Bella
Jasper held me as I calmed down. It was just all too much. I'd lost Carlisle, and Esme, Edward, Alice, and probably even Emmett and Rose. At least it didn't come to a fight. That could have been so much worse. I didn't think it was over but we would see. I cried out my tension, fear, sadness, and loss on his shoulder. When I was done he kissed me on my forehead. I sniffed and decided I needed a shower and a few human minutes.
Jasper was laying on the bed when I got back in my holey sweats. I blushed and went to him, laying down beside him. "You need to eat tonight before bed Bella," Jasper said.
I groaned. I didn't want to cook.
"I know you don't feel like doing much but even if you just have a soda and one of those pop-tart things that's better than eating nothing. Maybe a sandwich?" He asked.
I nodded. I could do a sandwich and a soda. That wasn't too bad.
I got back up and walked down the stairs. I made a quick sandwich and got a soda out of the refrigerator. I took my food up to the bedroom. I didn't feel like dealing with Charlie's questions about Edward tonight. I hadn't come up with a good reason they were leaving. I didn't even know for sure that they would.
I ate quickly and asked Jasper, "Will you tell me your history?"
"It ain't a pretty bedtime story. Are you sure you want to hear it, Bella?"
"I want to know everything about you. But, I'd understand if you don't want to tell me tonight."
"I'm just afraid it will change how you think about me. I wasn't always a good man Bella. I've done horrible things."
"I see the man you are now Jasper. It's up to you, but I would like to know someday.
"Alright, darlin'. Here we go. I was born in Galveston Texas. I was the second oldest of six children. The youngest was a girl, a sister. My mother died in childbirth and that turned my father into a bitter man. I was sixteen when I volunteered for the Confederate army. I lied and told them I was older. By the time I went on the last mission before I was changed I was the youngest Major in the Texas Calvary. I was bitten by Maria after leading a column of women and children to safety. I thought the three female vampires were lost women from my group and immediately offered them assistance.
"I was changed to be Maria's, right-hand man. My gift with emotions made me invaluable to her. I trained the newborns to fight and once they had outlived their usefulness I disposed of them and we changed more. Women in the army weren't treated with the genteel civility that my mother had raised me was right. They were often mistreated."
"Maria was in charge of it all. She wanted territory and she was willing to have her newborns do anything to get it. We wiped out entire villages turning some, using others to feed the army. Life went on like this for years, decades in fact. Then I found Peter. I changed him and eventually, he became my right-hand man. Mates weren't allowed in the army, Bella, when Peter found Charlotte he hid it from me. Eventually, it was time to make more newborns and get rid of the old. Charlotte's name was on the list to be culled. Peter came to me and I turned my back as they escaped."
"I paid for that kindness. Maria never trusted me again. Every few months Peter would sneak back into camp and try to get me to come with him. He told me about a world without the constant battle and eventually, when I knew Maria was going to kill me, I went with him."
"I traveled with him and Char for a few years but I was depressed. I still felt the emotions of the people with every kill that I made. Eventually, I wandered off and found Alice. Together we went to the Cullens and learned a new way to live that didn't involve killing people. I slipped up during my first decade with Carlisle but he never judged me for it. Edward did of course, but that was to be expected. Eventually, I got enough control to go to school and you know the rest."
"I'm sorry I can't forgive her right now. I just can't." I said.
"I understand. I can't either. It's time to part ways with the Cullens. Maybe someday we'll be able to be friends with Alice, Esme, Carlisle, or Edward. I'm afraid they'll have to earn it. How can you not be disgusted with me, Bella? I did horrible things in my past."
"You have also done great things. You protected me from James. You are protecting me from Edward, Carlisle, Esme, and Alice. You've always been there for me. You came when I called. Who knows what Carlisle would have done had you just sent him alone. He might not have saved me."
"Thank you, Bella, that means the world to me but there is something else you should know. I...well...I was marked by the battles I've been in. I have scars."
I smiled. "So do I. The only one of them I really hate is the bite mark from James. Can you replace that mark with yours when you change me?"
"Yes, I can and I will. I won't let you be marked by him if I can help it. I hate my scars too but there are too many to replace like that."
Jasper started unbuttoning his shirt. Soon it was off and I was staring at his perfectly chiseled chest. Jasper turned on my bedside lamp and I could see faint scar marks on him. He was right. There were a lot of them.
I touched his arm and the scars I could see there. I ran my hand up his arm and down his chest feeling the faint texture on his skin. I found myself getting aroused and Jasper just smirked.
"If you're done ogling me I'll put my shirt back on now darlin'," Jasper said with his southern drawl.
"You don't need to get dressed on my account but if you insist," I smirked.
Jasper quickly put his shirt back on and buttoned it halfway up. "You really don't feel any disgust touching them?"
"Of course not, and whoever did was a fool," I reassured him.
"Thank you, but you may feel different when you're a vampire. To vampires, scars are a sign of danger."
"They should show what a good protector you are. It's your first instinct to protect. Even with James, you didn't know me but you protected me. You told me I was worth it Jasper. I believed you. You're worth it too."
"Your dad is coming up the stairs," Jasper said and disappeared.
Peter
I listened to Bella talk to Jasper after he told his story. She handled it like a trooper. Even her reaction to his scars was good. A little funny but good. The little darlin' was gonna be family.
Still, after her pa went to bed I jumped in the window.
Jasper appeared in front of her with supernatural speed.
"Easy Jasper," I said. "The Cullens are leaving. Emmett is taking Rose on an extended vacation. The rest, I dunno where they're going. Edward hasn't tried to get past us yet but I expect him to come back. That's the good news. The bad news is that there are dogs sniffing around Bella's place and I don't want to have to hurt the little darlin's pets."
"I'll call Jacob and tell him..." Bella started.
"You can't tell them about Edward yet, Bella. They're leaving as you insisted," Jasper said quietly.
"True," Bella admitted. "So we just gotta figure out what to tell them."
"Tell them the truth. That they are my brother and sister and we are no longer part of the Cullen coven. Tell Sam that we'd like to make a separate treaty with him. Better yet, I'll go to the treaty line where the Cullens go when we want to meet with them. I'll work to negotiate a treaty overnight. Will you and Char stay close to Bella tonight; in her room, preferably?"
"We won't let the little dolly out of our sight," Char said.
"Will you be safe, Jasper?" Bella asked.
"I will Bella. I give you my word." Jasper said.
"Tell them that if Char and Peter have to leave that I'm leaving too." Bella insisted.
"I will pass that message along little Darlin'. Peter, it's time to have a plan B. I trust you to have some ideas for me when I come back."
Char and I nodded but Bella asked, "What does that mean?"
"It means that if we can't stay here, little darlin', we need to have a plan where we will go and what we will do. I trust Peter to have some ideas for me when I get back."
"That makes sense." Bella agreed. "I'll let you all discuss, but please let me know what the options are before we finalize everything. I'm getting tired. I'm going to brush my teeth and get some sleep." Bella said.
"Fair enough Bella. We can talk about it in the morning." Jasper approached