Hi guys! I know I haven't updated in forever, but college has taken up all my time this semester. I'm off for break though, so I will be using this time to hopefully finish this story as well as progress in my other story, The Orphanage. I'd really appreciate it if y'all checked that one out sometime! Also, I will be posting some one-shots I've had in the can for a while now. :) I love you guys. Thanks for reading, and I don't own anything.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

I could have spent the rest of my life right there, in that bed, kissing Jasper. I could have been put through hell and back just to stay in his arms and surrender myself to his perfectly sculpted lips. Unfortunately 20 minutes would have to do, because the world seemed to have other plans for us. He was the first to react to the call of his sister Alice, and reluctantly broke our kiss.

I was a mess. My breathing was labored, my hair was all over the place, and my lips were nice and swollen. I couldn't find it in myself to be self-conscious though, just like the Major had wanted. I smirked at my mate, and he rolled his eyes before kissing my hand and whispering, "Don't move." I grinned devilishly and stayed right where I was while he practically flew down the stairs. I couldn't hear much of what was going on, and merely sat annoyed with the world for interrupting the most perfect moment I had ever experienced. I let my mind drift back into those soft but demanding kisses, where Jasper's lips tangled with mine into the most passionate knot ever tied. I knew I should be feeling all sorts of alarm now that I realized I was staying in a house full of… vampires, but I truthfully felt safer than I ever had in the arms of this vampire. I felt myself getting weak all over again, and felt a surge of excitement when he walked back into the room.

I looked at him expectantly, waiting for him to come back to my newest favorite hobby and grew impatient when he just stood there, looking at me. "You coming?"

He looked at me with sadness and my heart skipped a beat. Why couldn't we just have one moment of peace? "What's wrong?" Concern laced my voice, though I tried to hide it.

His features lightened. "Oh God Bella, no. I'm sorry. I should have been more considerate of how it looked." A smile broke his face and he walked over to me. Taking my face in his hands, he kissed the tip of my nose. "I was simply frustrated that my big birthday plans for you were being interrupted." He winked at me, and I felt a blush accompany the relief that flooded my system.

"Well then, what is happening?" I asked once more, my tone lighter. As long as I got to spend my birthday with this beautiful angel, I knew I'd be happy.

He grimaced in between pressing chaste but passionate kisses to my still-swollen lips. "It appears that my family has a celebration planned for you tonight. They want you to have a happy day where you don't have to focus on anything else. I know you don't like a lot of attention, so I can tell them no if you want."

I was frozen. I hated parties and things like that, and I didn't necessarily love the idea of being in a room with all those males at once. At the same time, I was unbelievably grateful to the Cullens for going out of their way to make me feel special when they didn't have to. I looked into Jasper's face, and I could see how much his family meant to him. I didn't know every detail of his struggle, but I knew the Cullens helped him immensely in getting through his past. I knew what I had to do.

He took my hesitation as a no, and started speaking before I could tell him my decision. "It's okay Bella, none of them will be upset. Okay, well Alice might be disappointed, but she'll get over it when I buy her a new outfit." He smiled and tried to joke away the awkward situation.

I shook my head with a little more determination. "No Jasper, I want this party." My voice cracked. Crap. I'd have to try that one again.

"Nice try, Isabella. We won't have the party."

I gave him my prettiest pout, hoping it was at least somewhat charming. Then I leaned in for a slow, sensual and convincing kiss. The way our tongues danced together made me feel both beautiful and powerful. "Baby, I think I really need this happy memory. Please let me have it."

He pulled back. "Not that I'm complaining about your chosen method of persuasion, but you do realize that I can feel your emotions, right? I know what you're doing." I simply responded with another kiss. It was really the only tool I had in my arsenal, so I'd use it to the death. He looked me in the eyes and sighed. "Okay Bella, I'll let you continue to be selfless. But before the party I'm treating you to something I know you'll like better. Get dressed in something you'll be warm in, and let me know when you're ready." He paused on his way out of the door. "Do you need any help getting ready?" He asked, gesturing to my injuries.

I blushed. "Would you mind sending Alice up?"

No sooner had I said it than Alice appeared in the doorway. "No problem, Bella. Shoo, Jasper. I have work to do." She all but shoved her favorite brother out of the way and shut the door quickly before capturing me in the most unexpectedly tight hug from such a small person I had ever experienced. "Jasper's been hogging you. Happy birthday Bella!" I winced, and she remembered my bruises. "Oh! Sorry!"

"It's okay Alice, and thank you." I smiled warmly, grateful for her assistance.

"Of course!" She chirped and then jumped right into action. She helped me into the shower, picked out my "birthday outfit number one", and prepped my hair and makeup. I wasn't used to paying this much attention to any of my appearance, but she insisted it was necessary. The fact that it was my birthday just elevated it that much more.

While she worked, I let my mind wander to the day ahead of me. I was dying to know what Jasper had planned, but I knew whatever it was would be amazing. He had yet to let me down, and I would honestly be happy with anything as long as my mate was there to experience it with me. It sounded so cliché, but I couldn't deny my excitement. The party, however, was another story. Everything about it filled me with anxiety. I hoped I was able to put up a good show, but I also hoped Jasper was ready for me to be a little clingy. I knew I would be relying heavily on him for strength and peace.

"Did you hear me, Bella?" Alice asked, impatience trying to seep through her voice.

"Oh, sorry Alice. I guess my mind was elsewhere. What did you say?"

Her gaze softened. "It's alright. I was asking how you were dealing with everything now that you know who we are."

The casual manner in which she asked her question made me laugh, but also put me at ease. It was a lot better than a family-wide discussion. "I always knew you guys weren't human. It makes sense and I feel safer here than I did in the real world. I don't mind." I paused. "Besides, I'll support anything Jasper is a part of. How could something be so terrible if it yields such great products?"

Alice brushed my hair thoughtfully before answering. "That's very big of you Bella, but I hope you understand the danger of being involved with someone of our kind. Not everyone is like us."

"I love him, Alice." I blushed, but I had no shame in my feelings. They were the only right pieces of my universe.

"I know you do. And I'm so thankful. You've made my brother an entirely new person." She smiled and came to the other side of the chair to look at me. "When I first found him in a diner all those years ago, I didn't need to be an empath to sense his self loathing. He has loosened up some, but he was missing the piece that would allow him full healing. He's found it in you."

I felt tears well up at her sweet endearment, and quietly thanked her before I really lost it.

"Well Bella, you're done! Jasper is waiting downstairs to whisk you away. Just remember to be back by 4:00 for the party." I looked at myself in the mirror, and gasped. I didn't look near as damaged as I had for the past few days. I wasn't overdone, but I was clean and fresh.

"Thank you Alice. For… everything."

"Anytime Bella. Now go to your mate! He doesn't like to be kept waiting." She winked and left me alone in the room. I slowly made my way down the stairs, and would have been really grand about it if I hadn't tripped down that darned fourth step.

Thankfully, a pair of pale angel arms caught me before I hit the ground and slipped down the rest of them. I looked into my savior's eyes. "Thank you."

He kissed my lips slowly as he made his way smoothly down the remaining steps, me in his arms. "Anytime. You look beautiful, by the way." Blood rushed to my face for what seemed like the millionth time that hour, and he laughed. "Let's go start this birthday, little darlin'." And he whisked me out of the door.

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