empathy

EIGHTEEN

Anastasia has her head against Jasper's shoulder, her eyes closed just to appear to be asleep. She doesn't want to be bothered, by anyone. Not by some human asking them whether they want something to eat or drink or even by Jasper himself.

She just wants her quiet.

Jasper got that and only moved to intertwine their finger and squeeze her hand in silent comfort. He was smart enough to make sure they are seated far away from Bella, Edward and Alice. Anastasia is really grateful for that.

Well, that and the space for her legs.

Music is blasting through her headphones, turned to the highest volume and yet it isn't quite loud enough to tune out the ruffling and talking of the people around them.

"I should've fed before we boarded," she eventually does speak up. A passenger just cut his finger or some and is now bleeding. "We'll have an hour to switch flights in Paris," he hums in response.

She doesn't reply, merely focuses on him to distract herself.

"You need a shower," Anastasia points out. "What? Are you saying I stink?" he teases, glad she is speaking at all. "No, you just don't smell like you anymore."

He chuckles a little at that and turns his head to kiss the top of her head.

"It'll be the first thing I do when we land back home." "Good."

They keep quiet for the rest of the flight and once they land in Paris, he helps her search out someone, who is travelling alone and covers while she lures him away to kill in an abandoned little space.

She also takes the time to freshen up while the body starts to rot in the small bathroom stall. Throwing her hair up in a high pony tail after brushing through it with her fingers, she grimaces slightly.

She looks like hell and not necessarily because her hair's a little messy and her make-up looks smudged, but because she looks exhausted.

If she were human, she'd probably have deep bags under her eyes and red cheeks form the tears she would've cried, but she isn't and the only thing giving away her state are her dull and lifeless eyes.

They're even worse than usual.

Grabbing another pair of contacts, she quickly changes them after making sure no one is watching and joins Jasper outside, their fingers once again intertwining.

"The others are getting Bella some food. They probably won't be back until we have to board," he informs her.

--- -- -

Stepping out of Sea-Tac airport, Anastasia's face brightens up at the sight of Antonina and she quickly crouches down to catch the little girl running into her arms.

"Hi, you," she mumbles, picking her up to hold her close. "I missed you," Antonina replies shortly, and Anastasia can feel her heart breaking at the sadness in her sister's voice.

"I missed you, too, baby, so much."

Anastasia follows after Jasper toward the rest of the Cullens, refusing to let Antonina down and from the looks of it, her little sister isn't opposed by that.

She mouths a 'thank you' to both Rose and Emmett, who just smile in return. Though, the aching in Rosalie's eyes is clear as daylight. She has grown so used to having the girl around, so fond of it. Now, she's just afraid she'll be ripped away from her despite never belonging to her in the first place.

Antonina would ramble and tell Anastasia everything she has seen and experienced, but exhaustion prevents her from it and she drifts off to sleep instead.

Emmett smiles fondly at that as well.

Jasper and Anastasia drive home with the couple, Antonina seated on her lap while Carlisle drives the car. Edward and Alice are driving with Esme and their partners in another car.

Her head is once again against Jasper's shoulder and he has his arm around her, securing the sisters to his side.

The others drive to drop off Isabella at home, but they head straight to the Cullens' residence. They seem to have been here before picking them up at the airport. The white sheets that covered up their stuff are gone, there's no dust in sight and it doesn't smell abandoned.

"You wanna go home, darlin'?" Jasper offers her quietly, a little surprised when she shakes her head. "No, it's okay."

She turns to Emmett and Rosalie, biting her lip while fighting herself before speaking up.

"I know that I don't have any right to ask you for anything after what you've already done for me, for her, but would you mind watching her for another night?"

Emmett grins and takes the sleeping girl from her. "It's a pleasure. Little rookie here is quite amazing."

Smiling, she nods at that before turning back to Jasper, who is already holding his hand out for her.

Anastasia takes it and follows him upstairs, immediately collapsing onto his bed.

"Why didn't you bring her to sleep here?" he asks her while retrieving some make-up removal and a hairbrush from his bathroom. "Because they're good for her," she whispers simply.

He sits down next to her, leaning down to kiss her gently.

"You're not bad for her," he argues what he knows is flying around in her head. "Maybe. But I can't give her stability. I can't give her routine and she deserves that. She deserves someone reliable."

Jasper doesn't comment, simply staring to take off her make-up and combing through her hair.

Rosalie and Emmett, who have heard what she said look at each other sadly before turning to the sleeping girl. After she moved in, they prepared a room for her, highly Peter Pan themed.

Emmett hugs his wife from the side and kisses her temple gingerly. 

"Jasper's taking care of her, she'll be alright."