Disclaimer: I own nothing but the story line, SM owns the characters I'm just having fun with them.

Bella POV
September 13, 2003
Calgary, Alberta

I can't believe this day has finally arrived. My 16th birthday. In the eyes of the vampire world, I could be changed today and not be considered an immortal child. I have waited my entire life to become a vampire like my mate and my brother. But before my big change can occur, there have to be some other changes within our coven. Peter made a deal with me several years ago that when I turned 16 we could go look for our third mate. I have never met him but Peter has told me stories about him and I can tell from his tone of voice and the look on his face just how much he misses Jasper. Personally, I'm not sure what I think. Jasper and the Major just don't add up.

The vampire they have told me about doesn't sound like someone who would hide from his mate, or abandon him for a family he just met. The Major put himself at risk to keep Peter safe from Maria but as soon as they were free he left Peter and ran away with the Cullens. Of course, I don't know about the crazy animal blood diet he's on either. Eddie says it really messes with your head and shuts down your instincts so you feel more "human." Whatever. I've been human for 16 years and it's not really anything to strive for, if you ask me.

Hopefully I'll have the opportunity to form my own opinion very soon. I told Peter I wouldn't look for him before today and I have held up my end of the bargain. I know he expects us to pack up and go on some long road trip, but, unlike my brother, Peter hasn't kept up with technology in recent years. I have a plan and I'm sure we'll all be together within a month, tops. I'm excited to move forward with our lives, but part of me is really going to miss our home here with Garrett. It's been a fun place to live the past four years and I'm sure life with the Cullens won't be nearly as pleasant. I thought back to the scariest night of my life, the night that led us where we are today.

Once Edward and I were healed, (or Edward was healed and I was sporting a hideous neon pink cast that Peter found hilarious) we decided we needed to move further north. My boys thought the attack was random but also felt we had settled too far south if we were still in range of the Wars. Garrett wanted to stay with us so we all trekked up to Calgary. They kept waiting for me to have some kind of breakdown, or decide I didn't want any part of being a vampire, but they really didn't give me enough credit. Yes, it was scary, but nothing I couldn't get past. It just made me more determined to learn as much as I could from my boys in preparation for the future.

The next few years passed peacefully, but Garrett was some kind of vampire magnet, so we constantly had nomads dropping by to visit. He always had a story to share from his years of travel, and he was also a bit of a man-whore with his fuck buddies constantly stopping in. Most of the vampires who came to visit us were friendly to me and completely understood why I was there with Peter. I met several female vampires and they helped me a lot when there were things I just didn't want to talk about with my boys. I never really missed having a mother but there were some things you just need a girl to talk about. And things you need a girl's help with, like my plan for today. I call it "Operation: Seduce your Mate." Vickie laughed at me when I first asked her for help- she said that mating was instinctual and seduction would not be necessary. I reminded her that in the normal vampire world that may work just fine, but since my mate has known me literally my entire life, I needed to do something to let him know I was no longer the baby girl he thinks I am. I'm a horny teenager and I'm ready to make my move.

A knock on my door brought me back in focus and I opened it to see my Peter and Eddie standing there with huge smiles and a tray of breakfast. "Happy Birthday!" they chorused, before Peter picked me up and spun me around. I couldn't stop myself from clinging to him and taking a death breath of his comforting scent. Pulling back I stared into his gorgeous crimson eyes and wanted to kiss him so much it hurt. Instead I settled for a highly intelligent response of "Hey."

"Hey yourself, little one. You look happy this morning. It wouldn't have anything to do with your party today, would it? Vickie is downstairs and said she'll come up whenever you're ready for her." He set me back down on the floor and kissed my forehead before he stepped away. I took a deep breath to clear my head and looked back up into his eyes, noticing they were darker than they were a minute ago. Edward cleared his throat and I looked over to see him looking back and forth between us with a knowing smile on his face.

Peter shook his head and ran his hand through his hair in an uncharacteristic nervous gesture. "Well, Bella, we'll just get out of your way and let you eat breakfast in peace. I'm gonna run into town to hunt before your party, but Eddie, Garrett, and Vickie are all in the house so you'll be safe, ok?" I still get nervous when Pete leaves me to go hunt, but I shook my nerves off and nodded for him to go.

I sat down at my computer as I ate breakfast and started the search for my mate. Less than a minute later I had what I needed, and I was more than a little shocked at what I found. Looks like I'm going back to my roots. After I got my shower, I called Vickie into the room to help me get dressed. She brought my new dress in with her and then sat down in front me to start my hair and makeup. "So, birthday girl, you excited? Ready to go claim your mate?" she teased me, raising her eyebrows and then bursting into giggles.

"Vickie- keep it down! There are way too many super-hearing nosy vampires around!" Not to mention my mind-reading brother! "How many people are coming today anyway? Did Garrett invite everyone he knows?"

"Well, I know the slut sisters are coming for sure, Mary and Randall I think, I'm pretty sure Maggie is here, and I heard someone saw Alistair but who knows if he will actually come to the party or hang out in a tree and watch from a distance. Oh, and of course myself, Laurent, and James will be there. If Eddie knows the Denalis will be here he will probably bring a human date, but he still may need your help to fight them off."

"I'll need a blowtorch and some hairspray if Irina even looks at Peter again. That bitch needs to learn some boundaries. Mated vampires are off limits!"

"Tell me about it, I catch her hanging around Laurent every time they are here. At least it's common knowledge that Peter is yours. I have to pretend that Laurent is just a part of our coven instead of our mate when we're around other vampires. It's not easy- that's something you'll have to think about when you find the Major." To say that James and Peter were shocked to find each other again up in Canada would be an understatement. I thought James was going to faint when he met me and realized we were part of a triad, just like him and his mates. Garrett and Eddie were the only other ones who knew their secret.

James was my backup plan for finding Jasper if my first plan didn't work out. He had offered to track him for us, but I could tell he was nervous about meeting the Major after the last time he saw him. James and I were actually pretty close and he had filled me in on life with the Major before Peter came along. He had known my older mate almost his whole immortal life, and he had seen some of Jasper's scarier moments firsthand. I had to admit it, that Major sounded pretty damn hot. I just hope we can find him somewhere inside the yellow-eyed Jasper.

Vickie finally finished my makeup and moved on to my hair. She pulled it up into a high ponytail, saying that my bare neck would do more to lure Peter in than my short, tight dress would. As stereotypical as it sounds, male vampires apparently have a thing for necks. "Ok, you're all done and you look absolutely stunning! You look at least 18, no mistaking you for a child tonight!" Vickie cocked her head and looked the door before nodding and saying, "Your brother is here to take you down to the party. Are you ready?"

I looked at her with a huge smile and said, "I've been waiting for this day my whole life. I was born ready!"

Eddie knocked and then let himself in the room where he stopped short at the sight of me. "Um, wow, Bella! You look beautiful! Has Peter seen this dress yet? It's um, different, from anything I've seen you wear before. You look very... grown up." Must look good if my unflappable brother is practically stuttering! I hooked my arm through his and said, "Let's go! I don't want to be late to my own party!"

We made our way downstairs and out to the backyard where there were tea lights and balloons everywhere. I looked around at the vampires gathered there, smiling at all my friends, and calling Alistair down from his tree, before shooting a glare at the succubi from Alaska who were currently draped all over Garrett. My eyes finally found my gorgeous mate and his bright ruby eyes drew me in like a magnet. He took my hands and his eyes darkened as he looked me up and down. "Sugar, you are absolutely stunnin'! I'm not gonna be able to let go of you all night, there are too many males around to see my mate looking this gorgeous."

I leaned up and put my mouth next to his ear and whispered, "Good, then my plan worked. I never want you to let me go." I let my body slide against his all the way back down, just like Vickie showed me, and I caught her wink when I glanced at her. Pete dipped his head down and ran his nose along my pulse point and up to my ear. "I'm not goin' anywhere, baby girl," he breathed quietly in my ear. I shivered in desire and put my arm through his as we moved around to greet everyone. Most of them were friendly and happy to see me; of course Tanya commented how very human it was to have a birthday party, like it was the world's biggest insult.

I spoke with Alistair for a few minutes and he told me he was heading back to England when he left here. He was the strangest vampire I have ever met, very anti-social, but he took a liking to me and I was pretty much the only person he would talk to. Peter said he was intrigued by my gift and he didn't want me to fall into the hands of the Volturi. If we ever had a problem in the future, I knew we had an ally in Alistair.

The other nomads all congratulated me on my birthday and asked when I planned to be changed. We told them we were going to do some traveling before my change and we would have Garrett keep them updated when it finally happened. James gave me a hug and asked if we would need his help with our "travels" but I just shook my head, ignoring Pete's curious glance.

My party was a huge success and I danced with Peter for hours; he wouldn't even let Eddie or Garrett get a dance in, and that was perfectly fine with me. I got way too many gifts as usual, but my favorite was a heart-shaped diamond necklace from my mate; I was never going to take it off. When I could barely keep my eyes open any longer, Peter picked me up and carried me to my room. He set me down outside my door and reached to take my face in his strong, cold hands.

"Bella, you truly lived up to your name tonight. You are so beautiful. I don't know what I could have done to deserve you, my little mate. Did you have fun at your party? Get everythin' you were hopin' for?" he asked me.

I looked up into those gorgeous eyes that were so familiar to me and tried to build my courage up to take what I wanted. I leaned forward and whispered, "There's just one more thing," before I reached up and grasped the back of his neck to press my lips to his. Peter was stunned for a second, and then he groaned and lifted me higher, pressing my body tight to his. I gasped when I felt his cold tongue glide along my bottom lip and his taste exploded in my mouth when I opened for him. He carefully stroked my tongue with his and I was swept away with relief that he hadn't rejected me.

Peter slowed the kiss before pecking me gently on the nose and setting me back on the ground. I was glad when he held onto my waist, because I wasn't sure my feet would hold me up any longer. The smile on his face took my breath away and I'm sure mine was just as big. He gave me another soft, chaste kiss before he said, "Angel, that was amazin'. I love you so much. Does this mean you could possibly love me this way? As a true mate? I mean, I don't want to rush you, just because you're old enough to be changed doesn't mean you're ready to be with me in that way. I mean-"

"Peter, stop!" I cut him off, still smiling. "I have loved you my whole life. You are absolutely everything I could possibly want in a mate and in a man. If you remember, I kissed you, you aren't rushing me into anything. I want you. I have wanted you for a long time but I knew you still saw me as a child. I want you to know I'm not a child anymore. I'm a woman. A woman who loves you with all my heart. And a woman who just had the best first kiss in the history of the world. Seriously, Peter, that was amazing. You are amazing. I am so lucky I have you." It felt good to finally get that off my chest. Maybe we can move forward now and start talking about my change, after we find Jasper of course.

"Will you stay with me tonight, Pete?" I asked hopefully.

"I don't know, Sugar. My control is pretty slim right now, and I'm not sure you're ready for everythin' I want to do with you yet." His voice was actually shaking as he smiled at me sheepishly. Damn, he looks so good.

"It's ok, Peter. I just want you to hold me while I sleep. You can stay on top of the covers and I'll put on my old ratty sweats so you aren't too tempted. Please?" I wasn't ready to let him go yet. I just needed to keep him to myself for the night.

"Baby girl, you could wear a burlap sack and still be temptin' to me. But if you want me to stay I will. I'll try to be on my best behavior."

We stepped into the bedroom and Peter settled in on my bed while I went into my bathroom to change. When I came out he held his arms out to me and I sank gratefully into his cold embrace. "This was the best birthday ever, Pete. Thank you so much. I love you." I was asleep almost immediately but then I felt Peter nudge my shoulder to bring me back awake.

"Sugar, I don't know if you want to talk about it now, but tomorrow we need to discuss what you wanna do about findin' Jasper. We can pack up as soon as you're ready and head out. I talked to a few people before the party and they had some ideas on where the Cullens might be." I could hear the excitement in his voice as he thought about finally being reunited with our mate after all these years.

"Sure, Peter. We can head out as soon as you're ready. But I already know where to go- the Cullens are in Forks."

Peter POV
I don't know how long I sat there absolutely stunned, but when I looked back down at Bella she was already fast asleep. How on earth does she know where Jasper is? How did she find out and how long has she known?

"Peter, she did an internet search for them today; she found an article in the Forks Gazette welcoming Carlisle Cullen as the new ER doctor and general surgeon a few months back. She has been dying to do it for a long time now but she honored your agreement and waited until today to look. We need to discuss this, it does present some complications you know." Edward spoke up from down the hall, responding to my chaotic thoughts.

I thought about the complications he alluded to and what it would mean for our plans. Forks is where Bella was born and I wondered if her parents still lived there or if she was still a missing person. Then there was the possibility of the local shapeshifter pack causing problems. The Cullens had a treaty with them when they lived there before, but it didn't apply to human drinkers like us. I had hoped to move close to Jasper and give him time to get to know us before asking him to leave with us, but if we were going to be under the threat of attack we would have to convince him to leave with us quickly.

"I don't think the shapeshifters will be a problem, they had to have died off by now. Even if they are there, they only had three in their pack and you and I could take them out easily if it came down to it. Of course, the Cullens wouldn't appreciate our living in the same town with our hunting habits. We could always hunt in Port Angeles to stay more inconspicuous. Personally, I say we go for it. I'd love to cause them some trouble, it's long overdue."

Thanks, Eddie. I take it you're coming with us? You know you and Garrett are always going to be a part of this coven, even after we get Jasper back. Don't feel like you have to leave us then, ok?

"Thanks, Pete. I appreciate it. I don't think Garrett will come, he still hates Carlisle for his part in all this. Maybe we can meet up with him again later. I think he's looking forward to having the house to himself for a while. I was thinking if Bella is up for it, she and I can enroll in high school and surprise the Cullens there. With my brown contacts she and I can easily pass for brother and sister, and we're not incestuous like the Cullens either." I could hear the laughter in his voice and I tried to keep my own laugh quiet enough to not wake my mate.

What about me? I'm too old for school, and the two of you need a parent but I don't look like either one of you. I don't want to be Bella's father anyway.

"How about just a guardian? You were a friend of our parents and when they died you took us in? I mean, it's kind of true actually. You raised both of us, and did a pretty damn good job of it too." Wow, I never knew he felt that way about me. I always worried he blamed me for taking his family away from him. "Peter, you and Bella are my family. Garrett too. I didn't lose anything when we left. I gained everything. So what do you say, can I take my sister to high school? It has to go better than the kindergarten disaster, right?"

Ha- maybe. I better find a tree to hang out in near the school. So we're really gonna do this? We're goin' to Forks?

"It's up to you, Captain. Are you ready to see him again?"

I am. I'm just not sure I'm ready to be rejected by him.

"I don't think you have anything to worry about. He'll come back to you. I'm pretty sure Bella will give him a piece of her mind, too. Oh, and congratulations on the change in your relationship. I know you've been holding back for the past year or so. I'm glad you can finally be happy now."

I looked down at my sleeping angel in complete awe of her beauty. I was thrilled with our kiss tonight. I have been scared for the past 16 years that when she was old enough to want an adult relationship she wouldn't see me in that way. I don't think I could have handled her rejection on top of Jasper's. I'm so glad I don't have to worry about that anymore. She's mine and she's not going anywhere without me. I leaned over to place a soft kiss on her warm lips and sighed in anticipation. Very soon I could have both my mates back with me; I can't even imagine the joy in that.

As I settled back to close my eyes and rest with Bella, I thought about our upcoming reunion. I really hoped the two of them would like each other and not get off on the wrong foot. I needed my two lovers to love each other as well.