Disclaimer – I do not own Twilight. All recognizable plot and characters belong to the talented Stephanie Meyer.
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I flicked it open, "Alice I'm sorry."
"Don't be, let me talk to Jazz a sec, I promise I'll talk with you after."
I handed him the phone and he listened to whatever she said before handing me back the phone, "Peter, Char, let's go." His voice was commanding and they were instantly at his side.
"Major?" Peter asked, "I don't sense trouble."
"No, Alice needs a minute with Bella, we are going to town to get her more groceries."
"Let me get my list." Char disappeared and was back in a second. Then I watched them all get into the truck and drive away.
"They are gone." I told Alice, "I'm sorry Alice. I know I wasn't supposed to talk to him."
"That was when he might have convinced you to go home, this was good Bella. I didn't see it because it was a snap decision but I was in the house when it happened, harsh Bella but in essence it needed to happen, you breaking up with him I mean, not threatening him with a Zippo."
"I was just so angry."
"You love him?"
"Not as much as I thought, so much has changed Alice."
"It was meant to but I meant Jazz, you love him."
"I, I don't know." I thought about it, I loved spending time with him, talking to him, listening to him sing, playing games with him, teasing him, his laugh, and he was so sexy it hurt. I always wanted to be near him and I went nuts the last few days without him.
"Stop thinking so much Bella, you know you love him."
"I think you're right."
"Of course I am. He loves you to, he's just not realized it's because you are his mate. He will, very soon actually. But um, well,"
"What is it Alice?"
"You'll need Charlotte's help. He's being stubborn about this, fucker wont see what's right in front of him but the Major will and it could possibly be a little dangerous but I'm not sure, I can't really see everything until the decisions are made."
"Alice he is the Major and what do you mean dangerous?"
"I know he is the Major Bella but he's locked a part of him away, the dark and very, very deadly part, the God of War part. He comes out to play sometimes and it is usually a terrifying and very bad thing Bella."
"So what do we need to do? You want me to actually play bait for James or something?"
"No, god no."
"So what?"
"I don't know that's why you need Charlotte."
"What about James?"
"Don't worry about him, just focus on Jasper. Now that Edward is out of the picture, he should accept the lust between you but if he kissed you just then he would beat himself up for taking advantage of you, disappear for over a week, and then distance himself when he got back. I don't know Bella. I'm sorry I can't see much. I know you are on course though, please just keep trusting me, he'll be yours soon, it will be over whelming at first but it'll all work out, I promise. Just trust me. Ok?"
"Ok, Alice, I trust you. What about James though?"
"I told you, don't worry about James. I have to go now. Esme will call you as soon as we hang up, you can take the call but remember don't tell her about your being mates, that you are with Char and Peter or where you are just tell her you are safe and happy and want to stay with Jasper. Ok?"
"Ok, Alice, I promise."
"I love you Bella."
"I love you to Alice."
"You do? I know you have Charlotte now and you like her better but you still love me to?"
"Of course I love you Alice, and I don't like her better I like her just the same, you are both my sisters."
"I miss you Bella."
"I miss you to Alice, can you call me again?"
"In a little while I will. Take care of Jazz Bella. I love you." She said hanging up the phone.
As soon as I snapped it shut it rang again. I didn't check the caller id as I answered, already knowing who it was.
"Hello Esme."
"Oh Bella, baby, how are you? It is so good to hear your voice, I've been trying to get Jasper to let me talk to you all summer."
I bit back tears, "I'm sorry Esme."
"I heard what happened between you and Edward. Are you alright baby? Where are you? Is Jasper hunting humans again? Are you safe? Please tell me you are not playing bait or anything so ridiculous."
"I'm fine Esme, Jasper killed a pedophile in the woods, I don't care if he wants to eat criminals Esme but I am not playing bait, god he would have a fit if I were anywhere near those kinds of people."
"Baby, where are you? Tell Jasper to bring you home, or let us come to you. We'll take care of you."
"No Esme. I'm safe here."
"You'll be safe with us to Bella. We wont let anyone hurt you." I heard Carlisle's voice in the back and knew I had to get off.
"I know, but I am happy here, please don't worry, Jasper is taking care of me, he's keeping me safe. I miss you."
"We miss you to Bella. Please think about it and come home."
"I love you." I told her and shut the phone.
I went up to my room and ran a bubble bath; then I laid back in the warm water and cried.
A little while later I heard them all coming home.
"Bella are you alright?" I heard Jasper's voice through the door and got out of the tub.
"Yes, can you ask Charlotte to come up please?"
"Thirty seconds later and she was standing in my room, "what is it sugar?"
"Can we go out to the lake? Just us?"
"Of course sugar, you get dressed and I will pack you something to eat."
"Thanks Char." I smiled at her and got dressed.
We walked at my pace into the trees a ways before she picked me up and put me on her back to run to the lake.
"You alright sugar?"
"Yeah, it's just been a long day, with Jazz finally coming back from the disappearing act and Edward and then Alice and Esme, I just needed a little peace."
"Jazz was just worried how you'd take it, he didn't want to frighten you."
"You and Peter both have blood red eyes, why would his copper ones scare me when yours don't?"
"Because his are normally golden, I'm not sure his exact reasoning sugar, the major just didn't want to upset you. He cares a lot about you."
"I know." I sighed.
"I'm sorry about you and Edward."
"No you aren't." I laughed. It was no secret she didn't like Edward, neither did Peter. They had both looked at me in shock when Jasper told them I was his and then bluntly asked me why. I had laughed and shrugged and said it was because I hadn't met them. They laughed as well and we had moved on to a new topic.
"Well I am if you are hurting over it. I might not like the pretentious little twit but if you love him."
"I don't" I think I even surprised myself on that one, "I thought I did and I mourned leaving him but it was over the day Alice had me leave with Jasper."
"Why sugar?"
"I'm not his mate. Apparently he's going to find her sometime in the next couple years though."
"Alice told you that?" I nodded, "The bitch." She spat.
"Charlotte"
"No Bella, I might not have been besties with her and she was never right for the Major but I liked her well enough, I cannot believe she would lay that on you on top of everything else."
"She had to."
"Why?"
"So that I wouldn't feel bad when I fell in love with my true mate."
"Wait, you are going to meet your true mate to?"
"Already did."
"What, who?"
"Jasper."
"Shit." She looked at me, "That fucker, I bet he knows to."
I looked at her confused, "Alice says Jasper hasn't realized it yet."
"Not Jasper sweetie, Peter, my husband just knows shit and he said something when you first came around that makes a whole lotta sense now. But that doesn't matter, why haven't you told him?"
"I can't, Alice said he needs to find out on his own and I can't tell anyone."
"But you are telling me, now."
"She said I could today, that I needed your help, that the Major would recognize me but we needed to make him."
"Ah shit, well I know one sure way that makes the Captain claim me over again every time but it might not end so well if the Major comes out to play and Jazz can't rein him in."
"How so?"
"Death, destruction and mayhem, a total blood bath."
I looked at her my throat dry as I tried to swallow. "Um, maybe a different way?"
"Well, you were about to kiss on the patio."
I blushed, "Nope, Alice said that makes him take off and start to avoid me. He has to actually recognize me as his mate."
"Sorry sugar but I think option a is our only option on that one. Unless you want to try to get James to attack but if we caused that he's definitely going rip me to pieces for putting you in danger, or you could really try to play bait but that would get me torn up to pieces again."
"OK, so what's plan a?"
"Seduction."
"Alice already said"
"Not of Jasper sugar."
"Sorry?"
"Hopefully it will just bring him to the surface and he won't actually come out to play."
"Char?"
"We need you to seduce another man in front of him sugar."
"You want me to try to make him jealous?"
"Exactly." She nodded. "To bad Jasper knows Peter feels brotherly to you, the Major might tear him apart but we could put him back together."
"You mentioned another friend who came here."
"Garrett? Hmm" she mused quietly for a minute, "Yes, I believe he might do it, though if the Major does tear him apart we will owe him big."
"The tearing him apart isn't a given though, he might not right?"
"Yes but its still better to risk it with a vampire than have some drunk horny humans hitting on you, that could really turn into a blood bath."
"Right. Ok, so let's ask Garrett."
"I'll call him now." She pulled out her phone and when it was answered, she began talking at a speed I could not follow. She paused a few times before speaking again and I wondered what they were saying to each other.
She closed the phone and smiled, "He's in."
I frowned, a little worried now, "Is he a human drinker?"
"He's like Peter and I, he wont hurt you. I'd have him pretend to attack you but we discussed it and it was a definite that the Major would tear him up and a possibility for pieces not being returned in punishment and god forbid you fell in fear and were hurt, Garrett would be burned before an explanation could be made."
"What do I do?"
"What do you mean?"
"When he get's here."
"Flirt."
"How?"
"Oh, well, um, wear your skirts and cute tanks, laugh when he says something funny, sit near him, touch him when you get the opportunity and just follow his lead, he'll do all the work anyways. Hopefully it wont take long for the Major to see another man after his mate."
"When will he get here?"
"Tomorrow."
"So soon."
She smiled at me, "Its time you got your mate sugar. Come on let's go back to the house. Act normal but stay a little closer to Jazz than normal."
I nodded at her and we went back to the house. "Thank you Char." I whispered in her ear as she ran.
Back at the house, the boys were playing video games. I went and sat down in a chair near Jasper.
"Feeling better Darlin?"
"Yeah, thanks Jazz." I shot him a smile and turned my attention back to the screen, "You kicking Petey's ass?"
"Hah," Peter scoffed, "Not a chance." Then he growled and Jasper won the round, "No fair fucker quit using that emotional shit to win."
Jasper just laughed, "Now why would I handy cap myself like that?"
"Alright, enough games, let's watch a movie, Bella is tired." Charlotte said coming to sit on the opposite couch.
"You alright Darlin" Jazz asked, I could feel him watching me, searching with his gift.
I thought of Esme and sadness came forth. He got up and pulled me into his arms, sitting us both back on the couch. He began to stroke my hair and hum softly, sending me calm, "I'm sorry today was so hard. You should never have had to fight with Edward like that over me."
"I'm not upset about Edward Jazz, I meant everything I said to him."
"Why are you sad then? Is it Alice?"
"I miss her but no, after she called I talked to Esme. I miss her so much Jazz, I miss them all."
"I can take you back Bella. I can keep you safe there."
"No," I sat up a little panicked.
"Shh," he said, sending me waves of calm, "We don't have to leave, I just don't want you to be sad."
"I'm happy here Jazz, I just miss them, but I don't want to leave. I'll be better tomorrow."
He sent me acceptance and contentedness as we lay there watching the movie Peter had put in. I got up to make dinner with Char when it ended.
"Shall we go read for a while when you finish?" Jasper asked coming to sit with us.
"Yes, I'm done, just let me clean up."
"I'll do it sugar, you just go on up with Jazz and rest. We'll see you in the morning."
"Thank you Char." I smiled at her and went up stairs with Jasper.
I went into my room and did my nighttime routine before going into Jasper's room where he waited on the couch. His arms reached out to me and he wrapped me in a blanket as we curled together on the couch and read. After a while, I began to get sleepy and he shifted me to a sitting position before he got up and lifted me into his arms carrying me to bed.
"Will you stay and sing to me tonight Jazz?"
He nodded and lay next to me and started singing. The next day I got up and went about my usual morning ritual, starting with my long hot shower and ending with my breakfast, with Charlotte sitting across from me talking about new recipes to try.
As we were cleaning the kitchen Peter came in, "Company is coming."
Jasper was immediately by my side, "You don't feel worried, who is it?"
"Garrett, he'll be here later today."
Jasper nodded, "He's a friend, same diet as Peter and Char, he wont hurt you Bella."
"I know Jazz, I trust you." I told him, laying my hand on his arm before walking past him and into the living room, "Shall we work on my Spanish this morning Char?"
"Excellent idea and we should do some more yoga after lunch." Char followed me outside and we walked to the stream not far from the house. We sat there for a couple hours as Char taught me Spanish. I wasn't very good but I was getting better.
We went back to the house and I made a snack before going to change into my black yoga pants and sports bra. I met Char out on the deck and we began stretching.
About half way through our routine, I felt eyes on me and knew the guys had come back. When we came up from standing forward end pose I looked over at them to see the new comer.
He had a sexy lazy grin and short brown blond hair, yum Sean Patrick Flannery a la Boondock Saints, hmm, even if Alice is wrong, it wont hurt a bit to flirt with this looker.
I heard a low growl and looked over at Jazz, I noticed the others were all looking at him to, "This is Bella. She is not to be touched." He warned in a low and dangerous voice.
"I get it, no nibbling on the local girl." He winked at me and I smiled.
"Come on Bella. Let's finish." Char encouraged.
We went back to our stretching while the boys went inside, I could still feel eyes on me.
When we finished Char and I walked down to the lake. It took over an hour since Char would walk it at my pace. We jumped right in the icy water and laughed splashing around.
"When we get back to the house we'll shower and make dinner, then will come the fun and games."
"Are you sure this is a good idea Char?"
"No, but its all I can think of and the Pixie didn't call screaming at us to stop. Even if nothing happens, it will be a fun night and Garrett seems more than pleased at the idea of flirting with you the way he was watching. Though with the way Jazz already reacted to it, shit will hit the fan pretty quick."
"He was just warning him about biting me Char."
She laughed, "Sugar he was warning him about touching you and I am guessing by that dark look about keeping his lust in check."
I blushed and dipped under the water. We swam a little more and then got out. I was in the best shape of my life hanging out here with Char, my body had toned and tightened and what curves remained I liked; they were feminine and soft.
We got out and let the sun dry our skin in the late afternoon heat. Then we got up and walked back home.
I got in my shower, god how I loved this shower, and relaxed under the multiple sprays. I wondered what to wear when the door opened and admitted Char. She held up a jean mini skirt and casual tank and left them on the toilet.
I got out and dried off dressing in the outfit she had provided. I didn't put on shoes or makeup except a little mascara and just ran my fingers through my long hair to make the waves sit well. Then I went back down the stairs. Char had beaten me down of course and was in an outfit similar to mine. I smiled at the boys and went straight to the kitchen with Char in tow. We made my supper as the boys played video games and watched us from the living area. I ate at the island with Char; as usual, she sat flipping through a magazine and pointing out pictures to me.
We talked about actors and movies and what to watch that night. Then Char lit up, "Oh, we should play a board game tonight, let's play Clue."
I suppressed a laugh, "Sure Char, that sounds like fun. What do you guys think?" I turned to them and they all agreed.
I went upstairs to have my post dinner human moment and came back down to see they had everything all set up.
"Have a good day Darlin?" Jazz asked as I sat next to him.
I nodded, "Si, gracias. ¿Y usted? ¿Tiene usted un buen día con los muchachos?" (Rough translation: Yes, thank you. And you? Did you have a good day with the boys?)
"Es bien. Su español está mejorando." (Rough translation: It was fine. Your Spanish is getting better."
"Gracias." I nodded and turned to the others.
"How long have you been learning Spanish Bella?" Garrett asked politely.
"Only six weeks. I can only say a few things so far."
"It sounds good."
"Thank you, Garrett."
We chatted and played the game, Peter won and got up and danced around the room making us all dance and Char jump up and turn on some music. She then pulled me to my feet and we began dancing around the room together.
I felt cold arms around me and turned in Garrett's arms, we began to sway together to the music.
"You smell divine Miss Bella."
I blushed, "I've been told."
He laughed, "Yes, your blood is very sweet but it is not only this."
I blushed again, "Thank you, I suppose."
He laughed and twirled me, "You are not afraid at all are you little one?"
"No, I'm not. Not here."
"And where are you afraid?"
I shrugged, "Out there, where the world and all its troubles wait."
"Ah, yes, but they can wait another day."
I laughed and nodded "That they can."
He moved us a little closer and then stilled for a moment at the sound of a low growl, I was sure to have missed if his step hadn't faltered in response, "Tell me Beauty, do you want to hide away in the woods forever?"
"Perhaps," I looked through my lashes "Where else would I go?"
He leaned in a little closer, "Wherever you wish Beauty, the world can be yours." We had stopped moving and stood close our heads bent together.
"And who will take me? If ever I wished to leave my paradise," I whispered.
"I would."
"Oh shit." I heard Peter curse and then Garrett was ripped away from me.
Jasper stood holding him by the throat his eyes a murderous black, "You dare touch what is mine." His voice was low and colder than ice.
"No Major, never," Garrett responded, dropping his head in a sign of submission.
"Major" Peter stepped closer to him and Jasper whipped his head around growling at him. Peter held his hands up in submission, gently pushing Char more behind him as he did. Her hands too were raised and her head tilted in submission.
"Jazz, Jasper," I whispered stepping closer to him.
"Stay back Beauty." Garrett said causing Jazz to snap his attention back the man he held by the throat. Garrett began to tremble, "Please, Major, I meant no harm"
"Jasper." I stepped forward again and laid my hand on his arm, "Please Jazz, let him go, he won't touch me again, it's okay."
His eyes turned to meet mine and I held them, I shifted in front of him and raised my hand up to meet his face, this was Jasper, I had no need to fear him, "Come on baby, let him go." I said sliding my other arm up his chest.
All around me the room was still; I think all the vampires had stopped breathing. "Please Major," I pleaded moving my body closer to his, pushing calm and love at him.
He dropped Garrett and pulled me to him, smelling my hair. Garrett slowly backed away to Peter and Char his hands up and his head down, still not breathing.
I heard movement and his head snapped back up to growl at Peter who immediately stopped.
I snuggled into his chest, pushing as much calm and love into him that I could. After a while, he pulled away from me and I looked into his eyes to the odd copper color they were supposed to be.
"I'm sorry." He said running his fingers along my jaw.
"Why?" I asked smiling up at him, "Nobody died."
Peter's booming laugh filled the air and we all relaxed a little more.
"Bella, I,"
"You what?"
"Nothing."
"Jazz?" I pushed confusion and love at him.
He gave me an odd look and pushed love back at me, it made me gasp with its intensity.
"Mate." He whispered barely audible to my ears.
"Mate." I said back, as I continued to feel wrapped in his love and pushed mine back at him.
"Is this what Alice saw?" He asked, I nodded, "Why didn't you tell me? Why didn't she?"
"I don't know, she told me not to, that you needed to figure it out, then she told me I could tell Char to get her to help force you to see and she called Garrett, really glad you didn't dismember him, by the way."
"And you signed up for that?" Jasper asked turning his head to Garrett.
"Owed Peter and Char one, besides was a pleasure to help you, she's easy to flirt with." Jasper growled at him and he held up his hands, "Just meant you're a lucky man is all and like she said, glad not to have been dismembered. I think I'll take my leave now though so it stays that way. You take care now Beauty. Char, Peter, I'll see you. He nodded at them before turning back to Jasper, Major." With that he was gone into the night."
Jasper turned his focus back to me, "You my mate will never do that again, or it might not end so peacefully."
"Lucky I have no need to." I assured him.
He leaned down and kissed me tentatively. Remembering Edward's response if I reacted I stayed as still as I could, fighting the urge to wrap my arms around him and deepen the kiss. He kissed me gently again and then ran his nose along my jaw, when he reached my ear he ran his cold tongue along the shell and I shivered, clenching my hands together to keep from grabbing him.
"I would never push you Bella. You have no need to be afraid."
"I'm not." I breathed.
"I can feel your nerves Darlin." He said amusement tingeing his voice.
"I want, I can't" I was practically panting with the effort not to pull him to me and kiss him deeply.
I felt calm seep into me, "What Darlin, What do you want? What can't you do?"
I bit my lip as tears formed, unable to articulate it to him, "Bella?" I could hear and feel his concern and it hit me, with Jazz, I didn't need the words. I pushed all the love and lust and longing I felt at him. He gasped and held me tighter for a moment. Then he pulled back and kissed me again, this time it was not tentative, this time it was nothing like the gentle pecks Edward had given me. His mouth crashed onto mine and his cold tongue ran along the seam of my mouth, when I gasped his tongue invaded my mouth, dancing with mine.
I felt him feeding my passion with his own and I kissed him back just as desperately. When he finally did pull back, he kissed my forehead and pulled me close to him again, we were both breathing heavily.
"You should get some rest now my mate." I shivered at his still low and dark tone, damn as if he needed to be any sexier.
"Will you sing to me?"
He didn't reply, instead he picked me up and carried me to my room. I went into the bathroom and changed into cotton boy shorts and a fitted tank and hurried out to my bed.
Jazz sat on the bed but a pained expression came over him and he shut his eyes, "Are you ok Jazz?" I asked sitting on the bed near him.
"Yes." His voice was gruff.
"Jasper?"
"It was hard enough fighin it before is all Darlin."
I stared at him, sending him my curiosity.
He sent me back a dose of lust that curled my toes.
Surprise filled me and then my own lust.
He groaned, "Please Darlin, my control is not that good."
"Sorry" I murmured looking at my hands.
Jasper pulled me into his lap; his nose ran along the back of my neck sending shivers through me, "Don't be. I love that you want me; every time I felt a wisp of lust from you I marveled it could be for me, now I know you are my mate it is harder not to take you but I will be strong Isabella. I will not touch you until you are ready."
My body stiffened in surprise, was he saying?
"Rest Darlin, there is time tomorrow to talk." He settled me back in his arms so we both reclined on the bed and he began to sing and push calm and relaxation into me. I quickly drifted to sleep.
When I woke I was cold and laying on something very hard, but I was oddly comfortable and relaxed.
"Morning Darlin." I jumped at his voice realizing I slept against Jaspers granite and ice form.
"Sorry Jazz," I said blushing, "Have you been here all night."
"Don't be sorry, I wanted to stay with you and my mind was busy."
"What were you thinking about?"
"Many things," he said looking at me, I began to feel lust projected off him and blushed. "Go do your human thing and eat with Charlotte, but after, you're mine today."
I nodded, "Alright Jasper."
After finishing the delicious crepes Charlotte had made and helping her clean the kitchen I went up to brush my teeth and see what Jazz wanted to do. I had put on short jean shorts and a tank top and as usual in the house, was barefoot.
Jasper was waiting for me in the chair in my room when I came out of the bathroom, "You should bring your swim suit, we will stop at the lake for a swim." I nodded and grabbed my suit going back to the bathroom to put it on under my shorts.
When I came out I followed him downstairs and outside, he took my hand in his as we walked into the woods.
"Your balance has gotten better since we moved here." He commented as we walked.
"I think it is all the yoga, it's been great for my flexibility to." His hand tightened around mine for a minute but loosened again as we continued walking.
"Jasper, are you really ok?"
"He is to close to the surface Bella, he wants to claim you."
"Oh. Um. Jazz?"
He turned to look at me, lifting one of his brows and sending curiosity for me to continue.
"Will you?" I asked blushing furiously.
"Not until you are ready." His grip tightened on my hand again and I felt a surge of anger before he reined it in; "Did you and my brother ever?"
"No." I reassured him squeezing his hand, "He barely kissed me, I didn't know you could kiss me the way you did, he was always so careful."
"I would never hurt you. I have been alive a lot longer than him and would not unintentionally injure you."
I nodded and we continued walking, "What if I am ready now?" I asked him quietly.
He jerked us to a stop and stood staring at me, I could tell he was searching through all my emotions.
His eyes had darkened and he let go of my hand to rub it over my face, "Have you ever, has anyone ever," he growled and I saw his fists clench as his eyes darkened a little further.
"Jasper?" I asked stepping closer to him and laying a hand on his chest.
"Before my brother was there, has there ever been"
"A boyfriend?" I finished for him; he nodded his eyes almost black now.
I shook my head, "No Jazz, until your brother I had not even kissed a boy and I already told you that was little more than a meeting of lips.
His body relaxed a little but his eyes were still very dark, "Mine" he said pulling me to him he lowered his head, "Mate." He claimed before kissing me senseless. My knees were weak as he held me up, our tongues dancing and exploring.
"Isabella." He growled pulling away from my mouth and trailing kisses along my jaw before dropping his head to kiss up my bare shoulder to my pulse point, my heart skipped as he placed a kiss over my jugular, he sucked gently.
"Jasper." I practically moaned, "Please." I sent him all the lust, every ounce I had bottled over the last few months, he sucked harder on my neck and shifted my body closer to his, I could feel his erection through his jeans and moaned rubbing against him.
His mouth left my neck and he lifted me so my legs wrapped around his waist and kissed me again. I ground myself against him, his eyes were pitch black and he let a low growl, it sent fresh heat through me.
After that first time in the woods things settled into a routine again. This time, things were a little crazy but I couldn't have been happier. Jasper and I were always together now except those few hours in the morning Char and I kept to ourselves, we would all spend a large amount of the day together but after supper Jazz and I would go upstairs and read together or talk for hours and every morning I woke up to new delicious aches. I was finally able to kiss and lick every scar on his body. I couldn't get enough of him. Peter and Char were pleased for us and for themselves as he had a little trouble projecting when we were together.
It was intense and at times I was a little afraid because of it. When he went hunting I felt anxious and sat on the porch waiting for him. I couldn't sleep unless I fell asleep in his arms. He had to know where I was all the time and monitored my emotions carefully questioning any slight alteration in my mood until I snapped at him and he would growl at me. Alice called and told me to have faith that things would settle and be good soon. I believed her. She was never wrong.
Summer faded into fall and the intensity did begin to fade. I still slept poorly when he wasn't there when I went to sleep, but he could leave me to hunt and I would be fine with Char for a few hours and he stopped searching my emotions so intently.
As winter approached things fell into a similar routine from before he learned I was his mate, we spent a little more time together and were always touching, not to mention the sex, screw the whole god of war image my mate was the god of sex.
Char and I did up the cabin for Christmas, Peter even cut down a big tree for us to decorate. It was a fun night of Christmas carols and hot chocolate, for me. It was almost perfect. Almost. Jasper was a bit distant, had been for the last few days.
"Jazz?" I caught his attention and pushed confusion and worry to him. He sent me back calm as he had the last few times I enquired about his mood. I decided to try a different tactic. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing." He answered shrugging, "do you want more cocoa?"
"I sent him annoyance, "Jasper" I sent more worry, questioning him again.
"I'm going to hunt." He said standing up. He came over and kissed my temple before disappearing into the night. I bit back tears and felt small cold arms wrap around me.
"It's alright sugar. He's fine. Really."
"He's not fine." I snapped at her pushing her away.
"Alright, he's not but he will be."
"Why wont he tell me what's bothering him? Is it me? Did I do something?"
"No, well yes."
I frowned at her trying not to cry. "Oh sugar, please don't cry, I didn't mean it like that. He's not upset with you. He loves you."
"Then what, please Char, you have to tell me." I pleaded with her my voice cracking.
"He doesn't want to push you Shug, we want you to be happy, he's just scared is all."
"Doesn't want to push me about what? What is he scared of? Does he want to leave? Go back to the Cullen's? I know he misses them but I thought he was happy here too."
"He is happy here, he doesn't want to go anywhere. In fact he was hoping to settle here for a year or two."
"Well then what's wrong? Is James getting close?"
"No, sugar, we can protect you from James if he ever does show up."
"Charlotte, please, just tell me what's wrong with him."
"Nothing, Bella, nothing is wrong with him. He just loves you that's all and it's hard for him."
"It's hard for him to love me?"
"Yes, no, well." She sighed, "I should not be having this conversation with you. He should be but he doesn't want you to feel pressured. I don't either. We would never do that but have you even thought about it?"
"Thought about what Char?"
"The change."
"What about it? Is that why he's upset? He doesn't want to change me? Is he afraid he won't stop because I know he will, he won't kill me."
"No sugar, he wants to change you, badly." She sighed again. "You are just so breakable Bella. You caught that cold last month and he was terrified, I know it was only a day and a half but you were sick and he felt helpless. Everyday he thinks of a new and terrifying way that you can get hurt. I used to too when we first started spending so much time together, you are my only friend Bella, my sister and your mortality scares me, it terrifies Jasper."
"So he wants to change me? He's upset because he's scared I'll die before he does?" she nodded. "Then why hasn't he said anything? Brought it up ever?"
"I told you, he doesn't want to pressure you. It has to be your choice. He's waiting for you to go to him and he will wait sugar so long as you want him to, he wont change you at all if you don't want."
"Of course I want him to change me, I just, well I didn't think he would and I didn't want to fight about it. I figured Alice would just come and do it because she already saw me as a vampire."
"Why would you think he wouldn't want to?"
"I just, well, I" because Edward didn't want me, but I wasn't his mate, I was Jasper's and he loved me, "I guess I was just waiting for him to bring it up. To say he wanted to be with me forever."
"He does sugar." She pulled me back into her arms for a cold hug, "Peter and I want it to. You're our family, forever."
I curled up in the chair in his office and fell asleep waiting for him. I woke when he lifted me to carry me to bed.
"Thank you Jazz." I mumbled snuggling closer to him.
"Why didn't you go to bed?"
"Waiting for you to sing to me." I told him kissing his jaw.
He began to hum quietly as he settled us onto my bed.
I felt my eyes drooping as I listened for a minute.
"Jazz?"
"Hmm?" He sent me a tiny bit of curiosity.
"You know I love you." I sent the emotion to compliment my words and felt it come back to me even stronger. "I always want to be with you." I felt his love surge a little into me and knew he was saying he wanted me with him too. "Forever." I whispered and felt him stiffen a little around me.
"Bella, I" he sighed, "Charlotte should not have said anything to you."
"I'm glad she did, though I wish you just had."
"It can wait."
"Why?"
"I wont do anything to hurt you." He said kissing my head and humming again, "I'll keep you safe until its time."
"You're scared you wont be able to though right, that's why you are upset."
"I can keep you safe, I promise."
"I know you can Jazz but you are still worried."
"It doesn't matter."
"It does."
"Bella."
"Do you love me? Forever I mean; do you want me with you forever? Am I really your mate?"
He growled lightly at me, and his arms tightened, "You are my mate. I love you. I want you. Forever. Why would you question that?"
"Why would you?"
"Bella?"
"I love you Jazz. I want to be with you forever. You knew I wanted to change long before we were together, that Alice saw it happen, why would you think I didn't want that now?"
"That was with my brother."
"You are my mate Jasper. I love you. I am with you. I want to be with you. Forever. I want to be changed. If I had thought you would give that to me I would have asked after that first time in the woods."
"Why would you think I wouldn't?"
"You never mentioned turning me. Just like your brother didn't want to talk about it. I didn't want to fight about it so I figured Alice would come and do it. I'd rather it was you but I was sure you would have brought it up if it was what you wanted."
"I am not my brother." He growled.
"No, you are my mate and never brought up the future. Not once. We exist here in this bubble, days fading into each other, never talking about tomorrow, about anything real outside our bubble." I sent him frustration.
"I didn't want to pressure you."
"Fine, instead you shut me out and refused to talk to me."
"We're talking now."
"Because Char told me what was bothering you, you didn't."
"Fine. Yes, I want to change you. It scares me how many ways there are for you to get hurt and that I might not be there when you do or you might get sick and be to far from the doctor. I want to make you one of us, a Whitlock, a vampire. I want to know you are mine for eternity, unbreakable and strong."
"Then turn me."
"This is not a small thing Isabella. All the things you would be giving up, you haven't thought of all the consequences and I wont have you resent me for killing you."
"What consequences Jasper? Never seeing my family again? To late, Alice already took care of that. Drinking blood? Got over the idea ages ago. I'll eat like you, half veggie and half criminals. Live with you forever nineteen? No downside there, mate. So what? Tell me Jasper, what consequence would I resent you for?"
"Children Bella, vampires can't have babies."
"And that is different from now how? Here with you, human, I can't have babies any more than I can when I am changed."
"You could still have them though, if you wanted."
I snorted. "How? Artificial insemination? And tell me Jazz how would we raise a baby?"
"You could do it," his arm squeezed, "with another man, a better one, a human one, have a normal life."
I snorted again, "there is no better man Jazz, human or vampire and I have never been normal. Besides, you'd kill any man who got within thinking about touching distance, how would you expect me to get pregnant?" I teased him a little before speaking seriously again, "I never thought about having kids Jazz, never really cared about having them and if I cant have them with you then I don't want them. All I need to be happy is you. Forever."
"You think that now but in the future."
"In the future you will still be my mate and I will still want nothing so much as I want to be with you, forever. Besides we could always adopt like Esme or just come stay with Peter, that man is like a large child and will kill any growing desire for them."
"This shouldn't be a rash decision."
"It's not and I'm not asking you to do it now but I have thought about it. I knew I wanted to change long ago and from Alice I knew it would happen. I want this, I want you to change me."
"When you are ready, I will." He sighed, "I feel better just knowing you will let me. However long it takes, it's ok, as long as you do want it."
"I do, and I don't want to wait, I want to start our life together Jazz."
"Now?"
"Not tonight. After Christmas though, I want to start the New Year in our new life."
"If you are sure, then I will change you New Years."
"No, I mean yes I am sure but I want to be changed by then." I felt a swirl of excitement as I thought about it, "Yes I want to wake up to a New Year and a new me. I want you to bite me just after midnight on the 29th."
We agreed on the plan and I had eight days of humanity left. I ate all my favorite foods and we celebrated Christmas. Peter and Charlotte counted down to midnight with a chiming clock and on the first stoke of midnight Jasper kissed my jugular and bit, he bit me several more times at different pulse points until the final stoke of midnight when he placed the final bite over my heart.
I didn't scream. I lay there burning and thought on my mate. I ran through my other memories that I wanted to keep as they had counseled but mostly I just thought of Jasper.
Finally, I heard three voices counting down the New Year above me, my heart beating frantically. On the last stroke, my heart beat for the last time. A few moments later, I opened my eyes to a New Year, a new world and a new me.
Being a newborn wasn't as bad as I thought. I was easily distracted, more often then not by Jasper, I found my lust for him was stronger than before, often stronger than my blood lust, which was shockingly low.
My first kill was messy, my first few kills were but I finally got the hang of it. After three months, we went to the outskirts of a city where I tested my lust near humans. It was difficult. I turned and ran after only a few minutes. The next night I was able to stay half an hour. The next two hours. When I could finally spend a full night walking among the people I was treated to my first taste of human blood as Jazz taught me to hunt our natural prey. My eyes had faded from the blood red to the yellow orange and now they were the same fiery copper as Jazz. The months passed winter turning to spring and then summer and fall. We celebrated the New Year and the end of my first year as a newborn and again winter turned to spring and began to warm to summer.
I answered Jazz's ringing phone without looking. Peter and Char were the only ones who called us. I missed them. They had left us several weeks ago for new hunting grounds. I was hoping they found a house soon. I was ready for my family to be together again. Not that I minded all the alone time with Jazz. I loved that. Of course, he was off hunting with Garret who had come for a short stay. He had whistled once when he saw me, and once I had calmed Jasper down everything was fine. Since my turning Jasper was more relaxed in his own skin. Charlotte said it was because I allowed him to break down the wall locking away the God of War and embrace all aspects of himself. He was deadly, dangerous, sexy and mine. That was all I knew or cared about.
"Hello?"
"Bella?"
"Who's this?" I asked confused at the female voice that was not Char. I pulled the phone away and looked at the caller id, seeing the name at the same time the voice replied.
"Alice."
"Oh Alice. It's been so long. How are you?" I felt venom well up in my eyes.
"Good, I miss you still."
"I miss you to."
"Enough to come home?"
"Home?" To me home was this cabin.
"It's time Bella. We aren't in Forks anymore. Obviously. Actually, I just moved back with the Cullen's recently. We are in Canada. I'll text the address. Jasper will be back with Garrett soon and you can call Charlotte and Peter when we hang up though they wont come, they are going to find a beautiful house for all of you and Char will want to stay to decorate it. You'll arrive Thursday if you agree to come, which you will."
"Right," I laughed, "Haven't bet against you yet so I suppose I'll see you on Thursday."
"You are so beautiful Bella. Just like knew you would be."
I laughed again, "I missed you Pixie."
"Missed you to sister."
We hung up the phone and I called Peter and Charlotte. They had two more houses to look at, I knew one of them would be the one so I told them Jazz and I would be fine on our own, we'd go for our visit and meet them a little later than originally planned.