Was I That Gullible

Don't You Wanna, Play With Me?

A/N: So Alice has put her foot in it, right up to her neck and the delusional fool that is Edward is about to meet his match xx Alexis

Bella was laid out flat on Charlie's sofa, Jasper on the floor in front of her, Charlie in his usual seat. The movie was reaching its climax and Bella gripped the back of Jasper's shirt, shuffling down to peer over his shoulder. Charlie smiled at the sight of his daughter, just being a normal girl, hiding behind someone to save her, because real life, was not like that for her at all.

Jasper was in seventh heaven, her every emotion washed over him, the tension and drama caused by the film. The love and the amazing bond between her and her father, it warmed his heart and made him sad at the same time. But the constant stream of concern, desire and love directed at him were the best feelings of all. They never let up no matter what else she was doing.

Bella heaved a sigh of relief as the hero eventually survived and got the girl, just the normal staple stuff, for action romance films. But she was seeing them through the eyes of a woman with a partner of her own now, not a lonely scared woman with no one to fall back on, like before. He felt all of this and gloried in the fact, that's all she wanted from him, was just for him to be there.

Not to have to fight her battles for her, not to stir up trouble on her behalf and not to dance to her tune and do her bidding no matter how demeaning. This was all brand new to him, Bella didn't want a trained Soldier like Maria had. Or a controlled Puppet, like Alice had, she wanted him, Jasper Whitlock, the man he used to be.

He revelled in all of these new sensations, with every hour that passed he slowly became that man, ready to lay down his life for her. Not because he'd been ordered to! Not because it was expected of him! He would do it for Bella because he wanted to! He had only ever known one woman before, that just wanted his love, no strings attached. His mother!

Charlotte had come close once upon a time, but her main focus was always on Peter, so the love she had for him was secondary. But with his mother, even though he had siblings, it didn't feel shared. She loved them all equally and without restraint, they never needed to vie for her attention. Each had been given her love unconditionally at their birth.

"I think I'll go lie down for a bit, all this excitement and speed healing has certainly taken it out of me!" Charlie said yawning.

Before he even got to his feet, Bella was up, she collected a glass of water, rushed up the stairs with it and Jasper heard her fluffing up his pillows, Charlie shook his head,

"I could get used to that, being mothered by her again! I've really missed her you know. Please, take care of her Son, she's all I have!" he murmured to Jasper, knowing Bella would hear him if he spoke any louder.

Jasper was speechless but nodded his assent. Not only did Charlie trust him, with the most important part of his life. But he had felt the emotions from Charlie when he called him Son, he meant it, truly meant it! Jasper was humbled, so he held out his hand to the older man and they shook on it. A bond, not sealed with blood, but love, love for the same woman.

Bella saw the change the minute she returned, Jasper seemed to stand taller, he looked determined and proud, the way she always thought he should in the past. It never sat comfortably with her how he seemed with the Cullens, he was downtrodden and overlooked by them all, but especially Alice and Edward.

"There you are! Welcome home, Major Whitlock!" she said under her breath,

But he heard and pulled her into his arms, kissing the ever living shit out of her. Now, this was something she could learn to live with! That was the scene that Peter, Alistair and Charlotte walked in on. Each with their own thoughts on it, joy from Charlotte, hope from Peter and caution from Alistair.