Disclaimer. All publicly recognizable characters, settings etc., are the property of their respective owners. The original characters, ideas and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended. I only do this for fun. –B

Chapter 12
(Lilly's POV)

Just as Alice predicted a week of relative calmness few by after Bella and I's accident and although the family and I watched Edward quietly as he struggled to keep his distance from Bella, nothing happened. She was quite put out with the fact that he was ignoring her and I could tell by the way she looked at him and spoke, even though her indifferent exterior, it was hurting her. I felt horrible that my life was moving along perfectly while she had to watch Jasper and I show affection towards each other.

As Alice had also predicted, Bella did not breathe a word about Edward's rescue to anyone, aside from me. When people asked her about it, she would just say that Edward had been next to her and pulled her out of the way. I said the same thing involving Jasper. That the four of us were just chatting and Jasper yanked me into the bed of the truck. No one second guessed us or questioned us further and by now, the accident was old news.

Edward refused to let any of the family speak to or associate with Bella, aside from me that is. He trusted me not to reveal anything about him, the family or myself and concluded that it would only make her more suspicious if I suddenly stopped my friendship with her. Not that he could stop me anyway. He knew that I would back him up no matter what and wouldn't push any issues regarding his choices whether he decided to pursue Bella or not. He knew I had my opinions on everything and that I just wanted them both to be happy, but he respected that I didn't push the matter like Alice was, nor was I completely against it like Rose was. He was able to talk to me about how he felt and what was going through his mind with no judgment and that I would be someone who would listen to his fears and wants, only giving my opinion and advice when warranted. We grew incredibly close over the week. He even took me to this beautiful field filled with flowers that he went to often to think. He told me that he was so happy that he found someone that he could confide in and would always be on his side no matter what my opinions were.

Alice was rather put out with Edward not letting her talk to Bella. She didn't understand why it was okay that I got to still remain friends with her when she couldn't. But Edward was adamant that she listen to what he said regarding her.

It was early in March now and we were all sitting in the canteen. As Alice often did these days, she had a quick vision and glanced around the family.

"Bella's going to stare at Edward in a minute, look normal." She whispered.

I leaned over to take Jasper's hand and he smiled softly at me with a look of pure love and adoration. The others did similar things, as well as laughed and pretended to take a bite of their food, giving the pretense of normalcy.

Once Bella had looked over at us and then looked away again, we all relaxed a little. Alice risked a quick glace in Bella's direction and let out a long, exasperated sigh.

"Stay out of it Alice, it's not going to happen!" Edward snapped, receiving a glare from her in return.

"I'll admit, you're better than I thought." Alice grumbled in frustration. "You've got the future all snarled up and senseless again. I hope you're happy."

"It makes plenty of sense to me." Edward sighed and Alice let out a snort, but didn't argue.

"Why are you pressing this Alice? Edward's doing the right thing, staying away from Bella." Rose said glaring at Alice.

"I don't have to explain myself to you, Rose." Alice answered, clearly annoyed. "Why are you so against Bella anyways?"

"She deserves a normal human life, Alice! She deserves a loving husband to grow old with and children! There is no reason for her to become what we are when she is gifted with all of that." Rose argued back.

I felt Jasper send out calm throughout our table, quieting the arguing and temper tantrum that was guaranteed to escalate if it wasn't put to a stop now. I smiled gratefully at him, not wanting to see my sisters fight.

As I looked at him, I noticed that his eyes were relatively dark and I frowned.

"How are you doing?" I asked him concerned and so quietly that the vampires around the table would have had to struggle to hear us.

"Hmm," Jasper said noncommittally as he reached over and slid his hand up my thigh, squeezing it lightly.

"Maybe you two should ditch the last two periods and meet us in the parking lot." Alice whispered to me.

I sighed, knowing that meant that he was going to slip up. We have been hunting animals so far all week and tomorrow we were supposed to have our first drink of human blood since starting the new diet. Jasper was nervous about it, but refused to change his mind.

For the rest of lunch, Jasper entertained himself and her, making sexual advances with his hands and emotions. We haven't had sex yet, but it was something that we both desperately wanted. The sexual tension between the two of us was so thick, it was stifling. But Jasper had explained that he wanted to wait for the right time when his family wasn't in the house. We decided that this weekend while the rest of the Cullen's were hunting, since we wouldn't need to go because we would have our donated human blood, we would be together for the first time and I couldn't be more excited.

Saturday was supposed to be to trip to La Push, but I told Bella that I couldn't make it because I was supposed to go 'camping' with the Cullen's. She understood, but was disappointed. I promised that I would make it up to her next time she wanted to go out with the group. (As long as it wasn't to La Push).

Speaking of which, I had my first introduction with the Wolves last weekend when I stayed at the Cullen's. I had to sign the treaty as well as meet the Elders. Their names were Harry Clearwater, Billy Black, and old Quil Ateara. The pack's Alpha, Sam Uley, was there as well as two other's named Jared Cameron and Paul Lahote.

It went very well. The Elders were very wary of the Cullen's, but when they met me, they were quite shocked. I told them all about me and my birth into this world, how I got adopted by John and Anne, how I discovered my vampirism, my gift, my hunting habits, moving to Forks, meeting the Cullen's, being Jasper's mate and what it meant, my friendship with Bella Swan, and deciding to change my diet with the exception of donated blood and how Jasper was now going to partake in it lessen the risk of a slip because of how his gift worked.

They were amazed and very interested in me. The fact that I was born this way was shocking to them. They also discovered that I did not smell overly sweet to the wolves as the rest of the Cullen's did. They didn't smell like wet dog to me either. It was more like an earth-type smell. They haven't decided if they would allow me on to the rez yet, because of the fact that I did drink blood, so they were going to have a council meeting and get back to me in a week or two.

I got along with the wolves quite well, especially Paul. They were all quite shocked at this because they claimed that Paul had a problem with his temper. Jasper didn't like this at all and said that his feelings were anything but platonic. I soothed his worries by explaining that I am his mate and his alone and that I loved him and no one could ever take me from him.

Everyone parted on a good note, but they still didn't like the Cullen's and vice versa. I seemed to be the middle ground for both sides. Carlisle seems to think that it is part of my gift, that creatures of all species were drawn to me. He couldn't explain how just yet, but it was something that he was going to look into.

The bell for next period brought me out of my thoughts and Jasper helped me out of my seat. I smiled at him in thanks and he kissed my pulse point and breathed in my scent.

"Let's skip the rest of the day." I suggested.

"Alice saw that I would fail, didn't she?" He asked solemnly.

"No." I lied. "It's just that I am really thirsty and adjusting to this diet has been difficult. Alice saw that a girl was going to hurt herself next period, causing her to bleed and I don't want to take any chances." I would take the blame any day so Jasper wouldn't be sad.

He smiled and nodded, taking my hand and walking me out of the school and towards the forest.

Our hunt went well, which then resulted in a make out session until school ended. We made our way back to the school only to see Alice, Emmett and Rose standing in front of the school.

"What's going on? Where's Edward?" Jasper asked, wrapping his arms around my waist and laying his chin on my shoulder.

"Edward is having a jealous tantrum because other guys are asking Bella about the dance." Alice explained.

"That would be funny to see," Jasper grinned. "Isn't it girl's choice though? Why are they asking her?"

"The same reason that guys are asking Lilly!" She said, and then smacked her hand over her mouth, looking at me apologetically as Jasper growled, turning me around to face him.

"Guys have been hounding you again? Why didn't you tell me?" He growled.

"It's no big deal. I turned them down." I soothed him. "They just wanted to know if I've chosen who I wanted to go with yet. It's the same thing that they are probably doing to Bella."

"And have you?" He smirked, pulling me flush against him. "Decided who you want to go with?"

"Hmmm…" I murmured as he nuzzled his face into my neck. "I think I might ask Matt." I joked. He growled low in my ear, but didn't get too upset as he felt my amusement.

"You little monster," He continued as he began to nip at my pulse point, making me giggle. "Now, who were you going to ask?"

"Edward?" He growled again and began to tickle my sides.

"Who?" He pressed, but I could feel him smiling against my neck.

"Emmett?" I was almost convulsing with laughter by now.

"Try again." He began to nip my ear lope.

"Okay! Okay! I give! Uncle! Uncle!" I laughed and he finally stopped and pulled back to look me in the eye with a wide smile on his face. "Jasper, will you go to the girl's choice dance with me?"

"Hmm…I'll have to think about it." He said as he pretended to ponder.

"Hey!" I smacked his arm and he gripped it pretending it hurt.

"Alright, alright…I'll go with you my little flower." He said grabbing me up in a hug and kissed me cheek.

Minutes passed and finally Edward pulled up in front of the school, but still a ways away from them. Bella seemed to be stuck behind him in her truck with Tyler Crowley behind her. She was clearly irritated with whatever happened, and Edward holding up traffic only seemed to add fuel to the fire as she glowered at the back of Edward's car.

"What is he doing?" Jasper asked.

"I think he has lost his mind." Rose sighed.

"Should we help the poor girl?" Emmett suggested and Rose turned a glared at him with narrowed eyes. "Fine, fine!" He held his hands up in surrender. "We help Edward then!"

We walked at a slow human walk, stopping to talk frequently about nothing to waste time. We watched as Tyler got out of his car and walked up to Bella's window, tapping on the glass.

"Hey, sorry Tyler. I'm stuck behind Cullen" Bella said apologetically but clearly angered.

"Oh, I know." Tyler insisted, clearly undeterred by her mood. "I just wanted to ask you something while we're trapped here." His grin was cocky.

I could almost see steam come out of Bella's ears as she gave a death glare to Tyler.

"Will you ask me to the spring dance?" He asked.

"I'm not going to be in town, Tyler." She told him, irritation still plain in her voice. I already spoke to her about the spring dance and she admitted that she really just didn't want to go since she couldn't dance. Going out of town was only an excuse to let any suitors down easy.

"Yeah, Mike said that."

"Then why -?" She started to ask.

He shrugged his shoulders. "I was hoping you were just letting him down easy."

He eyes flashed, and then she seemed to calm herself down some. "Sorry, Tyler." She didn't sound sorry in the slightest. "I really am going to be out of town."

He accepted the excuse, his self-assurance untouched. "That's cool. We still have prom." He said and then strutted back to his car.

Bella had a horrified expression on her face as we finally arrived at Edward's Volvo. It was going to be a tight squeeze, but with Emmett up front and Alice being so tiny, we would manage to fit. Edward was laughing hysterically, nearly breaking the steering wheel. We were all quite confused as to what was the point of all of that.

"What's so funny?" Emmett asked.

Edward just shook his head before shaking with fresh laughter as Bella began to rev her engine angrily. She looked as though she wished that she was driving a tank so she could ram into the back of his car. I shot her an apologetic look and she smiled and nodded, giving me the sign that she would call me later. I nodded, returning her smile before hopping into the back before Jasper.

"Let's go!" Rosalie hissed impatiently. "Stop being an idiot, if you can."

The ride home was quiet except for Edward chuckling every now and then, making me smile, resulting in Jasper smiling. He always said that seeing me smile made him smile.

We turned into the drive, speeding up now that no one was around to see us.

"So, do I get to talk to Bella now?" Alice suddenly asked.

"No!" Edward snapped. She clearly ruined his good mood.

"No fair! What am I waiting for?" She whined.

"I haven't decided anything, Alice."

"Whatever, Edward." She grumbled, crossing her arms over her chest.

A moment of silence passed before Edward broke it.

"What's the point in getting to know her?" He mumbled. "If I'm just going to kill her?

Alice hesitated for a second. "You have a point." She admitted reluctantly.

"You won't kill her, Edward." I encouraged him as I placed my hand on his shoulder from the back seat. "Even if I have to go with you every time you go near her to make sure I can control you ,just in case, until you have full control over your thirst around her."

"Thanks, Lilly." He smiled in the review mirror.

He took the final hairpin turn at 90 mph, and then screeched to a stop an inch from the back garage wall.

"Enjoy your run." Rosalie said smugly as he threw himself out of the car.

"Call me if you need me." I smiled meekly at him as Jasper put his arm around my waist, leading me towards the house.

"Thanks, I will." He nodded.

It was past midnight when I got a phone call from Edward. Jasper and I were lounging around in his study in front of his fire place. I sat in between his legs as he held a book in front of us as we took turns reading. He picked up my phone and looked at the caller I.D.

"Edward." He told me, handing me the phone.

I hit the 'talk' button and put it to my ear. "Hey Edward."

"Hey Lil." He sounded stressed.

"What's wrong?" I asked sitting up straighter in Jasper's lap.

"I'm sitting outside Bella's house." He sighed. "I-I just needed to know where she was and that she was safe. I want to see her face."

"She's sleeping. Charlie would throw a fit if you knocked on their door right now." I told him.

"Can you and Jasper come over here? Just for a few minutes?" He pleaded.

I looked up at Jasper questioningly. He closed his eyes, sighing dramatically and nodded.

"We'll be there in less than ten minutes." I said.

"Thanks guys. I really appreciate this." He said sounding relieved.

"Anytime." I hit the end button on my phone and stood up, extending my hand offering to help Jasper up. He took my hand and stood up, but instead of letting me go, he flung me onto his back and jumped out the window.

We stopped at the tree line of Bella's property and he set me on my feet.

"I could have ran myself, you know?" I raised an eyebrow.

"I know. I just wanted to hold you." He smiled cheekily.

I smirked, wrapping an arm around his neck and pulled him to meet my lips. A twig snapping to the east made us break apart. I smelled the air and immediately smelled Edward as he approached us.

"Thanks for coming." He said.

"It's not a problem." Jasper nodded. "Now, what's wrong?"

"I am going to sneak into her room through her window. I need to see her. I can't explain it." Edward rambled.

"No, I understand." Jasper stopped him. "It's the mating pull."

Edward took a deep unnecessary breath looking down at his feet. "Could she really be my mate?"

"Alice saw it and it sounds like you are feeling the pull." I shrugged.

"I don't know what to do." He groaned.

I walked up to him, pulling him into my arms in a tight affectionate hug. "Everything will be okay. Just take it one day at the time." He squeezed me tighter, and then released me. I pulled back, giving him a small smile. "She's a great girl, Edward. You both deserve each other. Take it where ever you want and know that I will be behind you no matter what."

"I love you, Lil. I couldn't ask for a better best friend."

"Me too." I backed up into Jasper's embrace. "Now, what do you need us to do?"

"Stay outside her window while I go in. If I look like I am going to lose control, I want you to use your gifts on me and get me out of there." He instructed.

"Got it." We nodded.

The three of us climbed the tree next to Bella's bedroom window and we watched as Edward climbed in. I could tell he was holding his breath as he slowly walked further into the room. Bella was sound asleep in her bed.

A few minutes passed and Edward still hadn't taken a breath. Just as he turned to leave, Bella made a sound. He turned to look at her in surprise, thinking the he was caught.

"Edward." She mumbled in her sleep.

He gasped, taking in a breath. I grabbed on to Jasper's shirt in suspense, waiting to see if we had to use our gifts. He smell really was strong in her room and I knew from experience. I could only imagine how Edward must feel. His throat must be on fire.

We watched as he took another slow breath in and pretty soon he was breathing regularly. He looked over his shoulder at us and grinned in triumph. I grinned in return and gave him the thumbs up sign as Jasper smiled proudly.

"Edward…don't go…" She groaned in her sleep again.

So Bella was a sleep talker.

Edward watched in fascination, taking a seat in the rocking chair in the corner of her room. We stayed for about an hour, before he got up and came towards the window. He looked back wistfully one more time before sliding back through the window and jumping out, landing on the balls of his feet. Jasper and I followed suit, landing a millisecond apart.

"Let's get home." Edward said.

The three of us disappeared in a flash into the night. I had a good feeling that tonight opened many doors for Edward. Which one he chose to go through, though, was all on him.

A/N: So Edward is finally beginning to give in to his and Bella's mating. Up next is Lilly and Jasper's Saturday night and Bella's trip to La Push and more. What do you think will happen when Bella finds out what Lilly really is, as well as the Cullen's?

If you have any questions or comments, post them in my reviews and I will be happy to answer them in my next Author's Note!

I am also still accepting any Twilight stories that involve Jasper/any female lead or Bella/selected male leads that need a Beta Reader. I will make exceptions on the characters depending on the plot. PM me for details…
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