Chapter 2

Bella

I rolled over, reaching out for Jasper. The spot beside me was empty. "Jasper?"

He was sitting in the rocking chair across from the bed. "What are you doing over there?" I asked, pulling the sheet around me as I sat up.

"I called him."

"You mean Carlisle?" I asked. He nodded his head once. "And?"

"I told him I'd be there soon."

He stared at me for a long while. I bit my lip nervously. "What about me, Jasper?"

He got up and came to the bed. "I want you to come with me." He said. "I don't want to go there alone. I need you, Bella."

I breathed a sigh of relief. "That's good. I don't know what I would have done if you said I had to stay behind." I shook my head. "I can't be without you, Jasper. I love you so much."

"I know." He kissed me, pushing me back into the pillows. Before we could go any further, Jasper pulled away with a sigh of annoyance.

"What?" I asked.

"The kids are back." He got out of bed and walked to the door. "You'd better get dressed. We have to talk to them."

I nodded and quickly changed into a pair of yoga pants and a long sleeved white t-shirt.

"Mom?" Sophie called. "Dad? Anybody home?"

"We'll be down in a minute Sophie." Jasper called.

I looked over at Jasper. "Will we bring them with us or leave them with my dad?" I asked.

"That's what I've been trying to think about. If they go to Charlie's, they'll be safe, but we don't know how long we'll be with the Cullens. If they come with us, we're putting them in danger from the Volturi but they'll be protected by the Cullens."

"I don't think I can be separated from Abby. She's only a baby."

He nodded. "We'll see, I guess."

Together, we walked downstairs where the kids were sitting, watching a movie. Abby was sitting on the floor, playing with one of her toys.

"Can we talk to you for a couple of minutes?" Jasper asked, turning off the T.V.

"What's wrong?" Sophie asked while I picked Abby up.

"Are we in trouble?" Trevor asked.

"Why do you always assume you're in trouble?" I wondered.

He shrugged and looked at Jasper. "Is something wrong?"

"I have to go away for a while." He said.

"How long is a while?" Sophie asked, looking from me to him. "You're not leaving us are you? You're coming back, right?"

Should have known Sophie would get this way. "Of course I'm not leaving. And I am coming back. I love you all." Jasper sat down beside her and wrapped his arm around her. She snuggled into his chest. "I'll probably be gone for two or three months."

I stared at him in horror. "Months?"

He nodded sadly. "Your mother is coming with me. We've been discussing whether to bring you with us or leave you with your grandfather."

"I love Gramps, but three months with his bad cooking and I'll die from starvation." Trevor said.

"It's not funny Trevor." Sophie snapped. "Why do you have to leave for so long? What's going on?" she asked, looking up at Jasper.

"There is a family emergency that I need to take care of."

"You have a family?" Trevor said in surprise.

I whacked him in the head. "Of course he has a family. He's just been out of contact for a while."

Trevor grumbled something, rubbing his head. "That hurt." He pouted like a child. "Why am I always the one that gets whacked?"

Jasper chuckled, shaking his head. "Because you always act like one,"

"Dad, can't we come with you?" Sophie asked. "I don't want to be separated from you and Mom for so long."

Jasper glanced at me over top of their heads. I nodded my head. "Well, looks like that's how it's happening. You'll be coming with us."

"Where are we going, anyway?" Trevor asked.

"Forks, Washington."

***

It didn't take long to tie up loose ends. Jasper, who worked at the University teaching History, told the Dean he had a family emergency he wasn't able to avoid. They let him go for the rest of the semester. I was equally sad and pleased at this. While Jasper loved working at the University, I hated how majority of the female population tried anything to pull him away from me. Jasper always laughed at me.

"All done?" Jasper asked, coming into the room.

I looked at the suitcases. I got the strange feeling that we wouldn't be coming back to this house.

"What's wrong, Bella? Why are you feeling sad?" He wrapped his arms around my waist and rested his chin on my shoulder.

"It feels like we won't be coming back." I admitted. "And I love this house."

He sighed. "I know." He kissed my neck and tightened his arms around me. "But we will come back, darlin'. It's the first home we bought together. I'm not going to let the Cullens pull me back in."

"Well that's a relief." I turned in his arms and wrapped mine around his neck. "You're going to do fine, Jasper. I believe in you."

Jasper rested his forehead against mine. "How did I get so lucky to find you?"

I shook my head. "I'm the lucky one." I said. "If you hadn't found me when you did, who knows what would have happened."

"God, I love you." He pressed a gentle kiss against my lips.

"Mama? Daddy?" Abby broke our kiss and we looked towards the door. She was standing in the doorway, holding the arm of her teddy bear in one hand and sucking her thumb.

With a smile at Jasper, I disentangled from him and walked to her. "Are you tired, baby doll?" I asked when she put her head on my shoulder. She nodded. "You'll be able to sleep on the plane."

"I'll go check and see if the twins are awake." Jasper said.

"Thanks." I looked at Abby. "Would you like some breakfast, Abby?"

She nodded. I took her downstairs, put her in her highchair and began making her breakfast as the coffee started brewing. Jasper came down after a couple of minutes, kissed my cheek and threw a bagel into the toaster.

"Are the twins awake?" I asked.

He nodded. "They're grumbling about the early time."

I shrugged. "They'll get over it."

He snickered and pulled the bagel out when it toasted. "Butter or cream cheese?"

"Cream cheese please,"

I poured the coffee into a cup, staring out the window. I was nervous about meeting the Cullens. I've heard so many different things about them. I knew my fear was irrational. Jasper would never let them hurt me but what about the kids? Do I really want to expose them to an entire coven—no wait, family—of vampires?

Arms wrapped around my waist. "What's wrong Bella?" Jasper asked. "Why do you feel so nervous?"

"Is it irrational of me to be nervous about meeting the Cullens?" I wondered, leaning back against him.

"Of course not," Jasper said. "I'd be shocked if you weren't."

"What if they don't approve of me?" I asked, turning in his arms.

"Then that's too bad for them. Because their opinion doesn't matter to me," He pressed a gentle kiss against my lips. "What's important is that you are my salvation and I love you more than anything in the world." Jasper chuckled. "You need to get rid of those insecurities. Nothing the Cullens say will ever change how I feel about you."

"But what about—"

"Bella," Jasper cupped my face, forcing me to meet his gaze. "I love you. You are everything good, everything I never dreamed of having."

"I know you love me. But I guess I'm just scared about meeting Alice."

Jasper snorted. "Alice?" he shook his head. "Forget about Alice, Bella." He lowered his head and kissed me gently.

"Are you two done making out or can we leave now?" Sophie asked.

I broke away from Jasper with a groan and looked at her. She was holding Abby while Trevor sat on the stool, with his head on the island. He had fallen asleep. I chuckled at him. "Yes, let's go. We'll grab something to eat at the airport." I regretfully disentangled myself from Jasper and poured the coffee into my travel mug while Jasper went to take the suitcases out to the car.

I grabbed my bagel and stuffed a piece into my mouth as I locked the door behind me. Jasper was leaning against the car and laughing when I came out. "What?"

"You look absolutely ridiculous."

I stuck my tongue out at him and got into the car. Trevor had gone back to sleep, his head pressed against the window. Sophie was reading a book. I couldn't read the title.

"Pride and Prejudice," Jasper told me.

"Oh." She must have taken it off my shelf. "I didn't know she was in to the classics."

"Sitting right here, Mom. I can hear you."

I blushed. "Sorry Sophie. I thought you'd be into the book." I admitted sheepishly.

Sophie laughed and shook her head, getting back to her book. I leaned against the door and smiled at Jasper. He took my head and brought it to his lips, kissing my knuckles. "I love you."

I rolled my eyes and squeezed his hand.

We got to the airport and before long, we were boarding the plane. I sat beside Jasper, resting my head on his shoulder. Abby sat with Jasper, sleeping peacefully. I knew Jasper was sending her calm and lethargy to help her sleep. "You know you're husband is awesome when he can put your crabby baby to sleep on a long trip."

Jasper chuckled. "I'm glad I can help."

I took his hand and ran the tips of my fingers along the lines on his palm. Jasper closed his eyes and sighed. "That feels incredible. The warmth,"

I quit my ministrations but Jasper kept a firm hold on my hand. "Jasper, I'm worried about the kids."

"I know. I've been thinking about that too." He looked at me. "I don't really want to get them mixed in with them."

"I don't exactly want them to stay at a hotel, either."

"I know." He agreed. "There's a small cottage on the Cullen grounds. I'll talk Esme into letting us stay there."

"Thanks, Jasper."

"Anything for you, darlin',"

JPOV

Bella was half asleep when we landed in Seattle. I couldn't blame her. I drove to Port Angeles before I spoke.

"Honey, I'm going to rent a hotel room. I'm going to go to the Cullens and prepare them for ya'll."

"Okay." She mumbled.

"The kids will stay with you."

"Okay."

"I love you."

"Okay."

I chuckled and kissed her forehead. I stopped at the Holiday Inn and left my sleeping wife in the car while the kids and I went to get a room.

"Can I help you?" The girl in the front desk looked bored.

"Yes, I'd like two rooms please."

She looked up and her lust immediately spiked. "Anything for you,"

I rolled my eyes. Trevor chuckled. I kicked him in the ankle.

I waited as she typed everything in and handed me the keys. "Have a pleasant stay Mr. Whitlock."

"Will do," I tossed the keys to Trevor. "Pick a room while I go get your mother."

Disappointment radiated off the girl, then confusion. We were way too young to have almost teenage children. I ignored her and went out to the car. "Bella, darlin', wake up." I pressed butterfly kisses all over her face. She smiled and opened one eye.

"Hi."

"Hi." I smiled. "The kids are inside, picking rooms. We need to get up there before something goes wrong."

She nodded and got out of the car.

***

Driving up the long driveway to the Cullen house, I prepared myself for the onslaught of emotions. This was probably going to be the hardest part of this entire trip.

Alice and Emmett were sitting on the porch when I got there. Emmett rivalled Alice with the excitement radiating off him.

"Jazzy!" Alice flew at me the minute I stepped out of the car.

"Alice? What the hell? Get off me."

She pulled away hurt. "Aren't you happy to see me?"

"Not particularly." I walked past her to Emmett. "Hey, Em. How've you been?"

"You've been gone twelve years and all I get is 'Hey Em, how've you been'?"

I shrugged. "Where is everyone?"

"Inside," Emmett said. "We could hear you coming up the driveway."

"You didn't know when I was going to get here?" That was a surprise. Emmett shook his head. "Huh." I went inside. Carlisle and Esme greeted me when I walked inside.

"Welcome back, Jasper." Carlisle said. He hugged me before Esme ripped me away.

"I'm so glad to have you back." She dry sobbed.

I felt guilty for not calling her more but I wasn't a part of this family anymore.

"That's not true, Jasper." Edward said from his piano. "Regardless of what happened in the past, you are still a part of this family."

I ignored him.

"Edward's right son," Carlisle said. "We're just glad you're back."

"I'll be leaving as soon as this is done with." I said. "I have a job I need to get home to."

"Jasper—"

"Dude! Is that a wedding band?" Emmett shouted.

Surprise and shock were the dominate emotions from them. "Yes, Emmett. It is."

"You're married?" Alice asked heartbroken.

I nodded.

"For how long?"

"Three years."

"Why weren't we invited?" Esme asked, staring at me with those huge golden eyes.

"It's complicated Esme."

"Do we get to meet this new wife of yours?" Rosalie asked angrily.

I nodded. "I brought her with me. Neither one of us wanted to be separated for months. She's staying at the Inn in Port Angeles."

"Why didn't you bring her here?"

"She was exhausted. I wanted to let her rest before she met you."

"You're hiding something." Edward said, walking over to me. "Why are you thinking about Battle of Gettysburg?"

"You'll find out soon enough." I snapped. "Just leave it alone for now." I looked over at Esme. "We were hoping we can stay in the cottage?"

"Of course, Jasper. I'll go fix it up now so it'll be ready for tomorrow."

"Thank you, Esme. I appreciate it."

She kissed my cheek and left.

"So, Jazz, where did you meet this new wife of yours?" Rosalie asked. "And how come we weren't invited to the wedding?"

"Bella wanted a small ceremony. Very small. In fact, we eloped."

"You what?" Alice shrieked.

"Yeah, I know. Charlie wasn't happy about that either. He really wanted to walk her down the aisle." I chuckled, remembering Charlie's face when we told him we got married. Legally there was nothing he could do.

"Charlie? Who's Charlie?" Carlisle asked.

"Bella's father,"

"Jazz, did you marry a human?" Emmett asked, horrified.

"Yes, Em,"

"But..."

"Don't start." I snapped. "Yes, my Bella is human. No, I haven't drained her dry. In fact, I love her very much. The idea of ever drinking her never crossed my mind."

"Jasper,"

"I need to hunt." I said. "We'll be here in the morning."

BPOV

"Mom! Door."

"Thanks, Trevor. I didn't notice." I shook my head and patted across the room to answer it. I thought it was Jasper. It wasn't.

I shrieked and threw my arms around his neck. "Petey!"

"Aw, come on, Bells. You know I hate it when you call me that." He chuckled and returned my hug, kissing me gently on the forehead.

"Hey Fucker, don't you have a wife?" I turned to see Jasper standing a few feet away with a wide grin on his face. "There is no reason for you to assault mine."

"Who says I'm assaulting her? Haven't you heard, Bells and I are sneaking behind your back and fucking at every chance we get?" Peter laughed.

"That's funny, Peter. Real funny." Jasper pulled me away and tucked me into his chest.

"Mom, what's with all the shrieking?" Sophie stepped out and smiled when she saw Peter. "Uncle Peter! What are you doing here?"

"Char and I were passing through and thought we'd visit."

Her face scrunched up. "How did you know we were here?"

"Peter just knows sh—stuff." Jasper corrected swiftly. "He's your modern day Yoda."

Sophie smiled and wrapped her arms around him. "Well Uncle Yoda, I'm happy to see you."

"Uncle Yoda? Jeez, that is one of the worst things I've ever heard." Peter said.

I snickered.

"So where's Charlotte? You said you came to visit."

"She's around here somewhere."

Every time he said that, I knew she was hunting. I had no problem with them hunting humans. I just didn't want the children to know.

"How long are you visiting?"

"We don't have a definite time frame." He said. "We're just gonna play it by ear."

"I don't think I'll ever understand that saying." Sophie said, heading back inside.

I smiled. "How much longer until Charlotte gets here? I'm sure the children will be thrilled to see her." I said.

"She was finishing off a couple of rapists when I left."

I cringed. "Too much info there, Petey."

"Sorry, Bella." he smiled sadly. You didn't have to be a mind reader to know just how close that hit to home.

"Come on, Bella. Let's get something to eat. I'm sure the twins are starving."

"Finally," Trevor said, coming out. "Pops, I'm a growing boy. I need food to live."

"Really?" Peter said with a laugh. "I always thought you ate like a girl."

Trevor stuck his tongue out him. "All right, all right. Get your things. We'll go get dinner." Jasper ushered him back into the room.

"Can we get Mickey D?"

"Mickey D?" Peter laughed. "What the hell is that?"

"It's McDonald's, you numb skull." Jasper said. "Trevor's into the whole gangster phase right now."

"Thankfully he hasn't asked for the clothes yet." I added cheerfully.

"We're going to an actually restaurant, Trevor. You've had enough fast food." Jasper ordered. "Are you coming Peter?"

"No way. Char and I are going to stay in and have a little quality time."

"In that case, get your own room. I don't want to have come back and have my kids exposed to your naked ass on our bed."

I elbowed Jasper, bruising it as a result. "Watch what you say, Jasper. You know Trevor likes to eavesdrop."

"He's arguing with Sophie."

"All right, let's go." I said. "Sophie, Trevor, if you're not out here in ten seconds, we're leaving without you."

"Did you talk to your family?" I asked as we drove to the restaurant.

He nodded. "They'll be expecting us in the morning." His hands tightened on the steering wheel. "They knew you're human."

"What about...?"

He shook his head.

"You know what that means?"

He nodded.

"There will definitely be some fireworks."

A/N: So Bella and the kids came with Jasper. All questions will be answered in the next chapter. I even left some hint in this chapter that answer some in the next.

Tell me theories; I'd love to hear them.