The Cullens
Jasper POV
We left through the back door and wandered across the expansive back garden. It was well-maintained and secured by a six-foot fence. We would have to leave the garden to give them any real privacy. Emmett and I leapt over first, and landed in a grassy area. It was not very big; the fence of the nearest house was only ten yards away. Alice and Rosalie joined us, but Rosalie was reluctant to put any more distance between herself and the girl.
“I think this is far enough,” she stated, coming to a stop a few yards from the fence.
“You know very well it isn't,” I replied as I walked along past the backs of the neighbouring houses.
“I want to know what’s going on in there.”
“Rosalie, Bree asked us for some privacy, we should give her that. Besides we also need to talk and I don't want them hearing us either.”
I continued walking, the soft rustling of the leaves underfoot was the only clue to the fact that they were all following me. Rosalie was becoming more agitated with each step. That needed to stop. I'd had enough emotional turmoil for one day. “Alice will let us know when she has come to a decision.” I turned and sent her a calming wave as I spoke.
We stopped about half a mile from the house where the grassy area opened up into a small park. It was far enough. I was sure both parties would be keeping their voices low just in case. It was too late for anyone to be out and about, even the late-night dog walkers were tucked up in their beds. We sat at a picnic bench and Rosalie turned to Alice, “Well?”
“I can't see anything concrete; she hasn't decided yet.” Alice put her fingers to her temples and made small circular motions. “I have to stop looking for a bit. She's so undecided, I just keep getting flashes and they're not very clear.”
“What do we do? How can we persuade her to come back with us?” Rosalie's voice held an urgency that had me worried. I knew from the feelings she started giving off at home, that she was becoming quite attached to the girl.
Alice merely shrugged. Without Bree's decision there was nothing she could do.
“What about Fred?” asked Emmett. “Try him.” He didn’t need my ability to read his wife’s emotions. He knew how disappointed she would be if Bree didn’t come home with us.
“Oh he’s easy; he's already decided to keep her with him. They are both nomads together. She's happy, so that's a good thing.” Alice noted the look on Rosalie's face and quickly added. “That will all change of course, if Bree decides to join us.”
“What about if she stays with us? Is she happy too?” Emmett pressed. He was also becoming too attached to Bree.
“Yeah, it takes a while for her to settle, but yes she's happy.”
Alice’s response was all that Rosalie needed. “That settles it; we have to persuade her to come with us. Jasper, no more growling, give her some space, and leave Fred alone; you've seen how it upsets her.”
I figured she would target me as the reason Bree would leave with Fred. I knew they thought I was overreacting, but they didn't have any experience with newborns. To them Bree was little more than a child who needed to be cared for. That was the façade that would make traditional hunting in this life easy for her. In reality she was a volatile monster; stronger than any of us, with the exception of Emmett. Her thirst was barely under control and her emotional state was unpredictable. The combination of her newborn state and teenage years was not a good one. Once she passed her first year, it should become easier for her manage her reactions. Unfortunately, due to our nature, if she was already petulant and prone to teenage mood swings, she might stay like that for an eternity.
I wasn't sure I was ready to take on another newborn. I thought that I had left that part of my life behind me. I was expecting to help out with Bella when the time came, but that was different. I assumed Edward would take on the majority of her guidance, leaving me to manage her emotional state when needed. Who would be responsible for Bree? Carlisle would ultimately be responsible for her; he was the head of the family. But I knew he would probably look to me to take on the day to day instruction and discipline to keep her in line. Our diet was another consideration. I could tell she wasn't too keen on the idea of hunting animals.
“It has to be Bree's decision,” I stressed to Rosalie. “Our way of life isn't easy. It has to be her choice.”
“Of course, but she needs to feel safe and wanted. She needs to know the pitfalls of being a nomad. How do we know he won't abandon her? They're not mated.” Rosalie’s hand flew to her mouth as she gasped, “Oh no, they're not mates are they?”
“They had better not be; he's way too old for her,” growled Emmett.
This was not good. Rosalie's feelings were too strong, bordering on maternal. Emmett's were more fraternal and not as strong, but the urge to protect her was evident. I wasn't sure how much of that was down to Bree or if it was just his nature.
“No, I don't think they're mated.” I hesitated, trying to find the right way to explain what I had picked up. “There does seem to be a strong sense of attachment on both sides, but it's not as it is with mates.”
“Rosalie's right, she better off with us. This guy obviously wants to protect her, but what if it's him she needs protecting from?” Emmett's declaration left me in no doubt; it was Bree he wanted to keep safe.
“I don't think so, Em.” I attempted to reassure him. “I haven't sensed anything inappropriate from him. It's more like brother and sister, but quite strong. If I had Chelsea's gift, I would be able to define it better, see the strength of the bond.”
“Still, there's no guarantee he won't be attacked by another nomad. They haven't been guided very well. They could unwittingly antagonise another coven. She'll either be destroyed or left alone.” Rosalie was determined. At that moment, I was sure she would eliminate Fred herself if it would make Bree stay.
“He has got a pretty good defence mechanism,” I pointed out. “I'm not sure what the exact nature of his ability is, but we've all felt how powerful it is.” Rosalie needed to acknowledge that we were not the only ones that could keep the girl safe.
I wondered if his gift was just a mental thing like Jane and Alec. If it were physical it would be quite something. Vampires never felt nausea as a rule. There was no need. We regurgitated human food when necessary, but we didn't actually feel sick. We would feel a little sloshy if we over fed, but there was no urge to throw up. Carlisle would probably be interested in him for his research. One way to find out if it was mental or physical would be to see if it worked on Bella. Oh crap! Bella!
It would be too difficult for Bree to have her in the house. This wouldn’t be too much of a problem for Rosalie and me. Rosalie and Bella had become closer, but I knew Bree's needs would come first with her. I love Bella, but it’s not easy to have her scent in the house all of the time. Emmett and Alice, however, would be upset, Esme too. Edward was another consideration. He had waited so long to find his mate, the fact that we all welcomed her was important to him. He would be reluctant to have Bella in the same house as Bree. I had to bring it up. Bella had to be factored in. If she were changed after the wedding as planned, it may be less of an issue. But Edward was determined for her to stay human. If he got his way it would be more of a problem.
“We're all forgetting about Bella.” As I made my statement, the reality of our situation showed on Alice and Em's face. “What if Edward has his way and she remains human?”
My dear sister was not going to be derailed so easily. “Once the wedding is over Emmett and I could live apart from the family for a while, and take Bree with us.”
This would be a possible solution, but then I remembered what they spent much of their ‘alone time’ doing. They would be too distracted to give Bree the 24/7 supervision she would need for a while.
“I'm not sure you should be subjecting such a young girl to your ‘alone time’ activities.” My comment brought a loud bark of a laugh from Emmett which he then attempted to stifle with his hand.
Rosalie glared at me, “Emmett and I are capable of restraint.”
“The crumbling walls of many school janitors closets are testament to your restraint,” I shot back.
The burst of lust I got from Em, and the smile spreading across his face, left me in no doubt my response had him recalling one of those moments fondly.
Ignoring my comment and her grinning husband, Rosalie asked Alice. “Do you see any problems if she lives with Em and me?”
Alice took a moment then replied. “Well, a good sound system and headphones should alleviate most of her embarrassment.” She paused, and then scrunched up her face. “Eww, and stay out of her room.”
“What, we don't get to christen the whole house?” Emmett's protest earned him a sharp dig in the ribs from his wife.
“I meant any other problems? Would she be as happy with just the two of us?” Rosalie was uncharacteristically uncertain. Was she frightened the girl would reject her?
“Of course she would be,” Alice reassured her.
We sat in silence for a moment before Rosalie's foot began tapping impatiently. “Alice, anything yet?”
“No, it's not just her. Her decision is very much linked to Fred right now.”
“I knew it; we should have invited him to stay as well.”
“Whoa, wait a minute; I can't see that working out.” Emmett raised his hands as he objected. “He and Jazz would make things way too freaky. I don't want to be going through all that crap we had back at the house every day.”
“Jazz can behave for a short while.” Rosalie responded, giving me her death stare. When did it all become my fault? “Just until the wedding is over.” She continued. “Then we’ll find somewhere more remote for the next year. Once she has more control we could travel for a bit until she’s ready to continue her education.”
The situation was getting out of hand. Rosalie had her immediate future all mapped out and the girl hadn't made her decision yet. I would have to brace myself for the emotional fallout if she said no.
I wasn't so sure living with Emmett and Rosalie would be a good idea. Taking on Bree wouldn't be all happy families. It would be spending up to a year managing unpredictable violent rages, while trying to help her control her natural craving for human blood. I knew Emmett didn't think it was possible, but he would see Bree in a different light if she actually did remove one of his limbs.
“Then what? We take her and Fred to live with us?” Emmett was not too sure, but for different reasons.
“It'll be good for you to have some male company; you always miss the guys when we're alone.” The death stare was gone, replaced by the soft, how could you refuse me smile she reserved for her husband.
“I don’t know, Rose.” Em was weakening, but not falling for it altogether. “We may not get along. He’s kinda rude and I could do without feeling permanently queasy.”
“Don't knock it, Em, the nausea would definitely solve your problem with restraint.” Alice giggled, winking at him as she spoke.
“That only works if I consider it a problem, which I don't,” he replied, with a wide grin.
“You can get along with anyone, Em.” Rosalie was in full charm mode now. Clasping his hands and looking up at him through her long lashes. “I'm sure Fred was just reacting to Jazz. Give yourself a chance to get to know him.”
The hiss coming from Alice surprised me. “You can't put that all on Jazz; he was very rude. Em wouldn't sit back and let him talk to you like that.”
“She has a point,” Emmett sighed. “If he doesn't mind his manners he's gonna spend a lot of time with his head in a wall. Bree's not gonna like that.”
“I'm sure he's usually more polite. Alice just took him by surprise. He's not used to her peculiar ways.”
I hissed a low warning myself. Not content with blaming me for Fred's behaviour, she was now apportioning part of the fault with Alice.
Emmett looked defeated. He couldn't refuse his wife anything. The dazzling smile, the hand holding and intense gaze were all unnecessary, anything in his power to give, he would give it gladly. The protests were routine, but pointless. If Rosalie wanted Bree to stay he would do anything he could to make that happen. He was still concerned though, he looked at Alice a silent question in his eyes. She gave him a sympathetic smile in return. Only Edward could be sure what transpired between them, but I guessed he wanted to know how Rosalie would react if Bree left with Fred.
“I'm with you, Rose. If it's what Bree wants, we'll have Esme find us a new home. We can even leave before the wedding if Edward has a problem with her. As long as we're there for the ceremony.” Em sighed again. “If we have to, we'll take the freaky guy with us too.”
Rosalie squealed, leapt onto her husband's lap, grabbed his face in her hands and peppered it with kisses.
She was happy for now. I wondered if it would last. I looked at Alice and she shrugged. No decision had been made. All we could do was wait.
