Three Days Later ^ Jasper POV

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Avira was sittin' in the rental car which was a metallic red Shelby Mustang; she was projecting discomfort and fear. She and I hadn't touched the topic of Peter since we left Montana, she had agreed to return to Washington with me.

I had checked us into a hotel and got us both some fresh clothes; then I had rented a car to take us back to Washington because I needed to speak to Alice and then I needed to get the Silverado and head down to Texas. I hadn't yet mentioned to Avira that we would be visiting Peter and Char. I was hoping to speak to her when we left Washington, but I don't know about driving after seeing her so jittery in a car.

"Why are you so concerned about bein' in a car?"

She had looked at me suddenly, her eyes wide as she gripped the handle on the door tightly.

"I… I've never been in a car before. I like cars… sporty cars and I like seein' 'em race, but… being in one…"

I patted my hand on her knee, chucklin' a bit. "Oh darlin'. It's alright, just takes some getting use to."

She was almost wheezing which was ironic since vampires didn't need to breathe whatsoever. A car zoomed past us and her hand was suddenly gripping my knee in a vice grip, she whimpered 'Major' and when I turned to look at her, she had he eyes tightly closed. I placed my hand over her, flooding her with calm and peace; I moved us into the slow lane, going ten under the speed limit as her breathing slowly evened out.

Eventually, Avira realized she was holding onto my leg and began to peel her fingers free. I curled my fingers into hers, whispering a soft 'Shh'. Avira took a peek at me, resisting the urge to look at the road.

"Just hold my hand darlin', we're almost there." By almost I meant another half dozen hours, but she didn't need to know that much when she was having a panic attack. I didn't think vampires could have those anymore.

After a few minutes of her silence, I returned my gaze to her. She looked pained as she tried not to move too much, her hand holding mine firmly.

"Avira..?" I whispered to her, waiting as a little 'Mm?' escaped her tightly closed mouth.

"You want me knock you out?"

She was quiet for a moment, her head nodding eventually. I influenced her slowly, it was almost like she drifted off to sleep, though her hand in mind barely released. Her frame relaxed, her back pressed into the leather seat; her breathing soft and steady.

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Washington

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I had woken Avira up when we were about twenty minutes from the Cullen home. She was much calmer being surrounded by forest than by other cars on the high way. She had let my hand go once she woke up, she was shaking her legs slowly even though she was doin' her best to keep calm.

"Now, Avira, I need to speak to Alice and then we'll just play it by ear from then alright?" I already had my plans, but she didn't need to know that.

Avira nodded quickly, practically jumping out of the car as we stopped. She breathed the fresh pine filled air deeply, relaxing almost instantly as her hand pet the hood of the car.

I resisted the chuckle that wanted to escape my mouth and headed for the house. She wasn't following, so I turned to look at her; I couldn't help but admire the "Keep Calm and Carry On" blue t-shirt she was wearin' under her leather jacket. She matched it with dark purple jeans and her cowboy boots. She looked hot.

I shrugged off my inner monologue, I couldn't help that I liked country girls. Somethin' I had realized while being around Avira was that despite how much I cared for Alice, it was time to move on. She was always bein' jealous around unmated females, always possessive and she could scare off my true mate before I had the chance to pursue her.

And even though I appreciated the Cullens and they'd always be my family to an extent, it was time for me to move on into the next chapter of my life.

"You comin' sugar?"

Avira looked at me for a moment, she shrugged and followed me up the steps into the house. As I entered, I noted that Bella, Ness, and Jacob weren't home, along with it was a week day and I knew Carlisle would be at work despite the fact that it was summer.

Edward and Emmett were playing videos games in front of the flat screen, Rose was resting against Emmett, her hips propped up onto the arm rest. I could hear Avira closed the door behind us, along with Esme coming in from the garden around the side of the house. I could smell Alice and feel her sadness coming from upstairs.

It was Rose who greeted us first, with a smile as she came over to Avira, standing a bit away as she was unsure about how Avira might react to close contact.

"Hello. I'm Rose, it's nice to see you again." She offered Avira a hand, she glanced from me to Rose and slowly took it, shaking her hand.

I whispered a soft 'hello' to my "sister" as I glided past them. I had no worries leavin' Avira with Rose. She had taken a quick liking to my little creation.

The first thing I wanted to do was speak to Alice, considering I had already called Jenkins to get divorce papers together. It was time to move on, but I didn't want any hard feelings. I knew she'd stay with the Cullens and the Cullens were family, so it was important we part on decent terms.

I firstly checked my study, which now held every single item I ever had in Alice and I's bedroom. Even my clothes were laid out on my desk. I knew by now she had to have a vision of my choice, but I felt it was important to talk it out with her.

Taking my time, I walked down the hall. Her door creaked open as she shuffled back to the bed we once shared. I knocked on the door, she gave a squeak of 'come in'.

Alice was actually a mess, which never happened. Not in all the years that I had been married to her, had she ever looked as disheveled as she was now. Her hair was unbrushed and she was wearing no makeup, now I preferred her wearin' nothing on her face, but she didn't like the all-natural look.

As her eyes slowly moved to meet mine, I could see they were not a bright gold. She had barely hunted the last time she and I had gone out since everythin' with Avira happened and it was obvious she hadn't gone out none since then.

Her gaze was close to black and they shimmered with venom tears. Alice looked away from me, her sadness, heartache and over all misery falling over me.

"Alice…" Her hand flew up, stopping me midsentence.

"Please don't say anything Jazz. . . I know you're leaving with. . . Her. I rather you just take your things and go."

"Alice, I am not doing any of this to hurt you, but seein' Avira show up made me understand that your possessiveness of me will inevitably keep us both from findin' our true mates. It's time we go our separate ways, but don't think I regret our time together. You taught me a new way of life and you and all the family will always be a part of my life."

She looked thoughtful, she simply nodded and turned her back to me fully. I sighed, I had hoped for a little something more than a nod out of her, but I let it drop. I had slipped my wedding ring off while I was chasing down Avira, I took it from my pocket and set it on the night stand, ensuring that it clicked a bit so she heard it.

"I really am sorry it ended like this darlin'… but I'll see yah soon."

Without another glance or turn towards Alice, I left the bedroom. I went into my office and packed up only books and few old things I liked to keep for the hell of it. I never really liked being a Ken doll for Alice so I left the clothes and added a few papers to my bag. I took the time to change into a loose short sleeve shirt and old faded blue jeans that I rarely got to wear anymore. When I tugged my boots from my closet, I couldn't help but smile. They felt great on my feet and I couldn't remember why I stopped wearin' 'em.

Grabbing my bag, I headed downstairs. Edward and Emmett were wrestling out front and Jacob was playin' with Ness just outside the tree line. I could see Bella and Esme sittin' in lawn chairs chattering about somethin'. The only people I didn't see were Rose and Avira.

I followed my nose and was led into the garage, where I found Rose in a crop t-shirt and her hair pulled back with Avira, both of whom were leaning over the engine of her Porsche. If they hadn't turned to look at me, I'd probably just stare at Avira's behind… she had a fantastic ass.

"Oh, hey." Avira smiled a bit, wiping her hands off on a rag as Rose dropped the hood of the car and did the same. The girls were chatting a bit about the cars engine and it seemed like Rose was trying to teach her something as they both leaned over the double sink and wash themselves up.

"So, where you guys headed next?" Rose didn't have to ask me to know I was leaving for a while. We weren't really siblings, but we might as well have been with the way she knew me so well.

"Not real sure yet Rose, but we're fixin' to leave in a bit." Avira nodded, her emotions shifting to a familial longing. I suppose she saw Rose as her sister in some form or another and it was hard letting her go after bondin' over somethin'.

I hefted my bag up and went to my truck, I tossed it into the back seat and pulled the metallic blue pick-up out of the garage and left it parked in the very rear of the drive-way. Now, it was time to talk to the family. It was unfortunate that Carlisle wasn't here for this but that couldn't be helped.

Avira followed me as I made my way to the family, Edward had Ness in his lap with Jacob beside Bella in the grass. Emmett sauntered over to hug and kiss Rose, his happiness made me nearly giddy as he embraced her.

Esme looked thoughtful, her eyes shifting from me to Avira and back again. Her emotions were calm and a bit sad, though it was obvious she knew, too. She was old enough to know when a vampire was ready to move on.

Edward didn't need to hear me speak, he knew. Just by the look on his face, I knew that he knew I was leavin'.

I sighed a little, waiting for the last of the conversations to end and everyone to look at me. Everyone was relaxed, but held serious expressions.

"I. . . Believe it's time I move forward with my life. I am not leavin' my family, I am just ready to start a new chapter. I love all y'all, but I'm ready to travel for a while." Ness was the one who looked sad, she was instantly up and gripping my leg.

"Uncle Jasper! No! You left before with Auntie Alice! Please don't leave again." Her big brown eyes were glazed over in tears, her head was pressed firmly against my thigh as she clung.

I reached down and pet her hair, another sigh escaping my lips as I looked to Jacob for help. He was best at calmin' her since she was his imprint. He made his way over, putting one of his tanned hands onto her back.

"Ness, Jazz is just gonna… go on vacation. He'll come back sweetie."

She looked up at me hopefully, her eyes glimmering as the tears began to fall. "Can't I come?"

"Oh, no little darlin'! You're mom and dad would miss you so much, and I ain't gonna be gone that long Sugar Bean."

Nessie sniffled as she slowly let my leg go. She looked totally defeated by my statement, but nodded her head as she turned and hugged Jacob tightly. I didn't like disappointing my little niece, but it had to be done none the less.

"Now… I love all of you, but I'm fixin' to hit the road." Esme was the first one to stand and hug me, she bit her lower lip to prevent a sob from escaping her mouth. She whispered an "I love you, son." Before letting me go.

And that's how the next few minutes was spent, with heart felt goodbyes and unshed tears coating my loved ones eyes. Avira was uncomfortable with the entire situation and was glad when I asked her to get into the Silverado. She was a little jittery as she sat in the passenger seat, but she was also relieved as I pulled us onto the open road, away from the Cullens; away from my past and headed to my future.

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