Chapter 41

It was the day of Bella's wedding. She and Edward looked so happy at the ceremony. We all stood up and clapped when the man announced Bella's new name. I leaned into Jasper and he looked down at me.

"Are you crying?" He asked in a teasing tone.

I blinked away the small tears that formed in my eyes. "No. Shut up."

Jasper side smirked at me and held me close to him. We watched as the two made their way down the aisle. I was so happy for Bella. She finally did it.

We all sat at tables, close family and friends were giving their speech. It was my turn to go up and honestly I was nervous. I bit my lip and brought out the card I wrote on.

"So, you know me. I can't remember anything without writing it down." I said into the microphone to Bella.

Bella clapped her hands together as she laughed. I glanced at the card and felt the lump in my throat grow as I read the first line.

"When I came to Forks, I wasn't expecting to have the life I do now. I never thought I would have amazing friends and family. I remember the first day of school. I was so nervous. Bella was the first person to become my friend when I moved here. We bonded over how much we hated the attention we were getting for being new. So yes, hate is what bonded us together." I heard laughter among the audience. I put the card down and looked at Bella. "I remember the first time you wanted to gossip about the Cullens. Mostly Edward. 'Oh Lori, he's just so hot. Edward is so tall and handsome.'" Bella scoffed at me playfully when everyone laughed. "That's what she sounded like in my head anyway." I paused for a moment to gather up my voice. "I'm grateful to have you in my life, Bells. I enjoy seeing you happy and at peace. For you to find your first love is just an amazing experience to witness as a best friend. You've grown so much and-…" My voice caught in my throat. "I'm sorry. I'm trying to not be a big baby."

Alice came to my side with a tissue, wiping away the tears that had gotten free. I thanked her when she was done.

"I guess to make this short, I love you and I wish you and Edward the best. Also, Edward…good luck with her weirdness." I toasted as I held up my glass of sparkling juice.

Everyone held up their glass and took a drink, except for the vampires. They just held up their glass and put it down.

When I was off the stage, Bella was by me and hugged me so tenderly. It was like a sister hugging another sister.

"Thank you for the speech. It was moving and honestly I had a lot of emotions during it. I wanted to punch you and hug you at the same time." Bella laughed and hugged me again.

"You're welcome." I laughed and turned to look at Bella's dad.

He was over by the drinks, looking out at the crowd. I made my way over to him and lightly punched his arm.

"Hey, Princess." He greeted and offered me his awkward hug.

"Hey." I removed myself from him and looked up at him. "So, are you drunk yet?"

He let out a chuckle and tilted his head. "I need stronger stuff than this shit." He glanced at me and then shifted his stance. "I mean stuff."

"I'm old enough to cuss in front of."

"You and Bella aren't old enough for anything in my mind." He said in his father tone. Charlie eyed me for a moment before speaking to me. "You're looking very radiant today."

"It's probably the makeup." I waved him off. "I never wear any so that must be why."

He twisted his mouth like he was in thought. "Yeah, it must be." Charlie glanced out to the people ad spotted Jasper.

Jasper was talking to Edward and Emmett. They looked like they were up to no good and laughing.

"So, you and Jasper huh?" He said with a slight protective tone. "Is he good to ya?"

I held in my amusement. It was nice that Charlie had a protective side over me.

"The best I could ask for and way more than I deserve." I said and looked over to the boys again.

Jasper was looking right at me. They were all about ten feet away, so they probably hear our conversation with their great hearing.

"You deserve to be treated well." Charlie protested.

I looked over to him and smiled. "It's hard to except that when your blood family doesn't treat you well. You start to think you don't deserve happiness or love. That you were made to be lonely for the rest of your life."

"Hey now." He said and put an arm around me. "I know what you're talking about and trust me, you deserve happiness and love." He took the last sip of his drink and sat it down. "You have been through enough heartbreak in your life. Now, I may not be your actual father or step father, but I do love you as a daughter."

Tears pricked at the corner of my eyes. "Really?"

"Don't you start the water works…" Charlie warned me. "Yes, I mean what I said."

I gave Charlie a big hug and then felt his presence. When I removed myself from the hug, I saw Jasper was by my side. He held out his hand to Charlie for a handshake.

"Hello, Charlie." Jasper greeted with his southern drawl. "I apologize that we haven't spoken much over the years."

Charlie nodded and stopped shaking hands with Jasper. "Just treat her well or I'll have a long talk with you. Just remember, I know how to shoot a gun pretty well."

Jasper gave Charlie a knowing smirk. "I wouldn't doubt your skills, Sir." Says the one who was from the Civil War.

I rolled my eyes. Men, I will never understand them.

"Shall we dance, Ma'am?" Jasper asked as he held out his arm for me to take.

"I don't know how to dance, Jasper." I muttered under my breath.

"Oh, I'm going to love this." Charlie said with a chuckle. "You two go have fun." He walked off to go sit in a seat.

"It's a slow song." He cupped my face. "Just stand on my feet and I'll do the rest."

"Or we could go makeout inside the house…where we'll be alone." I suggested and gave him a playful wink.

"You are such a pervert." He teased and took me out on the dancefloor. Lifting me up, he sat me on his feet and we danced together.

"Why are you doing this?" I asked as I looked up at him.

His golden eyes pierced mine and he gave me a side smirk. "Because I want you to feel loved rather than lusted after. I heard your conversation and it bothers me. Do you really think that you don't deserve me? That the love I give you isn't for you?"

I bit my lip and nodded in response. "Jasper, all of my life I have been alone. I was starting to think I would become the crazy cat lady when I got older before I met you."

He placed his forehead on mine and kissed my nose. "It is me who doesn't deserve you. You're way to innocent and pure hearted. I'm a monster with a hunger inside for blood." He whispered to me so no one could hear us.

"You're not a monster. You're my sexy vampire cowboy." I joked and it got him to laugh.

"I'll be at our side forever; until the day you don't want me anymore."

"That day would never come, but if it did…you wouldn't leave me. I know you, Jazz. You'd fight forever for me."

"If you know me so well, then you should know how important you are to me." He gave me a slight glare. "Don't think less of yourself."

"Sir, yes, Sir." I teased and wrapped my arms around his shoulders.

I watched from the hill as my best friend drove off in a car with her husband. They were off to go on their honeymoon. Even I had no idea where they were going. Edward wanted to make sure Bella wouldn't know.