A week has passed since Edward's departure and still, there were no signs of his return approaching any time soon. According to Alice, that is, since the copper-haired vampire won't return any of the Cullen's calls, no matter who it was. Not even Esme could get through to him, and it broke his mate's heart. It only fueled Carlisle's anger towards his son that he willingly chose to break their family, in some capacity.
Carlisle was currently in his study, looking over a few files he took from work when he heard the soft sound of Bella's heartbeat downstairs. He immediately smiled with affection as she and Jasper walked into the house, conversing about nothing in particular but sounding completely at peace. Good, they deserve some peace after all that's happened, he thought to himself as he closed the files in his hands and rose from his leather chair behind the mahogany oak desk.
The whole situation with Edward had left a strain on the entire family since his departure—his betrayal—but he was more than grateful to have Bella in their lives. A beacon of light.
He walked out of his study and made his way downstairs to greet them. "Bella, it's good to see you. How's the nose?" Bella flushed, clearly embarrassed by his blunt question. Carlisle chuckled while Jasper grinned at their interaction, "My apologies. That was a bit straightforward."
"No, no. It's fine, really. I'm feeling better today."
Carlisle fought a smile when he noticed the way Jasper stuck close to Bella as the two made their way up the stairs and felt an inkling of amusement when he noticed the way they startled the moment Bella's hand grazed Jasper's.
His son grinned as he drawled, "Sorry."
Bella's cheeks blushed bright pink before murmuring, "N-no. My fault."
Checking over Bella's bruises went by quickly and after giving her a salve to apply to them, Carlisle found himself saying, "I'm sure you already know about Lauren Mallory's suspension," Bella nodded and cast Jasper a pointed glance to which the empath merely shrugged. Clearly not the least bit apologetic for causing a bigger fuss than necessary. Carlisle didn't feel guilty either for calling the principal and demanding disciplinary action be taken upon hearing about Bella's bully. That and to justify the way Rosalie nearly broke the girl's arm when she tried to strike her after they got into a heated argument at the gym. That confrontation was definitely unexpected, coming from Rosalie of all people. But it wasn't unappreciated.
He took her hand in his, "I'm quite aware you didn't want anyone to get involved in your problems at school, but Bella if this happens again," a low growl made Carlisle arch his brow towards his son. Jasper didn't seem to mind his father's reproachful look as he kept his focus solely on Bella. "Then I would hope you would come to one of us so that we can help you sort it out. This time was different, I know but any form of bullying you experience must never be overlooked. Okay, sweetheart?"
Bella bit her lip, "Thank you, Carlisle, for always being so kind to me."
He knew what was left unsaid and tensed, "You deserve it and so much more. Never think otherwise. Okay?"
"Okay." She said, leaning into his outstretched arms and accepting his warm embrace.
"Now, did you eat before coming here?"
Bella's eyes immediately flickered towards Jasper and Carlisle noticed the knowing smile the blonde gave her. Again, she blushed as she told him that she had indeed eaten.
"Jasper cooked for me."
"Jasper did?" Carlisle asked, pleasantly surprised which made his son seem somewhat embarrassed by the attention. It was in a moment such as this that Carlisle wondered what life would be like if he and his family had been given a chance of mortality. All living together, happy and without the confines of being stuck in these frozen bodies. "That's wonderful. I hope it was as good as Esme's cooking."
Bella grinned, "I doubt anyone's cooking is as good as Esme's I'm afraid. Sorry, Jasper."
Jasper shook his head, his gaze warm as he said, "I couldn't agree more, darlin'."
B-bump, b-bump, b-bump.
Carlisle could hear Bella's heart rate suddenly spike, reacting to Jasper's term of endearment for her. Then, a small wave of longing intermingling with adoration followed over them next, and based on the way Bella and Carlisle both tensed, it had been Jasper who inadvertently projected the emotions. The latter cleared his throat before taking a seat on one of the stools, "Alice said she'd bring your homework for today so you don't fall behind. If you want to stay here and work on it when she gets home, you can."
"I'd like that. If it's okay?" She asked Carlisle.
Carlisle nodded, ruffling her hair as he walked by, "Of course it is. You don't have to ask." Taking that as his cue to excuse himself, Jasper and Bella barely seemed to notice when Carlisle slipped out of the kitchen and headed upstairs to his study. Relishing in the happiness pouring throughout the whole house. If only for a few hours.
"Bella! You trip and fall again?" Emmett asked, laughing at his own jibe as he strode into the dining room where Bella and Jasper had taken to doing their homework. The largest member of the family pulled Bella into a side hug before plopping down into a seat beside her, peering down to see what she was working on with mild interest, "What's the human doing now? Ah, Calculus. I could do that with my eyes closed."
"Are you offering to do my homework for me?" She asked hopefully, raising a brow and making Emmett release a loud chuckle. She hoped the blush warming her cheeks didn't show when she caught Jasper grinning too. It was funny how no matter what she did or where she was, if Jasper was in the room too, their eyes always met. As if drawn to one another. But that's silly. It had to be because there was no way Jasper would be drawn to her, as she was to him...
You were just a means to an need.
"Oh no, if I have to do homework for all eternity it'll be my homework. Sorry." Emmett lightly flicked her nose but a flick from the giant might as well been a hard tap. Bella grimaced, covering her bruised nose with her hand as she involuntarily flinched and shut her eyes. Pain shot through her just as Emmett realized what he'd done.
Bella released a groan with a hint of surprise and annoyance, "Emmett!"
"Shit, I'm sorry Bells! Are you-"
A low growl stopped Emmet's next words, stunning them both into silence. Opening her eyes and blinking away the familiar sting of tears, Bella much like Emmett, turned to look at Jasper who sported a threatening glare on his face. All form of amusement gone and replaced by something unwavering and protective. It made her heart swell unexpectedly.
Jasper's hands were clenched over his biceps as he stared Emmett down. The latter had the good sense to look mortified but tensed at the sound of his brother's low rumbling growl coming from his chest.
"Don't touch her like that again." Came his low warning, voice thick as gravel and deadly. And it was his only warning before he glanced back down to the textbook in front of him.
Bella blinked, surprised to see how serious Jasper was, more than usual and for him to say something like that to a member of his family...
The way he revered Emmett with such ferocious protection, left her feeling awed and speechless beyond belief.
"Damn, I'm sorry, Bella. I really need to work on being more gentle. You okay?" Emmett sounded genuinely concerned and not because his brother looked ready to tear into him.
Bella shook her head, "It's okay, Em. I'm not mad," she sent Jasper a reassuring glance and was glad to see the empath relax, though his eyes were wholly unreadable. She hesitantly reached over to pat Emmett's muscular arm, "Really, I'm fine."
Emmett nodded though he still seemed to hesitate when he placed his hand over her shoulder, "None of us ever want to hurt you, kid. You know that, right? Never on purpose."
"I know."
And yet, one of you did...
Bella swallowed down the emotions bubbling up to the surface. Why was it so hard to simply forget him? Why couldn't she be a girl capable of strength and perseverance? Of forgiveness? Maybe he'd taken that with him too, along with the rest of the love she'd felt for him.
But...had what they shared ever been love? Had it simply been a game all along? Bella didn't know the answer anymore.
Jasper had been strangely quiet on the ride back to Bella's house. It made her slightly nervous or at least she would have been if she didn't see how kind he was. Always looking out for her. Opening the car door for her, making sure the heater was on, and drove slower than she was sure he would have liked. A true southern gentleman.
The sun had started to settle over the horizon behind the towering trees of the forest behind and a faint shimmer made her glance over to him. Something in her heart stuttered as she looked at Jasper's face and noticed the way his skin reacted to the red rays of the fading sun. The crystals beneath his skin shone in white and reds, making his sharp features stark against the dark forest beyond the window and more handsome than she'd ever seen him before.
Mesmerizing her.
"What are you staring at, darlin'?" He drawled, making her flush instantly. Here he was, this kind and selfless man doing her favor after favor—finding it in his heart to stand her in the first place—and she's openly gawking at him like a creep.
"N-nothing..."
"Liar," he teased, his lips quirking slightly. Her heart skipped a beat once again. It's been doing that a lot today.
She thought of coming clean, of admitting that he was beautiful and amazing and...okay, that definitely makes her sound like a creep.
So instead she went with something more rational, "Why did you get mad at Emmett back there? You know he didn't intentionally hurt me or anything, right?"
Jaspers small grin fell and his eyes seemed to turn a shade darker. His grip on the steering wheel tightened, "I know that. I wasn't mad at him specifically."
"So what were you mad at?"
Jasper pulled into her driveway, parking the car expertly and quickly. Charlie's cruiser wasn't in the driveway so Bella assumed he was still at work which was sort of a relief since...since she liked being here with Jasper. Talking to him. Getting to know him on another level, what he did and didn't like. What made him smile and what made him angry.
Today she found out what he didn't like.
Jasper looked at her for a long moment, turning to face her before he said, "I'm mad that you always end up getting hurt and that I can't seem to be able to stop it. What happened with Emmet was silly, I know that. But I don't like it—feeling your pain. It feels like it's a part of me. And in a way, it is," he continued before she could attempt to apologize. For what, she wasn't sure, but she knew she didn't like making him feel this way. This hopeless when it comes to her. "I know I can't always be there to keep an eye on you. But the thought of anyone hurting you, wether it's intentional or not...it sparks something in me, Bella. Something protective."
"Why?" She asked. "Why bother? I'm..." I'm nothing compared to that could warrant such care and friendship.
Jasper's throat bobbed, as if feeling the dark emotions swirling within her. He leaned over the armrest. Close enough that Bella held her breath as he brushed away a strand of her hair.
The faint sound of a familiar melody playing on the radio sent a shudder run down her spine. Oh Children by Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds continued in the background until soon it faded away. Until the only thing she could think about, focus on, was in the way Jasper's cold fingers traced her jawline, lingering.
"Because, Bella. I care for you. So fucking much, I don't think you'll understand if I told you now but," he took in a breath, his dark eyes weighing her stunned expression. Glancing to her lips for a brief moment before focusing back on those depthless eyes. "One day you will. I'll make sure if that."
Bella leaned into his touch, her eyes fluttering closed, "Jasper."
She sucked in a breath as waves of electricity pulsed through her skin and into her bones, searing her blood, and rattling her heart. As if her entire being was drawn to Jasper.
She reached her hand out and took his clenched hand settled on the armrest. Needing to touch him just a little more. To feel that spark of connection that brought her to life. In a way no one ever has, not even Edward.
"I care for you too, Jasper."
His gaze softened as he looked down to their hands, watching the way Bella squeezed his own. As if sensing what she needed, he slowly opened his hand and laced his fingers with hers. His hand tugged her closer until his forehead rested against her own, "Thank you for caring for me. For never being afraid of what I am nor what I'm capable of."
"I know you'd never hurt me. I never doubted you."
Bella couldn't look away from him, even as he closed his eyes and released a breath. There were so many things she didn't understand, so much she wanted to know. About why Edward did what he did. Why Jasper wants to be with her so much...but for now, this was enough. This was what she needed and what she could accept—it was what they both needed. A connection. A strong friendship neither realized they were missing.
Bella pressed her forehead against his with a blush blossoming across her pale cheeks. Her innocence poured into him and the two painted the perfect picture of an unlikely pair. Like a faun nuzzling her predator in the forest, seeking friendship, a second chance. Love. Two opposites drawn together by fate.
Jasper smile with endearment as if he knew that and he didn't shy away from her or reject her.
Not one bit.
The silence in the forest permeated the darkness of twilight across the trees. There was no sound of wildlife in sight nor did the sound of water traveling down the stream a few feet away seem to make a sound. It was as if the trees themselves knew of what was to come. Sensed it in the earth itself.
He watched from his perch on one of the thick branches. Waiting. Sensing. Calculating. And then—
A flash if fiery red hair flashed by and Edward dove from his perch. Landing on the ground a few feet away from her.
Finally, he'd get what he always wanted—needed as much as he had once needed Bella, his reason for existing.
He charged through the forest at a ferocious pace, gradually catching up to Victoria as she tried and failed to evade him. They made it right where he wanted her to go and with a roar, he lunged, knocking them both into the heart of the meadow. The growls that echoed followed Edward and Victoria as they rolled and fought each other off.
Victoria's red eyes were wild with hatred as she turned on her back in time to catch Edward by the shoulders. His bared fangs snapped at her neck right as she bucked him off.
Edward rolled and was back on his feet in a second, taking off where she went. Edward never faltered, never lost sight of her and when he reached her again this time—he spun her around and slammed her into one of the trees.
The birds perched on the branches above shrieked as they took flight, fleeing the vampires below as Victoria tried to shove him away, growling and screaming savagely. This time she tried to snap at him and Edward shifted, moving one of his legs between her own, hands pinning hers on either side.
"Do. Not." He growled, a deadly calm shining in his black eyes.
Victoria hissed out a breath, scowling at him, "Well? Kill me then. That's why you're here, isn't it? To finish what we started."
Edward's grin was a menacing thing as he leaned forward, close enough his lips grazed the shell of her ear. At that moment, whatever resolve he'd had to kill the nomad, vanished. Rewritten and forgotten completely. Not of his own will but...of another's. The monster buried deep inside him stirred to life once again, crawling its way back to the surface. The one he'd worked so hard to forget, along with his days spent as a killer.
Shocks of lighting and swirls of shadow coursed through them both. Making Victoria whimper in surprise as something dark sprouted to life within Edward. Something he knew was there all along and he welcomed it with open arms. Welcomed the monster that shined through his eyes.
His voice was sweet seduction as he whispered in Victoria's ear, "No. This is only the beginning."
Uh oh, what's Edward up to? We'll have to wait and see because he won't be making an appearance for a while after this. It's time for Bella and Jasper to explore the connection they have a little further x
