Chapter 23! I had no idea where to end the last chapter, but I did split up some of the writing to fit into this one and continue the storyline. I am grateful to everyone who continues to read and support this fanfiction! As always, constructive criticism is great to receive and I do read all of the feedback that I get. Thank you guys and I hope you enjoy this next chapter.
Total sidenote- so I do actually have an etsy shop that I run with my friends called 'aworldofcuriosity' and we do a lot of costumes and jewelry. Most of the inventory that I do is not put up yet, but I have spell jar necklaces, crystal chipped candle melts, all purpose healing balms, harry potter sorting candles, wire wrapped stones (all real- we even have some labradorite, larimar, black moonstone, and fluorite cab necklaces, then we feature a ton of tumbled crystals as well. Check out our link and shoot a message if you're looking for anything custom. You can also send me a message here!
shop/AWorldOfCuriosity
I don't own Twilight- Only my OC's!
Chapter 23
We spent the rest of the day watching movies and enjoying each other's company. He had already mentioned this wouldn't be a regular thing with him going back to school tomorrow, but that he'd make sure we could get as much time together as possible. Alice and Bella pulled up around 7:30. Bella was blushing and carrying bags, while Alice bounded up and hugged me.
"Did you two have fun? I hope you like what I got you! Bella has some additional bags; I found a lot of cute stuff that I think you'll appreciate. It will all look fantastic on you!" Jasper was leaning against the doorframe. He'd already handed me the bags from his room and I had changed back into the clothes I had on this morning.
"We did, thank you. Not too much fun, but it was a perfect day." I turned to Jasper. "See you later this evening when I go to bed." He nodded, and we parted ways for now.
Bella and I hopped back into our vehicle and headed home, with many shopping bags in tow.
"Did Alice make you get the whole store? It looks like they ran out of inventory!" I joked.
"Shut up! Many of these are for you. She has this idea that you will need them and Jasper will appreciate them. Turns out most of them are from her closet anyway. She did buy you something… umm…different." Bella was blushing heavily.
"Let me guess. Something with baby doll lace?" Her face said it all. I laughed.
"I swear I love her! That is all too perfect." Bella's face burned brighter.
"So did you have fun shopping today? You know Uncle Charlie is going to ask; especially since it's so close to the curfew he wanted set. I figure we need more than a simple 'yeah it was fun'. That, and I really want to know if you had fun. Alice seems lovely."
"Yeah, she's great! Dad isn't the biggest fan of her still, but I know she's more well liked than Edward."
"Hitler is more well liked than Edward is right now, so that bar is significantly lowered." I shot back. "I'm glad you like spending time with Alice though. You really need more friends."
"Why? After graduation, I won't see them again. It seems pointless."
"Because human interaction is good for you. You don't see most people you graduate with again anyway. I still only have like three of my friends from high school. I only talk with two of them on a semi regular basis. It's an experience. Besides, you might choose to wait a few months and stay human with Edward. It may also make Jacob come around. Have you tried talking with him since the other day?"
Her crestfallen face mixed with silence told me everything. Bella shook her head.
"No, he won't answer my calls anymore! I'm so frustrated. He sent me this stupid letter and then it's like radio silence. Billy asked that I don't call anymore unless it's an emergency with Charlie. What about you?"
"I haven't even bothered reaching out honestly. I'm on the whole 'not my monkey; not my circus' mentality. I'm sure given how strongly the reaction was to you being with Edward, coupled in with the fact I am not well liked by the tribe to begin with and just barely get a pass, I will be lucky to not get ripped to shreds on the spot. Plus, Paul tends to be a hot head, in case you've forgotten. I don't want anyone getting hurt or hurting, so it's best to remain neutral."
"So Jasper hasn't told you not to go?"
"Is there a reason he should?" I asked warily.
"Alice doesn't think it's a good idea either because she can't see them. She agreed with Edward, and he told me not to hang around Jake anymore or go on the reservation. He said you would be told the same."
"No one has mentioned anything- but that could be for a myriad of reasons. I don't think anyone would expressly tell me not to do it- telling me I can't and forbidding me is just begging for me to do the thing. If Jasper asks, I'll take what he says into consideration though." I shrugged, running a hand through my hair.
Uncle Charlie wasn't home when we arrived, so we called him and then headed to bed. Bella would start back to school with them, and I had to pour myself into everything I had been neglecting. It gave me something to focus on that wasn't about Jasper. As much as I cared for him, I didn't want my entire existence to be focused solely on him. I feared losing myself, especially the more I watched Bella and Edward.
It had been almost two months since Italy, and graduation was fast approaching. I couldn't believe how the time was slipping away. We'd all settled into our respective routines, but it was as though Jasper and I couldn't get enough of each other. There wasn't enough time to be with him reasonably, but we somehow made it work. Uncle Charlie wasn't giving me a hard time about it, and he resigned himself to the fact that Jasper was around, even allowing him in the house. I had it under the guise of helping Bella study and us filling out college applications together, so we had a small group of us. Bella had even taken my advice and had Angela join our sessions as well. It felt strange at first, doing these refreshers with school, but I admit that it was nice to have people around.
I'd grown a lot closer with Rosalie as well, which surprised everyone. She and I were able to talk a little bit more about our pasts, and I think she found a comfort in the same way I did about knowing how it all feels. I hadn't been able to tell Jasper most of it. It wasn't out of fear that he'd reject me or anything; but it was more because I still had a hard time working through it and didn't know how to say it. The nightmares weren't often and he was great about never prying. Rosalie said that it had been a long time before she was able to talk to Emmett about what happened as well, so it was nice that we at least were able to confide in each other. It was through this that I learned more about healing myself and that working through toxic things was truly messy and totally okay.
Jacob was still ignoring Bella, and by extension, me. Paul and Sam had been around only once. They didn't like any of the Cullens, but weren't surprised or upset by Carlisle being there to talk with me, seeing as they needed to speak with him as well. Essentially, with them back, unless Victoria once again became a threat, the treaty would stand as it was. They told me about Seth and Leah as well. I felt bad for them, given that Seth was still so young. No one spoke about the Bella/Jacob situation. Sam mentioned I was allowed on the reservation still, so long as I didn't cause trouble. Jasper had a talk with me about his concerns, but didn't ask that I stay away, only that if I choose to go I consider checking in occasionally so he knew I was safe.
Jasper had taken me to this beautiful clearing with a waterfall one day. The sun was shining peeking through the clouds; just enough to make Jasper's skin seem to glow. This was a favorite activity of ours after school. We'd found this spot on one of our first hikes at random and visited it when we could. Occasionally, he'd pack something Esme would make for me. Today was odd. I knew there was something troubling him.
"You've been in a weird mood since you got home. Is everything alright?" I questioned.
"Is it that obvious?"
"The frown and far away look kind of give it away. Do you want to talk or do you want me to distract you?" I stepped behind him and wrapped my hands loosely around his neck. Jasper leaned into my touch.
"It's nothing much. Alice, she saw something is all. Victoria might be coming back. Edward is going to get Bella out of town to go see her mom for the weekend."
"And you're torn between trying to go after her and worrying about me?" I pressed. He nodded.
"I can't just leave you, but I can't have her changing her mind last minute to go after you either. I can't ask you to go either…." Jasper's brows knitted together and he bit his lip.
"You can ask me any of those things. I'll make sure to keep Bella in the dark and if it would make you feel better, I can go back to New York for the weekend. We can message and everything will be okay. I can also hole up in my house or in your room- even changing course, she'd never be stupid enough to trespass there. I still have a lot of things to get finished up so I would prefer not having to pack all of it up." He thought about it a moment.
"Do you think you'd be able to come over?"
"I don't see why not. So long as you don't mind the fact your room might become a disaster for a day or so, then we're good."
"Would you stay for a few days? More than just the weekend I mean."
His eyes held a pensive look as he asked. This wasn't something he did often. Usually, it was fine to sleep at my house, but I rarely spent time over at the Cullen house overnight out of respect for everyone, and to give Bella less to be upset about. She was still pretty down trodden over Jacob, and the fact that Uncle Charlie was still giving her a hard time about everything- rightfully so, in my opinion, but I know that it wasn't easy on her. Just like the stress of Edward still insisting on marriage as a condition of being her sire.
"Will everyone else be okay with that?" I asked.
"They should be. Esme and Carlisle keep asking about it. Besides, my bed is far more comfortable than yours."
"True. You have better sheets. When were you thinking of having me over?"
"Tonight if you can, but with it last minute I understand if you say no. We will be alone tonight if you can though… " Jasper's fingers laced through mine.
"Which means…?"
"We can finally watch those horror films you like so much and play monopoly without Emmett flipping his shit when he loses."
"Oh, it was only a table." I joked.
"Out the window. Off the balcony." He deadpanned. "Esme about took off both our heads for destroying the house like that."
"You'd think she'd take your arms instead!" Jasper shivered.
"No thanks. But side note- being with you makes me feel happier than I have been in a long time. It would be an honor to have you stay with me." I grinned.
"Keep the sweet talking thing up and there might be clothing removal."
"Oh?" He arched a perfect eyebrow. "Is that a promise?" I nodded, and fingered the bottom hem of his shirt.
"This being the first to go."
Jasper obliged and I followed suit, leaving only a bathing suit to cover my upper torso. I climbed onto his lap and wrapped my legs around him, knowing he would keep us balanced. We didn't need words. The kiss was more heated than some of our stolen ones lately had been. Edward had apparently complained about the PDA to more than just Bella, because for about a month things had been more…. Innocent? Still intense, but not quite as telling. Almost like a build up of sexual tension that bubbled beneath the surface, but nothing that would explode. This time it was different. He'd finally stopped holding back again. It wasn't long before his hands had snaked around me to take off my pants, and I noticed he'd lost his somewhere along the way. It was all tongue, teeth, passion, and a fight for control. These were the kisses that left me breathless and wanting more- like I could never get enough of him. His arousal was pressed against me and he was growling softly. Jasper's hands wrapped themselves in my hair near the nape of my neck and his eyes were darkened with lust. My hands hand found his hair as well, but I didn't grab it quite so rough, and I had one hand resting upon where his shoulder and collar bone meet. We stayed like this for awhile longer, until he broke away.
Jasper had me off his lap in one swift motion. I was disappointed. He turned to me.
"I promise it's not you… Well, not in the way you're thinking. That was more than we've been able to do in awhile and my body's reacting to it, much like yours is. The only difference, is that it's a lot stronger for me. Not just because of the pull- but I'm not in control right now…" He paused, frustrated, and sighed. "I feel your lust combined with mine. It's not a bad thing, by any means, but if we continued, I'd really need an extra suit to swim in here momentarily."
"So basically, you're saying in this moment, I almost made you cum." I replied bluntly. Jasper ducked his head lower.
"Yes."
"Are you embarrassed by that?"
"Just a bit. It's not something that happens very often. It never did with Alice. I don't feel like a gentleman in these instances… and even worse, I just want to get rid of the clothing and be buried deep inside you… Which you've expressed before isn't quite what you wanted. You want me to take things slow… And I want to as well, not just because you asked, but because I am so scared of messing this up."
So that's what was going on. He was overthinking again. It's weird how he could be so confident one moment and falter the next. He confessed on many occasions that he felt, especially after all that he'd done, that he didn't feel good enough for me and didn't deserve me. I did my best to reassure him each time that he was being an idiot with that thinking. It made sense that he'd feel that way though after everything that he's been through. Maria used and manipulated him, Alice didn't always handle things in the best way (to her credit, some of it could've been that it related to some of her own trauma), and then other vampires always shied away from him. He had been through more than most ever would fathom. I know things like that left scars. It made you insecure and unlovable, like there was too much wrong with you.
"You do realize that this is kind of a power trip for me? I'm actually kind of flattered that I hold that much influence over you here. Forget about trying to be the gentleman and trust that if I want you to stop; I will say the words. You shouldn't feel ashamed right now." I placed a kiss to his lips to emphasize my point. "Although, to avoid the teasing from Emmett, it's probably best that we stop for now and have some fun in the water- we can pack another suit next time, as a 'just in case'." He shot me a grateful smile as I winked at him.
Once Jasper and I were done, we headed to the station to meet up with Bella. We pulled up just as a distraught couple headed out of the station. I eyed them curiously. Edward had just reminded Bella about the tickets to Jacksonville.
"As long as you use the companion ticket." She rushed out.
"Wait, there are two tickets? Super." Uncle Charlie was disgruntled at best. "And what about you two?" He gestured to us.
"What about us?" I asked him.
"Are you taking Lily away for the weekend somewhere?"
"With your permission sir, I would like for her to stay the night and go over a few last minute things with my sister and I for colleges. I know that Rosalie will also be back in town and wants to see her, so she asked that I try and spirit her away for the weekend while her cousin is out of town. Esme and Carlisle said it would be okay, though I wanted to ask you first." Uncle Charlie eyed Jasper suspiciously and motioned for me to come closer.
"You two would be in separate bedrooms right?" He whispered.
"Even if we weren't condoms do exist and Uncle Brian beat everyone to the safe sex talk. Fear not." Uncle Charlie's eyes bugged out a little and I had to laugh. "Relax! Jasper is a bit more respectable than that. Very big into the romance and less into the 'have a go in the back seat before we're ready for the potential responsibility' type of man."
"Right…." He turned to Jasper, who looked at him innocently. "Have her home safely on Sunday. And no getting up to trouble."
"No trouble. Check. Thank you sir!" Jasper smiled, relieved. I'll never understand why it was so important for him to ask permission. It was still cute to see him at it though. No one needed to be an empath or a mind reader to know how Bella and Edward both felt in this moment during the exchange. But they had Florida, and I was about to finally have Jasper to myself.
"You two head out then and I expect a text every once in a while. I have to finish up some things here and then I will be home soon."
"Is everything okay?" I asked him.
"Yeah. Just a local that is still missing. His parents were checking on if we had any new leads. It's nothing to worry about. Go. Have fun." He glanced at Jasper. "Not too much fun though."
We got back in Jasper's car. "Does the not too much fun rule mean we can't take the bike for a spin?"
"Not quite what I had in mind, but we can if you'd like. It's not ready tonight, but I should have everything fixed up by this weekend." I cheered. "You don't get to drive it though. The roads are too unpredictable, and you don't have a license."
"That's almost fair I guess. So long as we can test drive it I'm happy. If that wasn't what you had in mind, can I ask what you were thinking?"
"Oh you know, some candles, some rose petals, soft music….. me helping you get all of those orders finished up."
"Yeah, I've been meaning to ask where the sudden influx came from. You didn't have anything to do with that, did you?"
"No… But Alice did. That piece you did for her, she apparently did a blog and linked your shop so it drove a lot of traffic to it. I'm sorry."
"I love staying busy though. No need to apologize! Though with your help I'll be caught up in no time at all…. We can't let the first part go to waste. Ruins the aesthetic."
"Right. Whatever you say." Jasper grinned, placing his hand on my knee. I was both excited and nervous; I knew he could feel it. I just hope I didn't blow it…
