Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight. Wish I did, though. Sadly, Santa did not see fit to grant that particular Christmas wish.

Summary: Every character has a story behind them. Most of them have families. The untold stories of the ones who helped to shape their lives. A series of One-Shots.

Jade Whitlock

I will never see my son again.

I have three children, but this is the last time I will see my charismatic oldest.

John and I were so angry when he left to join the Confederate Army at seventeen. We taught our children that it is wrong to lie, even just about your age, but it was an anger born mostly of the fear that this war would claim his life.

Little Opal, my innocent youngest, cried for a week when she discovered that he had left. Ruby, my perceptive second-born, only frowned and looked concerned.

Anger and worry aside, I cannot deny that I am very proud of my son. His charisma and leadership skills bore him through the ranks until he became a Major at the age of twenty! Such a thing is nearly unheard of, and despite my fretting because his is now always on the front lines, I am near fit to bursting with joy and pride.

Jasper had managed to get a few days of leave as the army passed through on their way to Galveston. I found it hard to keep my anger in the face of my beloved son's conviction that what he was doing was right, and chose to enjoy what time we had left.

It is very improper to show much physical affection in public, but I pull Opal nearer to me and stand close to my husband as Jasper and him men move out. I know that John is confused by my display, but he does not question it.

On my husband's other side, Ruby lowers her arm from waving farewell and catches my eye. Somehow, she knows, as I do, that this is the last time we will see him.

I know that as I bid my son farewell, I am also saying goodbye to my dreams of seeing my son return, victorious, and settle down. I will not introduce him to eligible ladies, or see him in a career that does not include violence.

I will not see him marry the lively southern girl that I envision as the perfect match to his calm demeanour, or see the blonde, grey-eyed grandchildren that will be the next generation of Whitlocks.

Ruby has always insisted that Jasper was meant for great things, which I have never disagreed with. Of course, all mothers believe that their children and the most wonderful beings to grace the earth, but I know that Jasper truly is destined for greatness.

That did not mean that Ruby's often-voiced conviction didn't cause such an argument when I feared that such insistence was what prompted Jasper to enlist in the first place, but I cannot refute her claim.

I will never see my son again, but I know he is destined for great things. I can only hope that somewhere along the line, he will find happiness amid the trials ahead of him.

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A/N: We have very little information about Jasper's human life, or his human family, so I've had to invent the names. Hopefully I haven't done too badly. As always, Constructive criticism is very much appreciated, but flames are laughed at. Loudly.
This chapter is dedicated to my twin, Sally, who died on 26th December, 2005.

Thanks, Nat.