Painting

Anastasia watched from the bed as Jasper painted the nature scenery from his balcony. They were isolated in Jasper's room, having a lovely day in. She stared specifically at his arms. His blue button-up shirt sleeves were bunched up, revealing his pale arms. She loved his arms. Jasper constantly concealed his skin away, ashamed of the scars he had acquired during his time as a war major. Anastasia enjoyed his war stories and he didn't seem to mind telling her about his previous life, even if he did feel at time ashamed. She had to remind him constantly that he should not feel like a monster, for she had also worked for the cruelest vampire coven to ever exist.

"You act as if I don't have blood on my hands. You know what the Volturi have done," she would mumble to him in attempts to ease his thoughts. It never worked.

"Enjoying the view, love?" She heard Jasper's southern drawl ask from the open double doors. His back was towards her but she could tell a smirk adorned his face. He was about to roll his sleeves back down but Ana stood to her feet and in seconds, her arms were wrapped around Jasper's waist from behind.

"I like my view. Don't ruin it with those sleeves please," her voice was muffled as she spoke into his back. Jasper smirked. He continued to paint with Anastasia still clinging to his back. She peeked over his shoulder to see he had painted the beautiful forest edge that surrounded their home. Anastasia was in awe.

"I didn't know you could paint so well. I thought you were just bluffing," she admitted. Jasper laughed.

"I'm only okay at painting I suppose."

Anastasia thought Jasper was being modest. His painting was extraordinary and she praised him so much, Jasper could feel strong, happy emotions coming from his mate.

"You should paint me someday," Anastasia mused. Jasper chuckled and put his brush down. He turned to face his mate and kissed her nose.

"Is there a specific position you had in mind, darling?" He asked with a cheeky smile. Jasper buried his nose into her neck and inhaled, taking in the nature-like scent of his mate. She smelled of sweet wildflowers in high bloom on a warm, summer day. It was a comforting scent and Jasper found himself addicted to her wildflower smell.

"You big pervert," she laughed and pushed him away. Jasper watched as Anastasia leaped back onto his couch and relaxed her stiff body. Jasper immediately jumped on top of her. Anastasia squealed loudly as she didn't expect his attack. Jasper snickered as he nipped at her neck, tickling her nonstop. She gasped loudly, torn between his lustful kisses and his unbearable tickles.

"So what do you have planned for the day, Mr. Hale?" Ana mumbled. Jasper hummed and pulled away from his assault on her neck.

"I was thinking we could take Reneesme to the lake. She really likes being around you," he responded. Anastasia smiled and nodded in agreement.

"I like her too. For some reason, I don't feel like eating her," Ana said lively. Jasper snickered and pulled the redhead close to her.

"Go get ready then. I'll go get Ness from Rosalie."

Jasper zoomed away and Ana rushed to change into something light. The weather was cloudy again but Anastasia was hoping for her first ray of sun. She changed into light jeans, a simple t-shirt that she knew Alice would one day burn, and some dark oxford boots.

Throwing her hair up in a ponytail, she raced downstairs to find Reneesme giggling in Jasper's left arm and a picnic basket in the other.

"Auntie Ana, I'm ready to go!" Reneesme said sweetly. Anastasia smiled brightly at the young child, feeling gleeful that Ness saw her as one of her aunts. Jasper sent a soft smile as well.

They bid their family goodbye, Bella and Edward entrusting the two vampires to look after their daughter. Jacob tagging along as the child's imprint.

They arrived at the lake quicker than a flash. Reneesme squealed happily as she and Jacob ran to the water. Anastasia looked up to the sky to see the clouds thickening. She sighed. No sun today. Anastasia laid a blanket out on the sand and peeked inside the basket, finding a foam cup that was filled with blood. She stuck a straw and began to sip away at the snack Jasper had been so polite to bring.

"What are you thinkin' about, ma'am?" Jasper whispered to her. Ana shrugged.

"How the sun never seems to come out around here," she mused. Jasper chuckled and began to twirl her hair around his fingers.

"You like the sun, darling?"

"Well, I haven't seen the sun in years. It would be nice to see it every once in a while."

"Here in Forks, we get sunshine about 01% of the time. And that's throughout the entire year."

Anastasia decided to push aside her thoughts about the sun. She spent her day splashing in the water with Reneesme and Jasper, helping her collect shells and stones for her parents.

Reneesme grinned at her favorite redhead as she bounced near Ana, showing her the crab she had caught.

"Can I keep him, Uncle Jasper?"

"He belongs to the lake, sweetie."

Reneesme pouted but obeyed. She ran back to Jacob, who swooped her up in his arms.

Anastasia watched as the werewolf played with the young child. She turned to her mate and nudged him.

"Isn't it kinda weird that Jacob imprinted on a child? Does that happen often?" She asked. Jasper chuckled and kissed her head.

"You should've seen Bella when we told her Jacob had imprinted on her daughter. She almost killed him," Jasper said humorously. Ana giggled softly and wrapped her arm around Jasper.

Their day by the lake ended as soon as Reneesme let out a soft yawn, indicating she was tired. With the child on Jacob's back, they all headed back to the Cullen household quickly. Jacob went ahead upstairs to put the little girl to sleep. Jasper and Ana took their time walking into the house, holding onto each other's hands.

Jasper suddenly stopped as he opened the door. Anastasia knew why as the scent of a familiar vampire filled her nostrils.

Following the smell, they came to the living room where the rest of the Cullen's were, minus Bella and Rosalie, who were attending to Reneesme's needs. Anastasia pouted and stomped into the living room, ready to give the intruder a piece of her mind.

The Cullen Clan turned to peek at her as soon as the two entered the room. Ana's eyes went straight to the new vampire, who expressed nothing more than a smirk.

"I call this abuse," the redhead announced.

"I call this a necessity."

"Did Aro send you?"

"Course. Why else would I be here, Ana?"

Anastasia narrowed her eyes at Demetri. He was the same Demetri as always, Ana expected nothing more from the rambunctious vampire. He neared her and offered his hand to her.

"Let's take a walk, red."

*unedited*

...

I totally forgot this book existed 🙃

I apologize to anyone who was waiting for an update, I don't even know when was the last time I posted.

I'll try better, I swear.

cheers