Guys... this story is reallllly long. The longest I've posted on here! I hope you're still enjoying it :) This chapter will wrap up Jasper's moment in the spotlight (for now) and we'll get back on track for Jake & Nessie's wedding! YaleAceBella12 your wish is my command, and dkjkaden, so glad to see someone else loves the Cullen brothers! Everyone's reviews for this whole story have been so lovely!
Chapter 19: A Father's Love
Later, as they lay tangled in the dark grey sheets of their bed, Jasper pulled his wife close, her back pressed against his bare chest. Alice traced the one scar on his body that she had seen him receive. The one that he had gotten while protecting her eight years ago from Victoria's army of newborns. The silver half moon scar on his left forearm still looked relatively new, and painful, though he was always quick to reassure her that it wasn't. She didn't always believe him though.
"I can feel your sadness, Darlin'," he murmured softly in her ear as he kissed her neck. "What can I do to make it better?"
"Why did you jump in front of me during the battle with the newborns?" she asked, still looking at the scar. "Was it because of Aaron?"
"You were listening?"
"Yes," Alice answered, and she didn't feel the least bit ashamed about it either.
Jasper sighed as he laid his head against her shoulder. "I suppose that was part of the reason. I could't let someone else I loved die cause I wasn't there to help them. I promised you that I'd never let anythin' hurt you, Alice, and it's a promise that I mean to keep."
"But..."
"I know you can take care of yourself, Sweetheart, but I also know that I would never be able to live without you. That's why I jumped in front of you. I was afraid of losin' you. I knew if I couldn't save you, then I wanted to die with you," he said softly, and she felt the intensity of her husband's love course through her. It was a wonderful feeling, and she let it flow through every inch of her body. This was one of those times when she was grateful for Jasper's gift. She kissed the scar she'd been staring at and buried herself deeper into his embrace as he continued, "Alice, you are my reason for existing. I can't even begin to imagine living this life without you."
Alice smiled and sent feelings toward him that reciprocated the love he felt for her. She felt exactly the same way. She would never understand how Edward had managed to leave Bella, even for as brief of a period as it was, back before her sister had turned into a vampire. It was then that another thought occurred to Alice. What if Carlisle had changed Jasper when he'd found him after the battle? Would they still have met? Or would she have died alone in that asylum, never knowing her sweet Jasper?
Once again, her husband sensed her anxiety. "What's troubling you now, darlin'?" he asked, gently kissing her porcelain skin.
Alice twisted around in her husband's strong arms to face him, and asked, "Are you mad at Carlisle for not changing you?"
Jasper ran his fingers through her short black hair and kissed her forehead. "No," he sighed. "I was at first, but not anymore. I can't blame him for what happened to me in the past. That's no one's fault but my own."
Alice sat straight up in their bed, and cried, "Jasper Hale, don't you ever say that! Don't even think it! What happened to you is that horrid Maria's fault, and no one else's but hers. You are a good man. The very best! But she tricked and manipulated you into something that you're not! And then Olivia, don't even get me started! The two of them..."
"Whoa," Jasper chuckled, pulling her back down beside him. "Calm down, Alice darlin'."
"No," she pouted, but she scooted closer to him and lay her head on top of his scarred chest. Even without having to use his powers, Jasper's nearness was enough to soothe her a little. "I won't calm down until you understand what a wonderful man you are."
Jasper smiled, circling his arms around her, and pulling her up so that her body was laying on top of his. He kissed her perfect nose.
"You don't believe me," she frowned. Jasper sighed. Even when she frowned she was beautiful.
"Yes, I do," he said, her favorite crooked grin on his face. "Do you know why?"
Alice shook her head. "I believe it, cause you make me a good man," he said sincerely. "Everything I am is because of you. That's another reason why I don't mind that Carlisle didn't change me. If he would've, I might've risked the chance of never meeting you. And that, my dear, is not a chance that I am willing to take."
She giggled happily and placed a kiss on his lips. That was the answer she had been hoping to hear.
"I just hope you never meet up with Maria," he said.
"Why?" she asked, a bit insulted. "I could take her."
"I know, and that's what I'm worried about. Just a minute ago, when you were so angry, your pupils dilated like lasers were gettin' ready to shoot out of your eyes. It was pretty scary, Darlin'. Maria wouldn't stand a chance against my pixie," he chuckled.
"Not when she messes with my husband she doesn't," Alice agreed. Then added, "I wish my eyes really did shoot lasers. She'd be the first one I'd aim them at."
Jasper laughed again. Oh how she'd missed that sound! Her true love's laugh had been far too seldom lately. It was good to see him smile again. Alice gently caressed his cheek, her eyes shining bright with her love for him. His topaz eyes reflected the same love, and she knew that this was all she could ever want in life. This was all she ever needed to be happy. And Jasper knew that as long as he had Alice by his side, he would be strong enough to handle anything that came his way.
The next day, Jasper approached Carlisle again, but this time, there was an entirely different subject on his mind. "Carlisle, I wanted to apologize for my behavior yesterday."
"Jasper there is no need..." Carlisle began, but Jasper stopped him.
"Yes, there is," he said, looking at the kind man who stood before him. "My actions were inexcusable. I had no right to get so angry with you. I realize now that you only did what you thought was best for me. Under the circumstances, I would've done the exact same thing."
Carlisle nodded, "Thank you, Jasper. As I said, I would have done things differently had I only known how much pain I could've saved you."
"I know," Jasper smiled, a lump forming in his throat, his eyes burning with the tears he could not shed. "Carlisle, you are the only father I've ever known. You have no idea how much I appreciate everything you've done for me. I only hope that I have not let you down."
Carlisle was amazed by Jasper's admission. He had always hoped that Jasper considered him as his father in some way, for it often seemed as if he never really felt as though he fit in with the rest of his siblings. Carlisle had never been so happy to be proved wrong in his entire existence. "A father's love for his children knows no bounds," he said, placing his hand on Jasper's shoulder. "You have never let me down. I have always been proud of you, my son."
Jasper felt as though he would burst with happiness. He couldn't believe how much his life had turned around. He could finally try and put the past behind him. As the two men embraced, Jasper managed to choke out, "Thank you... Father."
