-Tell me again how did this seem like a good idea?- Jasper requested as he watched Alice crumble down on the bed with a pleased sigh and a wide grin. Pride and amusement bleeding off her.
Pride and amusement at the fact that she stole Edward's bedroom.
Even for someone so impulsive that was an unexpected turn he hadn't expected from his little pixie.
Edward hadn't liked it one bit but at the end he had bended to Alice's wishes and given up his room.
Now there she was giggling to herself and rolling on the bed.
-This has the best view!- She acclaimed as if that was reason enough to steal someone else's room.- Come here.
Jasper did as told, allowing her to pull him down on the bed with her, she straddled him against the bed, her hands at each side of his head. She pressed a soft kiss against his jaw.
-You trust me right?
-Always.
-You remember what we spoke about before right? If you really want to leave don't you dare run off on me. I love the Cullens but you will always come first, I love you and that will never change, okay? If you want to leave you tell me and we will leave. Together .
-You don't have to do that. It wouldn't be fair. I-
-Jasper Jackson Whitlock, what part of we are in this together didn't you understand? You leave me and I will hunt you down.
Her tone was sharp and her brow furrowed. Her emotions hitting him like a wave of discontent with streaks of fear and anger.
He pulled her down into a hug. Kissing her cheek and nuzzling her neck as he sent calm towards her.
-I'm sorry, I won't leave, I promise.
Even if he said that he couldn't help but think about how unfair this was. Alice spent so long searching for the Cullens the idea of forcing her to choose between them and him was cruel.
She deserved to be here with them not live an eternal life as a nomad.
But Alice was stubborn.
And part of him liked that stubbornness. Liked the idea of her choosing him over the Cullens. It made him feel less on edge over the idea of losing her to them.
She shifted on his embrace in order to meet his gaze. Her fingers tracing the scars on his cheek as her hand came to rest against it. She caught his lips into a kiss that he didn't hesitate to respond to. Fingers curling around her waist as her love washed over him.
Too soon for his taste she pulled back. He tried to chase for another kiss but she didn't let him.
-Carlisle has more questions.
He couldn't help but groan at her words.
-Of course he does.- He rolled on his stomach and buried his face between his arms. Didn't the man got enough answers? What else did he want?
He felt Alice climb on his back. Her hands coming to rest on his shoulders.
-It's questions about our human lives. He's curious. That's all. He won't push if we don't want to answer.- Assured Alice massaging his shoulders.- I told you before that it's safe here. The hardest part was getting them to agree seeing you. We are part of their family now, there's nothing you can do that will make them take their words back.
-That until they find out who an' what they let under their roof. When that happens every single one of their words won't matter.- He said as a statement of fact removing Alice from his back as he turned around and sat up.
Alice huffed at him as she sat on his lap. Her arms around his neck and a frown adorning her forehead.
-You are not dangerous.
-We both know that's not true.- He said pressing his lips against her shoulder. Even if her dress covered it he knew where it was. Where each one of them was.
The scars he had given to her.
Five in total.
Her once perfect skin that he had corrupted.
Shoulder. Ribs. Thigh. Hip. Back.
All because he was too weak to control himself.
-You were not at fault.- Alice reminded him with her voice firm and leaving no room for argument as she pushed him back enough to meet his gaze. That didn't got rid of the pain in his eyes.
She knew he would never take her words when it came to the scars. Would never forgive himself for something that he couldn't control.
Alice had forgiven him each time in a heartbeat.
She just wished he could also forgive himself.
-Jazz, my love, we have talked about this. Why do you have to be so hard on yourself?
-Someone has to be the logical one.
-You do realize that makes no sense right?
He didn't answer and Alice sighed. Pulling him into a hug and focusing in all the love she held for him. Sometimes he could be insufferable.
Would be great if Edward and him became brooding buddies.
She smiled to herself at the thought.
~~~~~~~~~~~
Carlisle was still rather anxious about this decision of allowing Jasper here. While he genuinely trusted Alice would never put them in danger he couldn't help but feel like he agreed to have a ticking bomb under his roof when it came to her mate.
-I still don't think it was wise to let him here.- Rosalie said glaring at the ceiling where Edward's once upon a time bedroom's was. The house had all rooms soundproofed vampire version so nothing could be heard.
Still.
She knew where he was and therefore she hoped he caught on her hatred vibes and understood he wasn't wanted here.
-Our pasts don't define us. He deserves the benefit of the doubt and a chance to begin anew.- Carlisle told matter of fact.
-Even if that means putting ourselves at risk for him?
-Yes. That's what families are for.
-He's not family.- Rosalie snapped bitterly.
-Rosalie.- Carlisle warned giving her a disapproving look.- That better be the last time I hear those words. He belongs here now and like it or not you will have to accept it.
Rosalie scowled at him but said nothing.
The sound of a door opening upstairs caught their attention and soon Alice's footsteps were heard. And even if it seemed like she was alone Jasper was right behind her.
Getting used to someone with no footsteps and scent would be quite the challenge indeed. He was still wearing the scarf but he had loosened the gloves and hood. His hair was rather long and almost golden. Without the hood more of his face could be seen, he looked rather young.
And there were scars on his hands. Crescent moon-like scars. Bites .
The sight of those sent a shiver down their spines against their will. Those scars screamed danger and each and every single one of them were proof of the actual threat this vampire could become if provoked.
-You liked the room?- Carlisle asked not sure on how to break the silence as Alice sat on the armrest. Jasper refused to sit down and just stood at her side still looking as stiff as he had looked earlier.
-Of course she does.- Edward huffed. Alice had taken it from him for a reason right? She liked it. Alice gave him an angelical smile and he felt an odd sense of calm wash over him.
Looking at them was strange.
Jasper was tense and he looked like he would either bolt or attack at the slightest of provocation. Hovering at Alice's side like a watchdog. She was half leaning against him and holding his hand without an ounce of care.
She looked so small and frail.
It was like watching a harmless kitten having an intimidating German shepherd as her bodyguard.
Alice looked so relaxed in comparison to her mate. But to be fair she knew the future and she could know if it was safe to relax or not.
Which reminded Carlisle of the fact that she had been watching them for a long time.
That was a disturbing fact to be honest.
A vampire with precognition... where was her creator?
-Alice, where is your creator?
-I don't know.- Her answer was plain and simple. Her smile sad.- I was turned in 1920. I was alone when I woke up and I don't remember anything from when I was human so...- She shrugged.
Alice was smiling but Jasper could feel her sadness and pain and he was quick to smooth it down. Bathing her in his comfort and affection the same as she did when he was the one feeling down. He knew she was still sensitive over that issue. Not as much as before but still... He felt her squeeze his hand and gratefulness bled over him.
Carlisle for his side felt sad and angry at the new information. Alone? Who was so irresponsible so as to abandon their own creation? Or was she some unfortunate soul who was a passing snack and the vampire didn't even realize she was still alive when he left? Who could be so careless and stupid?
And the issue with her memories... while the venom could have erased part of her human memories due the pain it wouldn't have given her complete amnesia.
How it must have been like for her to wander around all on her own with no one to guide her? To realize humans and vampires lived in worlds apart...
God.
The fact that she survived alone for so long was rather amazing. The knowledge that he had at least been able to help her without even knowing it appeased him a bit.
-If you have no memories of your human life how is it then that you remember your name?- Rosalie couldn't help but ask giving her a narrowed look. Alice smiled.
-Jasper told me.
-He told you?- Carlisle repeated feeling rather curious on how that worked. Had she met him while she was still a newborn? She woke up in 1920 and he left the South in 1905. It could be plausible.
-Yup. When I first woke up I had a vision of him saying my name.
-Your first vision was of him? That's so sweet.- Esme exclaimed in endearment.
-If you saw him when you woke up why not look for him?- If Rosalie was to wake up without memories to the vision of some random person calling her name she would have a lot of questions.
Alice gave a soft smile at her question.
-I wanted to get the hang of the vegetarian diet first before attempting to drag him into it. I had Carlisle but he would have no one but me as a role model. I wanted to set the example.
-What good did that do? Look at his eyes.- Rosalie's words erased Alice's smile as guilt seemed to wash over her face. A warning growl came from Jasper as he glared at Rosalie. Alice's grip on his hand visibly tightened, that for some odd reason seemed to be enough to calm him down.
-Rosalie.- Carlisle warned giving her a disapproving look.
-You had more questions for Jasper right?- Alice's words caught them all off guard and Carlisle took it for what it was.
Her attempt at dropping the topic before a fight rose.
-Yeah, I do.- Carlisle cleared his throat feeling a bit anxious.- You don't have to answer if you don't want to, this is just out of curiosity, but you said before that you were turned in 1863. Why were you turned?
-'cause I happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. My creator... she saw me wearin' a military suit and therefore decided to turn me hopin' to utilize my trainin' and experience for her own benefit.
Smart. Having an actual soldier become a vampire could be a great advantage in those wars.
-You were a soldier?
-Yes, ma'am.
-How old were you when you were turned?- Esme asked. He was older than her but even if she couldn't see half of his face he still looked like he couldn't be older than Emmett himself.
-19.
-And you were in the army?- She asked sadly.
-I joined when I was 17. I was rather persuasive and tall so I sort of made 'em believe I was older.
Esme couldn't help but feel struck at that. 17? What was a boy so young doing in such horrible environment? He joined not was recruited . Did his parents woke up to an empty bed one day? How heartbroken must they had felt when they realized their son was gone? What on Earth could have even led him to do that?
-Dude that's so cool.- Emmett grinned. He couldn't wait to see how it was like to wrestle with someone who could fight.
Jasper for his side gave Emmett a look. Cool? What was cool about having to run and hide for your life? To see others die or blow to pieces right infront of you? There was nothing cool about it.
But who was he to break this naive vampire's fantasies?
-Why do you hide your face?- Rosalie's words got her a glare.
-Why do you care?
-Because I happen to not trust people who can't even show their face to others.
-Rosalie that's enough.
-No. Look at him. He doesn't show his face how the hell are we suppose to trust him in our house?- Rosalie snapped as she stood up.
-Rosalie!- Carlisle berated.
-Fine.- Before Carlisle could even tell Jasper that he didn't had to let Rosalie get under his skin the scarf was being removed without an ounce of care.
Ah.
If his hands were bad his neck and jawline were worse. No inch of skin was free from those crescent moon-like scars. Branding him like a cruel mosaic.
Now it made sense what Alice had said of others not reacting well to him at first sight.
Still.
-Jasper, I'm sorry about Rosalie, you don't have-
-I'm not self conscious about 'em. I don't care who sees 'em or if people in general sees 'em. I just covered 'em 'cause I know people tend to freak out when they see 'em.- Jasper told as a statement of fact. He hadn't cared about the Cullens seeing them but Alice would be so sad if he messed up his own chances at being accepted.
Thus he covered himself.
He tried to not let the overwhelming disgust and disdain from Rosalie bother him but God was it too strong to ignore. It threatened to pull back up the insecurities he had buried deep down a long time ago.
There was horror and sadness from Esme. Even more wariness from Edward with flickers of pity. Sadness and symphaty from Carlisle. Weirdly enough, there was awe mixed with the surprise and symphaty from Emmett.
Alice at his side leaned further against him and bled her affection and comfort over him. Her thumb stroking the scars on his wrist.
-That still doesn't make it alright. Rosalie will apologize.- Carlisle told leaving no room for argument as he gave Rosalie a warning look.
-Apologize? The hell for? I was stating a fact.- Rosalie protested feeling anger rise in.
-You were being insensitive and rude.
-Insensitive? You are the one letting that assassin in here!
-Rosalie!
-He's a monster.
Jasper tried to keep her words and emotions out but that last word hit a nerve he couldn't control. And a low growl rumbled from the depths of his core as he took a step forward.
Alice was grabbing him before he could even think about taking another step.
-He's not a monster. His past doesn't define who he is. So please do refrain from calling him names. He has done nothing to you.- Alice said giving Rosalie a hard look before tugging on Jasper's arm.
Because if she didn't take him away from the suddenly hostile atmosphere she knew he would lash out.
Or worse. He would lash out.
And that couldn't happen.
So she removed him from the situation.