When I wake, I'm still in Jasper's arms.
I mustn't have been out long, I think.
"She's awake," Edward says. It sounds like he's in the doorway.
"Thank God," Jasper murmurs.
Maybe I was out longer than I thought.
I look out the window and it's snowing.
I go to scream, but no sound comes out.
I go to move, but it's as if I'm a statue.
All my senses, strength, and speed seem to be back to human.
"Calm down, Emma. It's ok," Jasper says. He starts running his hand up and down my back.
What's wrong with me?! I scream in my head.
"To start with, you were out almost six months," Edward says.
You're not helping!
"Sorry," he says.
"Edward, I'll call for you when she's ready," Jasper says and Edward leaves.
"Emma, you have to move slowly. Act as if you were human," Jasper whispers with a calming voice.
I slowly stretch my arms and legs. Jasper stands and sets me gently on my feet. He puts his arm around my waist and holds me close.
"I'm going to stay with you until you get better," he says.
He walks me downstairs and into Carlisle's office. He picks me up and sets me on the table. He hands me a bottle and the moment the blood touches my tongue, I know something's up. I wrinkle my noise and Jasper says, "It's spiked with venom. Carlisle says it'll help you heal faster."
Heal? I don't like how he used that word.
I sniff the bottle and it smells like Jasper. I look at him quizzically.
"It's mine. Carlisle milked me like a damn snake. Never again."
I try to picture that. I end up laughing.
"Try talking."
"Stay with me," I beg. It comes out in a whisper.
"I will. I promise."
He hands me another bottle. I drink it down.
"When will I be back to normal?" I ask in a normal tone.
"Carlisle doesn't know. We have enough spiked bottles for almost a year."
I don't want to know where or how they got all that without attracting attention.
"Did you hold me for six months?"
"I did. I fed like you and when I was being 'milked', I held you with one arm."
"Thank you. I am eternally grateful."
"There's one other thing about you healing."
"Yes?"
"Either you'll get completely better, partially better, or will be a vampire with human senses, strength, and speed."
I sounds like he's leaving something out.
As I think things over, I get it.
"Will I be vulnerable like a human?"
"If the latter is what happens."
"Swear on Alice you won't leave me."
That was the only way I could make sure he was telling the truth.
He hesitates a moment too long.
"I understand."
I get off the table and go back to my room.
"Emma, I swear I will protect you," Jasper says.
"I'm sorry for what I said. It wasn't my place."
"It's fine."
I look around and listen.
"Where's Pneuma and everyone else?"
"They're in Alaska for Christmas."
"And Pneuma's near Tanya?
"Alice said she would watch over Pneuma."
"How much has she grown?"
"A good bit. She's gotten some more bulk."
I vaguely hear a car start and pull away. I guess, since I have my voice, he didn't see that he was necessary.
Jasper's phone rings.
"Hello?"
All I hear of the caller is a mumble.
"Yes. She's awake. It seems that the latter of our options is playing out."
I move to stand next to Jasper and try and figure out who he's talking to.
All I hear is a mumbled blur of words and Carlisle's authoritative tone.
"Damn human senses," I curse.
Jasper chuckles and wraps his arm around my waist, holding me close.
He hangs up and says, "Carlisle says to wait a few more days and see what your senses do and to keep you well fed."
"What does he think will happen to me?"
"He's not sure what to think. I think you'll be just like you use to be, just with human senses."
"I don't want to be damned to have human senses for eternity."
"We'll try our best to prevent that."
He takes me downstairs and gives me another bottle.
"What do you want to do?" Jasper asks.
"Could I call my birth parents?"
"Emma, it's best if you would forget your human life all together."
"I know. I just want to see something."
"Go ahead."
"Do you have my phone?"
He hands it to me.
When they answers I ask, "May I speak to Delilah?"
We'd gone to 'visit' again last summer and we figured out her name.
"Who is this?"
"Just a friend from school," I make sure I sound innocent.
Jasper chuckles. I stick my tongue out at him.
"Hello?" Delilah says.
"Hey, this is Emma."
"Who?"
"Of course they didn't tell you. Alright, go into the first bedroom on the right."
"Who is this?"
Stupid, stubborn human. I drink more and calm myself.
"That's irrelevant. Now, go into the first bedroom on the right."
I hear a door creak and know she listened.
"Now what?"
"Go to the closet."
She seems to struggle to open the door.
Good. No one's found it yet.
"It's jammed."
"Turn the handle to the left and wiggle the door up and down."
I hear the door pop open.
"It's empty."
"Like it should be. The top right corner of the carpet should be lose. Is it?"
"Yes."
"Good. Pull it up."
"The carpet's upside down."
"It's supposed to be. Now pull it up."
She screams.
"Good, you did. What do you see?"
"Is that blood?"
"Of course it is."
"How do you know?"
"I put it there."
"My parents built this house and I'm an only child. Who is this."
"Once again, this is Emma. I'm your parent's first child. They abused me and I felt like it was my fault. I'd take my anger out on myself and cut my arm. I wanted to leave my mark, so I stained the carpet. I was seven. Thank you and good bye." I hang up.
"Was that necessary?" Jasper asks.
"Would I have called if it wasn't?"
"Why did you stain the carpet?"
"My parents were obsessed with murder mysteries. My favorite was of a person being tortured to death and how, before they died, they cut their arm and wrote their name on the wall. I was also convinced my parents were going to kill me."
A variety of emotions play through me as I remember my childhood. Anger, hate, fear, and all the like.
Jasper pulls me into a hug and says, "I'll never let that happen. I swear."
I start crying with real tears.
"Dammit."
Jasper chuckles and wipes my eyes.
We sit on the couch and I curl up in his lap.
He turns on the TV and watches something pertaining to cars.
After half an hour, I fall asleep. Pure, blissful human sleep
~Jasper's pov~
After Emma falls asleep, I call Carlisle.
"Carlisle's phone, Nanu speaking."
"I need to talk to Carlisle."
"Is Emma ok?"
"Yeah. She's fine. She's sleeping right now."
"Sleeping?
"Yes, ma'am. She's become a human that drinks blood. It's too soon to tell if she ages."
"Thanks. Carlisle's here now. Give her my love for me, will you?"
"Of course."
"Hello, Jasper. How is she?"
"She's fine, really. She's more of a human that drinks blood than a vampire that has human senses. She cried real tears and is sleeping now."
"Her skin?"
I run my hand on her bare arm.
"Cold to the touch, human-like, and bloodless."
"Hmm, interesting. Call me if you find anything else. We sent a box down for you guys. They should get there today. Merry Christmas."
"Thanks. You too." and I hang up.
I kiss Emma's cheek and say, "That's from your mom."
I look at the date on my phone. Christmas Eve.