A/N:
Stephenie Meyer owns all things Twilight. No copyright infringement is intended.
Story is non-cannon and rated for mature audiences only
Thanks for all who have reviews, added as favorite or requested an alert. I appreciate all my readers! I do apologize or the delay, I had intended to have this up much sooner… life got in the way as usual :)
Chapter 4-Peter-
As we drove Angel stayed pretty quiet. She'd spout some shit off once in awhile, usually about the Cullen's, but outside of that she kept to herself. I wished she'd open up to us a little, but I knew it'd come in time. She was one of us, whether she understood all that entailed or not. Char was worried 'bout her. I could see it written across her face as she watched Angel sleep. "It'll be fine sugar. We'll keep her safe and help her heal. Just be patient with her."
My beautiful mate smiled back at me. "I know Peter. We'll take care of her. I'm just having a tough time figuring out what the hell they were thinking. I'm glad she has us now, but what if we hadn't sought her out? What if your gift didn't tip us off? I feel like she belongs with us, and it would scare the shit out of me thinkin' we almost lost her." She was wound up at this point and I knew it'd be better, safer for me and my man bits if I just kept quiet. "I can't fathom how they could just break her like that. How did they expect her to survive? Huh? 'Humanitarian' vampires my sparkly ass! If they gave half a shit about her they'd have at least stuck around to make sure she was safe. Instead they run like tails tucked between their legs."
"I know baby, I know. I don't understand it either, but I promise you and our broken Angel, I will find out what the fuck they were thinking. If I have to beat it out of them, I'll find out." Char's face lit with a sinister grin that went straight to my cock. "Beat it out of them we will. She deserves a little retribution don't ya think Peter?" I had to laugh at her. I loved her dearly but feared for anyone who crossed her the wrong way. She sighed again before continuing in a calmer voice. "I just don't know what happened to our Major. The Major Whitlock we know and love would never leave loose ends. He may be a heartless calculating fucker, but he never careless. That pixie bitch has ruined him."
At this point Char was sobbing which just fueled my rage toward Jasper. That fucker not only left our Angel to the wolves, literally, but has now officially caused my mate to sob. Inexcusable. The fucker was in for a fuckin' lesson when I saw him next.
-Bella-
I stretched and wiped the sleep from my eyes. "Evenin' Angel." Char grinned over her shoulder to me. She was beginning to grow on me. After they left me I vowed off vampires for life, but somehow these two human drinkers were worming their way into my heart. NO. They can't. You need to protect yourself. Are they worth the heartbreak when they leave? Great, the voice was back again. It won't be like last time. I won't let myself get hurt. I WILL protect my heart. For a brief moment I wondered if it was a healthy thing, arguing with oneself. I was tired enough not to care.
"Hey. Where are we exactly?" I asked before downing half a bottle of water making note of the darkness outside. "We've just passed through Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. We should be home in about two hours. Well, if we maintain our current speed." I glanced at the speedometer over Peter's shoulder causing me to spit out a decent amount of water.
"Shit Angel! I already showered once today…" Peter exclaimed causing both Char and I to erupt in a fit of giggles. "Sorry Peter… but 120 miles per hour? Really?" His laugh was deep and soothing. "I am a vampire ya know sugar. I have exceptional reflexes. Besides, no one else is on the road at this hour. We're excited to get ya home Angel. Don't worry your pretty little head, we've got it covered." He smiled and for whatever reason I just let it go. It's time to change old habits. Start a new life for yourself. I figured this was a small step in the right direction.
"Whatever you say Pete, but just so we're straight… You run our asses off the road, I'm the one that'll be bleeding to death all over the pavement. You two will be just fine. No scratches on your sparkly ass." The tension in the cab was pretty much immediate after that statement. Char was looking at Peter out of the corner of her eye. Had I not spent so much time with vampires, I'd have missed it. "Ya know we could just change you if that happened Angel." His voice was quieter than it had been earlier. Change me. He just offered to change me…again. That was more than they had ever offered me. Could I let him change me? Is that something I still wanted? In the not so distant past I would have answered right away, but at this point in my life I didn't know.
"I don't know Pete. I mean, yeah I guess if it had to be done sure… But if I ask you later to destroy me, I expect you to do so without question." I can live with that. The option to die later if I couldn't handle being a vampire.
-Char-
She wanted a suicide option? Who the hell asks for something like that? Our girl was more damaged than I thought. I looked to Peter not knowing really what to say. She basically told us if she was miserable we had to end her existence. I didn't know if I could promise that. I had already grown to love this girl in just a matter of hours. "How bout we agree to your terms for now Angel, but leave the door open for discussion later on down the road?" Peter was being diplomatic. It was rare for my mate to compromise, but I think we both knew not to fight her on this one.
"Yeah, I can live with that Pete." Thank God. We needed to get home and start healing this poor broken girl. After everything she'd been through, I was honestly amazed she even agreed to come along with us.
"So two hours huh? Well I'm going to need to stop for a human moment and maybe some more water if possible. I feel like I've been eating sand." Her voice was lighter and she seemed satisfied with how things were going at this point. "Yeah, I blame that 'sand' feeling on your loud snoring. You've been asleep for a few hours now sugar." Peter teased her. "Whatever Pete, I do NOT snore. Talk in my sleep maybe, but snore… I think not. I'm sure someone would have mentioned that by now." She crossed her arms over her chest.
I couldn't help but smile at the friendly banter between the two. They were warming up to each other very well and I couldn't be happier. Our family was growing for the first time in ages. I just hoped with time our lost brother would return. I missed him dearly.
-Peter-
Angel was fuckin adorable when trying to pull off the obstinate air. She looked like a puffed up kitten. "So ya tellin me you've had several people watch ya sleep now huh Angel." The color instantly drained from her face, her smile fading. Ah hell…
"No. Not many, just one mostly." She replied so quiet had we not been vampires we'd have missed it. Edward. My inner voice snarled his name. When I get my hands on that pansy ass emo fucker I'm going to rip him to pieces. I pulled off on to the shoulder of the highway and moved myself to the back seat with her. She wouldn't look at me, just kept staring at the floor. "Angel…" I whispered to her. "Please, look at me." She still didn't answer. I decided to try a different tactic. I tentatively wrapped my arms around her shoulders and slowly pulled her into a hug. Almost instantly I could smell the salt of her tears.
I thought I hated the Cullen's before that moment, but I didn't realize how much more I could despise them. This amazing young woman was breaking down in my arms and clinging to me for dear life all because they were too fucking stupid to realize her worth. "Shh now Angel. We're here for you. We'll always be here for ya. Nothing will change that. We made a promise and unlike that fucking veggie vamp coven, we keep our promises. You're one of us now, human or vampire, we will stand by you."
We sat like that for a good twenty minutes before she calmed down. Char had moved into the back with us and had pulled us into her embrace. It was a giant group hug. "Sugar, would you like to talk about it?" Char broached the subject first. Bella sniffled and took a deep breath before speaking. "It's just that he used to watch me in my sleep. Even before we were dating. He'd sneak into my room and watch me while I slept but always left before I'd wake. After we started dating he continued hanging out while I slept. Eventually I let him lie down with me, holding me." She took another drink of her water and several deep breaths. "After… they left, I found I couldn't sleep. Not alone and not without something cold next to me. I tried everything but just couldn't do it. Between the loneliness and nightmares, I don't think I've had a solid two hours of sleep since. Well, until today anyway." She finished with a water smile.
Char looked horrified. "Bella!" She gasped. "You mean to tell me that sick bastard stalked you?" Yeah, it was sick. The fucker stalked her like we hunt our prey. Watching them from the shadows. I could only imagine what thoughts went through that sick fuckers mind while he watched our innocent Angel sleep. I fully understood and shared in my mate's rage. He had no right and to piss me off more, there was no way in hell Jasper didn't know about Edward's midnight indiscretions.
"No… well…" She was fumbling for words. I could practically see the wheels turning in her head. "It wasn't like that. My mind, well it's silent to him. Plus I'm his singer so he thought it was a good idea to 'desensitize' himself to my blood. That's all. It wasn't anything, umm perverted or anything."
Char shook her head vigorously. "No Bella, don't you see. What he did, watching you like that, it's how Peter and I hunt. We stalk our prey, observing their habits and tendencies. It's how we pick who we eat. He may not have eaten you Bella, but he was hunting you." She paused to let our Angel absorb what was said. "Even if he wasn't a vampire, let's say he was just some boy from school, it would be wrong. What would you say if one of your classmates admitted to watching you sleep each night?"
Angel seemed to be mulling over everything Char said. Char was right, regardless of the situation, what Edward did was wrong and fucking sick. "Holy fucking hell Char! You're right! He was fucking stalking me! Why didn't I see this before? How in the hell could I be so stupid?" It was like a wall crumbled in her mind. "All this time I believed it was because he loved me. Fuck I thought it was sweet!" She was shaking with fury. "Loved me my ass. I was nothing more than a passing distraction, a pet to him. How on Earth did I not notice this? I used to be independent and strong. What the hell happened to me? The old me would never, ever, let herself be controlled. But nooooooo. Between the two of them I did anything, believed anything they told me."
Yep, she was ranting again. Her sentences were clipped and some barely made sense, but at least now she was seeing their flaws. Maybe now she could see how their leaving was not because she was at unworthy. Maybe now she'd see them for what they were, fucked in the head holier than thou veggie vamps.
-Bella-
Holy shit. He was stalking me like some perverted sicko. How in the hell did I not see this before now? I was reeling from the revelation about his midnight visits. Both Peter and Char had their arms wrapped around me. Group hug! My inner voice cheered. Sitting in their arms I felt loved, protected and wanted. I felt at home for the first time since they left me. Shit, if I were to be honest, even with them I never felt truly at home. I always felt inferior in some way or another. But with Peter and Char, they accepted and loved me for me. Not for what or who they wanted me to be, who they wanted to mold. I knew I wasn't just a play thing to these two amazing vampires.
"I know we've got a lot to talk about Angel. I think it's best if we do it at home. You look exhausted and we both need to hunt soon. What do ya say to finishing up this last leg of the trip in record time, resting a bit and picking up this conversation later. I think you'll feel better after a decent meal and warm bath sugar." Char smiled at me. I looked deep in her eyes. They showed no sign of hunger. Glancing at Peter, his too remained a vibrant red. They want to give you a break, time to process everything.
I shrugged. "That's fine, but you don't need to lie to me Char. I know neither of you are thirsty. We'll talk when we get settled back at home." I quickly clamped my hands over my mouth. I just called their house my home. Shit.
-Char-
She sat there with a horrified look, her hands clasped down over her mouth. I gently pulled her hands into mine. "I'm so glad you think of it as your home now. I know things are going so fast and you've got a lot on your mind. I'm just glad we can offer you a little respite. Our home is your home, for as long as you want to stay." She just nodded in response. "Now sugar, mind telling us how you know we're not thirsty?"
Her smile lit into a wry grin. "Well Char, I've spent the last year around vampires. Always watching and monitoring their eyes, for my own safety you know. Vampire eyes get darker as they become thirstier. I learned early on that the eyes are the key to whether or not a vamp is going to try and take a bite out of ya." She spoke in a light manner, but the topic was very serious. "Both you and Pete here have very red eyes. You probably won't need to eat for awhile. No need to lie to me. I prefer if we're truthful with each other." She looked each of us in the eye waiting for our agreement. "I've been lied to enough in my life. I just ask for you two to be honest and I'll do the same. I can't handle anymore lies."
"We promise Angel. We just didn't want you to think we thought you were weak for needing a break. In truth sugar, you are the strongest human I have had the pleasure of meeting." Peter explained to her with nothing but pure brotherly affection. "No more lies." She half stated half asked. "No more. Now, let's get this show on the road." He responded before placing his hot ass in the driver's seat and taking off.
It didn't take us long to get back to our home in Montana. It was one of my favorite homes and I was excited to see Bella's reaction. After our conversation she got quiet and eventually fell back asleep. She slept soundly throughout the rest of the trip. "Wake up Angel." Peter was trying to rouse her from her sleep. "Come on sugar, time to see your new home."
-Bella-
Home. It was a strange thought, but even before seeing the house I felt at home. In just a few hours these two vampires made me feel more at home than I had in my entire life. I stretched and wiped the sleep from my eyes before taking a look at my new home. I couldn't see much in the dark, but what I could see I loved. We were in a large meadow surrounded by mountains on all sides. The house was a traditional farm style home with a covered porch. The color was light, it had to be white or something close.
"It's beautiful guys. Well, what I can see of it anyway." I laughed. "We'll show ya around more tomorrow in the daylight. Let's just get you inside and settled for now." Char wrapped her arm around my shoulders and led me into the house. The front door opened into a tiled foyer with a large sitting room to the left, a dining room to the right and stairs leading to the second story. I stood in the entryway staring in awe. I had never lived in a house this nice. It was beautiful but also homey, unlike their home. "Char, oh my God this is amazing."
She squeezed my shoulders a bit. "I'm glad you like it sugar. Your room is up the stairs and down the hall on the left. Come on I'll show ya while Peter gets your stuff." The stairway opened to a loft that looked down on a large family room. To the right was a hallway with three doors. I assumed they were additional bedrooms. Around the top to the left was another door. Char opened it and motioned me inside. The room was huge and included a private bathroom and of course a walk in closet. "Holy shit Char. I don't need this much space!" It was bigger than any room I had ever called my own. "Really, this is too much."
"Don't be ridiculous Angel." Peter piped up as he entered the room. "It's just the three of us, you may as well have a nice room. It's not too much. This is your home now. We want you to feel comfortable." He put my things off to the corner and sat on the bed, patting the spot next to him. I sat down letting him wrap his arms around my shoulder. "Now don't you worry your pretty little head Angel. You'll learn that Char and I never do or offer anything we don't mean. We want you to be at home here. Like we said before, you're family and we take care of our own." He squeezed a bit and I rested my head on his shoulder. "I know Peter, but this is… well it's just so much. You've taken me in and I really don't have anything to offer in return. Hell, I can't even offer to do the cooking for you guys!" We all chuckled a bit.
Char sat next to us and wrapped her arm around my other side. "You think you don't have anything to offer us?" I nodded. "I think you're wrong. You offer something much more precious than a home or money. You give us you, your company and your companionship. You're family. I wish you'd get that through your pretty little head." He ruffled my hair and smiled. "Enough of this heavy shit tonight, you need sleep Angel. Rest up and we'll talk tomorrow." With that he stood, kissed my forehead and went for the door. Char mimicked him before closing the door and leaving me in my solitude.
-Peter-
Char and I left Angel in her room to rest. There were things we needed to discuss in the morning, but for the time being she needed some rest. The fuckin' veggie vamps did a number on her. I had never seen anyone so broken. I was glad she accepted our help and had started to see her relationship with Edward for what it was, one fucked up mess. My heart broke for her. Yeah I'm man enough to admit when I have feelings. But I'm also man enough to wreak havoc in her name too.
"Whatcha thinking over there babe?" Char asked as she pulled me down onto our bed. Our room was the master suite and located on the first floor, well away from any other bedrooms. "Just that when I get my hands on Jasper and the rest of the veggie vamps, I'm going to tear them all apart." She grinned at me. "What were you thinking my mate?" I asked her seductively.
Hell, we'd had a rough day and I wanted nothing more than reconnect with my mate. Remind her just how much she meant to me. Let her know that I was never going to leave her like that fucked up wannabe vamp-child did our poor Angel. Her eyes were shining with love and devotion. "Just thinking about what an amazing mate I have Peter. The fates have granted me one hell of a blessing giving me you." With that sentiment I pulled my beautiful woman into my arms and spent the next several hours reminding her just how much she meant to me.
Two Weeks Later…
-Jasper-
I had been driving for days with absolutely no direction. I couldn't make sense of all that had happened recently. The woman I loved, that I believe to be my mate had lied to and manipulated me for years. I just couldn't understand why she would lie like that. Didn't she want to find her true mate? Jasper, you're asking the wrong questions. Major Whitlock's voice echoed in my head. Wrong questions? What are the right questions? I thought awhile longer before his voice invaded my mind yet again. You all lived with a fucking mind reader Jasper. How in the hell did she hide this from him? You answer THAT question. Holy hell, he had a point. How had Edward not discovered her secret? Did he know and just hide it from me too?
Instead of focusing on the unknown, I focused on the facts at hand. My supposed mate lied to me. I was no longer married, thanks to quick legal work by Jenks. Even with her deceit, I left the Cullen family to make life easier for my ex-wife. Then there was Bella. Bella was dead, by her own doing no less. For some reason that thought alone tore at my dead heart more than any other thought. She was dead because of us, because I couldn't control myself.
From the time I joined the Cullen's, I was the weak link. It was such a foreign feeling for both of my personalities. During my human years I was always strong. Hell I was the youngest Major in the war. In a short amount of time I had managed to outrank even Peter. Then during the Vampire wars, I was earned my reputation as the God of War. My name invoked fear in all who heard it. With Peter at my side we decimated covens of all sizes. Peter. Thinking about Peter and Char brought almost as much pain as thinking about Bella.
Peter was family for as long as my memory served me. We were best friends as boys, comrades in wars, both human and vampire. Yet I hadn't seen him in so long and the last time I spoke to him he hung up on me. Not like you can blame him there Jasper, you were an asshole to him. Yeah, the Major was right, I was a dick to my own brother. Hell I chose a woman over my own brother. What's the saying? 'Bro's before hoe's?' Yup I threw that one right out the window.
In my defense, I thought she was my mate. I thought he'd understand. I wouldn't fault him for abandoning me over Char. She was his soul mate, his other half. Any vampire would tell you that mates come before all else. Before coven leaders, before family. Looking at it now, as an empath I should have known. I should have detected something in her emotions indicating she wasn't mine. You did, we did, but you chose to ignore it Jasper. I gripped the steering wheel tighter and shook my head. No use mulling over the past. All I could do was focus on the future and hopefully in time I could make amends for my poor behavior.
-Bella-
It had been two weeks since I left Forks. Two weeks since I tried to off myself by jumping head first into the freezing cold ocean. In those two weeks, Peter and Char had taken me in as family. I had slept for the first time in months. They forced me to actually eat, causing me to gain back a few pounds. My hair was shinier, healthier and my eyes didn't look so empty. In summary, I was healing. In a mere two weeks time, fourteen days, these two human drinking vampires helped me regain something I thought was long gone… myself.
"Angel, get your pretty little ass down here, we've gotta have a discussion." Peter yelled from the family room. I loved our house. Peter and Char insisted I consider the house my home too, and I was trying my best to do as they asked. The family room was a huge open space that opened to our backyard via two sets of glass French doors. While the house itself was amazingly beautiful, Char had it decorated tastefully so it wasn't uncomfortable. The Cullen manor was exactly the opposite of comfortable. Yes, I said Cullen. Just another development in my healing.
"Alright Peter, what's up?" I asked as I plopped myself down in the giant comfy chair. It was my favorite chair in the house. It was like sitting in a cloud. The whole thing seemed to swallow me. "Well, we have a few things to discuss Angel. Mostly about our living arrangements and what not."
My stomach dropped. I knew it was too good to be true. I was just getting comfortable here and they were going to make me leave. My heart was racing, I couldn't breathe and I was pretty sure I was going to pass out again. The next thing I knew, Peter had me in his lap while Char kneeled in front of me.
"Bella, sugar, breathe honey. Please, calm down sugar." Char was rubbing my hand with hers trying to calm me down. "It's alright, nothing bad baby. It's ok Angel." Peter whispered in my ear. "I should have thought before I said it like that Angel. Nothing bad, I promise. Char and I just wanted to talk about a few things. We are NOT leaving you. Not now or ever."
After a few minutes of them reassuring me, I felt better. I exhaled. "Sorry. I guess I've still got a few abandonment issues." I half laughed, trying to make light of the situation. In truth, I had serious abandonment issues. I woke up at least twice a night worried that they'd be gone. Somehow they must have known I was still worried because each time I woke up either one of them would be in the room with me or they left a note on my night stand. One way or another, they found a way to reassure me I was not left behind, abandoned.
"We understand Angel. We really do… and we'll keep reminding you that you are family…" He squeezed me a bit tighter. "… and family sticks together." It was like our own little motto, completely unoriginal, but it fit. I just hoped they truly meant it. Eventually they'd get tired of me, the weak, pathetic human. Quit thinking like that. They love you, they won't leave you like the others. I was healing, but not healed. We all knew it would take time. I battled myself each day.
Peter squeezed me once more before getting up and plopping me back in my chair. He and Char took the loveseat across from me. "So anyway, before your little melt down…" He winked at me. "I was going to tell you since you're family now, we have a few things to discuss." Char reached for a velvet box on the end table. She handed it to Peter. "Now what can you tell me about the Cullen's crest?"
It hurt at first to think about the Cullen's in any capacity. At this point, I could think about them, but chose not to do so often. "Well I know everyone had their own version. The crest was the same, but how they displayed it varied. Why? What are you getting at Pete?"
He got up and walked to me, kneeling in front of me like Char had previously. "Well we have our own but we all wear it on the same piece." He held out the box and opened it. Nestled in the soft velvet fabric inside was the most amazing platinum pendant strung on a medium weight chain. The pendant was a perfect circle. The outer ring was engraved in beautiful script with one word – Whitlock. The center ring had two names inscribed – Jasper – Peter. The most inner ring also had two names inscribed – Charlotte – Isabella.
My brain must have shut down. I couldn't speak. I couldn't blink. I just stared at this small piece of metal, holding on to it like a lifeline. They added me to their crest… they added me to their crest… they want to keep me… "See here…" He pulled a chain from under his thermal shirt. "Mine matches yours." I looked closely at it. Sure enough, it was identical. Not only had he added my name to my pendant, but also to his.
Somehow I found my words. "Peter…this… this is amazing. I don't know what to say." He smiled. "You don't need to say anything Angel. I told you, you're family… and hell if you're going to be part of this fucked up family, you've gotta get a few perks." He winked and stood to place the chain around my neck.
"Now this is made from a special combination of metals. As you know, we vampires tend to get a little crazy. Nothing really holds up, but we discovered if you mix diamond dust in with titanium that it holds up a little better." Holy fuck, did he just say diamond…. Dust… He must have seen the look on my face because he waved dismissively. "Don't ask, just say 'thank you Peter… I love you and owe ya my first born'." He laughed and Char smacked him in the back of the head.
I got up and wrapped my arms around his neck. "Peter, thank you and I'm learning to love you… but you won't have my first born. I thought you only snacked on the miscreants of the world." I laughed at the look on his face before hugging Char. "I think you broke him sugar." She whispered in my ear before releasing me. "You may be right Char… it's not often I make him speechless"