And we are finally coming into Eclipse. This is more a filler chapter pre-eclipse. Man, it's been a long road. I started this story awhile ago, and it didn't get updated for a long time because life events got in the way of my writing, but I am back in it for the long haul. Thank you guys so much for following this story and reading it. It means a lot and I do hope you continue to enjoy it. Please feel free to leave constructive criticism/reviews; they keep me motivated to continue!

I don't own Twilight- only my OC's

Chapter 18

Climbing out the window was easy enough, but climbing back in was a new issue entirely. I managed to get back in the house and to my room without issue. Uncle Brian had sent me a text saying he was going to need to be picked up at four in the afternoon. I didn't think the timing was too bad- it was only nine in the morning now, so I was just going to sleep. I had a text from a number that I didn't recognize- there was only one person it could be from.

Alice told me that we're going to have a visitor. Sleep well and I'll see you later this evening; J. It read. That was sweet of him. I wondered how he got my number though. I decided to send a reply back.

Sounds like a plan! How did you get my number though?

I may have asked Edward to ask Bella for it earlier. Figured it would be more polite then just text me from your phone and saving it.

I smirked at his response. He definitely gets props for asking my cousin, but I'm half surprised that he didn't just get it from me. Collapsing into bed, I sighed. I didn't give anything else a second though as I succumbed to a deeper sleep than I'd had in a long time…. Until the obnoxious knocking on my door coupled with my alarm. It seemed to only be minutes, but apparently I'd slept the day away.

"Lily! Wake up!"

I sat up groggily and groaned. Being woken up wasn't usually a good thing for my demeanor. I also don't remember falling asleep or dreaming; but I definitely wasted the day away. I hastily got dressed and rushed out the door; knowing that it was time to go to Port Angeles to get Uncle Brian. Naturally, I was both excited and apprehensive about seeing him again. We had a lot more to talk about, and I know for a fact that he wanted to talk about more than just the fact I'd managed to get caught up with more vampires. Though hopefully he'd talk about how his new campaign was going and the new client accounts, or even better, tell me that his love life wasn't in total shambles anymore. The man needed a partner in crime.

It took an hour to get there and he was already waiting out front; dressed in a rich grey shirt with the white Armani tie and matching white pants. As though that look wasn't meant to draw attention. Popping the trunk after parking near him, I smiled.

"Way to draw the eyes of every woman and even remotely questioning man within a 50 mile vicinity Mr. 'want to be inconspicuous'. I must say, the new collection is great though." He laughed.

" You still don't appreciate my fashion sense in the slightest. Besides, the point is to draw as much attention as humanly possible without giving on to vanity dear child. You're late by the way, and it looks as though you haven't slept in ages. Jet lag must be a bitch. Or was it the situation with your cousin, who attracts more trouble than even you?" He grinned and continued, "Surely it can't be because of the undead after all?"

"I'd say a healthy combination of them all. It's so strange that the very thing I was trying to forget decided to tell me why I shouldn't. I wish I was able to talk about it more with mom. And poor Uncle Charlie having to deal with both our insanities; it's a wonder he's not gone grey! Though I will say I can't believe I didn't connect the dots sooner or think there'd be vampires here. It's a fairly ideal climate after all. They're also the first I have met that feed off animals instead of people."

"Huh. So no red eyes?" He looked over at me with a tone of incredulity. I shook my head.

"No.. more gold. Usually either a deep amber or honey toned, aside from the pitch black all of them share when they're struggling and filled with thirst or extremely angry… It's a very queer shade."

"I see. And the boy, er uh, man?"

"From the south and is extremely nervous to meet you. But he's interesting. I will warn you ahead of time, he's an empath."

"He's not manipulating you, is he?"

"If he is, he's damn good at not getting caught and being stronger than the sigil I have. It's unlikely he is." Uncle Brian nodded slowly.

"Lily, how well do you know them and what made them move away to begin with?" I shrugged and sighed.

"Not as much as I'd like to. Overall they seem kind and willing to welcome me as they have my cousin. From what I've gathered, I think Bella is Edward's singer. They're dating. He just asked her to marry him this morning actually, so that'll be interesting. From what I gathered, she got a paper cut and Jasper went a little lusty on her, then somehow she got hurt worse. Since she'd already been hurt with that stunt she pulled when she suddenly wanted to go back to Phoenix, partially due to Edward, I guess he thought it'd be a good idea to pack up and go. I know Jasper feels pretty sick about the whole thing…"

"So Jasper is the empath. That can't be easy for him. His needs must be amplified by those around him and clouded over at times. I think that may be why he lost control. Your cousin is flirting with death apparently. You aren't in a much greater position being around them, but I know better than to tell you to do anything." He mused.

"Wait. You don't think he lost it because of the fact he has trouble being around humans so much as the fact he felt his own plus his family's uncomfortable feelings with the sudden onslaught of human blood?"

"Mainly Edward's. Anyway, before I stray too far off topic, I wanted to get a better understanding about what went on in Volterra, the plan going forward roughly, and most importantly the thing happening in Seattle. If the Volturi want something from you and have to shut down what's going on there I don't want you to be in danger."

"So it is a vampire thing there. I was wondering. It's been worrisome; the reports I've seen have be really bad lately. How did you know about them though?"

"Do you really think that just because you're of legal age that I'm not still looking out for you and watching your back? Honestly Lily, you should know better by now."

"True… Hey, so was your new partner that was 'training' you the one that helped brief about Seattle or is he something different? A business partner perhaps?" I grinned and looked over at him.

"Not even remotely!" He scoffed. "More like a… hm. I can't really call him a one night stand. It's complicated. But he's definitely more. I met him in the gym actually. The doctors said I should try yoga, so I joined his class. Very intense; and I realized just how out of shape I am. It's quite sad."

I nodded. It must not have been easy for him to admit that. We were about halfway back to Forks.

"So he's not like us then."

"Not even remotely. It's a nice change. I thought it would be painful to not share anything, but it felt liberating. At least, in a sense of the word. Not sure if it'll stay that way though…." He got quiet. I nodded, and focused on the road. The conversation was effectively ceased and we both lost ourselves in our thoughts. Silence was comfortable for us. And easy. We continued our pattern until I pulled up in the driveway.

Uncle Charlie had to be called into the station unexpectedly. This meant Edward had to be nearby with Bella. I'm sure they were discussing the life altering choices and the affects they'd have on everyone around them. At least, hopefully it was that versus Bella picking out china patterns. Uncle Brian went straight to the tv in the living room, and I joined him. There was a knock on the door about half an hour later. Bella raced down the stairs and swung open the door before I had a chance to get up.

"Is Lily home by chance?" It was Jasper. Uncle Brian stood up then and Jasper flinched.

"Ouch. I can feel that from here you asshole! Stop torturing the poor man already. He's probably just returning my jacket. I realized that I left it this morning."

"Is that all you want with my goddaughter? Just because you're undead doesn't mean I can't give you a good fight before we both go down in flames if your intentions are unpure." He crossed his arms in a huff and fixed him with a rather dangerous look.

"No sir. I just came to return her jacket and formally make your acquaintance is all. I'm not always the most sociable when the entire family is around, and I didn't wish to come off as rude to someone who Lily holds great respect and affection for. My apologies for the intrusion." Bella cut in.

"Jasper, where did Edward go? Did he say anything?"

"Oh, he's still around. He didn't want your father catching him around and knowing there are two people around who study alchemy made him too uncomfortable." She frowned. I cut in, stepping around her.

"You can come in and socialize. You bite harder than Uncle Brian does, but unlike him, I doubt you're into the kink." I laughed and sent my godfather a teasing look. "Besides, he needs to talk to that gorgeous instructor. Your phone is about to go off. I'd suggest not making it too graphic though, since you have two teenagers within earshot."

"Oh no! Your poor virgin ears. I'll try to not make them bleed." He rolled his eyes and stated sarcastically as his phone began to ring. "You, vampire, I am not finished with interrogating you yet. Don't leave."

I grabbed Jasper's hand and smiled lightly, dragging him inside.

"See that could've gone way worse! It wasn't too bad. He's really holding back." He mock glared at me.

"Wasn't that bad? I thought he was going to burn me alive. That sensation was awful…" Bella was getting annoyed now, and anxious because of Edward.

"You know Bella… You could always go back up to your room and wait for him. Uncle Brian doesn't violate boundaries of privacy, and he'll be far less likely to piss you off. I say this because it's bound to happen. Or he will make you totally uncomfortable." She huffed.

"I just don't understand why Edward would leave because of that."

"Probably because he doesn't know how Uncle Brian would react. He can be pretty brutal when he wants to be, as you just saw with Jasper. I'm not sure if telling him about our…. Budding relationship, so to speak, would make it better or worse." I shrugged. Turning to Jasper I continued, "Although… the longer you don't say something, the more likely it will be that he loses his shit and actually tries to do something. Putting on the Southern charm may be enough to get out without your arm being ripped off and buried somewhere across the continent."

Jasper chuckled slightly. "Well, if that's the worst he'll do, I'd say it's a tame reaction. You should see what some overprotective parents do when their daughters or nieces, blood related or otherwise, would do. Before I met Alice, I knew about this one girl that wasn't the nicest back when I went off with Peter and Charlotte…. Her parents didn't have a clue who their little girl really was. The mother threw a shoe and the father stuck a shotgun barrel in their mouth. Useless of course, but amusing."

Footsteps announced Uncle Brian's return. He wore a mischievous grin, and I could tell something had happened. I scoffed and he turned towards Bella.

"She's right. I will inevitably upset you- though your boy would get more than a shoe if he was around. Has Lily not alluded to you what we can do to those who invade our minds? Poor guy would be much worse off than this one here. But don't worry; I don't plan on causing trouble and telling Charlie. He's outside the house- safe enough to where I would have to put effort into doing something, but not so far away that he couldn't rescue a damsel in distress if given the need. You two should go have fun and talk of wedding details." He waved a hand aimlessly, giving it a false sense of elegance. "We'll get to know each other better over dinner."

Bella glanced my way. "Okay. Fine. Just… don't talk about anything interesting without me. Edward said you guys would be going over to see everyone." Uncle Brian nodded.

"It's nothing really. Just a few formalities since your boyfriend put my goddaughter in danger. Now go before Charlie gets back. I told him we would be out hiking until close to dinner since he had to rush out."

I ushered Bella out the door. Jasper looked more nervous now. Uncle Brian still wore his grin.

"And.. now that I have you two alone, you can tell me the thing you've been avoiding." Uncle Brian looked pointedly at me. "You realize I'm not stupid. I've seen enough vampire relationships over the years as well as have known you since you were small- I know how you act. That being said, Jasper was it?" at the nod he continued, "This complicates things, but I am sure that you being her mate is the only reason she didn't have to fight her way out of Volterra. For that, I am grateful. But if your intentions aren't pure, or you hurt her in any way, you will know exactly what we're capable of."

I turned to Jasper. He had come out of his mild shock and was agreeing with my godfather.

"Of course. I wouldn't wish her harm and will do whatever I can to keep her safe." He grabbed my hand softly, while still looking at Uncle Brian. "Anything I can do to make her happy."

"I'm still here- you guys don't have to talk as though I am not in the room" I laughed, and Jasper looked at me sheepishly. "Besides, we are taking things slow. Well, relatively slow. It's not easy to do given the accelerated timeline. I am sure since there's more than one human on the line we will be lucky to have a year before I have to give up my beloved queso and pasta."

"The agony! However shall you survive without them?" Uncle Brian mirrored my dramatic gesture. "You sure you can survive with this one at your side for an eternity? Her theatrics can become quite the challenge to deal with."

"And who did I get that from? You threw a funeral for your 30th birthday. It can't get more dramatic than when my mom went coffin shopping with you." I laughed.

"I think it livens things up. Keeps me guessing and gives me something to look forward to." Jasper's southern drawl slipped out a bit more than normal.

"Ah! Well then, that's a good thing. She'll definitely keep you on your toes. And good thing you don't age or she'd give you grey hair as well! Oh- look at the time; we're due to talk to your coven leader." Uncle Brian glanced at his watch, and stood. His jovial tone and demeanor may have been confusing to those that didn't know him. Jasper nodded.

"You can ride with us if you want. Or run. It doesn't particularly matter to me. I'm sorry for the weirdness. He likes to keep people on their toes."

"No, it's okay. I've met stranger humans. I should be the one apologizing really."

"Nah, she's right. I'm purposely keeping you off balance. I don't care if you decide to ride or run, so long as you keep the PDA to a minimum. I promise to try and behave as well."

It was decided that he'd ride with us and for that I was grateful. After my first impression with the rest of Jasper's coven, I wasn't keen on going back. I felt like I wasn't worthy of being welcomed back. I'd lost my temper back there and that didn't bode well for me- and a small part of me felt very guilty for the fact I may have hurt Jasper in the process. Truthfully, I didn't hate any of them. I didn't know them well enough. I didn't like Edward, but I also didn't hate him. I just thought he was an idiot and would hurt my cousin. They'd probably last for a few decades, but eventually they'd split up. I'd give it a century at best. Esme stood out most to me. She was so kind. It reminded me vaguely of my mom, but I couldn't say that. Lost in my thoughts, the ride seemed much shorter.

"Ready to go in?" Jasper's eyes met mine and I realized that Uncle Brian had parked the car in front of the Cullen's immaculate house. I sighed.

"Let's do this."