Jared Whitlock; Daughter of Jasper Hale

Chapter 71: Back To Forks

Three months. That's how long I've waited. No calls from Reeve, not that I was expecting them. No word from the Mondigliani family. Nothing from Aro. Nothing from anyone. Even Lucifer has stopped texting me.

I stopped hunting, drawing, reading, I barely came downstairs to chill with Peter. I stopped living; even more than I did when I was turned. Sometimes, just sometimes, when I was with Reeve, I'd feel the slightest pulse in my body, the faint beat of a heart as she brought me back to life, but now, nothing.

One day, when they realised it was too much for me, Peter and Charlotte announced we'd be taking a little trip to Forks. I knew what that meant; Carlisle wanted to see how I was 'coping' with the break-up, even though I didn't see it as one. It was more of a sense of being apart.

Reeve and I were bonded. There was no breaking that. Or was there? I think back to Rosalie's words. "It's just a summer fling." Was she right?

Upon arrival, I dump my bags onto the floor as I enter the Cullen household. "Carlisle?" I call quietly, knowing he'll hear me. Suddenly he materialises beside me, his arms around me and it feels as if he's been there forever. It's like I never left. "Jared," He chokes out, stroking my hair and clutching me to him. I'm pinned against his body, my face pressed against him, inhaling his calming scent.

"My cherished grandchild." He whispers, picking me up and carrying me into the room where he keeps his computer. He sits me down on a chair and takes a seat opposite me.

"It's so good to see you." He beams at me, like my presence fills up the entire room with sunshine. "Thanks Carlisle." I bow my head, keeping my eyes glued to my fingers. "So, how have you been? Peter said you were having trouble...adjusting." He clears his throat and keeps looking at me.

"I don't want to talk about Reeve." I reply automatically. It's been the most used phrase since I last saw her. Peter and Charlotte have since gotten used to it but with Carlisle, clearly no such luck.

"Sometimes the best thing is to talk about it." He states calmly. He reaches behind and places a bowl of ice cream on the table. "Don't you agree?" He bribes. "Funny." I snark, crossing my legs and staring out the large windows, into the woods.

"My bribes usually work," He smiles softly. "Jared?" He leans forward so we're closer.

The woods are so pretty.

"Jared.." He sighs impaitently. I tut at him and he glances at the bowl. "Your ice cream is melting." He states quietly. I reach for the bowl but he pulls it out of my reach.

"Talk first." He insists. I huff in annoyance and turn away to the window again. "I miss Reeve." I announce quietly. Carlisle looks relieved with an actual response so he pushes the bowl towards me.

I eat a few mouthfuls of chocolate chip, Carlisle watching me closely as he does so.
Emmett strolls in casually, his face splitting into a smile when he spots me. "Curly! I thought you were here!" He rushes over and gives me a huge bear hug. "Hey Chunk," I give a soft smile, but I feel better than I have in months now that I've seen him.

He rocks me from side to side, enveloping me in his arms, my cheek against his shoulder. There's no way I'd ever be as tall as Emmett.
"Everything's going to be ok," He whispers suddenly. I look up at him in surprise. "I know it must hurt." He adds softly.
"Chunk? You don't usually do feelings."

He shrugs. "Yeah, well, I just want you to know that I'm here, that's all." He says gruffly. Carlisle smiles at him like a proud father. "You see Emmett, sometimes it's good to show you have feelings." He smiles at him in appreciation. Emmett looks embarrassed and hangs his head like a bear. Carlisle reaches over and rubs the back of his head in affection.

By lunch, I'm sprawled across a branch in a tree outside, my arms wrapped round tight, listening to the wind.

"Aren't you cold up there?"

I jump at the voice, looking around to see the source.

Jasper.
He's perched on a branch a few feet under me, watching me curiously.

"It's cold out here." He adds, nodding at the leaves blowing. It's the first time I've seen him since I've arrived.
"So I've had a major few months, you haven't called, I've been here two hours, and now when you can be bothered to talk to me, all you want to do is talk about trees! Really?" I snark, rolling over the best I can to wrap around the branch like a koala.

"Trees are a brilliant topic of conversation." He shoots back, looking offended. "I don't have time for you Jasper." I sigh deeply, breathing in the scent of pine.
"Did you know that the average man gets paid $3 more than the a woman regardless of their job?" He announces.

Is he seriously bombarding me with random facts?

"Anything else interesting, Jasper?" I smirk.
"Some people have a phobia of their mother in laws." He offers, giving me a knowing look.
I sit up and stare at him, annoyed.

He raises his eyebrows and repeats the knowing look.

I smile softly. "Got ya smiling now, ain't I? I'm a good comedian, my mom always said." He looks pleased with himself, shaking his head before he climbs up further into the tree beside me.

"It is cold up here!"
"Don't start, Jasper." I snark and he smirks. "Ok, then." He wraps his arms around himself.
"How come you're cold? Vampires don't get cold." I announce.
"I'm a special vampire." He protests, looking offended, pretending to be hurt.

"Oh really?" I challenge. "What kind of special vampire are you?" I tut.
"A thermometer." He replies. "I feel heat, I feel cold." He nods.
"You're insane." I dive from the tree, landing on my feet.

"If I'm going crazy, then I'm dragging you down with me." He calls before following me, so I rush quickly inside and lock the see through door so he can't get in.

"Open this door." He says loudly. "Nuh uh." I wiggle my hips and start a little mocking dance to annoy him. "Don't be so childish!" He scolds. "I'm fourteen!" I laugh. "Nah nah nah nah nah!" I block my fingers in my ears but I can still clearly hear him.

"I'm break the door if I have to." He warns.
"If you want to spend the afternoon sweeping up glass then so be it." I shrug my shoulders and tap the glass.
"See, glass? Idiot." I smirk.

"Let me in!" He rolls his eyes. I start doing cartwheels as he yells at me. Alice skips along and stares, confused. "You've locked him out?" She checks. Jasper looks hopeful. "Yeah," I shrug.
"Ok," She smiles and wanders off to Jasper's astonishment. "I want a divorce!" He yells after her.
I fall back laughing.

I've missed my family.
I'm glad I'm home.