his sadness leak into his voice like a punctured hose spilling water.

"I grew up, Edward," Bella acknowledged, making an attempt to sound more civil.

Edward opened his mouth to reply, but checked himself. It was then that Jasper knew for certain Edward had no intention of trying to win Bella back. He'd truly forfeited his claim. He would respect the course things had taken, difficult as it was to do.

"Did Alice send you?" she finally asked when another few minutes went by without words.

"I want to help… However I can," Edward said, nodding. "And I'd like the chance to make amends. To get to know her."

A touch of frustration was all Jasper sensed now. Probably because he couldn't read her mind. He'd always preferred using other's thoughts to guide his dealings with people. It made for smoother interactions, and Edward disliked strife and conflict.

Again, Edward discretely nodded. He even felt his brother's reluctant amusement at the assessment.

"What role are you asking to play in her life?" Bella asked.

It was what Jasper wanted to know as well. He wouldn't let Edward come and go as he pleased. Mae wouldn't understand and he wouldn't let her get hurt like that. Hopefully Bella was on the same page. They'd only spoken of Edward's involvement in generals before. Never the day-to-day of actually raising her together. Seemed like a bit of an oversight now.

Edward shifted his head back and forth. No. No what? No, he wasn't planning on sticking around? Or no he wouldn't hurt her?

Edward shook his head again.

And Bella noticed.

"What? What are you refusing?" she demanded, crossing her arms in annoyance. "It wasn't a yes or no question."

Edward floundered. Guess he'd forgotten she no longer had a slow human mind that couldn't process his silent conversations with others. The ones he'd always deliberately kept her out of. Oh, how things had changed.

Annoyance now. Edward was as annoyed as Bella. Because he was being called on his actions and didn't much care to acknowledge the wrong he'd done.

Edward refocused on Bella, "Hmm? Oh, nothing."

"He's reading my mind," Jasper supplied, not willing to hide things from Bella the way his brother always liked to. "I'm sure you can guess everything I've thought, but we can discuss it more later if you'd like."

Bella smiled, satisfied with that promise while Edward's emotional state shifted to something dark and murky. A dirty, stagnant pool of rainwater and engine grease, polluted. All directed inwardly.

"I'd like to try to be a father to her," Edward finally replied.

"I think she'd like that as well," Bella agreed. "But how much or how little will be up to her."

"You and Jasper don't mind?"

Shock and gratitude. Those took no skill to decipher.

"No. We're all family. Jasper is her dad, but so are you. We'll be in each other's lives forever. We should start figuring out how we fit together," Bella said, lips tilting up in an only slightly forced smile. Edward looked lost, as though this boone was unexpected.

He was assessing her again, this time really seeing her. Possibly seeing her fully for the first time ever.

Nostalgia. For what? The little human things that had been so challenging to be around. Was that it? Edward missed that Bella made him work for it. Being with her was a never ending source of stimulation. Resisting her blood when she blushed, her intoxicating scent, her fragility. The way her clumsiness and danger-magnet self constantly needed saving.

He felt Edward's contemplation, but he did not refute the assessment.

Edward didn't love Bella. Not the forever kind of love. Puppy love. He loved the feelings she inspired - not her. He loved that she'd made him feel alive for the first time since he'd been human. And each time he'd lost her, he'd feared the return to nothing that had been his existence for nearly a century and that had been mistaken for heartbreak. He'd never known heartbreak, so he had nothing to compare it to. But that fear was why he'd fought so hard to keep her alive after returning from Italy. He'd had a glimpse of that nothing again, and would have done anything to avoid more of it. This was the very thing Bella used to fear.

Edward's head whipped around to stare at Jasper. Denial. Then horror, with the dawning realization that Jasper might be correct.

Edward had honestly cared about her - more than he ever had anyone else. Certainly. So much so that it was easy for everyone to believe he loved her and wanted her as his mate. But it was fascination and gratitude, not true, epic love that Edward had felt. And he didn't even feel that anymore, not to the extent he used to.

The way he'd been so eager for death when he thought he lost her, really might have been his irrational youth shining through. And he probably would have destroyed himself if the pregnancy killed her, but he'd had time to analyze the situation since then and reason had returned before he acted impulsively.

"Jazz?" Bella inquired, wanting in on their silent communication.

He felt Edward's pleading to protect his secret enlightening from Bella. The truth would hurt her and possibly dredge up her old feelings of worthlessness. He didn't want that for her either.

"I think we'll be able to make this work. The three of us," Jasper said. "We're on the same page about what we want from here on out, and Edward can move on like we have."

The door opened, and Em poked his head in. He caught Jasper's eye and nodded outside.

"Bella?" Jasper asked, not wanting to leave if she still needed him there.

"Go. Edward and I have a few things to talk about still," Bella said.

When Jasper stepped outside, it was to find Mae trying to peak in the window as she waited. Emmett clapped him on the back, offering reassurance then went to the garage, presumably where Rosalie was waiting for him.

Mae lifted her arms, a silent plea for him to pick her up. She hadn't done it since before Christmas. Most of the time her maturity rivaled her appearance, but occasionally there were flashes of her behaving closer to her actual age.

"That's my dad, isn't it?" she asked, turning her head to continue looking through the large glass windows that lined the front of the house.

"Yes," he said, noting Bella and Edward had taken seats on the couch. He could hear them, but he tuned out the conversation to focus on his daughter.

"I look like him," she said quietly, tugging on the long coppery curl she lifted to stare at.

He'd always thought she resembled Bella more, especially as she got older. Mae had Edward's symmetry in the placement of her features and his cheekbones, but the rest was all Bella.

"A little, but you have your mother's eyes," he said, sighting the most obvious feature that she'd inherited. It was also his favorite. He'd have missed the riot and swirls of chocolate and bark if they'd been lost forever.

"Is he staying… or… " she asked, glancing back through the window. Confusion, sadness, longing, and anger all twisted about her, impossibly knotted together. It'd take some time to work through it all.

"How much do you know about him?" Jasper asked, trying to judge what she wanted and needed most just then.

It took a moment for her to speak, and when she did, it was hesitant, as if fearing a rebuke. "Jacob's told me some stuff," she admitted, making him realize she didn't want Jake to get in trouble for sharing.

Of course Jacob had told her. It was a constant struggle for the wolf to deny her something, anything, she wanted. Jacob was probably how Mae had picked up the habit of referring to Edward as dad since no one else in the family did.

Jasper waited. Giving her the look that said, 'Spill, Renesmee'. It always worked.

With an exasperated huff, she finally said, "He said dad got scared, and had to go away to work through it." Not bad, mutt. "Was he scared of me?"

"No, poppet. Everyone loves you. But when you love someone, then you have something you could lose. Your dad was scared of what could happen," Jasper said, bending to kiss the top of her head and letting her feel his love. She smiled, hugging him.

"Are you scared? About those people coming to hurt us?" she asked, knowing far too much for her tender months, but there had been no way to shelter her completely.

"Yes," he admitted, determined to always be honest with her. "But you don't have to be. We're going to be all right."

For a couple minutes they watched Bella and Edward through the window. He heard Bella asking, "Do you think this has helped you grow enough that maybe someday you could fall in love again? Maybe try to do things differently, not make the same mistakes? I don't want you to be alone forever."

"Would you like to get to know him?" Jasper inquired, sensing more curiosity from the little one he held.

"But you're my papa," she said, fear multiplying faster than rabbits.

The remark made it apparent just how short her life had been up to this point. Intelligence and appearance didn't equal experience. The discrepancy was lessening, but there was still a way to go.

She hadn't met other families outside them and the Blacks - not even most of the other wolves' extended families. Mae didn't even watch television to pick up on the multitude of variations families could come in. Just one or two movies. She didn't know she could have two fathers.

"And that won't ever change. You can have both of us in your life though, if you'd like," he explained, attempting to make sure she understood he wasn't going anywhere, and that this wasn't an either or situation.

"I'm mad that he didn't want me, and that he's only now here," she admitted. "You said he left because he was scared. But momma and I are fine. It's been months and months. Why didn't he come sooner? Or call, maybe. Unless he didn't want me."

Jasper glanced through the window to find Edward and Bella watching. Edward's face was a mask of agony. He was being burned alive.

I'm sorry, Edward, Jasper thought. His brother's eyes closed and he nodded. Edward wouldn't force the issue.

"You're allowed to be angry with him. But don't let that stop you from meeting him. People can be forgiven. Sometimes they even deserve to be. And someday you may be able to have a relationship with him like ours," Jasper said, kissing her head again.

"Maybe," she said, doubtful.

He was surprised, given her reaction to Edward's Christmas gift. But back then, Edward had been little more than an idea, a vaguely defined, distant figure. Now he was here in person, a solid, unavoidable presence that she had to process. One she had to figure out how fit in her little, familiar world. The one that had already been turned upside down very recently.

"There are a lot of people waiting inside to meet you. Would you like to go in?" he suggested, testing the waters.

"I don't want to face him yet. Do I have to?"

"No. You can wait until you're ready," Jasper promised.

13 days

Mae had no trouble winning over the Denalis. It was just like with Garrett. Carmen, in particular, was entranced, murmuring in Spanish and exclaiming encouragingly when Mae replied, showing off all that she had learned while in Central America. Even Leah had grudgingly smiled at her when she'd come over the next day after visiting her mom.

The only one not won over was Irina. Jasper had shied away from her almost immediately. His cousin was empty. A blackhole, a vacuum stucking all joy and happiness from the area around her. Jasper had come across others like her in his life. It was evidence of a deep depression. Losing Laurent was not something she was going to recover from. Possibly ever. It was the type of pain he'd feared Edward experiencing. The kind a person didn't often recover from, even with help. She was there, at least physically if not wholly. She'd even mastered the act of fooling her family based on appearances.

Not a word was said about it though. Jasper intended to respect her privacy. If Edward, who had a direct line to her thoughts for months now hadn't brought it up, then he wouldn't either. But he couldn't bear to be near her himself. The negative energy was too much for him to handle for extended periods of time.

Garrett had convinced Kate to help train Bella. Now those two, Jasper really enjoyed being around. Garrett was smitten and Kate was amused by it. The potential was there. Now they only had to seize on it.

The best break in training came when Kate tried to use her gift against Bella and was so shocked by its failure that Bella had knocked Kate flat on her back. They'd already learned that Bella was a shield, thanks to Alice, and Eleazer had confirmed it.

Bella's success had inspired Garrett to try his luck, despite the other's warnings, and it had been hilarious when Kate zapped him with a single finger, laying the man full out. After that, Garrett was a total goner for the lithe blonde.

Knowing about Bella's shield also became a big factor in planning how they would handle the Volturi. It was the edge they needed to kick things off right. Jazz almost had it figured out. It'd been easier this last week since the Denalis came. More bodies meant better odds. If only there was something else he could use, some other advantage. But he'd work with what he had. He'd done it before - granted the stakes weren't as high.

Mostly, he just had to figure out how to eliminate Alec without killing him. Jasper had to keep reminding himself that they could always kill him later - assuming there was a later. Even if it went against the grain to spare him now - and made things significantly more difficult to plan. So, all that and get Bella's fighting skill proficient enough to rival the boy's long enough for the rest of them to have a chance. Well, one other thing too - for them all to survive.

No problem, right?

He was watching Bella spar with Garrett when Edward joined him.

"I never would have been all right letting her fight," Edward said, a touch disapprovingly. He was still protective of Bella. Jasper didn't take offense. He was the same with Alice. It was their way. In their very nature.

"I think it's amusing that you think I could stop her - or that I'd even try," Jasper remarked dryly.

"And therein lies the difference. The reason you are better suited for her. Why she's… happier with you than she ever was with me. I'm glad they've had you," Edward whispered softly.

"How hard was that to say?"

"I only choked a little," Edward quipped, bantering more easily than he ever had before. It was in that moment that Jasper realized Bella wasn't the only one to change. Edward had too. He was a little more lighthearted than before. Quicker to tease and more open to being teased - less serious and tortured.

"About like eating human food?" Jasper tried, wanting to see if it was a one off or if it would last.

"Close," Edward said, one side of his lips twisting to hint at a smile, but Jasper felt his genuine humor.

"I'm sorry I hurt you. We should have talked about this sooner," Jasper said softly. Though it was a little hard once you took off.

"Touche. She's not the Bella I remember."

"She's confident, capable, won't be lead around anymore - or content to be coddled and wrapped safely in bubble wrap, left behind," Jasper said, noting some of his favorite qualities in her.

"I just wanted to protect her humanity, didn't want her to regret what an association with us would force her to give up," Edward said, defending his choices, but it was said more out of habit than anything else.

"She can make those decisions for herself," Jasper said, proud of the woman he'd chosen as his mate. The one that had chosen him as well.

"I'd have eventually made her miserable, even if I'd stayed. She'd have constantly been trying to make herself less in order to stay the girl I first met, rather than the woman she's become," Edward acknowledged, just as Bella knocked Garrett's feet out from under him and crowed triumphantly, dancing around with her arms raised in victory. It had been an excellent match. She was really getting the hang of it - just in time too.

"We'll make an effort to always include you in decisions regarding Mae," Jasper offered, a small consolation prize.

"You're different too," Edward noted. Had he? Hmm, he guessed that was true. Jasper felt Edward's approval, and… happiness. He was truly glad Jasper had made peace with his past, and had become so altered - even if it was because of his relationship with Bella that he'd managed it.

Jasper hesitated, not wanting to hurt Edward, but then he said, "Thank you. For bringing her into our lives."

Edward nodded. Contentment settled over him. He too was making peace with his past and the current place it had lead him to. Jasper debated mentioning what he'd picked up happening between Edward and Leah -

"No," Edward said sharply, the tone like jagged ice, freezing the thought before it had even finished crystallizing.

All right then.

12 Days

Bella looked troubled that night when they reached the cottage.

"If it came down to it - her or me - who would you save?"

"Her. Mae comes first," Jasper admitted, though he recoiled from the very idea of ever having to make the choice. It screeched through him, jaring and wrong, like nails on a chalkboard.

"That's how it should be," Bella assured him.

"Yes," he agreed.

"You know I love you, right?" Bella said, letting him know she'd heard his conversation with Edward.

"I felt the difference, Bella. I know I'm the one you love. But I wouldn't have needed my gift to believe it," he said, sliding his arms around her and stealing her lips in a kiss that said more than words could ever dream to. Words were powerful, but this was more. Essential. Certain.

"I need her safe. If something goes wrong… " Bella said, breaking off, though she twisted closer, trying to eliminate all space between them as she conformed herself to him.

"There is a way," Jasper started. He didn't need to say more for her to understand.

"Alice," Bella declared, the name an explanation in itself. It was the reason Alice hadn't come home too. She was needed elsewhere just then.

"Alice would die to keep her safe."

"She can't go alone, and we're needed here," Bella said, nibbling on her lower lip as she looked at him, worry lines creasing her forehead. He felt the agony cutting her, swallowed razor blades working their way through her digestive tract and tearing holes along the way.

"We can ask Jacob to take her," Jasper said, knowing it was the only solution Bella would agree to. He was the only one Bella would trust with Mae.

Jasper felt the same.