JPOV

A few hours later we pulled into the long drive of the house we would be staying at. It was a Spanish/Mediterranean style home that had four bedrooms and 4 bathrooms. I grabbed the bags as Bella climbed out of the car. Her jaw dropped and hung wide open as she took in the view.

"How did you manage to get a house like this in the middle of the night?"

I put my free arm around her waist and rested my chin on her shoulder. "You should know the answer to that question by now. I have connections."

"I knew that, but in the middle of the night?"

"Money talks, Darlin'. Money talks."

"Sure it was the money and not that sexy Southern accent you have there, Cowboy?" I had to chuckle at that one. I took hold of her hand and began walking towards the door.

"Come on. Let's take a look inside."

I opened the door and carried her bridal style over the threshold. No matter where we went or how many years we had been together, I would never stop. It could be another suite and a different hotel, it could be another house we had bought or had circled around to visit. It didn't matter how many times we had been there. I would still do it; until the day I stopped walking this planet. Bella had learned long ago that I wasn't going to change. "Your Southern gentleman upbringing" is what she liked to call it. She just smiled and hugged me tight as I carried her. It was our 'thing' and to hell with anyone who didn't like it. She was my bride and I would always do right by her.

I brushed my lips along her jaw line and brought my lips to hers before placing her safely on her feet. She took a step to begin exploring the house, but I wasn't done with her yet. I grabbed her elbow and swung her back around. I dipped her low and gave her a kiss to end all kisses. It made her knees week and her body turn to jelly.

"I am never going to get used to that, Mr. Whitlock. Ever."

"I sure hope not, Sweetheart. Gives the ego a boost when you react like that."

"I thought that when I was changed you would stop being able to dazzle me like that."

"I'm not so sure it's me who's doing the dazzling." I gave her another peck on the lips and said, "Go take a look around. I'll go put our things away." She waved me off with her hand as she took in the beauty of the house. I left her to wander as I took our bags upstairs.

BPOV

I slowly turned in circles as I took everything in. The house was beautiful, and there were lots of windows all around. Out the back you could see the inlet that led to the ocean. There was wrought iron all over the place. It gave the home a feel of antiquity and classic beauty even though it was only a few years old. I would have preferred to stay in a much older home, as would he, but with all the planning that we needed to get done and how rowdy Emmett would be once he saw everyone again, I wouldn't want to take the chance. I knew we could afford to have everything fixed up just right and could have probably done the work ourselves, but I didn't want to ruin something that was so beautifully old and historic.

I began to walk slowly through the house. Looking at the kitchen we wouldn't use, the living room with a fireplace in the center of one wall and a huge flat screen TV on another. There was even a black grand piano for Edward to play if he wanted. I peeked out the back windows and saw the pool and hot tub. Looking out towards the other houses, I was satisfied with the amount of privacy Jasper had gotten us on such short notice. At least they are far enough away to not see or hear us if we want to play in the pool all night.

I could feel that familiar tug from my still heart and began to walk up the staircase at human speed. My fingers were trailing along the iron banister, taking in its beauty. I could feel all of the tiny imperfections as my hand trailed its way to the top. At the top landing, the entire hallway was open to below. All of the rooms were around the outside of the living room, similar to a hotel we had once stayed at in Atlanta. I walked into the master bedroom and saw our bags. I looked at the huge bed and sighed at how comfortable it looked. A quick peek in the bathroom revealed a Jacuzzi bathtub in the corner, surrounded by columns and a huge walk-in shower surrounded by glass. I seriously think that could fit the entire family and half of the pack!

The French doors that led to the balcony were open wide and the ocean breeze was blowing the drapes softly. As I made my way over the door I caught his scent before I saw his silhouette. I crossed my arms over my chest and leaned against the open doorway. I would be perfectly content to spend the rest of eternity just watching him; I loved it. Both of his hands held the iron railing firmly, but his stance was relaxed. As he moved to see the different views I could see the muscles under his shirt ripple and shift. I walked up to him slowly and wrapped my arms around his middle, resting my cheek on his back. He moved one of his hands to cover mine and gave a small squeeze. I could feel that he was just as content and blissfully happy as I was. I was dead, and this was my heaven.

JPOV

I could feel her chest rise as she breathed in my scent. As she slowly exhaled, I pulled her in front of me. She leaned her back against my chest and rested her arms over mine. I brought her even closer to me and laid my chin on her head. We both just stood there enjoying the peace and serenity. That is one of the many things I loved about her. No words needed to be spoken. No actions needed to be taken. We just simply felt at peace in each others company. We listened to the waves crashing on the shore. We could hear the water lapping up against the stone wall that had been created by nature, not by man. It was so serene.

She turned in place and put her hands on the sides of my face. Slowly she leaned up and placed a soft, slow kiss on my lips. I could feel butterflies in my stomach and electricity seeping out through my chest and groin. A small smile passed my lips as I pulled her closer to me. I would never, couldn't ever, get enough of her powers, especially this one. I closed my eyes and thought back to the times that we had discovered each one.

We were lying on the roof of our family's home in Forks. She had straddled my lap and placed her hands on my face. She leaned down to kiss me and that's when I felt it. I couldn't help the gasp that passed my lips as I experienced the foreign pleasure that filled my body.

"What's wrong, Cowboy?"

"I just felt weird, but in a good way, if that makes sense."

"That depends. What did you feel?"

I went on to describe what I felt. How suddenly it had happened, when she had kissed me, and how suddenly it had stopped. I gave her each tiny detail I could describe from the few moments I had felt it.

"Hmm. That's exactly how I feel. Are you sure it isn't your power that caused you to feel that?"

"No, Darlin'. That's not how my power works. I feel it mentally more then physically. It's hard to describe but basically my brain registers the feelings and then I can feel them physically. I never feel them emotionally though. When that happened it was like it was coming from the center of my soul. Let's try it again and see if I can explain it better."

She kissed me once more, but I didn't feel it. She placed her hands on both sides of my face and looked to see if I had a reaction. Again, I felt nothing. I asked her to try what she had done the first time so she placed her hands on both sides of my face and kiss me again. Like the first time I felt the foreign and amazing feeling again.

"I think it has to be your hands and lips for me to feel it."

We tried her hands on other parts of my body, kisses on my check and neck too, but it never repeated unless they were both on my face and her lips on mine.

"Maybe we should try with the others?"

"I am not kissing our brothers or father, Jasper!"

"What about Alice or Rose?"

"I bet you'd like that wouldn't you?"

I rolled my eyes and answered, "I didn't mean it like that. I refuse to share you with anyone, Darlin'."

A short while later the whole family had gathered in the living room to hear about this power or whatever it was. First she had tried on Alice. It was just a small, chaste kiss like she had given me, but she felt nothing. She tried on Rose; nothing, unless you count the wolf whistles from Emmett and the growl from Edward after he heard Emmett's thoughts. Rose told her to try with Emmett. Reluctantly Bella did the same to Emmett.

"I didn't feel anything like Jasper did, but that was one hell of a kiss. Let's do that again, Bells!"

SMACK!! I'm sure that was heard for miles. Rose certainly laid one on him. We were all surprised that his head wasn't flat in the back. Let's just say that was the only thing that Emmett felt for the rest of the night and for a few weeks after. Begrudgingly Bella tried with Edward, but only after Alice swore she wouldn't get mad. Of course we had to wait for him to stop being a prude. It was just a small kiss. Edward also felt nothing.

Bella put her foot down with Carlisle and Esme though. They were both thankful and understanding with that choice. Carlisle thought about it for a little while. Edward would nod or shake his head to answer the thoughts drifting from Carlisle's mind.

"I think it has to do with Jasper's power and the fact that he changed Bella. They share a bond for him being her sire and the fact that they are mates."

Carlisle went on to explain other ideas on how it could be possible. Both Bella and I agreed there would be no more trying, with anyone, ever. We would be very happy to keep this power between the two of us. When Emmett began to whine and complain he received another SMACK, and a third, for good measure. This time it was from both Rose AND Bella. That's also how he ended up with no sex for a few more weeks.

I let out a small chuckle. Bella gave me a curious look and raised an eyebrow at me.

"It's nothin' Sugar. I'm just remembering the night we found out about that power."

"Wasn't that just a barrel of laughs?"

"It sure was for everyone, except Emmett of course."

She just rolled her eyes and laid her head on my chest, listening to my unneeded breaths passing through my dead lungs. I lowered my nose to her hair and breathed in her scent as I thought of the next power we discovered.

This one happened to be fire. She loved it because it was purple and it didn't hurt vampires. It had the same elemental properties as normal fire, except for the color and the whole not-killing-vampires aspect. That last bit made her very thankful. It was one of the most hilarious situations when this particular power showed itself.

Emmett had been begging her to play video games. After ten hours she was tired and had had enough. When she would beat him, he would whine. When he would win, he would gloat and talk shit for the next 3 games.

Alice had begun shopping for a new television about a half-hour earlier. Bella was about to ask her why when the reason finally showed itself. She had just thrown the controller through the now 'old' one. She just couldn't take anymore of it. Emmett's jaw dropped down to his chest and his eyes became as wide as saucers. When it had finally sunk in he basically threw a screaming, whining tantrum that would put a three-year-old to shame.

Later, when he had finally calmed down—with my help of course—he came up with more ideas. First he begged her to arm wrestle. When that didn't work, he challenged her to a race. After she had turned that idea down, he boasted that he could catch the biggest bear with one hand tied behind his back. After a very noticeable eye roll from Bella and a snicker from Alice, he taunted her that she couldn't possibly lift more weight then him. He tried all the tricks in the book, things she had easily given in to before. I guess that wasn't going to work tonight. It was too bad that Emmett couldn't take the hint.

"Emmett! I. Said. No. Damn it!"

"Come on, Bells. Are you afraid I'll win?"

"For the last time, NO! It's only been 6 months since I've been changed. I'm faster then you, stronger then you and have always been smarter then you. Now LEAVE ME THE HELL ALONE."

She let out a long breath, probably counting to 10 in her head, and flopped down on the couch. She threw her arms in the air and let them fall over her eyes to block him out.

"Geez, Bella. You don't have to be mean." Emmett was such a cheater. He went straight for the guilt card. That was playing low, but of course she fell for it.

"I'm sorry, Em. But I just want some peace and quiet. Go play with Edward."

"He's BOR-ING. He only wants to do things he knows he can win at."

Just then Alice came skipping over and answered, "Well if you wouldn't pick things only YOU could win at then maybe he wouldn't do the same."

Without really needing to, she let out a scream, "Edward!!! Please come and play with Emmett. Bella and I are going shopping."

"No, we are not going shopping."

"No sense in fighting it Bella, I know we will." She tapped her index finger on her temple as she spoke.

"I hate to tell you, Alice. This time you're wrong."

She turned on the puppy dog eyes and stuck her bottom lip out, "Please, Bella? Rose and I really want to go."

"Great. Then the two of you go without me."

I finally gave in and came in from the back door. I was returning from hunting when I heard the commotion begin. I thought it was safe to come inside, but when I felt the frustration and exhaustion coming off of her I wasn't so sure. She gave me a sad look and turned toward the stairs to get away from Emmett and Alice.

"Come on, Alice. Let her be. She doesn't want to go now. Maybe later?"

"The stores will be closing in 10 hours. If we go later we won't have enough time."

Then it happened. That was the whine that broke the vampire's back. Bella whirled around on the stairs and her eyes turned an odd shade of violet. As the seconds ticked by, her human blood that still hadn't left her eyes began to swirl together with the new violet color. The energy coming off of her caused her hair to blow softly as she took deep breaths. Her fists were clenching into fists and then loose again.

Edward had just come down the stairs. He was about to ask what was going on, but Bella spoke first. Her voice was deep and barely audible when she spoke. It would have been damn sexy if it wasn't for the power rolling off of her.

She inched her way towards Alice and Emmett. She was stabbing her finger into his chest as she spoke.

"I want you to listen to me and listen well. Emmett, I am not your personal play toy. I am not like some imaginary friend that you can force to do whatever you want. You need to learn to entertain yourself or play nicely with Edward."

Alice had a smug look on her face until Bella turned towards her, "And you Alice, I am not your personal shopping assistant. I don't mind going once in a while, but not all the time. I certainly do not like going on your shopping extravaganzas where we shop 'til we drop in each freaking time zone. Rose…"

Before she could continue the flames came to life in her palms. She was so focused on what she was saying that she didn't even notice. The four of us froze. Our eyes grew wide and our mouths dropped open as she continued.

"I will play when I want. Shop when I want. If I don't want to then I won't. Period. Take it or leave it. Like it or not. You will listen to me and you will respect what I say. I am NOT a human anymore and I will kick your asses if I have to. Do I make myself clear?"

Before any of them had a chance to answer, I slowly stepped forward. I reached a hand towards her, trying to get her attention.

"Darlin' look at your hands."

"Why do I need to look…? Ohhh…"

She looked down and immediately started hyperventilating. I sent calming waves towards her to try and keep her level-headed. I didn't need her to freak out anymore. We didn't know what the flames were, how they worked and Carlisle wasn't here. Damn it! I didn't want to take any chances in case they might grow.

Thankfully, as she calmed down the flames died down as well. She dropped to her knees and sobbed tearlessly. I took her hands and examined them. Not one thing wrong. There was a small scorch mark on her shirt sleeve, but other then that, nothing. I took Bella in my arms and picked her up. As I walked towards the stairs to take her to our room, I told Edward in my head that we needed to talk to Carlisle as soon as he got home. As I passed him, he nodded his head in agreement.

Over the next few months we worked with Carlisle separately to determine the triggers and meaning. He had done a lot of research and while it was rare, it wasn't unheard of. Of course it hadn't been heard of in over five hundred years. Leave it to my girl to be pretty much one of a kind. During this time she learned to control it. She could even make it appear and disappear at will.

That's how we had so much fun in Salem a few years back.

I slowly started walking backwards towards the door. I wanted to try out that big, comfortable bed in there. We had a bit of time before the family arrived. I wanted to enjoy it while we could. I love our family more then anything, but they could certainly be a handful. This would be the last few minutes of alone time we would be having for a while and I wanted to enjoy it. Bella just followed me, never questioning or protesting.

She climbed on to the bed and I joined her. I grabbed the book off of the nightstand so I could continue to read to her. Just as I had settled back against the headboard, waiting for her to snuggle up and join me she stopped, "As much as I would love to hear you read to me in your sexy, southern accent; I had other things in mind."

"What would those be, Darlin'?"