The next morning Jasper loaded my bag of stuff into the truck. Alice informed me that we were going to be shopping along the way, so I didn't need to bring anything except for one change of clothes and a camera.

You can't win against Alice, so I didn't even bother arguing.

Charlie waved to us as the car pulled away. We waved back, and soon we were out of sight.

Edward was driving. Alice was practically bouncing with excitement. "This is going to be so much fun! When was the last time we actually traveled?"

Jasper offered, "First quarter of school, to Alaska?"

Edward added, "The summer of freshman year, from Alaska?"

Alice rolled her eyes, "That barely counts. I'll tell you how long it's been, nine years, since we moved to Fairbanks from Pine Grove."

I asked conversationally, "Where's Pine Grove?"

She smiled, "West Virginia. Great little town, actually."

I turned to her and invited, "Tell me some stories about the other places you've lived."

The story telling bounced around all three of them, all the way to Billings, Montana, where we had to stop for gas.

Once we were there, Edward ran to get something for me to eat while Jasper whisked me away to any small store that sold state memorabilia. Just to humor him and Alice, I got both a postcard and a key chain.

This action was repeated four times over the next day and a half. While the boys filled up the car, Alice dragged me along to quite a few stores to buy new clothes and whatnot.

Throughout the entire trip, I had been filling the memory of my digital camera quite fast. There was a lot of pretty scenery and cool buildings to take pictures of.

Anyway, I had fallen asleep passing through Albany. By the time Jasper woke me up, we were in Jacksonville.

Edward stopped the truck in front of mom's house.

Jasper smiled, "We'll see you tomorrow, Bella."

I frowned, "You're going to be gone the whole day?" I wanted them to meet mom! And Phil!

Edward laughed a little, "We need to hunt, Bella! Then Jasper has to find a hotel to check us into."

I got out of the car and opened the trunk to get my bag. Jasper appeared beside me before I had the change and lifted it himself with a smile. He gestured for me to lead the way to the house. I rolled my eyes good-naturedly and went up to the front door.

I had a key; mom had mailed it to me after they bought the house. I let myself in and called out, "Mom? Are you home?"

With an excited squeal, my mom rushed out of what I think was the kitchen and bounced over to me.

She hugged me, "Bella, you're early! Oh, it's so good to see you."

I laughed, "You too, mom. It's really been too long."

Last time I saw her was in September, when I left to go to Forks. Has it really been ten months already?

Phil came to join us and he smiled, "Hello, Bella."

My mom glanced to my left, "Hello, who are you?"

Jasper was smiling, probably caught up in all of our excitement. He did not extend his cold hand to my mom, but he did tip his head a little bit, "I'm Jasper, ma'am, it's very nice to finally meet you."

My mom grinned at me, "So this is Jasper?"

Many times, over the phone and through emails, I have talked about him to my mom. She knows about how close I am to him, and how great I think he is.

I blushed and opened the door, pushing Jasper out of it. "You have a hotel to check into."

He chuckled before sweeping me into his arms. "I'll see you soon." Right in front of my mom, and Phil, and God and everybody, he pressed his lips against mine. I naturally melted into his arms and opened my mouth a little, deepening the kiss.

Then realization struck me.

I blushed deeply and nudged him away. My eyes glittered with murder.

In front of my mother?

Really?

Jasper just smiled innocently, "Bye."

I heard Alice and Edward snickering in the car and I clenched my fists. Idiots.

My mom was smirking at me when I stepped back into the house. I rolled my eyes and tried to divert the attention, "So, where's the room?"

She closed the door and answered, "Up the stairs, first room on the right."

I grabbed my bag and scurried away. Entering the room I set my bag down and absorbed the new scene.

The foot of the bed nearly reached the door mantle, so it was about a foot away from where I stood. There was a small dresser under the window, and a closet to the left.

The room was pretty empty, but I didn't know why I was expecting anything else. I suppose I have gotten used to my little room in Forks always being full.

I sat down on the bed, and the first thing I did was take my leg brace off. It felt good to let a little cool air touch it after having it under wraps for almost two days.

I settled my injured limb on top of a pillow then lay back; glad to have a bed rather than a car to sleep in again.

I do admit, though, that it felt really weird without Jasper here with me.

Two days later we went to Jacksonville Beach to watch the fireworks show.

We set up four quilts to make enough room for the six of us. Edward and Phil were in an excited conversation about baseball.

The rest of us were sitting in a little square formation with mom.

Alice bit back a grimace as she took a bite of potato salad. I heard her chock back a cough when she forced herself to swallow.

Mom asked, "Do you want anymore, dear?"

I chuckled as Alice's eyes flashed with terror. She immediately answered, "No thank you, Mrs. Dwyer. I'm positively stuffed."

They got out of having to eat too much because I told mom they were vegetarians.

Mom directed her attention towards Jasper, who had been all but left out of the talking for almost an hour. He was a quiet person, and when you stick two over-excitable's like mom and Alice together, quiet people tend to get over looked.

She invited conversation, "Jasper, why don't you tell me a little bit about yourself?"

I rolled my eyes, but was honestly a little bit interested in hearing what he came up with as an answer.

He smiled at her, "Well, I have a twin sister. I collect stamps. I enjoy reading. Bella thinks I look great in purple, and my favorite place I've visited is Philadelphia."

Alice smirked, "The city of brotherly love."

They both laughed a little bit at the inside joke. Philly is the town that they met in. Alice waited for him for three years, and then whisked him across the country to find her soul mate, Edward.

If it wasn't for her patience, and dedication, I wouldn't have Jasper right now.

One day, we're visiting that town.

Edward popped into our conversation, "He also has the meanest Uncle Charlie of the family."

Jasper smirked, but made no move to join the boys.

I glanced inquiringly at Alice. She whispered, "That's a curve ball."

Phil grinned, "Is that so? We should all play sometime!"

Both mom and I gave him a look.

He added, "Excluding the ladies, if you don't want to play."

Alice perkily announced, "We can all play! Bella's a great umpire."

Before this evil conversation could go on any longer, there was a whistling sound in the sky and we all turned our heads.

The first firework exploded into the sky.

Mom gravitated over to Phil, and Edward pulled Alice over to him.

Jasper's arms wrapped around me and he kissed me behind the ear. "Happy fourth of July, Bella."

I leaned against his chest and got comfortable, lifting my head and giving him a kiss as a response.