Rock and Roll Rebel

Chapter 20

So glad y'all are enjoying the story. I love writing my own version of Jasper and Bella. I honestly didn't plan on taking this all the way through Twilight but it's been so fun to write. Here's a nice long chapter for you to enjoy! Cheers!

The body was burning, orange flames licking the frozen corpse of the tracker. Jasper watched, unblinking in the familiar heat of the fire. She had danced. She would dance among the sparks and embers and her black hair would smell like smoke for days afterward. She would beckon him closer with her arms outstretched. Exhilaration and lust made for a heady cocktail and he would dance to make the pain go away...

He watched through the flames as Edward drew the venom from Bella's wrist. They had asked him if he was sure. And yes, it'd be easier if she was like them. Alice had confided to him that she had seen it happen. But they both knew the future was not set in stone, and Bella had never mentioned to him any desire to become a vampire. So yes, he was sure. Save her. "Don't let her become a monster like me."

Edward, surprisingly, had been the one to understand. He was the one to save her when Jasper couldn't. Carlisle worked to stop the bleeding and Edward worked to stop the transformation. And Jasper was never so glad to have found a family with the Cullens.

Now, he sat with his long frame folded up on a small hospital couch, pretending to sleep while Bella's mother sat at her bedside. He briefly considered giving them some time alone together but he had kept vigil this long, he wasn't going anywhere before he saw those enchanting brown eyes open.

"Bella? Bella, honey can you hear me?"

Renée Dwyer's voice was soft and soothing as she slowly urged her daughter back to consciousness. Jasper latched on to the feeling, using it to calm his own nerves, and projecting it over the entire room like a warm blanket.

"Mom? Where..." Bella blinked against the harsh lights and tried to get her bearings. Then, it all came rushing back. "Jasper! Mom, where's..."

He was by her side in an instant, brushing his hand over hers. "I'm here, darlin'. Right here."

"And your dad is down in the cafeteria," Renée said, reaching out and stroking her daughter's dark hair. "We're all here, baby. Everything's okay now."

Bella looked from her mother to Jasper. "What happened?"

Jasper frowned. "You fell down two flights of stairs and through a window."

As Bella let the cover story sink in, her mother jumped in with the details. "Dr. Cullen drove down with Jasper so you two could work things out. When you went to the hotel to see him, you tripped..." Renée trailed off, her eyes flooded with tears. She shook her head. "I'm so thankful your dad came down here with you, Jasper. I don't know what we would've done without him."

Jasper gave a brief nod. "I feel the same way, Mrs. Dwyer."

She gave him a smile. "No need to be so formal. Call me Renée."

"Yes, ma'am- sorry, Renée."

Both women chuckled and a small smile touched Jasper's lips. "If you ladies will excuse me, I'll go let the nurses know Bella's awake."  He leaned over to press a kiss to her cheek. "I won't be long."

"Ok," she nodded, watching him slip out the door as her mother's phone began to beep.

Renée smiled. "It's from Phil. He's worried about you."

"You're texting?"

"Who knew, huh?" her mother chuckled.  "Phil wanted to come, but I told him to stay in Florida. He got signed by the Suns!"