Hello, darlings! I feel like it's been ages since I updated this, and I think it was last week I did so.
I hope you like this chapter as well.
See you soon on my other ongoing fics!
FULL MOON
CHAPTER 13. POOR PETER.
Bella was fuming with fury the whole way back to the cabin. How delusional could someone be to completely miss what they did wrong? The worst thing is that until Alice cornered her, she didn't even think about how she was left out of Alice's plans to tell everyone she and Edward were not meant to be.
She still didn't think Alice had bad intentions; she didn't think Alice was a bad person, she refused to believe that after everything Alice did for her. But that didn't mean she was ok with what had happened or the way Alice was kind of completely missing the point that she had changed her and abandoned her for a second time.
She hadn't asked Alice for an explanation about that. Why would she change her and then leave her alone? Jasper told her that Alice saw Victoria killing her, and she couldn't not intervene, especially because she saw that they would end up together and happy. So, Alice had done a selfless act but then messed it up by leaving her alone? Possibly in danger? Did Victoria really plan to kill her, or was it Alice's way of intervening as always, in a matter that was not her own?
Bella sighed. Alice's confrontation had left her with more questions than answers. She was in such a hurry to get it over with that she didn't stop to think about what more information she could get from her. Although what was the point in asking more questions when Victoria was dead? What was the point in knowing if Alice had told the truth or lied? It didn't change anything.
Damn Alice and her cryptic shit.
Bella took down a deer out of frustration. She was not a violent person, and she worked her frustrations in different ways depending on the circumstance, but she had never, ever, punched anything to vent. Today was a first. She punched a tree. It was sturdy enough not to fall, which made Bella feel better about her outburst.
She breathed in and out for a few seconds, just like Rose had taught her when feeling overwhelmed. She closed her eyes and visualized the numbers from one to ten and backward. It worked to focus her mind on something else, even with all the available space her vampire brain had.
Feeling collected and calm again, she resumed her walk home. Jasper was alone, reading a book in one of the chairs. He closed it when he heard her coming in.
"Hey, you." He greeted, smiling.
Bella sat next to him in silence, observing him. He was handsome, which she had noticed when she was first introduced to the family. But there was something beyond the apparent vampire beauty. He had been a handsome human. His square jaw, now relaxed and stretched in a smile, his cheekbones, his eyes light with humor, and his demeanor screamed confidence and calm. She had observed him before, but today it felt different, like she needed to touch him to make sure it wasn't a dream, that the past weeks hadn't been the best dream she's ever had. That he just wasn't a product of her overactive imagination.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" Jasper whispered, feeling self-conscious. Bella's emotions weren't betraying what her mind was working on. Her expression was equally blank.
"You're gorgeous." Jasper guffawed at how unexpected Bella's comment was.
"Thank you for the compliment, Miss Swan, but gorgeous is how I would describe you." He leaned forward and pecked her lips. "Care to share what you're thinking?"
Just like that, whatever was blocking the entrance to her emotions was removed, and he felt her. With Bella, love and lust always existed in her emotions, especially when he was around. So those he was used to. He had learned to separate those two and identify the extra emotions coming from her. Right now, she was feeling something he couldn't put a word to. It wasn't rage, or confusion, or defeat, but it wasn't particularly pleasant either.
"Alice cornered me."
"What? When? Why?" He stood up so fast that even Bella was startled.
"Like an hour ago." She remained sitting. "She wanted to speak with me. I don't know; she basically repeated what you told me she told you. I told her I already knew that and that if she didn't have anything different to add, she could leave."
Jasper couldn't believe that Alice would do something like that. Bella looked fine, physically speaking, at least, so a physical fight had not ensued. As much as he loved Bella, he knew that in a fight between newborn Bella and Alice, Alice would come victorious.
"I asked her why she turned me and left me alone, especially because she had gone through the same, and why I hadn't been privy to the whole mate memo."
Jasper huffed, frustrated but relieved. At least it didn't look like Alice was looking to cause trouble. Just plain old Alice behavior.
He sat back next to Bella. "What did she say?"
Bella shrugged. "She admitted she was wrong in not telling me and that she didn't think she was a bad person but wasn't sure that was true anymore."
Jasper sighed. "She's not a bad person." He felt kind of bad for her. Her motives for changing Bella hadn't been evil. Her delivery was not ideal, for sure, but she wasn't looking to hurt anyone.
When Jasper accused her of malicious intent for letting him believe he was weak after he thought he had attacked Bella, she'd been remorseful and apologetic. He didn't believe an evil person would project such honest emotions about something they regretted doing. But like he'd said, that didn't change anything or make what she did right.
Bella looked worriedly at Jasper. "Are you ok?" She knew Jasper didn't love Alice anymore, but he'd always have a soft spot for her like she would with Edward. They say you never forget your first love.
"I feel bad that she thinks she's a bad person. Like she's thinking in black and white. It doesn't mean I forgive her or that I'm ok with what she did. But I'm sure she's not a bad person."
Bella nodded and kissed his shoulder. "My thoughts exactly."
"Did she say anything else to you?"
"Nop. I didn't give much time to talk."
"Good." He kissed her forehead and gathered her in his arms. He reclined back on the couch, and she snuggled into his side.
"I love you." She murmured into his chest.
"I love you too, darlin'."
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Jasper's birthday was in a week, and Bella still didn't know what to get him. His most personal effects were there with them, and he wasn't a material person. He preferred gestures over objects. But she was dry as sandpaper. What could she give Jasper that showed she loved him and how much she cared for him? Of course, he could feel it every day in her actions and emotions, and he could feel it when they made love -which was often-. But yet, she still wanted to give him something, like a token of her affection. Something that he could look at and say, 'my mate gave me this.'
Peter wasn't much help; he was as immersed in post-fight high as she was.
Emmett and Rose had taken off alone for a few months to reconnect as a couple. They had lived with other people for so long that they needed this time alone to reconnect. Bella thought it was funny; those two were as thick and close as ever. Nothing could break Emmett away from Rose or vice versa. Those two loved each other unconditionally. It was a beautiful thing.
"I will miss you." She murmured against Emmett's chest. Emmett was her big bear brother. While she didn't trust him as she did Peter, she was sad to see him go. But she knew better than to ask them to stay. They needed this time alone to understand what happened and how they ended up in this situation.
"I'll miss you too, little sis." She smiled amusedly. It was good to have the old Emmett back. No more cringe attempts at southern nicknames that felt wrong coming from him.
When she freed Emmett, she hugged Rosalie, who huffed, surprised. "Loosen the grip, Bella. You're still stronger than us." Emmett laughed when Bella sheepishly released his wife.
"Don't be a stranger, Rose. Call me every time you can." Rose nodded, happy to have made a friend in Bella after everything.
"I won't. I'll send you lots of pictures. You'll beg me to stop."
Jasper was next to hug them. He and Rose exchanged such a heartfelt hug that she felt like an intruder. Rose had told her that she and Jasper had created the twin story after a while. It must be weird for him to say goodbye to his "twin sister" after so much time together.
Bella shook her head and closed her laptop, coming back to reality. There was nothing helpful on the internet. Jazz was not a difficult person to gift; why was this so hard?
She took a few deep breaths to work through her frustration and opened her computer again. She went to the notes she'd made, even though she knew them by memory. She wasn't convinced by the idea of giving him a book. It was a very personal thing to give, and Jazz's taste was too varied but too select. For example, he loved crime novels, but not every crime novel would suffice. He liked fiction, but not every fiction book would suffice, either.
Technology was a thing he enjoyed, but she was a complete ignorant about this—video games were her best bet, as well as board games.
A board game looked like something he would enjoy better. She found some websites that had sorted board games. She actually found one that made her laugh and would be fun to try with everyone. It was simple and wouldn't require the Major to come to play.
The game's premise was that each player had a small board and a marker. One player at a time would choose a random card, take one minute to remember the details of the picture, put it down, and then describe to the best of their ability what they remember seeing in the card. The reviews were promising, and the stories convinced her that this was the best option.
Jasper had told her he didn't celebrate his birthday, and she accepted it, so this would make it very informal. She would acknowledge his birthday without making a big deal out of it. She closed all the tabs and deleted any evidence of her activities just in time before someone crossed the door. She had hidden in her and Jazz's bedroom to have a semblance of privacy.
"Bella?"
Bella jumped out of the bedroom excited. "Just the person I need!"
Charlotte laughed. "What can I do for you?"
Bella told Charlotte her plan, which she approved, and they made plans to go to the nearest city to find the game and something extra, Charlotte added with a wink.
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Jasper was less enthusiastic about her trip with Charlotte.
"But why?" He complained half-heartedly while lying naked beside her on their bed. Bella laughed at his whining.
"Because Charlotte and I are planning a girl's day out. We haven't done anything just us girls, and it's needed."
"You know I know you're lying." He nibbed playfully on her neck.
"I might be lying, but I'm not going to tell you the truth just yet."
Jasper snorted. "My mate is lying to me and refusing to tell me the truth." He was not offended at all because he continued running his lips through her body, successfully distracting her.
"That's right." She arched her back when he kissed her hipbones.
"Not even if I promise to be a good boy?" He changed sides and kissed the other hipbone.
"How much of a good boy?" She moaned.
"What if I give you so much pleasure that you feel in debt, and the only way to pay me is to tell me what Char and you are planning."
Bella giggled. "I never said I wasn't going to tell you. I said not now. But hey, I like this idea of you being a very good boy. By all means, go on."
Jasper smirked and disappeared between her legs.
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Jasper took advantage of Peter's desire to hunt something quick to go with him. If anyone knew what Bella was up to would be Peter. Those two were thick as thieves.
"I only know what Char said. They are taking a few days off. Something about girls' days out."
Jasper studied his best friend's emotions and felt nothing but honesty. It didn't bother him that Bella was not sharing her plans; he knew she was not duplicitous. He was just curious as to why she was so eager to go. She was excited and mischievous about the whole endeavor. It made him itch with curiosity.
He couldn't help it. Alice used to over-share, while Bella was more reserved. Bella preferred to work things out before sharing her thoughts about it. He never knew how much it bothered him the oversharing personality of Alice until he asked for the divorce and wandered alone before visiting Bella. Those quiet weeks had been like a dream, like he had stepped into an alternate dimension.
However, having lived with an oversharing person kind of rubbed on him because he drove Peter mad with questions and theories until Peter stopped dead, making Jasper stop dead too.
"Jesus, man. Shut up!" Jasper laughed. He managed to drive Peter so insane that he snapped.
"Sorry. I guess curiosity got the better of me."
Peter snorted. "That's saying something." He remained silent for a few seconds, pondering how best to word his question. "What's got your panties in a twist?"
Jasper rolled his eyes at Peter's classiness. "I don't know. I guess it's weird that she has this secret I'm not privy to."
"Are you jealous because she took Charlotte to do whatever she had to do and not you?"
Jasper wanted to deny it because it was stupid and juvenile, but perhaps he was jealous.
"I never thought I'd see the day when Jasper Withlock would experience withdrawal!" Peter's glee at Jasper's misfortune was not funny.
"You're an asshole. I don't know why I tell you things."
Peter laughed louder. "Oh man, this is rich!"
Jasper turned around, rolled his eyes, and returned to the cabin. Peter didn't waste time catching up to him.
"You know they are probably just having exactly what Charlotte said, right? Girls' days out."
"She was lying about that, Peter. I asked Bella."
Peter hummed, unpreoccupied. "I still don't see the big deal."
Neither did Jasper; because it wasn't a big deal, he just felt out. He didn't like it.
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Bella and Charlotte had decided to extend their trip a few days. Both girls had told their mates that they would be having a girls' day out. While it wasn't entirely a lie, it was, of course, not everything they were doing.
Bella and Charlotte quickly collected the gift and decided to roam the mall in an attempt to distract themselves and familiarize Bella with loud and smelly environments.
Bella was sufficiently distracted by the holidays' decoration and sales and the overwhelming scent of cinnamon that permeated the air. She felt free knowing she was trusted enough to be around humans in such a public space, with only Charlotte. Not that Char wasn't enough to stop Bella if she decided to cause a scene, but still, it was a nice feeling.
"So far, so good." Bella acknowledged when Charlotte asked how she was coping.
They found a Victoria's Secret store, which they both entered, mischief in their minds and excitement in their chest.
They shopped for comfort and sexiness. Bella couldn't believe that she was buying suggestive lingerie and that instead of being mortified about it or judgy, she was excited and already making plans for the outfits.
"Jasper and Peter are so not gonna know what hit them."
Bella laughed and agreed.
The rest of their three-day retirement was spent going to nearby towns to visit the open Christmas markets. They bought a few trinkets here and there, but mostly they had a good time.
Bella thanked Charlotte on their way back to the cabin for accompanying her and indulging in much-needed girl time.
"Peter is going to be ecstatic about your return." Charlotte joked.
"Is Jasper still being a pain?"
Peter had called Charlotte on their second day to complain about Jasper turning into an insufferable girl. Peter's words, not hers.
"It's hilarious that you find this so funny." Charlotte said, giving Bella a side glance.
Bella smiled big. "I don't know why, but I find it adorable that he's so worked up about this. He didn't mind that I lied to him. I mean, of course, he doesn't like it, but I told him I would tell him eventually, just not at that moment."
It was funny for Bella because until now, she'd seen Jasper as this composed person with a dark past, being mated to her -that had scars of her own. And he was her rock, her stable port. Even in the days preceding the battle, he made her feel safe, taken care of, and protected. As if he had wings that were covering her. It was funny and adorable to see him be this nervous about something so silly. She loved him like she had never loved Edward, and he knew that, so this was not about her not trusting him. This was about her going with Charlotte alone.
"Do you think he's jealous?" Bella asked suddenly.
"That you asked me to go with you?"
"Not exactly. Is it possible that he feels like I'm stealing you from him? You're best friends, you have this relationship, and then I ask you to come with me, and we are so secretive about it." Bella theorized. It could be possible that Jasper was jealous and slightly threatened by her friendship with his best friend. If that was the case, Bella found it extremely adorable. She couldn't wait to fill his face with kisses and erase the pout from his face. Again, Peter's words, not hers -the pout, not the fill his face with kisses-.
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"Oh, Thank God!" Bella giggled at the evident relief in Peter's voice and demeanor when they crossed the threshold.
"That bad, huh?" She asked, closing the distance between herself and Jasper, who greeted her with a peck on the lips.
Jasper shrugged, smartly deciding to keep his mouth shut. He hadn't been the best company this weekend.
"Are you happy I'm back?" Bella teased, kissing Jasper's neck.
"If he's not, I am." Charlotte giggled this time, hugging her own mate.
"It couldn't have been that bad, baby." Charlotte rolled her eyes.
"It was. Trust me, it was. In fact, let's just leave these two lovebirds to it for a few hours, and you can go hunting with me." He winked at the end, which let Bella know he was planning more than just a hunt.
"See you later, lovebirds." Charlotte kissed Jasper on the cheek and winked at Bella before grabbing Peter's hand and leaving.
Bella stayed tucked into Jasper's frame for a few more minutes. As much as she would love to tease him about this weekend, she enjoyed these few minutes of peace.
"Are you going to tell me the truth now?" He sounded like a child asking their parents to reveal their Christmas presents.
"Can you hold one more day?" She asked, not moving from her spot.
Jasper kissed the top of her head, resigned to scratch the itch of curiosity for one more day. "Your bag looks heavier than when you left."
"I'm still not telling you."
He huffed, and Bella had a glimpse at what the weekend had been like.
Poor Peter.