A/N I was a little worried at first, but apparently the last chapter wasn't as bad as I'd thought. Thanks for all the comments, and I'm quite surprised that my story is still attracting some new readers. Welcome and I hope you'll stay.

I know there are still a lot of unanswered questions about Alice and Edward. But I couldn't give you all the answers, yet. What would be the fun in that? ;-) And Rose was a little too wrapped up in her own anger to pay closer attention, to notice more. But rest assured all secrets will be revealed in due time.

Now … back to Jasper and Rose, and their reunion via phone. It's a short chapter, but hopefully a good one.

Enjoy!

Chapter 19 Phone Call

Jasper POV

Watching Bella sleep was nice, feeling her warm and soft body wrapped around mine was even better. Well, actually that was an understatement. It was amazing, incredible … so far incomparable. The only thing better than this, would be the feeling of her bare skin against mine. That would be pure bliss.

Soon, very soon … I reminded myself. My second in command twitched slightly in anticipation. Resisting the temptation wasn't one of his … eh my strong suits. He was used to get what he wanted … without any delay … as was I. Holding back those strong urges to claim my mate was going to be a new challenge for both of us. But remembering Bella's passion from earlier this evening and her disappointment when I'd stopped our little make-out session, I knew I wouldn't have to wait too long. She was just as eager as I was, despite of her innocence. I smiled into her hair.

I still couldn't believe how lucky I was.

Just a few days ago I had been scared to go back to the one place I'd never wanted to return to. Now I was glad that I'd listened to my brother. If I'd waited a couple months longer, Bella would have finished her high school and probably would have left Forks to God knows where, and I would have missed my one and only chance of finding true happiness.

Since I didn't believe in coincidences, I wondered if Peter had known something beforehand. But then again his reactions towards Bella had been nothing but natural, his surprise just as genuine as mine. He was a good actor, but he wasn't that good to fool me completely. Anyway, it didn't matter. The end result was just the same. I was here, and I was happy.

I have been an emotional wreck for a long time, a mere shadow of my former self. True, no one wanted 'the Mayor' back, especially not me. I was glad that 'he' was caged deep inside of me, partly thanks to the change of sustenance due to the life with the Cullens, but mostly because I'd felt the need to bury that part of my past in order to survive. But since he has been in control for almost hundred years, he was still a big part of my vampire personality, latent but still there. I knew it wouldn't take much to unleash the beast from its confinement. I hoped that it would never come to that. Bella had gotten a glimpse of him the other day, when I'd pushed Peter into the wall. I really didn't want her to witness a full outbreak. Especially not after tonight.

Bella had listened to my story, only the abridged version but still … and she had shown nothing but sympathy. Sure she had been shocked about some of the details I'd shared with her, but this was only natural. But still, I hadn't expected her to take it that well. It showed once again how strong she really was, exceptionally strong for a human.

Alice had never shown that kind of strength or sympathy. She hadn't gotten to hear everything either, although I would have been willing to give her the full disclosure, if she had shown actual interest … like the sleeping angel in my arms. The reason why I'd spared Bella the most horrific details was that she was too good, too innocent, too pure. She didn't need to hear about me killing countless girls her age just for the fun of it.

But Alice on the other hand was a vampire. She was already part of my world, she knew what our kind was capable of, even though she'd never seen or experienced anything like the horror I have. But whenever the topic came up, Alice used her usual excuse 'Live in the now, baby!'. But the truth was that she'd tried to avoid anything connected to that particular subject. I always guessed that was part of the reason why she didn't get along with Peter and Charlotte, and why she'd barely accompanied me whenever I'd visited them in the past. What has she been afraid of? That we were going to revel in old memories … not likely.

She'd barely taken a look at my scars, always insisting I'd left on a shirt while we were being intimate. I had never resented her for acting that way. I knew I looked hideous. That was why I always wore long-sleeved shirts and long trousers, to cover up my body. Thankfully I didn't have any scars on my face. That would have been hard to cover up, without looking stupid.

In the past I'd never really thought about it, Alice's subtle hints that she was sort of disgusted by me. I'd just gone along with her leadership in our relationship. She'd wanted me to bury that part, my past, and I'd agreed with her, pretending that it wasn't part of who I was. But it was. Bella was right. My past experiences had shaped the person I was now, the good and the bad ones.

My angel was in deep slumber land, thanks to the extra help of my gift. I've kept her up for far too long, and she needed her rest. From what she'd told me, finding sleep hasn't been easy for her after Edward's dumping act. Fool! How could he leave her? Tell her that she wasn't worth it? He's gotten it all wrong. She was too good for him, not the other way around. She was too good for me, too. She was such a pure soul. I knew that I didn't deserve her, but I would try to show her everyday that I was going to try. I wanted to change, becoming a man worthy of her.

As soon as she was out cold, Bella's emotions were closed to me again. It was quite a relief, but still a little weird. I just wasn't used to being blocked by anyone so completely. But maybe I should learn to appreciate the peace that came with it. Whenever I could feel Bella, the strength of her emotions was simply overwhelming, almost too powerful for me to handle, especially the bad ones.

She was like two sides of a coin, incredibly strong and exceptionally sensitive.

Bella's head was positioned on my chest again, just like the night before. I still couldn't fathom that this was a comfortable position for her. But then again, why argue? I loved it. Her tiny hands were gripping my shirt, in a futile attempt to keep me right there with her, like I had any desire to leave this place. I held her tight, but not too tight, caressing her back in soothing circles, barely using any pressure. I didn't want to wake her. She was so deep asleep that she didn't stir at all. She didn't talk either. I sighed into her hair, breathing in her mouthwatering scent. She smelt strongly of her strawberry shampoo, herself and me. I closed my eyes, enjoying the peace and quiet.

A soft beeping sound from my cell phone broke me out of my trance-like state, informing me that my cell phone was fully charged. It was now two in the morning, not that the time really mattered to a vampire. Of course Rose would be up.

Maybe she is busy with something more important … no stalling now … Make the call already, you coward …

I knew I needed to get this over with sooner rather than later. In truth, I wasn't looking forward to the task of calling my sister. Though I hoped she would be glad to hear from me, at the same time I was certain that she would be pissed as hell that I hadn't tried to contact her sooner. And a pissed-off Rose was rather scary. Good thing that we weren't going to do this in person.

I really didn't want to leave Bella's side, with her touch having the power to ground me and all that. But knowing that this call would probably become a little louder than usual between me and my sister, I decided it would be best to leave the room. Bella's grip on my shirt hasn't loosened one bit, like she was unconsciously anticipating my next move. Of course, I could have easily freed myself from her grip, but I knew such an act would have woken her in the process, and I really didn't want to take the chance. Instead I wriggled awkwardly out of my shirt, leaving it behind after making my way of her bed. Bella sighed for the first time, pulling my shirt closer to her face, inhaling its scent, my scent. I placed her second pillow into her arms, smiling when she wrapped her arms around the replacement for my body. I leaned down, placing a gentle kiss on her temple.

"I'll be right back, darlin'." I whispered so low, knowing she wasn't able to hear it, but feeling the need to reassure her anyway.

I picked up the cell phone from her nightstand and turned it on, making my way downstairs into Bella's living room. I sat down on the couch, leaving the light out. I didn't need it. I felt a little uncomfortable without my shirt on, not because of the cold but … well because I felt exposed. I barely ever wore a sleeveless shirt, because I was very self-conscious about my scars. I knew that they were more prominent to a vampire eye, but they were still visibly to a human eye.

Gladly no one was here to see me sitting half naked in the dark in the house of my girlfriend … and with her father sleeping upstairs in the other room, oblivious of my presence. I chuckled. The terms 'boyfriend' and 'girlfriend' weren't even coming close to what we were to each other. But pretending to be a human probably included using vague human terms like that.

The security pin was written down on the back label of the cell. I quickly discovered that there was only one number saved in the directory. Taking one final deep breath to brace myself for whatever was awaiting me, I leaned back into the cushions and then I finally dialed.

After the fourth ring, a very familiar, female voice answered.

"Jasper, is that really you?" Rosalie's voice broke at the end. Even with the physical distance I was able to tell that she was more than glad about my call. She sounded very relieved in fact. To say that I was shocked by her reaction was an understatement. True I had expected or rather hoped that she would be happy to hear from me, but hearing the unadulterated desperation in her voice, made me wonder. Something was must have happened after I've left.

"Who else?" I replied jokingly, in an attempt to lighten the mood. Not a good idea, as it turned out.

"Don't you fucking dare to make fun of me, Jasper! Have you any idea what I've … what we've been through since the day you'd vanished? And it took you what … five months … five months to pick up a phone to call, and let me know that you are alright. I should rip your arms off and beat you with them until you realize what you've done. Hell, you deserve even worse than that." She shouted at me, and I knew that she'd meant every word. I understood her reaction, I really did. But I wasn't in the mood for another fight this night. I was still exhausted – emotionally – from my talk with Bella.

"Hold you horses, Rose!" I stopped her ranting, trying to keep the level of my voice down despite the rising level of my own annoyance, because she had a right to be upset with me, but more so because I didn't want to alert the two sleeping humans upstairs. "First off, I didn't call to have a fighting match over the phone with you, and second I've just returned to Forks. Just yesterday to be precise. So there hadn't been a chance to call you before today …"

"That's a lame excuse, and you know it. What about an email, or even a fucking letter?" She interrupted me harshly. "Don't tell me, that you lost your ability to type a few lines … right along with your sense of responsibility towards your family. How could you do that to me? To all of us …" She was breathing hard at this point.

I longed to take her into my arms, and to comfort her. But since that wasn't possible at the moment, I hoped my words would have a similar effect on her. "I know, Rose. I fucked up. I shouldn't have left you hanging, worrying about me. But I wasn't ready before today. I needed some time to come to terms with what happened … I'm so sorry that I've hurt you. It wasn't my intention."

I heard Rose sigh on the other end. "Well at least we've gotten it all off our chest … for now." She allowed, chuckling. I knew I wasn't off the hook just yet, but for the moment she seemed to be appeased enough to let it go. "So, how are you?"

"I am good." I said. It was an understatement, of course. I was ecstatic, blissfully happy. But I knew now was not the time to tell my sister about my newfound happiness with the sleeping angel upstairs. "And you?" I asked in return.

"I'm fine." She answered, not sounding very convincing. It was easy to tell that she wasn't fine, far from it. Glad to hear from me, but definitely not fine. Something was up. I knew Rosalie pretty well, and it was easy to tell when she was hiding something from me. She never has been one to talk about feelings and stuff much at great length, but I've always been the one she confided in whenever she'd felt the need. Well, that was in the past.

"Are you still up in Denali?" I was fishing for information at this point.

"No, Emmett and I have left Alaska a couple of weeks ago. We are currently in honeymoon suite two." She said, using the nickname for their little cottage up in Canada. "And you are still in Forks." It was a statement, not a question.

"Yes. I am here with Peter and Char. Looks like we will be staying here a little time longer, packing up my stuff and tying up loose ends." I said.

"Tying up loose ends?" She pressed, sounding confused.

I chuckled under my breath. "Yeah … well, I might have lost my temper a little … when I'd discovered … hmmm … your absence … and I need to repair a few things I'd damaged in the process." I explained inadequately. It wasn't a complete lie though. I still planned to fix the damage on the wall. Before she could ask for any more details I quickly changed the subject. "How is the rest of the family doing?"

She snorted at my poor attempt to make small talk. "How do you think?" She sighed heavily. "Not good." She didn't need to elaborate. Those two words said enough. Of course I didn't expect another answer. In fact I was sort of glad as bad as it might sound that they all had a tough time. It would have been devastating to hear that they were all happy, now that I was gone.

But maybe it doesn't have anything to do with you … I reminded was a hard thing to consider, but it would explain why neither one of the others had tried to find me. I hardly needed Rose's verbal confirmation, not after the letter she'd left behind. Alice had never intended to get in touch with me. I had left my phone behind. It would have been an easy thing for her to get in touch with me through Peter. And she never did. And what was even worse, she'd apparently done everything to keep Rose and me apart as well. But why?

"Jasper." Rose called my name for the second time, finally pulling me out of my reverie. "What's wrong?"

"I just realized what a total bitch my wife is." I growled.

Rose sniggered. "Well, it took you long enough." I growled again at her taunting. "Sorry, Jasper, I didn't mean to upset you further … I'm sorry. I know it must hurt. But she's not worth it. the way she'd behaved lately … You deserve so much better."

"You sound just like Charlotte." I observed. Or Bella .Or Peter.

"Well, apparently I see eye to eye with her on more than one subject." She laughed. I was glad that she seemed to be more relaxed now, but I was a little miffed because she was sort of scolding me. I decided to let it go, for now.

"Who are you talking to?" I heard Emmett's voice inquiring loud and clearly, like he was just standing beside me.

"Jasper." Rose answered shortly, teasing him by sounding nonchalant.

"You're kidding?" Emmett sounded surprised but very excited at the same time. "Give me that phone."

Rose was never happy to be told what to do. I listened with a grin on my face to their short, but very familiar banter. But Emmett apparently was very persistent in his request, so she finally caved, and handed me over to my brother.

"Hey, bro. Where the fuck have you been hiding?" Emmett asked in the same tone that Rose had used before. Annoyance and hurt were evident in his tone of voice. Although he wasn't one to hold a grudge against anybody for a long time, I knew that it would take me some time to reconcile with him. He was a very sensitive person underneath all those muscles.

"I was staying with Peter and Charlotte in Arizona." I answered.

"Was? Where are you now?" He pressed.

"Forks." I said at the same time as Rose. I could hear the smile in her voice.

There was a short silence after that. "Mmmh. How long do you plan on staying there?" It was obvious that he had ulterior motives to ask me that.

"For a few more days …" I said, smiling. At least. I added in my mind. I already suspected what his next words would be.

"Good. Rose and I will be there to meet you by tomorrow morning … the latest. You better be there, or else." He threatened. I laughed in response, earning me a growl from both of them.

I quickly went to appease them. "Okay, chill guys. I promise I'll be here." As long as Bella was here, I would stay.

They both huffed in irritation. "Okay, I'll hold you to it. Until tomorrow then." Emmett said, adding in a softer voice, "I'm glad you are alright, bro. I've missed you." Then he hung up.

I was a little stunned at first by the sudden termination of the connection. But then again, everything important has been said, and we would have the opportunity to talk more the next day. I laughed quietly. I was relieved. The conversation went better than I'd expected. I knew they both were still angry with me to some extent, but on the whole they seemed to be more relieved and happy than actually angry. The only thing I was starting to get worried about was the one very important change in my life, I've kept from them. Bella.

I knew it was for the best that I'd kept this detail from them. It would be better to explain everything in person, having the advantage of using my gift if necessary, and having Peter and Charlotte there to act as a buffer. Sure, deep down, I was hoping for their approval, that they would be happy for the both of us. But knowing that Rose never really liked having Bella around in the first place, and considering the consequences of her involvement with Edward … well, I wouldn't be surprised if she didn't support our relationship, at least not in the beginning.

I could live with that, if I had to. There was nothing that could change my mind about Bella. She and I belonged together. End of story. Rose would be able to see that. And I knew that Emmett wouldn't be thrilled about the news either, as overly protective as he was of his little sister, but I hoped that that his joy of seeing her again would work into my favor.

There will be enough time to ponder over these things later … I told myself, making my way back upstairs.

I returned to Bella's room. I could see that she hasn't moved an inch, lying there half on her stomach, half on her side, still clutching the pillow tightly too her chest. She still had my shirt in a death grip, too. She was a picture of beauty. I joined her, spooning her from behind this time. I stayed in that position until I could hear her father's alarm clock go off.

According to his set of emotions, he must have slept really well. He was cheerful. For a moment I wondered if he'd suffered as much as Bella. Probably. I didn't know if he would check up on Bella or not, but I didn't want to take any risk of being caught in his daughter's bed. Shirtless to boot. I swiftly moved, hiding in her closet. I felt like an idiot, or a normal human teen. Everything in here smelled of fresh powder and Bella.

I knew that Charlie hasn't been very fond of Edward, especially after the whole incident with James. Would he treat me the same, just because I was Edward's brother? I hoped that I could convince him otherwise. Knowing that I could be very charming, I doubted that I would fail in my attempt to prove my worth. But I didn't want to use any of my vampiric abilities. I wanted to earn his trust the honest way, just like I'd done with Bella.

It's the only way … Time will tell …

After taking a short shower, I could hear Charlie making his way downstairs. I returned to Bella's side, listening to her father rummaging down in the kitchen. Half an hour later he finally left the house. It was now five thirty. I knew that Bella would have to get up in an hour.

Enough time to go downstairs into the kitchen and make her a nice breakfast.

I went downstairs without making any sound. I quickly checked the contents of the fridge. How hard could it be to make some scrambled eggs or pancakes and brew some coffee?

A/N Well, what do you know, a little family reunion is on its way. Curious how Rosalie and Emmett will react to Bella's presence and not to mention her blooming relationship with Jasper?