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Forks, Washington 2008
Jasper Hale Whitlock Cullen's POV:
After everyone had settled down from our prank on Carlisle, we took a seat in the living room. I had my wife on my right and my sister on my left. I could tell from the annoyance radiating off of Edward that he didn't quiet enjoy my closeness with his…mate. I suppressed an onslaught of emotions at that thought. I still hadn't had the time to wrap my head around all of it. Judging by Edward's suddenly hostile emotions, he had read my mind and agreed. We would need to settle this dispute later, for Bella's sake. I saw Edward nod out of the corner of my eye.
"Story time!" Emmett said excitedly like the large child he was. I heard Bella sigh, I knew she didn't like the spotlight placed on her. I rubbed my hand gently against her knee as a sign of comfort and sent of few waves of encouragement to her. She smiled at me and I saw Edward kiss her temple. I tried my best not to growl. As I sorted through the emotions in the room, I took notice at how the air just seemed…lighter.
Esme felt an overwhelming amount of happiness for having her child back; I could see she thought of Bella as her own kin in blood. Carlisle was no better as he seemed to radiate with joy and I could detect some anxiousness, sure enough he wanted to fire question after question to Bella.
Rosalie surprised me with the amount of glee and relief she expressed. I knew she had a soft side, but I never knew how close she truly was with my sister. Emmett looked like he could start to vibrate at how ecstatic he was. I could also detect a hint of mischief behind the joy and I knew I would have to keep an eye out for him. I didn't want Bella hurt.
My wife had a large smile decorating her face and a sense of extreme excitement about her. She had only met Bella but knew they would be the best of friends in no time. I couldn't be more relieved about that as I silently prayed for my sisters approval on my mate. Edward's emotions I didn't want to touch, but he had the strongest of them all and I was practically sucked in like a black hole.
The amount of love and absolute bliss he displayed was so intoxicating it had me gasping for no needed air. I quickly shut it all off and focused on my sister. Her emotions were a jumbled mess of confusion, happiness, love, and a hint of nervousness. I sent her another wave of peace and she sighed in relief before loosening up and beginning her story. A story I knew I should have been in.
"A few months after Jasper left to join the Confederates, our family was hosting a Christmas Eve ball. I was never a fan for such events, but it was a way to get our minds off of things. Our parents were in denial over the war and Jasper going M.I.A. Even our brother, Ben, seemed to be forgetting day by day. It felt like I was the only person left who wasn't brainwashed." I was shocked and a little hurt…okay, I was very hurt. My parents I could understand wanting to forget about me and Jackson, but Ben? I never would have thought that. I guess he really did try to keep his promise and move on. I would never hold it against him; after all he was my brother.
"I went outside to get some air and found Ben. I conversed with him for a few minutes, but it was like talking to a carcass of what used to be our brother. He told me to 'lighten up a bit' and I…got so angry I just started screaming at him. I couldn't stand to be near him or anyone else for that matter, so I ran." I held my breathe. This had to be where she was turned, and I felt a massive wave of turmoil filled with angst and grief washing over my mind. If I hadn't had left, we wouldn't be in this situation. She would have had a life, if it weren't for me. I closed my eyes and ducked my head. I felt her hand grab mine as she continued her story.
"I ran as fast as I could through the night, getting bruises and cuts as I traveled. I stopped when I was near a fairly large lake. The scene was beautiful, but everything seemed so dark. That was where I met Kara. Her powers for knowing when someone is lying, didn't work on me. She got aggravated and started to torture me. It wasn't until my last breath did Kara finally bit me." I felt pure rage fill me as my eyesight blurred red. All the anger I was feeling was from everyone in the room, especially Edward and Rosalie. It was almost too much, but I sucked it up and tightened my hold on Isabella.
"I woke up in her camp and she put me right to the test. As it turned out, I was pretty good at fighting and she soon deemed me her major Even though I was against her violence, I liked the idea of being a major because it reminded me of Jasper." I felt pride well up in me. My lip twitched a tiny bit at the thought of her being a major. I smiled at her and she flashed me an innocent smirk that had Emmett laughing.
"I also strongly disliked her diet. Kara had to force me to feed off of human blood for the first seven months of my vampirism. I asked her time and time again if there was another way to survive, she simply told me I would die if I didn't drink human blood. I told her I would rather die than take the life of an innocent human, so then she got a few newborns to hold me down while she forced the human to me. I finally gave in during my eighth month, it was useless."
It wasn't just my growl that echoed through the room. I saw Rosalie snarling as she glared at the floor. Emmett had a murderous look on his face and this time, I wouldn't want to mess with the big Hulk. Edward was by far the worst as he growled at the floor and muttered something about bitch should rot in hell. It was unlikely for Edward to use that tone or language especially with a woman, but I found myself agreeing.
"Kara always made me practice harder than the others because of my power. I am both physical and mental shield." She explained this part turning her body to face Alice and I. To say I was impressed would be an understatement. I just stared at her in awe and she smiled a bit her lip. I chuckled; she was still as shy as ever. "Kara had two other leaders, almost like servants. Though they weren't in my…uh…ranking, they were the ones to help create the newborns. I didn't like that job at all, so she at least granted me that one request.
"The next army we were supposed to battle was Marias." I whipped my head around to look at her. She…was going to….fight…me? "B-But….that was m-my army…" I whispered in a wary voice. She looked at me with shock and sadness coating her face. "That was the night I ran away. They tried to force feed me a child. Children were the only humans I absolutely refused to drain; in fact I mostly drank from criminals. But this one little girl started to….she started to cry for her big brother. I felt like a switch had been flipped inside of me and I stole her away from Katy and Kara while I ran. I dropped her off at a house and continued my journey until I hit the ocean and washed away my scent." I felt my solid heart start to clench tighter and I rubbed my little sister's arm.
"That was how I escaped as well. An older boy was begging us not to kill his younger sister and I just…broke down." I said, cutting her off from her next story. She stared at me with such a thick emotion that I felt like choking. She let go of Edwards hand and leaned into my side while I wrapped an arm around her waist. I could tell Edward got slightly annoyed once more, but whatever he though he didn't express.
Bella relaxed in my arms and started her story again. "I met many covens as I traveled. There were the Egyptians, the Irish, the Amazons, the Romanians, and then the Denali clan. I finally moved to Chicago and met the Cullen's." Bella smiled as she got a glazed over look on her face. I knew she was reliving a memory and from the look on Carlisle, Esme, and Edwards faces I could tell they were as well. It intrigued me how well she knew everyone yet she just met me. I found myself once more eager to hear about her encounter and who she met first. As this thought passed my mind, Edward frowned and looked at his lap. I just blew it off like it was nothing.
"How did you meet?" Alice asked besides me, even though she probably already knew. I looked towards Bella and she glanced at Edward. He looked pained but Bella quickly moved from my side to sit on his lap and cradled his face in her hands. She placed a very innocent kiss on his lips that even Rose and Emmett had to look away from. "It was the 30's and I was just traveling through the city and decided to go see the preview of Frankenstein." She chuckled at that and everyone smiled at her.
"I walked back outside once it ended and I heard a man scream. I figured I would go check it out…" She trailed off looking concerned. Then it suddenly clicked. Edward had once told me about a time when he rebelled against Carlisle and ravaged a city with thirst for human blood. He said he only drank from criminals, rapists, or murderers. Thinking back to this conversation, I vaguely remember him saying it was during the depression. Bella had stumbled upon the monster Edward. I narrowed my eyes at him and he flinched. Bella turned to me and glared. This made me stop and sit up in shock. "Knock it off Jasper, or I will do it for you." I stared at her. She had never used such a tone with me nor has she ever really threatened me.
I stopped glaring at Edward but that didn't stop me from using my mind. You idiot! You could have killed her! Any other HUMAN DRINKING vampire would have ripped her to shreds for interrupting their meal! As Bella continued to retell a story about meeting Rosalie and Emmett, I continued to yell at Edward. And on top of that, you left her alone during a hunt knowing that Kara was still alive and vengeful! Do you wish for her to die? I knew I was being absurd but this was serious. Edward might be my brother, but I knew he had a dangerous dark side and I didn't want my sister anywhere near that.
He turned his head to face me and his lips formed a silent snarl. I narrowed my eyes until they were slits and continued my rampage. You're too dangerous for her. You could have really hurt her, and it's your fault she was separated from us! That last thought triggered something inside of him and he stood up abruptly, causing Bella to stop talking. He looked furious as he screamed, "It was YOU'RE fault that she was even killed in the first place!" Everyone stared at him in shock. Then I stood up, knocking over the coffee table in the process. "You shouldn't have left her alone!" I yelled at him as he walked closer to me. I walked up to him and we started to growl at each other. I was around two inches taller than him (Because of the ages we were turned at), but he still looked intimidating.
Carlisle stood up and placed a hand on both of our chest, pushing us slightly back. "Edward, Jasper, calm down. Now I'm not sure what has you in such a fuss, but you need to settle this. I won't have you two fighting when we just got a family member back." I glared at Edward and he stared me down. Hunting I thought to him and he nodded his head. "Carlisle, we shall go hunting and talk it out." Edward said to our father while turning around to face the family. He nodded his head but before we could leave, Bella stood up shaking her head.
"No! No way am I letting them go hunting alone when they're so angry at each other! Y'all need to resolve this…whatever it is… but I don't want a fight breaking out." I smiled at her slip up with the accent, but nodded my head none the less. "We'll go too!" Alice said as she stood up with Rose and Emmett. "Why don't we just all go?" Esme suggested. "Alright, let's go" Carlisle said as we ran out the door and into the forest.
Forks, Washington Forest 2008
Edward Anthony Mason Cullen's POV:
As we ran out of the house, I grabbed Bella's hand and squeezed it. She looked up at me and leaned into my side. I wrapped my arm around her waist and placed a lingering kiss on top of her head. The way she defended me against her own brother replayed in my head. It made my heart swell and I almost pounced on her then and there. I knew Jasper was just concerned for his sister, but this was a little over exaggerating. He knew me well enough to know that I would kill myself before I ever hurt Bella…at least I thought he did. Calling me out on my rebellion years was a low blow, and he knew it. But he was just so protective of Bella, and that made me honestly a little jealous. I knew I didn't have to be, but I just got her back as well.
We all broke apart from each other and sniffed out different animals. I smelled mountain lions due north, and I smiled as I stalked closer. My venom polled in my mouth as I crouched low. I sprang out of a bush and was about to tackle to the animal when someone else crashed in to me. I flipped them over and to my surprise they flipped me onto my back, straddling me. I looked up and felt my anger fade to love.
"Poor baby, did I steal your meal?" Bella purred as she pouted and ran her fingers down my chest. I swallowed hard and stuttered out, "N-No." She smirk and leaned forward to kiss my chest. She looked up at me from underneath her lashes and replied in a seductive voice, "We could fight for it?" I felt myself getting a little…too excited… for a hunting trip… and tried to contain any visuals that might pop into my mind. Even though we have made love in a forest before, I am pretty sure if Jasper stumbled upon us, I wouldn't ever be able to speak to him again. Though he was acting like a jerk, he was still my brother.
"Love, I don't think Jasper would appreciate that." I smirked to her stunned face. She looked embarrassed as she climbed off me and stuttered, "O-Oh…" Before she could get off the ground, I grabbed her and brought her back to my chest so I could kiss her. I missed this so much….from now on I would cherish every touch and every word we shared. I wrapped her body in my arms possessively and she played with the hair behind my ears. She knew I loved that…that little tease…
"Edward?" I heard an annoyed voice call out. My wife jumped off of me and smiled as I wobbled to stand up, I was so caught up in our moment I had completely forgotten about our dearest brother. "Good luck sweetheart" Bella whispered to me while kissing my cheek and running off into the forest. Jasper then slowly walked out from behind a tree, not looking too pleased. "Jasper" I said in a greeting. He nodded his head with a solemn looked and replied, "Edward."
We stood there in silence for a few minutes until the sun started to fall and the sky turned orange, eliminating the forest and making it look gold. The grass turned a beautiful sparkling golden color with a mix of yellow in it…it reminded me of my mate's eyes….I shook my head. Those feelings wouldn't help Jasper try to appeal with me.
"Look…Edward….I know you're a good guy, and I trust you…but I just don't know what your intentions for my sister are. I know you guys are already married and…um….tied the knot…but I still feel like she is my sixteen year old baby sister. I don't really like the idea of her being around anyone even remotely dangerous." He looked pained as he spoke and I could only nod my head. If Bella were to ever be hurt…I don't know what I would do. "Jasper, I am in love with her. She truly is my mate…but she is also my angel. She saved me from myself, and she showed me how to live again. I am so in love with her it is painful even right now to be away from her…" I trailed off looking at the ground.
I heard footsteps and I knew from his thoughts that he was walking closer to me. He stopped three feet away from me and I was forced to look at him. He had a slight smile on his face and his eyes were underlined with…understanding? Sensing my confusion, he nodded his head. "Edward I can see you love her. That much is obvious to a blind person." He sighed, almost like he was fighting with himself. "I overreacted before, and I am sorry. In truth…I really was slightly…jealous." That made me raise an eyebrow at him. Why would he need to be jealous of me? Hell, I was jealous of him!
"Why?" I asked incredulously. He smiled at me and replied, "Because she is in love with you. You have to understand…when we were human, Bella wasn't exactly a girly girl. In fact, my brothers and I taught her how to shoot guns and handle someone if a fight broke out." He chuckled lost in thought and I saw through his memories a young girl smiling brightly with a slight blush on her cheeks. The sun was beating down on them as she and three other boys ran around a large looking backyard with tall yellow grass. They were all laughing and the girls magnificent chocolate brown orbs shone with excitement and adventure. I stared at Jasper as he came out of his thoughts.
"She never really had a 'crush' or had interest in anyone. She was a hopeless romantic, but no one appealed to her. Many men courted her, but she simply declined their request." Bella was mine! I growled softly and Jasper smirked at me. "So when I saw how she looked at you with nothing but love, and felt your emotions for her as well…I guess I was just shocked. I used to be the only guy in her life…well besides Jackson, Jason, our father, and Ben…but yeah you get it." I chuckled at him and he seemed to lighten up.
"But Jasper…don't you see? I was jealous as well." He looked confused as he replied, "How so?" I smiled sadly and looked at the ground. "Just then….when you showed me your memories of her. You got to see her as a human…watch her grow up and care for her. Now she is a strong independent woman and just the mention of her name intoxicates me…but you were there for her when she needed someone. I wasn't."
Jasper looked deep in thought before looking back up at me and walking closer. He placed a hand on my shoulder and spoke in a friendly soft voice, "She still needs someone to care for her Edward. I looked after her in her human's years. Now it is your turn. I trust you to care for her." I smiled at him, hearing his words made them seem true. In a way, I figured they were. Bella still was a danger magnet, Kara proved that much. I looked back at Jasper and felt a wave of forgiveness and peace. Forgiveness was the key ingredient for our family to stay sane.
I smiled at Jasper and he smiled at me. I brought him in for a brotherly hug and he pat my back before pulling away. "I am glad we settled this, brother." I said and he smiled wider, "Me too, Ed." I glared at the nickname and he laughed. "C'mon, we should probably get back to the others now. They will want to see that we made it out without any missing limbs." I laughed and nodded my head. The idea of finding my wife misting through my mind and making my heart clench. "Yeah, I need to find Bella." He smiled at me but his smile was shortly lived. A terrified scream echoed through the forest. That voice we both knew well enough to know it was her. Bella. We stared at each other for a second, mouths gapping in horror, before we launched off into the forest.
OOOOO, CLIFFIE! THANKS FOR READING YOU GUYS! TELL ME HOW I DID, FEEL FREE TO CRITIQUE ;) REVIEW PLEASE SO I CAN GET THE NEXT CHAPTER UP QUICKER :D