Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight. I do however, own this storyline, my OCs, and a huge collection of board games.

A/N: Theme song for this chapter is "O-o-h Child" by The Five Stairsteps. Love to my beta, readingtime. Oh, and I finally came out of the dark ages and joined Twitter! Could my LJ page be far behind? Follow me at twitter (dot) com / Miss_Lillie. Today at The Garden -- I reviewed TwiDi's "You Don't Know Anything." Link on my profile for those of you looking for a good story to read when I'm done.

Carlisle's POV

What a strange and interesting turn of events, I had to admit. The revelation of Bella's powers was incredibly fascinating. We stayed in Volterra the remainder of the week so that I could do some research in their libraries. The first issue at hand was Bella's aversion to blood. Surprisingly, I found that while rare, it was not unheard of. One of the more recent chronicles I read compared it to a baby being born lactose intolerant. Just because they couldn't stomach the milk, didn't mean their bodies didn't require it. It suggested building up their tolerance slowly and experimenting with different temperatures of the blood, suggesting that blood that has cooled somewhat may be easier to keep down. I decided to take that a step further, and experiment with different animal species to see if that made a difference. For the time being, the burn in Bella's throat was getting difficult for her to tolerate, but the nausea was still worse.

Next came the problem of Bella's powers. All we really knew was that she affected each person differently. Some people became protective, some possessive. Some, like Marcus, Aro and I, felt very paternal towards her. Others, like Felix and Demitri, definitely lusted after her. While Aro had suggested learning to 'harness' her power, Bella just wanted to learn how to control it before any more unsuspecting men fell madly in love with her, or worse. But how to accomplish this? It was not as though she could practice on someone…her effect on them would be permanent and unalterable. Aro suggested practicing on the men brought in by their new fisher, Gianna, 'before supper,' as he so politely put it. While from a scientific standpoint it was impossible to deny the merits of his idea – their love for Bella would be, shall we say, short lived -- the idea was too appalling to be considered. It was then that we decided to make our farewells.

Jasper, Felix, and Heidi were returning to Ohio State. Felix and Heidi wanted to finish their degrees, and there was still the issue of Kelly, which for the moment they agreed would be handled on a day-to-day basis. Our goodbyes were bittersweet, but I felt in my heart that things were on the upswing for Jasper finally. He had done nothing but love Bella with his whole heart and soul, and he deserved happiness just as much as Edward.

Alice had purchased an abandoned castle in the Highlands of Scotland, well removed from the rest of civilization. Esme was already there, wanting to help set up house and greet the two newest official members of our family properly. Alice also needed her to help Rosalie keep an eye on Adrian while she made a short trip back to the states, which she'd already returned from.

We decided to take another private jet, so Bella wouldn't be bombarded with 'rancid human smells,' as she called them. Bella sat between Edward and me on the plane, with Emmett across from us. Bella was very lost in thought, but I caught her looking sideways at me more than once.

"What is it, Bella?" I asked her.

"It's just, this thing with my power has me, I don't know….doubting everyone, I guess. I mean, take you for example. You took me in, treated me as family from Day One. You risked the lives of you and your family to save mine on more than one occasion, out of love for me. But was that just because I accidentally tricked you with my 'gift' or something?"

"Isabella Cullen, listen here," I started firmly, using my 'Dad' voice. She giggled and rolled her eyes at me. I smiled back at her. "Seriously, Bella. Remember when you first learned about us? I told you that the lucky ones of our kind that had special abilities seemed to carry them over from their human life, only amplified." Bella nodded in acknowledgement. "You are a wonderful person. You are kind, loving, forgiving, selfless, funny, beautiful. Even as a human, you were impossible not to love. That wasn't because of some mystic power, it was because of who you are."

"Yeah, Bella, I'd have the hots for you even if you weren't casting a spell on me," Emmett piped in, earning a swift kick in the shin from Edward. "What?! It's true!" Emmett ignored Edward's scowl and turned back to Bella. "But what I was trying to say before I was so rudely interrupted, was that I can tell you exactly why I wanted to be your big brother, and it had nothing to do with your powers. You made my family come to life. You bring joy to everyone around you. You're fun to be around and easy to love, and when you were a clumsy human, you were extremely breakable. You needed and deserved protecting. THAT's why you're my little sis. End of story." Bella smiled a bright smile at him.

She felt sick all through the airport, but got better once she'd been in the car a few minutes. When we had to abandon the car and continue on foot, we passed by several animal scents, none of which were appealing to her. When we passed a sheep pasture, though, she paused.

"They don't smell as bad as everything else has," she mused as we stood there watching them. Edward started laughing.

"What's so funny?" Bella asked curiously.

"The lion falls in love with the lamb, my dear. My favorite food is mountain lion. Wouldn't it just be too poetic if the only blood you could tolerate were lambs?" Bella rolled her eyes at him and continued running, not ready to test out Edward's theory.

When we approached the estate, we could hear Adrian shouting from within. I turned to Edward concerned, but he just shook his head and started laughing again.

"You've got to be fucking kidding me!" Adrian was staring at the television screen. When he looked up and saw us, he paused the DVD player and jumped up, zipping to Bella and ripping her away from Edward to hug her tight.

Adrian's POV

"Vampire Bells! I've missed you so much! Come here, you've got to see this horseshit!" Alice, Rose, and Esme appeared from the other room to greet everyone and get the update on what happened in Italy while I dragged Bella to the red velvet sofa and turned the recording back on. I was glad that Alice made sure I fed before Bells got home. I wouldn't have wanted her first impression of the new-and-improved me to be the blood crazed lunatic I was half the time. Plenty of time for that later.

The National Championship Game started playing again on the big screen. All of the Ohio State players were wearing a black armband with the number 23 on it in honor of their fallen teammate. She looked confused as to why that would be upsetting me. Until she saw the score.

"Florida is kicking their ASS!" Emmett yelled, taking a seat and pulling Rose onto his lap. Edward sat on the other side of Bella.

"No shit, Sherlock," I groaned and watched as the exhausted defense let them score yet another touchdown. Bella patted my hand comfortingly.

"At least you won the Heisman," Alice piped in, pointing to the golden statue in a place of honor in the center of the mantel.

"Yeah, the first posthumous Heisman award! I'm so glad we got married before you had to change me. I still can't believe that my parents tried to argue with you about you accepting the award on my behalf! They probably just wanted to sell it on eBay."

"So, you look like you're feeling better," Edward hedged, trying to not so subtly change the subject.

"As long as we're out here, I'm well fed and there aren't any humans around, I'm alright. I think it's going to be a helluva long time before I'm watching a game from the 50 yard line again, though. It's all good, though. Totally worth it! Ain't that right, Ally-Angel." I pulled her down on my lap and kissed her good and hard, just 'cause I could.

"Totally worth it," she murmured against my lips.

"Alright, that's enough of that," Esme teased. "You two are worse than Rose and Emmett." She wasn't fooling anybody, hugging Carlisle and smiling at us all. Rose scoffed at her playfully and proceeded to make out with Emmett. Edward, never one to be outdone, turned Bella to face him and kissed her deeply, making my best friend hum in satisfaction.

"Maybe Esme's right," I growled.

Looking around, I realized that I was still torn about how this whole thing played out. On one hand, it was nice to know that, thanks to Bella, the Volturi were on our side now. On the other hand, I hated that they insisted we split up. I would miss the rest of the family. We all would.

Edward's POV

I hated to admit it, but I was glad the family was splitting up. Much like children who grow up and start a new life for themselves as adults, Bella and I were ready to start the next phase of our lives. I had no interest in returning to the routine of pretending to be a teenager and repeating high school over and over again. Neither did Bella, and with her being a little older when she was turned, there was no need for it. We could easily pass as early 20-something newlyweds forever, which was fine by me.

After many failed attempts, Bella learned to tolerate sheep's blood without throwing it up as long as it was chilled first to reduce the smell of the blood. I would drain an animal from the livestock we were now keeping on the property and refrigerate it, and she would drink it from a glass in small portions throughout the day. She insisted that I always choose one of the older sheep – no lambs. She was feeling immensely better, for which I was grateful.

We had been in Scotland about a year before Adrian felt strong enough to start venturing into the village. The first couple of times, it took all three of us to keep him from attacking an elderly lady working at the bakery. He was definitely getting better, though, and Bella's tolerance was increasing. Bella would have to refrain from drinking for several hours first, to avoid vomiting blood if the nausea got too much to take, but that hadn't happened the past three trips. Alice and I estimated another six months or so, and we could begin considering returning to college in the fall. We decided to transfer to a smaller university, though, to reduce their discomfort. Possibly somewhere near here, so we didn't have to leave the place the four of us now truly considered home.

That was assuming we found a way to control Bella's power by then. Carlisle was still doing research, but as of yet had come up with nothing. I was used to having to fend off rival suitors, but the idea that once affected, they would remain so forever disturbed us. Knowing that Jasper would love Bella forever, that no matter how far away he was or how long he stayed away, his feelings would never fade into brotherly affection for his sister-in-law, as his love for Alice had, troubled me. It wasn't jealousy or fear of losing her that was bothering me. I knew now without a doubt that Bella and I were meant to be together forever. It was more just an unsettling feeling that I couldn't shake.

Alice tried to comfort me. She would share with me visions of Jasper becoming closer to Heidi, of him laughing and smiling, which helped. Bella kept in touch with him via email. He would share with her all the latest happenings in his life and she would share with him all the goings on in ours. She seemed to be satisfied with their new relationship, except to lament once that he felt it was better if they didn't talk on the phone. I knew it had hurt her, but I understood his reasoning. It was just easier for him that way.

Bella interrupted my musings, gliding into the room and wrapping her arms around my waist, resting her head between my shoulder blades.

"What are you thinking about?" she asked. I turned around to embrace her.

"How much I love you," I replied honestly.

"I love you, too. Never doubt, never forget."

Jasper's POV

Dear Bella,

Felix is inviting Kelly over tonight. We are going to tell her the truth. He is really serious about her. He hasn't slept around once since we got back! He doesn't even complain about hunting for animals anymore. I hope Kelly doesn't have a heart attack when she finds out I'm actually her uncle, several generations removed.

I'm glad to hear Adrian is coming out of his newborn phase successfully. Believe it or not, your aversion to blood was probably a blessing in disguise. I'm glad you didn't have to go through that thirst-induced dementia. Still, I hate to think of you suffering from any discomfort, even if it's just nausea.

Heidi is doing well, thanks for asking. She declared Art History as her major, and is really enjoying it. She said to tell you 'Hello.' I did what you suggested, and finally got up the nerve to ask her out. She hesitated, which I understood, but she finally agreed to try dating. Thank you, Bella. Even from across the ocean, you can still give me a swift kick in the ass when I need it. I do care about her a lot; she makes me smile. She's really been my rock, you know? She makes the pain of losing you hurt a little less. Don't start feeling all guilty again! It's not your fault, and even Marcus told you – I would love you even without your powers. It is what it is. I'm sorry, I know I shouldn't bring that up, but I know you. You'll brood over that one sentence for days otherwise.

I know it hurt you when I said I didn't want to talk on the phone yet, but thank you for understanding. It would just be too much for me right now to hear your voice. It's very important to me that we be able to maintain our friendship, and I need to make sure I don't break any boundaries if we're going to make that work. It's temporary, darlin', and if you ever really needed to talk, you know I'm here for you. Always and Forever.

Well, I'd better get going. It's almost time to go scare the crap out of my niece. I'll write again tomorrow and tell you how it went. Send everyone my best for me.

Love,
Jasper

I hit the send button and turned off the computer. I was getting better. I no longer started my emails "My Dearest Bella" or signed them "Your Jasper." I didn't sit staring at the computer waiting for her reply or constantly wonder what she was doing at any given part of the day.

I looked around the room that I now resided in at Heidi and Felix's house. It held no memories of Bella in it, which was the intent, but there were times I questioned that decision. I would always love Bella. I don't know how much of it was because of her latent abilities as a human, and how much was just me. It doesn't matter. I would always be hers, even if she wasn't mine. But maybe, just maybe, it would be possible for me to love someone else, too.

It was with that hope that I finally, after months of prodding by Bella, decided to ask Heidi out on a date. Heidi had become integral to my survival. Her scent and smile brought light back into my world. She was patient and understanding, never once judging me or telling me that I should feel something other than what I did. We spent every free moment together now, just talking or playing chess or watching movies. It was comforting.

I felt two hands on my shoulders and looked up to meet her golden eyes. They suited her. She smiled at me knowingly. "It's time."

Felix's POV

Nervousness was not something that suited me. Neither was insecurity. I didn't think they existed within my psyche, honestly. Yet another thing that Kelly has proven me wrong about. I sat on the couch wringing my hands as Heidi opened the door and let Kelly in before going upstairs to get Jasper.

Kelly came and sat next to me, radiant with her strawberry hair glowing in the last rays of evening sun.

"So, today's the day you are finally going to tell me what the big secret is?" she asked coyly, raising an eyebrow at me. I took her hand and held it within my own on my lap.

"Yes. Some of the things we have to tell you might shock you, but please, know now that you have nothing to be afraid of, alright il mio amore?"

Kelly eyed me curiously for a moment, then huffed a tiny huff and smiled at me.

"I'm going to make this easy on you," she said as Heidi and Jasper entered the room hand in hand. Kelly reached into her backpack and pulled out a large plastic bag. Inside were two pieces of cardboard that were taped together on one side. She removed the cardboard from the bag and handed it to Jasper.

"I wanted to make sure to return this to you in good condition, seeing as it is rightfully yours." Jasper opened the side of the cardboard that was not taped shut and gasped.

"Amelia," he breathed, looking at the picture encased there for a long moment before handing it to me. There was a very old photo of Jasper, complete in his Confederate Private's uniform, a beautiful southern girl on his arm.

"So it is you, as I thought. Just a little something I dug up over the holidays. Merry Christmas, Uncle Jasper," Kelly said with a playful tone of sarcasm. We all just stared at her in shock. "Well, as you can see, I've got the basics covered, but I need you all to fill me in on the specifics."

Kelly proceeded with the oddest round of 20 questions probably ever played. We explained everything to her, from what we were and what we ate to why our skin was cold. She asked questions about our individual histories and we were all brutally honest, but she seemed to take it all in stride. She asked about the other Cullens (a group which I am proud to now belong). She asked about how Adrian and Bella were changed. Then finally, she looked at me and asked me her last four questions directly. I barely noticed when Jasper led Heidi out of the room.

"Do you really love me?" Kelly asked, looking deep in my eyes, searching for sincerity in my response.

"More than life itself." It was the truth. When I was in Volterra, and our futures hung by a thread, the only thought going through my mind was finding my way back to her, a woman whom I'd never even made love to, but had taken over my heart and soul.

"Will you love me forever?"

"Undoubtedly." I was rewarded with a kiss, soft and slow. It occurred to me that perhaps I had finally found a woman who could appreciate the fine art of seduction. I couldn't wait to find out.

"Will you make me like you? Not now, but someday?" My greatest wish, come true.

"If that is what you desire, and you can show me you are ready and won't regret it, I will do it without hesitation." Kelly's face took on a seductive smirk as she propped herself on her knees next to me, playing with the hair at the nape of my neck as she leaned in to whisper in my ear.

"You do realize that would mean only sleeping with one woman for the rest of your very long life, don't you?" An evil grin spread across my face as I leaned over her, causing her head to fall back onto the arm of the couch, her knees on either side of my hips.

"With pleasure."

A/N: Up next, because women should always get the last word, the girls' epilogue!