Let's say hello to the Cullens again!
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"Are you ready?" I called up the stairs. Bella was packing for the trip to see my family, and she was dragging her feet. I could feel her apprehension down here. I couldn't help but roll my eyes-only Bella would be worried about that. She rounded the corner of the stairs with a duffle bag in one hand and the other hand on the railing. She looked at me, wide eyed, and marched down the stairs-it was like she was walking the plank! "Why are you anxious?" I couldn't help but ask.
"What if they don't approve?" she mumbled, staring at the floor.
"Silly Bella, they already approve of you! We've already talked to Carlisle about it, remember? And we've done the responsible thing-Edward knows now."
"What about Emmett? And…Rosalie?" I took her by the hand and lead her the rest of the way down, pulling her to my chest.
"Have you met Emmett? He's quite possibly the most easy-going person I know. He'll be completely fine with this. And don't worry about Rosalie. She's very difficult to please, even for the best of us. And you have what she wants, Bella-a human life. It's not really your actions that upset her, it's that. She'll be fine." Bella just scowled at me. I couldn't help but chuckle. "Let's go. I don't want to deny Esme another moment without you."
The car trip made Bella even more restless. She had her head pressed against the glass and was staring into space. Every now and then she'd let loose with a small, quiet sigh-I think she thought I wouldn't hear them. Her emotions were across the board-happy, sad, nervous and then back again. I knew better at this point then to try and calm her down, so I just let her have it out. By the time we pulled up to the house several hours later, she was in a near frenzy.
"Bella, calm down! You have nothing to worry about. They are going to be happy to see us. I can feel it from here!" She looked at me skeptically. "Come on-it's going to be fine. Do you trust me?" I knew I had her there. I couldn't find it in me to feel guilty about it, either.
She sighed again. "Of course I trust you, Jasper. Let's go." Poor thing was really trying to put on a brave front. It was sweet. I walked around to meet her, grabbing her hand in the process. Carlisle and Esme were waiting on the porch for us, smiling. I felt Bella lighten a little next to me.
"Jasper! Bella! Oh, I've missed you both!" Esme exclaimed, embracing us both at the same time with her gentle touch. "It has been much too long." She frowned slightly, but I could feel her joy. Carlisle greeted us next, more conventionally. He shook my hand first, and then reached out to touch Bella's cheek. She smiled at him, and blushed.
"How was your trip?" he asked.
"Good, thank you. Where are the others?" Before the words were out of my mouth, Emmett was flying out the door, a huge grin on his face.
"Jasper, you dog! How could you keep this from me? As soon as I'm done with her, I'm gonna need details…" He was talking to me, but his eyes were focused on Bella. She was staring at him, backing up slowly, but he didn't stop. It would have been frightening if it had been anyone but Emmett. She raised her hands in protest, but he scooped her up anyway, pulling her to his chest. "Bella! Anything broken?" he asked, looking her over. She flushed a deep scarlet, but smiled at him.
"No, Emmett. You'll be pleased to know I'm in perfect health." She was still struggling, so he finally put her down. He winked conspiratorially at her.
"Are you sure? He's not being too rough with you, is he?" Deeper red. I growled at Emmett, trying to get him to back down. He looked at me, skeptical.
"Don't you growl at me. I'm going to have my fun whether you like it or not." He turned back to Bella, but Carlisle interceded.
"Enough, Emmett-they just got here. It's not polite to embarrass Bella like that, either." Emmett just rolled his eyes, but didn't press any further. I could see Rosalie at the door, scowling. I'm sure Bella could too. Thankfully it looked like she wasn't going to give Rose a second glance right now. She was glowing-happy to be back with us together. All that worry for nothing, like I said. "Why don't you both come inside? I'm sure you'd both like to freshen up." Bella nodded fervently. I felt stale after the car ride as well, so it was a welcome request.
Esme walked towards Bella and took her hand. "I'll show you your room." She said, pulling her inside. I laughed as I followed-Esme was the essential mother. We walked inside and up the stairs. I could hear Rosalie cursing quietly in her room. I expected that Carlisle and Esme had instructed her to be polite or stay out of the way, and she chose the latter. Esme pushed a door on the far left open and led us inside.
"Oh, Esme, it's lovely!" Bella exclaimed, looking around. "Did you decorate it yourself?" The room held a cacophony of things-books, CD's, journals-and the decorations were lovely. The only way to describe the theme was modern western. The colors were bright and open, and the patterns mimicked that of the south. I choked up a bit when I realized this room was for me and Bella, and was designed as such. It was Esme's every intention of having both of us here to stay. I suddenly had a thought.
I spoke so low that only Esme would hear. "Esme-where is Alice's room? There's something I need to see." I was afraid she'd tell me no-after all, it wasn't my place to be in that room any more. But she smiled at me.
"Down the hall and to the right. She said you'd ask. I'll stay with Bella." While Bella was busy musing over the books, I took my leave. I headed down the hall, and came to a halt in front of her door. Taking a deep breath, I pushed it open. I could smell that I was the first to be in here after she left-did she ask them to stay out? Why would she let me in? And then I took a look around.
Alice always was a wonderful artist, but this was extreme. Hand-sketched pictures lined every surface in this room. All done in pencil. I started on one side and worked my way around. The first pictures were of me and her-at our wedding, when we met, just sitting with one another-and then they morphed. Suddenly it was only pictures of me. I was clearly sad, and alone in every one of the pictures. Then the scenes changed again. The last wall was of me and Bella-laughing together, holding hands, kissing-these must have been her visions! The pictures in the middle must have been what would have happened if I had taken another path. I looked forward, and stopped on the last one. It was of Bella and I, dancing. It was beautiful, and we were both so happy! I stared for quite a while before deciding to return to the other room. Alice must have known I'd be coming, and she left this as a last gift to me. She was telling me that it truly was okay. She showed how happy we had been together, but now it was someone else who made me happy. She truly was a wonderful creature.
"Where did you go?" Bella asked as I entered the room. I saw Esme steal out quickly, smiling at me as she went. The others were already outside-ready for a hunting trip I guessed, to make it easier to be around her. Funny how it didn't bother me anymore.
"I…went to Alice's room. To see for myself." I knew she would understand. She knew I needed to see a room that belonged only to her, and not to us. If Edward had a room here, she'd do the same. I'm sure they have one set aside for him, but that's for another time. She nodded at me, and motioned for me to sit beside her. "You've had quite a long day-are you ready to sleep?" I asked, knowing she was exhausted.
"I'm fine," she said, and then immediately yawned. I raised my eyebrows at her.
"Nice try. How about you go get dressed for bed, and I'll wait here for you?" She thought for a moment, but then proceeded to the bathroom. While she was changing, I changed as well. Even though I didn't sleep, it was nice to dress down and relax for a bit. I laid down on the bed and waited.
Bella came out wearing a pair of cotton sleep pants and a white tank top. Every day I was amazed at the fact that she never needed to do anything to look beautiful. This was one of those moments. She smiled at me as she climbed under the covers and snuggled close. She barely touched me trying to get comfortable. I was having none of that. I pulled her to me as I joined her under the blankets. Normally I wouldn't do that, since I don't want her to be cold, but not tonight. I had to be near her. We were alone, and we were together. I kissed her forehead and wrapped my arms around her. She smiled into my chest and moved her hand to my shoulder. She leaned up, tentatively, and kissed me softly. It was only a good night kiss. And if she had only kissed me, I would have been okay.
She ran her hand from my shoulder to the side of my chest, and continued until she found my waist. It was innocent enough, really. She squeezed the point where my waist dipped to meet my hipbone, and I very nearly came undone. Such a simple, innocent gesture. I hummed a low growl and pulled her face to mine, kissing her hungrily. Her emotions spiked as she felt the sudden change in my mood, but I didn't bother to read into them. And then, as only Bella would, she squeezed again.
Never breaking contact with her lips, I moved to where I was above her. She wrapped her arms around my neck and pulled herself closer to me. I closed my eyes and inhaled, taking in the scent of her. I remembered her need to breathe, so I started kissing down her jaw, to her neck and collarbone. I moved one hand down to her waist, feeling for the skin under her tank top. I ran my fingers across her stomach, feeling her goose bumps rise as I moved. I started to move my hand upward when I felt a shot of fear come from her. I pulled back, my eyes still clouded with lust, as I looked at her.
How could I? Of course she would be afraid, she's never done anything like this before! Only she could drive me so far out of control that I would forget this. I opened my mouth to apologize, but she raised her finger to stop me.
"Is your family gone?" she whispered, and I could hear the desire in her voice. I nodded. "Then I don't want you to stop. I only want you, Jasper," she said, moving her mouth up to mine again.
"I won't." And I captured her mouth again.
Ta-da! And I promise it's not going to end there! I thought it would be nice to end one chapter with deliciousness and then pick right back up again!