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Chapter Text

Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight.

Chapter 1

Jasper quickly dismounted and tied Bessie to the post before walking up the stairs onto the porch to knock on the door. The door opened and his best friend smiled at him, calling back to her Mother that she was going out for a while. He offered his arm and she took it as they walked away from the house. He knew the only reason they were unchaperoned was because they had grown up together and her parents trusted him to be a gentleman.

“They say the fighting is getting closer,” she offered as they walked.

“I know.” He gently squeezed her hand where it rested in the crook of his arm. “It won’t come to Houston; the army will stop the Union.”

“I hope you are right,” Isabella smiled shakily. She was worried, not just for her family but for the Whitlock’s, for everyone in Houston. At least her father was too old to be conscripted and Jasper was too young. Surely the war would end before he reached eighteen? “Some of the refugees said that those who disagree with the war and conscription have been executed, I worry for my Father.”

“He is a smart man, he knows to keep his opinions quiet outside of family,” he assured her. He didn’t agree with the man, but he would never tell anyone. They sat beneath their tree, Isabella settling her skirts. “Mother bemoans the dwindling supplies of flour and sugar due to the blockades. I think I miss coffee the most, as does father.”

Bella smiled and shook her head. Robert Whitlock’s love of coffee was famous, and it was a love he had passed on to Jasper. The blockades meant that a lot of luxury goods were no longer available as they came from the North. Galveston had yet to fall to the Union Navy but getting ships through was difficult. “Mother misses the fabrics, Anna is growing fast and needs new gowns. Thankfully we saved some of mine so they can be reworked for her. I just wish this war would end.”

“Bella,” he used her nickname, unable to look at her, and she frowned in concern.

“What is it Jasper? Is something wrong?”

“I am going to join the army,” he admitted, hearing her gasp. A gloved hand came to rest on his arm, and he knew she was confused, maybe even a little angry.

“Jasper…why? You are too young; they will not take you. Your family needs you,” I need you, but she could not say it. He was her best friend, she couldn’t risk that with rushed declarations. He would think it a ploy to change his mind.

Jasper shook his head. “David is old enough to help Father now and Mother has Grace. I want to do my part for Texas. I can pass as older easily enough.”

“You could die.”

“I know but this is something I have to do, please don’t be mad.” He turned to clasp her gloved hands, finally meeting her eyes. He saw the pain and fear in them and wished he could reassure her, but he would not lie, not to her. He knew the risks, but he truly believed he needed to do this. It wasn’t an ideological decision; it was simply about ensuring those he loved remained safe. If the war reached Houston then they would be in danger so the war had to be stopped before it could reach them.

“Have you told your parents?”

“No,” he shook his head.

“You aren’t going to,” she whispered. “Jasper…” she took a deep breath, glancing down briefly. “When?”

“Tomorrow.”

It was too soon! If they took him, who knew when he would be able to come home again. “What will I do without you to scare off suitors?” She managed a shaking smile, and he laughed.

“You can scare them off with threats of a soldier coming for them,” he offered.

He was worried about that. Joseph Swan didn’t approve of him, he knew that. The Swans were wealthier and a step above the Whitlock’s on the social scale, despite their properties being next to each other. Jasper was just over a year older than her and they had known each other all their lives. He cared deeply for her, always had, but lately that had deepened further, and he thought she felt the same. If it was only Florence Swan then he knew there would be no trouble should he ask to court Bella, it was Joseph who was the problem. Jasper hoped that if he could move up the ranks then the man would see him as a better match for her. It would be harder for Joseph to turn down an officer, especially if he saw battle and could distinguish himself.

“I will miss you so much,” she leant against him briefly, knowing there was no one around to see. “You will write to me, won’t you?”

“Of course,” Jasper swore, and she smiled before leaning in to kiss his cheek.

He smiled and lifted her hand, kissing the back of it through her glove. She looked so lovely today in a dress of striped blue and white, her dark hair gathered up beneath her straw garden hat. He missed the days when they could chase and play in the fields. But she had put away the simple dressed of childhood for the many layers of skirts required for a fashionable young lady, no matter how much he knew she preferred the simpler gowns that went only to her knees rather than her ankles. His Bella was not always the most coordinated and he knew she was dreading the floor-length dresses that would come with her seventeenth birthday. Frankly, he found woman’s fashions very confusing, but she had looked beautiful the previous week at the dance held at the Flint’s farm.

She stood and he quickly stood as well to ensure she kept her balance. “I need to get back, Mother has arranged a sewing group to help the troops and I am expected to be there.”

“Not sewing I hope?” he teased, and she blushed but shook her head.

“No, I will be knitting socks and gloves,” she explained.

Jasper was well aware of what had happened the last time she had attempted to sew, it was better that she stay away from needles and scissors.

He escorted her back to the house and waited until she was safely inside before mounting Bessie and riding away. He forced himself not to look back, even as he tipped his hat to the passing buggy’s occupants, obviously attending the sewing gathering.

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Bella listened to the older women as they talked even as she knitted. What Jasper had told her had affected her attitude towards the gathering. His decision to enlist made the war feel real, in a way rationing hadn’t. Now, every sock that she knitted could be his one day and she was determined to do her best. She hated the war, how it was ripping families apart, and she was terrified for Jasper. She didn’t doubt that he would be accepted, Jasper could charm anyone.

Mrs. Clayton’s sons were already soldiers and the stories she was sharing from their letters were not pleasant. While there was little fighting in Texas and most of their men remained in the State, conditions in the camps were bad. There were even rumours that their boys would soon be shipped out of state to fight.

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Jasper left the letter on the table and then slipped out of the house, moving silently to the barn to saddle Bessie before strapping his bag to her and leading her from the building. Once away from the house he mounted and rode away. He knew it was cowardly to sneak away, but he couldn’t face his mother or sister. He rode into town and headed for the recruitment office.

An hour later he left, papers clutching in his hands. He’d done it! He was a soldier in the Confederate Army and they thought that he was eighteen, despite the fact that he wouldn’t even be seventeen for a few more months. He had to report immediately but he had said his goodbyes to Bella yesterday and left a letter for his family, so there was no reason to delay.

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Grace ran across the fields, tears in her eyes, if anyone knew it would be Bella. She knocked on the door to find Mrs. Swan. “Is Isabella here ma’am?”

“Good morning Grace,” and then her smile faded as she took in her dishevelled state, so she quickly ushered the girl inside. “What has happened?” She settled her on a chair and got her a glass of water.

“It’s Jasper, he is gone,” she whispered.

“Gone? Whatever do you mean?” But she had the sinking feeling she knew after how melancholy Bella had been when she returned, how determined her knitting for the soldiers had been.

“He left to join the army! He left a letter!” Grace sniffled and Florence hugged her, she was basically another daughter she was here so often.

She was thirteen, younger than Bella but older than Anna who had just turned eleven. Despite the odd ages all three girls were close and she had made sure Joseph never made Grace unwelcome. She knew her daughter’s heart, knew she would marry Jasper if he ever offered, but Joseph would never give his permission. If Jasper had run away to the Army it could break Bella’s heart. Hearing footsteps she looked up to see Bella and Anna in the doorway and yes, Bella had known, she could see it in her eyes. Anna quickly ran to Grace, so Florence drew Bella away.

“You knew?”

“He told me yesterday,” Bella admitted. “I asked him to reconsider but he wouldn’t.”

“Oh Bella,” she hugged her daughter close and Bella clung to her.

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Bella smiled as she found the envelope with her name on it. She crept off to their tree and sat to read his letter, devouring the contents. It had been censored, but not too badly, and she read of his training and the boredom around camp. It had been three months since he had left but she knew not to expect letters too frequently. Jasper had to pay to send letters from his soldiers pay and writing his family had to come first. She had no one except her grandmother in South Carolina to write, so she could afford to write to him more frequently. It wasn’t the same with him gone, she missed their walks and talks together, missed their childhood games. Though he said that once training was complete they would be granted leave to return home for a few days. She couldn’t wait.

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Joseph watched his daughter go, he knew why, he’d seen the envelope. She’d received a letter from the Whitlock boy. He’d never approved of how close they were and had actually been relieved when he signed up for the army. Out of sight, out of mind. Except the two kept writing. He was not an appropriate match for Isabella. She would marry a proper young gentleman with wealth and family standing. Not a poor farm boy with no prospects beyond inheriting the farm. Before the war, he’d been considering sending her somewhere like New York for further education and to find a husband.

Her marriage arrangements would need to wait until the war was over now, he wouldn’t let her rush to marry some soldier who would likely leave her widowed.

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Jasper opened the letter and smiled as he read the news from home, chuckling at Grace’s addition to the news his mother had sent. Letters from home were the only joy he had in the training camp. The food was terrible but the men worked to keep the mood light when not training.

He missed home, days in the fields and time spent with his family. But that was why he was there, to make sure things stayed like that. He knew some of the men were there for other reasons but all he wanted was to keep those he loved safe.

He got out the blank paper from the back that his mother always included and began to write in return. He wouldn’t be able to send it until the next week, but that gave him plenty of time to add to the letter as well.

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Bella gathered the basket her mother had prepared and donned her hat before making sure Anna had her own on. They then left the house and got into the buggy, Bella driving them over to the Whitlock farm. Jasper was finally home for a very short time, and their mother had allowed them to go to the farm to see him. Bella was grateful father was in the city on business and therefore unable to say no. Anna chattered excitedly the whole drive and then Bella was stopping outside the house. Before she could do anything, a familiar figure was beside her, reaching up to help her down and she couldn’t help smiling broadly.

“Welcome home Jasper.” She smiled at seeing him again, how handsome he looked in his uniform.

“Thank you.” He bowed over her hand, kissing the back, and she blushed.

Anna laughed and jumped down, knowing Jasper would catch her. Jasper spun her, making Anna laugh, before he set her down on the ground. Grace quickly joined them, and Jasper took the basket into the house.

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Robert remained overly quiet as the children chattered away while Elizabeth used the baskets’ contents to help prepare a celebratory meal for Jasper’s temporary return, with Bella’s help. He did not agree with his eldest son’s actions, but there was nothing he could do about it now. Even if the army was informed he was underage, it was unlikely he’d be discharged, it was likely many of the young men within it had given the same lie.

Jasper was a soldier and he prayed he would survive the war and come home. He knew part of the reason his son had enlisted and wished that Joseph Swan was a more reasonable man. If he would simply allow Jasper to court Bella then perhaps his son would not have run off to join the Army. He wasn’t sure even an officer’s rank would be enough for that proud man and he dreaded the children having their hearts broken.

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Bella walked with Jasper through the fields, enjoying the quiet and the warm Texas sun. Tomorrow he would be returning to camp and everyone was dreading it. He took her hand cautiously and she didn’t pull away, it wasn’t proper, but Bella had never truly cared about such things.

“I enjoyed your letters, they were a welcome brightness in the dullness of camp.”

“Is it really that bad?” she asked in concern, and he nodded.

“Boredom is a real issue, there are only so many drills they can run us through a day. Fighting amongst the troops is a problem,” he admitted.

“I hate to think of you there.”

“It will get better once I receive my posting.”

“I pray you remain in Texas, hopefully close enough to come home on leave,” she told him as they sat on a low hill to look at the view.

“I think I will be posted to Galveston. There is concern it will be attacked soon to blockade us.”

“That is not too far,” she smiled, and he nodded. “Tell me more about a soldiers life?”

He spoke of life in the camp but he kept back some things, not wanting her to worry.

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Jasper had been right; he had been sent to Galveston but there was little there for the men to do for almost a year and then in May 1862 the union demanded the city surrender. She was terrified for Jasper, his family was too, but all they could do was write and send supplies to the soldiers. It hadn’t turned into a fight yet, but they knew it would, the Confederacy would not just surrender one of their ports. With the heavier blockade Houston was truly cut off from trade. Conscription had been brought in, for those aged eighteen and older.

Illness was rampant in the soldiers camps and those who received leave brought it with them. The male population of Houston was steadily declining, except among the wealthy who paid for another to take their place in the Army. It left the women to step up and do much more, taking on roles that traditionally were for men alone.

The war hit home for the Swan family when Joseph fell ill after doing business for a week in the city itself. Florence immediately shipped her children off to the Whitlock farm for their safety, not wanting to risk them becoming ill. Two weeks later Joseph Swan died in his bed with his wife of twenty years at his side. Five days later Florence took to her bed with the same disease, Typhoid fever. Bella wanted to return home to nurse her, but no one would allow it, not wanting to risk her to the disease as well. Florence was buried beside her husband in the family plot, five days after Bella’s seventeenth birthday.

The only good news was from Jasper as he quickly rose through the ranks, a Captain already, making his family proud of him, even as they wished he was at home. The blockade of Galveston seemed to drag on forever.

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Anna stared at the headstones, fighting to hold back tears. Grace held her hand tightly, Bella’s hand on her shoulder. It wasn’t fair!

The service finally ended and they returned to the Whitlock farm for a meal. But eventually Bella led her to the buggy and they headed home. Except it didn’t feel like home, not without their parents. The house was too big, too silent. What were they meant to do now?

She didn’t even realise she was crying until Bella wrapped her up in a hug.

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Jasper accepted the letter, returning to his tent to read it. It was from his father for once, usually his mother wrote and added in messages from him. barely three words in and he knew, something was very wrong. The letter fell as from his hands as he read the words. Joseph Swan was dead and his wife ill…was she dead now to? Anna…Bella?

He stood on autopilot as he heard his name being called, leaving the tent to follow the soldier who’d been sent to fetch him. He was getting new orders but he couldn’t get the thoughts of the Swans out of his head.

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Bella looked up as she heard a horse approaching, eyeing it warily. Life on the farms was becoming more dangerous the longer the blockade went on. People were becoming desperate and soldiers often deserted or ‘requisitioned’ supplied.

Then she was running for the road as she recognised the rider and he drew his horse up on seeing her, dismounting quickly. “Jasper!”

He caught her and hugged her tightly, relieved to see her. She had written of her parents and he had feared for her since. “Bella, I am so glad to see you,” he whispered.

“How can you be here?” she asked as they parted, and he smiled. She looked him over, taking in his uniform and it looked very good on him.

“I’ve been escorting the women and children from Galveston to Houston. I delivered the last today and am not expected back for another two days,” he told her as they began walking.

“Have you seen your parents yet?”

“Not yet. I came straight here…silly, since the letter said you were staying with them. But something told me to come here.”

“We returned home after the…the funeral, it wasn’t fair to your parents for us to stay. It’s easier to look after the place while here too.”

“I need to see them; may I call on you later?”

“Of course,” she promised, and he kissed her hand before heading for home. Bella watched him ride away before going back to the house to help Anna with her lessons before beginning dinner.

With all of the conscription most of the workers were gone, those who remained were young or female, but they all did their best to keep the land going. Bella had stepped up to take over the house, freeing everyone else to work outside. She had raised their wages to make up for it, she could afford to do so thanks to her father’s business sense. She cooked the best meal she could with what she had, wanting to celebrate. Within a few hours Jasper was knocking on the door and Anna quickly let him in. Bella let Anna question Jasper during the meal but then sent her off and they moved to the porch swing.

“I am glad you’re home, even if only for such a short time,” she whispered as they sat together in the warm evening.

“I didn’t think I’d get the chance so soon,” he admitted.

“Soon?” It had been over a year and a half since they had seen him. He just smiled and fidgeted slightly. “Jasper?”

“I have something to ask you,” he told her, and she looked at him.

“What is it?”

“Usually I would ask permission but since you have no male family members left…” he took a deep breath. “Isabella Swan, would you marry me?”

TBC…

Chapter Text

Disclaimer: Not mine

Chapter 2

Jasper waited with bated breath for her answer, praying she would say yes. This was not how he had ever imagined asking for her hand, he had expected to have to ask her father for the chance to court her and then eventually offer marriage. He had been terrified once he received the news but there hadn’t really been time to react before being sent out to help the evacuation, he’d spent the whole time he was escorting the women and children in fear that he would receive news of Bella or Anna falling ill as well. Receiving the promotion to Captain had felt like nothing while he waited for news. So to finish and have time before he was due at camp had felt like a miracle and he’d ridden fast for their homes.

Bella was shocked, she had always hoped… it felt wrong for Jasper be unable to ask her father or even her mother. This was what she had always wanted though. “Of course I’ll marry you,” she smiled, trying not to cry, and he grinned, leaping up and then lifting her to spin her around.

“You’ve made me the happiest man in Texas,” he promised when he stopped, lifting her hand to kiss the back. “I’m just sorry it’s so rushed.”

She blinked in surprise. “You mean now?”

He smiled and gently brushed back a stray strand of hair from her face. “There’s no telling when I’ll next get leave, or when the war will end. We all thought it would be done by now when it began.”

Bella nodded in understanding, leaning into his touch. A lot of young women were marrying quickly now, worried about being left without a husband. She had nothing prepared for her wedding though, her trousseau had barely been started before the war began and once it had it had been put on hold, her mother had mentioned working on it just before she’d fallen ill and Bella hadn’t been able to bring herself to do since she died. Thanks to the blockades there was no cloth to make the traditional contents. There was one set of sheets and a few towels in it, no dresses or bedding.

“Father has agreed to sign over some of the land to me, if you want to leave this place for Anna, or we can live here if that is what you’d prefer.”

Bella smiled and looped her arm in his. “I need to stay here for Anna for the moment, anything else can be decided when you come home for good.” She would not even consider the alternative, and he nodded.

“Conscription is beginning to include those who have been excluded before, including preachers. Father managed to get hold of the only one left, he’ll be at the house tomorrow. Mother said she will help you with preparing, she’ll come tonight.”

Bella laughed, “I guess my answer was obvious?”

“They said so,” he admitted as Anna came out, looking between them, knowing something was going on.

“Jasper and I are getting married tomorrow,” Bella told her sister who shouted in excitement and rushed to hug them.

“I’m so happy for you!”

Jasper smiled and then picked up his hat. “I should go, mother will be here soon.” He ruffled Anna’s hair and she pouted, she was too old for that now! He took Bella’s hand but then hesitated before moving in and kissing her chastely on the lips. “I will see you tomorrow,” he promised before walking away.

 Bella watched him go and then turned to Anna who hugged her again. “Are you alright with this Anna?” she asked softly, and Anna smiled, clasping her hands.

“I am so happy for you Bella. I always wanted you to marry Jasper and now you can. I know father wasn’t going to let you, and I miss him and mother, but now you get to be happy. Now come on, we need to find something for you to wear!” she pulled her inside to go through her wardrobe.

Bella had kept some of her mother’s things, but much had been given to those less fortunate. If she had several days she could easily rework something but with the wedding tomorrow only the most basic of alterations could be made.

Not long after, Elizabeth and Grace joined them, and they chose one of Florence’s best dresses to work with. Thankfully, it had been one that Bella hadn’t been able to give away since it had been her favourite, worn only on the most special occasions. The deep blue colour looked lovely on Bella and they were soon sewing away while Bella worked at removing lace from another gown to put on what was to be her wedding dress, no one trusted her to actually sew. Eventually they sent her to bed to rest while they continued working.

When Bella woke the next morning they headed over to the Whitlock farm, Elizabeth shooing the men outside before beginning to cook. They may not have everything they had before the war, but she was still determined they would have a wedding meal to be proud of. She smiled when she heard the girls giggling as they worked on Bella’s hair. She had prayed for this day since she had first seen how Jasper looked at Bella once they were old enough for such things. She just wished Bella’s parents were there to see her, that Jasper would not be going back to war… she shook off her thoughts and went to check on the girls, watching from the doorway as they chatted and giggled, getting ready for the wedding.

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Jasper paced the barn, unable to help it. Today was his wedding day! A day he had begun believing would never come and yet now here it was. He was nervous, excited, worried… And then a gentle hand gripped his shoulder and he turned to see his father smiling at him.

“Relax son, Isabella loves you,” Robert assured his son.

He’d been so relieved when Jasper had ridden up to the farm yesterday. He had not expected to see his son again until the war ended, had feared even then they would never see him again. Knowing he’d been escorting evacuees made it obvious what was going to happen soon, and it scared him to think of his son in an actual battle.

“I am proud of you,” he whispered, choking up, and Jasper smiled shyly at him. It was easy to forget just how young his son was, only eighteen - a man, a solider but still his little boy.

“Am I doing the right thing?”

“Jasper?”

“Marrying her, I don’t want to hurt her,” Jasper hung his head. “I might not come home, she could be a widow within days,” he whispered, and Robert held him by his shoulders.

“There is no point borrowing trouble son. You love her and she loves you. Right now, that is what you need to focus on. Yes…you could die in this war, but you could die on the farm too, an accident, disease…what matters is what you do with the time you have.”

Jasper nodded slowly and then they turned as a throat was cleared to see Grace waiting, dressed in her best dress. “Time?” he asked, nerves settled.

“We’re ready!” She called and then quickly went back to the house.

Jasper nodded at his father and they left the barn, walking to the clear area beneath a large tree behind the house where the Preacher was waiting with those who could be gathered with little warning. He took his place before the man who smiled at him, and then he heard Grace on the piano. His mother left the house to stand by his father, smiling at them both.

It felt like a century before Bella and Anna emerged onto the back porch, Bella carrying a bouquet of wildflowers and smiling shyly as they approached. She was so beautiful… Anna kissed her cheek and handed her over to Jasper before stepping back to stand with the others. Their vows passed in a blur and finally it was over, and they were being ushered in to eat. Jasper still couldn’t believe Bella was now his wife, Mrs. Whitlock.

Finally, they were in the buggy and he was driving back to the Swan property, Anna was staying with his parents for the night. He was nervous, his father had spoken with him on what to do and how to treat her, and he just wished they had more time. But he would have to leave tomorrow in order to return to camp in the time expected. He helped her down and then quickly settled the horse for the night before going inside the house. He hesitated but the lamps downstairs were dark.

He put his hat on the peg and took his boots off, before heading upstairs, somewhere he’d never been before, even when they were young children he hadn’t been allowed. He went to the only door showing light and found Bella sitting on the edge of the bed inside, carefully unpinning her hair. This had been her parents room, theirs now, since Bella’s room was too small for two.

Jasper stepped closer and gently helped remove the pins, freeing her beautiful dark hair to tumble down her back. She looked up at him, smiling shyly, and he smiled back, why was he nervous? Bella was his best friend, he loved her. He took a deep breath and reached out to unfasten her dress and she let him, carefully lifting the gown over her head before she stepped out of the under layers.

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Bella was sort of terrified, but she hoped he couldn’t see that. No man had seen her before, but he was her husband, it was his right. Her mother had spoken of her duty when she was younger, had explained that it would hurt at first. She was scared but she also wanted to please him. She hesitated but then raised her hand to his shirt and he didn’t stop her, so she unbuttoned it, trying not to shake and give away how anxious she was.

They slowly undressed each other, both too nervous to rush things. Eventually he lay her down on the bed, both naked, utterly fascinated by her body.

“You are beautiful,” he whispered, and she blushed, fighting the urge to cover herself.

It did hurt but Jasper did his best to make it enjoyable for her and she could see that. She hoped that maybe it would feel better the next time. It felt strange going to sleep with an arm around her waist and a body pressed into her back but eventually she did fall asleep.

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Jasper leant up on his elbow, staring down at his sleeping love. The sun was just rising, and he knew he needed to wash up and get a move on, but he didn’t want to move. He had waited for this day ever since he had realised what he felt for her. He had never planned to marry her during the war, but he had been unable to wait any longer, not when it seemed the war would last forever. He knew he had caused her discomfort last night and he hated that but there was nothing he could do about it.

He leant over and kissed her cheek before forcing himself from the bed, going to where his bag had been left the day before, slipping into the small room between the bedrooms that held a wooden tub and a washstand. He dressed in his uniform and then went in to look at her again, hesitation. Should he wake her or let her sleep and leave a note? In the end he wrote a note and left it on his pillow before slipping away, unable to face saying goodbye.

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Bella woke slowly, feeling a little sore but also nice and warm. She rolled over and then opened her eyes to find the other side of the bed empty. She sat up, hair falling down her shoulders and then she saw the note. She picked it up and read it, smiling sadly. Jasper was gone, back to the war. Maybe it was best he had left without waking her, the last thing she wanted to do was to send him away with a teary farewell.

She got up and set to work filling the tub, soaking in the hot water to relieve aching muscles, before dressing and making breakfast. This was not how she had imagined her wedding being, but she was still happy to be Jasper’s wife.

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Jasper watched the men work at their drills. No one was happy about the withdrawal but there was nothing that could be done for now. There was talk of retaking the city but for now it was just talk. The men were more excited about the rumours of some being allowed home for Christmas. He knew he wouldn’t be among them, he’d just been promoted to Major, he’d also been home just last month, and he had no children. He had received some congratulations on his wedding which had been nice.

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Bella laughed as David pouted at Grace who finally gave in and handed him his stocking. The gifts were small, handmade items, but they were all appreciated. The Swan home had been closed up and they had moved into the Whitlock farm, it was safer than two females living alone. Cattle had been going missing as well as other goods that could be carried away and Robert was worried about what such men might do to his daughter-in-law and her sister. Anna loved living with them although Bella missed her independence. Perhaps once they could re-take Galveston things would become safer again but for now, the Whitlock farm was home.

Eventually she got up to help Elizabeth with Christmas dinner only to suddenly bolt for the privy. Elizabeth followed and moved to support her as she was ill.

She put her hand against Bella’s forehead, worried. “You don’t appear to have a fever.”

“I was sick the last two days,” she admitted quietly, and Elizabeth’s eyes widened.

“Bella…” was it possible? She knelt down and wrapped her arms around the younger woman. “Do you think you might be with child?” she asked gently, and Bella paled.

“Is…is that possible after only one night?” she asked softly, and Elizabeth nodded.

“Come, wash your face and then go lie down for a while,” she offered, and Bella nodded.

She came back out for the dinner although she didn’t each much. Elizabeth watched her closely for the next few days and became as sure as possible that Bella would be giving them a grandchild in the summer.

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Jasper opened the letter and began reading it only to stare in shock. A baby? So soon? And when he couldn’t be there for her? He felt sick with worry for Bella, but he knew his mother and their sisters would do everything possible to help her. He was glad Bella and Anna had moved in with his family, it was safer. He was going to be a father! A smile spread across his lips, a baby!

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Grace was worried about Bella, but mother said being sick was normal. She couldn’t believe Bella was going to have a baby! She didn’t remember ever seeing a baby, Anna was the only one younger than her but not by a lot, so she didn’t remember that.

Watching her parents, she knew something was going on with the war but they didn’t talk about it in front of her and Anna. But it made her scared for Jasper. She’d seen soldiers on the road, with bandages wrapped around them…limbs missing…she didn’t want to ever see her big brother like that.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Once sure the group was safely settled, he rode fast out of Houston, heading for the farm. He pulled up outside the house and dismounted, tying his horse up. He couldn’t even stay the night, but he had to see her. He quickly opened the door to the house and removed his hat. “Mother? Bella?” he called out, and then he heard feet running, Anna and Grace rushing into the entrance.

“Jasper!” he was soon being hugged by his sister and sister-in-law, and he hugged them back despite the rather dirty state he was in. “You’re back?”

“No, I can’t stay long. Where is everyone?” It was new year’s eve, they should be home.

“You mean Bella?” Grace asked with a grin.

“She was tired, so she was sent back to bed,” Anna answered, showing him which room and he nodded before slipping inside.

He watched Bella sleep, she looked a little pale to him, but he could see no physical sign of their child. It had only been three months, perhaps it took longer for there to be obvious signs? He hadn’t paid much attention to his mother’s pregnancies; he’d been too young. He sat on the edge of the bed and reached out to gently brush some stray hair off her face, causing her to stir.

She blinked sleepily at him and then her eyes widened as she realised what she was seeing. “Jasper?”

“Hello wife,” he smiled and kissed her softly.

“You’re home?” she sat up, and he steadied her.

“No, I was escorting some civilians who didn’t evacuate last time. I can’t even stay the night, but I had to see you,” he answered, wishing he had more time. Who knew when he would next be able to come? Would she have their child without him there?

“You have time for a bath and meal surely?”

Jasper hesitated before nodding, he hadn’t had a proper bath since their wedding, making do with what cleanish water could be found in camp. “Alright,” he agreed.

Bella smiled and got up. “Go bathe then, I’ll do what I can to clean your uniform while you do and then we can eat and talk.”

Jasper nodded, kissing her again before heading out only to find the wooden tub already filled with hot water, making him smile at the thoughtfulness of their sisters. He stripped off and piled his uniform outside the door before getting in to finally get clean again. Sinking into the steaming hot water felt wonderful and he wished he could just soak until it went cold but there was no time. He grabbed the soap and cloth and began scrubbing his skin, wanting to be free of the old dirt and who knew what else.

While he did that, Bella and Grace worked on his uniform, replacing his shirt totally with one that had been made to send to the soldiers anyway. They couldn’t wash anything, it wouldn’t dry in time, so they took it outside to air and beat the clothes to remove as much dirt as possible.

While they cleaned, Anna cooked a hot, filling meal, setting the table for the two of them. They could eat elsewhere to give them privacy. She just hoped their parents would return before Jasper had to leave.

Jasper emerged to find a new shirt and cleaner clothes in general waiting for him, so he redressed in his uniform and joined Bella for a meal. “Have you been in much discomfort?”

“It is normal to feel a bit ill in the early months. I am grateful for your mother’s help,” she admitted.

“I wish I could be here to help,” he reached for her hand, and she took his.

“I hope the war ends before the birth.”

“When will the baby come?” he asked, excited but also a little scared.

He hadn’t imagined becoming a father just yet after all, he had thought that after the war, once he was home to stay, then they could start planning for a baby. They hadn’t even decided where they were going to live, on the Swan farm or on the land his father had offered them.

“Around June. Do you have any names in mind?”

“I hadn’t even thought about it,” he admitted, considering some options right then. “I think, perhaps, Florence, for a girl?” June…surely he could at least have some leave by then. If the coming battle went well for them then the situation would improve after all.

Bella smiled and nodded, touched that he would want their daughter to be named for her mother.

“I will have to think more for a boy, I will write you my ideas,” he promised. They talked quietly and then the door opened as they were finishing, and his parents walked in.

They were very happy to see him, proud he had been promoted again, to Major, although sad that he could not stay. All too soon he was leaving the house to mount his horse, hugging Bella again, kissing her softly, before saying goodbye to everyone.

Bella watched him ride away in the gathering gloom, swaying slightly on her feet, and Robert steadied her. She couldn’t take her eyes off her husband, a sudden, sick feeling saying she would never see him again. She shook her head, no, she would not give in to those thoughts. Jasper would come home, and they would raise their baby together.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Jasper was almost back to Galveston when he spotted three figures in the growing morning light. He rode towards them and realised they were women, they must have been separated from the others, or maybe they had decided to stay at first and only now decided to leave the city. The attack was meant to begin at any time now, they would not be safe where they were, but he needed to get back to his men. Still, he could not abandon them with the coming battle.

He rode up and dismounted, politely bowing to them. “May I escort you ladies to safety?” he offered.

One of the women seemed to take a deep breath, smiling at him. “Lovely. And an officer.”

“You'd better do it, Maria. I can never stop once I've started,” the second said, confusing him.

The third walked towards him and something screamed at him to run but he couldn’t move, mesmerised by her presence. “What is your name, soldier?” she asked, and he swallowed.

“Major Jasper Whitlock, ma'am,” he remained polite, no matter how confused and wary he was becoming.

She smiled at him, standing right in front of him now. “I hope you survive. You may be of a great use to me,” she purred and leant in as if to kiss him, and he jerked back, but then she grabbed his shoulder, holding him in place somehow.

Pain! Unlike anything he had ever felt before, as something sharp sliced into his throat before beginning to burn. He was unaware of being moved, taken to their base as the fire consumed him.

TBC….

Chapter Text

Disclaimer: Not mine

Warning: multiple deaths

Chapter 3

“Bella did you hear?” David called, and she turned to her brother-in-law.

“Hear what?”

“We’ve retaken Galveston!” He grinned, and she blinked, hand going to her chest.

Jasper…no, he would be fine. “That’s wonderful,” she whispered, and the younger male stared at her, worried now.

“I’m sure Jasper is fine,” he told her firmly, and she nodded.

“You’re right. Go spread the news,” she told him, and he hesitated but then ran off to find the rest of the family.

She sat down on the porch swing, praying David was right. Jasper was a major, expected to lead men into the battle ,but he’d never seen real battle himself. Was his training enough? Even the best soldier could fall in battle, there was no way to dodge a bullet and they had likely been under fire from the ships as well. No, she would not think like that, she would pray he had remained safe.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Jasper writhed, screaming in agony as his body burned. He had never felt such pain before and it was moving, leaving his limbs, beginning to increase in his chest as his heart struggled to keep beating. He was dying! He couldn’t die, couldn’t leave…

His body arched off the ground as he screamed louder than ever before he went limp, his heart forever silent. He lay utterly still, bombarded by things he didn’t understand but then he heard it, a heartbeat. Crimson eyes snapped open and he was moving before he could even think about it, teeth slicing through soft flesh as hot liquid filled his mouth. He drank greedily until there was no more and then he dropped…a body.

He stared down in shock at the dead man sprawled at his feet, his throat ripped apart savagely. What…what had he done? He looked around wildly, seeing three women watching and once again his body moved instinctively, dropping into a defensive crouch, teeth bared.

“He truly is magnificent,” one of them offered.

“Oh yes, he will serve us well.”

What did they mean? Where was he? Who was he? He was…Jasper, he was Jasper…Whitlock. Major Jasper Whitlock. Why was it so hard to remember anything? Just vague images and emotions.

“Welcome to our army Major,” the lead woman purred, pressing a hand to his chest, smiling up at him and he swallowed heavily.

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Robert opened the door to find a dusty, exhausted soldier on the porch. “Can I help you…Captain?” He asked after checking the rank on the uniform.

“Captain Lockwood. I’m looking for Mrs. Jasper Whitlock, Sir.”

“Please come in.” Robert ushered the Captain inside and then went to find Bella, his heart breaking. There were only two reasons for the man to be there, either Jasper was badly wounded…or he was dead. He smiled softly as he saw the four women in the kitchen, their families had merged so easily, they would need that closeness now.

“Father?” Bella asked as she saw him, it had taken time, but they were the closest she had to parents anymore.

“There is a Captain here to see you,” he answered gently, and she paled, swaying, but Elizabeth steadied her, her own eyes filing with tears.

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Bella nodded, fighting down the sick feeling in her stomach as she removed her apron and walked out of the kitchen. “May I help you Captain?” she asked as she recognised the rank on his uniform, moving to sit on the couch.

Thomas Lockwood bowed to the composed young woman as she sat. He remembered the day the Major received the letter; he’d been so happy that word had soon spread that he was to be a father by the mid-year. “I am sorry to bring you such news Ma’am.” He gripped his hat tightly, taking a deep breath. “Major Whitlock has been listed as missing. He was helping to evacuate refuges form Galveston.”

Isabella nodded in agreement which was interesting. “He came to the house briefly, to see me. He left after a quick meal, heading for Houston and then on to the road to Galveston.”

That explained how she knew his assignment, at least she would have the comfort of that last visit should their searching turn up nothing. “He never arrived, he passed the sentries just outside Galveston, but then there is no sign of him. It is possible he was taken captive by the Union but there has been no word of it. None of us believe he would run.”

“No, Jasper cared for his men, he would never abandon them,” she agreed instantly. She would not hear anyone call her husband a deserter. It was odd, she felt…nothing. Was she in shock?

“He was a good man, we won’t give up looking,” he promised, even if they only found his body at least they could give her closure.

“Thank you Captain,” she whispered, she felt strange.

“Mrs. Whitlock!” He called in alarm as she swayed forward, barely catching her before she hit the floor from falling off the seat. “Help!” He called in alarm, relieved when the man who had greeted him appeared in a rush, this must be the Majors’ father.

Robert knelt and gathered Bella in his arms, lifting her back onto the couch, laying her out. “She fainted?”

“Yes Sir.”

“Is…is my son dead?” he asked, and Thomas hated not having a definite answer.

“Missing, Sir. We are still looking for him,” he promised before leaving the family.

“Thank you.” He gently took Bella’s hand as Elizabeth entered with a pitcher of cool water and a cloth.

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Jasper stared at himself in the cracked mirror, his clothes were dirty and ripped, one sleeve missing, scars forming from where he’d been forced to fight the others. He lifted his chin to see his blood red eyes, still unnerved by them…he couldn’t remember what colour they had been when he was human. Vampire…it seemed crazy, he knew he hadn’t believed in them but now he was one. He’d been a soldier, fighting for the South against the North, he could remember that much now. He didn’t remember why he’d been in the army though; had he volunteered or been conscripted? If he volunteered, why? What did it matter anymore? That life was gone now, he was dead.

Slender arms wrapped around his waist and he looked down at his creator, Maria. He loved her and she loved him. He was her favourite and with that favour came privileges the other newborns didn’t receive, like sharing her bed and getting to feed more often. Their army was growing, and they had won their last two battles.

“Would you do anything for me, my Major?” she murmured, and he turned, leaning down to kiss her hungrily.

“Anything,” he agreed, and she smiled up at him.  

She pulled him closer, kissing him hungrily and quickly undoing his trousers as his hands moved to her dress.

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Elizabeth watched Bella as she went through the motions of living, her eyes dead. She lived only for their family and her unborn child. She hated seeing the once vibrant young girl like that. Thankfully her pregnancy was an easy one, once she had gotten past the illness of the first few months. They had done their best to prepare for the new baby. Lives had improved since the blockade of Galveston had been defeated, the access to extra cloth was necessary for letting out Bella’s gowns as her waistline expanded as well as for clothing for the baby.

Robert had dug out the cradle their children had used, and it was ready. He had offered to go find the Swan one, but Bella had wanted theirs, if they would allow her to use it. She hadn’t stepped foot back on her parents property since they had received the news of Jasper’s disappearance.

In her apron pocket was an official telegram from the Confederate Army and she dreaded giving it to Bella. She had known since Captain Lockwood had come, her eldest child was dead. But Bella clung to the hope of his having being captured or wounded and not recognised because no body had been found, even after three months.

“Bella, this came for you,” she finally forced herself to hand it over that evening once Robert was home, just in case Bella fainted again.

Bella took the telegram and opened it, eyes scanning the paper. She began to shake her head, tears in her eyes.

“Bella?” Anna asked, moving to her sister’s side.

“They’re giving up. They…they…they’re listing him as deceased,” she choked out, fighting back the sobs of grief and anger. How could they just give up on him?

Anna hugged her fiercely, wishing there was something she could do. And then she felt wetness seeping into her skirts, looking down she gasped in horror. “Mother Elizabeth!”

“Anna?” Elizabeth moved closer and then saw the wetness on both girls dresses even as Bella moaned in pain. It was too soon….far too soon. “Robert!”

Robert scooped Bella up and rushed her to the bedroom as Elizabeth turned to David. “Get the doctor, quick as you can!” She called, and her only remaining son nodded, pale with fear for Bella, but he turned and ran for the barn. She then ran for the bedroom to find Robert had settled Bella on the bed and was looking at her, fear in his eyes. “Keep the girls out of here, keep them busy with heating water, and finding towels.”

Robert nodded and left the room, terrified for the girl he considered another daughter. It was too soon for the baby to come. Please, don’t let them loose their grandchild as well as their son, he prayed feverishly even as he got the girls working.

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Jasper snarled, eyes black, as he ripped through his opponents, mind empty of thought as he lost himself to the violence. They were fighting another coven, extending their territory. Today, something kept tugging at his unbeating heart but he didn’t understand it and so he ignored it, relishing the fight.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Bella screamed in pain as Elizabeth supported her, her hair and clothes soaked with sweat and blood. The doctor and midwife had finally arrived, and it was obvious from their expressions that something was very wrong. Elizabeth was terrified for Bella but refusing to show it, encouraging her quietly, wiping her face with a damp cloth. “You’re doing so well Bella, not long now,” she promised softly as Bella slumped against her.

Bella panted for air as the urge to push faded for a moment. She knew something was wrong, even if no one was telling her. The pain was too strong, ripping through her and there was so much blood….far more than her Mother had with Anna. She was so tired and weak…was this it? Was she to die here, to re-join Jasper? What of their baby? It was too soon, could he or she live?

With one last heart wrenching scream the child slid free from her body and she fell back, but the room remained quiet, the baby made no sound. The midwife moved to clean Bella up while the doctor took the silent baby. In the end he looked up and met Elizabeth’s eyes, shaking his head sadly as he wrapped the tiny body.

“My baby….please….” Bella whimpered even as the midwife called the doctor back over.

He looked at Bella and closed his eyes in grief. “A girl,” he told her gently, and Bella smiled sleepily.

“Florence Whitlock,” she murmured, fighting to keep her eyes open.

“Florence,” Elizabeth agreed, fighting back sobs. She looked to the midwife. “Call the others in, please.”

The older woman nodded and slipped from the room to give the solemn news and to allow them to come say their goodbyes to the young widow and her stillborn child.

Anna slipped into the room and sat on the bed beside her sister, clutching her hand. Why? What was this happening? Bella didn’t deserve this. “I love you Bella,” she whispered, feeling her sister weakly tighten her grip before her hand went slack. “Bella?” Anna called and the doctor checked before shaking his head as Robert, David, and Grace huddled in the doorway.

“She’s gone,” he told them, and Anna began sobbing.

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Jasper staggered, feeling teeth sink into his shoulder. He roared and threw the other vampire off. Something…something was gone…he snarled, launching himself at his attacker, wrenching his head off easily.

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Anna stood, stone faced, as the two coffins were lowered into the ground of the Whitlock family plot. She had fought for her niece to have her own coffin and grave, rather than being buried with Bella as was tradition for a baby born dead. Next to the two graves was another headstone, but with no coffin buried beneath it, carved into the stone was the name Jasper Whitlock, Major, 3 June 1844 – 1 January 1863, son, brother, husband, father. Beloved and missed. Next to him was Bella’s headstone; Isabella Marie Whitlock, 13 September 1844 – 16 April 1863, daughter, sister, wife, and mother. May she be reunited with her loved ones. The third, smaller stone, was next to hers; Florence Whitlock, 16 April 1863. Beloved daughter. Gone too soon. May she rest forever in God’s love.

The funeral was small, mostly family but a few of Bella and Jasper’s childhood acquaintances, those not off fighting the war anyway. Finally it was done, and they returned home to eat. No one noticed the young man watching from nearby.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

He put the papers aside, leaning back in his chair to stare out into the fog covering London. He was considering leaving Europe for America, but while the country was embroiled in war? Then again, they were likely in desperate need of doctors with all of the battle injuries and pandemics that tended to follow wars. He’d only just moved to London after leaving the Volturi, did he want to leave immediately or wait a few years?

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

She gasped, pain fading away. Where was she? It was so dark, she couldn’t see. She brought her hands up to find solid wood above her…and to the sides. What had happened? She shoved at the wood, screaming in terror. Then she heard noise from above until the top was yanked off and a hand reached down, pulling her up.

“Easy, you’re alright, just breath,” a male voice told her, and she gasped in the fresh air.

When she had her breathing under control she looked up to see a dark-haired man, maybe  few year older than her…filling in a grave. Her eyes landed on the stone and she went white…that was her name! “What’s happening?” she asked fearfully.

The man turned to her, revealing dark green eyes and a few days’ worth of stubble. He bowed slightly to her. “Adam Cooper at your service Ma’am,” he introduced himself. “You’re scared and disorientated, that’s normal for your first time.”

“First time?” she stumbled back, and he moved to steady her, guiding her away from the small graveyard.

“First death,” he offered sadly, and she stared at him.

Death… her baby, she’d gone into labour…the babe had never cried. She glanced back and saw the smaller headstone, but he kept her moving. Her little girl was dead, was it her fault? Had she caused this with her grief? She’d been so tired… Anna had come in…then nothing. “I don’t understand…”

Adam got her up into the buggy and then got in himself, taking the reins and getting the horses moving as quickly as he dared. It would not be good to be caught with a woman all knew to be dead. She shivered and he reached back to grab a blanket, setting it about her shoulders with one hand. “I’m sorry, I’ve never had to do this before,” he admitted before taking a deep breath. “You died and were buried but you came back. You are immortal Mrs. Whitlock, you cannot die. It is a lonely existence, we are few and rarely run into each other.”

“That’s impossible,” she denied, and he glanced at her.

“And yet I just dug you out of your grave. You’re lucky I was there. I met Major Whitlock and was just there to pay my respects, I didn’t expect to have to dig his widow up.”

“This is crazy,” she shook her head, fighting the urge to cry. “Where are you taking me?”

“Arkansas and then north to Kansas,” he answered. “You can’t be seen anywhere near here. Unless you wish to re-enact the Witch Burnings? As far as Texas is concerned, Isabella Whitlock died three days ago.”

“Why the Union?”

“Because it’s the best place to hide a Confederate widow. Go on, crawl in back and get some sleep, we can talk more later.”

Bella hesitated but then did as he suggested. She felt so lost and confused. Jasper…would they never be reunited?

Adam glanced back after a while, seeing that the girl was asleep. He knew how hard this was for her, he’d gone through a similar things almost two hundred years ago, except his death had bene in battle, not childbirth. It would take her time to emotionally recover from that, it was why he was heading to Kansas. He hadn’t told her, but he’d been a Union soldier. Jasper Whitlock had spared his life when they had run into each other while both scouting out Galveston. Jasper had the upper hand but had allowed him to live, not that the death would have stuck. In his memory he would care for his widow until she was ready to stand on her own feet.

It wasn’t easy, to live when those around you died, but they had no other choice. He had yet to find a method that would end one of their lives, permanently, nor had any other he knew of. Hearing Jasper had disappeared, he’d suspected he was one of them, so his wife being one had been a shock. He’d searched himself but had found no sign of the young Major, and he was an excellent tracker.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Jasper lay in the bed, naked, his arm around Maria’s waist as they rested. Tomorrow they would face the last coven in their way of taking complete control of feeding grounds in Mexico. It was strange, lately he’d been feeling things, emotions…and they weren’t his own. He’d told of it and she had been delighted, apparently some vampires had ‘gifts’ and it looked like he had one. He wasn’t sure what it was, but he hoped to get it under control soon, it was a distraction he couldn’t afford, especially in battle. He was distracted from his thoughts as she turned in his arms, a familiar gleam in her crimson eyes.

TBC…

Chapter Text

Disclaimer: Not mine

I have fleshed out the original time skips to cover more of the 1900’s and to look at various Cullen’s as well.

Chapter 4

Adam had to admit Bella wasn’t a bad travelling companion. She didn’t complain about being stuck in the back of the buggy for days or the fact that they only stopped when absolutely necessary. She also pulled her own weight when they stopped to camp for the night. It would have been quicker if they were riding but that was too risky, while he doubted she’d be recognised so far from Houston, it would still get too much attention to have a young woman on horseback for a long journey. He’d stocked provisions for a twenty-day trip, longer than it would have taken pre-war, but they would be crossing battle lines and that would take patience. They couldn’t afford to be stopped by Confederate soldiers but once they were over the lines his own identification would protect them. He spent most of his time behind enemy lines after all. He wouldn’t be the first Union soldier to return with a Southern bride either, though he doubted she would enjoy that lie.

She was grieving her husband still, but that grief was compounded by the loss of their child, the only child she would ever conceive. He’d have to tell her at some point but how did he tell her that the activation of her immortality…she would never have another child. Immortals could not conceive or father children, maybe to keep their numbers low? Who knew. If those losses were not bad enough, she had lost her entire family, the only support she had.

It was why he was heading for Kansas and not Maine where he had been living before the war, there would be too many questions from those he knew. Once across the border he would change his name and settle down to helping Bella heal and learn to live in her new world.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Jasper drank greedily from the body in his arms, letting it drop when no more of the life giving liquid was left. He glanced around, seeing his men also finishing their meals. He looked around at the damaged buildings, another human town decimated by the never-ending battle for feeding grounds. They were doing well; their territory was growing with every battle and Maria was pleased. Soon, they’d deal with her sisters, she knew they were plotting against her. Maria had changed him, loved him, of course he would side with her against the other two.

Seeing the destruction he felt the tiniest twinge of regret, deep, deep, down. He ignored it and snarled, getting the men back into some form of order to return to camp. Some were the same age as him but still lost to the bloodlust of their newborn status. Why had he come out of it so much earlier than seemed normal? Was it because of his weird ability to feel emotions? He wasn’t sure it was a fair trade off.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Bella wandered the house Adam had acquired for them. As far as anyone here knew, they were Mr. and Mrs. Pierce, originally from closer to the Southern border and had moved further North for their own safety. It was the only way to explain her accent. Adam had affected a limp, using a walking cane even, to explain his absence from the army. At least she had been allowed to keep her given name, it was hard enough to get used to a new family one.

Everything was so different to back home, she had never actually lived in the city before. They had lived on the outskirts of Houston due to owning farmland, it took most of a days’ buggy ride to reach the city itself and father had never taken either of them into Houston. She also had access to many things the blockades had kept from the South. She had a new wardrobe of dresses that hadn’t been reworked multiple times, she could even cook with flour again. She knew they hadn’t been hit as hard as many other places, that for the most part they’d had the necessities, but here it was almost like there was no war.

Still, she felt restless. She wanted Jasper and their baby so much…but she would never see either of them again. Why was she denied the peace of death? What was she to do now? How could she even imagine living for centuries?

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Anna smiled sadly as everyone celebrated, unable to feel quite as excited for the end of the war. Not because they had lost, but because of what she’d lost to it. Her whole family was dead. Without the war, her parents never would have had typhoid, Jasper never would have been missing in action, and Bella probably would have lived, along with baby Florence. They all knew it was stress and grief that had caused the baby to come early. How was she meant to celebrate?

It didn’t feel real, she was fifteen now, two years since Jasper, Bella, and Florence…

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Jasper slipped silently through the fields, feeling small flickers of memory. He knew he was from Houston, but he hadn’t been back since being changed. He could never go home again, he would only endanger what family he may have had…he was fairly certain he’d had at least one sibling. Was it a blessing or a curse that he remembered so little? And then he froze, crimson eyes wide as he read the name…Whitlock. He looked around, seeing a two-story house and barn at the end of the drive, was this his home?

He hesitated but then darted closer in the dark. He was long past the uncontrollable thirst of a newborn after five years, but to be extra sure he stopped breathing, listening to the sound of five heartbeats within, all above. He entered the house and looked around, drawn to a picture on the mantle, it was him…dressed in the uniform he had woken in. There was another picture beside it of a beautiful young woman, she looked so sad, but her form showed signs of a child. Who was she? He looked around, seeing a family portrait, two adults and two children, was this his family?

Once again he hesitated, not sure he wanted to know more of the life he’d lost, but then he moved upstairs as silent as a ghost. Peering into one room he saw a young man sprawled on the bed within. The next room had two girls, even without breathing he could smell them enough to know they were unrelated. The final occupied room held the older couple and he moved silently closer to the bed, staring down at them. He licked his lips nervously, he was well fed, he would not drink from any there. Staring at their sleeping faces drew memories from within, they were his parents, older than the vague images in his mind. Then the two related young ones must be his younger siblings. He had siblings…

He left the room and found a final bedroom, closed up. He hesitated but then opened it, seeing a bedroom with a bed big enough for two, no scent lingered so it had been unoccupied for years. He opened the closet to see a single dress of deep blue, it was pretty, and it tugged at something in him. Beside it was some male clothing, a pair of nice boots on the floor. He pulled them out and curiously tried them on, only to find a perfect fit. Had this been his room? Then why the dress?

He went to the small desk to see a half-written letter lying there, abandoned with no pen in sight. He froze, hearing a noise and without a thought he grabbed the letter and left via the window.

When Anna opened the door and peered inside the only sign of his presence was the open window which she quickly closed.

Jasper stopped running out of sight of the house and slowly drew out the letter he’d grabbed, unfolding it to read, curious.

My Dearest Husband,

Everyone says I am wasting my time writing to you, but I cannot stop. I know you are alive, I believe it with all my heart. I know your men are still searching for you in ever free second they have, Captain Lockwood keeps me updated. There is a part of me that blames myself, I wonder if things would be different had you not come home for those few hours.

Our baby has stopped making me ill now which I appreciate. Yesterday I felt him kick for the first time, I think I scared your Father with my reaction. It was a relief to feel the kick as it is late to feel such a thing and I admit, I was growing concerned. We have begun preparing for the birth, when you come home you will see the house has been added too, we now have a bedroom together here. I know we planned to live in my parents’ house, but I now believe the house should be Anna’s and we should take the offer for a part of your family land on which to build our own home.

No matter what anyone says, I know you are alive, I know you will come home to us. I love you so much my husband. Please come home Jasper.

I

The letter ended there, and he stared at it with wide eyes, Jasper…he had a wife? A baby? He collapsed to his knees, pain ripping through him. Where were they? The room had been unoccupied for years…he looked back at the letter, a house for Anna…had to be their family home. Maybe she had returned there? He took off running, following his instincts only to stop as he came across a small family grave plot. He hesitated but then entered, shocked to see a grave with his own name, they must have declared him dead at some point. What else could they do when no body would ever be found?

He glanced over and froze before slowly approaching, kneeling in the grass, fingers brushing over the name on the stone beside his own, Isabella Whitlock. He knew that date, only a few months after he had been changed. And then he saw the even smaller grave and his eyes filled with tears he could no longer shed, Florence Whitlock…a girl, he’d had a baby girl. His wife and child had died the same day, the day she had been born. He stayed there, in the dark, mourning a woman and child he didn’t really remember. The picture…that had to have been Isabella, that was why it was beside his own, that had been his child she was carrying. She had been beautiful.

Jasper shook his head and got up; it was better not to remember her. Even if they had lived, he could never have revealed himself, Maria would never let him go. And if she had, he would have been a danger to his family, how could he have dealt with killing them?

He glanced back once and then took off running south. The boots could be explained easily enough, he’d liked them, so he took them off a meal. The letter he would have to hide very carefully but he couldn’t bring himself to put it back or destroy it. He had to bury those emotions deep, only allow them to surface when totally alone. Maria was a jealous woman and he would not bring it down on himself or what family he still had alive.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

He stepped off the ship onto the busy wharf. The country was working hard to move past the war that had torn it apart. He was excited, a new country to explore and people to help. And in the wilder areas, hunting would be easy, animals plentiful. He had decided to settle in the city he had arrived in, for a while at least. New York was large and it would be easy to pass relatively unnoticed within the population. He’d have to go a little further to hunt but that was no different to living in any city.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Adam worked with Bella, teaching her everything he could think of. Her Texan accent had faded a little in the decade she’d spent in Kansas but she needed be able to disguise it further, to adopt the accent of wherever she was living if necessary. No one listening to him speak would ever guess he was originally from Scotland, it had been hard and taken years, but now he could mimic whatever accent he needed. She had to learn the same skill.

He knew she wanted to set out on her own soon and he wouldn’t stop her. No, he’d made several investments for her once the war was over and they were growing nicely, all so that she’d be able to support herself one day. He’d been forced to find his own way and he hated to think of any of them having to do the same.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Maria watched her greatest soldier, her most frequent bed warmer. For someone able to sense others’ emotions, he was rather easy for her to manipulate. Poor boy believed they were mates, just as she wanted him to. After all, if he believed them so strongly linked, he would never think of betraying her, not like those she had once called sisters. Thanks to her Major, they were no longer a problem though. He had proven his loyalty to her again and again before that day and since.

And yet…something about him had changed in the last few years. Perhaps his gift was also a liability? He hid it well, but there was some level of struggle when it came time to cull the newborns. She would keep an eye on that.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Anna collapsed back on the pillows as a baby’s cry filled the room, smiling tiredly.

“It’s a girl!” Mother Elizabeth announced happily.

“Isabella,” Anna murmured, getting a sad nod from the woman who had become her mother over the years since her own had died.

Her first baby was Elizabeth’s second grandchild, David’s wife had given birth to little Jonathon three months earlier. 

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Carlisle studied the patient files, saddened to see so many young men with missing limbs. War was horrific and even several years after it had ended, the mark it had left on these soldiers was still very evident. There was nothing to be done for most except manage the lingering pain and continue to help them adapt to their changed bodies.

The only really viable option for those missing an arm was a prosthetic with a hook on the end, and he could understand why many of them chose to simply pin up the empty sleeve. Being crippled in any way carried a certain ridiculous stigma about it, such things were often seen as evidence of moral degeneration, which was plainly ridiculous. But he could not change the opinions of society. The federal government was actually subsidising artificial limbs for Union soldiers…though not for those who had fought for the Confederate army. Though he’d heard that some of those states were individually funding such programs.

The limbs being provided were very finely crafted, better than many he had seen in Europe. For legs, they were easily hidden, and once the men learnt to walk on them, they were fairly inconspicuous. But they didn’t always fix the mental toll losing the limb and seeing war took on the men.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Bella kissed Adam’s cheek before getting on board the train. He had done so much for her, but she was ready to stand on her own two feet now. She had new identification and a tidy ‘inheritance’ in the bank. He’d taught her how to hide, how to move from life to life and what else hid in the shadows of the world. They had also discovered her power, she could create a powerful shield, both mental and physical. His was the ability to go unnoticed which came in handy whenever he was working as a soldier. All immortals had a power, no one knew exactly why, although their powers didn’t work on each other. Now, after seventeen years with Adam, she was on her way to New York to start a new life as Elizabeth York, a little joke. She was a bit nervous but very excited.

TBC…

Chapter Text

Disclaimer: Not mine

Chapter 5

Bella sipped at her champagne, smiling and nodding. She couldn’t believe it was the beginning of a new century already. Yet here she was, in New York city itself, waiting for midnight with the cream of society. Living in such a large city did have one nice advantage, being able to shift identities without having to move somewhere totally new. She was already on her second one since she could not get away with an identity for twenty years, even ten years was pushing it. It was hard to believe that technically, she was fifty-four years old, her daughter would have been almost thirty-six had she lived. She still missed her old life, the simplicity of farm living compared to the craziness of a city, not that it had been an easy life during the war. If Jasper had survived how many children might they have had? How many grandchildren could they have had by now?

She put her glass down and wandered across the room, avoiding the dance floor, not in the mood. She slipped into a corner only to find it already occupied. “Oh, my apologies,” she smiled at the tall young man already there. The black formal wear made his blond hair, odd golden eyes and pale skin stand out in contrast.

“It is quite alright Miss,” he smiled politely, bowing his head. “Dr Carlisle Cullen.” He introduced himself.

“Elizabeth Swan.” She smiled at him in return. “I will find another corner to hide in.”

“No need Miss Swan, I was about to leave.”

“Thank you then.” She leant against the wall to try and take some of the pressure off her feet, and he frowned.

“Are you alright?”

“Just tired, I think if I get asked to dance one more time I might scream.”

“Ah, well midnight is almost upon us. You will be able to leave soon enough,” he assured her, and she smiled tiredly. “Enjoy the remainder of the party.” He bowed slightly and left her alone.

As the countdown began she slipped from the room and out onto the balcony. “Happy New Year’s, Jasper and Florence,” she whispered as the fireworks went off in a nearby park.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

David Whitlock smiled as he was handed his grandson, little Theodore ‘Theo’ Whitlock. He had the Whitlock blond hair already and there was something about him that reminded David of his older brother. Even after so long, he still missed Jasper. He did wonder what his brother would have thought of having a nephew -in-law and then great-nephew-in-law named after him, it had become something of a Swan family name. If the youngest Jasper Swan hadn’t been born just last year, the day before New Year’s Eve, then Jonathon had admitted little Theo would have been named Jasper.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Bella picked up the ringing telephone and smiled as a familiar voice greeted her. “I am fine Adam. How is Quebec?”

“Very cold,” he answered with a laugh.

“Poor you,” she teased.

“And how are you enjoying New York?”

“It is very enjoyable; however I will be moving on soon. I’ve been here for over twenty years now, eleven as Miss Swan,” she admitted.

She loved the city, but Elizabeth Swan was pushing the believability of her age. She had supposedly been nineteen when she came to New York, newly widowed. Now she was trying to pass for a thirty year old woman, and it was becoming less and less believable. She could simply take on a new identity in the city but America was a big country and there was a lot to see.

“Where will you go next?” He didn’t ask, but they both knew the offer was there.

“I thought I would head west, California perhaps.”

“And what name will it be for this life?”

“Bethany Whitlock,” she answered, smiling slightly at using her married name again.

“Well remember to send me your address and number when you settle.”

“I will,” she promised.

The marriage between them had been faked, but the feeling of family that had grown was real. He was something of a mix between an older brother and weird uncle and she loved him for it. She liked her independence but it was always nice to know he’d be there for her as fast as a train could reach her.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Jasper pinned the human against the wall, his teeth buried in his throat, waiting to be hit by terror and pain, but while the pain was present in his emotions, terror was missing. He pulled back, confused to stare into pale blue eyes. The man gasped, hands gripping Jasper’s shoulders as the pain hit him and Jasper hesitated before biting down again, this time releasing more venom into the blood stream. He hit him with a strong cocktail of peace and lethargy to help keep him quiet and then slung him over his shoulder to return to camp. He dropped him in the reinforced shack used for transforming newborns and then dug through his pockets, finding a wallet which he flipped through, he pocketed the cash and chucked the rest.

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Bella liked the sunshine of California. She’d made a nice life in San Francisco and was working as a teacher at a girl’s boarding school. She liked the work and it gave her something to fill her days with.

Even in a school with other teachers and the girls…she was lonely. She hadn’t really made any close friends in any of her lives, too wary of being discovered.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Elizabeth smiled as she watched her son toddle around. Edward was such an inquisitive child, even at only five years old. She also knew he missed his father, but Edward Snr was busy with the law firm so often. Chicago was an ever-growing city and there was a lot of need for lawyers. Sometimes though, she wished they could live away from all the smoke and noise of a city. Surely country air and room to roam would be best for their son, but it just wasn’t possible with Edward’s job.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Jasper watched the newborns; their year was almost up and there were none in the group who stood out. He felt Peter come up beside him and relaxed in his emotions, he was so much calmer than the others in camp, even playful at times, but something was different tonight. Of everyone in the camp, he trusted only Peter. Changing him three years ago had been the best mistake he had ever made; he was a loyal lieutenant and an excellent fighter.

“Some of them could be good fighters,” Peter offered, and Jasper shook his head.

“Maria ordered them all culled,” he answered, feeling a flicker of something from Peter at his words, but he moved in and began destroying them one by one until only a young woman was left.

“Charlotte run!” Peter screamed at her, and she froze for not even a second before turning and bolting.

Jasper stared in shock even as Peter gave him a sad look before turning and running after her. What…and then he realised what he had felt from Peter, something he so rarely felt and only ever when in a human town, love. They were mates, how had Peter hidden that from him? Maria would not be happy but…he couldn’t do it; he couldn’t destroy Peter. He summoned a group and sent them after the two, knowing they would never succeed. It was all he could do for them.

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Carlisle smiled at the girl on the bed, able to tell the problem immediately. “And how did you do this, Miss Platt?” he asked gently, seeing her blush slightly.

“I fell out of a tree,” she admitted, and he chuckled.

“Well, I can tell it’s broken. I’ll give you something for the pain and then handle it, alright?” he asked, and she nodded.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Bella stared at the headlines in horror, Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary and his wife had been assassinated! Now there was talk of war in Europe and that scared her. She had seen how bad the war between north and south had been, how much worse would one in Europe be? Would it stay in Europe?

She’d built a nice life for herself in San Francisco and had even recently made friends with another of her kind, Amelia was far older than her, she had been born in the Roman Empire! She had a lot of stories to share about the world and a lot of tips when it came to living new lives and moving so often.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Esme smiled at her new husband, happy to see that her parents were pleased. They were why she had agreed to marry him when she wanted to be a teacher. With the talk of war, everything was becoming tense but for the moment, America wasn’t involved directly but everyone knew it was coming due to the losses they were taking in civilians and merchant ships. Part of her hoped Charles would sign up but that wasn’t fair to think, not on their wedding day.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Bella sat at her desk and read the latest report, sighing. Her great nephew, Jasper Swan, was fighting on the front in Europe, as was Theo Whitlock. According to the reports she had received over the years, the boys had grown up together. Hiring various people to report on the Swan’s and Whitlock’s was the only way she could watch over her family.

Anna had married a returning soldier at the end of the Civil War, a young man of no family standing and so he had taken the name of Swan, ensuring their name continued. She’d had two daughters and three sons. She had named one daughter Isabella, another Florence and one of her sons Jasper, for the family she had lost. Grace had married a wealthy young man from Massachusetts and moved there with him, going on to have three children, two boys and a girl. David had married young Millie from three farms over and had remained on the Whitlock family farm, it was his grandson who was off fighting in the war.

She just prayed they returned alive from the war.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Carlisle looked at the dying boy in the hospital bed. So much potential, it was unfair. Edward Snr had died in the first wave of the disease and Elizabeth had passed just the night before, begging him to save her son. He had never tasted human blood before, had never attempted to change a human. Could he do it? Should he? Edward was seventeen…was that old enough? He knew the law on Immortal Children, but Edward was of an age where he would have been considered an adult, could have already been married, in the past.

Edward moaned, coughing weakly, and Carlisle gently helped him sip at some water. He began coughing and Carlisle sat him up to try and help him, seeing the slight blue tinge to his lips. If he was going to act, it would have to be soon. He could hear the ever-increasing fluid in the boys’ lungs even as his body burned with fever.

In the end he signed a death certificate and carefully smuggled the boy from the hospital. Carlisle took him to his own home and gently settled him into the never used spare bedroom. He took a deep, unneeded breath and then lowered his mouth the boys throat, sinking his teeth in, injecting his venom into the bloodstream, eliciting a weakened cry of pain. Glazed green eyes fluttered open before rolling back, the boy writhing weakly in agony as the venom began spreading through his body. His screams weren’t loud thanks to his illness but it wouldn’t matter, Carlisle always bought a home far enough out to be unobserved by others.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Bella smiled and ladled soup into the child’s bowl. Everyone had thought things would be better once the war was over and the Spanish flu had run its course. No one had expected the economy to become so bad. Thanks to first Adam and then Amelia’s teaching, the depression had not had too bad of an effect on her own finances, but not everyone had been so lucky. So she did what she could to help ease the strain, making soup and bread for those in need, making clothes, things like that.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Edward dug his fingers in his hair. He couldn’t stop it, couldn’t shut them out. Too noisy!

“Easy Edward,” Carlisle murmured.

He wasn’t as loud and Edward looked up at him, pleading silently for help. He didn’t struggle when Carlisle wrapped his arm around him, pressing closer instead.

“It’s alright, you’re safe,” Carlisle murmured.

“Too loud,” Edward whimpered.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Carlisle frowned in confusion; Edward had been doing well in controlling his senses since he’d woken. They’d moved into town because he’d been doing so well, far from Chicago to ensure no one would recognise Edward. Even when he’d first woken, or when they’d first come to the town, he hadn’t reacted so badly. Had…had he done something wrong when he changed Edward?

When Edward pressed closer to him, he held him, gently rocking him, running his fingers through wild bronze hair, trying to sooth him. “Try to pick one sound and focus on it,” he murmured, but Edward shook his head.

He pressed a hand to his head and Carlisle was worried he’d rip his hair out or damage himself. “Here…in here. Can’t block it.”

Carlisle’s eyes widened, was it possible…Edward was gifted?

“Gifted?” he asked in confusion…as if Carlisle had spoken aloud.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

She writhed in agony, she was burning! But slowly the burn faded, moving from her limbs to her heart. Her back arched and then it fell silent. Slowly, crimson eyes opened and she stared up at the sky. She sat quickly looking around. Where…where was she? She thought about getting up and found herself already on her feet. It was night…but she could see as if it was day.

Who…who was she? She gasped as her vision wavered seeing somewhere else, someone… a tortured young man with crimson eyes…others with golden eyes. She blinked and she was back in the trees. Alice! Her name was Alice. And she had to find him.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Esme sat on the bus, staring out the window, searching for any sign of Charles, but so far it seemed like she had gotten away. Things hadn’t been too bad at first, before he’d gone to the war. But since he’d come back… her hand rested over her stomach, feeling her baby kick. She would not let him hurt them anymore.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Jasper lay on the bed, able to feel Maria’s eyes roving over his naked body. In the years since he’d let Peter and Charlotte run he’d come to understand the truth, he and Maria weren’t mates. It was something she used to control him. It didn’t matter, there was nothing else out there for him. He didn’t love her, didn’t feel much of anything anymore. Or at least he tried not to. The fear from those he killed to feed, the terror from the newborns when their time was up…he just wanted it to stop but he couldn’t just give up and let himself be destroyed, he wished he could.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Esme stood on the cliff, staring out at the sea, arms wrapped around herself. He was dead. Her beautiful little boy, the only good thing in her life…and now he was gone forever. What was there for her now? Why had she lived and her baby died? It wasn’t right.

How long till he found her again? She couldn’t go back, couldn’t let him touch her again. She looked down at the rocks below and then closed her eyes. All it took was one small step.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Bella put her book aside and went to the window, looking out at the city if Chicago. She hadn’t been there long but she didn’t think she’d stay for too long. The city just didn’t feel right to her. The depression still had a firm grip on the country and seeing the effects… she did what she could to help people but there was only so much any one person could do.

Maybe…maybe it was time to begin seeing the world?

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Esme smothered a sob as she buried her face against Carlisle’s shoulder. Edward…Edward had left them. It would be one thing if he simply wanted to travel on his own for a while, to spread his wings, but… Edward was the first person Carlisle changed, his son, how much worse must it be for him to have Edward reject his teachings. Would he ever come home again? And if he did…it would break Carlisle’s heart to see his son with crimson eyes again.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Edward slipped from the theatre, following the man. His thoughts…if Edward could throw up he would from those thoughts. He spotted the woman up ahead, knew what the man was planning, and vanished in a burst of speed. He pulled the man into the alley and sank his teeth in, drinking deeply. The man…Joe…would never harm another woman.

He was very careful, using his gift to ensure he never harmed an innocent. He’d never imagined just how different human blood was to animal, how much better. It sated the burn in a way even carnivores never did. He ignored any guilt; he was saving innocents in taking out the predators among them. He was.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Bella smiled at her dance partner as they moved across the floor. Sometimes she tired of high society. Perhaps it was time to go back to teaching or maybe travel? She still hadn’t left America, though she’d been to every coast now. It might be nice to see England, the Swan’s had originally come from there after all.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Carlisle stood as the door opened, he’d thought Esme would be…he froze as a familiar form slipped into the house, his head bowed. Edward… he took a step towards his son, hesitating, seeing how rigidly he was holding himself. “Edward?” he called softly. He reached out to him and Edward flinched slightly. “Oh son,” he whispered. “It’s alright.”

Edward slowly raised his head, revealing bright red eyes, he’d fed recently then. “Carlisle…”

Carlisle couldn’t hold back anymore, tugging Edward into his arms, holding his son tight. “It’s alright, you’re home now.” Even if Edward never returned to their diet, it didn’t matter more than his son did. He felt him relax a little at that thought, knew he’d been worried he’d be kicked out over his current diet.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Rosalie smiled, admiring her ring. Everything was so perfect, the only thing missing was a baby of her own. Vera had just had her own baby and Rosalie found herself envious for one of the few times in her life. The only other time she’d really felt it was when she saw the Cullen family around, though that was very rarely. In a month she would be Mrs Royce King and she was so looking forward to it. He was so handsome, attentive when they were able to spend time together, though that was rare. He was so often busy at work but she was used to that since her father was the same.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Jasper watched the newborns as they fought amongst themselves. It was time for the cull and Maria had declared none were to be spared, again. Ever since Peter had fled, she hadn’t let him keep any of them passed their first year. She feared another betrayal, from him or anyone. He knew she was watching him ever closer and her emotions had shifted over the decades. Soon he may have no choice but to kill her before she could kill him, but he didn’t want to.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Rosalie kept up a brisk pace as she headed home, she should have left earlier but she’d just been having too much fun with Vera and the baby. Seeing Vera and Tom together though… it was so different to how Royce was with her. They were in love, weren’t they? She picked up the paces as she spotted the group of young men on the corner, drinking.

“Here she is. Hey, Rose. Come over here,” a familiar voice called, and she relaxed a little as she realised it was Royce. “Here, hold this. Hey, come over here. We've been waiting for you.”

She clutched her coat closer but walked over, taking everything in. “You're drunk.” She hadn’t known he drank so much; she should have known something like that about him by now.

“Isn't she lovely, John? I told you she was a looker.”

“It's hard to say with all those clothes on,” John smirked, eyes moving over her.

Rosalie looked to Royce but he just snickered. She glanced around but they were alone. Why had she stayed so late?

“What do you say, Rose? Why don't we take off a few layers?” Royce asked, reaching out to flick at her coat collar.

“Stop it...” she pushed his hand away. “I'll see you tomorrow. Sober,” she snapped, head held high. She turned to walk away but Royce reached out and yanked her hat off.  She cried out in pain as the pins wrenched her hair out.

Royce grinned, the men laughing, and she felt a swell of terror. :Hey, where do you think you're going?:

“Stop it. Just stop it. Let go. Stop it,” she demanded, struggling against him, yanking her arm free, turning to flee.

“Comeback.” He grabbed her shoulders, pulling her close. “Hey, you'll do as I say,” he snarled, grabbing her coat.

She fought his hold, scratching his face, but it didn’t stop him. He ripped her coat off and she went to scream but he covered her mouth. No…no, this couldn’t be happening!

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Carlisle ran through the streets, grateful for the later hour as it meant there was no one around, letting him move freely. The smell of blood, pain, and fear in the air could mean nothing good. Sure enough when he reached the source he found a young woman lying in the street. Her clothing had been badly torn, but it was obviously well made. This was no streetwalker, but a young lady of status. No…he recognised her, barely due to her injuries. Rosalie Hale…who had done this to her?

She was bleeding badly, from multiple wounds, her body badly used, and he felt a swell of pity and anger on her behalf. He could hear her heart faltering and hesitated before sinking his teeth in. She didn’t deserve to die like this, no one did, and maybe one day… he knew how lonely Edward was since he had married Esme. Perhaps they could find happiness together as well.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Emmett watched Rosalie, his mate, the love of his life, unsure how to help her. She hadn’t told him what had been done to her, he could tell by her reactions to males, even him at times. She made herself seem cold to everyone to protect herself. But she’d also reached out to him by bringing him to Carlisle even though he’d been half dead and bleeding badly from the bear attack. He wished he could take her pain, but there was nothing he could do except for being there when she needed him. Even if it meant just sitting nearby while she mourned everything she’d lost.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Bella sat on the window seat and stared out at the fog covering London. She had finally left America for the first time in her life. Britain was recovering well from the war and the depression. She had never dreamed of travelling abroad growing up and yet here she was, living the high life in London. She wished her Mother could see her now, that she could share the experience with Anna and Grace. All three women were dead though, never getting the chance to travel outside of America.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Jasper scented the air, reaching out with his gift and then he tensed as Peter stepped into view.

“Jasper,” his friend greeted him softly. He held his hands out, head lowered slightly, non-threatening.

Jasper could feel his nervousness, but also determination, and he wondered what had brought him back. “You shouldn’t be here,” he warned. He couldn’t protect him from Maria.

“I know,” Peter admitted, smiling softly. “I came back for you, come with me Major. You don’t have to live like this. There are no wars in the north, no endless fighting. You could live in peace. Please Jasper.”

Jasper frowned, confused. Had Peter really risked his existence for him? Why? Peter stared back at him and Jasper could feel his emotions, his concern and more… “You came back for me?” he asked, disbelief obvious.

“You let us go Major, I know you could have caught us. You sent a team that couldn’t track a bleeding human,” Peter pointed out, and it was true. Peter had been the only friend he’d had in this torturous existence; he hadn’t been able to bring himself to truly try and destroy him.

Jasper hesitated, torn. The idea of no more war… “Maria…”

“Has no power in the rest of the country. Might not have any here for very long. There are whispers, that the Volturi will be ending the Southern wars, they’re becoming too noticeable. I don’t want you to die or be forcefully recruited into the guard.”

The idea of the Volturi becoming involved changed things. There was nothing back in camp for him, the only souvenir he had of his human life, he carried with him always. And he knew Maria had all but decided to destroy him…did he really want to die? Surely even in death he wouldn’t be reunited with his family, not with everything he had done as a vampire. He nodded slowly and Peter smiled.

“Follow me.” And then they were off.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

With whispers of another war, Bella almost moved back to America, but in the end she enrolled in nursing school instead. She had no desire to fight, not that women could, but she could tend the wounded. It wasn’t like being near the front was dangerous for her and if she could save even a few lives then she would do it. There was always the chance that the peace would hold, either way medical training could be useful.

TBC…

Chapter Text

Disclaimer: not mine

Chapter 6

Jasper dropped the body, staring at the man who lay dead on the ground. Leaving Maria, he’d thought it would make him feel better, and sometimes it did. But as soon as the hunger began growing came the knowledge that he had to feed. He’d tried to do so less regularly but that just made it worse when he gave in. Every time…their emotions…

Even living a nomadic life, he’d heard of the war over in Europe. More and more men were being sent over to fight there and he wasn’t sure what he thought of that. He had fought…to protect his family. It hadn’t been to do with slavery for him, not even Bella’s family had owned slaves, all of their workers had been paid. Over the years, he’d regained a few more memories of his human life so he knew that much. Slavery was not something he agreed with and doubted he had been for even when he was human. He’d seen humans kept in cages by Maria and some of the other clans during the vampire wars, kept on hand for feeding or…play. He’d never liked it, yes they had to eat, but they didn’t need to be cruel about it. What the Germans were doing under Hitler reminded him uncomfortably of those practices but even worse. He’d seen a paper, seen the estimated number of those going into death camps.

He shook his head and went to find Peter and Charlotte; it was time to move on before the death count rose too high and brought attention. They should hit a big city next; they could stay longer in one of those.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Bella ducked her head, covering the wounded solider with her own body as an artillery shell hit nearby. She sat up and went back to work, bandaging his wounds, stabilising him for the journey back away from the front. “You’ll be alright,” she smiled at the barely conscious man who weakly gripped her hand. She patted his hand and then waved for the stretcher to be carried away.

This was where they were meant to be treated, but the Germans had broken through their lines, bringing the medical station into the line of fire. Only a handful of them had stayed, to treat those they could, while a new station was set up further back.

The war was beyond anything she had ever imagined, and it sickened her. She’d heard of the camps the Germans had set up, the mass killings…how could anyone do such things? She had thought the Civil War was bad, but they had been spared the actually fighting. The last war was meant to be the one to end all wars and yet here they were, not even half a century later. Would it always be this way? Would her eternity be filled with war after war? What drove humans to kill each other?

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Carlisle set the paper aside, closing his eyes. He’d never understood the need people had for such violence. He didn’t understand his own kinds’ either. The bombing of Pearl Harbour had shocked the nation, pushing America into joining the war. Before that, he’d been considering returning to Britain to work as a doctor there, to help those wounded by the war. But now there were plenty of wounded soldiers in America as well.

Edward was staying close to home, they couldn’t risk him being drafted, so his death had been faked and he had withdrawn from society completely.

And then the noise level of the hospital exploded, and Carlisle left his office, worried, only to be greeted by smiling faces.

“Dr Cullen, did you hear? It’s over! The war’s over!”

He smiled in relief at the news.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Jasper ducked into the nearest diner to get out of the rain. It didn’t bother him, but he knew it would appear strange for him to remain out in the cold and wet. As soon as he entered he was hit by the scent of another vampire, tensing in reaction. He had avoided his kind since leaving Peter and Charlotte. Hopefully the other vampire would not want the bloodbath of wiping out every customer in order to fight.

He glanced around and then spotted her sitting in a booth, short hair nicely styled, her clothing neat, and her eyes…neither black with hunger nor red…they were a strange golden colour. She looked up at him and smiled and he was hit by her emotions. There was no anger or fear, despite the fact that she had to be able to see his scars. Instead there was a bubbly happiness, anticipation, and it confused him.

“You’ve kept me waiting,” she said so that he could hear her, and he walked warily towards the booth.

"My apologies, ma'am,” he answered as a proper southern gentleman, something he hadn’t been in a long time.

“My name is Alice, and I’ve been waiting thirty years to meet you. You’re looking for a way to stop the pain and guilt of feeding.”

“How?” he demanded, had Maria sent her?

“I see things, the future. You were the first face I saw when I woke up. I knew we would meet here and that we would be good friends. There’s a coven, a family really, that can help. They don’t feed on humans,” she explained, shocking him.

Jasper felt a flash of hope at those words. She had seen him…he’d never met a vampire who could see the future before. Would such a coven accept him? He knew what others felt when they saw him, even when he covered as much of his skin as he could. It was an automatic response to see him as a threat, even when he meant no harm. Though…Alice hadn’t reacted, then again if she’d seen him in some kind of vision she’d be expecting the scars.

But…to not feed from humans? “Then what do they feed on?”

“Animals. I’ve been working on it, but it’s hard on my own, I slip up. I knew I’d be meeting you soon and that has made it easier these last few months. It’s why my eyes are gold and not red.”

Listening to her explanation…in a way this was the same choice Peter had offered him, a chance to find a peaceful way of life, one where he wouldn’t be wracked with guilt every second of his existence. She stood up and held out her hand and he realised the rain had stopped. He stared at her tiny hand, she really was a very small young woman, and for the first time in almost century, he felt hope.

He slowly reached out and took her hand, standing, and she led him out of the diner. “Where are we going?”

“To find the Cullen’s,” she smiled up at him as they left the diner. They walked through the city until they could run.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Adam smiled as he read Bella’s letter, she’d be coming back to America soon…right as he was beginning to consider leaving it. Oh well. It would be nice to see her again, he was glad they’d stayed in touch over the years. And technology was making that ever easier as time passed. He’d heard stories from others about how difficult it had been way back during Roman times or even earlier. Then, they’d been solitary not through choice but because it was all but impossible to find one of their own kind.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Alice couldn’t help giggling at Jasper’s expression. She understood though, animal blood just wasn’t as good as human. But he was trying and she could tell it was having a positive effect on his emotional and mental state. To feel what someone did as they were killed…she felt bad enough when she slipped up, it had to have been so much worse for him over the years.

A shaft of light glanced off his skin, making it sparkle but not quite the same way her own did. She refused to react to his multitude of scars. He’d been forced into that life, forced to be a killer by his maker. But it wasn’t who he was. She’d seen him, in her visions, seen how kind and compassionate he was when given the chance. She could almost wish…but no, they weren’t meant for each other. She had the feeling, though her visions hadn’t confirmed it yet, that joining the Cullen’s would lead them to their mates.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Bella smiled gently as she handed back the assignments to the children seated at their desks. She’d liked nursing but sadly, she’d ended up ‘killed’ when the truck she was in with some wounded soldiers had hit a land mine. Now she was in France, helping orphaned children pick up their schooling. She was making good use of Adam’s lessons on languages and shifting her accent. She’d donated money to the various countries in need of the most help since she could only give aide in person to one at a time. She knew Amelia was doing the same, she was currently working somewhere in Poland. Adam’s last letter had him travelling through Europe, helping as he went, rather than settling in one spot.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Jasper followed Alice up the driveway, seeing a large house at the end of it. He could smell at least five different vampiric scents in the area, and it worried him a little. He could handle five vampires, but Alice wasn’t a fighter, he would have to protect her if something went wrong. He’d given her a few tips over the last two years of searching together and her gift did make it easier for her to anticipate and avoid attacks but he hadn’t been able to bring himself to over real training, terrified he’d fall back into habits from then - would hurt her or something.

Alice had also mentioned at least one of the Cullen’s was gifted as well, which could make it even more dangerous. He wanted Alice to be right, for them to be accepted…but part of him thought it could never happen. She was the only one who hadn’t flinched from him, accepted him, she was his best friend. Even Peter had been intimidated by his scars when he’d first woken, their friendship had taken a few months to begin developing. Charlotte… tolerated him for Peter’s sake and Jasper understood, he would have killed her after all. Though things had warmed between them over time and he hoped that maybe some more time apart would help there as well. She was Peter’s mate, now that he knew and they were all free of Maria, he’d never hurt her. He’d fight to keep her safe, he hoped she knew that.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Edward stopped playing as he picked up the thoughts of two newcomers…two vampires. “Carlisle,” he called, and his father quickly appeared.

“What is it?”

“Two vampires coming up the drive,” he announced, and the rest of the family appeared.

“Are they a threat?” Rosalie demanded, and Edward frowned.

“They don’t appear to be looking for a fight.”

“Let’s greet them then,” Carlisle led them outside to stand in front of the house.

They saw them then, a tall blond male and a tiny dark-haired female, the girl holding his hand and gently tugging him along. There was something…their eyes! Hers were almost as golden as the family’s while his were the odd colour they turned after beginning the animal blood diet.

“Welcome,” Carlisle called. “I’m Carlisle Cullen, this is my family. Can we help you?”

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Jasper stopped a fair distance from them, unwilling to get closer yet, and Alice allowed him to hold her back. He scanned them, taking in the massive dark-haired male and the icy blond woman standing slightly behind him. The one who had spoken, Carlisle, also had a woman with him, leaving a tall young man with bronze hair to stand alone between the two pairs. Only the large male looked like a fighter but that didn’t mean much among their kind.

“Hi! I’m Alice and this is Jasper. We’ve come to join your family,” she announced with a grin, and Jasper bit back a sigh at her exuberance. It was obvious her announcement had taken them back and then the bronze haired one laughed, shaking his head.

“I guess I better empty it then,” he said, looking at Alice who laughed.

“Edward?” Carlisle addressed the boy.

“She sees the future Carlisle. It’s…amazing.”

“I see.”

Looking at the obvious leader, Jasper could tell that the other vampire was not just physically older than him but was actually older. He was calm and in control, even when confronted with two strangers.

“Come on Jasper,” Alice tugged him closer, and he heard the hiss of alarm from the ice blond even as her mate growled slightly, and he knew they had seen his scars.

He kept the pain from showing easily, he had learnt well how to hide his own emotions while with Maria. Not well enough in the end, but he’d kept in her in the dark for decades before the guilt and pain had worn him down to heavily to hide. He noticed the one called Edward staring at him, a slight frown on his face. He had to be gifted too, something mental? He had known Alice could see the future, had responded…mind reading maybe? And the flash of a brief smile that thought got verified it. Edward read minds. That made him uncomfortable, his mind was not a good place to be. Too many memories of pain and death.

“Please,” Carlisle stepped forward slightly, hands out. “Emmett calm down,” he addressed the last male of the coven…family. “I apologise, we have not met any vampire with your…”

“Scars,” Jasper finished for the uncomfortable leader who nodded. “I don’t want to fight. Alice said that you live in peace, that you don’t kill humans.”

“It’s true,” Carlisle’s mate stepped a little closer. She was pretty, there was something very…motherly about her.

“We’ve been trying,” Alice told them. “It’s hard though.”

“We will help you,” Carlisle offered, holding out his hand, and Jasper hesitated, glancing down at Alice who smiled and nodded.

So he stepped forward and took the offered hand. He hoped he was doing the right thing, that this wasn’t some kind of trap.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Bella got off the airplane and smiled as she spotted the familiar figure waiting for her. “Adam!” She laughed as he picked her up and spun her.

“Welcome back to America,” he greeted and then they went to collect her luggage. It had been almost fifteen years since she had been in her country of birth and she had missed it. It was good to be home again, maybe she would even go back to Texas for a while.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Jasper watched like always, wary, and unable to help it. Emmett and Edward were wrestling, pure brawn versus speed and mind reading. He’d watched them many times since they’d joined the family and they’d never taken it further, truly snapped at each other or even taken a bite.

He heard and sensed Esme’s approach, staying utterly still when her hand brushed his arm, feeling the warm motherly love she felt…towards all of them, even…even him. He just didn’t understand it.

And then he felt surprise coming from the house, Rosalie? She appeared in the doorway, a newspaper in her hand, looking at him hesitantly.

“Rose?” Emmett called, disentangling himself from Edward.

She approach him, not her mate, which was a shock. Rosalie hadn’t exactly been accepting of his presence, not like the others. “You should read this Jasper,” she offered, holding the paper out.

Frowning in confusion, he accepted it. He stared at the article, eyes widening in shock. It was him! The picture taken after his promotion to Major, it’d been a big thing due to his age. And next to his photo was one of an elderly man…Mark Whitlock. He scanned the article and honestly didn’t know what he was feeling. His family…they were all gone now. He was the last Whitlock, there were no more. He’d been living no more than fifty miles from the last of his family for the last three years and hadn’t even known it.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Bella opened the envelope and pulled out the pictures, smiling at the chubby little baby in one of them. Jasper Swan had survived the war to have children, the photo was of the latest member of his branch of the family, one Charlie Swan, born May 12^th in Forks Washington. He was a cute little thing. He was the only child of Geoffrey and Helen Swan, a surprise baby due to their ages. They were in their forties, late for a baby, and she had been sure that Jasper’s line would end with Geoffrey.

It had been so long… maybe it was safe to approach them? It would be easy enough to add the record of a baby girl into Florence Swan’s descendants. Even if they had an old picture of her from when she was mortal, her looks could be explained away by familiar resemblance and she could look different due to her modern haircut, maybe even dye it a different colour. She could stop watching them from a distance, at least for a few years. They were the only family she had left; the Whitlock’s were all gone, due to war, sickness and old age, Mark Whitlock had been the last, but he had died childless five years before. Anna’s youngest son, Alexander, hadn’t survived to adulthood, his brother had died a month before his own wedding in an accident, Charlie was the newest descendant of Jasper Swan, and Isabella had two descendants left, both girls. How had both families shrunk so far in a century?

The last few years had been tense from the Cuban Missile Crisis, Kennedy’s assassination, troops being sent to Vietnam…she had feared another world war breaking out but thankfully it seemed that wouldn’t happen. Playing a teenager for a while could be the relaxing break she needed.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Jasper put his book aside as Alice danced into the room.

“Guess what?” She smiled happily, and he smiled back, unable to help it.

“You found a new dress designer?” he asked teasingly, and she laughed.

“No,” she leant right in to whisper beside his ear to keep anyone else in the house from hearing. “Edward asked me out on a date.”

He blinked and then smiled. “That’s great Alice, I’m happy for you.” It had only taken him fifteen years to ask her.

“What am I going to wear?” she asked, and he couldn’t help laughing as she ran off to find the perfect outfit.

He was happy for them, even if it did leave him the odd one out. After the fiasco with Maria though he was in no rush at all to attempt to find a mate. He wasn’t sure he wanted one at all honestly. Hazy memories and daydreams of his wife still haunted him at times, though he did wonder if they really were memories or things he’d dreamed up after reading what she’d written.

Living as a Cullen wasn’t perfect, but it was better than anything he could remember since waking as a vampire. Feeding from animals had helped lift the crippling guilt he had felt over killing people to eat. He got along with his ‘siblings’ most of the time too. They argued and fought but they were a group of vampires, besides, human families argued as well. He’d managed to get in contact with Peter and Charlotte, to let them know he had settled in with the Cullen’s and they had even visited a few times. He knew they were happy he’d found a way to manage his powers and need for blood, but he knew the way the Cullen’s lived made them a bit uncomfortable.

He had considered leaving a few times, usually after a slip up. Alice had adjusted quickly to a purely animal diet with their support, she’d been managing mostly okay even before they’d found the family, but he still struggled at times. Unlike everyone else, he had spent many, many years giving in to the more violent aspects of their nature, it made sense that he struggled to control them even now. Could he ever hope to stick to the diet without their help?

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Bella laughed as she ran after Charlie through the trees, the ten-year-old checking to make sure she hadn’t caught him every now and then. Coming to Forks had been a good idea, Geoffrey and Helen had accepted her quickly and Charlie had taken to her instantly, the too serious little boy soon laughing and playing with his supposedly seventeen-year-old cousin. 

She was staying with them for the summer holidays after which she would return to Idaho for her final year of high school. She didn’t usually start a life at the age where she was still in high school, but it would give her longer to be in contact with her family. Her name as far as anyone knew was Elizabeth ‘Lizzie’ Swan, orphaned last year.

She lunged forward and caught Charlie around the waist, lifting the shrieking child from the ground to spin around, before falling back into the grass, both panting, him more than she was.

“Lizzie?”

“Yes Charlie?” she rolled onto her side and reached out to ruffle his hair.

“I’m glad you found us.”

“I’m glad too,” she smiled at him.

“Do you have to go so soon?”

“I have to finish school.”

“School’s boring,” he grumbled, and she laughed, he had no idea.

“I’ll come back, I just found you three and I won’t give up on having family.”

“Promise?”

“Promise, now let’s get back for some of your Mom’s delicious cooking.” She stood and held her hand out, pulling him to his feet to head back to the house. They went back to the nice white two-story home that backed onto the woods, Geoffrey sitting on the porch and smiling at seeing them grass stained and worn out.

“Having fun kids?” he asked, and Charlie nodded before darting inside.

“Does he ever run out of energy?” She asked, sitting beside him and he chuckled.

“Normally he’s running around La Push with some of the boys down there. They’re older than him but they’re good kids.”

Bella nodded. “It’s good he has friends he can look up to.”

“And now he has an older cousin too. I am very glad you tracked us down Lizzie,” he patted her hand and she smiled, kissing his cheek.

“I’m glad I did too.”

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Jasper laughed, twisting as Emmett crashed into him, sending his brother to the ground instead of being tackled there himself. They rolled apart and Emmett charged in again and again. He had size and strength, but he had no training to use them in a fight. Jasper was happy to teach him, they were a large coven, few would challenge them, but that did not mean they would never be in danger. Alice and Edward could use their gifts in a fight to avoid their attackers but Emmett, Esme, and Carlisle didn’t have that advantage. He would do what he had to, to protect them, and that included ensuring they could defend themselves.

It felt nice, to play fight with them in a way he hadn’t thought he’d ever be able to when he’d first joined the family. Emmett especially was always up for a fight, Edward was the more withdrawn of the two, likely because of his ability. He wondered which was worse sometimes, hearing everyone’s thoughts or being forever bombarded by every emotion within miles.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Bella stood and stretched, gathering her books to head out of the class and out into the campus. She was studying literature with the idea of spending a year or two teaching again. While it was getting harder to hide as the world became tied together closer and record keeping more thorough, it was also getting easier to change her appearance with various cosmetics and hair dyes, they were a lot easier to use than the older ones and did a better job. Who knew how far technology would go? What would her people do when it became impossible to hide?

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Esme smiled as she watched her family as they exchanged gifts in front of the tree. This was all she could have ever wished for. She had been nervous when Jasper and Alice came to them, but it hadn’t taken long at all to see past the vicious scarring that covered his body to see the sensitive, unsure young man within. He spoke little of his past, but she knew her husband had heard of him, Edward too, though maybe only from his father’s thoughts. She knew he had fought in the Civil War and she wondered how young he had been when he had left home to fight.

Alice had fit in immediately and she was very pleased that Edward had found happiness with her. It had been a surprise though, they had all assumed she and Jasper were mates, why else would he have followed her? And yet, they were simply very good friends, Alice had given him hope for an existence free of killing humans. He’d had a few slips since joining them, but Esme never blamed him, and she knew the guilt was horrendous every time.

Rose and Jasper had bonded well, becoming the siblings they often pretended to be on paper due to their similar looks. Emmett and Jasper were close too, Jasper more willing to fool around with him than Edward now that he had adjusted to being part of their family. Jasper and Edward were the least close, but they still got along. Alice got along well with all of them, although she did frustrate Rose on occasion. Their family was almost complete, she just wished that Jasper would find the same happiness the rest of them had.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Bella’s eyes widened in shock and she lunged forward, wrapping an arm around Charlie’s waist, shielding him with her body, feeling the pain of impact even as her shield formed around them. They rolled across the forest floor, Charlie shaking in her arms.

“It’s okay, you’re safe,” she whispered before looking up. She let go of him and got up, seeing the truck go over the cliff and into the river below.

“Lizzie?” Charlie called shakily.

“Stay there,” she answered, running to the clifftop and looking down but there was no sign of the truck and she felt bad about that. She turned back and knelt beside Charlie, checking him for any injuries.

“How?” he whispered; eyes wide.

“Come on, let’s get you home,” she murmured, gently pulling him along.

“We…. we need to…call the police,” he stammered, and she took her jacket off, draping it over the twelve-year old’s shoulders to help ward off shock.

“We will,” she promised.

She got him back to the house and inside before ringing the station to report seeing a truck going off the cliff. She then made hot tea and got him to drink it, mind spinning as she tried to work out how to handle it. There was no way he hadn’t noticed anything odd. She at least should be badly injured, they both should really.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

It took two days for Charlie to corner her and they went outside to sit, far enough from the house not to be heard. The truck had finally been found, the driver dead from the impact with the river, the damage to the front of the truck assumed to be from the impact as well though she knew it was from them and her shield. She’d never told a mortal, though she knew both Adam and Amelia had over the centuries, usually a spouse though. Telling someone so young was risky, kids could blurt things out more than adults tended to, but Charlie was level-headed and serious. He took it better than she’d expected, though she’d had to prove it.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Jasper stood beside Edward, smiling, as he watched Alice walk down the aisle on Carlisle’s arm. She was utterly stunning in a gown that was the height of Paris fashion. He could feel the emotions pouring off of Edward as he saw his bride, their love was so obvious. He was happy for them; they were obviously deeply in love. He glanced at Emmett to see him grinning, Rosalie on his arm in a stunning blue dress. The wedding was small, some classmates from university, some of Carlisle’s co-workers, just to make it all very official. It made it more difficult for Jasper, but he refused to ruin their wedding. Carlisle seemed to think he’d be able to attend class the next time they moved and he was determined to prove it.

Jasper danced with a few people at the reception, including Alice, Esme and Rose. Edward and Alice would be heading to Europe for their honeymoon in the morning. For now, it was time to party. He had made sure he had hunted well the last few days, this was definitely not the time for a slipup. Having to pretend to eat was never fun but it was worth it to make the day perfect for the couple.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Charlie grinned as he stared at Billy’s children. They were beautiful girls; he was so lucky. Billy and Sarah were such a wonderful couple too, he kind of envied his older friend for having his life settled. His own life was a bit off a mess at the moment, between training as a police officer and his parents declining health. His time in La Push and phone calls with Bella were desperately needed times of peace.

One day, he wanted what Billy and Harry had – a wife and children. It would be nice to have the house full of laughter again. And…it’d be a way to look after Bella too, to ensure her family continued on.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Alice smiled as Jasper picked her up off her feet, spinning her around, laughing.

“Welcome home,” he told her, setting her down, clasping hands with Edward.

“Thanks,” Edward grinned, wrapping an arm around her.

It was good to be home again. Europe had been everything she’d ever dreamed of and Edward a wonderful guide since he’d been before. Their honeymoon had been so amazing but it felt just as good to come home to their family.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

“Hello Charlie,” Bella smiled when she picked the phone up.

“Hi Aunt Bella,” he greeted happily.

“What has you so cheery?” she asked as she leant against the wall. “A girl?” she teased, and he coughed.

“Well…”

“Really? Charlie that’s wonderful! What’s her name?”

“Renée Higginbotham, she’s from California, she was here on a road trip and will be coming back on her way home.”

“Ah, a whirlwind romance.”

“Something like that.”

“I’m happy for you. Just be careful, please.”

“I will,” he promised.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Bella stood towards the back of the room, watching as Charlie married the younger Renée. Honestly, she wasn’t sure about this, but she had given her blessing to Charlie, it was obvious he was head over heels, it was his new wife she wasn’t sure about. There was something rather flighty about her. She really hoped she was wrong, Charlie deserved to be happy.

His parent’s health was declining and while she handled the bills to keep Charlie from stressing, there was nothing that could be done to heal them. All she could do was support Charlie from a distance, makeup could make her look older, but she was pushing it and she knew it. She was meant to be twenty-nine after all, it was best that she not be seen too closely by too many people. She would keep in contact with Charlie though, even once Lizzie Swan ‘died’.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

“Renée’s pregnant!” Charlie announced as soon as she picked up the phone.

“Congratulations!” she answered immediately, and he could hear she was happy for them. “When’s she due?”

“End of September. If it’s a girl, I was wondering about Isabella?”

“Such an old-fashioned name, poor kid.”

“Bella…”

“I’m honoured. And if it’s a boy?”

“Jasper,” he answered.

“What does Renée think of the names?”

“I explained they’re old family names and she agreed,” he explained. Renée liked Isabella quite a bit thankfully, she wasn’t as found of Jasper as it was very old fashioned and had no more modern sounding nickname, but she’d seen the albums, read the family history and had agreed.

“Would you like me to come?” she asked. “I’m between lives after all.”

“Thanks.” He knew she would keep out of sight but be there to help.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Bella lifted the tiny baby in her arms, rocking her gently. She was beautiful though a bit small. She’d been so eager to join the world that she’d been born a bit earlier than planned. Renée had been discharged that morning and Charlie had taken her home to rest. The name on the crib was Isabella Swan and she had dark brown hair like much of the family. Bella had already decided she would live in Seattle, better to watch over the family. The elder Swan’s likely only had a few years left and Charlie would need her close to help with that. Hopefully a baby would help settle Renée fully into life in Forks, for the whole family’s sake.

TBC…

Chapter Text

Disclaimer: not mine

Chapter 7

“Hey Charlie,” Bella greeted as she answered the phone. “Charlie?” she demanded in alarm as she heard the shaky breathing.

“She’s gone,”  he admitted.

“Who’s gone?” Bella moved to her room and grabbed her suitcase to start packing, happy that cordless phones had been around for a few years now, they were a lot more convenient.

“Renée…she took Bella.”

Bella swore softly, this was everything she had feared. “Alright, I’ll be on the first flight out. We’ll find them, she has no right to take Bella from you.”

“But I thought…”

“I’ll be careful to stay out of sight, but you need me,” she told him. As soon as she had a flight arranged she’d call Adam, he was good at finding people and he had just returned to America after some time in Egypt of all places.

“Okay,” he agreed shakily.

“Just hang in there.” She hung up and called the airline, then Adam, and then the law firm she kept on retainer.

If Renée thought she could just waltz off with little Bella without a fight she had another thought coming. Little Isabella was as much Charlie’s daughter as she was Renée’s after all. Not to mention he was the one with a steady income, stable job, and a house.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Billy kept a close eye on Charlie, so did Harry. They kept him as busy as possible, out fishing with them when he wasn’t working or down at the Res for bonfires and the like. He hadn’t been overly fond of the girl, but he still hadn’t seen this coming at all. Divorce was one thing, but to just take their baby and vanish? How could anyone do that?

He’d sent word out to a few other reservations, those they kept in contact with, to be on the lookout for Renée and baby Isabella. Billy knew Charlie would have put out alerts with the police too. Someone had to find them.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Adam triple checked what he had found and sighed softly, shaking his head. This was going to kill Bella, but he’d have to tell her. She’d been so excited when she’d told him about Charlie naming his daughter for her, getting to be in the life of her family again since the young man knew the truth. Now it was all gone, all because a selfish woman decided to leave her husband without a word and take their baby with her.

He’d never met Charlie but the news would be devastating, especially with his parents declining health. Bella couldn’t stay with him all the time either, not when Lizzie Swan was a lot older than she now looked. The only reason the id hadn’t been killed off was in case of emergency, if anything had happened to Charlie and Renée then she could have easily taken custody of their daughter.

Unless Charlie remarried…Bella’s family line would die with him. The Whitlock’s had already died off, to lose the Swan’s as well would break her heart. But with what Renée had done, would Charlie ever want to try again?

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Charlie sat silently beside Bella, staring down at the ground so far below. He’d never actually been on a plane before but there was no excitement, nothing. He didn’t want to believe it, couldn’t, but Bella was so sure the news she’d received was correct. How could they be so sure it was them though? How could he beloved daughter…be gone?

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Bella sat stood beside Charlie as he stared at the grave stones. Renée had been buried as a Jane Doe, little Bella beside her. “Do you want to have them moved to Forks?” she was more than willing to pay for it, but he shook his head.

“No…” he took a deep breath. “We shouldn’t tell anyone.”

“What?” she frowned in confusion.

He looked over at her. “Nothing can bring them back but…” he took a deep breath. “I can tell everyone in Forks that Renée took Bella, that’s the truth, but I can leave Forks once a year, like I’m visiting them,” he murmured before kneeling to place the bouquet he’d brought. It felt wrong to leave without putting flowers down, even for Renée. She might have left him, but they’d still been married and he’d loved her.

“Charlie why…” her eyes widened. “Oh Charlie, just because I’m not using Lizzie Swan anymore doesn’t mean I’m going to just vanish on you.”

“I know, but another decade and you’ll need a new identity. Here’s one that is completely official, you’d just have to supply school and medical records for the intervening years.”

“Charlie…are you sure?” she asked, resting a hand on his shoulder, and he nodded. “Alright. You change your mind though and it’s okay.”

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Everyone in Forks was relieved when young Charlie Swan returned with news that his wife and baby daughter were fine. The divorce papers soon arrived and he signed them without a fight. Though people were surprised he didn’t seem to be fighting for custody when he was the one with a proper home and job. Everyone who knew him knew how much he loved his daughter.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Alice stopped, staring out over the mountains, a smile spreading across her lips. Finally! She was so happy for him! Jasper deserved to be happy like the rest of them were, no matter what he said. He hadn’t known any better when he was with Maria, as soon as he’d known there was another way he’d done his best to only hunt the worst of humanity and then he’d jumped at the chance to switch to animal blood. Yes, he occasionally slipped up but so did most of them. None of them had spent so long giving in to their bloodlust like he had, so of course it was going to be a bit harder for him to adapt to a ‘vegetarian’ diet. The only one of them who came close was Edward and he’d only given in for three years, not the decades upon decades that Jasper had.

She couldn’t see much, not enough to identify who she was, but the vision was clear enough in other areas. Jasper would soon find his mate? From the surroundings it looked like they would be returning to Forks, well for the first time for her and Jasper. She only recognised it because of the house, though Esme was obviously going to update it after they arrived as there were differences to the old photos Edward had showed her. It made sense; Forks was a good place for a vampire. Would she be willing to switch to their diet, or did she already follow it? All Alice could make out was long dark hair and a slender figure, significantly shorter than Jazz but not as short as herself.

Now she just had to keep the secret until they met. Good thing she had gotten good at hiding things from her husband. Jasper couldn’t know or he’d end up sabotaging the whole thing, possibly on purpose. He carried so much guilt, she knew a lot of the time he believed he didn’t deserve a mate but it wasn’t true.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

In a split second of shock, Bella felt something sharp pierce her throat before her shield kicked in, sending something flying. She slapped a hand to the stinging flesh, feeling the wound healing already. She turned to see an incredibly pale young man…with blood red eyes. He licked her blood from his lips before grimacing, screaming in pain until he went still, body crumbling away like old stone. What the hell? She rushed back to her apartment and grabbed the phone, getting no answer from Adam.

She quickly dialled the international number, waiting, relieved when it was picked up. “Amelia?”

“Bella? What has happened little one?” The older immortal asked, worried.

“I…I don’t know exactly. There was this sharp pain in my throat then my shield kicked in. it was a man with red eyes…he was screaming and then he just…”

“Crumbled away?”

“Yes!”

“He was a vampire Bella, surely Adam warned you about them,” Amelia answered her, and Bella sat down, eyes wide.

“Oh…” she swallowed hard, remembering what Adam had told her so long ago. “He did, but I’ve never seen one before.” Honestly, she’d forgotten all about those stories over the years since she’d never seen anyone who matched the description.

“We don’t tend to run into each other very often. Our blood is fatal to them, unless given willingly. As soon as he bit you he sealed his fate. Their venom stings a little but it can’t change us for obvious reasons,” her friend explained.

“I see…thank you,” she sighed in relief. It wasn’t her fault, if he hadn’t attacked her, he would have killed someone. But could she condemn someone for just trying to survive and if vampires needed blood…

Amelia laughed. “I’m always willing to answer your questions dear friend. Now, go have a warm bath and a good meal, doctors’ orders.”

“Yes ma’am,” Bella laughed and hung up. A vampire, it still felt crazy, but they existed so why not creatures from myth?

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Emmett glanced up at his wife as she worked, smiling softly. Despite how prickly she could seem to others; his Rosie had such a big heart. She’d done it for all of them, except their two newest family members. Alice had proven impossible to track, she’d woken in a forest too far from any civilisation and remembered nothing from her life, except that her name was Alice. And Alice was not a rare name, if she’d had a really rare name then they might have been able to find something.

Jasper’s family was proving a lot easier. There’d been that newspaper article about the death of his last living relative and Edward had come across a picture of Jasper in a civil war history book. There’d been a picture of his wife in some old records that Rosalie had found, she’d been pretty. Dying in childbirth…he was glad that had never been a danger for his beloved wife but it also hurt to know how much she longed for a child.

Did…did Jasper remember his wife? Did he know of the baby? Would it hurt more or less to find out if he hadn’t known?

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Bella opened the door and looked in on Charlie as he slept. She was worried about her many times great nephew. Every year he would come and visit her for a few weeks before returning home to Forks. Little Bella would have been eleven now and Charlie had never truly recovered from loosing them, no matter how she tried to support him. It had been made worse when his parents had died close together although he had recovered better from their loss, because they had lived long, full lives.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Jasper looked up as Rosalie approached the door to his study, putting aside the book he’d been reading to offer his sister a smile. She had a box with her and felt hesitant. “Rose?”

“This is for you,” she put the box on his desk. “I uh…I went through all of the records, tracked every lead down I could.”

He frowned in confusion and reached out to open the box. “Leads for what?”

“Your human life and your family,” she answered softly, and he was glad the others were out as he froze, eyes wide. “I’ve done it for everyone. Alice has proven impossible to track though since she has no memories of her human life and Alice is such a common name. It’s yours to do with what you please but this gives you the option.” She approached and kissed his cheek before retreating.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Rosalie left the house, figuring he may wish to be alone and not wanting to be hit by his emotions if he did open it. Poor Jasper…he’d had a wife and a baby on the way when he’d gone missing. She’d seen the dates for them though, they had both died in childbirth. Jasper had family still out there though, at least they were descendants of his wife’s family, so they counted to her, would he count them?

She felt so sorry for the poor young woman, long dead before Rosalie had even been born. The official date of Jasper being declared dead being announced lined up scarily with her and the baby’s deaths. Grief could kill…and how guilty would Jasper feel? Did…did he even remember his wife? He’d never mentioned being married to any of them that she knew of.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Jasper stared at the box, feeling totally lost, glad Rose had left the house because he was sure he was projecting. He didn’t know what to do. Did he really want to know what had happened to his family? He’d seen them only that once and even after leaving Maria he had never tried to track them down, or their descendants.

After what felt like days he finally took the lid off, finding an old photo on top, it was him and Isabella, likely their wedding day, and he ran careful fingers over the glass of the frame. They looked so young and happy. He found the pictures he had seen so long ago on the mantle, though they were likely copies. He’d seen his own picture in a handful of books on the Civil War but these felt more real. The box held copies of their birth certificates and those of their families and he was soon absorbed with the lives of the Whitlock’s and Swan’s. he was saddened to find his own family had died out with Mark Whitlock in 1959. The Swan’s still existed though and that made him happy.

He was shocked to find a Charlie Swan living in Forks Washington, a town the Cullen’s owned property in. Perhaps he should speak with Carlisle, see if he had interacted with any of the family the last time they were there. Charlie even had a daughter, Isabella Swan….a family name ever since his wife had died. There had even been some Jasper’s in the Swan family!

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Charlie couldn’t help laughing as Bella glared at him, covered in mud. Maybe fishing hadn’t been the best idea for a family outing? But then she grinned and his eyes widened. “Bella…” he yelped as she tackled him into the lake.

By the time they returned home they were both soaking wet and had all of one fish between them, but it had been a very enjoyable day. Part of him almost didn’t want to go home on the weekend, but he had to get back to work. There was talk of a possible promotion coming soon, the old chief was retiring. It was a big responsibility, but he’d honestly never really thought he’d be put up for the position.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Carlisle smiled as Jasper joined him. He was glad that Jasper had chosen to join their family and remain, even as the only unmated male in the family. He hoped that one day Jasper would know the happiness the rest of them did, but he knew it could take decades or even longer. “Good morning Jasper.”

“Morning Carlisle,” Jasper offered a small smile. He then passed over a piece of paper and Carlisle accepted it, reading it quickly.

“The Swan family in Forks?” he asked, confused and curious.

“Rosalie went digging into my past,” Jasper admitted quietly.

“Ah yes, she’s done that for all of us over the years. It’s something she enjoys doing.” She was the one who kept all the records, it was something she enjoyed.

“I…” Jasper looked away, steeling himself, and Carlisle was concerned. “My wife was Isabella Whitlock, née Swan.”

He hadn’t known Jasper had been married but it shouldn’t have been surprising given his age. During war many people married young and Jasper had been a well-respected soldier. “Jasper did the two of you,” he hesitated, and Jasper shook his head, eyes pained.

“She died in childbirth; the babe was stillborn. It was after Maria took me. I’ve known that much since five years after I was changed, I stumbled across my family. I found our room and a partially written letter she’d been writing, and… the family graveyard. She had a younger sister though who did marry and have children. Some of her descendants moved to Forks. And her eldest descendant is now a police officer there.”

“I am so sorry son,” Carlisle stood and reached out to rest a hand on Jasper’s shoulder, knowing he wouldn’t accept a hug.

“Did you ever meet any of them when in Forks?” Jasper asked, and Carlisle moved away form his desk to sit on the couch, motioning for Jasper to join him and he began to speak of what he knew from back then.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Esme smiled as she went over the plans, an excited Alice studying them while Rosalie looked at some fabric samples. They were moving on and Carlisle had accepted a position at the hospital in Forks. She loved their house there and it would be good to go back. Though something about Alice’s excitement said she had seen something good coming of the move there, though for once she was keeping her silence on what she had seen.

Some adjustments needed to be made to the floor plan, making it far more open on the main floor, adding some more windows, updating all of the bathrooms and kitchen, despite those rooms being unnecessary they still had to be worked on. While it was incredibly rare, there was the odd occasion when a human may come by and it would look very strange for them not to have up to date facilities. Besides, they did enjoy showering, especially after messy hunts or the boys had been messing around in the mud.

Upstairs too needed a new layout as their family had grown by two. Alice basically needed another bedroom to serve as her wardrobe while Jasper needed his own space as well. It may be easiest to add an extension to the house and she began drawing up the plans, the girls adding their own input.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Bella smiled as she saved and closed the file. Done. It felt…good. It would be published, if accepted, under a pen name but it felt good to have it finished, even if it never was accepted by a publisher. The story of their family’s was now written. It felt good to have it even just for her own record. Amelia and Adam both said she’d always remember but she still liked having it written, or typed at least. She thought Charlie might like a copy of it, she’d told him about life back then, but it’d be different to read it.

She picked up the framed picture on her desk, smiling softly at the photo. She didn’t know where Adam had found it or how, she’d honestly forgotten all about the photographer who had come to their wedding. Having the photo, even in black and white, felt wonderful. Her desk was one she’d bought at auction twenty years ago…because it had been her fathers’. She’d managed to collect an item or two over the decades and while it hurt it was also good to have the links back to her family. But the photo was the only image of her and Jasper together.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Charlie opened his work email; he didn’t really like computers but they were part of the job. He smiled when he saw he had one from Bella, reading through it. She’d finished her book, not that she’d told him what it was about. And there was also congratulations on getting the promotion, a promise of a meal out on her the next time he visited…or she came to Forks.

She’d been seventeen, almost eighteen, when she died, she couldn’t really pass for fifteen, she’d spent too long playing at being older than her physical age. Unless she’d been practising acting like a teen? It had been a spur of the moment idea, for Bella to one day take on his daughters identity, but it felt right too. He missed them both even after almost fifteen years, even with what she’d done he had loved Renée, but little Bella… Sometimes he felt bad about not remarrying, carrying on the family. The Whitlock’s were gone and now it looked like the Swan’s would end with him.  

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Jasper followed his ‘siblings’ into Forks high, grimacing as he was immediately hit by waves of lust and jealousy. He hated high school! He heard Edward’s soft chuckle and shot a mild glare at him, not like Edward had it much better. Jasper didn’t want to know what the kids were thinking while feeling those emotions.

“You really don’t,” Edward whispered as they split up to go to class.

He was glad he had most of his classes with either Rose or Emmett, letting him sit with them to keep the humans at a distance. When lunch came they grabbed trays of food before claiming a table, making it clear they wanted to be left alone. A few braver souls approached but it didn’t take too much to get them to leave with Jasper carefully tweaking their emotions. Not fear, he didn’t want their fellow students terrified of them since that would bring too much attention.

,,,,,,,,,,,,

Charlie smiled at the new Doctor, shaking his hand and thinking nothing of the chill to his skin, most doctors had cold hands. “Welcome to Forks, Doctor Cullen. We’re lucky to have you.”

“Thank you Chief Swan. My wife, Esme, fell in love with the town when the offer was made so how could I say no? The children will love all the forests around as well, they’re very big on outdoor pursuits.”

“You have children?”

“Five, three boys and two girls, all adopted. Rosalie and Jasper are Esme’s niece and nephew and have been with us the longest. Then there’s Emmett, Edward and Alice. They’re all in high school,” Carlisle explained.

“Jasper’s not a name you hear much anymore,” Charlie smiled slightly. How many times had the name popped up in his own family tree? Many of the names in the Cullen family were rather old fashioned and he wondered if any of them were like Bella. “My own daughter, Bella is in high school too.”

“Maybe they’ll become friends,” Dr Cullen suggested.

Charlie shook his head. “She’s living in Phoenix with her Mother at the moment.”

“Ah, my apologies.”

“It’s alright, you didn’t know,” Charlie shrugged it off. “Well, welcome to Forks. Feel free to call if you need something.”

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Edward wrapped his arms around Alice, leaning back against a tree. Out in the middle of the nowhere it was just their thoughts and he could truly relax. They’d already hunted and they had plenty of time before they would need to head home. He smiled when she tipped her head back to look up at him, leaning down to kiss her. She made him so happy; he couldn’t imagine his life without her anymore. “I love you,” he whispered, making her giggle, lifting a hand to stroke his cheek.

“I love you too,” she kissed him.

He closed his eyes and just let his mind drift. He wasn’t looking forward to the start of the new school year, but at least he was in the same grade as Alice, occasionally they even got to share classes. It was why they played the younger siblings, so the two couples could stay together as much as possible at school. Having all five of them in one grade was too unbelievable even for adopted siblings.

He did envy the other three for only having two years of high school left, he and Alice would be stuck for three. But he thought of all of them, Jasper had it the worst. Sure, he couldn’t hear the thoughts that went with the emotions, but he also didn’t have a mate to help him deal with everything. Edward shuddered to think how much worse it’d be without Alice at his side.

“Edward?” Alice asked.

“Just…thinking about how hard it must be for Jasper with all the emotions aimed at him, especially when they know he’s single. I don’t know how I’d deal with the thoughts without you,” he admitted, and for a second he caught something in her thoughts, a flicker of one of her visions…Jasper…holding someone. “Alice?”

She winced. “You weren’t meant to see that,” she admitted.

“You’ve seen Jasper…his mate?” he asked in excitement. Why keep that secret?

“I know he’ll meet her soon, here in Forks. But all I’ve seen of her is a vague image. Shorter than Jasper but taller than me, long brown hair, slender…but that’s it. No idea of who she is,” she sighed, obviously frustrated.

Edward frowned as he realised something. “Jasper’s met the Denali’s… which means his mate isn’t like us.”

She nodded, shifting to sit sideways in his lap, her head over his silent heart. “I still see Jasper with golden eyes, not red though. So either she’ll change to our diet for him, or they’ll somehow balance having different ones.”

Edward was relieved to hear that. He knew how much his old diet still tortured Jasper’s thoughts. For him to go back to it for his mate…it wouldn’t be healthy. He was happy his brother would soon know the same happiness as the rest of them.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Billy watched Sam storm away, heart heavy. He’d known the Cullen’s return would cause trouble for the tribe, might cause a reappearance of the wolves, and he’d been proven right. Why had his grandfather ever made a treaty with them? Though, he’d only had a pack of three at the time, the stories he’d been told mentioned five Cold Ones, so they’d been outnumbered. Was that why? Or had he truly believed they weren’t a threat?

So far, it was only Sam and Jared, how long till others began to shift? And…Jacob…his son was alpha by right of his blood, but he doubted Sam would step back when or hopefully only if Jacob ever changed. He was too young at the moment; all Billy could do was hope they were gone before he was old enough.

They’d been there a year and a half already, sending the ‘children’ to school in Forks. How long would or could they stay? If the younger ones went off to college after graduation then people would be less likely to notice their lack of aging. But Dr Cullen wouldn’t be able to pretend to be much past thirty at the most, would he? Still…that might be long enough to push the pack into increasing until Jacob was old enough.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

“Charlie? How are you?”

“I’m fine Bella. How are you?”

“Good, my book is being published.”

“Congratulations,” she could hear the smile in his voice. “Same old same old here. The town has finally given up gossiping about the Cullen’s, it’s only taken two years.”

“Ouch, poor them.” She hated the gossip that came with being the new person around, though it had gotten better for her over the years. A young woman along was much more acceptable now than it had been back then.

“Definitely. I was wondering…”

“Yes?”

“You need to move on to a new identity right? She…she would have been seventeen now, the same age as you are physically. And it’d be nice, to have the house not be so empty.”

Bella hesitated. “Are you sure?” she had to be sure, she didn’t want to hurt him. She knew he’d suggested it that day at their graves, but it’d been over a decade since then. Plenty of time to change his mind.

“As far as everyone knows, my daughter is in Phoenix with Renée. This place is too big for just me.”

Bella thought it over, this was why he hadn’t claimed their bodies after all. “Okay, I’ll need a few months to get everything ready. To make it easier, it might be best for Renée to ‘die’ now.”

“Handle it however you want.”

“Okay, I’ll see you in a few months,” she promised.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Edward frowned as he heard everyone’s thoughts. Chief Swan’s ex-wife had been killed in a car accident. He felt sorry for the man, he treated their family well and wasn’t scared of them which was nice. Especially considering how close he was to those on the Res and what they likely had to say about his family. Chief Swan’s daughter…ah, she hadn’t been in the car and would be returning to Forks to finish High School. He felt bad for the poor girl, though it would be nice to have the attention off of them.

When he got home he told them what he’d overheard and Esme went to work cooking up healthy, comforting meals which she then took to Chief Swan’s home.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Alice smiled, the vision was a bit clearer, though she still couldn’t see her she now knew it would be soon. Finally, Jasper’s mate was coming to Forks in the next few months! She couldn’t wait! She hoped they would all be such good friends. And with the new girl coming to school and taking some attention off of them, it’d be easier to hide the appearance of a new vampire in the area.

TBC…