The Ramblings of Brighton Montgomery [A Jasper Hale Love Story]

Chapter Twenty-Three

We camped in the same baseball clearing where we had fought the newborns. It was snowing again, Alice’s vision becoming clearer, hour by hour. Edward, Carlisle, and I were huddled in a small group towards the middle of the clearing, discussing strategy once more. If it went badly and we were to fight, we would split into three groups. Myself commanding one, and Carlisle and Edward would have the others.

“Let’s hope that it won’t come to this.” muttered Carlisle, hating the idea of having to fight and kill.

“Yes.” I agreed.

Emmett and Garrett had a field day with my position, probably because I seemed so little to them. Emmett about fell to the floor, laughing, and Garrett called me “Lieutenant Montgomery.”

I made my way to Nessie and Bella, while the others slowly gathered into the clearing and were positioned in a loose formation by Carlisle and Edward. I picked Nessie up, to say goodbye. “Hi ya Nessie!” I smiled. She already knew what this was about, “I love you, Aunt Brighton.”

“I love you too…” I bit down on my lip, as a thought entered my mind, “Nessie… if for some reason you see Aunt Alice and Uncle Jasper before I do… tell them that I love them and tell Uncle Jasper to not stop living.” I said, skirting around the fact, that if she saw them first, then I was probably dead. She nodded and gave me a hug. I held back my tears, as I gave Nessie back to Bella. This seemed so final. 

I ran to join the front line made up by Carlisle, Edward, Emmett, Rosalie, Tanya, Kate, and Eleazar. While waiting, I checked my pocket for the letter Jasper had left. I carried it everywhere now. I also checked my neck for his necklace, making sure I hadn’t lost it, I would be in absolute pieces, if I had. Edward hissed, they were here. They came in dramatics, with grey capes, almost unnoticeable, all in tune to one another, as if they had practiced this entrance a million times, all expressionless. I held the same face, letting my body go numb, in hopes I wouldn’t feel the fear.

It was a massive group, thirty-two in all. We only had nineteen, who said they would fight. I wasn’t happy, like Jasper, I didn’t like gambling when the stakes were high. I searched their faces, looking for some weakness I could act upon, I saw nothing.

Edward hissed, “Alistair was right… Caius and Aro come to destroy and acquire. They have many layers of strategy in place. If Irina’s accusation had somehow proven to be false, they were committed to find another reason to take offense…”

My upper lip pulled back over my teeth, much like a dog’s would. They had stopped suddenly. I looked out of the corner of my eye to see the wolves lined up. I smiled at this.

“Edward?” Carlisle asked.

“They’re not sure how to proceed. They’re weighing their options, choosing key targets… me, of course, you, Eleazar, Tanya. Marcus is reading the strength of our ties to each other, looking for weak points. The Romanians’ presence annoys them. They’re worried about the faces they don’t recognize… Zafrina, Senna, and Brighton in particular. They wonder who Brighton is, since she is on the front line, and doesn’t seem to have a reason for being here, and the wolves, naturally, worries them. They’ve never been outnumbered before. That’s what stopped them.”

“Outnumbered?” I asked. No, we didn’t outnumber them.

“They don’t count their witnesses. They are nonentities, meaningless to the guard. Aro just enjoys an audience.” explained Edward.

Obviously, if he gathered this many.

“Should I speak?” asked Carlisle.

Edward looked ahead, then nodded, “This is the only chance you’ll get.”

Carlisle stepped forward, “Aro, my old friend. It’s been centuries.” The tension in the air was thick, as each side stared each other down. Then the one that must have been Aro, stepped forward, hushing his grumbling troops. “Fair words, Carlisle. They seem out of place, considering the army you’ve assembled to kill me, and to kill my dear ones.”

Carlisle shook his head, “You have but to touch my hand to know that was never my intent.”

Aro narrowed his eyes at Carlisle, “But, how can your intent possibly matter, dear Carlisle, in the face of what you have done?” I watched the exchange holding my breath. Another man, one with white hair, stepped to Aro’s side, “We see the child, Carlisle. Do not treat us as fools.” he snarled. This must be Caius.

As Carlisle gestured to the witnesses gathered behind him, Caius called Irina forward and slapped her, I had to turn away from the action, unable to watch it. “Was this the child you saw?” snapped Caius. “I… I’m not sure.” Irina said confused, “She’s not the same, but I think she’s the same child. The child is bigger than the one I saw, but…”

Caius let out an angry gasp, eyes flashing. Aro placed his hand on his shoulder, “Be composed, brother. We have time to sort this out. No need to be hasty.” Caius turned away from Irina, like a child pouting.

Aro turned to Carlisle, “And so we have a mystery on our hands, it seems. It would appear the child has grown. Yet Irina’s first memory was clearly that of an immortal child. Curious.”

“That’s exactly what I’m trying to explain.” breathed Carlisle, as he held his hand out to Aro.

“I would rather have the explanation from someone more central to the story, my friend. Am I wrong to assume that this breach was not of your making?”

“There was no breach.” said Carlisle, repeating himself, yet again.

“Be that as it may, I will have every facet of truth, and the best way to get that is to have the evidence directly from your talented son. As the child clings to his newborn mate, I’m assuming Edward is involved.” He looked to Edward, almost looking eager. Edward kissed the foreheads of Bella and Nessie and turned to look at me, “Brighton?”

I nodded, and followed him to Aro. Protests rose from the Volturi, but Aro raised his hand and silenced them. Esme whimpered, seeing two of her adopted children going forward. Edward clapped Carlisle on the shoulder and I smiled at him as I went by. I was going because I was at Renesmee’s birth, I had helped deliver her, plus I had experienced her rapid growth.

I stood a few feet behind Edward, focusing on his back as he held out his hand to Aro. Aro immediately grabbed Edward’s hand, and closed his eyes. The mind reading continued for awhile, enough for everyone to get restless, then Aro’s eyes opened.

“You see?” said Edward.

“You have given me much to ponder, young friend. Much more then I expected.” He looked past Edward to me, “Whose this?”

Edward moved to the side, so I could step forward. As I did, a sharp burning sensatio caused me to fall and cry out in pain. It was utter agony. I wasn’t as strong as I used to be, like I was when Jasper was by my side. Edward kneeled down to me, his eyes worried, Aro raised his hand and the pain stopped.

“Nice to see you too, Jane” I muttered, as I got up and dusted the snow and mud off me.

“You know Jane?” Aro asked.

“Yes, didn’t she tell you? We met last summer.”

“No, she didn’t” he muttered.

I looked behind him to Jane and smiled. She was in trouble. “My Lord, I didn’t think she was important or a threat.” Jane said, trying to defend herself.

“No matter,” said Aro, “Now, my child, who are you?”

“My name is Brighton Montgomery.” I said with fake confidence, I was surprised I was shaking when I held my hand out, daintily, to him. He smiled a smile, that was obviously fake, and took my hand and closed his eyes. I huffed, bored and frustrated. He would know everything about me now. My childhood memories, memories with Jasper, those secret kisses we stole when no one was looking, wouldn’t be secret anymore. He would know my heartache and how much pain I was in when Jasper left, everything.

I focused on his eyes, as he went through all my memories, then they flashed open and we stared at each other for a few seconds. “Young Jasper’s mate…” he mused. “You’re tied more to the Cullens than I thought.” he whispered, “That was cruel of Mr. Hale and Alice.” he said, trying to weaken me. I showed no emotion and shrugged, while saying, “Jasper and Alice did what they had to.”

He looked to Edward, letting go of my hand, “May I meet her?” Aro eagerly asked, eyes shining.

“What is this about, Aro?” Caius snapped. 

“Something you’ve never dreamed of, my practical friend. Take a moment to ponder, for the justice we tended to deliver no longer applies.” Caius let out a low hiss. “Will you introduce me to your daughter?” Aro asked again. Edward nodded. Aro gripped Edward’s hand, “I think a compromise on this point is certainly acceptable, under the circumstance. We will meet in the middle.” Aro let go of Edward’s hand, only to throw his arm over his shoulder. I raised an eyebrow at the gesture.

“Bella, bring Renesmee… and a few friends.” Edward turned to me, “You can go back now, Brighton.” I almost asked to stay, but I saw his stare, and nodded and slightly patted his arm, and walked back, patting Emmett on the back as I passed him, after I smiled at Nessie. I went back to the front line, but stood slightly towards the right. The right flank was my command, if something went wrong, I would immediately have to take charge and lead them in.

“So much to discuss, so much to decide. If you and your furry protector will excuse me, my dear Cullens. I must confer with my brothers.” said Aro.

I let out a slight hiss and moved further right. Those under me shifted slightly to the right as well. I watched them huddle and discuss closely, ready to attack if need be. Caius called Irina forward, looking for some excuse to attack us. Irina held her head high and proud as she said, “No, I have no complaint against the wolves, or the Cullens. You came here to destroy an immortal child. No immortal child exists. This was my mistake, and I take full responsibility for it. But the Cullens are innocent, and you have no reason to be here. I’m so sorry.” she said, looking to the Cullens, then looking back to the Volturi, “There was no crime. There’s no valid reason for you to continue here.” Caius raised his hand, and quickly Irina was gone, as if she had disappeared. Then her tortured scream pierced the forest, then the soldiers that had concealed her, took their places back in line. I drew in my breath in an inaudible gasp. She had been killed, right in front of us. “Now, she has taken full responsibilty for her actions.” said Caius, while smiling. This was beyond cruel.

Tanya and Kate’s cries for their sister echoed in the air. “Stop her!” I commanded to anyone, as Kate broke through the lines, the same time Edward cried, “Stop them!” Carlisle had a hold of Tanya. Kate was harder to contain, she took down Rosalie, then sent huge Emmett to the ground, and then finally Garrett. Garrett didn’t let go of her, even when I watched his body convulse under the shocks she was sending. When they had finally calmed down, thanks to Zafrina taking away their sight, Carlisle tried to reason with them.

If Tanya and Kate had attack, then the Volturi would have a reason to attack. My eyes turned back to the Volturi, Aro’s eyes were slightly narrowed, as if thinking, probably scheming, coming up with a plan of his own. He made his way to the witnesses, cheerfully conversing with them, as if this was just a huge family reunion, first he went to Amun, who testified, then left. Then to Siobhan, the large, friendly, vampire from the Irish coven. Garrett spoke from behind me, I turned around to glare, but he continued. He said a speech, filled with so much confidence, it sounded like it had been rehearsed several times. It was so beautiful and full of emotion it could bring tears to my eyes, capable of rallying troops. I was in awe.

Aro smiled, teasing him, “A very pretty speech, my revolutionary friend.” I glanced back to Garrett, who was crouching and glaring, “Revolutionary? Who am I revolting against, might I ask? Are you my king? Do you wish to call you master, too, like your sycophantic guard?”

I watched, anxiously, for Aro’s reactions, “Peace, Garrett. I meant only to refer to the time of your birth. Still a patriot, I see.” Aro turned to his witnesses, some left, some stayed. “Brothers, there is much to consider here.”

“Let us counsel.” said Caius and Marcus. I almost laughed at the formality of it all, but decided that wouldn’t be very wise. They left, followed by other ancients, into the forest. Through Edward and Bella’s expressions, something was going on, I could see that. All of a sudden, everyone was saying, “goodbye,” and “I love you.” I felt lost, almost like being back on the first day of school again when you have no one to talk to and it’s awkward, standing by yourself. Except the one person I really wanted to talk to and to say goodbye to wasn’t here.

I caught Emmett’s eye and he motioned me to him and Rosalie. He pulled me into a hug, “We’ve had some good times, little sister.” 

“Emmett, you make it seem as if we’re going to die.” I said, teasing him about his melancholy mood. He laughed, his smile stretching across his face. That was better, that was the Emmett that I knew. I hugged all of them, Emmett, Rosalie, Esme, Carlisle, Edward, Bella, Renesmee, I even patted Jacob on the head. 

I stood in front of them again, looking at all of their faces, “I love all of you. Thank you for being my family.” I breathed before finally saying, “Good luck, all of you. I hope to see you soon. Goodbye.”

I gave them one final smile, and jogged in front of my flank, ordering them to take position. We waited, for what seemed like hours. I watched the Volturi guard, some of them in deep concentration, some bored, probably thinking of better ways to spend their time, than murdering us all. Jane’s audible snarl startled me and everyone else. Snow flurries draped between us and the guard, a foreboding mist creeping towards us, then it stopped, and hung there, stopped by Bella’s shield around us.

Aro spoke, “Before we vote, let me remind you, whatever the council’s decision, there need be no violence here.” I snorted, that was highly unlikely. “Bella, Benjamin, Zafrina, Kate, Brighton. There are many choices before you. Consider them.” I looked at him bored, as if to say, are you done? “Let us vote, then.”

Caius spoke first, condemning us. Huge surprise right there. Marcus said we were innocent. “I must make the deciding vote, it seems.” Aro said. Well duh, there is only three of you, and you haven’t voted yet. I mean, come on! I hated when people stated the obvious. 

“Yes!” hissed Edward. I looked at him as if he were crazy. What? Did Aro say we were innocent? What?

“Aro?” Edward called out. Aro looked at Edward, unsure of his change in mood, “Yes, Edward? You have something further…” 

“Perhaps. First, if I could clarify one point?”

“Certainly.” said Aro, I think just to humor him.

“The danger you foresee from my daughter… this stems entirely from our inability to guess how she’ll develop?”

“Yes, friend Edward.”

“So, if we could only know for sure exactly what she will become… then there would be no need for a council at all?” Edward asked, all eyes on him now.

“If there was some way to be absolutely sure, then yes, there would be no question to debate.”

“And we would part in peace, good friends once again?” Edward said, slightly teasing him.

“Of course, my young friend. Nothing would please me more.” Aro agreed. I rolled my eyes. Yeah, right.

“Then I do have something to offer.” Edward chuckled. 

Aro stared at Edward, eyes narrowing, “She is absolutely unique. Her future can only be guessed at.”

“Not absolutely unique,” Edward contradicted him, “Rare, certainly, but not one of a kind.” I looked to Edward, what on earth was he going on about? I hated when Edward spoke in riddles, I was always last to get them.

“Why don’t you join us, Alice?” Edward called out.

A chorus of “Alice!” came out, as I breathed, “Alice.” Something now seemed to be lodged in my thoat. Anticipation? If Alice was here, then so was Jasper. Then, I heard running, I listened to the footsteps, counting. 1...2...3...4...5. The first and second ones were Alice and Jasper’s. Thos I picked up easily. The three other ones I didn’t know, and the last one was slower. 

Alice came into the clearing, Jasper right behind her. I gasped as he came, I forgot how incredibly handsome he was, and slightly stepped back, that plus the shock of seeing them again, almost knocked me over. 

Garrett laughed behind me, steadying me. “Like what you see, Lieutenant Montgomery?” he said, slightly loud, everyone could hear it. I scowled, “Get back in position, soldier!” I barked, humoring him. He laughed again. Aro looked to me, I guess to see if this was planned, but I think the shocked expression on my face said it all.

The first stranger was one of the Amazon sisters, she was tall, with wild dark hair. The second was a slightly short olive skinned female with her hair pulled back in a long braid. The third, and slowest, was a man, with dark brown skin and black braided hair. Then I heard it, a heart beat, thumping loudly, and it wasn’t Renesmee’s. They all leapt easily behind Bella’s invisible shield. I tried to keep focus on the Volturi scene in front of me, but my eyes wandered to my left, to Jasper. Our eyes met briefly, his narrowed. I don’t know if it was me, or the current position that I held. 

My attention went back to Edward as he spoke, “Alice has been searching for her own witnesses these last few weeks, and she does not come back empty-handed. Alice, why don’t you introduce the witnesses you’ve brought?” 

“The time for witnesses is past! Cast your vote, Aro!” Caius snapped. Aro hushed him, and Alice stepped forward, “This is Hulien and her nephew, Nahuel.” her high voice broke out.

Hisses went through the Volturi. “Speak Hulien. Give us the witness you were brought to bear.” 

Hulien looked to Alice, who nodded, and the other Amazon sister put her hand on Hulien’s shoulder. Hulien told her story about Nahuel, who was also half-mortal, half-immortal, who had bitten and turned Hulien when he was a baby. Aro looked to Nahuel, “Nahuel, you are one hundred and fifty years old?” 

“Give or take a decade. We don’t keep track.” His voice barely held an accent, unlike Hulien’s. Aro continued to question him and encouraged him to tell his story, he was clearly interested. 

Caius glared at Bella, “Your daughter, is she venomous?” Nahuel had sisters, like him, they weren’t venomous.

“No.” replied Bella. Caius looked to Aro, but Aro was thinking. “We take care of the aberration here, and then follow it south.” he said to Aro.

“Brother, there appears to be no danger. This is an unusual development, but I see no threat. These half-vampire children are much like us, it appears.”

“Is that your vote?” Caius demanded.

“It is.” replied Aro, smoothly.

“And this Joham? This immortal so fond of experimentation?” Carius asked, wanting someone to die.

“Perhaps we should speak to him.” Aro agreed.

“Stop Joham if you will, but leave my sisters be. They are innocent.” Nahuel requested.

Aro nodded to him, then looked to his guard, “Dead ones, we do not fight today.” I watched their reactions, a bit weary, nothing. The witnesses left quickly. Aro held up his hands as if in apology and surrender, “I’m so glad this could be resolved without violence. My friend, Carlisle, how pleased I am to call you friend again! I hope there are no hard feelings. I know you understand the strict burden that our duty places on our shoulders.” 

“Leave in peace, Aro. Please remember we have our anonymity to ptotect here, and keep your guard from hunting in our region.” Carlisle said, still tensed.

“Of course, Carlisle. I am sorry to earn your disapproval, my dear friend. Perhaps, in time, you will forgive me?” 

“Perhaps, in time, if you prove a friend to us again.” Carlisle told him. Aro bowed and him, along with the other three Volturi disappeared into the forest. It was silent afterwards, everyone unsure if it was real or the Volturi was going to run back saying, “Haha! Just kidding!” then kill us all.

Alice laughed, “Seriously, people. They’re not coming back. Everyone can relax now.” I let out a huge sigh of relief and laughed. Thank God. Cheers and howls sounded throughout the clearing. I turned around to see Garrett swing Kate around and put her down. He looked to me, “Good job, Lieutenant Montgomery!” he said, while clapping my shoulder. Kate nodded next to him.

Peter and Charlotte came up behind them. Charlotte smiled at me, “You did wonderful. You seemed so confident and calm. He’s taught you well.” Three guesses who the “he” was.

“Aunt Alice, Uncle Jasper!” I heard Nessie’s voice behind me, “I’m supposed to tell you, if I saw you first that Aunt Brighton loves you both and Uncle Jasper to not stop living.” I froze, she hadn’t forgotten that, and I was supposed to be dead when she said it. Peter and Charlotte laughed. 

“Well,” said Peter, “we’ll let you catch up with him first, we’ll wait.” I nodded and said a quick “thanks” and walked towards the family. I was going to say hi to the rest of the family first, while thinking of what I’d say to Jasper, but as I neared them, Esme nodded towards me, causing Jasper and Alice to turn around. Tears started forming in my eyes, relieved to see him okay. His slightly dark eyes watched me warily. I brushed the tears away and then launched myself at him. He caught me and I wrapped my legs around his waist to secure myself and he wrapped his arms tightly around me.

“Don’t ever, ever, do that again!” I muttered into his neck.

“Believe me, I won’t, it was absolute hell.” he laughed. I smiled at the deep sound. I had missed it. I pulled back and looked at him, running my fingers over his scars. God, I had missed him so much. There were no words to describe it. I cupped his face in the palms of my hands, and leaned down and kissed him. He placed his hand on the back of my head and deepened the kiss, while I moved to wrap my arms around his neck.

It lasted several minutes before I pulled away and rested my forehead on his. I sighed, then said, “Peter and Charlotte want to talk to you.” He nodded and set me down. I didn’t want to let go of him, but did anyways.

“First though,” he said, “What is this I hear about Lieutenant Montgomery?”

“Oh,” I said, and looked down, “Well, when you were gone, I took your place in the strategic planning and Garrett gave me the nickname because if we had to fight, we were going to split into three groups and I had the right flank.”

He looked down at me, thinking, “Impressive.” he muttered. Then kissed me, and went to talk to Peter and Charlotte. I hugged the rest of the family, Emmett yelled to me, “We’re alive!” while hugging me.

“Yes, I can see that, Emmett, thank you for pointing it out, and to think less than twenty minutes ago we all thought we were dying… again.” 

Alice came to me last, sighing, and saying, “Get it over with, Brighton.”

I smiled at her, then hugged her tightly, “Warn me next time you take off, okay? I was sick with worry for you two. Like seriously, I was going insane!” She laughed, I went back over to Jasper, Peter, and Charlotte, who all smiled as I came over. Jasper quickly grabbed my hand.

“She’s talented Jasper, and capable of being a leader. You saw her.” said Peter.

“Yes…” said Jasper, looking down at me, “Brighton’s always been fearless when going into battle and she can fight well.”

“Yes, we saw. She taught Bella. Her style is almost similar to someone else we know.” Charlotte said, looking at Jasper. The conversation continued for a little bit longer, then Peter and Charlotte announced they had to go home and we all said our goodbyes and promises to come visit more often.

Jasper held me close as we walked into the house, “So where did you go? Tell me everything.” I demanded. 

“Well…” Jasper began, “first we went to find Peter and Charlotte, who were in South Carolina, then we went to South America, looking for the Amazon sisters. Alice had a difficult time trying to split them up, and Kachiri was to come with us. We ended up finding Hulien and Nahuel in some mountain village, then it took a lot of convincing to get them to come here, and then we had to run because we had wasted a lot of time, and now we’re here.” he finished.

“Well, I’m glad you’re back.” I said.

“So… you’re not mad, at all?” Jasper asked.

“I was… then, you know, slowly got over it. I understood that Alice needed you. The first couple of weeks were very hard. Don’t ever put me through that again. I stayed in bed for two weeks, then went to Ohio, then came back, and helped plan.”

“I told you before, I don’t plan on it. Being away from you is awful, I annoyed poor Alice, which is hard, because it’s usually the other way around.” He said, seriously.

“We’ll see, now come on, we have to go say goodbye to the company.” as I drug him inside.

I said my goodbyes to the Irish coven, and later the Denali coven with Garrett who said, “See you later, Lieutenant Montgomery!” Now, all that was left were the Cullens, Jacob, and Hulien and Nahuel. Bella was having a stare down with Alice.

Alice finally sighed, “Just get it off your chest, Bella.”

“How could you do that to me, Alice?”

“It was necessary.”

“Necessary! You had be convinced that we were all going to die! I’ve been a wreck for weeks.” yelled Bella.

“Me too!” I piped in, Bella gestured to me to further her point.

“It might have gone that way,” Alice said. Jasper’s arm tightened around me. “In which case you needed to be prepared to save Nessie.”

Bella continued on, while Alice defended herself, finally Bella said, “Okay, okay! Sorry! I know it was rough for you, too. It’s just that… well, I missed you like crazy, Alice. Don’t do that to me again.”

“Agreed.” I said.

Alice laughed, causing all of us to smile, “I missed both of you, too. So forgive me, and Bella, try to be satisfied with being superhero of the day.” We all laughed, which caused Bella to get embarrassed. Then Alice turned to me, “And you…”

“Me? What did I do?!” I shouted.

“I am never taking your boyfriend anywhere again! He was hardly any help!”

I shouted, “How does that apply to me?” the same time Jasper shouted, “I did too help!”

“Well, we won’t let you take Jasper anywhere next time, because Brighton was always moping.” said Emmett.

I turned to him, “I was not! I wrestled with you! I helped plan! I wasn’t moping!”

Emmett laughed, “Chill, Brighton… Just a joke.”

Edward ignored us and went back to dissecting the battle again. All of us, quiet, listening. I kept my eyes on Jasper, slightly creepy I know, but I hadn’t seen him in so long, and I missed his face and eyes and…

“Brighton! Stop acting so lovesick!” Edward yelled.

I stuck my tongue out at him. 

“I can hear everything you’re thinking, and it’s annoying.” said Edward.

Jasper laughed, at my slightly horrified face, and pulled me closer. I collected myself, then said, “Then don’t listen, Eddie.”

Bella and Edward shared their own look, what a hypocrite. 

“Should we take Nessie…” started Bella.

“That’s probably a good idea,” Edward agreed, “I’m sure she didn’t sleep soundly last night, what with all the snoring.” he grinned at Jacob.

I moved myself into Jasper’s lap, and he pulled his arms around me once more. I laid my head on his chest, happy that he was back, next to me again. I felt better, I wasn’t so anxious. I felt safe and calm again, which even if it was Jasper’s doing, I didn’t mind because the emotions I was feeling were making me go insane.

“Oh, Jasper?” Bella asked, as she was leaving.

We both looked up and he asked, “Yes, Bella?”

“I’m curious… why is J. Jenks scared stiff by just the sound of your name?”

I looked at him, now curious too, because I had no idea who J. Jenks was. Jasper laughed, and it reverberated through his body, I loved the sound it made.

“It’s just been my experience that some kinds of working relationships are better motivated by fear than by monetary gain.”

Yep, still confused.

We hugged Bella and Edward as they went off to their house. After they left I went to go sit back down, but Jasper grabbed my wrist and pulled me back up, “Nope, we’re going to bed too.”

I smiled and slightly bounced behind Jasper as he led me towards the stairs. I winked at Emmett as I walked by, which set him off in a roar of laughter.

“So whose J. Jenks?” I asked, as we walked upstairs.

“Someone I work with to handle documents and stuff when we have to change identities.” he answered.

“Oh…”

Jasper opened his bedroom door open for me, still grasping my hand, I walked in and he shut it behind him. Suddenly, I was flung against the door, with Jasper hovering over me, a mischievous glint in his eye.

“Jasper, what…” I was cut off by a pair of lips. All the intense passion that had been building up inside us had suddenly been let loose, and I kissed him back eagerly and fervently. 

Maybe, finally, our lives would be peaceful, not having to worry about anything, and it just be Jasper and I.

For eternity.