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Lost Opportunity

Part Twenty

Jasper's POV – 8 September

The ringing of my phone pulled me from my thoughts. I was still stuck in a world where I was shocked about Mike being the father of Bella's baby.

"Jasper . . . are you going to answer that?" Bella asked in a worried voice. I could feel her anxiety on my behalf. Perhaps she thought me overwhelmed.

I couldn't even imagine what my face must have resembled. I finally pulled myself from my stupor and looked at the face of my angel.

"What," I asked in a dazed voice.

"The phone, Jasper, it's ringing. It may be the hospital. I was wondering if you were planning on answering it," she explained in an almost amused voice.

My confusion must have been a little humorous to her, but there was still an underlying amount of fear in her emotions.

"Of course," I answered her stupidly. I truly hoped the hospital didn't require me at the moment. There was more I needed to hear from Bella. I gave her an encouraging grin as I picked up my cell phone without looking at the Caller ID.

"Hello, Jasper Hale speaking." I couldn't take my eyes off of Bella's face; she was so beguiling, yet so unaware.

I let the voice at the other end fill my ear, and then even regretted answering. "Hello, Jasper Hale, Emmett Cullen answering."

"What the hell do you want?" I yelled into the phone. Bella was taken aback by the tone and pitch of my voice. She jumped a little at being surprised; I grabbed her hand, letting her warmth fill me.

I knew it wasn't Emmett's fault, but his time was uncanny; terrible even. How was it possible when something as important as Bella trying to tell me something began, Emmett had the grace of interrupting?

"So sorry to have intruded on your solo time, Jasper, but I just wanted to know what you're doing. Or see if maybe you wanted to go hunting."

I wanted to hush him up, but the big guy kept whining.

"Edward is being all emo and playing his precious piano. I swear that boy needs to get laid, and I'm bored."

It was sometimes difficult to believe Emmett being as old as he was, and I constantly wondered how Rose dealt with him constantly (then again, I didn't want to know).

"Contrary to what you may believe," my voice dripped with aggravation, "I do have a life and cannot drop everything according to your whims. I'm sorry that you're bored and Edward is unavailable, but I'm not really hungry at the moment. I'm sure there's someone else you could bother," I grimaced in a menacing voice, but giving Bella a small smile.

"But I want to bother you," he continued to whine. My patience was wearing thin. "I swear you've become so much like Edward in your old age. Are you and he on the same man cycle, because I'm willing to go and pick you up some feminine products, seeing as you are so busy."

His boisterous laughter filled the phone at his own humorless wit. I knew Esme wasn't present, because if she heard such talk from him, he would be running for the nearest hills. Literally.

"There's no need; I already picked up the essentials the other day," I deadpanned. "As for Edward and I being alike, I don't really fear that happening. Why don't you get a job or do something productive – for a change, instead of making it your life's hobby of annoying the hell out of me."

"Blah, Blah, Blah, Emmett," was his mature response. "Get a blah, Emmett. I already have a father in Carlisle, and don't need one in you. He was lecturing just the other day about me looking into getting employment somewhere. I mean, I don't look prepubescent like Edward; I am a man, after all," he continued to drawl, "I probably could get a job without someone questioning if my balls have dropped. I mean come on, all you have to do is ask Rosie and she'll vouch for me. The things we have done—"

I couldn't take anymore.

"Emmett! How many times in your life do you have to hear the phrase 'too much information'?"

Bella looked at me, confused, but I simply rolled my eyes, trying to express my exasperation to her.

"I don't want to hear about any of your indecent exploits. Again, sorry you're bored, but I do have other things to do."

"So sorry to interrupt, Mother Teresa." I gritted my teeth.

"I'll let you get back to whatever was so important. I wish I had some brothers; I'm surrounded by a bunch of women. What is the world coming to when I can't even get one of my supposed brothers to even go hunting with me?" he asked, more to himself.

I started to feel guilty for my harsh words toward him. "Listen, Emmett, I'm sorry for being so harsh with you earlier, maybe—" but his attention was already elsewhere.

"What, Jasper? Never mind. Rosie just got home, and she promised we could try out a new toy I found on the . . ."

Enough was more than enough, and to think, I was trying to apologize. I immediately hung up the phone, trying to remember where I placed my acid from my last conversation with him.

"Is everything alright? You seem almost sick. If I didn't know better, I'd say you are even paler than normal," she asked with concern in her voice. Again, I could only imagine what I must've looked like.

"I'm fine, angel. Usually when one speaks to Emmett, my brother," I clarify with air quotes, "one has to remember to wash one's brain with bleach, or even acid."

She looked at me with skepticism, but I knew once she met Emmett she'd understand. I dreaded the day.

"But enough of him, and my now nightmares, what were you going to tell me?"

Bella watched at me with her beautiful face, apprehension apparent in her eyes. I tasted the emotional climate, and could feel her struggling emotions. It felt like she was having an internal tug of war: on the one side were burden, longing, and an acceptance; and on the other side was conviction, and something that felt like trust.

I felt dizzy in trying to keep up with her constant battle. I needed to try and calm her; I knew these constant emotions weren't good for the baby.

"Please, Bella, don't feel pressured in telling me anything you aren't ready for. I do, however, need you to try and stay calm for the baby."

"Sorry. I'm not quite sure what overcame me." She took several deep breaths.

I could feel her calming down, and with each breath she took, I also copied. I decided to change the subject, wanting to give her more time to calm. I also wanted to make sure I didn't overexcite her again. I wasn't quite sure if this was the right time for my news, but it was the only thing I could think of (at the time) to change the subject.

"Hey, remember the part of your story, about going to the Frat party?" She looked at me with confusion, trying to figure out where I may have been going.

"Yes."

"Do you remember that person you ran into at the party when you . . . um . . . were leaving?" I was trying to not think about the reason she had left the party, and what definitely happened after.

She nodded.

"Well, that person was my brother Emmett, the one I just spoke to on the phone."

She looked at me with tears in her eyes. Again, I had made a mistake in telling her. I didn't want to cause her more pain. I could also tell she knew where I was going with the story. "The ironic thing is: Emmett begged me to come visit him that weekend. I actually made it to that party, but I was extremely late. A study session for a test we had the following week ran late."

The tears leaked from Bella's eyes, but I wish mine could join hers. I knew the feeling. Timing could be a cruel bitch.

"Are you certain it was the same Frat house, Jasper? It could have been another one." She was trying to grasp at straws.

From her story and the way she described the person she ran into, I had no doubt it was Emmett. He was 'The Hulk' personified, but had the dimples of a little boy.

"I'm certain, angel. From the description alone, I know it's him, but if you were at the AlphaTheta(Theta—Bella said at the same time as me), then that was my brother."

She gave me a sad smile, which said all that I felt, 'another lost opportunity'. "Yeah," was the only thing I could think to say?

When I had finally arrived at the party, I found Emmett and apologized for being so late. And then I smelled the scent which was my homing beacon. I froze in that moment, trying to collect my thoughts. I figured I was crazy and imagining things. After frantically searching the party for any sigh of her, I knew I was mistaken; a trick from fate, meant to punish me for all of the horrible deeds I had done.

And now, I knew that fate was worse than I had imagined, she was a bitch. Bella had truly been there, and again, I had missed my time with her. She fell for someone else that night who was there and available.

I pulled myself from my destructive thoughts and looked at the person whom I had always wanted in my life since I had met her. Her tears glistened in the fading sun; all I could think of was her beauty.

I knew we may have missed a chance in the past, but Bella was here and present. Her words about regret from earlier rang true in my ears. Bella was sitting in front of me now, and I couldn't live without her. I lost another piece of myself to her.

I touched my hand to her wet cheeks, wiping the water from her heated skin. She leaned her face into my touch, closing her brown-speckled eyes.

"We have the present, angel. I shouldn't have told you, but couldn't help myself."

She opened her eyes, and looked into mine. "Yeah," she answered back. I knew we were on the same page. Finally. I could feel her happiness at my words, and knew she was going to be alright.

"So your brother seems very interesting."

Way to break the ice, I thought.

"From what I remember, he is . . . um . . . very . . ." Bella blushed before trying to look away from my eyes. I wasn't going to let her off the hook that easily.

"Very what, angel?"

"Jasper!" she said exasperated. I gave her my award-winning smile; she gave me her customary eye-role. It was wonderful getting my own way.

"Fine! He was very good looking, alright?" Her cheeks were red again. I decided to play a little more.

"You think he's good looking?" I asked as a rhetorical question, which Bella took as such. Again, she rolled her eyes. "And what am I, chopped liver? Do you think my brother is better looking than me?" I asked like a spoilt little boy.

"Jasper," she whined in vexation.

"Just answer my question, Bella."

She gave me a searching look, but I wasn't going to show her I was joking. I was truly interested in her honest answer.

"Fine." I smiled at getting my way. "Do you remember the other day, when we finally met again in the hospital?" she asked. The smile disappeared from my face.

I didn't want to think of Bella in the hospital. It did awful things to my unbeaten heart. So I simply nodded, not trusting myself to say anything.

"Well, when I was waking up, I could hear you calling to me. Or maybe it was my imagination, but I just knew you were there. The next thing I remember: I hear this voice from my past calling my name. I fight my sleep and open my eyes to see the most glorious face I've ever seen watching me. And the rest is history – or should I say – a part of our already convoluted history." She finished with a smile.

"I love you, too, angel. And I'm so very happy you realize how gorgeous I truly am."

She smacked me gently in the leg, while rolling her eyes. Bella was the gorgeous one.

"Oh, I do see how beautiful you are," she purred in a voice that wasn't hers.

"Your eyes are dark amber – my favorite color – and so sultry when you look at me. Your mouth is something Shakespeare would have written endless sonnets about. It is so supple and begging to be kissed. Your hair was spun by the hand of an angel. It is so perfectly curly and feels like heaven itself. I could run my fingers through it for the rest of my life. Your body would make all the Greek gods (put together) jealous, and Aphrodite herself would be begging you to make love to her forever. You are simply, and forever, unbelievably gorgeous."

Her cheeks were glowing red and I was completely speechless. What does one say to one's friend who just said those things?

My face was frozen in a surprised stupor. And then Bella had the good grace to break into the biggest laugh I ever heard from such a little person. What the hell was is funny?

"Sorr . . ." she tried to say through her laughter. I could feel mischief and humor coming in abundance from her.

"Sorry, but you should have seen your f-face. I couldn't believe I was able to pull that off without laughing like mad. Damn, Jasper, you are too much sometimes."

Her little giggles subsided. I was offended and proud at the same time. I didn't think she had it in her to joke with me that much. Credit had to be given where credit was due.

My face became serious, the smile left. My features became stone and Bella stopped smiling.

"I'm sorry, Jasper, I didn't mean to offend. I really do think you're amazingly hot." She tried to appeal to me while her face caught fire.

I slowly inched myself closer to her on the couch, before placing my hands on either side of her head as she leaned back on the arm rest. I followed her downward progression, stopping with my face a little less than a foot away.

She gulped loudly as she brought her hands to my chest. My body was pressed against her belly. I brought my face even closer. Her eyes became a little glassy; I could feel her apprehension, and a little fear.

"What's the matter, angel?" I said in my sultriest voice, allowing my Texas accent to become thick and heavy. "Can't play with the big boys?"

I leaned in even closer. "Oh, Bella, and I do mean B.I.G." Her cheeks were no longer red but scarlet. I kept the emotions from my face.

"Jasper . . . I was . . . I—I didn't mean . . ."

"Cat got your tongue, darlin' or should I say little minx?"

My accent was in full bloom as I licked my lips. Bella's eyes were the size of saucers, little beads of sweat broke out on her neck.

I brought my wet lips so close to hers. I could feel the heat coming from her. Her hot breath mingled with mine.

As my lips fell to her and she closed her eyes, I kissed her on the forehead before whispering in her ear, "Two can play that game, kitten. Never underestimate someone like me."

Wickedly, she shivered from my cold breath caressing her ear. She opened her eyes; they were filled with something I just couldn't place. Bella nodded her head and gave me a brave little smile. I had to laugh at her inability for words.

I brought my lips to the corner of her mouth and placed a light kiss there. I allowed my lips to linger, her warmth filled me. When I pulled back, she gave me a weak smile.

"Well, Jasper," her voice came out a little shaky, "I do believe I've been had, and I bow down to your skill. I could never compete with you."

She held her hand out and I shook it gently, pulling her into a hug. Her protruding tummy hit me. Surprisingly, I could feel the little one kick. I kissed her forehead and brought my hands down to her stomach.

"I know, baby, I got your mommy really well. I can teach you all the tricks of the trade when we finally meet." I rubbed her belly.

"You better do no such thing, Jasper, and I mean it."

She had her hands on her wide hips, trying to look fierce, only coming off as scary as a little lion cub who tries to roar.

I decided to give her the benefit and let it go in one ear and out the other.

"Sure, angel. Whatever you say," I placated her.

"And it better be retained in that head of yours . . . not going in one ear and out the other."

Damn she was too fucking good. She was either Edward in disguise (disgusting!) reading my thoughts, or she was just that good.

"Fine, I heard it and retained it . . . happy? You better watch out with this one, baby, because I have a feeling you aren't going to be getting away with much." The little one just kicked my hand, as if saying, 'tell me about it'.

"Now, I'm getting hungry. I think I'll allow you to take me out and get something to eat. Pasta sounds good to me, with a rich marinara sauce. What about you? . . . Sound good, Jazz?" I loved when she called me by my nickname. It was so rare when she did.

"Sure, a rich red-sauce sounds very appetizing," I mumbled to her. She smiled.

If she only knew what I really meant.

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Author's Note: Well, there you have it, lovely readers. I know it was shorter than my regular chapters, but it was also lighter in the emotions department. I hope you enjoyed Emmett and his constant shenanigans; he's too much fun to write.

What did you think of Emmett being the one Bella ran into at the Frat party? Did anyone pick up on that in the last chapter? Please let me know your thoughts on the chapter, or whatever you feel like writing.

I hope all is well with everyone and much love as always.

Posted: Tuesday, 10 August 2010

Edited: Saturday, 20 July 2013