I don't own these characters. I only play with them.
Jasper's Point of View
"Let's do something that has nothing to do with becoming a vampire, Jasper, can we just go look at the stars or something? I'm feeling overwhelmed from today."
"Sure we can, although I know nothing about astronomy," Jasper admitted.
"We'll find our own shapes in the stars then."
"Jasper smiled at Bella, really smiled and it made her stomach flip. "Come on, I'm sure Felix is waiting."
Bella jumped up and ran out and Jasper followed after on her heels. Felix waited for them. "Just follow the path we went on today. I'll be behind you."
They darted as fast as she could go and out into the night. Laying down on a patch of grass they began to find shapes among the stars. They lay there for hours until Bella fell asleep.
Jasper picked her up and carried her to her bedroom. Tucking her into bed he left her room.
He went into the living room and read about the history of warfare. Several times he went to check on Bella and came back to his reading. Eventually, he pulled his chair so he could see her sleeping soundly in her room. Then he fell easily into his reading for the night.
Bella woke up when her breakfast was delivered the next morning. She rushed through getting ready and ate her breakfast quickly. "Jasper," she said when she noticed him watching, "I know what I'd like to do today."
"What is that?"
"I'd like to learn about you. After all, the Cullens kept us apart. I know very little about you except that you were raised differently than the Cullens and your skin sparkles like rainbows."
"Bella, my story is a horrific thing, a tale of nightmares. I'm afraid at your reaction if you hear it."
"Nothing you could say would make me see you differently Jasper. I see the man you are. I see the man you've become. That man is my friend."
"Telling you my story will make you see me differently. There is no way it couldn't."
"Do you really not want to tell me, Jasper?"
"No, but I think you deserve to hear it anyway."
"Jasper I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable. How about we start by just talking about ourselves. You tell me what you like."
"Ok, I like red."
"I prefer purple," Bella replied.
"I miss the family,"
"I miss the family too, except Edward. I don't miss him." Bella said heatedly
"You were disillusioned when he failed to turn you?" I asked
"Why did it take you four days to get here?" Bella asked.
"I was here on the third day. Carlisle spent a full day begging for Edward's release. I don't know if he got it or not."
"Carlisle was here?"
"Bella the entire family refused because Edward refused. It's why I left them. I had to if I was going to change you."
"Do you miss Alice?" Bella asked.
"Not nearly as much as I thought I would.
A knock at the door interrupted the information game. It was Gianna, the receptionist. "Mr. Jasper, a lot of boxes have been delivered for you."
"Saved by the receptionist," Bella joked.
Will you come with me to get the boxes, Bella? I don't feel safe leaving you alone here.
Sure Jasper
Right this way Gianna said
"She wasn't kidding that there was a lot of them was she?" Bella asked. She took a few of the smaller boxes while Jasper took a few of the large ones. They toted and fetched for an hour before the job was done.
"What did you buy?" Bella asked Jasper
"Let's open the large boxes first," He suggested.
When he ordered he hadn't thought what a big job packing would be. Even he'd been surprised by the number of boxes. He found the box that contained the ipod. "This is for you."
Bella opened it. "Thank you, Jasper, I've always wanted one."
"I thought you could put your favorite music on it. Give you something to focus on during the change, and you can use it after, once you learn to control your strength."
"Thanks again. After we finish this job can I use your computer to download music and put it on here?"
"Sure. I didn't get you a laptop, I thought you might argue about that."
"You know me well. So seriously, What's in all these boxes?
"These are the beginning of your newborn wardrobe and some clothes for me as well," Jasper said while opening a box with his fingernail. "Newborns tend to go through clothes rather quickly, both their own and those around them."
He put two sets of purple luggage on the bed. "I knew you preferred purple."
Two sets of red luggage went on his bed.
"How are we going to tell what goes where?" Bella asked.
"Easy, I ordered it and I have a perfect memory. Plus we can be certain the yoga pants, bras, and panties are yours."
"Tease," Bella accused.
They continued giving each other a hard time as they opened each box, folded each item and packed it safely away. Bella's lunch was delivered before they were done so she went out to eat while Jasper finished packing. He smiled watching her go. He found he was doing a lot of smiling around her. He moved at vampire speed and finished the packing in about ten minutes.
"I forgot a few things we will need to pick up. Your strawberry shampoo and things like that will go in this bag here once we get them."
"Thanks again, Jasper. I've never seen so many clothes outside a clothing store." Bella said, sounding meek.
"Don't worry about the money I spent Bella. It truly doesn't matter in the grand scheme of things." Bella was feeling self-conscious. "I know accepting gifts is not your style, but as you've disappeared to everyone who knows you and are going to be a newborn vampire, you're going to have to get used to me helping you out. Jasper said gently.
"Thanks again, Jasper."
"So, I believe you were wanting to learn more about me. I was born in Galveston Texas. I was the second oldest of six children. The youngest was a girl, a sister. My mother died in childbirth and that turned my father into a bitter man. I was sixteen when I volunteered for the Confederate army. I lied and told them I was older. By the time I went on the last mission before I was changed I was the youngest Major in the Texas Calvary. I was bitten by Maria after leading a column of women and children to safety. I thought the three female vampires were lost women from my group and immediately offered them assistance.
This is where it gets bad Bella, are you sure you want to hear it? He asked.
Bella simply nodded.
"I was changed to be Maria's, right-hand man. My gift with emotions made me invaluable to her. I trained the newborns to fight and once they had outlived their usefulness I disposed of them and we changed more. Women in the army weren't treated with the genteel civility that my mother had raised me was right. They were often mistreated.
Maria was in charge of it all. She wanted territory and she was willing to have her newborns do anything to get it. We wiped out entire villages turning some, using others to feed the army. Life went on like this for years, decades in fact. Then I found Peter. I changed him and eventually, he became my right-hand man. Mates weren't allowed in the army, Bella, when Peter found Charlotte he hid it from me. Eventually, it was time to make more newborns and get rid of the old. Charlotte's name was on the list to be culled. Peter came to me and I turned my back as they escaped.
I paid for that kindness. Maria never trusted me again. Every few months Peter would sneak back into camp and try to get me to come with him. He told me about a world without the constant battle and eventually, when I knew Maria was going to kill me, I went with him.
I traveled with him and Char for a few years but I was depressed. I still felt the emotions of the people with every kill that I made. Eventually, I wandered off and found Alice. Together we went to the Cullens and learned a new way to live that didn't involve killing people. I slipped up during my first decade with Carlisle but he never judged me for it. Edward did of course, but that was to be expected. Eventually, I got enough control to go to school and you know the rest."
"You're right, your story did change my opinion of you. I had no idea how truly strong you were. You completely reinvented yourself from the soldier for a psychopath to a peace-loving man just wanting what we all want, family, love, happiness. You are stronger than I could have ever have guessed." Bella stated boldly.
"Why thank you, Ma'am," he said.
"Where did your scars come from?"
"From fighting newborns and other vampires for territory for Maria."
"Such a strong man"
"I never lost a fight," He admitted
"And you didn't lose the fight to save me either," Bella said.
"We aren't home yet Darlin. We'll get you there."