A/N: Congratulations to Nickaroos for being the 300th reviewer for this story xx Sorry for not catching up with the reviews yet, there's a saying in Scotland, 'I've got Heart and Kidney disease. Heart lazy and kid-ney be bothered' lol. I think the lockdown is getting to me xx Alexis
I have never enjoyed a Christmas as much as this one. Is that a sad reflection on my life or just my state of mind at present? Christmas with Renee was all about her and what she got, not what she gave. About who she could fob me off on while she had fun. Christmas with dad, well it was all about fishing and the Rez. I don't think it was intentional; he just wasn't used to having me around. But I would have rather been home with him making food and watching cheesy movies. Something I never got to do with Renee either, she wanted to party with her friends not attend to me.
This year was shared with someone who loved me. Not because they felt they had too, but because they wanted too. Between the three vampires, my every need was catered for and I felt pampered for once. They were only too happy to watch crappy, sappy movies with me. I had prepared food beforehand and brought it with me. No point in stinking out their house with Christmas food only I could eat. The best bit was heating it up outside in their fire pit. They regaled me with tales of Christmas' past while I was wrapped up in a blanket and stuffing my face.
It was simple, but it was fun. That was what had always been missing for me before, fun. Peter and Char love their t'shirts and Jasper his Lone Star belt. He finished off my jewellery set by giving me a white zebra Jasper ring. He knew I'd lost my mood stone one recently and my finger felt naked without something on it. This was a perfect replacement. We kept gifts small and not too expensive; it wasn't about the cost of the gifts but the thought behind them. Peter and Char gave me a leather journal to write my memories in. So if I forgot during the change I could remind myself of my past, that heartfelt gift brought tears to my eyes.
The worst thing was the time just flew by and with only one day to go we were surprised by the arrival of not Einar, but Lara and Anders. Turns out he was staying with the Quileutes as he was Leah's mate. Not the strange imprinting that had gone on before but the more healthy meeting of two souls must like all other supernaturals do. A blending of man and spirit making the choice, not the tribe's old way of their wolf picking what he wanted regardless of how the man felt. Lara explained how when he arrived they had both sniffed the air and then shifted. Circling each other as if to fight, but it was more than that.
It was a courtship and Lara had ordered everyone away, so their first coupling would be private, if not inside. They had finally roared out mating howls and shifted human before coming together. This would be the only time Einar would be the dominant of the pair when they were intimate and his would be the only mark Leah bore. She was going to be surprised very soon that their joining would leave her with child Lara explained, something Leah thought would never happen. But you know what they say; anything is possible with the right partner.
So he would be staying there in Washington and helping his mate. Not as her Beta, but as her rock, her partner and her comfort. Wow, just like Jasper and I, yes all relationships should be like that. They moved on after telling us and thanked Jasper for stepping in on the Quileutes behalf. Because without him they could have died out after this pack and never regain the power to shift. He just nodded and said he would speak to Leah on our return. We wanted to make sure they could all keep their mouth shut, at least until I left.
WTWURU
Jasper had sent Edward's ears back to Esme as he promised as well as the other bits to return to him at her discretion. He'd be lucky to ever see his tongue again if I know her. I wasn't looking forward to my return; God only knows what the fallout from the pack would be. I hope that Leah has more control over Jacob than Sam did. It's not that I don't want dad to know, but he's not supernatural and therefore would be killed for having that knowledge. Hell, I'm walking a fine line as it is, am I going to be changed, yes! But not yet and that's the problem. If anyone tells on us it could cause problems.
I'm not ready yet, but the Volturi wouldn't care about that. Their laws need updating to fit in with the century and technology around them. It's not the majority of vampires that are the problem, just the three at the top. They seem to be living in a bygone age and that I'm afraid is an accident waiting to happen. What if a different faction wants to take over and they are more in tune with the world. One well-placed missile from land, sea or air could wipe out Volterra forever, just saying! They think themselves invulnerable, eh no! If I can think it then so have many others.
Just because you've been around for millennia doesn't mean you can't be killed now. One day, younger, more in touch with reality vampires will take them down. This will happen while they are watching the Romanians who will never be fit to take over, as they are more entrenched in the past than the Volturi themselves. Will it be in my lifetime who knows, because even I know eternity isn't a given. God, I hope I don't get as stuck in my head as a vampire, I have a tendency to overthink everything. But Jasper says there's more room and you can think of several things at once so maybe it won't be so bad.
It was very sad to leave Peter and Char, but it wouldn't be that long and they promised to be by our sides when my change was happening. I never realised how much I was missing, not having a sister or brother. But the best thing about them was how they made Jasper seem whole and relaxed, he was never like that with the Cullens. Even though I'd only seen him around them for a short while. Their endless drama's overshadowed everything else and obviously wore him down. They were like one of those daytime soaps, lurching from one crisis to another. All of their own making, of course!
On our return dad seemed happy to see us and no different than before, thank God. So I was guessing all was well on the Rez, well so far anyway. He did pass on some interesting news; Carlisle had been seen in Forks, at the hospital. He had said he was just there to close up the house properly and return some stuff to their rightful owners. So as soon as dad went off to work we high tailed it to Jasper's cottage. He knew Carlisle had been there and yes there were a couple of packages waiting. A very small one addressed to me sat on the top. My mood ring, Carlisle apologised in the enclosed note from him, saying Edward had taken it.
I stared at it for a few moments before telling Jasper,
"I used to love that ring. It was the first thing I ever bought myself, from my first paycheck. But now it's contaminated by him, little prick!"
I threw it across the room into the wastebasket and Jasper frowned. Tilting his head he motioned for me to say nothing.
"I'm sorry about that Belle. That's the Cullens M.O. They sweep in ruin everyone else's life and leave them to pick up the fallout" he said while gently lifting the ring and easing out the stone,
That obnoxious little fucker! It was bugged, only for sound but that was enough! If I was wearing it, he'd hear everything and I mean everything I did! I was getting really angry, but Jasper held up a note,
'LET'S PLAY WITH HIM'
Oh, yes! I nodded and took a deep breath,
"Let's not think about that child Jasper. How about you show some more of those awesome skills you have" I purred as he slid the ring on his pinkie,
"Yeah, which skills, in particular, would you like to see my Belle?" he asked huskily, but at the same time texting with the other hand to Esme,
"Well cowboy, I loved those talented fingers and God that tongue of yours is a dangerous weapon," I said back sassily and he growled at me sexily,
"I liked your tongue on me better darlin', your hot mouth suckin' me was heaven," he said and I stepped close to his hand,
I pulled the zip on my jacket down slowly for a few inches.
"Oh baby, so hard for me already, let me get on my knees so I can wrap my lips around your gorgeous cock!" I moaned,
It wasn't easy pretending to have oral sex, especially as we were obviously turning each other on just standing there fully dressed. I grabbed his hands and squeezed his fingers together sliding them into my mouth.
"Damn darlin', so hot, so sexy! Watchin' myself disappearin' into that delicious mouth of yours. Belle, you smell so good, you like doin' this to me" Jasper said sucking in a breath,
"I love doing this to you Jasper. When I'm done I want you to bend me over and fuck me within an inch of my life" I said almost growling at him,
Jasper's phone moved silently in his hand and he pushed the answer button. Showtime I thought!
'Edward Cullen you sick bastard! How can you hear Jasper and Bella? You bugged them how?' Esme roared at him,
Just the Jasper yelled,
"Damn Belle, I can't hold it any longer, suck harder darlin' and swallow!" he ordered and made the grunting sound he makes as he usually comes,
We clearly heard Edward also coming hard and I had to cover my mouth so he wouldn't hear me laughing.
'Is he jacking off to Jasper and Bella? Fucking pervert!' Emmett roared,
We clearly heard the sound of a hand slapping his face and then Rose's voice,
'Put that shrivelled little thing away sicko, it's gross!'
'Carlisle, how did he get access to Jasper and Bella one day after you were in Forks?' Esme demanded of her mate.
Jasper cleared his throat and said,
"I think we can answer that for him, Esme. Carlisle returned Bella's mood ring that Edward stole. There is a bug in it, we wouldn't have known but Bella threw it in the waste bin and I heard the low hum"
'Man, were you guys playing the pervert? It worked!' Emmett said laughing,
"I know, we heard!" I replied laughing too,
'You used me? You used me! How could you Edward? I'm in enough trouble with Esme as it is and you set me up!' Carlisle raged angrily at Edward,
"Well, we're going to destroy it now. Speak to you later Esme" Jasper said simultaneously crushing the bug and shutting off his phone,
He threw the phone onto the sofa and stalked over to me, eyes black as pitch. Ooh!
WTWURU
It's New Year tomorrow, dad's working as usual and Jasper and I are off to Seattle. He booked us a room before we went away for Christmas and we will be spending it together. We haven't heard anything yet from either Cullens or the wolves and that's fine by us. It would be pleasant to just have a little time to ourselves without someone interrupting. It is wonderful, a memory to remember and I'm photographing so much as we wander amongst the crowds of people celebrating. The sky lit up as the final chime of the year ended, it was magical and something I'd like to see in every major city in the world one day.
We were awoken, well I was awoken by both our phones going off at the same time. Forks P.D, my blood ran cold, this could not be good. My father was gone, not by a vampire, not even by a werewolf. A human with a gun snuffed out the life of one of the two men I loved the most. A domestic gone wrong they told us, something he dealt with all the time. The man had shot and killed his wife, his brother and my dad. I was devastated and paralysed by my grief. Jasper had us packed up and ready to leave in under ten minutes. We travelled in silence, me crushed against his side, dry sobbing now.
We made it to the station before chaos descended and everyone and their granny tried to tell me what I was going to do. Billy Black expected me to move in with him and Jacob, as if! The new Chief of Police was wittering on about wards of the state. Reverend Webber suggested I move in with him and I was just about ready to scream when a voice said,
"Excuse me! I'm Miss Swan's lawyer, Jason Jenks and as an adult, she is quite capable of deciding for herself what to do with her life!"
Jasper had jotted down a couple of things and handed it to him immediately he arrived. Turning to Billy Black he said,
"I hardly think the home of the disgraced ex-Chief of the Quileute tribe is the right place. Especially, as your sixteen-year-old son has on several occasions refused to take no for an answer from Miss Swan, regarding his unwanted pursuit of her!
Chief Anderson, Miss Swan has living relatives and is eighteen, she does not meet the criteria to be made a ward of the state!
Rev Webber, we thank you for your offer, but Isabella has friends and family to take care of her. Her mother will arrive shortly as well as Jasper's brother Peter Whitlock and his wife Charlotte.
Now, I will deal with all the legalities while Miss Swan goes home to rest. Thank you all for your concern"
I was so relieved I grabbed his hand and squeezed it before Jasper led me outside. Leah was standing outside and Jasper growled lowly,
"I'm not here to interfere, Charlie was a friend to the tribe and we are sorry for your loss. Chief Clearwater wishes to know if he is allowed to attend the funeral?" she asked.
"Yes, of course. Tiffany Call as well, but not Jacob! If he turns up I'll shoot him myself" I said and she nodded before turning away,
Climbing back into Jasper's truck I sighed and leant into his side. I had some serious thinking to do and have a plan before Renee arrived. I would not be returning to live with her as her unpaid servant. I was so relieved when Mr Jenks arrived, they would have argued with me and Jasper until I killed someone. But now we had time to make a plan. Could I be home-schooled for my final year? If I crammed in the work, could I graduate early? Jasper had said nothing, told me to do nothing, he was just there for me and I loved him all the more for that.
Peter and Char arrived first and she took charge of dad's house for me. I intended to sell it if it came to me, I would never be returning to Forks. I was staying at the cottage with Jasper and nothing my mother said would sway me. I was surprised she arrived alone. Then it became apparent her new marriage was over, with the blinkers off Phil realised it was me and not her who did everything in the house. She couldn't cook, she never cleaned and she rarely paid a bill. She had assumed he would replace me, except he worked hard and was nobody's skivvy.
She moaned that he was a penny pincher, just like dad! That he expected her to look after him, be his servant. Just like she had with me! Then she looked around dad's house and said,
"Well, at least I'll get the money for this old wreck! Charlie owed me, so the money's mine and you can come home and take over running my house"
I just looked at her, really looked at her and I didn't like what I saw at all.
"Get out, get out of my house and don't come back! You are a selfish, greedy, horrible woman. Don't turn up at the funeral either! Goodbye Renee"
She yelled, she swore, she bitched at me until Mr Jenks and a deputy turned up. He calmly informed her, I was an adult and would not be returning to her house and that Chief Swan left everything to me. She would receive nothing, she deserved nothing.
"Jesus, stupid old goat! Couldn't he have died when she was still a child? I would have gotten it then!" she spat at him, I saw red,
Slapping her so hard she fell on her ass and as she rose to attacked me I grabbed one of dad's guns and yelled,
"Get off my property before I shoot you. I'm ashamed to have ever called you mother, you're a bitch!"
The deputy led her away, as she snivelled and moaned she had no money to return home.
"I'm sure someone with your talents will find a way!" Mr Jenks said getting in his car and driving back to the station,
"Did he just basically call her a whore?" I asked stunned by him saying it, but not surprised he thought it,
"Yup!" Peter said quietly.
WTWURU
I was so tired, bone-weary they call it and I understood why. The very bones in my body ached after this week from hell. Dad funeral went off without a hitch and I felt so sorry for Tiffany, they had just declared themselves and were talking about living together. Now it would never be as he was snatched away too soon. Then the reading of the will, everything was mine and it was quite a lot. Dad like me never wasted money. I was so glad we had that last few days between Christmas and New Year to forgive and forget the argument before I had left. If he had died while I was away, I'd have blamed Billy Black.
Now I was back at Peter and Char's place just chilling out and planning my forever with Jasper. I would finish high school here, being home school by three vampires. Then sit the exams and be changed, no point in waiting now. I disowned my mother and my father was gone. With no other family, I could forget about cover stories now. So with that in mind, I talked to Jasper and he agreed, as long as nothing went wrong I would be changed as soon as my last exam was over. I couldn't wait, we were not telling the Cullens anything, so they still thought our plans from before were in place.
The big news there, Carlisle had been so angry with Edward, he had taken his tongue from Esme's safe and burned it so he would never need to listen to any more of Edward's lies. This had the desired effect on Edward, he was as meek as a mouse, but for how long. Alice had been uncharacteristically quiet too, that was unnerving really. They had been stripped of most of their possessions by Esme, they were sold or auctioned and the money recouped back into the coven's coffers. Edward was working as an online teacher, as he couldn't talk, but could type.
Alice was working on designs for next season and had asked Rose to model them for her in the beginning. She told her to go fuck herself, well who could blame her they really didn't get how unforgivable their acts were. Anytime she had a vision Esme said if it wasn't life-threatening the didn't want to know. So she wasn't getting her own way anymore. They were no longer the golden duo and I bet that was galling for them both. Carlisle was apparently buckling down to being a house-husband, terrified to get on Esme's wrong side again. She told him mate or not she leaves him if he messed up again.