CHAPTER TWELVE:

J. Jenks Jr.

"I think it's time we pay a visit to our old friend," Jasper said one afternoon. He had been lounging in the living room while Alice and Rose played dress up with Evelyn. Alice's version was much more fun because it first involved going on an entire shopping spree. They loved to spoil Evelyn, who herself enjoyed getting new things and dressing up in fancy clothes. It was fun for Alice and Rose since Renesmee had been too much like Bella and as soon as she could argue began running away from her Aunts as they tried repeatedly to get her to be their real life Barbie.

"And who would that be?" Alice asked, plopping down on the couch as Evelyn across the room on a high stool as Rose and Esme braided her long hair into intricate lace designs. Alice noted Jasper's comment and thought about it. They had a lot of old friends. Peter, Charlotte, the Amazon's, the Irish coven, the Egyptian coven; the list could go on forever.

"J. Jenks," Jasper whispered and Alice immediately had a vision.

"That's a wonderful idea," Alice said. "Let's make it a surprise."

The following afternoon Jasper had contacted his old friend only to find out that he had passed away. Lucky for him his son had continued the business and was well aware of Jasper's unique situation. Once given the instructions, J. Jenks Jr. had promised the papers in a week. So exactly seven days later Alice and Jasper found themselves in the car and together they thanked J. Jenks Jr. for his privacy in the matter as a large sum of money exchanged hands across the dainty whit e linen table cloth of a well-known eatery.

"That went well," Alice said smiling when she and Jasper were back on the highway.

Jasper grinned. "I'm going to have to find a new forger. I never realized J. Jenks Senior had passed away. Once his son is gone there will be no one left with knowledge of our situation."

"It never fails to amaze me at how much humans will choose to ignore for the right sum of money," Alice said thoughtfully.

Jasper nodded. "His father always commented on how well preserved I seemed to be, but not once did I ever fear he would divulge my secrets. Apparently he shared with his son what our business had been, but if he suspected what I was, he didn't say anything to his son about that because I got nothing but confusion from him. He wanted to know. The question was on the tip of his tongue all afternoon, but he couldn't come right out and say it."

"Well you are a big scary vampire Jasper. He was intimidated by you."

"That's not all," Jasper quipped, turning his head to focus back on the road which he hadn't really been looking at for the past minute.

Alice raised her eyebrows and waited for Jasper to elaborate.

"He had a few choice feelings that were directed at you."

"Oh, does he wonder if I'm like you?" she asked. "Do I scare him too?"

Jasper's lips formed a straight line. "No, he wasn't as much fearful of your presence as he was dazzled by it. A good portion of his feelings were lust towards you, and a couple other emotions I'd rather not discuss."

Jasper swallowed. He had felt the hot desire in the room directed towards Alice. He didn't need to be able to read Mr. Jenks thoughts to know he wanted to run his hands all over Alice. Those emotions had been clear as day. "But I can assure you I only imagined myself killing him once, and it was a very humane kill. I didn't even picture myself tearing his arms off, which I might have done several decades ago. I must really have this self- control thing down."

Alice chuckled, "Of course you do my silly jealous vampire." Alice tucked a lock of Jasper's blond fringe behind his ear. "Jazz I feel silly even telling you this but you know you're the only one for me right?"

"I know Alice, and don't feel silly. I never get tired of hearing you say that, but it doesn't change how I feel about you or how I feel when other people think about you, especially like that. You're mine; you're not an object to be coveted. That's what this ring on your finger is supposed to mean. People these days cannot even respect the symbolic meanings their society imposes on them. There is no chivalry or nobility left in the world."

Jasper played with the wedding band encircling Alice's finger. "You are taken, by me. If I could put a bigger or more elaborate ring on your finger I would, but what I have in mind might just be too heavy." Jasper was thinking along the lines of a neon sign, but that would be too flashy.

Alice stretched to kiss his cheek and Jasper heard a contented purr from deep in her chest.

"Always know that I am yours Jasper, no matter what, but I never say no to jewelry. Diamonds are a girl's best friend after all."

Jasper laughed heartily. "Well I have my work cut out for me. No diamond could do you justice, Alice, you are much too beautiful."

It was late afternoon when Alice and Jasper surprised the family, particularly Rose, Emmett and Evelyn, with the official documentation that they had picked up earlier that day.

"That's wonderful Alice," Carlisle said giving the documents a once over for authenticity. "I was just thinking about having these made myself."

"Wow, I have a real last name," Evelyn chimed. She couldn't believe it as she ran her fingers along the black calligraphy that was her forged birth certificate. She also examined the adoption paperwork again, rereading the words Evelyn Cullen until her eyes felt like they might roll out of her head. "Thank you!" she whispered. Then her lip started to tremble.

"Honey, what is it?" Rosalie asked as Evelyn buried head in her shirt.

"I have real last name," she said again. It was muffled through tears and Rosalie's clothes.

Emmett could not think of one thing that would be more precious or adorable at this moment. He scooped his daughter off the couch and into his arms. "Of course you have a real last name, because you belong with us. You are a Cullen now and don't you forget it." Emmett tossed Evelyn into the air easily and caught her. She was in a fit of giggles as Rosalie stood to wipe the tears from her face.

"And best of all," Alice began. "Now that you're not technically a missing person anymore, you can go to school. Jasper and I signed you up today, all we need are signatures from Rosalie and Emmett and then everything is all set." Alice looked giddy. "I already laid out your clothes and everything."

Rosalie grimaced. She didn't want to send Evelyn off to school. She felt like she had just gotten her. Rose was just starting to feel her family come together. She wanted to spend as much time with Evelyn and Emmett as possible and that would be much harder if Evelyn was in school for three quarters of the time she was awake.

"No," Rosalie shook her head.

Emmett didn't object at first but he had a perplexed expression on his face. "Why would she want to go to school?" He sounded disgusted.

"Because it's a normal thing for a child to do," Carlisle said. "Now that she's officially your daughter the state will be looking to you to provide proof that she's been and being educated," he continued.

"Well can't Alice and Jasper just get some more forged paperwork?" Emmett scoffed. "School is so boring."

"Maybe for you Emmett Cullen, but Evelyn needs to have a well-rounded childhood. You can't deprive her of that," Esme urged.

"Well then it's her decision," Emmett said shrugging. "I'm not going to force her. Evelyn, what do you want to do?"

Evelyn sat very still for an abnormally long time. She was so happy she thought her heart might just burst. She clung to the piece of paper that said she belonged with the wonderful Cullen family, that she was wanted. She had parents: real people to love her and take care of her. She had aunts and uncles; a grandma and a grandpa. And the best part was that they were immortal. She would have them for as long as she existed. Evelyn had already been granted everything her heart had always told her she wanted but her mind said she didn't deserve. She couldn't ask for more, could she?

"Whatever you say daddy, I'll do whatever you want."

Emmett furrowed his brow. That was not the response her had been hoping for.

Rosalie looked at her daughter, "You want to go to school don't you?" She hadn't meant to sound disappointed. She was just stating a fact, but the words made Evelyn sigh.

"No mommy, not if you don't want me to. I'll stay here with you and daddy. I can help Grandma Esme in the kitchen and Aunt Alice likes to take me shopping. I have lots to do here. I don't need to go to school." Evelyn didn't want to make her parents feel like she wanted to be away from them, because she didn't.

"Evelyn, sweetheart, I don't want you to stay here with us just to be Aunt Alice's real life mannequin."

Rosalie suddenly felt that she wanted her daughter to aspire to more than being kitchen help or Alice's doll and for that she would need education. She didn't want to spend one minute away from her, but at the same time, even Rose and Emmett had higher education. Rose herself had finished multiple doctorate degrees in her lifetime.

"Okay, Alice, where do we sign?" Rose said, holding her hand out for the paperwork.

"Yay," Alice squealed.

Emmett pouted, "Fine, but only if the school has a football team!"

"Emmett, it's an elementary school," Edward chuckled.

"So, kids play football," Emmett shrugged.

"Not my niece," Alice said seriously. "I'm not dressing her to go get rough and tough in the mud like a dirty boy."

"Well how am I supposed to coach her from the sidelines if she's not on a sports team?" Emmett argued.

"Oh, you'll be plenty busy. I volunteered you for the PTA Emmett and first on the agenda, a bake sale. How are your cupcake decorating skills?"

"Cupcakes? PTA?" Emmett muttered, looking flabbergasted and unforgiving.

Evelyn cheered but Jasper had to move in front of his wife to protect her from Emmett's vengeful glare as Edward burst out laughing.