Garrett

Charlotte and Heidi have arrived one week ahead of the guys, which means only one thing! Yup, they knew the full story and how deep her fears and worries were. I don't understand what they were all playing at, tormenting and taunting a human girl! Is that how far the Cullen children had fallen, that they would do that? Yes it was, and I included the Major in that because they all behaved like children, worse they acted like human children! This is the reason I never joined a coven of any type, too many chances for others to interfere where they had no business. Also this obsession with being involved in the lives of humans, yes I taught occasionally. But under no circumstances was I ever buddy-buddy with them! That's a recipe for disaster, one just waiting to happen to my mind.

Small interactions are unavoidable; they cover the planet's surface after all, but never making close friendships with them. But don't think I would never have met Liberty, because she would have married Eddie boy and been changed. Then she would have kicked his ass and ripped him apart before leaving in search of her mate, me! Would he have ever bedded her? I doubt it since he kept putting it off all the time. Like first it was for marriage, next it would have been only after her change and since they weren't mates he would never have gotten to first base. That's if the idiot even wanted to and I'm not sure he ever did! I'm not saying he's not into women, I think he's non-sexual. I am convinced he just has no interest in sex with anyone, not even if only to relieve himself.

Poor guy, he doesn't know what he's missing, or maybe he thinks he does. Because he hears about it all the time! Unfortunately listening to the minds of teenage boys and girls does not show the true representation of what sex as an adult man or woman can be. Nowhere in their infantile minds is the depth of feeling we have, the joy felt in the sharing, the eagerness to bond and the overwhelming gratitude from loving and being loved in return. Well, enough about that pathetic boy and back to the matter at hand, my beautiful mate. I'm going to do what any sensible male vampire would do, leave it up to the women to help her now. So after greeting them, I head to my office to check on the order of all the supplies for our new house. It's a hell of a lot, but it will take us very little time to build, so we need it all to be there when it's needed.

Charlotte

This has been a long time comin', I feel guilty that I didn't push for it earlier. Over the years I'd castigated the Major over and over, but he just didn't see it. All he could see from a man's point of view was the insult to her, that night when the shit hit the fan! But it was just the straw that broke the camel's back for Bell, not the root cause of the problem. It was Heidi who finally got through to him by usin' her gift on him for one lousy week, not four goddamn years! Granted he hadn't made her do his biddin' all that time or she would have slept with him for sure. But he understands now how it feels from the other side, to be made to do things you don't want or mean to do. It was obvious when it hit him, you could see him literally and figuratively emotionally fold in on himself and he was so silent, Heidi was genuinely scared for him.

He just stood there for three days before he walked away, head hangin' in defeat. As she went after him, Peter shook his head. We heard his reaction clearly as he tore the forest apart and his cry of sheer anguish that followed and had us all on our knees. He knew he had never done that kind of thing to her, but now he understood that she did not. That her own human insecurities had come across the change with her because of him and he was horrified. Because if anyone should have known how she would react it was him and only him! He now knew livin' like and with the Cullens had made him a weak, pathetic and selfish man! He had gone from one extreme to the other; Alice had done him no favours takin' him to the Cullens all that time ago.

Not that she's the only one to blame, but why didn't Carlisle see what he needed was not to be treated like a child or sent to school. He needed help; he needed emotional support and guidance to overcome his conditionin' by Maria. They made him push it all down inside of him, to pretend it never happened. Jesus! He was a doctor, how could he not see. But, then he could never see over Edward's ego to notice the others needed more help than him. So the Major did what they wanted and reduced himself to a naughty child who was never stopped. I'm not makin' excuses for him, but what most vampires need is to see a goddamn psychiatrist! I don't have the temperament for it, but I know a girl who does, Bell. She should seriously think about it, maybe it would help her as well.

Why, because I know it was her and not Andreas who wiped Alice's mind. It scared me for a little while, but Peter assured me that this weapon was in the safest of hands. Bell would never use it except as a last resort and I know he's right. After all, she could easily have done it to all the Cullen children but hasn't.

Heidi

I have never felt this way before, I'm ashamed. Not for myself but because of something my mate has done and I can barely look Isabella in the eye. This saddens me because she is one of the very few that cannot feel my gift when I do!

"Heidi, look at me, please. You have done nothing wrong to me. I don't want to lose your friendship, because of something Jasper did years ago" she says, almost reading my mind,

"Grazie Isabella, mi dispiace tanto. La tua amicizia significa molto anche per me" (Thank you, Isabella, I am so sorry. Your friendship means a lot to me too) I reply reverting to Italian due to being nervous,

"Heidi, sono Bella. Oppure mi chiamano Bell come Peter e Char" (Heidi, It's Bella. Or Bell like Peter and Char call me) she replies smiling,

"Thank you Bell, I have two things for you from Il Maggiore (The Major). He now finally understands why you dislike him and is devastated" I explain while handing over the letter and box,

She took them gingerly as if they might bite her and I was so sad for her and angry with him for not realising how much he hurt her. Maybe if they hadn't been her formative years she could have seen the truth, but for a shy, insecure girl she had no real frame of reference to use. I only hope this time she sees and knows he is sorry.

Bella

I know both of them saw me flinch when she handed over the things from Jasper. I feel stupid for allowing something so silly to get to me. I was a little confused why the box was wrapped in Christmas paper, but maybe his letter will explain that. I put them both aside to look at later when just Garrett and I were together. Some things are not meant to be done with an audience after all. We were all happy to put it all to one side or now and talk about the house. They love my ideas and the crowning glory that is my dome. I explained who would be going where and how we might change the layout later after the Tournament was over and of course, remove this house. Because nobody needs two houses, well I don't anyway. Char got all excited and asked if she and Peter could have it for one of their places that only had a cabin at present as she really loves this place.

I shouted for Garrett and he agreed that would be fine and when it came time to take it down they could do it together, carefully. Now we were getting down to colours and I said no white, all the suites would have a predominant colour scheme. I was thinking along the lines of green, yellow, brown and wine, but no pink and no insipid blues, but a strong vibrant one. The ground floor would be all earthy tones and natural elements to blend in with the inner courtyard vibe. Our room would be the hardest, but I was thinking to flip it around and have pastels on the walls and the accessories be strong and vibrant. But mainly I wanted the furniture we already had to be the standout in our space. We calculated how much furniture we would need elsewhere and set to ordering some of it online.

Tomorrow we would go shopping so Char and Heidi could pick their own as they would be the most frequent visitors. I know Esme might have liked to be involved, but I wanted this to be my choice since it's my new home. I love her dearly, but she tends to take over and railroad you, if you let her when it comes to decorating. By the end of the day, we had made quite a bit of progress and the girls went off to hunt leaving Garrett and me alone. I retrieved the box and the letter and sat beside him with them on my lap.

"What you got there Liberty? It's a bit early for a Christmas present isn't it?" he asked smiling at me,

"They're from Jasper; I don't understand the present yet. I guess the letter will tell me!" I muttered nervously,

"Do you want to read it alone or do you want me to read it to you? I'm here for you and you alone, no matter what" Garrett quizzed me calmly and I relaxed,

"Will you read it to me, but while holding me too" I reply worming my way onto his lap,

"Of course, are you ready sweetheart?" he says holding me firmly and I nod once,

'Dear Isabella,

I won't say my dearest because I forfeited that right long ago. Bein' a man and nowhere near as clever as I always thought I was. I have just learned the true nature of your dislike for me and I was and am horrified and devastated. Horrified that I now see I treated you as callously as I did the others, except Carlisle and Esme. Devastated that you would believe I would stoop so low as to actually try like Alice and Edward to control your every move! I can understand it, but it still hurts that my own actions have made you feel so ill towards me.

I now see why you refuse to let me feel one solitary emotion from you, not even your disdain or dislike. So for what it's worth I am so very sorry and am endeavourin' to find a way to convince you I am not quite the villain you have perceived me to be. I spend three days doin' nothin' but relivin' the years we knew each other while you were with Edward. Yes, I boosted your confidence whilst at the Forks house; you were so shy and timid back then. Your emotions were so pure and gentle and a balm to my beleaguered soul. But never did I make you do anythin' that was not already in your emotional make-up.

Did I hate that you wanted to waste such a precious gift on that stupid child, yes, of course, I did. Was I jealous of him, yes I can admit that too, but it was not until we were in college and you were an adult that I used your own sexual emotions against you. Not in a harmful way, but I was punishin' you both. You for bein' so optimistic and blind to Edward's real intentions and Edward only to see him squirm as you tried to break what you thought was his resolve. In all the years I've known him, not once has he become aroused by any person, female or male!

So yes I made you constantly horny and yes I hoped you would eventually turn to me for relief from it. But that was all I did, increasin' what was already there. You were the only normal one in that godforsaken hell-hole of a house, plus you had no agenda, except to bed Edward. When it came to the bitchiness and jealousy of Rose and the sheer nosiness and interference of Alice, yes I kept you unnaturally calm, for my own sanity I'll admit. I tamped down your anger for my own peace of mind, so as not to break the status quo and for that I am sorry. I should have let you rip them a new one, but I didn't want you to rock the boat back then.

But please believe me that's it, I did nothin' else to you or against you. Because I was too busy protectin' you from the two witches vicious and at times nasty tendencies and stoppin' Eddie-boy eatin' you on a daily basis! It was a tedious and tirin' full-time job, but I'm not tellin' you this for sympathy or thanks. So that is my truth, whether you believe it or not is up to you. I am though searchin' America with Peter for Charles and Makenna. He is a vampire lie detector and I know you met them at the last Tournament, I will in front of him tell you all of this again and apologise once more.

I am not askin' for your forgiveness, because I have no right to it. But I have sent you a Christmas gift and if you can find it in your heart to eventually accept my apology, and maybe wear them as a sign you no longer hate me. Then I will be happy with that because in my heart you were my sister. I should have known better and I deserve your ire for my behaviour that night. But you back then were and still are now a very beautiful woman; it's only you who doesn't see it.

Yours in sincere humility,

Jasper Whitlock

I was flabbergasted; he kept Edward from attacking me daily, as in every day! He stopped Alice and Rosalie's nastiness against me as well! Can I truly believe he never made me do things I didn't want?

"You do realise Liberty, if he had wanted to, he could have very easily made you go to him? But he didn't, he wanted you to want him, back then and for that, I am truly thankful.

Why don't we talk to Heidi and Char, and find out from them what made him see the light? He's also right about Charles, if anyone can prove that he's telling the truth it's him or Maggie from Ireland" Garrett said calmly stroking my hair and back,

I was stunned, I was confused and I was beginning to think I was punishing Jasper for everyone's wrongdoings! Was that what I was doing? His gift was the only one I'd never blocked subconsciously and now I did constantly. Was I using the only weapon I had against him in particular because I was angry with them all? Yes, I'd dealt with Alice, but I received no satisfaction or apology. Yes, I'd kicked Edward's butt, but he still had not admitted his wrongs, and neither had Rosalie. Only Emmett had done that and I forgave him, he had been conned by all of them too. But I had spent twenty-odd years hating Jasper for what? Finding me sexually attractive! Because to him, that's what it looked like until he learned the truth. I'm so confused, Garrett's right we needed to speak to Heidi and Char.

Garrett

This revelation has shaken Liberty badly and I can see she's being pulled in two directions. Does she believe him and realise how wrong she was, blaming him for something he never did? Does she continue to think she was right and end up destroying her relationships with Heidi, Char and Peter? Because that will happen if what he's saying is the real truth. What a cluster-fuck, one that should never have been allowed to happen and sorry to say that's Carlisle's fault for believing his coven were capable of being adults! Yes, Charles is the only one who can help us now, we need the truth and we need everyone to be forced to speak their truths too. By that I mean Edward and Rose as well, Jesus, this just gets worse and worse. Well, the Major first and then the other two at the Tournament I think.

The girls appeared moments later and I guessed Peter had given them the heads-up that we wanted to talk. I took point for the discussion because Liberty was all over the place. I could see her swinging from sure and right justification to guilt and back again.

"Ladies, this can of worms just keeps getting bigger and bigger. So, please tell us what made the Major see the light and we'll go from there" I say and it all spills out,

How Char had felt guilty for so many years, not being able to get him to see what she saw. How Peter and her had forced him to tell Heidi everything. How Heidi had reacted as badly as Char had, realising the depth of the hurt Liberty felt. What she did to the Major for only one week and then explained to him how Liberty felt. Even knowing he hadn't done that, he now knew she didn't know it! That was when he just froze in place for three whole days scaring the crap out of his mate and then his blowout and tortured response. Liberty listened carefully and knew both women had tried to get a woman's point of view over. From Char, she learned that even Peter had tried to explain it, but he didn't really have all the facts. Finally how Heidi had managed to get through the point by using her own gift on him.

How she told him that Liberty had trusted him, never blocking him although she did the others even as a human. But now she thought and felt betrayed by him, that he might have manipulated her for his and their entertainment!

"I think I've been punishing him for everyone's part of the whole debacle. I need the truth, the whole truth from them all" Liberty mumbled and the girls hugged her in support,

I outlined my idea, to deal with the Major first with Charles' help and then Rose and Edward at the Tournament, again with his help. Now we just had to await the arrival of the two Whitlock males and Charles and Makenna.