A/N: My reviews kind of dropped last chapter,lol. So, I hope that you guys enjoy this chapter!! I worked really hard on it for you guys! ALOT is about to go down.



Chapter 32: This isn't Goodbye

I gathered all my courage
I shaved off all my fear
With this banner on my shoulder
I hold your essence near
And the angels are calling

It had been three weeks.

Three weeks and it seemed as though everything had changed.

The main thing being that Jasper and I's relationship had gone to the next level and I couldn't be happier. He knew know that he could be much more physical with me and not worry about hurting me. And I welcomed it with open arms. Even though it was a bit tough for both my brother and Carlisle to accept it, I didn't let their opinions get to me.

Speaking of Carlisle, I still hadn't been able to fully convince him. For days after prom, I fought with him tooth and nail but he just wouldn't give in. Even Esme had tried to score me some points with him but he wouldn't budge. And when Carlisle says no to Esme, it's never a good sign.

So, I did what any immature teenage girl would do, I ignored Carlisle for about two weeks, barely speaking a word to him. But, it didn't really work to my advantage because he actually gave me space, saying that I'd 'come around' when I was ready. Sometimes I really wished he wouldn't be so calm about everything. Even when he was mad, he still had that calm face.

But now, here I was, the final day of school. The final day of my senior year of high school.

It was sort of surreal walking out of the school for the last time today.

Finals were done, graduation was tomorrow and then I would have the entire summer to basically try and convince Carlisle to let Jasper and I attend the same school, in the same city.

"I really can't believe that we're all done with school. It doesn't feel real." I looked over at everyone as we sat around in our living room. They all just looked back at me with confused and bemused faces.

"Oh yea, that's right." I laughed. This was my first time through high school. To everyone else, this was nothing. Just another four years spent relearning things they already knew.

"Was all that stressing worth it Natalia?" my brother teased and I glared at him.

"Yes it was. We all can't be unbelievably smart like you." I pushed his shoulder as I walked past him and towards the other couch.

"You're smart Natalia." I looked over and saw Jasper sitting on the couch. "Among other things." He smiled a bit mischievously at me. A smile that didn't go unnoticed.

"And just what are you talking about?" I didn't sit down right away, I just stood there beside him.

He merely shrugged.

"Well, all I'm saying is that three weeks can really change a person's outlook on things." He grabbed my hand and pulled me down onto his lap, wrapping his arms tightly around me and whispering some not so innocent comments in my ear.

"Shh, stop." I nudged him slightly, shaking my head.

"Yea, Jasper what's gotten into you lately? You're like a completely different person." Emmett sat across from us on the other couch, Rosalie beside him.

I looked over at Jasper. I knew exactly what he was thinking.

"Don't you dare say it…" I warned and he went to say something and I covered his mouth with my hand and giggled.

"Damn, I almost had him!" Emmett sighed and everyone just laughed at him.

"Please, don't encourage him Emmett." My brother frowned. He wasn't comfortable at all with all this talk. Well, talk of me, Jasper and the word sex all in the same sentence. I had to admit, I was sort of glad that he'd cringe when the subject came up. Otherwise, I'd be a little worried.

"You better get used to it Edward, the girl's in love. And now that they've taken that next step, there's no doubt there'll be more talk of it." Emmett just kept on going.

"Oh, god. Make them stop!" I pouted, turning my face away from them, burying it against Jasper.

"Hey, hey no biting over there!" Emmett's teasing went even further.

"She's not the biter in this relationship. Right darlin?" I felt a cold hand run up and down my arm. "She's more of the…"

"Hey!" I snapped my head up, glaring at him. "I wouldn't say another word if I were you." I threatened him playfully.

"I was just setting him straight." He shrugged. Before I could say anything else to him, I felt him tense, his grip tightening around me as the front door opened. I knew how it was before they even walked inside. Jasper only reacted like this when one person came around.

"Hey guys!" Alice floated into the living room, a huge smile on her face. And slightly behind her was Jacob, his hands stuffed in his pockets as he stood there.

Everyone greeted her, and mostly everyone greeted Jacob, minus Jasper and Edward. Such typical guys.

"Can you not cut off all my air supply?" I nudged Jasper. He reluctantly let me go. I didn't know what he was so worried about. I was sitting on his lap, there was no way any danger was going to come to me in any shape of form.

I was completely fine with Alice and Jacob's relationship. They were both happy, in love and they were perfect for one another. The fact that she was a vampire and that he imprinted on her meant very little to me. It happened, and there was nothing we could do to change it. I was so proud of them actually. They didn't let everyone else's opinions stop them from being together.

And whether Jasper and Edward liked it or not, they were just going to have to deal with it. Because Jacob pretty much went anywhere Alice went these days. He even went with her when she went hunting, just to be with her. If that's not love and dedication, I don't know what is.

I didn't know how Jacob's friends were taking things because I didn't really know them. But, from what Alice tells me, they've been much more welcoming to their relationship. After they got over the initial shock of everything of course. She said that they treat her like a part of their family.

She tried to get me to go meet his 'brothers' on more than one occasion but Jasper won't let me. He says there's too much danger there, especially with the new wolves. They don't have full control so any little thing can set them off and they can phase without warning, potentially hurting anyone who's around them. And, according to him, he's not about to take that risk with me.

It doesn't really bother me. I mean sure, it'd be nice to meet them. Alice tells me they're all really nice, funny and very playful guys but, I understand where Jasper's coming from. I wouldn't want the person I love to be around someone who could hurt them, even if on accident. And, less drama is always good so I just avoid the subject.

"I came to steal your girlfriend." Alice's tiny form practically ran towards me until she was standing right in front of me. I peered around her and saw that Jake was standing a good ten feet away from us. I know he wanted to be closer but, he wasn't about to cause an altercation in the middle of my living room so he kept his distance.

"Where are you taking me now?" I laughed.

"Dress shopping! Our graduation's tomorrow Natalia and you have nothing to wear!" he threw her hands up, as if it was some sort of Greek tragedy.

"Alright, I'll go!" I attempted to stand up but two strong arms prevented me from doing so.

"I think maybe I should go with you." Jasper leaned in closer to me, whispering it in my ear. Not like it mattered, they could hear whatever he said.

"Oh, absolutely not Jasper!" Alice pointed her finger at her "I'm afraid that this trip is girls only." She emphasized the word girls. "If Jake can stay away for a few hours than so can you." She narrowed her eyes at him. And, after a few moments, he let me go so I could stand up.

I had to hand it to her. For such a small pixie, she could be extremely stubborn and intimidating when the time called for it.

"I don't trust him around you." I knew that was Jasper's way of explaining his reaction.

"You have nothing to worry about." I assured him, placing a quick kiss on his lips. And he really didn't. On the nights that Jasper didn't spend the night here at my house, (a decision that both of us made) Jake could swing by and spend a few hours with Alice in her room. This was something new obviously. But, being as their 'secret' was out in the open now, they no longer had to hide.

We left the house, Jake trailing behind us.

"I'll see you in a little bit Jake." She wrapped her tiny arms around him and he kissed the top of her head. It was such a sweet little gesture but I could tell it meant the world to them. Once he was gone, we got in the car and headed over to the store so she could help me pick out a dress.

"You know" Alice started up our conversation as we began scanning racks of dresses "The boys keep asking me when I'm going to bring you down to meet them."

"The boys? How do they even know about me Alice?" I looked at her. She held up her hands in defense.

"Hey, they knew about you way before Jake and I ever happened. One of the downfalls I guess is that one wolf's secret is another wolf's knowledge."

"Like what, they can read minds?"

"Sort of. But only when they're in their wolf form or whatever. And, they've been pretty eager, ever since that day you met Quil. They want to meet the girl who had a vampire imprint on them. They want to see if you really exist." She laughed lightly.

"I fail to see how this is funny Alice. I don't want to be seen as some sort of science experiment or something."

"Oh, no Natalia, I didn't mean it like that. I just meant, well they're curious."

"Curious? About me?" Now I was listening "I don't know Alice, that just might cause some very unneeded drama in my life."

"Nonsense! I'm over there all the time and nothing happens to me." I could tell that she was really trying to get me to meet her new friends.

"As much as I'd love to….wait a minute! How is it that they were so accepting of you and Jacob? You two sort of broke all the rules." I reminded her, moving onto the next rack of dresses.

"Well, they didn't really have a choice. Jake is sort of the alpha of the pack you know? Whatever he says goes."

I had no idea what that meant but my guess was that it meant that he was someone important and he called the shots. Who knew?

"I think you would really like them Natalia. They're so funny! And don't even let Jasper fool you. They have more control than he gives them credit for. Well, minus one of the guys, he's a total hothead. But, that's just his personality in general. He's a very passionate person…" she rambled on and I just stared at her.

She kept talking but I stopped listening. My mind was stuck on the whole 'don't let Jasper fool you' part. I wondered if Jake had ever said something to Alice that wasn't the complete truth. From what I knew, it was virtually impossible to lie to your imprint. But, I don't think the same thing went for Jasper. Because it was pretty clear that he had lied to me. I had forgiven him of course but, would there be another day when he lied to me about something else?

No, I refused to believe that. I couldn't think like that. I trusted him completely and I know that he would tell me the complete truth from now on.

"Hello! Earth to Natalia!" Alice's voice pulled me out of my thoughts and I smiled sheepishly at her, shrugging.

"Sorry Al, I have a lot on my mind." But, that wasn't a good enough excuse to her. We were shopping after all.

"Well can you please tell me which one you like?" she held up two dresses for me to see. They were both really pretty and it didn't really matter to me.

"It's just for graduation…" I began but she cut me off.

"Oh, no it's not…you think Jasper wants you wearing just anything when…." She paused, mentally slapping herself before shaking her head "Oops, pretend you didn't hear any of that."

I looked at her with wary eyes. Did I really want to know what Jasper had planned.

"Fine. I like that one." I pointed to the dress in her right hand. It was a simple black and white dress with a hot pink band that tied in the back and it stopped a few inches about the knee.

"Finally." She sighed. I took the dress from her so I could go pay for it.

"Natalia?" Alice's voice was oddly quiet as we exited the door.

"What's wrong Alice?"

"Are you going to miss me next year when you're gone?" I stopped and looked over at my best friend.

"Of course I'm going to miss you Alice! I'm going to miss all you guys."

"It's just that, I know that Jake's loyalty belongs to the pack these days and there's no way he will leave them so we can off to school together."

"Alice, that's ridiculous. His loyalty belongs to you. The moment he imprinted on you, you became his world. Everything revolves around you. I'm sure if you told him, he would gladly go wherever you wanted to."

"You think so? Oh Natalia what if he says yes! Do you think, I mean I know you and Jasper wanted to have a year to yourselves but….if he says yes, you think we could come and go to school with you?!" her voice was so full of hope and excitement that there's no way I could say no. Not like I wanted to. The thought of having Alice with me was actually a great idea.

"I'd love for you to Alice. Really, I would." I wrapped my arms around her. We spent the rest of the drive home talking about college and the fact that Jasper may or may not be coming with me at the end of the year. I of course wanted him to but, one little person was holding that all back.

By the time we got back, I was beat. All I wanted to do was go to sleep and be completely rested for tomorrow. It was the big day after all and I wanted to be ready. My only hope was that I didn't fall down when I walked across the stage.

Alice and I discussed makeup and hairstyles for a bit and before I knew it, Jasper was knocking on my window.

"How was your shopping trip?" he asked once Alice was gone and it was just the two of us.

"It was fun. Got my dress for tomorrow, I'm all set." I smiled at him and got underneath the blankets so I could go to bed.

"Natalia, can I ask you something?" he leaned over and grabbed my hand, sending a thousand little jolts through my system as always.

"Of course. What's up?"

"Are you one hundred percent sure about the whole college thing?" he went straight to the point. I gripped his hand tighter and looked up at him.

"Yes, I'm sure. Why wouldn't I be?" what was he trying to say here?

"I just wanted to make sure. You'd be giving up so much, for me. I just wanted to make sure you realized that you'd be saying goodbye to your family and your friends and be spending an entire year with me…alone. Is that what you truly want?"

"Where is all this coming from Jasper? You know that I've wanted this for a long time. I want to spend that year with you so badly. I've been fighting tooth and nail with Carlisle in hopes that he will change his mind. Of course I will miss them but, it won't be goodbye…it'll be more like see you later."

"Ok." He nodded and ended the conversation. It was a bit of an odd thing for him to ask me.

"Why?"

"No reason. I just wanted to make sure." He wrapped an arm around me, kissed me, and let me curl up against him so I can fall asleep. "Love you."

"Love you, too." I slowly slid my eyes closed and before I knew it, I was in a deep sleep.


The next morning came too soon as far as I was concerned. I woke up to an empty bed to find a note from Jasper saying that he, Emmett and Rosalie were going hunting before the graduation ceremony. No sooner did I wake up, was Alice in my doorway, telling me to hurry up and take a shower so I could get dressed.

The graduation was in the early afternoon but, like most days in this town, it was going to be cloudy so everyone would be good. I wasn't really nervous about graduating. I had worked really hard and it had paid off. I was graduating with honors, and I couldn't be happier.

In all honestly, I was more nervous about what would happen after graduation. Alice's little ramble in the store yesterday sort of threw me off. Jasper hadn't mentioned anything special that we were doing so I was wondering if he had something planned as a surprise.

The graduation was simple, small and went by rather quickly. Before I knew it, it was all over and I was officially a high school graduate on her way to college. I, of course, was a total girl and cried when it was all said and down. Other than the vampires in my life, I didn't have that many friends in school. But, the ones I did have I said goodbye to. They were going to universities around the country and some were leaving rather soon. We all said that we'd keep in touch but, no one really ever does. Unless they were your best friend, this was probably the last time I'd see some of these people again. It was sad yes but, it was time to move on. Time to take that next step in our lives.

After having Esme take about a million pictures of all of us, it was time to go. Edward and I were going back home with Carlisle and Esme while Jasper, Emmett, Rosalie and Bella went to their home. And Alice was going with Jake to be with him and his friends for awhile.

Once we were back home, I immediately kicked off the white heels that Alice had forced me to wear and plopped on the couch.

"How do you feel now that it's all over?" Edward asked, coming to sit beside me as he loosened the tie he was wearing and pushed up the sleeves of his shirt.

"I feel the same to be honest. But, I'm sure it'll hit me later on. I'm just so excited to start school in the fall and of course get this summer just to…I don't know, relax." I tucked my legs underneath me and continued my conversation with my brother as we waited for our parents.

The two of them walked into the living room a few minutes later, holding things in their hands.

"We wanted to give you guys your graduation gifts." Esme beamed. I looked over at Edward. I wondered what they possibly would give him. This was like his fifteenth high school graduation probably.

"This one's for Edward." She handed him a small envelope "And this one's for you sweetie." She handed me a slightly bigger one.

"Well go ahead, open them!" she clapped her hands and went to stand next to Carlisle as they watched us.

"You first." I nudged Edward. He opened it quickly and pulled out a piece of paper, scanning over the words for a few seconds.

"What is it?" I tried to read it but I couldn't see.

"This is for a house for me and Bella." He looked at me and then over at our parents. "For when we go to school in the fall."

"A house!" I stared at him wide eyed "That's so…well that's so cool!" I laughed. "A bit crazy too."

"Your turn sweetie." Esme called my attention back to the envelope that was in my hand as well.

"Oh, yea." I opened it and pulled out two pieces of paper. The first one, after I stared at it long enough, was a full itinerary for two weeks in Europe.

".God!" I looked up at them in disbelief "Are you guys serious??" I jumped up and ran to them, flinging my arms around them both. "This has to be the best gift I have ever gotten." I held them tighter.

"Well" Carlisle pulled away "You might want to read the other one too. You might change your mind." His voice was calm but there was a hint of anxiety.

Curious, I looked over at the second piece of paper. After reading the entire thing, I looked up at him. He was staring straight back at me with a small smile on his face.

I shrieked loudly before jumping back to hug him.

"Oh my god! Oh my god!" I repeated over and over as I waved the piece of paper in front of me. "You…this means…oh god, you changed your mind!" I was practically in tears by the time I was done rambling.

Because right there in front of my eyes was a paper explaining that when I went to school in the fall, there would be a new house...for not only me to move into, but for Jasper as well.

"Natalia, honey can you calm down for a minute so I can explain something to you. I'm afraid that this gift comes with some conditions."

"Conditions." I stopped jumping around and looked at my adoptive father "What kind of conditions?"

"Now, I know that you want this whole year to be alone with Jasper off at school but, I'm afraid I cannot let that fully happen. I agreed to let you go to school, if someone goes with you. Other than Jasper of course. That way you two aren't always alone."

"Oh!" I yelled at him and he jumped back a bit. "That's fantastic!"

He quirked an eyebrow at me "Well, that wasn't really the reaction I thought you were going to have." He shook his a head a bit.

"No, no you don't understand this is perfect! You see, yesterday Alice was wondering if it'd be okay if maybe she and Jake could come to school with us in the fall. That…that would be okay wouldn't it?" I asked hopefully.

Carlisle didn't answer me. I just stood there and watched him, feeling so much excitement and anxiety that I thought I'd explode if he didn't say anything.

"Well, I suppose that would meet the one condition."

"Ah! Carlisle!" I beamed brightly, tears filling my eyes "Thank you so much!"

He came closer and wrapped his arms tightly around me and just let me cry on his shoulder.

"I'm going to miss you so much when you're gone Natalia." He pulled away and looked down at me.

"Dad…it's not going to be goodbye. It's just going to be…" I choked back more sobs "It's just going to be see you later okay? A year will pass before you know it."

He continued looking at me with an odd expression.

"You just called me dad." He chuckled lightly "It feels so nice to hear it. And yes, it won't be goodbye dear. You'll be back with us before you know it." He hugged me one more time before I ran to hug Esme.

"Thank you so much mom." I hugged her tighter. I knew that probably without her, this wouldn't have happened.

"You deserve to be happy honey. That's all we want." She kissed my cheek and let me go. With all my excitement, I had completely forgotten that I was supposed to meet Jasper in ten minutes. He had called and told me to meet him so we could go to our tree. That we had something things to talk about as well.

But now, with this amazing news, I couldn't wait to go see him and tell him!

"Bye you guys! I love you!" I waved to them as I ran to get into my car. They all waved back and I was off.

The joy I was feeling was immense. I don't think I had ever been so happy about thing in my life.

This was just the beginning. Everything was finally falling into place.

Everything was about to change…

Jasper

I had been waiting for Natalia for the past ten minutes. I wasn't too worried. She had a habit of running a bit late sometimes. And I also knew that she was busy with her family as well. They came first always and I was completely fine with that.

I checked my phone again before slipping it back in my pocket and pulling out a small velvet box. This morning, I had taken the engagement ring I had given Natalia nearly two years ago. Last night, when I asked her if she was sure about the whole college thing, I could sense her confusion.

But, I needed to be sure. I needed to make sure that we were both in this one hundred percent. When she confirmed what I already knew, I knew that today would be the day. It would be the day that I was going to ask her to marry me, to forever be mine. I wanted to start school engaged and utterly happy.

I wasn't planning on a wedding anytime soon but, I just wanted it to be official. That yes, one day in the near future the two of us would be getting married.

As I sat on the hood of my car, I waited. And waited. Ten minutes turned into twenty, then to thirty and eventually and entire hour had passed and she still hadn't shown up. I was growing worried and decided to call her to see if she was on her way or if she was at home still.

No sooner did I pull my phone out did it start ringing. But, it wasn't Natalia.

"Alice?" I asked, a hint of confusion in my voice. I couldn't get another word out before she started screaming at me. I was only able to catch bits and pieces of what she was saying.

"Oh god! I couldn't see her…I stepped away from a moment and I saw it! Go Jasper…an accident!" That's all I needed to hear before I took off running, in the direction that I knew was coming from.

And that's when I saw it. Mangled and on the side of the road was a car…but, even more powerful than the totaled car was the scent.

The scent of blood. Lots of blood.

"Oh, god." And that's when I started running faster and when I reached the scene, I dropped to my knees in both pain and shock.

No, this isn't happening! I kept repeating to myself.

"This isn't goodbye….I won't let it be." I reached over and gently grabber her hand, squeezing it tightly in my own.

This couldn't be goodbye….


Like I said, this chapter was going to be HUGE! So MUCH happened in this chapter. So, let me know what you guys thought of it!!