Previous chapter: Jasper – JPOV

I watch as Bella opens up her arms and the twins rush over to hug her. I smile as I feel the love that flows through them, and snicker as I say: "I didn't know that we were adopting, pumpkin."

Jasper - JPOV

Bella's face is one of pure shock as she turns around to look at me. I smile as I feel the enormous amount of love that wells up inside her, and say: "I will do anything to make you happy, darlin', even adopting two teenagers that are almost a thousand years older than I am."

Bella squeals loudly as she rushes to jump into my arms, and I laugh as she kisses me all over my face while saying 'I love you' over and over again. I sigh happily as I bathe in her emotions. I never felt so much pure love and joy radiate from one person before, and it makes me love her even more. My darlin' loves with every fiber of her being, and it makes her the most precious creature on this planet. I pull her closer and kiss the top of her head as I say: "I love you too, Bella."

"Do you mean it, Jasper? You don't mind that the twins see me as their mother?"

I place another kiss on her forehead and say: "Children of our own are the one thing I can't give you. You will never hold a baby that looks like the perfect mix of you and me. If the twins see a mother in you, even though they're twelve centuries older than you, then who am I to take that away from you? You love them so much already."

I turn to look at Alec and Jane and raise my brow questioningly as I say: "Accepting Bella as your mother does not automatically mean that you are willing to see me as your father. I can imagine that Aro or Marcus holds that role already, so you don't have to accept me as your father, but I hope you do because I will consider you my children."

Alec turns to Jane with a hopeful look on his face, and I smile as Jane gives him a quick nod. It's all the communication they seem to need to come to a conclusion. Alec squeezes her hand and turns to me to say: "We would be honored to be your children, Major. You're a legend, and we can learn so much from you. I know that we're much older than you in vampire years, but we got turned when we were twelve. Everyone looks at our powers and tends to forget that we're still children at heart. Mom was the first person that saw us for what we are: two children that act all grown-up and strong to fit in with the rest of our coven but still need love like every other child out there."

Bella lets out a soft sob and pulls the twins back into her arms for a hug. I smile as I feel the love and devotion that builds up inside the twins as Bella strokes their hair lovingly and whispers that she will always love them for who they are. The twins fight back a sob as they hug Bella tightly and say: "We love you too, mom."

I turn to look at the sky and realize that it's time to head back before Peter or Caius sends out a search party. A sudden hug from behind surprises me, and I smile softly as I find Jane with her arms wrapped around me. Her emotions are a crazy mix of love, joy, and uncertainty, as she takes an unneeded breath before stunning me into complete silence as she says: "I love you too, dad."

Bella - BPOV

The look on Jasper's face as Jane calls him dad is one of the most precious sights ever. Her words stunned him into complete silence, but I can feel the love he feels for the three of us as he loses control over his protection for a brief second. Alec gasps for air and places his hand on top of his undead heart as he says: "What was that?"

Jasper moves to my side and pulls me close as he says: "That was my gift, Alec. I lost control of my emotions for a brief second and projected what I was feeling. You felt my love for the three of you."

"That was awesome! Can you show us again?"

I snicker as Alec stares at Jasper, the daddy-hero-worship clearly visible in his eyes. Jane rolls her eyes at her brother but quickly moves to stand next to him, not wanting to miss out. I move to stand next to Jasper and give him a quick kiss on the cheek as he looks at the twins and says: "Of course, son." Alec swallows inaudibly when Jasper calls him 'son', and I smile as the twin's eyes glaze over the moment Jasper's emotions reach them. I stand up my tiptoes to place another kiss on his cheek and whisper: "A born leader, the love of my life, the father of my children… How did I get so lucky, Major Whitlock?"

Jasper snickers as he pulls back his protection and pulls me close against him as he says: "You've got an eternity to figure that out, darlin'." I swat him against the head playfully and turn to look at the twins. They're both looking at Jasper with tears in their eyes, and I smile as he opens his arms to hug them. A sudden gust of wind makes me realize that we've been out here in the forest for quite some time and that we'll have to head back soon. I squeak in surprise as Jasper swats my ass and says: "It's time to head back to the house, pumpkin. I don't want to anger my father-in-law."

He takes my hand, and I nod in agreement as I say: "You read my mind. Let's get home before Peter or Caius start worrying too much." We run back to the house with the twins behind us and walk directly to the living room. Caius is discussing something with Demetri while Peter, Felix, and Char stare at a computer screen. Jasper joins them while I move to sit on the couch with the twins. I try and wait patiently for Caius to finish his discussion with Demetri, but after a minute, my worries for Charlie get the better of me, and I say: "Will they protect Charlie?"

Caius snickers and moves to sit across from me as he says: "It was a difficult talk at first, Bella. The chief was very reluctant to speak to me. He had a hard time believing that I was who I said I was, namely one of the Volturi kings. It's in their nature to be conspicuous about vampires, but his stubbornness exceeded even my expectations. However, I managed to convince him that it was in his tribe's best interest to listen to what I had to say, and after that, the talk went a lot smoother.

The current pack consists out of five members. Your friend Jacob is one of them. There's been a higher activity of vampires trying to cross their borders since the Cullens left town. I told him that the Cullens vacated the region to never return, but that one of their enemies still believes that they have ties in Forks, namely your father. I guaranteed him that we would take care of that enemy if they were to keep Charlie Swan safe.

He asked why this specific human would matter to us. I assured him that humans rarely hold any value to us, but seeing how we couldn't save his daughter in time, it was our duty to make sure her father was safe. I told him it was the last thing you asked from us before you died. Your injuries and blood loss from the bear attack were too severe for our venom to save you. He muttered something along the line of 'better dead, than a bloodsucker' and hung up on me after promising me that they will keep Charlie safe. You might not agree with everything I said, piccola, but it's for the best."

Jasper – JPOV

I listen as Caius tells Bella everything about his talk with the Quileute Chief, while I stare at the video footage of our intruder. I shake my head in disbelief as I see how easily he walked into our home, laid the envelope on the table, and rushed back out without us noticing he was here. It makes me wonder how many gifted vampires Victoria created by accident. A soft whisper from Bella pulls my attention back to her talk with Caius. I smile as the words register in my mind. "Thank you, papà."

Caius smiles as he says: "You're welcome, piccola."

Bella gives him one of her beautiful smiles before Caius turns to me and says: "Major, I believe it's time to put our plan into motion. That envelope was placed here with a particular timing in mind. Victoria hopes that we will send a few members to Forks to guard Bella's father. That would weaken our ranks and increase her chances of successfully killing Bella. I suspect that she will attack in the next few days.

That's why we need to lay down the scent trail toward the military base immediately. We discussed this, and we all agreed that it needs to be Bella's scent. However, Marcus was unable to give us more information on a vampire without a scent. This means that we have no way of tracking him. I'm sure that you agree with me when I say that Bella can never be left alone until the threat is neutralized. Everyone, but Felix, will be going with her. I'm not taking any chances.

Felix, you stay here and hack into the security systems of all the warehouses in Spokane. There's no way that Victoria is smart enough to keep an entire army hidden from us. I want details on how many newborns we'll be facing. If possible, find out how many of them are gifted."

I can feel the fear that rises inside Bella as Caius starts to rush everyone, but Felix, out of the house. I move to sit down on my knees in front of her and gently cup her face with my hands as I whisper: "Calm down, pumpkin. Caius is being thorough and a little overprotective, but you can't blame him for that. He only wants to keep you safe, just like the rest of us. We won't let anyone touch you."

Bella - BPOV

Jasper's words ease the fear that was boiling up inside me, even though the reason for it is not what Jasper thinks. I lean into his touch and sigh softly as I say: "I'm not worried for myself, Jasper. I worry for all of you. I know that the Whitlocks and the Volturi are more than capable of neutralizing whatever threat is coming for us, but I worry nonetheless. It's what I do. I wouldn't be Bella if I didn't worry. I only need everyone to promise that they'll be careful when the time comes."

Jasper laughs out loud as he pulls me close for a hug and kisses the top of my head. I smile into his chest as I hear the snickers from Peter and Char as they walk back into the living room. Peter plops down on the couch next to me and says: "That's why we love you so much, cupcake. Now let's get moving before daddy Caius blows a fuse."

I smile as Peter successfully evades Char's slap and giggle as he runs out of the house laughing like a hyena with Char on his heels. Jasper shakes his head at their antics and intertwines his fingers with mine as we slowly follow our brother and sister outside. It's high time that we set the plan to destroy the bitch that killed my mother into motion.

Thank you so much for reading my story!

The next update will follow soon.

Please review! You make me very happy when you do!