Made For Them

Chapter 14: Jasper's Heartbeat

I know, I know I took a Christmas break - shoot me, but I'm back and look I'm even starting you on this new year with a little fluff. I know some people wanted a christmassy update but I didn't know how to fit that into my story so you got stuck with this.

Enjoy!

Jasper was as exhausted as a vampire could be, well maybe not quite that bad but still it had definitely being a long couple of days. From that first moment in the cafeteria when he had caught her scent to the meeting with the wolves to now where he planned his date with his mate and watched over a healing wolf boy.

He was incredibly amused by how his family bent over backwards for the creature that was meant to be the enemy just to keep their mate happy. Well maybe some of them were just doing it for Bella but then there would be others within the coven who were doing it because they were genuinely good people, for example Esme and Carlisle doing everything for anyone out of the kindness of their own heart, the fact that it pleased their mate was merely a delightful bonus.

It was weird for Jasper to be blanketed in a layer of contentment. It was a foreign feeling, especially to this magnitude. There'd been many positive emotions over the years but never anything as wonderful as this. Then again, they'd never had a mate before this, how had they all survived before this? She was sat in the main armchair that was usually Carlisle's. The large squishy beast enveloped her making her seem all the smaller, her head lolled against the arm rest as she watched over Seth. He was getting better, practically healed in fact but still he could feel a steady current of worry for the wolf boy under the content that she felt from being around her mates.

A wave of almost cloying jealousy washed over Jasper, his head snapped up around the room and looked for the source, he couldn't understand the emotion right now, his family had found their mate, albeit it being the same person and the Volturi all had their own mates even if they weren't currently in this room. But then Jasper thought deeper and came up with two candidates for the bitter emotion, one being King Marcus, his mate was dead, killed by werewolves, Jasper didn't want to contemplate how that may feel but he doubted it would come from him, he was constantly surrounded by mated pairs in the Volturi castle and would have come to terms with it all by now, well as much as one could come to terms with losing one's mate.

So that left Edward, yes it had to be him, it must be hard to go from being in a group of unmated vampires to being the only unmated one in less than twenty four hours. He could only imagine the thoughts the mind reader was being assaulted with, all centered around their pretty hybrid. But he had no one to think of himself in return. Yes, Jasper would definitely take having to share his mate over the monotony of having no mate. At his realisation a wave of gratitude washed over him confirming his thoughts to be correct.

Bella couldn't believe how deliciously comfy this large chair was, Carlisle's scent clung to every fiber calming her even further. She wasn't sure how she had become so lucky, she hadn't expected to find one mate in her long immortal life but here she was in the home of her six mates. Their scents weaved around each other's through every room of the large house making her feel safer than she had in a thousand years. Then her children, Alec had been with his mate for around a century now, happy with her but now by pure chance and good timing Jane had found her mate, he was rough but as long as he treated her girl right she didn't mind how he looked. And then Seth, he had being through hell but he was safe now, on the surface of healed, her mates taking such good care of him that she could never repay them.

Yes everything was falling into place, she would enjoy it while it lasted, she didn't have enough faith to believe that it would last but she would bask in this utter peace while it was here but face the enemy when it came. She could only guess that the enemy would end up being them blasted wolves but alas she would take what she could in this life. She was ridiculously excited for tonight, she felt the age she looked, a teenager barely out of high school. In nearly a millenia she had never been on a date and this would be her first, an experience that she couldn't wait to have. If she was honest she didn't want anything big or extravagant for her first ever date, she wanted something private, meaningful. She had seen dates on the television and some of them were just downright corny, it was sickening, and that was coming from the girl who couldn't be sick. But it was Jasper, she couldn't imagine him being corny, maybe a bit cliched, definitely sweet but definitely not corny.

No if she expected corniness from any of her mates it would be Emmett or Alice. Carlsile or Esme would probably do something traditional like a dinner date or well something similar. Then Rosalie she had no idea what to expect from the woman. Just as she was contemplating this a sneeze erupted through the room drawing Bella's attention. She had known who it was as soon as the sound had started, mainly because there was only one creature in the room capable of the sound. Bella chuckled lowly before unfurling from her position on the large armchair. Seth definitely looked a lot better. She walked by the side of the sofa where he was laid and crouched down.

"Hey, how are you feeling?" A muffled yawn broke from him as he smiles wolfishly at Bella.

"I'm a bit achy but a thousand times better. They think I'm dead because my bond to the pack broke, that usually happens when a wolf dies." He was so excited by this news but also a little sad that he no longer had a pack.

"Can you still shift?" Fear flashed in the wolf's eyes, it had being scary when he had first shifted but he couldn't imagine life without shifting, especially when shifting gave you immortality. With his new family he would need it.

"I don't know. I hope so." Bella wrapped her arms around him in comfort.

"It's okay, we'll find out soon enough. We'll try tomorrow for now rest a bit more, I'm going out a bit later but I promise you'll be completely and utterly fine." She sent a warning glare around the room telling everyone present that if they went against her and the boy was harmed there would be trouble. With a grumble, Seth agreed. He hugged her back, squeezing tightly before letting go. As soon as she had let go of the wolf, a hand was grabbing her arm pulling her up.

"Come on Isabella, we've got to get you ready." Bella stood with a smirk.

"Firstly, it's Bella, Isabella makes me sound as old as I actually am and secondly we? I'm pretty sure I can dress myself, you only want to come with so you can see me naked." She sent a wink to the almost blushing Pixie. She pouted up at her mate, her eyes begging to let her have her fun. Alice was positive that she was going to get her way when Jasper just had to put his two penneth in.

"Alice, how can you dress someone for a date that you have no idea about?" In return Alice snorted, an eyebrow raising as she cocked her head to the side.

"Jasper..." She drew his name out as if he was a few screws short. "Of course I know what's going to happen, I've seen it! And it's very cute, she's gonna love it... now I have the perfect outfit and you're gonna love me for doing the impossible and making her even more gorgeous." Alice finished her speech by planting a cheeky kiss on Bella's cheek. Jasper just rolled his eyes, used to Alice's fanfare and made a shooing gesture towards the two girls. Bella giggled slightly.

"Jane you coming?" The girl in question looked from Garrett's amused face towards her mother's begging face and nodded before soundly kissing her Garrett. She pulled away from him before she got carried away and followed her mother and just one of her mates up the stairs. The house was large, especially for the town it was in, but then again it had to house a lot of people. The decor was okay but too bright for Jane's liking, she preferred the darkness of the castle but each to their own.

Jane had almost laughed at the begging look on Bella's face as her mate had dragged her up the stairs, she had looked terrified of the small girl even though Bella was a lot stronger than her. She followed behind, not quite sure where she fit into this barbie session, into a large, entirely too pink room.

Bella stopped when she saw the room, her eyes widening in a mixture of disgust and horror.

"Please tell me this isn't your room Alice?" It had passed beyond garish and into over bearing. Alice turned to look at her mate, an offended look in her eyes. Bella hoped it was because she thought it was her room and not because it was her room and Bella obviously hated it.

"No, this is the dressing room, there's a closet over there, bed to lay out outfits, then a vanity table." Bella nodded her head with a raised eyebrow. Why did they have such a scary dressing room? Did the guys get dressed in here as well? Poor them is all she could say.

"OKay mystic Meg apparently you have the perfect outfit." Alice nodded, her eyes widening with excitement as she clapped before stepping over to the wall. She pushed a small button and mother and daughter watched in awe as the wall pushed upwards and a walk in closet, which was more like a room full of clothes, was revealed. Jane and Bella turned to each other sharing a look at the magnitude of it all. They could hear Alice dancing around the place, doing this, that and the other before a few minutes later she reappeared dropping a selection of fabric onto the large unneeded bed.

"Right Bella, I guessed your size, I think I'm right but anyway we need to make you into a southern Belle. Look I even have cowboy boots for you!" She seemed so excited by that very fact, she plucked them from the pile, holding them up for the two women to see. They were beautiful, they were a work of art, a sandy tan coloured leather ingrained with crimson swirls, stitched delicately into the surface. Bella adored them and she had to applaud Alice on her fashion sense.

"What else have you got there?" Bella's smile now matched Alice's, excited about the selection and the date the selection was for. Next alice picked out a checkered shirt, it was tight with crossing patterns of red, blue and black. It didn't button until it reached her cleavage, designed to emphasise a girl's assets, it tied just above her belly button showing a tempting space of mid-driff. Then to complete the look a small pair of light blue cut off jeans. The outfit was gorgeous.

"I didn't get a hat out because if Jasper is still a good little southern boy he should give you his Stetson and if he doesn't just take it!" Bella nodded at Alice's orders with a laugh. Minutes later she was dressed, making sure in the process that she flashed Alice just a little. She heard the little pixie's intake of breath in these moments and she couldn't deny that it was very gratifying. Once she was dressed Alice dragged her over to the vanity table.

She picked up the foundation, placed a little of the liquid on her fingers and was just about to place it on Bella's face before her face broke out in an adorable little pout.

"No makeup, you're too gorgeous for makeup." And then again she placed a kiss on her mates cheek, every one causing a tingle to linger on her rosy lips. Jane rolled her eyes from the corner, suck-up is what Alice was being.

"Here Alice, give here, the idea isn't to cover, it's to accentuate. Light eyes will make the brown seem darker, more alluring, then a crimson colour lip gloss will make her more tempting because it plays on your blood lust as well but no foundation, we have perfect skin by default." Alice looked at the blonde girl in surprise, she had forgotten she was there to be honest. She nodded and stepped back letting Jane to the make-up table. The blonde twisted bottles and little plastic cases trying to find what she was looking for before she hummed in happiness when she landed on a particular bottle. Perfect.

Alice and Jane were both excited to present Bella to Jasper. Their joint work was wonderful even if they did say so themselves. They walked downstairs side by side, the taller girl behind them. When they reached the bottom, they stopped, shared a look then moved to the side revealing Bella and her ensemble.

Jasper had been stressing since the three girls had gone up stairs. He had heard what Alice had said but she could be wrong, there was always a first time. When they had reached the bottom he had his head ducked placing his Stetson on his head. But when he lifted his head he was frozen. Gorgeous did not adequately describe the beauty before him. What little air he needed to speak left him as he gazed up at her, Alice had transformed her into a southern Belle, and for the night at least she was all his. After sending a wave of gratitude to Alice he strode over to Bella where she still stood on the stairs. He took his hat off and placed it lightly on her head, careful not to mess with the gentle curls, before holding his hand out.

"Ma'am, you look stunning." She smiled at him almost shyly as she took his hand and seconds later they were gone, sitting in Jasper's truck.

"Where are we going, Jasper?" He could feel her waves of excited curiosity. He sent her a wink before he pressed a button on his stereo. A lilting tune played out, clearly a country song. It was only a short section, possibly the chorus but it told her quite a bit.

Tonight I want to drive so far

and only find static on the radio

And we can't see those city lights

And I love the way you look in the firefly glow.

Saying everything without making a sound

A cricket choir in the background

Underneath the harvest moon

Standing on your shoes in my bare feet

And abruptly the song cut off, as if it was made to just play that part of the song. As it had played Jasper had sang along, giving Bella the impression he was familiar with the tune. The woman singing had been beautiful but it had nothing on his deep tone, she could just imagine the scene being sang, it sounded beautiful.

"You know that last line? Does that mean we're dancing?" Jasper nodded before pressing the play button again sending the last line of the chorus into the truck.

Dancing to the rhythm of your heartbeat.

Bella rose her eyebrow at Jasper.

"You don't have a heartbeat Jasper." He laughed at her outright.

"I know Darlin', I've made a playlist that I'll play from the truck." She nodded at him and they drove on in content silence.

"What was that song, the one you played?" Bella had enjoyed it, she hadn't recognised the artist but then again she didn't listen to country often.

"That was Heartbeat by Carrie Underwood. She's contemporary artist and has an amazing voice." She nodded at him settling deeper into the leather that was moulding to the shape of her body. His gentle southern twang rolled over her lulling her into an almost sleepy calm. It was almost an hour later that Jasper pulled off revealing a large field surrounded by forest, the only break being the small trail they had entered by, you had to know it was there to find it. It was beautiful. The trees created a shaded canopy for the lush green littered with small flowers. In the midst of the trees were sets of white fairy lights creating a surreal glow. Jasper took the large car and parked it in the corner before jumping out and going round to offer Bella a lift down. She didn't necessarily need it but it was the gentlemanly thing to do.

"It's beautiful Jasper." Flashing her a cheesy smile he replied.

"It doesn't hold a candle to you." She giggled softly as she swiped playfully at his arm. He was so sweet even though she knew he could be incredibly dangerous. Jasper pretended to rub his arm before tugging her arm to bring her from the truck.

Almost clumsily she fell into his arms, her arms wrapping around his torso as their chests pressed against each other.

"Fallin' for me already Darlin'?" She laughed airily as she stood back up but didn't put any distance between them both.

"Oh shush and take me dancing, Cowboy." He nodded before going over to the large truck in the corner. He jumped easily up to the cab, leaned in so his torso was stretched taut and if Bella was honest the view was nice, very nice. She heard the dull click of the stereo before the whirring of a CD in the player turned and by the time he was back by her side a few stray notes of a song was playing out. She quickly recognised it as the song that Jasper had briefly played on the way. She smiled slowly before easily accepting Jasper's outstretched hand.

A tingle ran from one to the other from the contact as Jasper pulled Bella closer into his chest. In a tribute to the song Bella kicked the wonderful boots off her feet before stepping from the soft dewy grass that tickled her feet to Jasper's own darker sturdy boots. In many ways it reminded her of being a child when Caius in a moment of rare sweetness had taught her to dance or well had led her around the ballroom standing on his feet. But this was different for starters she definitely did not feel the desire to kiss her uncle and the crickets didn't create a background tune to an unknown singer and Jasper's honeyed voice.

Slowly one song faded into another, this time a male voice with a similar honeyed tone to Jasper's rang out but it was no where near as intoxicating. Jasper didn't sing along to every word only the chorus.

we're buzzing like that no vacancy sign out front

you're skins begging to be kissed by more than the sun

you take my hand in yours

you lean in and your lips taste like Sangria

your lips taste like Sangria

The song if possible pumped up the tension between the two, dark eyes stared mercilessly upon one another.

"Want to test that theory Jasper?" Bella's question came out low and husky, her desire filling him like a beautiful drug. Their dancing came to a lulling stop though the music still weaved around the pair. He leaned in close tilting his head so his nose was buried into her neck. He pulled in a long languid breath savouring her comforting scent. A hum close to a purr broke from his throat vibrating from his lips to her neck. In response a moan was dragged from Bella, her neck tilting sideways to allow Jasper all the more access.

"You don't smell like Sangria, you smell much better, much more complex." Bella smiled in pleasure around her desire. When Jasper rose up once again his eyes were trained on her, such tenderness lying where once there was once only horror, love swimming where before only hate for this world stood flat and dead and a smile where before the closest was only an evil smirk. Yes the family had saved him but she, this unbelievably beautiful, troublesome hybrid had brought him back to life in such a short time. He leaned forwards, her face dwarfed by his strong hands. His callouses carressing along the curve of her cheek.

Bella's breath quickened in anticipation, the scent of candied apples blowing over Jasper in a taunting pattern. But then he wasn't surrounding her in the most amazing way, she was pushed behind him, his arm pulling her in a protective stance against his back, his back stiff as he crouched looking dangerously into the quickly approaching night forest. Bella sniffed the air and caught what she had missed with the distraction that was Jasper.

Vampire. And it wasn't familiar.

So as mentioned in the story the first song was Heartbeat by Carrie Underwood (love her music, it's amazing.) And the other song was Sangria by Blake Shelton.

It's always upset me how my friends haven't understood my love for country music, it's a rare thing here in good old England, and I'm just naturally strange. Do you know how hard it is to get a pair of Cowboy Boots in England? Very hard and that makes me very sad so how about you wonderful people...

REVIEW They'll make me just as happy as getting cowboy boots ;)

Shezza