AN: What are you doing up here in the Authors Note? The next chapter eagerly awaits you.

Home Again, Home Again

Day 10 (cont.)

I had only just dozed off when something startled me awake. I sat up and lit a candle and went to my door. The house was quiet. I must have imagined it. I turned around and there was a man standing in my room.

I jumped and dropped the candle. The man caught it, the fire still lit.

"You're gonna burn this house down." James said. "You really should be more careful."

"What the hell are you doing here?" I whisper shouted at him. This vampire would find a way to be the death of me.

"I don't believe that's how a lady should speak, Miss Isabella." he smirked. "Victoria's waiting. Do you mind if she comes up? She wants to apologize."

"I don't mind." I hesitated, Victoria crawled through the window and gracefully sat on the window seat.

"Hello, Isabella." she said sweetly. "I truly am sorry about the way I acted the other day. I was afraid for the life my mate and I had made here. Surely you can understand that."

"Of course, I understand. For the record, you both would do well to remember that in the future." I said.

"We will, Miss Isabella." James replied. "That's all we came to say. If the invitation to attend your wedding still stands, we'll be happy to come after the sun goes down."

"It stands, I do have an inquiry before you leave." I said.

"Yes ma'am." James said.

"What do you know of Gideon McCaven?"

…

Day 11

"Bella, Bella, Bella, Bella, Bella! Wake up! Wake up! He comes home today! This is so exciting! Come on!" I peeked open my eyes. Beth was bright eyed and dressed for the day.

"You act like he's ridin' up right now." I said, sleepily. I pulled the blanket over my head and tried to wake up a bit slower that she wanted.

"Bell-uh!" she jumped on me. I started giggling.

"Beth! I'm up! I'm gettin' up!" I said. I stood up and pulled on my dressing gown. I stretched, crossed the room to Elizabeth and hugged her.

"He comes home today." I pulled back and smiled. She jumped around in a circle and hopped out of the room. I chuckled to myself. I was really going to miss this that girl. I could see why Jasper made companionship with Alice now. Alice was exactly like his little sister. I don't understand, however, how he ever had a romantic relationship with someone so much like Elizabeth.

I dressed quickly and ran down stairs. There wasn't a lot to do around the house today so after what little we had, we all were going out to the fields again. I hurried around with a skip in my step and hummed to myself while I worked. I was hitching Pistol up to the wagon with Jesse when Mary Lizabeth came out with my shade hat and some water for the both of us.

"You've got the color back in your cheeks today. That's good. Jasper won't question me about your health." She said laughing. I finished latching my side of the cart and straightened up.

"Well, I've got good reason to be happy. Thank you." I said, accepting my hat and the water from her. I took a hefty swig and handed it to Jesse. I smiled.

"Are we all ready to head out?" James walked over with Beth.

"All but Princess." Jesse said.

"Well, go on, get her out; we needa get on." James said.

"Oh, don't worry about it, Beth can Ride with me." I said. "We should get goin' anyway." James shrugged.

"Alright, Let's get going." I pulled myself onto Pistol and help Beth on with me.

The ride was long, we were working farther out today. Elizabeth and I worked next to each other all day, talking and giggling. We worked more efficiently together. Jesse worked near us occasionally throwing a comment in but mainly listening. I had a feeling that Jasper and Jesse acted a lot alike before I came into the picture. James and Mary Elizabeth were a ways away working with some slaves.

"When do you think he'll be home?" Beth asked.

"He said he'd be home by this evening. So around then." I told her.

"I think he'll be home for supper. He's bound to have missed Mable's home cookin'." Jesse said.

"I sure have missed him. I just can't wait to see him." I said and continued to work with my head down.

I took my hat off and gratefully took a drink of the after Beth brought over for us. I pulled my hair out of the braid it was in and ran my fingers through it. I put my hat back on. It was nice to have the sun on my hair and not my back.

"Won't you hair get tangled?" Jesse asked.

"It might, but it's worth getting the sun off my back and shoulders." I said to him. I continued to work for another hour or so. I was talking to Elizabeth intently about the wedding and how I wanted Minnie to weave wild flowers in both hers and my hair. I saw Jesse stand up out of the corner of my eye. I glanced up at him and kept talking, occasionally gesturing to my hair to show Beth what I meant.

"Mama! Papa!" Jesse shouted to get their attention. I looked over at James and Mary Elizabeth, Who were both looking in the same general direction. I looked at Jesse who was poing in the same direction. I turned to look too, seeing a figure approaching fast on a horse. Beth and I stood up, I squinted.

I pulled Beth behind me, fearing that is was Gideon McCaven. A small part of me hoped it was my Jasper but, he wasn't supposed to be home yet. I squinted and tried to make out any features. It was so hot that the heat radiated from the ground made it hard to see if it was in fact just one person. I held my breath and grasped Elizabeth's hand tightly. She peeked from behind me.

The figure was finally just close enough to see it was a man. The closer he got, the more I could make out what he looked like. He had tanned skin and blonde hair. My heart leapt in my chest. I let go of Beth's hand and took a few steps toward him. He wore a Confederate Army Officer's uniform. As soon as I saw the uniform, I knew it was him. I took off running at him. I hitched up my skirt a bit to run faster and he got closer and closer.

He was several yards away when he reined October in and slid off her before she could fully stop. He closed the distance between us quickly. I felt the air leave my lungs as we collided. I hugged him harder than I'd hugged anyone in my life.

"Jasper."

"Isabella." we said at the same time. He pulled back and picked me up and spun me around. When he put me down, he kissed me chastely on the lips.

"You're early!" I said still in his arms.

"I'd had enough of stayin' away from you. I don't know how I'm gonna do it when I go back."

"Let's not worry about that right now." I told him.

"Jasper!" Elizabeth squealed. I pulled away just in time for her to miss me completely and slam into Jasper.

"I missed you! I'm so glad you're home!" she said. Jesse ran up but tried and failed to look tough and grown up.

"I see you made it back alive." He said.

"I see no one died around here." Jasper laughed and ruffled his brother's hair. Jasper offered me his arm and Jesse picked up October's reins and the four of us walked back toward Mary Elizabeth and James.

"How did things go while I was gone?" He asked us.

"Everything went fine. It was a bit slow around here but, it was fine." I told him.

"Bella had a fever on Monday. Mama made her stay in and rest. But, she's okay now." Elizabeth said. I love her but I wish she had kept that bit a secret. I gave her a look and she shrugged at me. we were in earshot of their parents now.

"A fever? He asked, looking back and forth between me and his mother.

"Yes. But, she's all healed and rested up now." Mary Elizabeth said. "I'm glad you're home safe now."

"It's good to see you son. How was it?" James asked.

"I have a lot to tell you. How much is left out here?" he asked.

"Oh not much, we can finish up in half an hour or so." James said.

"Well then. Why don't we finish up with this and I'll tell you all about it at home?" Jasper said. I let go of him and Elizabeth and I hurried off to finish our chores. Jasper took off his uniform jacket and laid it over October's saddle. Jesse and Jasper worked where Jese had been alone previously. While we worked, I would sneak peeks at Jasper only to find him sneaking peeks back at me. I'd grin and look back down, if I looked up right after, he'd be working again. I always looked down before he could catch me staring at him.

"You lot done over there?" Mary Elizabeth called. I was gathering up the last of the fresh tobacco leaves. I stood with Elizabeth, who held our tools. We walked back together. The boys were a bit farther behind than the rest of us.

"I think they're just about done." I said to Mary Elizabeth.

"That's okay. We're in no hurry for time to move faster now that Jasper's home." She said. I took a drink of the water and gave the ladle to Elizabeth.

"Beth?" I said.

"Yes, Bella?" she answered after she took a drink.

"Are you okay to ride Pistol home by yourself?" I asked her. She smiled and looked over at Jasper. I followed her gaze to see Jasper and Jesse headed our way. Jasper nudged Jesse just enough to make him lose his balance. They both started laughing.

"Yeah, of course I am." She said.

"Thanks." I smiled sheepishly and she giggled at me.

"Ready?" James asked the boys.

"Yep!" Jesse answered.

"Let's be off, then." James said, he climbed up on to his horse. Everyone departed for their respective horses. I took Jasper's arm and looked up at him. He returned the look, curiously.

"Would you offer me a ride home, kind solder?" I asked.

"It would be my honor to give the lady a ride home." he said, tipping his hat. He pulled his uniform jacket on and mounted up. I pulled myself up behind him and wrapped my arms around his middle. I hugged him tight and laid my head on his strong back. We were behind the rest of the family, so we had a bit of privacy.

"I missed you terribly." I told him. He covered my arms with one of his.

"Every night, I looked up and the stars and the moon and all I could think was how they didn't compare to your eyes and how much I wanted to be back here with you." He became quiet. Too quiet for too long.

"Jasper?" I paused. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing. It's not a big deal. Well, sort of." He said.

"What is it?" I asked. He slid off October and Reached to help me down.

"Our base camp was attacked Monday Morning. I wasn't hurt but we lost men. My Major was killed, and my Captain was fatally wounded. He died early this morning in his sleep." I covered my mouth in shock.

"Thank goodness you're okay." I began to cry at the thought that he could have been killed. I'm not going to be able to handle this. "What does this mean? Do you have to go back sooner?" I was going to have a panic attack. He couldn't leave yet.

"Whoa, slow down there, little Miss." He said and gathered me into his arms. "Breathe. I'm still goin' back Sunday mornin'. We can still have our weddin' on Saturday. The protocol for fallen officers is for the next in line to take that position until further notice. I became a captain Monday morning. This morning before I left base they informed me that I had been permanently made a major in the Confederate States cavalry. They didn't have enough resources to find other people on such short notice."

So that's how he did it…

"Jasper, you're so young. Congratulations but, they'll come after you now. You'll be an even bigger target. I can't lose you." I said, still crying.

"The youngest major in the Texas cavalry. I won't be wearing any rank. When I go back, it will circulate quietly who I am now. I'll wear a plain uniform so no one from outside can target me." he tried to reassure me. I stayed quiet. I wasn't talking about the United States. He didn't know what I knew. "Oh, Miss Isabella."

He pulled me into a tight hug and held me.

"I'll always come back to you, remember? I promised and you have that ring to remind you of my promise." He ran his fingers through my hair and pulled back. I've always admired your hair. It's so soft and long. It's beautiful. Just like you." he kissed my knuckles.

I wiped my eyes and smiled as best as I could. I still had three days with him. Three human days. I hope I'll have him back sooner than I think.

"Y'all comin' in?" Jesse called from the back door. I pulled away and looked back at Jesse. I nodded and turned to Jasper.

"I love you." it felt good to say it again.

"I love you more. You go on in, I'll be in after I get this old girl taken care of." He said. I turned and hurried inside. I needed to change out of this dirty dress and wash up. Minnie and her mother her cooking something that smelled absolutely wonderful.

"Missus said for you to go get washed up for a nice supper. It'll be read in a bit." Minnie said. I nodded and thanked her. I rushed upstairs and got ready.

I picked a mainly green dress with pink accents and laid it out. I washed up and pinned my hair up. I put a little powder on and stuffed myself into a corset. I pulled the dress on and looked in the mirror. I fell in love. The neckline was cut deep enough to show off my collarbones and still cover my ladies.

"Beautiful!" Elizabeth was standing behind me in the mirror.

"Yes it is." I said, admiring the dress.

"No silly, you. You're glowing with happiness!" she said. I turned to face her.

"I'm weighed down with worry." I told her.

"Oh, he'll be okay. He knows how to take care of himself. Have faith." She said. I gave a small nod.

"Okay."

"Now come on. Jasper's gonna tell us about his trip."

I followed her down the stairs at a bit slower of a pace. I wasn't mentally ready to hear Jasper recount what he told me outside. Elizabeth, James, Mary Elizabeth, Jesse and Jasper were standing just at the bottom of the stairs waiting for me to go into the dining room. I paused on the second step. Mary Elizabeth saw me, nudged James and nodded toward me. Jesse looked up too. Jasper and beth, whose backs were to me, turned in unison. Jasper looked star struck. He smiled and stepped with one foot on the first step bowed his head a little and offered his hand to me. I took his hand and stepped down the last steps.

"You look lovely, Isabella." he said.

"Thank you, Jasper." I said.

"You look mighty pretty, Isabela. Are we ready to eat?" James said.

We all sat in our respective seats for supper. James prayed and I ate quietly listening to as Jasper recounted his experiences of the past few days. I held myself together when I thought about the unavoidability of losing him in the next few days.

I was glad to have my love home. Even if it was only for a few days. When we were finished eating and Jasper was done telling his tale, Jasper spoke up." He said standing. I stood up a bit too fast.

"I'll, er, walk you out to the stables." I said. Jasper kissed his mama and sister on the cheek and followed me out the back door.

"What do you have to do that you need to go home now? I asked, walking slowly beside him.

"I paid to have the furniture delivered and set inside the house safely. So I need to put it together and place it. I have to start the fences before the sun goes down tonight. That'll be my project after I feed in the morning. I have to finish the fence before the wedding. Then I'll be out in the field after dinner." He said.

"I could help you. After chores, we could pack supper and I could right back every night." I said, peeking up at him. He opened the stable door and went to Pistol's stall.

I want the house to be a surprise for you. I ordered things you don't know about with the help of a nice woman in town. The house will be fully decorated when you see it." He said. I huffed.

I pet Pistol's nose while Jasper saddled him.

"Promise me you'll be careful." I said.

"I promise." He said.

"And that I'll get to see you some before the wedding." he took the lead from me and took my hands.

"I promise, Isabella." He kissed my knuckles again. I hugged him hard again. He kissed me tenderly, there was so much passion in the kiss that it should have been wild. But, it was soft and slow.

"I love you. I'll see you in the morning, my love." he said, mounting Pistol. "Until tomorrow, Miss Isabella." He tipped his hat and spurred pistol out of the stables.

I closed up the stables and walked back inside. Mary Elizabeth and James were in the sitting room together. Jesse and Beth were out in the front yard playing a game. I decided to go upstairs and read for a while until I fell asleep.

I changed and pulled the gauzy curtains closed so that the setting sun wasn't as bright, I climbed into bed and began to read.

The next thing I remember was waking up in the middle of the night with Beth in bed with me. My book was sitting on the bed side table. I fell asleep easily and dreamt of my life with Jasper.

AN: TA-DA! Tell me what you thought of that reunion. Love to hear from you and thanks for all the last minute voting!