Disclaimer: Twilight and all recognizable plots and characters belong to Stephenie Meyer, no copyright infringement or plagiarism intended.

Chapter 2

JPOV

Running through the woods with Bella in my arms, I tried to think of how I managed to get myself into this situation, and perhaps more importantly what I was going to do now. All of my years with Maria taught me how to handle a newborn, so I knew what to expect. Although this would be entirely different from that because I actually cared about Bella and didn't want to control her through fear as I always had before. Damn, I need a cigarette, I may be a vampire, but just sitting down for five minutes to calm down and take a smoke break works wonders, even for us. Plus, being immortal with diamond hard skin has advantages, no lung cancer and no yellow teeth.

Anyway, I needed to focus. I wasn't worried about helping Bella adjust to her new life, but where would I take her? We couldn't stay here and she was absolutely panicked at the idea of seeing Edward again, strangely enough, but she was going through enough pain and confusion as it was already. I wouldn't add to it by making her do something that she clearly didn't want to do. Besides, handling the bloodlust and erratic behavior of a newborn would be difficult enough without adding in the tidal wave of guilt that would come with Emoward's presence. I know that I'm an empath and I should be sympathetic and shit, but that kid takes on the world and feels guilt for a million things that he never had any control over, it's a bit ridiculous.

I suppose I could take her to Peter and Charlotte's place in Wyoming, it's been a while since I had an extended visit with them, their brief trip to see us last year notwithstanding. Alice just never much cared for them, I don't know if they reminded her too much of the monster I had to become to survive my first century as a vampire, or maybe it was because, despite her best efforts, Peter just wouldn't give up the cowboy boots and faded jeans that he liked so much. Hell, if she hadn't been able to see every time I even thought about wearing my boots and thrown a hissy fit about proper vampire wardrobe, I would have worn them every day myself. I looked down at myself in my Alice approved wardrobe and shuddered, this preppy schoolboy look was just not me and it had to go, immediately.

Fortunately, I was coming up on the sprawling white mansion that my "family" had so recently vacated so I could pick up a car, and I would be taking 30 seconds to begin reclaiming my own identity and personality while I was at it. Thankfully, since I promised never to wear them outside of the house, Alice "allowed" me to keep one pair of boots and one pair of broken in Levis since they reminded me of what few memories I had of growing up in Texas. I put the low rise, faded boot cut jeans (I spent way too long married to Alice to know that) with my black cowboy boots and a tight black t-shirt and I instantly felt more like myself.

I gently picked Bella up off of the bed, grabbed my keys and headed out to the garage so we could be on our way to Peter and Char. I thought about calling them, but with Pete just knowing shit all the time, I reckon he already knew we were on our way, so what's the point? I got Bella settled into my baby and we took off in my black 2011 Camaro 2SS. While I loved speed as much as the next vampire, I never understood my family's obsession with European cars. Give me a classic American muscle car any day of the week, they're sturdier than those tiny European things, and there's just something about those American muscle cars that the rest of the world would never get.

I looked over at Bella suffering silently in the passenger seat and couldn't help but to feel for the pain she was going through due to her change and the confusion the last 48 hours had wrought upon her. "It's okay darlin', we're leavin' Forks and headin' to Wyoming."

I felt even more confusion coming from her, so I kept talking to explain. "My oldest friend and his wife have a house in Wyoming, they're at Gannett Peak, the highest point in the state. There's lots of huntin' options for ya darlin' and no humans around for miles."

"Jasper," she hissed through her teeth, "where's Alice…everyone else?"

"Ah, they're in Alaska, staying with the Denalis until they decide where to go next. Did you want to go be with them?" I asked her.

"No!" she grunted quickly, "just don't understand…she's your wife, family?"

"Bella, it's ok," I began quietly. "That is a long story for another time, just know that Alice and I are no longer together and there's no place I'd rather be than here with you darlin'. I know it doesn't make any sense to you right now, but I'll explain everythin' when you're feelin' better, I promise. Just try to relax, we've got about 13 hours before we get to where we're goin', so just try to rest. You can scream if you want now, it's late enough and we're far enough away, no one will hear ya, so just let it out if you want."

"Thank you…Jas…for everything," Bella whispered and she started whimpering and moaning in pain. I had expected her to start screaming her throat raw as most people do during the change, I remembered the burning agony of my own change like it was yesterday. I couldn't help but to admire her strength and determination not to show her pain, and I sighed to myself. Only 13 more hours, if I ignored speed limits, and I'd be able to get her in a bed and help her to be as comfortable as possible, then we'd begin to decide what the hell to do next.