The Art of Redemption: Chapter 6

                                                                The Art of Redemption


                                                                          Chapter 6

PPOV

Jasper was a fuckin' moron. A moron who didn't know what the hell he had, even if it was starin' him right in the face. How could he not see how perfect Kitten was for him? How could he not see that she was his true mate? In all my years, I ain't ever seen the Major take to a human like he had Bella Swan. Hell, I ain't ever seen him take to a human… unless he was eatin' 'em.

But Kitten was different. She would be his rock and not take any of his shit. She would help him reclaim who he was while lettin' the Major shine through. She was just like him too… except she had a pussy. And I knew he could feel the pull to her, he just wouldn't acknowledge it. Yet.

Char and I had known all along that Alice wasn't his mate. The Major's mate would have to be strong and be able to put up with his shit without takin' any of it. Not turn him into some overeager Bambi-munchin' lapdog that would do as he was told, when he was told to do it.

So here I was keys in hand and ready to go talk some sense into him. Just as I was about to open the door, my gorgeous wife wrapped her arms around my body. "Where do ya think you're goin' Sug?" she purred seductively.

He's gonna fuckin' owe me.

God help me, I really didn't want to say this. "The Major needs me Char."

I heard her sigh before she pulled away and I turned to face her. "Make him understand Peter. He's finally found her… don't let him fuck it up and lose her," she said with a smile. She didn't have to say it, but I knew Char was excited to meet her new sister. Even without meeting her, she was attached to her and it was going to be hard to keep her away for much longer. If I was bein' honest, I was pretty sure she already had Kitten's room done.

After a less than chaste kiss with the wifey, I jumped in the Tahoe and was on the way to Kitten's apartment building to straighten out the mess the Major had caused. Or, at least, preventin' said mess from happening.

It didn't take long to get to her apartment building. From what I could tell, she lived in a nice area; it wasn't a cheap building but it suited her and her lifestyle just fine. I parked the Tahoe next to a new black Camaro. When I got out of the truck, I could smell both Jasper and Kitten near the car. I could only assume it was hers.

She's got taste. I'll give her that.

Something told me to go to the back of the building. So that's where I went. My 'gift' had never steered me wrong before so I sure as fuck wasn't gonna question it now. I had always been, even as a human, able to see what others couldn't. Now, I couldn't see the future like the pocket pixie but most of the time… I just knew shit. And it's because of that that I was currently standing below Kitten's balcony trying to sort out this mess and make the Major see the truth.

I leapt up and landed on the balcony that Jasper had been frequenting every night for the last week or so. Inside, I could hear Kitten's steady breathin' and heartbeat indicatin' that she was fast asleep.

"What the fuck do you want?" Jasper hissed from inside the apartment.

"To talk," I said as I jiggled the handle to the French door. The door was unlocked so it opened easily and I stepped through the sheer green curtain and into her room. Her room was clean with just enough disarray to make it have a homey feel to it with framed pictures on every free surface.

Bella's delicate, slightly tropical scent permeated the air. But instead of wanting to drain her dry, I wanted to protect her. Protect her from the evils of the world… protect her from heartache. Jasper snorted.

"That happens a lot around her. That sudden urge to protect her," he said quietly as he looked at the sleeping girl in his arms. He had his right arm around her body while she was snuggled against his body, her arms clinging to him for dear life. She fit against him perfectly. I smiled.

"What's so amusin'?"

"You."

"What the fuck you talkin' 'bout?"

"It's just…fuck man, I've never seen you this comfy with a human. You're either ignorin' 'em or eatin' 'em. Not snugglin' up with 'em."

"I ain't snugglin'. And Bella's… different."

"No shit she's different. Jesus, can't you see what's right in front of you? I know you're supposed to be smarter and wiser but Major, you're a dumbass." I walked over and sat down on the end of the bed. When I put my hand on her covered foot, Jasper growled in warning.

"Don't touch her," he hissed and it was pretty fuckin' clear that the Major was protectin' his little lady.

I didn't move my hand. Instead, I just smiled. "See, that shit right there, that's what I'm talkin' about. You're protectin' her for a reason Major." His jaw was clenched and his eyes were fixated on the hand I had on Bella's foot. He growled again and I removed my hand. I really didn't want to lose it, that shit hurts.

"Why?"

"It's simple. She belongs to you just as much as you belong to her. Major, she's your mate. And whether you realize it or not, you already love her, just like she already loves you."

I could see that he was warring with himself. A part of him was happy that he had finally found her. The other part was confused as all get out. He furrowed his brows and slowly shook his head 'no'. "She can't be my mate Peter. I tried to attack her four years ago. It's not possible."

"For fucks sake Major, you weren't gonna eat her. She's your brother's singer; you were protectin' her from his crazy ass."

"No. I felt the bloodlust."

"Yeah, his and everyone else's. Let's say you were gonna try to make her a snack, as soon as you touched her, you would have stopped."

"How can you be sure?"

"I just know shit."

"Why are you so protective of her?"

I shrugged my shoulders. "Because she's yours. You would protect Char and I would protect Kitten here."

He looked at the sleeping beauty in his arms and smiled before leaning down and kissing her forehead. Now I wasn't normally one for all the mushy love shit but this… this was somethin' else. To see Maria's right hand bein' this close and tender with a human was nothin' short of spectacular.

"Let me ask you this. Is there any goin' back for you now?" When he didn't respond I knew I had my answer. I got up off the bed and walked back to the door. "Bring her by the house. Char is itchin' to meet her new sister and it would be nice if I could officially meet her too." Jasper nodded. I was about to walk out the door when I remembered one thing. "Oh, and Jasper? I told you this would be better than the balcony."

And with one final growl from the Major, I was gone and on my way back home. After all, I had me a woman to get back to.

JPOV

Mate? I had been around hundreds of mated pairs throughout my existence but I couldn't even tell that I was mated; to a human no less. Sure, the physical attraction had been there, how could it not be? And that invisible pull to her had been gettin' stronger and stronger from the first day I saw her at Forks High. But I had always believed that it was the call of her blood, not the call of her.

I don't know what frustrated me more: the fact that I didn't know she was mine, the fact that Peter had pointed it out, or the fact that Alice had flat out lied to me in that diner and every day for the last sixty years. I had loved her with every fiber of my being but even I knew deep down, if it came to my own life or hers, I would choose my own life every time without question.

That should have been my first clue.

But without Alice would I have met Bella? Was that her plan all along?

I didn't know.

Watching Bella sleep peacefully beside me was heaven and I now understood what Edward liked about it so much. Aside from the snoring, she was quite entertaining to listen to. She said the darndest things as she slept and I found myself laughing quietly at her ramblings about flying monkeys and magic bananas.

I looked down at my Bella and smiled. She was so beautiful. My chest ached to hold her; to protect her; to love her. She deserved the whole world and I would to do everything in my power to make her happy for the rest of my existence. It was funny to actually think that at one time I had wanted to destroy the creature that was snuggled into my side, all for the sake of saving the family. But now, all I wanted to do was to make her smile and call her mine.

She shifted slightly in the bed and curled further into me; her head was in the crook of my arm and her arm across my torso. I momentarily thought about shifting her away, but before I could act, she sighed in contentment and said the one word I didn't even know I had longed to hear. "Jasper."

My breath caught in my throat and before I could think, I pulled her body closer to me. This only caused her to wiggle further into me and sigh again. My dead heart swelled with love for the woman in my arms. I knew now that I wanted her more than anything else in this world. Peter was right and I knew I couldn't deny my feelings anymore, and to be honest, I didn't want to. I knew then that I was falling in love with Isabella Swan.

And that terrified me.

I didn't know how long I had watched her sleep. It could have been minutes or it could have been hours but her heart rate and breathing began to pick up lettin' me know that my Bella was wakin' up. She stirred before stretching and let out a contented sigh. "Mornin' Darlin'," I drawled before leaning down to place a kiss on her forehead.

She looked up at me and smiled. "You stayed."

"I told you I would. Did ya know you snore?"

Her brow furrowed. "I do not."

"You do. You also talk in your sleep."

"So I've been told," she mumbled. She finally let me go and slid out from under the covers, her tiny tank top rising well above her belly button. It took all of my strength to not throw her down on the bed and claim her.

"Hey Bella?"

She stopped right before the door to the master bathroom and turned to face me. "Yeah?"

"Do you want to go back to my place today?"

She froze. "Um… sure," she said with a slow, hesitant nod of her head. "Just let me get a shower and something to eat. Um, do you think you can get a pot of coffee going?"

"Sure Darlin'."

She smiled before turning and going into the bathroom. When I heard the shower turn on, I left the bedroom and headed for the kitchen. The kitchen was small, but seemed to fit Bella to a 'T'. The black Mr. Coffee coffee pot was sitting on top of the granite countertops. The coffee was sitting right next to it.

I stared at the small black appliance. The last time I had made 'coffee' was 1863, back when we had to use chicory or peanuts because of those fuckin' Union blockades. And we didn't have a fuckin' Mr. Coffee.

It didn't take long to figure out how to work the coffeepot. I filled the pot with water and poured it into the reservoir and scooped some of the ground coffee into the holder. I pressed start and prayed for the best.

It wasn't that hard to make coffee.

BPOV

The shower felt amazing. All the stress from yesterday just seemed to wash away down the drain. Ray had just flat pissed me the fuck off. Does he seriously think he can treat me like that? I've been controlled enough in my life… Edward was controlling enough for a thousand lifetimes.

Edward.

I had said that I hated him. In hindsight, I didn't hate him but I still did want to see him suffer to some extent like I had. Okay, maybe not just like I had- I loved his family too much to watch Victoria destroy them, well, except for maybe Rosalie. That bitch has some issues. But I meant what I said when I called him a prissy-assed douchebag. What can I say? Jasper brings it out. Literally.

Jasper.

When it came to him, I was just confused. There was definitely a fair share of sexual attraction. Hell, that's been there the first day I saw him back in the Forks High cafeteria. But now things seemed different, especially after last night. It was weird to think that he knew exactly what I needed, when I needed it. What was weirder though was the ache in my chest that I had when he wasn't near. Even now, with him in the other room, I could feel it. It wasn't severe, but it was there. And I didn't understand it.

Did he feel it too?


What did it mean?

I'm pretty sure I knew what it meant… but it terrified me more than James or Victoria ever could. I was dangerously close to falling in love with Jasper Whitlock.

I turned off the hot water and grabbed the fluffy blue towel from the bar by the shower before wrapping it around my body. I stepped out of the shower and quickly dried off before putting on some coconut scented body lotion. I took the towel and quickly towel dried my hair, letting it fall wherever it did. I guess the one benefit to short hair was that I could get away with that shit.

When I was satisfied with my hair, I wrapped the towel back around my body and stepped into my room. The temperature difference sent a shiver down my spine and I found myself running around my room to quickly gather my clothes. I settled on a pair of medium wash 'destroyed' skinny jeans, a black button down cable knit cardigan, and a pair of black scrunchy boots that hit just above the ankle and had a two inch heel. Pleased with what I saw in the full length mirror, I made my way to the kitchen.

Jasper was sitting at the kitchen table and had a lazy smile on his handsome face. The scent of coffee certainly did not go missed; it smelt like freshly ground heaven.

"I don't know how you can drink that shit Bella," he said while chuckling and shaking his head.

I snorted as I walked over to the coffee pot. "First off, my blood type is Folgers. Second, you're one to talk; you drink blood. In comparison, I don't think my coffee is that bad." I added some French vanilla creamer and a touch of sugar to the coffee and, after giving it a quick stir, I took a sip.

Big mistake.

I slapped my free hand across my mouth, trying hard to not spit the coffee out, and I'm pretty sure my eyes bugged out of my head as I choked the bitter liquid down. Jasper was in complete hysterics and about to fall out of the chair from laughing so hard. "Jesus! I like my coffee strong; not lethal! How many scoops did you put in there?"

"Scoops?"

"Yeah, that little black scoop next to the coffeepot."

"Oh."

I giggled because it was just that fucking funny. "You know what, I'll just stop at Starbucks and call it a day."

He scratched the back of his head, "sorry 'bout your coffee Darlin'." He looked almost… bashful. It was absolutely adorable, and so human. I walked over, propped up on my tip toes and pecked his cheek.

"It's the thought that counts." I walked over and grabbed my purse and keys from the coffee table. "Ready?" I asked, twirling my keys around my finger and walking towards the door.

"Ready when you are, Darlin'."

Jasper put his hand on the small of my back and led me out the door. I may have swooned just a bit. We made our way down in amicable silence. When we got outside, the sun was shining brightly, even though it was relatively cool. Luckily for us, there was still a bit of shade in front of the parking lot.

"I guess I'll go get the car," I said before taking off towards the Camaro. When I got in, I re-adjusted the seat since Jasper had driven me home last night after the little incident at the gym. I put the car in reverse and pulled out of the parking spot, meeting Jasper right in front of the building.

It didn't take long for me to get to Starbucks to order a caramel macchiato. After I received my coffee, we were once again off to… wherever. Much to my relief, we avoided any discussion about last night's events.

"Can I ask you something?" Jasper asked somewhat hesitantly.

"You kinda just did."

"Funny. But I'm serious."

"Well, since you're serious and all, shoot."

"What happened to you and Jake?"

And there it was; the million dollar fucking question. I took a deep breath and tried to figure out the best way to put it. There was really only one way to put it. "I broke his heart, and then disappeared without a trace." I left it at that, he didn't need to know the specifics and, thankfully, he didn't pry.

Truth be told, I was ashamed.

"Do you keep in touch with anyone in Forks?"

"Seth Clearwater. Charlie was going to marry his mom Sue and he and I got really close. He's three years younger than me and I truly consider him a little brother. His mother couldn't really afford his tuition, and he really wanted to go to college, so I'm paying for his tuition that scholarships and grants won't cover with the life insurance money I got after…yeah. He doesn't know where I'm at or any specifics because of the whole pack telepathy but he knows I'm still alive and happy. His sister Leah's a piece of work though. We hate each other, and it works for us."

Jasper must have felt my somber mood because I was hit with a wave of happiness. I smiled and thanked him.

"So, Peter and Char are really excited to meet you."

I tensed; he hadn't mentioned them when he invited me over. "Should I be worried?" I asked nervously.

"No, you're safe with me Darlin'. I'd never let anyone hurt ya," he said with conviction.

"I trust you."

We drove for another twenty minutes before he had me turn onto an unmarked road which was obviously a very long private drive. At the top of the driveway, the huge black metal gate was already opening. "Told ya they were excited."

We pulled up to a Spanish-style stucco home that had a rust colored tiled roof and arches over the doors and windows. The yard was perfectly green and landscaped. It was stunning and not at all what I had expected. I said the only thing I could think of. "Wow." I put the car in park in front of the house and Jasper hopped out of the passenger side and rushed to my side to open my door. Apparently, chivalry wasn't dead.

I unbuckled my seatbelt and took his offered hand. "Thank you," I said with a sincere smile.

"C'mon, there's more to see," he said, pulling me towards the house. The house was big. Not Cullen big but big. I still didn't see the need for such an extravagant home, but I wasn't going to say anything. Jasper led me across the tiled walkway, stopping to pick a red rose from one of the rose bushes. He quickly stripped the flower of thorns before holding it out to me. I took the rose and held it up to my nose, breathing in the sweet scent. "A beautiful rose for a beautiful girl," he said with a crooked smile; one of them daze-inducing, panty-wetting, swoon-worthy smiles. Yeah, I think all of the above may have happened… I know at least one did and, judging by the darker color of Jasper's eyes, he knew it too.

When we got to the door, he opened it and led me through, never once taking his hand off the small of my back. We stepped through the door into the foyer. From what I could see, the house was just as amazing inside as it was on the out. My heels clacked on the hardwood floors as we walked further into the house.

From what I assumed was the living room, came a pastier version of Josh Lucas from his role in 'Sweet Home Alabama'. He had short, dirty blonde hair, twinkling red eyes, and one hell of a sexy swagger.

I could so get used to hanging around all this man candy.

The Josh Lucas look-alike, whom I'm assuming was Peter, stopped in front of me and stared for a moment, looking me up and down before smirking.

Was he checking me out?

"Bella, this is my brother Peter. Peter, this is Bella."

Peter took my hand and looked right into my eyes as he took my hand and brought it to his lips. "Enchanté," he said seductively. And for a moment, just a moment, I forgot about everything in that room other than Peter and his enchanting crimson eyes.

Son of a bitch! I was just dazzled!

Peter chuckled before pulling away. I crossed my arms and pouted. "Stupid dazzling vampires," I mumbled, knowing full well that they heard me. It just caused Peter to chuckle again.

"It's not like Jasper to bring home take-out," he said with an eerie calm. I'm pretty sure I lost a shit ton of color and started to look as pale as the vampires in the room. This just caused Peter to guffaw loudly and Jasper hissed disapprovingly.

"You… should have… seen… your face!" Peter ground out, still laughing his ass off.

Jasper glared at Peter and growled. It was the first time I had seen him this murderous since the James incident. I'll admit, it was a little scary… but he also looked pretty damn fuckable. He glanced at me, eyebrow raised, before turning the mega stink-eye back onto Peter. "What the fuck are you tryin' to pull?"

"Oh don't get your panties in a knot Major; I was just breakin' the ice." He took a step closer to me, grinning, with an extended hand. When I looked up to Jasper to see if it was safe, he nodded his head to let me know that it was. I tentatively took his hand. "Peter Whitlock ma'am. I didn't frighten ya now did I?"

"Just remember Peter, fire and ice run through these veins and if you ever pull that shit again, I won't hesitate to light your ass on fire," I said sweetly, smiling and batting my eyelashes. It was Peter's turn to look remotely scared and Jasper started busting up.

Peter composed himself before putting his arm around my shoulder and pulling me away from Jasper, who in turn growled again. "Kitten, you and I are gonna be like peas and carrots. C'mon, I think I hear my wife pullin' up." He started leading me through the house. When I looked back at Jasper, he was standing in the same exact place, wide-eyed and completely speechless.

"You just gonna stand there Major or you comin' with us?" Peter took a deep breath before saying, "by the way Kitten, you smell delicious." He grabbed my ass and gave it a firm squeeze. And just what did I do? I giggled, I fucking giggled.

"PETER!" Jasper roared before he was by my side in an instant and I was back in his arms.

It was going to be an interesting Sunday.

The Art of Redemption: Chapter 5

The Art of Redemption

Chapter 5

JPOV

"I ended up burying my mom and step-dad three weeks later. It wasn't hard to tell it was Victoria; they were killed the same way Charlie was. Every single bone in their bodies were shattered and no blood."

Bella had started to cry, and that was just somethin' I didn't want to see her do. Someone so special shouldn't be so sad. I pulled her up into my lap and wrapped my arms around her as I started rocking back and forth, trying my best to comfort the delicate girl in my arms. "She's still out there; somewhere. That's why I'm living everyday like it's my last. I never know when it will actually be my last."

Over my pile of ashes! She is MINE!

Her tears were starting to soak through my shirt, but I didn't give a fuck. "I'm sorry Darlin'. We should have been there. This is my entire fault…" I whispered.

"Please don't say that. My life worked out the way it was supposed to."

"But if I wasn't so weak, you're parents would still be alive. You'd be happy."

Her emotions shifted from sorrow to determination in the blink of an eye. "You aren't weak. If you were weak, would I be here sitting on your lap? If you were weak, could I do this?"

She leaned over and, just as she was about to kiss my cheek, I turned my head so my lips would meet hers. I felt her surprise as she pulled back quickly and gasped.

SHIT! Way to go fucker… way to fuckin' go.

"Shit, Bella I'm sorry I-" but Bella had cut me off before I could finish by bringing her lips to mine once more. Her warm, soft lips moved against mine in perfect synchronization.

'MINE!' the beast within roared. He wanted Bella and I had to try my hardest to not give in to him. But it was proving difficult, especially when I felt her lust spike and could smell her arousal.

'Fuck her!' he roared again.

I was too caught up in Bella to hear someone open the door. "Bellsy! We're ho-oh damn! Kevin, I think we should come back… my roomie's a bit busy!" the person yelled.

"What were you saying about being weak?" Bella asked as she pulled away from our kiss. She just looked at me and smiled brightly; a smile that coulda warmed my cold dead heart. She leaned forward and once again captured my lips in a chaste kiss before pulling away and standing up from the couch. "It's safe!" she yelled, presumably to her roommate.

He poked his head in. "We didn't interrupt did we?"

"Just get in here, there's someone I want you to meet."

"Hold on woman! Don't get your panties in a knot!"

Bella smiled and I could feel her mirth and the love she had for whoever was at the door. It was a complete one-eighty from earlier when she was telling me about what had happened in the last four years. Then, when I had felt the onslaught of her emotions, it was everything from her hate and resentment to her despair. After hearing her story, I only felt worse. She was left completely unprotected (I'm not counting pups as protection) and it was all my fuckin' fault!

I told Edward leaving Bella was a bad idea, I would have much rather left the family than leave her unprotected. Victoria was a woman scorned and hell bent on revenge. Regardless, Edward was able to convince the family, despite my protest, that leaving was best.

I should have gone back. I should have protected her.

But I didn't. I didn't because Alice had begged and pleaded with me to stay… to not hurt her best friend. Apparently she had seen my killin' Bella if I had gone back.

"Jasper, I'd like you to meet my roommate and best friend, Drew Carter. Drew, this is Jasper Whitlock; Edward's… brother," she introduced us, saying the last part very hesitantly.

"So you brother is the asshole that broke my Belly Bean's heart. I swear to God, if I ever see him, he has one serious ass-kicking coming his way," he said with disdain. Had Edward been human, I didn't doubt for one minute that Drew could kick Edward's ass. Drew stood about six foot two and was more muscular than Edward with short blonde hair and steel gray eyes.

"Take a number D, I get him first," Bella growled. Fuckin' growled…and it was hot as fuck!

"Easy Baby B," he chuckled.

She smiled. "And this cute little red head here is Drew's boyfriend Kevin."

I extended my hand to the guys. Their flinches at the coldness of my skin did not go unnoticed.

"Hey B, we need to start getting ready for work," Drew said, looking directly at Bella almost pleadingly. I could feel the huge amount of brotherly love he had for her, it almost rivaled Emmett's. But I could also feel his protectiveness of her and the distrust he held for me.

"Oh um, okay. Sure. Jasper, Kevin, feel free to watch whatever you want on TV."

Bella and Drew both went into separate rooms, but it didn't take long for Drew to walk into Bella's with a change of clothes. I sat down on the couch and flipped on the TV to some sports channel. Kevin sat down in the recliner that was to the right of the couch. I could feel his apprehension about being so close to me. It was a completely natural reaction, people were apprehensive around my kind. Everyone except for Bella.

"So how long have you known Bella?" I asked Kevin, trying to make him feel more at ease.

"About a year; we met in a history class."

"Did she introduce you to Drew?"

"Yes."

He was still too apprehensive so I decided to let it go. I could feel the concern coming from Drew and Bella's growing frustration.

"So what's going on with you and Hot Cowboy?"

"Jasper. His name is Jasper."

"I like Hot Cowboy better; doesn't sound so old. But, you didn't answer the question."

"Nothing is going on."

"It sure as hell didn't look like it was nothing B."

"We're just friends. Can't you just trust me?"

"I do trust you. It's him I don't trust. Look, B, I just don't want to see you hurt."

"I know D. I love you."

"I love you too kid. Now, get your ass in them jeans so we can get going." I could hear the sound of his hand hitting flesh and I tried to stifle the growl.

"You just wanna see my ass in those jeans don't you?"

"Of course."

There was a long pause before Bella sighed.

"You would tell me if you fell in love, right?"

"Of course I would, B. You would tell me wouldn't you?"

"I don't fall in love, Drew. I fall in lust. That's it."

My heart broke for her. She had been broken so badly by Edward and Jake that she didn't even seem to believe in love anymore.

They didn't come out for another twenty minutes but man was the wait worth it. Bella was in a pair of tight, dark was jeans with a pair of black strappy heels. Her top was blood red and hugged her curves in all the right places.

"Oh! I forgot my contacts!" she exclaimed, whipping around and running back to her room. The shirt was draped low in the back and had a panel in the mid back to keep it closed. But what caught my eye the most was the tattoo on her right shoulder blade.

In elegant script was the phrase: La vendetta è un atto di passione; la vendetta di giustizia. Le ferite sono vendicó; i crimini sono vendicati*. Under the script was a heart with the names of her parents and, presumably, the date they were killed by Victoria.

BPOV

I knew that Drew loved me and was just looking out for me but I swear he was getting on my last nerve! He didn't know about both of my failed relationships and, to be honest, I didn't know if I ever wanted him to.

Did I want love? Yes, of course I did. What girl doesn't? But after having my heart ripped out not once but twice, I was terrified of love. Sure, one night stands with random strangers and nights with the trusty Rabbit were physically satisfying, but they were emotionally draining. Did I want to tell Drew that I had feelings for Jasper? Yes. But for some reason, and it could quite possibly be the fact that Jasper could hear me, I didn't.

From the moment I saw him outside of Vamped… I felt it. I felt that pull towards him. It felt as though there was a thick elastic band around the two of us and, as one person got further and further away, the tension became stronger; like it was trying to pull us back together.

But what did it mean?

Once I reached the bathroom that was off the master bedroom, I put in my crimson contacts and took in my final appearance. My eye makeup was smoky and gray and paired with some fuckhot red lips. I had straightened my hair and just a few wisps were turned out. I sighed. I couldn't wait for my hair to grow back. Drew had suggested that I cut it short so I did. Big mistake; there were only so many things I could do with it.

I miss my long hair.

After I put my contacts in and I was relatively satisfied with my look, I went back out to the living room. Drew and Kevin were already waiting by the front door and Jasper was still sitting on the couch. "I'm starting to think I should get a pair of those, everyone else is. I don't get it B, vampires don't even exist!"

"And how do you know that?" I countered. From the corner of my eye, I could see Jasper smirk.

"Well have you ever seen one?"

"Have you?" I said with a raised eyebrow.

"Well…no. But they don't exist!"

I looked at Jasper and shook my head, trying my damndest to not chuckle. I turned my attention back to Drew, "and how can you be so sure? What do you think Jasper?"

He smirked again. "Couldn't tell ya."

We walked down to the parking lot and Drew turned towards his car. "I'm taking my car tonight B, I'm going back to Kevin's after work," he said and smiled apologetically.

I shrugged my shoulders. "No problem. That just means I get to take mine, I don't get to take her out too often anymore," I said with a sigh. I missed driving my car. "Hey Drew?"

"Yeah B?"

"I'll race ya. Twenty to the winner?"

"You're on little girl." Drew and Kevin ran to Drew's red 2007 Ford Mustang.

I grabbed Jasper's hand and pulled him towards the car. "Come on, I'm not losing!"

I ran, with Jasper easily keeping up with me, to the shiny black 2010 Chevy Camaro. That car was my whole reason for existence now. I had just recently bought it with some of the insurance money that I got after my parents' untimely murder and after my ancient Chevy truck finally bit the dust. To be honest, I was just surprised that the hunk of scrap metal made it all the way down here. I pulled the keys out of my purse and hit the unlock button earning a resounding beep from the car.

"This is your car?" Jasper asked incredulously.

"Yep, this is my car," I said, biting my lip. I opened the door and slid into the sleek interior, reveling in the feel of the supple black leather seat around my body. I slipped the key into the ignition and turned it, listening to my baby roar to life.

It was a beautiful sound.

I instinctively rolled down the windows before buckling my seatbelt. Jasper slid in and buckled up, as if he actually needed it, before I backed out of the parking space. I turned left on to the busy one-way street in front of my apartment building, noticing that Drew was already two car lengths in front of me.

It really didn't take long to get to the club since it was only a few blocks away…but it was the principle. I had to beat Drew. And I did, by about thirty seconds. As Drew pulled up beside my Camaro, which was parked in the employees' lot behind the club, I just smiled…and flipped him the bird. He happily returned the gesture. "You owe me twenty," I said, sticking my hand out with my palm facing up.

"I want a rematch," he stated defiantly.

Jasper just quietly chuckled. I looked at him, not knowing what was so funny. "He's embarrassed that you beat him," he whispered quietly in my ear. I shivered as his icy breath hit my skin.

I nodded my head slowly. "Name the time and place, D. Just know; I'll beat you every time. Come on now, let's go."

All four of us went inside, Jasper and I holding hands all the way into the club. Drew's glares toward Jasper's and my joined hands did not go unnoticed. I just looked at him through narrowed eyes and dared him to speak. He didn't say anything.

As we entered the club, the sound of You Shook Me All Night Long was blaring from the speakers.

"We finally get some decent music goin' in here. What? Is Molly not here to listen to that pop shit?" I asked as I walked into the club. The only people that were in here, aside from my boys and me, were Alex the club's DJ, and Tony the bouncer. I was assuming Ray was in his office.

"Haven't seen her yet," Alex yelled from behind a speaker.

I told Jasper and Kevin that they could have a seat at the bar while Drew and I set up for the night. I was expecting a pretty big crowd and poured me a shot of Jack to help 'prepare' for the night ahead. Jasper looked at me expectantly, waiting for an explanation. "What? I'm the one who has to dance around a damn pole. My friend Jack here will help me with the nerves. I could always invite José."

"Ya know, I was gonna ask ya 'bout that," he drawled out, "but I never got the opportunity."

"Oh, um… I took some classes. It's a great work out."

The front door slammed shut as our boss Ray walked in with Molly hot on his tail. "What did I tell you about boyfriends at work Swan?" he barked. Great, Ray was gonna be an asshole tonight.

"He's not my boyfriend Ray. He's just a friend."

"Either way, I don't want him hanging around my bar unless he's paying the tab. You're supposed to appear single. I don't really give a shit if you are or aren't. When you're here, you are."

I could tell that Jasper was getting angry about Ray's treatment towards me since his fists kept clenching and unclenching. That and his eyes were a darker burgundy, almost black. I placed my hand on his forearm and it seemed like he instantly calmed down. When he looked at me, I smiled at him reassuringly and pleaded with my eyes for him to come back to me, praying to God that it would work. Thankfully, it did.

"Oh, and Bella? You're on the floor again," he said before walking to the steps that led to his office. Molly was still hot on his tail and everything finally came into prospective; following him everywhere… staying late after work… coming in with him… getting my shifts…

That little whore!

Anger coursed through my veins and it was my turn to start clenching and unclenching my fist. "I don't think so," I ground out through clenched teeth. "You hired me as a bartender, not a waitress."

"You know the rules, Swan. Molly wants to tend bar again."

"You know what Ray? If Molly wants my job so fucking bad, she can fucking have it. I quit!" I screamed at my boss. The club suddenly grew eerily quiet. Vamped was a great place to work, truly it was. But the last few weeks, ever since Molly came along, things had been slowly going downhill. He gave her my job once already; it wouldn't happen again. I didn't need the money… I only worked here to pass the time.

Ray's mouth was opening and closing in rapid succession, much like a fish. He finally spoke up. "You can't quit. You're under contract for another six months!" he roared.

"What are you gonna do Ray? Sue me? I'm sure the Better Business Bureau, and your wife, would just love to find out that you're fucking Molly on the side." There was a series of collective gasps around the club. "That's right Ray, I know your dirty little secret. Let's see how little Molly can do on a crowded Saturday. Come on Jasper, let's go."

"What's the matter Bella, afraid of a little competition? Afraid I'll take your man too…Lord knows you can't keep one," Molly sneered from her spot on the steps.

At that point, I saw red. And I'm not just talking the color of anger. Oh no… I was talking about a dark crimson… the color of blood… the color of her blood. The only thing that kept me from lunging at her was the fact that Jasper had a secure hold around my waist. "Jasper, get me out of here before she starts spilling blood. Please," I begged quietly.

"Come on Darlin'," Jasper said as he gently tugged me toward the door.

"Oh look everyone, she's running away," Molly sneered again. My body stiffened in response to my anger. I really, really wanted to hurt her. I tried to wriggle out of Jasper's firm grasp to no avail, he had locked on and wasn't letting go. I felt the calm wash over me as I was dragged out of the club by Jasper.

Once outside, I took a deep breath to try to clear my head.

"You okay now, Darlin'?" Jasper asked as he tentatively let go of my waist. The second I took a step toward the club, his arms were around me once again. "I don't think so Darlin'."

I took another deep breath, relishing the calm that Jasper was sending my way. I grabbed for my keys and hit the unlock button. "I'm okay now."

"You sure 'bout that?"

Not trusting my voice, I just nodded my head slowly.

Jasper let go of me and we both turned towards my Camaro. Before reaching the car, I heard Drew shout, "Bella! Wait!" I sighed and turned around to see him and Kevin running towards us. "I'll follow you to the gym."

"No, Drew. Go back to work. I can handle this myself."

"There's no work to go back to Sweetie. I just quit. If my best friend ain't gonna work there, I'm sure as hell not gonna work there."

"But Drew, you-"

He cut me off before I could finish. "Don't say it, B. I was getting ready to turn in my two week notice anyway," he said as he wrapped his right arm around me.

"Thanks, D."

"Now let's go visit a punching bag about some anger management, shall we?"

Jasper and I took the Camaro to the gym while Drew and Kevin followed in the Stang. With me driving, it didn't take long to get to the gym. What would normally be a twenty-two minute drive turned into a twelve minute drive. Speed limit be damned.

"Bella, Darlin', do ya think this is a good idea?" Jasper asked as I pulled into the parking space in front of the gym.

I turned to look at him. "Would you rather I turn around and go back to the club? Right now, I don't even know if you could stop me. Trust me, I need this," I explained while exiting the car. Jasper followed me into the gym and waited in front of the girls' locker room while I changed into my work out clothes.

By the time I got out of the locker room, Drew was already dressed and ready to go. I took my place beside Jasper and laced my hand with his, instantly feeling calmer, to which I'm sure he was relieved. We walked hand in hand to the room off to the side of all of the equipment.

"You know, for the first time since joining this gym, I'm really thankful its open twenty four-seven."

"That's what I told the she-devil after I quit," Drew said, picking up the body shield and getting into position. I gave Jasper a quick kiss on the lips before slipping on my pink grappling gloves. Jasper chuckled.

"Don't laugh at my gloves."

"It's not your gloves I'm laughin' at darlin'. I just can't believe yer gonna do this, yer 'bout as scary as a paper bag."

I'll show you.

I snorted and turned on my heel before walking over to Drew who was already poised and ready to block whatever I threw at him.

For fifteen minutes straight, I kicked, I punched, and I just got angrier. I couldn't hear anyone around me… all I could concentrate on was the red haze that I knew was clouding my judgment. I just wanted to scream. Scream at the world… scream at myself… and most of all… I wanted to scream at Edward for ruining my life.

But it was no use.

So I did the only thing I could do. I fell to my knees and cried. I cried for Renee and Phil. I cried for Charlie. I cried for lost love. And most of all, I cried for me. The anger… despair… sorrow… it was all too much. It all came at me so fast that I couldn't handle it and I finally broke down. I finally just broke.

I heard the thump of Drew's body as he slumped down in front of me and felt his warm arms around me. I could also hear Jasper and Kevin rush over. But nothing registered.

Even with my friends around me, I was alone.

"Why don't you guys go? I'll make sure Miss Bella here gets home safe."

"No way in hell. I'm not leaving my best friend here in this state!"

"I give you my word as a gentleman; I will keep her safe Drew. I can feel how much you care for her. But right now, I'm the only one that can help her."

Drew sighed. "Just take care of her and keep her away from the Patron...and the Phish Food. You come back to Baby B, you hear me? Please don't shut us out baby."

I remember nodding my head, without even really knowing why, before I heard the shuffle of feet and a click of a door as it closed.

"On your feet Isabella."

I just shook my head. I wanted this pain to be over and I knew Jasper could help me. But he wasn't taking the pain away.

Why wasn't he taking it away?

"I said on your feet, Isabella. I will not repeat myself," he said again more forcefully; his sexy southern drawl nowhere to be heard.

There was just something about the tone of his voice that made me want to obey... like I had no choice other than to do what he said. So, under no conscious control of my own, I felt my feet move from under me as I stood up. "Please…" I whispered, hoping he would know what I meant.

"You're working through this on your own Isabella," he said. His voice was stern; it was as if he was trying to control me. And I knew I had no choice but to let him.

"I can't," I said weakly.

In a flash, he was in front of me. When I tried to take a step back, he grabbed both of my arms and held me in place. "You will listen to me, Isabella. That is a direct order and I don't take too kindly to people disobeying my orders. Do I make myself clear?"

I couldn't look at him; I was too afraid to. I wouldn't be able to stand seeing the disappointment in his crimson eyes. "Yes."

"Yes what?"

"Yes Sir."

"Good girl."

Jasper calmly walked over and picked up the body shield, which I'm sure was more for my benefit rather than his. "I want your best Isabella. You will not hold back on me. Is this understood?"

"Yes Sir."

He smirked and something stirred within me. "Good."

In one swift motion, I lifted my front leg, bent it at the knee, and delivered a powerful roundhouse kick which he easily blocked with the shield. I did it again and then jabbed with my right hand.

"Quit using yer anger against ya," he instructed. His voice was softer this time and the twang was back; I stopped and looked at him quizzically. "You're fighting fire with fire, Bella. If you're gonna fight with anger, channel it. Control the anger, don't let it control you."

Huh?

Jasper put the shield down and came over to me. "Let yer anger be yer power. Center it and use it to your advantage."

"I don't understand."

"Put all of that anger into the deliverin' blow. If you're gonna jab, let all your anger flow to yer fists."

Oh…

"How?"

"Focus, Bella." He picked up the shield again. "Come on, Little Girl, show me what ya got."

I stared at the shield that Jasper was holding and tried to focus.

Go to the hand. I tried to mentally will my anger.

It didn't work.

Please go to the hand.

Nothing.

Go to the fucking hand!

Zip, nada, zilch.

"Try to envision this shield as Edward, Bella."

I stared at the shield.

…

Nothing.

This was hopeless. I was getting frustrated and in turn, angrier.

"You're not good for me, Bella."

My head shot up at the sound of his voice and I spun around; but was met with nothing.

"I don't love you."

I spun around and my heart stopped. There he was disheveled bronze hair and all. I could feel the sudden rush of power flow to my hand and lashed out.

"… we're very easily distracted."

I kept lashing out as the sound of his voice…the memories fueled my fury.

"It will be as if I never existed."

"Why wasn't I good enough for you?" I screamed, delivering a powerful front kick to the shield.

"I loved you with everything I had!" I screamed again, throwing three jabs and a body shot in rapid succession.

I took a deep breath and finally said the words that needed to be said. "I fucking hate you, you prissy-assed douchebag!**" I felt all of my anger rush to my leg as I swung for a roundhouse kick. The kick was so powerful that Jasper was knocked off balance.

I stopped. Everything was gone. The anger… the guilt… the despair… everything.

For the first time in four years, I felt free.

And I was safe… in Jasper's arms.

YAY! The Art of Redemption now has a banner!! And a new chapter!

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The Art of Redemption

Chapter 4

BPOV

Beep! Beep! Beep!

Dear God, make it stop!

Beep! Beep! Beep!

Or not. Instead of hitting the snooze button, I turned the alarm off and reluctantly tore the covers off my body. I rolled out of my bed and padded my way to the bathroom. I turned on the shower faucet and stripped from my pajamas while I waited for the water to heat up. Once hot, I stepped in and let the hot water wake my tired body.

After my shower I styled my hair and got dressed in some black yoga pants and a turquoise v-neck t-shirt with a white lace trimmed cami underneath. I shuffled around my closet, found my black ballet flats, and slipped them onto my feet. I didn't plan on going anywhere and with the discussion I had coming up later with Jasper, I really wanted to be as comfortable as possible. It was bad enough that I was talking about it at all. I had spent so long trying to forget that I started to believe it never did. But seeing Jasper last week sent everything flying back at me and I knew I could no longer lie to myself.

After I finished dressing, I walked out to the living room and started setting up the DVD player. I didn't actually know when Jasper was coming back over so I figured I might as well do something to pass the time. I rarely had an opportunity to watch my favorite civil war movies anymore now that I was living with Drew. As much as I loved Drew, he could be a royal pain in the ass when he complained about all of the civil war memorabilia in the apartment. He thought I was crazy…and in hindsight, maybe I was. However, the civil war was my past, present, and future and I really didn't give a rats ass what Drew thought. I decided to major in American history and get my teaching certificate so I could become a high school history teacher.

That was another reason he thought I was crazy…getting my Master's degree just to become a minimum wage high school teacher. The one thing he couldn't understand was that it isn't about the money. It's about finally teaching history the right way. Teaching people what really happened without bias. I was so sick and tired of hearing teachers say that the civil war was fought over slavery and that the North had a better reason for fighting and the Confederacy was bad. End of fucking story. I wanted to teach them both sides of the story; what both sides were fighting for.

There was a soft knock at the door, successfully breaking me from my mental tirade. "Just a second!" I called while turning on the DVD player and popping in the DVD. I stood up and strode over to the door, tripping on the corner of the area rug Drew insisted we have. "Stupid fucking rug," I mumbled under my breath.

I made it to the door unscathed, barely, and opened the door to reveal a smiling Jasper. He looked fucking amazing in a pair of low hung dark wash jeans, a black fitted t-shirt that hugged his deliciously muscular body, and a pair of square toe cowboy boots. I was so used to seeing Jasper in his Italian loafers and damn cashmere sweaters that I'm sure Alice insisted he wear. I liked this version of Jasper so much more; it suited him.

"Was the rug giving you a hard time there Darlin'?" Of course he had heard me. He smirked playfully and I almost forgot how to breathe.

"It has a personal vendetta against me and tries to trip me every chance it gets," I joked. I really didn't like that thing. "Come in," I said, opening the door further to allow him entry into my apartment.

"I come with a peace offering," he said with a smirk, holding out a cup of Starbucks coffee. I smiled brightly at him. "I didn't know what you liked, so I hope its okay," he said.

"Thank you that's very…sweet," I said honestly, taking the cup of coffee from him. Our fingers touched from the briefest of moments and I found some comfort in the contrast of our temperatures. "I was just about to watch a movie. Care to join me?"

"Well it depends…it's not some sort of chick flick is it?"

"I wouldn't make you sit through that torture. Besides, that's what I have Drew for. If you don't particularly like chick flicks, I should warn you now…don't come over on Monday nights."

"What's Monday?"

"McConaughey Monday. On nights there is nothing decent on TV, we watch our chick flicks, Monday's are dedicated to the hotness that is Matthew McConaughey," I explained. "But right now, I was planning on Gods and Generals, unless you want to watch something else…"

"I haven't seen it since it came out. The Civil War wasn't exactly Alice's favorite topic," he chuckled lightly.

"Well, I'm not Alice and the Civil War happens to be my favorite topic. So, take a seat and make yourself comfortable. Mi casa es su casa," I said with a small smile. Jasper returned my smile with one of his own, which made me smile more. I was starting to think I would do anything just to see him smile. Jasper sat on one side of the couch and I sat at the other, curling my legs up underneath myself. I took a sip of the coffee, enjoying the sweet, bitter taste of the caramel macchiato as the warm liquid flowed down my throat.

The movie started and we were both soon completely entranced with the movie on the screen.

Watching the movie with Jasper was a completely new experience. He was just like me, only in male form. Both of us were cheering after the first battle of Manassas as we watched Union soldier after Union soldier fall under the hands of the South. Throughout the movie, predominantly throughout the boring dialogue, Jasper kept explaining what it was like in the Confederate camps in detail and I couldn't help but wonder how he knew all of this.

At the end of the movie, a tear ran down my cheek as I watched Stephan Lang take Stonewall's dying breath and utter his last words, "Let us cross over the river, and rest under the shade of trees." I could feel the sorrow and respect coming from Jasper as he bowed his head.

"It's just so sad," I said quietly as the credits rolled. "I mean, he gets his arm amputated and then fucking dies from pneumonia!" I chuckled.

"Disease was very common back then and the doctors didn't have the knowledge that they do now. Pneumonia was one that struck often and was mostly fatal. The conditions in which we lived in camps weren't exactly…sanitary and disease spread fast. Soldiers had less to fear from bullets than they did disease." The use of 'we' did not go unnoticed.

"We?" I asked with a raised brow. Was he implying that…Oh. My. God.

Jasper smirked. "Bella, what did Edward tell you about my past?"

"Just that it was yours to tell," I said, smiling softly. I wanted to know; I wanted to know everything about Jasper Whitlock.

"It was 1861 when I joined the Confederate States Army," he started with a smirk. "I was always a really charismatic person so it didn't take long for me to move up the ranks and become the youngest Major in the Civil war. I was the Major of the 1st regiment of the Texas cavalry," he explained. I felt his pride and I'm sure he could feel my surprise and my own pride. It's not as if I was hiding it as I was currently sitting completely slack-jawed.

Jasper continued to tell me stories and about his experience in the Civil war. The battles he had fought in, the way camp life was, and friends he had made and had to, unfortunately, watch die. By the time he was done, I hadn't even realized that I moved closer to him, completely enthralled by his stories. "I…I had no idea…" I stammered out, not quite knowing what to say.

Real intelligent Bella. I mentally chastised myself…what the hell, I mentally rolled my eyes too.

"So what about you? Why are you so interested in the Civil war?"

"It's in my blood," I said proudly. I looked Jasper who raised his eyebrow and smirked. "Okay, bad choice of words," I laughed. "But seriously though, it is. My great-great-great-however many greats ago grandfather is, believe it or not, General Thomas 'Stonewall' Jackson." Now it was Jasper's turn to look at me in shock.

JPOV

I was shocked and I knew she could not only see it, she could feel it. She was the descendant of one of the most influential General's in America's history. If it weren't for Jackson's leadership skills, Lee wouldn't have been able to keep the larger Union armies at bay for as long as he did.

"I found out when I was really young. When I was younger, Charlie always made sure to let me know where I came from. It's because of him that I have such a deep rooted love for the Civil War," she said sadly but with a small smile. Throughout the few times we've spent together, every time Charlie or her mother were brought up, her emotions would immediately shift to sadness and despair; the kind that could only come from mourning the loss of a loved one.

"Bella, what happened to Charlie?"

Bella took a deep breath and let it out very slowly. "Can we talk about this after lunch?" she asked. Her voice was unsure and her emotions were all over the damn place. She went from happy to sad to angry in an instant. Then there was a sudden calm, as if everything was normal. Her stomach grumbled loudly. "And that would be my inner beast demanding sustenance," she chuckled.

"Then we have that in common," I said dryly.

"This is hard for you, isn't it?" Bella got up from her side of the couch and went towards the kitchen. I followed behind her and I would be lying to myself if I said I wasn't enjoying the view of her tight little ass in them yoga pants.

"It ain't as bad as it was before," I answered her honestly.

She turned around and smiled at me. "I'm glad."

"Me too, Darlin'."

She walked to the fridge and pulled out the revolting human food. If I had to guess, Bella was making some kind of salad. She went to the cupboard, grabbed a plate, and grabbed a knife from the block on the counter. I cringed and held my breath as I watched her apply pressure to the blade of the knife with her thumb. "Relax, Jasper. I can feel how tense you are. It's not like I'm going to stab myself," she said quietly as she turned around and showed me her thumb. "See, no blood. There may be blood later after I stab my roommate for not sharpening my good knives!" she huffed. I let out the breath I had been holding. She took out a white plastic cutting board and started cutting the apple.

I just stared at the apple, praying she wouldn't slip with the knife. My control was a lot better than it had been at her birthday; but that didn't mean I wanted to take any chances.

She paused before slicing the fruit, "you would feel better if you were cutting this. Wouldn't you?"

"I would. My control is better but that doesn't mean we should take risks like this."

"You should have more faith in yourself. You're lack of self-confidence is rather unnerving," she said, setting the knife down on the cutting board. I took over chopping the apple while she piled a plate with some sort of lettuce, chicken, and oranges.

"So what are you studying in school?"

"I'm working on my masters in American history." She kept her answer simple and to the point. It was driving me nuts. "I want to teach someday so I'm going to be getting my teaching certificate after I graduate."

"It's only been four years Bella, how can you already be in graduate school?"

Bella stopped arranging the lettuce and fruit on her plate and just stood, completely frozen. "I took a lot of credits during the normal year and piled on summer courses."

Why didn't she go home? I finished chopping the apple and set the knife down. Bella grabbed a handful and sprinkled it on to the top of her salad. She picked up the knife and cutting board and placed them in the sink before putting the bag of salad away. Without saying another word, she picked up her salad and walked over to the small wooden table in the breakfast nook. She pulled out one of the white chairs and sat down. I sat in the chair across from her. She wasn't talking much and I wasn't going to push her.

"This is harder than I thought it would be," she whispered shakily, "I haven't talked about this. At all. In fact, I've avoided this like the fucking plague…trying to believe in a different story…trying to believe that none of this happened."

I placed my hand over her free hand and gave it a gentle squeeze of reassurance. "We don't have to talk about anything you don't want to, Bella."

"Yes, I do."

BPOV

Having Jasper's hand over my own gave me all the confidence in the world; like I could conquer anything that got in my way. It made me feel…complete. I took a bite of my salad and reveled in the taste of the chicken, orange, and apples mixing and dancing on my taste buds.

"Life hasn't exactly been the easiest. After Edward left my sorry ass in the middle of the woods and the family I had come to love as my own ditched me without so much as a fuck you, my life completely fell apart. I spent the first three months after you guys left in a complete state of catatonia. The lights were on but nobody was home and I was starting to wonder if they were ever coming back. I really couldn't tell you what happened during those three months. And then, Jacob came back into my life…" I paused with a heavy sigh. "He was able to pick a few of the shattered pieces of my heart but I was still never whole. Edward may not have believed it but I loved with everything I was. Nevertheless, it didn't matter to Jake, he tried to put me back together and eventually he started to. Piece by piece, I was healing. Once I finally let him in, it didn't take long to fall in love with him."

"So do I know this Jacob kid?" Jasper asked with a raised, expectant eyebrow.

"Probably not. Jacob Black didn't go to Forks High; he went to school on the Quileute reservation. I'm sure you've heard of him…he certainly knew your family." Jasper stiffened across the table and a low growl reverberated from deep within his chest. He mumbled something that sounded a lot like 'mangy mutt' but I couldn't quite make it out. "Then I take it you have heard of him."

I knew Jasper was upset since he didn't say anything; he just nodded. I took it as my cue to continue. "The day he proposed was the day my entire life came crashing down."

Flashback: November 19 2007 (Third Person POV)

It was a cool, brisk autumn day in the small town of Forks, Washington; the changing leaves had long since fallen off the now barren trees. The few leaves scattered around First Beach at La Push crunched under Bella's feet as she walked down the surf hand in hand with her boyfriend Jacob Black. Little did Bella know, this day would change her young life forever.

Jacob, still holding Bella's hand, led Bella to a piece of driftwood that was just large enough for the both to sit on. "It's so beautiful out here; so peaceful. I never realized just how much I missed this place until I was away from it."

"You're only a few hours away," Jacob said, placing a loving kiss on Bella's forehead before wrapping a blanket around the both of them. That September, Bella had started taking classes at the University of Washington and often found herself unable to come home on the weekends. Now she was home for the week to spend her Thanksgiving break with her father, his fiancée Sue Clearwater and her kids, Leah and Seth, and Jacob of course.

"I know, it's just so hard to get away from my studies," she sighed. Bella placed her head on Jacob's warm, strong shoulder and he wrapped his muscular arms around her. Bella didn't know how long they had been sitting there just watching as the roaring waves crashed to the rocky beach. Jacob dropped his arm from around Bella's small body and stood up. "Jake?" Bella questioned as she stood up beside him.

"I've been going over the right way and right time to do this, but I can't wait any longer."

The way he said it made Bella fearful and the feeling of rejection that she was all too familiar with came rushing back full force. "Jake, what's going on? You're scaring me," Bella said anxiously. Jacob turned to Bella and could see the fear in her dark brown eyes.

"When I first met you, I instantly thought of you as my best friend. Through the years, we've grown apart and fate brought us right back together. Now here we are, at the very place that we first met all those years ago and as I look at you, not only do I still see my best friend; I also see something so much more; I see my future." Bella took a shaky breath as the realization of where this was going hit her. At the same time, Jacob dropped to one knee and pulled out a small, square black box. "But I can't make that future happen unless you say yes. Isabella Swan, will you be my wife?"

The tears ran down Bella's heart shaped face as she dropped to her knees and threw her arms around Jacob's neck. "Yes," she said through the laughter and tears. "Yes!" Jacob brought his lips to Bella's and kissed her tenderly as the waves crashed in the background. As he pulled away, he whispered the one thing he had been longing to hear; "yes." Jacob stood and helped Bella to her feet. Once up, he took her left hand and slid the ring onto her fourth finger. The fourteen-carat white gold diamond ring fit perfectly onto her petit finger. After the ring was slid into place, he gingerly lifted her left hand to his lips and kissed the ring on her finger.

"I love you, Bella," he said, kissing her lips once more.

"I love you Jacob Black. Forever."

...

Bella and Jacob spent the next hour together at First Beach, watching as the sun began to set over the cold waters of the Pacific ocean turning the sky a glorious mixture of pink, orange, and purple. Bella sighed before getting up from Jacob's lap. "We should get back; I still have to make dinner for Charlie."

On the way home in the worn red chevy truck, a welcome home gift from her father, Bella couldn't help but keep glancing at the beautiful ring that now sat on a very important finger. Just by looking at the ring, she knew Jacob had saved for months for it. 'This isn't how it was supposed to be,' she thought somberly to herself. She knew she was still in love with her lost love, Edward Cullen, and still couldn't get over his betrayal. He had thrown her away like last week's trash and never looked back. Did he think of her? Did he even really love her? The answers were, of course, yes to both. But she didn't know that and to her, none of it mattered now.

"Bells? Where'd you go?" Jacob asked Bella as he drove down the drove towards the Swan residence. Charlie would be thrilled that Jacob and finally popped the big question. And that his little girl said yes.

Bella sighed. "Just thinking."

"About what?"

"My life. How I never thought it would turn out like this," she waved her left arm between the two lovers rapidly.

Jacob thought she meant that their relationship was a mistake. That he was a mistake. He was suddenly angry. "I'm sorry I'm not your perfect dream guy Bella. We can't all be cold, dead bloodsuckers," he ground out between clenched teeth.

Now it was Bella's turn to be angry. "Jacob, that's not what I meant!" Bella hissed. "After Edward left me I never thought I was worthy of love!" she yelled while another glistening tear rolled down her check. She crossed her arms defiantly over chest.

"Shit Bells, I'm so sorry," Jacob said, pulling up to the small, white childhood home that Bella shared with her father. "Hey, look at me," he said. Bella shook her head and looked out the window instead. "I shouldn't have said that Bella."

"Why do you always have to bring him up? You know how much it still hurts!" Sure, Edward Cullen had left a brokenhearted Bella Swan in the middle of the woods behind her house a little over a year ago. Nevertheless, the pain was still there and the wound fresh.

"And it always will until you can learn to let it go. Jesus Bella! Sometimes I think that I'm not even good enough for you because I'm not dead and I don't want to constantly kill you!" Jacob said exasperatedly.

"But that's the thing Jake; you are good enough for me; almost too good. I love you…why can't you just accept it?" Bella pleaded. "I said yes Jake. Isn't that enough?"

"Of course it is." Jacob unbuckled his seatbelt, and Bella's, before pulling her into him and wrapping her petite frame in a tight embrace. Bella melted into her fiancée and breathed deep allowing the sandalwood, pine, and cinnamon aroma fill her senses.

Bella wiggled free of Jacob's strong arms. "I love you, Jake. Never doubt that," she said with a small smile. Why he would ever doubt her, she would never know. When Bella loved, she loved with her whole heart. "Now we should go tell Charlie the good news!" she said excitedly, pulling on the door handle and pushing the rusty red door open. Without hesitation, Jacob reached across the cab and abruptly pulled the door shut before Bella could exit the cab.

"Jake?" Bella asked nervously. She knew, deep down, that she didn't have to ask. She knew what was going on. This was the day Bella had been dreading ever since she found the note that read, "sorry I missed you. V," in her room six months ago. "She's here, isn't she?"

Jacob said nothing. His body started shaking furiously as he jumped out of the cab of the truck. He knew he couldn't phase since there was a good chance that someone would see. "Stay here," he told Bella sternly, praying to god that she would finally listen to him.

"Charlie!" Bella screamed in fear for her father.

"Stay here Bella." But of course, Bella didn't. Her door flew open and she was out of the truck and running towards the front door before Jacob could stop her. The front door to the small white house flew open and Bella ran inside. Jake wasn't even a foot behind her.

"Dad!" Bella yelled. There was no response. Bella moved frantically through the house. Jake tried to remove Bella from the house, but she wouldn't go with him. He grabbed for her arm. She knew she couldn't fight him off…he was a shape shifter after all and so much stronger than her. So Bella did the only thing she knew would stop him dead in his tracks; he was, first and foremost, a man. She spun into him and kneed him hard in the groin. Jake dropped to his knees and released Bella with a grunt.

"Dammit Bella," Jake ground out between clenched teeth, covering his manhood. She didn't stop to listen to him or to even see if he was alright. Instead, she ran upstairs. She didn't even make it to the top of the stairs before she saw the trail of blood at the top of the stairs. She looked up to meet the bright crimson eyes of the one person she had been expecting.

"Victoria."

"I've been waiting a long time to see you again, Bella." The female vampire with fiery red hair said sweetly. A chill ran down Bella's spine. Jacob came behind her and pulled Bella behind him.

A low moan from the left, coming from her bedroom, caught Bella's attention. She turned to see where the noise was coming from, tears welling in her brown eyes. "Daddy!" she screamed at the bloody mess of her father. His face was battered with blood trickling out of the gashes in his face and he had a huge gash in his leg, right where the femoral artery ran. He was still alive, but only barely. Victoria walked over to where Charlie's body sat tied to a chair in Bella's room and brought her cold thumb to his face, ran it down his bloody cheek and hummed in satisfaction.

"You're father and I have been having some fun. I had originally hoped to see you but I found your father instead. He and I have had a lovely conversation. Come on Charlie, it's time to wake up now. Your daughter is here," she cooed.

"Get away from him!" Bella screamed trying to step around Jacob. Jacob held her firmly in place. Jacob knew he was stuck between a rock and a hard place. He knew he had to phase in order to call for help and take down Victoria; but if he phased, both Bella and Charlie could have been hurt.

"Bells…" Charlie choked out. His voice was nothing more than a harsh whisper. More tears spilled out of Bella's eyes as she brought her eyes to meet Charlie's. Despite the blood, Bella could see the determination to make sure his daughter was safe and the love that he had for her. He knew he was going to die.

"Daddy…" she whispered from her place behind Jacob. Victoria sat silent and smiling next to Charlie.

"Jacob…you get my little girl…out of here…" he stammered to Jacob. Jacob looked at Victoria, who was smiling victoriously, and pure hatred flashed across his face.

"I'll be back for you," Jacob promised.

"What? No! I won't leave him! Take me instead! But please…just leave him alone!" Bella cried out trying unsuccessfully to get around her fiancée.

"I love you Bells…I'm so…proud of you…" Charlie croaked before Victoria stood up and slapped him forcefully across the face, making Charlie's head whip hard to the right. Bella could hear the sickening crack as Charlie's cheek bone shatter from the force of the blow.

Before Bella could protest, Jacob picked her up, threw her over his shoulder and started moving. "NOOOOO! Daddy!" she cried; her arms flailing towards her father and her feet lashing out at Jacob. "LET ME GO!" she screamed over and over again. "DADDY! DON'T LEAVE ME!" The last thing Bella heard before falling back into the black abyss was the gurgled sound of her father's pained screams and Victoria's sadistic cackle.

Present day (BPOV)

"I ended up burying my mom and step-dad three weeks later. It wasn't hard to tell it was Victoria; they were killed the same way Charlie was. Every single bone in their bodies were shattered and no blood."

I didn't know that I had started to cry until I was suddenly sitting on Jasper's lap with his strong cold arms wrapped around me, taking in is spicy scent. I breathed deep allowing the spicy allspice, cedarwood, oakmoss, and magnolia swirl around me. For the first time in over four years, I finally felt safe. I felt like I was home. "She's still out there; somewhere. That's why I'm living everyday like it's my last. I never know when it will actually be my last."

I felt the tears roll down my cheeks and soak through Jasper's t-shirt. "I'm sorry Darlin', we should have been there. This is my entire fault…" Jasper whispered.

"Please don't say that. My life worked out the way it was supposed to."

"But if I wasn't so weak, you're parents would still be alive. You'd be happy."

Oh this shit has to stop. Right the fuck now.

"You aren't weak. If you were weak, would I be here sitting on your lap? If you were weak, could I do this?" I leaned down to place a kiss on his cheek for being there and actually listening to me. And to prove a fucking point. Just as my lips went to make contact with his cheek, he turned his head and my lips met his. I pulled back in shock and gasped.

"Shit, Bella I'm sorry I-" I cut him off by bringing my lips back to his. Our lips moved in perfect synchronization.

In fiction, they often write about seeing fireworks when the leading couple would kiss. For as long as I could remember, I thought that this was complete and utter bullshit. Then again, I had never kissed Jasper before. As our lips moved and melded together, heat radiated through my body, sending small tingly sensations everywhere from the tips of my fingers to the tips of my toes and everywhere in between. This was so much more than just a fairytale kiss. This was real and it just felt so right.

I liked it more than I probably should have. But I couldn't help it.

"Bellsy! We're ho-oh damn! Kevin, I think we should come back…my roomie's a bit busy!" I heard Drew shout from the doorway. I reluctantly pulled away from Jasper and pulled my bottom lip into my mouth, resisting the urge to whisper the 'wow' I knew would come.

"What were you saying about being weak?"

The Art of Redemption: Chapter 3

Hello everyone out there in the fandom! I am so sorry this is coming a week and a half late...it's been a little weird around here for a while. I am posting this chapter to my blog first this time around and it will be up on ff.net tomorrow (Monday). Hope you all enjoy!

***
JPOV

“Still thinkin’ bout her?”

I didn’t even answer the fucker…he already knew the answer.

“Well come on then, git some shit kickers on and we’ll go see your girl.”

“She ain’t my girl.”

“You say that now, Major,” he said as he walked out the door. Fucking Peter…thinks he’s a fucking know-it-all.

…
Once in the crowded club, we made our way to an empty table near the bar. Bella was already behind the bar mixing different drinks and talking with the men surrounding the bar; their lust pouring off of them in waves.

“You’re girl looks pretty fuckin’ hot,” Peter said as he stood to extend his hand to his wife.

“Fuck off,” I growled. With a chuckle, he led Char to the dance floor as Whiskey Girl came blaring over the speakers.

I couldn’t help but agree with Peter though. Bella looked good tonight…Bella looked real good in them short Daisy Duke’s, tight tank top that was showin’ just the right amount of her pale skin and…fuck me, she was wearing cowboy boots. Her hair looked like she had just crawled out of my bed and ran her fingers through it. I knew I shouldn’t be havin’ them thoughts about my brothers ex-girlfriend but he walked away from her. She’s free game now.

Sorry, Brother dear.

I continued to watch her, like I had done all week on the balcony outside her bedroom, and still couldn’t figure her out. She had completely changed from the girl I knew before. This Bella, the new Bella, had a quiet confidence that made her sexy as hell. But, she still had remnants of her old self. She still enjoyed reading classic novels, and her normal day-to-day attire hadn’t changed much.

“You do know your starin’ right?”

“Again, fuck off Peter.”

Bella continued to mix and serve drinks behind the bar until an older gentleman with graying hair approached her.

“I need ya on the floor tonight Bella.”

“The tips aren’t as good.”

“Molly wants to try her hand at tending bar.”

“She can do it on my nights off. You know that Drew and I are you’re best bartenders and were runnin’ on a full house.”

“I know but you know the rules, everyone gets an opportunity to tend bar if they want to. So, I need you out on that floor. End of discussion.”

Bella slammed down a shot glass, nearly breaking it, and walked out from around the bar, out into the crowd, glaring at a petite red-head on her way.

BPOV

The club was quickly reaching its Friday night potential and Drew and I were working non-stop behind the bar mixing drinks and slinging beers left and right. Aside from the occasional bar dance, that’s all I did. Friday night was country night here at Vamped so the sounds of country music were blaring through the speakers as people danced on the dance floor. Country night was always a crowd favorite among the above thirty crowd around here so tonight was filled mainly with thirty-something’s, always a plus for Drew and I as far as tips go.

I was in the middle of pouring a round of tequila for one table when my boss, Ray, approached me. Ray was older, mid fifties, with graying hair and a ‘bigger than the world’ attitude. But, Ray was also a fun and fair boss.

“I need ya on the floor tonight, Bella.” Well this was certainly different.

“The tips aren’t as good,” I stated matter-of-factly, still pouring tequila into the shot glasses.
“Molly wants to try her hand at tending bar.”

Molly was one of our new waitresses that Ray had hired. She was always overeager to be working the bar, my guess was to get closer to Drew because let’s face it; Drew is hot. But I didn’t really give a flying fuck what Molly wanted. “She can do it on my nights off. You know that Drew and I are your best bartenders and we’re runnin’ on a full house,” I said, trying to convince the man in front of me. He knew damn well that Drew and I were his best…we were the best because we worked so well together. We had a system…and it was motherfuckin’ golden.

“I know, but you know the rules, everyone gets the opportunity to tend bar if they want to. So, I need you out on that floor. End of discussion,” he said before walking off into the back office, passing Molly on his way. She had a smirk planted on her pretty little face. I slammed the shot glass that I was holding down onto the counter, nearly shattering it, while anger coursed through my veins. I walked the length of the bar, down to wear Molly was standing victoriously. I narrowed my eyes at her and her bout of victory seemed to falter slightly as I approached, “wipe that smirk off your face before I do it for you,” I hissed at her as I walked by and out into the crowd.

I didn’t particularly like working the floor. The tips weren’t as good and people were grabby; way to fucking grabby. I walked through the crowd around the bar and made my way to the tables.

When I finally made my way to the back table, there he was, looking very much like the ‘hot cowboy’ that Drew pegged him as. He was wearing a pair of dark wash jeans and a black button-up shirt with the sleeves rolled to his elbows, showing off his muscular forearms. I couldn’t help but smile when I saw him sitting there, smiling at me as I approached.

“You know we don’t serve O negative here, right?” I asked jovially, trying unsuccessfully to keep the smile at bay.

“Oh, I’m sure someone here can help me.”

“Hands off the patrons,” I deadpanned and he laughed and I shortly joined him. “So what brings you here tonight?”

“Well, rumor has it that a really pretty girl that I used to know that works here.”
“Oh really? You probably mean Sarah…unfortunately she doesn’t work Fridays.”

“Funny.”

“Seriously though, what are you doing here?” I asked again.

“I wanted to see you again,” he said with a sexy smirk. I used to accuse Edward of dazzling me…little boy had nothing on Jasper. All he had to do was give me that look and I was completely under his southern spell.

“Well, in that case, I’m off in two hours and we can catch up than. In the mean time, I have to ask, what can I get ya? And for the record, Bella blood is not on the menu.”

“Two beers and a cosmo.”

I snickered. I couldn’t fucking help it. Here’s this really hot manly man ordering a motherfucking cosmo. A cosmo of all things. “Is there something you’re not tellin’ me there cowboy?”

“What? Charlotte thinks they’re ‘cute’,” he explained defensively.

“Whatever you say Pretty Boy,” I said as I smirked and turned towards the bar. I didn’t get very far before I felt a pair of cold, hard arms around my waist and I was flush against ice cold granite.

“There’s a lot I’m not tellin’ you Miss Swan,” he whispered huskily into my ear. A shiver ran down my spine, and it wasn’t because I was afraid. No, I wanted to be closer, so much closer.

Isabella Swan…have you no shame?

No. Not really.

JPOV

“You’re right, you haven’t told me. But you will, in two hours when you walk me home,” she said confidently. There was no fear. No regret. Not even apprehension. The only emotions I could pick up on were joy, trust, and dare I say it…lust. Well I’ll be God damned go to Hell. That’s new.

“Well I’ll let you git back to it then Miss Swan,” I whispered in her ear before letting her go. She sauntered off towards another table confidently without ever looking back.

In true Peter fashion, when I returned to the table, he was sitting there with Charlotte sitting on his lap, full shit eatin’ grin in place.

“I like her. Little kitten got some spunk. What would Eddie think of her now?” Peter asked sarcastically. “Probably couldn’t handle her,” he chuckled. He had a point though; Edward would not know how to handle a woman like Bella. And woman she was.

For the next hour and a half, I sat at that table watching Bella while Peter and Charlotte were back out on the dance floor. I watched as she glided effortlessly through the club, which was now not as crowded. At around one-forty-five, Bella came back to my table. “I just have to change and I’ll be ready to go. I’m getting off a few minutes early.”

“Ok, I’ll a…just meet you out front then.”

She walked off to the back room, presumable to go change. After telling Peter and Charlotte that I was walking Bella home, earning an approving nod from the ever-sarcastic Peter, I made my way outside to wait out front for Bella. It took Bella another ten minutes to come out. She was now wearing a worn pair of jeans, a navy long sleeve t-shirt, and a pair of black Converse.
“Sorry I took so long, I had to tell Drew that I was leaving…and that you were walking me home. It took a while to convince him that I was in fact safe with you,” she said softly, yet confidently. I could not help but wonder how she could be so confident with her safety.

“Drew is your…” I started, hoping that she would finish. I knew the two lived together, but I wasn’t aware of the status of their relationship. And I had to know.

“My roommate; my very, very gay roommate. He also holds the title of my very overprotective best friend.” For some strange reason, that little tidbit of information made me happier than I had been in four fucking years. Bella Swan was single…and she would be mine for the taking. Edward be damned.

While we walked, I told her about what I had been up to for the last four years. We continued to her apartment with the conversation flowing freely between us. That was until Bella got quiet. When I checked her emotions, she was nothing more than curious. “Whatcha thinkin’ ‘bout over there Darlin’?” I asked as we continued to walk down the sidewalk. I could smell and hear the blood rush to her cheeks.

“Nothing,” she said quickly. I eyed her speculatively but said nothing.

“So what brings you to Albuquerque?” I asked. I was just as curious to know why she was here as she was for the reason I was. I could tell she was warring within herself, her emotions said everything. There was pain, more pain than any one human should have to endure. I found myself wondering what had happened in the four years since I had seen her last.

“School,” she said sharply, trying to hide the pain that I knew she was feeling. I wanted to know…but I said nothing. “This is me,” she said as we stopped in front of her apartment building.

“Well my momma would be rollin’ over in her grave if she found out I didn’t at least drop you off at your door,” I said and I felt Bella’s lust increase. With a shy smile, she began walking up the stairs with me following closely behind her. I really, really tried not to stare at her ass. I really did. When we reached the door to her apartment, she fumbled with her keys before finding the right and unlocking the door.

“Would you like to come in?” she asked, stepping into the dark apartment.

“Nah, I gotta git goin’. I still have some uh…other things I need to take care of tonight. G’night, Bella,” I said. I felt of her disappointment; she wanted me to stay. For some reason, disappointing her was the last thing I wanted to do. Before she could say anything, I spoke up. “On second thought, there’s really no rush. I’d love to Darlin’.” She smiled slightly before opening the door further and flipping on the light.

“Feel free to make yourself at home, I’m just going to go make something to drink,” she said as she shut the door. I gave her a smile before she walked away to, what I would assume to be, the kitchen.

I went to the entertainment stand to see what kind of movies Bella was interested in. On one side, she had the modern day chick flicks, a few dramas, and a ton of action movies. The other side held historical movies. I was surprised to see almost every movie ever made on the civil war. It was at that time that heard the annoying chirp of the teapot in the kitchen. I could hear Bella pouring the water into a cup and the clanging of a spoon against the ceramic cup. A few seconds later, she came walking out into the living room with her cup of tea. “So is Drew some sort of civil war buff?” I asked as she came to stand next to me.

“No,” she said quietly, before taking a sip of her tea. “Those are mine.”

“So you’re the civil war buff then? I just don’t see it; Edward said you had a passion for readin’.”
She shrugged her shoulders before saying, “you never asked. In fact, Edward never asked either, he always just assumed that my greatest passion in life was reading the classics. He was wrong though. The civil war is most definitely my greatest passion in life.”

“Then we share that in common,” I said with a chuckle. Since Bella hadn’t said anything, I assumed that Edward had never told her about my past, for which I was grateful. Now that I had the chance, I wanted to be the one to tell her. But before I could say anything, I felt a sudden wave of excitement coming from Bella.

“Come on, I want to show you something,” she said excitedly, slipping her small warm hand in my larger one. I was surprised by the gesture. During our time before her eighteenth birthday, I would have never dreamed of being this close to her. Yet here I was, holding her warm, delicate hand and it felt so right. She led me across the living room to a locked display case. “I don’t keep this locked up during the day when I’m here but I keep it locked up tight when I’m not here or sleeping,” she said letting go of my hand. I immediately missed the warmth and comfort from her touch. She unlocked the case and opened the door. I felt her pride and adoration swell.

The case held things I would have never expected. Inside the case was history…my history. Spurs and bits from the confederate cavalry, confederate belt buckles, bullets, bayonets, and even campsite equipment like coffee pots and canteens. I reached out for a belt buckle but pulled back, not knowing how Bella would react. “It’s okay. I trust you,” she said quietly. I gingerly picked up the belt buckle and examined it carefully. The ‘CS’ on the face of the buckle had little wear and was in beautiful condition and the back of the buckle had all three original belt hooks intact. “It took me a long time to find one in that good of condition. But, I finally did.”

“How did you get all of this?” I asked, putting the buckle back in the exact spot it was before.

“I bought most of it here and there; you’d be surprised what you can find at garage and estate sales. Some of it, mostly the bullets and what not were found at Confederate camp sites or battlefields,” she explained while walking over to the couch and sitting down, folding her legs underneath herself. I followed suit and sat across from her in the overstuffed chair.

“Bella, about your eighteenth birthday-” I started but was cut off by Bella holding up her hand.

“Don’t, Jasper. Please, just don’t. I just got my life back together,” she whispered so quietly I wouldn’t have heard her had I been human. Then I felt more pain and despair than any one person should have to endure. I knew when Edward left her, it would break her heart, but never in a million years did I expect this. And it was all my fault. “Stop that,” she said softly but forcefully, “I know what you’re feeling Jasper,” was I projecting? “And you’re wrong. Nothing is your fault. Nothing that happened to me is your fault.”

“What are you talkin’ ‘bout Darlin’? What’s goin’ on?” A single tear rolled down Bella’s cheek before she wiped it away.

“Can we talk about this tomorrow? I’m really tired and it’s a long fucking story? Please?” she begged, I could feel her desperation.

“Sure, Bella. Why don’t you go change into your pajamas and I’ll lock up your display case so you can finish your tea and git to bed. We’ll talk more t’morrow. Deal?”

“Deal.”

She set her cup of tea down on her coffee table and got up from the couch before going towards the back of the apartment towards her bedroom. I went over to Bella’s display case and took a closer look at all of the artifacts. Every single item in the case was from the Confederacy; not one single Union item in sight. I would have to ask her about it tomorrow. I shut the doors to the display, and locked it up.

A few minutes later, Bella came out wearing a worn pair of sweatpants and a plain white t-shirt. Even in its simplicity, she looked beautiful.

“I should git goin’, I still have something I need to take care of,” I said, handing her her cup of tea.

She took the cup and smiled. “Thank you for walking me home tonight Jasper,” she said while walking towards the door. When she got to the door, she opened it up and smiled at me, “I really do appreciate it.”

“It was my pleasure Darlin’,” I said. I leaned down and placed a chaste kiss on her cheek. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Have a good hunt,” she said before closing the door. I heard her squeal and felt her joy right after the door clicked closed. I smiled to myself before taking off down the stairs and into the night.