(Bella)
Time seemed to speed up and before I knew it, we were pulling up at the airport. Peter and Char parked Jasper's pickup in long-term parking, having followed behind us. They took one sniff of Billy's truck and refused to get in, the smell too much for them. We didn't have time to argue about it, so we just took two vehicles. Jake seemed relieved so I didn't make an issue out of it. I think he was hoping for Jasper to take the "vamp truck" too, but Jasper just took a deep breath and got in with me, making for a very silent drive.
Jacob walked us all the way to the security checkpoint, hugging me tightly before letting me go, reluctant to hand me over to Jasper.
"You better come back Bells." He reminded me gruffly.
"I told you, it's just a short trip." I said exasperated. "Trust me."
"I do trust you. It's them I don't trust." he growled out before stepping away with a sigh. "Call me, okay?"
"I will. Now go home and get some real sleep. You still look tired."
The nap had done him some good, but Jacob had been patrolling all day and even though his wolf genes allowed him to go for days without sleep, he looked exhausted. I wondered if he had been kept awake lately by everything that had been going on. I was worried about my friend.
I hadn't spent nearly as much time with him as I usually did this week. As much as I wanted to be there for him, I needed to pull away. Soon, I'd be moving on with my life. Jake and I would always be friends and I hoped I could visit him after I changed. He gave me a half smile as I passed through the metal detectors and joined my friends on the other side of the barrier. I gave him a little wave before turning my back on him.
Jasper led me to the gate with his hand on my lower back. We had arrived with little time to spare and were able to board right away due to our first class passenger status. I wasn't used to flying in such style. Jasper must have felt my discomfort because he explained it to me.
"We aren't just flaunting our wealth. Flying for us is uncomfortable. We can't escape the recirculated air, but at least with these seats we aren't rubbing elbows with the humans. It makes it more tolerable. Ideally, we'd fly ourselves or charter a private flight, but we don't have a plane here and it would have taken longer to arrange than a commercial flight."
"Oh, that makes sense." I said, feeling a bit ashamed that I hadn't considered their needs previously.
"Don't worry about it, you didn't know." He told me, interpreting my emotions.
I fell asleep just minutes into the flight, which was unusual for me. I was pretty tired and it was late, so I guess I should have expected it. With the time difference it would be well into the morning by the time we landed so it was a good thing I was sleeping anyhow. Jasper woke me as the plane was landing in New York.
I was glad for the pricey seats by the time I woke up, feeling well rested, all things considered. We split up in the airport, Peter and Charlotte getting the rental car while Jasper took me for a quick breakfast. I took the chance to change clothes and freshen up as well. I wasn't trying to impress anyone, but the thought of looking crumpled when I met Rosalie again made me feel a bit self-consious.
"All set?" Jasper asked when I emerged, feeling human after cleaning myself up in the ladies room.
"Yep, ready to face the lion's den." I said sarcastically.
"Let's go find my brother before he gets himself into trouble."
Charlotte found us first, leading us to where Peter was waiting by the SUV in the parking garage. It was more impressive than I expected from a rental company. It was a Mercedez-Benz, I could recognized the logo, but beyond that I didn't know much about cars besides that it was black and shiny with tinted windows.
"Wow, you got this from a rental place?" I asked.
"We didn't use Hertz." Peter said, rolling his eyes. "Since this trip is on the Major, we upgraded and got something nice."
"I didn't even know you could do that." I said.
"We do have a slight problem." Peter pointed outside to the sun breaking through the clouds. "I hope you're up for driving little belle." He said, tossing me the keys. I panicked as they flew toward me, praying I would catch them. Jasper saved me from embarrassment by snatching them out of the air and handing them to me with a grin.
"Sure, I'm used to city driving. I grew up in Phoenix." I said, sending my thanks to Jasper as I accepted the keys.
"We'll just hide in the back, staying covered until we're out the city." Jasper told me. "Should be safe enough then."
He programmed the address into the onboard navigation system for me and then climbed in the back. All three of them had pulled on long-sleeved hooded sweatshirts. They looked they were about to rob a bank, but as long as they kept their faces away from the windows, it should keep the sun from shining onto them.
"Just out of curiosity," I said while pulling into traffic, "what would you have done if I wasn't here to drive?"
"Waited at the airport until night." Jasper said sourly. "Not the most pleasant of activities. I should have checked the weather before we bought the tickets, but I got lazy. I haven't had to worry about things like that in a long time."
Alice, I realized. She was better than the weather channel. She was very dependant on her gift, but I hadn't thought about how others around her became complacent as well. It was comforting to know that in this case it wasn't life or death, just merely inconvenient.
We didn't speak for most of the trip, trying to keep any information Alice picked up to a minimum. It made me feel paranoid to think she could be watching us at any moment. Once out of the city, the driving was simple, almost relaxing. The sun gave up trying to poke through the cloud cover and I started to get stiff after a while. I decided to pull off for a break. There was a sign for a Dunkin Donuts ahead, so I turned off the prescribed route the automated voice from the navigation system told me to take.
"Need a break darlin'?" Jasper asked.
"Yeah," I said, pulling to a stop. "I'll just be a minute."
Jasper started to get out of the car to join me, but I stopped him.
"I'll be fine, just wait here. It's just a coffee place." I rolled my eyes. Overprotective much?
"Sorry, I'm just a bit nervous being so close to where the Cullens are. You're right, I'm sure it's fine." He said, sitting back down slowly.
I wondered if there was any chance that they would actually hurt me if they knew I was here. I didn't think so. Jasper did look really tense though. I stared into his eyes, considering.
"Am I in danger from them?" I asked, not willing to dismiss his concerns without knowing all the facts.
"I don't believe they would hurt you normally." Jasper gave me a half-answer. "However, do you remember Edward's reaction to you the first day in Biology? If he came alone, he is no longer acclimated to your scent. Also, I wouldn't leave you alone with Rosalie, even before we left Forks. As for the rest... well if they know why I'm here it could cause resentment. I'm probably exaggerating the risk, but I'd rather be safe."
I did think he was exaggerating a bit, but his concerns was real to him and he was obviously uncomfortable. I decided to compromise. He was willing to let me do things my way, but that didn't mean I had to ignore his wishes entirely.
"I'll take Char, that is if you want to come with?" I smiled at her.
"I'd love to!" She bounced out of the car excited, grabbing my hand.
"Happy?" I asked Jasper.
"Very." He replied, letting me feel his relief while shooting me a grin that made me melt. I don't know what it was about his grin, but it was like a weapon. It made it impossible for me to think straight. If I'd had known taking a bodyguard would get that reaction, I would have let him come with me himself.
Charlotte dragged me toward the smell of coffee, it taking a moment for my legs to work properly again. I grinned at Jasper over my shoulder before returning my attention to the woman with me.
"Do you guys like sugar in your coffee or just black?" I asked when we got inside.
"Just black is better." She said, smiling. "Thanks for offering, Peter will be thrilled."
I placed the order for our coffees, mine with sugar. They were just brewing up fresh coffee and I told the girl at the counter that I'd be back in a minute to pick it up.
I motioned for Charlotte to follow me into the bathrooms which were luckily empty. Along the way I decided I had to go to the bathroom, hoping that would be enough to deter Alice from looking. I knew how much human bodily functions tended to gross out the little pixie.
"Alice is disgusted by human functions." I whispered. "So we have a short time to get a message to Emmett. Unfortunately we can't tell the guys until the last second."
"Good idea." She said, her eyes lighting up.
I sent a text to Emmett asking if it was safe to call.
"Normally I think it's disgusting to be on the phone while using the bathroom." I told Char, embarrassed.
I went into the stall, sitting down on the toilet and waiting for his response. God this was humiliating. My phone rang a second later.
"Bella?" Emmett's cheery voice blasted through the speaker.
"Hey Em." I said as I started to pee.
"Are you going to be here soon? I don't know if I can hold out much longer." He paused. "What's that sound? Are you in the bathroom?" The humor in his voice was unmistakable. I was never going to live this down.
"Yes, Emmett. I'm Alice proofing this conversation." I tried to own it, pushing away my embarrassment and tried to be proud of my ingenuity.
His laughter made it hard to hold onto my bravado.
"Something funny Emmett?" I said, putting a hard edge to my words. "If you have a better way to keep her eyes off me right now, I'd like to hear it."
"No," He said, still laughing a little. "It's perfect. I just never would have thought you'd do it."
"Well, we don't have much time until she starts looking. We're close now, maybe 30 minutes away. Is there anyway you can get everyone out of the house for me except for Carlisle and Alice?"
"Might be hard. Why those two?"
"It's for Jasper, no time to explain. Your mission, should you chose to accept it, is divide and conquer. Can I count on you?" I knew making this into a game for him would motivate him to get creative.
"I accept!" He said. "I won't let you down baby sis. I can't wait till you get here."
"Soon. I have to go now. Good luck!" I hung up.
"He's never going to let you live that down you know." Charlotte said from outside the stall. "For the next hundred years he'll be telling everyone about how you pissed while talking to him on the phone."
"No he won't." I said confidently. "How long do you think it will take before I have something on him I can trade for his silence? A week tops, I'm guessing."
"You are so much fun." She laughed.
"Besides, I can always pull the sad face on him. I can swear him to silence and he'll actually do it." I said smugly.
"Wow, really?"
"I'm the baby sister after all. The job comes with some perks." I said as I finished up and exited to wash my hands in the sink. I combed through my hair with my fingers, making sure I looked okay.
"Bella." Charlotte said, looking nervous. "I'm really glad you'll be a Whitlock. I hope we can be close one day like Peter and Jasper are."
"I hope so too." I told her, watching her face in the mirror. She seemed to be debating saying something further.
"Just don't hurt Jasper. I can tell he already has feelings for you. Every woman he's ever cared about has broken him, I won't let it happen again." She looked fierce as she said the last part, every bit the deadly vampire she was.
She turned around, leaving me alone in the bathroom, the door closing softly behind her. I hadn't been expecting her to say that. I wasn't even sure what exactly I felt for Jasper. I was sure we were friends, but there was an undeniable attraction there.
What would happen when Alice was in his past, completely behind him? Would he want to pursue a relationship with me? Was I ready for that? I considered for a moment and realized that I was ready. It had been about six months since my breakup with Edward and I had grown a lot since then. I had found myself in the process of healing and I felt ready to try again.
Was Jasper ready though? He was married to Alice for sixty years. Surely he needed time to get over her. I couldn't expect him to return my feelings, not yet. I wasn't even sure what I felt exactly, it was so new.
I left the bathroom, finding Charlotte leaning against the wall looking at her feet.
"I'm sorry Bella, I shouldn't have said that. I don't mean to assume anything about you, I am just worried about him."
"No, it's alright. I understand. Truthfully, I don't know what will happen yet. I don't want him getting hurt either." I squeezed her hand softly, causing her to meet my gaze. "I'm glad he has such good friends willing to fight for him."
We got our order from the counter and returned to the car. Jasper had moved to the driver's seat while we were inside.
"We got you coffee!" I told the guys as Charlotte passed around the cups. I took mine after I belted in next to Jasper. I grabbed his free hand, shooting a knowing smile to Char in the backseat as I did so. She returned it with an approving wink. Apparently having said her piece, she was happy to encourage our relationship.
When we were close to the house, Jasper warned us all to guard our thoughts from Edward's gift. Jasper had explained to me that Edward was easy to get around if you knew about his power. Just keep something in the front of your mind and you were free to think with the rest of it. It was much easier for vampires, but even humans could do it with practice, my father was a prime example of that. Edward was too full of himself to realize how fallible he was.
I hoped that Emmett's mission was a success. When we could see the house, only Carlisle and Alice were waiting on the front porch. I grinned, getting a strange look from Jasper.
"Where are the rest of them?" Peter said. "Do you sense them with your gift Major?"
"No, just the two."
"Operation Potty Break was a go." Charlotte giggled from the back.
This got stares from the guys. I laughed with her, proud of my brother bear for pulling it off. Jasper turned his stare on me.
"Care to explain darlin'?" He asked, confused.
"Alice is disgusted by my human moments." I said. "So I called Emmett while in the bathroom and had him clear the house. I figured we only needed some of the Cullens here for most of what we had to do. Better to deal with the important stuff first before the dramatics start."
"Divide and conquer." Char chimed in, sounding proud.
"I can't wait until you're one of us officially." Peter said, looking excited. "We're going to have so much fun."
"Tactical, as always, sugar." Jasper praised. "Well done." He squeezed my hand softly.
He pulled the car up, zooming around to my door before his even had a chance to shut all the way. I was expecting him to assist me out, used to Edward employing his vampiric speed to display his old-school manners. Instead, Jasper waited until Peter and Charlotte were flanking him, forming a wall before opening my door. By the time I got out of the car, I had three protective guards surrounding me, all alert for any dangers.
"Bella!" Alice shouted. "You're alive! I was so worried!" She tried to rush at me, but was stopped by Charlotte roughly shoving her back.
"Alive?" Carlisle said, confused. Everyone ignored him for the time being.
"Hello Alice." I said a bit coldly. "You were worried? So worried that you never called me or came to check on me?"
"I couldn't." She protested. "Edward said..." she began, but I cut her off.
"Don't." I was angry. "I don't want to talk about him, not until everyone's here."
"You just missed the family." Carlisle spoke up, looking concerned. "Emmett pulled some sort of prank involving Rosalie's corvette, Edward's piano, and Esme's rose bushes. They chased him off into the forest not fifteen minutes before you arrived.
"Impressive." Peter muttered.
I silently agreed. I hoped they wouldn't hurt him when they caught up with him, and that he kept them chasing for long enough for us to take care of what we needed to.
"Shall we go inside?" Carlisle asked. I was annoyed at how calm he was acting. He was always acting and I was over it. I wanted him to react for once, to stop pretending.
"Yes, let's. We wouldn't want the neighbors to see us standing out in the cold. Whatever would they think?" I said sarcastically. I heard Peter's muffled snort. Carlisle looked like I slapped him, but didn't comment as he led us into yet another Cullen mansion.
It was another of Esme's creations. Lots of windows, open concept, no color. I reflected on how much it was like her. Empty and devoid of life. I felt pity for her again, being forced to pretend for the sake of her family, when all she really wanted she couldn't have. Her son was forever lost to her and no matter how many new children Carlisle found, none of them would ever be him.
Seeming to have ignored my earlier outburst, Carlisle offered me refreshments. I decided to play nice, for Jasper's sake, and politely declined. The four of us sat together, much like we had when facing off against Jacob and Sam. Unified against a threat, as a coven. I felt Jasper sending out security and reassurance to all of us in a wave and I absorbed it, happy to be included amongst his most trusted of friends.
"Before we get to the larger issues." Peter said, wrapping his arm around his mate and pulling her into his side. "I wanted to address our attempt at your diet, Doctor Cullen."
It seemed Peter was taking a cue from me and remaining polite. I could feel Jasper's relief seeping through from where we were touching. I wondered idly if he meant to project it or if it was just because of the contact from being so close together on the couch.
"I see you have returned to feeding from humans." Carlisle observed from the couple's eye color. His tone was disapproving, almost scolding as if a puppy had just piddled on the carpet.
"Yes, we tried your way and found it dissatisfying. We decided to remain on a normal vampire diet. Char and I would like to thank you for taking the time to educate us on the alternatives however." Peter said, surprisingly diplomatically. I didn't think he had it in him to be so politic. I noted that despite Peter's respectable wording, Carlisle tensed at the word "normal". The man needed to realize that he was the oddity in the room, not Peter and Char.
"Perhaps you didn't give it enough time." Carlisle countered. "I assure you, it gets easier over time. You just need to stick with it."
Jasper sent me a burst of disagreement. I didn't react outwardly, knowing it was meant as a secret message. I sent back understanding.
"We learned enough. More time ain't gunna change a thing." Peter said firmly.
I could tell Carlisle was winding up for more persuasion, and I wasn't in the mood to hear his preaching.
"Let's not talk about feeding, it makes me a bit uncomfortable." I lied.
"Oh, I'm so sorry Bella. Excuse my thoughtlessness." Carlisle said, his eyes wide. "Please forgive me, of course this isn't the time."
"Thank you Carlisle, I appreciate it." I placated him. I sent smugness to Jasper and got some amusement back. He knew full well it didn't bother me one bit.
"The family has been very concerned about you since our departure." He looked at Alice questioningly. "What were you saying before about thinking Bella was dead, Alice?"
"She believed me dead, didn't you hear her?" I answered. "I'm not, as you can see."
Alice just gapped at me, not knowing what to say.
"I'll discuss my life when the others return, I don't want to repeat myself. I only accompanied Jasper on this trip so that he could conduct his business. If it wasn't for him I wouldn't have come at all." I told them sourly. I was thinking about Emmett, but I wasn't going to say that to these two.
"Jasper, I told you not to make contact with Bella. Only to check on her. Now I find you forced her to come with you? I'm very disappointed." He scolded.
I couldn't believe the nerve on him to act this way. Jasper was a grown man, not some small child and I was a grown woman, capable of making up my mind as to where I went.
"Doctor Cullen!" I interrupted. "I was not forced to do anything. Neither Jasper or I are children and I won't stand by and watch you treat us as if we are." I glared at him. "I may not want to be here but that doesn't mean I didn't agree to come. You don't have the right to dictate my life."
I watched him deflate from his indignant pose to one of submission. I was shocked that he was so easily cowed by a human girl. How had he managed to survive so long? He barely even looked offended as he nodded at me, acknowledging my point. Jasper took over, before things could get any more out of hand.
"My business here," He began, drawing attention back to himself. "Is to formally end my affiliation with the Cullen coven." He pulled a leather cuff out of his pocket, laying it on the glass table-top. I remembered seeing it on his wrist in the past, it bore the Cullen crest on it. Next he pulled out his wallet and placed his identification baring the name Jasper Hale down in a neat row.
"What?" both Alice and Carlisle said in unison.
"I have taken back my rightful place as leader of the Whitlock coven, as well as my former name. Jasper Hale is dead."
The room went still. The kind of still that only their kind could achieve. It made me want to fidget extra, to make up for the difference, but instead I mimicked them, holding my breath.
"Son," Carlisle cracked first. "Why are you leaving the family? What have we done wrong?" He looked honestly heartbroken. I hadn't expected him to care that much, I had assumed it was an act, but the man looked as if he was going to cry if it was possible.
"It's time I moved on." Jasper took a deep breath. "I was a broken man when I first came here. You helped me with my depression, Carlisle. You guided me when I need it, brought me out of the darkness that I was stuck in after leaving the wars. You'll always have my appreciation for that, but I'm no longer able to play at being your child. I've never called you father, I've never seen you as such. I hope in the future we can be friends, but never again will I pretend to be your son."
"I always hoped someday, you'd accept me. To me, you'll always be my son." Carlisle sobbed, looking broken. I didn't completely buy it, he was just so dramatic. I wasn't sure if Carlisle deserved an Oscar for his performance or if we needed to find a vampire psychiatrist for him.
"That's not acceptable." Jasper said, some compassion in his voice. "I had a father who raised me right. I grew up and became a man in my human life. I won't regress, not even for your sake. I'm asking for your friendship, man to man. I won't tolerate anything less. If you can't give me that, then we must part ways for good."
"I'm not sure I can." Carlisle said a bit bitterly.
"Maybe in time then." Jasper nodded. "Would you mind getting my paperwork in order while I speak with Alice?"
"Of course." The older vampire said, fleeing the room. For once, he used his natural speed instead of his carefully maintained human act.
Alice hadn't said a word the entire time. She had curled up, holding her knees tight against her chest, her eyes glazed over as she went from vision to vision, searching the future for a way out. Jasper called her name several times but got no answer.
He gave me an apologetic look before getting up. Peter shifted me over between him and Charlotte, whispering "Just in case." to me as he did so.
Jasper gently shook Alice's shoulders, calling to her again and eventually, she focused her eyes on the room again, coming out of her trance.
"Jasper?" She said in a small voice. "Don't go."
"I'm going. You've seen it."
"But I'm not." She looked confused.
"No, you aren't." Jasper said kindly. He looked at the small woman with pity. She looked like a child the way she was curled up, sad and alone.
"Why?" Alice asked, sobbing slightly. "You were the first person I ever saw. We are supposed to be together!"
"Alice, I don't want to hurt you. Please remember that. I'm sorry for the pain this will cause you, but sometimes it has to hurt." He pulled her into his lap, soothing her as she sobbed. I couldn't even feel jealous considering how broken Alice looked. Jasper had been with her for so long, it was right for him to be the one to console her. If anything, I felt like an intruder witnessing it.
"Just because you saw me, doesn't me you saw us forever. We aren't mates Ali. If we were, I wouldn't be leaving now. I couldn't leave you behind if we were." He spoke softly in her ear, stroking her short black hair.
"We haven't really been happy for a long time. No matter how much you try to change me, I'll never be what you want me to. I'm tired of trying to change for you. Someday you'll find someone you don't have to change. Someone that is what you are looking for. It isn't me, Ali. I'm not him. I don't want to pretend anymore, let me go."
"No, I've seen it!" he shook her head frantically.
"Wishes aren't visions." He held her chin, stopping her movement. "Don't lie to me, I'm done with the lies."
Alice jerked her head back, jumping away from him with a hiss. Jasper watched her carefully, but made no move to approach her.
"Don't you dare use your gift on me Jazz!" She growled out. "You are nothing without me, don't you forget that. If you go back with them you'll be back in your depression, suicidal again." Her eyes were thin lines. "Didn't you tell your friends that? How you were planning to kill yourself when I found you?" She spat out.
By the gasps out of Peter and Charlotte, I guessed not. Jasper hadn't even told me that exactly either, but I had figured he was in a pretty dark place from how he had described it. He may not have said he wanted to die, but every adjective he used was a red flag for anyone that had taken even the most basic psychology class.
"Is that true brother?" Peter asked, looking hurt.
"It was only a thought. I didn't act on it." Jasper looked terrified, his eyes wide as they met Peter's.
I watched Alice as the Whitlocks were hashing out this new information and saw the calculation in her eyes. That little bitch!
"Jasper, if you let her manipulate you so easily I will burn you myself." I said, keeping my eyes locked on her. "I already figured out from your story that you were probably depressed enough to be considering suicide, it's nothing to be ashamed of. Lots of people consider it at some point in their lives. The important part is you got through it. Your family loves you, and we won't let you be held prisoner by your past."
I felt Jasper send me a huge burst of emotion. There were strands of pride and affection, loyalty and comfort, affection and even some love. I closed my eyes for a moment when it hit me, unable to do anything but absorb it.
"She's right. If we had known, we would have helped you get through it. I just wish you'd have let us in." Peter said seriously. "I've got your back, always. Even if your enemy is from within."
Charlotte agreed with Peter silently, meeting Jasper's eyes with her own wet ones.
"Why Bella? He would have stayed with me!" Alice snarled. "We could have worked together on a plan to get Edward to take you back and been a family again."
I looked at her in shock. Was Alice serious?
"Alice, I don't want to be with Edward. I won't take him back, not even if he begged me."
"Oh." She looked confused. "Well that's okay. You can still be my sister even if you aren't with Edward." Alice smiled at me.
"Alice, I'm not staying here." I said, staring at her. Her forehead creased.
"I can't see." She mumbled. "You disappeared again. Why do you disappear? What's happening?"
I sighed, ignoring her as she went back into her vision trance. The conversation was going in circles anyhow, so no one stopped her. I exchanged a look with Char, who was wearing an expression I could only describe as "What the fuck?".
"I guess we said what we needed to." I said as Jasper joined us on the couch again. Peter squeezed his shoulder, his expression still a bit haunted.
"Yeah, that didn't go at all as I thought it would." Jasper replied, looking a bit befuddled.
"The Doc's coming." Peter said just before Carlisle started down the stairs, composed enough to resume his human act.