Thank you so much for reading, reviewing, alerting, and faving. I really enjoy hearing from you and am relishing the back and forth banter that I have going with some of you. Let's see...what can I do for you...oh, I know...Jasper will feed you! wink, wink
This chapter contains sex, swearing, violence, and three idiots.
This story is AU/OOC.
All characters belong to Stephanie Meyer-especially Alice and Edward. I wonder if she'll take Amanda too...
This story is intended for mature readers over the age of 18 only.
Alice's POV
This can't be right. So far, Esme's itinerary has been a grueling hell. It seems as though all we are doing is visiting churches, cathedrals, and areas of religious significance. Amanda, of course, is in her exalted glory, but Edward and I are bored stiff. In Provence, France, we actually had to lodge at the Senanque Abbey and wear monk's habits while we were within the monastery grounds. When I tried to suggest a design change for their hideous, brown robes, the abbot actually made me sit and do penance, in complete silence mind you, for eight hours on our one free day instead of shopping in Provence. I wouldn't have survived if it weren't for Paris and Rome. At least, I was able to find an excuse to get away and do a bit of shopping, but now we were in Ireland. There was a little shopping to do in Dublin, but how much Irish wool and tartan does a girl need? I wonder what Esme has planned for our little sojourn into Ireland?
HOLY IRELAND PILGRIMAGE ITINERARY
Pilgrims: Cullen, Miss A.
Cullen, Mr. E.
Cullen, Mrs. A.
This tour includes 2 nights in Galway, 2 nights in Tralee, and 3 nights in Dublin.
Day 1 Arrive in Dublin (free day)
Day 2 Cliffs of Moher & The Burren
Day 3 The Aran Islands (Inishmore)
Day 4 Clonfert & Clonmacnoise
Day 5 The Dingle Peninsula
Day 6 Rock of Cashel & Dublin
Day 7 Glendalough & Kildare
Day 8 Dublin (Saints & Scholars)
Day 9 Departure from Dublin
Oh my God! This can't possibly be correct. I've never heard of these places? Why do we have to learn about Saints & Scholars and what's the Dingle Peninsula. The worst thing about this tour is that with our vampire memory, we retained this information for life. This has to be an error. Surely, Esme has something more exciting planned for our tour of Africa.
On top of the horrific honeymoon, I couldn't get the image of that whore Bella Swan groping my Jasper out of my head. What really bothered me was that about five years ago, I got a glimpse of that filthy nomad bitch Victoria and some other vampire approaching her. I assumed that Victoria drained her since she made the decision to kill Bella immediately after Jasper and Emmett took care of James. So, when we saw Bella at the wedding, I was shocked to say the very least. I think the family finally realized what kind of trash she actually is, though, because I haven't had any visions of her at all. Hopefully, Carlisle paid her off and told her to take a hike. I know that Jasper isn't my mate, but I didn't need some greedy, white trash slut taking what once was mine. I need to call Esme for an update.
Esme's POV
I was sitting in my Boston office going over the final plans on redecorating a house in Chestnut Hill. I was feeling on top of the world about this job because the woman, a wife of a newly elected congressman, wanted a complete re-do of her home from top to bottom. She had just left my office and signed the contract giving me full reign to decorate her house the way I saw fit with no limits on spending. I was absolutely ecstatic that this woman, who I met a total of only three times, would have so much faith in my ideas.
Oh, there goes my cell phone again. Ugh. It's Alice. Way to bring a person down. "What is it Alice?" I sighed into the phone.
"Mother, I wanted to discuss a couple of things with you. First of all, I think that the tour company booked us on the wrong trip. All we've seen are churches and religious sites in Europe. There was only one free day in Paris and one in Rome. Now, we're in Ireland and I have no idea where any of these places are."
"Alice, dear," I used a sickly sweet tone of voice, "you most certainly are on the correct tour. I wanted to make sure that my new daughter in law was able to go on the honeymoon of her dreams. I made sure that there were a couple of shopping days interspersed for you. You're not disappointed in me are you?" I then pretended to sob on the phone and went on about what a failure I was, yada, yada, yada. I wanted them to stay on the honeymoon, not come home early.
"No, mother, please don't cry. We love this tour. Edward loves it too. Wait, he wants to talk to you."
Alice said desperately trying to soothe me.
Oh great. Now I have to talk to the little shit himself.
"Mother."
"Yes, my son." I whimpered.
"Mother, please don't cry. You've done such a wonderful job in planning the honeymoon. Amanda loves it and Alice and I can adjust. It's only for another six weeks."
Six weeks? They're coming back in six weeks? So soon? I really have to get my baby girl and her family moved in.
"Oh Edward, you've always been such a good boy."
"Mother, Alice and I wanted to bring something else up. We wanted to know if you and Father were able to handle the Bella Swan situation? Alice hasn't seen her in any visions so we assume that you've taken care of her." Edward said.
So, Alice can't see Bella in her visions still, huh? We can work with this. They wanted to know if we've 'taken care' of her. Oh, I know exactly what I'm going to say and I won't even have to lie. "Of course, Carlisle and I have taken care of Bella. Why wouldn't we?"
Edward let out a sigh of relief. "Phew! I have to say that I was extremely worried about her trespassing into my life again. I wouldn't want the girl near Amanda either—she'd be such a bad influence. I'm so happy that you both handled the situation in a fitting way. Thank you."
I was seething, but I had to maintain my sweet demeanor while speaking to the twit. "Edward, I can assure you that you and Amanda will have absolutely nothing to do with Bella. Let Alice know that she's included on the list too. Carlisle and I will keep our eyes open and continue to take care of Bella. Don't worry."
It's not a big lie is it? We do plan on taking care of our daughter and plan on her having only minimal contact with those three idiots anyway.
"Mother, Amanda wants to say hello."
Oh my God! I'm a busy woman here. I don't need to be talking to the fucking shepherdess herself.
"Mother?" Amanda's shrill voice came from the other end.
"I told you to call me Mrs. Cullen dear."
"I'm sorry, Mrs. Cullen, thank you so much for financing this lovely honeymoon for us. We've been on top of the world. I really can't wait to return to New Hampshire and start living with your family. I'm looking forward to the benefits that come with being a Cullen. I'm also glad that you've taken care of that Bella creature and hope that it didn't cost you too much. She really was sent straight from the devil."
The benefits that come with being a Cullen? That money whore! Then she goes on to insult my kid! Keep your cool, Esme. Keep your cool. "Amanda, it doesn't become you to say negative things about a person you don't really know. It's very unladylike of you."
"I'm sorry, mo...Mrs. Cullen."
"That's better. Now, enjoy your honeymoon and be sure to keep Alice by your side at all times. Remember what I told you about men and lust."
"Yes, Mrs. Cullen. Thank you for your good advice." Does she realize how grating on the nerves her voice is. I think I have a headache now.
"I have to get back to work now. I have a meeting in five minutes. Goodbye children."
"Goodbye mother." I heard Edward and Alice's voices in the background.
I am outraged! How dare that little greedy bitch call Bella a creature sent from the devil. She's going to pay for that comment and I believe I know exactly how. I need to discuss it with Carlisle though.
What time is it anyway? Hmm...noon. I think I'll give my daughter a call.
"Hello?" Bella's sweet voice was music to my ears after having to talk to the three freaks of nature.
"Hello sweetie. I thought maybe you and I could grab some lunch and do some shopping. What do you think?"
"Mom, you don't eat."
"I'm aware of that, but I just want to spend some time together. Just you and me."
"Well, why didn't you just come out and say that instead of saying we should go have lunch?"
"I thought you might be hungry, dear."
"Well, I am kind of hungry. Where should I meet you?"
"I can pick you up in say fifteen minutes and then maybe we can go to Chestnut Hill Mall or the South Shore Plaza. You decide, I just want to spend the day with you." I said.
"Okay, see you then."
Fifteen minutes later, I pulled up in front of Bella's apartment where she was already waiting. She jumped into the passenger side and I asked her where she wanted to go. "South Shore Plaza. They have that yummy smoothie shop in the food court. Plus, I don't get to go there very often because there's no train that goes there and Riley works during the week."
We sat in the food court where Bella worked on a slice of pizza and a smoothie. "Yum. I actually don't get to eat pizza too often anymore. Vicky's all about wholesome homemade meals. I rarely get to eat anything even remotely unhealthy anymore."
"It's nice to see she worries about your nutrition, dear." I said. I was a little jealous of Vicky because it should have been me taking care of Bella all these years, not her.
"Vicky can be really overbearing sometimes. During my senior year, after we moved to Boston, she made lunch for me everyday."
"Now Bella, that doesn't seem so bad." I said. Honestly, the girl should be grateful that someone cared enough to brown bag a lunch for her everyday. I think a lesson in gratitude is in order here.
"Mom, she delivered it to school during lunch everyday and waited until I was finished eating. She even laid out a placemat, dishes, silverware, and a cloth napkin that she embroidered my name on. When I was done eating, she'd hand me a baby wipe to clean my hands with, then pour some hand sanitizer so I could disinfect them." Okay, maybe that was a bit much.
"Why didn't you say anything to her?" I asked.
"Well, I only had about five months of school left and I really didn't want to hurt her feelings because she was really trying. So, I put up with it for the rest of senior year and then we convinced her to apply to Boston University with me. She got in, of course, and that helped tremendously because then she had something to do for herself."
"Bella?"
"Hm?" She acknowledged.
"Have you given much thought to moving in with us? I'd really love to have you live with us. I promise to not be overbearing. Your dad and I both miss you very much as do Emmett and Rose. Please Bella, please consider staying with us?" I know I was begging, but I was desperate. I really wanted, no needed, my daughter with me. Having her with us this weekend was wonderful, even if she spent the entire time caring for Tanya. I got to know Vicky and Riley well too. I considered them both my children and I just wanted my family to be whole again.
"Mom, I have to admit that this weekend was kind of nice, but you have to understand that I've built a life for myself in Boston. I really like it there. I had an idea that I'd like to tell you about. I want to hear what you think of it."
"Okay, I'm open to any suggestion that you might have, dear."
"How about if I lived with you guys on the weekends, but during the week I stayed in the apartment in Boston?"
We can definitely work with this. "I like it so far, but what about Vicky, Riley, Irina, and Laurent? What if they want to live in New Hampshire during the week too?"
"That's okay. I don't mind staying in Boston by myself." Over my dead body. She's out of her mind. She's not staying in that little apartment by herself. It's not a secured building and it's not particularly in the safest neighborhood either.
"What about Jasper, Bella? Have you taken his wants into consideration?" I asked.
"Um...no, I haven't had a chance to discuss it with him yet." She said uncomfortably.
"Bella, you and Jasper won't be able to stay away from each other. How does your chest feel right now, sweetheart?"
"It hurts, mom, a lot." She admitted.
"Bella, that's the pain you get when you're separated from your mate. Are you aware that Jasper is feeling the same pain in his chest right now?"
"Yes."
"Bella, I know that this mating was completely unexpected for you, but it happened. You are now one half of a set that makes a whole. It's the best way that I can think of to explain it to you. You can't just go and make decisions on your own and expect Jasper to agree to it. Personally, I think he's done a lot of adjusting for you and maybe it's time you made some adjustments for him."
"I know you're right, mom, but I'm scared. Truth be told, I'm terrified to move in with your family because of what happened the last time in Forks. I missed you so much and I felt so abandoned then. I'm not so sure I can go through that pain again."
"Oh Bella!" I crouched in front of her and pulled her chin towards me so she was looking in my eyes. "Daughter—I'm never going to abandon you again. Plus, this time things are different. Your dad and I will never listen to that louse of an ex-boyfriend of yours again. What you ever saw in him, I'll never know, but I digress. He and that evil Pixie have pretty much been ostracized from our family. Second, I doubt that Riley, Vicky, Irina, and Laurent will ever leave you alone. They love you so much and they only want you to be happy. Last, and most important, is Jasper. He's your mate Bella. Physically, he couldn't leave you. It would kill him. It would kill you. I'm not willing to lose both of you ever so I'll be damned if I ever let that happen."
She smiled, then, and said four words that I've been waiting my entire life to hear, "I love you, mom."
"Oh, Bella, I love you with all my heart. Now, think about what we talked about, then talk to your family and talk to Jasper. I'll even make a deal with you. There are two penthouses on the floor where our's is located. One, of course belongs to us and the one next door has been up for sale for a few months now. I just put in a bid this morning to purchase it and I'm sure it'll be accepted since the owners are desperate to get it off their hands. I was thinking of designing a room for you and Jasper, as well as, one for Vicky and Riley and one for Irina and Laurent. You can use it as an escape, if you'd like. What do you think?"
"Maybe, I'll have to talk to everyone first."
"Good. I'll start planning the rooms."
"But...I..."
"Shh...child, everything will work out." I said, pulling her in for a hug. "Now, I want to take you shopping and I don't want to hear your protests. If it were any other mom, you know her daughter would be letting her take her shopping. I'm your mother and you will allow me to indulge you just a little."
"Okay, let's do this." Bella grimaced and sighed. "Can I have another smoothie first?"
Nine hours later, we finally left the mall with our arms loaded with shopping bags. Bella even helped me pick out my very first yoga outfit and one for Carlisle too. Apparently, we were all going on Sunday to learn yoga as a family. She also said that we need to try one of Laurent's Zumba classes. This should be an experience.
We arrived at her apartment and I stopped in to say hello to everyone. The apartment was well maintained, but cramped. I was shocked to see, not only Peter, Charlotte, Garrett, and Kate who I knew were staying here, but Rose and Emmett too. Everyone was sitting around the coffee table playing some sort of board game. Jasper came bounding to the door and greeted me with a kiss on the cheek and a more passionate one on the lips for Bella.
"Esme, please come in." Vicky said.
"Did you have fun shopping, Bells?" Riley asked.
"Yeah, Esme insisted on paying for everything though." Bella said with a grim expression.
"That really wasn't necessary. How much do I owe you?" Riley insisted.
Well, I wasn't expecting that. Oh dear. Riley is just like Bella. I'm so accustomed to my children expecting me to pay for everything. Even Rose and Emmett asked for cars or extravagant vacations all the time. Jasper was the only one that never asked me or Carlisle to pay for anything outright. He showed up with his own money that he amassed while in that Maria's horrific army. I knew that he kept his money well hidden from Alice. That greedy Pixie would have claimed everything for herself.
"Absolutely nothing. It was my idea to take her shopping and it was me that wouldn't let her pay for anything. Please let me do this. Please, I had so much fun today." I said. A few hundred dollars in clothing was absolutely nothing for me, but for them it would be a great deal.
"Well, thank you Esme." What a sweet, hardworking young man. He takes such pride and responsibility in everything. Oh, I can't wait until my new son moves in with me.
"Esme would you like to stay for a little while? We just got done playing Trivial Pursuit and we were just going to sit and talk for a bit. I'd really love it, if you'd stay." Vicky asked hopefully. Oh, I really do like her.
"I'd love to, let me just text Carlisle and tell him where I am." This is wonderful. I get to spend some quality time with my family. We talked about Laurent's classes and he showed us some of his Zumba moves. It actually looked like a lot of fun.
"So," Bella started, "Esme and I were talking and she suggested that we all move in with her. I wanted to hear your opinions on the matter." Oh no. I didn't realize she'd bring up what we talked about here and now.
"Well, Bella, I'd like to know what you think first?" Riley said.
"Uh, nope, I asked first. You always say that I'm self-sacrificing, but what about you Ry. You're like the king of self-sacrifice." She replied undauntedly. It's so cute, they're both so similar in many ways.
"Okay, since you say we're both self-sacrificing, let's hear what everyone else has to say. Victoria, we'll start with you." Riley looked to his wife.
"I love living here. I really do, but it would be nice to live in a house and have parents for once." Victoria said shyly.
"Okay, that's one yes." Riley said. "Irina?"
"We say yes." Irina then turned to me, "Laurent and I have discussed this over and over and we'd like to live with you. Please don't turn us out and send us back to Denali. I love my family there, but we can't imagine living away from Bella, Vicky, and Riley."
"Irina dear. When I built the new house, I designed a room for each couple in the Denali family. I would never dream of taking your family away from you and I would be honored if you would consider me another mother." She got up and hugged me. I was so shocked. It was the first time that Irina ever showed any affection to me. She's never even hugged Carmen and Eleazar. I could tell that Katie and Rosalie were absolutely floored by her show of affection because they both had their jaws hanging open.
"Okay, that's three yeses." Riley then turned to Jasper. "Jasper?"
"I'll do whatever Bella wants." He said.
"No way. You need to tell Bella what you want to do or she's going to walk all over you. Don't underestimate her, underneath that sweet demeanor lies the most opinionated, stubborn girl in the world. She has a way of getting her own way and she needs to learn that mating is a two way street." Riley said.
"I am not stubborn!" Bella pouted. "Besides, mom already told me that I need to take Jasper's opinions into account. Why do you think I brought this up?"
"Well, good progress then. You're still stubborn, though." Riley said. "Well, Jasper?"
"Okay, it would be nice to move back home to New Hampshire."
"That's four, then." Bella said. "Riley?"
"I've been thinking about this for over a week now Bells and I think it would be nice to get out of this cramped apartment and go live with Esme and Carlisle. This isn't the safest of neighborhoods either Bells and I'd feel more secure if we all lived in a nicer environment. I think this weekend was proof of how supportive of a family they have and we could all use a little bit of that. Your turn, Bells."
"I think I'm going to stay in Boston during the week and live with the Cullens on the weekends. Kelly needs a new roommate so I could just move in with her." She said. I can't believe how fucking stubborn the girl is. I thought, for sure, I had convinced her. I see her angle now. She just got everyone to admit what they really want in front of me and then threw in her plans at the end. She even had it mapped out so that she could get her way. Everyone was glaring daggers at Bella, but she was taking it all in stride. Clearly, this has happened before.
Suddenly, there was an urgent knocking at the front door. Riley immediately got up to answer it. It was Carlisle and he looked feral as his gaze sought out Bella. "I just heard everything! Over my dead body are you going to live alone in Boston unprotected. Like it or not, Bella, you are part of the supernatural world and your shield makes you a walking target for power hungry powers. You are my daughter and you, young lady, will not be going off on your own when you have a family that want to love and protect you. It seems to me that in the last five years, sacrifice after sacrifice has been made for you. It's high time you show some appreciation and do the same for them!"
"Fine!" Bella screamed then stomped off to her room, slamming the door shut. I could hear her sobbing into her pillow, but I wasn't about to comfort her when she was clearly just being stubborn.
"I apologize," Carlisle said, "but she needed to see things from someone else's perspective. Dear God she's stubborn."
"It's okay, Carlisle." Riley said. "Someone needed to set her straight. I admit that I don't do it enough. She could really use some parental guidance, that's why I think it's so important that she live with you."
I heard weeping coming from the corner and looked up to see a devastated Charlotte. "Charlotte dear, what's wrong?" Vicky ran her fingers through Char's silky blonde hair in an attempt to comfort her.
"It's just that for the first time I'm really happy, but if y'all move in with the Cullens we'll have to go back to Texas. I really don't want to be away from my sisters." She sobbed looking towards Bella's room and then at Vicky and Irina.
I didn't realize how lonely Charlotte was. I always assumed she was happy just being with Peter. I feel terrible for my oversight. "Charlotte, you're welcome to stay with us. I already consider you a daughter. You and Peter even have your own room already. Please say that you'll stay."
Charlotte jumped into my lap and gave me a huge hug then started plastering kisses all over my face. Oh my, she's an affectionate one.
"This is so great Char, we don't have to be split up!" Vicky said happily.
It was beautiful seeing everyone's smiling faces. Katie looked a little sad, but resigned. She could never leave Tanya, Carmen, or Eleazar.
"Um...I don't know if you guys noticed this, but I can't hear Bella's heartbeat in the apartment anymore." Rosalie announced.
Jasper sprang up and broke the lock to her room. There was a light breeze fluttering the drapes attached to her open bedroom window.
"Not again." Riley sighed. "She does this whenever she gets upset. She just takes off. It's not really safe around here at night so someone's going to have to follow her. I swear she has no sense of self preservation." Ironically, Edward once said the same thing about her.
"I'll go." Jasper said. "She couldn't have gone very far. I'll text you as soon as I find her." With that, Jasper took off after his mate.
Jasper's POV
I'm gonna wring her neck. As soon as I find her, I'm gonna hug her then strangle her. Yeah, that's what I'll do. She doesn't get her way so she throws a hissy fit and runs away from the apartment like a six year old? For God's sake, we're asking for one little thing and she refuses to give in. I'm standing my ground on this, though. Riley and Carlisle are right, Bella needs to make some sacrifices on her part too. I'm glad Carlisle came in when he did and set her straight. She needed that. I'm not saying that she's completely stubborn because that's the furthest thing from the truth, but she has this little part of her that is so stubborn that she refuses to give in even if she knows that it's the right choice.
Running away from the apartment at this time of night wasn't a good idea. This isn't Forks, Washington where you can leave your doors unlocked and your keys in your ignition. This is Boston, Massachusetts and like any big city, it had it's fair share of crime.
I followed Bella's scent for a few blocks until I was sure that I was on her trail. I became a little worried when her scent started heading in the direction of Chinatown. In the daytime, it was fine to walk around there. After dark, though, that particular part of Boston was crime ridden.
All of a sudden, my chest ignited in invisible flames and I was brought to my knees by the intense pain. My mate's in trouble! My mate's in danger! Fuck!
"Hey, man, you okay?" A concerned homeless man asked me.
"Yeah, just a little heartburn." I managed to get out as I stood up and started running.
I was running on pure instinct now. I could tell that she wasn't far because I could feel her fear. The pain in my chest kept pulling me towards her, I didn't even need her scent. It was as if the mating pull was an invisible rope that was lassoing me to my mate providing my body with it's own sense of direction that led me to her and her alone.
I found my mate cowering in fear in a small alley way—tears streaming down her face. I instantly went to her and pulled her into my arms—checking her for injuries and covering her with my scent. I noticed a small hand print on her neck and instantly saw red. Who dared touch my mate? That's when I saw them. Three vampires were pinned to the side of a building by Bella's shield-their eyes wide in confusion and fear. They looked familiar. Before I could approach them, Carlisle, Riley, Emmett, Peter, Garrett, and Laurent showed up and quickly boxed in the three vampires. They were joined immediately by their mates who took their positions behind their husbands—rage evident in everyone's faces.
Carlisle was the first to speak. "Siobhan, Liam, Maggie. May I ask what you're doing here and why we received a distressed phone call from my daughter?"
She called them? She called them first and didn't bother calling me—her mate? I'll be addressing this issue later with her.
"Please Carlisle," Siobhan said, "we didn't know she was your daughter. She fell and scraped her knee and we smelled her blood. Maggie was overcome by her scent and before we knew it, she had grabbed your daughter by the throat. We tried to pull Maggie off of her, but we were all pinned to the wall by her shield. Thank God for that."
Liam then added, "Carlisle, you know that we only hunt the vagrants of society. We would never intentionally hurt your child. In our defense, we truly tried to save her."
Carlisle nodded and then said, "Bella, you can lower your shield now."
Bella acknowledged Carlisle and took her shield off of Siobhan and Liam, but left Maggie encased in it.
"Bella, you can take your shield off of Maggie too." I said.
"Fuck no! The bitch tried to eat me. As far as I'm concerned, she can stay under there forever. I don't have anywhere to go." Okay, Bella's back to normal now. I'm gonna take it as a good sign.
"Bella, language!" Esme chastised. "Take down your shield this instant."
"Yes, mom." She said and lowered her shield.
"Maggie, apologize to Bella now!" Siobhan ordered.
"I'm sorry, Bella. You smelled so mouthwatering and I lost control. Your scent is a mixture of coconut, strawberries, chocolate, and freesias. It's just so tempting."
"Really? Damn—I think I'd eat me if I could. I accept your apology. I'm sorry for not releasing you from my shield right away." Bella said.
"I'd still like to know why you're all here." Carlisle said curiously to the three vamps.
"Alice, Edward, and a smelly human girl came to visit us at our home in Dublin." Siobhan said wrinkling her nose. "They were quite annoying, Carlisle, and they wouldn't leave even when we said we were busy. Alice even had the nerve to say that she saw in a vision that we didn't have anything to do."
"I apologize for that." Carlisle said.
Siobhan then continued. "We listened to them talk about themselves for about four hours. I had just about enough then. Carlisle, are you sure you made the right choice allowing that smelly human in your family? She has the brain the size of a walnut and she kept quoting the Bible and asking us how much our property in Dublin was worth. Anyway, I had had enough so I excused myself and collected our passports and placed them in my purse. I made sure to think about Irish history in Gaelic so that Edward couldn't read my mind. Do you realize that your son had the nerve to ask me to think in English, stating that I was being rude by blocking my mind from him?"
"I don't consider him my son and truly, Siobhan, we're very sorry for the three of them invading your home." Esme said. "Please continue your story."
"I told the three fools that we needed to hunt. Alice said, then, that she saw in her vision that we didn't need to hunt until Thursday. That was when Maggie, with her quick thinking, started pretending to be tempted by Edward's human's foul smelling blood."
"Why didn't you just do us all a favor and snap her neck?" Rosalie asked. Bella, Char, and Peter started chuckling, but with one look from Esme they quickly put on a straight face.
Siobhan kept going with her story. "Alice, Edward, and the human then made a hasty retreat stating that they would return in a few hours after we took Maggie to hunt. As soon as they left, I told Liam and Maggie to start locking up the estate and keep thinking about hunting in County Cork. I told them they were not to ask any questions and follow me. We left quickly and ran to the airport. I purchased three tickets to Boston because the three idiots mentioned you were working here. So, now you know why we're here."
"I'm so sorry that you felt the need to escape your home and country because of Alice, Edward, and Amanda. Never in a million years would we intentionally subject you to their rudeness. We had no idea that they'd visit you while on their honeymoon. Why don't we go to our penthouse in Boston and talk some more?" Carlisle said.
"Bella and I will catch up with you later." I told everyone as I put my arm around my mate and steered her away from the alley way. We walked in silence for a few blocks until we hit the theater district. I saw a sign for the Omni Parker House Hotel and walked inside to check us in. I grabbed the key and zipped us straight up to our rooms. Once inside, Bella rushed to the bathroom to have a human moment and I took a moment to calm myself down. Tonight wasn't over by a long shot. Bella needed to know what she put us all through when she pulled her little stunt. I understood her need to think, but that could have been done elsewhere not alone, walking around Chinatown at 11p.m.
Bella walked out of the bathroom and leaned up against the little desk in the corner. She clutched her stomach and balled up on the carpet as I hit her with all the anxiety, frustration, fear, and pain that I felt tonight. She instantly pulled her shield over herself and looked at me with bewildered eyes. "What the fuck was that, Jasper?" Bella asked.
"That my mate was how I felt when I was looking for you tonight. Not very nice, was it? Now take your shield down, Bella."
"Only if you promise not to make me feel that again." She grimaced.
"I promise." I said as she lowered her shield. "We need to talk Bella."
"I know. I'm sorry about tonight. I shouldn't have gone walking off in a huff. I just needed to think. I especially shouldn't have walked into Chinatown, but after a few minutes my stomach started growling so I thought I'd grab something to eat at one of the restaurants there. Then I tripped and scraped my knee and well, you know the rest."
"Bella, what happened tonight is a prime example of why you can't live alone in Boston."
"Why? My friends all live alone in Boston. Why can't I? Women live in Boston alone all the time. I'm just not ready to move in with the Cullens, Jasper. I suggested staying with them on the weekends, but that was obviously unacceptable to everyone." She started crying in frustration. "All I'm asking for is some space, but it's not gonna happen living with fucking vampires, is it?"
I could see her point and I also understood her need to be alone sometimes. Bella was an only child up until five years ago and used to having her own space. Suddenly, she's being asked to move into a large household of vampires with supersonic hearing and vision and she felt overwhelmed. It wasn't like living with Riley, Victoria, Irina, and Laurent—to her they were family and she trusted them implicitly. The Cullens, however, had yet to earn Bella's trust. They couldn't expect to waltz back into her life and demand that she move in with them. What made things worse was that Riley, Vicky, Irina, and Laurent all wanted to live with them. Hell, I even said that I wanted to move back home. She asked us for the truth, though, and we told her. She'll have to live with those consequences. I had a lot of thinking to do.
"Here's the thing, Bella. You asked us what we wanted to do and we told you. Now it's out there and obviously you're not happy with it. I'm willing to work with you, though. If spending the weekends in New Hampshire and the weekdays in Boston is something you want to do, we can try and work out an alternative. What I will not negotiate on is you living in Boston alone. First of all, I wouldn't be able to handle being away from you and neither would you. Second, like it or not, you're part of our world. You're lucky that it was Siobhan, Liam, and Maggie that you ran into tonight. Imagine if it was some random nomad that was just out for blood. Worse yet, what if it was the Volturi? What if you couldn't activate your shield?"
"My shield did activate, though, and I called Riley for help as soon as I got into trouble." Bella said.
"That's the other thing. Why did you call your brother and not me, Bella? I'm your mate, I should be the first one you call." Bella looked down at her feet as soon as I said that.
"Just force of habit, I guess. I called you the other night when I thought Rex was dead, didn't I?"
"Yeah, but your life wasn't in danger then. First rule of mating, Bella, you call your mate first and then you call in your reinforcements. Don't you know that I can feel when you're in danger? You still don't trust me, do you?"
"I do trust you, Jasper, I really do. It's just that you're...well, you're...forget it."
"No, we're not forgetting this. It's just that I'm what, Bella?" I was getting pissed off because I wanted to get to the bottom of this.
"You're one of them—a Cullen. I don't want to be a Cullen, Jasper, ever! I'm proud of who I became without them. I don't ever want to grow dependent on them like I did before, that's why I want to limit my time with them."
"I'm a Whitlock not a Cullen. I only used the last name Hale as a cover when I was living full time with them. I've always kept my last name though. You should also know that, not once, did I give Alice my family name to use—she has always been a Brandon or a Cullen. When I married her, I used the last name Hale. Bella, I think we need to talk about where we're gonna go from here because, clearly, you're feeling overwhelmed and, frankly speaking, so am I."
I picked her up, sat on the bed, and put her on my lap. Truth be told, I was horny as hell and I wanted to rip her clothes off and have my way with her. Now wasn't the time, though. I settled for running my fingers through her hair and inhaling her scent. Maggie was right, her scent was mouthwatering. What I would do to be able to mark her. Her change was another thing that we had to discuss.
So we talked and talked and talked some more. Bella's big problem was that she didn't fully trust the Cullens yet, but she didn't want to disappoint her brother, Vicky, Irina, and Laurent who all seemed so excited to move in with them. Bella was fine with living with me, though. While she still thought of Carlisle and Esme as parents, she didn't feel as if they had any right to make decisions about her life now that she was twenty-two years old. I agreed with her.
"Bella, I have an idea. Just tell me what you think. I can either rent or buy a place in Boston. We can use it as a getaway of sorts. We won't tell anyone about it—not even your brother. That way it'll be a true hideaway. We can even start looking tomorrow. You will, however, have to live in New Hampshire for more than just the weekends. I promise you that I won't let them overwhelm you. I have a feeling that Riley won't let them either." I was actually liking this idea more and more. Bella felt uncomfortable having sex with all the vamps staying in the apartment. On top of that, since Tanya was literally attached to Bella this past weekend, I'd been sporting blue balls for the last five days.
"This may actually work, but only if you're totally comfortable with the idea. Since I'm starting at Harvard—maybe we should look in Cambridge." She said.
"I wouldn't have suggested it if I weren't okay with it. Honestly speaking, I like the idea of you and me having our own place. You never did tell me what you're getting your master's degree in, Bella?"
She smiled the biggest smile that she's given me yet. Clearly she was excited about her master's degree. "American History specializing in the Civil and Revolutionary Wars."
I think I almost came in my pants. They'll be calling me Jizzsper soon if she keeps talking like that. "I know all about the Civil War, you know." I said, unable to resist kissing her.
"I know. I'm expecting you to help." She said, kissing me back.
"Garrett can probably help you with the Revolutionary War. He was serving as a soldier in Washington's army when he was changed." I said, kissing her again. This time I snuck a hand into her shirt and caressed her breast over her bra.
"Thank you, Jasper."
"For what, babe?"
"For everything. For coming to save me. For bringing me here. For hearing me out. For working with me. I love you. I've never been so in love before in my life." Bella said. I could feel her honesty. She loved me. She really loved me.
"I love you too, Bella." No longer able to stay in control, I rolled on top of Bella and kissed her. I gently pulled her top off and, then, unhooked her bra with one hand.
"Gorgeous." I said, as I took in the sight of her breasts. Bella looped her arms around my neck and pulled me to her and kissed me.
I unbuttoned her shorts then slowly pulled the zipper down. I took her shorts and panties off at the same time, never removing my lips from hers. I stopped kissing her and drank in the sight of my mate in the nude. "Stunning." I whispered.
"Hey, no fair. I'm completely naked and you're still fully dressed." Bella pouted.
"I know." I grinned then I threw all the lust I could muster, which really wasn't a hard thing for me to do, considering that I had about five days worth of pent up sexual frustration and my mate laying naked next to me with the scent of her arousal permeating the air. In a matter of moments, Bella was moaning my name and reaching down to rub her clit. Hell no. That ain't happening. I grabbed her arms so they were pinned over her head. Bella was writhing on the bed in a desperate attempt to cum. Her breathing was becoming labored and she was now panting out my name. She was about to reach her peak so, being the asshole that I am, I decided to abruptly pull back the lust. At the same time, I quickly shed my clothes and plunged straight into her soaking wet pussy.
"Yes..." We both hissed in pleasure at the same time.
"God, I missed you this week." Bella said.
"Who the hell is this God dude and what the hell do you have going on with him?" I joked.
"Jasper, this is supposed to be a passionate moment for fucks sake. Quit fucking it up with your jokes." She said chuckling. "Holy shit, I can't concentrate."
"I'll help you concentrate, baby." I said as I attacked her mouth with a vengeance and started playing with her clit. I traced the outline of her lips with my tongue and then worked my way down to her nipples.
"Mmm...that's better..." She said with a shiver.
I continued to pump my cock in and out of Bella as her moans became louder and louder.
"Jas...Jas...per...don't...stop." Bella panted.
I moved my thumb to her clit and started rubbing small circles on it.
"Oh...oh...Jasper...yes...feels so good...Jasper...J...J..."
Damn—this feels so good. Every thrust moved me closer to home. I moved my hand under her ass and gave it a good squeeze. Bella responded by grasping my hair through her hands and running her fingers through my scalp. She then lifted her legs up and spread them into a wide V so that I could penetrate her deeper.
"Fuck Bella. Oh yeah, baby. Keep your legs just like that. I'm almost there babe. Bellaaaaaa..." I shot my load deep into her pussy just as she clenched down and started violently pulsating on my cock shuddering to a mind blowing orgasm.
I pulled my girl close into my chest and kissed her. "I love you Bella."
"I love you too, Jasper, but right now you need to take me to Chinatown and get me something to eat. I haven't had dinner yet, you know." Her stomach let out a cute little growl.
"Come on baby, let's get you fed. Then we'll come back and try out the shower." I winked at her and tossed her clothes to her so she could get dressed.
"Mmm...sounds good. Now feed me Jasper." Oh yes, my mate, I plan on doing just that later...
Hmm...Bella sure is stubborn. She and her family both made some valid points though. What do you think? I wonder what kind of payback Esme has planned for Amanda? What were your thoughts on Siobhan's story about her coven's encounter with the three honeymooners?
I can't wait to hear from all of you. I'll write back, I promise.