A/N: Y'all are so kind-hearted. Comments here and on AO3 mentioned Demetri's future prospects because of his mate. Rest assured, Demetri will get his very own happily ever after. I've actually already written it in the epilogue, lol.

Olive Branches

When Jasper, Bella, Peter, and Charlotte climbed the steps up from the lawn, Jasper was surprised by Marcus Volturi standing and walking to meet him.

Marcus put a hand on his arm and focused on letting Jasper feel all his gratitude. Jasper flinched a little, making one of the wolves laugh. Marcus turned to her in confusion.

"A little goes a long way, sir," Leah smiled.

Marcus turned back to the empath with a frown. "My apologies. I simply wanted to extend you my gratitude for what you just did for our friend," he said sincerely. "You're a good man, Jasper Whitlock."

Jasper smiled and ducked his head a little as he set Bella on her feet. "Thank you, sir. I appreciate that," he said quietly, knowing he'd be blushing if he could.

And just like so many times before, Alice knew it, too. She hopped up on her seat and then jumped on Jasper, latching onto him with one arm wrapped around his neck so she could ruffle his hair. "He's pretty great, huh?" she laughed.

Jasper shook his head as he easily plucked her off. "Cannonball, Ali," he laughed, and she quickly pulled her arms and legs in to tuck herself into a ball. "Heads up, Morgan," he called as he gently tossed Alice to her mate, giggles erupting out of her as a very startled Morgan caught the tiny pixie.

Jasper and Bella went to sit beside the wolves, and Peter and Charlotte sat on the ground beside them.

"That was a kind thing you did for them, Jasper," Esme smiled at him.

Jasper shrugged uncomfortably. "I did it for Demetri, honestly. Edward can wallow in all his self-loathing misery for all I care, but Demetri shouldn't have to suffer just because his mate's a close-minded asshole," he said, then looked at the kings. "I'd say I'm sorry for my language, but I'd be lying. He is what he is."

Jacob was looking at the kings curiously and then nudged Jasper. "Which one's Aro?" he asked quietly, not that it did much good in this group.

"I am," Aro answered with a small smile. Aro had been curious about the shifters but he could see how uncomfortable they were around so many of his kind, and strangers no less, so he'd let them be. "You are Jacob Black? The one who revealed his secret to Isabella's father?"

"I didn't do it intentionally," Jacob defended himself.

"I wasn't saying that with any judgment, Mr. Black. Merely stating the fact as I understand it," Aro assured him. He couldn't deny he was intrigued by the friendship Jasper and Alice shared with their mortal enemy. Marcus had briefly touched his hand to show him the strong bonds of friendship and love between the two wolves and two vampires. It wouldn't do to antagonize one of them needlessly.

"You're the one who's a telepath?" Jacob asked curiously. "Like Edward?"

"I am a telepath, yes, but my gift works differently to his. As is true with most vampire gifts. I need touch to read your mind, but where young Mr. Cullen can only read the current, surface thought in someone's mind, I can read every thought you've ever had," Aro explained.

"Whoa," Leah and Jacob breathed at the same time, making Leah scrunch up her nose at him and jab an elbow into his ribs. "You owe me a Coke," she muttered under her breath, making Bella laugh. The vamps were all way too old to get it.

"That's intense. What do you do with all that information?" Leah asked Aro.

"Most of it I do nothing with," Aro smiled at the wolf. "Much of what I've read over the course of my life is simply stored away somewhere in the back of my mind, never to be thought of again until a time it might be relevant. With the Whitlocks, for example," he said, gesturing at Jasper, Peter, and Charlotte. Seeing them all looking at him a little warily, he smiled at them. "I am merely using you as an example for your friend. I have heard your names and seen your faces in many thoughts through the years. When I knew my brothers and I would be coming here and all three would be present, I pulled up any information I've learned of them thus far."

"That's…" Peter shook his head, not sure how to finish that thought.

"I believe 'creepy' is the word you're looking for," a dry voice said.

Aro glared at his brother while fighting a smile, and Peter barked a laugh. "Yes, Caius, thank you. Creepy fits."

"Can I ask a question?" Bella asked curiously, head tipped to the side as she looked at the kings, who all nodded their agreement. "You guys are way different than you were when I was in Volterra. Like way different."

When Bella stopped there, Jasper laughed. "That's not a question, sweetheart. I think Forks High might need to reassess their academic rigor if they awarded you a diploma."

"You know what, Whitlock?" Bella said while poking him in the side and trying to hide her smile. "It's nerve-racking talking to royalty, alright?"

"Bella," Emmett laughed. "I hate to point out the obvious, but of all the Whitlocks and Cullens, with the exception of Carlisle, you have the most experience talking to royalty of anyone sitting here."

Bella raised a finger in the air, fighting a laugh. "First of all, Emmett, I beg to differ. You love pointing out the obvious. It's your specialty. And two," she said, putting her nose in the air and affecting a truly terrible British accent. "It's not my fault I'm of such higher social standing than you plebeians," she said arrogantly. It was totally ineffectual, though, because she started giggling halfway through the sentence.

Emmett got up from his chair and started stalking towards her. "Oh really? That's not a nice thing to say about your family, Bella. The people who love you," he growled playfully.

Bella tried to duck behind Jasper but he just crossed his arms. "Don't look to this commoner to protect you, little miss society snob."

"Ah! Jasper!" Bella laughed as Emmett lunged for her and threw her over his shoulder. "Help!"

"Sorry, sweetheart. You dug your own grave on this one. It sure was fun while it lasted, though. I'll never forget you!" he called as Emmett took off running for the river, Bella's bright laughter trailing behind them.

"Is he going to throw her in the—" Esme cut herself off as Emmett gently tossed Bella in the river. "Yes he is," she laughed.

Bella's head popped out of the water, her hair a tangled mess over her face. "Not cool, Emmett! How will I ever impress my kings now?" she sputtered as she tried to shove the hair out of her eyes.

The Volturi kings all chuckled at that. "Your mate has changed since she was in Volterra," Caius said to Jasper. "She's more confident and her happiness practically spills over."

"I'd like to point out, respectfully of course, that when you met her she was scared for not only her own safety, but the safety of her best friend. She was standing in a castle literally surrounded by vampires she didn't know and who she assumed weren't all that predisposed to be friendly to her or Alice, considering why they were there. Confidence and happiness were in short supply that day," Jasper said, not impolitely.

"I can attest to what Caius means. I saw her in both Edward and Alice's memories," Aro said. "She truly has changed a great deal."

"That's what being with one's soulmate does for a person," Carlisle said, smiling at Jasper. "It wakes us up, brings us to life. We've been privileged enough to watch that happen for both Bella and Jasper. After all the darkness Jasper had to endure, he deserves every bit of Bella's light. Just like the light Jasper shone on Bella was exactly what she needed to grow into the confident young woman she is."

Aro smiled softly. "It is a beautiful thing."

Jasper gave Carlisle a brilliant smile when his words triggered a memory. "Carlisle, you genius…" he trailed off when he caught sight of his bear of a brother. "Oh damn," he muttered. "Anyone have a towel? Emmett is too fuckin' predictable," he shook his head as Peter laughed and tossed him one folded on the chair behind him.

"Emmett, give—" Jasper was cut off when his brother flew up the stairs and dropped a dripping wet Bella in his lap, both of them laughing. Jasper chuckled as he maneuvered his mate so he could wrap the towel around her.

"If she has bruises tomorrow, I'm holding you responsible, mister," Alice said with a playful glare at Emmett.

Bella waved Alice off. "I always have bruises. And Emmett's great with computers, he can just airbrush them out or whatever."

Jasper barked a laugh. "Emmett can't airbrush my eyes and my memories, sweetheart. I'd like to marry you without seeing black and blue marks."

Bella twisted herself around to look at a red spot near the back of her shoulder. "It might be too late for that."

This time it was Jasper's turn to wave his hand in dismissal. "That doesn't count, I can't see that when you're facing me. As long as you look pretty from the front," he shrugged.

Rosalie laughed and took a cushion from behind her and threw it at her brother's face. He, of course, ducked and shielded his mate. "You're such a little shit."

"And you love me for it," he laughed. "Why else would you let me be a Hale twin sometimes?"

Alice snorted a laugh. "Because you're the two most likely to kill first, don't ask questions ever."

Jasper and Rosalie both laughed at that. "Someone needs to be a little vicious in this family," Rosalie shrugged and then tossed her perfect blond hair over her shoulder. "Might as well be the two best looking."

"Y'all are weird," Caius muttered, then winked at Bella when she burst out laughing.

"Thank you, Caius," she giggled. "You have my eternal devotion."

"Anything I need to worry about, sweetheart?" Jasper laughed. "I'd like to think I'm the only one who you'll be eternally devoted to."

"Aw, you are, Jas," she smiled and rested her head on his shoulder. "You're the only future Mr. Isabella Whitlock-Swan."

"Y'all are hyphenating?" Charlotte asked with a bright smile.

"Did I not tell you that?" he asked, and the Cullens and Whitlocks all shook their heads. "Well, we are. I belong to her just as surely as she belongs to me," he shrugged and kissed his soulmate's hand.

"Thanks a lot, Jas. You're setting the bar a little high for the rest of us. Am I going to have to become McCarty-Hale?" Emmett teased. On seeing his mate's raised eyebrow, he was quick to lean in and kiss her and then beam that dimpled grin her way. "Which would be an honor, is what I meant to say."

Rosalie laughed and patted his thigh, while the others smiled at the pair.

Aro Volturi looked at his old friend, who was smiling as he watched his family tease each other and laugh. He'd been skeptical that the life Carlisle had been searching for when he'd come to Volterra all those centuries ago was a possibility for one such as them, but seeing the happiness on Carlisle's face, he was glad his friend had left Italy to find it for himself.

Seeing the ease and joy in Jasper Whitlock, Aro found himself in the surprising position of being grateful to his old friend. Because of Carlisle's kindness and warmth, the warrior who'd had such an agonizing start in his second life had found a home and a family. Seeing that Carlisle extended his warmth to Peter and Charlotte Whitlock as well, giving two more former warriors an extended family of sorts, Aro was pleased that his skepticism had proved unfounded.

When Jacob looked at his watch he realized he and Leah needed to head home. Leah had promised to help her mom with some of the cooking for the next day and Jacob had promised Angela he'd help her with her addition to the wedding arch.

He cleared his throat nervously and looked at the telepathic vamp king. "Uh, excuse me, sir?"

Everyone in the group paused their own conversations to look at him, which did nothing at all to help Jacob's nerves. Jasper wasn't sure why his wolf friend was feeling so nervous all of a sudden, but he sent him a little bit of calm and some reassurance.

"Thanks, Jasper," Jacob sighed, then turned back to Aro. "I need to get going, but I know you're here because Edward told you the Cullens exposed your secret. Carlisle already told me that he explained the truth, but I thought… if you'd like to read me, you can see my memories of what happened," he said and stood up to stand in front of the vamp king, holding his hand out.

Aro smiled at the wolf and reached for him, excited that he would learn details about the shifters firsthand. Seeing that the other wolf had gone rigid, eyes wide, he stilled his hand. "Is something the matter, Miss Clearwater?" he asked.

"Uh, no. It's just… the wolves have a kind of mind link with each other, so not only does Jacob have all of his own thoughts and memories, he has the thoughts and memories of every member of our pack," she said nervously. "There are eight of us, sir," she added quietly.

Aro pulled his hand back. "I see," he nodded, then looked up at the wolf standing in front of him. "I appreciate your offer, Mr. Black, but I'm happy to wait and read Isabella's father tomorrow. You offering your memories freely is one thing. You offering your memories freely while also giving me the memories of seven others without their consent…" Aro shook his head. "I can wait until tomorrow. We're in no hurry to leave. I dare say this is the most fun my brothers and I have had in quite some time."

Leah let out the breath she'd been holding. "Thank you, sir."

Aro smiled at the young woman. "You're welcome. I assume we'll see you both tomorrow?"

Leah stood up and moved to stand by Jacob. "You will," she nodded. "Our whole pack will be there, along with my mother and Jacob's father. They're both tribal elders and Jacob's father is the Chief of the Quileute tribe council."

"Marvelous," Aro said as he, Caius, and Marcus all got to their feet. "Then we shall see you all tomorrow."

"Nice meeting you all," Jacob said politely and then turned to Jasper and Bella. "I'll see you around six."

"Do you want me to drive you guys home?" Bella asked. "And why six? The wedding doesn't start until seven."

"We're coming early to help set some stuff up, and you don't need to drive us," he smiled. "You know it's faster to run."

Bella hopped up to hug them both. "Alright, see you tomorrow. At my wedding!" she squealed excitedly, then stuck a finger in Jacob's face with a stern expression. "If there is a single bite missing from Sue's apple pie or if any of the 'stuff' you're coming to help set up is in any way meant to ruin even a second of my wedding, I will sic my fiancé on you faster than you can blink. Do you understand me, Jacob?"

When Jacob looked over at Jasper with a hint of a smirk, Bella poked his chest. "Don't look at him, Jacob. He loves you but he loves me more. If I tell him to kick your ass, he will."

Jasper shrugged with an easy smile. "It's true. It's in the fine print of our wedding vows."

"So as long as I get a bite of pie in before you get married, I'll be fine?" Jacob teased, which made Bella attempt to kick him in the shin.

Fortunately her fiancé was a vampire with great eyesight and lightning fast reflexes because he flashed over and picked Bella up from behind before her kick landed.

Bella squeaked in surprise. "What the hell, Jasper?" she laughed as he carried her back to his seat and dropped her on the cushion.

"I refuse to postpone our wedding because you have a broken foot, little miss impulsive who forgets her friends are supernatural beings," he laughed. "You told Angela you didn't want to hobble across the graduation stage on crutches. Look me in the eye and tell me you'd wanna walk down that aisle to marry me on them."

Bella tried to smother her laughter and glared playfully at her mate. "I said that to her in the school cafeteria. Were you spying on me, Whitlock?"

"No, sweetheart. Angela told me when we were at prom," Jasper laughed.

"Right," Bella nodded with a smile. "That makes more sense."

"I can assure you, Bella, my brother would never stalk you or spy on you," Rosalie said with a smile, though she was speaking in the direction of the telepath still sitting in the grass with his mate.

"Nicely played, Rose," Alice laughed.

"Girls," Carlisle said, trying to fight a smile.

"Will we be hearing the mythical Dad Voice in action?" Caius asked with a smirk, making the Cullens laugh.

"And on that note, we'll see you guys tomorrow," Leah said and then tugged Jacob's hand. "We'll leave the clothes just inside the tree line. Thank you for lending them to us, Esme."

"You're welcome," Esme smiled. "We'll see you tomorrow."

Everyone watched the two leave, and then Aro turned to Jasper. "I don't mean to be rude or ask about something that isn't my concern, but in regards to what Ms. Hale said. I saw all of Edward's memories, of course, and I'm just curious how you managed to tolerate some of his actions?"

Jasper gave him a small smile as he picked Bella up and sat back down in his chair, then tucked her under his arm. "What could you tolerate to keep your soulmate alive?" he asked quietly. "What would you ignore or pretend didn't hurt you if it meant she was safe?"

A hush settled over the backyard at his words and Bella snuggled a little closer.

"I apologize, I truly meant no offense," Aro said sincerely.

Jasper nodded. "I know. Being an empath I have the advantage of knowing when someone's saying something to be deliberately cruel. And I know that wasn't the case here," Jasper assured him. "But Edward and Bella haven't been in a relationship in nearly a year now. She and I are getting married tomorrow. And Edward met his soulmate today. The past is the past," Jasper shrugged.

"What, are you saying you forgive him?" Rosalie asked incredulously.

Jasper's laughter burst out of him, and Peter, Charlotte, and Alice's joined his. "Hell no, I don't forgive him, Rose. You know me better than that."

Rosalie nodded with a smile. "Good. I can't be the only cold, heartless one in the family."

"Neither of you are cold or heartless, Rose," Bella said softly. "I personally think you and your fellow Hale twin over here actually love the hardest in the family."

Esme smiled softly at Rosalie. "I agree. Family and loyalty mean the world to you, Rose. How can any of us think less of you that you aren't as forgiving if someone hurts those you love and who you see as family, especially if that person is another family member you're supposed to trust? And Edward's recent actions have hurt two people you love and consider family," she said as she got up and went over to kneel in front of Rosalie. She set her hand gently on her knee and smiled at her. "This family has two of the best protectors we could ever ask for. Thank you for standing up for your 'twin' and your newest little sister, Rose. I'm so grateful they have you looking out for them."

Rosalie's eyes were wide with shock as she looked at Esme, then glanced around at the rest of the family on the patio, all of whom were nodding their agreement. She knew the others loved her, but she also sort of always believed in the back of her mind that they tolerated her so they could keep Emmett in the family. And it wasn't like she and Edward had always gotten along until this situation cropped up. They'd never gotten along. Sure, Rose had loved him, he was her brother, but she'd never actually liked him.

Jasper felt Rose's inner turmoil and knew what she was thinking. "Rosalie," he said gently. "Edward judged you from the moment you woke up in this life. From before that, even, because he was aware of who you were when you were still human. We both know that's true, we all know that's true. No one blames you for not holding out an olive branch ten times when the first nine attempts were spurned."

Rosalie looked at her brother to gauge his sincerity, before realizing that this brother had never lied to her, never judged her, never turned his back on her since the moment that they met. If she could trust Jasper's words… She looked into the faces of her loved ones - Carlisle, Esme, Alice, Jasper, Bella, and Emmett - and saw them all nodding and smiling a little sadly. She inhaled a little shakily and looked back to Jasper, letting him feel her panic at finding herself so emotionally vulnerable in front of their guests, which could be equally as terrifying as being vulnerable physically.

Jasper gave her his most charming grin. "They may not be quite the same as wedding vows, but my brotherly vows are awfully similar. If you want me to kick his ass, I will. Again."

Rosalie laughed and the tension on the patio was lifted.

Bella smiled at her soulmate and sent him all her feelings of love and pride. She wasn't sure what she'd done that fate had seen fit to tie her to the man she was fortunate enough to be marrying tomorrow, but she planned to spend the rest of forever making sure he knew just how wonderful he was and how much she loved him.

A/N: Thanks for reading! Until tomorrow ~ M. x