Chapter 2 Facing Demons

After Edward was gone I decided to go through my boxes and begin unpacking. The first box was all of my favorite books. My Jane Austin compellation, Wuthering Heights, Jane Eyre.

I took them over to my small book case and placed them back in their original spots. The next task was unpacking my clothes, but I didn't feel like it. I walked over to my dresser and pulled out an old t-shirt and a pair of boxer shorts. I walked through my bedroom into the master bath.

Nothing in the house compared to this room. It was my sanctuary. I did my best thinking here. My best crying. All the hard decisions. All made here. It was beautifully tiled with granite counter tops. The sink wasn't special, but it had a separate shower that was glass encased and huge for me. Then the jetted tub.

I rummaged under the sink and pulled out a jar of lavender bath salts. I got the tub ready and returned to my room for my blue tooth.

Once it was securely in place I turned off the faucet and sank down into the heavenly warmth of a bath. It had been far too long, considering the home in Seattle had just a stand up shower with no, tub.

Once I was comfortable I pressed the on button to my headset and spoke clearly.

"Call Rosalie Hale."

After 2 short rings I was rewarded, "Bella! Are you home?"

"Yes, I'm actually in the bathtub." I laughed.

"Naughty girl." Rose chuckled, "So tell me what's wrong."

I felt the smile slide off my face, leave it to Rose to go right for the kill.

"I'm having dinner at Edward's tomorrow." I said slowly.

"Ok… I'm not seeing the big deal." Rose replied sounding annoyed.

"Jasper's home."

Those two simple words and her silence confirmed things for me.

"Oh Bells. Honey what are you gonna do?" She asked sympathetically.

"I don't know Rose. I haven't seen him in five years. And in those five years I've been dating his brother... Well almost 8 years actually." I explained honestly.

"Alright babe. You need to confront your ghosts and demons head on. I think you need to talk to Edward about…"

"I can't do that Rose. It'd kill him. I… I mean I love Edward in his own way. When it's just him and I… It's perfect." I smiled sadly idly slipping my hands through the warm water.

"Then you see Jasper… I know babe. I've known you a really long time. You can't continue to hide from this though."

"I know Rose. You're right… What should I do about tomorrow?" I asked pleadingly.

"Be yourself Bella. Carlisle and Esme love you as though you're one of they're own. You know how Edward feels. Jasper is the wild card. Be polite and open. But don't let him back in Bells. It nearly killed you last time." She begged.

"Alright Rosie. Well I'm gonna get out of the tub and try to get some sleep."

"Ok Bells. Call me tomorrow. I'll be waiting for an update."

"Okay. Love yah Rosie."

"love you too."

I sighed in frustration as I let the water drain out of the tub before standing up. Why was everything so complicated. Things were fine in Seattle when it was just Edward and I. Now… Back home with our families…

I got dressed carefully and went to the medicine cabinet. It was not something I made a habit of doing, but I knew there was no way I was going to get sleep tonight. So I intentionally took a couple benadryls to help me get there.

I tuned all the lights off and climbed carefully into my bed. Pulling the covers up. I lay there thinking until my eyes began to droop and sleep took me.

"I'm going to be a senior this year Bella." Jasper's voice was tense and angry.

"So did prom mean nothing to you?" I asked quietly as angry tears rolled down my cheeks.

"Bella. We had some fun Darlin. You're a great kisser. But… Well you know Edward likes yah… It's just not…"

"You're ashamed of me." I said, it wasn't a question.

"Bella." he pleaded.

"Answer me Jasper. Are you ashamed of me? Of us? Is that why you won't tell anyone we're dating?"

I watched his face as he looked at me. His eyes were hard and his jaw was set.

"We aren't dating."

Those three words broke me. Had the whole summer meant nothing to him? He'd been my everything. I'd confided things to him I'd never told anyone.

"That changes things." I murmured softly, my eyes on the ground.

Things were silent for a long moment.

"There's something I need to tell you Bella…" He said almost urgently.

I couldn't find the strength to look at him, "You've said enough. Goodbye Jasper."

I woke with a start shaking my head of unpleasant memories. That had been the last time I was ever alone with Jasper. After his senior year he went off to college and had only been home on holidays. This is why I was so nervous.

I got up stretching and went about my morning routine and dressed in a light blue button up blouse and black slack. I descended the stairs and made my way to the kitchen.

"Morning Bells." Mom called holding a glass of coffee.

"Hey mom." I smiled.

"When do you start teaching?" she asked.

"In about 3 weeks." I told her proudly.

"Want some breakfast?" She asked with a knowing smile.

"I was thinking pancakes. Want some?" I asked playfully.

"It would be nice." She laughed airily.

I whipped up a huge stack of pancakes and I could hear Charlie practically barreling down the stairs.

"Bells… you cooking?" he called.

"Yeah Dad. Pancakes." I chuckled motioning to the huge stack I'd completed.

He grabbed a plate piling them high, "Darling do you need six pancakes?" Renee asked condescendingly.

"Well baby. With the way you cook… Yes." He smiled half jokingly.

"Alright enough you too." I giggled, oh the irony of acting the parental figure.

"What are your plans today Bells?" Charlie asked between mouthfuls of fluffy goodness.

"Edward's picking me up at some point. We're going to see his family." I said nonchalantly.

"Jasper's in town." My mom observed watching for my reaction.

I took a deep breath, "I know mom. I'm ok."

Charlie was oblivious when it came to boys. My mom however was quite perceptive even if she pretended not to be. She knew more about my summer fling with Jasper than she led on, but she'd kept quiet. She helped me get over him…

The look on her face was one of caution. Warning me to be safe.

"I will mom." I said earnestly, answering her unanswered question.

She smiled just as the doorbell sounded, she scurried off to open the door and when she returned Edward was on her heels.

"You're early." I commented.

"I figured you'd be making breakfast." he chuckled grabbing a plate, "I've become spoiled and accustomed to your meals." he teased.

"Well son, you sure are lucky." My dad spoke up with his mouthful.

Edward's shocked face expressed amusement and disgust.

"Dad… You should really chew with your mouth closed." I groaned.

He finished his bite a gave me a soft glare, "Sorry Bells. But it's been so long I've forgotten what real food tastes like."

As soon as the words left his mouth his face became lined with fright, "Charles Swan… If you're talking bad about my cooking."

My mom was threatening holding a wooden spoon.

"No, dear." He responded almost glumly.

Edward and I exchanged glances and stood at the same time.

"Well on that note we're off. I'll be home tonight. Love you guys." I called as Edward dragged me towards the door.

Once outside we were both laughing.

"They're so much like kids!" I complained.

"Yeah, well at least you'll have practice." He grinned.

"Practice?"

"For when we have our own…" He nearly whispered.

I smiled softly and kissed his lips, "So what are we doing?"

He thought for a moment while I congratulated myself on successfully changing the subject.

"I thought I'd take you to my place." He said slowly.

"I've been there a million times." I laughed.

"no, the place mom and dad bought for me." He grinned.

"You. You have your own house?!" I exclaimed with pure excitement.

"Well mine and Jasper's."

I'm sure the color drained from my face as I struggled internally to compose myself.

"You and… J..Jasper?"

"Yeah. He's going to be the new History teacher at Forks high." Edward smiled animatedly.

"oh."

"Don't worry Bells. He'll be with my parents all day. We'll be all alone until we head there for dinner." He assured me.

I felt bad for my reaction, I'd known Edward had missed his brother. He had no, reason to feel animosity towards him because he didn't know…

I climbed into the passenger seat of his shiny silver Volvo and we were off. We pulled up in front of a large home and I felt like my jaw hit the floor.

"This is the place your mom bought you?" I asked in awe.

"Yep. It's a 4 bedroom 4 ½ baths, den, library, study, great room, living room, formal dining room. It's about 3600 square feet." He rattled proudly.

"Why a four bedroom?" I asked not taking my eyes from the beautiful home before me.

"You'll see." He promised.

It was a beautiful 2 story with light green vinyl siding with grey brick. We walked through the double oak doors and Edward gave me the tour. We entered the foyer and it was gorgeous with rich cherry hardwood floors. The first thing you notice is the vaulted ceilings and the grand staircase. He led me to the left past a hall closet and into the small laundry room. That had a linen closet and led into the 3 ½ car garage. The only thing inside was a Ducati. Jasper's… Back to the right of the foyer was Jasper's office. Following the long hall it opened to the Great Room. It was beautifully furnished with a large cream color sofa, love seat, and two recliners surrounding a massive flat screen. It was open to the Chef's eat in kitchen and I fell in love.

The dark granite countertops with the white tile back splash was so contrasting and perfect with the stainless steel appliances. It had and island and bar and walk in pantry. The double oven was one of my favorite features, and there was a half bath off the pantry. Right off the kitchen was a sunroom looking out over the vast lush forest. Edward pointed out the first floor had a master that belonged to Jasper. We took the great room to the basement and I was in awe…

"Are there hardwoods throughout?" I asked.

"Yes, love. You like?" He smirked.

I nodded emphatically.

The basement opened into a rec. room complete with foosball and a pool table. Which was open into the family room, although the same furniture and set up it was all in black. The formal dining room was attached. In the back was another larger laundry room and Edward's study. His bedroom was gorgeous and masculine. His bed was in the center with a large black cushioned head board. The colors were all dark and almost depressing. It was equip with two walk in closets and an attached bath. It was a standard bathroom, but Edward was never one for luxury.

"Alright now I'll take you to the real surprise." He grinned.

We walked up the two floors across from the stairs was a large full bath. And two double French doors. I walked inside and gasped. It looked as though two rooms had been combined into one to make up the library. It was more books than I'd ever seen in anyone's home before. It shocked me. It almost looked like a store!

Then Edward led me past a guest room to another door and opened it. The walls were light lavender except the wall with the bed was a deep dark purple. The Iron wrought frame held intricate flower designs that were breathtaking. The bedspread was light purple with a floral design in several shades of violet.

"What is this?" I asked with wonder.

"Your guest room." Edward grinned.

I frowned, "Two floors away from yours?"

"To make sure that I keep my virtue Bella." He smiled.

'Little good it'll do for me.' I grumbled in my head.

This bedroom also had an attached bath with a separate shower and tub. It was very feminine and I adored it.

"I love this Edward." I gushed.

"Thank Esme. She surprised us all." He smiled. "She knows how Charlie and Renee are. This way you have another space when you need to be away."

I pulled him to me crushing my lips against him. He deepened the kiss holding me to him. The pulling back.

"You'll be the death of me." he muttered breathlessly.

I didn't fight him this time as we left and headed the five miles down the road to Edward's parents home.

It could be considered a mansion with 7 bedrooms and 8 ½ bathrooms. But I wouldn't get into that.

We made our way through the grand foyer into the sitting room, where lovely Esme was sitting.

She looked up and her light brown eyes and met mine with an intensity I hadn't seen in a while.

"Bella! Oh, Bella! Welcome home." She screeched getting up and rushing over. I was pulled into her motherly hug as she kissed my cheeks and soothed my hair.

"I was just telling Jasper how you're the new Kindergarten teacher." She smiled warmly.

My heart began beating erratically in my chest as I turned and saw him there. Leaning against the fire mantle was Jasper Whitlock. His shoulders were broader as if he'd been working out. His honey locks were shorter than I'd remembered and his gaze was fixed intently on my face. I took a deep breath willing my racing heart to calm.

"Hi… Jasper…" I whispered and averted my gaze to Esme's, "Esme. The house… Edward showed me… I… It's beautiful." I said in broken sentences.

"Are you alright?" Edward asked perceptively.

I smiled patting his hand, "I'm fine."

"Are you sure love?" He asked raising his eyebrows.

"Yes." I said firmly pressing my lips to his effectively silence him.

"How are you Bella?" Jasper's soft voice asked.

I turned to look him in the eye, holding back everything I wanted to say, "I'm fine and yourself?"

"I've been better." He responded truthfully. His gaze looking from Edward's arms around my small frame back to my face.

I pursed my lips trying to think of something mean and spiteful to say, but I couldn't. Not in front of Esme, and especially not in front of Edward.

"So you're going to be teaching history?" I asked him.

His eyes lit up with pride and I saw a flash of something else, but it was gone before I could pin point it. "Yes, in the…" He began.

"Civil War Era?" I guessed.

"Yeah." He replied looking amused.

"I'm like an elephant… I never forget."

I watched his expression as he took in my double meaning, but the awkwardness was broken by Edward.

"Well Bells. For an Elephant who never forgets you sure forget how to walk sometimes." He laughed.

"Watch it Mister or I'll tell the story about Tequila." I threatened.

His eyes widened in horror, "You wouldn't."

"Don't. Test. Me."

We all laughed at that as Esme giggled.

"We've sure missed you Bella." She laughed.

Dinner that night was more enjoyable than I would have thought possible. It felt good to feel like a real part of someone's family. Carlisle of course had been late. Working at the hospital had it's perks and downsides like any other job.

My goal that night was to ignore Jasper at all costs. I was polite but I was never alone with him, for which I was thankful.

That dinner however was the last I'd seen Edward for longer than an hour at a time the past couple weeks. He'd fallen into his fathers footsteps at the hospital, and my first week of teaching went by without incident. I had fallen into a comfortable routine, but I was going to be spending the weekend at Edward's and I was worried about my carefully constructed composure. I wouldn't crack… I wouldn't crack…

AN

Hey guys. How you liken it so far? I know it's a bit slow going and I'm sorry!! But I need to get all the info in a can! LOL. Next chpt will be Jaspers POV and it'll answer some questions. Not all of them. But some. It'll have more memories of them in the awkward years. :D Plus his POV of dinner since I didn't really do Bella's. Thanks again

WhitlocksAngel