Hello, darlings. Here goes another chapter. I hope it's to your liking.

We're approaching the newborn battle. I haven't written it yet, but I have some ideas about it, if you want to pitch in something, I welcome it :)

After this story is done (I don't know when it'll be. There's Paul and Bella for a while), I might start a Bella/Jasper vampire story. Would you like to hear more about it? Let me know in the reviews.

In the meantime, stay safe and enjoy!

SILVER

Chapter 15: Hard decisions.

Everyone was tense about Victoria. Alice had called Sam to tell him that Victoria had finally decided to come in two weeks. Jasper suspected she wanted her newborns to be a little less blood-crazed before attacking, which was dangerous because it meant she was training them, and she was not that crazy after all. He passed along that information alongside a few more tips to fight a more experienced vampire. Edward knew this information would play against them if they stepped out of line, and he said so out loud once Alice hung up the phone.

"Step out of line?" Jasper growled slowly. "What the hell does that mean?" He would not risk either his life or Alice's if Edward was planning to do something stupid.

They all turned their attention to Edward. As the mind reader, he was trusted with the task to be vigilant about any danger to their secret or their lifestyle. They never imagined that he might be a danger himself.

Much to Rosalie's annoyance and Carlisle's disappointment, Edward remained silent. Either because he knew that whatever he said would not be met with a round of applause or because he didn't want to share his inconclusive plan, if he even had one.

"Edward?" Esme prodded gently. She was the most caring woman they'd ever met. She always gave second chances, but contrary to everyone's belief, she could rule with an iron fist if necessary. There was a reason she was Carlisle's mate.

"I'm not planning on doing anything, I swear. Alice would have seen me disappear or would have seen me planning it." But Jasper was not entirely convinced. If there was anyone who knew how to escape Alice's vigilance, it was Edward. Jasper always trusted this family because they received him with open arms and smiles on their faces. They never cared for his past, and eventually, he grew to love them, and out of love and trust for them is that he shared his past. No one saw him any differently after that, nor did they grow weary of him. After he shared his story, everyone kept on with their lives. Emmett continued to challenge him to mock fight, even though he knew that 99% of the time, he'd lose.

Jasper was not risking anyone, and he'd learned not to be too trusting before. That had gotten him killed and transformed and had gotten him the job of judge, jury, and executioner in Maria's deranged plans.

Rosalie snorted derisively. Jasper raised an eyebrow at her. "Him picking a fight with the mutt did not help the situation. No wonder Bella's not speaking to anyone in this family." If there was something Jasper appreciated was honesty, even if it was brutal honesty. Rosalie had always been brutally honest. She didn't mince words, and she said what she felt and thought. She was one of the people Jasper trusted the most. Unfortunately, he couldn't say the same for Carlisle and Esme. They were too passionate and compassionate to see the hard truths about their loved ones. He knew that they would protect Edward if it came down to it, no matter the cost. He was not going to risk it.

When Alice left for Forks to visit Charlie, thinking that Bella had died, it was the hardest thing he ever did—trusting her blindly like that. It went against his instincts to leave her to deal with something that was emotionally draining alone. But she's asked, and he couldn't deny her that. Then, it came Italy, and he almost went crazy with worry. She had flown to Italy with a human, putting not only Bella at risk but her own. He never forgave Edward for putting Alice on the Volturi's radar. He'd been selfish in his decisions, thinking only of himself. He would not risk Alice again like that.

He took Alice's hands on his own and sent her a bit of love tug. Their secret language to communicate. She sent it back, and he relaxed a bit. Of course, they were in tune with each other's emotions and thoughts.

"Rose, you're not helping." Esme's words were the confirmation Jasper needed. If the fight with Victoria ended as he anticipated, he would ask Alice to leave with him. It was not going to be easy to leave Emmett and Rose, but he'd do it if it would be safe for him, and if Alice didn't come, there was no point in continuing with a relationship that had such fundamental differences. It was harsh, and he'd hurt for a long time, possibly forever, but he had no desire to die.

Alice stood straight, and without releasing Jasper's hand, she spoke for the first time since she hung up the phone. "Rose is right. Edward picking a fight is not helping us at all. They only trust us based on a treaty. A treaty that will be null and void if Edward picks another fight with any of the wolves. Paul is the most tempered of them all, but they all work as a tight unit. You attack one, and the rest will follow. I don't want to die because Edward couldn't accept a breakup. She's grown Edward; she's living. Something you always told her you wanted. Leave her be." Jasper was very proud of his wife. It was rare that Alice spoke against Edward, but she must have seen what Jasper wanted to do.

Rosalie smiled genuinely at Alice. Those were tight, being the only sister they had now. They always confided in the other. It was a good sign to Rose that Alice was finally choosing the right side. Emmett would do whatever Rose wanted to do. He was a 'make love, not war' kind of man, so whatever he must do to avoid a confrontation, he'd do it.

"It's set then." Emmett intervened. "If Edward picks a fight with any wolf, I won't intervene. I did so last time, but I won't do it again." With that, he decided to leave the house. Rose followed suit a few seconds later.

Carlisle and Esme didn't know what to do. They were torn because they knew their 'children' were right. But they wanted to support Edward and be there for him. He was hurting, and it was logical that he'd lose his mind like he did last time. Alice saw the resolution on their faces. It was sad to see that they would choose Edward over the rest of them or even themselves. If she had any reservations regarding Jasper's plan, they evaporated as soon as the clan leaders chose to support Edward in any maniacal plan he could come up with.

"Walk with me." She asked Jasper sweetly. He kissed her hand, and they both left running.

…

…

…

"They really decided that?" Rose asked, surprised. She had always looked up to Carlisle, a leader, smart, compassionate, that had managed to make the best out of the worst. Clearly, Edward had been his weakness always.

"Jazz and I will leave the family after the newborns and Victoria are dealt with." Jasper was surprised, hearing her confirmation for the first time.

"Seriously?" This time it was Emmett. Jasper felt him getting excited. It was not the reaction he expected. Alice nodded. "Rosie and I have been talking about this for years. We'll leave with you if you're ok with it."

Jasper released Alice to hug Emmett. "Of course, you can come with us. I was thinking of going to Peter's and Charlotte's."

Rose smiled. A new life was ahead of her, and it didn't seem doomed for the first time.

"Who's going to tell Carlisle and Esme about this?"

Jasper had also thought about that. Always the warrior, he liked to be prepared. "I can tell them. But it'll be after Victoria, and her army are dead." He was one hundred percent sure he didn't have to worry about being betrayed by those two. As blind as they could be, they were not bad people. Still, there was no need to create any unnecessary tensions before it was time. Besides, he had to contact Jenks and have any joint actives be appropriately dealt with.

"I can call Peter and Charlotte while you deal with Jenks." Alice offered.

Jasper nodded, and each of them parted ways to do their respective duties.