Are you happy I posted this soon? I'm quite proud of myself, to be honest...
BELLA POV
I wish I could say that I felt happy when Victoria died.
But no.
It was—still is—surprising, unsettling. After all the pain she caused me and others, I should have felt elated, even jubilant. But I didn't, still don't.
One, because my wrist and face were hurting like a bitch, even though Carlisle, after helping Esme reattach a removed finger—courtesy of one of the more tenacious newborns—immediately ran to help me. We got lucky: apparently only Esme and Emmett had suffered injuries, and only minor ones at that.
Turns out Jasper, too, was hurt, but I didn't realize that until after we were back at the house. Carlisle was putting my wrist in a brace—a temporary solution until we went to the hospital—after disinfecting the cuts on my face when I spotted rivulets of venom dripping from a deep gash under his ribs.
Panic overtook me: I scrambled to go to him, nearly taking Carlisle down in the process. Jasper caught me in his arms before I fell face down on the living room floor. "I'm alright sugar" he reassured me, helping me up.
"You're hurt, don't lie!" I hissed, angry at him for not taking care of himself and at myself for not noticing sooner. What kind of mate ignores the other's pain?
He kissed me gently, holding my cheeks in his cold, big hands. "I've had much worse back in the day darlin', this ain't nothin'. A few hours and the gash will repair itself."
"What can I do to help?" I asked him, looking him in the eye. They were still black, hadn't changed back to their beautiful ruby since the battle. I held his hand on my cheek.
"Let Carlisle fix you and concentrate on gettin' better."
I sighed resignedly and he kissed my nose.
Now, three weeks later, I am at the hospital to let Carlisle check on my wrist. Charlie insisted on coming with me—he had freaked out when he saw me come back with my bruised face and destroyed wrist. Jasper was with me, so we were able to spin a believable story of me tripping over at his house and hurting myself. Not that it is particularly hard to believe I fell.
"What have you done this time Bella?" Carlisle jokes as he approaches the cot they put me on.
I smirk, "Have you forgotten? You need to check up on my wrist, doc."
I know he's just pretending to forget—after all, vampire memory is quite useful. "Oh, how could I forget. Well, let me see" he holds out his hands and I give him my wrist. He alternates between looking directly at my wrist and scanning with his eyes the x-rays the nurse had me take beforehand.
"So, Doctor" Charlie begins, and I nearly jump. I've forgotten he is here. "How is Jasper? Haven't seen him in a while."
That was true, Jasper had gone a few says ago to do a deep cleaning of Seattle, to check that nothing was amiss there or in the nearby areas and no newborns were left. Plus, we often saw each other in secret so to Charlie we essentially met once or twice a month. It is sweet of him to care. Embarrassing, but sweet.
"Jasper is alright, he's visiting his relatives. This time he went alone considering Bella's injury" Carlisle answer without missing a beat or stopping his examination of my wrist.
"How is it doc?" I ask, to steer Charlie away from the topic.
"It's healing correctly: the two smallest fractures are close to completely healing but the big one is healing at a slower pace than normal, most likely due to the multiple fractures. You're lucky it was a clean fracture, or I might have had to operate" he sighs.
"How long until I can take it off?" I gesture to the brace.
"Another six weeks minimum. You're healing well but I don't want to rush things. It's better to have it on a few days more than less" he smiles at me sympathetically, knowing I hate the thing.
"That makes sense Bells." Charlie adds his two cents.
I huff. "Fine, you all win. But please, let's take it off as soon as possible" I whine.
"Of course, it wouldn't be beneficial for you to keep the brace on too long. Regardless, I must tell you that after it comes off, you'll have to regain mobility through physiotherapy."
"Does the hospital offer that, or do we need to start searching for a clinic?" Charlie asks, caressing my back with his hand.
"Oh, that won't be necessary. I can help her myself, doing sessions when she comes to the house. After all, it's much cheaper and faster since she spends so much time there" Carlisle smiles.
"I wouldn't ask that of you, Doctor" my father starts, but the good doctor holds up his hand and interrupts him.
"Nonsense. Bella is as good as family, and it's absolutely no bother. In addition, my wife would be most upset if I didn't take any opportunity to drag Bella to the house."
Both men laugh, while I blush. It's true that Esme has been much more… clingy than usual, but I sincerely hope that neither Carlisle nor Charlie ever finds out why. After all, telling your biological dad and vampire father figure that your vampire mother is giving you a brand-new lingerie wardrobe with the help of a certain pixie is not every day's talk.
I admit, I never thought Esme would do something like that, but I also have to say that she mitigates quite nicely Alice's enthusiasm and eccentric taste. While at first I was supremely embarrassed, I appreciate the effort, and I needed the extra confidence the garments give me. An added bonus is that I don't have to go to any store to but those lacy things. Apparently, Esme is a marvellous tailor on top of an excellent interior designer.
I'll really have to step up my game if I want to fit well into the family.
After all, Esme provides the houses; Alice takes care of the financial wellness of the family, dealing with stock markets and investments; Emmett is the IT guy; Jasper takes care of the defence of the coven and, along with Rose, of the legal aspect of their way of life; and Edward is in charge of figuring out when it's time to move away from the place due to suspicions.
What can I offer?
"Very well. We're all done here" Carlisle's voice rips me out of my thoughts.
"Thank you, Carlisle" Charlie shakes his hand.
"Don't even mention it, Chief."
4 hours later
After spending the afternoon reading with Angela—we have taken to spending more time together after our friends' deaths—I head to the Cullen mansion. Charlie is going to be working late and he gave his approval for a sleepover with Alice.
As soon as I park my truck in the driveway, I'm hit with a strong feeling of dejavu. I'm reminded of the family meeting when me and Jazz were summoned by the Volturi. I jump off the truck—nearly tripping and falling on my ass—and walk up to the door. Before I can knock, Alice throws the door wide open and tugs me inside, hugging me while being careful of my arm.
"Good news!" she chirps, "Esme finished sewing your things!"
She drags me up to the top floor of the house, where the attic has been turned into an impromptu sewing room. Esme is already waiting for me, folding a few scraps of lace and cotton that I believe are my lingerie.
I'm blushing just looking at it, not in shame but anticipation. I can't wait for Jasper to see me with those on. And to see him take them off, too, my subconscious adds.
"Hello, my dear" Esme says as she spots me, coming to kiss my cheeks. "Could you please try these on, I need to know if the size is right. Alice will help with your arm of course."
The first set I try on is a delicate cream three-piece: wireless lace bra, cotton panties with lace trimmings and a garter belt. The fit is immaculate and my only concern about the set is that I'll have to be super careful to keep it as far away from me as possible during my period.
The second set is a dark green one piece. I struggle with it for a hot second before Alice shows me how I'm meant to put it on: similar to a swimsuit, the majority of this thins is made of silk strings that cross over my stomach and waist with small triangles of fabric to cover my intimate parts. The sheer skill it must have taken to do this is astounding.
The third and final set is a black sheer babydoll, with minuscule lace panties and only a couple of fabric roses that cover my breasts.
"Oh, dear, you look stunning!" Esme gushes. "It seems I aced the measurements, right?"
"Yeah, they are perfect!" I smile. Surprisingly I don't feel self-conscious: being with Jasper made me more confident and now I don't feel inferior to anyone, for I don't compare. I know Jasper loves me and that's all I want.
As if I summoned him, his voice rings in the house from below. "Darlin' I'm back!"
It's only Alice's fast reflexes that prevent me from flying down and jumping in his arms. She kindly reminds me that I'm still in lingerie and at that I blush. I quickly change and finally go down to meet my love.
As soon as he sees me he is up on his feet and in front of me, kissing me senseless.
"I missed you" he murmurs, licking my lower lip. His bright red eyes gaze upon me with love and lust.
"I missed you too. How's Seattle?" I ask.
"All good and clean. Took us two days but we turned over every rock and pebble to ensure nothin' was left."
I frown, "Two days? What did you do the rest of the time?"
He smiles, kissing my nose. "Well, I wanted to talk to you about it, but first I prepared a surprise for you. Come."
I smile back at him and jump on his back when he leans down to catch me. Soon we are speeding through the forest, and I giggle at the beautiful feeling or running at vampire speed. I've always liked it, and there's the added bonus of being pressed to Jasper's back, a detail worth considering.
My eyes are wide open when I spot the beautiful picnic that lays nestled in the rocks near a small river. A few candles are lighting up the place and several cushions form a makeshift couch on which Jasper lays me on, kissing my forehead before sitting beside me.
"Jasper" I breathe, "This is so beautiful."
"Not as much as you deserve, but this is all I was able to do" he says, taking my arm and kissing all the way from wrist to shoulder.
I gape at him. "What the hell are you talking about? This is beyond perfect!"
"I'm glad you think so, sugar" he smiles and pushes a wave of love at me.
The next hour or so is probably the most relaxed I've ever been. Silence sparingly filled by kisses and small talk, I finish the delicious food and champagne Jasper brought and lean on his shoulder as he hums some song.
The moon is just coming out to shine over us, and the reflection of the light in the water is truly enchanting, but not as much as the man beside me. While sunlight makes him sparkle like a thousand diamonds, the silverly light of the moon makes him almost iridescent, pearly. I smile at him when he turns to me and lovingly kiss his nose.
"Bella" he caresses my cheek, red eyes glinting, "You have no idea how much I love you."
My heart is fit to burst.
"I think I have an idea" I say, and go down to kiss him again, but this time he doesn't let me go.
He raises from where he was leaning against my shoulder and meets my kisses with twice my passion. His hands tangle in my hair and mine slides in his t-shirt and traces the muscles on his back. I feel them flexing under my touch, and I gently scrape my fingernails on his hard skin.
Our kisses grow more devouring and, when his tongue seeks entrance in my mouth, I promptly grant it, moaning at his taste. Jasper growls in response and, faster than I can realize, he divests me of my clothes, leaving me only in my underwear.
I return the favor, ripping his t-shirt off his chest—albeit with some difficulty, only using my healthy hand—and tugging his trousers down with my feet. My hand immediately drops to his fine ass, squeezing his cold flesh and working to remove his boxers. He laughs at my impatience, but he doesn't seem too patient himself as he directly rips my bra off of me and vanishes my panties too.
I don't feel the cold of the night, nor of his body. "You're so beautiful, my mate, all mine" I whisper between kisses.
He palms my breast, "I'm the one who should say that" he gently bites my nipple and I moan. My hips buckle, searching for friction.
Careful not to hurt my injured wrist, Jasper picks me up and settles me on his naked lap, his cock lays on my stomach, and my hand goes to stroke him. His groan his music to my ears and soon mine join his in a melodious, lascivious symphony as he goes back to lavishing my breasts.
I am positively dripping with arousal all over his legs but he doesn't seem to mind. Instead, he inhales my scent, licking my neck and sucking a red spot on my collarbone. His fingers, meanwhile, are still teasing my tits, but when I breathe out a moan, one slides lower. Cupping my mound, two of his fingers dip between my lower lips. My walls clamp around his fingers as he starts pumping them at a languid pace.
"Jasper, more" I pant. It takes all my concentration to keep stroking his member in time with his own thrusting.
"I'll give you everything you want" he breathes in my ear, and the lust in his words is enough to nearly make me cum. He is knuckle-deep in me, and when he scissors his fingers and curls them in that spot, right there… I cannot help myself.
I don't care that we're in the middle of a forest, where people can potentially see us. I remove his hand from my cunt and raise myself up on my knees. He quickly catches my intent and helps me sink down on him.
Oh my God.
I'll never grow bored of this feeling of fullness. The connection between us sings, and thanks to Jasper's power we both feel each other's lust. When I start moving, I see stars.
His hands help me bounce on him, taking him deep, and once I've taken up a rhythm, they shift up to squeeze my breasts. My clit rubs against his stomach every time I sink down and I bite his neck to muffle my moans. His coldness provides even more stimulus, and when he starts to meet my thrusts and drive up into me, I cannot contain my moans anymore.
Both our grunts and pants echo in the night, and the sound of slapping skin is a rhythmic sound I can barely hear over the blood in my ears.
"You're so beautiful. I want to see you fucked like this every day" his words send me even closer to the edge.
I bite his earlobe, causing him to growl. "You know what you have to do to make it happen, my darling god" I smirk, I know how the pet-name makes him feel.
His eyes, now onyx black, are positively sparkling. "You cheeky minx" he swoops in for a deep kiss, letting our tongues dance to a music older than us.
My legs are just starting to get tired when Jasper picks me up and places me down on the cushions. One of my legs is trapped under his crotch and the other he places high on his shoulder. Before I can catch my breath, Jasper immediately plunges back in, my body welcoming his length home.
In this position Jasper is in charge, and it shows. The speed of his thrusts is bruising, and my entire body bounces up and down with the strength of our fucking. My moans are broken, but his are no better.
The wave of pleasure I've been riding is now near to crashing. With every one of Jasper's thrusts my head gets even foggier, clouded by pleasure, and I edge closer and closer to my climax. My mate seems to pick up on it, and his hips pick up speed. And I am gone.
The wave of pleasure that washes over me is so great my eyes white out for a hot second. I can feel my cunt twitching around his cock, and soon I feel him still over me. His moan is the softest music and when he tiredly lets his body fall atop mine, both of us catching our breaths, I embrace him.
Having this wonderful creature in my arms is an experience even more soul-shaking than having him in me.
"I love you so much" I whisper, kissing his temple.
"I adore you" he answers, shifting us so that I lay over his chest. My injured wrist lays over his belly, my legs circle his lower half and his hand lazily runs over my back.
"Darlin', I need to tell you something" he says.
"What is it?"
He sighs and shifts so that we're face to face. I kiss his nose and he smiles. "I have already talked to Carlisle and Esme about this" he starts, "but I am afraid that my time here with the Cullens has come to an end."
My breath stops. Hell, I'm almost sure my heart stops.
No. No… he cannot leave me… NO! Not again… not him… can't…
"Bella. Bella! Darlin' I'm not leaving you!" he shakes me out of my thoughts.
"I'll never leave you, ya hear me!" he looks me dead in the eye and, faced with the love shining in his eyes, I am forced to calm down. Without realizing, I had even started to hyperventilate.
"As I'm sure you have noticed, I've begun to spend less and less time with the Cullens, and with other humans in general. That's because after the mergin', bein' with them has been increasingly difficult. The heat of plannin' for battle has kept my uneasiness at bay, but I'm simply not built for the Cullen life. Even our diets clash."
"And what does it mean?"
He sighs, running his hand in my mane. "I have thought about returning to Texas. I have a few properties across the world, but in all honesty, I'd like to spend some time with Peter and Charlotte. It's been a long time since we simply lived together, no battle loomin' over us."
I nod. I understand the sentiment. As we trained, they didn't often interact if not through orders and sparring. "What about me?" I ask timidly, almost afraid of the answer.
"I'll go wherever you go. If you decide to come with me, we can even enroll you in university. Peter tells me that TSU has a nice English program, or even Psychology. I know you like that stuff. I can enroll in Engineering, or hell, maybe I'll retake history, if you want me with you."
"What about the sun?"
"Evening or online classes."
"What about my change?"
"I can bite you the moment we are wherever you want to go, or we can wait ten years. It's all up to you" he kisses me.
I hum, "Well, I'd love to come to Texas with you. And I'd also like to enroll in college. I think Psychology will do, but you don't have to if you want. Now that I have you I'm no longer so frantic to change, I want to enjoy being human a little longer. You can bite me after my first year, then I'll do the second online, or I'll skip it. Depends on how I go, right?"
"I couldn't have said it better myself, sugar."
I smile at him, "Then we're all set. I'll tell Charlie in the morning. I'm sure he'll approve."
"I hope so" he laughs, and I laugh along with him.
The sound of the night engulfs our merriment, but our smiles shine brighter than the sun.
Don't forget to leave a review! The story is slowly coming to an end, and (spoiler alert) no pregnancy in sight. Sorry to those who wanted it but I just don't see it fitting Bella's future.