A/N: Thanks for the response. It appears high Jasper was a big hit. I will be sure he makes another appearance. I was considering making it an outtake after if there is interest too.

Anyway, things are now being set in motion. Hope you enjoy. I don't own Twilight or It's a Wonderful Life.

Bella POV:

It had been two weeks since I had first met Peter and Charlotte, and Jasper had met Trip and the guys too. Things slid into an easy routine after that. My two calms in the storm that was my life were coming together.

Trip was now back in Florida visiting his family. I had decided to stay here for the holiday. Trip, as laid back as he was, really cared about his siblings and I knew he missed them. He was spending Christmas there but then heading back and spending New Years here with Peter, Charlotte, Jasper and I.

I couldn't wait for all of my family to meet each other. It would sure make things easier too. They didn't seem to mind that I had to split my time, but it was harder for me. I missed Trip. I was used to spending all of my time with him, and though I still saw him a lot, it was different.

On the other hand, I felt so comfortable here too. Peter and Charlotte had become quick family to me. They were so quick to accept me and we got along great. Peter joked around with me and Charlotte was more like a sister than anyone else had ever been. I didn't want a new vampire family, in fact it was the last thing I wanted. But they wanted me and I couldn't fight it. It was hard for me to leave them too.

And Jasper. Jasper and I had grown closer and closer but I didn't really know where things stood. Every time we touched I felt the connection between us. I felt my best when I was close to him. When he left to hunt or I left to go do something with Trip without him, it was difficult.

I tried to tell myself he was just a really good friend. But I knew better. As close as I was with Trip, it wasn't the same. But I also knew I couldn't deal with being hurt again and soon enough he would be gone.

Peter and Charlotte were out hunting and Jasper and I were watching It's a Wonderful Life on television. It was Christmas Eve and I was drinking Egg nog and curled up under a blanket. The tree was decorated in the corner of the room and there were decorations scattered across the house.

The house looked like Santa threw up on it. An over-the-top Christmas had been the last thing I wanted just a month ago. But now, I didn't mind as much as. These vampires were actually excited about the holidays which I thought was hilarious. I had expected it to get tedious after all these years, but maybe they were just trying to make me happy.

I didn't even really like egg nog that much. Every year I tried it again, hoping my tastes had changed. I really wanted to like it, especially this year since they had bought it for me. The alcohol made it slightly better.

The movie credits started to roll and I couldn't help the road my mind took. I started to think about what it would be like if I had never been born. It's not that I wanted that, although maybe before I would have. It was more like I was curious about the idea.

I had been sitting with my back against the arm of the couch and my legs bent at the knee across the couch. My thought process was interrupted as Jasper grabbed my feet. "Hey Twink, what are you thinkin' about over there? It looks like I've lost you."

I smiled at the easy contact. "Oh nothing, don't worry about it." I didn't convince myself very easily though so I knew he wasn't fooled.

He gave me a shit-eating smile which worried me. "No, no. You're not getting out of it that easily."

I tried again. "It was nothing." At my response I felt his fingers start to move on my feet and I tried in vain to kick free of his hold.

"Fine." I finally said and he slowed his fingers but kept his hands where they were. I continued. "Do you ever what it would be like if you were never born?"

His face dropped immediately and he looked like someone had just kicked his puppy. But then immediately his face turned angry. He moved his hands away and stood, pacing the floor.

"Why would you say that? You can't say things like that. You've been happier later. I don't understand, why would you say that?"

I reached my arm to him, grabbing one of his hands in the process. "Hey. Jasper, slow down."

I pulled him down next to me and he let me. He sat on the edge of the couch next to me as I started to explain. "I didn't mean it like that Jasper. Please calm down. I just meant like the movie. Don't you ever get curious what it would be like?"

He looked in my eyes, seemingly accepting what he saw there. He indulged me. "I don't think I've thought about it like that. I guess there were times in my existence that I wished I was never born. But now I know that If that were true I would have also missed so much. Not that I remember much about my human life, but I remember some of my family and I loved them."

I smile at him. "Jasper, I've told you before. Those experiences that made you feel that way made you who you are. And I'm glad I know you." He smiled at me and I continued. "I don't know, I just think that maybe it would have made things easier for everyone else without me in the first place.

It's clear my parents don't want me around. Not that they don't love me, I know they do. But they have put up with so much from me.

And Jake. He wouldn't have fought with the pack. He could have friends that he didn't have to worry about all the time. They wouldn't have had to fight off Laurent. Hell, they probably wouldn't have had to deal with you guys either.

And you guys. You would have still come to Forks but it would have been like the other places. I would never have caused all those problems. James and his friends would have just moved on. You guys would have just stayed until you "aged" too much. You wouldn't of had to leave because of me.

I never would have forced any rifts in the family. Rosalie never would have hated me. Who knows, maybe you and Alice would have worked it out. I don't know, it seems like I really complicated things.

While I was talking he had leaned completely into me and his arms were now around my knees.

"Oh, Bella." He looked a little heartbroken. "I don't even know where to start with that. First of all, no matter how frustrated your parents have gotten with you, it doesn't mean they would be happier without you. And the wolves. I don't know much about them, but they were stupid if they didn't keep you around.

And the Cullens." The way he said it was if they were completely separate from himself. "Rosalie treats everyone like that. If it wasn't about you it would have been someone else. She didn't hate you though, she's just protective of her family.

Our leaving was not your fault. As you said, we would have left sooner or later. It was not your decision for us to leave. We were getting older anyway and it wouldn't have been much longer.

And Alice and I." He sounded detached as he said it. "I've told you before, that had nothing to do with you."

I nodded as he reached his hand up to gently cup my cheek. His hand, while cool, felt comforting. I closed my eyes briefly as I leaned into the touch.

"And, even if things were easier without you, which they weren't, they definitely were not better. I'm sure your parents wouldn't have traded you for the world, no matter how much trouble you ended up being." He said that with a wink. "And the Cullens, were most certainly better for knowing you. They loved you and you brought them humanity they missed. You brought out the best in them. You were a friend, a sister, and a daughter to them.

And I know Trip is happy to have you, and Peter and Charlotte.

And Bella, I don't know what I would do without you. You have made my life better. When we found each other again, you helped bring me back. You are so important to me."

There were tears welling in my eyes at his words. They made me feel so special and combined with his touch I felt like I was home. I closed my eyes and let my content and happiness flow freely and Jasper sighed a bit as I did.

When I opened my eyes again his face was close to mine. His golden eyes were pouring into mine. In that moment I wanted nothing more than to feel his lips on mine.

In that instant, I dropped any fear I might have had and found myself lean in as well. Our lips were only about an inch apart and I let out a breath and he sighed as it hit his lips. I closed my eyes again in anticipation.

And then the door swung open and our moment was ruined.

I was sitting on the floor in front on the couch where Charlotte sat french braiding my hair. She probably could have done it in seconds with vampire speed, but she was taking her time. I liked the calming effect it had on me.

Her and Peter had burst in the door, telling Jasper he needed to call the Cullens. They needed to talk to him.

Since then I had been sitting here worrying. I had no idea what the Cullens needed. No matter what, I couldn't think of anything positive. Alice wanted him back. They all wanted him back. They knew we were hanging out and he had to leave. Charlotte assured me that they had no idea what it was about, but that it was nothing like that.

I was a bit calmer sitting with Charlotte though. She had a strong effect on me, like Trip. It was like we had always known each other.

I decided to try to take my mind off of the situation, because there was nothing I could do. He had left us so that I didn't have to deal with the call.

"Char?" I asked, hoping she would indulge me.

"Yeah doll?"

"What was your human life like?" She had never told me about it.

"I can't tell you that."

I nodded, understanding and not wanting to be insensitive.

"No hon' not like that. I don't remember anything about it."

"Oh. I didn't know." I knew human memories became hazy, but other than Alice I had never heard of anyone forgetting altogether.

"Yeah, I got nothin'. I don't know if I had a family, where I was from, if I was rich or poor. Nothin'. When I woke up I didn't know even know there was anything other than vampires."

"Sorry to hear that Char."

"Its okay sugar. I'm happy now. Enough about me. What is goin' on with you and Jasper? Did you guys finally pull your heads out of your asses?"

I giggled at her crude assessment of the situation. "Char!"

She put a hair tie in the bottom of my hair and slid down onto the floor next to me. "I can see the way you both look at each other, the way you both came back to life with the other's help. I love you both and I just want you to be happy."

I blushed a little. "I don't know, Char. I thought it was just me. And I was trying so hard to fight it, expecting him to leave. Now I don't know. It hurts to be away from him and that scares me."

She wrapped her arms around me. "I think that it will all work out."

JPOV

I hunted quickly, calming myself before I called the Cullens. I didn't know what they would want and I wanted to be prepared. I didn't want to hear what they had to say, but if Peter and Charlotte thought I needed to, I probably should.

But what bad timing. I had been this close to kissing Bella. I had wanted to do it for weeks, but didn't want to push her. I knew she was hurting and we had established a strong friendship and I was comforted in the fact we could still have our small touches. I didn't want to lose it.

It felt so right in that moment though. I don't know if she was caught up in it or if it was what she wanted.

I sighed and took out my cell phone dialing Carlisle. I figured he was the safest bet.

The phone rang twice. "Hello." He sounded a bit out of place, which was strange for Carlisle.

"Hi Carlisle."

"Jasper? Is that you?" I had ditched my old cell phone when I left. He didn't have my number. "I'm surprised to hear from you. Of course I'm glad, it has just been awhile. I'm glad to hear you're okay, son."

"Yeah, sorry Carlisle. I know I told Esme I would call. I'm okay. I can tell you more about it later but is there something you need to talk to me about first?"

He gave a small knowing chuckle but I could still tell he was upset. "You must be with Peter I suppose?"

"I am. What is it Carlisle?" I just wanted to get it over with.

"Well, we are dealing with something. I think it possibly could concern you too, and I'd love to hear your thoughts. Alice and Rosalie are away in Europe and Edward is still gone, and so Esme, Emmet and I were out hunting. We had decided to take a trip, looking for some different game. We returned to Alaska, finding the house a mess. Everything was turned over or broken. Someone had obviously been looking for something."

That was something strange, in the vampire world anyway. "Wow Carlisle, I can't believe someone broke into a vampire house. Where were the Denalis? Have you figured out who it was?" I had many questions.

"Well, there's more Jasper. The Denalis were actually at home at the time. And they were all killed."

"What?" I couldn't hold in my shock. "All of them? Tanya, Kate, Irina, Carmen, Eleazar?"

"I'm afraid so. The necklaces they all wear were found amongst their ashes."

"Jesus, Carlisle. I'm really sorry." I knew they were like family to him. No wonder he was so upset.

"Thank you, Jasper."

I still had more questions. "So it was more than a break-in then I guess?"

"Indeed we think so. There's still more. We are back in Forks now. We just arrived about five minutes before you called. We ran, and stopped there to try to figure things out. But our house has been ravished the same way."

"What the fuck?" I didn't even try to hold in my language. "So you think this is somehow about us?"

"It's the only this that makes sense." He was right but who would be looking for something from us?

I thought for a minute. "Do you think it was that woman from before, Victoria?"

"Why would you think that Jasper?" He sounded a bit shocked.

"Well Laurent went back to Forks looking to avenge James' death and the wolves had to kill him."

"How do you know that son?"

Of course, I shouldn't know that. I didn't want to deal with that now though. "It's not important right now. Could it be her?"

"Well, here's the thing. There were no vampire scents in the area?"

"What? Humans? Or maybe some sort of ability? Maybe the Volturi?"

"I really don't know. I called Aro right before you called. He didn't seem to know anything, he was actually curious about the whole situation."

"You should probably get out of there for now. It sounds like they were there first so they are probably gone, but you never know."

"Yeah, we're trying to figure it out now. But son, if someone is after us, it could impact you."

"Look Carlisle. I have a new houseguest who might not take too kindly to the idea of a family reunion. I will call you back soon." I couldn't imagine Bella would be happy with that.

We ended our conversation and I shook my head. I walked back to the house trying to figure out what to do. I couldn't leave her to help them. I had promised I wouldn't and even if I hadn't I couldn't be apart from her.

I couldn't bring them here either. I wouldn't push Bella away. At the same time, as upset as I was at Alice I couldn't abandon the family that helped me either.

I walked into the house and saw Bella and Charlotte hugging. I took a minute to smile at their friendship.

They looked up at me and I could feel Bella's nerves. She rushed to the bathroom so I took the opportunity to run down the situation to Charlotte at vampire speed. She nodded and said that Peter and her would do anything I needed to help. I nodded and she left the room quickly.

Bella came back out, and noticed that we were now alone and I felt her nerves again. I didn't know if she was nervous because of the Cullens or me.

Her hair was pulled back in a hair style I recognized from my time and it made me smile. She looked at me expectantly so I went and stood in front of her. We were only inches apart but I didn't make contact yet.

As strong as her nerves were, her resolve began to build. "Just go. If you have to go, then just go."

And there she was. The woman that I first encountered weeks ago in in Rhode Island who pushed me away was back. I wasn't going to let her slip back into that though.

I reached out to her, placing my hands on her upper arms gently. I felt the calming connection between us and hoped she did too. I could feel her resolve lowering a bit against her will. "Jasper, I get it okay. Just go."

I sighed. "Bella, listen to me. I'm right where I want to be." I cupped my hands onto her cheeks. "The Cullens are in some trouble but I'm not leaving you. I will help them if I can but I'm not going anywhere."

She nodded in half-acceptance. I leaned in to show her just how true my words were. I paused a hair away from her lips, enjoying the warmth. And then my phone rang out in my pocket.

I had no intention of answering it but she pulled away. "God damn my fucking luck." I whispered low enough she wouldn't hear me. I sighed to myself and pulled out my phone. I kept an arm around her though so she wouldn't leave.

"What is it?"

"Jasper." It was Carlisle's voice on the other end. "We were just about to leave Forks when we decided to go check on her. We weren't going to talk to Bella, just make sure she was okay. But her house had been ravished just like ours."

"You think this is about her?" I couldn't help the growl in my chest. Bella shook slightly at the vibration.

"That's what it seems like. Otherwise this is too big of a coincidence. Her father was left alive. Why would vampires do that. I don't understand, but it can't be too long before they find something that leads them to her. I just wanted to update you on the situation. We are going to stay in Forks for a bit so that we can find where she went. I'll talk to Charlie, some how get her to tell me I don't know if he'll tell me." He was more frazzled than I had ever heard him be. "I'll figure out something and then I don't know..."

"Carlisle." I interrupted him and Bella tensed in my arms at his name. I tightened my hold on her to reassure her, but she was trying to break out of my hold. "Just trust me, okay. Come to me in Rhode Island. Get Alice and Rosalie to meet you here. I'll explain when you get here, but don't worry about her."

Bella's fear increased with my last few seconds. She was starting to panic. She was fighting against me. Especially after the mention of Alice coming. I didn't want to frighten her. But if this was about her, I needed the help in protecting her. Besides that, they were going looking for her, and would find out she was in Rhode Island quickly enough anyway. I needed them on my side here. I could explain that to her, and she didn't even have to see them.

"Okay. I will call when we get there for directions." He just hung up the phone but I didn't get a chance as Bella's emotions reached a peak and she put her hand on my chest. In a matter of seconds I was flying backwards in the air and then things went black.

I opened my eyes and noticed that I was on my back on the other side of the room. I didn't know how long it had been but Bella was kneeling over me with tears rolling out of her eyes. I could feel her fear but it reduced very slightly when I opened my eyes.

Her hands were on my face and I immediately forgot all the questions that were racing through my mind.

When she saw that I was okay she went to pull away and stand up, but before she could I raised my head and weaved my hands in her hair. I brought my lips to hers before anything had the chance to interrupt us again. The second my lips met hers I felt her warmth and our connection, stronger than before. I could taste her salty tears, mixed in with her sweet taste.

She hesitated for a minute but then her lips started moving against mine too. It felt right and in that moment it didn't matter that she sent me flying, or that soon Alice would be here soon enough, or whether she would go back with Edward. None of it mattered in that minute. It was just me and her.

Our kiss heated and I ran my tongue along her lip trying to get in. She opened her lips willingly and I ran my tongue on top of hers, reveling in her warmth.

I felt each of her teeth as she moaned. But realization suddenly settled on her and she pulled away. She stayed close though, not bolting this time. I sat up slowly and noticed why she stopped. Peter and Charlotte had been standing over me too.

Now they were laughing. I sighed and pulled her into my lap as she had calmed down a bit while remaining confused and nervous. "Jesus Jasper. I'm so sorry."

"You did that, Bella?" I asked her, not believing.

Peter joined the conversation too. "What did you do sugar?"

She was flustered. "I-I don't know. I was thinking about how I wanted to push you away and all these emotions just built up in me and when I touched your chest, you were literally pushed away. And I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you."

"I'm not hurt, it's okay. Just I little stunned." I stroked her back to reassure her. "Has anything like that ever happened before?"

She nodded, biting her bottom lip. If I wasn't so focused on the moment I would have noticed how sexy it was.

We all looked at her expectantly so she chose to continue. "I think so. I can't really remember. But you know that night that I called you to come get me? The reason I was so upset was because I had a dream about that first night you saw me. I thought I had made it up but now I'm not so sure."

I grabbed her hand to comfort her. "Can you tell us about it?"

She sighed, but I think she wanted to know what was going on too much to pull away. We were in too deep with each other now anyway. "Well, that night, that guy, he forced himself on me." She skipped over all the details. I knew what she was referring to but Peter and Charlotte were both shocked. I felt the growl rip in my chest but I was surprised to hear two others. She gave us all a small smile at our reaction.

"Well when he first left, when I would do something dangerous, I could see his face and hear his voice. So I started chasing it. When I took my first drink, rode motorcycles, did drugs, I would see him but not for long. He was slipping.

Anyway, in that moment, when I was all alone he didn't come. I was mad. I was mad at that guy for doing that to me and that I couldn't stop him. And I was mad that he had left me in the first place and then abandoned me again. I was pretty drugged but I managed to reach up to him and all of my anger built in my hand until it burnt him."

What the fuck was she? Was this some sort of power? None of us said anything for a long time.

Bella was the first to speak, changing the subject. "They're coming here. Aren't they?"

"Bella, it's a long story and I'm going to tell you. I'm not going to keep things from you. But you have to know, you have nothing to worry about from them. My priority is with you. If you are not comfortable with seeing them you don't have to."

I could see the question in her eyes that she didn't want to ask. So I didn't make her. "Edward is not with him, they haven't been able to find him for some time now. He has run off on his own."

She nodded and I felt her relief. "And Alice?"

"She's with Rosalie but they will be coming too. But again, there's nothing to worry about. Her and I are over. I told you that, how it has been for a long time. In case you haven't noticed, there's someone else anyway." I smiled as I kissed her lightly on the lips.

I got ready to tell her the entire situation, about her house, the Cullens', the Denalis, everything, as Charlotte spoke up. "I have a feeling we could all use a drink for this."