Chapter 12

Sitting on her settee, a fluffy blanket strewn over her lap, the TV playing some random show and a warm mug of hot chocolate in her hands, Lily was suitably comfortable. She had finished work, now she was able to relax. She had eaten a small bowl of pasta earlier when she had arrived home and was trying to ignore how heavy it felt sitting in her stomach. Sighing, she sipped on her beverage which was now warm enough for her to drink just as her front door swung violently open and slammed shut making the girl jump. Thanking her reflexes for catching the drink before she burnt herself, she raised her blue eyes only to be surprised to see a very enraged Rosalie Hale pacing up and down her living room.

Lily didn't know what to say, something serious must have happened because she had never seen the blonde girl as anything other than composed. Now she was practically spitting fire. "Um, are you alright?" she asked nervously.

"No I am not okay!" Rosalie yelled, stopping her pacing to level that deadly glare to the small human sat below her. "Do you want to know what my dear brother Edward did today?"

"What?" she practically whispered.

"He nearly exposed us!" Rosalie screamed in frustration. Lily blanched.

"Isabella-"

"Is alive." The vampire laughed sardonically. "She did nearly die today, but not because of dear Edward. Some pathetic boy apparently couldn't even keep control of his vehicle in the parking lot. Slipped on some ice and nearly crushed the girl. Edward, oh Edward, he just had to play to knight in shining armour card and save his precious meal, and in the process almost exposed us. What was he thinking running at that speed across the lot, anyone could have figured out something was wrong in a moment."

"I'm sure they were probably more focused on the accident." Lily defended carefully. Rosalie just sneered and shook her head.

"All it would take was one person noticing. And guess what, Bella Swan sure did." The blonde complained, running a hand through her long hair as she attempted to pull herself together. "She questioned him at the hospital. Edward tried to convince her she just hit her head and was seeing things, because she also noticed he managed to physically stop the van with his bare hands!" Rosalie stopped ranting, taking the unneeded breaths before falling onto the seat beside Lily.

"So, what's going to happen now?" Lily asked.

"Most likely a family meeting." Rosalie sighed. "To be honest with you I just needed someone to get this out. Edward is going to try and protect this girl, and I just believe she needs to be taken care of for the protection of our family." Not really wanting to dwell on the idea of what that truly entailed Lily focused on the first half of the woman's sentence. She knew Rosalie meant she needed someone outside of the family, someone without a say in the final decision, to speak her mind to and Lily was literally the only option. Lily didn't truly understand why she herself wasn't considered a problem to their family that might need to be dealt with, but she didn't have the courage to ask at this moment.

Lily was taking this as it was - a good thing. Something Jasper and her counsellor had advised her to do, try and focus on more positive aspects of things instead of clinging to the negative, even before they occur. So what positives were arising from this situation?

1. The family must like her enough, or trust her enough, not to consider her a threat to their family that needed to be exterminated.

2. Rosalie had opened up to her. Even if it was a last resort option, she had still chosen to do so and gaining Rosalie's favour was something she longed for. So, she was taking it as a positive.

3. Well there was no three but, well I guess you could count Bella Swan still being alive and Edward not munching on her as a good thing. She didn't think anyone deserved being anyone's dinner.

Rosalie had been correct. She had been outvoted and Bella had been left alone. Edward had decided to simply ignore the girl and her inquisitive brain. She had apparently tried speaking to him the day after the incident but Edward had held firm and ignore the girl. Rosalie saw it as a consolation prize, only because the human girl had kept her promise and her mouth shut about what she saw. Something Edward had been keeping an eye on for days. Just listening and trying to work out how trustworthy this Swan character truly was.

Jasper had explained the situation a little more fully to Lily. One of the reasons Edward seemed so fascinated by Bella (apart from her scent) was that he couldn't read her mind. Jasper would be lying if he said he didn't have a good laugh at the overpowering wave of jealousy that emitted from his girlfriend when he informed her of that little piece of information. She had pouted heavily and sulked after being told. She was not happy. If he couldn't read her mind how could he read hers? It just wasn't fair.

Almost a week after the incident something happened to Lily that hadn't happened in a long time. She had a nightmare, about her father. She didn't understand why it was happening but she was sat there in bed, trying to catch her breath and slow her heartbeat whilst simultaneously trying to expel the dark thoughts from her mind. Cursing her father for all he was worth, she rose from the bed with the intent of having a warm shower. Even after all this time he was still haunting her no matter where she went or what she did. The dark thoughts plagued her mind for days to come, something Jasper picked up on when he noticed her aversion to food had increased.

Soon realising Lily was being haunted by dreams of her father Jasper had offered to stay the night, to help her sleep better. Not wanting to bother him Lily rejected the idea, but the vampire was insistent and wouldn't take no for an answer. So the day before her counselling session, he relaxed in a chair by her bed as she snuggled down into the thick duvet. Lily felt it was slightly harder to fall asleep when completely aware of another presence in the room, but she eventually dozed off. Jasper kept watch, almost like a guard, and whenever he felt her emotions start to flicker and become tainted he would manipulate them to something else. He hoped this would in turn change her dreams, because surely she couldn't have a nightmare when she was feeling positive, no?

Asking her in the morning he smiled upon hearing she had never suffered through another nightmare last night, or at least not a one she remembered which was a relief. Jasper flashed downstairs to start making her a small breakfast of porridge (something she loved) and some tea whilst Lily got dressed. Slowly making her way down the stairs, sleep still invading her very soul, Lily emerged into the kitchen as Jasper settled everything on the table.

"Thank you." she yawned, sitting down. Jasper smiled as he took the spot opposite her. "You sure you want to stay with me when I have my session?"

"Yes, it will be fine." he assured. "An hour means nothing to me, and I'm driving you home so it makes little sense to leave and then come back."

"Well, if you're sure." she replied unsure, grabbing her spoon as she ate from the bowl that was only filled up half-way, something she was grateful for. She didn't think she could eat a full bowl, never mind the fact porridge easily filled her up. After Jasper let her eat at her pleasure, he drove her to the hospital where she had her counselling sessions what with Forks being a small town. The session went as all others did, with Lily giving basic details of how she was feeling and her psychiatrist attempting to get her to open up. It was the same each time and it would continue to be that way. Lily just didn't feel comfortable talking to a stranger about her problems, especially one that was being paid for it no matter how qualified they were.

Jasper was waiting patiently for her outside, and like the other times he had brought her he didn't comment on anything he had heard from within. She knew he could hear every word that was being spoken between the psychiatrist and his client but the girl found she didn't mind. If she didn't want him listening in Jasper would leave the minute she confessed her desires of it.

Two days after Lily was on round two of the food shopping task. It was Monday and she needed to stock up for the week, hoping it was going to go better than the last time. She had been made to wait until after work, grumbling as she scoured the supermarket about how she should have came the day before, because she could be relaxing right about now. Procrastination was a bitch. Not looking where she was going Lily reached for some milk when she bumped into another girl who was doing the same.

"I'm so sorry." she gushed, cringing.

"Don't worry about it. It was probably my fault. I'm a klutz." the girl apologised. Lily smiled lightly as she grabbed her purchase. "I'm Bella Swan by the way." Lily's head snapped up fast upon hearing the words.

"Oh, so you're Bella!" she exclaimed, causing the other girl to cringe.

"Yeah, I'm the new girl." Bella muttered, clearly uncomfortable.

"So am I. I've only been here a little over five months." Lily revealed. Bella raised her head in surprise, she hadn't heard of any other new people moving to town recently. "Rosalie told me about what happened not too long ago. I hope you're alright now?"

"I'm fine, thanks." Bella mumbled, biting her lip in hesitation. "Rosalie as in Rosalie Hale? Edward's sister?"

"Yeah."

"You know the Cullen's? Personally?"

"Yeah," Lily frowned, not really understanding the tone of Bella's voice. "Well, I'm dating Jasper so."

"Oh really? The people at my school seem to think Alice and Jasper are dating." Bella said confused. Lily simply laughed, the idea was ridiculous.

"They're close, best friends but definitely not a couple. I can attest to that." Lily assured. Pushing the basket further up her arm, Lily waited for Bella to say what she was clearing wanting to but seemed to be struggling to get the words out.

"How's Edward?" Bella finally asked.

"He's fine."

"Really?" Nodding her head, Lily got the impression Bella was displeased but about what she didn't know. "Oh, um, have you noticed anything strange about them?"

"Like what?" Again, Bella seemed to struggle to get the right words out and nothing she said truly made sense but Lily suddenly remembered Rosalie telling her this girl in front of her had witnessed Edward using his strength and speed during the car accident.

"You know, I can't say I have noticed anything weird." Lily said softly. "Well, nothing to write home about." Laughing, she chatted a little more with the suspicious girl before making her escape. With the knowledge that Lily knew the Cullen family on a personal level, Bella had seemed almost desperate to keep bringing them up to be able to dig for information that Lily wouldn't divulge.

To be honest, Lily was just happy to get away. The girl actually freaked her out. Maybe it was a good idea Edward was ignoring this girl, she seemed a little obsessed about the family, maybe it was innocent and Lily was overreacting but her initial vibe wasn't a good one.

Besides, she had more important things to think about, Valentine's Day was in a week and she was starting to worry. What should she get him? It was her first time celebrating this particular holiday and she didn't know how to go about it.

Lily spent the rest of the week fretting about the upcoming Monday. The day of love, ugh. Lily was pretty sure Valentine's Day was invented for single people anyways, so she didn't appreciate the pressure of this day now she had a person to spend it with. Jasper apparently had something planned, but refused to divulge even the smallest of details about it. Lily hated surprises, she liked being mentally prepared for things and the idea of going into things blind didn't sit well with her.

Patience was a virtue she didn't possess but Lily was trying her hardest to take a grasp of it because Jasper seemed to be rather excited about it. He wanted to surprise her, he wanted to see her happiness (hopefully) when she saw what he had planned. Alice had decided to dress her, since she was aware what Jasper was doing and well, Alice just liked dressing her up.

Monday rolled around and Lily found herself staring in front of the tall mirror leaning against the wall as she looked at herself from side to side, trying to vanish the niggling thoughts that she looked huge in the red dress she was wearing. Huffing, Lily jumped when a knock sounded at her front door. Trying to calm herself, the brunette grabbed her bag and coat before heading downstairs, cursing Alice for giving her heels. Thankfully they weren't all that high.

Jasper smiled brightly when he saw her, the light from the moon highlighted behind him. "Hi." she said shyly.

"Hello, you look beautiful." he breathed, causing her cheeks to flush red.

"Thank you. So do you." Grabbing his gift before leaving, Lily smiled in thanks when the blond opened the car door for her. "So, can I at least ask where we're going?"

"My house." he answered, causing Lily to frown. "Rosalie and Emmett, and Esme and Carlisle have left to have some time to themselves and Edward and Alice have left for the evening. So, we'll be alone." Lily sighed in relief. The idea of his entire family being there was a little weird honestly. It didn't take long to arrive at the large house that was protected by the trees.

Opening the door, taking her hand, Jasper helped her out of the car. Smiling lightly the couple made their way inside the house. The aroma of something quite delicious hit her senses when she walked further inside. Right, food. She would have to eat whilst he what? Watched? That was going to be awkward.

Jasper took her coat and ushered her to the couch, which is where Lily saw the food on the coffee table. Feeling a swell of relief burst inside of her she stared at the array of snacks laid out for her. There was something more relaxing about snacking in front of Jasper than eating a full meal whilst he just waits for it to be eaten.

Sitting, Lily reached out and grabbed the closest thing she could see and popped it into her mouth as she eyed the room. Candles had been set up, creating a soft and calming atmosphere. Whilst the room hadn't changed all that much, the small touches made Lily feel all warm inside. It looked beautiful, especially with the array of flowers. Talking, eating, laughing and a few kisses later, Jasper stood and walked over to the left. He fiddled about for a few seconds before soft music started playing throughout the room.

"Oh no." Lily laughed when the vampire reached down to take her hand.

"Yes." he smiled, dragging her to her feet.

"I'm going to stand on your feet." she warned but he shrugged.

"I doubt it will hurt." he assured, placing his hand on her back and pulling her close. "I'm a good leader." His voice was teasing causing her to roll her blue eyes.

"So you've told me." she sighed. And he had. Jasper had told her all of his past with being in a war, and then meeting Maria who turned him into what he is today, and of training and disposing of the newborns. He had informed her of all the scars on his body, too subtle for her human eyes to see, from all the times the newborns had managed to bite him. Lily didn't truly know what to say to his past, but she knew he wasn't proud of it and regretted all he had done. It was hard to comfort someone over something that happened such a long time ago and was something she could barely comprehend. It was so far from things she was used to.

The couple moved in sync with one another as the slow music enveloped them into a bubble of their own. Lily felt completely at ease, and so did Jasper. He didn't seem to be struggling with being so close to her, but what did she know?

"Jasper?" she breathed against his shoulder. He hummed into her hair in response. "Can I just say how thankful I am I met you?"

"You can." he mumbled with a laugh. "And can I just say I feel the same?"

"You can." she teased, smiling as she raised her head to look at him. Their eyes met for a few seconds before they moved to meet in the middle so their lips could connect. Like every other time Lily's heart picked up. They stopped moving as they kissed one another, until Jasper pulled back. He pressed his forehead against hers as he closed his eyes taking a couple of calming breaths.

"You've been smelling better the past few days." Jasper muttered, and wasn't that just a weird sentence to hear knowing the context behind it.

"I apologise."

"No, I'd rather struggle through it." He told her strongly. "It's hard sometimes, but it makes me feel much better knowing your scent is getting..."

"Tastier?"

"Yes." he laughed. "Small price to pay." Nodding lightly, Lily played with the hair at the nape of his neck as Jasper pulled himself back together. "Okay, I think I'm ready for another try." Seeing the playfulness in eyes Lily smiled.

"Good." she hummed, and once again their lips met in a much more passionate kiss.

Just to ask, how do you feel about mature scenes? If not let me know and I won't include them unless the majority of people vote yes for those kind of scenes.