I don't own these characters. I only play with them.
Author's note: I am actively seeking a beta reader. Know anyone who might be interested? Have them PM me. And on with the story:
Esme's Point of View
It was moving day. All of our furniture for the house stayed behind for the new owners, everything else we didn't need immediately was put into storage. We got in the car, Carlisle, Edward, Alice and I, and we left my favorite home behind for good. This was all Edward's doing.
I almost felt like a newborn again my body contained so much rage. I resented Carlisle and his stupid, ill-conceived decision to go rescue Edward. The dumb ass should have had to pay for his mistakes, instead, we were all paying with him. The trip to Denali was tense. Not one word was said. You could have cut the tension with a knife. I wasn't sure what I should do, where I fit anymore but I didn't feel like I fit here; not with Carlisle and certainly not with Edward.
It was obvious Carlisle cared more for Edward than he did for me, for any of us. Did I really want to be in a relationship where I was always going to be second best? I wasn't even really second best. My opinions weren't taken into account at all. I felt dismissed, cast aside, and most of all disappointed in my husband's selfishness.
With all we were giving up for him, Edward was still complaining. The Volturi were too strict, it was only a small mistake, it was unfair, he never wanted Bella to be a vampire, poor, poor Edward. Bullshit. I should have taken that brat over my knee years ago and given him something to cry about. Even if I didn't, Carlisle sure should have.
Was Carlisle actually the one in charge of our coven? It was Edward's perspective that was always followed. He wanted to leave Bella, then instead of turning her, he wanted to let Bella die. Instead of thinking for one moment what Bella would have wanted Carlisle went along with Edward and Bella would have died if not for Jasper.
I wish I knew where they were now. I'd go and try to apologize. Try to explain that Emmett, Rose, Alice and I didn't have the control to change someone. It wasn't an issue of not wanting her It was that we would have killed her ourselves had we tried to change her.
Alice seemed perfectly happy to go along with what Carlisle wanted. It made me disappointed in my youngest daughter. Still, what could she have done that would have actually been listened to? I should ask Alice about my future if I leave Carlisle. I could feel Alice's eyes on me and she just nodded. I'd get details later.
Eventually, the torturous car ride came to an end. We greeted our friends from Denali warmly. They knew what had happened and had agreed to give us time to get property far away from humans although Carmen and Eleazar were both disappointed Carlisle didn't at least save Bella while he was in Volterra. It was nice to be with them. I didn't feel quite so alone.
Bella's Point of View
Charlotte and Peter were on a hunting trip. Jasper and I had the place to ourselves. I had decided, my body had decided or some combination of the two. I wanted my mate. I needed my mate. Now how to tell him? This is where some experience would have come in handy.
Jasper came into the living room where I was pretending to read. He sat down on the couch and I curled up on his lap as had become our pattern. I loved the feeling of his arms around me. I loved being close to him. I loved the way he looked at me. Wait, did I love Jasper? I thought maybe I did. It had come on slowly but I did.
"What has you feeling so nervous Darlin?"
"I'm OK Jasper, I replied."
He nuzzled my neck. I moaned then I almost slapped my hand over my mouth. I'd never made that sound before.
Oh, I see Darlin. He turned me to straddle his lap so he could look deep into my eyes. "Have you decided you are ready to have a mate, Darlin?"
I only nodded.
"I need to hear you say it. Do you want me, Bella?"
"Yes, Jasper, but I've never..."
"I know that Darlin but it's nothing for you to be embarrassed about. I'm ecstatic that I'll be the only one who knows all of you."
"I don't know if I'm ready for..."
"How about we take this slow too Darlin. I'll never push you into something you aren't sure you want to do."
I leaned in and gently kissed him on the lips. "I'm ready for lots of this."
Jasper kissed her with all the pent up passion he'd been holding back. Her hips moved and Jasper sat her down straddling his lap so she could feel his hard erection. She moved, she couldn't help it. She needed the friction, she needed something. With fumbling fingers, she went to work on the buttons of his shirt. He took it off, still not breaking the kiss. Her hands roamed his glorious scarred chest. She kissed each scar, licking, tasting his skin.
Bella surprised him by reaching down and taking her own shirt off only breaking the kiss long enough to take the shirt over her head. He deepened their kiss. Bella felt owned.
He grabbed her hips and pressed her into his hardness as she moved above him. She reached behind her back and unclasped her bra. Then she felt shy.
She found herself underneath him and him running his hands over her breasts. While she continued exploring his chest His mouth descended sucking one nipple into his mouth while he caressed and pinched the other one.
"I need, I need,"
I know what you need Darlin. Will you let me give it to you?
"Yes, I need you, Jasper.
He ripped the material of her jeans with a tiny jerk until all she was left in were a pair of boy-short panties.
"This is what you need Darlin. He rubbed her clit with one hand and with the other he pinched whatever nipple his mouth wasn't on. She began to writhe under him, more, more, she needed more.
"Let go, Darlin," he said
And she screamed. He could feel her hips bucking against his hand and her entire body clench.
"That was amazing Jasper. "What about you?" She asked shyly.
"I can wait Darlin. This was about you."
"I love you, Jasper."
"I love you too Darlin."
We held each other on the sofa until darkness settled around the house. We were quiet, peaceful and most importantly, together. She felt part of her heart detach but the spot was not left empty. It was filled by part of him. For the first time in her life, she felt complete.
Next time, she thought, next time I'll give him everything.
Peter's point of View
I quit trying to coax out Bella's shield. She had reacted badly to the attempt and I didn't want to cause a rift in our relationship but the experience had taught me something. That girl was going to need help training her shield. I didn't think she'd been using it at full power with me and with practice, who knew what she'd be able to do. She might have been able to crush me, I didn't think she had been joking about that. She might be able to crush the house with me in it. Only time would tell.
It had started yesterday. That itch between my shoulders that tells me danger is on its way. I couldn't think of anyone who would cause trouble for us though. The Cullens had abandoned the Major and Bella. The Volturi couldn't know anything about her shield, and all my or the major's enemies were dead. There was always Maria but she'd never chased us and I didn't see her doing it now. Regardless, something was coming and whatever it was we weren't going to like it.
It was time to start teaching Bella to fight and fight well. I didn't know what was coming only that something was and I didn't want it to reach us with her unable to defend herself.