***Thank you to everyone who has read this story and hopefully returns to it whenever I post a new Chapter. For the month of April this story was viewed 3,004 times from as far away or as close as depending on where you're reading from the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, France, Mexico, Chile, Netherlands, Brazil, Russia, Dominican Republic, Turkey, Philippines, Austria, Ireland, Italy, Norway, Poland, Ukraine, Sweden, Spain, Kazakhstan, Venezuela, Indonesia, Germany, Denmark, South Africa, Finland, Hungary, Costa Rica, Portugal, and Puerto Rico! Thank you all so much! It helps make the world feel large and small all at the same time. Real quick, warning for some sweetness included in the second half of this chapter. Things will be moving a bit forward with two of our love birds. The pack will also make an appearance in the next chapter! I don't know about you, but I miss writing Leah. Please don't forget to comment! ***

Lily slept shockingly well that night. She felt safe, warm, comfortable, and something more. She couldn't quite put her finger on it, but it was as if she had an internal glowing feeling.

It made sense in her mind.

Stretching languidly before getting out of the comfy bed, she realized that someone had placed a change of clothes out for her, which was odd. She went to the chair they were placed on to find a note.

"Lily,

These are your clothes Alice has begun purchasing for you. You can argue, but from experience you either must be firm with her or give in to her. Choose one option and stick to it. Otherwise, you'll forever have her putting things in your closet and throwing things to donation whenever she sees fit.

P.S. I got you the underwear. It was cute and would look amazing on you. We all know sexy clothing isn't for anyone else but to make ourselves feel pretty.

-Rose"

Well, that was both off putting and sweet Lily thought to herself. Deciding a shower was in need, she quickly gathered her things and moved towards Jasper's bathroom. It was stocked with both male toiletries and surprisingly female ones as well. A new cherry blossom pink shower poof, some fancy sounding shampoo and conditioner, and a lovely bottle of body wash. Everything was unscented, which pleased Lily immensely; she figured the family was extra sensitive to smells.

Showering, as usual, was always a wonderfully indulgent time for Lily. Everyone had advice, and hers would have to be long showers.

After stepping out and drying off, she out her wild curls into a messy bun that made her look more like a wet mop than cute. She didn't mind though. It wasn't like she was trying to impress anyone there. Afterall, they could hear her use the rest room as well as any flatulence she released while she slept. After realizing that, the idea of trying to always be put together lost its appeal.

After dressing, she made the bed before heading to the door and down the staircase. That was when she heard the arguing from the family.

Edward shouted first, sounding upset. "what happened?"

Lily started to rush down the stairs, figuring if anything interesting was happening she had better be informed rather than not. Afterall, with prior knowledge she can better protect her friends and family. She got down to the first level she saw Alice with her arms folded across her chest protectively. Her reply was soft and sounded crestfallen. "I have no idea. I didn't see anything."

Edward hissed his response. "how is that possible?"

Lily couldn't believe he was talking to his own family like that. Lily was still put out with Alice's request yesterday, but overall, she was still her friend. Lily didn't understand the Bellamania that most of the family seemed to be a member of.

"Edward" Bella interjected quietly and without force.

Carlisle, sweet passive Carlisle, interrupted in a calm voice. "It's not an exact science, Edward."

"He was in her room, Alice. He could have still been there – waiting for her."

"I would have seen that."

Edward threw his hands up in exasperation. "Really? You sure?"

Alice's voice was cold when she answered. "You've already got me watching the Volturi's decisions, watching for Victoria's return, watching Bella's every step. You want to add another? Do I just have to watch Charlie, or Bella's room, or the house, or the whole street, too? Edward, if I try to do too much, things are going to start slipping through the cracks."

"It looks like they already are," Edward snapped.

Lily's invisible hackles raised at his voice. "Excuse me, but isn't that a bit much?"

Edward ignored her, instead choosing to continue interrogating Alice.

"If you're watching Italy, why didn't you see them send-"

"I don't think it's them," Alice insisted. "I would have seen that."

"Who else would leave Charlie alive?"

"I don't know," Alice said.

"Hlpful."

"Stop it, Edward," Bella whispered again.

Edward turned on Bella, his face still livid, his teeth clenched together. He glared at Bella for half a second, before Lily slammed into him. She had had enough of his drama for the morning.

"Listen to me! You're acting incredibly rude towards your sister AND your supposed mate. This is your family. Oh, put those teeth away. You don't scare me. My fangs are bigger, sharper, and all-around cooler than yours. Yours are no better than slightly oversized canine teeth" Lily snapped at Edward, flashing her own fangs at him to get his attention. After all, she barely came up to his chest.

Lowering her voice, she continued. "Listen, take a breath. I know you were worried about Bella. But don't treat Alice or Bella as if they're just here for you to spy on and with. They are their own people."

Edward and Lily continued their staring contest, Lily's eyes flickering as if glowing the bright green color of her eyes, before Edward closed his own eyes and took a breath.

"You're right. Bella I'm sorry." Then, he looked at Alice. "Forgive me, Alice. I shouldn't be taking this out on you. That was inexcusable."

"I understand," Alice assured him. "I'm not happy about it, either."

Lily looked towards Alice before looking back at Bella, gauging their reactions. Bella was happy to have been apologized to but still seemed worried. Alice looked resigned and unhappy, but whether that was due to her brother's treatment of her or the situation at hand, Lily wasn't sure. Either way, she backed off Edward, deciding instead to sit on the couch and get comfortable next to Esme. Esme put her arms around Lily before giving her a gentle hug. "Thank you for standing up to him when he's in a mood. He gets sulky if I do it." Lily smiled at Esme before hugging her back. "He's a jerk, but he's your son. I don't mind fixing his attitude when needed." Esme laughed quietly before returning her attention to the debate in front of them.

Everyone seemed to have thawed out now that Edward had apologized. He was the one who started the conversation back up. "Okay, lets look at this logically. What are the possibilities?"

The family were spread out in various parts of the room. Alice was sitting on the sofa across from Esme. Carlisle had moved closer to Alice, while Rosalie still stared out the window without participating in the discussion. Edward pulled Bella to sit on the couch next to Alice before taking a seat himself. Jasper and Emmet were still missing from the room.

"Victoria?" Carlisle asked.

Edward shook his head. "No. I didn't know the scent. He might have been from the Volturi, someone I've never met. . ."

Alice shook her head as well. "Aro hasn't asked anyone to look for her yet. I will see that. I'm waiting for it."

Edward's head snapped up. "You're watching for an official command."

"You think someone's acting on their own, why?"

"Caius's idea," Edward suggested, his face tightening again.

"Or jane's. . .," Alice said. "They both have the resources to send an unfamiliar face. . ."

Edward scowled. "And the motivation."

"It doesn't make sense, though," Esme said. "If whoever it was meant to wait for Bella, Alice would have seen that. He – or she- had no intention of hurting Bella. Or Charlie, for that matter."

Bella cringed, gathering Edward's attention. He tried to reassure her as did Esme.

"But what was the point then?" Carlisle mused.

"Checking to see if I'm still human?" Bella guessed.

"Possible," Carlisle said.

Rosalie breathed out a sigh, loud enough for everyone to hear. She had moved from her silent spot, and when her face turned expectantly toward the kitchen. Edward, on the other hand, looked discouraged.

Emmett burst through the kitchen door, Jasper right behind him. Emmett went towards Rose, giving her a kiss on her temple before turning to face the room. Jasper turned to face Lily, giving her a small smile. Lily instantly smiled back at him, happy to see him even though he was covered in muck from the forest. Lily felt like she was receiving a warm hug shortly after, causing her to close her eyes happily.

"Long gone, hours ago, "Emmett announced, disappointed. "The trail went East, then South, and disappeared on a side road. Had a car waiting."

"That's bad luck," Edward muttered. If he's gone west. . . well, it would be nice for those dogs to make themselves useful."

Bella winced, but Lily was having none of that.

"Excuse me, but they're shape shifters. They change into WOLVES to protect their families from VAMPIRES. You don't have to like them but give them the respect they are due. There are children shifting now because of all the vampires in the area. Children, Edward. So maybe cut the racist shit out or speciest or whatever fucking lingo you want. They're still people, just like you guys are. They have less of a choice than you all do in some cases. Like Bella. She's choosing to become a Vampire. You helped force the choice, but its still a choice. Those kids had no choice. They get angry or sad or some other emotional upheaval and then shift into something they thought were only legends. Now they have all this extra responsibility, and it is something they learn to cherish. They are the protectors of their loved ones. Don't take a verbal shit on them just because your pissy your girlfriend has relationships within the pack."

Edward looked at her disgruntled at having been told off once again, but a snarl from Jasper forced him to neutralize his facial expression.

Jasper looked towards Carlisle once Edward schooled his features. "Neither of us recognized him. But here." He held out something green and crumpled. Carlisle took it from him and held it to his face. "Maybe you know the sent?"

"No," Carlisle said. "Not familiar. No one I've ever met."

The family continued to debate their options. Esme thought that it was perhaps someone who was just curious but got scared at the several vampire scents surrounding Bella. Alice disagreed. She thought that it was too careful to be a coincidence. She suspected he or she knew she would be looking for something.

Bella interjected after a while. "Does it really matter who it was? Just the chance that someone was looking for me. . . isn't that reason enough? We shouldn't wait for graduation."

"No, Bella," Edward said quickly. "I's not that bad. If you're really in danger, we'll know."

"This of Charlie," Carlisle reminded her. "Think of how it would hurt him if you disappeared."

"I am thinking of Charlie! He's the one I'm worried about! What if my guest had happened to be thirsty last night? As long as I'm around Charlie, he's a target, too. If anything happened to him, it would be all my fault!"

"Hardly, Bella," Esme said, patting Bella's head. "And nothing will happen to Charlie. We're just going to have to be more careful."

"More careful?" Bella replied in disbelief.

"It's al going to be fine, Bella," Alice promised; Edward squeezed Bella's hand to reassure her.

"Wait, I'm lost." Lily started to say. "Either its no big deal, and we shouldn't worry, or it is a big deal, and we should worry. It can't not be a big deal while simultaneously demanding more caution."

Edward tried to answer but was quickly spoken over by Rosalie, who was speaking with her arms crossed against her chest. She sounded angry while explaining, but Lily didn't take it personal. "Edward is once again being dramatic and telling half-truths. Someone involving themselves with Bella is reason enough to go into lockdown mode. However, it drags are family into it when he does. Last time they both nearly died as well as Alice. This time someone may get the true death. He doesn't care that it could be someone in the family as long as it isn't Bella." Rose uncrossed her arms before walking away into another room. Edward was growling again, pulling Bella to her feet to take her somewhere in the car. Emmett went after Rose, while Carlisle and Esme sighed in unison before moving upstairs together leaving Jasper with Lily. Bella had danced out of the room with a quick explanation of keeping watch before disappearing.

"Want to go to the greenhouse with me? I brought something you may like" Jasper said sweetly before holding his hand out to help Lily to her feet. She took it happily, before walking with him. He kept her pace so that she wouldn't have to struggle to keep up.

The greenhouse was really a beautifully industrial glass building surrounded by lovely vines. The same vines, in fact, that Lily had accidentally infused with her abilities.

She was shocked to have finally noticed that the vines were moving towards her on their own instead of using the wind to move.

"I though' you'd find this interesting. Jus' so you're aware, they appear enamored with me. They stole my preset to you when I tried to enter earlier. I'm hopin' you can soothe 'em down enough so that we can retrieve it."

"How did I do this?" Lily asked, eyes wide as her cheek was being caressed by a leave from the vines. Some had started to wrap themselves around Jasper's body gently. He made no motion to move, which said a lot about how much experience he must have had with the vines before bringing Lily.

"Doll, if I knew that you'd be the first person t' know" Jasper replied with a crooked smile, his blond curls were being played with by one of the vines.

Lily closed her eyes and tried to focus her energy into her hands. When she opened her eyes, they wee glowing once again but only Jasper seemed to notice. Her fangs hadn't retracted from her argument with Edward earlier, and most likely wouldn't for some time.

Lily was working the vines gently with her hands as if they were toddlers grabbing for things they shouldn't.

Jasper couldn't believe what he was seeing. He knew that whatever she was, she was the most precious person on the planet. She didn't deserve or need to be involved in any of the dangers that seemed to follow Bella. He wished he could keep her safe in a garden with tall walls. But she wasn't a helpless princess. He knew she was a ferociously determined woman who had put all her energy into simply surviving. He didn't want that for her. He wanted her to thrive; to be happy in whatever capacity. She deserved the very best. He would like to see the idiot who thought otherwise.

While Jasper had been going through his thoughts, Lily had worked the vines back down and attached to the glass building once more. They were still actively present with whatever magic Lily had infused into them, but they seemed tamer. They were also blooming with oddly bright flowers.

"Well cowboy, I've tamed the dangerous greenery. Show me my present!" Lily said playfully, giving grabby hands towards Jasper. She was not expecting him to come forward, pick her up and throw her over his shoulder. She laughed freely at his silliness. He turned his head over his shoulder to look down at her as she danged.

"Careful there princess, you migh' jus' earn yourself something you ain't ready for yet."

The seduction in his voice instantly went to Lily's lower bits, making her wet while filling her stomach with butterflies. She wasn't a novice when it came to taking care of her own needs. She was a teenage girl after all. She wasn't sure what was going on between her and Jasper, but she hoped they would talk about it soon.

"And just what might that be?" Lily asked bravely while wrapping her arms around his upper chest to help give herself some stability as Jasper started to walk into the building.

"A very long timeout. I may never let ya leave." He said, sounding forlorn at describing something that hinted at something else entirely.

"Well then, I'd like to see you try."

Jasper flipped Lily around so that she was now wrapped around his kneck with her arms. He was hilding onto her thights to keep her from faling down.

"You're making this really difficult ya' know princess."

"Oh? Well, you deserve to struggle after man handling me like a neanderthal" Lily replied playfully.

Jasper looked into her green eyes before moving his gaze to every inch of hers, as if he were trying to memorize every bit of her face.

"I'm sorry if I seem ta' be a bit. . ."

"Back and forth? Wishy Washy" Lily added, trying to be helpful.

Jasper just smirked at her before pinching one of her thighs with his hand while he held her up playfully. This caused Lily to wrap her legs around him tighter in response to being pinched. It was unconsciously done, but she wasn't upset with the effect it had on them both afterwards.

"I was tryin' to say that I've been trying to figure things out on my end. But yes. . . wishy washy is a good explanation." Jasper said before looking serious again.

"In my time, we courted ladies. I know I havn't told you much about my past, but I hope to. Its not all good, but I don' want to hide things from you."

"We all have pasts Jas, some darker than others. But its what you do with your time now that matters. And you have had I suspect an exceptional amount of time to come to terms with your past or at least acknowledged it. You don't owe me an explanation. I'm not a saint. I'm not even all the way human."

"I have issues, and I don' wan' you to try and fix 'em or feel obligated to. They're my burdens."

Lily shrugged before looking into Jaspers eyes again. "We all have issues. I won't try to fix yours, because I wouldn't have the first idea on how to even start that conversation. But, I would like to know more about you. About why. . . why I feel this way about you? I've never been inclined to like people, guys, before. But. . . something about you is different."

"It's my looks, isn't it."

"No you maniac, your sister is much prettier than you are anyways."

Jasper tickled her before wrapping his arms around Lily again and depositing her onto a table, her legs swinging off the side. Jasper backed up to give them some space to talk.

"First, let me get you your present." Jasper walked towards the side of the room where a different looking plant was extremely wilted and brown. He picked it up with all the care in the world before bringing it to Lily, placing the pot in her hands on her lap.

Lily looked at the dead plant, trying to figure out what had hurt it so badly.

"I know, its not every day a gentleman gives a lady silted flowers. But, I think you'll like this one."

"I don't understand" Lily said, confused at the gift.

"Its something special, from when I was human. My mother had a large garden. Most of it was for growin' food for the family, but she had a separate part jus' for her flowers." He looked down towards the plant sitting in her lap before continuing.

"When I ran away and enlisted, I was underage. I liked to enlist, but before I left I went to my mothers garden and snipped a clipping of one of her favorite flowers. It's called a ghost orchid."

Lily gasped before looking back down at the wilted plant. It was then she realized that in reality there were two plants in the pot. The first plant looked like some sort of fern or ivy. The second plant must be the ghost orchid.

"My mother was originally from Florida before she met my father and moved further west to Texas. She took her mother's clipping, who had been growing it from where her mother had left off. It became something of a tradition in our family. The daughters would inherit the main bush, while son's received clippings to give to their future wives." Jasper paused at that, looking back up to face Lily once again.

"I tried to keep it alive by pressin' it between cloth and my military journal. Once I met you, I tried t' get it to come back to life, but as you can see, I wasn't very successful. Truth be told, I don' have the greenest thumb. "He shrugged before continuing.

"What we are, is rare and special in our world. In the supernatural world. I wasn't sure if ya' could tell because you are human, but when a vampire finds their mate, they know instantly. The shifters do too, but they call it- "

Lily interrupted, whispering with wide eyes "imprinting. . ."

Jasper stopped his explanation, reaching out to touch Lily's cheek before thinking better of it.

"Exactly. It doesn't make you love me or do whatever it is I say. I'm no more the boss of you than you are of me or anyone else. Instead, it is as if our very soul's call out to each other. Home. Safety. Compatibility. Love. Its every one of those and so much more. . ."

Jasper closed his eyes and took a breath before unleashing how he felt onto Lily with his powers.

She gasped as the emotions hit her like a wall. It was all too much for one person to feel, and yet it mirrored some of what Lily had been feeling towards Jasper. The feeling reminded her of how his jacket had smelled when he loaned it to her.

"I..." Jasper started to speak again. "For the longest time. . . after I was turned, the flower felt like it was mocking me. Its vampiric you know. It doesn't make its own food like most plants. Instead, it feeds off others, just as we do. The fact that it was my ma's before I ever became what I am now. . . it was like a slap in the face.

"And now?" Lily asked slowly, almost afraid of the answer.

"Now I think I understand why it was passed down through my family. It isn't about feeding off another plant. Instead, its more how women carry their children to term, loving them before they can even hold them. Caring for them. Sheltering them. And passing that hope of motherhood on to their children and their wives." Jasper said with quiet conviction.

"It's beautiful. Both what your family does and what the meaning behind the flower is." Lily said, whipping a tear from her cheek.

"I know this is all new to you. It is to me too. I'm not asking you to decide now. I just wanted to make sure you knew."

Lily sat quietly for several minutes, deep in thought. Jasper didn't move or bother her while she was lost inside herself.

First and foremost, Lily knew that somehow, she could bring the orchid back to life. She wondered if she could see the life it had when it did get brought back. Should she even attempt it? Something as personal as Jasper's past isn't something she wanted to intrude on.

Jasper.

That was another thing entirely. Not a thing. A person. A person who was fated to be her mate. She had never felt anything more true in her life when he called her his mate. She wasn't sure where to go from here, but she had an idea.

Looking up at Jasper, she placed the plant down on the table next to where she was sitting. She jumped down before walking up to Jasper, invading his space. Not that he seemed to mind.

Deciding she needed to hurry before her courage was used up for the night, she stood on her tippy toes and kissed him fully on the mouth.

Her first ever kiss.

He was momentarily shocked and still when she started to kiss him. Lily started to wonder if she should stop and began to pull away. But the motion seemed to wake Jasper up from his state of shock as he wrapped his arms around her and returned her kiss.

It felt like ice and heat all at once. Lily's fangs, still out, were being gently caressed by Jasper's tongue, teasing them to come out further. His fangs were starting to drop s well. As if by magic, or fate, Lily split her own lower lip on a fang, drawing blood.

Without thinking, Jasper licked the fresh blood away before sucking gently on her lip, drawing more drops forward through the cut.

Without realizing it, Lily moaned into their kiss, eyes closing at the feeling as her arms wrapped around Jasper's neck tightly, pulling him closer.

Jasper became more rough as the kiss went on, but stopped as another moan rolled from deep inside Lily's chest.

He pulled away, but left his arms wrapped around her.

"Princess, you are playin' with fire."

Lily didn't respond. Her eyes were still glazed from the spectacular first kiss she had just had. Followed by the second, third and many more kisses.

Jasper licked his lips, only to realize there was blood on them as well. Not a good deal of blood, just a slight smear. Startled, he looked towards Lily's mouth to see that the cut on her lip that he had unknowingly sucking on while kissing her had been healed, leaving nothing but slightly puffy well kissed lips behind.

Lily looked up to watch him lick the blood off his lip while gazing deep into her eyes. She had remembered the sting of her lip being cut, as well as the unexplainable tight string that somehow attached from her lip to her clit that pulled with every suck of his lips on hers.

She wasn't sure what they were going to do next.

but that didn't matter right now. All that mattered was now. Them.

Mates.