Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight

Warning: This story contains disciplinary spanking, so don't read if you are easily offended

A/N: Alright, I guess I've made you all wait long enough for this last update. Welcome to the final chapter of Past and Present! This story turned out absolutely nothing like I'd originally intended, but I'm still satisfied; although I do wish I'd included a bit more Alice as this was originally her story. Jazz and Carlisle just don't know how to share though, tsk tsk! Well, as always I hope you enjoy!

Chapter 13: Two Birds with One Stone

Jasper's POV:

Dad pushed down on my shoulder forcing me to sit in his chair. He then knelt down so he could look up at my face before placing his hands on my forearms. It wasn't a restraining hold so much as a comforting one. It was always easier for me to feel emotions through physical contact, so I really felt his love, pride, and confidence in me along with his sadness at the situation.

"Jasper, my dear soldier," he began, and my heart warmed at not just his use of my nickname, but his referral to me as his. I was his son. I was a member of his family. "I love you, you know that right?"

"Course I do, and I love you too, General," I replied, using a nickname I'd given him in jest years and years ago. I rarely used it, but every once in a while I'd throw it out there because it always seemed to amuse him, just as it did now.

He smiled, giving my forearms a slight squeeze before speaking. "This will not be easy for you, we both know that so there is no use trying to pretend differently. I don't want to do this, son, but I feel you have left me little choice. I need this to not be an issue between us anymore, and this is the best way I can think of to overcome this. You have excellent control, and I have no doubt that while you will suffer at watching Alice suffer, you will not interfere."

"How can you know that?" I whispered, doubt plaguing my mind. "How can you have so much faith after what happened just last week?"

"I know because you have grown since just a week ago. You have finally acknowledged your doubts and fears, so you are aware of them. If you are aware of them, then you can control them. Not to mention, I just know you, Jasper, and I know you will not risk further harm to Alice," he responded, and I gave him a confused look.

"How could stopping this punishment harm Alice?" I questioned, and his responding look clearly said that I really should know the answer to this question.

"You and I are very much alike in some ways," Dad explained. "When we do wrong, what do we seek and why do we seek it?"

"We seek punishment," I answered slowly, "and we seek it because we feel we must pay…Oh…" I fell silent momentarily as realization of what he was getting at hit me. "We seek punishment so that we pay for our mistakes, and so that we can learn from it and forgive ourselves."

"Exactly," Dad agreed, giving me an imploring look, "so why do you seek to deny this relief to your own mate? Do you believe her to be perfect? Do you believe she never makes mistakes? Your attempts to keep her from being punished cause her more harm than good, soldier, because what will she learn or think if every time she misbehaves you come to her rescue, insisting she is innocent and that nothing need be done? How would you feel if Alice did this to you?"

My eyes widened in shock as I seriously contemplated his words. I immediately made to look at Alice but Dad caught my face, forcing my eyes to remain on his. "I neva meant—Papa, I only wanted to help her, y-you know I'd neva want to"—

"Of course I know," he interjected gently, "and of course she knows that you meant no harm, but have you not heard the expression, 'the road to hell is paved with good intentions'?"

I cringed, guilt welling up in me, tears stinging my eyes. "Papa, I deserve to be"—

"This is your punishment," he once more interjected, looking stern for the first time during this conversation. "Your punishment will be to sit here and watch me punish your mate while doing absolutely nothing to stop me. I can truly think of no worse punishment than that, can you?"

"No sir," I responded hoarsely, beginning to get quite choked up. His eyes were kind as he lifted up a hand to wipe at a stray tear that fell down my face. I couldn't help but push my face into his hand, seeking the comfort it provided, and Dad thankfully obliged me, running that hand through my hair soothingly as he brought my head down onto his shoulder.

"You are strong, Jasper, and you will endure this and come out even stronger because of it. I have complete and utter faith in your control, but just in case you still harbor doubts, I want you to do something for me as you watch," Dad stated quietly.

"Do what?" I pressed curiously.

"I want you to focus very intently on Alice's emotions, starting from when she and I discuss why she is in trouble," Dad informed me. "Monitor them closely and compare them to what you feel when in her same position. I have no doubt that you'll find your emotions to be quite similar. Can you do this?"

"Yes sir, I can," I replied, pulling away to give him a determined nod.

"Good man," he responded, and I couldn't help the small surge of pride I felt at his referral to me as a man and not a boy.

"One more thing, Jasper," Dad added, giving me quite the foreboding look now. "You are not to influence our emotions at any point, no matter what you feel. Also, I understand how difficult this will be for you, but you are not to yell or curse at me. If you break any of these rules, once Alice's punishment is over it will be you going over my knees next, understood?"

"Yes sir, I understand," I assured him, and he smiled once more before standing up and making his way over towards my Alice.

I stifled a loud groan as I not only saw her worried expression, but as I also felt her emotions. Dad gestured for her to sit on the couch, and he sat down next to her. I listened intently to what they were saying, doing the best I could to keep myself in control. I was surprised by their discussion, both at how badly my little southern belle had messed up, and how she went back and forth from anger to contriteness. Oh Alice, I thought sadly, you sure landed yerself in a heap o' trouble, so quit antagonizing Dad. I really wanted to send her a healthy dose of remorse, but I remembered the warning I'd been given. Besides, it wouldn't have been right to have forced such an emotion on my beloved.

I was really beginning to worry 'bout Alice's attitude when I suddenly saw all the defiance leave her. Guilt and remorse was quickly replacing the anger, and I had to fight back the urge to go and comfort her. She needed to feel these emotions. I couldn't take them from her because then what would she learn? She had messed up, and unfortunately the logical side of my mind knew she had more than earned this punishment. I imagined myself in her position, and knew that if I had done what she had that I would have felt that I'd more than deserved this coming spanking. In fact, I would probably have requested another, but Alice wouldn't need another. She wasn't one to hold onto guilt like I did, but that didn't mean she didn't need help dealing with it…like right now, for example.

I crossed my arms on the desk, leaned my head down on them and watched. My right leg was bouncing up and down in nervous tension as I felt the time come for her spanking. Her nerves were getting to me, and I could feel an all too familiar flutter in the stomach. It'll be alright, I thought, wishing beyond might that I could speak or send her a little comfort.

I watched as my beloved lowered her pants with shaky hands, watched as she bent over our father's lap, and watched as he quickly lowered her underwear. I jerked in my seat at that sight, my chest rumbling with a barely repressed growl. How dare he unclothe my mate, the vampire in me snarled hatefully. My teeth were gnashing together and I was about to let out a snarl of outrage when Alice turned pleading eyes to me. Don't do this, her eyes told me. I'm alright, they spoke.

I was breathing heavily now, the effort of fighting back the urge to come to her rescue nearly overwhelming me. Good God, I couldn't help but think. The spanking hasn't even started and I'm already losin' it. When I eventually sat down I became quite shocked at feelin' a good dose of pride coming from not only Alice, but my father as well.

"You're doing just fine, Jasper," Dad said, giving me an encouraging look before returning his attention to Alice. I was a bit stunned by his words, wondering if he realized how close I had come to attacking him. These thoughts were blown from my mind though as the first smack landed. Both Alice and I jumped, letting out gasps. I watched with great difficulty as Dad continuously brought his hand down on my poor mate, wincing and cringing as I not only felt her emotional pain, but saw and heard her physical pain.

Now, this wasn't the first time I'd seen my dad spank someone else. One time when my brothers and I got into an awful fight with each other Dad made us watch each other getting our bare butts walloped as a way to show us how our actions affected not only ourselves but others as well. It had been a difficult experience watching my brothers struggle to remain stoic and silent before being rendered into sobbing messes. This time was so much worse though, and not only because Alice was my mate. She didn't try to hold her pain in like my brothers or I would. She didn't feel the need to be stoic and hold out as long as possible. She let her pain and sorrow show so easily with every cry and shout and with every jolt of her body and kick of her legs. I felt her pain, and I had to use every bit of my will power to keep from rushing to her aid. Surely she had been punished enough already? I could clearly feel her remorse, so surely Dad didn't need to continue this.

Alice was sobbing now, yelling out sincere apologies as she desperately tried to evade our father's hand. That is enough I thought furiously. He is going way too far. I stood up, teeth bared and muscles tensing as I prepared to interfere. I tore my gaze away from my wife and focused on my father's, fully prepared to give him a threatening growl until I got a look at his face. With the way my thoughts had been going I'd been prepared to see satisfaction, enjoyment, or determination at the very least, but I saw none of those emotions on his face. He looked like he was in pain. He looked like he was suffering.

I used my gift and focused now on his emotions and immediately had to sink back down into the chair as they nearly crippled me. How was he managing? How could he go through this with the emotions he was feeling? His sadness alone made me want to start bawling, but there was also guilt and even fear. I couldn't understand it. I'd been spanked plenty of times by this man and not felt his emotions this strongly. I knew he was capable of hiding some of his emotions, but still…Did he endure this agony every time he spanked one of us?

I focused intently on my father now, surprised when his eyes flicked briefly to mine. There was concern and a questioning look and I quickly realized that I'd allowed my shock and worry to permeate throughout the room. He had obviously felt it and was worried about me. I gave my father a shake of my head and a reassuring look to let him know I was fine.

It was another agonizing minute as I contemplated Dad's emotions and watched my mate suffer before this terrible ordeal ended. I all too clearly felt all our relief, and once more had to fight to stay in my seat instead of rushing to comfort Alice. Dad needed this moment, I could tell not just by his emotions, but by the quick look he sent me as though asking if I would please allow him this. I sent a single nod and he promptly righted Alice's clothes and lifted her up. She immediately latched herself onto him, burying her head into his chest and crying out all the guilt and sorrow she'd been feeling. I didn't realize until I heard the dropping of moisture onto my father's desk that I was crying. Silent tears had been streaming down my face for who knows how long.

I wrapped my arms around myself, feeling miserable and useless and guilty. I'd been a second away from attacking my own father, my own father who I could feel absolutely loathed himself for what he had just done. My father who was currently praising and comforting my distraught mate, offering her loving words and reassurances as she clung to him. How could I ever have doubted him? How could I ever have thought he would harm Alice? I was a wretched, ungrateful, ignorant son.

"Jasper," Dad called out, and I turned reluctant eyes to him. I didn't deserve to even look at him after what I'd been considering. "Come here," he said, holding an arm out to me.

I rapidly shook my head no, biting down on my fist to keep back a sob from breaking out. I felt and saw his concern as he looked at me. I didn't deserve his concern. He shouldn't be concerned with me at all.

"Jasper, please, come here," Dad requested again, but I stubbornly shook my head at him, putting my head down onto my arms in a ridiculous effort to shut them out. Dad didn't call my name again, he just continued to comfort Alice. It didn't take much longer, thankfully, for her to stop crying. I listened to her and Dad talk, Dad once more reassuring Alice that she was forgiven and loved. I relaxed somewhat at feeling the relief and joy from my wife. She was fine, perfectly fine and content in our father's arms. How in the hell could I have ever thought she wouldn't?

I became so absorbed in my thoughts and my self-pity that I failed to notice my mother's arrival. I failed to notice her look of deep concern or her conversation with Carlisle. I failed to notice as Alice reluctantly left with our mother and left my father and me alone. What I didn't fail to notice, however, was the hand that began to softly caress my hair. By the feel alone I knew that it was my dad, so it was with great hesitancy that I lifted my head up to look at him. He was crouched down on the other side of his desk, giving me a concerned look as he removed his hand from my head.

"Want to talk about it?" he questioned softly, no judgment in his eyes whatsoever. I thought about it for a moment before nodding my head.

"Can we talk outside though?" I asked, already beginning to feel cooped up in here.

"The roof?" Dad suggested with a slight smile, and I briefly returned it as I nodded my head in agreement.

"Try not to fall off this time," Dad remarked in good humor, "because I don't fancy getting the hose again."

I couldn't help but give a chuckle at his words, responding, "Fall off? If I recall correctly, you pushed me."

"Nonsense, I would never do such a thing," he quipped as he stepped out onto his balcony. He began to make his way up as I rolled my eyes and muttered, "Well let's hope you don't accidentally fall off this time."

Dad turned his head to give me a mock glare before resuming his climb. "Impertinent youth these days," he grumbled to himself, but I knew he wasn't upset at all. He was actually feeling quite amused and relieved. I wasn't sure why he was relieved, but I was sure I'd find out. I was just glad he didn't seem angry with me, and that he wanted to talk to me.

Carlisle's POV:

I gingerly settled myself down on the hard rooftop, my poor backside feeling quite sore. I hadn't quite recovered fully from my chastisement, and all the sitting I'd been doing today had just seemed to aggravate my, um, wound.

I looked over at my soldier who was sitting with his knees up to his chest and his arms wrapped around them. He was resting his head on his knees, his eyes closed as he inhaled deeply. I too took in a deep breath, finding the scents of the forest to be rather soothing. Another thing Jasper and I had in common besides our tendency to hold on to guilt was how calming we found nature to be. We couldn't go even a single day without getting out and feeling the wind in our hair and if we were lucky the sun in our faces.

Studying my son I was happy to see a semi-peaceful expression settle on his face before he looked over at me. His eyes immediately lowered down, and I wondered what he was thinking. Something had happened while I had been punishing Alice that had first stunned him and then caused him to become concerned. I had kept a close eye on him whilst I had been punishing his mate, and noted how close he came a couple times to interfering. The last time I had been about to lift my head and offer him an encouraging word, but I hadn't needed to for he had stopped himself.

I was proud of my boy as he'd proved me right. I thought for sure Jasper would have felt the same towards himself, but he actually seemed guilty about something. I had seen the self-hatred in his eyes and wondered what could possibly have happened to have triggered it. When I had called him over after Alice's spanking had ended, and he hadn't come I became even more concerned. Something was seriously wrong with my son, and I couldn't help but blame myself. I had put him in this horrible position, and I really wasn't sure if it had done the job I hoped it would. I had expected Jasper to be upset or even angry with me, but not with himself.

"Papa," Jasper suddenly spoke in a quiet voice, finally looking up at me, "I owe you an apology."

"For what?" I asked, not comprehending what he could have done that warranted an apology.

He too seemed confused now as he gazed back at me, obviously not understanding my confusion.

"Maybe you didn't notice," he said skeptically, "but I nearly attacked you a couple times in there."

"I noticed," I responded, still wondering what he was apologizing for. When he continued to just stare at me, I all of a sudden understood. Oh Jazz, I couldn't help but think, only you would be fretting so much over something so trivial. What I saw as a triumph, he saw as a failure.

"Jasper, you have nothing to apologize for," I began, giving him an earnest look. "You didn't attack me, you didn't even growl at me. All you did was glare, and compared to just a week ago, I see that as a huge success. You should be proud of yourself son, I certainly am."

My son was frowning now, seemingly taken aback by the fact that I felt pride in his actions. "But I wanted to attack you," he protested, and I just raised an eyebrow as I asked, "But did you?"

"No," he responded, "but it wasn't because I didn't want to."

Now it was my turn to frown as I didn't quite understand what he was saying. "What do you mean? Why did you stop then if you didn't want to?"

Jasper was biting his lip now, looking quite unsure with himself. He didn't seem to understand why I wasn't angry with him. "Because of you," he blurted out, and I felt my confusion mount.

"You didn't attack me because of me?" I asked slowly, making sure that I was understanding him correctly. He gave me a single nod, but I was lost.

"Son, you are going to have to give a little more information because I'm obviously failing to understand. How did I manage to stop you from attacking me without even realizing it?" I pressed, and he let out a frustrated sigh as he rubbed the back of his neck.

"Your emotions," he muttered, giving me a glance before looking down at his hands. "I felt them…I felt all of them."

It took me a second to understand what he was getting at, but when I did I tensed, letting out a sigh. Damn, damn, damn! How could I have slipped like that, I chastised myself. Any time I punished Jasper or knew he was going to be in the room when I punished one or more of his siblings I did the best I could to reign in my emotions, only letting him feel the bare minimum because I knew he'd only beat himself up if he knew how much spanking him hurt me. With Alice, I never had to, so I had idiotically not bothered, forgetting that my empath was sitting but a few feet away. How could I have let this happen?

"Jasper," I began, giving him a regretful look, but before I could say anything more he gave me a miserable look as he asked, "Is it always like that? Do you feel that every time you give us a lickin'?"

I really wanted to shout, 'no, of course not', but I made a habit of not lying to my kids, and I wasn't about to break it now; so, letting out another sigh I looked my soldier in the eye as I responded with an honest, "Yes and no. It always hurts me to punish you guys, but this time was worse because I knew the emotional anguish I was causing you. Watching your mate suffer and knowing there is nothing you can do to stop it is unbearable, and I subjected you to that."

I cringed at the look of guilt and pain in my boy's eyes. This was why I never wanted them to know. This is why I always hid my emotions from the kids. They didn't need to know how much physically chastising them affected me.

"How do you do it, Papa?" Jasper asked, moving closer to me. "How can you go through that kind of torment time and time again? Jeez, I was fit to be tied in there when I felt yer emotions. I wanted to start bawling and I wanted to be ripped apart. Nobody should hafta feel like that, Papa, no one. I am so sorry for every time I've forced ya into that position, and I promise you right now that I ain't eva gonna give you a speck o' trouble, you have my word."

"Jasper, stop," I said, holding up my hand to keep him from making any more ridiculous promises. "Soldier, I've told all of you kids before that I detest causing you any pain, and I wasn't lying."

"Yes, but I had no idea you felt so, so"—

"I know, and I never wanted you to know," I admitted, "because I knew you'd react like this. Spanking you guys kills me, it does, but I do it for a very good reason. I need to keep you and your rambunctious mate and siblings in line and this is my best method. You guys are eternal teenagers, bound to get into trouble no matter how many years you have under your belt. By spanking you, however hard it is on me, I know that I am working to prevent something more catastrophic and damaging down the line. You know this, right?" I questioned.

"Well, yes," he agreed reluctantly, and before he could come up with another argument I began to speak once more.

"Spanking you hurts me terribly, but the thought of what could happen if I didn't correct your misbehavior, or the thought of letting you all suffer with guilt hurts me more. Let me ask you something," I said, "did you bother to focus on my feelings as I was comforting Alice?"

He furrowed his brow slightly before shaking his head negatively. I'd thought not. He'd been too lost in his own world of self-loathing thoughts by then.

"Well, if you had," I informed him, "then you would have felt how much just holding her in my arms was able to soothe away my pain. Being able to offer you guys comfort and reassurances after I discipline you is all the help I need to forgive myself for the temporary pain I've caused you. You must have realized this as you allowed me to comfort Alice," I reminded him. "I looked to you for permission, figuring you'd want to snatch her away from me by that point, and you just nodded your head."

Jasper bit his lip before saying, "You're right. I knew that you needed that moment with Alice as much as she needed it with you. But I just—I'm so darn sorry, Papa, for the pain you experience. It ain't fair that you gotta suffer so much when it's us idiots that have landed ourselves in that position."

I wrapped an arm around his shoulders, bringing him closer to me as I responded, "It's not fair, but it's part of what being a parent is all about. Being a father isn't easy, but it's not something I've ever regretted becoming."

"Even with all the shit we—that I put you through?" he questioned, leaning into me. I tightened my grip as I replied, "Even with all the antics you, Alice, and your siblings put me through."

"Oh," Jasper mumbled, looking down for a few minutes before calling out, "Dad?"

"Yes?" I responded.

"I'm sorry about how I've treated you and Mom every time you've punished Alice," he spoke with much regret. "I can't help but feel like the worst son ever for the lack of trust I had in you. I hope you'll be able to forgive me some"—

"Hush," I told him firmly, giving him a stern look. "You've already been forgiven, and you are not the worst son ever. You need to stop thinking so negatively of yourself, Jasper. You are a brilliant, caring, courageous young man who I am honored to call my son. Please desist putting yourself down before I decide to wash out that filthy mouth of yours," I warned. He gave me a wide-eyed stared, no doubt touched by my praise before nodding his head.

"Yes sir," he responded like a good soldier, "I'll do my best."

"That's all I ever ask," I said, ruffling his hair affectionately.

"Dad," Jasper called out quietly after several more minutes of comfortable silence.

"Yes?" I responded once more.

"Don't eva change, okay? You are the best dad ever, so don't eva doubt yerself," he declared, giving me an emphatic look.

I stared at him, extremely touched by his words as I nodded my head. "Okay," I told him, "you have my word." I knew I was a good dad, but hearing my son say it made it so much more real. So many times I doubted the decisions I made regarding these kids, but moments like these made me see that I was doing a pretty damn good job.

"I'll hold you to that promise, Papa," Jasper stated with a smirk, "and if you eva think of breakin' it I'll set my dear mama on ya."

"Now that's just cruel," I said, and he laughed, giving me a light shove. "She came down pretty hard on ya, didn't she?"

"Just a bit," I said, unable to keep myself from grimacing at the memory.

"Worse than the last time?" he then asked, and I looked at his face to see why he wanted to know. When I saw nothing but genuine curiosity and concern I decided to answer with a nod.

He gave a sympathetic groan as he nodded his head, "I figured she had seein' as yer still so sore. You recovered faster last time."

"I did," I remarked quietly, and my son gave me a nudge so that I would look at him.

"You don't hafta feel embarrassed about this," he said seriously. "You know none of us are gonna ever hold this against you. I know we can all be rather immature and just plain dumb at times, but we are mature enough to understand and truly appreciate the lengths you'll go to in order to betta yerself. I've experienced first-hand Mama's displeasure and I know it ain't no picnic. You got it much worse than I ever have, so all I got to say is you are one brave son of a gun to actually ask for something like that."

I was once more sincerely touched by my son's thoughtful words, and I let him know how much I appreciated him through my emotions as I was feeling a little too choked up to speak. "Thank you, Jasper," I eventually managed to say, my voice hoarse from the emotion I was holding back.

Jasper just responded with a smile and nod before leaning his head on my shoulder. I relished in the physical contact with my son. He didn't often allow himself to be held like this, usually only when he was really upset. I had a strong feeling that while the events of these past few months had been incredibly difficult, that we would emerge stronger because of them. Our family would survive and we would come out for the better. We always did.

Alice's POV:

I was in my parent's room, lying face down on their couch as I watched Mom sketch out the blue prints for a new house. I'd had a vision of Dad and Jasper's conversation so neither one of us was worried. Their talk would be beneficial for the both of them.

I let out a sigh, reaching a hand back to try and relieve some of the sting. Dad hadn't gone easy on me, that was for sure, and unfortunately I knew I had no one to blame but myself. I hadn't been able to stop myself from growing angry once more as we discussed Cassie and what I'd done to her. I felt real shame and regret now for my actions, Dad finally having made me see reason. I understood now how childish and dangerous my actions had been. Yesiree, I didn't like it one bit, but I had certainly deserved every single one of those stinging swats he gave me. I was just glad that he hadn't decided to use his belt after I had gotten a little mouthy with him.

"Are you really sore, sweetheart?" I heard my mother ask, and I gave her an abashed smile as I nodded my head.

She made a sympathetic noise as she came over and knelt down by my head. "I deserved it," I informed her, wanting her to know that I had accepted the consequences for my actions and that Dad hadn't been too hard on me. "I acted like a complete fool last week, and we were lucky nothing worse happened."

Mom smoothed my hair comfortingly as she nodded her head. "I'm so proud of you for admitting your faults, but you know you're forgiven now, right?"

"Yeah," I replied, "but somehow that hasn't stopped my poor bum from feeling like it's on fire. Daddy sure wasn't shy about letting me feel his displeasure with me."

"Oh, I'm sorry, Alice," Mom spoke, looking quite upset. "I wish there was something I could do to make this easier for you, but"—

"I know, Mommy," I interrupted, grabbing one of her hands in mine, "and you don't need to apologize. I have no one to blame but myself for this awful predicament. I'll be fine in a few days, so no worries. Besides, at least this wasn't as bad as last week's spanking."

Mom gave me a sad smile as she kissed my forehead.

"I'm just glad this is all over with," I continued, giving her a relieved look. "Waiting for this spanking was almost as bad as the spanking itself. Now we can move on."

"Exactly," Mom responded, "and Emmett and Rosalie will be here soon, and it hopefully won't take too long before Edward is found."

I nodded my head, although I wasn't so sure about the Edward part. I wasn't going to burst my mother's bubble though. "Can we go back to Forks, Mom? I miss Bella." I told her.

"Me too," my mother responded, her eyes turning pained, "but we'll have to see. We'll at least have to wait until Edwards back before making that decision."

"Bella is his mate, Mom," I informed her confidently. "I still have visions of her becoming one of us."

Mom gave me a surprised look before a genuine smile broke out on her face. "If it is meant to be, then it will come to pass," Mom said, caressing my cheek softly.

"Can I at least go visit her?" I pressed, not at all liking the thought of having to wait for Edward to grow a brain so I could see Bella once more.

"No Alice," she said with a firm shake of her head. "We don't want to disrupt her life now and give her false hope if Edward decides to not return."

"But he will return, I've seen it," I argued, sitting myself up with my elbows.

"Alice," Mother chided softly, "you know better than anyone how subjective your visions are."

"I do, but his is one vision that's never changed, Mommy, it's been the same since Edward met her," I argued, feeling upset that she didn't seem to believe me. Either that or she didn't want to get her hopes up.

"Enough," Mom said, gently forcing me to lay down once more, "we will discuss this at another time. For now you are to just lie here and relax until Jasper comes looking for you."

I sighed, but did as I was told. Mom gave me one more kiss on the forehead before returning to her drawings. I watched her, feeling rather content and peaceful. I probably would have drifted off to sleep if it weren't for the constant throbbing of my poor bottom.

I smiled brightly when I heard the approach of Jasper and Dad. They were exchanging playful shoves as they landed on the balcony and opened the door. Jumping to my feet I rushed into my mate's strong arms, giving him an adoring kiss of greeting.

"Hello to you too, Beautiful," Jasper drawled when we broke apart, giving me a handsome grin. I had to fight the sudden urge to kiss him again as we were in our parent's bedroom. Looking into his eyes, I knew he felt the same sudden need I did, and I decided it was time for us to depart. Reluctantly breaking apart from him I threw my arms around my Dad, giving him a big hug before gently bringing up the wrist I'd injured and kissing it. This was a new habit I'd gotten into as a way to constantly show my remorse for what I'd done and my love for my father. Next I rushed over to Mom and enveloped her in a huge hug, thanking her for being the best mom ever.

"Mom, Dad, Jasper and I really need to hunt…alone, so love you loads, bye!" I chirped before pulling my bemused lover back towards the balcony. We were landing on the ground and headed towards the forest when I heard Dad call out, "Don't get too dirty and rough with my little girl, Jasper!"

"Carlisle Cullen!" I heard my mother shriek in outrage, followed by a smacking sound. Jasper had been roaring with laughter already, but when we heard our father emit a loud yelp I nearly had to carry him into the forest he was laughing so hard. Boys, I couldn't help but think to myself with a roll of my eyes.

"Come on Jasper," I spoke seductively into his ear, "why don't you show me just how dirty you like it?" And with those words I promptly raced deeper into the forest, my mate all too eagerly following behind. Things were finally beginning to look up for this family. We were all at peace, eagerly anticipating the entire family being back together again.

A/N: We have reached the end to Past and Present! Hurray and Awww!

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