AN: If you're still here, thank you! If you just got here, Welcome. I'm not abandoning anything but as you may have noticed, you're children are going to graduate College by the time I finish this story, assuming they were just born when I started it.

Chapter 14

Jasper walked down the mobile stairs that pulled up to the Volturi jet for him to deplane in Seattle. He was shocked to see his sisters at the bottom of the stairs waiting with wan smiles on their faces.

As he reached the bottom, he dropped his bags and put a hard-muscled arm around each of them pulling them into a hug.

"How did you know?" He hadn't let anyone know he was coming home and he thought Alice couldn't see him because of Bella.

"Peter," Rosalie answered, returning his hug just as Alice did.

Leaning a little more on them for moral and physical support Jasper allowed himself a moment to identify his feelings. Leaning into Rosalie's neck he mumbled, "figures."

He was sad, heartbroken really. After all his mate told him she wished he was someone else, wished she was mated to someone else. The ache in his chest intensified with his thoughts and he hugged the women a little tighter.

"Thank you both for coming," he whispered into Rose's neck. He released his hold on them and bent to pick up his previously discarded baggage.

Seemingly oblivious to the audience of airport and airplane personnel around them each girl took a bag and clasped their hands in his leading him towards Emmett's jeep. Jasper didn't question the vehicle choice just started to jump into the driver's seat but Rosalie stopped him.

"I got this. You get in the back."

He shrugged; it wasn't normal for one of the women to drive unless they were alone but he didn't care.

Noticing that Alice sat in the back with him he put an arm around her, drawing her closer to his side. She had been so wonderful to him even after everything he's done to her. She was giving off nothing but calm and loving vibes as was Rose; he was basking in the relaxation it provided him. Almost immediately, he realized they were not headed home, and it became clear where they were headed when he saw they were entering the Olympic National Park.

"We just thought you could use a good hunt with family," Alice stated when he saw the sign and understood the reason for the jeep.

Soon they were off roading to a densely wooded area that Rose had to be careful not to bang the jeep on. At least if she damaged Emmett's jeep he wouldn't be mad at her and she could fix it.

When they arrived, the rest of the family was waiting in a camp they had set up. Jasper exited the jeep looking around at the tents and the fire pit that was set up.

"Really?" he questioned.

They had never actually been camping but used it as a cover many times over the years. Certainly, they had the equipment to keep up appearances, but had never actually set up a campsite.

"Yes, we all thought some time away from the world would help. School is still out and I took a week off work." Carlisle came and put his arm around Jasper in a fatherly manner. "We just want you to know that we are here for you and whatever you decide or need, we are your family."

Jasper nodded towards the group and turned into Carlisle returning his hug. This is why he was a part of this family. No judgment- only support.

Jasper spent the week with his family in the forest hunting and playing. The guys even tried their hand at fishing, catch and release for obvious reasons. The girls were getting a little tired of being dirty but no one complained. A quick dip in the lake was enough to pacify them. The couples would occasionally pair off for some time alone but Jasper was never alone. He had time to think on what he would do, and he had the quiet support of his whole family. Not once did any of them ask what happened. It was comforting to have time and space with his thoughts in addition to their show of support.

Meanwhile, back in Volterra, Jasper was unaware of the uproar he left behind. Bella was physically aching and distraught that she had pushed him away. Caius was angry enough at Bella to kill her, so he too stayed away from her. Marcus was saddened by the bonds that now seem tenuous at best between the couple. He wasn't sure it was possible to break a mating bond but they were sure giving it a good go. Aro paced incessantly trying to come up with a plan.

The real problem came when they attempted to call Jasper and his phone went straight to voicemail, this happened for every single Cullen. Demetri was called in asking where they were. After a moment he confirmed the whole coven was in the Olympic Peninsula but moving around and not always together. He couldn't find Jasper due to Bella's influence but they all assumed that he was among his family. Using a map, Demetri was able to pinpoint their rough location to the middle of the Olympic National Park and not Forks.

This was not as disastrous as they thought. Aro realized they were probably hunting, but as the week went on and Bella became unbearable to be around- crying and yelling about how she hated Jasper, it was time to put an end to all the drama.

Aro decided they needed to bring the Princess to her Prince and make things right. Their newest problem being they were unable to announce their arrival, since the families' phone have long since died or were turned off.

Marcus cornered Bella in her room as she was packing to leave with Aro, Caius, and a few of the guard.

Marcus sat on her bed next to the suitcase she was packing. "Cara, you know I love you but this has got to stop."

"I know. I shouldn't have said those things. He may never talk to me again. He hasn't called at all and I can't get in touch with him. What if I broke this? Broke it before it was ever real? The prophecy won't be fulfilled and I'll be… Alone!" she wailed. Bella fell into her suitcase next to Marcus and he gently rubbed her back.

"Serves you right," he stated and her head snapped up to look at him in anger, tears staining her eyes.

"Don't give me that look, Cara. I told you several times to get yourself together, to not lie to your beloved. I taught you that words can be powerful and since meeting Jasper you have thrown them around like they don't matter at all. You have behaved atrociously. Now, I was not as welcoming to the new Prince as I should have been. But when I figured it out, I did my best to apologize and fix it. I did not continue to act as though he did not matter to this family.

"Because of your actions, he has returned to the States and his other family. But that is not the family we want him to seek solace in. We want him here with us and you damaged that. I'll accept that you were not the only reason but you let your status here as a princess go to your head. You let your teenaged hormones go to your head, and you let your emotions- emotions that I have been teaching you to control since you were old enough to learn how, take over.

"This crying mess of a waif that I see before me, is not you. This," he gestured to her body laying half in a suitcase on the bed as he stood looking down on her. "This, is nothing like lady I've taught you to be, that anyone has ever taught you to be. You spend most of your time with Felix and I know he would not find this behavior or attitude acceptable. Nor would your former foster family- as they were aware, they were raising royalty to be royal. The only person who could even consider this normal teenager behavior would be Charlie because he doesn't know you that well."

Marcus retreated further towards the door while Bella continued to watch him with big eyes. "Child." Bella cringed, he had never called her a child, not even when she was one. "I'm only going to say this once. I love you but I do not care to ever see this kind of display from you again. You are leaving here to try to repair your relationship and finish out school when the term starts back up in August. I do not expect that you will be coming home again this summer."

Bella nodded. "I know."

"No, you do not," Marcus snapped at her. "You, this person." He again waved his hand indicating her form that was now being propped out of the suitcase on her elbows. "I do not want to see this person again. I better not ever see this person again." Marcus finished with an angry look upon his face, one that made him look like the vampire he truly was.

Bella was not scared of him but of the concept that she may not be welcomed home by her uncle. That hurt. Bella's eyes glassed over but she raised herself from the suitcase and stood tall. She then took a moment to find her emotional center. The center that she should never have forgotten as soon as she got on the plane to Italy. It was careless of her. She nodded, not having found any words to convey her understanding.

"We have one more thing to do before you leave." Marcus reached into his robe with one hand and pointed to his earlier vacated spot. "Sit."

Bella did as she was instructed, sitting tall and proper. She was a princess and she was going to start acting like it. This wasn't some reality tv show and she was done with making a spectacle.

Marcus pulled a syringe and a tourniquet from his pocket. "We must do this before you return. It's a couple weeks early but I don't think that will matter."

Bella nodded and held her arm out eyeing the small needle. At least it was small. This was going to increase the fire in her veins, the warmth that flowed through her but it wouldn't be painful. She had completely forgotten about her annual venom shot but understood. She would continue to get the shots for another 3 years. Her dad and uncles were doing it try to spare her the pain of the change but she's not sure it has been worth it. Her strength will increase, her gift will increase, her speed, hearing, everything will increase with this shot but she sat still and let Marcus give her the injection. Taking her medicine as a royal should, with grace and dignity.

"This was supposed to be his venom. He was supposed to be a part of your change but that has been ruined now also. Maybe next year," Marcus sighed as he removed the needle that had held his venom from her arm.

Bella's chest hurt that much more knowing she had taken that from Jasper and herself. He wasn't keen on the idea anyway, but she was hoping he would be willing to her give that gift. She wasn't sure who's venom she got today but was aware she had all of the brother's running within her. The last bit was supposed to be for Jasper. Her chest clenched with that thought and she gasped in pain, reaching up for her heart.

"Bella?" Marcus inquired from the doorway with a worried expression.

"Just lost my emotional center, it won't happen again," she spoke quietly as she again gained control of her emotions. Marcus nodded and left without another word or a look back.

Jasper actually enjoyed his time in the Olympic National Park and was not only full, but felt he had a better grasp on his emotions and thoughts. Emmett making jokes about s'mores and not getting too close to the fire helped Jasper relax enough to open up about his feelings. On the fourth day of their vacation, he finally told everyone what had happened as they sat around the campfire.

The family listened to his tale of horror as the woman was killed when he arrived, the dismissive nature of Marcus and the constant referral to him as Major which they knew irritated him greatly. He told them of his talks with Aro, Marcus, and Caius and of course Peter. The way he stayed in his room until she came and yelled at him to leave and that she wished she had never met him, wished he was someone else.

Esme went and sat next to Jasper and put a comforting arm around him while they continued to listen to his story.

As his story came to end, Esme consoled him, "Jasper, you always have a home here with us, you know that right?"

"Yes, I know." He leaned into her embrace.

"Jasper," Edward spoke and Jasper looked over at him but didn't move from the small woman's embrace. "I know this has been a rough road and we are here for you but what we're all wondering is, how can we help?"

Jasper nodded and sat up from Esme's arms. "I suppose there isn't anythin' y'all can do." He smiled letting his Southern accent trickle out. "I'm a big boy. I need to fix this one on my own. But this trip, this time with my family has been wonderful and I truly appreciate it. It's just what the doctor ordered." He nodded towards Carlisle with a small grin, who returned the nod and smile.

On day seven, the family began packing everything away to return home. Everyone would run home, but Emmett, who would drive his jeep loaded with the gear they had brought. The last of the equipment was loaded and Emmett had started the jeep to navigate out of the wooded area when the roar of an engine could be heard coming up behind them, probably using their tracks. Emmett worried with the new campers arriving there would not be room for him to get out but waited patiently for arrival of the vehicle coming towards them, much too fast from the sounds of it.

Hearing the incoming vehicle, the rest of the family quickly said a goodbye to Emmett and took off for home. They couldn't explain a family of seven without any other vehicles but Emmett could easily explain that he was the last one out.

A blue pickup truck pulled up behind Emmett skidding to a stop within inches of his bumper. Emmett tried not to be angry at the stupid humans driving so carelessly through the forest but it was difficult. He exited his jeep and moved to the back when he saw Demetri exit the vehicle from behind the wheel.

"Oh," he mumbled, not sure what else to say.

Demetri fired off questions in his deep voice, as he noticed all the equipment bulging out of the jeep. "They left? Will they be returning? Is Jasper with you?"

Demetri knew where all the Cullens' were but he is unable to locate Jasper specifically due to Jasper's contact with Bella. Demetri tried to avoid direct contact with Bella as his gift is sometimes needed immediately and he couldn't wait weeks or longer for it to return. The few times it had happened were deeply upsetting to him.

"They are on their way home. You can follow me if you want. We have to back out the way you came," Emmett offered.

The rest had waited in the truck and Emmett's eyes grew wide as he recognized the kings, Bella, and Felix all crammed into the extended truck cab.

Demetri nodded and got back in the driver's seat and began the process of turning the truck around to lead the way out to the highway.

Emmett sent a group text to everyone that Bella and the Kings were here and following him back to the house, not knowing whose phone would be on and charged when they first arrived home. He avoided making the call not wanting to upset the Volturi by giving the warning.

Over the week Jasper had concluded that he was going to try one last time to talk with Bella. To tell her what he felt and see if there could be compromise. He was willing to do it via phone as he was not willing to make the trip back to Italy and would not ask her to leave her family early knowing she sees them very little. He tried to rationalize her behavior as that of an insecure teenager who had been grossly misinformed about him.

He had thought they were doing well before they left for Italy but again, she had been lying to him about her desire to kill the Volturi and lack of desire to rule. She was very much their little Princess and even though they had murdered her mother she did not appear to actually hold that against them. She was under the false impression he was some ruthless killing machine and had no respect for human life. He was angry that she was dismissive of him and he was doing his best to get over that but her words still had cut deep.

When they arrived at home, they all began opening windows to air it out. It had become sort of musty inside after being closed up for a week.

Rosalie and Jasper took their bags to the laundry room, Jasper having the most since he had some from Italy also and began the wash. Many of their things were dry clean only but their hunting clothes were washable per Alice's instructions.

Esme and Carlisle worked silently to put their things away and make their own laundry piles. Alice went to her room and did the same after hopping in the shower. The rest of the family followed suit and took showers, put their things away and were just settling down when they heard Emmett coming.

They were shocked to hear not only his jeep but another vehicle following him. After sending questioning glances to each other Alice went for her phone that had been left in the bedroom. No one bothered to check their phones, since everyone was there but Emmett. By the time Alice's phone was done booting Emmett and the mystery guests were parking in front of the house.

Carlisle and Jasper used the pretense of needing to unload the jeep as an excuse to meet them outside and headed out.

Jasper froze as soon as he saw the occupants of the blue truck parked behind Emmett's jeep.

Emmett slowly got out of his jeep and walked around the front.

"They found us at the camp. I brought them back here. Sorry," he spoke softly knowing they could still probably hear as he walked past Jasper and into the house.

Jasper tried to let his anger go as they began to exit the truck.

Carlisle watched the emotions play on Jasper's face and then went to greet the kings, hoping to give him a minute. He knew this is not how Jasper wanted to confront this situation.

Jasper stayed silent and only had eyes for Bella as she exited the truck with the help of Felix.

"Come in, come in." He heard Carlisle say to everyone as he began to walk by him.

"Jasper?" Carlisle asked.

"We'll be there in a minute," he muttered.

Jasper hadn't taken his eyes off Bella yet and she nodded in agreement with his silent question. Would she talk to him?

Everyone hesitated but seeing her nod, accepted this and followed Carlisle inside.

"You're here," Jasper stated.

Bella nodded, wanting to apologize but worried it would sound fake.

"Did they make you come?" Jasper was aware that everyone could probably hear his question but didn't care.

"No, I wanted to come."

"Why?" Jasper questioned, wondering if she'd apologize.

Bella knew this was her opening for an apology, she knew she needed to apologize. There was so much she needed to say. But what she actually said was, "Because, I need to finish school."

Faster than even Bella could see or anyone could stop, Caius flew out of the house and grabbed Bella bending her over and began spanking her, probably harder than he should. He got two hits in before Bella even knew what was happening enough to protest and for Jasper to stop everything with a roar.

"Let. Her. Go!"

He moved like lightening grabbing Caius away from Bella, who was still in shock, processing new pain and without Caius to hold her up fell face first on the ground.

AN: So does he forgive her and they live happily ever after? or Does he kill Caius and start a war? Hmmmm...