Freedom of Choice 2
The sounds of the house are what woke Amelia. Slowly sitting up in the bed, she couldn't help but smile. On the floor next to the bed was her suitcase. Unfolding herself from her sheets, she stretched her hands above her head, she slowly stood and walked nakely towards the bathroom. As she finished up and washed her hands, she headed back to get dressed. She needed to get ready for the day, and find Peter. Who knows what trouble he would be getting himself into.
Quickly dressing, she put on her dark wash skinny jeans, a deep red tank top, and her Timberlands. She loved her boots, they would be especially helpful here. All this rain. It was too much for her. Everything was so green. Once she laced her boots, she trotted down the stairs looking for Peter.
"Johnny Rebel!' she said out loud.
Descending the stairs she heard his several deep chuckles. Turning the corner, she saw that Peter was sitting with Jasper and Emmett.
Peter got up and zipped towards her. "How'd you sleep Snowy?" Embracing her in a tight hug.
"Slept like the dead." She deadpanned.
Emmett laughed loudly. "I love you!"
Amelia chuckled back. "Don't say shit like that, your wife might hurt me."
The room was bustling with laughter. Even Rosalie cracked a smile.
Jasper couldn't help but smile at her. Her emotions were very balanced and pure. He was starting to get uneasy. He loves Alice, but there were times that he was overrun by her emotions. Amelia being here was making Jasper feel things that confused him. Wasn't Alice supposed to bring out these emotions, she was his mate; right?
He didn't get to spend too much time thinking about it; Alice, and Edward came in announcing that they were ready to leave for school.
Jasper was determined to figure out why Amelia was making him feel things that shouldn't be happening. It was as if his eyes were being opened. It was very unsettling.
As they got their things for the day, Jasper felt her emotions, they were mostly of disbelief and a hint of distaste. He wasn't accustomed to caring what someone thought of him, but he found himself really bothered.
School? Really? I thought Peter was joking! Taking a quick once over the Cullens, they all were dressed like they were going to some elite fashion show, not some small town school. Wow. Looking over at Peter, her eyes were large with disbelief. "Well you guys have a good day at school." With that she turned around and headed for the kitchen.
As she heard them leave through the garage, Esme came in saying that she was going to drop off some extra clothes and food to the shelters in Port Angeles. "I usually like to donate our things yearly, and food every other month. We buy a lot of non-perishables for it."
Finishing up her cereal, "I'd love to come with you, if that's alright." Amelia really wanted to get a better idea of the area she was staying in, and perhaps an honest perspective from an outsider would bring attention to the fact that they are not exactly blending in.
Esme was delighted for the company. The family would help her out if she ever needed to ask, but having someone volunteer, it was something that made her smile. "Of course dear, it would be nice to have someone to chat with."
Amelia nodded. Looking over at Peter, "You don't mind, do you?" she asked him.
Peter was proud of his girl. She was a very kind person, even helping someone she barely knew. "Of course, have fun Snowy." He knew that she would be safe with Esme, but he also knew that she was more than capable of taking care of herself, he was going to enjoy it when the Cullens found out. His knower said it wouldn't be too long, especially how condescending Edward was or how pushy Alice is.
Amelia got up from the countertop and gave Peter a hug. "I'll see you later, luv you." With a quick kiss to his temple she was out the door helping Esme load her SUV.
Sitting in his last class of the day, Jasper felt like his brain was melting. All he could do was count down the minutes until he could get out of here. Jesus, why do we keep doing this to ourselves. He couldn't help but think back on her emotions. The disgust that she was feeling towards them; it really didn't sit well with him. Why did this human's reactions bother him? The question kept rolling around his head, his desire to find the answer was boarding on obsession but he needed to know.
As the bell rang, he gracefully got up and headed to the parking lot to meet his family. As he rounded the corner he felt her before he saw her. Alice. His normal reaction would have been joy. However, since this morning, he was feeling her love and irritation, but it was as if her emotions were overtaking him, as if her presence was overworking his empathy. It was unsettling.
"Jazzy, Bella, she's trying to actually tell me NO, like how could she not want another makeover, I mean it's what humans are supposed to do. I've seen it. She should just stop fighting me," said in a whining voice.
Jasper couldn't help but look at her. Really look at her. Has she always acted this spoiled? He wondered to himself.
Shaking his head clear, "Alice, Bella isn't about being flashy, you know that. Right?"
Alice pouted; "Really? What exactly do you know about being a human woman?" she snapped.
Looking around the parking lot, he saw that Rose and Emmett were looking at him. It wasn't the first time that Alice had yelled at him in front of others, but it was definitely the first time that he felt shame and embarrassment. He couldn't help it, the anger was rising. His eyes outwardly glared at the back of her head.
Rose couldn't help herself; "Jesus Alice, what's your problem? Talking to your husband like that in public?"
Alice turned to her, "He's my husband, you need to mind your business." Opening the car door, she looked over her shoulder. "Let's go Jazzy," quickly getting in and shutting the door.
Jasper just stood there, how could his love, his mate treat him so badly? Looking over at Emmett and Rose, "I need to go hunting." Looking down at Alice, and seeing her disbelief. He walked off towards the woods. Needing to think.
Across town, Amelia was sitting on the back deck of the Cullen home. Peter was waiting patiently waiting for Charlotte to show up. She was excited. She absolutely loved Char. Sitting back, she couldn't help to think about how everything came together.
*Flashback*
Amelia was sitting in the park, the sun was starting to set. All she could do was think about her complicated life. Her mother had her young, 17, while she tried her best, Jennifer Clayton was impulsive, doing things on a whim. While she worked her ass off and kept the house running, her idea of parenting was to let the child learn how to navigate the world on her own. While she will punish her if she broke a house rule. But any advice on dealing with school, bullies, or anything like that; her mother explained the only way she would learn or grow was to figure things out herself.
Damn it. Her current train of thought was centered around the fact that she didn't qualify for any scholarships, and she didn't have as the bank called it "no running credit" even though she had a perfect credit score. Her mother didn't, and couldn't even co-sign.
As she watched the sun setting behind the rolling hills, it took a lot of energy not to let the tears come rolling down her face.
"Don't worry about it Snowbird, everything will be alright." a country tone resinated right next to her.
His voice surprised her. What the hell, wasn't I sitting alone? "Where the hell did you come from?" she quipped. She carefully looked around realizing now that the lamps in the park were starting to come on. The hair on her neck was standing up.
"Well, my little dove, that is an interesting story."
"Look, I'm not really into the whole mysterious guy thing." she snapped. Quickly getting up she started to make her way towards her Jeep.
She looked behind her to see if he was still sitting on the bench. But he was gone. What the fuck?
Double timing it to her Jeep, she saw a shadow leaning against it. It was the guy from the bench. How …
"So here's the thing Snowbird, my name is Peter Whitlock, and I need your help. My sire, I don't know why or even the how yet, but I know that you are going to be important. So here I am Suga' asking for your help." he said breathlessly.
Her eyes were wide, "You must be insane. Now I'm going to ask you to get the fuck off my truck, or you and I are going to have issues." she was getting antsy. She hated feeling scared.
Peter held his hands up, "I'm being honest here Amelia, I'm not going to hurt you. I need your help. I will tell you everything." Making a motion to walk towards her.
The fear took over her body, how did this man know her name? She watched fearfully as he moved towards her. As he came within touching distance, she felt her body vibrate with fear and anger. Letting the feeling flow through her body, she felt the energy leave her body, sending the man in front of her flying back 20ft.
He should have expected this, his knower told him that she was in touch with her gift, but damn, it didn't warn him that it would pack a powerful punch. Standing up, he brushed himself. "Damn girl, that was a powerful kick." Standing slowly, he dusted himself off, he approached her slowly. Watching her with his trained eyes, he knew that she was figuring out that there was something different about him. A normal person wouldn't be getting up for a while.
Her breathing was labored. The intensity of how the energy left her body left her feeling tired. She was fighting the lethargy. Steading herself, she looked him over, how was he standing. He should be knocked out. Breathing out, "What are you?"
As Peter went to answer her, he saw that she was falling. Zipping over to her before she hit the ground.
Speaking mostly to himself. "That went way better than expected."
*END FLASHBACK*
"What's got you thinking so hard Snowy?" Peter asked.
Looking over at her brother, she smiled, answering his question; "Thinking about the first time you and I met, you scared me half to death!"
"Me, you're the one that knocked me on my ass!" retorting to her.
Shrugging her shoulders, "I would say I'm sorry, but that would be a lie, and I don't lie Peter."
They stayed on the back porch for a while longer.
Peter perked up, "Guess the kids are home from school."
Amelia couldn't keep the look of disdain off her face. "I can't believe that they agree to keep doing that to themselves over and over again."
Amelia always made an effort not to judge people, but sometimes when people were making some of the silliest decisions, it couldn't be helped.
Both walking inside the house, she was bombarded with Alice ranting that her husband had the audacity to run off and go hunting, complaining that Bella was fighting her on a makeover.
Rolling her eyes, she looked over at Rosalie and Emmett, she could see that they were annoyed and murderous.
Before anything else could be said. The rumbling of a large vehicle could be heard. "What in god's name is that noise?" Amelia asked the room.
Emmett barked out a deep laugh. "That would be Bella's truck, she loves that thing."
Smirking over at Emmett, "As long as it makes the girl happy."
Sitting down on the couch, Amelia watched with slight interest as a long hair brunette came into the house. Watching her body language; she looked like she was in pain. Standing with her shoulders slumped, eyes down. Amelia watched how she moved and Edward was damn near leading her. Does this girl have any self respect?
Edward approached Amelia with Bella slightly behind him. "Bella, love, this is Amelia, she's Peter's ward. Amelia; this is Isabella Swan, but she prefers Bella."
His tone annoyed her. Ward? Keeping her temper in check, she let out a slight sigh. "Nice to meet you." her tone chilled.
Bella looked up with a small smile. "You too."
Bella couldn't help but stare at this girl in front of her. She was about the same height, but Bella could see that she was built like a curvy woman. Her breasts were overly large but at least a C, and her waist small, with hips that flare. Bella's esteem already was cracked, being in a relationship with a God, him dumping her, and still after visiting the Volturi refusing to change her. The icing on the cake was that the woman standing in front of her not only was almost as beautiful as a vampire, Edward couldn't read her mind. That was the one thing that made her feel special; that she was only human or vampire he couldn't read. Now that she is here, Edward will realize that she's not that special.
Before anything else could be said between the two of them, Peter flitted into the room followed by an annoyed looking Jasper.
Bella gasped at Peter, his red eyes startled her. Amelia looked over, "Relax kiddo, he's not gonna bite." Walking up to Peter she gave him a big hug. Looking over at Jasper. "Bad day at school?"
A small smile graced his beautiful face. "Something like that darlin." He looked her up and down quickly, coming back to her face, she was gorgeous. He couldn't help but feel drawn to her. She was the honey, he was the fly.
Amelia smiled slightly at him, it was too bad that he was married to Alice, she was pretty sure that if he was allowed to be himself he wouldn't look so constipated. She looked over at Peter, and could see that he was getting antsy. Looking behind her, she could see that Alice was glaring, Rosalie and Emmett were sitting on the couch watching the interactions with Jasper, Peter, Bella and Amelia. Edward was hovering over Bella like she would blow away if a window was open.
Living with real vampires long enough, Amelia could see that whatever was riling up Jasper and Peter, was getting Alice all twitchy.
Looking over at Bella, "So, I was going to head to the diner for a burger, you want to come with me, and I don't know talk about humans mingling with vampires?"
There was a slight pause in the room, all eyes on the two girls. Bella shifted nervously on her feet. Looking over at Edward, silently asking permission. Once she got his approval. Bella looked at Amelia, "Yea that would be nice."
Staring at the scene in front of her, Amelia was stunned silent. This girl needs help.
Turning towards Peter, Amelia held out her hand for the keys to the truck.
Chucking them over, Amelia looked at Bella, "Let's get out of here, it's like a morgue in here."
Everyone but Edward and Alice chuckled.
As Amelia and Bella headed for the door, Jasper had the urge to follow them. Instead he watched her walk out the door with Eddie boy's human. As the door shut behind him, Alice jumped towards Jasper.
"Jazzy, I forgive you for acting that way at the school. How about we head to Seattle for a weekend of shopping." Fluttering her eyelashes at him. This always works, he's going to be putty in my hands.
For the first time since he met Alice, he was disgusted by her. Taking a few moments to center himself. He quickly thought back on almost every moment together. Realizing from day one, she was always someone who was able to get him to do anything that she wanted. How was she able to do that so easily?
"No Alice, I don't think so. Glad that you forgive me for you acting like a spoiled brat, but I'm done letting you manipulate me. So no Alice, I am not going shopping with you."
The house was quiet, nobody expected Jasper to ever speak back to Alice.
Stomping her feet, "How dare you speak to me this way Jasper. See, every single time you see those hillbillies you act uncivilized." Looking over at Peter, "I think it's time that you leave."
Peter stared at her, his knower though kept him from acting, normally Jasper would look at him with apologetic eyes and they would part ways. But something is changing, it must be Amelia, being around her has woken his sire up.
Jasper didn't even have a chance to tell her to kiss his ass. Surprising everyone it was Esme who snapped.
"Alice, I've had enough of this childish behavior. I am done, done with you telling everyone what to wear, how to act, enough. You are not all seeing, your visions are easily manipulated by you to give you the outcomes you want. I am done with it. I am the Mate of the head of the family, NOT you, going forward that's how it will be run. If you have any issues you're more than welcome to get the fuck out."
The family was quiet. Esme looked around the room. "Does anyone else have a problem with that?"
Everyone stared at the mother figure. Alice looked around quickly, this was not how she wanted this to go. She sat quietly trying to find an answer in the future, but it was fuzzy. Instead she turned around and headed out to the woods, she needed to think and get things back on track, she couldn't lose control over Jasper.
Half way across town; two girls entered a diner, not aware that things were starting to come to a head at the house. Putting the two of them on the tract to their proper future.