Jasper felt Alice's heart be at ease when she uttered those words and he managed to smile despite what that meant for him. He knew it from when Bella first locked eyes on Alice but wanted them to see for themselves. Bella's awakening of sorts would take her longer since Edward was doing all he could to keep her as his. Jasper knew deep down this was all about blood and control for Edward. Alice finally realized what she had said and Jasper placed a finger on her lips.

"No need to say anything else Alice. I will still be your friend in this time of need." he told her.

Alice felt bad for Jasper though and just hugged him softly.

"You were my other half for the longest time Jasper. How can I not feel bad about this? Once more Bella's future is harder for me to see now. It's like her decisions are all tied up and warped in her head and it bothers me that I can't see her future, only the kiss we share."

Jasper smiled at that fact and asks,

"If she decides to kiss you, there is hope then isn't there?"

That did make Alice smile slightly but she still rested her head on his chest and Jasper ran his fingers in her pixie hair.

It didn't take long for the navy truck with tinted windows to roll into the school parking lot and the passenger door opened. Cynthia got out of the truck and went to her sister. Her expression was neutral as her sister Alice ran to her and embraced her. She locked eyes with Jasper and gave her a light nod.

"I'm here Alice, no need to feel you're alone in your endeavor. Though I don't think you ever were." Cynthia expressed, looking at Jasper.

Alice pulled away and introduced Jasper to her sister Cynthia. He smiled softly to her and noticed the striking resemblance between Alice and her sister. It would be hard to contest they weren't siblings and he thought Rose would probably detest Cynthia for that sole reason.

"We can resume our talk in my place. Julian is waiting for us." Cynthia expressed as she noticed humans looking her way.

"Julian, is he your mate?" Jasper asked.

Cynthia rolled her eyes but yet felt warm at that word when Jasper said it. Alice sighed and whispered,

"They are but my sister is very stubborn about it."

"I heard that sis and it's not being stubborn if you want a choice in the matter." Cynthia informed her.

"But mates aren't really chosen, you feel it in your heart and being. The fact I can feel you fighting so hard against the love you clearly feel for him shows that you have mated with Julian." Jasper told her.

She sighed as she pinched the bridge of her nose.

"Let's handle one Brandon sister at a time, Jas. Alice needs the talk about mates and how we are going to help her and Bella. Now let's get rolling."

Alice and Jasper got in the backseat while Cynthia got back in the passenger seat. She shot a soft look at Julian and what Jasper was telling her was spiraling in her head. No, she thought, I couldn't want him but yet it was getting harder to resist him. She needed to help Alice first, to atone for not being able to help her decades ago. Julian sped them off to Port Angeles in no time at all. Julian got out of the truck and introduced himself to Jasper. He looked over Julian and he cracked a slight smile.

"Julian 'The Reaper' Flynt. Never thought you'd be the vampire I would see around here. A fierce yet playful mobster in your human days. Cynthia must be a good influence on you if you're changing your ways." Jasper expressed.

Julian smirked and licked the top of teeth in a cocky manner. He had done his homework, he thought, but so did he.

"Jasper Hale...as in Jasper Whitlock Hale. Not bad for 142 and you reformed quite nicely from Confederate major to a vampire commander of newborns to docile and charismatic vegetarian. Alice was probably good for you too in your time together."

Alice smiled at the two men since they seemed to be made from a similar cloth. Jasper chuckled as Cynthia got out her keys. She let them into the complex and they walked up to hers and Julian's apartment. It was a very chic apartment with three rooms, bathroom, living room, and a small kitchen. Cynthia motioned Alice to the couch and encouraged,

"Lie down sis."

Alice did as her sister commanded and Cynthia went to her room to retrieve a notebook, pen, and some glasses. Jasper saw Cynthia walk out of her room and made herself comfy in the armchair. Julian chuckled as she saw Cyn in glasses and purred,

"You go all out for your therapist act, don't you?"

Cynthia rolled her eyes.

"It gives me an air of professionalism, theatrics, and separates me at a time Jules. I've said this how many times now?"

Julian grinned.

"One hundred fifty-seven times." he answered.

Smart ass Cynthia thought but he was her charming smart ass. Jasper sat on the floor beside Alice and held her hand in his. She looked to Alice and smiled softly though eyes were brimming with concern.

"Will you allow Jasper and I to navigate through your heart and emotions Alice? My powers and insight only work if you are open with us and allow us to do so." Cynthia asked.

Alice sighed. What good would it do, she thought. Alice already knows the damages that have been done and knows in her heart what she wants and desires. It was more like how would her end of Bella being hers happen if Edward was the way he was being.

"I already admitted Bella is my mate, Cynthia. I think we are past looking through my heart and emotions, aren't we?" she questioned.

Cynthia looked to Jasper and he nodded. Julian smiled softly at Alice's admission and found it genuinely sweet. He wondered if Cynthia would be just as soft and sweet with her own admission. Cynthia meanwhile smiled at that statement and nodded in agreement.

"So, you are aware that your intense disdain for Edward, the strong emotional pulls, the lures of attraction, and passions you feel are indeed because Bella is your mate. Good, that is one piece of the puzzle found. Jasper also wants you to be happy which means all is well on your end. The harder parts will be for Bella to find herself, awaken herself, and realize the same admission you've found in yourself. If Edward is the type of vampire, I think he is and has such an influence on Bella, it will take me time to unchain her heart to free her." Cynthia expressed.

Jasper raised an eyebrow and asked,

"What kind of vampire do you think he is?"

Cynthia sighed and removed her glasses, thinking and pondering her thoughts. She looked at Julian and he nodded.

"Edward might be a pretty good deceiver. Even without being able to read Bella's mind, he was able to lure Bella in with what all vampires have. If we allowed our prey to come to us, we would be deadly for them and we are built to be charming, approachable but their final mistake. It's a skill set I've used to kill vile women since they were lured by my looks, voice, and my musky aroma. When they trust me and lower their guard... boom, they are my meal. Edward was probably just bored and needs to maintain his 'golden boy' act to remain in your coven. Deep down, he probably has been looking for a singer to drink at a peak weakness, and he found that in Bella." Julian expressed.

Alice felt sick hearing this but she couldn't bear to look into Edward's future to see if he's decided to kill Bella in her old age to drain her of all her blood. Jasper calmed down Alice and Cynthia approached her sister. She smiled softly and asked for Alice's arm.

"May I?"

Alice nodded and held out her right arm. Cynthia trailed her fingers up Alice's arm, up her shoulder, and to her chest, applying pressure with her palm. Cynthia closed her eyes and felt her sister was mostly at peace that she wanted Bella, would fight for Bella, and was committed to her as a mate should be. There was only one loose chain around her heart and that was for Jasper.

"Jasper, are you willing to let Alice go and follow her heart?" Cynthia asked.

"I am Cynthia." Jasper answered.

Alice looked at her sisters closed eyes and asked,

"I don't want to lose my connection to Jasper. You can't sever that bond sis!"

Cynthia shook her head. It was rare for Cynthia in her line of work to see chains of hearts being pleasant. She had seen horrors of women wanting to remain with their abusers even though they almost killed them, gay men staying in toxic relationships because they were 'the only one', and insecure women staying with people who only bring them down in despair and agony. Julian looked to Cynthia and he commented,

"You can rework the chain into something else right? It doesn't have to be completely destroyed."

Alice looked hopeful as she squeezed Jasper's hand.

"How long have you both walked this earth together?" Cynthia questioned.

"1948." Jasper answered.

"Nearly 60 years. How sweet and pleasant, no signs of strife, malice, or violence. You truly felt he was your mate for the longest time." Cynthia questioned.

Alice nodded and felt her heart welling up and felt a rush of warmth flowing through her body. Her eyes widened and soon felt her eyes roll back. Cynthia pressed down once on Alice's chest and cupped her hand so the tip of her thumb touched the tips of fingers. She removed her hand from Alice's chest and extended her fingers to and had her palm face downward. Alice felt something break in her but soon felt a tingling feeling in the upper left portion of her heart.

"I will simply change the chain and rework it to a small fabric in your heart. You should have this connection with Jasper as it is healthy, but you have to admit to yourself that Jasper isn't your mate. However, you should also admit that you're not hurting him, he's proud of you, he forgives you, and that he's always going to be there for you. Don't let the memories you share be painful, have it be a happy chapter in your life before reaching the happily ever after."

Jasper smiled as Alice nodded as she closed her eyes.

"I'm not hurting you Jasper, you're proud of me for taking these steps, you forgive me and want me to be happy. I've found my mate in Bella, but we will always be friends. You have a place in my heart Jasper and I'm always going to be there for you." Alice told him.

Cynthia and Alice opened their eyes and felt a wave of calm wash over them. Alice got up from the sofa to look at herself in the mirror. Gone was any feeling of despair at the end of her relationship with Jasper but she still thought fondly of Jasper, if only as a close friend and brother. She looked happier and Alice was at a loss at what her sister actually had done to her.

"People have to want the change in their relationships in order to move on. In your case, I needed Jasper as well since vampires are trickery with my powers. Humans are easier to break out of relationships but I only do so with their permission. Bella is going to be my greatest challenge since her abuser is a vampire and no way in hell will he consent." Cynthia told her.

Alice turned to face her sister and bit her lip nervously. She wanted Bella, she needed Bella, and Edward was impeding one of the most sacred bonds a vampire can have. Cynthia saw Alice's worries and cracked a smile.

"Then again, Bella is the one with the power and she's human, humans are easy. If we become friends to a point where she trusts me, I should be able to break enough chains Edward and herself placed upon her. I have a feeling Bella wasn't confident in herself and identity before Edward and hence why he was able to 'claim' her so easily."

Julian and Jasper had a stunned look on their faces and Cynthia chuckled.

"You don't do therapy for as long as I do without noticing patterns of human behavior. It all fits, but I need to bond with Bella and two, have her tell me herself." Cynthia mentioned.

"You think Bella will be okay with hanging out with Cynthia?" Julian asked Alice.

Alice smiled softly and nodded.

"I think she would love getting to know my sister and thank the vampires that saved her from James. Though I recommend we do introductions when Bella's leg heals." Alice suggested.

"Right since Edward is going to start seeing Bella in her bedroom and watch her sleep again. I swear he has no boundaries and he was doing this before he was even dating her." Jasper commented with his arms crossed.

Cynthia looked disgusted and looked at Alice, who only nodded. Okay definitely a toxic possessive vampire who wanted to stake a claim on a human that's not his Cynthia thought. Who knows if Edward talks to her while she sleeps and ingrains more chains in Bella deep into her subconscious and unconscious It would only be a matter of time before Edward escalates and locks Bella in a cycle of abuse like other humans she's seen. Once more, Alice was her older sister and she wanted her to be happy. Cynthia felt this was her way to atone for what happened to Alice all those decades ago. She sighed and asked,

"This is even worse than I thought. As soon as Bella's leg is healed, we need to have contact. The sooner I can speak to her and get to know her, the more I can start freeing her from Edward's hold."

Alice nodded and smiled softly.

"Thank you so much sis. I know something was wrong with Bella and I'm glad it's not from jealousy or insanity." Alice commented.

Cynthia chuckled and hugged her petite older sister.

"It's very strange how our roles seemed to reverse and it's not only because I'm taller than you." Cynthia playfully smirked.

Alice playfully scoffed and looked up at her little sister.

"You and I will be having our talks in our future sis since you're too stubborn for your own good." Alice retorted.

Cynthia looked confused but this made Julian hopeful.

"I don't see that talk sis, you sure?"

"You will decide to have a talk with me once Bella discovers herself. It seems you've waited decades for a talk of your own to help guide you." Alice informed her sister.

Cynthia hated to admit it, but she did want her sister's guidance on a very important matter; Julian and if she's his mate. However, Cynthia couldn't be selfish and have that talk yet since she needed to aid Alice and Bella in their discoveries and their romance.

"When that time comes." Cynthia stated as she wrote down her phone number.

Julian chuckled and questioned,

"Alice already knows the phone number Cyn."

"It's so the vision comes true and Jasper needs it. It's good we have vampire friends and allies Julian. Besides, you and Jasper seem to be good friends for each other. Just if you share human stories of either mob or war stories, take it elsewhere." Cynthia told them as she gave Jasper and Alice her phone numbers.

Julian chuckled and shot a look at Jasper.

"We should have a hunting trip sometimes. It would be a blast to finally have guy time for once." Julian suggested.

"I'll bring Emmett as well since you both would probably get along swimmingly. He might want to wrestle you just as a fair warning." Jasper chuckled.

"Fuck yeah!" Julian exclaimed.

Alice and Cynthia laughed since it was cute that they were bonding.

"Maybe have a bro day when Alice and I hang out with Bella. It would do you some good to form relations with others and maybe you won't always want to be up my ass." Cynthia suggested.

"Ah come on Cyn, you know we have our fun times when we get up close and personal. But yea, I could use bro time with Jasper since he's so chill." Julian smiled.

"So, what do you suggest Cyn for our day with Bella?" Alice asked.

"Bowling works. I haven't bowled in a decade and we will have privacy in a somewhat public space. Plus, minimum movement is good for a healed-up leg."

Alice nodded and she was going to try seeing that future but Cyn said,

"I would suggest not driving yourself crazy with visions Alice. Let the events happen as they come for the moment. Know that the end result will be you and Bella being free and in love."

Alice smiled and she heard her phone going off. She looked at the caller ID and saw it was Bella. She looked into Bella's future and she breathed a sigh of relief that she was fine and Edward wasn't in her bedroom before answering.

"Dickward brought you home without a fuss?"

Bella laughed at that and answered,

"Yes, he did, thank god too since I was starting to feel sick. Are we okay though? I know I had to do things I didn't want to do, but only because I didn't want Edward to hurt you. It's a bit strange... but I had this need to protect you."

Alice smiled since she did have the same protectiveness she had for Bella.

"Yes, I understand Bella. I just needed to see my sister since things were getting crazy."

"You mean Cynthia, right? How is she? I never got to thank her for the whole James thing." Bella asked.

"Well, there's two vampires that helped you, Cynthia and her mate Julian. Speaking of Cynthia, she wants to formally meet you when your leg heals. She's been dying to meet you too. We were thinking Laurel Lanes, sound good?" Alice asked.

Cynthia didn't bother shouting 'we're not mates' to her sister since Alice was just as stubborn as she was.

"Bowling sounds interesting. I'm surprised she didn't suggest shopping like you would since stores are your happy places." Bella teased.

My happy place is with you Alice thought but she giggled at the statement.

"True but it is a change of pace. She wants to get to know you since we're getting so close."

"Great, I think I get the cast off in a month or so. I should be able to hold a bowling bowl and throw it at pins without being too clumsy." Bella said softly.

"I'll tell Cyn that."

"Um so you're in Port Angeles that means right? If you can't swing by, I will understand." Bella realized.

Alice looked to Julian and he nodded.

"I'll bring you and Jasper back to Forks. Don't want to worry anyone or keep you away from your mate." Julian told her.

Alice smiled and mouthed 'thank you' before answering,

"Julian is bringing me back to Forks so I should be there in an hour. See you soon Bella."

Alice hung up and looked at Jasper. Edward had to be home and if he returned, there was going to be a brawl she thought. Jasper chuckled and looked to Cynthia and asked,

"Can I hide out here for the night. I don't want to return in case I am going home to a pissed off Edward. Let's just say I had to sedate him so Alice could get her dance."

Cynthia nodded.

"Right though if you're such a skilled fighter like Julian says, Edward should be no problem. But him being a mind reader I can see the issue unless you make your mind feral to him. Either way, you can seek refuge here."

Alice smiled and kissed Jasper's cheek.

"I'll see you back at the house tomorrow Jas."

"See you then Alice." he smiled.

Julian and Alice left the apartment and it was just Jasper and Cynthia in the apartment. He could feel Cynthia's longing for Julian and it troubled her despite her calm demeanor. If what Julian had said was true, that meant Cynthia had been denying these feelings for over 70 years and that was very sad. He knew it varied when vampires accepted their mates, but she and Julian were very close and couldn't understand the resistance.

"How long are you going to deny your feelings for Julian?" Jasper asked.

Cynthia said nothing as she was jotting notes from her sister's talk and awakening in her notebook. Jasper was persistent and decided to take another approach.

"I understand you feeling you need to atone for any perceived sins in your human life but things are different. You shouldn't feel you're alone anymore and you shouldn't push away someone who cares for you. You do at least care for Julian, right?" Jasper asked softly.

Cynthia sighed and closed her notebook.

"Of course, I care. Why else would I have his ass live with me on and off for over 70 years even when I curse at him to not find me?" Cynthia sighed.

Jasper knew Cynthia needed more time to open up to others herself before she can ironically discover what else she wanted in life.

"I'm just going to say, Julian cares so much about you. His feelings for you are beyond sex, but pure unconditional love mates have. Your meeting might not have been the ideal or perfect start, but it's not always how things start, but how they end up. Just think about that for me Cyn since you hear a lot of people's problems, perhaps you need someone to listen to yours for a change."

Jasper left the living room to settle himself in the spare room. Cynthia sighed as she finished her notes. How she thought, would admitting they are connected for all of time make her free or would it make her feel trapped? However, Jasper was right about one key thing; mates or not mates aside, she cared deeply for Julian but right now her focus had to be Bella and Alice; her sister and her sister's mate. Once their passions for each other blossom and Bella is freed...maybe just maybe she will open her heart to the possibility that Julian is her one and only mate, but now wasn't the time.