The truth will always comes out - Jasper Whitlock

Chapter 10

Bella…

“Take me down to the paradise city where the fangs are sharp and the vamps are pretty, oh won’t you please bite on down yeeeah!” Now this is what I’m talking about windows down cruising along in my Koenigsegg agera with my stereo blaring, singing my ‘ol little heart out. You don’t fully appreciate a sunny day until you are stuck in a tiny town like Forks.

Mum – Bella.

Nice vocals sug ;)

I make the turn into the Cullen driveway, and f**k me if the driveway wasn’t narrow. I understand not wanting many visitors but hello! A narrow overgrown trail is not how a ‘driveway’ is defined. I wonder if they have an Adams family-esque house to match.

Swinging around the final bend I realise, not.

Wow-fuckin'-wee, now that's what I call living. The house seemed to rise up out of the forest. Three stories high with a gorgeous porch that wrapped around the whole of the first floor, the whole front and what I could see of the sides, was painted a off white.

Dr. Cullen and his wife, I presume, must have heard me coming - not that you need supernatural hearing to hear my beast - as they stood waiting just outside the open doorway.

Well doesn't momma Cullen look pretty as a picture in the mom sort of way; Caramel coloured hair hanging just past her shoulders, wearing a white short-sleeved shirt that looked to be embroidered with butterflies around the collar and hem. Tan slacks and low-heeled sandals completed the look.

I had compensated for my little bitty denim shorts by teaming it with a cute little white top that had spaghetti straps and an empire waist. It was long enough that none of my midriff was on show and cut low enough that the beginning of my cleavage was working. It's a fine line between slut and sexy but I managed it - mostly.

High ponytail and ballet flats completed my get-up and I looked like I could be selling cookies for the local girl scouts. Speaking of which, I grab my shoulder bag containing my 'surprise' for the Cullen clan to show my appreciation for taking in my delinquent derriere and showing me the error of my ways

I slapped my best Miss Congeniality smile on my face and approached Dr. and Mrs. Cullen. "Isabella. It's good to see you looking better then on our previous acquaintance..." Yeesh! He looks like a god and speaks like my granddad. Surely he's not nervous? "...let me introduce you to my wife Esme"

"Hey Dr. Cullen, Mrs. Cullen" I trailed off totally not knowing what to say. Okay awkward. Do I say "thanks for having me?" I suppose throwing myself at their feet and ask "Do you vant to suck my blood?" in my best Christopher Price voice might break the ice a little...it would be funny as hell, but it wouldn't really make it less awkward!

"Isabella, welcome to our home and please call me, Esme"

"The same here, Isabella" said Dr. Cullen. What! "Call me, Carlisle." he said with a smile, obviously noting the look on my face. Ah! Not always the quickest brick on the block am I. "Okay, but I prefer Bella" We all smiled at each other like idiots...at least the awkwardness had lessoned. "Well then, come on in Bella and meet the rest of the family. I know they are all excited about you being here." Esme said as she moved to the door beckoning me to follow. Excited? I'm sure that's not entirely accurate but a lot of planning had gone into getting me to this point so..."lead the way", and I followed Esme into the house.

It was easy to ignore the various Cullen's scattered around, though I quickly noted that Jasper was absent, as my whole attention was taken with the interior of the house. I really don't know what I expected but the 'comfy contemporary' decor surprised me. It looked like pretty much of the whole downstairs had been opened by removing many of the interior walls. The whole colour scheme ranged from brilliant white to pale green with a wonderful array of browns and beiges that shouldn't have worked, but strangely did.

Carlisle cut short my ogling by starting the introductions...not that I needed them but hey! It's all about timing. "Bella, this is Emmett." he said as he indicated to the behemoth of a man whose casual leaning on the banister made it seem like it wanted to give up the fight and just crumble. "What's up, Smella" he said with a s**t eating grin. "Emmett!" cried Esme looking mortified. "Lost your sense of direction there, Flemmett" I snickered right back at him "that would be that-a-way" I continued pointing up and turning to the pixie that stood on the bottom stair. "Your Alison right?" I decided to take control here as the formal s**t was getting tiresome "you're a junior too, like me?"

"Err, Its Alice. Hi Bella" she started to move towards me like she was gonna hug me or some s**t. Yeah, I don't think so and took a step back and to the side turning to Edward, not missing the quick glance Carlisle and Esme shared. "Hello Bella, I'm Edward. It's a pleasure to meet you "his half smile bellied the strain showing around his eyes and the bulge beginning to burgeon in his pants. He took a step to place himself behind the, conveniently, waist high sofa. Heehee, I'm sure it is! "You too, Edward"...moving on...

"I'm Rosalie" The statuesque blonde stalked towards me with her hand out, almost daring me to move away. I took a step forward and met her head on, clasping her hand in mine. "I know."

She arched a perfectly sculptured eyebrow at that, withdrawing her hand and giving me an arrogant smile that showcased her perfect set of pearly whites "of course you do".

"And you know who I am too, don't you Bella" Jasper smirked at me as he suddenly appeared in the doorway to, I presume, the kitchen. Oh you bet my sweet little ass I know who he is. "Out of control vans, life flashing before my eyes...yeah! You seem vaguely familiar" I chuckled trying desperately not to come across as flirty. I don't think I succeeded as Alice went to Jasper and took his hand in hers. Make the most of it girlfriend.

"Well now, you've met everyone" Esme said smiling "Would you like some lunch Bella? We have already eaten but I could make you a sandwich if you like" "Oh no thanks, I ate before I came but that reminds me..." I reached into my bag and pulled out the Tupperware tub "I thought it would be a nice gesture to show my appreciation to you, giving up your time an' all to let me hang, you know…" a load of bullshit but it takes the blame away from me and guilt's them into giving in "so I made some monster sized cookies" I proclaimed with a flourish pulling of the lid. "Who's first?" I asked sweetly taking in their uncomfortable expressions.

"Oh, well, we have just eaten so maybe, later perhaps" Esme answered for them all. Now we can't have that now can we...spoil my fun? I don't think so.

"Oh" I said dejectedly "I thought, well I thought they would go down well as a dessert and...and, I just wanted to make a good impression on you all and...ok. Never mind" I sighed putting the lid back on. "Well, erm" Carlisle cleared his throat "Do you know what, I think a cookie would go down err, nicely. I would very much like one please Bella" I beamed at him "Oatmeal?" "Lovely" he grimaced slightly taking the proffered cookie.

"Yeah, I'll have one of those too Bella" I pulled one out and gave it to Emmett. Then looked expectantly at Rosalie. "Dieting" she sang perkily "Low fat" I sang back, matching the perkiness...and passing her one.

"Hey Bella, I'm not really and oat mealy type of girl, more a chocolate chip type of girl" Alice said with a smile. "I got you covered Alice" as I pulled out a chocolate chip cookie. "You're too thoughtful" she hesitated...but she took it. "It's a failing of mine" I bit the inside of my cheek and turned to Jasper.

"How many flavours you got in there darlin'?" he tried to peek into the tub. "Oh, lots"...down n*****s, down. If they get any harder they're gonna cut my bra. "Surprise me then" and I just caught his quick eye slide to my chest and back. You bet your ass I could, and then some. But, I passed him the smallest one I had.

"Edward?" five bucks to me he's too polite to even try to refuse. "Thank you Bella. It's very kind of you to bake these for our family." It's more than my pleasure. I passed him the biggest one I had. "Sticky toffee for you, I think" I stood back and watched as the Cullen's ate every bite of my, if I say so myself, excellent cookies. I take my fun where I can get it.

To be fair to the Cullen's, they knew how to entertain and to entertain well. I suppose when you have time to kill twenty four seven, fifty two weeks, decade after decade you learn to kill time or go crazy.

Edward serenaded us off and on with the piano. He really did play beautifully and his rendition of Clair du Lune almost moved me to tears. Emmett creamed me on the PS3 and Jasper hammered my ass at chess. Alice proved how clueless I was with her formidable knowledge of fashion and designers - and I thought I was pretty clued in - whilst Rosalie showed I really was a baby when it came to the art of snarkiness and sassiness. I abso-fuckin'-lutely love that b***h!

And they were good at playing human. Very good, and I'm sure if I hadn't known what they were and therefore looking for it, I would never notice the little...slip-ups.

As the afternoon progressed and we all got more and more comfortable with each other's presence, the charade started to slip just a little. Alice put a make-over show on the TV which she was avidly watching and listening too as she would make comments to Rose about it, except the volume was so low I couldn't hear it. Carlisle moved just a little too fast as he prevented me from face-planting on the rug when Emmett high-fived me a little too hard and knocked me off my feet. Edward answered once too often when nobody had actually spoken.

And then there was "THE GLANCES"

Jasper didn't seem to be able to not keep sending glances my way – not that I minded - as did Edward – who I did kinda mind. Esme would glance at Rose when she made a snarky comment. Carlisle would glance at Esme when she fussed too much around me. Everyone glanced at Emmett when he got to 'rough'. Everyone glanced at Carlisle when I asked questions about the family. Alice glanced at Jasper when his gaze lingered on me a little too long. Jasper glanced at Edward when he did the same. Edward would glance at Alice when she zoned out scrunching her face up like she was constipated.

I was going to go cross-eyed at this rate but it was funny as f**k. I figured something was gonna give soon and that some-one would snap. My money was on Alice, Edward or Jasper; Carlisle, Esme and Emmett seemed too laid back and Rosalie was out of the running as she seemed to find it all as funny as I did for the most part

Edward's hands suddenly slipped on the piano with a miss-key 'THUNK'. "Jasper please, enough already with the visuals!" Edward glared at Jasper. Jasper glared right on back, and a lot more impressively. "What?" I heard him say and then his lips moved minutely and I knew he was speaking to low for me to hear.

Edward obviously didn't like what he was hearing as he continued to glare and 'speak' back. Neither did Alice as she joined in the glare fest, staring at Jasper angrily. "Bells, you up for a 'Call of Duty' marathon?" asked Emmett trying to distract me and diffuse the tension that had suddenly materialised in the room.

Jasper seemed prepared to let it go as he suddenly gave a lazy grin and leaned back languidly in the chair, looking for all purposes like he posing for the front cover of a romance novel. Judging by the way my lower regions tightened and heated, I think he definitely had a future in that line of work if he wanted. Oops. I finally lost the control I had been exerting all day around Jasper. Not helping the tension levels at all as, almost as one, they all gave a little sniff and turned to me.

Jasper and Emmett smirked. Carlisle and Esme looked worried. Rosalie looked amused. Edward pained and Alice angry. I sat back, crossed my legs and picked up my popcorn popping a piece into my mouth.

"Alice." warned Carlisle turning from me. "What Carlisle! She should know he's my husband." True, but I haven't done or said anything inappropriate towards Jasper. So how are you going to explain that comment puerile-pire? Should I help her out or make matters worse. Better, worse? Better, worse? Decisions, decisions.

"What are you talking about and aren't you a little too young to be married? I mean you're only seventeen and still in high school. Is it even legal?" Nope, not feeling like benevolent Bella today. "I can smell your reaction to him. We all can." she blurted out unthinkingly, too wrapped up in her jealousy to control what she said. The others looked at her horror-struck.

"Well that's a little...weird" I raised my eyebrows "But you don't look embarrassed or surprised about it though." Rose said with a speculative look. Oh hell no! I have had way too many 'incidents' like this, and worse, so that I'm practically inoculated against worrying about bodily odours...of all varieties. My mind wandered to a particular incident with a family friend, Garrett, and I felt more liquid pool between my legs.

"Oh God!" Edward practically wailed and lowered his head into his hands. To be fair, none of the men looked to be doing so well right now and this time I couldn't stop the embarrassment, or subsequent blush, from showing. Esme tried to bring the conversation back to something resembling normal. "Well, Carlisle and I gave permission for the marriage so it is all legal and above board." she indicated that Alice should follow her into the kitchen. Alice stood fast and Esme conceded. Give it up already, that ship has sooo sailed. And this is fun.

"Do you know how weirdly you guys are acting?" I asked the room in general. "Do you know how weirdly you are not acting right now? All things considered" Rosalie snapped right back. "I am remarkably good with weird."

"Yeah, why is that?"

"You tell me." We were getting there, but I wasn't going to help them any. "Oh I don't think so little girl." she snarled "We don't owe you anything." I could beg to differ but, "Ditto."

"Girls!" Carlisle interrupted sternly "Bella, I apologise for Rosalie and Alice's behaviour. Your right. We are behaving...oddly, and for that I apologise for us all. Perhaps we should call it a day?" and I was pleased to see he looked upset about that. "Aw... c'mon guys" Emmett also looked unhappy. Carlisle why can't we..." he shrugged his shoulders at him. "There are rules Emmett. You know this." Carlisle said sternly.

"But Alice has said...maybe she could guess" Emmett said, determined it seemed not to be deterred. "Yeah, Bella." Rose interrupted sarcastically "Why don't you guess? I for one would like to know if I was correct in my assumptions."

"Don't you know how dangerous it can be to assume anything Rosalie?" Point for me.

"Don't you know how dangerous it can be to presume you have a choice in this?" Okay, point for her. "Don't you threaten her Rose?" Jasper defended me. Point for him.

"Don't you defend her Jasper?" Minus a f*****g point for Alice. "Don't you gripe at him for your visions being f****d up?" Big point for Emmett. I popped some more popcorn in my mouth.

"Don't you use that language in my house Emmett McCarty" Yeah, Esme can have a point for being a mom. "Don't berate him for calling Alice out" ooh, that's tough. Half a point for Rosalie for defending her man.

"Don't talk to Esme like that!" I should give a point to Edward for supporting his 'mom'. "Don't you interfere just because you can't keep it down when Bella's around" heehee, Jasper can have 2 points for that.

"Don't think you're any better just because you seem to have more control." I gotta give Alice a point back for that. I shoved a handful of popcorn into my mouth. "Don't you think this would not have happened if Edward had stayed outta his head?" Emmett just keeps racking the points up.

"Don't you think you have all said enough?" Aw s**t, Carlisle! No points for you. Once again they all looked at me. I swallowed the popcorn I was still chewing.

"Don't mind me, I'm just visiting" I said into the silence.

It was Emmett who broke the sudden silence "Talk to us Bella. Whatchya thinking?"

"I'm thinking you guys provide the best entertainment in Forks and that Esme makes the best popcorn in the world."

"He meant about what we said." Jasper said softly. "How many guesses can I have then?"

"Three!" Emmett said excitedly. "And what do I win if I guess correctly?" No way was I gonna pass this up. "Err, what do you want?" He asked a little more wearily this time "I wanna have a drive of the fabulous 4 by 4 you came to school in last week…"

"What! No way could a lil'bit like you handle my baby"

"…and you have to sit in the back." Now he looked a little green. "But hey! if you don't wanna play..." I shrugged nonchalantly.

"Fine." he actually pouted "Go ahead and guess, but if we have to tell you, what do I get?"

"What do you want" My confidence seemed to throw him a little "Oooh let me think. I know! You have to let me pimp your ride" he laughed evilly. f**k me. The thought of what Emmett would likely do to my truck gave me the collywobbles, however... "You're on."

"Knock yourself out." he sat back and folded his arms across his chest, smirking. "Mmmm... Kryptonite...different planet?"

"Pthh! Please." Rosalie snickered "I thought you were supposed to be smart." I grinned. "Okay. Fangy teeth, allergy to garlic, stake in the heart" I thought Edward was going to choke and Jasper snorted. "So near yet so far." Emmett laughed his evil laugh again. "I think we should give her a little help" Rosalie added "You might want to rethink and expand on that last answer"

"What? On the theme of Vampires" I giggled. "Yep" I can do that. "Okay. How about...fangless vampires. No coffins. Venomous. Animal blood. Don't 'die' during the day and have sparkly asses?"

Their jaws unhinged. Every. last. one of them.

"Did I win? Did I win?" I bounced up and down on the sofa like a jumping jack on acid. "I knew it b***h!" Rosalie grabbed me up, one handed, of the sofa and pulled me to her. My heart leapt into my mouth…I'm gonna die, smothered by her abundant breasts.

She held me up with her arm around my waist "I told you all but did you listen? Welcome to the family Bella...Good luck with that."

"How, Bella? It's against our law to tell humans. Who told you?" Carlisle asked "and how long have you known?"

"Long story for another day" I gasped out as Emmett picked me up and swung me around. Not being able to breathe gave me the excuse I needed to side-step the questions, not wanting to go down that road just yet and not without 'support'. Emmett put me down and did the same to Rosalie who, resignedly, let him. I wobbled a little and Jasper took my arm to steady me "We're gonna get your secrets outta you soon darlin', that's a promise Miss Piper." he said with a wink. "And I'll give them up to you gladly Mr. Hale" I quipped back, my accent coming out strong. I'll give him anyone’s secrets if he doesn't stop doing that!

I looked to Alice to see what she made of our exchange, I mean that was flirting at it's finest, but she was not paying us no never mind. Her face had that constipated look again. Her face un-scrunched and her smile could have lit up Vegas in a power outage. "Carlisle, the weather is going to be perfect tomorrow for Baseball and now that Bella knows about us, I'm thinking we could all go to the clearing for a game." She turned that smile on me "Bella, I'm sorry about before…it's just a girl thing you understand. I really do want to be your sister" she said with genuine feeling. She actually looked quite adorable. "Uh okay, no worries and me too" Huh! Where did that come from? Left field much.

"She's right Bella. Welcome to the family and I think a game of Baseball sounds perfect for tomorrow, if you want to join us that is?" Carlisle touched the top of my arm. "Definitely, Bella and welcome from me." Esme actually kissed my cheek "It would be lovely if you joined us, if you want to" No pressure then! But even after all the things I've seen and done, I have never seen a Baseball game vampire style, so. "Sounds like a plan to me but just one thing…" I turned to Emmett and mimicked the evil grin he had favoured me with; "…I'm driving"