First and foremost this is the original story before I started to rewrite it... and got stuck in the writing of the rewrite. If you are following the rewrite you will notice quite glaring differences between this and the one you have already started following. I do not intend on giving up with the rewritten version, however, I think you guys waiting for me to get over my blank slate of a muse isn't going to happen any time soon. So I am re-posting the original. This was my first completed story and it is very different from how my last stories flow.
Secondly, this is not beta'ed. NOT AT ALL. There will be mistakes in spelling (I'm Australian and some words we spell differently). The layout will honestly have you wondering what the hell I was thinking. I wasn't; well that's not true. What I was thinking was that I knew what I was doing and screw anyone else... yes I was a conceited little shit even at the age of 31.
Thirdly, there are 68 chapters to this story, including the epilogue and two outtakes. All of which have been uploaded to my profile so I should be able to update daily. Please understand that I have a busy life in the real world. This includes two children, one grown and the other with disabilities. So while I should be able to update wherever I am, if something happens please understand that I will miss updating.
Last but not lease. I am not SM. Not even close. I do not own the franchise, work in any capacity with the publishing houses or studios. I merely escaped from reality to play with some characters that I fell in love with while reading four books in a matter of days.
B POV
Jasper picked me up at 7, as he promised, but for some unknown reason to humankind, Rose decided that I needed to make him wait. Fuck, it's like getting ready for prom or something.
"Please just let me out of this room. It's been 5 minutes surely he's waited long enough." I pleaded with mother and Rose. I mean it's not like we were going out on this big romantic date. It's something casual and relaxing. I'm 5 months pregnant for heaven's sake.
"Bella, don't take our fun away. We don't get to do things like this anymore. Last time Emmett took me out was Valentine's Day and that wasn't really romantic. Everyone who's in a relationship goes out that day. This dear girl is romantic. It's like a happy ending of Romeo and Juliet." Rose answered while I groaned sitting on the bed.
I wasn't going to be winning this argument either. She smiled at my surrender. That was about the 5th time I had done that today. Pregnancy is not good for me. I lose my bite. It wasn't until she came back holding my purse and shoes that I was finally let out of my room. Yeah, you guessed it, she took them out of the room to give everyone an excuse for me to be late. I was not one happy woman when I found out that little trick.
"Don't worry I'd say it's the ladies' idea to keep you waiting for Bella. That girl never took long to get ready anytime we went out." Edward's voice was easy to hear, especially the undisguised laughter in it.
"You got that right. Never letting Rose and the rest of these ladies get me ready again. I love you all but never again." I told the room as I entered.
Well, Peanut entered first. The look of mock horror on their faces showed me something. They had plans, and they involved me getting upset again. Sticking my tongue out to them I turned to Jasper. He still hadn't said anything since I entered the room. I watched as he slowly looked up from my feet to my face, causing a Bella blush moment and a few chuckles from father and Billy. Not sure if anyone else saw the look he was giving me but I wouldn't mind getting those looks more and more every day.
"Slow down Bella. It's just dinner." I thought to myself.
Father's clearing his throat brought Jasper back to reality and helped bring that damned blush back.
"Ready to go?" Jasper asked his voice a little higher than normal. I guess I wasn't the only one a little nervous.
Smiling I nodded my head as he made his way over to help me with my cover. It may be warm outside but babies caused more than one bump to increase. I still had issues with the size of my breasts. Let alone the size of them in this dress. Alice seemed to have taken it upon herself yesterday to buy a "date dress" for a lack of better a word. It was almost like she knew something was going to happen. It was a blood-red strapless baby doll dress, where it gathered just below the bust line and then free-flowing down to just above my knees.
Match that with the silver ballet flats and matching purse (which looked like it wouldn't hold more than a key, credit card or two, and a lipstick), a simple silver chain with a locket and matching earrings and my look was complete. I loved that they didn't put any make-up nor do anything fancy with my air. Just a little lip gloss and letting my hair fall naturally down my back and I was ready to go.
As we made our way towards the front door I could distinctly hear Felix call, "Her curfew is no later than midnight son. She has work tomorrow."
Helping me into his car I couldn't help but look at him once more; drinking in the sight in front of me. It was almost a replica of the clothes he wore that night, except he didn't have the cowboy hat or boots; and his shirt was a white button-up with the sleeves rolled up rather than the working t-shirt.
"So where are you taking me, Mr. Whitlock?" I asked as we headed out of the drive.
"Mr. Whitlock? That's pa Bella. I'm just Jasper or Jazz, simple and easy. Though I will definitely like it when Peanut calls me daddy." He replied sidestepping my question, something that I knew all too well how to do, and when it's going to be left behind.
"Alright, if you're not going to tell me where you are taking me then what about you tell me what you got up to today with the male bonding thing that happened?" I couldn't help the smile as his lips twitched as if he wanted to tell me but didn't want to break some guy code that all men lived by.
I couldn't help but shake my head at this.
"Well, what do you want to talk about? My voice isn't that fun to listen to all the time you know." I hate having one-sided conversations. They were not fun I can tell you.
"Well as we covered background last night how about we see what we have I common other than Peanut and our friends and families? Oh, and I would listen to your voice all day and never get tired of it." His sly comment making me blush.
"You mean 20 questions or something similar to that?" I turned to watch his face while he was driving, it was interesting as he focused on where we were going and what was going on around the car yet still being able to be so involved in the conversation.
"Something like that. We keep going until we get to the restaurant. What's your favorite book?" he jumped into the game with both feet; almost as free as I am, or would have been but I don't think that I'd choose as safe a question as a favorite book.
"Not too difficult but it's not just the book per se it's the time period in which it's written in. I like Weathering Heights, and turn of the century books. What about you?" he sat there thinking, I couldn't help think that he was filtering his choices.
"I'm more for the classic war stories, but I really get into things from the military side of things." Some things never change I guess; stereotyping I know. But it was something I was expecting form an ex-military man.
"What's your worst ever date?" I asked and saw the cringe on his face as he automatically thought of whatever it was. "Spill." I cried, watching him try to control his face, and failing miserably.
"Fine, it would have been in junior high. Emily was the first girl that I really liked and she had actually liked me as well. Back then I wasn't the sexy man I am today."- I shook my head. God willing, Peanut please have your father's confidence. - "We went to the movies, I can't tell you what movie it was playing but her brothers decided to follow us and make sure that I didn't put any moves on their little sister. Anyway, to cut a very long story short, I reached over her to grab the popcorn, her brothers thought I was doing something else and came over and pulled me behind the seats where we were sitting. In the process, she had an elbow in the face, the popcorn and her drink all over her. Needless to say, we didn't have a second date, but she became a really good friend." By the time he finished his little story, we both were laughing.
"Alright, your turn." He retaliated, bringing me back to the game and scrunching up my nose. But I guess if he told me his worst date I could give him mine.
"It was summer and we were all down the beach at the reservation. Jared and I had only just started dating and it wasn't to Jake's liking, to say the least. I think we were 16 or something like that. Anyway, we took off to this little secluded part of the beach where we could watch the sunset. I guess I was his first girlfriend or something like that. I kissed him and it was fine but when I tried to deepen the kiss he freaked and bit my tongue causing it to bleed. Blood and I don't have a good relationship so when I tasted it I ended up throwing up all over him and myself. You try explaining to a bunch of friends why you were covered in vomit and your tongue is bleeding. Then go home to your police chief of a father. We did still date for about a month afterward. But I never tried to deepen a kiss again with him." I cringed at the memory of public humiliation, while Jasper laughed his head off.
"Alright, your turn." Bringing him back to the game and off my embarrassing past. He sat there thinking of the next question. I was wondering if he'd play it safe after that or would join me in the true art of 20 questions.
"Worst place you have ever had sex." Ah, the big boy wants to play.
"How much detail do you want?" I asked watching his eyes pop. Yep, I had him good.
"Not too vivid, there's a minor in the car." he pointed to peanut to enforce his point.
"Okay, that would be at college during my wild period. Peter would attest to you exactly how bad I was. Char and I were at a frat party and the dance floor that was packed. I was dancing with my boyfriend at the time. This was just before Edward. Long story short standing and grinding in short skirts can get you into some pretty interesting predicaments. Only two people caught us in what we were doing. Char and the frat president. I was constantly asked back to parties after that night. But Char made sure I never returned. I became a good girl of sorts after that little show." I finished as he was slowly gaining his breath. It's a good thing I didn't give too much of detailed description or he might have been pulling over to gain control of himself.
"Okay, there Jazz? Your turn to dish." He took a few more deep breaths.
"Interestingly enough it was also a public affair, but we were horse riding. She purposely let her horse go back without her, and she needed to get back to the house. Since I always rode nearly bareback, rarely used saddles she jumped onto my horse with me. As we were slowly trotting back to the stables she kept rubbing herself against me. By the time we got back to the stables, neither of us could control our hands so we quickly found one of the stables that weren't being used at the time and had an interesting and very pleasant time. Unfortunately, I was fired a few days after as she talked in her sleep and told her parents everything that we did. They didn't appreciate the help in taking advantage of their daughter."
When he finished he had a funny smile on his face, something between humor and embarrassment. Now I don't expect too much in whatever we have going on between us but I don't know why he's embarrassed.
"We're here." He pointed out the restaurant as he parked the car.
It was a beautiful little place, something that isn't too fancy and seemed to be relaxed. The little cottage was framed in a beautiful garden, lit by thousands of little fairy lights all over the place. You know when you were a little kid and you dreamed of being Snow White in the little cottage of the 7 dwarfs? And you always pictured your own version of the pace. That was what this place was for me; my childhood version of the 7 dwarfs cottage.
"Jasper this is beautiful. How did you know about this place?" I whispered as he helped me out of the car.
"It belongs to Emily and her husband Sam. I told you we became really good friends. She set this pace up a few years ago and she's never looked back." His soft voice coming from behind me as he took my hand. I was secretly glad that my hair was down.
That little trick alone would have made me putty in his hands before the night even started. Note to self; keep the hair down until I know where this will lead. As he led me up the path riddled with different scented flowers I felt more comfortable.
He is truly a gentleman, opening the door, guiding me into the restaurant, helping me with my cover and making sure that I was truly comfortable I couldn't help but smile.
"You know we still have to finish that little game of ours right. You don't get out of it too easy." I softly implied, I noticed that he took a very shaky breath with the implications that came with this.
I liked the idea that I was able to bring this side of him out and that I was the one that was able to see it. He seemed so in control with himself this morning when he was watching everyone at my very late breakfast.
"Heaven help us, Jasper's here. The poor waitresses are going to have a heart attack." A bell-like voice called from where the hostess would stand, her black hair and beautiful russet skin.
She seemed to know Jasper well or knew of him.
"Emily, I am a changed man since then. Where's that husband of yours, he was meant to be working tonight, not you." I watched as Jasper and the woman that I am assuming is the same Emily from this worst date.
Is it wrong of me to be glad it didn't work out between them? She laughed and pointed over his shoulder to something behind me.
"Jazz you hitting on my wife again, I don't think Paul and Embry would like another repeat of that movie date?" came the very loud voice from behind, causing me to jump and squeak, gaining the attention of Emily. Her eyes nearly bugged out when she noticed my ever-growing belly.
"Jasper Whitlock, here you are standing there talking to me when your girlfriend is pregnant and standing behind you. Momma's gonna hear about this." As she came rushing around the little podium I couldn't help but blush. As I was about to correct her Jasper spoke instead, but not what I was going to say.
"Emily, I'd like you to meet Bella and Peanut. And I'm hoping that after tonight she will be my girl. It's a long story, and no I won't go into details." I was speechless but smiling.
Who wouldn't be?
Emily and Sam led us back to a small table near the back. It wasn't crowded and carried that same feel as the outside had.
Soon after a pretty little waitress came and took our order, and while she was paying attention to Jasper he wasn't even noticing her little attempts of flirting. Finally, when she was finished being ignored she turned her attention to me and you could see the little intake of breath when she noticed Peanut, causing me to feel a little self-conscious.
"My name is Kim; can I take your drink order?" I ordered an ice tea, while Jasper finally noticed that she was at the table ordered the same.
A few minutes she returned with the order and left again. Soon we began on safe topics, leaving out the more adventurous questions for the drive back. While I was expecting to have someone come and take the food order I was intrigued as to how a very homey meal (like a baked roast dinner) was placed in front of us. It reminded me of family dinners and a relaxed atmosphere. While we ate, either Sam or Emily would make their way over to us to see how the dinner was going. If I thought that the dinner was amazing, it had nothing on the dessert; homemade apple pie with whipped cream and strawberries. I was in paradise.
"How did you like everything Bella?" Emily asked and I don't think she was just referring to the food o the restaurant.
"It's perfect. Something I could definitely do again." I answered as Jasper gave both of us a quizzical look. He really needed to read between the lines of what is being said, well I think it's a male thing but hey I may be wrong.
After paying for dinner and telling Emily that I would definitely be coming back with or without Jasper we climbed back into the car. I had definitely not forgotten the game we started, and I had been waiting to see the shock on his face.
"So are we still playing? Or have we left the game?" I asked turning to watch his face once again. I could tell by his smile that he seemed to be enjoying this unusual version of 20 questions.
"Oh we are definitely continuing this game, and I believe it's your turn to ask." That cheeky smile of his just kept getting bigger and bigger. He had no clue what was coming.
"How many girls have you slept with?" with how our game was being played he had to see this was coming. But his grip on the steering wheel suddenly changing I wasn't sure if he realized that I would be the one to bring it up.
"Now Jazz, if I asked you about your worst date and you brought up sex, to begin with, you had to see this coming." I taunted him, gaining a little laugh.
"Not as many as people would think. Yes, I chased girls and women. But I never really went home with many of them. So to answer your question I would say maybe 7 no more than 10 though. What about you?" I hadn't realized that we had stopped or where we had stopped.
We were parked outside of a small garden of sorts, found in the local park. It was beautiful, with the flowers and now with the moon, it brought a new quality to the flowers and the water fountain in the background. We walked around looking for a bench away from the large group of teens.
"You know what Jazz; you are definitely full of surprises. First, that amazing restaurant, now walking through this beautiful garden. On top of that, you took my very risky questions without much fear. I gotta say I'm impressed." I turned and stepped closer to him as we walked around the little fountain.
"Well thank you, but you still haven't answered your part of the question. Or are you trying to avoid it?" that cheeky smile was back.
"I wasn't avoiding the question, I just wasn't sure if you wanted to continue the game outside of the car. And it was 4. I've only slept with 4 guys in my life. And other than you, you know 2 of them. Did that sound as trashy to you as it just did to me?" I laughed at my own freakish nature. I really needed to learn to keep things to myself that I didn't want anyone to know about.
The game continued with less revealing questions but neither of us felt uncomfortable, even with my word vomit about past bed friends. It was so relaxing that I didn't even realize when he took my hand in his, but it felt so right. Like it was natural… like I belonged with him beside me.
"So does this mean we're going to try this for real? Not just stay friends who happen to have a child together?" Jasper asked pulling me to a stop. We had already made the walk around the garden numerous times that I actually lost count after 10.
"I think I'd really like that, but we would need to take it slow. I know it feels like we've known each other for years, well it does for me. But I think it might be a good thing, we did things a little backward. So maybe it would be a good idea to go slow." I spoke quietly, above a whisper but below my natural volume. Looking up in his eyes I felt like I was lost once again. Lost in everything that is Jasper Whitlock.
"Bella, you set the pace and I'll follow you. I'm not in a rush as long as I get to have you." As he finished he slowly lowered his head until I could feel his breath against my lips. I didn't even realize when I closed my eyes as I stepped forward to close the final gap between us. It was short, passionate, and oh so wonderful. It made everything I had gone through for these past 5 months so worth it. I'd do it again in a heartbeat if it meant that I would get to have Jasper forever.
