Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight or the characters. This is purely a work of fun I decided to create out of my love for Alice and Jasper.

Authors Notes: Sorry I've taken so long to update! This chapter was a lot of fun to write so hopefully it's length will make up for the lateness. I hope you all continue to read and enjoy my story, and I am open to any comments or questions you have about the story. Continue to be amazing and reviewing! I love it all! So enjoy!!

Thanks to:

Everyone who added me to his or her story list!

ladylovercsi08 – ahaha! Yes it was hott!! I am not teasing, okay a little. But it's all supposed to be tasteful and realistic, or at least realistic in my eyes. Glad you enjoyed it. =]

wes – Addictive? Wow thanks!! Hope this chapter's a good one too!

butterflybabe23 - *Biggest smile* yes, I loved that. I knew it had to be apart of the story b/c its so perfect in description. And a build up of relationship is what makes it so much fun! And your obsession for my story is most appreciated! ;]

Muna – Wow, that is some compliment! And it made me feel so amazing, although I know I'm really not as good as her =\. But that's okay! I shall hopefully continue to entertain you with my overly descriptiveness. Haha! –PS. Music = my life. It makes ideas flow better too.

Kimbercat98 – yes! that is what I am trying for here! So cool that you feel that.

You'reTheMoon – he's my favorite! =]

Meralie – I do? SWEET! I felt like he was the most difficult to portray. And I think I would say it's more difficult for Edward. Jasper can be apart of the emotions and let loose into them. For Edward, his control is the only thing keeping the person he loves alive. If he even for a second let himself get wrapped up in the feelings of having her blood, he could kill her. And the knowledge of knowing you could kill the person you love with one slip up must be much more conflicting than someone trying to control their sexual hunger fed to them through emotions. Idk... do you get what I mean?

MotocrossHottie089- Update! Hahaha. Hopefully you'll like this post.

Angelofmort- yeah I usually hate the non-vampire ones, but this involves both so it's different but still similar. I understand what you mean with the POV change, but I think it could lead to too much of scene repeating, and I want to have as much flow as possible. And thanks for the Alice compliment! She just appears to have such an innocent idea of life, I guess b/c she didn't remember the tragedy of her human life until much later in the books. But her innocence is what makes her so relatable too.

Music:

"Keeping Me Alive" – The Afters

"I Need You" – Jacks Mannequin

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Keeping Secrets

Jasper PoV

I walked hand-in-hand next to Alice into the cafeteria, a pained expression pulling at the skin on my face. I don't know if it was the rowdy mixture of flooded emotions that disturbed me so much or the disgusting food that cafeterias normally associate with. Or maybe it was a combination of both. Either way, lunch was not the place I found myself looking forward to each day.

I noted the small freshman girl running after a boy behind us and easily lifted our hands and glided slightly away from Alice to easily let the girl run between us and through the door. I couldn't help the smile that came across my face when I realized Alice had taken the gesture as an offer from me to spin her rather than its real intended purpose.

Her little dance show no doubt caught a lot of attention from our friends, because when we made it to our usual table, Jessica and Angela were staring at the both of us. Angela had this humorous look, her mouth lifted at the corners and her eyes soft and dazed, meanwhile Jessica looked ready to throw up at the extra happy bounce in Alice.

I felt a spike of annoyance rise in me towards Jessica.

I had to continuously remind myself that she was just jealous that she didn't have anyone to spin her around in public to keep me from spitting cruel words at her.

I took the seat next to Alice's, our bodies falling into the pull of gravity we shared; my hand falling behind her back and her body shifting into mine, subconsciously keeping our closeness anytime the other moved. I hadn't really noticed it at first, but picked up on it after a bit of teasing from Mike.

I ran my fingers up and down the grey cardigan she wore over her navy blue tank top. It amused me how fashion obsessed she was, always making her own statements with her cloths rather than following the "it" trend of the month. I had tried to explain to her one night that her enjoyment for trend setting was the same feeling I had for history, and that a war novel to me was like a new outfit for her. She had stubbornly shaken her head in defiance at me and tried to argue about the apparent "lack of excitement" in reading and how shopping was a therapeutic hobby that she just happened to enjoy. Her argument was a poor one that made no sense, but I humored her anyway and let her win.

I moved my hand up to Alice's neck, pulling at a strand of inky hair in attempt to get her attention.

She turned her face in my direction, after stopping her conversation, with a beautiful smile directed towards me. The color of her eyes had a spark to them today, making them look like dancing flames.

"I wanted to ask you if you would like to come to dinner tonight? I wanted to introduce you to everyone before they went on their hiking trip this weekend." I was nervous asking her, although I already knew the answer.

She was light up like a Christmas tree. Her excitement spilled out of her and into me in a contagious way making my own smile reach my ears. I wasn't even able to control the laughter I was letting out that her face created in me.

"Jasper Hale! Are you saying you would like to take me home to meet your parents? What a relief! I was beginning to think I wasn't 'take-home' material!" She was teasing me of course, but I still couldn't help but feel slightly guilty for keeping her from them.

I trusted my family. It wasn't a matter of me thinking she would be a meal for them, rather what they had as meals that would most definitely terrify her.

"Shut up," I teased, "Just say yes and I will pick you up at seven tonight."

"Well of course yes!" She placed a steady hand on my thigh and leaned up to kiss my cheek.

I felt my face heat up slightly from the very public display of affection, and wiped my suddenly sweaty palms over my black jeans.

The rest of the day had gone fast, each class suddenly speeding up. I was on my bike on my way home and having a minor inner-war over the events that I feared would take place later this night.

Every time I got closer to Alice, the more I put my family into danger. I knew that if word got out about me bringing another human to my home, the Volturi would have a field day.

But I knew I had to take this step with Alice. She was already so much apart of who I was and I needed my family to see that, to see what was keeping me alive these days.

I had tried to explain it to Rosalie the other day. I told her that it was like I had never lived before Alice and how so much was missing in me and I never even knew. She nodded like she understood, but I don't think she really got a good grasp on how much I meant it.

When I finally made it off my bike and into my house, I felt a wave of nausea wash over me. In a heartbeat Edward was beside me, wrapping a supporting arm around my shoulders.

"Stop thinking so much into this Jasper. It's just one dinner. They did it for me when I first brought Bella home, it's not any different for you." Edwards voice was trying to reassure me, and it slowly was working.

I needed to think about how happy it was going to make Alice. It was all worth it to make her smile.

I smiled thankfully at Edward and walked with him into the kitchen, the scent of cooking food filing my nostrils. Esme was an amazing cook, always trying new recipes out on me. Tonight smelled like spaghetti and sauce, which made the most sense. Food was a difficult thing for vampires to consume, but was tolerable when it was something light and easy to regurgitate.

"Jasper! Come here and try this, I need you to tell me if it's too tomato-y. I want it to be more rich than ketchup-y." Esme said the words without real knowledge of what either tasted like. I laughed at her antics and rounded the island in the center of the cooking area and wrapped my lips around the sauce-covered wooden spoon she held out for me.

I groaned in satisfaction at her and she smiled smugly at me. "That's amazing Esme. I don't know how you do it, but you do it perfectly! You're the best mother in the world!" I laid the appraisal on thick, but I meant each word.

She kissed my cheek in appreciation and I could feel the love in the act.

I ran upstairs after the taste testing and attempted to figure out what I would be wearing that night, knowing I had to look my best. It wasn't every day that I took a girl home, and I wanted to make it the best experience as possible.

I rummaged through my closet, trying on random styles of shirt and pant combinations. I was growing frustrated after about thirty minutes of this and decided it was time to bring in the only fashion guru I knew next to Alice. "Rosalie! Come in here and help me before I rip my hair out!"

In a flash the grinning beauty was beside me. "Let's see, we need something to make you look at least half way decent…" She said it in a thoughtful voice, more to herself than me.

I bared my teeth at her and she patted my head like I was a child throwing a temper tantrum.

"I'm only joking! Take a joke Jazz and pull the stick out of your ass." She was looking over my wardrobe with a thoughtful gaze before she perked up and pulled something out. She turned and faced me with two articles of clothing in her hands, one being a plain black button down and the other a pair of my new dark blue jeans. "See, it's casual yet dressy. Say's 'this is a relaxed occasion but an impressionable one'."

I stared at her with a 'what?' expression written clearly across my face. She opted to roll her eyes at me and threw the cloths at my head instead of clarifying what she had just said.

"Just put them on and wear those black and white sneakers you love so much. That way it still looks like something you would wear." She threw her hair over her shoulder and pursed her lips at me.

"They're called converses' and what do you mean by that last comment?!" I began to pull my white sweater I wore to school off and replaced it with the black shirt, buttoning it as I watched her walk away muttering something incoherent.

I was dressed completely and had groomed my hair into the tamest curls I could manage. I sprayed the black walnut cologne Esme had gotten me for Christmas on and smiled approvingly in my mirror at my reflection. My teeth were brushed, my breath minty, and I looked better than I had in a long time. I even felt better, my nerves from earlier finally at rest. Tonight was going to be good. I could just feel it. Or maybe it was everyone else's excitement over tonight that was affecting me so much. Either way, it was a good sign.

I left the house after receiving approval over my appearance from Rosalie, and took Edwards Volvo to Alice's house.

I pulled up to the house at exactly seven, and walked out of the car and up to her door. I rang the doorbell once and waited, my nerves suddenly washing over me again. I felt like I was going on a first date.

The door opened and I straightened my posture and plastered a hopefully calm grin on my face. My mouth went dry when I finally got sight of her. She was beaming at me, her small frame wrapped up in a tight short-sleeved black dress. The dress stopped about three inches above her knee and flowed freely from the waist down, her small feet encased in a pair of black round-toed black heels. Her make up was done lightly and her hair, which had grown out a bit sense I had first met her, was in their notorious spikes with a charcoal silk ribbon being used as a headband.

I could feel my heart pick up a fast pace and ran my hand through my hair in attempt to calm myself down a little.

I reached my hand out to her, which she instantly took, and leaned down to kiss her full lips. Her laugh rolled onto my lips at me for lingering longer than necessary. I pulled a way, a bit embarrassed, and pulled her in the direction of the car.

I didn't need to tell her how I felt, tell her how she looked; it was clearly written across my eyes and face. There were no words to describe what I wished to have said to her in that moment.

When we pulled up to my house, I pulled her in for one more kiss.

"Ready?" I asked, although that was stupid to ask because she was practically running from the car to the front door, completely forgetting me.

"Come on slow poke! Hurry up!! Oh yum, I can smell the food from here!" She exclaimed from her position at the door. I only laughed at her excitement, walking up to the house and pulling open the door.

Here goes everything…

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Alice PoV

I was so giddy I could barely contain it. I reminded myself to act like a lady before walking into the beautiful home. The first thing I noticed on the outside was all the floor to ceiling windows, but once I got inside, I noticed how all of the back walls of the house were made up of glass. Jasper had explained that his family was very much the outdoorsy people and nature loving, but I didn't get the full grasp of his meaning until know. To say the view of the lake in the distance and the acres of woods were beautiful would be an understatement. It was all just so breathtaking.

I became aware of Jasper pulling me by my hand through the hallway and towards the open kitchen. An incredibly young and beautiful woman was standing behind the stove pouring what looked like sauce into a saucer. Her pale skin glowed against her brown hair. She lifted her gaze to me and I was greeted by a pair of honey brown eyes before words could escape her mouth.

"You must be Alice! I'm so glad to finally be meeting you!" Esme, I was assuming, opened her arms to me and beckoned me to her. I instantly walked around the island to greet her in a hug. "And you must be Mrs. Cullen! I've heard so many amazing things about you! Jasper speaks about you more than anyone." I was surprised by how cold she felt, considering she had been cooking over a hot stove. I wasn't surprised, however, by the comforting feelings that washed over me at her touch. You could just see by looking at her that she was a loving and nurturing woman, and it was even clearer through her hugs.

"Oh please, call me Esme!" She pulled me back to look me up and down at arms length and smiled widely at me and turned to Jasper, "Well you sure did pick the prettiest one didn't you Jasper?"

Her compliment made me blush and smile. Jasper looked like his face was going to split in two from the grin that overcame him. I could tell he was proud that I received an approval from his most adored mother.

I watched as another person walked into the room, a man who looked no older than thirty-five. He placed a large hand on Jasper's shoulder and was smiling warmly at me. His hair was blonde like Jaspers, but more of a pale wheat color than vibrant honey. He was handsome and had the same color eyes as his wife. He had this intelligent air about him, like he had a lifetime of knowledge, kind of like an old person who had 'seen it all' in their many years.

"Pleasure to meet you Alice, I'm Jaspers father. Please call me Carlisle." He lifted his hand off of Jaspers shoulder and held it out to me.

"A pleasure to meet you too Carlisle!" I took the offered hand in a firm grip, again surprised by the cold touch.

"We were all so delighted in hearing you would be joining us for dinner. I hope it will be more often from now on." His voice was soothing and light.

"As do I!"

"Come on then, I'll introduce you to the rest of my children." Carlisle offered his arm to me, which I took, and walked with me out to the dinning area.

I took note at how beautifully furnished the house was and made a mental note to ask Esme about who her interior decorator was.

We stopped at a large cherry wood table in the middle of an incredibly large dining room that occupied the rest of the Cullen family.

I did my best to not stare in awe at the obscenely beautiful faces. It was a girl with long chocolate brown hair that stood first and walked up to me.

"You must be Alice, I'm…"

But before she could finish, my mouth blurted out her name for her. "Bella! Uhm, yes… I could tell from the way Jasper speaks about you. It's nice to meet you!" My voice sounded more excited than necessary if you asked me, but I couldn't contain it any longer.

"And you must be Edward! I've heard you can read minds pretty easily! I thought that was so cool when Jasper told me! What am I thinking now?!" I was shaking with excitement and barely noticed the wide-eyed look the bronze haired boy was giving me from my outburst. Surely I looked like a maniac.

"You're not a maniac… Just overly excited…" His tone was low and almost inaudible, but I caught his words and just let my mouth hang slightly open.

"Wow… You really are good!" I smiled approvingly at him. It was cool to know I wasn't the only gifted person at the table. I watched him give me one last strange look before turning away from him.

I turned my face to the next man sitting across from Edward and instantly knew whom he was. "And you're most definitely Emmet! Wow, you must be really good at sports! Just look at the size of you!" I attempted to contain my laugh by placing my hands over my mouth. His black curly hair and big dimples made him seem more like a cuddly bear rather than a ferrous one, which might have been someone's first opinion at first glance, what with his size and all.

Emmet let out a burly laugh, practically shaking the house. "Whoa! She sure is a spitfire, huh babe," His large elbow knocking into the girl beside him.

"Sure is babe…" Her voice sounded like bells, and it went right along with her appearance. She had to be the most beautiful person in existence, what with her long blonde hair and porcelain skin. She was the only one at the table who I had feared about meeting. She was the only person directly related to Jasper, the only one who knew him from the beginning. I felt it was necessary to meet her approval above all the others.

"It's a pleasure to meet you Rosalie. Jasper didn't do you justice when he told me about you." I tried to sound more composed when speaking to her. I then caught sight of the stylish pair of red stilettos that she was wearing and once again lost all control of my mouth. "Oh my God! Those are some killer shoes! You have got to tell me where you got them!" Fashion would probably be the death of me…

The perfect face light up slightly at my compliment over her shoes and pulled the chair next to her out. "I know. I saw them and had to have them! Here, sit next to me and I'll tell you all about the horrendous trip at the mall I took to get these."

I was elated at the request and squealed inwardly. I sat at her requested seat and watched as Jasper took the chair next to mine. I could see how excited he was over my acceptance from his family and relayed my own happiness through a warm smile. I turned back to Rosalie and listened intently to the story she animatedly told.

I was slightly grateful when it ended, not that it was boring, fashion was always a welcomed topic with me, but I wanted to be able to speak to everyone else more.

Esme and Carlisle had just finished putting the food on our plates and were now seated across from Jasper and I.

"Dig in Alice, I hope you like it!" Esme watched me with waiting eyes to take the first bite.

I rolled the spaghetti around my fork and took it into my mouth. My eyes instantly closed and I smiled around the food. It was the best home cooked meal I'd ever eaten. "You're a cooking prodigy Esme! It's amazing," I said between bites.

I felt Jasper's hand squeeze my knee before he began his own eating.

Light conversation spread around the table, each member of the family having something to ask me. I was happy that they were all so interested in getting to know me, but I lead a fairly boring life and had nothing seriously interesting to share.

The topic changed about halfway through the meal, everyone around me eating at an oddly slower pace than Jasper and me. The boys were in a vigorous conversation about sports, while Rosalie and Bella discussed the weekend trip with Esme.

I was content with just listening to them all, not really ever having eaten with a family before. It was fun to watch how they all interacted with each other.

It was the topic of baseball that caught my specific attention. Emmet was talking about a new pitchers mitt he would have to break in before their trip.

"I love baseball! Do you all play often?" I asked, suddenly thrilled that I had something in common with the family.

"Usually only when it storms… Hey! Watch it!" Rosalie shifted her gaze to Edward and shot him an evil glare.

"Why when it storms?" I asked suddenly more intrigued.

"Because it makes it more challenging," Jasper's words flowed easily and I didn't hesitate to believe him.

"That makes sense." I agreed because it did make sense, or maybe because I wanted it to… Either way, it didn't really make a difference. Baseball was baseball. Nothing complicated about that.

"So what position do you play?" Bella's curious question directed towards me.

I grinned smugly, "I'm definitely a pitcher. I've got a wicked arm!" I felt special to be able to say I did something they all enjoyed doing. I secretly hoped I could come out and play a game or two with them all and really show off my throwing skills.

"Nice! You know you look small, but you probably can pack a pretty good punch. I prefer shortstop myself, but I pitch every now and then. You should come out and pitch a few balls sometime!" Emmet seemed thrilled with his idea, and so was I.

"We'll see." Was Jasper's reply for me before I could even open my mouth to respond.

I turned to look at him and figure out why he would say that, but he had his face buried in his food, unwilling to look me in the eye. I chose to ignore his comment and answered for myself. "I'd love to Emmet. Thanks for the offer." I smiled kindly.

After we all finished, well mainly Jasper and I had finished, everyone else had mostly poked the food around their plates, I helped Esme clear the table. I had insisted that I help wash the delicate plates with her.

"I've been meaning to ask you Esme, Who does all of your decorating? Your home is magnificent!"

"You think so? I've taken up a bit of a decorating hobby since Carlisle and I moved around so much. I needed something to do when I was stuck home, so I picked up re-fixing old houses and transforming them into different ideas I have. I'm glad you like this one so much! It's my favorite out of all the ones I've completed."

I absorbed her information like a plant does when it's watered, retaining all of the valued information she had offered to me; like the fact that she had moved all around the world, and once lived in Spain for a year. She and Carlisle had led very interesting lives before settling down and adopting their family. I inwardly hoped that Jasper and I would be able to one-day travel together.

It was close to midnight when Jasper decided it was time for me to leave. I felt instantly sad at knowing I would have to go.

I said my goodbyes each Cullen member; hugging both Edward and Bella, being pulled off my feet into a bear like hug by Emmet, and even lightly kissed on the cheek by Rosalie, who more or less told me I would be taken on her next shopping adventure. Esme kissed my forehead and told me to come back anytime I wished, and Carlisle shook my hand and expressed his happiness at meeting me.

I wished desperately for Jasper to suddenly change his mind and ask me to stay. The family had welcomed me with open arms, and it felt so wrong to have to leave them all and return to my prison of a home.

The thought of my mother instantly left a sour taste in my mouth.

I looked back once more at the perfect picture of a family and prayed to God that I would one day never have to leave them.

"We need to talk." Jasper and I had been sitting in silence the whole trip. We were currently pulled in front of my house.

I noticed how far off his eyes seemed. "Sure… are you okay? Did I do something wrong at dinner? I know I speak too much sometimes, but it was just because I was so excited and you know I get like that when I'm excited!"

He stopped me from continuing with one look.

I noticed how he was searching me, like he was trying to figure out if I was ready to hear what he had to say.

"Come on Jasper… You're scaring me…" I could feel panic raid my chest and suddenly my mind was running through the events of the day, attempting to see where I had gone terribly wrong.

"I need to tell you something… Something very serious Alice. It's about my family… I think you need to know this." He turned his whole body to face me, his face a stone of seriousness.

All I could do was dumbly nod. What could he possibly have to say about them?

"My family, well… They're different than your normal family." He stared down at his hands for a second before lifting one hand to his hair. He was nervous, that was the only time he did that. But over what? What had him acting so strange?

"You can tell me Jasper… You can tell me anything; I promise I won't think any different of them or you. Just, please, tell me what's wrong?" My hands grasped his, weaving our fingers together, and giving him my heart to hold in the simple gesture.

"No more secrets…" he whispered to himself. He looked up at me, piercing green clashing with my amber eyes. "I need you to know that there's not much I'm not willing to do for you. I cannot be without you. I need you. So if after I'm done telling you all of this, you ask me to stay, I will." He was sounding pleading.

"You're scaring me Jasper." My voice didn't sound like my own, trembling and scared.

"I know… I'm sorry… I just need you to promise me one thing though Alice. Promise not to say anything until I'm done speaking."

I nodded at him, "I promise Jasper... I promise…"

So, hopefully you all have an idea of whats going down next chapter! I'm so excited about it that I wanted to just continue writing and put it all in this chapter, but I know I need to keep it separate. So hopefully you liked the small dinner scene. I tried to keep it was realistic as possible with how the characters would interact with each other so hopefully I did some justice. If not, well I tried! Please Review!!! I really love reading what everyone says and it makes updating something enjoyable! Love to all!