Chapter Thirteen

Longer than normal, I guess. I broke 2,000 words (barely).

Disclaimer – I don't own Twilight (or even Jasper, sob). I do own Alessandria and anyone else unrecognisable.

Jasper POV

A silent argument ensued once Sandy asked Nessie that question. After plenty of emphatic gesturing and lots of mouthed swear words, we decided that Rosalie and I would go in. The rest of the family moved to the sides and I shared a look with my 'twin' before she pushed open the door and walked in hesitantly. Nessie looked between Sandy and us, smiled sheepishly then hurriedly left the room. Rose and I each took up a chair with Rose closest to Sandy. There was an awkward silence.

"Um . . . I'm sorry," Rose eventually said, tucking a strand of blonde hair behind her ear. Sandy grimaced and I winced as I paid full attention to her bruised face. There were bandages around her hairline and I could smell blood under the stitches that I knew were there. There was a black, purple and red splotch around her right eye, spreading across her cheekbone and ending on her jaw line.

"About what?" my . . . Sandy finally said. I wasn't entirely certain that I could continue to call her my girlfriend. Rosalie seemed to understand something and looked at me, then at Sandy then back to me and nodded.

"I should let you two talk, really. Excuse me." And she left without answering Sandy's question. I moved smoothly across to Rose's vacated chair.

"First of all, let me tell you how relieved I am that you are alive. Secondly, let me apologise. I'm sorry that we didn't tell you the secret but there were problems to overcome and I didn't want to tell you too soon." I didn't bother telling her that we hadn't sorted the problems, namely the Volturi. "I'm also sorry that I got you hit by a truck." She opened her mouth. "It is my fault and I know that. We should have eased into it. Instead, you are in here . . . because of me. For that, I will always be sorry." Sandy looked silently stunned, her hazel eyes narrowed slightly.

"It's not your fault. He driver of that truck ran a red light and hit me, not you."

"But-."

"No, Jasper."

Sandy POV

I appreciated the apology but it was gravely misplaced and unnecessary. I didn't blame him for the 'accident' at all. It was not his fault.

"So, Nessie tells me that-."

"Why are you not mad at me anymore?" Jasper interrupted. Aw crap, why did he have to ask that bloody question?

"My parents . . . um, paid me a visit," I admitted quietly. Jasper went very, very still. He moved less than a statue and I gulped, feeling very uncomfortable. Amazingly, he seemed to instantly sense my discomfort and started moving again.

"They visited you?" he asked calmly and I nodded slowly to prevent dizziness.

"They told me that a nomad vampire had killed them, one that is now dead – killed by someone. Their parting words to me were 'continue to love the person who loves you back'. That's when I woke up and I knew two things. One, it was not a dream. Two, it was you they were referring to in their parting words. You didn't kill them and I know you have good reasons for not telling me the big secret. Given my reaction, it was probably a good thing you waited. That is why I am not mad at you anymore." Jasper looked stunned again although I noticed him moving slightly and smiled at his effort.

"I'm glad," he finally told me, seemingly at a loss for words.

"So, Nessie told me that you had a story to tell me. She only told me little bits about Alice meeting you and that was it," I stated, a question in my awful casual tone. His small smirk indicated that he noticed my dreadful acting.

"I was turned into a vampire during the Civil War in America." Well, he was kind of old but I had suspected that anyway. "A vampire named Maria was creating an army of newborn vampires to win territory in the South. Most were killed within their first year of vampire life as their strength lost its peak. But I stayed as I was useful and she just used me." Oh great, another immortal ex-girlfriend to contend with. "I left after two escaped friends returned to tell me of their new, better life. I met Alice and then the Cullens. Slowly, very slowly, I slipped into the 'vegetarian diet' – only drinking animal blood instead of human blood. It took me longer than many of the others because of my history with human blood and I still struggle today." I felt myself go pale under my vicious bruising and Jasper's head snapped up from his analysis of the bed sheet. "But you're different." Before I could tell him to spit it out, he did so. "You're my mate." I had to admit, I hadn't been expecting that. Then again, nothing seemed expected with Jasper. So he explained to me that being his 'true mate' (I hated that word) meant that my blood was attractive to him in a non-edible way, which was relieving. That was also explained what Nessie meant by him not leaving me for Alice. When he was finished his whole, long and bloody interesting story, I gestured for him to join me on the bed as I deeply missed being in his arms. He looked apprehensive and I knew why – he didn't want to hurt me. I tried my best pleading expression and he silently conceded, slipping around the bed gracefully to sit on my left, undamaged side. He sat on the bed with impressive gentleness and tentatively wrapped an arm around the back of my head. When I leant my head against his shoulder, he seemed to relax and started running his fingers through my hair, working the gross clumps out. I dearly missed my hairbrush.

"Jasper?" I asked quietly, not really wanting to disrupt the peaceful silence between us – scared it wouldn't be real and I would be left in a hospital room alone with a pathetically useless right side.

"Hm?" he replied just as quietly and I smiled against him, hurting my face slightly.

"How do you always seem to know what I'm feeling?" I felt his fingers momentarily halt in their clever work on my hair. No more than a second later, they began moving again.

"Some vampires have . . . gifts." I moved my head so that I could see his face. "These are extra abilities that some are blessed with. Alice has visions of the future, Edward can read thoughts." That was sort of embarrassing. "Nessie can project her thoughts and Bella has an expandable shield that blocks out gifts to do with the mind." I was impressed and kind of overwhelmed.

"And what is your gift?" I asked carefully, eyeing him with interest.

"I can read and manipulate emotions." When panic shot through me, he instantly went to defend himself. "I only ever manipulated yours when you were upset or stressed! I would never do anything to manipulate you like you're imagining!" I breathed a sigh of relief (which freaking hurt). I relaxed into his side and decided on the best way to breach my next question.

"Jazz." I saw his lips twitch into a small smile when I called him that. "I know I'm your mate and everything . . . does that mean I'll become a vampire?" I asked gently and I felt him tense.

"No." His harsh growl caused tears to flood into my eyes. He wanted to be around me so badly, yet he didn't want me around forever? Was I just convenience? I was good to play around with, lie to until I died? I noticed Jasper's head twitch ever-so-slightly towards the door before he looked down at me with panicked eyes. "I didn't mean to be so harsh, love. I don't want you to feel obligated to become like I am because of what I've told you, that's all." I narrowed my eyes slightly (wincing as my bruise twinged). "Do you . . . is that what you want?"

"I don't specifically want it, Jasper. But I'm not adverse to the idea, if it should happen. You can understand my trepidation though, right?" I spoke every letter of the truth. I wasn't asking to be turned that very instant but I wouldn't be terrified if it happened to occur. I didn't fear Jasper anymore, so I didn't fear vampire life. I knew there were others out there who were less than friendly but Jasper would be there for me, I knew he would. So I didn't fear being a monster, if I could end up like Jazz.

"You are . . . amazing." His eyes flickered very quickly towards the door and I frowned.

"Oh, no way," I said as I figured out what was happening. I glared at him then at the door. "If Edward is out there right now, tell him to leave or I will shove a stake through his heart." Jasper coughed on a laugh before looking at the door. When I was absolutely certain that Edward was gone, I looked at Jasper properly again.

"You can't kill a vampire by staking us through the heart. It wouldn't even scratch us." Well, that was a very stupid threat to give.

"If I am going to be in a relationship with you, I want a rule. Our conversations are between us. If you want to be inside my head, ask me and not your brother. We may not be a normal couple but for God's sake, can we at least talk like normal couples do? Please?" I asked and he grinned roguishly, showing off his brilliantly white teeth. I took that as a good thing, along with the fact that he leant in and placed a lingering kiss on my stitched up forehead.

"Of course, Alessandria," he agreed and I blushed at the way my name sounded in his slightly southern accent (something he apparently kept well hidden but I found it incredibly sexy). I sighed happily and replaced my head on his shoulder, fresh out of questions. His fingers combed their way through my freshly unknotted hair. "What is that?" he asked suddenly and I turned my head slowly to where his finger was pointing. On my bedside table was a white scrapbook. Framed by a piece of royal blue card was a picture of me, Rosalie, Jasper and Emmett and underneath was elegant, curvy silver writing saying "Sandy's First Prom". I grinned at the insinuation that there would be many more proms for me to attend. Jasper smoothly leant over and grabbed it with his beautiful fingers, bringing the thick book over to rest on my good leg and both of his legs. We opened it and flipped through the perfectly designed pages. The first page had two full length shots of me – before and after. The before shot was on the left and was of me walking through the front door in my tracksuit and baggy hoodie with soaking wet hair and sticking my tongue out at the camera. The after shot was on the right with an arrow between the two and was one of the several single shots taken of me at the house fully made-up and styled wearing my dress. It was a stunning transformation. The rest of the book were filled (in order) with pictures of me getting ready (which Alice had obviously known about as she stuck her tongue out at the camera in various pictures) then three pages (each) for Rosalie and I, Emmett and I and then Jasper and I. There were other pictures of getting in the car and then outside of the location and inside. My favourite picture was a sneaky shot that Rose must have gotten. It was of Jasper and I during the final dance. My arms were around Jasper's neck and his were around my waist with the light framing us perfectly. The adoration on each of our faces couldn't have been clearer even if it was written there and it continued to make me smile as I saw my look reflected in Jasper's eyes.

"Jasper?"

"Yeah?"

"I love you."

"I love you too, darling. I love you too." I grinned as widely as possible, not caring if my bruised face hurt. Now, if only I knew when Carlisle would let me out of the hospital.

Right, see you in two days. Please let me know what you think! Love Bianca :) x