Bella held Charlie's hand as he slept soundly.
The probability of the Volturi catching their scent was highly possible, however, Carlisle's plan to move Charlie out of their home before the coven arrived was better than nothing.
Reaching out to confess that Bella was a human and Jasper's mate would have at least given them some leniency. Were it not for Alice seeing the outcome of making that decision, they never would have said anything to avoid the risk.
Charlie had been confused and in a daze when he woke up but after blinking up into Bella's worried eyes, everything snapped back into place. He'd practically jolted up from the bed, held down by Carlisle before he tore his stitches open. Charlie wasted no time bombarding Bella with questions.
But with Jasper's steadying hand on her shoulder and Carlisle taking charge to explain everything, they'd managed to get through it.
Watching the wide range of emotions playing across his face—from the tight furrow of his brows in confusion, to them rising to his hairline, and practically gaping at them—had made Bella extremely nervous.
Once they managed to convince him that this wasn't some bad joke, he'd looked drained of all energy once again.
After Jasper and the others left to deal with the Cullens, Bella answered as many questions as she could for her father. Delving into the past and explaining why she'd left home the night she ran from James with Jasper and Alice.
The accident at school and Edward saving her from being crushed by that van.
Meeting the Cullens and getting to know the world they belonged to.
What she didn't tell him was how Edward had treated her in the end. Nor how Jasper was her mate.
She didn't want to tell Charlie about the hurt they both experienced because of someone they trusted who'd betrayed them for his own selfish reasons.
Promising to answer any other questions he might have after he's fully rested, Bella watched Charlie drift off to sleep once more.
Once she made sure he was comfortable in his bed, she placed a soft kiss on his forehead and whispered, "I love you, dad."
She slipped out of his bedroom and closed the door before heading downstairs. The mess Victoria had created in the entryway and living room was nowhere to be seen. Most likely having been cleaned up by Alice or Esme.
With every hour that passed since Jasper left to deal with the Volturi, Bella grew more anxious. A lot of what ifs started to follow her around, so she did the only thing she could to take her mind off it.
She cleaned the whole house. Starting with the living room, she swept and mopped and dusted like there was no tomorrow before doing the same in the kitchen. Then Bella noticed the stack of dirty dishes in the sink left untouched since Victoria took her.
Scrubbing and rinsing each one before wiping them dry with a dish towel, Bella finally felt herself slow down.
Her hands splayed on the counter as she stared down the drain. Listening to the droplets of the faucet as they fell. So much had happened in such little time. She felt mentally and physically drained on all counts.
And it still felt like they weren't done. Like bringing the Volturi into the mix was some sort of death sentence.
With a deep sigh, she looked up and out the window, taking in the darkness beyond their backyard, Bella spotted a figure walking between the trees. Heading straight for the house.
Before she had the chance to feel apprehensive, Bella's heart skipped as she saw Jasper emerge from the shadows. She hurried out the backdoor and ran down the steps to meet him halfway in time to see the sorrow on his beautiful face.
The grief over losing his brother—again.
His hands reached for her before she crashed into him, sinking her fingers into his hair as he held her. His hands clutched her close as if the mere few hours they were apart had been unbearable. Losing himself in their embrace as his shoulders shook.
Tears rolled down Bella's cheeks, knowing that she would probably never see Edward again. The brooding boy who'd been her friend and then first love. Had it been true love? Sometime she wondered that after he'd left her—hurt her—before she and Jasper grew close.
Being with Jasper had been as easy as breathing.
Not only was he her mate, but he was her best friend, her protector, her love.
No, what she and Edward had together hadn't been love. Not true love. But in some twisted way, it had been Edward who led her to Jasper.
For that, she had to be grateful.
Jasper had been the one who'd showed her what true love was. Real. Unselfish. Kind. All while still fighting for them. Never giving up.
Now, Edward was gone.
Leaving behind a heartbroken family.
They held onto each other, standing beneath the stars and moon until droplets of rain cascaded down on them. Bella finally broke their embrace, running her thumb along his cheek, "Let's go inside?"
Jasper nodded wordlessly, letting her take his hand and pulling him in through the back door. Bella's resolve to take care of him this time made his heart ache as she led him straight to the bathroom.
Without hesitation, she helped him shed his clothes. Kissing his lips as soon as his shirt was up over his head. Jasper released a low rumble when her hands gently traced his broad chest, over the hard muscles of his abdomen.
"I love you so much." She whispered as they stood under the water, washing one another in between kisses that were languid and exploring to sensual and hungry.
But they didn't do more than that. Not tonight.
"I need to hold you tonight," Jasper said when they were back in her bedroom. Pulling on one of the t-shirts he'd left here, Bella crawled onto her bed and let Jasper lay behind her. Wrapping his arms around her until her back was flush against his chest.
He kissed her neck, "I want you so bad it hurts."
"Me too." She whimpered.
"After this, it's just you and me. I don't care where we are or when, only that I want you, darlin'."
Bella smiled as she kissed his arm, "Sounds good to me."
"So let me get this straight," Charlie raised a hand, stopping Jasper from explaining the last question her dad had asked. "So you mean to tell me that you...sparkle? Like glitter or something?"
Jasper grinned, chuckling as he sat on the chair beside Bella, "I'm sad to say that is an accurate way to describe it." He went into further detail explaining the moment after death the cells in the body take on crystalline properties, creating an effect of crystals shimmering beneath their skin. Charlie could not look more confused, but also seeming to debate if they were all indeed having fun at his expense.
However, when Jasper showed no hint of amusement, it became quite clear that it was true. Jasper Whitlock rarely joked when it came to such things. One reason why Bella loved him more with each passing day. He was always patient and willing to explain anything Charlie had questions about.
They'd both taken chairs up to Charlie's room to sit with the man while he ate the breakfast Bella had prepared him.
After they'd taken him to the hospital to get checked up at Carlisle's request, the doctor had discovered that Charlie's cholesterol had been above average. So Bella did some research and put her father on a strict diet.
Currently he was adding a grimace to every bite he took of his oatmeal and fruit.
"This seems...nuts," Charlie scoffed. "These type of things are only in movies. Vampires...am I going to find out that werewolves exist too?" His chuckle died down when he noticed Jasper and Bella exchange a look. He held up a hand, "No, I don't want to know."
Bella grinned, "Yes, dad. This is all real. And it's important that no one ever finds out. No one but you and me can know about the Cullens."
Jasper placed a hand on Bella's shoulder, "Like humans are supposed to follow the law in your world, vampires also have to obey theirs. Only we don't get second chances to repent for our mistakes."
Then he explained the nature of the Volturi. Their blood-red eyes and black cloaks. Volterra. The three leaders of the coven.
Sharing his world with Charlie knowing that this is what it'll take so that Bella can have both worlds for as long as she wants.
Later in the evening, Carlisle and Esme came over to check on Charlie. Esme carried a paper bag in her hands and the smell of garlic and cheese hit Bella as she greeted them.
"I figured we'd spoil Charlie a little longer. I picked up lasagna, stuffed mushrooms, salad and a calzone. Should be enough right?" Esme winked and Bella laughed.
"It's more than enough. Thank you, Esme. You didn't have to."
"That's what family is for, honey. Now, why don't you two get out of here for the night. Everyone's gone to hunt and Carlisle and I will stay here to keep Charlie company tonight."
Bella opened her mouth to protest, when she felt Jasper's hand on the small of her back. Esme turned and strode out of the kitchen, giving them privacy.
Good thing too, because Jasper murmured, his words a deep drawl into her ear, "Say yes and let me make good on the promise I made you."
She shivered as she turned to face him, cheeks warming under his intent gaze.
"Yes."