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Destiny Awaits	By : Lollydolly Category: Twilight Series > Het > Bella/Jasper Views: 19535 -:- Recommendations : 2 -:- Currently Reading : 2
Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight or make any money from this story.

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An: Thanks for all the brilliant reviews, I love you all!
Chapter Eight
I woke up with warm sunlight spilling over my face. It made a nice change. Edward was picking through some CDs on the other side of the room as I stretched and snuggled back into the downy bed. Before last night I hadn’t known they made beds this comfortable.
Edward woke me up a little more with one of his sweet, soft kisses that always left me wanting more.
I showered and dressed in jeans and a T-shirt I’d stolen from Edward as I’d run out of clean shirts and I refused to let Esme do my laundry.
I found a hold all under the bed and filled it with enough of Jaspers clothes to last him a week, I didn’t know how long it would be before he could go back into his room. I tried to pick things that looked a little old, instead of any of the new stuff that I thought Alice had likely bought.
I threw in a pair of bruised cow boy boots that I couldn’t remember ever seeing him wear. There was a shelf at the top of the closet that I couldn’t reach, so I dragged a chair over and climbed up carefully. The shelf was full of hats, belts and the odd scarf, but right at the back I spotted a true prize. A dusty black Stetson that looked like it had seen better days.
I bashed the dust off it and put it on. Glancing in the mirror, ready to be amused I discovered I kind of liked it. I pulled the brim down low over my eyes and grinned. It was a pity his boots were too big for me, I’d have liked them too.
Once I’d dragged the loaded hold-all across to the study and re-adjusted my new hat, I made my way down stairs. I brewed myself a cup of tea in the empty kitchen and listened for the sounds of the rest of the family.
I already knew that Edward was in the study with Carlisle, but I couldn’t hear any noise coming from anywhere in the house.
I took my tea outside and wandered across the grass, feeling the dew soak into the bottom of my jeans. I couldn’t stop the gasp that escaped my lips as I came in sight of Jasper.
Where Edward had sparkled, Jasper positively shone in the early morning sun. He was lying out by the roses, one arm behind his head, the other twirling the little flower I’d given him yesterday. I’d never seen anything so beautiful.
The others reflected the light in rainbows of colour that made them hard to look at, but Jasper seemed to be lit up from the inside, his skin glowing. I realised I’d stopped moving and was just gawking at him.
I closed my mouth just in time, as he turned his head to face me and a slow smile spread over his face.
I tripped across the ground towards him, more quickly than was wise for me. “Howdy partner.” His voice rang with a perfect southern twang, much more pronounced than usual.
I blushed, remembering I still wore the hat I’d liberated from its dusty prison. He raised one eyebrow at me, but didn’t move from his position on the ground. I found myself momentarily distracted by the way his dark eyes looked against his glowing face.
I put my free hand on my hip and deliberately looked away from him for a second. “You’re not getting this back by the way. I just thought you should know.”
“Looks better on you anyway.” He said shrugging, the smile still on his face. “Sit down?”
The grass was too damp, so I sat down on his thighs, and grinned at him.
“I wasn’t aware I’d turned into a chair.” He drawled. Sarcastic Jasper was a big improvement on yesterday.
“Don’t want to get wet. You’re a big boy, I’m sure you can take it.”
He sighed and propped himself up on his elbows. I found my eyes drawn to all the little crescents on his neck and his exposed arms. I’d never noticed them before, but Alice had mentioned them, so I knew vaguely how he had come by them. The strange thing was, they didn’t make him any less beautiful. They looked like they belonged there, it was more of a pattern etched onto his skin, than a blemish.
I saw the smile melt away as soon as he noticed what I was looking at, and I felt awful. There was only shame in his face as he stared at the floor.
I ran my hand down his scarred arm, and down to his hand, until I was holding it. “You have no idea how beautiful you are, do you?” I asked. “Scars and all.”
He still didn’t look at me, but he gave my hand a quick squeeze. “You’re not the same person you were then. You have nothing to be ashamed of.”
His eyes finally shot up to meet mine. “What do you know about it?” He asked harshly pulling his hand out of mine.
“Enough.” I shrugged, I didn’t need the details, I didn’t know the man he’d been then, and there was no need for me to know him. I was just getting to know the man he’d become.
He slumped back to the ground, and glared at the sky. “You’re being stupid. How long have you been out here anyway? Your shirt’s soaked.”
“All night.” He mumbled, I knew he hoped I wouldn’t hear.
“All night? You’ll catch your death... well maybe not your death.” I giggled. It was easy to forget that they weren’t susceptible to the same things as me.
I caught Jaspers smile out of the corner of my eye. I was glad I’d pulled him back out of his bad mood.
“I think you should go in and get cleaned up.” I told him, though I’d rather he stay out here a bit longer so I could look at him. The sight of him left me warm inside, and I had to wonder how Alice could bear to leave him behind.
___________________________________________________

Jasper joined me in the kitchen while I was buttering my toast. “Thank you for the clothes.” He said quietly, coming up behind me to give me a hug I hadn’t realised I’d been waiting for all morning.
I turned around to see what he’d chosen to wear. A plain white shirt and tatty old jeans tucked into the boots I secretly loved. It seemed to suit him better than anything I’d seen him in before.
“Where is everybody?” I asked him, I still hadn’t seen anything of Esme, Emmett or Rosalie.
“Esme went out about an hour ago, but I don’t know where. And Emmett and Rose are a bit tied up right now.” As if to punctuate what he’d said, I heard a loud crash followed by a giggle. I ducked my head to hide my blush.
“Well, that leaves me all on my own, so it’s your job to entertain me.” I thought keeping him busy was a good idea, but I didn’t want it to be obvious.
He looked around the room and then back to me. “What do you want to do?”
Another crash sounded above us, this time followed by a moan. “Get out of the house for a start.” I laughed.
Jasper grabbed a throw from a box in the hallway and we were gone. We walked to the farthest edge of the garden and sprawled on the blanket.
He was relaxed, maybe not happy, but at least he didn’t seem depressed. It was surprisingly easy to be quiet with him there. There wasn’t that uncomfortable need to speak that I often felt with Edward.
After about ten minutes with nothing but the birds to listen to, Jasper finally spoke. “Tell me something no one else knows.”
It was a difficult question, I wasn’t a secretive person. I thought about it for a while and eventually came up with something that was pretty mundane, but something I’d never told anyone else.
“I haven’t really got pierced ears.” I told him, and saw him frown curiously at the studs I was wearing.
“Magnets.” I took one off to show him. “Mom gave me some money to get my ears pierced for my thirteenth birthday, but I chickened out and I was too embarrassed to tell her. Congratulations, you are the only other person besides me that knows.”
He smiled and seemed oddly pleased with that. It wasn’t like it was a big secret. “You turn, though I don’t suppose you’ve got any secrets left after living for such a long time with such a talented family.”
“Well that's where you’re wrong.” He grinned. “You must promise to keep it a secret though, if Edward or Emmett knew I’d never live it down.” He whispered darkly.
I got excited then, expecting to hear some juicy little detail. “Cross my heart.”
“I’m absolutely terrified of spiders.”
I bit down hard on my lip to keep from laughing, his face was so serious and he even shuddered as he spoke. I felt my shoulders shaking and tears spring to my eyes before I gave in and let the laugh burst out of me. I laughed so hard I could barely breathe. I held my sides and tried to sit up. I only got my laughter under control when I noticed the distinctly injured look on his face.
“I’m sorry... it’s just... big strong Vampire... spiders!” I spluttered through the laugh bubbling inside me.
“Oh I’m glad my phobia amuses you.” He muttered, but I could see the smile tugging at his lips.
I swallowed hard. “I really am sorry, I shouldn’t have laughed. Your secret’s safe with me.” I grinned up at him. He plucked the hat off my head and put it on his own.
“I don’t think you deserve my hat.”
“I’ll trade you something for it.” I offered, I really did like the hat.
“What have you got?” He asked, his eyes scanning me speculatively.
All I could think to give him was the little bracelet tied around my wrist. Mom had given it to me years ago after a summer with Charlie. It was just a leather thong with wooden beads on it symbolising love, friendship and eternity.
Would he think it was stupid? Only one way to find out. “You could have this.” My voice sounded horribly nervous as I held out my arm to show him.
He held my wrist and ran a finger reverently along the edge of the leather and over the beads. “Are you sure?” He asked, his voice slightly husky. “It isn’t special to you?”
I watched his face, suffused with some emotion I couldn’t pick out. “It’s special, and I’d like you to have it. It’s sort of a friendship bracelet.” I shrugged and aimed for nonchalance.
I untied the bracelet and handed it over. He looked carefully at the beads and smiled up at me, then tied it to his own arm. I hadn’t expected him to wear it, and was surprised at how much it pleased me.
He lay back on the blanket and held out an arm for me to join him. Thoughts of Edward held me back, he wouldn’t like this. Edward wasn’t here though, and it wasn’t really as if I would be doing anything wrong. I curled into Jaspers side and put my head on his chest.
I felt his arm wrap around me, holding me to him. “We should have made friends sooner.” I mumbled. It was nice being out here with him, I couldn’t believe what I’d been missing.
He didn’t reply, just clutched me a little tighter. It was weird really, Alice, up until now, had been the best friend I’d ever had. Jasper had easily surpassed her, with him I didn’t need to put any effort in, conversations seemed to begin and end naturally, and everything was easy. The affection I felt for him was strong and growing every day.
We lay quietly in the sun for a while before we heard the purr of a car engine. I sat up and squinted through the sunlight. “Esme.” Jasper told me, helping me up.
Inside the house we found Esme loading a picnic basket with food and blankets. I felt a little thrill of anticipation knowing whatever she had planned included me.
“We’re going up to the baseball field.” She smiled brightly at us and raised an eyebrow at my hat. “I thought we could have a picnic, and play a few games. We haven’t been out in weather this good for months.”
“I think I’ll stay here Esme.” Jasper said quietly from behind me.
“Oh please come Jasper, it would be good to get out.” Esme pleaded, I wondered what sort of resistance Jasper had to her. Edward caved almost immediately whenever Esme asked something of him.
I could tell he was wavering and tried to give him a bit of a push myself. “Come on Jasper, It’ll be more fun if you come.” I tried a pout, well aware that I wasn’t particularly good at it.
He pursed his lips together then made a show of sighing and shaking his head. “How can I refuse the requests of two lovely ladies?” He said mournfully.
Esme smiled softly at him. “Go and tell Emmett and Rose would you?”
He sniggered as he mounted the stairs and I smiled at his retreating back. I went to the study to collect Edward and Carlisle, and found them pouring over maps, planning a hunting trip. They were in a good mood and seemed as eager as Esme to get out in the sun.
We drove most of the way squashed into Carlisle's car as it was the only one with strongly tinted windows.
The moment the car stopped Emmett dashed of ahead of us, leaving Edward to carry me and the others to grab blankets and baskets.
The clearing seemed to have grown since the last time I’d been there. My eyes scanned the edges, looking for the place I’d first met James, Victoria and Laurent. I couldn’t pick it out, all the trees looked the same.
Edward gave me hand a squeeze as he set me down, and I wondered if he knew what I was looking for.
Emmet came running back for Rosalie and swept her up into his arms, spinning her round fast enough to look like a blur to me.
I helped Esme lay the blankets on the ground and sat down beside her. Carlisle came over and held his hand out to Esme. “Emmet thinks he can beat us in a piggy back race.” He told her.
“Maybe later, I don’t feel like it right now.” I could tell he was disappointed, he had a poorly hidden competitive streak.
“Bella then? You won’t make me have to forfeit will you?” His movie star grin gave him the unfair advantage, and convinced me to join in.
“I should probably warn you that high speeds make me travel sick.” I laughed taking his outstretched hand.
Emmet frowned as he saw us approaching. “Oi! That’s cheating!” He called. “Bella's as light as a feather!”
Rosalie smacked him across the back of the head. “Are you saying I’m fat?” If looks could kill there would be nothing left of Emmett.
“No, sweetie, no, I would never say that, you’re skinny, hardly anything to you at all.” He amended quickly, Carlisle and I were both laughing at him. Even Rosalie had a smile on her face.
“How much did you bet him we would win?” She asked her husband.
“Five thousand dollars” He all but whispered, already cringing.
Rosalie glared at him. “Are we going to win?” She asked darkly.
“Of course.” Emmet was grinning now.
“Want to double the stakes Dad?” Emmet looked worried again as Rosalie spoke, he wasn’t as confident as he made out.
“What do you think Bella? Can you cope with the speed?” He looked down at me hopefully. He really wanted to win.
“I think we can take them.” I grinned. If I was sick, well, I’d have a Doctor on hand to take care of me.
“Ten thousand it is then!” Carlisle crowed. The thought of that much money made me queasier than the thought of the speed did.
Edward ran over to give me a kiss for luck, and I heard him whispering to Carlisle about being careful not to drop me. It was agreed that he would stand as umpire, and we were to run to the other end of the clearing and back to his side.
I climbed nervously onto Carlisle's back, and watched with some envy as Rosalie hoped lightly onto her husband’s.
“Get ready.” Carlisle whispered, and I wrapped my arms tightly around his neck. What had possessed me to agree to this?
“Go.” Edwards’s voice was barely above a whisper, but the four of us shot away from it so fast that I thought I might just have left my stomach behind.
Carlisle's movements were smooth, but I had to close my eyes against the force of the air whipping past us. I was desperate to look and see where Emmet and Rosalie were, but I didn’t think I could without being blinded.
I knew we’d reached the halfway point when Carlisle whipped around, for a moment I thought he might drop me as I slid sideways, but he altered his grip on my knees without missing half a pace. I couldn’t imagine Emmett had a hope of out stripping him.
As we slowed to a stop I opened my eyes and looked around. We had over shot Edward by about twenty feet, Emmet and Rosalie had stopped next to him. “Did we win?” I gasped. I hoped we had, I wasn’t up for doing that again.
Edward and Emmett were both grinning at me and I had a pretty good idea why, my hair, from what bits of it I could see, resembled a bird’s nest. Rosalie, of course looked like she’d just walked out of a salon.
Carlisle strode over to the others without letting me down. “Well?” He asked Edward.
Edwards smile widened as he paused for effect. Emmett thumped him on the back. “The winners... by three tenths of a second... are... Bella and Carlisle!”
“I want a rematch!” Emmett demanded as Carlisle moved me from his back and onto his shoulders in half a second. I felt like a little girl again, on top of the world.
“Aww, are you a sore loser?” I taunted. He chased us back to Esme and Jasper, whining about cheating all the way.
“Rose will have my neck for this later you know.” He grumbled as we sat down.
Carlisle sprawled out next to Esme and kissed her before turning back to Emmett. “I believe you owe me some money, son.”
Emmett reached for a back pack and pulled out a huge stack of bills. “Why would you bring all that cash for a picnic?” I asked.
“My boys love to gamble.” Esme told me, smiling fondly at Carlisle.
Carlisle counted the money he’d been given and held out half to me. “What? No, I’m not taking that, you did all the work, and you were the one who made the bet.”
“If you don’t take it how will you bet on the other games?” He asked. I knew that the money was probably just a drop in a very vast ocean to them, but five thousand dollars was a huge amount to me. I shook my head firmly.
Edward sat down next to me and gave me his crooked smile. “Take it Bella, if you really don’t want it, just bet badly, and he can win it back.”
Carlisle was still holding out the bundle of cash, and I took it reluctantly. If I didn’t lose it, I’d just make sure to leave it at their house later.
Esme handed me a hair brush and a few pins, so I made quick work of getting my unruly hair piled up out of my way. I helped myself to a bottle of lemonade and an apple out of one of the baskets and made my way over to Jasper.
He was sitting next to Esme, and as far as I knew he hadn’t said a word or moved since we’d arrived. I bumped my shoulder against his and smiled up at him. He looked down at me, with the ghost of a smile on his lips and said “well done.”
Everyone but Jasper, Esme and I left to get ready for the next race. They’d decided to cross the field walking on their hands. It was quite a sight. Emmet looked wobbly, Edward and Carlisle seemed as stable as they were upright, and Rosalie looked like a gymnast, her toes pointing perfectly towards the sky.
I stared down at the cash in my hands. Maybe this would be fun. “One thousand on Rosalie.” I said before I could change my mind, counting out the money and putting it in the middle of the blanket.
Esme grinned. “I’ll take that bet.” She pulled out some cash of her own and dumped it on top of mine. “A grand on Edward.”
“Jasper?” I asked.
“I didn’t bring any money.” He shrugged. Not wanting him to be left out, I quickly counted out half of my cash and handed it to him.
“I want you to play.”
“Ok.” I watched him assess the group waiting to take off. “One thousand on Carlisle.”
Esme clapped her hands together, and shouted “Go!”
It was a lot more fun to watch, than to be one of the people speeding across the ground. I found myself biting my lip and sitting up to get a better view. It was pretty even until the time came for them to turn and head back.
Emmett went too far and had to fight to stay on his hands, while Rosalie pulled ahead of the others by executing a perfect turn on one hand. She was already back on her feet by the time Edward and Carlisle got to us. Emmet came in last, a few seconds after them.
I scooped up my winnings, thrilled. Rosalie gave me a curious look, but quickly looked away from me to taunt her husband.
I turned out to be a pretty good judge, and by the time the last race started, I had ten thousand dollars in my hands. Esme and I had ganged up on Jasper and managed to convince him to join in for the last game.
He had teamed up with Rosalie for a wheel barrow race against Carlisle and Edward.
I put all my money down. “Jasper and Rose.” I said confidently.
Emmet scraped together the same amount and added it to the pile. “My money’s on Edward and Carlisle.” He told us.
“Same for me.” Esme said, adding her own cash to the pile.
“Emmett?” I asked. “Won’t Rose be annoyed at you for betting against her?”
“She’ll be more pissed if I lose all the money.” He said shaking his head, but he didn’t look too worried.
Seconds later, they were off, racing across the grass tinted orange by the setting sun.
Jasper and Rosalie beat them back to us by what couldn’t have been more than half a second. “Yes!” I shrieked jumping up to hug them. Rosalie was so surprised she didn’t even move, but I was in such a good mood I didn’t care.
Edward spoke at the exact same moment as Rosalie. “You bet against me?”
Emmett immediately began apologising, whereas I just smiled. “I won didn’t I?”
__________________________________________________

I really didn’t want to leave, and felt especially bad about leaving Jasper, but I knew Esme would take good care of him. I gave him an extra long hug, and my new phone number before I left. I made him promise to call if he needed to talk.
I drove home in my old truck, and felt particularly lonely. I’d become so used to being surrounded by the Cullen's that it was as if I’d never been on my own before.
Edward would be at my house soon, and I consoled myself with that thought as I pulled into the driveway.
Charlie welcomed me back in his usual quiet way, but I could see that he was pleased to have me back under his roof.
“Did you have a good time?” He asked me as I dumped my bag at the bottom of the stairs.
“It was great.” I said smiling as I noticed that the house was remarkably as clean as I’d left it. “We went for a picnic today.”
“How’s Alice?” He kept his eyes on the TV as he spoke. I suspected he had a bit of a crush on her, the thought made me cringe.
“She’s fine... she just left actually, she’s gone to spend some time with her biological family in South America.” I hated lying to him, but I could hardly tell him the truth.
“Oh?” He turned to face me now. “How long will she be gone?”
“She’ll be going to school there I think, she said she’d be away for a few months.” Charlie looked a little startled, but turned back to the TV.
“I think I’ll get an early night, I’m pretty tired after all that fresh air.” I made my way up to the bathroom and took a long hot shower. I hadn’t lied about being tired, and I couldn’t wait to get into my bed.
Back in my room Edward was already waiting for me and curled up with him. We didn’t talk much, and it wasn’t long before I drifted off to sleep, feeling a little disappointed that Jasper hadn’t called.
An: Hope you liked it. Drama coming soon! X

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Destiny Awaits