Author's Note: - WARNING - TEAR-JERKER AHEAD
Tear warnings ahead - it broke my heart to write this chapter - and before you grab your torches and pitchforks - it HAS to happen this way for how I have this story written in my head. I promise it is not the end. Heck it's New Moon and there are a bunch fo twists and turns in this book - my version will be no different.
THREE
"Jasper…say something, you're scaring me."
Jasper sighed, I hadn't realized he had been holding his breath.
"I'm sorry, I am upset." Jasper said slowly.
I noticed his hands tightened slight on the steering wheel.
"We all are, it was an accident."
"Masen overreacted," he growled.
"Yes he did," I admitted.
There really was no reason for Edward to react the way her did, Jasper was in control and my sister was in no danger, especially since I was standing beside her. With my good arm I tugged on his sleeve, he glanced over at my pleading face.
"Stop being cranky," I said.
He smiled and took my hand, kissing it softly. I admired my bracelet on my opposite hand.
"You like it?" he asked.
I nodded smiling.
"It's beautiful, now I have little pieces of you wherever I go," I said smiling.
"You feeling ok?" he asked glancing at my arm?
"It hurts a little, but I'm ok." I said softly.
"We'll get some ice on it later," He said frowning.
My smile faded at his tone.
"It's not your fault Jazz," I said quietly.
"I know that,"
"Then why are you so mad?" I asked.
"Part of me wishes Masen would give me more credit than he does," Jasper admitted.
I nodded.
"None of them really give you enough credit, not only do you have to contend with your own thirst, but everyone else's emotions and thirst too."
Surprise littered Jasper's face.
"I think you're one of the few people who've considered that."
Before I could respond we arrived at the house, the truck was already here, Bella was already home. I frowned glancing up at the window.
"They're canoodling aren't they?" I muttered.
Jasper snickered.
"Yes, although their canoodling and ours is quite different,"
I flushed at the replay of that had nearly happened earlier.
"Are you coming up?" I asked.
Jasper's eyes darkened.
"As much as I'd like to finish what I started, I don't think that's such a good idea while you're injured."
I flushed deeper.
"We don't have to do that…" I muttered.
He chuckled, his fingertips brushing against my heated skin.
"I'll be by in a while." He promised.
He kissed me softly. I exited the Mercedes and up the stairs of the house. Upon entering, I heard the announcer on the TV.
"That you Lettie?" Charlie asked sleepily from the couch.
He was laying on the couch, his head on one end of the sofa and his feet on the armrest of the other.
"Yea, how was the game?"
"Not bad, winning so far. How was the party?" He said gesturing to the score on the TV.
"Over the top, Alice had candles, flower, cake the whole nine yards" I said.
Charlie chuckled.
"Sounds like her" he mused.
I stifled a yawn and he looked up with a soft smile.
"Go get some sleep."
"Yes sir," I gave him a kiss on the cheek and headed up stairs.
Bella's door was already closed, I brushed my teeth with my left hand, which let me tell you was harder than it looked. When I felt semi-refreshed I went to my room and closed the door. Jasper was lying on my bed, boots off on the floor beside him, staring at the wall, I almost imagined a hole being burnt in it. Smiling softly I walked over to him, and sat on the bed beside him he pulled me into his side, tucking me against him. His cold body felt amazing on my arm, the numbing agent wearing off slightly.
"Arm botherin you?" he asked.
"Not anymore," I murmured snuggling into his side.
I felt him chuckle.
"Come let's get you in pajamas before you fall asleep on me."
I groaned in protest and he just chuckled lightly pulling me up in sitting position. Somehow he'd procured a pair of my fluffy pajama bottoms and matching long sleeve top. Pouting I went into the closet to change. The bra was relatively easy, the shirt was tricky as it hurt to stretch out my arm to get into the sleeves. The pants were slightly trickier, I went out to the bed struggled with them before Jasper finally seemed to take pity on my struggles. Carefully he tucked both feet in before sliding it up both legs, I felt his fingers skim along my skin up my legs and up over my hips. I swallowed thickly. My eyes noticing the dark amber undertones of his own.
"Wasn't on purpose," I teased lightly.
His face was suddenly impish.
"I know,"
He cradled my face with his hands and kissed me, when I needed air he released my lips and kissed my forehead tenderly. I ambled into bed and Jasper lay beside me, I pressed my injured arm to his side.
"Your arm is hurting," he said shortly.
"Better now," I murmured.
He shook his head but made no movement to get up or move. Instead he wrapped his arms around me and I fell asleep.
The next morning, Jasper – like the good southern gentleman helped me get dressed, and made sure I had Tylenol and water before kissing my check promising to pick me up for school. I was up earlier than Bella, and Charlie helped me with breakfast when he realized I had hurt my arm. When asked how, I told I was trying to help Emmett install Bella's birthday present and I got hurt. Something still me and still believable.
After a boring bowl of Cheerios, Jasper was outside, slinging my bag onto my shoulder with my good arm I go outside. I admit was slightly sad when I didn't see the motorcycle, but was still happy to see Jasper leaning against the side of Emmett's Jeep. Helping me with my bag and into the Jeep I clambered inside. While Jasper took his time, human speed to go around to the driver's side I felt like I was being watched. Looking up towards Bella's room I saw Edward there, his face eerily blank and lifeless. It was cold and unnerving. I shivered, a low growl from Jasper brought my attention back to the driver, and he was glaring at Masen from his spot in the Jeep. When I looked back, Masen was gone from the window.
"Is everything okay?" I asked quietly.
Jasper frowned but shook his head, knowing not to press I gave a gentle squeeze to his hand, he gave me a soft smile and returned it.
The next few days went on like they normally did but the air was still thick and tense. Rather than join our usual group at the lunch table, we sat outside in the courtyard. I noticed Edward seemed emotionally distant, well more so than usual even to Bella. He had come over earlier tonight and he would have won a competition between himself and a statue. He kept himself away from her. Sitting in the armchair rather than by her side. She glanced at me and I shrugged. I was in the middle of getting ready for bed when footsteps alerted me to a presence in my room. Whirling around I saw Jasper, well, Major actually. He was not happy.
"What's wrong?" I asked my heartbeat picking up.
"There's a family meetin', you need to be present,"
I frowned.
"Is everything ok?" I asked.
He shook his head once.
"No."
I swallowed and shrugged on his sweater, my arm still ached a bit, but not nearly as bad when I first got it. I say 'my' sweater, it was actually one of Jasper's. It was way too long on me. I wore my warm pajama bottoms and the sweater over a tank top, shoving my feet in my boots I turned to Major who eyes me with appreciation in his eyes.
"Still like my clothes better on you," he said kissing my forehead.
I smiled, and he helped me onto his back. Tucking my hair and pulling the hood over my face, I tucked my head into his neck. A tap on my butt alerted me that I could look, kissing him on the neck I released my hold. He gave me a look but set me down. Taking my hand he led me into the house. Everyone – minus Edward – were there. Their faces upset. My anxiety immediately was alerted. A wave of calm, tried to taper it off, but the anxiety was stronger. Jasper pulled me onto his lap - cradeling me between his legs his arms around me, the calm seemed to stay longer if he touched me. Pulling my hood down, he buried his faced into my hair, inhaling.
"What's going on?" I asked quietly.
No one spoke for several minutes. Emmett finally grimaced and roared before stalking off outside. Rose gave me an apologetic smile, and walked off with him, her face wasn't much better. Carlisle sighed, running a hand through his golden hair.
"Edward wants the family to leave."
The words, hit me with an icy splash. I swallowed, though it was hard to as the words seem to stick in my throat.
"Why?" I whispered.
Esme looked sad.
"Because of what happened on your birthday, it's a very real fear to have Bella attacked again."
"Jasper was in control," I argued.
Carlisle nodded.
"He was,"
"He doesn't give Jazz enough credit. He has to his own thirst, and the thirst from all of you that night and he still didn't attack Bella, she was in no danger and he still reacted like that." I argued.
Carlisle eyes were alight in recognition.
"He is insistent,"
I felt tears watering up in my eyes, I ducked down to hide my face in Jasper's arm, clinging to him.
"I still think this is asinine." Rose bite out harshly.
I hadn't realized she had returned into the room. Emmett was still missing.
"It's what he wants," Esme said softly.
"And we should just go along with it? Because it's what he wants? Just because he's having second thoughts about her shouldn't punish us all." She bit out.
"Why is he doing this? It'll destroy her," I murmured leaning into Jasper.
"He believes she would be better off without him, maybe find someone more human to end up with. So he wants us all to disappear, like we never existed." Carlisle responded.
I felt my hold on Jasper tighten, and his on me tightened as well.
"Send his own gloomy ass back to Denali then," Rose muttered.
"We're a family Rose," Carlisle chided.
"I'm not leaving Lettie," Jasper said seriously.
Carlisle sighed.
"Is there a way to leave and come back later?" Rose asked softly.
She looked teary eyed.
"Edward wants to erase our entire existence."
The words were spoken and I felt them echo in my chest in sharp pain. I clung to Jasper like a lifeline. And he was, this entire family was my lifeline. They had dragged me up from the dark pits in my life. I wasn't ready to given them up yet. Not when I had just gotten them. Jasper wrapped his arms around me tight, well as tight as he could without hurting me, and just held me.
"This isn't fair Carlisle," Alice said brokenly.
It was what we were all thinking, Alice just had the guts to say it. I felt Carlisle's eyes on me and then on Alice. Whatever the silent conversation was Alice shook her head and I did see a drop in his shoulders.
"We leave in the morning," He said quietly.
There were angry and sorrowful hisses everywhere.
"I am sorry Lettie," Carlisle said brokenly.
"Maybe it's better," I said brokenly.
I felt eyes on me.
"Maybe Bella would be able to expand you know? She's so obsessed," I said brokenly.
"We're aren't leaving you, I'll email and text you every week." Rose promised.
I gave her a watery smile.
"Edward won't like that," Carlisle said warily.
"Edward can kiss my – "
"Rose!" Esme said warningly.
Rose stopped but the implication hung in the air. I played with the bracelet on my wrist, it tinkled as the charms moved together.
"Keep the charm bracelet and your ring, I'm comin' back for you." Jasper vowed.
I nodded, my heart breaking into tiny pieces.
"If Masen goes anywhere near Lettie or her things I'll rip off his other arm," Jasper vowed vehemently to Carlisle his eyes dark and unrelenting.
Carlisle frowned but nodded.
"You're still my patient Lettie, and you will continue to me, we'll email you every week if that's what you want, but you cannot let Bella know that we're still in contact with you." Carlisle relented.
"She won't."
The house fell silent, after a few moments I got up and hugged everyone, Emmett came back from outside, there was various debris along his shirt, knuckles and arms. He held on me the longest next to Rose. Jasper scooped me up and before I could blink…we were in my room. Everything looking a little darker, and colder. Tugging off my boots, he set me in bed and I tugged him beside me.
"Stay with me…please…"
I may have been begging, I may have been pleading, but Jasper offered no resistance as he pulled off his own boots and climbed into bed beside me. He held me close, whispering declarations of love, assurances, anything as he kissed me, my face, and our hands memorizing each other's faces. Finally exhausted hit me hard as I fell asleep in his arms.