She was what he wanted. He knew that, that was why he ignored all of his family and what they said. They couldn't know or understand what he was going through. Years upon years of loneliness, he knew that they wanted Alice to be his mate, but even if she was gorgeous, and fun-loving, and energetic… but none of that meant she was his mate. Just because she made his undead heart start beating again, and make a smile stretch across his face, Bella was different. She pulled to him in a different way.
But if he didn't care about Alice why did he hate the idea of Alice and Cassie going out. It shouldn't matter to him, it meant that she was finally getting on with her immortal life and not staying hung up with him. Ugh, this whole thing made his head hurt. Edward sighed, he came up here to think and remembering all of that isn't helping him figure out his feelings at all.
Looking over at the marvelous sky that was bathed in reds and blues Edward could only think of Alice's tinkering laugh in comparison to Bella's nasally voice. He had to make a decision because one way or another he'd always have 'what-if's' at the end of the day.
§
It had been almost a week since Edward had left for Alaska and three days since that family outing, now Jasper was sitting next to his depressed sister in their school's cafeteria. Picking at the disgusting school pizza on his tray, Jasper's head shot up when the scent of his family filtered through his nostrils pushing aside the human stench. There standing at the entrance was his beautiful family, Cassie with Bi on her hip and Sia's hand in hers, well until Sia saw him and let go to run up to her daddy. Jasper could hear all the whispering and could feel all the emotions flying through the lunchroom, but he didn't care. All he cared about was coming towards him and his siblings. He knew better than to stand up and he was proven right as Sia jumped up into his lap. Throwing her tiny arms around his neck, planting a kiss on his cheek with a wobbly toddler voice telling him hi and that she loved him. The only thing better than his daughter was his wife and son and they were walking towards him calmly.
Cassie leaned down and placed a kiss on Jasper's lips, his children 'ewed' at seeing their parents kiss. Cassie handed Bi over to Rosalie, who didn't care to save face and broke out smiling at her baby nephew. Gasps broke out of the mortal occupants in the lunchroom at seeing the Blonde Ice Queen smile so freely and happily. Jasper nuzzled his nose in Cassie's hair as she sat down beside him, he couldn't stop himself from focusing on one person's feelings. Isabella Swan was confused that much was clear. But then again, Jasper had been aware that she was confused, scared, and angry with him and his wife since that outing.
He rubbed his hand up and down her arm while she leaned against him. Focusing on Swan, reminded him of that outing and why she was fearful and angry with them.
…
She was standing there like a deer in the headlights. Jasper felt a smirk slither across his face as he looked at her. He didn't know why Edward was so obsessed with this weak little human girl. He knew that she didn't come over to their table of her own free will, he knew it was the pull to his wife. He had seen her use it before, pull people to her, get them all to talk to her and then get their secrets out of them. His wife's gift was always an amazement to see. But he wanted to snarl at the sight of the girl, she was fidgeting and gulping her saliva trying to gather confidence. He couldn't stand humans that was for sure.
"Um, I…I'm worried about Edward. Is he alright?" Bella's voice was squeaky, nasally, and just plain annoying.
"Why are you concerning yourself with Edward, Bella?" Cassie's voice was hypnotic and entrancing for the human girl. So soothing and such a melodically sound, coaxing all that Cassie wants to know out of Isabella Swan.
Jasper, out of his peripheral, saw that his children weren't caring even the littlest iota about what was happening around them. They knew not to interrupt their mother, as well as the fact that they recognized the scent from Uncle Edward. To them it was simply the woman tearing their family apart and if mommy can put this cow in her place then what was the problem? Looking back at the goddess in front of him teasing the mortal human, Jasper couldn't stop his body's natural reaction to see his mate in her element. As soon as this was over they were headed home and the twins would spend some time with grandma and grandpa along with Aunt Rosalie and Uncle Emmett.
Swan's eyes had glazed over slightly, as if she were remembering something instead of focusing on the present. Nothing that would tip someone off to the fact that his wife was controlling the human to tell her everything.
"Because I need to get close to him, that's why I'm concerned." Bella's voice had taken on an unnatural tone. It wasn't like it was before, now instead of the fake infliction of emotion, it was flat and almost ghost like, too calm for a human.
Cassie arched one eyebrow in a questioning manner, "Oh? And why do you need to get close to him?"
Bella continued to stare at the floor, not realizing that Cassie didn't need eye contact to get what she wanted, she only need Bella to listen, to hear her voice that was all she needed. "So that Edward can fall in love with me."
"Do you love him? Is that why you want him to be with you?"
Even not being in control of herself, Bella still managed to sneer in disgust, "No! I simply want to be turned into a vampire, live forever, and be beautiful. Why would I ever want to be with that emo freak?"
Jasper saw Cassie's eyes harden in rage as well as felt her anger. Just because Edward was being an idiot didn't mean that Cassie would allow anyone to insult her family.
"You are using him." It wasn't a statement. "I will be more than glad to inform of our conversation and then I will watch you die, slowly. As the years pass, as wrinkles cause your skin to crack and age makes your body like leather, I will watch on forever stuck in this form. I will ensure that you die mortal and that you never turn even if I have to kill you first. I promise Isabella Swan, you will never become a beauty or killer of the night."
Jasper allowed Cassie control in this situation, he had to focus on keeping a tight rein on both his wife's emotions and his own along with his children's indignation at their uncle being called a freak.
Jasper leaned forward to his mate, as the slight 'clomp' of Swan's sandal sounded as she left.
"We'll need to show Edward this memory or he'll never believe us."
Cassie only sighed, before taking a napkin and wiping Bi's mouth of spaghetti expertly once again, "I know. It all depends on when he will return."
Jasper closed his eyes tightly and then re-opening them, only focusing on his outing with his little family. He could worry about his other problems at a later date.
…
Now there is only the waiting for Edward to return so that he can see the memory himself. He was pulled from his mate's side but Alice's slight stiffing shoulders, an indication that she was having a vision. They all continued to act normally, until she loosened up again. Under her breath,
"Edward is coming back tonight, late almost morning."
Every one of them nodded, heads barely moving so as not to alert the humans of something suspicious. Jasper and Cassie shot each other a quick look; this was what they had been waiting for, for the last three days since their trip. Sia and Bi climbed up over to their parents, wanting them to hold them. Bi crawled into his daddy's lap while Sia chose her mommy. Sia leaned in close to her mother,
"Mommy why the peepa talkin' 'bout us?" her voice was broken with young age. Bi looked up at her as well.
Cassie smiled angelically at her children. Jasper could basically hear the male population swoon like love-sick puppies; he wasn't sure how to feel about that fact.
"Because they didn't know that daddy had a family like us, that's why."
Bi and Sia locked eyes; they seemed to be having a conversation with their gestures. Sia tilted her head slightly then Bi would raise his eyebrows, his sister would shrug her shoulders and then Bi smiled and the two of them giggled together. Cassie couldn't help but chuckle as well at her children antics.
They simply stayed with their family not paying much attention to the humans around them that were talking about them. They just simply wanted to enjoy the time with each other, if they were able to hear the group of gossipmongers.
§
When she walked in with those two little beings, Bella could only stare. The ringlets of ebony hair that flowed like a river down her back, the pale heart shape of that unmistakably immortal face with emerald green eyes, it only reminded her of that night three days ago.
She hadn't been completely sure herself of why she walked over to their table that night. It was almost as if a string had been hooked to her and yanked her over to them. It was so strange; the only other time that she had felt like this was with Edward. Not that she really cared for that vampire, but she was hoping to be turned by him since he seemed fascinated with her almost as much as she was fascinated with being a vampire. It was a great thing he couldn't hear her thoughts or he probably wouldn't have talked to her. Bella remembered the cold glares between Edward and the others. Now that she thinks about it maybe when Edward returns she could use that drift to get his complete attention and get him to turn her.
But now wasn't the time to remember her hopeful conquest, now was the time to focus on the three beings walking into the little lunchroom. She was still confused on how that family of vampires could have two little human children with them. But it didn't really matter to her; she wasn't planning on having children, even adopted.
Bella looked over and saw that Jessica couldn't pull her eyes away from the newcomer.
'She isn't even that pretty.' Bella tried to tell herself, it only ended up fueling her anger. As soon as Edward turned her, she would be the one that turned everybody's heads instead of that…thing.
"It looks like those rumors were true." Mike had stopped simultaneously shoveling food in his mouth while flirting with her. Bella wanted to roll her eyes in annoyance, as if she really didn't know what he was going on about. He was only causing problems, she would never be with him and each day Jessica is driven further away and a little more desperate. The girl needed to grow up just because two boys didn't think she was the prettiest and best thing in the world, didn't mean that she needed to hunt down every available man and hound them for a date.
Bella couldn't stand all this immaturity. None of them understood her. She had had to take care of her childish mother for years, never having a chance to be a child herself, and then her father comes back into the picture and, she'll admit that he was trying but he was a complete failure as a father. Police? Great, he's the best there is. Father? Complete waste of space. That's why she needed to be with Edward, even if she didn't love him, he would still be more mature and wiser and understand her better than all of this little toe rags. And now those two vampires are putting her plan at risk.
It made her blood boil. Not to mention she was confused on how they were able to get her to confess all that she did. Even Edward didn't know, he had informed her of the others having gifts like his mind-reading ability, but surely controlling someone else isn't a gift that God would give a monster like them…but then again it sounds like a power that a monster would have.
Jessica looked to be daydreaming and that nauseated Bella.
"What are you thinking about, Jessica?"
Jessica looked away from the Cullens, whom she had been staring at with her dreamy expression.
"The babies are just so adorable. I want kids that are that beautiful."
Angela, the most modest and sincerest person at their table, spoke up while pushing her glasses up her nose, "I'm sure any child you have later in life with be just as gorgeous as they are."
Bella wanted to snort and roll her eyes, Jessica with beautiful children? Please, that be like saying Donald Trump was a kind and forgiving man. Sometimes Angela's sweetness drove Bella bat-shit crazy, no human was that humble, nice and great. They just weren't.
"I can't understand why her parents kicked her out. The family would have made a fortune just letting us mere humans see those children." There is the snide and gossip Jessica.
"Jessica!" Angela sounded incredulous, as if she couldn't believe that Jessica had just said that.
Mike looked over at the table as well, "They probably like those parents on the news that sell their kids for money and they threw her out because they couldn't get anybody that wanted a pregnant girl in their bed."
Angela looked both embarrassed and shocked at what Mike had just said. Even Bella was surprised, it was a rather nasty thing to say. But then again, Bella knew that the girl's family was probably dead anyway, so why should she care what the family did with her at one point in time.
Bella caught the stiffness of the blonde one's, Jasper, shoulders. She knew that they could hear them talking, it's why she's keeping her mouth shut so that they can't paint her in an even worse light to Edward. If only Edward would come back, then she could get her claws hooked into him. If only, he would come back.
§
The Cullen family took feeding in turns in case Edward did show up earlier than Alice's prediction, with Cassie and Jasper with their youngin's going last. They set the twins off to side while they hunt for the both of them as they are still wobbly with their legs and can't actually catch their prey. That hunting trip seemed to be therapeutic for Jasper's wife. She kept running and running and when she found a mountain lion or even a bear she didn't automatically kill it and drain it like usual, she played with her food. Enjoying the confusion and the fighting, it was the only way she knew how to work her aggression off without actively hurting anyone else. Jasper cuddled his two kids to his cold marble sides as his wife tired herself out, figuratively speaking.
When she did work out whatever it was that bothered her, she walked back over to them. Jasper moved Sia onto his lap and left his side open for her to snuggle into his hold as well. They didn't have a reason to speak. They understood each other just fine that words weren't needed. They stayed like that for several minutes, before noting that their children were nodding off to sleep and decided to walk back leisurely.
Bi curled up against his mother's chest in her arms while Sia was hanging off of Jasper's hips with her arms loosely holding on to his neck.
"Do you think Edward finally smartened up?" Cassie wanted her husband's opinion.
Jasper glanced at her out of the corner of his eye, "I don't honestly know. If he hasn't he'll realize soon enough with our thoughts, if, even after that, he wants to be with her, then we can do nothing else."
Cassie scoffed. "There is plenty we can do. Rosalie just won't like having to move again."
Jasper only smirked at his wife's comment. It wasn't like he hadn't killed before, and Bella Swan surely wouldn't be the last person he has to kill either. They continued on in content and peaceful silence.
Arriving at the house, they saw that Carlisle's car was back in the drive way. It seemed as though Edward was back finally. Cassie had the dinner from three days ago at the forefront of her mind, letting it barrel Edward as soon as they entered. She saw him watch the memory with horror and realization written all over his face.
Cassie got no pleasure from watching her brother fold in on himself in horror at what he had almost done and guilt at what he had already done. Her face was set in stone and said nothing as she took her son upstairs to his room with Jasper following behind her with their daughter. Coming back done, she took a set on one of the couches in the living room. Looking around it was almost like the Cullens against Edward.
"I'm sorry." It was quiet, almost too quiet for even their vampire hearing to pick up.
"Sorry for what? Ignoring your bond? For trailing after a human girl? For placing us all in danger, including my children? Sorry for what, Edward, you have a lot to be sorry about." Cassie's voice was neutral, she wasn't trying to be mean or cruel to him. She was trying to make a point about Edward's actions and how they could have affected their entire family. Something that Cassie wouldn't let happen.
Edward, up until this point had been looking down at the floor, looked up, "For everything. I was being childish and ignorant of what was right in front of me and I acknowledge that I was being a bastard and idiot, if I can be forgiven and allowed another chance I'll do everything in my power to not screw it up again."
They all looked over to Jasper who could tell that he was being sincere in his answer and nodded his head in accordance. Cassie grabbed his hand and pulled him up,
"Well then, I no longer need to be here while you talk and apologize to your mate. Good night." With that Cassie and Jasper left them to go to their room. Lying on the frameless and legless bed Jasper simply held his wife, while reading a history book about Germany's government development they distracted themselves from listening in on Alice and Edward. Their job was done. They had knocked sense into Edward, finally. It just took them almost three years, but it finally happened. Now they just needed to get rid of Isabella Swan.
§
Alice didn't look at Edward as their family left them alone. She could feel Edward's eyes staring at her, but he had hurt her she didn't want to see him right now. First, he had ignored their bond altogether. Then, he found a human girl that he could read the mind of and decided that she would be his mate. Last, he ran away! Left her simply because their family had driven him to the point of insane, now he's back and he wants her to forgive him.
"I am sorry, Alice." Edward's voice told Alice all she needed, but she wasn't ready to face him yet.
Alice snuck a look at him out of the corner of her eye before turning away again, "I know."
Edward didn't move from his spot, but his eyes were pleading. "Will you ever be able to forgive me?"
Alice sighed before turning to look at her mate, "You focused on a mortal girl after three years of ignoring our bond, Edward. I've put up with a lot from you but I think that the day I had a vision of you kissing that freaking girl I wanted to kill you. And even know you still haven't made a freaking decision."
"That's because I wanted to be the one to tell you that I choose you, not some vision that you might not believe because visions are subjective. Give me another chance, please Alice?"
Alice simply stared at him as he pleaded with her. She didn't know what would happen…well she did but that didn't mean that what she knew wouldn't change. She knew that she was making a huge decision because if she takes a chance on this and everything goes down the toilet with a decision on down the line.
Edward had placed the ball in her court. He had admitted to his faults and wanting to make it up to her and give it a chance. But does this mean that she gives him a chance? After the years of watching him from a far and not seem affected by their bond. Did he deserve a chance?
§
Cassie smiled at her son and daughter as she gathered them up in her arms; walking down to the kitchen she was happy. Her family was finally happy. Her children were growing up splendidly, her brothers and sisters were content and happy and in love with their mates. Carlisle and Esme were joyful and blissful with their family and how they were getting on. Now the only problem left was Isabella Swan.
Cassiopeia peaked Jasper on the cheek as she placed the twins in their booster seats and prepared them each a cup blood for breakfast.
"You all need to get going," Esme commented as Carlisle kissed her 'goodbye' and left for work.
The only one of the "children" that really didn't want to leave was Jasper, but then again he was also the only one that would be without their significant lover. He, rather humanly, sighed and kissed his wife passionately before kissing both his children on the head. He followed his brothers and sisters out to Edward's Volvo.
Cassie didn't pay much attention as the sound of grounding gravel from the pressure of the tires disappeared. Everything was finally falling in place for their family; as long as Edward could avoid and ignore his singer everything will be fine. Cassie figured that everything she could do was done now she just had to focus on raising her children. The others could watch out for the mortal.
§
Bella saw a silver Volvo speed past her house as she was getting ready to go to school in her beat up old red truck. Edward was back was all that ran through her mind, before speeding off to school herself. Hopefully those monsters hadn't told Edward all that they knew so that she still had a chance with him. Pulling into the schools parking lot, Bella hurried to get out but stopped dead in her tracks when Edward held out his hand for Alice Cullen and then refused to let go. An observer could almost feel and see the bond of the family as strong as ever.
"Damn it. Damn it. Damn it." Bella kept repeating to herself as she walked through the school hallway making her way to her class. She knew what was happening, she also knew that if she threatened to tell anyone they would only laugh at her for the ridiculous idea of anyone believing her. And then if she did tell then they would laugh at her and probably have her placed in an insane asylum for believing that vampires were real anyway.
Now, how was she supposed to become immortal and ultimately beautiful? Maybe she could bleed in front of one of them and then they would attack her before one of the others pulled them off of her and she would turn that way. That sounds like a plan…but she didn't like blood. Maybe this wasn't a smart idea. But she wanted to be beautiful and desirable by all, which meant she had to get them to change her somehow.
Bella hadn't been paying much attention to what was going on around her, if she had she probably wouldn't have ran into Rosalie Hale. Hale didn't budge while Bella stumbled back a few steps. The two of them only stared at each other for a little while before Rosalie sneered, turning around, flicking her hair over her shoulder, Rosalie made only one statement before walking away.
"Leave my family, especially Edward, alone. You have no business being involved with us."
Such a cold and hard look in her eyes, Bella shuddered. She might find a group of different vampires to turn her; surely the Cullen family isn't the only group of vampires out there. If she found them maybe they would turn her. Bella nodded her head in agreement with her plan, yup she would find another vampire to turn her instead of Edward Cullen, now she just had to get away from Forks, Washington.
Epilogue
Two more years had passed. Rosalie and Emmett had already graduated and left for college while Jasper, Alice, and Edward were graduating this year. Cassie's twins were four years old; they had progressed so well, that she couldn't have been a prouder mother. It had also been almost two years since they had spoken or even thought of Isabella Swan. Thinking back on it Cassie remembered how almost two weeks after Edward had come back, Swan had run away.
Lying beside Jasper with their twins in the room next door, Cassie thought back on the war in her old world. Something she hadn't done in years. She honestly used to hate being a vampire, but then she had found Jasper. She was so happy to meet Jasper and then she got pregnant life had just gotten better for her.
She honestly didn't care that Isabella had run off. If she was able to she would have driven Isabella off on her own. But it no longer mattered. They would be moving again soon anyway to start all over.
Smiling Cassie leaned up from her spot on his chest and kissed Jasper lovingly. It was good to be Cassiopeia Aspen Cian Whitlock nee Potter-Black, now if only she could get Celosia to stop moving the shadows and for Anubis to stop playing with the dead animals in their backyard everything would be a lot more peaceful for her.