**Edited**
My Paper Heart
Chapter 11
The past two months have been pretty good.
Jasper and I have talked on the phone twice, shortly, but at least I got to hear his voice and then we were able to Skype once.
I was finally able to get an address out of him so I could mail him a care package. He asked if I'd make it a big one so he could share and I agreed. He also made me swear to put in my peanut butter cookies, which was funny, because his favorites were snickerdoodles, like my brother.
I shrugged and made a ton of cookies, packed all the extras he'd asked for, such as mints, beef
jerky, hard candies and any sports and car magazines I could find.
That part was easy, I just asked Emmett for his old ones.
I only had a month left until my due date and I was miserable.
Peeing every five minutes was a pain in my ass, swollen ankles, not being able to eat more than a few bites at a time and my severe mood swings, I was driving myself crazy. It was probably good Jasper wasn't here.
My dad and Sue were coming down to spend some time with me my dad was staying for the weekend and would be back when it was time for the babies, Sue was staying with me the entire time to help me out.
"Bells, we're on our way. We've just got to stop and pick up a few things." my dad called before they left the house.
"OK, don't be too long though you know Rose gets antsy when we go out to eat too late." I laughed.
"We won't be late and if we run into traffic, Rose and Emmett will come to get you and we'll meet you at the restaurant." my dad sighed.
"OK. I'll see y'all soon. Give Sue my love." I smiled into the phone.
"Will do." he ended with his signature send off.
I took a nap for a couple of hours before getting up to get dressed.
After my nap I decided a shower would wake me up from how tired I'd been feeling.
I dressed in a long flowing maxi dress with flowered print, let my hair hang loose and slipped on
some sandals. I left my face make up free because it was just too much of a hassle.
Rose and Emmett showed up to get me and I wasn't surprised.
"So Sue and dad are running late?" I laughed when Emmett knocked on my door.
"Yeah, the package they had to pick up wasn't ready." he shrugged.
"Figures, Sue is always running late." We both laughed and I locked up the house.
I hugged Rose as I climbed into their Expedition.
"Look at you. You look wonderful!" Rose squealed.
"Thanks. Where's the little one?" I asked.
"My parents surprised us and took her for the weekend." Rose was bouncing.
"Nice! So a baby free weekend. I know you've got to be happy." I smiled.
"Yes, we can sleep!" Emmett groaned.
I laughed until I snorted. "I thought you two would be all about the sex."
"Just wait until those two come out, you'll never sleep again." Emmett snorted too and Rose nodded.
I fell silent.
"Shit. I didn't mean to make you sad. I know it'll be hard without Jasper around for a little while." Emmett sighed.
"No, it's OK. I was actually just imagining how I'm going to manage the breastfeeding. I mean with twins." I shook my head.
"I don't need to hear about your breasts, sis!" Emmett shook his head.
We arrived at the restaurant and lucky enough Rose made reservations, we were seated right away.
We ordered our drinks and some appetizers so they'd be there by the time my dad and Sue arrived. We were talking and laughing when they finally showed up, my dad leaned down to kiss my cheek.
"Dad? Did you shave?" I asked in shock, only to look up and see Jasper standing before me.
"This is the package?" I looked to Sue and my dad who had sat down and they nodded.
I couldn't believe Jasper was standing in front of me.
Jumping up from my seat, as gracefully as possible with my large belly I squealed and hugged him.
"Whoa, careful." he chuckled and that's when I noticed he had a cane.
"What? What happened?" I was panicking.
"I was shot and I'm going to be OK. I'm just on medical leave right now and after I'm reevaluated, I can hopefully go back." he smiled.
"What?" I shrieked.
"Shhh… We don't want to do this now, tonight when we get home." he caressed my face and then my belly and smiled.
"OK." I nodded and we sat down, enjoying our meals and listening to what Jasper could tell us. "Mom and I are staying in a hotel tonight, don't argue, we've already paid for the honeymoon suite." my dad smiled and mom giggled. "UGH! I need brain bleach now." Emmett joked.
Dinner was great, we all planned to meet tomorrow afternoon for lunch before my dad drove back home.
Mom was going to stay with Rose and Emmett for a few days so Jasper and I could have some quality time.
"Look at you. You look radiant." Jasper kissed me softly as soon as the door closed to our house.
"Thank you. I've missed you so much." I hugged him tightly and started to cry.
"Hey, no tears. I'm back, for now." He kissed my forehead.
"I know, there's so much to talk about though." I whispered.
"Later, please. Let me just make love to you tonight." he hugged me.
"Jasper, I'm not exactly in shape to be having sex." I shook my head and tried to push away. "My body looks nothing like it did when you left. It's fat and got stretch marks. It's not pretty." He still held on tight.
"Bella, you'll always be beautiful to me." he pulled me towards our bedroom.
And he did, he made love to me, awkwardly, but we figured it out.
"Bella, I want us to get married while I'm back. Sue and Rose are going to start planning everything, just us… Family." he kissed me softly with his hand on my stomach.
"Yes, as soon as possible." I laid my head on his chest.
"So, can I talk a little without you getting pissed off?" he asked.
I sat up with him and promised to listen.
"So, going in and starting bootcamp, I thought I had a handle on everything and was prepared for anything, or so I thought. Arriving and picking my bunk was easy, most were already taken, so I picked a bottom and started unpacking. Then I hear his voice before I even see him. No one other than Edward Cullen. He was standing there and of course spotted me. "Jasper
Whitlock, wow!" He'd smiled and held out his hand for me to shake. Instead, I punched the shit out of him. NOT the way to start my first day of bootcamp. Because of our differences, we were partnered up, so he was my bunk mate and partner for everything. We fought constantly and ended up cleaning every square inch of our bunks. He kept trying to talk to me and apologize for everything he'd done. I just grew angrier and angrier. When we had our last blowout, they pulled us aside and finally asked what our problem was. We explained and the Corporal just laughed. "You're going to not forgive him? What if he has to save your life on the battlefield? Do you think your fiance will care who saved your life?" He asked seriously and I shook my head. After that we got along, a little better and I accepted his apology. He must have learned something at military school, because I honestly believe he was sincere. He was happy for us when I told him you were pregnant again, he made me promise to take care of you and this baby. He truly regrets your loss as well." Jasper hugged me close.
"So we got shipped out and we weren't there long as you know. This happened shortly after our last call." he pointed to the bullet wound.
"We were doing a routine check and all of a sudden we encountered enemy fire, our Humvee flipped and we were exposed, Edward's shouting in the comm, our location and the rest of us returning fire. We had to move, and as soon as I get up, they get my leg. Edward risks his life to pull me to safety, we were al most in the clear and then he takes one in the shoulder. With one arm, he still pulled me to safety, after what seemed like forever, we were rescued. We were the only two shot and Edward is actually home now too. He'll um, he'll be there tomorrow." Jasper looked at me with uncertainty.
We were both quiet for a few minutes and looking into each others eyes.
I may have tackled Jasper and had my way with him, hopefully that told him how I felt.
The next afternoon at lunch I was waiting nervously for Edward and his family.
Jasper kept trying to calm me down, but it was no use.
When they walked through the door, I saw my dad grimace, Sue smacked him and told him to behave.
"He only wants to be close to Bella again." he grumbled.
"Dad, please. He saved Jasper's life." I tried not to cry thinking about it.
"Charlie, please." Sue hushed him with a pat to the arm.
I stood up and walked over to Edward, embracing him with a hug.
"Thank you. I know you didn't have to save him. I'm so grateful you did." I kissed his cheek. "I did what any decent person would do. I've learned my lesson about being an ass." he smiled softly at me.
"Just, thank you." I gestured for them to sit down.
We had a great lunch, talking about their time together and filling them in on my pregnancy.
"Bella, are you feeling OK? You look flushed." Carlisle observed.
"I've just been tired a lot and now with Jasper here, I'm more relaxed." I assured him.
"OK. Just making sure. Call if you need anything." he smiled at me.
"Thank you Carlisle." I squeezed his hand.
After lunch Jasper and Edward made plans to have a cookout.
"Is that OK with you babe?" Jasper asked.
"Yeah, sounds good. We can invite all our friends." We planned it for the weekend.
"Let's stop by the store on the way home and get what we need tonight, that way we can stay home and relax tomorrow." Jasper suggested.
"Well, I have a doctor's appointment tomorrow anyway, so it doesn't matter either way" I shrugged.
"You do?" Jasper beamed.
"I do." I smiled.
"OK. Let's go home and celebrate and screw the store." Jasper practically pulled me out after saying a quick goodbye to everyone and saying he'd see them all this weekend.
"Babe, you're going to hurt yourself." I reminded him.
"Bells, I'm not an invalid. I'm just wounded. Please." he gave me a pleading look.
I nodded and kissed him softly.
We made love again that night and the next day at my doctors appointment my doctor told me I needed to take it easy with the 'physical activity' or the little guys were going to come very soon.
Jasper laughed a little harder than he should and I blushed.
The doctor said everything else was good and just urged me to relax and was happy to finally meet Jasper.
After the appointment we went to the store and bought what we need for the cookout.
Then we were relaxing the rest of the day and ordering pizza tonight and watching movies.
Saturday found me in the kitchen baking cookies at 5am because I couldn't sleep.
"Bella, what are you doing?" Jasper walked downstairs around 7am.
"Baking. I couldn't sleep." I shrugged. "I've already made chocolate chip cookies and sugar cookies. I'm working on snickerdoodles now and then peanut butter next. Should I make some pies or a cake?" I asked.
"I think the 40 dozen cookies here are going to be enough." Jasper laughed.
"Trust me, I've done this a million times during my pregnancy." I assured him.
"But you're supposed to be relaxing. That's what the doctor said." he argued.
"This relaxes me." I smiled and kissed him.
"OK, if you say so." he relented and sat at the table as I finished the cookies and he ate some cereal.
After we showered together and finished setting the house up for the cookout. Edward arrived first.
He had several coolers in his truck with drinks and platters of fruit, cheese, crackers and veggies as well as several chips and dips.
"Are you sure there was nothing else I could bring?" he asked.
"Nope, we got all the meats and I made all the desserts this morning. Sue is making the salads and that should about do it." I shrugged. Everyone arrived and we had a great time.
They all loved the nursery, even though it was tiny.
"After we're married I want to buy us a bigger place." Jasper squeezed me tight.
"This is fine for now. I don't know how I'd keep up something bigger clean, while chasing around the little ones anyways." I laughed.
"We'll talk about it." I hushed him with a kiss.
Most people had left it was just my parents, Edward and his family and of course Jasper and I sitting around talking.
Sue and I went in to get more pie for everyone as we were sitting out on the back deck talking and relaxing.
Walking back out to the table, I had a horrible pain rip through my stomach, causing me to drop everything. Plates shattered to the ground, I fell to my knees and everyone came running when they heard Sue screaming.
"Shit! Bella, are you OK?" Jasper came hobbling in.
"No, I think the babies are coming." I started crying.
"Everyone back up." Carlisle shouted.
"Bella. I need you to relax. Let me check you out." Sue placed my head on her lap and he instructed my dad to go get the car ready and for Jasper to go get the bags.
"OK, Bella, I'm going to carry you to the car. I don't want you walking, it looks like you twisted your ankle when you fell." he chuckled.
"I'll drive Sue, Edward and myself." Esme smiled softly.
My dad drove like a bat out of hell to the hospital as Carlisle helped me breathe, since I was on the verge of a panic attack.
Once at the hospital there were nurses and doctors waiting with the gurney for me to rush me up to maternity.
Jasper, Carlisle and I went up first, the rest followed.
They rushed me in for my c section and when I woke up Jasper and my dad were standing there holding my boys. Harrison and Hudson. They were both perfectly healthy, just tiny and bald. They had little beanies on their heads and were bundled in their blankets.
"Would you like to hold Hudson?" my dad asked.
"How can we tell them apart?" I asked.
"Hudson has your birthmark on his knee, see." my dad unwrapped his little body and showed me his knee.
"Oh my goodness, that's the cutest thing." I kissed his birthmark and a little smile graced his face.
I took him in my arms and swaddled him up and then snuggled him.
"Jasper, they're perfect." I started crying.
"I know. Thank you." he leaned over and kissed me. "Rose and Emmett were here, but didn't want to bother you. They'll be back later." he nuzzled Harrison.
"We'll let you all be for a little bit." Sue and dad smiled as Sue snapped a few pictures.
"Thanks Sue." I smiled and kissed her cheek before they left.
"Here. they're asleep. Let me put them in the bed so we can rest." Jasper sighed.
"No, I want to snuggle them." I smiled.
"Bells, come on." he sighed.
"Fine." I handed over Hudson and moved over so he could crawl into bed with me.
Our nap was short lived though. The evil nurses were in two hours later and woke us all up. The good news was we got to go home the next day and we would be able to sleep as much as we wanted without the nurses waking us every two hours.
My Sue and Rose helped me get settled once we arrived home.
Jasper, Emmett and my dad had the boys getting them settled.
Our house was a flurry of activity for the first few weeks and the boys actually had a wonderful sleep schedule. Jasper and I were actually able to get some sleep as well.
Sue was leaving this week and we were planning to all go out to dinner when dad came down to get her. This would be our first outing besides our doctors appointments with the little guys, so we were excited.
Sue and I dressed them and Jasper and dad put them into our SUV and we were off.
Everyone was there and took turns holding the baby while we ate.
The boys were great during dinner, of course we went during their 'nap' time so that was a huge help as well.
Sue and dad left Sunday morning after I made them breakfast and they had snuggle time with the babies.
Sue was a crying mess and I saw dad tear up too.
"I'll come back down in a couple of weeks, OK? You and Jasper can have a day to yourselves." Sue winked.
"Thanks Sue." we laughed.
After they were gone we each took a baby and snuggled on the couch.
"I can't believe how lucky I am. I've found the way back to the love of my life, she gave me two beautiful boys and we've got our entire lives ahead of us." Jasper leaned over to kiss me. "And when you're all healed, we're going to get married and go away just for the weekend, to celebrate before I get deployed again. I want everything official for my wonderful family." he smiled a goofy smile.
"I'm just so glad you were here for all of this. Maybe it was fate that you got shot. I don't know, but whatever it was, I'm glad you're here now." I put my head on his shoulder as we held our babies while they slept.
AN:
I hope this chapter was worth the wait…
Next chapter is the wedding and then it jumps a little bit forward…
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