A/N: I said a few chapters ago that it would only be about 4 more chapters, but it will be a little longer than that. LOL. I didn't realize that it would take a bit more to wrap up all of my loose ends until I started to write the last chapter. Although now that Bella has been changed, we are almost there. Enjoy the next chapter and please review if you can.

Chapter 42 – Wrestling

Jasper pulled back from his kiss from Bella and said, "We need to get you fed. Everyone is waiting to see you."

Bella cringed at the word "fed" and realized that her throat was on fire; she needed something to quench the burn. It wasn't like the burn she just experienced, but it was something akin to a small portion of that. Grabbing her throat, she looked at Jasper, "Why is it burning again?"

"Because you need to feed, it will get better with time," Jasper said as he kissed her temple and then grabbed her hand. It was time to hunt.

So that Jasper did not have to delay Bella's first hunt longer than necessary, he pulled her out onto the balcony of their room and said in a normal voice, "Emmett follow us." He noticed that Bella gave him a strange look and he explained, "It is just a safety precaution. You seem to be under control now, but I want to be sure that there are no problems." With that, he swept her up into his arms bridal style and jumped to the ground. When his feet hit the grass, he slowly let her go and felt as her body slid down his. Hearing Emmett walk out of the house, Jasper said, "Let's go."

The couple took off towards the woods allowing Bella to test out some of her new attributes as a vampire, and she found she reveled in the feel of running swiftly through the woods with Jasper. She knew that Emmett was behind them, but right now her focus was on Jasper and the rush she felt running by his side.

After a few minutes of running, Jasper pulled her to a stop. The perplexed look was once again on her face and he kissed her forehead, "Time for your first meal."

"Ok, what do I do?" Bella asked. She turned when she heard a small chuckle coming from behind her. Standing there leaning against a tree was Emmett and he seemed to be amused by something, "What is your problem?"

Emmett pushed himself off of the tree and walked forward, "Well it could be that trail of brown you have up and down your backside. It almost looks like you had a blow out and soiled yourself."

"What?" Bella asked trying to look at her own back over her shoulder. She noticed the little smirk Jasper plastered on his face when he walked behind her to assess the damage. Growling, she leveled a glare on him, "Don't say a thing. It was the mud you made me run through, so this is your fault."

Jasper tried to choke down his laughter, but was having a difficult time doing it. Emmett was right, it look like she shit herself, for lack of a better term, and it was bad. "Sorry Darlin', I will accept the blame. We can get you washed up after we hunt," he finally managed to say although it was rather difficult since he wanted to laugh. Clearing his throat, Jasper walked up to her and standing behind her, he placed his hands on her shoulders and said, "Why don't we just worry about catching dinner right now. Close your eyes. You will hear some heartbeats in the distance. Do you hear them?"

Bella concentrated, "Yah, I hear something that sounds like a multitude of heartbeats, but I am not sure how many or where." Frowning when she heard another chuckle escape Emmett, she decided to deal with him later.

"Now take a deep breath," Jasper whispered into her ear.

Breathing in deeply, she could almost taste the smells she pulled in. It was almost an earthy smell and she wasn't sure it was all that pleasant, but with it came the desire to drink. "It is almost grass like, but it makes me thirsty."

"That's the smell. Now can you pinpoint the direction of the sounds and the smell?"

Bella concentrated again listening and breathing. After another minute of standing there, she lifted her arm and pointed, "Over that way I think."

"That's my girl," Jasper whispered with pride.

Opening her eyes, she gazed behind her at the man standing there. She was once again mesmerized by his eyes and leaned in for a brief kiss, "Now what?"

"Now we make our way slowly and quietly towards them," Jasper said taking her hand and telling her to lead.

Walking slightly ahead of Jasper and Emmett, Bella was nervous for some reason and grasp Jasper's hand just a little tighter to make sure that he was not going anywhere.

Jasper loved the feel of Bella's hand in his and when she gave it a squeeze, he felt like he was over the moon. He looked behind him when he felt the confused emotions being emitted from Emmett. He knew the other man was curious about Bella and her stunning calmness, he was surprised himself. This is something he had never experienced before and he had been around hundreds of newborns. He didn't know what was going on, but he wasn't going to let his guard down in case she suddenly snapped. Turning his head to look at Bella and their surroundings again, he pulled her to a stop. In a very hushed tone that normal people would not be able to hear, he said, "Now it is based on instinct. You are going to quickly run up to your prey and take him down in order to drink."

Bella closed her eyes for a moment and then opened them letting go of the hand she was holding. In the next instant she was off in a run and quickly had one of the larger elk around the neck and on the ground. It took a little bit of wrestling, but she soon sank her teeth into the neck of the animal and drank until it was drained. As she was standing up, she heard someone behind her and spun around quickly in a crouch ready to strike. When she realized that it was Jasper, she stood up and made her way to him saying, "Sorry."

"There is nothing to be sorry for. It is instinct. That was perfect," Jasper said tilting his head towards the elk she had just fed from. "Are you ready for some more?"

Bella nodded her head and closed her eyes. She pulled in the information she needed and was off on another run to feed some more. It wasn't the greatest taste in the world, but it seemed to quench the burn at least to a manageable level.

Jasper watched Bella take off and although he followed her, he made her that he stayed far enough back so that she did not feel threatened as she ate. As he watched her he could only think of how incredible she was, and how beautiful she looked as she hunted. He could only think of one word to describe her… perfect. Although, watching her take down a bear when she picked up its scent while on the way to get her second elk, was enough to give him the chills. She came out with only a couple of scratches on her shirt and jeans, but it was enough for him to know that if she had been human, she would be dead.

Walking slowly up to her after the bear, Jasper said, "How do you feel?"

"Well the bear tasted better than the elk, but they weren't so bad that I can't eat them. I actually feel kind of full and the burn is not so bad," Bella commented.

"Good, it will get better with time, and you did great on your first hunt. Are you ready to go back now?"

"Can we run back?" Bella asked smiling.

Jasper couldn't help it, he chuckled and then pulled her into his arms and kissed the top of her head, "Yes, we can. Come on then."

The trio swiftly ran back to the house and Bella could be heard giggling. She almost felt like she was flying and she couldn't get over how good it felt to just run and not worry about tripping or running into trees. She could see everything and seemed to miss running into anything. She felt graceful for the first time in her life and it felt great.

As they approached the house, Emmett went ahead of them while Jasper and Bella slowed down and started to walk the last couple hundred feet by foot hand in hand. Jasper looked down at the woman standing next to him and he knew that she held his whole world in the palm of her hands, "I don't think I told you, but regardless of what your backside looks like, you are beautiful. Thank you."

Bella turned to look at Jasper and beamed. Stopping, she stood up on the tips of her toes and kissed him. When she pulled back, she said, "Thank you. Why are you thanking me though?"

Looking at her in the eye, he said, "I didn't know that there was something more out there for me. I settled and even though I was content, there were times I wondered if this was all there was for me. When Alice left, I thought that I was done and there was nothing for me until you. You were there for me and helped me through my break-up. Now I know that there was so much more out there and that there is only one that was meant for me and that is you. You know I found myself watching you and after I saw you on your first day of school? I was drawn to you. I told myself and everyone around me that I was only doing it to keep an eye on you and make sure that you didn't reveal anything or find anything out. Edward couldn't read your mind which meant you were a liability. When Edward saved you from being hit by the van, I wanted to jump in and save you also. I told myself it was because no one deserved to die like that. I have always been tempted by human blood, that is not secret, but after I almost attacked you at your party, I went into a state of depression. I felt like I had almost attacked the most precious thing in the world and I had a hard time with that. It wasn't until I was around you again that I realized that I couldn't attack you any longer. I didn't crave you any longer because I couldn't. You were too special, too treasured to harm. I didn't know why I felt like that, but I did. I convinced myself that it was because it was like attacking my own sister or mother, but now I know how wrong I was. You were the one that was always meant for me. The pull I felt is because we belonged together. I love you."

Bella threw herself into Jasper's arms at his declaration and wrapped her arms around his waist. She buried her head in his chest and whispered, "I love you too Jasper. I felt the pull too. I always wanted to get to know you more. I said it was just because you were an enigma, but now I know differently. I wouldn't want anyone else. There is only you."

Jasper lowered his head and kissed her with all of the love and passion he felt. He only pulled back when he heard Emmett yell for them from the house. Placing his forehead against Bella's, he said, "Are you ready for this?"

Chuckling, Bella said, "Yah, let's go before Emmett decides to take matters into his own hands. I might have to give him more of an ass kicking than I already have planned."

"Well ok then," Jasper laughed and pulled her once again towards the house.

They walked into the house together and Bella looked at the change that had taken place since she was last downstairs. Esme had finished the decorating and put her own special touch on the house. It looked great. She looked at herself in the mirror by the entry way and gasp.

Jasper heard Bella's gasp and turned around, "What's wrong?"

"I know that is me even though it looks a little bit different, but why do I have red eyes?" She asked a little unnerved.

Jasper put both of his hands on her shoulders and said, "That is normal Bella. They will turn to match mine within a few months, but they start out red."

Taking a deep breath, Bella turned to her reflection once more, "You promise they are going to turn though, right?"

"I promise," Jasper smiled behind her. He almost wanted to chuckle at her panicked look, almost.

"Ok fine," she muttered and allowed Jasper to pull her away from the mirror and into the living room where everyone was waiting for her. She wished she could have taken a shower and tidied up a bit before she greeted everyone. She wasn't sure why, but she felt a little nervous about seeing everyone.

When Bella entered the room, everyone was smiling and that included Rosalie. Esme walked up to her and pulled her into an embrace. It was then that Bella realized that the embrace was no longer cold. Jasper's hadn't been either. It felt warm and inviting. She was not one of them, an even bigger part of their family.

"How are you feeling? How was the hunt?" Esme asked checking her newest daughter's appearance over. Other than some minor rips and a lot of dirt, she seemed to be ok physically.

Bella smiled. Esme had always been motherly towards her and it appeared that had not changed, and she was glad. "I am fine and I think the hunting went well."

"She's a natural," Jasper said from being her.

Giving her one more hug, Esme finally released her, "Good."

"Are you controlling her emotions Jasper?" Carlisle asked.

"No, she has been like this since she woke up. I have never seen this. Have you?" Jasper answered.

"Never. How strange," Carlisle commented before moving forward, "Are you sure you are fine?"

"I don't know what it is Carlisle. I was ready to wake up and go on a rampage, but I feel almost like myself, but better," Bella explained.

"Well everyone is different. I just wasn't expecting that one," Carlisle gave her a smile and placed his hand on her shoulder as he wrapped the other arm around Esme's waist.

Rosalie made her way up to Bella next, "I am glad you are one of us now. I may not have always agreed with your choices, but welcome to the family."

Emmett was smiling down at his wife and mate. He knew that she had wanted Bella to make a different decision, but events happening the way that they had, Bella really didn't have much choice. In addition, since Bella had been with Jasper and helped him through this crisis, Rose's attitude towards Bella had changed. She counted her as a friend. Looking up at the brunette in front of him, "Finally you are not so fragile!"

Bella laughed and said, "And I bet I could kick your ass from here to China."

"You may be strong, but you are still just Bella and I am stronger," Emmett teased her.

"You ready to prove that?"

"Just name when and where!"

"Right now and outside. Esme would probably kill us for messing up the house," Bella retaliated.

"That is true," Esme smirked.

Everyone made their way out to the back where as soon as they were far enough away from the house, grabbed Emmett by the arm and threw him over her shoulder, "Next time, don't laugh at me."

Emmett was dazed on the ground. Bella had just thrown him and he couldn't believe it. He heard the laughter from everyone around him and he found himself joining in. "I will see what I can do about that," he said as he got up off of the ground. "How about we get down to business? I believe the deal was arm wrestling, not karate and I have just the spot."

"Ok, let's go," Bella laughed and followed Emmett to the spot he found. When they got to a large stone boulder with a flat surface, she looked quizzically at him.

"While you were changing, I took it upon myself to create the perfect place for our match," Emmett smirked, "Are you ready to lose?"

"Bring it!" Bella said walking up to the stone. She put her elbow down after Emmett did and soon their hands were entwined and pushing against each other. Bella sneered at her friend and then slammed his hand down on the stone, "I WIN!"

"What? I want a rematch!" Emmett huffed.

"Sure, how about tomorrow?" Bella laughed.

"I will be here!" Emmett said as he watched Jasper pull Bella into his arms and give her a victory kiss. He laughed. Bella was going to be strong for a while physically and it appeared that she and Jasper were going to be strong together.