CHAPTER SIX

FINALLY

Charlie's daughter Bella was arriving today. It had been about a month since Valentine's Day and it was March now. They weren't due to arrive until late in the afternoon so Jasper, Rosalie and Emmett were hanging out around the house with me and Bianca.

Alice and Edward had a big test to study for apparently.

I had made cookies but they didn't eat them. Rose took about five though and hid them in her pocket, thinking I didn't notice. But the thought touched me.

It was almost two when I noticed that Rose and Emmett conveniently left me and Jasper in the kitchen together... alone.

Curse them.

Jasper seemed to just now notice that fact as well and he seemed a little annoyed by it. Great.

Anxiety was rising up in me when I felt Jasper's ice cold hand envelope mine and wave of calm washed over me. I looked at him, leaning my head in my hand and my elbow on my knee, "You're skin is so cold."

Jasper gave a slight chuckle, "Just now noticed?" That southern twang dripped into his speech again.

"No," I murmured, "I've always noticed. Just like I noticed your golden eyes, all of your eyes, even though you're not all related to each other. Just like I noticed you guys just mess with your food to make it look like you're eating when you think I don't notice. You guys talk like my grandma and only you have this... very nice southern accent that creeps up every now and again."

He looked somewhat afraid that I was uncovering something I really shouldn't. But it looked more like he was scared of me, not angry. Like he feared I'd stop being their friend.

"I've also noticed how my feelings for you have grown... quite a lot since I first moved here..." I whispered quietly.

Shock was evident on Jasper's face. He seemed to thinking something over. Struggling with himself in an internal battle within his own mind. And I didn't know who was winning. I was worried that he was going to tell me that he didn't feel the same way. That the rose at school and the kiss on New Years really didn't mean anything. That I was a fool.

"Just kiss her already!" We heard Emmett shout.

We whipped around to see Rose carrying Bianca and Emmett standing in the entrance with guilty smiles on their faces.

I blushed deep red and chuckled to myself, "Have you guys been there the entire time?"

Rose grabbed Emmett's hand and slowly pulled him out of the room, calling out, "Continue!"

I blushed again as I slowly dared to look at Jasper. He had an embarrassed smile on his face as he looked at me with his bright golden eyes. It was then that I noticed that he was slowly leaning closer to me.

His grip tightened on my head and his brow creased like he was concentrating on something. I leaned towards him a little faster, but slowly for my standards. He brought his unoccupied hand up to my neck, cupping my jaw. My eyes fell closed of their own accord as my breath hitched.

I felt his ice cold lips touch mine just like that day we first kissed. This time it was longer. I pressed my lips harder to his. I knew he was holding back somewhat. Maybe he didn't want to move too fast.

I scooted closer to him against the counter and moved my lips with his with more passion. But we pulled back from each other when we heard clapping. We turned to see Rose, Emmett and Bianca back in the entrance and Bee was clapping and cheering enthusiastically.

This time I didn't even address them before I looked back at Jasper, "Now what?"

Jasper slowly smiled, "Now I ask your permission to court you, ma'am."

I grinned, "Such a southern gentlemen."

It was time to go to Charlie's. I offered for the Cullens to come with but Rose and Emmett said that they had plans for a date night. Jasper said that he'd come with me though. Bianca clung to him like a leech and chatted in his ear about how happy she was now that he was dating me. I laughed at her antics as I drove and she continued to gush over the new development. But I shared in her enthusiasm when Jasper took my hand in his between out seats.

As we drove up to Charlie's small house I noticed Billy's car, a red Chevy truck, and four people, including Charlie, Jacob and Billy talking in front. I parked and felt Jasper kiss my cheek before getting out. Jasper grabbed Bianca and followed behind me to greet everyone.

Jacob noticed me first, "Hey Heather." He smiled and me and gave me a quick hug.

Billy noticed me too, "Nice to see you again, Heather."

I smiled down at him, "Hey guys. Sorry we're a little late."

Charlie smiled, "No problem, Heather." He looked at the young girl who looked to be about my age. She had long brown hair, way longer than mine, brown eyes and pale skin. She was almost the opposite of my lightly tanned skin, short brown hair with bangs and hazel eyes.

Charlie introduced us, "Bella, this is Heather. Her mother works with me at the station. They all just moved here at the beginning of the school year. Heather will be showing you around, helping you."

I smiled at the shy girl, "I'm Heather, obviously." I turned to where Jasper stood with Bianca, "That's my little sister Bianca and my... boyfriend Jasper." It felt really good to call Jasper my boyfriend.

Jacob scowled though, "When did this happen?"

I blushed a little, "About an hour ago..."

Billy diffused the situation though when he spoke to Bella, "Glad you're finally here. Charlie hasn't shut up about it since you told him you were coming."

Charlie gave him an unimpressed look, "Keep exaggerating, I'll wheel you down the hill."

"Right after I ram you in the ankles," Billy rolled at Charlie, who dodged.

Jacob laughed and introduced himself to Bella, "I'm Jacob. We made mud pies when we were little."

Bella gave a polite smile, "I think I remember." She glanced at Billy and her father, "Are they always like this?"

Jacob rolled his eyes, "It's getting worse with old age."

I laughed at that before I noticed that Jasper hung back, seeming nervous. I gingerly took his hand in mine and dragged him over to the group. I smiled at Bella, "You starting school tomorrow?"

She nodded, "Middle of the semester, great."

I shrugged, "It's small but a good school. You'll be fine once the novelty of being the new girl wears off. And it does, trust me."

She seemed a little relieved when I said that, "Where did you move from?"

"San Francisco. Looking for a new atmosphere. What about you?"

"Phoenix," Bella answered.

"I don't know how you stayed so pale," I giggled.

Bella gave me a half smile as Charlie and Billy approached us again. Charlie patted the truck and looked at Bella, "So what do you think of your homecoming gift?"

Bella looked shocked, surveying the truck, "No way. This is for me?"

Charlie smiled at her reaction, pleased with himself, "Just bought it off Billy, here."

Bella gasped and stuttered over her words, "This is... oh my gosh, this is perfect." She rushed to the drivers seat and Jacob got into the passengers seat telling her, "I rebuilt the engine. You gotta double pump the clutch when you shift, but other than that you should be fine."

Bella excitedly put the keys in the ignition, "Hey Heather, do you want a ride to school?"

I smiled at her but shook my head, "Thanks but I have to drop Bianca off at daycare in the morning."

Jacob looked at me, "Doesn't your mom do that?"

I sighed, "My mom moved out. Back in December."

Bella looked uncomfortable as Jacob said, "You never said anything."

I crossed my arms, "Didn't want to talk about it. Besides, it's not that shocking or anything."

It was dark when I finally pulled up in my driveway. I noticed Dad wasn't home yet. Bianca was asleep in the back seat and Jasper was sitting quietly besides me, sensing my mood wasn't to talk.

I sighed after I killed the engine, "Sorry I haven't been... forthcoming with conversation today."

Jasper shook his head, "It's fine, Heather. With what you're going through, it's understandable."

I laughed bitterly, "I've been through worse."

Jasper unbuckled his seat belt and shifted closer to me, wrapping an arm around my shoulder, "Like what?"

I sighed, "I wasn't very... honest when I said we only moved here for a new atmosphere."

"What was the other reason?" Jasper asked quietly.

I laid my head on his shoulder, "Over a year ago, my brother... Daniel... he died."

It was the first time I ever said it out loud to someone who didn't already know. It made it all real. Daniel dying. Mom leaving. Us moving. Everything was that much more real just by admitting one little thing.

The crickets chirped loudly in the background before Jasper said anything. "How did it happen?"

I took a deep breath, "Bianca was two. Daniel was twelve. He was just going across the street to get a toy Bianca let roll away. I was watching from the porch of our house. Dad was at work, mom was inside baking. Everything was just perfect."

I felt tears fall down from my face as flashes from that day appeared before my eyes. I took another deep breath, "It was spring time. Bianca was crying so I bent down to pick her up, just to comfort her. I didn't even hear the car honk. Neither did Daniel. He was in the middle of the street and a drunk asshole was driving way too fast in our quiet little neighborhood."

I gave a little sob, wiping at my eyes, before I let out a breath, "Daniel was hit dead on. Died instantly. I don't remember much after that. I only remember screaming for Daniel and sprinting for him, with Bianca still in my arms. People started getting out of the homes when they heard me screaming. And I just kept screaming. I was scaring Bianca so badly she was screaming and crying. I yelled for someone to call 911. I think Susan was the one who did. The drunk driver was yelling at me and Bianca to get out of the way so he could keep driving. I remember screaming at him that I would kill him. My neighbor Mr. Baker had to hold me back. We rushed Daniel to the hospital but they didn't even admit him. The paramedics said he died on impact."

Jasper kissed my head, "I'm so sorry you had to go through that."

I sobbed, "It was my fault. I took my eyes off him for two seconds and he got hit by a car in the quietest neighborhood of San Francisco."

Jasper lifted me off my seat easily and set me in his lap. He lifted my chin so I would look at him, "Heather listen to me. This is in no way your fault. Some idiot human got drunk and sped through a one-way street. And your brother died because of it. You are a good sister. You are a great person. You didn't deserve for any of this to happen to you."

I laid my head on his chest. In my delirious state I didn't notice the way he said 'human' instead of man or asshole or... anything else he could have said. I just focused on him, soaking in the calm and happiness I felt when I was with him or in his presence.

Jasper opened his door and lifted me out of the car. He set me gently on my feet, "Let's get inside." He got Bianca out of the car and escorted us both inside. He even put Bianca to bed. I was sitting on the couch when he came back downstairs.

Jasper gave me a sad smile when he came back. I had washed my face in the bathroom. I pat the couch besides me and he came over to sit.

I dug myself into his side and he wrapped his arms around me. I turned the TV on, "It's only eight."

We watch old game shows and I listened to Jasper answer every question correctly. "You should go on one of these. Win some big bucks," I teased.

Jasper grinned, "I think there's an age requirement."

We must have been just watching TV and talking for hours. Because it was suddenly ten. I sat up quietly, "Are you ever going to tell me what you and your family are hiding?"

Jasper seemed shocked at my sudden change of subject. He sighed, "We've never told... anyone."

I looked at him, and I saw that he was telling the truth. "I notice all the weird things about you guys. I notice that I'm the only outsider that you guys hang out with. And I take that as a compliment," I gave a little chuckle.

Jasper looked away, straight at the TV, but not really paying attention to the TV. He looked lost in thought.

So I grabbed his hand, making him look at me, "It's alright if you can't tell me... or don't trust me enough.."

"No, Heather," Jasper interrupted me, "I do trust you. We all do. Trust isn't the issue. It's more... your reaction that we're wary of, darling."

"You guys aren't..." my mind searched for possibilities, "drug junkies or gang members are you?"

Jasper laughed at that, as if it was the most humorous thing ever, "No... it's nothing like that, trust me."

I sighed, "Well then I don't know what it is. And I can't really gauge my reaction ahead of time for you. You don't do anything illegal do you?"

Jasper shook his head, "Nothing illegal."

"And you don't hurt people, do you?"

Jasper shook his head again, "We would never hurt any person. Unless I were defending you of course."

I rolled my eyes, "Southern gentleman. Defense is allowed. From what I can tell... and what I've noticed about you guys... it's weird.. alarming... but I can honestly say that I think that I can handle it, Jasper."

He looked at me for a long time, into my eyes, searching for something. Truth, maybe. Sincerity. I'm not sure he found what he was looking for though.

I sighed, "Look, Jasper, you don't have to tell me right now. Just don't lie to me."

Jasper cupped my face in his hand, "I would never lie to you, Heather."

"That's all I ask," I told him softly, bringing my lips to his.

yay! They're together now! I hope I did that to your satisfaction. So let me know if I did!

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